De Niro gets emotional, teary-eyed as he calls on people to 'resist, resist, resist' Trump during interview

De Niro gets emotional, tearyeyed as he calls on people to &x27;resist, resist, resist&x27; Trump during interview Alexander HallTue, February 24, 2026 at 11:00 AM UTC 157 Actor Robert De Niro got tearyeyed on Monday as he expressed worry over the fate of America under President Donald Trump, calling on people to resist his administration. MS NOW host Nicolle Wallace said during her podcast, "The Best People," that De Niro, one of Trump's most outspoken celebrity critics, plays a big role in New York City's identity.

De Niro gets emotional, teary-eyed as he calls on people to 'resist, resist, resist' Trump during interview

Alexander HallTue, February 24, 2026 at 11:00 AM UTC

157

Actor Robert De Niro got teary-eyed on Monday as he expressed worry over the fate of America under President Donald Trump, calling on people to resist his administration.

MS NOW host Nicolle Wallace said during her podcast, "The Best People," that De Niro, one of Trump's most outspoken celebrity critics, plays a big role in New York City's identity. After accusing Trump officials of not respecting many of America's law enforcement institutions, she asked the 82-year-old actor what he worries about for New York under the ongoing Trump administration.

De Niro voiced concern that there would be a campaign of retribution against the people of New York, such as sending in ICE agents.

"People have to resist, resist, resist, resist, resist. That's the only way. There's no magic. There's no nothing – people are not going to go away, even if Trump dies for some reason by having an illness or something," he warned. "Parts of that movement are still there, and that's the scary part. It has to be neutralized by the people."

Actor Robert De Niro Surprises Msnbc Panel With F-bomb On Live Tv

Wallace followed by recalling an Academy Award speech he gave in 1981, when he thanked the people he worked with, saying he has continually lifted people up around him. When she asked him why he emphasized lifting people up around him so much, he went right back to politics.

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"You have to," he said, starting to cry. "You have to lift people up. You have to bring them together. Period. You can't divide people. You can't win that way. It's a no-win situation."

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He continued, "And look what we have. Look who we have there. It's almost like our destiny to have this thing they're destroying — attempting to destroy this country and maybe not even understanding why. So it's up to us to protect the country."

Springsteen Jabs Trump As 'Wannabe King' As Famed Rocker Launches Concert Tour 'In Defense Of America'

Wallace, noting De Niro's prominent role as a public figure in New York, asked De Niro what he thinks President Trump's impact on the city will be as his presidency continues. (Getty Images)

"You weren't supposed to make me cry," Wallace said as she prepared to end the show. She went on to ask which way he thinks the political tide will turn as things go forward.

"I don't know," De Niro replied. "All I know is people have to resist, resist, resist, resist. There's no easy way. It's not going to come to you easy. You know, there's a time when you know in your own life and your own survival, you better do this, you better jump and run through the fire. Because if you don't run through the fire, you're not getting out, and that's what we have to do."

"I'm glad I get to run next to you," the news host said.

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Robert De Niro has been one of President Donald Trump's most outspoken critics in recent years.

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De Niro gets emotional, teary-eyed as he calls on people to 'resist, resist, resist' Trump during interview

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Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos Watch in Horror as “Live”’s 'Trivia Dancer’ Has Epic Fall

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos Watch in Horror as "Live"'s &x27;Trivia Dancer' Has Epic Fall Dave QuinnTue, February 24, 2026 at 6:08 PM UTC 0 Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos on the Feb. 24 episode of 'Live with Kelly and Mark' Live With Kelly and Mark A staffer filling in as the show's Trivia Dancer fell during a breakdancing routine on the Feb.

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos Watch in Horror as "Live"'s 'Trivia Dancer' Has Epic Fall

Dave QuinnTue, February 24, 2026 at 6:08 PM UTC

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Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos on the Feb. 24 episode of 'Live with Kelly and Mark'

Live With Kelly and Mark

A staffer filling in as the show's Trivia Dancer fell during a breakdancing routine on the Feb. 24th episode

Hosts Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos checked on the staffer, who quickly recovered and finished the segment

The show is temporarily audience-free due to a major snowstorm that disrupted travel across New York City

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos briefly paused Live with Kelly and Mark after a staffer taking part in the show's "Live Trivia Dancer" tradition took a tumble during Tuesday's episode.

The moment happened on the Feb. 24 broadcast as the ABC daytime talk show kicked off its Freeze the Day Travel Trivia segment, which typically begins with an audience member dancing before the trivia caller attempts to answer the question.

Because a headline-making bomb cyclone has forced the New York City-based show to go audience-free, staffers have been filling in — including associate producer Noah Breske, who stepped onto the stage to perform Tuesday's dance.

Set to Kylie Minogue's "Can't Get You Out of My Head," Breske began showing off energetic — and increasingly complicated — breakdancing moves.

Noah Breske on 'Live with Kelly and Mark' on Tuesday, Feb. 24

Live With Kelly and Mark

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But towards the end of his routine, Breske's arm gave out and he fell onto the studio floor.

The camera then cut to Ripa and Consuelos, who reacted with shocked expressions and nervous laughter as they watched from their seats.

Breske quickly got back up and finished the segment, raising up his arms in celebration at the end.

Noah Breske on 'Live with Kelly and Mark' on Tuesday, Feb. 24

Live With Kelly and Mark

Afterwards, the hosts checked in on him. "You alright?" Consuelos asked, Ripa adding, "Noah, honey, are you okay?"

"Yeah, I was good for a second. I was good," Breske replied.

"Your shoulder good?" Consuelos followed up, prompting Ripa to reference the trivia caller waiting on the line — Kim Fahrion from Matawan, N.J., who had introduced herself earlier as an equine massage therapist.

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"We know a good equine massage therapist on the phone, just in case," Ripa joked.

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos watch as Live's 'Trivia Dancer' has epic fall

Live With Kelly and Mark

This is the second day in a row Live with Kelly and Mark has broadcast without an audience.

The temporary format change comes as a powerful blizzard swept through New York City and the broader Northeast on Sunday and Monday, dumping nearly 20 inches of snow in Central Park and ranking among the city's 10 largest snowstorms on record. The storm prompted travel bans, transit disruptions and widespread closures across the tri-state area.

But the long-running daytime show still aired. Ripa, 55, and Consuelos, 54, flew back from their second home in California early to make it there for Monday's show.

"I gotta tell you, I'm thrilled that we rushed home from Palm Springs and the 80-degree sunshine," Ripa joked.

The couple slept in a hotel across the street from ABC's downtown studio to ensure they would be able to make it to the show in time.

"Mark and I spent the night in a hotel last night," Ripa explained on Monday. "The hotel across the street from the studio. Which, I thought would be an easy commute but as it turns out it was a very difficult commute because drudging through the snow [was hard] and the wind was very blustery."

She went on to note that she's been by Consuelos' side for every major blizzard that has struck New York City, including those in 1996, 2006 and 2016.

"This happens as you said, every 10 years," Consuelos noted. "May we be together for a few more! 60 years!"

"No," Ripa quickly replied. "May we never endure another blizzard!"

Live with Kelly and Mark airs weekdays in syndication (check local listings).

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Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos Watch in Horror as “Live”’s 'Trivia Dancer’ Has Epic Fall

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Christina Applegate reveals the names of all of her body parts: 'We have Meghan Markle'

Christina Applegate reveals the names of all of her body parts: &x27;We have Meghan Markle&x27; Emlyn TravisTue, February 24, 2026 at 6:32 PM UTC 2 Christina Applegate on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' Christina Applegate is sharing the unique names that she's given to some of her body parts amid her ongoing battle with multiple sclerosis. The Dead to Me actress, 54, revealed on Monday's episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live that she often uses the nicknames to scold her body parts when they start acting up. "They're pretty funny," Applegate told host Jimmy Kimmel of the names.

Christina Applegate reveals the names of all of her body parts: 'We have Meghan Markle'

Emlyn TravisTue, February 24, 2026 at 6:32 PM UTC

2

Christina Applegate on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live'

Christina Applegate is sharing the unique names that she's given to some of her body parts amid her ongoing battle with multiple sclerosis.

The Dead to Me actress, 54, revealed on Monday's episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live that she often uses the nicknames to scold her body parts when they start acting up.

"They're pretty funny," Applegate told host Jimmy Kimmel of the names. She then clarified, "And, by the way, this is not, like, derogatory to any of the people that I'm saying it about because one of them is very famous.

Christina Applegate on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live'

Applegate began her body part tour by waving her right hand, which she introduced as Barbara. "Barbara is married to Stanley," she explained, before showcasing her left hand Stan. "Barbara's gay, she has like a friend that she lives with."

When Kimmel asked if Stanley knew of Barbara's infidelity, Applegate replied, "He does, but he loves her. They're good, okay?"

She then revealed her right knee has received the royal treatment. "And we have Meghan Markle," Applegate added. "And that's not a bad thing. It's like, 'Meghan, thank you.' Thank you."

Christina Applegate attends the 28th Annual Critics Choice Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on Jan. 15, 2023 in Los Angeles, Calif

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty

Accompanying Meghan was her left knee Tootie, which got its name from Kim Fields' character on Facts of Life.

"Do you talk to Barbara, Stanley, Meghan, and Tootie?" Kimmel asked. To which Applegate responded, "Yes, yes, completely, because when they get weird, we yell at them and say, 'Hey, man! Stop it!'"

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And, somehow, it really does help. "It actually does," she confirmed. "Because it's a brain disorder, so it kinda stops it. It's weird!"

Applegate explained that she wasn't advised by anyone to name her body parts and instead came up with the idea herself because "I'm freaking brilliant."

Later in their conversation, however, she admitted that she wasn't sure if the Duchess of Sussex would be pleased to find out that she'd named one of her knees after her.

"I think she's probably gonna be mad about that," she confessed. "But you know what? It's really not, like, a bad thing. It's really like, 'Can you just please help me, Meghan!'"

"Why would she be mad that you named one of your favorite body parts after her?" Kimmel asked. "No, I think she'll be perfectly okay with it. And if not then, you know, whatever."

Applegate felt similarly. "Whatever," she replied. "I don't really give a crap on a cracker."

Watch Applegate reveal the names of her body parts in the clip above.

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Sarah Ferguson Asked Epstein's Advice About Children's Charity When He Was in Jail for Child Prostitution Charge, Emails Suggest

Sarah Ferguson Asked Epstein&x27;s Advice About Children&x27;s Charity When He Was in Jail for Child Prostitution Charge, Emails Suggest Janine HenniTue, February 24, 2026 at 5:40 PM UTC 6 (Left) Sarah Ferguson in Cannes, France on July 22, 2024; (Right) Jeffrey Epstein in New York City on May 18, 2005 Marc Piasecki/WireImage; Neil Rasmus/Patrick McMullan via Getty Sarah Ferguson is believed to have asked Jeffrey Epstein's advice about how to promote a children's charity when he was in jail for solicitation of prostitution with a minor The email was revealed in the latest dump of Epstein files...

Sarah Ferguson Asked Epstein's Advice About Children's Charity When He Was in Jail for Child Prostitution Charge, Emails Suggest

Janine HenniTue, February 24, 2026 at 5:40 PM UTC

6

(Left) Sarah Ferguson in Cannes, France on July 22, 2024; (Right) Jeffrey Epstein in New York City on May 18, 2005

Marc Piasecki/WireImage; Neil Rasmus/Patrick McMullan via Getty

Sarah Ferguson is believed to have asked Jeffrey Epstein's advice about how to promote a children's charity when he was in jail for solicitation of prostitution with a minor

The email was revealed in the latest dump of Epstein files released by the U.S. Department of Justice on Jan. 30

Ferguson's ex-husband, the former Prince Andrew, was arrested last week as authorities investigate a claim that he shared confidential information with the late Epstein while serving as a trade envoy for the U.K.

Emails suggest that Sarah Ferguson asked Jeffrey Epstein for advice about how to promote a children's charity when he was in prison for solicitation of prostitution, including with a minor.

According to an email released by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) on Jan. 30 relating to the ongoing Epstein investigation, Ferguson and the financier emailed one another about the matter when he was serving his jail sentence in 2009.

Though the sender's email address was redacted in the DOJ file, the Daily Mail reported that Ferguson was the sender. The email that kicked off the chain addressed the recipient as "Your Royal Highness" and referenced a meeting at Royal Lodge, the Windsor home where Ferguson and her ex-husband, the former Prince Andrew, lived.

On July 4, 2009, Amr A. Al-Dabbagh of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority sent an email to a redacted recipient, thanking the person for a meeting at Royal Lodge and discussing the work of the Stars Foundation.

(Left) Sarah Ferguson in Forte dei Marmi, Italy on July 28, 2025; (Right) Jeffrey Epstein.

Daniele Venturelli/Getty; Rick Friedman/Corbis via Getty

"Your Royal Highness," the message began. "I was very honored to have met you at the Royal Lodge, and I must thank you again for the two lovely books you signed for my daughters. They were so excited they carried them off to read over the summer holidays and I haven't seen any sign of either the books or the girls since."

Ferguson is an author who has published over 50 books, including several children's books, and Al-Dabbagh then turned to the work of the Stars Foundation he founded.

"As I mentioned, I founded the Stars Foundation and we look after disadvantaged children in areas of health, education and protection in the U5MR countries and one of our channels is Mums for Mums, which offers training opportunities for destitute mothers (inc. income generation activities, business skills & revolving loan fund), childcare, reproductive health training, family nutrition advice (using cactus), support for Orphans & Vulnerable Children (OVCs)," he wrote.

"I thought I'd let you know cause it's dealing with mothers in a certain segment that Mother Unite may not cover," he continued, sharing a link to the website for the organization, which ceased operations in 2020.

On July 5, 2009, the redacted recipient forwarded the email, and a sender identified as Jeffrey Epstein wrote back about 25 minutes later. At this point, Epstein was in jail in Palm Beach, Florida, after pleading guilty to one count of soliciting prostitution and one count of soliciting prostitution from someone under age 18, PBS reported. He was released on probation on July 22, 2009, after serving 13 months of an 18-month sentence.

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In the email exchange, Epstein said to envision a "movie trailer" modeled after "Be All You Can Be," seemingly referencing the U.S. Army recruiting slogan.

"Join the army„ with photos of mothers , not soldiers, breast feeding„ not shooting, reading to a child, not teaching them to shoot a rifle," he said.

Replying, the email user believed to be Ferguson said, "Has anyone told you, you are a genius."

The latest tranche of Epstein files — over three million pages — published by the DOJ seemed to reveal an extensive friendship between Ferguson, 66, and Epstein, who died in prison in New York City in August 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.

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Emails suggested that Andrew's ex-wife emailed Epstein about bringing her daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, to meet him for lunch soon after his release from prison in 2009 and showed that she told him to "Just marry me" in an effusive email in 2010, among other correspondence.

Andrew's ties to Epstein set his step back from public life in motion in November 2019. King Charles' brother has continuously denied any wrongdoing regarding their relationship and was arrested on Feb. 19 on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

(Left) Prince Andrew at the Duchess of Kent's funeral on Sept. 16, 2025; (Right) Men step out of an unmrked car at the home of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on Feb. 19, 2026 in Sandringham, Norfolk.

Chris Jackson/Getty; Peter Nicholls/Getty

Police are investigating a claim that the former Duke of York shared confidential information with Epstein during his time as a trade envoy for the U.K. in the 2000s. Andrew, who is now called Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor after the King stripped his princely title in October 2025, was released after spending about 11 hours in custody last Thursday, his 66th birthday, and now faces an uncertain future.

Amid the hot spotlight on her ex-husband, the Daily Mail reported on Feb. 21 that Ferguson left Britain and checked into Paracelsus Recovery, a Swiss rehabilitation clinic. PEOPLE has not independently confirmed the report.

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Sarah Ferguson Asked Epstein's Advice About Children's Charity When He Was in Jail for Child Prostitution Charge, Emails Suggest

Sarah Ferguson Asked Epstein&x27;s Advice About Children&x27;s Charity When He Was in Jail for Child Prostitu...

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College student dies of carbon monoxide poisoning amid blizzard

College student dies of carbon monoxide poisoning amid blizzard Savana Dunning and Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY NETWORKTue, February 24, 2026 at 7:04 PM UTC 1 A student at a Rhode Island university has died following the recordsetting blizzard on Feb. 23, police said. Joseph Boutros, 21, was discovered unconscious inside a running vehicle on Monday evening. He was transported to Newport Hospital's Emergency Room, where he was pronounced dead a short time later. He attended Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island.

College student dies of carbon monoxide poisoning amid blizzard

Savana Dunning and Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY NETWORKTue, February 24, 2026 at 7:04 PM UTC

1

A student at a Rhode Island university has died following the record-setting blizzard on Feb. 23, police said.

Joseph Boutros, 21, was discovered unconscious inside a running vehicle on Monday evening. He was transported to Newport Hospital's Emergency Room, where he was pronounced dead a short time later. He attended Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island.

"Our community mourns this tragic loss," said Salve Regina President Kelli Armstrong in a statement. "Our hearts ache with Joseph's family, teammates, faculty, coaches, friends and all who loved him. May perpetual light shine upon him and may he rest in peace."

Newport Police Department attributed the death to carbon monoxide poisoning, as the entire vehicle, including the tailpipe, was covered with snow.

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"This tragic incident was accidental and a reminder to be vigilant to keep exhaust pipes clear of snow and debris when vehicles are idling," the department's news release on the death states.

The death came as Rhode Island broke a state record for snowfall. Several towns in Rhode Island broke records for heaviest snow, reported the Providence Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network. The storm dumped 37.9 inches of snow on Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport in Warwick by 7 p.m., on Monday, a state record, according to preliminary reports from the National Weather Service. The prior record snowfall was the Blizzard of 1978, which dropped 28.6 inches of snow in February of that year.

The snow that fell Monday alone, 35.5 inches, set the record for the highest single-day snow total, the Weather Service said. The previous record was the 19 inches that fell on Jan. 8, 1996.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: College student dies of carbon monoxide poisoning amid blizzard

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College student dies of carbon monoxide poisoning amid blizzard

College student dies of carbon monoxide poisoning amid blizzard Savana Dunning and Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY NETWORK...

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Louvre Museum director resigns in the wake of October's brazen French crown jewels heist

Louvre Museum director resigns in the wake of October&x27;s brazen French crown jewels heist THOMAS ADAMSON and JOHN LEICESTER Tue, February 24, 2026 at 7:44 PM UTC 0 1 / 0France LouvreFILE Laurence des Cars, director of Le Louvre museum, poses before a hearing at the Culture commission of the Senate, three days after historic jewels were stolen in a daring daylight heist, Oct. 22, 2025 in Paris.

Louvre Museum director resigns in the wake of October's brazen French crown jewels heist

THOMAS ADAMSON and JOHN LEICESTER Tue, February 24, 2026 at 7:44 PM UTC

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1 / 0France LouvreFILE - Laurence des Cars, director of Le Louvre museum, poses before a hearing at the Culture commission of the Senate, three days after historic jewels were stolen in a daring daylight heist, Oct. 22, 2025 in Paris. (AP Photo/Emma Da Silva, File) ()

PARIS (AP) — The Louvre Museum's director resigned Tuesday after months of pressure following the October theft of the French crown jewels, as the world's most visited museum faced widening scrutiny over security failures, labor unrest and a suspected ticket fraud scheme.

Laurence des Cars quit after a punishing year for the former royal palace — the high-profile jewels heist from the Apollo Gallery, a mid-February burst pipe near the "Mona Lisa," water leaks damaging priceless books, staff walkouts and a wildcat strike over overcrowding and understaffing.

The landmark has faced a widening narrative of an institution spiraling out of control.

And that pressure deepened in recent weeks when French authorities revealed a suspected decadelong ticket fraud operation linked to the museum that investigators say may have cost the Louvre 10 million euros ($11.8 million).

President Emmanuel Macron accepted des Cars' resignation as "an act of responsibility" at a moment when the Louvre needs "calm" and new momentum for security upgrades, modernization and other major projects, according to a statement from his office.

Macron wants to give des Cars a new mission during France's presidency of the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations, focused on cooperation among major museums, the statement said.

For many in France's cultural world, the resignation answers months of head-scratching over why no top official had fallen after the heist: a daylight robbery that many in the country saw as the most humiliating breach of French heritage security in living memory.

It also came as lawmakers and cultural officials widened scrutiny of the museum's leadership and security practices in the months since the breach.

Brazen theft

Thieves took less than eight minutes in October to steal crown jewels valued at 88 million euros ($102 million) from the Louvre, in a weekend operation that stunned visitors, exposed glaring vulnerabilities and left one of France's most symbolically charged collections in criminal hands.

Several suspects were later arrested, but the stolen pieces remain missing.

Des Cars, one of the most prominent museum directors in Europe, had offered to resign on the day of the robbery, but it was initially refused by the culture minister.

In remarks after the theft, she described the moment as a "tragic, brutal, violent reality" for the Louvre and said that, as the person in charge, it had felt right to offer her resignation.

Lightning rod

In an interview published on Tuesday by daily newspaper Le Figaro, des Cars said that she had tried to steer the Louvre through the fallout from the heist, but had concluded that she could no longer carry out the museum's transformation in the current institutional climate.

Staying on, she said, would have meant managing the status quo when the museum still needs deep reform.

"I was there to take the lightning" as museum director, she said.

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Des Cars also said that the October break-in exposed problems that she had been warning about since taking office, including aging infrastructure, obsolete technical systems and severe congestion.

She had led the Louvre since 2021, taking over one of the museum world's most prestigious jobs as the institution emerged from the coronavirus pandemic and mass tourism returned.

Multifaceted crisis

In June, a wildcat strike by front-of-house staff and security workers forced the Louvre to halt operations, stranding thousands of visitors outside the glass pyramid and underscoring the depth of anger among employees over overcrowding, understaffing and what unions called untenable working conditions.

Workers said that the pressure of daily visitor flows — particularly around the "Mona Lisa" — had become unmanageable and that promised reforms were arriving too slowly. There were growing complaints that the infrastructure and staffing of the crumbling medieval structure haven't kept pace with the crowds pouring through its galleries.

The resignation came at an especially punishing moment, less than two weeks after French authorities revealed the separate ticket fraud scheme.

That case widened scrutiny beyond the jewels robbery and toward the museum's day-to-day controls.

Fraud scheme

Prosecutors say tour guides are suspected of — up to 20 times a day — reusing the same tickets to bring in different visitor groups, at times allegedly with the help of Louvre employees, in a system investigators believe operated for a decade.

In a rare interview just days ago with The after the fraud case was made public, the Louvre's No. 2, general administrator Kim Pham, said that fraud at an institution the size of the Louvre was "statistically inevitable."

He argued that the museum's sheer scale — millions of visitors, multiple checkpoints and a sprawling historic complex — makes it uniquely exposed.

But he also acknowledged shortcomings, and said that the museum had tightened validation checks and increased controls.

New Renaissance

The succession of crises has put new political weight on a project Macron has heavily championed: the Louvre's sweeping overhaul plan, branded the "Louvre New Renaissance."

Unveiled by Macron in January 2025, the renovation, which could take up to a decades, aims to modernize a museum widely seen as overstretched and physically worn down by mass tourism.

The plan includes a new entrance near the Seine River to ease pressure on I.M. Pei's pyramid, new underground spaces and a dedicated room for the "Mona Lisa" with timed access — all intended to improve crowd flow and reduce the daily crush that has become a symbol of the Louvre's success and its dysfunction.

The project is expected to cost roughly 700 million-800 million euros ($826 million-$944 million), with funding from ticket revenue, state support, donations and Louvre Abu Dhabi-related income.

The scale and cost of that plan now loom over the search for des Cars' successor.

Macron has framed the overhaul as a national priority, comparing its ambition to other landmark French restoration efforts and casting it as part of a broader defense of French cultural prestige.

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US halts plan for ICE facility in New Hampshire, governor says

US halts plan for ICE facility in New Hampshire, governor says ReutersTue, February 24, 2026 at 4:36 PM UTC 8 1 / 0Republican candidates speak at the First in the Nation Leadership Summit in NashuaRepublican candidate for Governor of New Hampshire Kelly Ayotte speaks at the New Hampshire Republican Party's First in the Nation Leadership Summit in Nashua, New Hampshire, U.S., October 13, 2023.

US halts plan for ICE facility in New Hampshire, governor says

ReutersTue, February 24, 2026 at 4:36 PM UTC

8

1 / 0Republican candidates speak at the First in the Nation Leadership Summit in NashuaRepublican candidate for Governor of New Hampshire Kelly Ayotte speaks at the New Hampshire Republican Party's First in the Nation Leadership Summit in Nashua, New Hampshire, U.S., October 13, 2023. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

WASHINGTON, Feb 24 (Reuters) - The Trump administration has scrapped plans for an immigration detention facility in Merrimack, New Hampshire, the state's Republican governor said on Tuesday, as localities grapple ‌with a surge in planned detention centers nationwide.

"The Department of Homeland Security will not move ‌forward with the proposed ICE facility in Merrimack," the New England state's governor, Kelly Ayotte, wrote on X following a meeting ​with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem in Washington last week.

Ayotte said she expressed the concerns of the town roughly 50 miles (80.5 kilometers) northeast of Boston, and that New Hampshire law enforcement would continue to cooperate with DHS to secure the state's northern border with Canada.

Noem, in a statement from DHS, confirmed the meeting and said ‌it would continue to work with ⁠New Hampshire, calling it "a strong partner."

The withdrawal comes as Republican President Donald Trump enacts his sweeping immigration campaign pledges. The deportation drive's aggressive tactics have been met ⁠with growing U.S. voter disapproval ahead of the November midterm election that will decide control of Congress.

ICE and U.S. Border Patrol agents have surged into major U.S. cities such as Los Angeles and Chicago, sweeping through neighborhoods ​and ​clashing with residents. Federal agents shot and killed two ​U.S. citizens in Minneapolis in January, and ‌another citizen was shot and killed last year in Texas.

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Trump's administration is also moving to increase detention centers to house immigrants as it ramps up its raids, spending more than $38 billion this year for facilities that have drawn criticism from Democrats as well as concerns from Ayotte and other Republicans.

Democrats, civil rights groups, clergy and other critics have cited human rights, legal and health concerns, including dismal conditions, poor ‌treatment and diseases such as measles at various detention facilities, ​which are run by companies including GEO Group and CoreCivic.

At ​least eight people have died in ICE detention ​centers since the start of 2026, following at least 31 deaths last year.

On ‌Tuesday, Democratic-led Maryland sued the Trump administration to ​halt a detention facility ​in its western Washington County.

DHS officials have rejected any claims that the buildings are akin to "warehouses."

Senate Democrats have blocked funding for DHS as they seek to rein in ICE. White House ​spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told reporters on ‌Tuesday that Trump would use his State of the Union speech later that night to ​call for funding to be approved.

(Reporting by Susan Heavey in Washington; additional reporting by ​Ted Hesson and Bhargav Acharya; Editing by Bill Berkrot)

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Published: 2026-02-24T19:54:53Z on Source: RED MAG

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US halts plan for ICE facility in New Hampshire, governor says

US halts plan for ICE facility in New Hampshire, governor says ReutersTue, February 24, 2026 at 4:36 PM UTC 8 1 / 0Republ...

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