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Miami Herald
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Iran and Russia Launch Naval Drills in Challenge to US
Iran and Russia have launched a joint naval drill in the Caspian Sea, which borders both countries and lies between Eastern Europe and Central Asia, according to Iranian media. Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. State Department and the Iranian and Russian foreign ministries for comment. The naval drills send a message on cooperation between Iranian and Russian armed forces to the United States weeks after it joined Israel in attacking Iranian nuclear sites. Iran has sought to bolster its military capabilities following the 12-day conflict with Israel during which the U.S. launched strikes on key nuclear sites. Stalled diplomacy has increased the risks for a renewed conflict, as Tehran sought backing from Russia and China to counter U.S. military and economic pressure. The joint maritime rescue and security drill, codenamed CASAREX 2025, includes the participation of the Iranian Navy, Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Navy, the Law Enforcement Command of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the Navy of the Russian Federation, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency. On Monday, Mehr news agency published photos of what it said was the Russian Navy's SB738 vessel entering the Caspian Sea 2025 to join the exercise hosted by Iran's Navy. Last week, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Russian and Chinese officials at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization security forum (SCO), where he called for united opposition to U.S. military actions and urged deeper strategic coordination. Earlier this year, U.S.-sanctioned Iran and Russia deepened ties with a defense pact covering joint drills, tech sharing, and coordination against common threats-but without a mutual defense clause. China is also emerging as top candidate to provide advanced weaponry that could help Tehran reestablish deterrence In June, seven U.S. B-2 stealth bombers dropped GBU‑57 bunker-busters on Iran's Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan nuclear sites. Iran's army commanders have warned both Israel and the U.S. of a "crushing" response against renewed attacks. Iran has agreed to hold talks in the coming week with Germany, France, and Britain to discuss its nuclear program, a German diplomat told Newsweek. Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA): "The event will be held under the slogan "Together for a Safe and Secure Caspian Sea." The primary goal of the operation is to reinforce maritime safety and security while fostering greater cooperation among the naval forces of these countries." Department of Defense Chief Spokesman Sean Parnell in statement Saturday: "On July 18, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth hosted Israel Minister of Defense Israel Katz to congratulate the Minister on Israel's remarkable performance in the 12-Day War that paved the way for the resounding success of Operation MIDNIGHT HAMMER." The exercise kicks off Monday and will take place for three days. Related Articles Iran to Hold Nuclear Talks With 3 European CountriesIran Boasts of New Air Defenses After Attacks From Israel, USDonald Trump Sends Message To Iran Over Nuclear AmbitionsIran Pivots From Russia to China in Quest for New Weapons After Israel War 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Youngkin signs Virginia law limiting 'bell-to-bell' cellphone use in public schools
Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed a bill into law Friday limiting cellphone use for all Virginia public elementary, middle and high school students. Youngkin, who built his political career championing parents' rights in education, ceremoniously signed two versions of the bill, HB1961 and SB738, at the Carter G. Woodson Middle School in Hopewell, Virginia. Youngkin said it was a fitting location for a day filled with such "hope." "When we come together — elected officials, administrators, teachers, parents and all of you — we can move mountains, and we can change something that needs to be changed, and that is to find freedom, freedom from cellphones," said Youngkin, who was flanked by his wife, Virginia first lady Suzanne S. Youngkin; public school students; education advocates; and local politicians. "We come together in order to move a mountain," Youngkin said, as he highlighted the negative effect of cellphones in schools on mental illness, conduct in class, academic performance and interpersonal relationships. Teens Spend More Than A Quarter Of Their Time At School On Phones, New Study Finds The bill strictly limits the use of phones in classrooms to reduce distractions and disruptions, codifying Youngkin's executive order signed last year "to protect the health and safety of students in Virginia's K-12 public schools by issuing guidance on the establishment of cellphone-free education policies and procedures." Read On The Fox News App Dc Council Proposes Bill To Ban Cellphones In District's Public Schools "We are building on the foundation laid by Executive Order 33 to make Virginia the national leader in restoring focus, academic excellence in the classroom and restoring health and safety in our schools. This legislation ensures that every school division adopts a full bell-to-bell policy and removes cellphones from classrooms, creating a distraction-free learning environment," Youngkin said as he signed the bill into law. Research indicates using cellphones in the classroom can have a negative effect on students' grades, social skills, emotional development and mental health. In a 2024 Pew Research Center study, more than 70% of high school teachers said cellphones distracting students in the classroom is a major problem. "This wasn't just an issue. It's a crisis. And when we have a crisis, we have a unified call for action, and that's what this gathering is all about, this unified call for action," Youngkin said Friday. Hopewell City Public Schools adopted a "pouch system" in its secondary schools at the start of the 2022-2023 school year, which has been used as a case study and potential model for the Virginia Department of Education's cellphone-free education rollout. "I want to add my appreciation for Hopewell's leadership because it was your leadership that inspired the executive order that I wrote last summer," Youngkin said. The statewide legislation requires school boards to develop and public schools to enact policies to restrict student cellphone use during the school day. The law includes exceptions for students with individualized education plans, Section 504 plans or health conditions, so cellphones can be used when medically necessary. The law also prohibits schools from suspending, expelling or removing students from class for violating cellphone policies. Florida became the first state to pass a law regulating cellphone use in schools in 2023. More than half of all states now have similar laws in article source: Youngkin signs Virginia law limiting 'bell-to-bell' cellphone use in public schools
