Boy, 12, Dies After Extreme Punishment In Ohio, Caregiver Charged

In a reflective article published on March 17, 2025, Benjamin E. Goldsmith, a professor at the University of Sydney, warns that U.S. democracy is "doomed" amidst rising authoritarianism under Donald Trump. Goldsmith explains that a loss of political culture, which he deems crucial for upholding democratic values, has made the U.S. vulnerable to elite manipulation of democratic processes. He argues that Trump, now in a second term, has learned to navigate and exploit the democratic system's weaknesses, potentially transforming it into an "illiberal political system" that preserves his power beyond 2028. Goldsmith suggests that current political tactics resemble those employed by authoritarian regimes, eroding essential democratic institutions such as a free press and the rule of law, reminiscent of scenarios in Russia and Ukraine. Furthermore, he predicts a fundamental shift in international relations, with the U.S. joining China and Russia as a dominant non-democratic power, ultimately undermining the rules-based international order. The article concludes with a call for vigilance regarding these developments in American political culture.

Researchers at Caltech have developed a groundbreaking solar-powered system designed to produce jet fuel, marking a significant step towards carbon-neutral aviation. This innovative technology utilizes a small-scale photothermocatalytic reactor that operates entirely on solar energy, eliminating the need for fossil fuels or external electricity, according to Aisulu Aitbekova, the study's co-author. The reactor captures solar heat to drive essential chemical reactions, functioning at temperatures up to 249°C under direct sunlight. This allows for the conversion of ethylene into longer-chain hydrocarbons, which are necessary components of jet fuel. Harry Atwater, director of the LiSA and Howard Hughes Professor of Applied Physics at Caltech, stated, "This device demonstrates that the heat generated by abundant solar energy can drive catalytic processes." The current process begins with ethylene derived from fossil fuels, but researchers are working on methods to produce ethylene from carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight, aiming for a fully renewable fuel production system. This advancement brings hope for sustainable aviation, an industry facing increasing pressure to decarbonize. The study is published in the journal Device.

Saritha Ramaraju, a 48-year-old woman of Indian origin, has been charged with felony murder after allegedly killing her 11-year-old son by slitting his throat in Orange County, California. The tragic event occurred shortly after a family trip to Disneyland, during which Ramaraju purchased three-day passes for herself and her son, according to a report by PTI. The Orange County District Attorney's office stated that Ramaraju could face a maximum sentence of 26 years to life if convicted. Following the incident on March 19, local police found the child deceased in their motel room, surrounded by Disney souvenirs, and recovered a large kitchen knife, which was bought the day before. Ramaraju had been in a custody dispute with her ex-husband, Prakash Raju, who was awarded primary custody of their son in 2018. Reports indicate that Ramaraju had accused Raju of substance abuse and aggressive behavior, while he denied her claims as false. Ramaraju is currently hospitalized after attempting suicide following the incident and was arrested upon her release.