Homeland Security ends TSA collective bargaining agreement

WASHINGTON (AP) — A union representing Transportation Security Administration workers calls the Department of Homeland Security’s decision to end the collective bargaining agreement with them an “unprovoked attack.” The department Friday criticized the union and said poor performers were being allowed to stay on the job, hindering efforts to “keep Americans safe.” The American Federation of Government Employees says Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and President Donald Trump’s Republican administration are violating the right of staffers to join a union. The union says the order strips collective bargaining rights from 47,000 transportation security officers, who are responsible for staffing airports around the country.

Mexican cartel leader’s son is sentenced to life in prison

WASHINGTON (AP) — The son of a Mexican drug cartel boss has been sentenced in Washington to life in prison for his own leadership role in one of the country’s largest and most violent narcotics trafficking organizations. Rubén Oseguera is known as El Menchito and is the son of fugitive Jalisco New Generation cartel boss Nemesio Oseguera. The son served as the CJNG cartel’s second-in-command before his extradition to the U.S. in February 2020. Prosecutors say Oseguera ordered the killings of at least 100 people, personally shot and killed at least two people and ordered subordinates to shoot down a Mexican military helicopter, killing at least nine people in 2015. One of Oseguera’s defense attorneys asked for a 40-year prison sentence.

Scientists date remains of an ancient child that resembles both humans and Neanderthals

NEW YORK (AP) — Scientists have dated the skeleton of an ancient child that caused a stir when it was first discovered because it carries features from both humans and Neanderthals. The child’s remains were discovered 27 years ago in the Lagar Velho rock shelter in central Portugal. Small roots had pierced through the bones, and contamination prevented scientists from determining their age. But new techniques have allowed the researchers to date part of an arm bone to about 28,000 years ago. At the time of the initial discovery, it had not been established that humans and Neanderthals mixed, and that people today carry Neanderthal DNA. The research published Friday in the journal Science Advances.

Small Business Administration to relocate 6 offices in so-called ‘sanctuary cities

NEW YORK (AP) — The Small Business Administration said it will relocate six of its regional offices in so-called “sanctuary cities,” part of a broader Trump administration effort to crack down on cities that it deems have immigrant-friendly policies. In a statement, SBA administrator Kelly Loeffler said offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, New York City and Seattle will be relocated to “less costly, more accessible locations that better serve the small business community and comply with federal immigration law.” There’s no legal definition for sanctuary city policies, but they generally limit cooperation by local law enforcement with federal immigration officers.