All posts tagged: blocks

U.S. judge blocks Trump administration actions stymieing wind, solar projects

U.S. judge blocks Trump administration actions stymieing wind, solar projects

Wind turbines operate at a wind farm near solar panels near Palm Springs, California, on March 6, 2024. Mario Tama | Getty Images A federal judge on Tuesday blocked President Donald Trump’s administration from enforcing a series of permitting policies that wind and solar energy industry groups say have ⁠stymied the development of new energy generation projects. Chief U.S. District Judge Denise Casper in Boston issued a preliminary injunction ​sought by nine advocacy ​groups and industry trade ​associations that argued the administration had imposed unlawful roadblocks that have halted the development of wind and solar energy projects nationwide. The ruling was the latest in a series of judicial rebukes ⁠to ‌the Trump administration’s efforts to block federal approvals for wind ⁠energy projects or stop work on multi-billion-dollar offshore wind farms under construction on the East Coast. Trump has sought to boost government support for fossil fuels and maximize their output in the United States, the world’s ‌top oil and gas producer, after campaigning for the presidency on the refrain of “drill, baby, drill.” Groups including …

Gambling ads face scrutiny as Google blocks 270 million promotions in 2025

Gambling ads face scrutiny as Google blocks 270 million promotions in 2025

Online gambling ads faced a tougher year in 2025 as Google stepped up enforcement across its network. The company says it blocked or removed 270.7 million gambling and gaming ads for breaking policy rules, putting the sector among the most heavily penalized categories in its latest Ads Safety Report. That total trailed areas such as financial services and sexual content, but it was higher than enforcement tied to alcohol and healthcare advertising. The numbers appear to show how hard it has become for platforms and regulators to police a betting market that keeps growing across borders and devices. In 2025, Gemini-powered tools helped us catch over 99% of policy-violating ads before they ever served. Our 2025 Ads Safety Report details how we’re continuing to evolve our defenses to stay ahead of even the most advanced schemes. pic.twitter.com/9oqDgbpFFc — News from Google (@NewsFromGoogle) April 16, 2026 Google also said it restricted 123.9 million gambling and gaming ads rather than removing them outright. In practice, that can mean an ad was limited by country, age gate rules, …

US judge blocks Justice Department bid to seize voter data in Rhode Island | Donald Trump News

US judge blocks Justice Department bid to seize voter data in Rhode Island | Donald Trump News

Ruling is latest loss for Trump administration, which has sought access to state voter data ahead of the US midterms. Published On 17 Apr 202617 Apr 2026 A federal judge in the United States has dismissed a Department of Justice lawsuit seeking to access voter data from Rhode Island. The decision on Friday was the latest loss for the administration of President Donald Trump, which has sought to access voter data in dozens of states across the country. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list In the ruling, US District Court Judge Mary McElroy sided with election officials and civil rights groups, writing that the Justice Department does not have the authority “to conduct the kind of fishing expedition it seeks here”. Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore praised the ruling in a statement afterwards. “The executive branch seems to have no problem taking actions that are clear Constitutional overreaches, regularly meddling in responsibilities that are the rights of the states,” Amore wrote. “But the power of our democratic republic, built on three, …

UK Government blocks Isle of Man’s Assisted Dying Bill – Humanists UK

UK Government blocks Isle of Man’s Assisted Dying Bill – Humanists UK

The UK’s Ministry of Justice says it’s unable to recommend the Isle of Man’s Assisted Dying Bill for Royal Assent. Humanists UK is deeply disappointed by this and questions how a challenge to the Bill on European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) grounds could be possible, seeing as nine European countries allow legal assisted dying in some form, nearly all of them having a more permissive system than the Isle of Man’s proposed law. The Bill, introduced by Dr Alex Allinson MHK, passed its final stage in Tynwald over a year ago on 25 March 2025 and was then submitted for Royal Assent. The Isle of Man Government has received a letter from the Ministry of Justice, which had sought clarity on the arrangements for monitoring assisted deaths, safeguards against coercion, and ensuring individuals have the capacity to make decisions. The Manx government provided comprehensive assurances and commitments that would mitigate the legal risk significantly. The UK Government’s view is that these matters must be addressed on the face of the Bill in primary legislation …

Dad jailed over Birmingham brothels after police find ‘scantily clad’ women in posh apartment blocks

Dad jailed over Birmingham brothels after police find ‘scantily clad’ women in posh apartment blocks

A dad who stayed in the UK illegally has been jailed for running two brothels hidden in housing blocks in Birmingham. Police found Dongping Xiao at properties in Alfred Knight Way in Edgbaston and the Abacus Building apartment block on Alcester Street, Deritend. Two scantily clad women were present at both premises along with items associated with sex work such as baby wipes and oil in the bedrooms. READ MORE: Birmingham woman spent 16 years in prison for a ’21-month’ crime – now she’s in jail again Xiao, 42, is a Chinese national and an illegal overstayer in the UK. He pleaded guilty to two charges of running a brothel but it was believed he was doing so for someone else higher up the criminal chain, a court heard. Xiao was sentenced to 12 months at Birmingham Crown Court. The apartment block at Alfred Knight Way Police attended the address at Alfred Knight Way on September 30 last year. Prosecutor Gary Cook said Xiao made ‘conspicuous efforts for them to talk to him outside the …

World Athletics blocks 11 athlete transfer requests to Turkiye | Olympics News

World Athletics blocks 11 athlete transfer requests to Turkiye | Olympics News

Athletes from Kenya, Nigeria and Jamaica have applications rejected for ‘recruitment drive’ by Turkiye government. Published On 17 Apr 202617 Apr 2026 A World Athletics panel has refused 11 allegiance transfer requests to ‌Turkiye over ⁠what it called a “coordinated ⁠recruitment strategy” by the Turkish government to attract overseas athletes with lucrative contracts, the sport’s governing body has said. The requests came from five Kenyan ⁠athletes, including former women’s marathon world record holder Brigid Kosgei, and four Jamaicans, including Olympic discus gold medallist Roje Stona and Olympic shot put bronze medallist Rajindra Campbell. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list Nigerian sprinter ⁠Favour Ofili and Russian heptathlete Sophia Yakushina were the other two requests. The World Athletics Nationality Review Panel said it considered that approval of these applications would compromise eligibility rules and transfer of allegiance regulations. “The panel found that the applications formed part of a coordinated recruitment ‌strategy led by the Turkiye government acting through a wholly-owned and financed government club, to attract overseas athletes through lucrative contracts,” World Athletics said in …

Judge blocks Trump’s White House ballroom above-ground construction

Judge blocks Trump’s White House ballroom above-ground construction

The demolition of the East Wing of the White House during construction of U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed ballroom is seen from the reopened Washington Monument, following the longest shutdown of the government in Washington, D.C., U.S., Nov. 15, 2025. Jessica Koscielniak | Reuters A federal judge in a revised order on Thursday blocked the Trump administration from above-ground construction work on the controversial proposed White House ballroom. But Judge Richard Leon’s order allows the administration to continue below-ground construction, including work related to national security facilities. Leon’s order is also allowing above-ground construction “that is strictly necessary to cover, secure, and protect such national security facilities,” as long as that construction does not “lock in the above-ground size and scale of the ballroom,” according to his injunction in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. The Trump administration quickly appealed the order to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Leon had paused his order from taking effect for seven days. President Donald Trump raged about Leon’s order in a …

Trump says Iran talks could resume as U.S. blocks Iranian ports : NPR

Trump says Iran talks could resume as U.S. blocks Iranian ports : NPR

Comrades, relatives and friends of Sgt. Maj. (Res.) Ayal Uriel Bianco, who was reportedly killed in combat in southern Lebanon, attend his funeral in Katzrin in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights on Tuesday. Jalaa Marey/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Jalaa Marey/AFP via Getty Images Pakistan sent its military chief and interior minister to Tehran on Wednesday, in the latest sign of ongoing mediation efforts between the United States and Iran. President Trump told The New York Post on Tuesday that talks with Iran “could be happening over the next two days” in Islamabad. In an interview with Fox Business on Wednesday, Trump said the Iran war is “very close to over,” but he added, “we’re not finished.” Trump has repeatedly suggested the war is nearing an end without offering a clear timeline. America’s stock market hit a record high, boosted by investors’ optimism that an end of war could be within reach. Meanwhile, the Republican-led Senate blocked a measure to limit Trump’s war powers in Iran. Democratic lawmakers have forced the vote four …

Spanberger veto blocks Fairfax casino vote amid clash over local control

Spanberger veto blocks Fairfax casino vote amid clash over local control

Abigail Spanberger has stepped into a growing fight over gambling policy in Virginia, rejecting a bill that would have pushed Fairfax County toward a public vote on a proposed casino. The legislation, Senate Bill 756, focused on Tysons Corner and would have required the county’s Board of Supervisors to schedule a referendum, even though local leaders had already made clear they were not on board. By vetoing it, Spanberger sided with local officials and warned against letting the state override those decisions. Great news for Fairfax County, Northern Virginia and local control. Thank you @GovernorVA and thank you @JenniferBoysko and @WalterAlcornFFX for you leadership from the start https://t.co/2qFtgjsjmI — Barbara Comstock (@BarbaraComstock) April 9, 2026 “Local governing boards should lead on proposed casino development, as has happened in every locality that now has a casino,” said Spanberger in a press release. “But in Fairfax County, the Board of Supervisors has explicitly opposed this legislation, and an overwhelming majority of the General Assembly members who represent Fairfax voted against it.” Her move stops an effort by …