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Who is James Hendry? Virginia prosecutor fired after being appointed interim US attorney to replace Trump loyalist

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Who is James Hendry? Virginia prosecutor fired after being appointed interim US attorney to replace Trump loyalist

The Justice Department has fired veteran attorney James W Hundley, hours after a panel of federal judges unanimously appointed him interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, marking the latest clash between the department and the Trump administration over prosecutor appointments. Shortly after Chief U.S. District Judge M. Hundley was sworn in, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced Hundley’s firing. Hannah Lauck of Richmond claimed on social media that the power to appoint U.S. attorneys belongs to the president, not federal judges.Hundley, who was selected to temporarily fill the vacancy following the departure of Trump ally Lindsey Halligan, said he was honored to be appointed by the court and added that he would continue to support the justice system despite his removal. The sudden firing underscores growing tensions over the appointment of interim U.S. attorneys, especially after several federal courts ruled that Trump administration appointees served illegally. Federal law allows judges to appoint interim prosecutors if a presidential nominee is not confirmed by the Senate within 120 days, but the Justice Department maintains that the president and attorney general have ultimate control over such appointments.The Eastern District of Virginia’s position has been at the center of controversy amid politically sensitive investigations involving New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey, both critics of President Donald Trump. Former prosecutors who oversaw the office have either resigned under pressure or been removed amid disputes over charging decisions and the legality of their appointments.The judge’s appointment of Hundley is seen as an attempt to restore continuity to one of the nation’s most powerful federal prosecutors’ offices, often referred to as “rocket cases” for its fast-moving cases.

Who is James W. Hendry?

James W Hundley is a veteran criminal defense and civil litigation attorney with more than thirty years of experience practicing in Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland.He has handled a variety of high-stakes criminal cases involving charges of bank fraud, bribery, embezzlement, tax evasion and computer fraud, as well as representing clients in civil disputes involving contracts, civil rights and trade secrets.Hundley has extensive appellate experience and argued before the U.S. Supreme Court in 2000 in the landmark Dickson v. United States case, in which the Court reaffirmed that Miranda warnings are constitutionally required.A graduate of Georgetown University Law Center, Hundley began his career clerking for a federal judge and later served as a Fairfax County assistant U.S. attorney. In 1997, he co-founded the Virginia-based law firm of Briglia Hundley.He is ranked among the top criminal defense attorneys by professional rating organizations and has held numerous leadership positions within the Virginia State Bar, including serving on its Governing Council and Disciplinary Committee.Known for his expertise in complex criminal defense and appellate litigation, Hendry also teaches at leading law schools and legal education programs.His brief and tumultuous appointment as interim U.S. attorney made him one of a growing list of prosecutors whose roles have been caught in the crossfire of political and legal battles over federal prosecutorial power.

BJP says ‘topless protest’ at AI summit akin to treason, Rahul an inspiration India News

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BJP targets Rahul Gandhi over AI summit protests

Image source: ANI

New Delhi: The BJP has stepped up its attack on the Congress, likening its protest at the Artificial Intelligence Summit to treason and claiming that Rahul Gandhi was the inspiration for the party’s young workers to participate in topless demonstrations as he often maligns India.Union Minister Kiren Rijiju termed the protests a “big crime” and “big sin” against the country and alleged that when the world was praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership of the AI ​​Impact Summit, the Congress was trying to malign it.

BJP targets Rahul Gandhi over AI summit protests

He claimed that it had grown so frustrated with repeated electoral defeats that it had become “anti-national”.“If Congress had any sensitivity to this country, it would look inward and apologize,” he told a news conference. Instead of expressing regret, Congress defended the misconduct of its members. “He said there was widespread anger across the country against opposition parties that were saddened and angry about the country’s progress.BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi lashed out at the Congress, accusing the protesters of being “Lashkar-e-Taiba’s flag-bearers” and trying to tarnish India’s image. Trivedi claimed: “What the Congress has done cannot be considered merely as negative politics, it amounts to treason.”He claimed that till date, Rahul had made derogatory and offensive remarks about India abroad, before adding, “Now Rashkar Rahul’s flag bearers and naysayers are trying to tarnish the image of India in front of foreign guests.”He claimed that the protest at the Artificial Intelligence Summit was a “shameful display” of Congress’s “narrowness and nakedness”.

Nancy Guthrie Update: Savannah Guthrie’s family faces cruel insult as Tommaso Cioni faces cruel insult; ‘No emergency’

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Nancy Guthrie Case Update: Today show host Savannah Guthrie, her brother-in-law Tommaso Cioni and other family members are facing intense scrutiny days after her 84-year-old mother went missing. Journalist and attorney Megyn Kelly and comedian Zach Peters asked the Guthries several questions this week.

Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of American journalist and television host Savannah Guthrie, disappeared from her home in Tucson (via Reuters)
Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of American journalist and television host Savannah Guthrie, disappeared from her home in Tucson (via Reuters)

Nancy Guthrie disappeared in the early hours of February 1 while having a late-night dinner with her other daughter, Annie, and her son-in-law, Cioni. Authorities believe the 84-year-old was forcibly removed from his Tucson home. Several media outlets even received ransom letters from the kidnappers, who reportedly demanded millions of dollars in Bitcoin.

The suspect’s name in the case has not yet been released. Doorbell camera footage released by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department shows a masked armed man breaking the camera.

Why Savannah Guthrie and family face harsh criticism

Megyn Kelly raised some questions about the Guthrie family’s behavior while speaking with Zack Peter on the Feb. 19 episode of The Megyn Kelly Show podcast.

“We have people missing, and we see very, very little of the family. There’s no press conference; we don’t see them out looking for the mother… I try not to judge them. But like every day, I get more and more curious about what’s going on,” Zach said.

“That’s a really good point. We’ve seen very few Guthrie people. We haven’t even seen them, you know, joining searches, or the grid pattern that helps them walk on the ground. We haven’t seen…” Kelly noted. Zach interjected: “Prayer vigil.”

“Or like a daily update, like this – ‘Keep the pressure on, please keep looking for our mom.'” Like every once in a while they’ll drop like a 30-second video that’s like, ‘If you have our mom, please give her back to me.’ It’s kind of weird,” Kelly said.

Savannah Guthrie and her siblings Camron and Annie posted videos on social media pleading for their mother’s safe return.

“There’s no sense of urgency,” Zach said.

Megyn Kelly calls for investigation

Kelly said Nancy’s son-in-law met her on January 31 and should be investigated. She believes it was a mistake not to consider Tommaso as a possible suspect.

US soldier accused of stealing $3 million for mansion, luxury cars: ‘Stealing taxpayers’ money’

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US soldier accused of stealing $3 million for mansion, luxury cars: 'Stealing taxpayers' money'

A U.S. Air Force sergeant and his husband are accused of stealing more than $3 million from the government to pay for a lavish lifestyle that included high-end cars and a million-dollar home in Arizona.Staff Sgt. Richard Stefon Ramroop, 35, and Manuel George Madrid, 32, were charged with 12 counts for allegedly carrying out the scheme between January 2022 and December 2025. The U.S. Justice Department announced the charges Thursday.Prosecutors said Ramrup used his position as a pharmacist at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson to order thousands of pieces of medical equipment with government funds. After acquiring the equipment, the couple allegedly resold the items and kept the profits. Authorities said the program cost the War Department more than $3 million.According to investigators, bank accounts linked to the two men received more than $11 million in wire transfers, ACH deposits and other credits from companies that purchased the equipment.The money was allegedly used to maintain an expensive lifestyle. In January 2024, the couple purchased a 5,622-square-foot property near the Tucson Mountains for $1.1 million. The home sits on 4.9 acres and includes four bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, a grand dual-staircase entry and a five-car garage. Madrid became the sole owner in May 2025 and sold the property that same month for $1.1 million.They also purchased several luxury vehicles, including a 2024 Porsche Cayenne worth $141,443.34 and a BMW i7 worth $195,397.59. Other vehicles listed in court documents include a 2025 Ford F-150 Raptor, 2025 Mini Cooper S Convertible, 2025 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2026 BMW X7 Alpina XB7 and 2026 Cadillac Escalade Sport Platinum. Officers seized the vehicle and other assets in a search warrant executed on Jan. 15.“The defendants allegedly stole millions of taxpayer dollars from the U.S. Department of War to fund a lavish lifestyle and divert critical resources away from their intended use,” said Timothy Courchaine, U.S. Attorney for Arizona. “Every dollar taken fraudulently means that the mission it is meant to support is taken away from us,” they added.“Fraud of this level is more than just a financial crime, it undermines public trust, diverts resources, and threatens the integrity of our force,” said AFOSI Special Agent in Charge Richard Kautz. “Every dollar lost to fraud represents a loss to our national security.”Ramrup was arrested soon after the search. Madrid was charged on January 22. If convicted, they face up to five years in prison for conspiracy to steal government property, up to 20 years for wire fraud, and up to 10 years for money laundering.

To reduce dependence on China, India signs rare earth agreement with Brazil India News

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To reduce dependence on China, India signs rare earth agreement with Brazil

New Delhi: Highlights of Modi’s bilateral meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Saturday included cooperation agreements on rare earths and critical minerals, a bilateral trade target of $30 billion by 2030 and solidarity in technology in the global South, which must be inclusive and serve as a bridge for common progress, according to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Modi said the important mining deal could reduce dependence on China and was an important step towards building a resilient supply chain. Notably, the two leaders discussed the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn President Donald Trump’s global tariffs and agreed that both sides needed to study its impact.“So, we will basically be on the sidelines to see how the government responds to this judgment, whether to take any further steps and look at the impact on our trade,” MEA Secretary (East) P Kumaran said at a media briefing.In his speech, Lula mentioned trade unilateralism and said that in a turbulent world, both sides need to strengthen and deepen strategic dialogue. He said: “India and Brazil play important roles in the United Nations, the WTO and the G20.” At the same time, he also emphasized the importance of cooperation among BRICS countries.Modi and Lula focused on energy transition and defense and security cooperation, which the prime minister said was a perfect example of mutual trust and strategic harmony. “We will continue to further strengthen this win-win partnership,” the Prime Minister said. India and Brazil signed a total of nine agreements, including one covering the steel supply chain mining sector, and announced that Brazil would extend business visa duration to 10 years for Indian ordinary passport holders.Modi said expanding India’s trade agreement with South American trade bloc Mercosur will further strengthen economic cooperation and that bilateral cooperation in technology and innovation is important for both countries as well as the global South.“We also prioritize cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence, supercomputers, semiconductors and blockchain,” he said, adding that energy cooperation is also a strong pillar of the relationship, with increasing cooperation in renewable energy, ethanol blends and sustainable aviation fuels.“As democracies, we will continue to advance the priorities and aspirations of the Global South. When India and Brazil work together, the voices of the Global South become stronger and more confident. “Lula said the meeting was a meeting between digital superpowers and renewable energy superpowers.Brazil joins India in strongly condemning cross-border terrorism, as well as the Pahalgam terror attack and the Red Fort blast. According to a joint statement, the two leaders reiterated that defense is an integral pillar of the India-Brazil strategic partnership and highlighted the potential for co-design and co-production by linking India’s Atmanibar Bharat with Brazil’s defense industrial base.As expected, high attention has been paid to the reform of the United Nations, especially the reform of the Security Council, including the expansion of the permanent and non-permanent categories, for which the two countries have been working within the framework of the Quad group, which includes Japan and Germany. The joint statement said that the leaders of the two countries reaffirmed their commitment to jointly support the two countries in becoming permanent members of the expanded United Nations Security Council, and India welcomed Brazil’s support for India’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat in the 2028-29 term.Kumaran said Lula gave a detailed introduction to Brazil’s important mineral and rare earth reserves. “He said Brazil has only explored 30% of its reserves and there is still a lot of room for exploration, processing and utilization. He said Brazil will value India’s partnership,” the official said.

An Olympic badge worth more than gold honors late halfpipe pioneer Sarah Burke

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Livigno, Italy—perhaps the most precious pin exist Milan Cortina Games Celebrating an athlete who helped lead an entire sport to the Olympics but never competed himself.

An Olympic badge worth more than gold honors late halfpipe pioneer Sarah Burke
An Olympic badge worth more than gold honors late halfpipe pioneer Sarah Burke

Canada is late and great Freeskier Sarah Burke Is the pioneer of women’s halfpipe. She encouraged girls and young women to participate in a sport that decades ago was almost exclusively male. Her lobbying was later key to having the event included in the Olympic program.

But she died in a training accident in 2012 at the age of 29. Two years ago, skiers made their halfpipe debut at the Sochi Olympics.

To honor Burke, Canadian coach Trennon Paynter created 200 pins spelling out “Sarah” in red lettering – matching the look of the stickers Russian skiers put on their helmets.

“She brought women into the sport, period,” Paynter said Friday. “She got involved and became a huge promoter of bringing the sport to the Olympics when a lot of people didn’t know it was a pathway to the Olympics.”

To this day, Paynter said, some people still ski with “Sarah” stickers on their helmets. But with strict Olympic rules prohibiting such displays, Paynter came up with a different way to get the message out.

He was given the floor before the first halfpipe practice earlier this week and used the time to talk about Burke’s impact. He told the athletes about the pin. Word quickly spread throughout the snow park. He was out a few hours later.

“Everyone in the sport, not just this sport but action sports in general, still really pays homage to Sarah and her legacy,” said the coach, who plans to produce a new batch of product and sell it to benefit Burke. Charitable Foundation.

On Sunday – One day later than scheduled Because of the storm – Eileen Gu planned to fall into the halfpipe, trying to second consecutive gold medal in the event. Gu’s birthday: September 3, the same as Burke’s birthday.

Arguably the most memorable night in the sport’s Olympic history was its first night — in the mountains of Russia, when Burke’s parents and husband attended the women’s event and watched the skaters slide down the halfpipe in a heart shape for the last time that night.

Paynter himself spread some of Burke’s ashes over the halfpipe at Rosa Cotto Extreme Park.

That night, French skier Marie Martineau won the silver medal. She had retired and had a daughter, and one day Burke knocked on her door and told her she needed to come back because she wanted the best woman to make her Olympic debut.

That night, Martinold painted snowflakes on her nails to match the tattoos on Burke’s feet.

“I guess I haven’t said goodbye to Sarah and I still have to do that and now I feel like I’m able to do that because I did what she asked me to do,” Martinold said that night.

Twelve years later, the number of skiers who knew Burke had dwindled to a handful. Yet, almost everyone knows her legacy.

During Friday’s qualifying round, American Nick Goepper wore the pin and even pointed to it while waiting in the waiting area to score.

“She had a commanding personality and power that legitimized halfpipe skiing for both men and women,” Goepper said. “She was a great inspiration to a lot of young girls.”

Winter Olympics: /hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter olympics

This article was generated from automated news agency feeds without modifications to the text.

Niti CEO: Countries must push for next wave of reforms to achieve 2047 targets India News

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Niti CEO: Countries must push for next wave of reforms to achieve 2047 goals

New Delhi: If India wants to become a developed country by 2047, the next wave of reforms must come from the states as most of the heavy lifting by the Center has already been done, Niti Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam said on Saturday.“Most of the action in India is now at the state level. The Indian government has probably done 90 per cent of what it should have done,” Subramaniam said at an event organized by the All India Management Association.“The land belongs to the state, the labor force belongs to the state, the electricity belongs to the state, the water supply belongs to the state, the roads belong to the state,” he said.“Differences in country-level governance now determine growth outcomes. Countries pushing for reforms make progress while others risk falling behind,” Subramaniam added.India’s demographics give it a significant opportunity, he said. “India is in a good time…demographically we have fallen behind, our capabilities have fallen behind and we have the wind in our sails,” he said, however, becoming a developed nation will require sustained high growth.At the event, Vianai Systems founder Vishal Sikka said India must build its own AI stack rather than relying on systems it does not understand or control.

Ashley Flynn case: Husband Caleb questions murder charge after shooting; ‘It’s disturbing’

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Former “American Idol” contestant Caleb Flynn is accused of killing his wife, Ashley Flynn, a well-known Tipp City volleyball coach and substitute teacher, and making it look like a burglary.

Caleb Flynn charged with murder of wife Ashley(X)
Caleb Flynn charged with murder of wife Ashley(X)

Caleb Flynn charged with wife’s murder

Caleb Flynn, 39, was arrested Thursday night. He was charged in Miami County Municipal Court with one count of murder, two counts of felonious assault and two counts of tampering with evidence. He was arraigned Friday morning in the Miami County Jail, where bail was set at $2 million.

At about 2:30 a.m. Monday, police responded to a report of a burglary at the couple’s home in the 900 block of Cunningham Court, where 37-year-old Ashley Flynn was found shot to death. Police initially said there were signs of forced entry.

Tipp City Police Chief Greg Adkins said Ashley Flynn was shot twice and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Lawyers questioned the “thoroughness” of the investigation.

According to the Dayton Daily News, Flynn is represented by L. Patrick Mulligan of the Dayton law firm Moermond and Mulligan.

“The speed at which this happened is disturbing,” Mulligan said. “I question the thoroughness of the investigation.”

The Tippe City Police Department called the case a “complex case” and said throughout the week that it would conduct an “as thorough investigation as possible.” The department led the investigation with help from the FBI, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Miami County Sheriff’s Office and Miami County Prosecutor’s Office.

Mulligan also called the $2 million bond too high and said he planned to ask for a reduction.

“This deprived him of the opportunity to attend his wife’s funeral, which is an unspeakable tragedy,” Mulligan said.

what happened that night

Police received reports of a burglary at the Flynns’ Cunningham Court home in Tipp City around 2:30 a.m. on Monday. Caleb Flynn called 911 and told dispatchers his wife had been shot and was unresponsive, according to court documents cited by Yahoo News. He also said he wasn’t sure if the intruder was still inside the home.

When officers arrived, they found the side door of the garage open. In the master bedroom, 37-year-old Ashley Flynn was found lying on the bed with a gunshot wound to the head. She was shot twice and pronounced dead at the scene. There were two shell casings on the floor near the foot of the bed.

Investigators also noted details inside the garage. Caleb Flynn told police he stored the handgun in the center console of a 2024 Ford pickup truck, which was found open. A large refrigerator was placed in front of the side garage door and “had to be pushed to open the door,” court records state. The criminal complaint further alleges that officers were led astray “due to the staging of the crime scene.”

Who is Neil Katyll? Indian-American lawyer behind Trump tariff losses

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Who is Neil Katyll? Indian-American lawyer behind Trump tariff losses

Neal Katyal is a prominent Indian-American lawyer whose legal work played a central role in a major U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning sweeping tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. The U.S. Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision was seen as a major constitutional check on the president’s powers and a setback for Trump’s trade agenda.

India likely to slash tariffs despite Trump’s scorn, White House signals global trade reset

Katyal was born in Chicago on March 12, 1970, to parents who immigrated from India. His mother is a pediatrician and his father is an engineer. He grew up in the United States and later earned a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College and a law degree from Yale Law School, where he excelled academically.Earlier in his career, Katyill served as a law clerk to Judge Guido Calabresi of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and later to Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer. These experiences helped him develop a strong legal foundation and opened the door to high-level legal practice.From May 2010 to June 2011, Katyill served as the Acting Deputy Attorney General of the United States in the Obama administration. During this time, he represented the federal government in numerous cases before the Supreme Court. During his career, he litigated more than 50 cases before the Supreme Court, a record for minority attorneys.Today, he is a partner in the Washington, D.C., office of the law firm Milbank LLP and holds the title of Paul and Patricia Sanders Professor of National Security Law at Georgetown University Law Center. He is recognized for his expertise in constitutional and appellate law.In recent tariff cases, Cartier represented a coalition of small businesses and trade groups challenging the legality of Trump’s tariffs. The Supreme Court ruled that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act did not give the president the authority to impose such broad tariffs without express congressional approval. After the ruling, Cartier said the ruling showed “only Congress can tax the American people” and highlighted the limits of presidential power under the Constitution.Among other things, Katyal’s career has included defending the Voting Rights Act, challenging the 2017 travel ban and contributing to important constitutional debates. His achievements have earned him such honors as the Edmund Randolph Award, the U.S. Department of Justice’s highest civil honor.

7 CRPF personnel injured as vehicle falls into canal in Srinagar India News

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7 CRPF personnel injured as vehicle crashes into canal in Srinagar
An incident occurred near the water canal in Ahmed Nagar, Srinagar, involving Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel on Saturday. (ANI video capture)

SRINAGAR: At least seven Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were injured after their vehicle fell into a canal in Srinagar on Saturday morning. The driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle and the vehicle skidded off the road in Ahmednagar area on the outskirts of the city.The injured were sent to Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences for treatment. “All seven are stable,” an official said. The vehicle was later fished out of the canal.In another incident, a suspicious object was spotted and neutralized in Ganderbal. SSP Khalil Ahmad Poswal said the object was spotted on the Safapora-Ganderbal road on Saturday morning, prompting security forces to cordon off the area and restrict traffic as a precautionary measure. “We are not sure if it was an IED. We are investigating it,” Boswal told TOI. A bomb squad was called in and the object was neutralized. Police have yet to make any statement on the incident.