US & World News

U.S. citizens and legal residents sue over aggressive immigration raid at Idaho horse racing track

Three Idaho families are suing over an immigration raid at a horse racing track last year. They claim state and federal law enforcement used unconstitutional tactics, detaining people because they appeared to be Latino and keeping them in zip ties for hours. The raid involved 200 officers and targeted a family-friendly event popular with the Latino community. The October raid came as part of an FBI-led investigation into allegations of illegal gambling, but only five people at the event were arrested in connection with the gambling investigation. More than 100 others were arrested on suspicion of immigration violations. The families, all U.S. citizens or lawful residents, are seeking class-action status and damages.

Take a ride across frozen sea on Estonia's ice road

Temperatures in northern Europe have been so low that Estonians can now drive across a 12 1/2-mile stretch of frozen sea. This “ice road” connects the islands of Saaremaa and Hiiumaa. It officially opened Sunday after locals began driving across the frozen sea, risking their safety. Ferries struggled to maintain service due to weeks of temperatures dropping to minus 10 degrees Celsius, or 14 Fahrenheit. The road is a marked corridor where specialists ensure the ice is thick enough for cars. Vehicles must follow strict rules to prevent damaging the ice. Authorities plan to open more ice routes this week.

Gov. Tim Walz says federal immigration crackdown in Minnesota could end within days

Gov. Tim Walz says the federal immigration crackdown in Minnesota could end soon. He spoke with top Trump administration officials, including border czar Tom Homan and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles. Walz said Tuesday that he anticipates hearing more from the administration soon about the operation's future. Walz emphasized a "trust but verify" approach, as the situation could change. Walz also hopes for cooperation on joint investigations into the shooting deaths of two Minnesotans by federal officers. The crackdown has impacted local businesses, with employees and customers staying away out of fear.

Trump administration plans to hold back grant money for some Democratic-led states

President Donald Trump’s administration plans to withhold public health and transportation funds from several Democratic-led states. The administration cites concerns over fraud and mismanagement but hasn't provided evidence. The targeted states include California, Colorado, Illinois, and Minnesota. An official confirmed the cuts would affect over $1.5 billion in grants. Programs impacted include electric vehicle chargers and health research projects. The governors of the affected states say they haven't been notified. Courts have previously blocked similar funding restrictions by the administration. The targeted states have Democratic governors and have faced federal cuts before.

FBI search of Georgia offices tied to probe of possible 2020 election 'defects,' affidavit says

An FBI search of the elections hub in Fulton County, Georgia, is part of an investigation into possible “deficiencies or defects” in the vote count in the 2020 contest lost by President Donald Trump, according to an affidavit unsealed Tuesday. The allegations outlined in the affidavit are largely based on claims that have long been made by people who assert that there was fraud in the 2020 election. Audits, state officials, courts and Trump’s own former attorney general have rejected the idea that there was widespread fraud in the 2020 election that could have altered the outcome.

Malinowski concedes to Mejia in Democratic US House special primary in New Jersey

Former congressman Tom Malinowski has conceded to Analilia Mejia in New Jersey’s Democratic primary for the U.S. House special election. Mejia, a progressive activist and former political director for Bernie Sanders, overtook Malinowski by a narrow margin on election night. The Associated Press has not yet called the race. Mejia had endorsements from Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. She previously served as deputy director of the Labor Department’s Women’s Bureau under President Joe Biden. Mejia would face Republican Joe Hathaway in the special general election on April 16. The district covers parts of Essex, Morris, and Passaic counties.

New Christian artists push genre boundaries with rap, Afrobeats and R&B

A new wave of Christian artists from various backgrounds is drawing young audiences to faith-based rap, Afrobeats and R&B. They are making music that hasn't traditionally been represented in many Christian spaces, which makes it challenging for them to break into the mainstream. However, social media algorithms have helped them reach wider audiences and bigger labels are catching on. Christian rap has been growing for over a decade, but its newer subgenres and counterparts have grown since the COVID-19 pandemic. The artists say their songs help people connect with God when traditional worship and gospel songs don't resonate.

U.S.-Canada bridge brouhaha deepens as White House says Trump could amend a permit for the project

The White House says President Donald Trump has the right to amend a permit for a new bridge between Canada and Michigan. The Gordie Howe International Bridge, connecting Ontario and Michigan, is set to open in 2026. But Trump has threatened to block it, demanding unspecified concessions as the two countries prepare to renegotiate a trade pact. The White House says all international infrastructure permits require a presidential permit, and that Trump would be within his right to change its parameters. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has expressed confidence the issue will be resolved. The bridge, under construction since 2018, is a joint project between Canada and Michigan.

King Charles III seeks 'moral high ground' with pledge to help police as Epstein scandal deepens

In an earlier era, Britain’s royal family might have tried to bury the scandal surrounding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. Not during the reign of King Charles III. Since October, the king has stripped his younger brother of the right to be called prince, forced him to move out of the royal estate he occupied for more than 20 years and issued a public statement supporting the women and girls abused by Epstein. Then came Monday’s unprecedented announcement that Buckingham Palace was ready to cooperate in the event of a police inquiry into Mountbatten-Windsor’s links to Epstein.

Governors won't hold Trump meeting after White House only invited Republicans

The National Governors Association is not going to hold a formal meeting with President Donald Trump. This decision comes after the White House planned to invite only Republican governors to the event. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, a Republican, shared this in a letter to fellow governors on Monday. The NGA's mission is to represent all 55 governors, so the association will no longer facilitate the event. The NGA is scheduled to meet in Washington from February 19th to 21st. Representatives for Stitt, the White House, and the NGA didn't immediately comment on the letter.

Small plane makes an emergency landing on a busy Georgia road and strikes 3 vehicles

Authorities say a single-engine plane made an emergency landing on a busy road in Georgia, striking three vehicles and leaving two people with minor injuries. Before the landing, one of the two pilots on board told air traffic controllers to let his wife and parents know that he loved them. The Federal Aviation Administration and police say the Hawker Beechcraft Bonanza landed Monday in Gainesville, Georgia, northeast of Atlanta, due to reported engine issues. Police say the plane struck three cars, dislodging a fuel tank into one of them, and two people were taken to a hospital with minor injuries. Pilot Thomas Rogers told WAGA-TV they lost their engine while taking off.

Paramount sweetens offer to Warner Bros shareholders in hostile takeover fight

Paramount is intensifying its efforts to take over Warner Bros. Discovery. On Tuesday, the company offered Warner shareholders an added “ticking fee” if the deal doesn't close by year-end. Paramount also pledged to fund Warner's proposed $2.8 billion breakup payout to Netflix under their merger agreement. Paramount's offer otherwise remains at the same price of $30 per share in cash. Paramount aims to buy Warner for $77.9 billion but needs more shareholder support — and is again extending the deadline for its tender offer, which is now March 2. Meanwhile, Warner's leadership has continued to back its $72 billion studio and streaming deal with Netflix. Both deals face tremendous antitrust scrutiny.

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