Supreme Court Rejects, for Now, Trump’s Bid to Fire Government Watchdog
Supreme Court Rejects, for Now, Trump’s Bid to Fire Government Watchdog
The Supreme Court ruled on Friday that President Trump cannot, for now, remove a government lawyer who leads a watchdog agency while the lawyer’s challenge to his firing moves forward. But the court’s brief, unsigned order indicated that it may soon return to the issue, noting that a trial judge’s temporary restraining order is set to expire next week.
Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson noted that they would have rejected the Trump administration’s request for Supreme Court intervention outright. Justice Neil M. Gorsuch, joined by Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr., filed a dissent.
The majority, Justice Gorsuch wrote, presumably acted as it did because temporary restraining orders like the one in place in the case generally cannot be appealed — that is, he said, it “may not yet have ripened into an appealable order.”
“Respectfully,” he added, “I believe that it has and that each additional day where the order stands only serves to confirm the point.”
This is the first case arising from Mr. Trump’s broad use of executive power in his second term to reach the Supreme Court, and it comes as the president is seeking to remove thousands of federal employees, including some in roles long thought protected from summary dismissal.
The lawyer, Hampton Dellinger, has served as head of the Office of Special Counsel, which was created by Congress in 1978 to protect government whistle-blowers. It is unrelated to the special counsels appointed by the Justice Department.
The law says the special counsel must be confirmed by the Senate, serves for a five-year term and “may be removed by the president only for inefficiency, neglect of duty or malfeasance in office.”
Mr. Dellinger, who was confirmed last year, was fired by an administration official in a terse email on Feb. 7. It did not say why.
He sued, and Judge Amy Berman Jackson of the Federal District Court in Washington entered a temporary restraining order allowing Mr. Dellinger to keep his job for two weeks while she considered whether to enter a preliminary injunction.
After a divided three-judge panel of a federal appeals court said it lacked jurisdiction to consider the matter, that administration turned to the Supreme Court.
“This case involves an unprecedented assault on the separation of powers that warrants immediate relief,” Sarah M. Harris, the acting solicitor general, wrote, adding: “These judicial rulings irreparably harm the presidency by curtailing the president’s ability to manage the executive branch in the earliest days of his administration.”
In response, Joshua A. Matz, a lawyer for Mr. Dellinger, agreed that the case presented “weighty and complex questions of constitutional law.” But Mr. Matz said Supreme Court review was premature.
The justices, he wrote, should not rule on such fundamental questions in the context of a fast-moving emergency application arising from a temporary restraining order. “At bottom,” Mr. Matz wrote, “there is no merit to the government’s effort to declare a five-alarm fire based on a short-lived T.R.O. that preserves the status quo ante as prescribed by a half-century-old statute.”
He added that ruling prematurely, before full consideration of the case, could “provoke destabilizing, harmful consequences.”
Ms. Harris wrote that the legal issues were straightforward and asked the court to address them immediately. The court’s decision in July in Trump v. United States, granting Mr. Trump substantial immunity from prosecution, made clear that the administration must prevail, she said.
Ms. Harris also cited two recent decisions, involving the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Federal Housing Finance Agency, that had concluded that presidents may fire the heads of agencies led by a single official at will.
After the court ruled in the second case in 2021, President Joseph R. Biden Jr. fired the head of the housing agency. Not long after, citing the earlier decisions, he fired the head of the Social Security Administration.
Under those precedents and practices, Ms. Harris wrote, the case involving Mr. Dellinger was an easy one.
Mr. Matz acknowledged that the court had allowed for such firings in the past, at least where the agencies in question had broad authority.
But he said the Office of Special Counsel has far more limited responsibilities. Indeed, he wrote, the Supreme Court distinguished it from the C.F.P.B. in the decision allowing the removal of its leader.
Presidents of both parties have expressed reservations about whether Congress is entitled to place limits on the president’s power to remove to the head of the Office of Special Counsel. But the Supreme Court has suggested that the agency may have distinctive features that justify differing treatment.
Mr. Dellinger’s office, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. wrote in 2020 in Seila Law v. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, “exercises only limited jurisdiction to enforce certain rules governing federal government employers and employees” and “does not bind private parties at all or wield regulatory authority comparable to the C.F.P.B.”
Ms. Harris argued the court should go ahead and intervene, citing the case as an example of a “broader, weekslong trend” by lower court judges to impinge on Trump’s constitutional powers by issuing temporary restraining orders that have halted various polices. Among them, she wrote, were orders denying access to Treasury Department data and prohibiting the administration from suspending foreign aid money.
Mr. Matz countered that “this would be an especially unfortunate moment at which to weaken” the Office of Special Counsel, “given the historic upheaval currently occurring within federal employment and the continued importance of ensuring that whistle-blowers are guarded from reprisal.”
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The past five years for Kerjaya Prospek Property Berhad (KLSE:KPPROP) investors has not been profitable
The past five years for Kerjaya Prospek Property Berhad (KLSE:KPPROP) investors has not been profitable
Ideally, your overall portfolio should beat the market average. But even the best stock picker will only win with some selections. At this point some shareholders may be questioning their investment in Kerjaya Prospek Property Berhad (KLSE:KPPROP), since the last five years saw the share price fall 21%. Furthermore, it’s down 14% in about a quarter. That’s not much fun for holders.
It’s worthwhile assessing if the company’s economics have been moving in lockstep with these underwhelming shareholder returns, or if there is some disparity between the two. So let’s do just that.
See our latest analysis for Kerjaya Prospek Property Berhad
To quote Buffett, ‘Ships will sail around the world but the Flat Earth Society will flourish. There will continue to be wide discrepancies between price and value in the marketplace…’ One flawed but reasonable way to assess how sentiment around a company has changed is to compare the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price.
Looking back five years, both Kerjaya Prospek Property Berhad’s share price and EPS declined; the latter at a rate of 7.9% per year. This fall in the EPS is worse than the 5% compound annual share price fall. So investors might expect EPS to bounce back — or they may have previously foreseen the EPS decline.
The graphic below depicts how EPS has changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image).
KLSE:KPPROP Earnings Per Share Growth February 21st 2025
It might be well worthwhile taking a look at our free report on Kerjaya Prospek Property Berhad’s earnings, revenue and cash flow.
As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). The TSR incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. It’s fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. As it happens, Kerjaya Prospek Property Berhad’s TSR for the last 5 years was -13%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return.
Investors in Kerjaya Prospek Property Berhad had a tough year, with a total loss of 17% (including dividends), against a market gain of about 4.5%. However, keep in mind that even the best stocks will sometimes underperform the market over a twelve month *******. Unfortunately, last year’s performance may indicate unresolved challenges, given that it was worse than the annualised loss of 3% over the last half decade. We realise that Baron Rothschild has said investors should “buy when there is blood on the streets”, but we caution that investors should first be sure they are buying a high quality business. It’s always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand Kerjaya Prospek Property Berhad better, we need to consider many other factors. To that end, you should be aware of the 2 warning signs we’ve spotted with Kerjaya Prospek Property Berhad .
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Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of companies we expect will grow earnings.
Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Malaysian exchanges.
Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.
This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
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New Los Angeles DA Nathan Hochman does not support overturning Menendez brothers' ******* convictions – Fox News
New Los Angeles DA Nathan Hochman does not support overturning Menendez brothers' ******* convictions – Fox News
New Los Angeles DA Nathan Hochman does not support overturning Menendez brothers’ ******* convictions Fox NewsMenendez brothers resentencing case: LA County DA Nathan Hochman asks court to deny their petition for new trial ABC7 Los AngelesNo decision yet from LA district attorney in Menendez brothers’ resentencing case YahooLive: Los Angeles DA to give update on Menendez brothers case KTLA Los Angeles
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Greens candidate for Kalgoorlie says ‘cracking down’ won’t stop antisocial behaviour
Greens candidate for Kalgoorlie says ‘cracking down’ won’t stop antisocial behaviour
The Greens candidate for Kalgoorlie says “cracking down on crime” and “cleaning up the streets” won’t resolve the issue of antisocial behaviour in the Goldfields.
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Frustrated by Trump’s threats, some Canadians canceling trips to the United States
Frustrated by Trump’s threats, some Canadians canceling trips to the United States
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Making the trip from Vancouver to Seattle to watch baseball’s Toronto Blue Jays play the Mariners has been a tradition for Peter Mulholland and his wife, but not this year.
Mulholland was already frustrated over U.S. President Donald Trumps threats of crippling tariffs on imported goods from Canada and talk about the country becoming the 51st state. The final straw came when Trump referred to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky as a dictator.
“We were starting to get leery,” said the 69-year-old, semi-retired Vancouver resident. “The tariffs he’s trying to do is going to hurt both countries, that’ll become evident eventually, but it’s going to hurt us more.”
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Mulholland is one of a growing number of ********* who are choosing not to vacation in the U.S. this year.
McKenzie McMillan, a travel consultant with the Vancouver-based Travel Group, said some of his clients have canceled trips that were already booked.
February is usually a busy month for the retail travel agency which specializes in both corporate and premium leisure travel as Canadians make plans for spring break vacations.
“We’ve seen a complete drop off in any new requests or new interest in U.S. travel,” said McMillan. “I’ve had no requests for travel to the United States for about two weeks.”
The ********* dollar is currently worth about 30 cents less than its American counterpart, but McMillan said politics is the major reason why Canadians are balking at travelling to the U.S.
“The majority of the reason why we’re seeing people avoid the U.S. right now has to do with the tariffs and the 51st state comments,” he said. “Talk of the 51st state seems to be where people are making a much more firm decision about not going to the U.S.”
The U.S. Travel Association said Canada is the top source of international visitors to the U.S. In 2024 there were 20.4 million visits from Canada generating $20.5 billion in spending and supporting 140,000 American jobs.
The association says a 10% reduction in ********* travel could mean 2 million fewer visits, $2.1 billion in lost spending and 14,000 job losses.
The top five most visited states by Canadians are Florida, California, Nevada, New York and Texas.
Air Canada, the country’s largest airline, said it currently is not seeing a reduction in travel to the U.S. but is monitoring the situation.
“We are anticipating that there could be a slowdown,” Mark Galardo, Air Canada’s executive vice-resident for revenue and network planning, said on a company quarterly earnings call last week.
WestJet, Canada’s second biggest airlines, said in the first few weeks of this year it has noticed an approximate 25% drop in demand for flights to the U.S. compared to last year.
“We believe this change is at least partially linked to the differences in currency exchange rates; however, we are actively reviewing and working with the Government of Canada on the potential impacts of tariffs, and we will continue to fly where there is demand,” the airline said in an email.
McMillan said the cruise industry may also feel an impact as Canadians may decide not to take trips that leave out of Los Angeles, Houston or Miami.
He has seen a shift to Canadians booking trips to Mexico, Europe, Iceland and Asia.
Mulholland said he and his wife haven’t decided where they will holiday this year.
“We probably will do a road trip of some sort and just explore parts of British Columbia that we haven’t been to before,” he said.
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Supreme Court maintains pause on Trump bid to immediately fire watchdog agency head
Supreme Court maintains pause on Trump bid to immediately fire watchdog agency head
U.S. President Donald Trump stands in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, U.S., Feb. 21, 2025.
Nathan Howard | Reuters
The Supreme Court on Friday for now prevented President Donald Trump from firing the head of a watchdog agency in the first legal showdown to reach the justices over the administration’s efforts to dramatically remake the federal government.
In an unusual move, the court neither granted nor denied an emergency request filed by the Trump administration after lower courts had blocked the effort to fire Hampton Dellinger, who heads the Office of Special Counsel.
Instead, in a brief order, the court said it would not immediately act because lower court proceedings are moving quickly. A hearing is scheduled for Feb. 26.
The court could act at a later stage.
Two justices, liberals Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson said they would have denied the application outright, while of the court’s conservatives — Justice Neil Gorsuch and Justice Clarence Thomas — said they would have granted it.
Trump wants to install Doug Collins, the secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, as acting head of the agency.
The emergency request was likely the first of many such applications the administration is going to file at the Supreme Court in the wake of lower court rulings that have hindered Trump’s aggressive and unprecedented shakeup of federal agencies. The president, in alliance with billionaire Elon Musk, has fired thousands of workers, sought to block federal spending and has attempted to dismantle disfavored agencies, including the U.S. Agency for International Development.
In asking the Supreme Court to intervene, acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris referred to the flurry of temporary restraining orders issued by federal judges that have at least temporarily blocked various Trump initiatives.
“This court should not allow the judiciary to govern by temporary restraining order and supplant the judicial accountability the Constitution ordains,” she wrote.
Harris also addressed recent statements made by administration officials, including Vice President JD Vance, that appeared to put in question whether the White House would comply with court orders.
“The Executive Branch takes seriously its constitutional duty to comply with the orders of Article III courts, and it has fulfilled that duty here,” she wrote, referring to the section of the Constitution that outlines judicial powers.
The Office of Special Counsel handles various issues related to federal employees, overseeing protections for whistleblowers, and enforcing restrictions on political activity. The office can bring enforcement actions and issue regulations; it has no relationship with the special counsels that can be appointed by the Justice Department to bring federal prosecutions.
Dellinger took office in March 2024 after being picked by former President Joe Biden and confirmed by the Senate.
Trump sought to remove him from office on Feb. 7, prompting Dellinger to file suit.
Under federal law, the head of the agency has a five-year term and can be fired by the president “only for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance.”
But the Supreme Court has previously said that similar restrictions on presidential power are unconstitutional because they infringe upon the core constitutional powers of the president.
In 2020, the court ruled on those grounds in a case involving the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau director and followed that up with a similar ruling a year later concerning the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
Washington-based federal judge Amy Berman Jackson issued a stay on Feb. 10 preventing Dellinger from being removed while his case proceeded and later issued a temporary restraining order that extended the hold for two weeks.
The Trump administration appealed to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, which declined to overturn the ruling on a 2-1 vote. The administration then turned to the Supreme Court.
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LA mayor sacks fire chief, blames her for mishandling wildfires – BBC.com
LA mayor sacks fire chief, blames her for mishandling wildfires – BBC.com
LA mayor sacks fire chief, blames her for mishandling wildfires BBC.comMayor Karen Bass fires LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley ‘effective immediately’ ABC7 Los AngelesL.A. Mayor Axes Fire Chief Weeks After Wildfires in Palisades and Altadena Rolling StoneLAFD Chief’s firing could be overturned by city council KTLA Los AngelesLos Angeles Mayor Karen Bass fires Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, citing her response to Palisades wildfire CNN
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2025 Holden lineup: What if the Lion roared again?
2025 Holden lineup: What if the Lion roared again?
Five years (and just a few days) ago, General Motors announced it was shuttering the Holden brand.
It came as a shock to many, but for others it seemed inevitable. Sales had been sliding each year since it announced in 2013 it would end local production, and dropped significantly once local manufacturing did wrap up in 2017.
In late 2019, Holden also had to axe two of its most well-known nameplates, the Astra and Commodore, leaving the brand with only SUVs and utes.
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Camera Icon(Most of) Holden’s final vehicles Credit: CarExpert
Of course, two of those – the Colorado ute and Trailblazer SUV – were sentenced to death as GM negotiated to sell the Thai plant from which Holden sourced them.
Holden was killed by a death of thousand cuts and a customer base that was rapidly turning away from a brand that was number one in Australia as recently as 2002.
But what if Holden hadn’t died? What if GM had decided to stick it out with the brand here, even as it shuttered or sold off loss-making operations elsewhere?
Camera IconHolden Acadia Credit: CarExpertCamera IconHolden Calais Credit: CarExpert
For this thought exercise, we need to look beyond the vehicles already built in right-hand drive by GM because, well, that’s a tiny list.
Instead, let’s imagine GM did commit to wider right-hand drive vehicle production in this post-Thai plant, post-Opel sell-off world.
With that caveat, here’s what Holden’s lineup could have looked like in 2025, if the Lion had survived alongside GMSV’s Chevrolet and the newly launched Cadillac and upcoming GMC brands.
Holden Trax: Chevrolet Trax/Seeker
Nobody could have judged the last Holden (née Chevrolet) Trax as being a class leader, but in contrast its replacement has been getting plenty of positive press in the US.
Camera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpert
Car & Driver put it on its 2024 10 Best Trucks (aka SUVs and pickups) list. In a comparison test last year, Motor Trend picked it over the Kia Seltos, Mazda CX-30 and Toyota Corolla Cross.
It’s not just critical acclaim, as Trax sales have taken off in the US. Chevrolet sold over 200,000 examples in 2024, almost twice as many as in the best year of the last generation.
It’s not hard to see why. Just look at the styling – it’s lower, larger and sleeker than before.
Camera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpert
It measures 4537mm long, 1823mm wide and 1560mm tall on a 2700mm wheelbase, making it just 38mm shorter and 22mm narrower than a Mazda CX-5 but a whopping 119mm lower than the old Trax.
It’s about as tall as a CX-30, and therefore looks more like a hatchback than a traditional SUV.
You won’t find an all-wheel drive option either – Chevrolet offers this instead in the boxier but older Trailblazer crossover (not to be confused with the Trailblazer off-roader we used to get).
Camera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpert
In the US, the only engine is a 102kW/219Nm turbocharged 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine mated with a six-speed torque-converter automatic transmission.
The Trax is built in South Korea and is also built by the SAIC-GM joint venture in China, where it’s sold as the Seeker. There, the only powertrain is a turbo-petrol 1.5-litre four-cylinder with 135kW and 250Nm, mated with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
A full suite of active safety technology is available, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
From frumpy wallflower to sleek high-riding hatchback, the Trax has had quite a transformation. Had it been built in right-hand drive and priced correctly, it’s not hard to imagine the second-generation Trax doing a decent trade here.
Holden Astra: Buick Verano Pro
With Opel having been sold off several years ago, a ‘real’ Astra is out of the question. However, GM sells a variety of small cars in China and Latin America, like the Chevrolet Onix and Monza.
Camera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpert
Perhaps the most logical Astra successor is the ******** Buick Verano Pro, as the previous-generation Opel Astra was sold in China as the Verano.
Built by the SAIC-GM joint venture, the Verano Pro is a small sedan launched in 2021.
It’s powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 135kW and 250Nm, mated with a CVT. That makes it good for a 0-100km/h time of 7.7 seconds.
Camera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpertCamera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpert
While there’s a sporty-looking GS available, this is merely an appearance package.
A range of active safety technology is available including autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control, while inside you’ll find a pair of 10.25-inch screens.
All of GM’s small hatches and sedans are very conservatively styled, which would make it hard for any of them to stand out in a segment filled with adventurously styled models (Hyundai i30 Sedan, Kia K4) or vehicles with strong reputations (Toyota Corolla).
Holden Commodore: Buick Regal
The most logical replacement for the Holden ZB Commodore is… the ZB Commodore.
Camera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpert
The vehicle may have died here, in Europe (where it was sold as the Opel/Vauxhall Insignia), and in North America (where it was sold as the Buick Regal), but it lives on in China under the Buick Regal nameplate.
It even received a bold new face in 2023 to tie it in visually with newer Buicks.
Only a sedan is offered, with the hatch and wagon having ceased global production. There’s no longer a V6, either, which leaves a choice of 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engines.
The former produces 124kW and 250Nm and does the 0-100km/h dash in a claimed 9.1 seconds, while the latter produces 174kW and 350Nm and slashes the sprint time to 7.1 seconds. Both use a nine-speed automatic transmission.
Camera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpert
It’s unclear how much longer the Regal will stick around, with GM sales falling in China and the car having entered production back in 2017. Sporty GS and luxurious Avenir models have also fallen by the wayside, though Buick sells the larger, posher LaCrosse sedan in China.
A surviving Holden probably wouldn’t have bothered with finding a replacement for the ZB Commodore as Australia’s medium and large passenger car segments have haemorrhaged sales.
Just one ‘large’ mass-market car remains on ***** in Australia, the Skoda Superb, while the mid-sized segment has receded to a handful of options but is dominated by the Toyota Camry and BYD Seal.
Holden Colorado and Trailblazer: Chevrolet S10/Colorado and Trailblazer
The ***** of GM’s Thai factory may have spelled the end of the ***********-market Colorado and Trailblazer, but these vehicles live on in various Latin American markets as the Chevrolet S10 and Trailblazer.
Camera IconChevrolet S10 Credit: CarExpertCamera IconChevrolet Trailblazer Credit: CarExpert
Built in Brazil, the body-on-frame ute and SUV were given substantial updates in 2024.
Both were given bolder front-end styling, as well as a redesigned dashboard with an 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster and 11-inch infotainment touchscreen.
They’re powered exclusively by a Duramax 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine with 154kW and 510Nm, matched to a new eight-speed automatic transmission. Chevrolet claims a 0-100km/h time of between 9.4 and 9.5 seconds depending on the variant.
Camera IconChevrolet Trailblazer High Country Credit: CarExpert
As part of the 2024 update, GM retuned their suspension and steering, widened the track, and reduced noise, vibration and harshness, though these are still overhauled versions of vehicles more than a decade old.
Unlike the last Holden Colorado and Trailblazer, the Brazilian Chevys have a full suite of active safety technology available including autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
The updated S10 and Trailblazer haven’t received as comprehensive a redesign as that given to the Ford Ranger and Everest, which feature the same platform as before but new sheetmetal among other major changes. However, they’ve received some meaningful changes to help keep them relevant.
Camera IconChevrolet Colorado Z71, Trail Boss and ZR2 Credit: CarExpert
By the way, GM also sells a Chevrolet S10 Max in markets such as Mexico, but this is little more than a rebadged pre-facelift LDV T60.
The alternative to the Brazilian S10 would be the much more comprehensively redesigned North American Chevy Colorado.
Launched in 2023, the Colorado – and its GMC Canyon cousin – eschews diesel power for a turbocharged 2.7-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 231kW and 583Nm, mated with an eight-speed auto.
Available only as a dual-cab ute, the US-built Colorado measures up to 5416mm long and 1938mm wide on a 3337mm wheelbase. That makes it slightly longer and wider than a dual-cab Ranger on a longer wheelbase.
Camera IconColorado Trail Boss Credit: CarExpertCamera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpert
Trail Boss and Z71 models get a limited-slip differential and all-terrain tyres, while the rugged ZR2 gets electronically locking front and rear differentials, Multimatic DSSV spool-valve dampers and 17-inch wheels with 33-inch mud-terrain tyres.
Inside, all models feature an 11.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and an 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster.
Standard safety equipment includes autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection and lane-keep assist, with available equipment including blind-spot assist, rear cross-traffic assist, adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera.
In all, it’s a much more impressive ute than the old Colorado, but the lack of a diesel would hurt it in Australia.
Holden Equinox: Chevrolet Equinox
The Chevrolet Equinox is now in its fourth generation, with the new model revealed in 2024.
Camera IconChevrolet Equinox Credit: CarExpert
The old model was a good steer, but its styling was a bit awkward and its interior a bit cheap.
This time around, it wears bolder, chunkier styling, though dimensionally it’s virtually unchanged. The gutsy turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine was phased out during the last car’s run, leaving just a turbo-petrol 1.5-litre four in markets like the US.
This produces 130.5kW and 250Nm in front-wheel drive guise, where it’s mated with a CVT; all-wheel drive models have an extra 25Nm and use an eight-speed auto.
Camera IconChevrolet Equinox PHEV Credit: CarExpert
After investing heavily in electric vehicles, GM has recommitted to plug-in hybrids. The Equinox has received such a powertrain, albeit only in China for now.
The front-wheel drive Equinox PHEV mates a 132kW/250Nm 1.5-litre turbo four with either a 16.5kWh or 24.4kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, a two-speed transmission, and a 140kW/315Nm electric motor.
Total system outputs are 272kW and 565Nm, with electric range between 102km and 155km on the CLTC cycle depending on the battery.
Chevrolet claims a 0-100km/h time of between 6.8 and 7.0 seconds, depending on the variant.
Camera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpert
The Equinox rides on MacPherson strut front and four-link independent rear suspension, and features a full suite of active safety technology. Unlike the last Equinox sold here, it features available adaptive cruise control, rear cross-traffic assist, and lane centring.
Inside, there’s a 11-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless smartphone mirroring. The dashboard closely resembles that of the unrelated Equinox EV, and gives the Chevy a very contemporary cabin.
As before, the Equinox has a cousin over at GMC showrooms. However, the new GMC Terrain now closely resembles the Equinox instead of having unique sheetmetal.
Holden Acadia: GMC Acadia
Let’s assume had Holden survived that GM would have given it the new GMC Acadia, instead of switching to its Chevrolet Traverse or Buick Enclave platform-mates.
Camera IconGMC Acadia Denali Credit: CarExpert
Revealed in 2023, the third-generation Acadia has now expanded back to the dimensions of the first-generation model never sold here, making the trimmer, more global market-friendly second-gen Acadia an anomaly.
The third-gen Acadia is 200mm longer and 106mm wider than its Holden-badged predecessor on a 213mm longer wheelbase, and at 5179mm long it’s longer than a Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series and just shy of a Jeep Grand Cherokee L.
Available with either seven or eight seats, GMC claims it has increased space behind the third row by nearly 80 per cent.
Camera IconSupplied Credit: CarExpert
The new-gen Acadia has ditched its V6 for a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 244kW and 442Nm. These outputs are up 13kW and 75Nm on the old 3.6-litre, though the Acadia has gone from a nine-speed to an eight-speed auto.
It’s available with either front- or all-wheel drive, like the old Acadia. The Acadia AT4 features a different Active Torque Control twin-clutch all-wheel drive system, along with a unique suspension tune with hydraulic rebound control, a wider track, integrated skid plates, a 25mm taller ride height, and 18-inch all-terrain tyres.
The top-spec Denali rides on 22s, while inside it features laser-etched wood trim, leather upholstery, Galvano chrome accents, heated and ventilated front seats, and active noise cancellation.
Camera IconGMC Acadia AT4 Credit: CarExpert
All Acadia vehicles have a 11-inch digital instrument cluster and a portrait-oriented 15-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
Safety equipment for the Acadia includes autonomous emergency braking (forward and reverse) with pedestrian and cyclist detection and intersection assist, as well as blind-spot assist, rear cross-traffic assist, speed limit assist and adaptive cruise control.
360-degree cameras are also available, including a hitch-view camera. Maximum towing capacity is 2268kg, though, so as with most crossovers you won’t find super heavy-hauling capability here.
Other vehicles
Had things been different and Holden survived, a range focused more on SUVs seems highly likely.
Camera IconChevrolet Trailblazer Credit: CarExpertCamera IconBuick Envista Credit: CarExpert
There’s a handful of other small SUVs in GM’s current global portfolio, a couple of which would be logical inclusions in a 2025 Holden lineup.
There’s the Chevrolet Trailblazer, unrelated to the aforementioned Chevrolet Trailblazer and launched in 2020. Built in both Korea and China, it’s around the same size as an MG ZS and is offered with either a 1.2- or 1.3-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine and front- or all-wheel drive.
It’s closely related to the Buick Encore GX, while GM’s mid-priced brand also has the sleek Envista. A coupe-style SUV offered with either a 1.2-litre turbo triple or a 1.5-litre turbo four, depending on the market, the Envista entered production back in 2022.
Camera IconChevrolet Equinox EV Credit: CarExpert
GM has also dramatically expanded its EV lineup, with Chevrolet offering a pair of sleek electric crossovers and Buick boasting a couple of its own in China. These all ride on GM’s BEV3 platform, shared with the Cadillac Lyriq among other models.
Until a next-generation Bolt arrives, the Equinox EV remain GM’s most affordable EV in North America.
Completely unrelated to the petrol and plug-in hybrid Equinox, it measures 4840mm long, 1954mm wide and 1646mm tall on a 2954mm wheelbase, making it 48mm longer, 28mm narrower and 22mm taller than a Tesla Model Y.
Camera IconChevrolet Blazer EV SS Credit: CarExpert
It’s available with either 164kW single-motor front-wheel drive or 224kW dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrains. Per stricter US EPA testing, front-wheel drive models have up to 513km of range and all-wheel drive models have up to 459km.
The Blazer EV turns up the wick, with a racier design featuring a longer and wider body. Unlike the front-wheel drive Equinox EV, the most affordable Blazer EVs are rear-wheel drive, with dual-motor all-wheel drive variants available.
A hot SS variant packs a 415kW/879Nm dual-motor powertrain, good for a 0-60mph (0-96km/h) time of 3.4 seconds.
Camera IconBuick Electra E4 GS Credit: CarExpert
Buick’s related Electra E4 and Electra E5 have thus far only been introduced in China.
Of the two, the Electra E5 is arguably the more interesting with sleek, rakish styling and a sporty GS variant.
Don’t expect Blazer EV SS performance, though. In dual-motor guise, the Electra E4 GS uses a 79.7kWh lithium-ion battery with 620km of CLTC range and 143kW/305Nm front and 68kW/160Nm rear electric motors, giving it a claimed 0-100km/h time of 6.2 seconds.
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Supreme Court declines to intervene for now in Trump’s bid to fire head of whistleblower office
Supreme Court declines to intervene for now in Trump’s bid to fire head of whistleblower office
Washington — The Supreme Court on Friday declined to intervene for now in President Trump’s bid to fire the head of the federal agency that protects whistleblowers while litigation over the removal moves forward, keeping Hampton Dellinger in his role as leader of the Office of Special Counsel for several more days.
In an unsigned decision, the high court put off a decision on Mr. Trump’s request to lift a lower court order that reinstated Dellinger until Feb. 26, when that order is set to expire. Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson said they would deny Mr. Trump’s bid for relief. Justices Neil Gorsuch and Samuel Alito dissented.
The president’s request for emergency relief from the high court marked his first since returning to the White House in late January. But the Supreme Court is soon likely to be fielding numerous requests for it to intervene in cases arising from actions taken by Mr. Trump in his first weeks in office, as dozens of lawsuits have been filed in courts across the country that seek to invalidate the president’s policies.
The dispute before the Supreme Court arose out of Mr. Trump’s decision to remove Dellinger as the head of the Office of Special Counsel, an independent agency that aims to protect federal employees from retaliation for whistleblowing. The agency also enforces the Hatch Act, which limits political activity by government workers.
Dellinger was appointed by former President Joe Biden and confirmed by the Senate in February 2024 to a five-year term. But the special counsel received an email from the head of the White House’s Presidential Personnel Office on Feb. 7 informing him that “your position as Special Counsel of the U.S. Office of Special Counsel is terminated, effective immediately. Thank you for your service.”
Dellinger swiftly challenged his firing in federal district court, alleging that it was unlawful because federal law restricts his removal by the president only for “inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office.”
Soon after, a federal district judge in Washington ordered Dellinger to be reinstated as special counsel for three days to preserve the status quo. Two days later, the judge, U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson, granted a temporary restraining order that prevented the Trump administration from removing Dellinger from his position as special counsel while she considered whether to issue a preliminary injunction.
Jackson limited the order to 14 days — until Feb. 26 — and scheduled a hearing for that day to consider whether to issue a preliminary injunction.
The Justice Department appealed the district court’s temporary restraining order, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit declined to intervene. In a divided 2-1 decision issued Saturday night, the D.C. Circuit said the order is not appealable.
“The relief requested by the government is a sharp departure from established procedures that balance and protect the interests of litigants, and ensure the orderly consideration of cases before the district court and this court,” the D.C. Circuit said in an unsigned decision over the dissent of Judge Gregory Katsas, appointed by Mr. Trump.
The court noted that Dellinger’s case involves “weighty constitutional issues,” and said it would be best to wait until the district court issues a ruling on the preliminary injunction, which can be appealed and will rest on a fuller record to review.
Mr. Trump then asked the Supreme Court to intervene, arguing that the case “involves an unprecedented assault on the separation of powers that warrants immediate relief.”
“Until now, as far as we are aware, no court in American history has wielded an injunction to force the president to retain an agency head whom the president believes should not be entrusted with executive power and to prevent the president from relying on his preferred replacement,” acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris wrote in a filing, in reference to the district court’s order.
She argued that the ruling harms the presidency by curtailing his ability to manage the executive branch in the first weeks of his administration and asked the high court to toss out the district court’s order. The acting solicitor general also said that prior Supreme Court decisions have made clear that under Article II of the Constitution, the president has the power to remove at-will the single head of an agency, like the special counsel.
But Dellinger’s lawyers argued that it is too soon for the Supreme Court to intervene and warned that if it were to grant the Trump administration’s request for relief, it would invite “a rocket docket straight to this court, even as high-stakes emergency litigation proliferates across the country.”
“At bottom, there is no merit to the government’s effort to declare a five-alarm fire based on a short-lived TRO that preserves the status quo ante as prescribed by a half-century-old statute,” they wrote in a filing opposing Mr. Trump’s request.
Dellinger’s firing came as part of the president’s efforts to overhaul the federal government and reduce its size and spending. Since returning to the presidency for a second term, Mr. Trump has removed the heads of the National Labor Relations Board and Merit Systems Protection Board, and fired more than a dozen agency watchdogs, all of which have sparked legal challenges.
Mr. Trump also offered the more than two million federal employees the option to resign their positions but retain full pay and benefits until Sept. 30 through a “deferred resignation” program, which roughly 75,000 workers accepted.
Melissa Quinn
Melissa Quinn is a politics reporter for CBSNews.com. She has written for outlets including the Washington Examiner, Daily Signal and Alexandria Times. Melissa covers U.S. politics, with a focus on the Supreme Court and federal courts.
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Dad of 2 Went Missing After Boating Accident. Almost a Week Later, Family Is Still Hoping for Closure (Exclusive)
Dad of 2 Went Missing After Boating Accident. Almost a Week Later, Family Is Still Hoping for Closure (Exclusive)
John DeJonge, 40, remains missing after his boat capsized on an Alabama river on Feb. 15
An adult male and his 2-year-old son, who were also on the boat, survived
As the search continues for his whereabouts, his sister-in-law Alysia DeJonge tells PEOPLE that John, who worked in construction, loved his two kids
The family of John DeJonge, an Alabama man who has been missing for almost a week after the boat he was on capsized in a river, are still holding out hope for closure.
“We are well aware that he is probably no longer with us,” sister-in-law Alysia DeJonge tells PEOPLE. “But we would like to recover his body to be able to give him a proper service.”
On the evening of Saturday, Feb. 15, three people — identified by loved ones as DeJonge, his friend, and his friend’s two-year-old child — were on a boat in Alabama’s Blakely River just north of the causeway, the Spanish Fort Police Department said in a news release.
After the boat capsized around 6:00 p.m. local time, all three individuals fell into the water. But while the other adult and his son were able to make it back to the shore, DeJonge, 40, remains missing.
Related: Man Was Missing for a Month in National Park, but His Mom Never Lost Hope. Then He Was Found Alive (Exclusive)
Before leaving for the boating excursion, DeJonge had been at home with Alyssa and her husband Paul, who is DeJonge’s brother, Alyssa tells PEOPLE.
About two hours later after leaving her home, Alyssa says her husband received a phone call from the surviving friend’s mother, who told them there had been an accident and she was on her way to the hospital.
Alysia and Paul immediately drove to the causeway. “As soon as we’re pulling up, we see ambulances and fire trucks and boats trying to go out,” she says.
Courtesy of Alysia DeJonge
John DeJonge
From what Alysia later learned, the group went out for a test drive on the boat, which belonged to DeJonge’s friend, but when they were about a mile away from the shore, something went wrong.
“The motors quit working,” says Alysia. “They decided they were going to turn around and go back at that point, and they tried to get it going again.”
However, she says the group continued to have issues with the motor, which cut out several times on the way back.
At one point, while trying to work on the motor on the back of the boat, Alysia says they “realized the boat was taking on water” — and while the child was wearing a life jacket, the adults weren’t.
“Once they saw that it was taking on water, they started pulling out the life jackets and a wave hit the boat and flipped it,” she adds.
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According to Alysia, the friend was able to rescue his son and float towards the shore on a piece of the boat, where he was able to flag a car down.
“The little boy was hypothermic and had to be hospitalized for 24 hours, but he’s fine,” she says.
But DeJonge, who was not a good swimmer according to his sister-in-law, remains missing.
Related: Human Remains Found on South Dakota Reservation Identified as Sioux Woman Who Disappeared Over 1 Year Ago
Along with authorities, DeJonge’s family has been involved in the search for their loved one and publicly sought the help of volunteers.
“There’s a lot of emotions,” she says. “It’s hard to come to terms with this, but it is a tragic accident and it could happen to anybody.”
Related: Couple Checked into Hotel for Birthday Celebration Before Woman Died and Man Disappeared on Lake: Police
Courtesy of Alysia DeJonge
John DeJonge (C)
Alysia says that DeJonge — a father of two children, ages 8 and 11, who resides in Daphne, Ala. — has been coming to the home where she and Paul live every day for dinner for nearly three years.
“He loves his kids,” she says of her brother-in-law. “He’s a wonderful, wonderful guy. He will help anybody.”
Although he remains missing, a GoFundMe has been established to help raise funds for his memorial.
“He didn’t have life insurance,” Alysia says of her brother-in-law, who worked in construction. “Anything else would basically go to help out the children. He lived with his parents and they split rent. So [it’s] to help them a little bit to get them going.”
As DeJonge’s family awaits word about their loved one, Alysia offers one major takeaway from the ordeal. “Always wear your life jacket,” she says.
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‘See You in Court’: Maine Governor Clashes With Trump Over Trans Rights – The New York Times
‘See You in Court’: Maine Governor Clashes With Trump Over Trans Rights – The New York Times
‘See You in Court’: Maine Governor Clashes With Trump Over Trans Rights The New York Times’I’ll see you in court’ – Trump and Maine governor clash on trans athletes BBC.com‘We Are the Federal Law’ The Atlantic
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Watchdog group sues for DOGE records, arguing they should be made available to public
Watchdog group sues for DOGE records, arguing they should be made available to public
A nonpartisan watchdog group is suing President Trump, the Department of Government Efficiency and the DOGE administrator over the claim that DOGE is not subject to public records requests because it is shielded by the Presidential Records Act, or PRA.
Under the PRA, DOGE’s records could be sealed for up to 12 years after Mr. Trump leaves the White House.
The Project on Government Oversight, which investigates public corruption, waste and abuses of power in both political parties, filed a lawsuit Friday arguing that DOGE, which has “gained access to a vast swath of sensitive government data and records,” should be subject to the Federal Records Act, rather than the PRA.
POGO argues DOGE is operating like a federal agency, exercising substantial authority to make seismic changes across the federal government. Americans are allowed to request most records of federal agencies under the FRA.
The FRA is the law requiring agencies to create and preserve their records. Danielle Brian, the executive director of POGO, said in a news release that because Elon Musk and DOGE “have been granted sweeping access to the federal agencies,” the records of their activities should both be “well preserved and made available to the public.”
“The Trump administration has inappropriately tried to hide DOGE’s actions from the public by declaring it is subject to the Presidential Records Act, and the courts must intervene,” Brian said.
Earlier this month DOGE adviser Katie Miller posted on X that DOGE had been “reorganized under the Executive Office of the President and subject to Presidential Records.”
The president has broad discretion to decide what qualifies as a presidential record under the PRA, a law that came up frequently in the federal case involving Mr. Trump’s handling of classified records. The PRA establishes the rules for managing a president’s records and sets up a process through which the public may access the records five years after the president leaves office — but also enables the president to restrict public access for up to 12 years.
The lawsuit doesn’t identify the administrator of DOGE, but it contends that Musk has “functionally assumed leadership and the role of administrator.”
POGO confirmed in its filing that while its lawsuit names the president, he’s being sued in name only, since he is protected by the PRA from FOIA requests.
The lawsuit was filed with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The White House and DOGE did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Another watchdog, American Oversight, also sued DOGE after being denied access to its records. That lawsuit, which also tests the entity’s claim to protection from FOIA, seeks all of Musk’s communications involving the termination of employees across the federal government.
Kathryn Watson
Kathryn Watson is a politics reporter for CBS News Digital, based in Washington, D.C.
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‘The club has showed a lot of faith in him’: Jason Ryles wants Dylan Brown contract mess sorted out “sooner rather than later”
‘The club has showed a lot of faith in him’: Jason Ryles wants Dylan Brown contract mess sorted out “sooner rather than later”
Jason Ryles says he’ll support whatever decision Dylan Brown makes on his future, with the rookie Eels coach hopeful the superstar five-eighth makes a call “sooner rather than later” with Parramatta’s opening game of the season just a fortnight away.
The contract circus is nothing new to the club and it’s something the first-year coach has had to navigate with Brown having until round 10 to activate a clause in his deal to remain in the blue and gold until 2031.
The unique deal signed back in 2022 now faces its biggest test, with a stack of other clubs interested in the New Zealand playmaker who is only 24 and coming into his prime.
Captain Mitch Moses spoke a few weeks ago about not putting any pressure on his halves partner, and it’s a sentiment shared by Ryles with speculation Brown wants to sort it out before the round one game against the Storm next month.
Camera IconJason Ryles has weighed in on Dylan Brown’s contract situation. NewsWire / Gaye Gerard Credit: News Corp Australia
“Dylan is entitled to do whatever he likes in regards to the situation he is in,” Ryles said following his side’s trial loss to the Wests Tigers.
“What I need to do is provide the best environment for him to come to footy every day so he can be the best he can be.
“With me, he’s been outstanding. We’ll support Dylan 100 per cent, whichever direction he goes.
“Obviously sooner rather than later would be nice, but it’s important he gets this decision right because it’s a really important one for him.
“We’re pretty clear on our position. We’re really clear as a footy club. The club has showed a lot of faith in him offering him a nine-year deal. We’re in the midst of that at the moment. That’s where it all sits.”
Brown didn’t play on Friday night because he was at his brother’s wedding in New Zealand, while Moses also missed the 30-18 loss but is in no doubt for round one.
Camera IconDylan Brown and Mitchell Moses both missed Parramatta’s final trial game. Credit: Supplied
“Mitch had a bit of soreness with his foot around the ******,” Ryles said, referring to surgery Moses had last year on his fractured left foot.
“We’ve had every scan under the sun, and he had a really good running session today to build him back up for round one.
“Because of where we were in the pre-season, we didn’t want to push him through whatever he didn’t need to.
“But he’s all clear, he’s happy and he’s training – we expect him to play round one.
“This year he’s probably done the most training he’s done for a long time, and that probably caught up with him the past few weeks.
“If we’re playing NRL games, we’re playing him. It’s a matter of being smart about it while we can be smart about it.”
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6th-Century BC Bone Repository Unearthed in Ancient Greek City of Gela, Sicily
6th-Century BC Bone Repository Unearthed in Ancient Greek City of Gela, Sicily
The acropolis of the ancient Greek city of Gela in Sicily. Credit: wikimedia commons / Davide Mauro CC BY 4.0
Archaeologists in the ancient Greek city of Gela (Greek: Γέλα), Sicily, have unearthed a well-preserved bone repository dating back to the early sixth century B.C.
The discovery, made during excavation work on Via **********, includes a large clay vessel repurposed as a funerary container for an infant. Human remains were still inside when it was found.
Experts say the find provides crucial evidence of burial customs practiced by Greek settlers in Gela more than 2,500 years ago.
The Greek city of Gela in Sicily and its ancient burials
The city, founded by Greek colonists from Rhodes and Crete in the eighth century B.C., played a significant role in Mediterranean trade and culture. This burial method, in which large ceramic containers were used as repositories for human bones, reflects widespread funerary traditions in Greek settlements of the time.
The terracotta vessel, originally designed with four handles and a spout for pouring liquids, was later adapted for burial use. This practice aligns with similar discoveries in Gela, including those documented by archaeologist Paolo Orsi in the early 20th century.
His findings confirmed that ancient Greek communities in Sicily frequently used ceramic jars as repositories for remains, particularly for infants and children.
More graves and artifacts discovered
In addition to the bone repository, archaeologists uncovered two more burials conducted using the enchytrismòs technique – a method in which the deceased were placed inside large ceramic jars.
They also discovered fragments of a cappuccina-style tomb, a type of burial structure made from overlapping terracotta slabs, and pieces of imported Greek pottery.
Researchers say these artifacts help confirm the burial site’s date within the first half of the sixth century B.C. The presence of imported ceramics also suggests Gela’s strong trade connections with other Greek city-states across the Mediterranean.
Officials praise the discovery’s historical importance
Francesco Scarpinato, Sicily’s regional cultural heritage assessor, called the discovery a major contribution to the understanding of ancient Greek funerary customs.
Scarpinato said that this find enriches our knowledge of burial traditions and confirms Gela’s central role in Mediterranean trade during the sixth century B.C. The imported ceramics found at the site are clear evidence of the city’s connections with other Greek settlements.
He also highlighted the success of protective policies requiring archaeological supervision during urban development projects. With more excavation still to be done, experts are hopeful that additional artifacts will be uncovered.
Preservation and exhibition plans
Archaeologists will now begin a detailed study of the bone repository and the skeletal remains inside. Once analyzed, the artifacts will undergo restoration before being displayed at the Regional Archaeological Museum of Gela in Caltanissetta.
Museum officials say the exhibit will provide the public with a rare look at Greek funerary customs and the daily lives of Gela’s early settlers.
The discovery adds another important piece to the city’s rich history and reinforces its significance as one of the most influential Greek colonies in the ancient world.
As excavation efforts continue, researchers remain optimistic that more remnants of Gela’s past will soon emerge from the earth.
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Judge clears way for Trump administration to pull thousands of USAID staffers off the job – The Associated Press
Judge clears way for Trump administration to pull thousands of USAID staffers off the job – The Associated Press
Judge clears way for Trump administration to pull thousands of USAID staffers off the job The Associated PressTrump Live Updates: Layoffs, Ukraine War and Deportation News The New York TimesJudge ‘dissolves’ order preventing Trump administration from overhauling USAID ABC NewsA judge ordered foreign aid to resume. Aid groups say it’s not happening. The Washington Post
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Luigi Mangione in New York court over killing of healthcare boss Brian Thompson
Luigi Mangione in New York court over killing of healthcare boss Brian Thompson
Madeline Halpert and Nada Tawfik
Reporting from court
Watch: Luigi Mangione arrives at court surrounded by security
A lawyer for Luigi Mangione, accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has argued that the 26-year-old is not being granted the right to a fair trial.
The comments came during a brief procedural hearing on Friday, which drew hundreds of supporters – some from as far as Kansas – chanting the defendant’s name and wearing shirts adorned with his face.
Mr Mangione arrived in court with his hands and legs shackled, wearing a green sweater and a bulletproof vest. He has pleaded not guilty to the New York charges.
The killing of Mr Thompson, 50, a husband and father of two, sparked a nationwide conversation about the US healthcare system, unleashing pent-up anger at the industry and some ugly reaction.
Getty Images
Mr Mangione is being tried in three separate cases in New York and Pennsylvania, where he was arrested
Chants from Mr Mangione’s supporters could be heard from the court’s 15th floor on Friday.
His brief appearance drew more people than the number that attended the public gallery in the same courtroom last year for President Donald Trump’s hush money trial.
Some of Mangione’s supporters wore face masks and green Luigi hats, from the Super Mario video game franchise.
A court officer watching the spectacle muttered: “What a joke.”
Among members of the public in court was Chelsea Manning, who was convicted more than a decade ago of espionage for leaking secret military files to Wikileaks.
Investigators say Mr Mangione was motivated to kill Mr Thompson because of anger with US healthcare insurance companies.
In addition to the New York state-level charges, Mr Mangione is accused of federal stalking and ******* offences that could carry a death penalty.
The three separate cases were a source of frustration for Mr Mangione’s lawyer, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, who argued before the packed court on Friday that her client was being treated differently than other defendants.
“His right to a fair trial is continuing to be impacted,” she said at the hearing, which lasted less than 30 minutes.
She cited her client’s detainment in federal custody and remarks made by city officials about the case as factors that could influence the proceedings.
At the beginning of the hearing to discuss a pre-trial schedule, Ms Agnifilo said her client should not have to be shackled while in court, arguing it denies him the presumption of innocence guaranteed to all defendants.
“He is a model prisoner” in federal custody, Ms Agnifilo said.
But Judge Gregory Carro said court security preferred for Mr Mangione to remain shackled.
Watch: Luigi Mangione’s lawyer speaks outside of court
Ms Agnifilo also took issue with Mr Mangione remaining in federal custody.
She said the federal jail made it harder for him to meet lawyers to prepare for his court appearances.
Prosecutors told Judge Carro that Mr Mangione was being held in federal custody in “consent” with the defence team.
“When they’re hanging the death penalty over your head, you have no choice but to consent,” Ms Agnifilo replied.
She told the court that prosecutors were still deciding whether her client should face such a punishment.
Mr Mangione’s lawyer also complained that the chief New York City detective on the case and Mayor Eric Adams had spoken to HBO, the US TV network, about evidence that the defendant’s legal team had not even seen yet.
During the proceedings, prosecutors went over the mountain of evidence they plan to present at trial, including DNA, police reports and photographs from the scenes of the crime, body camera footage, phone records and other materials.
The judge set a deadline of 9 April to submit pre-trial motions.
In addition to the New York cases, Mr Mangione also faces charges of forgery, carrying firearms without a licence, and other counts in Pennsylvania, where authorities arrested him at a McDonald’s.
Police say he was in possession of a gun, bullets, multiple fake IDs and a handwritten document that expressed “ill will” towards corporate America.
Investigators say the words “deny”, “defend” and “depose” were written on shell casings found at the scene of Thompson’s *******.
Law enforcement sources said this could have been a reference to the “three Ds of insurance” – tactics used by companies to reject payment claims by patients.
A fundraiser for legal expenses for Mr Mangione – an Ivy League-educated member of a prominent Baltimore family – has raised over $500,000 (£395,000) since his arrest.
He is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center Brooklyn, the same facility where Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges.
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Nvidia confirms it is investigating RTX 50-series BSOD and ****** screen troubles, no timeline for a fix
Nvidia confirms it is investigating RTX 50-series BSOD and ****** screen troubles, no timeline for a fix
Crashes and instability issues relating to RTX 50-series GPUs continue to rage on, and Nvidia still doesn’t have a fix ready for the public. Manuel provided an update on the Nvidia forums, noting that the RTX 50 series issues are still being investigated. The Nvidia staff member clarified that they don’t know if the fixes will arrive in driver form or in VBIOS form.
The update addressed users in the Nvidia 572.47 driver feedback thread complaining about the incessant ****** screen and crashing issues occurring on the RTX 5090, RTX 5080, and even some RTX 40-series GPUs. To everyone’s disappointment, the latest 572.47 drivers (which enable RTX 5070 Ti support) arrived with incredibly few bug fixes, only one, in fact, relating to driver stability issues when waking up a monitor from sleep mode.
Nvidia originally announced its investigation into these problems over a week ago when GeForce driver 572.16 had just been released. Issues regarding GPU stability and ****** screen crashes began when the 570 branch of drivers first launched. Issues with these drivers range from “minor” stuttering issues in games to full-blown BSODs that make the GPUs unusable.
Most of the major issues revolve around Nvidia’s RTX 50 series GPUs, but RTX 40- and allegedly even RTX 30-series GPUs are also experiencing issues. One user on the 572.47 feedback thread revealed BSOD errors running 572.47 on their RTX 4060—another with an RTX 4090 reports full system ****** reboots whenever frame generation is running in-game.
While the issues appear to be driver-related, not all appear to be driver-specific. Manuel’s statement suggests there could be flaws in the RTX 50 series firmware, which the buggy 570 branch drivers exacerbate. This is compounded by other user reports stating that they got their GPUs working by downgrading PCIe functionality below Gen 5 speeds and or lowering monitor refresh rates down to 60Hz. By contrast, there have been no user reports (that we know of) where switching down PCIe speeds and monitoring refresh rates fixed issues on RTX 40-series or older GPUs while using drivers in the 570 branch. (This is a theory; take it with a grain of salt.)
We’ve also seen our fair share of issues with these newest drivers, including the aforementioned frame-generation crashing bug and ****** screens. We’ve also done a critical analysis of Nvidia’s latest driver branch, noting that it feels half-baked, particularly relating to DLSS 4 frame generation.
The RTX 50-series launch has been one of the rockiest launches for Nvidia to date. The new GPU lineup is plagued by non-stop availability issues, sky-high prices, the legitimate risk of melting 16-pin power connectors, not to mention the ongoing stability issues. The icing on the cake is the latest report of several RTX 5090 GPUs found defective, sporting fewer ROP units than advertised.
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****** releases new hostage body after misidentification of Shiri Bibas
****** releases new hostage body after misidentification of Shiri Bibas
The remains of Israeli hostage Shiri Bibas has reportedly been collected by Red Cross officials after a body wrongly identified as hers was handed over by ****** militants in a macabre spectacle on Thursday local time.
Ms Bibas and her and her two sons Kfir and Ariel, along with the remains of a fourth hostage were meant to be handed over as part of the ceasefire deal that has halted fighting in Gaza since last month.
Four bodies were delivered and the identities of the Bibas boys and the fourth hostage, Oded Lifshitz, were confirmed.
But Israeli specialists said the fourth body was that of an unidentified woman and not Bibas, who was kidnapped along with her sons and her husband, Yarden, during the ****** attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Israeli media is reporting that Red Cross has the body but is yet to hand it over to Israeli Defence Forces.
Senior ****** official Mahmoud Mardwai confirmed on ******-run Al-Aqsa television that Shiri Bibas had been handed over.
Camera IconA ****** militant stands on stage near coffins during the handover of deceased hostages. Credit: Ramadan Abed/REUTERS
Responding to the mix-up, Basem Naim, a member of the ****** political bureau, said “unfortunate mistakes” could occur, especially as Israeli bombing had mingled the bodies of Israeli hostages and Palestinians, thousands of whom were still buried in the rubble.
“We confirm that it is not in our values or our interest to keep any bodies or not to abide by the covenants and agreements that we sign,” he said in a statement.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed revenge after ****** turned the release of the bodies into a horrific spectacle.
Several missiles were placed next to the coffins. On them was written the message “they were killed by USA bombs”.
A sign nearby said: “The war criminal Netanyahu and his Nazi army killed them with missiles from Zionist warplanes.”
Militants also stood beside a poster of a man standing over coffins wrapped in Israeli flags. Instead of legs he had tree roots in the ground, suggesting the land belongs to Palestinians.
The poster read “The Return of the War=The Return of your Prisoners in Coffins”.
The terrorist group also planted propaganda material inside the coffins which was only discovered when they were opened in Israel.
The IDF also condemned the actions of ******, writing in a post to X that “based on the intelligence available to us and forensic findings from the identification process, Ariel and Kfir Bibas were brutally murdered by terrorists in captivity in November 2023”.
“During the identification process, it was determined that the additional body received is not that of Shiri Bibas, and no match was found for any other hostage. This is an anonymous, unidentified body.
“This is a violation of utmost severity by the ****** terrorist organization, which is obligated under the agreement to return four deceased hostages. We demand that ****** return Shiri home along with all our hostages.”
—with AP
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Gambling Stock Up 94% Since June As Firm Announces Record Preliminary Q4 Revenue
Gambling Stock Up 94% Since June As Firm Announces Record Preliminary Q4 Revenue
IBD Sector Leader Gambling.com (GAMB) has had a volatile month. Shares broke out from a cup base in early February. But the breakout struggled to hold up, and shares eventually turned lower. The volatility started when the company announced record preliminary Q4 revenue on Wednesday. Fourth-quarter revenue came in at about $35.2 million, while full-year revenue came in at about…
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‘The Apprentice’ Director Ali Abbasi Dropped by CAA, Management 360 Following Groping Accusation – Variety
‘The Apprentice’ Director Ali Abbasi Dropped by CAA, Management 360 Following Groping Accusation – Variety
‘The Apprentice’ Director Ali Abbasi Dropped by CAA, Management 360 Following Groping Accusation Variety’The Apprentice’ Director Ali Abbasi Accused Of Groping A-List Actor Deadline‘The Apprentice’ Director Ali Abbasi Exits CAA Amid Report of Alleged Groping Incident Hollywood Reporter‘The Apprentice’ Director Ali Abbasi Separates from Representation Following Inappropriate Conduct Allegations IndieWireTrump Biopic Director Ali Abbasi Accused of Groping A-List Actor The Daily Beast
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Trump says Starmer and Macron ‘haven’t done anything’ to end Ukraine war
Trump says Starmer and Macron ‘haven’t done anything’ to end Ukraine war
US President Donald Trump has said that French President Emmanuel Macron and *** PM Keir Starmer “haven’t done anything” to end the war in Ukraine, ahead of visits from both leaders to the White House next week.
Speaking to Fox News, Trump also said that Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has “no cards” in peace negotiations, adding: “I don’t think he’s very important to be in meetings.”
Trump’s Ukraine envoy Keith Kellogg struck a different tone earlier and said he had “extensive and positive” discussions with Zelensky during their meeting on Thursday.
Kellogg went on to praise Zelensky as a “courageous leader” only days after Trump referred to him as a “dictator”.
Zelensky has held phone calls with various global leaders in recent days, who have expressed their commitment to ensuring Ukraine is involved in peace talks.
Earlier this week, Starmer said he is “ready and willing” to put *** troops on the ground in Ukraine to help guarantee its security as part of a peace deal.
While European leaders have ruled out negotiating with Russia, they have met regularly to discuss the war in Ukraine – including at an emergency summit in Paris on Monday.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the US, *** and EU, along with countries including Australia, Canada and Japan, have imposed more than 20,000 sanctions on Russia.
Many European nations have also signed agreements to support and provide aid to Ukraine. In January, Starmer signed a “landmark” 100-year pact, telling Zelensky: “We are with you not just today, for this year or the next – but for 100 years – long after this terrible war is over and Ukraine is free and thriving once again.”
Trump, in his Fox interview on Friday, said Russia and Ukraine would not want to begin peace talks without his own personal involvement.
He also continued to criticise Zelensky, saying: “I’ve been watching this man for years now as his cities get demolished, as his people get killed, as his soldiers get decimated.
“I’ve been watching him negotiate with no cards. He has no cards, and you get sick of it,” he continued. “You just get sick of it, and I’ve had it.”
Despite his criticism of Macron and Starmer, Trump also praised the European leaders. He said he considers Macron to be a “friend”, and called Starmer “a very nice guy”.
Macron is expected to visit Washington DC on Monday, while Starmer is expected to arrive on Friday.
And after criticising Zelensky over the past week – using talking points that analysts say sound more like they originate in Moscow than Washington DC – Trump offered that “of course” he would take a phone call from Ukraine’s president.
He insisted several times that Zelensky is to blame to failing to prevent war, saying that Russia could have been “talked out” of invading Ukraine.
Asked about Ukraine’s absence at peace talks in Saudi Arabia this week, Trump said that Russia “found it impossible to make a deal with Zelensky”.
He said he believes that Russia sincerely wants a deal to end the war, but that Russian President Vladimir Putin “doesn’t have to make a deal”.
US Vice-President JD Vance later hit back at critics who said that Trump’s stance on Russia amounts to “appeasement”.
Watch: Zelensky will sign rare mineral deal soon, says US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz
“We are negotiating to end the conflict. It is ‘appeasement’ only if you think the Ukrainians have a credible pathway to victory. They don’t, so it’s not,” he said in a post on X.
The US is pressing Ukraine to sign a deal that would give the US rights to Ukraine’s deposits of rare earth minerals, as part of talks to end the war.
Trump has styled this as a way for Ukraine to repay the US for its past military support.
Ukraine has put forward changes to the US-proposed deal, with talks progressing, according to reports.
White House Security Adviser Mike Waltz said on Friday that Zelensky “is going to sign that deal”, despite the Ukrainian president previously rejecting the proposal.
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Accused US healthcare CEO's killer appears in court
Accused US healthcare CEO's killer appears in court
The man accused of gunning down UnitedHealthcare’s CEO in New York has appeared in court for the first time since his arraignment.
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Las Vegas woman ‘intentionally’ struck man with pickup truck killing him: police
Las Vegas woman ‘intentionally’ struck man with pickup truck killing him: police
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A woman is accused of “intentionally” hitting a man with a pickup truck after the two had a brief interaction, according to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
Mariana Armenta-Jauriqui, 23, is facing a ******* charge in the death of the man, who was struck by a GMC truck she was allegedly driving. According to the arrest report, another driver who witnessed what happened said the victim “was trying to get away from the truck” but the truck driver intentionally changed directions to follow the man, hit him, and then ran over him before fleeing the scene.
The incident happened at the intersection of Sahara Avenue and Valley View Boulevard in the early morning hours of Thursday, February 20.
LVMPD investigated a deadly ****** on Feb. 20, 2025, involving a pedestrian at Sahara Avenue and Valley View Boulevard closing the intersection for several hours. (KLAS)
The witness followed the truck and relayed the truck’s license plate number to a friend on the phone. The witness told police the driver in the truck stuck their hand out of the pickup and gave her the middle finger, the report stated.
Armenta-Jauriqui did get pulled over by police in a construction zone after she fled the scene but the officers were unaware of the hit-and-run and let her go, the report stated.
Court documents said police discovered Armenta-Jauriqui was not the owner of the truck. The owner told police he let Armenta-Jauriqui borrow the vehicle. Police had the truck owner contact Armenta-Jaurique and police spoke with her by phone to set up a meeting.
Armenta-Jauriqui requested an attorney during the meeting and was released by officers who did not know, at that time, that she was the driver of the pickup truck, the report said.
Detectives did secure surveillance video that showed Armenta-Jauriqui was the driver and there were two men in the truck with her when the incident occurred at the intersection. “The video captured the moment when the truck appeared to drive over a large object, as the truck jostled up and down two times, which indicated the victim went under the front and rear tires,” documents said.
According to court records, she was held at the Clark County Detention Center on no bail. She was scheduled to make an initial appearance in court this morning.
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