2025-01-29 22:07:45.1

President Donald Trump signed the Laken Riley Act into law, granting federal authorities broader power to deport undocumented immigrants accused of crimes. The act, named for a nursing student murdered by an undocumented immigrant, was the first legislation passed during Trump's second term. Trump also announced plans to send "worst criminal aliens" to Guantanamo Bay, claiming 30,000 beds are available there. The White House later confirmed a presidential memorandum on Guantanamo. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated the administration would seek funding for expanded detention facilities. While the details remain unclear, the plan involves using existing facilities and potentially the Migrant Operations Center. The Supreme Court previously ruled on the rights of detainees at Guantanamo, but not on the president's authority to detain individuals. The act passed Congress with bipartisan support despite concerns from immigrant rights advocates who fear mass detentions for minor offenses. Critics argue the act exploits a tragedy and may lead to chaos and cruelty. The law mandates detention for immigrants arrested or charged with various crimes, and allows state attorneys general to sue the government over immigration decisions. The ACLU and other groups raised constitutional concerns and fear mass detentions under the new law.

2025-01-29 22:07:45.098

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Rihanna appeared for the first time at the trial of her longtime partner A$AP Rocky, on the day of its most important testimony — the description by a former friend of the moment Rocky allegedly fired a gun at him. The singer superstar, who has two toddler sons with the rapper Rocky, sat out of view of the courtroom’s cameras, between Rocky’s mother and sister, in the downtown Los Angeles criminal courthouse. Security brought her in surreptitiously to avoid crowds Wednesday morning. Rocky, whose legal name is Rakim Athelston Mayers, has been standing trial on two felony charges that he fired a handgun at the former friend, who is known by the name A$AP Relli and was born Terell Ephron. If convicted, Rocky could get up to 24 years in prison. Rihanna watched Wednesday as Relli testified about the moment Rocky allegedly fired a gun at him on a Hollywood street in 2021. He had been shouting angrily at Rocky, who was walking away after an initial confrontation and scuffle, when Rocky pulled a gun from his waistband and held it in the air, Relli testified. “He turned around and then it was like BOOM!” he told the jury. “The whole thing was like a movie, he kind of like pointed down and he shot the first shot.” He said “I felt my hand hot” and later added, “I was hit. Or I was grazed. I didn’t have a hole or nothing.” The trial’s key witness said he grabbed one of their mutual friends who were with Rocky after the first shot was fired and stood behind him for protection. He said he did not see Rocky fire the second shot, and Rocky ran away moments later. When jurors were being selected, prosecutors asked them whether Rihanna’s connection to the case, especially if she appeared in court, would affect their ability to deliver a guilty verdict. Nearly all those questioned had heard of her — far more than had heard of Rocky — and some described themselves as fans, but all said they felt it would not affect their decisions. It was not clear whether they could see Rihanna or were aware of her presence as they watched the testimony. She wore a long black dress with buttons on the front that resembled a winter overcoat, and had a pair of glasses on her head that she put on during the prosecution’s questioning. Earlier in the trial, which began on Jan. 21, Relli said he and Rocky, members of A$AP, a crew of creators at a New York high school, had been close but their relationship eroded after Rocky became famous. He said their relationship had been strained for years and was getting worse in the days leading up to the incident, but he was still “furious” when Rocky pulled a gun on him after a scuffle that began the moment the two met up near the W Hotel. He dared him to use it. When Rocky walked away, he testified that he followed and shouted after him, until the shots were fired. Rocky’s lawyer says the shots he fired were not even from a real gun — they were blanks from a starter pistol that he carried as a prop. The lawyer said Relli knew this, and that was why he was so fearless walking after him. “Oh it was a real gun,” Relli testified Wednesday, saying he knew because of his scraped hand. He said he felt free to follow and shout at Rocky because “I felt like because he put it away and we’re on a busy street in Hollywood. He’s definitely not gonna shoot it.” Since the shooting, and his decision to go to police and testify, he has gotten death threats and has been shunned as a snitch, he said, and the modest music management career he built fell apart. “It’s been a living hell,” Relli said. About an hour after the shooting, Relli returned to the scene and said he photographed and recovered two shell casings. Earlier, while responding to a report of a shooting, police did not find any. He sent a text to Rocky that was shown in court saying “U try killing me.” Rocky denied it in his reply. “Bro wtf is u talkin bout why u tell ppl I shot at u.” He sent Rocky photos of the shell casings and his grazed hand. Rocky said he was making stuff up and speaking “all type of nonsense” and was trying to “extort” him. The court day ended after just a few hours of testimony because of scheduling issues. Rihanna was shuffled out through a restricted exit by deputies, and Rocky left separately through the main courthouse doors. The defense will begin their cross-examination of Relli on Thursday. Raised in Harlem, Rocky’s rap songs became a phenomenon in New York in 2011. He had his mainstream breakthrough when his first studio album went to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 2013. The second one, in 2015, did the same. He’s set to have his biggest career year as a multimedia star. This Sunday, he’s nominated for a Grammy Award for best music video for his song “Tailor Swif,” at the ceremony at Crypto.com Arena just two miles (3 kilometers) from the Los Angeles courthouse where his trial’s being held. He’s also set to headline the Rolling Loud Music Festival, to star opposite Denzel Washington in a film directed by Spike Lee, and to co-chair the Met Gala in May. But the prospect of a conviction and the possibility of a lengthy prison sentence casts a shadow over all of it. Rocky and Rihanna, both 36, have two sons together: 2-year-old RZA Athelston Mayers and 1-year-old Riot Rose Mayers. She revealed she was pregnant with the younger boy after headlining the Super Bowl halftime show in 2023 with a visible baby bump. The singer and the rapper, who are both fashion moguls, first became close when he provided a verse to her 2012 song “Cockiness (Love It)” and they performed it at the MTV Video Music Awards. They became a couple in 2020.

2025-01-29 22:07:45.091

President Trump's budget office rescinded a memo that had frozen spending on federal loans and grants. The memo, issued Monday, caused widespread confusion and legal challenges. Administration officials said the pause was to review spending alignment with Trump's executive orders on climate change and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. The reversal highlights the limits of Trump's plans to reshape the government, even with unified control of Washington. While the administration claimed the action underscored agencies' obligations to abide by Trump's executive orders, the move caught Congress off guard, particularly Republican allies. The initial memo generated significant political heat, with concerns raised by both red and blue states. A federal judge temporarily blocked the freeze following lawsuits from nonprofit groups and Democratic state attorneys general. The memo's questions included whether programs promoted gender ideology or supported abortion. Even temporary interruptions caused worry for organizations like Meals on Wheels. While the administration stated that programs providing direct assistance to Americans would not be affected, they struggled to clarify exemptions, initially causing confusion about Medicaid's status. Democrats celebrated the memo's rescinding, highlighting the public outcry and pressure that led to the reversal.

2025-01-29 22:07:45.082

A stampede at the Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj, India, on January 29, 2025, killed at least 30 people and injured 60 more. Millions of pilgrims had gathered for a ritual bath at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers, a sacred event during the six-week Hindu festival. The stampede occurred when pilgrims surged past barricades set up for a procession of holy men. Witnesses described chaotic scenes of pushing and falling, with no escape. Authorities, including Uttar Pradesh’s top official Yogi Adityanath, responded, urging pilgrims to use other bathing areas. Despite the tragedy, millions continued to attend the festival. The incident drew criticism from opposition leaders who blamed mismanagement and VIP culture. The Maha Kumbh festival, held every 12 years, is expected to draw over 400 million people in total. This is not the first stampede at the festival; a similar incident in 2013 resulted in at least 40 deaths. Deadly stampedes are a recurring issue at large religious gatherings in India.

2025-01-27 00:07:59.0

A recent survey of 1870 Australians explored attitudes towards OnlyFans and pornography consumption in relationships. The results show that 56% of women believe a partner subscribing to a porn star's OnlyFans account is definitively cheating, compared to 38% of men. A significant portion of men (48%) and women (36%) stated that the type of interaction on OnlyFans influences their perception of it as cheating. Only 9% of women and 15% of men considered it normal for partners to engage with OnlyFans content. The survey also revealed that couples who live together are less likely to consider OnlyFans subscription as cheating than those who live separately. Street interviews supported the survey data, showing mixed opinions on the matter. Some individuals considered the monetary aspect and level of interaction crucial in determining whether it constitutes cheating, while others viewed it as a deal-breaker or a 'dog act'. The cost of OnlyFans subscriptions and private messages was also discussed, ranging from $5-$10 per month for subscriptions and $3-$200 per private message. The article concludes by noting that while studies suggest couples who watch pornography together have higher relationship and sexual satisfaction, pornography consumption is often a hidden secret negatively impacting relationships.

2025-01-27 00:07:58.998

A Texas substitute teacher is under investigation for allegedly inviting ICE agents to his school because his students "don't even speak English." The teacher's social media post prompted an investigation by the Fort Worth Independent School District. The incident follows President Trump's directive allowing ICE to operate in "sensitive areas" like schools and churches, and his consideration of deploying 10,000 troops to the US-Mexico border. This isn't the first time a Fort Worth ISD teacher faced scrutiny for anti-immigrant views; in 2019, an English teacher was fired for similar social media posts. The district is assuring parents that the situation is being taken seriously and that they are supporting all families.

2025-01-27 00:07:58.99

Residents of Oyster Bay Cove, a wealthy Long Island community, are protesting plans to build a 28-unit apartment complex on an 11-acre plot. The complex, intended for postdoctoral students at the nearby Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, is opposed by a group called Save Oyster Bay Cove, who argue it threatens the area's character and exclusivity. Concerns include increased traffic, safety issues, and strain on infrastructure. The group's president, Evelyn Ain, points out the absence of multi-family housing in the area and the presence of celebrities and billionaires among residents. Mayor Charles Goulding defends the plan, emphasizing that it utilizes existing buildings and maintains the historical character of the site, which previously housed a girls' school. The local zoning board will consider the plan next month.

2025-01-27 00:07:58.982

President Trump announced retaliatory measures against Colombia after the South American country refused entry to two US military flights carrying deported migrants. Trump vowed to impose a 25% tariff on all Colombian goods entering the US, escalating to 50% within a week. Additional threats included a travel ban, visa revocations for Colombian officials, enhanced customs inspections, and banking sanctions. Trump cited national security concerns and accused Colombian President Gustavo Petro of jeopardizing US safety. Petro defended his decision, stating that migrants should be treated with dignity and that Colombia would only accept deportees on civilian flights with improved protocols. He later offered the use of Colombia's presidential plane as an alternative. Despite this offer, the White House stated that sanctions were still being prepared. The conflict follows a similar incident with Mexico. The US and Colombia have significant trade relations, with Colombia being a major coffee exporter to the US. A large number of Colombians have recently crossed the US-Mexico border illegally.

2025-01-27 00:07:58.974

Colombian President Gustavo Petro initially refused to accept deported Colombian migrants from the US, stating that they should not be treated as criminals and demanding a protocol for dignified treatment. However, after President Trump threatened to impose tariffs of up to 50% on Colombian goods, Petro reversed course. He offered the Colombian presidential plane to transport the deported migrants back to Colombia, citing a commitment to guarantee decent conditions for their return. Trump's initial response to Colombia's refusal included threats of a 25% tariff on Colombian goods, escalating to 50% after a week, along with other potential sanctions such as a travel ban and visa revocations.

2025-01-26 12:00:49.343

Americans can expect high egg prices to persist throughout 2025, with estimates indicating a 20% price increase compared to a general 2.2% rise in food prices. The ongoing avian flu outbreak is the primary cause, significantly impacting egg supply. While some states initially escaped the outbreaks, many are experiencing a resurgence, resulting in the deaths of approximately 17.2 million egg-laying hens in November and December 2024 alone—nearly half the total avian flu-related deaths for the year. The average price of a dozen large, grade-A eggs reached \$4.15 in December, a 36% year-over-year increase. The American Egg Board CEO, Emily Metz, predicts that high prices will continue until the avian flu is eradicated. Record-high demand, exacerbated by the holidays, further contributes to the rising costs. Grocers are implementing purchase limits to manage dwindling supplies, and wholesale egg prices have drastically increased across various regions. The avian flu's impact extends beyond immediate losses, hindering the replenishment of the egg-laying hen population. Outbreaks continue in several states, including California, Indiana, Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio, with 8.3 million bird deaths reported in January alone.