A major artificial intelligence company has taken the Trump administration to federal court over a Pentagon ruling that blocks the firm from defense contracting work.
Anthropic, the San Francisco-based creator of the Claude AI chatbot, filed dual federal lawsuits on Monday challenging the Defense Department’s classification of the company as a “supply chain risk.” One case was filed in California federal court, while the other was submitted to the federal appeals court in Washington, D.C.
The legal battle emerged after Anthropic refused Pentagon demands for unrestricted military access to its AI technology. The company had attempted to limit two specific applications: mass surveillance of American citizens and fully autonomous weapon systems.
“These actions are unprecedented and unlawful,” Anthropic’s lawsuit says. “The Constitution does not allow the government to wield its enormous power to punish a company for its protected speech. No federal statute authorizes the actions taken here. Anthropic turns to the judiciary as a last resort to vindicate its rights and halt the Executive’s unlawful campaign of retaliation.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other military leaders had publicly demanded that Anthropic accept “all lawful uses” of Claude technology and warned of consequences for non-compliance. The Defense Department declined to provide comment Monday, stating they do not discuss ongoing litigation.
The Pentagon’s supply chain risk designation represents an unprecedented move – marking the first known instance of the federal government applying this label to an American company. This classification, typically reserved for foreign adversaries that might threaten national security systems, effectively bars Anthropic from defense contract work.
President Trump has also directed federal agencies to cease using Claude technology, though he provided the Pentagon with a six-month timeline to phase out the system from classified military operations, including those involved in the Iran conflict.
The lawsuits also target additional federal departments, including Treasury and State, after those agencies instructed their personnel to discontinue Anthropic’s services.
While pursuing legal action, Anthropic has worked to reassure its broader customer base that the Trump administration’s penalties specifically impact only military contracting work with the Defense Department.
This clarification carries significant financial implications for the privately-held company, which anticipates $14 billion in revenue this year primarily from business and government clients using Claude for programming and other non-military applications. The company reports over 500 customers paying at least $1 million annually for Claude access, contributing to Anthropic’s recent $380 billion valuation.
In a Monday statement, Anthropic emphasized that “seeking judicial review does not change our longstanding commitment to harnessing AI to protect our national security, but this is a necessary step to protect our business, our customers, and our partners.”
Delaware State Police have taken a 19-year-old Dover resident into custody in connection with a carjacking incident that took place at a local grocery store on Saturday evening.
Malik Woodall faces multiple charges after the incident that unfolded at the Redner’s store on Salt Creek Drive in Dover on March 8, 2026, around 5:40 p.m.
According to police, a 20-year-old man was sitting in his vehicle when Woodall, dressed in dark clothing and wearing a face covering, walked up and requested to borrow his cell phone. During the exchange, Woodall allegedly struck the victim with his fist and attempted to block him from exiting the vehicle. After a physical altercation ensued, the victim managed to escape and sought assistance inside the grocery store. Woodall then fled the scene with both the victim’s mobile phone and car, police said. The victim sustained minor injuries during the encounter.
A bystander who witnessed the incident tracked the stolen vehicle to a home on New Street in Dover. Police officers responded to that location and apprehended Woodall without any complications.
Following his arrest, Woodall was transported to Troop 3 headquarters where he was formally charged. He appeared before Justice of the Peace Court 7 for arraignment and was subsequently released after posting a $1,000 unsecured bond.
The charges against Woodall include:
• Second-degree robbery involving prevention of resistance and motor vehicle theft (felony) • Third-degree assault
American military forces destroyed key targets on Iran’s Kharg Island Friday, according to President Donald Trump, striking at the heart of the nation’s oil export operations. Iran’s parliamentary leadership had previously cautioned that attacks on such facilities would trigger unprecedented retaliation measures.
The Pentagon is deploying an additional 2,500 Marines along with an amphibious assault vessel to the Middle East region as the conflict with Iran enters its third week, according to a U.S. defense official.
Iranian forces have maintained extensive missile and drone bombardments against Israel and neighboring Gulf nations while successfully blocking the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that carries twenty percent of global oil shipments. American and Israeli aircraft continue intensive bombing campaigns targeting Iranian military installations and strategic sites.
These developments suggest the two-week military confrontation is far from reaching a resolution.
Early Saturday morning, an aerial strike targeted a residential building in Baghdad’s Karrada neighborhood, resulting in one fatality and two injuries, according to security sources and officials connected to Iranian-backed militia organizations who requested anonymity due to authorization restrictions.
Iraqi military leadership issued a statement denouncing the attack as “a blatant violation of all humanitarian values and a disregard for international conventions.”
This incident preceded a separate missile assault on the U.S. Embassy complex in Baghdad.
Iran’s Fars news agency documented at least fifteen explosions accompanied by heavy smoke clouds over Kharg Island following the American military strikes.
The news outlet reported that the bombardment focused on air defense systems, naval installations, airport control facilities, and helicopter storage areas belonging to offshore petroleum companies, while claiming no damage occurred to oil production infrastructure.
Iranian military command renewed warnings about potential attacks on American-connected energy assets throughout the region should their oil facilities face targeting.
Speaking for the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, Ebrahim Zolfaghari issued threats early Saturday through state television channels.
“All oil, economic, and energy infrastructures belonging to oil companies across the region that have American shares or cooperate with America” would become targets if Iran’s energy and economic facilities face attack, he warned.
The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad provided no immediate response following the missile strike on its compound.
Embassy officials reissued their highest Level 4 security warning for Iraq on Friday, noting that Iranian forces and affiliated militia groups have historically conducted attacks against American personnel, interests and facilities, with the potential for continued targeting.
The massive embassy facility, ranking among the world’s largest American diplomatic installations, has faced repeated rocket and drone attacks from Iranian-aligned militant groups in previous incidents.
These organizations have recently intensified their assault campaigns against military bases housing American and coalition personnel.
A drone attack in northern Iraq Thursday resulted in the death of a French soldier and injuries to several others serving with the international coalition forces.
Security officials confirmed that a missile impacted a helicopter landing area within the U.S. Embassy grounds in Baghdad.
The projectile struck inside the embassy perimeter after targeting the Green Zone, the heavily secured central Baghdad district containing Iraqi government buildings and international diplomatic missions, according to security personnel who requested anonymity due to speaking restrictions.
Associated Press footage captured smoke rising from within the embassy compound following the attack.
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore track and field team kicked off their outdoor season in impressive fashion, with five Hawks athletes capturing first-place honors at their opening meet.
The strong showing marks an encouraging start for UMES as they transition from indoor to outdoor competition. Among the standout performances was a pole vault victory, demonstrating the depth of talent across multiple event categories for the Hawks.
The season-opening success provides momentum for the UMES track and field program as they look ahead to upcoming outdoor competitions. The athletes’ dominant performances suggest the Hawks could be competitive throughout the spring season.
Details about specific winning marks and times from the meet were not immediately available, but the multiple victories highlight the team’s preparation during the offseason transition period.
Iraqi security officials reported Saturday that the United States Embassy in Baghdad came under missile fire, with the attack generating visible smoke from the diplomatic compound.
According to the security sources who spoke with Reuters, the missile strike targeted the American embassy facility in Iraq’s capital city. While smoke was observed rising from the embassy building following the attack, officials have not yet released information regarding the extent of damage or any potential casualties.
The incident occurred on March 14, marking another security challenge for American diplomatic personnel stationed in the volatile region.
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te defended his administration’s massive defense spending proposal on Saturday, arguing the island’s strong economic performance justifies the $40 billion military investment amid growing tensions with China.
Speaking during commemorations of Taiwan’s first direct presidential election three decades ago, Lai addressed criticism from opposition lawmakers who have stalled the eight-year defense package in parliament. Opposition members, who hold a majority, argue the spending details lack clarity and refuse to approve what they call “blank cheques.”
“With Taiwan’s economic growth, we can absolutely afford it,” Lai stated during his address. “If we look at the United States’ National Security Strategy, the U.S. emphasises collective defence and burden-sharing.”
The island nation has experienced remarkable economic expansion, driven largely by its semiconductor industry and surging demand for artificial intelligence technology. Taiwan’s economy grew at its fastest rate in 15 years during 2025, benefiting from its position as the world’s leading producer of advanced computer chips.
Lai’s defense spending push aligns with pressure from the Trump administration for allies to increase their military budgets, a policy the Taiwanese president has publicly supported.
The president outlined plans to integrate artificial intelligence into Taiwan’s defense capabilities while strengthening domestic military manufacturing. “In other words, our defence budget is not only a budget for national defence, but also a budget for economic and industrial development,” he explained.
Despite parliamentary resistance to the broader spending plan, lawmakers on Friday authorized the government to proceed with approximately $9 billion in arms purchases from the United States to meet contract deadlines.
Beijing considers Taiwan part of Chinese territory and maintains it will use military force if necessary to bring the island under its control. Lai has consistently rejected China’s territorial claims, insisting that only Taiwan’s citizens can determine their political future.
Chinese military forces conducted their latest war exercises near Taiwan in December, and Beijing regularly deploys naval vessels and military aircraft around the island as part of ongoing pressure campaigns.
Federal prosecutors in Manhattan are standing firm on their decision to prevent Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela’s ousted president, from accessing state funds to pay for his legal defense against drug trafficking charges.
In court documents filed Friday, prosecutors argued that Maduro should not have access to Venezuelan government money, emphasizing that the United States has refused to recognize him as the country’s legitimate leader for several years.
The legal dispute began last month when Maduro’s attorney Barry Pollack petitioned U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein to throw out the criminal charges. Pollack claimed the Treasury Department wrongfully canceled a sanctions exemption that had previously allowed Venezuela’s government to fund Maduro’s legal representation.
The defense attorney contended this action violated Maduro’s Sixth Amendment right to legal counsel. Pollack explained that according to “Venezuelan law and custom,” the government is responsible for covering legal expenses for the president and his spouse. Court documents from last month show that an official from Venezuela’s attorney general’s office confirmed the government’s willingness to cover these costs.
Manhattan federal prosecutors countered these arguments, telling Judge Hellerstein that the original exemption was simply an “administrative error.” They emphasized that both Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, remain free to use their own personal assets for their legal defense. Flores’ attorney, Mark Donnelly, has also requested dismissal of charges against his client based on the funding restrictions.
“While both defendants claim that they are entitled to funds under the Venezuelan constitution … both defendants also surely knew that the U.S. Government did not consider them to hold legitimate positions,” prosecutors stated in their filing, pointing out that removing Maduro and Flores from power was a key objective of U.S. sanctions.
Venezuelan government officials did not respond to requests for comment through the communications ministry, which handles all media inquiries.
Both Maduro and Flores were taken into custody on January 3 during a U.S. military operation at their residence in Caracas. They have entered not guilty pleas and remain detained in Brooklyn while awaiting trial.
Their legal representatives have not yet commented on the latest court filings.
Judge Hellerstein is scheduled to address the legal funding dispute during a March 26 hearing in Manhattan federal court.
Federal authorities have accused Maduro, who assumed the presidency in 2013 as a socialist leader, of manipulating election results in both 2018 and 2024. Maduro has consistently denied these allegations.
Since Maduro’s arrest, his former Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has taken control of Venezuela’s government. According to a March 11 State Department court filing in an unrelated case, the United States now recognizes Rodriguez as Venezuela’s official head of state.
A projectile hit the helicopter landing zone within the United States embassy complex in Baghdad on Saturday morning, according to reports from Iraqi security sources.
Witnesses observed a plume of smoke ascending from the diplomatic facility following the Saturday morning incident, as reported by the Associated Press.
Two Iraqi security officials confirmed the strike on the embassy compound’s helipad to news outlets.
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks track and field team opened their outdoor season in impressive fashion, with five athletes capturing individual victories in their season debut.
The strong showing demonstrates the team’s preparation and readiness as they transition from indoor to outdoor competition. The Hawks’ success across multiple events highlights the depth and talent within the program.
This dominant performance sets a positive tone for the remainder of the outdoor track and field season as UMES looks to build on this early momentum.
Multiple sources in Brazil report that Finance Minister Fernando Haddad will likely resign from his cabinet position within the next week to launch a gubernatorial campaign in São Paulo state, following encouragement from President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
According to four sources who spoke with Reuters on Monday, while Haddad and Lula haven’t held final discussions about the gubernatorial run, the two officials have been in regular contact regarding the potential campaign.
The Brazilian newspaper O Globo first broke the story earlier Monday. Officials at the finance ministry have refused to provide comment on the reports.
Political analysts suggest Lula’s encouragement stems from his need to establish a stronger foothold in São Paulo, a state where right-wing opposition candidates typically perform well. Party officials believe a poor showing in São Paulo could damage the president’s chances for reelection.
The finance minister had originally planned to avoid seeking office this election cycle, instead expressing his desire to help coordinate Lula’s presidential reelection effort.
However, sources indicate that concerns about the president facing a difficult reelection battle have created pressure for Haddad to enter the São Paulo race.
Recent polling data from Datafolha reveals that a hypothetical runoff between President Lula and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, would essentially result in a dead heat.
Separate Datafolha polling focused on the São Paulo gubernatorial race shows Haddad capturing 31% support in a first-round matchup, trailing incumbent Governor Tarcísio de Freitas at 44%. De Freitas, who has backing from the Bolsonaro political family, previously defeated Haddad in the 2022 election.
Multiple media outlets reported Monday that the Indianapolis Colts have locked up wide receiver Alec Pierce with a massive four-year contract extension worth $116 million.
According to NFL Network, the lucrative deal features $84 million in guaranteed money, with $60 million fully secured upon signing.
Pierce, who will celebrate his 26th birthday in May, enjoyed a career-best campaign during his final rookie contract season in Indianapolis. The receiver topped the team’s stats with 1,003 receiving yards on 47 receptions, adding six touchdown catches while playing alongside quarterback Daniel Jones.
Indianapolis used their transition tag on Jones last week following his December Achilles injury. This move ensures Jones will play under a one-year, $37.8 million deal unless the organization and player negotiate a longer agreement or the Colts decline to match competing offers from other franchises.
Since Indianapolis selected him in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft from the University of Cincinnati, Pierce has accumulated 157 receptions for 2,934 yards and 17 touchdowns across 64 games, starting 55 contests during his four-year career.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Monday from Kyiv that his nation stands prepared to engage in U.S.-supported peace negotiations immediately, though he acknowledged that international allies are currently preoccupied with the escalating Iran situation.
The Ukrainian leader revealed that the United States has requested to delay a scheduled diplomatic meeting due to the shifting focus toward Iranian activities in the region.
In a post on social media platform X, Zelenskyy accused Russia of attempting to exploit the Middle East tensions for strategic advantage. He warned that Moscow seeks to transform Iran’s attacks on neighboring countries and American military installations into “a second front of Russia’s war against Ukraine.”
LIMA – A new survey reveals that two conservative politicians are currently leading Peru’s crowded presidential contest scheduled for April 12, though widespread voter uncertainty suggests the race remains wide open.
Keiko Fujimori and Rafael Lopez Aliaga have emerged as frontrunners among a historic field of 36 candidates, according to polling data from Datum Internacional released Sunday evening on Peruvian television. Fujimori captured 10.7% support while Lopez Aliaga garnered 10%, making them the only contenders to reach double-digit backing.
The narrow margins reflect deep political uncertainty in the South American nation, with approximately two-fifths of survey respondents either refusing to select a candidate or indicating they won’t participate in the election at all.
These modest approval ratings make a June 7 runoff election highly probable, continuing a pattern for the Andean country where no presidential candidate has secured a first-round victory since the late 1990s.
Peru’s presidency has experienced remarkable instability, cycling through eight different leaders since 2018. Currently, four former presidents are incarcerated, and the nation’s unpopular conservative-dominated legislature ousted the most recent president last month following revelations of undisclosed meetings with a Chinese business figure.
The Datum survey, conducted between February 27 and March 4, found that over 38% of voters had not made a decision or planned to abstain from voting. Company CEO Urpi Torrado noted that many participants who do intend to vote will likely make their final choice just one week before the election.
Fujimori, whose father Alberto Fujimori served as president before receiving a 16-year prison sentence for human rights violations including authorizing death squad operations during his ten-year rule, is making her fourth presidential bid.
Her polling position has fluctuated with Lopez Aliaga, an ultra-conservative former Lima mayor who has adopted the campaign nickname “Porky” due to his resemblance to an American cartoon character. Two weeks earlier, a previous Datum survey showed Lopez Aliaga leading with 13.4% compared to Fujimori’s 9.7%.
Additional candidates polling around 5% include leftist Alfonso Lopez-Chau, who previously served as a central bank official; wealthy entrepreneur Cesar Acuna; Carlos Alvarez, a well-known comedian famous for impersonating past presidents; and Wolfgang Grozo, a retired military general and former intelligence director.
Former President Donald Trump announced plans to conduct a media briefing on Monday evening, scheduled for approximately 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
The former commander-in-chief revealed his intentions through a post on his Truth Social platform while currently in Florida. Trump indicated the press conference would take place prior to his departure back to the nation’s capital.
The timing corresponds to 2130 GMT for international audiences following the proceedings.
Multiple sources confirmed Monday that the New England Patriots have decided to part ways with linebacker Jahlani Tavai as free agency approaches.
The 29-year-old defender still had one season remaining on his three-year, $16 million extension that he inked before the 2024 campaign. Tavai has been with the Patriots for five seasons, earning starting positions in 51 out of 76 total appearances during his time in New England.
This past season marked a significant decline in Tavai’s playing time, as he appeared in only 12 contests with seven starts, a sharp drop from his 16 starts in each of the two previous years. His statistical production also fell dramatically, recording 42 tackles compared to over 110 in each of the past two seasons, along with four tackles behind the line of scrimmage and one forced fumble.
During New England’s playoff run, Tavai contributed in two of the team’s four postseason contests, tallying eight tackles.
Originally selected by Detroit in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Tavai spent his first two professional seasons with the Lions before joining the Patriots. Throughout his career spanning 107 games with 67 starts, he has registered 466 total tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, four interceptions, 14 defended passes, six forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
President Donald Trump announced Friday that American forces carried out devastating attacks on military installations located on Iran’s Kharg Island, a strategic location that serves as the nation’s primary oil export hub, while issuing stern warnings that petroleum facilities could face bombardment if Tehran persists in disrupting maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
In a social media statement, Trump revealed that U.S. military forces had “obliterated” strategic positions on Kharg Island during Friday’s operations. The island serves as Iran’s main oil export terminal, making it a critical component of the country’s economic infrastructure. Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf had previously cautioned that such military actions would trigger unprecedented retaliation from Tehran.
Defense officials confirmed that an additional 2,500 Marines along with an amphibious assault vessel are being deployed to the Middle East region, marking nearly two weeks since hostilities began with the Islamic Republic.
These developments suggest the two-week conflict shows no signs of reaching a resolution anytime soon.
Tehran has maintained its barrage of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and neighboring Gulf nations while effectively blocking the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that facilitates one-fifth of global oil trade. This continues despite intensive bombing campaigns by U.S. and Israeli aircraft against Iranian military installations and other strategic targets.
The crisis in Lebanon has worsened dramatically, with casualty figures reaching nearly 800 deaths and 850,000 people forced from their homes as Israeli forces conduct repeated strikes against Hezbollah forces backed by Iran, with Israeli officials stating the campaign will continue without pause.
Military sources speaking anonymously to discuss classified operations confirmed that components of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and the USS Tripoli amphibious assault ship have received orders for Middle East deployment.
Marine Expeditionary Units possess capabilities for beach assault operations while also specializing in embassy security reinforcement, civilian evacuation missions, and emergency response operations. This deployment doesn’t necessarily signal imminent ground combat operations.
The Wall Street Journal initially broke news of the Marine deployment.
The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and the Tripoli, along with accompanying amphibious vessels carrying the Marines, operate from Japanese bases and have spent recent days in Pacific waters, according to military photographs. Satellite imagery captured the Tripoli sailing independently near Taiwan, positioning it over a week’s journey from Iranian coastal waters.
Naval forces earlier this week included 12 vessels operating in the Arabian Sea, featuring the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and eight destroyer escorts. The Tripoli’s arrival would create the region’s second-largest naval presence behind the Lincoln.
While exact numbers of American military personnel stationed throughout the Middle East remain classified, Qatar’s Al-Udeid Air Base alone typically accommodates approximately 8,000 U.S. service members at one of the region’s largest installations.
Trump’s social media announcement detailed how American strikes against Iran’s Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf focused on military targets while deliberately avoiding petroleum infrastructure.
However, he cautioned that interference with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz by Iran or other parties would force him to reconsider his current policy avoiding attacks that would “wipe out the Oil Infrastructure.”
Thursday saw Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf issue social media warnings that strikes against Iran’s southern maritime border islands would prompt Tehran to “abandon all restraint,” highlighting these territories’ crucial role in the nation’s economic and security framework.
Iraqi security personnel reported that a missile impacted a helicopter landing area within the U.S. Embassy complex in Baghdad.
Associated Press video documentation captured smoke plumes rising Saturday morning above the embassy grounds.
The extensive embassy facility, ranking among the world’s largest American diplomatic installations, has faced repeated rocket and drone attacks launched by Iranian-supported militant organizations.
U.S. Embassy officials in Baghdad provided no immediate response. Friday saw the embassy extend its Level 4 security warning for Iraq, alerting that Iran and affiliated militia organizations have conducted previous strikes against American citizens, interests and facilities, with potential for continued targeting.
Friday afternoon in Iran’s capital, a massive blast shook a central plaza where thousands had assembled for the government’s annual pro-Palestinian demonstration calling for Israel’s destruction. No injuries were immediately reported.
The Tehran explosion occurred at midday in the Ferdowsi Square vicinity, where crowds had gathered for the annual Quds Day demonstration, shouting “death to Israel” and “death to America.”
Israeli forces had issued evacuation warnings through a Farsi-language social media account shortly before the explosion. However, few Iranians likely received the message due to authorities’ near-complete internet shutdown. Video footage showed crowds chanting “God is greatest” as smoke filled the area.
Israel’s military subsequently posted additional Farsi messages, noting Iran’s judiciary chief attended the rally while criticizing Tehran for preventing citizens from accessing their warnings.
Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, the hardline judiciary leader, was conducting a state television interview at the demonstration when the attack occurred. Security personnel surrounded him as he raised his fist, declaring Iran would “under this rain and missiles will never withdraw.”
Israeli officials announced another round of Iranian infrastructure strikes, reporting their air force had struck over 200 targets within 24 hours, including missile systems, defensive installations and weapons manufacturing facilities.
From Washington, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that more than 15,000 enemy positions have been attacked—exceeding 1,000 daily since combat operations began.
Addressing concerns about Strait of Hormuz disruptions, he told media representatives: “We have been dealing with it and don’t need to worry about it.”
Financial markets worldwide are grappling with fears that the current Middle East conflict could spark an economic scenario reminiscent of the 1970s, when energy supply disruptions caused inflation to soar while economic growth stagnated.
“The risk of a 1970s scenario is rising,” said Kaspar Hense, portfolio manager at RBC BlueBay Asset Management. “If there is another extended war, with oil prices going up significantly further, then the safe-haven status of government bonds are at risk, and with that, all assets.”
Energy costs remain at the heart of these concerns. Brent crude oil jumped past $100 per barrel on Monday, marking its largest single-day increase since the 2020 COVID crisis. The commodity has climbed 70% since January began, while European natural gas wholesale prices have reached their highest point in more than three years.
These price increases spell trouble for inflation rates. According to Capital Economics, “A useful rule of thumb is that a 5% rise in oil prices adds around 0.1 percentage points to developed market inflation.”
Rising energy costs also threaten to slow economic expansion. The International Monetary Fund calculates that each sustained 10% increase in oil prices typically leads to a 0.1-0.2 percent decline in global economic output. Historical data shows that oil price spikes contributed to U.S. economic downturns in 1973, 1980, 1990 and 2008.
This situation creates a challenging predicament for central banks, as raising interest rates to combat inflation could further damage economic growth. Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee warned the Wall Street Journal on Friday that a “stagflationary environment that’s as uncomfortable as any” could be approaching.
Market expectations for monetary policy have shifted dramatically. Traders now anticipate at least one European Central Bank rate increase this year, compared to a 40% probability of a rate cut before the conflict began. Similarly, markets now see potential for a Bank of England rate hike this year, having previously expected at least two rate reductions.
“It seems only retreating oil prices could reverse rate hike fears, even with dovish minds at the ECB also stressing downside growth risks,” said Commerzbank rates strategist Rainer Guntermann.
Global bond markets have suffered as investors abandon fixed-income securities, where inflation diminishes future returns. Short-term bonds face the greatest pressure. British two-year government bond yields have surged nearly 50 basis points over the past week, representing their worst performance since the 2022 budget crisis, amid the UK’s persistent inflation and stagnant growth.
German and Australian two-year yields have increased more than 30 basis points during the same period, while U.S. two-year yields rose a relatively modest 13 basis points.
These conditions have driven investor interest toward inflation-protected securities, where both principal and interest payments adjust with inflation rates. British five-year breakeven inflation rates have climbed 28 basis points since February ended, reaching nearly 3.5% on Monday – their highest level since last April.
Market observers questioning whether economic pressures might influence U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies should note that America may experience less severe stagflationary effects than Europe or Asia.
“The U.S., with the Americas, is self-sufficient in many (of the) commodities being choked off directly or indirectly via (Strait of) Hormuz,” explained Rabobank senior global strategist Michael Every. Beyond oil, he highlighted fertilizer and helium, which plays a crucial role in semiconductor production.
American markets have demonstrated relative resilience. The S&P 500 declined 2% last week, compared to a 5.5% drop in Europe and a 6.3% fall for MSCI’s Asia Pacific ex-Japan index. U.S. bonds also performed better than German securities last week.
However, America remains vulnerable to stagflationary pressures and showed some weakness even before energy prices spiked. The economy unexpectedly lost jobs in February, and upcoming data releases are expected to reveal higher U.S. inflation.
Stagflation presents challenges for investors because it damages both stocks and traditional bonds while potentially affecting even gold, given its lack of yield. The precious metal fell 2% last week and continued declining Monday, though analysts attributed some selling to investors covering losses in other areas.
The dollar has emerged as the primary safe haven since the conflict began, gaining strength against nearly all other developed market currencies.
“The U.S. is a major oil producer and can withstand an oil shock – though there will be political fallout,” said Kit Juckes, head of FX strategy at Societe Generale. “The same simply isn’t true of Europe, and the UK in particular.”
Aviation fuel costs are climbing dramatically as Middle East conflicts disrupt worldwide oil distribution, creating financial strain for airlines just as the peak summer travel period draws near.
Industry specialists indicate the question isn’t whether ticket prices will increase, but rather the timing, duration, and magnitude of these hikes. Long-distance international flights may experience the most significant impact since they consume considerably more fuel compared to domestic routes.
Several international carriers have already implemented price hikes or additional fuel fees to combat rising expenses. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby recently cautioned that fare increases will “probably start quick” as elevated fuel expenses ripple throughout the aviation sector.
The ongoing conflict is limiting oil shipments and causing major producers including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iraq to reduce production as transportation routes face increasing challenges.
Iran has launched attacks on commercial vessels throughout the Persian Gulf and targeted energy facilities in Gulf Arab countries following strikes by the U.S. and Israel. These assaults have essentially stopped movement through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that handles approximately 20% of global oil transportation.
The unstable crude oil market that has caused retail gas prices to spike dramatically has similarly affected aviation fuel costs. U.S. average prices hit $3.99 per gallon on Friday, climbing from $2.50 the day before hostilities began two weeks earlier, based on the Argus U.S. Jet Fuel Index. This index monitors average costs airlines pay for fuel at major American airports.
Data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics indicates American airlines paid approximately $2.36 per gallon for fuel in January, the latest available information.
Certain airlines maintain partial protection against sudden cost spikes through fuel hedging, a practice allowing them to secure fuel prices months or years ahead. However, not every carrier uses hedging, and those that do typically protect only part of their fuel requirements, meaning extended price increases could force more airlines to boost fares.
“No one hedges anymore, and even if you do, hedging the crack spread is really hard to do,” Kirby stated at a Harvard event last week. The crack spread represents the price difference between crude oil and refined products like gasoline.
Airlines face an additional challenge as airspace restrictions have forced flight rerouting around Middle Eastern regions, resulting in longer routes, increased fuel consumption and elevated operational expenses.
Passengers may experience the effects in multiple ways.
Airlines can implement or raise fuel surcharges, an additional fee commonly used by international carriers that’s added to the base ticket cost.
Major American airlines, however, don’t impose separate fuel surcharges. Instead, they incorporate fuel expenses into overall ticket pricing, meaning increases will likely appear as higher base fares for travelers, according to Tyler Hosford, security director at global risk management company International SOS.
Airlines may also modify pricing for premium services such as seat upgrades, extra legroom, checked baggage or priority boarding as another method to counter higher operational costs. For consumers, this means even if base fares don’t rise immediately, total trip expenses could still climb when additional fees and upgrades are included.
If elevated fuel prices continue, airlines might also modify schedules or eliminate certain routes, said Christopher Anderson, a Cornell University business school professor whose research covers operations and information management in hospitality and airline sectors.
Predicting exact ticket price increases resulting from costlier oil and fuel remains challenging. Industry experts say higher jet fuel costs impact varies depending on the route, airline and travel demand.
Fuel generally represents 20% to 25% of airline operating expenses, making it the second-largest cost after labor, according to Rob Britton, a Georgetown University adjunct marketing professor and former American Airlines executive. Sharp fuel price increases can therefore significantly affect airline budgets.
Currently, most fare increases and fuel surcharges originate from Asia-Pacific region airlines, but experts anticipate more carriers will follow suit if high jet fuel prices continue, particularly those without fuel hedging protection.
Hong Kong’s national carrier, Cathay Pacific, announced it would raise fuel surcharges beginning Wednesday.
“The price of jet fuel has approximately doubled since March amid the latest developments in the Middle East,” the airline stated Thursday.
Additional airlines implementing price increases or new surcharges include:
— Air France-KLM announced roundtrip economy fares on long-distance flights could increase by roughly 50 euros (approximately $57).
— Air India implemented fuel surcharges Thursday on select routes. After March 18, the carrier indicates the surcharge will rise by up to $50 for all tickets to Europe, North America and Australia.
— Hong Kong Airlines raised fuel surcharges across multiple routes starting Thursday.
— FlySafair in South Africa declared a temporary fuel surcharge.
Experts advise travelers planning summer vacations may minimize rising airfare impact by booking earlier instead of waiting for last-minute offers.
Securing ticket prices sooner, particularly with flexible booking policies allowing changes, can help obtain lower rates before airlines implement further adjustments.
Hosford, the International SOS security director, recommends travelers remain flexible with travel dates, compare fares at nearby airports and establish alerts for price reductions. He also suggests using frequent flyer miles or credit card points for flight bookings rather than waiting for a “perfect deal.”
“If you were going to spend cash on the flight but now you’re not, then that’s a good redemption deal,” he said.
Security enhancements implemented over several months at a Michigan synagogue are being praised for preventing what could have been a devastating tragedy when an armed assailant crashed his vehicle into the building earlier this week.
The comprehensive safety measures, put in place due to increasing antisemitic incidents and attacks on religious facilities nationwide, proved crucial when only the perpetrator lost his life in the incident.
After ramming his car into the building, the attacker began shooting through his windshield while inside a corridor. A trained private security officer returned fire. At the time of the assault, 140 children were present in the facility’s early childhood education program, all of whom escaped injury.
The vehicle’s engine ignited during the incident, and the perpetrator, identified as Ayman Mohammad Ghazali, a Lebanese-born American citizen, ultimately took his own life with his weapon, FBI Detroit field office Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Runyan reported.
U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin praised the security response, stating: “If they had not done their job almost perfectly we would be talking about an immense tragedy here today with children gone.”
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer also commended the response: “These heroes threw themselves in harm’s way, engaging a suspect.”
A Temple Israel rabbi described the outcome as miraculous, with no congregation members harmed.
“Unfortunately the entire Jewish community, no matter where we are in the world, we have to plan for things like this,” Temple Israel Rabbi Jennifer Kaluzny explained to CNN.
Temple Israel’s security improvements mirror those undertaken by numerous religious institutions nationwide, as leaders work to strengthen their facilities following deadly incidents. Houses of worship globally have enhanced protective measures amid escalating tensions involving the U.S. and Israel’s conflict with Iran.
Last June, the Detroit-area synagogue brought on Danny Phillips, a retired police lieutenant, to oversee its armed security team as security director. The temple described this as a preventive measure “in response to the evolving realities facing Jewish communities.”
Phillips brings nearly 30 years of law enforcement experience, including over two decades as his department’s lead firearms instructor, based on information from a local college where he instructs police academy courses on active threat response.
Temple Israel’s personnel and religious leaders completed active shooter prevention and response training conducted by an FBI representative in January, according to the synagogue’s social media posts.
Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard revealed Thursday that he had spoken with the temple’s security chief just 48 hours before the attack occurred. He attributed the absence of casualties to the extensive advance planning.
The incident resonates with Ron Amann, a safety team member at CrossPointe Community Church in Wayne, Michigan, located near the synagogue. Amann is still healing from a leg wound sustained when a gunman attempted to attack his Christian church last June. Security team members neutralized that threat before the attacker could reach Sunday services.
Amann, who was carrying a weapon, recalled handing his grandson to his spouse when someone shouted about an armed individual.
“When you sign up for the safety team you have to be willing to stand up and fight, bluntly, rather than run the other direction,” explained the 64-year-old Amann, who now has a metal implant in his lower right leg.
“My alertness is just at a higher level than it ever was before,” he noted. “The events at the synagogue just keep bringing it back to the forefront. I’m certainly saddened by all that.”
CrossPointe church sits 30 miles from the targeted synagogue. Pastor Bobby Kelly said his team took shelter Thursday upon learning of the synagogue incident, with police patrol vehicles circling their facility.
“When you hear of something happening,” Kelly observed, “you don’t know where it’s going to happen next.”
Mathematics enthusiasts and pie lovers come together each March 14th to honor Pi Day, marking the date that mirrors the opening three digits of the famous mathematical constant pi.
This fundamental number expresses the relationship between any circle’s circumference and its diameter, equaling roughly 3.14159 with decimal places that continue infinitely. Students typically encounter pi when computing circle areas or cylinder volumes, yet this constant appears throughout virtually every aspect of our modern world.
The annual observance began in 1988 when Larry Shaw, a physicist working at San Francisco’s Exploratorium science museum, established the tradition.
“He had a very open and expansive view of the world and saw an opportunity with this number, mathematical concept, to invite people into the joy of mathematical learning,” said Sam Sharkland, program director of public programs at the museum, who worked with Shaw before he died in 2017.
What started as a modest staff gathering featuring actual pie evolved into an elaborate ceremony where hundreds of participants march around the museum’s pi monument, each person holding a different digit. Visitors frequently arrive early to secure their preferred number for the procession. According to Sharkland, one dedicated attendee with the pi symbol tattooed on her neck returns annually to lead the march carrying a pi banner.
The festivities commence at 1:59 p.m., representing pi’s subsequent three digits.
Scientists are utilizing pi in groundbreaking research across multiple fields.
For Artur Davoyan, who works in mechanical and aerospace engineering, pi appears so universally that isolating a single application proves challenging.
Pi forms part of “literally every single formula that you would use to do any calculation, like for spacecraft motion, for materials and how they work, or propulsion systems,” said Davoyan, a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Any circular object or phenomenon with cyclical patterns — including radio waves — requires pi for calculations. Even geometric shapes like squares or irregular forms can be analyzed by breaking them into increasingly smaller circles that utilize pi, Davoyan explained.
Davoyan’s current work focuses on developing advanced propulsion technologies to accelerate spacecraft journeys to distant solar system regions for data collection missions. He referenced NASA’s Voyager 1 and 2 missions, which launched in 1977 but didn’t achieve interstellar space until 2012 and 2018 respectively.
When NASA transmits signals to these distant probes, engineers must determine Earth’s precise orbital location around the sun and construct communication antennas using pi-based calculations. Scientists then employ pi again while receiving and analyzing the complex data streams transmitted back to Earth.
“Say aliens send something to us, something that we don’t know how to deal with,” Davoyan said. “So the very first thing that you would do, you would try to split it into simple functions… and turns out that when you do this operation, you will naturally have pis in it.”
Medical research also relies heavily on pi when examining microscopic fluid behavior.
Dino Di Carlo, who leads UCLA Samueli School of Engineering’s bioengineering department, conducts research involving polymer-based microscopic particles that function as miniature cellular laboratories. This technology serves as a crucial instrument for detailed cell analysis and understanding cellular composition and behavior.
Scientists apply the pi constant when calculating droplet formation, determining surface tension effects that control droplet separation, and managing the precise volumes of these microscopic containers, Di Carlo explained.
Di Carlo employs this methodology to identify antibodies — protective proteins that combat diseases — capable of interrupting communication signals from cancerous cells.
Pi calculations also prove essential when analyzing liquid movement through tubes and barriers, such as the sideways fluid flow in at-home COVID-19 testing kits.
Using these principles, Di Carlo developed a rapid Lyme disease test that produces results in 20 minutes, dramatically improving upon previous methods that required days or weeks.
“As an engineer and scientist, (pi) is just a part of life,” Di Carlo said. “Maybe I’ve taken it for granted.”
Two separate violent incidents occurring within two hours of each other left communities in Virginia and Michigan shaken Thursday, with authorities crediting quick thinking by civilians for preventing greater loss of life.
At Old Dominion University in Virginia, a former military service member who had previously been imprisoned for attempting to support ISIS carried out a deadly shooting in a campus classroom. The gunman fatally shot one individual and injured two others before being neutralized by ROTC students on scene.
Meanwhile in Michigan, an individual who had recently received devastating news about family members killed in Middle East violence drove his vehicle into a synagogue building before ending his own life. Though 140 children and staff members were inside the facility at the time, none sustained injuries. However, a security guard was struck by the vehicle and lost consciousness.
According to law enforcement and court documents, Mohamed Bailor Jalloh shouted “Allahu akbar” and inquired about whether an ROTC gathering was taking place before beginning his attack.
The shooting claimed the life of Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, who served as an ROTC instructor, while injuring two additional victims. Federal investigators commended the courage displayed by students who prevented additional casualties.
Medical officials report that one injured person has been discharged from the hospital, while Sentara Health indicates the second victim remains in fair condition.
ROTC participants receive educational funding in exchange for military officer training during their college years.
FBI Director Kash Patel announced via social media that investigators are treating the university shooting as a terrorist act.
Jalloh had become a U.S. citizen after immigrating from Sierra Leone and served as a specialist in Virginia’s Army National Guard until receiving an honorable discharge in 2015.
Two years later, he admitted guilt to charges of providing assistance to ISIS and received an 11-year prison sentence. His early release came after participating in a substance abuse treatment program, though sources told The Associated Press that such programs typically exclude individuals convicted of terrorism-related crimes.
Questions remain about how he became eligible for the program given the usual restrictions for terrorism convictions.
Prison records show Jalloh was moved to a halfway house in August 2024 and completed his federal custody later that year.
At the time of the shooting, he was under probation supervision and enrolled in online courses at the university.
In the Michigan incident, 41-year-old Ayman Mohammad Ghazali spent approximately two hours waiting outside Temple Israel near Detroit with a rifle, commercial fireworks, and containers of what investigators believe was gasoline before ramming into the building.
He began shooting through his windshield and engaged in gunfire with an armed security officer. Ghazali took his own life after becoming trapped in his vehicle when the engine ignited, according to Jennifer Runyan, who heads the FBI’s Detroit office.
Federal investigators leading the case have characterized the assault on one of America’s largest Reform Jewish congregations as violence directed at the Jewish community, though they state insufficient evidence exists currently to classify it as terrorism.
Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard praised the preparedness and training that enabled the rapid response to the attack.
Ghazali was born in Lebanon and had recently learned that an Israeli military strike in his homeland had killed his two brothers along with a niece and nephew, according to an official from the town of Mashgharah who spoke to the AP. The family members died in their home during their evening meal to break the Ramadan fast.
The same official, speaking anonymously due to restrictions on public discussion of the airstrike details, noted that their mother suffered severe injuries and remains hospitalized.
Israeli forces have intensified operations against Hezbollah, the Iranian-supported militant organization in Lebanon, as regional conflict has expanded throughout the Middle East.
Immigration records from the Department of Homeland Security show Ghazali arrived in the United States in 2011 through a spousal visa as the husband of an American citizen, obtaining his own citizenship five years later.
His residence was a single-level brick house in Dearborn Heights, a Detroit suburb located roughly 38 miles from the synagogue.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Several Republican members of Congress have faced criticism this week for inflammatory statements targeting Muslim Americans, with Democratic leaders condemning the remarks while GOP leadership has offered limited response.
The controversial comments have been building among Republican officials for months, frequently surfacing when criticizing New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who practices Islam. Recent violent incidents in Michigan and Virginia have intensified these statements from lawmakers.
Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville posted on Thursday that “The enemy is inside our gates” while responding to an image of Mamdani seated during an iftar meal at New York City Hall. The senator’s post placed this photo alongside an image from the September 11 attacks.
Later that day, Tuberville reinforced his position, stating: “To be clear, I didn’t ‘suggest’ Islamists are the enemy. I said it plainly.”
The inflammatory language escalated Friday when Republican legislators reacted to violent incidents in Michigan and Virginia by calling for complete immigration suspension. Several specifically targeted Muslim immigrants.
Muslim Americans see parallels to the early 2000s period following 9/11, when the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts sparked hostility toward Muslim communities nationwide, frequently resulting in discrimination and hate crimes.
“When members of Congress speak, it’s not just words,” said Iman Awad, the national director for policy and advocacy for the Muslim American advocacy group Emgage Action. “It shapes public perception. It legitimizes prejudice.”
Tennessee Representative Andy Ogles declared on social media that Muslims don’t belong in the United States. When faced with backlash, he maintained his stance, later posting that “paperwork doesn’t magically make you American” and claiming “Muslims are unable to assimilate; they all have to go back.”
When questioned about Ogles’ statements Tuesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson revealed he had discussed “our tone and our message and what we say” with members. Johnson said Ogles used “different language than I would use,” while describing the underlying concern as “serious.”
“There’s a lot of energy in the country, and a lot of popular sentiment that the demand to impose Sharia law in America is a serious problem,” Johnson said. “That’s what animates this.”
Sharia represents a religious framework guiding many Muslims’ moral and spiritual behavior. Politicians frequently reference “Sharia law” to suggest Muslims seek to impose religious practices on American communities.
Multiple Republicans cite a Muslim-focused planned community near Dallas as evidence of “Sharia law” implementation, though developers have rejected these claims and assert they face targeting due to their faith.
Johnson’s refusal to condemn Ogles’ statements — or recent comments from Florida Representative Randy Fine claiming “the choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one” — has emboldened additional anti-Muslim rhetoric. Following circulation of Mamdani’s iftar dinner photo, numerous Republicans posted critical responses.
Democratic leaders widely denounced the GOP messaging. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer labeled Tuberville’s post “mindless hate.”
“Islamophobic hate like this is fundamentally un-American and we must confront and overcome it whenever it rears its ugly head,” Schumer said.
Responding to Tuberville’s “the enemy is inside our gates” post, Mamdani stated: “Let there be as much outrage from politicians in Washington when kids go hungry as there is when I break bread with New Yorkers.”
Federal authorities identified the man who drove his vehicle into Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, this week as a naturalized citizen from Lebanon. Officials reported that he had lost four relatives in an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon the previous week, occurring at sunset during their Ramadan fast-breaking meal.
At Old Dominion University in Virginia, Mohamed Bailor Jalloh fired shots in a classroom before ROTC students overpowered and killed him. Court records revealed his previous imprisonment for attempting to support the Islamic State, with his release occurring less than two years prior.
Certain Republican legislators claimed validation for their positions. Others promoted new legislation. Minnesota Representative Tom Emmer, the House GOP whip, declared “the security of our nation hinges on our ability to denaturalize and deport terrorists.”
West Virginia Representative Riley Moore announced plans to introduce legislation allowing denaturalization and deportation of any naturalized citizen who “commits an act of terrorism, plots to commit an act of terrorism, joins a terrorist organization or otherwise aids and abets terrorism against the American people.”
Comparable rhetoric and policy proposals have emerged previously, generating controversy. Last year, protesters linked to Israel-Hamas war demonstrations faced arrest and government targeting, including former Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist whom authorities have attempted to detain and deport.
Middle Eastern conflicts generating domestic tensions represents a recurring pattern. During the Gaza war, both Muslim and Jewish communities have experienced faith-based discrimination and attacks.
Mamdani described posts referencing the 9/11 attacks as concerning not only for their language but for “the actions that often accompany them.”
“I think too of the smaller indignities, the indignities that many New Yorkers face, but that Muslims are expected to face in silence,” Mamdani said. “Of the exhaustion of having to explain yourself to those who are not interested in understanding. Of the men who introduce themselves by their given name only to be called Muhammad for years on end.”
The notable silence from Republican leadership, including President Donald Trump, demonstrates a significant party transformation. Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, Republican President George W. Bush visited Washington D.C.’s Islamic Center to explicitly discourage Muslim discrimination.
“America counts millions of Muslims amongst our citizens, and Muslims make an incredibly valuable contribution to our country,” Bush said during that visit, adding: “They need to be treated with respect. In our anger and emotion, our fellow Americans must treat each other with respect.”
“Those who feel like they can intimidate our fellow citizens to take out their anger don’t represent the best of America, they represent the worst of humankind, and they should be ashamed of that kind of behavior,” Bush said.
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks baseball team experienced both the thrill of explosive offense and the agony of defeat Friday, falling to Stonehill College 20-17 in an extraordinary series-opening game.
Despite posting their highest run total of the season with 17 runs, the Hawks were unable to contain Stonehill’s even more potent attack in the wild contest.
The game featured milestone moments for UMES, including Joshua Caldwell’s first career home run. Caldwell was joined by teammate Gonzalez Perez, who also launched his inaugural collegiate homer in the high-scoring affair.
The Hawks’ offensive explosion marked a season-best performance at the plate, but their pitching staff struggled to slow down Stonehill’s relentless scoring throughout the game.
Friday’s contest sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting series between the two teams, with UMES looking to bounce back from the disappointing result despite their impressive offensive showing.
Chicago-based derivatives and securities exchange operator Cboe announced Monday its intention to introduce prediction market contracts featuring flexible payout structures that reward traders based on the precision of their forecasts, departing from conventional winner-take-all formats.
This approach resembles functionality found in popular betting applications, where participants can withdraw their wagers early while events unfold, and draws inspiration from traditional vertical spread concepts within options trading.
“Real-world opinions aren’t always binary, and investors shouldn’t be confined to a yes-or-no framework,” stated JJ Kinahan, Head of retail expansion and alternative investment products at Cboe.
The company intends to introduce this new framework using a Mini S&P 500 Index prediction market contract, building upon Cboe’s previous work developing a regulated product utilizing options structures for complete win-or-lose payouts.
Leading U.S. exchange operators are progressively pursuing opportunities within the event prediction markets sector, which has gained significant popularity following the 2024 U.S. presidential election cycle.
Nasdaq is currently awaiting SEC approval for prediction market-style options connected to major stock indexes, while Intercontinental Exchange has committed up to $2 billion in investments to Polymarket.
Authorities in Maryland are looking into a fatal motorcycle collision that took the life of a teenage girl from Wilmington on Sunday afternoon.
The victim, a 17-year-old Delaware resident, was riding as a passenger on a Kawasaki motorcycle when the deadly accident occurred. Emergency responders rushed both the passenger and the 19-year-old male operator to a nearby medical facility, where the young woman was declared dead. The rider of the second motorcycle, a Yamaha, escaped without injury.
The collision happened just past 1 p.m. Sunday on Maryland Route 213 near Leeds Road, prompting a response from Maryland State Police troopers stationed at the North East Barrack. Initial findings suggest both motorcycles were heading southbound when the Kawasaki rider tried to overtake the Yamaha but collided with its left side for undetermined reasons.
Traffic was halted for over an hour while investigators examined the scene. The Maryland State Police Crash Team is handling the ongoing investigation.
In response to the tragedy, Maryland State Police emphasized safety reminders for motorcycle riders, urging them to maintain visibility, practice defensive riding techniques, and use appropriate protective equipment. Officials also called on all drivers to remain alert, share roadways responsibly, and take extra care when checking for motorcycles.
WASHINGTON — Federal attorneys are urging the Supreme Court to overturn lower court decisions that have blocked the administration’s attempts to remove legal safeguards for migrants from several nations currently living in the United States, potentially putting thousands at risk of removal.
In a Monday letter to the nation’s highest court, the Justice Department seeks sweeping authority to quickly eliminate temporary protections for people from various countries, including Haiti and Syria.
Administration officials maintain the federal government possesses full discretion to terminate temporary protected status without judicial interference.
However, multiple lower courts have rejected this position, with a Washington D.C. judge determining that “hostility to nonwhite immigrants” likely influenced decisions to revoke Haitian protections. An appellate court later affirmed this ruling.
The Supreme Court has previously backed the administration’s stance, permitting the elimination of protections for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans while legal challenges continued. This decision was among several victories for Trump through the Court’s expedited emergency procedures, enabling advancement of key policy priorities.
The administration now seeks a definitive ruling preventing courts from challenging Department of Homeland Security actions within the broader mass deportation campaign.
Solicitor General D. John Sauer accused lower court judges of showing “persistent disregard” for the Court’s previous emergency decisions, creating a pattern that appears “likely to repeat again and again unless and until this Court steps in.”
Sauer challenged a decision maintaining Syrian immigrant protections last month and announced Monday his intention to contest another ruling affecting approximately 350,000 Haitians.
More than 175 former judges have submitted arguments stating that emergency rulings don’t establish binding precedent and urging the court to permit standard appeals procedures to continue.
Haiti’s protections began in 2010 following a devastating earthquake and have been renewed repeatedly. The nation continues experiencing severe gang violence that has forced hundreds of thousands from their homes.
Homeland Security officials claim conditions have stabilized and reject claims that racial bias influenced their decisions. However, legal representatives for Haitian migrants warn that “people will almost certainly die” if the administration eliminates the program.
The Homeland Security secretary can authorize temporary protected status when home country conditions are considered too dangerous for return due to natural disasters, political turmoil, or other threats. These designations last 18 months and don’t create paths to permanent residency.
The Department of Homeland Security has also ended protections for approximately 600,000 Venezuelans, 6,100 Syrians, 60,000 individuals from Honduras, Nicaragua and Nepal, over 160,000 Ukrainians, and thousands from Afghanistan and Cameroon.
A senior official in President Trump’s administration has made an unusual public call for the United States to withdraw from its military engagement with Iran, suggesting the country should seek a negotiated end to the conflict.
David Sacks, who serves as the White House’s artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency chief, made the remarks during a Friday appearance on the “All-In Podcast,” breaking from typical administration messaging on the Iran situation.
“This is a good time to declare victory and get out,” Sacks stated during the podcast interview. He argued that American forces have successfully weakened Iran’s military strength, creating an opportunity for withdrawal.
Sacks went further in advocating for diplomatic solutions, saying “I agree that we should try to find the off-ramp.” He emphasized the need to consider alternatives to continued military action.
“If escalation doesn’t lead anywhere good, then you have to think about, well, how do you de-escalate? De-escalation, I think, involves reaching some sort of ceasefire agreement or some sort of negotiated settlement with Iran,” he explained.
The conflict intensified following joint American and Israeli military operations against Iran on February 28. In response, Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah have launched retaliatory strikes against Israel and other regional targets.
The ongoing military tensions have created ripple effects beyond the battlefield, causing instability in international financial markets and driving up global oil prices.
Casualty figures from the conflict paint a stark picture of the human cost. Iran’s United Nations representative reports that more than 1,300 people have died in Iran due to American and Israeli military strikes. Israeli officials say 12 of their citizens have been killed in Iranian attacks, while the U.S. military has confirmed seven American service members have lost their lives in the fighting.
President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Iran on Saturday, threatening to target the nation’s crucial oil export infrastructure if Tehran continues interfering with international shipping routes through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
The ultimatum came after American forces conducted military operations against Iran’s Kharg Island, which serves as the departure point for approximately 90% of Iran’s petroleum exports. The island facility sits roughly 300 miles northwest of the contested waterway.
While U.S. operations deliberately avoided damaging oil-related infrastructure, Trump made clear this restraint could end quickly. “Should Iran, or anyone else, do anything to interfere with the Free and Safe Passage of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision,” the president declared in a social media statement.
Trump also dismissed Iran’s military capabilities, writing that the country “had no ability to defend against U.S. attacks.” He added: “Iran’s Military, and all others involved with this Terrorist Regime, would be wise to lay down their arms, and save what’s left of their country, which isn’t much!”
Iranian military officials responded swiftly on Saturday, warning through state media that any assault on their energy facilities would trigger retaliatory strikes against regional oil companies working with American interests.
According to Iran’s Fars news agency, witnesses reported hearing more than 15 explosions during the American assault on Kharg Island. Sources indicated the bombardment focused on defensive installations, naval facilities, and airfield infrastructure while sparing petroleum operations.
Global energy markets are closely monitoring whether the island’s complex system of pipelines, storage facilities, and export terminals sustained any damage. Even minimal disruptions could worsen an already strained worldwide supply situation.
The regional conflict has expanded beyond Iran, with the Revolutionary Guard announcing additional collaborative strikes against Israel alongside Lebanon’s Hezbollah organization, according to Iran’s Tasnim news outlet.
Israeli military forces reported conducting extensive air operations Friday, hitting over 200 Iranian targets including missile systems, defensive installations, and weapons manufacturing sites across western and central regions of the country.
American military personnel have suffered losses in the escalating conflict. The Pentagon confirmed Friday that six crew members died when their refueling aircraft went down in western Iraq. Additionally, The Wall Street Journal reported that Iranian missiles damaged five U.S. Air Force tanker planes at a Saudi Arabian base, with repairs currently underway.
Energy markets have experienced dramatic price swings based on Trump’s varying statements about the conflict’s expected duration. The fighting erupted February 28 with coordinated American and Israeli bombardments against Iran and has since expanded into a broader regional war affecting global financial and energy markets.
Lebanon has emerged as another major battleground, with Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants exchanging attacks in and around Beirut, further escalating tensions.
Beyond missile and drone assaults on Israel and U.S.-allied Gulf nations, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has actively worked to disrupt commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which handles approximately 20% of global fossil fuel transportation.
Trump announced Friday that American naval forces would “soon” begin providing security escorts for tanker vessels navigating the waterway.
Despite previously suggesting the conflict would conclude within weeks, Trump declined Friday to offer any timeline for resolution. “I can’t tell you that,” he told reporters. “I mean, I have my own idea, but what good does it do? It’ll be as long as it’s necessary.”
Iran has maintained crude oil shipments while other Gulf producers suspended operations due to security concerns about potential Iranian attacks.
Satellite monitoring by TankerTrackers.com showed multiple large oil tankers loading cargo at Kharg on Wednesday. Iran’s daily exports have ranged between 1.1 million and 1.5 million barrels from February 28 through Wednesday.
Energy analyst Bob McNally of Rapidan Energy Group said Trump’s Friday remarks “will focus the market’s mind on pathways that this energy disruption, already history’s largest, could expand and last longer.”
Some industry experts questioned the strategic value of avoiding oil infrastructure. “Bombing Kharg Island but not the oil infrastructure is like going to McDonald’s and getting a hamburger with no meat,” said Josh Young of Bison Interests. “What’s the point?”
Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, made his first public statements Thursday, promising to maintain the Strait of Hormuz closure and warning neighboring nations to shut down American military installations or face potential attacks.
European nations are developing strategies to protect their interests, with France leading discussions among European, Asian, and Gulf Arab partners about potentially deploying warships to escort commercial vessels through the strait.
After nearly two weeks of warfare, casualty figures have reached 2,000 deaths, with the majority occurring in Iran but significant losses also reported in Lebanon and Gulf states now experiencing frontline combat for the first time in decades of Middle Eastern conflicts.
Several million people have fled their homes due to the fighting. As Israeli aircraft continue pounding Beirut’s surrounding areas, Lebanese interior officials report being overwhelmed by hundreds of thousands of displaced residents seeking shelter in the capital city.
GAINESVILLE, Ga. — A tragic accident during what was meant to be a harmless student prank has resulted in the death of a cherished high school educator and criminal charges against five teenagers, according to Georgia authorities.
Jason Hughes, a 40-year-old mathematics instructor at North Hall High School, lost his life Friday night after falling in the roadway and being hit by a pickup truck driven by one of his students. The incident occurred as a group of teenagers was toilet-papering trees outside Hughes’ residence, the Hall County Sheriff’s Office reported.
Eighteen-year-old Jayden Ryan Wallace, who was behind the wheel of the pickup, now faces first-degree vehicular homicide charges — a felony that carries a potential sentence of three to 15 years under Georgia state law. Wallace also received a reckless driving citation. Four additional teenagers were cited for criminal trespassing and littering violations.
According to investigators, the group arrived at Hughes’ home around 11:40 p.m. Friday in two separate vehicles and began covering his trees with toilet paper. When Hughes emerged from his house, the students began departing. During this time, Hughes stumbled and fell into the street, where he was struck by Wallace’s departing pickup truck.
The teenagers immediately stopped their vehicles and attempted to help Hughes until paramedics arrived, authorities stated. Hughes was transported to a local hospital where he later died from his injuries.
In an unexpected turn, Hughes’ family revealed that the educator had advance knowledge of the planned prank and had intended to surprise the students rather than stop them. The family has publicly requested that all criminal charges be dismissed.
“This is a terrible tragedy, and our family is determined to prevent a separate tragedy from occurring, ruining the lives of these students,” Hughes’ family said in a statement provided to The Associated Press on Monday. “This would be counter to Jason’s lifelong dedication of investing in the lives of these children.”
Hughes served as both a mathematics teacher and assistant coach for golf, football and baseball teams at North Hall High School in Gainesville, located approximately 55 miles northeast of Atlanta. Students and colleagues have created a memorial display of flowers along the school’s perimeter fence.
Sean Pender, the school’s head football coach, described Hughes as an educator who supported student-athletes academically and a person of strong religious conviction who facilitated weekly Bible studies for coaching staff.
“What made Jason so special was the way he did it,” Pender wrote in a social media post. “He never judged. He never forced anything on anyone. He simply loved people well. He met people where they were, lifted them up, and reminded them that they mattered.”
Hall County District Attorney Lee Darragh will ultimately determine how to proceed with the criminal cases against the teenagers. When contacted Monday, Darragh declined to discuss the matter.
“I’m not commenting on that case presently,” Darragh told an AP reporter by phone Monday. “I don’t have enough information about it to do so.”
Court records for Wallace’s case were not immediately available Monday, and it remains unclear whether he has secured legal representation.
LOS ANGELES — A woman has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after opening fire near the Beverly Hills residence of pop superstar Rihanna on Sunday afternoon, authorities confirmed Monday.
The incident left no one injured, though it remains unclear whether the Grammy-winning artist was present at the property during the shooting, police officials stated.
Officer Charles Miller, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department, said authorities responded to reports of gunfire in the Beverly Hills neighborhood on Sunday. A 35-year-old suspect was subsequently apprehended “without further incident,” and investigators retrieved a firearm, law enforcement officials confirmed in their statement. The woman now faces attempted murder charges and remains jailed with bail set at $10 million. Prosecutors have not yet filed formal charges.
While Miller declined to identify the homeowner, several local media organizations have reported the residence belongs to the “Umbrella” singer. Property records indicate the Beverly Hills home is held by a trust managed by Evan Jehle, who serves on the advisory board for Rihanna’s Clara Lionel Foundation.
Representatives for Rihanna have not responded to requests for comment.
Television station KABC aired footage displaying what appeared to be five bullet marks in the property’s front gate.
“Shooting just occurred. Ten gunshots fired from the vehicle,” a police dispatcher told responding officers on audio obtained by KABC. Authorities said the shots originated from across the street.
Police have not determined whether the arrested woman had any prior relationship with Rihanna.
This marks the second security incident at one of the performer’s homes in recent years. In 2018, a man broke into a different Rihanna property in the Hollywood Hills and remained there for 12 hours. The intruder entered a no contest plea in 2019 to felony stalking and vandalism charges, plus a misdemeanor count of resisting arrest, receiving a probation sentence.
The nine-time Grammy recipient has achieved 14 number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, including hits like “We Found Love,” “Work,” “Umbrella” and “Disturbia.” She launched her cosmetics company Fenty Beauty in 2017.
Rihanna and rapper A$AP Rocky welcomed their third child, daughter Rocki Irish Mayers, this past September.
WASHINGTON — American intelligence officials concluded in a classified report that military action against Iran would fail to bring about a change in government, even if key leaders were eliminated, according to two sources with knowledge of the February assessment.
The National Intelligence Council’s analysis determined that both targeted airstrikes and extended military operations would be unlikely to install new leadership in the Islamic Republic, the sources revealed on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the document.
This finding challenges the current administration’s claims that its goals in Iran could be achieved rapidly, possibly within weeks. Although officials have stated they are not pursuing regime change, President Donald Trump has openly discussed his preferred candidates to lead Iran.
According to those briefed on the report, intelligence analysts found no strong or unified opposition group ready to assume power should Iranian leadership be eliminated. The assessment predicted that Iran’s establishment would work to maintain governmental continuity if Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei were killed.
The intelligence community’s predictions have materialized, as Iranian religious authorities on Sunday selected Mojtaba Khamenei, the late leader’s son, as the new supreme leader following his father’s death in the initial military strikes. The younger Khamenei is considered more extreme than his predecessor, signaling the regime’s defiance and unwillingness to surrender power easily.
The Washington Post and The New York Times previously reported details from this intelligence assessment.
Administration officials have offered varying explanations for the military campaign that commenced February 28, citing the need to disrupt Iran’s nuclear weapons development or prevent Iranian missile attacks. While Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth maintains the conflict does not aim for regime change, Trump has expressed his desire to see new Iranian leadership.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence did not respond to requests for comment Monday. Director Tulsi Gabbard previously dismissed the council’s acting leader last year following the publication of a declassified report that contradicted administration statements used to justify Venezuelan immigrant deportations.
Throughout his presidency, Trump has maintained deep suspicion toward U.S. intelligence agencies, regularly rejecting their conclusions as politically driven or part of efforts by a “deep state” to sabotage his administration.
The Miami Heat will receive a second-round draft selection from the Charlotte Hornets as additional compensation stemming from their Terry Rozier trade dispute two years ago.
Charlotte will transfer the better of either Golden State’s or Denver’s second-round picks to Miami. League general managers learned of this arrangement on Monday, which resolves disagreements about Rozier’s trade circumstances and his current federal gambling case.
Rozier remains under contract with Miami for this final season but hasn’t played since the team’s season opener in Orlando last October. Federal authorities arrested him the following day on charges of providing non-public information about his playing availability to assist gamblers.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver described Rozier’s situation in December as “an unprecedented situation” while noting the player occupies $26.6 million in Heat salary cap space this season. Silver stated the league was working “to try to work something through, work this out with them.”
Silver’s objective was achieving “satisfactory relief,” which ultimately resulted in the second-round pick settlement. Both organizations declined to provide immediate statements.
Miami obtained Rozier from Charlotte on January 23, 2024, trading Kyle Lowry and a 2027 first-round selection that Miami must still deliver. The NBA had previously identified suspicious prop betting patterns around Rozier’s performance during a March 2023 Charlotte game against New Orleans, with sportsbooks flagging the activity that same afternoon. However, the league’s investigation at that time found no grounds to prevent him from participating.
During that March 23, 2023 contest, Rozier started for Charlotte and performed adequately in his 9½ minutes, recording five points, four rebounds, two assists and one steal. This marked just one of two occasions in his career achieving those statistical benchmarks in an opening quarter.
Rozier left that game citing foot discomfort and never returned. Bettors who wagered against his prop bet lines won their wagers.
Charlotte has not disclosed whether they knew about any federal investigations into Rozier’s actions during that period.
Miami was not informed about the federal investigation details when completing the trade. The Heat likely would not have proceeded with the transaction if they had known about potential criminal charges.
Throughout his career with Boston, Charlotte, and Miami, Rozier has maintained a 13.9 points per game average. He participated in 95 games wearing a Heat uniform.
A source close to contract negotiations revealed Monday that Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce is on the verge of signing an agreement to return for his 14th NFL campaign.
The individual, who requested anonymity since the contract remains unsigned, confirmed discussions between the team and the veteran tight end are progressing toward completion.
The 36-year-old veteran had previously indicated he would reach a retirement decision by early March, providing Kansas City management clarity as they work to reconstruct their lineup. Monday marked the opening of free agency negotiations, with the official league year starting Wednesday when trades and signings become official.
Kansas City is simultaneously preparing for next month’s draft. Following last week’s trade that sent cornerback Trent McDuffie to Los Angeles, the team now holds two first-round selections: their original ninth overall pick and the 29th selection acquired from the Rams.
“I think we’ve kind of taken a different approach with Travis in the sense that we’ve prepared for either scenario,” Chiefs general manager Brett Veach explained during last month’s scouting combine. “Coach (Andy Reid) had mentioned on Friday he’s had great dialogue with Travis. On our end, myself, (assistant general manager) Chris Shea and Travis’ crew, we’ve had some good dialogue there.
“Travis is the best, he’s an icon and hopefully he comes back and we’ll just let that process play out.”
Beyond football, Kelce maintains numerous pursuits, including co-hosting the “New Heights” podcast alongside his brother, former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce, plus various entertainment projects. His engagement to pop superstar Taylor Swift has also garnered significant attention, with their wedding anticipated in the near future.
Despite these outside interests, Kelce has consistently emphasized football’s continued importance in his personal life.
Retirement considerations first surfaced two seasons ago, but he returned last year largely motivated by not wanting his career to conclude with a disappointing Super Bowl defeat to Philadelphia. Similar feelings likely influenced his decision to continue after Kansas City’s recent 6-11 campaign — their poorest record since 2012.
Another significant factor is his desire to play alongside quarterback Patrick Mahomes for at least one more season.
Mahomes, one of Kelce’s closest friends, missed the final three games after suffering an ACL tear during a loss to the Chargers that ended Kansas City’s playoff hopes. The two-time MVP underwent surgery immediately afterward and publicly committed to being ready for the season opener.
Last season saw Kelce return in excellent physical condition. Though his 76 receptions marked his lowest total since 2015, he still accumulated 851 receiving yards and five touchdowns — statistics that placed him among the league’s top tight ends.
Kelce, who turns 37 in October, has compiled 1,080 career catches for 13,002 yards and 82 touchdowns across 192 regular-season contests, ranking fourth all-time among tight ends in receptions and third in receiving yards. His postseason resume includes 178 catches for 2,078 yards and 20 touchdowns, contributing to five AFC championships and three Super Bowl victories.
A groundbreaking initiative to address racial bias in medical testing that prevented Black patients from receiving timely kidney transplants is showing positive results, according to new research.
Scientists announced Monday that more than 21,000 Black transplant candidates have received additional waiting list credits to compensate for time lost due to discriminatory testing practices, advancing their position in line for organ transplants as part of a restorative justice approach.
The problematic test employed a race-based calculation to assess kidney function levels. This flawed methodology caused Black patients’ kidney health to appear better than the actual condition, postponing critical diagnoses of organ failure and transplant referrals.
Following the elimination of race-based testing from the U.S. transplant network, medical facilities were mandated to review their transplant rosters and identify Black patients who should have qualified for kidney transplants earlier by examining historical medical data for previously biased results, then awarding appropriate time credits.
Medical researchers from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Boston Medical Center examined transplant data spanning January 2022 through June 2025, evaluating transplant statistics before and after the January 2023 policy revision.
The research team found that among Black transplant candidates who received waiting time adjustments, the typical credit was 1.7 years, according to findings published in JAMA Internal Medicine. This represents significant time considering kidney transplant waits typically range from three to five years, though some regions experience much longer delays.
Following the policy implementation, Black patients experienced an immediate boost in transplant rates by 5.3 transplants per 1,000 listings before stabilizing. The overall kidney transplant rate grew throughout the research period, while transplant rates for non-Black patients showed no significant changes under the updated policy, with white patients maintaining the highest rates, researchers found.
“The results suggest that improving transplant care for Black individuals did not harm individuals of other races,” wrote Dr. L. Ebony Boulware of Wake Forest University School of Medicine, who was not part of the research team, in a related commentary advocating for similar measures to address damage from other incorrectly race-based medical assessments.
“Hopefully this policy helps move the needle toward equity,” stated Dr. Rohan Khazanchi of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Boston Medical Center, the study’s lead researcher, during an interview.
Receiving wait-time credits did not result in instant transplants — 7,484 patients obtained new kidneys during the research timeframe.
The discriminatory kidney assessment relied on measuring how rapidly creatinine, a waste product, gets eliminated from the bloodstream. In 1999, the calculation formula was altered to modify Black patients’ results compared to other groups, drawing from limited studies involving small numbers of Black participants and an outdated incorrect theory regarding creatinine level differences.
This biased testing worsened existing inequalities that already put Black Americans at higher risk for needing kidney replacement while reducing their chances of receiving one. They face over three times the likelihood of kidney failure compared to white individuals and represent approximately 30% of kidney transplant candidates.
Khazanchi expressed surprise that fewer than one in three Black transplant candidates received waiting time adjustments.
This could stem from some patients not being diagnosed with kidney disease until organ failure occurred, a critical situation medical professionals term “crashing onto dialysis.” However, Khazanchi suggested another explanation might be that certain transplant facilities had better resources than others to search through historical medical files — laboratory results conducted years earlier and potentially at different healthcare systems across the country — to identify all eligible individuals.
Although the mandated review to modify wait times occurred in 2023, Black patients recently added to transplant lists should inquire about potential eligibility, he recommended.
The president of Arizona’s state Senate reports that he has satisfied a court order issued last week demanding documents related to a controversial Republican examination of 2020 voting results in Maricopa County.
The legislative leader stated he has turned over the requested materials connected to what has been characterized as a problematic audit of the presidential election results.
The subpoena targeted records from the GOP-sponsored investigation that scrutinized ballots and voting procedures in Arizona’s most populous county following the 2020 presidential contest.
As military operations involving Iran, Israel and Lebanon continue for a second week, Associated Press photographers are capturing images from across the conflict zones.
The visual documentation shows conditions on the ground as tensions remain high in the region. Meanwhile, political changes are occurring with leadership transitions taking place.
The collection of photographs has been assembled by Associated Press photo editors to provide a visual record of current events in the affected areas.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City has reached an agreement with Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker on a three-year contract valued at up to $45 million, bringing the former Seattle Seahawks running back to the Chiefs, according to a source with knowledge of the negotiations who spoke to The Associated Press on Monday.
The contract features $28.7 million in guaranteed money and carries a base value of $43.05 million, according to the source, who requested anonymity since deals cannot be finalized until the new league year officially starts on Wednesday.
This signing addresses what may be Kansas City’s most pressing roster concern as the franchise attempts to recover from a disappointing 6-11 campaign. With top rushers Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco both entering free agency, the Chiefs had only sophomore player Brashard Smith remaining under contract at the position.
The Walker acquisition comes as Kansas City moves closer to securing four-time All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce for his 14th season, according to another source familiar with those discussions who also spoke anonymously to the AP due to the preliminary nature of the agreement.
Selected in the second round of the 2022 draft, Walker accumulated 3,555 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns during his four seasons in Seattle. This past regular season, he posted 1,027 yards and five touchdowns, but elevated his performance in the postseason with 116 yards and three scores against San Francisco, another touchdown versus Los Angeles, and 135 yards in Kansas City’s 29-13 Super Bowl victory over New England.
Walker becomes only the fourth Super Bowl MVP to switch teams the season after winning the award, joining Larry Brown (Cowboys to Raiders), Desmond Howard (Packers to Raiders), and Dexter Jackson (Buccaneers to Cardinals).
Kansas City has historically relied on a combination of late-round draft selections and budget-friendly free agents at running back. However, the team desperately needed upgrades after finishing 25th in the league in rushing offense, averaging just 106.6 yards per game on the ground.
Hunt led the team with 661 rushing yards while Pacheco contributed 462 yards. Remarkably, quarterback Patrick Mahomes ranked as the team’s third-leading rusher with 422 yards and five touchdowns before missing the season’s final three games due to a torn knee ligament.
Kansas City had been connected to Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love in the upcoming NFL draft, but his impressive showing at the scouting combine may have elevated his draft stock beyond the Chiefs’ reach when they select ninth overall.
The franchise also holds the 29th pick in the first round as part of the trade that sent cornerback Trent McDuffie to Los Angeles. With Walker now in the fold, Kansas City gains greater draft flexibility to address other areas of need, including pass rush, interior defensive line depth, offensive line reinforcements, and wide receiver.
A London courtroom became the stage Monday for allegations against Gerry Adams, the former head of Sinn Féin, as three bombing victims claim he held leadership positions within the Irish Republican Army during deadly attacks in England.
The civil lawsuit filed in London’s High Court alleges Adams bore direct responsibility for Provisional IRA decisions to carry out explosive attacks in England during 1973 and 1996.
Attorney Anne Studd, representing the three injured men, told the court that Adams made false distinctions between his roles. “The defendant carefully draws a distinction between being a member of ‘the Army’ and being a member of Sinn Féin,” Studd stated. “That was a distinction without a difference.”
While these accusations against Adams have circulated for years, this marks the first instance where a court will determine their validity.
Adams served as a pivotal figure during Northern Ireland’s violent era, heading the IRA-associated Sinn Féin party from 1983 through 2018 and playing a crucial role in negotiating the 1998 Good Friday peace agreement. Despite consistent denials of IRA membership, several former associates have claimed he held leadership roles within the organization.
“There is no doubt that the defendant contributed to the peace in Northern Ireland, but the claimants say that on the evidence, he also contributed to the war,” Studd argued.
The three plaintiffs seek acknowledgment rather than financial compensation, pursuing damages of just one pound ($1.33) from Adams.
Their lawsuit claims Adams served on the IRA’s governing Army Council and shares equal responsibility with those who physically planted explosives during “the Troubles” – three decades of bloodshed involving Irish republican militants, British loyalist groups, and UK military forces. This period claimed approximately 3,600 lives, primarily in Northern Ireland, though IRA operations extended to England.
Police officer John Clark sustained shrapnel wounds to his head and hand during the 1973 Old Bailey courthouse attack in London. Jonathan Ganesh experienced psychological trauma from the 1996 London Docklands explosion. Barry Laycock suffered 50% disability, emotional distress, and financial hardship following the 1996 Arndale shopping center bombing in Manchester.
Defense attorney Edward Craven stated that Adams, who plans to testify during the jury-free trial scheduled to end next week, “emphatically, unequivocally and categorically denies that he was ever a member of the IRA.”
Craven emphasized that the 77-year-old was never formally charged with these bombings or even detained on suspicion of involvement.
Adams faced IRA membership charges in 1978, though prosecutors later abandoned the case due to insufficient evidence.
Last year, Adams secured a £100,000 ($116,000) libel judgment against the BBC regarding a television documentary’s assertion that he approved killing an informant within Irish republican circles.
Craven described the plaintiffs’ burden of proof as insurmountable, saying they “had a mountain to climb to prove their case and they had not even arrived at the foothills.”
The defense acknowledged that Adams supported IRA objectives and attempted to rationalize their actions, though he didn’t endorse every operation.
“That makes him, in the eyes of some people, a deeply controversial figure,” Craven explained. “It does not mean he was factually responsible for the bombings.”
SALISBURY, Md. – Salisbury University had reason to celebrate this week as three of its student-athletes earned prestigious weekly honors from their athletic conferences for performances between March 2-8, 2026.
The Sea Gulls dominated the weekly awards, capturing Jersey Mike’s A Sub Above Player of the Week recognition across two different conferences. Blake Malamphy from the men’s lacrosse team claimed Coastal Lacrosse Conference (CLC) Defensive Player of the Week honors for his outstanding defensive performance.
Meanwhile, the women’s lacrosse program contributed two award winners to the honors list. Miranda Mears and Regan McDonnell both received Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference (C2C) recognition, helping Salisbury University complete another impressive sweep of conference weekly awards.
The multiple honors highlight the continued excellence of Salisbury University’s athletic programs and the individual achievements of these standout student-athletes during the early portion of the spring sports season.
Drivers in Wilmington should prepare for significant construction activity as the Delaware Department of Transportation prepares to launch major roadway improvements along North Adams Street.
DelDOT officials have announced that construction crews will begin work on Monday, March 16th, focusing on the stretch of North Adams Street that runs from 6th Street to Delaware Avenue. The extensive project is anticipated to wrap up in early 2027, meaning motorists can expect nearly two years of construction-related impacts in the area.
The transportation department is advising drivers who regularly travel through this section of Wilmington to plan for potential delays and consider alternate routes during the construction period.
Delaware Capitol Police will welcome a team of evaluators from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA®) on March 30, 2026, according to an announcement made today by Chief William R. Thompson.
The assessment team will examine every facet of the department’s policies, procedures, management practices, daily operations, and support systems as part of the accreditation process.
This evaluation represents a voluntary effort by the Capitol Police to earn CALEA® accreditation, which stands as a nationally respected standard of excellence in public safety. To achieve this recognition, law enforcement agencies must demonstrate compliance with 193 strict and detailed standards that cover all aspects of police operations.
Drivers in New Castle County should prepare for a week-long road closure beginning Tuesday morning as state transportation officials work to upgrade drainage infrastructure.
DelDOT officials say Allendale Road will be completely shut down near the 2111 Allendale Road location starting at 6:00 am on Tuesday, March 17th. The closure is scheduled to remain in effect until 5:00 pm on Tuesday, March 24th while construction crews replace crossroad drainage pipes.
State transportation workers will post detour signs to guide motorists around the work zone during the seven-day closure period.
A major offshore wind development that faced federal opposition has started delivering electricity to New England’s power grid, according to an announcement Friday from the project’s developer.
Danish energy company Orsted announced that Revolution Wind has commenced power generation and will gradually increase output over the coming weeks until reaching full capacity. The project is a joint venture between Orsted and Skyborn Renewables, owned by Global Infrastructure Partners, designed to supply clean electricity to Rhode Island and Connecticut residents and businesses – sufficient to serve more than 350,000 properties.
Revolution Wind was among five major offshore wind developments along the East Coast that faced construction suspensions from the Trump administration just before Christmas, with officials citing national security issues. Project developers and affected states filed lawsuits challenging the decision, and federal courts permitted all five projects to continue building, determining that the government failed to demonstrate an urgent national security threat requiring immediate work stoppage.
The previous Biden administration had prioritized offshore wind development as part of its climate change mitigation strategy.
However, President Donald Trump, who frequently expresses opposition to wind energy, has stated his intention to prevent any new “windmills” from being constructed. He has issued multiple executive orders designed to promote oil, gas and coal production.
White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers stated Friday evening that Trump “reversed course on Joe Biden’s costly green energy agenda that gave preferential treatment to intermittent, unreliable energy sources and instead is aggressively unleashing reliable and affordable energy sources to lower energy bills, improve our grid stability and protect our national security.” Rogers added that the administration “looks forward to ultimate victory on this issue.”
Orsted emphasized that during a period of increasing energy needs, Revolution Wind will deliver cost predictability and grid stability, referencing preliminary Connecticut state analysis projecting wholesale energy cost reductions of approximately $500 million annually by 2028.
“Revolution Wind is adding affordable, reliable American-made energy to New England’s grid, helping to meet growing energy demand and lower consumer costs,” stated Amanda Dasch, Orsted’s chief development officer.
Chris Kearns, acting commissioner of Rhode Island’s Office of Energy Resources, described the initial power delivery as a “significant moment for the state’s clean energy landscape.”
Orsted launched construction in 2024 approximately 15 miles south of Rhode Island’s coastline. The facility features 65 Siemens Gamesa turbines rated at 11 megawatts each, with more than 1,000 workers involved in the project.
Connecticut Democratic Representative Joe Courtney noted that because this wind energy originates directly off New England’s coast, “its price will not be at the mercy of uncertain global energy markets.” He referenced how the Iran conflict is affecting worldwide energy supplies, economic stability and international transportation.
Courtney also stated that Friday’s achievement “never would have happened without talented Connecticut building trades workers, who persevered through the Trump administration’s illegal halt work orders.”
The December suspension marked the second time the current administration stopped Revolution Wind construction. Work had previously been paused on August 22 due to national security concerns, before a federal judge authorized project resumption one month later.
Drivers traveling through the area should plan for alternate routes as construction activities have forced the closure of the eastbound lane on Harmons Hill Road at its intersection with Indian Mission Road.
According to DelDOT traffic reports, the lane restriction will remain active until 4:30 PM today. Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and exercise caution when navigating through the construction zone.
Traffic may experience delays during the closure period as vehicles merge into the remaining open lanes.
ANNAPOLIS, MD (March 9, 2026) – Applications are now being accepted by the Maryland Department of Agriculture for their 2026 Food and Agricultural Resiliency Mechanism Grant Program, known as MFARM.
The competitive funding initiative aims to tackle food insecurity in communities throughout the state while simultaneously creating dependable sales opportunities for Maryland’s agricultural producers.
The program represents the state’s effort to address two critical issues: ensuring vulnerable populations have access to nutritious food while supporting the economic stability of local farming operations.
China’s top diplomat has called on Afghanistan and Pakistan to pursue peaceful negotiations instead of military action as tensions between the neighboring nations continue to escalate.
During a telephone conversation on Friday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, emphasizing the need for diplomatic solutions over armed conflict, according to an official statement from China’s foreign ministry.
Wang stressed the importance of both nations maintaining composure and showing restraint while working toward immediate face-to-face negotiations. He advocated for an urgent ceasefire and emphasized that differences should be settled through diplomatic channels.
The Chinese foreign minister warned that continued military actions would only worsen the current crisis and heighten regional instability.
This diplomatic intervention follows Pakistan’s Friday bombing of a Kam Air fuel depot located near Kandahar airport in Afghanistan, representing a major escalation in what has become the most serious conflict between these neighbors in recent years. The attack occurred despite ongoing Chinese mediation efforts.
The two foreign ministers also discussed developments in Iran during their conversation, with Wang expressing Beijing’s readiness to collaborate with Afghanistan and other international partners to promote stability in Iran.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore revealed today that the state’s oyster population experienced unprecedented growth in 2025, with reproduction rates soaring to levels not seen in nearly three decades. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reported that young oyster concentrations reached nearly six times the historical average, representing the second-highest numbers ever documented in four decades of monitoring.
“Oysters are the bedrock of the ecosystem in the Chesapeake Bay and provide economic opportunities for communities throughout the state,” Moore stated. “Maryland is now seeing the best news for our oysters in decades; our robust and growing oyster population will help make sure we pass our Bay along to future generations as an heirloom—both as an economic driver for our seafood industry and for the environmental health of our waterways.”
The survey findings mark a significant milestone in Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts. Scientists documented that Maryland’s oyster populations are expanding across state waters at unprecedented rates, while death rates and disease levels remain minimal.
Key findings from the annual assessment reveal remarkable statistics. Researchers counted an average of 250 juvenile oysters per bushel at primary monitoring locations, the highest reproductive success recorded since 1997 and more than triple the strong reproduction seen in 2023. The historical average stands at just 42.2 young oysters per bushel.
The study also documented the second-widest distribution of juvenile oysters since records began in 1985, trailing only the 1991 season. Certain areas showed exceptional concentrations, with Broad Creek producing 3,600 young oysters per bushel on two underwater bars and the St. Marys River restoration area yielding more than 2,100 per bushel.
Oyster death rates dropped to the third-lowest levels since 1985, continuing a sharp decline driven by reduced disease pressure. The presence and severity of Dermo disease reached among the lowest levels in 36 years during 2025, while preliminary data shows minimal occurrence of MSX, another major oyster ailment affecting the Bay.
State shellfish experts calculated that total oyster biomass—the combined weight of all oysters in Maryland waters—reached the highest point in 33 years of measurements. Current biomass exceeds the devastating 2002 low point by more than five times, when disease outbreaks decimated oyster populations.
Available oyster habitat also peaked, with the three-year average from 2025 matching the highest levels recorded in 21 years of hard-surface habitat monitoring by state biologists.
“This has been an exceptional year for the oysters of the Chesapeake Bay,” declared Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz. “In the past year, we learned that the state’s oyster populations have tripled in two decades and we also wrapped up major projects at our oyster restoration sanctuaries. Now we’re finding that oysters are reproducing at levels we haven’t seen in nearly 30 years. For an important species that’s struggled for many decades, these are great signs of recovery.”
Oysters represent a crucial economic driver for Maryland’s fishing industry, ranking second only to crabbing in waterfront value. Oyster harvesting has generated an average of more than $18 million annually over the past five years, with watermen collecting an average of 475,000 bushels annually from 2021 to 2025.
Earlier research by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science found that Maryland oyster populations had more than tripled since 2005, reaching over 7.6 billion adult oysters by 2023. In August, Governor Moore announced Maryland had finished initial restoration work on an ambitious project to rebuild oyster populations and habitats across five rivers by 2025.
“The continued strong reproduction and low mortality rates are great news for Maryland’s oyster population,” said University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science President Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm. “This continues the trend seen over the last 20 years and should fuel future increases in the number of oysters.”
The positive survey results come during challenging times for the Chesapeake Bay oyster market. This past winter, market conditions, weather impacts, and other factors caused market declines at the beginning of the 2025-2026 season. Frozen waterways prevented oyster boats from harvesting for extended periods, and the commercial oyster industry has experienced reduced market demand.
To assist watermen in recovering lost harvesting opportunities, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources extended this year’s commercial harvest season by two weeks. In February, the governor also requested a federal disaster declaration for the oyster fishery to support the industry’s long-term viability.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources, working with the Maryland Department of Health and the Maryland Department of the Environment, supervises the safety and quality of commercial shellfish production using strict national standards under the National Shellfish Sanitation Program to assess growing waters for commercial shellfish harvesting.
Oysters reproduce during summer months, with their larvae floating freely in the water before settling on hard surfaces—typically other oyster shells—where they develop and remain for life. Each fall, Maryland Department of Natural Resources scientists survey hundreds of locations and count the juvenile oysters growing on oyster shells, rocks, and other materials.
“These results show what’s possible when Maryland sustains its commitment to oyster restoration and responsible fishery management,” said Oyster Recovery Partnership Executive Director Ward Slacum. “Following the milestone of completing restoration in five Chesapeake tributaries, it’s encouraging to see such strong reproduction across the Bay. ORP is proud to work alongside the state and our partners, and we remain committed to building on this momentum to strengthen oyster reefs, support the seafood industry, and restore the health of the Chesapeake Bay.”
Juvenile oysters typically require one to three years to mature into adults. A fully grown oyster processes gallons of water each day, improving water quality and clarity by consuming algae. Oysters create extensive reef systems that serve as vital habitat for fish, crustaceans, and other marine species.
Maryland agencies have conducted annual underwater surveys of oyster reefs since 1939, representing one of the world’s longest-running monitoring programs of its type. The current standardized survey format has operated since 1985.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources presented the preliminary survey findings to the Oyster Advisory Commission this evening. The complete survey report and detailed results will be published on DNR’s fall oyster survey website.
American soccer defender James Sands faces an uncertain path to the World Cup after undergoing ankle surgery following an injury that cut short his professional season in Germany.
The 25-year-old New York native went under the knife Friday in Munich, where his club team FC St. Pauli confirmed the procedure on his left ankle. Team officials have not provided any timeline for when Sands might return to competitive play.
Sands sustained the injury during last Sunday’s match when he was fouled during play against Eintracht Frankfurt. Medical scans conducted over several days following the incident revealed the severity of the ankle damage that required surgical intervention.
The defender has earned 14 caps with the national team since 2021, most recently taking the field as a starter during October’s exhibition victory over Australia.
Team USA is set to begin World Cup competition on June 12 when they face Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
A physics conference held in the U.S. Virgin Islands during 2006, which included an excursion to Jeffrey Epstein’s private island, reveals how the convicted financier strategically deployed his vast wealth to forge connections with leading members of the scientific community.
The gathering of prominent physicists demonstrates Epstein’s calculated approach to rehabilitating his public image through association with Nobel Prize-winning researchers and other distinguished academics. By funding scientific research and hosting exclusive academic events, he sought to position himself as a patron of cutting-edge science.
The conference was orchestrated by theoretical physicist Lawrence Krauss and drew notable attendees including renowned physicist Stephen Hawking, among other celebrated scientists. The event took place against the backdrop of Epstein’s private Caribbean retreat, where he regularly entertained high-profile guests from various fields.
This scientific networking strategy formed part of Epstein’s broader effort to rebuild his standing following earlier legal troubles, using his financial resources to gain access to prestigious academic circles and respected intellectual figures.
Motorists traveling on Route 1 between Smyrna and Middletown should expect to see cleanup crews working along the roadway shoulder through 5 PM today.
The Delaware Department of Transportation has deployed litter removal teams to clear debris from the shoulder area of the busy corridor. Drivers are advised to use caution when passing through the work zone and give crews plenty of space while they complete their cleanup efforts.
The shoulder work is part of ongoing maintenance operations to keep Delaware’s roadways clean and safe for travelers.
A Charlotte, North Carolina man became the first defendant to admit guilt in a massive college basketball gambling conspiracy that federal prosecutors say generated millions through rigged games.
Jalen Smith entered guilty pleas to wire fraud and bribery charges during a federal court hearing in Philadelphia on Monday. He is the first among 26 defendants charged in the widespread betting operation to formally accept responsibility. The plea comes just days before March Madness kicks off, when billions will be wagered both legally and illegally on the 64-team tournament.
According to federal prosecutors, Smith leveraged his background training local basketball players for professional tryouts to build relationships that he later exploited as part of the gambling conspiracy.
Federal authorities unveiled charges against Smith and 25 co-defendants in January. The case encompasses not only the organizers who enlisted players and placed wagers, but also 17 former college athletes and four players who were still competing for their university teams this season.
Prosecutors revealed that over a dozen players attempted to manipulate game outcomes as recently as last season, with some actively recruiting additional participants into the scheme.
The scandal represents the most recent gambling controversy to emerge since the Supreme Court’s 2018 ruling triggered explosive growth in legal sports betting nationwide.
Federal authorities say Smith participated in game-fixing activities during both the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, placing wagers while recruiting players with promises of substantial payments in return for deliberately poor performance.
The conspirators would then wager against those players’ teams during the manipulated contests, defrauding both sportsbooks and other bettors, according to investigators.
Prosecutors detailed how Smith frequently made personal trips to deliver cash payments directly to players. In one instance, authorities say he traveled to Louisiana to arrange the delivery of approximately $32,000 in cash to two players now facing charges in the case.
Smith also entered a guilty plea to a separate firearms violation following an FBI search of his North Carolina bedroom last May, where agents discovered a loaded gun hidden in a laundry hamper beneath clothing.
Due to a 2018 drug conviction, Smith was legally prohibited from possessing firearms. According to the plea agreement, he told agents he purchased the weapon from someone outside a Charlotte sneaker store, though investigators later determined it had been reported stolen.
The point-shaving operation initially began with two Chinese Basketball Association games in 2023, according to the federal indictment. After achieving success there, organizers brought Smith and two other recruiters into the conspiracy before expanding into NCAA games. Their final fixed game occurred in January 2025.
The scheme eventually encompassed more than 39 players across over 17 different NCAA Division I men’s basketball programs, who manipulated or attempted to manipulate more than 29 contests, prosecutors stated.
The conspirators wagered millions of dollars while generating substantial profits for themselves and paying hundreds of thousands in bribes to participating players. Individual player payments typically fell between $10,000 and $30,000 per game, authorities said.
Federal prosecutors identified more than 40 universities where games were allegedly targeted, including Tulane University and DePaul University.
The manipulated contests spanned major conferences and postseason play, including first-round Horizon League championship and second-round Southland Conference championship games, according to prosecutors.
Players often enlisted teammates to participate by performing poorly, sitting out plays, or preventing non-participating players from scoring opportunities. However, some attempted fixes failed, resulting in losses for the betting conspirators, prosecutors noted.
The debut Fanatics Flag Football Classic featuring Tom Brady has relocated from its original Middle East venue to California, organizers announced. The March 21 competition will now take place at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles rather than the previously planned Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.
Event organizers cited ongoing conflicts in Iran and current travel warnings as reasons for the international venue change. The new Los Angeles location holds special significance as BMO Stadium is set to host flag football when the sport joins the Olympic program during the 2028 Summer Games.
The retired quarterback Brady, who captured seven Super Bowl championships, will make his first official comeback to competitive play since stepping away from the NFL in 2023. He’ll team up with Jalen Hurts as co-captains of the Founders FFC team, with Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton leading their sideline.
Their opponents, the Wildcats FFC, will be captained by rookie sensation Jayden Daniels alongside Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow, with San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan calling the plays.
Both captains will select 12-player rosters from a star-studded pool that features running back Saquon Barkley, defensive end Myles Garrett, receiver Odell Beckham Jr., tight end Rob Gronkowski, and social media personality Logan Paul. Hall of Fame quarterbacks Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald will oversee the competition as commissioners.
A third squad consisting entirely of USA Football athletes will also participate, giving fans a unique opportunity to watch elite flag football specialists compete against professional tackle football players. Team USA will be led by co-captains Aamir Brown and Darrell “Housh” Doucette, with Jorge Cascudo serving as head coach.
Competition will follow adapted Olympic flag football regulations on a compact 50-by-25 yard field. Each game consists of two 15-minute periods with continuous clock operation. The three teams will compete in round-robin format, with the top two advancing to a championship finale.
Fanatics Studios will produce the event for broadcast on FOX Sports, FOX One, and streaming platform Tubi.
“This event features our world champion flag football athletes on the same field as some of the top current and former pro tackle stars, and I know our players are up for the challenge,” USA Football CEO and executive director Scott Hallenbeck stated.
Motorists traveling on Route 1 between Smyrna and Middletown should be aware of ongoing cleanup activities along the roadway shoulder today.
Delaware Department of Transportation crews are currently conducting litter removal operations in the area, with work expected to continue until 5 PM this afternoon.
Drivers are advised to use caution when passing through the work zone and may experience minor delays as crews work to clear debris from the roadside.
ROME (AP) — Historic treasures beyond Michelangelo’s renowned marble Moses sculpture are getting much-needed attention at Rome’s San Pietro in Vincoli basilica.
European Union pandemic recovery dollars are driving an intensive wave of restoration work at religious, cultural and historic landmarks throughout Rome.
Restorer Melanie Khanthajan scaled multiple ladders Monday, carrying her equipment to scaffolding positioned 65 feet above the basilica floor near the ceiling. With surgical precision, she used a scalpel to carefully remove plaster layers from decorative serpentine elements surrounding a coat of arms on the vaulted ceiling, employing a method known as “descialbo.”
“Every removal of a layer surprises us because it allows us to understand what it is like, what emerges,” she explained. “So for us it’s wonderful, it’s a discovery every day.”
A $2.3 million EU recovery grant is funding comprehensive cleaning and restoration of the basilica’s ceilings, altar, tombs, marble columns and ornamental features, providing work for Khanthajan and 10 additional restoration specialists.
Rome secured $579 million in European funding for “Caput Mundi” initiatives covering more than 100 cultural renovation projects citywide. Ancient Romans used “Caput Mundi” to describe their city as “the head of the world.” European Union agreements require these funds to be spent by late 2026.
Located steps from Rome’s Colosseum, the basilica derives its name “vincoli” from the Latin “vincula,” meaning chains. Ancient chains believed to have bound St. Peter in Jerusalem are displayed in a glass case at the main altar. According to religious tradition, these chains miraculously joined with those used to restrain Peter during his imprisonment at Rome’s Mamertine prison.
Built during the 5th century under Eastern Roman rule, the basilica underwent partial reconstruction in the 16th century when Pope Julius II ordered renovations. The pope added his Della Rovere family crest featuring an oak tree throughout the ceilings, arches and chapels. These heraldic symbols and accompanying decorative elements are the restoration’s primary focus.
Michelangelo’s Moses sculpture, created in 1513 for Julius’s funeral monument, remains the basilica’s star attraction. While not included in the current restoration work, the statue will receive cleaning once the project concludes.
“The works started about eight months ago and will end by May 2026,” said Ilaria Sgarbozza, the scientific director of the restoration project. “Let’s say it’s a very fast pace.”
BRISBANE, Australia — Five players from Iran’s women’s national soccer team have received humanitarian protection in Australia, according to Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, who announced the decision on Tuesday.
Australian federal police relocated the women from their Gold Coast hotel to a secure location during the early morning hours on Tuesday. Burke met with the players there and completed the processing of their humanitarian visas, he informed media representatives in Brisbane later that day.
The Iranian squad had traveled to Australia last month to compete in the Women’s Asian Cup, arriving before conflict erupted in their homeland. After being eliminated from the competition over the weekend, the team faced the possibility of returning to Iran amid ongoing bombardment.
Iran’s head coach Marziyeh Jafari stated on Sunday that her players “want to come back to Iran as soon as we can,” as reported by Australia’s AAP news service.
President Donald Trump had strongly criticized Australia’s handling of the situation on Monday, posting on social media that Australia was “making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing the … team to be forced back to Iran, where they will most likely be killed.”
Trump urged Australia to provide asylum for the team, stating: “The U.S. will take them if you won’t.”
Within two hours, Trump posted again praising Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, writing: “He’s on it! Five have already been taken care of, and the rest are on their way.”
The specific measures being implemented by Australia’s government remained unclear at the time.
Trump also noted that some players “feel they must go back because they are worried about the safety of their families, including threats to those family members if they don’t return.”
This asylum offer marked a notable shift for Trump, whose administration has worked to reduce the number of immigrants eligible for political asylum.
Throughout the tournament, team members largely avoided discussing the crisis in their country, though forward Sara Didar became emotional during a Wednesday press conference while expressing worry for their loved ones and fellow Iranians affected by the conflict.
The squad’s quiet stance during the national anthem before their opening defeat to South Korea was interpreted by some as defiance and by others as grief. The team has not clarified their intentions. During their final two games, they participated in singing and saluting during the anthem.
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – Salisbury University’s track and field athletes delivered outstanding performances during the opening day of the Division III Indoor National Championships at Birmingham Crossplex.
The Sea Gulls made their mark early in the competition, with Mia Hill claiming second team All-American recognition for her performance in the long jump event. Meanwhile, teammates Kai Smith and Gavin Shaffer both secured their positions in tomorrow’s championship finals, setting up exciting opportunities for additional honors.
The strong showing on day one positions Salisbury University well as the national championships continue, with the team’s qualifiers preparing for their final events in pursuit of top honors at the prestigious competition.
The University of Delaware Blue Hens softball squad experienced a setback in their latest outing, falling to Louisiana Tech in collegiate competition.
The defeat marks another chapter in the Blue Hens’ ongoing season as the team works to build momentum in their athletic campaign. Player Karli Challburg was featured in connection with the team’s recent activities.
The Blue Hens will look to regroup and refocus as they prepare for upcoming contests in their schedule. The team continues to represent the university in competitive collegiate softball action.
The University of Delaware baseball squad encountered a setback on Friday as they fell to Louisiana Tech in the opening contest of their weekend series in Ruston, Louisiana.
The Blue Hens were unable to secure a victory in their first matchup against the Bulldogs, putting them in a position where they’ll need to regroup for the remainder of the series.
Delaware will have opportunities to even the series as they continue their road trip against Louisiana Tech over the weekend.
A recreational boater from Virginia has initiated a class-action lawsuit against DC Water following a catastrophic January incident that released massive amounts of untreated sewage into the Potomac River.
Dr. Nicholas Lailas filed the legal action Friday in federal court in Greenbelt, Maryland, several weeks after a sewage pipeline failure sent wastewater gushing from the ground into the river north of the nation’s capital. The environmental disaster sparked political tensions between former President Donald Trump and Maryland’s Democratic leadership in the area where the breach occurred.
Lailas, who uses the Potomac for recreational boating, is pursuing damages for individuals “whose property interests in and use and enjoyment of the Potomac River … have been impaired by Defendant’s conduct.”
The legal filing contends that DC Water, which owns and operates the failed pipeline called the Potomac Interceptor, had a duty to keep the infrastructure in “reasonably safe condition and to prevent foreseeable harm to persons and property.”
Initial estimates suggest thousands of individuals own property or watercraft in the impacted sections of the Potomac, according to the lawsuit.
Plaintiff attorney Andrew Levetown explained Monday that determining the complete scope of the affected class will require time, as property owners, business operators, and recreational users all face potential losses from the January 19 infrastructure failure. “You’re going to have businesses who lose business because instead of sitting next to the Potomac, their clients are sitting next to the open sewer,” he said.
The legal action does not specify monetary damages sought. DC Water has not yet provided a response to requests for comment.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser issued an emergency declaration on February 18 and asked former President Trump for federal assistance to combat the leak that discharged 250 million gallons of raw sewage into the Potomac during the initial phase. The president granted the emergency aid request several days later to support the city’s response efforts.
DC Water acknowledged awareness that the pipeline, originally constructed during the 1960s, was degrading. Rehabilitation efforts on a section approximately 400 meters from the rupture point started in September and concluded recently. The section that ultimately failed had been scheduled for repairs during the upcoming summer months.
Current DC Water reports indicate emergency repair work has passed the midpoint and no additional discharge is flowing into the river.
During a public briefing last week, utility representatives said they are investigating what caused the rupture, including whether the original construction methods played a role in the emergency. DC Water CEO David Gadis stated during that briefing that while conclusions remain premature, “we are seeing indication that this incident may have been highly unusual.”
Alexander Butterfield, the former White House official whose bombshell testimony about secret recordings helped topple President Richard Nixon during the Watergate crisis, has passed away at 99 years old.
Butterfield’s wife Kim and former Nixon White House counsel John Dean confirmed his death to news outlets. Dean praised Butterfield’s courage in revealing classified information.
“He had the heavy responsibility of revealing something he was sworn to secrecy on, which is the installation of the Nixon taping system,” Dean said. “He stood up and told the truth.”
Working as a deputy assistant to Nixon, Butterfield supervised a covert recording system linked to voice-activated devices installed in four separate locations, including Nixon’s Executive Office Building workspace and the Camp David presidential retreat.
According to Butterfield’s later statements, only a small circle knew about the recording equipment: himself, Nixon, Chief of Staff H.R. Haldeman, one of Haldeman’s assistants, and several Secret Service personnel.
“Everything was taped … as long as the president was in attendance,” Butterfield testified when questioned by Watergate investigators during a sworn preliminary interview.
These recordings ultimately revealed Nixon’s involvement in covering up the 1972 break-in at Democratic Party offices in the Watergate complex. Rather than face House impeachment proceedings, Nixon stepped down on August 9, 1974, less than 30 days after the Supreme Court ordered him to turn over relevant recordings to prosecutors.
Butterfield acknowledged his role in the president’s downfall. “I didn’t like to be the cause of that, but I felt that I was, in a lot of ways,” he reflected in a 2008 interview for the Nixon Presidential Library and Museum.
A UCLA classmate of Haldeman’s, Butterfield had reached out to his friend seeking opportunities in the incoming Nixon White House. From 1969 to 1973, he worked under Haldeman as deputy assistant, serving as Cabinet secretary and helping manage White House operations.
The Air Force veteran had already departed the White House to lead the Federal Aviation Administration when Senate investigators privately interviewed him on July 13, 1973, during their Watergate probe. A standard inquiry about potential recording systems arose from John Dean’s earlier testimony suggesting his Nixon conversation might have been captured.
After Butterfield confirmed the taping system’s existence, he appeared before a public Senate Select Committee hearing. His July 16, 1973 revelation of comprehensive presidential recording capabilities shocked both Nixon supporters and critics, promising investigators valuable evidence about the break-in knowledge.
Investigators’ efforts to obtain the recordings triggered a year-long court battle that concluded in July 1974 when the Supreme Court unanimously ordered Nixon to release them.
The thousands of hours of recordings released over time—now managed by the National Archives—offer an unprecedented, often unfavorable glimpse of Nixon, revealing his temper, crude language, prejudiced attitudes, and candid views on domestic and foreign leaders.
“I just thought, ‘When they hear those tapes …’ I mean, I knew what was on these tapes … they’re dynamite,” Butterfield told the Nixon Library. “I guess I didn’t foresee that the president might be put out of office or impeached, but I thought it would be a perilous few years for him. I guess I couldn’t conceive of (Nixon) being forced out of office. It had never happened before.”
Butterfield believed President Gerald Ford dismissed him as FAA administrator in 1975 as part of a deal between Nixon and Ford staff members. He claimed White House contacts informed him he became a target following his Senate testimony.
Following his FAA departure, Butterfield pursued business executive roles in California and completed a master’s degree at UC San Diego in 1994.
Born Alexander Porter Butterfield on April 6, 1926, in Pensacola, Florida, he left UCLA to join the Navy, later earning his bachelor’s from the University of Maryland in 1956 and a master’s from George Washington University in 1967.
He entered the Air Force in 1948, serving as an instructor near Las Vegas during the Korean War and later in Germany. In Washington, he assisted the defense secretary’s special assistant in 1965-1966 and served as senior military representative for Pacific Forces in Australia. He retired as a colonel after two decades of Air Force service.
In his later years, Butterfield harshly criticized his former boss. While acknowledging Nixon’s foreign policy successes, he called Nixon “not an honest man” and “a crook,” believing Nixon knew about the Watergate break-in beforehand and orchestrated the subsequent cover-up.
Butterfield admitted to “cheering … just cheering” when Nixon resigned, telling the Nixon Library that “justice had prevailed.”
“I didn’t think that it would for a while,” he said. “This guy was the ringleader.”
The Pentagon confirmed Monday that a Kentucky soldier has become the seventh American service member to lose his life in the ongoing Iran conflict.
Army Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, 26, from Glendale, Kentucky, succumbed to injuries Sunday after being hurt in an attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia on March 1, according to Pentagon officials.
Mike Bell, former pastor at Glendale Christian Church, said he had watched Pennington grow up since he was very young. Bell received a phone call from the soldier’s father, Tim, when his son was initially injured.
“I talked to Tim Saturday morning, and he was doing a little better, and they were talking about maybe moving him to Germany,” Bell explained. However, Bell said Tim Pennington reached out again that same evening requesting prayers as his son’s medical situation deteriorated, and later informed him that the young soldier had died from his wounds.
“He was just a quiet person,” Bell remembered, recalling how Pennington participated in the church’s after-school activities. “I mean, he never attracted attention because he was just steady doing what he needed to do to do it. Does that make sense?”
Pennington served with the 1st Space Battalion, 1st Space Brigade under the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado.
According to their official website, the unit specializes in “missile warning, GPS, and long-haul satellite communications.”
“This just breaks my heart,” expressed Keith Taul, judge-executive of Hardin County where Pennington grew up, in a written statement to The Associated Press. “I have known the family for at least 30 years. I can’t imagine the pain and suffering they are experiencing. To lose a single service member is just a devastating blow. But when it is one of our own, we grieve as a community.”
Glendale is a small unincorporated community with approximately 300 residents, located south of Elizabethtown, the Hardin County seat.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear honored Pennington on social media, describing him as “a hero who sacrificed everything serving our country.”
The previous six military deaths in this conflict involved Army reservists who were killed in Kuwait when an Iranian drone attacked an operations center at a civilian port facility.
President Donald Trump attended the dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base on Saturday for those six fallen soldiers, joining their families during the solemn ritual.
The dignified transfer ceremony, which honors fallen service members by returning their remains home, represents one of the most serious responsibilities for any president. Trump previously described witnessing these transfers as “the toughest thing I have to do” during his first presidential term.
Pennington completed his education at Central Hardin High School in 2017, where he studied automotive technology, confirmed district spokesman John Wright to the AP. Tom Pitt, his former automotive technology teacher at Hardin County Early College and Career Center, praised him as “an American hero.”
“A lot of times as a teacher, you have students who are smart, you have students who are charismatic, who are likable, dare I say, enchanting,” Pitt shared, noting that Pennington, whom he knew as Nate, was also a Boy Scout. “Rarely do you have students who are all of those. And Ben Pennington was all of those. He was basically the quintessential all-American.”
Following graduation, Pennington joined the military as a unit supply specialist and was later transferred to the space and missile defense command on June 10, 2025, according to Army records.
His military honors included the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon.
“The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command is deeply saddened by the loss of Sgt. Pennington,” stated Lt. Gen. Sean A. Gainey, USASMDC commanding general. “He gave the ultimate sacrifice for the country he loved. That makes him nothing less than a hero, and he will always be remembered that way. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.”
Col. Michael F. Dyer, commander of the 1st Space Brigade, characterized Pennington as “a dedicated and experienced noncommissioned officer who led with strength, professionalism and sense of duty.”
The Pentagon announced that Pennington will receive a posthumous promotion to staff sergeant.
McALLEN, Texas — Immigration enforcement officials have detained members of a Mexican family, including two teenage sons who performed with an award-winning high school mariachi ensemble, drawing criticism from politicians on both sides of the aisle who say the action goes too far.
The Gámez-Cuéllar family was taken into custody on February 25th during what should have been a routine immigration check-in, according to family members and supporters who have started fundraising efforts online. The family includes brothers Antonio, 18, Joshua, 14, and a 12-year-old sibling, along with their parents.
The two older boys had earned recognition as key performers in McAllen High School’s Mariachi Oro ensemble, a group that has achieved remarkable success including White House appearances, Carnegie Hall performances, and eight state championship titles.
Antonio was freed from the Raymondville immigration detention facility on Monday afternoon, though he and his legal team declined to speak with media. His four family members remain held at a separate facility in Dilley, Texas, designed for families.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials have not yet provided a response to media inquiries about the case.
Politicians from different parties have expressed solidarity with the Mexican family, who had been seeking asylum through official U.S. immigration channels.
“The Gamez-Cuellar family’s story breaks my heart. South Texans know better than anyone that we can secure our border and still treat people with dignity — these are not competing values,” said Rep. Monica de la Cruz, a Republican congresswoman representing McAllen.
McAllen’s Republican mayor, Javier Villalobos, expressed his backing for the family while continuing his push for “responsible pathways for law abiding individuals who want to contribute to our economy, support their families, and become productive neighbors in McAllen.”
Democratic Representative Joaquin Castro of Texas made the trip to visit the four detained family members at the Dilley facility on Monday. Castro has previously advocated at the same location for the release of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos from Minnesota and his Ecuadorian father.
New York Democratic Representative Adriano Espaillat, who leads the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, described the family’s detention as “outrageous.”
“This family followed the rules, showed up to their immigration appointment in good faith, and is now being torn apart by ICE, with their 18-year-old son separated from his parents and younger brothers,” he said.
A federal judge in Massachusetts has temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s effort to end deportation protections for immigrants from Somalia, just days before the program was set to expire.
U.S. District Judge Allison D. Burroughs issued the emergency ruling on Friday, stating that allowing Somalia’s Temporary Protected Status designation to end on Tuesday would have “weighty” consequences. Immigration advocates had rushed to court seeking the emergency halt after the Trump administration announced plans last month to terminate the program during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis, home to a large Somali community.
The judge’s decision highlighted the serious risks facing affected individuals, stating that “Over one thousand people will face ‘a myriad of grave risks,’ including detention and deportation, physical violence if removed to Somalia, and forced separation from family members.”
Burroughs explained that issuing an administrative stay while postponing a final decision allows both legal teams time to submit detailed arguments on the emergency request.
“While the stay is in effect, the termination shall be null, void, and of no legal effect,” the court order stated, emphasizing that individuals with TPS status or pending applications will continue to have access to work permits and protection from deportation and detention.
The Department of Homeland Security responded with criticism of the ruling, calling it another instance of a judge appointed by former President Barack Obama blocking Trump from “restoring integrity” to America’s immigration system.
“Temporary means temporary,” the department’s statement declared. “Country conditions in Somalia have improved to the point that it no longer meets the law’s requirement for Temporary Protected Status. Allowing Somali nationals to remain temporarily in the United States is contrary to our national interests. The Trump administration is putting Americans first.”
Legal representatives for those challenging the termination expressed cautious optimism about the temporary victory. In their statement, they acknowledged that while the order is temporary and “many battles lie ahead,” they are “heartened by the interim protection today’s order affords all Somali people in the U.S. who have TPS or pending TPS applications.”
A National Transportation Safety Board official was terminated by the Trump administration following allegations of workplace misconduct, though Todd Inman strongly contests the accusations and pledges to pursue legal action.
Inman disclosed on Sunday that his employment was terminated Friday without any explanation provided, despite his board appointment extending through 2027’s conclusion. The Trump White House defended the decision on Monday, stating the termination was warranted.
White House spokesperson Kush Desai explained the administration’s position: “The White House lawfully removed Todd Inman from the NTSB after receiving highly concerning reports of inappropriate alcohol use on the job, harassment of staff, misuse of government resources, and failure to attend at least half of NTSB meetings. The Trump administration remains committed to maintaining safety and security for Americans in the air and on the ground.”
Initially, Inman hadn’t considered litigation regarding his dismissal, but now states: “I look forward to defending my reputation through all legal means possible.”
“I categorically deny the allegations made in the White House statement. It has become increasingly obvious this action was a political hit job,” declared Inman, a Republican who received his appointment in March 2024 under former President Joe Biden.
Following Inman’s termination and Vice Chair Alvin Brown’s surprising removal in May – a Biden-appointed Democrat – the NTSB’s website currently shows just three active members. However, the U.S. Senate has recently approved American Airlines executive John DeLeeuw, who will join as the board’s fourth member. The agency examines significant aviation, rail, highway, and pipeline accidents while currently handling over 1,000 active investigations, ultimately issuing prevention recommendations in final reports.
The NTSB has refused to provide commentary regarding Inman’s removal.
Inman served as the primary board representative at the scene of last year’s devastating midair collision near Washington, D.C., which claimed 67 lives when a commercial aircraft struck a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter. He also supervised the preliminary investigation into November’s UPS cargo aircraft crash in Kentucky that resulted in 15 fatalities.
Prior to recent events, dismissing independent agency board members was extraordinarily rare. Nevertheless, Trump has removed officials from the Federal Reserve Board, Surface Transportation Board, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and Nuclear Regulatory Commission to install his preferred candidates.
The NTSB’s five-member structure traditionally includes three members from the president’s political party and two from the opposition. With Inman’s departure and DeLeeuw’s addition, the board now stands at an even 2-2 party split, allowing Trump to select a third Republican member.
Both Brown and Robert Primus, who previously served on the U.S. Surface Transportation Board, were the sole Black board members leading their respective independent agencies when terminated last year. Each has contested their dismissals in federal court, with legal advocacy organization Democracy Forward filing discrimination complaints on their behalf.
Travelers across the nation are facing dramatically extended delays at airport security screening areas as the partial federal government shutdown continues. Transportation Security Administration personnel are working their shifts despite not receiving their regular paychecks during the ongoing budget impasse.
The prolonged wait times at TSA checkpoints have become increasingly problematic at multiple airports throughout the country, creating frustration for passengers trying to reach their flights on schedule.
A Palestinian actor featured in an Academy Award-nominated film announced Friday that he will miss this weekend’s Oscars ceremony due to current U.S. travel restrictions affecting Palestinian citizens.
Motaz Malhees stars in “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” which earned a nomination for best international feature film. The movie tells the story of a five-year-old Palestinian girl who was killed by Israeli military forces in Gaza during 2024.
In his role, Malhees portrays a call center worker who tries to assist the young girl. However, he revealed on social media that he cannot travel to the United States for the ceremony.
“I am not allowed to enter the United States because of my Palestinian citizenship,” Malhees posted on Instagram, expressing that “it hurts” to miss the prestigious event.
The travel restrictions stem from a December proclamation by President Donald Trump that limits entry for individuals carrying Palestinian Authority travel documents. Trump stated he had “determined to fully restrict and limit the entry of individuals using travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority.”
Officials cited security concerns as the reason for the entry restrictions affecting certain countries.
The State Department has not yet provided a response regarding the actor’s situation.
The film draws from a tragic real-life incident where five members of Rajab’s family and two ambulance workers attempting a rescue were also killed by Israeli gunfire. Israeli authorities have indicated the incident remains under investigation.
The Seattle Seahawks’ success in building championship rosters through strategic drafting and free agency signings led them to a Super Bowl LX victory this past February. But a newly approved tax policy in Washington state may create significant challenges for future player acquisitions.
Washington state senators voted 27-21 on Wednesday to approve legislation implementing a 9.9% tax on annual income above $1 million. Governor Bob Ferguson, who has publicly backed the proposal, is expected to sign the measure into law. The tax obligation will begin in 2029.
While the legislation is projected to impact only half a percent of Washington residents, professional athletes represent a substantial portion of those affected earners.
Seahawks General Manager John Schneider expressed concerns about the tax’s impact during a KIRO-AM radio interview. “It’s gonna sting. There’s no question about it,” Schneider stated. “All the pro teams here in town, (not having a state income tax has) always been a huge attraction, especially competing with the California teams. It’s been a big deal for us. So, yeah, it’s going to sting from a recruiting standpoint.”
The timing creates particular challenges since the NFL’s 2026 minimum salary for players with at least one year of experience is scheduled at $1.005 million, placing virtually every potential recruit above the tax threshold. During this offseason, Seattle has signed three outside free agents to single-year contracts while losing notable players including Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III.
With this legislation, Washington becomes the seventh jurisdiction to implement a version of high-earner taxation, joining California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, and the District of Columbia.
CONWAY, S.C. – Salisbury University’s track and field athletes delivered impressive results during the opening day of competition at the Myrtle Beach Collegiate Challenge, held at Doug Shaw Memorial Stadium as St. Patrick’s Day weekend began.
The standout performance came from Anna Bodmer, who broke the school record while competing in the 10,000-meter race. Her record-breaking run also secured her a gold medal finish, marking the third year in a row she has claimed the top spot in this event at the same competition.
Both the men’s and women’s track and field programs from Salisbury University participated in the meet, with athletes turning in strong showings across multiple events on the first day of competition.
Delaware Department of Transportation officials have implemented a right lane closure on Sussex Highway (Route 13) that will remain in effect until 7 PM today.
The closure spans the stretch of roadway between Brick Yard Road and Ockels Road in Sussex County, affecting traffic during the evening commute period.
Drivers traveling through this area should expect delays and plan for extra travel time while navigating around the lane restriction.
Motorists traveling on Coastal Highway should expect delays this afternoon as construction crews have shut down the left lane of Route 1.
The Delaware Department of Transportation reports that the left lane closure is affecting the stretch of highway between Janice Road and Cave Neck Road due to ongoing construction activities.
Officials indicate the lane restriction will remain active until 5 PM today, potentially causing traffic backups during the afternoon commute.
Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time and use caution when passing through the construction zone.
Motorists traveling on East 4th Street should expect delays today as construction crews have closed the right lane in both the northbound and southbound directions.
The lane restriction affects the stretch of roadway between Swedes Landing Road and Christina Avenue, with work scheduled to continue until 4 PM this afternoon.
Drivers are advised to plan for extra travel time and consider alternate routes if possible while the construction activity is underway.
Delaware State Police are working to identify two armed suspects who carried out a pair of robberies targeting visitors at Delaware Park Casino on Sunday evening.
The incidents unfolded around 10:30 p.m. on March 8, 2026, in the parking area of the gaming facility on Delaware Park Boulevard in Wilmington. According to investigators, two individuals armed with firearms emerged from a dark Nissan sedan and confronted two people making their way through the parking lot. The gunmen ordered the victims to hand over their belongings, which they did before the criminals escaped in their vehicle with cash and personal items.
Police say the same perpetrators returned to the casino parking lot shortly afterward and targeted a third victim who was also walking through the area. The armed suspects again brandished their weapons and demanded the person’s possessions. During this second robbery, one of the criminals used his firearm to strike the victim in the head before taking the person’s car keys. The suspects then left the scene driving both the stolen Nissan and the victim’s automobile. The assault victim, identified as a 24-year-old Avondale, Pennsylvania resident, received treatment at a nearby medical facility for injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
Law enforcement officers from Delaware State Police and New Castle County Police Department subsequently found the stolen vehicle within Wilmington city boundaries. When authorities attempted to stop the car, a short chase ensued before the driver abandoned the automobile and escaped on foot near the intersection of Bradford Street and B Street. The suspect remains at large.
The case has been assigned to the Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit for further review. Detective B. Timmons is asking anyone who saw the incidents or has relevant details to call (302) 365-8434. Tips can also be submitted through private messages to the Delaware State Police Facebook page or by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
Crime victims and witnesses seeking support can reach the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit and Delaware Victim Center through their 24-hour helpline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461) or by email at [email protected].
California’s most productive agricultural area is confronting a groundwater emergency caused by excessive extraction from underground water sources. Legislation enacted in 2014 aimed at preventing the overuse of these underground water reserves is now being implemented across the region.
The new regulations are designed to address the critical situation created by years of drawing too much water from the aquifer systems that support the state’s agricultural industry. These enforcement measures represent the first major step in controlling groundwater usage in the area.
Motorists should plan alternate routes as a section of Centerville Road remains completely impassable due to emergency utility repairs taking place today.
The roadway is blocked to all traffic traveling in either direction between Campbell Road and Hillside Road, with the closure expected to last until 9 PM this evening.
DelDOT is advising drivers to seek alternative routes while crews complete the necessary utility work in the area.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s political party emerged as the top vote-getter in weekend congressional elections, though the results fell short of providing the clear mandate needed to push through sweeping government reforms.
The Historical Pact secured nearly 25% of Senate positions and approximately 15% of House seats in Sunday’s voting, outpacing all rival parties. However, conservative opposition forces also strengthened their position, with the Democratic Center party of former President Álvaro Uribe claiming 17 of the Senate’s 103 seats.
Centrist political groups, including traditional Liberal and Conservative parties, saw their influence diminish, while the Green Party also experienced reduced representation.
“The country seems to be turning away from voices in the center, and it’s becoming more polarized,” observed Carlos Arias, a Bogota-based political consultant.
Jorge Restrepo, an economics professor at Javeriana University in Bogota, characterized the electoral outcome as evidence that Colombia is abandoning its historical resistance to populist movements after decades under technocratic, center-right leadership.
“The Petro administration has taken a series of measures that are popular in the short term” but lack long-term viability, Restrepo explained.
He cited substantial minimum wage increases, reduced fuel costs, and workplace law modifications that boosted overtime compensation as examples of policies designed for immediate political appeal.
“These decisions have helped to increase the popularity of the Historical Pact,” Restrepo noted. “And make its critics more unpopular.”
The legislative contest occurred two months ahead of Colombia’s presidential race, which will determine the future of current security strategies and economic policy directions.
Throughout Petro’s four-year tenure, his government has pursued diplomatic solutions with remaining insurgent organizations while implementing labor reforms, including a 23% minimum wage boost despite 5% annual inflation.
The president has advocated for government control of Colombia’s healthcare system, removing private insurers from social security administration. His administration has also promoted pension system modifications that would expand state oversight of retirement fund management.
Political opponents have vowed to reverse these policy changes, arguing they contribute to irresponsible government expenditures.
Critics have also indicated they would take a more aggressive stance against rebel organizations that continue threatening citizens through extortion, abduction, and violence while competing for territorial control and drug trafficking profits.
Sunday’s elections included a primary contest among center-right coalition parties, which selected Democratic Center Senator Paloma Valencia as their presidential nominee.
The coalition’s 5.7 million votes established Valencia as a formidable contender in the upcoming presidential campaign, according to Bogota political risk analyst Sergio Guzmán.
Constitutional restrictions prevent Petro from seeking reelection, but his party’s nominee, Senator Iván Cepeda, currently leads polling data. Ultra-conservative attorney Abelardo de la Espriella, who has expressed admiration for Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, holds second place.
Valencia’s strong primary performance suggests she may now challenge De la Espriella for conservative voter support.
“Abelardo’s candidacy seems shaky now,” Guzmán assessed, noting that the attorney’s congressional slate received approximately 600,000 votes Sunday, representing just one-tenth of Valencia’s primary total.
May’s presidential election will feature at least six candidates, including representatives from smaller leftist parties.
A runoff between the top two finishers will occur in June if no candidate achieves a 50% majority.
Yan Basset, a political science instructor at Rosario University in Bogota, predicted that a conservative presidential victory would end current efforts to rewrite Colombia’s constitution.
Petro has maintained that constitutional revision is necessary to strengthen democratic participation and advance economic reforms previously rejected by the judiciary. However, opponents characterize the initiative as an attempt to consolidate power and reduce judicial supervision of executive actions.
Basset suggested that even if Cepeda wins the presidency, constitutional changes would face significant obstacles given Congress’s new composition.
“The left won, but they only had a quarter of the seats,” Basset explained. “I don’t think that there is the appetite among their potential coalition partners” to pursue constitutional reform.
A former top Missouri lawmaker will spend nearly two years behind bars after admitting he fraudulently diverted hundreds of thousands of dollars in pandemic relief money for his own use.
John Diehl, who once held the position of Republican House Speaker in Missouri, was handed a 21-month federal prison sentence on Monday following his guilty plea to wire fraud charges. The case centered on his misappropriation of approximately $380,000 in federal assistance designed to help businesses survive the economic impact of COVID-19.
Between 2020 and 2022, Diehl obtained the federal loans for his legal practice through a program specifically created to assist companies with operational costs during the pandemic crisis. However, according to his September plea deal, he diverted these funds toward personal expenditures including membership fees at a country club, pool upkeep at his residence, mortgage payments, and car loans for luxury vehicles including a Tesla, Audi, and Jeep.
Federal prosecutors revealed that Diehl channeled more than half of the fraudulent funds into his law firm’s retirement benefit program, where he served as the sole beneficiary. He also used portions of the money to settle a civil lawsuit stemming from his tenure as House Speaker.
Diehl’s political career ended in scandal when he stepped down from his leadership role in 2015. His resignation came after The Kansas City Star published reports about inappropriate text communications he had sent to a college intern working at the state Capitol. Diehl publicly admitted at the time that sending those messages constituted “making a serious error in judgment.”
His legal troubles continued in 2023 when Missouri’s Ethics Commission hit him with approximately $47,000 in penalties for campaign finance infractions, including accusations that he spent nearly $6,800 in campaign donations on personal items.
Defense attorneys had urged the judge to avoid imposing jail time, emphasizing that Diehl had already repaid the entire amount to the Small Business Administration. However, federal prosecutors had sought a sentence ranging from 21 to 27 months behind bars.
Along with the prison term, the court imposed a $50,000 monetary penalty on Monday.
“Through his education and public office, Defendant had every privilege and opportunity, and to put it bluntly, he knew better than to engage in the charged fraud scheme,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith stated in court documents regarding Diehl’s case.
OTTAWA, Canada (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will travel to Norway this Friday to witness a major NATO military training operation, followed by a visit to the United Kingdom, according to an announcement from his office on Monday.
Officials said Carney will observe the Cold Response exercise, which Norway leads for NATO. This biennial training event brings together approximately 25,000 military personnel from 14 different nations to conduct coordinated land, air and naval operations in harsh Arctic environments.
Participating countries include Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Sweden and Finland.
“Canada is, and forever will be, an Arctic nation. In the face of new threats, we are deepening defense collaboration with our Arctic partners to create a stronger, more prosperous, and more secure world for Canada and for all,” Carney stated.
During his time in Oslo, Carney is scheduled to hold discussions with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre covering topics such as trade, investment, clean energy initiatives, critical mineral resources and aerospace industry cooperation.
The Canadian leader will also participate in the Canada-Nordic Summit, where he will engage with other Nordic government officials to explore opportunities for strengthened geopolitical partnerships.
Following his Norway visit, Carney will travel to London for discussions with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer focusing on defense matters and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East before returning home to Canada.
The Ig Nobel Awards, known for celebrating unusual scientific research with humor, are departing the United States for the first time in their 35-year history due to visa-related safety concerns for international participants, organizers revealed Monday.
The satirical science ceremony, sponsored by the Annals of Improbable Research publication, will hold its 36th annual event in Zurich rather than its traditional September location in the US, just ahead of the genuine Nobel Prize announcements.
“During the past year, it has become unsafe for our guests to visit the country,” said Marc Abrahams, the event’s host and magazine editor, in correspondence with The Associated Press. “We cannot in good conscience ask the new winners, or the international journalists who cover the event, to travel to the USA this year.”
The relocation follows President Donald Trump’s extensive immigration enforcement measures, which target both undocumented immigrants and individuals holding student or visitor exchange documentation.
For more than three decades, research winners have journeyed to America to accept their awards amid a shower of paper airplanes. Previous year’s honorees included Japanese scientists investigating whether zebra-stripe paint on cattle deters fly bites, and researchers from Africa and Europe examining lizards’ pizza preferences.
The current year’s recipients, recognized across ten categories, feature European scientists who discovered alcohol consumption can enhance foreign language speaking abilities, plus a researcher who monitored fingernail growth patterns for decades.
However, four out of ten winners declined to attend last year’s Boston ceremony. Past events have taken place at prestigious venues including Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Boston University.
This year’s celebration is being coordinated with ETH Domain institutions, part of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology network, along with the University of Zurich, according to Abrahams.
“Switzerland has nurtured many unexpected good things — Albert Einstein’s physics, the world economy, and the cuckoo clock leap to mind — and is again helping the world appreciate improbable people and ideas,” he noted.
Milo Puhan, a University of Zurich epidemiologist and 2017 Swiss Ig Nobel recipient, expressed enthusiasm for hosting the ceremony. “The Ig Nobel Prize makes research visible, and does so with a wink,” Puhan stated, referencing his award-winning work that “showed that playing the didgeridoo trains the muscles and structures that keep the upper airways open, thereby reducing nighttime snoring and the severity of sleep apnea syndrome.”
Abrahams announced the ceremony will alternate between Zurich every other year and various European cities in between years.
No current plans exist for returning the awards ceremony to American soil.
U.S. financial markets defied global trends Monday, recovering from opening declines to close higher despite ongoing turmoil from the Iran conflict that has pushed oil prices beyond $100 per barrel.
While Asian and European stock exchanges suffered significant losses as the Middle East war entered its second week, American markets reversed course after President Donald Trump suggested the conflict might conclude soon. Oil prices initially spiked as much as 30% before retreating later in the session.
The market analyst examining today’s trading noted Wall Street’s unusual strength compared to international exchanges. “As selling snowballs across other equity markets, why has the global avalanche not yet engulfed U.S. stocks? Are there reasonable explanations, or is complacency setting in?” the analyst questioned.
Trump reportedly told CBS News the war against Iran is “very complete,” helping calm investor fears about prolonged conflict.
Monday’s market performance showed stark regional differences. Asian markets were severely impacted and European indices tumbled, but major U.S. stock measures finished between 0.5% and 1.4% higher after overcoming early losses.
Within the S&P 500, nine sectors posted gains with technology leading at 1.6% higher, while energy dropped 1%. Notable individual stock movements included Caterpillar rising 3.5%, Nvidia gaining 2.7%, and Amgen up 2%. Declining stocks included Cisco falling 3%, Boeing down 2.6%, and IBM losing 2%.
Currency markets saw the dollar strengthen initially before reversing direction late in U.S. trading. Emerging market currencies bounced back with Brazilian real and South African rand each gaining 1.5%, while bitcoin jumped 3%.
Oil markets experienced extreme volatility, settling 4-7% higher after the dramatic 30% spike, then plummeting 7% in after-hours trading. Gold declined while other precious metals rose 2-3%.
The energy price surge following the February 28 joint U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran has created a challenging situation for central banks worldwide. Policymakers face difficult decisions between raising interest rates to combat inflation or maintaining accommodative policies to support economic growth amid rising unemployment risks.
Economic data released Monday revealed inflation pressures were building even before the Middle East crisis began. China’s consumer inflation reached a three-year high in February, Mexico’s inflation exceeded central bank targets, and Japan saw real wages increase for the first time in over a year.
With oil prices substantially higher than last year’s levels, inflation indicators continue pointing upward. U.S. consumer price data expected later this week is anticipated to show further increases above 3%.
Government officials worldwide are exploring options to mitigate economic impacts from $100 oil. While G7 nations discussed releasing strategic petroleum reserves Monday, they determined no immediate supply shortage exists. Alternative measures include China’s fuel price caps, South Korea considering similar controls for the first time in three decades, and Japan preparing possible crude releases and emergency spending.
Key factors that could influence Tuesday’s trading include Middle East developments, energy market movements, and economic data releases from Australia, Japan, Germany, and the United Kingdom. The U.S. Treasury will auction $58 billion in three-year notes, and existing home sales figures for February are scheduled for release.
NONTHABURI, Thailand — An unconventional festival in Thailand encourages attendees to face their own mortality while providing hands-on services and spiritual guidance for life’s final chapter.
This distinctive gathering, currently in its second year, tackles a topic many find difficult to discuss. The festival also reflects core Buddhist principles that influence Thai culture, addressing life’s unavoidable hardships: birth, aging, illness and death.
Sangduan Ngamvinijaroon brought her mother to the three-day festival on Friday in Nonthaburi province, located near Bangkok. She explained that discussing death was once challenging for her family, but after more than two decades of caring for sick relatives — including her stroke-affected husband and family members battling cancer — she has witnessed multiple deaths and now feels comfortable addressing the subject.
“It’s not just about dying well. It’s also about the present moment and taking good care of our lives while we’re still here,” she said about why she appreciated the festival.
The gathering united specialists and organizations from healthcare, financial planning, end-of-life care, burial services and memorial technology. Presentations and activities emphasized both death preparation and maintaining life quality through one’s final days.
“Death involves everybody. It’s not just about you,” explained Zcongklod Bangyikhan, The Cloud magazine’s editor-in-chief and a primary event organizer. “Instead of wondering what dying will be like, maybe we should think about how to make things easier for the people who remain after we’re gone.”
A widely visited display called “Test Die” allows guests to rest inside various coffins while viewing themselves in an overhead mirror. The activity aims to encourage contemplation rather than create fear.
Office employee Phinutda Seehad described the experience as peaceful.
“I don’t think I’m scared of death,” she shared. “I also don’t want to die, but when the time comes, I don’t think it will be that frightening.”
One business showcased an eco-friendly coffin constructed from mycelium — fungal root-like structures — which assists natural decomposition processes.
Company founder Jirawan Kumsao explained the design represents a more sustainable burial method. While she brought a human-sized version to the festival, her business primarily creates pet coffins.
“It gives people comfort to know they’ve cared for their pets until the very end,” she noted. “It looks like a spacecraft, a capsule, for sending them to another world.”
Noppasaward Panyajaray, who created the digital memorial service Sharesouls, has observed similar emotional connections. Her platform enables users to upload photos and share memories of deceased loved ones, establishing online spaces where friends and family can leave tributes and honor their memory.
She said she initially designed the platform to preserve family member memories. However, she was amazed to discover many users were building memorial pages for their pets.
“Many people sent me a message to say thank you, because nowadays we don’t really have any space to store stories or memories about their pets,” she explained. “Every pet is meaningful to their owners as much as a family member.”
FORT WORTH, Texas — Eight individuals were found guilty Friday on federal terrorism charges stemming from a shooting incident at a Texas immigration detention facility that prosecutors linked to the far-left antifa movement.
A federal jury also convicted one defendant of attempted murder after authorities say he fired shots last summer outside the Prairieland Detention Center near Fort Worth, injuring a police officer. Justice Department officials described the incident as a coordinated assault by antifa activists, though defense lawyers disputed this claim, arguing their clients were participating in a peaceful demonstration with fireworks when gunfire erupted.
The nearly three-week trial was overseen by U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman, a Trump appointee, and drew attention from legal observers who viewed it as a benchmark for how far federal authorities might go in prosecuting demonstrators.
According to FBI Director Kash Patel, this marked the first instance where material support for terrorism charges were brought against individuals allegedly connected to antifa.
“Today’s verdict on terrorism charges will not be the last as the Trump administration systematically dismantles Antifa and finally halts their violence on America’s streets,” U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said.
Antifa, which stands for “anti-fascists,” represents a loose network of far-left militant groups that oppose neo-Nazis and white supremacists at rallies and demonstrations rather than a centralized organization.
Defense lawyers argued before jurors that no violent plan existed for the July 4 gathering outside the Alvarado facility.
Nine defendants faced trial total, with eight charged with providing material support to terrorists along with additional counts. Daniel Sanchez Estrada, the ninth defendant, was charged with corruptly concealing documents and conspiracy to conceal documents, receiving guilty verdicts on both counts.
Estrada’s lawyer, Christopher Weinbel, expressed disbelief at the jury’s decision. Weinbel, who served multiple Army deployments defending the United States, said he hoped his sacrifices “meant something.”
“But I feel like it turned its back on justice with this. … The U.S. lost today with this verdict,” Weinbel said.
During closing statements, prosecutor Shawn Smith argued that the defendants’ preparations — including bringing weapons, medical supplies, and protective gear — demonstrated malicious intentions. He claimed they employed “antifa tactics” and showed obsession with “operational security.”
Defense attorneys maintained there was no planned attack and that demonstrators who carried firearms did so purely for self-defense.
The terrorism charges came after Trump’s directive last fall declaring antifa a domestic terrorist organization. Unlike the State Department’s foreign terrorist organization list, no domestic equivalent exists, partly due to First Amendment protections for U.S.-based groups.
Legal experts worry the case’s outcome could significantly impact future protests.
“That opposition is something that the government wants to squash so a case like this helps the government kind of see how far they can go in criminalizing constitutionally protected protests and also helps them kind of intimidate, increase the fear, hoping that folks in other cities then will think twice over protesting,” said Suzanne Adely, interim president of the National Lawyers Guild, a progressive legal group.
Defense attorneys said most protesters had begun departing when two facility guards emerged, which occurred before any shooting started.
Prosecutors alleged that Benjamin Song, a former Marine Corps reservist, shouted “get to the rifles” before opening fire and wounding a police officer who had just arrived at the scene.
While Song was the shooter, prosecutors also charged several other protesters with attempted murder and firearm discharge, though jurors acquitted them of these charges. The prosecution argued that based on the group’s planning, the other defendants should have anticipated potential violence.
Alvarado Police Lt. Thomas Gross, the wounded officer, testified about responding to the scene and encountering a person dressed entirely in black with a covered face carrying a rifle. He told jurors a bullet entered his shoulder and exited through his neck.
Song’s attorney, Phillip Hayes, argued during closing statements that no call to violence occurred before Gross arrived and “aggressively” drew his weapon. Hayes contended that Song fired “suppressive fire” and that a ricocheting bullet struck the officer.
Before the trial began, several individuals pleaded guilty to providing material support to terrorists after being accused of supporting antifa. They could receive up to 15 years in prison when sentenced.
Some of these individuals testified for the prosecution, including Seth Sikes, who said he went to the detention center hoping to bring comfort to those detained inside.
“I felt like I was doing the right thing,” he said.
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore men’s volleyball squad experienced a challenging return to competition, falling to Saint Francis University by a 3-0 margin in their inaugural Northeast Conference road contest.
The Red Flash dominated the Hawks in straight sets during what represented UMES’s first competitive match since February 27th.
The defeat marks an early setback for the Hawks as they begin their NEC conference schedule on the road. The team will look to regroup following this shutout loss as they continue their season.
A fugitive fatally shot by Dallas SWAT officers this week had been working as part of the security team for U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett while allegedly impersonating a law enforcement officer, according to a Friday report from CBS News Texas.
The individual, who publicly identified himself as Mike King, had been operating under false identities while running a company that connected police officers with off-duty security assignments, sources told the news outlet. Law enforcement officials have not disclosed the person’s actual identity.
Dallas police SWAT team members fatally shot the suspect Wednesday evening, according to department statements released earlier this week.
According to CBS News Texas, the man faced charges for pretending to be a police officer and had falsely claimed law enforcement credentials while operating Off Duty Police Services, a digital platform that matches North Texas officers with private security opportunities.
Neither Representative Crockett’s office nor the Dallas Police Department provided immediate responses to requests for comment on the matter.
The news station reported obtaining photographs showing King positioned near Crockett, a Democratic representative, during various public appearances and campaign activities related to her recent bid for a U.S. Senate position.
Investigators also discovered that he operated a vehicle designed to resemble an unmarked police car and had been using license plates that were stolen from vehicles parked outside a military recruitment facility, according to the report.
Two major pharmaceutical companies will be partnering with the Trump administration’s prescription drug platform, according to a Friday report from Fox Business.
GSK and Amgen have agreed to include their medications on TrumpRX, the prescription drug platform created by President Donald Trump’s administration. The move represents a significant expansion of the government’s prescription drug initiative.
The announcement comes as the administration continues efforts to address prescription drug costs and accessibility for American consumers.
Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews will be out for the remainder of the hockey season after suffering a serious knee injury, the team announced Friday.
The 28-year-old star forward suffered a Grade 3 tear to his medial collateral ligament in his left knee, along with a bruised quadriceps muscle, according to team officials.
The injury occurred during the second period of Toronto’s matchup with the Anaheim Ducks when Matthews received a knee-on-knee collision from Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas. Matthews went down in obvious pain and required assistance from team medical staff.
Officials penalized Gudas with a five-minute major penalty and ejected him from the game for the hit.
Team medical staff will reassess Matthews in two weeks, with the organization planning to provide additional updates on the former Hart Memorial Trophy recipient at that time.
Despite the injury, Matthews managed to score a goal in Toronto’s 6-4 victory over Anaheim. His season concludes with 53 points, including 27 goals and 26 assists, across 60 games played.
Throughout his decade-long career with the Maple Leafs, Matthews has accumulated 428 goals and 780 points over 689 regular-season contests. The former Calder Trophy winner as rookie of the year has earned seven All-Star Game selections, participating in five events and capturing MVP honors in 2024. Previous injuries forced him to withdraw from the 2020 All-Star Game due to a wrist problem and the 2023 event because of knee issues.
Facebook’s parent company Meta is reportedly considering major workforce reductions that could eliminate jobs for 20% or more of its employees, according to three sources with knowledge of the discussions.
The potential cuts stem from the company’s massive spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure and its belief that AI tools will make workers more productive, requiring fewer staff members overall.
Company executives have not established a timeline for the job eliminations, and the final scope remains undetermined, sources revealed. Senior leadership has begun briefing other executives about the plans and instructed them to start developing reduction strategies.
Meta spokesperson Andy Stone dismissed the reports, stating: “This is speculative reporting about theoretical approaches.”
Should Meta proceed with eliminating 20% of positions, it would mark the company’s largest workforce reduction since its major restructuring during late 2022 and early 2023, which executives called their “year of efficiency.” The social media giant employed approximately 79,000 workers at the end of December.
The company previously eliminated 11,000 positions in November 2022, representing roughly 13% of its staff at that time. Four months afterward, Meta announced an additional 10,000 job cuts.
Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg has been driving Meta to compete more aggressively in the generative artificial intelligence space over the past year. The company has offered compensation packages worth hundreds of millions of dollars across four-year periods to attract leading AI researchers to join a new superintelligence division.
Meta has committed to investing $600 billion in data center construction through 2028. This week, the company purchased Moltbook, a social networking platform designed for AI agents. Meta is also spending at least $2 billion to acquire Chinese AI startup Manus, according to previous reports.
Zuckerberg has referenced productivity improvements from these investments, noting in January that he was beginning to observe “projects that used to require big teams now be accomplished by a single very talented person.”
Meta’s workforce reduction plans mirror similar moves by other major American corporations, especially technology companies, throughout this year. Corporate leaders have cited recent advances in AI capabilities as justification for these changes.
Amazon confirmed in January that it would eliminate approximately 16,000 positions, representing nearly 10% of its workforce. Last month, financial technology company Block reduced its staff by nearly half, with CEO Jack Dorsey specifically citing AI tools and their increasing ability to help organizations operate with smaller teams.
Meta’s planned AI investments follow several challenges with its Llama 4 models last year, including criticism that early versions produced misleading benchmark results. The company canceled the release of the largest version of that model, dubbed Behemoth, which had been scheduled for summer release.
The superintelligence team has been working to restore the company’s reputation this year by developing a new model called Avocado, though that system’s performance has also fallen short of expectations.
SALISBURY, Md. – Salisbury University’s softball squad experienced both heartbreak and triumph during their season-opening doubleheader against the University of Lynchburg on Friday at Margie Knight Sea Gull Softball Stadium.
The Sea Gulls kicked off the Margie Knight Classic weekend with contrasting performances in their twin bill. In the opening contest, Salisbury suffered a tough 4-2 defeat that required eight innings to decide. However, the team quickly regrouped for the nightcap, delivering an impressive 10-2 victory that was completed in just five innings.
The doubleheader marked the beginning of what promises to be an exciting weekend of softball action at the home venue for the Sea Gulls program.
Georgetown, Del. (Mon., March 9, 2026): Emergency responders in Sussex County will have stronger radio communications during crises, thanks to a collaborative effort between county officials and a Rehoboth Beach hotel.
The Boardwalk Plaza Hotel in Rehoboth Beach has donated space at no cost to house radio equipment for Sussex AuxComm, the county’s volunteer amateur radio team that assists the Emergency Operations Center when disasters strike, including during recent winter storms. The new radio repeater will strengthen signal coverage and bolster emergency response capabilities throughout Delaware’s coastal areas.
AuxComm stands for auxiliary communication, a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) initiative that relies mainly on volunteer amateur radio operators, commonly called “hams,” to assist government agencies during emergency response and recovery efforts.
The recently installed repeater operates on 443.400+ MHz (PL 156.7) and will function as a crucial communication hub during emergency situations and AuxComm deployments. It offers dependable coverage for emergency coordinators, volunteers, and amateur radio operators across the area, especially when standard communication systems fail. All licensed amateur radio operators will have access to the system.
Tim Cooper, Sussex County’s emergency manager, praised the partnership. “This collaboration exemplifies the community partnership that makes Delaware strong,” Cooper stated. “Thanks to the generosity of the Zerby family, we’re able to expand our communication footprint and improve readiness for any emergency that impacts coastal Sussex County.”
Those interested in learning more about Sussex County AuxComm or getting involved with amateur radio emergency communications can visit www.sussexradio.com.
The University of Delaware men’s basketball program received major recognition Monday when sophomore Christian Bliss was honored as the 2025-26 Conference USA Freshman of the Year, according to an announcement from the league headquarters in Dallas.
The Blue Hens standout didn’t stop there, also securing spots on both the Second Team All-Conference roster and the All-Freshman squad. Meanwhile, teammate Justyn Fernandez captured All-Honorable Mention recognition from the conference.
The awards highlight a successful season for Delaware’s basketball program as they competed in Conference USA play. The league office made the official announcement recognizing the outstanding performances of both Blue Hens players throughout the campaign.
The University of Delaware Blue Hens baseball squad is set to make the trip north to Philadelphia for a midweek matchup against the University of Pennsylvania Quakers.
The Delaware team will face off against Penn in what promises to be an exciting contest between the two regional rivals. The game represents another opportunity for the Blue Hens to showcase their skills on the diamond during the current season.
Fans can follow the team’s progress as they take on this midweek challenge away from home. The matchup adds to Delaware’s busy schedule as the baseball season continues.
NEWARK, Del. – The Blue Hens men’s tennis program at the University of Delaware has made two adjustments to their competition calendar for the upcoming week.
The team revealed the scheduling modifications for their planned matches in the coming days, though specific details about the nature of the changes were not immediately provided.
The Goldey-Beacom College Lightning softball squad wrapped up their time in Melbourne, Florida with contrasting outcomes during a doubleheader on their concluding day of competition.
The Lightning experienced a challenging start to the day, suffering a shutout defeat against D’Youville by a score of 3-0 in their opening contest.
However, the team rebounded impressively in their second matchup, overwhelming Post University with a commanding 9-1 triumph to close out their Florida tournament on a positive note.
The split results capped off the Lightning’s southern trip as they prepare to return to regular season competition.
The University of Delaware women’s basketball program had reason to celebrate Monday as Conference USA announced its annual awards, with three Blue Hens players receiving recognition for their outstanding performances this season.
Leading the way was Ande’a Cherisier, who earned selection to the All-Conference USA Second Team. Her teammates Kailah Correa and Lay Fantroy both captured All-CUSA Honorable Mention recognition for their contributions throughout the campaign.
Correa, a first-year player, received additional recognition by being selected to the CUSA All-Freshman Team, highlighting her impressive debut season with the Blue Hens.
The announcements from the conference office in Dallas recognized the top performers across Conference USA women’s basketball programs for the season.
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks wrapped up their baseball series on a disappointing note, suffering a 13-6 defeat to the Blue Devils in Sunday’s finale.
Despite the lopsided final score, the Hawks showed some offensive spark with a pair of long balls. Both Gonzalez Perez and Brown found their power stroke, each launching home runs during the contest.
The loss caps off what proved to be a challenging series for the Hawks, who were unable to overcome the Blue Devils’ offensive output in the final game.
A multi-agency operation led to the arrest of a man suspected of home improvement fraud on Monday, March 9, 2026.
New Castle County police detectives collaborated with Cecil County Sheriff’s Office deputies to locate Richard Kirchner in the 800 block of Elk Mills Road in Cecil County, Maryland.
The criminal investigation targeting Kirchner was launched in January 2026 by New Castle County officers, though additional details about the specific nature of the alleged fraud scheme have not yet been released.
The joint law enforcement effort demonstrates cooperation between Delaware and Maryland authorities in pursuing suspects who may operate across state lines.
Multiple sources confirm that quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will ink a one-year agreement with the Atlanta Falcons following his expected release from the Miami Dolphins when the new NFL league year opens Wednesday.
Atlanta plans to part ways with veteran signal-caller Kirk Cousins before the new season begins, creating a quarterback room featuring two southpaw passers alongside Michael Penix Jr. With Penix still working back from a knee injury, the Week 1 starting role remains uncertain.
Penix, who was selected eighth overall in the 2024 draft and is now in his third campaign, tore his left ACL during Week 11 action. However, he has expressed confidence to media members that he’ll be cleared for the season kickoff.
After Penix’s injury, Cousins stepped in and led the Falcons to four consecutive victories, finishing 8-9 overall. Despite the late surge, Atlanta extended their playoff drought to eight years.
When Tagovailoa’s contract becomes finalized, he’ll be playing for a franchise with fresh leadership. Former Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan now serves as president of football operations, overseeing both the head coach and general manager positions filled by Kevin Stefanski and Ian Cunningham respectively. The organization dismissed previous head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot following the 2025 campaign.
Miami’s decision to release Tagovailoa creates an unprecedented $99.2 million dead money hit against their salary cap. The move includes a post-June 1 designation for accounting benefits, allowing the dead money to be divided across two seasons. The Dolphins will absorb a $67.4 million cap penalty in 2026, with the remaining $31.8 million carrying over to 2027.
Miami selected Tagovailoa fifth overall in 2020, envisioning him as their franchise quarterback solution. He was the draft’s second quarterback chosen after Cincinnati’s selection of Joe Burrow at number one, and came off the board before Justin Herbert, who went to Los Angeles at sixth overall.
Tagovailoa earned Pro Bowl recognition in 2023 after guiding Miami to an 11-6 season and leading the NFL with 4,624 passing yards.
That campaign represented the sole season where he appeared in every contest, as his career has been marred by numerous concussions and additional injuries, including hip problems.
Despite these concerns, Miami committed to Tagovailoa with a four-year, $212.4 million extension in July 2024 that was scheduled to run through 2028.
His standing deteriorated during the previous season, with former head coach Mike McDaniel benching him for rookie Quinn Ewers in the final three games. Over his first 14 appearances, Tagovailoa posted a 6-8 record while throwing a career-worst 15 interceptions compared to 20 touchdown passes.
Washington Commanders have secured defensive end Odafe Oweh with a massive four-year contract worth $100 million, ESPN reports confirmed Monday.
The deal includes $68 million in guaranteed compensation for the 27-year-old pass rusher.
Over his last two NFL seasons, Oweh has tallied 17.5 quarterback sacks, with his best single-season performance coming in 2024 when he recorded 10 sacks while playing for Baltimore.
His 2024 campaign started slowly, failing to register any sacks through the season’s first five contests, leading Baltimore to ship him to Los Angeles via trade. Playing 12 regular season games with the Chargers, Oweh managed 7.5 sacks and contributed three more sacks plus two forced fumbles during a postseason defeat against New England.
Throughout his five-year professional career spanning 79 games with 27 starts, Oweh has accumulated 30.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles, and 176 total tackles.
Baltimore selected the Penn State product with the 31st overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Washington has also secured cornerback Amik Robertson on a two-year contract valued at $16 million, with $9.3 million guaranteed according to NFL Network sources.
The 27-year-old defensive back recorded a personal-best 52 tackles during his most recent season with Detroit, while also contributing one interception and two forced fumbles in his second campaign with the Lions.
Before joining Detroit, Robertson played four seasons with Las Vegas. His career statistics include 213 tackles, seven forced fumbles, and five interceptions across 86 games with 35 starts over six professional seasons.
Additionally, Washington reportedly finalized a two-year extension worth $60.2 million with returning left tackle Laremy Tunsil, featuring a $32.5 million signing bonus. This contract makes Tunsil the first NFL offensive lineman to earn an average annual salary exceeding $30 million.
A flag football competition spearheaded by Tom Brady and Fanatics has been relocated from the Middle East to California due to regional conflicts, organizers announced Monday.
The sporting event will proceed as scheduled on March 21, but will now take place at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles instead of its originally planned venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Los Angeles stadium will serve as the host site for Olympic flag football during the 2028 Games.
The competition format will feature three squads of 12 players each. Team USA’s current world championship flag football roster will compete alongside two additional teams made up of current and former NFL players plus other athletes.
Brady will lead one squad alongside Jalen Hurts, with Sean Payton serving as head coach. A second team will be captained by Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels under Kyle Shanahan’s coaching. Robert Saleh will work with both teams as a defensive coordinator.
The third squad will be led by captains Aamir Brown and Darrell “Housh” Doucette, with Jorge Cascudo coaching the team.
Fox Sports will continue broadcasting the competition, with comedian Kevin Hart serving as the event’s host.
Brady’s Shadow Lion studio is producing the event. A roster of 24 current and former NFL players and other athletes will be available for Wednesday’s draft, including notable names like Saquon Barkley, CeeDee Lamb, Christian McCaffrey, Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby, Tyreek Hill, Odell Beckham Jr., and retired tight end Rob Gronkowski.
“With LA28 on the horizon, events like the Fanatics Flag Football Classic are exactly where Team USA Football belongs,” USA Football CEO and executive director Scott Hallenbeck said in a statement. “We’re ready to showcase world-class Olympic-style 5-on-5 flag football. This event features our world champion flag football athletes on the same field as some of the top current and former pro tackle stars, and I know our players are up for the challenge. We’re grateful to Fanatics Studios for making this possible and for supporting one of the world’s fastest-growing sports.”
The competition was initially set to occur at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, but organizers made the decision to relocate following recent military strikes by the United States and Israel targeting Iran, which have intensified regional instability in the Middle East.
Center Tyler Linderbaum is taking his talents to Las Vegas after contract talks with the Baltimore Ravens collapsed, leading to a massive payday with the Raiders.
Multiple sources confirm that Linderbaum has committed to a three-year deal worth up to $81 million, announced Monday as unrestricted free agents became eligible to negotiate with new teams. While Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta had presented what he called a “market setting” proposal to Linderbaum back in February, the parties were unable to reach a final agreement.
At 25 years old, Linderbaum represents the initial addition in what’s expected to be a complete overhaul of Las Vegas’ offensive line unit.
During his four-year tenure in Baltimore, Linderbaum earned Pro Bowl honors in three seasons. The Ravens had the opportunity to secure Linderbaum’s services for 2026 by activating the fifth-year option available for former first-round selections. However, DeCosta chose not to exercise the $23.4 million option, expressing confidence that a long-term deal would be reached.
Las Vegas struggled with injuries along their interior offensive line last season, forcing them to rotate multiple players and position combinations throughout the year.
The Raiders were anticipated to make significant moves during free agency following their agreement to send pass rusher Maxx Crosby to Baltimore in a trade.
The team also secured cornerback Eric Stokes with a three-year, $30 million extension on Monday, according to published reports.
This deal prevents the former Green Bay first-round selection from entering free agency and guarantees him $20 million.
The 27-year-old Stokes appeared in 16 games as a starter during his inaugural Raiders campaign, recording 53 tackles and five pass breakups in 2025.
Stokes emerged as one of the few positives for Las Vegas during their disappointing 3-14 campaign, holding opposing quarterbacks to just a 54.5% completion percentage and an 85.3 passer rating when targeted.
