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Second Crane Collapse Near Bangkok Kills 2, Intensifying Scrutiny After Deadly Thailand Train Disaster

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Second Crane Collapse Near Bangkok Kills 2, Intensifying Scrutiny After Deadly Thailand Train Disaster

A construction crane collapsed onto an elevated roadway near Bangkok on Thursday, killing two people and deepening national scrutiny of Thailand’s infrastructure safety just one day after a separate crane failure derailed a passenger train and killed dozens in the country’s northeast.

Thai authorities said the latest accident occurred at a construction site along an extension of Rama 2 Road, a major expressway linking Bangkok to southern provinces. The project, long criticized for repeated safety lapses, has been the site of numerous construction accidents, some of them fatal.

The crane fell in Samut Sakhon province, trapping two vehicles beneath twisted steel and concrete, the government’s Public Relations Department said. Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn told Thai television Channel 7 that two people were confirmed dead, though officials cautioned that the full scope of the damage remained unclear.

Rescue teams were unable to immediately enter the site, citing the risk of further collapse. Suchart Tongteng, a rescue worker with the Ruamkatanyu Foundation, said dangling steel plates and unstable debris made the area unsafe.

“At this moment, we still can’t say whether another collapse could happen,” Suchart said. “That’s why there are no rescue personnel inside the scene, only teams conducting on-site safety assessments.”

The incident came less than 24 hours after a launching gantry crane — a large mobile structure used in elevated rail and road construction — fell onto a moving passenger train in Nakhon Ratchasima province, derailing the train and killing 32 people. That disaster, one of the deadliest rail accidents in recent Thai history, has already prompted widespread public anger and official investigations.

At the site of Wednesday’s derailment, search operations were formally concluded Thursday, Gov. Anuphong Suksomnit of Nakhon Ratchasima said. Three passengers initially listed as missing were believed to have disembarked earlier in the journey, though authorities said the matter was still under review.

Officials said 171 people were believed to have been aboard the three-carriage train when it was struck. Crews on Thursday began removing the mangled rail cars from the scene as police continued gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses. Provincial Police Chief Narongsak Promta said no charges had yet been filed.

South Korea’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that a South Korean man in his late 30s was among those killed in the train crash.

Both accidents have drawn renewed attention to the companies involved and to Thailand’s rapid expansion of large-scale infrastructure projects, many of them tied to regional connectivity plans. The high-speed rail project where Wednesday’s derailment occurred is linked to Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to connect China with Southeast Asia through rail, road and port networks.

Anan Phonimdaeng, acting governor of the State Railway of Thailand, said the rail project’s main contractor was Italian-Thai Development Plc, widely known as Italthai, with a Chinese firm responsible for design and construction supervision. A statement posted on Italthai’s website expressed condolences to the victims’ families and said the company would cover compensation for the dead and medical expenses for the injured.

Transport Minister Phiphat said Italthai was also the lead contractor on the Rama 2 Road expressway extension where Thursday’s crane collapse occurred, though he noted that multiple companies were involved in the highway project.

The company’s role in both accidents has fueled public outrage, particularly because Italthai was also a co-lead contractor on the State Audit Building in Bangkok that collapsed during construction last March amid a major earthquake centered in Myanmar. That collapse marked Thailand’s worst quake-related disaster, killing about 100 people.

In that case, Thai prosecutors have indicted 23 individuals and companies, including Italthai’s president and the local director of China Railway No. 10, the project’s joint venture partner. Charges include professional negligence and document forgery, and Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation has recommended additional indictments.

The repeated involvement of the same contractors — including Chinese firms — in multiple high-profile accidents has intensified debate in Thailand about regulatory oversight, safety enforcement and transparency in megaprojects.

In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Wednesday that China was aware of the rail accident and had conveyed condolences, but did not directly address questions about the role of Chinese companies in the construction.

The back-to-back crane collapses have become a flashpoint for public frustration over Thailand’s development strategy, which has prioritized speed and scale in infrastructure expansion but has repeatedly faced criticism for weak enforcement of safety standards. Rama 2 Road, in particular, has gained a reputation among motorists as one of the country’s most dangerous construction corridors, with accidents frequently snarling traffic and, in some cases, costing lives.

While Thai officials have promised investigations after each major incident, critics say systemic problems persist, including fragmented oversight across agencies, reliance on subcontracting chains that dilute accountability, and limited penalties that fail to deter negligence. The recurrence of accidents involving the same major contractors has amplified calls for deeper structural reform rather than case-by-case responses.

The link to Belt and Road projects adds a geopolitical dimension, as Southeast Asian governments balance the economic benefits of Chinese-backed infrastructure with domestic concerns over quality control and safety. For Thailand, a regional transport hub, failures in flagship projects risk undermining public trust and investor confidence.

As investigators probe the causes of the two latest disasters, pressure is mounting on the government to demonstrate that lessons will be enforced — not just acknowledged. For families of the victims, the demand is more immediate: accountability that translates into safer roads and rails, rather than another cycle of condolences followed by the next tragedy.

The Associated Press

Actor Timothy Busfield Held Without Bond as Prosecutors Cite New Allegation in 16-Year-Old Child Sex Abuse Case

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Actor Timothy Busfield Held Without Bond as Prosecutors Cite New Allegation in 16-Year-Old Child Sex Abuse Case

Emmy Award-winning actor and director Timothy Busfield was ordered Wednesday to remain jailed without bond as prosecutors outlined a new allegation of sexual misconduct involving a 16-year-old girl, adding to existing criminal charges that accuse him of abusing two child actors on the set of a television series in New Mexico.

Busfield, 67, did not enter a plea during his first court appearance in Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court, where Judge Felicia Blea-Rivera ruled that he would remain in custody pending a detention hearing to be scheduled within five business days. Busfield appeared remotely via video from jail, dressed in an orange detention uniform, and did not speak as a defense attorney addressed the court.

The actor faces two felony counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. The charges stem from allegations made by twin boys who told Albuquerque police they were inappropriately touched by Busfield while working on the Fox television series “The Cleaning Lady,” which was filmed in the city, according to a criminal complaint.

Prosecutors, in a seven-page motion seeking Busfield’s continued detention, also disclosed a separate allegation reported this week involving a 16-year-old girl in California. Busfield has not been criminally charged in connection with that allegation.

According to the filing, law enforcement received a report Tuesday from the girl’s father, who said Busfield kissed his daughter and touched her intimate parts “several years ago.” Prosecutors said Busfield allegedly urged the family not to report the incident if he sought therapy. No charges have been filed in that case, and prosecutors emphasized the allegation was presented as part of their argument that Busfield poses an ongoing risk.

Busfield’s attorneys did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the new allegation. New Mexico-based counsel for the actor also could not be reached Wednesday following the court hearing.

Busfield turned himself in to authorities Tuesday after an arrest warrant was issued last week. He was booked into the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center later that day, according to jail records.

The criminal complaint alleges that the abuse involving the two boys occurred over a period spanning from November 2022 through the spring of 2024. One of the children told investigators that Busfield first touched him inappropriately when he was 7 years old and again when he was 8, including contact with his private areas over his clothing. The boy said he was afraid to report the alleged abuse because Busfield was the director on set and he feared getting into trouble.

The child’s twin brother told police he was also touched by Busfield, though he did not specify where. He said he stayed silent because he did not want to get in trouble, according to the complaint. The boys’ parents later reported the allegations to Child Protective Services.

In an interview with investigators last fall, Busfield denied the accusations and suggested that the boys’ mother was motivated by anger after her children were not asked to return for the show’s final season. That claim was echoed by his attorney. The actor also told police that the set environment was playful and that he may have picked up or tickled the children, according to the complaint.

Warner Bros., which co-produced “The Cleaning Lady,” commissioned an independent investigation by a law firm following complaints about Busfield’s conduct. Christina McGovern of Solomon Law said the review did not find evidence corroborating the allegations.

“Based on what was alleged, and all evidence gathered, including multiple witness statements, I found no corroborating evidence that Mr. Busfield engaged in inappropriate conduct or that he was ever alone with the accusers on set,” McGovern said in a statement.

Prosecutors challenged that conclusion in their detention motion, arguing that the investigator failed to interview key witnesses and that the review should not outweigh sworn statements from alleged victims.

In court filings, prosecutors described what they called a pattern of sexual misconduct, abuse of authority and grooming behavior spanning more than two decades. They said witnesses have expressed fear of retaliation and professional harm, particularly given Busfield’s status and influence in the entertainment industry.

“The defendant’s authority, access and public profile uniquely position him to evade accountability and circumvent safeguards designed to protect children,” prosecutors wrote, arguing that no conditions of release could reasonably ensure public safety.

They also criticized Busfield for sharing a video with the media outlet TMZ before turning himself in, saying it suggested an attempt to control the public narrative rather than comply with the judicial process. In that video, Busfield called the allegations lies and vowed to fight the charges.

Busfield is best known for his roles as a reporter on NBC’s “The West Wing” and an advertising executive on ABC’s “Thirtysomething,” a performance that earned him an Emmy Award. He also appeared in the film “Field of Dreams.” He is married to actor Melissa Gilbert, a former president of the Screen Actors Guild and star of “Little House on the Prairie.”

Gilbert’s representative said Tuesday that she supports her husband and will address the public at an appropriate time, adding that she would not comment further at the request of Busfield’s lawyers.

The case against Busfield underscores a broader reckoning within the entertainment industry, where allegations involving abuse of power continue to surface years after the height of the #MeToo movement. Prosecutors’ emphasis on alleged patterns of behavior and authority-driven silence reflects a legal strategy increasingly used in cases involving prominent figures with access to minors.

The decision to hold Busfield without bond also highlights how courts are weighing community safety and victim protection in high-profile abuse cases, even when some allegations remain uncharged. As the legal process unfolds, the case may test how much weight courts give to prior investigations conducted by private studios versus criminal inquiries led by law enforcement.

Busfield remains in custody as the court prepares for a detention hearing that will determine whether he stays jailed while awaiting trial.

NBC/AP

 US Indefinitely Suspends Immigrant Visa Processing for 75 Countries, Including Nigeria, Brazil, and Somalia

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 US Indefinitely Suspends Immigrant Visa Processing for 75 Countries, Including Nigeria, Brazil, and Somalia

WASHINGTON — The State Department has suspended immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries in an indefinite freeze that officials characterize as necessary to prevent foreign nationals from exploiting American public assistance programs, marking one of the Trump administration’s most sweeping immigration restrictions since returning to power.

The pause takes effect Jan. 21 and will continue without a specified end date while the department conducts what it calls a comprehensive reassessment of screening and vetting procedures for immigrant visa applicants. The affected nations span multiple continents and include major population centers such as Nigeria, Brazil, Russia, Iran, Somalia, Afghanistan, Thailand, Egypt and Iraq, among others.

A State Department memo obtained by Fox News Digital directs consular officers at U.S. embassies worldwide to refuse immigrant visas under existing public charge provisions of immigration law during the review period. The directive represents an extraordinary assertion of executive authority over legal immigration channels that could affect millions of prospective immigrants seeking permanent residency in the United States.

“The State Department will use its long-standing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who would become a public charge on the United States and exploit the generosity of the American people,” State Department spokesperson Tommy Piggott said in a statement Wednesday. “Immigration from these 75 countries will be paused while the State Department reassess immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who would take welfare and public benefits.”

Bloomberg first reported the suspension Wednesday, citing earlier Fox News coverage of the internal State Department directive. The Associated Press and Reuters subsequently confirmed the policy’s implementation, though the State Department has not publicly released the complete list of affected countries.

The suspension applies exclusively to immigrant visas, which confer permanent residency rights, and does not affect nonimmigrant visa categories used by temporary visitors, tourists or business travelers. This distinction means that while pathways to permanent U.S. residence remain closed for citizens of the 75 designated countries, short-term travel may continue subject to existing restrictions.

The complete roster of affected nations comprises Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan and Yemen.

The geographic and demographic diversity of the list suggests the administration’s selection criteria extend beyond traditional security concerns to encompass economic considerations about which immigrant populations might utilize public assistance programs. The inclusion of countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Eastern Europe indicates a broad-based approach to restricting immigration from what officials have characterized as higher-risk sources.

Somalia has attracted particular scrutiny from federal authorities following what prosecutors described as widespread fraud in Minnesota involving taxpayer-funded benefit programs. Many individuals implicated in those cases were Somali nationals or Somali-Americans, creating a political environment where broader restrictions on Somali immigration gained traction within the administration.

The suspension builds on guidance issued in a November 2025 State Department cable that instructed consular officers worldwide to enforce stringent new screening protocols under the public charge provision. That directive established expansive criteria for denying visas to applicants deemed likely to rely on government benefits, weighing factors including health status, age, English language proficiency, financial resources and potential need for long-term medical care.

Under the November guidance, older applicants or those classified as overweight could face visa denials, as could individuals with any history of receiving government cash assistance or institutional care. The breadth of these criteria represents a significant departure from previous interpretations of public charge inadmissibility, which traditionally focused on applicants unable to support themselves without government aid.

“The Trump administration is bringing an end to the abuse of America’s immigration system by those who would extract wealth from the American people,” the State Department said in its Wednesday statement announcing the suspension.

The public charge provision has existed in U.S. immigration law for decades, authorizing consular officers to deny visas to individuals likely to become primarily dependent on government assistance. However, enforcement has varied dramatically across administrations, with officers historically exercising considerable discretion in applying the standard to individual cases.

President Trump first expanded the public charge definition in 2019 during his initial term, broadening the range of public benefits considered in eligibility determinations. That expansion faced immediate legal challenges, with portions ultimately blocked in federal court before the Biden administration rescinded the policy entirely upon taking office in 2021.

The Biden administration’s 2022 public charge rule narrowed the scope of benefits considered in visa decisions, primarily limiting scrutiny to cash assistance programs and long-term institutional care while excluding commonly used benefits such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), Medicaid and housing vouchers.

The Trump administration’s revival and expansion of restrictive public charge enforcement reflects a fundamental philosophical difference in immigration policy, prioritizing economic self-sufficiency concerns over family reunification and humanitarian considerations that have traditionally influenced American immigration decisions.

State Department officials indicated that exceptions to the suspension will be “very limited” and granted only after applicants have satisfied heightened public charge scrutiny. The lack of specificity about exception criteria creates uncertainty for applicants with compelling cases such as immediate family members of U.S. citizens or individuals with specialized skills.

The suspension arrives amid a broader pattern of aggressive visa revocation and restriction by the Trump administration. Fox News reported that the State Department revoked more than 100,000 foreign visas in 2025, an all-time record exceeding twice the 40,000 revocations processed in 2024 during the final year of the Biden administration.

The majority of those revocations targeted business and tourist travelers who overstayed their authorized periods. However, approximately 8,000 students and 2,500 specialized workers also lost legal status, with department officials stating that most had criminal encounters with law enforcement.

Among specialized workers whose visas were revoked, half faced drunk driving charges, 30 percent were charged with assault, battery or unlawful confinement, and the remaining 20 percent encountered charges including theft, child abuse, substance abuse and distribution, fraud and embezzlement. Nearly 500 students lost visas for drug possession and distribution, while hundreds of foreign workers faced revocation based on child abuse allegations, Fox News reported, citing department sources.

In August 2025, the Trump administration announced it would review all 55 million foreigners holding valid U.S. visas, an unprecedented undertaking that signals the administration’s commitment to what officials describe as protecting American security and economic interests through immigration enforcement.

Principal deputy spokesperson Piggott said the administration would maintain its enforcement posture through a new “continuous vetting center” designed to monitor visa holders throughout their time in the United States. “The Trump administration will continue to put America first and protect our nation from foreign nationals who pose a risk to public safety or national security,” he said.

The visa suspension emerges from Trump’s November vow to “permanently pause” migration from what he termed “Third World Countries” following a shooting near the White House by an Afghan national that killed a National Guard member. That incident provided political momentum for the expanded restrictions now taking effect.

The policy’s implementation raises profound questions about America’s continued role as a destination for immigrants seeking opportunity and refuge. The 75 affected countries include nations with deep historical, cultural and economic ties to the United States, where generations of families have maintained connections across borders through immigration channels now indefinitely closed.

For prospective immigrants from the designated countries who have invested years preparing applications, gathering documentation and waiting for processing, the suspension represents a potentially devastating interruption of life plans involving family reunification, employment opportunities or escape from difficult circumstances in home countries.

The economic implications extend beyond individual applicants to encompass American employers, educational institutions and communities that rely on immigrant contributions. Restrictions on permanent immigration affect workforce development, demographic trends and the economic vitality of regions where immigrant populations have driven growth and revitalization.

International diplomatic repercussions appear inevitable as affected countries respond to what many will characterize as discriminatory treatment based on national origin. The suspension affects U.S. allies including Brazil and NATO partners, potentially complicating broader foreign policy objectives in regions where cooperation on security, trade and other priorities requires goodwill.

The lack of a specified timeline for the suspension creates open-ended uncertainty that may persist indefinitely depending on the administration’s assessment of when “reassessed” procedures satisfy its objectives. Whether the pause represents a temporary review or an extended de facto ban on immigrant visas from these countries remains unclear.

Legal challenges appear likely from advocacy organizations, affected individuals and potentially foreign governments arguing that the suspension exceeds executive authority or violates immigration law’s intent. Previous Trump administration immigration restrictions faced extensive litigation, though courts have generally afforded broad deference to executive determinations regarding national security and immigration policy.

The suspension’s effectiveness in achieving its stated objectives of preventing public benefit usage by immigrants remains uncertain given the complex factors influencing benefit utilization and the difficulty of predicting individual applicants’ future economic trajectories based on demographic characteristics.

As the January 21 implementation date approaches, consular officers at U.S. embassies in the affected countries prepare to halt processing of immigrant visa applications that may have reached advanced stages, creating administrative challenges and human costs that will reverberate through families and communities worldwide.

Forbes/AP/Reuters

Nigerian Caregiver Arrested in Toronto for Allegedly Assaulting Vulnerable Adults at Group Home

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Nigerian Caregiver Arrested in Toronto for Allegedly Assaulting Vulnerable Adults at Group Home

Toronto police have arrested a caregiver on multiple assault charges after he allegedly attacked vulnerable adults during a month-long employment period at an East York group home, authorities said Wednesday.

Oghenemaro Dave Ejerua, 38, of Toronto, faces seven counts of assault stemming from incidents that occurred between Nov. 1 and Nov. 30, 2025, at a residential facility in the Sibley Avenue and Dentonia Park Avenue area. The Toronto Police Service took Ejerua into custody following a manhunt that began after officers responded to an assault call at approximately 9 a.m. on Dec. 10.

The Toronto Police Service said in a statement posted to its website that investigators determined Ejerua had been employed as a caregiver at the group home during the period when the alleged assaults took place. The facility houses vulnerable adults who require assistance with daily living activities, making residents particularly defenseless against potential abuse from those entrusted with their care.

“It is alleged that the suspect was employed as a caregiver at a group home for vulnerable adults between November 1 and November 30, 2025,” the police statement said. “During this period, the accused committed a series of assaults on the residents of the home.”

The case highlights ongoing concerns about safeguarding vulnerable populations in residential care settings, where dependence on caregivers creates inherent power imbalances that can enable abuse. Group homes serving adults with disabilities, cognitive impairments or advanced age rely on staff integrity and proper oversight to protect residents who may lack capacity to report mistreatment or defend themselves against attacks.

Authorities declared Ejerua wanted in December 2025 after investigating the initial assault report. The Toronto Star, a local news outlet, published details of the manhunt, describing the suspect as five feet eight inches tall with a medium build, curly black hair and black facial hair. Police released a photograph of Ejerua as they sought public assistance in locating him.

The gap between when the alleged assaults occurred in November and when police responded to the first report in December raises questions about detection mechanisms within group home environments. Whether residents reported abuse that went unaddressed, whether injuries were initially attributed to other causes or whether the full scope of alleged misconduct only became apparent through subsequent investigation remains unclear from available information.

Ejerua appeared before the Ontario Court of Justice at 10 Armoury Street on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at 10 a.m. in room 106 for his scheduled court date. The judicial process will now determine whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed with prosecution on the seven assault charges.

The Nigerian national’s arrest marks another instance of caregiver misconduct allegations involving members of Toronto’s Nigerian community. PUNCH Metro, a Nigerian news outlet, reported that this case follows the December arrest of Babatunde Afuwape, a 28-year-old Nigerian charged with murder in connection with the death of Shivank Avasthi, a 20-year-old university student killed on Dec. 23, 2025.

These incidents, while involving individuals from the same national origin, should not suggest broader patterns within any immigrant community. Criminal behavior reflects individual choices rather than ethnic or national characteristics, and the vast majority of Nigerian immigrants in Canada contribute positively to their communities through lawful employment and civic participation.

The caregiver profession attracts workers from diverse backgrounds, including many immigrants seeking employment opportunities in Canada’s healthcare and social services sectors. The work involves intimate contact with vulnerable individuals, requiring trustworthiness, patience and genuine concern for clients’ wellbeing. Most caregivers perform these demanding duties with professionalism and compassion, making cases of abuse particularly disturbing betrayals of the trust placed in those roles.

Group homes in Ontario operate under provincial regulations designed to protect residents through staff screening, training requirements and oversight mechanisms. Background checks, reference verification and other hiring safeguards aim to identify individuals unsuitable for positions of trust with vulnerable populations. Despite these protections, some unsuitable candidates inevitably slip through screening processes, or behavioral problems emerge only after employment begins.

The alleged series of assaults over a month-long period suggests either that detection systems failed to identify concerning incidents or that abuse escalated gradually in ways that initially avoided notice. Modern group homes often employ surveillance cameras in common areas, incident reporting protocols and regular resident wellness checks, though privacy considerations and resource limitations can create gaps in monitoring.

Families placing loved ones in group home care face the difficult reality that they must trust strangers with individuals who cannot fully protect themselves. Regular family visits, communication with facility administrators and attention to unexplained injuries or behavioral changes can help identify problems, though many families live at distances that make frequent in-person contact challenging.

The seven assault charges suggest multiple separate incidents or victims, though precise details about the nature and severity of the alleged attacks have not been disclosed publicly. Assault charges in Canada can range from minor physical contact to serious violence causing injury, with penalties varying accordingly. The accumulation of seven distinct charges indicates a pattern of alleged behavior rather than a single incident.

For the residents allegedly victimized, the assaults represent profound violations of safety within what should be a protective environment. Vulnerable adults placed in group homes often have experienced trauma, health challenges or life circumstances that already diminish their sense of security. Abuse by caregivers compounds these vulnerabilities and can create lasting psychological harm alongside any physical injuries sustained.

The facility where the alleged assaults occurred has not been publicly identified, likely to protect resident privacy and prevent stigmatization that might affect individuals currently receiving care there. However, the lack of public identification also prevents families researching group home options from making informed decisions about facility safety records.

Toronto Police asked anyone with information about the case to contact investigators at 416-808-5500 or reach Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477) or through 222tips.com. The public appeal suggests authorities believe additional information about the incidents may exist beyond what has already been reported.

The investigation’s outcome will carry implications extending beyond this specific case. Successful prosecution might identify systemic failures in hiring, supervision or incident response that permitted the alleged abuse to continue for a month. Conversely, acquittal would raise questions about how assault allegations arose and whether investigative or charging decisions were premature.

Regardless of the individual case’s resolution, the broader challenge of protecting vulnerable adults in care settings remains constant. Regulatory frameworks, facility policies and family vigilance all contribute to resident safety, yet no system proves entirely foolproof against individuals determined to abuse positions of trust.

For Toronto’s Nigerian community, these high-profile criminal cases involving community members create uncomfortable scrutiny and potential stereotype reinforcement. Community leaders often emphasize that criminal behavior by individuals should not reflect on ethnic groups as a whole, while simultaneously working to address any underlying factors that might contribute to such incidents.

The case serves as a reminder that caregiver positions demand not only skills and credentials but fundamental human decency and respect for the vulnerable individuals entrusted to their care. Most who enter these professions do so with genuine desire to help others, making the alleged actions attributed to Ejerua particularly disturbing departures from professional and ethical norms.

Punchng/TorontoStar

Iran Executes First Protester Amid Brutal Crackdown That Killed 2,500 in Nationwide Demonstrations

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Iran Executes First Protester Amid Brutal Crackdown That Killed 2,500 in Nationwide Demonstrations

Iranian authorities were expected Wednesday to carry out the first execution linked to weeks of nationwide unrest that has shaken the Islamic Republic, a development that has drawn sharp warnings from the United States and renewed condemnation from human rights organizations monitoring what they describe as an unprecedented crackdown.

The execution, if carried out, would mark a significant escalation by Iranian authorities as protests triggered by soaring prices and economic hardship enter their bloodiest phase. President Donald Trump said the United States would take “very strong action” should the execution proceed, even as Israeli and Arab officials have privately urged Washington to refrain from immediate military strikes, arguing the Iranian regime has not yet been sufficiently weakened.

Human rights groups and U.S. officials say the man facing execution is Erfan Soltani, 26, who was detained amid the unrest and sentenced to death without due process. Amnesty International, the U.S. State Department and other advocacy organizations said Soltani would become the first known protester executed in connection with the demonstrations.

“This time, the Islamic Republic regime didn’t even bother with its usual 10-minute sham trial,” the State Department said in a post on X, adding that Soltani was sentenced without a defense lawyer or meaningful legal proceedings. “Erfan is the first protester to be sentenced to death, but he will not be the last,” the statement said.

Iran has been largely cut off from the outside world for days because of a near-total internet blackout, but information and videos emerging through limited international calls and satellite connections suggest security forces have responded to the unrest with lethal force on a scale not seen in decades.

The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, known as HRANA, said at least 2,500 people have been killed since protests erupted last month. The group said the toll includes nearly 150 members of Iran’s security forces and that more than 18,000 people have been arrested.

HRANA said its figures are compiled through a network of sources inside Iran who cross-check information, and that the sharp rise in reported deaths earlier this week coincided with Iranians briefly regaining the ability to contact the outside world after days of silence.

Soltani’s family lost contact with him on Jan. 8, Amnesty International said, and were informed on Sunday that he had been sentenced to death. The rights group called for urgent international pressure on Tehran to halt all executions.

“The international community must urgently call on Iran’s authorities to immediately stop all executions,” Amnesty said, adding that Iranian authorities have “weaponized the death penalty” since mass protests in 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini. Amnesty said thousands have been executed since then in what it described as a sustained campaign of repression.

Iranian officials have publicly defended the use of harsh penalties. Judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei said swift punishment was necessary to restore order, according to remarks broadcast by Iranian state television.

“If we want to do something, we have to do it quickly,” Mohseni-Ejei said in a video shared online. Delays of months, he added, would diminish the deterrent effect of punishment.

Trump, speaking to CBS News, said he was closely watching developments. “If they do such a thing,” he said, referring to Soltani’s execution, “we will take very strong action.” He described the reported killings of protesters as “significant,” while noting uncertainty about the precise death toll.

International concern has grown as more evidence of the crackdown emerges. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot told RTL radio that France suspects the repression may be “the most violent in Iran’s contemporary history” and called for it to stop immediately.

Despite the communications blackout, videos verified by NBC News through geolocation techniques show large numbers of bodies piled outside what appears to be a makeshift morgue near Tehran. Witnesses who managed to make international phone calls described a heavy security presence across major cities, limited pedestrian traffic and a tense calm even as some shops reopened.

Iranian authorities have acknowledged a high number of casualties but have disputed responsibility, blaming what they describe as “terrorists” and “rioters.” The semi-official Fars news agency said most of those killed were ordinary citizens with no connection to the protests, suggesting they were victims of violence instigated by unrest rather than by security forces.

State television said a mass funeral under heavy security was scheduled Wednesday in Tehran for 300 bodies, including members of the security forces and civilians.

Tehran has also accused Washington of fomenting unrest. Iran’s mission to the United Nations said in a post on X that the United States was engineering “unrest and chaos” as a pretext for military intervention, accusing U.S. policy of being rooted in regime change. “This playbook has failed before,” the mission said, adding that Iranians would defend their country.

Behind the scenes, U.S. allies have urged caution. Israeli and Arab officials have told the Trump administration that while the Iranian regime is under pressure, it may not yet be vulnerable enough for U.S. military strikes to deliver a decisive blow, according to sources cited by NBC News.

The potential execution of a protester represents a turning point in Iran’s response to domestic dissent. While Tehran has long relied on mass arrests and intimidation, carrying out executions linked directly to protests could harden international opposition and further isolate the country diplomatically. For Washington, the crisis poses a familiar dilemma: balancing rhetorical and economic pressure against the risks of military escalation in an already volatile region.

The communications blackout underscores how modern authoritarian responses increasingly focus on controlling digital space, limiting both domestic coordination and international scrutiny. Economically, prolonged unrest and isolation threaten to deepen Iran’s existing financial crisis, potentially fueling further protests in a cycle of repression and resistance.

Whether Trump’s warning translates into concrete action remains uncertain, particularly given signals from allies urging restraint. But the execution threat has already elevated the crisis to a new level, raising the stakes for Iran’s leadership and the international community alike.

Uganda Imposes Nationwide Internet Blackout Ahead of Presidential Vote as Museveni Seeks Seventh Term

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Uganda Imposes Nationwide Internet Blackout Ahead of Presidential Vote as Museveni Seeks Seventh Term

Uganda’s government has ordered a nationwide shutdown of internet services just days before voters head to the polls in a presidential election that is expected to extend President Yoweri Museveni’s nearly four-decade rule, a move officials say is aimed at preventing misinformation but which critics describe as an effort to stifle dissent and limit political mobilization.

Internet access across the East African nation was cut Tuesday on the orders of the Uganda Communications Commission, acting on the direction of the national security committee, authorities said. The blackout comes ahead of Thursday’s vote, in which Museveni, who has ruled Uganda since 1986, is seeking a seventh term in office.

Nyombi Thembo, the executive director of the communications commission, said the decision was taken to prevent what he described as the “weaponization of the internet,” including the spread of misinformation and hate speech during the sensitive election period. Speaking in an interview, Thembo said authorities were concerned that online platforms could be used to incite unrest.

“People wanted to start using the internet to promote hate speech,” Thembo said, adding that he did not know when services would be restored.

Museveni, 81, is widely expected to secure re-election against his main challenger, opposition figure Bobi Wine, a former pop star who has galvanized urban youth with an anti-government message. Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi, has accused the government of systematically undermining the electoral process and using state power to suppress opposition activity.

Critics of the longtime president argue the internet shutdown is less about public safety and more about preventing Ugandans from organizing protests or sharing evidence of alleged electoral irregularities should the official results be disputed. Election results are expected to be announced over the weekend.

In an interview conducted Monday at his home outside Kampala, Wine said the electoral commission could not be trusted to conduct a free and fair vote. He described his campaign as a “protest vote” against entrenched power, even as he acknowledged the risks faced by his supporters.

“I told the people of Uganda, they see me beaten, they see me cry, they’ll see me broken but they’ll never see me give up,” Wine said. He was beaten and detained multiple times during his 2021 presidential bid, when Museveni claimed victory amid widespread allegations of fraud and violence.

Internet shutdowns around elections have become an increasingly common tactic across parts of Africa, often justified by governments as a security measure. Rights groups say such blackouts restrict freedom of expression and limit transparency during critical democratic moments. In Tanzania, authorities cut internet access during a disputed election in October, followed by a crackdown on protests and a ban on sharing videos of demonstrations.

In Uganda, the impact of the blackout was felt almost immediately, particularly in the economy, where mobile connectivity underpins daily life. Messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Instagram went dark, while ride-hailing services and online information platforms became inaccessible.

Most critically, mobile money services — a cornerstone of East Africa’s informal and formal economies — were disrupted. Uganda typically records around 40 million mobile money transactions each day, according to data from the Finance Ministry, making the shutdown a significant economic shock.

“It has affected me badly,” said Ariiho Godfrey, a motorbike taxi driver in Kampala who relies on a ride-hailing app to connect with customers. Without internet access, he said, his income dropped sharply overnight.

Despite the disruption, Museveni’s campaign machinery remained on full display in the final days before the vote. Tens of thousands of supporters attended his last major rally Tuesday in Kampala, many transported in buses and minivans. Large sound systems blared music as the ruling National Resistance Movement distributed free T-shirts, hats and flags in its signature yellow.

By contrast, Wine’s final rally Monday was heavily restricted by security forces. A tight perimeter of police and soldiers limited access to the event, discouraging attendance. Witnesses said at least one person was chased and beaten by soldiers for waving a national flag — a symbol closely associated with Wine’s campaign and recently banned by authorities.

Museveni rose to power in 1986 as the leader of a guerrilla rebellion and has since consolidated control over Uganda’s political and security institutions. Under his rule, the country has become a key regional military player, deploying troops to eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan and serving as the largest contributor to African Union peacekeeping forces in Somalia.

His campaign slogan, “Protecting the Gains,” emphasizes stability and economic progress achieved during his tenure. Yet many Ugandans say the election is less about immediate change and more about the long-term question of succession. Museveni’s son, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the commander of Uganda’s armed forces, is widely seen as a potential successor, fueling speculation about dynastic rule.

Wine’s rise in 2021 marked the most serious electoral challenge Museveni has faced in decades. Drawing on music and rhetoric that resonated with younger voters, Wine tapped into widespread frustration over unemployment, corruption and political repression. That election was marred by violence that left dozens dead, and authorities also imposed an internet shutdown at the time.

Uganda has one of the youngest populations in the world. More than a quarter of its estimated 50 million people are between the ages of 18 and 30, a demographic that has become increasingly vocal online and politically active — a factor analysts say helps explain the government’s sensitivity to digital organizing.

The current political climate has been further complicated by the detention of veteran opposition leader Kizza Besigye. Besigye disappeared from neighboring Kenya in 2024 before resurfacing in a military court in Uganda, where he faces charges including terrorism. His detention has drawn condemnation from rights groups and added to concerns about shrinking political space.

While authorities frame the internet shutdown as a preventive security measure, analysts say its broader implications extend beyond election day. The move underscores how digital infrastructure has become a central battleground in modern African politics, where control of information can shape narratives, limit scrutiny and blunt opposition momentum.

Economically, repeated shutdowns risk undermining investor confidence and public trust in digital services, particularly mobile money platforms that millions depend on daily. Politically, critics warn that normalizing internet blackouts erodes democratic norms and entrenches authoritarian practices under the guise of stability.

As Uganda awaits election results, the shutdown has heightened tensions and uncertainty. Whether or not Museveni’s victory is contested, the decision to pull the country offline is likely to deepen debates about governance, succession and the future of political freedoms in one of East Africa’s most influential states.

NewYorkTimes

Construction Crane Collapse Onto Passenger Train in Thailand Kills at Least 29

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Construction Crane Collapse Onto Passenger Train in Thailand Kills at Least 29

A construction crane collapsed onto a moving passenger train in northeastern Thailand on Wednesday, killing at least 29 people and injuring dozens more in one of the country’s deadliest rail disasters in recent years, authorities said.

The train was traveling from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani province when it struck the fallen crane around 9:10 a.m. local time, derailing at high speed in Nakhon Ratchasima province, according to railway officials and emergency responders.

Images and video from the scene showed mangled rail cars overturned beside the tracks, sections of twisted crane scattered across the line, and plumes of smoke rising as rescue workers searched through crushed metal and debris for survivors.

At least 67 people were injured, eight of them critically, the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Public Health Office said. Police said additional victims were believed to be trapped inside the wreckage, raising fears the death toll could climb.

The three-carriage train was carrying about 195 passengers and traveling at roughly 120 kilometers per hour (75 miles per hour) when it was struck, according to Transport Minister Piphat Ratchakitprakan. The second and third carriages sustained the most severe damage.

A fire broke out in one of the cars following the impact, complicating rescue efforts, said Thirasak Wongsungnoen, a train staff member who was onboard. He said flames and smoke prevented access to parts of the train as injured passengers waited for help.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul expressed condolences to the families of those killed and ordered an investigation into the cause of the collapse, saying authorities would determine whether safety protocols had been violated.

The crane was being used in the construction of an elevated section of a high-speed railway project linking Bangkok to the northeastern province of Nong Khai, near the border with Laos. The project is a joint Thai-Chinese initiative connected to Beijing’s Belt and Road infrastructure strategy.

Officials said the crane fell onto the tracks as the train passed beneath the elevated structure. The public relations office for Nakhon Ratchasima province said the incident occurred within an active construction zone, raising questions about coordination between rail operations and building work.

Video broadcast by ThaiPBS showed rescue workers standing atop overturned train cars with large holes torn into their sides, while paramedics treated the wounded nearby. Construction equipment was seen dangling between concrete pillars above the wreckage.

Ubon Ratchathani lies in Thailand’s northeastern Isan region, bordering Laos and Cambodia. While the route is less frequented by tourists than major north-south rail lines, it serves as a key transportation link for local residents.

Pattern of safety concerns

The deadly crash comes amid growing scrutiny of safety standards on large-scale infrastructure projects in Thailand. In August 2024, a tunnel under construction along the same high-speed rail corridor in Nakhon Ratchasima collapsed, killing three workers. Heavy rainfall was believed to have contributed to that incident.

The Bangkok–Nong Khai high-speed rail project is being built in phases at a total cost exceeding 520 billion baht ($16.8 billion). Once completed, it is intended to connect Thailand’s rail network with Laos and southern China.

While investigations are ongoing, the disaster highlights the risks associated with operating conventional rail services alongside massive construction projects. Experts have warned that overlapping timelines, insufficient safety buffers and weak enforcement can increase the likelihood of catastrophic failures.

As Thailand races to modernize its transportation infrastructure, Wednesday’s tragedy is expected to intensify calls for stricter oversight, improved coordination between construction contractors and rail operators, and more rigorous emergency preparedness.

For families of the victims, the focus remains on accountability and recovery, as authorities work to identify those killed and determine how a single equipment failure led to such devastating loss of life.

Reuters/AP

Congo Landslide Kills 13 and Leaves 30 Missing as Conflict Zone Hampers Emergency Response

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Congo Landslide Kills 13 and Leaves 30 Missing as Conflict Zone Hampers Emergency Response

A catastrophic landslide swept through a sleeping village in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo early Tuesday, killing at least 13 people and leaving more than 30 unaccounted for in a disaster that underscores how natural catastrophes amplify suffering in regions already devastated by armed conflict.

The hillside collapsed around 1 a.m. in Burutsi village, located in North Kivu province, burying homes and severing the primary transportation artery connecting the major city of Goma to Walikale, the provincial capital. The destruction followed several hours of intense rainfall that destabilized the terrain above the community.

“Nature acted terribly, and the entire hillside collapsed into the village of Burutsi while people were asleep,” Descarte Akilimali, the sector chief of the Burutsi area, told The Associated Press.

Witnesses described a scene of sudden devastation as torrents of mud, rock and debris cascaded down the slope, engulfing structures and trapping residents who had no warning of the impending disaster. The timing of the collapse, occurring during nighttime hours when most villagers were in their homes, maximized casualties and complicated immediate rescue attempts.

Local authorities have requested government assistance, but the severed road to Goma presents formidable logistical obstacles for emergency responders attempting to reach the disaster site. The infrastructure damage transforms what would ordinarily be a challenging rescue operation into a significantly more complex undertaking, potentially delaying the arrival of equipment and personnel critical to locating survivors trapped beneath debris.

The landslide adds another layer of tragedy to a region that has endured decades of violent conflict involving government forces and numerous armed groups. Eastern Congo’s ongoing security crisis creates conditions that magnify the impact of natural disasters, as weakened governance structures, damaged infrastructure and displaced populations reduce communities’ resilience when catastrophes strike.

North Kivu province has become the epicenter of violence linked to the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel movement, whose recent resurgence has intensified fighting and deepened an already acute humanitarian emergency. Walikale itself fell to M23 forces during an offensive last year, and the territory continues experiencing sporadic violence that disrupts daily life and undermines recovery efforts.

The convergence of natural disaster and armed conflict presents unique challenges that distinguish emergency response in eastern Congo from similar situations in more stable regions. Rescue teams must navigate not only physical obstacles created by the landslide but also security concerns related to ongoing hostilities that can restrict movement and access to affected areas.

More than 100 armed groups compete for control of mineral-rich territories in eastern Congo near the Rwandan border, creating a fragmented security landscape where violence remains endemic. This prolonged conflict has generated one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, with displacement figures exceeding 7 million people, humanitarian officials report.

The staggering displacement numbers reflect how sustained violence forces communities to abandon homes repeatedly as fighting shifts across territories. Internally displaced persons often settle in temporary camps lacking adequate shelter, sanitation or medical services, creating populations exceptionally vulnerable to additional shocks like natural disasters.

Earlier this year, M23 forces seized Goma and Bukavu, two strategically critical cities in eastern Congo, marking a major escalation in the conflict. The capture of these urban centers demonstrated the rebel movement’s growing capabilities and raised international alarm about the trajectory of violence in the region.

The fall of Goma proved particularly significant given the city’s role as a humanitarian hub and provincial capital. Its occupation by rebel forces disrupted aid operations, displaced hundreds of thousands of additional residents and severed supply chains that communities throughout the region depend upon for essential goods and services.

This context transforms the Burutsi landslide from an isolated natural disaster into a symptom of broader systemic failures affecting eastern Congo. Deforestation driven by conflict-related population displacement and resource extraction destabilizes hillsides, increasing landslide vulnerability during heavy rainfall. Weakened local governance reduces capacity for early warning systems, land use planning and emergency preparedness measures that might mitigate disaster impacts.

The region’s topography makes it inherently susceptible to landslides, with steep terrain and intense rainfall patterns creating conditions where soil saturation can trigger slope failures. Climate patterns potentially influenced by broader environmental changes may be intensifying rainfall events, though establishing direct causation requires more comprehensive meteorological data than conflict zones typically generate.

Communities in eastern Congo face impossible choices about where to settle, balancing landslide risks against security threats, agricultural viability and access to services. Conflict often forces populations onto marginal lands where natural hazard exposure increases, creating a vicious cycle where violence and environmental vulnerability reinforce each other.

The road closure between Goma and Walikale illustrates how infrastructure damage from natural disasters intersects with conflict dynamics. In stable regions, emergency road repairs would commence immediately. In eastern Congo, security considerations, resource constraints and competing priorities may delay restoration, prolonging isolation for affected communities.

Search and rescue operations in the coming days will determine whether additional survivors can be extracted from the debris field. The 30-plus missing persons represent families waiting for information about loved ones’ fates, a familiar agony for communities that have experienced repeated displacement and loss through years of violence.

Local authorities’ appeal for government assistance highlights the resource limitations that constrain response capabilities in provincial areas. National government attention often focuses on urban centers and politically strategic locations, leaving rural communities to manage crises with inadequate support.

International humanitarian organizations operating in eastern Congo will likely redirect resources toward landslide response, though ongoing conflict demands mean assistance for disaster victims competes with needs of displaced populations, malnourished children and communities affected by recent fighting.

The Burutsi landslide serves as a grim reminder that populations enduring armed conflict face compounded vulnerabilities extending beyond direct violence. Natural disasters, disease outbreaks, food insecurity and other challenges become more lethal in contexts where governance collapses, infrastructure deteriorates and social safety nets disintegrate.

For the 13 confirmed dead and their bereaved families, the landslide represents a tragedy compounded by the region’s broader crisis. For the missing, each passing hour reduces survival prospects as rescue efforts contend with obstacles ranging from unstable debris piles to the damaged road network that isolates Burutsi from outside assistance.

Eastern Congo’s overlapping emergencies demand integrated responses addressing both immediate humanitarian needs and underlying drivers of vulnerability. Yet the political complexities surrounding the conflict, competing international interests in the region’s mineral wealth and limited resources available for crisis response suggest that meaningful progress toward stability and resilience remains distant for communities like Burutsi.

The Associated Press

U.S. Moves Toward Revoking Citizenship of Naturalized Americans Convicted of Fraud

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U.S. Moves Toward Revoking Citizenship of Naturalized Americans Convicted of Fraud

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration says it is exploring steps to revoke the U.S. citizenship of naturalized Americans convicted of fraud, a move that would mark a significant expansion of its immigration crackdown and has raised alarms among legal experts and civil rights advocates.

Wooden gavel justice law with Official department U.S deportation USCIS Department of Citizenship Immigration Security United States on American flag in New York, NY, United States

President Donald Trump has repeatedly suggested that citizenship obtained through dishonesty should be subject to revocation, telling The New York Times this week that he would strip naturalized Americans of their status “in a heartbeat” if they were dishonest during the process.

“I think that many of the people that came in from Somalia, they hate our country,” Trump said in the interview, comments that critics say single out an entire community based on the actions of a small number of individuals.

The remarks come as federal authorities investigate large-scale fraud schemes in Minnesota involving misuse of government-funded programs. While only specific individuals have been charged or convicted, Trump has repeatedly referenced Minnesota’s Somali community while discussing denaturalization, drawing accusations that his administration is conflating criminal accountability with collective blame.

Trump did not identify which foreign-born citizens could be targeted or clarify what standards would be applied. “If they deserve to be stripped, I would, yes,” he said, without specifying whether he was referring to existing legal criteria or a broader reinterpretation of citizenship law.

Immigration lawyers say U.S. law sets a high bar for revoking citizenship.

“The government would have to prove fraud or intentional misrepresentation during the naturalization process itself,” said Eryn Hanlon, an immigration attorney and partner at Greenwood Hanlon Kendrick. She said this could include concealing serious crimes, falsifying identities or entering sham marriages — not crimes committed after citizenship is granted.

Trump administration officials have raised denaturalization repeatedly in recent months. In December, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration was “looking at” revoking citizenship from individuals of Somali descent convicted in the Minnesota fraud cases, echoing earlier comments by Trump suggesting they should be sent “back to where they came from.”

Trump has also floated revoking citizenship from political opponents born in the United States, though legal experts note there is no constitutional mechanism for doing so. He has publicly threatened to strip the citizenship of New York-born comedian Rosie O’Donnell, who dismissed the remarks after relocating to Ireland following Trump’s 2024 election victory.

His primary focus, however, has remained on foreign-born Americans. Trump has questioned the citizenship of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, born in Uganda and naturalized in 2018, and has repeatedly targeted Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, who was born in Somalia and became a U.S. citizen in 2000. At a campaign event in Pennsylvania last year, Trump told supporters that Omar should be expelled from the country, prompting chants of “send her back.”

If implemented, the policy would represent a sharp escalation of Trump’s immigration agenda, which already includes efforts to end Temporary Protected Status for Somalis and expand travel restrictions affecting dozens of countries.

Internal guidance obtained by The New York Times shows that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services field offices were instructed to refer 100 to 200 denaturalization cases per month to the Justice Department beginning in 2026. By comparison, just 305 denaturalization cases were filed between 1990 and 2017, according to the National Immigration Forum. During Trump’s first term, that average rose to 42 cases annually.

Smita Dazzo, deputy legal lead at HIAS, a nonprofit that provides legal assistance to refugees and asylum seekers, said such targets would be extremely difficult to meet without stretching the law.

“It would be very unlikely that a program of this scale would not face immediate legal challenges,” Dazzo said, noting that all denaturalization cases must be decided in federal court.

Democratic Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts condemned the reported push, calling it “xenophobia disguised as policy.”

“All American citizens — regardless of where they were born — deserve the full protection of the Constitution,” Markey said.

Under U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services guidelines, citizenship can be revoked only if it was obtained through deliberate deception or illegal means, such as willfully concealing material facts during the application process. There is no statute of limitations for such cases.

Denaturalization is not a punishment for criminal convictions, legal experts emphasize.

“Citizenship cannot be revoked simply because someone commits a crime,” Dazzo said. “It has to relate directly to how they obtained their citizenship.”

Hanlon agreed, saying that fraud must have occurred during the naturalization process itself.

Advocates worry the administration could reinterpret minor errors as intentional deception.

“They may take something insignificant — a typo, a wrong date — and argue it was a material misrepresentation,” Dazzo said.

The stakes are high. Once citizenship is revoked, individuals revert to lawful permanent resident status, making them vulnerable to deportation.

“U.S. citizens cannot be deported,” Dazzo said. “But once denaturalized, that protection disappears.”

The renewed focus on denaturalization reflects a broader effort by the Trump administration to redefine the boundaries of American citizenship, shifting it from a permanent legal status to a conditional one for foreign-born Americans.

While existing law already allows citizenship to be revoked in rare cases of proven fraud, critics argue the administration’s rhetoric and internal targets risk politicizing a process historically used sparingly.

Legal scholars warn that aggressive use of denaturalization could undermine trust in the immigration system and raise constitutional questions about equal protection and due process.

As the administration continues to explore its options, the courts are likely to become the ultimate battleground, determining whether the push represents lawful enforcement or an unprecedented attempt to weaponize citizenship itself.

Time.com

Iran Official Acknowledges About 2,000 Dead in Unrest as First Calls Emerge From Inside Country

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Iran Official Acknowledges About 2,000 Dead in Unrest as First Calls Emerge From Inside Country

An Iranian official said about 2,000 people, including members of the security forces, have been killed during nearly two weeks of nationwide unrest, marking the first time authorities have publicly acknowledged a death toll far higher than previously reported.

The official, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said those killed included both protesters and security personnel, blaming what he described as “terrorists” for the violence. He did not provide a detailed breakdown of casualties.

The acknowledgment came as Iranians were able to make phone calls abroad for the first time in days, offering rare accounts of heavy security deployments, damaged buildings and lingering fear following an intense government crackdown.

The protests, initially triggered by a sharp economic downturn and the collapse of Iran’s currency, have evolved into one of the most serious domestic challenges faced by the clerical leadership in years.

They have also unfolded against a backdrop of mounting international pressure after Israeli and U.S. military strikes last year and renewed threats from Washington.

On Monday, President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on goods from any country that does business with Iran, a move aimed at increasing pressure on Tehran as the unrest continues. Trump has also said military options remain under consideration, warning earlier this month that the United States was “locked and loaded.”

Iran has not formally responded to the tariff announcement, though China — Iran’s largest oil customer — swiftly criticized the measure. Iran remains under heavy U.S. sanctions and exports much of its oil to China, with the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Iraq and India among its other major trading partners.

Despite the scale of the protests, Iranian authorities have sought to project control, adopting what officials describe as a dual-track approach that distinguishes between legitimate economic grievances and what they call violent or foreign-backed unrest.

Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said Tuesday that the state views both protesters and security forces as “children of the nation,” while maintaining that law enforcement must respond firmly when demonstrations turn violent.

Analysts say the unrest comes at a particularly vulnerable moment for Iran, as years of sanctions, inflation and unemployment have eroded public confidence in the government.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Tuesday that he believes the Iranian government is nearing collapse, describing the unrest as potentially decisive. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed the remarks, accusing Berlin of hypocrisy and double standards.

Despite the turmoil, there has been no visible split within Iran’s powerful security establishment, a factor analysts say has allowed the Islamic Republic to survive previous protest waves.

Rights groups have long disputed official casualty figures. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said more than 10,700 people have been detained since the protests began Dec. 28. Reuters said it could not independently verify those figures.

Other opposition groups outside Iran have suggested the death toll may exceed the 2,000 cited by the Iranian official.

The unrest has been compounded by a sweeping communications blackout. The United Nations rights office said Tuesday that phone services had been restored, but internet access remained limited and unreliable.

Videos verified by Reuters showed nighttime clashes in recent days, with gunfire, burning vehicles and damaged buildings in several cities.

The Associated Press reported that residents in Tehran were able to briefly contact journalists abroad Tuesday, describing a capital under heavy security surveillance.

Witnesses said anti-riot police armed with batons, shields, shotguns and tear gas were stationed at major intersections, alongside members of the Revolutionary Guard’s Basij force and plainclothes security personnel.

Several government offices and banks were burned during the unrest, they said, and many financial transactions remained disrupted due to the internet shutdown.

Shops were open but foot traffic was sparse, witnesses said, adding that merchants at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar were ordered to reopen by security forces. Iranian state media did not acknowledge such directives.

Residents also reported searches for satellite internet equipment, including Starlink terminals, as authorities sought to limit outside communication.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei praised large pro-government rallies held Monday, calling them a warning to foreign powers. State television broadcast crowds chanting slogans against the United States and Israel.

Iran’s attorney general has warned that participation in protests could be treated as a capital offense under charges of being an “enemy of God.”

Meanwhile, Iranian officials say communication channels with Washington remain open despite public threats.

Foreign Minister Araghchi said in an interview with Al Jazeera that contact with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff has continued before and after the protests, though he described U.S. proposals as incompatible with Washington’s rhetoric.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration is receiving private messages from Tehran that differ sharply from Iran’s public statements.

She said diplomacy remains Trump’s preferred option, even as the president has made clear he is willing to use force if he deems it necessary.

Trump said Sunday that Iran wants to negotiate but cautioned that action could come before talks if the crackdown continues.

Iran’s parliamentary speaker warned that U.S. military bases and Israeli targets would be considered legitimate if Washington intervenes militarily.

The acknowledgment of a 2,000-person death toll marks a turning point in the crisis, suggesting either a shift in Iran’s messaging strategy or an effort to preempt mounting international scrutiny.

By framing the violence as the work of “terrorists,” authorities appear intent on justifying the scale of the crackdown while maintaining a narrative of internal legitimacy.

Trump’s tariff announcement signals a renewed reliance on economic pressure as a tool of coercion, though its effectiveness may be limited given Iran’s long-standing isolation from Western markets and its deepening ties with non-Western partners.

The partial restoration of communications has offered fleeting glimpses into conditions inside Iran, but the continued internet restrictions underscore the government’s determination to control information flows.

With no clear fractures inside Iran’s security apparatus and protests continuing despite arrests and casualties, the standoff appears set to persist, raising questions about how far both Tehran and Washington are willing to escalate in the days ahead.

AP/Reuters

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