Salisbury University’s men’s tennis team capped off a flawless week-long trip to the Pacific Northwest with another edge-of-your-seat victory, defeating Pacific University’s Boxers by a narrow 4-3 margin on Friday morning.
The Sea Gulls battled it out at the Holce Tennis Courts in Forest Grove, Oregon, pushing their winning streak to seven consecutive matches. The hard-fought victory marked another close call for Salisbury, which once again demonstrated its ability to perform under pressure when facing tough competition.
The spring break road trip proved to be a complete success for the Sea Gulls, who managed to stay unbeaten throughout their time competing on the West Coast. Friday’s match against Pacific required Salisbury to dig deep, as the team had to grind out another tight result to maintain their perfect record for the week.
INDIANAPOLIS – Salisbury University’s women’s swimming squad, currently ranked 20th nationally, delivered solid performances during Friday’s third day of competition at the 2026 NCAA Division III Swimming & Diving Championships held at the IU Natatorium.
The Sea Gulls maintained their competitive edge throughout the day’s events, posting noteworthy times as the championship meet progressed in Indianapolis.
WASHINGTON – Cuban authorities have turned down a request from the United States Embassy in Havana seeking permission to bring in diesel fuel for power generators, this while the Trump administration maintains its ongoing fuel embargo against the Caribbean nation, according to two U.S. officials with knowledge of the situation.
The rejection comes as the State Department considers cutting personnel at its Havana diplomatic mission due to diesel shortages. Such a reduction would likely prompt Washington to demand corresponding staff cuts at Cuba’s embassy in the nation’s capital, the officials said, speaking anonymously due to the delicate nature of the discussions.
The Washington Post initially broke the story of Cuba’s refusal.
The island nation has faced severe petroleum shortages since the United States moved against Venezuela’s leadership, cutting off vital oil deliveries from that country. President Trump subsequently warned other nations against selling or providing oil to Cuba, threatening them with tariffs.
Cuban authorities are now depending on domestic natural gas, solar energy, and locally produced oil to operate power plants, though these sources fall short of meeting the country’s energy needs.
This diesel dispute unfolds as Trump pushes for significant governmental changes under Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel’s leadership.
The president has indicated that Cuban officials would be wise to avoid the same outcome as former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who faced removal and arrest during a U.S. military intervention in January. Venezuela had served as Cuba’s primary ally and oil supplier through heavily discounted petroleum deals.
Embassy staffing cuts aren’t expected in the immediate future, as American officials believe current diesel reserves will sustain operations for approximately one more month, according to one source.
Last week, Díaz-Canel acknowledged that Cuba has engaged in discussions with Washington. This represented the first official confirmation from the Caribbean nation regarding widely rumored talks with the Trump administration during its ongoing pressure campaign.
Relief organizations started flying humanitarian supplies to Cuba on Friday, delivering solar panels, food supplies, and medical equipment.
The island is preparing to receive a Russian oil delivery later this month, marking its first petroleum shipment in three months.
Both Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have identified the island as the next location where America can extend its regional influence.
The Associated Press previously reported that the Trump administration seeks Díaz-Canel’s departure while continuing diplomatic negotiations with Cuban leadership. Officials have not specified who they would prefer to see assume power.
Iranian forces launched a pair of ballistic missiles targeting the Diego Garcia military installation but failed to strike the joint U.S.-British base located in the Indian Ocean, according to a Friday report from the Wall Street Journal citing several American officials.
According to the newspaper’s sources, one of the intermediate-range missiles experienced a malfunction while airborne, and a U.S. naval vessel deployed an SM-3 defensive missile against the second projectile, though officials could not confirm whether the defensive action was successful. The Wall Street Journal did not provide details about the timing of the missile attack.
Neither the White House nor representatives from the British embassy in Washington or the U.K. Ministry of Defence provided immediate responses when Reuters sought comment on the reported incident.
A mother of two from Georgia is facing murder charges after she took abortion medication at home and delivered a baby who died shortly after birth, according to police records and court documents.
Alexia Moore, 31, was taken into custody earlier this month by Camden County authorities near the Florida border following the December 30 incident.
Georgia prohibits nearly all pregnancy terminations after six weeks of gestation. Following the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision that overturned Roe v. Wade and eliminated federal abortion protections, numerous states have implemented similar restrictions.
Although some states have pursued legal action against women who obtained abortions, murder charges like those filed against Moore are uncommon. State prosecutors will determine whether to proceed with the case.
According to police documentation, Moore, who has two young children, consumed misoprostol medication at her residence before being transported to Southeast Georgia Health System Camden Campus on December 30 due to intense pain.
Medical personnel were told about her pregnancy status and that she had consumed 200 mg of misoprostol prior to her emergency room visit. A friend later informed investigators that Moore used the medication because she did not wish to have another child.
During her hospital stay, the 31-year-old delivered a premature female infant whom officers noted had “major health issues.” Authorities also reported that Moore had consumed illegal oxycodone, an opioid substance.
The infant lived for approximately one hour. While the police documentation did not specify the gestational age, the Washington Post reported Moore was 22 to 24 weeks pregnant.
Attempts to contact Moore’s legal representation were unsuccessful.
Dana Sussman, senior vice president at Pregnancy Justice advocacy organization, stated the Georgia case lacks legal foundation and should face strong defense arguments.
“Georgia’s abortion law does not contemplate murder charges for someone who has an abortion, and self-managing an abortion is not a criminal act in Georgia. Charging Ms. Moore with murder is cruel and unjust,” Sussman said in a statement.
States that have banned or limited abortion access have primarily focused enforcement efforts on medical providers, including physicians who remotely prescribe abortion medications and distribute them via mail services.
Additionally, several Republican-controlled states including Texas and Florida are challenging federal regulations that have expanded access to abortion medications, including a 2023 rule permitting mail distribution.
Israeli forces launched fresh airstrikes targeting Hezbollah positions in Lebanon’s capital during the early morning hours Saturday, military officials confirmed.
Before conducting the strikes, Israeli authorities issued evacuation orders for residents in seven neighborhoods located in Beirut’s southern suburbs.
No casualties were immediately reported following the attacks.
The latest military action comes as Israel has intensified its aerial campaign against Lebanese targets during the third week of ongoing hostilities with the Iran-supported militant organization.
The current conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has emerged as the most lethal escalation stemming from the broader U.S.-Israeli confrontation with Iran, beginning when the Lebanese militant faction launched attacks against Israel in solidarity with Tehran on March 2. The violence has resulted in more than 1,000 deaths across Lebanon and forced over one million people from their homes.
Paris Olympic gold medalist Lin Yu-ting will be allowed to compete internationally again following World Boxing’s completion of a sex-eligibility review, paving the way for her participation in this month’s Asian Boxing Championships in Mongolia.
World Boxing announced the decision on Friday following an appeals process launched by the Chinese Taipei Boxing Association (CTBA), bringing an end to months of doubt that prevented Lin from participating in multiple high-level competitions since the governing organization introduced new eligibility rules last summer.
While the organization kept test results confidential, it confirmed the appeal followed established protocols and that Lin qualifies to compete in women’s divisions at World Boxing sanctioned events.
“We recognize that this has been a difficult period for the boxer and the CTBA and appreciate the way they have approached the appeal process and their acknowledgement of World Boxing’s requirement to ensure that its eligibility policy, which is designed to deliver safety and sporting integrity, has been correctly implemented and followed,” stated World Boxing secretary general Tom Dielen.
Lin’s eligibility status became controversial during the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she and Algeria’s Imane Khelif captured gold medals while facing widespread false information and political controversy regarding gender standards, despite both athletes being permitted to compete under IOC regulations at that time.
After assuming control as the sport’s Olympic-level governing organization, World Boxing has established a one-time genetic testing mandate for female category competitors. The policy aims to detect Y chromosome genetic material while providing additional evaluation procedures for complicated situations.
The Asian Championships are scheduled for March 29 through April 10, and Lin’s participation brings added prominence to a competition now positioned at the heart of boxing’s developing eligibility discussions.
INDIANAPOLIS – Salisbury University’s nationally-ranked men’s swimming program reached a historic milestone Friday at the NCAA Division III Swimming & Diving Championships.
The Sea Gulls’ 200-yard medley relay squad became the first athletes in program history to earn First-Team All-American status during competition at the IU Natatorium on the championship’s third day.
The achievement marks another significant moment for Salisbury’s 18th-ranked men’s swimming program, which continues to build its reputation on the national stage.
The historic performance adds to the university’s growing legacy in collegiate swimming competition at the Division III level.
The Persian New Year celebration of Nowruz traditionally brings joy as communities welcome spring and new beginnings. This year, however, Iranian Americans are finding themselves torn between honoring their cultural traditions and processing the weight of current events.
Nowruz marks the spring equinox and symbolizes renewal and rebirth in Persian culture. Families typically gather around elaborate table displays called haft sin, featuring seven symbolic items that represent hopes for the coming year.
For Iranian diaspora communities nationwide, the 2024 celebration carries additional emotional complexity as they navigate their cultural observances while staying connected to developments in their ancestral homeland.
The traditional festivities, which span multiple days, typically feature vibrant colors, family gatherings, and expressions of optimism for the future. This year’s observances reflect the community’s resilience as they maintain their cultural identity while processing current global circumstances.
March Madness has lived up to its name as the hopes for perfect tournament brackets have crumbled for nearly everyone who dreamed of predicting all 63 games correctly. When the second day of competition reached its halfway point, ESPN tracked fewer than 1,500 flawless brackets still standing among millions of entries. The women’s tournament proved equally unpredictable, with roughly two-thirds of ESPN’s women’s bracket challenge participants watching their perfect streaks end within hours of the action beginning. Kalshi’s billion-dollar bracket competition started Day 2 with just 83 unblemished entries remaining. The mathematical probability of correctly predicting every tournament outcome stands at an astronomical one in 120 billion.
In one of the tournament’s most heart-stopping moments, Santa Clara and Kentucky delivered a spectacular finish that will be remembered long after March ends. Despite ultimately falling to the Wildcats 89-84 in overtime, the Broncos nearly pulled off an upset in their first NCAA Tournament appearance in three decades. With just 2.4 seconds remaining in regulation, Santa Clara connected on a three-pointer to grab a 73-70 advantage. However, Kentucky’s Otega Oweh answered immediately with his own three-point shot from near his team’s bench, banking it in at the buzzer to force overtime. “A tough one to swallow” was how the devastating loss was described for Santa Clara, whose last tournament appearance came during Steve Nash’s playing days 30 years ago.
President Donald Trump has taken action to protect one of college football’s most cherished traditions by signing an executive order that prohibits College Football Playoff games from conflicting with the Army-Navy game broadcast. The directive instructs the commerce secretary and Federal Communications Commission chairman to work with playoff organizers, the NCAA, and television partners to guarantee the historic military rivalry maintains its exclusive viewing window on the second Saturday of December. Trump’s order anticipates potential playoff expansion that could push the postseason schedule earlier, noting that the current 12-team format’s opening weekend has already followed the Army-Navy contest for two consecutive years.
History was made in St. Louis when Purdue’s Braden Smith surpassed a legendary NCAA record during his team’s tournament opener against Queens. With 12 minutes and 11 seconds left in the first half, Smith recorded his second assist of the game and 1,077th of his career, breaking former Duke standout Bobby Hurley’s Division I career assist mark. The All-American guard had already established himself as the only player in NCAA history to accumulate at least 1,500 points, 1,000 assists, and 500 rebounds in a career. Smith joins Southern’s Avery Johnson as one of only two players to record 300 or more assists in multiple seasons, earning second-team Associated Press All-American honors this year.
Otega Oweh’s heroics continued beyond his regulation buzzer-beater as he led Kentucky to victory in the extra period. After Allen Graves connected on a three-pointer from the right wing to put Santa Clara ahead 73-70 with 2.4 seconds remaining, Oweh caught the inbound pass and launched his shot from near midcourt just before time expired, watching it bank home for the tie. The dramatic shot capped a career-best 35-point performance for Oweh, propelling the seventh-seeded Wildcats past the 10th-seeded Broncos. Kentucky advances to face second-seeded Iowa State, who dominated 15th-seeded Tennessee State 108-74 in their Midwest Region matchup.
The Cleveland Guardians will receive financial relief as Major League Baseball’s investigation continues into gambling allegations involving pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz. Both players were initially placed on paid administrative leave last summer – Ortiz on July 3 and Clase on July 28 – and continued receiving their salaries despite not pitching for the rest of the season. Following their federal indictments on November 9, the organization will no longer be required to pay their salaries while the legal proceedings unfold. A trial date has been set for May 4, though delays are possible. Clase is scheduled to earn $6 million in 2026, the final guaranteed year of his five-year, $20 million contract, while Ortiz makes approximately the league minimum of $780,000.
Portugal will be without their legendary captain Cristiano Ronaldo for upcoming international friendlies due to a hamstring injury. The 41-year-old superstar has been sidelined since February 28, when he left the field injured during an Al-Nassr match in the Saudi Pro League. National team manager Roberto Martínez excluded the five-time Ballon d’Or recipient from the squad for matches against Mexico in Mexico City on March 28 and the United States in Atlanta on April 1.
The WNBA and its players’ association have achieved a significant milestone by signing a term sheet for their new collective bargaining agreement. The groundbreaking seven-year deal, pending player ratification and Board of Governors approval, will take effect this season and extend through 2032. Officials are calling the agreement a transformational landmark in the league’s labor relations.
March Madness created a cross-country family adventure for High Point’s coaching staff as assistant Katie Clayman juggled supporting both her husband and her team. Coach Chelsea Banbury had no concerns about Clayman missing the Panthers’ final practice before their tournament debut, understanding the importance of family during the busy March schedule. Clayman watched her husband’s team upset fifth-seeded Wisconsin in Portland, Oregon on Thursday before embarking on a challenging journey back to Nashville for the 15th-seeded Panthers’ Saturday night showdown against second-seeded Vanderbilt. Despite the lack of direct flights and travel complications, Banbury maintained communication with Clayman about necessary game film preparation for Saturday’s shootaround.
A federal wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against a Costa Rican resort following the tragic death of former New York Yankees player Brett Gardner’s son. The Gardner family initiated legal action Friday in Philadelphia federal court, alleging negligence by the owners and operators of the Arenas Del Mar resort. Fourteen-year-old Miller Gardner died in March 2025 from what has been determined to be carbon monoxide poisoning during the family’s stay at the resort. The defendants had not responded to requests for comment as of Friday.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A chronological review of significant developments following Breonna Taylor’s death, a Black woman fatally shot by Louisville police officers in her residence:
— March 13, 2020: Taylor dies when officers execute a drug-related search warrant at her apartment.
— March 13, hours afterward: Authorities announce Kenneth Walker’s detention for injuring an officer during a shootout; Taylor remains unnamed during the press briefing, referenced only as “an unresponsive woman who was later pronounced dead.”
— March-April 2020: Media coverage of the incident remains minimal as coronavirus concerns dominate national attention.
— April 27, 2020: Taylor’s relatives initiate a wrongful death claim against the police department and city officials, disputing the official account.
— May 22, 2020: Officials announce the dismissal of attempted murder accusations against Walker, who fired at officers inside his girlfriend’s residence.
— May 28, 2020: Walker’s distressed emergency call becomes public, occurring three days following George Floyd’s death by Minneapolis police, triggering major demonstrations in Louisville.
— May 29, 2020: Mayor Greg Fischer halts Louisville police’s no-knock warrant procedures.
— June 1, 2020: Fischer dismisses Police Chief Steve Conrad following officers’ failure to activate body cameras during the fatal shooting of barbecue vendor David McAtee amid Louisville demonstrations.
— June 11, 2020: Louisville Metro Council unanimously approves “Breonna’s Law,” prohibiting no-knock warrant usage.
— June 23, 2020: Officer Brett Hankison, among three officers who discharged weapons during Taylor’s death, loses his job for “blindly” shooting into Taylor’s residence.
— Sept. 15, 2020: Municipal authorities reveal a civil agreement granting Taylor’s relatives $12 million plus commitments for police department changes.
— Sept. 23, 2020: A Kentucky grand jury charges Hankison for firing into adjacent units, though no officers face charges directly related to Taylor’s death.
— April 26, 2021: Attorney General Merrick Garland reveals a Justice Department investigation into Louisville policing practices regarding Taylor’s death.
— March 3, 2022: Former Kentucky detective Brett Hankison receives acquittal on state charges for endangering residents when he fired into Taylor’s residence during the failed drug operation that caused Taylor’s death.
— Dec. 12, 2022: Walker resolves two legal actions against Louisville. Municipal officials agree to pay $2 million to settle Walker’s federal and state court cases.
— March 8, 2023: The U.S. Justice Department determines Louisville police demonstrated systematic constitutional violations and discrimination against Black residents following an inquiry triggered by Taylor’s death.
— Nov. 16, 2023: Jury members cannot reach consensus on federal civil rights accusations against Hankison, who faced charges in the police operation that killed Taylor. The judge declares a mistrial.
— Dec. 13, 2023: Federal attorneys inform a judge of their intention to pursue a second trial against Hankison.
— Aug. 23, 2024: A federal judge dismisses serious charges against two former Louisville officers, Joshua Jaynes and Kyle Meany, accused of creating false warrant information that brought police to Taylor’s residence before the fatal shooting.
— Oct. 1, 2024: Federal attorneys file fresh charges against Jaynes and Meany.
— Nov. 2, 2024: A federal jury finds Hankison guilty of excessive force against Taylor during the failed 2020 drug operation that resulted in her death. This marks the initial conviction of a Louisville officer involved in the deadly operation.
— Dec. 12, 2024: The Justice Department and Louisville reach a deal to overhaul the city’s police department following an investigation sparked by Taylor’s death.
— May 21, 2025: The Department of Justice, operating under President Donald Trump’s administration, acts to terminate the police reform deal with Louisville, along with a Minneapolis settlement and investigative conclusions regarding six additional police departments that President Joe Biden’s administration had charged with civil rights violations.
— July 21, 2025: A federal judge imposes a 33-month prison term on Hankison, rejecting a Department of Justice recommendation for no incarceration.
— Aug. 20, 2025: A federal judge dismisses serious charges in the updated indictment against Jaynes and Meany.
— Nov. 17, 2025: The Department of Justice contends before the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that Hankison should receive no prison sentence.
— Dec. 31, 2025: A federal judge rejects the proposed Louisville police reform deal with the Department of Justice.
— March 20, 2026: The Department of Justice submits a request to drop the criminal prosecution against Jaynes and Meany.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — As Middle Eastern conflict enters its third week, Iran issued fresh warnings Friday about expanding retaliation against recreational and tourist locations globally, while Washington announced additional naval vessels and Marines heading to the region.
Later that day, President Donald Trump posted on social media that his administration was contemplating a “wind-down” of military activities in the area. His statement followed another oil price surge that sent U.S. markets tumbling.
These contradictory signals emerged as the conflict shows no indication of slowing.
Iranian forces launched fresh strikes against Israeli targets and energy infrastructure in nearby Gulf nations, coinciding with one of Islam’s most sacred observances. Iranians simultaneously marked Nowruz, their traditional New Year celebration, while Israeli bombing campaigns hit Tehran.
Limited intelligence from Iran makes it difficult to assess damage to the nation’s weapons facilities, nuclear installations, or energy infrastructure from sustained American and Israeli bombardments that commenced February 28. Questions also remain about Iran’s current leadership structure. However, Iranian attacks continue disrupting oil distribution and driving up food and fuel costs worldwide.
Washington and Tel Aviv have provided varying justifications for military action, ranging from encouraging internal Iranian revolt to dismantling the country’s nuclear and missile capabilities. No evidence of popular uprising has emerged, and no conclusion to hostilities appears imminent.
Trump stated in his social media message: “We are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts in the Middle East.”
This statement contradicted his administration’s decision to strengthen regional military presence and seek an additional $200 billion in congressional war funding.
Pentagon officials confirmed to The Associated Press that three additional amphibious assault vessels carrying approximately 2,500 Marines are deploying to the Middle East. Two additional officials verified ship movements without specifying destinations. All sources requested anonymity due to operational sensitivity.
Earlier this week, the military redirected another amphibious group with 2,500 Marines from Pacific operations to Middle Eastern waters. These forces will supplement over 50,000 American military personnel already stationed regionally.
While Trump has ruled out ground invasion of Iran, he maintains that all military options remain available.
Iranian Revolutionary Guard spokesman Gen. Ali Mohammad Naeini told state media Friday that missile production continues despite Israeli claims of destroying manufacturing capacity. Iranian television later reported Naeini’s death in an airstrike.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei issued a written Nowruz statement praising Iranian resilience during wartime. He characterized American and Israeli attacks as based on false assumptions that eliminating top Iranian officials would trigger governmental collapse.
Khamenei has remained out of public view since assuming supreme leadership after Israeli strikes killed his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and reportedly injured him. Airstrikes have also eliminated Iran’s Supreme National Security Council head and numerous other senior officials.
Iran’s chief military spokesman, Gen. Abolfazl Shekarchi, declared that “parks, recreational areas and tourist destinations” worldwide would become unsafe for enemy nations. This threat raises concerns about Iran returning to international militant tactics as leverage.
NATO commander Gen. Alexus Grynkewich announced the alliance relocated several hundred Iraqi-based personnel to Europe. These advisors had been working with Iraqi defense officials before Iranian attacks targeted British, French, and Italian military installations.
Since Israel bombed Iran’s massive South Pars offshore gas field, Iranian attacks on Gulf neighbors have intensified while maintaining shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, through which twenty percent of global oil and essential goods transit.
Early Friday, two Iranian drone waves struck a Kuwaiti oil refinery, igniting fires. The Mina Al-Ahmadi facility processes approximately 730,000 barrels daily, ranking among the Middle East’s largest refineries.
Brent crude oil, the international benchmark, has climbed to around $108 per barrel during fighting, up from roughly $70 before hostilities began.
Trump’s social media post provided unclear guidance on strait security, suggesting other nations using the waterway should patrol it, though this wouldn’t be necessary once Iran’s threat “is eradicated.”
The president previously criticized NATO allies as “cowards” for not directly participating in waterway security operations.
British officials announced Friday they agreed to allow American forces to use UK bases for operations preventing Iranian shipping attacks in the strait.
Powerful explosions rocked Dubai as air defense systems intercepted incoming fire over the city, where many observed Eid al-Fitr, marking Ramadan’s conclusion.
Jerusalem experienced loud explosions after Israeli military warned of approaching Iranian missiles. Military officials reported missile debris struck Jerusalem’s Old City perimeter, near sites sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Iranian casualties have exceeded 1,300 during the conflict. Israeli operations against Iran-backed Hezbollah forces in Lebanon have displaced over one million people, with Lebanese authorities reporting more than 1,000 deaths. In Israel, Iranian missiles have killed 15 civilians, while four others died in the occupied West Bank. American military deaths total at least 13.
SYDNEY, March 21 – Australia’s Northern Territory is preparing for the arrival of Tropical Cyclone Narelle on Saturday, following the storm’s destructive passage through the country’s northeastern coastline a day earlier, which left communities dealing with damaging winds, torrential rainfall and widespread electrical outages.
The weather system, currently classified as a Category 2 cyclone as it travels westward across the Gulf of Carpentaria, is projected to strike the territory’s isolated eastern regions during the late Saturday hours, according to Australia’s meteorological service.
“Narelle is forecast to strengthen during Saturday as it tracks quickly westwards,” officials from the weather bureau stated, predicting devastating wind speeds reaching 185 kilometers per hour (115 miles per hour).
The previous day saw Narelle strike Queensland state as a powerful Category 4 storm – just one level below maximum intensity – making landfall approximately 550 kilometers (340 miles) north of Cairns, the primary access point for visitors to the renowned Great Barrier Reef. Meteorologists subsequently reduced the storm’s classification as it progressed over land.
This latest cyclone follows Tropical Cyclone Fina’s impact on the Northern Territory last November and brings back difficult recollections of the devastating Cyclone Tracy, which destroyed most of Darwin, the region’s capital city, on Christmas Day in 1974. That historic storm claimed 66 lives and remains among Australia’s most catastrophic natural disasters.
The U.S. Defense Department will officially integrate Palantir’s Maven artificial intelligence platform across all military branches, according to an internal Pentagon memo obtained by Reuters.
Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg announced in a March 9 letter to top Pentagon officials and military commanders that the Maven Smart System will become a formal program of record. Feinberg stated that implementing this AI technology will equip military personnel “with the latest tools necessary to detect, deter, and dominate our adversaries in all domains.”
The transition is scheduled to take effect before the fiscal year concludes in September, according to the previously unreported correspondence.
Maven serves as a command-and-control software that processes battlefield intelligence and pinpoints targets. The system currently functions as the military’s primary AI platform and has supported thousands of targeted operations against Iran during the past three weeks.
Making Maven an official program will expedite its implementation throughout all military services while ensuring consistent, long-term funding, Feinberg explained in the memo.
The directive requires transferring Maven’s oversight from the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency to the Pentagon’s Chief Digital Artificial Intelligence Office within 30 days. The Army will handle future Palantir contracts, the letter specified.
“It is imperative that we invest now and with focus to deepen the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) across the Joint Force and establish AI-enabled decision-making as the cornerstone of our strategy,” Feinberg stated in the memo.
Neither Palantir nor the Pentagon provided immediate responses to requests for comment.
This development represents a major victory for Palantir, which has secured an increasing number of government contracts, including a potential $10 billion Army agreement announced last summer. These contracts have contributed to doubling the company’s stock value over the past year, pushing its market capitalization to approximately $360 billion.
The Maven system can quickly process vast quantities of information from satellites, unmanned aircraft, radar systems, sensors and intelligence briefings. It uses artificial intelligence to automatically detect potential threats or targets, including enemy vehicles, structures and ammunition supplies.
At a recent Palantir conference, Pentagon AI office director Cameron Stanley showcased how the Maven platform could support weapons targeting in Middle Eastern operations, displaying heat map images from the system.
“When we started this, it literally took hours to do what you just saw,” Stanley commented during the demonstration, which was recorded in a company YouTube video published last week.
United Nations expert groups have cautioned that AI-powered weapons targeting without human oversight creates ethical, legal and security concerns, as artificial intelligence can inherit unintended biases from its training data.
Palantir maintains that its technology does not make lethal choices and that humans retain full responsibility for target selection and approval.
The company created its AI system for the Pentagon’s Project Maven, which started as a drone image analysis program in 2017. In 2024, the Defense Department granted Palantir a contract valued at up to $480 million. That same year, Palantir Chief Technology Officer Shyam Sankar informed the House Armed Services Committee that Maven served “tens of thousands” of users and requested additional congressional funding. By May 2025, the Pentagon raised the contract limit to $1.3 billion.
A potential challenge for expanded Maven deployment involves the software’s incorporation of Anthropic’s Claude AI technology, as Reuters previously reported. The Pentagon recently classified Anthropic as a supply chain risk following ongoing disputes about AI safety protocols.
MEXICO CITY – Mexican retail and beverage conglomerate Femsa announced Friday that it is reducing its workforce at Spin, the company’s financial technology subsidiary that operates a digital payment application introduced in 2021.
While Femsa declined to specify how many jobs are being eliminated, a company representative explained that the workforce reduction is part of a strategic restructuring designed to concentrate more resources on its Oxxo convenience store operations.
“This process has primarily focused on support functions, without impacting operations for our customers,” the company said in a statement.
Earlier Friday, Bloomberg had reported that several hundred jobs were cut at Spin as part of broader workforce reductions affecting multiple business units within the corporate group.
Mexico has seen significant growth in financial technology firms providing digital payment solutions in recent years. Femsa, widely recognized for its extensive network of Oxxo retail locations, has worked to integrate digital financial services with its traditional cash-heavy retail operations, where customers frequently handle bill payments and money transfers.
During its most recent quarterly earnings announcement, Femsa revealed plans to postpone pursuing a banking license until its consumer lending services show stronger performance. The company also indicated it would discontinue seeking external partnerships for its Premia customer rewards program, which operates through the Spin platform.
United Airlines announced Friday it will eliminate roughly 5% of its scheduled flights over the next few months as aviation fuel costs skyrocket amid ongoing Middle East tensions, according to CEO Scott Kirby.
In a message distributed to company staff and published on United’s corporate website, Kirby warned of significant financial impact from the fuel price increases. “If prices stayed at this level, it would mean an extra $11 billion in annual expense just for jet fuel,” Kirby stated. His projections are based on oil reaching $175 per barrel and remaining elevated until late 2027 before dropping back to $100 per barrel.
The airline plans to reinstate its complete flight schedule by autumn, according to Kirby’s announcement.
United’s capacity reductions will primarily target slower travel periods, with approximately three percentage points of flights being eliminated during the second and third quarters. The carrier has also suspended operations to Ben Gurion International Airport in Israel and Dubai International Airport in the UAE, representing roughly one percentage point of total capacity.
An additional one percentage point reduction will affect service to Chicago O’Hare International Airport, following the Federal Aviation Administration’s directive to reduce summer flight operations at that hub.
The Goldey-Beacom Lightning men’s golf team delivered a strong performance at the Jefferson Invitational tournament held in Norristown, Pennsylvania, earning a runner-up finish among the competing schools.
The Lightning carded a combined team score of 607 over the course of the tournament, placing them in second position overall. Saint Thomas Aquinas College captured the tournament championship with a winning score of 588, while Millersville University rounded out the top three with a team total of 608.
The solid showing continues the competitive season for Goldey-Beacom’s golf program as they compete against regional collegiate opponents.
The Goldey-Beacom women’s tennis team began their spring campaign on a challenging note, suffering a 5-2 defeat to West Chester University on the road in West Chester, Pennsylvania.
The Lightning faced additional obstacles in the season opener, taking the court with only five healthy players available for competition. Despite the limited roster, Goldey-Beacom managed to secure two points in the loss.
The match marked the start of spring play for the Lightning’s tennis program as they look to build momentum despite the early setback and roster challenges.
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware men’s tennis squad delivered a dominant performance Friday morning, securing a decisive 4-1 victory over Richmond at their home courts.
The Blue Hens showcased their strength across the lineup, winning four of the five matches to earn the impressive triumph. The morning competition saw Delaware control most of the action against their visiting opponents.
The convincing win adds another strong result to Delaware’s season as they continue their campaign on the tennis courts in Newark.
University of Delaware softball standout Kristen Luzon provided a highlight with a home run blast, though it wasn’t enough to prevent the Blue Hens from falling to Missouri State in their recent matchup.
Despite Luzon’s powerful swing that cleared the fence, Delaware was unable to generate enough offense to overcome their opponents from Missouri State. The loss adds to the team’s record as they continue their season.
Luzon’s home run served as the primary offensive highlight for the Blue Hens in the contest, showcasing the kind of power hitting that has made her a key contributor to the Delaware softball program.
HAVANA — International solidarity efforts reached Cuba Friday as approximately 650 representatives from 33 nations and 120 organizations delivered roughly 20 tons of emergency humanitarian supplies to the island nation struggling through a devastating energy shortage.
The delegates participating in the “Our America Convoy to Cuba” touched down via aircraft from Italy, France, Spain, the United States, and multiple Latin American nations, with additional participants expected to dock Saturday aboard a three-ship flotilla departing from Mexico, according to organizers.
An advance team of activists had already reached Havana Wednesday, distributing donated supplies directly to medical facilities.
This international relief effort unfolds against a backdrop of escalating U.S.-Cuba tensions, with both governments confirming ongoing diplomatic discussions following President Donald Trump’s implementation of an oil embargo. Trump recently declared he anticipated having the “honor” of “taking Cuba in some form,” stating: “I can do anything I want.”
The donated materials include solar energy equipment, food supplies, and cancer treatment medications for the island, which has experienced widespread disruptions since Trump’s January energy embargo intensified an ongoing five-year economic downturn as his administration pushes for governmental restructuring.
“In the end, we are dozens and dozens of delegates, and we represent millions of people in this convoy,” declared David Adler, an American citizen serving as coordinator for Progressive International, among the caravan’s organizing groups. “We cannot allow this collective punishment. We cannot normalize it.”
Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío responded Friday to speculation regarding potential governmental changes or possible removal of Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel through the current bilateral negotiations.
“The Cuban political system is not up for negotiation, nor is the president, nor the position of any official in Cuba, subject to negotiation with the United States or with the government of any other country,” Fernández de Cossío stated.
He emphasized numerous areas of mutual interest where Washington dialogue remains feasible, citing historical precedent.
Manolo de los Santos, representing The People’s Forum — another organizing entity — characterized traveling to Cuba currently as both “defying the U.S. blockade” and preventing “another Gaza in the Americas.”
Multiple experts and regional officials, including Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, have cautioned about potential humanitarian catastrophe in Cuba.
Adler noted overlapping support between the Gaza-bound flotilla and the Cuba mission. Beyond social advocates, the Cuban effort encompasses labor organizations, notable personalities, and political movements, including Mexico’s Morena party, Brazil’s Workers’ Party, and Uruguay’s Broad Front.
Prominent participants include British Parliament member Jeremy Corbyn; Colombian Senator Clara López; former Spanish political leader Pablo Iglesias; American labor organizer Chris Smalls; and Brazilian humanitarian worker Thiago Ávila.
Following weeks where Cuba received assistance solely from Mexico, which provided food and sanitary supplies through three separate shipments, international activists and officials began forming support networks and gathering donations.
Díaz-Canel conveyed appreciation through social media platforms.
“They bring shipments of aid to combat the attempt to suffocate us. Welcome once again to the compassion of the people. Solidarity always returns to those who practice it with no other interest than human well-being,” the president stated.
Brazil separately announced plans to ship 20,000 tons of food items, mainly rice, beans, and milk powder. Chilean legislators also delivered aid Thursday, while China confirmed through its embassy that a vessel loaded with 60,000 tons of rice had departed for Cuba.
BURBANK, Calif. — Actor Noah Wyle appeared before California lawmakers Friday to advocate for entertainment industry tax incentives, citing his Emmy Award-winning HBO Max series “The Pitt” as evidence that domestic film and television production can flourish with proper support.
The 54-year-old star, who serves as executive producer and occasional director of the medical drama, addressed a hearing led by California Senator Adam Schiff at Burbank City Hall. Wyle emphasized that his show represents a successful example of keeping production in Hollywood during an era when many projects have relocated to regions offering better financial incentives.
“I was asked to participate in today’s hearing to tell a success story,” Wyle stated. “I’m happy to report we’ll commence shooting season three this summer, and that a rising tide has indeed lifted all boats.”
Wyle credited California’s production tax credit program with making it financially feasible to film “The Pitt” at Warner Bros. studios in Burbank. According to the actor, the show’s inaugural season generated approximately 600 production positions and contributed $125 million to California’s economy.
“That is proof of concept,” he declared. “That is replicable. And it is vital to the strength of our industry and to our city to support these incentives.”
The series, which depicts a fictional Pittsburgh hospital, earned Wyle an Emmy for outstanding lead actor in a drama series. His return to medical television comes after his memorable 15-year run on NBC’s “ER” from 1994 to 2009.
During his testimony, Wyle shared personal struggles from the intervening years when work opportunities required extensive travel away from home.
“I’ll speak from personal experience and say that I haven’t slept in my own bed in 15 years while I’ve been working as an actor. Since the end of ‘ER,’” Wyle revealed. “It’s hard on families, and I can speak to that. It is hard to fracture your industry that way.”
Congressional representatives at the hearing discussed efforts to establish federal production tax incentives similar to those implemented by individual states.
Representative Laura Friedman, whose congressional district encompasses Burbank and its major studios, defended the entertainment industry against criticism of receiving preferential treatment.
“We give tax credits to many industries. Hollywood is not asking for special treatment,” Friedman explained. “This is something that is standard across the United States for industries that we have determined that we care about.”
Matthew Loeb, who leads the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees representing behind-the-scenes workers, expressed disappointment over Marvel’s recent decision to relocate its production operations from Georgia to England. However, he noted that the project-based nature of film production makes it easier for the industry to return compared to other sectors.
The proposed merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. emerged as a significant concern throughout the hearing, with speakers worried about potential job losses and reduced production activity.
“This merger could define whether Los Angeles remains the entertainment capital of the world or becomes an afterthought,” Friedman warned.
While Paramount executives have pledged to produce 15 major films annually for each studio, attendees expressed skepticism about where those productions would actually be filmed.
“The big missing piece is that there is no commitment about where they’re going to shoot 30 films,” Loeb observed.
Speakers highlighted the broader economic impact of entertainment production on supporting businesses, from hospitality workers to equipment suppliers to catering services.
“All those livelihoods are tied to a production shop setting up in their community,” Schiff noted.
Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove shared an anecdote illustrating widespread community interest in entertainment industry recovery.
“After my acupuncturist took the needles out of my back, she said, ‘Can you do anything to help bring back entertainment jobs?’” Kamlager-Dove recounted.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Chicago’s public transit system has taken legal action against the federal government, demanding the restoration of $2 billion in rail expansion funds that were suspended by the Trump administration in the fall.
The federal lawsuit, submitted Friday to U.S. District Court in Chicago, alleges the administration made an arbitrary decision to freeze transit construction funding as part of efforts to eliminate race and gender-based contracting requirements, which officials claim violate constitutional principles. The legal action names both the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Transportation Authority as defendants.
Federal transportation officials defended their position, stating they are working to eliminate what they called a “discriminatory” and “illegal” contracting system.
The Chicago legal challenge follows a similar lawsuit filed by New York City officials just days earlier, seeking to recover $60 million in suspended federal transit funding.
The funding freeze has particularly impacted a major 5.3-mile expansion of Chicago’s Red Line elevated rail system, which would add four stations and provide transit access to 100,000 additional residents in underserved and predominantly Black communities. The federal money was also supporting ongoing North Side improvements, including replacing rails that were more than a century old and constructing four new accessible stations.
“We are fully committed to the success of these projects, and we will take every step necessary to ensure that they move forward,” CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen said in a statement. “The Red Line extension is a historic investment into the far South Side of Chicago that will transform public transit and create new economic opportunity for the communities it will serve.”
According to the lawsuit, the Trump administration implemented new regulations in September eliminating race and gender-based contracting preferences, but only applied these changes retroactively to grants in Chicago and New York. Grant funding was suspended on October 3, 2025, with the CTA submitting requested documentation several weeks afterward.
Transportation officials requested additional records in December, but after the CTA’s response, no further contact has occurred, according to the legal filing, which describes the government’s behavior as “unlawful many times over.”
The lawsuit argues the funding suspension unfairly punishes the CTA for adhering to regulations that were in effect at the time, while failing to “explain why grants to the hundreds of other projects nationwide” operating under identical rules continued receiving uninterrupted funding.
The Transportation Department stated in an email that it will continue opposing “discriminatory, illegal, and wasteful contracting practices.”
“The American people don’t care what race or gender construction workers, pipefitters, or electricians are,” the department said. “They just want these important projects built quickly and efficiently.”
A former high-ranking counterterrorism official who quit his position this week over his opposition to military action in Iran is now defending himself against federal leak allegations.
Joe Kent, who previously led the National Counterterrorism Center, publicly rejected claims Friday that he improperly disclosed classified materials to unauthorized parties.
According to the Associated Press, federal investigators are examining whether Kent shared sensitive information inappropriately. A source with knowledge of the situation indicated the probe began before Kent submitted his resignation on Tuesday, though further specifics remain unavailable.
Speaking during an appearance on SiriusXM’s “The Megyn Kelly Show,” Kent dismissed the accusations. “As for the leak allegations, I’m not concerned because I know I did nothing wrong,” Kent stated. He indicated his belief that he’s facing scrutiny due to his public criticism.
“I am concerned because we’ve all seen the FBI and the full weight of the government come down on individuals who speak out,” Kent added.
The Department of Justice has launched multiple investigations targeting individuals viewed as political opponents of President Donald Trump, including former FBI Director James Comey, though securing convictions has proven challenging for prosecutors.
Kent announced his departure from the government’s top counterterrorism position Tuesday, stating he “cannot in good conscience” back the Trump administration’s military campaign against Iran.
In a social media post on X, Kent wrote: “Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.”
President Trump subsequently criticized Kent to reporters, saying he had always considered the official “weak on security.” Trump added that if administration members don’t view Iran as dangerous, “we don’t want those people.” Additional Trump officials, including CIA Director John Ratcliffe, have worked to separate themselves from Kent and his conclusions about the conflict.
ATLANTA (AP) — County commissioners in Georgia’s most populous county won the right to turn down political party nominees for election board positions, according to a Friday ruling from a state appeals court that may reduce Republican challenges to election oversight in areas with Democratic majorities.
The Georgia Court of Appeals determined that although Fulton County’s elected officials must select two county election board members from candidates submitted by the local Republican Party, county commissioners retain the authority to decline those nominations and request alternative options.
Last year, the Democratic-controlled Fulton County Commission rejected Republican candidates Julie Adams and Jason Frazier, claiming their conduct rendered them unfit for service. Following a lawsuit from the county’s Republican Party, a lower court judge commanded commissioners to approve Adams and Frazier, later holding the board in contempt when they declined. Friday’s decision eliminates the county’s obligation to pay a daily contempt penalty of $10,000 that had been suspended during the appeal process.
Writing for the unanimous three-judge panel, Presiding Judge Anne Barnes stated that while commissioners must select from Republican nominees, they “were acting within their own lawful and discretionary authority when they declined to seat” the party’s selections. Barnes indicated the remedy would be for Republicans to provide new candidates.
The state Supreme Court could hear a Republican appeal, though justices aren’t required to accept the case. Legal counsel for the county Republican Party hasn’t yet responded to inquiries about potential further appeals.
Fulton County’s five-member election board consists of a chairperson chosen by commissioners plus two nominees from both the Republican and Democratic county parties, who must then receive commissioner approval. Candidates must reside in Fulton County, maintain voter registration, and cannot currently hold office or be running for public positions.
Adams has held her election board position since February 2024. She declined to certify primary election outcomes last year and filed an unsuccessful lawsuit against the election board seeking authorization for county officials to reject election certifications. Frazier has formally contested the voting eligibility of thousands of Fulton County residents. Both individuals play significant roles in a Republican movement that continues questioning Donald Trump’s 2020 Georgia defeat and advocating for election procedure modifications.
While Adams’ term ended in June, she continues serving until either she or a successor receives appointment to her position. The second Republican seat remains unfilled.
Frazier argued the decision grants excessive power to Democratic commissioners to compel Republicans to nominate candidates favored by Democrats.
“If this holds, the Dems on the Fulton County Board of Commissioners can essentially pick their Dem Board of Elections Members, The Chair AND THE REPUBLICANS!!!!!!!!!” Frazier posted on social media.
Fulton County Commissioner Dana Barrett, a Democrat who highlights her opposition to seating Adams and Frazier in her current campaign for Georgia secretary of state, celebrated the decision against appointing the “MAGA extremists.”
“The contempt charges, the fines, the threats of jail time — all overturned by today’s ruling,” Barrett stated. “This is a huge win for Georgia voters and a win for free, fair, and secure elections.”
Since most Georgia election boards follow Fulton County’s appointment structure, Friday’s decision could enable county commissions statewide to reject political party nominees they oppose. In metropolitan Atlanta, this might allow Democratic county commissioners to turn away Republican activists who claim Democratic counties mismanage elections, while potentially reducing Democratic representation on election boards in Republican-controlled areas.
A 2018 state Supreme Court decision had previously limited parties’ ability to automatically secure election board placements.
During 2024, Cherokee County, a heavily Republican Atlanta suburb, initially considered appointing just one Democrat to its five-member election board. After rejecting that approach, commissioners selected a Democrat unfamiliar to county Democratic Party leadership rather than the party’s official nominee.
Motorists traveling on Interstate 495 will need to slow down as transportation authorities have implemented a temporary speed reduction due to current weather conditions.
The Delaware Department of Transportation has lowered the speed limit to 55 miles per hour on I-495 as rain creates potentially dangerous driving conditions for commuters and travelers.
The speed restriction is a safety precaution designed to reduce the risk of accidents on wet roadways, where vehicles require longer stopping distances and traction can be compromised.
Drivers are advised to exercise additional caution, maintain safe following distances, and adjust their speed according to road conditions while the temporary limit remains in effect.
Investment giant Blackstone saw its primary private credit fund experience its first monthly decline in over three years during February, according to data published on the fund’s website Friday. This development comes as investors express mounting concerns about liquidity challenges within the private credit industry.
The fund, known as BCRED, recorded a 0.4% decline in February, marking its first loss since September 2022 when it dropped 1.3%. For comparison, the Morningstar LSTA index tracking publicly traded leveraged loans has fallen 0.37% during the past three months.
The private credit sector has drawn increased scrutiny recently due to deteriorating credit quality stemming from heavy investments in vulnerable industries like software, combined with limited transparency in operations.
Blackstone’s massive $82 billion fund permits investors to withdraw portions of their investments each quarter. During the first quarter of this year, the fund experienced unusually high withdrawal requests totaling $3.7 billion, significantly above normal levels.
The world’s largest alternative asset management company has seen its stock price tumble more than 28% year-to-date.
According to earlier Financial Times reporting, BCRED reduced valuations on a “select” group of loans during February, with customer service software company Medallia identified as one of the affected firms in a letter sent to financial advisers.
“BCRED continues to deliver strong performance for its investors, with a 9.5% annualized total return since inception for Class I shares, a 360 bps premium to leveraged loans,” Blackstone stated, emphasizing that the fund has exceeded leveraged loan market performance by 100 basis points this year.
Anxiety about private credit fund stability has impacted Wall Street operations, with several major banks restricting lending to the sector while funds simultaneously limit investor withdrawals.
JPMorgan Chase reduced valuations on specific loans to private credit entities earlier this month, a decision that will curtail future lending to these funds.
Financial services leaders Morgan Stanley and asset management firm BlackRock joined other companies in restricting withdrawals from their funds following increased redemption demands.
SAN FRANCISCO, March 20 – A federal jury has determined that Elon Musk committed fraud against Twitter shareholders by attempting to manipulate the social media platform’s stock value during his 2022 acquisition efforts, according to Bloomberg News reporting on Friday.
The jury concluded that Musk tried to artificially lower Twitter’s share price so he could either renegotiate the terms of his $44 billion purchase agreement or withdraw from the deal entirely. The amount of financial damages will be decided at a later date.
Neither Musk’s legal team nor attorneys representing the shareholders responded immediately to requests for comment following the verdict.
The San Francisco federal court decision follows a highly publicized trial where Musk, currently the world’s wealthiest individual, faced accusations of making misleading statements about Twitter’s bot problem. Shareholders alleged he falsely claimed the platform had significantly underreported the number of fake and spam accounts operating on the service.
Despite the legal challenges, Musk proceeded with the Twitter acquisition in October 2022, subsequently rebranding the platform as X. He later integrated the company into SpaceX, his aerospace and rocket manufacturing business.
The civil proceedings started on March 2, with jury deliberations commencing this past Tuesday.
Musk has consistently chosen to fight shareholder lawsuits in court instead of reaching settlements. His legal battles have included a 2023 San Francisco trial regarding alleged fraud against Tesla investors, who claimed financial harm after his 2018 tweet falsely stating he had “funding secured” to take Tesla private. He also faced Delaware litigation concerning his $139 billion Tesla compensation package. Musk prevailed in both previous cases.
In this most recent lawsuit, Twitter shareholders took issue with Musk’s public questioning of the company’s bot disclosure on three separate occasions after signing the April 2022 purchase agreement. He suggested the platform might have 20% or more bot accounts, far exceeding Twitter’s reported 5% figure.
Shareholders pointed to several instances, including a May 17, 2022 tweet where Musk declared his acquisition “cannot go forward” until Twitter’s CEO could verify that bot accounts represented less than 5% of users.
“He trashed the company. Trashed the executives. And tanked the stock,” stated Mark Molumphy, the shareholders’ attorney, during Tuesday’s closing arguments.
Musk’s lawyer, Michael Lifrak, argued that his client’s bot concerns were legitimate and that publicly addressing these issues did not constitute fraudulent intent or behavior.
The legal action represents investors who say they sold Twitter stock at artificially reduced prices between May 13 and October 4, 2022, due to Musk’s statements.
Additionally, Musk is currently negotiating a potential settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding allegations that he delayed disclosing his initial Twitter stock purchases in 2022, allowing him to continue buying shares at lower prices before the market became aware of his investment strategy.
In February, SpaceX acquired Musk’s artificial intelligence venture xAI, which had incorporated X, creating what was then valued as the world’s most valuable private company at approximately $1.25 trillion.
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks baseball squad captured their second consecutive Northeast Conference victory Wednesday, defeating Coppin State 7-4 in a hard-fought contest.
The Hawks received outstanding pitching performances from relievers Morales and Spencer, who combined to throw three innings without allowing a run during critical moments of the game. Their stellar work on the mound proved instrumental in preserving the victory for UMES.
The win marks another successful outing for the Hawks in conference play, building momentum as they continue their NEC campaign. The team’s ability to grind out victories in competitive games demonstrates their resilience and determination this season.
With this latest triumph, UMES continues to establish itself as a formidable opponent in Northeast Conference baseball, showing the depth of their pitching staff and their capacity to execute when games are on the line.
Delaware transportation officials have closed a portion of Carpenter Bridge Road after electrical wires came down across the roadway.
The affected area spans from DE-12 to Roseville Road, blocking vehicle access in both directions until utility crews can safely remove the downed lines.
Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes while crews work to clear the hazard and restore normal traffic flow to the area.
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware’s baseball squad made program history Friday evening, capturing their inaugural Conference USA win with a narrow 5-4 triumph over Dallas Baptist at Bob Hannah Stadium.
The milestone victory marks a significant achievement for the Fightin’ Blue Hens as they compete in their new conference affiliation. The close contest showcased the team’s ability to perform under pressure in crucial conference play.
The one-run margin of victory demonstrates the competitive nature of Conference USA baseball, with Delaware proving they can hold their own against established conference opponents. This historic win sets a positive tone for the Blue Hens’ future in their new athletic conference.
A federal jury has determined that Elon Musk deliberately deceived Twitter shareholders during his controversial acquisition of the social media company in 2022, according to a Bloomberg News report released Friday.
The San Francisco federal court jury reached its verdict on Friday, determining that Musk purposefully provided false information to Twitter investors by claiming the platform had excessive fake user accounts while attempting to withdraw from his original $44 billion purchase agreement, the report stated.
The jury’s decision centers on Musk’s public statements criticizing Twitter before ultimately completing his acquisition of the company, which he subsequently rebranded as X.
A federal wrongful death lawsuit was filed on Friday targeting a Costa Rican resort and its operators following the tragic carbon monoxide poisoning death of former New York Yankees player Brett Gardner’s 14-year-old son.
The legal action, filed in Philadelphia federal court, centers on the March 2025 death of Miller Gardner at the Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort located on Manuel Antonio beach in Costa Rica’s Central Pacific region. Brett Gardner and other family members have brought negligence and wrongful death charges against the resort.
Named as defendants in the case are resort owners and operators David Callan and R. Scott Williams, along with Hawk Opportunity Fund LP, a venture capital company based in Newtown, Pennsylvania. Attempts to reach the defendants for comment were unsuccessful on Friday.
The tragedy occurred while the Gardner family was enjoying a vacation. Miller Gardner lost his life, and Brett Gardner along with other family members became ill from what Costa Rican officials determined was carbon monoxide exposure.
According to Randall Zúñiga, who heads Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency, laboratory results revealed Miller Gardner had dangerous levels of carboxyhemoglobin in his system – a deadly compound that forms when carbon monoxide attaches to blood hemoglobin.
The family’s legal complaint contends that inadequate ventilation in the resort’s machine room allowed carbon monoxide to escape, ultimately causing the teen’s death and harming other family members.
Brett Gardner began his professional baseball journey when the Yankees selected him in the 2005 draft, remaining loyal to the organization throughout his entire career. During his 14-season tenure from 2008 through 2021, he compiled a .256 batting average along with 139 home runs, 578 runs batted in, 274 stolen bases, and 73 triples.
A San Francisco jury has determined that Elon Musk bears responsibility for intentionally deceiving investors by manipulating Twitter’s share price during the chaotic period before he completed his $44 billion takeover of the social media platform in 2022.
While the jury held Musk accountable for deliberately depressing the company’s stock value in the months preceding the acquisition, they cleared him of certain fraud-related accusations.
The verdict comes after legal proceedings that examined Musk’s actions during the volatile acquisition process that ultimately transformed Twitter into what is now known as X.
Members of Musk’s legal defense team, including attorney Michael Lifrak, were seen leaving the Phillip Burton Federal Building in San Francisco following the jury’s decision.
SAN FRANCISCO — Elon Musk has been held responsible by a jury for intentionally deceiving Twitter investors through statements that caused the company’s stock value to drop during the chaotic period before his $44 billion takeover in 2022. However, the panel cleared him of deliberately orchestrating a scheme to defraud shareholders.
The San Francisco civil case stemmed from a class-action lawsuit filed shortly before Musk completed his acquisition of Twitter, the platform he subsequently rebranded as X. The jury was tasked with determining whether specific social media posts and podcast remarks made by Musk in May 2022 constituted deliberate fraud against Twitter stockholders who made selling decisions based on his public statements.
Following three days of jury deliberations, the nine-member panel delivered their decision nearly three weeks after proceedings commenced on March 2. The verdict established Musk’s liability for deceiving investors through two social media posts, including one stating the Twitter acquisition was “temporarily on hold,” while clearing him of fraud related to podcast comments and rejecting claims of an intentional deception “scheme.”
The financial impact for Musk remains uncertain since this is a class-action matter involving thousands of shareholders, including major institutional investors, though damages could reach billions of dollars. The jury determined compensation should range from approximately $3 to $8 per share for each affected day.
With an estimated net worth of roughly $814 billion, primarily from Tesla stock holdings, Musk has substantial resources to cover potential damages.
Trial proceedings heavily examined Musk’s assertions regarding automated accounts on Twitter’s platform. During testimony, Musk maintained that Twitter harbored significantly more fake and spam profiles than the 5% figure reported in official regulatory documents. He pointed to what he characterized as Twitter’s false reporting of bogus accounts as justification for attempting to withdraw from the acquisition.
When Musk sought to abandon the deal, Twitter pursued legal action in Delaware courts to compel completion of the original agreement. Just as that litigation was set to begin, Musk changed direction once more and fulfilled his initial financial commitment.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, fresh off their 2025 NBA championship victory, will skip a traditional White House visit during their Washington D.C. road trip this weekend, according to a team representative who spoke Friday.
Although both the Thunder organization and White House officials held conversations about hosting a championship celebration, scheduling conflicts ultimately made the visit impossible.
“We have been in touch with the White House, and we are appreciative and grateful for the communication we have had, but the timing just didn’t work out,” the Thunder said in a statement.
The tradition of NBA champions meeting with the president stretches back to 1963 when the Boston Celtics made the first such visit. Championship teams commonly arrange these ceremonies to coincide with regular season matchups in Washington D.C. The Thunder are scheduled to face the Wizards on Saturday.
Multiple championship teams have turned down White House invitations in recent years, with the Golden State Warriors’ 2017 decision being among the most prominent examples.
Earlier this month, the U.S. men’s hockey team that captured Olympic gold accepted President Donald Trump’s invitation to attend the State of the Union address. The team also participated in an Oval Office ceremony with Trump and enjoyed a White House lunch.
Trump extended a similar State of the Union invitation to the gold medal-winning U.S. women’s hockey team, but the players declined to participate, explaining that “the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments” prevented their attendance.
The Treasury Department will assume control of student loans in default under a new federal agreement revealed Thursday. This transfer represents the latest move in President Donald Trump’s initiative to reorganize the Education Department by shifting its responsibilities to other agencies.
The comprehensive 17-page document details a major restructuring of federal student loan oversight, ending more than four decades of Education Department management in this area.
According to the plan, Treasury will ultimately handle all student loan operations. A future phase, though without a set timeline, indicates Treasury will take on “operational responsibility” for loans not in default “to the extent practicable.”
Recent Education Department statistics show approximately 9.2 million Americans have defaulted on their student loans.
For current borrowers, officials emphasize no immediate action is required during this transition period. Students will maintain their existing loan servicer relationships and continue making payments through current channels. Those with defaulted loans can access information about their federal student debt at myeddebt.ed.gov.
Treasury’s initial focus will be managing defaulted student loans, where borrowers have fallen months behind on payments. These defaulted accounts total roughly $180 billion, representing 11% of the government’s massive $1.7 trillion student loan portfolio.
This loan program transfer aligns with Trump’s broader strategy to disassemble the Education Department. While only Congress can officially eliminate the department, administration officials are systematically relocating departmental functions through various inter-agency agreements.
The complete transfer of all student loans to Treasury is anticipated, though no specific timeline exists for the second implementation phase.
Current suspension of involuntary debt collection on federal student loans continues. The Trump administration announced in February it would postpone plans to garnish wages from defaulted borrowers.
Typically, federal student loan borrowers face wage garnishment and tax refund seizure when they default on payments.
Borrowers with defaulted loans can reach out to their loan holder to explore rehabilitation program options.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri voters may eventually decide the fate of new congressional boundaries endorsed by former President Donald Trump, but the ballot language they see won’t mention gerrymandering at all.
On Friday, a state judge mandated a revised, more neutral description of the redistricting proposal after Missouri’s GOP Secretary of State admitted he had written an unfair summary that would likely bias voters toward the new boundaries by labeling existing districts as “gerrymandered.”
The decision represents at least a partial win for critics of the revised map, who previously collected over 300,000 petition signatures to force a statewide vote. However, whether that referendum will actually take place this November remains uncertain.
Officials are still working to confirm if opponents collected sufficient valid signatures on their petitions. Meanwhile, the state’s highest court is reviewing a different challenge that seeks to throw out the new map entirely, arguing that mid-decade redistricting violates Missouri’s constitution.
State legislators passed the new congressional boundaries last September, making Missouri the second GOP-controlled state following Texas to answer Trump’s push for redrawn districts aimed at boosting Republican chances in this year’s midterm contests.
This sparked an uncommon back-and-forth redistricting fight that expanded to include Republican-controlled North Carolina and Ohio, plus Democratic-led California and Virginia. Florida’s Republican leadership plans to enter the congressional redistricting discussion during a special legislative session in April.
Missouri’s current U.S. House delegation includes six Republicans and two Democrats under boundaries drawn in 2022 following the latest census. The proposed map targets a Kansas City-area seat now held by Democratic Representative Emanuel Cleaver by splitting portions into two adjacent districts and extending the remaining area into heavily Republican rural regions.
Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, who backs the new boundaries, has until August 4 — the state’s primary election date — to decide if the referendum petition meets constitutional standards and contains enough verified signatures. Should it qualify, the new districts would be put on hold pending the voter decision.
Hoskins’ initial ballot summary would have asked voters whether to eliminate “Missouri’s existing gerrymandered congressional plan that protects incumbent politicians” and substitute new boundaries “that keep more cities and counties intact, are more compact, and better reflects statewide voting patterns.”
The opposition organization People Not Politicians, which organized the petition effort, filed a lawsuit claiming Hoskins’ language was prejudiced and would likely push people to support the new districts, which critics argue represent the actual gerrymander.
Legal representatives for Hoskins admitted during court hearings that characterizing Missouri’s current districts as gerrymandered and protecting incumbents was unfair. However, Hoskins maintained the remaining description of the proposed districts was appropriate.
Cole County Circuit Judge Brian Stumpe removed much of the original language but sided with Hoskins that accurately describing the new districts as more compact and keeping more counties and cities together was fair. He retained those elements in the revised version he ordered for use.
A representative for Hoskins refused to provide comment on the court’s decision.
Chuck Hatfield, legal counsel for People Not Politicians, called it “a solid victory, and important victory.” However, he noted the group still disagrees with some remaining language and would weigh whether to file an appeal.
WASHINGTON — A federal court has issued an injunction preventing the Trump administration from implementing new Pentagon regulations that curtailed media access, following a successful legal challenge by The New York Times arguing the restrictions violated constitutional protections.
U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman in the nation’s capital ruled in favor of the publication on Friday, determining that the Defense Department’s credentialing requirements unlawfully targeted journalists who refused to accept the updated guidelines and left the Pentagon facility.
The newspaper filed suit against the Pentagon and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth last December, contending the new credentialing system infringed upon reporters’ First Amendment free speech protections and Fifth Amendment due process guarantees.
Currently, the Pentagon’s press pool consists primarily of conservative media organizations that accepted the new requirements. News outlets that declined to follow the updated protocols, including The Associated Press, have maintained their military coverage from outside the building.
Judge Friedman, appointed during the Clinton administration, determined the regulations “fail to provide fair notice of what routine, lawful journalistic practices will result in the denial, suspension, or revocation” of Pentagon media credentials. His ruling found the policy breached both First and Fifth Amendment constitutional protections.
“Those who drafted the First Amendment believed that the nation’s security requires a free press and an informed people and that such security is endangered by governmental suppression of political speech. That principle has preserved the nation’s security for almost 250 years. It must not be abandoned now,” the judge wrote.
New York Times legal counsel Theodore Boutrous released a statement calling the court decision “a powerful rejection of the Pentagon’s effort to impede freedom of the press and the reporting of vital information to the American people during a time of war.”
Pentagon officials had not provided immediate response to requests for comment regarding the judicial decision.
Defense Department representatives have defended their approach as implementing “common sense” regulations designed to safeguard military operations from potential national security breaches.
“The goal of that process is to prevent those who pose a security risk from having broad access to American military headquarters,” government attorneys wrote.
Legal representatives for The Times maintain the policy was crafted to suppress critical media coverage of President Donald Trump’s administration.
“The First Amendment flatly prohibits the government from granting itself the unbridled power to restrict speech because the mere existence of such arbitrary authority can lead to self-censorship,” they wrote.
Judge Friedman acknowledged in his ruling that “national security must be protected, the security of our troops must be protected, and war plans must be protected.”
“But especially in light of the country’s recent incursion into Venezuela and its ongoing war with Iran, it is more important than ever that the public have access to information from a variety of perspectives about what its government is doing — so that the public can support government policies, if it wants to support them; protest, if it wants to protest; and decide based on full, complete, and open information who they are going to vote for in the next election,” Friedman wrote.
The judge cited “undisputed evidence” demonstrating the policy was structured to eliminate “disfavored journalists” while favoring those who are “on board and willing to serve” the government, constituting clear viewpoint discrimination.
“In sum, the Policy on its face makes any newsgathering and reporting not blessed by the Department a potential basis for the denial, suspension, or revocation of a journalist’s (credentials),” he wrote. “It provides no way for journalists to know how they may do their jobs without losing their credentials.”
Pentagon officials requested a one-week delay of the ruling to pursue an appeal, which Judge Friedman denied.
The court has mandated the Pentagon restore press credentials for seven New York Times reporters. However, Friedman specified his decision to invalidate the contested policy elements applies to “all regulated parties.” The Pentagon has one week to submit written documentation of its compliance with the order.
WASHINGTON – Since launching military operations alongside Israel against Iran in late February, President Donald Trump and his senior officials have presented constantly changing justifications and expected durations for the conflict, leading critics to question whether adequate planning occurred before the war began.
The administration’s stated goals have ranged from encouraging regime change in Tehran to diminishing Iran’s military capabilities and reducing its regional power, while also advancing Israeli security interests.
The following timeline shows how Trump’s explanations have evolved:
FEBRUARY 28: ENCOURAGING REGIME CHANGE
As U.S. and Israeli forces began their assault, Trump posted a social media video urging Iranian citizens to “take over” their nation’s leadership. “It will be yours to take,” Trump declared. “This will be probably your only chance for generations.”
Trump characterized the military action as “major combat operations.”
FEBRUARY 28: TARGETING MILITARY CAPABILITIES
Trump stated that Washington would prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, despite Tehran’s assertions that its nuclear program serves civilian purposes. Iran currently possesses no nuclear weapons, while both the United States and Israel maintain nuclear arsenals.
The president vowed to eliminate what he called Tehran’s ballistic missile capabilities. “We’re going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground,” Trump declared. “We’re going to annihilate their navy.”
Trump alleged that Iran’s long-range missiles “can now threaten our very good friends and allies in Europe, our troops stationed overseas, and could soon reach the American homeland.”
These statements mirrored arguments made by President George W. Bush before the Iraq invasion, which contained inaccurate claims. Current intelligence assessments and expert analysis contradict Trump’s statements, indicating Iran’s missile program remains years away from posing a threat to American territory.
MARCH 2: CHANGING TIMEFRAMES
Trump indicated the conflict would continue for four to five weeks but acknowledged it might extend longer.
“We’re already substantially ahead of our time projections. But whatever the time is, it’s okay. Whatever it takes,” Trump stated during White House remarks. On social media, he claimed America possessed a “virtually unlimited supply” of weapons and that “wars can be fought ‘forever,’ and very successfully, using just these supplies.”
Congressional notification from Trump contained no specific timeline. Earlier media interviews showed Trump telling the Daily Mail the war might last “four weeks, or less,” then informing The New York Times it could take four to five weeks, before later suggesting a longer duration.
MARCH 2: RUBIO CITES ISRAELI PRESSURE
Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained to journalists that Israel’s decision to attack Iran compelled American involvement.
“We knew that there was going to be an Israeli action, we knew that that would precipitate an attack against American forces, and we knew that if we didn’t preemptively go after them before they launched those attacks, we would suffer higher casualties,” Rubio explained.
MARCH 3: TRUMP OFFERS DIFFERENT EXPLANATION
Trump provided contradictory reasoning, claiming he authorized American participation because Iran appeared ready to attack first.
“I might have forced their (Israel’s) hand,” Trump acknowledged. “If we didn’t do it, they (Iran) were going to attack first.”
MARCH 4: PENTAGON DEFINES MISSION
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth outlined the objective as seeking to “destroy Iranian offensive missiles, destroy Iranian missile production, destroy their navy and other security infrastructure.”
MARCH 6: DEMANDING TOTAL CAPITULATION
“There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER,” Trump posted on social media.
MARCH 8-11: CONTRADICTORY ASSESSMENTS
In a CBS News interview broadcast March 8, Hegseth described Iranian strikes as “only just the beginning.”
Twenty-four hours later, Trump told the same network “I think the war is very complete, pretty much.”
“We’ve already won in many ways, but we haven’t won enough,” Trump informed reporters that same day. When questioned whether the conflict was starting or finishing, he responded: “Well, I think you could say both.”
By March 11, Trump again claimed victory while adding: “We’ve got to finish the job.”
MARCH 13: MODERATING REGIME CHANGE RHETORIC
During a Fox News appearance, Trump said the war would conclude “when I feel it in my bones.”
Trump backed away from his earlier calls for internal Iranian uprising. “So I really think that’s a big hurdle to climb for people that don’t have weapons,” Trump acknowledged.
MARCH 19: NO DEFINITIVE ENDPOINT
Hegseth announced that Washington would not establish a specific timeline, leaving the decision to Trump.
“We wouldn’t want to set a definitive time frame,” the Defense Secretary stated. “It will be at the president’s choosing, ultimately, where we say, ‘Hey, we’ve achieved what we need to.’”
MARCH 20: CONSIDERING CONCLUSION
Trump wrote on Truth Social that “we are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great Military efforts” regarding Iran. Earlier that day, he told reporters “I don’t want to do a ceasefire” when questioned about the conflict.
Payment technology company Sezzle announced Monday it has terminated Baker Tilly as its independent auditing firm and selected PricewaterhouseCoopers to handle its financial audits starting in 2026, according to regulatory documents filed by the buy now, pay later service provider.
In the same filing, Sezzle revealed significant internal control deficiencies regarding how it categorized cash flows connected to notes receivable during the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years.
While Baker Tilly provided unqualified audit opinions for both years without issuing adverse findings or disclaimers, the auditing firm determined that Sezzle’s internal financial reporting controls were inadequate as of December 31, 2025, citing the material weakness.
According to the filing, Sezzle maintained it experienced no disputes or disagreements with Baker Tilly throughout the past two fiscal years or during any subsequent interim periods.
The company’s audit committee gave approval for Baker Tilly’s dismissal, while the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers remains contingent on completing routine client acceptance procedures.
Federal prosecutors filed a motion Friday to abandon criminal charges against two former Louisville, Kentucky police officers who were accused of creating false documentation for the search warrant that resulted in the deadly shooting of Breonna Taylor, a Black healthcare worker, in 2020.
Department of Justice attorneys stated in their court filing that they decided against continuing the prosecution after conducting an internal assessment prompted by a federal judge’s actions to reduce the most serious charges from felony level to misdemeanor level on two separate occasions. The dismissal requires judicial approval to become final.
Former Louisville Police Department detective Joshua Jaynes and ex-sergeant Kyle Meany faced allegations of violating Taylor’s constitutional rights by providing false and misleading information in the sworn statement used to authorize the search of Taylor’s residence.
This action represents another instance of Republican President Donald Trump’s administration reversing civil rights and police misconduct prosecutions initiated under Democratic President Joe Biden’s leadership, particularly those connected to widely publicized law enforcement killings. Taylor’s death in March 2020 sparked widespread street protests as part of broader demonstrations against racial injustice and police practices.
“Kyle is incredibly grateful for today’s filing. He is looking forward to putting this matter behind him and moving forward with his life,” Michael Denbow, a lawyer for Meany, said in a statement.
Legal representatives for Jaynes did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
Taylor lost her life in March 2020 during a failed police operation when officers investigating a man Taylor had formerly dated carried out a no-knock warrant at her residence. Her boyfriend, who possessed a legally registered firearm, opened fire on police, leading them to return fire 22 times into the dwelling.
Officers discovered no illegal substances in the residence. Taylor was not armed.
Jaynes and Meany were not among the officers who entered Taylor’s home. Federal charges alleged they submitted sworn documentation while aware they lacked proper legal grounds for the search.
Both defendants entered not guilty pleas.
Trump Justice Department political appointees had previously interfered in another federal civil rights prosecution related to Taylor’s death.
Justice Department attorneys requested just one day of imprisonment for a former Louisville officer who was found guilty on civil rights charges for shooting into Taylor’s home, although his gunfire did not hit Taylor. The judge imposed a 33-month prison term on the former officer.
The Trump administration also withdrew the Justice Department’s determination of systematic civil rights violations by Louisville police, a separate investigation prompted by Taylor’s killing. A federal judge approved the Trump DOJ’s motion to exit a proposed settlement agreement negotiated during the Biden administration.
Civil rights prosecutors have received notice that there will be stricter legal standards for pursuing law enforcement excessive force cases under the Trump administration, according to Reuters reporting.
A federal judge in Washington D.C. has temporarily halted a controversial Pentagon policy that would have allowed the Defense Department to revoke press credentials from journalists who seek information not cleared for public distribution.
U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman issued the ruling Friday following a constitutional challenge brought by the New York Times in federal court. The newspaper argued that policy modifications implemented by the Defense Department violated First Amendment free speech protections and constitutional due process guarantees.
The contested regulations, which took effect in October 2025 under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s leadership, would permit officials to classify journalists as security threats and strip their press credentials if they attempted to obtain both classified and certain unclassified materials from military personnel without authorization.
Judge Friedman acknowledged in his decision the necessity of safeguarding military personnel and operational plans, but emphasized that public access to diverse governmental information perspectives was “more important than ever” given President Donald Trump’s recent “incursion” into Venezuela and conflict with Iran.
The policy changes prompted a mass exodus from Pentagon press coverage, with only one of the 56 news organizations in the Pentagon Press Association agreeing to acknowledge the new requirements, according to court documents. Journalists who refused to sign the acknowledgment were forced to surrender their press passes.
Following the departure of established reporters, the Pentagon created a replacement press corps featuring pro-Trump media outlets and personalities, which the Times cited as proof the policy targeted critical coverage rather than addressing legitimate security concerns.
While the regulations acknowledge that publishing sensitive materials “is generally protected by the First Amendment,” they specify that requesting such information could factor into officials’ assessments of whether a reporter presents a “security or safety risk.”
In their legal filing, Times attorneys argued the policy illegally curtailed fundamental newsgathering methods and provided the Pentagon with unlimited authority to revoke credentials, enabling the kind of “viewpoint-based” media restrictions prohibited by constitutional law.
Department of Justice attorneys defending the policy conceded it contained subjective elements but maintained that credentialing decisions remained guided by neutral, objective standards. Government lawyers also contended that encouraging military personnel to violate disclosure rules by sharing unauthorized information did not constitute legally protected speech.
Press freedom organizations condemned the policy as another assault on journalism by the Trump administration.
Seth Stern, advocacy director for the Freedom of the Press Foundation, applauded Friday’s court decision in a public statement, calling it “shocking” that government attorneys had characterized “journalists asking questions of the government” as criminal behavior.
The Associated Press is pursuing separate litigation against Trump administration officials following its removal from White House press access after the news organization continued using the established name “Gulf of Mexico” while acknowledging Trump’s executive directive for U.S. institutions to call it the Gulf of America.
The AP characterized the exclusion as illegal viewpoint discrimination, while administration officials argued they possessed broad authority over media access decisions in restricted government facilities.
Neither the Pentagon nor the New York Times provided immediate responses to requests for comment regarding the ruling. The government is expected to file an appeal.
Nuclear reactor company X-energy announced Friday that it has submitted paperwork for a public stock offering, seeking to benefit from increased investor interest in nuclear energy solutions.
The firm intends to trade its Class A shares on the Nasdaq stock exchange using the trading symbol “XE.”
Company officials have not yet revealed how many shares will be made available to investors or what price range they expect for the offering.
A Minnesota family is challenging a court decision that would send them back to Ecuador after an immigration judge denied their asylum request.
The case involves a young father and his 5-year-old son who were taken into custody by federal immigration officials in January. The family had sought protection in the United States through the asylum process.
Immigration attorneys for the family are now working to overturn the judge’s decision that rejected their bid to remain in the country legally. The ruling would result in their deportation to Ecuador if the appeal is unsuccessful.
The detention of the father and young child earlier this year has drawn attention to ongoing immigration enforcement actions affecting families with young children.
Emergency officials have issued evacuation orders affecting more than 4,000 residents in Hawaiian communities located north of Honolulu as dangerous flooding conditions persist throughout the region.
The evacuation comes amid growing concerns about a dam that has stood for 120 years and could potentially collapse under current conditions. Heavy rainfall has created hazardous flooding that has overwhelmed roadways, submerged cars, and created treacherous conditions with murky, debris-filled water.
The severe weather has transformed streets into rivers of muddy water, making travel dangerous and forcing residents to abandon their homes and vehicles. Emergency responders are closely monitoring the aging dam structure as floodwaters continue to rise in the affected areas.
Communities in the northern regions of Oahu are bearing the brunt of the flooding emergency, with officials working around the clock to ensure resident safety as the weather crisis unfolds.
Motorists should expect delays on Old Orchard Road near East Edgemoor Street as construction crews have shut down the northbound right lane.
The Delaware Department of Transportation reports the lane closure is necessary for ongoing construction activities in the area. Traffic restrictions are expected to continue through 5 PM today.
Drivers are advised to use caution when traveling through the work zone and allow extra time for their commute. Consider alternate routes if possible to avoid potential backups during the closure period.
Conflict in their homeland and tensions with their adopted country have left Iranian Americans facing a difficult decision this week: whether to celebrate Nowruz, their traditional new year holiday.
Kayvon Pourmirzaie and his spouse, Behnaz Almazi, chose to mark the occasion by traveling from Philadelphia to attend a Persian pop-up dinner in New York City over the weekend. Born and raised in America after his parents immigrated before Iran’s 1979 Islamic revolution, Pourmirzaie expressed optimism about the ongoing turmoil.
“Nowruz for me this year signifies a chance to see my beautiful homeland,” said Pourmirzaie. “Even more important, I’m excited for the world to see the beauty of Iran. Nobody wants war, but this is a very strong feeling for me.”
The current U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran creates complex emotions for Iranian Americans: hope that a despised government might fall; concern for loved ones still under its control; frustration with what many view as poorly planned military action; and sometimes guilt over their own safety.
As the conflict enters its third week, Nowruz — among Iran’s most significant secular observances — brings these internal conflicts into sharp relief. The Friday celebration traditionally features dancing, music and meals centered on herb-rich foods like kuku sabzi, a frittata-style dish representing spring renewal and new beginnings.
Across America, many Nowruz gatherings have been scrapped or transformed into solemn events. Saeed Shafiyan Rad, who leads Boston’s Iranian Association, explained their decision to cancel their usual large-scale celebrations that typically draw thousands of participants.
“We want to respect the people,” said Shafiyan Rad. “We just want peace and prosperity for the Iranian people.”
While disagreements within Iranian immigrant communities aren’t unusual, the current warfare has intensified these divisions just as Nowruz draws attention to them. Young Iranian Americans, many who have never visited Iran, are particularly affected as generational differences emerge around what Iranian identity means from a distance.
Hedi Yousefi is organizing her second annual Norooz Bazaar in New York City, featuring Iranian American cuisine and artists. Despite receiving threatening messages from critics and her own doubts about appropriateness, she concluded that honoring Nowruz aligns with Iranian people’s wishes.
“For me, this is an act of resistance against the regime,” said Yousefi, who left Tehran for America 13 years ago. “My grandfather always said (the regime) would like nothing more than to stop Nowruz.”
Persian American content creator Omid Afshar has turned to his kitchen more frequently before Nowruz, experimenting with traditional Iranian dishes. The Instagram personality, who showcases Persian dining establishments at @omidafshar, sees cooking as cultural reconnection.
“Cooking Persian food has become a way to reconnect with our culture,” said Afshar. “For a long time growing up in America, I felt like I had to make that part of myself smaller so I could fit in with the rest of the world around me.”
According to Persis Karim, former head of San Francisco State University’s Center for Iranian Diaspora Studies, Nowruz feasts should provide consistency during turbulent periods. However, she finds herself unable to embrace the holiday’s hopeful message this year.
“I’m not comfortable celebrating a tradition I love because I’m so appalled by what is happening to my family in Iran,” Karim said. “Of course I wish for a change of regime. But it should come from within Iran, not from bombs from the United States.”
Brooklyn restaurateur Nasim Alikhani initially considered shutting down Nowruz celebrations at her Persian establishment, Sofreh, but ultimately reached a different decision, similar to Yousefi’s reasoning.
“Iran has been invaded throughout history … And yet Iranians kept the tradition of Nowruz alive,” she said. “I will not allow this unjust war and this aggression to win. Instead of singing and dancing around the table, maybe we will pray for peace and hold hands with our guests. But the food will absolutely be there, because there is no gathering without food.”
Persian dining establishments and markets usually experience their busiest period during Nowruz. This year, however, sales have declined in areas where public opinion opposes the military action. Conversely, in regions with strong support, particularly Los Angeles — whose massive Iranian population earned it the nickname “Tehrangeles” — business surges with each news development.
Farinaz Pirshirazi, who co-owns Los Angeles Persian restaurant Toranj, described the correlation between current events and customer traffic.
“When the war started, we had a spike. When the supreme leader of Iran was said to be dead, we had a spike,” said Pirshirazi. “Whoever came in had the biggest smile on their face, and they were crying a little bit out of joy. They were all telling us, ‘We have to go out tonight, and we have to have Persian food.’”
The current situation has also reversed some cultural customs. Following Iran’s brutal January crackdown on demonstrators, many Iranian Americans prepared halva, a sweet paste typically served during mourning periods. When warfare commenced and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei died, they continued making the confection.
“It was a sarcastic way of sharing the joy and happiness,” Pirshirazi said. “Usually halva is something that they do at funerals, when you’re sad. But in this particular situation, it was very sarcastic, because it was a sign of joy that they were making halva.”
Anais Dersi helped organize the pop-up dinner that Pourmirzaie attended, where dishes included a pasta interpretation of tahdig, Iran’s beloved crispy rice preparation. After her Brooklyn event last month sold out within hours, she decided to host another Nowruz gathering, with both events raising funds for Iranian charities.
“The idea was bringing the community together over something. Giving people a place to mourn, to feel distraught, or whatever they were feeling,” she said. “As a first-generation American, food is a tether to my culture. I can’t always connect through politics or language, but the food feels like mine. And it feels like it belongs to others too. It’s a great unifier.”
Patriarch Filaret of Kyiv, who dedicated much of his life to creating a Ukrainian Orthodox church separate from Russian religious control, passed away on Friday at the age of 97, according to church officials.
The Orthodox Church of Ukraine confirmed his passing, stating that the “exacerbation of chronic diseases” led to his death.
While Filaret’s influence had diminished in recent years as tensions between Ukraine and Russia escalated into open warfare, his lasting impact includes decades of work toward establishing religious independence for Ukraine’s Orthodox community.
Metropolitan Epiphanius of Kyiv, current leader of the OCU, honored the deceased patriarch’s contributions. “The person and numerous good deeds of the late Patriarch Filaret rightfully occupy a special place in the modern history of both the local Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Ukraine as a whole,” Epiphanius stated.
According to Epiphanius, Filaret “did much to preserve church life during the years of Soviet oppression of the Church, during the spiritual revival of Ukraine, and especially during the years of the struggle for the establishment of church autocephaly,” referring to religious independence. Despite acknowledging past “difficult events” between them, Epiphanius said he “always consistently respected the contribution of Patriarch Filaret.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also paid tribute, calling Filaret’s passing on Telegram “a great loss for Ukrainians.”
“He was a strong personality and one of the most steadfast defenders of the Ukrainian church, independence and statehood,” Zelenskyy wrote. “Without the energy, character and courage of Patriarch Filaret, many of Ukraine’s accomplishments simply would not have been possible.”
The Ukrainian Parliament praised Filaret’s role in maintaining religious life during Soviet persecution and beyond.
Born as Mykhailo Denysenko in 1929 in Blahodatne village in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, Filaret’s path to religious leadership began after his father died during World War II. Despite the Soviet Union’s official atheist stance, he pursued ministry, eventually becoming a monk and adopting the name Filaret.
After studying and serving in both Russia and Ukraine during the Soviet era, he rose through church ranks to become a bishop. By the 1960s, he had become the Russian Orthodox Church’s top representative in Ukraine and was even considered for the position of Moscow patriarch in 1990, though he wasn’t chosen.
When Ukraine gained independence in 1991 following the Soviet collapse, Filaret spearheaded a parallel movement for church independence. He led the formation of a separate Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Kyiv Patriarchate.
The Russian Orthodox Church, which maintained authority over Ukraine, rejected this breakaway movement. Church officials stripped Filaret of his clerical status and excommunicated him, actions he refused to acknowledge.
In 2018, Filaret’s church combined with another breakaway congregation, and he received the honorary patriarch title. The merged OCU gained official recognition in 2019 from Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, who also declared Filaret’s Moscow excommunication invalid.
While the ecumenical patriarch holds the position of “first among equals” in Eastern Orthodoxy, he doesn’t possess papal authority over other patriarchs’ regions. Moscow’s Patriarchate disputed Bartholomew’s right to hear Filaret’s case or recognize the merged church.
This situation created two competing Orthodox churches in Ukraine — the OCU and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Ukrainian officials have alleged the latter maintains Moscow connections, which that church denies.
The breakaway church’s recognition added religious tensions to the growing Ukraine-Russia divide, with Russian leaders even accusing the United States of involvement.
Soon after the OCU formed, Filaret and Epiphanius disagreed about church structure and leadership, leading Filaret to attempt reviving the Kyiv Patriarchate. The OCU suspended Filaret’s participation in 2020.
The two leaders eventually reconciled, meeting in late 2023 to pray together for Ukraine’s victory against Russia, according to OCU news services. The church’s obituary honors him as “His Holiness Patriarch Filaret of Kyiv and All Rus’-Ukraine.”
Filaret generated controversy in other areas as well. In 2020, he blamed the COVID-19 pandemic on divine punishment for human sins, specifically citing same-sex marriage in a television interview.
Throughout his lifetime, he received numerous religious and governmental honors, including Ukraine’s highest recognition — Hero of Ukraine — in January 2019.
WASHINGTON — Senate lawmakers failed to move forward with Department of Homeland Security funding legislation on Friday, as travelers across the nation face increasingly lengthy airport security waits.
The funding bill stalled when Democrats withheld necessary votes to advance the measure toward a final vote. New York Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer announced plans to introduce alternative legislation on Saturday that would specifically fund the Transportation Security Administration, the agency responsible for screening travelers and their belongings. However, this targeted approach is also expected to fail during the rare weekend legislative session.
Negotiations continued behind closed doors Friday, with White House border chief Tom Homan scheduled to hold a second straight day of meetings with senators from both parties. Democratic lawmakers are pushing for changes to how federal immigration agents operate, citing the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis.
South Dakota Republican Senator John Thune, the Senate Majority Leader, expressed optimism about the White House discussions, saying he sees “deal space” emerging. However, he questioned whether Democrats genuinely want to reach an agreement that would increase Immigration and Customs Enforcement funding.
“This is a pox on everybody’s house,” Thune stated. “You’ve got people standing in lines at the airports. This needs to be fixed. It needs to get resolved and there are good-faith efforts being made finally on all the relevant issues.”
During Senate floor proceedings, Schumer emphasized the need to quickly restore TSA operations while rejecting Republican proposals to fund the entire Homeland Security Department. Democrats prefer to fund TSA separately while continuing discussions about Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“Tomorrow, America will see the matter crystal clear: which senators want to open up TSA, pay TSA workers, and end the chaos at our airports, and which senators are going to block TSA funding yet again,” Schumer declared.
Most TSA personnel are classified as essential workers and must continue their duties during the funding gap, though they receive no compensation. Employee absence rates have begun rising at various airports, resulting in extended wait times for travelers.
Democratic demands for the funding package include multiple policy reforms, such as requiring ICE agents to obtain judicial warrants before forced home entries. They also want agents to display identification on uniforms and prohibit mask usage during operations.
“The American people have had enough of this rogue agency. We need to rein it in. And we are negotiating right now over how to do that,” said Senator Patty Murray, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee.
The Trump administration reports it has already accepted several modifications, including broader deployment of body cameras with exceptions for covert operations, and restricted civil enforcement at sensitive locations like hospitals, schools, and religious facilities. Republicans point to Trump’s dismissal of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Homan’s appointment to oversee Minneapolis operations as evidence of the administration’s commitment to reforming ICE practices.
Lawmakers are scheduled for an extended Easter recess lasting two weeks near month’s end. Thune has warned he may cancel the break if the dispute remains unresolved.
“I can’t see us taking a break if the government is still shut down,” Thune said.
WASHINGTON — Federal officials announced Friday they will establish 12 regional disaster response centers across the globe as part of a restructured approach to international humanitarian assistance.
The State Department’s newly created Bureau of Disaster and Humanitarian Response will operate from Washington headquarters with approximately 200 employees, according to Friday’s announcement. However, field operations will be managed through the dozen regional centers positioned throughout Latin America, Asia, Europe and Africa.
Relief organizations have widely condemned the Trump administration’s decision to eliminate USAID, the federal agency that served as America’s primary foreign aid platform for many years. The replacement bureau will focus exclusively on disaster relief and emergency assistance as a component of a broader foreign aid oversight office.
Foreign assistance funding has faced severe reductions under the current administration, especially programs addressing climate change and social justice initiatives. However, officials committed $2 billion to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in late 2023, creating a channel for directing aid to targeted organizations and nations requiring assistance.
The dozen regional centers will operate from Miami; Bogota, Colombia; Guatemala City; Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; Kyiv, Ukraine; Amman, Jordan; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Nairobi, Kenya; Dakar, Senegal; Bangkok; Dhaka, Bangladesh; and Manila, Philippines.
ST. LOUIS — Iowa State’s standout forward Joshua Jefferson will not return to action in the Cyclones’ opening NCAA Tournament matchup against Tennessee State due to a lower left leg injury.
As the second half was about to commence, Jefferson made his way back to Iowa State’s bench using crutches and sporting a walking boot on his injured left leg.
The All-American player received a standing ovation from fans when he emerged from the tunnel during halftime, taking his place at the end of the Cyclones’ bench. At that point, Iowa State held a commanding 55-29 lead over Tennessee State. Whether Jefferson will be available for a possible second-round matchup against Kentucky on Saturday remains unknown.
The injury occurred early in the contest, just 2 minutes and 36 seconds after tipoff, following a successful driving layup by Jefferson. As he moved across the lane from left to right, Jefferson collapsed beneath the Iowa State basket after his shot found the net. His left foot rolled outward and bent at a sharp angle, causing him to fall to the court. Jefferson required assistance getting to his feet and was immediately taken for X-rays of his lower left leg and ankle area. He was unable to bear weight on the injured foot as he made his way to the locker room.
Jefferson entered Friday’s tournament game averaging 16.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists per contest in his point forward role for the Cyclones.
Speaking to CBS Television during the halftime break, Iowa State head coach T.J. Otzelberger explained the impact of losing his star player. “For our team, Joshua (Jefferson) is such a huge part of everything we do,” Otzelberger said. “So we have a more guard-oriented attack when he’s not out there.”
A federal appeals court has overturned a government ban that would have prevented tax software company Intuit from marketing its TurboTax service as “free” when many customers end up paying fees.
On Friday, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the Federal Trade Commission’s directive that prohibited what regulators called misleading advertisements for basic tax filing services.
The appellate judges determined that allowing an administrative law judge to rule on the deceptive advertising case crossed constitutional boundaries regarding the separation of powers between government branches.
A founding member of Super Micro Computer has stepped down from the company’s board of directors with immediate effect following federal criminal charges tied to an alleged artificial intelligence chip smuggling operation targeting China.
The company announced Friday that Yih-Shyan Liaw submitted his resignation after being formally charged by federal prosecutors with participating in an illegal scheme to export billions of dollars worth of AI technology overseas.
Following news of the resignation, Super Micro’s stock price climbed 2% during after-hours trading sessions.
Federal prosecutors filed charges Thursday against Liaw alongside two other individuals – sales executive Ruei-Tsang Chang and independent contractor Ting-Wei Sun. The trio allegedly operated a complex routing system that funneled American-manufactured servers through Taiwan before ultimately delivering them to Southeast Asian destinations.
In a separate announcement, Super Micro revealed it has named DeAnna Luna to serve as interim chief compliance officer, a role she assumes immediately. Luna previously joined the artificial intelligence server company in 2024, where she held the position of vice president overseeing global trade regulations and sanctions compliance.
An Iranian government-connected cyber group has successfully brought its website back online within 24 hours of federal authorities seizing its internet domains, demonstrating the persistent nature of state-sponsored hacking operations.
Federal investigators on Thursday took control of four web domains belonging to the “Handala Hack Team,” which operates as a front for Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security psychological warfare division, according to the Department of Justice.
The hacking collective had previously taken credit for launching a destructive cyber assault against Michigan-based medical technology corporation Stryker on March 11.
By Friday, the group had posted a defiant message on their newly established website, calling the federal seizures “desperate attempts by the United States and its allies to silence the voice of Handala.”
Cybersecurity expert Ari Ben Am from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation noted that Iranian cyber units have proven remarkably adaptable to law enforcement actions.
“Iranian threat actors, MOIS in particular, are no strangers to takedowns,” Ben Am explained. “Handala alone has had tens of Telegram channels, X accounts and domains taken down, and these takedowns have never slowed them down significantly. It will be trivial for Handala and its MOIS operators to get that content back up on another domain very, very soon.”
Court documents filed by the FBI in support of the domain seizures reference the March 11 attack on what investigators describe as a major American multinational medical technologies company, with details matching the assault on Stryker.
A Justice Department representative confirmed Friday that the FBI’s court filing “asserts that there is probable cause to believe that the operators of the ‘Handala’ persona are members of a conspiracy that carried out a destructive malware attack against a U.S.-based multinational medical technologies firm.”
Stryker acknowledged the cyber incident in a March 19 company statement, reporting progress in restoring critical business systems while emphasizing that their medical products remained safe for patient use.
“We’re grateful to the government for their efforts to seize domains linked to the purported threat actors,” the medical device manufacturer stated.
Financial markets worldwide experienced severe turbulence on Friday as mounting concerns about inflation driven by the Iran conflict sent government bond yields soaring across the United States and Europe, with analysts warning the pressure may persist.
Market participants are quickly reassessing central banks’ capacity to loosen monetary policies as the conflict continues. Rising oil costs have increased the likelihood that the Federal Reserve might need to raise interest rates instead of cutting them.
“Expectations for a rate cut are fading fast,” said Robert Pavlik, senior portfolio manager at Dakota Wealth Management. “You need to get the Strait of Hormuz opened up and you need to get oil flowing, and that would relieve the pressure on oil prices.”
Ten-year Treasury yields in America climbed to levels not seen since last summer. Market participants, who had been anticipating additional rate reductions this year, began factoring in a modest probability that the Fed will be compelled to raise rates before year-end. Bond yields serve as crucial benchmarks that influence corporate lending rates and mortgage costs.
Dramatic increases in these rates can negatively impact both economic expansion and asset values. American equities plummeted Friday, pushing the S&P 500 into its fourth consecutive weekly drop for the first time in twelve months, while the Nasdaq fell 2% daily, approaching correction territory with a 10% decline from recent highs.
British ten-year government debt costs also skyrocketed, reaching their peak since the global financial crisis. The benchmark gilt yield exceeded 5%, a threshold widely considered problematic given Britain’s susceptibility to energy price increases.
German ten-year bond yields reached their highest point since the eurozone crisis in 2011. This key European borrowing benchmark hit 3.025%. Bond yields move inversely to prices.
European Central Bank officials cautioned about escalating inflation dangers Friday but refrained from advocating stricter policies, despite numerous financial firms beginning to forecast rate increases starting as early as April.
Major central banks including the Federal Reserve and Bank of England conducted policy sessions this week, expressing similar wariness regarding inflation threats.
Friday brought news from three American officials who informed Reuters that thousands of additional Marines and sailors are being sent to the Middle East, departing approximately three weeks earlier than originally planned.
Subsequently, Iraq announced force majeure on foreign-operated oil facilities due to Strait of Hormuz disruptions, a legal declaration typically used when circumstances beyond one’s control prevent fulfilling contractual obligations.
“Nothing positive has happened so far with respect to the war and we’re heading into the fourth week, and we’re probably going to have a further build-up of these pressures,” said Padhraic Garvey, head of global rates and debt strategy at ING in New York.
Fed Governor Christopher Waller revealed Friday that he had intended to advocate for a rate reduction at this week’s central bank meeting due to unexpected February job losses, but the energy crisis and threat of sustained inflation persuaded him that caution was necessary until the Iran conflict’s impact becomes clearer.
“This is looking like it’s going to be a much more protracted conflict, and oil prices are going to stay high for a longer time,” Waller said on CNBC’s Squawk Box.
American rate futures Friday began incorporating the possibility of interest rate increases later this year, with markets assigning a 32% probability of tightening by November according to LSEG data, up from nearly zero Thursday evening.
Short-term bonds globally have suffered most from inflation anxieties. British short-term gilt yields rose over 30 basis points Thursday as prices collapsed. German two-year yields finished up 12 basis points at 2.566%, reaching nine-month peaks, then gained another 3 basis points Friday to 2.6%.
Before the conflict began, markets indicated roughly 40% odds of another ECB rate cut this year. This has reversed to nearly fully pricing one increase for June and 60% probability for April.
Some investors focused on potential government responses to economic damage. Spain’s administration Friday proposed 5 billion euro ($5.8 billion) measures to address the Middle East conflict’s impact on domestic energy costs.
“A lot of attention today has been on fiscal policy,” said George Moran, European macro strategist at RBC Capital Markets in London.
Italian ten-year yields rose 6 basis points to 3.846%, after Thursday’s 12 basis point spike. Italy’s greater reliance on energy imports compared to neighbors has made its bonds more vulnerable since the late February war outbreak.
Italy’s benchmark yields have climbed nearly 60 basis points since then, exceeding the 45 basis point increases in French and Spanish yields and the 34 basis point rise in German bonds, widening the risk premium to nearly 80 basis points, the largest since October.
“The sad fact is there are significant upside risks to inflation and therefore the selloff makes sense,” said Chris Scicluna, head of research at Daiwa Securities in London. “The repricing of the path of interest rates, at least in Europe, looks reasonable in light of the shock to energy prices.”
Houston Dynamo FC has acquired defender Sam Vines as a free agent, inking him to a contract that extends through the 2027 season, the team announced Friday.
The 26-year-old left back became available after the Colorado Rapids released him prior to the 2026 campaign.
During his time with Colorado across two separate stints (2018-21 and 2024-25), Vines recorded three goals and seven assists over 116 matches.
“Sam is a fullback who brings versatility, quality on the ball and valuable experience at the MLS, European and international levels,” Dynamo president of soccer Pat Onstad said. “His technical ability and understanding of the game fit well with the way we want to play. We are excited to welcome Sam and his wife to Houston and look forward to his contributions this season.”
Between his Colorado tenures, Vines spent two seasons (2021-23) competing for Royal Antwerp in Belgium’s top division. He has also represented the United States Men’s National Team in nine international matches, scoring once.
The City of Rehoboth Beach has released its newest community newsletter, ‘Lines in the Sand,’ dated March 20, 2026.
The publication provides residents and visitors with current information about happenings in the popular Delaware beach destination. The newsletter is distributed through the city’s official website and mailing list to keep the community informed about local developments and announcements.
Residents can access the newsletter through the city’s official website or sign up for email distribution to receive future editions directly.
Salisbury officials revealed today that crews will start tearing down street bump-outs along Fitzwater Street beginning Tuesday, March 24.
If weather conditions allow, city officials expect this portion of the street enhancement project to wrap up by Friday, March 27.
Motorists should exercise extra care while driving through the construction zone. Traffic control personnel will be stationed throughout the work area to guide vehicles safely around the activity.
“This project reflects our commitment to building safer, more accessible streets for everyone in our community,” Mayor Randy Taylor said. “We appreciate residents’ patience as we continue improving Salisbury’s infrastructure.”
City officials are asking for public patience during the construction process and urge residents to check the City of Salisbury’s official website, the new Downtown Salisbury information hub, and municipal social media accounts for project updates and additional announcements.
A motor vehicle accident has prompted officials to block traffic on Salem Church Road at the Arthurs Drive intersection.
The Delaware Department of Transportation is currently managing the road closure and monitoring the incident. Drivers in the area should expect delays and seek alternate routes while emergency crews work at the scene.
No additional details about the crash or potential injuries have been released at this time. DelDOT continues to track the situation through their traffic incident management system.
Delaware State Police’s Sex Offender Apprehension and Registration Unit (SOAR) has released public alerts regarding multiple sex offenders who have failed to comply with registration requirements, as well as notification about one homeless offender.
Law enforcement officials are actively pursuing five individuals who have not fulfilled their obligation to register or update their current address information as required by law. The wanted offenders include Charles A. Fulton, John A. Martz, Mollie Anne Schonwit, Roy Stevens, and Jose Vasquez-Chavez.
Authorities emphasize that these five cases represent just a fraction of the sex offenders currently being sought statewide. Anyone with knowledge of these individuals’ whereabouts should contact police at (302) 739-5882 or reach out to Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) 847-3333.
Additionally, police have issued a separate notification regarding William Hammons, a registered sex offender who has reported being homeless. Unlike the wanted individuals, Hammons is not being sought for registration violations but authorities want the community to be aware of his status. If residents have information indicating Hammons has secured housing, they should notify police using the same contact numbers.
Complete information about all wanted and homeless sex offenders can be found on the Delaware Sex Offender Registry website, which maintains current listings beyond those highlighted in this alert.
Rehoboth Beach officials have given final approval to a $50.1 million spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year that keeps taxes and fees unchanged while funding major infrastructure projects.
During their regular session on March 20, 2026, the Board of Commissioners unanimously passed the FY2027 budget, which encompasses spending across the city’s general operations, water system, and wastewater services.
The general operating budget accounts for $29.9 million of the total and maintains a balanced approach without raising property taxes, transfer taxes, or utility fees for residents and businesses.
City finances remain robust, with officials reporting an $875,000 operating surplus before capital expenditures, demonstrating that ongoing revenue streams adequately cover day-to-day expenses.
The municipality’s combined fund reserves have reached $77 million, including $19 million beyond what financial policies require as minimum balances. Last year’s budget concluded with a $1.21 million surplus, continuing a pattern of annual budget surpluses.
Infrastructure improvements will receive significant attention through a $13.6 million capital investment program targeting essential systems including water treatment, sewage processing, roadways, and emergency services.
The largest single project involves $4.5 million for the fourth phase of wastewater treatment plant improvements, while $2.4 million will address PFAS contamination treatment at Wells 7 and 8. Additional major expenditures include $1 million for pedestrian safety barriers, $550,000 for LED boardwalk lighting upgrades, and $550,000 for water line replacements.
City officials emphasized that all infrastructure spending will come from existing surpluses and reserve funds rather than issuing new municipal bonds or loans.
The community currently carries $63.2 million in total debt obligations across all municipal funds, with complete repayment scheduled by fiscal year 2043. Annual debt payments are expected to decrease substantially beginning in FY2029 as existing bonds reach maturity.
For wastewater system improvements and ocean outfall projects, Rehoboth Beach covers 58 percent of loan obligations while Sussex County handles the remaining portion.
Financial projections show the general fund maintaining positive operating margins through fiscal year 2030, with annual surpluses ranging from $861,000 to $1.19 million.
The five-year capital improvement plan from FY2027 through FY2031 allocates $18.3 million specifically for general fund projects addressing street maintenance, stormwater management, and public facility needs.
Beginning in FY2029, general fund debt service payments will drop by 13.5 percent as outstanding bond obligations mature, further strengthening the city’s long-term fiscal outlook.
Delaware Department of Transportation officials are alerting drivers about ongoing waste collection activities that are impacting traffic flow on a busy New Castle County roadway.
Refuse removal operations are currently taking place along both the north and southbound shoulders of Appleby Road where it intersects with Wilton Boulevard. The affected area spans the section between Pulaski Highway (Route 40) and Christiana Avenue (Route 273).
Transportation officials indicate the debris collection work is expected to wrap up by 11:00 AM this morning. Motorists traveling through the area may experience some delays or need to exercise additional caution while the cleanup crew completes their work.
Officials throughout western states are taking action to eliminate tributes to civil rights leader Cesar Chavez from public spaces including educational institutions, roadways, artwork and commemorative days dedicated to the prominent activist. The city of San Fernando, California has already removed a monument honoring him.
A shocking revelation has emerged from civil rights activist Dolores Huerta, who recently disclosed that her longtime partner in the farm workers’ movement, Cesar Chavez, sexually assaulted her.
The bombshell allegation was shared during a conversation between NPR host Ailsa Chang and Maria Hinojosa, the host of Latino USA, who conducted the original interview with Huerta.
Huerta, now in her 90s, was a co-founder alongside Chavez of the United Farm Workers union, which fought for the rights of agricultural laborers throughout the 1960s and beyond. The two were considered pillars of the Chicano civil rights movement.
The disclosure marks a significant moment in how the legacy of Chavez, who died in 1993 and has been widely celebrated as a champion of workers’ rights, may be reassessed in light of these serious allegations.
Federal prosecutors have filed a motion to drop criminal charges against police officers who were accused of providing false information to obtain the search warrant used in the fatal raid on Breonna Taylor’s Louisville home.
The officers had been facing federal charges in connection with the March 2020 police operation that resulted in Taylor’s death and sparked nationwide protests calling for police reform and racial justice.
The case has been closely watched as one of the few instances where law enforcement officials faced federal prosecution related to Taylor’s killing during the botched drug raid at her apartment.
Taylor, a 26-year-old emergency medical technician, was shot and killed by Louisville Metro Police officers who were executing a no-knock search warrant at her residence. The incident became a rallying point during the 2020 protests following George Floyd’s death and other high-profile cases of police violence.
The federal charges against the officers centered on allegations that they had provided misleading information to secure the search warrant that led to the deadly encounter.
While the majority of agricultural workers across America lack union representation today, the United Farm Workers continues to serve as a recognized advocate for their interests.
Nearly six decades after César Chávez and fellow activists established the organization, the UFW maintains its position as a significant political entity in California and other regions, though experts question how much progress has been made in improving farmworker conditions.
The union currently faces public scrutiny over accusations that Chávez engaged in sexual misconduct with young girls and Dolores Huerta, a co-founder of the movement, during the organization’s most prominent years.
The UFW champions workers’ rights and equitable labor standards for those employed in America’s agricultural sector.
According to UFW spokesperson Antonio De Loera-Brust, the union currently serves approximately 10,000 workers across California, New York, Washington, and Oregon. This represents a significant decrease from the 70,000 agricultural workers who belonged during Chávez’s era, and constitutes only a small portion of the hundreds of thousands of farmworkers in California alone, where a substantial amount of the nation’s fresh produce is cultivated.
Agricultural workers lack the federal labor organizing protections that cover most other employees, leaving the vast majority without union representation.
However, the UFW has maintained considerable influence on farmworker issues including social justice, labor rights, and immigration policy, according to Armando Ibarra, a professor at the University of Wisconsin, Madison’s School for Workers. The organization operates alongside a sister group focused on immigrant advocacy.
“The impacts and the power and the influence of the UFW go far beyond those 10,000 members,” Ibarra said.
During the 1960s, Chávez, Dolores Huerta, and other organizers established California-based groups that would eventually merge to form the UFW, marking a significant milestone in nationwide farmworker organizing efforts.
The activists orchestrated a nationwide grape boycott that pressured agricultural companies and organized an extended march from California’s agricultural heartland to Sacramento’s Capitol building, which resulted in the first labor agreement for farmworkers.
“It’s the most successful era in the farmworker organizing campaigns to this date,” Ibarra said. “It was a big moment.”
Opinions vary regarding the union’s impact in subsequent decades.
Miriam Pawel, author of a 2014 Chávez biography, believes the UFW has been hindered by its attachment to Chávez’s legacy rather than concentrating on fundamental labor concerns. She notes that Chávez’s reputation as a reform advocate has persisted long after his 1993 death at age 66, even among farmworkers unfamiliar with his work, while also pointing out his tendency to remove critics from the organization.
“It would be good, in some sense, if the movement moves on” from Chávez, she said.
The UFW continues efforts to unionize additional farmworkers, who remain excluded from federal labor organizing regulations.
California established state legislation and a specialized board in 1975 to safeguard farmworkers’ unionization rights. However, relatively few have organized over the years due to declining labor union participation nationwide and immigration status challenges many farmworkers encounter, Ibarra explained.
Recent attempts to change this pattern have created political divisions even among pro-labor Democrats. Efforts to expand farmworker voting methods in union elections faced gubernatorial opposition for years until enactment in 2022, when former President Joe Biden urged Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom to approve the legislation. The breakthrough came as UFW members conducted an extended march to the Capitol, echoing the movement’s Chávez-era tactics.
Since then, workers at eight facilities have organized under UFW representation, De Loera-Brust reported.
The UFW is currently defending the California law in court against opposition from large agricultural operations, including the Wonderful Co., a prominent state farm company known for producing and marketing pistachios, pomegranates, and citrus fruits.
This week, the UFW appeared in federal court for litigation challenging Trump administration policies that reduce costs for hiring temporary foreign agricultural workers, claiming these changes will lower wages for American farmworkers.
UFW President Teresa Romero noted that when the union began, agricultural workers had no protection from heat exposure or workplace illness.
California workers now receive field shade and paid rest periods when temperatures reach certain thresholds, though enforcement remains inconsistent.
“It took us 20 years to be able to get heat and illness protections here,” Romero said. “And to this day, we have employers that refuse to implement them.”
California has since passed legislation mandating overtime compensation and meal breaks for agricultural workers along with additional labor safeguards.
Following California’s lead, states including Washington and New York have begun implementing overtime regulations for agricultural employees.
Romero acknowledged that cities, schools, and other organizations will need to determine whether to remove Chávez’s name from their facilities. The union’s affiliated foundation has cancelled all events planned for this month’s César Chávez Day on March 31.
She indicated the UFW plans to reintroduce farmworker organizing legislation in Washington state next year while continuing worker organization efforts. She emphasized the importance of state-level legislation to enable farmworker organizing and improve workplace protections, noting many workers fear advocating for labor rights due to immigration enforcement concerns.
“We’re going to continue to fight for farmworkers,” she said. “I respect the thousands of people who work with the union throughout the years as volunteers, and that is not going to change.”
NEW YORK — Major League Baseball enters 2026 with transformative changes as automated strike zone technology debuts, the Tampa Bay Rays move back to their renovated home field, and various television networks broadcast games during what could be the final season before a potential work stoppage.
Significant developments have unfolded in the four-and-a-half months since the Los Angeles Dodgers mounted a comeback in the seventh game of the World Series, defeating Toronto in 11 innings to claim back-to-back titles for the first time since the New York Yankees accomplished the feat from 1998-2000.
The typical offseason player movement saw Kyle Tucker join the Dodgers, Bo Bichette sign with the New York Mets, Alex Bregman move to the Chicago Cubs, and Pete Alonso land with the Baltimore Orioles.
Venezuela captured its inaugural World Baseball Classic title, drawing record crowds and television viewership.
However, concerns about a potential season-long work stoppage next year overshadow the typical opening day enthusiasm scheduled for Wednesday.
Bruce Meyer replaced Tony Clark as the players’ union leader after Clark’s forced departure, amid intensifying discussions about a potential salary cap proposal from ownership that the union pledges to oppose. Baseball officials are expected to implement a lockout on December 2nd, creating uncertainty for the 2027 season.
Cy Young Award recipients Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal serve on the eight-member executive committee overseeing labor negotiations.
“We need people that are invested and kind of have status among players and within the game to go into the negotiations and be comfortable going toe to toe with the owners,” Skenes said. “It’s not something that I sought out. Some guys nominated me for the position and that’s not something you say no to.”
After trials beginning in minor league play during 2019, MLB announced last September its decision to implement the Automated Ball-Strike System for regular season games.
Human umpires will continue calling all pitches, but teams can contest two decisions per game, keeping their challenge if correct, with additional challenges available during extra innings.
“You want get the egregiously wrong calls fixed and you want make sure you get it right in a big spot,” three-time Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander said.
The automated system will not operate during the Arizona-San Diego series in Mexico City on April 25-26, the Philadelphia-Minnesota Field of Dreams game in Dyersville, Iowa on August 13, or the Atlanta-Milwaukee contest in Williamsport, Pennsylvania on August 23.
National television coverage is distributed across Fox/FS1, TBS, ESPN, NBC/Peacock, AppleTV and Netflix. NBC’s networks will handle Wild Card Series broadcasts, taking over from ABC/ESPN.
MLB will also produce and distribute local game coverage for 14 franchises following financial difficulties at Main Street Sports Group, which manages regional FanDuel Sports Network stations.
The season opener between the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants on Wednesday will stream exclusively on Netflix.
Following their historic consecutive championship victories, the Dodgers aim to join an exclusive group of teams winning three straight titles, alongside the 1998-2000 Yankees, the 1949-53 Yankees dynasty, the 1936-39 Yankees, and the 1972-74 Oakland Athletics.
“When you’re a Dodger, people want to take us down. They want to beat us,” manager Dave Roberts told players during spring training. “It’s a Game 7. So I think that we’ve got to look ahead and say that this is going to be harder than it’s ever been and we got to work even harder. And so my ask as a team, as an organization is to push ourselves even more. We already got the talent. There isn’t any more talent in a major league clubhouse than in this room.”
After earning his fourth unanimous MVP award, Shohei Ohtani is anticipated to serve as both pitcher and hitter throughout the complete season. He resumed pitching duties on June 16th following his second major elbow operation performed on September 19, 2023.
Tampa Bay moves back to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg following a season of home games at Steinbrenner Field, the Yankees’ spring training facility across the bay.
Hurricane Milton’s October 2024 damage to the Tropicana has been fully restored. The Rays posted a 41-40 record at Steinbrenner last season, marking their poorest home winning rate since 2016. They attracted 786,750 fans averaging 9,713 per game, with 61 sellout crowds.
“There is genuine, authentic excitement to get back to the Trop,” manager Kevin Cash said. “We’ve played well in the Trop. We’ve had a lot of success in the Trop. And I think we’re going back to something that’s probably going to be a little bit newer, a little better than maybe as we left it because they had to do so many repairs.”
Four players have opportunities to reach 400 career home runs during the upcoming season.
Manny Machado begins the year with 369, while Freddie Freeman has 368, Aaron Judge sits at 367, and Bryce Harper holds 363.
Fernando Haddad has officially stepped down from his position as Brazil’s Finance Minister to pursue the governorship of São Paulo state, according to an announcement published in the country’s official gazette on Friday.
The 80-year-old President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has named Dario Durigan, who previously served as the finance ministry’s executive secretary, as Haddad’s replacement.
Haddad, widely viewed as a potential successor to the aging president, announced his gubernatorial campaign on Thursday. The race will likely pit him against incumbent Governor Tarcísio de Freitas, a supporter of former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro who has indicated plans to seek reelection.
Speaking at a campaign event Thursday in São Bernardo do Campo, Haddad expressed confidence about his political ambitions. “I don’t run in elections to bargain, I run to win,” he stated. “Political victory is always possible: you just have to present yourself with integrity and a strong plan.”
Political analyst Paulo Henrique Cassimiro from Rio de Janeiro State University believes Haddad faces an uphill battle against de Freitas, who currently holds the lead in polling data. However, Cassimiro noted that the gubernatorial campaign will elevate Haddad’s national profile.
“Lula’s Workers’ Party is really counting on him, including for Lula’s succession,” Cassimiro explained. “Even if he loses, running brings a very large amount of political capital, raises the person’s profile and makes the candidate’s name more widely known.”
Should President Lula win reelection—he declared his candidacy last October—Haddad could potentially return to his finance minister role, according to Cassimiro’s analysis.
Current polling shows a tight race between Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro, the former president’s oldest son who has also announced presidential ambitions, in a potential head-to-head matchup.
During Thursday’s São Paulo event, President Lula characterized Brazil’s current political climate as deeply troubling. “If we don’t bring forward the best people we have in each city and each state, and if we don’t take up the fight to defend democracy, we run the risk, through inaction, of handing democracy back once again to the fascists,” the leftist leader warned.
Haddad’s 2018 presidential campaign came about because Lula was imprisoned at the time. Though Lula served 19 months in jail, the Supreme Court eventually overturned his convictions, clearing the path for his successful 2022 campaign against Bolsonaro. The former president is currently serving a 27-year sentence for coup attempt charges following his electoral loss.
During his tenure leading Brazil’s finance ministry, Haddad successfully implemented significant reforms to the nation’s taxation system for goods and services—changes that had been under consideration for decades. He also championed well-received income tax modifications.
However, his time as finance minister wasn’t without challenges. Social media users created viral memes in 2024 dubbing him ‘Taxad’—a play on words combining ‘tax’ with his last name—after implementing controversial tariffs on inexpensive international online purchases.
Economist Carla Beni from the Getulio Vargas Foundation identified managing the economic effects of Middle Eastern conflicts as a key challenge facing new Finance Minister Durigan.
The government recently implemented temporary federal tax cuts on diesel fuel as global energy costs continue climbing. Officials plan to offset the resulting revenue loss through a 12% tax on crude oil exports.
“A very intense war like the one we’re seeing in the Middle East is something quite complex for Durigan to manage,” Beni observed.
PIKETON, Ohio — Federal officials on Friday revealed plans for a massive artificial intelligence data center at a shuttered nuclear facility in southern Ohio, marking a significant step in the administration’s push to expand AI infrastructure across the country.
The former Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Pike County will be transformed into what’s being called the “PORTS Technology Campus,” featuring 10 gigawatts of data processing capability alongside new power generation facilities totaling up to 10 gigawatts, including 9.2 gigawatts from natural gas plants, according to Department of Energy officials.
The decommissioned uranium enrichment facility was among 16 federal properties identified last year as potential locations where the energy department could invite technology firms to establish data management and storage operations.
President Trump recently met with technology executives at the White House, urging them to develop dedicated power sources for their energy-demanding facilities. The Ohio initiative incorporates both on-site power generation and grid connectivity, plus billions in transmission infrastructure improvements, officials stated.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum traveled to Piketon Friday to announce the initiative, joined by representatives from SoftBank Group, a Japanese investment firm, and its subsidiary SB Energy.
Through SB Energy, SoftBank will collaborate with AEP Ohio to construct the power generation and transmission systems, including a $4.2 billion investment in grid improvements and new transmission infrastructure that won’t increase customer electricity bills, according to the companies.
The energy department described the project as part of the U.S.-Japan Strategic Trade and Investment Agreement that Trump announced previously. Officials said the plan involves $33.3 billion in Japanese financing connected to the natural gas power component.
Wright stated the project would “add power generation, create jobs, and ensure the United States wins the AI race,” while Lutnick characterized it as part of broader efforts to “reindustrialize the country” through major energy and infrastructure developments.
The announcement comes just days after rural Ohio residents submitted a petition seeking to place a constitutional prohibition on mega data centers on the state ballot, reflecting growing opposition over environmental, economic and social impacts of AI infrastructure.
Ohio currently holds the fifth position nationally for data center facilities, hosting approximately 200 locations, according to the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, which advocates for utility customers. Major technology companies including Google, Amazon Web Services and Meta operate projects there.
SoftBank is working with OpenAI and Oracle on Stargate, an AI infrastructure program designed to expand large-scale U.S. data center capacity for artificial intelligence applications, potentially involving $500 billion in investment. Last autumn, the three companies indicated a Midwest location would be included in their collaboration.
Construction on the Portsmouth facility is scheduled to commence this year and will generate thousands of employment opportunities while supporting research in fusion energy, quantum computing and national security technologies, energy department officials said. They also noted that surplus power produced at the location would be returned to the electrical grid to help reduce regional electricity costs.
Defense officials are sounding the alarm about weakened European air defenses after the Pentagon transferred substantial numbers of Patriot missile systems from European bases to Middle Eastern operations, according to sources within the U.S. military.
The ongoing conflict with Iran, now in its third week, has prompted Washington to deploy thousands of service members to the region while the Pentagon seeks an additional $200 billion in emergency funding. Iranian forces have launched missile and drone attacks throughout the Gulf region, targeting American military installations and civilian facilities in tourist areas.
Military sources confirm that two Patriot defense systems were relocated from German bases to Turkey following multiple ballistic missile launches directed at Turkish territory from Iran since hostilities began. Additional Patriot missiles from various European stockpiles have been redirected to strengthen Middle Eastern air defenses, according to three defense officials who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of military operations.
European Patriot missile inventories are “absolutely” being depleted due to the Iranian conflict, with one official describing the situation as “pretty concerning.”
When asked about the missile transfers, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to the Associated Press: “The US military has more than enough munitions, ammo, and weapons stockpiles to achieve the goals of Operation Epic Fury laid out by President Trump — and beyond.”
However, one defense official maintained that NATO retains “plenty” of defensive capability for European protection, noting that American military assets are positioned globally to project power worldwide.
The Patriot defense platform, a surface-to-air missile system operational since the 1980s, can engage aircraft, cruise missiles, and short-range ballistic missiles.
Combat experience in Ukraine has demonstrated the Patriot system’s effectiveness against diverse threats, including Russia’s maneuverable hypersonic Kinzhal missiles, according to military officials.
However, in Middle Eastern operations, American forces are deploying Patriots “against threats that don’t require them,” one official noted, including relatively inexpensive Iranian Shahed drones.
Military experts argue Patriots should primarily defend high-value systems, such as precision strike missiles fired from HIMARS platforms currently operating in the Middle East.
The missile redeployment occurs as Russia maintains its Ukrainian offensive, with European nations experiencing spillover effects including drone incursions from the Baltic region to Poland and Romania. European officials report Russia is conducting hybrid warfare operations against Europe through sabotage and cyber attacks.
Any military capability removed from Europe represents resources that “can’t respond to Russia” should Moscow exploit potential opportunities, the defense official warned.
Turkish defense authorities report NATO forces have intercepted three Iranian ballistic missiles over Turkish airspace since President Donald Trump initiated military action against Iran on February 28. One Patriot system was transferred from Germany’s Ramstein air base to Incirlik Air Base, where American and NATO personnel are stationed.
Turkey announced last week that NATO positioned another Patriot system in southeastern Malatya province, home to a NATO radar installation. General Alexus Grynkewich, commanding U.S. and NATO forces in Europe, confirmed Wednesday that certain European air defense assets have been relocated to Middle Eastern operations.
Captain Reann Mommsen, spokesperson for U.S. European Command overseeing American military activities in Europe, declined to address shortage concerns and cited operational security in refusing to discuss missile movements or locations.
Ukrainian leadership has repeatedly requested additional Patriot systems and missiles. This week, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Kyiv will “definitely” experience Patriot shortages due to American military operations against Iran.
A German military official stated he has not observed operational shortfalls in Ukraine caused by Middle Eastern conflicts, though he anticipates potential future shortages that could diminish Ukraine’s defensive capabilities and endurance. The official also spoke anonymously regarding sensitive military matters.
In a BBC interview, Zelenskyy reported American production of 60-65 Patriot missiles monthly, totaling approximately 700-800 annually, while noting that 803 were expended on the first day of Middle Eastern combat operations.
The Foreign Policy Research Institute, a Pennsylvania-based security think tank, calculated that America used roughly 325 Patriot missiles during the initial 96 hours of Iranian conflict. The organization estimated total usage by Washington and allied Gulf nations at approximately 943 missiles.
Following the outbreak of Middle Eastern hostilities, military sources informed the Associated Press that America possessed limited effective anti-drone capabilities in the region but planned to deploy the Merops anti-drone system.
The Merops platform, transportable in pickup trucks, neutralizes drones more economically than missile-based systems by using drone-versus-drone technology.
Officials characterized the American response to Iranian Shahed drones as “disappointing,” particularly since these represent more basic versions of the same drones Russia continuously improves for Ukrainian operations.
The United States currently maintains a “limited” number of operational Merops systems in the Middle East, with additional units en route and regional training programs underway, according to defense officials.
A district court judge in Nevada has issued a temporary restraining order Friday that stops prediction market company Kalshi from conducting business in the state without obtaining proper gaming licenses.
Carson City District Court Judge Jason Woodbury granted the Nevada Gaming Control Board’s request to halt Kalshi’s operations, which allow state residents to place financial wagers on sporting events, political elections, and entertainment outcomes through event contracts.
The court action caps off several months of legal disputes as Kalshi fought to avoid becoming the second state where courts have banned its operations, highlighting a growing nationwide conflict over state gaming authorities’ power to regulate prediction market companies.
“Prediction markets, to the extent they facilitate unlicensed gambling, are illegal in Nevada, and we have a statutory duty to protect the public,” Nevada Gaming Control Board Chair Mike Dreitzer said in a statement.
Kalshi declined to comment.
Companies like Kalshi operate prediction markets where users can place financial wagers on various event outcomes including sports and elections through trading what they call “events contracts.”
The Nevada Gaming Control Board filed suit against Kalshi last month, claiming the company engaged in wagering activities under state law by providing sports and other event contracts to users on its platform, requiring proper licensing.
Kalshi contended these contracts fall under the exclusive authority of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The federal agency has supported prediction markets during the Trump administration in their legal battles against state claims that they operate as unlicensed gambling businesses.
However, Judge Woodbury dismissed this defense and ruled the board maintains authority to pursue legal action against the company. The judge determined that by providing event contracts for college basketball, professional football games, and elections, Kalshi operated a “sports pool” according to Nevada gaming regulations.
Woodbury has set an April 3 hearing to determine whether to grant a longer-term preliminary injunction.
This decision follows a Massachusetts judge’s ruling last month that banned Kalshi from offering sports event contracts in that state, though the ruling is currently suspended pending Kalshi’s appeal.
Arizona became the first state Tuesday to file criminal charges against Kalshi for operating an illegal gambling operation, while the company has filed lawsuits to prevent other states from taking enforcement measures.
Gaming platform Roblox announced Friday that it will begin collecting a percentage of revenue from brand partnerships within games beginning next year, part of sweeping changes to its advertising policies aimed at attracting more corporate sponsors and boosting payments to content creators.
The platform has been working to expand beyond traditional gaming into a comprehensive destination for online shopping, social interaction, and brand marketing. Last year, the company unveiled new advertising options and formed a partnership with Google to develop its growing advertising business.
Beginning in January 2027, the new revenue-sharing model is designed to address what Roblox described as a “race to the bottom” in pricing that stems from inconsistent measurement standards and unclear pricing structures, the company explained in a Friday post on its developer community forum.
“A revenue share that scales like media will help brands report, measure and value advertising integrations in a similar way to other scaled media formats on other platforms. Today, the flat fee deal structures leave creators earning less, not more,” the company stated.
Roblox indicated it is continuing to work out specific details with content creators and plans to provide additional information during the second quarter.
Additionally, the company announced that starting May 4, age-appropriate advertising content will be allowed on the platform.
“Content will now be classified as an ad if it involves compensation from a brand to feature within a creator’s experience, or if it promotes off-platform products,” the company explained.
The new system will require creators to register all brand partnerships with Roblox prior to launching campaigns and submit materials for review. The platform will also roll out new advertising identification tags built into its Studio development tool, giving users the ability to flag unwanted promotional content.
The company specified that reward-based advertising and certain business categories, including food, beauty products, pharmaceuticals and financial services, will be off-limits for users younger than 13.
Governor Brian Kemp of Georgia announced Friday that his state will temporarily eliminate its gasoline tax as fuel costs continue climbing during the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, now in its third week.
Starting immediately, Georgia motorists will see relief from the state’s 33.3 cents per gallon tax on gasoline and 37.3 cents per gallon tax on diesel fuel for the next two months. This marks the first instance of a U.S. state providing such relief since the conflict began on February 28.
Oil supplies from the Middle East have been severely disrupted by the war, prompting President Donald Trump to explore military intervention to protect oil tanker routes through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping channel near Iran.
National gasoline prices reached $3.912 per gallon on Friday, representing the highest levels seen since October 2022 and a 31% increase from when the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran commenced.
A recent Reuters/Ipsos survey revealed that 55% of Americans report their household budgets have been impacted “somewhat” or more by rising fuel costs. Of those experiencing financial strain, 21% indicated the price increases have affected them “a great deal.”
When asked about escalating pump prices earlier this month, Trump dismissed concerns, telling Reuters he anticipated costs would drop “very rapidly” following the war’s conclusion.
According to Fox News, citing White House sources, the Trump administration is developing strategies to ease the financial burden Americans face when filling up their vehicles.
A senior executive responsible for overseeing risk management operations at Canadian energy giant Suncor Energy is departing the company after nearly six years, according to industry sources who spoke Friday.
Ray Sick, who has served as the company’s worldwide leader for market and trade risk management since February of last year, is expected to transition to a new position with utility company NextEra Energy, sources revealed.
According to his professional profile, Sick has been with Suncor for almost six years total. In his most recent position, he managed risk operations across multiple sectors including crude oil, refined petroleum products, chemicals, electricity, natural gas, and environmental credits from the company’s Houston office.
Before taking on his current responsibilities, Sick previously served as the director overseeing global crude oil and petroleum products risk for the Canadian oil producer.
Sources indicate that Sick will assume a leadership position within NextEra Energy’s risk management division, though specific details about his new role were not disclosed.
Neither Suncor Energy nor NextEra Energy provided immediate responses when contacted for comment about the executive transition. Sick also did not respond to requests for comment through professional networking channels.
WASHINGTON – Federal law enforcement officials have uncovered evidence that hackers working alongside Russian intelligence agencies are going after individuals who use popular messaging platforms, according to an announcement made Friday.
FBI Director Kash Patel revealed the cybersecurity threat through a social media post, specifically noting that the messaging service Signal is among the commercial applications being targeted by these Russian-connected cyber criminals.
Neither Signal representatives nor officials from the Russian embassy in Washington have provided responses to media inquiries about the FBI’s warning.
The Indiana Pacers will be without center Ivica Zubac for the remainder of the season after he suffered a fractured rib, according to a report from the Indianapolis Star on Friday.
The 29-year-old big man, who celebrated his birthday on Wednesday, was injured during that same evening’s 127-119 defeat to the Portland Trail Blazers at home.
During the game against Portland, Zubac exited with what was initially described as a head injury following contact from an elbow by Trail Blazers player Donovan Clingan. However, he was seen applying ice to his side area following the contest.
Since joining Indiana in a trade from the Los Angeles Clippers on February 5th, Zubac has contributed 11.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game across five starts with his new team. During his time with Los Angeles this season, he posted 14.4 points and 11.0 rebounds per contest over 43 appearances, starting 42 of those games.
Throughout his decade-long NBA career, the veteran center has maintained averages of 10.5 points and 8.3 rebounds across 632 total games, making 498 starts while playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers, and now the Pacers.
The artificial intelligence revolution that’s already creating shortages in specialized memory chips may soon trigger supply constraints for storage drives as well, according to a technology industry executive speaking at a major conference this week.
Greg Matson, a senior vice president at Solidigm, the American storage division of South Korean tech giant SK Hynix, warned that AI’s voracious appetite for data could strain storage supplies through the end of the decade. His comments came during Nvidia’s annual developer conference in San Jose, California, where industry leaders gathered to discuss the latest AI developments.
The storage supply concerns mirror existing problems with high-bandwidth memory chips, which work alongside processors in AI servers. Earlier this week, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won predicted these memory chip shortages could persist until 2030 due to surging demand for AI technology.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang highlighted the growing pressure on storage systems during his Monday keynote presentation. “The storage system is going to get pounded,” Huang told conference attendees, as the company unveiled new technologies designed to accelerate data transfer from storage devices to processing chips.
The challenge stems from AI software’s ability to extract valuable insights from massive datasets that were previously too complex for human analysis. This capability is driving unprecedented demand for solid state drives used in business applications, Matson explained.
According to Matson’s projections, AI systems launching later this year will require 35% more storage capacity compared to existing technology. “It’s going to be tight,” he said when discussing storage memory supplies between now and 2030.
While Solidigm plans to introduce higher-capacity drives and increase manufacturing capacity, Matson acknowledged the company cannot meet the surging demand. “We’ll be coming out with higher-density drives from a silicon perspective later this year, and even expanding our manufacturing output as well,” he explained. “But can we keep up? No, we can’t. I could sell twice as much as I am today.”
NEW YORK – Wall Street remains fixated on escalating Middle Eastern tensions as the ongoing conflict between Iran and U.S.-Israeli forces continues to rattle financial markets, with investors closely monitoring energy price spikes and their economic implications.
The three-week military engagement has triggered oil prices to climb more than 40%, sparking fresh concerns about rising inflation and potential economic slowdown across the United States.
These inflation fears have led markets to virtually eliminate expectations for stock-friendly interest rate reductions this year that traders had previously anticipated. During Wednesday’s Federal Reserve meeting, Chair Jerome Powell acknowledged significant uncertainty about how the crisis might impact the broader economy, complicating the central bank’s ability to predict future conditions.
The S&P 500 index appears headed for its fourth consecutive week of losses following this week’s intensification of Middle Eastern hostilities, which saw Iran target regional energy infrastructure after Israel struck Iranian gas facilities.
“This is a situation that’s so fluid,” commented Chris Fasciano, chief market strategist at Commonwealth Financial Network. “We could have a resolution in the next week or it could go on for some time. And the longer it goes on, you start to think about the impacts it could have on the U.S. economy.”
CRUDE PRICES DRIVE MARKET VOLATILITY
Oil price fluctuations have created waves across multiple investment sectors. U.S. crude hit $100 per barrel Thursday, while Brent crude hovered around $110. Beyond direct attacks on energy infrastructure, shipping traffic has ground to a halt in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that typically handles about one-fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas transport.
Data from LSEG shows the 20-day correlation between the S&P 500 and U.S. crude oil reached -0.926 as of Thursday morning, demonstrating a powerful inverse relationship where the two typically move in opposite directions.
“If you’re a trader, you watch oil prices because I do think that that’s generally giving the leading indicator as to how the financial markets are viewing the outlook for the conflict,” explained Eric Kuby, chief investment officer at North Star Investment Management Corp.
While the S&P 500’s energy sector has benefited from the crude price surge that began in late February, this sector represents less than 4% of the overall benchmark index’s weighting.
Current market declines have pushed the S&P 500 down slightly more than 5% from its record closing high achieved in late January. However, this pullback has maintained a more controlled character compared to the chaotic equity drop last April that followed President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff announcement, which triggered widespread economic anxiety, Fasciano noted.
“This has been fairly orderly, which I think is an encouraging sign,” Fasciano observed. “And I think it’s because the underlying fundamentals for corporate America are still fairly robust and are offering some support.”
RISING TREASURY YIELDS POSE ADDITIONAL RISK
Rapidly climbing Treasury yields, pushed higher by energy price increases and cautious global central bank policies, present another potential threat to equity markets. The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield reached 4.328% Thursday, marking its highest point since August, before retreating slightly.
Keith Lerner, chief investment officer at Truist Advisory Services, indicated he’s monitoring whether the 10-year Treasury yield can sustain levels above 4.3%, which could intensify pressure on stock prices.
“Rates going higher means borrowing costs are somewhat higher. And then that could actually slow the economy,” Lerner explained. “At some point if they keep going higher, then the relative attractiveness of (bond) yields becomes more attractive relative to equities.”
Stocks have also approached significant technical thresholds. The S&P 500 closed Thursday at 6,606.49, falling below its 200-day moving average – a widely monitored long-term trend indicator – for the first time since May.
A breakdown below this trend line “especially if followed by a breach of the November lows at 6,522, would raise more serious questions about the staying power of this bull market,” Adam Turnquist, chief technical strategist for LPL Financial, wrote in Thursday’s analysis.
The coming week features relatively sparse U.S. economic data, with reports covering manufacturing, services activity, and consumer sentiment scheduled. A major energy conference in Houston featuring prominent global industry leaders could capture Wall Street’s attention.
Iranian developments will likely remain the primary focus. Thursday morning analysts at UBS Global Wealth Management noted that recent events were “pushing markets to price in a higher risk of prolonged conflict, deeper infrastructure damage and higher-for-longer crude prices.”
“While a less damaging outcome in the Strait of Hormuz remains possible, recent events have narrowed that path and heightened the risk of continued volatility,” the UBS analysts concluded.
Minnesota has parted ways with veteran relief pitcher Liam Hendriks, cutting the three-time All-Star on Friday after his spring training audition.
The 37-year-old right-hander from Australia had been invited to spring training on a non-roster basis, where he pitched six innings across six relief outings, giving up two earned runs while recording four strikeouts and issuing three walks.
During the previous season, Hendriks struggled in his time with Boston, posting an 0-2 record and 6.59 earned run average over 14 bullpen appearances for the Red Sox.
The veteran reliever earned All-Star honors three times during his American League career in 2019, 2021, and 2022, and topped the league with 38 saves while playing for Chicago in 2021.
Health challenges have significantly impacted Hendriks’ recent career, as he sat out portions of the 2023 campaign while battling non-Hodgkin lymphoma and missed the entirety of 2024 due to Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery.
Throughout his major league career spanning 490 games with 44 starts, Hendriks has compiled a 33-36 record with 116 saves and a 3.88 earned run average while suiting up for Minnesota (2011-13), Kansas City (2014), Toronto (2014-15), Oakland (2016-20), Chicago (2021-23), and Boston.
Minnesota begins their 2026 regular season schedule next Thursday with a road game against Baltimore.
SALISBURY, Md. – Salisbury University’s women’s lacrosse squad delivered a dominant performance Friday afternoon, overwhelming visiting Franklin and Marshall College in a lopsided 14-4 victory at Sea Gull Stadium.
The fourth-ranked Sea Gulls established control early against the 12th-ranked Diplomats, building a commanding 12-1 advantage by halftime before coasting to the convincing win.
The victory showcases the strength of Salisbury’s program as they continue their campaign against nationally-ranked competition. The Sea Gulls used their home field advantage to dismantle their opponents in what became a one-sided affair from the opening minutes.
Volunteers in Mexico are organizing a humanitarian mission to deliver essential supplies to Cuba as the island nation struggles with widespread power outages and economic difficulties caused by U.S. restrictions on oil imports.
At a port in Mexico’s Yucatan state, located roughly 497 miles from Havana across the Gulf of Mexico, dozens of volunteers gathered to pack boats with rice, baby wipes, and other critical supplies. A hand-painted sign reading “Let Cuba Live” marked the collection site.
Volunteer Marisela Vega described how the grassroots movement gained momentum. “At the beginning we felt like we were going against the tide, trying to get enough aid,” Vega explained. “And suddenly it overflowed. … When everyone started finding out, little by little they responded more and more.”
The donated items include beans, baby formula, shampoo, and feminine hygiene products, according to Vega. Volunteers have also used donations to purchase medications for the shipment.
The boats departed Friday as part of the “Nuestra America Convoy” (“Our America Convoy”), a civilian initiative calling on volunteers worldwide to send vital goods to Cuba. The effort specifically seeks food, medicines, and energy supplies like batteries and flashlights, with all items being collected at a central location in Cuba by Saturday.
The aid mission responds directly to actions taken by U.S. President Donald Trump during heightened tensions between Washington and Havana. The United States has imposed an oil embargo on the Caribbean communist nation following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Cuba’s primary economic supporter. This week, Trump suggested he might soon have the “honor of taking Cuba” while engaging in discussions with Cuban officials.
Mexico, which previously supplied fuel to Cuba before the U.S. delivery ban, has provided humanitarian assistance to the island.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the situation Friday, stating: “Cuba has lived through an economic blockade for years that has prevented the Cuban people from being able to develop freely in economic terms. It is the people of Cuba themselves who must decide how to govern without foreign intervention.”
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel acknowledged the arrival of European supplies Friday as part of the “Nuestra America” relief effort. “The warmth of the people is welcome,” he wrote on social media.
Small-cap stocks are teetering on the edge of correction territory as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East fuel concerns about persistent inflation and delay hopes for Federal Reserve interest rate cuts.
The Russell 2000, which tracks smaller companies, has declined 10% from its peak closing price reached in January, positioning it to enter correction status on Friday. The index fell 2% to 2,442.75 points during Thursday’s trading session, down significantly from its record closing high of 2,718 points achieved on January 22.
A correction is officially confirmed when an index drops 10% or more from its recent peak. Should this occur, the Russell 2000 would become the first major Wall Street benchmark to enter correction territory in the current year.
Federal Reserve officials, alongside other central bank leaders, adopted a more cautious stance this week, forecasting elevated inflation levels and indicating just one interest rate reduction planned for 2026.
Market participants have significantly reduced their expectations for Fed rate cuts, with most now anticipating reductions won’t come until next year, based on data from CME Group’s FedWatch Tool. Before the escalation of conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran, investors had been counting on two rate cuts.
The ongoing warfare has severely impacted global financial markets throughout March, with military strikes targeting Iranian territory and attacks on Gulf region energy facilities disrupting oil production and shipping routes through the vital Strait of Hormuz.
Brent crude oil prices have surged over 50% since the conflict began, reinforcing expectations that borrowing costs will stay elevated longer to address inflationary pressures.
Additional economic indicators from earlier in March revealed significant weakening in the U.S. job market, creating a challenging environment for central bank policymakers and adding uncertainty to future interest rate decisions.
Smaller companies face particular vulnerability when interest rates remain high, as these businesses typically depend more heavily on borrowed funds to finance their expansion compared to larger corporations.
The Russell 2000 had reached its record peak in January following a robust beginning to 2026, supported by investors seeking alternatives to expensive technology stock valuations.
“We viewed the rally with a huge degree of skepticism and now that they’re falling, it makes a lot more sense to us because they’re hit by growth concerns, credit concerns and by concerns around the Fed not easing this year,” said Sameer Samana, head of global equities and real assets at Wells Fargo Investment Institute.
The small-cap index previously entered correction territory on January 10, 2025, when a strong economic performance led traders to reduce their expectations for rate cuts.
Sexual misconduct allegations against the late Cesar Chavez have emerged, devastating the reputation of the celebrated labor organizer who dedicated his life to fighting for farmworker rights.
The accusations have shattered the legacy of Chavez and left his admirers grappling with the disturbing claims against someone they viewed as a champion of social justice.
Chavez, who died in 1993, became an iconic figure in the labor movement through his work organizing farmworkers and co-founding the United Farm Workers union. His efforts to improve working conditions and wages for agricultural laborers made him a revered figure in civil rights history.
The sexual abuse allegations represent what some are calling a second death for Chavez – this time the death of his carefully cultivated image as a moral leader and advocate for the oppressed.
Those who have long celebrated Chavez’s contributions to labor rights and social justice now find themselves confronting troubling questions about the man behind the movement.
A new heart health initiative is now underway for residents living at Dover’s Liberty Court public housing development, thanks to a collaboration between state housing officials and health advocates.
The Delaware State Housing Authority announced on March 20, 2026, that it has joined forces with the Delaware Cardiovascular Health Learning Collaborative to launch wellness programming specifically designed for the Liberty Court community.
According to housing authority officials, Liberty Court was selected as a key location for this health outreach effort. The program will offer residents access to complimentary health screenings along with educational sessions focused on cardiovascular wellness.
The partnership represents an effort to bring preventive healthcare services directly to public housing communities, making it easier for residents to access important health resources without barriers.
Delaware emergency officials are preparing to distribute protective medication to residents and workers near nuclear facilities next month.
The Delaware Emergency Management Agency and Delaware Division of Public Health announced they will provide potassium iodide tablets on April 2nd to people who live or work within a 10-mile radius of the Salem/Hope Creek Nuclear Stations.
The medication distribution will take place in Middletown and is specifically designed for those residing within the designated Emergency Planning Zone surrounding the nuclear facilities.
Residents can verify whether their location falls within the 10-mile emergency zone by visiting the state’s online mapping tool at gov/epz.
Potassium iodide serves as a protective measure that can help shield the thyroid gland from radioactive iodine in the unlikely event of a nuclear emergency.
A Pennsylvania high school student has become the first of five teenagers to resolve his case through a probation program after being arrested during a heated confrontation with the local police chief during an immigration protest.
The incident occurred in Quakertown, located about 40 miles north of Philadelphia, when students attempted to hold an anti-ICE demonstration on February 20th. While three other defendants postponed their juvenile court appearances in Bucks County on Friday, an attorney for the fifth teenager is pushing for complete dismissal of assault charges.
“I think the way these kids have been persecuted for protesting and speaking their minds is absolutely shameful,” attorney Ettore “Ed” Angelo stated before Friday’s court session for his 15-year-old client.
The students, predominantly youth of color, were held in detention facilities for four to eight days following the February altercation and subsequently placed under house arrest with electronic monitoring for one month. Video footage of the confrontation during the anti-ICE demonstration has sparked heated community meetings in the largely white community of Quakertown, while 72-year-old Police Chief Scott McElree, who also holds the position of borough manager, has taken medical leave.
Angelo represents an 80-pound teenager facing felony assault charges for hitting Chief McElree on the shoulder during the struggle. The incident occurred as McElree wrapped his arm around another female student’s neck and both fell to the ground. While the county prosecutor is investigating McElree’s actions, he remains listed as the victim in the juvenile proceedings. Angelo is seeking additional time to review the case before considering any settlement discussions.
“These kids are being taught that we have two systems of justice. There’s one system for those with power and wealth. And then there’s the other system for those who have neither,” Angelo explained.
Students from Quakertown Community High School had originally organized a school-sanctioned walkout protesting federal immigration enforcement policies, similar to demonstrations nationwide this year. However, administrators cancelled the approved event that morning citing safety issues. Approximately 35 students proceeded with a one-mile march through the community instead. According to defense attorneys, opposing students followed them in vehicles, engaging in harassment throughout the demonstration.
Around 10 protesters had gathered near a bakery when McElree, dressed in civilian clothing, suddenly entered the confrontation, as shown in social media videos. Several students engaged in the physical struggle as he placed his arm around the girl’s neck. That student is among those whose cases were delayed Friday.
All defendants face felony assault charges due to McElree’s official position, along with additional lesser offenses. Community members have demanded his resignation through both passionate town hall meetings and online petition drives.
McElree has not responded to multiple messages left at his residence and workplace over the past month, and his legal representative did not return Friday’s request for comment. A representative for District Attorney Joe Khan confirmed only that the investigation into police conduct remains active.
The high school junior who entered probation Friday, whose identity remains confidential, will have his arrest record cleared upon successful completion of six months’ probation. According to his attorney Donald Souders, he is an American-born child of immigrants with military service aspirations. His eyeglasses shattered during the altercation, and he spent four days in detention attempting to remove glass fragments from his eye.
Souders described the case as reflecting broader divisions within American society. Rather than law enforcement working to calm tensions, “things were allowed to get to a fever pitch,” he stated.
“These kids had the courage and the heart to care enough to go out and protest,” Souders said Friday. “The police chief apparently was there watching the protests along the route. He did nothing to stop the anti-protesters who were harassing (them), who were using racial slurs, using veiled threats against the kids. He did nothing.”
Facing eviction warnings, car repossessions, and empty bank accounts, Transportation Security Administration workers across the country are making a difficult choice: quit their jobs or continue working without pay during the ongoing government shutdown.
Federal officials and union representatives report that TSA officers are grappling with severe financial hardships as they endure their third unpaid work period in under six months. The latest shutdown, which started on Valentine’s Day, has already prompted at least 376 officers to resign from their positions, according to Department of Homeland Security data.
The departures are worsening staffing problems at an agency already known for having among the federal government’s highest turnover rates and poorest employee satisfaction levels.
“It’s just exhausting. Every day it just feels like this weight gets heavier and heavier on us,” said Cameron Cochems, a TSA union representative in Boise, Idaho, speaking to The Associated Press.
Cochems, who has served as a TSA officer for over four years while also holding the vice president role in his local American Federation of Government Employees chapter, believes the resignation numbers don’t tell the complete story of the agency’s staffing crisis. He suspects many more workers would have left if better job opportunities were available.
“I think more people are staying with the TSA that don’t want to be here,” Cochems explained.
A Government Accountability Office study from 2024 revealed that TSA employees have consistently ranked among the least satisfied federal workers, largely due to historically low wages and ongoing workplace issues. Despite recent salary increases, the research found widespread dissatisfaction continues, with staff members pointing to unpredictable management, lack of appreciation, and poor work-life balance as major concerns.
Entry-level TSA positions start at approximately $34,500 annually, while experienced officers typically earn between $46,000 and $55,000, based on the agency’s official recruitment materials.
The GAO study cautioned that without addressing these fundamental problems, the agency would likely continue facing high departure rates.
For Cochems, the recurring shutdowns have destroyed the job security that originally attracted him to federal employment. He already works additional seasonal hours screening college athletic teams at airports to boost his earnings, but even that extra income isn’t sufficient to cover basic living costs without his regular TSA salary.
His family’s financial situation became even more precarious when his wife unexpectedly lost her job while his government pay remained suspended.
“Every day I come to the airport and I look at the food drive, see what things I can get for my family,” he shared, referencing charitable donations that Atlanta’s airport and other facilities are collecting to assist TSA employees.
The 35-day-old shutdown specifically impacts the Department of Homeland Security. Congressional Democrats have stated they will not approve department funding until new limitations are implemented on federal immigration enforcement, following the deadly shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis this year.
Air travelers are experiencing the consequences of reduced TSA staffing through increasingly unreliable airport conditions. Security checkpoint delays have extended to multiple hours at various airports, with passengers in Houston, Atlanta, and New Orleans reporting waits so lengthy they caused missed flights.
TSA workers missed their first complete paycheck over the past weekend, and nationwide absence rates are climbing, Homeland Security reports indicate. More than half of scheduled personnel were absent Sunday at one Houston airport facility. At Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, 38% of officers didn’t report for work on Wednesday.
“I’ve heard from officers who cannot afford copayments for cancer treatments or office visits for their sick children,” stated Aaron Barker, an Atlanta-based TSA union leader, during a press conference held outside the airport this week.
Personnel shortages have compelled some airports to shut down security checkpoints entirely, causing wait times to fluctuate wildly throughout each day. Early Friday morning, Hartsfield-Jackson’s primary security checkpoint experienced delays exceeding one hour, which dropped to under five minutes by early afternoon before surging back to 75 minutes.
During a Fox News appearance this week, Acting Deputy TSA Administrator Adam Stahl cautioned that the shutdown might create permanent staffing damage, predicting that both employee departures and new hiring efforts would suffer. He referenced data showing that resignations increased 25% following the previous shutdown, and anticipates conditions will deteriorate further without restored funding and regular paychecks for TSA personnel.
“We saw an uptick of 25% attrition after the last shutdown, and so this is going to continue and worsen — not get better, get worse — if we don’t get a resumption of normal operations, DHS funded and money back into our TSA officers’ pockets,” he stated, noting that the agency has used all available resources, including emergency staffing deployments, to maintain adequate security checkpoint operations.
Former TSA Administrator John Pistole reported that approximately 1,100 officers resigned during last year’s unprecedented 43-day shutdown that concluded in November.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Federal prosecutors on Friday requested a judge drop criminal charges against two former Louisville police officers who allegedly provided false information on the search warrant that resulted in the fatal raid at Breonna Taylor’s home six years ago.
In their court submission, prosecutors stated their case review indicated the charges against ex-Detective Joshua Jaynes and former Sgt. Kyle Meany should be “dismissed in the interest of justice.”
Two separate judges had previously downgraded the felony charges against both officers to misdemeanor level, ruling that prosecutors failed to establish a clear connection between the warrant’s false statements and Taylor’s death. Following the second judicial decision, prosecutors announced their intention to abandon the cases.
“We are elated with this development,” said Travis Lock, an attorney for Jaynes.
Michael Denbow, representing Meany, expressed being “incredibly grateful for today’s filing.”
Denbow added that Meany “is looking forward to putting this matter behind him and moving forward with his life.”
Taylor died from gunshot wounds when officers forced entry into her residence during execution of a no-knock drug search warrant targeting a former romantic partner who had already moved elsewhere.
Her then-boyfriend opened fire on the entering officers, prompting return gunfire that fatally struck Taylor.
The Biden administration’s federal prosecutors had brought charges against these officers. However, under the Trump administration, the Justice Department has requested that Brett Hankison, currently the sole officer imprisoned in connection with Taylor’s death, be released pending his conviction appeal.
Taylor’s mother, Tamkia Palmer, expressed her profound disappointment with Trump’s Justice Department in a Facebook statement.
“Their phone call today informing me that charges against the police are being dropped while implying they have helped me is utterly disrespectful,” Palmer wrote. “This is the first time I’ve heard from them since they took over and it’s clear they have not served me or Breonna well.”
A federal court sentenced Hankison to 2 years and nine months imprisonment plus 3 years supervised release for recklessly discharging 10 rounds through Taylor’s windows during the fatal incident. His bullets struck no one.
The two officers whose gunfire actually killed Taylor faced no charges, as prosecutors determined their actions constituted justified self-defense.
No narcotics or money were discovered in Taylor’s residence. Louisville settled a wrongful death lawsuit with Taylor’s family for $12 million.
The killing of Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman, sparked extensive street demonstrations throughout Louisville during 2020, coinciding with the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia and George Floyd in Minneapolis.
HONOLULU — Emergency officials ordered more than 4,000 Hawaii residents to immediately evacuate Friday morning as authorities warned that a century-old dam could collapse under pressure from severe flooding that has overwhelmed communities north of Honolulu.
The Wahiawa dam, constructed 120 years ago, is either failing or expected to fail imminently, prompting Honolulu authorities to issue urgent emergency alerts to residents living in downstream areas. Officials advised evacuees to share rides due to heavy traffic conditions.
Warning sirens echoed across Oahu’s renowned North Shore Friday morning as floodwaters rose, causing damage to residential properties. At 5:35 a.m., Honolulu emergency management issued an urgent “LEAVE NOW” directive for Waialua and Haleiwa communities, stating: “Extremely dangerous flooding and Wahiawa Dam is high.”
The dam has been under close surveillance since last week’s powerful storm brought torrential rainfall statewide, triggering devastating floods that destroyed roadways and homes. Weather forecasters predict another storm system, though less intense, will bring additional precipitation through the weekend.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green announced via social media that the Hawaii National Guard has been deployed to address the flooding emergency. “The storm of course is very severe right now, particularly on the northern part of Oahu,” Green stated, noting flood levels reaching chest height. “It’s going to be a very touch-and-go day.”
The National Weather Service placed most of Hawaii under flood watch conditions, with northern Oahu specifically under flash flood warnings. The agency reported “widespread life-threatening flash flooding” with Haleiwa and Waialua experiencing the most severe conditions.
Emergency crews evacuated approximately 185 people and 50 animals from a shelter at Waialua High and Intermediate School due to rising waters, according to Honolulu spokesperson Ian Scheuring. The evacuees were transported by bus to an alternative emergency facility.
Waialua resident Kathleen Pahinui, who was preparing to relocate to a friend’s residence on higher elevation, expressed her concerns about the aging infrastructure during a phone conversation with The Associated Press. “Just pray for us,” Pahinui requested. “We understand there’s more rain coming.”
The evacuation directive affects more than 4,000 individuals, though the actual number may be higher, confirmed Molly Pierce, spokesperson for the Honolulu Department of Emergency Management.
Authorities had previously issued dam warnings during last week’s heavy rainfall, but water levels dropped as precipitation decreased. “The water is actively running over the spillway right now,” Pierce explained.
According to a 2019 infrastructure assessment by the American Society of Civil Engineers, Hawaii maintains regulatory oversight of 132 dams throughout the islands, with most originally constructed to support sugar cane plantation irrigation systems.
The Ka Loko dam collapse on Kauai island in 2006 resulted in seven fatalities when the structure failed and released a deadly torrent of water downhill.
BOSTON — An armed individual carrying a large kitchen knife caused chaos at a Massachusetts transit hub on Friday, attacking a bus operator and later engaging in a violent confrontation with law enforcement that left several people injured.
The incident unfolded at Forest Hills station during late morning hours when transit police received emergency calls about a dangerous person wielding a butcher knife. Richard Sullivan, who serves as police superintendent for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, reported that the individual had been attempting to damage bus tires and making violent threats against a driver.
When officers arrived to intervene, a physical altercation broke out during which the armed person attempted to seize a police officer’s firearm, Sullivan explained. During the struggle, the weapon discharged, though fortunately no one suffered gunshot wounds or stab injuries.
Sullivan praised his officers’ response to the dangerous situation. “This was a violent person armed with a butcher knife,” Sullivan said. “These officers, without hesitation, immediately rushed to the danger while other people were running away from it.”
The confrontation resulted in injuries to four individuals: two transit police officers, one Boston police officer, and the suspect. Emergency medical services transported six people from the scene to area hospitals, though Sullivan could not account for the additional two patients.
The violent episode prompted a major emergency response, with numerous police vehicles and ambulances converging on the transportation facility located in Boston’s Jamaica Plain area. The station serves multiple transit modes including buses, trains and subway lines. Operations at the upper bus terminal were suspended at approximately 11:15 a.m., forcing authorities to redirect service to alternative areas of the complex.
Financial markets have undergone a dramatic reversal in expectations for Federal Reserve policy, with traders now placing approximately 75% odds on an interest rate increase by September, and greater than 50% probability of a hike occurring as early as July.
This represents a stunning turnaround from just five days earlier, when market participants showed no anticipation of rate increases whatsoever for this year and instead anticipated the central bank would lower borrowing costs. As recently as last month, Wall Street was pricing in expectations for two rate reductions before year’s end.
During the initial weeks following the Iran conflict’s start on February 28, financial markets maintained expectations that the Fed would loosen monetary policy, dismissing the impact of rising oil prices. Federal Reserve officials generally shared this perspective at the time.
The dramatic shift in sentiment began this week as tensions with Iran intensified and Fed Chair Jerome Powell signaled he didn’t view employment market risks as more significant than inflation concerns. The momentum accelerated Thursday and Friday, especially after Fed Governor Christopher Waller, known as an influential dovish member of the central bank, stated that the potential for lasting inflation stemming from the Iranian conflict was compelling enough for him to support maintaining current interest rates this week, rather than reducing them as he had previously intended.
Stock markets have declined while the two-year Treasury note yield – which typically mirrors Federal Reserve policy direction – has surged higher.
A British investment company announced Friday it has decided against pursuing an acquisition of a major UK private hospital chain.
Triton Investments stated it will not be submitting a purchase proposal for Spire Healthcare, ending speculation about a potential deal between the two companies.
The private hospital operator had been weighing its strategic alternatives since January, engaging in discussions with multiple acquisition firms including both Bridgepoint and Triton regarding possible buyout scenarios.
The withdrawal leaves questions about Spire Healthcare’s future direction as it continues exploring other potential partnerships or sale opportunities in the competitive private healthcare market.
Agricultural producers across the nation saw their peanut earnings decline during the week ending March 14, according to federal agricultural data.
Farmers received an average of 21.8 cents per pound for their farmer stock peanuts during this period, marking a decrease of 2.4 cents compared to earlier pricing.
The price drop affects growers nationwide who depend on peanut crops as a significant source of agricultural income. The weekly pricing report tracks compensation levels that producers receive for their harvested peanut inventory.
America’s dairy industry delivered strong results in February, with farmers in the nation’s 24 leading milk-producing states generating 17.6 billion pounds of milk throughout the month.
The February output marked a notable 3.1 percent increase when compared to milk production levels from February of the previous year, according to federal agricultural data.
The monthly production figures reflect the ongoing performance of the country’s major dairy operations across nearly two dozen states that serve as the backbone of America’s milk supply chain.
Federal agricultural officials report a modest decline in the number of cattle currently being fattened in feedlots nationwide, according to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.
The monthly cattle feeding report indicates fewer animals are being prepared for slaughter compared to previous periods, which could have implications for beef supplies and pricing in the coming months.
Feedlots serve as the final stage in cattle production, where animals are given high-energy diets to reach market weight before processing into beef products found in grocery stores and restaurants.
The decrease in cattle numbers may reflect various factors affecting the livestock industry, including feed costs, weather conditions, and market demand fluctuations that influence ranchers’ decisions about when to send cattle to feeding operations.
ABC has made the decision to shelve an entire season of The Bachelorette after domestic violence allegations against the show’s lead resurfaced just days before the scheduled premiere.
Taylor Frankie Paul, who became a household name through her appearance on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives reality series, was set to star in the upcoming season of the popular dating show. However, the network pulled the plug on airing the completed season following renewed scrutiny over past domestic violence claims.
The timing proved particularly awkward for Paul, who attended the Academy Awards ceremony just one week before her Bachelorette debut was originally scheduled to hit television screens. The season had already been filmed in its entirety before the network made the unprecedented decision to cancel its broadcast.
This marks a rare instance where a major television network has scrapped a completed reality show season due to controversy surrounding its star. The allegations have cast a shadow over Paul’s rising television career, which had been building momentum following her reality TV success.
ABC has not announced whether they plan to reshoot the season with a different lead or if they will move forward with alternative programming in the show’s time slot.
Delaware State Police have taken a 40-year-old Millsboro resident into custody on first-degree murder charges following the fatal shooting of an elderly family member Thursday afternoon.
John Sulecki was arrested after allegedly shooting a 72-year-old female relative during a domestic dispute at a home on White Pine Drive in The Pines at Long Neck community around 12:10 p.m. on March 19, 2026.
According to investigators, another family member witnessed the shooting and fled the residence before calling emergency services to report that Sulecki was armed and had fired at the victim during an altercation.
Responding officers apprehended Sulecki at the scene without any resistance. Emergency medical personnel discovered the elderly woman inside the home suffering from what appeared to be a gunshot wound and declared her deceased at the location.
The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit has taken over the case given the severity of the incident. Investigators determined that Sulecki and the victim had been engaged in a heated dispute when he allegedly fired the fatal shot while they were in a rear area of the residence.
Following his arrest, Sulecki was transported to Troop 7 headquarters where he faced formal charges. Justice of the Peace Court 2 conducted his arraignment before he was transferred to Sussex Correctional Institution under a $1,060,000 cash bond.
The charges against Sulecki include:
• Murder First Degree (Felony) • Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
The investigation continues as detectives work to gather additional details about the incident. Anyone with relevant information is urged to reach out to Detective D. Patterson at (302) 365-8471. Tips can also be submitted through private messages to Delaware State Police on Facebook or through Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) 847-3333.
Individuals affected by violent crime or sudden loss can access support through the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit and Delaware Victim Center, available around the clock at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461) or via email at [email protected].
Two individuals died when American military forces targeted a vessel suspected of narcotics trafficking in Pacific Ocean waters, according to military officials who announced the operation on Friday.
The U.S. Coast Guard reported receiving notification from Southern Command on Thursday about three individuals requiring rescue assistance in the Pacific. When Coast Guard personnel arrived at the location, they discovered two deceased persons and one surviving individual.
Officials transferred both the survivor and the deceased to Costa Rican Coast Guard authorities, according to a Coast Guard representative.
Inter Miami CF has officially brought 17-year-old midfielder Alexander Shaw into their professional ranks, announcing his first-team contract signing on Friday.
The young player, who developed through Inter Miami’s academy system, has secured a deal that runs until 2026, with the possibility of extending through the 2028-29 season.
Shaw recently stepped onto the MLS stage for the first time, entering as a substitute in last weekend’s goalless match against Charlotte FC.
“Signing my first contract as a first-team player is a blessing. It’s something I had been working for since I first joined the Academy,” Shaw said. “Now that I’m here in the first team, I’m excited to continue to play, continue to enjoy memorable moments with my teammates, and start winning trophies.”
During the 2025 campaign, the teenager contributed two assists across 13 appearances for the club’s MLS Next Pro team, Inter Miami CF II.
