LND topic: metropolitan-state page 1

metropolitan state

Helping Small Businesses Grow: JPMorgan’s New Plan

March 31, 2026

JPMorgan Chase has rolled out a new program aimed at boosting small businesses across the United States. The initiative focuses on giving these companies more money, better advice, and extra services to help them expand. The bank’s chief of business banking says it wants to lift the number of small

politics

Russian Vessels Keep Sailing Past UK Waters Despite New Threat

March 31, 2026

A week after Britain’s Prime Minister told the armed forces it could board Russian ships that violate sanctions, data shows at least 25 of those vessels still travel through UK coastal waters. The move was meant to push the ships onto longer routes, but the numbers have not dropped. The UK has list

politics

UNRWA Calls for Probe After Staff Losses in Gaza Conflict

March 31, 2026

The head of the UN Palestinian refugee agency has urged a high‑level investigation into the deaths of more than 390 UNRWA workers during the two‑year Gaza war, marking it as the deadliest episode in the agency’s history. In a press briefing on his final day in office, Philippe Lazzarini said the

politics

Russia Tightens Grip on Internet Freedom

March 31, 2026

Russian officials are stepping up efforts to shut down virtual private networks, tools that many citizens use to bypass state censorship. The digital ministry announced plans to limit VPN access while trying not to disrupt everyday life too much. The move comes amid a broader crackdown that has a

politics

No Kings Protest: A Call for Real Change

March 31, 2026

The “No Kings” movement has become a meeting ground for people tired of the current political climate. People gather to say they no longer want leaders who feel entitled and to call out the president’s actions. The protest in Sacramento, like many across the country, showed crowds holding signs that

politics

Connecticut Eyes More Control Over Vaccines

March 31, 2026

The state’s lawmakers are proposing two new bills that would give the public health commissioner more say in how vaccines are recommended and who pays for them. Currently, the commissioner can only set guidelines for children; the new measures would let him or her create adult recommendations too. T

environment

Forest Loss in Indonesia Rises Sharp as Self‑Sufficiency Drives Push Land Clearing

March 31, 2026

Indonesia’s forests shrank by a striking 66% in 2025, the fastest rate in eight years, according to data from satellite imagery and field checks across 16 provinces. The country’s huge forest area, once one of the world’s richest in biodiversity, is being cleared at an alarming pace as it pursues am

health

Hospital Prices in Alabama: Are They Really Transparent?

March 31, 2026

Alabama hospitals face a growing push to show how much they charge patients. The federal government has set rules, but it is unclear if all hospitals follow them. Researchers examined 124 Alabama hospitals listed on the state’s health website. They removed psychiatric and VA centers, leaving 106 ho

crime

Appeals Court Reconsiders Former Teacher’s Convictions

March 31, 2026

The case of a former teacher from Granite Hills High School has taken an unexpected turn after an appellate court decided to overturn some of his convictions. Gerald Lopez, who had worked as an English teacher and coach, was arrested in 2022 when a mother found texts linking her 17‑year‑old daughter

politics

Trump’s Threat to Attack Iran’s Power Plants

March 31, 2026

President Trump warned that if a deal with Iran does not happen quickly, the U. S. would destroy key Iranian infrastructure such as power plants and water treatment facilities. This statement was posted on his social media account early Monday. The message suggested that the U. S. would end its pres