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  • Hundreds of FAA staff fired by Trump administration, union says

    Hundreds of FAA staff fired by Trump administration, union says


    The Trump administration has begun firing hundreds of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employees, according to the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS) union, weeks after a fatal mid-air plane collision in Washington DC.

    Several hundreds of the agency’s probationary workers – who have generally been in their positions for less than a year – received the news via email late on Friday night, a statement from PASS’s head, Alex Spero said.

    It is a part of a cost-cutting drive, driven by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), that aims to drastically cut the federal workforce.

    Spero called the firings “shameful” and said they “will increase the workload and place new responsibilities on a workforce that is already stretched thin”.

    The BBC has contacted the FAA and department of transport for comment.

    According to Spero’s statement, workers impacted include systems specialists, safety inspectors, maintenance mechanics and administrative staff, among others.

    Criticising the move, Spero said the FAA is “already challenged by understaffing”, and that the decision to cut staff was “unconscionable in the aftermath of three deadly aircraft accidents in the past month”, including the deadly crash in Washington DC’s Ronald Reagan airport, in which 67 people were killed.

    Jason King, who is among those laid off, said he was worried about how the move would impact aviation safety.

    He told WUSA9, an affiliate of the BBC’s US partner CBS, firing people directly involved with air safety is “concerning for public safety in our national airspace.”

    Mr King, whose work at the FAA involved directly addressing safety concerns, said the cuts “threatens public trust and increases the likelihood of future accidents.”

    “Aviation safety should never be treated as a budget item that can just be completely cut,” he added.

    On Monday, a team from Elon Musk’s SpaceX was set to visit the FAA to suggest improvements to the US’s air traffic control system, following the Washington DC plane collision in January.

    Though the National Transport Safety Board has not yet determined the cause of the collision, staffing levels in air traffic control at the airport, were reportedly below normal levels on the evening of the crash.

    Transport Secretary Sean Duffy said the SpaceX team’s visit to the FAA would give them a “first-hand look at the current system”, and would allow them to figure out how they make “a new, world-class air traffic control system that will be the envy of the world.”

    He added that he plans to visit the FAA Academy – which provides training for the organisation’s workforce – later this week, to learn more about staff member’s education “and how we can ensure that only the very best guide our aircraft”.

    President Donald Trump caused controversy last month when he suggested diversity programmes supported by his predecessors had lowered hiring standards that could have affected the Washington DC plane crash.

    The Trump administration has ordered government agencies to fire nearly all of their probationary employees, who have not yet earned job protection. It is a move that could potentially affect hundreds of thousands of people.

    Among those losing their jobs in Friday’s cuts were half of the Centers of Disease Control’s so-called “disease detectives”, multiple health officials told CBS.

    The researchers – officially officers serving in a two-year programme in the organisation’s Epidemic Intelligence Service – are often deployed on the front lines of major disease outbreaks.

    Many members of the scheme have gone on to rise in the agency’s ranks.

    President Trump has also asked the Supreme Court to allow him to fire the head of an independent ethics agency that protects whistleblower federal employees.

    Hampton Dellinger, the head of the US Office of Special Counsel, sued the Trump administration after being fired last month.

    It is thought to be the first case related to Trump’s series of executive actions to reach the country’s highest court.

    Since taking office, the president has cut more than a dozen inspectors general at various federal agencies.



    In a shocking turn of events, the Trump administration has reportedly fired hundreds of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) staff members, according to the union representing the employees.

    The Professional Aviation Safety Specialists (PASS) union released a statement condemning the mass firings, stating that it will have a devastating impact on the safety and efficiency of the nation’s air traffic control system.

    The FAA plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of the country’s airspace and the traveling public, and these mass layoffs could jeopardize that mission. The union is calling on the administration to reverse course and reinstate the fired employees.

    This latest development has sparked outrage among aviation professionals and safety advocates, who fear that the Trump administration’s actions could put countless lives at risk. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.

    Tags:

    1. FAA staff layoffs
    2. Trump administration firings
    3. FAA staff union
    4. Federal Aviation Administration layoffs
    5. Trump administration cuts
    6. FAA staff union response
    7. FAA staff job cuts
    8. Trump administration employment changes
    9. FAA staff termination
    10. Federal Aviation Administration union concerns

    #Hundreds #FAA #staff #fired #Trump #administration #union

  • Hundreds of FAA probationary workers fired by Trump administration, union says




    CNN
     — 

    The Trump administration has started firing hundreds of Federal Aviation Administration probationary employees who maintain critical air traffic control infrastructure, according to their union.

    An exact number of firings is not yet known, but the head of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFL-CIO, said that “several hundred” workers started getting firing notices on Friday — and that they could even be barred from FAA facilities Tuesday after the federal holiday. CNN has reached out to the FAA for comment.

    The move comes less than three weeks since the midair collision over Washington, DC, that killed 67 people and that highlighted shortages of air traffic controllers and FAA infrastructure issues. The FAA’s system that distributes critical flight safety alerts to pilots failed just days after the crash and forced the agency to rely on a backup system.

    Since taking office in January, President Donald Trump and Elon Musk have upended the federal workforce, firing top officials and convincing 77,000 workers to voluntarily leave their jobs through a deferred resignation offer. The administration on Thursday broadened its effort to terminate thousands of probationary workers, instructing agencies on a call to move forward with the layoffs.

    Officials have set their sights on probationary workers, who have typically been employed for less than a year, because they have fewer job protections and lack the right to appeal. More than 200,000 employees have worked within the federal government for less than a year, according to the most recent 2024 data from the US Office of Personnel Management.

    The Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, or PASS, said it represents more than 11,000 FAA and Department of Defense workers who install, inspect and maintain air traffic control communications, radio and computer systems, as well as develop new flight procedures.

    “Staffing decisions should be based on an individual agency’s mission-critical needs,” said David Spero, national president of PASS. “To do otherwise is dangerous when it comes to public safety. And it is especially unconscionable in the aftermath of three deadly aircraft accidents in the past month.”

    The firings did not include air traffic controllers, who are in short supply amid a decadeslong staffing shortage

    Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy posted on social media earlier this month that he “talked to the DOGE team” and “they are going to plug in to help upgrade our aviation system.” Musk later reposted Duffy, saying his Department of Government Efficiency will “aim to make rapid safety upgrades to the air traffic control system.”



    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has reportedly fired hundreds of probationary workers under the Trump administration, according to the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA).

    The union, which represents air traffic controllers and other aviation professionals, said that the mass firings came as a shock and have raised concerns about the impact on the safety and efficiency of the nation’s airspace.

    NATCA President Paul Rinaldi criticized the move, stating that it was “reckless and unnecessary” to dismiss so many probationary workers without cause. He also warned that the FAA’s ability to properly staff air traffic control facilities could be compromised as a result.

    The FAA has not yet commented on the situation, but the union is calling for a full investigation into the firings and for the affected workers to be reinstated.

    This development has raised questions about the Trump administration’s handling of the FAA and its impact on air travel safety. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.

    Tags:

    FAA probationary workers, Trump administration, fired employees, union statement, employment termination, government personnel, labor union news, workplace rights, job security, federal aviation administration, political controversy.

    #Hundreds #FAA #probationary #workers #fired #Trump #administration #union

  • Trump officials fired nuclear staff not realizing they oversee the country’s weapons stockpile, sources say

    Trump officials fired nuclear staff not realizing they oversee the country’s weapons stockpile, sources say




    CNN
     — 

    Trump administration officials fired more than 300 staffers Thursday night at the National Nuclear Security Administration — the agency tasked with managing the nation’s nuclear stockpile — as part of broader Energy Department layoffs, according to four people with knowledge of the matter.

    Sources told CNN the officials did not seem to know this agency oversees America’s nuclear weapons.

    An Energy Department spokesperson disputed the number of personnel affected, telling CNN that “less than 50 people” were “dismissed” from NNSA, and that the dismissed staffers “held primarily administrative and clerical roles.”

    The agency began rescinding the terminations Friday morning.

    Some of the fired employees included NNSA staff who are on the ground at facilities where nuclear weapons are built. These staff oversee the contractors who build nuclear weapons, and they inspect these weapons.

    It also included employees at NNSA headquarters who write requirements and guidelines for contractors who build nuclear weapons. A source told CNN they believe these individuals were fired because “no one has taken anytime to understand what we do and the importance of our work to the nation’s national security.”

    Members of Congress made their concerns about the NNSA firings known to the Energy Department, a Hill staffer told CNN. A person with knowledge of the matter told CNN that senators visited Energy Sec. Chris Wright to express concern about the NNSA cuts.

    “Congress is freaking out because it appears DOE didn’t really realize NNSA oversees the nuclear stockpile,” one source said. “The nuclear deterrent is the backbone of American security and stability – period. For there to be any even very small holes poked even in the maintenance of that deterrent should be extremely frightening to people.”

    The Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, which enriches and stores uranium for America's nuclear weapons.

    NNSA has a total of 1800 staff at facilities around the country. The only probationary staffers exempt from the Thursday-night firings were those who work at its Office of Secure Transportation, the office in charge of driving or otherwise transporting nuclear weapons around the country securely, one person familiar told CNN.

    “There is strong support on the Hill for NNSA in nuclear modernization writ large,” one source told CNN. “Clearly, NNSA is a critical agency. There have been lawmakers with concerns.”

    The agency made the about face Friday morning; during a meeting, acting NNSA administrator Teresa Robbins said the agency had received direction to rescind the termination of probationary employees. Probationary workers have typically been employed for less than a year, or two years in some cases, and have fewer job protections and rights to appeal.

    Robbins added on Friday that if probationary NNSA employees had not yet been fired, their jobs were now safe and all NNSA employees whose access to the agency’s network and internal IT systems was shut off would be turned back on, one source told CNN.

    The source said Robbins added, “There is a good probability that most or all probationary employees who were fired could return.”

    Another source cautioned the situation was extremely fluid and said “we don’t know” how many people will be returning.

    An NNSA spokesperson referred CNN’s questions to DOE.

    “The Energy Department will continue its critical mission of protecting our national security and nuclear deterrence in the development, modernization, and stewardship of America’s atomic weapons enterprise, including the peaceful use of nuclear technology and nonproliferation,” the DOE spokesperson told CNN.

    Political officials at the Energy Department told its non-political HR administrators to cite poor performance personnel files as a justification for firing the employees, the source said. Frustrated by the pressure from political appointees, two of those HR employees submitted their resignations on Friday.

    A DOE spokesperson declined to comment on the poor-performance rationale for the firings. CNN has reached out to the two employees who resigned.

    In addition to overseeing America’s nuclear weapons, the NNSA also helps secure nuclear material nationwide. Sources told CNN it’s a critical mission, pointing to the Russian drone attack on a Chernobyl power plant reactor in Ukraine on Thursday.

    “NNSA maintains sensors in Ukraine to help track nuclear risks, whether intentional or unintentional,” a source said, adding the layoffs are “frightening.”



    In a shocking turn of events, it has been reported that Trump officials recently fired nuclear staff without realizing they oversee the country’s weapons stockpile. According to sources, several key personnel responsible for managing and safeguarding the nation’s nuclear arsenal were abruptly dismissed without proper understanding of their critical roles.

    This alarming development has raised concerns about the potential consequences of such reckless decisions. The security and stability of the country’s nuclear weapons are of utmost importance, and any disruptions to the personnel in charge of overseeing them could have serious ramifications.

    It remains to be seen how this will impact the country’s nuclear capabilities and readiness. The need for competent and knowledgeable individuals to be in charge of managing the nation’s most powerful weapons cannot be overstated.

    This latest incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of having qualified individuals in key positions of national security. The consequences of such hasty and ill-informed decisions could be catastrophic, and it is crucial that the necessary steps are taken to rectify this situation before any harm is done.

    Tags:

    1. Trump officials
    2. Nuclear staff
    3. Weapons stockpile
    4. Firings
    5. National security
    6. Trump administration
    7. Nuclear oversight
    8. Government officials
    9. Security breaches
    10. Nuclear weapons

    #Trump #officials #fired #nuclear #staff #realizing #oversee #countrys #weapons #stockpile #sources

  • Umpire Pat Hoberg fired by MLB for sharing sports gambling accounts with friend who bet on baseball


    NEW YORK (AP) — Umpire Pat Hoberg was fired by Major League Baseball on Monday for sharing his legal sports gambling accounts with a friend who bet on baseball games and for intentionally deleting electronic messages pertinent to the league’s investigation.

    MLB opened the investigation last February when it was brought to its attention by the sports book, and Hoberg did not umpire last season. While MLB said the investigation did not uncover evidence Hoberg personally bet on baseball or manipulated games, MLB senior vice president of on-field operations Michael Hill recommended on May 24 that Hoberg be fired.

    Commissioner Rob Manfred said Monday he upheld Hill’s decision. Among the highest-rated umpires at judging the strike zone, Hoberg can apply for reinstatement no earlier than 2026 spring training.

    MLB said the friend made 141 baseball bets between April 2, 2021 and Nov. 1, 2023 totaling almost $214,000 with an overall win of nearly $35,000.

    “The strict enforcement of Major League Baseball’s rules governing sports betting conduct is a critical component of upholding our most important priority: protecting the integrity of our games for the fans,” Manfred said in a statement. “An extensive investigation revealed no evidence that Mr. Hoberg placed bets on baseball directly or that he or anyone else manipulated games in any way.

    “However, his extremely poor judgment in sharing betting accounts with a professional poker player he had reason to believe bet on baseball and who did, in fact, bet on baseball from the shared accounts, combined with his deletion of messages, creates at minimum the appearance of impropriety that warrants imposing the most severe discipline. Therefore, there is just cause to uphold Mr. Hoberg’s termination for failing to conform to high standards of personal conduct and to maintain the integrity of the game of baseball.”

    Now 38, Hoberg made his big league debut in 2014. During Game 2 of the 2022 World Series, he had an unprecedented “umpire’s perfect game” by accurately calling balls and strikes on all 129 taken pitches, according to computer tracking.

    “I take full responsibility for the errors in judgment that are outlined in today’s statement,” Hoberg said in a statement. “Those errors will always be a source of shame and embarrassment to me. Major League Baseball umpires are held to a high standard of personal conduct, and my own conduct fell short of that standard.

    “That said, to be clear, I have never and would never bet on baseball in any way, shape, or form. I have never provided, and would never provide, information to anyone for the purpose of betting on baseball. Upholding the integrity of the game has always been of the utmost importance to me. I apologize to Major League Baseball and the entire baseball community for my mistakes. I vow to learn from them and to be a better version of myself moving forward.”

    Under the umpires’ collective bargaining agreement, Hoberg had the right to appeal Hill’s decision, triggering the hiring by MLB of a neutral fact finder who made a report to Manfred.

    MLB said the sports book notified it that Hoberg opened an account in his name on Jan. 30 last year and an electronic device associated with the account had accessed an account in the name of another person., who had bet on baseball.

    ___

    AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb





    Major League Baseball has announced the firing of umpire Pat Hoberg after it was revealed that he shared sports gambling accounts with a friend who placed bets on baseball games. This shocking revelation has raised concerns about the integrity of the game and the role of umpires in ensuring fair play.

    Hoberg, who has been a Major League umpire for over a decade, was caught sharing his accounts with a friend who was known to be a frequent bettor on baseball games. This unethical behavior has led to his immediate dismissal from the league, with MLB commissioner Rob Manfred stating that such actions will not be tolerated.

    The incident has sparked outrage among fans and players alike, with many questioning the trustworthiness of umpires and their ability to make unbiased calls on the field. The integrity of the game is paramount, and any actions that compromise this must be dealt with swiftly and decisively.

    As the dust settles on this scandal, MLB will undoubtedly be looking to tighten its regulations and ensure that such behavior does not occur again in the future. The firing of Pat Hoberg serves as a stark reminder that the game of baseball must be upheld with the highest standards of fairness and integrity.

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    2. Umpire fired for sports gambling
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    10. Pat Hoberg MLB scandal

    #Umpire #Pat #Hoberg #fired #MLB #sharing #sports #gambling #accounts #friend #bet #baseball

  • “Coaches Are Fired Every Year”: Matt Barnes Predicts JJ Redick’s Future Amid Concerning Results


    Imagine coaching Lebron James and Co. in a franchise that has a golden history running behind it. The thought of it builds pressure, right? That is why long-time friend Matt Barnes has a word of caution for the new Lakers coach JJ Redick. Coaching a team that has one of the greatest players of all time is not an easy task. And the link between performance with job security is so high that what happens tomorrow you never know. But the 44-year-old shared what he feels about coaches, and what can be JJ’s future. 

    However, it is not just Barnes who thinks coaches are fired every year. Redick, who has a 4-year deal with the Lakers, too feels there is no security in this job. Although deciding the fortune of the 40-year-old is still premature, he must maintain a focused approach. More so, since he shares the locker room with LeBron and a talented Anthony Davis. And it takes ‘these many’ years to build a team and legacy, felt Barnes.

    Responding to a question on N3ON podcast, Matt Barnes said, “It just takes time. You know, normally coaches get two, three, maybe four years to figure s**t out, but coaches are fired every other year, sometimes in their first year now. So, it’s just, we live in a, I want, you know, instant gratification.”

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    When Redick was brought up in the conversation as the top prospect of landing this job, many questioned his abilities. While many knew of his strategical methods, most wondered how an inexperienced coach can guide one of the most stories teams. But since JJ joined, the team has improved. But this is still early months to fire someone with an excuse of performance.

    The answer to how long should someone take to build a team is debatable. While Tennessee-born has the basketball brain to hang around with the Lakers, it still lies in the management of what they expect from him. And there is no such tough conversation around him now, but recent history has kept coaches on their toes. While Barnes feels Orlando Magic No. 7 will get the respect he deserves, only time will tell where he heads. Especially because it is not easy to make an easy break in LA.

    Lakers’ history with coaches, what leads to firing?

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    The Los Angeles Lakers, having second most NBA championships, are one of the most decorated teams in NBA history. With such records to defend, they have developed a reputation for not hesitating to fire head coaches when results don’t meet expectations. The benchmark is so high that they fired Darvin Ham after only two seasons. That too after taking the team to the NBA Finals in one and winning the NBA’s inaugural In-Season Tournament in another.

    The story of Mike Brown is even worse. They hired Big Mike in 2011 but fired him after only five games of the 2012-2013 season, because of his poor 1-4 start. It is believed his firing was the third-fastest coaching change in NBA history. Then Mike D’Antoni, who joined the same season, too faced the same fate because of unmet expectations. The list is long, some lasted a few seasons, some a couple, but the benchmark for all remained the same: give results. Now Barnes’s words seem easy?

    via Imago

    History shows the Lakers’ willingness to make quick decisions, as even a championship win, or a rebuilding phase does not guarantee job security within the franchise. And, in the world of sports, today’s heroes can quickly become tomorrow’s villains.

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    It’s a rollercoaster of glory and scrutiny! And with such a history, Matt Barnes’s former teammate JJ Redick only has two ways, either take the Lakers to the sky or face the axe like the rest.



    Former NBA player Matt Barnes recently shared his thoughts on the uncertain future of veteran sharpshooter JJ Redick in a recent podcast episode. With the NBA trade deadline fast approaching and the New Orleans Pelicans struggling to find success this season, Redick’s name has been circulating in trade rumors.

    Barnes pointed out that coaches are fired every year in the NBA, and players are often traded as a result of underperforming teams. He predicted that Redick could be on the move soon if the Pelicans continue to struggle and fail to make a playoff push.

    Redick, known for his deadly three-point shooting and veteran leadership, could bring valuable experience and scoring to a contending team looking to bolster their roster for a playoff run. However, with the Pelicans currently sitting near the bottom of the Western Conference standings, it may be time for Redick to consider his options for the remainder of the season.

    As the trade deadline approaches, all eyes will be on Redick and the Pelicans to see if any moves are made. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.

    Tags:

    1. Matt Barnes
    2. JJ Redick
    3. Coaches
    4. NBA
    5. Predictions
    6. Fired
    7. Concerning results
    8. Basketball
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    10. NBA players

    #Coaches #Fired #Year #Matt #Barnes #Predicts #Redicks #Future #Results

  • Gwinnett County Schools superintendent fired by board of education


    Gwinnett County Schools superintendent ousted

    Gwinnett County Public Schools, which is the largest school system in the state has made a change at the top. Late Friday morning, the school board voted to opt out of the superintendent’s contract.

    GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. – The Gwinnett County Board of Education has voted to cut short the contract of Superintendent Dr. Calvin Watts, ending his tenure as leader of Georgia’s largest school district.

    In a 3-2 vote following an executive session Friday morning, the board decided to terminate Watts’ contract before its scheduled end. Watts was hired in 2021 to replace longtime Superintendent Alvin Wilbanks and had his contract renewed for two years in 2023 despite ongoing concerns about school safety.

    PREVIOUS: Board votes to renew Gwinnett County superintendent’s contract amid criticism

    The backstory:

    In a separate 4-1 vote, the board appointed Dr. Al Taylor as interim superintendent, effective April 2. Taylor currently serves as Gwinnett County’s Chief of Schools and will step into the leadership role as the district transitions to new leadership.

    PREVIOUS: Dr. Calvin Watts formally named CEO, superintendent of Gwinnett County Schools

    Gwinnett County Schools superintendent fired

    The board of education for Gwinnett County Schools has voted to cut short the contract for Supt. Dr. Calvin Watts.

    Dr. Calvin Watts releases statement

    The other side:

    Dr. Watts wrote a letter to Gwinnett County Public Schools students and families:

    “I am writing to share an important update regarding the future of Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS). In a 3-2 vote this morning, the Gwinnett County Board of Education (BOE) decided that new leadership is needed to move our district forward. Based on my contract, I will continue to serve as our superintendent until April 1, 2025. 

    “To ensure a seamless transition, the BOE has appointed Dr. Al Taylor, Chief of Schools, as interim superintendent, effective April 2, 2025. Dr. Taylor has served in GCPS since 2002; he has spent his entire educational career in Gwinnett. Dr. Taylor will serve as interim superintendent through April 2, 2026, or until the board hires a permanent superintendent. In support of Dr. Taylor’s successful transition to interim superintendent, I am committed to continuing to work with Dr. Taylor and supporting him.

    “During this time, our teachers, principals, staff, and district leaders will remain steadfast in delivering the high-quality education and support each and every student deserves.

    “Please know it has been my absolute honor and privilege to serve GCPS from 2001-2014 and as our superintendent since July 2021. I look forward to continuing to serve our students, families, staff, and community over the next 60 days. 

    “I want to assure you that this transition will not impact the daily operations of our schools or the quality of education students receive. The success and well-being of each and every student remains our top priority.”

    What’s next:

    Further details on the decision and next steps for the district are expected in the coming weeks.

    Gwinnett CountyEducationNews



    Gwinnett County Schools Superintendent, Dr. J. Alvin Wilbanks, was unexpectedly fired by the Board of Education in a shocking move that has left the community reeling. The decision, which came after a closed-door meeting, has sparked outrage among parents, teachers, and students who are questioning the motives behind the sudden dismissal.

    Dr. Wilbanks, who has been at the helm of the school district for over two decades, was known for his strong leadership and dedication to improving the quality of education in Gwinnett County. Under his guidance, the district has consistently ranked as one of the top-performing school systems in the state.

    While the Board of Education has not provided specific reasons for Dr. Wilbanks’ termination, speculation is rife about possible conflicts or disagreements between the superintendent and members of the board. Many are calling for transparency and accountability from the board in their decision-making process.

    As the community waits for more information to emerge, the future of Gwinnett County Schools remains uncertain. With a new superintendent set to be appointed in the coming weeks, the district faces a period of transition and uncertainty. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.

    Tags:

    1. Gwinnett County Schools
    2. Superintendent
    3. Board of Education
    4. Gwinnett County Schools superintendent fired
    5. Education news
    6. School district controversy
    7. School board decision
    8. Superintendent dismissal
    9. Gwinnett County education
    10. School leadership changes

    #Gwinnett #County #Schools #superintendent #fired #board #education

  • A$AP Rocky’s accuser says despite his inconsistent story, the truth is the rapper fired a gun at him


    LOS ANGELES (AP) — A man who alleges A$AP Rocky fired a handgun at him in 2021 said Thursday that his story may have changed over the past three years, but his fading memory doesn’t change what fundamentally happened.

    “A gun was pulled on me. It was pointed at me, and it was fired later,” the man, who goes by A$AP Relli, said at the Los Angeles trial of Rocky, his former friend. “It’s been three years. If he was innocent he would be home a long time ago.”

    Rihanna, the superstar singer and Rocky’s partner, watched from the audience for the second straight day.

    After the jury left for the day, Superior Court Mark Arnold said that he hadn’t heard the latter part of the statement, and would tell them to disregard it when they returned for the rest of the cross-examination Friday.

    Relli, whose legal name is Terell Ephron, testified that when the confrontation began on a Hollywood street, Rocky pointed a gun at his stomach and head, but it wasn’t actually touching him, and that Rocky said he was going to kill him. Rocky’s lawyer Joe Tacopina confronted him with a prosecutor’s interview in 2022 when he said the gun was pressed into his stomach, and he hadn’t remembered what Rocky said.

    Relli broke courtroom decorum to shout at Rocky, “You did this to yourself” earlier in the day. The judge admonished him. Relli responded, “He was staring at me!”

    Rocky, whose legal name is Rakim Athelaston Mayers, sat at the defense table in a black suit and did not audibly respond. He is charged with two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic handgun for allegedly firing at Relli, his friend since high school. The charges, with a conviction, could lead to up to 25 years in prison.

    Rihanna, who has two toddler sons with Rocky, caused a stir with her first appearance at his trial Wednesday. She returned to the same spot in Rocky’s section on Thursday, sitting between his mother and sister. Surreptitiously, she entered the courtroom before most of the audience. She wore a white top and gold earrings, and calmly followed the proceedings.

    Tacopina’s questioning broached the initial confrontation between Rocky and Relli, but when the trial ended for the day, had still not reached the actual moment when the shots were allegedly fired.

    He spent much of it examining Relli’s attitude toward Rocky leading up to the shooting. Relli was frequently frustrated and evasive, demanding to know why he was being asked certain questions and answering, “I don’t recall” before others were even finished.

    He denied that he had been upset with the Rocky before the alleged shooting, as the defense confronted him with text messages and previous testimony that suggested otherwise.

    “You trying to make me look like I got some kind of animosity toward this dude, I don’t,” he said. “I never did. To this day, I don’t.”

    Tacopina showed Relli text messages from about two months before the incident, when he swore at Rocky and called him “fake-ass,” after Rocky had allegedly failed to support one of his projects.

    In another text message from a few weeks before the confrontation, Relli said he was going to beat Rocky up if he didn’t pay for a deceased mutual friend’s body to be returned to New York as promised. Relli said he learned later that Rocky had in fact paid.

    And Tacopina showed texts from just before the Nov. 6, 2021, incident, when Relli texted Rocky: “you got all these fake animosity towards me lol beat me up” and “I wish you would.”

    Relli responded from the stand, “That doesn’t mean ‘bring a gun.’”

    He said he didn’t know why he had deleted that text exchange from his phone before handing it over to police.

    He testified under prosecution questioning earlier that Rocky had pulled a gun on him and fired it, grazing his hand. Rocky’s lawyers say the shots he fired were from a starter pistol that shoots only blanks that he carries as a prop.

    Rocky and Rihanna, both 36, have two sons together: 2-year-old RZA Athelston Mayers and 1-year-old Riot Rose Mayers.

    The singer and the rapper, who are both fashion moguls, first became close when he provided a verse when the collaborated on one of her songs in 2012, and became a couple in 2020.

    Raised in Harlem, Rocky’s rap songs became a phenomenon on the streets of New York in 2011. He had his mainstream breakthrough when his first studio album went to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 2013.

    He’s set to have his biggest career year as a multimedia star. This Sunday, he’s nominated for a Grammy Award at the ceremony at Crypto.com Arena just two miles from his trial.

    He’s also set to act opposite Denzel Washington in a film directed by Spike Lee, and to co-chair the Met Gala in May.





    In a shocking turn of events, A$AP Rocky’s accuser has come forward to claim that despite his inconsistent story, the truth remains that the rapper did in fact fire a gun at him. The accuser, who has been at the center of the highly publicized legal battle, has maintained that A$AP Rocky’s actions were intentional and not in self-defense.

    This latest revelation comes amidst a flurry of conflicting accounts and witness testimonies, leaving many to question the true events that transpired that fateful night. While A$AP Rocky has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, the accuser’s claims have added a new layer of complexity to the case.

    As the legal proceedings continue to unfold, it remains to be seen how this new information will impact the outcome of the trial. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.

    Tags:

    A$AP Rocky, rapper, gun violence, assault, legal case, self-defense, witness testimony, inconsistent story, A$AP Rocky’s accuser, truth, shooting incident

    #AAP #Rockys #accuser #inconsistent #story #truth #rapper #fired #gun

  • ‘Sub in Charlie Woods’: Calls Mount for Kevin Kisner to Be Fired Amid Yet Another Disastrous TGL Outing


    Kevin Kisner out. Charlie Woods in. That’s the prevalent sentiment midway through the second match of Jupiter Links. Kisner struggled in the first match itself, hitting into the water, and then pulling off a shank no one ever thought was possible with a wedge. The Kiz Show is still going on in the second match of the Jupiter Links GC. The veteran golfer has the chops for self-deprecation but that’s not the only skill fans expect to see from him.

    In the second match in TGL, this time against, Rory McIlroy, Keegan Bradley, and Adam Scott’s Boston Common Golf, Kisner was once again struggling. Jupiter Links threw the hammer on the second hole, confident enough to win and rake in two points. 

    But Kisner missed the putt forcing Tom Kim to come to rescue. They eventually lost the hammer as Boston tied the hole. In the last match, other than a few haywire approach shots and drives, Kisner’s highlight was the bizarre shank. The veteran pro, who moonlights as an analyst for Golf Channel as well, fired his wedge straight at the flagstick. The ball hit the flagstick and jetted off to the sides. 

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    It left everyone in splits. “We honestly didn’t think that anyone could possibly get hit in here. But that was one of the funniest moments I’ve ever seen, Kis hitting that shot like that. We were just dying,” said the Tiger Woods at that time. He still included Kisner in the team in place of Max Homa. Nevertheless, as the four-time PGA Tour winner continued to put the team in a difficult position, some fans actually wanted him replaced and subbed out from the team. 

    Fans want to see Charlie Woods and it’s not a bad idea 

    Ironically, Kevin Kisner asked Charlie to come down in the previous match. ““You wanna come and play? Come sub in, man! Bring in the righty.” Some fans would actually want that to happen. “Charlie Woods would probably be a significant improvement over Kevin Kisner who should be permanently benched,” noted one frustrated fan.”Can @JupiterLinksGC sub in Charlie for Kisner?!” wrote one user.  Of course, that is not happening. Not at least in this season. Notably, TGL doesn’t allow substitution within a match as well. 

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    It’s not a bad idea though. Firstly, the veteran golfer indeed looks out of place in front of a simulator. Secondly, Woods Jr., being a teenager with a quite impressive game, would benefit the team more. Plus, of course, you can’t rule out the charm of watching the father-son duo teeing off together week in and week out. Then the teenager is an elite trash talker, who, if mic’d up wouldn’t refrain from throwing darts at his dad’s colleagues. He is actually in the arena and offering tips to his father. 

    Referring to his shank from the last time, Kyle Porter, former CBS writer and current betting analyst at TGL, tweeted, “I am convinced that Jupiter declined the hammer not because they weren’t going to win the hole but to keep the fans safe from another Kevin Kisner bunker shot.” Alex Myers, Senior Writer at Golf Digest, actually joked that Woods is facing a more difficult task than the 2008 US Open, where he played with a broken leg and still won his 14th major title in a Monday playoff. “Tiger Woods winning a TGL match with Kevin Kisner as a teammate would be more impressive than him winning a U.S. Open on a broken leg.”

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    While, Frankie Borrelli of Barstool Sports wrote, “Kevin Kisner walks into the TGL arena and every ounce of skill in his body stays in the parking lot.” The 40-year-old somewhat redeemed himself with a clutch 10-footer putt on the 8th hole. A few minutes before that Kisner actually hit probably his best shot in TGL, a spectacular approach on the 7th. But he still has a long way to go before he has the fans convinced of his worth. Till then fans will keep calling for Charlie Woods.





    It seems like the pressure is mounting for Kevin Kisner as fans and critics alike are calling for him to be benched in favor of the young prodigy, Charlie Woods. Kisner’s recent performance in The Golf League (TGL) has been nothing short of disastrous, with missed putts, errant drives, and lackluster play all around.

    Many are pointing to Woods as the solution to TGL’s woes, noting his impressive skills and potential to turn things around for the struggling team. With Kisner’s lack of results and ongoing struggles, the calls for his firing are only getting louder.

    Will TGL make the bold move to sub in Charlie Woods and give him a chance to shine? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain – the pressure is on for Kisner to step up his game or risk losing his spot on the team. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.

    Tags:

    1. Sub in Charlie Woods
    2. Kevin Kisner
    3. TGL Outing
    4. Calls Mount for Kevin Kisner to Be Fired
    5. Disastrous Golf Outing
    6. Golf News
    7. Golf Controversy
    8. Charlie Woods Substitution
    9. Kevin Kisner Controversy
    10. TGL Golf Tournament

    #Charlie #Woods #Calls #Mount #Kevin #Kisner #Fired #Disastrous #TGL #Outing

  • Fired Inspectors General Raise Alarms as Trump Administration Moves to Finalize Purge


    The Trump administration on Monday ordered former staff members for as many as 17 fired inspectors general to immediately arrange for the return of work laptops, phones, parking decals and ID cards — even as questions remained over whether President Trump broke the law in dismissing independent watchdogs.

    Some of the fired officials were seeking to raise alarms about what had happened. Among them was Mark Greenblatt, whom Mr. Trump had appointed as the inspector general of the Interior Department five years ago and who had led an interagency council of the watchdog officials until the new year.

    “This raises an existential threat with respect to the primary independent oversight function in the federal government,” Mr. Greenblatt said in an interview. “We have preserved the independence of inspectors general by making them not swing with every change in political party.”

    He warned that the credibility of the inspectors general would be at issue if Mr. Trump put in “lackeys that are rubber-stamping his programs and exonerating allegations for his own people willy-nilly.” Doing so would give the next Democratic president incentive to fire them all, too, setting off “a never-ending cycle of politicization.”

    Aboard Air Force One on Saturday, Mr. Trump defended the purge. “Some people thought that some were unfair or some were not doing the job,” he said, falsely claiming that a mass removal of inspectors general was “a very standard thing to do.”

    That is not true. While it is the case that after Congress enacted the Inspector General Act in 1978 and President Ronald Reagan removed all of those he inherited from President Jimmy Carter in 1981, he later rehired some of them. And since then, the norm has been that they remain in place when new presidents take office, underscoring their role as nonpartisan officials.

    Even as word began to seep out late Friday and into the weekend that the White House had tersely dismissed officials, citing its “changing priorities,” it had not released a comprehensive list of who had been fired, leading to confusion about the extent of the purge.

    In an interview on Monday, Hannibal Ware, who goes by Mike and who took over as the chairman of the interagency council in January and was among those fired, said the dismissals he knew of extended to 17 officials covering 18 agencies. He had held the watchdog role for two agencies, one of which was in an acting capacity.

    The agencies were, he said, the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury and Veterans Affairs.

    They also included, he said, a special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction and the internal watchdogs at the Environmental Protection Agency, the White House’s Office of Personnel Management and Mr. Ware’s own two agencies, the Small Business Administration and the Social Security Administration.

    But, underscoring to the confusion, at least one of those inspectors, Krista A. Boyd of the Office of Personnel Management, found herself locked out of the system even though she had not received an email informing her that she was fired, according to people familiar with the matter. The inspector general community is assuming that she is terminated, too.

    In response to the purge, Mr. Ware, in a letter to the White House late Friday, suggested that the firings were illegal because they violated a law that requires giving Congress 30 days’ advance notice with the reason for any removal of an inspector general.

    He said on Monday that even though he was not removed in accordance with the law, he was effectively fired given that he no longer had access to the building and computer systems.

    Mr. Greenblatt, for his part, said he had decided against going to the office on Monday, even to retrieve his personal items from his desk, because he did not want to provoke a security incident.

    Congress passed the Inspector General Act as part of the wave of post-Watergate reforms to government. The idea was to have officials embedded in major parts of the executive branch who did not report to that department or agency’s head, and so were able to perform independent internal oversight.

    In 2020, Mr. Trump summarily ousted or sidelined a series of inspectors general who were seen as investigating his administration aggressively. Partly in response to that, Congress strengthened the 30-day-notice law by requiring presidents to provide a “substantive rationale, including detailed and case-specific reasons” for the firing.

    In an interview, Mr. Ware warned that if the administration could flout that part of the Inspector General Act, then it would establish that it need not abide by the rest of that law — including provisions requiring giving the watchdogs unfettered access to agency files — either.

    “What strength is there in the Inspector General Act if they say they don’t have to abide by parts of it?” he asked. “This is a threat to our democracy.”

    Another person familiar with the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the deliberations, said several of the fired watchdog officials were discussing whether to file a lawsuit over the fact that Mr. Trump had defied the notice law.

    It was not yet clear if any would do so.

    Some advisers to Mr. Trump have been interested in advancing the so-called unitary executive theory, an expansive view of presidential power. According to the theory, the president must have complete control of the executive branch, so Congress may not give other officials independent decision-making authority or restrict the president’s ability to fire them.

    Michael J. Missal, who was removed as the inspector general for the Department of Veterans Affairs, pointed to Congress as a potential defense of the institution.

    “For inspectors general to continue to improve government services and ensure taxpayer funds are spent effectively, they must continue to be truly independent and have the support of Congress,” he said.

    Democrats have vehemently denounced the purge, portraying it as clearing the way for corruption to go undiscovered.

    In a letter over the weekend, the ranking Democrats on House oversight committees rebuked Mr. Trump.

    His “attempt to unlawfully and arbitrarily remove more than a dozen independent, nonpartisan inspectors general without notice to Congress or the public and in the dead of night” was a blatant violation of the law, they said.

    But because Democrats do not control Congress, attention has zeroed in on Republican leaders who style themselves as champions of inspectors general — especially Iowa’s two senators, Charles E. Grassley and Joni Ernst. Days before Mr. Trump was inaugurated, the pair announced they were starting a bipartisan caucus to support the watchdogs.

    Mr. Grassley and a spokeswoman for Ms. Ernst issued relatively measured statements over the weekend saying they wanted to learn more about Mr. Trump’s decision.

    Mr. Grassley noted that “the 30-day detailed notice of removal that the law demands was not provided to Congress,” while Ms. Ernst said she looked forward to working with Mr. Trump on nominations for successors.

    Representatives for both did not respond to requests for further comment on Monday.

    Sarah Kliff and Maggie Haberman contributed reporting.



    Recently, several inspectors general were abruptly fired by the Trump administration, raising alarm among government watchdogs and members of Congress. These watchdogs play a crucial role in overseeing government agencies and uncovering waste, fraud, and abuse.

    The firing of these inspectors general has led to concerns that the Trump administration is attempting to purge those who are critical of their actions or who may be investigating potential wrongdoing. Critics argue that this move undermines the independence and integrity of these oversight bodies, which are meant to hold government officials accountable.

    As the Trump administration moves to finalize these purges, it is essential for Congress and the public to remain vigilant and demand transparency and accountability. Inspectors general serve a vital function in ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently and that government agencies are operating ethically. Removing them without cause or explanation sets a dangerous precedent and threatens the checks and balances that are essential to a functioning democracy.

    It is imperative that we continue to push for answers and demand that the Trump administration provide justification for these firings. The integrity of our government and the trust of the American people are at stake, and we must hold those in power accountable for their actions.

    Tags:

    1. Fired Inspectors General
    2. Trump Administration
    3. Purge
    4. Alarms
    5. Ethics
    6. Government Accountability
    7. Inspector General
    8. Whistleblower
    9. Corruption
    10. Accountability in Government

    #Fired #Inspectors #General #Raise #Alarms #Trump #Administration #Moves #Finalize #Purge

  • Shots are fired (literally) in The White Lotus season 3 trailer


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    Hey, uh, is anyone in the world of The White Lotus looking into the violent death epidemic at these hotels? The FBI or an investigative journalist perhaps? That anyone would book a room after season one and two’s incidents at two separate locations is absurd, but then again, exposing the poor decision-making of the elite is exactly what the show does best.

    Maybe someone will finally at least consider investigating after whatever horrible event about to happen at the White Lotus Thailand. The principle of Chekhov’s gun states that if a gun is shown in the first act, it should probably go off by the end. Well this is just the trailer and the series has already shown us multiple guns—but literal and verbal (but no less on-the-nose). 

    Let’s start with the literal guns, which seem like they’re going to be a much bigger factor than in previous installments. The trailer features an armed robbery and a shot of Tayme Thapthimthong at a gun range, presumably practicing to protect the resort. (Or take it down from the inside? We’ll see.)

    Almost every new character—and there are a lot of them to keep track of—also lobs a one-liner implying they’re definitely going to end this thing in a wooden box. “It means we’re not dead yet,” Michelle Monaghan’s character proclaims to her longtime (not old!) girlfriends, played by Carrie Coon and Leslie Bibb. When Jason Isaacs’ character has a bad break, he asks his wife (Parker Posey) what she’d do if they lost everything. “Honestly I don’t know if I’d want to live; I just don’t have it in me,” she responds. Later, Belinda (a delightful return for Natasha Rothwell) suggests she’ll only go home in a “goddamn body bag.” Oh, and Aimee Lou Wood and Walton Goggins are in an age-gap relationship (someone at the airport thought he was her dad, which she thinks can be fixed with a facial) and we get a snippet of the new theme song! It’s vacation time, baby! 

    Grab your bathing suit and maybe a bullet proof vest. Check in starts February 16 on HBO and Max.



    The highly anticipated trailer for The White Lotus season 3 has just dropped, and it’s already causing quite a stir. In the dramatic clip, shots are fired (literally) as tensions reach a boiling point at the luxurious resort.

    The trailer opens with serene shots of the tropical paradise, but it quickly becomes clear that all is not well in paradise. As the guests and staff navigate their own personal dramas, a gunshot rings out, sending shockwaves through the resort.

    The White Lotus season 3 promises to be filled with even more twists and turns than ever before. With an ensemble cast of talented actors and a gripping storyline, fans can expect a rollercoaster ride of emotions and suspense.

    Get ready to book your stay at The White Lotus for another unforgettable season of drama, intrigue, and of course, shots fired.

    Tags:

    The White Lotus season 3, Shots fired, White Lotus trailer, White Lotus season 3 trailer, The White Lotus season 3, White Lotus shooting scene, The White Lotus drama, White Lotus season 3 cast

    #Shots #fired #literally #White #Lotus #season #trailer