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The Iran war is nearing the three-week mark as about 2,200 more U.S. Marines and three more warships are headed toward the region, two U.S. officials say.

Police in Barcelona said the death of Jimmy Gracey, a University of Alabama student from Illinois who went missing on vacation, was likely an accident.

Amazon is reportedly developing a new AI-focused smartphone that doesn't rely as heavily on traditional apps. "The phone is seen as a potential mobile personalization device that can sync with home voice assistant Alexa and serve as a conduit to Amazon customers throughout the day," reports Reuters. From the report: As envisioned, the new phone's personalization features would make buying from Amazon.com, watching Prime Video, listening to Prime Music or ordering food from partners like Grubhub easier than ever, the people said. They asked for anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss internal matters. A key focus of the Transformer project has been integrating artificial intelligence capabilities into the device, the people said. That could eliminate the need for traditional app stores, which require downloading and registering for applications before they can be used. Alexa would likely be a core feature but not necessarily the primary operating system of the phone, the people said.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

The first Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is coming from the Pacific, is still making its way toward the region

Trump emphasizes that there is ‘nothing more important’ for the US at the moment than voter ID as he demands Congress to pass the Save America act

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The US military is deploying thousands of additional marines and sailors to the Middle East, three US officials told Reuters on Friday.

One of the officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that the USS Boxer, along with the marine expeditionary unit onboard, were departing the west coast of the US about three weeks ahead of schedule.

Stuart Niven suspended after revelations he was struck off as company director, while other candidates have been accused of extremist statements including describing Humza Yousaf as ‘not British’

Severin Carrell is the Guardian’s Scotland editor.

Malcolm Offord, Reform UK’s Scottish leader, has doubled down on his defence of the party’s vetting by dismissing remarks by candidates backing Tommy Robinson or describing Humza Yousaf as an “Islamist moron” (see 10.12am) as “fruity language”.

It has taken a matter of hours for Reform Scotland’s big launch to fall apart and their true colours to show.

If Nigel Farage refuses to act and remove this candidate, Malcolm Offord must step up and show some leadership himself. This incident has confirmed once and for all how poisonous and chaotic Reform is and I have no doubt that Scots will send them packing.

Again, as I say, this was done in a former life before she became a member of Reform. We’ve all said things in the past that may be intemperate… I am saying that we have to grow up on this and not take offence at every moment in time.

I’ve been very clear that we have brought in a whole range of candidates, 80% of whom are not politicians. They’re real people with real lives who said real things in a past life. Okay, this was said before she was a candidate. She wasn’t even a member of the party at that time.

And what we got in the situation is that in all our lives in the past, we’ve made comments that might sometimes be intemperate. But the issue with this modern world we live in is everything is now written down and remembered. I just think we have to be more, more realistic about the fact that real people say real things, and now she’s a candidate, she will be held to a higher standard.

Liberal Democrats urge the government to ensure the NCA or new National Police Service takes over investigations into serious waste crime. We also need an independent review of the entire waste crime system to crack down on organised gangs once and for all. New powers for the Environmental Agency simply won’t cut it.

As the Iran war rages, Israel continues killing senior Iranian figures. CBS News asked experts how they do it.

Peter Coates’s family welcome end to years pursuing answers after he died when outage stopped oxygen machine

A family has welcomed a coroner’s conclusion that ambulance delays possibly contributed to their father’s death in 2019 after enduring “years of distress trying to pursue answers”.

The family of Peter Coates said they had been met with “delays and resistance” from a regional ambulance service as they tried to discover the full circumstances of his final minutes.

Plunging oil shipments transiting the Strait of Hormuz have sent global energy prices soaring to their highest level in years.

Chuck Norris' family said his death at 86 was sudden, but did not share any other information.

The Trump administration argued that Harvard unlawfully discriminated against Jewish and Israeli students, in violation of federal civil rights law.

Announcement follows Poland’s confirmation of troop withdrawal because of ‘worsening security situation’

Meanwhile, French president Emmanuel Macron has confirmed the seizure of the tanker, which he said belonged to the Russian shadow fleet.

In a strongly worded post on X, he said:

“The French navy boarded this morning in the Mediterranean a new vessel from the shadow fleet, the Deyna.

The war in Iran will not divert France from its support for Ukraine, where Russia’s war of aggression continues.

Joe Kent, a top counterterrorism official in the Trump administration, resigned Tuesday citing his opposition to the ongoing war in Iran.

Kent’s resignation came as the most recent and perhaps most consequential of a series of rifts opening on the far right over the war in Iran. While most of the defections had come from MAGA media figures, Kent’s departure from his role as director of the National Counterterrorism Center was the first major defection from the administration.

In his letter of resignation, Kent condemned the war as a violation of the president’s campaign promises to steer clear of foreign wars, criticizing what he described as Israeli pressure as a catalyst for dragging the U.S. into a deadly potential quagmire.

“I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran,” wrote Kent in a letter posted to X, where it had received nearly 100 million views as of Friday morning. “Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.”

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“Utterly Dismayed”: Air Force Engineer Resigns as Dissent Against Gaza War Slowly Spreads Within Military

Kent is not the only government national security professional disaffected by Donald Trump’s war in Iran, according to advocates for conscientious objection who say they’re fielding nonstop calls from distressed service members. Many service members could refuse to take part in the war, either by refusing outright — and risking punishment — or by declaring as conscientious objectors, according to Mike Prysner, executive director of the Center on Conscience and War, a group that counsels members of the military on their rights in objecting to participation in or support of combat operations.

“This is the kind of thing that really resonates: seeing respected people in positions of power validating what many service members feel, which is that this is bad and people shouldn’t take part in it,” Prysner said. “There are a lot of people who may be inspired by what Kent did.”

Skyrocketing Objections

Prysner said that in the weeks since the war began with joint U.S.–Israeli airstrikes on February 28, the group’s phones have been ringing around the clock. Active-duty military personnel and military families are scrambling, he said, to figure out what their rights might be in refusing to take part in the war. His group has helped dozens of service members explore or start applications to declare as conscientious objectors.

“We’ve started more people in the CO process in the past two weeks than we typically do over the period of a year,” Prysner said.

Prysner said the group has spoken with service members occupying ranks from major to private, including three fighter pilots.

Prysner’s numbers could not be independently confirmed, and representatives of the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the number of new applications for conscientious-objector status.

Kent, an Army veteran who later served in the CIA before running as a hard-right House candidate in Washington state, is the most senior member of the administration to resign over the war in Iran. Until Tuesday, he served under Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence and herself a former critic of pressure to the U.S. and Israel to carry out regime change in Iran.

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Air Force Academy Prepares Ideological Overhaul, With Erika Kirk Bringing “Bold Christian Faith”

The resignation came amid a broader split in the MAGA movement, with some Trump loyalists backing up the president’s decision to go to war while others, perhaps most notably conservative pundit Tucker Carlson, questioning the logic of attacking Iran in concert with Israel. In the wake of Kent’s announcement, Trump called his departure “a good thing,” while White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said the letter was brimming with “false claims.” Kent, according to media reports, was the subject of a leak investigation by the FBI.

“Sooner the Better”

The U.S. military offers service members avenues to avoid combat or even be discharged from the ranks if they can prove that they hold religious, moral, or ethical objection to “war in any form.” The practice in the U.S. of declaring as a conscientious objector goes back as far as the U.S. military, although the regulations around it and the reasons cited by would-be conscientious objectors have expanded over time, and in the current, all-volunteer military, regulations require that one’s believes have “crystalized” since signing on.

“It’s totally valid for people to cite a specific conflict in their CO application, as long as that leads them to the broader realization that they cannot participate in any war,” Prysner said. “It’s absolutely valid for service members to look at the war in Iran and make the conclusion that they can’t be part of this in any form.”

Prysner is himself a veteran who served in the Iraq War, and came to anti-war activism after his deployments there. He said he began to question the violence unleashed in Iraq after coming into contact with Iraqis. In the age of the internet, however, the horrors of war can be quickly beamed into people’s phones and social media, potentially spurring more members of the military to question their role in that violence.

That dynamic was on display in Iran, Prysner told The Intercept. The surprise nature of the U.S.–Israel attack caused the families of service members to reach out to loved ones stationed abroad, while numerous active-duty members who reached out had been motivated by the clear and devastating impact of the war on civilians, notably a U.S. airstrike on February 28 that killed 168 people, most of them children, at a school in the Iranian city of Minab.

“By far the most common thing we’ve heard from people for a specific thing that caused them to reach out was the Minab school massacre,” Prysner said. “It’s not wanting to be a part of what they see as crimes against people they have no reason to hurt.”

Related

Daniel Ellsberg Wanted Americans to See the Truth About War

Hundreds of service members resisted participation in the Iraq War, including many who successfully applied as conscientious objectors. But many had a difficult time successfully proving that their opposition to war was not simply a fear of serving overseas. Others went AWOL, with at least 200 service members fleeing to Canada to avoid fighting.

Some, such as former Marine Stephen Funk, served jail time for refusing to deploy. Funk also faced discrimination in the Marines as a then-closeted gay man and spent months in the brig for his refusal to ship off to Iraq. In the years after his discharge, he worked with anti-war groups like Iraq Veterans Against the War and Veteran Artists to promote peace and work with other vets to reintegrate.

Funk told The Intercept he has been horrified to see the U.S. yet again charging into a war that has already killed hundreds of civilians and stands to kill, injure, and morally compromise members of the U.S. military. He urged service members facing a crisis of conscience to listen to their heart.

“I would say go for it, the sooner the better,” Funk told The Intercept. “You don’t want to have injuries, or moral injuries, that you’ll carry for the rest of your life.”

The post Joe Kent’s Resignation Could Bolster a Wave of Conscientious Objectors to Trump’s Iran War appeared first on The Intercept.

In his latest book, the New York Times bestselling author writes of a cultural crisis: an increase in anxiety and depression, concurrent with a rise in social media use, during what he terms an "Age of Emptiness."

Exclusive: Chris Bryant says policy agreements are being done in bits and pieces but a greater vision is needed by both sides

It was all smiles and warm handshakes when the two men in charge of renegotiating the UK’s relationship with the EU met in Brussels this week.

Maroš Šefčovič and the UK minister for EU relations, Nick Thomas-Symonds, sharing a stage on the third floor of the vast European parliament building, were at pains to show the cross-Channel relationship was in a good place after years of rancour.

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Reuters: Fan Xinquan, a retired electronics worker in Beijing, has recently started raising a "lobster," hoping that the AI agent he has been training can help organize his specialized industry knowledge better than chatbots like DeepSeek. "OpenClaw can actually help you accomplish many practical things," the 60-year-old said at a recent event hosted by AI startup Zhipu to teach people how to use and train the AI agent, which has gone viral in China, with its various local versions earning the "lobster" nickname. In the past month, OpenClaw, which can connect several hardware and software tools and learn from the data produced with much less human intervention than a chatbot, has captured the imaginations of many in China, from retirees looking for side income to AI firms hoping to generate new revenue streams. [...] Huang Rongsheng, chief architect at Baidu's smart device unit Xiaodu, said at an event on Tuesday that parent group chats for his daughter's primary school class have become overwhelmed by OpenClaw discussions. "My daughter came to me and asked: Dad, I see you raising a lobster every day," he said. "Can I have one too?" Bai Yiyun, another attendee at the Zhipu event, said she hopes to use the agent to start a side hustle during her retirement. "If DeepSeek marked a milestone for open-source large language models, then OpenClaw represents a similar turning point for open-source "agents," said Wei Sun, chief AI analyst at Counterpoint Research.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

CBS News Radio to shutter after nearly 100 years as editor Bari Weiss tells staff cuts were ‘necessary’ decision

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CBS News announced it is laying off dozens of employees on Friday and ending CBS News Radio – its nearly 100-year-old radio service – as part of a strategic restructuring.

The news was announced in a memo to staffers from its editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss, and president, Tom Cibrowski. Employees will be informed by the end of the day if their job has been affected, the two executives said in the memo.

The number of parents and children booked into the country’s only immigrant family detention center, in Dilley, Texas, plummeted in February by more than 75% compared with a month earlier, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement data obtained by ProPublica.

Between April 2025, when President Donald Trump started sending families there, and January of this year, the  number of people sent into detention with their families averaged around 600 per month. In February, those so-called books-ins fell to 133. As of mid-March, they dropped again to just 54.

This week there were only around 100 people in family detention at Dilley, compared with an average daily population in January of over 900, the data shows.

Current and former ICE officials and lawyers with clients in Dilley said they were unable to explain the reason for the sharp decline. However, they said the shift followed weeks of mounting public pressure generated in part by the widespread publication of letters written by several of the detained children in which they described the conditions inside Dilley and their despair at being ripped from their homes and schools.

ProPublica published several of those letters on Feb. 9 after visiting the facility — about an hour south of San Antonio — in mid-January. The letters set off a storm of outrage in Washington and across the country. They were raised in congressional hearings and pasted on posters in anti-ICE demonstrations.

Rep. James Walkinshaw, a Democrat from Virginia, read the letters aloud to ICE’s acting director, Todd Lyons, during a congressional hearing on Feb. 10, pressing him for answers about whether the children’s detention could cause adverse psychological effects. He pointed to one drawing by a 5-year-old Venezuelan girl named Luisanney Toloza of her family. 

“My son’s 5. He can’t write many words, but he can communicate through drawings like this,” Walkinshaw said, making special note of the expressions on the family’s faces. “None of the faces are smiling.”

It was another 5-year-old who first triggered public attention to children being detained at Dilley. Liam Conejo Ramos was picked up on Jan. 20 in Minnesota and sent to the facility with his father. A photograph of him at the time of his detention, wearing a blue bunny hat, went viral. 

Detainees, emboldened by the attention, organized a protest in a yard at the facility that was captured in an aerial photograph and widely published on social media. Lawmakers demanded multiple visits to push for the release of Ramos and others. Nearly 4,000 doctors, nurses and health professionals sent a letter to the Trump administration calling for the immediate release of all children currently in immigration detention. This month, social media personality Rachel Accurso, an educator better known as Ms. Rachel, who makes popular children’s programming, posted a video conversation with one of the kids detained at Dilley to her 4.9 million Instagram followers, garnering more than 3,700 comments.

Rep. Joaquin Castro, a Democrat from Texas, has been at the forefront of a push by legislators from his party to shut down Dilley and for the administration to find alternatives to family detentions. When told about the drop in the number of families being held at Dilley, he said, “That trailer prison is no place for children, and I’m glad to hear that the numbers continue to decline,” adding, “It’s a reminder that people can make a difference by speaking up.”

The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, said in a statement that custody decisions are made “daily, on a case-by-case basis,” adding that the “administration does not make immigration decisions based on public opinion. We follow the rule of law.” In the past, the agency has said that Dilley offers families a safe environment equipped with access to educational materials, child care necessities and round-the-clock medical and mental health care. Meanwhile, CoreCivic, the private prison company operating the facility, said in a statement it does not have “any say whatsoever” in whether detainees are deported or released.” In previous statements, it has said that the health and safety of detainees is its “top priority.”

Dilley first opened as a family detention facility under former President Barack Obama in 2014, mostly for recent border crossers. Trump kept the facility running during his first term, but President Joe Biden stopped holding families in 2021, arguing the United States shouldn’t be in the business of detaining children.

Soon after taking office a second time, Trump resumed family detentions at Dilley. As border crossings have dropped to record lows, more of the families being held there have been arrested inside the United States and have been in the country long enough to lay down roots and build networks of relatives and friends. The children detained there have ranged in age from newborns to older teenagers. The vast majority of adults held at Dilley had no U.S. criminal record. 

Following the protests and the publication of children’s letters, detainees and attorneys interviewed by ProPublica said guards took away crayons, colored pencils and drawing paper during recent room searches. This week, ProPublica learned the facility had cut off access to video calls in common areas.

The Trump administration said in a recent court filing that personal property had not been destroyed at Dilley and items confiscated during searches were “limited to materials identified as protest-related and not authorized under facility rules.” CoreCivic “vehemently” denied staff confiscated or destroyed children’s personal artwork or supplies. DHS said the restrictions were put in place on video calls following the livestreaming of recorded calls online “that resulted in the unauthorized dissemination of law enforcement sensitive information.” The agency added the video calls are still available in private rooms, as is access to in-person visitation and phones.

While a long-standing legal settlement, known as the Flores agreement, holds that children should generally not be detained for more than 20 days, the data ProPublica obtained showed the average days in custody was longer than that for every month since family detentions resumed at the facility last year. In each month between November and February, the average stay in family detention was over 50 days.

DHS has said in the past that the Flores agreement, in place since the 1990s, is outdated and should be terminated because newer regulations address the needs of children in detention.

One Egyptian family, Hayam El Gamal and her five children ranging in age from 18 to 5-year-old twins, has been at Dilley for nine months. They were taken into custody after the father, Mohamed Soliman, was charged over an alleged antisemitic attack in Boulder, Colorado, that killed one person and injured 13 others. The family said it had no knowledge of his plans. DHS said it is still investigating.

One 13-year-old Guatemalan boy named Edison was released from Dilley with his mom this week. During his 92-day detention, Edison had cried in video calls to his father back in Chicago, saying he felt like he was being treated like a criminal. (His father asked that his son’s last name not be used.) Then in the early hours of Wednesday morning, a guard came to their bunk room and told him and his mom to start packing their belongings. By that night, they were on a plane to Chicago to be reunited with Edison’s dad. “We don’t understand why they were released,” his dad said. “All I can tell you is it was a miracle from God.”

As soon as they landed, the family went home to enjoy a seafood dinner, one of Edison’s favorites.

The post The Number of Families Being Held at Dilley Detention Center Has Plummeted appeared first on ProPublica.

During a six-decade career at the New Yorker, Mr. Tomkins profiled scores of artists, including Marcel Duchamp, Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns and Georgia O’Keeffe.

Late-night hosts panned Trump’s joke about the 1941 attack, addressed new unredacted Epstein emails and talked popular puppy names

With The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on hiatus until at least 27 March, late-night hosts on Thursday discussed Donald Trump’s snafu while meeting Japan’s prime minister, his caginess over Iran, and new findings in the Epstein investigations.

Trump is claimed to be weighing up a change of heart over ‘boots on the ground’, as Iran says it will hunt down US and Israeli officials

• Middle East crisis – live updates

The US is reportedly considering plans to occupy or blockade Iran’s Kharg Island to pressure Tehran to reopen the strait of Hormuz, despite earlier suggestions by Donald Trump that he was not leaning towards putting “boots on the ground”.

The claims, made on the Axios website, followed previous reporting that the US was considering occupying the key Iranian oil terminal.

Stuart Niven found to have diverted Covid grants to personal account and other candidates’ Islamophobic remarks revealed

• UK politics live – latest updates

Reform UK has suspended one of its Scottish candidates after it emerged he had been struck off as a company director, and the party faces growing attacks for fielding candidates making Islamophobic remarks.

Reform confirmed on Friday morning it had suspended Stuart Niven, its candidate for Dundee West, after the Herald revealed he had been struck off after diverting tens of thousands of pounds of Covid grants into his personal account.

If you want to help testing alpha or beta quality software (either firmware or package), how to verify it is working correctly on your board in a safe way? Follow these 10 simple steps.

1. After installing the new software, ensure you correctly restored all your configs. If going between firmware versions:

• The App config between 6.X versions released to date can always be copied.
• Between 6.02 and 6.05 the motor should be recalibrated.
• Between 6.05 and 6.06 you can, to the extent of my knowledge, copy the config.

2. Go to the package UI (a tab called “Refloat” from 1.2.2 onwards, “AppUI” on older versions) and check the board pictograms for pitch and roll are correct and updating correctly when you move the board.

3. Press footpad sensors and check the in-app indicator to see the sensors are working correctly.

4. Unless you are confident and want to fast-run it, enable Handtest under Refloat UI tab → Settings (cog icon) → Setup. If there is stuff around which the board could hit or if it could damage the flooring, always enable the Handtest.

5. Engage the board with your hands pressing on the footpads. Be ready in case the board does something unexpected.

6. Rock the board back and forth, slowly at first, then speed up and push the board faster.

7. Turn off Handtest. Ideally, go to a grassy terrain. Wear protective gear, especially if on concrete/asphalt. Step on the board and ride around slowly, feeling out how the board reacts.

8. Ride slowly for a few minutes to gain trust in the new software. Test how it reacts in high torque situations before going fast.

9. Explicitly test any changes in functionality (mentioned in release notes or the text accompanying the build) that you use to ensure it works as you expect it to.

10. Enjoy your spanking new software!

The best filtered water bottles can remove contaminants like lead, pesticides, microplastics, sediment and bacteria.

Actor who rose to fame after starring in Bruce Lee’s The Way of the Dragon also became a TV fixture with Walker, Texas Ranger

Chuck Norris, the former world karate champion who used his fight prowess to become the star of a string of low-budget but financially successful action movies, has died aged 86.

His family posted a message on social media saying Norris had died on Thursday, adding: “While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace.”

I spoke with Andy Weir about the adaptation of his hit novel, Project Hail Mary. Our conversation quickly turned into a mind-blowing lesson about science fiction.

In Denmark, the spread of solar panels in rural areas has become a divisive issue among voters, especially in rural areas

In one telling of the story, the golden fields of a proud farming nation are under attack. Besieged by an industrial sprawl of solar panels, they are being smothered at the behest of an urban elite.

That narrative has failed to thrive in conservative heartlands such as Texas and Hungary, which have embraced solar power while lambasting green rules. But it is taking root in Denmark, the most climate-ambitious nation on Earth. “We say yes to fields of wheat,” said Inger Støjberg, the leader of the rightwing populist Denmark Democrats in a speech in 2024. “And we say no to fields of iron!”

‘These AI agents have been really, really helpful,’ says a former Sydney employee. ‘But you couldn’t use something like that to replace an actual human worker’

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Sacked from his “dream job” at software giant Atlassian, Rubio* wants just one thing – closure.

“We were probably exceeding expectations and there’s no explanation from the company as a whole as to why any of this happened,” he says.

Three weeks into the US-Israeli war of choice in Iran, Labor is warning of financial pain. But the economic cost isn’t the only risk here

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A group of public service chiefs gathered on Thursday night for a quiet dinner in Canberra to send off Australia’s new ambassador to the US.

There was lightning and heavy rain outside the upmarket Pan-Asian restaurant Chairman and Yip, but inside the private dining room the mood was cheerful.

The interest earning potential of all three is high, but that's not the only item savers should be thinking about now.

• Scranton beat NYU to end three-year win streak

• Violets’ bid for third straight NCAA title falls short

• Peper scores 19 as dynasty run ends in Virginia

New York University’s historic 91-game winning streak is over after a 60-52 loss to Scranton in the Final Four of the Division III NCAA Tournament on Thursday night, ending one of the longest unbeaten runs in college basketball history.

The Violets (29-1) had the second-longest winning streak in NCAA history, trailing only UConn’s 111-game run between 2014 and 2017, and were seeking a third consecutive national championship. Instead, Scranton (32-0) advanced to the title game, holding off a late NYU rally.

Owner of labrador says bottle find may be connected to poisoning that led to one of England’s last public hangings

A man in Devon believes his beloved dog has dug up a key piece of evidence in his back garden connected to a notorious Victorian murder case.

Paul Phillips, 49, told reporters that his labrador, Stanley, recovered a blue glass bottle with the words “Not to be taken” written on the side from their home in Clyst Honiton.

I saw the new $1,499 Nosh One up close. Here's my take on the latest AI-powered cooking robot.

HHS is looking into the states for ‘alleged disregard of, or confusion about’ the federal Weldon amendment

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The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said on Thursday that it is investigating 13 states that require state-regulated health insurance plans to cover abortion services.

HHS officials said in a news release that the department’s office for civil rights (OCR) is looking into the states for allegedly violating the federal Weldon amendment, which prohibits federal funding for programs or state or local governments that “subjects any institutional or individual healthcare entity to discrimination on the basis that the healthcare entity does not provide, pay for, provide coverage of, or refer for abortions”.

Three people were suing ex-Sinn Féin leader for liability over IRA bombings in UK that left them injured

Three victims of IRA bombings who sued Gerry Adams alleging he was a member of the paramilitary group and culpable for the attacks have withdrawn their lawsuit on the last day of the civil trial.

John Clark, Jonathan Ganesh and Barry Laycock, who were injured respectively in the 1973 Old Bailey bombing, the London Docklands and Manchester bombings in 1996, were seeking symbolic “vindicatory” damages of £1 each.

SAN JOSE, Calif., March 20, 2026 — Super Micro Computer, Inc. has issued the following statement:

Supermicro was informed yesterday that the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York has unsealed an indictment of three individuals associated with the Company in connection with an alleged conspiracy to commit export-control violations.

Supermicro is not named as a defendant in the indictment. The individuals charged are Yih-Shyan “Wally” Liaw, Senior Vice President of Business Development and a member of the Company’s Board of Directors; Ruei-Tsang “Steven” Chang, a sales manager in Taiwan; and Ting-Wei “Willy” Sun, a contractor. Supermicro has placed the two employees on administrative leave and terminated its relationship with the contractor, effective immediately.

The conduct by these individuals alleged in the indictment is a contravention of the Company’s policies and compliance controls, including efforts to circumvent applicable export control laws and regulations. Supermicro maintains a robust compliance program and is committed to full adherence to all applicable U.S. export and re-export control laws and regulations.

The Company has been cooperating fully with the government’s investigation and will continue to do so. Supermicro has not been named as a defendant in the indictment.

About Super Micro Computer, Inc.

Supermicro (NASDAQ: SMCI) is a global leader in Application-Optimized Total IT Solutions. Founded and operating in San Jose, California, Supermicro is committed to delivering first-to-market innovation for Enterprise, Cloud, AI, and 5G Telco/Edge IT Infrastructure. We are a Total IT Solutions provider with server, AI, storage, IoT, switch systems, software, and support services. Supermicro’s motherboard, power, and chassis design expertise further enables our development and production, enabling next-generation innovation from cloud to edge for our global customers. Our products are designed and manufactured in-house (in the US, Taiwan, and the Netherlands), leveraging global operations for scale and efficiency and optimized to improve TCO and reduce environmental impact (Green Computing). The award-winning portfolio of Server Building Block Solutions allows customers to optimize for their exact workload and application by selecting from a broad family of systems built from our flexible and reusable building blocks that support a comprehensive set of form factors, processors, memory, GPUs, storage, networking, power, and cooling solutions (air-conditioned, free air cooling or liquid cooling).

Source: Supermicro

The post Supermicro Responds to US Indictment of 3 Individuals Tied to Export Control Allegations appeared first on HPCwire.

A 31-year-old Georgia woman has charged with murder by police who say she took pills to induce an abortion.

The Reform UK leader has belatedly clocked that most British people really don’t like the US president on whose coat-tails he has spent the past decade riding

At last, the culture has thrown up a split more nauseatingly up itself than Gwyneth Paltrow’s from Chris Martin. It is Nigel Farage’s attempt to consciously uncouple from Donald Trump, a man up whose backside he’s spent the past decade most firmly lodged. Nigel’s made such a massive, self-satisfied show of his real estate in the presidential large intestine for 10 years now that I actually don’t think non-surgical extraction is possible at this stage. He doesn’t just get to walk away whistling. The only way out is a full Faragectomy. I’ll give the president a piece of drone fuselage to bite down on.

Anyway: conscious uncoupling. Back in the day, you’ll remember, Gwyneth and the Coldplay singer deployed this particular phrase when announcing their marital split. Did the public love it? They did not. The general vibe – as with so much of Her Vajesty’s output – was that she would do even marriage failure more smugly and unachievably than mere plebs could ever. The pivot from gushing about her perfect marriage to gushing about her perfect divorce felt like mere days.

Marina Hyde is a Guardian columnist

Palestinians say the move is part of a wider Israeli strategy to leverage security tensions to tighten restrictions

For the first time since 1967, al-Aqsa mosque – Jerusalem’s most sensitive holy site – was closed at the end of Ramadan on Friday, with tensions rising among Palestinians as Israeli authorities keep the complex shut, forcing worshippers to hold Eid prayers as close as they could to the sealed site.

On Friday morning, hundreds of worshippers were forced to pray outside the Old City, as Israeli police barricaded the entrances to the site.

Researchers develop an AI for Science framework that extracts and fuses cross-disciplinary expert knowledge with experimental data to accelerate alloy discovery and scientific insight

March 20, 2026 — High-entropy alloys are promising advanced materials for demanding applications, but discovering useful compositions is difficult and expensive due to the vast number of possible element combinations. Now, researchers have developed a novel AI-driven framework that integrates experimental data, computational modeling, and cross-disciplinary expert knowledge extracted from scientific literature. By combining these sources in a way that accounts for uncertainty, their approach can make reliable predictions even for poorly studied alloy compositions, outperforming conventional data-driven machine learning methods that rely on training data alone.

This study presents a hybrid framework that integrates materials data with AI-extracted scientific knowledge, enabling uncertainty-aware discovery. Evidence about elemental substitutions in alloys is collected from two independent sources: material datasets, where alloy pairs with matching properties indicate substitutable elements, and large language models queried across five scientific domains. These “evidence streams” are combined using Dempster-Shafer theory to evaluate candidate alloys while explicitly quantifying prediction confidence versus uncertainty, guiding researchers toward promising candidates while flagging regions where current knowledge is insufficient. Credit: JAIST.

Progress in modern technologies relies on advanced materials, such as alloys used in aircraft engines and components capable of resisting corrosion and heat in industrial settings. In this context, high-entropy alloys (HEAs) have emerged as one of the most promising areas of study in materials science. By combining several elements in near-equal amounts, these materials can achieve exceptional strength, stability, and durability. However, discovering useful HEAs is exceptionally difficult and expensive, as each additional element dramatically increases the number of possible combinations. With growing demand for sustainable energy technologies and next-generation electronics, accelerating the discovery of advanced materials has become increasingly urgent.

Researchers worldwide have turned to artificial intelligence (AI) as a powerful aid in materials research– but this comes with its own limits. Most machine learning models are good at interpolation, meaning they can make predictions for materials that closely resemble those already in their training data. When researchers move beyond familiar territory and consider truly new compositions, the models’ accuracy drops. Meanwhile, decades of expert knowledge about how elements interact and substitute for one another in HEAs are buried across the scientific literature, with no clear way to integrate that expertise into data-driven AI tools.

Against this backdrop, a research team led by Professor Hieu-Chi Dam from the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST) has developed a new AI-driven framework for HEA discovery. Their study, published in the journal Digital Discovery on December 19, 2025, was co-authored by JSPS’s Researcher Dr. Minh-Quyet Ha and doctoral student Dinh-Khiet Le at JAIST, Dr. Viet-Cuong Nguyen from HPC Systems, Japan, Professor Hiori Kino at the Institute of Statistical Mathematics, Japan, and Professor Stefano Curtarolo from Duke University, USA. The team set out to combine experimental and computational materials data with cross-disciplinary expert knowledge extracted directly from scientific papers, creating a system designed specifically to work in data-scarce and unexplored regions.

At the core of the approach is a well-known idea in alloy design called elemental substitution. Under the optimal conditions, chemically similar elements can substitute one another without significantly affecting a material’s properties and stability. The researchers first identified substitution patterns directly from large materials datasets by comparing alloys that differ by just one element. They then used state-of-the-art large language models (LLMs), including GPT-4o, GPT-.5, Claude Opus 4, and Grok3 to extract expert judgments in the literature pertaining to five key scientific disciplines: metallurgy, solid-state physics, materials mechanics, materials science, and corrosion science.

Each source of information provided a piece of evidence rather than a final answer, and these pieces were combined using a mathematical framework known as Dempster-Shafer theory. Unlike standard probability methods, this framework can explicitly represent uncertainty and even ignorance, as Prof. Dam explained, “Traditional classifiers force binary ‘yes-or-no’ predictions even when information is insufficient. Our approach explicitly quantifies uncertainty, allowing ‘we cannot tell’ as a legitimate scientific outcome.” Simply put, the proposed system does not pretend to know more than it does when exploring unknown territory.

When tested on several alloy datasets, the team’s framework consistently outperformed conventional machine learning models, especially when little information was available. Most strikingly, it was able to predict the behavior of alloys containing elements that were completely absent from the training data, achieving accuracy rates ranging from 86% to 92%. The researchers also validated their approach against 55 experimentally confirmed quaternary alloys from the literature and showed that it outperforms far more computationally expensive methods, such as free-energy models. Beyond individual predictions, the proposed method can produce compositional maps that show where predictions are reliable and where uncertainty remains high. This enables researchers to focus experiments on the most promising and informative regions of the compositional space.

According to Prof. Dam, the broader significance of this work lies in showcasing how AI can be used for scientific discovery. “LLM-based extraction combined with formal evidence fusion can transform decades of dispersed expert knowledge into searchable, comparable, and quantitatively usable resources, which are particularly valuable for interdisciplinary problems where relevant insights span multiple fields,” he said. Notably, the same approach used in this study could accelerate drug discovery, guide battery development, and help optimize catalysts. In each case, the framework’s ability to quantify uncertainty would help research teams prioritize the most informative experiments, potentially reducing discovery timelines and costs.

Overall, this work demonstrates a path forward for AI in scientific discovery– one where machine learning serves not to replace expert judgment, but to systematically extract and combine it with experimental evidence to accelerate innovation across disciplines.

Source: JAIST

The post Researchers Develop AI Framework Combining Expert Knowledge and Data to Accelerate Alloy Discovery appeared first on HPCwire.

Cheerleader-in-chief demands more enthusiasm for US-Israeli assault that is helping Russia pay for its war on Ukraine

When even your mother calls you out as a cheat and a liar, then it’s probably fair to assume you’re a wrong ‘un. Not that this stopped Donald Trump from appointing Pete Hegseth as his defence secretary. Or as Trump prefers, his war secretary. After all, there’s no point in having all this shiny military hardware if you’re not going to use it. For most of the past two weeks, Hegseth has been the president’s cheerleader-in-chief for the war on Iran, and at the weekend he decided to have a pop at the media for not being enthusiastic enough. It seems we’ve been concentrating on trivial matters like asking what the overall plan for the war is. We heard the president talk about regime change and then change his mind when it was clear that, though he had killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the regime was still in place. We heard the president say he wanted to neutralise Iranian nuclear facilities when he had already claimed to have done so last year. We heard Trump say that the war was already won though he fancied winning a little bit more, while the Iranians were insisting they were not beaten.

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SINGAPORE, March 20, 2026 — As quantum technologies continue to advance, the resilience and trustworthiness of digital systems have emerged as critical priorities for Singapore’s future infrastructure. Addressing these challenges, TUMCREATE, the research arm of the Technical University of Munich (TUM) funded by the National Research Foundation, Singapore (NRF), is playing a key role in QUASAR-CREATE (Quantum Security and Resilience for Emerging Technologies), a three-and-a-half-year research program.

The QUASAR-CREATE research program brings together an international consortium comprising Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), Fraunhofer@NTU (FSR@NTU), TUMCREATE, the Technical University of Munich (TUM), and the National University of Singapore (NUS). The program aims to develop new methods and technologies that strengthen the security and resilience of emerging digital systems in the face of future quantum-enabled threats.

“Under the recently launched Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2030 (RIE2030) plan, Singapore is strengthening its capabilities in semiconductor and quantum-enabled technologies. The security of complex chips and electronic systems becomes a foundational design consideration,” said Professor Ulf Schlichtmann, CEO at TUMCREATE and Principal Investigator of the QUASAR-CREATE project. “QUASAR-CREATE contributes to this effort by advancing research on how security and resilience can be embedded at the hardware and system-design level. By bringing together complementary expertise from Singapore and Germany, the program supports the development of secure, trustworthy chip technologies that are essential for the future.”

Building Resilient Digital Foundations for the Quantum Era

QUASAR focuses on moving beyond conventional cybersecurity approaches by embedding resilience directly into the design of next-generation technologies. By integrating quantum-safe security mechanisms early in the development of digital systems, the program seeks to ensure that critical infrastructures remain robust, trustworthy, and adaptable amid increasing uncertainty.

The research program is organized into three coordinated thrusts, forming a complete security pipeline. Within this framework, TUMCREATE leads Thrust 1: Secure Hardware Platform, spearheading research into an open-source, verifiable, and quantum-safe hardware foundation for post-quantum security.

TUMCREATE Leads Secure Hardware Platform Research

Together with NTU’s School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE), Thrust 1 focuses on the development of an open and verifiable, quantum-safe RISC-V processor platform, envisioned as a foundational building block for future secure systems. The research is positioned to deliver the world’s first fully open-source post-quantum cryptography (PQC)-secure 64-bit RISC-V processor implementation, integrating hardware-level protection and quantum-resistant cryptography from the ground up.

Professor Georg Sigl, Principal Investigator at TUM for QUASAR-CREATE, said: “Post-quantum security in resource constraint devices cannot be achieved by software alone. If we want digital systems to remain trustworthy in the era of quantum computing, security must be anchored directly in the hardware architecture. With QUASAR-CREATE, we are integrating quantum-resistant cryptography into a RISC-V processor with the final target to build a fully open-source chip design using open-source technology. The project plans to fabricate the chip using GlobalFoundaries’ 180-nanometer process technology at its manufacturing facilities in Singapore. This approach allows us to build a transparent and verifiable foundation for resilient digital infrastructures of the future.”

By embedding security directly into hardware architecture, the work addresses long-term trust, transparency, and resilience challenges that cannot be adequately mitigated through software solutions alone.

The research integrates both hardware and software-level protection mechanisms to defend against side-channel and physical attacks – threats that are expected to intensify as quantum and other advanced computing technologies mature. Key components include post-quantum cryptographic accelerators, secure operating systems, and trusted execution environments, ensuring protection across the entire computing stack.

To demonstrate real-world applicability, the platform will be validated through practical use cases such as FIDO2 authentication token, with future extensions exploring compatibility with quantum key distribution (QKD) technologies.

Strengthening Singapore’s Quantum Security Research Ecosystem

QUASAR-CREATE exemplifies Singapore’s commitment to advancing cutting-edge, internationally collaborative research with real-world impact. The program brings together complementary expertise from NTU, NUS, TUM and the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, including contributions from the Fraunhofer Institute of Applied and Integrated Security (AISEC), the Fraunhofer Institute for Electronic Nanosystems (ENAS), and Fraunhofer Singapore as an institutional partner.

“As quantum technologies move closer to real-world deployment, ensuring trust and security will be essential for their adoption,” said Principal Investigator, NTU Professor Gwee Bah Hwee, School of EEE. “QUASAR-CREATE allows us to bring together expertise across institutions to address these challenges proactively, supporting Singapore’s efforts to harness emerging technologies in a secure and sustainable way.”

Through its leadership of the secure hardware thrust, TUMCREATE strengthens research collaboration with NTU in microelectronics – in close partnership with NTU’s School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) – extending existing educational ties into joint, application-driven research. The program also opens pathways for engagement with the QUASAR professorship at NTU, funded by the Dieter Schwarz Foundation, reinforcing long-term capability building across research, education, and innovation.

By anchoring advanced quantum security research within Singapore’s research ecosystem, TUMCREATE contributes to the translation of frontier science into deployable, future-ready solutions that support trusted digital infrastructures in the quantum era.

About QUASAR-CREATE

QUASAR-CREATE (Quantum Security and Resilience for Emerging Technologies) is a three-and-a-half-year international research program funded by the National Research Foundation, Singapore (NRF). The program brings together the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Fraunhofer@NTU (FSR@NTU), Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore, and the National University of Singapore (NUS) to address security challenges arising from emerging quantum technologies. QUASAR-CREATE aims to develop quantum-safe digital systems using post-quantum cryptography and quantum key distribution, while strengthening Singapore’s research capabilities and talent pipeline in quantum security.

About TUMCREATE

Founded in 2010, TUMCREATE is a multidisciplinary research platform fostering research exchanges between the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the world’s leading universities, local institutions, and public agencies as well as industry partners from the region to contribute to the sustainable transformation of societies through science and technology. Funded by the National Research Foundation, TUMCREATE’s multi-faceted research projects span topics from urban mobility, food science and technology, biomedical technology, and preventive care to solutions for a carbon-neutral megacity. For more information, please visit https://www.tum-create.edu.sg.

About Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

A research-intensive public university, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has 35,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students in the Business, Computing & Data Science, Engineering, Humanities, Arts, & Social Sciences, Medicine, Science, and Graduate colleges.

NTU is also home to world-renowned autonomous institutes – the National Institute of Education, S Rajaratnam School of International Studies and Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering – and various leading research centers such as the Earth Observatory of Singapore, Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute and Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N).

Under the NTU Smart Campus vision, the University harnesses the power of digital technology and tech-enabled solutions to support better learning and living experiences, the discovery of new knowledge, and the sustainability of resources.

Ranked amongst the world’s top universities, the University’s main campus is also frequently listed among the world’s most beautiful. Known for its sustainability, NTU has achieved 100% Green Mark Platinum certification for all its eligible building projects. Apart from its main campus, NTU also has a medical campus in Novena, Singapore’s healthcare district.

For more information, visit www.ntu.edu.sg.

Source: TUMCREATE

The post TUMCREATE Advances Open-Source RISC-V Processor for Post-Quantum Security appeared first on HPCwire.

The ASSESS Summit in Atlanta gathered people who want simulation to operate as a core capability of engineering organizations rather than as a specialist service on the side.

Over two days, the most substantive material came from NAFEMS‑led projects and practitioner case studies. Those sessions focused on the structures that make simulation credible at scale: shared data, clear requirements, and governance that management can understand and fund.

From the outset, NAFEMS and ASSESS leadership framed the summit as part of a longer‑running program. They emphasized that simulation already sits behind many decisions about safety, sustainability, and profitability, yet senior recognition of its role remains uneven. At the same time, the surrounding ecosystem of software and data is becoming more complex, while vendor consolidation is reducing the competitive tension that used to drive innovation.

NAFEMS CTO Ian Symington

In response, ASSESS set out four strands of activity: leadership discussions to set direction, concrete technical projects, working sessions to define new projects, and an international community to share experience. The aim is to move beyond general statements about “the future of simulation” and create specific artifacts that organizations can use.

That intent was visible in NAFEMS CTO Ian Symington’s update on data‑driven benchmarks. Rather than talk about artificial intelligence in the abstract, his project starts from a simple structural problem that most analysts know well: a plate with a hole, with the region around the hole acting as a stress concentrator.

The team built several families of models by varying load, thickness, plate length, and hole position, then generated finite‑element results that capture principal stresses and concentration levels. They have made these datasets available in industry tool formats and through an open portal, with documentation and QR‑code access so that engineers can download them without a long setup process.

Symington did not present this as a polished showcase. He described training geometric deep‑learning models that performed well on some datasets and failed on others, and how understanding those failures required the same care analysts traditionally apply when checking a mesh or boundary condition. For teams that are curious about data‑driven surrogates but wary of investing months in bespoke training cases, this benchmark offers a controlled way to experiment, anchored in a problem whose physics and finite‑element behavior are already well understood.

A second project tackled interoperability.

Rather than start from particular standards, the NAFEMS team worked from the situations engineers encounter when moving models, meshes, and results between tools. They examined where information is lost, where manual workarounds are required, and where results become hard to trust.

For each situation they identified the data that must be preserved, the existing standards or technologies that address parts of the need, and the gaps where current mechanisms are weak or absent. The result is not a new standard, but a requirements‑centered description of what effective interoperability looks like in practice.

That gives engineering groups a clearer way to assess their current tool chains and a more concrete vocabulary to use when they push vendors on roadmap priorities.

Márton Gróza’s update on simulation for certification brought a similar level of specificity to regulated environments.

Márton Gróza, technical officer at NAFEMS

His team interviewed experts across sectors about where simulation is already used in certification contexts, what regulators accept, and where the friction lies. Several patterns emerged. Many authorities still look first to physical tests when they weigh evidence, even when simulation has been integral to the engineering work. Simulation outputs are seldom compiled in a way that supports outside review; documentation tends to be written for internal use.

There is wide agreement that verification, validation, and uncertainty quantification need to be tied more systematically to simulations that feed into certification decisions. At the same time, probabilistic metrics and risk‑based framing remain unfamiliar to many of the managers and engineers who must ultimately sign off on risk.

The project has produced a report that summarizes these themes and points to concrete examples, such as railway braking‑distance work in which probabilistic methods are being used to compare traditional test‑based processes with routes that rely more heavily on simulation. The next step will be direct engagement with regulators and certification engineers, using the interview findings as a basis for discussion. That is slow, detailed work, but it is exactly the sort of work a neutral organization is well placed to do.

The industry‑perspective talks added another layer, showing how organizations are applying data‑driven methods to specific workflows.

In one case, a Rescale‑supported project for a high‑performance vehicle manufacturer relied on explicit forming simulations to predict wrinkles, thickness changes, and fiber orientations in carbon‑fiber monocoques. These forming simulations then fed into structural crash analyses.

The turnaround time was long, sometimes eight to 10 weeks for a full cycle across many parts. By identifying forming and mapping to structural meshes as the main bottlenecks, the team was able to train a surrogate model on a carefully chosen set of high‑fidelity runs. That surrogate now predicts forming outcomes from process parameters and initial layup, within a defined design envelope. It can be used by design engineers to explore variants more quickly, and by manufacturing engineers to understand how changes in diaphragm pressures, temperatures, and friction will affect forming, without immediately resorting to full explicit analysis.

In a different example, Kinetic Vision presented a packaging case built on Siemens Simcenter Physics AI.

Over more than a decade, a client had accumulated over 100,000 bottle simulations, including critical top‑load studies. Those results had been archived in lightweight files. Physics AI learns directly on meshes from this archive, and once trained it can provide predictions for new geometries without meshing at the inference stage. In one instance, a model trained on forty‑five simulations in under four hours could generate a prediction in less than twenty seconds for a case that would otherwise take two to four hours to run.

That makes it realistic to screen many design candidates and reserve full simulations for the most promising designs. The speaker was explicit that such an approach is worthwhile only when there is an ongoing need to explore large design families; it would not be appropriate for one‑off studies.

The Caterpillar keynote from Darrel Meffert pulled many of these threads together into a long‑term enterprise narrative. Meffert has spent more than twenty years at Caterpillar and led its central simulation strategy for almost a decade.

He described how, around 2012, a group of mid‑level and senior managers concluded that Caterpillar’s physics‑based analysis was strong, but product leaders still preferred to wait for tests before making key decisions. Rather than wait for a directive from above, they pooled funding and brought in an internal strategist to help them shape an enterprise simulation strategy.

Several elements of that strategy stand out. The team identified and quantified real bottlenecks, such as constrained compute capacity and duty cycles that did not match actual machine usage. They used consolidated data and external benchmarks to make a case for more HPC investment directly to the chief information and technology officers. They paired application engineers with data scientists to derive duty cycles from telematics, so that simulations reflected how equipment is used in the field. They created joint projects between test and simulation teams, selecting problems that neither group could solve alone and requiring shared leadership. They provided constrained, comparative simulations in the environments where design engineers work, leaving detailed high‑consequence assessments to specialists. And they cataloged hundreds of simulation types on single‑page summaries, coupled with a structured way to express confidence in each piece of evidence.

Over time, that combination of capacity, better data, closer collaboration, and clearer communication shifted Caterpillar toward simulation‑led development in many areas. Meffert reported that, today, the annual savings associated with the enterprise simulation strategy exceed 10 times the total investment over nine years.

Across all of these sessions, I heard the same message over and over – the most important developments in simulation are not only new algorithms, but the scaffolding around them. These are the shared datasets, well‑defined requirements, structured links to certification processes, and enterprise strategies that treat simulation as a managed capability.

NAFEMS and ASSESS are positioned between users, vendors, and regulators, and in Atlanta they used that position to good effect. The work presented there will give organizations concrete models to draw on as they decide how to develop their own simulation roadmaps in the years ahead.

About the author: Kevin Jackson is an analyst at Intersect 360 Research, a market intelligence, research, and consulting advisory practice focused on HPC data center trends, AI, cloud, big data, and hyperscale. He is the former editor of AIwire. 

The post ASSESS 2026: How NAFEMS is Turning Simulation into an Enterprise Capability appeared first on HPCwire.

The new Mighty2 retains the compact style of its predecessor while adding a useful particle sensor and some other nice touches.

SOFIA GUIDETTI
Staff Reporter

As soon as I saw that Caleb Hearon would be coming to the university on Feb. 20 for a Perkins Live event at the Trabant University Center, I immediately marked it down on my calendar to reserve a free ticket and see him live.

It is safe to say that, for me, going to the event was completely worth it.

Hearon is a comedian, writer and actor who has his own popular podcast called “So True with Caleb Hearon.” He has also appeared in several films and shows, including “Jurassic World Dominion,” “I Used to Be Funny” and “Overcompensating.”

Hearon is currently set to co-write and star in the upcoming film, “Trash Mountain,” directed by Lilly Wachowski, who is most known for creating “The Matrix” franchise with her sister, Lana Wachowski. In addition, he is co-starring in the highly anticipated movie, “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” which is supposed to premiere in May.

This Perkins Live event, announced on Instagram on Feb. 2, was a Q&A led by members of The Crew, the student-run programming board at the university. The event was an hour long, beginning with questions from the two moderators before opening up to audience questions that Hearon was eager to answer.

“So, starting off simple, what is your biggest fear?” the moderator said to begin the Q&A.

This question earned a bunch of laughs from the audience, as well as from Hearon himself, who replied with a funny answer before he gave a real answer, which was dying on a day when a bigger event happens. I did not even realize this could be a fear until he said it, and now I am afraid of that happening.

“What celebrity do you irrationally fear?” the moderator said.

“Irrationally fear? I don’t fear any of those f—— people. Take celebrities off a pedestal, because you meet these people and you’re f—— falling asleep,” Hearon said.

Although he was half-joking when he said this, later answering Patti LuPone or Julia Roberts, the sentiment made sense. Many people worship celebrities to the point where they do not view them as real people anymore, which is not a healthy mindset,  and I think it is important that Hearon made note of it to a room of young college students.

Hearon also had some things to say about the current political, economic and cultural state of the world when asked about X, formerly known as Twitter.

“The cultural problem that we’re in is that so many of these [billionaires] get really good at, like, science or making cars or something. And then they’re like, ‘And now I need to be beloved and funny.’ And it’s like, when you’re neither, you f—— suck,” Hearon said.

Aside from being a comedian, he had some insightful things to say about the world around us. For many, art and politics are very closely intertwined, which Hearon’s background and career speak to. He originally intended to go to law school, or another graduate program, after graduating from Missouri State University with a bachelor’s degree in sociopolitical communications.

This is how most of the event went, with the moderators asking questions and Hearon responding with something witty, as well as insightful. Once the moderators opened it up to audience questions — that were submitted via scanning a QR code and writing a question — Hearon tried his best to get through most of them since he loved how attentive the university’s audience was.

One question from the audience that stood out to me was, “What is your opinion on the current political and economic state of the world?” 

I know this is a meme of Jaden Smith that Generation Z likes to quote a lot, but Hearon had a very empowering answer, which stuck with me after the event.

“I have so much hope, and I think if you talk to organizers, who are doing genuine, important work in this country, they have hope as well,” Hearon said. “And hopelessness to me is a privileged person’s retreat from action … But I feel so hopeful.”

Defense secretary had said relatives of service members killed in refueling tanker crash told him ‘do not stop until the job is done’

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The father of a US military member killed in the Iran war has contradicted Pete Hegseth’s claim that bereaved families urged him to “finish” the job in the Middle East.

Hegseth, the defense secretary and a former weekend Fox News host, told reporters at a Pentagon briefing on Thursday that he had spoken with relatives of all six service members killed in last week’s refueling tanker crash during a “dignified transfer” of their remains at Delaware’s Dover air force station the night before.

Mette-Marit says she ‘did not know he was a sex offender’, despite Googling him three years after his prison sentence

Norway’s crown princess, Mette-Marit, has said she was “manipulated and deceived” by Jeffrey Epstein as she spoke publicly for the first time about her years-long relationship with the late sex offender.

She also claimed that she “did not know he was a sex offender or an abuser” – despite telling him in an email in 2011, three years after he had been sentenced to 18 months in prison and pleaded guilty to soliciting sex from girls as young as 14, that she had recently Googled him.

Former ACIP members make contradictory statements following judge essentially invalidating panel and recent decisions

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Does the US have a vaccine advisory committee? The answer became surprisingly murky on Thursday, as former members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and health officials made contradictory statements following a federal judge essentially invalidating the committee and their recent decisions on Monday.

According to a former member of the committee who asked not to be identified to discuss sensitive matters, ACIP will continue to exist without the 13 members who were stayed by Judge Brian Murphy on Monday – and officials plan to start the process over again with new members.

Jonathan Horn scooped best sports feature prize for a series on AFL, while Chris Hopkins won for pictures of a cancer sufferer caring for her son

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Sports writer Jonathan Horn and photographer Chris Hopkins have won Melbourne Press Club awards for their work for Guardian Australia.

Guardian Australia was recognised with eight nominations in a range of categories in the 31st annual Quill awards, which were presented in Melbourne on Friday night.

Though the president wields great power, the conflict in the Middle East is spiralling in unforeseen ways that he may not be able to control

What a pity Benjamin Netanyahu remains at large after an international arrest warrant for alleged war crimes committed in Gaza was issued in 2024. Had he been detained, as he certainly should have been, the peoples of Iran, Lebanon, the Gulf – and Israel itself – might have been spared much present-day pain and suffering.

The Israeli prime minister’s lifelong, passionate obsession with eradicating the real and imagined threats posed by Iran was reportedly a key factor in prompting Donald Trump’s abrupt, unprovoked plunge into all-out war. Netanyahu should be in jail, not committing more crimes while the powerful but ego-driven US president negligently looks on.

Simon Tisdall is a Guardian foreign affairs commentator

Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.

George Strausman said his sudden stardom has been a shock, and he doesn’t quite understand why millions of people are interested in watching him shape clay.

Fusion of cherished American eateries hopes to revive brands that have ‘gone hungry’ while rest of industry feasts

No one could say the New York union of Applebee’s and Ihop happened without fanfare.

A car park in Hawthorne, 30 miles north of Manhattan, had been decked out with a 30ft-high inflatable red apple. Red, white and blue bunting flew from masts. Upbeat music blasted from speakers.

The right to protest is ‘fundamentally American’, says Bajun Mavalwalla who awaits trial and faces six years in prison

This story was produced in partnership with the Pulitzer Center

A US military veteran arrested on federal conspiracy charges after participating in a June 2025 protest against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) told the Guardian he refuses to plead guilty and is ready to face justice.

Perhaps the most unexpected delight of the AirPods Max 2, priced at $549, is how it puts the cost of the MacBook Neo into perspective.

Is Iran one crisis too many for Trump? Independent Thinking podcast Audio sseth.drupal@c… 20 March 2026

The US-Israel war on Iran is straining Trump’s alliances, at home and abroad.

Three weeks into exactly the kind of war of choice that he spent years decrying, US President Donald Trump is not getting the amount of international support that he seeks for his campaign of air strikes on Iran.

There is also reluctance among NATO and other allies to be drawn into the political and economic turmoil caused by the US-Israeli campaign, and Tehran’s region-wide retaliation.

Our experts discuss the state of US-Gulf relations, the muted European response to Trump’s appeals for help in re-opening the Strait of Hormuz, and what it could mean elsewhere in the world for ongoing crises in Ukraine, Cuba and Venezuela.

Joining host Bronwen Maddox this week are Dr Neil Quilliam, an associate fellow in our Middle East and North Africa Programme; Dr Christopher Sabatini, senior research fellow for Latin America; and Heather Hurlburt, a consulting fellow in our US and North America Programme.

About Independent Thinking

Independent Thinking is a weekly international affairs podcast hosted by our director Bronwen Maddox, in conversation with leading policymakers, journalists, and Chatham House experts providing insight on the latest international issues.

More ways to listen: Spotify, Apple Podcasts.

Deficit rises unexpectedly to £14.3bn in February as markets price in up to three interest rate rises in 2026

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Investors wary of the impact of the Iran conflict dumped UK government bonds on Friday, pushing the yield, or interest rate, on 10-year borrowing to its highest level since 2008.

The market move followed the Bank of England’s decision on Thursday to leave interest rates on hold and hint at a future increase. By Friday morning, markets were pricing in as many as three interest rate rises in 2026.

What causes meningitis, what the public health response has been and how the situation differs from Covid

The deadly outbreak of meningitis in Kent has fuelled concerns about how far the disease will spread and seen the return of people wearing masks and queueing for vaccines. The scenes are reminiscent of the Covid crisis, but meningitis is very different. Here we look at how the outbreak unfolded.

Foreign minister issues warning after Israeli attack on South Pars gasfield that prompted retaliatory strike on Qatar. Plus, what happened to the Oscars red carpet after the ceremony?

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Iran has said it will show “zero restraint” if its energy infrastructure is targeted again as Qatar revealed that almost a fifth of its liquefied natural gas export capacity had been knocked out in an Iranian strike that is likely to have a years-long impact.

What did Araghchi say? In a post on X, he said: “Our response to Israel’s attack on our infrastructure employed FRACTION of our power. The ONLY reason for restraint was respect for requested de-escalation. ZERO restraint if our infrastructures are struck again.”

What’s the forecast for next week? More heat is in store for the coming days. By the end of the week, 100 cities could set all-time temperature records for the month of March, with temperatures climbing as high as 30F (17C) above average for the time of year, the new analysis says.

Fire service warns ubiquity of batteries in everyday products is outpacing public understanding and safety regulations

Lithium-ion batteries represent a new technological hazard that one fire science expert has said keeps him awake at night, as fire service chiefs warn the ubiquity of the batteries in everyday products is outpacing public understanding and safety regulations.

The blaze that devastated a historic building in Glasgow and resulted in the closure of Central Station, Scotland’s largest rail interchange, is believed to have started in a shop selling vapes, which are powered by lithium-ion batteries. Glasgow’s Central Station has since reopened.

Karachi particularly badly affected with 18 people killed, more than 50mm of rain and winds gusting up to 60mph

Unseasonally wet weather struck southern Pakistan and north-west India on Wednesday, as heavy rain rolled in from the west, accompanied by thunderstorms, hail, and strong winds.

Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, was particularly badly affected, locally recording more than 50mm of rain with winds gusting up to 60mph. Walls, buildings, and a pedestrian bridge collapsed, with flooding and power outages across the city. At least 18 people were killed and several more injured, many by structural collapses, with other deaths attributed to a fallen tree and a lightning strike.

Two of the three co-hosts of this summer’s tournament have been hit with the injury bug, casting doubt on a number of star players

When Marcel Ruiz slumped into the grass of San Diego FC’s Snapdragon stadium late in the first half of Toluca’s Concacaf Champions Cup game last Wednesday, he seemed to already know. He covered his mouth with his left hand and clutched his right knee – first the back of it, then the front – with his other hand. He turned his head every which way, perhaps hoping that he might scan something or someone who would tell him that this was not in fact happening. That his World Cup on home soil was not already over three months before it was to even start. That Mexico’s injury crisis had not just deepened further.

Ruiz is only 17 matches into his international career for El Tri, yet the central midfielder has firmly established himself as an important cog in Mexico’s setup with his clean passing and defensive cover. More pertinently, the 25-year-old was part of a young core finally asserting itself on a team that long felt caught between generations and suffered through a lackluster autumn, winning none of their six friendlies against World Cup-bound teams.

Dozens of volunteers, mostly over the age of 70, offer rides and serve as interpreters

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On a February afternoon at a Spanish-immersion childcare center in Minneapolis, dozens of toddlers grabbed puffy coats out of cubbies as parents shuffled them out the door.

Down the hall, Michael, the husband of the center’s director, stared intently at a monitor streaming the building’s security footage, watching for any vehicles that might be carrying agents from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Since January, when federal agents descended on the Twin Cities as part of Operation Metro Surge, he’s been leaving his own job early to volunteer here every afternoon.

These budget security kits performed well in my tests and can help protect a home while saving you some cash.

You can't remove the design from your device but you can at least darken some elements.

As Florida moves homeowners' policies out of its state-run insurer of last resort, insiders question one new company's finances.

BrianFagioli writes: Opera GX has officially landed on Linux, bringing its gamer-focused browser experience to Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, and openSUSE-based systems. The browser includes GX Control for limiting RAM and network usage, a Hot Tabs Killer to shut down resource-heavy tabs, and built-in sidebar integrations for Discord and Twitch. Opera says this is not just a one-off port, but a long-term effort with ongoing updates and community engagement. "PC gaming has long been associated with a single dominant platform, but that's changing," says Maciej Kocemba, Product Director at Opera GX. "Bringing GX to Linux users -- who are renowned for the control they like to exert over their tools -- means gamers and developers can manage browser resources, customize their setup, and keep their system performing exactly the way they want."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Record 171 million passengers are expected to fly this spring, even as TSA funding lapse risks longer airport lines

Spring breakers in the US could see their long-awaited trips to party destinations disrupted by a trifecta of issues: airport security delays, high gas prices, and chaotic weather.

The potential for flight delays comes as US airlines expect that they will see a record-shattering spring travel season. Airlines for America, an aviation industry group, said that 171 million passengers are expected to fly – a 4% increase from the 2025 spring travel period.

Exclusive: Error in second half of 2025 came after IRS saw over a quarter of its workforce reduced after huge cuts by Doge

A technical glitch at the understaffed Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is masking millions of dollars in campaign contributions to state-level election groups, including key governor and attorney general races, a campaign finance watchdog has told the Guardian.

A total of $51m for the second half of 2025 remains unaccounted for due to this technical error, according to the Center for Political Accountability (CPA), a non-profit that tracks corporate spending.

Closure of strait of Hormuz – a key fertilizer production and transportation route – has squeezed farmers as prices jump

Rodney Bushmeyer has been farming as long as he can remember. Bushmeyer’s father was a farmer, as was his grandfather.

The family-run Bushmeyer Farms in Illinois dates back more than 100 years, when his ancestors came to the US from Germany. They acquired the first 80 acres cost-free as homesteaders, cleared the land, and worked it.

Michael Randrianirina, who sacked PM and cabinet without explanation, claims measure is to root out corruption

Madagascar’s military president has said new ministers will have to pass lie detector tests to root out corrupt candidates, after he dismissed the prime minister and cabinet without explanation earlier this month.

Michael Randrianirina came to power in a coup in October after weeks of youth-led protests under the banner “Gen Z Madagascar”. However, young people were quickly disenchanted by his choice of government officials, which they saw as being part of the old, corrupt elite.

Kyiv sources say they think injection contained relaxant meant to make people more talkative in interrogations

Hungarian security operatives administered a “forced injection” to one of the Ukrainians detained earlier this month during a dramatic raid on bank vehicles carrying gold bars and tens of millions of dollars and euros in cash, sources have told the Guardian.

Hungary’s TEK anti-terrorism police detained seven Ukrainians from the state savings bank, Oschadbank, on 5 March. They were accompanying a convoy of two armoured cars from Vienna to Ukraine, as it transited Hungary in what Kyiv claims was a regular transfer of state funds. Hungarian officials have claimed it was money for the “Ukrainian war mafia”, without giving details.

Company says tool to compare self-reported hours with computer estimates is for ‘awareness, not enforcement’

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JP Morgan Chase has started to compare the hours junior investment bankers claim to have worked against logs on its IT system.

The US bank said it would begin issuing reports to junior bankers that compare computer-generated estimates of their work weeks against their self-reported time sheets as part of a pilot scheme.

From owing a debt to obscure Japanese horror Sweet Home to the influence of Aliens and Texas Chain Saw Massacre, the franchise continues to petrify players three decades on

To many of us playing and writing about video games in the 1990s, Resident Evil seemed to come out of nowhere. The emerging PlayStation and Saturn consoles were all about slick, bright arcade conversions – the shiny thrills of Daytona and Tekken – and Japanese publisher Capcom was in a rut of coin-op conversions and endless sequels to Street Fighter and Mega Man. Scary games were rare at the time and mostly confined to the PC. So when the news of a horror title named Biohazard (the Japanese name for the series) started to emerge in 1995, it caught the attention of games journalists as it seemed radically out of step with prevailing trends. Games were about power, but as early demos quickly revealed, Resident Evil was about vulnerability.

Thirty years later, it’s still here. The series has sold more than 180m copies worldwide, with 11 core titles and dozens of spinoffs and remakes, as well as film, television and anime tie-ins. Its characters and monsters are icons, its tropes now embedded in game design practice. What has allowed it to not only survive but flourish in such a rapidly changing industry? Why do we still let it scare us?

The righteousness of the farmworker struggle persists in the face of a man who chose not to live up to its values

Cesar Chavez, one of the founders of the United Farm Workers, who died in 1993, led a movement for the rights and dignity of a long-abused, neglected and exploited agricultural workforce. Through a series of marches, hunger strikes, boycotts and union drives, Chavez and his movement succeeded in winning crucial labor and civil rights protections and advancing the cause and status of the Latino civil rights movement nationwide.

He also, according to a new report from the New York Times, sexually harassed and assaulted women in his movement, and sexually abused and raped the daughters of some UFW organizers when they were girls.

Moira Donegan is a Guardian US columnist

Jesus Javier Gomez Islas, 23, says in filing against LAPD he has permanently lost vision in one eye due to unjustified munition fired at his face

A 23-year-old Los Angeles man who attended a recent immigration protest outside a federal building says he was blinded in one eye by a law enforcement projectile.

Jesus Javier Gomez Islas filed a claim against the LA police department (LAPD) on Thursday stemming from permanent injuries he says he suffered at a 31 January demonstration outside the Metropolitan Detention Center. The federal facility has been the site of frequent protests against Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown and was the site of “ICE Out” rallies that week.

Last summer, a group of officials from the Department of Energy gathered at the Idaho National Laboratory, a sprawling 890-square-mile complex in the eastern desert of Idaho where the U.S. government built its first rudimentary nuclear power plant in 1951 and continues to test cutting-edge technology.

On the agenda that day: the future of nuclear energy in the Trump era. The meeting was convened by 31-year-old lawyer Seth Cohen. Just five years out of law school, Cohen brought no significant experience in nuclear law or policy; he had just entered government through Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency team.

As Cohen led the group through a technical conversation about licensing nuclear reactor designs, he repeatedly downplayed health and safety concerns. When staff brought up the topic of radiation exposure from nuclear test sites, Cohen broke in.

“They are testing in Utah. … I don’t know, like 70 people live there,” he said.

“But … there’s lots of babies,” one staffer pushed back. Babies, pregnant women and other vulnerable groups are thought to be potentially more susceptible to cancers brought on by low-level radiation exposure, and they are usually afforded greater protections.

“They’ve been downwind before,” another staffer joked.

“This is why we don’t use AI transcription in meetings,” another added.

ProPublica reviewed records of that meeting, providing a rare look at a dramatic shift underway in one of the most sensitive domains of public policy. The Trump administration is upending the way nuclear energy is regulated, driven by a desire to dramatically increase the amount of energy available to power artificial intelligence.

Career experts have been forced out and thousands of pages of regulations are being rewritten at a sprint. A new generation of nuclear energy companies — flush with Silicon Valley cash and boasting strong political connections — wield increasing influence over policy. Figures like Cohen are forcing a “move fast and break things” Silicon Valley ethos on one of the country’s most important regulators.

The Trump administration has been particularly aggressive in its attacks on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the bipartisan independent regulator that approves commercial nuclear power plants and monitors their safety. The agency is not a household name. But it’s considered the international gold standard, often influencing safety rules around the world.

The NRC has critics, especially in Silicon Valley, where the often-cautious commission is portrayed as an impediment to innovation. In an early salvo, President Donald Trump fired NRC Commissioner Christopher Hanson last June after Hanson spoke out about the importance of agency independence. It was the first time an NRC commissioner had been fired.

During that Idaho meeting, Cohen shot down any notion of NRC independence in the new era.

“Assume the NRC is going to do whatever we tell the NRC to do,” he said, records reviewed by ProPublica show. In November, Cohen was made chief counsel for nuclear policy at the Department of Energy, where he oversees a broad nuclear portfolio.

Hundreds of Staff Who Do Work Related to Nuclear Reactors and Their Safety Have Left and Not Been Replaced

The aggressive moves have sent shock waves through the nuclear energy world. Many longtime promoters of the industry say they worry recklessness from the Trump administration could discredit responsible nuclear energy initiatives.

“The regulator is no longer an independent regulator — we do not know whose interests it is serving,” warned Allison Macfarlane, who served as NRC chair during the Obama administration. “The safety culture is under threat.”

A ProPublica analysis of staffing data from the NRC and the Office of Personnel Management shows a rush to the exits: Over 400 people have left the agency since Trump took office. The losses are particularly pronounced in the teams that handle reactor and nuclear materials safety and among veteran staffers with 10 or more years of experience. Meanwhile, hiring of new staff has proceeded at a snail’s pace, with nearly 60 new arrivals in the first year of the Trump administration compared with nearly 350 in the last year of the Biden administration.

Some nuclear power supporters say the administration is providing a needed level of urgency given the energy demands of AI. They also contend the sweeping changes underway aren’t as dangerous or dire as some experts suggest.

“I think the NRC has been frozen in time,” said Brett Rampal, the senior director of nuclear and power strategy at the investment and strategy consultancy Veriten. “It’s a great time to get unfrozen and aim to work quickly.”

The White House referred most of ProPublica’s questions to the Department of Energy, where spokesperson Olivia Tinari said the agency is committed to helping build more safe, high-quality nuclear energy facilities.

“Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, America’s nuclear industry is entering a new era that will provide reliable, abundant power for generations to come,” she wrote. The DOE is “committed to the highest standards of safety for American workers and communities.”

Cohen did not respond to multiple requests for comment. The NRC declined to comment.

Blindsided by DOGE

The U.S. has not had a serious nuclear incident since the Three Mile Island partial meltdown in 1979, a track record many experts attribute to a rigorous regulatory environment and an intense safety culture.

Major nuclear incidents around the world have only strengthened the resolve of past regulators to stay independent from industry and from political winds. A chief cause of Japan’s Fukushima accident, investigators found, was the cozy relationship between the country’s industry and oversight body, which opened the door for thin safety assessments and inaccurate projections overlooking the possible impact of a major tsunami.

“We knew regulatory capture led directly to Fukushima and to Chernobyl,” said Kathryn Huff, who was assistant secretary for the Office of Nuclear Energy during the Biden administration.

The U.S. has barely built any nuclear power plants in recent decades. Only three new reactors have been completed in the last 25 years, and since 1990 the U.S has barely added any net new nuclear electricity to its grid. Though about 20% of U.S. energy is supplied by nuclear power plants, the fleet is aging. Some experts blame the slow build-out on the challenging economics of financing a multibillion-dollar project and the uncertainty of accessing and disposing of nuclear fuels.

But an increasingly vocal group of industry voices and deregulation advocates have blamed the slow build-out on overly cautious and inefficient regulators. Among the most powerful exponents of this view are billionaires Peter Thiel and Marc Andreessen; both venture capitalists have their own investments in the nuclear energy sector and are influential Trump supporters.

Andreessen camped out at Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s private club in Florida, after Trump won the 2024 election, helping pick staff for the new administration. In late 2024, Thiel personally vetted at least one candidate for the Office of Nuclear Energy, according to people familiar with the conversations. Neither responded to requests for comment.

Four months into his second term, Trump signed a series of executive orders designed to supercharge nuclear power build-out. “It’s a hot industry, it’s a brilliant industry,” said Trump, flanked by nuclear energy CEOs in the Oval Office. He added: “And it’s become very safe.”

Under those orders, the NRC was directed to reduce its workforce, speed up the timeline for approving nuclear reactors and rewrite many of its safety rules. The DOE — which has a vast nuclear portfolio, including waste cleanup sites and government research labs — was tasked with creating a pathway for so-called advanced nuclear companies to test their designs.

The goal, Trump said, was to quadruple nuclear energy output and provide new power to the data centers behind the AI boom.

As DOGE gutted agencies, departures mounted in the nuclear sector. Career experts in nuclear regulations and safety departed or were forced out. When Trump fired Hanson, a Democratic NRC commissioner, the president’s team explained the move by saying, “All organizations are more effective when leaders are rowing in the same direction.”

In an unsigned email to ProPublica, the White House press office wrote: “All commissioners are presidential appointees and can be fired just like any other appointee.”

In August, the NRC’s top attorney resigned and was replaced by oil and gas lawyer David Taggart, who had been working on DOGE cuts at the DOE. In all, the nuclear office at the DOE had lost about a third of its staff, according to a January 2026 count by the Federation of American Scientists, a nonprofit focused on science and technology policy.

That summer, Cohen and a team of DOGE operatives touched down at the NRC offices, a series of nondescript towers across from a Dunkin’ in suburban Maryland. He was joined by Adam Blake, an investor who had recently founded an AI medical startup and has a background in real estate and solar energy, and Ankur Bansal, president of a company that created software for real estate agents. Neither would comment for this story.

Many career officials who spoke with ProPublica were blindsided: The new Trump officials at the NRC seemed to have no experience with the intricacies of nuclear energy policy or law, they said. One NRC lawyer who briefed some of the new arrivals decided to resign. “They were talking about quickly approving all these new reactors, and they didn’t seem to care that much about the rules — they wanted to carry out the wishes of the White House,” the official said.

At one point, Cohen began passing out hats from nuclear energy startup Valar Atomics, one of the companies vying to build a new reactor, according to sources familiar with the matter and records seen by ProPublica. NRC staffers balked; they were supposed to monitor companies like Valar for safety violations, not wear its swag.

NRC ethics officials warned Cohen that the hat handout was a likely violation of conflict rules. It betrayed a misunderstanding of the safety regulator’s role, said a former official familiar with the exchange. “Imagine you live near a nuclear power plant, and you find out a supposedly independent safety regulator — the watchdog — is going around wearing the power plant’s branded hats,” the official said. “Would that make you feel safe?” The NRC and Cohen did not respond to requests for comment about the hat incident.

Valar counts Trump’s Silicon Valley allies as angel investors. They include Palmer Luckey, a technology executive and founder of the defense contractor Anduril, and Shyam Sankar, chief technology officer of Palantir, the software company helping power Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s deportation raids.

It was among three nuclear reactor companies that sued the NRC last year in an attempt to strip it of its authority to regulate its reactors and replace it with a state-level regulator. Before the Trump administration came into office, lawyers watching the case were confident the courts would quickly dismiss the suit, as the NRC’s authority to regulate reactors is widely acknowledged. But new Trump appointees pushed for a compromise settlement — which is still being negotiated. The career NRC lawyer working on the case quietly left the agency.

Valar and its executives did not reply to requests for comment.

“Going So Fast”

The deregulatory push is the culmination of mounting pressure — both political and economic — to make it easier to build nuclear power in the U.S. Over the years, a bipartisan coalition supporting nuclear expansion brought together environmentalists who favor zero-carbon power and defense hawks focused on abundant domestic energy production.

Anti-nuclear activists still argue that renewable energy like wind and solar are safer and more economical. But streamlining the NRC has been a bipartisan priority as well. The latest major reform came in 2024, when President Joe Biden signed into law the ADVANCE Act, which went as far as changing the mission statement of the NRC to ensure it “does not unnecessarily limit” nuclear energy development.

Some nuclear power supporters say the Trump administration is merely accelerating these changes. They cite instances in which the current regulations appear out of sync with the times. The NRC’s byzantine rules are designed for so-called large light-water reactors — massive facilities that can power entire cities — and not the increasingly in vogue smaller advanced reactor designs popular among Silicon Valley-backed firms.

Rules that require fences of certain heights might make little sense for new reactors buried in the earth; and rules that require a certain number of operators per reactor could be a bad fit for a cluster of smaller reactors with modern controls. Advances in sensors, modeling and safety technologies, they say, should be taken into account across the board.

The NRC has said it expects over two dozen new license requests from small modular and advanced reactor companies in coming years. Many of those requests are likely to come from new, Silicon Valley-based nuclear firms.

“There was a missing link in the innovation cycle, and it was very difficult to build something and test it in the U.S. because of mostly licensing and site availability constraints in the past,” said Adam Stein of the pro-nuclear nonprofit Breakthrough Institute.

The regulatory changes are in flux: This spring, the NRC is starting to release thousands of pages of new rules governing everything from the safety and emergency preparedness plans reactor companies are required to submit to the procedures for objecting to a reactor license.

“It’s hard to know if they are getting rid of unnecessary processes or if it’s actually reducing public safety,” said one official working on reactor licensing, who, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation from the Trump administration. “And that’s just the problem with going so fast — everything just kind of gets lost in a mush.”

Lawyers from the Executive Office of the President have been sent to the NRC to keep an eye on the new rules, a move that further raised alarms about the agency’s independence.

Nicholas Gallagher — a relatively recent New York University law school graduate and conservative writer whom ProPublica previously identified as a DOGE operative at the General Services Administration — has been involved in conversations about overhauling environmental rules.

He’s working alongside Sydney Volanski, a 30-year-old recent law school graduate who rose to national attention while she was in high school for her campaign against the Girl Scouts of America, which she accused of promoting “Marxists, socialists and advocates of same-sex lifestyle.”

NRC lawyers working on the rules were told last October that Gallagher and Volanski would be joining them, and they both appear on the regular NRC rulemaking calendar invite.

The White House maintains, however, that “zero lawyers from the Executive Office of the President have been dispatched to work on rulemaking.” Neither Gallagher nor Volanski replied to requests for comment.

The administration is routing the new rules through an office overseen by Trump’s cost-cutting guru Russell Vought, a move that was previously unheard of for an independent regulator like the NRC. The White House spokesperson noted that, under a recent executive order, this process is now required for all agencies.

Political operatives have been “inserted into the senior leadership team to the point where they could significantly influence decision-making,” said Scott Morris, who worked at the NRC for more than 32 years, most recently as the No. 2 career operations official. “I just think that would be a dangerous proposition.”

Morris voted for Trump twice and broadly supports the goals of deregulating and expanding nuclear energy, but he has begun speaking out against the administration’s interference at the NRC. He retired in May 2025 as part of a wave of retirements and firings.

At a recent hearing before the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board — an independent body that helps adjudicate nuclear licensing — NRC lawyers withdrew from the proceedings, citing “limited resources.” The judge remarked that it was the first time in over 20 years the NRC had done so.

Meanwhile, some staff members, other career officials say, are afraid to voice dissenting views for fear of being fired. “It feels like being a lobster in a slowly boiling pot,” one NRC official who has been working on the rule changes told ProPublica, describing the erosion of independence.

The official was one of three who compared their recent experience at NRC to being in a pot of slowly boiling water. “If somebody is raising something that they think that the industry or the White House would have a problem with, they think twice,” the official said.

Inside the NRC, the steering committee overseeing the changes includes Cohen, Taggart and Mike King, a career NRC official who is the newly installed executive director for operations. The former director, Mirela Gavrilas, a 21-year veteran of the agency, retired after getting boxed out of decision-making, according to a person familiar with her departure. Gavrilas did not respond to a request for comment.

Any final changes will be approved by the NRC’s five commissioners, three of whom are Republicans. In September, the two Democratic commissioners told a Senate committee they might be fired at any time if they get crosswise with Trump — including over revisions to safety rules.

Draft rules being circulated inside the NRC propose drastic rollbacks of security and safety inspections at nuclear facilities. Those include a proposed 56% cut in emergency preparedness inspection time, CNN reported in March.

Even some pro-nuclear groups are troubled by the emerging order. Some have tried to backchannel to their contacts in the Trump administration to explain the importance of an independent regulator to help maintain public support for nuclear power. Without it, they risk losing credibility.

“You have to make sure you don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater,” said Judi Greenwald, president and CEO of the Nuclear Innovation Alliance, a nonprofit that promotes nuclear energy and supports many of the regulatory changes being proposed by the Trump administration.

Greenwald’s group favors faster timelines for approving nuclear reactors, but she worries that the agency’s fundamental independence has been undermined. “We would prefer that they yield back more of NRC independence,” she said.

“Nuke Bros” in Silicon Valley

One Trump administration priority has been making it easier for so-called advanced reactor companies to navigate the regulatory process. These firms, mostly backed by Silicon Valley tech and venture money, are often working on designs for much smaller reactors that they hope to mass produce in factories.

“There are two nuclear industries,” said Macfarlane, the former NRC chair. “There are the actual people who use nuclear reactors to produce power and put it on the grid … and then there are the ‘nuke bros’” in Silicon Valley.

Trump’s Silicon Valley allies have loomed large over his nuclear policy. One prospective political appointee for a top DOE nuclear job got a Christmas Eve call from Thiel, the rare Silicon Valley leader to back Trump in 2016. Thiel, whose Founders Fund invested in a nuclear fuel startup and an advanced reactor company, quizzed the would-be official about deregulation and how to rapidly build more nuclear energy capacity, said sources familiar with the conversation.

Nuclear energy startups jockeyed to spend time at Mar-a-Lago in the months before the start of Trump’s second term. Balerion Space Ventures, a venture capital firm that has invested in multiple companies, convened an investor summit there in January 2025, according to an invitation viewed by ProPublica. Balerion did not reply to a request for comment.

A few months later, when Trump was drawing up the executive orders, leaders at many of those nuclear companies were given advanced access to drafts of the text — and the opportunity to provide suggested edits, documents viewed by ProPublica show.

Those orders created a new program to test out experimental reactor designs, addressing a common complaint that companies are not given opportunities to experiment. There are currently about a dozen advanced reactor companies planning to participate. Each has a concierge team within the DOE to help navigate bureaucracy. As NPR reported in January, the DOE quietly overhauled a series of safety rules that would apply to these new reactors and shared the new regulations with these companies before making them public.

Secretary of Energy Chris Wright — who served on the board of one of those companies, Oklo — has said fast nuclear build-out is a priority: “We are moving as quickly as we can to permit, build and enable the rapid construction of as much nuke capacity as possible,” he told CNBC last fall. Oklo noted that Wright stepped down from the board when he was confirmed.

The Trump administration hopes some of the companies would have their reactors “go critical” — a key first step on the way to building a functioning power plant — by July 2026. Then the NRC, which signs off on the safety designs of commercial nuclear power plants, could be expected to quickly OK these new reactors to get to market.

According to people familiar with the conversations, at least one nuclear energy startup CEO personally recruited potential members of the DOGE nuclear team, though it’s not clear if Cohen was brought aboard this way. Cohen has told colleagues and industry contacts that he reports to Emily Underwood, one of Trump adviser Stephen Miller’s top aides for economic policy. He is perceived inside government as a key avatar of the White House’s nuclear agenda.

In its email to ProPublica, the White House said, “Seth Cohen is a Department of Energy employee and does not report to Emily Underwood or Stephen Miller in any capacity.”

The DOE spokesperson added, “Seth’s role at the Department of Energy is to support the Trump administration’s mission to unleash American Energy Dominance.”

Cohen has been pushing to raise the legal limit of radiation that nuclear energy companies are allowed to emit from their facilities. One nuclear industry insider, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said many firms are fixating on changing these radiation rules: Their business model requires moving nuclear reactors around the country, often near workers or the general public.

Building thick, expensive shielding walls can be prohibitively expensive, they said.

Valar CEO Isaiah Taylor has called limits on exposure to radiation a top barrier to industry growth. A recent DOE memo seen by ProPublica cites cost savings on shielding for Valar’s reactor to justify changing those limits. “Shielding-related cost reductions,” the memo said, “could range from $1-2 million per reactor.” The debate over the precise rule change is ongoing.

The DOE has been considering a fivefold increase to the limit for public exposure to radiation, which will allow some nuclear reactor companies to cut costs on these expensive safety shields, internal DOE documents seen by ProPublica show.

A presentation prepared by DOE staffers in their Idaho offices that has circulated inside the department makes the “business case” for changing the radiation dose rules: It could cut the cost of some new reactors by as much as 5%. These more relaxed standards are likely to be adopted by the NRC and apply to reactors nationwide, documents show.

In February, Wright accompanied Valar’s executive team on a first-of-its-kind flight, as a U.S. military plane was conscripted to fly the company’s reactor from Los Angeles to Utah. Valar does not yet have a working nuclear reactor, and a number of industry sources told ProPublica they viewed the airlift as a PR exercise. Internal government memos justified the airlift by designating it as “critical” to the U.S. “national security interests.”

Cohen posted smiling pictures of himself from the cargo bay of the military plane.

Cohen told an audience at the American Nuclear Society that the rapid build-out was essential to powering Silicon Valley’s AI data centers. He framed the policy in existential terms: “I can’t emphasize this strongly enough that losing the AI war is an outcome akin to the Nazis developing the bomb before the United States.”

As it deliberated rule changes, the DOE has cut out its internal team of health experts who work on radiation safety at the Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security, said sources familiar with the decision. The advice of outside experts on radiation protection has been largely cast aside.

The DOE spokesperson said its radiation standards “are aligned with Gold Standard Science … with a focus on protecting people and the environment while avoiding unnecessary bureaucracy.”

The department has already decided to abandon the long-standing radiation protection principle known as “ALARA” — the “As Low As Reasonably Achievable” standard — which directs anyone dealing with radioactive materials to minimize exposure.

It often pushes exposure well below legal thresholds. Many experts agreed that the ALARA principle was sometimes applied too strictly, but the move to entirely throw it out was opposed by many prominent radiation health experts.

Whether the agencies will actually change the legal thresholds for radiation exposure is an open question, said sources familiar with the deliberations.

Internal DOE documents arguing for changing dose rules cite a report produced at the Idaho National Laboratory, which was compiled with the help of the AI assistant Claude. “It’s really strange,” said Kathryn Higley, president of the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, a congressionally chartered group studying radiation safety. “They fundamentally mistake the science.”

John Wagner, the head of the Idaho National Laboratory and the report’s lead author, acknowledged to ProPublica that the science over changing radiation exposure rules is hotly contested. “We recognize that respected experts interpret aspects of this literature differently,” he wrote. His analysis was not meant to be the final word, he said, but was “intended to inform debate.”

The impact of radiation levels at very low doses is hard to measure, so the U.S. has historically struck a cautious note. Raising dose limits could put the U.S. out of step with international standards.

For his part, Cohen has told the nuclear industry that he sees his job as making sure the government “is no longer a barrier” to them.

In June, he shot down the notion of companies putting money into a fund for workplace accidents. “Put yourself in the shoes of one of these startups,” he said. “They’re raising hundreds of millions of dollars to do this. And then they would have to go to their VCs and their board and say, listen, guys, we actually need a few hundred million dollars more to put into a trust fund?”

He also suggested that regulators should not fret about preparing for so-called 100-year events — disasters that have roughly a 1% chance of taking place but can be catastrophic for nuclear facilities.

“When SpaceX started building rockets, they sort of expected the first ones to blow up,” he said.

The post DOGE Goes Nuclear: How Trump Invited Silicon Valley Into America’s Nuclear Power Regulator appeared first on ProPublica.

Why Should Delaware Care?
The Wilmington Senior Center has been a service hub for the elderly in and around the city for seven decades. But in recent years, the center has faced funding hardships, leading to pared back services.

Days after posting their March lunch menu onto social media, officials from the Wilmington Senior Center closed the doors of the 70-year-old facility. 

According to multiple sources, including residents and elected officials, the senior center’s abrupt closure is now sparking conversations in Delaware’s largest city about what led to the decision and whether the center plans to reopen. As of Wednesday, the center remained closed during what would have been its normal operating hours.

Wilmington Senior Center officials have not made any public statements about the closure nor did they respond to questions from Spotlight Delaware.

The news comes about four months after the Senior Center ended its Friday operations and laid off a third of its staff, amid ongoing funding shortfalls. At that time, the center’s executive director, Sam Nussbaum, told Spotlight Delaware that it needed to make up 70% of its budget for the year. 

“I need to save this agency,” Nussbaum told Spotlight last October. “We don’t have money coming in.”

According to government records, the Wilmington Senior Center received $3 million in state funding between the fiscal years 2018 and 2026. Most of that money came from Delaware’s legislative program, called grant-in-aid, that distributes taxpayer dollars to various organizations that serve the public. 

In the most recent fiscal year of 2026, the Wilmington Senior Center received over $160,000 from the state. 

New Castle County also allocated just over $63,000 to the organization between 2019 and 2023, according to the county’s open checkbook, with about one-third stemming from CARES Act funding given during the COVID pandemic.

Located near the city’s Brandywine Village neighborhood, the Wilmington Senior Center has been a social and wellness hub for the elderly community since 1956.

It serves people over 50 years old, offering a range of programs including affordable meals, health workshops, computer classes, Bible study, Pilates, and trips to local farmers’ markets. Memberships only cost $25 a year. There also are one-time lifetime memberships available for $500, according to the senior center’s website.    

While Nussbaum cited financial difficulties last fall, it’s not clear whether potential shortfalls are what caused the facility to close earlier this month.

The organization has not filed an annual non-profit tax return form with the Internal Revenue Service since 2020, according to a federal database. 

The database does show that its nonprofit status was revoked in 2024. It is unclear why that happened, but revocations can occur when an organization fails to file its tax forms for three consecutive years. 

Nonprofit organizations are required to file tax forms, called Form 990s, which are publicly viewable online.

The Wilmington Senior Center brought in almost $875,000 in revenue in 2020 — the last year tax data for the organization is publicly available. Its 2020 finances capped a steady decrease in revenue that occurred over the previous decade. In 2011, the center brought in nearly $2 million.

Last spring, the IRS reinstated the Wilmington Senior Center’s nonprofit tax status but the organization’s tax forms for 2021 through 2024 are still not available online.

In October, Nussbaum told Spotlight that the center receives just over $200,000 annually from the state, while operating on a roughly $660,000 budget, leaving the center to make up more than $400,000 each year.

Is the closure temporary?

Several individuals who use the Wilmington Senior Center told Spotlight Delaware that earlier this month they received phone calls from senior center employees, announcing that services would be discontinued. 

Verna Clark, a Baynard Village resident, was among those individuals. She said a senior center employee told her that the organization was closed indefinitely.

“That’s all she could tell me,” Clark said. 

Clark, who has attended the senior center for nearly a decade, said that, with a car, she’s fortunate to have the option to go elsewhere. For now, though, she plans to wait and see if it reopens.

“There are other centers that I would go to, but I said ‘I’m going to just hold off, and wait and see,’” she said. 

Nussbaum did not respond to requests for comment for this story. When reached by phone, board member Loraine Bertuola declined to comment. When reached a second time to ask about new information that had been uncovered, Bertuola hung up shortly after the conversation began.

Senior center officials failure to publicly address the closure has left residents and some local and state officials in the dark. Many say they only heard about the closure from neighbors or employees.

Meanwhile, one legislator suggested that the center may reopen open.

Rep. Stephanie T. Bolden (D-Wilmington) said she met with senior center leaders who said the center closed temporarily because Nussbaum had been “dismissed” and replaced.

“They may have been closed for a couple of days to reorganize, but they have not shut down the Senior Center,” she said.

But other local government officials say they’ve heard differently. Wilmington City Council President Trippi Congo said he received calls from residents and Senior Center employees last week and learned that a reopening may be uncertain because of funding challenges. 

Congo said he is working to schedule a meeting this month with officials from the senior center, the mayor’s office, New Castle County officials, and officials from Gov. Matt Meyer’s office to better understand the center’s situation and to see who may be able to assist. 

“I wanted the state and the county to be there because they also have value for the seniors, and they have a lot more funding than we do,” Congo said.

State Rep. Nnamdi Chukwuocha (D-Wilmington)was also told last week about the center’s shutdown, and noted that he has not heard from leadership at the center.

Chukwuocha says he is in ongoing discussions with other senior centers, such as The Jimmy Jenkins Senior Center at the Kingswood Community Center, who said they could offer a pipeline for the seniors who are no longer being served. 

He plans to hold more conversations with legislators and the Controller General’s Office to understand how to continue to support the seniors who were being served at the center. 

Logan Herring, CEO of Kingswood Community Center, said he had been in discussions with the Wilmington Senior Center for about a year about creating a pipeline between the Wilmington Senior Center and the Jimmy Jenkins Senior Center. He said Nussbaum initially reached out to his office for guidance, but they were never able to move forward with the plan.  

Asked if unresponsiveness from Senior Center officials led to the plan stalling, Herring suggested that if communication delays did occur, they may be due to the center operating in a crisis mode. 

“I just think that they were really in a tough spot financially, and when you’re in survival mode, it’s hard to think beyond that,” Herring said.

The post Wilmington Senior Center abruptly shuts its doors, doesn’t say why appeared first on Spotlight Delaware.

The 55-year-old has is an assistant coach at the University of New Orleans. Now he believes he can take the step up to the top of his sport

You are Arizona State athletics director Graham Rossini, more of a forward-thinking sports executive than a classic campus administrator. The Sun Devils basketball team have just staggered through another middling season, missing the NCAA tournament for a third straight year. You’ve just fired coach Bobby Hurley, but the vacancy isn’t what anyone in the sport would call coveted – not compared to a blue-blood program like Duke or Kentucky, or even the cross-state rival Arizona Wildcats men’s basketball, standard-bearer of the old Pac-10.

You could hire another hardwood hero like Hurley, a Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball supervillain whose winning pedigree as a player surfaced only in flashes over 11 uneven years on the sideline. You could turn to a television retread, someone angling for a return to the bench and a larger stage. You could give some young striver a big break. Or you could do something else entirely – something big and bold: You could give Percy Robert Miller a shot.

From the White House to Iran’s former crown prince, proponents of the U.S.–Israel war on Iran sell it to the American people — and Iranians themselves — as a crusade for liberation. Instead, the regime remains in place as the death toll grows, environmental hazards proliferate, and civilian infrastructure is decimated. 

As if the destruction inside Iran itself wasn’t enough, the war is starting to have serious ramifications for the global economy and, more to the point, expanding into neighboring countries.

Lebanon, in particular, has come into Israel’s crosshairs, with increasing Israeli incursions and missile strikes deeper into the country. The number of dead there is approaching 1,000 with Israeli missiles razing entire apartment blocks in central Beirut this week and a ground invasion getting underway. More than 1 million Lebanese people have been displaced.

“I think the Lebanese are suffering now, and there’s not really anyone who’s trying to save them,” says Afeef Nessouli, a Beirut-based journalist, speaking to The Intercept Briefing. “They know that, and they know that they’re just political pawns who are always at the worst end of the stick along with Palestine.” He adds, “The fear is that [Israel] will occupy south of Litani [River] … and just take people’s homes, take their land, and never give it back, make settlements for their country.”

“It’s been really stunning to watch that so many people fall for this idea of ‘This is a human rights intervention’ — and yet it’s accomplished through massive human rights violations,” says Ali Gharib, a senior editor at The Intercept. Commenting on Israel’s strategy of making failed states out of its adversaries in the region, he notes, the Israelis “don’t need [Reza] Pahlavi to work. They don’t need him to go in there and become this democratic leader. They just need him to lead a movement that damages the regime enough to put Iran into some kind of fractured state or state failure where it’s not a threat to Israel anymore.”

“We’ve had in the last 20 to 25 years, especially since the Iraq War in 2003, a lobby pushing for regime change in Iran,” says Sanam Naraghi-Anderlini, a veteran peace strategist. “The Iraq version of regime change ended up being a catastrophe from a U.S. perspective, but actually from an Israeli perspective and from a Saudi perspective, and even from a UAE perspective, the decimation of Iraq has been a success because if Iraq had turned out to be a liberal democracy, it would’ve challenged Israel on the question of Palestine. It would’ve challenged Saudi Arabia on the question of Islam and what is Islam.”

It’s a region in upheaval, and at the center are Israeli and American fictions about liberatory bombs.

“I’ve been on podcasts with Israeli journalists where they’re telling me the Iranians wanted us to go in and liberate them,” says Naraghi-Anderlini, “And my response to them is: Liberate their bodies from their souls?”

Listen to the full conversation of The Intercept Briefing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen.

Transcript

Ali Gharib: Welcome to The Intercept Briefing. I’m Ali Gharib, and I’m a senior editor at The Intercept. The U.S. and Israel’s war on Iran is stretching into its third week, with attacks having started on February 28. The bombardment of Iran has remained relentless. At least 1,400 people have been killed and more than 18,000 have been injured.

Civilian infrastructure has taken a hit too, including Iranian hospitals, pharmaceutical plants, educational centers, and civilian energy depots. Iran, for its part, has retaliated by launching missiles and drones into Israel itself, as well as attacking U.S. bases in the region. It has also targeted energy infrastructure in the nearby Gulf Arab states.

Meanwhile, Israel has increased its attacks on Lebanon, killing more than 900 people and displacing more than 1 million, and it’s preparing for a ground invasion against the paramilitary group Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. 

On Wednesday, Israel expanded its airstrikes into central Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, where it razed residential buildings. 

Afeef Nessouli, is a journalist and Intercept contributor based in Lebanon, where he has been reporting since November. He joins me now from Beirut.

Afeef, welcome to The Intercept Briefing. 

Afeef Nessouli: Yeah, thanks for having me, Ali. I appreciate it. 

AG: Afeef, what can you tell us about what it’s actually been like in the parts of Lebanon where you’ve been reporting, since Israel increased its attacks on the country following the strikes against Iran? 

AN: So I’m in an area of Beirut called Tayouneh. Tayouneh is hundreds of meters away from the evacuation orders that have been all over the southern suburbs — it’s just right north of the southern suburbs — so it’s very loud here. Right outside of my area, there’s hundreds of tents lined up.

It’s right outside of the park. Horsh Beirut is this public space, and families from the southern suburbs have just lined up their tents and have had to make do with such little resources.

It’s really so hard to see so many people without shelter. It’s just a catastrophic situation.

AG: It’s not entirely surprising to hear that you might be seeing people there in tent cities, given that, I think I read that 1 in 5 Lebanese people were displaced now, and especially with Israel expanding its attacks into Beirut and central Beirut, as we saw on Wednesday, decimating parts of central Beirut and imploding with missiles buildings in the center of town.

So what have you been seeing, what have you’ve been talking to people there, internally displaced people? 

AN: So on Wednesday, Israeli airstrikes hit central Beirut. They killed at least 12 people, wounding 41 people.

Going to the strike areas is really just awful to see and awful to witness. Buildings are rubble. It’s causing panic and fear among people in places that were not told to evacuate.

I talked to a mother who was displaced from the southern suburbs, a neighborhood called Bourj Al Barajneh. She’s been staying under this huge statue of a crescent moon right outside of Al Amin Mosque in downtown Beirut. She’s mostly just worried for her kids — worried that they’re not getting enough to eat, worried about them just being terrorized, and also it’s just so cold. 

You have to understand: Everything is all hands on deck. So a lot of schools are being turned into shelters. The stadium has been turned into a shelter.

One I visited in Ras, Beirut, which is in northwestern Beirut, over 200 families I think were in and out of that shelter. People are sleeping on the floors. I spend a lot of time with an organization called Truth Be Told that’s passing out hot meals from donations and prescription medication around Horsh Beirut, where all the families are lined up in tents.

What you’re mostly hearing is that people don’t have anywhere to go. They have nowhere to sleep. And everywhere they do have to sleep is incredibly uncomfortable. There are men sleeping in their cars. There are cars everywhere. People are struggling. They’re struggling to survive in an economy that was already just decimated from the last few years.

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AG: I’m curious, on the geopolitics, Afeef — how do you think these attacks have affected Hezbollah, the Lebanese paramilitary group from the south of the country but has become a central player in Lebanese politics and obviously a group closely linked with Iran? Is your sense that Hezbollah has been weakened by these attacks? Is the group continuing to be diminished or are they holding pretty firm at this time? 

AN: I can say that a lot of people inside of Lebanon and a lot of people outside of Lebanon had seemed to count Hezbollah out, for the most part. They had seemed decimated, especially after the Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah was killed. It seemed like they were taking a long rest period. 

So a lot of the criticism is, Israel had had over 10,000 ceasefire violations — and it took the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to be assassinated for the group to push into the war and take decisive action. 

AG: And of course, you’re talking about Hassan Nasrallah, the late leader of Hezbollah who was killed by Israel during an earlier round of its war with Lebanon — [after] a pager attack that Israel lodged against Lebanon, where it loaded pagers with explosives and meticulously distributed them to Hezbollah officials, killing scores of Hezbollah officials as well as countless civilians. And Ali Khamenei was the supreme leader of Iran until he was assassinated by Israel at the outset of this latest war with Iran.

AN: After the supreme leader was assassinated, I went to the public mourning in Dahiyeh. It was literally the evening of when Israel started striking the southern suburbs, and you could tell that the emotion was palpable. People were crying, people were wailing, people were chanting, people were angry. It was extremely well attended, it was extremely big.

Ultimately, the same night, I was awoken in the middle of the night by two really loud strikes on Dahiyeh. It was really clear that Hezbollah had decided to take Lebanon into the war. And a lot of Lebanese people were pretty upset at that. They felt like they weren’t given any consent; they were not able to consent to this sort of act. It’s become a pretty polarizing subject.

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A year ago, when Hezbollah entered the war on behalf of Gaza, I think people were more amenable to the idea. They understood that Israel wanted to make incursions into the country and occupy land. I think in the last year, having not really responded to a lot of ceasefire violations in the south, but responding to Ali Khamenei’s assassination was just a disappointment to a lot of Lebanese people who felt, “Well, are you acting on behalf of Iran, or are you acting on behalf of our best interest?”

It seems like they’ve lost some support on the ground. So there is that, there is a decimation of their reputation right now, from what I am at least gathering on the ground. But also there’s a lot of people who understand or the people who are on the front lines, they’re the ones who have to self-help when all of their houses are demolished. And there’s military access roads for Israeli occupation soldiers to literally making their demolished houses gone forever because now there’s military access roads paved on top of them. 

In Lebanon, there’s so many political opinions. And when something like this happens, it really feels like the people of the country are pitted against each other. It feels like this big psychological operation done to Lebanese people for decades to separate them into sects, into tribes, and to get them destabilized, while all of these outside forces are manipulating their lived experience, their day-to-day experience. I think most people really just want to have a Lebanon that they can depend on economically, that they can depend on politically, and that they can depend on in general for having a life that isn’t burdened by cycles of violence every few months. 

AG: Touching on that a little bit, I’ve talked to my friends, Lebanese friends, who admittedly are probably very self-selecting, but it seems they have sensed a resentment. You were sort of touching on this, a resentment of the fact that between the so-called ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, and the Israeli assassination of Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, there were some tens of thousands of Israeli ceasefire violations recorded, and none of these prompted a response from Hezbollah. But their willingness to go in retaliation for the assassination of a foreign leader — do you sense that kind of resentment? Is that one of the things contributing to Hezbollah’s diminishing stature?

AN: Yeah, so I spoke to one woman last night. She’s in her mid-30s. She has family from the south. Someone who theoretically supported Hezbollah getting into the war on behalf of Gaza after October 7. Someone who understands having land in the south — family homes in the south — that have been under fire for, really, decades. She says that, in the last year and a half, since the so-called ceasefire was brokered, after 10,000 violations from Israel, after Hezbollah really didn’t respond to all of the violations, and yet they woke up on behalf of the supreme leader’s assassination — just doesn’t sit well with her. She doesn’t see the reason why Lebanon would have to be in this fight. 

But on the other hand completely, there’s also this sophisticated understanding, obviously, that there’s a neighbor to the south that has occupied an entire country and wants to have the Litani River be its northern border. There is this idea that Israel has been manipulating and manufacturing this feeling for a while, that they are coming in and they were going to come in and they were attacking Lebanon much before Hezbollah had ever come around.

The fact of the matter is that Israel really does want to sow discord in the sectarian populations of Lebanon. They have dropped leaflets a couple days ago in central Beirut saying, “Lebanon is yours. You can inform on Hezbollah” and like they shared a QR code.

And then they target residential buildings and say, “We’re coming after Hezbollah” and cause psychological damage and physical damage and ruin so much peace for so many people. Ultimately what ends up happening is that a lot of people discriminate against people from the south, people from Shia backgrounds, because they’re basically afraid that if they let them into their buildings or try to take care of them, they’re going to be around people that are affiliated with Hezbollah and are going to be targeted. 

A lot of these people are just displaced. They’re unhoused in rain, their houses have been destroyed, and then their fellow patriots are literally just terrified that being around them or letting them in is going to result in Israel killing all of them. That’s a real fear on the ground right now.

It’s something that feels very beneficial to Israel and the U.S. to have: sects in Lebanon fighting each other all of the time not paying attention to the slow incursions — the slow pushing forth — on the southern border. Also, it’s probably beneficial to countries like Iran to pour money, pouring arms, have proxies that are fighting its battles.

Ultimately what happens is that the situation on the ground becomes unbearable. Everybody’s trying to pressure the people to orchestrate some heroic political ends that is impossible for the people to do because they’re obviously being manipulated by powers much larger than them. I think the Lebanese are suffering now, and there’s not really anyone who’s trying to save them. And they know that. They know that they’re just political pawns who are always at the worst end of the stick — along with Palestine. So, yeah, it feels really dismal in Lebanon right now. 

AG: You mentioned in the south, the razing of people’s homes to make roads for Israeli military infrastructure as they increase their ground incursions and seem to be making preparations for a full-scale ground invasion.

Of course, this is all fraught with the history of the rise of Hezbollah in response to the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982, an occupation that lasted for nearly two decades with ongoing hostilities in the two and a half decades since 2000, when Israel officially left south Lebanon. What is the mood among people today in Beirut and also more broadly in Lebanon with regard to fears of what an Israeli occupation could mean for the future of their country?

AN: I think most people in Lebanon look at Israeli occupation as something that’s just unacceptable. While there’s a lot of opinions that are diverse politically in Lebanon, sometimes in contradiction of each other, one thing I think that is mostly true is that most Lebanese people do not want any normalization with Israel. There are some people who do, but it’s not many.

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The fear is that they will occupy south of Litani — the Litani River is Israel’s northern border — and just take people’s homes, take their land, and never give it back, make settlements for their country. The feeling and the fear is that actually the more Israel does, the more it greedily takes up land, the less that anyone in Lebanon is going to stop fighting back. Because the fear is that there’s always going to be violence, and being caught in a cycle of violence and a cycle of economic destruction. I think most people really just want a Lebanon that is peaceful. I think they want a Lebanon that they can feel safe in. And now half of the country really feels like Hezbollah has dragged them into this war.

A lot of people know that Israel would’ve done it anyway, and a subset is always going to fight back on the southern border because that’s where they come from. So it just becomes a ripple effect for everybody in the country. Nobody wants the land to be occupied by Israel, but also not everybody at all wants to be in war constantly with Israel either.

So you just have different lived realities where there are people who are losing their homes, they’re displaced, they’re suffering, they’re fighting back as best as they can. Then there’s people in Lebanon who are living in a totally different reality and are really mad because, admittedly so, their city is getting bombed, their economy is degrading, they have no chance for a future that feels at all stable. So you just have a society that is at the highest level of tension — and everybody, without fail, is afraid of civil war.

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Because the truth is that Hezbollah is part and parcel of society. So when the Israelis and the U.S. pressure the government to disarm Hezbollah, a lot of Hezbollah is in all sorts of society. A lot of them are in the army. So it’s not an easy fix here.

I think the idea is that the Israelis want to make it seem like the government can just easily disarm Hezbollah, and if they don’t, they’re going to get punished for it. But it’s obvious that’s impossible. So it’s made people feel completely disenchanted with all of the leadership that’s involved and the leadership in the state as well, because the response has been mostly inadequate. It’s just something out of a horror show.

AG: Given what we’ve seen, pretty clearly seems to be Israel’s strategy of making failed states out of its adversaries in the region, you have to wonder if Israeli’s strategic thinking is exactly to stoke that resentment. So yeah, a complicated situation. 

Afeef, thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us. It’s really a pleasure and really appreciate all your insights and also your excellent reporting. So thanks so much for joining us on the Intercept Briefing. 

AN: Ali, I really appreciate you for covering Lebanon and having me on your show.

AG: After a quick break, I’ll be speaking to Sanam Naraghi Anderlini about Iran. Sanam is a peace strategist and founder and CEO of International Civil Society Action Network, or ICAN. She has served around the globe as expert for the U.N. on conflict mediation and was architect of the Women, Peace, and Security agenda. 

We’ll be right back.

[Break] 

AG: Welcome back to The Intercept Briefing. I’m Ali Gharib. 

The war in Iran is deepening. Instead of finding ways to tone down the conflict, all the sides are doubling down on ultimatums and escalation. The cost has come in human lives, including to Gulf residents, Israelis, and American troops, but most notably in Iran, where Israel and America have been expanding their bombing campaigns, including carpet bombing in densely populated cities.

Joining me now to discuss all this is Sanam Naraghi Anderlini, a peace strategist and the head of the civil society network ICAN.

And full disclosure here: This is gonna sound familiar to members of the family WhatsApp group, because Sanam is actually my cousin. 

She’s also a veteran peace builder and has been working on conflict resolution for decades. She intimately knows Iran and is an analyst on these issues as well. Thanks for joining us, Sanam.

Sanam Naraghi Anderlini: Thank you for having me. 

AG: I wanted to talk to you a little bit about the trap that the war is falling into — this kind of logic of “escalation of all sides.” There are all these interested parties that are involved in the war — which is basically the Iranians, the Israelis, and the Americans — and they all have different interests. Can you talk about how all of those different interests right now point to this conflict escalating, rather than finding any off ramps? 

SNA: So the way we have to understand this is that you have an Iranian regime that is basically focused on survival. They’ve always been — their logic has always been survival.

In a conflict like this, with two nuclear states, they are fighting a war of asymmetry. So their tactics have been, “How do you escalate the pain for the other side?” to actually bring it to an end quicker. We call it the “hurting stalemate”: How do you get into a stalemate of some sort that is hurting the various parties, so that you end up with some kind of resolution? But at the moment, it’s the logic of escalation to get to that point of pain. 

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For the Israelis, the logic has always been to try and decimate Iran as a regional power and as a power that would challenge them on the question of Palestine more than anything else. We saw that for them, the decimation of Iraq — or basically Iraq falling to its knees, as opposed to turning into a liberal democracy or Syria or Libya or any of these countries. Their fragmentation and essentially the destruction of the state in those countries was beneficial to the Israeli cause of both Greater Israel, but also vis-a-vis specifically the Palestinians.

So right now, with the Iran war going on, they also want to do as much damage as possible, and we’re seeing that on a daily basis. Hospitals have been hit, civilian sites have been hit, residential areas. When they went after Larijani, the national security adviser, over 100 civilians were killed.

We’ve just heard on Wednesday about a petrochemical plant that’s been hit. This is de facto chemical warfare now being played out, using the sources that are on the ground. So they are going full on and essentially escalating.

Iran is retaliating and is doing a sort of matching retaliation. You hit a petrochemical plant, they say, we’re gonna hit yours. So then comes the U.S. The U.S. — as we have repeatedly now heard from different U.S. officials — doesn’t really know why it’s doing this. Iran was not a threat to them. There was no nuclear threat, there was no ballistic missile threat. They got dragged into this war by Israel, and they are now in it. 

The problem is that as a major power — as a superpower, frankly — they can’t be seen to lose. So it’s a little bit like the situation of Russia and Ukraine. Russia can’t be seen to lose to Ukraine. So the U.S. is now caught in that kind of trap. So they’re also escalating at the moment.

But actually what I’m really worried about is that there are no guardrails. We don’t have anyone standing and actually being the grown-up in the room saying, “There are nuclear plants. They shouldn’t be hit.” The implications of a Bushehr plant, which something was lobbed there. No damage was done. But the implications of this kind of damage and radioactive spillage for the entire Gulf region is really significant. And yet there is no real attention to this kind of escalation or trying to put, as I say, guardrails around essentially what are war crimes happening now.

AG: Sanam, maybe you can speak a little bit to what you see on the broader international scene, because I think there have been some shifts in the past week where we’ve seen Europe pushing back on a few things. But this has all been set up by a very long campaign that’s largely centered around human rights as an idea for justifying this sort of intervention and interventions like it before. We saw this in Afghanistan, we saw it in Iraq. We’ve seen it in a lot of places. 

For you and I looking at this who’ve worked in this world — you more than myself — it’s been really stunning to watch that so many people fall for this idea of “This is a human rights intervention” — and yet it’s accomplished through massive, massive human rights violations. This targeting of civilian infrastructure and civilian facilities and homes and disproportionate casualties happening on things like the Larijani assassination.

Can you talk about how we got to this place where this rhetoric is built up around human rights to justify something like, if not quite a total war, at least a massive full-scale destruction of a country that we’re seeing in process right now? 

SNA: We’ve had in the last 20 to 25 years, especially since the Iraq War in 2003, a lobby pushing for regime change in Iran. They did it in Baghdad. It used to be said that men go to Baghdad, real men go to Tehran. The Iraq version of regime change ended up being a catastrophe from a U.S. perspective, but actually from an Israeli perspective and from a Saudi perspective, and even from a UAE perspective, the decimation of Iraq has been a success because if Iraq had turned out to be a liberal democracy, it would’ve challenged Israel on the question of Palestine. It would’ve challenged Saudi Arabia on the question of Islam and what is Islam; we wouldn’t have ended up with all this sort of Wahhabi/Salafi versions of Islam being spread around the world. And it could have possibly challenged the UAE on being an economic powerhouse. 

Iraq is an educated — was an educated population. They have oil, they were wealthy, et cetera, but it was decimated. And these other three powers rose. 

Iran was always on their agenda, and especially on the Israeli agenda. And the first threat that was perceived was, let’s make it a question of a nuclear threat. OK, so that was the big thing on the table. Nuclear negotiations happened; 2015 JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action] is achieved.

AG: The Iran nuclear deal. 

SNA: We see a change in tactic. We started seeing massive propaganda using Iran International and other television stations into Iran with very gauzy nostalgic stories of the Pahlavi era. Then we see them co-opting the Women Life Freedom movement in 2022. It was meant to be some sort of coalition opposition movement that was again, trying to co-opt Women Life Freedom. 

Now, Women Life Freedom was authentic. It was homegrown. It had nothing to do with the diaspora. The diaspora supported it because it was so beautifully nonviolent and so inclusive. It was women’s rights, and we had men standing with women. Life and the question of life is both around economic livelihoods and justice and so forth. And then freedom. The question of, can we have democratic freedoms and dignity?

The Iranian regime crashes down on that as they often do when they see protest movements. They crack down heavily, but ironically they also back down. So once the protest stopped, what we saw was that the mandatory nature of the hijab basically disappears. You see Iranian women walking around wearing whatever they want. 

But the question of, how do we go about with regime change from the outside again? The focus shifts, and with Trump coming into power [in 2016] and getting rid of the JCPOA, that was about controlling and containing the nuclear program, but also removing sanctions so there would be economic relief for the Iranian public. Obama never got rid of the sanctions, and by the time Trump came in, he got rid of the nuclear deal — nuclear side of it. 

The Iranians maintained and then they continued cooperating with the U.N. and the nuclear experts for a long time with inspectors. Then at some point it became clear that there was not going to be a new deal. And so the whole thing disappeared.

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Children Are Dying Because Companies Are Too Scared to Sell Medicine to Iran

In the meantime, what was happening was that the shift in D.C. and again with Israeli support, became about “maximum pressure,” which is around economic pressure. It was really strangling the Iranian economy and really hitting inflation and affecting very poor people. 

At ICAN, we did a report on sanctions in 2012. It was called “Killing them Softly,” and we were looking at the humanitarian implications of sanctions back in 2012. In 2017 onwards, it comes in really, really heavily. We’ve even had Nancy Pelosi in February of 2026 saying, we imposed these sanctions with the view of hurting the poor Iranians in rural areas so that there would be an uprising.

AG: It’s worth mentioning too that this strategy really came out of Israel’s closest allies in Washington, right? This was like the Foundation for Defensive Democracies — these Likud-oriented, right-wing pro-Israel think tanks that had literally called for a strategy of maximum pressure, which is what Trump put in place.

SNA: Exactly. This has been an ongoing fight between different think tanks, different leanings, et cetera. But of course those guys have a lot more money and a lot more resources because they’ve literally got the backing of the Israeli government behind them. 

So you get maximum pressure. You get the protests back in December of 2025. They were economic protests. It was the bazaar and the traders and others, but people were really feeling the inflation level. So December protests start, and we don’t really hear that much about them. There isn’t really that much sort of repression of these protests. It’s very much a domestic issue. 

Then all of a sudden we see Reza Pahlavi coming into this domain and calling out to people and saying, go out 7th and 8th of January, go out into the protest. Go out in your millions. We are with you. 

AG: Reza Pahlavi, of course, the former crown prince of Iran, who’s become a central figure of the right-wing Iranian opposition, and who has claimed for himself the role as the head of the transition to a purported democracy that’s soon to be coming in Iran. 

SNA: We start seeing Mossad or Israeli-aligned assets on Twitter saying, we’re there, we’re on the ground with you. We are there to help you. So these messages need to really be investigated. Because if you know the Iranian regime, you know that their instinct when feeling threatened is to crack down, and they will crack down heavily on their own population.

So how can you sit in Virginia or in Maryland and tell people to go out onto the streets and say, we’re going to be there with you, and actually expose them to what became a very violent crackdown coming on the back of the Twelve Day War, the Israeli American war in June?

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Again, it had been during nuclear negotiations, and the attacks on Iranian leadership was pretty significant. So you’re dealing already with a regime that is going to be paranoid about infiltration. In January, you say to people, go out onto the streets. People’s kids are going out, and they go out into the streets, and then we see the internet blackout. Again, during the Twelve Day War, there was [an] internet blackout because banks were being attacked. There were cyber attacks against Iranian banks by Israeli assets. So you’re dealing, as I say, with a regime that is already on hyper alert and paranoid, and so they react very violently. 

How many people were killed? This becomes a big topic of debate and discussion. The human rights organizations, and the one that I follow is an organization called Harana, they did a very meticulous verification of people who died, families verifying and so forth. They had reached the number of about 7,008 people who had been killed during those two nights of protests. That’s a lot of people. But the machinery of propaganda — news, whatever you want to call it — started inflating the numbers. And it became 12,000 and then 20,000 and then 30,000 and then 40,000 and then 50,000. 

AG: The 7,000 number is bad enough. 

SNA: Yes. 

AG: Here we were in 2013 or whatever it was, completely outraged about Sisi’s counter-coup against the Muslim Brotherhood killing 1,500 protesters in one day. And that was outrage. We got talks in Washington about cutting off weapons to Egypt, cutting off Egypt from aid. 

These numbers were already staggering. So to just watch it balloon out of proportion like this with no basis and evidence, it really showed you that some of the opposition at this point was really just absolutely going for it and willing to stop at nothing, in a very Trumpian way, 

SNA: It was Trumpian, but it was also very — suddenly it started to look like the Gaza playbook, right? Because it was very much like the horrific things that happened on October 7 in Israel. It was using that horrific incident to then rile up and get emotionally charged around what the response should be.

In the case of Iran, it became about, well we need to go and protect people. We started subtly seeing Iranians in the diaspora using certain talking points. Because I was hearing it from different places. First it was somebody would say, “This is a war of liberation. These people who were on the streets were fighting a war of liberation.” That’s a dangerous thing to say, because if you’re claiming that the protesters who went out on a Friday night and a Thursday night out of frustration, out of anger, whatever, were soldiers and it’s a war — then you are putting them directly at risk.

AG: This is part of the opposition, from the opposition perspective, the Pahlavi perspective too. Pahlavi, as we know, has been traveling to Israel the past few years, is really — I think it’s safe to say at this point — has become a stooge of the Israelis. This was absolutely his strategy too. You heard him during the January protest crackdown. 

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The January protests were effectively a nonviolent movement. One of the things that was so shocking about the breadth of the crackdown was that this was a nonviolent movement. Sure, OK, setting the occasional police station on fire, but that is not what the movement was about.

And you had Pahlavi here saying everybody in the regime is legitimate targets, even civilian officials. That’s calling for a civil war. That’s calling for war crimes.

SNA: That’s the problem that you’re sitting, again, you’re sitting in Potomac, Miami, or wherever he happened to be when he said all this, and he’s sending out people. And either you know your opposition, you know the force that you’re fighting against the regime, in which case you have to be mindful of what you’re doing. We have known for 47 years that this is a regime that will use violence and it has used violence throughout time. So if you’re claiming to be the leader of the opposition, do you put your followers at risk like that? That, to me, is a question of responsibility. That’s definitely an issue.

If you don’t know the nature of your adversary, then that’s also admitting incompetence of some sort. How could you not know this could happen? So what was the intent of telling people to go out into the streets and then having all these Mossad voices on Twitter? What was the intent of it? Was the intent creating this space where this violence would come out so that then the next excuse for regime change becomes this is a regime that is killing its own people, it’s awful to its own people? We’ve had all the propaganda all these years. People, they’ve had it up to here with the economics, with the corruption, with all of the things that are going on, and the answer becomes well, yeah, it needs military attack.

AG: This is where you really see the Israelis start to step up and say, rise up. And for whatever reason, because of the desperation of Iranian people, people really latch onto this. It’s incredible for us to think, like many of our relatives have enough sense, certainly our relatives who are inside Iran, many of whom are geriatric and the rest of whom are just sensible, aren’t going out in the street and listening to Reza Pahlavi. But you listen to anecdotes from them about their friends. These people were actually listening to these messages and going into the street and being shot at and slaughtered. Meanwhile, Pahlavi and the Israelis are saying, do it, rise up, overtake the government. 

SNA: Yeah. 

AG: The people on the ground themselves can’t be blamed for thinking that there’s some sort of plan in place. This connects back to what you were saying about the Israelis, where this kind of is the plan, right? It’s that they don’t need Pahlavi to work. They don’t need him to go in there and become this democratic leader. They just need him to lead a movement that damages the regime enough to put Iran into some kind of fractured state or state failure where it’s not a threat to Israel anymore.

SNA: Yeah. So what I started seeing, and I think this is the situation we’re in now, unfortunately, is that you have a regime that has sacrificed the country and the nation for its own survival, and they’re continuing to do that. Then we have an opposition led by the Israeli sort of mentality — but now very much owned by Iranian diaspora themselves — that is so driven by getting rid of the regime that they’re also willing to sacrifice the nation. 

The rhetoric that we hear it’s just heartbreaking because when the girls’ school was hit some people were saying, “Oh, it’s the regime’s own rockets.” Exactly like what we heard in Gaza when the hospital was hit. Then it became “This is collateral damage. There’s a price for freedom.” I find that really quite revolting because I’m thinking, it’s not your kid. Those children did not sign up to be the price for freedom, whatever freedom means.

Then we started seeing Israeli journalists. I’ve been on podcasts with Israeli journalists where they’re telling me, “The Iranians wanted us to go in and liberate them.” And my response to them is: Liberate their bodies from their souls?

AG: Liberate them from their pharmaceutical factories and their hospitals and their girls’ schools.

SNA: So many schools now, I think it’s 60 schools have been hit. Schools, homes, energy sources, flour depots for making bread and corn, food, water, energy. All of these things are being hit. Police stations.

Ali Gharib: Homes — residential towers with hundreds of apartments.

SNA: Thousands, right? So they’re hiding behind this language of freedom and this language of human rights and then causing incredible mass human rights assault going forward in terms of atrocities. It’s all war crimes as well.

Again, at the forefront of it, we have Reza Pahlavi, who to me, is not only a puppet, he’s like a pied piper. He’s the one who led this diaspora into: I’m gonna give you heaven. And it’s now pretty hellish for the people on the ground in Iran. So this is something that we have to reckon with. I think diasporas — I’ve worked on conflicts for many years — diasporas often play a significant role in terms of shaping the policy. 

But what I always felt with Iranians was that no matter what differences we may have had politically, what drives us is a love of country. The targeting right now has been against the state and the nation. When you hear that something like 50 heritage sites have been damaged, for each of us, when we think about Isfahan or when we think about iconic buildings in Tehran, whether it’s the Azadi Tower or the Azadi Stadium, these are places and things that have meaning to us as a nation. They are part of how communities are formed and imagined and created. Iranians have a deep sense of nationhood, yet in this context, in the way that this polarization has happened, as I say, you have people who are saying, “Well, we will rebuild.” Are you now saying that in this war, another 30,000 people can die for freedom?

This is pretty despicable when you’re sitting outside the country. If you want to fight the war then by all means, fly to Istanbul, take the bus, and go straight to Tehran and be on the streets with the people. But to sit outside and wage war is horrific.

Those of us who sit outside have a particular responsibility. We have seen what the United States has done in these countries. We have access to all of the information — whether it’s Syria, Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan, Sudan — we know what kind of entity we deal with and in the international space, when these countries get embroiled in conflict. I think we have a particular responsibility in terms of trying to prevent that happening to our own country. People living inside, they may not have the same information. As I say, they are so traumatized by what the regime has done that it’s easy to say, “I want something else.” 

One last point, which I think is really significant, is that there’s a generational issue here. My generation is probably the last generation that remembers the revolution and the Iran–Iraq war. I was 11 when that happened. And for the years that I was returning to Iran to do my research and understand what was going on, I remember in the 1990s, there were student protests. And the taxi drivers, I would say to them, “Did you go to the protests?” And the taxi driver would say, “No, ma’am, we’ve already been out there once to be against something. I’ll go out there when I know it’s for something.” 

So this idea of everybody united against the shah, thinking the day after was going to be better and then they got the Islamists. People have been inoculated against that. They remember the Iran–Iraq war. That was a pretty horrific war for eight years, and Iran had no allies in the world except for Israel and Syria. Israel was giving weapons to Iran throughout the 1980s. So it’s interesting the shifts that have happened. 

But what I’m saying is that I’m in my 50s now, so the generations that come after me, they don’t remember the revolution. They don’t remember the war. And this rallying around the Pahlavi name as an alternative to the regime — “whatever it is, it’s gotta be better than the regime.” That’s exactly the parallel that we’re seeing. And it’s a very dangerous one, I think. 

AG: This is something that you said when we spoke on the phone earlier that I do want to get to because I think this is very important and it actually speaks to both sides. What you said is that inside of us all— And I think this both animates the people inside Iran who, I don’t want to take away their agency. There are people there who are calling for these bombs and celebrating them. 

I think that now we’re getting to a point where some people are waking up to what that actually means. Something you’d mentioned before is that the Twelve Day War last June seems now like it might have been a prelude to calm people’s nerves, that this won’t be as bad as you think. So when the call for more bombs and war comes, “bomb this regime into submission,” people won’t get what it is — I think now people increasingly are starting to get a grip on it — but still there are people who are diehard for it. Diehard for Pahlavi. Part of this is polarization and information compartmentalization where people are watching Iran International, the Fox News of the Iranian diaspora that beams into the country. They’re getting bad information. There’s conspiracy theories about the girls’ school bombing — all this stuff that we don’t need to get into all this detail about. But those people really are just looking for something to grasp, to hope for, right?

Then you’ve got people on the outside throwing up their hands, and I think, like we’ve seen this in our family discussions where people say, “God, I hope it ends soon.” And what you said to me earlier in our pre-interview is that hope is not really a strategy. What can be our strategy on the outside that’s not just hope? How do we look at this conflict in a way that can advance things for the country and for the people inside that we think is morally sound for us to push?

SNA: I genuinely think that if we care about Iran and Iranians, we need to be really advocating for very serious guardrails around the type of weapons that are being used and the type of targets that are being hit. As I said, if they go after Bushehr nuclear plant, there’s going to be radioactive spillage in Iran and in the Gulf. This is dangerous. This is really dangerous. Petrochemical plants, oil plants, these are the kinds of things that have been hit, and Iran is retaliating. So there needs to be a collective voice of saying, “Enough, stop this, we have to put some limits on this.” The weapons and the targets, that’s number one.

Number two is that at this point, I would like more of us — and those people who have a larger platform than I do — to be talking about the political prisoners. There are thousands and thousands of people who were arrested in January who need to be released, but there are also the long-term ones and the dissidents and others who have had the courage, despite everything that’s going on, to actually issue statements and speak out about what they want change to be. 

So there’s been a pretty vibrant conversation inside Iran from within the regime and from the periphery of it and the opposition around referenda and changing things and so forth.

Third thing. We need to take a page out of the book of the countries that have done this before and learn some lessons. The first place I go back to is South Africa, where the opposition to the apartheid regime gathered together in the 1950s, all sorts of communists and ANC [African National Congress] and all sorts of liberation fighters and others. But they got together, and they articulated the people’s charter, and it was a vision of the South Africa they wanted to create. That document became a roadmap and a destination, if you want, for what they were fighting for. What is it that we are fighting for? What unites us? This is the kind of thing that I wish Pahlavi had done, or I wish that we could now do and actually open up the space for conversations.

Related to that is the acceptance amongst all of us that Iran is now a country of 93 million people. Even if 5 percent of those people are regime supporters, that is a population of 4.5 million, 5 million people. We have to say that this is a country in which they also have a role. The future of Iran, I would like if it was my choice, I would like a future of Iran where I get to go and visit my father’s grave without fear of being arrested or being detained, where I could take my children to visit the country and see the beauty of my homeland without fear. But I also want other people to be able to go live back home there, and the folks that are living there, who have had to be part and parcel of the system that is there — for them to also feel safe.

All the horrors that this regime actually played out on us, I don’t want to become them. That to me is the question. So it’s really thinking about it in this way of: What does it mean to live with the lens of human rights and inclusivity and plurality? Then what do we do with the most egregious elements, whether it’s in the prisons and the torturers, whether it’s the leaders who ordered the violence, those kinds of things need investigation.

Again, South Africa had a tribunal. They also had a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Other countries have done that. Yemen had a national dialogue process for two years where they brought people from all sorts of political parties and tribes and young people and women to actually imagine the future that they were going to have. These are the kinds of things that we need to have in Iran. 

Let’s remove the embedded violence that has shaped this regime and has infiltrated into society, and actually bring it back to the Iran that we all love and the history of pluralism and frankly, secularism, that goes back 2,500 years. Secularism means Muslims — diehard Muslims — also get to live and practice their lives, right? It’s that kind of a vision that I think we need to be thinking about. 

AG: And we’re going to leave it there. Thanks for joining us on the Intercept Briefing, Sanam.

SNA: Thank you, Ali. 

AG: That does it for this episode. 

This episode was produced by Laura Flynn. Ben Muessig is our editor-in-chief. Maia Hibbett is the managing editor. Chelsey B. Coombs is our social and video producer. Desiree Adib is our booking producer. Fei Liu is our product and design manager. Nara Shin is the copy editor. Will Stanton mixed our show. Legal review came, as always, from the great David Bralow.

Slip Stream provided our theme music.

This show and our reporting at The Intercept doesn’t exist without you, our loyal readers and listeners. Your donations, no matter the amount, makes a real difference. Keep our investigations free and fearless at theintercept.com/join. 

And if you haven’t already, please subscribe to The Intercept Briefing wherever you listen to podcasts. And leave us a rating or a review, it helps other listeners to find us.

Let us know what you think of this episode, or If you want to send us a general message, email us at podcasts@theintercept.com.

Until next time, I’m Ali Gharib.

The post “Liberate Their Bodies From Their Souls”: The Lies That Sell the Iran War appeared first on The Intercept.

Why Should Delaware Care?
On Thursday, Secretary of Education Cindy Marten announced her recommendation to revoke the Bryan Allen Stevenson School of Excellence’s charter, and State Board of Education members voted to approve her recommendation. As a result of the vote, the charter school will close its doors at the end of the 2025-26 school year. The vote marks Delaware’s first charter school closure by state regulators in a decade. 

Delaware education officials announced Thursday that the state will move forward with closing a Georgetown charter school due to persistent struggles with low enrollment.

The Bryan Allen Stevenson School of Excellence (BASSE) will close its doors at the end of this school year, leaving roughly 120 students from throughout Sussex County to find placements in new schools. 

During a Thursday State Board of Education meeting, members voted to confirm Delaware Education Secretary Cindy Marten’s recommendation – also made that day – to close the school. 

The decision came one day after BASSE students advocated for their future by holding a moment of silence in support of their school. They also lined the hallway with posters that said “We are BASSE strong,” and “Let us learn at BASSE.” 

During the Thursday meeting, Marten cited concerns relating to enrollment and economic viability at the school. In her comments made at the meeting, she referenced a 2025 audit of the school, which stated that “auditors were unable to obtain sufficient information to assess the school’s financial condition.” 

Also during the meeting, State Board of Education Vice President Deborah Stevens noted BASSE staff and families had passionately fought for their school’s survival. Still, she said the reality is that Delaware’s public education funding formula relies on the number of students enrolled in a school. 

“When there is a lack of students, there’s also a lack of funding, and it really does put a school in jeopardy as a result,” she said.

Speaking during the meeting’s public comment period, BASSE Board of Education Secretary Katherine Cauley noted that Marten’s December announcement of a state investigation into the school came just as prospective students were sending in applications for attendance the following year.

She indicated that the timing of the announcement amounted to state officials not giving the schools “a fair chance” to boost its enrollment.    

During a February meeting between BASSE and Delaware’s Charter School Accountability Committee, school officials also argued that Marten’s announcement caused some parents to feel uncertain about their kids’ future at the school.  

Named after the prominent civil rights attorney who was born in nearby Milton, the Bryan Allen Stevenson School of Excellence was founded in 2018.

The first to close in seven years 

Shortly after the announcement of the closure on Thursday, BASSE released a statement calling the decision troubling, “given that the Secretary has never visited the school or spoken directly with its leadership.”

The decision marks the first Delaware charter school closure in seven years and the first to be closed by state regulators in a decade. It also leaves Sussex County with just two charter schools, compared to six in Kent County and 15 in New Castle County.

In 2016, the state Board of Education revoked the charter of the Delaware STEM Academy. In recent years, most troubled charter schools have voluntarily closed, rather than face a forced closure.

Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated by their own board of directors. They are not eligible to receive taxpayer dollars for facilities and capital projects, but do receive state funding for each enrolled student.

The tuition-free schools feature specialized missions or academic curricula that differ from traditional public schools, and that requires them to maintain certain enrollment levels and reporting duties to the state Department of Education, which issues their founding charters.

‘We are BASSE strong’ 

While BASSE will close largely because of low enrollment, many students and parents told Spotlight Delaware on Wednesday that they value the school because of its small learning environment, which they say has benefited students’ learning outcomes. 

BASSE is made up of students from throughout Sussex County, where many school districts grapple with overcrowded schools. 

One eighth-grade student named Bella said the small-school environment has helped her improve her reading, writing, and public speaking skills because she gets more quality time with her teachers. 

Bella previously attended the Laurel School District, which is at 76% capacity, according to the Delaware Department of Education. 

Bella said she wants to become a special education teacher when she grows up, and believes that the tight-knit community at BASSE has helped show her “what it actually takes to be a spec ed teacher.” 

BASSE special education teacher Sherri Webster, who started working at the school at the end of September, also said the school’s small environment helps her develop close bonds with her students. 

In the past, Webster has worked at middle schools where caseloads of 50 special education students caused some to “fall through the cracks.” At BASSE, she typically works with just 18 students — less than half of her previous caseload. 

Webster also said she has seen more success with her students at BASSE than anywhere else she has worked. 

“Here, you’re able to really see your work and how you’re impacting these kids. It’s tremendous,” she said.

Multiple students also told Spotlight Delaware about their experiences with bullying in previous schools.

BASSE, they said, is a safe space for them. 

Lizzie, a ninth grader, said she was bullied at two previous schools before coming to BASSE midway through the 2024-25 school year. She called the charter school her “last hope.”

Ultimately, she met another ninth grader, Maddie, who she says has become “like a sister.”

Aside from close bonds, Lizzie also said BASSE is the first place where she has been able to advocate for herself in the classroom. She has an individualized education plan (IEP) to help with her speech, and says she was able to sit in on an IEP meeting with school staff and her mom — something she never had the opportunity to do before. 

“I really like to advocate for myself in those types of situations,” she said. “I love to be there in the conversation.” 

While parents on Wednesday did not know whether their school would reopen for the next school year, some said they knew for certain that their children would not return to traditional school districts. 

Megan Wharton said her son went to a Christian school for years before deciding he wanted something different. He then enrolled in a traditional public school where  he had an “awful” experience with bullies.

Wharton then enrolled her son at BASSE at the start of this school year, where his life has changed, she said. He is now even on the honor roll.

Wharton said she had been praying that BASSE would not close, and she had already enrolled her son at the charter for the next school year. 

She knew one thing for sure. Her son would not go back to his regular school district for the eighth grade. 

“I will do whatever I have to do … but never back into (traditional) public school,” she said.

The post State will close Georgetown charter school at end of academic year appeared first on Spotlight Delaware.

Anglo-Dutch company, which also owns Dove and Hellmann’s, will focus more on personal care products if deal agreed

• Business live – latest updates

Unilever, the owner of Marmite, Dove and Hellmann’s mayonnaise, is in talks to combine its food business with the US-based spice and seasoning maker McCormick.

The Anglo-Dutch food company – which last year spun off its ice-cream division, the home to Ben & Jerry’s, Magnum and Wall’s – has entered discussions over the future of the “highly attractive” business.

States were on notice from the U.S. Department of Justice that if they didn’t fall in line, the federal government would force them into compliance.

It wasn’t President Donald Trump’s administration applying pressure. It was the early 1990s, and President Bill Clinton had signed the “motor voter” law requiring states to offer voter registration when someone applies for a driver’s license.

Idaho, with its fiercely independent streak, didn’t want to participate. So instead of going along with the federal government’s new National Voter Registration Act, state legislators followed the recommendation of Idaho’s top election officials and scrambled for a way out. Because the federal voter law said states with same-day voter registration could be exempt, Idaho lawmakers passed a bill almost unanimously, with full support from Republicans, to adopt same-day registration.

Idaho’s chief deputy secretary of state at the time, Ben Ysursa, described the move as an almost existential response to “an insidious federal intrusion into state election procedures.”

The Clinton Justice Department eventually sued three states for not complying with its demands. By then, Idaho’s had a shield against litigation due to its exemption.

Three decades later, the exemption and the philosophy that led to it are at the heart of Idaho’s refusal to comply with a very different demand by the Trump Justice Department. The state’s top election official cites the exemption as one reason he will not sign a deal to give the Trump administration all the voter data his office holds, including sensitive personal information like partial Social Security and driver’s license numbers.

Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane is one of about a dozen Republicans nationally to resist the administration’s efforts to gather sensitive voter data ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, in the face of litigation threats from the Justice Department.

In a state that Trump won in 2024 by one of the largest margins in the country, an effort that the administration touts as essential to weeding out noncitizen voters has tested the limits of what a committed Trump stronghold will tolerate when it comes to privacy and federal power.

Lists of voter addresses and party affiliations are often available to the public through an open records request. McGrane provided the government with this version. But state election administrators also keep more sensitive information such as a person’s exact date of birth and partial Social Security number. In Idaho, the law says this information can’t be given out — and that’s what the Trump administration is still after.

Among the other five states exempt from the law, three have refused to give up their voters’ sensitive information and have since been sued by the Justice Department. Wyoming handed over its data without a lawsuit. Other states that are not exempt have also been sued.

McGrane, who is an attorney, told the Justice Department in letters that he doesn’t see any legal reason why he should honor the government’s request — and that, given the administration’s recent admissions over its handling of sensitive data, he couldn’t be sure the department would keep it safe, which is his duty under state law.

The trimmed-down version of voter info he’d already handed over should be enough for “any legitimate inquiry” by the government into how effectively Idaho maintains its voter lists, McGrane wrote.

Through a spokesperson, McGrane declined an interview request from ProPublica, citing the possibility of an impending lawsuit from the Justice Department. A spokesperson for the Justice Department also declined to comment.

A Justice Department attorney threatened to sue Idaho in December, in a halting voicemail with McGrane’s office that was obtained by ProPublica and previously reported on by the Idaho Capital Sun.

“I need to get some clarification as to what you’re going to be doing. Or not doing. So, again, I need a response from you,” the lawyer says in the recording. “You may have seen in the news that we have sued six states earlier this week for refusing to provide their voter registration lists, and we’re preparing additional lawsuits.”

The lawyer then tells the secretary of state’s office he would “like to keep everyone out of that as possible — as much as possible, but I haven’t heard anything back from you.”

Ysursa, who served three terms as secretary of state until 2015, said McGrane is “in a much more politically volatile situation than I ever was.”

“Going against Trump in Idaho on certain things, that’s a fine line,” Ysursa said. “And I think he’s doing a good job. He’s doing the right thing.”

Public policy surveys in Idaho conducted since the 1990s have surfaced a current of “distrust or wariness towards federal control or national control,” said Matthew May, survey research director at the Boise State University School of Public Service.

The polling over time has revealed Idahoans’ strong belief in independence, May said.

In the months since McGrane’s refusal, more than 130 constituents have called, emailed and sent handwritten cards and letters to his office. Of those, just one person said they wanted McGrane to provide information to the Trump administration. The others were supportive, appreciative or, in some cases, seemingly panicked by the prospect of their private information being released.

Although the senders skewed more Democratic than Idaho’s electorate, just over half the messages came from Republicans and unaffiliated voters, based on a review of voter registration data for commenters who left their names.

“Mr McGrane has done a masterful job of dancing around the US Justice Dept request for the full voter records of Idaho voters,” wrote one registered Republican. “When the dancing no longer works, I expect Mr McGrane to give them a big fat NO!

“Voting is our one sacred right in this country,” the person continued. “DOJ has no legitimate business receiving our PRIVATE voter information. They may threaten to sue, but so will the voters of Idaho if you grant their request. Do not give them our personal voter information. Thank you.”

Ysursa told ProPublica that he has urged McGrane to “hold the line,” even amid threats of repercussions. Ysursa is one of nine former secretaries of state who filed an amicus brief in federal court, arguing against the administration’s demands for full voter information.

The Trump administration’s creep toward nationalizing elections runs counter to the ethos of “keep your federal hands off Idaho,” Ysursa said.

McGrane is a self-described election nerd who worked his way up through elections offices, as opposed to cultivating a resume as a professional politician. He served as a county elections chief and gained a reputation for approaching voting day with a Super Bowl level of enthusiasm. He also became known for his ability to resist the political winds.

McGrane was one of seven people featured on the cover of Time magazine in 2022 as “the defenders” of America’s elections. That year, McGrane was the only Idaho Republican candidate for secretary of state who did not back the false claim that fraud was responsible for Trump’s loss in the 2020 election.

In perhaps the strongest sign that Trump’s base in Idaho has not been inflamed by McGrane’s pushback on the administration’s demand for voter rolls — which received plenty of media attention locally — he drew no challenger by last month’s deadline to enter the Idaho Republican primary for his position.

While the Constitution gives states the authority to run elections, the National Voter Registration Act gives the federal government an oversight role when it comes to ensuring voter lists are properly maintained. The law says election officials must make a “reasonable effort” to keep ineligible voters off of the rolls, and typical oversight comes in the form of lawsuits claiming that states aren’t doing a good enough job.

Under Trump, the Justice Department has gone a step further. The department claims it has the right to seize states’ unredacted voter rolls without proving its case in court, citing in lawsuits the powers that agency officials say they have under the National Voter Registration Act, the Help America Vote Act and the Civil Rights Act.

The Justice Department has privately told states more about its intentions, according to emails obtained by ProPublica through public records requests.

In Montana, a federal lawyer told the secretary of state’s legal counsel that the department was requesting voter rolls to “facilitate a review for noncitizens and dead voters,” adding that federal officials would be able to assess whether there are duplicate registrations as well.

The demands come as part of the Trump administration’s focus on hunting down noncitizens on the voter rolls, a long-standing preoccupation for the president. He has long claimed, without evidence, that noncitizens have infiltrated the rolls to influence elections.

Three judges who have considered the government’s lawsuits fully so far have dismissed them, saying that the federal laws the Trump administration cites as the basis for its demands do not apply — especially not where voters’ private information is concerned.

In Oregon, U.S. District Judge Mustafa Kasubhai wrote that the Justice Department’s claims were “troubling,” representing federal overreach.

In California, U.S. District Judge David Carter said the centralization of the information would have a chilling effect on voter registration, leading to decreased turnout as people worry their data could be used for an “inappropriate or unlawful purpose.”

“This risk threatens the right to vote which is the cornerstone of American democracy,” Carter wrote.

In Michigan, U.S. District Judge Hala Y. Jarbou echoed that interpretation, writing that “the risk of having one’s personal information misused will deter people from registering to vote.”

The Justice Department has appealed all of the courts’ decisions.

Leaders in Republican-led states that have held back their voter rolls, meanwhile, have taken pains to show they are making other efforts to keep noncitizens from voting.

Idaho started looking for evidence of problems well before the Trump administration’s request. McGrane said in a letter to the Justice Department that his office worked with federal agencies to check the citizenship status of all registered Idaho voters in the lead-up to the 2024 general election.

Given what Idaho has already done and the processes already in place, the federal government has “no legal or practical rationale for duplicative review,” McGrane wrote.

The tools Idaho employed, he said, included a Department of Homeland Security program known as the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements.

Idaho’s search found 11 cases of noncitizens registered to vote — none of whom actually cast votes in 2024 — and state police referred those cases to the Justice Department’s chief prosecutor in Idaho for review.

McGrane told the Justice Department that he hadn’t heard anything about those cases since.

The post As Trump Demands Voter Data, This Fiercely Independent Red State Says No appeared first on ProPublica.

Interim president announces changes after firing defence minister, who was close to Maduro, the leader ousted by US

Venezuela’s interim president has said she has replaced all her senior military commanders, the latest in a flurry of changes since the US ousted Nicolás Maduro.

Delcy Rodríguez announced the changes in a social media post a day after firing the long-serving defence minister, who had been close to Maduro, and replacing him with a former intelligence chief.

In retaliation for the ongoing U.S.–Israeli war, Iran responded with a novel form of counterattack. For the first time in military history, private sector data centers came under deliberate attack.

In an era when companies known for e-commerce, social networks, and search engines have also become close collaborators with militaries, is bombing their servers fair game?

Three days after the U.S. and Israel began their joint bombardment, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched kamikaze drone strikes against Amazon-owned data centers in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain that provide an array of cloud computing services to customers throughout the Middle East. The impacts and subsequent fires “caused structural damage, disrupted power delivery to our infrastructure, and in some cases required fire suppression activities that resulted in additional water damage,” according to Amazon, resulting in service outages across the region.

The motive behind the attack, according to Iranian state television, was not to block people from ordering groceries or posting to social media, but rather to highlight “the role of these centers in supporting the enemy’s military and intelligence activities.” Though only Amazon’s centers are known to have come under fire, a March 11 tweet from the quasi-official Tasnim News Agency listed dozens of regional facilities, including data centers owned by Microsoft, Google and others, deemed “Enemy Technology Infrastructure” suitable for targeting.

It’s unclear if the Amazon data centers struck by Iranian drone strikes are used for military purposes or civilian purposes, or both. And it’s unknown if the attacks in any way hindered the militaries of the U.S., Israel, or their allies in the Gulf from using AI or other cloud-based services in their war efforts. But with Amazon, Google, and even Facebook parent company Meta are all eager partners of the Pentagon that augment the destructive power of the United States in Iran and elsewhere, server farms may now have the same status as factories building bombs and warplanes.

Scholars of international law and the laws of armed conflict say that when a military runs on the cloud, the cloud becomes a legal military target. But the cloud is an abstraction, not a physical site — a global network of millions of chips in servers spread across hundreds of massive buildings across the planet, servicing both civilian apps and state tools used to surveil and kill. Separating the former from the latter is an extremely difficult task.

“The legality turns on whether the specific facility, at the specific moment, is genuinely serving the military operations of a party to the conflict in a way that offers a concrete and definite advantage to the attacker,” explained León Castellanos-Jankiewicz, a lawyer with the Asser Institute for International and European Law in The Hague.

Sometimes the split between military and civilian use is straightforward. Microsoft, for example, helps run the Joint Warfighter Cloud Capability, which the Pentagon says provides it with “greater lethality.” This work involves the processing of classified data, which the government does not want commingling with civilian tech. Cloud computing services are generally offered via geographically distinct “regions,” each made up of many physical data centers. Customers typically select the region that is closest to them to minimize lag time. Microsoft’s US DoD Central and US DoD East regions are “reserved for exclusive [Department of Defense] use,” according to the company, and are serviced by data centers in Des Moines, Iowa, and Northern Virginia, respectively.

Amazon offers similar cloud regions exclusive for Pentagon use, though the location of these data centers is not public. Oracle, another JWCC provider, operates Pentagon-specific facilities in Chicago, Phoenix, and Virginia. Companies are understandably tight-lipped about where exactly on the map these facilities stand, in no small part because Iran, or any country at war with the U.S., would have reason to target them.

“A data center that is used solely or primarily for military applications is targetable,” said Ioannis Kalpouzos, an international law scholar and visiting professor at Harvard Law, “and a center that supports the Pentagon’s JWCC falls in that category.”

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AI’s Imperial Agenda

The march of data center construction has become a point of contention across the United States and around the world, with communities frequently — and sometimes successfully — rallying to block what they view as enormous resource-draining eyesores. But for those living in the widening shadow of data centers, planned or built, their status as military targets may be unsettling beyond concerns over water and energy consumption.

And as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth aggressively shoehorns AI tools into the military wherever possible, the rapid expansion of data centers means the potential proliferation of legitimate military targets across the United States.

With comparisons between the destructive power of AI-augmented warfare and nuclear weaponry becoming more common, the ever-expanding network of American data centers may recreate Cold War anxieties around intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM, silo placement. The country’s nuclear launch capabilities were famously clustered in the relatively sparsely populated Upper Midwest, forming a so-called “nuclear sponge” that would draw Soviet nukes away from population centers and toward rural areas and farmland.

But the legal calculus around most data centers will be less clear. Google, for example, says the Pentagon uses both its general purpose public cloud and smaller specialized air-gapped networks that don’t touch the public internet, depending on the sensitivity of the data involved. Even cloud work involving Top Secret military data “can operate within Google’s trusted, secure, and managed data centers.” The company also sells modular mini-data centers for use closer to battlefields or bases.

These arrangements, shrouded in both military and trade secrecy, make it hard to assess whether a server is hosting a student’s homework or Air Force R&D, blurring the legality of attacking data centers that may host both. Google may have little control over how governments use its cloud tools; The Intercept has previously reported that Google executives worried internally they wouldn’t be able to tell how the Israeli military was deploying its cloud services.

“The practical challenge is that cloud infrastructure is often technically opaque, even to providers themselves,” Castellanos-Jankiewicz said. “The services a given data center supports may not be readily ascertainable from the outside or even inside, which complicates the attacker’s legal obligations considerably.”

Amazon and Google’s Project Nimbus similarly provides cloud computing services across the Israeli government, including both civilian agencies and the Ministry of Defense, along with state-owned weapons companies.

“The picture becomes more legally complex when a data center functions as a so-called ‘dual-use’ object,” simultaneously hosting military data or capabilities alongside civilian services,” Castellanos-Jankiewicz told The Intercept. “Once a facility is found to make an effective contribution to military action, the entire physical object can, under the dominant legal view, qualify as a military objective.”

The embrace of commercial cloud computing by the U.S. and others has muddled an already murky legal picture, Castellanos-Jankiewicz explained. “A military’s decision to store classified data or run AI-enabled military systems on commercial cloud infrastructure shared with civilian services could itself raise legal concerns — particularly if the commingling of military and civilian uses makes a strike more likely or increases the foreseeable harm to civilians when one occurs.”

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OpenAI on Surveillance and Autonomous Killings: You’re Going to Have to Trust Us

Determining whether a given data center can be legally attacked under international humanitarian law — itself comprised of various treaties that not every country adheres to — relies on a complex series of balancing tests that rarely produce concrete answers. To begin with, every object and person is generally presumed civilian and exempt from attack under this framework. Before launching a strike, a country is supposed to have a verifiable reason to believe a data center contributes to the enemy war effort, and reason to believe an attack will appreciably harm that effort. What “effectively contributes to military action” will, of course, be a source of disagreement.

Anthropic’s Claude large language model was reportedly used to accelerate American airstrikes against Iran; Claude, in turn, was built in part using 500,000 chips housed in an $11 billion Amazon data center in Indiana. If Claude is now arguably a weapon, is this Indiana site the data equivalent of a bomb factory? Kalpouzos, the Harvard Law visiting professor, told The Intercept it depends on the facts at the moment the bomb hits, not past usage. “If the facility is currently used in the training of the LLM that is used in the conduct of military operations — for example, by fine-tuning object classification or user-interaction features — then this could render it targetable,” he said.

In a recent article for Just Security, Klaudia Klonowska and Michael Schmitt said that the law calls for proportionality and restraint even against military targets. An attack against a data center that provided both military and civilian computing would need to be precise enough to destroy the former while minimizing harm to the latter, they argued. But international law may call for a degree of carefulness that militaries have little interest in. “If it were possible to attack only the area of the data center where servers hosting military data are located without destroying the entire center, the attacker would need to do so,” they wrote.

These requirements can be hard to observe in reality. The U.S. and Israel both tout the extreme precision of airstrikes that regularly slaughter civilians. And neither country, nor Iran, is a signatory to some of the relevant legal frameworks that make up the so-called “laws of armed conflict” in the first place.

Indiscriminate warfare practice by U.S. and Israel has also, ironically, been instrumental in reshaping how these laws are interpreted and effectively loosened. Throughout the Israeli genocide in Gaza, Israel’s military and the Pentagon both made clear it’s acceptable to destroy an apartment block or hospital if one first claims there is a genuine military target inside.

The second Trump administration in particular has been keen to more tightly integrate Silicon Valley into the global American killing apparatus, a plan to which the industry has shown itself to be largely amenable. Even after being thoroughly maligned by the administration following the collapse of its Pentagon deal over purported disagreements around safety guardrails, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei issued a public statement making clear he still wanted in on military spending: “Anthropic has much more in common with the Department of War than we have differences. We both are committed to advancing US national security and defending the American people, and agree on the urgency of applying AI across the government.” That attitude, now commonplace across the tech sector, will see the further commingling of consumer tech and warfare both in the abstract and under sprawling data center rooftops across the country.

“These [data centers] are further melding military and civilian infrastructure,” said Kalpouzos, “and together with the increasingly permissive rules of engagement adopted by the U.S. and Israel, are potentially drawing in larger sectors of the economy and society in what is targeted and destroyed.”

The post Data Centers Are Military Targets Now appeared first on The Intercept.

Having lapped its rivals in the US landscape, the most powerful American sports league is pushing for supersonic expansion of its calendar and its geography

“Pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered. And they’re getting hoggy.” When Mark Cuban, then owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, fired that line at the NFL in 2014, he was partly goading and partly gloating.

It felt directionally true. The NFL looked bloated, arrogant and vulnerable. Decades-long skeletons were tumbling out of the closet. Crisis followed crisis: concussions, Colin Kaepernick, sinister owners, cheating scandals and an almost Nixonian attempt to institute law and order. Youth participation declined. Football felt, if not dying, then at least dated, creaking under the weight of its own mythology.

It’s difficult to put yourself in the place of Cherise Doyley, a pregnant mother of three who found herself facing a judge while in labor at the University of Florida Health hospital in downtown Jacksonville.

She had arrived at the facility with a plan for her birth. She wanted to try for a vaginal delivery, but she understood from years of experience as a professional birthing doula that things don’t always go as planned.

She arrived overnight at the hospital after her water broke. Doctors told her they were concerned about the risk of uterine rupture, a potentially deadly complication for her and her baby. She understood the risk to be less than 2% and repeatedly told doctors she wouldn’t consent to a cesarean without trying to have a vaginal delivery first. The doctors appeared to relent, leaving her to labor for several more hours. 

Then a nursing supervisor wheeled a tablet up to her bed and informed her she was in court. The reason? Failing to agree to a C-section. 

Read More

They Didn’t Want to Have C-Sections. A Judge Would Decide How They Gave Birth.

When advocates for pregnant women say that you shouldn’t lose your constitutional rights just because you conceived, this is the kind of situation they’re talking about. 

I’m a reporter based in Alabama, and throughout my career, I’ve focused on women facing the consequences of the state’s fetal personhood policy. That’s the idea that fetuses should have the same legal status as children. My investigation shows how a similar theory played into the cases of two women: Cherise Doyley and Brianna Bennett, who experienced eerily similar situations in Florida. In both cases, they found themselves fighting for their rights to make medical decisions because they were pregnant.

I obtained a video recording of Doyley’s court hearing. Watching her argue her case from her hospital bed shocked me. Even though courts have found time and time again that you can’t force someone to undergo medical treatment — even if it could save someone else’s life — the video underscored for me how pregnant women are the rare exception. 

In several states, judges have ruled pregnant patients can be forced to receive blood transfusions or remain on bed rest if it is in the best interest of the fetus. In Doyley’s case, a court would force her to undergo surgery. 

ProPublica has already investigated how abortion restrictions can lead to pregnant women being denied lifesaving care. Experts worry that the opposite problem, forced treatment, could also become more common in states like Florida that have fetal personhood policies.

Doyley signed a waiver allowing the hospital to discuss her case with ProPublica, but a spokesperson for University of Florida Health in Jacksonville would not comment, citing patient privacy.

By sharing and examining Doyley’s case with her consent, we aim to show you what forced medical treatment can look like. And, while we encourage you to read the full investigation, we wanted to offer you a look inside the Zoom court hearing so you can see for yourself what happened.

You can see the confusion on Doyley’s face as she realizes she’s being taken to court over her medical decisions. She asked for a lawyer, or at least a patient advocate. Florida courts don’t require lawyers for pregnant women in hearings about their medical decisions and the hospital didn’t provide an advocate, so Doyley had to go it alone.

Judge Michael Kalil was on the call in his black robe and explained how the hearing would work. Doyley, a Black woman, was lying in a hospital bed, hooked up to IVs and monitors and covered by a sheet. She was surrounded on the screen by nearly a dozen doctors and lawyers, most of them white, who offered a lot of testimony about what could happen to Doyley’s baby if she continued to refuse a C-section. 

Dr. Erin Burnett said during the hearing that she did not think Doyley could successfully give birth vaginally. A long labor could increase the risk of uterine rupture, which could kill Doyley and the child, she said. Dr. John Davis, the chair of the obstetrics and gynecology department, said in the hearing the hospital had been recognized for its low C-section rate and did not perform unnecessary surgeries. Doyley’s condition required intervention, he said.

“Everybody was very concerned about the baby’s welfare,” Jenny Van Ravestein, director of women’s services at the hospital, said during the hearing. 

Burnett and Davis did not respond to requests for comment, and the hospital declined ProPublica’s requests to interview them and others involved in Doyley’s care.

The research on the risks of uterine rupture after prior C-sections is unclear. Studies have found that 0.15% to 2.3% of these labors resulted in a rupture, depending on a number of factors such as body mass, a history of successful vaginal births and whether the labor began spontaneously or had to be induced. Either number felt pretty low to Doyley. 

What the testimony doesn’t include, though, is much about the downsides Doyley faced from having another C-section, which could entail a long recovery, infection and other complications, along with the risk of death. 

But she couldn’t explain her reasoning until the judge decided to unmute her.

Doyley had her reasons to want to avoid major abdominal surgery: She had difficult recoveries from her previous C-sections. A hemorrhage after a prior C-section had sent her back to the hospital for almost a week. 

She worried that she wouldn’t be able to care for her children if she was struggling with recovery from the surgery itself and potentially also with complications. And she was concerned that if she were to die, her children could fall into the foster care system. Doyley said she didn’t see surgery as a low-risk option. She wondered aloud in the hearing if her other children’s lives — and her own — mattered to the hospital and doctors. 

Kimberly Mutcherson, a law professor at Rutgers University, said that women who want to opt for care that seems risky to doctors often face accusations of not caring about their babies.

“You’re somebody who is a bad mother, right?” Mutcherson said. “Which is a huge part of what the thought process is here. This is not what mothers do. Mothers sacrifice, including allowing somebody to cut you open.”

Obstetricians care for two interconnected patients — the mother and her fetus. Sometimes their needs conflict. When that happens, the ethical guidelines for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists say the doctor should prioritize the well-being of the mother. However, these cases show that doctors sometimes elevate the welfare of the fetus over the mother, said Elizabeth Kukura, a law professor at Drexel University.

“It reflects a deep understanding of women as the incubators,” Kukura said. “Women in their role as childbearers.”

The hearing dragged on for more than two hours. At one point, Doyley asked for a transfer to another hospital because she did not want anyone involved in the hearing to operate on her if she needed a C-section. Hospital officials said that wasn’t likely to happen since another hospital would have to accept her as a patient first.

Doyley agreed to stay at University of Florida Health but asked if the hospital could assign a Black nurse or doctor to her care. She wondered aloud in the hearing what would happen in the morning, after the 6 a.m. deadline imposed by the court had passed. “They’re going to tie me up and go give me a C-section against my will?”

The judge did not order an immediate C-section, but he said the hospital could perform one in an emergency without her consent. 

Doyley later said she did her best to maintain her poise and composure. And at the end, she even thanked the judge and highlighted how absurd the whole thing felt to her.

“I appreciate you spending two hours on a Sunday going through my medical history and fighting for my vagina and my baby,” she said.

Overnight, doctors said the baby’s heart rate dropped for several minutes. They rushed Doyley into surgery, and she, once again, gave birth via C-section.

The next morning at 8 a.m., nurses again put Doyley in front of a tablet for a final hearing. Doyley said the baby was born at 2 a.m., and she still hadn’t been taken to the neonatal intensive care unit to see her daughter. 

“Tell them I don’t want to be on,” she said. “Y’all can have your own meeting. I want to see my child.”

Once Kalil heard the baby had been born, he wished Doyley well and closed the case.

In response to questions from ProPublica, Kalil wrote in an email that the judicial code of conduct prohibits judges from commenting on cases. “These ethical standards exist to protect the integrity of the judicial process, ensure fairness to all parties, and preserve the Court’s neutrality,” he wrote.

For a year, Doyley and her family tried to forget about the case and move on. But she couldn’t shake the feeling of violation. She said if the hospital could force her to undergo surgery, it could happen to anyone.

“When we use the courts to basically strong-arm, bully someone into an unnecessary medical procedure against their will, it’s akin to torture, in my eyes,” Doyley said.

The post She Was in Labor at a Florida Hospital. Then She Was in Zoom Court for Refusing a C-Section. appeared first on ProPublica.

Rather than evacuation, Israel’s defense minister said the mission now is “to protect northern communities against raids and anti-tank fire.”

Israel’s assault on the world’s largest natural gas deposit has renewed tensions between the two allies’ end goals in Iran.

This is not Britain’s war, it’s Trump’s and Netanyahu’s. The prime minister should be wary of becoming ensnared like Blair was with Iraq

Is this the turning point? A deranged US president and an Israeli prime minister facing prosecution are seeking to entice the armies of the world into the stupidest war of the 21st century. Israel’s strike this week on Iran’s South Pars gas field was clearly meant to provoke an Iranian retaliation so massive as to ensure a ferocious response from Donald Trump. Thus escalation beckons. This is how small wars become big.

There is only one way of calling a halt. It is for Trump and Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu to stop bombing Iran. Yet both leaders clearly see themselves as trapped. Trump, having already claimed to have won the war, now feels lonely. Though he has amassed the largest aggressive force of modern times, he pleads with his one-time allies to come and give him moral support. But Trump started this war. He must face the wound to his pride that may go with stopping it. He must then complete the harder task of getting Israel also to stop.

Unseasonably warm and even dangerous temperatures this week were up to 30F above average for the time of year

The record-breaking heatwave scorching the US west this week would have been “virtually impossible” if not for the climate crisis, a team of scientists has determined.

Millions of Americans from the Pacific coast to the Rockies baked under unseasonably warm and even dangerous temperatures this week, with temperatures up to 30F (17C) above average for the time of year.

AleRunner writes: "China is helping Cuba race to capture renewable solar energy as the United States imposes an effective oil blockade on the Caribbean island, creating its worst energy crisis in decades," reports The Washington Post. Later in the article, it states that "China's decades-long push into clean energy technology is now helping to protect it from the soaring oil and gas crisis spurred by Trump's war against Iran," and that "Chinese exports of solar equipment to Cuba skyrocketed from about $5 million in 2023 to $117 million in 2025 and show no sign of stopping." According to researchers from Ember, solar could be responsible for as much as 10% of Cuba's electricity generation. "That would be among the fastest expansions of solar energy anywhere [...] and place Cuba ahead of most countries -- including the U.S. -- in the share of electricity generated by sun power," the report says. As the Iran war drives energy prices higher, countries around the world are working overtime to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. China sees this as a big opportunity. "Chinese authorities have made clear that they intend to replicate what they're doing in Cuba elsewhere," reports the Washington Post.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

IEA makes 10 recommendations to help households and businesses prepare for a drawn-out disruption to energy markets

The world’s energy watchdog has advised governments to reduce highway speeds and encouraged workers to carpool or, ideally, work from home to combat soaring oil prices and impending fuel shortages caused by the Middle East conflict.

It has also recommended countries consider limiting car access to designated zones in large cities, by giving vehicles with odd-numbered plates access on different weekdays to those with even-numbered plates.

Work from home where possible to save petrol.

Reduce highway speed limits by at least 10km/h to reduce fuel usage.

Encourage public transport to reduce oil demand.

Limit car access to roads in large cities through a number-plate rotation scheme.

Increase car sharing.

Encourage efficient driving for commercial vehicles through load optimisation and vehicle maintenance.

Divert LPG use from transport to preserve it for essential needs like cooking.

Avoid air travel where possible.

Encourage electric cooking and other options to reduce reliance on LPG.

Help industrial facilities switch between different petrochemical feedstocks to free up LPG.

Artificial intelligence agent instructed engineer to take actions that exposed user and company data internally

An AI agent instructed an engineer to take actions that exposed a large amount of Meta’s sensitive data to some of its employees, in the latest example of AI causing upheaval in a large tech company.

The leak, which Meta confirmed, happened when an employee asked for guidance on an engineering problem on an internal forum. An AI agent responded with a solution, which the employee implemented – causing a large amount of sensitive user and company data to be exposed to its engineers for two hours.

Boyband drops album that speaks to its Korean roots ahead of Seoul comeback concert, with more than a quarter of a million fans expected to attend

K-pop stars BTS released a new album on Friday billed as reflecting the maturing boy band’s Korean roots and identity, as buzz built ahead of their open-air comeback concert in the heart of Seoul.

The Saturday night gig, which is expected to draw around 260,000 people, will be BTS’s first after a hiatus of almost four years while all seven members served compulsory military service. It comes ahead of an 82-date world tour.

• Dončić drops 60 as Lakers win eighth straight

• LeBron posts triple-double in Miami return

Luka Dončić scored 60 points, LeBron James had a triple-double on a night where he tied the NBA record for games played, and the Los Angeles Lakers pushed their season-best winning streak to eight games with a 134-126 win over the Miami Heat on Thursday night.

It tied the second-most points Dončić ever scored in a game, behind a 73-point night against Atlanta in 2024 and matching a 60-point night against New York in 2022. Dončić also broke the record for a Heat opponent, topping the 58-point effort from James Harden for Houston on 28 February 2019.

After a trip back out to the launch pad, NASA's Artemis II rocket will be readied for a historic flight to the moon.

How America can take advantage of the status quo.

A socioeconomic divide shapes the country’s politics—and its aggressive foreign Policy.

External escalation, internal consolidation.

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An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Register: A lobbying trade body for smaller cloud providers is asking the European Commission to impose interim measures blocking Broadcom from terminating the VMware Cloud Service Provider program, calling the decision a death sentence for some tech suppliers and an illegal squeeze on customer choice. As The Reg revealed in January, Broadcom shuttered the scheme, a move sources claimed affects hundreds of CSPs across Europe and curtails options for enterprises buying VMware software and services. The Cloud Infrastructure Service Provider in Europe (CISPE) trade group, representing nearly 50 tech suppliers, filed the complaint today with the EC Directorates-General, accusing Broadcom of bully-boy tactics, and calling for authorities to halt what it terms as "ongoing abuse." Francisco Mingorance, CISPE secretary general, said of the complaint: "Businesses -- both cloud providers and their customers -- are being irreparably damaged by Broadcom's unfair actions, which we believe are illegal. "After imposing outrageous and unjustified price hikes immediately following the acquisition of VMware, Broadcom is now applying the 'coup de grace'. We need urgent intervention to force them to change. The only way to stop bullies is to stand up to them." CISPE claims that, since Broadcom completed its $69 billion takeover of VMware in October 2023, prices have risen tenfold, payment is demanded upfront, products are bundled regardless of customer need, and minimum commitments are based on potential rather than actual consumption. The VMware Cloud Service Provider (VCSP) program officially closed in January and all transactions must be complete by March 31. After that date, only a select group of suppliers will be able to sell VMware subscriptions -- either standalone or as part of a broader service. Across Europe, we're told this equates to hundreds of businesses losing their authorization. For some, the loss of VCSP status effectively destroys their market. Those whose operations were built around VMware must now hand customers to another authorized supplier or begin the costly migration to an alternative platform. Broadcom said in a statement responding to the complaint: "Broadcom strongly disagrees with the allegations by CISPE, an organization funded by hyperscalers, which misrepresent the realities of the market. We continue to be committed to investing significantly in our European VMware Cloud Service Provider partners... helping them offer alternatives to the hyperscalers and meet the evolving needs of European businesses and organizations."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

The Justice Department says it has shuttered four websites that were allegedly used by Iranian government-linked groups to post hacked information and threaten regime critics.

Samoa and Tonga raise supply concerns with foreign partners as businesses and residents in Papua New Guinea grapple with higher fuel prices amid the Iran war

The leaders of some Pacific countries have appealed for help with oil supplies while others urge against “panic buying” as the import-reliant nations grapple with fears over possible fuel shortages and escalating costs caused by war in the Middle East.

Oil prices have surged to nearly $110 a barrel after strikes against energy infrastructure in Iran and the Gulf states.

This blog is now closed – our coverage of the Middle East crisis continues here

Turning to Australia now, a petrol tsar will manage “unprecedented” supply issues caused by the Middle East conflict as the finishing touches are put on measures to address dire shortages in many regional areas.

Prime minister Anthony Albanese convened a snap virtual meeting of the national cabinet on Thursday to discuss major price shocks and shortages driven by the US-Israel war on Iran.

My government will be announcing more measures to prepare the nation for supply chain challenges over coming days and weeks.

Our fuel supply is currently secure. However, I want us to be over-prepared.

The vote by the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, whose members are supporters of the president and were appointed by him earlier this year, was without objection.

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for March 20.

This live blog is now closed.

• Trump news at a glance: president claims ignorance of Israel’s plan to strike Iranian gasfield, exposing rift

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Answering a reporter’s question on Iran’s missile capabilities, considering the country has managed to strike numerous states in the Gulf, Gen Dan Caine, the chair of the joint chiefs of staff, said Tehran retains “some capability” to attack American assets.

“They came into this fight with a lot of weapons.,” he said, adding that the US continues to be “as aggressive and assertive” in striking Iran.

The FCC announced Thursday that it had approved the $6.2 billion merger of major broadcast station owners Nexstar and Tegna.

As other Asian economies race to conserve energy, China has huge reserves of oil and gas as well as alternative energy sources like wind and solar

• Middle East crisis – live updates

Xi Jinping has been preparing for a crisis like this for years. China must secure its energy supply “in its own hands”, its president was reported to have said during a visit to one of its vast oilfields in 2021.

The US-Israel war on Iran plunged the Middle East into a deep conflict, with the strait of Hormuz – one of the most important waterways in global trade – all but closed and key energy facilities across the region under attack.

RYAN SHORE
Staff Reporter

As the NCAA regular season comes to a close, there was a lot at stake for the Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens going into the Thursday night game against the Sam Houston State University Bearkats. The nationally televised, Star Wars themed night brought in a packed student section in a must-win scenario.

Before the transition from the Coastal Athletic Conference (CAA) to the Conference USA (CUSA) division over the summer, the Blue Hens lost a heartbreaker to the University of North Carolina Wilmington Seahawks in the CAA Championship game, ending their run in the conference. 

Despite making the conference championship game, the Hens were the 12-seed in the division. Delaware witnessed a similar fate in its first CUSA season this year. Yet, by winning Thursday’s game, the Blue Hens keep their opportunity to compete in the conference tournament in their first year.

The game began with both teams running strong on defense until the Blue Hens found an early run of fast breaks. The Bearkats spent the rest of the first half fighting back and the game sat tied at 33 after the second quarter. 

Senior guard Justyn Fernandez had a team-high thirteen points at the half, with the Blue Hens having seven big three-pointers as well. Junior guard Christian Bliss had two big steals, as well as senior forward Houston Emory with two major blocks on defense.

The second half began in a similar fashion, with the Hens beginning the half with a 17-6 run, only to find themselves tied with seven minutes remaining. As minutes started to slip away, Delaware found its momentum. Bliss, Fernandez and guard Alex Kazanecki showed up in the clutch, combining for 12 of the team’s 14 threes. Bliss and Fernandez combined for 48 points on the night. 

In the closing minutes, the Bearkats did all they could to gain the lead back, but the clock hit zero and the Fightin’ Blue Hens won 83-80 in a Thursday night thriller.

Fernandez showed confidence and resilience throughout the whole game, with 26 points, four assists and a pair of rebounds.

 “Controlling what we can control, just sticking to the game plan, making sure to complete the task at hand today,” Fernandez said. “Just continue to be aggressive, continue to go through our progression. We’re happy that we were able to get to the line and convert at the line more than anything. As a group, just sticking together, trying to hold them to one possession, continuing to follow the game plan.”

Regardless of the close game, the Blue Hens’ defense had a highlight reel that included eight steals and 10 blocks, compared to five steals and one block from the Bearkats. Bliss had four steals and forward Houston Emory ended the game with four blocks and a steal, running the paint on his own.

With a three-game win streak around mid-February, followed by a losing streak going into their matchup with the second-seed Bearkats, the Blue and Gold won their first game in the past five as they prepared for what may be the end of their season. 

Delaware played the regular season closer two days later, where they fell to the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs with a 81-38 final score. The Blue Hens finished the 2025-26 campaign with a 10-21 overall record, and a 6-14 conference record.

Federal law says living presidents can’t appear on currency, but commission approves design for US’s 250th birthday

A federal arts commission on Thursday approved the final design for a 24-karat gold commemorative coin bearing Donald Trump’s image to help celebrate the US’s 250th birthday on 4 July.

The vote by the US Commission of Fine Arts, whose members are supporters of the Republican president and were appointed by him earlier this year, was without objection. It clears the way for the US Mint to begin production on the coin, whose size and denomination are still under discussion.

The man who attacked a synagogue in Michigan last week sent a photo of himself with the AR-style rifle he had during the attack to a family member in Lebanon, according to a U.S. official.

US president was meeting with Japanese PM when he said: ‘Who knows better about surprise than Japan?’

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It would be funny if it wasn’t so Trumpy.

Hosting the Japanese prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, in the Oval Office on Thursday, Donald Trump could not resist mocking Japan about its 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor during the second world war.

The vernal equinox heralds the arrival of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. But have you heard the myth about balancing an egg on its end?

Scott Bessent says actions will increase oil supply and bring down prices, but long-term effects in question

• Middle East crisis – live updates

The US may soon remove sanctions on Iranian oil stranded on tankers at sea, the treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, said on Thursday as Washington seeks to curb prices soaring over Iran’s closure of the strait of Hormuz.

“In the coming days, we may un-sanction the Iranian oil that’s on the water. It’s about 140m barrels,” Bessent said during an appearance on Fox Business Network’s Mornings with Maria.

The 31-year-old Georgia woman went to the emergency room with severe pain after allegedly taking abortion pills at home, according to police and court records.

German chancellor Friedrich Merz described Orbán’s U-turn on the loan Hungary had agreed to in December as ‘a gross act of disloyalty’

EU leaders fumed after Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán, refused to drop his opposition to a vital €90bn (£78bn) loan for Ukraine, accusing him of betrayal and acting in bad faith.

German chancellor Friedrich Merz described Orbán’s U-turn on the loan Hungary had agreed to in December as “a gross act of disloyalty” adding: “I am firmly convinced that it will leave deep marks.”

Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle for March 20 #1013.

Here are hints and answers for the NYT Strands puzzle for March 20, No. 747.

ABC has canceled its already filmed season of "The Bachelorette" starring Taylor Frankie Paul after video surfaced of a 2023 incident in which she was charged with assault.

In her first public interview since the investigation, Dolores Huerta said that at the time of the incidents, she felt alone and trapped.

Mother and child held in notorious Rio Grande Valley detention centre despite presenting visa, family says

A Canadian mother and her seven-year-old daughter, who has autism, have been detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Texas since Saturday, family members have said.

Relatives of Tania Warner and her daughter Ayla Lucas say they were detained unlawfully. They are uncertain about what problem ICE found with their immigration paperwork.

Some highs in California, Nevada and Arizona recorded at 25-35F above normal, with widespread alerts and closures

States across the US south-west recorded blistering temperatures at the tail end of winter, including some of the hottest March temperatures ever recorded in the US, with forecasts indicating hotter days are still to come.

California, Nevada and Arizona were all under heat warnings on Thursday amid record-breaking temperatures.

It's tough to ignore the buzz of your phone when a new message arrives.

When Google said they were going to require verification from every single Android developer that would end the ability to install applications from outside of the Play Store (commonly wrongfully referred to as “sideloading”), it caused quite a backlash. The company then backtracked a little bit, and said they would come up with an “advanced flow” to make sure installing applications from outside of the Play Store remained possible. Well, Google has detailed this “advanced flow”, and as everyone expected, it’s such a massive list of onerous hoops to jump through they might as well just lock Android down to the Play Store and get it over with.

First, if a developer is verified, you can download their applications to your device and install them the same way you can do now. Second, developers with “limited distribution accounts”, such as students or hobby projects, can share their applications with up to 20 devices without verification. Third, and this is where the fun starts, we have unverified developers – basically what all Android developers sharing applications outside of the Play Store are now.

Here’s the full “advanced flow” as described by Google to allow you to install an application from an unverified developer:

• Enable developer mode in system settings: Activating this is simple. This prevents accidental triggers or “one-tap” bypasses often used in high-pressure scams.

• Confirm you aren’t being coached: There is a quick check to make sure that no one is talking you into turning off your security. While power users know how to vet apps, scammers often pressure victims into disabling protections.

• Restart your phone and reauthenticate: This cuts off any remote access or active phone calls a scammer might be using to watch what you’re doing.

• Come back after the protective waiting period and verify: There is a one-time, one-day wait and then you can confirm that this is really you who’s making this change with our biometric authentication (fingerprint or face unlock) or device PIN. Scammers rely on manufactured urgency, so this breaks their spell and gives you time to think.

• Install apps: Once you confirm you understand the risks, you’re all set to install apps from unverified developers, with the option of enabling for 7 days or indefinitely. For safety, you’ll still see a warning that the app is from an unverified developer, but you can just tap “Install Anyway.”

↫ Matthew Forsythe at the Android Developers Blog

Setting aside the fact that developer verification is, in and of itself, a massive problem, I’m kind of okay with a few scary warnings, a disclaimer, and perhaps a single reboot to enable installing applications outside of the Play Store – a few things to make normal people shrug their shoulders and not bother. However, adding enabling developer mode and a goddamn 24-hour waiting period is batshit insanity, and clearly has the intention of discouraging everyone, effectively locking Android to the Play Store.

Android is already basically an entirely locked-down, closed-source platform, and once this “advanced flow” comes into force, there’s virtually no difference between iOS and Android, especially for us Europeans who get similarly onerous anti-user nonsense when trying to install alternative application stores on iOS. I see no reason to buy Android over iOS at this point – might as well get the faster phone with better update support.

From Apple and Samsung to budget wildcards, here are the smartwatches actually worth buying after testing dozens.

If prosecuted, case against 31-year-old would be one of first in Georgia since it passed 2019 law banning most abortions

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A 31-year-old Georgia woman has been charged with murder by police who say she took pills to induce an illegal abortion.

If state prosecutors decide to move forward with the murder charge brought by local police against Alexia Moore, her case would be one of the first instances of a woman being charged for terminating a pregnancy in Georgia since it passed a 2019 law banning most abortions.

As attacks rattled markets, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Trump administration might lift restrictions on Iranian oil already loaded onto vessels.

Cloudflare's CEO predicts AI-driven bot traffic will surpass human internet traffic by 2027, as AI agents generate vastly more web requests than people. "If a human were doing a task -- let's say you were shopping for a digital camera -- and you might go to five websites. Your agent or the bot that's doing that will often go to 1,000 times the number of sites that an actual human would visit," Cloudflare CEO Matthew Prince said in an interview at SXSW this week. "So it might go to 5,000 sites. And that's real traffic, and that's real load, which everyone is having to deal with and take into account." TechCrunch reports: Before the generative AI era, the internet was only about 20% bot traffic, with Google's web crawler being the largest, according to Prince, whose infrastructure and security company is used by one-fifth of all websites. But beyond some other reputable crawlers, the only other bots were those used by scammers and bad actors. "With the rise of generative AI, and its just insatiable need for data, we're seeing a rise where we suspect that, in 2027, the amount of bot traffic online will exceed the amount of human traffic that's online," Prince said. The executive also noted that this change to the web would require the development of new technologies, like sandboxes for AI agents that can be spun up on the fly and then torn down when their task has finished. These could come into play when consumers ask AI agents to perform certain tasks on their behalf, like planning a vacation. "What we're trying to think about is, how do we actually build that underlying infrastructure where you can -- as easily as you open a new tab in your browser -- you can actually spin up new code, which can then run and service the agents that are out there," Prince said. He imagines there will soon be a time when millions of these "sandboxes" for agents would be created every second. "I think the thing that people don't appreciate about AI is it's a platform shift," Prince said. "AI is another platform shift ... the way that you're going to consume information is completely different."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Akrotiri and Dhekelia bases have become targets for Iran after outbreak of Middle East crisis

EU leaders have pledged to stand behind Cyprus as it seeks “an open and frank discussion” on the future of the British bases on the island, which have become a target after the outbreak of the latest Middle East crisis.

Ahead of an EU summit on Thursday, Cyprus’s president, Nikos Christodoulides, said he wanted “an open and frank discussion with the British government” regarding the status and future of the British bases on the island.

Legislators propose designating 31 March as Farmworkers Day in light of allegations against late labor leader

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California quickly moved to rename Cesar Chavez Day as Farmworkers Day in the wake of allegations the labor leader abused women and girls.

Less than two weeks before the annual holiday celebrating Chavez, the California state assembly and state senate said they were introducing a bill to redesignate the day.

Few Americans feel they know a lot of the specifics about the SAVE Act.

Popular shows and films can be had without jetting off to a pirate site.

The body James Gracey, the University of Alabama student who disappeared in Barcelona, has been found, Spanish police said Thursday.

Foreign minister issues warning after Israeli attack on South Pars gasfield and as Qatar reels from retaliatory strike

• ‘Doomsday scenario’: a visual guide to the oil and gas site attacks in the Middle East

• Middle East crisis – live updates

Iran said on Thursday it would show “zero restraint” if its energy infrastructure was targeted again as Qatar revealed that almost a fifth of its liquefied natural gas export capacity had been knocked out in an Iranian strike that is likely to have a years-long impact.

The warning, delivered by the Iranian foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, followed Israel’s attack on Iran’s massive South Pars gasfield – which it shares with Qatar – which triggered Iranian retaliatory strikes on Qatar’s Ras Laffan gas complex and other Gulf neighbours, sending stock markets tumbling globally and triggering sharp increases in gas prices.

The UK regulator Ofcom fined 4chan nearly $700,000 (520,000 pounds) for failing to implement age checks and address illegal content risks under the Online Safety Act, but the platform mocked the penalty and signaled it won't pay. A lawyer representing the company responded with an AI-generated cartoon image of a hamster, writing in a follow-up post on X: "In the only country in which 4chan operates, the United States, it is breaking no law and indeed its conduct is expressly protected by the First Amendment." The BBC reports: The fines also include 50,000 pounds for failing to assess the risk of illegal material being published and a further 20,000 pounds for failing to set out how it protects users from criminal content. 4Chan has refused to pay all previous fines from Ofcom. "Companies -- wherever they're based -- are not allowed to sell unsafe toys to children in the UK. And society has long protected youngsters from things like alcohol, smoking and gambling. The digital world should be no different," said Ofcom's Suzanne Cater. "The UK is setting new standards for online safety. Age checks and risk assessments are cornerstones of our laws, and we'll take robust enforcement action against firms that fall short."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

James ‘Jimmy’ Gracey was at nightclub in Spanish city for spring break when he separated from friends at about 3am

The body of James “Jimmy” Gracey, a 20-year-old college student from Illinois, was found Thursday in the water off a Barcelona beach, police in Spain said.

Gracey’s body was found by police divers and positively identified, the press office for Catalonia’s regional police in Barcelona told the Associated Press.

Domestic energy companies could benefit from high oil prices in the short-term, but take a hit if the Iran war drags on.

From Windows models with Qualcomm Snapdragon X and Intel Panther Lake processors to MacBooks running on Apple's latest M5 chip, these are the longest-lasting laptops we've tested.

Mortgage rates, though still well below their level a year ago, have edged up since the Iran war erupted. Here's why.

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for March 20, No. 543.

Former FBI Director James Comey has been subpoenaed by prosecutors in Miami as part of the Justice Department's investigation into Obama-era intelligence officials.

Democrats are fighting hard against the Republican-backed Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, or SAVE America Act, saying it would erect roadblocks for Americans seeking to register to vote or cast a ballot.

As the Senate began several days of debate about the bill March 17, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., emphasized the problems he said the legislation would cause.

The act "would force Americans to register (to vote) only in person, something only 5% of Americans do today," he told reporters.

Schumer is correct that the act would require documentary proof of citizenship be presented in person to register to vote. But he’s wrong about the percentage of Americans who register to vote in person, according to federal data. Federal surveys show it’s higher than that.

With President Donald Trump’s strong support, the House passed the SAVE America Act in February following years of falsehoods and exaggerations about noncitizen voting, something that rarely occurs. 

What does the bill say about in-person voter registration?

The bill says someone seeking to register to vote "shall not be registered to vote in an election for federal office unless the applicant presents documentary proof of United States citizenship in person to the office of the appropriate election official" by the registration deadline.

Eliza Sweren-Becker, deputy director for the voting rights and election program at the liberal Brennan Center for Justice, said this requirement would apply not only to new registrants and those registering in a new state, but also to potentially a lot of people who don’t consider themselves new registrants.

For instance, depending on how a state interpreted the bill’s language, moving to a new county within a state or to a new voting precinct could count as a new voter registration and trigger the citizenship proof requirement.

States’ decisions on how to classify residential moves will affect whether the documents are needed, Sweren-Becker said.

The law is also vague about who qualifies as "an election official," she said. Would that mean only election workers? Or would an employee of a motor vehicle agency — where many voting registrations are made — qualify?

How many Americans currently register to vote in person?

Data from the federal Election Assistance Commission shows the percentage of voters who register in person is significantly higher than Schumer’s count. 

A Schumer spokesperson told PolitiFact the senator referred to a report by the liberal Center for American Progress that used data from a 2022 survey by the Election Assistance Commission. The report said 5.9% of voters registered in person at election offices. 

But this data is outdated and excludes in-person registration at other government offices and at polling places.

Every two years, the Election Assistance Commission compiles the Election Administration and Voting Survey. The most recent edition reflects 2024 election cycle data, including the methods Americans used to register to vote during the two years before the 2024 election.

The survey tracked at least six ways voters would have registered in person: at election offices (6%); at polling places and voting sites (2.2%); at public assistance offices (1%); at disability services offices (0.1%); at armed forces recruitment offices (0.1%); and at other public facilities, such as libraries (1.8%). 

Collectively, these add up to 11.2%.

"Clearly, more than the 5% or 6% going to elections offices are registering in person," said Matthew Weil, vice president for governance at the Bipartisan Policy Center, a think tank. 

An even larger share of voter registrations — 30.7% — came from motor vehicle agencies. Federal law allows voters to register to vote when they get driver’s licenses or do other automobile-related tasks. (For another 8.7% of voters, the registration method was not recorded.)

Because some states allow voter registration online through motor vehicle agencies, and states’ policies on voter registration at those agencies vary, it’s unclear what share of that 30.7% is occurring in person versus online. The data doesn’t specify, a spokesperson for the Election Assistance Commission told PolitiFact. 

But voting administration experts said it was highly likely that many such registrations required an in-person visit.

So the percentage of-in person voter registrations before the 2024 election was between 11% (if all motor vehicle agency registrations were online, which is unlikely) and 42% (if every motor vehicle agency interaction was in person). 

The survey listed four categories that do not require registering in person, and collectively they accounted for almost half of all voter registrations before the 2024 election. Automatic voter registration — an option in some states where voters are registered automatically unless they opt out — accounted for 25.2%. Online registration accounted for 13.9%; mail, email and fax registrations accounted for 8.3%; and voter registration drives accounted for 2%. 

"A sizable share of Americans do register online and by mail, sharing their drivers license information for identity verification or showing ID when they vote," said Lisa Bryant, a political scientist at California State University-Fresno. "These convenient options will very likely disappear if SAVE were passed."

Our ruling

Schumer said the SAVE America Act "would force Americans to register only in person, something only 5% of Americans do today."

The bill under consideration in the Senate would require documentary proof of citizenship be presented in person to register to vote.

However, Schumer significantly understated the percentage of people who register in person; before the 2024 election, it was between 11% and 42%, depending on how many registrations stemmed from in-person visits to motor vehicle agencies, a data point that is not being collected.

The statement is partially accurate but leaves out important details, so we rate it Half True.

Senior correspondent Amy Sherman contributed to this article. 

RELATED: President Trump wants to slash voting by mail. About 1 in 4 Republicans voted that way in 2024

Royer Perez-Jimenez, 19, from Mexico, was found ‘unconscious and unresponsive’ in Florida detention center

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A teenager held at a US immigration detention facility in Florida died this week, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said on Thursday, the youngest person to die in ICE custody since Donald Trump took office last year.

Royer Perez-Jimenez, 19, originally from Mexico, was found “unconscious and unresponsive” in his room on 16 March at the Glades county detention center in Moore Haven, Florida, according to the ICE press release.

What happens if you make a Linux syscall in a Windows application?

So yeah, you can make Linux syscalls from Windows programs, as long as they’re running under Wine. Totally useless, but the fact that such a Frankenstein monster of a program could exist is funny to me.

↫ nicebyte at gpfault.net

The fact that this works is both surprising and unsurprising at the same time.

• Brit overcomes seven-time grand slam champion 7-5, 7-5

• 25-year-old secures first victory since January

In her first training session at the ATX Open in Austin last month, weeks after injury put an end to her Australian Open, Francesca Jones found herself in an unusual, delightful situation. Her training partner across the net was none other than Venus Williams, the most successful active female tennis player.

Being able to train with such a legendary player was a dream itself, but Jones can now say that she has also defeated her as she closed out a 7-5, 7-5 win over the 45-year-old seven-time grand slam champion in the first round of the Miami Open. The victory marks Jones’s first WTA 1000 match win in her career, breaking a four-match losing streak.

For the second time in the past month, an AI agent went rogue at Meta -- this time giving an engineer incorrect advice that briefly exposed sensitive data. The Verge reports: A Meta engineer was using an internal AI agent, which Clayton described as "similar in nature to OpenClaw within a secure development environment," to analyze a technical question another employee posted on an internal company forum. But the agent also independently publicly replied to the question after analyzing it, without getting approval first. The reply was only meant to be shown to the employee who requested it, not posted publicly. An employee then acted on the AI's advice, which "provided inaccurate information" that led to a "SEV1" level security incident, the second-highest severity rating Meta uses. The incident temporarily allowed employees to access sensitive data they were not authorized to view, but the issue has since been resolved. According to Clayton, the AI agent involved didn't take any technical action itself, beyond posting inaccurate technical advice, something a human could have also done. A human, however, might have done further testing and made a more complete judgment call before sharing the information -- and it's not clear whether the employee who originally prompted the answer planned to post it publicly. "The employee interacting with the system was fully aware that they were communicating with an automated bot. This was indicated by a disclaimer noted in the footer and by the employee's own reply on that thread," Clayton commented to The Verge. "The agent took no action aside from providing a response to a question. Had the engineer that acted on that known better, or did other checks, this would have been avoided."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

The FBI uses "all tools to do our mission," Director Kash Patel said on Wednesday during a Senate hearing.

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• Tiny North Carolina university stuns Wisconsin

• No 1 Duke survive upset scare against No 16 Siena

• Nebraska ends NCAA drought with rout of Troy

Chase Johnston made his first two-point basket of the season, a fast-break layup with 11.7 seconds remaining that gave No 12 seed High Point an 83-82 victory over fifth-seeded Wisconsin on Thursday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Johnston finished with 14 points, including four three-pointers for the Panthers, who were 10-and-a-half-point underdogs. He came in shooting 64 of 136 (47.1%) from three-point range but 0 of 4 inside the arc.

Horizon to begin trading on March 20 on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol ‘HQ’

SINGAPORE and LAS VEGAS, March 19, 2026 — Horizon Quantum Computing Pte. Ltd. (Horizon Quantum), a pioneer of software infrastructure for quantum applications, today announced that it has completed its previously announced business combination with dMY Squared Technology Group, Inc. (dMY), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company. The Business Combination was approved by dMY’s shareholders at dMY’s special meeting held on March 17, 2026. On March 20, 2026, the combined company’s Class A ordinary shares and warrants will begin trading on Nasdaq under the ticker symbols “HQ” and “HQWWW,” respectively.

Horizon Quantum is building software infrastructure that empowers developers to use quantum computing to solve the world’s toughest computational problems. The closing of the Business Combination provides Horizon Quantum with gross proceeds of approximately $120 million, before transaction expenses, which the company plans to use to accelerate its investments in research and development, strengthen its hardware testbed, and further advance its integrated development environment Triple Alpha.

“Recent rapid progress in advancing quantum computing hardware and breakthroughs in error correction mean that the field is reaching an inflection point. With today’s closing and our Nasdaq listing, Horizon Quantum is positioned to deliver the software infrastructure that will power this next phase of computing and help enable broad quantum advantage across tough computational problems,” said Dr Joe Fitzsimons, Founder and CEO of Horizon Quantum. “While there is still much work needed before quantum computers reach their full potential, with more than 20 years in quantum computing research, I have never been more excited about the prospects and future of the technology.”

Harry You, Chairman and CEO of dMY, said, “Over the tenure of my career, I have witnessed many technology companies triumph, and I have found that the ones who are most successful in building long-term shareholder value have been those that build software infrastructure and operating systems. Horizon Quantum is compelling because the company is approaching the quantum industry with hardware-agnostic software infrastructure that stands to benefit regardless of which way the market share ultimately falls across the competing quantum modalities, including the cloud.”

Advisors

Needham & Company, LLC, served as dMY’s exclusive financial advisor and exclusive placement agent for the PIPE transaction. Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP represented Horizon Quantum as legal counsel and Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP represented Horizon Quantum as Singapore legal counsel. White & Case LLP represented dMY as legal counsel and TCF Law Group, PLLC represented dMY as Massachusetts legal counsel. Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP represented Needham & Company as legal counsel. ICR, LLC, served as dMY’s strategic communications advisor.

About Horizon Quantum

Horizon Quantum’s mission is to unlock broad quantum advantage by building software infrastructure that empowers developers to use quantum computing to solve the world’s toughest computational problems. Founded in 2018 by Dr Fitzsimons, a leading researcher and former professor with more than two decades of experience in quantum computing, the company seeks to bridge the gap between today’s quantum hardware and tomorrow’s applications through the creation of advanced software development tools. Its integrated development environment, Triple Alpha, enables developers to write sophisticated, hardware-agnostic quantum programs at multiple levels of abstraction. Learn more at www.horizonquantum.com.

Source: Horizon Quantum

The post Horizon Quantum Closes Business Combination with dMY, Secures $120M to Advance Quantum Software Stack appeared first on HPCwire.

BARCELONA, Spain, March 19, 2026 — Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech has announced SpeQtrum QaaS, a full-stack Quantum as a Service cloud-based service, providing remote access to classical as well as analog and digital quantum computers. SpeQtrum will give users access to Qilimanjaro’s multimodal data center in Barcelona, the first in the world to integrate digital QPUs, Qilimanjaro’s unique analog QPUs, and classical HPC accelerators within a unified framework.

The integration of analog and digital QPUs with classical GPUs is designed to enable researchers and developers to prototype, execute, and optimize quantum workflows that improve results beyond individual modalities or dual combinations, and will be accessible via the cloud.

“SpeQtrum QaaS is the first opportunity for researchers and developers to have access to the best of three worlds, both digital and analog quantum QPUs and classical GPUs,” said Marta Estarellas, CEO of Qilimanjaro. “Users will be able to select the platform best suited to the particular use case from the world’s first multimodal quantum data center.”

Key aspects of the platform include:

• Accessibility: Secure, cloud-based access to Qilimanjaro’s multimodal quantum data center, eliminating the need for on-prem hardware installation
• Integrated Technology: Single entry point for access to digital quantum computers, analog quantum processors, and classical GP

The Qilimanjaro team will work closely with clients to help them implement this technology in their research and development teams, to support them in accelerating adoption and become quantum ready. The beta phase of the software will open in Q3. Anyone interested in securing a spot in the beta phase can sign up here: https://qilimanjaro.tech/speqtrum.

Analog quantum computers encode complex problems naturally within the system and its continuous dynamics. This paradigm bypasses the error correction required by the more common digital quantum systems which use quantum gates. By combining analog, digital and classical supercomputers, Qilimanjaro’s platform is designed to maximize the utility of each system to unlock real computational value years ahead of digital-only roadmaps.

About Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech

Based in Barcelona, Qilimanjaro is a quantum computing company, fast-tracking useful quantum computers via the development of the company’s signature analog quantum chips. Founded in 2019, Qilimanjaro builds full-stack quantum computers based on fluxonium analog qubits. This novel architecture bypasses the need for error correction and unlocks faster, more scalable solutions. Analog quantum systems provide near-term advantages in simulation, optimization, and AI, where digital QPUs either fall short or require massive overhead. The company follows this dual technology strategy to expand access to quantum computing resources now. First, the SpeQtrum QaaS platform provides remote access to hybrid quantum data centers combining analog, digital, and classical compute. Second, the company’s SpeQtrum on-premise systems offer full-stack and modular quantum integration both for analog and digital QPUs for HPC centers and research institutions.

Source: Qilimanjaro Quantum Tech

The post Qilimanjaro Launches SpeQtrum QaaS with Access to Multimodal Quantum and HPC Systems appeared first on HPCwire.

It's the last day of Nvidia GTC. This is your ultimate guide to everything the chipmaker has talked about here in San Jose.

Every 1-cent increase in gasoline prices reduces consumer spending by $1.5 billion annually, one economist says.

Academics discover black people ‘significantly more likely’ to be identified when compared with other ethnic groups

Essex police have paused the use of live facial recognition (LFR) technology after a study found cameras were significantly more likely to target black people than people of other ethnicities.

The move to suspend use of the AI-enabled systems was revealed by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), which regulates the use of the technology deployed so far by at least 13 police forces in London, south and north Wales, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Hampshire, Bedfordshire, Suffolk, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, Surrey and Sussex.

"The morale is getting worse by the day because no one knows when this is gonna end," said Cameron Cochems, a lead TSA officer in Boise, Idaho.

Asked why the U.S. didn't inform allies ahead of the Iran strikes, President Trump said, "Who knows better about surprise than Japan?"

Jeffrey Epstein's lawyer testified to the House Oversight Committee that he "had no knowledge whatsoever" of his client's crimes.

Two sources confirmed to CBS News that Saleh Mohammadi, a young member of Iran's national wrestling team, was among the three men executed in Iran.

Thursday's meeting with Tom Homan marked a key development as progress to date has appeared stagnant.

Here are hints and the answer for today's Wordle for March 20, No. 1,735.

March 19, 2026 — Microsoft combines accelerated computing with cloud scale engineering to bring advanced AI capabilities to customers. For years, Microsoft has worked with NVIDIA to integrate hardware, software and infrastructure to power many of today’s most important AI breakthroughs.

Credit: Shutterstock

What’s new at NVIDIA GTC:

• Expanded Microsoft Foundry capabilities to build, deploy and operate production-ready AI agents on NVIDIA accelerators and open NVIDIA Nemotron models
• New Azure AI infrastructure optimized for inference-heavy, reasoning-based workloads, including the first hyperscale cloud to power on next-generation NVIDIA Vera Rubin NVL72 systems
• Deeper integration across Microsoft Foundry, Microsoft Fabric and NVIDIA Omniverse libraries and open frameworks to support Physical AI systems from simulation to real‑world operations

From Frontier Models to Production-Ready Agents

At the foundation of this system is Microsoft Foundry: serving as the operating system for building, deploying and operating AI at enterprise scale. Foundry builds on Azure to bring together models, tools, data and observability into a single system designed for production agents. Microsoft is expanding those capabilities across Foundry Agent Service and NVIDIA Nemotron models.

The next-generation Foundry Agent Service and Observability in Foundry Control Plane are now generally available, enabling organizations to build and operate AI agents at production scale. Foundry Agent Service allows teams to quickly develop agents that reason, plan and act across tools, data and workflows. Once created, Foundry Control Plane provides the developer end-to-end visibility into agent behavior, unlocking both developer productivity as well as enterprise trust. Companies such as Corvus Energy are already using Foundry to replace manual inspection workflows with agent-driven operational intelligence across their global fleet.

Microsoft is further simplifying the path from prototype to production with the availability of Voice Live API integration with Foundry Agent Service, in public preview, which enables developers to build voice-first, multimodal, real-time agentic experiences. This pairs with the general availability of a refreshed Microsoft Foundry portal and expanded integrations for Palo Alto Networks’ Prisma AIRS and Zenity, delivering deeper builder experiences and runtime security across the entire agent lifecycle.

NVIDIA Nemotron models are also now available through Microsoft Foundry, joining the widest selection of models on any cloud, including the latest reasoning, frontier and open models. This bolsters Microsoft’s recent partnership announcement bringing Fireworks AI to Microsoft Foundry, enabling customers to fine-tune open-weight models like NVIDIA Nemotron into low-latency assets that can be distributed to the edge.

Scaling AI Infrastructure for the World’s Most Demanding Workloads

Inference AI workloads are reshaping cost, performance and system design requirements. To operationalize agentic AI at scale, customers need purpose-built infrastructure for inference‑heavy, reasoning‑based workloads that can be deployed and operated consistently across global and regulated environments.

Microsoft’s AI infrastructure approach is engineered to seamlessly bring next-generation NVIDIA systems into Azure datacenters that are designed for power, cooling networking and rapid generational upgrades. This allows customers to move with speed and agility and stay at the leading edge from generation to generation.

In less than a year, Microsoft has deployed hundreds of thousands of liquid-cooled Grace Blackwell GPUs across the company’s global datacenter footprint, and now Microsoft is excited to be the first hyperscale cloud to power on NVIDIA’s newest Vera Rubin NVL72 in its labs. Over the next few months, Vera Rubin NVL72 will be rolled out into Microsoft’s modern, liquid-cooled Azure datacenters.

Microsoft’s infrastructure innovation with NVIDIA also extends to sovereign and regulated environments to give customers control of both where AI runs and how it evolves over time. Recently, Microsoft announced Foundry Local support for modern infrastructure and large AI models, and now the company has initial support for NVIDIA Vera Rubin platform on Azure Local, extending accelerated AI capabilities to customer-controlled environments. This approach allows organizations to plan for next-generation AI workloads, including reasoning-based and agentic systems, while maintaining Azure-consistent operations, governance and security through Microsoft’s unified software layer with Azure Arc and Foundry Local.

Bringing AI into the Physical World

As AI moves beyond digital experiences, Microsoft and NVIDIA are collaborating to support the next wave of Physical AI. At GTC, this work centers on NVIDIA Physical AI Data Factory Blueprint, with Microsoft Foundry as the platform for hosting and operating Physical AI systems on Azure at cloud scale.

By integrating this blueprint with Azure services as part of a Physical AI Toolchain, Microsoft enables developers to build, train and operate physical AI and robotics workflows that connect physical assets, simulation and cloud training environments into repeatable, enterprise-grade pipelines. To support, Microsoft is introducing a public Azure Physical AI Toolchain GitHub repository integrated with the Nvidia Physical AI Data Factory and with core Azure services.

To further the impact of AI in real‑world, physical environments, Microsoft and NVIDIA are deepening the integration between Microsoft Fabric and NVIDIA Omniverse libraries, connecting live operational data with physically accurate digital twins and simulation. This allows organizations to see what’s happening across their physical systems, understand it in real time and use AI to decide what to do next. In practice, customers in manufacturing and operations and beyond are using this approach to move beyond dashboards and alerts to coordinated, AI‑driven action across machines, facilities and workflows.

From Innovation to Impact

Microsoft is delivering reliable, production‑scale AI by bringing together its global AI infrastructure, platforms and real‑world systems with the latest innovation from NVIDIA. For customers, this means the ability to operate intelligence continuously, running inference-heavy, reasoning-based and physical AI workloads with the performance, security and governance required for real businesses and regulated industries.

Whether powering always-on agents, scaling next-generation AI infrastructure or deploying intelligent systems in factories, energy facilities and sovereign environments, Microsoft and Nvidia are helping customers move faster from insight to action.

Source: Yina Arenas, Microsoft

The post Microsoft at NVIDIA GTC: New Solutions for Microsoft Foundry, Azure AI Infrastructure and Physical AI appeared first on HPCwire.

Order up a Raggedy Ann or a Barbie doll: Playing with dolls helped children develop a stronger tolerance for diverse perspectives.

Longtime Slashdot reader UnknowingFool writes: Rapper Afroman, born Joseph Edgar Foreman, famous for his 2000 hit "Because I Got High", has won a defamation lawsuit that seven Ohio police offers filed against him. A jury found he did not defame the officers in music videos he made about a 2022 police raid of his home. In August 2022, Adams County Sheriff's Department raided Afroman's home on suspicion of drug trafficking and kidnapping. Neither drugs nor kidnapping victims were found, and charges were never filed. However, local officials would not pay for damages occurred during the raid including a broken front door and a video surveillance camera. Afroman used his home security footage of the raid to create music rap videos criticizing the police over the incident; "Will You Help Me Repair My Door?", "Why You Disconnecting My Video Camera?", and "Lemon Pound Cake". He posted the videos on YouTube. In March 2023, seven officers filed a lawsuit against Afroman for invasion of privacy and the unauthorized use of their images from the security footage in addition to defamation claims. The officers requested an injunction for Afroman to stop speaking about them or using their photos. The officers also wanted all proceeds from the videos, song sales, performances, and merchandise claiming they had suffered "emotional distress" due to the videos. Afroman's defense included Freedom of Speech rights to criticize public officials. The ACLU filed an amicus brief supporting the rapper, arguing that the lawsuit was a SLAPP suit only meant to silence criticism. In October 2023, the court agreed and dismissed the invasion of privacy, "right of publicity", and "unauthorized use of individual's persona" claims but allowed the defamation case to proceed. Defamation claims by the officers included the allegation Afroman repeatedly had sex with the wife of Randolph L. Walters, Jr. When Afroman's lawyer asked Walters "But we all know that's not true, right?", the officer replied he did not know. Defamation from emotional damages requires that harm arise from a false statement; however, if a statement is so outrageous that no one would believe it to be true, then reputational damage cannot be a result.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

As we sat down for an interview in the GTC Expo this week, it was hard not to notice that Sam Werner, the General Manager of IBM Storage, was excited. “Did you hear Jensen talk about Nestlé?” he asked. “The work we had done that was highlighted, and the 30x cost performance improvement?”

Indeed, 15 minutes into his GTC keynote, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang showcased how IBM’s customer, Nestlé, had adopted Nvidia GPUs to speed up its order-to-cash data mart, which is used to coordinate every order, delivery, and invoice across the food manufacturer’s global operations. Instead of running the 15-minute routine to update the data mart several times a day, thanks to GPUs, Nestlé was able to lower the data mart query time to three minutes, while dropping its costs by 83%, which translates to the 30x cost performance figure cited by Werner.

Nestle’s IBM watsonx data mart is GPU-accelerated thanks to cuDF

But the way that Nestlé implemented GPUs is important. Nestlé uses the IBM Storage Scale System (formerly Spectrum Scale) to house its enterprise data. Thanks to the work that IBM has done to bridge the open source software it’s adopted, including the Velox library and the Presto SQL query engine, with Nvidia’s CuDF, Nestlé was easily able to brings the sheer horsepower of Nvidia GPUs to bear on structured data sitting in its watsonx.data lakehouse.

“It was Scale underneath, which is my storage solution,” Werner told HPCwire. “We help bring all that data to the GPUs with our high-performance storage layer.”

It’s easy to forget how important storage is to AI, whether it’s running the latest large language model (LLM) or running traditional machine learning algorithms. Storage is also critical to running large SQL analytics workloads, as Huang talked about in his keynote with Nestlé.

No matter what workload is proposed, Werner is confident that IBM’s storage solutions will have something to offer. But Werner is particularly excited about the potential for his Storage Scale unit to sell lots of storage in support of AI initiatives, and in fact to lead the industry.

Here are seven aspects of IBM’s current Storage Scale offerings that some customers may not know about:

Sam Werner is the General Manager of IBM Storage

1. Content-aware storage: “We automatically vectorize the data,” Werner said. “We have a capability called content-aware storage. So we take that data, we watch it as it changes. And every time it changes, we run it through an AI data pipeline and we vectorize the data. The way other people would normally do it is you’d copy your data to a server, you’d run it on this AI model and vectorize the data, but you lose the connection to the source. So now if the source data changes, there’s no way to know that in the vector database.”
2. Storage virtualization: “We don’t make you replatform,” Werner said. “We actually will bring it into our namespace, and then we provide GPU Direct connection into the GPUs. So we give you super high performance, but allow you to leave your data where it lives…. It can be sitting in the cloud. It can be sitting on prem, it can be in an old NetApp NFS file, or it can be anywhere. I’ll put it in my namespace, vectorize it, and make it available without impacting your applications.”
3. Multi-protocol support: “It’s S3, it’s NFS, it’s SMB, it’s HDFS,” Werner said. “We’re about to publish our S3 RDMA, which will be the best performance in the industry. We’ve been working closely with Nvidia on that…GPFS technology gives us a huge advantage in the AI space because it’s one of the only true cluster file systems out there that gives you linear scale and performance, no matter how big your cluster gets.” (Now that IBM owns Confluent, you might see Kafka as another supported protocol in the storage stack.)
4. IBM Fusion Storage: “I have all this great technology,” Werner said. “I’m putting it all together as a single platform, which we call Fusion. With Fusion, I actually can deliver it as a hyper-converged infrastructure, which includes the servers, storage, the networking, and the GPU nodes, all in an integrated rack running OpenShift. We run bare metal OpenShift on it, and then you can just start building your AI applications and it has Scale in it.”
5. FlashCore Modules: “We have FlashCore Modules, which goes back to our Texas Memory Systems acquisition,” Werner said. “We took that big, solid-state technology and we ultimately boiled it down to an industry-standard form factor drive. Just in February we announced our latest generation FlashCore Module 5. What we do is we have an FPGA in there with ARM processor cores, so we’re able to offload a lot of stuff that happens in the storage down to the drive itself. We call it computational storage. And within this drive I do compression of the data. I just added deduplication so we can get five to one data reduction in these drives. And I use QLC memory rather than TLC memory, but I get TLC performance and durability.”
   

   IBM Fusion Storage provides a unified solution for modern storage (Image courtesy IBM)

6. NAND Shortage: “There’s a NAND shortage?” Werner joked. “It’s actually a really great advantage for us. I have great relationships with the vendors that I buy memory from, and I’ve already secured memory supply in advance. So I’m in a very good position from a supply perspective. Are my costs going up a bit? Of course, memory prices are going up, but we’re able to manage that at a significantly lower rate of increase than what you’re seeing happen with industry standard drives. So I’m in a really good position. I have plenty of supply and my costs are much better controlled than industry standard.”
7. Tape for AI: “I have seen demand already go up 2x to 3x and it’s still increasing,” Werner said. “I am working very closely with my ecosystem to significantly increase the amount of capacity we have, which we’re able to do no problem. Think about an enterprise that’s trying to tap into all their data forever. You don’t ever have to delete any of it. You have an S3 API right here, move your data there, I keep track of all the data, make it searchable, and you can retrieve it back. Tape has really high throughput. We have lots of drives. We can stream the data. It’s only challenge is if you’re doing random reads from all over the place, then yes. But if we have a catalog that makes it searchable, we can make that data really easy to retrieve for your AI when you want it. And we can also make it easy to save all the tokens that you’ve created forever, so you can go back to it. You don’t have to recreate those tokens later.”

Like every storage vendor on the planet, IBM is working with Nvidia on its new STX platform, which uses BlueField-4 DPUs to implement Nvidia’s Context Memory Storage (CMX) architecture to break through the GPU memory wall for large-scale AI inference. The more work that AI users can push down into the storage layer, the less work there is for the GPU, and the greater the throughput can be.

(Nick-N-A/Shutterstock)

“AI is triple-digit growth for me in this space. It’s a huge growth driver,” Werner said. “AI has finally given customers the opportunity to unlock the value of this enormous amount of data they’ve been sitting on…Now they’re able to unlock that value and I’m able to help them do that. So I’m able to show a really good ROI and people will be able to do that.”

IBM may not be the first storage vendor that comes to mind when IT decision-makers sit down to hash out an AI strategy. But Werner says there’s no other storage vendor can match IBM in offering such a wide spectrum of storage capabilities. As the AI boom continues, Werner is confident of the hand that Big Blue is holding, not to mention a few wildcards that play in its favor, thanks to its experience and its legacy of supporting the IT endeavors of the biggest organizations on the planet for more than 100 years.

“The biggest banks in the world run on my stuff because they know my stuff is secure and I can do this,” Werner said. “A lot of these others don’t have that experience. And at some point people are going to wake up and go, holy crap, my AI application needs to be highly available. It needs DR, it needs all of this because this is mission-critical.”

The post Seven Reasons IBM’s Storage Chief Is Bullish on AI appeared first on HPCwire.

Lawsuit says rescission of endangerment finding – which ruled greenhouse gases threaten public health – was illegal

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A coalition of 24 states, alongside a dozen cities and counties, has sued the Trump administration over its decision to revoke the bedrock scientific determination underpinning virtually all US climate regulations.

The new lawsuit, filed in the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on Thursday, is being led by the states of Massachusetts, California, New York and Connecticut. It argues that the Environmental Protection Agency’s February rescission of the 2009 endangerment finding – which the White House described as the “single largest deregulatory action in US history” – was illegal.

LUXEMBOURG, March 19, 2026 — SUSE, a global leader in enterprise open source solutions, today released its inaugural Cloud and AI Pulse Survey revealing that a growing number of enterprises are turning to hybrid (59%) and private (16%) cloud due to technical and business concerns and digital sovereignty requirements. The global survey of nearly 600 enterprise technology leaders in the U.S., UK, Japan, India and Germany examined the impact of AI on cloud adoption, budgets, governance, IT priorities and resilience. In the U.S., amidst shifting global sentiment, one-third (31%) cited digital sovereignty as a top tech priority this year, fueled by the need for open source support and vendor lock-in concerns.

“While it was no surprise that more than half of survey respondents say implementing AI is a major challenge, we were encouraged by the impact AI is having on hybrid and private cloud adoption and digital sovereignty as it relates to AI model training data,” said Margaret Dawson, Chief Marketing Officer at SUSE. “This new data confirms what we are seeing from customers; priorities are shifting toward more flexible, scalable and governed deployments.”

AI Drives New Set of Priorities

As AI increases system complexity, risk exposure and priorities are shifting toward scalable and governed deployments.

• Globally, implementing AI ranked as either a critical (24%) or major (37%) challenge.
• When it comes to AI model training, digital sovereignty is becoming a defining requirement cited as either extremely (42%) or very (40%) important.
• Four out of five countries cited implementing AI as their top budget priority line item.
• In Germany, AI implementation ranked only twelfth as a critical challenge, but second as a budget priority, indicating a notable gap between perceived urgency and investment.

Hybrid Cloud and Open Source Resurgence

Across the globe, data reveals that respondents are re-architecting AI environments around control and compliance. Hybrid and multi-cloud were cited as strong options, providing the ability to support regulated, sensitive, and edge workloads while maintaining operational flexibility.

This shift away from public cloud is consistent with the larger industry movement fueled by AI, such as the buildout of private AI factories which is expected to reach 20% adoption this year according to Forrester alongside growth of on-premises servers to manage local compute costs, performance, and data governance requirements.

• 59% of organizations plan to prioritize hybrid cloud deployments for workloads where digital sovereignty is required, with 16% relying purely on private cloud.
• Over half (51%) plan to spend more on scaling across multiple cloud environments.
• Nearly half (46%) are increasing their investment in enterprise support for Open Source.
• On average, the top three priorities globally were as follows:
  • Skills gaps and talent shortages
  • Enhanced security
  • Implementing AI

U.S. Concerns and Priorities: Vendor Lock-In and IT Resilience

In the U.S., concerns around vendor dependency and IT resilience are shifting from concerns to core priorities.

• As it relates to digital sovereignty, 39% of U.S. enterprises express concern about reducing vendor lock-in, higher than any other country and outpacing the global average of 25%.
• Similarly, in terms of challenges, 50% cite vendor lock-in as a critical or major issue.
• Compared to other countries, 64% of U.S. respondents cited IT resilience as the most important technological priority, higher than the global average of 55%.
• 53% of U.S. respondents cite enhanced security as a top IT priority.
• In the U.S., implementing AI ranks as both the top budget priority (#1) and second-largest critical challenge (#2).

Survey Methodology

The Cloud and AI Pulse Survey was conducted among 596 global enterprise technology leaders, including director-level and senior decision-makers responsible for software tools and IT infrastructure strategy.

Forrester Blog – November 10, 2025: Predictions 2026: Prepare For AI, Security, And Integrated Network Infrastructure And Operations, Michele Pelino and Naveen Chhabra

About SUSE

SUSE is a global leader in enterprise open source software, across Linux operating systems, Kubernetes container management, Edge solutions and AI. The majority of the Fortune 500 rely on SUSE to provide resilient infrastructure, enabling IT leaders to optimize cost and manage heterogeneous environments. SUSE collaborates with partners and communities to provide organizations with choices to maximize their current IT systems and innovate with next-generation technologies across traditional on-premises, to cloud native, multi-cloud to edge and beyond.

Source: SUSE

The post SUSE Survey Finds Hybrid and Private Cloud Adoption Rising Amid AI and Sovereignty Demands appeared first on HPCwire.

US Southern Command chief briefed senators amid Trump’s increasing use of force in the region and comments about taking Cuba

The US military is not rehearsing for an invasion of Cuba or actively preparing to militarily take over the island, the top general overseeing American forces in Latin America has told lawmakers.

But Gen Francis Donovan, head of US Southern Command, said the Pentagon stands ready to address any threats to the US embassy in Havana, defend its base at Guantánamo Bay and aid US government efforts to address any mass migration from the island, if needed.

Nvidia says it's modified OpenClaw with added privacy and security controls, making claws safe for enterprises. The jury is still out.

SEOUL and SANTA CLARA, Calif., March 19, 2026 — AMD has announced a strategic collaboration with NAVER Cloud to accelerate the development of sovereign AI infrastructure in Korea, supporting national-scale AI capabilities with AMD’s open, high-performance compute platforms. The collaboration further strengthens the existing relationship between the companies and aims to advance AI infrastructure by integrating AMD compute platforms across NAVER Cloud’s AI and cloud offerings.

Credit: Shutterstock

To support large-scale AI training and inference workloads across its cloud and AI services, NAVER Cloud is expanding its use of AMD EPYC processors to include deployment of the upcoming 6^th-Gen AMD EPYC “Venice” processor. AMD is also providing NAVER Cloud with access to next-generation AMD Instinct MI455X GPUs to support its cloud and production environments.

Both companies will collaborate to optimize NAVER Cloud AI services and software stacks on AMD platforms and AMD ROCm software. Additionally, the companies plan to collaborate on research and development initiatives to enable new AI services and solutions for NAVER customers.

“Sovereign AI infrastructure plays a critical role in accelerating how nations build and deploy advanced AI,” said Dr. Lisa Su, chair and CEO, AMD. “Our expanded collaboration with NAVER Cloud brings together AMD’s leadership AI compute platforms and open software ecosystem with NAVER’s cloud and AI capabilities to enable scalable infrastructure and accelerate the next generation of AI in Korea.”

“NAVER Cloud is focused on building scalable and open AI infrastructure to support the rapid growth of AI innovation,” said Soo Yeon Choi, CEO, NAVER. “Through our collaboration with AMD, we will leverage high-performance AMD compute platforms to enhance our AI and cloud services and deliver new capabilities to customers and developers.”

This collaboration reflects the shared goal of both companies to advance sovereign AI infrastructure, enabling organizations in Korea to build and deploy AI services with greater control over data, performance, and scalability.

About AMD

AMD (NASDAQ: AMD) drives innovation in high-performance and AI computing to solve the world’s most important challenges. Today, AMD technology powers billions of experiences across cloud and AI infrastructure, embedded systems, AI PCs and gaming. With a broad portfolio of AI-optimized CPUs, GPUs, networking and software, AMD delivers full-stack AI solutions that provide the performance and scalability needed for a new era of intelligent computing. Learn more at  www.amd.com.

About NAVER Cloud

NAVER Cloud, a subsidiary of NAVER Corporation, has been providing IT infrastructure and platform services since 1999. With over two decades of experience powering NAVER and its affiliates, NAVER Cloud offers its public cloud service, NAVER Cloud Platform, to support enterprise digital transformation with proven technology and operational excellence. NAVER is the world’s third company to develop a hyperscale Large Language Model (LLM), and NAVER Cloud leverages this advanced AI expertise to deliver end-to-end capabilities across the entire AI value chain — encompassing AI services, data, foundational AI infrastructure, supercomputing resources, cloud platforms, and data centers.

Source: AMD

The post AMD and NAVER Cloud Announce Strategic Collaboration to Advance AI Infrastructure in Korea appeared first on HPCwire.

Enjoy all the discounts without having to put in any of the work.

Reform party leader criticised for making comments after event held in London’s Trafalgar Square this week

Muslim leaders have condemned Nigel Farage’s call to ban public prayer by Muslims in the UK as bigoted and warned of a “growing tide of hate” after the Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, questioned whether the events fitted “within the norms of British culture”.

Farage was speaking at the launch of Reform UK’s manifesto for the forthcoming Scottish parliament elections when he made the remarks.

DarkSword spyware reports are scary, but basic iOS software hygiene can go a long way to keep your data safe.

US president says he told Netanyahu ‘don’t do that’ as he distances himself from attack that has angered Gulf allies

The US-Israeli war against Iran has exposed further divisions between the two countries after an Israeli strike on Iran’s largest gasfield angered US allies in the Gulf and prompted Donald Trump to say he knew nothing in advance about the attack – a claim that Israeli officials disputed.

Speaking in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump said he had spoken to Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu following the strikes on Iran’s South Pars gasfield – part of a reserve shared with Qatar – and had told the Israeli prime minister to refrain from further attacks that could escalate a regional war on energy infrastructure.

After a long wait, Apple has unveiled the AirPods Max 2. Here's my full skinny on all the performance and feature upgrades the new model offers.

About a quarter of prison places are unsafe, Ministry of Justice admits

The government has reneged on a pledge to make all prison cells fire-safe or take them out of use by the end of next year, meaning tens of thousands of prisoners in England and Wales will remain at risk.

The Ministry of Justice has admitted it has known for almost two decades that about a quarter of prison places are unsafe, putting the people housed in affected cells at risk.

In an interview with "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said there had already been damage done to Iran's nuclear sites.

Prepare to gawk at the newest reveals for Barbie, Masters of the Universe and more.

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica: Google is planning big changes for Android in 2026 aimed at combating malware across the entire device ecosystem. Starting in September, Google will begin restricting application sideloading with its developer verification program, but not everyone is on board. Android Ecosystem President Sameer Samat tells Ars that the company has been listening to feedback, and the result is the newly unveiled advanced flow, which will allow power users to skip app verification. With its new limits on sideloading, Android phones will only install apps that come from verified developers. To verify, devs releasing apps outside of Google Play will have to provide identification, upload a copy of their signing keys, and pay a $25 fee. It all seems rather onerous for people who just want to make apps without Google's intervention. Apps that come from unverified developers won't be installable on Android phones -- unless you use the new advanced flow, which will be buried in the developer settings. When sideloading apps today, Android phones alert the user to the "unknown sources" toggle in the settings, and there's a flow to help you turn it on. The verification bypass is different and will not be revealed to users. You have to know where this is and proactively turn it on yourself, and it's not a quick process. [...] The actual legwork to activate this feature only takes a few seconds, but the 24-hour countdown makes it something you cannot do spur of the moment. But why 24 hours? According to Samat, this is designed to combat the rising use of high-pressure social engineering attacks, in which the scammer convinces the victim they have to install an app immediately to avoid severe consequences. "In that 24-hour period, we think it becomes much harder for attackers to persist their attack," said Samat. "In that time, you can probably find out that your loved one isn't really being held in jail or that your bank account isn't really under attack." But for people who are sure they don't want Google's verification system to get in the way of sideloading any old APK they come across, they don't have to wait until they encounter an unverified app to get started. You only have to select the "indefinitely" option once on a phone, and you can turn dev options off again afterward. "For a lot of people in the world, their phone is their only computer, and it stores some of their most private information," Samat said. "Over the years, we've evolved the platform to keep it open while also keeping it safe. And I want to emphasize, if the platform isn't safe, people aren't going to use it, and that's a lose-lose situation for everyone, including developers."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

UK’s bilateral aid to African countries, which funds areas such as schools and clinics, to be cut by almost £900m by 2028-29

Some of the world’s poorest countries will lose out on UK aid that funds programmes such as schools and clinics, due to budget cuts set out by the foreign secretary.

The UK’s bilateral aid to African countries will be reduced by almost £900m by 2028-29 – a 56% cut – as part of more than £6bn in cuts which are funding an increase in defence spending.

Cryptocurrency’s biggest Pac spent more than $10m for their candidates, only to be defeated by those who are anti-crypto

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The cryptocurrency industry spent big and lost often in this week’s Illinois primaries.

As the industry prepares to make massive donations in the 2026 midterm elections to replicate its success in 2024, the Illinois losses mark an early setback for firms that are trying to establish themselves as power players in American politics.

Meta's Horizon Worlds will be available on Quest headsets for a while after all, after originally aiming for a June 15 hard shutdown. But it won't support anything new.

Two former FBI agents who helped investigate President Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results sued the federal government, alleging they were wrongfully terminated.

The US president wanted an easy win, but the conflict is spiralling following Israel’s attack on a gas field and Iranian retaliation across the region

Shortly after the US and Israel began their illegal assault on Iran, with the US president still preening himself over the kidnapping of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro the previous month, a state department official joked that Donald Trump had a new foreign policy credo: “Decapitate and delegate”. It was a reversal of Colin Powell’s invocation of the “Pottery Barn rule” ahead of the invasion of Iraq: you break it, you own it.

Gen Powell, then secretary of state, was warning that wars can escalate beyond expectation and are harder to exit than enter. It remains unclear what precisely the Trump administration expected from this conflict – perhaps not least to the White House itself – but it is certain that the president was not paying heed when people described the likely consequences.

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Fed Chairman Jerome Powell used the phrase "we don't know" at least 14 times during his press conference. Investors are nervous.

Gold has dropped sharply from its recent highs, offering investors an opportunity to capitalize on the lower price.

March 19, 2026 — Blood is often pictured as a smooth, continuous stream, but in reality it behaves more like rush-hour traffic in a dense city with crowded lanes, sudden merges and countless tiny intersections where direction and speed change instantly. For most people, those arterial roadways manage this traffic gracefully.

Sickle blood cells (blue) are jostled by healthy blood cells (red). Image credit: Michael Graham, 2020.

For people living with sickle cell disease (SCD), however, the circulation is under constant strain. Much of the harm happens quietly in the body’s smallest blood vessels, where red blood cells must bend, slide and divide into branching pathways to keep tissues alive. When this choreography breaks down, damage accumulates over years, injuring vessels, stressing organs and shortening lives.

Recent research, supported by U.S. National Science Foundation ACCESS allocations on the Expanse system at the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC), part of the University of California San Diego School of Computing, Information and Data Sciences, zooms in on what happens when blood encounters microscopic vessel bifurcations, the tiniest forks in the road where one capillary splits into two branches.

“Blood isn’t just a liquid, it’s a suspension of living, flexible particles,” said Michael Graham, the Steenbock Professor of Engineering and Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. “Once you recognize that, you realize that where cells are located within the flow can matter just as much as how fast the blood is moving.”

Using high-performance computing (HPC) systems like Expanse at SDSC, Graham’s team along with Wilbur Lam, a physician-scientist at Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology, have shown that in SCD, a subset of abnormal red blood cells consistently takes the wrong turn at these junctions, triggering a chain of mechanical events that may help explain how vessels are gradually injured over time. Graham said that in healthy microcirculation, red blood cells tend to drift toward the center of a vessel as they move along, so when a vessel divides, these centrally located cells are more likely to follow the branch carrying the larger fraction of blood. This pattern helps oxygen distribute efficiently throughout the body’s web of capillaries.  

SCD disrupts that balance. Some red blood cells become stiffer, smaller and less flexible with properties that push them away from the center of the vessel and toward the wall, where they travel in a thin layer rather than mixing evenly with the main flow. That seemingly subtle shift has major consequences at a fork in the road.

Simulations supported by NSF ACCESS and run on SDSC’s Expanse showed that when a vessel splits, stiff, sickle-shaped cells near the wall are more likely to peel off into the slower-flowing branch rather than following the faster stream. Over time, that pattern causes certain pathways to become disproportionately loaded with abnormal cells, effectively reversing the usual “traffic rule” that steers centrally located cells into higher-flow branches.

For SCD patients, the key issue is not only which branch a cell enters but what happens once it gets there. After the split, sickle cells tend to cluster along the outer walls of the branches, exactly where the flow can generate strong mechanical forces. When stiff cells repeatedly skim along the vessel lining, they create sharp spikes in shear stress, the frictional force the flowing blood exerts on the wall.

Those stress spikes matter because the endothelium, the inner lining of blood vessels, responds to mechanical forces just as it does to chemical signals. Persistent, elevated stress can trigger inflammation, make vessel walls “stickier” and promote further obstruction. Over years, this wear-and-tear may help explain why people with sickle cell disease face higher risks of stroke, organ damage and chronic pain, even in regions where vessels never become completely blocked.

“What we’re seeing with simulations on Expanse is a purely physical mechanism that can contribute to vascular injury,” Graham said. “The cells don’t need to stick chemically or form clots. Their stiffness and location alone are enough to increase stress on the vessel wall.”

At the individual level, this work reframes sickle cell disease as not only a problem of oxygen delivery but also a disorder of cumulative vascular injury. Even when blood continues to move, repeated mechanical insults can quietly damage vessels in the brain, lungs, kidneys and other organs. The study also sheds light on why complications often cluster in specific regions of the circulation rather than appearing uniformly throughout the body. Vessel geometry, including branch diameter and angle of divergence, can amplify these effects and create persistent hot spots of stress.

Graham said that the findings suggest new directions for therapy. Instead of focusing solely on preventing outright blockages, future treatments might aim to change how red blood cells distribute themselves within flowing blood. Drugs that soften cells, reduce dehydration or lessen their tendency to migrate toward vessel walls could lower harmful mechanical stress even if overall flow rates stay the same. Microfluidic devices inspired by this work might allow clinicians to test how an individual patient’s blood behaves under different conditions, opening the door to more personalized treatment strategies.  

“Our research does not offer an immediate cure, but it provides a clearer map of how microscopic events translate into long-term harm,” Graham said. “With the help of SDSC’s Expanse system, we have connected the repeated wrong turns of sickle cells at the smallest junctions of the circulatory system to the real-world suffering of patients. Our work shows how damage can accumulate silently and why managing sickle cell disease requires more than simply maintaining blood flow.”

Allocations on SDSC’s Expanse were supported by NSF ACCESS (allocation nos. MCB190100 and PHY240144).

More from HPCwire: Comet Supercomputer Supports Sickle Cell Disease Discovery [2020]

Source: Kimberly Mann Bruch and Scott Paton, SDSC

The post SDSC’s Expanse Charts the Hidden Toll of Sickle Cell Disease appeared first on HPCwire.

Royer Perez-Jimenez was arrested by the Volusia County Sheriff's Office in January, according to ICE.

House of Lords decision welcomed as ‘landmark moment’ after attempt to strike out amendment is defeated

• UK politics live – latest updates

Women who have been convicted, and in some cases jailed, over illegal abortions are set to be pardoned after a historic vote in the House of Lords.

Last June, the House of Commons voted to end the criminalisation of women who terminate their pregnancies outside of the legal framework, while keeping the existing framework in place. Doctors and others who act outside of the law could still face the threat of prosecution.

Discovery at Monte Verde puts north-to-south expansion theory back at centre of heated debate on continent’s human history

A groundbreaking new study may have once again upended our understanding of human prehistory in the Americas.

For years, the predominant theory of how humans arrived in the western hemisphere centred around the Clovis culture, which crossed the Beringia land bridge from Asia between 13,400 and 12,800 years ago, and spread south.

As Americans face a housing crisis, this development shows how communal living can bring homeownership within reach – and foster connection

• 2027’s short season will precede full calendar switch

• Five Concacaf Champions Cup berths will be awarded

• No inter-conference play until MLS Cup

The typical cliche for a regular season is that it’s a marathon, not a sprint. In 2027, Major League Soccer will be the exception.

On Thursday, MLS revealed how its short 2027 “sprint season” will be formatted as it nears flipping its schedule to a fall-to-spring format next year. The competition’s structure will be familiar in many ways, with the regular season table seeding a postseason bracket and culminating with MLS Cup. Lasting just under three months, it’ll proceed at a breakneck pace that could be an enthralling departure from the league’s usual flow.

I used CNET's lab test data to calculate the cost-per-megabit for each router generation. The results showed me I was wrong about the value of Wi-Fi 7 routers.

Meta is partially reversing its decision to drop VR support for Horizon Worlds, keeping VR access for existing Unity-based games while shifting future development to a new flatscreen-focused Horizon Engine. UploadVR reports: If you somehow missed it, on Tuesday Meta officially announced that its Horizon Worlds "metaverse" platform would drop VR support in June, meaning it would only be available as a flatscreen experience for the web and smartphones. But now, in an "ask me anything" session on his Instagram page, Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth says the company has decided to "keep Horizon Worlds working in VR for existing games to support the fans who've reached out." Bosworth says this specifically applies to worlds developed with the Horizon Unity runtime, suggesting it applies to those built inside VR or with the Horizon Desktop Editor, but not those built for the new Horizon Engine with Horizon Studio. The picture painted here is of a clean technical break, with the legacy Unity version of Horizon Worlds continuing to support VR, and the new Horizon Engine focusing fully on flatscreen. This VR support will continue through the Horizon Worlds VR app, which Bosworth says will stay on Quest's store "for the foreseeable future". Specific worlds will not be recommended by the operating system, though, and nor will they be seen in the storefront. Horizon Worlds will be just another app on the store. As for the reason behind not supporting VR in Horizon Engine, Bosworth repeated the explanation he's been giving for two months now -- "because that's where most of the consumer and creator energy already was, and so we're leaning into that."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Mozilla sets a release date for its next version of Firefox, which will include a free VPN service and a new split-screen tab mode.

The Pentagon wants $200 billion in supplemental funds to pay for its war on Iran, a defense official told The Intercept. That sum is four times the amount originally floated by Pentagon officials. War Secretary Pete Hegseth said that number could even increase.

The request for the additional $200 billion has been sent to the White House, which normally reviews requests before they go to Congress, according to the defense official who spoke on the condition of anonymity in order to speak freely about the pending proposal. The $200 billion ask, first reported by the Washington Post, is in addition to a record-setting $1.5 trillion War Department budget request for 2027.

“Obviously, it takes money to kill bad guys,” Hegseth said when asked about the request during a press conference on Thursday. “As far as the $200 billion, I think that number could move.”

Hegseth spoke only in terms of immediate costs of the war. “We’re going back to Congress and folks there to ensure that we’re properly funded for what’s been done, for what we may have to do in the future, ensure that our ammunition is everything’s refilled, and not just refilled but above and beyond,” he explained.

Immediate war expenses will, however, be dwarfed by estimates offered by experts in the costs of war, lawmakers experienced with the Pentagon budget, and government officials briefed on Operation Epic Fury.

“Taxpayers haven’t gotten any clarity from the administration about the goals or costs of this war. To date, all we’ve seen are ballpark estimates, and lowballed ones at that. Now, Secretary Hegseth wants $200 billion for a war that Congress never authorized?” said Gabe Murphy, a policy analyst at Taxpayers for Common Sense, a nonpartisan budget watchdog advocating for an end to wasteful spending.

Linda Bilmes, who co-authored “The Three Trillion Dollar War: The True Cost of the Iraq Conflict” with economist Joseph Stiglitz, previously told The Intercept that short-term expenses — like munitions, costs of deploying aircraft carrier strike groups, and aircraft lost — will pale in comparison to long-term expenditures such as the costs of veterans’ benefits and interest on war debt. She said the cost of the conflict could ultimately reach into the trillions of dollars.

Related

Trump’s War on Iran Could Cost Trillions

Costs will rise dramatically if the 50,000 U.S. troops deployed around the Middle East file disability claims at the typical rate due to exposure to “toxins, contamination, acid rain, dust from infrastructure destruction, and burning oil fumes,” Bilmes, a senior lecturer in public policy at the Harvard Kennedy School, said.

A new war also makes it more likely for Congress to approve a bigger Pentagon budget going forward, Bilmes told The Intercept. “That becomes the base budget and, over a decade, it’s another trillion dollars added to the defense budget.”

Murphy said the supplemental request raises fundamental questions for which the War Department and White House have yet to offer answers.

“$200 billion is 20 percent of the Pentagon’s budget this year. This is much more than the direct cost of the war so far, and likely more than will be needed anytime soon,” he said. “This request begs the question: Is the Pentagon just trying to pad its already-massive budget, or is the administration planning for a protracted war?”

The post Pentagon Claims It Needs Additional $200 Billion to Pay for War on Iran appeared first on The Intercept.

Leaders are scrambling to rename streets and schools after reports that the farm labor activist sexually abused girls in the movement he led.

Duggar, 31, was taken into custody in Arkansas and was awaiting extradition to Florida, where he faces charges

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Former reality TV star Joseph Duggar is facing a child molestation charge in Florida, almost five years after his brother Josh, who also starred in the TLC show 19 Kids and Counting, was convicted of downloading child sexual abuse images.

Joseph Duggar, 31, was arrested in Arkansas, where he lives, and was awaiting extradition to Florida on Thursday. Duggar is charged with lewd and lascivious behavior toward a child under 12 years old, according to an arrest affidavit from the Bay county sheriff’s office in Panama City, Florida.

March 19, 2026 — By optimizing microorganisms that could bolster production of high-value fuels, chemicals, and materials, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) researchers are compressing the time from lab experiments to commercial biotechnology readiness.

Microbiologist Bram Stone observes bacterial growth in an automated liquid handling system, which has been paired with AI to optimize growth conditions. Photo credit: Andrea Starr, PNNL.

The acceleration has been made possible by integrating AI and high-throughput automation into existing research programs that are harnessing microorganisms to bolster production of high-value fuels, chemicals, and materials.

A Test Case for AI and Automation in Experimental Design

Researchers Bram Stone and Joonhoon Kim have trained an open-source AI platform to focus on growth boundaries of microbial systems—that is, the point at which they either thrive or stop growing. They reasoned that an AI algorithm trained to analyze important growth conditions could help them narrow the search space for optimized ones exponentially faster than if they used traditional experimental approaches. Stone, a microbiologist, and Kim, a computational scientist, combined their expertise to modify BacterAI, which was originally created by a team at the University of Michigan led by Paul Jensen.

Jensen created BacterAI to accelerate infectious disease research using robotics, genomics, and computation to design new therapies. BacterAI operates on binary responses to data inputs, indicating either the presence (yes) or absence (no) of an ingredient. This approach is effective for experiments where presence or absence is the only information researchers seek, but to use the AI for investigating the growth or demise of microorganisms, scientists at PNNL had to change the algorithm to account for a range of growth conditions in experimental designs.

Stone called the AI training process “search and learn.”

Rather than asking the AI whether an ingredient is present, he said, the model now explores concentration ranges—1, 2, or 3 grams within 10 liters, and so on—proposing small, incremental changes to ingredient levels and learning from simulated outcomes.

“The computer runs through simulations for each step until it makes a prediction that growth will stop. And that’s the point where we know we need to delve deeper and perform more detailed analyses of our microbes,” said Stone. Exploring concentration ranges is critical to identifying the growth boundaries of a microorganism.

PNNL has made a large investment in decoding and predicting the ways that complex biological systems interact with their environments and help shape them. The ability to predict and engineer such systems is behind the burgeoning field of predictive phenomics. PNNL’s internal investment, called the Predictive Phenomics Initiative (PPI), is funding Stone and Kim’s project, as well as 10 more.

Optimizing Conditions for Industrial Scale Growth

Bioprocess scientist Jeff Czajka leads another PPI project and is also wrestling with the challenge of maintaining productivity of the microbes during the transition from lab-scale to industrial-scale tanks.

Czajka is conducting experiments with a versatile yeast called Yarrowia lipolytica that is used to produce biofuels, oils, and flavorings. By varying environmental conditions in 2-liter lab-scale bioreactors, Czajka aims to maintain the organism’s growth and production rate at industrial quantities.

This year, Czajka is partnering with Stone and Kim, contributing data and experimental conditions—such as pH, temperature, oxygen, and nitrogen—that will be used as inputs for the AI to optimize experimental design.

“We’ll combine the environmental conditions of a bioreactor with microorganisms in individual wells, allowing us to control the variables while simultaneously running many experiments,” said Stone. “We’re really excited to get started and look forward to comparing our data with Czajka’s experiments in the bioreactors.”

Moving to High-Throughput Automation with Tecan

In the coming months, Stone and Kim plan to integrate the modified AI model with a new Tecan Fluent automated liquid handling system, coupled to a fluorescence plate reader and incubator, to increase experimental throughput.

Stone plans to input 13 experimental variables into the AI, which will generate many thousand distinct experiments. After simulating these experiments, AI will pare the list to 300 key experiments. The Tecan system will then use a robotic arm to prepare 12 acrylic plates the size and shape of a postcard, each with 96 tiny wells representing 25 experiments done in triplicate and including several types of control experiments to assure automated data quality. The Tecan executes the experimental protocol, incubates the plates for two days, and then generates the data that Stone subsequently feeds back into the AI model for further refinement.

In just 18 minutes, the AI suggests another set of 300 experiments based on what it learned from the data produced in the previous batch.

“As humans, we wouldn’t be able to analyze data from 300 experiments in only 18 minutes and design the next set of experimental parameters,” he said. With this level of efficiency, researchers could realistically conduct 900 experiments per week while simulating new experiments in the parameter space of several billion experiments. Previous research has shown that 10,000 to 20,000 experiments can provide enough data to accurately represent a microorganism’s behavior in a system.

Stone said they’re also using the AI and automation systems to investigate a hearty soil bacterium called Pseudomonas putida that can break down waste streams and produce chemicals.

A specific strain of P. putida, he explained, naturally produces nitrogen during growth, yet dies when exposed to excessive amounts of it. By simulating incremental additions of ingredients, such as nitrogen, trace minerals, or salts to the microorganism’s growth mixture, the AI agent will search for the point at which these increments stop the strain from growing. These critical parameters form the basis for the next round of physical experiments.

“AI and automation are enabling us to understand growth boundaries at a faster rate, exponentially accelerating the time from lab discovery to commercialization. The faster we can get scientific solutions to industry, the greater impact we have on driving down costs,” said Stone.

The integration of AI and automation into biological experimentation aligns with PNNL’s broader Genesis Mission effort to accelerate scientific discovery using computing intelligence and power.

The updated BacterAI algorithm developed by Stone and Kim will be made available in the PPI’s open-source repository on GitHub, with original design credit to Jensen’s team.

Source: 

The post PNNL: Robotics and AI Power Biotechnology Advances appeared first on HPCwire.

Fed officials expected to lower capital requirements for banks such as Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase by 4.8%

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US federal regulators are trying to soften bank requirements, loosening the amount of capital US banks must have, in what would be some of the biggest changes to bank restrictions since the 2008 financial crisis and a huge win for financial institutions.

On Thursday, US Federal Reserve officials are expected to vote to lower capital requirements – the funds they need to cover risky assets – for the biggest banks by 4.8%, which could free up capital for banks such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley.

A Fed rate pause this week has left homebuyers with multiple items to consider. Here are four to think about now.

Distributor says authorities warned screening Tunisian film-maker Kaouther Ben Hania’s docudrama could harm India–Israel relations

The Indian release of The Voice of Hind Rajab, the Oscar-nominated Tunisian film about the death of a five-year-old girl during the Israel-Gaza war, has been blocked by the country’s ratings body, according to the film’s Indian distributor.

In a report by Variety, Manoj Nandwana of Mumbai-based Jai Viratra Entertainment said that he was told that if the film was released, it would “break up” India-Israel relations.

Daria Boyarskaya coordinating OSCE mission overseeing vote in which pro-Moscow Viktor Orbán could lose power

Hungarian rights groups have raised concerns over the appointment of Vladimir Putin’s former interpreter to a key role in an international election monitoring mission, amid fears of Russian interference ahead of Hungary’s crucial vote next month.

Daria Boyarskaya, who worked for many years for Russia’s foreign ministry and interpreted in numerous high-level meetings including one between Putin and Donald Trump, is now a senior adviser at the parliamentary assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE-PA), based in Vienna. She is coordinating the body’s mission to monitor next month’s parliamentary election in Hungary.

OpenAI announced it's acquiring developer tooling startup Astral to strengthen its Codex AI coding assistant, which has over 2 million weekly users and has seen a three-fold increase in user growth since the start of the year. CNBC reports: "Through it all, though, our goal remains the same: to make programming more productive. To build tools that radically change what it feels like to build software," Astral's founder and CEO Charlie Marsh wrote in a blog post. The company's acquisition of Astral is still subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Anyone who was at Club Chemistry in Canterbury from 5 March to 15 March advised to get antibiotics and vaccination

The government has announced a major expansion in vaccination against meningitis in Kent after seven new cases of the disease were confirmed in the county, taking the total number of cases to 27.

On a visit to the University of Kent, the health secretary, Wes Streeting, said anyone who attended the Club Chemistry nightclub in Canterbury from 5 March until 15 March should come forward for antibiotics and vaccination.

UK central bank has left rates on hold, and warned that CPI inflation will be higher in the near term as a result of the ‘new shock to the economy’ from Iran war

• Bank of England holds interest rates at 3.75% and signals rise is possible within months

• Why are mortgage rates going up when the Bank of England base rate hasn’t changed?

• Middle East crisis live: Trump threatens to ‘blow up’ entire South Pars gasfield if Iran strikes Qatar

European stock markets have dropped sharply at the start of trading, hit by worries about surging energy prices.

In London, the FTSE 100 blue-chip share index has tumbled by 162 points, or 1.6%, to 10,142 points.

“Fears of a sustained energy shock have resurfaced after the escalation in the Iran war sent oil and gas prices soaring. The prospect of a longer, more drawn-out conflict is in sharp focus, as both sides ratchet up attacks on energy infrastructure.

Brent crude remains highly volatile but has traded as high as $114 a barrel today, threatening to climb back towards recent scorching levels. Gas prices have surged by 25%, reaching a range not seen since early January 2023.

The Company is ready to restart production and exports quickly with an improvement in the security environment.

Rep. Byron Donalds, Florida’s leading Republican gubernatorial candidate, supports eliminating all property taxes on primary residences, which would cut public school funding — a stance that sets him apart from other Republicans championing a state property tax overhaul.

"The biggest people who've actually increased property taxes on the hardworking men and women of our state are school districts," Donalds said in a March 8 CBS News Miami interview. He pointed to Miami Dade, Broward, Hillsborough and Collier school districts and said they have decreasing enrollment but are collecting "far more property taxes than they ever have."

Florida public schools received around 40% of the state’s property tax revenue in recent years and typically make up the largest share of local taxes in homeowners’ bills. But they aren’t the main driver of property tax increases — that distinction goes to skyrocketing property values. 

School districts control some of the local tax money they receive and can choose to lower certain rates. Any increases, though, are subject to caps or voter approval. A large portion of school property tax revenue also comes via a mandatory rate the Florida Legislature sets that districts must levy to receive state funding.

"The primary driver of rising property taxes are rising property values," said Abigail Hall, a University of Tampa associate economics professor. "Most of what is happening in terms of school funding is outside of the school districts’ control."

When reached for comment, a Donalds campaign spokesperson told PolitiFact that many Florida school districts have increased property taxes or are "actively considering" it. The spokesperson sent articles about Alachua County, Leon County and several others. 

The articles, however, don’t prove that school districts are the "biggest" drivers of higher property taxes. In Alachua County, for example, a school board budget that led to a 6% increase in property tax revenue was largely because home values in the county increased. 

The district kept its operating and infrastructure rates capped. Its overall budget decreased by about $8 million.

Florida House Republicans passed their version of a property tax overhaul in February that would eliminate some property taxes on primary residences with voter approval, exempting schools. The Senate, however, didn’t take up the measure, raising the possibility of a special session.  

How are Florida’s public schools funded?

School districts are funded with federal, state and local money, with local funds almost exclusively coming from property taxes. State funding largely comes from sales taxes.

Local governments, including school boards, set millage rates, which are used to calculate property taxes. One mill equals $1 of tax for every $1,000 of assessed property value. So a rate of one mill on a $200,000 house would equal $200 in annual taxes, excluding exemptions. 

Florida’s public schools primarily rely on three millage rates. One, called the "Required Local Effort," is set annually by the Legislature and dictates what K-12 schools must collect from local taxpayers.

Schools can reduce or increase two of the three primary millage rates, but those rates are still subject to caps under Florida law. So all millage rates that school districts levy have some level of state control. School boards can also request tax money to finance specific projects, such as security officers in schools or teacher pay increases, via local voter referendum.

"While property tax collections may increase as property values grow, school district tax rates themselves are largely governed by state law and have trended downward over time," Nadine Drew, a Broward County Public Schools spokesperson, said.

Hall agreed, saying, "The state largely controls the rules. On the surface it may look like local officials appearing responsible for tax increases, but the underlying formula they’re required to use comes from the state." 

What’s driving higher property taxes in Florida? 

Florida’s rising property taxes are influenced by several factors, but increasing home values are a primary driver. 

Nationwide, the average home sale price rose from $383,000 in 2020 to $534,000 in 2025, a nearly 40% increase. And Florida has followed a similar trajectory, with its median home price rising from $330,000 in 2020 to $425,000 now, a 29% increase.

Florida’s property taxes have similarly increased; in 2019, the state collected $33.9 billion in property tax revenue, and in 2024 it collected $55.1 billion, a 62% increase.

A nonprofit’s 2025 study examined the relationship between property values and property taxes. For Florida, researchers found a correlation between rising home values and rising tax revenue. That’s because the state has no laws limiting the amount of tax revenue local governments can collect, which would insulate homeowners from an inflated housing market.

For the 2025-26 fiscal year, Florida school districts received about $21.6 billion in property tax revenue. About $10.9 billion of that came from the state’s mandated millage.  

Bruce Baker, a University of Miami professor and public school financing expert, said data from 2017 to 2022 showed Florida’s K-12 education spending as a percentage of personal income declined faster than property taxation. This shows "school spending from property taxation is not creating the pressure," he told PolitiFact in an email.

(Bruce Baker, University of Miami)

School districts can roll back millage rates 

Matthew Caldwell, the Lee County property appraiser and a former Republican lawmaker, said school taxes apply to a larger portion of a property’s value since they aren’t subject to certain exemptions, one reason they may appear outsized compared with other local taxes. Caldwell said districts can choose to roll back millage rates to prevent spikes in property taxes but typically don’t do that. 

School districts say they are hamstrung by Florida’s decreasing public school investment and declining student enrollment, which reduce state funding. 

Norín Dollard, a Florida Policy Institute senior policy analyst, said $4 billion, or 24.2%, of the state’s general revenue education funding is now going to private school tuition and homeschoolers, which "leaves county school districts responsible for a greater and greater share of support for public schools."

State revenue per pupil started to decline in 2000 and was replaced by increased local contributions, largely from property taxes, according to a 2025 study Baker conducted. 

"The State Legislature has passed along much of the cost of operating elementary and secondary schools to local property taxpayers. Per pupil spending for Florida school districts is at or below where it was in 1993," Baker said. 

Our ruling

Donalds said Florida’s school districts are the "biggest" drivers of increased property taxes.

Higher property taxes are largely related to increased property values. Since 2020, property tax revenue in the state has increased by over 60% as home values soared.  

Florida’s school districts received around 40% of the state’s property tax revenue in recent years. All school millage rates have some level of state control, including one the Legislature mandates that districts levy to qualify for state funding.

Donalds’ statement contains an element of truth because districts maintain some control over taxation; districts can choose to roll back millage rates to prevent spikes in property taxes but typically don’t do that. But his statement ignores critical facts that would give a different impression. We rate it Mostly False. 

RELATED: Will Florida’s Supreme Court have to review lawmakers' property tax proposal? Only if someone sues

RELATED: Is DeSantis right that most Florida property tax dollars come from vacation homes, businesses?

Nellie Pou’s bill follows refusal of ICE chief Todd Lyons to rule out enforcement near stadiums and fan festivals

A New Jersey congresswoman introduced legislation on Thursday to block immigration enforcement from conducting raids within a mile of a Fifa World Cup soccer match or fan festival in the US this summer.

The Save the World Cup bill, introduced by Nellie Pou, a Democrat, is meant to assure visitors that they will not be detained and to remove the chilling effect of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations on the events, she said in a release. The World Cup’s first US match begins on 12 June.

High-end specs meet DIY-friendly features. Gigabyte's latest Aorus Elite makes it easier to build a powerhouse PC without the typical installation headaches.

This live blog is now closed, you can read more on this story here

Germany’s chancellor Friedrich Merz also called for de-escalation in the Middle East, welcoming what he said were signals by US president Donald Trump that combat action in Iran could come to an end, which could allow Europe to contribute to securing peace in the region.

“I am expressly grateful that the US president sent a signal in this regard last night that he is prepared to bring the fighting to an end,” he told reporters ahead of an EU summit in Brussels in comments reported by Reuters.

Nigel Farage echoed Nick Timothy’s comments after he said public prayer for Ramadan was an ‘act of domination’

• Starmer claims Tories have ‘problem with Muslims’ after Timothy tweet

Cleverly is trying to show a video, but it is not working. So he just invites Kemi Badenoch to start her speech.

The Conservatives are launching their local elections campaign. There is a live feed here.

Dozens said they weren’t given chance to arrange care for their kids after being deported at short notice, study shows

The Trump administration is deporting a significant number of parents without asking them if they have children or allowing them to decide whether to bring their children with them, in apparent violation of its own policies, a major report has found.

In interviews with dozens of parents deported to Honduras, as well as physicians and psychologists, government officials and staff at reception centers for deportees, researchers found that many parents were deported quickly after they were detained, without a chance to arrange for the care of their children.

Days after Donald Trump won his second election to the White House, Democrats flocked to the New York Times to blame their stunning electoral defeat on alleged capitulations to minority groups — and cement themselves as the future leaders of the party. 

Few appeared more eager than Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., a moderate congressman and former presidential candidate with a reputation for bucking party leadership. 

“Democrats spend way too much time trying not to offend anyone,” Moulton lamented to the paper. “I have two little girls, I don’t want them getting run over on a playing field by a male or formerly male athlete, but as a Democrat I’m supposed to be afraid to say that.” 

That was over a year ago. Now, Moulton is running to unseat one of the most progressive members of the Senate, in the bluest state in the country, on a platform of generational change. And the anti-trans comments he’d hoped would establish him as a thought leader could help tank his campaign. 

Polls consistently show Moulton trailing his opponent, incumbent Sen. Ed Markey, particularly among younger voters. Despite making a case for a new generation in office, Moulton has a 3 percent favorability rating among likely voters ages 18 to 34, compared to Markey’s 67 percent, according to a February 24 poll from the University of New Hampshire. Only 2 percent of likely Massachusetts primary voters under 34 said they would vote for Moulton if the race were held that day, while 53 percent said they would support Markey.

Though it’s still early — most Massachusetts voters won’t cast their ballots until September 1 — the state of the race suggests that Moulton, while attempting to style himself as the vanguard of a brash new Democratic party, picked up some serious political baggage.

Tatishe M. Nteta, a political science professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, said Moulton was far from alone in his post-mortem for Kamala Harris. “The problem is, those comments now have defined [Moulton], not just as a national figure who bucked Democratic viewpoints, but now within the state,” he said. “In order for him to win, he’s going to either have to walk it back or justify it.” 

There were warning signs at the time. Massachusetts Democratic Gov. Maura Healey said the Salem congressman was “playing politics with people,” but Moulton refused to apologize. He argued that the backlash only reinforced his point and accused Democrats of forcing people to “change our values” to meet “the demands of one very small minority group,” by doing things like making them “put pronouns in their email signatures.”

“We were extremely offended by the comments that Seth Moulton made,” David Seaton, a college student at Tufts University and vice president of political affairs for the College Democrats of America, told The Intercept. “While Seth Moulton is running on a platform of generational change, his ideas are from the last generation, and his values are certainly from generations past.”

Related

Jon Chait Thinks Kamala Harris Went Too Far Left. He’s Just Falling for Trump’s Demagoguery.

Moulton is now stuck in a political quagmire trapping other Democratic pundits and politicians, some with presidential designs, who tripped over themselves to blame Harris’s loss on the party becoming too woke and out of touch. But now, as voters seem more concerned with rising costs, mounting war, and waning access to health care than pronoun usage, those comments seem less like a prediction and more like a political liability. 

“When you look at how much the world has changed since that moment,” said Josie Caballero, director of voting at Advocates for Trans Equality, “it just seems very out of touch with where we are now.”

It might seem obvious that transgender rights aren’t the losing issue that Moulton predicted in deep-blue Massachusetts, where in 2018 residents overwhelmingly voted to keep statewide protections for trans people in place. But Caballero pointed to elections that suggested similar trends in red and purple states like Maine, Texas, and Virginia, where Republican Winsome Earle-Sears’s campaign and affiliated PACs spent millions on anti-transgender attack advertisements targeting her Democratic opponent, now-Gov. Abigail Spanberger. 

The former Virginia congresswoman did not capitulate on her positions regarding trans rights and not only trounced Earle-Sears on Election Day, but a poll of likely voters found they trusted her on “transgender policy” by a margin of 13 points.

Related

Democrats Swept Tuesday Night’s Election. Now What?

In New York City, Zohran Mamdani won his mayoral election after running an advertisement celebrating trans history and pledging his support to the community, along with a detailed policy agenda. 

Shelby Chestnut, executive director of the Transgender Law Center, said that voters this cycle are looking for candidates who can speak to universal issues like health care and affordability, instead of scapegoating vulnerable groups.

“I think we are living in a time where people are asking for an intersectional approach, where all bodily autonomy is respected, where people’s concerns are heard,” he said.

In Texas, Democratic Senate nominee James Talarico has pivoted toward economic populism when addressing anti-trans attacks. 

“The only minority destroying this country is the billionaires,” Talarico said on TV news, criticizing the media’s fixation on trans athletes. “Trans people are 1 percent of the population. We are focused on the wrong 1 percent.”

Graham Platner, who is running in a competitive primary for the Democratic nomination to challenge Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, has similarly addressed the issue of transgender rights.

“An out-of-state billionaire is funding an anti-trans ballot question in Maine — so that we’ll spend our time fighting about trans people instead of raising his taxes,” said Platner in an interview with Slate. 

Still, Chestnut said that while Platner and Talarico’s stances offer a necessary “starting point” for Democrats, they’ll also have to address the topic directly and advocate and explain their beliefs.

“We’re also in a moment where not saying anything proved to also be a losing strategy. Our opposition in the presidential election, on every corner, was blaming transgender people,” he said. “The Democrats’ response was, let’s not say anything and hope it’s just a non-issue. And the reality of it is, it’s an issue.”

In Massachusetts, Moulton’s tone has shifted from his more reactionary rhetoric in the immediate aftermath of the 2024 election, said Caballero.

“We went through the whole gay rights movement. We went through the whole civil rights movement. We never had to say, you know, ‘Seth Moulton: Straight’ or ‘Seth Moulton: White,’” he told WGBH at the time. “And all of a sudden, we have to change all our values to meet the needs or demands of one very small minority group.” 

Now, Moulton appears to be walking a tighter line without apologizing or qualifying his comments. He has shied away from making additional comments about trans athletes or pronouns in recent interviews and has instead focused on emphasizing his voting record.

“Congressman Moulton is acutely aware of the trauma the transgender community is facing,” wrote a spokesperson for Moulton in a statement to The Intercept, echoing other recent interviews. “He is a career-long ally with a 100% rating from the Human Rights Campaign for his voting record, and is a member of the Equality Caucus.”

The spokesperson added that Moulton still believes that “Democrats must engage in difficult conversations” in order to keep the transgender community safe.

Related

Gavin Newsom’s Biggest Problem Is Gavin Newsom

The tide has not completely turned. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, the current unofficial front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination, has continued to fan the flames of hysteria over the participation of trans athletes in sports — despite the fact that there were fewer than 10 trans athletes out of some 510,000 in the entire NCAA as of 2024. 

“We just couldn’t figure out how to make this fair,” he told Katie Couric this month, referring to trans girls’ participation in track competitions. 

Rather than assuaging people with questions about transgender issues, these comments from Democrats help Republicans to make trans rights a “wedge issue,” said Chestnut.

Despite his controversies, an Emerson poll in February found that Newsom had a slight lead with likely Democratic voters if the presidential primary were held that day — though there are still more than two years and one midterms cycle to go before voters pick their next president.

For his part, Moulton has denied changing his opinion on transgender rights or his rhetoric. “His position has never changed, and his record reflects this,” wrote a spokesperson for Moulton, emphasizing his support for the Transgender Bill of Rights in 2023, ahead of the 2024 election. He co-sponsored the bill again in 2026.   

But Bailey Kelly, a student at Tufts University and secretary of the College Democrats of Massachusetts, said they view Moulton as a fair weather friend on the issue. 

“We see through that flip-flopping,” said Kelly, who co-runs the College Democrats of Massachusetts’ digital operations in support of Markey, after the senator won their endorsement. “And it’s insulting that he thinks we don’t see it.” 

Related

Ed Markey Beats Back Senate Challenge From Joe Kennedy

Authenticity is key for younger voters, said Amanda Litman, co-founder and president of Run for Something. “People are allowed to grow and change,” said Litman, “but it has to come from a place of truth by the candidate, or they’re not gonna be able to compellingly sell it. And I think that is the challenge for [Moulton].”

In January, both College Democrats of America and College Democrats of Massachusetts announced they were endorsing Markey after he won their internal vote in a landslide. Seaton said Moulton’s comments were “of the utmost importance” in the group’s decision not to support him. 

Redemption for candidates like Moulton is possible, Chestnut said. “There is nothing more powerful than some humility, and saying ‘you know what, I was wrong.’”

But to date, Moulton has not apologized for his comments, although he has stated that he “may not have used exactly the right words,” in an interview with CNN.

“Clarification is one thing, but walking back is another. And he has not done either up until this point, and Markey is going to seize on this,” said Nteta, the political science professor. “If Moulton is going to win, he is going to have to assuage the concerns of people in the state about how he is going to govern when he gets to the Senate.” 

The post Seth Moulton Saw Trans Rights as a Political Liability. It Could Doom His Senate Campaign. appeared first on The Intercept.

Amid Trump threats, Copenhagen also sent over explosives intended to blow up runways, according to Danish media

Denmark reportedly readied itself for potential attack from the US in January – flying bags of blood to Greenland and explosives to blow up runways in case of a battle with its former closest ally.

During the tense days when Donald Trump threatened to take over Greenland – a largely autonomous territory that is part of the Danish commonwealth – “the hard way”, Copenhagen was so shaken that it started preparing for US invasion, according to Danish public broadcaster DR.

Here's where you can watch Yellowstone, The Madison and more.

Walmart has secured patents for systems that use machine learning to forecast demand and automate pricing decisions, "pushing the U.S. retail behemoth into a debate over the use of algorithms to adjust product costs," reports the Financial Times. From the report: In January Walmart obtained a U.S. patent for a "system and method for dynamically and automatically updating item prices" to carry out markdowns in its ecommerce unit, a rapidly growing division that generated more than $150 billion in sales last year. Last week it received another patent for using machine learning to predict demand and recommend prices for goods. [...] Walmart said that both patents were "unrelated to dynamic pricing," as the patent issued in January was specific to markdowns and last week's patent was designed for merchant teams to make decisions, not the technology. The patent granted in January involves an "end-to-end price markdown system" for ecommerce platforms such as Walmart.com based on data including predicted demand and consumers' price sensitivity. Last week's approved patent outlines ways to forecast demand and set prices at levels that will move stock over periods such as a week, a month or a quarter. "Example categories may include, for example, a food item, outdoor equipment, clothing, housewares, toys, workout equipment, vegetables, spices," according to the filing. The "demand forecasting and price recommendation" tool envisaged in the patent would incorporate sources including purchases, prices, methods of payment and customer ID, such as a passport or driver's license number. "Dynamic pricing or anything that smells like it is playing with fire," said Matt Hamory, a grocery industry consultant at AlixPartners, who cited "the goodwill that you can lose by getting customers to think or suspect or worry even slightly that you are doing things with pricing that are to your benefit and their detriment."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Attacks on facilities by both sides in the conflict this week threaten grave consequences for the global economy

• Middle East crisis – live updates

The escalating attacks on key oil and gas projects in the Middle East are expected to fuel a new phase of the ongoing conflict, with profound consequences for the world’s energy supplies and the global economy.

The Iran regime has vowed to target a string of key energy infrastructure across the region after warning that an Israeli strike on a production facility for its largest gasfield at South Pars on Wednesday had ignited a “full-scale economic war”.

Even after accounting for record-high detention populations, the rate of deaths per 10,000 ICE detainees was the highest in 2025 than in any year since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020.

Foreign minister claims Israel convinced Donald Trump to make ‘grave miscalculation’ of waging war on Iran

• Middle East crisis – live updates

Oman’s foreign minister has claimed the US has “lost control of its own foreign policy” and accused Israel of persuading Donald Trump’s administration to go to war with Iran – a conflict he described as a “catastrophe” and a “grave miscalculation”.

Writing in the Economist, Badr Albusaidi, the Omani minister who mediated the latest nuclear talks between Iran and the US, offered an unusually damning assessment of events leading up to the US and Israel’s bombing of Iran and the war it has triggered across the Middle East.

Conservative leader says debate not about freedom of religion, but its expression in shared public space

• UK politics live – latest updates

Kemi Badenoch has backed her shadow justice secretary, Nick Timothy, after he claimed that Islamic prayers taking place in public are intimidating and un-British, with Labour saying the Conservatives had embraced the “gutter” politics of prejudice.

The row began after Timothy posted images on social media of prayer at a Ramadan event in London’s Trafalgar Square, saying mass prayer in public places was “an act of domination” and “straight from the Islamist playbook”.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard faced another round of sharp questions about the Iran war from lawmakers on Thursday

This week, the Senate is expected to start an extended public debate about the SAVE America Act, a proposed bill that would require photo identification for voters in federal elections and proof of citizenship to register to vote in person or by mail.

A version of the bill passed in the House on Feb. 11, 2026, in a 218-213 vote along party lines, with one Democrat, Henry Cuellar of Texas, voting with House Republicans in favor of the bill.

It is widely expected that the chamber’s filibuster rules will prevent a full vote on the floor, but the act and debate process itself will touch on several constitutional issues.

What is the SAVE America Act?

In its current form, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act seeks to amend Section 3 of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. The changes include requiring a passport, REAL ID card, military ID card, or other forms of identification that list the applicant as a citizen of the United States when applying to register to vote in elections for federal office. The act also requires documentary proof of United States citizenship when a person applies for the National Mail Voter Registration Form.

The SAVE America Act also requires that a “state shall remove an individual who is not a citizen of the United States from the official list of eligible voters for elections for Federal office.” For states that don’t require advance voter registration, such as North Dakota, they must establish “a system for confirming the citizenship of individuals voting in an election for Federal office prior to the first day for voting.”

In addition, the Help America Vote Act of 2002 would be amended to require that people who want to vote in person present an official valid physical photo identification at the polls. For people not voting in person, a copy of a valid photo identification or a state-approved affidavit with the last four digits of the individual’s Social Security number must accompany a remote ballot for federal office elections. Exceptions to the remote ballot ID requirement include absent uniformed services voters and people covered under the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act.

The Constitution and subsequent voter eligibility laws

In Article I, Section 4, of the Constitution, the ability to establish and regulate elections for federal office is divided between state governments and the federal government. The Elections Clause reads, “The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations ….”

In general, the Constitution delegates the powers to conduct and administer voter registration to states and territories. However, Congress has passed laws under Article I, Section 4, using its ability to “make or alter” federal election regulations to add additional conditions. The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 established some requirements for voter registration applications for federal elections, which included a statement specifying eligibility requirements, including citizenship.

The Help America Vote Act of 2002 also required registration applications for federal elections include information such as a current and valid driver's license number, the last four digits of a Social Security number, or a unique identification number provided by the state for voter registration purposes.

Also, Section 611 of Title 18, U.S. Code, generally prohibits “any alien to vote” in an election for federal candidates with some exceptions, including if an “alien’s” parents is or was a U.S. citizen by birth or naturalization, if an “alien” permanently resided in the United States prior to attaining the age of 16, and if an “alien . . . reasonably believed at the time of voting” that they were a U.S. citizen.

Congress has various election enforcement powers under several amendments, which include banning discrimination at the ballot box based on race (15th Amendment) and on sex (19th Amendment). And Congress has passed statutes like the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to protect these rights.

The filibuster and congressional debate

The Senate voted 51-48 on Tuesday to move the House-approved SAVE America Act for consideration, with Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joining the Democrats in objecting to the motion. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has indicated that the bill’s supporters could debate as long as possible until he calls for a cloture vote. In interviews, Thune has acknowledged publicly that enough votes don’t exist to overcome a filibuster for a vote beyond the debates.

The filibuster is a tactic that dates back to the 1840s in the Senate. The Senate’s website defines a filibuster as “a loosely defined term for action designed to prolong debate and delay or prevent a vote on a bill, resolution, amendment, or other debatable question.”

The modern version requires that at least 60 Senate members vote for cloture, or to end a debate if a member threatens a filibuster, to get a final floor vote to pass a law. The Senate currently uses a “silent” filibuster system where a member only needs to threaten a filibuster via a message to the Senate Majority Leader. A cloture vote is then required, with a 60-vote majority, to override the filibuster, limit debate time, and have a floor vote.

Another possibility is that Majority Leader Thune could allow for a “talking filibuster” that could extend for weeks by getting 51 votes to force Senate’s Democrats to conduct lengthy floor speeches against the SAVE America Act while requiring constant in-person attendance by the Republicans. In such a scenario, the Senate could not consider most other business until the filibuster ends. Thune has already stated he doesn’t plan to pursue a talking filibuster due to a lack of votes.

Thune also has not supported efforts to eliminate the filibuster entirely, an idea frequently championed by President Donald Trump. The president and some members of the Republican caucus want a talking filibuster to force a vote. How that plays out remains to be seen, but there will be considerable attention to the filibuster’s future in coming weeks.

Scott Bomboy is the editor in chief of the National Constitution Center.

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee advanced Sen. Markwayne Mullin's nomination to lead the Department of Homeland Security.

March 19, 2026 — NERSC invites proposals for projects that will leverage the Perlmutter supercomputer to push the state of the art in AI for science and produce novel science outcomes.

The Perlmutter supercomputer

NERSC is looking for teams with expertise in deep learning for science, a deep understanding of the scientific domain, and demonstrated proof-of-concept results.

This is an open call. It is not necessary to be a current NERSC user to submit a proposal.

Awards

Initially, up to 10,000 Perlmutter GPU node hours will be awarded to accepted projects (each Perlmutter GPU node contains four A100 GPUs) with associated storage quotas on NERSC’s file systems. Additional computer time and data storage may be available for projects that can demonstrate their ability to use them effectively.

NERSC staff assistance will be available for consulting on running effectively at NERSC, but not generally for model development.

NERSC also encourages applications to use Perlmutter’s CPU-only nodes to generate AI-ready datasets, with the expectation that these datasets will be publicly available. Up to 20,000 CPU node hours per project will be awarded to successful applicants, possibly more depending on resource availability.

All awards are for the NERSC 2026 Allocation Year, which runs through January 19, 2027.

Guidelines

Proposals should include the following:

• Well-defined project scope that includes relevant scientific background, objectives, methodology, and impact on the scientific community
• Computational resource requirements and utilization plan
• Team expertise, experience, as well as clear and specific deliverables, along with an expected timeline

Awardees will be required to report progress and summarize achievements to NERSC.

Criteria

Projects will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Scientific significance and innovation
• Degree of relevance to the missions of NERSC, Berkeley Lab, and the DOE Office of Science
• Technical feasibility of the proposed project
• Potential and readiness for effectively leveraging NERSC’s large computational resources at scale
• Clarity in scope, timeline, objectives, and track record of the research team

Apply Now

Proposals are now being accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until all resources are awarded.

Submissions made by April 30, 2026 will be given full consideration.

Submit a proposal online here.

Contact

Please email your questions to the NERSC AI team.

About NERSC and Berkeley Lab

The National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC) is the mission computing facility for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science, the nation’s single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences. Located at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), NERSC serves 11,000 scientists at national laboratories and universities researching a wide range of problems in climate, fusion energy, materials sciences, physics, chemistry, computational biology, and other disciplines. An average of 2,000 peer-reviewed science results a year rely on NERSC resources and expertise, which has also supported the work of seven Nobel Prize-winning scientists and teams.  NERSC is a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science User Facility.

Source: NERSC

The post NERSC Issues 2026 Call for AI for Science Proposals appeared first on HPCwire.

Old debt won't just disappear, but can creditors freeze your bank account after the statute of limitations expires?

A California desert community tied the highest March temperature ever recorded in the U.S., amid a record-breaking winter heat wave in the Southwest.

The following is the full transcript of the interview with International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General Rafael Grossi, a portion of which will air on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on March 22, 2026.

• Cunningham to miss time with playoffs near

• Detroit star may now fall shy of awards cutoff

• Pistons lead East but face uncertain timeline

All-Star guard Cade Cunningham of the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons has a collapsed lung and is expected to miss at least two weeks and possibly more, a person with knowledge of the situation told the Associated Press on Thursday.

The exact timeline for a return to play is still unknown, the person said.

Wage garnishment rules are strict, but knowing the limits and your rights can help protect your paycheck.

I review a lot of laptops and have been doing so for decades. These are the best Windows laptops that CNET has tested.

Heather Hallett says ‘superhuman’ efforts of workers were at times the only reason health service survived

• UK politics live – latest updates

The NHS “teetered on the brink of collapse” during the Covid pandemic and only managed to survive thanks to the “superhuman” efforts of healthcare workers, an official inquiry has concluded.

In a damning assessment of how the UK’s healthcare systems dealt with the unprecedented pressure of the pandemic, the Covid-19 inquiry chair, Heather Hallett, said the impact of the virus was “devastating” due to the NHS being in a “parlous state” before the outbreak.

The NHS entered the pandemic with low bed numbers, high numbers of staff vacancies and high bed occupancy, meaning it was already in a “precarious position” and ill-prepared to deal with a pandemic.

There was not enough PPE at the start of the pandemic, meaning healthcare workers had to put themselves and their families at risk to care for patients.

Infection control in the early stages of the pandemic was flawed as it assumed Covid-19 was spread by physical contact, rather than being airborne.

The “stay home, protect the NHS, save lives” public message may have inadvertently led to a decline in hospital attendance of life-threatening emergencies such as heart attacks.

80% of healthcare professionals said they acted in a way that conflicted with their values during the pandemic, with some saying they felt they were “playing God” as they were unable to give everyone the treatment they needed.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. has struck more than 7,000 targets across Iran since the war began.

US defense secretary suggests Thursday will be ‘largest strike package yet … death and destruction from above’

• Sign up for the Breaking News US email to get newsletter alerts in your inbox

The US defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, said on Thursday there is no “timeframe” for ending the US war against Iran and did not deny reports that the Pentagon could seek an extra $200bn in taxpayer funding.

The military US-Israeli offensive began three weeks ago and continues to widen. Donald Trump threatened on Wednesday to “massively blow up” the world’s biggest gasfield after Israeli strikes on the Iranian site prompted Tehran to escalate strikes on oil and gas facilities around the Gulf.

Our expert puts the best power washers through their paces on the toughest – and muckiest – outdoor chores, from grimy paving slabs to dirty decking

• The best lawnmowers to keep your grass in check

The trouble with the great outdoors is that it gets a bit untidy. Your garden tools might do a good job of keeping your plot in check, but keeping your patio, decking and outdoor furniture spick and span can take hours, especially if you rely on a bucket of soapy water and a scrubbing brush.

That’s where the pressure washer comes in. These handy tools connect to your hose pipe and squirt water at any cleaning problem. Stubborn and unpleasant stains, from bird dirt to years of neglect, can be lifted from your garden’s hard-wearing surfaces in seconds. With the right attachments, you can also use your pressure washer to hose down cars, bikes and boats.

Best pressure washer overall:
Ava Go P40

Best budget pressure washer:
Kärcher K 2 Classic

RYAN SHORE
Staff Reporter

On Feb. 5, the National Basketball Association (NBA) trade deadline’s shot clock expired and teams for the rest of the season were set in stone come playoff time. With blockbuster moves and controversial questions, the deadline left an impression on almost every franchise’s future.

Almost a month before the deadline, the Washington Wizards addressed the issues the Atlanta Hawks were facing with star guard Trae Young, who had grown apart from the franchise. 

Young was moved quickly after news spread, being traded for veteran CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert in what looks to be a salary dump for the Hawks. With Jalen Johnson becoming a superstar at only 24 years old, Young’s praise in Atlanta faded quickly.

The trade block was deserted until Feb. 1, when the Cleveland Cavaliers began to step on the gas by adding depth to their lineup, including guards Keon Ellis, Dennis Schröder and forward Emanuel Miller. Within the week, they went on to acquire veteran guard James Harden in return for their much younger guard Darius Garland, who they began to lose faith in. 

The Cavaliers look to be in a win-now situation with an open Eastern Conference.

In what seemed to be the most head-scratching move of the deadline, former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. was traded to the struggling Utah Jazz from the Memphis Grizzlies, who looked to clean house from their prior stars for future draft compensation. 

In the week following the deadline, the Jazz were fined half a million dollars for violating the league’s player participation policy by benching their stars in winnable games. 

This violation has been an issue among many NBA teams, most notably the Indiana Pacers, who were fined $100,000 as they also look to tank. Despite the Pacers’ strategy, the franchise acquired its future center in Ivica Zubac as they wait for star guard Tyrese Haliburton to return next season.

The Chicago Bulls are in a tricky situation, as they currently have eight true guards on their roster. The franchise received zero first-round picks for core players in what appears to be a full rebuild ahead, losing Nikola Vučević and Coby White for role players and second-round picks.

The rich got richer as the Oklahoma City Thunder acquired young star Jared McCain, with the Philadelphia 76ers giving up on McCain despite the promising pre-injury performances he had. The decision was made as playing time became a steady issue for the second-year guard.

The Golden State Warriors added the injury-prone Kristaps Porziņģis, giving up sharpshooter Buddy Hield and small forward Jonathan Kuminga. The Warriors were one of the few reported teams making crucial offers for Giannis Antetokounmpo, so their lack of action during the deadline to help their veterans adds up.

The same case comes for the New York Knicks as they added point guard Jose Alvarado, as well as the Minnesota Timberwolves adding Ayo Dosunmu. The Milwaukee Bucks’ decision to hold on to their star Giannis Antetokounmpo until the off-season has been the “what if?” story of the deadline, as they wait for serious offers to appear after the finals.

The last notable blockbuster trade of the deadline regarded star power forward Anthony Davis getting traded to the Washington Wizards from the Dallas Mavericks after playing only 29 games for the franchise. 

Despite Cooper Flagg being an amazing selection for the Mavericks in this year’s draft, the franchise currently sits as the 12th seed in the Western Conference.

As the trade deadline ends and the all-star break takes place, the new moves and narratives will take form for teams come time for the playoffs.

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Reuters: Microsoft is considering legal action against its partner OpenAI and Amazon over a $50 billion deal that could violate its exclusive cloud agreement with the ChatGPT maker, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday. Last month, Amazon and OpenAI signed several agreements, including one that makes Amazon Web Services the exclusive third-party cloud provider for Frontier, OpenAI's enterprise platform for building and running AI agents. The dispute centers on whether OpenAI can offer Frontier via AWS without violating the Microsoft partnership, which requires the startup's models to be accessed through the Windows maker's Azure cloud platform, the FT report said, citing sources. OpenAI and Microsoft recently stated together that "Azure remains the exclusive cloud provider of stateless OpenAI APIs," a Microsoft spokesperson said in an emailed statement, referring to software interfaces used to access OpenAI's models. "We are confident that OpenAI understands and respects the importance of living up to this legal obligation," the spokesperson added. FT said Microsoft executives believed the approach was not feasible and would violate the spirit, if not the letter, of their agreement, and added that the companies were in talks to resolve the dispute without litigation ahead of Frontier's launch. "We know our contract," a person familiar with Microsoft's position told the newspaper. "We will sue them if they breach it. If Amazon and OpenAI want to take a bet on the creativity of their contractual lawyers, I would back us, not them."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

ABILENE, Texas, March 19, 2026 — Natura Resources LLC (Natura), a developer of advanced liquid-fueled molten salt reactors, continues to make progress advancing the reactor physics and safety analysis underpinning its reactor technology through high-performance computing simulations at the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) of The University of Texas at Austin (UT).

Lonestar6 delivers HPC power to researchers across Texas. Supported by the University of Texas Research Cyberinfrastructure (UTRC) initiative and partners across the state’s leading research institutions, the supercomputer enables scientists to tackle complex challenges and accelerate discovery. Photo credit: TACC.

Reactor physics analyses are being performed by leading researchers and graduate students using UT’s advanced supercomputing resources. These simulations model the fundamental physics of Natura’s reactor design — specifically, the behavior of neutrons that sustain the fission chain reaction within the liquid fuel salt.

“By leveraging TACC’s supercomputers and experts, we’re able to model the core physics that governs reactor performance, safety characteristics, and operational strategy,” said Dr. Jonathan Scherr, Director of Nuclear Systems at Natura Resources. “These simulations support the technical foundations essential to our progress in developing our commercial-scale reactor.”

“The UT research team develops and uses predictive computer codes to model the reactor performance, which was used to support the construction application for Natura’s demonstration reactor and obtain Nuclear Regulatory Commission approval,” said Dr. Kevin Clarno, Associate Professor at UT.

The work being done with UT supports all phases of Natura’s development process, from early-stage concept ideation and optimization through final safety analyses and long-term operations support. The simulations directly inform Natura’s safety analysis methodology, including analysis of the reactor’s built-in safety characteristics that automatically slow the reaction if operating conditions change.

Supercomputers give Natura’s team the computing power needed to run highly detailed simulations of how the reactor operates and how radiation is managed. The result is improved confidence in how the reactor will operate in a variety of conditions.

For advanced reactor developers, rigorous reactor physics modeling is the backbone of the safety, design, and licensing process. Natura’s simulations provide the quantitative foundation for nuclear safety analysis, materials selection, fuel strategy, and long-term operational planning.

Natura’s continued advancement of reactor physics analysis reinforces its commitment to delivering a safe, commercially deployable liquid-fueled reactor to meet growing demands for energy, clean water and medical isotopes.

About Natura Resources

Natura Resources LLC is a leading advanced small modular reactor developer committed to answering increasing domestic and global demands for reliable energy, medical isotopes, and clean water. Natura’s reactors are liquid-fueled and molten salt-cooled, which enhances safety and reduces waste. With the first construction permit for a liquid-fueled reactor from the NRC, Natura has established itself as a leading force in the advanced nuclear industry, fueled by a commitment to support America’s energy future. The company is privately owned and has secured more than $120 million in private funding and a commitment of $120 million from the State of Texas. For more information, www.naturaresources.com.

About the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC)

The Texas Advanced Computing Center at The University of Texas at Austin is the nation’s leading academic supercomputing center. Since 2001, TACC has advanced discoveries across scientific disciplines by providing world-class systems, software, and expertise to researchers addressing society’s greatest challenges. TACC offers high performance computing, AI at scale, storage, visualization, training, and workforce development, fostering innovation that transforms science and improves lives. As home to the U.S. National Science Foundation Leadership-Class Computing Facility, TACC will drive the next decade of breakthroughs in computational research and discovery. For more information, visit www.tacc.utexas.edu.

Source: Natura

The post Natura Resources Advances Reactor Physics and Safety Analysis Through TACC Collaboration appeared first on HPCwire.

U.S. author Jessica Joelle Alexander says Americans should consider adopting some of Denmark's "great parenting practices."

Republican senator’s nomination will now be considered by full Senate, where the GOP appears poised to confirm him

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A key Senate committee on Thursday advanced Markwayne Mullin’s nomination to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on a near party line vote, a day after the Republican senator faced questions at his confirmation hearing about his approach to Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda and accusations of encouraging violence.

Nearly all eight Republicans on the Senate committee on homeland security and governmental affairs voted to advance Mullin’s nomination, with the sole exception of the panel’s chair, Rand Paul of Kentucky, who the day prior had harshly criticized his colleague for comments he made about a neighbor who assaulted Paul in 2017, and an incident six years later in which Mullin readied himself to fight a witness at a committee hearing.

The Guardian’s Maanvi Singh has been on the frontline of the Trump administration’s brutal ICE crackdown. Post your questions about what it’s been like to cover this stark moment in American history.

The unprecedented occupation of American cities by a bulked up Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has led to a series of shocking scenes over the past 12 months, including the killing of Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal officials in Minneapolis. It has also led to an incredible community response as people banded together to protect their neighbours.

Guardian US immigration reporter Maanvi Singh has spent the past few months covering this story, including spending a week on the block where Alex Pretti was killed.

State-run QatarEnergy says Iranian attack on its facilities has wiped out 17% of its LNG capacity for up to five years

• Middle East crisis – live updates

• Business live – latest updates

Gas prices jumped to four-year highs and oil prices rose again after an escalation of attacks by Israel and Iran on gasfields heightened fears of prolonged disruption to international energy supplies.

QatarEnergy told Reuters on Thursday that Iran had damaged facilities that produced 17% of the state-owned company’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) export capacity and that it would take three to five years to repair them.

Exclusive: At least four people have travelled back to the UK by lorry in the last two weeks

Asylum seekers who arrived in the UK in small boats and were forcibly returned to France under the controversial “one in, one out” deal have returned to the UK in lorries, the Guardian has learned.

When asked about the recent returnees, the Home Office said that people who came back to the UK after removal to France were detained and returned to France at the earliest opportunity. Amnesty International UK has called for “one in, one out” to be scrapped.

US leaders anticipated a walkover. Now they’re embroiled in a conflict that could hasten the end of US economic dominance

Nobody gave the Boers a prayer when the war in South Africa began in 1899. It was farmers ranged against the might of the British empire, and the expectation was that resistance would quickly crumble.

Eventually, might did prevail. Britain won the Boer war, but it was a hollow victory that took the best part of three years to achieve and came at a high cost. The blow to British prestige – coming at a time when its global hegemony was under threat from fast-growing countries such as the US – was severe. Far from highlighting the extent of Britain’s power, it exposed its limitations.

Iran war and its impact on energy and fertiliser costs is the main risk to the global economy, report says

• Business live – latest updates

An extended period of high oil prices as a result of war in the Middle East could “crimp” the AI boom, the World Trade Organization’s chief economist has warned.

The war and its impact on energy and fertiliser costs is the main risk to the global economy identified in the WTO’s latest Global Trade Outlook.

The Herons are out of the Champions Cup after defeat to Nashville. Now it’s back to the same old hits for the club

Concacaf may not have the world’s most hallowed Champions League. The confederation is so aware of that fact that it rebranded the competition as a Champions Cup two years ago.

Nonetheless, winning the continental competition is the ultimate aim for MLS’s most ambitious clubs, even though (or perhaps because) only one of its last 25 installments has seen an MLS team crowned as Concacaf’s best. Liga MX continues to dominate the competition, boasting 21 winners since 2001, even as MLS improves. Even Costa Rica’s Liga Promerica has more titles since the turn of the century thanks to back-to-back victories for Alajuelense and Saprissa in the mid-2000s.

Exclusive: Hanne, 16, from Sussex, was denied board on flight to London after weekend in Copenhagen

A 16-year-old British schoolgirl has been left stranded in Denmark after she was refused board on a flight to London because of new UK border rules introduced on British dual nationals.

Hanne*, from Sussex, was stopped from boarding a flight home on 8 March after a weekend seeing her British father, who is an academic on a short work stint at a university in Copenhagen.

Has your child been refused board on a flight because of the new rules? If you want to share your story, email: lisa.ocarroll@theguardian.com

* Names have been changed.

Advocates said the Van Nuys building looked like an example of "clustering" — a red flag for hospice fraud.

Only two of the Premier League’s last-16 teams made it to the quarter-finals while European giants are coming into form when it matters

Another traumatic week for the self-worth of the Premier League, one in which Europe’s big beasts got into their stride. The defending champions, Paris Saint-Germain, put on a devastating display at Chelsea. Bradley Barcola’s goal, their second, was the highlight of a 3-0 win. Barcelona ran out 7-2 winners over Newcastle, having been level at half-time at 2-2, 3-3 on aggregate. Real Madrid continue to be Pep Guardiola’s great tormentors, with Vinícius Júnior getting both goals at Manchester City. His crybaby celebration was aimed at those City supporters who mocked him after Rodri pipped the Brazilian to the Ballon d’Or in 2024. Bayern Munich continue to look irresistible. Harry Kane scored twice, and Lennart Karl’s strike continued his trajectory as German football’s next big thing in a 4-1 win over Atalanta, a mighty 10-2 on aggregate.

SAN JOSE, Calif., March 19, 2026 — DDN and Zadara have announced a strategic technology partnership to deliver high-performance AI infrastructure for sovereign clouds and multi-tenant AI factories, built on NVIDIA Reference Designs for multi-tenant clouds.

This partnership is a key component of DDN’s enterprise AI strategy, which is built around two pillars:

• Enterprise AI at scale
• A growing ecosystem of partners committed to making AI infrastructure easier to deploy, faster to operationalize, and more affordable to run.

By partnering with innovators like Zadara, DDN is accelerating its mission to make enterprise AI accessible, affordable, and fast – not just for hyperscalers, but for service providers, telcos, regulated industries, and global enterprises that need sovereign control, predictable performance, and secure multi-tenant operations.

As NVIDIA accelerates the global evolution of AI infrastructure through standardized reference architectures, enterprises, service providers, and telcos are increasingly focused on deploying software-defined AI factories that deliver predictable performance, rapid time-to-value, and secure multi-tenant operations across sovereign, private, and hybrid environments. The DDN–Zadara partnership directly addresses these requirements by combining Zadara’s AI-optimized, cloud-native orchestration and GPU-aware infrastructure platform, built-on NVIDIA Reference Designs for Multi-Tenant Clouds, with DDN EXAScaler’s proven performance for large-scale AI training and inference.

Together, the two companies will enable service providers, telcos, and enterprises to deploy NVIDIA-powered, AI infrastructure quickly, securely, and efficiently—while maintaining full control over compliance, cost, tenant isolation, and performance SLAs.

A Unified Foundation for Sovereign AI and Multi-Tenant AI Factories

Zadara’s platform is designed to abstract the operational complexity of AI infrastructure while preserving the performance and governance requirements demanded by sovereign and multi-tenant environments. The company supports secure GPU networking, policy-based orchestration,

and strong and secure tenant segmentation with native alignment to NVIDIA guidance on best practices for GPU virtualization and allocation.

Through this partnership, DDN EXAScaler will serve as the high-performance AI data layer for Zadara’s AI Factory and sovereign cloud deployments – enabling consistent throughput, massive concurrency, and predictable scaling for GPU-intensive workloads.

Making Enterprise AI Practical: Accessible, Affordable, and Fast

Enterprise AI adoption is accelerating—but many organizations still face the same core blockers:

• High infrastructure complexity
• Unpredictable GPU performance
• Data locality and compliance requirements
• Multi-tenant governance and operational control
• Cost and time-to-value constraints

This partnership directly addresses those barriers by delivering an integrated, production-ready foundation for real-world AI factories- where the AI stack is not only powerful, but also operationally scalable.

While many AI factory strategies remain theoretical, Zadara and DDN are focused on delivering real-world deployments that customers can operationalize immediately, including containerized AI stacks, high-performance GPU networking, and multi-tenant controls required by regulated industries and national AI initiatives.

NVIDIA GTC Launch + Go-To-Market

“AI factories are the new operating model for modern enterprises and service providers—but they only succeed when the data layer can keep GPUs productive at scale,” said Alex Bouzari, CEO and Co-Founder at DDN. “Partnering with Zadara is part of DDN’s broader enterprise AI strategy and ecosystem commitment—making AI infrastructure more accessible, affordable, and fast for enterprises that need sovereign control and multi-tenant performance. Together, we’re delivering a proven path to deploy NVIDIA-powered AI factories with performance, security, and operational confidence.”

“NVIDIA reference designs are accelerating the broad adoption of AI factories. Yet organizations need a cloud-native platform that can operationalize them simply and efficiently in real-world, multi-tenant environments while complying with data sovereignty regulations,” said Yoram Novick, CEO at Zadara. “DDN EXAScaler brings the high-performance AI data foundation needed to meet demanding sovereign and enterprise requirements while Zadara delivers the orchestration, isolation, and policy control required to deploy AI infrastructure quickly, securely, and efficiently.”

Why This Partnership Matters

• AI Factories are becoming the default infrastructure model for enterprises, telcos, and cloud service providers.
• Sovereign and multi-tenant deployments require tenant isolation, compliance, and predictable SLAs—not just raw performance.
• Tenant isolation spans across storage, compute and networking in tight integration.
• AI infrastructure must be delivered as an integrated system—GPU + networking + data, with orchestration and policy built in.
• Enterprise AI must be practical, with faster time-to-value and a clear path to production—not months of integration work.

Together, DDN and Zadara deliver a production-ready foundation for sovereign, multi-tenant AI factories—combining the high-performance AI data layer required to keep GPUs fully utilized with the cloud-native orchestration, policy control, and tenant isolation required to operate AI infrastructure securely at scale.

The joint solution enables customers to deploy AI infrastructure powered by NVIDIA to:

• DDN EXAScaler performance at scale, delivering high throughput and massive concurrency for training, inference, checkpointing, and large dataset pipelines
• Cloud-native multi-tenant orchestration, including GPU-performance-aware scheduling and automation
• Policy-based segmentation and sovereign controls, supporting compliance, tenant isolation, and data locality requirements
• Integration with NVIDIA networking and DPU technologies, enabling secure, high-performance AI factory architectures
• Predictable performance SLAs and faster time-to-value, reducing operational complexity while accelerating AI deployment across enterprise and service provider environments

More from HPCwire

• DDN Unveils DDN Horizon to Turn AI Infrastructure into Revenue-Ready AI-as-a-Service Platforms
• DDN and Supermicro Launch ‘Driving AI Breakthroughs’ Experience at GTC 2026
• DDN Accelerates Inference and Lowers Cost Per Token While Expanding Multi-Tenant Training for AI Factories

About DDN

DDN is the world’s leading provider of AI data storage and data management platforms, powering over 20 years of innovation across HPC, enterprise, and the largest AI deployments on Earth. With its EXA, Infinia, and intelligent data management platforms, DDN delivers unmatched performance, scale, and business value for customers building next-generation AI factories, hyperscale clouds, and Sovereign AI initiatives. DDN is the trusted partner for thousands of the world’s most data-intensive organizations, including the leading national labs, research institutions, enterprises, hyperscalers, financial firms, and autonomous vehicle innovators. For more information, visit www.ddn.com.

About Zadara

Zadara is a leading provider of sovereign AI edge clouds offering a revolutionary distributed cloud platform that simplifies operational complexity and enables seamless multi-tenancy through automated end-to-end provisioning of compute, storage, and networking. With over 500 edge cloud locations worldwide and with the ability to deploy a cloud in any location, Zadara’s clouds are uniquely positioned to meet the unique demands of various cloud-based use cases, including sovereign cloud and AI inference at the edge for service providers and the modern enterprise. Zadara clouds are AWS compatible and feature consumption-based pricing with zero data egress fees. Zadara’s fully-managed clouds are designed to accommodate any workload, anywhere – whether on-premises, hybrid, multi-cloud or at the edge. Zadara operates worldwide with a highly skilled team that provides 24/7 follow-the-sun support and services. Zadara is headquartered in Irvine, California.

Source: DDN

The post DDN and Zadara Power Sovereign, Multi-Tenant AI Factories Built on NVIDIA Reference Architecture appeared first on HPCwire.

Satellite companies restrict access to images of the Middle East as the Iran war rages, with one citing concern data could be exploited "by adversarial actors."

Carriers warn they cannot hold off passing on costs for long, while some airlines plan to increase flights via Asia

• Business live – latest updates

Europe’s biggest airlines have said the rise in fuel prices caused by the war in the Middle East will drive up fares and are advising passengers to book early.

While carriers have partly hedged the price of jet fuel, bosses said they could not avoid passing on additional costs to passengers for long.

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, March 19, 2026 — The Technology Innovation Institute (TII), the applied research pillar of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), has announced the direct integration of its recently released Quantum Computing Cloud Platform with the NVIDIA CUDA-Q platform for hybrid quantum-classical computing.

This integration enables researchers and developers worldwide to submit quantum jobs directly to TII’s physical quantum hardware and simulators, available at  https://q-cloud.tii.ae, using the NVIDIA CUDA-Q programming interface. By bridging TII’s cloud-based quantum infrastructure with NVIDIA’s hybrid quantum-classical programming model, the integration significantly lowers technical barriers to entry and enables high-performance experimentation across quantum computing workflows.

The integration delivers a “write-once, run-anywhere” experience, offering two distinct pathways for job submission:

Dr. Leandro Aolita, Chief Researcher of TII’s Quantum Research Centre, said: “Our goal is to make quantum computing on our in-house QPUs both accessible and performant for the global research community. By enabling CUDA-Q users to submit jobs directly to our cloud platform, we are not just providing a service; we are integrating the UAE’s sovereign quantum-technology capabilities into the global fabric of hybrid high-performance computing (HPC).”

Through this integration, CUDA-Q developers can select TII as a target backend with a simple configuration change, accelerating the development of hybrid quantum-classical algorithms in fields such as materials science, cryptography, and optimization. In doing so, the integration strengthens TII’s quantum ecosystem by enabling global developers to access its in-house quantum hardware through a widely adopted hybrid computing framework.

More from HPCwire: TII Launches Cloud Service Providing Access to In-House Quantum Processing Units

Source: TII

The post TII Scales Quantum Access Through Integration of Its Quantum Computing Cloud Platform with NVIDIA CUDA-Q appeared first on HPCwire.

The companies are expanding their collaborative relationship.

Commentary: If you want a new iPhone, get the iPhone 17. The iPhone 18 is still too far away, and we don't know enough about it to justify the wait.

Nothing is challenging Google's Pixel 10A, as both phones share the same affordable price.

Catch up on this year's Oscar winners and more!

The fates of two ostensibly similar online games released this year, Marathon and Highguard, prove that success is becoming close to unattainable

What does success look like for developers of online video games? In 2026, the answer could not be clearer: no one has a clue.

Consider Highguard, 2026’s first big flop. Signs were promising on its launch on 26 January, with a peak of 100,000 concurrent players on Steam – plus those enjoying the game on PlayStation and Xbox, which do not make player counts public. As a free-to-play game, the barrier to entry for Highguard was low. And thanks to a prime advertising placement at the end of December’s The Game Awards – a buzzy spot usually reserved for known hitmakers, not free-to-play upstarts – curiosity was high.

Afroman spoke to CBS News after he won the case, which tested the limits of parody and the license artists can take in social commentary directed at public figures.

Stanford economists estimate that the typical U.S. household will spend an additional $740 on gas this year because of the jump in global oil prices.

The FBI is investigating Joe Kent — who resigned this week over the war with Iran — in connection with alleged leaks of classified information, sources tell CBS News.

As Iran retaliates for an Israeli strike on the South Pars gas field, one analyst warns the war is "now hitting the plumbing of the global energy system."

Paul Griggs says senior staff at consulting firm who are not ‘paranoid about being AI-first’ are likely to be replaced

• Business live – latest updates

The US boss of PricewaterhouseCoopers has warned that partners who do not get to grips with AI have no future at the consulting firm.

Paul Griggs said senior staff who were not “paranoid about being AI-first” would probably be replaced by others who were ready to embrace the technology. “I don’t think anyone gets a free pass here. Anyone,” Griggs told the Financial Times.

Michael Coyne, who has autism and works at the cafe, said he was shocked and confused when someone stole about $20 from his tip jar.

Covid-related downturns and reductions in alcohol consumption have taken a toll on a once booming industry

In the early 2000s, Chris Bell, then a student at University of Colorado Boulder, followed a common path among people interested in brewing beer. He started doing so at home, then spent years working at established craft beer makers Long Trail Brewing in Vermont and Avery Brewing in Colorado before opening Call to Arms Brewing Company in 2015 in Denver.

In a crowded market, the business was successful. Its More Like Bore-O-Phyll beer won a gold medal in the fresh or wet hop ale category at the 2018 World Beer Cup. A local outlet called it one of the city’s best breweries, and it had a 4.7 rating from more than 400 reviews on Google.

Reform UK leader’s remarks in Cameo clip risk damaging party’s ambitions in upcoming Welsh elections

• Farage videos reveal support for rioter, neo-Nazi event and far-right slogans

Nigel Farage described Welsh people as “foreign speakers” in a paid-for personalised video message that could prove awkward for Reform UK in forthcoming elections in the country.

Farage made the remarks in a video he was paid to make on Cameo, a personalised video platform, to celebrate a wedding.

Decision comes as concerns mount over economic fallout from conflict bringing fresh cost of living shock

• Business live – latest updates

The Bank of England has kept interest rates on hold amid growing fears over an inflation shock triggered by the US-Israel war on Iran.

As households brace for a rise in living costs, the Bank’s rate-setting monetary policy committee (MPC) voted by a majority to keep its key base rate at the current level of 3.75%.

From Venezuela to the Middle East, this is gangsterism fused with colonialism. It repudiates the moral language through which US power once justified itself

Gone are any pretences about saving the Iranian people. “They really are a nation of terror and hate,” Donald Trump says of Iran. Asked if he would like to help its people, he replied: “I’d like to, if they can behave, but they’ve been very menacing.” Perhaps even he sensed the counterproductive ugliness of this, hastily adding that they are “great people … smart, brilliant, energetic”.

It gets worse. Trump wrote on Truth Social that Iran had “plans of taking over the entire Middle East” and “completely obliterating Israel,” adding: “JUST LIKE IRAN ITSELF, THOSE PLANS ARE NOW DEAD!” Pronouncing the death of a nation hardly screams liberation.

Owen Jones is a Guardian columnist

The two-and-a-half centuries of American life have all been building to this, the natural evolution of our culture

I’m a regular guy, just like you. I promise. There’s no one more normal than someone who publicly declares they’re normal. Here’s me, the average, everyday Joe, who can’t get enough of people beating the crap out of each other. I love a good scrape, a sloppy donnybrook, or a casual beating. This is what defines me as an American.

When I go to the cinema and large stretches of the film don’t involve actors smashing each other with baseball bats, I immediately start texting my friends about how boring Hamnet is. What’s all that clear liquid coming out of that man’s eyes? It’s not blood. Shouldn’t he be swearing revenge against his enemies right about now?

A federal judge has denied the asylum claim​ for the family of Liam Conejo Ramos​, a 5-year-old Minnesota boy whose arrest by ICE in January gained national attention.

The United States made war on three continents over three days earlier this month, conducting attacks in Africa, Asia, and South America. During that span, the U.S. also struck a civilian boat in the Pacific Ocean. The globe-spanning scope of the attacks represents one of the few instances since World War II that the United States has been simultaneously involved in armed conflicts with such a wide geographic sweep.

The attacks in Ecuador, Iran, Somalia, and the Eastern Pacific from March 6 through March 8 are part of President Donald Trump’s escalating world war against variously defined “terrorists.” They highlight the administration’s increasing willingness to use the U.S. military as a solution to almost any perceived geopolitical problem.

“All war. All the time. Everywhere,” said Brian Finucane, a former State Department lawyer and specialist in counterterrorism issues and the laws of war, of the wide-ranging attacks over just a few days. “It’s unprecedented given the absence of any fresh congressional authorization.”

This month, Trump has repeatedly referenced his relentless war-making and even lamented it on occasion. “I built the military and rebuilt it in my first term, and we’re using it more than I’d like to use it to be honest with you,” he said.

The region that has seen the most profound increases in this “use” of military power is the Western Hemisphere as part of what Trump and others have called the “Donroe Doctrine.” This bastardization of the 1823 Monroe Doctrine — a unilaterally claimed license to militarily meddle in America’s backyard — has led to attacks on civilian boats in the waters surrounding Latin America and an attack on Venezuela. The most recent location of U.S. attacks in the region, Ecuador, is also the site of the first strike in Trump’s recent three-day, three-war spree.

“Yes — as @POTUS has said — we are bombing Narco Terrorists on land as well,” self-styled Secretary of War Pete Hegseth wrote on X on March 6, announcing a new strike in Ecuador. Days later, in a war powers report announcing the introduction of U.S. armed forces into “hostilities” in that country, the White House informed Congress of “military action taken on March 6, 2026, against the facilities of narco-terrorists affiliated with a designated terrorist organization.”

Related

Trump’s AI-Powered World Wars

The next day, Trump announced an escalation of his latest war of choice in the Middle East. “Today Iran will be hit very hard!” he posted, writing, “Under serious consideration for complete destruction and certain death, because of Iran’s bad behavior, are areas and groups of people that were not considered for targeting up until this moment in time.” That same day, U.S. Central Command posted footage of the U.S. striking unspecified Iranian targets beneath a threat by Hegseth to hunt and kill those that “threaten Americans anywhere on earth.” 

A day later, the U.S. conducted an attack as part of its war-on-terror-holdover conflict in Somalia. “In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an airstrike targeting ISIS-Somalia on March 8, 2026,” reads an AFRICOM press release. “The airstrike occurred in the vicinity of the Golis Mountains.” (This frequently attacked region was the site, last year, of what a top Navy admiral called the “largest airstrike in the history of the world.”)

On the same day as the recent AFRICOM strike, U.S. Southern Command announced the latest attack in its campaign targeting so-called drug boats in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean that have killed almost 160 people in 45 strikes since September. “Six male narco-terrorists were killed during this action,” reads the SOUTHCOM announcement, which was accompanied on X by video footage of a boat exploding into a fireball.

During World War II, the U.S. fought a global war conducting combat operations simultaneously in Africa, Asia, and Europe, as well as limited fighting in North America against Japanese forces in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska in 1942 and 1943. The fight against the Axis powers was, however, a declared war — America’s last — and one discrete conflict. By contrast, Trump’s sprawling collection of undeclared wars include a remnant of the war on terror and several new unconstitutional wars begun by Trump.

“This is why the U.S. Constitution requires congressional authorization before using military force in this manner,” said Finucane. “It’s so the American public and their elected representatives can debate and deliberate whether the costs of a war are justified by the supposed benefits of this military operation. And whether the use of military force is the appropriate tool to solve the problem. And whether it’s even a problem that needs to be solved at all.”

The U.S. has rarely, if ever, conducted attacks — such as the airstrikes in Ecuador, Iran, and Somalia — on three continents over a 72-hour period since World War II. During the Cold War, the U.S. frequently conducted clandestine and covert operations, armed interventions, and wars across multiple continents, but not often analogous attacks. On August 21, 1998, in an early attack on Al Qaeda, the U.S. simultaneously attacked targets in Afghanistan and Sudan with cruise missiles. During the war on terror, the U.S. frequently was involved in simultaneous conflicts and interventions in numerous countries across the Middle East and Africa — and sometimes farther afield. In 2017, for example, a small number of Special Operations forces assisted troops in the Philippines in relieving a siege of the town of Marawi by ISIS-linked militants. U.S. forces were also attacking people in the Middle East and Africa that year, bringing combat to two continents.

The Office of the Secretary of War did not reply to questions concerning the concentration of attacks over such a short period of time and how often this has occurred since World War II.

During his second term Trump has already launched attacks on Ecuador, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen, and on civilians in boats in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. The Trump administration also claims to be at war with at least 24 cartels and criminal gangs it will not name.

“Today there are so many places in the world where the U.S. government is conducting military operations — including the war at home on migrants — that each event eclipses the last in terms of media attention,” said Stephanie Savell, the director of Brown University’s Costs of War Project. “Each and every case merits a great deal of study and debate. Many U.S. citizens are trying to do this, but news of yet another act of U.S. war violence continues to crop up, drawing media attention away from earlier events and creating huge obstacles to meaningful, sustained work by U.S. citizens to hold their government accountable.”

The post U.S. Warmongering Hits Historic Level as Trump Attacks 3 Continents in 3 Days appeared first on The Intercept.

Ángel Esteban Aguilar Morales is one of the alleged ringleaders of the Ecuadorian criminal gang "Los Lobos" and one of the country's most-wanted fugitives.

The move would be a major escalation in the US-Israel war against Iran. Plus, FBI director admits to buying data tracking Americans’ locations

Good morning.

Donald Trump threatened to “massively blow up” the world’s largest gasfield after Israeli strikes on Iran’s South Pars field led Tehran to take revenge on energy facilities across the Middle East.

What’s happening to oil and gas prices? Brent crude rose by 8% to $116 a barrel. European gas prices jumped, with the Dutch wholesale gas price up 24%.

What do we know about the war’s economic cost? The war cost the US $12.7bn by day six – the total is likely to have now exceeded $18bn. Here’s a visualization of how that has been spent.

Could US-Israeli attempts to take out Iranian leaders backfire? Some analysts think so. “It is not an approach that produces Jeffersonian democrats but hardened resistance fighters. It breeds more resistance,” said Sanam Vakil, an Iran expert at Chatham House.

Follow our live coverage here.

Who has spoken out? Labor rights activist and co-founder of the UFW Dolores Huerta, 95, released a statement on Wednesday saying: “I have kept this secret long enough. My silence ends here.” The report also includes the stories of two women, who were daughters of organizers in the movement, who said they were children when the grooming and abuse began.

Two tugboat crew members were killed and two others were injured in what the Coast Guard called a "confined space incident" aboard a barge in Alaska.

Energy company plans full return to London by moving global HQ to new development on South Bank

• Business live – latest updates

BP has agreed to sell its giant German oil refinery site in Gelsenkirchen to the investment firm Klesch Group as part of the British oil company’s plan to sell off $20bn (£15bn) worth of assets and cut its costs.

The value of the sale was not disclosed but BP said it would save the oil company about $1bn of underlying operating expenditure at the complex, which processes about 12m tonnes of crude oil every year, mainly as fuel for cars and aircraft.

Sadler’s Wells East, London
Visual spectacle overwhelms the human drama in the choreographer’s tech-heavy double bill

Technology can sometimes seem to take on its own life and sideline the people it is nominally assisting. That tension, even conflict, is the subject of Mirror, a new duet by Alexander Whitley, who has good form with choreographic deployments of digital, generative and VR technologies.

In black and white leotards studded with motion-capture markers, Gabriel Ciulli and Daisy Dancer wind themselves into spirals and symmetries that veer from closeness to counter-pull and back again. This unstable yet interdependent dynamic is interrupted by an impersonal beam of light that scans the space, and gives rise to rectangles flickering on the front cloth, like so many screen frames – a portal for the appearance of luminous digital doppelgangers that first echo then upstage the dancers, who now turn their attention away from each other and towards their ghostly avatars.

Should the Gulf Arab states join the war against Iran? Expert comment jon.wallace 19 March 2026

Saudia Arabia and the UAE have capable air forces that could complement Israeli and US strikes on Iranian missile and drone infrastructure. But the risks are considerable.

Despite getting struck repeatedly by Iranian missiles and drones, the Gulf Arab states have shown remarkable restraint in the war between the US/Israel and the Islamic Republic. Collectively, so far, they have chosen to pursue a defensive strategy. 

The chances of the Gulf Arab states reconsidering and going on the offensive are low. But they could go up should Iran escalate its attacks against critical infrastructure and civilian areas, causing casualties and more serious economic damage.

As always with states contemplating the use of force, it’s a matter of willingness and ability. Some Gulf Arab states – namely, Saudi Arabia and the UAE – are capable of joining the fight against Iran using their formidable air power assets. But would doing so make a difference in the war, or be strategically wise? Neither is clear.

Saudi capability

The Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) operates 449 aircraft including some of the best air power platforms in the world, such as advanced versions of the American F-15, Eurofighter Typhoon, and Tornado, armed with a variety of missiles. And it performs a range of missions – aerial and ground combat, airborne early warning and control, electronic intelligence, and tanker and transport operations. The Kingdom has a slew of Chinese drones too.

The Saudi aerial arsenal is superior to Iran’s in terms of modernity, flexibility, and lethality – and is in fact the envy of many advanced air forces around the world including those of NATO countries. However, it is how the RSAF has employed this tremendous equipment that leaves much to be desired.

Combat experience

The RSAF has some experience in conventional air and ground combat. During the 1980-1988 Iran–Iraq War, the RSAF played primarily defensive and deterrent roles, especially against the Iranian military.

The RSAF didn’t pursue offensive strike missions inside Iran or Iraq. Rather, it was merely entrusted with defending Saudi airspace and regional maritime security. 

For the most part it did well, establishing an air defence identification zone over parts of the Gulf (also known as the ‘Fahd Line’) to secure its airspace. This was during a tense period in the Iran–Iraq War where the belligerents targeted each other’s merchant shipping and in particular oil tankers. 

One famous incident in June 1984 saw two Saudi F-15s intercept a small formation of Iranian F-4 Phantoms near Arabi Island in the Gulf. The Saudi fighters reportedly shot down either one or two of the Iranian aircraft, which were allegedly crossing into or near the Saudi air defence identification zone. Iran responded by dispatching 11 more F-4s into the skies over the Gulf, but after a brief standoff they returned home.

The RSAF’s first extensive operational experience was in Desert Storm in 1991, flying combat missions from day one. That mattered a lot symbolically and politically, although less so operationally for the US campaign. The RSAF flew 6,852 sorties (ranking second to the US Air Force) and struck Iraqi targets in Kuwait and southern Iraq.

Saudi crews engaged in air-to-air combat and achieved several kills, which was an impressive achievement. But two Tornado jets were shot down either by an Iraqi Mig-29 or by Iraqi air defences during low-level strike missions. 

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The contest of will between Trump and Iran

After Desert Storm, Saudi Arabia began to deepen its security cooperation with the United States, with the RSAF a major beneficiary. Today, the RSAF and the US Air Force engage in bilateral drills with various mission sets on a periodic basis, including regular participation in the famous US Red Flag exercise in Nevada.

The RSAF’s most recent combat experience, during the Yemen intervention of 2015-2022, was not successful. In its campaign against the Iran-backed Houthis, it struggled tremendously with its targeting techniques, causing significant collateral damage and bringing heavy international opprobrium against Riyadh.

But that would be the wrong example to consider. In Yemen, the RSAF had to locate and strike mobile targets that were hiding among civilians and inside mountains. Even the most capable NATO air forces face difficulties with such dynamic targeting. 

In Iran, the RSAF would be tasked with striking fixed and open targets. And Iranian air defences have been massively degraded by US and Israeli fighters.

The UAE Air Force

The UAE Air Force has less operational experience than Saudi Arabia, but it fared better in Yemen and other conflict zones. And UAE pilots train intensively, participating in Red Flag since 2009.

The UAE has utilized US military assistance over the years more effectively than any other US Arab partner. That showed in combat operations in Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, Iraq, and especially in Yemen. 

Against the Houthis, the UAE’s F-16 Block 60 fighters (more advanced than US F-16s) were more lethal and precise than any in the Saudi-led coalition, leveraging superior intelligence with the help of NATO-certified Emirati Joint Terminal Attack Controllers on the ground, which the Saudis didn’t have.

If Riyadh and Abu Dhabi give the order to their militaries to retaliate against Iran, their air forces are capable of operating as part of a US-led coalition – striking military facilities and energy installations in Iran and flying back to their bases. 

But what would their objectives be? And what are the risks?

Willingness

For the Gulf Arab states, the immediate goal of fighting back would be to force Iran to stop its attacks against them, and in the long term to establish a modicum of deterrence against future Iranian strikes.

After all, if Gulf Arab states continue to rely exclusively on defence, they are essentially signalling to Tehran that it can cause them tremendous harm without suffering any consequences.

Equally, playing defence will exhaust their defensive systems well before Iran runs out of drones and missiles. The US can replenish Gulf defences, but Israel is a US priority and according to reports it is facing a shortage in interceptors.

Economic strain is also an important factor: it costs Iran a lot less to wage war with cheap missiles and drones than it does the US, Israel and Gulf Arab states to defend against them. Economic attrition is core to Iran’s strategy in this conflict.

For these reasons, going onto the offensive makes strategic, economic, and operational sense for Gulf states.

Risks

However, the risks are considerable.

First, it could lead to more intense Iranian bombing of the very assets the Gulf Arab states are trying to protect including oil fields, airports, data centres, and desalination plants.

Second, President Donald Trump could yet decide to stop military operations against Iran and declare ‘victory’, leaving Israel and the Gulf Arab states alone in the fight and reducing the likelihood of the Iranian regime falling. 

Third, joining the war against Iran will tremendously complicate if not completely sever relations between Iran and the Gulf Arab states. Those relations were never built on trust to begin with, and Iran will have a lot to answer for whenever the dust settles, but a direct military confrontation will deepen mistrust.

Fourth, going to war is never an easy proposition for any nation, let alone politically fragile ones as the Gulf Arab states. Internal political stability is paramount for those authoritarian countries. Fighting an external enemy could strengthen patriotism. But some countries like Bahrain, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia have to worry about entities and cells that can be activated by Iran and threaten their internal security.

Perhaps the greatest security risk in joining the war is that it would mean choosing to fight alongside Israel. Even before the war in Gaza, any such move would have been politically perilous for a Gulf leader. Choosing to join this fight, alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, could fatally undermine leaders’ credibility with swathes of their populations. That factor more than any other may enforce restraint. 

Stuck between a rock and a hard place

If Iranian strikes against the Gulf Arab states escalate, a defence-only approach to security could quickly become unsustainable. But if the Gulf Arab states decide to join the US-Israeli campaign, it could backfire. 

This is an incredibly hard decision, fraught with risks, and one the Gulf Arab states feel they have to make on their own – with little confidence that Washington can be counted on as it once was.  

Kennedy’s appointees promoted ‘treatments’ like bleach enemas, but new committee has only one autistic member

The first public meeting of US autism advisers – notably, since Robert F Kennedy Jr reshaped the committee – was cancelled recently with few details, coinciding with the creation of a rival organization that has prompted some questions within the autistic community about their focus.

Kennedy, the secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) who has long argued for a debunked link between vaccines and autism, chose entirely new members for the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) in late January, with fewer autistic people and several anti-vaccine advocates.

BrianFagioli writes: A new iOS exploit chain called DarkSword shows how attackers can break into certain iPhones, grab sensitive data like messages, credentials, and even crypto wallets, and then disappear without leaving obvious traces. It targets older iOS 18 builds using Safari and WebGPU flaws to escape Apple's sandbox, which is pretty wild on its own, but what really stands out is how fast it works and how financially motivated these attacks have become. The takeaway is simple but important, update your iPhone ASAP and don't assume mobile devices are somehow safer than desktops anymore.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Day 2 of our Guardian analysis of more than a million Epstein emails exposes the child sex offender’s deep relationships with more high-profile figures

The Epstein files have led to intense scrutiny over links between the child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and the rich and powerful. But the vast trove of information has made it difficult to assess the extent of some of those connections.

In this second of a two-part series, The Guardian has focused on Epstein’s links to high-profile people in business and the arts – including the renowned economist and former US treasury secretary Larry Summers, the New York film director Woody Allen and Jes Staley, the former head of Barclays.

Report shows how minerals critical to defense readiness have seen a ‘near total’ disruption in seaborne trade

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The closure of the strait of Hormuz is causing a “paralyzing, real-time problem” for any prospective manufacturing surge in the US defense industrial base, and even for the repair of defense equipment damaged by Iranian attacks, according to analysis published by West Point’s Modern War Institute.

In particular sulphur, a vital upstream input in the extraction of critical minerals including copper and cobalt, has seen a “near total” disruption of seaborne trade in the straits, which makes up half the world’s total shipments, and prices have spiked nearly 25% since the war began, and seen a 165% rise year on year, the report said.

Weeks after three of Colin Dorgan's family members were killed in a shooting at a Rhode Island hockey rink, he helped his team win a state championship.

Artist who topped UK charts with Because I Got High created comedic videos from footage, which officers claimed invaded their privacy

Chart-topping US rapper Afroman has been cleared of wrongdoing after Ohio police filed a lawsuit against him, alleging defamation, emotional distress and invasion of privacy after the artist used footage from a police raid on his home in a series of mocking videos.

In 2022, police searched the rapper’s home for evidence of drug possession and trafficking, and kidnapping. No evidence was found and no charges were filed.

Lemi Limbu, who has severe intellectual disabilities, remains in prison and will now face retrial for the murder of her daughter

A woman with severe intellectual disabilities in Tanzania has had her conviction and death sentence quashed after spending more than a decade in prison awaiting execution.

Lemi Limbu, now in her early 30s, was convicted of the murder of her daughter in 2015. On 4 March, a court in Shinyanga, northern Tanzania, declared she can appeal. She will face a retrial, but a date has yet to be set.

$800-a-day position involves exposing a chatbot’s inconsistencies as it forgets, fudges or hallucinates

Imagine a day at work where your main task is to pick a fight with a computer. No meetings, no emails – just you, a chair and a chatbot with the maddening tendency to think it has the cleverest mind in the room.

The job title alone raises an eyebrow: “AI bully”. But this is precisely what a California startup called Memvid is offering: $800 to spend eight hours testing the patience and memory of artificial intelligence.

Rulings in cases alleging antisemitism on US campuses say common pro-Palestinian speech is constitutionally protected

Few debates from the last few years have been more contentious than whether criticism of Israel and Zionism is antisemitic, threatens Jewish people or violates their civil rights. Allegations of antisemitism have cost people jobs, provided pretexts for censorship and fueled an unprecedented crackdown on protest over Israel and shows of support for Palestinian rights, especially at universities.

Pro-Israel groups have filed hundreds of lawsuits or legal actions in an effort to silence some of this speech, with the vast majority filed since 2023 in response to the protest movement surrounding Israel’s recent war in Gaza. The most important rulings to have come out of these cases, experts say, have found that speech and slogans at the heart of the controversies are protected by the first amendment.

Dr. Adam Ratner hovered over a gravely ill infant in a New York City intensive care unit on a grim day in 2022. The 3-month-old girl spiked a fever two days earlier and had become lethargic. Soon she was having seizures and struggling to breathe.

She didn’t register Ratner’s towering frame or the bright hospital lights. Her eyes stared up and to the right, eerily frozen. 

He ran his hand over the soft spot on her head, which should have been flat. Instead, it bulged, a sign that too much fluid was building up inside her skull. 

The baby’s life was in danger, and Ratner needed to figure out why. He worried the culprit was bacterial meningitis, an infection of the membranes that protect the brain.

What came back on her lab tests was something out of the history books.

The infant’s meningitis was caused by invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b, or Hib, a type of bacteria that used to kill nearly 1,000 children a year in the U.S. A shot introduced in the late 1980s was so effective that Ratner, a veteran pediatric infectious disease doctor, was among the generations of physicians who had never seen a case. But the baby’s parents, Ratner learned, had chosen not to vaccinate her.

Disheartened, he told his colleagues, “This should be a never event.”

It wasn’t. The following year, Ratner treated another infant with Hib, then another, each of them unvaccinated. Two went home, but one had to be discharged to a rehabilitation facility. That 5-month-old boy had huge black pupils that didn’t respond to light, and he needed a ventilator to breathe. Ratner and his colleagues noted an “absence of brain stem reflexes,” indicating severe damage.

The U.S. government took a half century to build a vaccination system that shielded children from such a fate. Its success depended on two fundamental pillars: parents trusting in vaccines and children having access to them. Both are now in peril, thanks in no small part to the man steering America’s health policy.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who founded an antivaccine group and once likened the immunization of children to a holocaust, is transforming a government that long championed the lifesaving benefits of shots into one that spreads doubts about their safety here and abroad. 

Kennedy is also considering changes that could prompt the few companies that make vaccines for American kids to abandon the U.S. market, leaving parents who want the shots unable to get them.

The threat to vaccine access reaches across the globe after Kennedy yanked the government’s $1.6 billion pledge to the aid group that provides shots for the world’s poorest children. For decades, the U.S. had funded such work not just as a humanitarian mission but as a way to keep Americans safe from unchecked contagions.

Kennedy’s efforts to reshape vaccine policies have been well chronicled, but ProPublica wanted to take a broader look at how the changes might affect Americans’ health in the years to come.

We found that long-forgotten plagues have roared back, killing and maiming children in parts of the world where access to vaccines or trust in them faltered. What seemed like subtle changes to a country’s vaccine policies had disastrous consequences years later. 

Even in places that offer highly advanced health care, doctors have felt impotent trying to undo the damage when these horrors return. Modern medicine can’t reverse paralysis from polio. Surgeons can intervene when a baby is born blind, deaf and with heart defects after being exposed to rubella in the womb, but the child is still likely to face a life shaped by disability.

ProPublica reviewed hundreds of studies on vaccines and outbreaks of the diseases they prevent and interviewed more than three dozen people who have worked on U.S. immunization programs here and abroad, dating back to the days of smallpox. Some had never spoken publicly about their experiences.

They shared a pit-of-the-stomach dread that American children will end up fighting for their lives against infections that have long been preventable. 

“I think there always was a worst-case scenario,” said Dr. Melinda Wharton, who retired last September after more than three decades leading immunization programs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “I don’t think I imagined it could or would be this bad.”

This week, Kennedy’s agency indicated it planned to appeal a federal court ruling that halted, at least temporarily, some of his changes. Among those was the decision to drop six diseases from the routine childhood immunization schedule.

HHS declined to make Kennedy available for an interview. In an emailed response to detailed questions, HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon said that the agency has not limited access to or insurance coverage for vaccines. During the prior administration, federal health agencies “told the public that questioning vaccine policy was off limits,” Nixon said. “That posture contributed to a collapse in trust in U.S. health care.”

“Secretary Kennedy believes that trust is rebuilt through an open review of safety data, the willingness to ask the hard questions, and ensuring the American people have all emerging information as soon as we know it,” he said.

Vaccination rates have fallen in large swaths of the country. Resentful of how government institutions responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, many Americans lost trust in public health leaders. Antivaccine activists spread misinformation and recast the once-fringe practice of refusing shots as an exercise in “medical freedom.” 

Now the U.S. is experiencing a surge in measles not seen in three decades. There have been more than 3,600 cases across 46 states and three deaths since January last year. The virus spread so fast in South Carolina this year that some medical teams had to examine infected patients in their cars to protect vulnerable people in their waiting rooms, like they did during the worst days of COVID-19.

Measles, among the most contagious diseases, is typically the first to infect undervaccinated communities and serves as a warning that other scourges will follow. 

That’s what happened in New York City where antivaccine forces distributed illustrated handouts that seeded fear in Orthodox Jewish communities. Ratner saw a direct line between a loss of trust and the sick children in his ICU — first with measles in 2018 and 2019, then with Hib a few years later. 

Now the villainization of vaccines isn’t coming from pamphlets passed out on a Brooklyn street corner. It’s coming from the highest health offices in the U.S. government. 

“I’m worried,” Ratner said, “that we’re going back to a time where people die in childhood.”

The U.S. has been a leader on vaccination since the nation’s founding. 

During the Revolutionary War, George Washington ordered troops to be inoculated against smallpox, which had ravaged the Continental Army and was scaring away recruits. Washington knew the perils of the disease: His face was pocked with scars from his own teenage infection.

The inoculation, the country’s first immunization mandate, took a primitive form. A sore from a smallpox patient was lanced, then the pus was inserted under a healthy person’s skin. Though some people died, the resulting infection was, for the vast majority, milder than the type caught in a bunkhouse or on a battlefield.

Washington gave the order in February 1777, “keeping the matter as secret as possible” so that the British wouldn’t attack his bedridden troops during their monthlong recovery. Had he not carried out the inoculation, many historians have concluded, the British may have won.

Nearly two centuries later, in the throes of the Cold War, CDC scientists teamed up with their counterparts from America’s archenemy, the Soviet Union, to wipe smallpox from the planet. They worked through the World Health Organization to track the virus in cities, rainforests and war zones, vaccinating those at risk. Four U.S. presidents, Democrats and Republicans, backed the work until the disease that had haunted humans since the days of the pharaohs was gone.

Vaccines, for decades, weren’t politically divisive. They were so uncontroversial that McDonald’s restaurants in the 1990s put the childhood immunization schedule on their tray liners.

When the nation’s immunization program was in trouble in the 1980s, Republicans and Democrats stepped in to save it.

Vaccine makers were abandoning the U.S. market after a flood of lawsuits alleged that the shot used at the time to protect children from diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough caused profoundly disabling seizures. Scientists later discovered genetic causes of some of the most devastating forms of epilepsy, but parents who sued back then won big verdicts and settlements.

At one point pediatricians could only buy that shot from a single company, and there were shortages. The U.S. also was down to just one manufacturer for the measles-mumps-rubella shot and one for the polio vaccine. 

“If there is a fire tomorrow in the plant where the polio vaccine is manufactured, what would happen?” Rep. Henry Waxman asked the CDC director during a 1984 House subcommittee hearing.

“We would have a shortage,” the director answered.

An exasperated Waxman shot back: “Are we going to then start putting money into iron lungs for polio victims?” 

A liberal Democrat from California, Waxman for years worked with Sen. Paula Hawkins, a conservative Florida Republican, on legislation that stopped the exodus of vaccine makers by limiting their liability. Launched in 1988, the federal Vaccine Injury Compensation Program pays people who suffer rare but serious side effects, using money from a special tax on certain shots. The program maintains a table of injuries that are eligible for quicker payouts, and a dedicated vaccine court rules on cases involving health problems not listed on the table. 

Those who don’t like what they are offered can still sue vaccine makers in traditional civil courts, but a Supreme Court ruling significantly limited the types of cases that can win there. 

Just as the compensation program was getting off the ground, measles laid bare a different weakness in the immunization system. The disease tore through American cities, hitting Black and Hispanic preschoolers especially hard. Between 1989 and 1991, there were more than 55,000 cases and 123 deaths. 

In June 1991, President George H.W. Bush, a Republican, stepped into the White House Rose Garden with a message for “every parent everywhere in America”: “Please, make sure your child is immunized.” 

He announced that a special team of health officials was investigating why so many kids were missing their shots.

“While some say each generation repeats the mistakes of the last, no generation in America should suffer the plagues of the past,” Bush said.

The problem was access. Parents couldn’t afford the vaccines given at pediatricians’ offices. Bush’s successor, President Bill Clinton, a Democrat, ushered in a program that to this day offers free shots through local doctors to more than half of American kids. 

Vaccination rates climbed, and measles cases dropped precipitously. By 2000, the U.S. had stopped local spread of the virus so well that global health authorities declared it eliminated here. 

Having made progress at home, the U.S. government championed the use of vaccines abroad. Dr. Susan Reef, who had trained in the CDC disease-detective program made famous by Kate Winslet’s character in the movie “Contagion,” crisscrossed the globe showing health officials how they could save babies from birth defects and early death by introducing the rubella vaccine. 

Also known as German measles, rubella is usually mild in kids and adults. When people get infected very early in pregnancy, though, they face up to a 90% chance of giving birth to a baby with congenital rubella syndrome. About a third of those infants die before their first birthday. Most survivors have deafness, blindness, heart defects or intellectual disabilities. Before the vaccine, a U.S. epidemic in the mid-1960s led to 20,000 babies born with the syndrome.

Reef and her CDC colleagues helped foreign health authorities set up surveillance systems that identified newborns with congenital rubella syndrome.

During a 2011 rubella epidemic in Vietnam, Reef spotted a cluster of tiny bassinets in a Ho Chi Minh City intensive care unit. The babies’ eyes had cataracts, a sign of vision loss. She knew that most would have trouble hearing, if they could hear at all. A collaborator from the WHO told Reef that at least one of the infants had been abandoned by his family. 

Doctors had isolated the contagious newborns to prevent the spread of rubella, a sign the country’s surveillance system was working. But the scene of this preventable suffering, Reef said, “broke my heart.” 

Vietnam launched a national rubella immunization program a few years later. 

When Reef’s work began, less than half the world’s countries had introduced a rubella shot. When she retired in 2022 after a 30-year career at the CDC, all but 19 had. 

For half a century, one idea lay at the core of all U.S. immunization programs: Let down your guard and the diseases will return.

Dr. Chuck Vitek saw this happen as he walked the worn linoleum floors of Russian infectious disease hospitals in the mid-1990s. 

Throughout that decade, a massive epidemic of diphtheria raged across the countries of the former Soviet Union. The CDC repeatedly deployed Vitek to help health authorities contain this ancient contagion, once widely known as the “strangling angel of children.”

Diphtheria’s name is drawn from the Greek word for leather because tissue destroyed by the diphtheria toxin builds up in the back of the throat like a piece of hide, sealing off a swollen airway. Many parents had to watch their children suffocate. For those who escape asphyxiation, the toxin can damage the heart and nerves. Patients who seem better can drop dead weeks later. 

At one hospital, Vitek peered into the mouth of a sick Russian teenager and saw the thick greyish-white membrane covering a third of his throat. Doctors had administered antitoxin promptly, so his windpipe wasn’t blocked. But, pale and weak, the boy faced a terrible wait. Had diphtheria ruined his heart? 

Vitek had to leave before it was clear whether the child would survive. But one detail from his medical history stood out above all others: The teen had not been vaccinated.

“It was sad because it was something that would have easily been prevented with vaccination,” Vitek recalled. 

Vitek was another graduate of the CDC’s disease-detective program. A big part of his assignment was to investigate why diphtheria had come back. One obvious problem was access; the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 disrupted vaccine supplies. But that wasn’t the whole answer. 

The unvaccinated Russian boy offered a clue to the rest.

The Soviets had been big believers in immunization. Diphtheria shots for kids had been free — and mandatory — since the 1950s. 

When diphtheria seemed like a problem of the past, though, the Soviet Union eased up. Concerns about fevers and other possible side effects from the shot used back then overshadowed fears of the disease. In the 1980s, Soviet health authorities created alternative immunization schedules with lower-dose diphtheria shots and fewer total injections, and they directed pediatricians to put off vaccination if a child had one of a long list of health issues. “If a kid had a runny nose, a stomachache, almost anything,” Vitek said, doctors would skip the shot that day. “They wouldn’t make an effort to catch them up.”

Antivaccine activists tapped into the deep mistrust of government institutions in the years leading up to the collapse of the Soviet Union. One 1988 column in a Moscow newspaper suggested that Soviet officials knew the shot could be harmful — even deadly — but kept this secret. (In focus groups held years later, parents vividly recalled how news stories made them afraid of immunizations, Vitek and a colleague found.) 

By 1990, only 60% of infants in Soviet Russia had received all three full-strength diphtheria shots before their first birthday. 

The disease found a foothold. Before the epidemic was over, more than 157,000 people were infected and 5,000 died, mostly in Russia.

Health officials in Russia ended the policies that left their people vulnerable and held mandatory mass vaccination campaigns. 

“It was an extra dose across the entire population,” Vitek recalled. 

It took years to end the epidemic. 

Japan had a similar struggle with rubella. 

When health authorities introduced a rubella shot in the 1970s, they took an approach that weighed who was most at risk, targeting future mothers by giving the shot only to junior high girls. The boys of this era were passed over and remained susceptible as they grew up. Rubella researchers refer to them as “the lost generation.”

In 1989, Japan changed course and began vaccinating young boys and girls with a shot that combined protection for rubella, measles and mumps. But doctors quickly discovered that the mumps component — different from the U.S. version — sometimes caused a type of meningitis. Mistrust spread as health officials downplayed the risk at first, then yanked the combined vaccines in favor of standalone shots.

Japan in 1994 dropped its strict immunization mandates. Health authorities continued to recommend shots, but vaccination became a matter of personal choice, and a lack of trust shadowed the immunization program for years. One study showed Japan’s confidence in vaccines was among the lowest in the world.

Time and again, rubella circulated in the men who were never offered the shots as boys, then spread to pregnant women who hadn’t been fully vaccinated. Babies were born with the type of  devastating birth defects that Reef saw in the ICU in Vietnam. Japan’s epidemic from 2012 to 2014 was so bad that researchers discovered a temporary drop in the country’s fertility rates that coincided with a spike in Google searches for the Japanese word for rubella. 

Serious misgivings about vaccination in one part of the world can have far-reaching consequences. Twenty countries that thought their days of paralytic polio were behind them saw the dreaded disease return in the 2000s. The virus was traced to Nigeria, where religious and political leaders in some areas had boycotted polio immunization campaigns amid false rumors that the shots had been tainted to make Muslim girls infertile.

Organizers of the boycott feared the vaccine more than the disease. 

The governor of one northern Nigerian state told the Associated Press in 2004: “It is a lesser of two evils to sacrifice two, three, four, five, even 10 children [to polio] than allow hundreds or thousands or possibly millions of girl-children likely to be rendered infertile.” 

Polio roared back in Nigeria, leaving more than 2,500 children disabled. It spread around the world for years, paralyzing kids as far away as Indonesia.

When Kennedy became America’s top health official last year, no other leader at the CDC had more experience preventing death and disability with vaccines than Dr. Melinda Wharton. 

It was Wharton who had sent Vitek to Russia to figure out why diphtheria returned. And it was Wharton who started Reef on her quest to vanquish congenital rubella syndrome. Like them, she had trained as a disease detective.

In her 39 years at the CDC, Wharton had seen activists try to persuade Americans that the shots they were giving their babies were scarier than the diseases those shots prevented. In 2021, Kennedy had written in a book that measles — a virus the CDC says kills nearly 1 to 3 of every 1,000 children who contract it — wasn’t the menace that the government proclaimed.

“Measles outbreaks have been fabricated to create fear that in turn forces government officials to ‘do something,’” he wrote. “They then inflict unnecessary and risky vaccines on millions of children for the sole purpose of fattening industry profits.”

During his confirmation hearings, Kennedy told senators he isn’t antivaccine. “I am pro-safety,” he said. “I worked for years to raise awareness about the mercury and toxic chemicals in fish, and nobody called me anti-fish.”

In his early days as the nation’s top health leader, HHS dismissed thousands of Wharton’s colleagues, ended vaccine promotions during an especially deadly flu season and buried a CDC measles forecast that stressed the need for immunization.

Wharton set five empty cardboard boxes on her filing cabinet in case she needed to pack up quickly. 

In recent years she managed the committee of outside experts that recommends which shots Americans should get and when. Few people had ever heard of her obscure corner of the federal health bureaucracy. 

But Kennedy knew it well. He understood that Congress had given these advisers the power to determine which shots were free for more than half of American kids and which ones insurers must pay for. Many states used the committee’s recommendations to set vaccine mandates for kids attending school.

Kennedy for years complained the panel had been captured by Big Pharma. On June 9, his chief of staff at the CDC removed Wharton from her role managing the committee. Just as that news was sinking in, Wharton’s phone lit up with messages from the committee’s members. Kennedy had announced in a Wall Street Journal column that he was replacing all of them. “A clean sweep is needed to re-establish public confidence in vaccine science,” he wrote.

Kennedy stacked the new committee with many vaccine skeptics who quickly delved into his longstanding grievances about America’s immunization system. Webcasts of the meetings became a megaphone for mistrust. Some devolved into shouting matches as doctors from medical societies pushed back against misinformation. 

One of Kennedy’s new appointees, Retsef Levi, a professor of operations management at the MIT Sloan School of Management, suggested that vaccinating a baby was like flying on an airplane that hadn’t been rigorously tested. “I suggest to parents to be very, very suspicious when people tell them that something is safe, especially a vaccine,” he said.

In an emailed response to questions from ProPublica, Levi said that vaccines have benefits and risks “often personalized to the individual’s health status, risk factors, and preferences.” Being transparent about those benefits and risks, including being honest about what is known and not known, increases public confidence in vaccination programs, he said. 

The chair of the committee, Dr. Kirk Milhoan, told the “Why Should I Trust You?” podcast he wasn’t afraid to reconsider whether the polio shot is needed any longer. In an email to ProPublica, Milhoan, a pediatric cardiologist, said that the committee is required to review vaccines every seven years “to optimize effectiveness and to reevaluate possible long term risks.” 

Like Kennedy, Milhoan doesn’t think vaccines have been appropriately tested for safety. In the podcast, he said American parents deserve to know the risks so they can decide whether they’re more concerned about the disease or the potential for side effects from the shot. 

“What we are doing is returning individual autonomy to the first order, not public health,” he added.

Since she retired last year, Wharton has tuned in to the meetings she used to run, but at times they were too painful to watch. The new committee at one point sought advice from a former president of the antivaccination group Kennedy founded, while a CDC compilation of evidence that ran counter to her presentation was quietly removed from the panel’s website. For insight on the childhood schedule, the panel listened to a 90-minute talk by a Kennedy ally, a vaccine-injury attorney who once petitioned the government to withdraw approval of the polio shot for infants and toddlers. 

In January, the acting CDC director trimmed the childhood immunization schedule so that it recommended routine protection for 11 diseases rather than 17. Six shots that had been universal would now fall into a category that essentially means “talk to your doctor and decide for yourself,” with guidance for certain shots based on risk.

“The idea that it’s increasingly acceptable to put children at risk for these kinds of things is really just terrible,” Wharton said. “To have it be the official position of the federal government, it’s very frightening.”

Nixon, the HHS spokesperson, defended the slimmed-down schedule, saying it would “maintain robust protection against diseases that cause serious morbidity or mortality to children while aligning the U.S. with peer nations.” 

As for the committee, Nixon said Kennedy’s appointees are “committed to rigorous review and independent thinking.”

“Restoring confidence requires advisory bodies that are willing to ask hard questions, not simply reaffirm prior consensus and rubber stamp recommendations,” he said. “Disagreement at public meetings is a healthy scientific debate and the way to overcome groupthink.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics, which for decades had collaborated with the committee on the childhood vaccine schedule, boycotted the panel’s meetings and sued to block many of Kennedy’s moves. 

On Monday, a federal judge sided with the academy, finding that for an advisory committee dedicated to using vaccines to control preventable diseases, more than half of the new members “appear distinctly unqualified.” While he considers the case, the judge, for now, put on hold Kennedy’s appointments to the panel as well as the CDC’s changes to the childhood vaccine schedule. 

The ruling is a setback for Kennedy, but the Trump administration has foreshadowed other changes that could affect Americans’ access to shots.

In September, President Donald Trump stepped up to the microphone in the White House’s Roosevelt Room with a major announcement about his administration’s efforts to counter the rise of autism. Flanked by Kennedy and other top health officials, the president urged pregnant women not to take acetaminophen, the pain reliever often sold as Tylenol. This news ricocheted around the globe. 

But less attention was given to other bombshells dropped about vaccines that day. The president complained that pediatricians were giving so many shots, they were treating America’s children like horses.

“They pump so much stuff into those beautiful little babies, it’s a disgrace,” he said.

Without explaining how, Trump said his administration was going to get aluminum removed from vaccines. “Who the hell wants that pumped into a body?” he said.

Aluminum has been used in shots since the 1930s to boost immune response. It is an essential ingredient in vaccines for nine diseases, including diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, human papillomavirus (a cause of cervical cancer), one version of the Hib vaccine, and many of the combination shots babies receive. Kennedy has long questioned its safety. 

A CDC-sponsored study found an association between aluminum in shots and asthma in young kids. But the researchers, citing limitations in their analysis, wrote that “these findings do not constitute strong evidence for questioning the safety of aluminum in vaccines.” A larger study by Danish government researchers subsequently found aluminum in shots did not increase the risk of autism, asthma, autoimmune diseases or dozens of other conditions. Kennedy criticized the methodology and tried unsuccessfully to get the Danish study retracted. 

If the federal government were to ban aluminum in vaccines, companies would have to reformulate them and, possibly, launch costly clinical trials. Nearly all the shots American kids get are made by a handful of pharmaceutical giants. The market is fragile enough that if any were to balk and stop making these vaccines, families could face shortages or lose access altogether.

The fate of the measles-mumps-rubella shot, which does not contain aluminum, is also up in the air. At the White House autism press conference, Trump, without offering evidence, said he had heard bad things about that shot, which has been used here since 1971. Researchers around the world repeatedly have found it does not cause autism. 

Nevertheless, the president implored parents to insist on separate shots for measles, mumps and rubella — “separate, separate, separate,” he repeated. 

But there are no FDA-approved standalone shots for measles, mumps or rubella. Facing a year with the most American measles cases in a generation, the president had suggested that there’s a problem with the only surefire prevention available and told parents to demand shots that don’t exist here. 

In an X post, the acting CDC director at that time called on manufacturers to develop them.

A White House spokesperson did not answer questions about the president’s plans. 

“The Trump administration is committed to a nuanced, nimble, and multi-faceted approach to restore Gold Standard Science as the guiding principle of our health policymaking without compromising access to or coverage of any lifesaving treatment, including vaccines,” Kush Desai wrote in an email. “Until unveiled by the Administration, discussion about potential new policies or their second order effects is pointless speculation.”

The federal court ruling that paused January’s revisions to the childhood vaccination schedule doesn’t stop Kennedy from making similar changes in the future, as long as he follows the proper procedures. While moving shots to the talk-to-your-doctor category may seem harmless, it could affect access down the line. 

The injury compensation program that Congress created to prevent manufacturers from fleeing the U.S. market in the 1980s only covers immunizations the CDC recommends for “routine administration” to children or pregnant women. That leaves shots in other categories open to legal challenges by vaccine injury lawyers, renewing the specter of big legal verdicts that previously prompted vaccine makers to bolt.

Kennedy has long railed against the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, arguing it’s a gift to the pharmaceutical industry that removes any incentive to make safe products. Before he became HHS secretary, Kennedy referred plaintiffs to a law firm suing a vaccine maker in exchange for a cut of its fees if they won, federal financial disclosures show. 

Last year, he hired a vaccine injury lawyer to help him overhaul the compensation program and expand who can receive payments. In September, that attorney said he and Kennedy were considering ways to add symptoms of autism to the program’s injury table for quick payouts.

So many studies — performed in different parts of the world and involving more than a million people — have found no link between vaccines and autism that this has become scientific consensus. (Scientists have found serious methodological flaws in papers that have claimed such a link.) The compensation program’s vaccine court spent years in the 2000s trying cases that alleged shots caused autism and found they didn’t. ProPublica asked HHS whether Kennedy planned to add symptoms of autism to the program’s injury table, but the agency did not answer.

Given how prevalent autism is, a change like this could exhaust the compensation fund. If the program collapses and the legal protections go away, manufacturers may stop selling shots here like they did in the 1980s. 

Then, even Americans who still trust vaccines couldn’t get them.

Diseases that have been wiped out in the U.S. are still found in other parts of the world. 

Polio is endemic in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and this month the CDC warned American travelers that the virus has been circulating in 28 additional countries, including Israel and the United Kingdom. In 2022, a young unvaccinated man in New York was paralyzed by the virus.

That same year, an outbreak of diphtheria began in Western Europe, its largest rise in cases in 70 years. Health authorities investigating the infection of an unvaccinated German boy in 2024 discovered that the toxic strain of the diphtheria bacteria had spread over two years from newly arrived migrants to homeless Germans, then to the child and his mother, who had no known contact with either group.

The 10-year-old was admitted to a hospital in the historic city of Potsdam. Like Ratner encountering his first patient with Hib, the German doctors had never seen diphtheria before.

“It was taught as history,” said Dr. Bernhard Kosak, head of pediatric emergency medicine and critical care there.

Treated with antitoxin and antibiotics, the child was transferred to the big teaching hospital in Berlin where a ventilator helped him breathe. But the marvels of modern intensive-care medicine couldn’t undo the damage from this ancient toxin. The boy died in January last year. 

Diseases can follow the contours of global travel. In just the first few months of last year, the CDC found, people infected with measles arrived in the U.S. from Canada, Vietnam, Mexico, Pakistan, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Australia, Guinea, the Netherlands, Somalia, Spain and Uganda. 

The Trump administration has walked away from long-standing international alliances that helped the U.S. beat back scourges in other countries. The president withdrew the U.S. from the WHO. And Kennedy backed out of the government’s promise to give $1.6 billion to Gavi, the global vaccine aid group the U.S. has funded for decades. He accused the organization of neglecting vaccine safety.

“Secretary Kennedy has made clear that American public health dollars going abroad must be spent wisely,” Nixon, the HHS spokesperson, said. “That means reviewing funding commitments and ensuring programs meet safety and effectiveness standards. Protecting Americans at home remains our first obligation.”

Reef, the former CDC doctor who had witnessed newborns suffering from congenital rubella syndrome in Vietnam, is devastated by the pullback. 

“It makes me very very sad,” she said, then paused for a long time. “Very very sad. I can’t explain to you what it feels like to see all your hard work going by the wayside.”

In retirement, she remains part of the group of experts that helps governments decide when to introduce the rubella vaccine and also serves on four WHO committees that determine whether nations have eliminated rubella or measles. 

When countries launch rubella vaccination campaigns for the first time, they can’t just target babies or the virus shifts to older groups and can infect those who are pregnant. To avoid this, Gavi for many years supported immunizing all children from 9 months old up to age 15 when countries first introduce the shot, which offers protection not just for rubella but also for measles.

But facing a massive hole in its budget, Gavi’s board in December decided in the future to save money by only guaranteeing that vaccine up to age 10 when a country first debuts it. Modeling predicts the change could result in 72,000 additional deaths from measles and congenital rubella syndrome, according to the Gavi board’s records. 

A Gavi spokesperson acknowledged that the shift creates a greater risk of congenital rubella but said that the organization had to figure out how to protect as many people as it could with far less money. Countries that want to offer the vaccine to older kids, she noted, can draw from a different pot of Gavi money, but that will leave those places with less funding for other shots.

Fallout from the budget cuts goes well beyond rubella. “The bottom line is that, over the next five years, we expect to be able to prevent 600,000 future deaths less than if we were fully funded,” the spokesperson said.

Addressing Kennedy’s criticism, the spokesperson added, “Gavi’s utmost concern is the health and safety of children. Our approach to vaccine safety is guided entirely by global scientific consensus.”

The spread of measles in the U.S. warns of future rubella outbreaks. Since the rubella shot here is given in combination with the vaccine for measles and mumps, parents who turn down measles vaccines leave their kids vulnerable to rubella, too. It could take 20 years before birth defects from rubella become common again. Unvaccinated children have to grow old enough to become pregnant. The long lag time can give a false sense of security. 

But, Reef warned, “when it comes back, it will come back with a vengeance. We will see babies being born who are blind, deaf and have heart disease.”

The world is ill prepared for a major resurgence in diphtheria. Antitoxin, made from the blood of horses, has to be given immediately. Yet supplies are scarce, and not many companies sell it. Dozens of kids in Pakistan died in 2024 because doctors there couldn’t get it in time. 

Vitek, the CDC doctor who fought diphtheria in Russia, helped obtain permission for the CDC to keep an emergency stash of antitoxin for Americans after the only manufacturer with FDA approval stopped making it. The U.S. medical system still relies on an emergency supply controlled by the CDC. 

ProPublica asked the CDC and HHS how many diphtheria patients the government’s current supply could treat, but neither agency would say. (“The CDC vigilantly monitors disease trends, maintains emergency stockpiles, and supports outbreak response at home and abroad,” Nixon said.)

Vitek retired in July after 33 years with the CDC, but he still worries how diseases that seem vanquished can reappear if people can’t or won’t get shots. 

The unvaccinated parts of America could find themselves, like Germany, one unwitting traveler away from an outbreak of a horror from the history books. 

“Once it gets reintroduced, your kid could get sick or die, even with modern medicine,” Vitek warned. And diphtheria, he noted, “it’s a terrible way to die.” 

The post How Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Vaccine Agenda Risks a Resurgence of Deadly Childhood Plagues appeared first on ProPublica.

Looking to upgrade your TV speakers? These are my picks for the best soundbars at any budget.

The distorted face might be the most-anticipated new emoji, but the orca has my heart.

An expert in modern warfare says Iran is highlighting NATO failures "to adapt to the drone threat," and Poland is using lessons from Ukraine to fix that.

Why Should Delaware Care? 
From unrest over the leadership of its police chief to intense division over a proposed panhandling ordinance, the city of Dover has seen its fair share of controversy in recent months. Adding to this series of events is the city council’s decision to discreetly place a top city employee on administrative leave.

The city of Dover quietly put its top administrative employee on leave earlier this month — the first step toward permanently removing him from the position. 

Dover City Council unanimously voted to place City Manager Dave Hugg on a paid leave beginning March 2, Spotlight Delaware has learned through conversations with multiple city officials. According to the city’s charter, that leave is a first move toward officially firing him.

City officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, said long-simmering tensions between Hugg and city council members recently boiled over. Elected leaders, they said, grew tired of Hugg not promptly informing them about relevant issues, often leaving council members “blindsided” when matters were brought to their attention months later. 

Two officials pointed to a recent controversy surrounding city council members’ decision not to allocate money to the People’s Church homeless shelter as illustrative of the broader issue. The officials said Hugg failed to inform council members for months about a series of complaint letters the city had received about the shelter, as well as a threat of legal action from a neighboring resident.  

When asked about Hugg’s absence, a city spokesperson confirmed he was on leave but would not say why, citing the matter as a “personnel issue.”

According to Dover’s city charter, a city manager must be given a public hearing and a “written statement of the reasons alleged for their removal” before the city council can take a final vote on removing them.

And Anthony Delcollo, a lawyer representing Hugg, said a public hearing is exactly what the city manager wants. Hugg did not directly respond to Spotlight Delaware’s multiple requests for comment.

“As Mr. Hugg was not provided any information regarding purported wrongdoing or performance issues prior to being advised that the City felt it was time to move on from his employment, our client looks forward to the opportunity to present his position in this hearing,” Delcollo said. 

But it remains unclear when that required public hearing will take place. 

As of Wednesday afternoon, no item referencing a hearing for Hugg was listed on the agenda for the city council’s next meeting scheduled for Monday, March 23. There also is no timeline in the city charter for how long a city manager can be on administrative leave, or when their public hearing must take place. 

Dover City Solicitor Dan Griffith declined to comment on the decision to place Hugg on administrative leave, and the status of scheduling a public hearing. 

Hugg has served as Dover’s city manager since early 2022. He first joined the city on a contracted basis in 2017, and ended up staying on with the city and rising to the role of city manager over the next five years. 

Capital city tensions

The most recent example of Hugg’s alleged tension with city council members played out at city council’s Committee of the Whole meeting on Feb. 26. During that meeting, council members discussed whether to approve $47,000 in funds for workforce development programs at a homeless shelter in downtown Dover. 

Council President Fred Neil asked if any of his colleagues had been told about the pile of complaint letters Hugg received about the shelter back in December – they said they had not. 

Prior to the start of that same meeting, council members discussed Hugg’s performance during an executive session, or a meeting of elected leaders not open to the public. When council returned to public session, they voted unanimously to “accept the recommendation of the city solicitor on the personnel matter.” 

Multiple city officials confirmed to Spotlight Delaware that the “recommendation” was to place Hugg on administrative leave.

At subsequent city council meetings, Assistant City Manager Sharon Duca has taken over Hugg’s typical duties, including providing city manager’s announcements and providing additional information on ordinances up for consideration. 

Council’s decision to place Hugg on administrative leave comes after a tumultuous nine months for the capital city.

Council members, police officers and even the mayor have been entangled in a controversy over Police Chief Thomas Johnson’s leadership since last summer, and a hotly contested panhandling ordinance first introduced last fall exposed divisions among the city’s elected officials. 

Now, the move to oust Hugg marks the latest disagreement involving one of Dover’s highest paid employees and the city’s elected officials.

Hugg previously served as Smyrna’s town manager for 14 years and was said to be retiring from public service when he stepped down from that position in late 2016, according to reporting from the Daily State News. 

Shortly after retiring from Smyrna, though, Hugg was hired as the acting director of planning and city development for Dover on a temporary, contract basis in early 2017. 

At the time, city officials told the Daily State News he would only work for six months, and Hugg would not be a candidate for the position of city planner. 

But Hugg ended up continuing in that position as the director of planning and community development for five years. He then was chosen by city council members to fill the permanent position of city manager in early 2022.

The post Dover moves to oust city manager, tensions revealed appeared first on Spotlight Delaware.

As Pope Leo warns about artificial intelligence, Catholic scholars are wading into the government’s legal battle with Anthropic.

We are trying our best to resist him, contain him and remove him from office as quickly as we possibly can. Thank you for your patience

Donald Trump is alone.

That’s different from the United States being alone.

Robert Reich, a former US secretary of labor, is a professor of public policy emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley. He is a Guardian US columnist and his newsletter is at robertreich.substack.com. His new book, Coming Up Short: A Memoir of My America, is out now in the US and in the UK

Why Should Delaware Care?
Delaware ranks as one of the top states in the nation for health care costs. For years, lawmakers have tried to bring prices down, often meeting fierce resistance from hospitals. A new bill hoping to tackle the issue cleared its first hurdle toward becoming law this week, but it still faces powerful and well-funded opposition.

Delaware senators held their first debate Wednesday — during an abnormally packed committee hearing — over a bold health care reform proposal that would prioritize investments for primary care and is aimed at preventing costly trips to emergency rooms.

But even though the bill made it out of committee, it still must overcome powerful and well-funded opposition. 

Delaware’s hospital systems descended on the statehouse in protest of Senate Bill 1, the primary care reform bill that would also implement price caps on how high they can negotiate costs with insurers, claiming the bill would decimate revenues and lead to job losses. 

Multiple lawmakers decried the hospitals’ projected job loss claims, saying they are using health care workers as “pawns” in an effort to maintain profits. 

“Your campaign of fear, threatening the elimination of 4,000 jobs, is just disgraceful,” said State Sen. Ray Seigfried (D-Wilmington), who is a former ChristianaCare employee and executive of 25 years.

The bill, introduced by Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend (D-Newark/Glasgow) earlier this month, has the support of the state’s insurance department, the Medical Society of Delaware and the Mid-Atlantic Association of Community Health Centers. 

At the center of the hospital systems’ campaign against SB 1 is a provision that would regulate the rate at which insurers carrying plans for state employees and some commercial plans regulated by the Department of Insurance can reimburse hospitals for covered services. Those changes would also apply to the state’s Medicaid plan. 

Essentially, the state is seeking to drive down its own health care spending by capping how much money insurance providers will pay hospitals, which hold a majority of the market share in the state, for their services.

If passed as is, it could save the state hundreds of millions of dollars on medical costs. 

By taking aim at how high Delaware health care providers can negotiate their prices with insurers in addition to making those insurers spend 11.5% of their medical costs on primary care, the state hopes to better compensate providers proactively working to improve Delawareans’ health outcomes.

One physician, who has practiced in Delaware for more than 35 years, said the state’s primary care infrastructure is in “dire straits.” 

Dr. Jim Gill said independent primary care physicians are currently reimbursed far below the proposed price caps, and that SB 1 is not about giving primary care doctors more money. 

Instead, he said the law allows primary care doctors to receive higher reimbursements for care they do during office visits, as well as care they do in between visits, which he said goes frequently unreimbursed. 

“Let’s face it, no one went into primary care for the money, but we need enough funding to fully care for the people of Delaware,” Gill said. 

During Wednesday’s committee hearing, a rift also emerged between doctors working in hospital systems and independent practitioners. 

Independent doctors and the Medical Society of Delaware, which represents all licensed state physicians, said they were in support of the bill because primary care is underfunded, while hospital doctors said they were against the bill because of the impacts it could have on their programs. 

After a nearly three-hour hearing, senators moved the bill out of committee. It will next be heard in the Senate Finance Committee, but is likely to see a vote by the full Senate.

A spokesperson for Gov. Matt Meyer did not respond to a request for comment on his stance on SB 1. He has yet to publicly comment on the bill. 

The hearing

Wednesday’s hearing opened with testimony from private practice physicians, the state’s insurance commissioner, outside experts and some hospital representatives. 

Richard Henderson, of the Medical Society of Delaware, said SB 1 comes after years of discussion about how to improve primary care in the state. While he said the bill is “not perfect,” he said it would bring down costs and improve people’s health. 

“The data both then and now is clear and unequivocal,” Henderson said. “Independent primary care practices improve outcomes and reduce the overall cost of care.”

Henderson also said the bill is “critical” to the survival of independent practices and will create an environment that attracts physicians to the state. 

Dr. David Tam, the CEO of Beebe Healthcare in Lewes, also testified at the committee meeting. He aimed his criticism of the bill at the impact it would have on his hospital because of its share of Medicare patients. 

Under SB 1, hospitals and providers would be barred from charging more than 250% of what the federal government reimburses for Medicare. But Medicare typically underpays physicians for their services.  

Since his hospital serves a large share of Medicare patients from a growing elderly population in Sussex County, Tam said the new price cap on other insurance would make it difficult to cover losses from treating Medicare patients. 

Admonishing hospital advocates’ tactics

During the hearing, multiple legislators admonished the Delaware Healthcare Association, a lobbying group for the state’s hospitals, because of messaging it has used to oppose SB 1. 

Specifically, the lawmakers homed in on statistics the group has used threatening the loss of 4,000 health care jobs if the bill passes. 

During the hearing, Townsend also said the Delaware Healthcare Association had handed out maps to legislators with dots representing where health care workers lived in their districts. While he said he does not know if the hospital systems knew about this, he called the move “inappropriate” in an interview after the hearing.

Still, he said the needs of their constituents and the precedent set in other states by similar legislation is something that supersedes some of that opposition. 

“I think that [the] need of everyday Delawareans who are suffering from high health care costs trumps a map that a lobbyist wants to put in our face,” Townsend said. 

Brian Frazee, CEO of the Delaware Healthcare Association, said his organization was not “using” the workers. He said health care employees “understand the impact of these different policies” and advocated with the organization.

When asked about the maps, he told Spotlight Delaware the group did share those maps with legislators, but that it is not uncommon. He said the intent of the maps was to show that there were people in their districts paying attention to the issue. 

“We have a lot of health care workers that are very important,” Frazee said. “And like other advocacy groups, we wanted legislators to understand the impact of some of these decisions on their constituents.”

Delaware’s hospital industry is one of the state’s largest employers. Frazee said in a text message after publication that staffing accounts for 60% of hospital budgeting, and that the hospitals don’t want to be put in a position where they have to make cuts.

What’s in the bill?

One provision in the bill would introduce reference-based pricing to medical services covered under both insurance for state employees and some commercial plans regulated by the Department of Insurance. Essentially, this would limit the amount of money a provider could be reimbursed by insurers, tying that amount to a predetermined benchmark. 

Under Delaware’s proposal, that benchmark would cap reimbursement rates at 250% of what the federal government pays providers through Medicare. 

For services covered under the state’s health plan that do not have a Medicare rate to compare to, like pediatrics, the state would be able to set those rates through the State Employees Benefits Committee.

The bill would “conservatively” save the state more than $280 million over the first five years of implementation, the Department of Insurance said in a press release after announcing the bill.

Frazee, of the hospital association, pointed to that Medicare benchmark, saying it was a provision lawmakers tried, and failed, to introduce in previous legislation that led to a year-and-a-half long lawsuit between the state and Delaware’s largest hospital system. 

Efforts to introduce a 250% Medicare benchmark into Senate Bill 1 are a “blatant attempt” to slip in provisions that were removed from House Bill 350, the recently amended law that put an end to the state’s most recent fight with hospitals over health care costs. 

Senate Bill 1 also includes language that would exempt hospitals and other health care providers from the 250% requirement if they use a “global budget model” that is approved by the state insurance department. 

Global budget models set annual fixed prices for inpatient and outpatient procedures, meaning hospitals are paid on the front end to deliver services at a cost set by their previous Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements from previous years. 

In neighboring Maryland, the state implemented global budgeting for all of its acute care hospitals in 2014, according to a report from Mathematica.

After being voted out of committee, SB 1 now awaits consideration in the Senate Finance Committee. A hearing date for that committee has not been set.

Editor’s Note: This story originally reported that SB 1 would next head to a State Senate floor vote, but the bill actually will first head to another committee hearing. We regret the error.

The post Delaware holds hearing on hotly contested primary care reform bill appeared first on Spotlight Delaware.

Why Should Delaware Care?
The growth of data centers has become a hotly contested topic in Delaware and nationally, because the facilities, which power the technology of the future, require huge amounts of electricity. New regulations on the industry approved by New Castle County are the first of their kind in the state.

New Castle County Executive Marcus Henry signed new data center regulations into law Wednesday, a week after the county council’s near unanimous approval of the legislation.

In a statement, Henry described the regulations as a “thoughtful compromise.”

It followed months of bitter debate within the council that included one meeting during which a council member flipped the middle finger at another. At stake is the potential for thousands of future construction jobs and property tax proceeds, but the projects come with significant concerns, principally how they would impact energy rates and water capacity for consumers.

“This ordinance is the result of people coming together, listening to one another, and doing the hard work of finding common ground,” Henry said in his statement.

The sweeping legislation includes new rules that require data centers to maintain buffer zones around them, and to use energy-efficient backup generators, among other regulations.

Councilman Dave Carter first proposed the regulations last summer amid a backlash to a developer’s plan to build a massive, power-hungry data center on about 580 acres north of Delaware City.

Many residents and elected officials feared the facility, if built, would harm the local environment and exacerbate an energy crunch that was already impacting the region.  

While the newly passed regulations are, in part, an effort to respond to those concerns, the Delaware City data center will not be subject to them. The council’s compromise included a provision that made the rules only apply to newly proposed projects – not ones already in the development pipeline. 

What do the regulations say?

In the final amended ordinance, Carter included concessions on noise regulations, and on lighting regulations by deferring to existing standards for industrial projects rather than imposing stricter rules.

The final rules also clearly outline how data centers are allowed to use water to cool their supercomputers. The ordinance states that data centers must use a closed-loop cooling system, which is designed to reuse as much water as possible. By mandating such systems, Carter said data centers could reduce their water and energy use. 

The regulations also require data center projects to be at least 1,000 feet from the nearest residential dwelling, unless a developer submits a noise study to the county. They could then build them within 500 feet of a home. 

Data center developers also must set aside funds to decommission the data center if they decide to no longer operate it.

Where do the data center projects stand?

The regulations approved Tuesday will not impact the handful of data center projects that have already been proposed – including the facility near Delaware City, dubbed Project Washington.

Still, that massive project does face other obstacles. Last month, Delaware environmental regulators ruled that half of the two-part plan is not allowed under the state’s Coastal Zone Act, because of its proposed use of 516 diesel generators for back-up power. 

The developer, Starwood Digital Ventures, has appealed that ruling with a challenge that could take months, or years, to be fully adjudicated. 

A hearing of Starwood’s appeal will take place next Tuesday.

Get Involved
The public is free to attend the hearing of the Starwood appeal, which is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday at the auditorium of the Richardson and Robbins building, located at 89 Kings Highway in Dover. DNREC said a link for virtual attendance will be listed here. Those wishing to provide public comment must register by emailing the address DNREC_CZICB_Appeals@delaware.gov no later than Monday.

For another possible data center development project near the St. Georges Bridge, the Coastal Zone Act could also become an obstacle. But it is unclear whether the new county regulations would apply to the proposal. The development was introduced to the county prior to the passage of the new rules, but those original plans called for a warehouse not a data center. 

The project’s engineering firm, Verdantas, indicated in recent documents filed with the county that the developer may now be planning to build a data center.

New Castle County’s Land Use Department did not respond to a request for comment about whether the regulations would apply to the St. Georges Bridge project, and Carter said he is not sure. 

“We have to work that out and see where it goes,” Carter said. 

A third proposed data center site near Newark has, perhaps, the easiest path now that the regulations, and their effective start date, have been determined.

That project would see the redevelopment of the White Clay Corporate Center into a three-building data center. Its zoning already allows data center projects, and it does not lie within Delaware’s designated Coastal Zone.

The post New data center regulations go into effect, but not for Delaware City proposal appeared first on Spotlight Delaware.

• Video released of federation president Mehdi Taj

• Fifa has no plans to move Iran games to Mexico

Iran will “boycott the United States” but “not the World Cup”, the Iranian football federation president, Mehdi Taj, said in a video released by the Iranian press agency Fars.

Iran are scheduled to play their group matches in the US in this summer’s tournament. “We will be preparing for the World Cup,” Taj said. “We will boycott the United States but not the World Cup.”

Records from the United States Air Force Academy’s oversight board show leaders dismantling diversity programs and reviewing curriculum as the board embraces what critics call a concerning ideological turn toward Christian nationalism and prepares to seat conservative activist Erika Kirk. 

The communications, revealed in December 2025 meeting minutes reviewed by The Intercept, come as the administration has employed religious rhetoric in its military policies. Amid the U.S. and Israel’s war on Iran, some service members and political supporters have framed the war in religious terms, including describing it as part of “God’s divine plan.” Other federal agencies have also openly embraced white nationalist rhetoric and imagery, including a Department of Homeland Security recruitment post that used a neo-Nazi-associated anthem days after the fatal ICE shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis.

When the White House announced Kirk’s appointment to fill her late husband’s seat on the board, it highlighted Charlie Kirk’s “bold Christian faith,” language critics say suggests religion was treated as a qualification for the role.

“The appointment of Erika Kirk to the U.S. Air Force Academy Board of Visitors goes hand in hand with Christian nationalist incursions into our armed forces, such as Pete Hegseth’s actions and statements promoting his fervent brand of evangelical Christianity at the Pentagon,” said Annie Laurie Gaylor, co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation.

Critics warn the changes could reshape how the military’s premier officer training institution educates future leaders as it aligns with the administration’s “Restoring America’s Fighting Force” initiative, President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s marquee plan to reverse the military’s diversity efforts and emphasize “lethality.”

Minutes from the meeting describe academy leaders briefing the board on steps taken to implement those directives, including removing DEI elements from the admissions process and reviewing curriculum and academy facilities for compliance with presidential executive orders.

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In public comments submitted to the Board of Visitors, included in the meeting materials, Doug Truax, CEO of the conservative Restoration of America Foundation, urged the board to review faculty and programs he said were aligned with “social justice” agendas. He also singled out Col. Candice Pipes, the academy’s admissions chief, for commenting on racial disparities in the Air Force, and claimed she said she pays a “diversity tax” as a Black woman.

The Air Force Academy has established four task forces to ensure compliance with the “Restoring America’s Fighting Force” plan, according to the minutes. One of them, focused on admissions, found that “with the changes being implemented, the Academy’s admissions process is merit-based and that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) elements have been removed.”

The Board of Visitors is a congressionally mandated oversight body that reviews cadet life, curriculum, faculty, finances, and discipline at the Air Force Academy, which commissions roughly half of the service’s new officers each year and plays a central role in shaping the culture of future military leadership. The board’s findings and recommendations are delivered to the secretary of the Air Force and forwarded to Hegseth and Congress. While the board cannot directly set policy, its oversight can shape Pentagon scrutiny and congressional funding decisions.

“The Board can influence congressional funding of the academy, so there’s definitely some power there,” said William J. Astore, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel who taught at the academy for six years. “More than anything, the appointment of Kirk to the board demonstrates the ongoing politicization of the service academies.”

Unlike earlier political appointments to the board, Kirk’s selection reflects a specific political and religious alignment rather than expertise in military affairs, said retired Air Force Lt. Col. Rachel VanLandingham, a graduate and former instructor at the academy. She warned the move could encourage academy officials who share those views to shape internal reporting or programs in ways that reinforce them.

“The BOV only makes recommendations to the secretary of defense through the secretary of the Air Force, so its influence is typically quite indirect,” VanLandingham said. “However, given Secretary Hegseth’s alignment with Kirk’s group and connections to Ms. Kirk, this appointment could provide a backdoor directly to the secretary of defense, thus elevating its power.”

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The changes revive long-standing concerns about religion and ideology at the academy. The Colorado Springs institution has faced repeated allegations over the past two decades that Christian beliefs are favored within cadet culture and leadership structures. In 2005, the Air Force launched a major investigation after cadets reported pressure to attend chapel services and adopt evangelical Christian beliefs. The review found that academy leaders had struggled to fully accommodate the religious needs of non-Christian cadets and had blurred the line between permissible religious expression and coercion.

Later climate surveys continued to highlight the issue. One 2010 survey found that 41 percent of cadets who identified as non-Christian said they had experienced unwanted religious proselytizing at least once or twice in a year.

“USAFA has long struggled with unlawful religious viewpoint discrimination, institutionally favoring Christianity over other religions,” said VanLandingham. “This appointment is not helpful in that regard.”

Federal law governing the Air Force Academy’s Board of Visitors divides appointment authority among the White House and congressional leadership. The panel’s members are selected by the president, the House speaker and House minority leader, the Senate majority and minority leaders, and the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate armed services committees.

Of the board’s 14 currently filled seats, 10 are held by members of Congress, including seven Republicans and three Democrats, compared to five Democrats and three Republicans in December 2022. The remaining four members are presidential appointees. Only a small minority of the board’s members have prior military experience.

Minutes from a December 2022 meeting during the Biden administration show that academy leaders briefed members on cadet welfare programs, admissions, and sexual violence prevention initiatives, a stark contrast to the priorities under Trump.

Astore, the retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, said the board historically drew little attention from faculty focused on cadet education. But he said recent meetings and Kirk’s appointment suggest a growing focus on ideological priorities rather than professional military education.

“I don’t think Erika Kirk is going to question why cadets aren’t learning their Clausewitz and Sun Tzu,” he said.

“It is telling and highly inappropriate that the White House, in announcing Kirk’s appointment, brought up Charlie Kirk’s ‘bold Christian faith,’” Gaylor, of Freedom From Religion Foundation, said, “as if that were a qualification for his widow serving on it. The Constitution still bars any religious test for public office, but apparently the White House isn’t aware of that.”

The White House did not respond to questions from The Intercept asking why Kirk was selected for the position.

Turning Point USA, the conservative activist organization founded by Charlie Kirk where his wife is now CEO and board chair, also did not respond to questions about what role she is expected to play on the board.

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A spokesperson for the academy said the institution “thanks all members of the Board of Visitors for their service and commitment to our mission,” and that according to federal law, “the institution does not influence or take a position on the selection of individual Board of Visitors members.”

But critics and former academy officials warned the changes could shape a generation of officers more loyal to political ideology than to the military’s traditional commitment to constitutional, nonpartisan service.

“They aren’t serious about developing officers of character at USAFA who can critically think and defend our nation most effectively through wise leadership,” VanLandingham said. “They are interested in turning the military into a Christian nationalist praetorian guard.”

The post Air Force Academy Prepares Ideological Overhaul, With Erika Kirk Bringing “Bold Christian Faith” appeared first on The Intercept.

Because of greater exposure to disruptions in the Middle East, such as high natural gas prices, businesses and consumers outside the U.S. are being hit harder by the war in Iran.

Can anyone derail the Connecticut juggernaut? Our contributors pick the winners, sleepers and upsets for this year’s women’s NCAA Tournament

There have been just four women’s Final Fours featuring all No 1 seeds. This year feels like it could give us the fifth. UConn v South Carolina would be a tantalizing rematch of last year’s national championship game – made even more interesting by the fact they didn’t meet in the regular season for the first time since 2014-15. Texas held off a late UCLA comeback when they played in November, but the Bruins have rolled off 25 straight wins since. EB

New Mexico prosecutors allege Meta prioritized profit, even as child abuse surged on Instagram and Facebook

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Meta is facing a reckoning over its child safety practices as a trial surfaces fresh allegations that the company prioritized profit incentives and engagement over protecting children.

The landmark trial in New Mexico has now completed its fifth week, with the state attorney general resting the case on 5 March. Proceedings are expected to continue for another week as Meta presents its defense before the jury begins deliberations.

Bizarre outbursts at the press, a backstory full of mishaps – the US ‘secretary of war’ earns his keep as the loyalty hire par excellence

Has there ever been a more ludicrous political character than Pete Hegseth, the US government’s so-called secretary of war, who makes Ronald Reagan look understated and urbane? Last week, Hegseth launched an attack on the American press for its coverage of Iran, which he called insufficiently “patriotic”. (A CNN commentator and former Republican congressman came back with “punk” and “cry baby” to describe Hegseth’s own demeanour.) When he stands at the podium with his Mr Incredible jaw and head extended, turtle-like, way out in front of his body, all you can think is this: which is a greater threat to American national security, Iran’s nuclear ambitions or Hegseth’s failure to meet even the most entry-level requirements for a person in his position?

The majority of Americans who know who he is – only about 70% of them, according to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center – don’t like the guy, and his petulant outbursts last week at the Pentagon can’t have helped. Since Donald Trump appointed him in January last year, what has become evident about Hegseth is that, like so many bullies, he backs down sharpish if he meets any significant pushback. “Jennifer, you’ve been about the worst,” snapped Hegseth to a Fox News reporter last June in a phrase we should all have had printed on T-shirts. (Jennifer Griffin elegantly countered “I take issue with that,” and Hegseth backed away and pivoted to another point.)

Trump says the U.S. will destroy a vast Iranian gas field if Tehran retaliates for an Israeli strike on the facility by attacking Qatar's infrastructure.

Ireland’s former taoiseach warns of conservative Russian influence and says US is now ‘off the pitch’ under Trump

LGBTQ+ rights in Europe are caught in a “chill wind” from east and west as Vladimir Putin’s Russia exports its conservative agenda and the “Americans are off the pitch” under Donald Trump, Ireland’s former taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said.

Varadkar, who in 2017 became Ireland’s first out gay prime minister, said Europe needed to “step up” to avoid the continent becoming further squeezed by global forces seeking to chip away at recent progress.

Trevor Milton, the pardoned founder of Nikola, is seeking $1 billion for AI-powered autonomous planes through a new venture called SyberJet. The Tech Buzz reports: "Autonomous planes will be 10 times harder than Nikola ever was," Milton told the Wall Street Journal in a rare interview. It's a remarkable admission from someone whose last venture collapsed under the weight of securities fraud charges after he overstated the capabilities of Nikola's electric and hydrogen-powered trucks. Milton was convicted in 2022 on three counts of fraud for misleading investors about Nikola's technology, including staging a video that made it appear a truck prototype was driving under its own power when it was actually rolling downhill. The conviction sent him to prison and turned Nikola into a cautionary tale about startup hype culture. His pardon, which came earlier this year, sparked immediate controversy in venture capital and legal circles. Now he's betting that AI and autonomous aviation represent a clean slate. SyberJet appears focused on developing artificial intelligence systems capable of piloting aircraft without human intervention - a technical challenge that's stumped even well-funded players like Boeing and Airbus. [...] Milton hasn't detailed SyberJet's technical approach or revealed who's backing the venture. The company's website remains sparse, and aviation industry sources say they haven't seen concrete demonstrations of the technology. That opacity echoes the early days of Nikola, when Milton made sweeping claims about revolutionary trucks that existed mostly in renderings and promotional videos. If you need a quick refresher on the Nikola saga, here's a timeline of key events: June, 2016: Nikola Motor Receives Over 7,000 Preorders Worth Over $2.3 Billion For Its Electric Truck December, 2016: Nikola Motor Company Reveals Hydrogen Fuel Cell Truck With Range of 1,200 Miles February, 2020: Nikola Motors Unveils Hybrid Fuel-Cell Concept Truck With 600-Mile Range June, 2020: Nikola Founder Exaggerated the Capability of His Debut Truck September, 2020: Nikola Motors Accused of Massive Fraud, Ocean of Lies September, 2020: Nikola Admits Prototype Was Rolling Downhill In Promo Video September, 2020: Nikola Founder Trevor Milton Steps Down as Chairman in Battle With Short Seller October, 2020: Nikola Stock Falls 14 Percent After CEO Downplays Badger Truck Plans November, 2020: Nikola Stock Plunges As Company Cancels Badger Pickup Truck July, 2021: Nikola Founder Trevor Milton Indicted on Three Counts of Fraud December, 2021: EV Startup Nikola Agrees To $125 Million Settlement September, 2022: Nikola Founder Lied To Investors About Tech, Prosecutor Says in Fraud Trial

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

• Miami bury 16 threes for statement March Madness win

• RedHawks quiet doubters after unbeaten regular season

• Prairie View A&M claim first ever NCAA Tournament win

Eian Elmer scored 22 points and Miami (Ohio) beat SMU 89-79 on Wednesday night in the First Four for their first NCAA Tournament victory in 27 years.

Elmer went 6 of 9 from three-point range as the 11th-seeded RedHawks (32-1), undefeated during the regular season, advanced in the Midwest Region to play No 6 seed Tennessee.

People struggle to cook and businesses bear brunt as closure of strait of Hormuz slows imports of liquefied petroleum gas

For four days, Maya Rani, 36, has been arriving each morning at a gas distributor’s office in Delhi, her six-month-old daughter in her lap, waiting for hours. And each day she returns home empty-handed, told that a cooking gas cylinder may not be available for at least another week. Around her, the queue keeps growing, people clutching forms and documents, hoping to secure a cylinder.

The flame in her kitchen began to fade last week and her husband, as he always does, took their 5kg cylinder to a local refiller. This time, there was nothing. The only option left was to apply for a government-subsidised supply, a process that has meant repeated visits, long waits and no certainty.

Nigeria had largest increase in terrorism-related deaths, ranking fourth in global index behind Pakistan, Burkina Faso and Niger

Jihadist violence rose sharply in Nigeria and Democratic Republic of Congo last year, even as global deaths from terrorism dropped to their lowest level in a decade, according to a new report.

Nigeria recorded the largest increase in terrorism deaths globally in 2025, with fatalities rising by 46% from 513 in 2024 to 750, placing it fourth in the Global Terrorism Index, behind Pakistan, Burkina Faso and Niger.

Driverless ‘robotaxis’ will be accepting fares in Britain’s biggest city by the end of next year. Can they deal with London’s medieval roads, hordes of pedestrians and errant ebikers? I got in the passenger seat to find out

‘I’m really excited to show you this,” says Alex Kendall, the CEO of Wayve, as he gets behind the wheel of one of the company’s electric Ford Mustangs. Then he does … nothing. The car pulls up to a junction at a busy road in King’s Cross, London, all by itself. “You can see that it’s going to control the speed, steering, brake, indicators,” he says to me – I’m in the passenger seat. “It’s making decisions as it goes. Here we’ve got an unprotected turn, where we’ve got to wait for a gap in traffic …” The steering wheel spins by itself and the car pulls out smoothly.

Riding in a self-driving car for the first time is a little like your first flight in an aeroplane: borderline terrifying for a few seconds, then reassuringly unremarkable. At least, that is my experience. By the time I step out, 20 minutes later, I’m convinced Wayve is a better driver than most humans – better than me, anyway.

How close are we to the sci-fi vision of autonomous humanoid robots? I visited 11 companies in five Chinese cities to find out

Chen Liang, the founder of Guchi Robotics, an automation company headquartered in Shanghai, is a tall, heavy-set man in his mid-40s with square-rimmed glasses. His everyday manner is calm and understated, but when he is in his element – up close with the technology he builds, or in business meetings discussing the imminent replacement of human workers by robots – he wears an exuberant smile that brings to mind an intern on his first day at his dream job. Guchi makes the machines that install wheels, dashboards and windows for many of the top Chinese car brands, including BYD and Nio. He took the name from the Chinese word guzhi, “steadfast intelligence”, though the fact that it sounded like an Italian luxury brand was not entirely unwelcome.

For the better part of two decades, Chen has tried to solve what, to him, is an engineering problem: how to eliminate – or, in his view, liberate – as many workers in car factories as technologically possible. Late last year, I visited him at Guchi headquarters on the western outskirts of Shanghai. Next to the head office are several warehouses where Guchi’s engineers tinker with robots to fit the specifications of their customers. Chen, an engineer by training, founded Guchi in 2019 with the aim of tackling the hardest automation task in the car factory: “final assembly”, the last leg of production, when all the composite pieces – the dashboard, windows, wheels and seat cushions – come together. At present, his robots can mount wheels, dashboards and windows on to a car without any human intervention, but 80% of the final assembly, he estimates, has yet to be automated. That is what Chen has set his sights on.

Though two men were arrested for allegedly pelting officers with snow, the mayor waved off the incident

A blizzard brought New York to a standstill on 23 February, with schools across the city closed. Restless young people without anywhere to go began to gather in Washington Square Park, summoned by Instagram chatshow Sidetalk, which wanted to stage an almighty snowball fight. A sea of young men in ski goggles gathered, armed with phones in one hand and balls of ice in the other. Cannonballs of snow flew across the sky. Others backflipped off snowmen or wrestled on the snow. The scene was of good-natured pandemonium.

“But it started getting chaotic once people were throwing gigantic blocks of ice. That’s when I left,” says Gabriella Yankovich who stopped by on her lunchbreak. “Boys being boys.”

How Sheinbaum can counter Trump’s threats.

And why it augurs a more dangerous world.

A group of House Democrats walked out of a closed-door briefing with Attorney General Pam Bondi on the Jeffrey Epstein probe late Wednesday, as tensions over the DOJ's handling of the Epstein case continue to simmer.

Reported inquiry predates Joe Kent’s departure from his post as director of the national counter-terrorism center

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The resignation of Joe Kent, a senior counter-terrorism official who spoke out against the US war in Iran, took a dramatic turn on Wednesday with a report that he is under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) over an alleged leak of classified information.

The inquiry predates Kent’s departure on Tuesday from his post as director of the national counterterrorism center, where he had overseen the analysis of terrorist threats, according to Semafor and CBS News. The FBI declined to comment on the existence of any such investigation.

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Iran is still exporting millions of barrels of oil, with about 90 ships, including oil tankers, having crossed the strait of Hormuz since the beginning of the war with Iran, according to maritime and trade data platforms reports.

This is despite Iran saying it had closed the vital waterway to vessels from the US and its allies.

An anonymous reader quotes a report from TechCrunch: The FBI has resumed purchasing reams of Americans' data and location histories to aid federal investigations, the agency's director, Kash Patel, testified to lawmakers on Wednesday. This is the first time since 2023 that the FBI has confirmed it was buying access to people's data collected from data brokers, who source much of their information -- including location data -- from ordinary consumer phone apps and games, per Politico. At the time, then-FBI director Christopher Wray told senators that the agency had bought access to people's location data in the past but that it was not actively purchasing it. When asked by U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, Democrat of Oregon, if the FBI would commit to not buying Americans' location data, Patel said that the agency "uses all tools ... to do our mission." "We do purchase commercially available information that is consistent with the Constitution and the laws under the Electronic Communications Privacy Act -- and it has led to some valuable intelligence for us," Patel testified Wednesday. Wyden said buying information on Americans without obtaining a warrant was an "outrageous end-run around the Fourth Amendment," referring to the constitutional law that protects people in America from device searches and data seizures.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

• Cristian Espinoza goal leads Nashville to quarter-finals

• Messi’s milestone the highlight for Inter Miami

• Match was Miami’s last at Chase Stadium before move

Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi reached a milestone, but Nashville SC got a ticket to the next round of the Concacaf Champions Cup.

In a 1-1 draw, Messi got the 900th goal of his career, but a second-half strike from Nashville’s Cristian Espinoza sent Inter Miami packing on away goals after the second leg of their round of 16 matchup on Wednesday night.

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for March 19.

Independent committee to investigate safety standards and whether building practices contributed to worst residential fires in decades

• How the Hong Kong fire unfolded – visual guide

Public hearings in Hong Kong begin on Thursday into a devastating fire that ripped through a housing complex last year, killing 168 people.

A judge-led independent committee will investigate whether fire safety standards were inadequate, if construction practices contributed to the fire, and if there were failures on the part of government officers or contractors.

The detention of Dylan Lopez Contreras, 20, of Venezuela, a freshman in the Bronx, sparked national outrage

A New York high school student who was detained at an immigration courthouse in May last year, sparking national outrage, was released on Wednesday.

Dylan Lopez Contreras, 21, of Venezuela was a freshman at Ellis Prep academy, a Bronx public school dedicated exclusively to students who have recently arrived in the US. It was the first widely known instance of a public school student being arrested by federal immigration agents.

Lawmakers leave closed-door meeting after AG refuses to commit to honoring subpoena to testify under oath

Democrats on the House oversight committee walked out of a closed-door briefing from attorney general Pam Bondi about the Jeffrey Epstein files on Wednesday, leaving what California congressman Robert Garcia called “an outrageous fake hearing” after Bondi refused to commit to honoring a subpoena to testify under oath.

The committee voted to subpoena Bondi earlier this month, with five Republicans joining Democrats to demand that the attorney general answer questions about the justice department’s failure to properly release files from the federal investigations into Epstein.

Costa Rica on Wednesday closed its embassy in Havana and told Cuba's Communist government to pull its diplomats from Costa Rica.