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Discover Chef Ryan McVay: Age, Heritage, and His Journey on Great British Menu

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Discover Chef Ryan McVay: Age, Heritage, and His Journey on Great British Menu

Ryan McVay Biography – Ryan McVay Wiki

Ryan McVay, a distinguished English chef and restaurateur, is making waves as a contestant on the Great British Menu (GBM) 2026. As the founder and head chef of The Calabash Tree, located at Sheepfolds Stables in Sunderland, McVay has introduced the city to its first Trinidad & Tobago restaurant, celebrating the vivid and dynamic flavors of his cultural roots.

The inspiration for McVay’s culinary venture struck at a street food event in 2015, where he recognized a lack of representation for the rich culinary traditions of his heritage. Determined to fill this gap, he named his restaurant after the calabash tree, a symbol native to the Caribbean region.

Born in Washington, McVay’s passion for food was deeply influenced by his Trinidadian mother and his English father, a classically trained chef and catering lecturer. After dedicating 14 years to the fire service, McVay faced a career-ending injury that prompted him to pursue his culinary dreams full-time.

Building his reputation through street food events, pop-up eateries, and a highly successful lockdown weekend menu, McVay became known for his dedication to authentic Caribbean flavors, using spices sourced directly from the Caribbean. In addition to The Calabash Tree, he launched Cove Caribbean, a sister concept that offers a fusion menu infused with Caribbean influences.

In 2024, McVay realized a long-held ambition by opening his first sit-in restaurant at Sheepfolds Stables, where he serves up signature Trinidadian dishes. His contributions to the Northern food scene have not gone unnoticed; he was recently honored as a finalist in the Be Inclusive Hospitality Awards 2025, recognized for his excellence in the Caribbean food category.

Ryan McVay Age

Chef Ryan McVay was born in July 1978 in Washington to a Trinidadian mother and an English father. He is 48 years old.

Ryan McVay Great British Menu

Sunderland chef Ryan McVay is a contestant on the BBC show Great British Menu series 21. He is among the regional chefs taking part in the North East & Yorkshire heats, alongside Jamie Keeble, Cal Byerley and Weike Zhao. Ryan’s menu celebrates North East Film talent, including Ridley Scott, and combines his love of film and Caribbean food.

Speaking about the experience, Ryan told the Sunderland Echo: “Being selected to represent the North East is something I’m really proud of. There’s so much talent in this region, so to be chosen is a huge honour. It pushed me in ways I didn’t expect, but it was an incredible experience and a chance to showcase Caribbean food on a national stage.”

Ryan McVay Nationality

He is of English nationality.

Ryan McVay Ethnicity

Ryan is of mixed ethnicity. He was born to a Trinidadian mother and an English father.

Instagram

Ryan McVay’s Instagram handle is @the_calabash_tree.

LIVE: Saudi Arabia Urges Trump to Restart Military Action Against Iran

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LIVE: Saudi Arabia Urges Trump to Restart Military Action Against Iran

Trump considers sending paratroopers to Iran

by Imogen Garfinkel, Senior Foreign News Reporter

In a surprising shift from his earlier rhetoric, Donald Trump has decided to delay potential military strikes on Iran’s infrastructure by five days. This move comes after the U.S. President had previously issued a bold ultimatum, threatening to “hit and obliterate” Iran’s power facilities if the nation did not reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.

However, some analysts speculate that this sudden change of heart might be a strategic maneuver. It could be aimed at buying time for U.S. marines to reach the Gulf region, with the potential goal of capturing Iran’s Kharg Island, a critical asset often referred to as the “crown jewel” of the Islamic Republic.

Kharg Island plays a crucial role in Iran’s economy and military capabilities, as it processes over 90 percent of Tehran’s crude oil exports. The island, located just 15 miles off the Iranian coast in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, is integral to the country’s ability to finance its war efforts.

In preparation for any potential actions, Trump has already mobilized the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) to the area. This formidable force includes the USS Tripoli, an amphibious assault ship, along with USS San Diego and USS New Orleans, two amphibious transport docks. Altogether, they carry approximately 2,200 marines, poised and ready for deployment in the Gulf region.

On top of that, a similar sized fighting force, led by amphibious assault ship USS Boxer, set sail from San Diego last Wednesday, reportedly destined for the Middle East.

Now, senior military officials are weighing up a possible deployment of a combat brigade from the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division to support military operations in Iran.

Scandal Unveiled: California School District Accused of Issuing Fake Diplomas to Boost Chinese Students’ U.S. College Admissions

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Scandal Unveiled: California School District Accused of Issuing Fake Diplomas to Boost Chinese Students’ U.S. College Admissions

An in-depth audit has uncovered allegations that a California school district issued diplomas to students in China, alongside engaging in potentially illegal financial activities linked to its international program.

The Val Verde Unified School District (VVUSD), located in Riverside, California, became the focus of a comprehensive review by the county’s superintendent of schools. This extensive examination, spanning over 1,000 pages, claims that the VVUSD awarded unauthorized diplomas to nonresident Chinese students attending Pegasus California School, a “sister school” situated in Qingdao, China.

“The audit commissioned by Dr. Gomez highlights significant concerns regarding academic integrity, potential fraud against taxpayers, and even possible national security issues,” Stephen G. Larson, a partner at Larson LLP, shared with Fox News Digital. “Our findings indicate that a California public school district inappropriately granted diplomas to students in China, potentially using these credentials to falsely bolster applications to American universities.”

students tossing graduation caps

Investigators have accused a California district of conducting dubious activities with a school in China, which includes the distribution of invalid diplomas and suspected financial misconduct.

Dr. Edwin Gomez, the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, had the authority to initiate this audit under Education Code section 1241.5(b) following a 2021 investigative report by Business Insider that raised concerns about the district’s operations.

“Our responsibility is to safeguard the integrity of public education and ensure that taxpayer resources are used lawfully and transparently,” Gomez said in a statement. 

“This audit identified serious concerns that merit further review by the appropriate authorities,” Gomez added. “We will continue to act with integrity, follow the law, and ensure that the interests of students and the public remain at the center of every decision.”

The audit identified evidence that California high school diplomas “may have been issued to students who did not meet applicable legal or residency requirements,” and that fraud and illegal fiscal practices were present in the school district. 

A screenshot of Pegasus California Schools website

A California school district is accused of improperly issuing diplomas to students in China through a partnership with a foreign “sister school,” raising legal and ethical concerns. (Pegasus California School website / Fox News Digital)

Fox News Digital sat down with Riverside County Sheriff and GOP gubernatorial candidate Chad Bianco, who told Fox that the questionable partnership with the Chinese school is an example of corruption and fraud that exists across California.

“This school in Riverside County shows how corrupt these people really are, where they couldn’t care less about taxpayer money, they couldn’t care less about their own schools, it’s how they can benefit themselves,” Bianco told Fox News Digital. “And so they benefit themselves by gaining, we have no idea how much money, by fraudulently giving diplomas to kids living in China.”

“These kids from China now come into the U.S. and get accepted into these colleges and universities, and California students get nothing,” Bianco added.

Chinese students who received diplomas through the partnership were allegedly promised acceptance to top U.S. universities.

students raising their hands in class

Officials say the findings raise serious concerns about oversight, financial misconduct and the integrity of the district’s global partnership. (Getty Images)

The audit revealed that teachers from the California school district allegedly taught at the school in China, and were provided living accommodations in furnished apartments. 

“Those who accepted a position at Pegasus took an unpaid leave of absence and did not receive a salary or benefits from VVUSD; Pegasus paid annual salaries and provided benefits, including medical and dental benefits, a fully furnished apartment with all utilities paid, and meals,” the audit reads.

As for the content being taught to students in China, the report uncovered that “pages regarding Taiwan had been ripped out of the history books” and that many instructors were not credentialed appropriately. 

The report also alleges that “there is some evidence of potential bribes and/or kickbacks in the form of direct and indirect financial benefits” as a result of VVUSD’s leadership’s relationship with the Chinese school and claims there could be ties between the school and previous superintendent elections in southern California.

Chinese students benefitted from alleged partnership with California school district

The audit alleges a California school district partnered with a China-based school to issue diplomas to nonresident students who may not have met legal requirements. (Zhang Ling/Xinhua via Getty Images)

A spokesperson for VVUSD told Fox News Digital they are complying with the audit. 

“The District will continue to fully comply with the audit process regarding Val Verde’s partnership with Pegasus California School from 2016–2020,” the spokesperson said. “We remain focused on providing transparency and continuing to serve our students, families, and community.”

Reports indicate that Pegasus California School was previously listed on their website, though it no longer appears under the list of schools within the district.

The Pegasus California School website’s “news” section has not been updated since September 2024.

Story tips can be sent to Preston.Mizell@fox.com and on X @MizellPreston

Preston Mizell is a writer with Fox News Digital covering breaking news.

Court Cites Legal Authority Previously Criticized by Trump DOJ, Now Deemed Justifiable

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Court Cites Legal Authority Previously Criticized by Trump DOJ, Now Deemed Justifiable

Trump attorney Alina Habba leaves New York Supreme Court on Monday, Oct. 2, 2023 in New York. (AP Photo/Brittainy Newman)

Instead of labeling New Jersey federal judges as “rogue” or “activists” for exercising their power to appoint head prosecutors, the Department of Justice opted for a more diplomatic approach. In collaboration with the court, they secured an appointment that even garnered high praise from Alina Habba.

On Monday, Chief U.S. District Judge Renée Marie Bumb, appointed by George W. Bush, issued a standard appointment order. This order, relying on the vacancies statute, 28 U.S. Code § 546(d), designated Robert Frazer, a veteran assistant U.S. attorney, as the new U.S. attorney. This was the same legal framework Judge Bumb referenced in July 2025 when she chose not to extend Habba’s interim role, instead appointing a replacement whom U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi swiftly dismissed.

Back then, Bondi accused the judges of being “politically minded” and “rogue,” suggesting they were undermining the President’s fundamental Article II authority. In retaliation, the AG orchestrated Habba’s resignation as interim, only to reinstall her immediately as acting U.S. attorney. Such maneuvers were repeatedly rejected by federal judges nationwide, impacting the administration’s, and President Donald Trump’s, investigative agendas significantly.

Despite consecutive setbacks, the Trump administration maintained that the former personal attorney to the President was legally appointed as acting U.S. attorney. However, Habba withdrew from the position in December. Since her departure, New Jersey judges have criticized the U.S. Attorney’s Office and DOJ leaders for repeatedly violating court mandates and creating the legally dubious “triumvirate” to succeed Habba.

Moreover, the judge who initially removed Habba from prosecutions issued a stern warning recently. He cautioned that indictments might be dismissed unless the leadership at the U.S. Attorney’s Office transitioned from a “triumvirate” model to one that was both operational and constitutionally sound.

Chief U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann of the Middle District of Pennsylvania was designated to handle challenges of Habba’s authority, and Brann likewise heard challenges of the “triumvirate.” In both cases, the result was disqualification. But while slamming the “triumvirate” as an unconstitutional concoction and issuing a searing commentary on the administration’s intentions, Brann practically begged the government to “compromise” with the district court on the appointment.

“As long as the President is willing to find compromise, there is no reason that someone cannot always be performing the functions and duties of the office in complete conformity with the law,” the judge noted. “Yet through its statements and actions, the Administration has made clear that it cares far more about who is running the USAO-NJ than whether it is running at all.”

Habba herself lauded Frazer’s appointment.

“Congratulations to my colleague Rob Frazer at the Department of Justice in New Jersey who just became the next United States Attorney. New Jersey deserves a great chief federal law enforcement official who is in line with President Trump’s agenda of making this country safe and NJ great! I know Rob well and he will be a great champion of this state and mission of the @TheJusticeDept,” Habba posted on X, with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche reposting.

This time, there was no outcry about “rogue” judges, and instead a DOJ spokesperson thanked the district court for appointing Frazer so “criminal prosecutions can resume without needless challenge or delay,” according to a New York Times report.

The one point Habba emphasized “should be clear” in her post is that it was on the court to work with Bondi and Blanche.

“One thing should be clear – when judges work with @AGPamBondi and @DAGToddBlanche under @POTUS to collaborate on serving what an overwhelming majority of Americans asked for at the ballots and not attack mindlessly for political gain THINGS GET DONE,” she wrote.

On that score, it’s a two-way street.

Frazer has what Habba did not: actual prosecutorial experience, and in the jurisdiction which he was appointed to lead. CNN reported that Frazer has served as a prosecutor for two decades, handled violent and organized crime cases, and won the respect of at least one of attorney who successfully argued the “triumvirate” structure was unlawful.

Trump Casts Mail-In Ballot in Florida Special Election Amid Ongoing Campaign Against Vote-by-Mail

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Trump Casts Mail-In Ballot in Florida Special Election Amid Ongoing Campaign Against Vote-by-Mail

In a surprising turn, President Trump, who has consistently criticized mail-in voting, referring to it as “mail-in cheating,” has himself voted by mail in advance of a Florida special election scheduled for Tuesday.

According to records from the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections, the president submitted his mail-in ballot earlier this month from his Mar-a-Lago property in Palm Beach County. The period for early in-person voting wrapped up on Sunday.

This election will decide between Democrat Emily Gregory and Republican Jon Maples, both competing to fill the state House seat previously held by Republican Mike Caruso. Trump narrowly secured a victory in this district during the 2024 elections.

Trump’s disapproval of mail-in voting dates back to his initial presidential campaign in 2016. His criticisms intensified during the 2020 election cycle, as many Americans opted for mail-in ballots due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He has attributed part of his loss in that election to what he alleged were issues with mail-in voting, which he frequently labeled as “rigged.”

During a speech in Memphis on Monday, as reported by The Washington Post, Trump stated, “Mail-in voting means mail-in cheating. I call it mail-in cheating, and we’ve got to do something about it all.”

President Donald Trump speaks with reporters before departing on Marine One from the South Lawn of the White House, Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Donald Trump speaks with reporters before departing on Marine One from the South Lawn of the White House, Wednesday, March 11, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

White House spokesperson Olivia Whales told The Hill in a statement that it was a “non-story” because “everyone knows” that Trump participates in Florida elections while dividing his time between Palm Beach and Washington, D.C.

Trump intends to change how Americans vote through the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, his top legislative priority. The bill would require Americans to show proof of citizenship to register to vote and a valid ID so they can cast their ballot.

“As President Trump has said, the SAVE America Act has commonsense exceptions for Americans to use mail-in ballots for illness, disability, military or travel –– but universal mail-in voting should not be allowed because it’s highly susceptible to fraud,” Whales said in her statement.

Trump tapped into his claims that undocumented immigrants vote for Democrats in a Truth Social post on Tuesday. He wrote that Democrats “want them to VOTE! That’s why they are fighting so hard to neutralize ICE. We will fight them all the way, and WIN!”

Trump and other Republican lawmakers have claimed that Democrats win elections with massive support from undocumented immigrants. Little evidence exists that suggest migrants, required to undergo a years-long process to first obtain their citizenship before they can register to vote, cast ballots in U.S. elections.

The Senate’s marathon debate on the bill entered its second week on Sunday. It is not expected to survive without Democratic support.

Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.), compared the bill to legal segregation and have called it “Jim Crow 2.0.“

US Park Police Officer Targeted in DC Shooting; Suspects Remain at Large

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US Park Police Officer Targeted in DC Shooting; Suspects Remain at Large


WASHINGTON (WDCW) – On Monday evening in Washington, D.C., a U.S. Park Police officer fell victim to a shooting described by the department’s chief as an ambush orchestrated by at least two assailants, who remain at large.

During a press briefing, U.S. Park Police (USPP) revealed that the officer was traveling in an unmarked police car through Southeast D.C. around 7:30 p.m. when the attack occurred. The officer was hit by gunfire and subsequently airlifted to a local hospital with a wound to the upper body, which authorities confirmed was not life-threatening.

Fortunately, the officer was discharged from the hospital by Tuesday morning.

Transforming Champaign-Urbana: Activists Lead the Charge for a Dementia-Friendly Community

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Transforming Champaign-Urbana: Activists Lead the Charge for a Dementia-Friendly Community


URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Recent research reveals that approximately 10 percent of individuals aged 70 and older are affected by some form of dementia. Experts emphasize the importance of understanding how to interact with and care for this segment of the population effectively.

On Monday, community members in Champaign-Urbana gathered to promote a dementia-friendly environment. Advocates for dementia awareness focused their efforts on equipping first responders and local businesses with the skills necessary to make those with dementia feel more at ease.

Open Heaven 10 March 2026 – Attaining Good Success (1)

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Open Heaven 10 March 2026 Tuesday Daily Devotional By Pastor E. A. Adeboye – Attaining Good Success (1)

Open Heaven 10 March 2026 TOPIC – Attaining Good Success (1)

MEMORISE: Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. – John 14:23 (KJV)

READ: Romans 8:31-39 (KJV)

31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.

34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Joshua 18-20

Open Heaven 10 March 2026 MESSAGE

When God’s children have to fight through obstacles and challenges, they often have scars from the battles before they finally receive their trophies. There is, however, a better way for children of God to succeed, and this is winning without a fight, as we see in Romans 8:37, which says that we are more than conquerors simply because God loves us. I will discuss this today in continuation of the series I started two days ago.

When God loves a person specially, He makes them more than conquerors, meaning that they enjoy victories without fighting. Imagine a scenario where a boxer fights hard to win a championship belt, then hands it over to his wife along with all the proceeds from the boxing match. In such an instance, the wife won the boxing championship without even fighting. I pray that the Almighty God will give you victories without fights, in Jesus’ name.

Some people say that God loves everyone equally, but this is not really true. Jesus had twelve disciples, but some were closer to Him than others. You will recall how Jesus took only Peter, James, and John with Him to the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-3). Those three disciples were clearly closer to Jesus than the others. However, one of them, John, was even much closer to Him. For example, when Jesus was asked to reveal the identity of the person who would betray Him, He didn’t give a direct answer until John asked Him (John 13:21-26).

Beloved, there’s a secret I want to share with you on how to make God love you specially. Jesus said, in John 14:23, that if you love Him, you will keep His word, and His Father will love you so much that He will make His abode in you. This is a special kind of love that He has reserved only for those who obey all His commands. When you live your life according to His will, God will fight your battles for you, and no one can be against you (Romans 8:31). Your life will be filled with experiences that demonstrate God’s special love for you. Even when it seems as if destruction is looming, one way or the other, God will manoeuvre things to your favour and even promote you (Daniel 3:8-30).

Beloved, loving God by keeping His word is your guarantee to attaining good success and experiencing victory without a fight.

Open Heaven 10 March 2026 REFLECTION

Do you keep all God’s commands?

Open Heaven 10 March 2026 HYMN 6 – Conquerors And Overcomers Now Are We

1 Conquerors and overcomes now are we,
Thro’ the precious blood of Christ we’ve
victory
If the Lord be for us, we can never fail,
Nothing ‘gainst His mighty pow’r can e’er
prevail.

Chorus:
Conquerors are we,
through the blood of Jesus,
God will give us victory,
through the blood of Jesus,
Thro’ the Lamb for sinners slain,
Yet who lives and reigns again,
More than conquerors are we,
More than conquerors are we.

2 In the name of Israel’s God we’ll onward
press,
Overcoming sin and all unrighteousness;
Not to us, but unto Him the praise shall be,
For Salvation and for blood bought victory.

3 Unto him that overcometh shall be given,
Here to eat of hidden manna sent from
heav’n,
Over yonder he the victors palm shall bear,
And a robe of white, and golden crown shall
wear.

Accessing the Devotional
The Open Heavens devotional is conveniently available as an application across all major mobile platforms and operating systems, including iOS, Android, Nokia, Windows Mobile, and PC. This wide accessibility ensures that users can engage with the devotional from virtually any device. For more information or to access the Open Heaven for Today 2026, visit

REMINDER!!! JESUS IS COMING SOON

ARE YOU BORN AGAIN? IF NO, WHY NOT ACCEPT JESUS NOW!

Accept Jesus Christ today and secure a life of eternal rest and Glory by saying this short prayer below:






Lord Jesus, I believe you died for my sins, Forgive me of all my iniquities. I accept you as my Lord and Saviour from today and forever.



Come and Be the Lord of my life and I am willing to obey Your command and live according to Your will by Your Grace, Thank you for accepting me into Your fold

AMEN!!! John 6:37…and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

Marco Rubio Takes the Stand: Key Testimony in High-Profile Venezuela Lobbying Trial

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Marco Rubio Takes the Stand: Key Testimony in High-Profile Venezuela Lobbying Trial


MIAMI (AP) — On Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified regarding his past interactions with David Rivera, a former Miami congressman, dating back nearly ten years. This testimony is linked to allegations that Rivera secretly lobbied for Venezuela’s government.

In 2022, Rivera and an associate faced charges of money laundering and failing to register as foreign agents after securing a $50 million lobbying contract from Nicolás Maduro’s regime. Rivera has denied any wrongdoing related to these allegations.

Rivera and his co-defendant allegedly attempted to facilitate meetings for then-Foreign Minister Delcy Rodríguez, who currently serves as Venezuela’s acting president. These meetings were purportedly aimed at engaging with White House officials, members of Congress, and Exxon Mobil’s CEO in cities such as Dallas, New York, Washington, and Caracas.

Testifying in a crowded Miami federal courtroom with increased security measures, Rubio recounted his close friendship with Rivera. Their relationship began in the early 2000s when both served in the Florida Legislature for six years. The friendship continued when they both transitioned to Washington, with Rubio serving in the Senate and Rivera in the House, maintaining their connection through shared social gatherings.

Rubio explained that in July 2017, Rivera urgently contacted him, expressing a need to discuss Venezuela. The following morning, Rivera traveled to Washington for a meeting at Rubio’s home, where he disclosed his collaborations with Raul Gorrin, a Venezuelan media mogul and Rivera’s primary link to the Maduro government, regarding a plan to urge Maduro to relinquish power.

“I was skeptical,” said Rubio during his testimony, adding that the Maduro government was full of “double dealers” who were constantly pitching plans to betray Maduro.

“But if there was a 1% chance it was real, and I had a role to play alerting the White House, I was open to doing that,” he added.

Within days, borrowing talking points provided by Rivera, Rubio wrote and delivered a speech on the Senate floor signaling the U.S. would not retaliate against Venezuelan government insiders who worked to push Maduro from power.

“He provided me with insight into some of the key phrases that regime insiders would’ve wanted to hear to know this was serious,” Rubio testified. “No vengeance, no retribution.”

Rubio’s testimony is highly unusual. Not since Labor Secretary Raymond Donovan testified at a Mafia trial in 1983 has a sitting member of the president’s Cabinet taken the stand in a criminal trial. In the indictment against Rivera, there’s no indication that Rubio acted improperly as a senator at the time.

Prosecutors say that the purpose of the lobbying contract was to persuade the first Trump administration to normalize relations with Maduro’s government — a seemingly futile undertaking during the first Trump administration but one now within reach, albeit on unequal terms, following Maduro’s ouster and the ascent of his more pragmatic aide.

To cloak their activities, prosecutors said, the co-defendants and others set up a chat group called MIA — for Miami — in which they used Spanish-language code words like “Little Cuban” for Rubio, “The Lady in Red” for Rodríguez and “melons” for millions of dollars.

“This case is about two things: greed and betrayal,” prosecutor Roger Cruz said in his opening statement Monday. “The evidence will show that for $50 million these two defendants made a pact to secretly lobby for Nicolás Maduro” as well as for Rodríguez.

Rivera, 60, counters that his one-man firm, Interamerican Consulting, was hired by an American subsidiary of Venezuela’s state-owned oil company — not the company itself — and therefore did not need to register as a foreign agent.

His three-month contract, his attorney says, was focused exclusively on luring Exxon back to Venezuela — commercial work that is generally exempt from the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

Separate and wholly distinct from that consulting work were his efforts with the Venezuelan opposition to pave the way for Maduro’s exit, Rivera’s defense said.

“The government’s theory is utterly preposterous,” defense attorney Ed Shohat said during his opening statement Monday, describing Rivera as a “freedom fighter” and “ardent opponent of communism wherever it rears its ugly head.”

DCLM Daily Manna 10 March 2026 — Consider Your Ways

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DCLM Daily Manna 10 March 2026 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Consider Your Ways

TOPIC: Consider Your Ways (DCLM Daily Manna 10 March 2026)

KEY VERSE: Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; consider your ways – Haggai 1:6,7

TEXT: Haggai 1:1-7 (KJV)

1 In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, came the word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, saying,

2 Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the Lord’s house should be built.

3 Then came the word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet, saying,

4 Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste?

5 Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.

6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.

7 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.

DCLM Daily Manna For Today MESSAGE:

In his book Being the Best Denis Waitley, American motivational speaker and writer, has some interesting observations about procrastination. “When you stop to think about it,” he says, “there is no such thing as a future decision. You face only present decisions that will affect what will happen in the future. Procrastinators wait for just the right moment to decide. If you wait for the perfect moment, you become a security seeker who is running in place, going through the motions, and getting deeper in a rut. Procrastination is the thief of time.”

The returning Jews from exile came primarily to rebuild the house of God. But they lacked the communal will to translate their desire into determined action. And Haggai was sent to alert them of the danger of foot-dragging in such an important task to promote God’s kingdom. Although the returnees enthusiastically started the reconstruction work, political and religious opposition halted them. Later, when the opportunity to continue the work arose, they were more concerned about their interests. The result was their forfeiture of God’s blessings, plus persistent fruitless labour.

God frowns at men’s actions that prioritise personal conveniences above His commandments. You deny yourself the full benefit of God’s provision whenever you expend your resources on yourself, neglecting His work. For example, Christians who delay having quality time alone with the Lord to fend for their belly do themselves great spiritual harm. Those who borrow what ought to be given to God, to build their own businesses, promising to pay God back later, dishonour God. You actually gain nothing when you bargain with God.

God deserves our best. The best of our time and treasures should always be offered to the Lord. “And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? Offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? Saith the LORD of hosts.” Let us consider our ways and give the ultimate Giver the best of our lives.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
He gives the best to God, who first gives his heart to Him.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Jeremiah 15-18

Deeper Life Daily Manna For Today 2025 was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.

REMINDER!!! JESUS IS COMING SOON

ARE YOU BORN AGAIN? IF NO, WHY NOT ACCEPT JESUS NOW!

Accept Jesus Christ today and secure a life of eternal rest and Glory by saying this short prayer below:






Lord Jesus, I believe you died for my sins, Forgive me of all my iniquities. I accept you as my Lord and Saviour from today and forever.



Come and Be the Lord of my life and I am willing to obey Your command and live according to Your will by Your Grace, Thank you for accepting me into Your fold

AMEN!!! John 6:37…and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
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