Category: Security

This article was originally published by Radio Free Asia and is reprinted with permission.

China’s control of Panama Canal ports is an unacceptable threat to U.S. security, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said during a visit to the central American nation, underlining U.S. efforts to bolster its influence in the Western hemisphere.

The Panama Canal has become a focal point of geopolitical tension, as China’s involvement in its ports raises U.S. concerns over control and influence in a key global trade route.

U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly said that the United States is being overcharged to use the Panama Canal and that China has influence over its operations.

Speaking at a ribbon cutting for a new U.S.-funded dock at the Vasco Nuñez de Balboa Naval Base after a meeting with Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino, Hegseth said the U.S. will not allow China or any other country to threaten the canal’s operations.

“To this end, the United States and Panama have done more in recent weeks to strengthen our defence and security cooperation than we have in decades,” he said.

China-based companies, Hegseth said, continue to control critical infrastructure in the canal area.

“That gives China the potential to conduct surveillance activities across Panama. This makes Panama and the United States less secure, less prosperous and less sovereign. And as President Donald Trump has pointed out, that situation is not acceptable.”

In response to Hegseth’s remarks, the Chinese embassy in Panama slammed the U.S. government in a statement on X.

It said the U.S. has used “blackmail” to further its own interests and that who Panama carries out business with is a “sovereign decision of Panama … and something the U.S. doesn’t have the right to interfere in.”

“The US has carried out a sensationalistic campaign about the ‘theoretical Chinese threat’ in an attempt to sabotage Chinese-Panamanian cooperation, which is all just rooted in the United States’ own geopolitical interests,” the embassy said.

There have been growing calls in Washington for action to loosen Beijing’s influence stemming from Chinese and Hong Kong companies’ control over ports in Panama and elsewhere in the Western hemisphere.

China and the U.S. are also waging a tit-for-tat trade battle, which threatens to stunt the global economy. The U.S. now imposes a 104% tariff on Chinese imports after a series of tariff hikes this year.

On Feb. 3, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio threatened the Panamanian leader with potential American retaliation if his country didn’t immediately reduce Chinese influence over the canal.

The Panamanian government said that it was auditing the lease held by the Hong Kong consortium, which operates ports at both ends of the canal, and late on Monday concluded that there were irregularities.

The Hong Kong consortium, however, had already announced that CK Hutchison Holdings would be selling its controlling stake in the ports to a consortium including BlackRock Inc., effectively putting the ports under American control once the sale is complete.

​CK Hutchison Holdings, a Hong Kong-based conglomerate, has operated the Balboa and Cristóbal ports at the Pacific and Atlantic ends of the Panama Canal through its subsidiary, Panama Ports Company, since the late 1990s.

In March 2025, CK Hutchison agreed to sell a 90% stake in Panama Ports Company to a consortium led by U.S. investment firm BlackRock Inc., as part of a US$22.8 billion deal that includes control over 43 ports in 23 countries.

At that time, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said concerns about the deal “deserve serious attention,” possibly hinting at some form of legal action.

“We oppose the abusive use of coercion or bullying tactics in international, economic and trade relations,” Lee told journalists in Hong Kong. The Chinese territory would handle any commercial transaction “according to the law,” he said.

“The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government urges foreign governments to provide a fair and just environment for enterprises, including enterprises from Hong Kong,” Lee said.

Police officials announced on Wednesday that four teenagers were charged in a mass shooting that left three people dead and three others injured in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, on Tuesday.

In a Wednesday press release, the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office said, “Early this morning, 4 subjects were charged with malicious wounding and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony unlawful assembly.”

The Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office identified one of the suspects as 18-year-old Jeremiah Upson and noted that the others included two 16-year-old suspects and one 17-year-old suspect.

In Wednesday’s press release, law enforcement officials confirmed that one of the 16-year-old suspects was hospitalized with a gunshot wound and that the 16-year-old would be arrested following his discharge from the hospital. Police officials added that the other three suspects had been “incarcerated with no bond.”

The Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office identified the three victims killed in Tuesday’s shooting incident as 18-year-old Chase Feaster, 18-year-old Alonzo Goffney, and a 20-year-old whose name was withheld pending final confirmation from the medical examiner’s office.

According to the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office, an initial investigation into Tuesday’s incident revealed that it was an “illegal gun sale/robbery.”

READ MORE: Video/Pics: Teen stabbed to death at high school track meet

Prior to Wednesday’s press release, the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office said that the office was alerted to a “shooting in the area of Olde Greenwich Circle” in Spotsylvania at roughly 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday. After being dispatched to the scene of the crime, sheriff’s deputies discovered that multiple individuals had been shot. The Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office also confirmed that three victims had been transported to local hospitals for medical treatment.

A resident of Spotsylvania County told Fox 5 that they witnessed Tuesday’s shooting incident.

“I was coming down the hill I was looking forward and then I saw about three or four individuals, and I heard it and I saw bullets going everywhere, they were kind of going at each other,” the witness said. “Then I saw some run off down the road and after a little bit they started walking back holding their big guns, and they started walking up the hill, then the cut off behind the townhouses and that’s when the first officer arrived on scene.”

A video shared on X, formerly Twitter, shows two of the suspects walking around with guns before fleeing the scene in the aftermath of Tuesday’s shooting.

Men spotted walking around with guns following shooting that left 3 dead in Spotsylvania County. Suspects are in custody.

https://t.co/AFwmBtqnBv

— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) April 9, 2025

 This article was originally published by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and is reprinted with permission.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made headlines when he said on April 8 that Ukrainian forces had captured two Chinese nationals fighting with the Russian Army.

But are the two captured Chinese citizens proof that Beijing is sending soldiers to fight for Russia against Ukraine? The short answer is no.

Chinese nationals fighting in Ukraine are not new, and there is currently no public evidence showing the two captured men were sent by Beijing.

A few hundred Chinese nationals are thought to have traveled to fight as mercenaries with Russia’s army, and there have been previous reports on Russian military groups on Telegram about Chinese citizens killed fighting alongside Russian forces.

A Russian Defense Ministry hospital database obtained exclusively by RFE/RL in February also showed Chinese mercenaries serving alongside Russian troops.

But the more important development that this episode represents for the war in Ukraine is the departure Zelenskyy’s comments mark from the carefully balanced diplomatic tightrope Kyiv had been walking with China since Russia launched its full-scale invasion against Ukraine in 2022.

Beijing has been Moscow’s strongest partner amid the war and has boosted Russia’s war machine with stepped-up trade and a steady flow of militarily useful civilian goods. China, however, has stopped short of providing Russia weapons or military expertise.

As this has unfolded, Kyiv has largely refrained from criticizing China — with a few exceptions — as Ukraine has held out hope to potentially win over Chinese cooperation in a future peace deal.

What’s Behind Zelenskyy’s New Approach to China?

So what’s changed for Zelenskyy? The most obvious is his relationship with Washington and lingering questions about future US military support for Kyiv.

His statements after the announcement of the two fighters being captured also show how linking the war more clearly to China may shift the needle for his dynamic with US President Donald Trump.

In his social media post on April 8, which included a video of a captured soldier describing a drone attack in Chinese, Zelenskyy said the involvement of Chinese nationals alongside Russian troops “is a clear signal that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin intends to do anything but end the war. He is looking for ways to continue fighting.”

Speaking at a press conference later that day, the Ukrainian president went on to imply the two fighters were evidence of the international backing Moscow has behind it on the battlefield.

“This is another country that militarily supports Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on the side of Russia. This is another one after Iran and the North Korean military,” he said.

Ukraine’s Role In The US-China Power Struggle

Beijing has been adamant that it doesn’t have its own troops on the ground in Ukraine. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said on April 9 that it is currently verifying information about the two nationals with Ukraine and that it has always told its citizens to refrain from participating in military operations.

But Zelenskyy appears to be aiming to lump China together with North Korea, which has sent thousands of troops to fight with Russia, and Iran, which has provided Moscow with drones to bombard Ukrainian infrastructure.

This was pushed further when he said he had tasked Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha with contacting Beijing and summoning China’s charge d’affaires posted at its embassy in Kyiv.

Taking to social media, Sybiha said that “Chinese citizens fighting as part of Russia’s invasion army in Ukraine puts into question China’s declared stance for peace and undermines Beijing’s credibility as a responsible permanent member of the UN Security Council.”

While Trump and senior US officials have floated the prospect of a reset with Moscow in exchange for ending the war, China remains in the US president’s crosshairs — and countering Beijing could also come at the expense of supporting Ukraine.

As laid out in a leaked internal Pentagon memo published by The Washington Post at the end of March, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said stopping a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan should be the top priority and doing so will require the Pentagon to “assume risk in other theaters” amid personnel and resource constraints.

It goes on to call for pressuring allies in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia to spend more on defense to take on a larger role in deterring other US adversaries like Iran, North Korea, and Russia so the United States can devote more resources to China.

With the future of Ukraine’s relationship with the United States uncertain amid a push by Trump to reach a peace deal of the war as it enters its fourth year, Zelenskyy appears to be searching for his own China card to play.

John Stamos is defending his recent appearance at a charity event held at President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida.

The 61-year-old “Full House” alum said his role of emcee at the Palm Beach Ray of Hope Gala on Saturday was not tied to any political affiliation, but was instead “dedicated to honoring and uplifting our frontline heroes.”

The sold-out “Dancing with the Stars“-themed event was a “nonpartisan” benefit for The Academy for Nursing and Health Occupations, Stamos wrote on Instagram Monday. He described the academy as a nonprofit organization that trains up to 400 nurses each year to address the shortage of healthcare workers in Palm Beach County.

Even though the gala was co-chaired by Linda Adelson and Janet Levy, both of whom share ties to Trump, Stamos underscored that “supporting nurses isn’t political — it’s essential.”

“These are the people who care for us and our families when we need it most, and I believe we should show up for them with the same unwavering dedication they show up with every single day,” he continued. “I stand by the importance of healthcare, of service, and of investing in those who care for our communities.”

Stamos, who has reportedly supported Democratic policies in the past, added that his “values and political views remain unchanged,” while encouraging followers to contribute to the liberal organization Democracy Forward if they prefer not to give to Palm Beach Ray of Hope.

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© 2025 New York Daily News.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

An Oxnard man who served time in the late 1980s for child molestation was sentenced Monday to 480 years to life in prison after prosecutors say he spent nearly a decade after his release sexually assaulting two young children in his family.

A jury last month found Marcelino Arias Arca, 68, guilty of six felony counts of lewd acts upon a child. The jury also found true a special allegation that there were multiple victims, according to the Ventura County district attorney’s office.

Court records show that Arca admitted to other special allegations regarding a prior strike conviction for molestation, which contributed to his lengthy sentence. Prosecutors say Arca was convicted of child molestation in 1988, but did not provide details about that case.

“Decades ago, this defendant went to prison for sexually abusing a child. When given a second chance, he chose not to change — instead, he went on to sexually abuse two more children, this time within his own family,” Senior Deputy Dist. Atty. Ben Moreno said in a statement. “This sentence reflects the severe and lasting harm he caused and sends a clear message that child sexual abuse will not be tolerated, especially by repeat offenders.”

Arca was arrested in 2022 after authorities say he abused two children under the age of 14 between 2005 and 2014. The abuse did not come to light until both victims reported it to a family member years later, prosecutors said.

“I applaud the two victims for their extraordinary courage in coming forward and facing their abuser,” Moreno said. “Because of their bravery, this defendant will never again have the opportunity to harm a child.”

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© 2025 Los Angeles Times.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Val Kilmer, the actor behind iconic characters from “Batman Forever,” “Top Gun,” “Tombstone” and more, has died. The 65-year-old film star died April 1 from a battle with pneumonia, an infection that raises increased risks for older adults.

Here’s everything to know about the infection and why older adults should take extra care when dealing with it:

What is pneumonia?

Pneumonia is a respiratory infection with dozens of causes, including many germs, viruses and fungi.

According to the American Lung Association, the infection is more common than some might think. It leads to millions of hospitalizations and over 50,000 deaths in the U.S. alone each year.

“Many factors affect how serious a case of pneumonia is, such as the type of germ causing the lung infection, the person’s age, and their overall health,” the ALA reported. “The people most at risk are infants and young children, adults 65 or older, and people who have other health problems.

“Pneumonia is a leading cause of hospitalization in both children and adults. Most cases can be treated successfully, although it can take weeks to fully recover. Tens of thousands of people in the U.S. die from pneumonia every year, most of them adults over the age of 65.”

Why are older adults at greater risk when suffering from pneumonia?

American Lung Association Chief Medical Officer Dr. Albert Rizzo, MD, told Statepoint Media in 2021 that healthy adults 65 or older are over 10 times more likely to be hospitalized with pneumococcal pneumonia than people 18 to 49. For those suffering from a chronic lung disease, like COPD or asthma, the odds are even worse.

Older adults are at greater risk because human immune systems degrade over the years. Older adults are also more susceptible to respiratory viruses because they are more likely to have underlying health conditions.

Heart disease, diabetes, sickle cell disease and cigarette smoking can increase a person’s risk factors.

How can pneumonia be prevented?

According to the ALA, many cases of pneumonia can be prevented. Here are some tips to help reduce your risk:

•Stay up to date on your recommended vaccines. Common causes of pneumonia include seasonal influenza, RSV and COVID-19. It is important to know your immunization records.

•Wash your hands. Remember to wash your hands frequently, especially after coughing, blowing your nose or using the bathroom.

•Avoid smoking. Tobacco users are in a high-risk group more likely to get pneumonia or pneumococcal pneumonia, as their lung’s ability to fight off infection is impaired.

•Maintain healthy habits. To avoid viruses and respiratory illnesses, experts suggest a healthy diet and regular exercise to promote a faster recovery if you feel ill.

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© 2025 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

FBI Deputy Director and former Fox News host Dan Bongino could soon be getting a 20-person team of bodyguards for a job that doesn’t typically come with a security detail.

The FBI is reportedly seeking agents to temporarily leave their jobs to serve as muscle for the brash ex-pundit, according to NBC News.

Sources told the outlet that a message sent to FBI agents last week asked for volunteers to spend 30 days on a team tasked with protecting Bongino 24 hours a day. Around-the-clock protection could require as many as 20 bodyguards working rotating shifts, according to two former FBI officials familiar with security details.

Historically, the FBI’s No. 2 position does not come with security. Paul Abbate, who served as the FBI’s deputy director under Biden, reportedly had a single part-time agent accompany him to some events, but otherwise carried a gun to defend himself.

Bongino could also get permission from the FBI to carry his own firearm, but instead opted for bodyguards, according to NBC News.

Bongino — himself a former Secret Service agent who protected Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama — is second in command to Kash Patel in the nation’s top law enforcement agency. Both men entered their posts with little pertinent experience and long histories of criticizing the agency.

Former senior FBI official Frank Figliuzzi told NBC News it’s “ridiculous” that Bongino wants a security team paid for by tax dollars. Another former agent said assigning officers to protection duty puts a strain on the department.

While the FBI didn’t address the outlet’s report, Bongino may have offered some context on social media with a somewhat cryptic message posted Sunday.

“When you see something happen, and the entire story isn’t public, and the underlying facts aren’t all public, it may appear counterintuitive to our reform agenda,” he wrote. “I realized when I signed up that I’d never be able to fully explain some decisions we make due to legal and ethical constraints. But that’s a pill I agreed to swallow when I swore in.”

Bongino, a former New York City cop-turned-MAGA podcaster, is the first FBI deputy director who didn’t serve in the bureau before being given the job.

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© 2025 New York Daily News.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Earlier this year, the US House of Representatives passed the Successful Entrepreneurship for Reservists and Veterans Act – otherwise known as the SERV Act. 

Introduced by Representatives Mark Alford, Herb Conaway, and Sharice Davids, this is a bipartisan bill aiming to help veterans who are looking to start SMEs, with Davids stating that they ‘need better support when transitioning from service to entrepreneurship.’ 

But how does the bill guarantee this support, and if you’re a veteran looking to start your own small business, are there any other helping hands you should know about?

The SERV Bill: Explained

Transitioning from the military to the business world is not easy, which is why the SERV bill focuses on improving veterans’ access to entrepreneurial training and resources, making it far easier for them to transition into the business space. 

Some of the key benefits include enhanced training programs – expanding access to Small Business Administration programs – the expansion of resources – the bill ensures that veterans can connect with small business development centers, as well as other entrepreneurial assistance programs – improved accessibility – strengthening partnerships between the SBA and the Department of Defence – and support for National Guard and Reservists, with the act ensuring they receive the same support as full-time veterans.

Essentially, this is a bill that recognises the challenges veterans face when starting their own SME and actively works to remove barriers to their success.

By providing structured support, streamlined resources, and increased accessibility to vital training programs, the SERV bill aims to create a smoother pathway for veterans now and in the future. But as we mentioned before, it’s not the only support veterans should be aware of.

Insurance for SMEs

If you’re a veteran taking your first venture into the business space, there are plenty of other helping hands that can help you in your journey, with one of the most important revolving around insurance. 

Over the last few years, insurance options have increased exponentially, with small business insurance by Next, specifically, being one of the best for newcomers in the space. 

Through Next, you can gain access to a range of tailored insurance packages, including general liability, professional liability, and workers’ compensation insurance – all of which work to keep you safe and secure in a business landscape that might not always be so forgiving. 

Grants and Loans

Aside from insurance, another thing SMEs should be aware of is the sheer number of small business grants and loans that are available across the US. 

Financing, of course, is one of the biggest hurdles for new businesses to face, with many businesses failing within their first two years due to a lack of funds. 

To avoid falling into this pithole, there are several grant and loan programs designed specifically for SMEs, with one of the most significant being the SBA Veterans Advantage Program, which looks to reduce fees on certain SBA loans for veteran-owned businesses. 

Through a program like this, you can make sure you have access to the necessary capital without being overwhelmed by high interest rates or excessive fees – essentially allowing you to take your time and give you the space to enter the business world more comfortably. 

Mentoring and Networking

Lastly, one of the best things any new SME can do is connect with experienced mentors and industry professionals who can provide the right guidance. 

Whether it’s with SCORE or VBOCs – Veteran Business Outreach Centers – there are numerous options across the country that will provide training, mentorship, and networking opportunities right at the beginning of your business journey. 

This will then help you to navigate any challenges far more effectively, as you’re gaining valuable insights from those who have already succeeded in the business world. 

Even if you’re confident, of course, it’s important to remember that starting a business isn’t easy. It comes with many unexpected hurdles. But having a strong support network – as well as the support we mentioned above – can make all the difference.

A new report claims that President Donald Trump’s administration is considering the use of drone strikes against Mexican drug cartels as the president cracks down on illegal drug trafficking along the southern border between the U.S. and Mexico.

According to NBC News, six current and former U.S. intelligence, military, and law enforcement officials familiar with the situation told the outlet that the White House, Department of Defense, and intelligence officials have discussed potential drone strikes against the Mexican drug cartels in cooperation with the Mexican government.

NBC News reported that the Trump administration has not made a final decision regarding a plan to counter the Mexican drug cartels; however, the anonymous sources indicated that the Trump administration has not ruled out taking action against the cartels in Mexico without the consent of the Mexican government.

According to NBC News, the sources said the White House has labeled the cartels a threat to the country’s national security, resulting in both the U.S. Military and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA increasing surveillance flights in Mexico to gather intelligence prior to any potential action against the Mexican drug cartels. The Associated Press previously reported that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed that the surveillance flights have been conducted in collaboration with Mexico and at the request of the Mexican government.

READ MORE: Mexican drug cartels using drones to spy on US troops along the southern border

A former official with knowledge of the Trump administration’s plans said that the administration is “looking to build a target deck” by conducting the surveillance flights. The sources indicated that potential targets could include cartel operatives, warehouses, and vehicles.

Following the publication of NBC’s report on Tuesday, Sheinbaum discussed the potential U.S. drone strikes during a news conference.

“We reject any form of intervention or interference,” the Mexican president told reporters. “That’s been very clear, Mexico coordinates and collaborates, but does not subordinate itself. There is no interference, nor will there be.”

“While this idea hasn’t been formally proposed, we’ve made it clear that it wouldn’t address the root of the issue. What truly works is ongoing attention to root causes, arrests driven by intelligence and investigation, coordination, and zero tolerance for impunity,” Sheinbaum added. “We categorically reject any such actions, and we don’t believe they will happen. There is a strong, ongoing dialogue on security and many other matters.”

According to the six anonymous sources who spoke with NBC News, the Trump administration is hoping to coordinate any potential action against the Mexican drug cartels with the Mexican military and various law enforcement agencies. The sources indicated that the Trump administration views unilateral military action against the Mexican drug cartels as a last resort due to the potential for it to impact the two countries’ relationship.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday to increase coal energy production in the United States and “designate coal as a ‘mineral.’”

According to a White House fact sheet, Trump’s executive order “directs the Chair of the National Energy Dominance Council to designate coal as a ‘mineral’ under Executive Order 14241, entitling coal to all of the benefits of that prior Order.” The White House added that the executive order “requires agencies to rescind any agency policies that seek to transition the Nation away from coal production or otherwise establish preferences against coal as a generation resource.”

Announcing his executive order on Tuesday, Trump said that his administration was taking “historic action” to benefit “American workers, miners, families, and consumers.”

“We’re ending Joe Biden’s war on beautiful, clean coal once and for all,” Trump said, adding that the executive order would “put the miners back to work” in the United States.

The president’s executive order on “Reinvigorating America’s Beautiful Clean Coal Industry,” requires federal agencies to “identify coal resources on Federal lands, lift barriers to coal mining, and prioritize coal leasing on those lands.”

Trump’s executive order explained that despite the production of coal-fired electricity being “cleaner than ever,” the Biden-Harris administration “waged war on coal.” In contrast with the Biden-Harris administration, Trump noted in Tuesday’s executive order, “Coal will be critical to meeting the rise in electricity demand due to a resurgence of domestic manufacturing and the construction of Al data processing centers.”

READ MORE: Biden-Harris admin blocks new coal mining leases

In a statement obtained by Fox News, Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright claimed that people in the United States “need more energy” and that the Trump administration’s Energy Department is working to meet the demand for more energy by “unleashing supply of affordable, reliable, secure energy sources — including coal.”

Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum told Fox News on Tuesday that America’s “Golden Age is here” and emphasized that under the Trump administration, the United States is “starting to ‘Mine, Baby, Mine’ for clean American coal.”

In a Tuesday press release, Rep. Riley Moore (R-W.Va.) celebrated the president’s executive order, saying, “President Trump is the first president in my lifetime to highlight the critical need for coal to power our economy and ensure national security. Today’s executive order confirms our new Golden Age will be coal-fired!”