Thousands have weighed in with nearly universal disapproval in public comments about President Donald Trump’s planned $400 million ballroom at the White House, as the project faces a key review vote on Thursday at the National Capital Planning Commission.
“The size and design of the proposed White House Ballroom are hideous,” one commenter wrote. “I object to the decision to ruin the American public’s historical legacy.”
Another, from architect Donna Wax, called the president’s plans for a gilded, 22,000-square-foot ballroom inside a newly built, columned East Wing a “fascist take on classism.”
“What Donald Trump is doing to the White House and proposing for other construction, is appalling,” Penny Jarrett, who grew outside Washington, told the commission in a February comment. “How could he just ‘do that’ without consent from you or Congress? PLEASE don’t let him get away with him building this addition, gold plated monstrosity as it will be a replica of his ‘gold plated lifestyle’ which is disgusting.”
Nearly all of the public comments about Donald Trump’s proposed East Wing ballroom project have been negative, according to files released by the National Capital Planning Commission ahead of a vote this Thursday (The White House)
“I have substantial concerns regarding the action or inaction by the National Capital Planning Commission and/or the White House during the undertaking of the demolition of the East Wing of the White House,” Republican Rep. Michael Turner of Ohio, co-chair of the Congressional Historic Preservation Caucus, wrote of the plans in a newly released October letter. “The stark images of the East Wing demolished in mere days were deeply disturbing to Americans who cherish preservation of our nation’s history.”
The commission, chaired by a White House staffer and former personal lawyer for the president, will vote on Thursday on whether to move forward with the project.
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A staff report ahead of the meeting noted the “substantial” number of public comments, “the majority in opposition” to the project, but still recommended moving forward with the renovation.
Last month, the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, another review board filled with Trump allies, approved the project, despite not seeing the final design and similarly being deluged with almost entirely negative public comments.
Past donors to Trump-related efforts are funding the ballroom project (AFP via Getty Images)
The National Trust for Historic Preservation filed an amended lawsuit over the weekend. It alleged the Trump administration violated multiple federal laws by embarking on the construction project unilaterally last fall without prior approval from the two planning commissions and Congress.
“No president is legally allowed to tear down portions of the White House without any review whatsoever — not President Trump, no President Biden, and not anyone else,” the suit reads.
Outside of the planning process, the project has generated controversy because of its private funding from past donors to the Trump campaign and inauguration, including numerous large tech companies.
The Independent has reached out to the White House for comment.
Iran has made a “big mistake” by not just attacking US bases and assets in the Gulf states, but also targeting civilians in the region, the former director of the CIA has told Sky News.
General David Petraeus, the former director of the CIA, told lead world news presenter Yalda Hakim that Iran has widened the war byhitting airports, seaports, gas and oil loading stations in Gulf states.
“It also went after a UK base. I think this was a drone launched by Hezbollah from southern Lebanon against the base in Cyprus,” he said.
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“What this is doing is bringing those countries, which sought to be neutral in a way, to stay out of it, to not allow the US to use their bases, [to now] be part of it.”
As well as his role in running the US spy service between September 2011 and November 2012, General Petraeus was pivotal as a military commander in Iraq, where he led the 2007 “Surge” strategy that significantly reduced insurgent violence after the American invasion four years earlier.
Image: Smoke is billowing into the air in Tehran after an airstrike
US President Donald Trump has made it clear he wants regime change in Iran after launching a wave of strikes with Israel, which he warned is yet to reach its peak.
But General Petraeus said regime change won’t come by air.
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“Air power alone is not going to bring down a regime. These are not the colour revolutions either, where just a popular sentiment can topple regimes in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union, as we saw in eastern Europe and former Soviet republics,” he said.
“There’s going to have to be some kind of ground force. The objective […] is to try to create conditions where the most important regime forces are dramatically degraded, the capabilities are reduced, and leadership is disrupted enormously.”
He questioned whether the salvo of airstrikes by US and Israeli forces could potentially create conditions in Iran where some element of the regime forces “could break off and galvanise the people to actually topple the regime”.
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“I don’t think that’s the base case just yet,” General Petraeus added.
The former CIA chief said if there was such an emergency of force in Iran, it would need to be “guys with guns”, because “it is the guys with the most guns and the willingness to be the most ruthless that often prevail” in those situations.
When Saharan dust mixes with rain it creates what is commonly known as blood rain.
Tiny dust particles suspended in the atmosphere are captured by raindrops and deposited onto surfaces, leaving a thin, gritty, reddish-brown residue.
Cars, windows, garden furniture and other outdoor items can become noticeably coated, sometimes requiring a wash to remove the marks.
Parts of England and Wales are expected to experience the most pronounced effects, as dust concentrations are forecast to be highest there due to prevailing winds and the position of high pressure system.
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Even areas with lighter dust may notice a faint film on surfaces after rainfall.
Despite its dramatic name and unusual appearance, this type of rain is entirely harmless.
The dust poses no health risk for most people, and any disruption is largely cosmetic.
It is a natural result of Saharan dust being carried long distances by the atmosphere, offering a rare, and sometimes messy, reminder of how far-reaching global weather systems can be.
For seven years now, Russell has been a driver just waiting for the right car, and this year he might have it. This year’s new rules have given Mercedes a chance for a reset, and the indication so far is that they have made a much better job of it than last time around.
The feeling in the paddock leaving testing last month is that Mercedes and Ferrari were the teams in the best shape, with Red Bull and McLaren perhaps a little behind in a relatively closely matched top four that is more than a second a lap clear of everyone else.
Russell is confident enough in Mercedes’ potential to say that he “thinks we’ve delivered a very strong car” but he’s wary of the performance of Red Bull’s new engine.
Even so, his sights are set high. “I do want to go head-to-head with Max,” he says. “and obviously Lando had a great season last year.”
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As things stand, before Melbourne gives the first glimpse of a real competitive order, Russell’s obvious potential rivals this year are Verstappen, Norris, Piastri and the two Ferrari drivers, Charles Leclerc and Hamilton, if the seven-time champion can rediscover the mojo he appeared to have lost last year, and to some extent in 2024.
Of Russell’s 19-year-old team-mate Kimi Antonelli, who is going into his second season after an up-and-down debut in 2025, Wolff says: “I’m absolutely certain it will be a good year for him, but I don’t think we should expect him to be like George all the time.”
Russell is good friends with world champion Norris and Leclerc. The three came up through the junior ranks together and all believe that the intense competition they gave each other, along with Williams’ Alex Albon, was an important factor in them all reaching F1, as it forced each to keep raising their own standards to keep up with the others.
But it’s perhaps a fight with Verstappen that whets the appetite most.
A U.S. Justice Department lawyer told jurors at a civil antitrust trial Tuesday that the concert industry is broken because Ticketmaster and its parent Live Nation Entertainment have monopolized the market, driving up prices for consumers, but the companies say the government is wrong.
David Dahlquist, an attorney with the Justice Department‘s antitrust division, said in his opening statement that the United States and 39 states are counting on the Manhattan federal jury to end the monopoly and reward artists and consumers with a competitive marketplace that will leave them with more money.
“This case is about power, the power of a monopolist to control competition,” he said. “Today, the concert ticket industry is broken.”
David Marriott, arguing on behalf of the companies, disputed the government’s claims.
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“We’ll let the numbers do the talking,” he said. “We do not have monopoly power.”
Ticketmaster’s clashes with artists and fans date back three decades (PA)
Judge Arun Subramanian has told jurors that evidence will be presented over the next six weeks before they’ll be left to decide whether Live Nation and Ticketmaster broke antitrust laws.
The trial stems from a lawsuit filed in 2024 that alleged the companies have dominated the industry by suffocating competitors and controlling everything from concert promotion to ticketing.
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Ticketmaster, which was established in 1976 and merged with Live Nation in 2010, is the world’s largest ticket seller across live music, sports, theater and more.
Dahlquist noted that the ticket seller sparked outrage in November 2022 when its site crashed during a presale event for a Taylor Swift stadium tour.
The company said the site was overwhelmed by both fans and attacks from bots, which were posing as consumers to scoop up tickets and sell them on secondary sites. The debacle prompted congressional hearings and bills in state legislatures aimed at better protecting consumers.
Dahlquist said Live Nation’s anti-competitive practices include using long-term contracts ranging from five to seven years to keep venues from choosing rivals and blocking venues from using multiple ticket sellers.
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Ticketmaster was established in 1976 and merged with Live Nation in 2010 (AP)
Ticketmaster’s clashes with artists and fans date back three decades. Pearl Jam took aim at the company in 1994, years before the Live Nation merger, although the Justice Department ultimately declined to bring a case.
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Live Nation has maintained that artists and teams set prices and decide how tickets are sold.
Marriott said Live Nation was the world’s biggest supporter of musical artists, enabling 159 million people in 2025 to see 11,000 artists at 55,000 concerts.
He said the government has exaggerated how much the companies make, including by saying Ticketmaster pockets $7 a ticket, when it actually gets $5 and clears less than $2 after expenses.
Live Nation and Ticketmaster, he said, “are all about bringing joy to people’s lives.”
It’s the latest twist in the planning saga in Manchester
Plans to demolish two Victorian ‘Italianate’ buildings next to a city centre park have hit a major snag.
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The future of 1 Parsonage and 5 Parsonage, warehouses built in the 1860s and 1870s respectively, looks to be in doubt after developers Beaconsfield Commercial Ltd requested planning permission to build a new 14-storey block in their place. The duo are now offices which Beaconsfield says ‘are in a deteriorated condition and no longer meet office occupier standards’, prompting the bid for new offices with a restaurant and bar on the ground floor.
It’s not the first time redevelopment was eyed for the Victorian warehouses, with a previous plan to replace them with a glass tower abandoned following worries about its height, compatibility with the area, and the level of demand to fill proposed offices.
However, the 14-storey block’s future is now uncertain after heritage group Historic England formally objected to the move, saying demolition would cause significant and irreversible harm to the conservation area.
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“At Historic England we’re always keen to work with developers to find solutions that deliver growth while respecting Manchester’s unique character,” said Catherine Dewar, its north west director.
“We’ve done this successfully on schemes like St Michael’s, where collaboration led to a better outcome for the city’s heritage. Sadly, the current proposals for Parsonage Gardens don’t strike that balance and we would lose some of Manchester’s heritage as a result.
“Demolishing these buildings would cause significant and irreversible harm to the conservation area and the new tower would dominate the setting of one of the city centre’s rare green open spaces.
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“Manchester’s heritage is one of its greatest assets and a great source of pride for people who love this city. Research shows that properties in conservation areas see values rise by around 9pc so looking after historic places like Parsonage Gardens isn’t just the right thing to do – it makes good economic sense too.”
Opposition has also been expressed by neighbours, who also previously said demolition would ‘harm’ to the conservation area, and the influence on existing buildings.
Greater Manchester Police authorised a section 60 authority for Bolton town centre today (Tuesday, March 3), which grants them extra powers to stop and search.
This follows reports of a large-scale disturbance between groups of 30 or more individuals at Bolton interchange yesterday.
Alyas Majid, 18, has since been arrested and charged with possession of a bladed article in public following the incident in which police believe a number of people were assaulted.
Majid, of Westleigh Lane in Leigh, is due to appear at Wigan and Leigh Magistrates Court on May 6, 2026.
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Chief Inspector John Haywood from GMP’s Bolton district said: “Incidents such as this can be concerning for the local community, but I would like to reassure those who live and work in the area that we are fully committed to tackling violent crime and keeping our streets safe.
“The Section 60 authority has been put in place to give our officers enhanced powers to stop and search individuals in the area, helping us to prevent further violence and identify those responsible.
“We have already charged an 18-year-old man overnight and my officers have been working hard throughout the day to identify further suspects.
“Extra patrol officers have also been deployed around the local area both on foot and in patrol cars.”
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The Section 60 will be effective in the following areas;
Boundries
Topp Way
Bury New Road
Bradford Street
Manchester Road
Lever Street
Fletcher Street
College Way
Major Street
Spa Road
Marsden Road
Police will be given extra powers to stop and search within the highlighted area (Image: GMP)
The Section 60 powers come under the 1994 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act and will run for 24 hours.
Having been authorised at 4pm on Tuesday 3 March 2026, it is set to expire at 4pm on Wednesday 4 March 2026.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact us on 101, quoting log number 1234 of 03/03/2026.
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Information can also be reported online or by using the LiveChat function at www.gmp.police.uk.
If you can’t report online, or to 101, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Pet owners need to stay vigilant at this time, as this highly common spring plant — already in bloom across the UK — is extremely toxic to dogs and cats, warns a vet.
Parul Sharma GAU Senior Audience Writer
06:00, 04 Mar 2026
With spring tantalisingly close, our cherished spring flowers are returning as they start to blossom throughout the UK.
As temperatures gradually rise, bringing welcome warmth to our island, the unmistakable signs of spring have emerged – namely the stunning flowering plants that define the season.
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While most people are celebrating, pet owners must exercise caution as spring arrives, because there’s an incredibly prevalent spring plant whose beautiful blooms present a significant health hazard to dogs and cats.
In fact, you need only venture outdoors for a stroll to observe that this plant has already started flowering on pavements, in gardens and across green spaces.
For pet owners, spring brings considerable seasonal dangers and those with pets must stay watchful when they’re outdoors with their beloved four-legged companions – because whilst daffodils may herald the eagerly anticipated arrival of spring for humans, this cheerful plant can prove dangerously poisonous to dogs and cats, reports the Express.
Dave Martin, Veterinary Surgeon and Group Director of Animal Welfare at IVC Evidensia, has issued a warning about the risks daffodils present to pets. He has additionally offered his professional guidance to help pet owners safeguard their animals as spring draws near.
Why the spring plant is so toxic for pets
Dave cautions: “Daffodils may be a spring favourite, but they’re highly toxic to dogs and cats if eaten. Owners should stay alert on walks and keep any daffodils at home well out of reach.
“Even the water from a vase containing daffodils can make pets unwell if they drink it, so always dispose of flowers and water carefully.”
The vetadds: “Dogs that love to dig need extra supervision, as the bulbs contain the highest concentration of toxins.”
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However, daffodils aren’t the sole spring plants requiring vigilance from pet owners.
Dave explains: “Other spring favourites like tulips, snowdrops, buttercups, and bluebells might look lovely but can also be harmful if ingested. Signs of poisoning can include vomiting, diarrhoea and unusual tiredness.”
Spring favourites – fleas, ticks and snails
The mild, damp conditions characteristic of spring also create an ideal breeding environment for fleas, making this the optimal time to verify your pet’s flea prevention is current.
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Ticks similarly become more prevalent during the spring months, lurking in long grass and woodland areas.
After your pet’s daily outdoor walks, it’s vital to carry out a comprehensive check of their coat, paying particular attention to the head, neck and ear regions to identify any unwelcome passengers quickly.
When dealing with ticks, owners must use a proper tick removal tool, as attempting to extract these parasites by hand risks leaving their mouthparts embedded in the skin, which in more serious cases may require surgical intervention. Those uncertain about safe tick removal should seek guidance from their vet.
This time of year also brings increased numbers of slugs and snails which, despite appearing harmless, can carry lungworm — a potentially fatal parasite if consumed.
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To keep your pets protected and free from parasites, your vet can recommend monthly preventative treatments, including chewable tablets or spot-on applications.
Can pets get hay fever?
Much like their owners, both dogs and cats can suffer from hay fever.
As spring arrives and pollen counts rise, some pets may begin sneezing, develop watery eyes or a runny nose, while others display symptoms through persistent scratching, nibbling or irritated patches of skin. In certain cases, they may even lose small amounts of fur in areas where they’ve been scratching or licking.
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Here’s what pet owners should do about it:.
Wipe your dog’s paws and coat after a walk. This will help in washing away pollen and ease the irritation.
Cat owners are recommended to do the same after their feline friend has been outside.
If your pet continues to struggle, a vet can advise on straightforward treatments to alleviate springtime flare-ups.
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It’s also crucial to seek urgent veterinary assistance if your pet seems to have consumed poisonous plants or is displaying signs of toxic poisoning including vomiting, diarrhoea, severe abdominal pain, drooling, tremors, convulsions, and, in serious cases, collapse or respiratory failure.
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It may affect parking for football fans and shoppers on the weekends
A city centre car park will close for over two weeks for a fair. John Thurston and Son’s Mart Fair returns to Peterborough city centre on Thursday, March 19, and runs until Sunday, March 29.
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The fair will be held at the Pleasure Fair Meadow car park. There will be over 100 rides on offer at the fair, providing lots of fun for all ages.
The fair will be open from 6pm until 10pm on weekdays, and 2pm until 10pm on Saturdays and Sundays. The car park will be closed from March 14 until March 30.
This could affect city centre parking for people attending Peterborough United games and also shopping. A Peterborough City Council spokesperson said: “Pleasure Fair Car Park will be closed from 6pm on Saturday 14 March until 6pm on Monday, March 30, due to the return of Mart Fair. Please use alternative car parks during this period.
“For any Posh fixtures taking place during the closure period, please use alternative parking. Thank you for your cooperation.”
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The alternative council car parks motorists can use are:
The blaze broke out at around 6.20am on Sunday, March 1, outside Transporters 247 Ltd, trading as urtyres.co, and involved three vehicles.
A man, who asked to be known only as MJ and who called 999, said the fire escalated rapidly after a BMW 523i caught alight, sandwiched between a Mercedes‑Benz Sprinter and a Citroen Relay, describing the scene as “ferocious”.
CCTV footage shows him initially attempting to tackle the flames himself using a jet hose before contacting the emergency services.
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MJ said: “They are so thorough and professional, there is so much more than just putting out a fire.
“Had the firefighters not checked the back of the Citroen Relay that was ready to ignite, they just stopped it in time before the fire spread to the buildings.
“The end result is like T2 or Mel Gibson’s Mad Max cars – but melted to molten liquid. It became that ferocious. I couldn’t believe it.”
He admitted he initially delayed calling emergency services.
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“I wasted seven vital minutes trying to deal with it. I had no idea of the ferocity or the velocity of what came within minutes of the BMW catching fire,” he said.
“I’ve just recovered from something that could have burned down the whole of Nile Street if I delayed any longer.
“Every second counted.
“Please, it is so important for people to call 999 first.
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“Don’t try like I did and faff about in panic. I learned my lesson.”
MJ said neighbouring businesses, including Halfords and ASL (a Siemens contractor), were close to the scene as the fire intensified.
CCTV footage captured the extent of the blaze and MJ’s efforts in attempting to tackle the fire.
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A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: “Shortly after 6.13am on Sunday morning (Sunday 1 March), a fire engine from Bolton fire station was called to reports of a fire involving three vehicles on Nile Street, Bolton.
“Crews arrived quickly on the scene.
“Firefighters used a hose reel jet to extinguish the fire and make the area safe.
“Firefighters were in attendance for around 50 minutes.”
Ryan Gosling had bigger concerns than promoting his film while interviewing a journalist who dialed in from the middle of the desert.
Gosling was doing a press junket for Project Hail Mary — his new film based on the popular 2021 sci-fi book by Andy Weir — when journalist Jake Hamilton appeared via video link.
“Do you have help on the way?” the actor asked Hamilton after joking that he looked like he was appearing from the inside of a volcano.
“You look like Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible, the one where he’s climbing,” he continued, referencing the red rocks surrounding the reporter.
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“This is amazing. I don’t want you to be stranded, but the production value on this… Do you technically need a permit to shoot there? It’s like you’re doing a Western!”
During an interview for his upcoming film, ‘Project Hail Mary,’ Gosling stopped to ask the journalist if he was OK amid being in the desert following his tour bus breaking down (AFP/Getty/ Jake’s Takes/Youtube)
The interviewer explained that before speaking with the La La Land star, he had been on a Grand Canyon bus tour — which unexpectedly broke down.
“Obviously, I would do anything not to miss an interview with you,” Hamilton told the Oscar nominee.
Gosling paused several more times during the interview to check whether the journalist had enough supplies to last in the desert, which Hamilton confirmed he did.
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“You sure? You’re sure you have enough water for everyone? Because that could get ugly… I am worried about your hydration. You got a power bar?” Gosling continued.
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“I definitely want to hear that you got out of this,” the actor told Hamilton at the end of the interview.
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The reporter later shared the interview clips on his Instagram alongside the caption, “That moment you have to interview Ryan Gosling…but your tour bus broke down in the middle of the desert.”
People were quick to turn to the comments afterward, commending both Hamilton for his commitment to still doing the interview and Gosling for his adamant concern for the journalist.
“No need to discuss the movie tbh, this is the best interview ever done. Ryan interviewing you about your tour bus breaking down is epic lol,” one person wrote.
Another person agreed, “I actually cannot get over this. From the commitment to the interview to Ryan’s concern for your well-being, this is too good.”
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In Project Hail Mary, Gosling plays a schoolteacher tasked with traveling into space to save the world. The cast also includes Anatomy of a Fall star Sandra Hüller, Lionel Boyce, Ken Leung and Milana Vayntrub. It is directed by The Lego Movie’s Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.
The film is scheduled for release in theaters March 20.
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