Desmond Milligan

Trump’s renewed pledge to ban mail-in ballots in US elections lacks an alternative plan and authority — this power lies with Congress and state leaders — but it does bring into focus how technology could rise to the challenge. Shai Bargil, the CEO of Israeli online voting platform Sequent, believes the US is only a few years away from offering mobile device voting for overseas individuals and voters in major cities. It’s one of the few issues that may bring the left and right together. Democrats want expanded voting access to underserved communities, and Republicans want authentication methods. Sequent uses a cryptographic system, which encrypts responses and uses mathematical proofs to ensure votes are counted correctly. Users vote through a website, where they also verify their identity using biometric or multi-factor authentication methods. The code is open source, and the vote count is auditable. In May, 1.2 million overseas Filipinos cast their ballots in the Philippines’ national election using Sequent’s voting system. More than 200 municipalities in Ontario, Canada, will offer online voting through Sequent in 2026, Bargil said. He expects to begin piloting it for overseas US citizens next year. — Rachyl Jones View the full article

There’s no shortage of problems with Donald Trump’s move to militarize the nation’s capital, but at the heart of the issue is the underlying premise: The president is responding to a public safety crisis that doesn’t appear to exist. In fact, crime rates are down across the board in Washington, D.C., and violent crime rates have reached a 30-year low. We can say this with some confidence because U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro’s office is still promoting a press statement from earlier this year that boasts about violent crime in the city dropping to a 30-year low. Trump is aware of the statistics, and he has repeatedly told the public to believe his claims over the official data, but that’s not all he has said. The president has also repeatedly insisted that officials in D.C. secretly manipulated the data, releasing “fake crime numbers” in an alleged effort to discredit the apparent trend. As is often the case, the president’s rhetoric has generated action from his administration. NBC News reported: The Justice Department is investigating whether Washington, D.C., police manipulated data to make crime rates appear lower, two senior law enforcement officials confirmed to NBC News. The investigation is being run out of the office of the U.S. attorney for D.C., Jeanine Pirro, the officials said. In fairness, it’s worth emphasizing the fact that the local NBC affiliate reported last month that a Metropolitan Police Department commander, Michael Pulliam, was suspended and put on leave in May after the department began investigating allegations he altered some crime data. Pulliam has denied the allegations. That said, the details matter. As a Vox report explained, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser “has since stated that ‘we don’t believe [the investigation] implicates many cases,’ and the decline in violent crime in DC tracks with a national trend.” What’s more, as the NBC News report noted, the new Justice Department investigation is “expected to go much further” than simply reviewing the allegations surrounding Pulliam. Finally, there’s the bigger picture, and the apparent fact that the DOJ has launched an unnecessary investigation in response to the president’s conspiracy theory. As The New York Times reported, the investigation “is likely to prompt new criticism that the administration is using the levers of the criminal justice system to pursue the president’s political opponents.” That seems like a safe bet. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com View the full article

Roughly 8 in 10​​ Washington, DC, residents oppose President Donald Trump ordering the federal government to take control of the city’s police department as well as his deployment of the National Guard and FBI to patrol the city, a new Washington Post-Schar School poll finds. Notably, more than half of those living in the capital city have noticed the increased federal presence and 61% of those people feel less safe as a result of Trump’s action. The figures go against the narrative Trump and other top administration officials have touted about the impact of the federal takeover. “We went from the most unsafe place anywhere to a place that now people, friends are calling me up, Democrats are calling me up, and they’re saying, ‘Sir, I want to thank you. My wife and I went out to dinner last night for the first time in four years, and Washington, DC, is safe. And you did that in four days,’” Trump said at the White House on Monday. Overall, a 79% majority of DC residents oppose Trump’s order, according to the survey, with just 17% supportive of the decision. Most, 69%, say they’re strongly opposed. DC residents say, 65% to 20%, that they don’t think Trump’s actions will reduce the amount of violent crime in the city. By contrast, majorities say they think increased economic opportunities in poor neighborhoods (77%), stricter national gun laws (70%), an increased number of Metropolitan Police officers patrolling communities (63%) and using outreach workers to resolve disputes (57%) would help to reduce violent crime. Trump, who was supported by just over 6% of DC voters in last year’s presidential election, remains broadly unpopular in the District, the poll finds, with his overall job approval rating now standing at just 15% among all residents. The poll also finds a significant shift in DC residents’ attitudes toward crime since this spring, perhaps reflecting the changing political context of the question — just 31% now describe crime as an extremely or very serious problem in the District (down from 50%) and a 54% majority say they believe the problem of crime in the city is improving (up from 29%). Among the 35% of residents who say they, a family member, or a close friend has been a victim of crime in the past five years, support for Trump’s actions stands at 34%, compared with 8% support among those who do not know a recent crime victim. About half of residents say Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser should be doing more to oppose Trump, with 30% saying she is handling things about right and 12% that she should be more supportive. A 71% majority also say DC police should not help the federal government much or at all to deport undocumented immigrants living in the city. Local police officers have been seen participating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement checkpoints over the past week. Bowser’s rating stands at 53%, unchanged from a May survey, with 54% saying that DC police are doing a good or excellent job. The Washington Post-Schar School poll was conducted August 14-17 and surveyed 604 DC residents through a combination of live phone interviews and online surveys. Results for the full sample have a margin of error of +/- 4.1 percentage points. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com View the full article

A mother holds her daughter while she gets a vaccine at a clinic in Texas in March. Children and adults who receive health insurance through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program will now be subject to immigration or citizenship status checks, according to a new initiative announced this week by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who oversees Medicaid as secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (Photo by Jan Sonnenmair/Getty Images) This week, the Trump administration’s Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced an effort to check the immigration status of people who get their health insurance through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Medicaid is the public health insurance program for people with low incomes that’s jointly funded by states and the federal government. For families that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to afford private insurance, CHIP is a public program that provides low-cost health coverage for their children. The feds will begin sending states monthly enrollment reports that identify people with Medicaid or CHIP whose immigration or citizenship status can’t be confirmed through federal databases. States are then responsible for verifying the citizenship or immigration status of individuals in those reports. States are expected to take “appropriate actions when necessary, including adjusting coverage or enforcing non-citizen eligibility rules,” according to a CMS press release. States scramble to shield hospitals from GOP Medicaid cuts “We are tightening oversight of enrollment to safeguard taxpayer dollars and guarantee that these vital programs serve only those who are truly eligible under the law,” Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who oversees CMS as secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said in a press release announcing the new program. As of April, roughly 71 million adults and children nationwide have Medicaid coverage, while another 7 million children have insurance through CHIP. Immigrants under age 65 are less likely to be covered by Medicaid than U.S.-born citizens, according to an analysis from health research organization KFF. Immigrants who are in the country illegally aren’t eligible for federally funded Medicaid and CHIP. Only citizens and certain lawfully present immigrants — green card holders and refugees, for example — can qualify. But some states have chosen to expand Medicaid coverage for immigrants with their own funds. Twenty-three states offer pregnancy-related care regardless of citizenship or immigration status, according to KFF. Fourteen states provide coverage for children in low-income families regardless of immigration status, while seven states offer coverage to some adults regardless of status. The tax and spending package President Donald Trump last month cuts federal spending on Medicaid by more than $1 trillion, leaving states to either make up the difference with their own funds or reduce coverage. But the new law also includes restrictions on coverage for certain immigrants, including stripping eligibility from refugees and asylum-seekers. Stateline reporter Anna Claire Vollers can be reached at [email protected]. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE View the full article

COLUMBUS (WBOY) — Recently-retired West Virginia University President E. Gordon Gee will spend his sabbatical from WVU as a consultant for The Ohio State University, where he previously served twice as president. Ohio State announced Tuesday that Gee would take on a one-year engagement. Gordon Gee (The Ohio State University)“In his consulting role, Gee will serve as a resource for university leaders as they advance their strategic priorities,” the release said. Gee will also hold residencies with the College of Public Affairs, College of Law and Center for Civics, Culture and Society. WVU students explore campus life at student organization fair “I am honored that President Carter asked me to return to Ohio State during my sabbatical leave from West Virginia University,” said Gee. “Ohio State has played an extraordinary role in my life as have the people of Ohio, and to be able to serve the university in an advisory capacity is a great privilege.” Gee served as Ohio State’s 11th president from 1990-1998 and its 14th president from 2007-2013. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com. View the full article

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently banned new items from checked luggage because of safety concerns. Following rules and regulations set forth by TSA is important in order to ensure travelers board planes on time and that passengers remain safe. If Louisiana flyers attempt travel with these certain items in their checked bags, they may be at risk of being taken away by TSA agents. TSA banning some cordless hair tools in checked bags. What to know in LouisianaRecently banned items by the TSA include cordless hair devices, as they may contain potentially hazardous materials, such as gas cartridges and butane. These specific types of cordless hair devices have been banned, according to the Federal Aviation Administration: Cordless curling irons or flatirons containing gas cartridges. Butane-fueled curling irons or flat irons. Gas refills (spare cartridges) for curling irons or flat irons. These items have been prohibited because gas cartridges may potentially explode or ignite during transport. TSA PreCheck passengers enter the security area at Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City, on Friday, July 26, 2024.If TSA finds these items in checked bags, then passengers' luggage will likely be taken away, USA Today reported. However, these items are allowed within carry-on bags, as long as there are safety covers that prevent activation. As for corded hair tools, these devices are fine in both checked and carry-on bags. Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at [email protected] This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: TSA bans new items from baggage. What Louisiana travelers should know View the full article

During a news conference on Tuesday, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said it is not "necessary to disclose" if you are an illegal immigrant when applying for aid from flood damage. "We want to ensure that the residents of the communities that have been hit the hardest know that the full force of government will remain constant until families get full restoration," Johnson said during a news conference about recent flooding. At least five inches of heavy rain fell on parts of Chicago and northwest Indiana, causing flooding and delays. Chicago Mayor Concludes Council-demanded Probe Of City Police’s Role During Recent Ice Raid During a press conference on Tuesday, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said it is not "necessary to disclose" if you are an illegal immigrant when applying for aid from flood damage.Johnson said that illegal immigrants need not worry about disclosing their status when applying for aid. "We also want to make sure that when you are filling out the survey, your documentation status is not necessary to disclose," Johnson said. "So this is for individuals who are residents or citizens, as well as undocumented individuals. That information will not be disclosed, so your status will be protected as the Welcoming City Ordinance permits." Read On The Fox News App Chicago is a sanctuary city for illegal immigrants. Mayor Johnson Warns Trump Against Deploying Federal Troops For Immigration Crackdown In Chicago In July, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said his city "will not ever cooperate with ICE."In July, Johnson said his city "will not ever cooperate with ICE." During the press conference, Johnson also said the city will have to plant more trees to combat climate change. "We will continue to see damaging flood incidents until there are some real structural changes and improvements to our infrastructure as a whole," Johnson said. "Second reason is climate change," Johnson added. "It means that Chicago's working-class communities are experiencing more and more frequent 100-year storms and extreme weather. We need to build more climate resilient infrastructure, plant more trees to absorb water, and modernize our infrastructure to account for this new reality." During the press conference, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson also said the city will have to plant more trees to combat climate change. Original article source: Chicago mayor says applicants for flood relief need not reveal if they’re in the US illegally View the full article

Immigrant rights advocates are advising allies to adopt nonviolent resistance in the face of the Trump administration's escalating mass deportation campaign (Vaughn Wheat/The Beacon). Black SUVs whizzing by were the first hint an immigration raid might be imminent. A Kansas City man riding his bike along the Trolley Track Trail felt his initial fear confirmed when a Waldo area construction site came into view. He saw handcuffed laborers, men he assumed to be Latino, being questioned by other men in tactical gear. “My full intent was to stop and let them know that someone was watching,” said the man, who didn’t want to be publicly identified. He wasn’t the only one who saw what many assumed was an immigration raid in the heart of Waldo in mid-July. Others shared their outrage on social media. And the man riding his bike took photos and a video that showed some of the men wore tactical gear marked U.S. Marshals Service. But was it an immigration raid? Need to get in touch?Have a news tip? The construction workers were released when a small crowd of bystanders gathered, some drawn from businesses along Wornall Road. Tensions quickly escalated as bystanders began yelling and cursing. At least one agent who identified himself as a U.S. marshal cursed back, said the man who took photos. The incident is now part of a growing list being documented by local advocates for immigrant rights. They’re tracking dozens of possible immigration actions, watching for patterns and trying to tamp down unsubstantiated rumors before they spread. The Waldo incident has not been confirmed as an immigration raid. So far, only about a dozen incidents in the Kansas City area have been verified as immigration enforcement actions since President Donald Trump took office in late January, according to Advocates for Immigrant Rights and Reconciliation, or AIRR. Many more reported incidents could not be verified, or simply turned out to be someone receiving a ticket for a traffic violation, with no issues involving immigration. The value of the ‘silent observer’Amid the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign, civil rights advocates nationally and locally are emphasizing training for bystanders and a heightened attention to nonviolent protests. Janet Murguía understands that Latinos and other allies are angry about reports of federal officials arresting people at workplaces, in their homes and even when they go, as directed, to immigration court. “But that outrage needs to be targeted in the right ways,” said Murguía, the president and CEO of UnidosUS. “It cannot give more fuel to this administration to … bring in more law enforcement.” UnidosUS is the nation’s largest Latino civil rights and advocacy organization. The group held its annual convention in Kansas City Aug. 4-7. Training in nonviolence while advocating for immigrant rights was a recurring theme during the conference. The actions of even one rambunctious protester can quickly escalate and incite others. Often unsubstantiated rumors spread quickly via social media. The Department of Homeland Security reports escalating numbers of attacks on federal immigration agents and other federal partners, which can include the U.S. Marshals Service. A June DHS release following the outbreak of protests in Los Angeles said there had been a 413% increase in assaults against federal agents from the same time last year. It also said that agents and their families had been doxed, which has been a reason that the government has given to defend the use of face masks. The fact that a bystander had a child present during the July arrests of 11 workers at two area El Toro Loco restaurants was also called out in a Homeland Security statement. “ICE was carrying out a criminal federal search warrant to rescue victims of human trafficking. Extremists and activists, one with their child in tow, tried to interfere with law enforcement by storming the restaurant, calling law enforcement Nazis, and attempting to keep officers from leaving the scene,” said DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin. “Unfortunately, these types of smears and obstruction to law enforcement operations are becoming more and more common. Our brave ICE law enforcement are facing an 830% increase in assaults against them as they carry out operations.” Statements by Homeland Security consistently highlight the administration’s goal of targeting violent criminals. But the government’s own data shows that less than half of people arrested from late January through late June had been convicted of a crime, according to information gathered by the Deportation Data Project through Freedom of Information Act requests and analysis by news organizations like Stateline. And among those who do have criminal convictions, for many it was for a less serious issue, like a traffic conviction. Only 7% had been convicted of a violent crime, according to Stateline. A person’s immigration status is a civil matter. In training sessions, Kansas City area organizers seek to redirect those who might become agitated when interacting with federal immigration agents or other law enforcement. If a volunteer demonstrates a fervent desire to fight fascism, or to accuse people of being Nazis, they probably need to reassess before becoming involved. There’s more at stake with local organizing than what some people who want to lend support as an ally might realize, said immigrant rights advocates and immigration attorneys. For example, videos taken by bystanders could be useful in legal cases challenging the constitutionality of the tactics being used by federal agents during arrests. But videos with people screaming slurs at federal agents can be less useful. Such actions can also undercut the philosophy of nonviolence. Civil rights struggles require a consistent, long-term strategy to succeed, said Trinidad Raj Molina, an organizer with Advocates for Immigrant Rights and Reconciliation. Dramatic actions might feel good in the moment, Molina said, but aren’t a part of strategies designed to bring significant social change. “Being a silent observer is important,” said Molina. Lessons on nonviolenceMurguía is leaning into her friendship with the late civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis for guidance. Through the years, she heard the Georgia congressman speak about nonviolence to groups large and small, often emphasizing lessons he learned over a lifetime fighting for voting rights, desegregation and so much more. “I remember repeatedly hearing him say that civil disobedience requires courage,” she said. “And that the part of courage that people don’t understand is being brave enough not to respond with violence, and how critically important it is to understand the role of nonviolent civil disobedience and peaceful protests.” UnidosUS is partnering with other national organizations like the National Urban League to call for more immigrant rights training sessions around such disciplines and to learn from the civil rights legacy of the African American community. Martin Luther King Jr. taught that nonviolence is not passive. It focuses on injustice, rather than individuals. It’s a way of life, not a tactic. People today might not realize how much training was involved in some of the most famous civil rights actions of the 1950s, Murguía said. Murguía is especially aware that protesters today might be goaded to react, which can then be used as a pretext for a more militarized response by government officials. Congress recently authorized more than $170 billion for increased immigration enforcement, which is more than the combined budgets of all other federal law enforcement agencies, Murguía said. That point was also underscored by labor rights leader David Huerta, who said it is imperative that people who protest are disciplined and committed to nonviolence and understand how to deescalate situations. Huerta spoke on a panel during the UnidosUS conference in Kansas City. “When you do see violence, you have to deescalate it,” he said. “Because it can escalate so quickly.” Huerta is president of the Service Employees International Union of California and first came to prominence through the Justice for Janitors campaign. Huerta was recently arrested during immigrant rights protests in Los Angeles, spending three days in jail before being released on bond and charged with conspiracy to impede an officer. He said it is too easy for government officials to “flip the narrative” on people who protest immigration arrests. “We can’t let this sense of intimidation keep us from doing what we have to do,” Huerta said. “But we definitely have to be intelligent and smart about it, and we have to be really disciplined and always engaged in nonviolence.” AIRR doesn’t want to dissuade people from getting involved as allies. It strives to empower immigrants, in particular. All reported information is helpful, advocates said. For instance, AIRR has noted that more foreign cars are now being used in enforcement actions. There are also instances of federal agents being seen driving around apartment complexes in Olathe in the early morning hours, and in neighborhoods in the Northeast section of Kansas City. The assumption is that they might be searching for people to arrest on their way to work. More than 2,400 people have been trained regionally in know-your-rights sessions. There are also guidelines on what to do if you believe you are witnessing a raid, including how to document it, while staying safe. Local training sessions are similar to those made available by UnidosUS and other national organizations. In the case of the Waldo worksite, a wrought iron fence separated the half-dozen people who tried to confront the U.S. Marshals Service. One woman, who had come from a nearby gym, was very angry, said the man who photographed the incident. He doesn’t regret his role. But he did worry that he might end up getting arrested as the tensions escalated. Still, he felt an obligation to speak up as an African American, knowing that his community also had to fight for basic civil rights. “I just felt like it’s happening right in front of my face now,” he said. “We might have kept those people from getting kidnapped.” This article first appeared on Beacon: Kansas City and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. View the full article

(The Center Square) – Michigan’s unemployment is still the third highest nationally, according to the July data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. With Michigan’s unemployment rate coming in at 5.3%, California and Nevada are the only states with higher unemployment rates. Currently, California’s unemployment rate is 5.5% and Nevada’s unemployment rate is 5.4%. “Michigan’s unemployment rate remained unchanged in July at 5.3% as small decreases in employment and unemployment caused a minor reduction in the state’s labor force,” said Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for Michigan’s Center for Data and Analytics. This came as the national unemployment rate increased by 0.1% to 4.2% in July. Michigan’s unemployment rate has been consistently above the national average for the past few months, despite declining slightly from its June high of 5.4%. Though the unemployment rate remained steady, Michigan labor force decreased by 5,000 to 5 million. That is 61.6% of Michigan’s population. According to a July report from Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget, this is the lowest workforce seen in the state since August 2024. It is also lower than the national average of 62.2%. This employment decrease of 0.1% mirrored the nationwide employment decrease of 0.2%. While unemployment has been increasing nationally over the past year, unemployment in Michigan has fared significantly worse. As of July of last year, the total number of unemployed Michiganders was 244,798. That number is now 270,369. So, while the national unemployment total increased by 2%, Michigan’s increased by more than 10%. Despite fears of government cuts, Michigan’s government sector recorded the greatest over-the-month job gain, with its employment increasing by 3,000 in July alone. Since July 2024, the government sector saw the second highest growth of any job sector with 13,000 jobs added. Only private education and health services outpaced it with 22,000 jobs added. Opinions have been split on what is causing Michigan's high unemployment, with Democrats pointing to issues like tariffs, while Republicans lay the blame on economic policies pushed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. View the full article

Abrupt and potentially irreversible changes in Antarctica driven by climate change could lift global oceans by metres and lead to "catastrophic consequences for generations", scientists warned Wednesday. More broadly, a state-of-knowledge review by a score of top experts revealed accelerating shifts across the region that are often both cause and effect of global warming, according to a study published in Nature. "Antarctica is showing worrying signs of rapid change across its ice, ocean and ecosystems," lead author and Australian National University professor Nerilie Abram told AFP. "Some of these abrupt changes will be difficult to stop." Shifts in different facets of Antarctica's climate system amplify each other and have accelerated the pace of warming globally as well, she said. The study looked at evidence of abrupt change -- or "regime shifts" -- in sea ice, regional ocean currents, the continent's ice sheet and ice shelves, and marine life. It also examined how they interact. Floating sea ice does not add to sea level when it melts. But its retreat does replace white surfaces that reflect almost all of the Sun's energy back into space with deep blue water, which absorbs the same amount instead. Ninety percent of the heat generated by manmade global warming is soaked up by oceans. - Retreating sea ice - After increasing slightly during the first 35 years that satellite data was available, Antarctic sea ice cover plunged dramatically over the last decade. Since 2014, sea ice has retreated on average 120 kilometres (75 miles) from the continent's shoreline. That contraction has happened about three times faster in 10 years than the decline in Arctic sea ice over nearly 50. The "overwhelming evidence of a regime shift in sea ice" means that, on current trends, Antarctica could essentially become ice free in summer sooner than the Arctic, the study found. This will speed up warming in the region and beyond, and could push some marine species toward extinction. Over the last two years, for example, helpless emperor penguin chicks perished at multiple breeding grounds, drowning or freezing to death when sea ice gave way earlier than usual under their tiny feet. Of five sites monitored in the Bellingshausen Sea region in 2023, all but one experienced a 100 percent loss of chicks, earlier research reported. Unlike sea ice, ice sheets and the ice shelves to which they are connected are on -- or supported by -- land. The world would need to heat up by five degrees Celsius compared with pre-industrial levels to melt the entire Antarctic ice sheet, which would lift global oceans an almost unimaginable 58 metres (nearly 200 feet). - Point of no return - But global warming to date -- on average about 1.3C -- is fast approaching a threshold that would cause part of the ice sheet to generate at least three metres of sea level rise, flooding coastal areas inhabited today by hundreds of millions, the study said. "Unstoppable collapse of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is one of the most concerning global tipping points," said Abram. "The evidence points to this being triggered at global warming well below 2C." Another potential risk is the collapse of the Antarctic Overturning Circulation, a system of ocean currents that distribute heat and nutrients within the the region and globally. A "rapid and substantial slowdown" of the currents has already begun, and evidence from the previous interglacial period -- between two ice ages -- before our own, 125,000 years ago, points to an abrupt stagnation of the system under conditions similar to those seen today. "This would lead to widespread climate and ecosystem impacts," ranging from an intensification of global warming to a decrease in the ocean's capacity to absorb CO2, the study reported. Ultimately, the only way to slow down the interlocking changes is to stop adding more planet-warming gases into the atmosphere. "The greenhouse gas emission decisions that we make over the coming decade or two will lock in how much ice we will lose and how quickly it will be lost," Abram said. mh/jxb View the full article

以色列國防軍發言人戴弗林（Effie Defrin）8月20日稱，軍方當日稍早與巴勒斯坦武裝組織哈馬斯（Hamas）發生衝突後，正式展開對加沙城（Gaza City）的第一階段的初步軍事行動，目前以軍正在控制加沙城郊區。 路透社及《以色列時報》（The Times of Israel）20日報道，戴弗林向記者表示，以軍不會坐以待斃，已對加沙城展開初步軍事行動，為最終接管當地做好準備。 以軍官員稱，軍方同日稍早曾與超過15名哈馬斯武裝分子在加沙城南部汗尤尼斯（Khan Younis）附近發生衝突。 哈馬斯武裝分子透過反坦克導彈等武器發動襲擊，造成以方一名士兵重傷，另外兩人輕傷。 哈馬斯武裝派系卡桑旅（Al-Qassam Brigades）其後發聲明承認責任，指他們在汗尤尼斯東南部對以軍發動了襲擊，並與後者進行近距離交火。 2025年8月16日，從以色列邊境的一側看，一輛以色列軍車在加沙城（Gaza City）附近行駛。（Reuters）卡桑旅在聲明提到，在持續數小時的襲擊中，其陣營的一名武裝分子一度引爆自殺式炸彈，對以軍人員造成人員傷亡。 意大利第9次向加沙空投人道援助　投放逾100噸物資｜有片以色列重申要求哈馬斯釋放所有人質　仍未回應最新停火方案以媒：以軍擬未來數天徵召6萬預備役人員　為接管加沙城作準備聯合國：去年383名救援人員遇害創新高　其中181人在加沙地區罹難 View the full article

2026 Nissan Leaf Is Cheaper Than The 2010 Model — Here’s How It Stacks Up To Hyundai And Chevy EVs originally appeared on Autoblog. The Nissan Leaf Is Cheaper Than It Was A Decade And A Half AgoFollowing a comprehensive update for the 2026 model year, including yet more range and new looks, Nissan has announced pricing for the new Leaf. The updated EV is now much more crossover than hatchback, and it's also cheaper than ever. As an indication of how cheap, Nissan states today's Leaf is cheaper than the Leaf of 15 years ago, when it cost $32,780. Pricing is as follows: LEAF S+ : $29,990 LEAF SV+ : $34,230 LEAF PLATINUM+ : $38,990 2026 Nissan LeafNissanUndoubtedly, that's pretty cheap for an EV with a claimed 303 miles of driving range and a load of shiny, new, modern looks and features. So, let's see how it stacks up to the next cheapest EVs on the market: the Hyundai Kona Electric and the Chevrolet Equinox EV. The Kona Electric Is Still Darn Cheap2025 Hyundai Kona EVHyundaiOn the whole, the Kona EV is more expensive than the new Leaf. Its entry trim, the SE, costs as much as a mid-tier Leaf. The Kona EV also brings some serious strengths to the table for the money: the new Kona EV is a big improvement in space and ride quality over the previous model, and its range-to-price ratio is pretty appealing, topping out around 260 miles with the car's largest battery option. That, however, is notably less than the Leaf's claimed 300+ mile figure. Pricing for the Kona EV is as follows: SE: $34,470 SEL: $38,470 N Line: $39,870 Limited: $42,645 The Equinox EV Can't Touch The Leaf On Price2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV 1LTChevroletChevrolet only offers two trims with a few option packages for the new Equinox EV. The LT is closest to the Leaf on price and range, with 319 miles of EPA-estimated range for front-drive models. Notably, the Equinox EV does offer similar range to the Leaf, even with AWD, which the new Nissan doesn't have, at 285 miles of range. At least Nissan will offer CarPlay and Android Auto. Pricing for the Equinox EV is as follows: LT: $34,995 RS: $44,795 At least on first glance, the Leaf looks relatively competitive - a big change for a hatchback that was woefully outdated a year ago. It offers a similar run of features to competitors like the electric Kona and Equinox without also killing buyers' wallets. While the lack of all-wheel drive is notable, Nissan does find other ways to make the new Leaf enticing, like its integrated Google Maps functionality and other advanced driver aids. 2026 Nissan Leaf Is Cheaper Than The 2010 Model — Here’s How It Stacks Up To Hyundai And Chevy EVs first appeared on Autoblog on Aug 20, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 20, 2025, where it first appeared. View the full article

Shelby American continues to do everything it can to push the Ford Mustang to new heights. The legendary tuner has just unveiled the Super Snake-R, its take on the seventh-generation muscle car’s track-focused Dark Horse variant. The new build presents a valid high-performance alternative to ‘Stang lovers who find the range-topping GTD to be a little over the top. More from Robb Report Inside Tiffany & Co.'s Immersive Pop-Up at the U.S. Open This Hypersonic Space Plane Can Go From London to N.Y.C. in an Hour Prince William and Kate Middleton Are Moving to the Forest Lodge Within Windsor Great Park First things first, Shelby is working with a pretty good base model. The Blue Oval’s Dark Horse has a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter Coyote V-8 that makes 500 hp and 418 ft lbs of torque. Shelby, as is its wont, has taken that mill and strapped a 3.0-liter Whipple supercharger. That change boost output to an incredible 850 horses, which is 35 hp more than the GTD, a vehicle that was briefly the fastest American car in Nürburgring history. The Super Snake-R, just like the car it is based on, is available with a six-speed Tremec manual suspension, though a 10-speed automatic gearbox is available for those who don’t car about shifting through the gears themselves. The new supercharger is far from the only mechanical upgrade, though. There’s also a new Shelby-brand cooling system, a noisy Borla cat-back exhaust, and a fully adjustable coilover suspension. The car has also been equipped with two-piece slotted brake rotors to bring the vehicle to a stop quickly and safely. The Super Snake-R is geared towards track play, but, like the Dark Horse, it is also street legal. The muscle car also wears one of Shelby’s go-to wide-body kits. The package of primarily carbon-fiber elements includes a new splitter, side skirts, and a giant rear wing. The vehicle also rides on a new set of staggered 20-inch magnesium alloy wheels, that meet both Ford and racing specifications. Inside the vehicle, the driver and passenger seats look more plush than those you’d expect to find in a race car, though the back bench has been ripped out and replaced with a roll bar. The exterior features plenty of Shelby badging and optional racing stripes. Intrigued? Shelby is taking orders for the 2026 Super Snake-R now. The limited-edition build starts at $224,995, which is $160,000 more than the standard Dark Horse but $100,000 less than the GTD. Click here for more photos of the 2026 Shelby Super Snake-R. Best of Robb Report The 2024 Chevy C8 Corvette: Everything We Know About the Powerful Mid-Engine Beast The World’s Best Superyacht Shipyards The ABCs of Chartering a Yacht Sign up for RobbReports's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. View the full article

Lamborghini unveils the 1,065-hp Fenomeno plug-in hybrid at Monterey, limiting production to 29 customer cars and one museum example.Lamborghini pulled the cover off its newest halo car at Monterey Car Week, unveiling the Fenomeno, a plug-in hybrid hypercar rated at 1,065 horsepower and limited to 29 customer examples, plus one reserved for the company museum. The dramatic two-door arrives as the Italian brand continues to blend its trademark spectacle with an electrified strategy. Lamborghini’s design director framed the brief succinctly: the car “needs cinematic drama.” That mandate informs the Fenomeno’s stance and surfacing, which follow the marque’s long-running playbook of sharp edges, deep cutlines and race-inspired aerodynamics. The company did not publish full technical specifications, but confirmed the car pairs an internal-combustion engine with an electrified system to achieve its four-figure output. The Fenomeno’s run is aimed at long-standing clients, a common approach for the brand’s most exclusive models. Lamborghini said one additional car will join its museum collection, underscoring the model’s role as a rolling statement of design and technology rather than a volume driver. Pricing and delivery timing were not disclosed. The reveal underscores Lamborghini’s evolving product cadence as it layers limited series atop core models. Recent years have seen the brand push deeper into electrified performance while preserving the visual theater that defined icons such as the Miura, Countach and Aventador. The Fenomeno continues that strategy, presenting an extreme silhouette likely hewn from lightweight materials and shaped by airflow. Company representatives emphasized the experience as much as the numbers. Alongside outright performance, the Fenomeno is positioned to deliver the brand’s signature sense of occasion—what executives describe as drama, both inside and out. That extends from its show-car presence on the lawn at Monterey to the promise of track-capable dynamics once owners take delivery. The debut also lands at a moment when ultra-limited hypercars have become bellwethers for collector confidence. Monterey’s gathering of high-net-worth enthusiasts and a global media spotlight provide a natural stage for statements like the Fenomeno. With only 29 customer cars planned, demand is expected to outstrip supply. While Lamborghini kept many specifics under wraps, the message was clear: electrification at Sant’Agata will be loud, fast and intentionally theatrical. The Fenomeno is designed to be seen—and heard—long before it’s counted. ⚡️ Read the full article on Motorious Sign up for the Motorious Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. View the full article

More from Robb Report Inside Tiffany & Co.'s Immersive Pop-Up at the U.S. Open This Hypersonic Space Plane Can Go From London to N.Y.C. in an Hour Prince William and Kate Middleton Are Moving to the Forest Lodge Within Windsor Great Park Best of Robb Report The 2024 Chevy C8 Corvette: Everything We Know About the Powerful Mid-Engine Beast The World’s Best Superyacht Shipyards The ABCs of Chartering a Yacht Sign up for RobbReports's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. The 2026 Shelby Super Snake-R Shelby has equipped the muscle car’s 5.0-liter V-8 with a 3.0-liter supercharger It is also available with a six-speed manual The 2026 Shelby Super Snake-R in profile Inside the muscle car The vehicle rides on a new set of 20-inch magnesium alloy wheels The 2026 Shelby Super Snake-R features a giant rear wing View the full article

Buying a used car can save you a ton of money, but it can also lead to nightmare scenarios. You don’t want to drop thousands or tens of thousands, on a vehicle only to find out it’s been in a huge accident or in a flood. Read Next: The 5 Car Brands Named the Least Reliable of 2025 For You: How Much Money Is Needed To Be Considered Middle Class in Your State? Accidents are easier to discover up front. Flood damage, in contrast, can hide in plain sight. A car might look amazing at first glance. But with deeper inspection, the glitz and glamour start to fall apart. For help with that deeper inspection, we turned to experts Patrick Peterson from goodcar.com and Julie Bausch Lent, managing editor at CarTalk.com — below is what they had to say. Also here are nine cars a mechanic would never buy. Take Your Time on the InspectionOne of the biggest mistakes you can make when buying a used car is to rush the process. It will almost always come back to get you. “Checking a used car for floor damage involves being able to do a detailed, concentrated inspection of the car. There are a few simple steps to take before you get that far,” Lent said. Check Out: 2 Reasons New Car Prices Will Crash in 2025 Get the CarFaxThe first thing you should do anytime you’re buying a used car is check the CarFax report. It will reveal any major motor vehicle accidents the car’s been in. And if the car endured a flood, it may also show up on this report. “Look for salvage or flood branding, but don’t rely on it entirely. Many vehicles get through because of title-washing across state lines. Just because the report is clean does not mean the vehicle is,” Peterson explained. So, yes, getting the report is an important first step. But it’s not the only step. A Visual Inspection Should Include Rust and CrustYour first inspection of the car will be a visual look at the exterior. Walk around the car and look for any visible rust. Lean down and look under the car as well. “A little rust on the undercarriage is normal for older cars, but rust on seat tracks, door hinges, fuse box screws or dash brackets indicates moisture intrusion. That is not surface-level stuff; it is exposure,” Peterson said. “Check the dash brackets, door hinges and screw heads under the seats; if any of them are rusted or mismatched (e.g., new screws in old holes), it means the car has been opened up and cleaned following a flood.” And then, of course, it’s time to pass. Smell ItYour inspection won’t just include a visual pass, of course. It should also involve your other senses. Namely, trust your sniffer. “Check the trunk for a musty smell or residue. Make sure to lift the lining of the trunk and check under it. Check under the spare compartment, if your car has this,” Lent said. “Mold has a distinct odor. If the car smells musty or strongly resembles an air freshener, it’s a red flag,” Peterson explained. “Sellers try to cover it up with air fresheners or new upholstery, but the mildew odor remains. It hides in seat cushions and carpet foam.” Lift up carpets and liners, sit in the car with the doors and windows closed and take a deep breath. If you detect mold or mildew, get out of the car and run. It’s probably got flood damage and you don’t want that. Look for Mold and CondensationYou can also get a visual bead on any mold, mildew or condensation. Lent advises you to look for visible signs of mold while you’re lifting, picking and pulling. Peterson took it one step further. “Fogged-up lenses or water beads inside light housings indicate that water entered and remained. These assemblies are tightly sealed from the factory. If there is moisture in the car, it was most likely submerged in water,” he said. Be careful of any signs of water infiltration in all the systems in the car. They’re causing damage you can’t see right now. Check the SeatbeltsAnother spot to look for water damage is along the seatbelts. “Pull the seat belts all the way out and inspect the very end of the strap. If you see brown water stains or mildew deep inside the spool, it was most likely wet,” Peterson said. It’s a sneaky way to hide water damage, but it’s easy to check. Examine the OilPeterson goes on to warn about the effects of flooding on the oil system in the car. If you’ve got water in your engine, the car is in bad shape and headed into worse territory fast. “Examine the fluid using the oil dipstick. If it’s milky, cloudy or too clean, there could be water in the engine or a hasty fluid change attempting to conceal it. Oil and water do not mix well and can cause significant damage,” Peterson explained. “The same is true for the transmission fluid and brake fluid caps. Look for unusual textures or off-colored liquid.” You want oil that is rich and clear. Anything outside of that is a sign of trouble. Test the ElectronicsOne area people might not consider double-checking is the electronic system. You start the car, turn on the overhead light, check the headlights and brake lights and figure everything is fine. Peterson said to think twice about that. “Test everything: radio, air conditioning, wipers, power windows, door locks, remote key, lights and dashboard. Cars that have been flooded may appear in good condition. Until they don’t. And when one thing fails, the others usually follow,” he said. He also reminded to check wiring for crust, cracks and frays, which means exposure to water. So turn them all on and off twice to make sure there’s no glitching and shorting out. You don’t want the trouble that follows a frayed electrical system. Be Skeptical of Mismatching InformationPeterson also said you can look beyond the basics to mismatched information. For example, if the headlights are brand new but the brake light has some condensation, you have to wonder why. “What if the undercarriage is clean but the engine bay is filthy? That’s another mismatch worth investigating,” he said. The bottom line: if something smells fishy, it probably is. Walk away and look for another car. Don’t Jump at the PriceFinally, be wary if the price seems too good to be true. It probably is. For all the talk sellers might give you about how they just want to get rid of the car, they’re dropping that price for a reason. And it’s probably not a good one. “Flood cars are more affordable, which is appealing. However, the true cost emerges later: failed modules, shortened computers and endless diagnostic bills. Most insurance companies will not cover flood damage after the car is resold,” Peterson said. And in the end, Peterson offered a last bit of advice. “Consumers who want to avoid buying a flood-damaged car can use Carfax’s free Flood Check tool. Used car shoppers can also get a free Carfax vehicle history report on Carfax car listings from Carfax.com to see if a vehicle has a record of water damage,” he added. Basically, use all the resources at your disposal to cover your bases. You’re always going to be better off doing your due diligence, even if it takes more time up front. More From GOBankingRates New Law Could Make Electricity Bills Skyrocket in These 4 States I'm a Self-Made Millionaire: 6 Ways I Use ChatGPT To Make a Lot of Money 5 Strategies High-Net-Worth Families Use To Build Generational Wealth 7 Luxury SUVs That Will Become Affordable in 2025 This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How To Spot a Flood-Damaged Car Before You Buy View the full article

McDonald’s hizo un recorte drástico en los precios de sus combos tan solo unas semanas después de que su CEO admitiera públicamente que su menú se había vuelto demasiado caro y se comprometiera a solucionar el problema. McDonald’s y sus franquiciados estadounidenses acordaron fijar el precio de ocho populares combos con un 15 % de descuento sobre el costo total de comprar las partes por separado. La cadena ofrecerá apoyo financiero a los franquiciados si aceptan la reducción de precios, según una fuente familiarizada con los planes de la compañía. La reducción de precios entrará en vigor el próximo mes. The Wall Street Journal fue el primero en informar la noticia. McDonald’s declinó hacer comentarios ante la consulta de CNN. McDonald’s también ampliará sus ofertas de combos con una oferta de desayuno por US$ 5 y una oferta especial de Big Mac y McNuggets por US$ 8 en los próximos meses, con la reintroducción de la marca “Extra Value Meals”. El CEO de McDonald’s, Chris Kempczinski, dijo en su presentación de resultados del 6 de agosto que “la percepción del valor de los consumidores se ve principalmente influenciada por el precio de nuestro menú principal”, lo que implica que la percepción de muchos clientes es que la cadena se ha vuelto inasequible en los últimos años. Getty Images La crisis inflacionaria posterior a la pandemia alteró la percepción de muchos clientes sobre McDonald’s: de un lugar económico para comer rápido a un restaurante de comida rápida caro que apenas supera a alternativas de mayor calidad con servicio a la mesa como Applebee’s o Chili’s, con este último ganando más lugares en los últimos años. Los consumidores que priorizan el valor ven “con demasiada frecuencia” menús combinados que cuestan más de US$ 10, lo que “moldea la percepción del valor de forma negativa”, admitió Kempczinski a principios de este mes. “El principal factor que influye en la percepción general del valor de McDonald’s por parte del consumidor es el menú”, declaró Kempczinski a los analistas en la presentación de resultados de McDonald’s. “Y es cuando llegan al restaurante y ven el menú, eso es lo que define su éxito, ese es el principal impulsor”. “Tenemos que solucionarlo”, añadió. En 2023, un menú combinado de Big Mac de US$ 18 se volvió viral, lo que desató un debate sobre si la cadena se había alejado de sus principios de asequibilidad. El menú era excepcional, pero causó furor en línea y posteriormente motivó una inusual carta abierta del presidente de McDonald’s en EE.UU., quien dijo que el costoso menú era una “excepción” y que los precios de la cadena no habían superado la inflación. Desde entonces, McDonald’s ha centrado sus esfuerzos en expandir sus opciones económicas y en mejorar otras partes de su carta, entre ellas sus renovadas tiras de pollo y nuevas bebidas. El menú económico de McDonald’s de US$ 5 debutó el año pasado y estabilizó las ventas, al menos temporalmente, después de que la compañía apostara correctamente a que los clientes buscaban combos que les permitieran rendir al máximo. Las comidas temáticas, como una colaboración reciente con “A Minecraft Movie”, también han demostrado ser un éxito para la cadena, con lo que lograron contrarrestar dos trimestres consecutivos de caída de ventas. (“A Minecraft Movie” es una película distribuida por Warner Bros Pictures que, al igual que CNN en Español, forma parte de Warner Bros Discovery). For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com View the full article

Texas Democrats are looking to put Republicans on defense ahead of the expected passage of a GOP-friendly map by putting an amendment to a vote concerning the Jeffrey Epstein files. Texas House Minority Leader Gene Wu (D) is introducing an amendment that would allow a new House map to take effect only after Attorney General Pam Bondi publicly releases files related to the disgraced financier. Wu’s amendment says the maps won’t be adopted until Bondi “makes publicly available in a searchable and downloadable format all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials in the possession of the Department of Justice, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and United States Attorneys’ Offices, that relate to Jeffrey Epstein.” The Texas House is convening at 11 am EDT, where the lower chamber is expected to pass a new House map that would allow Republicans to add five seats ahead of 2026. The Epstein files have been a thorn in President Trump’s side, with both Republicans and Democrats calling for the release of more documents around Epstein, who pleaded guilty to several state charges in Florida pertaining to solicitation of prostitution. He also faced sex trafficking and conspiracy charges before he died in jail in 2019. Officials have determined Epstein died by suicide, though there’s been skepticism among the public that his death was the result of foul play. Trump said on the campaign trail he would declassify documents around Epstein — a figure the president has sought to distance himself from — but even some of Trump’s most loyal supporters have been up in arms over the administration’s handling of the Epstein case. The Wall Street Journal reported Bondi told Trump his name appeared in the Epstein documents, among other notable names, though that does not mean the president is guilty of any wrongdoing. But that hasn’t stopped Democrats from putting pressure on Republicans over the issue. “Trump is in those files, and that’s why he’s fighting to keep them hidden,” Wu alleged in a statement. “At the same time he’s demanding Abbott ram through racist maps, he’s making sure Congressional Republicans block the release of files that could expose his decades-long relationship with a child sex trafficker,” he added. “This amendment forces Republicans to choose between their loyalty to Trump and their obligation to expose sexual predators.” Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. View the full article

In January, a 14-year-old was shot and killed by a group of his peers in Southwest Washington, D.C. Just weeks later, an elderly man was chased through traffic by a knife-wielding attacker in broad daylight. In May, two Israeli embassy staffers were brutally executed in what authorities have described as an antisemitic hate crime and potential act of terror. Last month, a congressional intern was killed in a tragic and still-unsolved drive-by shooting. And less than two weeks ago, a Trump administration staffer was viciously beaten by a violent mob, according to police. These disturbing attacks are only a few examples from a very lengthy list of egregious crimes that have happened in D.C. this year. And they are not isolated incidents — they reflect a broader, deepening crisis in Washington, D.C. Once a vibrant city, the nation’s capital is now one of the deadliest places in America. In 2023, the homicide rate reached a 20-year high, with violent crime surging 40 percent, driven largely by armed robberies and carjackings. In July, a D.C. police commander was suspended amid allegations that the Metropolitan Police Department had manipulated data to falsely show a significant drop in violent crime compared to last year. But residents know the truth. Perhaps most alarming is the sharp rise in juvenile crime. Youth offenders accounted for more than half of all robbery arrests last year and nearly 60 percent of carjackings this year. Between January 2021 and June 2024, the percentage of homicides and non-fatal shootings committed by individuals age 15 to 20 nearly doubled. In neighborhoods like Navy Yard, just blocks from the U.S. Capitol, teens have turned the streets into battlegrounds. Restaurants and businesses have been forced to shut down while law-abiding residents live in fear. On March 27, President Trump took decisive action, establishing a task force to coordinate federal and local law enforcement efforts in the district. Last week, he went further and declared a crime emergency in Washington, directing the Department of Defense to deploy the National Guard to help restore order. For far too long, D.C.’s justice system has failed to hold criminals accountable. Young offenders committing violent crimes are often released immediately, emboldened by a system that delivers them no real consequences. In May, Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested nearly 200 illegal immigrants in D.C., many of whom had criminal records and known gang affiliations. At the time, local authorities had repeatedly refused to honor federal detainers, releasing these individuals back onto the streets. That ends now. The era of turning a blind eye to the violence, disorder and lawlessness is over. To support Trump’s bold action and ensure repeat offenders face real consequences before deportation, the House must take up Rep. Knott’s Stop Illegal Entry Act. Trump has made it clear: The time for excuses is over. Residents of our nation’s capital are demanding real action. House Republicans, led by Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.), are stepping up their scrutiny of D.C.’s local government. Following the president’s unprecedented move to take control of the Metropolitan Police Department and deploy the National Guard, Comer plans to hold a congressional hearing with key D.C. officials, pursuing legislation to prosecute juveniles as adults when warranted, mandate crime-tracking, block the city council from changing sentencing rules, eliminate sanctuary policies and hold accountable individuals in the country accountable. That is why the Senate must pass the Protecting Our Nation’s Capital Emergency Act, which restores due process protections for Metropolitan Police Department officers in Washington, D.C. Passing this legislation would be a critical step in the right direction to tackle the public safety crisis brought by soft-on-crime policies. The days of rampant crime in the nation’s capital must end immediately. Without meaningful reform, Washington, D.C., will continue to spiral into chaos, jeopardizing the safety of residents, members of Congress and visitors alike. We cannot allow the nation’s capital to fall into lawlessness. Washington must be safe, clean and secure — not just for its residents, but as a model for the country and the world. It’s time for the city’s leaders to stop enabling criminals and start defending the law-abiding citizens. Federal intervention is not only justified but also long overdue. August Pfluger represents the 11th District of Texas and is the chair of Republican Study Committee. Brad Knott represents the 13th District of North Carolina. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. View the full article

Mexican boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. was deported by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to Mexico due to alleged cartel ties and faces weapons charges in the country, the Trump administration announced. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed to The Hill that Chavez, the son of legendary boxer Julio César Chávez Sr., was deported Monday to Mexico, where he has had an active arrest warrant for allegedly trafficking guns, ammunition and explosives, along with an alleged affiliation with the Sinaloa Cartel. “It is shocking the Biden administration flagged this criminal illegal alien as a public safety threat, but chose to not prioritize his removal and let him leave and COME BACK into our country,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed the deportation during a press conference Tuesday. “I understand he was deported. I don’t know if it was yesterday or this morning, but we were informed that he was arriving in Mexico,” Sheinbaum stated, according to The Associated Press. Chavez Jr. was arrested by federal officers in early July, days after his fight with Jake Paul in California. Chavez Jr., who won the WBC middleweight title in 2011, was convicted of drunk driving in 2012 and was sentenced to 13 days in jail in California. The Los Angeles Police Department arrested the boxer again in January 2024, charging him with illegal possession of an assault weapon and manufacture of import of short short-barreled rifle, according to the DHS. Chavez Jr. was freed on bond, and the case has been pending, the AP reported. “Under President Trump, no one is above the law—including world-famous athletes. Our message to any cartel affiliates in the U.S. is clear: We will find you and you will face consequences,” McLaughlin said. “The days of unchecked cartel violence are over.” Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. View the full article

En la tarde del 9 de abril pasado, los agentes de la Unidad de Enlace Internacional (UEI) en la ciudad mexicana de Tijuana, fronteriza con Estados Unidos, efectuaban una redada como muchas otras. Al frente del grupo estaba Abigail Esparza Reyes, una experimentada agente de la UEI, corporación que se encarga de las operaciones de búsqueda y captura de fugitivos de crímenes -principalmente estadounidenses- que huyen a México para esconderse. El objetivo de la redada era César Hernández, un hombre condenado en California por asesinato, pero que logró fugarse en un traslado carcelario en diciembre de 2024. El hombre de 35 años huyó a Tijuana, donde intentó rehacer su vida. La UEI, que realiza operativos en estrecha colaboración con agencias federales de EE.UU. que solicitan detenciones en México, tenía localizado a Hernández. Y alrededor de las 14:00 inició un operativo para su detención. PUBLICIDAD"Estaban en un residencial privado. Tenían las entradas y salidas controladas", explica Eduardo Villa Lugo, un periodista especializado en seguridad del estado de Baja California. Pero en el operativo de captura algo se salió del plan. "Cuando están ingresando, con Abigail coordinando al grupo, se escuchan detonaciones en su contra. Los agentes repelen la agresión y el sujeto escapa por detrás de la vivienda", cuenta el también columnista en temas de seguridad estatal. Una bala de las disparadas desde el segundo piso de la vivienda rodeada, en el residencial Barcelona, hirió de muerte a la agente Abigail Esparza. El auxilio médico no pudo evitar su fallecimiento pocos minutos después en un hospital. Hernández huyó, desnudo, entre los techos de otras casas hasta escapar por una calle aledaña donde encontró ropa en un vehículo estacionado y se marchó lentamente. "Así como de película, se va a pie", cuenta Villa Lugo. Abigail Esparza Reyes tenía 33 años y había alcanzado un puesto de mando dentro de la UEI. [SSC]Unos días después, el hombre fue detenido en otra zona de Tijuana. Pero el daño ya estaba hecho: la muerte de la agente Abigail Esparza era el golpe más duro que había recibido la UEI en los más de 20 años de operativos exitosos. PUBLICIDADLa corporación ha logrado la detención de más de 1.500 fugitivos, casi todos estadounidenses, que intentan refugiarse en la zona fronteriza de Baja California. Su efectividad, basada en análisis de inteligencia y planes cuidadosamente diseñados y ejecutados, le ha valido el reconocimiento de las autoridades de México y EE.UU. También los medios se han fijado en su labor: en 2022 el diario estadounidense The Washington Post publicó un amplio reportaje sobre los agentes, a los que llamó los "gringo hunters", o "cazadores de gringos". El sobrenombre fue tomado por otros medios y por Netflix, que estrenó una serie ficcional basada en las tareas de la UEI. Agencias de EE.UU. como el FBI, la DEA o los US Marshalls han tenido una estrecha colaboración con la UEI a lo largo de los años, algo que no ocurre con otras corporaciones de seguridad mexicanas de las que los estadounidenses desconfían. "La comandante Abigail Esparza Reyes fue un pilar de carácter excepcional y dedicación al servicio de su comunidad. Será recordada por su valentía, su servicio desinteresado y su sacrificio supremo", dijo la oficina del Alguacil de San Diego, al otro lado de la frontera. La muerte de la agente llevó a la UEI a dejar de aparecer en los medios. BBC Mundo pidió una entrevista con la unidad, pero no hubo una respuesta positiva. [Getty Images]Villa Lugo también cuenta que después del fallecimiento de la agente, los US Marshall hicieron un evento y una carrera a beneficio de su familia. En México hubo un homenaje oficial con la participación de estadounidenses. "Hay un hermanamiento de la Unidad de Enlace con las corporaciones estadounidenses". PUBLICIDADEl analista en seguridad Víctor Sánchez señala que "el gran mérito de la Unidad de Enlace Internacional es que les encargaron cosas, las gestionaron con éxito y eso ha construido una relación de confianza" con las autoridades estadounidenses. "Suele haber cierta suspicacia de las autoridades de EE.UU. para compartir información con las mexicanas por los niveles de corrupción y debilidades institucionales", explica. Captura y entrega rápidaA nivel federal, en México no hay otras agencias o unidades locales que realicen labores de búsqueda y captura de forma equivalente a la UEI de Baja California. La vocería de la Secretaría de Seguridad y Protección Ciudadana (SSPC) federal explicó a BBC Mundo que, si bien realizan colaboración con EE.UU. en solicitudes de detenciones, y que han dado con decenas de capturas de prófugos, uno de ellos de los 10 más buscados del FBI en marzo, no hay una unidad especializada en extranjeros. PUBLICIDADEn Baja California, por el contrario, muchos de sus agentes y líderes de equipo se preparan en EE.UU. en labores de inteligencia y tácticas. "Algunos coordinadores tienen capacitaciones incluso de corte militar o semimilitar en el tema de operaciones, de diseño de estrategias", señala Villa Lugo. Cuando en EE.UU. las autoridades detectan que un perseguido por la justicia cruza la frontera hacia México, pueden llegar a solicitar la colaboración de equipos como el de la UEI para su localización y captura. En este punto se da el intercambio de información. "Parte del proceso de investigación se da en instancias estadounidenses. Ellos dicen 'localizamos una cuenta bancaria, o una señal de celular o un correo de una IP con cierta ubicación' y como no tienen autoridad en México, piden apoyo", explica Sánchez. Los agentes especializados preparan un plan de seguimiento y, si el objetivo es localizado, preparan y ejecutan un operativo de detención. Debido a que los objetivos son personas individuales, esto implica un número más reducido de agentes, a diferencia de los grandes operativos contra el narcotráfico de otras autoridades estatales o nacionales. La vigilancia y seguimiento de objetivos es clave para los operativos de la UEI. [Getty Images]Esto también les permite actuar con más discreción. Pueden usar vehículos y ropa sin las insignias de las corporaciones de seguridad estatal al realizar labores de vigilancia y seguimiento, para no poner bajo alerta a los detenidos. Pero cuando lanzan un operativo, actúan rápidamente: rodean a su objetivo y lo detienen identificándose como agentes de seguridad. Y así como es rápida su detención, también lo es su entrega a las autoridades de Estados Unidos. "No los arrestan, para ponerlos ante la justicia mexicana y en proceso de deportación, sino que se da una deportación: se asume que la persona entró como turista, que tiene más tiempo del que se permite (3 meses) y por ende, son enviados de vuelta a su país", explica Sánchez. Los detenidos son llevados hasta los puntos de paso fronterizo con EE.UU. y son liberados frente a los agentes de ese país, que de inmediato toman su custodia y los llevan hasta donde sean requeridos. Esta dinámica se da principalmente entre los estados fronterizos. Más al este, en el estado mexicano de Chihuahua, existe otra unidad especializada en la búsqueda y captura de estadounidenses prófugos que son entregados vía el estado de Texas, Sin embargo, ha reportado pocos casos en comparación con la UEI, explica Sánchez. "Tijuana (Baja California) es, junto con Ciudad Juárez (Chihuahua), la frontera con mayor vida común con EE.UU. Con muchos mexicanos y estadounidenses cruzando, familias con miembros en ambos lados, una interacción muy constante. Y el poder de captura implica la entrega rápida de detenidos", explica el especialista. En México se sienten "cómodos"En años recientes, el número de extranjeros en México se ha diversificado, pero los de nacionalidad estadounidense históricamente han predominado, en la actualidad con casi 2 millones de personas. Muchos mexicanos tienden a ser amistosos con los extranjeros, lo cual favorece que el país sea un sitio relativamente confiable para quienes huyen de la justicia de Estados Unidos u otro país. "Al haber persecuciones en Estados Unidos es muy común que se vayan hacia México por tres motivos: uno es la alta debilidad institucional, con menos mecanismos para investigar; dos, que culturalmente hay buena imagen de los extranjeros, se suelen recibir bien al ser un país turístico y no se cuestiona si quien viene ha cometido delitos; y tres, derivado del nivel de ingresos, se puede tener una vida aceptable sin mucho dinero", considera Sánchez. Casi 100.000 personas y vehículos cruzan diariamente entre Tijuana y San Diego. [Getty Images]Pero también la dinámica social de la frontera es diferente al resto de México o Estados Unidos. La frontera del noroeste en especial es una de las más transitadas del mundo. "Hay una forma de vida muy homogeneizada. Tijuana tiene una gran dinámica de trabajo, de economía, de todo, con San Diego. Y muchas personas que viven en San Diego tienen familiares en Tijuana. Si alguien comete un crimen allá [California], cruzan y se esconden en Tijuana, que es una ciudad muy grande", explica Villa Lugo. "Es muy fácil establecerse de esa manera y porque hay mucha gente con doble nacionalidad", añade. No solo por motivos criminales México ha sido considerado espacio seguro para estadounidenses. También históricamente se han dado otro tipo de migraciones por persecuciones religiosas, como los miles de estadounidenses de la Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Últimos Días que cruzaron la frontera cuando se persiguió la poligamia a finales del siglo XIX. Un modelo, pero para ciertas zonasAunque en México existen otros lugares de gran presencia de estadounidenses, como en San Miguel de Allende (Guanajuato), la rivera del lago de Chapala (Jalisco) o Ciudad de México, ahí no existen unidades especializadas en la persecución de fugitivos de ese país. ¿Por qué? En parte es lógico, explica Sánchez, ya que no es igual la dinámica social de la frontera con otras partes del país, vistas como lugares de turismo o jubilación. Los fugitivos estadounidenses también tienden a permanecer en zonas que sienten "conocidas", como las fronterizas. Pero la gran capacidad de la UEI, basada en planeación, inteligencia y una especial cooperación con agencias de EE.UU., podría ser un modelo a seguir en sitios con esa gran presencia de estadounidenses. "Tiene mucho que ver con el tema de incidencia. Si hay algún estado con alta presencia de personas de EE.UU. y que cometieron delitos, que usan la zona para esconderse, ameritaría tener unidades así", considera Sánchez. En otras partes del país, no se ameritaría. La serie de Netflix tiene una trama de ficción, pero basado en el tipo de operaciones de la UEI. [Netflix]Otro factor, explican los entrevistados, es el tipo de delitos que se ven en los casos que sigue la UEI. La mayoría son graves: asesinatos, violaciones, violencia o fuga carcelaria, pero en general son individuos que no delinquieron como parte de una gran organización criminal o del narcotráfico. Los estadounidenses que se involucran con carteles de la droga u otros grupos pueden huir a México y entrar en la "bolsa de protección" bien establecida que tienen ese tipo de organizaciones, algunas incluso con la ayuda de autoridades cooptadas. "Si se involucra una banda de trasiego de drogas o de huachicol, es muy posible que esa banda tenga infiltrada a la policía y no haya cooperación con EE.UU.", señala Sánchez. "Pero si se está buscando a un violador que vivía en Kansas y que ahora viva en Ciudad de México, es poco probable que pueda corromper a la policía de la capital", añade. Y ya que los delitos de narcotráfico en México son perseguidos exclusivamente por autoridades federales, las corporaciones locales se ven limitadas a actuar incluso ante sospechosos conocidos por su participación en esos delitos. "Muchos objetivos prioritarios por narcotráfico no tienen incluso una orden de detención local. Nosotros hacemos una broma de que si quisieran, estas personas pudieran sacar una licencia de manejo sin problemas, porque en Baja California no son perseguidos", dice Villa. Síguenos en WhatsAppTAMBIÉN TE PUEDE INTERESAR | EN VIDEO 'Gringos go home': el fenómeno de la gentrificación golpea a Ciudad de México View the full article

日本海上保安廳（JCG）8月20日接獲報告，美國海軍兩棲軍艦「新奧爾良號」（USS New Orleans）當日在沖繩縣附近海域發生火災。日本方面其後派遣艦艇赴事發地點救援，暫時仍未有傷亡報告。 日本放送協會（NHK）20日報道， 美國海軍於當日下午5時左右報告「新奧爾良號」起火，並請求日本海上保安廳幫助滅火。請求隨後被取消，但日方在晚上7時30分左右接獲美方的第二份滅火援助請求。 2025年8月20日，美國海軍兩棲軍艦「新奧爾良號」（USS New Orleans）在沖繩縣附近海域發生火災，日本方面其後派遣艦艇救援滅火。（NHK截圖）日本自衛隊艦艇其後赴現場進行滅火行動，一艘日本海上保安廳巡邏艇稍後也抵達現場，協助灌救滅火。海上保安廳官員稱，他們尚未接獲疏散「新奧爾良號」船員的請求。 報道稱，「新奧爾良號」兩棲艦總長超過208米，艦寬32米，總噸位超過2.4萬噸，6年前曾部署至位於長崎縣的美國海軍佐世保基地，負責運送駐紮沖繩的美國海軍陸戰隊士兵。 2025年8月20日，美國海軍兩棲軍艦「新奧爾良號」（USS New Orleans）在沖繩縣附近海域發生火災，日本方面其後派遣艦艇救援滅火。（NHK截圖）美國海軍發言人當晚8時向NHK透露，「新奧爾良號」船員目前仍在應對火災，將盡快對外提供進一步的訊息。 美國三藩市漁人碼頭貨倉大火　險毀二戰軍艦伊朗海軍最大艦艇在波斯灣起火沉沒　原因未明民主剛果木船起火沉沒增至148死　疑煮食釀禍有人跳水逃生慘溺斃剛果民主共和國木船起火後沉沒　至少50死逾百人失蹤｜有片 View the full article

「大學聯合招生辦法」（JUPAS）周四（21日）公布2025年度根據文憑試覆核成績重新考慮入學申請遴選結果，在442名申請人中，259人的取錄結果有變動。當中，有85人屬「失而復得」，即從原本未獲正式遴選取錄資格，重新獲得相關資格，分別為59人獲教資會或都大的學士學位課程的取錄資格，另26人獲SSSDP「資助計劃」的學士學位課程的取錄資格。不過，原本未獲正式遴選取錄資格的128名申請者中，仍有43人最終仍未獲得相關資格。 圖為DSE試場。（資料圖片）259申請人取錄結果有變動今年共有442名聯招申請人在覆核文憑試成績後，向「大學聯合招生辦法」要求重新考慮入學申請，結果於周四（21日）上午9時公布。442名申請者中，有259人的取錄結果有變動， 除85人重獲學士學位課程取錄資格，在已獲得正式遴選取錄資格的314名申請人中，有174人取錄結果有變。當中，有154人獲得較高次序的教資會，又或都大的學士學位課程取錄資格；3人由獲得教資會／都大的學士學位課程取錄資格，改為獲得SSSDP「資助計劃」的學士學位課程取錄資格。 此外，有6人獲得較高次序的SSSDP「資助計劃」的學士學位課程取錄資格；11人由獲得SSSDP「資助計劃」的學士學位課程取錄資格，改為獲得教資會／都大的學士學位課程取錄資格。 圖為DSE試場。（資料圖片）根據規定，獲得取錄資格的申請人，可登入其「大學聯招辦法」帳戶查閱註冊手續及有關資料。若申請人於根據覆核成績重新考慮入學申請後獲得「較高次序的課程」取錄資格，其原有的正式遴選取錄資格即被撤回。申請人於同一學年（2025至2026）將不會再獲考慮取錄任何可經「大學聯招辦法」選報的課程。 內地學校稱元朗信義中學助JUPAS優先取錄　深圳學生可獲香港資源港大醫學院JUPAS醫科收生比例未達75%承諾　劉澤星：指標不合時宜JUPAS｜八大畢業生年薪32.9萬升4.8%　醫科牙科「錢途」再升6.7%JUPAS放榜｜大學聯招約1.5萬人獲派八大都大學位　逾8成首三志願JUPAS放榜｜讀醫狀元花落誰家？　中大錄7狀元稱冠　攬終極狀元 View the full article

The Department of Justice is investigating whether Washington, D.C.'s police force manipulated data on the city's crime. The investigation is being run out of the office of the U.S. attorney for D.C., Jeanine Pirro, according to senior law enforcement officials. NBC News Justice Reporter Ryan Reilly and NBC News Senior White House Correspondent Garrett Haake have more details. Former FBI Senior Counterterrorism Official Christopher O'Leary joins Ali Vitali to share his analysis. View the full article

The Trump administration escalated its fight against the International Criminal Court by imposing sanctions on four more court officials involved in work related to alleged Israeli and US war crimes. In a statement Wednesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the State Department was designating Kimberly Prost of Canada, Nicolas Guillou of France, Nazhat Shameem Khan of Fiji and Mame Mandiaye Niang of Senegal for their work in the ICC “to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute nationals of the United States or Israel, without the consent of either nation.” The sanctions were imposed under an executive order issued by President Donald Trump in February that authorizes punitive measures like sanctions and possible entrance bans on ICC personnel because of its “illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and our close ally Israel.” The executive order was already used to sanction ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan and four ICC judges. According to a State Department fact sheet, Prost, an ICC judge “is being designated for ruling to authorize the ICC’s investigation into U.S. personnel in Afghanistan.” Guillou, another judge, “is being designated for ruling to authorize the ICC’s issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant,” the fact sheet said. “Deputy Prosecutors Shameem Khan and Niang are being designated for continuing to support illegitimate ICC actions against Israel, including upholding the ICC’s arrest warrants targeting Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Gallant since they assumed leadership for the ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor,” it said. The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Gallant in November 2024 for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. Trump also signed an executive order authorizing sanctions and visa restrictions for members of the court during his first term in 2020, months after the ICC authorized a probe into alleged war crimes committed in Afghanistan by US and Afghan forces as well as alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Taliban. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com View the full article