JERUSALEM - U.S. military crews conducted another air drop of humanitarian assistance into Northern Gaza on Friday to provide essential relief to civilians affected by the ongoing conflict, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command. However not all the bundles are reaching those in need.&nbsp;

During the Friday mission, approximately 26 bundles landed in the sea. U.S. Central Command does not assess civilian harm or damage to infrastructure at this time but continues to monitor the situation.

The U.S. military confirmed March 9, that humanitarian airdrops into the Gaza Strip carried out by other countries into the Gaza Strip killed civilians. Officials did not identify the countries involved.

“We are aware of reports of civilians killed as a result of humanitarian airdrops,” the statement read. “We express sympathies to the families of those who were killed. Contrary to some reports, this was not the result of U.S. airdrops.”

The joint operation Friday included two C-17 U.S. Air Force aircraft, and U.S. Army Soldiers specialized in aerial delivery of U.S humanitarian assistance supplies.&nbsp;

U.S. C-17s dropped over 46,000 U.S. meal equivalents into Northern Gaza, an area of great need, allowing for civilian access to the critical aid.&nbsp;It was the third air drop in the past seven days.

The U.S. Department of Defense humanitarian airdrops contribute to ongoing U.S. and partner-nation government efforts to alleviate human suffering. These airdrops are part of a sustained effort, and we continue to plan follow-on aerial deliveries.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711804894408.png" alt="Photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>Photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>JERUSALEM - U.S. military crews conducted another air drop of humanitarian assistance into Northern Gaza on Friday to provide essential relief to civilians affected by the ongoing conflict, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command. However not all the bundles are reaching those in need.&nbsp;During the Friday mission, approximately 26 bundles landed in the sea. U.S. Central Command does not assess civilian harm or damage to infrastructure at this time but continues to monitor the situation.The U.S. military confirmed March 9, that humanitarian airdrops into the Gaza Strip carried out by other countries into the Gaza Strip killed civilians. Officials did not identify the countries involved.“We are aware of reports of civilians killed as a result of humanitarian airdrops,” the statement read. “We express sympathies to the families of those who were killed. Contrary to some reports, this was not the result of U.S. airdrops.”The joint operation Friday included two C-17 U.S. Air Force aircraft, and U.S. Army Soldiers specialized in aerial delivery of U.S humanitarian assistance supplies.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711805183312.png" alt="File photo from the airdrop on March 21-U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>File photo from the airdrop on March 21-U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>U.S. C-17s dropped over 46,000 U.S. meal equivalents into Northern Gaza, an area of great need, allowing for civilian access to the critical aid.&nbsp;It was the third air drop in the past seven days.The U.S. Department of Defense humanitarian airdrops contribute to ongoing U.S. and partner-nation government efforts to alleviate human suffering. These airdrops are part of a sustained effort, and we continue to plan follow-on aerial deliveries.

Not all U.S airdrops of food, supplies into Gaza reaching those in need

WASHINGTON (AP) — The IRS is warning taxpayers that they may be leaving more than $1 billion on the table.

The federal tax collector said Monday that roughly 940,000 people in the U.S. have until May 17 to submit tax returns for unclaimed refunds for tax year 2020, which total more than $1 billion nationwide.

The average median refund is $932 for 2020. Texas (93,400), California (88,200), Florida (53,200) and New York (51,400) have the largest amount of people potentially eligible for these refunds.

IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said in a statement: "We want taxpayers to claim these refunds, but time is running out for people who may have overlooked or forgotten about these refunds. There’s a May 17 deadline to file these returns so taxpayers should start soon to make sure they don’t miss out.”

For people who need to file a return, the IRS advises taxpayers to request their W-2, 1098, 1099 or 5498 from their employer or bank — or order a free wage and income transcript using the “Get Transcript Online” tool at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/">IRS.gov</a>.

Taxpayers typically have three years to file and claim tax refunds, otherwise the money becomes the property of the U.S. Treasury.

Generally the deadline to claim old refunds falls around the April 15 tax deadline, but this year the three-year window for 2020 unfiled returns was postponed to May 17, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But if taxpayers haven't filed a return for tax year 2021 and 2022, any 2020 refunds would be withheld until they file for those years as well to make sure they don't owe.

Werfel said "some people may not realize they may be owed a refund. We encourage people to review their files and start gathering records now, so they don’t run the risk of missing the May deadline.”

Tax season officially&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/irs-tax-season-treasury-filing-7b318296e34315a4dd584dc2b221bc54">began on January 29</a>.

According to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/filing-season-statistics-for-week-ending-march-15-2024">latest tax season statistics</a>, more than 71.5 million individual tax filings have been submitted to the IRS this season.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The IRS is warning taxpayers that they may be leaving more than $1 billion on the table.The federal tax collector said Monday that roughly 940,000 people in the U.S. have until May 17 to submit tax returns for unclaimed refunds for tax year 2020, which total more than $1 billion nationwide.The average median refund is $932 for 2020. Texas (93,400), California (88,200), Florida (53,200) and New York (51,400) have the largest amount of people potentially eligible for these refunds.IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said in a statement: "We want taxpayers to claim these refunds, but time is running out for people who may have overlooked or forgotten about these refunds. There’s a May 17 deadline to file these returns so taxpayers should start soon to make sure they don’t miss out.”For people who need to file a return, the IRS advises taxpayers to request their W-2, 1098, 1099 or 5498 from their employer or bank — or order a free wage and income transcript using the “Get Transcript Online” tool at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/">IRS.gov</a>.Taxpayers typically have three years to file and claim tax refunds, otherwise the money becomes the property of the U.S. Treasury.Generally the deadline to claim old refunds falls around the April 15 tax deadline, but this year the three-year window for 2020 unfiled returns was postponed to May 17, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But if taxpayers haven't filed a return for tax year 2021 and 2022, any 2020 refunds would be withheld until they file for those years as well to make sure they don't owe.Werfel said "some people may not realize they may be owed a refund. We encourage people to review their files and start gathering records now, so they don’t run the risk of missing the May deadline.”Tax season officially&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/irs-tax-season-treasury-filing-7b318296e34315a4dd584dc2b221bc54">began on January 29</a>.According to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/filing-season-statistics-for-week-ending-march-15-2024">latest tax season statistics</a>, more than 71.5 million individual tax filings have been submitted to the IRS this season.

IRS has 940,000 unclaimed tax refunds about to expire

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/03/28/new-kids-count-report-focuses-on-child-care-crisis-in-nebraska/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

OMAHA — Something stood out to Voices for Children in Nebraska while diving into the latest trends related to the well-being of youths. They call it the “child care crisis.”

In its&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://voicesforchildren.com/data-research/kids-count/">annual Kids Count</a>&nbsp;report, released Thursday, the group that for 37 years has been advocating for the youngest Huskers examined data for areas pertaining to health, economic stability, education and juvenile justice.

After doing so, leaders chose to highlight the rising cost and challenge of finding child care and the effect that has on workforce woes.

Saying there is “no one silver bullet,” the team also offered recommendations that include state tax credits and grants to help open child care operations in areas of greatest need.

“This is a nuanced policy conversation that impacts not only family budgets, but the very fabric of our society,” said the research team led by executive director Juliet Summers and research coordinator Josh Shirk.

The report notes a 17% decline in the number of licensed child care facilities statewide from 2020 to 2022.

When looking at Nebraska’s current conditions for children and families, “a harsher reality was uncovered,” the 31st annual Kids Count report said.

That reality, the group said, is one of disparity and lack of equitable chance of success and opportunity for racial and ethnic minority groups.

The group has created an “Index of Race &amp; Opportunity for Nebraska Children,” which offers an overall score for each racial and ethnic group as well as a score for more specific areas.

Black youths scored the lowest, 20 out of a possible 100, followed by American Indians, 24; Hispanics, 59; multiracial youths, 64; Asian Pacific Islanders, 73; Whites, 94.

Factors driving the lower scores include median family income and share living in low poverty areas.&nbsp;

As of 2022, the last year of available data, nine of the state’s 93 counties had zero licensed child care facilities, and 23 counties failed to meet the licensed child care needs for at least half their young children.

In its&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://voicesforchildren.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/KC2023_FullDocument_FINAL.pdf">83-page report,</a>&nbsp;Voices for Children cited a meeting in central Nebraska where staff members fielded fears from participants that their towns would not survive unless they gained better access to child care.

Even when care was available, the group said, the expense strained budgets. The report contained research showing: The average annual price of center-based child care for one infant in 2021 was $11,068, which absorbed 10% of the median income of a married Nebraska couple and 33% of a single mother’s income.

To punctuate that cost, the group pointed out how a year of center-based child care could surpass a year’s worth of tuition and fees at public universities in Nebraska.&nbsp;

“A full year of tuition and fees (this year) at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln was cheaper than sending an infant to center-based care in 2021,” the report said, offering a price comparison chart.

Shirk said that while all areas of child well-being were affected by COVID-19 shutdowns, the early child care and education system took a particularly tough hit and hasn’t fully recovered.&nbsp;

He said there was a 30% turnover rate among Nebraska’s child care workers from 2022 to 2023.

“This is one of the lowest paying jobs in Nebraska, yet a very high stress job,” he said.

To get child care on track will take investments and policy improvements, he said.

The report notes progress in recent years. In 2023, for example, Nebraska passed the Child Care Tax Credit Act, which offers families a refundable credit of up to $2,000 per child enrolled in care. Tiered according to household income, the credit is offered to parents or caregivers with household incomes up to $150,000 and is capped at $15 million statewide per fiscal year.

Stable care at a young age sets kids up for success, the researchers said. In a well-oiled system, parents would be able to access care at an affordable price, providers could operate businesses and child care employees would receive pay enabling them to support their own families.

“Unfortunately, Nebraska’s early child care and education system is falling short on all these standards,” the report said.

It said that nationally, the number of employed persons who missed work due to child care problems doubled in 202o and remained “well above” pre-pandemic levels as of 2022.

“If parents can not find affordable care, then labor participation becomes harder for them to justify,” the report said.

Among recommendations for state policy-makers:

The research for the Kids Count report is funded in part by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and numerous local foundations and entities.

Voices for Children describes itself as an independent, nonpartisan advocate for youth that is not funded by state, federal city or county dollars, “which allows us to speak loud and clear” when shining light on needs of children.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711728770058.jpeg" alt=" Members of Congress unveiled a bipartisan plan on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024 that would again expand the child tax credit for families as well as provide business incentives. Shown are children at the Downtown Children’s Center in St. Louis. (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent)" />
 <figcaption> Members of Congress unveiled a bipartisan plan on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024 that would again expand the child tax credit for families as well as provide business incentives. Shown are children at the Downtown Children’s Center in St. Louis. (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent)</figcaption>
 </figure>Cindy Gonzalez<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/03/28/new-kids-count-report-focuses-on-child-care-crisis-in-nebraska/">Nebraska Examiner</a>OMAHA — Something stood out to Voices for Children in Nebraska while diving into the latest trends related to the well-being of youths. They call it the “child care crisis.”In its&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://voicesforchildren.com/data-research/kids-count/">annual Kids Count</a>&nbsp;report, released Thursday, the group that for 37 years has been advocating for the youngest Huskers examined data for areas pertaining to health, economic stability, education and juvenile justice.After doing so, leaders chose to highlight the rising cost and challenge of finding child care and the effect that has on workforce woes.<h2>No silver bullet</h2>Saying there is “no one silver bullet,” the team also offered recommendations that include state tax credits and grants to help open child care operations in areas of greatest need.“This is a nuanced policy conversation that impacts not only family budgets, but the very fabric of our society,” said the research team led by executive director Juliet Summers and research coordinator Josh Shirk.The report notes a 17% decline in the number of licensed child care facilities statewide from 2020 to 2022.<h2>‘Harsher reality’</h2>When looking at Nebraska’s current conditions for children and families, “a harsher reality was uncovered,” the 31st annual Kids Count report said.That reality, the group said, is one of disparity and lack of equitable chance of success and opportunity for racial and ethnic minority groups.The group has created an “Index of Race &amp; Opportunity for Nebraska Children,” which offers an overall score for each racial and ethnic group as well as a score for more specific areas.Black youths scored the lowest, 20 out of a possible 100, followed by American Indians, 24; Hispanics, 59; multiracial youths, 64; Asian Pacific Islanders, 73; Whites, 94.Factors driving the lower scores include median family income and share living in low poverty areas.&nbsp;As of 2022, the last year of available data, nine of the state’s 93 counties had zero licensed child care facilities, and 23 counties failed to meet the licensed child care needs for at least half their young children.<h2>Child care surpasses college tuition</h2>In its&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://voicesforchildren.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/KC2023_FullDocument_FINAL.pdf">83-page report,</a>&nbsp;Voices for Children cited a meeting in central Nebraska where staff members fielded fears from participants that their towns would not survive unless they gained better access to child care.Even when care was available, the group said, the expense strained budgets. The report contained research showing: The average annual price of center-based child care for one infant in 2021 was $11,068, which absorbed 10% of the median income of a married Nebraska couple and 33% of a single mother’s income.To punctuate that cost, the group pointed out how a year of center-based child care could surpass a year’s worth of tuition and fees at public universities in Nebraska.&nbsp;“A full year of tuition and fees (this year) at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln was cheaper than sending an infant to center-based care in 2021,” the report said, offering a price comparison chart.<h2>Pandemic woes linger</h2>Shirk said that while all areas of child well-being were affected by COVID-19 shutdowns, the early child care and education system took a particularly tough hit and hasn’t fully recovered.&nbsp;He said there was a 30% turnover rate among Nebraska’s child care workers from 2022 to 2023.“This is one of the lowest paying jobs in Nebraska, yet a very high stress job,” he said.To get child care on track will take investments and policy improvements, he said.The report notes progress in recent years. In 2023, for example, Nebraska passed the Child Care Tax Credit Act, which offers families a refundable credit of up to $2,000 per child enrolled in care. Tiered according to household income, the credit is offered to parents or caregivers with household incomes up to $150,000 and is capped at $15 million statewide per fiscal year.<h2>‘Falling short’</h2>Stable care at a young age sets kids up for success, the researchers said. In a well-oiled system, parents would be able to access care at an affordable price, providers could operate businesses and child care employees would receive pay enabling them to support their own families.“Unfortunately, Nebraska’s early child care and education system is falling short on all these standards,” the report said.It said that nationally, the number of employed persons who missed work due to child care problems doubled in 202o and remained “well above” pre-pandemic levels as of 2022.“If parents can not find affordable care, then labor participation becomes harder for them to justify,” the report said.<h2>Recommendations</h2>Among recommendations for state policy-makers:<ul>
 <li>Promote incentives for providers to start child care operations in “child care deserts.”</li><li>Ensure that subsidy payments reflect providers’ true costs of operation. That includes updating the public subsidy program to pay providers based on enrollment rather than daily attendance.</li><li>&nbsp;Keep or increase current gross income eligibility for the state child care subsidy. Currently, the subsidy is available for families with household incomes of up to 185% of the federal poverty level. That eligibility level is set to sunset in 2026, and Voices for Children recommends eliminating that sunset date so that eligibility won’t return to 130% of the federal poverty level.</li>
 </ul>The research for the Kids Count report is funded in part by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and numerous local foundations and entities.Voices for Children describes itself as an independent, nonpartisan advocate for youth that is not funded by state, federal city or county dollars, “which allows us to speak loud and clear” when shining light on needs of children.

New Kids Count report focuses on child care ‘crisis’ in Nebraska

The Nebraska State Patrol Special Investigations Team has been activated to investigate a Chadron Police Department officer-involved shooting. The incident occurred this morning in Chadron.

Preliminary investigation shows that the Chadron Police Department contacted the driver of a stolen vehicle at the gas pump area of a business near the intersection of Highway 385 and Highway 20. During that interaction, an officer-involved shooting occurred.

The subject was transported to Chadron Community Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. The name of the deceased is being withheld at this time pending family notification.

The Chadron Police Department requested that the Nebraska State Patrol conduct the investigation. The investigation is in the early stages and remains ongoing.

By NSP&nbsp;The Nebraska State Patrol Special Investigations Team has been activated to investigate a Chadron Police Department officer-involved shooting. The incident occurred this morning in Chadron.Preliminary investigation shows that the Chadron Police Department contacted the driver of a stolen vehicle at the gas pump area of a business near the intersection of Highway 385 and Highway 20. During that interaction, an officer-involved shooting occurred.The subject was transported to Chadron Community Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. The name of the deceased is being withheld at this time pending family notification.The Chadron Police Department requested that the Nebraska State Patrol conduct the investigation. The investigation is in the early stages and remains ongoing.

NSP Investigating Chadron PD Officer-Involved Shooting

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis skipped the traditional Good Friday procession at Rome’s Colosseum to protect his health, the Vatican said, adding to concerns about his frail condition during a particularly busy liturgical period.

Francis had been expected to preside over the Way of the Cross procession, which re-enacts Christ’s Passion and crucifixion, and composed the meditations that are read aloud at each station. But just as the event was about to begin, the Vatican announced that Francis was following the event from his home at the Vatican.

“To conserve his health in view of the vigil tomorrow and Mass on Easter Sunday, Pope Francis will follow the Via Crucis at the Colosseum this evening from the Casa Santa Marta,” a statement from the Vatican press office said.

It was the first time he had skipped the traditional, evocative event in his 11-year papacy, and recalled the Good Friday that St. John Paul II famously watched from the Apostolic Palace just before he died in 2005.

The 87-year-old Francis, who had part of one lung removed as a young man, has been battling what he and the Vatican have described as a case of the flu, bronchitis or a cold all winter long. For the last several weeks he has occasionally&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-health-flu-gender-ideology-3b83706d19aa42b7998055f17f965927">asked an aide to read aloud</a>&nbsp;his speeches and skipped his Palm Sunday homily altogether.

The decision to not attend the Good Friday procession appeared to be very last-minute: Francis’ chair was in place on the platform where he was to preside over the rite. His closest aide, Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza, was on hand and moved the television screen around on the platform so Francis would have a better view of what was going on inside the Colosseum itself.

But at 9:10 p.m., five minutes before the official start of the procession, the Vatican press office announced on Telegram that he wouldn’t show up. The chair was quickly taken away.

The hasty announcement recalled Francis' last-minute decision on Palm Sunday, when the Vatican issued the pope's homily in advance to journalists, and his aide got up to give him his glasses to read it, when Francis made clear he was skipping it.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711361555231.png" alt="FILE photo Pope Francis celebrates the Palm Sunday mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, March 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)" />
 <figcaption>FILE photo Pope Francis celebrates the Palm Sunday mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, March 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)</figcaption>
 </figure>ROME (AP) — Pope Francis skipped the traditional Good Friday procession at Rome’s Colosseum to protect his health, the Vatican said, adding to concerns about his frail condition during a particularly busy liturgical period.Francis had been expected to preside over the Way of the Cross procession, which re-enacts Christ’s Passion and crucifixion, and composed the meditations that are read aloud at each station. But just as the event was about to begin, the Vatican announced that Francis was following the event from his home at the Vatican.“To conserve his health in view of the vigil tomorrow and Mass on Easter Sunday, Pope Francis will follow the Via Crucis at the Colosseum this evening from the Casa Santa Marta,” a statement from the Vatican press office said.It was the first time he had skipped the traditional, evocative event in his 11-year papacy, and recalled the Good Friday that St. John Paul II famously watched from the Apostolic Palace just before he died in 2005.The 87-year-old Francis, who had part of one lung removed as a young man, has been battling what he and the Vatican have described as a case of the flu, bronchitis or a cold all winter long. For the last several weeks he has occasionally&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-health-flu-gender-ideology-3b83706d19aa42b7998055f17f965927">asked an aide to read aloud</a>&nbsp;his speeches and skipped his Palm Sunday homily altogether.The decision to not attend the Good Friday procession appeared to be very last-minute: Francis’ chair was in place on the platform where he was to preside over the rite. His closest aide, Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza, was on hand and moved the television screen around on the platform so Francis would have a better view of what was going on inside the Colosseum itself.But at 9:10 p.m., five minutes before the official start of the procession, the Vatican press office announced on Telegram that he wouldn’t show up. The chair was quickly taken away.The hasty announcement recalled Francis' last-minute decision on Palm Sunday, when the Vatican issued the pope's homily in advance to journalists, and his aide got up to give him his glasses to read it, when Francis made clear he was skipping it.

Vatican: Pope skips Good Friday event ahead of Easter

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>&nbsp;

WASHINGTON — U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson announced Thursday that two articles of impeachment against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas will be sent to the U.S. Senate in early April when senators return from recess.

“We call upon you to fulfill your constitutional obligation to hold this trial,” Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, wrote in a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.speaker.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Schumer-Letter-from-Impeachment-Managers.pdf">letter</a>&nbsp;to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat.

“The American people demand a secure border, an end to this crisis, and accountability for those responsible,” said Johnson. “To table articles of impeachment without ever hearing a single argument or reviewing a piece of evidence would be a violation of our constitutional order and an affront to the American people whom we all serve.”

With Democrats holding a slim majority in the Senate, it’s unlikely Mayorkas will be removed from office. But the push for a trial is a mark of House Republicans’ escalation of their opposition to the White House’s immigration policy. The topic has also taken center stage in the 2024 presidential campaigns.

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/what-happens-next-impeachment-homeland-security-secretary-mayorkas">The process for a trial</a>&nbsp;in the Senate will kick-start when the House impeachment managers walk over the two articles of impeachment to the upper chamber on April 10.

“As we have said previously, after the House impeachment managers present the articles of impeachment to the Senate, Senators will be sworn in as jurors in the trial the next day,” Schumer’s office said in a statement.

Senate President Pro Tempore Sen. Patty Murray, a Washington state Democrat, will preside, Schumer’s office said.

According to the rules currently on the books, the Senate must act in some way when the articles of impeachment are presented.

For example, senators can follow the already established rules, vote to make new rules or even take a procedural step to dispose of the impeachment resolution.

The House impeachment managers are Republican Reps. Mark Green of Tennessee, Michael McCaul of Texas, Andy Biggs of Arizona, Ben Cline of Virginia, Andrew Garbarino of New York, Michael Guest of Mississippi, Harriet Hageman of Wyoming, Clay Higgins of Louisiana, Laurel Lee of Florida, August Pfluger of Texas and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia.

The White House has in the past condemned House Republicans’ efforts to impeach Mayorkas, calling it “shameless,” and an “unconstitutional stunt.”

“This political and unconstitutional exercise is also drawing broad condemnation by conservatives in the U.S. Senate, where the impeachment will now be sent and where Republican senators have sharply dismissed it as baseless and a waste of time,” the White House said in mid-February.

House Republicans, who hold a slim majority,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://northdakotamonitor.com/2024/02/13/u-s-house-republicans-impeach-homeland-security-chief-mayorkas-on-second-try/">impeached Mayorkas on their second try</a>, on the grounds that Mayorkas willfully ignored immigration law and lied to Congress about the status of border security.

Following Mayorkas’ impeachment on Feb. 13, Schumer called the efforts a “sham.”

“House Republicans failed to present any evidence of anything resembling an impeachable offense,” Schumer said on the Senate floor on Feb. 13.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690419772316.png" alt="File photo Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas testifies before the House Judiciary Committee.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>File photo Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas testifies before the House Judiciary Committee.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>&nbsp;WASHINGTON — U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson announced Thursday that two articles of impeachment against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas will be sent to the U.S. Senate in early April when senators return from recess.“We call upon you to fulfill your constitutional obligation to hold this trial,” Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, wrote in a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.speaker.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Schumer-Letter-from-Impeachment-Managers.pdf">letter</a>&nbsp;to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Sec. Mayorkas has played an active role in peddling Joe Biden’s deliberate destruction of America’s borders. I look forward to holding a full impeachment trial in the Senate. <a href="https://t.co/X469F9doFr">https://t.co/X469F9doFr</a>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1773747429101203853?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“The American people demand a secure border, an end to this crisis, and accountability for those responsible,” said Johnson. “To table articles of impeachment without ever hearing a single argument or reviewing a piece of evidence would be a violation of our constitutional order and an affront to the American people whom we all serve.”With Democrats holding a slim majority in the Senate, it’s unlikely Mayorkas will be removed from office. But the push for a trial is a mark of House Republicans’ escalation of their opposition to the White House’s immigration policy. The topic has also taken center stage in the 2024 presidential campaigns.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/what-happens-next-impeachment-homeland-security-secretary-mayorkas">The process for a trial</a>&nbsp;in the Senate will kick-start when the House impeachment managers walk over the two articles of impeachment to the upper chamber on April 10.“As we have said previously, after the House impeachment managers present the articles of impeachment to the Senate, Senators will be sworn in as jurors in the trial the next day,” Schumer’s office said in a statement.Senate President Pro Tempore Sen. Patty Murray, a Washington state Democrat, will preside, Schumer’s office said.According to the rules currently on the books, the Senate must act in some way when the articles of impeachment are presented.For example, senators can follow the already established rules, vote to make new rules or even take a procedural step to dispose of the impeachment resolution.The House impeachment managers are Republican Reps. Mark Green of Tennessee, Michael McCaul of Texas, Andy Biggs of Arizona, Ben Cline of Virginia, Andrew Garbarino of New York, Michael Guest of Mississippi, Harriet Hageman of Wyoming, Clay Higgins of Louisiana, Laurel Lee of Florida, August Pfluger of Texas and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia.The White House has in the past condemned House Republicans’ efforts to impeach Mayorkas, calling it “shameless,” and an “unconstitutional stunt.”“This political and unconstitutional exercise is also drawing broad condemnation by conservatives in the U.S. Senate, where the impeachment will now be sent and where Republican senators have sharply dismissed it as baseless and a waste of time,” the White House said in mid-February.House Republicans, who hold a slim majority,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://northdakotamonitor.com/2024/02/13/u-s-house-republicans-impeach-homeland-security-chief-mayorkas-on-second-try/">impeached Mayorkas on their second try</a>, on the grounds that Mayorkas willfully ignored immigration law and lied to Congress about the status of border security.Following Mayorkas’ impeachment on Feb. 13, Schumer called the efforts a “sham.”“House Republicans failed to present any evidence of anything resembling an impeachable offense,” Schumer said on the Senate floor on Feb. 13.

U.S. House Speaker sets date to deliver Mayorkas impeachment articles to Senate

LOS ANGELES (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/movies-arts-and-entertainment-52a0c3410b8e40f1983b1ee3198fb761">Louis Gossett Jr.,</a>&nbsp;the first Black man to win a supporting actor Oscar and an Emmy winner for his role in the seminal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2a591506822546aea66f4e9b7de3ef52">TV miniseries “Roots,”</a>&nbsp;has died. He was 87.

Gossett's first cousin Neal L. Gossett told The Associated Press that the actor died Thursday night in Santa Monica, California. No cause of death was revealed.

Gossett’s cousin remembered a man who walked with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nelson-mandela">Nelson Mandela</a>&nbsp;and who also was a great joke teller, a relative who faced and fought racism with dignity and humor.

“Never mind the awards, never mind the glitz and glamor, the Rolls-Royces and the big houses in Malibu. It’s about the humanity of the people that he stood for,” his cousin said.

Louis Gossett always thought of his early career as a reverse Cinderella story, with success finding him from an early age and propelling him forward, toward his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/academy-awards">Academy Award</a>&nbsp;for “An Officer and a Gentleman.”

He earned his first acting credit in his Brooklyn high school’s production of “You Can’t Take It with You” while he was sidelined from the basketball team with an injury.

“I was hooked — and so was my audience,” he wrote in his 2010 memoir “An Actor and a Gentleman.”

His English teacher urged him to go into Manhattan to try out for “Take a Giant Step.” He got the part and made his Broadway debut in 1953 at age 16.

“I knew too little to be nervous,” Gossett wrote. “In retrospect, I should have been scared to death as I walked onto that stage, but I wasn’t.”

Gossett attended New York University on a basketball and drama scholarship. He was soon acting and singing on TV shows hosted by David Susskind, Ed Sullivan, Red Buttons, Merv Griffin, Jack Paar and Steve Allen.

Gossett became friendly with James Dean and studied acting with Marilyn Monroe, Martin Landau and Steve McQueen at an offshoot of the Actors Studio taught by Frank Silvera.

In 1959, Gossett received critical acclaim for his role in the Broadway production of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sidney-poitier-bill-cosby-entertainment-movies-race-and-ethnicity-021dd55f8f818603514dc00d7421f875">“A Raisin in the Sun”</a>&nbsp;along with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sidney-poitier-dead-214e66b7e52909bdc64465e9ff4a1339">Sidney Poitier,</a><a href="https://apnews.com/movies-general-news-domestic-news-domestic-news-dbee7820e34b414db490c7843843904f">Ruby Dee</a>&nbsp;and Diana Sands.

He went on to become a star on Broadway, replacing Billy Daniels in “Golden Boy” with Sammy Davis Jr. in 1964.

Gossett went to Hollywood for the first time in 1961 to make the film version of “A Raisin in the Sun.” He had bitter memories of that trip, staying in a cockroach-infested motel that was one of the few places to allow Black people.

In 1968, he returned to Hollywood for a major role in “Companions in Nightmare,” NBC’s first made-for-TV movie that starred Melvyn Douglas, Anne Baxter and Patrick O’Neal.

This time, Gossett was booked into the Beverly Hills Hotel and Universal Studios had rented him a convertible. Driving back to the hotel after picking up the car, he was stopped by a Los Angeles County sheriff’s officer who ordered him to turn down the radio and put up the car’s roof before letting him go.

Within minutes, he was stopped by eight sheriff’s officers, who had him lean against the car and made him open the trunk while they called the car rental agency before letting him go.

“Though I understood that I had no choice but to put up with this abuse, it was a terrible way to be treated, a humiliating way to feel,” Gossett wrote in his memoir. “I realized this was happening because I was Black and had been showing off with a fancy car — which, in their view, I had no right to be driving.”

After dinner at the hotel, he went for a walk and was stopped a block away by a police officer, who told him he broke a law prohibiting walking around residential Beverly Hills after 9 p.m. Two other officers arrived and Gossett said he was chained to a tree and handcuffed for three hours. He was eventually freed when the original police car returned.

"Now I had come face-to-face with racism, and it was an ugly sight,” he wrote. “But it was not going to destroy me.”

In the late 1990s, Gossett said he was pulled over by police on the Pacific Coast Highway while driving his restored 1986 Rolls Royce Corniche II. The officer told him he looked like someone they were searching for, but the officer recognized Gossett and left.

He founded the Eracism Foundation to help create a world where racism doesn’t exist.

Gossett made a series of guest appearances on such shows as “Bonanza,” “The Rockford Files,” “The Mod Squad,” “McCloud” and a memorable turn with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/richard-pryor">Richard Pryor</a>&nbsp;on “The Partridge Family.”

In August 1969, Gossett had been partying with members of the Mamas and the Papas when they were invited to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-charles-manson-movies-ca-state-wire-celebrities-0b0dc1522c4343448685269dd1a5f91a">actor Sharon Tate’s house.</a>&nbsp;He headed home first to shower and change clothes. As he was getting ready to leave, he caught a news flash on TV about Tate’s murder. She and others were killed by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/manson-van-houten-ap-was-there-1971-convictions-6637ef9365bfcd017f4cad50af70fe61">Charles Manson’s associates</a>&nbsp;that night.

“There had to be a reason for my escaping this bullet,” he wrote.

Louis Cameron Gossett was born on May 27, 1936, in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn, New York, to Louis Sr., a porter, and Hellen, a nurse. He later added Jr. to his name to honor his father.

Gossett broke through on the small screen as Fiddler in the groundbreaking 1977 miniseries “Roots,” which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/movies-arts-and-entertainment-cd100d1097c24619a1d4983ebcc38b2d">depicted the atrocities of slavery</a>&nbsp;on TV. The sprawling cast included Ben Vereen, LeVar Burton and John Amos.

Gossett became the third Black Oscar nominee in the supporting actor category in 1983. He won for his performance as the intimidating Marine drill instructor in “An Officer and a Gentleman” opposite Richard Gere and Debra Winger. He also won a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/golden-globe-awards">Golden Globe</a>&nbsp;for the same role.

“More than anything, it was a huge affirmation of my position as a Black actor,” he wrote in his memoir.

“The Oscar gave me the ability of being able to choose good parts in movies like ‘Enemy Mine,’ ‘Sadat’ and ‘Iron Eagle,’” Gossett said in Dave Karger's 2024 book “50 Oscar Nights.”

“I’m going to donate it to a library so I don’t have to keep an eye on it,” he said in the book. “I need to be free of it.”

Gossett appeared in such TV movies as “The Story of Satchel Paige,” “Backstairs at the White House, “The Josephine Baker Story,” for which he won another Golden Globe, and “Roots Revisited.”

But he said winning an Oscar didn’t change the fact that all his roles were supporting ones.

He played an obstinate patriarch in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/color-purple-movie-review-8845576ca18a1b33cfc20dc25788d0ca">2023 remake of “The Color Purple.”</a>

Gossett struggled with alcohol and cocaine addiction for years after his Oscar win. He went to rehab, where he was diagnosed with toxic mold syndrome, which he attributed to his house in Malibu.

In 2010, Gossett announced he had prostate cancer, which he said was caught in the early stages. In 2020, he was hospitalized with COVID-19.

He also is survived by sons Satie, a producer-director from his second marriage, and Sharron, a chef whom he adopted after seeing the 7-year-old in a TV segment on children in desperate situations. His first cousin is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/daytime-emmy-awards-7e9fc824fe6965b9ffdcf0acb807f4ef">actor Robert Gossett.</a>

Gossett’s first marriage to Hattie Glascoe was annulled. His second, to Christina Mangosing, ended in divorce in 1975 as did his third to actor Cyndi James-Reese in 1992.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711717301515.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/movies-arts-and-entertainment-52a0c3410b8e40f1983b1ee3198fb761">Louis Gossett Jr.,</a>&nbsp;the first Black man to win a supporting actor Oscar and an Emmy winner for his role in the seminal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2a591506822546aea66f4e9b7de3ef52">TV miniseries “Roots,”</a>&nbsp;has died. He was 87.Gossett's first cousin Neal L. Gossett told The Associated Press that the actor died Thursday night in Santa Monica, California. No cause of death was revealed.Gossett’s cousin remembered a man who walked with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nelson-mandela">Nelson Mandela</a>&nbsp;and who also was a great joke teller, a relative who faced and fought racism with dignity and humor.“Never mind the awards, never mind the glitz and glamor, the Rolls-Royces and the big houses in Malibu. It’s about the humanity of the people that he stood for,” his cousin said.Louis Gossett always thought of his early career as a reverse Cinderella story, with success finding him from an early age and propelling him forward, toward his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/academy-awards">Academy Award</a>&nbsp;for “An Officer and a Gentleman.”He earned his first acting credit in his Brooklyn high school’s production of “You Can’t Take It with You” while he was sidelined from the basketball team with an injury.“I was hooked — and so was my audience,” he wrote in his 2010 memoir “An Actor and a Gentleman.”His English teacher urged him to go into Manhattan to try out for “Take a Giant Step.” He got the part and made his Broadway debut in 1953 at age 16.“I knew too little to be nervous,” Gossett wrote. “In retrospect, I should have been scared to death as I walked onto that stage, but I wasn’t.”Gossett attended New York University on a basketball and drama scholarship. He was soon acting and singing on TV shows hosted by David Susskind, Ed Sullivan, Red Buttons, Merv Griffin, Jack Paar and Steve Allen.Gossett became friendly with James Dean and studied acting with Marilyn Monroe, Martin Landau and Steve McQueen at an offshoot of the Actors Studio taught by Frank Silvera.In 1959, Gossett received critical acclaim for his role in the Broadway production of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sidney-poitier-bill-cosby-entertainment-movies-race-and-ethnicity-021dd55f8f818603514dc00d7421f875">“A Raisin in the Sun”</a>&nbsp;along with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sidney-poitier-dead-214e66b7e52909bdc64465e9ff4a1339">Sidney Poitier,</a><a href="https://apnews.com/movies-general-news-domestic-news-domestic-news-dbee7820e34b414db490c7843843904f">Ruby Dee</a>&nbsp;and Diana Sands.He went on to become a star on Broadway, replacing Billy Daniels in “Golden Boy” with Sammy Davis Jr. in 1964.Gossett went to Hollywood for the first time in 1961 to make the film version of “A Raisin in the Sun.” He had bitter memories of that trip, staying in a cockroach-infested motel that was one of the few places to allow Black people.In 1968, he returned to Hollywood for a major role in “Companions in Nightmare,” NBC’s first made-for-TV movie that starred Melvyn Douglas, Anne Baxter and Patrick O’Neal.This time, Gossett was booked into the Beverly Hills Hotel and Universal Studios had rented him a convertible. Driving back to the hotel after picking up the car, he was stopped by a Los Angeles County sheriff’s officer who ordered him to turn down the radio and put up the car’s roof before letting him go.Within minutes, he was stopped by eight sheriff’s officers, who had him lean against the car and made him open the trunk while they called the car rental agency before letting him go.“Though I understood that I had no choice but to put up with this abuse, it was a terrible way to be treated, a humiliating way to feel,” Gossett wrote in his memoir. “I realized this was happening because I was Black and had been showing off with a fancy car — which, in their view, I had no right to be driving.”After dinner at the hotel, he went for a walk and was stopped a block away by a police officer, who told him he broke a law prohibiting walking around residential Beverly Hills after 9 p.m. Two other officers arrived and Gossett said he was chained to a tree and handcuffed for three hours. He was eventually freed when the original police car returned."Now I had come face-to-face with racism, and it was an ugly sight,” he wrote. “But it was not going to destroy me.”In the late 1990s, Gossett said he was pulled over by police on the Pacific Coast Highway while driving his restored 1986 Rolls Royce Corniche II. The officer told him he looked like someone they were searching for, but the officer recognized Gossett and left.He founded the Eracism Foundation to help create a world where racism doesn’t exist.Gossett made a series of guest appearances on such shows as “Bonanza,” “The Rockford Files,” “The Mod Squad,” “McCloud” and a memorable turn with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/richard-pryor">Richard Pryor</a>&nbsp;on “The Partridge Family.”In August 1969, Gossett had been partying with members of the Mamas and the Papas when they were invited to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-charles-manson-movies-ca-state-wire-celebrities-0b0dc1522c4343448685269dd1a5f91a">actor Sharon Tate’s house.</a>&nbsp;He headed home first to shower and change clothes. As he was getting ready to leave, he caught a news flash on TV about Tate’s murder. She and others were killed by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/manson-van-houten-ap-was-there-1971-convictions-6637ef9365bfcd017f4cad50af70fe61">Charles Manson’s associates</a>&nbsp;that night.“There had to be a reason for my escaping this bullet,” he wrote.Louis Cameron Gossett was born on May 27, 1936, in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn, New York, to Louis Sr., a porter, and Hellen, a nurse. He later added Jr. to his name to honor his father.Gossett broke through on the small screen as Fiddler in the groundbreaking 1977 miniseries “Roots,” which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/movies-arts-and-entertainment-cd100d1097c24619a1d4983ebcc38b2d">depicted the atrocities of slavery</a>&nbsp;on TV. The sprawling cast included Ben Vereen, LeVar Burton and John Amos.Gossett became the third Black Oscar nominee in the supporting actor category in 1983. He won for his performance as the intimidating Marine drill instructor in “An Officer and a Gentleman” opposite Richard Gere and Debra Winger. He also won a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/golden-globe-awards">Golden Globe</a>&nbsp;for the same role.“More than anything, it was a huge affirmation of my position as a Black actor,” he wrote in his memoir.“The Oscar gave me the ability of being able to choose good parts in movies like ‘Enemy Mine,’ ‘Sadat’ and ‘Iron Eagle,’” Gossett said in Dave Karger's 2024 book “50 Oscar Nights.”He said his statue was in storage.“I’m going to donate it to a library so I don’t have to keep an eye on it,” he said in the book. “I need to be free of it.”Gossett appeared in such TV movies as “The Story of Satchel Paige,” “Backstairs at the White House, “The Josephine Baker Story,” for which he won another Golden Globe, and “Roots Revisited.”But he said winning an Oscar didn’t change the fact that all his roles were supporting ones.He played an obstinate patriarch in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/color-purple-movie-review-8845576ca18a1b33cfc20dc25788d0ca">2023 remake of “The Color Purple.”</a>Gossett struggled with alcohol and cocaine addiction for years after his Oscar win. He went to rehab, where he was diagnosed with toxic mold syndrome, which he attributed to his house in Malibu.In 2010, Gossett announced he had prostate cancer, which he said was caught in the early stages. In 2020, he was hospitalized with COVID-19.He also is survived by sons Satie, a producer-director from his second marriage, and Sharron, a chef whom he adopted after seeing the 7-year-old in a TV segment on children in desperate situations. His first cousin is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/daytime-emmy-awards-7e9fc824fe6965b9ffdcf0acb807f4ef">actor Robert Gossett.</a>Gossett’s first marriage to Hattie Glascoe was annulled. His second, to Christina Mangosing, ended in divorce in 1975 as did his third to actor Cyndi James-Reese in 1992.___

Louis Gossett Jr., 1st Black man to win supporting actor Oscar, dies 

COWLEY COUNTY, Kan. —On Wednesday, Arkansas City, Kansas Police Department officers executed a search warrant at Cowley College's Kirk Dale Dorms, cumulating a month-long counterfeit currency investigation.

Over the past month, officers have been getting reports of a man&nbsp; going to a local business and paying or attempting to pay with what was believed to be counterfeit currency.

Officers talked with employees and witnesses and developed a suspect identified as 20-year-old<a href="https://cowleytigers.com/sports/mbkb/2023-24/bios/kuany_lam_f7u6"> Lam Gok Kuany</a> of Omaha, Nebraska. He is a sophomore member of the Cowley College basketball team, according to the school<a href="https://cowleytigers.com/sports/mbkb/2023-24/bios/kuany_lam_f7u6"> athletic department web site.</a>

Arkansas City officers, in cooperation with Cowley College Campus Security, executed a search warrant at Kirk Dale Dorms. Inside the room, they found over $28,000 in different denominations in what is believed to be counterfeit currency. Officers also located suspected illegal substances and items associated with their use.

On Thursday, police took Kuany into custody without incident. He faces requested charges that include five counts of counterfeiting currency, four counts of theft by deception, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. His Bond is $17,500.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711731829807.png" alt="Kuany-photo Cowley Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Kuany-photo Cowley Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY, Kan. —On Wednesday, Arkansas City, Kansas Police Department officers executed a search warrant at Cowley College's Kirk Dale Dorms, cumulating a month-long counterfeit currency investigation.Over the past month, officers have been getting reports of a man&nbsp; going to a local business and paying or attempting to pay with what was believed to be counterfeit currency.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711669134600.png" alt="Kuany photo Cowley Athletics&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Kuany photo Cowley Athletics&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>Officers talked with employees and witnesses and developed a suspect identified as 20-year-old<a href="https://cowleytigers.com/sports/mbkb/2023-24/bios/kuany_lam_f7u6"> Lam Gok Kuany</a> of Omaha, Nebraska. He is a sophomore member of the Cowley College basketball team, according to the school<a href="https://cowleytigers.com/sports/mbkb/2023-24/bios/kuany_lam_f7u6"> athletic department web site.</a>Arkansas City officers, in cooperation with Cowley College Campus Security, executed a search warrant at Kirk Dale Dorms. Inside the room, they found over $28,000 in different denominations in what is believed to be counterfeit currency. Officers also located suspected illegal substances and items associated with their use.On Thursday, police took Kuany into custody without incident. He faces requested charges that include five counts of counterfeiting currency, four counts of theft by deception, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. His Bond is $17,500.

Neb. man arrested after $28,000 of counterfeit cash found in college dorm

JERUSALEM(AP)—For a second straight day this week U.S. warships faced a terrorist threat in the Red Sea.

Between 6:00 and 10:56 p.m. Thursday the United States Central Command successfully engaged and destroyed four unmanned aerial systems (UAS) launched by Iranian backed Houthi terrorists in Yemen

These UAS were aimed at a Coalition vessel and a U.S. warship and were engaged in self defense over the Red Sea. There were no injuries or damage reported to U.S. or coalition ships. The Central Command did not identify which U.S. warship was involved.


It was determined these weapons presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and U.S. Navy ships in the region. These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy and merchant vessels.

Meanwhile, the top U.S. general says the Biden administration has not given Israel all of the weapons it has requested as the war against Hamas in Gaza grinds on.

Gen. CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters Thursday that he makes recommendations, but not the final decision, on what military aid will be provided.

U.S. officials have been under pressure to use the ongoing delivery of weapons as leverage to get Israel to increase humanitarian support in Gaza and to provide greater protection for civilians, particularly as Israel looks to go after Hamas battalions and leadership in the southern city of Rafah.

Asked if the U.S. has held back some weapons to press Israel to expand humanitarian aid, Brown said, “some of that is because they’ve asked for stuff that we either don’t have the capacity, right, or not willing to provide right now in particular. But it is a constant dialogue with them.”

Speaking at a forum sponsored by George Washington University’s Project for Media and National Security, Brown said the U.S. does make such decisions based on how it could impact America’s military readiness, especially when it involved sending weapons from Pentagon stockpiles.

Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, declined to provide details on which systems the U.S. has so far opted not to send.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703418619283.png" alt="Photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>Photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>JERUSALEM(AP)—For a second straight day this week U.S. warships faced a terrorist threat in the Red Sea.Between 6:00 and 10:56 p.m. Thursday the United States Central Command successfully engaged and destroyed four unmanned aerial systems (UAS) launched by Iranian backed Houthi terrorists in YemenThese UAS were aimed at a Coalition vessel and a U.S. warship and were engaged in self defense over the Red Sea. There were no injuries or damage reported to U.S. or coalition ships. The Central Command did not identify which U.S. warship was involved.
It was determined these weapons presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and U.S. Navy ships in the region. These actions are taken to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy and merchant vessels.Meanwhile, the top U.S. general says the Biden administration has not given Israel all of the weapons it has requested as the war against Hamas in Gaza grinds on.Gen. CQ Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters Thursday that he makes recommendations, but not the final decision, on what military aid will be provided.U.S. officials have been under pressure to use the ongoing delivery of weapons as leverage to get Israel to increase humanitarian support in Gaza and to provide greater protection for civilians, particularly as Israel looks to go after Hamas battalions and leadership in the southern city of Rafah.Asked if the U.S. has held back some weapons to press Israel to expand humanitarian aid, Brown said, “some of that is because they’ve asked for stuff that we either don’t have the capacity, right, or not willing to provide right now in particular. But it is a constant dialogue with them.”Speaking at a forum sponsored by George Washington University’s Project for Media and National Security, Brown said the U.S. does make such decisions based on how it could impact America’s military readiness, especially when it involved sending weapons from Pentagon stockpiles.Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, declined to provide details on which systems the U.S. has so far opted not to send.

Terrorists target U.S. warship for 2nd straight day in the Red Sea

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Malcolm X has garnered the recognition many have sought for his contributions to the civil rights movement in the conservative Midwest state where he was born, after years of being rejected as too controversial to be honored.

The Nebraska Legislature on Thursday passed a bill to recognize the civil rights icon every May 19, the day Malcolm X was born Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1925. The legislation falls short of declaring the day a state holiday, which was introduced in a bill by Omaha Sen. Terrell McKinney — one of two Black members of the Nebraska Legislature. McKinney's bill failed to gain traction mainly because of objections to the projected cost of more than $500,000 a year to declare a state holiday. That cost comes from holiday pay for state workers.

Instead, McKinney added an amendment to a bill that declares Oct. 17 as Missing Persons Day. The amendment recognizes May 19 as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, Malcolm X Day, to allow Nebraska schools to hold exercises to recognize the civil rights icon.

The day of recognition comes in the same year that a ceremony will be held in May to observe Malcolm X’s induction into the Nebraska Hall of Fame. During that ceremony, a bronze bust created by Lincoln artist Nathan Murray will be unveiled and displayed among the busts of other inductees in the halls of the Nebraska State Capitol.

“Malcolm X is one of the most fundamentally misunderstood people in American history,” McKinney said last year during a committee hearing on his bill. “And perhaps the stigma around him would be extinguished if his achievements and contributions were recognized.”

Malcolm X was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-new-york-nebraska-omaha-aa4ac236d1cdfbf6b2c03e44d2e7aa64">selected last year</a>&nbsp;as the newest inductee into the Nebraska Hall of Fame, making him the state's first Black honoree. His selection came 15 years after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/43b26a00075e40d7a3cc24a4b229fd1c">being rejected as too controversial</a>.

Born the son of a Baptist preacher, Malcolm Little was still a baby when he and his family left for Milwaukee after threats from the Ku Klux Klan.

At 20, he was convicted of burglary in Boston and sentenced to nearly seven years in prison, where he converted to Islam and later changed his name. He emerged as a fiery Nation of Islam minister with a message that Black people should cast off white oppression “by any means necessary,” before later splitting from the Nation of Islam and renouncing racial separatism.

He was assassinated in Manhattan’s Audubon Ballroom by gunmen who opened fire during a speaking engagement.

The firebrand was first nominated for Nebraska’s Hall of Fame in 2004, but passed over by a commission made up solely of white men who instead selected a mid-1900s U.S. senator who made a name for himself with his campaign to remove gay men from government posts in the 1940s and 1950s. The pick of Sen. Kenneth Wherry was later nixed because of an open-meetings violation.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Malcolm X has garnered the recognition many have sought for his contributions to the civil rights movement in the conservative Midwest state where he was born, after years of being rejected as too controversial to be honored.The Nebraska Legislature on Thursday passed a bill to recognize the civil rights icon every May 19, the day Malcolm X was born Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1925. The legislation falls short of declaring the day a state holiday, which was introduced in a bill by Omaha Sen. Terrell McKinney — one of two Black members of the Nebraska Legislature. McKinney's bill failed to gain traction mainly because of objections to the projected cost of more than $500,000 a year to declare a state holiday. That cost comes from holiday pay for state workers.Instead, McKinney added an amendment to a bill that declares Oct. 17 as Missing Persons Day. The amendment recognizes May 19 as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, Malcolm X Day, to allow Nebraska schools to hold exercises to recognize the civil rights icon.The day of recognition comes in the same year that a ceremony will be held in May to observe Malcolm X’s induction into the Nebraska Hall of Fame. During that ceremony, a bronze bust created by Lincoln artist Nathan Murray will be unveiled and displayed among the busts of other inductees in the halls of the Nebraska State Capitol.“Malcolm X is one of the most fundamentally misunderstood people in American history,” McKinney said last year during a committee hearing on his bill. “And perhaps the stigma around him would be extinguished if his achievements and contributions were recognized.”Malcolm X was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-new-york-nebraska-omaha-aa4ac236d1cdfbf6b2c03e44d2e7aa64">selected last year</a>&nbsp;as the newest inductee into the Nebraska Hall of Fame, making him the state's first Black honoree. His selection came 15 years after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/43b26a00075e40d7a3cc24a4b229fd1c">being rejected as too controversial</a>.Born the son of a Baptist preacher, Malcolm Little was still a baby when he and his family left for Milwaukee after threats from the Ku Klux Klan.At 20, he was convicted of burglary in Boston and sentenced to nearly seven years in prison, where he converted to Islam and later changed his name. He emerged as a fiery Nation of Islam minister with a message that Black people should cast off white oppression “by any means necessary,” before later splitting from the Nation of Islam and renouncing racial separatism.He was assassinated in Manhattan’s Audubon Ballroom by gunmen who opened fire during a speaking engagement.The firebrand was first nominated for Nebraska’s Hall of Fame in 2004, but passed over by a commission made up solely of white men who instead selected a mid-1900s U.S. senator who made a name for himself with his campaign to remove gay men from government posts in the 1940s and 1950s. The pick of Sen. Kenneth Wherry was later nixed because of an open-meetings violation.

Civil rights icon Malcolm X gets a day of recognition in Nebraska, where he was born in 1925

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A group of Republican-led states is suing the Biden administration to block a new student loan&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-miguel-cardona-business-73dcbf54ddb3b53c9c3c5468cfdec3b9">repayment plan</a>&nbsp;that provides a faster path to cancellation and lower monthly payments for millions of borrowers.

In a federal lawsuit filed Thursday, 11 states led by Kansas argue that Biden overstepped his authority in creating the SAVE Plan, which was made available to borrowers last year and has already canceled loans for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-student-loan-forgiveness-2024-california-cc23ba93a733b583f3ee8963cdd02566">more than 150,000</a>.

It argues that the new plan is no different from Biden's first attempt at student loan cancellation, which the Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-supreme-court-653c2e9c085863bdbf81f125f87669fa'">rejected last year</a>. “Last time Defendants tried this the Supreme Court said that this action was illegal. Nothing since then has changed,” according to the lawsuit.

Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-biden-plan-d9c8e18774a744187c9af634bf4eb728">announced the SAVE repayment plan</a>&nbsp;in 2022, alongside a separate plan to cancel up to $20,000 in debt for more than 40 million Americans. The Supreme Court blocked the cancellation plan after Republican states sued, but the court didn’t examine SAVE, which was still being hashed out.

The new lawsuit was filed a day after the White House hosted a “day of action” to promote the SAVE Plan. The Biden administration says more than 7.7 million borrowers have enrolled in the plan, including more than 5 million who have had their monthly payments reduced to $100 or less because they have lower yearly incomes.

The challenge was filed in federal court in Topeka, Kansas, by Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach. It asks a judge to halt the plan immediately. Along with Kansas, the suit is backed by Nebraska, Alabama, Alaska, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Montana, South Carolina, Texas and Utah.

“In a completely brazen fashion, the president pressed ahead anyway,” Kobach said during a news conference at the Kansas Statehouse. “The law simply does not allow President Biden to do what he wants to do.”

Biden’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loans-forgiveness-save-plan-debt-borrowers-313afd73cadc3cfc8ab3a6ee684fc3e4">new repayment plan</a>&nbsp;is a modified version of other income-based repayment plans that the Education Department has offered since the ’90s. The earliest versions were created by Congress to help struggling borrowers, capping payments at a portion of their income and canceling any remaining debt after 20 or 25 years.

The new plan offers more generous terms than ever, offering to reduce monthly payments for more borrowers and canceling loans in as little as 10 years. Unlike other plans, it prevents interest from snowballing as long as borrowers make their monthly payments.

The plan’s provisions are being phased in this year, and the quicker path to cancellation was originally scheduled to take effect later this summer. But the Biden administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loans-cancellation-debt-forgiveness-biden-2630ec3d7cb06510c9d7248a86afb8ce">accelerated that benefit</a>&nbsp;and started canceling loans for some borrowers in February.

Biden said it was meant “to give more borrowers breathing room so they can get out from under the burden of student loan debt.”

Instead of creating a new plan from scratch, the Education Department amended existing plans through federal regulation. Supporters saw it as a legal maneuver that put the plan on firmer grounding, anticipating a challenge from Republicans.

But in the new lawsuit, Kobach argues that Biden needed to go through Congress to make such significant changes.

The states argue that Biden's plan will harm them in many ways.

With such a generous repayment plan, fewer borrowers will have an incentive to go into public service and pursue the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, the states argue. They predict more state employees will leave their jobs, and it will worsen public schools' struggles to recruit and retain teachers.

They argue the plan will inject hundreds of billions of dollars in loan relief into the U.S. economy, which would require states to increase fraud protection efforts. The plan “will create enormous opportunities for fraudsters to exploit student debt borrowers that would not otherwise exist,” according to the suit.

If successful, it would effectively kill the last remnant of Biden’s first attempt at widespread student loan relief. After the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-debt-forgiveness-supreme-court-2d6eec61822b9e7a89ff59453d2486a5">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;blocked his wider plan last year, Biden ordered the Education Department to craft a new plan using a different legal justification. The agency is now pursuing a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-cancellation-debt-forgiveness-college-069753ae42ab90974eb03173b8b5910a">more limited plan</a>&nbsp;for mass cancellation.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A group of Republican-led states is suing the Biden administration to block a new student loan&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-miguel-cardona-business-73dcbf54ddb3b53c9c3c5468cfdec3b9">repayment plan</a>&nbsp;that provides a faster path to cancellation and lower monthly payments for millions of borrowers.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The fact of the matter is this: it is not amongst the President&#39;s abilities to bypass Congress and earmark 100s of billions of dollars for what they see fit. This is called the &quot;Major Questions Doctrine,&quot; and it is crucial to maintaining the separation of powers in our system. <a href="https://t.co/YAcTuUstTr">pic.twitter.com/YAcTuUstTr</a>&mdash; Kansas AG&#39;s Office (@KSAGOffice) <a href="https://twitter.com/KSAGOffice/status/1773421094386487296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>In a federal lawsuit filed Thursday, 11 states led by Kansas argue that Biden overstepped his authority in creating the SAVE Plan, which was made available to borrowers last year and has already canceled loans for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-student-loan-forgiveness-2024-california-cc23ba93a733b583f3ee8963cdd02566">more than 150,000</a>.It argues that the new plan is no different from Biden's first attempt at student loan cancellation, which the Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-supreme-court-653c2e9c085863bdbf81f125f87669fa'">rejected last year</a>. “Last time Defendants tried this the Supreme Court said that this action was illegal. Nothing since then has changed,” according to the lawsuit.Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-biden-plan-d9c8e18774a744187c9af634bf4eb728">announced the SAVE repayment plan</a>&nbsp;in 2022, alongside a separate plan to cancel up to $20,000 in debt for more than 40 million Americans. The Supreme Court blocked the cancellation plan after Republican states sued, but the court didn’t examine SAVE, which was still being hashed out.The new lawsuit was filed a day after the White House hosted a “day of action” to promote the SAVE Plan. The Biden administration says more than 7.7 million borrowers have enrolled in the plan, including more than 5 million who have had their monthly payments reduced to $100 or less because they have lower yearly incomes.The challenge was filed in federal court in Topeka, Kansas, by Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach. It asks a judge to halt the plan immediately. Along with Kansas, the suit is backed by Nebraska, Alabama, Alaska, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Montana, South Carolina, Texas and Utah.“In a completely brazen fashion, the president pressed ahead anyway,” Kobach said during a news conference at the Kansas Statehouse. “The law simply does not allow President Biden to do what he wants to do.”Biden’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loans-forgiveness-save-plan-debt-borrowers-313afd73cadc3cfc8ab3a6ee684fc3e4">new repayment plan</a>&nbsp;is a modified version of other income-based repayment plans that the Education Department has offered since the ’90s. The earliest versions were created by Congress to help struggling borrowers, capping payments at a portion of their income and canceling any remaining debt after 20 or 25 years.The new plan offers more generous terms than ever, offering to reduce monthly payments for more borrowers and canceling loans in as little as 10 years. Unlike other plans, it prevents interest from snowballing as long as borrowers make their monthly payments.The plan’s provisions are being phased in this year, and the quicker path to cancellation was originally scheduled to take effect later this summer. But the Biden administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loans-cancellation-debt-forgiveness-biden-2630ec3d7cb06510c9d7248a86afb8ce">accelerated that benefit</a>&nbsp;and started canceling loans for some borrowers in February.Biden said it was meant “to give more borrowers breathing room so they can get out from under the burden of student loan debt.”Instead of creating a new plan from scratch, the Education Department amended existing plans through federal regulation. Supporters saw it as a legal maneuver that put the plan on firmer grounding, anticipating a challenge from Republicans.But in the new lawsuit, Kobach argues that Biden needed to go through Congress to make such significant changes.The states argue that Biden's plan will harm them in many ways.With such a generous repayment plan, fewer borrowers will have an incentive to go into public service and pursue the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, the states argue. They predict more state employees will leave their jobs, and it will worsen public schools' struggles to recruit and retain teachers.They argue the plan will inject hundreds of billions of dollars in loan relief into the U.S. economy, which would require states to increase fraud protection efforts. The plan “will create enormous opportunities for fraudsters to exploit student debt borrowers that would not otherwise exist,” according to the suit.If successful, it would effectively kill the last remnant of Biden’s first attempt at widespread student loan relief. After the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-debt-forgiveness-supreme-court-2d6eec61822b9e7a89ff59453d2486a5">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;blocked his wider plan last year, Biden ordered the Education Department to craft a new plan using a different legal justification. The agency is now pursuing a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-cancellation-debt-forgiveness-college-069753ae42ab90974eb03173b8b5910a">more limited plan</a>&nbsp;for mass cancellation.

🎥Nebraska sues Biden administration over student loan forgiveness

NEW YORK (AP) — The Federal Trade Commission is investigating TikTok over its data and security practices, a probe that could lead to a settlement or a lawsuit against the company, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The investigation is the latest battle in Washington for the social media company, which is already fighting against a federal bill that could ban the platform in the U.S. if it doesn’t break ties with its Beijing-based parent company, ByteDance.

In its investigation, the FTC has been looking into whether TikTok violated a portion of federal law that prohibits “unfair and deceptive” business practices by denying that individuals in China had access to U.S. user data, said the person, who is not authorized to discuss the investigation.

The agency also is scrutinizing the company over potential violations of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, which requires kid-oriented apps and websites to get parents’ consent before collecting personal information of children under 13.

FTC spokesperson Nicole Drayton and TikTok declined to comment on the investigation, which was first reported by Politico.

The agency is nearing the conclusion of its investigation and could settle with TikTok in the coming weeks. But there’s not a deadline for an agreement, the person said.

If the FTC moves forward with a lawsuit instead, it would have to refer the case to the Justice Department, which would have 45 days to decide whether it wants to file a case on the FTC’s behalf, make changes or send it back to the agency to pursue on its own.

The news comes nearly two years after Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner and Marco Rubio, the top Republican on the committee, urged FTC chair Lina Khan to investigate TikTok, citing a report from Buzzfeed News that said ByteDance employees in China have repeatedly accessed data on U.S. TikTok users.

In late 2022, ByteDance said it fired four employees who accessed data on journalists from Buzzfeed News and The Financial Times while attempting to track down leaks of confidential materials about the company.

Legislation that could determine TikTok’s fate in the U.S. was approved in the House this month. But the bill has already run into roadblocks in the Senate, where there is little unanimity on how to best approach concerns over the social platform.

NEW YORK (AP) — The Federal Trade Commission is investigating TikTok over its data and security practices, a probe that could lead to a settlement or a lawsuit against the company, according to a person familiar with the matter.The investigation is the latest battle in Washington for the social media company, which is already fighting against a federal bill that could ban the platform in the U.S. if it doesn’t break ties with its Beijing-based parent company, ByteDance.In its investigation, the FTC has been looking into whether TikTok violated a portion of federal law that prohibits “unfair and deceptive” business practices by denying that individuals in China had access to U.S. user data, said the person, who is not authorized to discuss the investigation.The agency also is scrutinizing the company over potential violations of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, which requires kid-oriented apps and websites to get parents’ consent before collecting personal information of children under 13.FTC spokesperson Nicole Drayton and TikTok declined to comment on the investigation, which was first reported by Politico.The agency is nearing the conclusion of its investigation and could settle with TikTok in the coming weeks. But there’s not a deadline for an agreement, the person said.If the FTC moves forward with a lawsuit instead, it would have to refer the case to the Justice Department, which would have 45 days to decide whether it wants to file a case on the FTC’s behalf, make changes or send it back to the agency to pursue on its own.The news comes nearly two years after Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner and Marco Rubio, the top Republican on the committee, urged FTC chair Lina Khan to investigate TikTok, citing a report from Buzzfeed News that said ByteDance employees in China have repeatedly accessed data on U.S. TikTok users.In late 2022, ByteDance said it fired four employees who accessed data on journalists from Buzzfeed News and The Financial Times while attempting to track down leaks of confidential materials about the company.Legislation that could determine TikTok’s fate in the U.S. was approved in the House this month. But the bill has already run into roadblocks in the Senate, where there is little unanimity on how to best approach concerns over the social platform.

US Federal Trade Commission investigating TikTok

NEW YORK (AP) — Crypto entrepreneur&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/sam-bankman-fried">Sam Bankman-Fried</a>&nbsp;was sentenced Thursday to 25 years in prison for a massive fraud on hundreds of thousands of customers that unraveled with the collapse of FTX, once one of the world’s most popular platforms for exchanging digital currency.

U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan delivered a blistering analysis of Bankman-Fried and his crimes before announcing a sentence that was half of what prosecutors sought and less than a quarter of the 105 years recommended by the court's Probation officers.

“There is absolutely no doubt that Mr. Bankman-Fried’s name right now is pretty much mud around the world,” Kaplan said of the 32-year-old man who once seemed atop the cryptocurrency world before his businesses collapsed in November 2022, leaving customers, investors and lenders short over $11 billion, which the judge ordered him to forfeit.

He was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sam-bankman-fried-ftx-crypto-bitcoin-baa4c94f2c4237c860475ff92e6bcf42">convicted in November</a>&nbsp;of fraud and conspiracy — a dramatic fall from a crest of success that included a Super Bowl advertisement and celebrity endorsements from stars like quarterback Tom Brady, basketball star Stephen Curry and comedian Larry David.

Kaplan imposed the sentence in the same Manhattan courtroom where, four months ago, Bankman-Fried testified that his intention had been to revolutionize the emerging cryptocurrency market with his innovative and altruistic ideas, not to steal. The judge said Bankman-Fried repeatedly committed perjury when he told lies from the witness stand.

Kaplan said the sentence reflected “that there is a risk that this man will be in position to do something very bad in the future. And it’s not a trivial risk at all.” He added that it was “for the purpose of disabling him to the extent that can appropriately be done for a significant period of time.”

Kaplan said he also would advise the Federal Bureau of Prisons to send Bankman-Fried to a medium-security prison near San Francisco because his notoriety, his association with vast wealth, his autism and social awkwardness are likely to make him especially vulnerable at a high-security facility.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicolas Roos had recommended&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sam-bankman-fried-court-ftx-21b1fd99ac841d7fe90b90c96c3a9a5d">a prison sentence</a>&nbsp;of 40 to 50 years, saying it was the only way to ensure “the defendant doesn't do it again.”

“The defendant victimized tens of thousands of people and companies, across several continents, over a period of multiple years. He stole money from customers who entrusted it to him; he lied to investors; he sent fabricated documents to lenders; he pumped millions of dollars in illegal donations into our political system; and he bribed foreign officials. Each of these crimes is worthy of a lengthy sentence,” prosecutors had said in a court filing.

Prosecutors said Bankman-Fried misappropriated billions of dollars to fuel his quest for influence and dominance in the new industry, and had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sam-bankmanfried-court-ftx-27f8a623fdc0c9e56e56f2b23e298a1e">illegally used money</a>&nbsp;from FTX depositors to cover his expenses, which included purchasing luxury properties in the Caribbean, bribes to Chinese officials and private planes.

Kaplan agreed with prosecutors Thursday that Bankman-Fried should not get leniency just because some investors and customers might get some of their losses back. He called the argument “logically flawed” and “speculative.” He said customers lost about $8 billion, investors lost $1.7 billion and lenders were shorted by $1.3 billion.

Given a chance to speak, Bankman-Fried stood and apologized in a rambling statement, saying: “A lot of people feel really let down. And they were very let down. And I’m sorry about that. I’m sorry about what happened at every stage.”

He added, “My useful life is probably over. It’s been over for a while now, from before my arrest.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680015507609.png" alt="FILE - FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried leaves Federal court on July 26, 2023, in New York. The former crypto mogul faces the potential of decades in prison when he is sentenced Thursday, March 28, 2024, for his role in the 2022 collapse of FTX, once one of the world's most popular platforms for trading digital currency. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)" />
 <figcaption>FILE - FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried leaves Federal court on July 26, 2023, in New York. The former crypto mogul faces the potential of decades in prison when he is sentenced Thursday, March 28, 2024, for his role in the 2022 collapse of FTX, once one of the world's most popular platforms for trading digital currency. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Crypto entrepreneur&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/sam-bankman-fried">Sam Bankman-Fried</a>&nbsp;was sentenced Thursday to 25 years in prison for a massive fraud on hundreds of thousands of customers that unraveled with the collapse of FTX, once one of the world’s most popular platforms for exchanging digital currency.U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan delivered a blistering analysis of Bankman-Fried and his crimes before announcing a sentence that was half of what prosecutors sought and less than a quarter of the 105 years recommended by the court's Probation officers.“There is absolutely no doubt that Mr. Bankman-Fried’s name right now is pretty much mud around the world,” Kaplan said of the 32-year-old man who once seemed atop the cryptocurrency world before his businesses collapsed in November 2022, leaving customers, investors and lenders short over $11 billion, which the judge ordered him to forfeit.He was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sam-bankman-fried-ftx-crypto-bitcoin-baa4c94f2c4237c860475ff92e6bcf42">convicted in November</a>&nbsp;of fraud and conspiracy — a dramatic fall from a crest of success that included a Super Bowl advertisement and celebrity endorsements from stars like quarterback Tom Brady, basketball star Stephen Curry and comedian Larry David.Kaplan imposed the sentence in the same Manhattan courtroom where, four months ago, Bankman-Fried testified that his intention had been to revolutionize the emerging cryptocurrency market with his innovative and altruistic ideas, not to steal. The judge said Bankman-Fried repeatedly committed perjury when he told lies from the witness stand.Kaplan said the sentence reflected “that there is a risk that this man will be in position to do something very bad in the future. And it’s not a trivial risk at all.” He added that it was “for the purpose of disabling him to the extent that can appropriately be done for a significant period of time.”Kaplan said he also would advise the Federal Bureau of Prisons to send Bankman-Fried to a medium-security prison near San Francisco because his notoriety, his association with vast wealth, his autism and social awkwardness are likely to make him especially vulnerable at a high-security facility.Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicolas Roos had recommended&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sam-bankman-fried-court-ftx-21b1fd99ac841d7fe90b90c96c3a9a5d">a prison sentence</a>&nbsp;of 40 to 50 years, saying it was the only way to ensure “the defendant doesn't do it again.”“The defendant victimized tens of thousands of people and companies, across several continents, over a period of multiple years. He stole money from customers who entrusted it to him; he lied to investors; he sent fabricated documents to lenders; he pumped millions of dollars in illegal donations into our political system; and he bribed foreign officials. Each of these crimes is worthy of a lengthy sentence,” prosecutors had said in a court filing.Prosecutors said Bankman-Fried misappropriated billions of dollars to fuel his quest for influence and dominance in the new industry, and had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sam-bankmanfried-court-ftx-27f8a623fdc0c9e56e56f2b23e298a1e">illegally used money</a>&nbsp;from FTX depositors to cover his expenses, which included purchasing luxury properties in the Caribbean, bribes to Chinese officials and private planes.Kaplan agreed with prosecutors Thursday that Bankman-Fried should not get leniency just because some investors and customers might get some of their losses back. He called the argument “logically flawed” and “speculative.” He said customers lost about $8 billion, investors lost $1.7 billion and lenders were shorted by $1.3 billion.Given a chance to speak, Bankman-Fried stood and apologized in a rambling statement, saying: “A lot of people feel really let down. And they were very let down. And I’m sorry about that. I’m sorry about what happened at every stage.”He added, “My useful life is probably over. It’s been over for a while now, from before my arrest.”Bankman-Fried, wearing his khaki-colored prison uniform and chained at the ankles, seemed to briefly get emotional as he spoke for about 20 minutes, expressing regret about “a lot of mistakes” but casting some of the blame onto others. His trademark messy and bushy hair had returned from the trimmer look he displayed at trial.The judge later criticized those remarks, saying he expressed “never a word of remorse for the commission of terrible crimes.”Defense lawyer Marc Mukasey said his client was misunderstood.“Sam was not a ruthless financial serial killer who set out every morning to hurt people,” Mukasey said. “Sam Bankman-Fried doesn’t make decisions with malice in his heart. He makes decisions with math in his head.”Bankman-Fried’s attorneys, friends and family&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sam-bankman-fried-court-ftx-f6132dae6689b20f020ee3256dd4dc08">had urged leniency</a>, saying he was unlikely to re-offend again. They also said FTX's investors have largely recovered their funds — a claim disputed by bankruptcy lawyers, FTX and its creditors.“Mr. Bankman-Fried continues to live a life of delusion,” wrote John Ray, the CEO of FTX who has been cleaning up the bankrupt company. “The ‘business’ he left on November 11, 2022 was neither solvent nor safe.”Two weeks ago, Mukasey attacked a probation office recommendation of 105 years in prison, saying a sentence of that length would be “grotesque” and “barbaric.”He urged the judge to sentence Bankman-Fried to a term of five to 6 1/2 years in prison, which Mukasey said was a fair reading of federal sentencing guidelines.Bankman-Fried was worth billions of dollars on paper as the co-founder and CEO of FTX, which was the second-largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world at one time.FTX allowed investors to buy dozens of virtual currencies, from Bitcoin to more obscure ones like Shiba Inu Coin. Flush with billions of dollars of investors’ cash, Bankman-Fried took out a Super Bowl advertisement to promote his business and bought the naming rights to an arena in Miami.But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sam-bankmanfried-cryptocurrencies-bitcoin-regulation-congress-182d750805af658dd809f044b86f6242">the collapse of cryptocurrency prices</a>&nbsp;in 2022 took its toll on FTX, and ultimately led to its downfall. FTX’s hedge fund affiliate, known as Alameda Research, had bought billions of dollars of various crypto investments that lost considerable amounts of value in 2022. Bankman-Fried tried to plug the holes in Alameda’s balance sheet with FTX customer funds.Three other people from Bankman-Fried’s inner circle pleaded guilty to related crimes and testified at his trial.The biggest name among the three was Caroline Ellison, once the girlfriend of Bankman-Fried. Ellison described Bankman-Fried as a calculating individual who knew that he was likely committing crimes when he directed the use of customer funds. Two other onetime friends of Bankman-Fried, Gary Wang and Nishad Singh, also testified they felt they were directed by Bankman-Fried to commit fraud.