DANY MAG

Despite a recent string of shark attacks across the California coast, including the tragic killing of a 55-year-old swimmer, the violent incidents dropped in the United States in 2025 compared to the year prior.

At least 28 shark attacks were reported last year in U.S. waters, according to information gathered by USA TODAY and non-profitsGlobal Shark Attack FileandTrackingSharks.com.

The more than two dozen attacks reported by the organizations are downover the prior year, when 36 people reported being injured by sharks.

TheInternational Shark Attack File, run by theFlorida Museum of Natural History, classifies the attacks asprovoked or unprovokedbased on whether a human initiated the contact.

The Sunshine State tops the 2025 list of U.S. attacks, with 15 reported last year. California followed with four terrifying encounters.

"While sharks may seem frightening, they are vital in keeping our oceans healthy, and the odds of a negative interaction are slim compared to the number of ocean users." Kevin McMurray with Tracking Sharks and a contributing shark attack researcher withISAFtold USA TODAY.

Last year's incidents in America accounted for just over 41% of the world's 68 documented attacks, which included 11 fatalities.

From Hawaii and California to Florida and New York, here's where each attack took place last year across the United States.

Where do shark attacks occur the most in the US?

Florida (15)

Florida leads all 50 states with the highest number of shark attacks documented last year. Shark experts confirmed 15 attacks, but details were not immediately available for five of the incidents, McMurray said.

Reported shark attacks in The Sunshine State are as follows:

Sept. 2, 3:25 p.m.: Key Largo

Richard Burrows, an8-year-old boy, suffered a bite to his upper leg as he snorkled with family near Horseshoe Reef. The boy was taken by medical helicopter to a hospital, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office said in astatement.

Aug. 16, 11 p.m.: Cayo Costa

Lemon shark

Shawn Meuse, 48, sustained serious injuries to his legwhile posing with a shark for a photo. The encounter took place while he and his friends fished on the barrier island in southwest Florida, the Boca Grande District Fire Department reported.

Aug. 2, noon: Pensacola

Chance Armand, 28,told USA TODAYhe was in waters off Pensacola when a shark bit his knee spearfishing offshore Pensacola Pass. Armand said the shark was attempting to grab a fish he shot. Santa Rosa emergency medical services transported him to a hospital to be treated for the injury.

July 22, 2:50 p.m.: Hollywood

Unknown species

A Canadian man in his 40s suffered an injury to his upper arm inchest-deep water with a friendwhen a fish jumped over his head, and he was quickly attacked by a shark. The victim was taken to a hospital to be treated, Hollywood Fire Rescue and Beach Safety said.

July 19, 12:11 p.m.:West Palm Beach

Lemon shark

Jeff Joel, 69, was bitten in the left forearm after he approached a shark while diving with friends in the Jupiter Inlet,The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported. The shark had been caught in a fish stringer about 20 feet deep in the ocean.

July 18, noon: New Smyrna Beach

Unknown species

Sam Hollis, an 18-year-old surf instructor,sustained injuries to his footwhile surfing, Volusia County Beach Safety reported. Hollis waspaddling to a sandbarand attempted to jump and push his board over a wave when he was bitten. He was taken to a hospital to be treated.

July 6, 3 p.m.: New Smyrna Beach

Unknown species

A40-year-old mansuffered injuries from a shark bite to his right forearm as he swam in the ocean, Voulsia County Beach Safety said. The man was transported to a hospital for treatment, the Daytona News-Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported.

Scientists have discovered more than 900 species of sharks and rays and related species

June 11, 12:11 p.m.: Boca Grande

Leah Lindel, a 9-year-old girl, suffered major injuries to her hand while snorkeling with family members . She was taken by medical helicopter to Tampa General Hospital to receive emergency care.

May 27, time unknown: South of Pompano Beach

Unknown species

A 32-year-old woman snorkeling near a pier off Lauderdale-by-the-Sea was bitten in the arm,NBC Miami reported.The woman was in waist-deep water when she spotted bait fish swimming nearby before the attack. She was treated at a hospital, the outlet said.

April 12, 2:48 p.m.: Everglades National Park

Unknown species

A man suffered injuries to the arm and hand in an attack while fishing in Everglades National Park, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue reported. The man was airlifted to a hospital to be treated for the injuries.

California (4)

Dec. 21, noon: Monterey Bay

Great white shark

Erica Fox, 55,disappeared swimming in the baywith more than a dozen people. A witness reported they saw a shark breach the waterwith what appeared to be a human body in its mouth. The shark then reportedly submerged below the waterline without resurfacing. Fox's body was found several days later, Pacific Grove Police confirmed.

Dec. 12, 8 a.m.:Bodega Bay

Great white shark

A surfersustained hand injuries at North Salmon Creekin Bodega Bay after a shark reportedly attacked him. The area is just off the Sonoma County coast. The victim declined medical treatment at the scene, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office said, but he later transported himself to a hospital.

Sept. 30, 1:20 a.m.:Catalina Island

Great white shark

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Chris Murray, 54, suffered injuries to the hand and foot swimming the Catalina Channel. The victim reported he was attempting to swim between Catalina Island and the Los Angeles County coast when a small great white shark attacked him twice. Los Angeles Police Department first responders transported him to a local hospital.

May 31, 2:30 p.m.: San Mateo Coast

Great white shark

Jens Heller, 42, was tossed off his surfboard by a shark at Montara State Beach. In an interview withSF Gate, he said a shark knocked him off the board and then attacked it as he swam away. Heller was not seriously harmed.

Odds of being killed by a shark

The odds of being killed by a shark in the United States are more than 4 million to 1, according totrackingsharks.com.

Researchers say people are more likely to die by lighting strike (1 in nearly 80,000), accidental poisoning (1 in 193), or a hospital infection (1 in 38).

Hawaii (3)

Dec. 9. 4:30 p.m.: Kahaulu'u Beach

Blacktip reefshark

Josiah Kaimani Ventura, 24, was bitten in one of his thighs in waters off Kona's west shore of the Big Island. He was injured while trying to release a shark stuck in fishing gear and was taken to a hospital to be treated.

Nov. 5, mid afternoon: Hanalei Bay on Kauai

Tiger shark

Chance Swanson, 33, suffered injuries to his legssurfing near Pine Treeson Kauai's North Shore, theKauai Ocean Safety Bureaureported. The victim had a severed artery and was saved by fellow life guards and taken to a hospital to be treated.

Jan. 11, 1:40 p.m.:Town of Haleiwa on Oahu

Unknown species

A 23-year-old tour boat employee in Hawaii was injured by a sharkon the island's North Shore. The man was bitten on the arm and taken to a hospital be treated.

Minnesota woman dies from shark attack in Virgin Islands, police say

South Carolina (2)

June 22, 12:10 p.m.: Sea Pines Beach

Unknown species

A teenage girlsuffered a leg injuryafter being bitten in waters off Beaufort County. The attack took place at Coligny Beach Park.

June 17, 12:07 p.m.: Hilton Head Island

Unknown species

A12-year-old girlwas bitten on her leg in waters off the south end of Hilton Head Island. The girl was transported toHilton Head Island Airport, where a medical helicopter flew her to a Savannah facility for treatment.

Texas (2)

Nov. 5, 4 p.m.: Matagorda Beach

Unknown species

Chuck Bledsoe, 70, suffered injuries to his foot during an attack while fishing at Matagorda Beach. Officials said the injuries weren't major, and he was taken to a local hospital to be treated the next day,The Bay City Tribunereported.

Aug. 30, time unknown:Galveston

Unknown species

Harper Ochoa, 8, sustained injuries to her leg while she swam in waters off Galveston County. The girl was taken to a hospital where her mother said she received 13 staples to her calf area, local TV stationKWTXreported.

North Carolina (2)

July 12, time unknown:Holden Beach

Blacktip reef shark

Ralph Benson, age unknown, was bitten in the lower leg by a small shark "while surf fishing on the west end of Holden Beach," according toan Oak Island, North Carolina, social media post. The man was taken by medical helicopter to a hospital for treatment. The case remained pending, McMurray said.

May 28, 11 a.m.: Sunset Beach

Unknown species

Sean Barton, 26, suffereda leg injury in an attackswimming just south of Ocean Isle Beach. The Sunset Beach Fire Department said crews transported the victim to a medical facility to be treated.

Massachusetts (1)

July 6, unknown time: Nantucket Beach

Sandbar shark

A 21-year-old man suffered injuries to his leg in an attack while fishing at Hoicks Hollow in Nantucket. The victim was taken by medical helicopter to a hospital,according tomultiple reports.

New York (1)

June 26, 4:15 p.m.: Long Island

Sand tiger shark

A 20-year-old woman swimming in shallow water off Jones Beach State Park near Wantagh sustained minor cuts to her foot and leg when she was bitten. She was taken to a hospital to be treated,The New York Timesreported.

They survived shark bitesHere's what they've learned and the wonders they've seen.

How many people are attacked by sharks each year?

According todata fromISAF, the world averages65 documented shark attackseach year.Six fatal attacksare reported annually on average, the data shows.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1rAwdqreAmcvlkHlTuaddhdn7THoIS1c&femb=1&ll=0%2C0&z=1

How to reduce risk of a shark attack

For those who are worried about the risk of an attack, McMurray said to stay in groups near the shore and in areas patrolled by lifeguards. If in a new area, check with locals to find out about rip currents and sea life.

"The chances of encountering a shark while in the water are slim in most areas and often worth the risk as the ocean is a beautiful place worth exploring and enjoying," McMurray said. "If you see a shark, face it and stay as calm as possible as you slowly swim away, avoiding splashing."

Other tips include:

• Do not enter water where people are fishing.

• Do not enter water with an injury, especially if you are bleeding.

• Avoid wearing shiny jewelry. It can catch sunlight and glint, much like the fish that sharks prey upon.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:How many shark attacks were there in the US last year? See list

Health officials in the nation's capital warned people who attended the National March for Life rally in January may have been exposed to measles.

DC Healthsaid three people infected with measles visited various locations in Washington, D.C. between Jan. 21 and Feb. 2, including the annual anti-abortion march. The rally reportedly drew thousands of attendees including Vice PresidentJD Vance, Speaker of the HouseMike Johnsonand other members of Congress.

Other potential measles exposure sites include major transit hubs like Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Union Station as well as the Catholic University of America and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Children's National Hospital said in astatementthat a Virginia resident who was diagnosed with measles visited its emergency department on Feb. 2.

Measles is highly contagious and can spread through the air when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs or sneezes. The disease can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, swelling of the brain and death.

Dr. Oz:'Take the vaccine, please' amid measles outbreaks

Measles was eliminated in the United States by 2000 but has resurfaced in periodic outbreaks, mostly among people who are not vaccinated. There have been two new outbreaks and more than 730 confirmed cases of measles reported in 2026 as of Feb. 5,according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention..

March for Life: See photos from the anti-abortion march in Washington

Health officialsin Washington state onJan. 16 confirmed an outbreakconnected to a family traveling from South Carolina, wherea major outbreakhas been brewing. Los Angeles County public health officials recently confirmedthree measles cases involving people who had traveled internationally, including one who flew into Los Angeles International Airport and visited Disneyland Resort.

Those incidents come after measles cases reached the highest level seen in over three decades in 2025, according to CDC data. There were at least three deaths related to measles that year, the first documented in a decade.

Dr. Mehmet Oz, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator, and Health and Human Services SecretaryRobert F. Kennedy Jr.have urged Americans to get the measles vaccineas cases spread.

DC Health said it is reaching out to people who may have been exposed. Health officials urged anyone who was exposed and never received a measles-containing vaccine to contact their health care provider or DC Health and watch for symptoms for at least 21 days after their exposure.

Contributing:Sara Moniuszko

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:March for Life attendees may have been exposed to measles

Federal prosecutors on Monday moved to drop a criminal case brought during the Biden administration againstSteve Bannon, a former adviser to President Donald Trump who was convicted years ago for thumbing his nose at lawmakers investigating the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

In a request to the federal judge in Washington, DC, who oversaw Bannon's trial, US Attorney Jeanine Pirro said "the government has determined in its prosecutorial discretion that dismissal of this criminal case is in the interests of justice."

Pirro asked US District Judge Carl Nichols, a Trump appointee, to dismiss the matter with prejudice, which, if granted, would mean prosecutors are barred from refiling the case.

The request appears to be the Justice Department's latest effort to undo criminal cases stemming from the riot, which Trump and his allies have gone to great lengths to downplay since he returned to the White House.

Just after taking office again last year, Trump pardoned over 1,000 rioters and he has pushed Republicans in Congress to re-scrutinize the work of the committee that sought information from Bannon.

CNN has reached out to Bannon's attorneys for comment on prosecutors' request.

Bannon already completed a four-month prison sentence in 2024, but he had continued to challenge his conviction, including by appealing to the Supreme Court, which hadn't yet decided whether to review the case.

A jury in DC convicted Bannon of contempt of Congress in 2022 after he failed to provide documents and testimony to the House select committee that investigated the Capitol attack. A federal appeals court later upheld the conviction.

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Bannon is one of two former members of Trump's inner circle who were prosecuted for not participating in the House January 6 probe. The second, former Trump White House aidePeter Navarro, also served prison time for his 2023 conviction.

Bannon, a leading voice for the American alt-right, has returned to the spotlight in recent weeks after a new trove of documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein included texts the two men exchanged.The records, released by the Justice Department and House Oversight Committee, reveal a close personal relationship — and show Epstein's deep involvement in Bannon's ambitions on the world stage.

The investigation into Bannon

Bannon was indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2021 after he blew off deadlines from the previous month for producing documents and testimony the January 6 committee had subpoenaed.

In demanding his cooperation, the panel pointed to Bannon's contacts with Trump in the lead up to the Capitol assault, his presence in the so-called war room of Trump allies at the Willard Hotel in Washington the day before the riot, and a prediction he made on his podcast before the riot that "all hell" was going to "break loose."

"In short, Mr. Bannon appears to have played a multi-faceted role in the events of January 6th, and the American people are entitled to hear his first-hand testimony regarding his actions," the House committee report recommending a contempt resolution against him said.

Bannon's team did not mount a defense during the brief trial, and he did not take the stand.

Bannon's appeal of his conviction has largely centered around his argument that he was relying on advice from his attorney when he ignored the congressional subpoenas. Nichols ruled that the advice-of-counsel argument could not be used during the trial, and the DC Circuit Court of Appealsaffirmed that decision in 2024.

CNN's Steve Contorno, Tierney Sneed, Katelyn Polantz and Holmes Lybrand contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account atCNN.com

WASHINGTON (AP) — Thechildren of Jimmy Lai, a pro-democracy former Hong Kong media mogul and China critic, said Monday that a possible visit by President DonaldTrump to Beijing in Aprilcould be "crucial" in securing the release of their 78-year-old father.

Britain Hong Kong Jimmy Lai Family

Lai's son and daughter pleaded for their father's freedom on humanitarian grounds after a Hong Kong court on Mondaysentenced him to 20 years in prisonfollowing convictions under a Beijing-imposed national security law that has virtually silenced the city's dissent.

"The president has said multiple times that this is a case that he cares about," Sebastien Lai said about Trump during a call with reporters. "We are in a situation where the April visit will be, more obviously, be crucial, and, hopefully, my father will still be OK health-wise until that point."

Speaking of his father, the younger Lai said "this is a man who is, unfortunately, is very close to dying. He's a man who has gone through a tremendous amount. His body has deteriorated."

The ruling in Hong Kong is certain to add friction toalready fragile U.S.-China relations, with Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping expected to meet this year to keep ties stabilized over thorny issues like tariffs, export restrictions andU.S. arms sales to Taiwan,a self-governed island that Beijing claims is Chinese territory.

While Trump has said several times he will be visiting Beijing this April, China has yet to confirm it.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the decision to sentence Lai to 20 years "an unjust and tragic conclusion to this case." In a statement, Rubio urged Chinese authorities to grant Lai humanitarian parole, noting that Lai and his family "have suffered enough" after a trial lasting two years and his detention for more than five years.

After Lai was convicted in December, Trump said he felt "so badly" and that he had asked Xi to consider releasing Lai, who is the founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, which was known for its critical reports about the governments in Hong Kong and Beijing.

"We're hopeful but we don't know," his daughter Claire Lai said of the prospects that Trump would successfully negotiate for her father's release.

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Chris Tang, Hong Kong's secretary for security, accused "external forces" of ignoring the facts and making biased criticisms of court decisions. "We will refute baseless allegations and smearing resolutely by presenting the truth and facts for all to see," Tang said.

In an interview with The Associated Press in London, Sebastien Lai said it's time forworld leaders to keep pressure on Beijingwhen they visit China or meet with Xi by bringing up his father's case.

"I could only pray that this pressure helps," the younger Lai said. "I think my father's case is the litmus test to whatever engagement we have with China."

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government said he directly raised Jimmy Lai's case with Xi duringa visit to Chinalast month. U.K. officials said they will "rapidly engage further" after Monday's sentencing, but it wasn't clear what that entailed.

Sebastien Lai said he is "incredibly grateful" for Trump's past remarks about freeing his father, which have "given my family a lot of hope."

Now, it's about saving his father's life, the son said.

"It's a 20-year sentence, which is comically large, given that my father's 78. At that point in 20 years, he'll be 100 almost," he said. "But in the conditions he's been kept in ... he might die before then."

Hui reported from London.

NEW YORK (AP) — One year after the Trump administration took control of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the consumer watchdog has largely retreated from enforcement and regulatory work, changes that consumer advocates and Democrats now estimate have cost Americans at least $19 billion in financial relief.

In a report provided to The Associated Press ahead of its release by the office of Sen. Elizabeth Warren on Monday, the authors say the CFPB harmed consumers by abandoning major consumer protections, stalling investigation and dismissing a number of lawsuits.

"Trump's attempt to sideline the CFPB has cost families billions of dollars over the last year alone," said Warren, the top Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee, as well as one of the bureau's fiercest defenders in Congress.

The administration and congressional Republicans have argued that the bureau needed to be downsized and reined in because it had grown too large and overreaching.

The administration assumed control of the CFPB in February 2025 after Rohit Chopra, the bureau's director under President Joe Biden, resigned, leaving White House budget director Russell Vought as acting director. Since then, few new investigations have been opened,many employees have been ordered not to workand several pending enforcement actions against financial companies have been dropped.

The White House announced in April that it wanted to reduce the Bureau's staff from 1,689 positions to 207 positions, but that move has beenblocked by courts. Even if the employees' union does succeed in its lawsuit against Vought, Congress cut the bureau's budget by roughly half in Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act. It's unlikely that all of those employees will still have their jobs once all litigation is settled.

"The CFPB may still be standing, but it's essentially on life support," said Chuck Bell, advocacy program director at Consumer Reports, in a statement. Consumer Reports put out its own data Monday that arrives at similar conclusions as Warren's office.

A spokeswoman for the CFPB did not respond to a request for comment.

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One form of relief the report said consumers were denied was a limit on overdraft fees, which the Biden CFPB finalized in 2024 but the Republican-led Congress overturned last year. That would have saved consumers $5 billion a year, according to the Bureau's estimates at the time.

The bureau also tried to cap the amount of money consumers pay to credit card companies when they pay their bills late. That would have saved Americans roughly $10 billion, according to Bureau estimates when the rule was proposed. The regulation was blocked by a federal court last year, and the bureau, under the control of the Trump administration, decided not to fight the lawsuit in court.

Another roughly $4 billion in consumer relief would have come from a series of lawsuits or settlements that were dismissed by the bureau under Acting Director Vought. For example, the bureau sued Capital One in January 2025 for $2 billion, days before President Trump was to be sworn into office, alleging that Capital One has misrepresented the interest rate paid on its savings accounts to customers. That lawsuit was dismissed.

The bureau also sued Early Warning Systems, the company that runs the money transfer service Zelle, in December 2024 for $870 million alleging that the EWS and the banks that operate Zelle were negligent in protecting consumers from fraud and scams. That lawsuit was also dismissed last year.

There's also been a slowdown in the number of complaints resolved by the bureau as well. The CFPB runs its own consumer complaint database, where a consumer can allege wrongdoing by their bank or financial services company and the bureau will act as intermediary between the consumer and financial company to resolve the complaint. Under the Biden CFPB, roughly half of all consumer complaints were resolved with relief for the consumer, whereas under the Trump CFPB, that figure has dwindled to less than 5%.

The independent Government Accountability Office made public a separate report Monday outlining its attempts to keep track of the Trump administration's reorganization and restructuring of the CFPB. The GAO said it received no cooperation from the White House or the bureau, and the GAO needed to rely on mostly public records to produce its report. In a response to the GAO, the CFPB cited ongoing litigation between its employees and management as the primary reason why it could not cooperate.

The GAO's report largely matches what has been documented in news reports that the bureau has cancelled dozens of enforcement actions against alleged wrongdoers, unwound rules and regulations that previous bureau management said would protect consumers or bring them financial relief. There have been even rules and regulations enacted during President Trump's first term that have been targeted by the bureau's current management.

Mark Paoletta, the bureau's chief legal officer and effectively its deputy director under Vought, called the GAO's report "biased and flawed" in a letter to the agency did not raise any specific issues with its conclusions, other than to say the GAO was working with incomplete information.

LONDON (AP) — King Charles III is ready to "support'' UK police examining claims that the former Prince Andrew gave confidential information to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Buckingham Palace said on Monday.

The statement came after Thames Valley Police said Monday that they were"assessing" reports that theformer prince, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor,sent trade reports to Epstein in 2010. The department, which serves an area west of London that includes Mountbatten-Windsor's former home, previously said it was evaluating allegations that Epstein flew a young woman to Britain to have sex with Andrew, also in 2010.

"The King has made clear, in words and through unprecedented actions, his profound concern at allegations which continue to come to light in respect of Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor's conduct,'' the palace said in a statement. "While the specific claims in question are for Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor to address, if we are approached by Thames Valley Police we stand ready to support them as you would expect.''

The statement is just the latest effort by the palace to distance the royal family from Mountbatten-Windsor as the U.S. Justice Department's release of more than 3 million pages of documents from its investigation into Epstein reveal more embarrassing details about the relationship between the two men. Earlier in the day, Prince William and Princess Catherine released their own statement saying they have been "deeply concerned" by recent revelations.

The palace also reiterated Charles and Queen Camilla's concern for the victims of Epstein's abuse.

"As was previously stated, Their Majesties' thoughts and sympathies have been, and remain with, the victims of any and all forms of abuse,'' the palace said.

The jeopardy faced by the royal family could be seen Monday when Charles visited Lancashire, in northwest England. While most of the crowd clapped, cheered and waved flags, one person shouted, "How long have you known about Andrew?"

Concerns about Mountbatten-Windsor's links to Epstein have dogged the royal family for more than a decade.

The late Queen Elizabeth II forced her second son to give up royal duties and end his charitable work in 2019 after he tried to explain away his friendship with Epstein during a catastrophic interview with the BBC. After more details about the relationship emerged in a book published last year, Charles stripped him of the right to be called a prince and ordered him to move out of a royal residence close to Windsor Castle.

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But the Justice Department documents have brought new attention to Mountbatten-Windsor as reporters home in on dozens of email exchanges between Epstein and the former prince, many of which took place after the financier was convicted of soliciting a minor for prostitution in 2008.

Correspondence unearthed in recent days appear to show that Mountbatten-Windsor sent Epstein copies of his reports from a 2010 tour of Southeast Asia, which he undertook as Britain's envoy for international trade. An earlier email appears to show Andrew sharing his itinerary for the two-week trip to Hanoi, Saigon, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong with Epstein.

"We can confirm receipt of this report and are assessing the information in line with our established procedures," Thames Valley police said in a statement released on Monday.

Adding to the storm, a U.S.-based attorney said on Feb. 1 that he represented a woman who alleges Epstein flew her to Britain to have sex with Mountbatten-Windsor. The encounter took place at Royal Lodge, the former prince's longtime home in Windsor, the attorney said in an interview with the BBC.

Police previously said they were assessing this report.

The king last week forced Mountbatten-Windsorto move out of Royal Lodge months ahead of schedule. Anger over Mountbatten-Windsor's living arrangements had grown amid concern that he was still reaping rewards from his status as a royal even though he is no longer a working member of the royal family.

Mountbatten-Windsor is now living on theking's Sandringham estate in eastern England. He will live temporarily at Wood Farm Cottage while his permanent home on the estate undergoes repairs. Unlike Royal Lodge, which is owned by the crown and managed for the benefit of taxpayers, Sandringham is owned privately by the king.

Thames Valley Police began its latest inquiry after Graham Smith, chief executive of the anti-monarchy group Republic, reported Mountbatten-Windsor for suspected abuse of public office and violations of Britain's Official Secrets Act.

Smith, whose group seeks to replace the king with an elected head of state, compared Mountbatten-Windsor's correspondence with Epstein to earlier revelations about Peter Mandelson, Britain's former ambassador to the U.S., who is already the subject of a police investigation into whether he shared sensitive information with Epstein. Those communications were also revealed in the Justice Department documents.

"I cannot see any significant difference between these allegations and those against Peter Mandelson," Smith said on social media.

Feb 9 (Reuters) - A U.S. judge in New York ​on Monday temporarily put ‌her ruling on hold forcing the ‌Trump administration to lift a four-month-old freeze on federal funding for the $16 billion ⁠Hudson Tunnel ‌Project connecting New York City and New Jersey.

U.S. ‍District Judge Jeannette Vargas on Friday had ordered the funding ​restored. The Justice Department ‌had warned it would be required by 1 p.m Monday to disburse up to $200 million in funds for the ⁠project unless her ​order halted.

Vargas said ​she would put her order on hold until ‍Thursday ⁠5 p.m. to give the Second Circuit U.S. Court ⁠of Appeals time to consider ‌the government's emergency request.

(Reporting by ‌David Shepardson)