JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 983

United States officials accused China of conducting a secret nuclear explosive test in 2020 and urged broader multilateral arms-control talks after the New START treaty expired this week. U.S. Under Secretary Thomas DiNanno said one yield-producing test occurred on June 22, 2020, and asserted attempts to obfuscate seismic signals. Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledged a modernized, credible U.S. nuclear deterrent and called for multilateral negotiations including all major nuclear powers. The announcements followed the lapse of the U.S.-Russia New START accord and calls for expanded verification and international strategic stability mechanisms. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington — Federal authorities announced Friday that Zubayr al-Bakoush, key participant in the September 11, 2012 attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya, arrested and transferred to U.S. custody. Attorney General Pam Bondi said he arrived at Andrews Air Force Base early Friday and will face charges including murder, attempted murder, arson and providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization. FBI Director Kash Patel and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro joined announcement; officials declined to disclose arrest details. Al-Bakoush is accused in a newly unsealed indictment tied to the attack. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Madison, Wisconsin — The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development found that Cave Enterprises Operations LLC, which operates 105 Burger King franchises across the state, committed more than 1,656 violations of state child labor and wage-payment laws over a two-year period ending January 2025. The DWD found 593 employees aged 14–15 began work without required permits, 627 minors worked shifts of six hours or more without mandated breaks, and hundreds worked outside permitted hours for under-16s. The agency ordered payment of unpaid wages, overtime and penalties and demanded immediate compliance and launched enforcement actions. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Trenton, N.J. — Voters delivered an undecided outcome in the special Democratic primary to fill the 11th Congressional District seat this week, with Analilia Mejia holding a narrow lead over former Rep. Tom Malinowski after more than 61,000 ballots were counted Thursday and Friday. Early mail-in returns gave Malinowski an advantage, but in-person election-day tallies narrowed the margin to 486 votes, under one percentage point. Counties continue processing mail-in ballots, including those postmarked by election day, which could change results before certification; the Democratic winner will face Republican Joe Hathaway on April 16. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

WASHINGTON, U.S. military said Thursday it struck a vessel accused of trafficking drugs in the eastern Pacific, killing two people. U.S. Southern Command posted that intelligence showed the boat transited known narco-trafficking routes and was engaged in operations; a linked video shows the boat exploding. Military statements say no U.S. forces were harmed. The strike raised the death toll from similar operations this campaign to 128, including those presumed lost at sea. Officials identified the mission as part of actions since early September and tied to operations under Task Force Southern Spear. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump offered in January to lift a hold on $16 billion in federal funding for the Gateway Hudson River tunnel if Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer helped rename Washington Dulles International Airport and New York's Penn Station in Mr. Trump's honor, multiple outlets reported publicly this week. Schumer rejected the proposal and said he lacked authority to rename the facilities. New York and New Jersey sued the administration after construction funding was frozen, prompting a court hearing this week as work faced suspension and about 1,000 jobs risked loss. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Tucson — Authorities continued searching for 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie, who disappeared from her home on Jan. 31 after being dropped off at 9:48 p.m. Investigators say DNA testing matched blood on her porch, and are examining a ransom note sent to media outlets; doorbell-camera metadata showed movement but produced no recoverable footage because the subscription had lapsed. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said investigators have no suspects and no proof Guthrie is alive but believe she remains 'out there.' The FBI is involved and the family urged anyone holding her to make contact. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Richmond, Va. Virginia Democrats on Thursday released a proposed congressional map designed to shift 10 of the state’s 11 U.S. House districts toward Democrats, pending voter approval via a referendum if courts allow the process to proceed. The proposal, posted on the General Assembly website with accompanying data, would create a likely Democratic 10–1 advantage while leaving the 9th District as a Republican stronghold and making a new 6th District competitive. A January judge ruled the constitutional amendment illegal; Democrats are appealing to the Virginia Supreme Court. Officials say administrators would implement. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

COLORADO SPRINGS — Prosecutors say a Colorado funeral home owner will be sentenced Friday after he and his then-wife stashed 189 decomposing bodies in a Penrose office building from 2019 to 2023, supplied families with fake ashes and admitted to nearly $900,000 in pandemic relief fraud. Investigators found bodies stacked with decomposition fluid and insects following a complaint; remains included adults, infants and fetuses. The couple pleaded guilty to nearly 200 counts of corpse abuse and face decades-long prison terms. Bereaved relatives discovered this week that ashes they buried were inauthentic. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research today.

Los Angeles officials say a car struck a bicyclist and then crashed into a Westwood grocery store on Thursday, killing three people and injuring six. Emergency crews arrived shortly after noon at the 99 Ranch Market on Westwood Boulevard, where witnesses and fire officials said victims were pinned beneath a Toyota Prius after it entered the bakery. The female driver, described as elderly, is cooperating with investigators and undergoing a medical evaluation; authorities said the crash appears accidental while detectives examine possible mechanical failure or a medical event and review video footage. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.