Month: March 2025

The chairperson of an African charity co-founded by Prince Harry accused the royal of “harassment and bullying at scale” to try to force her out, after Harry abruptly announced his resignation last week. Sophie Chandauka is the chair of Sentebale, a charity that Harry co-founded in 2006 that was long aimed at helping children in southern Africa who have HIV/AIDS.

The Duke of Sussex resigned Tuesday as a patron of Sentebale, which he helped establish in honor of his late mother, Princess Diana, citing a breakdown in the relationships between board members and Chandauka. Harry and co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho said in a joint statement that they quit “with heavy hearts” as patrons in solidarity with five trustees who resigned over an internal dispute with Chandauka, who refused to step down when asked. The stalemate reportedly involved a change in the organization’s mission. The princes said in their statement at the time: “It is devastating that the relationship between the charity’s trustees and the chair of the board broke down beyond repair, creating an untenable situation. What’s transpired is unthinkable. We are in shock that we have to do this, but we have a continued responsibility to Sentebale’s beneficiaries, so we will be sharing all of our concerns with the Charity Commission as to how this came about.”

However in an interview with Sky News that aired on Sunday, Chandauka cited Harry’s resignation statement as an “unleashing of the Sussex machine” against her and the organization’s employees. Chandauka described how the prince’s Netflix deal interfered with a scheduled fundraiser and how an incident with his wife, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, became a source of friction. She alleged there was misconduct at the charity, and said she had tried to blow the whistle on “abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny and misogynoir.”

Chandauka also said: “At some point on Tuesday, Prince Harry authorized the release of a damaging piece of news to the outside world without informing me or my country directors or my executive director. And can you imagine what that attack has done for me, on me, and the 540 individuals in the Sentebale organizations and their family? That is an example of bullying and harassment at scale.”

Responding to Chandauka’s allegations, former Sentebale trustee Kelello Lerotholi said he was unaware of the issues she raised during his time on the board, telling Sky News: “The general tone and conduct of the board has been one of respect for each other, accommodating each other’s opinions and inputs, and speaking with respect to each other. So this all came as a shock to me when I heard.”

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An Idaho man was arrested after allegedly striking a counter-protester with his car during a protest at a Tesla dealership Saturday. About 30 people were in attendance at the anti-Tesla rally outside a dealership on Franklin Road in Meridian, which also drew a counter-protest of about 200 other people. The Meridian Police Department said in a press release that the suspect, a 70-year-old man, was charged with aggravated assault.

Christopher Talbot, 70, of Meridian, allegedly “made an obscene gesture” toward a 49-year-old man who arrived at the Idaho rally, and then struck him with his car, according to law enforcement. Officials identified the man who was struck as a counter-protester, saying he had non-life-threatening injuries and that he drove himself to a nearby hospital.  The Meridian Police said that “reports indicate the victim had been driving a truck with pro-Trump flags and had just parked and exited his vehicle when Talbot struck him with his car. The victim drove himself to a local hospital, where he was treated and released (with) non-life-threatening injuries. The Meridian Police Department reminds people to respect everyone’s right to protest and express their 1st Amendment Rights without resorting to violence.”

Per NBC News, police used the license plate from Talbot’s vehicle to find his home, where he was later arrested. Talbot was booked into Ada County Jail and charged with one count of aggravated battery, a felony, according to the Ada County Sheriff’s Office.

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The Department of Health and Human Services confirmed on Thursday that 10,000 full-time employees will soon lose their jobs, coming on top of the nearly 10,000 who have already left the agency in the last few months through buyout offers or early retirements. The agency oversees the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, among other divisions.

Amid an executive order from President Donald Trump to downsize federal agencies, the HHS announced the plans to cut 10,000 employees, stating it will undergo a “dramatic restructuring in accordance” with the executive order issued in February that federal agencies need to reduce their workforces. Other employees may be offered early retirement or deferred resignation, which the agency said will reduce its total workforce from 82,000 to 62,000 full-time employees.

HHS further stated that this personnel reduction will “save taxpayers $1.8 billion per year, and streamline the functions of the Department,” making the agency “more responsive and efficient, while ensuring that Medicare, Medicaid, and other essential health services remain intact.” The HHS also noted it will employ a new effort toward “ending America’s epidemic of chronic illness by focusing on safe, wholesome food, clean water, and the elimination of environmental toxins.”

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. said in a statement on Thursday that “we aren’t just reducing bureaucratic sprawl. We are realigning the organization with its core mission and our new priorities in reversing the chronic disease epidemic.  Over time, bureaucracies like HHS become wasteful and inefficient even when most of their staff are dedicated and competent civil servants. This overhaul will be a win-win for taxpayers and for those that HHS serves. That’s the entire American public, because our goal is to Make America Healthy Again.”

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On Thursday, President Donald Trump withdrew his nomination of Rep. Elise Stefanik as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Trump cited the slight margin that majority Republicans hold in the House of Representatives for his decision to pull Stefanik from consideration for the U.N. post, with the president saying he’s asked her to remain in Congress.

CBS News, who was first to report that Trump was considering withdrawing Stefanik’s nomination, said that the nomination was in jeopardy as GOP pressure mounted for her to back away from the position.  Republicans hold a narrow majority in the House with 218 seats, while Democrats hold 213 seats, with four vacant seats currently.

Trump wrote on Truth Social:  “As we advance our America First Agenda, it is essential that we maintain EVERY Republican Seat in Congress. We must be unified to accomplish our Mission, and Elise Stefanik has been a vital part of our efforts from the very beginning. I have asked Elise, as one of my biggest Allies, to remain in Congress to help me deliver Historic Tax Cuts, GREAT Jobs, Record Economic Growth, a Secure Border, Energy Dominance, Peace Through Strength, and much more, so we can MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. With a very tight Majority, I don’t want to take a chance on anyone else running for Elise’s seat. The people love Elise and, with her, we have nothing to worry about come Election Day. There are others that can do a good job at the United Nations. Therefore, Elise will stay in Congress, rejoin the House Leadership Team, and continue to fight for our amazing American People. Speaker Johnson is thrilled! I look forward to the day when Elise is able to join my Administration in the future. She is absolutely FANTASTIC. Thank you Elise!”

The surprise development is a significant blow to Stefanik, a Trump loyalist and rising star in the party. There was little doubt Stefanik would have the votes to be confirmed, and her nomination was advanced by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Jan. 30.

Trump announced on Nov. 11, 2024 that he selected Stefanik, 40, to represent the United States at the UN, praising her as “an incredibly strong, tough and smart America First fighter.” Stefanik, a New York Republican, was elected to Congress in 2014 and rose to House GOP leadership to be the highest-ranking Republican woman in the House.  She served as chair of the House Republican Conference from May 2021 to Jan. 2025, stepping down from the House GOP leadership post after being picked to serve in the administration..

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On Wednesday, The Atlantic posted a detailed follow-up story, including transcript of text messages and screenshots disclosing the full text chain from the Signal group chat that inadvertently included the magazine’s editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg.

In an article titled “Here Are the Attack Plans That Trump’s Advisers Shared on Signal,” Goldberg quoted from texts in which Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth detailed types of U.S. military aircraft and the timing of recent airstrikes against Houthi militias in Yemen (the texts did not, however, include information about specific targets).

The updated after comes after the White House and top administration officials involved in the chat claimed no “war plans” were discussed. In testimony at a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing Tuesday, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe both claimed no classified material was shared in the group chat. Ratcliffe said his “communications … in the Signal message group were entirely permissible and lawful and did not include classified information.” They also both testified Tuesday that Hegseth was the “original classifying authority” on the chat.

Goldberg and journalist Shane Harris said in The Atlantic article published Wednesday that “statements by Hegseth, Gabbard, Ratcliffe, and Trump — combined with the assertions made by numerous administration officials that we are lying about the content of the Signal texts — have led us to believe that people should see the texts in order to reach their own conclusions.  There is a clear public interest in disclosing the sort of information that Trump advisers included in nonsecure communications channels, especially because senior administration figures are attempting to downplay the significance of the messages that were shared.”

The screenshots include Hegseth sharing details of the timing and targets of the attack on Houthis in Yemen earlier this month, and were discussed in the chat.  Hegseth posted in the chat, in all caps, at 11:44 a.m. ET on Saturday, March 15: “TEAM UPDATE: TIME NOW (1144et): Weather is FAVORABLE. Just CONFIRMED w/CENTCOM we are a GO for mission launch.”  The ensuing message included the timing of the expected strikes and what type of weapons would be used.

Goldberg and Shane Harris wrote: “This Signal message shows that the U.S. secretary of defense texted a group that included a phone number unknown to him—Goldberg’s cellphone—at 11:44 a.m.  This was 31 minutes before the first U.S. warplanes launched, and two hours and one minute before the beginning of a period in which a primary target, the Houthi ‘Target Terrorist,’ was expected to be killed by these American aircraft. If this text had been received by someone hostile to American interests—or someone merely indiscreet, and with access to social media—the Houthis would have had time to prepare for what was meant to be a surprise attack on their strongholds. The consequences for American pilots could have been catastrophic.”

The White House has not denied the authenticity of the message; however, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote on X Wednesday morning: “The Atlantic has conceded: these were NOT ‘war plans. This entire story was another hoax written by a Trump-hater who is well-known for his sensationalist spin.”

National security adviser Mike Waltz also wrote on X Wednesday morning: “No locations. No sources & methods. NO WAR PLANS. Foreign partners had already been notified that strikes were imminent. BOTTOM LINE: President Trump is protecting America and our interests.”  Waltz also asserted that the sources of the intelligence were not discussed but did not address the timing or weapons packages used in the strikes.

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The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a government regulationt to regulate “ghost gun” kits that allow people to easily obtain parts needed to assemble firearms from online sellers.

The 7-2 decision came from Justice Neil Gorsuch, with Gorsuch writing the majority opinion saying that the kits can be regulated under the federal Gun Control Act, saying the court had “no trouble rejecting” the arguments made by challengers. Gorsuch wrote:  “The Gun Control Act embraces, and thus permits ATF to regulate, some weapon parts kits and unfinished frames or receivers, including those we have discussed,” and indicated that the ruling is limited, meaning that some products that require “sufficient time, tools and expertise” to create a gun would not necessarily be covered.

Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented, with Thomas writing: “The statutory terms ‘frame’ and ‘receiver’ do not cover the unfinished frames and receivers contained in weapon-parts kits, and weapon-parts kits themselves do not meet the statutory definition of ‘firearm.’ That should end the case. The majority instead blesses the Government’s overreach based on a series of errors regarding both the standard of review and the interpretation of the statute.”

Issued by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the regulation has been in effect since August 2022 as litigation has made its way through the court system, with the Supreme Court in August 2023 refusing to put it on hold. Manufacturers and sellers have to obtain licenses, mark products with serial numbers, require background checks and maintain records.

The Gun Control Act says the regulations apply to “any weapon … which will or is designed to or may be readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive.” It also covers the “frame or receiver of any such weapon.” The frame or receiver is the part of a firearm that houses other components, including the firing mechanism.

The legal challenge was brought by Jennifer VanDerStok and Michael Andren, who own components they want to use to build guns. The plaintiffs contended the 1968 Gun Control Act didn’t apply to weapon parts kits and that the administrative action was an overreach.

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