Polish law enforcement officials have arrested six people accused of attempting to illegally transport specialized equipment to Russia that could be used in military drone production, according to prosecutors in Warsaw.
The group consisted of four individuals from Belarus and two Polish citizens who were taken into custody on February 18th. Authorities say they were trying to smuggle machinery designed to automate the manufacturing of integrated circuits, which are essential components in combat drone assembly.
Polish officials have repeatedly cautioned about efforts by Russia and Belarus to undermine nations supporting Ukraine since Moscow’s invasion began on February 24, 2022.
The equipment in question falls under international sanctions and has strategic military significance, prosecutors explained on Wednesday. The suspects allegedly planned to transport the machinery through Belarus as part of their smuggling operation.
“Violation of the provisions of the sanctions act is classified as a crime, punishable by imprisonment for a period of no less than three years,” prosecutors said in a statement.
Three of the accused have been ordered to remain in jail for three months while awaiting trial, while the other three were released under police monitoring with bail conditions and travel restrictions preventing them from leaving Poland.
According to prosecutors, intervention by officers from Poland’s National Revenue Administration successfully prevented the smuggling attempt. “Earlier actions by officers of the National Revenue Administration helped thwart an attempt to smuggle a machine, which contributed to the disruption of potential supplies of military equipment to the troops of the Russian Federation operating in eastern Ukraine,” prosecutors said.
Good morning, Delmarva! We’re dealing with a mixed bag of weather today as we wrap up February. You’ll want to keep that umbrella handy this morning as we have a 50% chance of rain and snow showers before 1 PM. Don’t worry though – we’re not expecting much accumulation, with rainfall amounts staying under a tenth of an inch. The good news is conditions will improve as we head into the afternoon with partly sunny skies breaking through. Temperatures will climb to a seasonable 49 degrees with southwest winds gusting 10 to 15 mph.
Tonight, we’ll see partly cloudy skies with temperatures dropping to a chilly 32 degrees – right at the freezing mark. Thursday brings another round of wintry weather with rain and snow likely, and highs only reaching 43 degrees. Thursday night could get interesting with light snow likely followed by a slight chance of freezing rain as temperatures dip to 28 degrees.
Stay warm out there, and remember to drive carefully if you encounter any slick spots! I’m your TV Delmarva weather team keeping you informed.
Weather officials have issued a special advisory for the Delmarva Peninsula region early Monday morning, alerting residents to changing conditions across the area.
The National Weather Service’s Mount Holly, New Jersey office distributed the weather statement at 5:07 AM Eastern Standard Time on February 25th, providing updated information for local communities throughout Delaware and the surrounding region.
Residents are encouraged to monitor local weather conditions and stay informed about any developing situations that may impact travel or daily activities in the coming hours.
Memory chip manufacturer SK Hynix revealed Wednesday its intention to spend 21.6 trillion won, equivalent to $15.07 billion, on constructing additional semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Yongin, South Korea, with completion targeted for 2030.
The massive investment represents the company’s response to increasing worldwide demand for computer chips and semiconductors used in everything from smartphones to automobiles.
The new production lines will be established in the South Korean city of Yongin as part of the company’s expansion strategy over the next six years.
Turkish officials are developing contingency plans to safeguard their nation’s interests should military conflict erupt between Iran and the United States, according to a diplomatic source who spoke with Reuters on Wednesday.
The two nations have returned to diplomatic talks this month even as Washington continues strengthening its military presence across the Middle East. While Iran has warned it would target American military installations in the region if attacked, Tehran’s foreign minister indicated Tuesday that an agreement with the U.S. could be “within reach” through diplomatic channels.
As a NATO ally sharing its eastern border with Iran, Turkey has consistently opposed military action against its neighbor and advocates for regional stability. Turkish leadership has maintained communication with both nations in efforts to reduce tensions and push for diplomatic solutions.
“Naturally, all aspects of the measures that could be taken in the event of a negative development are being evaluated,” the diplomatic source stated, requesting anonymity.
“All scenarios are being considered; and steps that can be taken to ensure the safety of our citizens are being worked on,” the official explained, while emphasizing that any actions that would “violate Iran’s sovereignty” were “out of the question.”
The source declined to specify which particular measures Turkish authorities are reviewing.
Turkish officials also refuted earlier media claims suggesting the country intended to cross into Iranian territory to prevent a possible refugee crisis, with the presidency’s disinformation office issuing a denial of such reports.
BANGKOK – Thailand took a significant step toward forming its new government Wednesday as election officials validated the results for nearly 400 seats in parliament following this month’s nationwide voting.
The election commission confirmed 396 constituency positions within the 500-seat lower house, officials announced. Another 104 seats remain pending confirmation, with 100 of those being party-list positions that a commission source indicated would likely receive approval next week.
Under Thailand’s parliamentary system, the new legislature must assemble within two weeks once at least 475 seats – representing 95 percent of the total – receive official certification. Following that assembly, lawmakers will choose a prime minister who will then establish the new government.
Early returns from election night indicated that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s Bhumjaithai Party captured the largest number of seats, with the People’s Party and Pheu Thai party finishing second and third respectively.
Bhumjaithai leadership has announced plans to partner with the third-place Pheu Thai party in forming a coalition government, along with several smaller political parties. This proposed alliance would control an estimated 286 parliamentary seats.
However, the election process has faced some challenges, with several complaints filed regarding potential voting irregularities that could result in legal proceedings against the election commission.
SYDNEY – The head of Australia’s central bank acknowledged Wednesday that determining monetary policy has become increasingly challenging as the nation’s economy hovers near equilibrium while dealing with elevated inflation rates that aren’t accelerating further.
Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Michele Bullock made these remarks during a university dinner event in Melbourne, emphasizing that a patient approach to policy decisions is essential.
Her comments followed the release of January inflation figures that once again exceeded expectations, prompting financial markets to increase speculation about a potential interest rate increase in May following this month’s adjustment.
Scientists have uncovered promising evidence that illuminating eggs during the hatching process may produce stronger, more resilient chickens.
Researchers at The Roslin Institute conducted a study revealing how exposure to light while eggs develop can influence how young birds behave, grow, and thrive overall. The investigation adds to expanding research in bird development science.
According to the findings, making basic modifications to how eggs are incubated might help create healthier chickens that adapt better to life in commercial farming operations. The research focused on understanding the connection between lighting conditions during egg development and the resulting quality of the hatched chicks.
The study represents part of ongoing scientific efforts to improve poultry welfare and productivity through better understanding of early developmental factors that affect bird health and behavior throughout their lives.
The British luxury automaker famous for producing James Bond’s vehicles announced Wednesday it will eliminate up to one-fifth of its workforce as the company grapples with challenges from US import duties and declining sales in China.
The workforce reduction will affect approximately 600 positions out of Aston Martin’s total staff of roughly 3,000 employees. Company officials expect these layoffs to generate annual cost savings of approximately 40 million pounds, equivalent to $54 million. While the automaker didn’t provide a specific timeline for implementing the cuts, executives indicated the majority of savings would be realized within this year. These reductions build upon a 5% workforce decrease that was announced previously.
The company also scaled back its five-year investment blueprint, reducing planned capital expenditures from 2 billion pounds to 1.7 billion pounds by postponing investments in electric vehicle development.
Following the announcement, Aston Martin’s stock price jumped nearly 5% during early trading, breaking a nine-day losing streak.
The automaker, renowned for its association with the iconic spy franchise, has faced ongoing difficulties generating sufficient cash flow while managing substantial debt totaling 1.38 billion pounds. The company has stayed afloat through capital investments from Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, who serves as Chairman, along with various financial arrangements.
Company executives described US tariffs as “extremely disruptive” to operations, while also noting that consumer demand has been “extremely subdued” in China, which represents the globe’s largest automotive marketplace.
Looking ahead, Aston Martin anticipates additional cash outflows through 2026, though management forecasts “material improvement” in the company’s financial health. The automaker has established targets for gross profit margins in the high 30% range and aims for adjusted earnings before interest and taxes to approach breakeven levels. These goals are supported by plans to deliver approximately 500 units of the company’s new Valhalla hybrid supercar.
Financial records show the company recorded an operating loss of 259.2 million pounds in 2025.
In another move to strengthen its financial position, the automaker recently completed a 50-million-pound transaction selling the permanent branding rights to its Formula One racing team.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iranian leadership struck back Wednesday at President Donald Trump’s confrontational approach before Thursday’s pivotal nuclear discussions in Geneva, dismissing his statements as falsehoods while suggesting diplomatic solutions remain possible through what they termed “honorable diplomacy.”
These comments from Iranian officials arrive as the United States has positioned its most substantial collection of military aircraft and naval vessels in the Middle East region in recent decades, reflecting Trump’s strategy to secure an agreement while Iran faces domestic turmoil following last month’s widespread civil unrest.
Should these diplomatic efforts collapse, Trump has repeatedly warned of potential military strikes against Iran — a prospect that regional powers worry could escalate into broader Middle Eastern warfare while tensions from the prolonged Israel-Hamas conflict continue. Iran has already declared that any American military installations throughout the Middle East would be viewed as valid targets, potentially endangering tens of thousands of U.S. military personnel stationed across the region. Analysis of satellite imagery by The Associated Press reveals that American naval vessels normally stationed in Bahrain have apparently moved to open waters.
During Tuesday evening’s State of the Union address, Trump addressed Iran and the upcoming nuclear discussions.
“They’ve already developed missiles that can threaten Europe and our bases overseas, and they’re working to build missiles that will soon reach the United States of America,” Trump said. “They were warned to make no future attempts to rebuild their weapons program, and in particular nuclear weapons, yet they continue. They’re starting it all over.”
Earlier satellite analysis conducted by the AP revealed Iran has begun reconstructing missile manufacturing facilities and conducting activities at three nuclear locations targeted by U.S. forces in June. Iran consistently claims its nuclear activities serve peaceful purposes. Western nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency assert Iran operated a nuclear weapons program through 2003. Before the June military action, Iran had been processing uranium to 60% enrichment levels — just one technical step below the 90% concentration needed for weapons.
In response to Trump’s remarks, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei drew parallels between the president and Joseph Goebbels, Hitler’s propaganda chief. He charged Trump and his team with orchestrating a “disinformation & misinformation campaign” targeting Iran.
“Whatever they’re alleging in regards to Iran’s nuclear program, Iran’s ballistic missiles, and the number of casualties during January’s unrest is simply the repetition of ‘big lies,’” Baghaei wrote on X.
Trump claimed during his address that at least 32,000 people died in the protests, a figure at the higher end of activist estimates. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activist News Agency has documented over 7,000 deaths but believes actual casualties are significantly higher. Iran’s government, which historically minimizes casualty figures from civil unrest, provided its sole official count on January 21, reporting 3,117 fatalities.
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf offered the U.S. a choice between diplomatic engagement or facing Iranian retaliation.
“If you choose the table of diplomacy — a diplomacy in which the dignity of the Iranian nation and mutual interests are respected — we will also be at that table,” Qalibaf said, according to the semiofficial Student News Network, a media outlet believed to be close to the all-volunteer Basij force of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard.
“But if you decide to repeat past experiences through deception, lies, flawed analysis and false information, and launch an attack in the midst of negotiations, you will undoubtedly taste the firm blow of the Iranian nation and the country’s defensive forces.”
Iranian and American representatives are scheduled to convene Thursday in Geneva for their third negotiating session under Omani mediation, with Oman historically serving as a diplomatic bridge between Tehran and Western powers.
If diplomatic efforts fail, questions remain about the timing of potential military action, along with its scope and objectives.
American officials have not clarified the objectives of possible military intervention. Should the aim be pressuring Iran toward nuclear concessions, limited strikes may prove ineffective. If the goal involves regime change, this would likely require extensive, prolonged military commitment. No public evidence suggests planning for post-conflict scenarios, including potential Iranian instability.
The current state of Iran’s nuclear capabilities remains unclear. Trump previously claimed American attacks “obliterated” the program. Now, eliminating whatever nuclear infrastructure remains appears to be a renewed administration priority. IAEA inspectors have been denied access to verify what facilities still exist.
Regional implications of military action also remain uncertain. Tehran could target American-allied Gulf nations or Israel in retaliation. Oil markets have already risen partly due to these concerns.
Tuesday satellite imagery from Planet Labs PBC analyzed by the AP showed American vessels normally based in Bahrain, headquarters of the Navy’s 5th Fleet, positioned at sea. The 5th Fleet directed inquiries to U.S. Central Command, which did not immediately respond. Prior to Iran’s June attack on Qatar, the 5th Fleet similarly dispersed its ships to avoid potential strikes.
Spain’s leading financial institution Santander has unveiled ambitious plans to increase annual profits to more than 20 billion euros by 2028, driven by expansion efforts in American and British markets along with technological improvements and customer growth.
The Madrid-based banking giant announced Wednesday that it achieved record net earnings of 14.1 billion euros in 2025 and has raised its profitability target by nearly four percentage points to exceed 20%, anticipating benefits from its recent purchases of U.S.-based Webster bank and Britain’s TSB.
The bank’s strategy of operating across multiple geographical regions – currently spanning 10 primary markets – has historically protected it from economic slowdowns in specific areas, though it has remained exposed to currency fluctuations, especially in Latin American countries.
Following the announcement, Santander’s stock price rose more than 2% at 0918 GMT, reflecting investor confidence in the eurozone’s largest lender by market capitalization.
The acquisitions of Webster and TSB have increased the proportion of Santander’s gross operating profit from developed markets to nearly two-thirds on a pro-forma basis, up from the previous 56%.
“Our (2026-2028) strategic plan sets a new standard for profitable growth, with the aim to serve more than 210 million customers across Europe and the Americas,” Executive Chair Ana Botin said in a statement.
The bank currently serves approximately 180 million clients worldwide as of the end of last year.
Botin explained that implementing the bank’s global business framework would increase revenues while reducing operational costs. The cost-cutting initiatives focus on developing a unified IT system and rolling out a standardized global operating model.
Santander plans to enhance its efficiency ratio to approximately 36% by 2028’s end, improving from the 41.2% recorded in 2025.
The financial institution has established a 50% shareholder payout ratio, divided equally between cash and stock distributions. However, beginning in 2027, the cash portion will increase to 35% as part of its objective to achieve a core tier-1 capital ratio of about 13% by 2028, down from 13.5% at 2025’s conclusion.
MOSCOW – Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, has been ordered to pay more than 22 million roubles (approximately $288,000) by a Russian court for making virtual private network applications available through its Google Play store, according to Wednesday reports from state news agency TASS.
These VPN applications serve as digital tools that allow Russian citizens to circumvent government-imposed blocks and access international technology platforms and online content that Moscow has either banned or placed under restrictions.
A credible polling organization revealed Wednesday that Hungary’s center-right opposition Tisza party has expanded its advantage over Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s ruling Fidesz party in February, as the country approaches crucial April 12 elections where the longtime leader seeks another term.
The veteran nationalist politician, who has maintained control for 16 years, now confronts his most formidable electoral challenge in a parliamentary contest that could significantly impact both Hungary and broader European far-right political movements.
The survey results indicate Fidesz continues to lose support while Tisza attracts more voters, even as the government has introduced several popular policy measures following three years of economic decline.
According to polling firm Median, whose findings appeared on news site hvg.hu, Tisza has expanded its margin over Fidesz to 20 percentage points among committed voters, growing from a 12-point advantage recorded in January’s poll.
The party founded by former government official Peter Magyar in 2024 now commands 55% support from decided voters, an increase from 51% the previous month.
Meanwhile, Fidesz backing declined to 35% from 39% recorded one month earlier, based on the survey conducted from February 18 through 23.
Among all citizens surveyed, Tisza received support from 42% while Fidesz garnered backing from 31%.
Median pollsters noted that Tisza “has made up for its loss of momentum in the autumn and is once again leading Fidesz with a confidence similar to that of last summer.”
Beyond these two major parties, only the far-right Our Homeland (Mi Hazank) organization appears positioned to secure parliamentary representation, earning 6% support among decided voters compared to 5% in January, according to Median. Political parties require at least 5% to obtain legislative seats.
Median maintains one of Hungary’s strongest records for accurate election predictions, correctly forecasting Orban’s overwhelming triumph in the previous election four years earlier, though it somewhat overestimated opposition performance.
Although most surveys indicate Tisza holds the lead, Fidesz references polls suggesting it remains on track for victory, though critics argue these studies primarily come from organizations with financial or personal connections to the governing party.
During a recent campaign event in Sumeg, Orban stated that polling data suggests Fidesz could prevail in 65-70 of Hungary’s 106 individual districts, down from 87 four years prior, but sufficient to maintain governmental control.
Hungary’s legislative body consists of 199 members, with 93 chosen from party lists and 106 elected directly from local constituencies.
A Spanish pharmaceutical company reported increased annual profits Wednesday, boosted by strong performance of its mental health medication and blood-thinning products despite facing challenges in other business areas.
Laboratorios Farmaceuticos Rovi announced its annual net profit climbed 3% to reach 140.4 million euros in 2025, even as the company’s total operating revenue dropped 3% to 743.5 million euros.
The profit increase was primarily driven by robust sales growth in the company’s specialty pharmaceutical division, which saw revenue jump 11% to 473.9 million euros. This growth was powered by a dramatic 97% surge in sales of Okedi, the company’s schizophrenia treatment, along with a 7% increase in sales of heparin products, which include various blood-thinning medications.
However, Rovi faced significant headwinds in its contract manufacturing operations, where revenue plummeted 20% to 269.5 million euros. This decline was attributed to minimal revenue from Moderna-related contracts and reduced production volumes for the vaccine manufacturer.
The company’s gross profit managed to grow 3% to 494.7 million euros, supported by 36.3 million euros in research and development assistance and lower costs for raw materials used in blood-thinning medications.
Looking ahead, Rovi plans to reward shareholders with a proposed dividend of 0.96 euros per share, representing approximately 35% of profits. Company executives project that operating revenue will expand by a high single-digit to low double-digit percentage in 2026.
Major aluminum manufacturer Alcoa Corporation announced Tuesday it plans to sell 10 of its shuttered or scaled-back facilities to data center operators, with the initial transaction expected to close by the end of June.
The move highlights how aluminum manufacturers, who require massive amounts of electricity for their energy-intensive metal production processes, are finding new opportunities amid fierce competition with power-hungry data centers for electrical supply. These former industrial sites are attractive to tech companies because they were originally chosen for their access to abundant energy sources.
Alcoa’s competitor Century Aluminum recently completed a similar deal this month, selling its inactive Hawesville facility to a data center company while keeping a 6.8% ownership stake.
“We have 10 sites that we’re focused on selling into that space,” Alcoa Chief Executive Officer Bill Oplinger told attendees at the BMO Global Metals, Mining and Critical Minerals Conference in Florida. “We think we’ll have the first sale in the first half of this year. There are two that could follow quickly after that.”
Oplinger explained that Alcoa has traditionally focused on maximizing returns and minimizing legal obligations when divesting properties. However, the company is now evaluating how the artificial intelligence boom might affect property values.
“What we’re really trying to understand is the value in a data centre world or an AI world of our individual sites,” he said.
The CEO also noted that while elevated aluminum prices haven’t reduced demand in the United States, low costs for alumina—the raw material used in aluminum production—have put half of the world’s refineries in negative cash flow situations. He predicted this will result in alumina production cuts, though not at Alcoa facilities.
Federal immigration enforcement agencies are conducting dangerous vehicle pursuits that have resulted in multiple accidents and at least one fatality, raising concerns about chase policies during heightened deportation operations.
As the Trump administration intensifies mass deportation efforts, more individuals are attempting to evade Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers. Federal agents have responded by engaging in high-speed vehicular chases and aggressive driving tactics that would violate pursuit policies used by local law enforcement agencies.
The dangerous pursuit practices have led to several vehicle crashes, with at least one resulting in death. The incidents highlight a gap between federal immigration enforcement tactics and the safety protocols that govern local police departments across the country.
Former President Donald Trump used his State of the Union address to showcase what he views as economic successes while launching verbal attacks against his political opponents. The speech represented Trump’s effort to convince American voters of his economic vision and record.
During the address, Trump attempted to persuade the public to embrace his perspective on the nation’s financial situation and economic policies.
In separate congressional news, the United States House of Representatives voted to reject proposed legislation focused on aviation safety measures, blocking the bill from advancing.
Select sections of Florida’s Apalachicola Bay have welcomed back commercial wild oyster harvesters following a five-year moratorium on the practice. The resumption of limited harvesting operations has brought excitement to both seafood lovers and the fishing community.
The restricted reopening marks the end of a lengthy suspension that kept harvesters away from the bay’s oyster beds for half a decade. Commercial fishermen and oyster enthusiasts are celebrating the return of access to these prized shellfish waters.
Fresh questions are being raised about FBI Director Kash Patel’s leadership approach following his participation in celebratory activities with the U.S. men’s hockey team after they captured Olympic gold.
The director’s decision to join the team’s post-victory festivities has generated renewed scrutiny of his tenure at the helm of the federal law enforcement agency, with critics pointing to the incident as another example of questionable judgment in his leadership role.
Annie Farmer, who courageously testified against Jeffrey Epstein during legal proceedings, recently spoke with journalist Leila Fadel regarding her attendance at President Trump’s State of the Union address.
Farmer, recognized as one of the survivors who came forward with testimony in the Epstein case, shared her reflections on being present for the presidential address to Congress.
The interview focused on Farmer’s experience and thoughts following her participation in the significant political event.
An Australian technology company has announced plans to eliminate roughly 2,000 positions worldwide over the next two years, representing one of the largest AI-related workforce reductions in the country’s history.
WiseTech Global, which develops logistics and shipping management software, revealed the significant downsizing affects approximately 29% of its 7,000 employees spread across 40 nations. The company’s stock price jumped 11.1% following the announcement, closing at A$47.74 on Wednesday.
The massive layoffs underscore the rapid transformation occurring in workplaces worldwide as artificial intelligence technology becomes more sophisticated, taking over routine administrative duties and complex programming tasks with greater efficiency and accuracy.
This trend extends beyond Australia, with major corporations like Amazon recently announcing 16,000 job eliminations globally in their second round of cuts within three months, contributing to a broader pattern of workforce reductions across various industries.
WiseTech plans to incorporate AI technology into both customer-facing software and internal business processes. The reductions will particularly impact product development, engineering, and customer service departments, with some teams potentially losing up to half their staff members.
The company’s U.S. cloud computing division, E2open, which WiseTech purchased for $2.1 billion last August, may experience cuts reaching 50% of its workforce.
“Software development has experienced its most significant shift in decades,” stated WiseTech CEO Zubin Appoo.
“The era of manually writing code as the core act of engineering is over.”
Despite the workforce reduction announcement, WiseTech reported strong financial performance for the first half of the year, with underlying net profits reaching $114.5 million, exceeding market expectations by 6%. The company also declared an interim dividend of 6.8 cents and maintained its full-year financial projections.
However, the company’s stock remains significantly depressed, trading 68% below its November 2024 peak. This decline followed controversy surrounding founder and former CEO Richard White, including allegations of improper payments to a former romantic partner, which prompted many investors to sell their holdings. Additional concerns about AI’s impact on the software company’s future also contributed to the stock’s poor performance.
According to Marc Jocum, a senior investment strategist at Global X ETFs, “With recent share price weakness was more governance-driven than fundamental and with the fiscal 2026 guidance reaffirmed, the underlying trajectory remains sustainable despite near-term disruption.”
WiseTech, established more than thirty years ago, joins a growing list of technology companies restructuring their operations to adapt to the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence landscape.
TikTok’s parent company ByteDance has reached a staggering $550 billion valuation as investment firm General Atlantic prepares to sell its ownership stake, according to two sources familiar with the transaction.
The proposed sale would mark the first major divestment since the Trump administration approved the transfer of TikTok’s U.S. operations last month, and represents a massive 66% increase from the company’s $330 billion valuation during a share repurchase program last year.
This latest valuation also shows a 15% boost from a secondary market transaction in November that priced ByteDance at $480 billion, sources revealed last month.
General Atlantic, which initially backed ByteDance in 2017 when the company was worth approximately $20 billion, began the process of selling portions of its holdings in recent weeks and aims to complete the transaction by March, one source indicated.
Specific financial details of the stake sale, including General Atlantic’s current ownership percentage and what portion will remain after the deal, have not been disclosed.
The transaction highlights ByteDance’s remarkable and consistent growth in private market valuations, potentially delivering substantial returns to other investors when the company eventually goes public.
Both sources requested anonymity as they lack authorization to discuss the matter publicly. ByteDance has not responded to requests for comment, while General Atlantic declined to address the proposed share sale.
Valuations for private companies can fluctuate significantly in secondary market deals, but such transactions serve as important indicators of investor confidence in a company’s stock.
ByteDance’s true market worth remains unclear since its shares trade privately, and secondary market deal terms are not made public.
General Atlantic has internally assessed its ByteDance investment at the $550 billion level, making it logical for the firm to seek similar pricing in its planned secondary sale, the second source explained.
The share sale follows ByteDance’s agreement to transition TikTok’s U.S. operations to majority American ownership, resolving ongoing uncertainties that have affected both companies since President Donald Trump raised national security concerns about the app.
General Atlantic’s decision to sell comes as some of its investment funds near the end of their operational cycles, the first source noted. Private equity firms typically operate on 10-12 year timelines to raise capital, make investments, and return profits to their investors.
General Atlantic CEO Bill Ford currently serves on ByteDance’s board of directors.
ByteDance has become the world’s largest social media company by revenue, surpassing Meta (Facebook’s parent company), as Reuters reported previously. The Chinese firm’s annual profits for 2025 could reach approximately $48 billion.
Separately, venture capital firm HSG, previously known as Sequoia Capital China, is establishing a continuation fund to acquire ByteDance shares from maturing funds at a valuation between $350 billion and $370 billion, Reuters reported last month.
MEXICO CITY – Mexican lawmakers have given their approval to legislation that will gradually shorten the country’s standard work week from 48 hours to 40 hours by the year 2030.
The Chamber of Deputies passed the measure on Tuesday evening with overwhelming support, as 469 representatives backed the proposal while no lawmakers cast opposing votes.
The legislation had already gained approval from Mexico’s Senate earlier this month, where President Claudia Sheinbaum’s Morena party maintains strong control.
While opposition legislators initially raised objections to the proposal, they ultimately joined with the ruling party to support the reform following a marathon legislative session that stretched beyond 10 hours.
The measure represents the culmination of years of negotiations between government officials and private sector representatives. Sheinbaum formally presented the legislation in December, outlining a plan to reduce working hours by two hours annually until reaching the 40-hour target in 2030. Officials estimate the change will impact approximately 13.4 million Mexican workers.
Despite the legislative victory, labor organizations have criticized the reform as insufficient, arguing it falls short of addressing broader worker protection issues.
A surprising new international study suggests South Africa may hold the number two spot among the world’s most competitive chicken producers, despite weathering a perfect storm of industry challenges over recent years.
The nation’s poultry sector has endured a barrage of difficulties including illegal dumping practices, severe drought conditions, skyrocketing feed expenses, power supply issues, and devastating bird flu outbreaks. Yet somehow, the industry has managed to maintain both its resilience and technical excellence on the global stage.
These findings come from the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy’s 2025 Competitiveness Benchmark Report, a comprehensive analysis developed alongside researchers from Wagenen University in the Netherlands. The report examined how South Africa’s chicken industry has managed to stay both globally competitive and operationally efficient despite facing such significant headwinds.
The study’s preliminary findings highlight the remarkable adaptability of South Africa’s poultry operations in the face of mounting pressures that have challenged producers worldwide.
German luxury automaker BMW announced Wednesday it will recall 58,713 vehicles across the United States following the discovery of defective electrical wiring that poses a safety risk.
Federal safety regulators with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported the recall stems from faulty wiring harnesses connected to the vehicles’ air conditioning systems. These damaged electrical components could potentially create dangerous short circuits.
The safety recall affects multiple BMW models, with the M5 Sportswagon, M5, and 750e xDrive among the vehicles requiring repairs, according to NHTSA officials.
Themus Fulks delivered a stellar performance with 24 points and 11 assists, powering UCF to a commanding 97-84 upset victory over 19th-ranked BYU on Tuesday night in Provo, Utah.
Jordan Burks matched Fulks with 24 points of his own, while Jamichael Stillwell recorded a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. George Beale Jr. contributed 10 points for the Knights (20-7, 9-6 Big 12), who extended their winning streak to three games.
The Knights dominated from start to finish, maintaining the lead throughout the contest and building their advantage to as many as 36 points. UCF’s offensive efficiency was remarkable, connecting on 56.3% of their field goal attempts and an impressive 58.3% from beyond the arc, making 14 of 24 three-point shots.
AJ Dybantsa paced BYU (20-8, 8-7) with 29 points and eight rebounds. Robert Wright III contributed 20 points and seven assists, while Aleksej Kostic added 14 points for the Cougars, who have now dropped six of their last nine contests.
In other Top 25 action, top-ranked Duke demolished Notre Dame 100-56 behind Cameron Boozer’s 24 points and 13 rebounds. The victory marked Boozer’s 16th double-double of the season as the Blue Devils (26-2, 14-1 ACC) cruised past the Fighting Irish in South bend.
Second-ranked Arizona overcame a seven-point halftime deficit to defeat Baylor 87-80 in Waco, Texas. Jaden Bradley led the Wildcats with 25 points, six rebounds and six assists, while Brayden Burries added 24 points in the comeback victory.
Third-ranked Michigan secured at least a share of the Big Ten regular-season title with a 77-67 win over Minnesota. The Wolverines (26-2, 16-1 Big Ten) claimed their first share of a conference regular-season championship since 2021, with Elliot Cadeau scoring 15 points on efficient 6-of-10 shooting.
Fourth-ranked Iowa State cruised past Utah 75-59, with Joshua Jefferson posting 21 points and six rebounds. Milan Momcilovic made history by connecting on four three-pointers, bringing his season total to 104 and surpassing Dedric Willoughby’s single-season school record of 102 set in 1996-97.
Eleventh-ranked Virginia completed a season sweep of NC State with a dominant 90-61 victory. Thijs De Ridder led the Cavaliers with 19 points as they extended their winning streak to nine games and remained one game behind Duke in the ACC standings.
In upset action, Missouri strengthened their NCAA Tournament resume by knocking off 22nd-ranked Tennessee 73-69. T.O. Barrett recorded a career-high 28 points for the Tigers, while Mark Mitchell added 23 points in the victory.
Dayton pulled off another upset, defeating 23rd-ranked Saint Louis 77-62 at home. Amael L’Etang posted career highs with 26 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Flyers to their fourth consecutive win.
TOKYO – Japanese competition regulators conducted a search of Microsoft Japan’s headquarters on Wednesday as part of an ongoing investigation into possible anti-competitive business practices, according to a report from the Nikkei business publication.
The Japan Fair Trade Commission’s action stems from concerns that the technology company may have unlawfully prevented customers using its Azure cloud computing service from accessing competing cloud platforms, sources with knowledge of the investigation told Nikkei.
Attempts to reach Microsoft Japan for a response were unsuccessful on Wednesday.
A Chinese artificial intelligence chatbot owned by ByteDance achieved a major milestone during the country’s Lunar New Year festivities, reaching more than 100 million daily users and outpacing rival tech companies in a fierce competition for market dominance.
The Doubao application hit the 100 million user mark on February 16, representing a fourfold increase from early February numbers, according to Wednesday data from AICPB.com, a firm that monitors Chinese AI chatbot performance.
China’s Spring Festival, which officially started February 15 and continued for nine days, has evolved into a crucial battleground for the nation’s technology giants to showcase their consumer AI products and capture public attention through expensive marketing blitzes.
ByteDance’s success appeared linked to a strategic collaboration with CCTV’s Spring Festival Gala, among China’s most popular television broadcasts, which aired on February 16. During the program, Doubao processed more than 1.9 billion AI-generated inquiries, ByteDance reported.
Meanwhile, Alibaba invested 3 billion yuan ($436.95 million) promoting its Qwen chatbot through subsidized purchases of products like bubble tea ordered through the application. Despite this substantial spending, Qwen’s daily active users peaked at just 30 million on New Year’s Eve, marking the lowest performance among the three competing chatbots surveyed. Early February data showed Qwen had fewer than 10 million daily users.
Tencent launched a promotional effort for its Yuanbao chatbot featuring a 1 billion yuan coupon distribution campaign. This strategy helped the application grow steadily from 20 million daily users in early February to a maximum of 50 million on February 16, survey results indicated.
Representatives from ByteDance, Alibaba, and Tencent did not provide immediate responses to requests for comment from Reuters.
Following their holiday peaks, all three applications experienced declining user numbers, with Yuanbao showing the steepest decrease after its promotional campaign concluded. Qwen demonstrated the smallest user drop and maintained 22 million users by February 21.
“Doubao gained the most visibility through the Spring Festival Gala, Yuanbao attracted users quickly with cash incentives, but both face user retention challenges after the holiday peak,” AICPB stated. “Qwen, however, showed the strongest retention by focusing on practical, everyday use cases.”
Before the holiday period, Alibaba announced the addition of AI agent capabilities to its Qwen application. Users ultimately placed approximately 200 million orders for various items including eggs, flight tickets, and bubble tea through the platform during the festival season, AICPB data revealed.
India’s largest technology services company is pushing its workforce to embrace artificial intelligence tools, even though doing so might cut into the firm’s bottom line, according to the company’s top executive.
K Krithivasan, chief executive of Tata Consultancy Services, made the remarks Wednesday during a technology conference in Mumbai as concerns grow about AI’s impact on India’s tech industry.
“We are telling associates that if you find that you can do something faster, better, cheaper with AI, you should probably go and tell your customers, even if it cannibalises revenue,” Krithivasan stated at the Nasscom Technology and Leadership Forum.
The executive expressed confidence that artificial intelligence will create opportunities rather than eliminate jobs in the sector.
“We are not afraid this technology will take away our livelihood. We believe it is going to open up more, so you enjoy the benefits the more you do, and not by resisting the change,” he explained.
This approach aligns with competitor Wipro’s strategy, as that company also anticipates AI adoption will increase demand for software services rather than reduce it. Wipro’s Chief Strategist and Technology Officer Hari Shetty has predicted artificial intelligence will generate more employment opportunities than it eliminates.
The tech sector in India has faced significant market pressure recently, with investor worries about AI disrupting the industry’s traditional labor-intensive business model. India’s technology stock index has dropped 21% through Tuesday this month, marking what could be its worst monthly decline in nearly two decades. The selloff has erased approximately $68.6 billion in market value during February alone.
An Indian pharmaceutical company is preparing to introduce a more affordable alternative to popular diabetes and weight-loss medications next month, according to industry sources and documents obtained by Reuters.
Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, headquartered in Hyderabad, is expected to roll out its generic semaglutide injection in India during March, marketing it under the brand name Obeda. The medication contains the same active ingredient found in Novo Nordisk’s widely-used diabetes treatment Ozempic and weight-loss medication Wegovy.
Government records show that the Indian drugmaker has submitted trademark applications for both the Obeda brand name and its associated logo.
When contacted for comment, a company representative stated: “As semaglutide is yet to be officially launched, it would not be appropriate to refer to or publish any name as the brand name at this stage.” The pharmaceutical company declined to specify whether their Obeda product will target diabetes treatment or weight management.
The timing coincides with approaching patent expiration dates, as semaglutide’s intellectual property protection in India concludes in March 2026. This has sparked competition among Indian drug manufacturers to develop cost-effective alternatives.
India faces significant health challenges that make such medications particularly relevant. The nation ranks second globally in adult diabetes cases, trailing only China, according to International Diabetes Federation data. Research published in The Lancet projects that India could see more than 440 million people classified as overweight or obese by 2050.
Company leadership has outlined ambitious sales projections for the new product. G.V. Prasad, who serves as Co-Chairman and Managing Director of Dr Reddy’s, revealed plans to distribute approximately 12 million injectable semaglutide pens during the initial year. The pricing strategy aims to undercut existing branded products substantially, potentially offering savings of up to 60%.
The company has secured regulatory permission to produce and distribute a generic equivalent of Ozempic, while still awaiting approval for a Wegovy alternative. Although Ozempic received official approval specifically for diabetes management, medical professionals frequently prescribe it for weight reduction purposes.
The competitive landscape intensified last year when both Novo Nordisk and American competitor Eli Lilly introduced their diabetes and weight-loss treatments to the Indian market. Lilly’s Mounjaro quickly achieved the distinction of becoming India’s highest-grossing medication by monetary value.
Acknowledging the competitive environment ahead, Prasad commented: “Everybody is going to launch, so we’ll have to figure out who will get market share.”
The world’s largest spirits company has lowered its financial projections for the second time in just four months, while also reducing shareholder payouts as declining sales in the United States and China continue to impact performance.
Diageo, the company behind popular brands including Johnnie Walker whisky and Guinness beer, released its latest financial results under newly appointed CEO Dave Lewis, revealing ongoing struggles in key markets.
“U.S. spirits performance reflected pressure on disposable income, and competitive pressure from more affordable alternatives addressing a more stretched consumer wallet,” Lewis stated in the company’s mid-year earnings report.
Lewis assumed leadership of the beverage giant in January, inheriting significant challenges including high debt levels, tariff uncertainties affecting US operations, declining Chinese market demand, and shifting consumer preferences worldwide.
The leadership change came after former CEO Debra Crew’s sudden departure, which followed disappointing performance in Latin America, slowing global expansion, and mounting investor concerns about the company’s direction and debt management.
The London-based company has revised its 2026 projections, now anticipating organic sales will drop between 2% and 3%, while operating profits are expected to remain flat or show minimal single-digit increases. Previous estimates had called for stable to slightly declining sales with stronger profit growth.
American market performance proved particularly challenging, with overall sales declining 9.3%. Even premium tequila brands like Don Julio, previously a growth driver, saw sales plummet more than 23%.
Shareholders will also feel the impact, as the company announced an interim dividend payment of 20 cents per share, significantly down from 40.5 cents paid during the same period last year. The company established a minimum annual dividend floor of 50 cents.
A major Wall Street investment firm is making bold predictions about the future of gold prices, forecasting the precious metal could reach unprecedented levels within the next two years.
In a research note released Wednesday, JP Morgan analysts project gold will climb to $6,300 per ounce by the conclusion of 2026. The financial institution attributes this dramatic price surge to heightened purchasing activity from both central banks worldwide and individual investors.
The banking giant has also revised upward its extended outlook for the precious metal, now setting a long-term target of $4,500 per ounce.
This optimistic forecast reflects growing confidence in gold as both a store of value and hedge against economic uncertainty in global markets.
International banking giant HSBC Holdings has increased its profitability expectations after annual earnings exceeded analyst predictions, signaling that the financial institution’s major restructuring efforts are largely complete and positioning for future expansion.
Despite being hit with $4.9 billion in extraordinary charges, Europe’s biggest bank saw pretax earnings decline 7% to $29.9 billion for the year. The results still surpassed consensus predictions by approximately $1 billion, following what was considered an exceptionally strong performance in 2024.
In a company statement, Chief Executive Georges Elhedery noted the bank’s decisive actions over the past year.
“We are becoming a simple, more agile, focused bank built for a fast-changing world,” Elhedery said.
The financial institution announced it was increasing its return on tangible equity goal – a crucial banking profitability metric – to “17% or better” by 2028, an improvement from the previous “mid-teens” objective established for the period ending in 2027. The bank achieved 13.3% in this measure last year.
Following the earnings announcement, HSBC’s Hong Kong-traded stock price jumped 2.5%.
The substantial charges from last year included a $2.1 billion write-down connected to the bank’s stake in China’s Bank of Communications, which suffered from dilution effects and China’s prolonged real estate market decline.
This resulted in the bank’s mainland China operations seeing pretax earnings plummet 66% to $1.1 billion.
Additional costs included $1.4 billion in legal reserves and $1 billion for restructuring and associated expenses.
Since taking the helm 18 months ago, career HSBC executive Elhedery has transformed the organization by restructuring business units along geographical East-West divisions, eliminating smaller-scale investment banking operations in America and Europe, and reducing senior management positions.
The bank completed departures from 11 different business segments worldwide during the previous year.
These transformation efforts contributed to HSBC’s London-traded shares soaring 50% in 2025, with an additional 10% gain year-to-date, bringing the company’s market capitalization to approximately $300 billion.
HSBC completed the acquisition of subsidiary Hang Seng Bank through a $13.7 billion privatization deal last year. The company announced Wednesday that their merged banking operations expect to generate $900 million in pretax revenue and cost efficiencies by 2028’s conclusion, though this will involve $600 million in restructuring expenses.
The bank declared a final dividend payment of 45 cents per share, supplementing the 30 cents distributed earlier in the year. However, this total fell short of the 87 cents paid out for 2024.
Elhedery’s total compensation package reached 6.6 million pounds ($8.9 million) in 2025, representing an 18% increase from the previous year.
Investment analysts from Jefferies suggested that while investors would likely respond positively to the strong financial performance, they might question the bank’s projection of only a 1% cost increase for 2026 given competitive pressures and necessary artificial intelligence technology investments.
British pharmaceutical giant GSK announced Wednesday it will purchase Canadian biotechnology firm 35Pharma Inc for $950 million in cash, gaining access to a promising treatment for a serious lung condition.
This acquisition represents the second significant purchase made by GSK since Luke Miels took over as chief executive, following the company’s $2.2 billion agreement to acquire RAPT Therapeutics last month.
Through this transaction, GSK will obtain 35Pharma’s experimental medication designed to treat pulmonary hypertension, a deadly condition characterized by elevated blood pressure within the lungs that reduces patients’ life expectancy. This acquisition will strengthen GSK’s collection of respiratory treatments.
Earlier this week, the London-based pharmaceutical company also announced a separate $1 billion agreement to purchase worldwide development rights for two kidney disease therapies from Frontier Biotechnologies that use small interfering RNA technology.
JAKARTA, Indonesia — An American man has returned to the United States following his release from an Indonesian prison where he served 11 years for the calculated killing of his girlfriend’s mother on the vacation island of Bali.
Tommy Schaefer received an 18-year prison term for the 2014 killing of Sheila von Wiese-Mack, who was the mother of his girlfriend Heather Mack. The crime occurred during a high-end vacation and became widely known as the Bali ‘suitcase murder.’
According to Felucia Sengky Ratna, who heads the Bali Regional Office of the Directorate General of Immigration, Schaefer was sent back to America from Bali International Airport on Tuesday night following the completion of his sentence, which was reduced due to multiple good behavior credits.
Authorities discovered the severely beaten remains of 62-year-old von Wiese-Mack, a well-to-do Chicago socialite, stuffed inside a taxi’s trunk at the exclusive St. Regis Bali Resort in August 2014.
Both Heather Mack, who was nearly 19 years old and several weeks into her pregnancy when the murder occurred, and Schaefer, then 21, were taken into custody on the island one day after investigators found the victim’s body.
Mack completed seven years of her 10-year Indonesian prison term for her role in her mother’s death before being sent back to the United States in October 2021.
Following her return to America, she received an additional 26-year federal prison sentence in Chicago this past January after entering a guilty plea for her participation in murdering her mother and concealing the corpse in luggage during their island getaway.
For more than ten years, federal immigration officers quietly used a California city’s shooting range for training exercises without drawing much attention from local residents. That changed following President Trump’s intensified immigration enforcement efforts and deadly incidents involving federal agents shooting U.S. citizens.
The training agreement in Escondido, a community of roughly 150,000 located north of San Diego amid agricultural land and horse properties, has now become the center of ongoing protests. Community members are calling on city leaders to terminate the contract allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents access to the police department’s shooting facility, part of a broader nationwide pushback against the administration’s immigration policies.
“We don’t want ICE anywhere near Escondido or fraternizing with the police,” said Richard Garner, 71, while rallying against the deal outside the city’s police station.
Recent polling shows most Americans believe Trump has overstepped by deploying federal immigration officers in U.S. cities. Beyond large-scale protests in Minneapolis, residents from New York to California are challenging existing agreements between ICE and municipal governments covering everything from training facility access to parking arrangements. Communities have also expressed anger over ICE’s plans to establish massive detention warehouses, some designed to hold up to 10,000 immigration detainees.
Congressional Democrats have blocked Department of Homeland Security funding during this controversy, stating they won’t approve additional resources without new restrictions on federal immigration activities following last month’s fatal shootings of U.S. citizens Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis.
Escondido’s City Council plans to address the ICE contract during Wednesday’s meeting.
Escondido previously maintained unusually strong ties with ICE compared to other California municipalities, permitting immigration officers to operate from police headquarters and collaborate on traffic enforcement. This cooperation ceased after California enacted 2017 legislation restricting such partnerships with federal immigration authorities.
Local activists say they discovered the shooting range contract online and were previously unaware of the arrangement at the facility located in the city’s hills. They worry the agreement will discourage immigrants from reporting crimes to local law enforcement, potentially compromising public safety in a community where Latino residents comprise approximately half the population.
Residents express concern about providing ICE agents any justification to visit their area or supporting an agency they believe may not adhere to federal law. These fears affect both immigrants and citizens worried about masked federal immigration officers’ use of lethal force.
Police Captain Erik Witholt explained that Escondido provides the facility through a contract ICE signed in 2024 and renewed this year, although the agency has conducted training at the outdoor range along a curved road outside downtown for over a decade.
The three-year agreement with ICE’s San Diego Homeland Security Investigations unit, which handles cases involving human trafficking and drug smuggling, will pay the city $22,500 annually.
“We don’t train with them. We don’t train them,” Witholt said, noting that 22 different agencies utilize the facility, each bringing their own range supervisors, targets, and ammunition.
The Department of Homeland Security, ICE’s parent agency, declined to address the criticism and wouldn’t verify training locations due to security considerations.
However, several training sites have been revealed as communities seek to terminate such contracts.
In Cottage Grove, Minnesota, located 20 miles southeast of Minneapolis, Ruth Jones and fellow residents have petitioned their community to cancel its agreement allowing ICE access to the regional training center. Mayor Myron Bailey responded that the facility was constructed using state bond money and serves approximately 60 law enforcement agencies and other organizations, including ICE.
“Contractually we cannot discriminate against any public agency,” Bailey said in a statement.
Islip, New York residents urged local officials last year to cancel a long-term contract for rifle range training access, but municipal leaders maintained the agreement.
Hartford, Connecticut has taken steps to terminate a contract allowing ICE personnel to use a city-owned parking facility.
Not all Escondido residents oppose the city’s ICE agreement. Luke Beckwith, 26, believes police should determine facility access.
“I personally don’t care,” Beckwith said. “It’s bringing revenue to the city.”
Edgar, a Mexican immigrant who requested his surname be withheld due to deportation concerns, said preventing ICE from using the city’s shooting range won’t eliminate the danger for immigrants like himself.
Paolo Banchero delivered a dominant performance with 36 points and 10 rebounds, while Desmond Bane contributed 22 points to help the Orlando Magic complete a highly successful West Coast road swing with a narrow 110-109 triumph over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night.
Wendell Carter Jr. chipped in 20 points and Tristan da Silva added 13 as Orlando finished their western road trip with a 3-1 record, capturing wins in Sacramento and against both Los Angeles franchises – the Clippers and Lakers. Their only setback came in Phoenix during the second contest of the journey.
For the Lakers, Luka Doncic put up 22 points while dishing out 15 assists and grabbing nine rebounds. LeBron James and Deandre Ayton each scored 21 points for Los Angeles, which concluded an extended eight-game homestand with a 4-4 record that spanned both sides of the All-Star break. James had an opportunity to secure the victory in the final seconds, but his contested 3-point attempt missed the mark.
The Magic shot 45.7% from the field overall but turned up the heat when it mattered most, connecting on 59.1% of their shots in the final quarter while putting up 31 points. This marked Orlando’s fourth straight victory against the Lakers dating back to November 2023.
Cavaliers 109, Knicks 94
Donovan Mitchell poured in 23 points and James Harden contributed 20 as Cleveland dominated visiting New York to capture their eighth victory in nine contests.
Jarrett Allen was nearly perfect, making 7 of 8 field goal attempts for 19 points while pulling down 10 rebounds for Cleveland, which moved into a tie with New York for third place in the Eastern Conference standings. The Cavaliers have posted a 6-1 record with Harden on the roster and boast the league’s best 13-2 mark since January 21.
Jalen Brunson tallied 20 points and Mikal Bridges scored 18, but New York’s starting backcourt struggled with their shooting, combining for just 12 of 36 from the floor. The Knicks held the lead for merely 19 seconds and found themselves down by 20 points in the fourth quarter, though they maintain a solid 12-4 record since January 19.
76ers 135, Pacers 114
Tyrese Maxey nearly recorded a triple-double with 32 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, while Joel Embiid contributed 27 points to power Philadelphia past Indiana in Indianapolis.
Maxey connected on 10 of 22 field goal attempts and was flawless from the charity stripe, making all 10 free throw attempts for the 76ers, who exploded for 45 second-quarter points and shot an impressive 57.6% for the contest. Embiid knocked down 11 of 17 shots in his first game back after missing five contests due to knee and shin problems. Rookie VJ Edgecombe posted 23 points and seven rebounds while Quentin Grimes provided 15 points off the bench.
Micah Potter reached a season-best 23 points and Andrew Nembhard matched that output to pace the Pacers.
Hawks 119, Wizards 98
Jonathan Kuminga erupted for a season-high 27 points in his Atlanta debut as the Hawks controlled the game from start to finish, defeating visiting Washington for their second consecutive win.
Kuminga, who came over from Golden State at the trade deadline, shot 9 of 12 from the field and exploded for 18 third-quarter points. The celebration was dampened by the injury to All-Star Jalen Johnson, who exited at the 6:22 mark of the opening quarter with a left hip flexor strain. Atlanta also received 16 points from Nickeil Alexander-Walker, 12 from Corey Kispert and 10 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists from Onyeka Okongwu.
Washington was paced by bench players Will Riley with 18 points, and Justin Campagnie and Jamir Watkins who each scored 14. Trae Young, who spent his first seven-plus NBA seasons in Atlanta, remained on the sideline and did not play while continuing to recover from the right knee MCL strain that has sidelined him since December 27. The Hawks paid tribute to Young with a video highlight package.
Mavericks 123, Nets 114
Marvin Bagley III came off the bench to score 22 points as Dallas took control in the opening quarter and held off host Brooklyn to give head coach Jason Kidd his 200th victory leading the Mavericks.
Bagley shot 10 of 13 from the field and finished one point shy of his season high as the Mavericks captured their second straight victory following a 10-game losing streak. Bagley’s outstanding performance was part of a 61-point effort from Dallas reserves. The Mavericks shot 58.5% and dominated inside with 66 paint points.
A blizzard in the New York region forced the Mavericks to arrive early from Indianapolis on Tuesday while the Nets flew in from Atlanta that afternoon. Michael Porter Jr. topped the Nets with 26 points.
Thunder 116, Raptors 107
Isaiah Joe scored 19 of his 22 points during the third quarter as visiting Oklahoma City managed to hold off Toronto.
Cason Wallace led all scorers with 27 points while adding eight rebounds and seven assists for the Thunder, who have now won three straight games and five of their last six. Alex Caruso added 16 points, Luguentz Dort chipped in 15 points and Isaiah Hartenstein scored 11 with nine rebounds.
RJ Barrett led Toronto with 21 points as the Raptors saw their two-game winning streak end. Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram each contributed 15 points. Ja’Kobe Walter and Immanuel Quickley both scored 17 points while Jamal Shead added 13.
Hornets 131, Bulls 99
Brandon Miller scored 23 points and Kon Knueppel added 21 to lead seven Charlotte players in double figures as the visiting Hornets demolished struggling Chicago.
Matas Buzelis posted a career-high 32 points for Chicago, which has now dropped 10 consecutive games for the first time since the 2018-19 campaign. Charlotte, winners of 12 of their last 15 games, established a franchise record with their eighth straight road victory. The team drained 25 three-pointers, coming one short of tying another franchise milestone.
Charlotte shot 60.7% in the third quarter while holding the Bulls to just 27.8%. Chicago committed nine of their 21 turnovers in the third period and trailed by as many as 38 points in the second half. Patrick Williams and Guerschon Yabusele each scored 11 points for Chicago, while Collin Sexton contributed 10.
Bucks 128, Heat 117
Kevin Porter Jr. delivered 32 points along with seven rebounds and seven assists to guide Milwaukee past visiting Miami.
Ryan Rollins contributed 21 points for Milwaukee, which captured its seventh victory in nine games without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who remains out with a calf injury. Bobby Portis matched Rollins’ 21-point output coming off the bench, while Kyle Kuzma added 19.
Norman Powell paced Miami with 26 points as the Heat saw their three-game winning streak come to an end. Bam Adebayo contributed 18 points and nine rebounds.
Pelicans 113, Warriors 109
Zion Williamson scored 26 points as host New Orleans jumped out to a 14-point first-quarter advantage and managed to fend off short-handed Golden State.
Saddiq Bey contributed 18 points for the Pelicans, who have now won consecutive games and four of their past six contests. Former Golden State player Jordan Poole scored 12 points to pace a New Orleans bench that outproduced their Golden State counterparts 45-26.
De’Anthony Melton led all scorers with 28 points for the Warriors, who were missing Stephen Curry (knee), Jimmy Butler (knee), Al Horford (toe) and Kristaps Porzingis (illness), and have dropped three of their last four games.
Celtics 97, Suns 81
Derrick White scored 22 points, Neemias Queta recorded 14 points and 13 rebounds, and visiting Boston cruised past undermanned Phoenix to extend their winning streak to four games.
Sam Hauser added 16 points and Bailey Scheierman posted 11 points and 11 rebounds for his third career double-double as the Celtics improved to nine wins in 10 games and reached a season-high 19 games above .500.
The Celtics trailed 41-30 with 6:41 remaining in the second quarter before embarking on a devastating 50-11 run to seize control with an 80-52 advantage on Nikola Vukevic’s basket with 1:39 left in the third. Collin Gillespie scored 15 points, Grayson Allen added 14 and Jalen Green chipped in 13 for the Suns, who played their second consecutive game without top scorers Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks.
Timberwolves 124, Trail Blazers 121
Anthony Edwards poured in 34 points and Jaden McDaniels added 29 points, tied his career best with five blocked shots and recorded three steals to lead Minnesota past host Portland.
Donte DiVincenzo added 19 points as the Timberwolves won for the fourth time in five games and improved to a perfect 3-0 against the Blazers this season. Edwards, McDaniels and DiVincenzo each connected on five three-pointers as Minnesota shot 17 of 35 (48.6%) from beyond the arc.
With Portland All-Star Deni Avdija sidelined for the 11th time in 19 games due to back issues, Jrue Holiday scored 22 points, Jerami Grant added 21 points and reserve Scoot Henderson contributed 19 for the Blazers, who suffered their third loss in five games.
A major eye care company announced Tuesday its optimistic outlook for the next two years, projecting steady revenue increases driven by new medical device launches and surgical equipment.
Swiss-based Alcon released forecasts showing anticipated sales growth between 5% and 7% through 2026, aligning closely with Wall Street predictions of approximately $11.13 billion in revenue. The company attributes this positive outlook to strong performance from its surgical platforms and contact lens divisions, even while facing headwinds from international trade policies.
Company officials warned that tariff-related expenses could reach between $125 million and $175 million in 2026, even after implementing cost-saving measures.
The firm also noted that expansion in Chinese markets may face challenges due to government procurement policies and broader economic uncertainties in the region.
Alcon’s recent performance has been bolstered by consistent demand for cataract surgery procedures, which medical experts consider essential treatments for aging patient populations rather than elective procedures.
During the final quarter of last year, the company’s surgical division generated $1.55 billion in revenue, marking a 9% increase. Equipment sales surged 21% following the introduction of new products, including the Unity surgical tools platform. Meanwhile, consumable products, which provide ongoing revenue streams, grew by 8%.
However, the company’s operating margin decreased to 11.6% in the fourth quarter, down from 15.9% the previous year. This decline resulted from increased investments in new product development and higher research costs, along with tariff-related expenses.
Market analysts are closely watching whether momentum from products like PanOptix Pro and newer equipment platforms can maintain growth trajectories through 2026, particularly as the company navigates supply chain challenges and pricing pressures.
Swiss citizens will head to the polls next month to decide whether to dramatically reduce government funding for their national broadcasting service, in a vote that reflects growing global tensions between conservative politicians and public media organizations.
The March 8 referendum would lower the mandatory annual fee that Swiss residents pay to support broadcaster SRG from 335 Swiss francs ($433) down to 200 francs. Conservative groups, including the right-wing Swiss People’s Party, are pushing the initiative as a way to reduce costs for households.
These supporters argue that younger generations have largely abandoned traditional television and radio in favor of social media platforms and streaming services, making the current fee structure outdated.
“SRG’s journalistic work has a political bias, a bias to the left,” stated Thomas Matter, a lawmaker with the Swiss People’s Party.
However, SRG disputes these accusations of political slant, pointing to research from the University of Zurich that concluded the broadcaster maintains political neutrality without favoring either conservative or liberal viewpoints.
Recent polling data from GFS Bern suggests the outcome remains uncertain, with 46% of voters supporting the cuts and 52% opposing them.
The broadcasting company operates an extensive network of 17 radio stations and seven television channels across Switzerland’s four official languages. Officials warn that reducing their annual 1.5 billion franc budget would essentially “end SRG” as it currently exists.
Economic analysts at BAK Economics project that approximately half of the broadcaster’s 5,479 employees could lose their jobs if voters approve the funding reduction. The company has already announced plans for workforce reductions and would face severe programming cuts.
This Swiss debate mirrors similar controversies affecting public broadcasters worldwide, as conservative political movements increasingly challenge these institutions.
In Britain, the BBC faces mounting pressure from politicians across the political spectrum who accuse it of bias. The Reform UK Party, currently leading in opinion polls, wants to eliminate the 174.50-pound ($235.33) television license fee that funds BBC operations.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has described the BBC as “institutionally biased” and advocates for significantly reducing its size and scope.
The BBC is also confronting a $10 billion legal challenge from U.S. President Donald Trump over edited footage that allegedly misrepresented his remarks about the January 2021 Capitol incident. While the BBC has issued an apology and acknowledged editorial misjudgment, it maintains the lawsuit lacks legal foundation.
Trump’s legal representatives claimed in December that the BBC “has a long pattern of deceiving its audience in coverage of President Trump, all in service of its own leftist political agenda.”
In May, Trump issued an executive order to eliminate funding for NPR and PBS, two American broadcasters that receive partial government support, targeting what his administration considers politically hostile institutions.
Similar movements have emerged in Germany and Austria, where far-right political parties are demanding the elimination of mandatory broadcasting fees while accusing state media of liberal bias.
Mark Eisenegger, a professor specializing in public discourse at Zurich University, describes these bias allegations as a standard strategy employed by populist and right-wing movements to undermine public broadcasting and create opportunities for their own media outlets.
“They see independent journalism as a threat,” Eisenegger explained.
Opposition campaigners in Switzerland are using posters warning that cutting SRG funding would allow the proliferation of “Russian lies” and “American fake news.”
Laura Zimmermann, who leads the campaign against the proposed cuts, emphasizes that SRG plays a crucial role in maintaining Swiss unity by broadcasting in all four national languages while serving as a safeguard against public misinformation.
“We’re living in an age of disinformation,” Zimmermann said. “It’s a vital part of our security.”
British consumer healthcare company Haleon announced Wednesday that its revenue growth decelerated during the final quarter of last year, citing a late-arriving flu season that dampened sales of cold and respiratory medications.
The company, known for manufacturing Sensodyne toothpaste, saw its respiratory health product sales suffer due to an unusually mild cold and flu season, especially across North America and Central and Eastern Europe. This challenge was made worse by reduced consumer spending in the United States and increased market competition that pushed customers toward more affordable options, particularly affecting the company’s underperforming Smokers’ Health product line.
During the October-through-December period, Haleon’s organic revenue increased by 2.1%, marking a decline from the previous quarter’s 3.4% growth rate.
Looking ahead to 2026, the company projects organic revenue growth will fall between 3% and 5%, which falls short of the 4.4% growth rate that market analysts had anticipated, based on a survey conducted by the company.
A standout goaltender who helped Team USA capture Olympic gold in Milan will soon receive the nation’s highest civilian honor.
During Tuesday’s State of the Union address, President Donald Trump revealed that Connor Hellebuyck, the Winnipeg Jets netminder who starred for the U.S. men’s hockey team, will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The announcement came after twenty members of the gold medal-winning squad visited the White House earlier Tuesday before attending the State of the Union as special guests.
Trump asked the assembled players whether they supported giving Hellebuyck the prestigious award.
“I said, ‘I’m not giving it if anyone goes no,’” the president said. “And every single one of them rapidly put up their hand. So I want to thank you all. What a special job you did. What special champions you are.”
The president also praised the goaltender’s exceptional performance, stating: “I’ve never seen a goaltender play as well as goalie Connor Hellebuyck.”
Hellebuyck, who was present among the Olympic delegation, responded by touching his heart and waving to acknowledge the honor.
During his remarks, Trump celebrated the team’s achievement as part of America’s return to winning ways.
“Our country is winning again. In fact, we’re winning so much that we really don’t know what to do about it. People are asking me — please, please, please Mr. President, we’re winning too much. We can’t take it anymore. We’re not used to winning in our country. Until you came along, we’re just always losing, but now, we’re winning too much,” Trump said.
“And I say, no no no. You’re going to win again. You’re going to win big. You’re gonna win bigger than ever, and to prove that point — to prove that point — here with us tonight is a group of winners who just made the entire nation proud: the men’s gold medal Olympic hockey team.”
Following the president’s introduction, the team members entered through the upper doors of the House chamber to enthusiastic applause from both sides of the aisle.
The 32-year-old Michigan native delivered a masterful performance in the championship game, stopping 41 shots as the United States defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime to claim gold. Hellebuyck brings impressive credentials to his Olympic triumph, having won the NHL’s Vezina Trophy three times for best goaltender and currently holding the Hart Trophy as the league’s most valuable player.
While the men’s team accepted the White House invitation, the gold medal-winning women’s hockey squad declined to attend, explaining they had “timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments.”
Trump mentioned during his speech that the women’s team “will soon be coming to the White House.”
Hellebuyck will join a distinguished group of recent athletic Medal of Freedom recipients, including gymnast Simone Biles and soccer star Megan Rapinoe in 2022, swimmer Katie Ledecky and legendary athlete Jim Thorpe posthumously in 2024, and basketball icon Magic Johnson and soccer superstar Lionel Messi in 2025.
The medal’s athletic honorees throughout history include golf legend Tiger Woods, baseball great Babe Ruth, basketball icon Michael Jordan, tennis pioneer Billie Jean King, boxing champion Muhammad Ali, golf’s Arnold Palmer, tennis trailblazer Arthur Ashe, and baseball pioneer Jackie Robinson.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Delaware State University’s women’s track and field program achieved remarkable success at the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships, setting new school standards and earning recognition on the national HBCU level.
The Hornets’ female athletes turned in a record-breaking performance that included several school records being shattered and multiple competitors placing in the top eight of their respective events.
The championship meet showcased the strength and depth of Delaware State’s women’s track program, with athletes across various disciplines contributing to the team’s historic achievement in Virginia Beach.
The outstanding results have brought national attention to the Hornets’ track and field program within historically black colleges and universities athletics.
Fancy bottles and compelling marketing messages promising miracle hair transformations often make shoppers question whether they should swap their budget-friendly drugstore shampoo for a luxury product costing five times more.
Hair care specialists and dermatologists confirm that reasonably-priced shampoos and conditioners available at local stores can perform just as effectively as their high-end counterparts that feature attractive social media campaigns and celebrity endorsements. Medical professionals recommend that consumers focus on ingredient lists, understand their specific scalp conditions and hair needs, and consider their complete styling routine — consulting a physician when uncertain about persistent issues.
High-end products may perform effectively and sometimes contain costly active components, dermatologists note. Additional pricing factors include company size and investments in organic components, environmentally-friendly farming practices, and recyclable packaging materials.
Dr. Crystal Aguh, who serves as a dermatologist and heads the Ethnic Skin Program at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, explained that she typically divides patients into two categories: those with damage-prone hair and those with damage-resistant hair.
The damage-prone category encompasses individuals with highly curled hair, those who apply chemical treatments, and people who regularly use heated styling equipment. She noted that damage-resistant characteristics include naturally oily and straight hair textures.
Individuals with fragile hair should steer clear of shampoos listing sodium lauryl sulfate as a primary component, Aguh explained. This ingredient strips away significant amounts of sebum, the natural protective oil coating that shields hair strands. When sebum is removed, hair may become extremely dry and prone to breakage.
For individuals with curly or chemically-treated hair, Aguh suggests reducing washing frequency to prevent excessive sebum removal. She recommended that people with tightly coiled hair should cleanse only once weekly. Those with wavy, color-treated hair might achieve better results washing every two to three days.
Hair that resists damage and tends toward oiliness with straight texture can handle daily washing routines.
While costly shampoos and conditioners may deliver good results, budget-friendly alternatives can achieve comparable performance, Aguh stated. She emphasizes to her patients that “it’s not the products, it’s the process” that most significantly impacts hair wellness, including washing frequency, coloring treatments, and heat styling habits.
“Instead of spending hundreds of dollars thinking, ‘If I just find the right shampoo, right conditioner, all of my troubles will go away,’ you also have to just look at what your process looks like … because that will often do the trick,” she explained.
She confirmed that combining premium and mass-market products works perfectly fine, and consumers shouldn’t feel pressured to purchase complete product lines from expensive brands.
According to Aguh, certain popular brands maintain lower prices because large corporations manufacture them, allowing for cost savings through mass production. In contrast, expensive brands may operate with smaller teams and limited resources, preventing them from achieving similar cost efficiencies.
For dandruff treatment specifically, Aguh frequently suggests over-the-counter options rather than prescription treatments. However, she stressed that persistent dandruff concerns warrant medical consultation.
Dr. Joe Tung, a dermatologist with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, advised people to view shampoo as scalp skincare rather than merely a beauty product.
“Hair itself is biologically inactive once it grows out, but underneath the surface of the skin on the scalp is a full ecosystem with stem cells, immune cells, oil glands, nerve endings,” he explained. “When that ecosystem is balanced, the scalp feels comfortable and hair grows optimally; when it is disrupted, people can experience itching, flaking, excess oil, or hair loss.”
Tung emphasized that consumers should prioritize their scalp’s requirements when selecting shampoo, while conditioner choices should depend on hair texture and existing damage. He noted that dandruff and scalp irritation respond well to shampoos targeting inflammation and bacterial imbalances, while dry or chemically-processed hair benefits from mild cleansers paired with nourishing conditioners.
While expensive hair care products sometimes justify their cost, Tung stressed that a product’s performance depends on active ingredients rather than marketing appeal. “An antifungal ingredient works because of its molecular activity, not because it comes in a luxury bottle or from a prestigious brand,” he stated.
Premium shampoos often feature more sophisticated conditioning compounds and calming ingredients that may enhance comfort during frequent washing, Tung noted. However, some luxury formulations include fragrances or plant extracts that might irritate sensitive skin. He pointed out that straightforward formulas typically work better for people with skin sensitivities.
MOKO Organic Beauty Studio in Philadelphia carries organic shampoos and conditioners priced between $24 and $45. Owner Monique Mason described the salon’s commitment to offering products beneficial for both scalps and environmental health.
Mason identified ingredients as the primary factor affecting price among various considerations. Organic formulations typically exclude inexpensive sulfates, artificial fragrances, and parabens commonly found throughout the personal care market, she explained. Mason also investigates the manufacturing practices of brands she carries to verify their environmental responsibility claims.
“I get to know them, whether they’re family-owned, how they farm, how they source their ingredients,” she said.
JERUSALEM — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi touched down in Israel Wednesday, launching a two-day diplomatic mission centered on expanding security, economic and technological partnerships between the two nations.
During his stay, Modi plans to conduct discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog, culminating in an address to the Israeli parliament Wednesday night.
“Our nations share a robust and multifaceted Strategic Partnership,” Modi posted on X. “Ties have significantly strengthened in the last few years.”
Netanyahu described their relationship as one between “personal friends” when announcing the visit earlier this week. The diplomatic engagement could provide Israel with valuable international backing at a time when relationships with numerous allies have grown strained following the Gaza conflict that erupted in October 2023.
Beyond diplomatic ties, India represents Israel’s second-largest Asian trading partner. Commerce between the two countries reached $3.62 billion during the 2025 fiscal year, based on data from India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
This marks Modi’s second official journey to Israel, following his groundbreaking 2017 trip that made him the first Indian prime minister to visit the country. Netanyahu returned the gesture with his own visit to India in 2018.
During a Cabinet session Sunday, Netanyahu outlined that economic and security matters would dominate their discussions, along with technology sharing initiatives encompassing artificial intelligence and quantum computing.
“We are partners in innovation, security, and a shared strategic vision,” Netanyahu posted on X before Modi’s arrival. “Together, we are building an axis of nations committed to stability and progress.”
Modi’s close relationship with Israel represents a notable departure from India’s traditional foreign policy approach. Historically, India maintained strong support for Palestinian causes and delayed establishing complete diplomatic relations with Israel until 1992.
As a committed Hindu nationalist leader, Modi quickly demonstrated solidarity with Israel following the October 7, 2023 assault by Hamas militants, becoming among the first world leaders to offer support.
However, India joined over 100 nations earlier this month in criticizing Israel’s recent measures to expand control over the occupied West Bank while reducing the Palestinian Authority’s already limited authority.
BUDAPEST, Hungary — Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is betting his political future on a controversial strategy: convincing voters that Ukraine, not Hungary’s struggling economy, represents the biggest danger to their nation.
With his approval ratings slipping ahead of the April 12 election, the pro-Moscow leader has launched an extensive propaganda campaign warning Hungarians against joining the rest of Europe in backing Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression. Orbán claims this support could drain Hungary’s finances and send Hungarian soldiers to die in combat.
Across Hungary, government-funded billboards display computer-generated pictures of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy alongside European leaders, with Zelenskyy’s hand extended as though asking for cash. The imagery targets the European Union’s financial assistance to Ukraine as the conflict approaches its fifth year.
“Our message to Brussels: We won’t pay!” declare the state-sponsored advertisements.
The stakes of Hungary’s election became evident Monday when the country prevented new EU penalties against Russia after Moscow disrupted oil deliveries flowing through Ukraine. Orbán’s administration threatened to block additional pro-Ukraine measures until the energy supplies restart.
Among EU members, Orbán stands as Putin’s most reliable supporter. While the bloc’s other 26 countries have distanced themselves from Moscow since the February 24, 2022 invasion began, Hungary has strengthened its Russian ties.
Orbán defends his Putin relationship as practical, pointing to Hungary’s dependence on Russian energy imports. However, his anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, restrictions on journalists and civic groups, and branding of opponents as “foreign agents” mirror Putin’s authoritarian tactics, critics argue.
The election presents Orbán’s toughest political battle since returning to power in 2010. Independent surveys show the EU’s longest-serving leader and his Fidesz party losing ground to center-right newcomer Péter Magyar.
Magyar, a 44-year-old attorney who left Fidesz in 2024, has built his campaign around addressing inflation, strengthening public services, and fighting government corruption. The former party insider also pledges to restore Hungary’s Western partnerships and rebuild democratic institutions weakened during Orbán’s 16-year tenure.
Political scandals have boosted Magyar’s Tisza party, particularly public outrage over a presidential pardon granted to someone involved in child sexual abuse, forcing both the president and justice minister to step down.
Facing Magyar’s challenge, Orbán and Fidesz have shifted focus through a massive media blitz funded by taxpayers. Radio, television, and online advertisements accompany the billboard campaign, while a petition sent to every eligible voter claimed EU aid to Ukraine would devastate Hungary economically.
Additional advertisements, financed by a mysterious pro-government group connected to Fidesz, portray Magyar as Zelenskyy and EU manipulation, suggesting he would betray Hungarian interests and involve the country in warfare.
Hungary’s state media and government-friendly outlets echo these narratives, claiming Ukraine seeks to extend the deadly conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives, working with the EU to achieve this goal.
Orbán recently declared the EU, rather than Russia, poses Hungary’s greatest threat. He points to increased European defense budgets — driven by Russian aggression and American pressure for higher NATO spending — as proof the EU is preparing for war with Moscow and planning to force Hungarians into military service.
A disturbing AI-created video released by Fidesz on social media shows a young girl asking her sad mother in Hungarian: “Mommy, when is daddy coming home?”
The following scene depicts the fictional father — tied up, blindfolded, and kneeling in battlefield mud — being executed by a soldier. “We won’t allow others to decide on the fates of our families,” the voiceover states. “Let’s not take a risk. Fidesz is the safe choice.”
While some EU nations have suggested peacekeeping forces for Ukraine to oversee potential ceasefires, these troops wouldn’t engage in fighting, and participation would remain optional, explained András Rácz, a Russia specialist at the German Council on Foreign Relations.
Despite the misleading nature of many claims, Rácz noted that Fidesz has won two previous elections by stoking fears about opponents dragging Hungary into war.
“They are trying to max this out. They have nothing else,” Rácz observed. “Populists often try to define an enemy, often an imaginary one, and then offer protection to the society from that enemy. Ukraine has been ideal from this perspective.”
For years, Orbán has worked to undermine EU financial and military support for Ukraine while strongly opposing sanctions on Russian energy and officials.
Relations with Ukraine deteriorated recently when Russian oil shipments to Hungary stopped; Ukraine attributed the interruption to a Russian drone attack in late January that damaged pipeline infrastructure. Orbán characterized it as extortion.
His government responded last week by stopping diesel exports to Ukraine and threatening to reject a 90-billion-euro ($106-billion) EU loan package for Kyiv. Monday’s blocking of the 20th round of EU sanctions against Russia followed.
The anti-Ukraine messaging has found support among loyal Fidesz voters. Despite Tisza’s polling lead, victory remains uncertain.
However, many Hungarians reject Orbán’s anti-Ukraine rhetoric. Sunday saw hundreds of Hungarians and Ukrainians, including many refugees, gather in central Budapest to mark the four-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion. Marching toward a protest at the Russian embassy, participants carried Ukrainian and Hungarian flags while chanting, “Stop Putin, stop the war!”
Budapest’s liberal mayor, Gergely Karácsony, told The Associated Press that Orbán’s messaging and policies represent “a betrayal not only of Ukraine, but of Hungary’s national interest.”
“I hope that this will go into history as a failed policy, but that history will also remember that there were some who stood up for what is right,” he stated.
Among the demonstrators was Ester Zhivatovska, a 19-year-old veterinary student from the Ukrainian port city of Odesa studying in Budapest. She called the billboards featuring her country’s president ridiculous.
“The main message of these billboards is that Ukraine will steal Hungarian money,” she said. “But come on, you’re using these AI images from the Hungarian budget to do what? To win elections.”
SEOUL, South Korea — American and South Korean military officials announced Wednesday they will move forward with their yearly spring training exercises in March, aimed at strengthening their joint defense capabilities while diplomatic relations with nuclear-armed North Korea remain at a standstill.
The Freedom Shield training exercises are scheduled to run from March 9-19, military officials confirmed.
Pyongyang has consistently characterized these allied military exercises as practice runs for invasion and has used them as justification to ramp up its own weapons testing and military displays. The allied nations maintain these training exercises are purely defensive.
The announcement comes during a significant political gathering in North Korea where dictator Kim Jong Un is anticipated to present his major domestic, international, and military objectives for the coming five years. So far, North Korean government media has not published any direct statements from Kim regarding relationships with Washington or Seoul during the ruling Workers’ Party congress that started last week.
Military experts believe Kim may use this congress to solidify his aggressive approach toward South Korea, repeat demands for Washington to abandon denuclearization requirements before resuming negotiations, and reveal plans to strengthen and merge his nuclear and traditional military forces, based on his recent public statements.
Freedom Shield represents one of two “command post” training programs the allies hold annually, with the second being Ulchi Freedom Shield in August. These exercises primarily use computer simulations to evaluate the allies’ combined operational readiness while incorporating new warfare scenarios and security threats.
The March training will include a field component called Warrior Shield designed to improve “training realism and combat readiness,” Col. Ryan Donald, public affairs director of U.S. Forces Korea, explained during a press briefing.
Neither South Korean nor American officials disclosed troop participation numbers for the exercises, though these events typically include thousands of military personnel.
Some observers suggest the allies may be looking to scale back these drills to encourage dialogue opportunities with North Korea.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who holds liberal political views, has indicated interest in renewed inter-Korean cooperation, while some of his senior advisors have expressed optimism that President Donald Trump’s anticipated China visit in late March or April might create openings for renewed Washington-Pyongyang discussions.
Col. Jang Do-young, public affairs director for South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated the March exercises will exclude scenarios addressing potential North Korean nuclear attacks but will incorporate training focused on “deterring nuclear threats.” He noted that allies continue working out details for the field training component.
Kim’s nuclear weapons program has grown rapidly in recent years, now including systems that threaten American allies across Asia and intercontinental missiles potentially capable of reaching American territory, which has increased South Korea’s security worries while diplomatic efforts with Pyongyang remain stuck.
South Korea also faces challenges from escalating U.S.-China regional competition, leading Washington to push its ally to shoulder more defense responsibilities against North Korea as America shifts greater attention toward China.
North Korea has consistently refused Washington and Seoul’s appeals to restart diplomatic talks aimed at dismantling its nuclear program, which collapsed in 2019 after Kim’s second summit with Trump during the former president’s initial term ended unsuccessfully.
Kim has now prioritized Russia in his international strategy, deploying thousands of soldiers and substantial military equipment to assist Moscow’s Ukraine conflict, likely in return for assistance and military technology.
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Authorities in Sri Lanka have detained the nation’s former top intelligence official as part of an ongoing investigation into the devastating Easter Sunday bombings that claimed nearly 270 lives four years ago, according to law enforcement officials.
Retired army major general Suresh Salley was taken into custody Wednesday by Sri Lanka’s Criminal Investigation Department, police spokesman Fredrick Wootler confirmed.
The deadly assault occurred on April 21, 2019, when two extremist Islamic organizations executed six coordinated suicide bombings targeting Christian churches and upscale hotels frequented by tourists. Video evidence later revealed the perpetrators had sworn loyalty to the Islamic State organization.
The coordinated strikes devastated the island nation and brought back painful memories of the country’s brutal 26-year conflict with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, commonly called the Tamil Tigers, who waged war to establish a separate homeland for Sri Lanka’s Tamil ethnic community.
Salley had earned widespread recognition as a military intelligence leader who played a crucial role in bringing the civil war to an end in 2009. According to Wootler, investigators are examining potential “links or lapses” involving Salley related to the 2019 terrorist attacks.
In the aftermath of the bombings, accusations emerged suggesting the perpetrators had connections to Sri Lanka’s intelligence apparatus.
A 2023 investigation by Britain’s Channel 4 featured testimony from an individual who claimed to have facilitated a meeting between Salley and a domestic organization called National Thowheed Jamath, which drew inspiration from the Islamic State. The alleged pre-attack meeting supposedly involved planning to destabilize Sri Lanka and help former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa secure victory in that year’s presidential contest.
The Channel 4 source, Azad Maulana, had previously served as a spokesman for a Tamil Tigers splinter faction that eventually became a government-supporting militia and assisted the Sinhalese-majority administration in defeating the separatist movement.
Maulana stated that upon viewing security footage from the bombing sites, he identified several attackers as individuals he had arranged to meet with Salley.
Sri Lanka’s defense ministry has categorically rejected any allegations of involvement in the attacks.
KUALA LUMPUR – A significant member of Malaysia’s governing coalition demanded Wednesday that authorities establish a royal commission to examine serious misconduct claims against the nation’s primary anti-corruption organization.
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and its leadership have faced intense public criticism after numerous news outlets this month published reports alleging wrongdoing and violations of public service regulations, along with other serious charges.
A Bloomberg investigation claimed MACC personnel were assisting business groups in taking over companies through questionable means. Reuters could not independently confirm these findings, which were based on internal documentation and witness interviews.
The anti-corruption agency dismissed the claims as “baseless,” stating Tuesday that the accusations represented an effort to undermine their corporate investigations and enforcement activities.
Nevertheless, the Democratic Action Party, a crucial component of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government, announced it would advocate for a formal investigation into these allegations, describing the MACC’s rejection as “insufficient.”
“There must be an inquiry into the allegations made and that inquiry ought to be by way of an RCI equipped with all those powers necessary to ensure an effective and transparent probe into the matter,” stated DAP national chairman Gobind Singh Deo, who also serves as a cabinet minister, in Wednesday’s announcement.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke, who leads the DAP, indicated he would recommend creating the royal commission during Friday’s cabinet session, according to local news reports from Tuesday.
Representatives for Prime Minister Anwar did not immediately provide comment when contacted.
Officials previously established a special investigative committee this month to examine the MACC chief after a different media investigation alleged violations of shareholding regulations.
Sources within Myanmar’s ruling party reveal that a former military commander is expected to assume the influential position of parliament speaker, potentially strengthening the armed forces’ hold on power as the nation transitions away from direct military rule.
The military junta that has governed Myanmar since seizing control in 2021 plans to officially transfer authority when the new parliament convenes next month. However, top military officials are anticipated to maintain significant political influence following the Union Solidarity and Development Party’s overwhelming electoral victory. The USDP, established by the military in 2010, dominated the recent elections.
According to three USDP insiders who spoke with Reuters, party chairman Khin Yi, a former brigadier general and ex-police chief, is expected to secure the crucial lower house speaker position.
This role would grant him authority over presidential elections, legislative processes, budget approvals, and major government appointments.
The USDP has not provided any official response regarding Khin Yi’s potential appointment.
The anonymous sources, who requested confidentiality due to the sensitive nature of the matter, indicated that former generals with strong connections to junta leader Min Aung Hlaing will likely assume the first and second vice presidential positions.
“Since there are high-ranking former military officers within the party, understanding their roles, the highest possible position for him would likely be the speaker of the lower house,” one source explained regarding Khin Yi’s expected role.
Myanmar operates under a distinctive power-sharing arrangement that reserves 25% of legislative positions for military personnel, who have controlled the country for five out of the last six decades. The military also maintains control over defense, border affairs, and interior ministries.
The USDP secured 81% of contested seats in both parliamentary chambers during the recent election, which was marked by minimal voter participation, ongoing civil conflict, and absence of credible opposition candidates. This victory effectively places the legislature under military influence.
Additionally, authorities plan to establish a new five-member Union Consultative Council to supervise both military and civilian administrative functions.
Political observers suggest this structure will enable Min Aung Hlaing to pursue the presidency while retaining his military command.
Independent political analyst Htin Kyaw Aye notes that the speaker position, previously held by prominent political figures, carries more substantial influence than the vice presidency, which is largely ceremonial despite its prestige.
“This is a position with a high capacity for influence and action,” he explained. “If one cannot be president, the position of speaker of the Hluttaw (parliament) is the one that allows for the greatest exercise of power.”
An incoming USDP legislator confirmed that details about key appointments remain strictly confidential, known only to the party’s inner circle.
Two party members who attended a recent USDP gathering reported that Khin Yi, who previously served as immigration minister, was informally approached about accepting the vice presidency but indicated his preference for a parliamentary leadership role.
“He said, ‘What is certain is that I think I will be leading in the legislative sectors of one of the houses of parliament’,” one source quoted Khin Yi as stating during the meeting.
Military leaders from the United States and South Korea announced Wednesday that the two nations will hold their major annual joint training exercise, Freedom Shield, from March 9 through March 19.
Defense officials described the yearly military exercise as “defensive in nature” during a briefing, although this characterization has not stopped North Korea from consistently criticizing these training operations as preparation for an attack.
The upcoming drills will also help advance ongoing efforts to transition wartime military command from American forces to South Korean control, according to military leaders from both countries.
Previous training exercises, including the 2023 version, included comprehensive multi-domain and command center exercises designed to enhance military readiness for this transition.
South Korea has set a goal to assume full wartime military command from the United States before President Lee Jae Myung completes his presidential term in 2030.
Military officials from both nations confirmed that next month’s joint training will include practice scenarios addressing North Korea’s nuclear weapons capabilities.
While President Lee has attempted to rebuild damaged diplomatic relations with North Korea, Pyongyang has rejected these diplomatic overtures.
South Korean news outlets had earlier reported that Seoul suggested reducing the scope of field training components of Freedom Shield to support diplomatic engagement, but the United States opposed these changes.
Military officials confirmed to Reuters that discussions about modifying the field exercises remain active and will continue until the final moments before the drills begin.
Meanwhile, North Korea is currently conducting the ruling Workers’ Party’s Ninth Congress, its most significant political gathering, which military experts believe may end with a parade in Pyongyang displaying the country’s newest military equipment.
French automotive parts manufacturer OPmobility announced Wednesday that Félicie Burelle will permanently lead the company as chief executive officer, while reporting improved financial performance for 2025.
Burelle had been serving as temporary CEO since November after her predecessor stepped down for personal reasons. The company has now made her appointment official as it continues pursuing expansion into new markets.
The automotive supplier showed stronger profitability this year, with operating margins climbing to 4.8% in 2025 from 4.2% the previous year. The company also improved its financial position by cutting net debt from 1.58 billion euros to 1.41 billion euros.
However, total revenue dropped to 11.54 billion euros in 2025, which the company attributed primarily to unfavorable currency exchange rates. OPmobility did not release projections for future revenue.
“We will be able to continue to achieve synergies from two segments, which are now truly fundamental to us: the exterior solutions segment and the powertrain segment,” CEO Félicie Burelle said in a call with journalists.
Burelle indicated the company plans to maintain its diversification efforts, particularly seeking growth opportunities in Asian and American markets to counterbalance ongoing challenges in European automotive markets.
In January, OPmobility reached a preliminary agreement with South Korean parts manufacturer Hyundai Mobis to potentially merge their lighting operations. The proposed arrangement would give OPmobility majority control of Hyundai Mobis’ lighting division.
“This would enable us to grow in terms of lighting, since this activity generates just over a billion in revenue,” Burelle explained, expressing optimism about finalizing the agreement by mid-year and completing the transaction by late 2026.
The French company currently provides parts to America’s top three automakers – General Motors, Stellantis and Ford. Burelle noted that U.S. tariff impacts remained minimal at under 10 million euros, crediting the company’s localized business approach for limiting exposure.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Beijing Wednesday for high-level discussions with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, focusing on improving economic relations between the two nations amid growing trade tensions.
During their meeting, Merz stressed Germany’s commitment to strengthening business ties with China, which became Germany’s top trading partner last year. However, he also highlighted the importance of creating more balanced and transparent cooperation moving forward.
“We have very specific concerns regarding our cooperation, which we want to improve and make fair,” Merz stated during the discussions. The chancellor faces the challenging task of restructuring an economic partnership that has become increasingly disadvantageous for German businesses.
Premier Li responded by urging both nations to collaborate in protecting global free trade and multilateral cooperation, appearing to reference the trade disputes initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump that have disrupted international commerce.
“China and Germany, as two of the world’s largest economies and major countries with important influence, should strengthen our confidence in cooperation, jointly safeguard multilateralism and free trade, and strive to build a more just and fair global governance system,” Li declared.
Beijing is positioning itself as a dependable economic ally compared to the United States, while European nations grapple with supply chain weaknesses and concerns about over-reliance on Chinese markets.
European Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič warned the European Parliament Tuesday about troubling developments in China-Europe relations, including China’s increasing control over essential manufacturing industries, growing trade deficits, and declining market presence for European Union businesses in China.
This marks Merz’s inaugural trip to China, making him the most recent European leader attempting to rebuild relationships with Beijing, following similar visits by British Prime Minister Starmer and Canadian officials earlier this year.
The German delegation includes representatives from 30 major companies, featuring automotive giants Volkswagen and BMW, which are experiencing significant pressure from Chinese competitors. This competition has contributed to widening trade gaps that worry Berlin officials and fuel discussions about protective trade measures.
According to Rhodium Group analyst Noah Barkin, Germany’s manufacturing-focused economy has been especially affected by competition from Chinese producers.
China’s market appeal has shifted dramatically in recent years, as economic slowdowns have reduced consumer spending and excess manufacturing capacity has pushed Chinese companies to expand internationally.
Prior to the visit, Chinese government media highlighted opportunities for European-Chinese cooperation to provide stability while U.S. tariff policies disrupt global trade patterns.
The state-run Xinhua news agency referenced a German business survey showing that technological advances in China are benefiting German corporate headquarters.
The Global Times, a government-supported publication, suggested that China’s enormous market potential would overcome competitive concerns.
“Rhetoric such as ‘systemic rival’ and ‘de-risking’ has at times complicated Germany’s China policy,” the publication noted. “Yet the enthusiasm and actions of the German business community speak louder than political slogans.”
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA — Delaware State University’s track and field squad delivered an outstanding performance at the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships, capturing second place overall after earning six individual gold medals.
Competition resumed Monday, February 23rd, 2026, following a two-hour postponement caused by overnight snowfall in the Virginia Beach area. Despite the weather setback, the Hornets demonstrated their competitive strength against five other conference schools vying for the 2026 indoor championship title.
The strong showing by DSU’s athletes highlights the program’s continued excellence in conference competition, with the six championship victories playing a crucial role in securing their runner-up position in the team standings.
BEIJING — Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany touched down in Beijing Wednesday morning, launching an intensive two-day diplomatic mission aimed at securing better economic opportunities for German businesses and enlisting China’s support in ending the prolonged conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
The German leader landed under cloudy skies in China’s capital, marking his inaugural visit to the country since assuming office in May. Prior to his departure, Merz highlighted the significance of coordinating Germany’s approach to China within a broader European framework, pointing out the strategic timing of his visit following recent trips by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit scheduled for early April.
“Our message from a European point of view is the same: We want partnership with China balanced, reliable, regulated and fair,” Merz said. “This is our offer. At the same time, it is what we also hope for and expect from the Chinese side.”
Since taking office, Merz has advocated for developing a more robust Europe, both in economic and defense capabilities, to navigate the shifting global landscape. European nations have faced challenges from Trump’s tariff policies and his calls for increased European self-reliance in security matters, along with his controversial demands regarding Greenland.
In his pre-departure statements, Merz acknowledged that despite existing tensions with China, “the big global political problems can no longer be tackled today without involving Beijing.” He emphasized the necessity of Chinese cooperation in addressing international crises, particularly the Ukraine situation, observing that “Beijing’s voice is heard, including in Moscow.”
European governments have expressed disappointment over China’s limited efforts to influence Russia toward ending the military action. Beijing has continued its commercial and diplomatic relationships with Russia while claiming neutrality in the conflict. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated this week, “We hope all parties will seize the opportunity to reach a comprehensive, lasting and binding peace agreement.”
Merz joins a series of international leaders visiting Beijing as China seeks global allies to counter Trump’s tariff strategies and his challenges to established international institutions that have shaped post-World War II global relations.
“At a time when the world is experiencing turbulence and transformation, China and Germany, as major economies and advocates of multilateralism, share the responsibility to uphold the stability of global industrial and supply chains and oppose protectionism and economic coercion,” China’s official Xinhua News Agency said in a commentary.
Trade imbalances present a significant concern, with Germany’s purchases from China climbing 8.8% to 170.6 billion euros ($201 billion) in the past year, while German exports to China dropped 9.7% to 81.3 billion euros ($96 billion).
European officials are encouraging Chinese manufacturers to establish production facilities within their borders while simultaneously calling for China to address manufacturing overcapacity that has depressed prices in sectors like electric vehicles and solar energy equipment. They also seek the elimination of obstacles that foreign businesses encounter in the world’s second-largest economy.
“We also want to discuss how we can find a remedy, for example, where systemic overcapacities have arisen, where there are export restrictions and where there are access restrictions … that distort and prevent competition,” Merz said.
TOKYO — Japanese officials confirmed Wednesday that one of their citizens has been held in Iranian custody since late January, with Tokyo now calling for the person’s immediate freedom.
Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Masanao Ozaki acknowledged the detention during questioning about international media coverage of the situation, stating the Japanese citizen was taken into custody on January 20th. Ozaki declined to provide additional information about the case, referencing privacy concerns.
According to Ozaki, Japanese officials are maintaining communication with both the detained individual and their relatives while offering appropriate assistance.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi touched down in Israel Wednesday for a crucial two-day diplomatic mission, as escalating military tensions between Washington and Tehran cast a shadow over the Middle East region.
This marks Modi’s return to Israel nearly nine years after making history as the first Indian prime minister to visit the country in 2017. During that groundbreaking trip, Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu famously walked barefoot together along a beach in Haifa’s northern port area.
The two leaders, who remain in office and consider themselves personal friends, plan to focus their discussions on artificial intelligence cooperation and defense partnerships. The timing coincides with Israel’s push to expand its military equipment exports globally.
According to an Israeli government representative, the visit will “pave the way for new partnerships and collaborations across many fields.” A foreign ministry spokesperson indicated that diplomatic relations between the nations stand ready for a major enhancement.
Modi’s itinerary includes addressing Israel’s parliament, known as the Knesset, and participating in a wreath-laying ceremony at Yad Vashem, the country’s primary Holocaust remembrance site.
The diplomatic visit unfolds against a backdrop of mounting regional security concerns. The Pentagon has positioned substantial naval forces near Iran’s coastline in preparation for potential military action against the Islamic Republic, following stalled negotiations regarding Tehran’s nuclear development program. Additionally, an American aircraft carrier has been dispatched to the Mediterranean Sea, heading toward Israeli waters.
Any potential U.S. military action against Iran could trigger Iranian counterattacks against Israeli targets and American military installations throughout Gulf Arab nations. This scenario particularly concerns India, as millions of Indian workers in these countries send billions of dollars in remittances back home annually.
Kabir Taneja from the Observer Research Foundation, an Indian policy research organization, emphasized that New Delhi opposes regional conflict escalation.
“I’m sure those kind of messages have been delivered in the past and will be delivered during this visit as well,” Taneja stated.
Israeli foreign ministry officials confirmed that discussions with a “regional aspect” would likely occur throughout the visit.
During a recent cabinet session, Netanyahu characterized India as part of a future “axis” of allied nations united in opposing “the radical Shi’ite axis” and “the emerging radical Sunni axis.” Iran operates under a Shi’ite Muslim theocratic government system.
“(Our) cooperation can yield great results and, of course, ensure our resilience and our future,” Netanyahu declared.
However, Taneja noted that while India shows interest in purchasing Israeli military technology, New Delhi would likely resist joining any formal military alliance due to its traditional policy of international non-alignment.
WASHINGTON – Virginia’s newly elected Governor Abigail Spanberger launched sharp criticisms against President Donald Trump’s economic policies and immigration enforcement during the Democratic response to Tuesday’s State of the Union address.
Spanberger, who made history last month as Virginia’s first female governor, centered her remarks on rising consumer costs despite Trump’s 2024 campaign promises to make living expenses more affordable for American families.
Her response signals the key talking points Democrats intend to emphasize as they work to gain control of both chambers of Congress in this November’s midterm elections.
While Trump used his speech to highlight what he called an economic recovery driven by his tariff policies on imported goods, Spanberger presented a contrasting narrative.
The moderate Democrat, who previously flipped Republican districts in both the U.S. House and Virginia’s governorship, described serious challenges facing agricultural communities.
According to Spanberger, farming operations are struggling due to trade barriers that prompted other nations to retaliate against key American agricultural exports like soybeans. She noted that these same tariffs have increased costs for essential farming supplies including fertilizers.
“Farmers have suffered, some losing entire markets,” she said.
Delivering her remarks from Williamsburg, Virginia’s historic House of Burgesses – a location predating the Declaration of Independence whose upcoming 250th anniversary Trump referenced multiple times – Spanberger accused the president of prioritizing personal financial gain over voter interests ahead of this year’s elections.
Addressing immigration enforcement, an issue where polling indicates most Americans disapprove of the current administration’s approach, Spanberger criticized the deployment of inadequately prepared federal officers to American cities like Minneapolis, where they have detained U.S. citizens without proper warrants.
“They have ripped nursing mothers away from their babies,” she said. “They have sent children, a little boy in a blue bunny hat, to far-off detention centers and they have killed American citizens in our streets.”
A major German healthcare corporation announced Wednesday that it outperformed financial analysts’ projections for the final quarter of last year, driven by stronger results from its hospital operations division.
Fresenius, headquartered in Hesse, Germany, disclosed quarterly earnings of 5.88 billion euros (equivalent to $6.94 billion) before accounting for special items, surpassing the 5.8 billion euro forecast compiled by Vara Research from analyst estimates.
The healthcare conglomerate also revealed that its board of directors approved an early extension of CEO Michael Sen’s employment agreement, adding five additional years to his tenure through 2031.
Sen, who assumed leadership in October 2022, has been implementing comprehensive organizational changes designed to cut expenses and reduce financial obligations. His transformation strategy included relinquishing majority control of the company’s dialysis division, Fresenius Medical Care, during 2023.
The corporate overhaul has concentrated resources on two key business segments: Fresenius Kabi, which manufactures generic pharmaceutical products for hospitals, and Helios, the company’s hospital network spanning Germany and Spain.
Shareholders will benefit from the improved financial performance, as Fresenius announced plans to distribute 1.05 euros per share in dividends, representing an increase from the previous year’s 1 euro per share payment.
Two Major League Soccer clubs secured commanding victories Tuesday night to advance in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, with Nashville SC and Los Angeles FC both completing dominant first-round series wins.
Nashville SC overwhelmed visiting Atletico Ottawa with a decisive 5-0 victory, wrapping up their two-leg series with an impressive 7-0 combined score. The Tennessee-based club will now face Inter Miami, the current MLS Cup champions, in the Round of 16.
The home team established control early when Alex Muyl capitalized on a rebound in the 21st minute. Matthew Corcoran had delivered a cross into the penalty area, where Woobens Pacius directed a header that goalkeeper Garissone Innocent managed to stop, but Muyl was perfectly positioned to convert the loose ball and extend Nashville’s aggregate advantage to 3-0.
Nashville doubled their lead before halftime when Corcoran found Jordan Knight with a lengthy pass down the right side. Knight broke free from defenders and finished with his right foot, beating Innocent for the second goal of the evening.
The scoring continued in the second half as Pacius found the net in the 55th minute, followed by Jack Maher’s goal eight minutes later. Ahmed Qasem completed the rout with a strike in the 83rd minute.
Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, LAFC secured their advancement with a 1-0 triumph over Real Espana, completing a 7-1 aggregate victory after their 6-1 road win in San Pedro Sula, Honduras on February 17th.
Nkosi Tafari provided the decisive moment in the 64th minute with the match’s lone goal. Tyler Boyd sent a free kick from the right wing toward the far post, where Timothy Tillman’s attempt was denied by Real Espana keeper Luis Lopez. However, Tafari reacted quickest to the rebound, outmuscling Lopez and two defenders before driving the ball into the upper corner of the net.
LAFC goalkeeper Thomas Hasal recorded two saves to preserve the clean sheet. The California club will next meet Costa Rica’s Alajuelense in the Round of 16.
Stock markets across Asia are climbing following a recovery in U.S. markets, as investors navigate the volatile world of artificial intelligence investments where dramatic price swings have become the norm. The U.S. dollar has weakened slightly while Treasury bond yields edged up and oil prices gained about 0.6%.
Technology powerhouses South Korea, Taiwan and Japan are benefiting significantly from manufacturing the hardware that powers AI systems, turning massive capital expenditures into substantial profits. South Korea’s Kospi index has already jumped nearly 5% this week to reach a new all-time high, pushing its 2026 gains to an impressive 44%. Taiwan has posted similar weekly gains of 5% with yearly increases approaching 22%, outpacing even the tech-heavy Nasdaq.
Japan’s Nikkei has climbed 15% year-to-date and is receiving positive attention from market analysts who predict higher valuations for Japanese companies based on improved earnings and corporate governance. Deutsche Bank points out that Japanese investors currently hold $2.25 trillion in foreign equities, suggesting that even a small shift toward domestic investments could significantly boost the Nikkei and strengthen the yen.
Today’s market focus centers on AI industry leader Nvidia, which releases quarterly results that could dramatically impact global markets. According to LSEG projections, analysts expect profits to surge 62% for the quarter ending in January, with revenue jumping 68%. First-quarter revenue guidance is anticipated to show approximately 64% growth to $72 billion.
Nvidia has exceeded sales predictions for 13 consecutive quarters, making the magnitude of any earnings beat crucial for investor sentiment, with $2 billion above estimates for both fourth-quarter results and first-quarter guidance considered the minimum threshold. Market volatility expectations suggest Nvidia’s stock could move up or down 4.8% following the announcement, which may seem modest compared to past reactions but represents $226 billion in market value given the company’s massive size. The tech giant’s total market capitalization of $4.7 trillion now exceeds the entire annual economic output of countries like Japan or India.
During President Trump’s State of the Union address, artificial intelligence received brief mention as he unveiled a “rate-payer protection pledge.” This initiative would reportedly require major technology companies to construct their own power facilities for data centers, though specific implementation details and enforcement mechanisms were not provided.
Oil markets showed a slight decline when Trump expressed his “preference” for resolving nuclear tensions with Iran through “diplomatic” means, despite the substantial U.S. military presence building in the region. Overall, financial markets showed minimal reaction to the State of the Union, following typical patterns for such addresses.
Wednesday’s key market-moving events include Nvidia’s earnings announcement, German and French consumer confidence reports, final eurozone inflation data, and scheduled appearances by central bank officials including Sweden’s Erik Thedéen, Norway’s Ida Wolden, ECB’s Pedro Machado, and Federal Reserve presidents Thomas Barkin, Jeffrey Schmid and Alberto Musalem.
The National Weather Service issued a weather advisory for the Delmarva Peninsula early Tuesday morning, alerting residents to monitor current atmospheric conditions.
Weather officials from the Mount Holly, New Jersey forecast office released the advisory at 12:56 AM EST on February 25th, covering areas throughout Delaware and the surrounding region.
Residents across the peninsula should stay informed about developing weather patterns and take appropriate precautions as conditions warrant.
The weather service continues to monitor the situation and will provide updates as new information becomes available.
The National Weather Service office in Mount Holly, New Jersey issued a special weather statement for the region during the early morning hours of February 25th at 12:56 AM Eastern Standard Time.
Weather officials released the advisory to keep area residents informed about current atmospheric conditions and potential weather developments that may affect the region.
The Mount Holly NWS office serves as the primary weather forecasting center for Delaware and surrounding areas, providing critical weather information and alerts to help keep communities safe and prepared.
Residents are encouraged to stay updated on current weather conditions and any additional advisories that may be issued by monitoring official National Weather Service communications.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in St. Kitts and Nevis Wednesday to meet with Caribbean Community leaders who have voiced concerns about the direction of Trump administration policies affecting their region.
Rubio’s visit to the CARICOM summit follows last month’s military operation that resulted in the arrest of Venezuela’s former leader Nicolás Maduro, along with increased enforcement actions against alleged drug trafficking and heightened pressure on Cuba.
In Tuesday night’s State of the Union speech, President Trump described Maduro’s capture as “an absolutely colossal victory for the security of the United States. And it also opens up a bright new beginning for the people of Venezuela.”
The 15-member Caribbean bloc has convened to address urgent regional challenges as the Trump administration implements what it calls a modern version of the Monroe Doctrine to strengthen U.S. influence across the Western Hemisphere.
Trump stated his administration is “restoring American security and dominance in the Western Hemisphere, acting to secure our national interests and defend our country from violence, drugs, terrorism and foreign interference.”
Regional leaders have raised objections to several administration policies, including requirements that countries accept deportees from third nations, end Cuban medical programs, and limit ties with China.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ newly elected Prime Minister Godwin Friday expressed concerns similar to those heard from European officials, stating the Caribbean faces challenges “from inside and out. International rules and practices that we have become used to over the years have changed in troubling ways.”
During Tuesday’s opening session, St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Terrance Drew, who chairs CARICOM, declared the region “stands at a decisive hour.”
“The global order is shifting,” Drew explained. “Supply chains remain uncertain, energy markets fluctuate and climate shocks intensify.”
Drew and other officials discussed shifting international dynamics and emphasized the need to address Cuba’s humanitarian crisis, a point also highlighted by Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness.
“It must be clear that a prolonged crisis in Cuba will not remain confined to Cuba,” Holness cautioned. “It will affect migration, security and economic stability across the Caribbean basin.”
Holness affirmed that Jamaica “stands firmly for democracy” while also “supports constructive dialogue between Cuba and the U.S. aimed at de-escalation, reform and stability.”
Bahamian Foreign Minister Fred Mitchell told The Associated Press Tuesday before the summit that while he’s unsure which specific issues will arise in discussions with Rubio, he anticipates comprehensive talks about U.S.-Caribbean relations.
“It is about mutual respect and a rules-based order,” Mitchell explained. “Those are some of the things we would expect from the meeting, and we are also available for any private dialogue with Mr. Rubio.”
The State Department hasn’t disclosed which officials will meet with Rubio Wednesday, but indicated he plans to explore ways to enhance regional security, stability, trade and economic development through both group sessions and one-on-one meetings.
Caribbean leaders are also scheduled to address additional topics including security concerns, reparations, climate change, financing issues, and establishing a unified market system.
Rubio’s Caribbean trip occurs more than a month following Maduro’s capture by U.S. forces and his transfer to America to face drug trafficking allegations.
Since early September, U.S. operations have resulted in at least 151 deaths during strikes against small vessels suspected of drug smuggling. Monday’s most recent attack claimed three lives in Caribbean waters. U.S. officials have not released evidence confirming these boats were transporting narcotics.
Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has consistently supported these operations. Tuesday she again expressed gratitude to Trump, Rubio and U.S. military forces “for standing firm against narcotrafficking” and for their assistance with national security issues.
“The crime is so bad, I cannot depend on just my military, my protective services,” she stated.
Cuba’s circumstances are anticipated to be a central focus during the CARICOM gathering.
Cuba’s U.N. resident coordinator Francisco Pichón informed AP Monday that the U.S. oil embargo is blocking humanitarian assistance from reaching communities still recovering from Hurricane Melissa, which hit eastern Cuba in late October as a Category 3 hurricane.
Pichón pointed out that the energy restrictions and fuel shortages “affect the entire logistics chain involved in being able to work in Cuba at this time, anywhere in the country.”
WASHINGTON — During Tuesday night’s State of the Union address, President Donald Trump awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor to an Army helicopter pilot who sustained severe injuries while leading the military operation that resulted in the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eric Slover, who walked with assistance from a mobility device, served as the primary pilot for the lead CH-47 Chinook helicopter that approached what Trump described as a “heavily protected military fortress” where Maduro was located. The successful mission resulted in gunshot and shrapnel injuries to seven American military personnel.
“While preparing to land, enemy machine guns fired from every angle, and Eric was hit very badly in the leg and hip, one bullet after another,” Trump stated during his remarks, explaining that Slover “absorbed four agonizing shots, shredding his leg into numerous pieces.”
The daring military action followed extensive covert preparation and resulted in the South American nation’s capital losing power as forces entered Maduro’s residence and transported him to America to face narcotics trafficking allegations.
Trump’s account of Slover’s performance during the operation provided previously undisclosed details about the military mission, which has remained largely classified since its execution in the early morning hours of January 3.
During the landing approach, Slover encountered “two machine gunners who escaped the wrath of the previous planes,” Trump explained.
“Eric maneuvered his helicopter with all of those lives and souls to face the enemy and let his gunners eliminate the threat,” Trump declared, “saving the lives of his fellow warriors from what could have been a catastrophic crash deep in enemy territory.”
The president emphasized that “the success of the entire mission and the lives of his fellow warriors hinged on Eric’s ability to take searing pain.”
Lt. Gen. Jonathan Braga, who leads Joint Special Operations Command, formally presented the Medal of Honor to Slover in the gallery above the House chamber.
Appearing in his military dress uniform and relying on a walker for support, Slover continues his recovery from the injuries sustained during the operation, Trump noted.
The president also announced that ten additional service members who participated in the Venezuela mission will receive recognition during an upcoming private White House ceremony.
Trump also honored retired Navy Captain E. Royce Williams with the Medal of Honor, upgrading his previous Navy Cross award for shooting down several Soviet aircraft during the Korean War.
The president praised the 100-year-old former aviator as “one of the last living legends.”
In Columbus, Ohio, some young children are getting their reading abilities evaluated before they even step foot in a classroom — it’s happening right in their pediatrician’s office.
As childhood literacy struggles continue nationwide, Nationwide Children’s Hospital has launched a program to evaluate reading skills during routine medical visits for children beginning at age 3. The goal is to identify potential reading difficulties before they become bigger problems and provide parents with tools to support their children at home.
“They are all doing developmental screenings, they’re all talking to parents repeatedly,” explained Sara Bode, who serves as the hospital’s medical director of school-based health. “So this is an opportunity.”
The hospital strategically selected clinic locations based on their closeness to schools where students scored poorly on kindergarten readiness evaluations. Data from the state’s kindergarten readiness assessment shows that over 63% of kindergarten students in Columbus City Schools were not meeting language and literacy benchmarks during the current 2024-2025 academic year.
The literacy crisis extends well beyond Columbus borders. According to the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress — commonly referred to as the nation’s report card — only slightly more than 30% of fourth-grade students demonstrate reading proficiency nationwide. This represents a decline of 4 percentage points since 2019, as educational systems continue working to recover from pandemic-related learning setbacks.
While medical facilities don’t traditionally conduct reading evaluations, several major pediatric hospitals, including Boston Children’s Hospital, have begun offering early literacy resources to families, recognizing how crucial reading skills are for child development.
Children who start kindergarten with weaker reading abilities typically find it difficult to improve in subsequent years. Research from The Children’s Reading Foundation shows that nearly three-quarters of kindergarteners who score in the lowest 20% on readiness tests remain in that bottom tier through fifth grade.
Medical professionals have historically concentrated their developmental evaluations on physical milestones like walking and speaking at appropriate ages. However, Bode noted that children might pass standard pediatric screenings while still lacking other essential skills needed for kindergarten success.
To tackle this challenge, the pediatric facility rolled out literacy evaluations at approximately half of its 13 clinic locations, with each site having a dedicated literacy coordinator. Since the program’s 2022 launch, staff have completed over 2,400 assessments. The hospital primarily serves families without insurance or those covered by Medicaid, representing high-needs communities.
The screenings don’t aim to diagnose specific learning disorders such as dyslexia, but instead pinpoint areas where children might benefit from extra help.
Devin Kearns, an early literacy expert at North Carolina State University, believes having resources beyond the school system to catch reading problems early is beneficial, though selecting appropriate screening methods remains crucial.
Nationwide’s coordinators utilize an assessment tool that evaluates children as they work through a book during their medical appointments — available in both English and Spanish. Staff needed time to perfect the timing, learning to avoid periods right after vaccinations when children might be distressed, but the reading evaluations typically require just 10 minutes.
Following each assessment, coordinators develop individualized literacy plans that identify specific areas requiring additional practice.
These appointments also allow staff to demonstrate activities parents can implement at home, such as reading stories aloud, according to Carneshia Edwards, who oversees the hospital’s kindergarten readiness initiative.
“When we’re doing the screenings, families are kind of concerned that their kids don’t know certain things and it’s not necessarily about that piece of it,” Edwards noted. “It’s just more so exposing them more than anything.”
Before 3-year-old Juri Sleet underwent her literacy evaluation, her grandmother Quintina Davis was concerned that Juri lacked sufficient early learning experiences. However, working with the literacy coordinator at their clinic helped Davis discover numerous activities she could pursue at home with Juri.
“She didn’t know as much, but our coordinator was very patient with her,” Davis shared.
After completing screenings, coordinators assemble literacy packages containing various tools and activities for home practice. These materials are also shaped by input from Columbus City Schools educators regarding what skills students need when entering kindergarten.
The package contents depend largely on program donations. Common items include dry-erase boards for letter writing and books for reading practice. However, the kits might also contain safety scissors or pencils with rubber grips to enhance fine motor abilities.
“Parents are the first teachers, so we really try to encourage them to sit down with their child and just kind of work with them before going into kindergarten,” Edwards emphasized.
Coordinators maintain contact with families they’ve worked with, sometimes connecting children to early education initiatives like the federally-supported Head Start preschool program or SPARK, which provides educational home visits.
When children return for clinic visits a year later, coordinators meet with them again. For Juri, now 4 years old, the follow-up appointment demonstrated how much progress she had achieved over twelve months, her grandmother reported.
During that year, Juri had improved significantly in identifying letters, sounds, and sight words. With her literacy coordinator’s assistance, Juri also began attending preschool at a nearby YMCA, Davis explained. She’s been performing “awesome” there, Davis said, and she’s excited to watch her continue developing.
“The goal is to make sure by the time she starts kindergarten, that she’s absolutely ready without having a lot of challenges,” Davis stated. “So right now, I think she is heading towards that way.”
Cities throughout the Northeast are racing against time to remove massive snow accumulations left behind by this week’s historic blizzard, which buried communities from Maryland to Maine under towering drifts that show little sign of natural melting.
The colossal winter storm deposited enormous amounts of snow across the region, with communities now facing the daunting task of clearing mountainous piles that have created significant challenges for residents and emergency services alike.
New York City deployed extraordinary measures in response, distributing 143 million pounds of salt by Tuesday evening and recruiting over 3,500 emergency snow removal workers at $30 per hour, according to Mayor Zohran Mamdani. These crews are working to clear public roadways and transit stops throughout the city.
However, with forecasters predicting another weather system moving in Wednesday, significant work remains ahead, particularly regarding accessibility concerns for individuals with mobility challenges.
Jeff Peters from the Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York, painted a stark picture of conditions throughout the city, describing many areas as isolated and unreachable.
“You’ll find a portion of a sidewalk that is clear, and then there’s maybe a 6-inch (15-cm) pathway that can only be walked with one foot in front of the other and no room for a stroller, rollator, walker or crutches,” Peters said. “Then you get to the corner and not only is it unshoveled, but you have basically a glacier at the end of it.”
In Harrisville, Rhode Island, located approximately 17 miles northwest of Providence, Tina Guenette faced the challenge of clearing her property despite using a motorized wheelchair after more than 33 inches accumulated in her area.
“I really have no choice if my service dog wants to go outside,” Guenette said Tuesday. She noted that while Harrisville operates a volunteer snow removal program, no volunteers have participated in recent years.
Weather forecasters issued warnings about an additional storm system originating from the Great Lakes region that could impact the Northeast on Wednesday. This clipper system threatens to bring a mix of precipitation including rain and snow, though meteorologists expect it to be considerably less severe than Monday’s event.
NYC Emergency Management cautioned Wednesday morning travelers that predicted light snowfall combined with freezing temperatures could create hazardous conditions on roadways and walkways, including dangerous black ice formation.
Monday’s devastating storm blanketed the entire region, forcing flight cancellations, disrupting public transportation, causing widespread power outages, and claiming at least one life. Rhode Island experienced accumulations exceeding 3 feet, surpassing totals recorded during the legendary Blizzard of 1978, according to National Weather Service data.
Former National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration chief scientist Ryan Maue provided perspective on the storm’s magnitude, calculating that if all snow that fell between Maryland and Maine had been concentrated solely on Manhattan, the accumulation would have reached over one mile in height.
In Newport, Rhode Island, authorities discovered 21-year-old Joseph Boutros unconscious inside a snow-covered vehicle Monday night, according to local police reports. The Salve Regina University student was transported to a medical facility where he was pronounced deceased due to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Educational institutions began resuming normal operations Wednesday, with major districts like Philadelphia returning to in-person instruction after switching to remote learning during the first two days of the week.
New York City’s public school system, serving more than 900,000 students nationwide’s largest, maintained regular scheduling Tuesday. Students and families navigated enormous snow banks and avoided salt-spreading equipment during morning arrival times.
Electrical service has been restored for many among the hundreds of thousands who lost power across Massachusetts, New Jersey, Delaware and Rhode Island. However, approximately 173,000 Massachusetts customers remained without electricity early Wednesday.
Air travel disruptions affected thousands of flights entering and departing the United States over recent days. By Wednesday, the situation appeared to be improving with only about 150 cancellations recorded, according to FlightAware tracking data.
Manhattan resident Jamie Meyers experienced the travel chaos firsthand when her flight from Buenos Aires, Argentina finally arrived Tuesday evening, prompting relieved passengers to break into spontaneous applause. She had been scheduled to return home Sunday but faced cancellation and substantial delays.
The National Weather Service classified Monday’s weather event as a “classic bomb cyclone/nor’easter off the Northeast coast.” This meteorological phenomenon occurs when atmospheric pressure drops by a specific amount within a 24-hour timeframe.
The technology sector will be watching closely Wednesday when chip manufacturer Nvidia announces quarterly earnings that could significantly influence an already nervous stock market, as investors continue questioning whether massive investments in artificial intelligence technology will prove worthwhile.
Since Nvidia’s processors became the foundation for AI development, expectations have reached extraordinary levels for the company’s financial results covering their fiscal quarter from November through January.
Wall Street experts predict the company will report revenues of $66.1 billion for that timeframe, marking a 68% jump compared to the same period last year, while profits are expected to climb even more dramatically at over 70%, based on data from FactSet Research.
Throughout the last three years, Nvidia has consistently exceeded analyst predictions, frequently by substantial amounts, yet this success hasn’t always satisfied investors who have grown more doubtful about whether artificial intelligence will fulfill the enormous expectations surrounding the technology.
Following Nvidia’s outstanding quarterly performance that significantly surpassed expert predictions in their most recent report, where CEO Jensen Huang praised demand for the company’s newest AI processors as being “off the charts,” the stock still dropped 3% the following trading day.
The excitement intensified over the past month when four major AI companies — Amazon, Microsoft, Google’s parent company Alphabet, and Facebook’s parent Meta Platforms — announced combined commitments to invest approximately $650 billion this year in expanding their artificial intelligence computing capabilities.
Much of this investment is anticipated to go toward purchasing additional Nvidia processors needed to operate AI data centers, continuing a pattern from the past three years that has driven the company’s yearly revenue from $27 billion to over $200 billion.
This extraordinary expansion has transformed Nvidia from a relatively unknown chip manufacturer worth less than $400 billion at 2022’s end into an AI industry leader now valued at almost $4.7 trillion. This dramatic increase has made Nvidia a major market influencer, with its shares representing approximately 7% of the S&P 500 benchmark and playing a significant role in both the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the technology-focused Nasdaq index.
In October, Nvidia momentarily became the first corporation to exceed a $5 trillion market valuation before concerns about AI technology brought its stock price down from that peak, which it hasn’t reached again this year.
However, investor attitudes could change rapidly if Wednesday’s earnings announcement demonstrates that the Santa Clara, California-based company is gaining the traction needed to boost annual sales by another $100 billion this year, as predicted by FactSet Research analysts. These same experts believe Nvidia’s stock could reach $260 this year, which would push the company’s market worth above $6 trillion.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spent several hours away from his official residence Tuesday evening after authorities received what turned out to be a false bomb threat targeting his Canberra home.
The Prime Minister was safely evacuated from The Lodge late Tuesday night as a security precaution. He was able to return home after investigators determined no suspicious materials were present on the property.
Law enforcement officials confirmed there is no continuing danger to public safety.
Speaking at a Melbourne event Wednesday, Albanese reflected on the incident and called for cooler heads to prevail across the country.
“I think it’s just a reminder, take every opportunity to tell people, turn the heat down for goodness sake,” Albanese stated.
“We can’t take these things for granted,” he added.
According to Australia’s public broadcaster ABC, the security threat was connected to Shen Yun, a traditional Chinese dance company that China has prohibited and which plans to tour Australia this month.
The threatening message was reportedly sent to local event organizers, falsely stating that explosive devices had been positioned near the Prime Minister’s home and would be set off if the dance company proceeded with their Australian shows, ABC reported.
Law enforcement representatives refused to provide details about where the threat originated.
The New York-headquartered Shen Yun organization has not yet provided a response to requests for comment.
On Wednesday morning, Albanese shared an Instagram post featuring his dog positioned near a doorway at The Lodge, along with a message expressing gratitude to police officers for their professional response.
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates addressed his controversial relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during an employee meeting at his charitable foundation, according to statements released Tuesday by the organization’s representatives.
A foundation spokesperson confirmed that Gates acknowledged his errors regarding connections to the late financier during a staff town hall session, responding to a Wall Street Journal article detailing the billionaire’s remarks to employees.
Justice Department documents previously revealed that Gates and Epstein held multiple meetings following Epstein’s incarceration, with discussions centered around expanding the tech mogul’s charitable work.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Gates described his association with Epstein as a significant error in judgment, particularly regretting involving Gates Foundation leadership in encounters with the convicted criminal. The publication cited audio recordings from the employee meeting.
“I apologize to other people who are drawn into this because of the mistake that I made,” Gates stated, according to the newspaper’s account.
The Journal’s reporting also indicated that Gates disclosed having extramarital relationships with two Russian women that Epstein later learned about, though Gates clarified these situations did not involve any of Epstein’s victims.
“I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit,” Gates reportedly told foundation staff.
Justice Department materials included photographs showing the Microsoft founder with unidentified women whose faces were obscured. Gates has consistently maintained that his interactions with Epstein focused solely on philanthropic matters, while acknowledging the poor decision to meet with him.
Gates explained to employees that the photographs were taken at Epstein’s request with individuals described as Epstein’s assistants following their business discussions, according to the Journal.
“To be clear I never spent any time with victims, the women around him,” Gates added, per the report.
The Gates Foundation representative told Reuters that the employee meeting covered various topics, including questions about the recently released Epstein documentation.
“In the town hall, Bill spoke candidly, addressing several questions in detail, and took responsibility for his actions.”
The spokesperson indicated that Gates provided thorough responses during the session and confirmed that the foundation’s public statement reflected the billionaire’s comments to staff.
The foundation previously stated this month that it never provided financial compensation to Epstein or employed him in any capacity.
Gates also withdrew from a scheduled keynote presentation at India’s AI Impact Summit last week, just hours before his planned appearance.
Established in 2000 by Gates and his former spouse, the Gates Foundation operates as one of the globe’s largest supporters of international health programs, with Gates serving as chairman.
TOKYO — Markets across Asia posted gains during Wednesday morning sessions, with Japan’s primary stock index achieving a new record, following a robust overnight performance on Wall Street driven by renewed enthusiasm for artificial intelligence developments.
Japan’s main market index climbed 1.3% to reach 58,081.62, even as tensions persisted from China’s recent decision to impose export restrictions on 40 Japanese firms and institutions, citing concerns about Japan’s military expansion.
Market responses varied among individual companies, with some like Subaru Corp. and Mitsubishi Materials Corp. seeing price increases, while others including Eneos Corp. and Sumitomo Heavy Industries experienced declines.
Market experts noted that a weakening yen helped lift shares of export-focused companies such as Honda Motor Co. and Panasonic Corp. The dollar fell slightly to 155.78 Japanese yen from 155.83 yen, well below the near-160 yen levels seen months earlier. The euro strengthened to $1.1784 from $1.1779.
Other regional markets also posted strong performances: Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 jumped 1.1% to 9,122.50, South Korea’s Kospi surged 1.7% to 6,069.36, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 0.3% to 26,668.83, and the Shanghai Composite added 0.7% to 4,147.68.
Market participants are keeping close tabs on President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, scheduled during Asian trading hours. Trump aims to reassure increasingly skeptical Americans about the economy’s strength and his administration’s support for domestic employment and manufacturing.
Tuesday’s U.S. trading session saw the S&P 500 advance 0.8%, recovering nearly three-quarters of Monday’s steep decline. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 370 points or 0.8%, while the Nasdaq composite increased 1%.
Advanced Micro Devices led market gains with an 8.8% rally after revealing a multi-year agreement to provide chips to Meta Platforms for its AI initiatives. The deal also grants Meta rights to purchase up to 160 million AMD shares at 1 cent each, contingent partly on chip purchase volumes.
This development highlighted the continued excitement surrounding billions in AI investments, marking a sharp reversal from Monday’s concerns about AI’s potential negative impacts that rattled Wall Street. IBM recovered with a 2.7% gain, partially offsetting its 13.1% Monday decline – its worst performance since 2000.
Tuesday brought new business-focused tools from Anthropic for its Claude AI assistant, spanning human resources, engineering, and investment banking applications.
According to Wedbush analyst Dan Ives, the announcement suggested that concerns about AI completely replacing existing software may be excessive.
“While these use cases are impressive, the reality is that these new AI tools will not rip and replace existing software ecosystems and data environments with these AI tools only as useful as the data it can reach,” he said.
Major U.S. corporations continued delivering fourth-quarter 2025 earnings that exceeded analyst projections. Keysight Technologies posted the S&P 500’s largest gain at 23.1%, while Home Depot climbed 2% after reporting stronger-than-expected profits and revenue.
Final tallies showed the S&P 500 rising 52.32 points to 6,890.07, the Dow Jones Industrial Average adding 370.44 to 49,174.50, and the Nasdaq composite gaining 236.41 to 22,863.68.
Bond markets remained relatively stable following a report showing U.S. consumer confidence improved beyond economists’ forecasts. The 10-year Treasury yield held steady at 4.03%, matching late Monday levels.
Energy markets saw benchmark U.S. crude oil rise 45 cents to $66.08 per barrel, while Brent crude, the global standard, increased 47 cents to $71.24 per barrel.
DALLAS — A federal trial commenced Tuesday with prosecutors alleging that nine individuals connected to antifa were responsible for shooting a police officer during a demonstration at a Texas immigration detention facility last summer.
The defendants have entered not guilty pleas regarding their alleged participation in the incident at Prairieland Detention Center near Dallas this past July, where a law enforcement officer sustained a gunshot wound to the neck.
Eight defendants are facing charges of providing material support to terrorists, stemming from President Donald Trump’s designation of the loosely organized antifa movement as a domestic terrorist organization. Additional charges against most defendants include attempted murder of a police officer.
Defense lawyers maintain their clients were not antifa members but were instead participating in what they called a “noise demonstration” featuring fireworks on July 4, 2025, intended to express solidarity with detained immigrants.
“Make no mistake, there’s nothing peaceful about what happened on July Fourth,” prosecutor Shawn Smith told jurors.
The proceedings are anticipated to continue for more than three weeks, with several defendants potentially facing life sentences if found guilty.
The indictment describes a group dressed in black clothing and masks, with some carrying weapons and protective gear, who launched fireworks at the facility and damaged vehicles plus a security structure. When local police arrived, someone reportedly shouted “get to the rifles” before gunfire erupted, striking an officer.
Smith explained that while defendant Benjamin Song allegedly fired the shots, multiple other defendants face attempted murder and firearm discharge charges because such violence was a predictable outcome of their planning. Song’s legal representative chose not to present opening remarks Tuesday.
Alvarado police Lt. Thomas Gross, the wounded officer, served as the initial witness Tuesday. He described responding around 11 p.m. to a detention center emergency call, discovering graffiti on security structures and a stop sign, plus observing a guard pursuing a masked individual in dark clothing.
Gross testified about exiting his patrol car and encountering another masked person in black carrying a rifle.
“At this point the scene is becoming extremely chaotic,” he said.
He informed jurors that a bullet entered his shoulder and exited through his neck.
Defense attorneys emphasized that their clients should be evaluated based solely on their individual conduct. “It’s a trial within a trial,” stated attorney Chris Tolbert, representing Savanna Batten.
Tolbert argued his client brought no weapons, spray paint, or fireworks to the location. While prosecutors claim her book club — named after anarchist Emma Goldman — serves as an antifa recruitment tool, he insisted it’s simply a reading group.
“She’s not a member of antifa, she’s not providing material support to terrorists,” Tolbert said.
Antifa, short for “anti-fascists,” represents not one organization but rather a broad term for far-left militant groups that oppose neo-Nazis and white supremacists at rallies. FBI Director Kash Patel indicated the Texas charges mark the first instance of material support terrorism charges being applied to alleged antifa participants.
Attorney James Luster, defending Autumn Hill, described his client as deeply committed to helping marginalized people, including immigrants. Luster said Hill departed after observing fireworks being launched skyward, leaving before police arrival.
“It was never supposed to come to this,” Luster said.
Multiple individuals have already entered guilty pleas to providing material support to terrorists in connection with antifa activities related to the July 4 shooting. They could receive up to 15 years in prison when sentenced.
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton is making a significant shift in his coaching approach, transferring play-calling responsibilities to newly appointed offensive coordinator Davis Webb ahead of the 2026 season.
This marks the first occasion in Payton’s entire head coaching tenure where he will not be the primary play-caller during games.
The announcement came Tuesday during the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, after Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane inadvertently revealed the news while speaking positively about Webb, who previously served as a backup quarterback in Buffalo for three years.
This change marks a significant shift for Payton, who has traditionally maintained close control over offensive operations, though he emphasized the decision is designed to benefit the team rather than reduce his involvement.
“He’s extremely talented,” Payton said of Webb. “With regards to play-calling, it’s something that he’ll be really good at it. Man, it’s like, ‘Would you give up play-calling?’ I would only do that if I felt like it would help our team. I’ll still be involved with what we do offensively, just like what we do defensively. But I do think he has a gift. He’s real sharp.”
Payton revealed he started contemplating transferring these responsibilities to Webb, who previously served as quarterbacks coach and pass-game coordinator, during the 2025 campaign and plans to avoid second-guessing Webb’s choices.
“I think that I want to do everything that I can to support him,” Payton said. “So we’re not going to sit and grade his play-calling each week, at least hopefully we’re not. I think it’s more about the team.”
The 31-year-old Webb received his promotion after the dismissal of Joe Lombardi following Denver’s 10-7 defeat to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. Webb has advanced rapidly within Payton’s coaching structure, transitioning from quarterback coach in 2023 and 2024 to his current role. He gained play-calling experience during a 2025 preseason matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.
The Broncos ranked 14th in scoring throughout the regular season, averaging 23.6 points per game, and Payton suggested part of the motivation involves accelerating the offensive tempo while maintaining their current system.
Defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece suffered an early exit from the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, losing in the opening round to France’s Ugo Humbert on Tuesday.
The match marked a clash between two former Dubai champions, with Humbert claiming victory 6-4, 7-5 over the Greek star who won the tournament last year.
Humbert demonstrated solid defensive skills, successfully defending all three break point opportunities against him. The contest proved remarkably balanced statistically, with Humbert holding a narrow 7-6 advantage in aces while Tsitsipas recorded just one additional unforced error (20-19). Both competitors produced exactly 16 winners during the match.
Other seeded players advanced successfully through the first round. Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik (second seed), Russia’s Daniil Medvedev (third seed) and Andrey Rublev (fifth seed), along with Czech Republic’s Jakub Mensik (sixth seed) all won their matches in straight sets. Russia’s Karen Khachanov (seventh seed) and Czech Republic’s Jiri Lehecka (eighth seed) both mounted comebacks from one-set deficits to secure three-set victories.
Additional players moving forward include American Jenson Brooksby, Spanish qualifier Pablo Carreno Busta, Netherlands’ Tallon Griekspoor, Australia’s Alexei Popyrin, and France’s Arthur Rinderknech.
At the BCI Seguros Chile Open in Santiago, eighth-seeded Alejandro Tabilo claimed victory in an all-Chilean first-round encounter, defeating Tomas Barrios Vera 7-5, 6-3.
Tabilo’s serving proved superior with seven aces and zero double faults, while Barrios Vera struggled with twice as many double faults as aces (4-2).
In a notable upset, American Emilio Nava defeated sixth-seeded Italian Matteo Berrettini 6-3, 6-4, successfully defending all three break points he encountered. Chile’s Cristian Garin, who captured the Santiago title in 2021, mounted a comeback victory over Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.
Other first-round winners included Lithuania’s Vilius Gaubas, Denmark’s Elmer Moller, Argentina’s Mariano Navone and Thiago Agustin Tirante, plus Paraguayan qualifier Adolfo Daniel Vallejo.
During Tuesday evening’s State of the Union address, President Donald Trump revealed his administration has directed major technology corporations to generate their own electricity for data center operations, an initiative designed to shield consumers from escalating utility costs.
The directive emerges as communities nationwide increasingly resist power-intensive data center developments that have contributed to surging electricity expenses.
“Tonight, I’m pleased to announce that I have negotiated the new rate payer protection pledge. You know what that is? We’re telling the major tech companies that they have the obligation to provide for their own power needs,” Trump stated during his address.
“We have an old grid. It could never handle the kind of numbers, the amount of electricity that’s needed. So I’m telling them, they can build their own plant. They’re going to produce their own electricity. It will ensure the company’s ability to get electricity, while at the same time, lowering prices of electricity for you,” the president explained.
Trump did not identify specific corporations or elaborate on implementation and enforcement mechanisms. Sources familiar with the initiative indicate the White House plans to convene with companies in early March to formalize these efforts.
While the Trump administration champions artificial intelligence advancement to compete with China, the rapid expansion of AI data centers and their effect on electricity costs has emerged as a potential political liability for Republicans before November’s midterm elections.
Last month, PJM Interconnection, the nation’s largest power grid operator, introduced a strategy requiring new major electricity consumers to either contribute fresh generation capacity to the grid or reduce consumption during peak demand periods.
Several corporations, including Anthropic and Microsoft, have independently launched programs to minimize data center impacts on consumer energy costs.
India’s stock market is struggling to keep pace with other Asian markets this February, weighed down by massive losses in technology companies totaling $68.6 billion as investors grow increasingly worried about artificial intelligence threatening traditional IT business models.
The country’s major stock indices – the Nifty 50 which gained just 0.4% and the Sensex which dropped 0.1% this month – are both trailing behind broader Asian and emerging market benchmarks.
Technology companies, which represent about 11% of India’s main stock index and rank as the second-largest sector by weight, have driven most of the market weakness.
The ten technology companies in the Nifty IT index have collectively shed $68.6 billion in market value through February’s trading sessions, with the sector index plummeting 21% and heading toward its worst monthly decline in almost 23 years.
Every single company in the index has fallen between 16.8% and 27% during February. Coforge leads the percentage losses, dropping 26.8%, while industry giants Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys have suffered the largest dollar losses at approximately $21.9 billion and $16.3 billion respectively.
The massive sell-off stems from mounting fears that rapidly evolving automation technology could shorten project durations and undermine the labor-heavy business approach that supports India’s approximately $300 billion IT services sector.
Market participants have focused particular attention on AI-powered automation initiatives from American companies like Anthropic and Palantir, amplifying worries about accelerated project completion, margin pressure, and fewer billable working hours.
Financial analysts caution that India’s technology sector may face additional strain if artificial intelligence begins cutting into application services revenue, which typically represents 40% to 70% of these firms’ total income.
“There are no easy answers to whether AI eventually renders IT services obsolete over the long term,” said analysts led by Abhishek Pathak of Motilal Oswal.
The Motilal Oswal research team added, “The narrative that AI is coming for not just IT but large swathes of the economy could be too strong to shake, at least in the short term.”
Any downturn or shrinkage in India’s technology industry, whether through workforce reductions or decreased recruitment, could immediately impact both home and office real estate markets. The Nifty Realty index has climbed about 2% in February after falling nearly 18% over the previous three months.
Worries about Indian technology firms have also intensified foreign investor selling in the sector during 2026 thus far.
Although foreign portfolio investors have become net purchasers of Indian equities in February with 196.75 billion rupees in inflows, they withdrew roughly 110 billion rupees ($1.21 billion) from technology stocks in the first half of February, following record net sales of 750 billion rupees in 2025.
Government statistics released Wednesday reveal that South Korea’s fertility rate has climbed for the second year in a row during 2025, offering hope that the nation may be emerging from a prolonged demographic decline that has persisted for nearly ten years.
The Ministry of Data and Statistics reported that South Korea’s total fertility rate – representing the average number of children a woman is projected to bear throughout her childbearing years – reached 0.80 in 2025, an increase from 0.75 recorded in 2024.
The Asian nation experienced a resurgence in births beginning in 2024, driven by post-pandemic recovery and government initiatives, following eight straight years of declining birth rates that culminated in the globe’s lowest fertility rate of 0.72 in 2023.
Statistical data shows 5.0 births per 1,000 residents in 2025, compared to 4.7 in 2024. This figure exceeds China’s 5.6 rate from last year, Taiwan’s 4.6, and Japan’s 5.7 in 2024, where declining trends persist.
The recovery rate has surpassed the government’s optimistic projections of 0.75 for 2025 and 0.80 for 2026, with forecasts suggesting the total fertility rate could exceed 1.0 per woman by 2031.
Marriage statistics, which typically predict birth trends with a one to two-year delay, increased 8.1% in 2025 following a record 14.8% surge in 2024.
“The biggest part is that marriages are increasing a lot accumulatively,” ministry official Park Hyun-jung explained during a press conference. She highlighted growth in the population of people in their thirties – the typical age for marriage and childbearing – along with shifting social perspectives.
Seoul experienced the most dramatic increase in births, with the capital’s fertility rate reaching 0.63, representing an 8.9% jump from 0.58 in 2024, despite remaining the nation’s lowest rate.
Hallym University sociology professor Shin Kyung-ah cautioned that the figures require deeper analysis due to statistical factors like demographic composition shifts influencing the increase.
“Still, it is meaningful as an indicator suggesting positive changes, which will, at least indirectly, also help make people become more positive about having a baby,” Shin commented.
A government survey conducted every two years in 2024 found that 52.5% of South Koreans held favorable views toward marriage, rising from 50.1% in 2022. Citizens indicated their ideal family size averaged 1.89 children.
Birth numbers increased 6.8% to 254,457 last year, representing the largest percentage growth since 2007, while deaths climbed 1.3% to 363,389, causing the population to contract naturally for the sixth straight year.
President Lee Jae Myung’s administration intends to develop a comprehensive five-year demographic policy plan this year, addressing concerns about economic disruption from rapid population aging.
Officials also plan to expand existing childbirth support policies implemented in recent years and introduce programs to recruit skilled international workers as the domestic workforce shrinks.
The nation’s potential economic growth rate, currently estimated at approximately 2% annually, has dropped six percentage points over the past three decades – a steeper decline than most major economies – and could fall to 0.6% between 2045-2049, according to central bank projections.
Credit rating agencies have warned that South Korea’s government finances face pressure from increasing social welfare costs. The country’s public pension system, ranking third globally with $1 trillion in assets, is projected to become insolvent by 2071.
President Lee has advocated for regional collaboration on demographic challenges and proposed hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation group’s inaugural population policy forum in South Korea this year during last year’s summit.
During January visits to China and Japan, Lee secured separate agreements with President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to pursue joint efforts addressing aging populations.
Government projections from 2022 indicate South Korea’s current population of 51.8 million could decrease by nearly one-third to 36.2 million by 2072.
Former President Donald Trump addressed a joint session of Congress Tuesday evening in what could prove to be a crucial moment for the White House as it works to solidify Republican voter support before this November’s midterm elections.
The speech occurred amid escalating tensions with Iran and widespread public concern over America’s high cost of living.
ECONOMIC FOCUS CARRIES POLITICAL RISK
Trump made economic issues the centerpiece of his address, though he maintained a potentially dangerous stance on financial matters that political analysts warn might cost the Republican Party control of Congress this fall. All House seats and roughly one-third of Senate positions will be contested in November, with Democrats aiming to wrest control from the current Republican majorities in both chambers.
According to Trump’s presentation, inflation rates, home loan costs, and fuel prices are declining, while stock markets, domestic oil production, and international investment are thriving alongside growth in construction and manufacturing employment. However, he avoided recognizing the financial hardships Americans continue to experience due to elevated prices, consistent with his approach in recent economic speeches.
Government statistics indicate inflation remained stagnant and actually increased last year, while manufacturing employment declined during the same period.
Polling data reveals voters express concern about economic conditions and dissatisfaction with Trump’s management of financial issues. According to Reuters/Ipsos surveys, 56 percent of respondents disapprove of his economic performance, compared to 36 percent who approve.
Political strategists emphasize this represents a challenge Trump must address if he intends to serve as the Republican Party’s primary economic spokesperson while they work to maintain congressional control in November’s elections.
WASHINGTON — During Tuesday evening’s State of the Union address, President Donald Trump declared to the nation that America is experiencing unprecedented success, proclaiming ‘we’re winning so much’ as he detailed what he described as significant economic and foreign policy achievements.
The president’s primary goal appeared to be persuading skeptical Americans that economic conditions are stronger than many perceive, urging voters to support Republicans in the upcoming November midterm elections to continue current policies.
Trump incorporated several bipartisan patriotic moments into his speech, most notably making a dramatic invitation for the Olympic gold medal-winning U.S. men’s hockey team to enter the House chamber, which resulted in thunderous applause. The team had visited the White House earlier that afternoon before appearing at the Capitol.
‘Our country is winning again. In fact, we’re winning so much that we really don’t know what to do about it. People are asking me, please, please, please, Mister President, we’re winning too much. We can’t take it anymore,’ Trump declared before presenting the team. ‘We’re not used to winning in our country until you came along.’
The hockey players, displaying their medals and wearing jerseys emblazoned with ‘USA’ in bold letters, received a bipartisan standing ovation. Trump gestured toward the Democratic section of the chamber and remarked, ‘That’s the first time I ever I’ve ever seen them get up.’
In another television-ready moment, Trump revealed he would present the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian recognition, to the hockey team’s goaltender, Connor Hellebuyck. This mirrors a similar surprise announcement Trump made in 2020 when he awarded the honor to conservative radio personality Rush Limbaugh during his address.
Trump described the nation’s current state by saying, ‘It is indeed a turnaround for the ages.’
The president promoted his strict immigration enforcement policies and federal government reductions, along with his efforts to maintain extensive tariffs that the Supreme Court recently overturned and his capacity to execute rapid military operations globally, including actions in Iran and Venezuela.
Trump also revealed that technology companies working with artificial intelligence have agreed to pay increased electricity costs in regions where their data centers operate, according to a White House official who requested anonymity when discussing the speech.
These data centers typically consume substantial amounts of electricity, which can raise power costs for other local consumers.
Trump criticized the Supreme Court’s rejection of his key tariff initiatives, describing it as ‘an unfortunate ruling.’ He discussed his efforts to work around that decision without relying on Congress or disturbing financial markets.
‘It’s saving our country,’ Trump stated regarding tariffs, describing them as ‘peace-protecting.’
The Supreme Court justices present were identical to those who attended Trump’s joint congressional address last March: Chief Justice John Roberts, along with Justices Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan.
Trump welcomed the justices and even exchanged handshakes with Coney Barrett before his speech commenced, despite previously criticizing her for joining the majority decision against Trump’s tariffs — even though he nominated her to the Supreme Court during his first presidency.
Prior to Trump’s address, Senate Democrats prevented passage of legislation to reinstate Department of Homeland Security funding, demanding new restrictions on immigration enforcement that Republicans have rejected.
‘Tonight, I am demanding the full and immediate restoration of all funding for the Border Security and Homeland Security of the United States,’ Trump planned to state, according to speech excerpts.
Cost of Living Concerns Remain Prominent
Trump regularly claims to have controlled inflation and maintains the economy is thriving, pointing to the Dow Jones Industrial Average recently surpassing 50,000 points for the first time in history.
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger delivered the Democratic response to Trump’s address. Multiple congressional Democrats chose to boycott Trump’s speech as a form of protest.
International Affairs Take Center Stage
Trump’s speech occurred while two U.S. aircraft carriers have been sent to the Middle East due to rising tensions with Iran.
The president has frequently described how U.S. air attacks last summer targeted Tehran’s nuclear facilities, praised the operation that removed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and highlighted his administration’s role in negotiating a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
However, he has also created tension within U.S. military partnerships with NATO due to his efforts to acquire Greenland from Denmark and his reluctance to take stronger action against Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding ending the war in Ukraine. Tuesday marked the fourth anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Japanese government officials announced Wednesday that one of their citizens has been held in Iranian custody and are pressing Tehran for the individual’s immediate freedom.
Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Masanao Ozaki revealed during his regular press conference that the detention occurred on January 20, though he declined to provide additional information about the circumstances or the identity of the person being held.
Japan has issued forceful appeals to Iranian officials for the prompt release of their detained citizen, according to Ozaki’s statements to reporters.
A respected Russian academic known for his expertise on North Korea was taken into custody by Latvian police while presenting a lecture, according to reports from Russian news outlets.
Andrei Lankov, who serves as a history professor at Seoul’s Kookmin University, verified to Russian business publication RBK that law enforcement officers interrupted his North Korea presentation and subsequently added him to the nation’s prohibited persons list. He was later transferred to immigration authorities, though the specific grounds for his arrest remain unclear. The incident was also covered by Russia’s Tass news service.
Speaking to RBK around 11 p.m. Moscow time, Lankov reported that he remained in detention, noting that legal representatives were handling his case while friends assisted with practical matters.
Representatives from Kookmin University in South Korea confirmed they were monitoring the developing situation involving their faculty member. Attempts to reach Lankov directly through his mobile phone were unsuccessful.
Born in what was then Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), Lankov spent considerable time in North Korea during the 1980s as part of an exchange program and has dedicated his academic career to studying the isolated nation. After working in South Korea and Australia during the 1990s, he relocated to Seoul in 2004 to begin his current teaching position. He maintains citizenship in both Russia and Australia.
The scholar has gained recognition for his pragmatic analysis of North Korea, frequently characterizing the regime as a calculating government that maximizes scarce resources while playing major world powers against each other for survival. He has also publicly criticized Russia’s military actions in Ukraine and Moscow’s deployment of North Korean forces in support of its military operations.
Earlier this year in April, a Moscow court allegedly imposed a fine of 10,000 rubles (approximately $130) on Lankov for participating in activities connected to an organization deemed “undesirable” by Russian authorities. At that time, Lankov informed RBK that journalists had been the source of his information about the legal proceedings.
MCALLEN, Texas (AP) — Civil rights attorneys filed a court motion Tuesday demanding an end to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection practice that encourages immigrant children traveling alone to agree to voluntary deportation before they receive required legal protections.
Under federal law established by the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008, border officers who apprehend unaccompanied immigrant minors entering illegally must transfer them to federally-operated shelters managed by the Office of Refugee Resettlement. These facilities provide children with legal representation, access to immigration hearings, and phone contact with family members before they decide whether to pursue deportation or explore alternative options.
However, a new approach now presents the voluntary departure choice while children remain in border custody, before they reach the shelter system. This practice commenced in September 2025, based on CBP official testimony included in the legal filing.
According to the attorneys’ Tuesday motion, children who refuse voluntary return face threats of extended detention, potential arrest and prosecution of their U.S.-based adult sponsors, and permanent visa application bans.
The legal team represents Guatemalan minors affected by the government’s failed attempt to remove dozens of them during a chaotic overnight flight last August. They argue this policy breaches an existing court order that prevents deportation of any unaccompanied Guatemalan children without proper immigration court proceedings.
The lawyers also request the judge extend the protective order to include minors from additional nations, except Mexico and Canada.
CBP has not yet provided a response to requests for comment.
Multiple children reported to attorneys that agents used threatening behavior, shouting, and coercion to force them to sign documents they couldn’t comprehend, often due to language difficulties.
One young girl described how an agent aggressively pressured her to sign paperwork after she injured her leg in a vehicle accident and was refused medical care.
“I thought I had to sign, but I didn’t know why or what for,” she stated in a written court declaration.
Mishan Wroe, representing the National Center for Youth Law, emphasized that these minors are being denied federally mandated protections.
“It’s plainly coercive to threaten children with prolonged detention while they are scared and not given the opportunity to speak to counsel or their family before they make a decision that has grave implications for their future,” Wroe stated Tuesday.
Michael Julien, a CBP representative, wrote in his Tuesday court filing that agents only offer the voluntary departure option to certain unaccompanied minors crossing illegally, and that this choice is communicated verbally rather than through written documentation.
Legal advocates discovered 13 cases in South Texas where children experienced this new approach, though they suspect many more instances exist.
“We believe that this is happening to many, many more children and that the 13 that are mentioned in our motion are just those that kind of slipped through the cracks,” stated Kate Talmor, senior counsel at the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection.
Talmor explained that attorneys only learned about and could assist these 13 children because despite signing departure agreements while in CBP custody, transportation wasn’t arranged in time and they were eventually transferred to shelter facilities.
Federal officials have two weeks to submit their response, after which the judge will decide whether to halt the policy’s enforcement on Guatemalan children and potentially extend protections to minors from other nations.
The gaming communication platform Discord is delaying its contentious age verification system until the latter half of 2026 following intense user opposition over privacy issues.
Chief Technology Officer and co-founder Stanislav Vishnevskiy acknowledged in a Tuesday blog post that the company “missed the mark” with its original proposal, which sparked immediate criticism from the platform’s user base.
“Many of you are worried that this is just another big tech company finding new ways to collect your personal data. That we’re creating a problem to justify invasive solutions,” Vishnevskiy wrote. “I get that skepticism. It’s earned, not just toward us, but toward the entire tech industry. But that’s not what we’re doing.”
The platform, which boasts over 200 million active users, will still fulfill specific legal requirements for age verification but will hold off on the worldwide expansion until revisions are made to the February proposal.
Discord’s initial announcement this month outlined plans for a March launch requiring facial recognition scans or identification document uploads for users whose adult status couldn’t be confirmed automatically. The proposal triggered immediate user outrage, particularly following a recent data breach involving a third-party contractor that compromised government identification photos of approximately 70,000 Discord users.
Vishnevskiy addressed the security incident in his blog post, acknowledging it fueled user distrust while emphasizing the company no longer partners with that contractor and maintains strict vendor standards.
“Every vendor we work with goes through a security and privacy review before integration,” he wrote. “That includes contractual limits on data use, and strict retention and deletion requirements. Information submitted for age verification is stored only for the minimum time necessary, which in most cases means it’s deleted immediately. If a vendor doesn’t pass, we don’t work with them.”
Among the companies that failed to meet Discord’s requirements was Persona, an identity verification service that underwent limited testing in the United Kingdom during January. Vishnevskiy explained that Persona couldn’t satisfy Discord’s facial age estimation requirements, which mandate that the estimation “must be performed entirely on-device, meaning your biometric data never leaves your phone.”
Discord severed ties with Persona amid online criticism, particularly regarding Persona’s backing by Founders Fund, the venture capital firm operated by Palantir Technologies co-founder Peter Thiel. Critics frequently target Thiel and Palantir over the company’s government surveillance partnerships, including a recent contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to expedite identification and deportation processes.
The opposition persisted despite Vishnevskiy’s assertion that “90%+ of users, nothing changes.”
Discord can automatically determine most users’ ages through account-related indicators, including account longevity, payment method presence, server memberships, and general usage patterns, according to Vishnevskiy. He stressed that the company doesn’t examine messages, analyze conversations, or review account content for age estimation purposes.
For users whose ages remain undetermined, Discord is developing additional verification methods beyond facial scanning and identification requests, including credit card verification. The company plans to “complete and expand” these alternatives before implementing the new system.
Users declining age verification will retain their accounts, servers, friend lists, direct messages, and voice chat capabilities but will lose access to age-restricted content and certain safety setting modifications designed for teen protection, Vishnevskiy explained.
Discord committed to publishing comprehensive documentation explaining its automatic age determination processes and maintaining a website listing all verification vendors and their practices.
During Tuesday evening’s State of the Union speech, President Donald Trump focused his message on economic accomplishments while urging Americans to support Republican candidates in the approaching November midterm elections.
The president used the annual address to highlight what he characterized as a robust economy and encouraged voters to continue backing similar policies by supporting GOP candidates this fall.
The speech was documented through a collection of photographs selected by Associated Press photo editors, capturing key moments from the evening’s proceedings.
Domino’s Pizza Enterprises in Australia experienced a devastating blow to its stock price Wednesday, with shares dropping 16% following the release of disappointing sales figures for the beginning of the second half of their fiscal year.
The pizza chain operator, which runs Domino’s locations across a dozen nations including Australia, New Zealand, various Asian markets, and European countries, revealed that same-store sales declined by 7.2% during the initial eight-week period of the second half.
Wall Street analysts had predicted a much smaller decline of just 0.2% for the six-month period, according to Visible Alpha estimates, making the actual results significantly worse than expected.
The company’s stock price fell as low as A$18.13, representing a 16.3% decline and marking the most substantial single-day percentage loss since late August 2025, as recorded at 0205 GMT. This drop pushed the stock to its lowest point in nearly four months.
Company executives attributed the disappointing performance to extreme weather events that impacted operations in Germany and the Netherlands. Additionally, Domino’s cited the timing of Chinese New Year celebrations as another factor contributing to the weak sales figures.
A former rapper who transitioned from music to politics is positioned to become Nepal’s next prime minister, marking a dramatic shift in the Himalayan nation’s political landscape.
Balendra Shah, widely recognized by his stage name ‘Balen,’ emerged as the leading candidate following Nepal’s youth uprising in September that resulted in 77 deaths and led to Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli’s resignation. The 35-year-old politician addressed his millions of social media followers with a direct message at the time.
“Dear Gen Z, the resignation of your killer has come,” Shah posted. “Now your generation will have to lead the country. Be prepared.”
The musician-turned-politician, who secured the mayor’s office in Nepal’s capital city Kathmandu during 2022, now leads polling projections for the March 5 general election. While Nepal lacks comprehensive polling data, four political experts and regional media outlets identify him as the top contender, potentially displacing the nation’s established political leadership.
“Balen Shah is so popular that now buses coming to Kathmandu have stickers on them saying, ‘Headed to Balen’s city’,” noted Bipin Adhikari, who specializes in constitutional law at Kathmandu University.
Shah’s potential victory would represent a remarkable transformation for someone who gained initial recognition through rap music that challenged Nepal’s power structure. His success could fundamentally alter the political dynamics of the small nation situated between China and India, which has traditionally been controlled by a few dominant parties.
The established parties include Oli’s Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist), which maintains closer ties to China, and the moderate Nepali Congress, which aligns more closely with India.
Shah’s Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) represents a centrist alternative that promises in its platform to pursue “balanced foreign relations” with both neighboring powers.
Much of Shah’s national popularity stems from his achievements as Kathmandu’s mayor, where he concentrated on enhancing city infrastructure, particularly waste management systems, while improving service delivery in areas like healthcare.
However, he has also drawn criticism, including from Human Rights Watch, for allegedly directing police to confiscate property belonging to street vendors and individuals without land ownership.
Shah, who stepped down from his mayoral position in January to pursue the national election, has not responded to interview requests or written questions from Reuters.
Distinguishing himself from Nepal’s traditional political establishment of older career politicians, Shah typically avoids conventional media outlets.
His extensive social media reach, encompassing more than 3.5 million followers across platforms like Facebook, allows him to communicate directly with Nepal’s younger population.
Shah’s recent Facebook activity features carefully selected campaign photographs, consistently showing him wearing his signature dark sunglasses and sporting a graying beard.
“What makes Balen special is that he stays connected with the youth through his short messages on social media, but it would not be a cakewalk for him after becoming prime minister,” observed independent political analyst Puranjan Acharya.
Shah grew up with a father who practiced traditional Ayurvedic medicine and a mother who managed their household. According to an associate, he developed an early interest in poetry that eventually led to his passion for rap music, drawing inspiration from American artists including Tupac Shakur and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson.
Following his undergraduate civil engineering studies in Nepal, Shah pursued a master’s degree in structural engineering in southern India, having already established himself as a prominent rapper in his homeland.
His musical compositions, frequently targeting Nepal’s governing elite, resonated strongly with citizens in a nation where approximately 20% of the 30 million residents experience severe poverty.
Shah’s 2019 release “Balidan” – meaning sacrifice in Nepali – has accumulated over 12 million YouTube views and remains among his most recognized works.
The song’s verses include: “Let me speak, sir, it is not a crime, Let me open the mind, I am not a curse to the palace, My mind is not bad, it is not afraid to speak the truth.”
Shah officially entered political life by running as an independent candidate for Kathmandu mayor, campaigning under the motto “Time for change.” He secured victory with a substantial margin.
In December, Shah aligned with the RSP, headed by former television personality Rabi Lamichhane, accepting the party’s nomination for prime minister.
The RSP’s platform commits to generating 1.2 million employment opportunities and reducing forced migration, addressing widespread frustration over joblessness and inadequate wages that have driven millions of Nepalis to seek employment abroad.
Additional party promises include increasing Nepal’s per capita income from $1,447 to $3,000, expanding the national economy to $100 billion GDP, and establishing universal healthcare coverage – all targeted for completion within five years.
Political observers suggest that Shah’s potential national success will largely depend on his ability to assemble qualified personnel capable of reforming Nepal’s stagnant and corruption-plagued administrative structure.
“It needs a team, experts and support,” Acharya explained. “Under the existing state apparatus, he can’t perform and he will be finished like wood attacked by termites.”
WASHINGTON – Security officials removed Texas Democratic Representative Al Green from the House chamber on Tuesday evening as President Trump prepared to deliver his State of the Union address, following Green’s decision to display a protest sign.
When the President made his entrance into the chamber, Green raised a white placard bearing the message “Black people aren’t apes.” The demonstration referenced a controversial social media post that appeared on Trump’s account earlier this month, which contained footage showing former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama depicted as apes. The administration later removed the post, with Trump attributing its publication to a staff member.
This marks the second consecutive year that Green has disrupted Trump’s congressional address, having previously called out during last year’s speech.
Hyundai Motor Group is preparing to announce a substantial investment package focused on advanced robotics, data infrastructure, and hydrogen technology development in South Korea, according to industry sources.
The South Korean automotive giant plans to establish these facilities in the Saemangeum region along the country’s western coastline, with sources indicating the investment could reach multi-billion dollar levels.
Industry insiders revealed that Hyundai Motor Group and South Korean government officials are expected to formalize a preliminary agreement for the Saemangeum project as soon as this week.
When contacted for verification, a company representative for Hyundai Motor chose not to provide any statement regarding the reported investment plans.
Financial markets responded enthusiastically to news reports about the potential investment, with Hyundai Motor stock prices jumping 10.5% during trading. The company’s affiliate, Kia, experienced an even stronger rally with shares rising 15% as investors showed excitement about the automakers’ potential move into artificial intelligence applications for self-driving vehicles and robotic systems.
Financial markets throughout Asia experienced substantial growth on Wednesday, with South Korean semiconductor companies spearheading the rally as investors renewed their confidence in artificial intelligence technology investments, according to market reports.
Market watchers who have endured months of turbulent trading are now turning their attention to President Donald Trump’s upcoming State of the Union address scheduled for Tuesday night in Washington. Financial analysts anticipate the speech may include policy announcements covering trade relationships, economic affordability measures, and international relations including Iran.
The MSCI Asia-Pacific index, excluding Japanese stocks, climbed 1% during morning trading sessions.
Japan’s Nikkei achieved a historic milestone, gaining 1.1% to reach 57,956.92 in early trading while touching an intraday record of 58,047.89. The comprehensive Topix index showed modest growth of 0.07% to 3,818.73.
South Korea’s KOSPI demonstrated remarkable performance, jumping nearly 1.7% and breaking above the 6,000 threshold for the first time in its history. The index has surged an impressive 44% year-to-date.
The worldwide shortage of memory chips has propelled Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix share prices to double their October values, as investment capital flows toward these highly sought-after chipmakers in the AI supply chain. Global chip leader Nvidia Corp is scheduled to release its fourth-quarter earnings following Wednesday’s U.S. market closure.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index advanced 0.36% while China’s CSI300 posted a 0.3% increase.
Australia’s S&P/ASX200 climbed as much as 1.1% to establish a new record high, despite January’s elevated consumer prices raising concerns about potential interest rate increases.
The Japanese yen gained strength, rising 0.12% against the U.S. dollar to 155.7 per dollar on Wednesday, recovering from Tuesday’s 0.8% decline.
Reports indicate that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has expressed concerns about additional interest rate increases to Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda, creating uncertainty about future rate adjustments.
The dollar index, which tracks the greenback’s performance against major currencies including the yen and euro, dropped 0.05% to 97.84, while the euro increased 0.05% to $1.1777.
A recent Reuters survey revealed that most economists predict the Bank of Japan will increase its benchmark rate to 1% before June ends, with some forecasting action as early as April due to growing inflation concerns and yen weakness.
Current market pricing suggests a 50% probability of an April rate increase and 65% odds for a June adjustment.
“Given there was an expectation that she would shift her stance on monetary policy this latest news brings uncertainty back into the market, and leaves investors keenly interested to see who her nominations are for the two new Bank of Japan board members which is expected to be announced today,” NAB analysts said.
U.S. Treasury yields showed upward movement, with the benchmark 10-year note rising 0.5 basis points to 4.039% and the 30-year bond yield climbing 0.4 basis points to 4.6933%.
Optimism surrounding artificial intelligence technology returned after San Francisco-based company Anthropic introduced 10 innovative applications for business clients using its AI tools, rekindling hopes that AI will enhance profitability across multiple industries.
AI-related stock valuations have fluctuated significantly in recent weeks as investors questioned whether substantial AI capital investments would generate timely returns.
“AI is not a bubble technology, but that doesn’t mean every AI bet will pay off. There are companies spending significantly on AI that likely won’t see a return,” said Laura Cooper, Nuveen’s head of macro credit and global investment strategist.
Federal Reserve officials Lisa Cook and Chicago Fed president Austan Goolsbee indicated in Tuesday speeches that they believe the U.S. employment market may be beginning to stabilize.
“It’s apparent that most members think it as appropriate to wait for further progress on inflation before adjusting policy lower,” said ANZ analysts.
“While there have been signs of labour market stabilisation in 2026, labour market conditions are soft and a source of disinflationary pressure.”
ANZ forecasts the Federal Reserve will begin reducing rates during the second quarter, likely in June, predicting 75 basis points in cuts throughout the year.
Energy markets showed positive movement with U.S. crude oil rising 0.75% to $66.12 per barrel and Brent crude climbing to $71.30, up 0.75%.
Precious metals remained relatively stable with spot gold holding steady at $5,138.49 per ounce while spot silver declined 0.43% to $86.96 per ounce.
With another growing season approaching, Delaware area farmers are being encouraged to understand their crop insurance coverage before severe weather strikes. Agricultural insurance experts emphasize the importance of knowing what protection is available when Mother Nature threatens their livelihood.
During a recent agricultural management discussion, Meg Yandell, who serves as vice president of technical claims at RCIS, provided guidance on how farming operations can better prepare for the insurance claims process when weather disasters impact their crops.
The advice comes as farmers across the region gear up for what could be another challenging year of unpredictable weather patterns that threaten agricultural productivity and farm income.
MILWAUKEE — Within the Miami Heat organization, Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra rarely find themselves on opposite sides of an issue. However, when it comes to coaching attire, these two basketball minds couldn’t be further apart.
This longstanding disagreement has resurfaced as a league-wide discussion point, with Riley advocating for a return to formal coaching attire while Spoelstra champions the relaxed dress code currently in place.
The Miami Heat president, known for his impeccable style, believes NBA coaches should return to wearing suits during games. Meanwhile, his head coach has embraced the comfortable, casual approach that became standard league-wide.
“He gave me a few suits back when I was an assistant coach, but I looked like the lead singer from the Talking Heads,” Spoelstra commented Tuesday ahead of Miami’s matchup in Milwaukee, making reference to David Byrne’s famous oversized suit style. “I didn’t realize I had to tailor the suit, too.”
This fashion discussion gained renewed attention following Sunday’s statue dedication ceremony for Riley outside the Los Angeles Lakers’ arena. The bronze tribute depicts Riley in his characteristic Armani suit, representing the elegant style he maintained throughout his coaching tenure with the Lakers, Knicks, and Heat.
“I wish it went back to coats and ties,” Riley stated during Sunday’s ceremony regarding coaching wardrobe choices. “I think an audience wants to see somebody on the sidelines who looks like a leader, dresses like a leader, acts like a leader.”
The league’s current relaxed dress standards began during the 2019-20 season’s bubble restart, allowing coaches to wear quarter-zip pullovers, comfortable pants, and athletic shoes instead of traditional business attire.
“I don’t know why we still wear suits,” former San Antonio head coach Gregg Popovich questioned during summer 2019 while leading USA Basketball at the World Cup in China, where he sported polo shirts, sweatpants, and sneakers. “Somebody, please, tell me why we do that.”
Popovich welcomed the NBA’s dress code change, and many colleagues shared his enthusiasm. Since the bubble period, Spoelstra and Miami’s coaching staff have consistently worn black polo shirts, sweaters, or quarter-zips paired with black trousers, which also simplifies travel preparations.
While acknowledging Riley’s distinctive appearance, Spoelstra pointed out broader workplace trends.
“It’s becoming a little bit different anyways in corporate America,” Spoelstra observed, noting that casual dress has become more widespread beyond basketball. “But then I also see Pat’s point of view. When I see the footage of him from the Lakers to the Knicks to the Heat, he did look sharp. But he wore suits differently than us mortals.”
The NBA’s elevated coaching fashion standards were largely influenced by Riley and the late Chuck Daly. Riley favored Armani designs, while Daly selected Hugo Boss suits and wore such exceptional footwear that colleagues admired his shoe collection. Following Daly’s passing, Rollie Massimino openly admitted to claiming some of his friend’s prized shoes, which he continued wearing throughout his remaining coaching years.
Milwaukee’s Doc Rivers, who wore suits for many seasons, understands Riley’s perspective but recognizes the challenges of reverting to formal attire.
“It’s a tough one because quarter-zips are so comfortable,” Rivers explained. “They are so easy to wear.”
Rivers has proposed a middle-ground solution, suggesting formal wear for postseason games only.
“I brought this up to someone and it’s going to go through the chain,” Rivers revealed. “I do think it wouldn’t be a bad idea for the playoffs because wearing suits shows the significance of the playoffs. … I’d have to start working out again because none of my suits would fit anymore.”
Spoelstra’s most recent suit appearance occurred in September when he attended Heat managing general partner Micky Arison’s Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The formal dress requirements for that event particularly pleased Riley.
“I swear that’s all Pat was talking about,” Spoelstra recalled. “I don’t plan on wearing them again until the next Hall of Fame event that we get to go to.”
ATLANTA — For Trae Young, walking into the visitor’s locker room at State Farm Arena felt surreal after spending eight years as the home team’s star player.
“I’ve only been in the visiting locker room for concerts and stuff,” Young said with a laugh. “It is weird. It’s something I’ll have to get used to coming back here.”
The point guard made his first trip back to Atlanta Tuesday evening since Washington acquired him in a major trade deal last month from the Hawks.
Young remained on the sidelines as he works through rehabilitation for a sprained right knee and quadriceps injury. The former All-Star hasn’t seen game action in almost two months, and Washington appears content to keep him benched as the team focuses on securing a favorable draft position for next year.
Though Young appeared hopeful about his recovery progress, he avoided giving a direct answer when pressed about whether he’ll return to action this season.
“I’m leaving it up to the doctors,” Young stated. “Just following the plan. The plan is going good so far. You never know.”
During his tenure in Atlanta, Young became the organization’s centerpiece, making four All-Star appearances and guiding the Hawks to the Eastern Conference championship series in 2021.
However, the franchise struggled to replicate that success, consistently falling short in first-round playoff exits. After another disappointing campaign that started with championship aspirations, Atlanta’s front office decided to part ways with their marquee player. The Hawks shipped Young to Washington in early January, receiving CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert in return.
Despite the circumstances, Young harbors no resentment toward his former organization. He values his Atlanta experience while anticipating what lies ahead with a Wizards team that also acquired star big man Anthony Davis in another significant pre-deadline deal.
“I just want Hawks fans to know how much love and appreciation I had for them from day one,” Young expressed. “I came in and found a way to make a name for myself, make a name for my team. I tried to put this city on the map, where people talked about us.”
Still, he acknowledged the necessity of seeking fresh opportunities in Washington.
“When you’ve been there for so long, it kind of feels like your stay is not welcomed as much anymore,” Young reflected. “That’s OK, you know what I’m saying? That’s life, no matter what we do. We play a sport that’s not necessarily fair.”
Young recalled the preseason excitement following Atlanta’s acquisition of Kristaps Porzingis, which seemed to address a major roster gap. Unfortunately, Porzingis battled health issues and missed significant time, appearing in just 17 contests before being shipped to Golden State.
“I wasn’t healthy this year. KP was not healthy this year,” Young observed. “There’s a lot of things we could’ve done. But that’s neither here nor there. That’s in the past. Everything happens for a reason.”
Looking forward, Young feels energized about Washington’s potential, particularly with a recovered Davis, developing young talent, and an expected high lottery selection in an impressive draft class.
The Hawks organization expressed well-wishes for their former star.
“Speaking on everyone’s behalf, we’re very appreciative of what Trae has done for our team and our franchise over the year,” head coach Quin Snyder commented. “We’re grateful to him and his family for that. We just wish him well in this next phase of his career.”
Young had initially hoped to face his old teammates on the court during this homecoming. That opportunity didn’t materialize, and he’s unlikely to suit up when the teams meet again Thursday in Atlanta.
“When I was doing the rehab, obviously I was hoping I could come back and play,” Young said. “I’m in a great spot right now. I wish I could play tonight, my first night here, but it wasn’t in God’s plans. But I’m going to be back playing here a lot in the future.”
As his new teammates took the floor for tipoff, Young stayed underneath the stands, working through rehabilitation exercises with resistance bands.
He eventually made his way to the visitors’ bench in time for a tribute video during the second quarter. The arena erupted in applause as Young shaped his hands into a heart and repeatedly mouthed “thank you” to the crowd.
“That is probably the one plus of playing right now,” he said beforehand. “I can maybe get some emotions out of the way the first time and not be so emotional every time.”
WASHINGTON — The Pentagon is taking its legal battle with Arizona Senator Mark Kelly to a higher court after being blocked from disciplining the former Navy pilot over his participation in a controversial military video.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth filed an appeal Tuesday asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to overturn a February 12th federal court decision that protected Kelly from punishment.
The Arizona Democrat responded on social media, claiming Hegseth’s only motivation is to “keep trampling on the free speech rights of retired veterans and silence dissent.”
“These guys don’t know when to quit,” Kelly posted on his X account.
Hegseth had previously promised to challenge the court ruling, posting “Sedition is sedition, ‘Captain,’” using Kelly’s military retirement rank.
The controversy stems from a November video where Kelly joined five other Democratic Congress members in encouraging military personnel to follow the Constitution and reject any illegal orders from the Trump administration. President Trump later accused the group of sedition that was “punishable by DEATH” in his own social media response.
A Washington grand jury recently chose not to bring charges against the lawmakers involved in the video.
Kelly filed his own federal lawsuit to prevent a January 5th censure from Hegseth. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon issued a temporary order stopping the Pentagon from carrying out Kelly’s punishment while the case continues.
Judge Leon determined that Pentagon leadership violated Kelly’s constitutional free speech protections and also “threatened the constitutional liberties of millions of military retirees.” The judge used the colorful phrase “Horsefeathers!” to dismiss government arguments that Kelly was seeking special treatment under military justice rules.
“To say the least, our retired veterans deserve more respect from their Government, and our Constitution demands they receive it!” Leon wrote in his decision. Leon was appointed by former Republican President George W. Bush.
The 90-second video originally appeared on Representative Slotkin’s social media account. Other participants included Representatives Jason Crow from Colorado, Chris Deluzio from Pennsylvania, Maggie Goodlander from New Hampshire, and Chrissy Houlahan from Pennsylvania. Each person in the video served in either the military or intelligence services.
Australian mining company Fortescue announced Wednesday that its first-half earnings climbed 23%, boosted by unprecedented iron ore shipments and rising commodity values that enabled the firm to distribute shareholder dividends exceeding market predictions.
Stock prices for the company surged up to 3.8%, performing better than mining competitors BHP and Rio Tinto in trading activity.
As the globe’s fourth-biggest iron ore producer, Fortescue is concentrating on reducing operational expenses to generate cash returns for investors from its profitable iron ore operations, while preparing for a period of reduced expansion and substantial capital investments through the 2030s.
The company is working to expand into metals anticipated to see strong demand in technology and renewable energy sectors, following its decision last year to abandon worldwide green hydrogen initiatives due to expensive production costs and insufficient market interest.
Fortescue’s two primary expansion ventures – iron ore operations in Gabon and copper mining in Peru – are not expected to begin production until the following decade.
During an earnings conference call, when questioned about growth prospects this decade, Energy Division Head Agustin Pichot highlighted the company’s efforts to branch out into critical minerals and copper.
These initiatives encompass a rare earths venture in Brazil and copper exploration activities in Australia, Canada and Kazakhstan, where the company is accelerating drilling operations.
ONGOING CHINA NEGOTIATIONS
For the six-month period ending December 31, Fortescue recorded underlying net earnings after taxes of $1.91 billion, rising from $1.55 billion in the previous year, though falling short of the Visible Alpha projection of $1.98 billion.
The company announced an interim dividend of 62 Australian cents per share, representing 65% of earnings, an increase from the 50 cents distributed last year and surpassing analyst expectations of approximately 60 cents.
These financial results coincided with the mining company achieving unprecedented iron ore shipment volumes during the first half, accompanied by a 3% reduction in iron ore production costs and a 6.6% increase in realized pricing.
Investment firm Jarden anticipated strong trading performance for Fortescue shares, citing improved margins and cash flow from reduced costs, combined with an interim dividend that exceeded projections.
Company leadership declined to provide details about supply contract discussions with China’s government-backed iron ore purchasing entity, describing them only as “phased discussions that are ongoing.”
China Minerals Resources Group (CMRG) has limited shipments from larger competitor BHP during annual contract talks as it attempts to secure more favorable terms for its processing facilities.
“Our products are moving well. We expect that to continue,” stated Metals and Operations Chief Executive Officer Dino Otranto during the results conference call.
According to Otranto, Fortescue is implementing artificial intelligence technology to improve shipment scheduling efficiency, while anticipating that switching from diesel to renewable energy sources will reduce iron ore costs by $2-$4 per ton by 2030.
San Francisco 49ers General Manager John Lynch struck an optimistic chord Tuesday when discussing contract negotiations with veteran left tackle Trent Williams, a stark contrast to recent reports suggesting the two sides might part ways.
Speaking at the NFL scouting combine, Lynch revealed that contract discussions are moving in a positive direction following what he characterized as productive conversations with Williams’ representative, Vincent Taylor.
“I think we’re on the right track,” Lynch stated, describing the recent negotiations as “good and productive.” He continued: “Trent loves being a Niner. We love having Trent as a Niner. And it’s up to us to figure that out and to thread that needle. There are some unique circumstances.”
“I think we’re all on the same page and feel very positive about where it’s going,” Lynch added.
The contract situation carries significant urgency, as Williams faces the final year of his current agreement with a staggering $38.8 million salary cap impact looming for 2026. Additionally, a $10 million option bonus payment deadline approaches on April 1.
While San Francisco clearly needs to reduce that substantial cap burden, the team cannot afford to lose stability at the crucial left tackle position. Williams, who will celebrate his 38th birthday in July, appeared in 16 games during the 2025 season and returned for playoff action despite battling a late-season hamstring injury, continuing his role as a cornerstone of the offensive line.
The veteran offensive lineman, who has earned three first-team All-Pro honors, is preparing for his seventh campaign with San Francisco after spending the first decade of his career with Washington from 2010 through 2019.
In other team news, Lynch indicated the 49ers will delay any decisions regarding wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk until the new league year officially begins, keeping the possibility of a trade on the table.
A federal magistrate judge in Virginia has prevented government prosecutors from examining electronic equipment confiscated from Washington Post journalist Hannah Natanson during a national security leak probe, ruling Tuesday that the court will oversee the review process instead.
Federal agents conducted a search of Natanson’s residence in January as part of their investigation into leaked classified information. The journalist, who has reported extensively on former President Donald Trump’s efforts to dismiss large numbers of federal employees, has not been charged with any criminal activity.
U.S. Magistrate Judge William Porter determined that court oversight of the device examination would properly protect journalists’ constitutional rights while allowing investigators to pursue evidence in matters involving national security.
“Accordingly, the court rejects the government’s request to conduct an unsupervised, wholesale search of all … seized data,” Porter stated in his decision.
Government attorneys had contended that accessing the materials was essential for their investigation into unauthorized release of classified government information. Department of Justice officials proposed using a separate team of FBI personnel, uninvolved in the main investigation, to examine the confiscated items and filter out irrelevant materials.
Press freedom organizations have criticized the search as a threat to journalistic independence and the ability of reporters to protect their sources.
Crude oil markets are maintaining elevated levels close to seven-month peaks as concerns mount over potential supply disruptions stemming from rising tensions between the United States and Iran, with diplomatic negotiations scheduled for Thursday.
As of early Wednesday trading, Brent crude was selling at $71.22 per barrel, representing a 45-cent increase or 0.64% gain. West Texas Intermediate futures climbed 42 cents to $66.05, also up 0.64%.
Both oil benchmarks reached their strongest positions since late July and early August respectively on recent trading days, maintaining momentum as Washington has deployed military assets throughout the Middle East region to pressure Tehran into negotiations regarding its nuclear weapons and missile development programs.
Any prolonged military confrontation could threaten oil shipments from Iran, which ranks as the third-largest crude producer within the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, along with other nations across the strategically important Middle Eastern production zone.
American negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are scheduled to conduct a third round of discussions with Iranian representatives Thursday in Geneva.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated Tuesday that an agreement with the United States was “within reach, but only if diplomacy is given priority.”
Market analyst Tony Sycamore from IG noted in his research that “President Trump has warned that without a deal, there will be ‘very bad consequences’. Whether Iran’s concessions will meet the U.S.’s ‘zero enrichment’ red line remains to be seen.”
Sources report that amid escalating tensions, Iran and China have intensified discussions about purchasing Chinese anti-ship cruise missiles, which could potentially target American naval forces currently stationed near Iranian waters.
Defense experts indicate these anti-ship cruise missiles would strengthen Iran’s offensive capabilities and pose risks to U.S. naval operations in the region.
President Trump is expected to address his Iran strategy during Tuesday evening’s State of the Union speech to Congress, according to two unnamed White House officials, though specific details were not provided.
While geopolitical concerns have boosted oil prices, traders are also monitoring potential oversupply issues as global production continues outpacing consumption.
Industry sources revealed that the American Petroleum Institute reported Tuesday evening a substantial 11.43 million barrel increase in U.S. oil reserves for the week ending February 20.
However, the same API data showed decreases in both gasoline and distillate fuel inventories, according to the sources.
The Energy Information Administration is expected to release official U.S. inventory figures later Wednesday.
Japan’s currency weakened significantly on Wednesday, hovering near its lowest point in two weeks after news emerged that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi had expressed opposition to future interest rate increases during discussions with central bank leadership.
The yen declined 0.8% overnight, reaching as low as 156.28 against the dollar before recovering slightly to 155.88. This weakness followed a Mainichi newspaper report citing unnamed sources who said Takaichi had shared her concerns about additional rate hikes with Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda during their recent meeting.
The reported disagreement suggests growing tension over monetary policy direction, potentially complicating the central bank’s plans for gradual rate increases. Market analysts worry this could signal Takaichi’s preference for maintaining an overheated economy through low rates and increased government spending.
“Her ‘tougher stance’ was a surprise and adds to concerns about FX weakness and policy shifts being market-unfriendly,” said Bob Savage, head of markets macro strategy at BNY.
Savage added that “Intervention in tandem with the U.S. remains a brake against the 160 mark for JPY and against greater volatility.”
Adding to currency market complexity, the Nikkei newspaper reported Tuesday that the United States had initiated so-called “rate checks” in January to support the yen, raising questions about Japan’s commitment to defending its currency independently.
Japan’s currency has experienced years of decline due to the country’s low interest rate environment, with additional pressure mounting since Takaichi assumed power in October amid concerns about further budget strain.
In contrast, Australia’s dollar gained 0.3% to $0.7074 following inflation data that increased expectations for potential rate hikes, making it the session’s strongest performer.
Other major currencies showed minimal movement, with the euro holding steady at $1.1776 and the British pound remaining at $1.35. The New Zealand dollar edged up slightly to $0.5971.
China’s yuan maintained its strong position after posting its largest single-day gain in nine months on Tuesday, rising 0.35%. The currency reached 6.8766 against the dollar, its highest level in nearly three years, before settling at 6.8778 in offshore trading.
Market observers suggest the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn many of President Trump’s heaviest tariffs could lead to lower overall rates on Chinese imports, potentially supporting further yuan strength.
Goldman Sachs analysts noted that “The fundamental underpinnings for our CNY appreciation view – a starting point of deep currency undervaluation and the remarkable strength of the export sector – remain very much in place.”
They added, “While uncertainties remain, we believe the likelihood of President Trump imposing additional Section 301 tariffs on Chinese products is low ahead of his planned visit to China at the end of March.”
The yuan has strengthened nearly 7% over the past ten months, reflecting China’s robust export performance and what analysts consider previous undervaluation.
Traders remained attentive to President Trump’s upcoming State of the Union address, which occurred during Asian morning hours and could influence market sentiment moving forward.
Agricultural equipment manufacturing is experiencing renewed momentum across the United States, according to U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley. The Iowa Republican expressed enthusiasm about employment opportunities returning to his home state.
“I’ve been very happy to hear jobs are coming back to Iowa, whether it’s construction or making farm machinery,” Grassley stated. “It’s good for our workers and very good news for the economy.”
The positive developments in equipment manufacturing come as the agricultural sector continues working toward full recovery. Recent announcements from major manufacturers over the past month indicate growing confidence in the farm equipment industry.
While these manufacturing investments signal strength in the equipment sector, industry observers note this doesn’t necessarily indicate a complete turnaround for agriculture as a whole.
When President Donald Trump takes the podium for his State of the Union speech Tuesday evening, he may find himself sharing the same room with several Supreme Court justices who recently ruled against his controversial tariff policies.
The traditional annual address has historically produced awkward situations for the nation’s highest court members, and this year’s event could underscore the strain between Trump and three conservative justices who sided with the court’s liberal wing in last Friday’s 6-3 decision: Chief Justice John Roberts, Neil Gorsuch, and Amy Coney Barrett.
Notably, Trump personally selected Gorsuch for the court in 2017 and Barrett in 2020 during his previous presidency. Roberts has led the court for over twenty years after his appointment by former Republican President George W. Bush in 2005.
Following Friday’s court decision, Trump harshly criticized the institution and the six justices who voted against his position. The ruling determined that Trump had overstepped his authority by circumventing Congress and implementing tariffs through legislation designed for national emergency situations.
In his response to the ruling, Trump expressed being “ashamed” of the three conservative justices who opposed him, labeling them “fools and lapdogs for the RINOs and the radical-left Democrats.” The acronym RINO stands for “Republican in name only,” a phrase conservative Republicans sometimes use to criticize party members they consider disloyal.
Trump specifically called Gorsuch and Barrett “an embarrassment to their families” for their tariff ruling stance. He also made unsubstantiated claims that the court has been “swayed by foreign interests.”
However, Trump praised the three justices who supported his position, offering particular commendation for Brett Kavanaugh, whom he appointed in 2018.
Several of the nine current justices typically attend State of the Union addresses, and some are anticipated to be present in the House of Representatives chamber for Trump’s joint congressional session speech. The court has not yet announced which justices plan to attend Tuesday’s event.
According to tradition, attending justices don their judicial robes and maintain neutral facial expressions throughout the proceedings.
Brown University political science professor Corey Brettschneider explained that justice attendance “sends a message of stability” and “conveys that these aren’t enemy institutions.”
During last year’s congressional address, Trump physically greeted Roberts with a handshake and shoulder pat, saying “Thank you again. I won’t forget.”
This interaction occurred following a 2024 Supreme Court ruling written by Roberts that provided Trump with extensive immunity from prosecution for presidential official acts, though Trump later claimed he was thanking Roberts for administering his inaugural oath.
Four justices were present for Trump’s final formal State of the Union in 2020.
Despite attending every State of the Union since joining the Supreme Court, Roberts has publicly expressed reservations about the practice.
“The image of having the members of one branch of government standing up, literally surrounding the Supreme Court, cheering and hollering, while the court, according to the requirements of protocol, has to sit there expressionless, I think is very troubling,” Roberts stated during a 2010 University of Alabama speech, according to media coverage.
Roberts further commented, “To the extent the State of the Union has degenerated into a political pep rally, I’m not sure why we’re there.”
These comments came after Democratic President Barack Obama used his State of the Union platform to criticize a Supreme Court decision that removed certain campaign finance restrictions, warning it would “open the floodgates” to unlimited corporate and potentially foreign election funding.
Conservative Justice Samuel Alito, who was present for Obama’s speech, visibly reacted by shaking his head and apparently mouthing “not true,” breaking from the justices’ typical stoic behavior.
Since that incident, Alito has avoided State of the Union addresses, describing the tradition as “very awkward.”
In a 2015 American Spectator interview, Alito described the challenging position justices face during these addresses.
“Every once in a while the president will say something that is nonpartisan,” Alito explained. “We look foolish sitting there, so we stand up and start to applaud. And then we’ll get faked out. The president will get say, ‘This is a great country’ – and everyone will stand up and start to applaud – ‘because we’re gonna do this, we’re gonna enact this legislation.’ It’s a very odd experience.”
The late conservative Justice Antonin Scalia also regularly avoided the speech, once describing it as a “childish spectacle.”
During his 2024 State of the Union address, Democratic President Joe Biden directly addressed the present justices, criticizing them for the court’s 2022 decision that overturned abortion protections.
“With all due respect, justices, women are not without … electoral or political power,” Biden declared.
The most recent occasion when all nine court members skipped a State of the Union was in 2000, near the conclusion of Democratic President Bill Clinton’s second term. The court issued a public statement attributing the absences to “travel changes and minor illnesses.”
The gold medal-winning U.S. women’s ice hockey team from the Milano Cortina Olympics has received an unexpected party invitation from hip-hop icon Flavor Flav after declining to attend President Trump’s State of the Union speech.
The Public Enemy founding member posted on social media that he would welcome the championship team to Las Vegas for entertainment and dining if they “wants a real celebration and invite.” Flav also published what he described as an official email invitation sent to the team.
The invitation stems from events following the men’s hockey team’s gold medal victory on Sunday. During their locker room celebration, the men’s team received a congratulatory phone call from President Trump, who was joined by FBI Director Kash Patel. Trump extended a State of the Union invitation to the men’s team, then added: “I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that,” before joking “I do believe I probably would be impeached” if he failed to include the women.
Flav’s invitation directly addressed Trump’s comments about the women’s team. “We saw the story about the men’s invite to the White House, and the not quite invite for the women’s team,” stated the email Flav shared. “Flav recently posted on social media an idea and invite for the women’s hockey team to Las Vegas for a real celebration. He always stands behind everything he says and does. If there is an interest for the team to come to Las Vegas and celebrate with Flav – we will figure it out on our end and make it a lovely experience.”
The 66-year-old rapper, recognizable for his signature oversized clock necklace, has become a familiar face at Olympic events. He served as the official supporter for the U.S. bobsleigh and skeleton teams during these Olympics and previously backed the women’s water polo squad at the 2024 Paris Games.
Flavor Flav and Chuck D established Public Enemy in New York in 1985, creating politically charged hip-hop music. Their 1988 release “It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back” remains a landmark album in the genre. The group has earned induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
