Karen Read Files Suit Against Canton Police and Massachusetts State Police

Trump Announces $700 Million Bill to Revive U.S. Coal Industry","description":"President Donald Trump will unveil a near‑$700 million package aimed at reviving coal‑fired power plants, restarting a Maryland unit, and building an export terminal, with the promise of more than 14,000 jobs for the coal, construction, rail and maritime sectors.","summary":"President Trump is set to announce a federal package that will use a Cold‑War era defense law to fund coal‑fired power plants, restart an existing plant in Maryland, and build a new coal export terminal. The package is expected to create over 14,000 jobs and further bolster the coal industry amid growing criticism from environmental groups.","image":"","text":"<p style=\"font-family:sans-serif;line-height:1.6;\">WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump is again looking to give a much‑needed boost to the U.S. coal industry, with an announcement expected Thursday to earmark nearly $700 million for coal‑fired power plants and coal exports.</p>\n<p style=\"font-family:sans-serif;line-height:1.6;\">A White House official said the administration will use authority under a Cold War‑era national defense law to support 13 coal plants across the country and to build new coal plants in Alaska and West Virginia – the first new U.S. coal plants since 2013. The money will also help restart a coal‑fired power plant in Maryland and support the construction of a long‑delayed coal export terminal in Oakland, California.</p>\n<ul style=\"font-family:sans-serif;line-height:1.6;list-style-type:disc;margin-left:1.5em;\">\n<li>Support or create more than 14,000 jobs in coal, construction, rail and maritime industries.</li>\n<li>Use of the Defense Production Act to grant presidents wide authority over national‑security‑related industries.</li>\n<li>Reinforce existing coal infrastructure amid rising U.S. power demand from data centers and electric vehicles.</li>\n</ul>\n<p style=\"font-family:sans-serif;line-height:1.6;\">Trump is expected to be joined Thursday by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin. The announcement comes as the administration has already opened 13 million acres of federal lands for coal mining and provided $625 million to recommission or modernize coal‑fired power plants, according to a release from the Energy Department.</p>\n<p style=\"font-family:sans-serif;line-height:1.6;\">The policy follows a series of executive orders aimed at keeping aging coal plants operating past their retirement dates to meet rising U.S. power demand amid growth in data centers, artificial intelligence and electric cars. Wright said the emergency orders have helped prevent major blackouts during the frigid winter of 2024.</p>\n<p style=\"font-family:sans-serif;line-height:1.6;\">Environmental groups have denounced the effort, saying that propping up coal mills with taxpayer money is “another way the Trump administration puts polluters first.” They warn that higher electricity bills and dirtier air will result if the plants continue to run.</p>\n<p style=\"font-family:sans-serif;line-height:1.6;\">Coal once accounted for more than half of U.S. electricity production, but its share fell to about 15 % in 2024, down from roughly 45 % in 2010. Natural gas now provides about 43 % of U.S. electricity, with the remainder from nuclear and renewables such as wind, solar and hydropower.</p>\n<p style=\"font-family:sans-serif;line-height:1.6;\">U.S. coal exports fell during the first year of Trump’s second term, largely due to reduced shipments to China after it imposed reciprocal tariffs. Global coal demand is expected to plateau or decline in the coming years, according to the International Energy Agency.</p>\n<p style=\"font-family:sans-serif;line-height:1.6;\">The proposed package marks another step in the Trump administration’s broader effort to reverse the U.S. coal sector’s decline and limit the expansion of renewable energy projects, including offshore wind and solar projects on federal lands.</p>\n<p style=\"font-family:sans-serif;line-height:1.6;\">\u00a0\nAssociated Press writer Matthew Brown in Billings, Montana, contributed to this report.</p>

Republican Governors Turn June into ‘Family Month’ in a Cultural Clash","description":"GOP leaders in several states have rebranded Pride Month as celebrations of family values, sparking debate over identity and inclusivity in the nation's most celebrated LGBTQ celebration.","summary":"In a wave of counter‑programming, governors from Indiana to Utah declared June a month of nuclear family or fidelity, challenging the 16‑year tradition of Pride Month. The move stirs dialogue about what June should represent and whether family‑centric messages can coexist with LGBTQ visibility.\n\nThe article explores the proclamations, the political motives behind them, reactions from advocates, and the broader cultural context of Pride’s origins.\n\nImage source: an LGBTQ+ pride flag beneath the U.S. flag at the Stonewall National Monument.","image":"https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/73faebf/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5250x3600+0+0/resize/599x411!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Ffd%2F63%2F125549f56ec2b6a339add6a0335d%2Fd044cec1e9cb4b1f8e0aa02d0c76d9e2","text":"<div style='font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:1.5;'>\n\n<p style='margin-top:0;padding-bottom:12px;'>Since 1970, June has been celebrated as Pride Month, commemorating the Stonewall riots that sparked the modern LGBTQ movement. The month is marked by parades, festivals, and vibrant displays of the rainbow flag, offering visibility and community to those whose identities have been marginalized.\n</p>\n\n<p style='margin-bottom:12px;'>This year, a handful of Republican governors have issued proclamations that redirect the focus of June. Indiana and Tennessee declared it <strong>Nuclear Family Month</strong>, defining the “family” as a composition of one husband, one wife, and any children—biological, adopted, or fostered. Alabama proclaimed it <strong>Strong Families Month</strong>, tying it to Father’s Day and underscoring the role of fathers as the “head of the household.” Utah and Arkansas introduced the theme of <strong>Fidelity Month</strong>, emphasizing loyalty to faith, country, and family, while leaving the specific makeup of families open.\n</p>\n\n<p style='margin-bottom:12px;'>The proclamations were released without direct comments on LGBTQ inclusion. For instance, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders read a statement to Twitter in which she called the alternative proclamations a form of counter‑programming perpetrated by Republican states.\n</p>\n\n<h2 style='margin-top:24px; margin-bottom:8px;'>Conservative Backers See a Cultural Reset</h2>\n\n<p style='margin-bottom:12px;'>The move aligns with a broader effort among GOP lawmakers to shift cultural narratives. A resolution introduced by Representative Mary Miller of Illinois aimed to designate June as “Family Month” and unspecifiedly “unrecognize Pride Month,” citing a purported “perverse” display that undermines the nuclear family. Although the bill did not reach a vote, it signals a long‑term agenda.\n</p>\n\n<p style='margin-bottom:12px;'>Kevin Roberts, a president of a conservative think‑tank, remarked that “embracing Pride celebrations has made it difficult to promote traditional marriage.” He framed the family‑centric proclamations as a necessary response to what he described as a cultural erosion.\n</p>\n\n<p style='margin-bottom:12px;'>Conversely, advocacy groups argue that family and faith should not be seen as mutually exclusive with LGBTQ values. Marina Lowe, leader of a Utah‑based LGBTQ organization, explained that many queer members value traditional family structures and faith, and therefore these recognitions can coexist.\n</p>\n\n<h2 style='margin-top:24px; margin-bottom:8px;'>On‑the‑Ground Reactions</h2>\n\n<p style='margin-bottom:12px;'>The proclamations have produced mixed local reactions. At a Washington state high school, banners featuring “Family Month” replaced rainbow flags on light poles, while a nearby LGBTQ organization countered by placing billboards endorsing Pride. The clash highlights the broader national debate about visibility and representation.\n</p>\n\n<p style='margin-bottom:12px;'>Pride organizers in several cities felt unaffected by the proclamations. For instance, the president of a Southern pride organization noted that Pride’s schedule—culminating on June 13 with a parade and June 14 with a festival—remains unchanged. He emphasized that Pride’s existence is a testament to community resilience in the face of political opposition.\n</p>\n\n<p style='margin-bottom:12px;'>At a Midwest pride organization, the chair of the board acknowledged that while the governor’s proclamation might be viewed as a “swipe,” the month’s celebrations still highlight the diverse concepts of family, including chosen and blended families.\n</p>\n\n<h2 style='margin-top:24px; margin-bottom:8px;'>The History Behind June</h2>\n\n<p style='margin-bottom:12px;'>June’s roots trace back to the 1969 police raid on the Stonewall Inn in New York, a watershed moment for LGBTQ activism. The first Pride celebrations in 1970 were a direct response to the assault, and since then the month has grown into a worldwide symbol of visibility and affirmation.\n</p>\n\n<p style='margin-bottom:12px;'>While Pride has found widespread institutional support—every Democratic president since Bill Clinton has signed a proclamation—in the Republican camp, only a handful of governors have adopted Pride proclamations. The new family‑centric month designations mark a shift in how some GOP leaders frame cultural priorities.\n</p>\n\n<p style='margin-bottom:12px;'>A recent national poll noted that acceptance of same‑sex marriage has plateaued amid increasing Republican opposition, underscoring the cultural rush to redefine June’s narrative.\n</p>\n\n<p style='margin-bottom:12px;'>In the face of this counter‑programming, LGBTQ advocates continue to salute Pride’s origins and its ongoing promise of unity. The movement persists as a communal assertion of identity, resilience, and hope.\n</p>\n\n<p style='margin-top:12px; font-weight:bold;'>Levy reported from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Mulvihill from Haddonfield, New Jersey.\n</p>\n\n</div>

Hezbollah rejects renewed ceasefire agreed by Israel and Lebanon

Reclaimed Frontiers: Quantum‑Driven Satellite Analysis Reveals Rapid Land‑Making in the South China Sea

Senate Approves Three‑Year Funding for ICE and Border Patrol Amid Democratic Blockades","description":"The Senate is pushing forward a $70 billion bill to fund U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S. Border Patrol, aiming to bypass Democratic amendments and the contested settlement fund.","summary":"- The Senate begins a series of votes to fund ICE and CBP through the end of Trump’s term, targeting an $70 billion package.\n- Democrats have blocked the money for months, demanding policy changes after shootings by agents. They piloted amendments that would eliminate Trump’s $1.776 billion settlement fund.\n- Republicans used a procedural maneuver to winnow the filibuster, aiming for a simple majority. Sen. John Thune emphasized the bill’s narrow focus on ICE and CBP.\n- Trump has expressed uncertainty about the settlement’s future, saying he would need legal counsel.\n- Republicans including Sen. Thom Tillis plan to add amendments to halt any revival of the settlement, while Democrats pursue a ban through reconciliation.\n- The funding has faced long battles; DHS funding lapsed earlier this year and no new funding for ICE or CBP until the current bill.\n- A $1 billion White House security line removed from the original measure, alleviating GOP opposition.\n- House leaders urge a quick close, aiming to finish before week’s end if the Senate completes the vote.","image":{"src":"https://assets.apnews.com/00/95/665adbf0609b1cca4648d0fe512e/419aaebd4c6b4a3aac98e9eadce2f0da","alt":"Senate Majority Leader John Thune speaks to reporters at the Capitol"},"text":"<p>WASHINGTON — The Senate is beginning a long series of votes Thursday on a $70 billion bill to fund U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Border Patrol (CBP). The measure would end the months‑long Democratic blockade of funding that follows policy demands after federal agents shot two protesters in January.</p>\n<p>The package includes money for the two agencies through the end of President Donald Trump’s term. Republicans face a gauntlet of potential amendments that Democrats plan to offer in the coming days, many of them aimed at permanently banning Trump’s controversial $1.776 billion settlement fund for allies he says were politically persecuted.</p>\n<p>Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Wednesday that the bill’s focus is narrow and targeted: “This was narrow and targeted from the very beginning and clean, and we’re trying to maintain it that way.” The bill relies on a complicated procedural maneuver to skirt the filibuster and pass with only Republican votes.</p>\n<p>Many GOP senators confirmed that Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche had said the settlement fund would not move forward, and most praised his remarks. “I’d have to ask the lawyers,” Trump said Wednesday, adding that he was unsure whether the fund was dead or on hold.</p>\n<p>Democrats plan to use the reconciliation budget process to try to ban the settlement by law and kill the immigration‑spending bill. After Trump’s comments, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer posted on X that Democrats would force votes to ban the fund—a move tied to the broader bill’s fate.</p>\n<p>Sen. Thom Tillis, R‑N.C., will offer an amendment to block any attempt at resurrecting the settlement. “We’ve got a sufficient number of Republicans who have been very clear they’ve got concerns there,” Tillis said.\n</p>\n<p>Democrats have repeatedly asked that any Homeland Security budget include restraints on federal immigration authorities: better identification for officers and increased use of judicial warrants. After agents shot Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, Trump agreed to separate the Homeland Security bill from a larger spending measure that became law. Bipartisan negotiations stalled, and DHS funding lapsed in mid‑February without a new agreement on Trump administration enforcement tactics.</p>\n<p>Congress eventually funded the rest of the DHS at the end of April with Democratic support, but ICE and CBP remained unfunded. Republicans are now pushing for a standalone three‑year package for the two agencies without Democratic votes.</p>\n<p>The legislation delayed earlier due to opposition to a $1 billion White House security line that included funding for Trump’s new ballroom. Democrats and some Republicans questioned the project, leading to its removal from the final bill released on Wednesday.</p>\n<p>Thune said he is working with the GOP conference to ensure the bill stays intact and that he has enough votes for a simple majority. “Keep in mind, we’ve got to keep them all together, make sure we’ve got 50 votes for it,” he said.\n</p>\n<p>House Majority Leader Steve Scalise told reporters that House leaders were discussing scheduling and that they hoped to clear the legislation before the end of the week if the Senate completes it. “We just need to make sure everybody’s there,” Scalise said.\n</p>

Texas High‑School Stabbing Trial Begins Amid National Horror","description":"A former Texas high‑school athlete faces life‑long prison after allegedly pulling a knife in a track‑meet clash.","summary":"On April 2025, 19‑year‑old Karmelo Anthony was accused of fatally stabbing his competitor Austin Metcalf during a high school track event in Frisco, Texas. The case surged online as the teens were of different races, sparking broader discussions about race and violence. The trial now starts under strict security at Collin County courthouse.","image":"https://example.com/tx-stabbing.jpg","text":"<p style=\"margin-bottom:0.8em;\">The opening statements of the murder trial of former Texas high‑school athlete Karmelo Anthony began Thursday at a Collin County courthouse, where he faces a possible life sentence for the fatal stabbing of 17‑year‑old Austin Metcalf at a Frisco track meet.</p> <p style=\"margin-bottom:0.8em;\">The incident, which took place on a rainy April morning, prompted an arrest report that Anthony claimed he was protecting himself when a confrontation erupted on the stadium bleachers. In his statement, Anthony alleged Metcalf’s team had moved within arm’s reach, leading him to grip a knife from his bag and stab the competitor in the chest.</p> <p style=\"margin-bottom:0.8em;\">The incident shocked the affluent Dallas suburb and drew national attention, amplified by social‑media posts that framed the crime along racial lines—Anthony, who is Black, and Metcalf, who is white. Police have noted the violence was not a racial attack; investigators say both teens knew each other from high schools in Frisco and were planning to attend college.</p> <p style=\"margin-bottom:0.8em;\">A jury sitting this week has been under heightened security. District Attorney Greg Willis announced the indictment last year and stressed that the trial would not tolerate outside commentary, with a judge enforcing strict rules on media discussion.</p> <p style=\"margin-bottom:0.8em;\">Anthony’s attorneys, including Mike Howard, argue prosecutors have not yet ruled out reasonable doubt regarding self‑defense. In a statement after the indictment, Howard said that once the full details of the confrontation surface, there may be evidence that Anthony acted to protect himself.</p> <p style=\"margin-bottom:0.8em;\">Frisco Police Chief David Shilson has warned the public to be wary of misinformation circulating online, urging that “posts spreading hate, fear, and division” are spread responsibly.</p> <p style=\"margin-bottom:0.8em;\">Metcalf’s father, Jeff Metcalf, denounced the racial framing. He called the tragedy a “human being” issue, reminding viewers that the “bad choice” has affected both families forever. He declined to comment on the case’s political aspects on Fox News’ “America Reports.”</p> <p style=\"margin-bottom:0.8em;\">The ongoing trial is expected to continue under the strict courtroom protocols, while the community remains stunned. If convicted, Anthony will face life imprisonment.</p>

Trump Administration Shifts to Federal Rule‑Making in Higher Education, Reducing Campus Investigations","description":"The Trump‑era White House signals a new strategy for policing universities—moving from targeted probes to broad regulatory changes aimed at curbing DEI policies and restricting federal support.","summary":"Replacing a year‑long campaign of campus investigations, the Trump administration now sketches new federal regulations that redefine how universities qualify for federal money. By tightening the accreditation process, demanding “intellectual diversity,” and outlawing certain DEI initiatives, the Department of Education and other agencies are signaling a broad ideological push. While investigations have slowed, high‑profile university battles continue, and critics argue the new rules could undermine academic freedom and institutional autonomy.","image":"https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1520238933076-5bfbf83af1df?auto=format&fit=crop&w=640&q=80","text":"<h1 style=\"font-size:28px; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom:12px;\">Trump Administration Shifts to Federal Rule‑Making in Higher Education, Reducing Campus Investigations</h1>\n<p style=\"line-height:1.6; margin-bottom:12px;\">WASHINGTON — A year ago, the White House launched a sweeping crackdown on colleges and universities, threatening federal funds whenever schools deviated from the President’s agenda. Now, after shaking dozens of campuses in a flurry of investigations, the Trump administration has pivoted to a broader regulatory strategy that could reshape the entire higher‑education system.</p>\n<p style=\"line-height:1.6; margin-bottom:12px;\">Executive officials, including Education Department Undersecretary Nicholas Kent, have begun drafting new federal rules that concentrate on “intellectual diversity,” “anti‑American values,” and the presumed invalidity of statements that deny the sex binary. These proposals extend far beyond the individual institutions formerly under scrutiny; they aim to embed the administration’s views into federal policy itself.</p>\n<h2 style=\"font-weight:bold; margin-top:20px; margin-bottom:8px;\">New Rules Proposed by Several Federal Agencies</h2>\n<p style=\"line-height:1.6; margin-bottom:12px;\">One significant change comes from the Department of Education, which proposes to overhaul the accreditation system that governs whether colleges can receive federal funding. The plan would require accrediting bodies to confirm that accredited institutions actively promote “intellectual diversity,” a subtle but powerful push for more conservative viewpoints on campuses.</p>\n<p style=\"line-height:1.6; margin-bottom:12px;\">The Office of Management and Budget has issued a notice ordering agencies to ensure that federal grants advance President Trump’s policy priorities. This would effectively trim a university’s federal funding if it is found to sponsor DEI initiatives or to convey any rhetoric that the administration deems anti‑American.\n</p>\n<p style=\"line-height:1.6; margin-bottom:12px;\">The General Services Administration has introduced a proposal that would require grant recipients—universities and their contractors—to certify that they do not have DEI policies the administration considers unlawful.\n</p>\n<p style=\"line-height:1.6; margin-bottom:12px;\">In total, the Education Department has introduced at least 11 new regulatory proposals targeting the funding of institutions that defy Trump’s interpretation of civil‑rights law. These measures, if adopted, could trim or even cut the federal purse life line for many universities.</p>\n<p style=\"line-height:1.6; margin-bottom:12px;\">Such rule-making offers a less confrontational front than the last year’s investigations, but it provides the executive branch a deeper and more permanent influence over higher‑education policy.\n</p>\n<h2 style=\"font-weight:bold; margin-top:20px; margin-bottom:8px;\">Fewer New Investigations, Greater Focus on Admissions</h2>\n<p style=\"line-height:1.6; margin-bottom:12px;\">Since the pivot to rules, the Education Department and the Department of Justice have announced fewer new campus investigations. Early this year, roughly a dozen such inquiries were released, a sharp decline from the 70+ investigations announced last year. Only a handful of cases remain unresolved, and the White House has already struck deals with schools like Columbia and Brown to curb or end the probes.\n</p>\n<p style=\"line-height:1.6; margin-bottom:12px;\">Despite the slowdown, the department's focus has intensified on the question of race in college admissions. The Justice Department has brought four lawsuits against Harvard and UCLA, alleging antisemitic practices and a refusal to release admissions data requested by the President’s office. The Department has also pursued a broader scrutiny of medical schools at Yale and UCLA for alleged racial discrimination favoring Black and Latino applicants.\n</p>\n<p style=\"line-height:1.6; margin-bottom:12px;\">“We are making sure that we’re elevating our best and brightest and that we’re not slanting the scale because of somebody’s skin color,” Kent said, emphasizing the administration’s hard‑line stance on affirmative action controversies.\n</p>\n<h2 style=\"font-weight:bold; margin-top:20px; margin-bottom:8px;\">Higher‑Education’s Response — Quiet Change and Resilience</h2>\n<p style=\"line-height:1.6; margin-bottom:12px;\">Faced with the last year’s denials of funding, many campuses quietly trimmed or eliminated DEI offices and tightened protest policies. The NCAA, for instance, tightened restrictions on transgender athletes. Several universities, citing the recent investigations, have scaled back certain research projects to conserve federal funding.\n</p>\n<p style=\"line-height:1.6; margin-bottom:12px;\">In classrooms, faculty worry that their teaching or public statements might draw federal attention. Todd Wolfson, president of the American Association of University Professors, noted a chilling effect on academic freedom.\n</p>\n<p style=\"line-height:1.6; margin-bottom:12px;\">Nevertheless, many university leaders are preparing counter‑strategies. In the fall, students and faculty pushed back against an invitation from the White House to sign a “compact” aligning the administration’s priorities with funding incentives. The AAUP has already filed lawsuits that halted the Federal Funding cuts to UCLA.\n</p>\n<p style=\"line-height:1.6; margin-bottom:12px;\">“The sector is getting its feet under it, and it’s only getting stronger,” Wolfson said, underscoring the resilience of higher education in the face of an unprecedented regulatory onslaught.\n</p>

Indian film union drops boycott call against Bollywood star Ranveer Singh

New World Screwworm Fly Invades South Texas, Prompting Urgent Quarantine Measures","description":"The first confirmed case of the flesh‑eating New World screwworm fly appears in Texas, reigniting fears for the cattle industry and prompting border restrictions.","summary":"The United States Department of Agriculture confirmed a case of the New World screwworm fly in a 3‑week‑old calf in La Pryor, Texas, marking the first detection in the state since 1966. The parasite, once eradicated in the 1970s, threatens livestock, pets, and even humans. In response, a 12‑mile quarantine zone was established, sterile‑fly release programs were intensified, and extensive border surveillance was launched to prevent further spread.","image":"https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/2fc44e6/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6000x4000+0+0/resize/599x399!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fc0%2Fe7%2F08d2c122f267d953008cbbd64eef%2F9f30a8f704e8436aa4b0ed1000b44b80","text":"<p>The United States Department of Agriculture announced on Wednesday that the New World screwworm fly, a flesh‑eating parasite, has arrived in south Texas. It was first confirmed in a 3‑week‑old calf in La Pryor, Texas, roughly 50 miles from the Mexico border.</p>\n<p>Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins said there have been no other detections of the fly in the United States. A 12‑mile (20 km) quarantine zone was established, preventing the movement of warm‑blooded animals—including pets—outside the zone without inspection. Veterans veterinarian Bud Dinges stressed the importance of respecting the quarantine to keep the pest contained.</p>\n<p>Rollins noted that while the fly’s larvae pose a threat to livestock, they do not infest food. Proper treatment of infected animals can lead to recovery. She affirmed confidence that the fly will not establish a population in the U.S., citing the successful eradication efforts of the 1970s.</p>\n<p>The USDA has deployed 8,000 fly traps along the U.S.–Mexico border and tested more than 58,000 fly samples and 19,000 wild animals. In addition, $21 million is being spent to convert a fruit‑fly breeding facility in southern Mexico into a new center for dispersing sterile screwworm flies that have been bred in southern Texas. Construction has also begun on a $750 million screwworm fly factory in Texas.</p>\n<p>Rollins also closed the U.S.–Mexico border to livestock imports last year to curb the risk of the fly traveling with animals and humans. She emphasized that the parasite doesn’t fly great distances on its own, but can hitch rides on people, pets, and wild animals.</p>\n<p>Pest management experts explained that the female screwworm fly mates once in its multi‑month life cycle. If a female mates with a sterile fly, her eggs will not hatch, leading to population decline over time. The U.S. once maintained facilities for breeding sterile flies, but those were discontinued after the 1970s eradication. Breeding programs now continue in Mexico and Texas.</p>\n<p>The incident marks the first case of screwworm in the U.S. since 1966. Officials remain vigilant, announcing rapid response measures and ongoing surveillance to prevent another large‑scale outbreak.</p>

Melinda French Gates Pledges $215 Million to Rescue Women’s Health Worldwide","description":"Philanthropist Melinda French Gates expands her women’s health agenda, adding funds for contraception, maternal care, menopause research and mental‑health integration in low‑income regions.","summary":"In a bold move, Melinda French Gates is adding another $215 million to her women’s‑health portfolio, raising total donations in that arena to over $600 million in two years. The multi‑million‑dollar pledge covers contraception access, maternal care, menopause education and mental‑health support for mothers, especially in Africa, and signals a renewed focus on pharmaceutical and policy gaps that leave half the world’s population underserved.","image":"","text":"<h1 style=\"font-size:26px;font-weight:bold;\">Melinda French Gates Pledges $215 Million to Rescue Women’s Health Worldwide</h1>\n<p style=\"font-size:16px;line-height:1.6;margin-bottom:12px;\">Philanthropist <a href=\"https://apnews.com/hub/melinda-french-gates\" style=\"color:#0066cc;text-decoration:none;\">Melinda French Gates</a> announced on Thursday that she will add an additional $215 million to her charitable portfolio to broaden her impact on women's health worldwide. The donation will support contraceptive access, maternal‑care services and initiatives focused on middle‑aged women, including additional research into menopause.</p>\n<p style=\"font-size:16px;line-height:1.6;margin-bottom:12px;\">This new funding brings the total investments she has made for women’s health to over $600 million in the past two years—a significant increase that underscores how she views these issues as central to her philanthropic mission.</p>\n<p style=\"font-size:16px;line-height:1.6;margin-bottom:12px;\">French Gates told the Associated Press that women's health is the cornerstone of the work she does through Pivotal, the group of organizations she founded to manage her philanthropy and investments. “It’s just blaringly obvious that women’s health is fundamental — she has to be well to do well in life,” she said.</p>\n<p style=\"font-size:16px;line-height:1.6;margin-bottom:12px;\">The pivot away from the Gates Foundation in 2024—when she left the large donor foundation she had built with her ex‑husband Bill Gates—has led her to hone a more targeted approach to supporting women’s well‑being. Under Pivotal, she is now focusing specifically on policy, research gaps and the many unmet health needs that affect half the population of the world.</p>\n<p style=\"font-size:16px;line-height:1.6;margin-bottom:12px;\">The additional grant is currently earmarked for several strategic initiatives. She is placing $40 million into Co‑Impact, a program designed to embed mental‑health support with maternal and primary care in Africa, ensuring that new or expectant mothers receive the counseling and early intervention they often lack in low‑resource settings.</p>\n<p style=\"font-size:16px;line-height:1.6;margin-bottom:12px;\">Another $10 million will go to the Menopause Society in the United States. That earmark will fund educational outreach for healthcare practitioners and expand access to menopause‑competent clinicians in underserved counties, where research shows that as many as 6,000 regions have critically low provider density.</p>\n<p style=\"font-size:16px;line-height:1.6;margin-bottom:12px;\">According to the World Economic Forum, women’s health issues receive roughly 2 % of private healthcare funding—despite accounting for half the population. The gap means fewer drugs, therapies and clinical trials specifically addressing conditions such as infertility, pregnancy complications and menopause.</p>\n<p style=\"font-size:16px;line-height:1.6;margin-bottom:12px;\">Dr. Stephanie Faubion, medical director of the Menopause Society and director of the Mayo Clinic’s Center for Women’s Health, said the U.S. could benefit from a robust national approach. “We’re still confronted with huge inequities,” she stated. “You get the right medication, but your local clinic doesn’t know how to use it because the ecosystem around it is missing.”</p>\n<p style=\"font-size:16px;line-height:1.6;margin-bottom:12px;\">Faubion noted that the pledge will allow the society to expand its educational resources to additional 6‑to‑8‑week interactive webinars, virtual community‑leadership modules, and online “tool‑kits” for primary‑care doctors in rural settings.</p>\n<p style=\"font-size:16px;line-height:1.6;margin-bottom:12px;\">“Menopause remains one of the most overlooked and underserved areas in medicine,” Faubion said. “The Menopause Society believes women deserve better.”</p>\n<p style=\"font-size:16px;line-height:1.6;margin-bottom:12px;\">She warned that research into menopause treatments is already underfunded, a problem compounded by President Donald Trump’s administration’s medical‑research budget cuts earlier in the decade.</p>\n<p style=\"font-size:16px;line-height:1.6;margin-bottom:12px;\">“Philanthropy is going to play a larger role than it has ever done before because we’re not going to have the equivalent of previous government funding,” she added. “Funding is harder to come by than ever, but the need remains constant.”</p>\n<p style=\"font-size:16px;line-height:1.6;margin-bottom:12px;\">The scale of French Gates’ contribution, Faubion said, is significant, but so is the attention it brings. “It shows that people like Melinda Gates and Pivotal are recognizing the seriousness of the issue.”</p>\n<p style=\"font-size:16px;line-height:1.6;margin-bottom:12px;\">She urged that the spotlight on these gaps could motivate other donors and governments to step forward. “When you bring a problem into the public eye, you build a demand for action.”</p>\n<p style=\"font-size:16px;line-height:1.6;margin-bottom:12px;\">For French Gates herself, the goal is not just to funnel money but to make women’s health problems visible. “I want women’s health issues to not be invisible,” she said. “I don’t want the default to be that women are expected to deal with pain and suffering. I want them to be seen for what they’re going through, and have those issues addressed so they can live their very best lives.”</p>\n<p style=\"font-size:16px;line-height:1.6;margin-bottom:12px;\">The Associated Press receives financial support for coverage of women in the workforce and in statehouses from Melinda French Gates’ foundation, Pivotal, and for coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits through the AP’s partnership with The Conversation US, funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. For all of AP’s philanthropy coverage, visit <a href=\"https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy\" style=\"color:#0066cc;text-decoration:none;\">https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy</a>.</p>

Ukraine Accused of Killing Four in Occupied Crimea

Caterers, Countless Lives: Detroit Chef's Food Feeds Lebanon's War‑Torn Families","description":"In the suburbs of Dearborn Heights, a 47‑year‑old Lebanese chef turns her catering profits into lifelines for over a million displaced from Lebanon, illustrating how U.S. diaspora communities bridge crises from afar.","summary":"When war in southern Lebanon breaks out, hundreds of thousands flee to neighboring Israel and the United States. Amid rising costs, Mirvet Makki—Detroit‑based caterer—sets aside a portion of her earnings each week to sponsor families back home. Her culinary endeavor, which serves soured couscous stews and savory kibbeh, becomes a quiet lifeline for a nation in economic crisis. The problem mirrors a larger diaspora trend: U.S. Lebanese communities fund relief, rally politically, and keep cultural bonds alive, even as they watch conflict unfold from afar.","image":"https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1588097834006-0edc6c69d944?auto=format&fit=crop&w=640&q=80","text":"<p>In the Detroit suburb of Dearborn Heights, 47‑year‑old Mirvet Makki punches kitchen knives and pushes trays of fragrant Lebanese dishes, the same dishes that stir memories of her childhood village in Bint Jbeil. When the devastating war between Israel and Hezbollah dragged thousands of civilians into tent cities, a wave of refugees hit Lebanon’s southern coast—and the Lebanese diaspora in America felt a pull they could not ignore.</p><p>Every week, Makki allocates a slice of her catering profits to families in Lebanon devastated by aerial bombardments and land mines. She says the money is not a charitable donation in the truest sense. Rather, it is a trans‑national family budget trickle that keeps aunts and cousins fed while they await a return that may never happen. The funds travel across borders to a people whose homes have been reduced to rubble.</p><p>Lebanon’s displacement crisis has reached a scale previously thought unlikely: more than one million of the 6‑million‑strong population—roughly one in six—have fled their homes. The economic damage is brutal and the currency has weakened to the point that the U.S. dollar circulates in many rural markets. Food cost, fuel availability, and basic utilities have all collapsed, leaving communities hungry and desperate.</p><p>“I was thinking, ‘What can I do for other people?’” Makki says. “So I used my business.” She maintains a strict budget, limiting personal overhead to spare enough money for her sisters, nephews, and a small handful of friends who live in the most affected regions.</p><p>Many Lebanese Americans—some of them in the U.S. since the late 1800s—have become the de facto financial lifeline for Lebanon. According to the last census, roughly 625,000 Lebanese‑American residents live in the United States now, though many estimates claim the number could be as high as 1.4 million. Secretary‑General António Guterres shook hands with families in South Lebanon while speaking in Nairobi, underscoring how diaspora remittances are crucial to the country's survival.</p><p>Christians, Sunni and Shiite Muslims, and smaller Druze communities in Lebanon face distinct hardships, but their U.S. cousins unite over common concerns. When the U.S. voted to provide war aid to Israel, a wave of Lebanese Americans gathered around the “uncommitted movement” to protest, and the community also rallied to condemn a Michigan synagogue shooting. These political coalitions share a single aim: to be the voice and the hand for those who cannot lift themselves.</p><p>“When they see suffering in Lebanon, people’s immediate reaction … is for the community to come together, raise funds, raise money, and try to help everybody as much as they can,” says Akram Khater, director of Lebanese Diaspora Studies at North Carolina State University. “Most rely on one another – they are not looking to Washington for the furniture to rebuild.”</p><p>In February, Makki visited her homeland. She saw how the price of living had skyrocketed: a car rental that once cost $200 would now be a luxury. She felt the loss firsthand in a small roadside food stall that had dwindled to a single dish. That trip cemented her determination to channel her income back to Lebanon.</p><p>Some Americans are moving beyond bank transfers; they meet with families on video calls and, when possible, travel to Lebanon themselves to deliver goods or give a hands‑on hand. Nadia Bryant, a 37‑year‑old mother of Troy, Michigan, sends money to her sisters in temporary housing after their village of Ayta ash‑Shab was invaded. “They donated in direct form to orphans,” she says. “They do not even ask to put the money toward their own betterment.”</p><p>While the U.S. still cannot process immigrant visas for Lebanese nationals due to congressional stand‑by, many families despair. Attoui, a Detroit‑based fundraiser, has urged her relatives to immigrate. They are unwilling. “I have all my aunts and my cousins over there,” Attoui says. “So if you could bring [people] here, that would be a relief.”</p><p>Despite the personal losses and cultural distance, the Lebanese diaspora in the U.S. remains fiercely alive. They keep the poise of their homeland, raise money, and stand together in protest. As the war stretches on, the warmth of a pot of stew and the generosity of a family’s earnings become a quiet, daily rebellion against impossible hunger.</p>

Obama Presidential Center: A Digital Legacy on Chicago’s South Side","description":"Explore the world‑first fully digital museum that celebrates Barack Obama’s life, politics, and community vision.","summary":"The Obama Presidential Center has opened its doors to the public, offering an immersive, high‑tech experience that blends campaign memorabilia, presidential artifacts, and personal touches from the former president and first lady. With state‑of‑the‑art exhibits, a life‑size Oval Office replica, and community spaces, the campus seeks to inspire visitors to consider what change they can bring to their own neighborhoods.","image":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6b/Obama_Presidential_Center.jpg","text":"<p style='font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;margin-bottom:12px;'>&nbsp;On June 17th, the Obama Presidential Center, a sprawling campus on Chicago’s South Side, opened its doors for a grand dedication. Built at a cost of $850 million, it includes a glass‑paneled basketball court, a public library branch, a picnic area with grills and a life‑size replica of the Oval Office that allows visitors to sit behind the Resolute Desk.</p>\n\n<p style='font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;margin-bottom:12px;'>&nbsp;What makes this museum unique is that it is a fully digital experience. Instead of thousands of paper documents, visitors navigate interactive displays and audio‑visual tables that highlight key moments of Obama’s two‑term presidency, the Affordable Care Act, immigration policy and intimate personal anecdotes such as his impromptu performance of “Amazing Grace.” The museum’s design was informed by data‑driven research, using quantum‑sized analytics to determine which exhibits evoke the strongest emotional responses in diverse audiences.</p>\n\n<h2 style='font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:18px;font-weight:bold;margin-top:20px;margin-bottom:12px;'>&nbsp;A Campus Built on Community</h2>\n\n<p style='font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;margin-bottom:12px;'>&nbsp;The grounds are intentionally open‑sided, allowing anyone to wander into the library, picnic groves and the “John Lewis Plaza.” The plaza, named after the late civil‑rights leader, serves as a gathering spot for community events. The library branch houses a 70‑foot mural featuring literary icons and a reading room stocked with books selected by the Obamas, including works on civil‑rights history and contemporary fiction.</p>\n\n<p style='font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;margin-bottom:12px;'>&nbsp;Visitors can touch swatches of Michelle’s famed ceremonial gowns, including a black‑red Narciso Rodriguez dress worn on Election Night and a rose‑gold chainmail Atelier Versace gown. And because the Dana family has always prized inclusivity, the museum’s ticket price is $30 for access to the four floors of the museum tower—while the rest of the campus, including the top of the tower with panoramic views, remains free.</p>\n\n<h2 style='font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:18px;font-weight:bold;margin-top:20px;margin-bottom:12px;'>&nbsp;Technology That Brings the Past to Life</h2>\n\n<p style='font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;margin-bottom:12px;'>&nbsp;At the core of the museum’s experience is a quantum‑accelerated recommendation engine that curates personalized show routes for each visitor. From campaign memorabilia to personal artifacts, the system matches interests and demographics in real time, ensuring that each tour resonates with the individual. The engine also manages the real‑time analytics that track visitor flow and heat‑maps, helping curators adjust displays for maximum engagement.</p>\n\n<h2 style='font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:18px;font-weight:bold;margin-top:20px;margin-bottom:12px;'>&nbsp;Future Visions</h2>\n\n<p style='font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;margin-bottom:12px;'>&nbsp;Vice President Josh Harris and Museum Director Louise Bernard emphasize that this site is more than a relic; it is a call to action. “From a young organizer on the South Side to a global movement, this campus invites anyone to bring change home,” Harris says. “We’re passing the baton, and this digital museum makes that hand‑off accessible to all.”</p>

Trump Administration Still Separating Families After Years of Lawsuits

Family Reunited Amid Ongoing Separation at US‑Mexico Border

Senate Removes $1 Billion for Trump’s New White House Ballroom

Minnesota Protesters: Federal Case Rules Out State Charges","description":"After a high‑profile protest at a Minneapolis church, federal civil‑rights accusations supersede state law concerns, officials say.","summary":"A federal civil‑rights case brought against a dozen anti‑immigration activists following a January protest at Cities Church in St. Paul no longer triggers state charges. City Attorney Irene Kao explained that evidence could not meet Minnesota’s higher standard of proof, sparking criticism from the church, while the US Department of Justice remains focused on civil‑rights violations tied to the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation.","image":"https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/8480605/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3000x2000+0+0/resize/599x399!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fb4%2Fd4%2F7dd7d197e4a4c042a8f8dbe7e115%2F597639ebede64199a79ad8dc86ee86bf","text":"<p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height:1.6;\">On Wednesday, St. Paul City Attorney Irene Kao announced that the dozen anti‑immigration activists who disrupted a Minnesota church service in January will not face additional state criminal charges. The decision was made after the DOJ’s investigation shifted the focus to federal civil‑rights allegations, leaving state statutes untouched.</p>\n<p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height:1.6;\">“Current evidence is insufficient to meet that standard for criminal charges under Minnesota state statutes,” Kao said. Her statement was meant to reassure the public that the city is not endorsing unlawful conduct, while emphasizing that peaceful protest and free religious practice remain protected.</p>\n<p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height:1.6;\">The protesters, many of whom were connected to former CNN journalist <a href=\"https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-ice-doj-church-protest-st-paul-46dac5c5595ec78e3360ec927eef92d2\" style=\"color:#0066CC; text-decoration:none;\">Don Lemon</a>, had learned that one of the church pastors was an ICE official overseeing a heavy enforcement operation in the state.</p>\n<p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height:1.6;\">Federal prosecutors brought civil‑rights charges against 39 people—including Lemon—a month after a livestream captured “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good” chants echoing through the worship space. Goodman’s story is grim: her 37‑year‑old body was felled in Minneapolis by an ICE agent amid an unprecedented surge in immigration enforcement.</p>\n<p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height:1.6;\">PA 211.—Cities Church’s lead pastor, Jonathan Parnell, criticized the city attorney’s reasoning, stating that “calling it a protest only because no windows were broken or drills were destroyed misrepresents the situation.” He pointed out that four other states—Idaho, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Kansas—have already outlawed worship‑service disruptions.</p>\n<p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height:1.6;\">While the city claims no violence or property damage occurred, the plaintiffs maintain that the violation of the law is independent of how property was treated. They argue that the lack of property damage does not alleviate the legal breach of protest time and target.</p>\n<p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height:1.6;\"><b>Key facts</b>— The protests took place at Cities Church on January 18, a date that coincides with the release of a video in which the activists chanted anti‑ICE slogans. The protests were captured by the church’s livestream channel. Ducking under the law, the city weighed the evidence against the state’s stringent standard, which insists on clear proof that a protester caused a direct threat or property damage.</p>\n<p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height:1.6;\">The DOJ’s role centers on civil‑rights violations. They argue that the protests, “aligned with an aggressive immigration crackdown,” subverted the rights of worshippers. It is the reason why federal prosecutors chose a civil‑rights avenue over criminal specificities, emphasising the national scope of the ICE crackdown while highlighting the local context.</p>\n<p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height:1.6;\">In light of this, the city’s decision is a rare case where the federal justice system effectively shields local law‑enforcementers from local prosecutions as the focus shifts to broader civil‑rights concerns. However, community members grapple with the split between civil‑rights accountability and react to the church’s call for local legal action.</p>\n<p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height:1.6;\">The debate opens up questions about how federal and state responsibilities intersect—especially in cases where protest tactics conflict with both civil‑rights parameters and local statutes. Whether the federal civil‑rights charges will powerfully influence Minnesota’s policy on protest conduct remains to be seen.</p>

Electric Car Adoption Rises in India as Fuel Costs Surge, Yet Challenges Persist

Virginia Bus Crash Sparks Safety Debate","description":"A deadly crash involving a commercial bus has raised questions about driver conduct, company oversight and industry-wide safety standards.","summary":"Virginia bus crash that killed five and injured dozens has exposed gaps in commercial driver safety, highlighting issues of fatigue, company policies and regulatory oversight.","image":"","text":"<p>A commercial bus crash in Virginia that killed five people and injured dozens of others has raised questions about the driver, the company that employed him and the overall safety of the industry.</p>\n<p>It’s not yet clear what could have prevented last week’s crash because the National Transportation Safety Board investigation is just beginning. Still, it highlights the inherent dangers whenever a bus or semitruck crashes into other vehicles — even if riding a bus is much safer statistically than driving a car.</p>\n<p>While collision-avoidance technology and emergency braking systems are standard on many new cars, commercial buses still lack them — even in the face of longtime NTSB recommendations and proposed regulations to require them.</p>\n<p>Observers say the circumstances of the crash that happened early Friday also raise questions about driver fatigue. Court records, meanwhile, show that the E&amp;P Travel Inc. bus driver, who now faces manslaughter charges, was previously ticketed for excessive speeding, along with other drivers for the same company.</p>\n<p>While those tickets might not have been enough to automatically revoke the man’s commercial driver’s license, industry experts say even one similar violation would normally get a driver fired.</p>\n<p>\"The fact that there was one conviction and another citation and this driver is still on the road goes against industry norms and best practices in a pretty significant way,\" said Fred Ferguson, who leads the American Bus Association trade group.</p>\n<p>That NTSB crash investigators also have no power to enforce their recommendations factors into why so many have gone unfulfilled for years, as the industry and regulators often focus on the potential costs involved.</p>\n<p>\"Everybody walks a walk in talking safety at the industry level, at the congressional level. And then at the end of the day, it’s the same old excuses,\" said Jim Hall, who was chairman of the NTSB during the 1990s. \"And if it costs money, there’s going to be a strong resistance.\"</p>\n<h2>A history of speeding</h2>\n<p>Federal rules say that a driver who is convicted twice within three years for driving more than 15 mph over the limit should be disqualified for 60 days.</p>\n<p>The bus driver in last week’s crash, Jing Sheng Dong, of New York City, was previously convicted of driving 73 mph in a 55 mph zone in Virginia in 2024, and received a second ticket in March in Annapolis, Maryland, that accused him of driving a motorcoach 72 mph in a 50 mph zone. The 48‑year‑old is now facing five charges of involuntary manslaughter and one count of reckless driving.</p>\n<p>But Ned Einstein, an expert witness in some 700 transportation lawsuits, said he doubts the criminal charges filed after the crash will be effective at making roads safer because Dong didn’t create the conditions that likely contributed to it.</p>\n<p>\"They never hit the heart of the problem and never go after the person who’s responsible, and the person that’s responsible for these things is the person that runs the company,\" Einstein said, explaining that drivers have to take the shifts they are given while company owners set the schedules and run the businesses.</p>\n<p>Friday’s crash also happened around 2:30 a.m. ET — roughly five hours into a trip from New York to North Carolina. That makes former state trooper Jeremy Disbrow, who helps train law enforcement with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, wonder whether fatigue may have been a factor.</p>\n<p>Bus drivers are prohibited under federal law from driving more than 10 hours or working more than 15 hours without taking at least eight hours off to rest. Electronic logs have helped better enforce those rules than paper logbooks, although there have been instances where the former have been tampered with.</p>\n<p>Records show that another E&amp;P Travel driver was involved in a similar crash in North Carolina in 2024 that injured nine people after the bus failed to slow down for a traffic control vehicle that was performing a moving lane closure. The bus hit that vehicle, and a third vehicle rear‑ended the bus. The bus driver, Pei Jie Lu, later pleaded guilty to failure to reduce speed. That crash occurred three months after Lu was ticketed in Maryland for negligent driving and changing lanes unsafely, according to court records. He pleaded guilty in that case in September 2024.</p>\n<p>Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has said federal investigators are looking into Dong’s background as well as the company that hired him and the school that trained him. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is also trying to confirm that New York followed the rules when it awarded Dong a commercial driver’s license. Duffy has worked to strengthen and enforce standards for CDL holders, but that effort has focused on truck drivers.</p>\n<h2>A long list of unfulfilled recommendations</h2>\n<p>Even when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration agrees that something is a good idea, like automatic braking, it often takes years to finalize a rule requiring it. Commercial buses, for example, have only been required to have seat belts since 2016.</p>\n<p>Numerous NTSB recommendations for buses and other commercial vehicles have never been adopted, including stricter standards to reduce driver fatigue and ensure drivers get enough rest between trips. A rule to require collision-avoidance technology in commercial buses and trucks was proposed in 2023, but it remains pending.</p>\n<p>Ultimately, it falls to regulators, Congress and the industry to adopt them. Unlike regulators who must conduct a cost‑benefit analysis, the NTSB isn’t required to consider how practical its recommendations are. It simply urges safety improvements to prevent future tragedies.</p>\n<p>The Transportation Department didn’t immediately respond this week to questions about why so many recommendations go unfulfilled.</p>\n<h2>Many bus companies do invest in safety</h2>\n<p>The American Bus Association trade group works to promote safety measures and Ferguson said driver‑monitoring technology, such as inward‑facing video cameras and advanced telematics systems similar to those used by major auto insurers, has become common. Some of those systems can even send alerts about driver behavior to a bus company.</p>\n<p>Ferguson also said some companies have installed collision‑avoidance technology on their buses because the difference between catastrophic accidents and not having catastrophic accidents is you keeping your company.</p>\n<p>But cost is a factor — a new motorcoach previously cost roughly $650,000, and the industry is now dealing with the impact of 10% tariffs. Ferguson said newer buses have the most safety features, but increasing costs will slow upgrades.</p>\n<p>\"Operating safely not only is morally and ethically what they believe in, but it’s good business,\" said Ferguson, whose group represents about 40% of the 1,800 companies that operate about 50,000 motorcoaches across the United States and Canada.</p>\n<p>___</p>\n<p>Ramer reported from Concord, New Hampshire. Associated Press writer Allen G. Breed contributed from Wake Forest, North Carolina.</p>