A jury found rapper ASAP Rocky not guilty on two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm in a Los Angeles courtroom on Friday. The verdict follows a three-week trial stemming from a 2021 shooting incident involving his former friend and bandmate, Terell Ephron, known as ASAP Relli.
Prosecutors alleged that Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, fired a gun at Ephron during a confrontation in Hollywood, an accusation the defense strongly denied. If convicted, Mayers could have faced up to 24 years in prison, though prosecutors had sought an eight-year sentence.
“This is not a difficult case,” Deputy District Attorney Paul Przelomiec said in his closing argument Thursday. “The question for you to answer in this case boils down to really just one question: Did Mr. Mayers use a real gun or did he use a fake gun? Nothing else is in dispute.”
The defense argued that Ephron was the aggressor and had physically assaulted Mayers twice on the night of the incident. Attorney Joe Tacopina maintained that Mayers had carried a prop gun for personal safety in the absence of security and fired to deter an attack on a mutual friend.
Rihanna, Mayers’ longtime partner, was seen arriving at the courthouse with their two children ahead of closing arguments, according to footage obtained by TMZ.
Mayers pleaded not guilty and opted not to testify in his own defense. He also rejected a pre-trial plea deal that would have resulted in a 180-day jail sentence.
“I want my right not to testify,” he told Superior Court Judge Mark Arnold last week.
The trial drew widespread attention due to Mayers’ high-profile status in the music industry and his relationship with Rihanna. With the jury’s decision, the rapper avoids prison time and clears his name in a case that has captivated both the hip-hop community and the public.
A federal judge on Tuesday rejected an urgent request to temporarily halt mass firings and data access by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, as part of President Donald Trump’s sweeping efforts to reshape the federal workforce.
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan ruled that the 14 state attorneys general who filed the motion failed to demonstrate immediate and irreparable harm. She noted that while reports of DOGE’s actions were concerning, the court could not base its decision solely on media accounts.
“Plaintiffs ask the court to take judicial notice of widespread media reports that DOGE has taken or will soon take certain actions, such as mass terminations,” Chutkan wrote. “But these reports cannot substitute for specific facts in an affidavit or a verified complaint that clearly show that immediate and irreparable injury, loss, or damage will result.”
The attorneys general sought to prevent DOGE from terminating employees or accessing sensitive records from agencies including the Departments of Education, Labor, Health and Human Services, Energy, Transportation, Commerce, and the Office of Personnel Management. Their lawsuit challenges Musk’s authority, arguing that his expansive role violates the Appointments Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which requires principal officers of the government to be confirmed by the Senate.
During Monday’s hearing, Chutkan expressed skepticism about issuing a broad restraining order without clear evidence of harm. “The things that I’m hearing are concerning indeed and troubling indeed, but I have to have a record, and I have to make a finding on the facts before I issue something,” she said.
She also questioned government attorneys about the scope of DOGE’s actions, asking whether thousands of employees had already been dismissed. “The firing of thousands of federal employees is not a small or common thing. You haven’t been able to confirm that?” she pressed.
Chutkan acknowledged the difficulty in proving immediate harm due to DOGE’s “unpredictable and scattershot” approach but criticized the lack of congressional oversight. “This is essentially a private citizen directing an organization that’s not a federal agency to have access to the entire workings of the federal government—fire, hire, slash, contract, terminate programs—all without apparently any congressional oversight.”
The lawsuit is one of at least 73 legal challenges filed against Trump’s executive actions in his first month back in office. Courts have already issued temporary restraining orders blocking DOGE from accessing Treasury Department data, dismantling public health databases, implementing a 90-day foreign aid freeze, and cutting funding for gender-affirming medical care.
Despite setbacks, Trump and his allies, including Musk and Vice President JD Vance, have begun pushing back against the courts. Over the weekend, Trump wrote on social media, “He who saves his Country does not violate any Law.”
The administration has appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing that judicial rulings are obstructing Trump’s ability to manage the executive branch. “The district court’s order exemplifies a broader, weeks-long trend in which plaintiffs challenging President Trump’s initiatives have persuaded district courts to issue TROs that intrude upon a host of the President’s Article II powers,” Solicitor General Sarah Harris wrote.
With at least eight court hearings scheduled this week, the legal battles over Trump’s executive actions and DOGE’s authority are far from over.
The family of Casey Crafton, one of the 67 victims of last month’s deadly plane crash near Washington, D.C., has filed a $250 million claim against the U.S. government, alleging negligence by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the U.S. Army.
Crafton, 40, of Salem, Connecticut, was aboard an American Airlines flight from Wichita, Kansas, when it collided midair with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter on January 29. The crash killed all 64 passengers and crew members on the commercial jet, as well as three military personnel aboard the helicopter.
Filed by Chicago-based Clifford Law Offices, the claim is the first step under the Federal Tort Claims Act, which allows lawsuits against the government for wrongful death, personal injury, or property loss. The family seeks $50 million for personal injury and $200 million for wrongful death.
“Casey was an incredible human being, a devoted husband, and a loving father,” said attorney Robert Clifford. “His children will grieve him for the rest of their lives.”
The collision occurred as the American Airlines jet was preparing to land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The Black Hawk, on a routine training mission, was reportedly flying above its maximum altitude when the two aircraft plummeted into the icy waters of the Potomac River. The crash marked the first fatal U.S. commercial airline disaster since 2009.
The government has six months to respond to the claim. If denied or unanswered, the family can proceed with a federal lawsuit.
Clifford also sent legal notices to American Airlines and other aviation-related entities demanding they preserve all evidence for a potential lawsuit. He pointed to longstanding concerns about air traffic congestion near Reagan National, where military and commercial aircraft frequently share airspace.
“There have been known issues with congestion at that airport,” Clifford said. “It’s our intention to seek full transparency from all involved parties regarding the cause of this crash.”
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) continues to investigate the incident, with preliminary findings expected within 30 days of the crash. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy has cited potential missed radio communications and unauthorized altitude as possible contributing factors. The final report could take up to two years.
“I don’t know what caused this crash yet,” Clifford added. “But I do know this: the 67 souls lost didn’t cause it, and their families didn’t deserve it.”
The D.C. tragedy was the first in a series of recent aviation disasters, including a Medevac jet crash in Philadelphia that killed seven, an Alaska commuter plane accident that left 10 dead, and a Delta regional jet incident in Toronto that injured 18.
The family of an Israeli mother and her two young sons taken hostage by Hamas on October 7 is in turmoil after the terror group announced their deaths and said their bodies would be returned to Israel.
Shiri Bibas, 33, and her sons, Ariel, 5, and Kfir, 2, were abducted from their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz during Hamas’ attack on southern Israel. Their father, Yarden Bibas, 35, was also taken after being brutally assaulted.
Hamas had previously claimed that the mother and children were killed in an Israeli airstrike, but without evidence, their family held onto hope. That hope was shattered when the group announced the deaths ahead of a planned hostage exchange.
The Bibas family issued a statement following the claim, saying they remain in turmoil and will not give up until they receive definitive confirmation.
Yarden Bibas was freed on February 1 after spending 484 days in captivity in Gaza’s tunnel system, having been separated from his family shortly after their abduction.
In the months following their disappearance, no proof of life was provided for Shiri or her children. The family continued to campaign for their release, desperate for any sign of survival.
The last known messages from the family were sent on October 7 as they sheltered in their home, updating relatives by text as Hamas gunmen stormed neighboring houses. At 9:43 a.m., Yarden sent his sister, Ofri Bibas Levy, a final message: “They’re coming in.”
Shortly afterward, video footage surfaced showing Shiri clutching her terrified sons as armed militants led them away. Another clip showed Yarden, blood streaming down his face after being struck with a hammer, as he was dragged into Gaza.
For months, the Bibas family endured unimaginable anguish, questioning whether Shiri and the boys were alive, being tortured, or had access to food and water.
“We live every day with a constant feeling of fear – and uncertainty. It’s the not knowing that’s the worst,” Ofri told The Sun on the anniversary of the attack.
Despite Hamas’ claims, the family vowed to keep fighting for their loved ones, refusing to accept their deaths without verification. However, it was later confirmed that Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir were among the dead.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov denied the existence of a three-point peace plan for Ukraine and warned against the deployment of Western troops, calling it a direct threat to Russia’s sovereignty.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaks at a news conference at the United Nations headquarters on April 25, 2023, in New York City, U.S. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Speaking on Feb. 18 following U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, Lavrov said Moscow had not seen any formal proposal for a peace deal. The reported plan, which allegedly includes a ceasefire, Ukrainian elections, and a final peace agreement, was first disclosed by Fox News Senior White House Correspondent Jacqui Heinrich.
“I have not seen this information, I have not seen these reports,” Lavrov stated at a press conference.
Lavrov also issued a warning regarding any potential deployment of NATO military personnel in Ukraine under a future agreement, emphasizing that even if Western forces operated under EU or national flags, Moscow would consider it a provocation.
“The absorption of Ukraine by the North Atlantic Alliance is a direct threat to the interests of the Russian Federation, a direct threat to our sovereignty,” Lavrov said.
Kyiv has emphasized that strong security guarantees must be included in any peace agreement. The possibility of an international peacekeeping force in Ukraine remains under discussion.
Lavrov also escalated rhetoric against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, calling for him and his administration to be “calmed down” after a reported Ukrainian drone strike on a pumping station in Russia’s Kuban region.
“This should only strengthen everyone in the opinion that this can’t go on, that this man and his entire team should be calmed down, given a slap on the wrist,” Lavrov stated.
The Saudi Arabia talks marked the first direct negotiations between the U.S. and Russia since the full-scale invasion began. Lavrov led the Russian delegation, which met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other American officials.
Following the talks, Zelensky announced on Feb. 18 that he postponed his planned visit to Saudi Arabia. He reiterated that Ukraine must be involved in any decisions regarding its future.
A 4-year-old girl was found safe after her father allegedly shot and killed her mother, grandfather, and another man at two neighboring homes in South Florida.
Nathan Gingles, 43, was arrested Sunday and charged with three counts of first-degree murder, along with additional charges related to the incident, according to Broward County arrest records.
Police identified the victims as Mary Gingles, 34, the mother of the child; David Ponzer, 64, Mary Gingles’ father; and Andrew Ferrin, 36, whose relationship to the victims was not specified.
Authorities responded to reports of gunfire at two homes in Tamarac, Florida, about 40 miles northwest of Miami. Ponzer was found dead at the first location, where emergency medical services initially responded to gunshot reports. Mary Gingles and Ferrin were later discovered dead inside the home next door.
An Amber Alert was issued after the shootings, as police believed Gingles had taken his daughter. Law enforcement located the suspect’s vehicle at a shopping center four miles from the crime scene and took him into custody. The child was found unharmed.
Gingles faces multiple charges, including first-degree murder, violation of a domestic violence injunction, interference with custody, kidnapping, child abuse, armed burglary, and child neglect. He is being held at the Broward County Main Jail on a $2,500 bond.
Investigators recovered a firearm from a nearby canal, which they believe was used in the shootings.
Court records indicate that on December 30, 2024, Mary Gingles filed a petition to extend a restraining order against Nathan Gingles. A court hearing on the matter was scheduled for March 19.
On Presidents Day, demonstrators across the United States gathered at state capitol buildings and other locations to protest against President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, who has been leading significant changes within the federal government.
In Washington, D.C., thousands of protesters assembled at the Capitol Reflecting Pool, chanting “Where is Congress?” and urging lawmakers to “do your job!” despite cold temperatures and strong winds. Potus Black, an organizer with the D.C. chapter of the 50501 Movement, which spearheaded the rallies, called on the crowd to stand united in defense of democracy.
“To oppose tyranny is to stand behind democracy and remind our elected officials that we, the people, are who they are elected to serve, not themselves,” Black said. “The events over the past month have been built to exhaust us, to break our wills. But we are the American people. We will not break.”
The protests were part of the 50501 Movement, a campaign that stands for “50 protests. 50 states. 1 movement.” Organizers said the demonstrations were a direct response to what they described as “anti-democratic and illegal actions” by the Trump administration. The latest rallies follow a series of executive orders signed by Trump and decisions made by Musk, who has faced criticism for mass firings across multiple federal agencies.
Several demonstrators spoke out against the changes, voicing concerns about the Department of Government Efficiency, the agency Musk oversees, and its access to data from the IRS and other federal records. Others raised alarm over the dismissal of national park rangers and employees across government agencies.
Suzanne, a Maryland resident who requested her last name be withheld due to fear of retaliation, attended the protest in support of her husband, a financial regulatory agency employee. She expressed concerns about his job security as the government faces widespread layoffs.
“It’s put us in a pretty tenuous financial situation. Currently, his paychecks are going through, but we’re looking to Plan B as an alternative on how to support our family, our children,” she said. “But it has really motivated him and his co-workers to stand united, to stand as a solid, solidified workers force.”
Anita Gilmore, also from Maryland, worried about the potential impact on her son’s healthcare coverage, which he relies on for critical treatment. She expressed anxiety over decisions that could be made by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
“My son is on Medicaid because he has a life-threatening disease that if I wasn’t there to take care of him, he would be one of these D.C. [homeless] guys on the street,” Gilmore said.
Frustration with Congress was another recurring theme among protesters. Many accused lawmakers of not doing enough to check the executive branch. Katie Temple, holding a sign that read, “Was the price of your eggs worth our democracy?” called for stronger action.
“I want Congress to grow a spine, as they’ve been saying,” Temple said. “I feel like, especially the Democrats, are not standing up. We need them to act.”
Following the protests, Black emphasized that the 50501 Movement would continue.
“We know that this one protest is not going to be enough to make the changes that we expect,” Black said. “We will be continuing to let the American people’s voice be heard.”
Protests Spread Nationwide from California to Tennessee to Massachusetts
Demonstrations occurred across the country, with protesters flooding statehouses, federal courts, and other public spaces. The 50501 Movement organized rallies in more than half of the U.S. states, including California, Colorado, Tennessee, and Massachusetts.
In the Northeast, despite freezing temperatures and strong winds, hundreds gathered at Boston Common, bundled in winter coats and beanies. Similar protests took place in Hartford, New York City, and Trenton.
In Tennessee, protesters gathered in Knoxville near a federal courthouse for an event called the “Not My Billionaires” rally. They waved signs that read “Musk wasn’t on the ballot” and “No felons, no Elons.” Demonstrations also took place in Nashville, Atlanta, and Miami.
In Iowa, dozens of protesters gathered inside the statehouse, chanting “President Musk must go!” to condemn Musk’s influence over the federal government, particularly his leadership at the Department of Government Efficiency, according to Iowa Local 5 News.
On the West Coast, rallies in Palo Alto targeted Tesla dealerships, with protesters expressing concerns over Musk’s expanding political role. In Denver, Colorado, more than 1,000 people took to the streets despite snowy conditions, holding signs advocating for women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, and immigration protections, according to Colorado Public Radio.
As protests continued across the country, organizers reaffirmed their commitment to sustained action.
“We know this is just the beginning,” Black said. “The American people will not stay silent.”
The Commonwealth on Tuesday called for Uganda to release detained opposition leader Kizza Besigye, saying his incarceration undermines democracy and human rights in the East African nation.
President Yoweri Museveni dismissed concerns about Besigye’s health, accusing him of using a hunger strike as “blackmail” to gain public sympathy and secure bail.
Besigye, 68, a longtime critic of Museveni, has been held for nearly three months after being prosecuted by a military court on charges including illegal firearms possession. His detention has sparked public outrage, with critics accusing the government of escalating repression ahead of next year’s election.
Besigye began a hunger strike last week and was briefly hospitalized over the weekend, according to an allied lawmaker.
Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland condemned the detention of Besigye, his lawyer, and an aide, calling it a violation of “democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.”
“The Commonwealth has always had a relationship based on trust with Uganda and looks forward to the return of a more inclusive and democratic political environment aligned with the Commonwealth Charter,” Scotland said in a statement.
Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, rejected the criticism.
“Besigye was on hunger strike. That is part of the cause for his weakness that we could see in the pictures that were in the newspapers,” he said in a statement. “Is that not unprincipled blackmail? How can you be accused of serious crimes and then your response is a hunger strike to generate sympathy for getting bail?”
Ugandan officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The government has previously denied allegations of human rights abuses, insisting that all arrests and prosecutions follow legal procedures.
On Monday, police detained at least five activists, including members of Besigye’s political party, during protests in Kampala demanding his release, police told local television.
Bobi Wine, the opposition leader who was the runner-up in the last presidential election, also said Monday that his brother, a party official, was abducted by armed men in the capital. Police have not commented on the claim.
The escalating crackdown on opposition figures has fueled concerns over Uganda’s political climate as the country heads into another election season.
The head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund praised U.S. President Donald Trump as a “problem solver” ahead of the first high-level U.S.-Russia talks in years, set to take place in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
“We really see that President Trump and his team are problem solvers, people who have already addressed a number of big challenges very swiftly, very efficiently, and very successfully,” Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s Direct Investment Fund, told reporters in Riyadh.
The talks, led by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, will focus on ending the war in Ukraine and restoring the broader scope of U.S.-Russia relations, according to Russian officials. The discussions are expected to lay the groundwork for a potential meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Dmitriev, a former Goldman Sachs banker with a U.S. education, played a key role in backchannel diplomacy between Moscow and Washington during Trump’s first term from 2016 to 2020.
“It’s important to understand that U.S. businesses have lost around $300 billion from exiting Russia,” Dmitriev said. “There is a huge economic toll on many countries due to the current situation, and we believe the way forward is through solutions.”
The meeting in Riyadh underscores growing diplomatic maneuvering between the U.S. and Russia as global leaders assess potential shifts in American foreign policy.
Israel’s military announced it will maintain a presence in five strategic locations in southern Lebanon past Tuesday’s withdrawal deadline, raising concerns about the stability of the ceasefire with Hezbollah. Lebanese officials have voiced frustration over the delay, as Hezbollah warns against further postponements.
Military spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani stated that the five locations provide critical vantage points for Israeli security, particularly as approximately 60,000 Israelis remain displaced in northern Israel due to ongoing tensions. The U.S.-led body overseeing the truce extended the ceasefire by three weeks, but Lebanese President Joseph Aoun insisted that the agreement “must be respected.” Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem declared that “there can be no excuses” for any delays beyond Tuesday.
The ceasefire agreement stipulates that Israeli forces should vacate a buffer zone in southern Lebanon, allowing the Lebanese army and U.N. peacekeepers to assume control. While the ceasefire has largely held since November, tensions remain high. On Monday, Israel conducted a drone strike deep inside Lebanon, killing Muhammad Shaheen, a Hamas operations leader, in Sidon. The strike, which left a vehicle charred, has reignited fears of renewed hostilities.
As Israel and Gaza marked 500 days since the war began, conflicting signals from Israel and the U.S. have left the future of the ceasefire with Hamas uncertain. Talks regarding the second phase of the ceasefire have yet to commence, while protests in Israel call for an extension to secure the release of remaining hostages.
An Israeli official, speaking anonymously, stated that four bodies are expected to be returned to Israel on Thursday, though details remain unclear. Hamas has yet to comment on the matter. The current ceasefire, set to expire in less than two weeks, has seen a partial withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and an influx of humanitarian aid. However, negotiations for the second phase—which would involve further hostage releases and Israeli troop withdrawals—have stalled.
Recently released hostages have described dire conditions in captivity. “All I care about is for my friends to return. There were six of us living in unbearable conditions,” said Ohad Ben Ami, who was freed just over a week ago. Families and activists have continued to push for urgent action, warning that the hostages “don’t have time.”
The second phase of the ceasefire could see Hamas release over 70 remaining hostages, around half of whom are believed to be dead, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and a potential permanent truce. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration have reiterated their commitment to eradicating Hamas, a goal seen as incompatible with a sustained ceasefire.
Trump has proposed permanently relocating Gaza’s population of over 2 million and placing the territory under U.S. administration—a plan welcomed by Israel but widely rejected by Palestinians and Arab nations. Human rights organizations argue that such a move could violate international law. Meanwhile, Egypt is drafting a counterproposal to rebuild Gaza without displacing its residents.
Since Hamas-led militants launched the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that killed approximately 1,200 people and abducted 250, Israel’s military response has resulted in over 48,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. More than half of the casualties are reported to be women and children.
Amid ceasefire uncertainties, Israel has announced plans to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank. Watchdog group Peace Now revealed that the government has issued a tender for 974 new housing units in Efrat, increasing its population by 40% and restricting the growth of nearby Bethlehem.
Israel has established over 100 settlements across the West Bank, housing more than 500,000 settlers among a Palestinian population of approximately 3 million. Palestinians live under military rule while Israeli settlers enjoy full citizenship rights.
The West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem were captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war. Palestinians seek these territories for a future independent state, but ongoing settlement expansions threaten that vision.
As tensions simmer across multiple fronts, Israel’s delicate ceasefire agreements with Hezbollah and Hamas hang in the balance, with uncertainty over whether diplomatic efforts will prevent further escalation.
