ALBUQUERQUE – A Sanostee man pleaded guilty to a violent assault that left a woman seriously injured.
According to court records, Nathan Mescale, 36, and enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, admitted that on December 2 and December 3, 2023, he assaulted Jane Doe, and the assault caused her serious bodily injury.
At sentencing, Mescale faces a maximum of 10 years in prison. Upon his release from prison, Mescale will be subject to up to three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Philip Russell, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with the assistance of the Navajo Police Department and Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mia Ulibarri-Rubin is prosecuting the case.
SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man was sentenced in a federal court in San Antonio to 151 months in prison for firearms trafficking.
According to court documents, Joel Alejandro Martinez aka Bo Jackson, 26, was identified by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as being a frequent seller of stolen firearms in online chat groups. On Jan. 10, 2024, Martinez posted two pistols for sale and agreed to sell them at a location in San Antonio. He stated that he did not have a car but his mother, codefendant Margarita Hernandez Martinez, would drive him. On Feb. 28, 2024, at the agreed upon time, Martinez arrived at the location, driven by his mother, and unloaded a black rifle case from the truck, placed it in the backseat of the purchaser’s vehicle, and got in the front seat of the purchaser’s car. The purchaser gave Martinez $1,100 in cash for the .308 caliber rifle.
Later that day, Martinez contacted the purchaser to ask what else they might be interested in purchasing. The purchaser, an undercover ATF agent, indicated that they purchase all sorts of firearms but also deal in “cheap throwaways stolen.” Martinez responded to the undercover agent, “I got you,” and indicated that he could supply AR-style rifles and pistols. He later told the undercover that he purchased stolen or crime-involved guns in large batches and agreed to sell four pistols to the undercover for $1,600. In another conversation, the agent told Martinez that he, “buys them for cheap and will move them to Mexico.”
The undercover agent met with Martinez—driven by his mother—three more times between March 5, 2024 and April 11, 2024, to conduct sales of firearms, at least one of which Martinez knew and had reasonable cause to believe was stolen.
Martinez’s mother, Hernandez Martinez, was sentenced on April 25 to 40 months in prison for aiding and abetting.
Federal District Court Judge Jason K. Pulliam sentenced both defendants.
U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.
The ATF investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zack Parsons prosecuted the case.
Source: ASEAN – Association of SouthEast Asian Nations
The 34th Meeting of the ASEAN Directors-General of Customs (DGs) was held on 3 – 5 June 2025 in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam. The Meeting was chaired by Mr. Azizil Hakim Brahim, Acting Controller of Customs, Royal Customs and Excise Department, Brunei Darussalam and attended by 10 ASEAN Member States (AMS) and the ASEAN Secretariat.
We express concern over the recent introduction of unilateral tariffs by the U.S. This has caused uncertainty and will bring significant challenges to businesses, especially micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), as well as to global trade dynamics. The unprecedented imposition of tariffs by the U.S. will disrupt regional and global trade and investment flows, as well as supply chains, affecting businesses worldwide and hindering economic progress in ASEAN. We reaffirm our support for a predictable, transparent, free, fair, inclusive, sustainable, and rules-based multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core, and we acknowledge the critical role that the WTO has played in fostering global economic growth. ASEAN will remain steadfast in deepening our regional economic integration, leveraging on opportunities amidst global challenges. We will continue to work together more closely, with greater unity and solidarity and remain committed to ASEAN’s rule-based trade. This collective effort will enable ASEAN to cope with and overcome the global trade crisis, minimise the impact on our people, and continue to grow sustainably.
Download the full statement here
The post Joint Media Statement of the 34th Meeting of the ASEAN Directors-General of Customs appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.
Premier David Eby has issued the following statement marking Eid al-Adha:
“Today, Muslims in British Columbia and around the world will gather to celebrate the holiest days in the Muslim calendar.
“Eid al-Adha, also known as the Feast of the Sacrifice, commemorates the devotion of the Prophet Ibrahim.
“Muslims will gather to pray at their local mosque, to share meals with loved ones and to provide food to people in need. The values of charity and kindliness are central to the celebration of Eid al-Adha.
“Eid al-Adha also marks the conclusion of Hajj, the annual pilgrimage made by Muslims to the Holy City of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
“This joyous and sacred celebration offers an opportunity for all of us to reflect on how fortunate we are in British Columbia to have diverse and vibrant Muslim communities with connections to every corner of the world. Those communities make tremendous contributions in making our province a better place.
H.R. 1107 would permanently authorize certain health care professionals employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to prescribe, deliver, and dispense controlled substances to eligible VA patients via telemedicine, regardless of whether they have conducted an in-person medical examination. VA has had temporary authority to do so since the start of the COVID-19 public health emergency. CBO anticipates that implementing the bill would change how prescriptions for certain controlled substances are fulfilled but would not significantly change the number of medications prescribed or dispensed.
Based on the cost of similar regulatory efforts, CBO estimates that updating VA policies and guidance documents to reflect the permanent authority in the bill would cost less than $500,000 over the 2025-2030 period; any related spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Noah Callahan. The estimate was reviewed by Christina Hawley Anthony, Deputy Director of Budget Analysis.
On June 5th and 6th, the NATO Military Committee conducted an official visit to Luxembourg at the invitation of the Chief of Defence, General Steve Thull. During the visit, the Committee toured the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) and Société Européenne des Satellites (SES). The Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, also met with the Minister of Defence of Luxembourg, Yuriko Backes.
The Military Committee was welcomed by the Chief of Defence General Steve Thull, and received briefings on Luxembourg’s contributions to NATO operations, missions, and activities, most notably Luxembourg’s significant contributions in cyber and space capabilities.
Following this, the Military Committee visited SES, a global leader in satellite-based content connectivity, which included a briefing on GovSat, a public-private partnership between the Government of Luxembourg and SES. GovSat provides secure and reliable governmental satellite communication services to Allied nations and NATO. The visit highlighted the importance of strengthening strategic partnerships in satellite communications, cyber security, and resilient connectivity.
On the second day, Admiral Cavo Dragone met with Minister of Defence of Luxembourg, Yuriko Backes, to discuss the global security environment, focusing in particular on Luxembourg’s contributions to NATO. Their meeting also addressed the outcomes of the recent Meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence and Luxembourg’s approach to implementing its capability targets.
The visit concluded at the NSPA, where the Military Committee was briefed on how the NSPA links industry and nations’ requirements to find the most efficient, effective and responsive solutions for the Alliance, its nations and partners. This included a briefing on the NSPA’s strategic initiatives in supporting Ukraine. Admiral Cavo Dragone emphasised that NATO’s strength lies in its unity, and that “more defence investment should always lead to more security’. He underscored the importance of a collective approach to planning and praised the NSPA for its close involvement in these efforts.
Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)
Issued by: on
VIRAC, Philippines (June 2, 2025) – Hawaii National Guardsmen and personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines conduct urban rescue training with local emergency responders and civilian authorities in Virac, Philippines, June 2, 2025. This effort is part of a two-week urban rescue training exercise supporting the humanitarian assistance and disaster response objectives of Pacific Partnership 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jordan Jennings)
Headline: ICC proposal to reduce tax challenges of cross-border teleworking
Five years after the pandemic, many organisations have largely returned to office-centric working models. Yet, the crisis fundamentally changed how we work, establishing new expectations around flexibility and remote work that continue to persist. In many ways, we accidentally discovered a way of working that actually fits how people live – one where handling a family crisis abroad didn’t preclude delivering excellent work.
This shift in expectations has created a new reality for businesses navigating the complex tax risks of flexible work arrangements.
The gap between employee needs and tax reality
ICC’s 2023 internal global survey of its members revealed that over 80% of employers receive temporary teleworking requests prompted by family circumstances, health-related needs, caregiving responsibilities, or the use of a secondary residence. Despite these arrangements generally being temporary and arising from normal life circumstances, employers frequently find themselves caught between employee expectations and regulatory uncertainty. These seemingly straightforward requests are hampered due to concerns around permanent establishment risk – the potential for creating a taxable business presence in another country – employer tax and social security obligations, and complex compliance requirements.
The 60-day teleworking solution
To address these challenges, ICC has proposed the introduction of a 60-day teleworking ‘safe harbour’, under which an employee’s temporary physical presence in a jurisdiction for teleworking purposes would not, in itself, give rise to a permanent establishment risk, or trigger employer-related tax or social security liabilities. The proposal aligns to the broader principles of international tax law, would not affect a country’s tax rights beyond a limited scope, and can be considered and reflected in the revised Commentary to Article 5 OECD Model Tax Convention and in the Commentary to the UN Tax Convention, without the need to work on a new article.
Why this benefits everyone, from business to country
For companies, ‘safe harbour’ eliminates legal uncertainty, allows for project continuity and continued revenue generation, and transforms potential talent retention risks into a competitive advantage.
For people, it supports workforce well-being by accommodating short-term teleworking needs in times of personal, medical or geopolitical emergencies.
For tax authorities, it reduces enforcement and compliance burdens and eliminates low-risk, low-revenue case loads from already stretched resources.
For countries, it ensures that the employee’s country of employment retains its income tax revenue, while the temporary work location benefits from increased consumption and sales tax receipts.
How it would work in practice
The proposal is built around several key components:
Short-term and on request: The presence of an employee in a country different from the country of employment should be limited in time (e.g. maximum of 60 days per year) and at the request of the employee.
A clear definition of a day: Consistent with approaches in tax residency rules, a day should be counted if any work activity is performed from the jurisdiction in question.
Individual treatment of multiple employees abroad: The presence of multiple employees in the same country should not be treated cumulatively for determining employer tax liabilities. Each employee’s teleworking days should be assessed independently to avoid unintentionally triggering permanent establishment risks or compliance obligations based on collective presence.
Administrative simplification: Where possible, encourage administrative filing to be done in a single country through optional one-stop-shop mechanisms or employer-led tax remittance models..
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas – The Naval Medical Forces Development Command (NMFDC) is enhancing the Navy’s expeditionary forces’ ability to provide critical en-route medical care by establishing a new Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) – Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Appliance servicing company which used high pressure sales tactics on elderly and vulnerable is shut down
Service Plan UK Ltd pressured elderly people – some of whom had Alzheimer’s and dementia – into service agreements to protect household appliances.
UK Service Plan Ltd sold monthly and annual plans which they said would provide service cover for household appliances.
The company had a pattern of behaviour which involved targeting the elderly and vulnerable and creating direct debits without permission.
The company was subject to a successful winding up order at the High Court in London on 19 May 2025, and its director was disqualified for eight years.
A company which used high pressure sales tactics to sell service plans for household appliances has been shut down after an Insolvency Service investigation found it targeted the elderly and vulnerable.
UK Service Plan Ltd, registered at Princess Street in Manchester and formerly Trafalgar Place, Brighton, offered protection plans for white goods to cover the cost of callouts, replacement parts and labour.
The company charged around £29 a month for a service plan, and some people were persuaded to take on lengthy agreements of up to three and five years.
Additionally, the company pressured people – some via cold calls – into buying plans by offering a discount which they falsely claimed was only applicable if they pay on the day.
The Insolvency Service looked at 14 complaints which had been received from UK Service Plan Ltd customers, all of whom were over the age of 71.
Seven of the complainants were described as being vulnerable, with variable memory recall and conditions including Alzheimer’s or dementia.
Three were cold called despite being registered with the Telephone Preference Service.
Six had direct debits set up apparently without their permission and three were told they were existing customers when they were not.
Insolvency Service Chief Investigator Mark George said:
UK Service Plan Ltd targeted and pressured some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
They were persuaded into buying a service agreement, which it appears many did not want or need.
Being able to shut this company down is a vital step toward protecting the public from becoming victims of their bad business practices.
The company was not represented at the hearing and did not defend the petition, with the company’s director – 41-year-old Mohamed Anoir Dhimi, of Manchester – giving an undertaking to the court not to be involved in the promotion, formation or management of any company whose business is in the same or a similar field for a period of eight years.
Dhimi did not fully co-operate with the investigation and provided limited information to the Insolvency Service.
As evidence of poor trading practice, between August 2021 and July 2022, it was found the company had paid more than £200,000 in refunds to 740 people.
In 2022, the company claimed to have a turnover of more than two million pounds.
But the recorded cash in the filed accounts did not match the balance in the known bank account at the relevant date.
In addition, the company failed to maintain accurate records and accounts the company filed at Companies House contained potentially false information.
UK Service Plan Ltd, incorporated in 2021, was last registered at an address on Princess Street in Manchester. It claimed to have 10 employees, but no actual trading address has been found.
The company had previously been registered in London and Brighton.
The Official Receiver has been appointed as liquidator of UK Service Plan Ltd.
The Insolvency Service worked in collaboration with Trading Standards on the investigation.
All enquiries concerning the affairs of the company should be made to the Official Receiver of Public Interest Unit: PO Box 16664, Birmingham, B2 2JQ. piu.or@insolvency.gov.uk.
Mohamed Anoir Dhimi: Date of Birth, October 1983. Address: Princess Street, Manchester.
The Insolvency Service can investigate complaints about corporate abuse by live companies. This may include serious misconduct, fraud, scams or dishonest practice in the way the company operates. Further information on our live investigations can be found here
Further information about the work of the Insolvency Service, and how to complain about financial misconduct.
An iconic Second World War aircraft will fly over Stoke-on-Trent later this week as part of the city’s Centenary celebrations.
The People’s Parade and Party in the Park, taking place on Saturday, 7 June 2025, will be marked by a flypast from a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster Bomber.
One of the most notable aircraft of the Second World War, the Lancaster became famous for its role in the Dambusters raids and missions over occupied Europe.
The aircraft, will approach from west to east just after 3pm, flying over Stoke on Trent College, across Hanley Park and then the city centre, providing a striking tribute from the skies as the Party in the Park unfolds below.
One of only two airworthy Lancasters in the world, the plane is part of the Royal Air Force’s Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and is a powerful symbol of the UK’s wartime resilience.
Stoke-on-Trent Lord Mayor, and Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Steve Watkins, said: “I’m honoured to welcome the RAF’s iconic Lancaster Bomber to our skies for the very first Stoke-on-Trent Day.
“This flypast will be a spectacular moment – visually striking, but also deeply meaningful. It stands as a powerful tribute to our city’s role in the Second World War and our long-standing history of service and resilience.
“In our Centenary year, this is especially poignant. I encourage everyone to find a good vantage point, look to the skies and take pride in the rich heritage of Stoke-on-Trent.”
The Lancaster can be tracked on the day via Flight Radar 24 using aircraft reference PA474.
The People’s Parade is a major event in the city’s Centenary programme and will feature community groups, marching bands, artists and performers from across all six towns. The Party in the Park will keep the 100th birthday celebrations going in Hanley Park until 6pm.
For more information and the full Centenary programme go to: sot100.org.uk.
Plymouth City Council has welcomed the Government’s announcement that more children will benefit from free school meals at school.
From September 2026, the Government has announced that any child whose household is on Universal Credit will be entitled to free school meals.
Currently, children are only eligible if their household receives Universal Credit and has an annual income of less than £7,400 per year.
The expanded eligibility will mean that more than 10,000 Plymouth children in school years 3 to 11 will be able to benefit from a free, healthy and nutritious lunch during each school day.
All children in Reception, Year 1 and 2 already receive universal free school meals.
Councillor Sally Cresswell, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Apprenticeships, said: “This is a hugely positive step forward for children and families in Plymouth. This is about children thriving and achieving, and we know that access to a healthy, balanced meal at school can make a real difference to a child’s wellbeing, concentration, and academic performance.
“We recognise the pressures that many households are facing and this change will help to reduce child poverty and food insecurity.
“We’ll be working closely with our schools and catering providers to ensure that there’s a smooth and effective rollout of this policy in 2026, so that as many children as possible can benefit.”
In his report to the Seventy-eighth World Health Assembly on Pillar 3 of WHO’s Triple Billion targets: One billion more people enjoying better health and well-being, the WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus drew attention to the under-recognized fact that 24% of all fatalities are linked to modifiable environmental factors including chemicals, waste and pollution. His report detailed some of the challenges that exist, especially in low- and middle-income countries. In particular, he pointed out that the low availability of critically needed poison centers in more than half of all countries worldwide and the paucity of health surveillance systems to monitor the impact of chemicals and waste on human health make it very difficult to provide effective prevention and response.
Of more than 100 000 chemicals in everyday commerce, the lack of information on their harmful properties leads to further challenges, including how to respond to releases of these chemicals to the environment, such as in the case of chemical accidents and leaks.
To strengthen the capacity of health professionals, emergency responders, and technical partners to manage chemical incidents safely and effectively, WHO has led the development of a new four-part online learning series on chemical hazards.
Part I: An Introduction to Chemical Hazards helps learners distinguish between everyday chemicals and those used as chemical warfare agents (CWAs). It also introduces toxic industrial chemicals (TICs) and provides real-world examples of accidental and intentional chemical releases. Course participants gain hands-on experience using a digital tool to identify and mitigate chemical threats.
Part II: Elements for Assessment builds on this foundation by teaching participants how to recognize and interpret environmental, clinical, and classification evidence to assess chemical releases. This course is ideal for those involved in early-stage incident investigation and response.
Part III: Immediate Actions at the Event Site focuses on operational safety and decision-making at the scene of a chemical incident. Learners explore how to arrive safely, position themselves appropriately, and adapt their actions based on the evolving situation.
Part IV: Response at the Hospital Site, currently in development, will address the management of chemical victims upon arrival at health-care facilities. This module will include standard operating procedures and best practices for triage, decontamination, and treatment.
These courses are available free of charge on the WHO Academy platform and are designed to be completed in sequence for maximum impact. They are part of WHO’s broader efforts to enhance global preparedness and response to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats.
Related links:
Course 1, Chemical Hazards Part I: An Introduction to Chemical Hazards: WHO Academy
Course 2, Chemical Hazards Part II: Elements for Assessment: WHO Academy
Course 3, Chemical Hazards Part III: Immediate Actions at the Event Site: WHO Academy
Course 4, Response at the hospital site (in development)
The Secretary-General has learned of the passing of former President Edgar Chagwa Lungu of Zambia. Former President Lungu made significant contributions to diplomacy and spearheaded key infrastructure projects in the country during his tenure. The Secretary-General extends his condolences to his family, the Government and the people of Zambia.
Montreal, Quebec, June 6th, 2025 – Canada Border Services Agency
On May 23, 2025, Canadian border services officers at Montreal’s Marine and Rail Service intercepted and seized 577.43 kg of suspected cannabis from a container in the process of being exported to the Netherlands.
During inspection of the container, border services officers detected the contraband concealed in 1,023 vacuum-sealed packages hidden in custom-built crates and surrounded by bundles of engineered wood. The cannabis is valued at over CA $4.2 million.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is committed to protecting our communities from contraband and organized crime. CBSA reiterates that although cannabis has been legalized and regulated in Canada, importing or exporting cannabis in any form without a permit or exception authorized by Health Canada is a serious criminal offence, punishable by arrest and prosecution.
Today, Sherry Romanado, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence, on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), joined CSA President Lisa Campbell and the Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA), Dr. Josef Aschbacher, at the John H. Chapman Space Centre (the CSA‘s headquarters in Longueuil). The two heads of space agencies signed a joint statement reaffirming Canada and ESA‘s unique, proven and productive partnership. This signature marks a key milestone in the mid-term review of the Canada–ESA Cooperation Agreement.
For nearly 50 years, the Canada–ESA Cooperation Agreement has advanced Canadian innovation and expertise on the world stage. Canada’s unique status as ESA‘s only non-European cooperating state gives Canadian companies privileged access to the European space market. Every dollar awarded to Canadian companies through ESA contracts generates nearly three dollars in return, benefitting Canadian businesses and injecting value into the Canadian economy.
This collaboration helps Canada’s space sector build long-term relationships with the European space community and contributes to strengthening innovation, competitiveness, and technological capabilities. It has propelled numerous Canadian organizations to the forefront of their fields, positioning Canadian expertise at the heart of bold international space missions.
Dr. Aschbacher‘s visit to Canada was a unique and timely opportunity to underscore the deep ties between the space programs of Canada and Europe and to emphasize the shared commitment to fortifying their alliance in order to accelerate and grow their respective space sectors. As Canada looks to strengthen its ties with like-minded countries, including those in Europe, this longstanding partnership provides an opportunity and a proven path for Canada to bolster diversification of the space sector for the benefit of Canadians.
Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, spoke with the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi.
The two leaders discussed the longstanding relationship between Canada and India, including deep people-to-people ties and significant commercial links. Importantly, there was agreement to continued law enforcement dialogue and discussions addressing security concerns.
Prime Minister Carney extended an invitation to Prime Minister Modi to attend Canada’s 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta.
Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Modi agreed to remain in contact and looked forward to meeting at the G7 Leaders’ Summit later this month.
Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, issued the following statement:
Today, Muslim communities in Canada and around the world are marking Eid al-Adha.
This sacred day in the Islamic calendar celebrates the conclusion of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, known as the Hajj. It is observed with morning prayers, social and family gatherings, festive meals and charitable donations to the most vulnerable people in our society.
The spirit of Eid al-Adha—meaning the Feast of Sacrifice or Greater Eid—is one of happiness and gratitude. Yet it comes at a time of ongoing war and conflict, bringing fear and anxiety to Canadians with loved ones in Gaza, the West Bank, Sudan and many other regions. Canada remains committed to supporting ceasefire efforts in Gaza, as well as the urgent safe and unimpeded access to humanitarian aid for civilians.
This year, the holiday also coincides with the fourth anniversary of the tragic terrorist attack on a Canadian Muslim family killed in London, Ontario on June 6, 2021. Fondly remembered as “Our London Family,” their lives were taken simply because they were Muslim, in a horrifying act of Islamophobia.
Our government stands with the community in London, with all those affected by this tragedy, and with all victims of Islamophobia and every form of hatred. We are committed to ensuring that all Canadians feel safe and protected in their communities. This includes providing at-risk communities with access to financial support to protect their gathering spaces and to launch local initiatives that bring Canadians together and combat racism. We also continue to work with Canada’s Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia, Amira Elghawaby, to fight Islamophobia, including with The Canadian Guide on Understanding and Combatting Islamophobia: For a more inclusive Canada.
The Canadian identity is rooted in our diversity. Canada is stronger because of its people, their different backgrounds, and the stories that make our mosaic one of the most vibrant and unique in the world.
On behalf of the Government of Canada, I wish all Muslims in Canada a happy Eid al-Adha, celebrated in unity, solidarity and peace.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) announced the opening of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge for middle and high school students in Pennsylvania’s 16th Congressional District. This annual competition encourages students to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by creating and showcasing their own software applications.
“The Congressional App Challenge is a fantastic opportunity for our young innovators to demonstrate their creativity and technical skills,” said Rep. Kelly. “I am continually impressed by the talent and ingenuity of our students, and I look forward to seeing the innovative apps they develop this year.”
Competition Details:
Eligibility: Open to all middle and high school students residing or attending school in Pennsylvania’s 16th Congressional District.
Registration Deadline: September 30, 2025.
Submission Deadline: October 30, 2025
Students are encouraged to register early to receive updates and resources.
How to Participate:
Register for the competition at: www.CongressionalAppChallenge.us
Develop an original app on any platform (e.g., mobile, web, desktop).
Submit the app along with a demonstration video and required documentation by the submission deadline.
The winning app from Pennsylvania’s 16th District will be featured on the Congressional App Challenge website and displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building. Winners will also be invited to the #HouseOfCode celebration in Washington, D.C., where they can showcase their app to Members of Congress and the tech community.
For more information, please contact Julie Swartfager, Director of Constituent Services, at Julie.Swartfager@mail.house.gov.
Learn more about the competition at Kelly.House.Gov/Services/Congressional-App-Challenge and at www.congressionalappchallenge.us/
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)
Dingell Statement on New Trump Travel Ban
Washington, June 5, 2025
Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) released the following statement on Donald Trump’s new travel ban.
“Donald Trump’s renewed travel ban will not make us safer, it will create more division. It’s based on bigotry and xenophobia, just like the last one. U.S. policy should not be guided by hatred. This travel ban should not stand, and we must fight against it.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)
Today, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Congressman John Joyce, M.D. (R-PA), Congresswoman Deborah Ross (D-NC), and Congressman Dave Joyce (R-OH) introduced the SAFE Sunscreen Standards Act to streamline the FDA review process of the effectiveness and safety of new ingredients for nonprescription sunscreens.
“We know sunscreen is an incredibly effective, affordable tool to prevent the most common cancer in our country, yet America still lacks the same sunscreen technology that many other nations are using,” Rep. Dingell said. “We should be making it as easy as possible for people to get the best sunscreen available. This bill will allow for the FDA to approve new, advanced sunscreen ingredients to better protect Americans from dangerous sun exposure and reduce their risk of skin cancer.”
“As a physician legislator and a board-certified dermatologist, I have seen firsthand the benefits of sunscreens to help prevent melanoma and other skin cancers,” said Rep. John Joyce, M.D. “It is very disappointing that the FDA has ignored Congressional intent and continues to stall the approval of new sunscreen ingredients despite legislation to streamline this process. Through the introduction of the bipartisan SAFE Sunscreen Standards Act, we can ensure that the FDA quickly approves new sunscreen ingredients, giving the American public access to the best skin protection available.”
“Skin cancer continues to affect far too many Americans, so it’s imperative that we make high-quality sunscreen more available,” said Rep. Ross. “For too long, outdated FDA rules have kept Americans from accessing the most effective sun protection available. This bipartisan bill is a commonsense step to modernize the approval process and keep families safe and healthy during the summer months and beyond.”
“As skin cancer rates continue to rise across the country, it’s unacceptable that sunscreen innovation has remained virtually stagnant,”said Rep. Dave Joyce, Co-Chair of the Skin Cancer Caucus.“As a melanoma survivor, I understand the importance of quality sunscreen and am proud to introduce this legislation to fast track the review and implementation of new sunscreen products. It’s high time for the Food and Drug Administration to start a new chapter in skin health and embrace new advancements that will expand access to cutting-edge sunscreens for all Americans. As we enter the summer months, I encourage everyone to continue taking proactive, preventative measures for their skin health.”
Background:
The United States represents approximately one-third of all global skin cancer diagnoses.
Over 5 million Americans are treated for skin cancer each year at a cost of over $8 billion.
The estimated number of new melanoma cases diagnosed in 2025 is projected to increase by 5.9 percent.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and unlike many cancers whose origin is unknown, we know that sun exposure is the primary cause of skin cancer.
In 2014, Congress passed the Sunscreen Innovation Act to establish a process for review and approval of active sunscreen ingredients.
Despite this legislation, it has been more than twenty years since the FDA approved of new sunscreen ingredients.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Levin (CA-49)
June 05, 2025
Today, U.S. Representatives Mike Levin (CA-49) and Angie Craig (MN-02) reintroduced legislation to require that carbon monoxide detectors be installed in every hotel and motel room and short-term rental across the country.
Rep. Craig originally introduced the Stay Safe Act in 2020 after hearing the story of Minnesotan Leslie Lienemann. While travelling for a hockey tournament, Leslie and her son were hospitalized with serious illnesses due to near-fatal carbon monoxide levels being left undetected in their hotel room.
“Every year, too many families fall victim to the silent killer of carbon monoxide,” said Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49). “That includes John Heathco, the son of my constituents, Chuck and Jill Heathco, who lost his life to a preventable carbon monoxide leak while on vacation. Their story is a powerful reminder that we have the tools to prevent these tragedies, but we must use them. We must turn this tragedy into legislation to prevent incidents like John’s from happening again.”
“We have the tools to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning and save lives – and we should be using them,” said Rep. Angie Craig (MN-02). “I first introduced this legislation to require carbon monoxide detectors be installed in every hotel and motel room after hearing tragic stories like the Lienemanns’. It’s time to get this common-sense bill signed into law before another American family has to suffer from the impacts of carbon monoxide poisoning.”
The Minnesota legislature passed similar legislation to require carbon monoxide in hotels, motels and lodges, which went into effect on August 1, 2024.
The bill is endorsed by the National Hockey League, Consumer Federation of America, the National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Association, the Jenkins Foundation, the Lienemann Family and the John Wesley Heathco Legacy Foundation.
“My son and I suffer life-long physical and emotional effects of carbon monoxide poisoning because there was no carbon monoxide alarm in our hotel room. Carbon monoxide is undetectable without a CO alarm. Even as our poisoning symptoms worsened, nothing warned us to escape the dangerous level of poison gas. Luckily, we went to the emergency room before our exposure became fatal. Other families lose their loved ones needlessly,” said Leslie Lienemann. “We urge Congress to take the only effective action to prevent CO injury and death by requiring hotels to install CO detectors. Thank you, Rep. Craig, for protecting families as they travel. No family should suffer death or injury from carbon monoxide for lack of a CO alarm.”
“No other family should have to endure the pain we have experienced by losing Johnny,” said Jill Heathco, the mother of John Heathco. “He died from something that could have been prevented, and our family’s mission going forward is to do everything we can so no other traveler loses their life to carbon monoxide poisoning. This legislation is a critical step in that mission because it will require hotels to do the bare minimum to protect their guests and staff from this deadly gas by installing CO detectors. We appreciate that Representative Craig and Representative Levin have introduced this bill, and we urge all members of Congress to support it because it’s needed, it’s commonsense, and it will save lives.”
You can read the full text of the Stay Safe Acthere.
Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
Kevin Colantonio, 36, pleaded guilty in February 2025 to malicious damage by means of fire, obstruction of free exercise of religious beliefs, and two counts of assault on a federal officer. He was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr., to more than six years in federal prison. He intentionally set multiple fires around the exterior of a predominantly black church in North Providence, RI, in February 2024, and assaulted two federal correctional officers while detained at a federal detention center following his arrest.
“This defendant acted with disdain against people of faith and complete disregard for law enforcement officers,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon. “The Civil Rights Division will continue to vigorously prosecute anti-Christian bias in the United States and ensure Americans are free to worship without fear.”
Colantonio previously admitted to a federal judge that on Feb. 11, 2024, he used gasoline and a lighter he purchased minutes earlier at a gas station within walking distance of Shiloh Gospel Temple Ministries, to ignite five fires around the exterior of the church. The fires were quickly extinguished by North Providence officers, but not before the church sustained some damage.
During a Feb. 15, 2024, court-authorized search of Colantonio’s residence, an accelerant detection canine indicated a positive reaction on several items of seized clothing. These items matched the clothing Colantonio was wearing on the night of the arson, based upon surveillance footage. Colantonio admitted to setting the fires and assaulting the corrections officers.
Acting U.S. Attorney Sara Miron Bloom for the District of Rhode Island and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division made the announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter I. Roklan for the District of Rhode Island and Taylor Payne of the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.
The fires set at the Shiloh Gospel Temple Ministries were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with members of the North Providence, RI, Police Department and the Rhode Island State Fire Marshal’s Office. The assault of the federal officers was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Press release
Scotland Office partnership with Scottish Chambers of Commerce
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray, joined by his sleeping baby daughter, and Scottish Chambers of Commerce Chief Executive Liz Cameron sign the deal in Edinburgh
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray, joined by his sleeping baby daughter, at today’s partnership agreement signing with Scottish Chambers of Commerce Chief Executive Liz Cameron in Queen Elizabeth House, Edinburgh.
A partnership agreement to launch a Brand Scotland overseas trade missions initiative was signed today (Friday) by the Scotland Office and Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC).
This collaboration will be supported by a UK Government grant of up to £100,000 for 2025/26 aimed at promoting Scottish trade and attracting foreign direct investment into Scotland.
As part of the UK Government’s Plan for Change, Brand Scotland is boosting economic growth by promoting Scottish products and services while attracting international inward investment.
The initiative will include a series of trade missions focused on showcasing Scottish businesses globally.
Ian Murray and Liz Cameron signed the agreement at the UK Government’s Queen Elizabeth HQ in Edinburgh.
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said:
This agreement will help give Scotland a global platform to sell everything our brilliant country has to offer – from whisky and seafood to our world class services.
The trio of trade deals secured by the Prime Minister in recent weeks is a huge opportunity for Scotland’s economy – with the most populous country in the world, the richest country in the world and our most important market. This partnership with the Scottish Chambers of Commerce will create valuable opportunities for Scottish firms and help kickstart economic growth as part of our Plan for Change.
I have already been to Norway, Singapore, Malaysia, and the United States to bang the drum for Scotland and with this partnership we will take businesses to even more markets. The Scotland Office will be Scotland’s window to the world.
Scottish Chambers of Commerce Chief Executive and Director Dr Liz Cameron CBE said:
Delivering impactful trade missions that will sell Brand Scotland and our innovative and dynamic businesses will strengthen our global presence. This partnership with the Scotland Office is vital for economic growth and will help more businesses trade internationally and encourage more inward investment.
The world wants our quality products and services and this significant investment in Brand Scotland will create even more opportunities to sell our nation internationally. Our businesses continue to successfully engage with SCC overseas missions and now by combining forces between SCC and the Scotland Office, we can drive our economy further by providing valuable platforms and alliances for more exporters to sell their fantastic products and services to new global markets.
Scotland is open for business and we welcome Brand Scotland’s support to allow us to trade with confidence on a world stage.
Leading entrepreneurs from a variety of sectors have also welcomed the agreement.
Founder & CEO of Greenock-based PG Paper Dr Poonam Gupta OBE said:
At PG Paper, international trade is the backbone of our business. We have built a multi-million pound business by connecting with over 60 countries. This partnership between the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and the Scotland Office sends a clear message: Scotland is ambitious, outward-looking, and ready to lead. The Scotland Office initiative will help businesses like ours expand our international reach, forge high-value connections, and drive economic impact both at home and abroad. This is exactly the kind of bold, collaborative action Scotland needs to accelerate exports and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.
CEO of Aberdeen-based PCL Group Dr Jeanette Forbes OBE said:
As a global IT and energy tech company operating in over 27 countries, we know first-hand how critical international trade is to business growth and innovation. Trade missions are strategic enablers that unlock new markets, foster long-term relationships, and elevate Scotland’s global standing. The collaboration between Scottish Chambers of Commerce and the Scotland Office is exactly the type of public-private partnership needed to amplify Scotland’s voice on the world stage and grow our economies.
Details of trade missions will be confirmed in due course.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
​In response to overseas reports suggesting that Haribo candies may be contaminated and tested positive for cannabis, a government spokesperson stated today (June 6) that the Government Laboratory has completed the test on 58 samples of Haribo candy products that had already been removed from shelves. The results showed that none of the samples contained tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a cannabis component. The relevant traders have been informed of the test results.
Upon receiving relevant information, the Centre for Food Safety (the Centre) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department contacted local food traders and consulted authorities in the Netherlands. The affected batch of products was not imported into Hong Kong, but for prudence sake, the Centre had previously informed the trade to temporarily remove the brand’s candies from shelves.
The government will continue to closely monitor the situation and take appropriate actions as needed.
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Parveen Akhtar, Senior Lecturer: Politics, History and International Relations, Aston University
Zia Yusuf, a self-made billionaire and Muslim, has resigned as chairman of Reform, breaking with Nigel Farage just weeks after delivering unprecedented success for the party in local elections.
Yusuf announced his sudden departure on social media platform X, saying he no longer believed “working to get a Reform government elected is a good use of my time”.
Having been one of the party’s largest donors, Yusuf was appointed to the role less than a year ago and has widely been credited as the power behind Reform’s professionalisation. He is said to be the driving force behind growing its national infrastructure and membership, which now stands at around 235,000.
Yusuf’s resignation post came a few hours after another, in which he referred to a question posed in the House of Commons by new Reform MP Sarah Pochin as “dumb”.
Pochin had used her first chance to speak in the Commons to call on prime minister Keir Starmer to ban burqas in the UK. It is reported that there had been tensions between Yusuf and other figures in Reform, but this appears to have been the straw that broke the camel’s back.
Sarah Pochin uses a question at PMQs to call for a burqa ban.
Yusuf has faced Islamophobic abuse from some within the party’s ranks. On social media, some Reform supporters have questioned whether a Muslim can ever truly belong in the party, while others have threatened to leave it because of him.
Asked on GB News whether Yusuf viewed Pochin’s question as a slight against himself, party leader Nigel Farage suggested instead that Yusuf more likely didn’t see banning the burqa as a high priority issue for Reform. Both Farage and former party chairman Richard Tice have stood by Pochin, saying a debate is needed on banning the burqa.
Yusuf, once heralded as a rising star in Reform and in British politics, didn’t go into further detail but referred to his successes in the party instead: “I’ve worked full time as a volunteer to take the party from 14 to 30%, quadrupled its membership and delivered historic electoral results.”
Yusuf was referring to the fact that Reform is currently polling at 30%, has five MPs and has recently taken control of ten councils in England – the first time it has ever held governing roles.
Shortly after Yusuf’s departure, Nathaniel Fried, who had been brought into Reform to spearhead the party’s Doge-style efficiency drive in local councils, also resigned, stating he had doubts about the future of the project.
Reform will now be asking itself if it can continue its successful trajectory without theses figures. We’ll soon find out if it was Yusuf alone who was responsible for the professionalisation that has recently delivered so much electoral success.
Treading a fine line from the start
When he was first appointed, Yusuf promised to “bring all my expertise, energy and passion to the role to ensure we achieve our mission of returning Great Britain to greatness”. Mirroring the Maga project is the US, Yusuf’s focus was on making the UK great again by controlling the country’s borders and restoring sovereignty.
Yusuf’s attachment to Reform, a party which has made anti-immigration its political focus, was significant given that his own parents were first-generation immigrants from Sri Lanka. Yet Yusuf was the face of established ethnic minority communities in the UK who have immigration backgrounds but take a tough line on newcomers.
He describes himself as a British Muslim patriot, who loves his country. My forthcoming research with colleagues details how the justifications used by minorities who voted for Brexit were very similar to those in the public at large – with an uncontrolled immigration being a key issue.
Party leader Nigel Farage said he was sorry to see Yusuf go and recognised that he was a loss for the party. Farage claimed that the two of them “barely had a disagreement” in working together but that others had not got on well with Yusuf.
Farage claimed that Yusuf’s business background left him struggling in politics and that he brought a “bit of a Goldman Sachs mentality” to his job, which put him at odds with others. He said interpersonal skills were “at the top of his list of attributes”.
However, in a significant new development, Farage did acknowledge that Yusuf had faced abuse on social media from the “alt-right”. This was the first time he has ever publicly acknowledged the abundance of racist and Islamophobic abuse Yusuf has received on social media by Reform supporters.
He did somewhat contradict himself later by blaming “Indian bots” for spreading content that misled Reform voters. Tim Montgomerie, another high-profile former Conservative Reform supporter also cited personal abuse as a factor: “He faced a lot of prejudice, not necessarily from inside the party but on social media, I think that affected him.”
Given that for years the racism and Islamaphobia faced by Yusuf was never publicly acknowledged, it’s interesting that the party elite clearly see the need to recognise the racism as part of the damage limitation exercise they’ve now had to undertake.
Want more politics coverage from academic experts? Every week, we bring you informed analysis of developments in government and fact check the claims being made.
No doubt Farage saw Yusuf as an asset to the party. Only days before the falling out, he had heralded him as an example of why Reform could not be accused of being racist: “I would remind everybody that the chairman of the party is Scottish-born, but comes from parents who come from the Indian subcontinent. But we don’t talk about race at all. We think everybody should be treated equally. We object very strongly to the segmentation of people into different types.” Farage acknowledged that Yusuf’s race was a benefit to him when responding to his resignation, too.
It matters that Reform’s highest profile minority member is no more. It also shows the disunity in a political party which is growing very quickly. This is a pattern from yesteryear. Party infighting used to happen in the old days of Reform’s predecessors, UKIP and the Brexit Party.
It was a big part of why they did not reach the heights currently being enjoyed by Reform. This is, ironically, the first big test of the professionalisation drive that Yusuf led.
Parveen Akhtar has previously received funding from the Economic and Social Research Council and the British Academy.
Source: The Conversation – USA – By Amber M. Simpson, Associate Professor of Mathematics Education, Binghamton University, State University of New York
Families and caregivers can boost children’s confidence and interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics while school is out for summer.heshphoto/Getty Images
The Trump administration is reshaping the pursuit of science through federal cuts to research grants and the Department of Education. This will have real consequences for students interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM learning.
One of those consequences is the elimination of learning opportunities such as robotics camps and access to advanced math courses for K-12 students.
As a result, families and caregivers are more essential than ever in supporting children’s learning.
To support STEM learning outside of school, encourage children to find and solve problems. kali9/Getty Images
Look for “problems” in or around your home to engineer a solution for. Engineering a solution could include brainstorming ideas, drawing a sketch, creating a prototype or a first draft, testing and improving the prototype and communicating about the invention.
For example, one family in our research created an upside-down soap dispenser for the following problem: “the way it’s designed” − specifically, the straw − “it doesn’t even reach the bottom of the container. So there’s a lot of soap sitting at the bottom.”
To identify a problem and engage in the engineering design process, families are encouraged to use common materials. The materials may include cardboard boxes, cotton balls, construction paper, pine cones and rocks.
Our research found that when children engage in engineering in the home environment with caregivers, parents and siblings, they communicate about and apply science and math concepts that are often “hidden” in their actions.
For instance, when building a paper roller coaster for a marble, children think about how the height will affect the speed of the marble. In math, this relates to the relationship between two variables, or the idea that one thing, such as height, impacts another, the speed. In science, they are applying concepts of kinetic energy and potential energy. The higher the starting point, the more potential energy is converted into kinetic energy, which makes the marble move faster.
Spontaneous learning moments can lead to deep engagement and learning of STEM concepts. cglade/Getty Images
Open up a space for exploration around STEM concepts driven by their interests.
Currently, my research with STEM professionals who were homeschooled talk about the power of learning sparked by curiosity.
One participant stated, “At one time, I got really into ladybugs, well Asian Beatles I guess. It was when we had like hundreds in our house. I was like, what is happening? So, I wanted to figure out like why they were there, and then the difference between ladybugs and Asian beetles because people kept saying, these aren’t actually ladybugs.”
In my research, being uncertain about STEM concepts may lead to children exploring and considering different ideas. One concept in particular − playful uncertainties − is when parents and caregivers know the answer to a child’s uncertainties but act as if they do not know.
For example, suppose your child asks, “How can we measure the distance between St. Louis, Missouri, and Nashville, Tennessee, on this map?” You might respond, “I don’t know. What do you think?” This gives children the chance to share their ideas before a parent or caregiver guides them toward a response.
4. Bring STEM to life
Overhearing or participating in budget talks can help children develop math skills and financial literacy. SeizaVisuals/Getty Images
Turn ordinary moments into curious conversations.
“This recipe is for four people, but we have 11 people coming to dinner. What should we do?”
In a recent interview, one participant described how much they learned from listening in on financial conversations, seeing how decisions got made about money, and watching how bills were handled. They were developing financial literacy and math skills.
As they noted, “By the time I got to high school, I had a very good basis on what I’m doing and how to do it and function as a person in society.”
Globally, individuals lack financial literacy, which can lead to negative outcomes in the future when it comes to topics such as retirement planning and debt.
Why is this important?
Research shows that talking with friends and family about STEM concepts supports how children see themselves as learners and their later success in STEM fields, even if they do not pursue a career in STEM.
My research also shows how family STEM participation gives children opportunities to explore STEM ideas in ways that go beyond what they typically experience in school.
In my view, these kinds of STEM experiences don’t compete with what children learn in school − they strengthen and support it.
Amber M. Simpson receives funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation.
The principle of habeas corpus, a legal phrase, is a simple one: Translated from the Latin as “produce the body,” it provides that a judge may compel prosecutors to supply evidence to determine whether someone has been legally detained or arrested.
In the U.S., a detained or arrested individual, or their legal representative, may ask a judge to decide based on the evidence presented whether the detainee has been legally confined. That process is termed “seeking a writ.”
Suspending the privilege of the writ, also known as “suspending the writ,” denies that individual or their representation from making that request or a judge from honoring it. The “privilege” in that phrase is a right of the accused.
In the past few months, members of the Trump administration have raised the issue of the president’s power to suspend the privilege of habeas corpus.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller in May 2025 shared with the media the news that administration officials were exploring the possibility of suspending the privilege of the writ to help the administration deport immigrants quickly.
Eleven days later, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem declared at a congressional hearing that habeas corpus “is a constitutional right that the president has to be able to remove people from this country,” a misunderstanding of this foundational legal right immediately challenged by New Hampshire Senator Maggie Hassan.
Article I of the U.S. Constitution declares that “the Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.” Suspension is thus a grave and serious matter.
This is not the first time that Americans have debated which branch of government – the executive branch or Congress – has the power to suspend the privilege of the writ and under what circumstances it may do so.
Sen. Maggie Hassan asks Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to define habeas corpus; Noem can’t.
While the Constitution provides for the suspension of the writ, the document is silent as to who has the power to exercise this authority. Although most of this section of the Constitution concerns the powers of Congress, it also addresses the power and authority of other branches in specific instances. And the use of the passive voice – “shall not be suspended” – in this section leaves the question of who can suspend the writ open to interpretation.
The questions of who may suspend the privilege of the writ and under what circumstances emerged in the spring of 1861.
On April 12, Confederate forces fired on U.S.-controlled Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, an act that is considered the formal start of the war. A week later, Marylanders supporting secession clashed with militia from Massachusetts and Pennsylvania who were making their way through Baltimore to defend Washington.
Lincoln refused to honor requests from Maryland Governor Thomas Hicks and Baltimore Mayor George Brown to avoid transporting reinforcements through Baltimore. The president initially tried to skirt any conflict by routing the reinforcements through Annapolis.
This proved a stopgap measure. On April 27, Lincoln authorized General Winfield Scott, commanding general of the U.S. Army, to suspend the privilege of the writ between Philadelphia and Washington, if necessary. This would permit arbitrary arrests and detaining of people determined to be acting in support of the insurrection.
Taney challenges Lincoln
To protect national security, U.S. military authorities arrested John Merryman on May 25, 1861. Merryman, who was from Baltimore, was suspected of involvement in destroying railroad bridges to obstruct Union troop movements.
Chief Justice Roger B. Taney honored a request from Merryman’s lawyers to issue a writ of habeas corpus, only to have federal military authorities refuse to produce Merryman, who remained at his cell in Fort McHenry.
Taney then ruled that neither Lincoln nor military personnel under his command could suspend the privilege of the writ when it came to civilians such as Merryman.
“If at any time the public safety should require the suspension of the powers vested by this act in the courts of the United States, it is for the Legislature to say so,” wrote Taney, quoting an 1807 opinion by Chief Justice John Marshall.
Days later, on June 1, Taney offered a more extended decision reflecting his reasoning that Congress, not the president, could suspend the privilege of the writ.
Taney was challenging the president’s authority to act unilaterally.
Lincoln ignored Taney’s ruling. He reasoned that in time of emergency, especially with Congress not in session, he – as president – was compelled to act in the interests of national security. He did so to protect the movement of troops through Maryland to defend the national capital.
Not only did Lincoln’s order remain in place, but the president later expanded its geographic scope in several instances, most notably in September 1862. On the heels of issuing the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, Lincoln authorized the detention of individuals accused of obstructing efforts to raise troops or who sought to support the rebellion.
Unwilling to concede that Lincoln’s actions need not seek congressional approval, Congress, first in 1861, then through the Habeas Corpus Act of 1863 offered retroactive sanction of the actions of the executive branch and, in 1863, empowered Lincoln to suspend the privilege of the writ in the future in the interests of national security for the duration of the rebellion.
Almost a decade later, in 1871, President Ulysses S. Grant declined to act on his own to suspend the privilege of the writ to prosecute white supremacist terrorists in the Reconstruction South, requiring that Congress first pass legislation authorizing him to do so.
Since the Civil War, only once has a president unilaterally suspended the privilege of the writ without prior congressional authorization. That’s what President Franklin D. Roosevelt did in Hawaii after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, in order to combat any suspicious activity that might be construed as espionage.
With Congress currently in session, lawmakers could authorize the president to suspend the privilege of the writ to set aside debates over executive overreach. Otherwise, presidents might define as emergencies situations that do not meet the extreme circumstances envisioned by the Constitution while sidestepping congressional approval.
Brooks D. Simpson does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: The Conversation – USA – By Frederic Lemieux, Professor of the Practice and Faculty Director of the Master’s in Applied Intelligence, Georgetown University
A woman places flowers outside the Boulder, Colo., courthouse after an attack that injured 12 people. David Zalubowski/AP Photo
On June 3, Soliman’s family, who lived with him in Colorado Springs, were detained by federal immigration authorities. Soliman’s wife and five children were placed in expedited removal proceedings.
Whether an attack like the one in Boulder is considered an act of terrorism or a hate crime changes the way a suspect is charged and sentenced.
Let’s look at how these two terms differ.
What is a hate crime?
Hate crimes are crimes motivated by bias on the basis of race, religion, sexual orientation or ethnicity. In some states, gender, age and gender identity are also included. Hate crime laws have been passed by 47 states and the federal government since the 1980s, when activists first began to press state legislatures to recognize the role of bias in violence against minority groups. Today, only Arkansas, South Carolina and Wyoming do not have hate crime laws.
Colorado’s 2024 statute prohibits bias-motivated attacks based on a wide variety of categories, from ancestry to gender identity.
In order to be charged as a hate crime, attacks – whether vandalism, assault or killings – must be directed at individuals because of the prohibited biases. Hate crimes, in other words, punish motive; the prosecutor must convince the judge or jury that the victim was targeted because of their race, religion, sexual orientation or other protected characteristic.
If the defendant is found to have acted with bias motivation, hate crimes often add an additional penalty to the underlying charge. Charging people with a hate crime, then, presents additional layers of complexity to what may otherwise be a straightforward case for prosecutors. Bias motivation can be hard to prove, and prosecutors can be reluctant to take cases that they may not win in court.
Dylann Roof, who killed nine worshipers at a Black church in South Carolina in 2015, was convicted of 33 charges, including hate crimes. Grace Beahm-Pool/Getty Images
What is terrorism?
Terrorism is a violent tactic – a strategy used to achieve a specific end.
This strategy is often used in asymmetric power struggles when a weaker person, or group, is fighting against a powerful nation-state. The violence is aimed at creating fear in the targeted population.
Terrorists often justify their bloody acts on the basis of perceived social, economic and political unfairness. Or they take inspiration from religious beliefs or spiritual principles.
Many forms of terrorism were inspired by struggle between races, the rich and poor, or political outcasts and elites.
How different terrorist groups act is informed by what they are trying to achieve. Some adopt a reactionary perspective aimed at stopping or resisting social, economic and political changes. Others adopt a revolutionary doctrine and want to provoke change.
In the United States, terrorism attacks were in sharp decline from 1970 to 2011, decreasing from approximately 475 incidents a year to fewer than 20.
Data compiled by the Center for Strategic and International Studies shows right-wing terrorist attacks and plots grew substantially during the past decade, with right-wing extremists being responsible for the majority of attacks and plots each year since 2011, except for 2013. There were 44 incidents in 2019 alone.
Terrorism is not a successful tactic. American University professor Audrey Cronin studied 457 terrorist groups worldwide going back to 1968. The groups lasted an average of eight years before they lost support or were dismantled. No terrorist organizations that she studied were able to conquer a state, and 94% were unable to achieve even one of their strategic goals.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Northeast India is undergoing a profound social and cultural renaissance, emerging as a model of inclusive development and heritage preservation, as outlined in a recent Press Information Bureau release. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of the Northeast as “Ashta Lakshmi” underscores its diverse strengths, with the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) spearheading initiatives to integrate the region into India’s mainstream.
Social development milestones are reshaping the region. On May 20, 2025, Mizoram achieved full functional literacy, becoming India’s first fully literate state through the ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram. Building on its 91.33% literacy rate from the 2011 Census, this historic achievement marks a significant step in educational progress. In healthcare, Assam is establishing South Asia’s largest cancer care network, with eight hospitals already operational in districts like Dibrugarh and Kokrajhar, and seven more under construction in areas such as Nagaon and Tinsukia. Additionally, 15 new medical colleges are being set up in Assam to enhance healthcare access.
Cultural preservation is a cornerstone of the Northeast’s transformation. In July 2024, Assam’s Moidams, the mound-burial system of the Ahom Dynasty, were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, celebrating 600 years of Tai-Ahom heritage. Sivasagar is being developed as an iconic site with an on-site museum, while a tribal freedom fighter museum honoring Rani Gaidinliu has been established in Manipur. The 400th birth anniversary of Lachit Borphukan, the Ahom general who defeated the Mughals in the 1671 Battle of Saraighat, was commemorated in 2022, highlighting unsung heroes. The North Eastern Handicrafts & Handlooms Development Corporation Limited (NEHHDC) is revitalizing traditional crafts through the Purbashree e-commerce portal, a textile testing laboratory, and “Purbashree On Wheels.”
The Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav, held from December 6-8, 2024, showcased the region’s textiles, GI-tagged products, and crafts, featuring Eri and Muga silk and attracting Rs 2,500 crore in project proposals. An Eri Silk Spinning Plant in Mushalpur, Assam, with a 200 kg/day capacity, has provided direct employment to 375 individuals and indirect livelihoods to 2,500 households, supported by a digital traceability network for 10,000 weavers across seven states.
Peace and security initiatives have created a stable foundation for these advancements. Nine peace accords since 2014, including the 2020 Bodo Peace Accord and the 2023 DNLA Peace Agreement, have significantly reduced violence and resolved inter-state disputes, such as the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh boundary agreement. The North Eastern Region District SDG Index, developed with NITI Aayog and UNDP-India, ranks 103 districts on social, economic, and environmental parameters, guiding policy implementation.
By blending social progress with cultural preservation, the Northeast is not only catching up with the rest of India but also setting a global example of sustainable and inclusive development, driven by flagship initiatives like NESIDS and PM-DevINE.
