Hundreds of captives freed from Boko Haram mountain hideout

Zelensky decries Russia’s drone strike on Chernobyl storage ahead of London talks

Twelve Injured in Ohio Festival Shooting; Search Continues","description":"Gunfire at Toledo's Old West End Festival left at least 12 wounded; authorities still hunting suspects amid ongoing investigation.","summary":"A sudden shooting during the Old West End Festival in Toledo injured at least 12 people, two of whom were in critical condition, as law‑enforcement agencies work to locate perpetrators amid an unsolved inquiry.","image":"https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/07d977e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5410x3606+0+0/resize/599x399!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2Fab%2Fac%2Ffd89ed10ed7b12fe814d5321c51e%2Fa03566fa5e32433197419658f87441f9","text":"<h1 style=\"font-size:24px; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom:10px;\">Twelve Injured in Ohio Festival Shooting; Search Continues</h1>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:10px;\">At least 12 people were wounded when gunfire erupted Saturday during the Old West End Festival in Toledo’s historic district. The chaotic scene saw attendees scrambling for cover while emergency crews rushed in to tend to the injured.</p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:10px;\">Toledo Deputy Police Chief Joe Heffernan said authorities had not yet apprehended anyone. He described the shots as “probably shooting at each other,” implying the situation started as a local shootout.</p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:10px;\">Following the incident, festival organizers canceled the remainder of the two‑day celebration on Sunday, citing safety and logistical challenges. “We are heartbroken about those that were injured at the Old West End Festival,” the festival organization noted.</p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:10px;\">Heffernan added that two victims were in critical condition. Ages of the wounded ranged from 14 to 61, with most survivors in their early twenties.</p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:10px;\">The attack occurred around the Agnes Reynolds Jackson Arboretum, a popular spot within the festival grounds. Witnesses reported hearing intense gunfire before seeing a weapon being tossed to the ground just 15 meters away.</p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:10px;\">“Everybody hit the deck,” recalled Kevin Berry, a festival attendee with medical training. He reported seeing at least five individuals with gunshot wounds, as Fire Chief Allison Armstrong noted difficulties in traveling to the hospital due to traffic and road closures.</p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:10px;\">Officials have urged anyone present to come forward with any photos or videos of the event. Social media surfaced several videos showing people running amid the gunfire and responders providing aid.</p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:10px;\">City’s safety director George Kral expressed disappointment at the incident, calling the Old West End Festival “one of the most iconic festivals in Toledo” and lamenting that the event was tarnished by violence.</p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:10px;\">Ohio Governor Mike DeWine condemned the shooting, stating, “Summer festivals should be safe spaces for families to spend time together without fear of violence.”</p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom:10px;\">Police continue to seek suspects. Their latest statements emphasize the importance of community cooperation in identifying those responsible for the gunfire.</p>

Tony Awards 2026: Pink Hosts, Oldest Nominee & Broadway Highlights

Rob Sand Launches Campaign for Iowa Governor, Sets Stage for a Tight Race","description":"Iowa’s first Democratic candidate for governor, Rob Sand, kicks off his campaign with a rally backed by Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, as the state faces economic challenges and a competitive showdown with Republican Zach Lahn.","summary":"Rob Sand has begun campaigning for Iowa governor, drawing support from Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and aiming to win over independents and frustrated Republicans. The race, the first open governorship since 1968, confronts a state budget deficit, an agriculture‑heavy economy, and political polarization. Beshear’s national support and Sand’s push for balanced, divided government shape the contest in a state that sees the first open U.S. Senate seat, a Senate race and three House seats light up the political scene.","image":"https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/599x399!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F2f5%2F4a%2F7b%2F0a3f%2F34ff4bdb7dfeb2b638876d92e8cdc3a4ac16%2Fillustration-of-iowa-governor-rally","text":"<div style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height:1.6; color:#333;\">\n<p>On Sunday in Des Moines, Iowa’s gubernatorial race saw a new spotlight as Democratic nominee Rob Sand rallied a crowd for the first time in his campaign. With Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear—who chairs the Democratic Governors Association and is rumored to be considering a presidential run in 2028—by his side, Sand’s debut marks the start of a countdown to November’s election.</p>\n\n<p>The contest against Republican Zach Lahn, who surprised the field by winning a five‑way primary, is set to be one of the most fiercely contested battles in the nation. Iowans confront a budget shortfall, an agriculture‑heavy economy grappling with rising costs and tariff impacts, and a persistent cancer‑stigma crisis that shapes state policy. Democratic hopes hinge on Sand’s challenge to attract independents and frustrated Republicans, restoring balance after ten years of one‑party control.</p>\n\n<p>Beshear’s involvement underscores a strategic push for unity and change. “We’re all in on flipping Iowa,” Beshear said, “and Rob Sand will lead in a way that lifts families up and keeps them out of the margins.” His presence signals national Democratic ambition to turn Iowa into a “blue wave” state as President Trump and Vice‑President JD Vance have already visited the state in recent months.</p>\n\n<p>Sand’s platform is built on trans‑party outreach. He has vowed to “reconstruct a divided government” and avoid surrendering power to a single party. “I’m not here to repeat ten years of one‑party control,” he said after his primary ballot, encouraging a shift to a balanced, inclusive Iowa. His stance echoes the state’s experience with a Republican trifecta that controlled the legislature and the executive branch until the last two years.</p>\n\n<p>Despite calling himself “non‑party” in rhetoric, the Sand campaign has already contributed roughly $750,000 to the Iowa Democratic Party—an expenditure Democrats allege is hypocritical. The campaign, however, defends the investment as essential for a coordinated statewide strategy that will earn votes for the governor as well as for down‑ballot candidates, leaving the door open for targeted support where it will have the most effect.</p>\n\n<p>Beshear’s national backing arrives as Democratic leadership debates the lessons of 2024’s setbacks. In light of this, his appearance at “Beers with Beshear” supports Representative Sarah Trone Garriott’s effort to unseat Republican Zach Nunn in a competitive House district that includes Des Moines. Beshear also plans to meet with Senate candidate Josh Turek, who shares Sand’s focus on appealing to voters beyond strict party lines.</p>\n\n<p>Looking ahead, the Iowa race will unfold as the state opens its first gubernatorial and U.S. Senate elections since 1968, with three congressional battlegrounds adding to the political gravitas. Democrats face a 200,000‑person deficit in statewide voter registration and a numerical disadvantage in every House district. How the campaign leverages Independents and disillusioned Republicans—and whether it can overcome the state’s economic challenges—will determine Iowa’s role in the national political realignment.</p>\n</div>

Shots Fired Near Toledo's Old West End Festival Prompt Police Response","description":"Multiple people injured during a community street festival in Toledo, Ohio. Police and emergency services are investigating the incident as crowds gather and navigate virtual reportage in real time.","summary":"On a Saturday afternoon, an incident at the historic Old West End Festival in Toledo left several individuals hurt and hospitals notified. Police are actively seeking suspects and details while audiences can follow updates through social‑media channels and immersive digital recollection of the event.","image":"https://images.metaworld.media/toledo-festival-shooting.jpg","text":"<p style=\"font-size:18px;margin:0 0 10px 0;\">In Toledo, Ohio, a disturbance at the Old West End Festival turned into a violent episode Saturday afternoon, with multiple individuals wounded in the vicinity of the community street festival.</p>\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px;margin:0 0 10px 0;\">Responding officers arrived around 5:30 p.m. to a report of a person shot near the Old West End Festival, finding several victims that the police confirmed were subsequently transported to local hospitals. The extent of the injuries and the exact number of people affected remain undisclosed.</p>\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px;margin:0 0 10px 0;\">The police are actively searching for suspects and working to establish the circumstances that led to these shootings. Authorities highlighted that they would provide further details on the department’s official social‑media platforms, specifically Facebook and X, as updates become available.</p>\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px;margin:0 0 10px 0;\">The Old West End Festival itself is a two‑day celebration hosted within Toledo’s historic district, offering live music, local food vendors, home tours, and shopping opportunities. While the excitement of the event continues, safety measures and emergency protocols have been heightened in the wake of the incident.</p>\n\n<p style=\"font-size:18px;margin:0;\">Participants in the virtual newsroom can observe live updates from the scene and explore immersive reconstructions of the festival environment, where real‑time data will be synchronized with on‑site developments. Stay tuned for more details as authorities investigate the shooting.</p>

Fatal Shark Attack Claims Diver in Western Australia

Seven‑month‑old Palestinian baby killed in Israeli gunfire in West Bank

US–Iran Fighter Strikes: Ceasefire Tested in Gulf

Xavier Becerra Advances to California Governor Election","description":"Democratic candidate with 35 years of public service pushes forward amid a crowded field and historic prospects.","summary":"After a primary win, California’s Gov. Xavier Becerra moves into the November runoff as the fastest‑paced Democrat in a race featuring former Fox commentator Steve Hilton and billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer. With a legacy of 120 legal challenges to the Trump era and a bid to revive a state long wary of Republican leadership, Becerra would become California’s first Latino governor in over a century. Newsom, limited by term, will not run again.","image":"https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/07f56ca/2147483647/strip/true/crop/5366x3890+0+0/resize/599x434!/quality/90/?url=https://assets.apnews.com/6d/af/6470587f33f3d465b12d815db60d/2577b7613963412aa0acaaee0a29e96d","text":"<p>SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Democratic Gov. <a href=\"https://apnews.com/article/california-governor-becerra-race-campaign-393a6526b42c1be9ef523b7edae6d452\">Xavier Becerra</a> advanced Friday to the general election for California governor after claiming himself to be the most seasoned choice to lead the nation’s most populous state and succeed Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom.</p>\n<p>Becerra leaned on more than 35 years of public office—including as state attorney general and U.S. health secretary—to argue he was the most qualified candidate in a crowded field.</p>\n<p>“I am ready to lead the fight to uphold California’s promise to make sure we have the governance worthy of our gifts,” he said on election night.</p>\n<p>Officials did not yet reveal who Becerra would face in the general election, though his top rivals were Republican Steve <a href=\"https://apnews.com/article/california-governor-hilton-republican-becerra-8bfb56b7938205687de5248a380c9ace\">Hilton</a>, a former Fox News commentator backed by President Donald Trump, and Democrat Tom Steyer, a billionaire climate activist who poured $215 million of his own money into his campaign.</p>\n<p>Becerra’s campaign struggled in its first year, but the race changed when Rep. Eric Swalwell was accused of sexual assault and dropped out, allowing Becerra to consolidate Democratic support.</p>\n<p>During the campaign, his rivals scrutinized his tenure as health secretary during the COVID‑19 pandemic and the 2021 unaccompanied migrant children crisis—all managed by the state’s Department of Health and Human Services. Some shelters were criticized for inadequate living conditions, and concerns were raised about insufficient vetting of sponsors who placed children.</p>\n<p>On the path to the ballot, Becerra vowed to declare states of emergency to tackle high energy costs, housing shortages, and to freeze home insurance rates if elected.</p>\n<p>Bergerta has been a staunch opponent of President Trump throughout his tenure as attorney general, filing more than 120 legal actions against the first Trump administration on everything from immigration to climate policy.</p>\n<p>Although California’s governors have traditionally been white men, Becerra would be the first Latino to hold the office since the late 1800s. While Gov. Newsom is barred by term limits from seeking a third term, the open seat has sparked intense competition among the state's leading politicians.</p>

Denali National Park Ranger Dies in Crevasse Fall During Climbing Patrol","description":"Seasonal mountaineering ranger falls into a crevasse on Mount McKinley after patrol; authorities investigate amid recent climber fatalities.","summary":"A ranger’s fatal fall on Denali’s Mount McKinley comes more than a week after three Latvian climbers died. The park service is investigating, and visitors can now tour the site virtually.","image":"https://example.com/dens_ranger.jpg","text":"<p style=\"font-size:16px;\">Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska (AP) — A ranger in Alaska died after falling into a crevasse on North America’s tallest mountain, the National Park Service said.</p><p style=\"font-size:16px;\">Robin Pendery of Enumclaw, Washington was a seasonal mountaineering ranger assigned to Denali National Park and Preserve. She fell Thursday while on climbing patrol on Mount McKinley, and died despite immediate rescue efforts, the park service said.</p><p style=\"font-size:16px;\">The death is under investigation. It comes only a week after <a href=\"https://apnews.com/article/mount-mckinley-denali-climbers-deaths-d7c7be8ceb179ee7a5a4314ad4e8c88d\" style=\"color:#0066cc;\">three climbers</a> from a Latvian mountaineering expedition died after falling near a treacherous pass on McKinley. A fourth climber was rescued. They were part of a seven‑person team traversing a route known for its exposed sections, where many climbers have died or been injured over the years.</p><p style=\"font-size:16px;\">McKinley stands at about 20,310 feet (6,190 meters), and Pendery fell near what’s known as the 14,000‑foot (4,328‑meter) camp.</p><p style=\"font-size:16px;\">“Our mountaineering rangers dedicate themselves to serving visitors and helping others in one of the most challenging environments in the world,” Denali Superintendent Brooke Merrell said in a statement Friday. “Today, we mourn the loss of a valued colleague, friend and teammate.”</p><p style=\"font-size:16px;\">For metaverse viewers, the park now offers a 3‑D walkthrough of McKinley’s climbing routes, allowing avatars to experience the terrain and learn about safety protocols in an interactive setting.</p>

Putin Rejects Zelensky’s Call for Face‑to‑Face Talks Amid Growing War Fatigue

Court Reverses Paramertes' Homicide Convictions in Elijah McClain Case","description":"A Colorado appellate court has ordered new trials for two paramedics convicted in the 2019 death of Elijah McClain, amplifying scrutiny of EMTs’ use of ketamine and the legal boundaries of emergency medical care under police custody.","summary":"In a pivotal decision, the Colorado Court of Appeals overturned homicide convictions for paramedics Jason Cichuniec and Jason Cooper in the fatal ketamine injection of Elijah McClain. The ruling centers on juror instructions and criminally negligent homicide law, re-opening the debate on EMT protocols and the fate of first responders nationwide. As the case heads back to trial, the state attorney general has pledged an appeal that could delay proceedings.","image":"https://images.apnews.com/2026/08/ketamine-injection-evidence.jpg","text":"<h2>Justice takes a new turn in the McClain trial</h2>\n<p>A Colorado appellate court has reversed the homicide convictions of two paramedics—Jason Cichuniec and Jason Cooper—who administered a lethal dose of ketamine to Elijah McClain in 2019. The decision triggers new trials and casts a spotlight on the legal limits of emergency medical interventions during police apprehensions.</p>\n\n<h2>The 2019 incident</h2>\n<p>Elijah Manchial (spelled McClain) was walking home from a store in Aurora, Colorado, when he was seized by police and placed in a neckhold. A paramedic crew injected him with ketamine. The drug induced cardiac arrest en route to a hospital; McClain’s heartbeat never returned.</p>\n\n<h2>Original trial and convictions</h2>\n<p>In late 2023, the jury found the paramedics guilty of homicide and criminally negligent homicide. Prosecutors argued that the EMTs failed to perform basic medical checks and ignored the standard of care for patients under police restraint. The judge sentenced Cichuniec to five years in prison (later reduced to probation) and Cooper to fourteen months in jail with work release.</p>\n\n<h2>Appeals court decision</h2>\n<p>The appellate panel upheld the homicide verdict but found that the judge gave misinformed instructions to the jurors regarding “reasonable care” in a police context. Consequently, the convictions are sent back to a lower court for retrial on those counts. The court’s ruling underscores the need for clarity on legal standards faced by first responders.\n</p>\n\n<h2>Implications for emergency personnel</h2>\n<p>The case is unprecedented: criminal charges against EMTs during active patient care have historically been treated as medical malpractice, a civil matter. Critics argue the prosecution could deter talented emergency workers and jeopardize life‑saving decisions in crises. The potential for a new trial may re‑ignite hesitancy among paramedics and firefighters when confronting aggressive suspects.</p>\n\n<h2>Broader context</h2>\n<p>McClain’s death foreshadowed the national protests following George Floyd’s killing in 2020, bringing attention to systemic injustices faced by Black communities. Activists view the appellate decision as reopening a wound that had begun to heal when the EMTs were first convicted.</p>\n\n<p>Attorney General Phil Weiser announced an appeal to the state supreme court, a move that could postpone further litigation. This case thus sits at the intersection of police reform, emergency medical ethics, and criminal law, with reverberations expected across the United States.</p>

Judge Overturns Trump Administration's Immigration Policy After Guard Shooting

Actor James Handy Murdered: 44‑Year‑Old Arrested in Los Angeles","description":"The 81‑year‑old character actor was found dead outside his home; police say his girlfriend’s son is charged with the murder.","summary":"Los Angeles Police Department arrested a 44‑year‑old man for the stabbing of veteran actor James Handy, who had appeared in \"Jumanji\" and \"Top Gun: Maverick.\" The victim was found unconscious outside his house. Details of the suspect’s background, legal proceedings and Handy’s career are highlighted.","image":"https://placehold.it/640x360","text":"<h1 style=\"font-family:Arial;font-size:24px;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:10px;\">Actor James Handy Murdered: 44‑Year‑Old Arrested in Los Angeles</h1><p style=\"font-family:Arial;font-size:16px;line-height:1.5;margin-bottom:16px;\">James Handy, the character actor best known for his roles in \u201cJumanji\u201d and \u201cTop Gun: Maverick,\u201d was found stabbed to death outside his Los Angeles home on Wednesday morning. The 81‑year‑old was discovered with a gunshot wound to the chest and pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.\n</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial;font-size:16px;line-height:1.5;margin-bottom:16px;\">According to police reports, officers responded after a 911 call from the victim’s girlfriend, who stated, \u201cI am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin.\u201d The caller’s statement was later identified as a statement made by the suspect.\n</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial;font-size:16px;line-height:1.5;margin-bottom:16px;\">Police arrested 44‑year‑old Michael Gledhill, who had been living with his mother at the scene. Gledhill, who introduced himself to officers as the person they were seeking, was booked on suspicion of one count of murder and his bail was set at $2 million. Jail records show no attorney listed for him, and county public defender responses remain pending.\n</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial;font-size:16px;line-height:1.5;margin-bottom:16px;\">Handy, born in New York, had a long career spanning film and television. In addition to his memorable villain in the 1995 film \u201cJumanji,\u201d he played bartender Jimmy in the 2022 blockbuster \u201cTop Gun: Maverick.\u201d His television credits include episodes of \u201cNCIS: Los Angeles,\u201d \u201cThe Closer,\u201d and \u201cCold Case.\u201d\n</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial;font-size:16px;line-height:1.5;margin-bottom:16px;\">Pam Ellis‑Evenas of Ellis Talent Group called Handy \u201cone of the most talented, humble and gracious clients we have ever represented.\u201d She expressed her condolences to his family, emphasizing his professionalism.\n</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial;font-size:16px;line-height:1.5;margin-bottom:16px;\">The Los Angeles Police Department has not released further details about the investigation. Residents of the neighborhood have expressed shock and concern, noting that Handy had been enjoying a quiet retirement in the area.\n</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial;font-size:16px;line-height:1.5;margin-bottom:16px;\">As the case moves forward, attorneys and investigators will seek to clarify Gledhill’s motives and any possible involvement of other parties. Meanwhile, the film community mourns the loss of an actor who contributed to multiple beloved productions.\n</p>

Los Angeles Jury Awards $176 Million to Parents of Two Children Killed in Hit‑and‑Run Crash

Former Hartford Police Officer Charged in Death of Black Man During Mental Health Crisis","description":"A former Hartford police officer faces a manslaughter charge after fatally shooting Steven Jones, a Black man in a mental health crisis, despite other officers attempting to de‑escalate the situation.","summary":"The wrongful shooting of Steven Jones on February 27, 2026, in Hartford, Connecticut, led to the firing of former officer Joseph Magnano and his first court appearance on a manslaughter indictment. Jones, 55, was holding a large knife when Officers James Prignano and Joseph Magnano confronted him. While Prignano repeatedly tried to calm Jones, Magnano moved in and fired nine shots after he claimed Jones posed an imminent threat. Video footage shows Magnano’s sudden aggression and the lack of attempts to de‑escalate or use non-lethal tactics, leading the state inspector general to find he failed to make reasonable attempts to control the situation. The case highlights growing scrutiny over police response to mental health crises and sparked a contentious debate between civil‑rights advocates, who view the shooting as excessive, and pro‑law‑enforcement groups that defend the officer’s actions.","image":"https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/4335643/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2516x1883+0+0/resize/599x448!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F31%2F19%2F5a0054362a603f0084a9e46a760f%2Ff90569b71cdd4fe69f34f050ca07e5b0","text":"<p style=\"font-family:Arial,sans-serif; line-height:1.6; margin-bottom:12px;\"><b>Hartford, Conn. (AP)</b>— A former Hartford police officer, Joseph Magnano, has been indicted on a manslaughter charge after shooting and killing 55‑year‑old Steven Jones during a mental‑health crisis. The incident, which occurred on February 27, 2026, left Jones dead after nine gunshots fired by Magnano, despite other officers trying to intervene.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,sans-serif; line-height:1.6; margin-bottom:12px;\"><b>Police body‑camera footage</b> shows that Officers James Prignano and two other officers repeatedly urged Jones to drop a large knife and calm down, offering assistance. Over several minutes, Prignano calmly spoke to Jones, saying, \"Steve, you’re OK. We’re going to make sure you’re OK…Just drop the knife. We’re going to go talk to somebody, OK?\" Meanwhile, Magnano advanced toward Jones and shouted, \"You’re going to get shot,\" before drawing his pistol.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,sans-serif; line-height:1.6; margin-bottom:12px;\"><b>State investigation</b> found that Magnano failed to use non‑lethal force or move bystanders out of potential danger. State inspector general Eliot Prescott’s report noted that Magnano did not attempt to control the scene and that Jones was not an imminent threat. Mr. Magnano’s incident report cited fear that \"Jones was going to lunge toward either an officer or citizen,\" but the fatal shooting shows a failure to de‑escalate.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,sans-serif; line-height:1.6; margin-bottom:12px;\"><b>Court appearance</b> – Magnano, who was fired by the Hartford mayor following Jones’s death, made his first appearance in Superior Court on Friday without speaking. He was later seen hugging officers present at the hearing as a sign of support. The incident has drawn criticism from civil‑rights attorneys and the Hartfield Police Union. Ben Crump, representing Jones’s family, called the shooting \"excessive,\" while James Rutkauski of the police union defended the officer’s actions as justified. </p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,sans-serif; line-height:1.6; margin-bottom:12px;\"><b>Community reaction</b> – More than 60 police officers gathered outside the courthouse to back Magnano, while supporters of Jones—including local NAACP leaders—joined to show solidarity. Jones’s relatives did not attend the hearing. The case has intensified the debate over police protocols when responding to individuals in mental health distress.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,sans-serif; line-height:1.6; margin-bottom:12px;\"><img src=\"https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/4335643/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2516x1883+0+0/resize/599x448!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F31%2F19%2F5a0054362a603f0084a9e46a760f%2Ff90569b71cdd4fe69f34f050ca07e5b0\" alt=\"Steven Jones seen by Hartford Police body camera video on Feb. 27, 2026\" style=\"max-width:100%; height:auto; display:block; margin:0 auto;\"> </p>

ISS Evacuates to Dragon Amid Air‑Leak Repair Dispute

Everest Guide Survives Six-Day Ordeal on Mountain by Eating Chocolate and Chewing Ice

ICE Removes Death Reporting After Release: A Shift That Masks Trump Era Cost","description":"The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has scrapped reporting for deaths that occur in the 30 days after detainees are released, potentially hiding the full toll of Trump's mass detention policies.","summary":"ICE will no longer report deaths occurring soon after detainees are freed, undermining transparency and raising concerns about medical care and accountability. Experts warn that this change could lower reported death rates without real improvements, as many deaths arise from untreated conditions. The policy shift follows rising death counts, including a record number of suicides. The move raises questions about the efficacy of current detention health protocols and the true human cost of U.S. immigration enforcement.","image":"https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/22eefdf/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7952x5304+0+0/resize/599x400!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F0c%2F5c%2F6c4c9fa44933e8827518a58c3d9a%2F841c7bdc7e67435681cc8b1f968aad5f","text":"<p style=\"font-family:Arial;font-size:16px;margin:0 0 10px 0;\">IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will no longer report deaths of detainees who have recently been released from its custody, a change that could obscure the full human cost of the Trump administration’s mass detention policies.</p>\n<p style=\"font-family:Arial;font-size:16px;margin:0 0 10px 0;\">The move rescinds a 2021 policy implemented by the Biden administration that required ICE to report to Congress and investigate deaths of detainees that occur within 30 days of their release.</p>\n<p style=\"font-family:Arial;font-size:16px;margin:0 0 10px 0;\">The goal of the 2021 policy was to ensure that ICE could not avoid accountability for deaths by releasing severely ill people from custody. Detainees who were brain‑dead or suffering from infection, for instance, have died shortly after ICE released them in the past.</p>\n<p style=\"font-family:Arial;font-size:16px;margin:0 0 10px 0;\">Two health experts who have investigated ICE custody deaths criticized the change Friday.</p>\n<p style=\"font-family:Arial;font-size:16px;margin:0 0 10px 0;\"><strong>“Tracking deaths immediately after custody is a standard approach that allows health systems in jails, prisons and immigration detention to learn about <a href=\"https://apnews.com/article/ice-immigration-detention-medical-neglect-dhs-32c3fbeef0c44dfb02fcab890b2c9a96\" style=\"color:#0066cc;text-decoration:none;\">gaps in care</a> that may occur before a person leaves a facility,”</strong> said Dr. Homer Venters, former chief medical officer of the New York City jail system. <strong>“Eliminating reporting of these deaths represents a willful act of ignoring the most serious health outcome that can reflect inadequacies in care or help track outbreaks.”</strong></p>\n<p style=\"font-family:Arial;font-size:16px;margin:0 0 10px 0;\">ICE detainees also routinely die at hospitals when they are taken for treatment after their conditions deteriorate inside detention facilities, records show. Those detainees, however, have generally been considered to remain in ICE custody.</p>\n<p style=\"font-family:Arial;font-size:16px;margin:0 0 10px 0;\">“Under this updated policy, when an individual is no longer in ICE custody then ICE will no longer be responsible for monitoring or reviewing deaths that may occur,” the statement said.</p>\n<p style=\"font-family:Arial;font-size:16px;margin:0 0 10px 0;\">The statement said ICE remained committed to transparency and that the revised policy includes procedures for “timely notification, review and reporting of deaths occurring in ICE custody.” ICE did not immediately release its full updated policy.</p>\n<p style=\"font-family:Arial;font-size:16px;margin:0 0 10px 0;\">The decision to limit death reporting comes as a greater number of ICE detainees have been dying. At least 18 detainees have died since Jan. 1, which is on pace to surpass last year’s death toll, which was the highest in two decades. Detainees <a href=\"https://apnews.com/article/ice-suicide-deaths-detention-custody-takeaways-791ac441678f91f061ccd729f6285bc8\" style=\"color:#0066cc;text-decoration:none;\">are dying by suicide</a> at an unprecedented pace, and experts say many other deaths from natural causes likely would have been preventable with timely medical care.</p>\n<p style=\"font-family:Arial;font-size:16px;margin:0 0 10px 0;\">Dr. Sanjay Basu, a University of California‑San Francisco epidemiologist who recently published an analysis of more than 270 ICE custody deaths, said the policy change will “make the mortality statistics appear lower without any actual improvement in care.”</p>\n<p style=\"font-family:Arial;font-size:16px;margin:0 0 10px 0;\">“The period immediately following release is when deaths attributable to inadequate care during confinement become apparent,” he said. “Missed diagnoses, interrupted medications, untreated infections, and decompensating chronic conditions don’t always kill someone while they’re still in the building.”</p>\n<p style=\"font-family:Arial;font-size:16px;margin:0 0 10px 0;\">As of early April, ICE was holding more than 60,000 detainees across its national network of detention facilities, up from around 40,000 at the start of President Donald Trump’s second term. ICE denies allegations that detainees suffer from medical neglect, saying they receive comprehensive health care services.</p>\n<p style=\"font-family:Arial;font-size:16px;margin:0 0 10px 0;\">Before announcing Thursday’s policy change, DHS acting assistant secretary Lauren Bis told the AP on Tuesday that no detainees died in its custody in May. That was the first month without a detainee death since November. At the time, Bis did not address AP questions about whether any death reporting policies had changed.</p>\n<p style=\"font-family:Arial;font-size:16px;margin:0 0 10px 0;\">“As we have repeatedly stated, deaths in ICE custody are exceedingly rare,” she said then.</p>\n<p style=\"font-family:Arial;font-size:16px;margin:0 0 10px 0;\"><em>___</em></p>\n<p style=\"font-family:Arial;font-size:16px;margin:0 0 10px 0;\">Associated Press reporter Michael Biesecker in Washington, D.C., contributed.</p>