Chris Mason: Trade-offs for ministers over towering benefits bill

Pete Hegseth, the US defense secretary, reportedly set up an unsecured internet connection in his Pentagon office to bypass security protocols and use the Signal messaging app on a personal computer. This "dirty line" raises concerns about sensitive defense information being at risk, as Hegseth allegedly shared operational details on a private Signal group chat with family and associates. Despite claims from Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell that Hegseth does not use Signal on government computers,...

Former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano and his wife, Nancy, were arrested after federal agents raided their Las Cruces home, facing charges of evidence tampering related to harboring Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, an alleged illegal alien with ties to the Tren de Aragua gang. Ortega-Lopez, who unlawfully entered the U.S., was previously employed by Nancy Cano for home repairs and later offered accommodation at their residence. Following the arrests, Judge Cano resigned and was permanently...

(JTA) — NEW YORK — Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's national security minister, proposed encouraging Palestinians to leave Gaza while dismissing fears of arrest abroad for international law violations, quipping about his limited travel. His visit to the U.S. sparked protests, including demonstrations at Yale University and in Manhattan, where critics labeled him a racist and compared him to a Nazi. Despite the backlash, Ben-Gvir defended his hardline policies and expressed a more nuanced view of his...

Tsilhqot'in National Government Advocates for Support Amid Drug Crisis During a visit to the United Nations, Vice-Chief Francis Laceese of the Tsilhqot'in National Government emphasized the ongoing toxic drug crisis as a continuation of historical threats faced by Indigenous Peoples, such as the impacts of residential schools and the smallpox epidemic of the 1860s in British Columbia. The government is urging both the B.C. and Canadian governments to increase funding for recovery beds and essential...

Jack in the Box plans to close 10% of its U.S. locations, approximately 200 restaurants, due to underperformance, with 80 to 120 closures expected by the end of 2025. This move is part of the company's strategy to address $300 million in debt, emphasizing a return to core business practices. Additionally, Jack in the Box is considering selling its Del Taco brand, which it acquired three years ago, as part of its "Jack on Track"...

Two firefighters were rescued during a fire on Auckland's North Shore after their aerial unit malfunctioned, leaving them trapped above the flames. The New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union criticized the incident as indicative of an ageing and poorly-maintained fleet, highlighting that all backup options to lower the basket failed, including a manual lever that broke. Fire and Emergency New Zealand emphasized that staff safety is paramount, stating that the malfunctioning truck will remain out of...