Party drug MDMA may have protected survivors of Nova attack from trauma, study suggests
Neuroscientists in Israel find signs that the drug helped festival survivors in the attack and the aftermath.
Syrian security forces execute 125 civilians in battle against Assad loyalists
Fighting in Latakia is marked escalation by Bashar al-Assad loyalists against Syria’s new Islamist-led government
About 125 civilians have been executed by government security forces in north-west Syria during a rolling two-day battle with loyalists to the ousted Assad regime, a Syrian war monitor reported on Friday.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR), a human rights monitor considered independent and credible, documented “large-scale field executions of men and young adults, without any clear distinction between civilians and combatants”, in north-west Syria.
Continue reading...Multiple people face charges in hazing death of Southern University student
Man surrenders to police and two more arrests expected in Caleb Wilson’s death after Omega Psi Phi fraternity ritual
Multiple people are facing criminal charges in the recent death of a 20-year-old student at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, that evidently occurred amid a fraternity hazing, authorities have said.
Caleb McCray, 23, surrendered to police in Louisiana’s capital city on Thursday on counts of manslaughter as well as criminal hazing in the 27 February death of 20-year-old Caleb Wilson, a mechanical engineering student at Southern as well as a member of its famed Human Jukebox marching band.
Continue reading...South Carolina conducts first US firing squad execution in 15 years: ‘Barbaric’
Brad Sigmon, 67, was shot dead by prison staff despite outcry over ‘cruel’ method and calls for clemency
The US has conducted its first execution by firing squad in 15 years, with South Carolina prison officials shooting to death Brad Sigmon, 67, on Friday evening, despite widespread concerns about the safety and cruelty of this method.
Sigmon was the oldest person to be executed in the state’s history and his death was part of a series of rapid killings the state has pursued in the last six months as it revives capital punishment. There had been growing calls for clemency, but minutes before Sigmon was killed, the state’s Republican governor, Henry McMaster, announced he would not be intervening.
Continue reading...Eight jailed after posing as electricians to divert power to UK cannabis farms
Criminals dressed as utilities repair teams dug up roads to access cables to power industrial-scale drug production
A group of eight criminals who dug up roads and diverted electricity to cannabis farms run by organised crime gangs have been jailed by a judge in Liverpool.
The criminals used a legitimate company as cover and pretended to be workers who were digging up the roads to repair utilities in a “sophisticated operation”, according to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
Continue reading...Mexico: 200 pairs of shoes found at clandestine crematorium
Discovery in Jalisco is demonstration of country’s crisis of forced disappearance related to organised crime
Two hundred pairs of shoes have been found at a clandestine crematorium on a ranch in the Mexican state of Jalisco, in a disturbing demonstration of the country’s crisis of forced disappearance related to organised crime.
Warrior Searchers of Jalisco, a collective of relatives of the disappeared, found the crematorium following an anonymous tip-off, and the authorities have since confirmed the presence of burnt remains and empty bullet casings.
Continue reading...Three Bulgarians found guilty of spying for Russia from UK base
Six Bulgarians carried out sophisticated operations over three years, including spying on Ukrainian soldiers in Germany.
What happened in Gaza, Lebanon on day 517? – The Jerusalem Post
- What happened in Gaza, Lebanon on day 517? The Jerusalem Post
- Shin Bet chief reportedly says he'll remain until all hostages back, commission of inquiry established The Times of Israel
- Israel assassinates commander of Hezbollah Radwan Force’s seaborne forces Long War Journal
- Israeli Army Says Killed Hezbollah Navy Commander In Lebanon Strike NDTV
- Israel's continued aggression threatens Lebanon’s stability: Lebanese army Anadolu Agency
Heavy flooding expected after Cyclone downgraded in Australia
Four million people across Queensland and northern New South Wales are in the firing line.
Justice department opens investigation into soaring US egg prices – report
Officials said to be looking at whether producers have conspired to increase prices or have held back supply
The justice department has reportedly opened an investigation into what is driving the sharp rise in egg prices, including whether top producers have conspired to increase them.
Officials are also said to be looking at whether companies have held back supply. Their investigation is in its early stages, and may not lead to any formal action, according to the Wall Street Journal, which cited sources familiar with the matter.
Continue reading...EPA issues guidance that spending of $50,000 or more must gain approval of Doge
Move comes even as Trump has tried to show that Musk’s cost-slashing agency doesn’t have the final say
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued new guidance directing that spending items greater than $50,000 now require approval from Elon Musk’s so-called “department of government efficiency” (Doge), even as Donald Trump began putting some distance between Musk’s reach and the power of government department heads – at least over job cuts.
“Any assistance agreement, contract or interagency agreement transaction [valued at] $50,000 or greater must receive approval from an EPA DOGE team member,” the EPA guidance says, according to documents obtained by the Associated Press. The EPA did not respond to a request from the news agency on Friday for comment.
Continue reading...Syrian bloodshed heaps pressure on Sharaa and exposes deep fractures
Deadly violence in Syria's Alawite heartland is the worst since rebels toppled Bashar al-Assad in December.
What’s behind the political crisis in Bosnia Herzegovina?
Bosnian Serb leader ignoring conviction, including jail sentence.
Former hostage: The thought that some Israelis were willing to sacrifice us was unbearable – Haaretz
- Former hostage: The thought that some Israelis were willing to sacrifice us was unbearable Haaretz
- Liri Albag recalls entering ‘survival mode’ on Oct. 7: ‘Feels like one long nightmare’ The Times of Israel
- Freed hostage Liri Albag reveals harrowing details of her captivity The Jerusalem Post
- ‘Yes, Take Us To Gaza’: Liri Alba Recalls Terrifying Oct. 7 Memories From Nahal Oz VINNews
- IDF observers freed from Hamas captivity won't return to military, Liri Albag's father says The Jerusalem Post
Bosnia’s top court suspends separatist laws adopted by Bosnian Serbs
Laws passed by the autonomous Republika Srpska region reject the authority of the federal police and judiciary.
Trump threatens ‘unfairness’ tariffs as he accuses EU of abuse – The Telegraph
- Trump threatens ‘unfairness’ tariffs as he accuses EU of abuse The Telegraph
- How the EU is preparing to play hardball in the face of Donald Trump’s tariff threats The Conversation Indonesia
- Companies in Europe Face Squeeze in U.S.-China Trade War The New York Times
- EU keeping tariff retaliation tools ready but waiting for US to act, Weyand says mlex.com
- Europe Inc take evasive action as Trump tariffs hit, braces for second wave Reuters
Houthis to resume attacks if Israel’s Gaza blockade not lifted
Yemen’s Houthis have said they will resume naval operations against Israel if it does not lift its blockade of aid.
‘We’re gutted’ – Make-A-Wish trip cancelled after Eurostar bomb disruption
Toni Mannion was looking forward to making "special memories" with her terminally ill daughter.
Pope Francis remains stable after thanking public for prayers, Vatican says – ABC News
- Pope Francis remains stable after thanking public for prayers, Vatican says ABC News
- Vatican says hospitalized Pope Francis is showing 'gradual, slight improvement' NPR
- Pope Francis sends first audio message since hospitalization, offering gratitude for prayers National Catholic Reporter
- How Serious Is the Pope’s Medical Condition? TIME
- Pope Francis hits 3-week mark of hospitalization after giving world a sign of his frailty The Associated Press