The Delaware State University women’s basketball team came up short in their battle against the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, falling by a score of 55-48 in conference action.
The Hornets showed determination throughout the contest but were unable to generate enough offensive production to secure a victory over their MEAC rivals. The seven-point margin reflected a competitive game between the two teams.
Delaware State’s efforts on the court were not sufficient to overcome UMES, as the Hawks managed to pull away for the win in what proved to be a hard-fought conference battle.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — While leaving Tampa Bay after 12 seasons proved difficult for Mike Evans and his family due to deep community ties, selecting his next destination was much simpler for the veteran wide receiver.
Evans conducted thorough research on potential teams during free agency before making his choice Monday following a video conference with San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch.
“I did my research on a lot of teams that I was looking at. I was looking at contenders, guys with good quarterbacks obviously,” Evans explained Thursday. “So I was looking at here, Buffalo Bills, teams that needed a number one wide receiver. This was my number one spot on my own. And then I talked to John and Kyle and it solidified it for me. I’ve always been a fan of Kyle. He just talked about how he sees me in this offense and it just made me even happier. It was a no-brainer really after I got on the phone with him.”
Despite earning over $150 million throughout his career, Evans rejected a higher financial offer from Tampa Bay, according to his representative, choosing instead to sign a three-year deal with San Francisco valued at up to $60.4 million with $16.3 million guaranteed.
The veteran receiver revealed that a recruiting conversation with All-Pro tight end George Kittle sealed his final choice.
“I love money, obviously, like everybody else. But the money was not the biggest factor for me,” he stated. “It was just football and something that I can be excited about. I’m super excited. Every time I come to Levi’s Stadium and I see how the crowd is and I’ll see the energy that they bring and the rich history of the San Francisco 49ers, it just excites me. So I feel like it’s given me a second wind in my career. That’s why I chose to come here.”
Evans is recovering from an injury-plagued 2025 campaign where he appeared in just eight contests and missed the 1,000-yard milestone for the first time in his dozen-year professional career.
San Francisco required a reliable pass-catcher after deciding to release Brandon Aiyuk, who was placed on the reserve/left squad list last season when he ceased attending rehabilitation sessions for a knee injury that had kept him out since October 2024. Despite signing a four-year, $120 million extension before the 2024 season, Aiyuk’s $27 million guarantee for 2026 had been voided.
Evans will join a receiving corps that includes 2024 first-round selection Ricky Pearsall, experienced player Demarcus Robinson, and developing talents Jacob Cowing and Jordan Watkins. Jauan Jennings, who led the team’s receivers last season, remains unsigned as a free agent.
The new 49er expressed admiration for San Francisco’s 12-5 record and playoff victory despite significant injuries to key players including Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, Kittle, Pearsall, and quarterback Brock Purdy.
“They always compete, even with the injuries last year,” he noted. “I feel like they were one piece away and I think that I’m that piece. I look forward to coming here and proving that.”
Evans made NFL history by becoming the first player to record at least 1,000 receiving yards in each of his initial 11 seasons, reaching that milestone in the 2024 season finale.
However, injuries have limited his availability over the past two campaigns, causing him to miss three games in 2024 and nine last season due to hamstring and broken collarbone issues. His 2025 statistics included just 30 receptions for 368 yards and three touchdowns.
The six-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time second-team All-Pro has accumulated 866 career receptions for 13,052 yards and 108 touchdowns. Evans ranks tenth all-time in touchdown catches, while his 11 seasons with 1,000-plus receiving yards trail only Jerry Rice’s record of 14.
“I always feel like I got to prove something,” Evans concluded. “I always felt like I can be better. I want to show that I’m still who people believe that I am, and that’s one of the best to ever do it.”
HOUSTON (AP) — Team USA skipper Mark DeRosa acknowledged Thursday that his early declaration about the United States securing a World Baseball Classic quarterfinal spot before playing Italy was simply an “overly confident statement,” emphasizing he understood nothing was certain at that moment.
DeRosa had made those comments on MLB Network’s “Hot Stove” program prior to Tuesday’s shocking 8-6 defeat to Italy that put America’s WBC destiny in jeopardy. The Americans ultimately secured their spot in Friday’s quarterfinal against Canada after Italy defeated Mexico 9-1 on Wednesday.
“It’s just an overly confident statement on ‘Hot Stove,’ period, the end,” DeRosa acknowledged. “And it’s my fault. I felt good about where we were after Mexico.”
The manager also discussed how the star-laden American squad gets a clean slate now that the Italian defeat didn’t end their championship aspirations.
“New lease on life for the boys, certainly,” he stated. “I put ourselves in a tough spot. Tip our hat to Vinnie Pasquantino and Italy, truly. Went into that game a little overly confident and got a huge wake-up call.”
DeRosa’s pre-game comments drew significant criticism following the loss, especially considering he benched regular starters Bryce Harper, Cal Raleigh, Alex Bregman, Brice Turang and Byron Buxton. The Americans needed a victory over Italy to secure their quarterfinal berth automatically. The defeat left them dependent on various tiebreaker scenarios while awaiting Wednesday’s Italy-Mexico outcome.
On Thursday, he defended those lineup choices. DeRosa explained he wanted to give opportunities to Ernie Clement and Paul Goldschmidt since they might play crucial bench roles later. He also noted restrictions on pitcher usage due to “guardrails” established by MLB organizations, who typically limit their players’ workload at the WBC because of injury risks.
“When I looked at the lineup, I felt confident going in – bottom line,” DeRosa stated. “I mean, I also look at it from a player’s perspective. Like, Bryce Harper was struggling a little bit. I know it’s three games, but from the dugout – I played with him for a long time – so it’s like, ‘OK, maybe we get him off his feet a day. We get Goldy in there. We allow (Harper) to work with Sean Casey, Matt Holliday, maybe something clicks. And we get him right back in there and going.’”
DeRosa had also noted before Tuesday’s contests that some American players were “dragging.” Team transportation departed later than scheduled following Monday’s victory over Mexico as players remained in the clubhouse celebrating their triumph.
“Listen, us hanging out in a clubhouse is everything I ever dreamed of creating,” DeRosa said. “You’ve got to buy into this thing super quick and try and create a team. For those players to invite the coaches in and for us to spend time together and enjoy a huge win that we hadn’t had in 20 years was something that, I looked around the room and it was super special to me.
“We did not lose sight of the fact that we had to go out and play well against Italy. They played a hell of a game. They smacked us in the mouth early. They got up big. We went into that game prepared to win it. I think there’s a couple false narratives out there. But, no, I was well aware that we had to win that game based on all the scenarios that could take place.”
The United States is implementing roster adjustments to its pitching rotation as they transition from pool competition into the quarterfinal round.
Left-handed pitcher Tim Hill along with right-handers Will Vest and Tyler Rogers are replacing two-time Cy Young Award recipient Tarik Skubal, Michael Wacha and Ryan Yarbrough. DeRosa confirmed that southpaw Matthew Boyd has also departed the American team to rejoin the Chicago Cubs’ spring training facility.
“And I completely understand that,” DeRosa commented. “There’s a lot of pressure from the parent clubs to get these guys ramped up for the start of the season.
“If he’s going to be the opening day starter for the Cubs, we had to guarantee him innings — the game’s got to dictate now. Pool play is a different animal. Trying to weave our way through it from a pitching standpoint, all bets are off now.”
Iran’s recently appointed leader Mojtaba Khamenei released his inaugural written communication on Thursday afternoon, breaking nearly two weeks of silence following his selection as the Islamic Republic’s new head four days earlier.
According to an informed source in Tehran, the Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) actually composed the statement and published it under Khamenei’s name. The message featured multiple spelling mistakes when Iranian state media outlets distributed it.
In his debut statement, released two weeks after his predecessor’s death, Mojtaba Khamenei made threats to establish additional war zones throughout the region, particularly emphasizing plans to obstruct the Strait of Hormuz. He made specific mentions of Iran’s allied forces operating in Iraq, Yemen, and Lebanon. The newly installed leader also demanded retaliation against Israel and the United States, while supporting continued strikes against nearby nations that house American and Israeli military and financial installations.
Saturday saw President Masoud Pezeshkian release a video statement offering apologies to neighboring nations for recent missile and drone attacks, explaining that these operations resulted from the deaths of top military officials whose troops had operated independently. He claimed the interim Leadership Council had authorized ending these strikes. However, within an hour, the IRGC conducted an assault on Dubai. Judiciary Chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i completely rejected any such decision, declaring that attacks on these nations would persist.
Speculation continues regarding Mojtaba Khamenei’s health status, with reports suggesting he sustained serious injuries during Israel’s strike on the leadership compound (Beit e-Rahbari) at the conflict’s beginning, potentially leaving him unable to walk or make camera appearances. In his initial message, he urged his followers to “remain present on the scene” and maintain solidarity.
He also stated he had viewed Ali Khamenei’s remains, a notable claim considering that no funeral or burial arrangements have been scheduled thirteen days following the death.
This situation demonstrates both Iranian officials’ reluctance to participate in public ceremonies and the disarray affecting government institutions during the past two weeks.
Speculation persists that minimal remains existed of Khamenei’s body, along with military commanders who were located on the bunker’s ground level during the attack. While the Israeli strikes killed most Khamenei family members, supreme leader’s office staff, and on-site security personnel, Mojtaba Khamenei’s survival—who would have been a key target for Israel and the United States—continues generating significant debate.
Unlike his father, Mojtaba Khamenei maintains a reserved personality with roots in traditional religious education. He possesses limited skills in public speaking, administrative management, or modern Persian writing.
His preference for the Arabic Hijri lunar calendar over Iran’s official Iranian Solar calendar demonstrates his separation from contemporary Iranian social conditions. This contrasts sharply with his father, who projected intellectual sophistication, organized literary events with followers, and exclusively used the solar calendar in official correspondence.
Mojtaba Khamenei has never given a public address. His sole video message dates to last year, when he announced in traditional clerical style the postponement of his religious classes indefinitely. Additionally, despite previously holding significant sway within his father’s office regarding political and security issues, he has been noticeably absent from such responsibilities during the past year.
The new leader’s digital office has encouraged supporters to follow his Instagram, X, and Telegram accounts, platforms that remain officially prohibited within Iran. Recently, social media users have ridiculed the new leader through artificial intelligence-created content, while IRGC-affiliated media organizations have employed similar technology to create images of him with Ali Khamenei, due to limited recent photographs, and to digitally improve his appearance.
A knowledgeable Tehran source informed The Media Line that following the message’s publication, the IRGC had originally composed it before adapting it to match Mojtaba Khamenei’s writing style. Many high-ranking officials have not met him personally, and reports indicate he is receiving medical care in a secure underground location outside Tehran. This occurs as the IRGC-connected Fars News Agency reported that the new “supreme leader” had become a janbaaz, a term specifically describing someone who has experienced severe physical trauma, including limb loss.
Early Monday morning, immediately after announcing Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment, residents across various sections of the capital climbed onto their rooftops, shouting “Death to Mojtaba.”
A witness informed The Media Line that recently the Basij and IRGC have significantly increased their use of deadly force, resulting in multiple fatalities in Tehran. The casualties include civilians who had celebrated Ali Khamenei’s death in the streets, dancing and expressing joy, before being shot by security forces equipped with heavy infantry weapons and semi-heavy military gear.
CHICAGO — An unusual opportunity for Illinois voters to choose a new U.S. senator has ignited a fierce contest among the state’s top three Democratic contenders.
However, the Democratic primary to succeed retiring Senator Dick Durbin has transformed into a crucial political evaluation for another name appearing on Tuesday’s ballot: Governor JB Pritzker.
The wealthy governor is endorsing Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton against two seasoned House representatives — Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly. Pritzker has invested millions in Stratton’s campaign, joined her at senior center visits, and even featured in a profanity-laden television commercial targeting Trump. Yet Pritzker’s prominent involvement has generated complications, including pushback from influential Black Democratic leaders, doubts about the potential 2028 presidential hopeful’s sway, and voter concerns regarding his use of personal fortune.
“Money should not have to be a factor into tipping the scales in the political arena,” stated Maria Pike, a Chicago anti-violence activist. Despite being a strong Pritzker supporter, she feels uncomfortable with the millions the governor, who faces no opposition in his own primary, has directed toward electing Stratton. She plans to vote for Kelly.
Sixteen contenders have entered the race following Durbin’s retirement announcement after three decades as senator, where he serves as the Senate’s second-ranking Democrat.
The Democratic primary victor among ten candidates is expected to secure victory in the solidly blue state this November. Illinois hasn’t elected a Republican senator since 2016, when Mark Kirk lost to Democrat Tammy Duckworth.
The leading candidates include 52-year-old Krishnamoorthi, a five-term congressman who launched the first television advertisements in July. Krishnamoorthi demonstrates exceptional fundraising ability, collecting over $30 million from approximately mid-2025 through last month.
He avoided direct comments about Pritzker’s involvement.
“At the end of the day, voters will make their decision. They don’t want anyone else to decide for them,” Krishnamoorthi stated. “We’re on a good path. We just have to run down it as fast as we can.”
Among all 2026 Senate contenders nationwide this election cycle, Krishnamoorthi ranked second in fundraising behind only Georgia Democrat Jon Ossoff, based on Federal Election Commission records.
Kelly raised approximately $3.3 million during the same period, while Stratton collected about $4 million, both significantly trailing Krishnamoorthi.
However, Pritzker contributed $5 million to a super PAC primarily focused on supporting Stratton’s election in December.
While governors and prominent politicians commonly endorse candidates, primary involvement often generates divisions. Pritzker, inheritor of the Hyatt Hotels fortune, holds a unique position due to his wealth. He has served as the state party’s financial backbone for years, supporting numerous candidates both within Illinois and nationally.
Yet no previous endorsement has been so directly connected to his personal career trajectory.
Pritzker selected Stratton as his running mate in 2017, just months into her single legislative term. When discussing her major achievements, she highlights her support for Pritzker’s initiatives, including Illinois’ minimum wage increase.
Stratton adopted an aggressive debate strategy, criticizing Krishnamoorthi’s voting history and funding sources so intensely that he joked about needing “body armor” during a televised January forum.
Her debut television advertisement features voters and Senator Duckworth directing profanity at Trump. While Stratton and Pritzker don’t use the expletive, they appear together smiling.
“It captured what so many people are feeling right now. Why are we playing around that these are normal times?” Stratton explained. “People are looking for fire.”
She maintains that Pritzker’s backing presents no disadvantages.
Others disagree with this assessment.
The Congressional Black Caucus, which includes Kelly as a member, recently criticized his support.
“Governor Pritzker’s effort to tip the scales in Illinois’ U.S. Senate race is beyond frustrating,” stated Representative Yvette Clarke of New York, the caucus leader. “A sitting governor shouldn’t be heavy-handing the race. Quite frankly, his behavior in this race won’t soon be forgotten by any of us.”
Kelly, 69, clarified she didn’t request the statement.
“They see what’s going and they feel like, a very qualified woman that’s running, is already there,” she said. “Just because you don’t have the most money, doesn’t mean that you haven’t done the most.”
She referenced outgoing Governor Tim Walz, who hasn’t endorsed any candidate in Minnesota’s Senate race, where Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan and Representative Angie Craig compete for the Democratic nomination.
Kelly won her first election in 2013, campaigning on gun control messaging that connected with her district encompassing Chicago’s South Side, suburban areas, and rural regions. Through her people-over-profits platform, she has established herself as a progressive voice, including denouncing Israel’s Gaza operations as genocide.
Chicago resident Kiyonna Mosely, 49, expressed trust in Pritzker but lacks familiarity with Stratton. She appreciates Kelly’s anti-gun violence record and finds her relatable.
“She just kind of speaks my language when she is speaking, always straightforward,” Mosely said. “She’s experienced a lot of things I have, with being a Black woman.”
Pritzker has justified his participation as proper. He said he understood the CBC’s position of “standing up for a friend of theirs.”
“I’m working very hard to elect someone as our U.S. senator, a Black woman, who would be a member of the Congressional Black Caucus when she wins,” he told reporters last week in Springfield. “She has the best chance of being a great U.S. senator for us among the three Democrats in the running.”
Some voters welcome his involvement.
Pritzker receives credit for bringing governmental stability to Illinois, something voter Susan Stockman values. The 73-year-old retired suburban Chicago teacher plans to vote for Stratton partly because of Pritzker’s endorsement.
“He’s done as great of a job as anybody can do,” she said. “I don’t think there’s any such thing as being too involved.”
Tuesday’s election results will also indicate Pritzker’s political strength as his name surfaces in discussions about potential 2028 presidential candidates. Pritzker added over $25 million to his campaign treasury last year, generating speculation about broader political ambitions, though he remains evasive about presidential plans.
Recently, Stratton has appeared more frequently at Pritzker’s official events. Thursday saw Pritzker campaigning for her through multiple senior living center visits on Chicago’s South Side. Already among Trump’s harshest critics, Pritzker told residents in one predominantly Black neighborhood that Stratton provides a fresh approach to challenging the president.
“My partner in governance for seven years decided that it was time for her to go take this fight to Washington on my behalf,” he told residents.
Candidates have also focused efforts on connecting with voters throughout the state. Stratton, 60, grew up in Chicago but claims her rural communities commission experience has established her recognition in downstate areas. Kelly emphasizes her Peoria connections, approximately 150 miles southwest of Chicago, where she attended college.
Krishnamoorthi, born in India and raised in Peoria, says he has spent years cultivating support beyond his suburban Chicago district, engaging with residents on Medicare issues beginning in 2023 and securing endorsements from prominent downstate Democrats.
This strategy appeals to 63-year-old Kimberly Beal, who resides in Kelly’s congressional district and attended Thursday’s Stratton event. She’s considering voting for Krishnamoorthi.
“His boots on the group approach has been one I like,” she said. “He brings a no-nonsense appeal.”
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — America has officially stepped into the legal fight at the United Nations’ top court to defend Israel against genocide accusations brought by South Africa, contending the charges are unfounded and cautioning that a decision against Israel could damage international law.
The International Court of Justice is examining whether Israel’s Gaza military campaign aimed at defeating Hamas constitutes genocide under a post-World War II treaty. Israel, established following the Holocaust, has strongly rejected these claims.
According to documents The Associated Press obtained Thursday, America contends these accusations represent part of a “broader campaign” targeting Israel and Jewish people “to justify or encourage terrorism against them.”
Any nation that signed the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide may intervene to offer its legal interpretation of the case. In 2023, more than 30 nations supported Ukraine in a similar case against Russia.
Over a dozen additional countries have submitted interventions in the Israel matter, including Spain, the Netherlands and Ireland. Many hold different positions than America’s stance.
The American submission emphasizes that proving genocide demands “specific intent” to commit the offense and warns the Hague-based court against “lowering the standard.”
“Civilian casualties, even widespread civilian casualties, are not necessarily probative of genocidal intent, particularly when they occur in the context of an armed conflict involving urban combat,” America contends in its filing.
Reed Rubenstein, a State Department legal adviser representing America, stated that a decision against Israel would constitute a “radical repudiation” of the court’s established precedent.
Such a ruling would “feed the perception that the court is simply just one more tool in the ongoing pro-Hamas lawfare campaign” against Israel, Rubenstein explained to the AP.
Following a US-negotiated ceasefire that took effect last year, Gaza’s most intense combat has decreased, although regular Israeli military action persists.
The fragile deal has allowed increased humanitarian aid and other supplies into the territory, though limitations have returned during American and Israeli strikes against Iran.
The ICJ has issued multiple directives regarding Israel’s Gaza actions since South Africa launched its case in 2023, including ordering the nation to take all possible measures to prevent deaths, destruction and any genocidal acts. In related proceedings, the court has ruled that Israel must permit the UN aid organization in Gaza, called UNRWA, to deliver humanitarian assistance to Palestinian areas.
The International Criminal Court issued arrest orders for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister in 2024 related to the Gaza fighting. The ICC stated there was evidence to suggest the pair employed “starvation as a method of warfare” by limiting humanitarian aid and deliberately attacking civilians.
The Trump administration retaliated by imposing sanctions on ICC officials, including nine judges and senior prosecutors.
SAVANNAH, Ga. — A military court will consider whether to accept a guilty plea from an Army sergeant who wounded five colleagues during a shooting incident at Fort Stewart last August.
Sgt. Quornelius Radford, 28, now wishes to enter guilty pleas to six criminal charges, including two counts of attempted murder, three counts of aggravated assault, and one domestic violence charge, according to military prosecutors who announced the development Thursday.
The shooting incident occurred when Radford discharged his personal firearm at members of his supply unit, striking four soldiers and one civilian employee who had been romantically involved with Radford. Fellow soldiers subdued and disarmed Radford after the attack, military officials reported.
Initially, Radford entered not guilty pleas last fall to 13 separate criminal charges: six attempted murder counts, six aggravated assault counts, and one domestic violence count. Military prosecutors noted the charges covered six total victims, including one person Radford targeted but failed to hit.
The Army’s Office of Special Trial Counsel, handling Radford’s prosecution, stated that his defense team informed a military judge of his intention to change his plea during a recent court appearance.
Defense attorney Lt. Col. Dylan Mack has not responded to requests for comment regarding the plea change.
Military court records indicate Radford’s plea status shifted from “not guilty” to “guilty plea” in advance of his March 31 court hearing, when the judge will review his request to alter his plea.
Military prosecutors emphasized they have not entered into any plea agreement with Radford, meaning he could still receive a life sentence if the judge accepts his guilty plea.
Officials have not disclosed any suspected motive behind the shooting. Radford remains in military custody awaiting trial.
Fort Stewart, the largest Army installation east of the Mississippi River, houses thousands of personnel from the 3rd Infantry Division and sits approximately 40 miles southwest of Savannah.
Radford worked as a supply sergeant within the division’s 2nd Armored Brigade and joined the Army in 2018, according to military records.
During the August 6 incident, soldiers responded to gunfire sounds and discovered smoke-filled hallways in an office building, with wounded victims scattered across floors and offices.
Brig. Gen. John Lubas, who commands the 3rd Infantry, praised soldiers for their immediate response in providing medical assistance, including using their hands to stop bleeding from gunshot injuries.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll traveled to Fort Stewart the following day to present Meritorious Service Medals to six soldiers who helped subdue the gunman and assist the wounded.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A Missouri circuit court has upheld newly drawn congressional district boundaries endorsed by former President Donald Trump, designed to boost Republican chances of capturing another House seat in upcoming elections.
Legal challengers argued the revised districts breached Missouri’s constitutional requirement for geographically compact boundaries. However, Jackson County Circuit Judge Adam Caine dismissed these arguments in his Thursday decision.
While Republicans celebrated this legal win, additional court battles continue at the Missouri Supreme Court, where opponents argue that redrawing districts mid-decade violates the constitution. Critics have also gathered more than 300,000 petition signatures seeking to put the congressional map before voters statewide.
Missouri represents one of multiple states where Trump has pushed for congressional boundary changes, seeking electoral advantages as Republicans work to maintain their slim House majority this November. Following Trump’s call for Texas redistricting, Democrats responded with their own map changes in California, sparking similar battles nationwide.
The state’s current House delegation includes six Republicans and two Democrats under boundaries established in 2022 following the latest census. Initially, Republican legislators rejected proposals for a seven-seat Republican map, fearing it might spread the party too thin and create vulnerability during strong Democratic election cycles.
However, White House pressure led Republicans to abandon these concerns last year, prioritizing partisan gains through district revision.
The revised map, approved during September’s special legislative session, targets the Kansas City-area seat held by Democratic Representative Emanuel Cleaver. The plan shifts Kansas City portions into two neighboring Republican districts while extending Cleaver’s 5th Congressional District eastward into heavily Republican rural territory.
Legal documents filed by challenging voters claimed the new boundaries “radically departs” from traditional patterns by dividing and elongating the 5th District, which previously centered more tightly around Kansas City.
Republican Attorney General Catherine Hanaway’s legal team argued the updated map actually improves overall design. While acknowledging the 5th District’s reduced compactness, state lawyers maintained the statewide map achieves better compactness and reduces municipal splits across district lines. Judge Caine accepted this reasoning.
The judge noted that challengers essentially argued against combining rural and urban voters within single districts. However, Caine referenced previous instances of such combinations, including maps used from 2012-2020 that merged Kansas City’s downtown core with eastern rural areas.
“The decision of what municipalities to split is a political and policy determination that is properly left in the hands of the General Assembly and Missouri’s political processes,” Caine wrote.
Organizations representing the challenging voters condemned the ruling but haven’t announced appeal plans.
“If allowed to stand, it would represent a significant setback for fair representation in Missouri,” stated the American Civil Liberties Union and Campaign Legal Center jointly.
A University of Delaware field hockey standout has earned a coveted spot on the United States Under-21 Women’s National Team.
Junior player Sarah Rigual was selected for the roster that will compete in the 2026 Junior Pan American Championship, according to an announcement made Wednesday by USA Field Hockey officials in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
The recognition marks a significant achievement for the Blue Hens athlete, who will now represent her country in the upcoming international competition known as JPAC.
Delaware lawmakers have passed legislation requiring every school district and charter school in the state to establish comprehensive policies governing student cell phone usage during school hours.
Under the new law, educational institutions must collaborate with teachers and staff to develop policies that include six key components. Schools must establish clear standards for appropriate cell phone usage on campus and implement restrictions on device use during classroom instruction.
The legislation also mandates that schools designate specific times and locations where students are permitted to use their mobile devices. Additionally, policies must promote dialogue between educational institutions, families, and students regarding cell phone regulations.
Each policy must outline a framework of suitable penalties for students who violate the cell phone rules. However, schools must also include provisions for emergency circumstances and students requiring medical or educational accommodations.
All Delaware school districts and charter schools have until August 1, 2025, to submit their policies to the state Department of Education and publish them on their official websites. Educational institutions retain the flexibility to modify their cell phone policies as circumstances require, but any revisions must be reported to the Department and updated online.
Delaware’s three counties will soon have enhanced legal authority to gather evidence when assessing property values for taxation purposes, following the passage of new legislation that strengthens their subpoena powers.
The measure, which serves as a replacement for Senate Bill 230, grants specific authority to county finance leaders to demand testimony and documents during property valuation disputes. Under the new law, this power applies specifically when counties use income-based or cost comparison methods to determine a property’s fair market value.
The legislation identifies three key officials who can exercise these expanded powers: the Chief Financial Officer of the Office of Finance, Kent County’s Department of Finance Director, and Sussex County’s Finance Director.
When property owners challenge tax assessments or when counties need to defend their valuation methods, these officials can now compel individuals and businesses to provide testimony and produce relevant documents. If someone refuses to comply with a subpoena, the Superior Court has the authority to enforce the order and can use contempt of court powers against non-compliant parties.
The final version of the bill differs from the original Senate proposal by removing provisions that would have affected Section 284 of Delaware’s General Corporation Law, focusing the legislation specifically on county assessment authority.
Pakistan’s government has launched an emergency two-month conservation program as Middle East tensions threaten to trigger a major energy shortage, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced during a televised address Monday evening.
The sweeping measures take effect immediately and include shutting down schools for two weeks, requiring half of all workers to operate remotely, and establishing three-day weekends for both government and private sector employees.
During his national broadcast, Sharif highlighted the gravity of regional instability, emphasizing that Iran and surrounding Middle Eastern nations remain locked in severe warfare that poses risks to global energy supplies.
The Prime Minister unveiled comprehensive cost-cutting initiatives spanning the next two months, targeting energy savings, government spending reductions, and economic relief for citizens.
Transportation restrictions will slash government vehicle fuel allowances in half, while 60% of official vehicles will be temporarily removed from service. Emergency vehicles and public transit systems remain unaffected by these limitations.
Top government officials face significant financial sacrifices under the new policy. Cabinet ministers, advisers, and special assistants will surrender their entire salaries, while parliamentary members will see 25% pay reductions. Administrative departments must cut non-personnel expenses by 20%, and purchases of vehicles, office furniture, and air conditioning units are completely prohibited.
International travel by federal ministers, government advisers, senior bureaucrats, and provincial leaders faces strict limitations, with only critical overseas trips receiving approval.
Virtual meetings will replace in-person gatherings wherever possible, and workplaces will operate just four days weekly with expanded weekend breaks. Banking, manufacturing, and agricultural sectors are excluded from these operational changes.
Educational institutions will suspend in-person classes for two weeks, while universities and colleges will transition to remote learning platforms.
Sharif expressed Pakistan’s profound grief over the deaths of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, his relatives, and other Iranian citizens killed in Israeli military strikes, while strongly denouncing the attacks on Iran. Notably, he avoided directly naming the United States in his remarks.
The Prime Minister also condemned military actions against multiple Muslim nations, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Azerbaijan, describing the human casualties as both heartbreaking and alarming.
However, Sharif did not acknowledge that Iran was responsible for attacks on several of these countries.
Pakistan is pursuing diplomatic solutions to address the regional crisis, Sharif stated.
He warned that today’s interconnected world means conflicts in one nation rapidly impact others, cautioning that further deterioration could cause prices to surge uncontrollably.
Sharif emphasized Pakistan’s heavy reliance on Gulf region oil and gas imports for its economy, farming sector, manufacturing, transportation, and daily life. He acknowledged that the government’s response required making challenging and significant policy choices.
The Prime Minister issued stern warnings against fuel hoarding or price manipulation, promising swift legal consequences for violators regardless of their status.
Pakistani citizens are already experiencing the impact of increased fuel costs resulting from Middle Eastern conflicts and an unexpected government price increase implemented March 7.
Rising oil prices are driving up costs for food and essential goods, creating additional hardships for a population already struggling with inflation.
Multiple members of Iran’s women’s national soccer team have applied for asylum in Australia following their refusal to sing the Iranian national anthem during an international tournament, sparking urgent efforts by activists to protect them from forced repatriation.
The situation unfolded during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Australia, where Iranian players remained silent during their national anthem before their opening match against South Korea. This act was widely viewed as a protest against Iran’s government amid ongoing political tensions and the regime’s crackdown on demonstrators.
Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced that five Iranian players received humanitarian visas, posting photos on social media with the athletes, including team captain Zahra Ghanbari. However, one player, Mohaddeseh Zolfi, later reversed her asylum request after her family allegedly faced threats in Iran.
“After speaking with her teammates, the player came to this decision and contacted the Iranian Embassy,” Burke stated. “In Australia, people are free to change their minds, and we respect that decision.”
The controversy began when Iranian state television officials condemned the players’ silent protest, with one presenter calling them traitors and saying their wartime actions represented “the height of dishonor.” Under mounting pressure, the team was forced to sing the anthem and perform a military salute during their second match against Australia.
Following their tournament elimination, some players appeared to signal distress by flashing phone lights as supporters gathered around their team bus, urging them to seek asylum. This moment triggered a social media campaign and online petition with 10,000 signatures calling on Australia to prevent the athletes from returning to Iran.
The campaign gained international attention, prompting President Trump to post on Truth Social, calling on Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to help the players and offering U.S. asylum if Australia failed to act.
Iranian officials reacted angrily to Australia’s decision to grant humanitarian visas. Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref called it “psychological warfare” and interference in Iran’s “family affairs,” while the prosecutor’s office formally demanded the players’ return.
Concerns intensified when a message circulated on social media from the family of star player Golnoosh Khosravi, urging her not to return to Iran due to communication restrictions and internet shutdowns in the country.
According to supporters, up to 11 delegation members initially refused to board flights, though exact numbers remain disputed. Some team members traveled to Malaysia, where they reportedly remain under surveillance by Iranian embassy and sports ministry security personnel.
Medis Tavakoli, a clinical psychologist in Madrid monitoring the situation, told The Media Line: “In the current hard situation, psychologically we are supporting one another so that no one feels alone, because we know our situation does not matter to many people in the world.”
The five players granted Australian humanitarian visas are captain Zahra Ghanbari, Mona Hamoudi, Atefeh Ramezanizadeh, Zahra Sarbali, and Fatemeh Pasandideh.
This represents the first time in recent decades that multiple Iranian national team members have sought refuge abroad and refused to return home. Supporters express concern not only for the athletes caught between countries but also for their families facing pressure in Iran.
The remaining players and staff in Malaysia continue under close watch while Iranian expatriate groups attempt to persuade them against returning, even as flight suspensions to Iran complicate their situation.
Iranian forces and Hezbollah militants conducted coordinated rocket attacks against Israel spanning from Wednesday evening into Thursday morning, sending approximately 200 projectiles toward Israeli territory in strikes that targeted both northern communities and the Jerusalem region.
More than 100 rockets struck northern Israel on Wednesday during the synchronized assault, which activated emergency sirens throughout multiple communities and left five individuals wounded when a projectile hit a residential building in the Northern Galilee region.
First responders reported that the rocket strike caused significant damage to the home and resulted in five casualties. United Hatzalah stated that four of those injured received treatment for anxiety-related symptoms as emergency teams arrived at the location.
The emergency organization also noted that rocket fragments and debris scattered across multiple urban areas during the bombardment, while responders discovered a wildfire that ignited in a wooded region after missile remnants landed there.
Warning sirens echoed across northern Israel as the incoming rockets approached, prompting civilians to seek shelter in protected areas while emergency personnel managed reports of strikes and falling debris.
Military officials report that Hezbollah has fired approximately 200 rockets toward Israel since Wednesday, with roughly 120 projectiles penetrating Israeli airspace while about 80 failed to reach Israeli borders.
Emergency alerts were triggered throughout greater Jerusalem, the Shfela region, and the Jordan Valley on Thursday morning following missile launches originating from Iran.
Israeli defensive systems successfully intercepted the approaching missiles, with no immediate casualties reported from the Thursday morning strikes.
Emergency command centers documented reports of one impact on a roadway near Har Gilo and interceptor debris falling in Jerusalem’s Mamilla district.
On Wednesday, Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir announced that the military was strengthening its northern positions. Zamir stated that additional forces, including the Golani Brigade, would be sent to the area.
Based on military preparations, the IDF is organizing an operation involving approximately 1,000 strikes within Lebanon, with particular emphasis on Beirut’s Dahiyeh district, which serves as a Hezbollah stronghold.
Prior to the assaults, Israeli officials informed CNN they anticipated a “significant expansion” of attacks from Lebanon and Iran as regional tensions continued to intensify.
More than a decade after selecting Geno Smith in the NFL draft, the New York Jets are welcoming back the veteran quarterback as they continue searching for stability at the position.
According to reports, the Las Vegas Raiders and Jets finalized a deal on Tuesday that sends the 35-year-old Smith back to his original professional team. In exchange, New York will give up a sixth-round selection in the 2026 draft (pick 208).
As part of the agreement, the Jets will also obtain a seventh-round pick (219th overall) alongside Smith, who had been expecting his release from Las Vegas before Wednesday’s start of the league year.
To facilitate his return to New York, Smith reportedly modified his existing contract terms. According to ESPN, Las Vegas will cover the majority of his remaining salary, leaving the Jets with a financial obligation barely above the veteran minimum wage.
Smith was originally chosen by New York in the second round (39th selection) during the 2013 draft after his college career at West Virginia. During his initial four-year stint with the franchise, he posted a 57.9% completion rate while throwing for 5,962 yards and 28 touchdowns against 26 interceptions across 33 appearances (30 as a starter) between 2013 and 2016.
Las Vegas is expected to address their quarterback needs by selecting Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza with the top overall pick in the upcoming draft.
The Raiders faced pressure to move Smith quickly due to an $8 million guaranteed payment scheduled to become official on March 13.
During the previous season, Smith struggled significantly, leading the league with 17 interceptions while completing 67.4% of his attempts for 3,025 yards and 15 scores in 15 starting assignments. Las Vegas managed just two victories in games Smith started, finishing 2-13, and he absorbed a league-high 55 sacks.
Throughout his professional career, Smith has completed 65.2% of his throws for 22,168 yards with 124 touchdowns and 89 interceptions over 109 regular-season contests (98 starts) while playing for the Jets, New York Giants (2017), Los Angeles Chargers (2018), Seattle Seahawks (2020-24), and Raiders.
Smith’s lone postseason experience came during the 2022 campaign with Seattle, when the Seahawks fell to the San Francisco 49ers 41-23 in an NFC wild-card matchup. That same year, he earned NFL Comeback Player of the Year recognition and received Pro Bowl honors in both 2022 and 2023.
The spouse of St. Louis City SC soccer player Eduard Lowen has passed away following her fight against brain cancer, the team confirmed Monday. Ilona Lowen was 28 years old at the time of her death, local media outlets reported.
St. Louis City SC shared news of her passing through an official statement on their social media platforms.
“We grieve alongside Edu and all those impacted by this loss and ask the CITY community to keep them in your prayers during this difficult time. Ilona was a beautiful example of love, humility, and kindness and will be deeply missed,” the club statement said, in part.
Medical professionals discovered the brain cancer in 2024 following Ilona’s complaints of intense headaches. Following several surgical procedures, physicians informed the family that the disease had reached Stage 4 and was beyond treatment options. She had previously received a diagnosis for a non-cancerous brain tumor.
The 29-year-old midfielder has remained absent from competition this season, though he attended his team’s season opener where he discussed his obligations to his spouse and his commitment to supporting her.
“We get a lot of support from family, from friends, but sometimes there are just moments and things that only I can take care of and I want to take care of because, obviously, I’m the husband,” he said, per the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “There are just certain responsibilities that sometimes force me or also I want to step away and take care of her. Sometimes there are just unexpected things that happen.”
The German-born Eduard Lowen competed professionally in his home country before joining St. Louis City in 2022. Throughout 71 regular-season Major League Soccer appearances, including 62 as a starter, he has recorded 17 goals and contributed nine assists.
Delaware Department of Transportation maintenance teams are conducting litter removal operations along a stretch of Interstate 495 connecting Newport and Claymont today.
The cleanup work is taking place on both the northbound shoulder area and the southbound median strip, with crews scheduled to complete their efforts by 5 PM this afternoon.
Motorists traveling through this section of I-495 may encounter slower traffic or lane restrictions while the maintenance operation is underway.
MOSCOW – The leader of the United Nations’ nuclear monitoring organization held talks Thursday with Russia’s top nuclear energy executive about preventing the spread of nuclear weapons, according to the Russian state corporation.
Rafael Grossi, who leads the International Atomic Energy Agency, traveled to Moscow for meetings with Russian officials and is scheduled to sit down with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday, according to the TASS news agency.
Russia’s state nuclear company Rosatom announced that its chief executive Alexei Likhachev met with Grossi to address key matters. “On the eve of the meeting, the head of the state corporation (Rosatom) Alexei Likhachev and the Director General of the IAEA Rafael Grossi discussed strategic issues concerning the enforcement of the non-proliferation regime and the development of nuclear energy in the world,” the company stated.
Rosatom did not provide additional information about what was discussed during their conversation.
A rare baseball card featuring New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge has shattered modern collecting records after selling for an unprecedented $5.2 million.
The sports memorabilia company Fanatics Collect revealed Thursday that it facilitated the private transaction involving a 2013 Judge Bowman Chrome Draft Superfractor card. This unique item bears the player’s signature and represents the only card of its kind ever produced. Both the purchaser and seller have chosen to keep their identities confidential.
“We’re incredibly honored to have brokered this record-breaking deal and to be part of such a momentous moment in hobby history,” Fanatics Collect said in a statement.
This sale surpasses the previous modern baseball card record of $3.936 million, which was paid in 2020 for a singular 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Superfractor card signed by Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout.
Another notable recent sale involved a Shohei Ohtani card featuring the Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star, which fetched $3 million this past December.
The Judge collectible has experienced explosive growth in value since its last transaction through a Fanatics Premier auction in 2022, when it sold for $324,000. This card was produced four years prior to Judge’s official rookie card releases, coinciding with the Yankees’ selection of Judge as their first-round pick (32nd overall) in the 2013 MLB Draft.
The 33-year-old Judge first appeared in the major leagues during August 2016. His impressive career achievements include earning 2017 American League Rookie of the Year honors, capturing three AL MVP awards (2022, 2024, 2025), and making seven All-Star appearances.
During his most recent season, Judge dominated offensive statistics across Major League Baseball, posting a .331 batting average, .457 on-base percentage, and .668 slugging percentage while leading the American League with 124 walks.
While this represents a record for modern baseball cards, it doesn’t claim the top spot among all sports collectibles. According to Card Ladder, the highest-priced card sale ever recorded was $12.9 million for a 2007-08 Upper Deck Exquisite Michael Jordan/Kobe Bryant dual NBA Logoman patch autograph card, sold through Heritage auction on August 23, 2025.
The most expensive baseball card remains a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle graded SGC 9.5, which commanded $12.6 million on August 28, 2022, ranking second among all card sales.
Judge’s card, currently tied for seventh place overall, may not maintain its modern-day record status for long. Fanatics Collect is presently conducting an auction for a 2025 Topps Chrome Dual MVP Ohtani & Judge Gold MLB Logoman Auto 1/1 card. The auction concludes March 19, with current bids already surpassing seven figures.
Federal banking regulators working under President Trump are set to release revised capital requirements this month that will reshape how major financial institutions calculate risk and determine reserve funds for potential losses.
The updated “Basel Endgame” regulations have generated significant debate since their initial introduction in 2023 during the Biden administration, prompting fierce resistance from major Wall Street institutions who argued the rules would damage lending practices and economic growth.
However, opponents of the banking industry contend that financial institutions currently hold substantial cash reserves and that modifications to these regulations would undermine important protections established following the 2007-09 financial crisis, particularly as geopolitical tensions from Iran-related conflicts and declining private credit markets create market instability.
Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman announced Thursday that the revised proposal, when paired with adjustments to additional capital regulations, will moderately decrease capital requirements for numerous lending institutions.
Understanding the Basel Framework
The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision operates under the Bank for International Settlements in Basel, Switzerland, working to establish consistent global minimum capital standards that enable banks to withstand loan defaults during economic downturns.
Following the 2007-09 worldwide financial crisis, the committee developed the “Basel III” framework, incorporating multiple capital, leverage and liquidity mandates for banking institutions. International regulators have spent years implementing these standards, with the “endgame” version, finalized in 2017, representing the concluding phase.
The Federal Reserve spearheads this initiative in America, collaborating with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
Reasons for the New Proposal
The initial 2023 Basel proposal, developed under Bowman’s Democratic predecessor Michael Barr, suggested increasing capital by 16%. Major banks warned this could elevate their requirements by up to 20%. This surprised the financial sector, which anticipated the regulation would redistribute capital while maintaining relatively stable overall amounts.
Banking institutions responded with an extraordinary lobbying campaign and public relations effort, including attack advertisements during football broadcasts, claiming the regulations were unwarranted since banks already maintained adequate capital levels and would harm lending, small businesses and economic growth. Financial institutions also threatened legal action.
Barr committed to revising the regulation, but the three regulatory agencies failed to reach consensus on implementation, allowing the matter to transition to the Trump administration, which has typically supported industry positions.
Proposal Objectives and Expected Effects
The American proposal would restructure how large banks assess risk and subsequently determine appropriate capital reserves against potential losses. Primary focus areas include credit risk, market risk and operational risk.
Bowman stated Thursday that the new proposal would “right-size” requirements to better address risks while reducing redundancies. The modifications would also provide banks relief for activities regulators consider less risky and wish to encourage, including mortgage lending.
For smaller banking institutions, the plan would establish new standardized risk measurements that would “moderately reduce” their requirements and promote lending activities.
Overall, Basel regulations are still anticipated to slightly increase capital for the largest, highest-risk banks. However, when combined with changes to surcharges imposed on risky global or “GSIB” American banks, capital at major Wall Street institutions would decrease by “a small amount,” according to Bowman.
The GSIB Surcharge Explained
The GSIB surcharge mandates that eight major American banks considered globally risky maintain additional capital reserves. These large institutions have long advocated for updates to the surcharge calculation methodology.
Bowman announced Thursday that the Fed intends to update certain calculation components, which remained fixed since 2015, to account for economic growth and more accurately represent bank size relative to the global economy. The Fed had previously considered this modification, but efforts stalled during the broader Basel controversy.
The Fed also plans to adjust requirements for reserves related to short-term funding risks, as Bowman argued these had become more expensive than originally anticipated.
Opposition Perspectives
While regulatory specialists acknowledge the reasonableness of questioning capital allocation methods, many argue that current system-wide amounts are appropriate and that reducing capital and liquidity mechanisms will ultimately weaken financial system protections. Thursday, Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, who helped develop regulations implemented after the 2007-09 crisis, stated the changes endanger the economy.
Research conducted by Stephen Cecchetti, a Brandeis International Business School professor who analyzed comprehensive Fed loan data spanning more than ten years, discovered no clear evidence that higher bank capital requirements resulted in reduced lending by American banks, Reuters reported in 2024. Cecchetti also contributed to post-crisis Basel rule development.
Future Steps
Bowman indicated the Fed will vote on the proposals shortly and public feedback will be accepted. Regulators have expressed intentions to proceed quickly, but the proposals are extensive and complex, potentially requiring many months to finalize drafts.
Delaware Department of Transportation officials have temporarily shut down Exit 148 on southbound Route 1 following a vehicle collision.
The exit closure is currently in effect as emergency responders and cleanup crews work to clear the accident scene and ensure roadway safety.
Drivers traveling southbound on Route 1 should plan for delays and consider using alternative routes to reach their destinations while the exit remains blocked.
DelDOT has not yet provided an estimated timeline for when the exit will reopen to traffic.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The space agency announced Thursday that its massive lunar rocket has received approval for an April departure carrying four crew members, following the completion of essential maintenance work.
The towering 322-foot rocket is scheduled to emerge from its hangar and return to the launch platform next week at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, setting the stage for a potential liftoff as soon as April 1st. This mission will represent the first human voyage to the moon since the early 1970s.
The Artemis II mission was originally scheduled to send its crew on a lunar flyby mission earlier this year, but technical difficulties including fuel system leaks and other mechanical issues with the Space Launch System rocket caused significant delays.
While NASA successfully resolved hydrogen fuel leak problems at the launch site in February, a separate issue involving helium flow systems required engineers to transport the rocket back to the Vehicle Assembly Building for additional repairs, pushing the mission timeline into April.
The agency has a narrow window of just a few days in early April to proceed with launch before operations must pause until late April through early May.
Recently, NASA’s newly appointed administrator Jared Isaacman revealed significant changes to the Artemis program structure. Expressing concerns about the program’s sluggish progress and extended delays between lunar missions, he introduced an additional practice mission in Earth’s orbit scheduled for next year. This orbital flight will become the new Artemis III, while the planned moon landing mission involving two astronauts has been redesignated as Artemis IV. Isaacman has set ambitious goals for one or possibly two lunar surface missions by 2028.
This week, NASA’s Office of Inspector General issued a cautionary audit report emphasizing the need for comprehensive emergency response procedures for future lunar crews. The report highlighted increased risks associated with landing operations near the moon’s south pole compared to the Apollo missions’ equatorial landing sites, citing the challenging polar landscape.
SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, and Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos, have both intensified their development efforts to meet NASA’s lunar lander requirements under the revised 2028 timeline. However, the inspector general’s assessment identified numerous technical hurdles that remain unresolved, particularly the complex process of refueling spacecraft while in Earth’s orbit before proceeding to lunar destinations.
PHILADELPHIA — When NBA players chase the legendary records of Wilt Chamberlain, his nephew Olin keeps his television tuned in and his phone close by, ready for the family group chat to explode with excitement.
Each time someone threatens to surpass one of “Uncle Dippy’s” achievements — that’s what family members called the late basketball icon — the relatives start buzzing with anticipation.
The next opportunity arrives Thursday evening as Oklahoma City’s reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander faces Boston, attempting to extend his consecutive games with 20 or more points to 127. This would eclipse Chamberlain’s record of 126 straight games set between 1961 and 1963, during which he never scored fewer than 20 points throughout the entire 1961-62 season while playing for the Philadelphia Warriors.
From his Philadelphia residence, 50-year-old Olin — whose father Oliver was Wilt’s brother — enthusiastically supports Gilgeous-Alexander’s pursuit while working to preserve Chamberlain’s memory through a memorial scholarship program. Breaking one record doesn’t concern him, Olin explains, since Chamberlain still owns approximately 60 NBA records.
“He has so many that one won’t affect it,” Olin Chamberlain said with a laugh. “He left such a legacy.”
Current NBA superstars continue generating headlines that feature Chamberlain’s name and accomplishments.
Since 1962, Chamberlain’s single-game scoring record of 100 points remains untouched.
Miami’s Bam Adebayo moved into second place Tuesday night against Washington with 83 points, while also establishing new league records for free throws made and attempted in one contest. This performance once again highlighted Chamberlain’s dominance 53 years after his final season. Kobe Bryant holds third place with 81 points.
“Wilt, me, then Kobe, which sounds crazy,” Adebayo said.
The Chamberlain family takes pride in everything Wilt accomplished both during games and in his community involvement.
Michelle Smith, another of Chamberlain’s nieces, emphasized how the former 76ers legend actively participated in community activities and always honored autograph requests. She believes her uncle would enthusiastically support Gilgeous-Alexander’s record attempt and encourage others to challenge the 100-point milestone, unlike some former players who prefer their records to stand forever.
“His name is there already. It’s a chance for somebody to come up and break a record and be known to break his records,” said Smith, whose 90-year-old mother Selena was Wilt’s sister. “They feel good about it, as well. They made him like a God in basketball, so when people break his records, they feel some kind of way. They feel great like, ‘Oh yeah, I’m up next to Wilt now.’”
Many of Chamberlain’s achievements remain virtually impossible to match in today’s NBA.
Several scoring records appear completely unreachable: highest points per game average in one season (50.4 during 1961-62); most 50-point performances in a single season (45 in 1961-62); most career regular-season games with 60 or more points (32); and most career regular-season 50-point games (118).
“When people begin to speak about Wilt, they just can’t believe all that he accomplished,” said Chamberlain’s friend and 76ers’ executive advisor to the CEO, Sonny Hill. “He never gets his just due. It’s almost like he just scored 100 points. Well, 100 points is not the greatest thing that he did. He had a season where he averaged 50.”
The 89-year-old Hill — who nicknamed his friend “Dip” — first encountered Chamberlain when both were 12 years old competing in Philadelphia’s Baptist Church league. Hill describes Chamberlain as resembling a Paul Bunyan-like figure in sports mythology, partly because limited video exists from his prime playing years. Similar to questioning the moon landing, some people have doubted Chamberlain’s 100-point game due to the era, despite existing radio coverage from that night in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
Hill appreciates performances like Adebayo’s and streaks like Gilgeous-Alexander’s because they introduce Chamberlain to younger fans.
“It’s another way of saying, well there was a Wilt Chamberlain,” Hill said.
However, some of Chamberlain’s records have been surpassed. Most recently, Joel Embiid established the 76ers’ scoring record with 70 points in January 2024, breaking Chamberlain’s franchise mark of 68 points that had lasted since December 16, 1967.
“Wilt never did this?” Embiid said in astonishment after the game.
Next comes the record Gilgeous-Alexander has pursued since scoring 30 points against Portland on November 1, 2024.
“It keeps the Big Fella’s legacy alive when people get close to a record or even break a record,” Olin Chamberlain said. “I’m not one of those people that says, hey, I don’t want to see anything broken. Don’t get me wrong, that 100-point game, that’s a legacy record. But the game is changing, these guys want to see their peers in the record books.”
Smith monitors the family chat where she says with laughter her cousins “bust it up and take it to another level.” There, they cheer for Adebayo, Gilgeous-Alexander, and all others pursuing Chamberlain’s records and his treasure trove of incredible achievements.
“We are so proud to have that legacy because everyone doesn’t,” Smith said. “To continue to just have him not being forgotten is key. His legacy and who he was is and who he was is still out there. People are still talking about him and want to still talk about him and know about him. That’s the key.”
Salisbury University’s track and field athletes have received major recognition following an outstanding indoor season performance.
The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association revealed yesterday that 16 Sea Gulls earned All-Region recognition for the 2026 NCAA Division III Indoor Track & Field campaign. The impressive showing placed these student-athletes on the Mid-Atlantic regional team.
The announcement from New Orleans highlights the strength of Salisbury University’s track and field program during the recently concluded indoor competition season. The USTFCCCA selections recognize top performers across various events throughout the region.
BEIRUT (AP) — Following evacuation warnings to civilians, Israeli forces launched airstrikes on a densely populated residential and commercial area in central Beirut, claiming they were targeting Hezbollah facilities. The military operation struck a structure in the Bashoura neighborhood on two occasions, representing the nearest assault to the city center since the conflict between Israel, the U.S., and Iran commenced.
This report features a collection of photographs selected by Associated Press photo editors.
JERUSALEM — The Israeli military announced Thursday it will not pursue charges against five soldiers who faced accusations of physically and sexually abusing a Palestinian prisoner, in an incident that was partially recorded on video.
The controversial ruling concluded a divisive case that has split Israeli society since the soldiers’ detention in 2024 at the Sde Teiman military facility. Their arrest sparked outrage among far-right government officials and extreme nationalist groups, who staged violent protests at the prison.
While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the military’s decision, human rights advocates condemned it as overlooking serious abuse within Israel’s wartime detention system.
“Israel’s military advocate general just gave his soldiers license to rape — so long as the victim is Palestinian,” declared Sari Bashi, who leads the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel, following the case dismissal. She characterized the ruling as “the latest in a long line of actions that whitewash abuses against detainees whose frequency and severity have worsened since Oct. 7, 2023.”
Netanyahu endorsed the outcome, stating that “the state of Israel must pursue its enemies, not its heroic fighters.”
The dropped criminal charges detailed allegations that the soldiers dragged a Palestinian detainee across the floor, trampled on him, used a taser, and committed sexual assault by penetrating his rectum with an object. Medical treatment at an Israeli hospital revealed the prisoner had suffered broken ribs and rectal injuries requiring surgical repair before his return to detention.
Public awareness of the abuse allegations intensified when Israeli media aired leaked surveillance footage of the incident in August 2024.
The recording depicted masked soldiers removing a handcuffed detainee from where he lay face-down with other Palestinians in an enclosed area, then moving him to a section they blocked from view with protective barriers.
Military legal officials justified Thursday’s dismissal by arguing the video evidence failed to demonstrate abuse severe enough for criminal prosecution and had been inappropriately disclosed to news outlets. They also cited the Palestinian victim’s release to Gaza as creating uncertainty about his availability to provide testimony during trial proceedings.
Following months of questions about the video’s leak, Military Advocate General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi — the military’s chief legal officer — revealed in November 2025 that she had authorized its public release. She explained her intention was to demonstrate the severity of the abuse and justify the military’s obligation to conduct an investigation.
After facing intense criticism from Netanyahu’s administration, she suddenly stepped down and vanished, prompting an urgent search that located her on a Tel Aviv beach without her phone. Authorities later retrieved the device, potentially containing evidence related to her case, from the ocean.
The Associated Press had previously examined claims of harsh treatment and abuse at Sde Teiman prior to the surveillance footage becoming public.
The detention center was established following the October 7, 2023 attacks to house Palestinians detained during Israel’s military campaign against Hamas in Gaza. The classified facility rapidly became controversial as staff members and former detainees reported instances of mistreatment and torture, leading Israeli civil rights organizations to petition the nation’s highest court for its closure.
Israel has faced ongoing criticism for allegedly failing to prosecute soldiers for offenses against Palestinians, with such accusations increasing during the Gaza conflict. Israeli officials maintain their forces operate within military and international legal frameworks and conduct thorough investigations of reported misconduct.
Security forces killed an armed individual Thursday after he crashed a vehicle into Temple Israel synagogue in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, according to a source speaking to The Associated Press.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard reported that the perpetrator deliberately drove through the synagogue’s entrance and continued down the hallway with clear intent, striking a security guard in the process.
“Security personnel opened fire on the vehicle,” Bouchard stated during a news conference.
The attacker was discovered deceased inside the vehicle, though Bouchard noted authorities have not yet determined the exact cause of death. The wounded security guard received medical treatment at a local hospital and is anticipated to recover fully.
According to an anonymous source familiar with the investigation, the vehicle ignited after the collision with the building. The individual, who carried a rifle during the assault, targeted what is considered the country’s largest Reform Jewish congregation.
Authorities continue efforts to establish the perpetrator’s identity and determine what motivated the attack. Officials emphasized the investigation remains in preliminary stages, with the source requesting anonymity due to the ongoing nature of the inquiry.
This incident occurs amid heightened security concerns at Jewish religious facilities worldwide, particularly following escalated tensions since the U.S. and Israel initiated military action against Iran with missile strikes on February 28.
Federal authorities have issued warnings about potential Iranian operative plans for drone strikes targeting California locations. Additionally, two individuals brought explosive devices to a far-right demonstration outside the New York mayor’s residence last Saturday, with investigators claiming Islamic State extremist ideology influenced their actions.
The Michigan attack mirrors a previous incident in Manchester, England, where an assailant used a vehicle to strike people near an Orthodox synagogue during Yom Kippur in October. That perpetrator killed two people with a knife before police fatally shot him.
Sheriff Bouchard confirmed that synagogue security engaged in armed confrontation with at least one individual, noting no suspects remained in custody following the incident.
The Treasury Department announced Thursday that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will conduct trade discussions with China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng over the weekend in Paris, setting the stage for President Trump’s planned state visit to Beijing that begins March 31.
While Beijing has not yet publicly acknowledged these weekend negotiations between Bessent and He, they appear to serve as preliminary preparations for the state visit, which China also has not officially confirmed. The White House has indicated Trump plans to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, with the visit widely viewed as an effort to maintain stability between the globe’s two biggest economies.
In a statement, Bessent said, “Thanks to the bonds of mutual respect between President Trump and President Xi, the trade and economic dialogue between the United States and China is moving forward. Under the guidance of President Trump, our team will continue to deliver results that put America’s farmers, workers, and businesses first.”
This will mark Trump’s first presidential trip to China since his 2017 visit during his initial term. The upcoming visit occurs five months following the leaders’ meeting in Busan, South Korea, where they established a one-year ceasefire in their trade dispute that had previously escalated tariffs to triple-digit levels before both nations stepped back.
Business leaders and policy experts plan to monitor the Bessent-He discussions closely for hints about potential deals when Trump and Xi convene in Beijing, particularly regarding whether China might increase purchases of American goods like soybeans and aircraft, and how both countries will address their trade deficit issues.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently described the coming period as a “big year” for U.S.-China relations. Though he stopped short of confirming the state visit, Wang noted that “the agenda of high-level exchange is already on the table.”
Wang added, “What the two sides need to do now is to make thorough preparations accordingly, create a suitable environment, manage the risks that do exist and remove unnecessary disruptions.”
Bessent and He have been spearheading trade discussions between both nations since the previous year, conducting meetings across multiple cities including Geneva, London, Stockholm, Madrid and Kuala Lumpur.
WASHINGTON — As military action against Iran has driven fuel costs sharply higher, President Donald Trump has changed his messaging strategy, now portraying elevated oil prices as beneficial rather than focusing on keeping energy costs affordable for consumers.
This shift in approach occurs while Trump’s administration has yet to present a concrete strategy for reopening the vital Strait of Hormuz, leaving numerous oil and natural gas tankers unable to navigate the crucial waterway.
“The United States is the largest Oil Producer in the World, by far, so when oil prices go up, we make a lot of money,” Trump posted Thursday on his social media platform.
This represents a dramatic change from just one month ago during his State of the Union speech, when Trump celebrated gasoline prices at $2.30 per gallon. That figure has now climbed over 50% to reach a nationwide average of $3.60 per gallon, based on AAA data.
This reversal highlights how Trump’s domestic political calculations now conflict with his international military objectives. The timing creates challenges for his party with November’s midterm elections approaching. While Trump previously credited elevated gas prices with helping him unseat former President Joe Biden, he expressed no concern Saturday about current rising costs potentially affecting voter sentiment or forcing an early end to the conflict.
Financial firm Goldman Sachs warned Thursday that their projections indicate higher oil prices will drive up inflation, slow economic growth, and increase unemployment rates by year’s end.
Oil prices on international markets have fluctuated dramatically in response to Trump’s changing statements and as shipping companies avoid the Strait of Hormuz. Thursday saw global crude oil benchmark prices reach $100 per barrel.
“The swings in Brent crude oil prices over the past several days are eye-catching and odds are volatility will remain because of the absence of a timeline for when the conflict will deescalate and when the Strait of Hormuz, which is effectively closed, will see traffic begin to recover,” analysts at the consultancy Oxford Economics concluded on Wednesday.
Trump has delivered conflicting statements regarding his plans to resolve the shipping crisis. During Monday’s press conference, he assured that the Strait of Hormuz “is going to remain safe” despite being designated a danger zone, asserting that U.S. Navy presence and tanker insurance would maintain security.
However, by Tuesday, he warned on Truth Social that Iran would face “Military consequences” at “a level never seen before” if mines were placed in the strait, later emphasizing that American forces were destroying Iran’s mine-laying vessels.
Wednesday brought another confusing development when Energy Secretary Chris Wright briefly posted that the U.S. Navy had successfully escorted a tanker through the waterway, only to delete the inaccurate statement shortly afterward.
Following initial reluctance to utilize strategic oil reserves, Trump announced Wednesday that America would coordinate with other nations to release oil supplies aimed at reducing prices. The administration later specified it would draw down 172 million barrels. However, experts suggest this coordinated international release will likely stabilize rather than significantly lower oil prices.
“Such a move will slow rather than stop rising oil prices and offer a temporary salve to the searing burn of rising gasoline prices,” said Joe Brusuelas, chief U.S. economist at the consultancy RSM.
The administration also indicated it might suspend Jones Act requirements mandating U.S.-flagged vessels for domestic port-to-port shipping. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt described this temporary measure as ensuring “vital energy products and agricultural necessities are flowing freely to U.S. ports.”
Energy Secretary Wright appeared on television Thursday to acknowledge the conflict was creating “a significant disruption” in immediate gas prices, while attempting to highlight long-term advantages of neutralizing Iran’s threat to America and Middle Eastern allies.
Despite Trump’s Wednesday assertion that “the straits are in great shape” and his suggestion that oil companies should utilize them, Wright could not specify when the U.S. Navy might begin escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, the bottleneck responsible for current price increases.
“It’ll happen relatively soon, but it can’t happen now,” Wright told CNBC. “We’re simply not ready. All of our military assets right now are focused on destroying Iran’s offensive capabilities.”
International divisions deepened Thursday as the United States and its Western partners faced off against Russia and China during a heated United Nations Security Council session focused on Iran’s nuclear activities.
During the meeting of the 15-nation council, which the U.S. currently leads, Moscow and Beijing attempted to prevent discussions regarding a committee responsible for monitoring and implementing UN sanctions against Iran. Their effort failed by a vote of 11-2 with two countries abstaining.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz criticized Russia and China for attempting to shield Iran from scrutiny by obstructing the work of what’s known as the 1737 Committee.
“All member states of the United Nations should be implementing an arms embargo against Iran, banning the transfer and trade of missile technology, and freezing relevant financial assets,” Waltz stated.
“The U.N. provisions to be re-imposed are not arbitrary, but instead, narrowly scoped to address the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear, missile and conventional arms programs and Iran’s ongoing support for terrorism,” he added.
Waltz alleged that both nations opposed an effective sanctions committee “because they want to protect their partner, Iran, and continue to maintain defense cooperation that is now once again prohibited.”
The American envoy highlighted that the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency recently confirmed Iran remains the sole non-nuclear weapon state globally to produce and stockpile uranium enriched to 60 percent levels, while denying IAEA inspectors access to these materials.
Russia’s UN representative Vasily Nebenzya countered that the United States and allies had “whipped up hysteria surrounding supposed plans Iran had to get a nuclear weapon” without IAEA verification.
“This was done in order to undertake yet another military venture against Tehran and to ensure great escalation of the situation in the Middle East and beyond,” he declared.
China’s delegate Fu Cong labeled Washington the “instigator” of the Iranian nuclear crisis, saying it had “resorted to blatant use of force against Iran during the negotiation process, which rendered the diplomatic efforts futile.”
President Donald Trump has pointed to Iran’s nuclear development as grounds for military action against the country. He claimed this month that Iran was just two weeks away from obtaining nuclear weapons before U.S. forces targeted three major nuclear facilities in June, though intelligence sources reportedly question this assessment.
Both Britain and France supported reinstating Iranian sanctions during the Security Council session, citing Tehran’s failure to address nuclear program concerns. France noted the IAEA could no longer verify the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear activities and stated Tehran possessed enough nuclear material for ten weapons.
Former President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that the United States is conducting high-level discussions with Cuban officials, asserting that Cuba is anxious to negotiate an agreement that would reduce tensions between the neighboring countries amid the island nation’s worsening economic struggles.
While Cuba’s leadership has rejected claims that formal negotiations are taking place, they have not specifically refuted media reports suggesting that American officials have been meeting with Raul Guillermo Rodriguez Castro, the grandson of Cuba’s former leader Raul Castro, who remains highly influential at age 94.
Cuba’s chief diplomatic representative to America indicated his nation is “ready to engage with the U.S.” regarding bilateral relationships, provided that Cuba’s independence and self-governance rights are honored, according to Thursday’s Los Angeles Times coverage.
“We are sure that it is possible to find a solution,” stated Ambassador Lianys Torres Rivera in her interview with the publication.
Should these discussions be occurring, they would coincide with America’s intensification of economic penalties against Cuba through an almost complete petroleum embargo, following the January 3 capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro by US forces, which eliminated a vital Cuban partner from leadership.
DOES RAUL CASTRO STILL HOLD POWER?
Raul Castro participated in the revolutionary struggle with his elder sibling Fidel that overthrew an American-supported government in 1959 and remained his brother’s dedicated defense secretary for many years. He rose to the presidency initially as an interim leader when Fidel became sick in 2006, then permanently assumed control when Fidel stepped down in 2008. Following Fidel’s passing in 2016, Raul became the sole unifying figure among supporters of the Cuban revolution.
He continues to maintain power despite relinquishing the presidency in 2018 and Communist Party leadership in 2021, now holding the ceremonial position of army general.
During his 2018 inauguration, current President Miguel Diaz-Canel declared that Raul Castro “will lead the most important decisions for the present and future of the nation.”
This influence was demonstrated as recently as December 2025, when Cuba’s Communist Party was preparing to select Diaz-Canel’s replacement at a crucial party congress this year. Raul Castro suggested delaying the congress indefinitely due to Cuba’s economic difficulties, and the party’s Central Committee unanimously supported his recommendation.
WHO IS RAUL GUILLERMO RODRIGUEZ CASTRO?
Nicknamed “El Cangrejo” or “The Crab” due to his hand condition, Rodriguez Castro, age 41, is considered among his grandfather’s most trusted advisers. Having served as Raul Castro’s former security detail, he remained close to his grandfather during Raul Castro’s presidential term, often appearing in Interior Ministry military dress. Reports indicate he holds the military rank of lieutenant colonel.
Cuban authorities did not respond to inquiries regarding Rodriguez Castro’s background or potential involvement in diplomatic discussions.
Axios reported on February 18, citing three anonymous sources, that Rodriguez Castro was conducting confidential discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The Miami Herald reported on February 26, based on unnamed sources, that officials connected to Rubio met with Rodriguez Castro during a regional Caribbean Community conference in St. Kitts and Nevis.
The Trump administration has been conducting confidential, senior-level discussions with multiple individuals within Raul Castro’s close circle, US Representative Mario Díaz-Balart informed the Miami Herald.
Rodriguez Castro is the child of Raul’s daughter Deborah Castro Espin and the deceased General Luis Alberto Rodriguez Lopez-Calleja, who led the military business organization GAESA. Throughout Raul Castro’s presidency, GAESA gained control over the government’s most significant enterprises, including hospitality, finance, logistics, and retail sectors. Rodriguez Lopez-Calleja passed away from cardiac arrest in 2022 at 62. Media sources indicate Rodriguez Castro may have assumed responsibilities within his deceased father’s enterprise.
This family background positions Rodriguez Castro at the convergence of Cuba’s political authority and its most influential economic entity, potentially making him a valuable intermediary for Washington.
Rodriguez Castro has never made public statements or participated in media interviews.
WHAT ABOUT ALEJANDRO CASTRO ESPIN?
If “El Cangrejo” is serving as an unofficial communication channel between Havana and Washington, he would be fulfilling a comparable function to his uncle and Raul Castro’s son, Alejandro Castro Espin, who led previously confidential negotiations that represented a significant policy change by the United States regarding Cuba during Barack Obama’s administration.
Family connections seem crucial. Neither of the younger Castro family members held formal diplomatic positions. Raul Castro similarly served as a trusted advisor to his older brother Fidel.
Alejandro Castro Espin, 60, is thought to have been marginalized after his father stepped down from office, although the Interior Ministry colonel may have been promoted to brigadier general.
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware women’s soccer program has elevated a key staff member to a higher position within the coaching ranks.
Head coach Kelly Lawrence announced Wednesday that Shannon Coley will take on the role of associate head coach, marking a significant step up for the longtime Blue Hens assistant.
Coley has served as an essential member of Delaware’s women’s soccer coaching staff for the past three seasons, helping guide the program through recent campaigns.
The promotion reflects Coley’s growing influence and contributions to the Blue Hens soccer program as Lawrence continues to build her coaching structure in Newark.
Unfortunately, the original article content appears to be incomplete or corrupted, showing only technical elements and attribution links rather than the full story details. The available information indicates that Sandy Ludeman, the inaugural chairman of the United Soybean Board, has been presented with the Tom Oswald Legacy Award for his contributions to the soybean industry.
Without access to the complete article content, specific details about the award ceremony, Ludeman’s accomplishments, or quotes from the recognition event cannot be provided at this time.
The Delaware State University women’s tennis squad put up a strong fight but ultimately fell to Towson University in a narrow 4-3 defeat on Saturday, March 7 in Towson, Maryland.
The Hornets showed resilience throughout the competitive match, managing to secure three victories against their opponents. Despite their determined effort, DSU was unable to overcome Towson’s slight edge in the closely contested battle.
The loss highlights the competitive nature of collegiate tennis, where matches can be decided by the smallest of margins. The Delaware State women’s tennis program continues to demonstrate their ability to compete at a high level against quality opposition.
Property owners in Virginia’s Northampton County now have access to a new tool designed to combat real estate fraud through an innovative alert system launched by the Circuit Court Clerk’s office.
The newly implemented VADeed Alert service provides free notifications to residents whenever official documents involving their property are filed with the court system. This proactive approach aims to help homeowners quickly identify and respond to potentially fraudulent activity targeting their real estate assets.
Deed fraud has become an increasingly concerning issue for property owners, as criminals attempt to illegally transfer ownership or use properties as collateral without the legitimate owner’s knowledge. The alert system serves as an early warning mechanism, notifying property owners immediately when any paperwork affecting their land or buildings is officially recorded.
Residents interested in enrolling in this protective service can sign up at no cost. The system represents part of ongoing efforts by local government officials to leverage technology in protecting citizens from sophisticated fraud schemes that target one of most people’s most valuable assets – their homes and property.
The Circuit Court Clerk’s office encourages all property owners in the county to take advantage of this preventive measure to safeguard their real estate investments and maintain awareness of all official activity involving their properties.
Communities across America are launching initiatives to provide no-cost childcare services as officials recognize the urgent need for family support. This nationwide movement extends far beyond New York City’s recent efforts to expand childcare access.
Local governments are examining this emerging pattern and exploring different methods to finance these programs. Officials are investigating various funding strategies to make childcare accessible to working families in their communities.
The trend reflects growing recognition among municipal and state leaders that affordable childcare represents a critical need for families and economic development in their regions.
A forgotten backpack outside the Dover Division of Motor Vehicles office led to a temporary evacuation Tuesday morning while authorities investigated the suspicious item.
Delaware Capitol Police launched their investigation after a DMV worker spotted the unattended package outside the Dover facility. Law enforcement officers arrived on scene and confirmed the presence of the suspicious item, leading to the precautionary evacuation of staff and customers from the building.
The Delaware State Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal team was called in to examine the package. After determining it posed no threat, officials gave the all-clear for people to return inside.
Police investigators were able to track down the person responsible for leaving the backpack. Their investigation revealed the individual had visited the DMV location the day before to conduct routine business and accidentally left the bag behind.
Authorities now believe the backpack was simply forgotten and found no indication of malicious intent or any attempt to disrupt DMV operations.
The incident began around 11:45 a.m. when police first responded to the scene. The DMV office was able to resume normal operations by approximately 1:30 p.m.
Crude oil experienced its steepest single-day decline since 2022 on Tuesday, dropping more than 10% as investors grew optimistic about potential de-escalation of Middle East conflicts. While stock markets in Asia and Europe posted significant gains, American markets moved in the opposite direction with U.S. equities closing slightly lower.
Market analysts are drawing comparisons between current stresses in private credit markets and the subprime mortgage crisis of 2007. Though this doesn’t necessarily signal an impending global financial crash, experts warn investors should remain vigilant about underlying market risks.
The trading day showcased unusual market dynamics, with timing proving especially critical for oil traders who faced record-breaking intraday price swings. Crude oil fluctuated within a $36 range on Monday, creating conditions where leveraged positions could generate or destroy significant wealth within minutes.
Market sensitivity to news headlines became apparent when oil prices extended their decline after U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright posted on social media about navy escorts through the Strait of Hormuz, suggesting supply constraints might be easing. However, the post was removed shortly after, causing oil to rebound approximately $10, with additional support from CBS reports indicating U.S. intelligence detected potential Iranian plans to deploy mines in the strategic waterway.
Key market movements included solid Asian gains, particularly South Korea’s 6% surge, and European benchmark indices rising as much as 3%. Conversely, the S&P 500 declined 0.2% while the Nasdaq and Dow ended flat. In U.S. sectors, only communications services and technology posted gains, while energy dropped 1.3%. Top Dow performers included 3M, Cisco, and Caterpillar, while Boeing, Salesforce, and Chevron led declines. Oracle jumped 8% in after-hours trading.
Currency markets saw the dollar weaken as safety demand diminished, with the Australian dollar leading G10 performers and Chile’s peso topping global gains at 2%. Bond markets experienced yield reversals, ending slightly higher at the long end with curve steepening of up to 4 basis points, though the three-year auction showed weakness.
Commodity markets reflected the day’s volatility, with oil tumbling 11% in choppy trading while gold declined 2%.
Meanwhile, China’s export engine accelerated dramatically, with shipments surging 22% in the first two months of 2024, more than tripling December’s growth rate and exceeding Reuters forecasts. The January-February trade surplus reached $213 billion. As tariffs reduce U.S.-bound shipments, Chinese trade with other regions is flourishing, potentially breaking last year’s record $1.2 trillion trade surplus. This contrasts sharply with German export data showing January’s fastest decline since May 2024.
Looking ahead, market watchers will monitor Middle East developments, energy market movements, Japanese wholesale inflation data, German CPI figures, European Central Bank officials’ speeches, U.S. Treasury’s $39 billion 10-year note auction, U.S. CPI inflation data, and Federal Reserve Vice Chair Michelle Bowman’s remarks on supervision and regulation.
Aerospace manufacturer Boeing has secured a substantial $289 million agreement with Israel to supply up to 5,000 precision-guided bombs, according to a source who spoke with Reuters on Tuesday.
The agreement is separate from current U.S.-Israeli military operations targeting Iran, with weapon deliveries not expected to commence for another 36 months, Bloomberg News previously reported, citing an individual with knowledge of the deal.
When approached for comment by Reuters, Boeing representatives declined to provide any statement.
The aircraft manufacturer’s Small Diameter Bomb represents a precision-guided weapon system that Israeli aircraft can deploy against targets located more than 40 miles away.
Database software giant Oracle Corporation experienced a significant stock price boost Tuesday evening, with shares climbing 8% in after-hours trading following the company’s optimistic projections about artificial intelligence revenue lasting through 2027.
The technology firm announced that surging demand for AI data center services will drive revenues well past what Wall Street analysts had predicted, helping to ease investor worries about whether Oracle’s expensive multi-billion dollar investment in AI infrastructure would deliver returns fast enough.
A crucial metric called remaining performance obligations, which indicates future contracted revenue, skyrocketed 325% compared to the previous year, reaching $553 billion and surpassing the $540.37 billion projection from four Visible Alpha analysts.
According to a company statement, the majority of this quarter’s RPO growth stems from major AI contracts where Oracle “does not expect to have to raise any incremental funds.”
Oracle also boosted its revenue projection for fiscal 2027 to $90 billion, exceeding analyst predictions of $86.6 billion based on LSEG data.
eMarketer analyst Jacob Bourne commented on the results, saying “Oracle’s quarter is a beat and a stress test result for the AI trade.” He added, “As the most debt-exposed major player in AI infrastructure, Oracle is the canary in the coal mine and this report suggests there’s underlying health in AI spending beyond the hype.”
The company, traditionally recognized for database software and business applications for financial services, has been transforming itself into a cloud computing infrastructure rival in recent years by hiring top executives from competing firms.
Oracle’s aggressive data center expansion strategy has allowed it to secure a portion of the rapidly growing artificial intelligence market. The firm has been investing heavily to expand its cloud infrastructure capabilities for generative AI applications, challenging major competitors like Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure.
The company also revealed it has been reorganizing its product development divisions, as emerging AI code generation tools allow it to create more software products faster with smaller teams.
Oracle posted total quarterly revenue of $17.19 billion, beating analysts’ average projection of $16.91 billion according to LSEG data.
Looking ahead to its current fiscal fourth quarter, Oracle forecasts adjusted earnings between $1.96 and $2.00 per share, above analysts’ expectations of $1.94 per share.
The company anticipates fourth-quarter revenue growth of 19% to 21%, matching analysts’ estimates of 20.2% growth to $19.12 billion. Oracle also projected cloud revenue growth of 46% to 50%, aligning with estimates of 48% growth to $9.98 billion, according to LSEG information.
WASHINGTON – The Atlanta Federal Reserve will cast a wide net in its search for a new president, according to board Chair Gregory Haile, who confirmed the selection process will consider candidates from across the country rather than focusing solely on the southeastern region.
Haile emphasized the importance of finding qualified applicants during a recent interview, stating the search committee’s priority is expanding their candidate pool. “We want the pool to be wide. We want to make sure that we embrace candidates who fit the mold to support the 6th District,” Haile explained as the selection process moves forward, with application reviews continuing and candidate interviews scheduled to start within approximately one month.
The Federal Reserve’s 6th District encompasses a diverse economic landscape, stretching from affluent Florida coastal communities to Atlanta’s corporate headquarters and Alabama’s agricultural areas.
According to Haile, previous connections to the district aren’t mandatory for potential candidates. “What we did want to make sure we created room for was ‘what’s it look like to have someone who we can be assured will engage in understanding the district?’ … that means not hesitating to go whether it’s Miami, whether it’s Red Bay, Alabama, whether it’s somewhere in Tennessee, to have a willingness to engage face to face,” he said.
Former President Raphael Bostic, originally from New Jersey and working as an academic in California before joining the Atlanta Fed, made extensive regional visits during his leadership and frequently addressed rural development and community concerns.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced in early December his intention to support requiring future regional bank presidents to have resided in their respective districts for three years, warning “we’re going to veto them” if they haven’t met this criterion. The December 15 announcement regarding Bostic’s successor search mentioned hopes to “identify a large pool of candidates who have meaningful ties to the Sixth Federal Reserve District.”
However, Haile indicated no such restrictions have been imposed on their current search efforts. While regional bank boards select presidents, the Washington-based Federal Reserve Board of Governors must approve these appointments.
“We haven’t had any engagement along those lines,” Haile noted. “That has actually not needed to be a consideration for us … the search has been going incredibly well. I haven’t felt the sense of any negative intrusion at all.”
This selection process occurs during a particularly complex period for the Federal Reserve system.
Bostic made history as both the first Black president and first openly gay leader among the Fed’s 12 regional banks, frequently advocating for addressing economic inequality while recognizing monetary policy’s limitations in directly tackling such issues.
The new appointment will take place amid criticism of diversity initiatives under the Trump administration and concerns about Federal Reserve independence, with Kevin Warsh expected to be confirmed as the new Fed chair this spring and President Trump pursuing greater influence over the central bank through additional appointments.
“I don’t think there’s a scenario where we don’t view this as one of the most important jobs in America,” Haile emphasized. “So there is a focus on getting the best candidate to service this district … and that is unwavering.”
Winter weather conditions are impacting New Castle County as snowfall with different levels of intensity has been reported throughout the area.
Delaware Department of Transportation officials are urging drivers to exercise extra caution while traveling on county roads during the ongoing snow event.
The varying degrees of snowfall intensity across different parts of New Castle County may create unpredictable driving conditions for motorists.
Residents are encouraged to allow additional travel time and maintain safe following distances while the winter weather persists in the region.
An individual who launched an assault on a Michigan synagogue by driving a vehicle into the building has died, according to federal ATF officials.
The incident unfolded at Temple Israel, where security personnel successfully confronted the attacker after the assault began with the vehicle collision into the synagogue structure.
Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard confirmed that security officers at the religious facility had “engaged the threat” following what appeared to begin as a vehicular attack on the building.
The confrontation between temple security and the assailant resulted in the attacker’s death, though additional details about the circumstances remain under investigation by federal and local authorities.
Two major international energy corporations, Chevron and Shell, are reportedly on the verge of finalizing substantial oil production agreements with Venezuela, marking the first significant petroleum contracts since U.S. forces captured President Nicolas Maduro in January, according to five sources familiar with the negotiations.
These agreements would enable both energy companies to increase production in highly sought-after oil regions within the South American nation, representing the most significant progress toward what U.S. President Donald Trump has described as a $100 billion initiative to reconstruct Venezuela’s petroleum industry following years of poor management and insufficient investment under both Maduro and former leader Hugo Chavez.
In late January, Venezuela’s National Assembly passed comprehensive changes to the nation’s primary oil legislation. The updated law provides foreign corporations with independence to operate, export, and market Venezuelan petroleum even when serving as minority partners alongside state-owned oil company PDVSA.
Sources indicate that Chevron and Venezuelan energy officials have reached preliminary agreement on terms to expand Chevron’s most significant oil operation, Petropiar, located in the extensive Orinoco Belt region.
Neither Venezuela’s oil ministry, PDVSA, nor Chevron responded to requests for comment.
The agreement would grant Chevron production rights in the Ayacucho 8 region, situated south of the existing Petropiar operation area, sources revealed. This substantial block contains confirmed oil reserves and would enable Chevron to significantly increase its extra-heavy oil production and exports.
According to sources, Chevron seeks to obtain reduced royalty rates for the new territory along with additional tax and trade benefits available to companies under recent legislation designed to develop new oil and gas regions. While PDVSA finished exploration and assessment work in Ayacucho approximately twenty years ago, the area remains mostly undeveloped.
Sources added that Chevron and PDVSA could expand their existing well-cluster production infrastructure from Petropiar into Ayacucho 8, enabling relatively rapid output increases. This project would become Chevron’s fifth oil region in Venezuela.
The development could establish Chevron as the largest private producer in the Orinoco region, which contains more than three-quarters of the country’s total crude reserves. Previously, rival American company ConocoPhillips held the position of top foreign producer in that area before departing Venezuela twenty years ago during widespread nationalizations.
According to a PDVSA document reviewed by Reuters, Chevron and PDVSA produced approximately 90,000 barrels per day of upgraded Hamaca crude and 20,000 barrels per day of vacuum gasoil at Petropiar last month. Venezuela’s overall production stands at roughly 1.05 million barrels per day.
Shell finalized preliminary oil and gas agreements with Venezuela last week during U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s visit to Caracas. Venezuelan officials did not publicly release specifics about these deals or identify the included fields.
Reuters obtained an official summary document revealing that Shell plans to develop the Carito and Pirital fields in the highly desirable Monagas North region in eastern Venezuela. These locations are among the limited areas in the country capable of producing light and medium crude oil plus natural gas, which oil companies value for blending to facilitate exports of Venezuela’s heavy oil.
Shell confirmed via email that it signed multiple agreements with the government, engineering firms Vepica and KBR, and oil-service company Baker Hughes. These agreements “formally articulate Shell’s intent to progress a variety of opportunities with Venezuela,” including offshore gas, onshore oil and gas, exploration, local content and workforce development. The company declined to provide field details or additional information to Reuters.
Monagas North aligns with Shell’s broader natural gas strategy due to its proximity to the country’s onshore gas infrastructure and areas with the highest gas flaring in Venezuela. Shell, M&P, and other companies have previously developed plans to reduce gas flaring by constructing necessary infrastructure to capture, process, and transport gas for export, potentially through Trinidad.
The Punta de Mata area, encompassing Pirital, Carito, and the nearby El Furrial field, generated approximately 94,000 barrels per day of crude and about 1.03 billion cubic feet per day of gas last month, according to independent data. Of that gas production, roughly 350 million cubic feet per day was flared.
Prior to this preliminary agreement, Shell’s sole Venezuelan project was the flagship Dragon offshore development near Trinidad. The company faced challenges advancing this project after the U.S. imposed sanctions on Venezuela’s energy sector in 2019. Shell had previously sold its interest in the flagship Urdaneta Oeste oilfield to French company Maurel & Prom in 2018.
PDVSA and the oil ministry are conducting discussions with approximately twelve joint venture partners interested in expanding operations to adjacent fields, established areas, or blocks designated as greenfields requiring infrastructure development.
Other companies seeking to expand their project areas to increase oil and gas production include Spain’s Repsol and M&P, sources reported. Repsol represents the foreign partner with the largest outstanding debt in Venezuela, totaling over $5 billion accumulated during sanctions, the company stated last month.
Chevron and Venezuela’s government are also negotiating the U.S. company’s return of two undeveloped offshore natural gas areas to Venezuela at the Plataforma Deltana project on the maritime boundary with Trinidad and Tobago, which could be reopened for private investment.
The terms for Chevron to relinquish those stakes remain unclear. Chevron prioritizes oil rather than gas production in Venezuela.
Venezuela initiated a comprehensive review of all oil and gas projects in February, beginning with production sharing contracts signed by Maduro’s administration with lesser-known companies, and recently extending to joint ventures with larger partners. The government is requesting project documentation from participating companies, sources indicated.
PDVSA has assumed control of administration and oil sales for many production sharing contracts during the review, temporarily suspending them. Oil ministry officials have informed oil executives they expect to complete the review by the end of March, sources said.
Oil ministry officials have informed oil executives that inactive projects or those failing to meet investment targets could face contract revocation under the review.
The U.S. government is also thoroughly examining company credentials and sanctions compliance before approving any existing or new partners, separate sources reported.
Officials in Eswatini confirmed Thursday that four additional African migrants have been deported to their country by the United States.
The deportees represent the third shipment of migrants that the Trump administration has transferred to the small African kingdom. These individuals are among more than 40 people who have been sent to various African countries through largely confidential agreements with at least seven nations, drawing criticism from human rights organizations.
The Trump administration has established similar third-country deportation arrangements with Ghana, Rwanda, Uganda, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and South Sudan.
According to a government statement, the most recent arrivals to the landlocked nation of Eswatini consisted of one person from Tanzania, one from Sudan, and two from Somalia, all of whom will eventually be returned to their home countries. Officials did not release their identities or specify their current location.
Beginning last July, the United States has transferred at least 19 individuals across three separate groups to Eswatini as part of its strict immigration enforcement policies. U.S. officials described the initial five-person group sent in July as convicted criminals subject to deportation orders. One Jamaican citizen from that original group was successfully returned to Jamaica in September.
Eswatini’s government announced Thursday that another foreign national has obtained the necessary travel documentation and “will be departing the country shortly.” Officials added that negotiations with other home countries continue for the remaining individuals.
Following the arrival of this latest group, Eswatini’s government stated it “reiterates its commitment to ensuring that the rights and dignity of the third-country nationals are upheld while they remain in the country.”
The deportation program involving Eswatini, a small monarchy adjacent to South Africa where the king maintains absolute authority and faces accusations of suppressing democratic movements, has generated opposition from local civil society organizations.
According to a report published last month by Democratic staff members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the Trump administration has allocated at least $40 million to deport approximately 300 migrants to nations other than their countries of origin across Africa, Central America and other regions.
WASHINGTON — Cybersecurity professionals are sounding alarms as Iranian-supported hacking organizations expand their digital assault on American companies and infrastructure amid ongoing Middle Eastern conflicts.
Iranian-backed cyber groups took credit for a major digital assault on Wednesday targeting Stryker, a Michigan-based medical technology corporation. Since late February when hostilities began, these digital attackers have attempted to compromise surveillance cameras across Middle Eastern nations to enhance Iran’s missile guidance systems. Their targets have included regional data facilities, Israeli industrial sites, a Saudi Arabian educational institution, and a Kuwaiti airport.
Tehran has made substantial investments in developing offensive digital warfare capabilities while building relationships with various hacking organizations. Over recent years, Iranian-aligned groups have breached former President Donald Trump’s campaign email servers, attempted to compromise American water treatment facilities, and sought to infiltrate military and defense contractor networks.
Their strategy focuses on weakening American military operations, increasing energy costs, overwhelming cybersecurity resources, and inflicting maximum damage on companies supporting the defense sector.
“Something is going to happen because the gloves are off,” stated Kevin Mandia, who founded cybersecurity firms Mandiant and Armadin.
A collective calling itself Handala, which supports Iranian and Palestinian causes, claimed responsibility for disrupting Stryker’s operations. The group justified their attack as revenge for alleged American strikes that reportedly killed Iranian students.
Unlike financially motivated cybercriminals, Handala operates from ideological convictions, explained Ismael Valenzuela, who serves as vice president of threat intelligence at Arctic Wolf cybersecurity company.
“What distinguishes this group is its clear focus on data destruction rather than financial extortion,” Valenzuela noted in written comments.
Polish investigators are examining a recent cyber incident targeting a nuclear research center that may connect to Iran, though officials acknowledge other groups might be responsible and using current conflicts to hide their true identity.
Moving forward, American defense contractors, government suppliers, and Israeli business partners face heightened risk, along with essential infrastructure including medical centers, shipping ports, water treatment plants, electrical grids, and transportation systems.
Iranian-affiliated hackers openly share their strategies through Telegram and similar online platforms.
“The datacenters need to be taken out,” one user posted, according to research from the SITE Intelligence Group. “They host the brains of USAs military communication and targeting systems.”
These digital operations also serve intelligence gathering purposes — such as Iran’s attempts to access neighboring countries’ camera systems to improve missile accuracy. Breaking into American networks would provide insight into military strategies and supply chain operations.
Recent military strikes against Iran and internet disruptions may have temporarily reduced Tehran’s cyber capabilities. However, security experts predict Iranian hackers and their supporters will pursue quick wins by exploiting America’s most vulnerable cybersecurity weaknesses.
Frequently, municipal water systems and healthcare organizations lack sufficient funding and expertise to implement current software updates or other protective measures. This makes them attractive targets due to both their accessibility and the public alarm such disruptions create.
Attack methods may include denial-of-service campaigns that overwhelm networks to block legitimate users, website alterations that prevent customer communication, and hack-and-leak schemes threatening to publish stolen confidential information.
The techniques aren’t particularly advanced, according to Shaun Williams, a former FBI and CIA operative now serving as senior director at SentinelOne cybersecurity firm. However, organizations that have neglected their digital security could face severe consequences, he warned.
“Patch your systems. Ensure your firewalls and security solutions are up to date,” Williams advised. “Remove your stale accounts. All the cyber hygiene that you should be doing, it’s more critical now than ever. Prepare for disruption.”
While Russia and China pose the most significant cyber risks to America, with North Korea emerging as an increasing threat, Iran compensates for limited resources through creative approaches, specialists note.
Recently, Tehran’s digital operatives have masqueraded as American activists online to secretly promote anti-Israel demonstrations on university campuses. They’ve established fraudulent news sites and social media profiles designed to spread misleading information before major elections.
During 2024, Iranian hackers penetrated Trump’s campaign email system and subsequently attempted to distribute files they claimed to have stolen. Iran-connected hackers also tried accessing WhatsApp accounts belonging to both Trump and his Democratic rival, President Joe Biden.
This activity led the Department of Homeland Security to release a public alert about Iranian cyber dangers.
“Iran and especially the proxies don’t care how big or smart you are. This is about making an impact, about creating chaos,” said James Turgal, a cybersecurity specialist with 22 years of FBI experience who now works as vice president at Denver-based Optiv security firm.
Analysts are monitoring whether Russia, China, or their allied hacking groups will assist Iran with digital attacks designed to undermine American operations and complicate sustained military engagement.
Although China has maintained a cautious stance, evidence suggests pro-Iranian hackers in Russia are already active. CrowdStrike cybersecurity researchers identified increased activity from Russian hackers supporting Tehran since conflicts began.
A group called Z-Pentest claimed responsibility for disrupting multiple American networks, including closed-circuit camera systems.
The attack timing indicates hackers were targeting American interests due to Iranian conflicts, according to Adam Meyers, who leads counter adversary operations at CrowdStrike.
“Western organizations should continue to remain on high-alert,” Meyers stated.
Oregon may soon add a stunning natural landmark to its public holdings after legislators intervened to purchase a beloved waterfall that appeared on the real estate market.
Abiqua Falls, featuring a dramatic 92-foot plunge down a columnar basalt cliff face, has remained in private hands for more than 100 years while staying open for public visits. Earlier this year, The Abbey Foundation of Oregon, a nonprofit supporting a Benedictine monk community, decided to sell the property.
When the natural wonder appeared on Redfin, concerned nature enthusiasts feared losing access to the site. However, lawmakers from both parties came together during the final days of the legislative session to authorize $2.1 million for the purchase.
“It’s not every day where you see a waterfall come up for sale on Redfin or Realtor.com with no price,” said Travis Williams, president of the Willamette River Preservation Trust, a conservation nonprofit. “The public was really confused and fearful that the site would be closed off.”
Located approximately 30 miles east of Salem and about 50 miles south of Portland, the waterfall requires visitors to navigate a rugged dirt road followed by a challenging downhill trek. The path is so demanding that previous hikers have installed ropes at certain points to help others navigate the terrain.
Republican state Sen. Fred Girod, who represents the area containing the waterfall, issued a statement saying “Oregon is pledging that Abiqua Falls will continue to be protected and accessible for generations to come.”
Mount Angel Abbey originally obtained the waterfall property in 1908, later transferring ownership to The Abbey Foundation of Oregon in 2002, according to foundation communications director Amanda Staggenborg.
“We just realized that it was time,” she said. “There were a lot of people that were hiking on the property, and while we welcome that, we wanted to ensure that the proper stewardship was overseeing it.”
The foundation launched an open auction for the property in early February without setting minimum or maximum bid requirements, Staggenborg explained. They accepted the state’s proposal submitted through the approved legislation.
Before finalizing the transaction, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department must conduct thorough due diligence, including environmental and archaeological assessments, according to spokesperson Katie Gauthier.
The site won’t automatically become a state park, which would require additional funding, Gauthier noted. Management could fall to local governments, tribal authorities, or other state departments.
“Abiqua Falls is a beautiful but very remote and difficult-to-access site, and we are concerned about the impact managing a property like this could have on an already stretched state park system and our current budget shortfall,” Gauthier said.
Public reaction on the Willamette River Preservation Trust’s social media channels showed support for state ownership, though some expressed concerns about potential entrance fees and increased visitor traffic.
The trust, which submitted its own bid shortly after the listing went live, endorsed the state’s acquisition effort, Williams said.
“It has a sense of spirituality about it,” he said. “It’s just gorgeous.”
WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. — An individual who launched an attack on a Michigan synagogue has died, according to a source with knowledge of the incident who spoke with The Associated Press following reports that security personnel exchanged gunfire at what’s considered America’s largest Reform synagogue.
The source verified the death occurred at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township but declined to share further details. Speaking anonymously due to the active nature of the investigation, the source indicated no additional injuries were reported.
Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard had previously stated during a press briefing that synagogue security personnel had exchanged shots with at least one individual, noting that nobody was in police custody at that time.
Local television station WDIV reported that a vehicle had collided with the synagogue structure. Video from the location showed smoke rising from the building’s rooftop, with numerous law enforcement vehicles encircling the property.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that federal agents had responded to what he described as “an apparent vehicle ramming and active shooter situation” at the religious facility.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s department stated that officials were conducting a thorough search of the premises. Approximately twelve parents rushed to retrieve their children from the synagogue’s early childhood learning facility after receiving police clearance. The West Bloomfield School District implemented lockdown procedures.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer released a statement indicating she was monitoring the situation’s developments.
“This is heartbreaking,” the governor said. “Michigan’s Jewish community should be able to live and practice their faith in peace.”
Temple Israel identifies itself as America’s largest Reform synagogue, serving 12,000 members according to its online presence. The facility houses an early childhood education program and provides various educational opportunities for families and adults.
The synagogue’s website describes the organization as “passionate about helping Jewish communities across the globe” with a mission to “create a community building through the lens of Reform Judaism.”
The Jewish Federation of Detroit issued guidance for all area Jewish institutions “to go into lockout protocol — nobody in or out of your building.”
A major Brazilian pharmaceutical company is setting its sights on global expansion after completing a massive acquisition deal worth more than half a billion dollars.
EMS, owned by Grupo NC holding, completed the purchase of Medley, Sanofi’s Brazilian generic drug manufacturing division, for over $500 million last week. The transaction solidifies EMS’s position as a leading generic medication producer in Latin America’s biggest economy.
As the company works to integrate its new Medley acquisition, leadership is already considering additional purchases throughout its current operational territories including Brazil, Mexico, and Eastern Europe, according to Thiago Tavares, who serves as CEO of parent company Grupo NC holding. Tavares shared these plans during a Tuesday interview.
“We should also look beyond Brazil to expand our operations and truly become a more global company,” Tavares explained, noting that EMS used its own funds to finance the Medley purchase.
The executive expressed optimism about future acquisition opportunities, particularly in international markets. “I see us with major possibilities for acquisitions, especially abroad,” Tavares stated, outlining intentions to grow the company’s presence in the United States, where it currently maintains a preoperational facility, sometime after 2030.
If Brazilian antitrust authority CADE approves the Medley transaction, EMS could control approximately 30% of Brazil’s generic drug market, Tavares projected. He anticipates regulatory approval will proceed smoothly given the presence of strong market competitors including Cimed and Eurofarma.
Beyond the Medley acquisition, EMS has additional growth strategies in development. The company is preparing to introduce its own semaglutide-based injection devices pending approval from Brazilian health regulator Anvisa, Tavares revealed.
Brazil’s patent protection for semaglutide, the key component in Novo Nordisk’s popular diabetes and weight management medication Ozempic, is nearing expiration. This will allow Brazilian manufacturers to develop their own generic alternatives.
Competitor Hypera previously announced plans to release its semaglutide generic version during the current year.
While Tavares expects to finalize decisions regarding the semaglutide product launch soon, he couldn’t provide a specific timeline. “I think the product has already been more than sufficiently tested, so once the approval comes through, we’ll launch it,” he said. “It’s very feasible to launch it this year.”
President Donald Trump expressed concerns Thursday about Iran’s men’s soccer team participating in the upcoming 2026 World Cup, citing safety worries amid escalating regional tensions.
Writing on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated: “The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.”
The comments follow Wednesday’s announcement from Iran’s sports minister, who indicated his country’s athletes may not be able to compete following recent U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Tehran. These attacks have sparked a broader regional conflict that continues to intensify.
The upcoming tournament, featuring 48 teams, is set to take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 through July 19. Iran’s team has games scheduled in both Los Angeles and Seattle.
Should Iran formally withdraw from the tournament—which hasn’t occurred yet—it would mark the first such decision in modern World Cup history. FIFA would then face the challenging task of securing a replacement team on short notice.
Notably absent from last week’s FIFA planning conference in Atlanta, Iran was the sole qualifying nation that didn’t attend the World Cup preparation meeting.
FIFA has yet to respond to requests for comment. The organization notably presented Trump with its first-ever peace prize late last year, as the former president continues his campaign for the Nobel Peace Prize.
The situation has also affected Iranian women’s soccer. This week, Australia provided humanitarian visas to five female Iranian players who requested asylum, expressing fears of persecution if they returned home after refusing to sing their national anthem during an Asia Cup game.
Trump had previously encouraged Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to offer sanctuary to the Iranian women’s team members, indicating the United States would step in if Australia declined to help.
Cleveland made significant roster moves Thursday, cutting ties with veteran offensive tackle Jack Conklin while bringing back their record-breaking punter Corey Bojorquez.
The Browns parted ways with the 31-year-old Conklin, a two-time All-Pro selection whose recent seasons have been marred by persistent injuries. Last season proved particularly challenging for the lineman, who appeared in only eight contests before missing the final two games due to back-to-back concussions.
Conklin’s injury struggles have been ongoing since joining Cleveland as a free agent in 2020. Over his four-year tenure with the Browns, he was unavailable for 44 out of 101 possible games. Despite these setbacks, the team had committed to him with a four-year, $60 million contract extension in December 2020, later restructured to run through the 2025 season.
The Michigan State product entered the NFL as Tennessee’s first-round draft pick in 2016, selected eighth overall. During his rookie campaign, he earned both first-team All-Pro honors and a spot on the All-Rookie team. He repeated his All-Pro achievement in 2020. Throughout his career, Conklin maintained perfect availability when healthy, starting every regular season game he played – 114 total – plus seven playoff contests.
Meanwhile, the Browns secured their special teams standout by re-signing Bojorquez, whose 2024 performance dominated NFL punting statistics. The 29-year-old specialist topped the league with 91 punts covering 4,165 yards, producing a 45.8-yard average per kick.
Bojorquez has established himself as one of Cleveland’s most consistent performers, setting multiple franchise punting records. His 49.4-yard average and 42.5-yard net average, both achieved in 2023, represent team single-season bests. This past season, he added another Browns record with 36 punts landing inside the 20-yard line.
The veteran punter brings extensive experience from stops with Buffalo (2018-20) and Green Bay (2021) before joining Cleveland. Across his seven-year career spanning 124 games, he has averaged 47.1 yards per punt on 546 attempts totaling 25,695 yards, with 205 punts downed inside the 20-yard line.
Italian regulators have imposed a hefty 17.6 million euro penalty on the country’s largest financial institution, Intesa Sanpaolo, following violations involving unauthorized use of customer information affecting approximately 2.4 million account holders.
The banking giant transferred customers to its digital banking platform Isybank without obtaining proper authorization, according to Italy’s data protection regulatory body announced Thursday.
Officials determined that the financial institution created customer profiles based on specific criteria including age (those younger than 65), how often clients used online banking services, and details about their investment portfolios and assets.
These profiling practices resulted in significant impacts on customers, including potential account transfers to different data management systems and one-sided modifications to their banking agreements.
Regulators criticized the bank’s customer communication strategy during the transition process, noting that notifications were frequently distributed during summer months and buried in the mobile application’s archive area without sending alerts to users.
When determining the penalty amount, officials considered both the substantial number of affected customers and the bank’s unintentional violations, while also factoring in the institution’s willingness to assist throughout the regulatory review.
Intesa Sanpaolo has not yet provided a response to the fine.
The Walt Disney Company announced Thursday that it has promoted Paul Roeder, a quarter-century company employee, to the position of senior executive vice president and chief communications officer, with the role beginning March 19.
This leadership adjustment represents another shift in Disney’s executive structure following last month’s appointment of Josh D’Amaro as the entertainment company’s new chief executive officer, replacing long-serving CEO Bob Iger.
Prior to his promotion, Roeder held the position of executive vice president of communications overseeing Disney Entertainment Studios, Direct-to-Consumer, and International divisions.
In his new capacity, Roeder will answer directly to incoming CEO D’Amaro while managing global communications operations and functioning as the company’s primary public spokesperson.
“He has a passion for Disney and a deep understanding of what it stands for, and I know he’ll do an outstanding job leading our exceptional Communications teams worldwide,” D’Amaro said.
Roeder began his Disney career in 2001 with the company’s ABC communications division and has overseen studio communications since 2010, guiding messaging through major corporate purchases including Lucasfilm and 21st Century Fox.
Good evening, Delmarva! We’re wrapping up Tuesday with some pleasant conditions across the peninsula tonight. Expect mostly clear skies with temperatures settling around a comfortable 53 degrees. Light south winds at about 5 mph will keep things calm and peaceful.
Looking ahead to Wednesday, we’ll see a nice start to the day with mostly sunny skies and temperatures climbing to a beautiful 77 degrees – perfect spring weather! However, don’t let that sunshine fool you completely. We’re tracking changes moving in as we head into Wednesday evening, with a slight chance of rain showers developing.
The weather pattern shifts more significantly Wednesday night into Thursday. Those shower chances increase, and we could see some thunderstorms rolling through the area. Temperatures will drop back to around 53 degrees Wednesday night, then rise to 59 Thursday as rain showers become likely.
Bottom line: enjoy that gorgeous Wednesday weather, but keep the umbrella handy for later in the week. Stay weather-aware, Delmarva, and have a wonderful evening!
Applied Materials announced Tuesday that it has formed a strategic alliance with SK Hynix to fast-track the creation of sophisticated memory technologies needed for artificial intelligence and powerful computing systems.
The collaboration will focus on advancing DRAM technology and high-bandwidth memory solutions that are essential components for AI applications and high-performance computing environments. The partnership aims to accelerate innovation in these critical memory technologies as demand continues to grow in the rapidly expanding AI sector.
Drivers traveling on Interstate 95 northbound are experiencing significant delays after a vehicle accident forced the closure of two right lanes at the Southern Split location.
According to Delaware Department of Transportation officials, the crash has blocked traffic in the right lanes, creating a bottleneck for commuters during what is typically a busy travel corridor.
Authorities are working to clear the scene and restore normal traffic flow. Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and consider using alternative routes when possible.
No additional details about the nature of the accident or any potential injuries have been released at this time.
Motorists traveling eastbound on Harmons Hill Road, also known as Route 302, are encountering traffic delays due to a construction-related lane closure today.
The affected stretch runs between Indian Mission Road (Routes 5/23) and Hollyville Road, with the lane restriction scheduled to remain in place until 4:30 PM this afternoon.
Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time and consider alternate routes if possible to avoid potential delays in the area.
Traffic is at a standstill on northbound Route 1 near Exit 114 after a vehicle caught fire, prompting authorities to shut down both lanes of the highway.
The Delaware Department of Transportation is monitoring the situation and has issued alerts about the closure through their traffic incident reporting system.
Motorists traveling north on Route 1 should expect significant delays and are advised to seek alternate routes while emergency crews work to clear the scene and extinguish the vehicle fire.
No additional details about the cause of the fire or potential injuries have been released at this time.
A decorated Vietnam War veteran who broke barriers as one of the first African American officers to command Green Beret units has finally received recognition that was long overdue. Paris Davis earned the nation’s highest military honor through his courageous service during the Vietnam conflict, but it took nearly six decades before he was properly acknowledged with the Medal of Honor.
Davis made history as a trailblazing leader among the elite Special Forces, serving with distinction during one of America’s most challenging military engagements. His extraordinary valor and leadership in combat merited the Medal of Honor, yet bureaucratic delays and systemic issues prevented him from receiving this recognition for almost 60 years.
MEXICO CITY — Standing 16 feet tall with the features of an infant, an enormous Baby Jesus statue has made its way to one of Mexico City’s most challenging neighborhoods this week, carrying a powerful message of hope and unity.
The massive religious figure arrived in Tepito, a district famous for its vibrant street markets and deep community ties, but also notorious for persistent criminal activity. Local residents welcomed the statue with prayers, offerings, and a special Mass ceremony.
“The Baby Jesus means everything to me and my family because we are very Catholic,” explained Guillermo Ramírez, a neighborhood resident who organized the logistics for bringing the statue to Tepito. “By bringing it here, I want to show that there are good people in Tepito.”
The 49-year-old musician first encountered the enormous Baby Jesus figure in 2024 while visiting a neighboring area. Witnessing the deep devotion it inspired among worshippers, he believed his own community would benefit from such a visit. He contacted the family who owns the statue, leading to its inaugural appearance in Tepito later that same year.
“Since it represents peace, we hope for peace in our neighborhood, in our family,” shared Ramírez’s wife, Alma Cravioto.
Brothers Abraham and his sibling created this remarkable Baby Jesus sculpture in 2013. Abraham Gómez, the lead artist, described the inspiration behind their work.
“This began as a project called ‘Walk for Peace and Good,’ intended to promote and spread values in families, towns and neighborhoods through sacred art,” Gómez explained.
The traveling statue has visited communities throughout the Mexican states of Puebla, Tlaxcala and Jalisco, particularly targeting areas where drug-related violence impacts local residents.
“Insecurity has complicated our visits lately,” Gómez acknowledged. “But that’s why we think these activities are more necessary than ever.”
Constructed with a steel framework and layers of polyurethane foam and resin strengthened with fiberglass, the sculpture weighs approximately half a ton. Gómez drew inspiration from the smaller Baby Jesus figurines beloved by Mexican Catholics, who traditionally dress these images before Candlemas on February 2nd.
The brothers transport their creation in an enormous basket secured to a flatbed truck. Each journey includes a procession leading to a local church or gathering place, where believers can present offerings and a priest conducts Mass.
Following Monday evening’s arrival in Tepito, dozens of neighbors surrounded the towering figure as music and prayers echoed through the streets. Community members also shared “atole,” a traditional warm beverage made from corn.
“For us, the important thing is not just bringing the statue so visitors can take photos,” Gómez emphasized. “It’s that they leave with a message that stays in their hearts.”
On Tuesday, the giant Baby Jesus was repositioned from lying down to sitting upright. Following Mexican tradition of dressing such figures, local residents adorned the statue with traditional fabrics featuring Huichol art patterns, representing the colorful Indigenous culture from western Mexico.
“We want to reclaim the traditions of our ancestral communities,” Gómez stated. “To show that Mexico is a blend of cultures, shaped by both Spanish heritage and Indigenous roots.”
Tepito resident María Concepción Franco expressed her excitement about having the figure visit her neighborhood, having encountered it previously elsewhere.
“This is a blessing for me,” she declared. “He has granted me miracles and I have asked much of him.”
Throughout the years, friends and family members have gifted Franco various Baby Jesus images. She displays some in her home while carrying one in her purse.
“He helps me stay strong despite all difficulties,” Franco said. “I don’t have any children, but I am really devoted to him.”
A federal judge in Manhattan pressed more than two dozen states on Tuesday to resolve their antitrust lawsuit against Ticketmaster and Live Nation Entertainment by week’s end, following the Justice Department’s separate settlement that removed federal prosecutors from the ongoing trial.
During a court hearing, Dan Wall, an attorney representing Live Nation Entertainment, informed Judge Arun Subramanian that the likelihood of all remaining states agreeing to settle their claims by Friday was essentially nonexistent.
Wall explained his pessimistic outlook stemmed from recent negotiations between the entertainment conglomerate and state officials over the previous week. He noted that different states are seeking varying forms of relief in their cases.
“There are too many parties,” Wall explained to the court. “We want to stick the landing here. Get it down. And we won’t stick the landing by Friday.”
Wall later emphasized his position, stating: “There is zero chance we get this done by Friday.”
Judge Subramanian responded with humor, remarking: “Not with that attitude.”
Despite the pessimistic forecast, the judge convinced attorneys from both sides to conduct negotiations within the Manhattan federal courthouse throughout the week. He wants to assess their progress before determining whether to approve the states’ mistrial motion and schedule a new trial, or continue with proceedings that began last week.
“Right now you should be focused on can we make a deal,” the judge instructed, offering conference rooms throughout the building for their discussions. He even volunteered his personal robing room as workspace, adding: “I want to see if we can get a deal done here.”
Live Nation’s president and CEO Michael Rapino was present for Tuesday’s courthouse discussions.
The Justice Department announced Monday that it had resolved its antitrust case against Ticketmaster, characterizing the agreement as a consumer victory that would dismantle an unlawful monopoly controlling live entertainment across America.
During the trial proceedings, government attorneys and representatives from 39 states plus the District of Columbia argued that Live Nation and Ticketmaster were eliminating competition and inflating ticket prices for consumers. They alleged the companies used intimidation, retaliation and other aggressive strategies to “suffocate the competition” by dominating nearly every sector of the entertainment industry, from concert promotion to ticket sales. The defendants maintained that performers, sports organizations and venues determine pricing and sales methods.
State officials immediately criticized the Justice Department’s settlement announcement. North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson characterized it as “a terrible deal.”
Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat who serves on the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law, said Monday the new agreement resembled previous Justice Department deals that failed to stop Live Nation’s monopolistic behavior.
Klobuchar commended states for rejecting the deal and expressed concern that it was revealed one month after the Justice Department’s antitrust division leader was removed from office.
Court filings show Live Nation committed to allowing up to half of all tickets at amphitheaters under its ownership, operation or control to be distributed through alternative ticketing platforms.
The company also agreed to limit service charges at those venues to 15% and sell its ownership or relinquish control of 13 amphitheaters, including facilities in Milwaukee, Cincinnati, Syracuse, New York, and Austin, Texas. Live Nation will establish a $280 million settlement fund to resolve claims or cover civil penalties for participating states.
However, no funds will be distributed unless states agree to settle. A Justice Department spokesperson said Monday that at least 10 states had committed to joining the federal settlement.
State attorneys indicate that more than two dozen states remain opposed to the proposed agreement.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s newly appointed supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, delivered his inaugural public remarks regarding the ongoing conflict on Thursday, though he remained off-camera while a television presenter read his statement.
The religious leader provided no details about his health status or current whereabouts during the address. Intelligence reports from Israel suggest he sustained injuries during the initial stages of the war.
Khamenei is believed to be hiding in an undisclosed, heavily protected facility to evade Israeli assassination attempts. His predecessor and father, former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, died in a coordinated Israeli-American strike that marked the beginning of hostilities.
Several significant statements emerged from his address:
Regarding regional military installations, he declared: “These countries must clarify their position regarding those who have attacked our beloved homeland and killed members of our people. I recommend that they shut down those bases as soon as possible, because by now they must have realized that the United States’ claims of providing security and peace have been nothing more than a lie.”
On strategic military options, he stated: “The lever of closing the Strait of Hormuz must certainly continue to be used as well. Studies have also been conducted on opening other fronts in which the enemy has little experience and would be highly vulnerable. Their activation will take place, if the wartime situation continues and in accordance with considerations of expediency.”
Describing his father’s death, he shared: “I had the honor of seeing his body after his martyrdom. What I saw was a mountain of steadfastness, and I was told that the fist of his intact hand had been clenched.”
Promising vengeance, Khamenei declared: “I assure everyone that we will not refrain from avenging the blood of your martyrs. The retaliation we have in mind is not limited only to the martyrdom of the great leader of the Revolution; rather, every member of the nation who is martyred by the enemy constitutes a separate case in the file of revenge.”
He elaborated on planned retribution: “A limited portion of this retaliation has already taken tangible form, but until it is fully achieved, this file will remain open above other cases. We will be especially sensitive regarding the blood of our children. Therefore, the crime the enemy deliberately committed against the Shajareh-Tayyebeh school in Minab, and some similar cases, holds a special status in this process of accountability.”
Concluding his message, he expressed gratitude to Iranian forces: “Our sincere thanks go to our brave fighters who, at a time when our nation and beloved homeland have been unjustly attacked by the leaders of the front of arrogance, have blocked the enemy’s path with their powerful blows and dispelled their illusion of being able to dominate our beloved country or possibly divide it.”
A Chicago-based librarian has transformed a real-world controversy over banned books into a compelling graphic novel that explores censorship in schools.
Jarrett Dapier, who works as a librarian, has authored a graphic novel that recreates the 2013 incident when Chicago Public Schools limited student access to “Persepolis,” the acclaimed memoir by Marjane Satrapi.
The book presents a fictional retelling of the actual events that unfolded more than a decade ago, when school officials placed restrictions on Satrapi’s autobiographical work about growing up during the Islamic Revolution in Iran.
Dapier’s graphic novel offers readers insight into the complexities surrounding book challenges in educational environments, drawing directly from the real experiences that occurred within the Chicago school system.
The work represents a creative approach to documenting and discussing the ongoing debates about which materials should be available to students in school libraries and classrooms.
POMPEII, Italy (AP) — A haunting new permanent display opened Thursday at the ancient ruins of Pompeii, featuring more than 20 plaster reproductions of people who perished during the devastating Mount Vesuvius eruption nearly 2,000 years ago.
These remarkable casts, described by researchers as “imprints of pain,” preserve the final moments of Pompeii residents who died in 79 AD. The replicas were formed by filling the hollow spaces left behind by decomposed bodies with liquid plaster, creating detailed impressions in the solidified volcanic ash.
“We wanted to give dignity to these people who are like us — women, children, men — who died during the eruption, but at the same time make it understandable, inclusive, and somehow joyful to understand what really happened in Pompeii,” explained Gabriel Zuchtriegel, who directs the Archaeological Park of Pompeii.
This casting method, developed by Giuseppe Fiorelli in 1863, accurately captures each victim’s final position, facial expressions of anguish, and even clothing details, creating unparalleled historical records. Modern researchers at the archaeological site continue using this same approach today.
Pompeii stands alone worldwide in offering this type of archaeological evidence, allowing visitors to witness recreations of both destroyed objects and the people who experienced that tragic day firsthand.
Mount Vesuvius claimed approximately 2,000 lives within Pompeii itself, while regional death tolls may have reached 16,000. The ancient city was buried beneath ash that later hardened due to pyroclastic flows.
Archaeological work has uncovered remains of more than 1,000 eruption victims throughout the site. These individuals were discovered trapped inside buildings or shelters, crushed by falling pumice and volcanic rocks, or killed when structures collapsed under roughly 10 feet of accumulated volcanic material.
The 22 featured casts represent the finest preserved specimens found throughout the city, from central districts to entrance gates and escape routes where residents attempted to flee to safety.
“They have a strong emotional impact on visitors and can be very moving,” noted Silvia Martina Bertesago, an archaeologist working at the Pompeii Archaeological Park.
“Through the analyses we can carry out today with increasingly advanced techniques, we can also understand their age and sex, but also whether they had particular diseases or particular types of diet,” she added.
The new exhibition occupies the Palestra Grande porticoes, situated across from the Amphitheatre. Beyond the human remains section, the display includes preserved plants and food items that remained buried for centuries under layers of ash and hardened lava.
MEXICO CITY — Following her administration’s first significant legislative failure, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum minimized the impact of Congress rejecting her constitutional reform package on Thursday, announcing she has a backup strategy to modify the nation’s electoral framework.
The Morena party leader fell short of the required supermajority in the Chamber of Deputies during Wednesday night’s vote after losing support from lawmakers within the allied Green and Workers parties. The rejected measures, which Sheinbaum’s administration characterized as cost-cutting initiatives, were criticized for potentially weakening smaller political parties’ influence.
Since assuming the presidency in 2024, Sheinbaum issued a warning Thursday that the electorate would evaluate whether opposition politicians honored their commitments to back her administration’s legislative priorities.
A central point of contention involved eliminating the proportional representation system that allows political parties to secure congressional seats based on their share of the national vote. This mechanism was established to ensure smaller parties could gain legislative representation even when unable to win specific district contests.
The president had advocated for a system where all congressional members would be chosen directly through voter elections.
The failed legislation also sought to cut election expenses by 25%, affecting both the National Electoral Institute’s budget and funding distributed to political parties. Political analysts warned these modifications could jeopardize Mexico’s electoral operations while strengthening the ruling party’s position.
According to Georgina de la Fuente, who teaches political science at Tecnológico de Monterrey University, the voting outcome demonstrates that “the small parties are not going to give their unconditional support (to Morena), they are not going to put their survival at risk.”
While Sheinbaum indicated she would reveal specifics about her alternative approach on Monday, she emphasized her objective remains unchanged: “to continue reducing privileges.”
WASHINGTON — In a rare display of bipartisan cooperation, the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly approved comprehensive housing legislation Thursday, targeting the nation’s growing affordability crisis with an 89-10 vote.
The sweeping measure aims to cut regulatory red tape, place restrictions on corporate home purchases, and broaden the use of federal housing funds for affordable construction projects. The legislation now returns to the House of Representatives, which previously approved similar measures earlier this year.
Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, who collaborated with Republican colleagues to secure broad cross-party support, emphasized the urgency of the nation’s housing shortage. “We have a housing shortage all across America,” Warren stated. “We need more housing of every kind. More housing for first-time home buyers, more housing for renters, more housing for seniors, more housing for people with disabilities, more rural housing, more urban housing, more, more, and more.”
Warren added that the legislation “will help drive down prices.”
Republican Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, who chairs the Senate Banking Committee and spearheaded the effort alongside Warren, highlighted the historic nature of the achievement. Speaking before the vote, Scott said the Senate could “do what so many people failed to do in this legislative body for the last few decades, and that is pass consequential legislation that makes it easier to become a homeowner.”
However, the bill’s future remains uncertain despite the decisive Senate approval. Questions persist about whether the House will approve the legislation again and if President Donald Trump will ultimately sign it into law.
While Trump previously supported the measure throughout bipartisan negotiations, he recently complicated its progress by declaring he would not sign new legislation unless Congress first passes voter identification requirements and restrictions on mail-in voting. The Senate is expected to consider that separate bill next week, though it faces likely defeat due to unified Democratic opposition.
House leadership has also signaled reluctance to accept the Senate version as written, suggesting they may initiate formal conference negotiations between the chambers — a process that could extend for months.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune acknowledged Thursday that conference negotiations remain possible, “but obviously the quickest way to do this would be to pick up the Senate bill and pass it.” If the White House wants swift action, Thune noted, “they’ll probably have to make that argument to House leadership.”
The legislation would empower local governments with greater housing authority, enable banks to increase affordable housing investments, and remove caps on public housing units eligible for private Section 8 financing for property rehabilitation.
Peter Carroll from Cotality, a housing data tracking company, praised the local approach. “You’ve got many provisions in this bill that stop treating the U.S. like one single housing market and start giving local leaders the tools they need to fix their unique regional puzzle,” Carroll explained.
The measure seeks to simplify homebuilding by reducing regulatory hurdles that mandate environmental assessments and inspections. It also removes funding limits for emergency shelter beds and homeless outreach programs.
Recognizing the growing reliance on manufactured and modular housing for areas needing quick housing solutions, the bill eliminates requirements for permanent chassis construction, facilitating easier building and design processes.
Housing advocacy organizations acknowledge the bill’s limitations, wishing for more direct investment in housing construction and renter assistance programs.
Urban Institute researcher Yonah Freemark noted the inherent constraints of bipartisan compromise. “This legislation is the product of essentially senators and House members wanting to come up with something that could pass with both Democratic and Republican votes, which means it’s inherently less ambitious,” Freemark observed.
Among the bill’s most controversial elements is a provision restricting institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes — a key Trump administration priority.
The measure defines institutional investors as entities owning 350 or more single-family properties, directly or indirectly. Current investors wouldn’t need to sell existing properties purchased before the law’s enactment.
These investors could still purchase or construct single-family homes for rental purposes but would face mandatory sales to individual buyers after seven years, with required “price concessions” and 30-day “first-look” periods for current tenants.
The U.S. housing market has struggled since 2022, when mortgage rates began climbing from pandemic-era historic lows.
Previously owned home sales have hovered near 4 million annually since 2023 — significantly below the typical 5.2 million annual rate. Sales reached a 30-year low last year and continue declining, with January and February showing year-over-year decreases.
Dramatic price increases in recent years, combined with chronic housing shortages worsened by years of insufficient construction, have pushed many potential buyers out of the market.
While median monthly rent has declined for over two years, January rates remained 15.2% higher than early 2020 levels, according to Realtor.com data.
These trends have intensified pressure on lawmakers this year, with November midterm elections approaching, to demonstrate concrete action on homeownership and rental affordability challenges.
KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Election results released Thursday by Nepal’s electoral commission reveal that a newly-formed political movement headed by a former rapper has achieved a decisive victory in the nation’s parliamentary elections.
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), under the leadership of rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah, claimed victory in the nation’s inaugural election following last year’s youth-driven uprising.
Shah’s RSP secured 125 direct election victories and an additional 57 seats through proportional representation voting, totaling 182 seats in the 275-seat House of Representatives, parliament’s influential lower house. The established Nepali Congress party finished as runner-up with just 38 seats.
Nepal’s electoral system allows voters to directly choose 165 House of Representatives members, while the remaining 110 positions are distributed via proportional representation, where parties receive seats corresponding to their vote percentage.
Electoral officials will request party lists for proportional representation seats before reporting to the president, who will convene the new parliament to select a prime minister requiring majority support. The RSP now controls nearly two-thirds of all seats.
Establishing a new government will likely require several days to complete the process.
Shah, serving as the RSP’s candidate for prime minister, previously captured Kathmandu’s mayoral position in 2022. He became a prominent leader during the 2025 uprising that removed former Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli from power.
Founded in 2022, the RSP attracted massive electoral support, mounting a serious threat to Nepal’s two traditionally powerful parties — the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist).
Last year’s demonstrations against government corruption and ineffective leadership began with opposition to social media restrictions before expanding into widespread anti-government protests. The violence resulted in dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries as demonstrators targeted government facilities and police responded with gunfire.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — Before spring officially arrives next week, residents across Southern California are experiencing summer-like conditions as meteorologists forecast extraordinarily high temperatures, with some areas expected to reach the mid-90s near Los Angeles.
Thursday and Friday will bring temperatures approximately 20 degrees above typical mid-March levels, according to the National Weather Service. Health officials are warning residents about increased risks of heat-related illnesses and recommending people stay well-hydrated while limiting outdoor activities during peak daylight hours.
This unusual winter heat surge results from a high-pressure system combined with an absence of the typical cooling ocean breezes from the Pacific, explained Bryan Lewis, a National Weather Service meteorologist stationed in Los Angeles.
“The nation’s air conditioner, as we like to call it, is essentially shut off right now,” Lewis said Thursday. “We’ll likely tie or break several temperature records all across LA County.”
Thursday is anticipated to be the most intense day of heat in the Los Angeles area, with thermometers potentially reaching 93 degrees in the downtown core and climbing to 95 degrees throughout the San Fernando Valley. Normal temperatures for this time of year hover around 70 degrees.
Construction crews working outdoors are being provided with ample drinking water and electrolyte supplements to prevent dehydration. Companies are mandating regular rest periods, according to Junior Pineda, who represents a local chapter of the International Union of Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers.
“And there’s always shade structures, if guys start feeling a little light-headed and need to take a few minutes,” he said Wednesday.
Both Los Angeles city and county authorities have arranged to open cooling centers to assist residents who lack air conditioning in their homes.
Zack Marquez, a wheelchair user, was completing his errands Wednesday in LA’s Koreatown district before the temperature climbed too high.
“Gotta stay hydrated and stay in the shade,” he said.
Coastal areas may experience some relief Friday when ocean breezes return, though interior regions will continue experiencing sweltering conditions, weather forecasters predict.
Hollywood celebrities are arriving in Los Angeles for Sunday’s Academy Awards ceremony, with numerous events scheduled throughout the week to capitalize on the gathering of entertainment industry stars. However, the extreme heat should subside before the awards show takes place.
Other parts of California will also experience above-average temperatures beginning next week. The San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento region could see temperatures exceeding 90 degrees by Monday.
GENEVA (AP) — A tragic incident unfolded Tuesday evening in Switzerland when a postal bus became completely consumed by flames, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries in the town of Kerzers.
Officials from the Fribourg region released a statement indicating that an intentional action may have triggered the deadly blaze that occurred approximately 25 kilometers west of Switzerland’s capital city, Bern. The statement noted that an unspecified “voluntary act could be the cause” of the devastating fire.
Emergency responders who arrived at the scene discovered the postal vehicle completely destroyed by flames. “After rushing to the scene, rescue teams noted that the vehicle was totally engulfed in flames,” regional government officials stated.
Medical teams utilized both ground ambulances and helicopter transport to rush three victims to area hospitals for treatment. Two additional individuals received medical care at the scene of the incident.
While authorities have confirmed that multiple fatalities occurred in the blaze, officials have not yet released the precise death toll. An active investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire is currently in progress.
Team USA has made significant changes to its pitching staff ahead of the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals, replacing three hurlers including starter Tarik Skubal with a trio of relief specialists.
The roster adjustments see Skubal, Michael Wacha, and Ryan Yarbrough departing the squad as manager Mark DeRosa shifts focus to bolstering his bullpen options. Skubal’s departure follows his predetermined plan to return to Detroit Tigers spring training after limited tournament action.
Taking their places are three seasoned relievers: Detroit’s Will Vest, Toronto’s Tyler Rogers, and New York Yankees’ Tim Hill. The additions provide DeRosa with enhanced flexibility for late-inning situations as Team USA potentially faces three games starting with Friday’s quarterfinal matchup against Canada.
Skubal contributed three innings during his sole WBC outing, helping secure a win against Great Britain before following through on his pre-tournament commitment to rejoin Tigers camp.
The incoming relievers bring substantial experience to the roster. Vest, a 30-year-old Houston native who will compete on home soil, recorded 23 saves last season while posting a 3.20 ERA across 250 1/3 career innings with Detroit.
Rogers, 35, was a workhorse for Toronto last year with 81 appearances, compiling an impressive 1.98 ERA and 48 strikeouts over 77 1/3 innings pitched.
Hill, 36, contributed a solid 3.09 ERA during his campaign with the Yankees last season.
The Detroit Red Wings will be without team captain Dylan Larkin and forward Andrew Copp for a minimum of two weeks after both players suffered leg injuries, coach Todd McLellan revealed on Thursday.
Larkin hasn’t played since last Friday’s 3-1 defeat against the Florida Panthers, where he contributed one assist while logging 17 minutes and 28 seconds of playing time. The Olympic team member for the United States was observed clutching his knee following an awkward tumble during the game’s final period.
Copp sustained his injury when teammate Tomas Nosek collapsed onto his left leg in the second period of Tuesday’s 4-3 defeat to Florida.
The 29-year-old Larkin has accumulated 55 points this season through 63 games, scoring 28 goals while adding 27 assists.
Meanwhile, the 31-year-old Copp has tallied 37 points across 65 games in the 2025-26 campaign, netting eight goals and recording 29 assists.
The operator of Canada’s primary stock exchange is working with national regulators to establish new regulations that would permit all publicly traded companies to issue earnings reports twice annually rather than every three months, following a comparable initiative taking place in the United States.
TMX Group, which runs the Toronto Stock Exchange, is pursuing this change as Canada works to revitalize its initial public offering market and halt the ongoing decline in publicly traded companies caused by delistings and corporate acquisitions.
Late last year, the Canadian Securities Administrators, the nation’s primary securities regulatory body, released a proposal allowing smaller companies with annual revenues under $10 million to substitute quarterly earnings reports with semi-annual filings.
According to CEO John McKenzie, who spoke during an interview at the Futures Industry Association’s annual conference in Florida, TMX believes these proposed regulations should extend to larger publicly traded companies as well.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump advocated last year for eliminating quarterly reporting requirements and transitioning to semi-annual earnings schedules. The Securities and Exchange Commission indicated it would prioritize Trump’s recommendation.
Companies across Europe, Asia, and Australia have been issuing earnings reports every six months for multiple years.
“We have recommended that (CSA) should actually take it all the way, and we should actually consider making it optional for all public companies,” McKenzie stated. “Then the companies will decide with their shareholders. If the shareholders need more information, they will tell them or they won’t provide capital.”
To attract more companies to list on stock exchanges, Canada has recently lowered tax obligations for smaller businesses while reducing burdensome financial disclosure requirements for companies seeking public market access.
“Last year, at one point, Trump said (getting rid of quarterly reporting) was a good idea. If it gets traction in the U.S., we’ve already had engagement with the Canadian regulators who said we have to follow it immediately, like there could be zero lag time,” McKenzie explained.
TMX anticipates significant growth in IPO activity this year, fueled by mining industry recovery that has helped counterbalance market instability from conflicts in Iran and recent technology sector declines.
Multiple companies, including AGT Food and Ingredients and pharmaceutical company Apotex, plan to enter public markets this year.
McKenzie said the Toronto Stock Exchange is positioned to reclaim its position as the global leader in mining listings, following recent sector revival driven by increasing worldwide demand for essential minerals over the past year.
Approximately 1,100 mining companies currently trade on Canadian stock exchanges.
“With what the U.S. administration is actually doing in terms of kind of onshoring or creating mineral relationships to counter the Chinese market, which is actually also trying to do the same thing, you’re creating more and more opportunities for prospectors and developers to build out these mines. So it’s a very pro-mining economy,” McKenzie noted.
WASHINGTON – The White House disclosed Thursday that a recent FBI warning about potential Iranian drone strikes on California stemmed from a single unconfirmed tip, with officials emphasizing no genuine threat exists.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed that the law enforcement bulletin, which became public Wednesday, originated from just one unverified email sent to California authorities last month.
The classified warning had been distributed through the Los Angeles Joint Regional Intelligence Center, alerting agencies about Tehran’s possible retaliatory plans. The bulletin emerged as ongoing military actions that started February 28 with extensive U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran continue.
According to the FBI intelligence, Iran reportedly hoped to execute a surprise assault using drones launched from maritime vessels targeting California locations if America conducted military operations against Iranian territory, as of early February.
Taking to social media platform X Thursday, Leavitt clarified the warning’s origins, stating it came from a single email containing one unconfirmed tip sent to California law enforcement.
“TO BE CLEAR: No such threat from Iran to our homeland exists, and it never did,” Leavitt wrote.
ABC News initially reported on the FBI security alert.
President Donald Trump has dismissed concerns about Iranian-sponsored attacks within American borders. When reporters asked Wednesday whether he feared Iran might escalate retaliation to include strikes on U.S. territory, Trump responded, “No, I’m not.”
A California religious leader has stepped down from his position after facing serious criminal charges for allegedly stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from his church community.
Bishop Emanuel Shaleta of the Chaldean Catholic Church submitted his resignation this week following his arrest on charges of taking more than $270,000 from parish funds. Pope Leo XIV officially accepted and announced the resignation on Tuesday.
Law enforcement officials apprehended the 69-year-old Shaleta at San Diego International Airport last week as he attempted to depart the United States, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office.
District Attorney Joel Madero stated that the allegations center around financial misconduct at St. Peter Chaldean Catholic Cathedral located in El Cajon, just east of San Diego. However, Shaleta’s legal representative maintains that the accusations are without merit.
The religious leader’s background spans continents and decades of service. Born in Faysh Kahbur, a small Iraqi town near the Tigris River and Syrian border, Shaleta began his religious education at just 15 years old. He completed his seminary training at St. John Minor Seminary near Mosul and later at Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome, where Pope John Paul II ordained him in 1984.
Following his doctoral studies in biblical theology, church officials transferred him to America, where he ministered in Illinois, Michigan, and California. Pope Francis elevated him to bishop of the Canadian Eparchy of Mar Addai of Toronto in 2015, then appointed him to lead the Bishop of Saint Peter Apostle of San Diego position in 2017.
According to prosecutor Madero, the criminal allegations involve monthly rental payments exceeding $30,000 from a church social hall tenant, with investigators discovering irregularities in the parish’s financial records.
While court documents containing specific details remain sealed, the San Diego District Attorney’s office has filed 16 felony charges against Shaleta – eight for embezzlement and eight for money laundering.
The bishop has entered a plea of not guilty to all charges.
Speaking during a recent church service, Shaleta declared he has never “abused any penny of the church money.”
If found guilty on all counts, Shaleta could receive up to 15 years in prison, prosecutors said. Court proceedings will continue with a preliminary hearing set for April 27.
The Chaldean Church issued an official response stating that Vatican officials are conducting their own investigation and that “all perspectives are being taken seriously and require careful review, proper documentation, and time so that the truth may be fully and fairly discerned.”
Local clergy from the Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle have publicly supported Shaleta and requested prayers for their religious community during this difficult time.
The Chaldean Catholic Church represents one of 23 Eastern branches of Catholicism that maintain communion with the Pope while preserving distinct customs and traditions. Unlike the more familiar Roman Catholic Church, these Eastern branches follow their own liturgical practices while adhering to core Catholic doctrine.
This particular branch serves over one million Aramaic-speaking Christians worldwide and traces its origins to the Apostle Thomas in what is now modern-day Iraq. The church’s main headquarters continues to operate from Baghdad.
Within the United States, the Chaldean Community Foundation estimates approximately half a million members of Chaldean and Assyrian Catholic communities, with major populations concentrated in Arizona, California, and Illinois.
Vatican officials revealed Tuesday that Pope Leo XIV had actually approved Shaleta’s resignation back in February but delayed the public announcement to avoid interfering with the ongoing criminal investigation. The Pope has appointed Bishop Saad Hanna Sirop to serve as interim administrator.
In a notable coincidence, Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, the head of the global Chaldean church, announced his retirement on March 9, with the Pope making both departures public simultaneously.
Church officials have not indicated whether the two resignations are related.
The 76-year-old Sako explained that he initially discussed retirement with Pope Francis in 2024, but Francis urged him to continue serving. Sako said he renewed his retirement request with Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday, and this time it was accepted.
Sako emphasized that he was stepping down “of my own will” to focus on prayer, writing, and simple service. His tenure had been marked by occasional conflicts with Iraqi political leaders, and his departure comes amid escalating regional tensions as the U.S.-Israeli conflict in Iran has affected Iraq and surrounding nations.
Prior to his retirement, Sako penned a message to San Diego area parishioners, encouraging them to maintain unity and approach this “exceptionally painful situation” with “a compassionate, faithful heart, far from the spirit of revenge.”
“Let the legal procedures take their course in revealing the truth and upholding justice,” Sako advised in his letter.
WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader John Thune announced Tuesday that lawmakers will vote on legislation requiring stringent citizenship verification for elections, while rejecting President Donald Trump’s call for an extended filibuster strategy to force passage.
The president has declared he won’t approve any other legislation until Congress passes the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, commonly called the SAVE America Act. However, Democrats unanimously oppose the measure, leaving Republicans without the necessary votes unless they eliminate Senate filibuster rules.
Thune indicated his caucus lacks sufficient support for rule changes or implementing a marathon filibuster that would require Democrats to continuously occupy the Senate floor to block the legislation.
“That is just a function of math,” Thune explained to reporters Tuesday, delivering his most definitive remarks following weeks of Republican discussions. “For better or worse, I’m the one who has to be a clear-eyed realist about what we can achieve here.”
Instead of Trump’s preferred approach, Republican leadership plans to bring the bill up for a standard vote as early as next week, which will likely result in defeat. Thune stated Republicans will “have a fight on the floor” and compel Democrats to take a position on “whether they think noncitizens should vote in American elections.”
The president’s aggressive attempts to control Senate procedures have created challenges for Thune, who must balance appeasing Trump with managing increasingly frustrated conservative voters demanding action before midterm elections. However, most Republican senators appear to support Thune’s strategy.
“There’s been enough dithering,” stated Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana. “It’s time to go and let the chips fall where they may.”
Trump has prioritized the SAVE America Act ahead of midterm elections, claiming Republicans need it to secure victories despite winning both the presidency and congressional control in 2024 without such legislation. Current federal law already mandates U.S. citizenship for national election participation.
“It’ll guarantee the midterms,” Trump told House Republicans Monday during their annual retreat at his Florida resort. “If you don’t get it, big trouble.”
However, Trump’s demands face Senate procedural realities, where minority Democrats can block legislation through filibuster, forcing Republicans to secure 60 votes while holding only 53 seats. Democrats consistently oppose the bill, arguing it would prevent approximately 20 million American citizens lacking readily available birth certificates or documentation from voting.
While Republicans could eliminate filibuster rules or attempt extended floor debates, Thune maintains insufficient GOP conference support exists for either option.
Even with adequate support, marathon filibuster tactics wouldn’t guarantee success. Proponents suggest Democrats would eventually exhaust themselves speaking or allow passage, but Democrats could introduce unlimited amendments on any topic, forcing Republicans into difficult election-year votes while further delaying proceedings.
“We can’t find a piece of legislation in history that’s been passed that way,” Thune remarked this week.
Utah Senator Mike Lee, who has championed the extended filibuster approach alongside Trump, posted on social media Tuesday that the “Senate should do everything it can in an effort to pass” the legislation.
“While passage isn’t guaranteed, we can be certain that failure will be the outcome if we don’t try,” Lee wrote.
Following Tuesday’s GOP conference meeting, multiple senators expressed readiness to proceed with the legislation despite inability to accommodate presidential procedural demands.
“I think we just go ahead and try to get on the bill,” said Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas.
Wisconsin’s Ron Johnson suggested extended floor debate time, opposing a “one and done vote” approach.
“Our base would scream about that and that wouldn’t be smart,” Johnson explained.
Little anger toward Thune emerged, as many Republican colleagues agree that eliminating filibuster rules would be unwise and extended filibuster tactics risky. Republicans have historically opposed efforts to “nuke” the filibuster, arguing minority legislative rights require protection.
“There’s a right way to do it, there’s a wrong way to do it,” said North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis. “Nuking the filibuster doesn’t work. The talking filibuster would be a goat rodeo.”
Tillis praised Thune, saying he “has the toughest job in Washington, D.C. He’s doing just fine. And he, quite honestly, has taken on a lot for the members.”
Trump announced over the weekend his desire to expand the legislation, including mail-in ballot restrictions he has promoted since his 2020 election loss. He also wants two unrelated transgender rights provisions: banning biological males from women’s sports and blocking certain minor sex reassignment procedures.
“Let’s go for the gold,” Trump urged House Republicans.
House Speaker Mike Johnson stated Tuesday at the Florida retreat they are “looking at mechanisms” for additions, despite the House already passing and sending the bill to the Senate. However, mail-in ballot restrictions face uncertain House support given their popularity in numerous states.
Thune suggested the House would need to pass revised legislation incorporating these additions.
“It would probably make sense for them to send over another version,” he concluded.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey made the rare decision Tuesday to spare the life of a death row prisoner who was set to be executed this Thursday, even though the man never directly killed anyone.
The governor changed Charles “Sonny” Burton’s death sentence to life imprisonment without any chance of parole. The 75-year-old Burton had been found guilty of capital murder in connection with Doug Battle’s shooting death during a 1991 robbery. However, it was another individual, Derrick DeBruce, who actually fired the fatal shot after Burton had already exited the store.
The fatal incident took place on August 16, 1991, at an AutoZone auto parts store in Talladega during an armed robbery. Doug Battle, a 34-year-old military veteran with four children, was gunned down after walking into the store while the crime was in progress.
According to court testimony, Burton had declared before entering the store that he would “take care of it” if anyone caused problems during the robbery.
When Battle walked into the store as the crime was wrapping up, he threw down his wallet and got on the ground, then had words with DeBruce. LaJuan McCants, who was 16 years old at the time, gave testimony that Burton and the others had already left the premises when DeBruce shot Battle in the back.
Both DeBruce and Burton received capital murder convictions and death sentences from a jury. During final arguments, prosecutors claimed Burton bore equal responsibility to Derrick DeBruce “because he’s there to aid and assist him.” The prosecution used Burton’s earlier statement about handling trouble as proof he led the robbery, though Burton’s legal team challenged this characterization.
DeBruce successfully appealed his death sentence when a court determined his legal representation was inadequate. He received a new sentence of life in prison and eventually died while incarcerated.
Ivey explained she “cannot proceed in good conscience with the execution of Mr. Burton” given that the actual shooter had his sentence reduced to life imprisonment.
“I believe it would be unjust for one participant in this crime to be executed while the participant who pulled the trigger was not,” Ivey stated. “To be clear, Mr. Burton will not be eligible for parole and will rightfully spend the remainder of his life behind bars for his role in the robbery that led to the murder of Doug Battle. He will now receive the same punishment as the triggerman.”
This marks just the second instance the Republican governor has shown mercy to a death row prisoner during her tenure, which has overseen 25 executions.
“The murder of Doug Battle was a senseless and tragic crime, and this decision does not diminish the profound loss felt by the Battle family. I pray that they may find peace and closure,” Ivey stated.
The governor’s choice sparked both support and opposition from various officials.
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall expressed being “deeply disappointed” with the decision and argued Burton’s execution should have proceeded as planned. Marshall maintained that Burton orchestrated the armed robbery that resulted in Battle’s death, noting that “longstanding Alabama law recognizes accomplice liability, as has every judge that has touched this case over three decades.”
“There has never been any doubt that Sonny Burton has Douglas Battle’s blood on his hands,” Marshall declared.
Alice Marie Johnson, who former President Donald Trump appointed as his “pardon czar” last year, commended Ivey’s decision. She said the governor “showed what courageous and common sense leadership looks like.”
“By commuting the death sentence of Charles ‘Sonny’ Burton, she ensured that justice — not technicalities — guides the most serious decision a state can make,” Johnson posted on social media.
Similar clemency decisions have been made by other Republican governors when concerns arose about executing the less responsible party. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt commuted Tremane Wood’s sentence to life last year, matching his brother’s punishment after the brother admitted to the killing.
Burton will be relocated from Alabama’s death row, where he has been held since 1992, though the timing of this transfer remains uncertain. The Alabama Department of Corrections spokesperson did not respond immediately to requests for information.
Burton will remain imprisoned for life with no possibility of release on parole.
The New York Jets have completed a trade to bring back quarterback Geno Smith from the Las Vegas Raiders, according to a source familiar with the deal who spoke to The Associated Press on Tuesday.
Smith, who the Jets originally selected in the second round of the 2013 draft, is returning to New York along with a seventh-round draft pick. In exchange, the Jets are sending a sixth-round selection to Las Vegas. The transaction cannot become official until the new league year begins Wednesday.
The move gives the Jets their new starting quarterback as they look to improve after finishing 3-14 in head coach Aaron Glenn’s first season. ESPN has reported that Smith and the Jets have agreed to restructure his contract, which previously had two years and $66 million remaining.
For Las Vegas, the trade allows them to receive compensation for a player they likely would have released anyway. The Raiders are expected to target Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who is widely projected to be selected first overall in the upcoming NFL draft. The additional draft pick gives Las Vegas 11 total selections in this year’s draft.
Smith’s departure from Las Vegas comes after a difficult season where he was sacked 55 times and threw 17 interceptions, both league-high totals. The struggles came despite reuniting with former Seattle coach Pete Carroll, who had brought Smith to the Raiders but was subsequently fired after the season.
The 35-year-old quarterback will now work under offensive coordinator Frank Reich, whom Glenn hired in January. Smith will have talented weapons at his disposal, including wide receiver Garrett Wilson, who is recovering from a knee injury, and running back Breece Hall, who recently received the franchise tag after surpassing 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his four-year career.
With Smith’s arrival, Justin Fields, who started nine games for the Jets last season, will likely move to a backup role or potentially be released. The team’s quarterback room currently includes Brady Cook, who struggled in four starts as a rookie to end the season, and Bailey Zappe, with Tyrod Taylor set to become a free agent.
This represents another chapter in Smith’s lengthy NFL journey. He originally became the Jets’ starter as a rookie when Mark Sanchez suffered a preseason shoulder injury. His initial tenure in New York ended dramatically in 2015 when teammate IK Enemkpali broke his jaw during a locker room altercation in training camp.
Following his Jets departure, Smith played for the Giants, where he made headlines by ending Eli Manning’s 210-game consecutive starts streak when coach Ben McAdoo chose him as the starter against the Raiders. After tearing his ACL in 2016, Smith spent time with the Chargers before finding success in Seattle.
Under Carroll’s guidance with the Seahawks, Smith revitalized his career, initially backing up Russell Wilson before taking over as the starter in 2022. That season, he earned NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors after throwing a career-high 30 touchdown passes and leading Seattle to three straight winning seasons.
Throughout his career, the two-time Pro Bowl selection has accumulated 22,168 passing yards with 124 touchdowns and 89 interceptions, including 28 touchdown passes during his original stint with the Jets.
Smith becomes the second former Jets player to return to the organization this week. The team also agreed to terms with linebacker Demario Davis on a two-year, $22 million contract with $15 million guaranteed. Davis, originally a Jets third-round pick in 2012, spent the past eight seasons with the New Orleans Saints.
Prior to acquiring Smith, the Jets had concentrated on defensive improvements during the early free agency period. They completed a trade for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick from Miami and added linebacker Davis, defensive tackle David Onyemata, and edge rushers Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare.
Salisbury officials have announced that the pedestrian bridge connecting to the Pohanka Riverwalk Amphitheater has reopened, restoring an important walkway link for community members and tourists visiting the area.
The bridge’s return comes at an ideal time as spring weather approaches and the city prepares for its busy season of outdoor events and activities. The walkway now provides uninterrupted access between The Ross, the Pohanka Riverwalk Amphitheater, and the recently renovated DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel along with Savour restaurant located at 300 S. Salisbury Blvd.
Several beloved community events are scheduled to return this spring, including the annual Hops on the River celebration on April 25 and the launch of this year’s 3rd Friday festivities, which will begin with a special tribute to Salisbury University’s centennial anniversary. The United Way will once again organize the Over the Edge for ALICE event at The Ross on May 8.
City officials plan to present an impressive roster of musical acts at the Pohanka Riverwalk Amphitheater during the summer months as part of the Friday Night Live concert series. Now that the pedestrian bridge has reopened, getting to parking areas for amphitheater shows and private events will be much easier.
“We’re excited to welcome the community back to this beautiful space,” Mayor Randy Taylor said. “The amphitheater is an affordable, rentable venue that brings people together. We hope residents and organizations will take advantage of this unique setting for their events.”
Community groups can still reserve the amphitheater for their own gatherings. Additional details can be found at Salisbury.md/citizen-services.
Two public events are already scheduled at the Pohanka Riverwalk Amphitheater:
Flying Ivories: Dueling Pianos featuring VIP options available on May 9 from 6 to 9 p.m.
The Great Train Robbery a complimentary event set for May 22 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Visitors are encouraged to explore the entire Riverwalk area during their visit. With spring approaching, the season for outdoor events is officially beginning, and more announcements are expected soon.
PHILADELPHIA — A federal judge heard arguments Tuesday on whether the University of Pennsylvania should be compelled to turn over employee membership information for Jewish organizations as part of a federal investigation into alleged workplace antisemitism.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is investigating whether antisemitic incidents at the Philadelphia Ivy League institution have created a hostile work environment for staff members. The probe has documented multiple troubling events, including someone screaming antisemitic slurs and vandalizing a Jewish student life center, a Nazi swastika being painted on a campus building, and hateful graffiti appearing outside a fraternity house.
Federal investigators are also examining the university’s handling of protests related to the Gaza conflict and its response to various antisemitic incidents on campus.
During Tuesday’s four-hour hearing before U.S. District Judge Gerald Pappert, attorneys debated the EEOC’s November petition against Penn’s Board of Trustees to enforce an administrative subpoena. The subpoena seeks information as part of the agency’s investigation into allegations that the school has created an illegal hostile workplace for Jewish faculty and staff based on their national origin, religion, or race.
Judge Pappert did not indicate when he might issue his ruling following the lengthy hearing.
The controversy started in December 2023 when the EEOC formally accused Penn of exhibiting a pattern of antisemitic conduct. In court filings last fall, the agency stated it was taking action “in light of the probable reluctance of Jewish faculty and staff to complain of a harassing environment due to fear of hostility and potential violence directed against them.”
In November filings, the EEOC declared that Penn’s “workplace is replete with antisemitism,” and informed the court that investigators believe “identification of those who have witnessed and/or been subjected to the environment is essential for determining whether the work environment was both objectively and subjectively hostile.”
University attorneys countered in January that Penn has been cooperative throughout the more than two-year investigation, providing approximately 900 pages of documentation to federal investigators.
The university maintains that the only remaining disagreement involves what it characterizes as the EEOC’s “extraordinary and unconstitutional demand” for compiled lists of employees that would reveal their Jewish faith or heritage, connections to Jewish organizations, participation in Penn’s Jewish studies programs, and other sensitive information — including personal home addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses.
Vic Walczak, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union, explained that five organizations his group represents in the matter have serious concerns about gathering and potentially misusing the information demanded by federal officials.
These organizations — including some with specific Jewish connections and others representing broader faculty groups — support examining antisemitism but believe “this is not the way to do it,” according to Walczak.
“We’re on the same side as Penn — we’re not opposing an investigation, what we’re opposing is the court forcing Penn to create, essentially, lists of participants in Jewish organizations and turning over confidential information, including home addresses,” Walczak explained.
A Penn representative stated via email that the institution will wait for Judge Pappert’s decision.
The university proposed an alternative approach last fall, offering to inform all employees about the federal investigation and provide them with contact information for the agency. However, the EEOC rejected this suggestion. Penn argued this method would “not invade employees’ privacy, sense of safety, and constitutional rights or echo terrifying periods of history for Jewish communities.”
Attempts to reach EEOC regional attorney Debra Lawrence and the agency’s Philadelphia office for comment were unsuccessful Tuesday.
The Minnesota Vikings are meeting with quarterback Kyler Murray as they explore their options at the position, according to a source familiar with the situation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
Arizona released Murray on Wednesday when the new league year started, even though they still owed him $36.8 million in guaranteed money for the upcoming season.
The Thursday meeting comes as Minnesota searches for solutions at quarterback, with current starter J.J. McCarthy facing questions about his development after a rookie season marred by injuries and inconsistent play. Coach Kevin O’Connell appears to view Murray as a legitimate option to either compete with or potentially replace their 2024 first-round selection.
Despite recent injury setbacks and concerns about his dedication to the game, Murray brings impressive credentials including two Pro Bowl appearances, a 67% completion rate throughout his career, and substantial mobility with 3,193 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns on the ground.
Murray’s professional journey began promisingly after capturing the Heisman Trophy at Oklahoma. He earned AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and seemed to elevate Arizona’s prospects early in his tenure. His highlight reel includes memorable moments like the “Hail Murray” in 2020, when he found DeAndre Hopkins for a dramatic game-winning score against Buffalo as time expired. In 2021, Murray threw for 400 yards in a Week 2 victory over Minnesota, helping Arizona jump to a 10-2 start before ending the season 11-6.
The Cardinals rewarded Murray with a massive five-year, $230.5 million extension in 2022, guaranteeing $160 million. However, the relationship soured quickly after the deal was finalized. Arizona initially included an unusual provision requiring four hours of “independent study” during game weeks, which they later removed amid controversy. The incident raised doubts about Murray’s work habits and damaged his standing with the organization.
A torn ACL in his right knee ended Murray’s 2022 season prematurely, forcing him to miss significant time in 2023 as Jonathan Gannon took over coaching duties from Kliff Kingsbury. The 2024 season showed improvement with Murray and Gannon working together, as Arizona went 8-9 and remained in playoff contention until late in the year.
This past season unraveled quickly for both Murray and the Cardinals. A right foot injury limited him to just five games, though doctors initially expected only a brief recovery period. Veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett stepped in effectively during Murray’s absence, who was eventually placed on injured reserve. Arizona finished with the league’s worst record at 3-14, leading to Gannon’s dismissal.
Following news of his release last week, Murray posted on social media expressing disappointment that he guided the team to just one playoff appearance across seven seasons – a wild-card loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams in 2021.
“I truly believe my best ball is in front of me and I look forward to proving it,” Murray wrote.
McCarthy’s development has been hampered by a series of setbacks after missing his entire rookie year recovering from knee surgery. In 2025, he dealt with an ankle sprain, concussion, and broken hand that restricted him to 10 starts and only eight completed games. Even when healthy, accuracy issues were significant enough to prompt Minnesota to explore other options despite McCarthy showing flashes of potential.
After relying on Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer as backups last season, O’Connell and the Vikings recognized they need better depth behind McCarthy heading into 2026. McCarthy himself appears to understand his starting position may be in jeopardy.
ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay — The Paraguayan Chamber of Deputies gave final legislative approval Tuesday to a military cooperation pact that will permit temporary deployment of American forces and civilian personnel on Paraguayan soil, marking a significant win for the Trump administration’s efforts to bolster U.S. influence throughout Latin America.
The Status of Forces Agreement received overwhelming support from legislators, passing with 53 votes in favor, 8 opposed, and 4 abstentions among the 80-member chamber. Fifteen lawmakers were absent during the vote. The measure now heads to President Santiago Peña, a strong Trump ally in the region, who is anticipated to sign the legislation into law within days.
Originally signed by both nations in Washington this past December, the pact creates a legal structure for American security personnel to operate in Paraguay for training missions, joint military exercises, and humanitarian operations. The agreement also grants the United States criminal jurisdiction over its personnel stationed in the country.
Both the U.S. State Department and Paraguayan Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez Lezcano have characterized the treaty as “historic.” The Paraguayan Senate had already given its approval last week, though that chamber saw more heated debate over potential sovereignty concerns.
Opposition lawmakers raised objections to a controversial clause providing foreign military personnel with immunity from prosecution similar to diplomatic staff protections.
“We believe in international cooperation, but we also believe in strong states, respected institutions and real democratic sovereignty,” stated independent congressman Raúl Benítez.
Paraguay’s foreign minister has defended the agreement, stating in December that its primary goal is enhancing U.S.-Paraguay collaboration in combating transnational organized crime and “terrorism.” He emphasized that “there is no possibility of the installation of U.S. military bases” in Paraguay.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also endorsed the SOFA arrangement, describing it as a “historic agreement” that will enhance bilateral and multinational training, humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and other mutual security objectives.
The SOFA approval aligns with Washington’s strategy to expand American influence across Latin America under the Trump administration’s national security framework, even as segments of Paraguayan civil society continue voicing opposition.
“The security of a country is not built by importing troops or shielding foreign agents with diplomatic immunities,” declared Peace and Justice Service, a civil organization with operations throughout Latin America, in a statement issued before the final vote. The organization added that the treaty “does not represent progress in security, but rather the formalization of a geopolitics of impunity that undermines the pillars of our national dignity.”
Worcester County has announced that the Mystic Harbour Water & Wastewater Advisory Board will convene for a scheduled meeting this Friday, March 6th, beginning at 2:00 PM.
County officials have made the meeting agenda available to the public through their official website. The agenda document, dated March 6, 2026, can be accessed as a PDF file for residents who wish to review the topics that will be discussed during the session.
The advisory board meeting was posted to the county’s event calendar on Thursday, March 12th at 12:47 PM by county staff member ctunnell. Community members interested in attending or following the proceedings can find additional information through Worcester County’s online events calendar.
The Ocean Pines Water and Wastewater Advisory Board has announced an upcoming meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 13, 2026, beginning at 9:00 AM.
Meeting minutes from the session will be made available following the conclusion of the board’s proceedings. The advisory board regularly convenes to discuss water and wastewater infrastructure matters affecting the Ocean Pines community.
Residents interested in the board’s activities can access meeting information through Worcester County’s official events calendar.
Homebuyers face higher borrowing costs this week as mortgage rates climbed due to bond market uncertainty surrounding the Iran conflict.
Freddie Mac reported Thursday that 30-year fixed mortgage rates increased to 6.11% from the previous week’s 6%, marking a return to levels seen five weeks earlier. This represents a decrease from last year’s 6.65% average.
The current rate matches where it stood over a month ago, after hitting a three-and-a-half-year low just two weeks prior. Rates have remained near the 6% mark throughout this year, providing a relatively stable environment for qualified buyers entering the spring housing market.
Fifteen-year fixed mortgages, commonly chosen by homeowners seeking to refinance, also saw increases this week. These rates climbed to 5.5% from 5.43% the week before, though they remain below last year’s 5.8% level, according to Freddie Mac data.
Multiple elements drive mortgage rate fluctuations, including Federal Reserve policy choices and investor sentiment regarding economic growth and inflation expectations. Home loan pricing typically mirrors the 10-year Treasury yield movement, which serves as a benchmark for lenders.
Thursday’s midday trading showed the 10-year Treasury yield at 4.25%, rising from approximately 4.13% seven days earlier.
Recent Treasury yield increases reflect inflation concerns triggered by climbing oil prices. These worries have overshadowed last month’s disappointing employment data and relatively steady consumer inflation figures recorded before the Iran conflict began.
“Under normal circumstances, these soft economic readings would put downward pressure on mortgage rates, however, the news out of the Middle East is overriding those signals,” Hannah Jones, senior economist research analyst at Realtor.com said in an email.
Rising oil costs can fuel inflation, potentially preventing Federal Reserve interest rate reductions.
While the Federal Reserve doesn’t directly control mortgage rates, its short-term rate adjustments significantly influence bond investor behavior and ultimately impact 10-year Treasury yields that guide home loan pricing.
America’s housing sector continues struggling through a downturn that began in 2022 when mortgage rates started climbing from pandemic-era record lows.
Existing home sales have maintained roughly a 4-million annual pace since 2023, falling well below the historically normal 5.2-million yearly rate. Sales dropped to a three-decade low last year and remain sluggish in 2024, trailing previous year levels in January and February despite lower rates compared to twelve months ago.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Prosecutors at the International Criminal Court announced Thursday they are closing their probe into whether American sanctions imposed on Venezuela amounted to crimes against humanity.
The case began in 2020 when Venezuelan officials petitioned the ICC to examine what they termed “unlawful coercive measures.” The country argued that financial asset freezes and travel restrictions targeting Venezuelan leaders — initially put in place during Barack Obama’s presidency — had created “widespread suffering” among citizens.
After conducting a preliminary review, prosecutors determined there was insufficient evidence to proceed with formal charges.
The prosecutor’s office acknowledged in their announcement that while it was “generally accepted” that the sanctions “may have exacerbated an existing dire humanitarian situation,” investigators could not establish the “necessary intent” required for criminal prosecution.
Officials emphasized that ending this particular investigation has no connection to “the January 2026 events in Venezuela.”
Those events included a rapid military operation by U.S. forces that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his spouse, who were subsequently removed from the country. American forces have also conducted multiple operations targeting vessels allegedly transporting narcotics from Venezuelan waters.
This sanctions investigation operates independently from the ICC’s continuing examination of potential crimes by Venezuelan security personnel under Maduro’s administration during their 2017 response to anti-government demonstrations.
The court’s chief prosecutor Karim Khan faced complications last year when appeals judges required him to remove himself from the Venezuela case due to conflicts of interest. Khan’s family connection to international criminal attorney Venkateswari Alagendra, who represents Maduro’s administration, created the conflict.
Khan has temporarily stepped away from his position while facing an internal investigation regarding sexual misconduct allegations.
In a separate development Thursday, prosecutors announced they would proceed with examining potential crimes against humanity in Belarus.
Lithuania requested the investigation in 2024, focusing on its neighboring country’s harsh treatment of opposition movements.
Lithuanian officials contend that Belarus’s authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko has forcibly relocated political dissidents across international borders, establishing the court’s authority to investigate. While Lithuania participates in the ICC, Belarus does not.
This decision creates the possibility that Lukashenko and other Belarusian government officials could face ICC charges.
Exiled Belarusian opposition figure Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya welcomed the announcement. “This decision restores hope — that justice will prevail, that those responsible will be held accountable, and that the victims will finally receive truth and justice,” she told The Associated Press.
Two individuals working on behalf of Russian interests deliberately torched a train and railway infrastructure in Latvia during August, according to an announcement Wednesday from Latvia’s State Security Service. This incident represents the most recent example in a growing pattern of attacks on critical European infrastructure that Western officials attribute to Russia.
According to the security service, the perpetrators ignited both the train and several railway relay cabinets — control boxes containing equipment that manages train operations — while recording their destructive actions. The footage was subsequently transmitted to those who ordered the arson, who then exploited it for propaganda by falsely claiming the fires occurred in Ukraine, officials stated.
This August arson attack joins at least 151 documented cases of sabotage and hostile activities throughout Europe that The Associated Press has tracked and Western officials have connected to Russia following Moscow’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. According to officials, these attacks aim to weaken European support for Ukraine, create fear and division within European communities, and exhaust investigative resources. Russia frequently employs intermediaries for such operations, with some perpetrators claiming ignorance about their connection to Moscow.
Polish officials reported in November that Russian intelligence services orchestrated multiple sabotage incidents targeting a railway line used for delivering assistance to Ukraine.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced in January that hackers “directly linked to the Russian services” attacked two combined heat and power facilities serving nearly half a million customers, along with numerous wind and solar energy installations.
Danish authorities disclosed in December that Russian cyberattacks during 2024 on a water utility resulted in some residences losing water service, while Norwegian police reported in August that pro-Russian hackers remotely activated a dam valve, causing water to flow out.
These cyber incidents highlight European critical infrastructure’s susceptibility and represent part of a troubling pattern indicating Moscow is taking a “more aggressive posture” toward European nations it considers opponents, according to Ciaran Martin, former director of the U.K.’s National Cyber Security Centre.
This approach includes “cyber-kinetic” operations where Russian-affiliated hackers modify system parameters to create physical consequences — such as changing water flows, Martin explained to AP.
Italian authorities are also examining the sabotage of several high-speed rail lines on the opening day of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in February. The ANSA news agency reported that infrastructure was burned or severed, affecting thousands of travelers. Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated that cyberattacks originating from Russia also targeted the Winter Olympics, including Games-related websites, Cortina hotels, and foreign ministry platforms.
France’s high-speed rail network also suffered sabotage in 2024 on the summer Olympic Games’ opening day. Neither Italy nor France has formally blamed Russia for the railway sabotage. The Kremlin has previously denied to the AP any participation in a sabotage campaign.
WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump has raised questions about whether Iran’s national soccer team should participate in the upcoming World Cup, expressing safety concerns while the two nations remain engaged in conflict.
Writing on his social media platform Thursday, Trump stated: “The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.”
Trump’s comments appear to contradict his earlier stance delivered to FIFA President Gianni Infantino during a Tuesday White House meeting, where he reportedly assured the soccer official that Iranian players and coaching staff would be welcomed to the tournament.
An unnamed White House source had previously confirmed that Trump conveyed welcoming messages regarding Iran’s World Cup participation during his conversation with Infantino.
The White House has not yet provided clarification on what specific dangers Trump was referencing when he mentioned concerns about “their own life and safety,” particularly following recent U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran that commenced on February 28.
Iranian officials announced earlier this week that participating in this year’s World Cup would be “not possible” for their country.
Iran is among the 48 nations scheduled to compete in the tournament and has matches planned in Inglewood, California against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21, followed by a group stage finale against Egypt in Seattle on June 26. The World Cup will run from June 11 through July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
While Iran remains under U.S. travel restrictions implemented as part of the Trump administration’s immigration policies since June, athletic teams and their coaching staff are granted exemptions, meaning the Iranian squad would legally be permitted entry into the United States.
Two people were hospitalized with injuries following a deadly shooting incident at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia on Thursday, according to university officials.
The shooting took place inside the university’s business school facility, where the gunman fired shots before dying at the scene. University officials have not yet disclosed the circumstances surrounding the shooter’s death.
In response to the incident, ODU officials immediately shut down all classes and campus activities for the remainder of Thursday. The university advised students, faculty and community members to stay away from the vicinity of Constant Hall while emergency responders continued their work at the scene.
Federal law enforcement agencies responded to assist with the emergency situation, with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives confirming on social media platform X that their agents were actively supporting the response efforts.
University of Maryland Eastern Shore basketball standout Zion Obanla has earned recognition as a member of the All-MEAC Second Team, the conference announced.
The honor recognizes Obanla’s exceptional contributions to the Hawks basketball program throughout the season. The All-MEAC teams celebrate the top performers across the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
Obanla’s selection to the second team represents a significant achievement for both the player and the UMES basketball program. The recognition comes as the conference acknowledges the season’s most outstanding student-athletes.
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks compete in the MEAC, where Obanla has established himself as one of the conference’s top talents during his collegiate career.
Educators from Delaware State University’s College of Education recently traveled to Arlington, Virginia to participate in a pair of prominent national academic conferences.
The DSU faculty members shared their research findings and educational expertise with peers from universities nationwide during the Virginia events. The conferences provided opportunities for the professors to present their work and engage with other education professionals on current trends and developments in the field.
The participation of Delaware State University’s education faculty at these national gatherings demonstrates the institution’s commitment to scholarly research and professional development within the academic community.
Delaware Department of Transportation crews are currently conducting litter removal activities along the median area of Interstate 95 southbound near Exit 4A.
The cleanup operation began earlier today and is expected to wrap up by 4:30 PM this afternoon.
Motorists traveling through the area should expect to see DelDOT vehicles and workers along the roadway during the cleanup efforts.
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey faces a minimum three-week absence after sustaining a tendon injury to his right pinky finger, the team confirmed on Tuesday.
The injury happened during Saturday’s 126-116 defeat against Atlanta when Maxey collided with teammate Adem Bona with just 16 seconds left on the clock. Currently averaging 29.0 points and 6.7 assists per game, Maxey’s absence comes at a challenging time for Philadelphia, which holds the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference standings with a 34-30 record. The team has struggled recently, dropping four of their past five contests.
Team officials confirmed that Maxey sought opinions from several hand specialists before the decision was made. Medical staff will reassess his condition in three weeks to determine his readiness to return.
Philadelphia’s injury woes extend beyond Maxey, as the team faced Memphis on Tuesday without several key players. Center Joel Embiid remains out with a right oblique strain, marking his fifth straight missed game. Coach Nick Nurse indicated Embiid would undergo another evaluation later this week. Additionally, Paul George continues serving a 25-game suspension for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy, with approximately two weeks remaining before his potential return.
The First State is ramping up efforts to improve early reading education with a substantial financial commitment exceeding $8 million aimed at enhancing literacy instruction in schools statewide.
State education officials revealed today that Delaware has secured significant funding through two major sources to support this educational initiative. The funding package includes a $1.9 million State Implementation Fund grant provided by Accelerate, along with an additional $6.1 million in competitive Bridge funding.
This comprehensive investment represents Delaware’s commitment to strengthening foundational reading skills among young students through improved classroom instruction methods and resources.
The Delaware Department of Education emphasized that these coordinated investments will work together to advance the state’s comprehensive approach to early literacy education across all participating schools.
Delaware Department of Transportation officials have implemented reduced speed limits on Interstate 495, bringing the maximum allowable speed down to 55 miles per hour due to adverse weather conditions affecting the area.
The temporary speed reduction has been put in place as a safety measure for motorists traveling along the highway during current weather patterns impacting the region.
Drivers are advised to exercise caution and follow the posted speed limits while traveling on I-495 until conditions improve and normal speed limits are restored.
WASHINGTON – Major financial institutions will see a modest reduction in their capital requirements following revisions to comprehensive banking regulations, Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman announced Thursday. The announcement marks a significant win for large banks that had successfully opposed more stringent capital increases proposed in previous versions.
During remarks delivered at the Cato Institute in Washington, Bowman detailed modifications to what are known as Basel rules and the “GSIB surcharge” – regulations that dictate the amount of money financial institutions must reserve to cover potential losses. She described the changes as creating an overall decrease in capital requirements for major banks through what she termed a “sensible recalibration” of current regulations.
Bowman, who received her appointment to the position last year under Republican President Donald Trump, explained that the revisions would remove duplicate standards and adjust requirements to better reflect the actual risk levels faced by banks. She criticized the ongoing trend of requiring banks to maintain increasingly higher reserves against possible losses.
“When capital requirements become excessive, they impair the banking system’s fundamental function of providing credit to the real economy,” she stated in her prepared speech.
LONDON — British officials are weighing new military deployment strategies in the Gulf region as Iranian forces intensify their assault on maritime vessels, Defense Minister John Healey announced Thursday.
The announcement comes after the Royal Navy’s final minehunter vessel, HMS Middleton, completed its journey back to Britain on March 1st following its Gulf assignment based in Bahrain. The aging ship, which had served for more than four decades, was no longer deemed seaworthy for continued operations.
“We do have some autonomous mine hunting systems already in the region,” Healey stated. “There are additional options we’re starting to consider that we could deploy alongside allies.”
Intelligence sources revealed to Reuters that Iranian forces have positioned approximately twelve mines throughout the Strait of Hormuz, creating significant obstacles for any potential reopening of this crucial shipping corridor that handles substantial oil and liquefied natural gas transport.
American military forces report successful strikes against Iranian mine-deployment vessels, destroying sixteen of these craft on Tuesday alone.
The volatile situation escalated further Thursday when two oil tankers caught fire at an Iraqi port following what officials suspect were Iranian explosive boat attacks. This incident occurred just hours after three additional vessels sustained damage elsewhere in the Gulf waters.
Healey characterized these developments as a “major escalation from Iran.”
“It is a breach of international law,” the defense minister emphasized. “It’s a very serious situation that is having an impact on oil prices and the cost of living for everyone.”
A coalition of Caribbean nations is working to secure $200 million in funding for a collaborative environmental conservation effort, according to Grenada’s climate ambassador Safiya Sawney.
The ambitious project, known as the 30X30 initiative, involves the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States and its dozen member countries. This effort supports international goals established in 2022 to safeguard 30% of global land and ocean areas within the next six years.
Sawney explained that this collaborative approach, with government leadership from the beginning, should prove more successful by combining various funding sources including multilateral organizations, bilateral agreements, charitable foundations, and private investors, along with innovative financing mechanisms like debt-for-nature exchanges.
Despite receiving approximately $650 million for conservation work across member nations over the past two decades ending in 2024, governments frequently found themselves prioritizing donor preferences over their own environmental needs. Poor coordination also led to duplicated efforts among different funding organizations.
“From the outside looking in, you say, ‘Well, that’s a lot of money. Why do you need more?’. The issue … is that we’re not seeing that in the impact,” Sawney explained during a recent interview.
Research from the Back to Blue initiative, which concentrates on ocean sustainability policies, indicates that regional strategies like “OECS 30X30” could significantly help address massive funding shortfalls.
According to the Global Center on Adaptation, Small Island Developing States globally require roughly $12 billion annually to address climate change impacts but receive only $2 billion. These nations face the greatest threat from rising ocean levels.
“There’s a huge disconnect between what the governments have invested time and effort into planning for themselves, based on their own indigenous circumstances, and what the donor is funding,” Sawney noted.
“We’re challenging them to say ‘No, you have to do a better job if you really want to ensure that your money stretches. You have to trust us, trust that we know what would we need to do for ourselves’,” she added.
With wealthier nations reducing development assistance budgets, Sawney emphasized the importance of expanding projects regionally and drawing more private sector investment.
“For us, the programme is really, really important because it’s really on us to be able to show investors, particularly non-traditional investors, that we’re a good bet,” she concluded.
KYIV – Ukrainian officials announced Thursday they will share combat information with partner countries to help develop artificial intelligence technology for military drones, leveraging knowledge gained from nearly four years of defending against Russia’s invasion.
The announcement reflects a growing global trend of armed forces incorporating automated systems capable of directing unmanned aircraft to targets independently or rapidly processing enormous amounts of intelligence data.
International partners and defense contractors have been requesting access to Ukraine’s combat information, which is essential for teaching computer models to identify patterns, formations, and movement of personnel and equipment during warfare.
Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov announced the creation of a secure system that allows AI development while protecting classified information, yet still provides continuously updated datasets along with extensive photo and video collections.
“Today, Ukraine has a unique array of battlefield data that is unmatched anywhere else in the world,” he wrote on Telegram.
“This includes millions of annotated images collected during tens of thousands of combat flights.”
Fedorov, known for his technology expertise and close ties to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, explained that Ukraine would benefit from accelerated AI development that could then be deployed against Russian forces.
“We are ready to work with partners on joint analytics, model training, and the creation of new technological solutions,” he stated, emphasizing Ukraine’s goal to expand the use of autonomous military systems.
Following his appointment in January, Fedorov outlined ambitious plans for a comprehensive technology-focused transformation of Ukraine’s extensive defense apparatus.
Ukrainian leadership aims to capitalize on knowledge acquired from what represents Europe’s most significant military conflict since World War II, working to maintain international support and financial assistance as the war enters its fifth year.
This week, Ukraine deployed counter-drone experts to four Middle Eastern countries following requests for assistance in neutralizing Iran’s extensive Shahed drone attacks.
Success in free agency doesn’t always translate to championship glory.
However, it certainly provides a solid foundation.
Across the league, NFL franchises have invested billions during the free agency period, banking on their new signings to enhance their Super Bowl aspirations.
Several more aggressive organizations — including the Raiders and Titans — would welcome any improvement in competitiveness following disappointing campaigns.
The period has featured multiple unexpected developments, notably a canceled major trade that would have moved star pass rusher Maxx Crosby away from the Raiders.
Here are the early standouts and disappointments:
The NFC South champions bolstered their roster by securing pass rusher Jaelan Phillips ($120 million) and linebacker Devin Lloyd ($45 million), landing two premier talents at crucial defensive positions. These additions complement interior defender Derrick Brown and cornerback Jaycee Horn, creating a formidable defensive unit with elite players at every level for Carolina.
However, the Panthers saw departures including defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson, running back Rico Dowdle, and center Cade Mays.
San Francisco made a major splash by landing six-time Pro Bowl receiver Mike Evans from Tampa Bay through a three-year contract potentially worth $60.4 million, though only $16.3 million is guaranteed for the first year, according to an anonymous source familiar with the deal since details weren’t publicly released. The organization also brought in defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa via trade with Dallas for a third-round selection, while adding versatile tackle Vederian Lowe and center Brett Toth, plus retaining tight end Jake Tonges and kicker Eddy Piniero.
At 32 years old, Evans remains capable of elite performance within coach Kyle Shanahan’s offensive scheme, providing Brock Purdy with a premier receiving option.
San Francisco did lose receiver Kendrick Bourne in the process.
Following last year’s outstanding offseason that helped New England improve by 10 victories and reach the Super Bowl, the organization continued their aggressive approach by acquiring receiver Romeo Doubs ($70 million), guard Alijah Vera-Tucker ($42 million), Pro Bowl safety Kevin Byard ($9 million), pass rusher Dre’Mont Jones ($39.5 million), fullback Reggie Gilliam, tight end Julian Hill, safety Mike Brown, and linebacker K.J. Britt.
The Patriots moved center Garrett Bradbury via trade while losing defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga, tight end Austin Hooper, and safety Jaylinn Hawkins.
With Geno Smith returning to New York, the organization focused on defensive improvements by acquiring veteran safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and defensive lineman T’Vondre Sweat through separate trades, while signing two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Demario Davis and pass rusher Joseph Ossai ($34.5 million).
Additional signings included defensive tackle David Onyemata, edge rusher Kingsley Enagbare, safety Dane Belton, and cornerback Nashon Wright, providing Aaron Glenn with multiple new defensive pieces. Left guard Dylan Parham addresses an offensive line need while backup tackle Max Mitchell returns.
New York lost linebacker Quincy Williams, guards Vera-Tucker and John Simpson, plus kicker Nick Folk.
Following their trade for cornerback Trent McDuffie, Los Angeles added cornerback Jaylen Watson and retained safety Kam Curl to strengthen their secondary further.
Tight end Tyler Higbee returns for additional depth while long snapper Joe Cardona joins to contribute on special teams.
Tampa Bay lost Evans not due to financial reasons but because he sought a fresh opportunity and believes San Francisco offers a better championship path. Their defense also lost starting cornerback Jamel Dean and defensive lineman Logan Hall.
The Buccaneers responded by signing Robinson to strengthen their defensive front, plus linebacker Alex Anzalone, running back Kenneth Gainwell, and backup quarterback Jake Browning.
The consecutive NFC East champions appear on this list due to losing three defensive starters: Phillips, linebacker Nakobe Dean, and safety Reed Blankenship.
Philadelphia countered by signing cornerback Riq Woolen and tight end Johnny Mundt while retaining tight end Grant Calcaterra.
The organization extended defensive tackle Jordan Davis and faces decisions on several young defensive stars who helped dominate Kansas City in the Super Bowl two seasons ago. Philadelphia cannot retain everyone, though general manager Howie Roseman consistently finds ways to replace departing talent.
The AFC South champions lost Lloyd, running back Travis Etienne, and cornerback Greg Newsome.
Their additions include backup running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. while retaining cornerback Montaric Brown and linebacker Dennis Gardeck.
Jacksonville faces additional offseason work ahead.
