Report: US suspends deportation flights on military aircraft

Source: Anadolu Agency [Turkish state media]

“The administration of Donald Trump has halted the use of costly military aircraft to deport migrants who entered the US illegally [sic], The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday. Pentagon officials confirmed no flights were scheduled for the coming days, with the last military deportation flight occurring March 1. The pause could be extended or made permanent, defense officials told the newspaper. An analysis by the news outlet found that the administration had initially employed military aircraft to demonstrate its tough stance on illegal [sic] immigration, conducting approximately 30 flights using C-17 aircraft and about one dozen C-130s to various destinations including India, Guatemala, Ecuador, Peru, Honduras, Panama and Guantanamo Bay. The flights, however, proved significantly more expensive than standard deportation operations.” (03/05/25)

https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/us-suspends-deportation-flights-on-military-aircraft-report/3501139

Thomas L. Knapp

China: Regime to increase military spending by 7.2%

Source: ABC News

“China said Wednesday it will increase its defense [sic] budget 7.2% this year, as it continues its campaign to build a larger, more modern military to assert its territorial claims and challenge the U.S. defense lead in Asia. China’s military spending remains the second largest behind the U.S. and it already has the world’s largest navy. The budget, which adds up to about $245 billion, was announced at the National People’s Congress, the annual meeting of China’s legislature. The Pentagon and many experts say China’s total spending on defense may be 40% higher or more because of items included under other budgets.” (03/05/25)

https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/china-increase-defense-budget-72-year-119456167

Thomas L. Knapp

Spring forward: How DOGE can save America from yet another Daylight Savings change

Source: The Hill
by Sheldon H Jacobson

“President Trump is on a mission. He wants to end government waste and find efficiencies that could save the federal government money. His new Department of Government Efficiency, with Elon Muck at its helm, is framed to cut government bureaucracy. And with Daylight Saving Time set to begin on March 9, DOGE has a big, juicy, low-hanging fruit just waiting to be grabbed.” (03/05/25)

https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/5175941-daylight-saving-time-government-efficiency-doge/

Thomas L. Knapp

UK: Chinese student found guilty of drugging and raping 10 women

Source: SFGate

“A Chinese PhD student was found guilty Wednesday in a London court of drugging and raping 10 women in England and China, as police warned there could be more than 50 other victims. Zhenhao Zou, 28, was convicted of the attacks between 2019 and 2023 following a monthlong trial at the Inner London Crown Court. He was convicted of 11 counts of rape, with two of the offenses relating to one victim. After more than 19 hours of deliberations, jurors concluded Zou raped three of the women in London and seven in China. Police have only been able to identify two of the victims and said after the verdict that more than 50 other women may have fallen victim to Zou, which would make him one of the worst sex offenders in U.K. history. Using hidden or handheld cameras to record the attacks, Zou filmed nine of the attacks as ‘souvenirs’ and often kept a trophy box of women’s belongings.” (03/05/25)

https://www.sfgate.com/news/world/article/chinese-student-found-guilty-in-british-court-of-20203974.php

Steve Trinward