Category: World

The U.S. government is stopping the use of military planes to deport illegal immigrants. According to the Wall Street Journal, this decision is based on high costs. The military flights to send back illegal immigrants were found to be much more expensive than regular civilian flights. For example, deporting people to India cost about $3 million per flight, and even flights to Guantanamo Bay cost over $20,000 per person.

Using military planes made these flights take longer and carry fewer people, which added to the costs. A recent flight to deport immigrants was canceled, and officials said this pause might continue for a long time. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned that breaking the law could lead to serious consequences, hinting that some might end up in Guantanamo Bay.

So far, military planes have taken several migrants back to different countries, including India and Guatemala. Many deportees reported being handcuffed and chained during their flights, which does not sound comfortable at all.

Overall, the Trump administration is focused on cracking down on illegal immigration, but now they have to find a more affordable way to handle deportations.

In a recent speech to Congress, former US President Donald Trump thanked Pakistan for helping catch a man named Mohammad Shareefullah, also known as “Jafar.” Jafar is connected to ISIS-K and was reportedly part of several dangerous attacks, including the bombing near Abbey Gate during the US exit from Afghanistan in August 2021. This bombing tragically killed 13 American soldiers and injured many others.

Trump said that the US is “standing strong against the forces of radical Islamic terrorism” and criticized how the Biden administration managed the withdrawal from Afghanistan. He called it “disastrous” and “perhaps the most embarrassing moment in our country’s history.”

He mentioned that the arrest of Jafar was a major success that would bring some peace to the families of those lost in the Abbey Gate attack. “Tonight, I am pleased to announce that we have just apprehended the top terrorist responsible for that atrocity,” Trump stated.

After Trump’s speech, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked him for recognizing Pakistan’s efforts in fighting terrorism. He said that Shareefullah, an Afghan national, was caught during an operation near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

Sharif emphasized Pakistan’s ongoing fight against terrorism, stating, “Pakistan has always played a key role in stopping terrorists.” He also expressed his country’s commitment to work closely with the US to maintain regional peace and stability, emphasizing their resolve in defeating terrorism.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – After Alabama’s first execution using nitrogen gas last January, the attorney general encouraged other states to try this method, and now some are starting to act. For instance, Louisiana plans to execute a man using nitrogen gas on March 18, and Arkansas lawmakers are considering it too after a long break from executions.

Nitrogen gas is seen as a way for states to continue carrying out death sentences because they are running low on the drugs used for lethal injections. However, there are many arguments about whether this method is right, especially because of what some inmates experienced during their executions.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall believes nitrogen hypoxia is a humane way to execute someone. But critics, like Rev. Jeff Hood, who saw the first nitrogen execution in Alabama, think it’s cruel.

How does nitrogen execution work?
In this method, an inmate breathes pure nitrogen gas, which takes away the oxygen they need. In Alabama, the person is strapped to a gurney and wears a gas mask, with nitrogen being pumped in for several minutes after their heart stops.

What happened in Alabama’s executions?
Alabama has carried out four nitrogen executions. People in the room reported that the inmates seemed to shake and gasp during the process. A doctor observing inmate Alan Miller said it looked painful, comparing it to waterboarding. State officials, however, say these movements are normal reactions to lack of oxygen.

Louisiana’s plans to use nitrogen
Louisiana plans to use a gas mask for the execution of Jessie Hoffman on March 18. If this goes through, it will be the second state to use nitrogen gas for executions after Alabama. Hoffman’s lawyers argue that he is being used as a test case for this new method.

Louisiana’s Attorney General Liz Murrill mentioned that they expect to carry out multiple executions this year in order to provide justice for the victims’ families.

Arkansas lawmakers consider nitrogen execution
In Arkansas, lawmakers recently approved a bill to allow nitrogen gas for executions. Supporters believe this will help the state resume executions, as they haven’t killed anyone since 2017. The bill passed with many votes and needs Senate approval, with some lawmakers pushing for it after hearing from victims’ families.

Many drug companies do not want their products used in lethal injections, which is why there’s a push for alternatives like nitrogen. Arkansas has 25 inmates on death row, but Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders hasn’t stated her plans regarding the new legislation yet.

Experts are concerned about the secrecy surrounding these executions, questioning why states are moving to this “experimental” method. Legal challenges are expected in Arkansas, especially after the issues faced in Alabama executions.

President Donald Trump will soon announce his decision about the tariffs he placed on Canada and Mexico earlier this week. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said there may be some relief for cars and other industries. He mentioned on Bloomberg Television that Trump is thinking about which parts of the market might receive lower tariffs.

While some sectors may still face a 25% tariff increase, others might be excluded from it. “It could be cars or other products,” Lutnick stated. He also noted that the current tariffs are aimed at stopping the flow of the dangerous drug fentanyl. There will be a bigger set of trade actions coming next month.

Lutnick expects that the changes will occur soon, “this afternoon,” to adjust the tariffs for certain products that meet rules under the USMCA agreement that Trump made with Canada and Mexico during his first term as president.

After Lutnick’s comments, shares of big American car companies like Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis went up. GM shares jumped more than 5%, Ford rose about 2%, and Stellantis went up 7% in European markets.

Lutnick brushed off recent data showing a negative impact on confidence in business due to Trump’s policies. He emphasized that many companies are investing in the U.S., signaling strong confidence. “Trillions of dollars are being invested in American manufacturing, which shows that good times are coming,” he said.

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, two astronauts from NASA, are getting ready to return to Earth after spending nine months in space. However, they cannot leave until their replacements arrive at the International Space Station (ISS) next week.

In a recent press conference, Sunita Williams responded to a suggestion made by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. Musk said that the ISS should be retired earlier than planned. Williams disagreed and stated that the ISS is still important for science. “This place is amazing right now. We shouldn’t quit just yet,” she said.

Williams also shared that she is looking forward to seeing her Labrador retrievers again. She explained that waiting to go home has been tough. “It’s been a roller coaster for our families, more than for us,” she said. “Every day is exciting for us because we are in space and it’s a lot of fun.”

When Williams and Wilmore left Earth in June on Boeing’s Starliner capsule, they were only supposed to be in space for about a week. But, NASA found some serious problems with the Starliner. They decided it was not safe for transporting people back to Earth, which delayed their return.

NASA said that the next crew will launch on March 12 using a used SpaceX capsule. Before Williams and Wilmore head back home with NASA’s Nick Hague and Russia’s Alexander Gorbunov, the two crews will spend almost a week together in space.

On Wednesday, China shared its plans for economic growth and spending for 2025. Here are the five most important points to know:

1. Growth Goals: China has set a goal to grow its economy by about 5% in 2025. This is what many experts expected, but the country is having a tough time recovering from COVID-19 due to issues like problems in the property market, low consumer spending, and high unemployment among youth.

2. Focus on Domestic Demand: Premier Li Qiang said that boosting domestic demand will be crucial for economic growth. However, he admitted that getting people to spend more money is a challenge. He noted that there isn’t enough strong demand to support steady recovery.

3. Job Creation and Inflation: China plans to create around 12 million new jobs in cities this year and aims to keep inflation at around 2%. They will also issue 1.3 trillion yuan (about $181 billion) in special bonds, which is more than the previous year’s one trillion yuan.

4. Defense Spending and Social Programs: China will raise its defense budget by 7.2% in 2025. This increase is important as China tries to modernize its military amid tensions with the U.S. Additionally, China will raise the minimum pension for elderly citizens and improve care for older people, especially in rural areas. They also plan to support parents by subsidizing childcare and eventually making preschool free.

5. Support for Private Companies: Premier Li promised to help private companies grow, saying that China would protect their rights and interests. However, experts warn that this growth will depend on how well these companies align with China’s government goals.

Li stressed that the global environment is becoming more challenging, with rising protectionism and trade barriers. He said China will resist such actions, without naming specific countries.

Three masked robbers broke into the home of OnlyFans star Amouranth, whose real name is Kaitlyn Siragusa, in Houston. This scary incident was shared live by Amouranth, who has 6.2 million followers on Twitch. During the home invasion, she was held at gunpoint, but she bravely fought back.

Amouranth told her followers, “I believe I shot one of them…I’m covered in blood, but only some of it is mine.” She posted a video showing how she faced the robbers. In the footage, three men followed her home. But her husband was ready to help with a gun.

When the robbers tried to break in, they shot a window and kicked down a door, demanding her cryptocurrency. They even hit her in the face with a gun. This happened just after Amouranth shared her success in cryptocurrency, talking about her $20 million fortune on social media.

Amouranth said, “They beat me and pistol-whipped me. The beating seemed like it would never stop.” In a moment of stress, she managed to post a tweet saying, “I’m being robbed at gunpoint.” Her husband saw this message and waited for her in another building.

Amouranth cleverly led the robbers to where her husband was. She fired shots during the struggle, and the intruders eventually fled. She was then taken to the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening. The police in Houston are investigating the case, and the robbers are still on the run.

China is set to give more loans to real estate projects that are on its approved list, as reported by the National Development and Reform Commission during a meeting at parliament on Wednesday. The country plans to introduce a series of steps to manage and reduce debt risks, and will also work on changing existing hidden debts into clearer forms. This means that China is trying to make its real estate market stronger and safer for the future.

Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins has been chosen as the “designated survivor” for President Donald Trump’s upcoming speech to Congress. This means that while Trump and other important leaders attend the event in person, Collins will stay in a secure location. This special role is vital in case something bad happens, ensuring there is always someone ready to lead the country. Collins will watch the speech safely from a different place while everyone else is at the venue.

The U.S. has paused military aid to Ukraine, which could make it harder for Ukraine to defend itself against Russia. Analysts worry that without American support, Ukraine might struggle in the coming months. From 2022 to 2024, the U.S. provided almost half of all military help to Ukraine, according to the Kiel Institute, a research group in Germany.

Political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko explained that Ukraine can still defend itself for about six months with its current weapons, including seven U.S.-made Patriot air defense systems gifted by the U.S., Germany, and Romania. These systems are crucial for protecting cities from missiles and drones.

Ukraine needs more missiles and spare parts to keep these Patriot systems running, but it’s unclear if other countries can get them from the U.S. In addition, Germany is planning to build a factory for these parts, but it won’t be ready until 2027. Ukraine also has two European-made SAMP/T systems for high-altitude interceptions, but analysts believe European nations will have a hard time replacing U.S. Patriot support.

Europe can provide some fighter jets, like F16s and Mirage 2000-5s, to help defend against Russian attacks, but Ukraine mainly relies on U.S. help for long-range strikes. The U.S. has given Ukraine ATACMS rocket systems, which are hard to find in Europe.

In terms of artillery, Europe has increased its production, and Ukraine is also improving its own weapons. The EU is expected to produce 1.5 million artillery shells this year, more than the 1.2 million from the U.S. Ukraine has also developed its own anti-tank weapons and drones that can strike Russian positions.

For spying on enemy locations, Ukraine depends heavily on U.S. satellite support, while European countries have some tools but not as advanced as those provided by the U.S.