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Buchanan County Schools Set for Exciting Transition to Southern Gap High School

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Buchanan County Schools Set for Exciting Transition to Southern Gap High School

BUCHANAN COUNTY, Va. (WJHL) — In just over a month, the high schools of Buchanan County will mark their final chapter as Grundy, Council, Hurley, and Twin Valley unite to form Southern Gap High School.

The new institution is a sprawling three-story complex featuring several wings, each designed for more than just ordinary classrooms. Notably, the east wing is dedicated to career and technical education (CTE).

“Each room here houses three workshops,” explained Tim Burge, senior construction manager with Skanska Integrated Solutions, as he gave News Channel 11 a tour. “For example, this is our welding shop. The current setup at the existing school has the classroom within the shop space, but here, they will have distinct areas for both instruction and hands-on practice.”

(Photo: WJHL)

Pamela Tester from Buchanan County Schools emphasized to News Channel 11 that the new facility offers comprehensive resources all under one roof.

“Previously, transportation issues sometimes forced students to choose between academic and vocational paths,” Tester noted. “Now, they can pursue academic courses alongside career-focused training, gaining vital skills for high-demand jobs right here within the same facility.”

From the CTE wing, students can go up to the third floor to access health care-related classrooms, such as a pharmacy tech program, a dental lab and a nursing program.

“They have a bathroom where they teach them how to move people, you know, from the wheelchair to the commode or to into a shower. All that training, everything’s here to do that,” Burge said.

The school property spans 200,322 square feet on what used to be a coal mining site. There will be a wall at the front of the school with black coal stones, and outside of the school will have several nods to the coal tradition as well.

“Seeing the markings inside the building and just the location of the school itself on the former coal mine will help the students remember where they came from and what their roots are, because we all grew up being supported by the mining industry,” Tester said.

Southern Gap High School is on pace to open by the beginning of the 2026-27 school year in August.

Negligence at Psychiatric Facility: Staff Ignored Dying Patient for 20 Minutes, Federal Report Reveals

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Negligence at Psychiatric Facility: Staff Ignored Dying Patient for 20 Minutes, Federal Report Reveals

Background: The Psychiatric Institute of Washington in Washington, D.C. (Google Maps). Inset: U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro announcing the indictment on  (Jeanine Pirro/Facebook).

In a deeply unsettling case from Washington, D.C., three psychiatric facility employees have been charged with criminal negligence after allegedly allowing a patient to die without intervening. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia has announced that Nelson Kuma, 37; Richard Hounnou, 45; and Norma Munoz-Bent, 68, are facing serious legal repercussions following the death of a 58-year-old patient identified as “G.W.”

These charges stem from an incident on April 24, 2020, at the Psychiatric Institute of Washington. On that day, G.W. experienced a critical medical emergency requiring resuscitation, according to Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. Despite the gravity of the situation, a subsequent event occurred two days later that has raised significant concerns.

Video evidence from April 26 captures a distressing scene: at 12:38 p.m., G.W. appears to begin breathing heavily while lying unclothed on a mattress placed on the floor. Despite the obvious signs of distress, the situation continued to deteriorate without adequate response.

“As a result of his being at this facility, he was one of those patients who was on what is called one-to-one care, which means that someone is supposed to be caring for him, watching for him, and every 15 minutes, someone is supposed to be doing a health check,” Pirro said in the news conference streamed by area CBS affiliate WUSA.

At one point, a hospital technician entered the room and observed that G.W. was struggling to breathe. Shockingly, as noted by Pirro, the technician failed to take any immediate action for a period of four minutes, a critical delay that could have made a significant difference in the outcome.

This tragic case highlights the severe consequences of negligence within healthcare settings, emphasizing the crucial responsibility of caregivers to respond promptly and effectively to emergencies. All three individuals have been arraigned following a grand jury indictment issued on March 31, as the case now moves forward through the legal system.

“A second tech enters the room; they fist bump each other, and for seven minutes, they have a very animated conversation,” she added. “It’s as though the patient on the floor, who was suffering from labored breathing, is not even there.”

About 10 minutes after the patient’s apparent labored breathing began, the registered nurse walks in. She “stares at the patient, she puts her hands on her hips,” but she doesn’t touch him before leaving the room a minute later.

The staff members ended up checking the patient’s blood but improperly, the U.S. attorney alleges. For at least 21 minutes, the patient reportedly “did not receive lifesaving measures,” and by the time proper efforts were taken, “it was too late.”

He died inside the hospital. It is unclear why the indictment took nearly six years to be brought against the defendants.

“Here’s the bottom line,” Pirro stated. “This trio did nothing to help this patient. They didn’t call a code blue, they didn’t check his pulse, they didn’t attempt CPR. They didn’t initiate resuscitation efforts. They did nothing. Instead, they chatted, they walked around, they didn’t touch him while he lay on a mattress, dying.”

A “code blue” announcement at a hospital is widely understood to mean a patient is experiencing an emergency that needs immediate medical attention.

The case was investigated by Disability Rights D.C., which Pirro thanked during her news conference. The organization said it “remain[s] concerned about patient safety and adequate psychiatric treatment at Psychiatric Institute of Washington and continue[s] to monitor the facility,” per Washington, D.C., NBC affiliate WRC.

The Psychiatric Institute of Washington says on its website that it “is a 130-bed facility with inpatient, intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs” offering “psychiatric assessments and comprehensive behavioral healthcare to children, adolescents and adults who are experiencing mental health and substance abuse issues.”

G.W.’s family has reportedly filed a lawsuit in his death.

After they were arraigned on Tuesday, Kuma, Hounnou, and Munoz-Bent were released pending trial. They are set to return to court on May 29.

Father Forgives: No Animosity Toward Convicted Man in Son’s Skydiving Tragedy

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Father Forgives: No Animosity Toward Convicted Man in Son’s Skydiving Tragedy
The bereaved father of a skydiver killed after getting tangled on a plane says he does not hold a grudge against the man convicted over the accident.
Experienced instructor Stephen Hoare, 37, and his tandem passenger, Alex Welling, 32, died while skydiving at Goulburn airport in NSW’s south on June 27, 2021.
The pair fell about 100 metres to their deaths after their equipment got snagged on a step that had recently been installed on the Cessna plane.
Alex Welling (left) and Stephen Hoare (right)
Experienced instructor Stephen Hoare, 37, and his tandem passenger Alex Welling, 32, died while skydiving at Goulburn airport in southern NSW in 2021. (9News)

SafeWork NSW has filed charges against the Goulburn Flight Training Centre and its director, Attilio Giovanni Ferrara, commonly known as John Ferrara, for allegedly breaching workplace safety regulations. Both face two counts each related to these violations.

They were found guilty in the NSW District Court in March.

In his ruling, Judge Andrew Scotting identified the step in question as a “blatant and hazardous snag risk.”

During a sentencing session today, Frank Hoare, the father of the victim, exchanged a glance with Ferrara across the largely empty courtroom.

Despite the circumstances, Hoare expressed that he harbors “no animosity” towards Ferrara or Jim Czerwinski, the pilot responsible for installing the step and operating the aircraft on the incident day.

“Ultimately, there was no malicious intent,” Hoare stated softly.

The men’s families waited four years and 10 months for answers about the accident, a delay that felt like a dismissal of their lost lives, Hoare said.

“Losing our son … has shattered our lives in ways that words have never fully captured,” Hoare said.

“He was not just a name or statistic; he was our son and our joy.

“Every day [since] his death has been filled with a silence that should not exist and a grief that does not lessen with time.”

Experienced instructor Stephen Hoare, 37, and his tandem passenger Alex Welling, 32, died while skydiving at Goulburn airport, in southern NSW, on June 27, 2021. (Nine)
Experienced instructor Stephen Hoare, 37, and his tandem passenger Alex Welling, 32, died while skydiving at Goulburn airport, in southern NSW, on June 27, 2021. (Nine)

Hoare hoped the accident would lead to meaningful safety changes in the skydiving industry.

He called on the state coroner to hold an inquest so that formal recommendations could be made.

SafeWork’s barrister, Darien Nagle, urged the judge to consider the scale of the avoidable tragedy.

“The risk was avoidable, the risk was known,” Nagle said.

Evidence at the trial included a short GoPro video taken by a third solo skydiver, showing Welling grinning as he moved towards the open door of the plane while strapped to Hoare.

The footage showed a black strap getting caught on the protruding step, leaving the pair frantically dangling upside-down mid-air.

The pilot attempted several manoeuvres to free the men, including flying low over the airport while staff on the ground stood on top of a four-wheel drive to try and grab them.

The men fell when the plane returned to a higher altitude.

Ferrara made a “sincere and unqualified” apology to the men’s families in an affidavit read to the court.

Judge Scotting offered his condolences, saying he lost his sister in tragic circumstances.

“I understand that pain perhaps better than you might appreciate,” the judge said.

Ferrara will be sentenced on April 17.

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Son of Pastor Charged in Third Case Involving Underage Relations at Ignite Life Center

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Staff Report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – On April 7, Christian David Vargas, aged 22, was apprehended under a warrant accusing him of lewd and lascivious battery involving a minor under 16. This case marks the third accusation against Vargas, alleging sexual activity with girls below 16. Each incident reportedly took place at Ignite Life Center (404 NW 13th Avenue), where Vargas’s father, Mark Vega, served as the senior pastor.

Mark Vega faces charges for not reporting suspected child abuse, linked to four instances where he allegedly knew about young men engaging in sexual activities with minors at the church but neglected to inform authorities. Gabriel Hernandez received a five-year prison sentence, Noel Cruz was given three years of probation, and proceedings against Vargas are ongoing.

For more details on the initial two cases involving Vargas, click here.

The recent sworn complaint against Vargas details that the victim, then 15, reported the events to authorities in July 2023. The victim, along with her family, attended Ignite Life Center. She disclosed to a Gainesville Police Department detective that she and Vargas, who was 17 during the alleged incidents, had been exchanging “flirtatious and sexual” messages via Discord and Snapchat.

The victim said she first agreed to meet Vargas for sex in June 2021, and they met in a room at the church known as “The Furnace,” which had a couch. Three days later, she said, they met for sex again in “The Covenant Room,” which had cots and mattresses at the time because the church was preparing for the Ignite Life Summer Internship program. She said she met him again in “The Furnace” later that week, and they had sexual intercourse again; a few months later, they reportedly met to have sexual intercourse in a locked room above the main sanctuary, and the victim said that Vargas entered a code to enter the room. The victim said the last two incidents, in December 2021, occurred in the men’s bathroom near “The Furnace.”

The victim reportedly said that Vargas told her to buy condoms and to get a “Plan B” pill because his parents watched him “like a hawk,” so he could not make the purchases. She said their meetings were brief because Vargas had to “sneak away” to meet her.

The detective reported that in messages from December 2021, the victim told Vargas she didn’t want to have anything more to do with him, and Vargas reportedly pleaded with her to continue having sex with him; he reportedly offered to give her vapes (containing nicotine and/or marijuana) if she would continue having sex with him.

Vargas has been charged with lewd and lascivious battery with a victim under the age of 16. He has no local criminal history but is facing two other cases with similar charges. Judge Robert Groeb set bail at $250,000 in the warrant for Vargas’s arrest, and Vargas has posted bail.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law


Trump’s Proposed Military Action Against Iran Sparks War Crime Concerns

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Trump’s Proposed Military Action Against Iran Sparks War Crime Concerns

In a recent segment on MS NOW’s “The Briefing,” former Secretary of State John Kerry expressed his concerns over President Donald Trump’s alarming rhetoric regarding Iran. Kerry highlighted that Trump’s threat to annihilate Iran could be interpreted as a war crime.

During the show, host Jen Psaki addressed the issue, referencing Trump’s bold statement that “a whole civilization will die tonight,” which was made before the announcement of a ceasefire earlier in the week. Psaki remarked on the unprecedented nature of such language from a U.S. president, noting its potential long-lasting impact. She asked Kerry for his thoughts, given his extensive experience in diplomatic roles.

Kerry shared his shock and dismay, pointing out the incongruity of such threats coming from a leader who identifies as Christian, especially on Easter Sunday. He emphasized that such statements, broadcast to audiences worldwide, could tarnish the image of the U.S. presidency. Kerry recalled America’s historical role in liberating Europe from fascism, a stark contrast to the notion of threatening an entire civilization, which he equated to actions of a war criminal. Such rhetoric, he argued, stands in direct opposition to international norms and the values the country has long championed.

Follow Pam Key on X @pamkeyNEN

 

Drama Unfolds: Dorit’s Book Party Boycotted by Erika, Kyle, and Sutton; Boz and Keely Celebrate Surprise Engagement; Rachel Reacts to Ex’s Controversial Post

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Drama Unfolds: Dorit’s Book Party Boycotted by Erika, Kyle, and Sutton; Boz and Keely Celebrate Surprise Engagement; Rachel Reacts to Ex’s Controversial Post

The atmosphere on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” has been anything but harmonious lately, with Dorit seemingly at the center of the discord. She finds herself at odds with Amanda, Erika, and Kyle, leading many to wonder if Rachel’s birthday celebration might serve as a unifying event or if Kyle’s loyal followers will continue to target Dorit. Meanwhile, Bozoma receives an unexpected surprise, yet tensions remain high as Erika, Amanda, and Kyle opt to skip Dorit’s book cover launch due to the current state of their strained friendships.

RHOBH Recap: Dorit Gets Snubbed by Erika, Kyle and Sutton at Her Book Launch Party, Boz Gets a Surprise Engagement From Keely, and Rachel is Upset Over Post by Ex; Plus Dorit Believes Sutton Desperately Longs for Kyle's Approval

As Rachel’s Studio 54-themed birthday bash unfolds, the partygoers are on the brink of either reconciliation or further conflict. Dorit feels increasingly unsupported by Kyle, perceiving her as having an entourage ready to back her every move, almost as if they might soon don matching outfits to demonstrate their loyalty.

Kyle, on her part, acknowledges that her recent argument with Dorit was particularly severe, and she views Dorit’s current behavior as self-destructive. Despite their differences, Kyle feels a pang of sadness about Dorit’s recent actions, especially concerning her treatment of Erika.

Erika confides in Boz that she intends to distance herself from Dorit, hoping this will provide clarity on their friendship. As Dorit approaches, Erika subtly signals the rest of the group to join them, only adding to the palpable tension in the air.

Erika shares with Boz that she is going to take some space from Dorit so she can assess their relationship. When Dorit makes her way over to where they are sitting, Erika waves over the rest of the group as if things are not awkward enough. 

Dorit believes that she needs a conversation with Kyle, but because of her intense week (her home-schooled kids are in school-school now) she would rather wait until her head is in the right place. Dorit refuses to apologize to Kyle or follow any of Sutton‘s directives on how to approach Kyle.  Now, according to Dorit, Sutton’s “desperate approval of getting Kyle’s approval” has forced the demise of their friendship. And so, she walks away from Sutton.

Sutton, however, realizes that Dorit is pulling some mean girl behavior. Just because she doesn’t like what Sutton says, does not give her a pass to act nasty. According to Sutton, Dorit shut her down and has now pushed her to want to leave the party.  Dorit’s condescending attitude has really shaken Sutton.

Sutton reminds Kyle that she too has emotions and things are going on in her life, too.  Sutton is now seriously alone since her youngest went off to college and she has been doing a great job holding it together… up until now.  Perhaps Dorit should pay attention and realize they can all help each other, after all, the world does not revolve around Dorit. 

After a pep talk from Kathy, Sutton pulls Dorit away (after Dorit calls it annoying) and lets Dorit know her feelings are hurt. Sutton points out that as soon as Rachel sat down it’s like she didn’t exist.  Sutton is not sure Dorit’s apology is legit and naturally, when felt backed into a corner, Dorit once again evacuates and runs off.

Rachel invites all the virgos up to blow out the candles on her cake.  For a lady that hates her birthday, Rachel sure likes to celebrate it. She talks about how liberated she feels this birthday and when Jennifer jumps into the pool, you know it’s a good party.

Sutton FaceTimes her momma, Reba, and she fills her in on Italy. She explains how much Dorit’s behavior has changed and Reba talks about how emotional Dorit must be considering her situation. Sutton points out that she has been in Dorit’s corner, but Reba continues to stick up for Dorit.

Dorit asks her mom if it would be okay to skip Dorit’s book cover launch party considering she has not even gotten a chance to get the quiet place of her newly empty house.  She wants to process this new chapter that’s starting because she is not sure what this new life will feel like. If not for her business, Sutton feels like she would feel so lost, but understands that now it’s time for her to take in the beautiful view she worked so hard on creating.

Erika and Rachel debrief about the birthday party. Erika reminds Rachel that she’s a good friend, even to Dorit. Erika points out that the first thing most people think about when a separation occurs is money, but Rachel states she doesn’t need to because she has always had financial independence (take notes, ladies!).

Erika thinks Dorit’s perpetual lateness stems from fear over legal issues and financial issues.  According to Erika, PK knows all the tactics to have Dorit “whipped into a frenzy.” Erika is not sure if she will attend Dorit’s book party, but realizes that she cannot simply be a no-show for the event.

Boz and her daughter head out for a mommy/daughter date…except it’s not that at all…instead, it’s a surprise engagement!  On the other side of the door stands Keely, ready to pop the question. He explains that he can’t wait to do forever with Boz and he gets down on one knee to ask for her hand in marriage.  Boz feels blessed to get this moment again, especially after losing her first husband. She is thrilled to feel this happy all over again with Keely. She has so much wonderful to look forward to!

The big day is coming and soon enough Kyle’s daughter, Alexia, will be someone’s wife. Kyle talks to her assistant about Dorit’s event and decides that she will simply text Dorit to decline.  Over ten years, Kyle believes that she has stood up for Dorit, but nothing Kyle is doing seems to be saving this friendship.

Although Amanda does not feel obligated to attend Dorit’s book cover party, considering Dorit has been horrible to her, she wants to support women and in the end, decides to attend.

Sutton lets Boz know she will not be attending Dorit’s event because she wants to avoid being a part of the problem. Sutton does not want to find herself in a reactive position and so she chooses to step away.  Boz doesn’t think this is a good look for Sutton, but there’s no changing her mind.

The book cover reveal party is making Dorit feel excited for her future.  She lets Rachel know she is hanging on by a thread, but when Rachel says she is on fire, we learn about her ex’s latest social media post.  His new girlfriend’s birthday is a few days after Rachel’s and he posted, “happy birthday to my love.”  Rachel gags that he is doing this for the “virgo wannabe stylist,” and Dorit realizes that attention hungry PK would likely do the same thing to her. 

Three ladies of the group are not coming to the event for certain: Kyle (because she is “tired and overwhelmed”), Sutton (because she “thinks it’s best”), and Natalie. Dorit is not surprised by any of this considering the only thing consistent about Sutton is her inconsistency. But when Erika leaves Dorit in limbo about her attendance, we all know Dorit’s going to be in limbo…especially when she finds out that Erika is currently hanging at Sutton’s house.  To be continued…

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE RHOBH EPISODE?

Officials Report Evacuation at MacDill Air Force Base Lodging Facility Following Security Threat

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Officials Report Evacuation at MacDill Air Force Base Lodging Facility Following Security Threat


In an incident that stirred concern in Tampa, Florida, the MacDill Air Force Base took precautionary action following a reported threat on Thursday evening. This led to the evacuation of a U.S. Air Force lodging facility, known as the MacDill Inn, which is situated on the base itself.

The MacDill Inn serves as a temporary residence for military personnel, contractors, and other approved visitors, making its evacuation a significant event. Base officials decided to clear the inn “out of an abundance of caution,” reflecting the seriousness with which they treat potential threats.

Trump Criticizes ‘Deranged Liberal Judges’ Following Tragic Death of Woman by Haitian Immigrant

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Trump Criticizes ‘Deranged Liberal Judges’ Following Tragic Death of Woman by Haitian Immigrant


On Tuesday, RedState highlighted a tragic incident involving a female gas station attendant in Florida who was brutally murdered, with the crime allegedly captured on video. The suspect is reported to be a Haitian immigrant living in the U.S. illegally.

This tragic event unfolded at a Chevron gas station in Fort Myers on April 3rd. The surveillance footage revealed the victim, identified as Yasmin, a 51-year-old Bangladeshi mother of two, being violently attacked. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has named Rolbert Joachin, 40, as the individual taken into custody for this heinous act.

Authorities from the Fort Myers Police Department (FMPD) responded to the scene following an emergency call. According to their report, the surveillance video shows Joachin shattering the windshield of the victim’s car before approaching her and repeatedly striking her with a hammer in a brazen daylight attack.

Additional details about the incident have surfaced, intensifying the horror of the crime:

The distressing footage of Yasmin’s murder is available on X, although it cannot be embedded directly. Viewers should be warned of its highly graphic and disturbing nature if they choose to watch it.

Joachin first entered the U.S. in August 2022 and was released into the country under the Biden administration. A federal judge issued a final order of removal against him in 2022, but the Biden administration granted him Temporary Protected Status which expired in 2024.

The video of Yasmin’s murder is on X but is not embeddable. Content warning if you click on the link to watch, because it’s incredibly disturbing.



Recap of ‘The Pitt’ Season 2, Episode 14: “Breathe Easier

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“This is the moment. Time to step up and doctor.” In the gripping second season of The Pitt, Dr. Robby’s journey of self-discovery hits a high point as he motivates a senior resident to overcome doubts and find solutions. His ability to inspire his team and apply his improvisational skills to critical situations becomes the crux of his professional life, even as his inner turmoil continues. Episode 14, titled “8:00PM,” showcases a dramatic scene where Dr. Crus Henderson describes a daring procedure as “cowboy stuff”—re-aligning neck bones for a patient’s urgent cervical dislocation. This thrilling demonstration of medical expertise, featuring Robby supporting Dr. Frank Langdon at a crucial moment, captures the essence of what fans love about the series. “I think I’m starting to breathe easier,” remarks the patient, reflecting the audience’s sentiment as we approach the finale of Season 2.

THE PITT 214 [Robby w/ Langdon] “Doctor the fuck up.”

Meanwhile, Dana Evans grapples with concern for her friend Robby, unsure whether to feel sadness, anger, or fear after his recent confession of suicidal thoughts in the previous episode. She urges Abbot to reach out, hoping to break through Robby’s notorious stubbornness. Abbot’s intervention could be pivotal, but it’s also reassuring to see Dr. Caleb Jefferson, Robby’s psychiatrist friend, stepping in. When Robby dismisses Dr. Mohan’s concerns about a patient named Orlando Diaz, his harsh words shock Samira, revealing a troubling side of Robby. The comment about Diaz needing a higher ledge for his fall, implying a fatalistic attitude, is alarming.

Ultimately, it’s Duke who breaks through Robby’s tough exterior. While managing his own serious heart condition with mechanical metaphors, Duke confronts Robby about his emotional state. He compares the repairable damage of a minor accident to the irreversible nature of death, highlighting the importance of addressing personal regrets. Duke sees through Robby’s facade, recognizing his callousness as a shield against fear. As Robby plans to escape his problems rather than face them, Duke provides the guidance Robby desperately needs.

“That’s not riding,” Duke warns Robby. “That’s running. Is that the lesson you want to leave these young doctors with?”

THE PITT 214 [Duke to Robby] “I’m not talking about me.”

Robby’s impact on others is evident throughout. When he chides Victoria Javadi for using company time to create content, she stands her ground, demonstrating the confidence he’s helped her develop since the series’ inception. Similarly, Whitaker, who steps into Langdon’s former mentorship role under Robby, refuses to be belittled. Though Langdon may assign nicknames during their grueling shifts, Whitaker asserts his status as a capable doctor, rejecting any diminutive comparisons to a mere sidekick.

Rather than yell at the medics who damaged his ride, Robby publicly calls out a different pair of EMTs, who threatened a woman’s life by misplacing the EKG leads on her chest. Worry over patient modesty and partial nudity should not supplant careworkers’ lifesaving goals. Dr. Al-Hashimi thanks him for imparting this lesson. She also asks for his medical advice. (“I’ve come to respect your opinion.”) The feeling is mutual between the senior attendings, who certainly butted heads philosophically during their long concurrent shift, but have never questioned any professional competency in the other. Dr. Al shows Robby into a trauma bay, where a medical chart awaits, and closes the door.

“History of seizure disorder…35 years after childhood viral meningitis…” Robby is reading the medical information when he trails off. His fellow senior attending is showing him the answer to his questions, and ours, over her dissociative spells. She is not standing around waiting for him to leave, just so she can take over his emergency department. She is honestly asking for help from a peer she respects. She wants him to pause his radical self-examination and doctor the fuck up. 

“Baran,” he asks the incoming attending with care. “Is this you?”       

THE PITT 214 Robby to Al-Hashimi, her reaction] “Baran, is this you?”

Nurse’s Desk for Season 2 Episode 14 of The Pitt (“8:00PM”): 

  • Noah Wyle wrote this episode of The Pitt, so we wonder if he inserted its many specific, age-appropriate references. Rumble Fish. Clue. Fucking Styx! Maybe Wyle was rocking “Come Sail Away” while writing scripts.
  • Dayshifters are departing, but we’ve still got Santos, Mel, and McKay on digitization of paper patient charts. Whitaker’s helping, too, though he’s also hunting for the newly-issued doctor’s badge he lost.
  • We didn’t see the content “Dr. J” was making. But it involved telling her followers to be aware of ICE, to stay safe and support each other. McKay also tells Robby to go easy on the social media disparagement. She highlights that Javadi’s TikToks are not a waste of time or even a HIPAA violation, but “actually cool, like bad-ass self-care.”
  • We looked for a pin, and can find no listing for a real-life “Zazu’s Sports Bar” in the Pittsburgh area. But in this ep, the two Rolling Rock enthusiasts who stabbed each other at the bar with tabletop American flags certainly add some shouty static to the ED. Surgery? “Just pull it out, man.” Nah dude.  
A man lying on a gurney with an American flag embedded in his bloody chest.

Johnny Loftus (@johnnyloftus.bsky.social) is a Chicago-based writer. A veteran of the alternative weekly trenches, his work has also appeared in Entertainment Weekly, Pitchfork, The All Music Guide, and The Village Voice.

Australia Lags Behind as Global Foreign Aid Plummets

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In brief

  • The OECD reported worldwide giving fell by $56.7 billion in 2025, or 23 per cent, making it the worst year on record for aid cuts.
  • Australia is below average when it comes to generosity, ranking 25th out of 32 donor nations.

Recent data reveals a dramatic reduction in foreign aid contributions last year, with the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, and France leading the retreat of tens of billions of dollars.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has disclosed that global aid decreased by $56.7 billion in 2025, representing a 23 percent drop, marking it as the most significant annual reduction on record.

This funding gap likely resulted in hundreds of thousands of avoidable deaths in many developing countries, with the potential for millions more to be affected.

The United States played a major role in this decline, contributing to three-quarters of the decrease by dismantling USAID early in Donald Trump’s second term.

Additional considerable cuts from other key donors such as the UK (11 percent reduction), Japan (5.6 percent), and France (10.9 percent) further intensified the worldwide development assistance crisis.

The US retreat from supporting the world’s poorest and most in-need populations meant that for the first time, Germany was the top foreign aid provider last year in real terms.

Germany’s development assistance hit $41 billion in 2025, ahead of the United States by almost $200m.

In terms of percentage of a country’s gross national income (GNI), Norway was the most generous, giving 1.03 per cent.

Australia, by contrast, is of below-average generosity, ranking 25th of 32 donor nations, giving 0.18 per cent of GNI, behind the UK (0.43 per cent) and New Zealand (0.27 per cent).

Countries not meeting UN goal

Wealthy countries, including Australia, have signed up to a United Nations goal of giving 0.7 per cent of GNI — or 70c in every $100 from each nation’s budgets — to lesser developed nations.

Just four nations did so in 2025: Norway, Luxembourg, Sweden and Denmark, with an average of 0.26 per cent.

Oxfam Australia said the figures should spur Australia to step up its global giving to fill gaps left by others, helping to combat diseases like HIV/AIDS and malaria.

“Oxfam analysis found that global aid cuts mean a child under 5 could die every 40 seconds by 2030. If this trend continues, aid cuts could kill over 9 million people by 2030,” head of humanitarian Lucia Goldsmith said.

“The governments of wealthy nations are turning their backs on the lives of millions of women, men and children in the Global South through severe aid cuts.”

Oxfam research from January found a child under five years old could die every 40 seconds due to the US aid cuts.

Another study published by global health publication Lancet last year suggested aid cuts — at 21 per cent — would kill almost 700,000 people last year, and cumulatively 9.4 million people by the decade’s end.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has budgeted $5.1 billion in official development assistance this financial year, with a small increase in line with inflation.

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