Premier Danielle Smith has been relentless in her advocacy efforts to convince key U.S decision makers, and the American people, that tariffs will do nothing but harm both Americans and Canadians. She will be continuing this conversation as a featured speaker at a PragerU 2025 East Coast event, providing her with a platform to share Alberta’s priorities with an American audience in President Donald Trump’s home state.
The event will draw an active, engaged and influential U.S. audience, giving Premier Smith a broad-reaching platform to emphasize the mutual importance of Alberta’s relationship with the U.S., including the importance of Alberta’s, and Canada’s, energy industry to creating U.S. jobs and helping the U.S. achieve energy security.
The Premier will be joined on stage by host of the “Ben Shapiro Show” and Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Wire, Ben Shapiro. The Daily Wire has a monthly network reach of 220 million including the 25 million followers of Shapiro’s own social media platforms. Additionally, the Premier’s remarks will be shared across PragerU’s social media platforms to more than 10 million followers, including many U.S. elected officials and key decision makers.
“I am committed to acting in the best interest of Alberta and all Albertans. This includes continuing to engage with influential Americans in the U.S. to make it clear that the continuation of destructive tariffs on Canadian goods and energy will cost hundreds of thousands of American and Canadian jobs and benefit no one. This is an important opportunity to gain support in the U.S. and add voices to the conversation that will help amplify Alberta’s, and Canada’s, calls to work together on solutions and to rebuild our important trade relationship.”
Premier Smith will travel with four staff members. Mission expenses will be posted on the travel and expense disclosure page.
Quick facts
The U.S. administration implemented a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods and a 10 per cent tariff on Canadian energy on March 4, followed by a pause on tariffs for Canadian products that are covered under the Canada-U.S-Mexico trade agreement.
Canada has retaliated with tariffs on C$59.8 worth of U.S. goods and has earmarked potential tariffs on an additional C$100 billion worth of U.S. goods if needed.
The U.S. is Alberta’s largest trading partner and Alberta is the second largest provincial exporter to the U.S.
In 2024, Alberta’s exports to the U.S. totalled C$162.6 billion, accounting for 88.7 per cent of total provincial exports.
Energy products accounted for approximately C$132.8 billion, about 82.2 per cent of Alberta’s exports to the U.S. in 2024.
In 2024, Alberta imported approximately C$25 billion in products from the U.S., including energy, machinery, vehicles, electrical equipment, and plastics. However, these figures are under reported, as they do not account for trans-shipments.
Canada buys more from the U.S. than it does from Germany, Italy, France, the UK and Vietnam combined.
The U.S. is an important source of industrial inputs and consumer goods for the province.
Itinerary for Premier Smith*
March 26-27
Travel to south Florida.
Interview with Marissa Streit, CEO of PragerU.
Participate in on stage fireside discussion at the PragerU 2025 East Coast event.
A decade after a Saudi-led coalition intervened to restore the internationally recognized government of Yemen to power, the country remains deeply divided, facing economic freefall and a devastating humanitarian crisis, Oxfam said today.
Competing financial policies in the North and the South have caused economic collapse. Violations of human rights, the detention of humanitarian workers, and unacceptable conditions on aid imposed by the authorities in Sana’a have exacerbated suffering.
In the South, despite strong international support, the internationally recognized government has failed to provide basic services or stabilise the currency. Over the last 10 years, the Yemeni rial has depreciated by more than 90 per cent in government-controlled areas – pushing basics like food, water, and health care out of reach for most Yemenis. This inflation is only worsening – the rial lost 30 per cent of its value in February alone.
In the North, the Houthis have made it increasingly difficult and dangerous for the humanitarian community to operate and provide vital food, cash and other assistance. Their arbitrary and unlawful detention of Yemeni humanitarian workers and members of civil society has worsened the already difficult operating environment. Authorities should release all unlawfully held detainees, including Oxfam staff.
The environment of restriction and fear imposed by the Houthis, coupled with the US government’s freeze of foreign assistance funding and imposition of heightened legal risks, havecaused many humanitarian organisations to wind down their operations, leaving millions of people without the means to survive and without access to education and health services. Families are facing higher prices and reduced humanitarian assistance.
“The last decade has been devastating for Yemenis, and we’ll only see these deadly consequences compounded without urgent action from authorities and the international community to allow the economy and the aid community to operate.”
Pauline Chetcuti, Head of Humanitarian Advocacy and Campaigns
Oxfam International
Pauline Chetcuti, Oxfam International’s Head of Humanitarian Advocacy and Campaigns said:
“Yemenis deserve – and have the right – to live in safety, have access to food, water, health care and to lead on a path towards a peaceful future.
“The last decade has been devastating for Yemenis, and we’ll only see these deadly consequences compounded without urgent action from authorities and the international community to allow the economy and the aid community to operate.”
Education and healthcare services have been decimated, leaving millions without critically needed support, and civil servants without salaries. Health facilities across the country have been significantly impacted by the conflict; just 40 per cent are now only partially functioning or completely out of service due to shortages of staff, funds, electricity, medicines, and equipment.
The war has destroyed much of Yemen’s critical infrastructure – the roads, bridges, markets, hospitals, schools, and private factories that powered Yemen’s economy. Though the frontlines have largely been frozen since the ceasefire in April 2022, competing monetary policies and the absence of a full political settlement have left more than 17 million people – nearly half of Yemen’s population – food insecure.
Yemeni families are facing higher prices and reduced humanitarian assistance stemming from the US government’s designation of the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. The designation creates significant obstacles to life-saving humanitarian assistance and commercial imports of food and medicine. It also adds a barrier to the vital flow of remittances from Yemenis abroad to their families, which account for approximately a fifth of Yemen’s GDP; a vital part of Yemen’s social safety net. Yemenis need to see an end to the Houthis’ rights violations and international attacks, but this designation is unlikely to make that happen. Governments should support international accountability mechanisms for all parties to the conflict – and not penalise Yemeni families by cutting off lifesaving aid.
The decade of conflict has killed over 19,000 people and displaced nearly five million people, disproportionately women and children. These figures will only grow as more legal and security barriers are placed on the economy and the aid community.
Chetcuti said: “Regional and global powers should collaborate to support a genuine peace instead of supporting aligned factions and furthering their narrow political interests. Only through a Yemeni-led political process that includes women, youth, and civil society can Yemenis emerge from crisis and enjoy basic peace and security.”
While the paper straws announcement may have received far more media attention than it deserves, we cannot let such ridiculous symbolic distractions take our collective focus away from the most important issue here: the larger systemic crisis of dismantling key government institutions, such as NOAA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the National Park Service (NPS) among others, which protect the public good. Make no mistake, our efforts to end plastic pollution will continue no matter what obstacles lie ahead. In the absence of strong government leadership to enact effective policies that can address this crisis at the source, however, the battle to end plastic pollution has certainly gotten longer. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
US Senator Chris Van Hollen (MD) at press conference to defend NOAA
Take the Coca-Cola announcement. Instead of responding to the rising cost of aluminum by scaling up plastic bottles, Coke could seize this moment as an opportunity to shift a greater portion of its packaging away from single-use altogether and invest in expanding its existing refillable and returnable packaging portfolio. In 2023, the company reported selling 14% of its total beverage volume in reusable packaging already! Coca-Cola is uniquely positioned to scale up its existing reuse systems that already operate successfully around the world. Refillable Coke bottles are used widely in large country markets such as India, Brazil, Chile, the Philippines, and Mexico, among others.
Similarly, Trump’s executive order about straws (unsurprisingly) misses the point. The debate between paper or plastic – whether it be straws, cups, or takeout containers – bypasses a much more important opportunity to move away from single-use disposable packaging altogether and expand reuse systems. Particularly in the case of packaging that comes into direct contact with food and beverages, both disposable plastic and paper alike have been found to contain harmful chemicals such as PFAS, phthalates, and bisphenols which are linked to a wide range of health issues. Arguing between paper or plastic is wasting precious time while we could be building large scale reuse systems that are better for the environment, human health, and the economy.
Coca-Cola pioneered the reusable glass bottle system in the 1940s with great success. It knows full well how to operate large-scale reuse and refill systems using glass, which, unlike plastic, poses no health risks to consumers. PET plastic bottles shed microplastics and contain harmful chemicals linked to cancer, hormone disruption, obesity, early puberty in children, reproductive health problems, and declining fertility. Chemicals in plastics cost Americans over $250 billion in annual healthcare. Coca-Cola is contributing to this public health crisis through its use of unsafe levels of antimony – a known carcinogen – and other chemicals in its PET plastic bottles.
From household brand names like Coca-Cola to bulk packaging manufacturers, businesses are failing to seize the significant economic advantages that come with shifting to reusables (which has just been made easier than ever thanks to recent FDA changes to the federal food code). Unlike what the plastic industry would like us to believe, reuse systems can, in fact, be much better for business than single-use. Converting just 20% of global plastic packaging into reuse models could represent a $10 billion business opportunity, according to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Reuse: Rethinking Packaging report. The cost savings can be tremendous for even small businesses, which can save an average of $3,000 to $22,000 annually by transitioning from disposables to reusables. Even after accounting for upfront capital and labor costs, data from hundreds of case studies show that businesses that switch from single-use to reuse save money 100% of the time.
The majority of American voters – Democrats and Republicans – want action to cut plastic pollution and protect our health. And literally zero Americans voted for Elon Musk’s takeover of the federal government. Musk’s DOGE agency has been wreaking havoc for weeks, slashing programs and firing workers who oversee essential services. NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is the latest victim as hundreds of employees were fired late February. The consequences of this may be dire for plastic pollution as well as broader oceans issues alike.
Many Americans interact with NOAA every day, maybe without even realizing it. NOAA provides vital services including weather and tide forecasts, extreme weather alerts, as well as fisheries and water quality data that keep people safe and allow businesses to thrive. One of NOAA’s most essential services include weather forecasts, which keep Americans informed about increasingly frequent and severe extreme weather events. In 2024, the USA’s hottest year on record, the cost for the U.S. of these disasters was at least $182.7 billion. NOAA’s timely forecasting saves lives and livelihoods. Losing NOAA’s essential services could result in even greater costs and higher loss of life following the ever increasing extreme weather events. Tourism, transportation, food, retail, and other businesses depend on NOAA to keep their doors open.
NOAA Fisheries uses the best available science to ensure safe, healthy food and to protect endangered species. When US consumers go to the supermarket to buy seafood, at least 80% of which is imported, NOAA Fisheries’s Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) is the filter that aims to prevent seafood fraud or seafood tainted with forced labor from ending up in people’s shopping baskets. Americans want to know what they are buying and feeding their families, and they support more transparency and traceability in seafood. At this time, the US government should be expanding this program and strengthening the enforcement of import controls to prevent market access of goods produced by illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing or forced labor. This would also better protect American seafood producers from unfair competition that relies on labor abuses and environmental destruction to keep costs low.
Thankfully, people are rising up in defense of NOAA, and Greenpeace USA is too. At a recent press conference organized by US Senator Chris Van Hollen (MD), climate and environmental advocates, scientists, and members of Congress, Greenpeace USA was there in solidarity – along with our life-sized sea turtle sculpture! Here she is front and center, despite the plastic straw in her nose and oil spill covering her shell, with a few new friends a sign that says it all: “Trump is polluting our democracy.” To take a stand in support of sea turtles and other endangered marine animals, add your name here to contact your Member of Congress to save NOAA’s programs that are critical to our oceans, coastal communities, and economies. If you represent an organization, you can also consider signing onto this letter to protect NOAA, joining the close to 500 other organizations from around the country. Together, our voices are stronger.
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March 26, 2025
Albany, NY
“Too many New Yorkers have been killed because of ghost guns: unregistered firearms that are explicitly manufactured to evade our gun safety laws. These dangerous weapons put lives at risk – which is why I signed the nation’s toughest restrictions on ghost guns into law months after taking office. Because of New York’s efforts, gun violence plummeted to the lowest level on record. Since 2023, State Police have seized more than 3,400 illegal guns and last year police seized more than 750 ghost guns from the streets of New York. Today’s ruling from the United States Supreme Court has upheld federal regulations on these dangerous weapons that were implemented under the Biden Administration and this ruling will keep America safer.
“But our fight to keep New Yorkers safe is not over. In this year’s budget, I’m proposing a massive $370 million investment to crack down on gun violence and support communities impacted by crime. We’re surging police on the subways and using our ‘red flag’ laws to get guns away from dangerous indivi duals. At a time when the federal government seems to be turning their back on common-sense gun safety regulations, New York will stand strong to protect our people and keep our streets safe.”
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An Alaska woman was sentenced yesterday to 12 months in prison for evading taxes on income she earned from the business she operated.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Tina H. Yi, was the sole owner and operator of SJ Investment LLC, a hotel, bar, and liquor store in Nome, Alaska, that did business as Polaris HBL. Yi created the business in approximately April 2007 and operated it until approximately October 2017, when the property was destroyed in a fire.
From approximately 2014 to 2018, Yi maintained two sets of financial records relating to the business’s income and expenses, one of which accurately captured SJ Investment’s income and expenses, and one that understated the business’s income. Yi provided the false records to her accountant to prepare her tax returns. As a result, her 2014 through 2018 tax returns were false.
Yi caused a total tax loss to the IRS of over $550,000.
In addition to her prison sentence, U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess for the District of Alaska ordered Yi to serve three years of supervised release. The court will determine restitution at a later date.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska made the announcement.
IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case.
Trial Attorney John C. Gerardi of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Bradley for the District of Alaska are prosecuting the case. Former Tax Division Trial Attorney Ahmed Almudallal assisted with the prosecution.
OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta, pursuant to Assembly Bill 1506 (AB 1506), today released a report on Christopher Mercurio’s death from an officer-involved shooting in Valencia, California, on January 11, 2023. The incident involved a deputy from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. The report is part of the California Department of Justice’s (DOJ) ongoing efforts to provide transparency and accountability in law enforcement practices. The report provides a detailed analysis of the incident and outlines DOJ’s findings. After a thorough investigation, DOJ concluded that criminal charges were not appropriate in this case.
“We recognize the considerable challenges and difficulties faced by all those impacted, including Mr. Mercurio’s family, the law enforcement agencies involved, and the community as a whole,” said Attorney General Bonta. “The California Department of Justice aims to partner with law enforcement to build a just and equitable legal environment, ensuring that the rule of law is upheld, and justice is accessible to everyone.”
At approximately 10:58 PM, on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, a LASD deputy went to the Macy’s department store in the Valencia Town Center, in Valencia, in response to a trespassing call. At the Macy’s, the deputy contacted Mr. Mercurio. Mr. Mercurio refused to leave and struck Deputy Gonzalez in the head. Mr. Mercurio continued to advance towards Deputy Gonzalez and ignored commands to step back. Shortly thereafter, the deputy fired two shots at Mr. Mercurio and fatally wounded him.
Under AB 1506, which requires DOJ to investigate all incidents of officer-involved shootings resulting in the death of an unarmed civilian in the state, DOJ conducted a thorough investigation into this incident and concluded that there is insufficient evidence to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the deputy involved acted without the intent to defend themselves and others from what each of them reasonably believed to be the imminent risk of death or serious bodily injury. Therefore, there is insufficient evidence to support a criminal prosecution of the deputy. As such, no further action will be taken in this case.
As part of its investigation, DOJ has identified three policy and training recommendations related to this incident. The first recommendation is that LASD expand its de-escalation policy to promote officer safety so that it includes specific guidelines, definitions, and examples of potential de-escalation techniques, including a variety of tactics and strategies covering an array of circumstances. In addition, it is recommended that LASD provide its deputies with improved training on de-escalation tactics, techniques, skills, strategies, and approaches for safely and effectively addressing situations without use of force whenever possible.
The second recommendation is that LASD policies provide deputies with effective guidance and training regarding how to identify people with a mental health condition by considering several factors, including: (1) self-reporting, (2) information provided by witnesses, (3) the agency’s and justice system’s previous knowledge of the individual, or (4) an officer’s direct observations. In addition, it is recommended that LASD provide deputies with effective training on how to interact with people who have mental health conditions, and procedures to follow during these encounters.
The third recommendation is that LASD provide refresher training on deputy requirements and responsibilities after an officer-involved shooting. In addition, it is recommended that deputies fully understand that they are not to discuss the matter with any member or person other than a supervisor in the very limited manner proscribed by LASD policy, or other authorized personnel like the Homicide Bureau Investigator, or the Division of Law Enforcement.
An Alaska woman was sentenced yesterday to 12 months in prison for evading taxes on income she earned from the business she operated.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Tina H. Yi, was the sole owner and operator of SJ Investment LLC, a hotel, bar, and liquor store in Nome, Alaska, that did business as Polaris HBL. Yi created the business in approximately April 2007 and operated it until approximately October 2017, when the property was destroyed in a fire.
From approximately 2014 to 2018, Yi maintained two sets of financial records relating to the business’s income and expenses, one of which accurately captured SJ Investment’s income and expenses, and one that understated the business’s income. Yi provided the false records to her accountant to prepare her tax returns. As a result, her 2014 through 2018 tax returns were false.
Yi caused a total tax loss to the IRS of over $550,000.
In addition to her prison sentence, U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess for the District of Alaska ordered Yi to serve three years of supervised release. The court will determine restitution at a later date.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska made the announcement.
IRS Criminal Investigation investigated the case.
Trial Attorney John C. Gerardi of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Bradley for the District of Alaska are prosecuting the case. Former Tax Division Trial Attorney Ahmed Almudallal assisted with the prosecution.
LAREDO, TEXAS – A 41-year-old Mexican citizen residing in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, has been ordered to federal prison following his multiple convictions related to a murder-for-hire scheme that brought three sicarios aka hitmen across the border into Laredo, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Noe Gonzalez-Martinez aka Tocayo was a leader and manager of the Cartel Del Noreste (CDN). A federal jury deliberated for approximately one hour before convicting him Dec. 13, 2023, on all counts following a three-day trial. They found him guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, murder-for-hire conspiracy, murder for hire, conspiracy to kidnap, possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking-related crime and interstate travel in aid of racketeering.
U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos has now ordered Gonzalez-Martinez to serve the rest of his life plus 60 months in federal prison. At the hearing, the court heard about his role as a leader/organizer and his conduct in the crimes as well as the substantial progress Gonzalez-Martinez made toward the completion of the offenses.
“Drug trafficking and violence go hand-in-hand, and this is particularly true in the case of cartels, as this case shows,” said Ganjei. “The Department of Justice is committed to preventing the cartels from ever gaining a foothold in America, and the vigorous prosecution of their leadership is a critical component of that. Through the conviction of Mr. Gonzalez-Martinez, the Southern District of Texas (SDTX) has dealt a major blow to the CDN cartel. This is, however, just the beginning. SDTX is pursuing every opportunity and every avenue to dismantle cartel operations on both sides of the border. Stay tuned.”
“With drug trafficking comes violence that typically spills over from Mexico and into the United States, particularly the southwest border. The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) tenacious agents did not only thwart the drug trafficking activities of this violent CDN but successfully managed to halt several murders, one of which would have been carried out by the drug trafficking organization’s trusted lead enforcer Noe Gonzalez Martinez,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux. “This case is a testament that the DEA is definite in its fight against these foreign terrorist drug trafficking organizations who illegally crossed into the United States for the sole purpose of kidnapping and murdering an American Citizen. We will continue to bring to justice anyone thinking about ripping peace out of our American neighborhoods and communities.”
“This brazen scheme planned out by CDN is a direct threat to the safety and stability of South Texas. The campaign of terror, drug-trafficking, and violence this man employed has no place on American soil. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), in coordination with our federal partners, have prioritized Mexican cartels, like CDN, and will continue to aggressively combat their criminal acts until they are no more,” said ICE-HSI San Antonio Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee.
During the trial, the jury heard evidence that between Sept. 7, 2021, and Sept. 13, 2021, Gonzalez-Martinez and several other CDN members traveled from Nuevo Laredo into Laredo. There, Gonzalez-Martinez solicited the help of other CDN affiliates to recruit, plan and coordinate the kidnapping and murder of an individual the cartel believed had stolen from them.
The investigation revealed Gonzalez-Martinez communicated via cellphone with co-conspirators to plan and coordinate the recovery of drugs and proceeds from the intended victim. In addition, Gonzalez-Martinez provided co-conspirators with an address where they could retrieve firearms to execute the murder.
On Sept. 13, 2021, co-conspirators took possession of an automobile and firearms to carry out the murder. The firearms included a .45 caliber pistol, .357 magnum revolver, and two AR-15s.
Testimony also revealed the CDN’s operations and additional details of the murder-for-hire plot. The three sicarios were to kidnap the suspected drug thief and return him to Mexico for cartel members to make an example of him. If they were unable to do so, they were to kill him and return the stolen property to the cartel.
The jury heard from law enforcement who were able to thwart the crime and take the hitmen into custody prior to carrying out the murder. Authorities apprehended Gonzalez-Martinez July 29, 2022, at the international port of entry in Laredo.
At trial, Gonzalez-Martinez attempted to convince the jury someone else was responsible for arranging and overseeing the commission of the crime. The jury did not believe defense’s claims and found him guilty as charged.
The three sicarios – Juan Antonio Martinez-Padilla aka Juan Antonio Martinez-Lopez aka Otoniel Martinez-Padilla, 60, Gregorio Gonzalez-Barragan, 34, and Rodolfo Reyna-Zapata, 27, all from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, previously received sentences of 240, 352, and 352 months, respectively.
Gonzalez-Martinez will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
DEA, ICE-HSI and the Laredo Police Department conducted the investigation. Former Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) Jose Angel Moreno and AUSA Steven Chamberlin prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.
Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton has sentenced Joel David Fonseca Flores (45, Orlando) to 32 years in federal prison for conspiring to distribute fentanyl that resulted in death, possessing with the intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, and possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. On June 27, 2024, a federal jury found Fonseca Flores guilty of the conspiracy resulting in death charge. Prior to trial, on June 3, 2024, Fonseca Flores pleaded guilty to the other two offenses.
According to evidence presented at trial, Fonseca Flores and his co-defendant, Misty Lynn Parady (35, Orlando), sold fake “M30” pills laced with fentanyl to “N.K.” Between April 2020 and April 2022, Fonseca Flores and Parady sold N.K. what she, at first, believed to be oxycodone. After some time, N.K. realized that the pills she was buying from them contained fentanyl.
On October 31, 2021, N.K. warned Parady by text message that she had tested positive for fentanyl. Parady relayed that information to Fonseca Flores. On March 31, 2022, within days of purchasing “M30” pills from Fonseca Flores, N.K. sent a text message to Parady containing an image of her drug test, showing that N.K. had tested negative for oxycodone and positive for fentanyl.
Despite these and other warnings, Fonseca Flores and Parady continued to supply N.K. with the counterfeit fentanyl pills, and N.K. ultimately died from a fentanyl overdose on April 4, 2022.
Following a traffic stop of Fonseca Flores and Parady’s vehicle on October 3, 2022, about six months after N.K.’s death, officers seized fake “M30” fentanyl pills from the vehicle. The fake pills were tested by the DEA lab and were shown to contain fentanyl. Inside the car, officers also recovered cocaine, a digital scale, baggies, and hundreds of dollars in cash. Fonseca Flores, a convicted felon, also possessed a firearm.
On April 4, 2024, law enforcement officers arrested Fonseca Flores and Parady when they executed a search warrant at their home in Orlando. Inside the home, law enforcement found three firearms, ammunition, fake M30’s (fentanyl), other illegal drugs, cash, and drug paraphernalia.
On May 24, 2024, Misty Lynn Parady pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute fentanyl and possessing with the intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine. She was sentenced on August 26, 2024, to six years and six months in federal prison.
“Cases like this reinforce drug traffickers care only about profit and driving addiction,” said Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter, Drug Enforcement Administration, Miami Field Division. “DEA will pursue drug traffickers with everything we have to make our communities safe and healthy.”
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Orlando Police Department Overdose Unit. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kara M. Wick, Stephanie McNeff, and Michael P. Felicetta.
RCMPHalifax Regional Detachmentis seeking information in relation to an arson that occurred in Upper Tantallon.
Yesterday, at approximately 2:30 a.m., RCMP officers and fire services responded to a report of a 2016 Ford Mustang on fire on Hemlock Dr. Investigators learned that the vehicle was lit on fire by a woman who fled in a nearby sedan or small SUV.
No injuries were reported.
The woman involved is described as being between 5-foot-5 and 5-foot-7, 130 pounds.
Investigators are asking anyone in the Westwood Hills area with security camera footage of suspicious vehicle activity to come forward.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact police at 902-490-5020. To remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip atwww.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips app.
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) joined a group of her Senate colleagues in a letter calling on the Trump Administration to reverse its cancellation of 585 contracts with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), including those that help veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxins access lifesaving health care. This care is guaranteed under the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act (PACT Act), which Senator Rosen voted for and passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. It has since provided care and benefits to over 1 million veterans. Contracts targeted for cancellation by the Trump Administration help provide the necessary personnel and resources to conduct outreach to eligible veterans, screen applicants, and process claims. The senators are demanding that Trump reinstate all PACT Act contracts and commit to preserving all PACT Act-related programs in the future.
“Carrying out such arbitrary cuts and contract cancellations under the excuse of eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse is exactly the form of cynical action that prioritizes talking points about wasteful government spending rather than helping the veterans who have honorably served the American people. Any actions to hamstring implementation of the PACT Act – which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support – betrays our veterans and fully disregards congressional intent,” wrote the senators. “We ask that you take immediate action to protect and preserve all relevant programs, employees, and contractors in support of PACT Act implementation and ensure they remain unharmed by any further plans by you and DOGE.”
The full letter can be found HERE.
Senator Rosen has been fighting for Nevada’s veterans. She has sent letters demanding that the VA reverses harmful plans to reduce their workforce, calling on the VA to permanently reverse layoffs, and pushing for answers regarding mass employee terminations. Earlier this month, she helped introduce legislation to reinstate veterans wrongfully fired by President Trump and Elon Musk. She also took to the Senate floor to oppose the actions of the Trump Administration and Musk to mass fire employees working at the VA. Senator Rosen also demanded the VA provide answers regarding mass employee terminations.
OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a statement after the U.S. Supreme Court delivered a 7-2 decision, upholding the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) ghost gun rule. ATF’s rule first took effect in August 2022 and recognizes that weapon parts kits and certain partially complete frames and receivers are “firearms” under the Gun Control Act of 1968. Under federal law, manufacturers and dealers must keep records of, conduct background checks on, and serialize “firearms” to prevent them from falling into the hands of criminals and other individuals who are prohibited from possessing firearms—and to enable law enforcement to trace firearms used to commit crimes. ATF issued the rule to impose those requirements on weapon parts kits and partially complete frames and receivers that are used to make ghost guns.
“This decision is not only a victory for California but for the entire nation,” said Attorney General Bonta. “I was proud to support the Biden Administration’s efforts to protect Americans from deadly ghost guns and am glad to see this SCOTUS ruling today. In the state of California, we have seen firsthand the effectiveness of our commonsense gun-safety laws, and I am hopeful that similar laws are going to be implemented nationwide. Ghost guns not only leave law enforcement in the dark but also put our communities at risk. This federal rule is crucial to keeping ghost guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals and critical to preventing and solving violent, firearm-related crimes.”
A copy of the court order and opinion can be found here.
The United Nations on Wednesday welcomed recent diplomatic talks involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States in Saudi Arabia, calling an agreement on freedom of navigation and security in the Black Sea a crucial step for global food security.
In a statement, Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for Secretary-General António Guterres, said the UN chief’s good offices remain available to support all efforts towards a lasting peace in Ukraine.
“Reaching an agreement on freedom of navigation in the Black Sea to ensure the protection of civilian vessels and port infrastructure, will be a crucial contribution to global food security and supply chains, reflecting the importance of trade routes from both Ukraine and the Russian Federation to global markets,” Mr. Dujarric said.
“The Secretary-General reiterates his hope that such efforts will pave the way for a durable ceasefire and contribute to achieving a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in Ukraine, in line with the UN Charter, international law and relevant UN resolutions and in full respect of Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he added.
Humanitarian crisis worsening
The humanitarian crisis in Ukraine continues to worsen with nearly 13 million people in need of assistance – but funds are dwindling, a top UN relief official warned ambassadors in the Security Council.
The shortfall is already having dire consequences, particularly for women and girls, and UN agencies fear that at least 640,000 could lose access to protection against gender-based violence, psychosocial support and safe spaces.
“Recent funding cuts have led to a reprioritization of Ukraine response efforts that will be announced in the coming weeks. Continued financial support will be essential to maintain operations,” Ms. Msuya said.
Ms. Msuya also highlighted the impact of the fighting on civilians.
“Since 1 March, not a day has passed without an attack harming civilians,” she said, noting civilian deaths and injuries, and damage to infrastructure across northern, central, eastern and southern Ukraine.
“In frontline communities, civilians are confronted with relentless shelling and face impossible choices: flee under dangerous conditions, leaving behind everything they own, or stay and risk injury, death and limited access to essential services,” she warned.
The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (UNHRMMU) has verified at least 12,881 civilian deaths since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, though the actual toll is feared to be much higher.
UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe
Assistant Secretary-General Joyce Msuya (seated at the left end of the table) briefs the Security Council on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine
Humanitarian challenges
Meanwhile, humanitarians struggle to deliver aid, Ms. Msuya continued, stating that an estimated 1.5 million people in Russian-occupied areas of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhya are in urgent need of assistance, but aid workers are unable to reach them “at any adequate scale”.
Humanitarian workers themselves are increasingly coming under attack, she said. Since the start of the year, seven aid workers have been injured and humanitarian assets damaged in several locations, further hampering relief efforts.
The destruction of energy infrastructure is compounding the crisis. Despite recent announcements of a ceasefire on energy targets, past attacks have left millions without reliable access to electricity, heating and water as cold weather persists.
Call for international support
Concluding her briefing, Ms. Msuya outlined three key asks for the international community: adherence to international humanitarian law to protect civilians, sustained funding to keep aid operations running and renewed efforts to push for a lasting end to the conflict.
The war must end, she underlined, and humanitarian needs must be central to discussions on a pause in fighting or longer-term agreement.
Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Joyce Msuya briefs the Security Council.
Fire Alerts issued for Georgia, North and South Carolina
Gages affected by Table Rock Reservoir Fire
Dry conditions persist throughout Western Carolinas and North Georgia where downed trees from Hurricane Helene has increased fuel for wildfires.
Wildfires continue to burn in Georgia, North and South Carolina, with most occurring in the mountainous area of the three states. Two stream gages were damaged in the Table Rock Fire. Gage 021622847 and 021622845 are no longer recording data.
overnor Kathy Hochul today announced that New York State is requesting a United States Department of Agriculture Secretarial Disaster Designation for Oneida County and the contiguous counties of Lewis, Herkimer, Oswego and Madison. Many farms in these counties sustained loss of livestock and structural barn and equipment damage when extreme winter weather impacted the area in January and February 2025. A Disaster Designation would allow for affected farms to apply for United States Department of Agriculture low-interest emergency loans.
“Severe weather earlier this year wreaked nearly unprecedented damage on farms across Northern and Central New York, and I’m requesting a USDA disaster declaration to help bring relief to our agricultural communities,” Governor Hochul said. “This damage has upended the futures of farms as they face tens of millions of dollars in economic impact. I urge the USDA to take swift action to declare these counties a disaster area and help our farmers get the assistance they need to move forward.”
According to the National Weather Service, from January 6 to February 25, 2025, northern and central New York State experienced extreme winter weather events that brought heavy winds, ice and more than 180 inches of snow to both regions. In addition, temperatures remained below freezing and there was no thaw to reduce snow accumulation, resulting in sustained heavy snow and ice loads on agricultural buildings. These heavy loads caused structural damage and collapse, loss of livestock, damage to feedstocks and equipment and the destruction of agricultural equipment storage facilities. Based on consultation with the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Oneida County’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Cornell Cooperative Extension offices, more than 60 agricultural locations sustained an estimated $15 to $20 million in damage.
New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “Shortly after the last round of heavy snow and ice, I was able to visit a number of farms in Oneida County and see firsthand the damage that these farms sustained. Typically, we are concerned about crop loss when we face severe weather, but this winter storm impacted infrastructure and livestock that will make it extremely difficult to look toward this year’s planting season. I am thankful to the Governor for this request and appreciate the USDA’s consideration to move ahead with a disaster declaration to provide some financial relief to area farmers.”
Commissioner Ball visited several farms impacted by the extreme weather in Oneida County on March 7. Many diverse agricultural operations were impacted by these extreme weather events, including dairy farms, beef farms, hay operations, nursery and greenhouse businesses and crop farms. These events and the resulting damage have had a significant impact on the local farm economy.
A disaster designation makes farm operators in primary counties and those counties contiguous eligible to be considered for emergency loans from the FSA, provided eligibility requirements are met. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the disaster declaration to apply for relief programs.
In addition, the Governor is requesting any disaster assistance appropriated by Congress be made available to assist the impacted farmers and encourages USDA to highlight additional assistance programs that these farmers may opt to use.
OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced a final settlement agreement regarding the Otay Ranch Village 13 project, which resolves concerns pertaining to the project’s wildfire and greenhouse gas impacts and benefits the people and environment of California. Specifically, under the agreement, the proposed housing development will include the same number of units on a more compact footprint, reducing wildfire ignition risk and protecting approximately 300 additional acres of open space compared to the original plan. While decreasing the development footprint, the settlement also increases the opportunity for new housing by allowing the developer to apply to the County of San Diego to build up to 2,750 housing units (increased from 1,938) within the more compact building area. This will allow for additional housing supply while reducing the project’s environmental impacts, including wildfire risk. The agreement also includes payment of nearly $2 million in attorneys’ fees to the California Department of Justice and the environmental groups that filed litigation challenging the County’s approval of the project for violating the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Attorney General Bonta is joined by the Sierra Club, Center for Biological Diversity, Endangered Habitats League, California Native Plant Society, Preserve Wild Santee, and California Chaparral Institute in today’s settlement with the project applicant.
“From Los Angeles to San Diego, we are seeing devastating wildfires ravaging our communities right before our eyes. We can no longer ignore the realities of climate change,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Today’s settlement recognizes that environmental protection and housing go hand in hand, aiming to create more resilient, sustainable homes while reducing wildfire risk and protecting our environment.”
Today’s settlement requires measures to reduce wildfire risk and greenhouse gas emissions, including:
Providing a continuous program of surveillance for wildfire ignitions.
Ensuring an educational program on wildfire ignition prevention for project residents.
Installing sprinkler systems on multi-family residential buildings that meet National Fire Protection Association Standard 13.
Achieving net-zero energy design for all single-family residential and commercial buildings.
Requiring all buildings to be fully electric.
Prohibiting installation of natural gas infrastructure.
Creating a Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Fund of at least $15 million, which will fund greenhouse gas emissions reductions projects in San Diego County.
The Otay Ranch Village 13 project site is located in southwestern San Diego County in an area that has in the past been affected by wildfires. The County approved and certified a Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for the Otay Ranch Village 13 project on November 18, 2020. The Attorney General’s lawsuit challenged the FEIR’s failure, in violation of CEQA, to adequately address the risk of wildfire despite acknowledging the very high potential for wildfire hazards in and around the project site as well as the FEIR’s failure to adequately analyze or mitigate the impact of substantial vehicle trips and increased greenhouse gas emissions generated by the project. Under the settlement, the parties will request that the Court stay the litigation until the County approves a revised project that complies with the terms of the settlement.
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Will Shüler, Vice-Dean of Education and Senior Lecturer, School of Performing and Digital Arts, Royal Holloway University of London
The first production of the Sophocles tragedy, adapted and directed by Robert Icke and starring Mark Strong and Leslie Manville, ran from October 2024 to January 2025, with a Broadway transfer to New York’s Roundabout Theatre Company planned for this autumn.
The second – which closes at the end of this month – opened weeks later at the Old Vic in a version by Ella Hickson, co-directed by Hofesh Shechter and Matthew Warchus, and starring Rami Malek and Indira Varma.
Historically, ancient Greek tragedies were retellings of ancient myths, performed in ways that encouraged the audience to reflect upon an old story in a new way. Two London productions of Oedipus might seem like overkill, but they actually demonstrate the versatility of the tragic form.
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Both productions rework the myth, allowing contemporary audiences to consider different perspectives on the play’s themes of power and knowledge.
One of the defining aspects of the ancient Greek tragedy is the chorus. Originally they performed in the orchestra of an ancient theatre – the space between the actors and the audience. Their performance of odes was in song and dance form, and the content might reflect upon the play’s events from their perspective, provide background that was either directly or indirectly related to the plot, or spur on the action of the play.
In Oedipus, the chorus is comprised of citizens of Thebes. The city is suffering from a terrible curse and Oedipus, the king, takes it upon himself to rectify this by following the advice of the gods to discover and punish the murderer of the previous king, Laius.
The chorus first enters singing – and dancing – about the disasters the people have been facing and prays for their end. For the rest of the play, from the foot of the palace, the chorus observes Oedipus’s investigation, horrific discovery and the piteous aftermath for his family.
The treatment of the role of the chorus in these two West End productions are essential to the different meanings they make and how they invite audiences to reflect upon the myth in relation to our own world.
In the Icke adaptation, Oedipus is with his family (wife Jocasta, mother Merope, brother-in-law Creon and three adult children Antigone, Polynices and Eteocles) at his campaign headquarters on the evening of the election.
In this version the challenge the city faces is governmental corruption. Icke has included more family members than are in Sophocles’s original text and cut the role of the chorus entirely. Its exclusion means the governmental corruption is seen almost entirely from the point of view of this political family.
The only perspective we get from the citizens is an opening video sequence as Oedipus is interviewed by the press, and the frequent election result updates. The people elect Oedipus. They want what he promises – an end of governmental corruption.
Icke’s Oedipus strives to do the right thing and break from the string of corrupt, deceitful, narcissistic politicians who have been plaguing the city. The play thereby draws contemporary connections to “draining the swamp” and the “fake news” accusations of Donald Trump.
Without reflections from the people (the chorus), the play becomes a personal drama about the family’s interests and public image. Oedipus and Jocasta’s grisly ends are entirely about their personal horror at the discovery they have made – that she is actually his mother.
There is no reflection on how the play’s ending relates to the ongoing trouble faced by the citizens. In this version of events the final impression feels pessimistic – even when leaders try to do the right thing, the system ensures that they will fail.
In the Old Vic production, the play is set in a Thebes that is suffering from extreme drought (likely alluding to the climate crisis). In Hickson’s adaptation, the chorus remains, but their words have been removed. Only their dance is performed between the scenes of the actors.
This is not to say that the Sophocles text has been “translated” into movement by Shechter, but rather that the historic function of the chorus (to contemplate, to reflect, to spur on) remains by means of what is communicated in dance – which, according to the Guardian’s theatre critic David Jays becomes “the irresistible core of the tragedy”.
In the play’s script, each scene ends with the deceptively simple word: “dance”. In performance, Oedipus’ investigation into what is causing the drought, contemplation of prophecies and public speeches to the people of Thebes are all interspersed with Shechter’s evocative choreography. We see their suffering, we see their prayers, we see their perseverance. Their needs never fade into the background but remain the consistent pulse of the play.
In this version, when Oedipus has his moment of revelation, the rain comes and the people dance in it. This moment imparts impressions of renewed faith, solidarity, fruitfulness, pride, rebirth and life continuing.
Oedipus enters having blinded himself, not out of personal horror, but in order to cleanse the city and ensure its continued godly favour. In contrast to the Icke production, Schechter and Warchus’s version – though still tragic – is ultimately hopeful.
The leader has taken responsibility for what they have done and put the needs of the people over his own ambitions and desires. The last moment is not Oedipus’s. It is the chorus’s – and we watch them dance.
Will Shüler does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced in federal court to 45 months of imprisonment, to be followed by three years of supervised release, on his convictions of possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon and attempting to take action to prevent seizure, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.
United States District Judge Marilyn J. Horan imposed the sentence on Javon Pope, 36.
According to information presented to the Court, on the morning of November 19, 2019, agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation discovered Pope inside a Wilkinsburg residence at which another individual had just been arrested and officers had observed several firearms in plain view. The agents detained and searched Pope, finding a digital scale, a small amount of marijuana, and a cellular telephone. Upon the execution of a search warrant for the residence, agents found four firearms, but in different locations from where they had been initially observed by officers. A search warrant for Pope’s cellular telephone revealed an internet search for “how long does it take to get a search warrant” during the morning of November 19 while the FBI would have had the house secured pending the warrant, as well as a picture of the defendant with several of the firearms found in the residence. Pope has a prior felony conviction, and federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.
The cell phone also revealed several telephone calls between Pope and a resident of the home beginning around the time the Pittsburgh S.W.A.T. Team arrived at the residence, during which Pope was informed that federal agents were at the home and intending to search it. It is a violation of federal law to attempt to take action to prevent seizure of items pursuant to a federal search warrant.
Assistant United States Attorney Brendan T. Conway prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.
Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Pittsburgh S.W.A.T. Team for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Pope.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
HOUSTON – A 53-year-old local resident has been sentenced to federal prison for providing false information on federally mandated firearms records, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.
Yashab Idnan Sandhu, Humble, pleaded guilty July 24, 2023.
U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen has now ordered Sandhu to serve 42 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release.
“The Southern District of Texas is pleased to have worked with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to have intercepted this shipment of guns before they reached Iraq, and used for whatever unknown purpose,” said Ganjei.
“Being a responsible gun dealer is not just a matter of business; it’s a fundamental duty to safeguard public safety and uphold the trust placed in our agency by the American people,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Michael Weddel. “ATF puts great trust in Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs), to include ‘responsible persons,’ as they carry significant responsibility. When that trust is violated, it undermines the confidence the public has in the system. ATF Houston is committed to maintaining public safety, which includes holding these FFLs and their associated employees responsible when the laws and regulations are not followed.”
The investigation began March 13, 2020, when authorities discovered a cache of handguns concealed in a shipping crate addressed to Iraq at a Port of Houston warehouse. They recovered approximately 473 handguns, 38 of which were pistols with obliterated serial numbers.
Law enforcement ultimately traced 38 pistols with obliterated serial numbers to R’s Golf & Guns, an FFL for whom Sandhu was a “responsible person.”
A responsible person is someone who has the authority and power to direct firearm compliance decisions and operations for an FFL.
The investigation revealed Sandhu had sold these firearms to a suspected firearms smuggler. As part of his plea, Sandhu admitted he went back to previously completed forms and added the firearms, falsely reporting they had been sold to other innocent persons.
Sandhu was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.
ATF conducted the investigation with the assistance of the FBI and Bureau of Industry and Security. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steven Schammel and Heather Winter prosecuted the case.
Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, after the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 7-2 opinion upholding Biden-era federal regulations on “ghost guns,” mail-order kits that allow people to build untraceable weapons at home, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), who supported the rule to crack down on the irresponsible proliferation of ghost gun kits, called the court’s decision a victory for public safety and commonsense that must be followed up with further action.
Senator Reed stated: “Ghost guns are custom made for criminals because they are untraceable. The court’s ruling is a big win for public safety and commonsense. These weapon kits must be regulated like other firearms. That includes thorough background checks before being sold and accountability for the manufacturers. It’s past time to close federal loopholes and this 7-2 ruling provides bipartisan momentum to do just that. We’ve seen too many innocent lives taken by ghost guns. I will continue working to get ghost guns off the streets and to preserve these critical tools for law enforcement to keep officers and the public safe from crime.”
Traditional firearms sold by licensed dealers require serial numbers, and buyers must complete a background check before obtaining a gun. But ghost gun kits and components, which are often sold online, lack serial numbers or an identifying mark to indicate its manufacturer, and are difficult for law enforcement to trace but easy for criminals to acquire without a background check.
Ghost guns can come in a variety of forms, from handguns to semi-automatic versions of assault rifles like AR-15s. They are a growing street weapon of choice for those who would fail background checks, such as felons convicted of domestic violence or subject to court orders, violent extremists, and teenagers too young to legally own a gun.
Unregistered, untraceable guns were used in about 19,000 crimes in 2021, according to the federal government.
Every day, decisions that affect our lives depend on knowing how many people live where. For example, how many vaccines are needed in a community, where polling stations should be placed for elections or who might be in danger as a hurricane approaches. The answers rely on population data.
But counting people is getting harder.
For centuries, census and household surveys have been the backbone of population knowledge. But we’ve just returned from the UN’s statistical commission meetings in New York, where experts reported that something alarming is happening to population data systems globally.
Census response rates are declining in many countries, resulting in large margins of error. The 2020 US census undercounted America’s Latino population by more than three times the rate of the 2010 census. In Paraguay, the latest census revealed a population one-fifth smaller than previously thought.
South Africa’s 2022 census post-enumeration survey revealed a likely undercount of more than 30%. According to the UN Economic Commission for Africa, undercounts and census delays due to COVID-19, conflict or financial limitations have resulted in an estimated one in three Africans not being counted in the 2020 census round.
When people vanish from data, they vanish from policy. When certain groups are systematically undercounted – often minorities, rural communities or poorer people – they become invisible to policymakers. This translates directly into political underrepresentation and inadequate resource allocation.
As the Brookings Institution, a US research organisation, has highlighted, undercounts have “cost communities of colour political representation over the next decade”.
This is happening because several factors have converged. Trust in government institutions is eroding worldwide, with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reporting that by late 2023, 44% of people across member countries had low or no trust in their national governments. Research shows a clear trend of declining trust specifically in representative institutions like parliaments and governments. This makes people less likely to respond to government-issued census requests.
International funding for population data is also disappearing. The US-funded Demographic and Health Surveys program, which provided vital survey data across 90 countries for four decades, was terminated in February 2025. Unicef’s Multi-Indicator Cluster program, which carries out household surveys, faces an uncertain future amid shrinking global aid budgets. US government cuts to support for UN agencies and development banks undertaking census support will likely have further impacts.
This is incredibly worrying to us as geography academics, because gathering accurate population data is fundamentally about making everyone visible. As population scientists Sabrina Juran and Arona Pistiner wrote, this information allows governments to plan for the future of a country and its people.
The US census directly impacts the allocation of more than US$1.5 trillion (£1.2 trillion) in public resources each year. How can governments distribute healthcare funding without knowing who lives where? How can disaster response be effective if vulnerable populations are invisible in official population counts?
Solutions that count
Countries are adapting. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the transition to alternative census methodologies. Many countries turned to online questionnaires, telephone interviews and administrative data sources to reduce face-to-face interactions.
The UN Economic Commission for Africa recommends that countries move from using paper forms for census data collection and embrace new digital technologies that can be cheaper and more reliable. Turkey’s switch in 2011 reduced census costs from US$48.3 million to US$13.9 million while improving data quality and timeliness, and nearly 80% of countries used tablets or smartphones for data collection in the 2020 round of censuses.
At WorldPop, our research group at the University of Southampton, we’re also helping governments to develop solutions using new technologies. Buildings mapped from satellite imagery using AI, together with counts of populations from small areas, can help create detailed population estimates to support census implementation or provide estimates for undersurveyed areas.
As we face growing challenges, from climate change to economic inequality, having accurate, reliable and robust population data isn’t a luxury. It’s essential for a functioning society. National statistical offices, UN agencies, academics, the private sector and donors must urgently focus on how to build cost-effective solutions to provide reliable and robust population data, especially in resource-poor settings where recent cuts will be felt hardest.
When people disappear from the data, they risk disappearing from public policy too. Making everyone count starts with counting everyone.
Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?
Andrew J Tatem works for the University of Southampton, and is Director of WorldPop. His research on mapping populations has been funded by donors such as the Gates Foundation, Wellcome Trust, GAVI.
Jessica Espey works for the University of Southampton. Her research on data, statistics and evidence use has previously been funded by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Gates Foundation and others.
Camping reservations will soon open for the entire Berg Lake Trail in Mount Robson Park, marking the return of hikers this summer to one of B.C.’s most popular backcountry hiking destinations.
Beginning at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, people can reserve tent pads at any of the seven backcountry campgrounds along the Berg Lake Trail for arrivals starting June 26, 2025, the same day the entire trail is scheduled to reopen. Reservations will open for the entire season and are required to stay at campgrounds along the trail until Sept. 29, 2025.
“Mount Robson Park is a special place, drawing thousands of people from across Canada and the world to experience the natural beauty,” said Tamara Davidson, Minister of Environment and Parks. “Having undergone repairs to help withstand the impacts of climate change, we’re thrilled to welcome families and friends back to the entire Berg Lake Trail.”
Located between Valemount and Jasper, the 23-kilometre Berg Lake Trail features views of waterfalls, turquoise-coloured lakes and massive glaciers. In June 2021, the trail was closed due to extensive flooding caused by heavy rain following the heat dome. The flooding washed away parts of the trail and caused significant damage to infrastructure, such as bridges, picnic tables and tent pads.
“Hiking the Berg Lake Trail is an unforgettable experience, with nearly 20,000 backcountry hikers and campers coming to this special part of B.C. every year,” said Spencer Chandra Herbert, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “Having the entire trail open again is important for local businesses, communities and visitors, and I encourage everyone to get out this summer and explore beautiful B.C.”
The trail has been rebuilt in three phases. Phase 1 focused on various upgrades from the parking lot to Kinney Lake campground and reopened in 2023 for day use and overnight camping. Phase 2, from Kinney Lake to Whitehorn campground, reopened in 2024 and included a new trail route and new bridges at the far end of Kinney Lake and over the Robson River.
Phase 3, from Whitehorn campground to Berg Lake, included various campground upgrades, along with a significant amount of trail rebuilding and realignment to reduce the amount of time the trail is in the flood plain or crosses the river. The total cost of restoring the trail is estimated at $5 million.
“The Village of Valemount is thrilled to be part of the wonderful news that nature enthusiasts and hikers alike have been eagerly awaiting,” said Owen Torgerson, mayor of Valemount. “The Berg Lake Trail and Mount Robson Park is important for tourism, contributing about 25% to our local economy every year. I encourage everyone to plan a trip to experience the beauty of Berg Lake, and I appreciate the extensive work that has gone into restoring this beloved trail.”
The Berg Lake Trail is open for winter recreation. From May 15 until June 25, the trail will be open for first-come, first-served camping at Kinney Lake and Whitehorn campgrounds. Permits for campsites can be purchased at the Mount Robson Welcome Centre before heading up the trail.
“The Berg Lake Trail offers outdoor enthusiasts an unparalleled hiking and camping experience, while also boosting visitation and driving tourism revenue to the Robson Valley and our welcoming community,” said Eugene Runtz, mayor of McBride. “Reopening this iconic trail strengthens McBride’s position as a premier destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers, showcasing the breathtaking beauty of the Canadian Rockies and inviting travellers to explore all that the Robson Valley has to offer.”
Ellen Walker-Matthews, chief executive officer for the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, said: “We are thrilled that the Berg Lake Trail, one of the iconic experiences in the Thompson Okanagan region, is reopening. The Berg Lake Trail not only draws visitors to its unique experience but helps to attract and welcome Canadian and international visitors to the spectacular North Thompson Valley and surrounding communities.”
People are encouraged to check the park webpage for updates about the final phase of construction: https://bcparks.ca/mount-robson-park/
Quick Facts:
The Berg Lake Trail gains 800 metres of elevation in 23 kilometres.
On average, the trail has nearly 20,000 backcountry hikers and campers each year.
Mount Robson is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies at 3,954 metres.
Mount Robson Park is the second-oldest provincial park in B.C. and was established in 1913 to protect the Fraser River’s headwaters.
Learn More:
Reservations can be made here: https://camping.bcparks.ca/
More information about backcountry camping and policies can be found here: https://bcparks.ca/reservations/backcountry-camping/reservations/
For more information about Mount Robson Park and the Berg Lake Trail, visit: https://bcparks.ca/mount-robson-park/
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Storm recovery efforts will now shift to supporting the community to clean up their own properties.
The ACT Government is delivering additional household green waste collections for severely impacted suburbs as part of clean-up efforts following the storm on Friday 8 December.
Free green waste skip bins will also be available from 14 December at public places for people living in the most impacted suburbs.
Additional green waste bin collections will take place this Saturday 16 December 2023 for the suburbs that were hardest hit.
Extra green waste bin collection The additional green waste bin collection on Saturday 16 December 2023 will take place in the following suburbs:
Amaroo
Charnwood
Downer
Dunlop
Evatt
Giralang
Kaleen
Ngunnawal
Nicholls
Palmerston.
Residents should put their bin on the kerb ready for collection by 5am on Saturday morning.
While residents are very familiar with what can go in greens bins, it is important to note that:
greens bins are only for garden organics, such as leaves, grass clippings and branches 45cm long and with a diameter of 10cm;
the lid needs to be able to close; and
the bin cannot weigh more than 50kg.
Alternatively, the community can drop off green waste for free in:
Symonston – Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre, Mugga Lane
Belconnen – Canberra Sand and Gravel, Parkwood Road.
Temporary green waste skip bins
Temporary green waste skip bins are also available for people living in the most impacted suburbs.
Further sites are currently being assessed, however if Canberrans feel a skip bin is particularly needed in their local area within an impacted suburb they can call Access Canberra on 13 22 81.
The ACT Government will be monitoring these sites and significant fines apply for illegal dumping.
Reporting a job to fix my street
More than 1,000 requests, with some involving multiple trees or sites, have been received by the ACT Government. More are expected over the coming days. Clean-up crews are working hard to triage and respond to those requests.
Clean-up phasing
While extra resources have been available since the storm, the ACT Government expects the clean-up to continue well into the New Year as the focus shifts to non-urgent jobs.
While some work will continue during the Christmas break, this will be scaled back before crews return in early January.
An update on progress will be provided on Wednesday 20 December.
Please remember
If you see a tree fallen on powerlines call @EvoenergyACT on 131 093. If there are powerlines down, don’t approach them and keep at least 8 metres away.
If there’s a tree down on private land, the landowner is responsible for its removal. Please don’t move the tree or branches to the nature strip.
Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:
The Secretary-General welcomes the discussions and reported commitments reached in Saudi Arabia by the United States, the Russian Federation and Ukraine.
Reaching an agreement on freedom of navigation in the Black Sea to ensure the protection of civilian vessels and port infrastructure will be a crucial contribution to global food security and supply chains, reflecting the importance of trade routes from both Ukraine and the Russian Federation to global markets.
The United Nations has been working consistently, especially following the letters the Secretary-General sent to Presidents Zelenskyy, Putin and Erdogan on 7 February 2024 putting forward a proposal for safe and free navigation in the Black Sea.
The United Nations also remains closely engaged in the continued implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Russian Federation on facilitating access of Russian food and fertilizers to global markets to address global food security.
The Secretary-General’s good offices remain available to support all efforts towards peace.
The Secretary-General reiterates his hope that such efforts will pave the way for a durable ceasefire and contribute to achieving a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in Ukraine, in line with the UN Charter, international law and relevant UN resolutions and in full respect of Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Five more co-conspirators have been sentenced to prison for their parts in a broader conspiracy to rob mail carriers at gunpoint, break into collection boxes to steal mail, and commit bank fraud.
According to court documents, from at least April through July of 2023, Ricky Damion Christopher Jones, Jr., aka David William Smith or “Top!,” 21, led at least seven others in a conspiracy to rob U.S. Postal Service (USPS) mail carriers at gunpoint for their arrow keys, which the co-conspirators then either sold or used to break into collection boxes. Arrow keys are master keys used by USPS mail carriers to access blue collection boxes, outdoor parcel lockers, and apartment mailbox panels and are highly valued by criminals who use them to steal mail in lucrative criminal schemes, such as bank and check fraud and identity theft. The co-conspirators included: Dashawn Evans-McCloud, aka Shawn or RI$E, 21, of Virginia Beach; Samir As-Sad Hurd, aka Prodigy, 24, of Chesapeake; Chanz Lamarion Pough, aka NSO Up, 21, of Frederick, Maryland; Manray A.C. Perry, 23, of Virginia Beach; O’Sirus Charles Landres Ford, aka Siris or John Jack, 22, of Chesapeake; Jayden Stukes, 21, of Chesapeake; and Datwan Watson, 24, of Chesapeake.
On May 8, Ford orchestrated the robbery of a USPS carrier in Norfolk wherein the minor robbed the USPS mail carrier at gunpoint, taking both his arrow key and his USPS identification card. Ford and the minor ran back to their vehicle, where Perry was waiting and served as the getaway driver. Perry and the minor agreed to commit another robbery in Hampton the following day, but each backed out. Ford then recruited Stukes and, with Watson’s assistance, robbed another carrier of his arrow key at gunpoint in Hampton on May 9. During the robbery, he threatened to shoot the victim. The other co-conspirators played their own roles, with Jones paying Ford $1000 for both robberies and the keys, Evans-McCloud arranging the rental of the getaway vehicle, and Hurd providing the firearm.
Despite Ford’s June 6, 2023, arrest, the remaining co-conspirators went forward with additional robberies. On July 20, 2023, Evans-McCloud served as the gunman and Hurd as the getaway driver for one attempted robbery in James City County, then two more completed robberies in James City County and Hampton. First, Evans-McCloud, masked and brandishing a firearm, ran toward a mail carrier, but the victim carrier was able to escape in her USPS mail truck. Less than an hour later, Evans-McCloud approached another mail carrier delivering mail on West Steeplechase Way, pointed a gun at the back of his head, and demanded his arrow key. After the carrier surrendered the key, Evans-McCloud retreated to the vehicle driven by Hurd. An hour later, Evans McCloud robbed a carrier by pointing a gun to her head and demanding her arrow key. When she surrendered the key, Evans-McCloud again fled the scene with Hurd. Pough rented the getaway vehicle, which was tracked to an apartment in Virginia Beach rented by Jones. During a search of that apartment, the rented vehicle, and Jones’ vehicle, law enforcement found both stolen arrow keys, masks consistent with the one worn by Evans-McCloud, and several firearms, ammunition, and magazines. They also found numerous tools of check washing, card cracking, and related bank fraud, including high-end printers, blank check stock, deposit slips, hundreds of checks, credit cards in other people’s names, assorted identity documents, and boarding passes.
Subsequent investigation revealed that Jones, Evans-McCloud, Pough, Hurd, and Ford were also participating in related bank and wire fraud schemes involving “card cracking” and “check washing.” These schemes included, among other methods, depositing a counterfeit check, whether altered or entirely fabricated, into a third-party account, then withdrawing as much of that money as possible before the fraudulent check was detected and the account was frozen or the transaction was reversed.
On Sept. 4, 2024, Jones pled guilty to use of a firearm during a crime of violence and conspiracy to commit robbery and conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Jones was sentenced today to 19 years in prison.
On Sept. 16, 2024, Hurd pled guilty to robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. On Jan. 28, Hurd was sentenced to 14 years and three months in prison.
On Sept. 16, 2024, Evans-McCloud pled guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. On Mar. 19, Evans-McCloud was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
On Sept. 19, 2024, Perry pled guilty to robbery. On Mar. 4, Perry was sentenced to five years and three months in prison.
On Sept. 23, 2024, Pough pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Pough was sentenced on Feb. 13 to two years and six months in prison.
Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Damon E. Wood, Inspector in Charge of the Washington Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Roderick C. Young. The James City County Police Department and Hampton Police Department assisted in the investigation of this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie Podlesni prosecuted the case.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case Nos. 4:24-cr-18 and 4:23-cr-51.
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Robert Dover, Professor of Intelligence and National Security & Dean of Faculty, University of Hull
Plans for an attack against an enemy target are classified in America. But the private views of high-ranking officials about allies, communicated within government, must also count as intelligence to be protected.
The recent communication of this category of information over the Signal messaging app has been dismissed by the US president, Donald Trump as a mere “glitch”. It is definitely that. But it also raises the prospect that in his first two months of office, key parts of the administration might have inadvertently been leaving sensitive information vulnerable to enemy interception. That would be one of the most serious intelligence breaches in modern history.
National security advisor, Mike Waltz, has subsequently “taken responsibility” for the episode – but, so far at least, remains in post. Instead, the administration has decided to launch bitter ad hominem attacks against the journalist that revealed this breach of security, the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg.
Storied national security reporter: The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg. US Secretary of Defense
The recent chat group reported exchange involved the adminstration’s most senior national security officials: Waltz, Hegseth, Vice-President J.D. Vance, secretary of state Marco Rubio and director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, among others.
As we know now, it also, accidentally, included Goldberg, himself a storied national security reporter before he took up the editorship of the Atlantic. It’s a national security blunder almost without parallel.
Interestingly, some of the people on this chat were among those who savaged Hilary Clinton’s use of a personal email address during her time as secretary of state. This was controversial, but did not meet the standard for prosecution. Most of her work-related emails were archived into federal records by their recipients on government email. It was poor practice, and regulations were significantly tightened after.
If an inquiry is set up about this most recent incident, it will be interesting to see whether these messages are treated as federal records. This would be signficant because the messages would need to be handed over to officials to classify and archive as part of the public record. That would certainly clear up whether this was indeed a “glitch” or whether classified information was indeed shared – something the administration still denies.
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For such an elevated group of US government officials to use a consumer messaging app to talk business invites an easy win for enemy intelligence agencies. America’s key intelligence competitors invest billions of dollars in techniques and technologies to break the toughest encryption. For phone-based communications, we know that apps such as NSO Group’s Pegasus can be used to bypass the encryption on phones.
The Guardian newspaper’s investigative work has highlighted how journalists and activists were targeted by countries using this technology and the interception capability of capable intelligence nations is far stronger. So the standard security induction to officials would cover communications, devices and protocols.
It is not clear whether the protocols cover the use of emojis. Waltz’s use of a fist, fire and flag emoji is certainly unusual in diplomatic cables that have been aired publicly.
Even worse, the communication between these officials was prior to a deployment of US military assets against an enemy target, the Houthi rebels in Yemen. This potentially placed the success of the operation and those assets at risk.
That the Yemenis did not move assets that had been targeted does not conclusively prove that the communications remained safe. It has long been a practice to pick and choose when to risk revealing that communications are being intercepted.
Zero accountability
An ordinary intelligence officer who communicated about highly sensitive and classified deployments through a platform with security that is not accredited or controlled by the intelligence community, would certainly face disciplinary action. An officer who accidentally invited a journalist into this chat would be likely to face even stiffer sanctions. Trump seems to have rallied around his officials, however.
The US has recent form in vigorously pursuing journalists who publish classified materials. The Edward Snowden leaks caused considerable damage to transatlantic intelligence and Snowden was forced to take up residence in Moscow to avoid prosecution.
The newspapers who published his papers were subject to strong action from the governments in their countries. The publication of Chelsea Manning’s leaked cables – known as Cablegate – by Julian Assange and Wikileaks resulted in a lengthy process to try and prosecute Assange (Manning herself was prosecuted and was sentenced to 35 years in jail, serving seven).
But instead, Trump has chosen to spearhead a backlash against The Atlantic – the “messenger”. It fits in with Trump’s antipathy towards the mainstream media and his strong preference for some social media outlets. It might also signal a more serious turn towards intolerance to investigative journalism.
Diplomatic disaster
What the Signal messages also reveal is a contempt for European allies among Trump’s most senior people. That will be difficult to repair. Describing allies who have lost thousands of soldiers supporting American foreign policy aims as “pathetic” and “freeloaders” will make it very difficult for those governments to underplay the significance of the comments.
What we have seen in the Signal messages might herald a new era of diplomacy and policy making, by officials who are not afraid to break established patterns. What we can definitely say is that it is radically different to the diplomacy the rest of the west is used to, and it will be nearly impossible to unsee.
The western allies will be accelerating their plans to be less dependent on the US – and this will be to America’s detriment.
Robert Dover does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Shampa Roy-Mukherjee, Vice Dean and Professor in Economics, University of East London
Not even six months on from Labour’s first budget, and the world is a much-changed place. Geopolitical tensions and uncertainties, already high last year, have risen further, and with them the cost of the UK’s debt, while economic growth has stalled. As such, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confronted an array of unpalatable choices – notably cutting disability benefits – to enable her to increase defence spending and stabilise the public finances. Here’s what our panel of experts made of the statement:
Falling inflation wasn’t enough to prevent further disability cuts
Shampa Roy-Mukherjee, Vice Dean and Professor in Economics, University of East London
The independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has halved the UK’s 2025 growth forecast to 1%, down from the previously projected 2%. This sluggish growth, coupled with increased borrowing costs, has effectively eliminated the government’s £9.9 billion “fiscal headroom” – its financial buffer – resulting in a £4.1 billion shortfall by 2029-30.
There was some short-term relief in the latest inflation figures. These showed a slowdown in price rises in February (2.8% against 3% in January). The dip was caused by discounting of items like clothing. But given around half of businesses are considering price rises to combat tax hikes and the national living wage increase coming in April, this relief is likely to be short-lived. The OBR forecasts that inflation will climb back up to 3.2% this year.
The government had previously set out its controversial plans for £5 billion in welfare cuts. But the OBR rejected the claim that the reforms would save that much, estimating the savings at £3.4 billion, leaving Reeves with a £1.6 billion shortfall. As such, she has had to announce additional welfare reforms.
These include freezing the universal credit health element until 2030 and reducing it to £50 a week for new claimants. This is aimed at saving an additional £500 million by 2030 – and combined with other planned welfare reforms could affect more than 3 million people. But the standard allowance for universal credit will see an above-inflation increase from 2026-27 and the incomes of those with the most severe lifelong conditions will be protected.
Civil service administrative budgets are also to be reduced – by 15% by 2029-30. This, along with other efficiency and productivity improvements, will lead to annual savings of £3.5 billion. These cuts will focus on areas like human resources, policy advice, and office management, rather than frontline services.
Reeves resorted to tricks and ‘efficiency savings’
Steve Schifferes, Honorary Research Fellow, City St George’s, University of London
Reeves has announced a series of tweaks to her spending plans to address the economic situation which has meant that she is in danger of breaking her self-imposed fiscal rules. The chancellor was at pains to say that these rules are “non-negotiable”.
But these are unlikely to tackle the deeper problem – that in the short term she cannot rely on economic growth to square the circle of Labour’s three contradictory election pledges. These were more spending on public services, lower taxes and strict fiscal rules.
The UK, in fact, is particularly vulnerable to the disruption of global trade that is likely to result from US president Donald Trump’s tariff wars. And the productivity gains from her long-term infrastructure plans will take years – if not a decade – to translate into higher growth.
Like many chancellors, Reeves has resorted to various tricks – such as counting money moved to the defence budget to build tanks and aircraft as capital spending (and therefore exempt from the borrowing rules). And she has called for “efficiency savings” in the civil service and government departments that are unlikely to be realised.
But the biggest savings are coming from deeper than expected cuts in disability payments and other welfare payments, reducing the income of more than 3 million people. This is upsetting many Labour MPs. Her big sweetener – £2 billion for social housing next year – is actually less than that already allocated by the previous Conservative government.
Crucially, the further savings likely to be demanded in the spending review (announced on June 11) from unprotected departments including local government, justice and environment, will certainly look a lot like a return to austerity.
In the end – and possibly as soon as the autumn budget – the chancellor will have to accept that as well as spending cuts, she will have to consider tax increases and possibly even a revision of the fiscal rules.
Otherwise, she will remain at the mercy of the markets and the forecasters. Any long-term strategy will be strangled by the need to continually adjust policy to meet the fiscal “headroom” target she has set which leaves little room for manoeuvre. This requires an implausibly accurate prediction of the state of the economy in five years’ time by the OBR.
Commitment to financial stability is actually increasing uncertainty
Linda Yueh, Fellow and Adjunct Professor of Economics, University of Oxford
The chancellor’s self-imposed fiscal rules are intended to provide stability – one of the foundations of economic growth. One of those rules, which Rachel Reeves has said she will not bend, is that government day-to-day spending must be balanced by tax receipts by the end of this parliament.
This is intended to provide transparency on fiscal policy. And Reeves clearly understands the importance of how international financial markets react to the UK’s level of spending – and its public debt (currently about 100% of GDP).
But the world is not a stable place. And with the OBR halving its 2025 GDP growth forecast from 2% to 1%, unplanned cuts to public spending followed.
Consistency in fiscal policy helps households and business to plan for the future. But during times of heightened uncertainty with global tariffs looming, GDP is likely to remain volatile. This makes not changing the government’s fiscal stance particularly challenging.
It is also challenging for chancellor personally, as she would prefer to have one “fiscal event” a year, rather than two. But the OBR is obliged to provide economic forecasts twice a year, and when it slashes expected growth, she is duty bound to respond.
Somewhat ironically then, the government’s stability rule is having the unintended consequence of adding policy uncertainty to an already uncertain overall economic environment – and more frequent changes to fiscal policy.
Modest defence spending boost will struggle to reverse years of decline
Jamie Gaskarth, Professor of Foreign Policy and International Relations, the Open University
In two months, the UK defence sector has been turned upside down – primarily by Donald Trump. His administration has made implied threats to invade a NATO ally (Denmark), challenged the sovereignty of another (Canada) and pulled support for Ukraine, openly siding with Russia in ceasefire negotiations. There is a real chance the US will draw down its security presence in Europe.
If European countries are to meet the full cost of their own security, this will have to mean a dramatic increase in defence budgets. So far, the UK has redistributed aid money to help fund an increase in defence spending to 2.5% of GDP (from 2.3%) by 2027, with the ambition to raise it to 3% in the next parliament.
It has also offered an extra £2 billion to underwrite defence exports. But this is small beer.
As with many areas of public spending, dramatic cuts to the defence budget during the years of austerity (22% in real terms) have meant delays to procurement, crumbling estates and a chronic lack of investment.
This will take a substantial uplift to redress. Recent increases under the Conservatives were eaten up by capital costs and inflation.
And while ideas such as the £400 million ringfenced to support innovation in AI and new technology are welcome, these are tiny amounts in the grand scheme of things. The UK is not going to be a “defence industrial superpower” any time soon if budget announcements are this small, and increases so modest.
Promise to disabled people in tatters
William E. Donald, Associate Professor of Sustainable Careers and Human Resource Management, University of Southampton
In November, social security and disability minister Sir Stephen Timms spoke passionately at the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 awards, vowing to undo past injustices and declaring: “We now want to put that right.” As a disabled person, I cheered. That promise now lies in ruins.
Despite government claims there will be no return to austerity, sick and disabled people face a real-terms cut to their incomes and the criteria for claiming personal independence payment (Pip) will become stricter than ever. This isn’t just a policy to save £5 billion, it’s cruelty and a devastating attack on disabled people.
Pip isn’t means-tested and is paid regardless of whether you work. It exists because, according to disability charity Scope, disabled households need an additional £1,010 a month to achieve the same standard of living as others. Stripping this support away while NHS mental health waiting lists grow, energy and food prices rise, and the disability pay gap sits at 12.7% won’t push people into work. It will push them into crisis.
Last year, Labour promised to break barriers for disabled people. Instead, they are building new ones. These cuts come at the expense of society’s most vulnerable. The consequences will be catastrophic.
Social housing boost – but homes could be improved now
Nicky Shaw, Senior Lecturer in Operations Management, Leeds University Business School, and Simon Williams, Associate Faculty, Leeds University Business School
The chancellor’s £2 billion investment in new homes will certainly help to increase the availability of affordable social housing. Everyone agrees that access to decent, affordable homes is important, but the quality and maintenance of existing social houses remains critical. Replacing cladding, for example, is stubbornly challenging.
But beyond just building more social housing, our research has explored key measures of tenant satisfaction. The potential ways for digital tools such as AI to improve the efficiency of tasks like repairs and maintenance in future are numerous.
But social housing’s tenant demographic includes many people who are more vulnerable, some of whom prefer not to – or simply cannot – engage with digital services. This means that sustaining face-to-face contact with tenants is critical. Investing in tenants’ experience now could really deliver tangible benefits for some of Britain’s most vulnerable people.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
The Secretary-General welcomes the discussions and reported commitments reached in Saudi Arabia by the United States, the Russian Federation and Ukraine.
Reaching an agreement on freedom of navigation in the Black Sea to ensure the protection of civilian vessels and port infrastructure, will be a crucial contribution to global food security and supply chains, reflecting the importance of trade routes from both Ukraine and the Russian Federation to global markets.
The United Nations has been working consistently, especially following the letters the Secretary-General sent to Presidents Zelenskyy, Putin and Erdogan on 7 February 2024 putting forward a proposal for safe and free navigation in the Black Sea.
The United Nations also remains closely engaged in the continued implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Russian Federation on facilitating access of Russian food and fertilizers to global markets to address global food security.
The Secretary-General’s good offices remain available to support all efforts towards peace.
The Secretary-General reiterates his hope that such efforts will pave the way for a durable ceasefire and contribute to achieving a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in Ukraine, in line with the UN Charter, international law and relevant UN resolutions and in full respect of Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Spokane, WA – The U.S. Marshals Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force (PNVOTF), are working closely with the Moses Lake Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Washington State Department of Corrections, U.S. Border Patrol, and the FBI to locate and apprehend two fugitives suspected in a drive-by shooting March 21 in Moses Lake that claimed the life of a 14-year-old boy and left four others—three juveniles and one adult — critically injured.
A reward of up to $10,000 ($5,000 per fugitive) is available for information leading directly to their arrests. The suspects should be considered armed and dangerous.
The Moses Lake Police Department identified three suspects and recovered an abandoned vehicle linked to the crime. On March 22, the U.S. Marshals Service PNVOTF was requested to adopt the fugitive investigation.
On March 24, at the request of the U.S. Marshals, the Richland Police Department arrested a juvenile suspect was arrested at Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland. The suspect, who had sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the leg, is charged with first-degree murder.
Arrest warrants for the two remaining fugitives were issued March 25, charging both with murder in the first degree, five counts of assault in the first degree, drive-by shooting, and felon in possession of a firearm.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the nearest U.S. Marshals office or local law enforcement, the U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102, or at USMS Tips.
The Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force is a U.S. Marshals-led partnership comprising federal, state, and local law enforcement officers from Washington, Oregon, and Alaska. The task force’s primary mission is to locate, arrest and return to the justice system the most violent and egregious federal and state fugitives.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)
MISSOULA — A Missoula man who trafficked methamphetamine and fentanyl was sentenced today to 120 months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Andrew David Ambler, 27, pleaded guilty in November 2024 to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided.
The government alleged in court documents that on May 24, 2024, Ambler was arrested by members of the Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force on a parole violation for suspected drug trafficking and firearm-related offenses. Prior to being taken into custody, Ambler attempted to flee on foot while trying to get to his vehicle and discarded a backpack and a bag that were on his person. The backpack and bag contained a loaded .22 caliber pistol, methamphetamine, and fentanyl. A search of Ambler’s vehicle resulted in the seizure of approximately 5,000 fentanyl pills, which he admitted he intended to distribute.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI’s Montana Regional Violent Crime Task Force conducted the investigation.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn.
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