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<p>Apple is rolling out a fix for a glitch in its iPhone dictation feature that mistakenly suggested the word &ldquo;Trump&rdquo; when users spoke words with an "R" consonant, including &ldquo;racist.&rdquo; The issue sparked controversy after several iPhone owners shared videos on social media, demonstrating how the bug worked.</p>
<p><strong>Also Read | </strong><a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-threatens-to-sue-dishonest-authors-media-outlets-using-anonymous-sources-8759459" aria-label="Trump threatens to sue 'dishonest' authors, media outlets using 'anonymous sources'">Trump threatens to sue 'dishonest' authors, media outlets using 'anonymous sources'</a></p>
<p>According to the viral clips, when users activated the dictation feature and said the word &ldquo;racist,&rdquo; the text initially displayed &ldquo;Trump&rdquo; before quickly correcting itself.</p>
<h2><strong>Apple confirms and fixes the issue &nbsp;</strong></h2>
<p>In response to the backlash, Apple acknowledged the problem and confirmed that an update was being rolled out.</p>
<p>"We are aware of an issue with the speech recognition model that powers Dictation and we are rolling out a fix today," Apple stated in a message to The Associated Press on Wednesday.</p>
<p><strong>Also Read | </strong><a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hamas-officials-say-4-israel-hostage-bodies-to-be-exchanged-for-palestinian-prisoners-thursday-8758543" aria-label="Hamas official confirms no public ceremony for handover of four bodies of Israeli hostages">Hamas official confirms no public ceremony for handover of four bodies of Israeli hostages</a></p>
<p>The company clarified that the speech recognition models powering voice-to-text may sometimes suggest words with phonetic similarities.&nbsp;</p>
<p>It also noted that the issue affected other words containing the "R" consonant, not just &ldquo;racist.&rdquo;</p>
<p><strong>Also Read | </strong><a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bibas-family-calls-on-israeli-officials-to-take-responsiblity-for-hostage-deaths-there-is-no-meaning-to-forgiveness-8759225" aria-label="Bibas family calls on Israeli officials to take responsiblity for hostage deaths; 'no meaning to forgiveness'">Bibas family calls on Israeli officials to take responsiblity for hostage deaths; 'no meaning to forgiveness'</a></p>
<h2><strong>Apple&rsquo;s recent moves amid Trump&rsquo;s trade policies</strong></h2>
<p>The timing of the glitch&rsquo;s emergence coincides with Apple's recent announcement of a $500 billion investment plan in the US, including hiring 20,000 workers and building a new factory in Texas. The move comes as President Donald Trump has pushed for tariffs on imports.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Also Read | </strong><a class="gh-archive-page-post-title-link" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/not-elon-musk-but-amy-gleason-now-leads-trumps-doge-who-is-she-8759221" aria-label="Not Elon Musk but Amy Gleason now leads Trump's DOGE. Who is she?">Not Elon Musk but Amy Gleason now leads Trump's DOGE. Who is she?</a></p>
<p>Additionally, Apple shareholders recently rejected an attempt to pressure the company into aligning with Trump&rsquo;s efforts to eliminate corporate diversity initiatives.</p>

World | Trending: According to the viral clips, when users activated the dictation feature and said the word “racist,” the text initially displayed “Trump” before quickly correcting itself.

Apple is rolling out a fix for a glitch in its iPhone dictation feature that mistakenly suggested the word “Trump” when users spoke words with an "R" consonant, including “racist.” The issue sparked controversy after several iPhone owners shared videos on social media, demonstrating how the bug worked. Also Read | Trump threatens to sue 'dishonest' authors, media outlets using 'anonymous sources' According to the viral clips, when users activated the dictation feature and said the word “racist,” the text initially displayed “Trump” before quickly correcting itself. Apple confirms and fixes the issue In response to the backlash, Apple acknowledged the problem and confirmed that an update was being rolled out. "We are aware of an issue with the speech recognition model that powers Dictation and we are rolling out a fix today," Apple stated in a message to The Associated Press on Wednesday. Also Read | Hamas official confirms no public ceremony for handover of four bodies of Israeli hostages The company clarified that the speech recognition models powering voice-to-text may sometimes suggest words with phonetic similarities. It also noted that the issue affected other words containing the "R" consonant, not just “racist.” Also Read | Bibas family calls on Israeli officials to take responsiblity for hostage deaths; 'no meaning to forgiveness' Apple’s recent moves amid Trump’s trade policies The timing of the glitch’s emergence coincides with Apple's recent announcement of a $500 billion investment plan in the US, including hiring 20,000 workers and building a new factory in Texas. The move comes as President Donald Trump has pushed for tariffs on imports. Also Read | Not Elon Musk but Amy Gleason now leads Trump's DOGE. Who is she? Additionally, Apple shareholders recently rejected an attempt to pressure the company into aligning with Trump’s efforts to eliminate corporate diversity initiatives.

Apple to fix iPhone dictation glitch that suggested ‘Trump’ for ‘racist’

<p>US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (Feb 26) threatened to sue "dishonest" authors and media outlets that use anonymous sources.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Trump said he would sue them to find out whether or not these "anonymous sources" even exist, adding that "largely they do not".&nbsp;</p>
<p>Trump has made suing people a key part of his brand since he became the US president in January. This time, he is aiming at the common practice of books and news stories using unnamed sources.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-20-civil-service-employees-resigned-from-trumps-doge-in-protest-8758303">Over 20 civil service employees resigned from Trump&rsquo;s DOGE in protest</a></strong></p>
<p>"As a President who is being given credit for having the Best Opening Month of any President in history, quite naturally, here come the Fake books and stories with the so-called &ldquo;anonymous,&rdquo; or &ldquo;off the record,&rdquo; quotes. At some point I am going to sue some of these dishonest authors and book publishers, or even media in general, to find out whether or not these &ldquo;anonymous sources&rdquo; even exist, which they largely do not," Trump said in a post on Truth Social.&nbsp;</p>
<p><iframe width="600" height="" style="max-width: 100%; border: 0;" src="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/114070115148185478/embed" class="truthsocial-embed" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<script src="https://truthsocial.com/embed.js" async="async"></script>
</p>
<p>He claimed that these authors and media are made up of "defamatory fiction", adding that a big price should be paid for this blatant dishonesty.&nbsp;</p>
<p>"I&rsquo;ll do it as a service to our Country. Who knows, maybe we will create some NICE NEW LAW!!!," he stressed.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-new-immigration-plan-includes-online-registry-with-names-fingerprints-and-addresses-8758382">Trump's immigration crackdown: Mandatory online registry with names, fingerprints to track illegal immigrants</a></strong></p>
<p>This move by the US president comes after the publication of a new expose by journalist Michael Wolff that has Trump and his team livid.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The book also said that after surviving an assassination attempt last summer during the election campaign, Trump "seemed possibly on the verge of cracking" unable to finish sentences and flying into rages that were stunning even for the famously thin-skinned former reality TV star.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-gaza-number-one-us-president-shares-his-vision-of-post-war-region-with-netanyahu-chilling-by-pool-8758822">&lsquo;Trump Gaza number one&rsquo;: US president shares his vision of post-war region, with Netanyahu chilling by pool</a></strong></p>
<p>Lastly, the White House is skirmishing early and often with the news media as Trump presses relentlessly for his hard-right agenda targeting immigrants.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Earlier on Tuesday, the Trump administration broke decades-old tradition by announcing that the White House itself will decide which media get close access to the president in confined quarters, including the Oval Office, as part of the press tool.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/trump-releases-397-million-to-monitor-pakistans-f-16-fleet-report-8757648">Trump releases $397 million for Pakistan&rsquo;s F-16 fleet, says report</a></strong></p>
<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

World: US President Donald Trump said he would sue dishonest authors and media outlets to find out whether or not these "anonymous sources" even exist, adding that "largely they do not".

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (Feb 26) threatened to sue "dishonest" authors and media outlets that use anonymous sources. Trump said he would sue them to find out whether or not these "anonymous sources" even exist, adding that "largely they do not". Trump has made suing people a key part of his brand since he became the US president in January. This time, he is aiming at the common practice of books and news stories using unnamed sources. Also read: Over 20 civil service employees resigned from Trump’s DOGE in protest "As a President who is being given credit for having the Best Opening Month of any President in history, quite naturally, here come the Fake books and stories with the so-called “anonymous,” or “off the record,” quotes. At some point I am going to sue some of these dishonest authors and book publishers, or even media in general, to find out whether or not these “anonymous sources” even exist, which they largely do not," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. He claimed that these authors and media are made up of "defamatory fiction", adding that a big price should be paid for this blatant dishonesty. "I’ll do it as a service to our Country. Who knows, maybe we will create some NICE NEW LAW!!!," he stressed. Also read: Trump's immigration crackdown: Mandatory online registry with names, fingerprints to track illegal immigrants This move by the US president comes after the publication of a new expose by journalist Michael Wolff that has Trump and his team livid. The book also said that after surviving an assassination attempt last summer during the election campaign, Trump "seemed possibly on the verge of cracking" unable to finish sentences and flying into rages that were stunning even for the famously thin-skinned former reality TV star. Also read: ‘Trump Gaza number one’: US president shares his vision of post-war region, with Netanyahu chilling by pool Lastly, the White House is skirmishing early and often with the news media as Trump presses relentlessly for his hard-right agenda targeting immigrants. Earlier on Tuesday, the Trump administration broke decades-old tradition by announcing that the White House itself will decide which media get close access to the president in confined quarters, including the Oval Office, as part of the press tool. Also read: Trump releases $397 million for Pakistan’s F-16 fleet, says report (With inputs from agencies)

Trump threatens to sue 'dishonest' authors, media outlets using 'anonymous sources'

<p>Hamas' armed wing, on Wednesday (Feb 26), said that it would hand over the bodies of four Israeli hostages "tonight" as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal.</p>
<p>"Within the framework of the deal, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades has decided to hand over the bodies of four hostages tonight," the group said.</p>
<p>A senior Hamas official said that the Palestinian militant group will not hold a public ceremony for the handover of the bodies of four Israeli hostages.</p>
<p>"The handover will take place without public presence to prevent the occupation from finding any pretext for delay or obstruction," the official said on Wednesday, speaking on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to discuss the matter.</p>
<p>Hamas said that it would exchange the bodies of Israeli hostages for the release of over 600 Palestinian prisoners, marking the completion of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal.</p>
<p>The United States stated that discussions are progressing as planned for the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, which has mostly held but whose complexity and prolonged implementation have underscored its fragility.</p>
<p>The ceasefire has successfully brought a halt to the Israel-Hamas war triggered by the October 7, 2023, attack. As part of the agreement, 25 hostages have been released alive in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.</p>
<p>"Mediators have informed Hamas that the (hostage-prisoner) exchange will take place on Thursday... Hamas and other resistance factions will hand over four bodies of Israeli captives, and in return, Israel will release more than 600 Palestinian detainees," a Hamas official told news agency AFP.</p>
<p>Another senior Hamas official said the "exchange will happen simultaneously".</p>
<p>US President Donald Trump's top envoy said in Washington that Israeli representatives are headed to discussions on the next phase of the ceasefire deal.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mossad-chief-calls-pager-operation-turning-point-in-fighting-against-hezbollah-8756820">Also read: Mossad chief calls pager operation &lsquo;turning point&rsquo; in fight against Hezbollah</a></p>
<p>"We're making a lot of progress. Israel is sending a team right now as we speak," Steve Witkoff told an event for the American Jewish Committee.</p>
<p>"It's either going to be in Doha or in Cairo, where negotiations will begin again with the Egyptians and the Qataris," he said.</p>
<h2><strong>Israel says deal reached to receive bodies of 4 Gaza hostages</strong></h2>
<p>Israel said that it has reached an agreement with mediators for the return of the bodies of four Israeli hostages held in Gaza, according to the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Meanwhile, freed Israeli hostage Yarden Bibas, whose wife and two sons were killed in captivity in Gaza, apologised on Wednesday (Feb 26), for not being able to protect his family during the Oct 7, 2023 attack by the Hamas militant group.</p>
<p>"Shiri, I'm sorry I couldn't protect you all," he said in his eulogy at the funeral of his wife, Shiri, and two sons -- Kfir and Ariel -- at a cemetery near kibbutz Nir Oz, from where the four were seized by Palestinian militants during the attack.</p>
<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

World: Israel said that it has reached an agreement with mediators for the return of the bodies of four Israeli hostages held in Gaza, according to the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Hamas' armed wing, on Wednesday (Feb 26), said that it would hand over the bodies of four Israeli hostages "tonight" as part of the Gaza ceasefire deal. "Within the framework of the deal, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades has decided to hand over the bodies of four hostages tonight," the group said. A senior Hamas official said that the Palestinian militant group will not hold a public ceremony for the handover of the bodies of four Israeli hostages. "The handover will take place without public presence to prevent the occupation from finding any pretext for delay or obstruction," the official said on Wednesday, speaking on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to discuss the matter. Hamas said that it would exchange the bodies of Israeli hostages for the release of over 600 Palestinian prisoners, marking the completion of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal. The United States stated that discussions are progressing as planned for the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, which has mostly held but whose complexity and prolonged implementation have underscored its fragility. The ceasefire has successfully brought a halt to the Israel-Hamas war triggered by the October 7, 2023, attack. As part of the agreement, 25 hostages have been released alive in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. "Mediators have informed Hamas that the (hostage-prisoner) exchange will take place on Thursday... Hamas and other resistance factions will hand over four bodies of Israeli captives, and in return, Israel will release more than 600 Palestinian detainees," a Hamas official told news agency AFP. Another senior Hamas official said the "exchange will happen simultaneously". US President Donald Trump's top envoy said in Washington that Israeli representatives are headed to discussions on the next phase of the ceasefire deal. Also read: Mossad chief calls pager operation ‘turning point’ in fight against Hezbollah "We're making a lot of progress. Israel is sending a team right now as we speak," Steve Witkoff told an event for the American Jewish Committee. "It's either going to be in Doha or in Cairo, where negotiations will begin again with the Egyptians and the Qataris," he said. Israel says deal reached to receive bodies of 4 Gaza hostages Israel said that it has reached an agreement with mediators for the return of the bodies of four Israeli hostages held in Gaza, according to the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Meanwhile, freed Israeli hostage Yarden Bibas, whose wife and two sons were killed in captivity in Gaza, apologised on Wednesday (Feb 26), for not being able to protect his family during the Oct 7, 2023 attack by the Hamas militant group. "Shiri, I'm sorry I couldn't protect you all," he said in his eulogy at the funeral of his wife, Shiri, and two sons -- Kfir and Ariel -- at a cemetery near kibbutz Nir Oz, from where the four were seized by Palestinian militants during the attack. (With inputs from agencies)

Hamas says will hand over bodies of four Israeli hostages 'tonight'

<p>Forty-six people were killed when a Sudanese military transport plane crashed into a residential neighbourhood on the outskirts of Khartoum, the regional government said Wednesday.</p>
<p>The Antonov aircraft went down on Tuesday night near Wadi Seidna air base, one of the army&rsquo;s largest military hubs in Omdurman, northwest of the capital.</p>
<p>The army, which has been at war with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023, said the plane crashed during takeoff, killing and injuring both military personnel and civilians.</p>
<p>"After a final tally, the number of martyrs reached 46, with 10 injured," the Khartoum regional government's media office said in a statement.</p>
<p>The army-aligned health ministry had previously reported at least 19 dead.</p>
<p>Witnesses described hearing a loud explosion and seeing several homes damaged in the area. The crash also caused power outages in nearby neighbourhoods.</p>
<p>The ministry said emergency teams rushed injured civilians, including children, to a nearby hospital.</p>
<p>A military source cited a technical malfunction as the cause of the crash, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to comment to the media.</p>
<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-starts-firing-faa-staff-weeks-after-dc-plane-crash-8731656">Trump administration starts firing FAA staff weeks after DC plane crash</a></strong></p>
<h2><strong>Army advances</strong></h2>
<p>The crash came a day after the RSF claimed responsibility for shooting down a Russian-made Ilyushin aircraft over Nyala, the capital of South Darfur</p>
<p>The paramilitary group said the plane was destroyed with its crew onboard.</p>
<p>The recent escalation follows significant advances by the army in central Sudan and the capital Khartoum, in its multi-front offensive against the RSF.</p>
<p>Late on Saturday, RSF signed a charter with allied political and armed groups in Nairobi, Kenya, paving the way for the formation of a parallel government in rebel-held areas.</p>
<p>Since April 2023, army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy and RSF commander Mohamed Hamadan Daglo, once allies, have been locked in a deadly power struggle.</p>
<p>The war, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives, erupted after a rift emerged between Burhan and Daglo over the future structure of the government.</p>
<p>The conflict has triggered one of the world&rsquo;s worst humanitarian disasters in recent memory, according to the United Nations.</p>
<p>The fighting has devastated Khartoum and other major cities, displacing over 12 million, plunging the country into hunger and crippling critical infrastructure.</p>
<p><em>Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.</em></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

World | The Antonov aircraft went down on Tuesday night near Wadi Seidna air base, one of the army’s largest military hubs in Omdurman, northwest of the capital.

Forty-six people were killed when a Sudanese military transport plane crashed into a residential neighbourhood on the outskirts of Khartoum, the regional government said Wednesday. The Antonov aircraft went down on Tuesday night near Wadi Seidna air base, one of the army’s largest military hubs in Omdurman, northwest of the capital. The army, which has been at war with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023, said the plane crashed during takeoff, killing and injuring both military personnel and civilians. "After a final tally, the number of martyrs reached 46, with 10 injured," the Khartoum regional government's media office said in a statement. The army-aligned health ministry had previously reported at least 19 dead. Witnesses described hearing a loud explosion and seeing several homes damaged in the area. The crash also caused power outages in nearby neighbourhoods. The ministry said emergency teams rushed injured civilians, including children, to a nearby hospital. A military source cited a technical malfunction as the cause of the crash, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to comment to the media. Also read | Trump administration starts firing FAA staff weeks after DC plane crash Army advances The crash came a day after the RSF claimed responsibility for shooting down a Russian-made Ilyushin aircraft over Nyala, the capital of South Darfur The paramilitary group said the plane was destroyed with its crew onboard. The recent escalation follows significant advances by the army in central Sudan and the capital Khartoum, in its multi-front offensive against the RSF. Late on Saturday, RSF signed a charter with allied political and armed groups in Nairobi, Kenya, paving the way for the formation of a parallel government in rebel-held areas. Since April 2023, army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy and RSF commander Mohamed Hamadan Daglo, once allies, have been locked in a deadly power struggle. The war, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives, erupted after a rift emerged between Burhan and Daglo over the future structure of the government. The conflict has triggered one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters in recent memory, according to the United Nations. The fighting has devastated Khartoum and other major cities, displacing over 12 million, plunging the country into hunger and crippling critical infrastructure. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Plane crashes in residential area in Sudan killing 46

<p>Israel's Bibas family, on Wednesday (Feb 26), called on the Israeli officials to take responsibility for the deaths of their loved ones&mdash;Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir&mdash;who lost their lives while in captivity in Gaza, emphasising that they could have been saved.</p>
<p>"This disaster should not have happened. You should not have been taken, and you should have returned alive," Ofri Bibas said at the funeral of her sister-in-law, Shiri Bibas, and her two nephews.</p>
<p>"There is no meaning to forgiveness before the failures are investigated and all officials take responsibility."</p>
<p>"Our disaster as a nation and as a family should not have happened, and must never happen again. They could have saved you but preferred revenge."</p>
<p>The three members of the Bibas family were taken hostage by Hamas when the Palestinian militant group launched an unprecedented attack on Israel in Oct 2023.</p>
<p>Hamas, last week, returned their bodies to Israel as part of a ceasefire deal.</p>
<p>Yarden Bibas, husband of Shiri and father of Kfir and Ariel, was also taken hostage but released earlier this month.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bibas-family-tells-netanyahu-to-shut-up-as-he-describes-murders-of-shiri-ariel-and-kfir-8759150">Also read: Bibas family tells Netanyahu to &lsquo;shut up&rsquo; as he describes murders of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir</a></p>
<h2><strong>Yarden apologises at funeral of wife, sons</strong></h2>
<p>Earlier today, Yarden apologised for being unable to protect his family during the Hamas attack.</p>
<p>"Shiri, I'm sorry I couldn't protect you all," he said in his eulogy at the funeral of his wife and sons.</p>
<p>"Shiri, I love you and will always love you. Shiri, you are everything to me. You are the best wife and mother there could be. Shiri, you are my best friend," said Yarden, his voice choking as he read his eulogy, which was televised live from a cemetery near Nir Oz.</p>
<p>"Do you remember our last decision together? In the safe room, I asked if we should 'fight or surrender'.</p>
<p>"You said 'fight', so I fought. Shiri... If only I had known what would happen, I wouldn't have fired," said Yarden.</p>
<p>The funeral was held for close family members and relatives only, with no media presence allowed</p>
<p>"Shiri, this is the closest I've been to you since October 7th, and I can't kiss or hug you, and it's breaking me!" said Yarden as his sister stood next to him.</p>
<p>He also apologised to his two sons, Kfir, who was nine months old, and Ariel, aged four, at the time of the attack.</p>
<p>"Ariel, I hope you're not angry with me for failing to protect you properly and for not being there for you," he said.</p>
<p>"I hope you know I thought about you every day, every minute. I hope you're enjoying paradise. I'm sure you're making all the angels laugh with your silly jokes and impressions."</p>
<p>Recalling his loved one, he fondly remembered Kfir as part of a "perfect family" with his wife.</p>
<p>"I remember during the delivery when the midwife suddenly stopped everything... but it was just to tell us we had another redhead," he said, speaking of Kfir.</p>
<p>"You brought more light and happiness to our little home. You came with your sweet, captivating laugh and smile, and I was instantly hooked! It was impossible not to nibble on you all the time."</p>
<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

World: The three members of the Bibas family were taken hostage by Hamas when the Palestinian militant group launched an unprecedented attack on Israel in Oct 2023.

Israel's Bibas family, on Wednesday (Feb 26), called on the Israeli officials to take responsibility for the deaths of their loved ones—Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir—who lost their lives while in captivity in Gaza, emphasising that they could have been saved. "This disaster should not have happened. You should not have been taken, and you should have returned alive," Ofri Bibas said at the funeral of her sister-in-law, Shiri Bibas, and her two nephews. "There is no meaning to forgiveness before the failures are investigated and all officials take responsibility." "Our disaster as a nation and as a family should not have happened, and must never happen again. They could have saved you but preferred revenge." The three members of the Bibas family were taken hostage by Hamas when the Palestinian militant group launched an unprecedented attack on Israel in Oct 2023. Hamas, last week, returned their bodies to Israel as part of a ceasefire deal. Yarden Bibas, husband of Shiri and father of Kfir and Ariel, was also taken hostage but released earlier this month. Also read: Bibas family tells Netanyahu to ‘shut up’ as he describes murders of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Yarden apologises at funeral of wife, sons Earlier today, Yarden apologised for being unable to protect his family during the Hamas attack. "Shiri, I'm sorry I couldn't protect you all," he said in his eulogy at the funeral of his wife and sons. "Shiri, I love you and will always love you. Shiri, you are everything to me. You are the best wife and mother there could be. Shiri, you are my best friend," said Yarden, his voice choking as he read his eulogy, which was televised live from a cemetery near Nir Oz. "Do you remember our last decision together? In the safe room, I asked if we should 'fight or surrender'. "You said 'fight', so I fought. Shiri... If only I had known what would happen, I wouldn't have fired," said Yarden. The funeral was held for close family members and relatives only, with no media presence allowed "Shiri, this is the closest I've been to you since October 7th, and I can't kiss or hug you, and it's breaking me!" said Yarden as his sister stood next to him. He also apologised to his two sons, Kfir, who was nine months old, and Ariel, aged four, at the time of the attack. "Ariel, I hope you're not angry with me for failing to protect you properly and for not being there for you," he said. "I hope you know I thought about you every day, every minute. I hope you're enjoying paradise. I'm sure you're making all the angels laugh with your silly jokes and impressions." Recalling his loved one, he fondly remembered Kfir as part of a "perfect family" with his wife. "I remember during the delivery when the midwife suddenly stopped everything... but it was just to tell us we had another redhead," he said, speaking of Kfir. "You brought more light and happiness to our little home. You came with your sweet, captivating laugh and smile, and I was instantly hooked! It was impossible not to nibble on you all the time." (With inputs from agencies)

Bibas family calls on Israeli officials to take responsiblity for hostage deaths; 'no meaning to forgiveness'

<p>The White House confirmed on Tuesday (Feb 26) that Amy Gleason is serving as the acting administrator for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).&nbsp;</p>
<p>This comes after US President Donald Trump's administration has been facing pressure to disclose the identity of the official formally in charge of DOGE, particularly after court filings clarified that billionaire Elon Musk, whom Trump previously claimed was overseeing the department<span>, had no direct authority over the cost-cutting initiative.</span></p>
<p>A White House official said that Gleason, a former US Digital Service official, will now lead the department that Trump established via executive order after taking office in January.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-20-civil-service-employees-resigned-from-trumps-doge-in-protest-8758303">Over 20 civil service employees resigned from Trump&rsquo;s DOGE in protest</a></strong></p>
<p>Musk is an employee of the &ldquo;White House Office&rdquo; and serves as senior adviser to the president, according to Joshua Fisher, director of the White House Office of Administration.&nbsp;</p>
<p>This announcement came after more than 20 members of the former US Digital service, the agency that was renamed the US DOGE service, resigned on Tuesday and gave a letter criticising Musk for working to "dismantle critical public services".&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-love-it-trump-backs-idea-of-sending-some-savings-from-doge-back-to-us-citizens-8741573">&lsquo;I love it&rsquo;: Trump backs idea of sending some savings from DOGE back to US citizens</a></strong></p>
<h2>Who is Amy Gleason?</h2>
<p>Amy Gleason, a former US Digital Service official, is a low-profile executive, who has expertise in healthcare technology.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The 53-year-old also worked in the first Trump administration.&nbsp;</p>
<p>She served in the United States Digital Service from 2018 to 2021, according to her LinkedIn profile.&nbsp;</p>
<p>During that tenure, she worked with the White House on the federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Later, she returned to the agency in January after Trump took office.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/they-dress-in-t-shirts-trump-mocks-genius-doge-staffers-who-dress-worse-than-elon-musk-8736789">&lsquo;They dress in T-shirts&rsquo;: Trump mocks &lsquo;genius&rsquo; DOGE staffers who dress &lsquo;worse than Elon Musk&rsquo;</a></strong></p>
<p>As she has expertise in healthcare, she served as the vice president for research at the Cure JM Foundation from 2014 to 2018.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Gleason also co-founded and served as an executive of the Florida-based telemedicine startup Care Sync.&nbsp;</p>
<p>She has also advocated for the cure of juvenile myositis, a rare autoimmune illness that causes muscle weakness and a rash in children. Her adult daughter also has this disease.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Currently, she is responsible for driving the DOGE agenda of simplifying government operations through personnel reductions, contract terminations, and budgetary reductions.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/musk-warns-federal-workers-to-return-to-office-or-be-put-on-administrative-leave-8753283">Musk warns federal workers to return to office or be put on administrative leave</a></strong></p>
<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

World: White House official said that Gleason now leads the department that Trump established via executive order after taking office in January.

The White House confirmed on Tuesday (Feb 26) that Amy Gleason is serving as the acting administrator for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). This comes after US President Donald Trump's administration has been facing pressure to disclose the identity of the official formally in charge of DOGE, particularly after court filings clarified that billionaire Elon Musk, whom Trump previously claimed was overseeing the department, had no direct authority over the cost-cutting initiative. A White House official said that Gleason, a former US Digital Service official, will now lead the department that Trump established via executive order after taking office in January. Also read: Over 20 civil service employees resigned from Trump’s DOGE in protest Musk is an employee of the “White House Office” and serves as senior adviser to the president, according to Joshua Fisher, director of the White House Office of Administration. This announcement came after more than 20 members of the former US Digital service, the agency that was renamed the US DOGE service, resigned on Tuesday and gave a letter criticising Musk for working to "dismantle critical public services". Also read: ‘I love it’: Trump backs idea of sending some savings from DOGE back to US citizens Who is Amy Gleason? Amy Gleason, a former US Digital Service official, is a low-profile executive, who has expertise in healthcare technology. The 53-year-old also worked in the first Trump administration. She served in the United States Digital Service from 2018 to 2021, according to her LinkedIn profile. During that tenure, she worked with the White House on the federal response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Later, she returned to the agency in January after Trump took office. Also read: ‘They dress in T-shirts’: Trump mocks ‘genius’ DOGE staffers who dress ‘worse than Elon Musk’ As she has expertise in healthcare, she served as the vice president for research at the Cure JM Foundation from 2014 to 2018. Gleason also co-founded and served as an executive of the Florida-based telemedicine startup Care Sync. She has also advocated for the cure of juvenile myositis, a rare autoimmune illness that causes muscle weakness and a rash in children. Her adult daughter also has this disease. Currently, she is responsible for driving the DOGE agenda of simplifying government operations through personnel reductions, contract terminations, and budgetary reductions. Also read: Musk warns federal workers to return to office or be put on administrative leave (With inputs from agencies)

Not Elon Musk but Amy Gleason now leads Trump's DOGE. Who is she?

<p>Ofri Bibas, sister of released Israeli hostage Yarden Bibas, condemned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, telling him to &ldquo;shut up&rdquo; after he repeatedly described the gruesome murders of Yarden's wife Shiri and their young sons Ariel and Kfir, despite the family's explicit wishes to keep those details private.</p>
<p>She not only criticised Netanyahu but also Israeli news outlets, social media, and public diplomats for exploiting the family's pain for political gain. She emphasised that there are more sensitive and respectful ways to conduct public diplomacy and that the continued airing of these details only exacerbates the trauma experienced by her family.</p>
<p>"It's simply an abuse for its own sake of a family that has gone through 16 months of hell and still has the worst ahead. So if I could say one thing to everyone on behalf of the Bibbs family&mdash;just shut up," she said in a post on her Facebook handle ahead of the funeral of her nephews and sister-in-law.</p>
<p><iframe width="500" height="440" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fofri.bibas%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0uX4W3nJ3Vb2k4PfSeRPU51jYSmLHyZV99m1ye7bbjM2iSxkD7nLzg78VTKLzLDSjl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></p>
<p>Netanyahu described the murder of the young boys in graphic detail during two recent public appearances. On Tuesday, he spoke at the America Israel Public Action Committee, and on Sunday, he held a picture of the victims during a military ceremony.</p>
<p>Following the Israeli prime minister's Sunday speech, the Bibas family sent a cease-and-desist letter to Netanyahu&rsquo;s and other government offices, demanding that they stop sharing details of the tragic murders of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas, according to The Times of Israel.</p>
<p>The family also released a statement through the Hostages and Missing Families Forum on Saturday, appealing to media outlets to &ldquo;stop adding details to the fact that Shiri and the kids were murdered by their captors.&rdquo;</p>
<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hamas-officials-say-4-israel-hostage-bodies-to-be-exchanged-for-palestinian-prisoners-thursday-8758543">Also read: Hamas to return four bodies of Israeli hostages in exchange for hundreds of prisoners</a></p>
<p>Yarden Bibas, on Wednesday (Feb 26), apologised for not being able to protect his family during the Oct 7, 2023 attack by the Hamas militant group.</p>
<p>"Shiri, I'm sorry I couldn't protect you all," he said in his eulogy at the funeral of his wife, Shiri and sons at a cemetery near kibbutz Nir Oz, from where Palestinian militants seized the four during the attack.</p>
<h2><strong>Hamas to swap </strong><strong>bodies of </strong><strong>4 slain Israeli hostages for prisoners</strong></h2>
<p>Hamas said that it would exchange the bodies of four Israeli hostages for the release of over 600 Palestinian prisoners, marking the completion of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal.</p>
<p>The ceasefire has successfully brought a halt to the Israel-Hamas war triggered by the October 7, 2023, attack. As part of the agreement, 25 hostages have been released alive in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.</p>
<p>"Mediators have informed Hamas that the (hostage-prisoner) exchange will take place on Thursday... Hamas and other resistance factions will hand over four bodies of Israeli captives, and in return, Israel will release more than 600 Palestinian detainees," a Hamas official told news agency AFP.</p>
<p>Another senior Hamas official said the "exchange will happen simultaneously".</p>
<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

World: Netanyahu described the murder of the young boys in graphic detail during two recent public appearances. On Tuesday, he spoke at the America Israel Public Action Committee, and on Sunday, he held a picture of the victims during a military ceremony.

Ofri Bibas, sister of released Israeli hostage Yarden Bibas, condemned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, telling him to “shut up” after he repeatedly described the gruesome murders of Yarden's wife Shiri and their young sons Ariel and Kfir, despite the family's explicit wishes to keep those details private. She not only criticised Netanyahu but also Israeli news outlets, social media, and public diplomats for exploiting the family's pain for political gain. She emphasised that there are more sensitive and respectful ways to conduct public diplomacy and that the continued airing of these details only exacerbates the trauma experienced by her family. "It's simply an abuse for its own sake of a family that has gone through 16 months of hell and still has the worst ahead. So if I could say one thing to everyone on behalf of the Bibbs family—just shut up," she said in a post on her Facebook handle ahead of the funeral of her nephews and sister-in-law. Netanyahu described the murder of the young boys in graphic detail during two recent public appearances. On Tuesday, he spoke at the America Israel Public Action Committee, and on Sunday, he held a picture of the victims during a military ceremony. Following the Israeli prime minister's Sunday speech, the Bibas family sent a cease-and-desist letter to Netanyahu’s and other government offices, demanding that they stop sharing details of the tragic murders of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir Bibas, according to The Times of Israel. The family also released a statement through the Hostages and Missing Families Forum on Saturday, appealing to media outlets to “stop adding details to the fact that Shiri and the kids were murdered by their captors.” Also read: Hamas to return four bodies of Israeli hostages in exchange for hundreds of prisoners Yarden Bibas, on Wednesday (Feb 26), apologised for not being able to protect his family during the Oct 7, 2023 attack by the Hamas militant group. "Shiri, I'm sorry I couldn't protect you all," he said in his eulogy at the funeral of his wife, Shiri and sons at a cemetery near kibbutz Nir Oz, from where Palestinian militants seized the four during the attack. Hamas to swap bodies of 4 slain Israeli hostages for prisoners Hamas said that it would exchange the bodies of four Israeli hostages for the release of over 600 Palestinian prisoners, marking the completion of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal. The ceasefire has successfully brought a halt to the Israel-Hamas war triggered by the October 7, 2023, attack. As part of the agreement, 25 hostages have been released alive in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. "Mediators have informed Hamas that the (hostage-prisoner) exchange will take place on Thursday... Hamas and other resistance factions will hand over four bodies of Israeli captives, and in return, Israel will release more than 600 Palestinian detainees," a Hamas official told news agency AFP. Another senior Hamas official said the "exchange will happen simultaneously". (With inputs from agencies)

Bibas family tells Netanyahu to ‘shut up’ as he describes murders of Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir

<p>Over 100 US intelligence officers have been fired for engaging in sexually explicit discussions on a government chat tool, Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, announced on Tuesday.&nbsp;</p>
<p>These officers are from 15 agencies and would also have their security clearances revoked.</p>
<p>The chat platform, managed by the National Security Agency (NSA), was for having classified discussions, however, it was misused for explicit conversations, including discussions on gender transition surgery.</p>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-sued-by-diversity-officers-in-an-attempt-to-block-anti-diversity-orders-8690162">Trump sued by diversity officers in an attempt to block anti-diversity orders</a></strong></p>
<p>The chats took place on a secure intranet called Intelink in two server channels titled "LBTQA" and "IC_Pride_TWG," according to intelligence community officials.</p>
<p>"This behavior is unacceptable and those involved WILL be held accountable," Tulsi Gabbard posted on X.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">This behavior is unacceptable and those involved WILL be held accountable. These disgusting chat groups were immediately shut down when <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> issued his EO ending the DEI insanity the Biden Admin was obsessed with. Our IC must be focused on our core mission: ensuring the safety,&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/CnpWYyhyNk">https://t.co/CnpWYyhyNk</a></p>
&mdash; DNI Tulsi Gabbard (@DNIGabbard) <a href="https://twitter.com/DNIGabbard/status/1894228806405107800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2025</a></blockquote>
<p>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
<p>She added that the "disgusting chat groups" were immediately shut down when President Donald Trump issued his executive order ending diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in the federal government.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indian-americans-in-trump-20s-who-are-indian-american-officials-in-donald-trumps-administration-8743080">India connect of Team Trump: Tulsi Gabbard, Kash Patel, several Indian-Americans hold key posts in Donald Trump's administration</a></strong></p>
<p>"Our IC must be focused on our core mission: ensuring the safety, security, and freedom of the American people," Gabbard said.</p>
<p>On Tuesday evening, Gabbard appeared on Fox News and said that she had issued a directive to fire more than 100 people who participated in the discussions and to strip the officers of their security clearances.&nbsp;</p>
<p>She added that the chats were an &ldquo;egregious violation of trust&rdquo; that violated &ldquo;basic rules and standards&rdquo; of workplace professionalism.</p>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pm-modi-lands-in-us-for-a-2-day-visit-meets-us-intelligence-chief-tulsi-gabbard-8715830">PM Modi lands in US, meets US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard</a></strong></p>
<p>The researchers at the conservative Manhattan Institute obtained the leaked chats from the NSA 'Interlink' messaging platform through NSA sources.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Musk reacts</h2>
<p>After the move by the director of national intelligence, Elon Musk reacted on X while posting a screengrab of the leaked screenshot.&nbsp;</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="qst" dir="ltr">Wow <a href="https://t.co/7Lvte5oLM6">https://t.co/7Lvte5oLM6</a></p>
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1894454908398834059?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2025</a></blockquote>
<p>"Wow", billionaire and Tesla CEO Elon Musk reacted.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Deputy Chief of Staff Alexa Henning said that a memo was sent to all intelligence agencies, requiring them to identify employees who participated in these chats by Friday.</p>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-judge-blocks-trumps-order-to-transfer-transgender-women-inmates-to-mens-prisons-8758246">US judge blocks Trump&rsquo;s order to transfer transgender women inmates to men's prisons</a></strong></p>
<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

World: The chat platform, managed by NSA, was for having classified discussions, however was misused for explicit conversations, including discussions on gender transition surgery.

Over 100 US intelligence officers have been fired for engaging in sexually explicit discussions on a government chat tool, Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, announced on Tuesday. These officers are from 15 agencies and would also have their security clearances revoked. The chat platform, managed by the National Security Agency (NSA), was for having classified discussions, however, it was misused for explicit conversations, including discussions on gender transition surgery. Also read: Trump sued by diversity officers in an attempt to block anti-diversity orders The chats took place on a secure intranet called Intelink in two server channels titled "LBTQA" and "IC_Pride_TWG," according to intelligence community officials. "This behavior is unacceptable and those involved WILL be held accountable," Tulsi Gabbard posted on X. This behavior is unacceptable and those involved WILL be held accountable. These disgusting chat groups were immediately shut down when @POTUS issued his EO ending the DEI insanity the Biden Admin was obsessed with. Our IC must be focused on our core mission: ensuring the safety,… https://t.co/CnpWYyhyNk — DNI Tulsi Gabbard (@DNIGabbard) February 25, 2025 She added that the "disgusting chat groups" were immediately shut down when President Donald Trump issued his executive order ending diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in the federal government. Also read: India connect of Team Trump: Tulsi Gabbard, Kash Patel, several Indian-Americans hold key posts in Donald Trump's administration "Our IC must be focused on our core mission: ensuring the safety, security, and freedom of the American people," Gabbard said. On Tuesday evening, Gabbard appeared on Fox News and said that she had issued a directive to fire more than 100 people who participated in the discussions and to strip the officers of their security clearances. She added that the chats were an “egregious violation of trust” that violated “basic rules and standards” of workplace professionalism. Also read: PM Modi lands in US, meets US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard The researchers at the conservative Manhattan Institute obtained the leaked chats from the NSA 'Interlink' messaging platform through NSA sources. Musk reacts After the move by the director of national intelligence, Elon Musk reacted on X while posting a screengrab of the leaked screenshot. Wow https://t.co/7Lvte5oLM6 — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 25, 2025 "Wow", billionaire and Tesla CEO Elon Musk reacted. Deputy Chief of Staff Alexa Henning said that a memo was sent to all intelligence agencies, requiring them to identify employees who participated in these chats by Friday. Also read: US judge blocks Trump’s order to transfer transgender women inmates to men's prisons (With inputs from agencies)

'Wow': Musk reacts as Tulsi Gabbard says over 100 intelligence officers fired over sexually explicit NSA chats

<p>Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State, has been hospitalised since February 14 after he complained of breathing difficulties. As the 88-year-old is battling double pneumonia, the Vatican confirmed improvement in his health.</p>
<p>On Tuesday (Feb 25), Pope Francis approved the canonisation of two new saints as he continued to carry out his papal duties from his hospital bed.</p>
<h2><strong>Who is Pope Francis?</strong></h2>
<p>Born in December 1936 in Buenos Aires, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the Jesuit Archbishop of Buenos Aires, is a prominent figure across the Americas yet a simple pastor deeply loved by his diocese.</p>
<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-shows-slight-improvement-says-vatican-8753540">Pope Francis shows 'slight improvement', says Vatican</a></strong></p>
<p>The first pope from South America and the first from the Jesuit order, Pope Francis brought several reforms to the church and promoted unity between Catholics, non-Catholics and non-Christians.</p>
<p>Pope Francis has often said, &ldquo;My people are poor, and I am one of them.&rdquo; He lives in an apartment and cooks his own meals. Advising his priests to show mercy and apostolic courage, Pope Francis believes that &ldquo;trampling upon a person&rsquo;s dignity is a serious sin.&rdquo;</p>
<p>He was born into a family of Italian immigrants&mdash;his father Mario was an accountant employed by the railways, while his mother Regina Sivori was a dedicated wife who raised him and his four siblings.</p>
<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-approves-canonization-of-two-new-saints-from-hospital-bed-amid-pneumonia-recovery-8756645">Pope Francis approves canonisation of two new saints from hospital bed</a></strong></p>
<h2><strong>Career of Pope Francis</strong></h2>
<p>A chemical technician, Pope Francis chose the path of priesthood and entered the Diocesan Seminary of Villa Devoto. In 1958, he joined the novitiate of the Society of Jesus.</p>
<p>He then turned to academics and studied humanities in Chile. After this, he returned to Argentina in 1963, where he completed a degree in philosophy. For the next three years, he taught literature and psychology while studying theology.</p>
<p>In December 1969, he was ordained a priest and took his final vows in the Jesuit order in 1973. In 1973, he was appointed Provincial of the Jesuits in Argentina, where he remained for the next six years.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-does-a-pope-elected-heres-all-you-need-to-know-8751783">How a pope gets elected? Here's all you need to know</a></strong></p>
<p>A military coup happened in Argentina in 1976 when he was the head of the country&rsquo;s Jesuits, during which he helped several people hide from authorities and even assisted some escape the country. However, he faced controversy for failing to protect two Jesuit priests who went missing but were later found alive after five months.</p>
<p>He resumed teaching in 1980 and went on to pursue theology in Germany in 1986.&nbsp;<br>In 1992, he was appointed as the Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires. He was raised to the Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and was declared a Cardinal in 2001.</p>
<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-message-pope-says-confidently-continuing-treatment-8749403">&lsquo;Pray for me,&rsquo; says Pope in message from hospital as he undergoes treatment for double pneumonia</a></strong></p>
<h2><strong>Advocate for poor and social cause</strong></h2>
<p>Pope Francis is an outspoken advocate for the poor and promotes the church&rsquo;s position in social matters with government officials.&nbsp;</p>
<p>He asked his followers not to come to Rome to celebrate his naming as Cardinal but rather to offer to the poor on their journey during the economic crisis in Argentina in the late 1990s.</p>
<p>Despite gaining popularity in Latin America, rather than living in the archbishop&rsquo;s residence, Pope Francis lives in a simple downtown apartment and travels by public transportation or by foot.</p>
<p>In 2013, he was elected as the Supreme Pontiff and has held the position since then.</p>
<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

World | On Tuesday (Feb 25), Pope Francis approved the canonisation of two new saints as he continued to carry out his papal duties from his hospital bed.

Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State, has been hospitalised since February 14 after he complained of breathing difficulties. As the 88-year-old is battling double pneumonia, the Vatican confirmed improvement in his health. On Tuesday (Feb 25), Pope Francis approved the canonisation of two new saints as he continued to carry out his papal duties from his hospital bed. Who is Pope Francis? Born in December 1936 in Buenos Aires, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the Jesuit Archbishop of Buenos Aires, is a prominent figure across the Americas yet a simple pastor deeply loved by his diocese. Also read | Pope Francis shows 'slight improvement', says Vatican The first pope from South America and the first from the Jesuit order, Pope Francis brought several reforms to the church and promoted unity between Catholics, non-Catholics and non-Christians. Pope Francis has often said, “My people are poor, and I am one of them.” He lives in an apartment and cooks his own meals. Advising his priests to show mercy and apostolic courage, Pope Francis believes that “trampling upon a person’s dignity is a serious sin.” He was born into a family of Italian immigrants—his father Mario was an accountant employed by the railways, while his mother Regina Sivori was a dedicated wife who raised him and his four siblings. Also read | Pope Francis approves canonisation of two new saints from hospital bed Career of Pope Francis A chemical technician, Pope Francis chose the path of priesthood and entered the Diocesan Seminary of Villa Devoto. In 1958, he joined the novitiate of the Society of Jesus. He then turned to academics and studied humanities in Chile. After this, he returned to Argentina in 1963, where he completed a degree in philosophy. For the next three years, he taught literature and psychology while studying theology. In December 1969, he was ordained a priest and took his final vows in the Jesuit order in 1973. In 1973, he was appointed Provincial of the Jesuits in Argentina, where he remained for the next six years. Also read | How a pope gets elected? Here's all you need to know A military coup happened in Argentina in 1976 when he was the head of the country’s Jesuits, during which he helped several people hide from authorities and even assisted some escape the country. However, he faced controversy for failing to protect two Jesuit priests who went missing but were later found alive after five months. He resumed teaching in 1980 and went on to pursue theology in Germany in 1986. In 1992, he was appointed as the Auxiliary Bishop of Buenos Aires. He was raised to the Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998 and was declared a Cardinal in 2001. Also read | ‘Pray for me,’ says Pope in message from hospital as he undergoes treatment for double pneumonia Advocate for poor and social cause Pope Francis is an outspoken advocate for the poor and promotes the church’s position in social matters with government officials. He asked his followers not to come to Rome to celebrate his naming as Cardinal but rather to offer to the poor on their journey during the economic crisis in Argentina in the late 1990s. Despite gaining popularity in Latin America, rather than living in the archbishop’s residence, Pope Francis lives in a simple downtown apartment and travels by public transportation or by foot. In 2013, he was elected as the Supreme Pontiff and has held the position since then. (With inputs from agencies)

Pope Francis: 88-year-old pontiff who loves simplicity, is deeply loved by his diocese

<p>US President Donald Trump shared an AI-generated music video on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday (Feb 26), showing what he assumes is the vision of the Gaza Strip Riviera.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The US president has been repeatedly restating his plan for Gaza to take over and own the Gaza Strip.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The video shared by Trump depicts a modern coastal strip lined with promenades, high-rises, and shimmering beaches.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/trumps-gaza-takeover-plan-and-non-nuclear-iran-a-game-changer-or-a-political-fantasy-8695161">Trump&rsquo;s Gaza takeover plan and non-nuclear Iran: A game-changer or a political fantasy?</a></strong></p>
<p>However, there were also some odd details in the video, as it showed belly dancers, a child clutching a golden balloon shaped like Trump's face, and a massive golden statue of Trump himself.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The video further showed people dancing as dollar bills rained down, while an AI-generated Elon Musk was seen enjoying a local dish, basking in the spectacle.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Trump was also seen dancing with a scantily clad woman. Moreover, at the end of the video, Trump was seen lounging with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by the pool at one of his hotels, which was emblazoned with large golden words "Trump Gaza".</p>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-only-put-oil-on-the-fire-trumps-proposal-for-gaza-take-over-faces-international-backlash-8694036">&lsquo;Will only put oil on fire&rsquo;: Trump&rsquo;s proposal for Gaza takeover faces international backlash</a></strong></p>
<p><iframe width="600" height="" style="max-width: 100%; border: 0;" src="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/114068387897265338/embed" class="truthsocial-embed truthsocial-video" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<script src="https://truthsocial.com/embed.js" async="async"></script>
</p>
<p>The lyrics of the song played in the video were, "No more tunnels, no more fear, Trump Gaza is finally here<br>Trump Gaza shining bright, golden future a brand new light<br>Feast and dance the deal is done, Trump Gaza number one.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Trump, while holding a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, vowed that the US would take over and own the Gaza Strip and deploy American troops in the region if necessary.</p>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/netanyahu-says-israel-ready-at-any-moment-to-resume-gaza-fighting-8750330">Netanyahu says Israel ready to resume Gaza fighting &lsquo;at any moment&lsquo;</a></strong></p>
<p>His announcement followed a permanent resettlement plan for two million Palestinians living in Gaza to neighbouring countries.</p>
<p>Israeli PM Netanyahu said that it was worth paying attention to this idea and that US control of the Gaza Strip "could change history".&nbsp;</p>
<p>However, his proposal sparked worldwide criticism, with countries slamming Trump's move and calling it a "forced transfer" or "unacceptable issue".</p>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-are-six-israeli-hostages-to-be-released-saturday-in-latest-phase-of-gaza-truce-8746340">Who are six Israeli hostages released in latest phase of Gaza truce? Know all about them here</a></strong></p>
<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

World: Video shared by Trump depicts a modern coastal strip lined with promenades, high-rises, and shimmering beaches. It further shows people dancing as dollar bills rain down.

US President Donald Trump shared an AI-generated music video on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday (Feb 26), showing what he assumes is the vision of the Gaza Strip Riviera. The US president has been repeatedly restating his plan for Gaza to take over and own the Gaza Strip. The video shared by Trump depicts a modern coastal strip lined with promenades, high-rises, and shimmering beaches. Also read: Trump’s Gaza takeover plan and non-nuclear Iran: A game-changer or a political fantasy? However, there were also some odd details in the video, as it showed belly dancers, a child clutching a golden balloon shaped like Trump's face, and a massive golden statue of Trump himself. The video further showed people dancing as dollar bills rained down, while an AI-generated Elon Musk was seen enjoying a local dish, basking in the spectacle. Trump was also seen dancing with a scantily clad woman. Moreover, at the end of the video, Trump was seen lounging with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by the pool at one of his hotels, which was emblazoned with large golden words "Trump Gaza". Also read: ‘Will only put oil on fire’: Trump’s proposal for Gaza takeover faces international backlash The lyrics of the song played in the video were, "No more tunnels, no more fear, Trump Gaza is finally here Trump Gaza shining bright, golden future a brand new light Feast and dance the deal is done, Trump Gaza number one.” Trump, while holding a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, vowed that the US would take over and own the Gaza Strip and deploy American troops in the region if necessary. Also read: Netanyahu says Israel ready to resume Gaza fighting ‘at any moment‘ His announcement followed a permanent resettlement plan for two million Palestinians living in Gaza to neighbouring countries. Israeli PM Netanyahu said that it was worth paying attention to this idea and that US control of the Gaza Strip "could change history". However, his proposal sparked worldwide criticism, with countries slamming Trump's move and calling it a "forced transfer" or "unacceptable issue". Also read: Who are six Israeli hostages released in latest phase of Gaza truce? Know all about them here (With inputs from agencies)

‘Trump Gaza number one’: US president shares his vision of post-war region, with Netanyahu chilling by pool

<p>As a part of US President Donald Trump's broader immigration crackdown, his administration is set to roll out an online registry of illegal immigrants that would require them to submit their personal information and fingerprints.</p>
<p>Under the new requirement, any foreigner 14 years old or above who hasn't previously been fingerprinted or registered by the US government must join the registry and update their current address if they have been in the country for more than 30 days. Those who fail to comply may face fines of up to $5,000, prison time, and deportation, according to the Wall Street Journal.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Aliens in this country illegally face a choice,&rdquo; read a memo from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on the incoming policy. &ldquo;They can return home and follow the legal process to come to the United States or they can deal with the consequences of continuing to violate our laws.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Currently, undocumented migrants present in the country are considered to be in violation of civil immigration laws, rather than criminal laws. Nevertheless, they may still be subject to detention and deportation proceedings.</p>
<p>The proposed registry seeks to identify and track undocumented immigrants who have not previously interacted with the US government, such as those who have not applied for asylum or a work permit, in order to bring them to the attention of the Department of Homeland Security.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Once an alien has registered and appeared for fingerprinting (unless waived), DHS will issue evidence of registration, which aliens over the age of 18 must carry and keep in their possession at all times,&rdquo; read a notice on the US Citizens and Immigration Services website posted on Tuesday (Feb 25).</p>
<p>&ldquo;It is the legal obligation of all unregistered aliens (or previously registered children who turn 14 years old) in the United States to comply with these requirements,&rdquo; the notice continues. &ldquo;Failure to comply will result in criminal and civil penalties, up to and including misdemeanour prosecution and the payment of fines.&rdquo;</p>
<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-gaza-number-one-us-president-shares-his-vision-of-post-war-region-with-netanyahu-chilling-by-pool-8758822">Also read: &lsquo;Trump Gaza number one&rsquo;: US president shares his vision of post-war region, with Netanyahu chilling by pool</a></p>
<h2><strong>'Protecting the American People Against Invasion'</strong></h2>
<p>Trump's executive order, titled "Protecting the American People Against Invasion," directed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a registry under Section 262 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and &ldquo;ensure that failure to comply is treated as a civil and criminal enforcement priority.&rdquo;</p>
<p>&ldquo;Most aliens in the United States have already registered, as required by law,&rdquo; according to US Citizens and Immigration Services. &ldquo;However, a significant number of aliens present in the United States have had no direct way in which to register and meet their obligation under INA 262.&rdquo;</p>
<p>&ldquo;In order that unregistered aliens may comply with their duty under INA 262, USCIS is establishing a new form and process by which they may register. No alien will have an excuse for failure to comply with this law.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The agency highlights that &ldquo;registration is not an immigration status, and registration documentation does not establish employment authorization or any other right or benefit under the INA or any other US law.&rdquo;</p>
<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

World news: The proposed registry seeks to identify and track undocumented immigrants who have not previously interacted with the US government, in order to bring them to the attention of the Department of Homeland Security.

As a part of US President Donald Trump's broader immigration crackdown, his administration is set to roll out an online registry of illegal immigrants that would require them to submit their personal information and fingerprints. Under the new requirement, any foreigner 14 years old or above who hasn't previously been fingerprinted or registered by the US government must join the registry and update their current address if they have been in the country for more than 30 days. Those who fail to comply may face fines of up to $5,000, prison time, and deportation, according to the Wall Street Journal. “Aliens in this country illegally face a choice,” read a memo from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on the incoming policy. “They can return home and follow the legal process to come to the United States or they can deal with the consequences of continuing to violate our laws.” Currently, undocumented migrants present in the country are considered to be in violation of civil immigration laws, rather than criminal laws. Nevertheless, they may still be subject to detention and deportation proceedings. The proposed registry seeks to identify and track undocumented immigrants who have not previously interacted with the US government, such as those who have not applied for asylum or a work permit, in order to bring them to the attention of the Department of Homeland Security. “Once an alien has registered and appeared for fingerprinting (unless waived), DHS will issue evidence of registration, which aliens over the age of 18 must carry and keep in their possession at all times,” read a notice on the US Citizens and Immigration Services website posted on Tuesday (Feb 25). “It is the legal obligation of all unregistered aliens (or previously registered children who turn 14 years old) in the United States to comply with these requirements,” the notice continues. “Failure to comply will result in criminal and civil penalties, up to and including misdemeanour prosecution and the payment of fines.” Also read: ‘Trump Gaza number one’: US president shares his vision of post-war region, with Netanyahu chilling by pool 'Protecting the American People Against Invasion' Trump's executive order, titled "Protecting the American People Against Invasion," directed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a registry under Section 262 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and “ensure that failure to comply is treated as a civil and criminal enforcement priority.” “Most aliens in the United States have already registered, as required by law,” according to US Citizens and Immigration Services. “However, a significant number of aliens present in the United States have had no direct way in which to register and meet their obligation under INA 262.” “In order that unregistered aliens may comply with their duty under INA 262, USCIS is establishing a new form and process by which they may register. No alien will have an excuse for failure to comply with this law.” The agency highlights that “registration is not an immigration status, and registration documentation does not establish employment authorization or any other right or benefit under the INA or any other US law.” (With inputs from agencies)

Trump's immigration crackdown: Mandatory online registry with names, fingerprints to track illegal immigrants

<div>Roughly a third of staffers at Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency have resigned in protest, saying that they will not push through demanded changes that put the country at risk.</div>
<div></div>
<div>"We swore to serve the American people and uphold our oath to the Constitution across presidential administrations," 21 staffers of DOGE wrote in a letter, seen by AFP on Tuesday, to White House chief of staff Susan Wiles.</div>
<div></div>
<div>"However, it has become clear that we can no longer honor those commitments," they added.</div>
<div></div>
<div>Also read | <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-judge-blocks-trumps-order-to-transfer-transgender-women-inmates-to-mens-prisons-8758246">US judge blocks Trump&rsquo;s order to transfer transgender women inmates to men's prisons</a></strong></div>
<div></div>
<div>The workers initially worked for the United States Digital Service, which was transformed into DOGE after President Donald Trump took office on January 20th, with Musk effectively taking over the department.</div>
<div></div>
<div>Musk is the political force behind DOGE, with a small group of employees faithful to the multi-billionaire being dispatched across government and working towards gutting federal staffing and spending.</div>
<div></div>
<div>While Musk is not the formal administrator of DOGE, the SpaceX and Tesla CEO is nonetheless directing operations and will even attend Trump's first cabinet meeting on Wednesday.</div>
<div></div>
<div>The world's wealthiest person and a top Trump donor, Musk has no ministerial portfolio or formal decision-making authority but has status as a "special government employee" and "senior adviser to the president."</div>
<div></div>
<div>Also read |<strong> <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/elon-musks-canadian-citizenship-at-risk-250000-citizens-sign-petition-to-revoke-it-over-doge-chiefs-ties-to-donald-trump-8758192">Elon Musk's Canadian citizenship at risk? 250,000 citizens sign petition to strip him of Canada passport</a></strong></div>
<div></div>
<div>He downplayed the significance of the departures, saying that the workers were "political holdovers" who worked remotely and refused to return to the office as ordered by Trump.</div>
<div></div>
<div>"They would have been fired had they not resigned," he added on X, the platform he owns.</div>
<div></div>
<div>The signatories describe a chaotic transition process that began on January 21 with hastily conducted interviews by unidentified individuals wearing White House visitor badges.</div>
<div></div>
<div>The interviewers questioned staff about political loyalty, attempted to create division among team members, and displayed "limited technical ability."</div>
<div></div>
<div>Tensions escalated on February 14 when approximately one-third of USDS staff were abruptly terminated via anonymous email.</div>
<div></div>
<div>Also read | <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/four-indian-firms-sanctioned-by-trumps-administration-for-knowingly-engaging-in-irans-oil-trade-8757883">Four Indian firms sanctioned by Trump for 'knowingly engaging' in Iran's oil trade</a></strong></div>
<div></div>
<div>The dismissed employees had been working on modernizing critical government systems including Social Security, veterans' services, tax filing, healthcare, and disaster relief platforms, the letter said.</div>
<div></div>
<div>"Their removal endangers millions of Americans who rely on these services every day. The sudden loss of their technology expertise makes critical systems and Americans' data less safe," the letter stated.</div>
<div></div>
<div>The employees explicitly refused to participate in what they described as efforts to "compromise core government systems, jeopardize Americans' sensitive data, or dismantle critical public services."</div>
<h2><strong>Software for firing</strong></h2>
<div>The USDS was established in 2014 during Barack Obama's administration and has historically operated as a non-partisan technology unit tasked with improving government digital services.</div>
<div></div>
<div>The mass resignation came days after Musk engineered a mass email to the federal government's two million workers, ordering them to justify their work in an email or risk being fired.</div>
<div></div>
<div>Also read | <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/indian-origin-tushar-mehta-joins-jeff-bezoss-blue-origin-on-historic-10th-space-tourism-mission-8757725">Indian-origin Tushar Mehta joins Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin on historic 10th space tourism mission</a></strong></div>
<div></div>
<div>Government departments on Monday largely told staff to either ignore the DOGE-inspired email or downplayed the risks of not answering it.</div>
<div></div>
<div>According to Wired magazine, engineers at DOGE are working on new software that could assist mass firings of federal workers across the government.</div>
<div></div>
<div>So far, thousands of mainly probationary workers -- employees who are recently hired, promoted, or otherwise changed roles -- have been terminated since Trump's inauguration.</div>
<div></div>
<div>The new software would streamline the dismissal process, known as a reduction in force, for firing federal workers with stronger civil service protections.&nbsp;</div>
<div></div>
<div><em>Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.</em></div>

World: A significant staff exodus hits Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency as one-third resign, protesting against changes they claim could endanger national security.

Roughly a third of staffers at Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency have resigned in protest, saying that they will not push through demanded changes that put the country at risk. "We swore to serve the American people and uphold our oath to the Constitution across presidential administrations," 21 staffers of DOGE wrote in a letter, seen by AFP on Tuesday, to White House chief of staff Susan Wiles. "However, it has become clear that we can no longer honor those commitments," they added. Also read | US judge blocks Trump’s order to transfer transgender women inmates to men's prisons The workers initially worked for the United States Digital Service, which was transformed into DOGE after President Donald Trump took office on January 20th, with Musk effectively taking over the department. Musk is the political force behind DOGE, with a small group of employees faithful to the multi-billionaire being dispatched across government and working towards gutting federal staffing and spending. While Musk is not the formal administrator of DOGE, the SpaceX and Tesla CEO is nonetheless directing operations and will even attend Trump's first cabinet meeting on Wednesday. The world's wealthiest person and a top Trump donor, Musk has no ministerial portfolio or formal decision-making authority but has status as a "special government employee" and "senior adviser to the president." Also read | Elon Musk's Canadian citizenship at risk? 250,000 citizens sign petition to strip him of Canada passport He downplayed the significance of the departures, saying that the workers were "political holdovers" who worked remotely and refused to return to the office as ordered by Trump. "They would have been fired had they not resigned," he added on X, the platform he owns. The signatories describe a chaotic transition process that began on January 21 with hastily conducted interviews by unidentified individuals wearing White House visitor badges. The interviewers questioned staff about political loyalty, attempted to create division among team members, and displayed "limited technical ability." Tensions escalated on February 14 when approximately one-third of USDS staff were abruptly terminated via anonymous email. Also read | Four Indian firms sanctioned by Trump for 'knowingly engaging' in Iran's oil trade The dismissed employees had been working on modernizing critical government systems including Social Security, veterans' services, tax filing, healthcare, and disaster relief platforms, the letter said. "Their removal endangers millions of Americans who rely on these services every day. The sudden loss of their technology expertise makes critical systems and Americans' data less safe," the letter stated. The employees explicitly refused to participate in what they described as efforts to "compromise core government systems, jeopardize Americans' sensitive data, or dismantle critical public services." Software for firing The USDS was established in 2014 during Barack Obama's administration and has historically operated as a non-partisan technology unit tasked with improving government digital services. The mass resignation came days after Musk engineered a mass email to the federal government's two million workers, ordering them to justify their work in an email or risk being fired. Also read | Indian-origin Tushar Mehta joins Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin on historic 10th space tourism mission Government departments on Monday largely told staff to either ignore the DOGE-inspired email or downplayed the risks of not answering it. According to Wired magazine, engineers at DOGE are working on new software that could assist mass firings of federal workers across the government. So far, thousands of mainly probationary workers -- employees who are recently hired, promoted, or otherwise changed roles -- have been terminated since Trump's inauguration. The new software would streamline the dismissal process, known as a reduction in force, for firing federal workers with stronger civil service protections. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Over 20 civil service employees resigned from Trump’s DOGE in protest

<p>A US federal judge has blocked prison officials from transferring a dozen transgender women inmates to men's facilities, going against an executive order issued by President Donald Trump.</p>
<p>Trump had decreed the end of diversity programs and LGBTQ protections following his inauguration in January, notably ordering authorities to ensure that "males are not detained in women's prisons."</p>
<p>The transgender women inmates filed their lawsuit in a bid to prevent the government from implementing the order because they were concerned they would lose their gender-related medical treatment.</p>
<p>US District Judge Royce Lamberth issued an injunction this month to stop the transfer of three transgender women inmates and extended it to nine others on Monday.&nbsp;</p>
<p>"The same reasoning from the Court's original TRO Order [ECF No. 23] still applies, with nothing in the record to compel a different outcome," Lamberth said in the ruling seen by AFP.&nbsp;</p>
<p>He cited the Eighth Amendment, which bars cruel and unusual punishment, in his decision.&nbsp;</p>
<p>"Summarily removing the possibility of housing the plaintiffs in a women's facility, when that was determined to be the appropriate facility under the existing constitutional and statutory regime, demonstrates a likelihood of success on the merits of the plaintiffs' Eighth Amendment claim," he said.</p>
<p>Trump has demonised any recognition of gender diversity since his return to power, attacking transgender people -- a small minority of the population -- and gender-affirming care for minors in both his rhetoric and in executive orders.</p>
<p><em>Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience.<br></em></p>

A US judge has blocked Trump's order to transfer transgender women inmates to men's prisons, safeguarding their rights and upholding the Eighth Amendment protections.

A US federal judge has blocked prison officials from transferring a dozen transgender women inmates to men's facilities, going against an executive order issued by President Donald Trump. Trump had decreed the end of diversity programs and LGBTQ protections following his inauguration in January, notably ordering authorities to ensure that "males are not detained in women's prisons." The transgender women inmates filed their lawsuit in a bid to prevent the government from implementing the order because they were concerned they would lose their gender-related medical treatment. US District Judge Royce Lamberth issued an injunction this month to stop the transfer of three transgender women inmates and extended it to nine others on Monday. "The same reasoning from the Court's original TRO Order [ECF No. 23] still applies, with nothing in the record to compel a different outcome," Lamberth said in the ruling seen by AFP. He cited the Eighth Amendment, which bars cruel and unusual punishment, in his decision. "Summarily removing the possibility of housing the plaintiffs in a women's facility, when that was determined to be the appropriate facility under the existing constitutional and statutory regime, demonstrates a likelihood of success on the merits of the plaintiffs' Eighth Amendment claim," he said. Trump has demonised any recognition of gender diversity since his return to power, attacking transgender people -- a small minority of the population -- and gender-affirming care for minors in both his rhetoric and in executive orders. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

US judge blocks Trump’s order to transfer transgender women inmates to men's prisons

<div class="x_elementToProof">New Delhi: Pointing&nbsp;to the "phase of recovery"&nbsp; in India-China relationship, the Chinese&nbsp;Ambassador to India Xu Feihong has said that "important consensus"&nbsp;had been&nbsp;reached&nbsp;by Chinese President Xi Jinping and&nbsp;Prime Minister Narendra Modi when they met in Kazan, Russia on the sidelines of the BRICS summit last year. Speaking at an event at the Chinese embassy, the ambassador said, "the China-India relationship is one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world. A sound and stable China-India relationship meets the expectations of the two peoples and the international community."</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof"></div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">Since the Kazan meet, the foreign ministers of the countries have met two times, in Brazil and South Africa.</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof"></div>
<div class="x_elementToProof"><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-china-seek-fair-and-mutually-acceptable-framework-for-settlement-of-border-dispute-785103">Also read: India, China seek peace and tranquility on border, agree to resume Kailash Mansarovar Yatra</a><br><br></div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">In December, India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval had travelled to China for the senior level talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and in January, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had travelled to China.</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof"></div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">Both sides are looking to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in the summer of 2025, even as they plan to hold an early meeting of the India-China expert-level mechanism to discuss the resumption of provision of hydrological data and other cooperation pertaining to trans-border rivers.</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof"></div>
<div class="x_elementToProof"><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-should-engage-in-mutual-beneficial-cooperation-eam-jaishankar-meets-his-chinese-counterpart-in-johannesberg-8743741">Also read: 'We should engage in mutual beneficial cooperation': Jaishankar meets Chinese FM Wang Yi on sidelines of G20</a></div>
<div class="x_elementToProof"><br><br>The Chinese ambassador pointed out that&nbsp;these engagements create an "important opportunity for the reboot of China-India relations and provides a broader platform for exchanges and cooperation between the youth of our two countries", explaining that "we should implement the important consensuses reached by the leaders of our two countries, mutually respect each other&rsquo;s core interests, view each other's development as an opportunity, encourage exchanges and visits in various fields and at different levels, enhance mutual understanding and mutual trust, and work together to achieve common development and rejuvenation".</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof"></div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">Ties between the two countries went downhill after the 2020 Galwan clashes. The Kazan meeting of the Indian and Chinese leaders came after a gap of over four years, with focus now on normalisation of ties with steps like restoration of border trade, resumption of Mansarovar Yatra, direct air connectivity being discussed.&nbsp;</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof"></div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">The Ambassador said that China and India are &ldquo;each other&rsquo;s development opportunity rather than threat, and cooperation partner rather than competitor&rdquo;.</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof"><br>He called for the resumption of &ldquo;exchanges of resident journalists, and full use of the internet and social media to comprehensively present the real China and India&rdquo;.</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof"></div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">He mentioned SCO, BRICS and G20 grouping, of which both India and China are members.</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof"></div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">As the rotating presidency of SCO, China will host the SCO Summit this year, and hold over 100 meetings.</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof"></div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">He said, "China is willing to work with India and other member states to jointly host a friendly, united and fruitful summit, and contribute "SCO strength" to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.'</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof"></div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">During his address, he also mentioned the popularity of Indian movies in China, since the 1950s. Humming &ldquo;Awaara Hoon&rdquo;, the ambassador Xu Feihong pointed to the popularity of <em>Awaara</em> movie in the 1950s, <em>Caravan</em> being a household name in China in 1970s/1980s and how <em>Dangal</em> topped Chinese box office earning nearly 1.3 billion yuan.</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof"><br>He said, &ldquo;in the second decade of the 21st century (2010-2019), India became the second most attractive foreign movie market to Chinese audiences."</div>

World | India News | In December, India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval had travelled to China for the senior level talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and in January, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had travelled to China.

New Delhi: Pointing to the "phase of recovery" in India-China relationship, the Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong has said that "important consensus" had been reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi when they met in Kazan, Russia on the sidelines of the BRICS summit last year. Speaking at an event at the Chinese embassy, the ambassador said, "the China-India relationship is one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world. A sound and stable China-India relationship meets the expectations of the two peoples and the international community." Since the Kazan meet, the foreign ministers of the countries have met two times, in Brazil and South Africa. Also read: India, China seek peace and tranquility on border, agree to resume Kailash Mansarovar Yatra In December, India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval had travelled to China for the senior level talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and in January, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had travelled to China. Both sides are looking to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in the summer of 2025, even as they plan to hold an early meeting of the India-China expert-level mechanism to discuss the resumption of provision of hydrological data and other cooperation pertaining to trans-border rivers. Also read: 'We should engage in mutual beneficial cooperation': Jaishankar meets Chinese FM Wang Yi on sidelines of G20 The Chinese ambassador pointed out that these engagements create an "important opportunity for the reboot of China-India relations and provides a broader platform for exchanges and cooperation between the youth of our two countries", explaining that "we should implement the important consensuses reached by the leaders of our two countries, mutually respect each other’s core interests, view each other's development as an opportunity, encourage exchanges and visits in various fields and at different levels, enhance mutual understanding and mutual trust, and work together to achieve common development and rejuvenation". Ties between the two countries went downhill after the 2020 Galwan clashes. The Kazan meeting of the Indian and Chinese leaders came after a gap of over four years, with focus now on normalisation of ties with steps like restoration of border trade, resumption of Mansarovar Yatra, direct air connectivity being discussed. The Ambassador said that China and India are “each other’s development opportunity rather than threat, and cooperation partner rather than competitor”. He called for the resumption of “exchanges of resident journalists, and full use of the internet and social media to comprehensively present the real China and India”. He mentioned SCO, BRICS and G20 grouping, of which both India and China are members. As the rotating presidency of SCO, China will host the SCO Summit this year, and hold over 100 meetings. He said, "China is willing to work with India and other member states to jointly host a friendly, united and fruitful summit, and contribute "SCO strength" to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.' During his address, he also mentioned the popularity of Indian movies in China, since the 1950s. Humming “Awaara Hoon”, the ambassador Xu Feihong pointed to the popularity of Awaara movie in the 1950s, Caravan being a household name in China in 1970s/1980s and how Dangal topped Chinese box office earning nearly 1.3 billion yuan. He said, “in the second decade of the 21st century (2010-2019), India became the second most attractive foreign movie market to Chinese audiences."

Important consensus reached by India, Chinese leaders: Chinese ambassador Xu Feihong

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<p><span class="highlight">Taiwan</span>&nbsp;dispatched forces on Wednesday in response to China's "live-fire" drills off the self-ruled island, Taipei's defence ministry said, condemning the exercises as dangerous.</p>
<p>China deployed 32 aircraft around&nbsp;<span class="highlight">Taiwan</span>&nbsp;as part of a joint combat drill and announced "live-fire exercises" in an area about 40 nautical miles (74 kilometres) off the island's south, the ministry said in a statement.</p>
<p><span class="highlight">Taiwan</span>'s military responded by sending sea, air and land forces to "monitor, alert and respond appropriately", the statement said.</p>
<p>China's People's Liberation Army "has blatantly violated international norms by unilaterally designating a drill zone 40 NM off the coast of Kaohsiung and Pingtung, claiming to conduct live-fire exercises without prior warning," the ministry said.</p>
<p>"This move not only caused a high degree of danger to the safety of international flights and vessels at sea, but is also a blatant provocation to regional security and stability."</p>
<p>China has ramped up the deployment of fighter jets and warships around&nbsp;<span class="highlight">Taiwan</span>&nbsp;in recent years to press its claim of sovereignty over the island -- which Taipei rejects.</p>
<p>The defence ministry said the live-fire exercises come after China held similar drills off Vietnam and Australia, and "prove that China is the only and biggest threat to peace and stability in the&nbsp;<span class="highlight">Taiwan</span>&nbsp;Strait and the Indo-Pacific region".</p>
<p>The drills also come after&nbsp;<span class="highlight">Taiwan</span>&nbsp;on Tuesday seized a Chinese-crewed cargo ship suspected of severing a subsea telecoms cable serving&nbsp;<span class="highlight">Taiwan</span>'s Penghu island group.&nbsp;</p>
<p>There is growing concern in&nbsp;<span class="highlight">Taiwan</span>&nbsp;over the security of its cables after a Chinese-owned cargo ship was suspected of cutting one northeast of the island this year.</p>
<p>China has threatened to use force to bring&nbsp;<span class="highlight">Taiwan</span>&nbsp;under its control. And&nbsp;<span class="highlight">Taiwan</span>&nbsp;fears China could sever its communication links as part of an attempt to seize the island or blockade it.</p>
<p><span class="highlight">Taiwan</span>&nbsp;is a potential flashpoint for a war between China and the United States, which is the island's most important backer and biggest arms supplier.&nbsp;</p>
<p>While the United States is legally bound to provide arms to&nbsp;<span class="highlight">Taiwan</span>, Washington has long maintained "strategic ambiguity" when it comes to whether it would deploy its military to defend the island from a Chinese attack.</p>
<p>Despite strong bipartisan support in the US Congress for&nbsp;<span class="highlight">Taiwan</span>, there are fears that President Donald Trump might not consider the island worth defending if China attacked.</p>
<p><span class="highlight">Taiwan</span>&nbsp;President Lai Ching-te has already vowed to boost investment in the United States to reduce the trade imbalance and spend more on the island's military, while his government is also considering increasing US natural gas imports.</p>
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World | Taiwan's defence ministry accuses China of violating international norms with its drills, posing risks to international flights and maritime security in the region.

Taiwan dispatched forces on Wednesday in response to China's "live-fire" drills off the self-ruled island, Taipei's defence ministry said, condemning the exercises as dangerous. China deployed 32 aircraft around Taiwan as part of a joint combat drill and announced "live-fire exercises" in an area about 40 nautical miles (74 kilometres) off the island's south, the ministry said in a statement. Taiwan's military responded by sending sea, air and land forces to "monitor, alert and respond appropriately", the statement said. China's People's Liberation Army "has blatantly violated international norms by unilaterally designating a drill zone 40 NM off the coast of Kaohsiung and Pingtung, claiming to conduct live-fire exercises without prior warning," the ministry said. "This move not only caused a high degree of danger to the safety of international flights and vessels at sea, but is also a blatant provocation to regional security and stability." China has ramped up the deployment of fighter jets and warships around Taiwan in recent years to press its claim of sovereignty over the island -- which Taipei rejects. The defence ministry said the live-fire exercises come after China held similar drills off Vietnam and Australia, and "prove that China is the only and biggest threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region". The drills also come after Taiwan on Tuesday seized a Chinese-crewed cargo ship suspected of severing a subsea telecoms cable serving Taiwan's Penghu island group. There is growing concern in Taiwan over the security of its cables after a Chinese-owned cargo ship was suspected of cutting one northeast of the island this year. China has threatened to use force to bring Taiwan under its control. And Taiwan fears China could sever its communication links as part of an attempt to seize the island or blockade it. Taiwan is a potential flashpoint for a war between China and the United States, which is the island's most important backer and biggest arms supplier. While the United States is legally bound to provide arms to Taiwan, Washington has long maintained "strategic ambiguity" when it comes to whether it would deploy its military to defend the island from a Chinese attack. Despite strong bipartisan support in the US Congress for Taiwan, there are fears that President Donald Trump might not consider the island worth defending if China attacked. Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has already vowed to boost investment in the United States to reduce the trade imbalance and spend more on the island's military, while his government is also considering increasing US natural gas imports.

Taiwan dispatches forces in response to China 'live-fire' drills off island

<p>A major collision at Chicago's Midway Airport was avoided by a hair's breadth Tuesday (Feb 25) morning when a Southwest Airlines plane aborted landing and abruptly pulled up, saving a smaller business jet.&nbsp;</p>
<p>A dramatic video of the incident was posted to social media platform X which shows the Southwest passenger aircraft approaching a runway to land, but suddenly it pulls up its nose to fly up in the sky as a smaller jet is seen crossing the same runway.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/indian-origin-tushar-mehta-joins-jeff-bezoss-blue-origin-on-historic-10th-space-tourism-mission-8757725">Indian-origin Tushar Mehta joins Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin on historic 10th space tourism mission</a></strong></p>
<p>An airline spokesperson said that Southwest Flight 2504 safely landed "after the crew performed a precautionary go-around to avoid a possible conflict with another aircraft that entered the runway".&nbsp;</p>
<p>"The crew followed safety procedures and the flight landed without incident," the spokesperson added.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Watch the video here:</strong></p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Southwest Airline pilots SAVED THE DAY! Great job going around at the last minute to avoid a collision from a runway incursion. <a href="https://t.co/FjzoqIzH73">pic.twitter.com/FjzoqIzH73</a></p>
&mdash; Combat Learjet (@Combat_learjet) <a href="https://twitter.com/Combat_learjet/status/1894448085075423506?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2025</a></blockquote>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-hostage-bodies-to-be-exchanged-for-palestinian-prisoners-as-tel-aviv-agrees-to-resume-swap-8757150">Israeli hostage bodies to be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners as Tel Aviv agrees to resume swap&nbsp;</a></strong></p>
<p>Data by tracking service Flightradar 24 showed the Southwest jet had descended to an altitude of 50 feet (15.24 meters) when it abandoned its landing only about 2,050 feet (624.84 metres) away from the business jet. The incident is being probed by the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-ukraine-war-to-end-soon-ukraine-agrees-on-us-minerals-and-reconstruction-deal-8757220"> Russia-Ukraine war: Kyiv and Washington reach deal on rare minerals, reports suggest</a></strong></p>
<h2><strong>Delta Air Lines plane crashes on tarmac </strong>&nbsp;</h2>
<p>Recently, a Delta Air Lines plane carrying 80 passengers crashed while landing and flipped at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Stunning visuals showed the plane lying upside-down on the snow-covered tarmac. Eighteen passengers were taken to hospitals.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-donald-trump-to-sell-5-million-gold-cards-offering-wealthy-foreigners-us-residency-and-citizenship-us-citizenship-green-card-8757321">Trump to sell $5 million 'gold cards', offering rich foreigners US residency and citizenship</a></strong></p>
<p>The Toronto crash was the latest in a string of air incidents in North America, including a midair collision between a US Army helicopter and a passenger jet in Washington that killed 67 people, and a medical transport plane crash in Philadelphia that left seven dead.</p>
<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

World | Trending News | Flightradar data revealed the Southwest aircraft was just a few feet above the ground when it aborted landing, merely 2,050 feet from the business jet.

A major collision at Chicago's Midway Airport was avoided by a hair's breadth Tuesday (Feb 25) morning when a Southwest Airlines plane aborted landing and abruptly pulled up, saving a smaller business jet. A dramatic video of the incident was posted to social media platform X which shows the Southwest passenger aircraft approaching a runway to land, but suddenly it pulls up its nose to fly up in the sky as a smaller jet is seen crossing the same runway. Also read: Indian-origin Tushar Mehta joins Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin on historic 10th space tourism mission An airline spokesperson said that Southwest Flight 2504 safely landed "after the crew performed a precautionary go-around to avoid a possible conflict with another aircraft that entered the runway". "The crew followed safety procedures and the flight landed without incident," the spokesperson added. Watch the video here: Southwest Airline pilots SAVED THE DAY! Great job going around at the last minute to avoid a collision from a runway incursion. pic.twitter.com/FjzoqIzH73 — Combat Learjet (@Combat_learjet) February 25, 2025 Also read: Israeli hostage bodies to be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners as Tel Aviv agrees to resume swap Data by tracking service Flightradar 24 showed the Southwest jet had descended to an altitude of 50 feet (15.24 meters) when it abandoned its landing only about 2,050 feet (624.84 metres) away from the business jet. The incident is being probed by the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board. Also read: Russia-Ukraine war: Kyiv and Washington reach deal on rare minerals, reports suggest Delta Air Lines plane crashes on tarmac Recently, a Delta Air Lines plane carrying 80 passengers crashed while landing and flipped at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Stunning visuals showed the plane lying upside-down on the snow-covered tarmac. Eighteen passengers were taken to hospitals. Also read: Trump to sell $5 million 'gold cards', offering rich foreigners US residency and citizenship The Toronto crash was the latest in a string of air incidents in North America, including a midair collision between a US Army helicopter and a passenger jet in Washington that killed 67 people, and a medical transport plane crash in Philadelphia that left seven dead. (With inputs from agencies)

WATCH: Shocking video captures near-collision of Southwest Airlines plane with private jet

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<p><span class="highlight">South</span>&nbsp;<span class="highlight">Korea</span>'s birth rate rose last year for the first time in a decade, official data showed on Wednesday, bucking a trend for a country battling a demographic crisis.</p>
<p>The country has one of the world's longest life expectancies and lowest birth rates, a combination that presents a looming demographic challenge.</p>
<p>Seoul has poured billions of dollars into efforts to encourage women to have more children and maintain population stability.</p>
<p>The crude birth rate -- the number of babies born per 1,000 people -- was 4.7, interrupting a continuous downward trend since 2014, according to preliminary data from Statistics&nbsp;<span class="highlight">Korea</span>.</p>
<p>And the fertility rate, or the average number of babies a woman is expected to have in her lifetime, was 0.75, "up 0.03 from 0.72 in 2023", it said.</p>
<p>"The number of births in 2024 was 238,300, an increase of 8,300 (3.6 percent) from the previous year," the report added.</p>
<p>Park Hyun-jeong, an official from Statistics&nbsp;<span class="highlight">Korea</span>, attributed the rise to an increase in marriages since the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as shifting demographic changes.</p>
<p>"The population has seen a significant increase in the number of people in their early 30s," Park told a press conference.</p>
<p>The average maternal age at childbirth in 2024 was 33.7 years, Seoul said -- one of the highest in the world.</p>
<p>But the fertility rate remains far below the 2.1 children needed to maintain&nbsp;<span class="highlight">South</span>&nbsp;<span class="highlight">Korea</span>'s population of 51 million.</p>
<p>At current rates, the population will nearly halve to 26.8 million by 2100, according to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington in Seattle.</p>
<h2>Continued decline</h2>
<p>Experts say there are multiple causes for the low birth rate, from high child-rearing costs and property prices to a notoriously competitive society that makes well-paid jobs difficult to secure.</p>
<p>The double burden of working mothers managing the brunt of household chores and childcare while also maintaining their careers is another key factor, they say.</p>
<p>The&nbsp;<span class="highlight">South</span>&nbsp;Korean government offers cash subsidies, babysitting services and support for infertility treatment.</p>
<p>But the fertility rate has until now continued its chronic decline.</p>
<p>Neighbouring Japan is grappling with the same issue -- it has the world's second-oldest population after Monaco and the country's relatively strict immigration rules mean it faces growing labour shortages.</p>
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World | Explore the implications of South Korea's birth rate increase on its demographic crisis, with government efforts to stabilize population growth amidst low fertility rates.

South Korea's birth rate rose last year for the first time in a decade, official data showed on Wednesday, bucking a trend for a country battling a demographic crisis. The country has one of the world's longest life expectancies and lowest birth rates, a combination that presents a looming demographic challenge. Seoul has poured billions of dollars into efforts to encourage women to have more children and maintain population stability. The crude birth rate -- the number of babies born per 1,000 people -- was 4.7, interrupting a continuous downward trend since 2014, according to preliminary data from Statistics Korea. And the fertility rate, or the average number of babies a woman is expected to have in her lifetime, was 0.75, "up 0.03 from 0.72 in 2023", it said. "The number of births in 2024 was 238,300, an increase of 8,300 (3.6 percent) from the previous year," the report added. Park Hyun-jeong, an official from Statistics Korea, attributed the rise to an increase in marriages since the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as shifting demographic changes. "The population has seen a significant increase in the number of people in their early 30s," Park told a press conference. The average maternal age at childbirth in 2024 was 33.7 years, Seoul said -- one of the highest in the world. But the fertility rate remains far below the 2.1 children needed to maintain South Korea's population of 51 million. At current rates, the population will nearly halve to 26.8 million by 2100, according to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington in Seattle. Continued decline Experts say there are multiple causes for the low birth rate, from high child-rearing costs and property prices to a notoriously competitive society that makes well-paid jobs difficult to secure. The double burden of working mothers managing the brunt of household chores and childcare while also maintaining their careers is another key factor, they say. The South Korean government offers cash subsidies, babysitting services and support for infertility treatment. But the fertility rate has until now continued its chronic decline. Neighbouring Japan is grappling with the same issue -- it has the world's second-oldest population after Monaco and the country's relatively strict immigration rules mean it faces growing labour shortages.

South Korea birth rate rose last year, first time in a decade

<p>No Russia visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is under planning for May, said Indian government sources, after Russian state media reports said he might attend the Victory Day Parade in Moscow.</p>
<p>Russian state-run news agency TASS had reported earlier on Wednesday (Feb 26) that PM Modi is likely to attend the May 9 Victory Day parade to be held at Moscow's Red Square to mark the nation's 80th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War.</p>
<p>Citing a source in military circles in New Delhi, TASS reported that the visit will take place "with high probability".&nbsp;</p>
<p>"It is highly likely that it will take place," the agency quoted a source as saying.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin press secretary, had earlier said that Russian President Vladimir Putin would be happy to welcome leaders of major countries to Moscow on May 9. So far, Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico has confirmed a trip to Russia in May.</p>
<h2><strong>Moscow Victory Day Parade</strong></h2>
<p>The Moscow Victory Day Parade is an annual military parade of the Russian Armed Forces on Moscow's Red Square. The parade commemorates the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II in 1945.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The parade is attended by the President of Russia, who serves as the guest of honour and keynote speaker. It features a grand display of military might, with thousands of troops, tanks, aircraft and other military equipment participating. The event also includes a fly-past by the Russian Air Force and a march-past by various military units and contingents.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The Victory Day Parade is a symbol of Russia's pride in its military history and its role in defeating Nazi Germany. It's also an opportunity for Russia to showcase its military capabilities and strengthen its national identity.&nbsp;</p>
<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>

World | India News | The Moscow Victory Day Parade is a significant annual event showcasing Russian military strength, emphasising historical ties between India and Russia.

No Russia visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is under planning for May, said Indian government sources, after Russian state media reports said he might attend the Victory Day Parade in Moscow. Russian state-run news agency TASS had reported earlier on Wednesday (Feb 26) that PM Modi is likely to attend the May 9 Victory Day parade to be held at Moscow's Red Square to mark the nation's 80th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War. Citing a source in military circles in New Delhi, TASS reported that the visit will take place "with high probability". "It is highly likely that it will take place," the agency quoted a source as saying. Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin press secretary, had earlier said that Russian President Vladimir Putin would be happy to welcome leaders of major countries to Moscow on May 9. So far, Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico has confirmed a trip to Russia in May. Moscow Victory Day Parade The Moscow Victory Day Parade is an annual military parade of the Russian Armed Forces on Moscow's Red Square. The parade commemorates the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II in 1945. The parade is attended by the President of Russia, who serves as the guest of honour and keynote speaker. It features a grand display of military might, with thousands of troops, tanks, aircraft and other military equipment participating. The event also includes a fly-past by the Russian Air Force and a march-past by various military units and contingents. The Victory Day Parade is a symbol of Russia's pride in its military history and its role in defeating Nazi Germany. It's also an opportunity for Russia to showcase its military capabilities and strengthen its national identity. (With inputs from agencies)

No visit of PM Modi to Russia planned in May, say Indian govt sources

<p>The United States and Ukraine have agreed to the terms on a deal over natural resources and reconstruction, CNN reported citing a Ukrainian official.</p>
<p>In India, amid chants of 'Har Har Mahadev,' thousands of devotees thronged the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj on Wednesday for the last sacred dip of the 45-day-long Maha Kumbh.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the White House on Tuesday announced that it will take control over which "very privileged" news organisations and journalists are permitted to be a part of Donald Trump's presidential press pool.</p>
<p><strong>Click on the headlines to read more</strong></p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-ukraine-war-to-end-soon-ukraine-agrees-on-us-minerals-and-reconstruction-deal-8757220">Russia-Ukraine war: Kyiv and Washington reach deal on rare minerals, reports suggest</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><img src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/02/26/HL1tsgLm6LlmpLi7wc0P.png" alt=" (COMBO) This combination of pictures created on February 25, 2025 shows US President Donald Trump (L) on February 24, 2025, and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) on February 23, 2025. Photograph: (AFP) "></strong></p>
<p>The United States and Ukraine have agreed to terms on a deal over natural resources and reconstruction, CNN reported citing a Ukrainian official. This comes a day after President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (Feb 25) that his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky wants to come to Washington later this week suggesting a possible end to the three-year-old Russia-Ukraine war.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/triveni-sangam-sees-millions-of-devotees-gather-at-prayagraj-for-final-amrit-snan-of-maha-kumbh-2025-on-mahashivratri-8757216">Mahashivratri at Maha Kumbh Mela: Millions of devotees gather in Prayagraj for final 'amrit snan'</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><img src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/02/26/qLGzXjBdi58FyvYzdDvO.png" alt=" Pilgrims offer prayers after taking a holy dip in Sangam, the confluence of Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers, on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri during the Maha Kumbh Mela festival in Prayagraj on February 26, 2025. Photograph: (WION Web Team) "></strong></p>
<p>Amid chants of 'Har Har Mahadev,' thousands of devotees thronged the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj on Wednesday (Feb 26) for the last sacred dip of the 45-day-long Maha Kumbh. The last bath coincides with the festival of Mahashivratri and is one of the most auspicious muhurats for the Amrit snan.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/freedom-of-press-under-threat-white-house-to-decide-which-journalists-get-to-cover-president-donald-trump-8757168">Freedom of Press under threat? White House will pick which journalists get the 'privilege' to cover Trump</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><img src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/02/26/5Jl0BpwOd138g8RJZhT3.png" alt=" US President Donald Trump speaks to the press at the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC on February 25, 2025. Photograph: (AFP) "></strong></p>
<p>On Tuesday (Feb 25), the White House announced that it would take control over which "very privileged" news organisations and journalists would be permitted to cover Donald Trump in the presidential press pool.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-hostage-bodies-to-be-exchanged-for-palestinian-prisoners-as-tel-aviv-agrees-to-resume-swap-8757150">Israeli hostage bodies to be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners as Tel Aviv agrees to resume swap</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><img src="https://img-cdn.thepublive.com/fit-in/1280x720/filters:format(webp)/wion/media/media_files/2025/02/26/MdNd3OEtfKJZYpiOb3je.png" alt=" People walk around a makeshift memorial in front of portraits of late Israeli hostages Shiri (L), Ariel (CL), and Kfir (CR) Bibas, as well as Oded Lifshitz (R) at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv on February 25, 2025. Photograph: (AFP) ">world</strong></p>
<p>Israel-Hamas war: Mediators have brokered an agreement for the release of all Palestinian prisoners who were supposed to be released last week in exchange for the bodies of four Israeli hostages, Egyptian state-linked media reported late Tuesday (Feb 25).</p>
<p><strong>Watch | &nbsp;Chinese envoy hails ties with India: Bilateral ties entering phase of recovery</strong></p>
<p><iframe width="600" height="auto" style="width: 100%; aspect-ratio: 4/3;" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" class="external-video publive-iframes-block" src="https://cdn.thepublive.com/wion/static/kaltura_player/wion_video_player_iframe.html?thumbnail=wion/media/post_attachments/screenshot/2602_ARJUN_CHINESE_8AM/00000002.jpg&amp;videourl=https://vodakm.zeenews.com/vod/WION/2602_ARJUN_CHINESE_8AM.mp4/index.m3u8&amp;duration=73&amp;tags=china, india, bilateral ties, china india ties, china india relations," title="Chinese envoy hails ties with India: Bilateral ties entering phase of recovery " id="PL_iframe_block-m7lf0n9g-rgucsruv-qf109xs1"></iframe></p>

World: Begin each morning with WION's concise news summary, designed to keep you updated on the latest global events and trends as you start your day.

The United States and Ukraine have agreed to the terms on a deal over natural resources and reconstruction, CNN reported citing a Ukrainian official. In India, amid chants of 'Har Har Mahadev,' thousands of devotees thronged the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj on Wednesday for the last sacred dip of the 45-day-long Maha Kumbh. Meanwhile, the White House on Tuesday announced that it will take control over which "very privileged" news organisations and journalists are permitted to be a part of Donald Trump's presidential press pool. Click on the headlines to read more Russia-Ukraine war: Kyiv and Washington reach deal on rare minerals, reports suggest The United States and Ukraine have agreed to terms on a deal over natural resources and reconstruction, CNN reported citing a Ukrainian official. This comes a day after President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (Feb 25) that his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky wants to come to Washington later this week suggesting a possible end to the three-year-old Russia-Ukraine war. Mahashivratri at Maha Kumbh Mela: Millions of devotees gather in Prayagraj for final 'amrit snan' Amid chants of 'Har Har Mahadev,' thousands of devotees thronged the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj on Wednesday (Feb 26) for the last sacred dip of the 45-day-long Maha Kumbh. The last bath coincides with the festival of Mahashivratri and is one of the most auspicious muhurats for the Amrit snan. Freedom of Press under threat? White House will pick which journalists get the 'privilege' to cover Trump On Tuesday (Feb 25), the White House announced that it would take control over which "very privileged" news organisations and journalists would be permitted to cover Donald Trump in the presidential press pool. Israeli hostage bodies to be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners as Tel Aviv agrees to resume swap world Israel-Hamas war: Mediators have brokered an agreement for the release of all Palestinian prisoners who were supposed to be released last week in exchange for the bodies of four Israeli hostages, Egyptian state-linked media reported late Tuesday (Feb 25). Watch | Chinese envoy hails ties with India: Bilateral ties entering phase of recovery

Morning news brief: US and Ukraine 'reach deal' on rare minerals; final 'amrit snan' at Maha Kumbh, and more

<p>United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday (Feb 25) announced that his administration would now sell a "gold card" to wealthy foreigners. Similar to the coveted "green card," this would give rich foreign citizens the right to live and work in the US.</p>
<h2><strong>How much would the 'Gold Card' cost? Can anyone buy it?</strong></h2>
<p>The 'Gold Card' would be available for anyone who can afford it, albeit they clear a vetting process. It would cost a whopping $5 million (over ₹435 million or &pound;3.9 million) and help fast-track US citizenship.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/freedom-of-press-under-threat-white-house-to-decide-which-journalists-get-to-cover-president-donald-trump-8757168">Freedom of Press under threat? White House will pick which journalists get the 'privilege' to cover Trump</a></strong></p>
<p>The sale of these "gold cards" would begin in the next two weeks, said the US president, adding that millions of such cards could be sold to the highest bidders.</p>
<p>"We're going to be selling a gold card," announced Trump, speaking from the Oval Office at the White House.</p>
<p>"You have a green card. This is a gold card. We're going to be putting a price on that card of about $5 million and that's going to give you green card privileges, plus it's going to be a route to citizenship. And wealthy people would be coming into our country by buying this card."</p>
<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/massive-scandal-house-gop-claim-biden-irs-leaked-taxpayer-data-of-405000-americans-including-trump-8756803">'MASSIVE scandal': House Republicans claim IRS leaked taxpayer data of 405,000 Americans, including Trump</a></strong></p>
<p>According to Trump, even Russian oligarchs &mdash; usually heavily sanctioned by the US &mdash; could buy this gold card and a US citizenship.</p>
<p>When asked if he would consider selling to Russian Oligarchs, Trump replied: "Yeah, possibly. I know some Russian oligarchs that are very nice people".</p>
<h2><strong>'Gold cards,' a new paid way to get US citizenship?</strong></h2>
<p>Not really. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who was standing alongside Trump as the announcement was made, said that the Gold Cards would replace the government's immigrant investor visa programme.</p>
<p><strong>Watch | Trump: US will sell $5 million 'gold cards' to foreigners</strong></p>
<p><iframe width="600" height="auto" style="width: 100%; aspect-ratio: 4/3;" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" class="external-video publive-iframes-block" src="https://cdn.thepublive.com/wion/static/kaltura_player/wion_video_player_iframe.html?thumbnail=wion/media/post_attachments/screenshot/2602_ARJUN_CARDS_730AM/00000002.jpg&amp;videourl=https://vodakm.zeenews.com/vod/WION/2602_ARJUN_CARDS_730AM.mp4/index.m3u8&amp;duration=207&amp;tags=us, donald trump, gold card, green card," title="Trump: US will sell $5 million 'gold cards' to foreigners " id="PL_iframe_block-m7legxlw-2mun0uzw-mixvd0l4"></iframe>&nbsp;</p>
<p>EB-5 immigrant investor visa programme is the route through which foreign investors pump money into US projects that create jobs and then apply for visas to immigrate to the US. Currently, the programme issues green cards to immigrants who invest at least $1,050,000, or $800,000 in economically distressed zones called targeted employment areas, to create jobs for American workers.</p>
<p>Lutnick said that applicants would "have to go through vetting" to prove they are "wonderful world-class global citizens".</p>
<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

World news | Trending | Discover how Trump plans to sell $5mn gold cards to wealthy foreigners, offering a fast-track to US residency and citizenship, replacing the EB-5 programme.

United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday (Feb 25) announced that his administration would now sell a "gold card" to wealthy foreigners. Similar to the coveted "green card," this would give rich foreign citizens the right to live and work in the US. How much would the 'Gold Card' cost? Can anyone buy it? The 'Gold Card' would be available for anyone who can afford it, albeit they clear a vetting process. It would cost a whopping $5 million (over ₹435 million or £3.9 million) and help fast-track US citizenship. Also read | Freedom of Press under threat? White House will pick which journalists get the 'privilege' to cover Trump The sale of these "gold cards" would begin in the next two weeks, said the US president, adding that millions of such cards could be sold to the highest bidders. "We're going to be selling a gold card," announced Trump, speaking from the Oval Office at the White House. "You have a green card. This is a gold card. We're going to be putting a price on that card of about $5 million and that's going to give you green card privileges, plus it's going to be a route to citizenship. And wealthy people would be coming into our country by buying this card." Also read | 'MASSIVE scandal': House Republicans claim IRS leaked taxpayer data of 405,000 Americans, including Trump According to Trump, even Russian oligarchs — usually heavily sanctioned by the US — could buy this gold card and a US citizenship. When asked if he would consider selling to Russian Oligarchs, Trump replied: "Yeah, possibly. I know some Russian oligarchs that are very nice people". 'Gold cards,' a new paid way to get US citizenship? Not really. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who was standing alongside Trump as the announcement was made, said that the Gold Cards would replace the government's immigrant investor visa programme. Watch | Trump: US will sell $5 million 'gold cards' to foreigners EB-5 immigrant investor visa programme is the route through which foreign investors pump money into US projects that create jobs and then apply for visas to immigrate to the US. Currently, the programme issues green cards to immigrants who invest at least $1,050,000, or $800,000 in economically distressed zones called targeted employment areas, to create jobs for American workers. Lutnick said that applicants would "have to go through vetting" to prove they are "wonderful world-class global citizens". (With inputs from agencies)

Trump to sell $5 million 'gold cards', offering rich foreigners US residency and citizenship

<p>The United States and Ukraine have agreed to terms on a deal over natural resources and reconstruction, CNN reported citing a Ukrainian official. This comes a day after President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (Feb 25) that his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky wants to come to Washington later this week suggesting a possible end to the three-year-old Russia-Ukraine war.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>This comes amid Washington's dramatic shift of policy that includes Trump reaching out to Russia, angering Europe.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The source said the terms were agreed upon after "everything unacceptable was taken out of the text and it is now more clearly spelt out how this agreement will contribute to Ukraine's security and peace".&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-hostage-bodies-to-be-exchanged-for-palestinian-prisoners-as-tel-aviv-agrees-to-resume-swap-8757150">Israeli hostage bodies to be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners as Tel Aviv agrees to resume swap</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p>The news agency Reuters said in its source-based report that the visit is scheduled for Friday (Feb 28). However, the US has not confirmed whether or not the terms of a deal have been agreed.&nbsp;</p>
<p>"I hear that he's coming on Friday. Certainly it's okay with me if he'd like to, and he would like to sign it together with me. And I understand that&rsquo;s a big deal, very big deal," Trump said from the Oval Office on Tuesday.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/massive-scandal-house-gop-claim-biden-irs-leaked-taxpayer-data-of-405000-americans-including-trump-8756803">'MASSIVE scandal': House Republicans claim IRS leaked taxpayer data of 405,000 Americans, including Trump&nbsp;</a></strong></p>
<h2><strong>Trump's take on Ukraine war</strong>&nbsp;</h2>
<p>Since coming to the office for the second time, Trump has often claimed that had he been the president, the Russia-Ukraine war would never have started.&nbsp;</p>
<p>He has now demanded that Ukraine give access to its rare earth minerals to compensate for the billions of dollars of wartime aid it received under Joe Biden.&nbsp;</p>
<p>A senior Ukrainian source told the news agency AFP on the condition of anonymity late Tuesday that the deal would see the US jointly develop Ukraine's mineral wealth, with revenues going to a newly created fund that would be "joint for Ukraine and America".&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-pm-pledges-to-spend-25-percent-of-gdp-on-defence-by-2027-8756993">UK PM pledges to spend 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence by 2027&nbsp;</a></strong></p>
<p>The source further added that the draft of the deal included a reference to "security". However, it did not set out America's commitments -- one of Kyiv's prior demands for an agreement.&nbsp;</p>
<p>"There is a general clause that says America will invest in a stable and prosperous sovereign Ukraine, that it works for a lasting peace, and that America supports efforts to guarantee security."&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pressure-mounts-as-white-house-official-pushes-for-canadas-exit-from-five-eyes-intelligence-group-8756971" rel="dofollow">Pressure mounts as White House official pushes for Canada's exit from Five Eyes alliance</a></strong></p>
<p>Earlier, Zelensky had denied Trump's demands to give the United States $500 billion worth of valuable minerals used in aerospace, electric vehicles and other technologies. Russia hasn't responded yet, but talks about the deal could be part of all the communication leading up to Trump and Vladimir Putin's proposed face-to-face meeting.&nbsp;</p>
<p><em><strong>Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on Ukraine-Russia war on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos</strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of photos and videos shared on social media.</strong></em></p>

World | Explore the implications of Ukraine's mineral wealth development deal with the US, aimed at securing peace and fostering prosperity amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

The United States and Ukraine have agreed to terms on a deal over natural resources and reconstruction, CNN reported citing a Ukrainian official. This comes a day after President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (Feb 25) that his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky wants to come to Washington later this week suggesting a possible end to the three-year-old Russia-Ukraine war. This comes amid Washington's dramatic shift of policy that includes Trump reaching out to Russia, angering Europe. The source said the terms were agreed upon after "everything unacceptable was taken out of the text and it is now more clearly spelt out how this agreement will contribute to Ukraine's security and peace". Also read: Israeli hostage bodies to be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners as Tel Aviv agrees to resume swap The news agency Reuters said in its source-based report that the visit is scheduled for Friday (Feb 28). However, the US has not confirmed whether or not the terms of a deal have been agreed. "I hear that he's coming on Friday. Certainly it's okay with me if he'd like to, and he would like to sign it together with me. And I understand that’s a big deal, very big deal," Trump said from the Oval Office on Tuesday. Also read: 'MASSIVE scandal': House Republicans claim IRS leaked taxpayer data of 405,000 Americans, including Trump Trump's take on Ukraine war Since coming to the office for the second time, Trump has often claimed that had he been the president, the Russia-Ukraine war would never have started. He has now demanded that Ukraine give access to its rare earth minerals to compensate for the billions of dollars of wartime aid it received under Joe Biden. A senior Ukrainian source told the news agency AFP on the condition of anonymity late Tuesday that the deal would see the US jointly develop Ukraine's mineral wealth, with revenues going to a newly created fund that would be "joint for Ukraine and America". Also read: UK PM pledges to spend 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence by 2027 The source further added that the draft of the deal included a reference to "security". However, it did not set out America's commitments -- one of Kyiv's prior demands for an agreement. "There is a general clause that says America will invest in a stable and prosperous sovereign Ukraine, that it works for a lasting peace, and that America supports efforts to guarantee security." Also read: Pressure mounts as White House official pushes for Canada's exit from Five Eyes alliance Earlier, Zelensky had denied Trump's demands to give the United States $500 billion worth of valuable minerals used in aerospace, electric vehicles and other technologies. Russia hasn't responded yet, but talks about the deal could be part of all the communication leading up to Trump and Vladimir Putin's proposed face-to-face meeting. Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on Ukraine-Russia war on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of photos and videos shared on social media.

Russia-Ukraine war: Kyiv and Washington reach deal on rare minerals, reports suggest

<p>The White House on Tuesday (Feb 25) announced that it will take control over which "very privileged" news organisations and journalists are permitted to cover Donald Trump in the presidential press pool.</p>
<p>Addressing the press during a briefing, press secretary Karoline Leavitt declared, "The White House press team in this administration will determine who gets to enjoy the very privileged and limited access in spaces such as Air Force One and the Oval Office".</p>
<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/massive-scandal-house-gop-claim-biden-irs-leaked-taxpayer-data-of-405000-americans-including-trump-8756803">'MASSIVE scandal': House Republicans claim IRS leaked taxpayer data of 405,000 Americans, including Trump</a></strong></p>
<h2><strong>Freedom of the press no more?</strong></h2>
<p>The move follows a legal victory for the Trump administration, which secured a temporary ruling to block the Associated Press (AP) from access after the outlet refused to comply with Trump's demand to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America".</p>
<p>Traditionally, the White House Correspondents&rsquo; Association (WHCA) has overseen the press pool, ensuring a rotating group of journalists covers the president in exclusive settings. However, Leavitt argued that the WHCA "should no longer have a monopoly" over access, insisting that while long-established "legacy media outlets" would retain a presence, "new voices are going to be welcomed in as well."</p>
<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-blocked-this-news-agency-from-modi-press-conference-amid-gulf-of-mexicoamerica-naming-dispute-8719499">Trump blocked THIS news agency from Modi press conference amid 'Gulf of Mexico/America' naming dispute</a></strong></p>
<h2><strong>Retaliation over Gulf renaming dispute?</strong></h2>
<p>Last month, soon after his inauguration on January 20, 2025, Trump signed an executive order instructing the US Interior Department to rename the Gulf of Mexico to "Gulf of America".&nbsp;</p>
<p>While even Google complied with the order, displaying the new name for users in America, the AP said it would maintain the use of the Gulf's long-established name in its reporting while acknowledging the Trump administration's efforts to change it.</p>
<p>The response from the White House was swift. AP journalists were banned from the Oval Office and Air Force One, with officials accusing the agency of "irresponsible and dishonest reporting."</p>
<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mexico-warns-google-with-threatens-legal-action-for-renaming-gulf-of-mexico-to-gulf-of-america-8730696">Mexico threatens Google with legal action for renaming Gulf of Mexico</a></strong></p>
<p>Associated Press sought to restore its access via courts, but its appeal was rejected by US District Judge Trevor McFadden, a Trump appointee, on Monday (Feb 24).</p>
<p>The judge dismissed concerns that the ban infringed on the US Constitution's First Amendment rights against government abridgement of speech.</p>
<p>Leavitt hailed the court's ruling, stating that the administration wants "more outlets and new outlets to cover the press pool".&nbsp;</p>
<p>"It's beyond time the White House press pool reflects the media habits of the American people in 2025," she said.</p>
<p>The WHCA expressing alarm warned that the decision "tears at the independence of a free press in the United States".</p>
<p>"It suggests the government will choose the journalists who cover the president. In a free country, leaders must not be able to choose their own press corps," said WHCA president, Eugene Daniels.</p>
<p>The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press also slammed the move, calling it "a drastic change in how the public obtains information about its government."</p>
<p>"The White House press pool exists to serve the public, not the presidency," noted the group's president, Bruce Brown.</p>
<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

World Trending News | The White House announced it will control access to Donald Trump, deciding which journalists can cover him, raising concerns about press freedom.

The White House on Tuesday (Feb 25) announced that it will take control over which "very privileged" news organisations and journalists are permitted to cover Donald Trump in the presidential press pool. Addressing the press during a briefing, press secretary Karoline Leavitt declared, "The White House press team in this administration will determine who gets to enjoy the very privileged and limited access in spaces such as Air Force One and the Oval Office". Also read | 'MASSIVE scandal': House Republicans claim IRS leaked taxpayer data of 405,000 Americans, including Trump Freedom of the press no more? The move follows a legal victory for the Trump administration, which secured a temporary ruling to block the Associated Press (AP) from access after the outlet refused to comply with Trump's demand to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America". Traditionally, the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) has overseen the press pool, ensuring a rotating group of journalists covers the president in exclusive settings. However, Leavitt argued that the WHCA "should no longer have a monopoly" over access, insisting that while long-established "legacy media outlets" would retain a presence, "new voices are going to be welcomed in as well." Also read | Trump blocked THIS news agency from Modi press conference amid 'Gulf of Mexico/America' naming dispute Retaliation over Gulf renaming dispute? Last month, soon after his inauguration on January 20, 2025, Trump signed an executive order instructing the US Interior Department to rename the Gulf of Mexico to "Gulf of America". While even Google complied with the order, displaying the new name for users in America, the AP said it would maintain the use of the Gulf's long-established name in its reporting while acknowledging the Trump administration's efforts to change it. The response from the White House was swift. AP journalists were banned from the Oval Office and Air Force One, with officials accusing the agency of "irresponsible and dishonest reporting." Also read | Mexico threatens Google with legal action for renaming Gulf of Mexico Associated Press sought to restore its access via courts, but its appeal was rejected by US District Judge Trevor McFadden, a Trump appointee, on Monday (Feb 24). The judge dismissed concerns that the ban infringed on the US Constitution's First Amendment rights against government abridgement of speech. Leavitt hailed the court's ruling, stating that the administration wants "more outlets and new outlets to cover the press pool". "It's beyond time the White House press pool reflects the media habits of the American people in 2025," she said. The WHCA expressing alarm warned that the decision "tears at the independence of a free press in the United States". "It suggests the government will choose the journalists who cover the president. In a free country, leaders must not be able to choose their own press corps," said WHCA president, Eugene Daniels. The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press also slammed the move, calling it "a drastic change in how the public obtains information about its government." "The White House press pool exists to serve the public, not the presidency," noted the group's president, Bruce Brown. (With inputs from agencies)

Freedom of Press under threat? White House will pick which journalists get the 'privilege' to cover Trump

<p>Israel-Hamas war: Mediators have brokered an agreement for the release of all Palestinian prisoners who were supposed to be released last week in exchange for the bodies of four Israeli hostages, Egyptian state-linked media reported late Tuesday (Feb 25).</p>
<h2><strong>Hamas confirms news of release</strong></h2>
<p>The Palestinian militant group Hamas confirmed the deal, which was reached under Egypt's supervision, stating it was part of the first phase of its ceasefire agreement with Israel.</p>
<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-says-army-to-stay-in-evacuated-west-bank-camps-for-coming-year-8751405">Israel says army to stay in evacuated West Bank camps for 'coming year'</a></strong></p>
<p>This comes as, on Sunday (Feb 23), Hamas accused Israel of jeopardising the five-week-old Gaza truce by delaying the release of 600 Palestinian prisoners.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Israel, meanwhile, defended the delay, citing concerns over the manner in which hostages had been freed. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed the militants for what he labelled as "humiliating ceremonies".</p>
<p>Since the ceasefire began on January 19, Hamas has publicly released 25 Israeli hostages across Gaza. These staged events saw masked, armed fighters escort captives onto platforms decorated with slogans and propaganda.</p>
<p>Israel, in turn, has freed over 1,100 Palestinian prisoners.</p>
<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-envoy-heads-to-middle-east-to-negotiate-israel-hamas-truce-extension-8750183">Trump&rsquo;s envoy heads to Middle East to negotiate Israel-Hamas truce extension</a></strong></p>
<p>On Saturday, Hamas released six Israeli hostages in the seventh such transfer, but Israel postponed the scheduled release of more than 600 Palestinian prisoners in response. While both sides have accused each other of violating the ceasefire, the truce has largely held since coming into effect.</p>
<p>The International Committee of the Red Cross has, meanwhile, urged all parties to conduct prisoner and hostage exchanges "in a dignified and private manner."</p>
<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hamas-murdered-10-month-old-kfir-and-4-year-old-ariel-bibas-with-bare-hands-alleges-israel-family-says-yet-to-receive-official-info-8747053">Hamas murdered young hostages? Israel claims 'terrorists' killed 10-month-old Kfir and 4-year-old Ariel Bibas with 'bare hands'</a></strong></p>
<p>Previously, Steve Witkoff, an envoy of US President Donald Trump, said he was headed to the Middle East this week to "get an extension of phase one" of the truce.</p>
<p>"We're hopeful that we have the proper time... to begin phase two, and finish it off and get more hostages released," said Witkoff in a conversation with CNN.</p>
<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

Explore the latest Israel-Hamas agreement where mediators secured the exchange of Israeli hostage bodies for Palestinian prisoners under Egyptian oversight.

Israel-Hamas war: Mediators have brokered an agreement for the release of all Palestinian prisoners who were supposed to be released last week in exchange for the bodies of four Israeli hostages, Egyptian state-linked media reported late Tuesday (Feb 25). Hamas confirms news of release The Palestinian militant group Hamas confirmed the deal, which was reached under Egypt's supervision, stating it was part of the first phase of its ceasefire agreement with Israel. Also read | Israel says army to stay in evacuated West Bank camps for 'coming year' This comes as, on Sunday (Feb 23), Hamas accused Israel of jeopardising the five-week-old Gaza truce by delaying the release of 600 Palestinian prisoners. Israel, meanwhile, defended the delay, citing concerns over the manner in which hostages had been freed. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed the militants for what he labelled as "humiliating ceremonies". Since the ceasefire began on January 19, Hamas has publicly released 25 Israeli hostages across Gaza. These staged events saw masked, armed fighters escort captives onto platforms decorated with slogans and propaganda. Israel, in turn, has freed over 1,100 Palestinian prisoners. Also read | Trump’s envoy heads to Middle East to negotiate Israel-Hamas truce extension On Saturday, Hamas released six Israeli hostages in the seventh such transfer, but Israel postponed the scheduled release of more than 600 Palestinian prisoners in response. While both sides have accused each other of violating the ceasefire, the truce has largely held since coming into effect. The International Committee of the Red Cross has, meanwhile, urged all parties to conduct prisoner and hostage exchanges "in a dignified and private manner." Also read | Hamas murdered young hostages? Israel claims 'terrorists' killed 10-month-old Kfir and 4-year-old Ariel Bibas with 'bare hands' Previously, Steve Witkoff, an envoy of US President Donald Trump, said he was headed to the Middle East this week to "get an extension of phase one" of the truce. "We're hopeful that we have the proper time... to begin phase two, and finish it off and get more hostages released," said Witkoff in a conversation with CNN. (With inputs from agencies)

Israeli hostage bodies to be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners as Tel Aviv agrees to resume swap

<p>British Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged Tuesday to boost defence spending to 2.5 per cent of the economy by 2027, as uncertainty reigns over US President Donald Trump's commitment to European security.</p>
<p>Starmer expressed an intent to eventually reach three per cent, a rise of 0.7 per cent from current spending that would mark the biggest increase since the end of the Cold War.</p>
<p>His announcement comes ahead of key talks on Ukraine with Trump in Washington on Thursday.</p>
<p>It will be seen as an attempt to appease the US president, who has demanded that European powers pay more for their own security.</p>
<p>The UK spent 2.3 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) on defence in 2023/24.</p>
<p>Starmer's Labour government had previously committed to increasing defence spending to 2.5 percent, but had not set a timeline.</p>
<p>The prime minister told parliament the increase would be funded by cutting overseas development aid from 0.5 per cent of gross national income (GNI) to 0.3 per cent.</p>
<p>Starmer added he hopes to hike spending to three per cent of GDP in the next parliament, which would fall during a five-year period after elections expected in 2029.</p>
<p>The initial rise of 0.2 per cent would cost the government &pound;13.4 billion ($16.9 billion) more every year from 2027, said Starmer.</p>
<p>That will mean some "extremely difficult and painful choices", he told lawmakers, but added it would contribute to the "biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War".</p>
<p>The government would "set a clear ambition for defence spending to rise to 3 per cent of GDP in the next parliament," he added.</p>
<p>Trump has demanded that NATO allies more than double their defence spending targets to five percent of economic output.</p>
<h2><strong>'Modernise'&nbsp;</strong></h2>
<p>The United States currently spends around 3.3 per cent on defence.</p>
<p>When he meets Trump, Starmer faces a difficult balancing act between backing Ukraine while not annoying the US leader.</p>
<p>He has indicated he will reaffirm support for Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelensky and insist that Kyiv is at the heart of negotiations for a truce with Russia.</p>
<p>Trump has opened discussions with Moscow to bring an end to the war,&nbsp;</p>
<p>Starmer will hope that his announcement helps to convince Trump to provide security guarantees for any European peacekeepers sent to Ukraine to monitor any ceasefire that is agreed.</p>
<p>The UK premier and France's President Emmanuel Macron have said they are willing to send British and French troops to Ukraine, but they would require a US backup.</p>
<p>Security guarantees would likely take the form of air cover, intelligence and logistics.</p>
<p>"The nature of warfare has changed significantly. That is clear from the battlefield in Ukraine, and so we must modernise and reform our capabilities as we invest," Starmer said.</p>
<p>"This investment means that the UK will strengthen its position as a leader in NATO and in the collective defence of our continent, and we should welcome that role."</p>
<p><em>Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.</em></p>

World: It will be seen as UK PM Keir Starmer's attempt to appease US President Donald Trump, who has demanded that European powers pay more for their own security.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged Tuesday to boost defence spending to 2.5 per cent of the economy by 2027, as uncertainty reigns over US President Donald Trump's commitment to European security. Starmer expressed an intent to eventually reach three per cent, a rise of 0.7 per cent from current spending that would mark the biggest increase since the end of the Cold War. His announcement comes ahead of key talks on Ukraine with Trump in Washington on Thursday. It will be seen as an attempt to appease the US president, who has demanded that European powers pay more for their own security. The UK spent 2.3 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) on defence in 2023/24. Starmer's Labour government had previously committed to increasing defence spending to 2.5 percent, but had not set a timeline. The prime minister told parliament the increase would be funded by cutting overseas development aid from 0.5 per cent of gross national income (GNI) to 0.3 per cent. Starmer added he hopes to hike spending to three per cent of GDP in the next parliament, which would fall during a five-year period after elections expected in 2029. The initial rise of 0.2 per cent would cost the government £13.4 billion ($16.9 billion) more every year from 2027, said Starmer. That will mean some "extremely difficult and painful choices", he told lawmakers, but added it would contribute to the "biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War". The government would "set a clear ambition for defence spending to rise to 3 per cent of GDP in the next parliament," he added. Trump has demanded that NATO allies more than double their defence spending targets to five percent of economic output. 'Modernise' The United States currently spends around 3.3 per cent on defence. When he meets Trump, Starmer faces a difficult balancing act between backing Ukraine while not annoying the US leader. He has indicated he will reaffirm support for Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelensky and insist that Kyiv is at the heart of negotiations for a truce with Russia. Trump has opened discussions with Moscow to bring an end to the war, Starmer will hope that his announcement helps to convince Trump to provide security guarantees for any European peacekeepers sent to Ukraine to monitor any ceasefire that is agreed. The UK premier and France's President Emmanuel Macron have said they are willing to send British and French troops to Ukraine, but they would require a US backup. Security guarantees would likely take the form of air cover, intelligence and logistics. "The nature of warfare has changed significantly. That is clear from the battlefield in Ukraine, and so we must modernise and reform our capabilities as we invest," Starmer said. "This investment means that the UK will strengthen its position as a leader in NATO and in the collective defence of our continent, and we should welcome that role." Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits for grammar and punctuation. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

UK PM pledges to spend 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence by 2027

<p>Top White House official, Peter Navarro, proposed removing Canada from the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing network as US President Donald Trump intensifies pressure on Canada to turn into the United States' 51st state.</p>
<p>Navarro is advocating for the removal of Canada from the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing network, which also comprises the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, according to the Financial Times report.</p>
<p>Trump has been vocal about his willingness to annex Canada and has vowed to impose 25 per cent tariffs on imports from the country after a one-month reprieve transpires on March 4.</p>
<p>Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who is set to leave office on March 9, was recently overheard on an open mic expressing concerns that Donald Trump's ambition to absorb Canada into the US is a legitimate threat.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The Five Eyes alliance has been a vital intelligence-sharing partnership for decades, and expelling Canada could have significant implications.</p>
<p>Former CIA official Dennis Wilder warned that disrupting this partnership would be met with enthusiasm from adversaries like Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Any disruption in these decade-old understandings would be met with cheers from our adversaries in Moscow, Beijing, Tehran, and Pyongyang,&rdquo; said Wilder.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/what-the-puck-trudeau-in-an-apparent-dig-at-trump-celebrates-canadas-3-2-win-over-us-says-you-cant-take-our-country-8747866">Also read: What the 'puck'? Trudeau, in an apparent dig at Trump, celebrates Canada's 3-2 win over US, says 'You can&rsquo;t take our country'</a></p>
<h2><strong>Trump takes yet another shot at Justin Trudeau, calls him 'Governor' in post on Macron meeting</strong></h2>
<p>Trump on Monday took yet another dig at Canada's Justin Trudeau as he called him "Governor", doubling down on his so-called intention to absorb Canada into the US.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In a lengthy post on Truth Social, he wrote, "Today, President Emmanuel Macron of France joined me in the Oval Office to speak to the G7 Summit. The meeting was convened by Governor Justin Trudeau of Canada, the current chair of G7, to acknowledge the Third Anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine War &ndash; Which would have never started if I was President."&nbsp;</p>
<p>Trump often mocks Trudeau, calling him "governor" instead of prime minister and referring to Canada as the "51st state".</p>
<p>Trudeau, the outgoing prime minister, recently said that the country must work with the US to avoid tariffs.&nbsp;</p>
<p>As quoted by media reports, Trudeau told attendees, "I suggest that not only does the Trump administration know how many critical minerals we have, but that may be even why they keep talking about absorbing us and making us the 51st state."</p>
<p>"They're very aware of our resources, of what we have and they very much want to be able to benefit from those. But Mr Trump has it in mind that one of the easiest ways of doing that is absorbing our country," he had warned.&nbsp;</p>
<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

World: The Five Eyes alliance has been a vital intelligence-sharing partnership for decades, and expelling Canada could have significant implications.

Top White House official, Peter Navarro, proposed removing Canada from the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing network as US President Donald Trump intensifies pressure on Canada to turn into the United States' 51st state. Navarro is advocating for the removal of Canada from the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing network, which also comprises the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, according to the Financial Times report. Trump has been vocal about his willingness to annex Canada and has vowed to impose 25 per cent tariffs on imports from the country after a one-month reprieve transpires on March 4. Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who is set to leave office on March 9, was recently overheard on an open mic expressing concerns that Donald Trump's ambition to absorb Canada into the US is a legitimate threat. The Five Eyes alliance has been a vital intelligence-sharing partnership for decades, and expelling Canada could have significant implications. Former CIA official Dennis Wilder warned that disrupting this partnership would be met with enthusiasm from adversaries like Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea. “Any disruption in these decade-old understandings would be met with cheers from our adversaries in Moscow, Beijing, Tehran, and Pyongyang,” said Wilder. Also read: What the 'puck'? Trudeau, in an apparent dig at Trump, celebrates Canada's 3-2 win over US, says 'You can’t take our country' Trump takes yet another shot at Justin Trudeau, calls him 'Governor' in post on Macron meeting Trump on Monday took yet another dig at Canada's Justin Trudeau as he called him "Governor", doubling down on his so-called intention to absorb Canada into the US. In a lengthy post on Truth Social, he wrote, "Today, President Emmanuel Macron of France joined me in the Oval Office to speak to the G7 Summit. The meeting was convened by Governor Justin Trudeau of Canada, the current chair of G7, to acknowledge the Third Anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine War – Which would have never started if I was President." Trump often mocks Trudeau, calling him "governor" instead of prime minister and referring to Canada as the "51st state". Trudeau, the outgoing prime minister, recently said that the country must work with the US to avoid tariffs. As quoted by media reports, Trudeau told attendees, "I suggest that not only does the Trump administration know how many critical minerals we have, but that may be even why they keep talking about absorbing us and making us the 51st state." "They're very aware of our resources, of what we have and they very much want to be able to benefit from those. But Mr Trump has it in mind that one of the easiest ways of doing that is absorbing our country," he had warned. (With inputs from agencies)

Pressure mounts as White House official pushes for Canada's exit from Five Eyes alliance

<p>The US House Committee on the Judiciary, Republicans, on Tuesday (Feb 25) revealed that former President Joe Biden's Internal Revenue Service (IRS) leaked taxpayer information of over 405,000 Americans, including President Trump.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In a post on X, the House Judiciary GOP called it a "massive scandal".</p>
<p>"The IRS&rsquo;s admission confirms the Committee&rsquo;s suspicion and recent reports that show the scope of the leak was much broader than what the Biden Administration&rsquo;s IRS initially led the public to believe," the post read.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musks-doge-requests-access-to-sensitive-taxpayer-data-in-irs-sparks-privacy-concerns-8730046">IRS preparing to give Elon Musk&rsquo;s DOGE access to sensitive taxpayer data: Report</a></strong></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BREAKING?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BREAKING</a>: New disclosure reveals that the Biden IRS leaked taxpayer information of over 405,000 Americans -- including President Trump's. <br><br>The IRS&rsquo;s admission confirms the Committee&rsquo;s suspicion and recent reports that show the scope of the leak was much broader than what the&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/3KKYL5bHET">pic.twitter.com/3KKYL5bHET</a></p>
&mdash; House Judiciary GOP 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@JudiciaryGOP) <a href="https://twitter.com/JudiciaryGOP/status/1894408544004243946?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2025</a></blockquote>
<p>It denied the earlier statement presented by the IRS spokesman, who said that more than 70,000 taxpayers were affected.&nbsp;</p>
<p>"We found out that it's actually over 405,000 taxpayers!," it stressed.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-taxpayer-funds-for-illegal-aliens-trump-cuts-off-federal-benefits-for-undocumented-immigrants-8740659">&lsquo;No taxpayer funds for illegal aliens&rsquo;: Trump cuts off federal benefits for undocumented immigrants</a></strong></p>
<h2>Elon Musk reacts&nbsp;</h2>
<p>Tesla CEO and billionaire Elon Musk responded to the post on X, saying, "Do you trust the government".&nbsp;</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Do you trust the government? <a href="https://t.co/io3Br7WCvN">https://t.co/io3Br7WCvN</a></p>
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1894415998444605775?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2025</a></blockquote>
<p>Last year, Rep. Jim Jordan began demanding that Heather Hill, the acting inspector general at the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) produce documents related to the investigation into the leak, allegedly produced by Charles Littlejohn.</p>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-king-charless-coronation-cost-uk-taxpayers-&pound;72-million-778174">King Charles' coronation cost UK taxpayers &pound;72 million</a></strong></p>
<p>Jordan then urged communications between TIGTA, the Justice Department and the IRS.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The lawmaker said that "Littlejohn applied to work as a consultant to the IRS with the express intention of accessing and disclosing then-President Donald Trump's tax returns."</p>
<p>In April last year, the IRS sent notices to these 70,000 taxpayers, saying that their tax and personal data had been stolen in 2019 by Littlejohn.&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/openai-to-debut-first-super-bowl-ad-joining-rivals-google-and-meta-in-ai-advertising-race-8705611" rel="dofollow">OpenAI to debut first Super Bowl ad, joining rivals Google and Meta in AI advertising race</a></strong></p>
<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

World: The US House Committee on the Judiciary denied the earlier statement presented by the IRS spokesman, who said that more than 70,000 taxpayers were affected.

The US House Committee on the Judiciary, Republicans, on Tuesday (Feb 25) revealed that former President Joe Biden's Internal Revenue Service (IRS) leaked taxpayer information of over 405,000 Americans, including President Trump. In a post on X, the House Judiciary GOP called it a "massive scandal". "The IRS’s admission confirms the Committee’s suspicion and recent reports that show the scope of the leak was much broader than what the Biden Administration’s IRS initially led the public to believe," the post read. Also read: IRS preparing to give Elon Musk’s DOGE access to sensitive taxpayer data: Report 🚨 #BREAKING: New disclosure reveals that the Biden IRS leaked taxpayer information of over 405,000 Americans -- including President Trump's. The IRS’s admission confirms the Committee’s suspicion and recent reports that show the scope of the leak was much broader than what the… pic.twitter.com/3KKYL5bHET — House Judiciary GOP 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@JudiciaryGOP) February 25, 2025 It denied the earlier statement presented by the IRS spokesman, who said that more than 70,000 taxpayers were affected. "We found out that it's actually over 405,000 taxpayers!," it stressed. Also read: ‘No taxpayer funds for illegal aliens’: Trump cuts off federal benefits for undocumented immigrants Elon Musk reacts Tesla CEO and billionaire Elon Musk responded to the post on X, saying, "Do you trust the government". Do you trust the government? https://t.co/io3Br7WCvN — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 25, 2025 Last year, Rep. Jim Jordan began demanding that Heather Hill, the acting inspector general at the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) produce documents related to the investigation into the leak, allegedly produced by Charles Littlejohn. Also read: King Charles' coronation cost UK taxpayers £72 million Jordan then urged communications between TIGTA, the Justice Department and the IRS. The lawmaker said that "Littlejohn applied to work as a consultant to the IRS with the express intention of accessing and disclosing then-President Donald Trump's tax returns." In April last year, the IRS sent notices to these 70,000 taxpayers, saying that their tax and personal data had been stolen in 2019 by Littlejohn. Also read: OpenAI to debut first Super Bowl ad, joining rivals Google and Meta in AI advertising race (With inputs from agencies)

'MASSIVE scandal': House Republicans claim IRS leaked taxpayer data of 405,000 Americans, including Trump

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