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Sources say that Noem's top aide entered the cockpit and fired the pilot for missing blanket.
Corey Lewandowski, a top homeland security aide in the United States, entered a government plane's cockpit without permission during a flight, and then fired a pilot over a misplaced quilt, two people with knowledge of the situation said. Lewandowski was travelling with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Nuem when they noticed her blanket missing. New details about the incident suggest that Lewandowski might have violated safety guidelines established by the U.S. Coast Guard which operated the aircraft. Lewandowski entered into the cockpit before the aircraft had reached 10,000 feet (3.048 meters), and while the seatbelt signal remained on. Federal Aviation Administration regulations, some of which were tightened following 9/11, limit cockpit access, and forbid interference with the duties of aircraft crews. A FAA regulation prohibits airline staff and pilots from engaging in non essential activities or conversations while flying below 10,000 feet. Civil aircraft operators who violate this rule may face fines of thousands of dollars, while pilots can be terminated. The U.S. Coast Guard is not legally bound to the FAA regulation known as the "sterile-cockpit rule," but it has a policy similar, which is spelled out by a 2021 operation manual: "No one shall engage in any activity or conversation that could distract or interfere?with a flight crewmember performing their assigned duties properly during critical phases of flight." The manual does provide specific penalties for violations of the rule. However, it states that in general, rule violations will be dealt with through internal disciplinary procedures. Lewandowski responded to a request for comment in a text message: "There was never a conversation in the cockpit when the flight took off." Lewandowski responded to a? Lewandowski denied the information provided by the sources, but did not comment on whether or not he entered into the cockpit when the plane was still climbing below 10,000 feet. Experts in aviation safety consider that the initial ascent is one of the most dangerous parts of a flight. Randy Klatt is a flight safety officer at The Foundation for Aviation Safety. He said that planes climb "low and slowly" to 10,000 feet during the initial ascent, so it's important for pilots not to lose focus. Klatt stated that this is a dangerous situation for any aircraft. You don't have enough altitude or airspeed to trade if necessary. U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Coast Guard declined to comment about the flight. The Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Coast Guard, which are both under DHS, declined to comment on the flight in question. The FAA didn't respond to our request for comment. Noem has been under scrutiny since federal immigration agents in Minneapolis killed two U.S. Citizens in January. The Wall Street Journal published a report earlier this month about the tensions and infighting at DHS, under Noem's leadership and Lewandowski's. The article also mentioned the firing of?pilot. PILOT RELEASED, THEN REINSTATED The White House responded to a question about Lewandowski's entry into the cockpit, and tensions within DHS by referring to comments made by Trump in late January praising Noem. It also referred to remarks from Karoline Leavitt who said that Trump had "the utmost trust and confidence" in her. Lewandowski is a Noem senior adviser who has accompanied her on several high-profile trips. The Wall Street Journal reported that the White House Counsel's Office had opened an investigation into Lewandowski's role as a quasi-government employee last year. Lewandowski is a volunteer at DHS, and the spokesperson stated that DHS was unaware of any investigation. Lewandowski refused to comment on his employment status when asked. One of the people who was familiar with the incident stated that during the flight on the Gulfstream jet last spring, the cockpit pilots asked Lewandowski not to leave the cabin until the plane had reached cruise altitude. Lewandowski, according to the two sources, asked the pilot who should be fired when he returned into the cabin after the flight because Noem’s blanket was left behind during the technical switch before takeoff. Sources confirmed the Wall Street Journal's report that the pilot, an accomplished flyer who had a long history of service, accepted responsibility for any mistake. Lewandowski then fired him immediately. Sources said that once Noem & Lewandowski arrived at their destination, Coast Guard leadership realized they would need the pilot to fly them home to Washington, and the agency reinstated him. DHS and Coast Guard declined comment on the pilot’s firing and subsequent reinstatement. The Coast Guard and DHS declined to comment on the pilot's firing and reinstatement. (Reporting from Ted Hesson and Erin Banco, Washington; Additional reporting by Kristina Cooey in San Francisco; Editing and Craig Timberg by Edmund Klamann and Craig Timberg)
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The terminals in Greece will supply Ukraine with at least 75 mcm LNG by March
Analysts at ExPro said that in March, gas traders such as state-owned Naftogaz would import at least 75 million cubic meters of?gas to Ukraine via a'vertical pipeline' from LNG terminals in Greece. Atlantic See LNG Trade is a joint venture of?Aktor, the Greek gas supplier DEPA and Atlantic See. It announced this month that it had signed a first contract to supply U.S. natural gas liquefied to Ukraine. Ukraine is facing a 'worst wartime energy crisis ever' as its 'energy sector collapses under Russian attacks, bitter cold and accumulated damages. ExPro reported in a recent report that gas imports from Greece’s Revithoussa terminal would be 2.41 mcm/day at a special transport rate. Naftogaz announced earlier this month that it had received a delivery of nearly 100 mcm U.S. Liquefied Natural Gas, the first such delivery since?2026. The company stated that the LNG was delivered 'in partnership with Poland's Orlen.?And that further deliveries were expected in either February or March. (Reporting and editing by Louise Heavens, Jan Harvey, and Pavel Polityuk)
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Uganda plans to connect a new railway line with Tanzania to open a new export route
A government document seen by revealed that Uganda is looking to connect a new rail line it's building with one being built in Tanzania. This could potentially open up a new export route for minerals like gold, iron ore, and copper. Uganda exports most of its goods via the Kenyan port in Mombasa. It has announced plans to connect its Standard Gauge Railway Project to the one being built in Kenya. This initiative is still in progress. Uganda hadn't previously stated that it would also seek to connect the railway with Tanzania's network? and its port in Dar es Salaam. According to the Ugandan Ministry of Works and Transport, the railway will run from the border of?Tanzania and continue through the south and southwest of Uganda before ending in the town of Mpondwe at the border of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The document stated that the main objective of this project was to connect the vast mineral-rich areas of both countries, (Uganda & Tanzania), to the port 'of Dar es Salaam... while saving time and transport costs." The document stated that the African Development Bank (AfDB), could finance the project, and that the Democratic Republic of Congo might seek to connect to it in the future. Unable to comment immediately, a spokesman from the Ugandan Ministry could not be reached. The AfDB informed? The AfDB told? The?bank could consider financing the?project, depending on?the results?of the study, if it is determined that the project can be banked," said bank official Epifanio Carrvalho de Meo.
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Renault buys out Volvo and CMA CGM to gain full control of Flexis, an electric van company.
Renault announced on Monday that it would buy out the stakes of truckmaker Volvo Group and shipping firm CMA CGM in Flexis, their joint venture for new-generation electric vans. The agreement is expected to take effect by the first half 2026 as Renault CEO Francois Provost accelerates his efforts in streamlining the group's operation. Two sources said in January that the automaker had already planned to fold back its Ampere electric vehicle unit into the group. It has also shut down its car sharing services as part of restructuring its division focused primarily on new transportation solutions. Flexis was founded in 2024, by the former Renault CEO Luca de Meo. He partnered with?Sweden’s Volvo. CMA CGM joined later as a minor shareholder. CMA CGM and Volvo own a combined 10%, while Renault holds 45%. We have different opinions on how this project should be driven. Volvo Group spokesperson said, "We think this is the most strategic solution moving forward." The recent market slowdown was also a factor in the decision. The European association of carmakers ACEA reported that new van registrations will fall by 8.8% between 2025 and 2025. Around 11% (or the newly registered vans) are electrically charged. Volvo spokesperson refused to comment on financial details or purchase price. CMA CGM and Renault did not respond immediately to requests for comment. Volvo and Renault each committed to investing 300 million euros over a period of three years, while CMA planned to invest 120 millions euros. In its annual report, the Swedish group reported that it had invested 240 million Euros in Flexis by 2024. This was on top of the initial 2.4 billion Swedish crowns (approximately $265?million). The production of the Renault Trafic Van E-Tech Electric, the first model in the range, is expected to begin as planned by the end 2026 at Renault's Sandouville factory?in France. Volvo will market the vehicle through Renault Trucks (part of the Volvo Group) from 2027, as part of a long-term agreement for light commercial vehicles.
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Soccer-Four matches are postponed following violence sparked by the death of a Mexican cartel leader
Violence flared up near Guadalajara - one of Mexico's host cities for the 2026 World Cup - after a military operation that killed cartel leader Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera on Sunday. Oseguera (60), the mastermind behind the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel, died in custody following an injury sustained in a special force operation in Jalisco, a state on Mexico's Pacific Coast. Mexican league announced on social media that two games scheduled for Sunday, Queretaro against FC Juarez (men's?) and Chivas against America (women's) league, have been postponed. Local media also reported that two second division matches scheduled to be played on Sunday were cancelled. The match between Queretaro and?Necaxa in?Aguascalientes on Sunday was called off after the players left the field when they heard loud noises coming from outside Estadio Victoria. Media reports described these sounds as gunshots. Necaxa won 2-1 in the re-match. Mexico's national team will face Iceland in an amiable match on Wednesday at the Corregidora Stadium in Queretaro. The Mexican Open Men's Tennis Tournament in Acapulco will begin as scheduled on Monday, according to established security protocols. Merida's women's tennis event is also set to begin on Monday. After hearing of El Mencho’s death, suspected members of the cartel blocked highways in burning cars and torched business in more than a half dozen states. No civilian deaths were reported. Social media users in Jalisco's popular beach town of Puerto Vallarta reported plumes of dark smoke rising from the bay. Air Canada, United Airlines Aeromexico, and American Airlines have suspended flights to the area. (Reporting by Karan Prashant Saxena; Additional reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
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British citizen among 19 dead in Nepal bus crash
Police said that a passenger 'bus' fell from a sloping road in West Nepal just before dawn on?Monday morning, killing 19 people, including a British citizen. They said that only nine of the dead had been identified to date, and added that the bus was carrying 44 people. Police said that a New Zealander, as well as a Chinese, were among the 25 people injured when the bus, which was headed to Kathmandu from Pokhara, the tourist town, fell 200 meters (650 feet) off the road in Dhading District, 80 kilometers (50 miles), west of Kathmandu. It said that the 'injured' are being treated in hospitals in Kathmandu. In Nepal's mountainous regions, road conditions are often poor. ?Hundreds die ?in road crashes in Nepal annually. (Reporting and editing by YPrajesh; Gopal Sharma)
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Wall Street Journal, February 23,
These are the top stories from the Wall Street Journal. The?Wall Street Journal has not?verified? these stories, and does not vouch? for their accuracy. Ed Garden, an investor, has acquired a stake in Fortune Brands Innovations, a building products supplier. He is now looking to replace the incoming CEO. Winter storms in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic have caused more than 8,000 flights to be canceled on Sunday and Monday. Most of these were routes into or out from Boston and New York. A military raid in Mexico on Sunday resulted in the death of a notorious drug lord, "El Mencho" or 'Nemesio' Oseguera. Airlines such as United Airlines and Air Canada halted flights to Mexico's Puerto Vallarta. Dassault Systemes announced that Chief Executive Pascal Daloz will replace co-founder Bernard Charles in the role of executive chairman. (Compiled by Bengaluru Newsroom)
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Two people were killed and three injured in the Russian attack on Odesa, Ukraine
Ukraine's emergency service and a government official confirmed that a Russian attack on Ukraine's southern Odesa area overnight killed two people and injured three, respectively. Two people were killed when a Russian Drone fell on a truck-stop, causing an fire, according to the Telegram messenger. Oleksiy Kuleba, Infrastructure Minister Oleksiy Kuleba, said on 'Telegram' that Russia has attacked the port infrastructure in Odesa?region. "This is another blow to port infrastructure and civilian logistics." Kuleba said that Russia is attacking non-military facilities to undermine the economy of the area and the country as a whole. He claimed that the storage area for freight transport was damaged. Since the beginning of Russia's full scale invasion in 2022, the Odesa region, home to a major shipping hub, with terminals at the Black Sea ports Odesa and Chornomorsk as well as Pivdennyi, has been "targeted". Russia Sharply Increased The intensity of its attacks on Black Sea ports by late 2025, when?President Vladimir Putin threatens to "cut Ukraine from the sea". Sources in the transport industry who requested anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the subject said last week that the strikes at the Odesa port?in the past few months had reduced the export capacity up to 30 percent from its pre-war levels. (Reporting and editing by Sonali & Gareth Jones.
"You do what is possible": LGBTQ+ leaders fight Trump
In 2025, the number of LGBTQ+ individuals in elected office will be at a record high.
Lawmakers fighting federal and state attacks against community
Mid-term elections bring hope to combat anti-LGBTQ+ legislation
Lucy Middleton
Parents or caregivers can refuse to accept a child’s gender identity in one law, and pull their children out of classes discussing LGBTQ+ issues under another.
North Carolina's rules define only two genders, prohibit gender affirming care in prisons, and prevent?trans students using facilities that are aligned with their identities.
"Instead they focus on divisive issues and hurricane relief," Alston said, a Democrat lesbian who spoke at the International LGBTQ+ Leaders Conference held in Washington, DC, this month.
"Unfortunately, my party members - this year we do not have the leverage to stop all of the bad things that are happening."
Alston is among the record-breaking 1353 LGBTQ+ elected officials who are in office in the United States this year.
She has spent the last 2025 years fighting to protect her community's rights, under Donald Trump's presidency.
In January, the president launched his second term by launching policies and executive order to target the LGBTQ+ community. These included limiting access to gender affirming care, ending non-binary acceptance, eliminating diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI), and defunding inclusive health initiatives.
Trans Legislation Tracker, a data-analysis site, reports that more than 1,000 bills aimed specifically at trans people have been introduced in the United States this year.
Legislators who are LGBTQ+ face a double challenge: balancing federal policy while protecting the community against state-level change.
Alston's general assembly is dominated by Republicans.
"You do as much harm reduction as you possibly can. You try to educate as many voters as you possibly can. And then, you recharge so that you can do it all again tomorrow."
Federal vs. State
Trump promised to end "transgender ludicrousness" soon after his election. He has framed trans rights as a threat against others, especially women and children, throughout his executive orders.
Nearly one year after Trump took office, the directives have had a varying impact across the nation, depending on state laws and political affiliation.
Michigan's top attorney Dana Nessel revealed that Democratic Attorneys General from across the country meet online every two days to coordinate lawsuits filed against the administration.
A coalition of states including California, Maine Michigan and Wisconsin filed a lawsuit in August challenging Trump's ban on gender affirming care for children, claiming that it interfered with state authority.
"A big problem is that I sometimes fight as hard against Republicans in the state legislature as against Trump at the national level," said Nessel. He is the first openly LGBTQ+ elected to a statewide office of Michigan.
It's sometimes hard to do both at the same time.
Maine lawmakers have successfully blocked a proposal to prevent trans students from using bathrooms, single-sex shelters and changing rooms that are aligned with the identity they identify.
A Republican Representative shared the name of a transgender child and his school on social media. The law passed by the state protects minors against being doxxed.
It's not easy to stand up for what you believe in. "We're seeing it across the country: hateful people are targeting children," said Ryan Fecteau. He is the Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives.
We should ensure that bullying children is not tolerated.
ANTILGBTQ+ LAWS
Idaho, Arkansas Montana and Wyoming are the states that have the most anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.
In Florida, which is often considered the birthplace of such legislation, after its "Don't Say Gay", a 2022 law that limits discussion about LGBTQ+ topics in school, all attempts to anti-LGBTQ+ laws in 2025 failed.
Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis removed multiple rainbow crosswalks, including a memorial for the 49 people who were shot at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando in 2016. This was to comply with the?instructions of Trump's Transportation Secretary to make road markings "free of distractions."
Carlos Guillermo Smith is one of Florida's two well-known LGBTQ+ state Senators. He said that the removal of crosswalks had led people to find alternative ways to display rainbows in public by using private businesses.
Smith said, "We saw the community rise up and say they will not be erased. They have found new locations where they can rebuild gayer."
SECURITY FEARS
Representatives from multiple states expressed concern that LGBTQ+ individuals were leaving not only their state, but the United States as a whole.
It's the worst thing I've ever experienced. People have asked, "Should I go? Am I safe? Am I safe here? Alston is based in the city of Durham.
"That's hard, because I have no good answer." North Carolina is a beautiful state, but some parents are worried about their children's treatment in school.
Many Democratic officials from?Republican led states hope that next year's election will be beneficial to the LGBTQ+ community.
All seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, a third of the U.S. Senate, and many state positions will be up for grabs in November 2026.
Venton Jones is a Texas State Representative. "Right Now, we must do all we can to mobilize the communities, not only to vote, but to get to know their neighbor so that they can do this work," he said.
(source: Reuters)