The Colorado Avalanche made a significant roster move Tuesday, trading defenseman Samuel Girard along with a 2028 second-round draft selection to the Pittsburgh Penguins in return for defenseman Brett Kulak.
This marks Kulak’s second trade within the current season. The 32-year-old defender previously moved from the Edmonton Oilers to Pittsburgh on December 12th as part of a larger transaction involving goaltenders Tristan Jarry and Stuart Skinner.
Throughout this season’s 56 games split between Edmonton and Pittsburgh, Kulak has contributed nine points, including one goal and eight assists.
Over his NHL career spanning 636 games, Kulak has accumulated 134 total points with 29 goals and 105 assists while playing for Calgary, Montreal, Edmonton, and Pittsburgh.
Colorado’s general manager Chris MacFarland expressed gratitude for Girard’s contributions, stating: “First of all, we would like to thank Samuel for all he has done for the Avalanche organization both on and off the ice over the last nine seasons. ‘G’ is a great person and teammate and was a big part of the group that helped our turnaround back in 2017. We wish him and his family the best of luck in Pittsburgh.”
Regarding the incoming player, MacFarland added: “In Brett, we are acquiring a two-way defenseman who can play up and down the lineup. He logs big minutes in all situations and brings a ton of playoff experience that will help our blue line depth.”
The 27-year-old Girard has posted 12 points this season through 40 games, recording three goals and nine assists with a plus-12 rating for Colorado.
As a member of Colorado’s 2022 Stanley Cup championship team, Girard leaves the Avalanche with 235 career points, including 37 goals and 198 assists across 588 games with Nashville and Colorado.
WASHINGTON – Federal officials announced Tuesday they have levied financial penalties against seven targets across Russia and the United Arab Emirates for their role in cyber activities that pose risks to American national security.
The Treasury Department’s action affects four individuals and three companies that officials say were involved in obtaining and selling dangerous cyber tools.
According to the Treasury Department’s announcement, these targets faced consequences “for their acquisition and distribution of cyber tools harmful to U.S. national security.”
The State Department simultaneously took action against some of the same targets, designating one person and two organizations under legislation known as the Protecting American Intellectual Property Act due to their connection to stealing trade secrets from Americans.
These sanctions stem from a federal investigation that uncovered how a former executive at a government contracting firm sold confidential trade secrets to a Russian buyer for $1.3 million. That Russian entity is among those now facing US sanctions.
The Kansas City Chiefs have adopted a wait-and-see approach as veteran tight end Travis Kelce deliberates his football future, with the organization remaining in limbo just two months before the NFL draft regarding whether their 37-year-old star will remain on the team come training camp.
The standout player is contemplating a return for what would be his 14th professional season, having considered retirement during each of the last two offseasons.
“We’ve kind of prepared for either scenario,” Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said at the NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday. “We’re trying to position ourselves that either way, we have a plan moving forward.”
Veach indicated he would be sitting down with Kelce’s agents this week and acknowledged that “you need some sort of timeline and deadline,” while characterizing discussions with his representatives as “positive.”
Head coach Andy Reid mentioned maintaining regular communication with Kelce. The veteran player is scheduled to receive a $12.5 million roster bonus next month and carries a salary cap hit of nearly $20 million that Kansas City would likely need to restructure if he commits to playing through 2026.
During the previous season, Kelce recorded 851 receiving yards and five touchdowns, though his 76 catches marked his fewest since managing 72 receptions in 2015. The team’s backup tight end Noah Gray is also entering unrestricted free agency.
“Travis is the best, he’s an icon and hopefully he comes back,” Veach said. “We’ll just kind of let that process play out. It’s not your typical 27-year-old first-time-in-free agency.
“Travis has done everything. He’s accomplished everything. He’s about to get married, got a lot going on. We’re just going to continue to have positive dialog and see where this thing ends.”
A University of Maryland Eastern Shore volleyball standout has once again earned double recognition from the Northeast Conference, officials announced.
Chase Valentine secured both the NEC Defensive Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week honors for the third time during the current season, highlighting his exceptional performance on the court.
The dual achievement demonstrates Valentine’s consistent impact for the Hawks throughout the campaign, as he continues to excel in both defensive play and overall rookie performance in collegiate competition.
Valentine’s repeated recognition places him among the top performers in the Northeast Conference this season, showcasing the talent emerging from the UMES volleyball program.
Refrigerated cheese inventories held in cold storage facilities nationwide showed marginal growth as of January 31, 2026, according to newly released federal agricultural data.
The latest cold storage report indicates that natural cheese reserves increased modestly compared to December 2025 levels, while also posting a small gain when measured against the same period in the previous year.
These warehouse inventory figures provide agricultural analysts and dairy industry stakeholders with important data points for tracking supply chain trends and market conditions in the cheese sector.
The monthly cold storage survey captures inventory levels at refrigerated warehouse facilities across the country, offering a snapshot of how much product is being held in reserve at any given time.
As agricultural bankruptcies climb throughout the Midwest this year, a legal expert is recommending that farmers take proactive steps to protect their operations through comprehensive financial planning.
Joe Peiffer, an attorney with Ag and Business Legal Strategies, emphasizes that conducting thorough financial assessments could serve as an essential tool for managing risk. According to Peiffer, examining loan agreements and monitoring operational costs may help agricultural producers prevent defaulting on their financial obligations.
“If things aren’t going to work in a restructuring mode, they might have to look” at other options, Peiffer noted, suggesting that early intervention could make the difference between saving a farming operation and losing it entirely.
Wheat farmers across the Great Lakes region are implementing advanced management techniques to significantly increase their crop yields, according to agricultural researchers.
Dennis Pennington, an extension educator with Michigan State University, explains that developing substantial plant biomass has become crucial for optimizing grain development and achieving superior wheat production. Speaking with agricultural reporters, Pennington noted a shift in farming approaches.
“Sometimes we’ve tended to let wheat go a little bit in the spring before we start to push it,” Pennington explained. “But, I think to get the kind of yields” farmers are seeking, more intensive management is required.
The Great Lakes wheat grower network has been working to share these high-management strategies among regional farmers, focusing on techniques that maximize the grain-filling process during critical growing periods.
COCKEYSVILLE, MD – Maryland’s State Soil Conservation Committee has announced plans for a public meeting next month that will address soil conservation issues across the state.
The committee will convene on Thursday, March 19, 2026, beginning at 9:30 a.m. and continuing until noon. Officials have organized the session as a hybrid meeting, allowing both in-person and virtual participation.
The gathering will take place at the Baltimore County Agricultural Center, located at 114 Shawan Road in Cockeysville, Maryland 21030. Committee members have opened the meeting to public attendance and indicated that discussions will center on soil conservation initiatives.
WASHINGTON – A bipartisan coalition of senators will unveil a resolution Tuesday expressing strong support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian forces, just hours before President Trump delivers his State of the Union address to the nation.
The measure is being spearheaded by Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Republican Senator Thom Tillis, both leaders of the Senate NATO Observer Group. According to documents obtained by news outlets, the resolution has gained backing from at least 26 additional senators split roughly equally between both parties.
The resolution expresses sympathy for Ukrainian casualties, praises the courage of Ukrainian citizens, promotes stronger collaboration among NATO member nations, and insists that any peace agreement must honor Ukraine’s independence and territorial boundaries while ensuring Ukraine remains “the central party to discussions regarding its future.”
This legislative move arrives as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s administration encounters increasing pressure from the United States to negotiate a peace agreement. While the resolution carries no legal weight, it demonstrates significant congressional backing for the Kyiv government and signals lawmakers’ desire for increased Ukrainian support from the Trump administration.
The timing of Trump’s evening address coincides with the fourth anniversary of Russia’s comprehensive assault on Ukraine, highlighting an ongoing war the Republican president has not yet resolved despite his earlier promise to end it “in 24 hours.”
Congressional members from both sides of the aisle, including Trump’s Republican colleagues and Democratic opponents, have pressed him to increase assistance to Zelenskyy’s government, including delivering all previously approved financial and military support from recent years.
Democratic supporters of Tuesday’s resolution include Shaheen, who serves as the leading Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with Senators Michael Bennet, Richard Durbin, Richard Blumenthal, Sheldon Whitehouse, and Tim Kaine.
The Republican backers feature former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Tillis, John Curtis, Chuck Grassley, Roger Wicker, Jerry Moran, Dave McCormick, and Susan Collins.
NEWARK, Del. – The Blue Hens rowing team will have to wait an extra week to kick off their spring competition season after announcing a date change for their opening regatta.
The squad’s initial away meet at Saint Joseph’s University, which was set to take place on Saturday, March 7, has been postponed by one week and will now be held on Saturday, March 14.
The adjustment affects the University of Delaware rowing program’s first competitive outing of the spring campaign. No reason was provided for the scheduling modification.
A coalition of 14 states led by California and Arizona attorneys general filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday challenging the Trump administration’s sweeping changes to childhood vaccination guidelines that health experts fear could reduce immunization rates nationwide.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has dramatically altered established vaccine policies since assuming his role in the new administration.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released updated immunization guidelines that eliminated blanket recommendations for vaccines protecting against COVID-19, rotavirus, flu, meningococcal disease, and both hepatitis A and B. Instead, the new policy directs parents to discuss vaccination decisions with their doctors through what officials term “shared clinical decision-making.”
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro joined the Democratic attorneys general in filing the federal court challenge in Northern California, targeting both the policy changes and Kennedy’s decision to replace members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
The advisory panel plans to convene in March after its February meeting was scrapped.
This legal challenge follows similar litigation filed by the American Academy of Pediatrics and other prominent medical groups, who contend the policy revisions lack scientific backing and violate federal law.
During a recent court hearing in Massachusetts, a Justice Department lawyer defended the health agency, stating it was not promoting an anti-vaccination stance. That separate case remains pending before a federal judge.
The multistate coalition also includes Connecticut, Michigan, New Jersey, and Wisconsin, among other participating states.
Agricultural economists are closely monitoring international responses following a Supreme Court decision that stripped away presidential emergency tariff authority. The ruling has removed a key negotiating tool that could affect recently announced agricultural trade agreements.
Ben Brown, an agricultural economist with the University of Missouri Extension, is tracking how trading partners might react to this shift in U.S. trade policy. Without tariffs serving as bargaining leverage, Brown questions whether agricultural purchase commitments outlined in recent trade deals will remain intact.
The economist’s concerns center on whether international partners will honor their agricultural purchasing agreements now that the threat of emergency tariffs has been eliminated from future negotiations.
Key policy decisions regarding biofuel requirements and potential trade agreements with China could dramatically influence American farmers’ crop selection this planting season, according to a leading agricultural economist.
Arlan Suderman, who serves as the principal commodities economist at Stone X Group, warns that the most significant influences on what farmers decide to plant may not be captured in upcoming federal planting intention surveys.
According to Suderman, both the Trump administration’s final requirements for biofuel blending and a potential trade agreement with China are anticipated to be announced after the U.S. Department of Agriculture completes its surveys on planting intentions.
These timing issues could mean that farmers’ actual planting decisions for corn and soybeans may differ significantly from what government data initially suggests, as producers adjust their plans based on these late-breaking policy developments.
Federal authorities have secured significant prison terms for two men connected to multiple shooting incidents from 2019, including one that claimed the life of a Wilmington resident.
On February 19th, Dion Young, age 23 from New Castle County, received a 13-year federal prison sentence, while his co-defendant Ameer Dunn, also 23 but from Harris County, Texas, was handed a 10-year term.
The sentencing comes after both defendants entered guilty pleas earlier this year to multiple criminal charges stemming from the violent incidents that occurred five years ago in the Wilmington area.
The Department of Justice successfully prosecuted the case, which involved a string of shootings that terrorized the local community and resulted in the tragic death of one victim.
Details about the specific charges and circumstances surrounding the shootings were part of the federal court proceedings that led to these substantial prison sentences for both men.
Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings revealed today that she has been invited to attend the upcoming State of the Union Address as the guest of Congresswoman Sarah McBride. Additionally, Maria Mesias-Tatnall, who serves as Director of Outreach and Immigration Assistance for the Delaware Department of Justice, will join Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester at the presidential address.
“It is an incredible honor to be invited by our Congresswoman to attend the State of the Union,” Jennings stated in her announcement.
The invitation allows Delaware’s top law enforcement official to witness the president’s annual address to Congress alongside the state’s newest congressional representative. Meanwhile, Mesias-Tatnall’s attendance with Senator Blunt Rochester highlights the DOJ’s immigration assistance work.
DALLAS — Dallas Stars forward Mikko Rantanen faces an extended absence after suffering a lower-body injury during Olympic play that will keep him off the ice for a minimum of two weeks.
Head coach Glen Gulutzan announced Tuesday that while the team’s top scorer should return before the regular season concludes, his recovery timeline extends well beyond a few games.
“It won’t be one or two games. It’ll be, let’s start in two weeks, and then see where it goes from there,” Gulutzan explained. “So he’ll be out for some time.”
The coach declined to provide specific details about Rantanen’s injury, which occurred during Finland’s Olympic semifinal matchup. The forward was unable to participate in Finland’s bronze medal victory over Slovakia due to the injury.
Following consultation with team medical staff, the Stars officially placed Rantanen on injured reserve Monday.
“It was kind of what I was expecting just from hearing what had gone on over at the Olympics,” Gulutzan commented following Tuesday’s practice session. “Not the best news, but the stuff you’ve got to deal with.”
Dallas faces Seattle at home Wednesday evening, followed by a Saturday matchup against Nashville. The team has 25 remaining regular season contests through April 15.
The injured forward is playing his first season under a massive $96 million, eight-year contract extension signed after his trade to Dallas at last season’s deadline. This year, he has accumulated 69 points through 20 goals and 49 assists.
The injury occurred during Finland’s 3-2 semifinal defeat to Canada on Friday evening.
Rantanen was among six Stars players who earned Olympic medals in Italy.
Goaltender Jake Oettinger served as backup for Team USA’s gold medal-winning squad, which defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime. That victory meant silver for Stars defenseman Thomas Harley, who played for Canada. Four Dallas teammates joined Rantanen on Finland’s bronze medal team: Roope Hintz, Esa Lindell, and Miro Heiskanen.
While Oettinger may participate in Wednesday’s morning skate, Gulutzan confirmed the goalie will not start against Seattle.
INDIANAPOLIS — While speaking at the NFL’s annual scouting combine on Tuesday, Las Vegas Raiders General Manager John Spytek avoided mentioning Fernando Mendoza directly, but his quarterback wishlist painted a clear picture.
The traits Spytek outlined — humility, selflessness, dedication to studying the game, and leadership presence in the locker room — mirror exactly how college teammates described Mendoza throughout his Heisman Trophy campaign last season.
With Las Vegas holding the top selection in April’s NFL draft, targeting Mendoza appears to be the logical choice.
“It’s such a hard game, your competitive spirit has to run really high,” Spytek explained. “You’ve got to be willing to play through, you know, tough circumstances and to me, it always goes back to the love of the game. The guys that truly love football, they love to practice, they love to prepare, they love to watch film, they love to play hurt, so I think those things are kind of uncompromising.”
During his sole campaign at Indiana, Mendoza displayed exactly these qualities. His clutch final-minute touchdown pass secured victory against Penn State, he sat out just one snap in the Big Ten championship despite an early injury, and he fought his way into the end zone for the game-winning score in the national title game against Miami.
Such leadership could transform the Raiders, who have started 10 different quarterbacks across the last four seasons. The franchise hasn’t enjoyed stability at the position since releasing Derek Carr in February 2023.
Las Vegas hoped Geno Smith would provide the answer after acquiring him through a trade last offseason, but a devastating 10-game skid contributed to a dismal 3-14 record, casting doubt on Smith’s future with the organization.
The Raiders are now pursuing a complete rebuild. They dismissed head coach Pete Carroll and brought in Klint Kubiak, who served as offensive coordinator for Super Bowl champion Seattle, creating an opportunity to establish the ideal partnership with running back Ashton Jeanty, their previous first-round selection.
“I think you want to limit the amount of pressure you have on that guy from the start,” Spytek noted. “I’m not necessarily in favor of running him out there right away, either. So, you know, having another quality player that can play the quarterback position could help. You have a young quarterback, you want to have a great offensive line, a run game, all the things that can like really limit his chances to have him really get killed — and a great defense, too.”
The Raiders expect Pro Bowl defensive end Maxx Crosby to anchor their defensive unit, despite offseason trade rumors surrounding him. Spytek confirmed Tuesday that he maintains regular communication with Crosby during his rehabilitation at team facilities and anticipates seeing him in Raiders gear next season.
The question remains whether Mendoza will join him after leading what was historically the worst program in FBS to Indiana’s inaugural national championship in a season full of memorable moments.
Though Spytek indicated he’ll consider trade proposals and won’t prioritize need over talent evaluation, Mendoza appears tailor-made for Las Vegas — including his Massachusetts background and connection to Raiders co-owner Tom Brady, who starred for both New England and in Florida, where Mendoza played high school football.
“I think whoever is playing quarterback for the Raiders has a unique opportunity to learn from the best,” Spytek said. “You know, Tom’s got a lot of humility to him, and just because he did it a certain way, he doesn’t have expectations that you do it that way. too. But there are some things he’s uncompromising on, and I think that whoever the quarterback is for the Raiders, I think Tom is a great resource.”
The parent company of Spirit Airlines announced it anticipates completing its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings by late spring or early summer, following a preliminary agreement with lenders and secured creditors that provides necessary support to complete its restructuring process.
This initial agreement will assist Spirit in finalizing modifications to its aircraft fleet, flight routes, and operational expenses as the company works toward becoming what it calls “a new Spirit” — a more compact and efficient airline that continues to prioritize affordable ticket prices while adding enhanced options such as premium economy seating and an upgraded first-class experience with additional legroom.
“Spirit will emerge as a strong, leaner competitor that is positioned to profitably deliver the value American consumers expect at a price they want to pay,” CEO Dave Davis stated.
The discount airline entered bankruptcy protection for the second time in August, just months after completing a previous Chapter 11 reorganization. Davis explained at that time that the airline’s initial bankruptcy filing concentrated on debt reduction and capital raising, but after completing that process last March, it became apparent that additional restructuring work was necessary and more resources were available to better prepare Spirit for future success.
The Florida-based company quickly announced alongside news of its second bankruptcy filing within twelve months that it would halt operations in approximately a dozen American cities and furlough 1,800 flight attendants. The carrier had also implemented furloughs and workforce reductions prior to its initial bankruptcy filing.
Budget airlines such as Spirit face increasing competition from major carriers that have launched their own economical fare options.
Recognized for its distinctive yellow aircraft and basic service model, Spirit has experienced significant challenges since the COVID-19 pandemic due to increasing operational expenses and growing debt obligations. When the airline filed for Chapter 11 protection for the first time in November 2024, Spirit had accumulated losses exceeding $2.5 billion since early 2020.
LONDON — A prominent British political figure who previously served as the United Kingdom’s ambassador to the United States is facing a criminal investigation over allegations of misconduct connected to his relationship with deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Peter Mandelson, a veteran statesman with decades of political experience, has become the subject of scrutiny that now threatens Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s leadership. Starmer had named Mandelson to the ambassadorial role despite receiving warnings about the diplomat’s connections to the disgraced financier.
The arrest occurred Monday when authorities detained Mandelson at his residence in an upscale London neighborhood near Regent’s Park. His detention followed by four days the arrest of former Prince Andrew on related charges, marking some of the most significant fallout from over 3 million pages of Epstein-related materials that the U.S. Justice Department made public last month.
Evidence suggests Mandelson may have shared confidential government intelligence with Epstein, whom he called his “best pal,” that could have affected financial markets during his tenure as a senior government minister in 2009.
Among the sensitive information allegedly shared was an internal government analysis exploring the potential sale of state assets to generate revenue for the UK following the 2008 financial crisis. Documents also indicate Mandelson promised to advocate within the government for reducing taxes on banking executive bonuses.
Financial records show Epstein potentially transferred $75,000 to either Mandelson or his spouse, Reinaldo Avila da Silva, during 2003 and 2004. Mandelson has stated he cannot remember receiving such payments, has challenged the legitimacy of the banking documents, and maintains the accusations are unfounded.
After spending more than nine hours in police custody, Mandelson was freed early Tuesday morning. While he has consistently rejected any wrongdoing and faces no formal charges, the investigation remains active.
Legal representatives for Mandelson announced Tuesday that their client had voluntarily committed to additional police interviews next month. They characterized his arrest as stemming from an “baseless suggestion” that he intended to leave the country.
“There is absolutely no truth whatsoever in any such suggestion,” stated the Mishcon De Reya law firm. “Peter Mandelson’s overriding priority is to cooperate with the police investigation, as he has done throughout this process, and to clear his name.”
For decades, Mandelson has remained a central figure within the center-left Labour Party, earning recognition as a masterful political strategist nicknamed the “Prince of Darkness” due to his calculated and aggressive approach.
He played a crucial role in returning Labour to government in 1997 under the “New Labour” banner led by Prime Minister Tony Blair, holding key positions through 2001. He returned to government service under Prime Minister Gordon Brown from 2008 to 2010, serving as the European Union’s trade commissioner during the interim period.
Financial and ethical controversies forced him to step down twice from Blair’s administration. While acknowledging errors in judgment, he maintained his innocence regarding any misconduct.
Starmer selected him for the Washington ambassadorship last year, citing his trade negotiation skills, and Mandelson successfully helped broker an agreement in May that protected Britain from some of President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs.
However, Starmer dismissed Mandelson in September after email correspondence revealed he had continued his friendship with Epstein following Epstein’s 2008 conviction on charges involving sexual offenses against a minor.
The most recent document release prompted Mandelson to leave the Labour Party earlier this month to prevent “further embarrassment.” He subsequently resigned his position in the House of Lords days later.
Despite stepping down from the House of Lords, he retains his designation as Lord Mandelson.
Removing his title would require new legislation, an action not taken since World War I when several lords lost their titles for supporting Germany.
Global Counsel, the lobbying company he helped establish, entered a form of bankruptcy proceedings Friday after numerous clients severed relationships due to his Epstein connections.
Critics have demanded Starmer’s resignation over his decision to appoint Mandelson. Starmer barely survived a confidence challenge two weeks ago and has issued an apology, claiming Mandelson misrepresented his relationship with Epstein.
SAO PAULO (AP) — Devastating flooding across southeastern Brazil has claimed the lives of at least 23 people while leaving dozens unaccounted for in Minas Gerais state, authorities announced Tuesday. Weather experts are cautioning that additional rainfall is anticipated across the affected region over the coming days.
Heavy downpours started Monday, impacting the communities of Juiz de Fora and Uba, located approximately 310 kilometers (192 miles) north of Rio de Janeiro. The deluge compelled roughly 440 local residents to abandon their residences.
The firefighters department in Minas Gerais reports they are currently conducting search operations for nearly 45 individuals who have been unaccounted for since Monday evening. Department officials released footage displaying water-logged roadways in both Juiz de Fora and Uba, where flooding caused a local river to change its natural path.
Authorities have issued warnings urging citizens to avoid locations that may be susceptible to mudslides.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced through his social media platforms that security personnel are actively engaged in rescue operations and delivering emergency aid to communities impacted by the rainfall.
The nation’s weather service, Inmet, released a statement indicating additional precipitation is predicted for the area, which is situated near mountainous terrain, valleys and steep inclines.
Officials from Juiz de Fora City Hall reported in a statement that the municipality received twice the typical rainfall amount expected during February. Mayor Margarida Salomão previously confirmed that no fewer than 20 landslides have been documented.
American consular officials will make history this week by providing passport services directly within a West Bank settlement, marking an unprecedented step in U.S. diplomatic outreach to American citizens living in the disputed territory.
The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem announced Tuesday that consular staff will offer routine passport assistance in Efrat on Friday, February 27. Efrat is a Jewish settlement located south of Bethlehem in territory that most international observers consider illegally occupied under laws governing military occupation.
“This is the first time we have provided consular services to a settlement in the West Bank,” an embassy representative confirmed. The official noted that comparable services are also being extended to American-Palestinian dual citizens throughout the West Bank.
The embassy stated on social media that as part of initiatives to “reach all Americans abroad,” consular officers would deliver these services in Efrat. Future plans include similar outreach to the Palestinian city of Ramallah, the settlement of Beitar Illit near Bethlehem, and Israeli cities like Haifa.
Tens of thousands of Americans holding dual Israeli citizenship currently reside in West Bank settlements, though the embassy lacks precise population data for Efrat specifically. These communities typically rely on passport services available at the Jerusalem embassy or Tel Aviv branch office.
The timing proves significant as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government recently enacted policies facilitating settler land acquisition in the West Bank. Palestinians have condemned these measures as “de facto annexation” of territory they envision for an independent state alongside Gaza and East Jerusalem.
Israel captured the West Bank during the 1967 Middle East conflict and cites religious and historical connections to the land. Netanyahu’s coalition government, which draws substantial support from settlement communities, includes members advocating for formal West Bank annexation.
President Donald Trump, while expressing strong support for Israel, has stated opposition to West Bank annexation. However, his administration has not implemented policies to restrict settlement construction, which advocacy organizations report has increased since he assumed office.
Currently, more than 500,000 Israeli settlers inhabit the West Bank, which houses 3 million Palestinians. Most settlements function as small, fenced communities with Israeli military protection, while much of the territory remains under Israeli military administration with limited Palestinian self-governance in certain areas managed by the Western-supported Palestinian Authority.
An artificial intelligence company focused on accounting services has successfully secured $100 million in new investment funding, bringing the startup’s total valuation to $1.15 billion.
The technology firm Basis completed its Series B funding round with backing from venture capital company Accel, along with investments from GV (previously Google Ventures), former Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein, and existing supporter Khosla Ventures.
The company operates an artificial intelligence platform specifically designed for accounting professionals, with systems that adapt to individual client requirements and handle multi-step financial tasks without human intervention. According to company officials, Basis currently provides services to approximately seven of the nation’s top 25 accounting firms.
Investment dollars flowing into AI-related companies have surged dramatically in recent years, with artificial intelligence startups claiming an increasingly larger portion of worldwide investment activity as financial backers anticipate the technology will revolutionize multiple industries.
So-called “agentic AI” technology, which can independently plan, make decisions and take action rather than merely responding to user commands, has emerged as one of the most attractive investment opportunities for venture capital firms targeting professional service sectors.
“Agent-native operations are pushing startups toward higher output per employee, and in some cases smaller teams; the cost impact can be significant early on and could, at scale, mean more competitive market dynamics,” said Michael Ashley Schulman, partner and CIO at Running Point Capital Advisors.
Company representatives say their platform helps solve the accounting industry’s persistent staffing challenges, as the field has faced ongoing difficulties recruiting and keeping qualified workers in recent years.
Iran’s top diplomat expressed optimism Tuesday about reaching an agreement with the United States, stating that a deal could be achieved if diplomatic solutions take precedence over other approaches.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi made the statement ahead of planned discussions between the two nations scheduled for Thursday in Geneva, where American representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to meet with Iranian negotiators.
“We have a historic opportunity to strike an unprecedented agreement that addresses mutual concerns and achieves mutual interests,” Araqchi wrote on social media platform X.
The Iranian foreign minister indicated his country would approach the upcoming discussions “with a determination to achieve a fair and equitable deal in the shortest possible time.”
Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi echoed this sentiment, telling state media that Iran was prepared to take necessary measures to secure an agreement with Washington.
“We are ready to reach an agreement as soon as possible. We will do whatever it takes to make this happen. We will enter the negotiating room in Geneva with complete honesty and good faith,” Takht-Ravanchi stated.
The negotiations resume after talks earlier this month occurred while the United States has been strengthening its military presence in the Middle East region. Iranian officials have warned they would target American military installations in the area if their country faces attack.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded Tuesday that President Trump prefers diplomatic solutions but remains prepared to authorize military action when needed.
According to a senior Iranian source who spoke with Reuters, Tehran is considering several nuclear-related concessions. These include shipping half of its most enriched uranium to other countries, reducing the concentration of remaining stockpiles, and participating in a regional uranium enrichment partnership.
In exchange, Iran seeks American acknowledgment of its rights to “peaceful nuclear enrichment” and the removal of economic penalties currently imposed on the country.
“If there is an attack or aggression against Iran, we will respond according to our defence plans… A U.S. attack on Iran is a real gamble,” Takht-Ravanchi warned.
Previous indirect negotiations between the countries last year failed to produce results, largely because Washington demanded Iran cease all uranium enrichment activities on its territory, viewing such operations as potential weapons development.
Iranian officials have consistently rejected accusations that they seek nuclear weapons capability.
Last June, American and Israeli forces targeted Iranian nuclear facilities, significantly reducing the country’s enrichment operations. President Trump later claimed key nuclear sites were “obliterated,” though Iran is believed to retain previously enriched uranium stockpiles that Washington wants eliminated.
PARIS – The French government announced Tuesday it will shut down four extremist political organizations in response to the recent death of a young activist that has highlighted the country’s growing political tensions.
Officials revealed during a presidential meeting that three far-right organizations and one far-left group will be dissolved, though they did not identify which specific groups would be targeted.
The announcement follows the February 14 death of 23-year-old Quentin Deranque, a far-right activist who died during a confrontation with suspected hard-left militants in the city of Lyon.
Deranque’s death has sent shockwaves throughout France, exposing the nation’s stark political polarization. Some observers have compared the incident to what they’re calling France’s “Charlie Kirk moment,” referencing the shooting of the American conservative activist last year.
This latest action continues France’s ongoing crackdown on extremist organizations. Government officials report that since 2016, authorities have dissolved 19 far-right groups and five far-left organizations across the country.
French security agencies have documented more than 5,000 individuals with ties to far-right and far-left extremist groups operating within the nation’s borders, according to government sources.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has reportedly issued an ultimatum to artificial intelligence firm Anthropic, demanding the company eliminate safety restrictions on its military applications by Friday, according to Axios.
The Pentagon has been applying pressure to major AI companies, including OpenAI and Anthropic, seeking unrestricted access to their artificial intelligence systems on classified military networks, Reuters exclusively reported earlier this month. The military wants these companies to remove the typical usage limitations they normally impose on their technology.
Earlier in February, Axios also reported that Pentagon officials were contemplating severing their relationship with Anthropic due to the company’s refusal to eliminate safeguards on military applications of its AI models, including its Claude AI system.
New research from Ohio State University reveals a notable transformation taking place in agricultural real estate markets nationwide. The study shows that farmland purchase prices are climbing at a faster rate than the rental income those properties generate.
Carl Zulauf, a professor emeritus at the university, explains that this represents a major market shift. “After about 25-year period of fairly stable agricultural cropland, it began to suddenly increase,” Zulauf stated. “We may be hitting a peak now, but…”
The findings suggest that investors and farmers are paying premium prices for agricultural property even as the income potential from leasing that same land hasn’t kept pace with the rising values.
Communities throughout the Northeast are working to recover from what meteorologists are describing as the most severe winter storm in ten years. The massive blizzard left behind more than two feet of snow across much of the region, with Delaware’s Long Neck area recording 21 inches of accumulation.
The storm set new records in several locations, including a staggering 37.9 inches at Providence’s airport in Rhode Island. Recovery efforts involve residents, municipal crews, and even a specialized railroad snow removal machine known as “Darth Vader.”
Flight operations remained severely disrupted Tuesday, with approximately 2,200 flights canceled nationwide. Boston and New York area airports bore the brunt of the cancellations, affecting roughly half of all scheduled departures. About 1,500 additional flights faced delays as airlines struggled to reposition aircraft and crews.
According to Michael McCormick, who teaches air traffic management at Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University, the storm’s wide reach impacted major Northeast transportation hubs. “This storm is so wide-ranging, it’s impacted major hubs along the Northeast. And those airports are the most vulnerable airports in terms of getting aircraft and air crews positioned to be able to fly their schedule,” McCormick explained. He predicted cancellations would “gradually decrease daily” as operations normalize.
Power restoration efforts continue across the region, with more than 350,000 customers still without electricity Tuesday morning. Massachusetts bore the heaviest impact, particularly Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and other coastal areas. Utility company Eversource warned that full power restoration could take several days in the hardest-hit communities.
The widespread outages are particularly concerning given that approximately 20% of Massachusetts households rely on electricity for heating, according to Census data.
Weather forecasters are tracking another potential storm system moving from Canada toward the Great Lakes region. This secondary storm could bring additional snow accumulation to areas still recovering from the blizzard. Buffalo, New York might see up to 5 inches, while parts of Connecticut could receive up to 2 inches of new snow.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani faced criticism for his decision to reopen schools Tuesday, despite ongoing cleanup efforts. The city’s public school system serves more than 900,000 students, making it the nation’s largest.
Lerone Davis, a nightshift first responder, expressed safety concerns about the school reopening. “Finally I was thinking, ‘OK I’ll park the car and relax for a little bit,’ but then I had to jump right back into it,” Davis said while standing outside his child’s Brooklyn daycare. “Not having to worry about getting to school, battling with snow and everything, I think makes a little bit more sense. Plus, they have snow days built into the school year.”
Parent Danielle Obloj echoed similar sentiments while navigating snow-covered streets with her fifth-grade student. “We’re walking on thin ice here. One more day would’ve been fine,” Obloj stated. “They should never have let these kids come back to school.”
However, some parents praised the city’s snow removal efforts. Raul Garcia, arriving with his three school-age children, said: “It was much better than last time — an easy commute, no problems whatsoever. We thought it was going to be really bad walking, but looking at the streets, they’re so clean.”
The storm’s impact extended beyond transportation and education. A federal court trial in Manhattan faced delays when a juror became stranded in Miami. Judge Valerie Caproni noted the juror wasn’t scheduled to return until Friday, adding: “She’s flying Spirit. That tells you everything.” The judge ultimately dismissed the stranded juror, leaving only one alternate remaining.
Federal emergency response efforts are underway despite budget constraints. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that FEMA personnel are “on the ground” coordinating with state and local authorities for power restoration, even though the agency currently operates without approved funding due to congressional disputes.
The storm also sparked some lighter moments, including Chicago’s annual snow plow naming contest and a massive snowball fight in New York’s Washington Square Park that went viral after police officers were pelted with snowballs.
Preliminary snowfall totals from the National Weather Service show the storm’s historic nature across multiple states: Massachusetts recorded 37 inches in Bliss Corner, Rhode Island saw 36.2 inches in Warwick, New York received 31 inches in Islip, New Jersey got 29.5 inches in Bogota, Connecticut measured 27.7 inches in Killingly, and Pennsylvania recorded 22.3 inches in Langhorne. Maryland’s Bishopville area received 16 inches.
The University of Delaware has released its weekly athletics overview for February 24, 2026, highlighting upcoming competitions and events for Blue Hens sports programs.
The weekly roundup serves as a guide for fans looking to follow Delaware’s athletic teams across various sports throughout the week.
Blue Hens supporters can use this information to plan their attendance at upcoming games and stay current with the university’s athletic schedule.
University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s track and field program celebrated strong performances at the recent Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference indoor championships, with standout athlete Irving maintaining their championship streak in triple jump competition.
The Hawks demonstrated their depth across multiple events, earning podium placements in five separate competitions during the conference meet. Irving’s continued success in the triple jump event highlights the athlete’s sustained excellence in the specialty.
The strong showing at the MEAC championships reflects the competitive strength of the Hawks’ indoor track and field program as they wrapped up their conference season with multiple top-three finishes.
SALISBURY, MD – The emergency declaration currently in effect for Wicomico County will come to an end this evening, according to an announcement from County Executive Julie Giordano.
Giordano revealed today that the emergency status will officially conclude at 5:00 PM, marking the end of the county’s heightened response measures.
The Maryland Eastern Shore county had implemented the emergency declaration to address local conditions, though specific details about the circumstances that prompted the original declaration were not provided in today’s announcement.
ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves revealed Tuesday they will launch their own television network called BravesVision, which will begin broadcasting games starting with the 2026 season.
The team will handle all aspects of producing, selling, marketing and distributing telecasts for more than 140 games each season. Rather than allowing Major League Baseball to manage their broadcasts, the Braves decided to maintain direct oversight of the BravesVision initiative.
This move comes after several teams cut ties with their broadcast partners earlier this month. On February 2nd, six franchises — the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals and Tampa Bay Rays — announced MLB would handle their local television coverage this season. These teams, along with the Braves, Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Angels, ended their agreements after Main Street Sports Group, which runs the regional FanDuel Sports Network channels, failed to deliver promised rights payments on schedule.
Major League Baseball will manage broadcasts for 14 franchises this season. The league is also offering direct-to-consumer streaming for Braves and Angels games through braves.tv and angels.tv respectively.
According to the Braves, they are working to finalize partnerships with cable providers, satellite companies and streaming platforms. BravesVision programming will also be accessible through MLB’s streaming service.
Team president and CEO Derek Schiller expressed enthusiasm about returning broadcast control to the organization, noting it will remind fans of the days when games aired on TBS.
“Generations of Braves fans were raised watching games on a network that shared ownership with the baseball team,” Schiller said in a statement released by the team. “With BravesVision, we believe that we can present Braves baseball in new and innovative ways allowing us to expand and elevate our storytelling capabilities across all of our platforms.”
The organization announced that some games will air free of charge on Gray Media’s television stations throughout Atlanta and the Southeast region. The team plans to reveal which specific games will be available before the season starts.
Gray Media will also broadcast 15 Braves spring training contests.
A fallen tree has forced the complete closure of Ramblewood Drive, blocking all traffic between North Drive and Fieldcrest Drive.
Delaware Department of Transportation officials report the roadway is impassable in both directions due to the downed tree obstruction.
Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes while crews work to clear the debris and reopen the roadway. No timeline has been provided for when normal traffic flow will resume.
As spring planting season approaches, American farmers facing challenging economic conditions are making tough choices about what crops to grow, with soybeans emerging as the clear winner for 2026.
A fresh analysis from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange predicts that soybean plantings will jump nearly 6 percent this year as growers shift away from corn, wheat, grain sorghum, cotton and rice due to unfavorable market conditions.
The banking cooperative’s report attributes the soybean surge to expanding domestic processing facilities and anticipated continued purchases from China, which have pushed soybean prices to more competitive levels compared to alternative crops.
“Following recent price rallies, soybeans offer greater profit potential than corn, wheat, sorghum, cotton and rice,” said Tanner Ehmke, lead grains and oilseeds economist with CoBank. “Beyond price signals, crop rotation needs will also play a role. Following a big year for corn in 2025 in which acres climbed to the highest level in decades, more corn acres will be available to rotate to soybeans. And with record supplies of corn in storage, farmers will look to rotate into other crops to diversify their marketing risk. Soybeans currently offer the best marketing opportunities.”
Soybean and Corn Projections
The bank’s forecasting shows soybean plantings climbing 5.9 percent above last year’s levels to reach 86 million acres, drawing land away from multiple competing crops.
Market expectations that the Environmental Protection Agency will announce higher renewable fuel requirements, combined with ongoing Chinese demand, have boosted soybean prices relative to other commodities. Southern farmers are expected to convert cotton, rice and corn fields to soybeans, while Midwest and Central Plains producers will likely reduce wheat and corn plantings in favor of beans.
The Northern Plains region stands as an exception, where weakened export demand to China has pressured local soybean prices, encouraging farmers to favor corn over beans. Additionally, soybean performance in that region has lagged behind corn yields.
Total corn plantings are forecast to drop 4.8 percent to 94 million acres nationwide. Despite the overall decrease, corn will gain ground in western states by taking acreage from wheat, grain sorghum and soybeans, benefiting from more stable demand compared to crops affected by trade disruptions.
Northern Plains farmers dealing with poor soybean pricing will likely convert bean fields to corn, encouraged by consecutive years of strong corn yields that have proven the crop’s success in their region.
Elsewhere, last year’s heavy corn plantings suggest many acres will rotate to different crops, with soybeans typically being the preferred alternative. Midwest farmers holding record corn inventories are reluctant to plant more corn this spring.
Wheat, Durum and Sorghum Outlook
Spring wheat acreage is projected to decline 1 percent to 9.89 million acres due to weaker yields and profit margins compared to corn, as the continued westward expansion of corn production typically reduces wheat plantings.
However, if the USDA forecasts significant wheat acreage reductions in its March Prospective Plantings report, potentially triggering price increases, farmers might adjust their plans and boost wheat production in response.
Durum wheat plantings are expected to fall 3 percent to 2.12 million acres. After last year’s production increase brought U.S. durum acreage to its highest point in eight years, abundant supplies in both the U.S. and Canada have significantly weakened durum prices versus other crops. North Dakota durum growers will likely shift to pulse crops and spring wheat.
Grain sorghum acreage is forecast to decrease 5 percent to 6.31 million acres as Central Plains farmers choose more corn or soybeans for their rotations, discouraged by wide pricing gaps that make sorghum less profitable. U.S. sorghum inventories have reached four-year highs following last year’s larger harvest.
Corn’s substantial price advantage over sorghum, impressive yield performance last year, and improved soil moisture throughout the Central Plains will encourage farmers to expand corn plantings at sorghum’s expense. More consistent local corn demand from cattle feeders and better crop insurance rates also favor corn over sorghum, though sorghum acres could recover if Chinese export demand strengthens.
Cotton and Rice Forecasts
Cotton planted acreage is projected to fall 1 percent to 9.19 million acres, marking the lowest level in 11 years. Southern cotton fields will transition to soybeans, while irrigated Plains cotton acreage will move to corn. Slower U.S. cotton exports to China, increased competition from Brazilian and Australian exports, and growing synthetic fiber usage have prevented cotton price recovery. However, government base acreage payments will help stabilize cotton plantings and limit further losses.
Rice plantings are expected to reach just 2.83 million acres, representing the lowest level in three decades and a dramatic 20 percent year-over-year drop. Among major commodities, rice carries the highest planting costs and has been hit hardest by price declines. Subsidized Indian rice is overwhelming global markets while increased South American rice exports to key markets like Mexico are displacing U.S. shipments. Southern farmers are looking at soybeans as an alternative to long-grain rice, Ehmke noted.
WASHINGTON — American naval forces have intercepted a sanctioned oil tanker in the Indian Ocean following an extensive pursuit that began in Caribbean waters, Pentagon officials announced Tuesday.
The vessel, identified as the Bertha, represents the final tanker being pursued from a group of more than sixteen ships that departed Venezuelan waters following the arrest of the nation’s former authoritarian leader, Nicolás Maduro, according to maritime tracking specialists.
This marks the tenth oil tanker interdiction carried out under the Trump administration’s campaign targeting Venezuelan-connected vessels, which launched in early December. Previous operations took place in Caribbean and North Atlantic waters.
U.S. Southern Command announced via social media that American forces conducted an overnight boarding of the Bertha, describing the action as “a right-of-visit, maritime interdiction and boarding.”
“The vessel was operating in defiance of President Trump’s established quarantine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean and attempted to evade,” officials stated in the post. “From the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean, we tracked it and stopped it.”
A Pentagon source, speaking anonymously about the ongoing operation, explained that like previous Indian Ocean boardings, the Bertha wasn’t formally confiscated but placed under American oversight. The vessel’s ultimate disposition will be decided by the Department of Homeland Security and State Department.
Pentagon footage depicts Navy helicopters launching from an unidentified ship and approaching the oil tanker.
Venezuela has operated under American oil sanctions for years, depending on a covert network of misidentified tankers to transport crude oil into international markets.
President Trump implemented the sanctioned vessel quarantine in December to increase pressure on Maduro prior to his capture in January during an American military mission. The tanker seizures represent part of the Republican administration’s comprehensive strategy to gain control over Venezuelan oil resources.
Treasury Department records show the Bertha carried Cook Islands registration when sanctioned for Iranian connections. However, recent shipping databases indicate the vessel was falsely registered under Curacao’s flag and operated by a Chinese company.
After Maduro’s arrest, at least sixteen tankers departed Venezuelan shores, according to Samir Madani, who co-founded TankerTrackers.com and uses satellite and surface photography to monitor vessel movements.
TankerTrackers.com reported in a February 15th social media update that the Bertha was the sole remaining target from the original sixteen vessels. Madani informed The Associated Press Tuesday that the tanker carried 1.9 million barrels of Merey 16, a Venezuelan crude oil variety.
Madani noted that the ship has previously received Iranian crude through hose transfers from other vessels for Chinese deliveries.
Pentagon representatives stated they had no additional information beyond Southern Command’s social media announcement.
Maduro was transported to the United States to face charges of collaborating with drug organizations to facilitate thousands of tons of cocaine shipments into America. He has entered a not guilty plea.
Tonight at 9 p.m. ET, President Donald Trump will deliver his State of the Union address, which political observers expect will preview the messaging Republicans plan to use when appealing to voters in this November’s congressional elections.
The commander-in-chief and his political party face challenges heading into the midterms, with polling data indicating significant portions of the American public have concerns about Trump’s governance during his initial year back in the White House. Adding to these difficulties, the Supreme Court recently eliminated a major component of his economic and international policy approach by determining he did not have authority to enact numerous broad tariff measures.
While Trump is anticipated to concentrate on issues affecting Americans at home, his escalating warnings about potential military action against Iran regarding its nuclear activities loom over tonight’s remarks.
Following Trump’s address, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger will present the Democratic Party’s official response. California Senator Alex Padilla, who gained national attention last year when federal officers forced him to the ground and placed him in handcuffs, will provide the party’s Spanish-language reply.
Several Minnesota congressional representatives are using their guest invitation privileges for Trump’s State of the Union to demonstrate opposition to his administration’s immigration enforcement policies.
Representative Ilhan Omar from Minneapolis has invited four individuals affected by Operation Metro Surge, including Aliya Rahman, a disabled American citizen who was recorded being removed from her vehicle by ICE agents while traveling to a medical appointment, and Mary Granlund, Columbia Heights School Board chair who advocated for 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, an Ecuadorian child detained with his father and transported to a Texas detention facility.
However, Republican Representative Pete Stauber from northeastern Minnesota invited two conservative YouTube content creators — Nick Shirley and David Hoch — whose investigation claiming fraud at Minnesota childcare facilities gained Trump’s notice and helped justify the enforcement surge.
Those seeking insights into the current status of key administration officials should observe Attorney General Pam Bondi, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and FBI Director Kash Patel during the address.
While Trump has publicly supported all three officials, each faces public examination. Noem weathered changes within Trump’s immigration enforcement approach but did not appear before DHS congressional hearings following the deaths of two citizen protesters in Minneapolis. Bondi supported the president during congressional proceedings regarding the Jeffrey Epstein case files but has faced criticism from some Republicans about her management of the issue. Patel, who also received scrutiny over the Epstein files, is drawing renewed attention after his Milan Olympics trip while previously criticizing Democratic officials for using government resources for travel.
Notably, Trump did not recognize either Noem or Bondi during his most recent Cabinet meeting where agency leaders praised the president.
Press Secretary Leavitt announced on X that Charlie Kirk’s widow will attend as one of the president’s guests. “The president will call on Congress to ‘firmly reject political violence against our fellow citizens’ with Charlie Kirk’s widow in the chamber,” Leavitt posted.
During Kirk’s Arizona memorial service where Trump spoke, Erika Kirk expressed forgiveness toward her husband’s assassin “because it was what Christ did. And is what Charlie would do.” The president shared a different perspective during the service: “That’s where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent, and I don’t want the best for them. I’m sorry. I am sorry, Erika.”
According to the White House, guests joining the first lady in the House gallery will include ten-year-old Everest Nevraumont, a student at Austin, Texas’s Alpha School where artificial intelligence powers learning. Everest advocates for AI education and delivered a TEDx presentation about incorporating the technology into her studies. The first lady promotes AI use and created the Presidential AI Challenge, a White House-sponsored student competition.
Also attending will be Sierra Burns, 24, from Greenville, South Carolina, a foster care advocate who experienced foster care herself and benefited from the first lady’s Foster Youth to Independence Program. Last year, Melania Trump secured $30 million in funding to assist young people transitioning from foster care.
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger will present Tuesday evening’s Democratic response to President Trump’s State of the Union from Colonial Williamsburg, using the historic setting to frame her message. Colonial Williamsburg, a living history museum featuring restored 18th-century structures and interpreters, represents the center of Virginia’s early resistance to British authority. Spanberger’s team indicates she plans to connect that heritage to today’s political climate.
In her response, Spanberger is also expected to highlight affordability concerns — the theme her team credits with helping secure her double-digit victory in winning a previously Republican-held position.
Members of the House Democratic Women’s Caucus and their guests, including several survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual abuse, will wear all white during tonight’s address, modeling themselves after early 20th-century women who fought for voting rights and other freedoms.
“Tonight, when Donald Trump looks out into the chamber, he will see a wall of white,” said Democratic Representative Jill Tokuda of Hawaii. Some lawmakers will also wear pins expressing support for Epstein survivors and demanding release of case files on Epstein without redacting information about his associates.
“We are standing here in solidarity so that we are not forgotten,” said Sharlene Rochard, one of the survivors.
House Speaker Johnson criticized Democrats for protesting everything from the president’s joint address to the administration’s immigration enforcement actions. “It’s shameful,” Johnson stated. He said Democrats offer nothing except their “TDS agenda” — what the president’s supporters term “Trump Derangement Syndrome” among those opposing presidential policies.
Johnson revealed Trump contacted him Sunday night requesting changes. “‘We need some more guests,’” the speaker recalled Trump saying. The visitors’ gallery was already at capacity with waiting lists for tickets. “‘Mr. President, how many people are you talking about?’” the speaker asked. “The whole team,” he said Trump responded.
Johnson explained they are working out logistics to “squeeze in” the gold-medal winning hockey players, calling it “a great moment.” The gold-medal winning women’s Olympic team declined Trump’s invitation to attend.
Senator Alex Padilla will deliver the Democratic Party’s Spanish-language response to President Trump’s State of the Union Tuesday night, highlighting a California Democrat who gained national recognition last year after federal agents forced him to the ground and handcuffed him.
Padilla had confronted Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during a Los Angeles news conference, attempting to speak about immigration raids that triggered protests in California and nationwide. The son of Mexican immigrants, Padilla stated his response will focus on “a better path — one that lowers costs, safeguards our democracy, and reins in rogue federal agencies.”
The Spanish-language response occurs as Democrats attempt to regain support among Latino voters before the midterms, following Trump’s increased Latino support in 2024 compared to 2020.
Trump speaks following the Supreme Court’s invalidation of his tariffs imposed as national emergency measures, prompting him to reimpose levies under different statutes.
Woodrow Wilson, who revived in-person congressional addresses, spoke to lawmakers about tariffs weeks after taking office in 1913. While not his official annual message, Wilson, like Trump, wanted to influence Congress and public opinion. Unlike Trump, Wilson sought income taxes on wealthy Americans to reduce tariffs imposed by Republican predecessors, including Trump favorite William McKinley.
Wilson encouraged the U.S. to “build up trade” while trusting “the whetting of American wits by contest with the wits of the rest of the world.” In 1917, Wilson asked Congress in person to declare war on Germany. Trump is considering military action against Iran and has taken action in Venezuela without seeking congressional approval for either.
From John Adams’ presidency ending in 1801 through Woodrow Wilson’s beginning in 1913, the State of the Union was simply a letter delivered down Pennsylvania Avenue. Adams’ successor, Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence, preferred writing to speaking and sought to avoid spectacles he associated with monarchy rather than democratic republic.
To satisfy the Constitution’s requirement that the president “shall from time to time” inform Congress about “the State of the Union,” the third president wrote to lawmakers instead of addressing them personally. This began a century-plus tradition of written presidential messages read on Capitol Hill by congressional clerks.
Wilson changed that tradition, viewing in-person congressional speeches as valuable presidential tools to shape public opinion and congressional action. Every president since has addressed joint congressional sessions.
“He will call on Democrats in Congress to reopen the Department of Homeland Security,” Leavitt told reporters, blaming Democrats for the department’s shutdown and calling the situation “despicable.” She said Federal Emergency Management Agency personnel are working without pay in the Northeast following the shutdown to help authorities restore power to hundreds of thousands after the blizzard.
DHS funding expired January 30 as Democrats demanded federal immigration enforcement changes. The shutdown affects several department agencies, including the Coast Guard, Secret Service, and Transportation Security Administration.
The White House and Democrats have negotiated potential changes to ICE and other immigration enforcement agencies after federal agents fatally shot two protesters in Minnesota. However, the sides appear deadlocked after the White House rejected Democrats’ latest offer last week.
Democrats are attempting to counter Trump’s anticipated celebration of lower crime rates during his State of the Union speech. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said the decrease results from local initiatives, not aggressive White House measures.
“While mayors would welcome a federal partner who works with them, and not against them, the Trump Administration has done nothing to help,” Lucas stated. “In fact, it has actively made our cities less safe.” Lucas, who leads the Democratic Mayors Association, said the administration has “recklessly attacked our cities, undermining them at every turn.”
The president criticized the three Republican-appointed Supreme Court justices who opposed his tariffs. He will almost certainly have them seated before him Tuesday night. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett regularly attend the State of the Union.
When reporters asked Trump about his appointees, Gorsuch and Barrett, he declared their tariff votes “an embarrassment to their families.” Trump has been similarly personal during campaign debates but historically avoids conflict with rivals when they are present. He was particularly friendly with New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani in the Oval Office after previously calling him a communist.
President Barack Obama notably criticized the court during a joint address following its Citizens United decision expanding big money in politics. Roberts shook his head, visibly disturbed by Obama’s critique.
Representative Hakeem Jeffries said House Democrats intend to continue the late Reverend Jesse Jackson’s legacy. The Brooklyn congressman also invited Vonetta Rougier, a bus operator and family caregiver from his district who is “picking up extra shifts just to keep up with the skyrocketing price of housing, food and healthcare.” He is also welcoming Marina Lacerda, among the Epstein survivors attending as Democratic Women’s Caucus guests.
Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen are preparing for Artemis II, NASA’s first crewed mission in over half a century to travel around the moon. They will join the House speaker’s guests at the speech.
Representative Mike Johnson is also hosting other guests, including Claire Lai, daughter of Jimmy Lai, the pro-democracy former Hong Kong media tycoon sentenced to 20 years in prison for criticizing Beijing. Johnson is co-hosting her visit with Representative Chris Smith, a longtime family champion.
The president will have multiple House gallery guests, including some creating touching moments, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. “You’re going to hear the President share the stories of everyday Americans who have benefited from his policies,” Leavitt told reporters. “You’re gunna hear the president share tear-jerking stories of American heroes past and present who really exemplify what it means to be a patriotic American.”
Trump’s guests will include a worker benefiting from new tax exemptions on tip and overtime income and a woman saving money on infertility treatments. “He’ll be sharing these stories again of every day Americans who are benefiting from his policies,” Leavitt said on Fox & Friends.
As lawmakers listen to Trump’s yearly agenda in the House chamber, the moment represents an existential point for Congress, which has essentially been marginalized by his expansive reach, with the Republican president bypassing his narrow GOP majority to accumulate enormous personal power.
The GOP-led Congress has largely remained silent as Trump dramatically consolidated power through hundreds of executive actions, many facing court challenges, and willingness to do whatever necessary to implement his agenda.
“It’s crazy,” said Nancy Henderson Korpi, a northern Minnesota retiree who joined an Indivisible protest group and plans to watch the speech from home. “But what is disturbing more to me is that Congress has essentially just handed over their power.” She added, “We could make some sound decisions and changes if Congress would do their job.”
The State of the Union address derives its name directly from the U.S. Constitution. Article II, establishing the presidency and its powers and duties, states partly: “He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.”
However, until World War II years, presidents fulfilled that duty with an “Annual Message,” whether written (from Thomas Jefferson through William Howard Taft) or in person (George Washington, John Adams and every president from Woodrow Wilson to Trump).
Franklin Roosevelt’s Annual Message began being called colloquially his “state of the Union” message in 1942. Harry Truman’s 1947 speech, according to the Congressional Research Service, was the first annual address officially recognized as a “State of the Union” message and the first televised.
Leavitt said one mission Trump will discuss during the speech is last summer’s Operation Midnight Hammer, in which the U.S. bombed several Iranian nuclear sites. Trump, who says those sites were “obliterated,” is again threatening Iran with military action and flooding the region with U.S. military assets if Iran fails to reach a nuclear program agreement with the U.S. Another negotiation round is scheduled Thursday in Switzerland.
“You’ll hear the president proudly and rightfully say that the United States military is the strongest and most lethal fighting force in the world,” Leavitt said at the White House. “And you will hear him talk about the threats that remain abroad” and “what the United States is doing to ensure that not only America is the safest country in the world, but remains the strongest country in the world.”
“You’re going to hear a speech that’s a celebration of 250 years of our nation and our nation’s independence,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters. Trump will tell stories about “everyday Americans who have benefited from his policies” and share “tear-jerking stories of American heroes, past and present, who really exemplify what it means to be a patriotic American,” she said. The United States will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4.
Four people died Tuesday morning when a military helicopter plummeted into a bustling marketplace in Iran’s Isfahan province, with authorities pointing to equipment failure as the cause of the tragic accident.
The aircraft went down at 9:09 a.m. local time, slamming into vendor stalls at a produce market as shoppers were beginning their daily routines, according to Iran’s Fars news agency. Both the pilot and co-pilot perished in the crash, along with two market vendors who were working at their stalls.
Emergency crews responded rapidly to the scene, with Ali Nasiri, who leads the provincial emergency medical services, confirming that four ambulances were sent immediately to help victims and secure the crash site.
Mansour Shishehforoush, who heads Isfahan’s crisis management department, told the state-run IRNA news agency that the helicopter suffered a “technical failure” before going down. Iranian officials have not yet released information about what type of helicopter was involved, what mission it was conducting, or which military facility it may have been operating from.
Military aircraft incidents occur regularly in Iran, where experts point to equipment shortages and maintenance difficulties as ongoing problems. The country’s air fleet includes a mix of older American-made aircraft acquired before the 1979 revolution, Russian-built planes, and domestically manufactured models. Safety concerns have intensified in recent years following multiple crashes involving both helicopters and fixed-wing military aircraft throughout the region.
Crash investigators are now working to analyze the wreckage and flight records to piece together exactly what led to the accident, while local officials work to clean up the market area and return operations to normal.
Sierra Leone’s government announced Tuesday that Guinea’s military has detained multiple members of its security forces, including an officer, after taking them across the international border.
The two West African nations have maintained a contentious border disagreement for over twenty years, dating back to Sierra Leone’s civil conflict from 1991 to 2002. During that war, Sierra Leone requested Guinea’s military assistance to protect its eastern frontier, but Guinean forces never fully departed when hostilities ended.
In the previous year, Guinea’s army moved into a mineral-rich border community within Sierra Leone, raising alarm among regional observers.
According to Sierra Leone’s official statement, Monday’s confrontation took place in Kalieyereh, a border community in the Falaba district. The detained security personnel, consisting of military and police members, were engaged in “making bricks for the construction of a border post and accommodation facility” when the incident occurred.
Guinea’s forces also confiscated weapons and ammunition from the captured security team, though Sierra Leone’s government did not specify the exact number of personnel taken into Guinea.
“The government is actively engaging through established diplomatic and security channels to confirm their location and secure their safe and unconditional release,” the official statement declared.
Guinea’s government has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the incident.
Sierra Leone emphasized that its national flag flies over the town where Monday’s confrontation happened, and the area is internationally acknowledged as Sierra Leonean territory.
LONDON — Two prominent British figures with ties to deceased financier Jeffrey Epstein now find themselves facing potential charges under an ancient law that legal experts say desperately needs updating.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, and Peter Mandelson, who previously served as Britain’s ambassador to the United States, were taken into custody just days apart. Both are being investigated for misconduct in public office related to their connections with Epstein.
While neither man has been formally charged, their high-profile detentions have drawn attention to a centuries-old statute that critics describe as poorly defined and overly expansive.
Authorities haven’t revealed specifics about the questioning of either individual. However, recently declassified U.S. documents indicate both maintained close relationships with Epstein and potentially provided him with classified materials.
The released files indicate that Mountbatten-Windsor allegedly gave Epstein access to confidential trade intelligence and other sensitive documents during his tenure as Britain’s trade representative between 2001 and 2011.
Regarding Mandelson, the documentation suggests the seasoned Labour politician potentially disclosed an internal government analysis to Epstein and promised to advocate for reduced taxation on banking bonuses while serving as Business Secretary approximately 15 years ago.
Both individuals have previously rejected any allegations of wrongdoing and haven’t responded to these latest accusations.
England and Wales’ Crown Prosecution Service describes misconduct in public office as “serious willful abuse or neglect of the power or responsibilities of the public office held.” The statute requires establishing a clear connection between the misconduct and abuse of official duties.
Those convicted under this law face potential life imprisonment.
Legal authorities must examine all collected evidence to determine whether sufficient proof exists for misconduct charges in both situations.
Legal scholars note that securing convictions under this medieval-era statute presents significant challenges.
The law lacks a clear definition of “public officer.” Proving Mountbatten-Windsor held public office during his unpaid trade role — which only covered travel expenses — may prove especially challenging.
Prosecutors must then demonstrate that defendants deliberately failed to fulfill their obligations or intentionally engaged in misconduct.
The negligence or misconduct must be severe enough to constitute a breach of public confidence.
Additionally, the prosecution service states that actions must be considered “without reasonable excuse of justification.”
The Law Commission, an independent legal reform organization, criticizes the statute’s unclear language. For years, the commission has urged lawmakers to eliminate this law and create more precise offenses.
“The law is in need of reform, in order to ensure that public officials are appropriately held to account for misconduct committed in connection with their official duties,” the Law Commission states on its website.
The commission also notes that most prosecutions under this statute have targeted lower and mid-level personnel, including police and correctional officers, rather than high-ranking officials or elected leaders.
Both Mountbatten-Windsor and Mandelson were freed following police interviews.
Marcus Johnstone, managing director at PCD Solicitors — a firm not connected to these cases — believes formal charges against either individual are unlikely in the near future. He also suggests that even if convicted, neither would receive the maximum penalty.
“The threshold is high: conduct must be so far below acceptable standards that it affronts the office’s standing, is worthy of condemnation, and harms the public interest,” Johnstone explained. “Serious mistakes or simple negligence are insufficient.”
“Although an investigation is now taking place,” he continued, “we are still a long way away from a potential prosecution.”
PARIS — The head of Paris’s renowned Louvre Museum has officially stepped down following intense criticism over a brazen theft that saw criminals make off with French Crown jewels worth $102 million, according to an announcement from French President Emmanuel Macron’s office on Tuesday.
Presidential officials confirmed that Macron has accepted the resignation of Laurence des Cars, with the French leader commending her decision as “an act of responsibility at a time when the world’s largest museum needs calm and a strong new impetus to carry out major projects involving security upgrades, modernization” and other initiatives.
The audacious October robbery saw criminals successfully steal crown jewels valued at 88 million euros in under eight minutes during a weekend break-in at the planet’s most popular museum, sending shockwaves around the globe.
Des Cars had held the director position at the Louvre — considered among the most coveted roles in the museum industry — since 2021.
Following the theft, she immediately attempted to step down but was initially turned away by France’s culture minister.
“I saw a tragic, brutal, violent reality for the Louvre, and as the person in charge, after all the hard work done by the teams that day — it felt right to offer my resignation,” she explained in November.
The president expressed gratitude to des Cars “for her work and commitment” and indicated plans to offer her a different role centered on fostering collaboration between major museums worldwide, though the statement did not specify whether she has agreed to the new position.
Brazil’s highest court opened proceedings Tuesday in the assassination case of Rio de Janeiro councilwoman Marielle Franco, whose 2018 murder transformed the human rights advocate into an international icon of resistance.
Five individuals face charges before a panel of Supreme Court justices: former congressman Chiquinho Brazão, his brother Domingos Brazão who served on a Rio oversight body, assistant Robson Calixto Fonseca, police detective Rivaldo Barbosa, and ex-officer Ronald Paulo Alves Pereira.
The 38-year-old Black and bisexual politician died alongside her driver Anderson Gomes when gunmen opened fire on their vehicle. Franco had championed the rights of Brazil’s most vulnerable populations.
Much of the prosecution’s case stems from cooperation agreements with former officers Ronnie Lessa and Élcio Queiroz, who received prison sentences of 78 and 59 years respectively in October 2024 for carrying out the assassination.
Authorities apprehended the Brazão brothers in 2024, alleging they orchestrated the murder plot. Investigators have connected them to paramilitary militia organizations that frequently clashed with Franco’s advocacy work.
Former Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski revealed during the arrests that evidence indicated Chiquinho Brazão harbored particular anger over Franco’s proposed legislation regarding public housing land regulations.
Each defendant has maintained their innocence regarding any involvement in the councilwoman’s death.
Justice Alexandre de Moraes will open proceedings by presenting the case overview. The Attorney General’s office will then make their presentation, followed by defense arguments. The judicial panel expects to reach a verdict sometime between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
Crime analyst Chico Otávio, who authored a book examining Franco’s murder, noted the investigation heavily relied on testimony from cooperating witnesses. He observed the verdict comes as Brazil’s Supreme Court faces public criticism over other high-profile cases.
“A conviction will be sold to society as a victory against organized crime, but it is not quite that,” Otávio told The Associated Press.
“The same militia groups that could be behind Marielle’s killing are even more powerful now. They are spreading to more areas of the city. Society will get an answer about her death, but Brazil will continue to be very far from solving its organized crime problem.”
United Nations officials in Geneva issued a statement Monday demanding “justice and remedy for all victims of pervasive systemic racism, structural discrimination and violence in Brazil.”
“As we reach this long awaited stage of the judicial process, it is vital that fairness and transparency are upheld and that full justice prevails,” they said in a statement.
Marielle’s sister Anielle Franco, who serves as Brazil’s racial equality minister, emphasized Tuesday’s proceedings as crucial for the nation’s democratic institutions.
She wrote on social media that the assassination “opened wide a pattern of violence, racism and misogyny in our country.”
“We believe that the judiciary will act for justice and in favor of our people, making our democracy stronger,” she said. “We will never stop fighting for every voice that was knocked out.”
WASHINGTON – A high-ranking State Department official testified before Congress on Tuesday that the United States seeks steady diplomatic ties with China while acknowledging serious trust concerns between the two superpowers.
During the congressional hearing, Jacob Helberg, who serves as Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs, delivered these comments as President Donald Trump prepares for an upcoming diplomatic visit to China. The president is scheduled to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the coming weeks.
Helberg’s testimony highlights the complex diplomatic balance the administration is attempting to strike with one of America’s most significant economic and strategic competitors on the world stage.
Investment management company Neuberger Berman is investigating ways to expand its insurance business operations, according to individuals with knowledge of the situation, as financial firms continue pursuing insurance-related opportunities for additional income and improved investment returns.
The financial services company is evaluating various approaches, including establishing a new division that would enable it to purchase life insurance assets, the sources revealed. However, they emphasized that these discussions remain in early stages with no certainty that Neuberger will move forward with such an initiative.
The sources requested anonymity when discussing these private business conversations.
When contacted for comment, Neuberger representatives declined to provide a statement.
Acquiring life insurance policies and related financial products like annuities has become an increasingly popular strategy among asset management companies in recent years. This approach allows money managers to collect fees for overseeing the underlying insurance investments while also achieving better returns by incorporating these assets into their broader investment portfolios.
With $563 billion in managed assets as of the end of 2025, Neuberger has extensive experience working with insurance-related investments, primarily serving insurance company customers.
The company’s insurance solutions division has experienced significant expansion recently, managing $98 billion in assets by December’s end, representing growth from $86 billion at the conclusion of September, company website data shows. This growth coincides with insurance companies’ increasing demand for diverse financial products, including specialized areas like asset-based financing and private credit investments.
Earlier this month, the New York-headquartered Neuberger revealed its agreement to acquire MIO Partners, the investment management arm of consulting giant McKinsey & Company. MIO Partners oversees $26 billion in investments for current and former McKinsey employees.
Humanitarian organizations are fighting back against an Israeli directive that threatens to shut down critical aid operations in Gaza within days.
A coalition of 37 international relief groups, including medical organization Doctors Without Borders and the Norwegian Refugee Council, has filed an emergency petition with Israel’s Supreme Court. The organizations were given a 60-day ultimatum in late December to cease their work in Gaza and the occupied West Bank unless they comply with new registration requirements, including disclosing employee information.
The humanitarian groups contend that revealing staff details would endanger their workers’ lives. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has already resulted in hundreds of casualties among aid personnel.
Israeli officials have previously stated that the registration process aims to prevent Palestinian militant groups from intercepting humanitarian supplies. However, aid organizations maintain that significant diversion of assistance has not occurred.
Israeli government representatives had not provided a response to requests for comment by press time.
On Sunday, seventeen relief organizations along with the Association of International Development Agencies submitted their joint legal challenge to Israel’s High Court of Justice. The groups warn that suspending their operations would create catastrophic humanitarian impacts, according to their official statement.
Israeli lawyer Yotam Ben-Hillel, who submitted the court filing, explained to media via video conference that the petition seeks elimination of the staff identification requirement and requests permission for deregistered organizations to continue their work while the case proceeds.
Several of the 37 affected organizations provide specialized emergency services, including mobile medical facilities, according to aid coordinators.
A United Nations coordination agency has cautioned that remaining authorized groups would only be able to address a small portion of the massive humanitarian needs in Gaza, where displaced populations and food shortages continue to be widespread problems.
Anne-Claire Yaeesh from the humanitarian group Humanity and Inclusion reported that their international personnel, who were training residents about unexploded bomb dangers, had to evacuate Gaza last week. She noted that replacement staff cannot be deployed because of their organization’s deregistered status.
Privacy regulators in Italy announced Tuesday they have prohibited Amazon Italia Logistica from accessing personal information belonging to 1,800 employees at the company’s distribution center in Passo Corese, located northeast of Rome.
The logistics division must immediately cease collecting data through four surveillance cameras positioned near restroom facilities and employee break rooms at the warehouse, according to the regulatory agency’s announcement.
Amazon has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the decision.
The collected information, which multiple supervisors could access, contained details about employees’ health issues, strike participation, union involvement, and private family matters. The privacy authority determined this data collection violated regulations prohibiting employers from gathering information unrelated to evaluating job performance capabilities.
The prohibition applies to information the online retail giant collected during active employment and kept on file for as long as 10 years after employees departed the company, regulators noted.
The oversight agency conducted on-site inspections at the Passo Corese location from February 9 through 12, with their investigation ongoing to identify additional possible rule violations.
NEW YORK – Wall Street analysts anticipate the S&P 500 will climb roughly 10% from current levels through the remainder of 2026, fueled by robust corporate profits and consistent economic expansion, even as concerns linger over President Trump’s trade approach and artificial intelligence market disruption, a new Reuters survey reveals.
Financial professionals surveyed expect the benchmark index to reach approximately 7,500 by December’s end, representing a 9.7% increase from Monday’s closing price of 6,837.75. The projection comes from polling 44 market strategists, analysts and investment managers over the past week.
This latest prediction exceeds the target established in Reuters’ November survey.
Should the S&P 500 finish 2026 in positive territory, it would represent the fourth consecutive year of market advances.
MARKET STRENGTH EVIDENT
Sameer Samana, senior global market strategist at Wells Fargo Investment Institute, explained the optimistic outlook: “It’s very difficult right now to point to where there’s a lot of weakness.” Wells Fargo’s year-end target of 7,500 reflects positive expectations for American corporate earnings and economic performance, Samana noted.
However, Samana identified potential challenges, including “lingering concern around inflation, and what that means for the Fed.”
The Federal Reserve maintained current interest rate levels last month, pointing to reduced threats to both price stability and job markets. Market participants have been anticipating at least a quarter-point rate reduction by mid-year.
When asked about potential market corrections, nine out of 13 survey participants indicated an S&P 500 pullback within the next three months appears probable.
Marc Dizard, chief investment officer at Huntington Wealth Management, characterized such a correction as “healthy,” while maintaining his year-end forecast of 7,650, approximately 12% above present levels.
Current market valuation shows the S&P 500 trading at 21.6 times forward earnings, down from 22.5 at 2026’s start, according to LSEG data.
TECHNOLOGY SECTOR UNCERTAINTY
Following a robust 2025 that delivered roughly 16% gains for the S&P 500, markets have shown mixed performance during 2026’s opening months. Investors have rapidly sold shares in companies perceived as vulnerable to artificial intelligence disruption, with software stocks declining approximately 23% since year-end.
Robert Pavlik, senior portfolio manager at Dakota Wealth Management in Fairfield, Connecticut, expects AI-related equities to be “remaining out of favor for the majority of the year.” However, he added, “that out-of-favor view will eventually lead participants back to the ‘fold’ as investors start to see these AI names as having gotten ‘cheaper.’”
Despite current headwinds, technology companies are projected to lead profit growth, with analysts forecasting 33% earnings expansion in 2026. Overall S&P 500 earnings growth is anticipated at 14.8% compared to 14.4% in 2025, LSEG data shows.
Anthony Saglimbene, chief market strategist at Ameriprise Financial in Troy, Michigan, noted: “Overall, technology should be a profitable sector and that offers some support even though there’s some near-term volatility.”
Market professionals also pointed to uncertainty surrounding Trump’s recent trade policy announcements.
Last Friday, the Supreme Court determined Trump exceeded presidential powers by implementing reciprocal tariffs under emergency economic legislation. Subsequently, Trump established a 10% levy on all foreign imports, threatening to increase it to 15%. This tariff remains temporary, requiring Congressional authorization for extension beyond 150 days.
Survey participants additionally highlighted U.S.-Iran tensions as a potential risk factor that could drive oil prices higher.
The poll projects the Dow Jones Industrial Average will conclude the year at 52,000. The Dow finished Monday’s session at 48,804.06.
Technology stocks experienced a welcome rebound Tuesday as artificial intelligence company Anthropic revealed new collaborative projects that helped calm investor nerves in a sector recently battered by automation concerns.
The AI startup announced development of specialized tools, referred to as “plug-ins,” created alongside business partners to assist with financial services, human resources, and investment tasks such as transaction reviews, investment analysis, and creating hiring materials that match company branding standards.
Companies working with Anthropic saw stock gains ranging from 0.4% to 5.3%, including LSEG, FactSet, Salesforce’s Slack platform, and DocuSign.
Broader technology indices also posted solid increases, with the S&P 500 software and services sector advancing 1.4% while the iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF surged 2.4%.
The software sector had reached its lowest point in 10 months during Monday’s trading after research firm Citrini presented a forecast suggesting unemployment could climb to 10.2% by 2028 due to widespread job cuts as artificial intelligence replaces software and delivery workers.
“Software stocks and the IGV particularly are just massively oversold. So any incremental news that we’re getting about more disruptions is like getting to a point where how much is priced in already,” explained Dennis Dick, chief market strategist at Stock Trader Network.
“Some of this disruption is not imminent and a lot of this is probably years out yet. The market’s telling us that now.”
A sustained selloff earlier this month eliminated approximately $1 trillion in Wall Street market capitalization in what analysts termed ‘Software-mageddon,’ affecting technology and logistics firms across the United States, Europe, and India.
IBM shares recovered 3.5% Tuesday after dropping significantly Monday when Anthropic revealed its Claude Code system could update older programming languages used in IBM’s infrastructure, causing the company’s steepest single-day decline in over 25 years.
Tax software company Intuit rose 2.8% while artificial intelligence solutions firm Intapp jumped 7.1% following their separate partnership announcements with Anthropic on Tuesday.
A deadly strain of bird flu has been discovered at a commercial turkey operation in southwestern Indiana, marking the first detection in Daviess County this year. State animal health officials confirmed the presence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza at the facility.
The Indiana State Board of Animal Health announced that over 30,000 birds at the affected farm will need to be euthanized to prevent the virus from spreading. Officials have established containment measures including a control zone spanning approximately 6.2 miles around the infected site, with an extended surveillance area covering more than 12 miles in parts of Daviess County.
This outbreak represents the return of the dangerous bird flu strain to the southwestern Indiana region after its previous appearance in 2024. The highly contagious virus poses significant threats to both commercial poultry operations and wild bird populations.
Dairy commodity trading showed varied results during Tuesday’s session at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, with some products gaining ground while others declined.
Dry whey prices dropped by $0.0175 to close at $0.6375 per pound. Trading activity included two transactions recorded at prices of $0.6375 and $0.64.
Forty-pound cheese blocks saw an increase of $0.0450, finishing at $1.56 per pound. Market activity was robust with eight transactions completed, with prices spanning from $1.5250 to $1.56.
Cheese barrel prices held steady at $1.49 per pound with no trading activity reported for the day.
Butter maintained its previous closing price of $1.8125 per pound. The commodity saw significant trading volume with 28 transactions recorded, ranging from $1.79 to $1.8125.
Nonfat dry milk posted a modest gain of $0.0050, reaching $1.65 per pound, though no sales were completed during the session.
The University of Delaware women’s tennis program has earned national recognition after being positioned at No. 62 in the most recent Intercollegiate Tennis Association national team rankings.
The ITA made the ranking announcement on Tuesday from their Tempe, Arizona headquarters, placing the Blue Hens among the top programs across the country.
This latest poll reflects the continued development and competitive standing of Delaware’s women’s tennis program on the national stage.
A Delaware State University professor has received recognition on the national stage for his work in radio broadcasting.
Dr. James Peterson, who serves on the faculty at the Dover-based university, has been nominated for an NAACP Image Award for his podcast series that airs on WURD radio.
The NAACP Image Awards celebrate outstanding achievements and performances of people of color in the arts, as well as those individuals or groups who promote social justice through their creative work.
Peterson’s nomination highlights the growing influence of Delaware State University faculty members in media and public discourse beyond the campus.
With winter’s grip finally loosening and baseball spring training underway, one local food writer is already dreaming of ballpark treats and warmer days ahead. The anticipation of hearing bats crack, smelling fresh popcorn, and cheering for favorite teams has inspired some creative thinking about a stadium staple: the corn dog.
While corn dogs remain a beloved ballpark tradition, there’s no reason to stick with the same old approach every time. Food author Deborah Walker, who has spent 15 years writing about recipes and resides in Ocean City, Maryland, believes variety is the key to keeping this classic treat exciting.
Walker emphasizes that mastering the fundamentals is essential before getting creative. A proper corn dog requires four key elements: a bamboo skewer for easy handling, a flavorful coating that complements rather than overwhelms the meat, the right batter-to-hot dog ratio that functions like a bun around the protein, and a golden-brown, crispy exterior.
Traditional corn dog batter typically contains both baking powder and baking soda, which might seem redundant but serves specific purposes. The baking soda neutralizes acidic ingredients like buttermilk in the recipe, while baking powder creates the light, airy texture that makes corn dogs so appealing.
Walker recommends a few practical techniques for better results. Rolling hot dogs in flour before dipping creates better batter adhesion, acting like glue to keep the coating in place. Using a tall glass or canning jar for the batter makes dipping much easier than trying to maneuver skewered dogs in shallow dishes.
While mustard and ketchup remain the go-to condiments, today’s corn dog enthusiasts are pushing beyond traditional boundaries. Specialty hot dogs with cheddar and jalapeño add bold flavors, while kielbasa on a stick pairs perfectly with beer for game-watching sessions.
For those seeking more upscale options, seafood sausage with aioli transforms the humble corn dog into something more sophisticated. Parents can engage kids in the kitchen by rolling corn dogs in colorful cereals like Cap’n Crunch Berries for added texture and visual appeal.
One particularly creative variation Walker suggests is the taco-inspired corn dog, featuring finely diced tomatoes, red onions, yellow peppers, jalapeños, cilantro, and crumbled Cotija cheese, finished with swirls of sour cream and queso dip.
As baseball season approaches and families start planning outdoor gatherings, Walker encourages experimentation and creativity with this classic treat, promising that innovative corn dog variations will be a hit with both family members and guests.
A unique California medical program that delivers the globe’s only treatment for life-threatening infant botulism brings hope to devastated families in an unexpected way – whimsical birthday cards celebrating their children’s first year of life.
Each year, employees at California’s Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program create and send approximately 200 handmade cards to honor the recovery of youngsters who battled this uncommon and serious illness.
Recently, this recipient list has expanded to include many American infants impacted by a botulism outbreak linked to tainted ByHeart baby formula.
Amy Mazziotti from Burbank, California, was among those who received a birthday greeting for her son Hank this past September, following his 12-day hospital stay after consuming the contaminated ByHeart formula.
“The fact that they take the time to send hand-drawn cards to each baby is incredibly special,” Mazziotti expressed. “When you’re worried about your baby, it’s the small acts like this that somehow feel really big.”
Robin Hinks, a program assistant, oversees the card initiative, handling everything from artwork to distribution and record-keeping.
“I am a big fan of drawing animals with party hats,” Hinks explained, describing her preference for crayons and colored pencils. “Like, here’s a frog with some balloons and a little penguin.”
While the program’s main mission focuses on diagnosing and treating this condition that develops when infants consume botulism spores that grow in their intestines and create a harmful toxin affecting the nervous system and causing paralysis, the personal touch matters greatly. Mortality rates previously reached 90%, but proper treatment has reduced deaths to under 1%.
The exclusive treatment, called BabyBIG, consists of an intravenous medicine created from combined blood plasma of adults who received botulism immunizations. California’s program serves as the worldwide supplier.
Given the rarity of this disease, affecting roughly 200 children annually, the botulism center has evolved into a vital resource and support network for families navigating this difficult experience.
“Support of the babies and their families remains paramount to our program and our mission,” stated Dr. Jessica Khouri, the program’s senior medical officer.
Heather Goody from Gallipolis, Ohio, remembered feeling isolated when her daughter MaryEllen developed infant botulism in 2016. Almost ten years later, Goody continues managing a Facebook community called Infant Botulism Awareness, connecting parents of affected children. The group now includes over 500 members.
She vividly remembers the emotional impact of receiving MaryEllen’s first birthday card.
“It brought all the feels, but most importantly the feeling of gratitude that she was thriving in all areas of life,” Goody recalled.
This ongoing relationship was championed by the late Dr. Stephen Arnon, who alongside his team in 1976 discovered this specific type of botulism affecting infants under one year old, then dedicated the following 45 years to developing effective treatments.
Arnon, who passed away in 2022, maintained regular contact with families of children affected by infant botulism, keeping them informed as his research advanced.
Currently, almost 1,500 families belong to the botulism program’s parent community, including children who received treatment twenty years ago. Members celebrate everything from preschool milestones to college admissions and other significant achievements.
“Former patients have gone on to have families of their own and keep in touch with us,” Khouri noted. “It really is an incredible part of the work we do.”
Tuesday’s livestock cash market opened with minimal activity as cattle trading remained stagnant with no established bid or asking prices. Market analysts expect substantial trading activity may not materialize until later in the week, possibly Thursday or Friday.
Current inventory listings present a mixed picture across key cattle-producing regions. Kansas and Texas are reporting decreased showlist numbers, while Nebraska and Colorado are seeing increases in available livestock.
Last week concluded with limited direct trading activity that emerged on Friday in Northern markets, suggesting a gradual buildup toward more active trading sessions later this week.
Delaware state workers are displaying their creative sides at an annual art showcase now running at Delaware State University.
The Delaware Division of the Arts has opened its 15th annual exhibition featuring artwork created by state employees and their immediate family members. The showcase runs through the month and offers free admission to all visitors.
This year’s exhibition continues the tradition of highlighting the diverse artistic talents found within Delaware’s government workforce. The display includes various forms of creative expression from painters, photographers, sculptors and other artists who happen to work for the state.
The annual event serves multiple purposes beyond simply showing off artwork. Organizers say it helps build connections among state workers while fostering innovation and creative thinking in the workplace.
Delaware State University is hosting the exhibition, providing space for the public to view the collected works. The showcase demonstrates that creativity and artistic expression thrive even within government offices across the First State.
Visitors can view the exhibition during regular hours at the university campus. The event provides an opportunity for Delawareans to see a different side of their state government employees.
Senegal’s government has taken steps to strengthen its anti-homosexuality laws, with Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko presenting new legislation to parliament on Tuesday that would significantly increase prison sentences for gay individuals in the West African country.
The proposed bill would raise the minimum prison term from the current one-year sentence to five years behind bars. Additionally, the legislation aims to expand what constitutes illegal behavior under existing laws that have prohibited homosexuality since Senegal gained independence from France in 1960. However, the crimes would remain classified as misdemeanors rather than being upgraded to more serious offenses.
“We can achieve the intended objectives without going so far as to elevate the acts” to the level of more serious crimes, Sonko explained.
According to advocacy organizations operating in Senegal, conditions for LGBTQ+ individuals have worsened significantly since 2018. These groups report that authorities have detained at least twelve people in recent weeks on charges related to homosexuality.
The proposed changes represent the fulfillment of a pledge Sonko made during his political campaign. The bill must now receive approval from the National Assembly, where Sonko’s PASTEF political party holds majority control.
LONDON — During a private tea meeting at Clarence House on Monday, Britain’s Queen Camilla expressed to French rape survivor Gisèle Pelicot that her memoir left her completely “speechless.” The symbolic encounter highlighted both women’s commitment to addressing sexual violence.
The 73-year-old Pelicot is wrapping up her British book tour promoting her memoir titled “A Hymn to Life: Shame Has to Change Sides,” which debuted Friday at London’s Royal Festival Hall. The launch event sold out completely, drawing over 2,000 attendees who heard readings from renowned actresses Kate Winslet, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Juliet Stevenson.
Queen Camilla received Pelicot and her companion Jean-Loup Agopian for approximately half an hour, communicating through a translator. The queen began their conversation in French, making a lighthearted comment about studying the language six decades earlier but having lost much of it since then.
Having devoted years to advocating against domestic violence and sexual assault, Camilla revealed she finished reading Pelicot’s book within just two days.
“I couldn’t put it down,” Camilla stated.
“I’ve met so many survivors of rape and sexual abuse I never thought I could be shocked by anything any more, but I was shocked at your case. It left me speechless,” she continued.
The timing of this meeting carries particular weight for the royal family, which continues facing examination regarding the Andrew-Epstein controversy — a situation that has reignited discussions about responsibility, privilege, and institutional responses to sexual abuse.
Given this context, royal watchers noted that Camilla’s public support of Pelicot sends a powerful message from a monarchy seeking to demonstrate clear moral leadership on violence against women.
Pelicot gained worldwide recognition as a symbol of strength after choosing to abandon her legal anonymity and proclaiming that shame should rest with perpetrators, not victims.
Her former husband Dominique Pelicot received a 20-year prison sentence for drugging and assaulting her, while also facilitating other men’s attacks on her unconscious body across nearly ten years.
Following a trial in Avignon that concluded in December 2024, fifty men received convictions for rape or related sexual crimes.
Throughout Monday’s conversation, Pelicot discussed drawing “incredible strength” from her supporters.
Camilla responded: “you have so much support.”
The queen had previously sent Pelicot a letter last year commending her “extraordinary dignity and courage” — correspondence that Pelicot now displays in a frame within her office.
MANHATTAN — Authorities in New York City have launched an investigation following a chaotic incident where law enforcement officers required hospitalization after being targeted with snowballs during a large winter gathering at Washington Square Park in Manhattan.
Dramatic footage from Monday’s incident captures two uniformed officers walking through the park as they become targets of an intense snowball barrage from multiple directions. The video shows the officers becoming increasingly agitated as they are repeatedly struck and covered with snow from the ongoing assault.
As tensions escalated, the officers physically confronted participants, pushing several individuals to the ground while snowballs continued flying around them. The situation intensified when someone approached an officer from behind and packed snow directly onto his head. The footage concludes with one officer appearing to tend to his eye area.
According to a Tuesday statement from the New York Police Department, several uniformed officers sustained facial injuries from the snowball impacts and required emergency medical transport to a local hospital in stable condition. Officials have not released specific details about the nature or extent of the injuries sustained. No individuals have been taken into custody in connection with the incident.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch condemned the actions, describing the behavior as “disgraceful” and “criminal” while confirming an active investigation is underway.
The incident quickly became a political flashpoint, with numerous city officials speaking out against the confrontation. Critics of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani used the situation to argue that respect for law enforcement has deteriorated during his tenure, referencing controversial statements he made about the police department in 2020, which he has since retracted.
Responding to the controversy on social media platform X Tuesday, Mamdani defended the officers, stating: “Officers, like all city workers, have been out in a historic blizzard, keeping New Yorkers safe and cars moving. Treat them with respect. If anyone’s catching a snowball, it’s me.”
WASHINGTON — The nation’s highest court delivered a split decision Tuesday, determining that citizens have no legal recourse against the U.S. Postal Service when workers deliberately withhold their mail.
The narrow 5-4 decision rejected the case brought by Lebene Konan, a Texas property owner who claimed postal employees intentionally blocked her mail delivery for a two-year period. Konan, who is African American, argued that racial discrimination motivated the postal workers’ conduct.
Writing for the conservative majority, Justice Clarence Thomas stated that existing federal legislation protecting the Postal Service from litigation over missing or undelivered correspondence also covers “the intentional nondelivery of mail.”
Justice Sonia Sotomayor penned the dissenting opinion, arguing that while lawsuit protections are extensive, they shouldn’t apply when mail delivery decisions stem from “malicious reasons.” Justice Neil Gorsuch sided with the three liberal justices in opposition.
The Trump administration’s legal team had cautioned that siding with Konan could trigger an avalanche of similar legal challenges against the financially struggling postal system.
Konan works as both a real estate professional and insurance representative. She accused two workers at the Euless, Texas post office in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of deliberately blocking mail delivery to her and her rental tenants due to what she claims was their disapproval of her race and property ownership.
Court filings reveal the conflict started when Konan found that her rental property’s mailbox key had been replaced without notification, blocking her access to tenant correspondence. Post office staff demanded proof of ownership before providing a replacement key or resuming delivery service. Despite Konan’s compliance and direct orders from the USPS inspector general to restore service, the mail delivery issues persisted.
According to Konan’s allegations, postal employees labeled mail as undeliverable or marked it for return to sender. She and her tenants missed critical correspondence including utility bills, prescription medications, and vehicle titles. Konan also reported losing rental revenue when tenants relocated due to the ongoing mail problems.
Following numerous unsuccessful complaints to postal authorities, Konan pursued legal action through the 1946 Federal Tort Claims Act, which permits certain government lawsuits. The Supreme Court case centered on how far the postal service’s special legal protections extend.
Canadian aviation officials have given their stamp of approval to Gulfstream’s G700 and G800 business aircraft, following weeks of pressure from President Donald Trump who threatened economic retaliation over the jets’ regulatory status.
Records from Transport Canada’s database indicate the American manufacturer’s newest private aircraft received certification on Monday, approximately one week after regulators cleared two earlier Gulfstream variants.
Marie-Justine Torres, speaking for Canada’s transportation department, verified on Tuesday that Transport Canada had issued the certification.
Last month, Trump issued warnings that he would revoke certification and impose duties on all aircraft manufactured in Canada if the government failed to authorize Gulfstream business jets.
Transport Canada’s approval proceeded even though the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has raised concerns about ice removal systems, granting only conditional approval to the G700 and G800 models in 2024.
According to the FAA, General Dynamics-owned Gulfstream must demonstrate by year’s end that both aircraft models operate “properly … where ice may form in the fuel system.”
In late January, Trump specifically targeted Bombardier Inc. with threats to ban Canadian-manufactured aircraft and impose a 50% duty, representing another chapter in escalating commercial disputes between the neighboring countries.
The president stated he was responding to Canada’s refusal to certify aircraft from Gulfstream Aerospace, headquartered in Savannah, Georgia.
Trump indicated the United States would reciprocate by withdrawing certification for all Canadian aircraft, including those produced by the country’s premier aircraft manufacturer, Bombardier.
“If, for any reason, this situation is not immediately corrected, I am going to charge Canada a 50% Tariff on any and all Aircraft sold into the United States of America,” Trump said in his post.
The two companies compete directly in the luxury aircraft market, with Bombardier’s Global aircraft line vying for customers against Gulfstream’s most recent offerings.
John Gradek, an aviation management instructor at McGill University, noted that aircraft certification focuses on safety considerations and using decertification as a trade weapon would be without precedent.
European Union officials are bracing for months of trade negotiations with the United States following President Donald Trump’s implementation of new import fees that could jeopardize a trade agreement reached between the two regions last year.
European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic addressed the European Parliament on Tuesday, explaining that the bloc is entering what he called a “transitional period” as both sides work to resolve issues stemming from Trump’s recent “import surcharge” policy.
Sefcovic revealed that his American counterparts, including Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, have assured him they remain committed to honoring last year’s trade pact.
“Of course, what is now ahead of us, this is the transitional period where they are figuring out how to deal with this really landmark court ruling and we are talking every day,” Sefcovic explained to lawmakers. He noted that the surcharge could remain active for as long as 150 days, creating a July 24 target date for reaching a resolution.
“When I was talking to my counterparts yesterday, today, they believe that it will happen even in a shorter period of time, three, four months,” he added.
The United States began enforcing a temporary 10% surcharge on Tuesday for all products not specifically exempted, following a Supreme Court decision that overturned Trump’s previous global tariff structure. Trump announced over the weekend that he plans to raise this rate to 15%.
During his parliamentary testimony, Sefcovic encouraged the trade committee to move forward with a March vote on eliminating EU import duties, despite lawmakers postponing their originally scheduled vote. The proposal would still require additional negotiations between legislators and EU member governments before reaching a final assembly vote.
Several European lawmakers have expressed concerns that the trade arrangement favors the United States unfairly. Despite these reservations, many appeared ready to support the deal with certain conditions, including an 18-month expiration clause. They have also criticized a separate 50% American tariff implemented in August targeting steel and aluminum components in over 400 products, including wind turbines and motorcycles, arguing it undermines the July agreement.
“I got reassurances from U.S. colleagues that they know that this is a big problem for us and that they’re looking into this matter, and hopefully we will be having better news in that regard rather soon,” Sefcovic stated.
Under the current trade deal, most European goods face a 15% U.S. tariff rate, while the EU agreed to eliminate import duties on numerous American products.
If Trump’s new surcharge takes precedence over the existing agreement, some of Europe’s duty-free exemptions could be eliminated. The additional tariffs might also stack on top of existing “most-favoured-nation” U.S. duties, unlike the current EU-U.S. arrangement. For certain cheese products, the 10% surcharge could push total tariffs to approximately 25%.
Military forces from Pakistan and Afghanistan engaged in a border firefight on Tuesday, with officials from both nations pointing fingers at each other for sparking the confrontation that followed weekend airstrikes which have worsened diplomatic relations.
The armed clash represents the most recent escalation along the lengthy 2,600-kilometer border separating the two countries, where hostilities have intensified following Pakistan’s military strikes conducted over the weekend, putting at risk a delicate truce established after fatal confrontations in October.
According to Mosharraf Zaidi, who speaks for Pakistan’s prime minister, the ruling Afghan Taliban initiated what he called “unprovoked firing” in the Torkham and Tirah areas along the international boundary.
“Pakistan’s security forces responded immediately and effectively, silencing the Taliban aggression,” Zaidi stated, adding that any additional hostile actions would face “immediate and severe” consequences.
However, Afghan authorities presented a contradictory version of events, claiming Pakistani troops fired first and Afghan soldiers merely returned fire in response.
Zabihullah Noorani, who heads information and culture for Nangarhar province, reported the confrontation occurred in Shahkot area within Nazyan district, noting the battle has ceased without Afghan military losses.
Additionally, Mawlawi Wahidullah, speaking for an Afghan army unit overseeing eastern regional security, explained that border patrol troops near the Durand Line in Achin and Durbaba districts received incoming fire, emphasizing their response was defensive rather than aggressive.
Pakistan’s government stated its weekend aerial bombardments focused on facilities belonging to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamic State Khorasan Province located in eastern Afghanistan, with intelligence officials estimating 70 militant fatalities.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan reported receiving “credible reports” indicating no fewer than 13 civilians died with seven wounded in Nangarhar province. Taliban leadership claims higher casualty numbers, though Reuters was unable to confirm these statistics independently.
Pakistani officials maintain that TTP commanders conduct operations from Afghan soil, an allegation that Kabul continues to reject.
NBA veteran Patrick Beverley will not face criminal charges after a Texas grand jury refused to move forward with a felony assault case against him.
The Fort Bend County grand jury ruled Monday that insufficient evidence existed to support the allegations stemming from an incident last November, effectively ending the criminal proceedings against the 37-year-old basketball player.
Following his arrest, Beverley’s social media account explained that he had discovered his underage sister in the company of an 18-year-old male while she was unaccompanied.
“He was understandably concerned, as any brother would be about his sister. However, we don’t believe what followed happened the way it’s been described and we look forward to the opportunity to address that in court,” the statement said.
In response to Monday’s grand jury ruling, Beverley issued another public statement.
“I am deeply grateful for all thoughts and prayers for the family,” he wrote. “We must continue to protect our children, especially our young girls. This ordeal has truly made our family stronger. Thank you for your continued support and prayers.”
Legal representatives Rusty Hardin and Letitia Quinones-Hollins spoke on behalf of their client following the decision.
“Patrick wants everyone to know that he would never do anything to harm his sister and that he is very grateful that the grand jury has recognized that with their no-bill,” the statement said. “He is thankful for all who prayed for him and supported him during this time. He is glad that the process was allowed to work as it did and his hope is that with these charges behind him now, his name and reputation will be restored.”
The basketball player currently competes professionally overseas in Greece.
Throughout his dozen-year NBA career spanning 2012 through 2024, Beverley suited up for seven different franchises, posting career averages of 8.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists across 666 regular season appearances, including 518 as a starter. His defensive prowess earned him recognition on three All-Defensive Teams during his tenure.
Federal authorities have abandoned their proposal to construct an immigration detention center in New Hampshire, according to an announcement from the state’s Republican governor on Tuesday.
Governor Kelly Ayotte revealed the decision on social media platform X after meeting with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in Washington last week. “The Department of Homeland Security will not move forward with the proposed ICE facility in Merrimack,” Ayotte stated.
The governor indicated she conveyed local opposition from the community located approximately 50 miles northeast of Boston during her discussions with federal officials. Ayotte emphasized that state law enforcement agencies would maintain their collaboration with DHS to protect New Hampshire’s northern border with Canada.
Secretary Noem acknowledged the meeting in an official DHS statement and praised the partnership, describing New Hampshire as “a strong partner.”
This reversal occurs as President Trump implements his comprehensive immigration enforcement agenda. The administration’s intensified deportation efforts have faced increasing public opposition as the November midterm elections approach, with control of Congress at stake.
Immigration enforcement teams have deployed across major metropolitan areas including Los Angeles and Chicago, conducting neighborhood sweeps that have sparked confrontations with local residents. Fatal encounters have occurred, with federal agents shooting and killing two American citizens in Minneapolis during January, and another citizen fatally shot in Texas the previous year.
The current administration is expanding detention capacity to accommodate increased arrests, allocating over $38 billion this year for facilities that have drawn criticism from both Democratic lawmakers and some Republicans like Ayotte.
Opposition groups including Democrats, civil rights organizations, religious leaders, and other advocates have raised concerns about human rights violations, legal issues, and health problems at detention centers. They cite poor conditions, inadequate treatment, and disease outbreaks including measles at facilities operated by companies such as GEO Group and CoreCivic.
Fatality records show at least eight deaths have occurred in ICE detention facilities since early 2026, adding to at least 31 deaths recorded the previous year.
Maryland’s Democratic leadership filed a lawsuit Tuesday seeking to block a proposed detention facility in the state’s western Washington County.
DHS leadership has dismissed characterizations of these facilities as “warehouses.”
Congressional Democrats have obstructed DHS funding in efforts to limit ICE operations. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt announced Tuesday that President Trump would address the funding issue during his State of the Union address scheduled for that evening.
California’s top prosecutor is asking a state court to immediately halt what officials describe as Amazon’s systematic effort to drive up consumer prices by intimidating sellers into avoiding cheaper pricing on rival platforms.
Attorney General Rob Bonta filed the request for a preliminary injunction on Tuesday as part of his ongoing antitrust case against the retail giant, which has been in litigation for three and a half years. The legal action also aims to recover profits allegedly obtained through illegal practices.
In court documents filed with the California Superior Court in San Francisco, Bonta outlined the state’s position: “Amazon’s goal is to insulate itself from price competition by preventing lower retail prices in the market. Amazon tells vendors what prices it wants to see to maintain its own profitability.”
According to the attorney general’s office, investigators have documented numerous instances where Amazon worked with competitors and merchants to coordinate pricing strategies designed to prevent the company from being undersold on platforms like eBay, Target, and Walmart.
The state alleges that Amazon and its rivals frequently collaborated through merchant intermediaries to either increase prices or temporarily remove products from availability, effectively eliminating the need for competitive price-matching policies.
Bonta’s filing claims that merchants who refused to comply with Amazon’s pricing demands faced severe consequences, including losing access to the platform’s crucial “Buy Box” feature. This tool, which allows customers to directly add items to their cart or make immediate purchases, generates the overwhelming majority of sales activity on Amazon’s marketplace.
“We welcome companies that succeed by offering better prices and better service,” Bonta stated. “What we have here is a greedy, behemoth corporation intentionally increasing prices in the marketplace to get richer and richer off the backs of consumers.”
If granted, the injunction would force Amazon to cease its alleged anti-competitive practices during the ongoing legal proceedings. Additionally, a court-appointed monitor would be assigned to ensure the company’s compliance with any restrictions.
Amazon has pushed back against the allegations, arguing in legal filings that its merchant agreements are “procompetitive,” legally sound, and standard practice within the industry. The company maintains these arrangements actually benefit shoppers by providing better product variety, proper inventory management, and competitive pricing.
PARIS – France’s foreign minister has lifted restrictions on US Ambassador Charles Kushner after the diplomat reached out Tuesday to clarify his embassy’s controversial statements about French domestic politics, according to a ministerial source.
Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot had prohibited Kushner from conducting meetings with French government officials on Monday evening following the embassy’s public commentary on the death of Quentin Deranque, a far-right activist killed in clashes with alleged radical left-wing protesters earlier this month.
The violent incident has sparked heated political tensions across France’s political landscape, occurring just over one year before the country’s presidential election.
The American Embassy in France, along with the State Department’s counterterrorism division, announced they were tracking the case and posted on social media platform X that “violent radical leftism was on the rise” and posed a threat to public safety.
French officials viewed the American statements as unwelcome meddling in France’s internal political matters. The diplomatic friction comes at a time when relationships between Washington and several European partners remain tense.
During his phone conversation with Barrot, Kushner clarified his position, according to the ministerial source. “The ambassador acknowledged this, expressed his intention not to interfere in our public debate, and reaffirmed the friendship between France and the United States,” the source reported.
The two diplomats have arranged to meet face-to-face in the near future to strengthen bilateral cooperation as both nations mark the 250th anniversary of their diplomatic relationship this year, the source added.
Officials did not specify whether Kushner, who is the father of former President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, would immediately regain full access to other French government ministers.
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni acknowledged uncertainty about star wide receiver A.J. Brown’s future with the franchise, stating he cannot promise the player will return for the upcoming season.
The talented receiver has achieved over 1,000 receiving yards in each of his four campaigns with Philadelphia, yet speculation about a potential trade has intensified following his public criticism of the team’s offensive approach during the 2025 season.
Even with tensions between Brown and the organization, Sirianni indicated both sides remain interested in continuing their partnership with the three-time Pro Bowl performer.
“My expectation is he wants to be here. And obviously you want good players like that in your building,” Sirianni told local reporters, according to ESPN.
“As (general manager) Howie (Roseman) said, it’s hard to get good players in this league. A.J.’s a great player and A.J. is a good teammate and A.J. is a good person. Does he want to be here? Yes. Do I want him to be here? Yes.”
However, when reporters asked directly whether the 28-year-old receiver would wear an Eagles jersey in 2026, Sirianni offered a measured response.
“Will A.J. be here next season? I think we’re still in a spot, like, I can’t guarantee how anything is going to play out into next season,” Sirianni explained. “I’m thinking I’m going to be the coach next season but you can’t guarantee anything past tomorrow.”
Recently, Brown appeared on Micah Parsons’ podcast during Super Bowl week, where he described Philadelphia as his “home” and expressed feeling “fortunate” to play for the organization.
Throughout his four-year tenure with the Eagles, Brown has compiled impressive statistics with 339 receptions, 5,034 receiving yards, and 32 touchdown catches across 62 games. His achievements include a Super Bowl championship in 2024 and NFC East division titles in 2022, 2024, and 2025.
The receiver secured a lucrative three-year contract extension worth $96 million in April 2024, with $84 million in guaranteed money. His salary cap impact for the 2026 season stands at $23.4 million.
Technology stocks bounced back Tuesday following artificial intelligence company Anthropic’s announcement of 10 new business applications, providing some relief after weeks of sharp declines in traditional software shares.
The San Francisco AI startup revealed its expanded capabilities now include tools for investment banking deal reviews, wealth management portfolio analysis, and human resources functions like creating employee materials that match company branding and policies.
MARKET RESPONSE:
The S&P 500 gained 0.6% while the Nasdaq climbed 1%, driven by technology sector strength. Salesforce jumped 3.4%, ranking among the Dow’s top performers for the day.
The S&P 500 software and services sector recovered 0.5%, though it remains down 23.5% year-to-date as companies face concerns about AI disruption.
ANALYST PERSPECTIVES:
ROBERT PAVLIK, SENIOR PORTFOLIO MANAGER, DAKOTA WEALTH, FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT:
“Anthropic’s been busy with announcements that their product is going to do all these new and sort of wonderful things. It’s still early in the process and certainly acceptance and the application of these tools is probably still a ways away. I can see how parts of these products would be welcomed by corporations trying to reduce overhead and costs, if they work.
“But we know from experience that you definitely need human intervention, otherwise problems develop. I don’t think that people anticipate AI will taking over for real humans and real tasks.
Regarding labor market disruption: “I think it’s still too early to tell. I don’t think adaptation or implementation of these AI products is that fully done yet. We’re still a ways away from it being fully implemented in the actual workforce.”
KEN POLCARI, PARTNER AND CHIEF MARKET STRATEGIST AT SLATESTONE WEALTH IN JUPITER, FLORIDA:
“Investment banking – that got hit a couple of weeks ago when they did the legal and financial services, so that was a known. Yesterday’s reaction was so overdone that it can’t help but bounce a little bit. I don’t think it’s going to hold. I think it’s going to continue to weaken a little bit. The opening is just a reflection of the disaster that took place yesterday. I think it probably settles in and then trades lower again. Not like yesterday, but I think it churns lower.
“There’s some people getting fatigued. I also think there are some names that have gotten absolutely clobbered that are actually looking like opportunities. Even though they’re down, and even though it’s an AI story, and even though it’s blah, blah, blah, everyone’s talking negative, it does create an opportunity where there’s some value in these stocks that have gotten crushed.
“Some of it is that ‘shoot first, ask questions later’ mentality all driven by algorithms. And then like anything, the pendulum swings too far to the left and it swings too far to the right.
“I’m not saying that AI is not going to disrupt the world. It clearly is. And it will continue to disrupt the world, but I don’t think it’s the end of the world. Like every industrial revolution, there’ll be anxiety going through it, but then when it comes out the other side, there will be new opportunities. We don’t know yet what they are. Some opportunities, they won’t exist anymore.
“I’m not in that camp that’s lighting my hair on fire. I’m in a camp that as long as you remain relevant and change with it and keep yourself up to date and educated, then you just kind of move along.”
With winter’s grip finally loosening and spring training underway, one local food expert is helping families prepare for baseball season with creative takes on America’s favorite ballpark treat.
Food writer Deborah Walker, who has been covering culinary topics for 15 years and authored “An Eastern Shore Special: Recipes from the Heart,” says she’s ready for warmer weather after purchasing a tulip plant to remind herself that spring is on its way.
As baseball training camps prepare for another season, Walker notes that soon “the crackling of bats, smell of popcorn popping, and fans cheering their favorite team will become a reality.”
While corn dogs remain a ballpark staple, Walker believes there’s room for innovation beyond the standard recipe. She emphasizes that tradition has its place, but warns against becoming too predictable in the kitchen.
Walker outlines four essential elements for creating the perfect corn dog: a bamboo skewer stick, a flavorful coating that doesn’t overwhelm the meat, proper batter-to-hot dog proportions that work like a bun around the protein, and a golden-brown crispy exterior.
The key to a successful corn dog lies in understanding the chemistry behind the batter, according to Walker. Traditional recipes call for both baking powder and baking soda, which might seem redundant since baking powder already contains baking soda.
Walker explains that the baking soda neutralizes acids in the recipe, particularly from buttermilk, while the baking powder creates the light, airy texture that makes corn dogs so appealing.
Her technique involves rolling hot dogs in flour before dipping them in batter, as the flour acts as an adhesive. She recommends using a tall glass or canning jar to hold the batter, making it easier to dip the skewered hot dogs compared to using a flat dish.
While mustard and ketchup remain popular condiments, Walker encourages cooks to experiment with different mustard varieties based on personal taste preferences.
Modern corn dog trends focus on breaking away from conventional approaches. Walker suggests trying cheddar and jalapeño hot dogs for added flavor, or pairing long-skewered kielbasa with beer for sports viewing.
For those seeking sophistication, she recommends seafood sausage served with aioli as an elevated version of the typically humble dish.
Families with children might enjoy coating corn dogs in colorful cereals like Cap’n Crunch Berries, which adds texture and visual appeal while providing an opportunity for kids to help in the kitchen.
Walker’s featured recipe focuses on taco-style corn dogs, incorporating finely diced tomatoes, red onions, yellow peppers, jalapeños, cilantro, and crumbled Cotija cheese, finished with swirls of sour cream and queso dip.
Her final advice to home cooks is simple: experiment freely with corn dog variations and don’t be afraid to try new combinations, as these taco corn dogs are sure to impress both family members and guests.
DENVER — As spring planting season approaches, Delaware farmers and agricultural producers across the nation are grappling with challenging economic conditions including depressed commodity prices and escalating input costs while making crucial decisions about their crop selections.
A new analysis from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange predicts that soybeans will capture a larger portion of American agricultural land in 2026, while farmers are expected to reduce planted acres of corn, wheat, grain sorghum, cotton and rice compared to the previous year.
The banking cooperative’s report forecasts U.S. soybean plantings will jump nearly 6 percent this season, with the crop drawing acreage away from multiple competing commodities.
Growing domestic processing capacity for soybeans and anticipated sustained demand from Chinese markets have pushed soybean prices to more competitive levels relative to alternative crops.
“Following recent price rallies, soybeans offer greater profit potential than corn, wheat, sorghum, cotton and rice,” said Tanner Ehmke, lead grains and oilseeds economist with CoBank. “Beyond price signals, crop rotation needs will also play a role. Following a big year for corn in 2025 in which acres climbed to the highest level in decades, more corn acres will be available to rotate to soybeans. And with record supplies of corn in storage, farmers will look to rotate into other crops to diversify their marketing risk. Soybeans currently offer the best marketing opportunities.”
The banking network’s analysis projects U.S. soybean plantings will climb 5.9% compared to last year, reaching 86 million acres as the crop attracts acreage from various other commodities.
Market performance for soybeans has outpaced most competing crops due to expectations that the EPA will establish higher renewable fuel requirements and China will maintain its purchasing patterns. In southern growing regions, soybeans are anticipated to capture acres from cotton, rice and corn production, while Midwest and Central Plains wheat and corn ground will transition to soybean production. The Northern Plains represents an exception, where soybean pricing remains pressured by reduced Chinese export activity, leading producers to favor corn plantings over soybeans.
Total U.S. corn plantings are forecast at 94 million acres, representing a 4.8% decrease from the previous year. Despite the overall reduction, corn acreage will expand in western states, taking ground from wheat, grain sorghum and soybeans due to more consistent demand patterns compared to crops affected by trade disruptions.
In the Northern Plains, weakened soybean pricing will motivate producers to convert soybean ground to corn. Multiple seasons of strong corn performance have demonstrated that corn varieties are well-suited to Northern Plains conditions.
Spring wheat plantings are projected to decline 1 percent to 9.89 million acres due to inferior yield potential and profitability compared to corn. The ongoing westward expansion of corn production typically reduces wheat acreage.
U.S. durum wheat acres are expected to drop 3 percent to 2.12 million acres. After last year’s increase in durum production reached the highest level in eight years, abundant supplies in both the U.S. and Canada have significantly weakened durum prices relative to other crops.
Grain sorghum plantings are forecast to fall 5% to 6.31 million acres as Central Plains farmers choose more corn or soybeans in their rotations due to wide sorghum pricing discounts. U.S. sorghum inventories have reached four-year highs following last year’s larger harvest.
CoBank’s analysis indicates U.S. cotton planted acreage will decrease to 9.19 million acres, falling 1% year-over-year to the lowest level in 11 years. Southern cotton acres will shift to soybeans, while irrigated Plains cotton ground will move to corn production.
Total U.S. rice planted acreage is projected at 2.83 million acres – the lowest in three decades and a 20% year-over-year decline. Among major commodities, rice carries the highest planting costs and has experienced disproportionate price pressures. Subsidized Indian rice is saturating global markets while increased South American rice exports are displacing U.S. shipments in key markets like Mexico.
ARLINGTON, Texas — The United Football League unveiled dramatic rule modifications Tuesday that will prohibit teams from punting once they advance past midfield and reward kickers with four points for successful field goal attempts from 60 yards or beyond.
League officials revealed these changes alongside the ban of the controversial “tush push” maneuver, which prevents teammates from shoving the quarterback forward immediately following the snap.
Since the NFL incorporated significant alterations to kickoff procedures two years ago based on UFL innovations, the spring league’s rule modifications have attracted increased attention. The UFL is also revising its own kickoff format as the eight-team circuit prepares for its March 27 launch.
Under the updated kickoff system, the kicking squad will position themselves at the opposing team’s 45-yard line rather than the 40, while receiving team blockers will shift five yards in the same direction, providing additional space for return specialists. Neither coverage units nor blockers may advance until the ball is secured or touches down in the specified area.
“It is a tremendous source of pride,” stated UFL head of officials Dean Blandino regarding the league’s influence on NFL regulations. “And I think it speaks to the need to have spring football. We’re not competing with the NFL, but we’re working in conjunction with the NFL. We’re preparing players, coaches, officials, to take that next step and to also try things and innovate, that the NFL can use.”
The punting restriction will not apply during the closing two minutes of each half. When active, squads that advance beyond the 50-yard line must attempt fourth-down conversions regardless of whether they subsequently lose ground back into their own territory.
With NFL franchises increasingly attempting field goals from distances exceeding 60 yards after barely reaching midfield, the UFL’s four-point reward system addresses this trend. Teams positioned exactly at the 50-yard line without crossing it retain punting privileges.
“At first glance, it feels like a major, major change,” Blandino explained to The Associated Press. “That’s how I looked at it when we started talking about it. Then you dive into the numbers a little bit and look at the NFL last year, fewest punts per game in modern history, most fourth-down attempts per game in modern history. So the game is trending that way anyway.”
The UFL’s motivation extends beyond statistical analysis.
“We just felt, what are we trying to promote?” Blandino questioned. “We’re trying to provide exciting plays. We’re trying to promote scoring and fan excitement, engagement, those types of things. So we don’t want to see a ton of punts where it’s just a fair catch at the 10-yard line. It’s a non-action play.”
The punting modification complements the enhanced scoring system for lengthy field goals. Former spring league participant Brandon Aubrey of the Dallas Cowboys has demonstrated that such distances are increasingly achievable.
Jacksonville’s Cam Little established a new NFL distance record with a 68-yard conversion in November, surpassing Justin Tucker’s previous Baltimore Ravens mark from 2021 by two yards. Little also connected on a 70-yard attempt during last year’s preseason.
According to Blandino, Mike Repole, who assumed the role of principal investor last year, strongly advocated for recognizing exceptional kicking performances.
“We just felt like, ‘OK, let’s add a layer to this,’” Blandino noted. “Kicking a 65-yard field goal is a lot harder than a 35-yard field goal. Why should they be the same?”
The NFL narrowly voted down a proposal to eliminate the tush push last year, a technique popularized by the Philadelphia Eagles and frequently employed by the Buffalo Bills.
“Some of our teams used it and we just felt with everything, whether it’s safety, whether it’s the difficulty in terms of officiating it,” Blandino explained. “We’re going to give them the opportunity to see how you can officiate it, how you kind of get it out. And we just feel like that’s not a play that we want in our game.”
The league will also implement the collegiate standard requiring receivers to establish only one foot inbounds for completed catches, compared to the NFL’s two-foot requirement.
Regarding post-touchdown scoring, a 33-yard conversion attempt will yield one point, while successful plays from the 2-yard line earn two points and conversions from the 8-yard line are worth three points.
During overtime periods, teams will take turns on three conversion attempts from the 5-yard line, continuing to alternate until a winner emerges.
MIAMI (AP) — Lesley VanNess attended the South Beach Wine & Food Festival for almost a decade straight, drawn to the oceanside celebration where celebrities, spirits, and cuisine attracted thousands willing to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars for admission.
The appeal centered on exclusive opportunities to sample food and chat with stars like Rachael Ray and Bobby Flay — personalities she could otherwise only watch through Food Network programming.
“I’d get the Food Network Magazine and there would be advertisements for it. I’m like, ‘Oh my god! You could go to that? Go to these great events and meet these celebrity chefs?’,” VanNess, a 44-year-old former Iowa restaurant owner, explained. “I’m in!”
This occurred during the golden age of culinary festivals, roughly a ten-year period beginning around 2010 when similar gatherings sprouted nationwide, establishing a touring network for top-tier chefs and aspiring culinary personalities.
Social media platforms then emerged as game-changers, breaking down traditional boundaries between admirers and food celebrities. Attendees like VanNess discovered they could skip crowding into massive pavilions hoping for brief conversations with Flay and instead send direct messages.
Even better, they could follow online food discussions to potentially identify emerging talents — the next Ray or Flay — earning cultural credibility in the process.
VanNess stopped attending South Beach events by 2020 at the latest. “I’d rather see them on social media or go to their restaurant,” she explained.
This past weekend marked the South Beach Wine & Food Festival’s 25th anniversary, establishing its position among veteran culinary gatherings alongside the New York City Wine & Food Festival and Colorado’s Food & Wine Classic in Aspen. Reports indicate all three continue performing well, though numerous smaller festivals have vanished due to pandemic impacts, declining attendance, rising operational expenses, and waning chef participation.
This raises questions about food festivals’ continued importance.
“South Beach and New York, they fill a niche and I can see them going on forever. But food events and food festivals are going in a whole other direction,” explained Mike Thelin, co-founder of the discontinued Oregon gathering Feast Portland.
Festival success traditionally depended on chefs, wineries, bartenders, food producers, and modern food influencers needing broader exposure. By 2026, this concept seems outdated.
“In 2010, they wanted to get on the map,” Thelin noted. “They don’t need that anymore.”
This doesn’t signal festival extinction, he clarified. Instead, a transformation is occurring. Traditional “white tent affairs” — referencing South Beach’s beachside pavilion events — are declining.
“If I’m going to a certain region, I want to know what makes that region special,” Thelin said. “I don’t want to go into a giant white tent that’s devoid of geography and drink a bunch of wines from California if I’m in Washington or Tennessee.”
Replacing them are numerous intimate, specialized gatherings rooted in local identity and community. Examples include AAPI Food & Wine, a three-year-old Oregon and New York City festival showcasing Asian American and Pacific Islander contributions.
“The foodie scene has changed so much,” said Lois Cho, one of the founders of that event, which draws about 1,000 attendees a year. “People didn’t realize wine and black bean noodles and izakaya and all these different Thai dishes — they had no idea they paired. Creating a different narrative and community where you can connect with people, those are the types of events we’ll see now.”
Social media platforms have amplified previously overlooked perspectives, she noted.
“And a lot of people haven’t caught on because it’s been a lot of cookie-cutter events for the last 20 years,” she added.
Birmingham, Alabama’s Southbound Food Festival follows a comparable approach, highlighting the city’s culinary landscape. Launched in 2022 as a week-long autumn celebration, the event incorporates regional arts and music communities alongside restaurant participation.
“There’s less appeal today with these TV chefs. Great chefs are everywhere,” said Nancy Hopkins, one of the event’s founders. “People come to celebrate and uplift Birmingham.”
Nevertheless, as Thelin observed, South Beach Wine & Food Festival and its New York counterpart show no signs of disappearing, complete with white pavilions and Food Network personalities. Nearly all 110 South Beach events featuring over 500 culinary professionals sold out this year. Over its quarter-century existence, the festival has contributed more than $45 million to Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management.
Lee Schrager, the driving force behind both festivals, maintains the South Beach model’s ongoing relevance.
“There’s something very different about DM’ing Bobby Flay than going to an intimate dinner at a table of 10 that he’s doing that’s sold out in three days,” Schrager said. “Social media has made everyone available, but can you touch and feel it?”
The inaugural South Beach gathering, featuring only 10 chefs, resembled little more than wine sampling. This year drew over 30,000 participants. Martha Stewart presented a luncheon at Joe’s Stone Crab, Italian celebrity butcher Dario Cecchini distributed beef portions to enthusiastic dinner guests, and Ray returned with her Burger Bash, featuring everything from Kool-Aid pickles to foie gras on premium wagyu patties served on potato rolls.
Schrager recognized that most smaller festivals cannot replicate his operational model, including hosting events he knows will generate ticket sales despite ultimately losing money. He reported $7 million in ticket revenue and $6 million in sponsorship income this year, netting slightly over $1 million.
“It’s a good number in the festival world, but it’s not a great return if you’re running a profit business,” he acknowledged.
Ray, who has participated in virtually every South Beach and New York festival, continues her involvement due to loyalty toward Schrager, who supported her when much of the culinary establishment didn’t. She also values direct fan interaction.
“I love talking to people, being with people, having people climb all over you, hang on you, give you a compliment,” she said. “I love being in the real-life experience.”
MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — A catastrophic drought has pushed nearly 6.5 million Somalis to the brink of starvation, with the crisis worsening due to ongoing violence and reduced international funding, according to Tuesday announcements from Somalia’s federal government and United Nations agencies.
According to fresh findings from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification report, approximately 6.5 million individuals are expected to experience crisis-level or emergency food shortages through the end of March.
The assessment also predicts that 1.84 million children younger than 5 years old will experience acute malnutrition throughout 2026, with close to 500,000 facing severe malnourishment.
Authorities attribute the declining food security conditions to water scarcity, violence, armed conflict, and unprecedented reductions in humanitarian aid tied to worldwide funding decreases.
The severe drought conditions, caused by below-normal precipitation levels, have resulted in extensive food shortages, failed harvests, dead livestock, rising food costs, and mass population displacement.
“The drought emergency in Somalia has deepened alarmingly, with soaring water prices, limited food supplies, dying livestock and very little humanitarian funding,” said George Conway, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Somalia.
Conway emphasized that immediate life-saving aid is crucial in the upcoming months, noting that no precipitation is anticipated before the primary rainy period from April through June.
Officials warn that even with normal rainfall during the coming wet season, approximately 5.5 million people will likely continue experiencing crisis-level conditions or worse through late 2026. They note that bouncing back from such extreme drought conditions requires considerable time.
Water scarcity continues to worsen across southern and central regions of Somalia, with little expectation for meaningful improvement even if future rainfall reaches typical amounts.
Between July and December, drought and armed conflict forced approximately 278,000 individuals from their homes, hampering farming activities, marketplace operations, and humanitarian aid distribution, based on United Nations figures.
“The severity of this drought is undeniable and deeply alarming,” said Mohamud Moallim Abdulle, commissioner of the Somalia Disaster Management Agency. He urged international allies, Somali communities abroad, private sector entities, and civil organizations to increase immediate assistance.
The United Nations and Somalia’s government have cautioned that major funding reductions have compelled humanitarian organizations to reduce or halt essential life-saving initiatives, including programs focused on food security, medical care, nutrition support, and clean water and sanitation services.
Farmers who grow potatoes in Michigan are sounding the alarm about proposed state regulations that could cut off their access to crucial irrigation water sources. The potential changes would involve reclassifying certain waterways, which agricultural producers fear could severely limit their ability to water crops.
Kelly Turner, who serves as Executive Director for Potato Growers of Michigan Incorporated, explained to reporters that guaranteed water access forms a critical part of agreements between farmers and the companies that process their potatoes. “That will directly affect the amount of water that is available for large” operations, Turner stated, highlighting the significant impact such restrictions could have on agricultural businesses throughout the state.
The farming organization is now urging local water management districts to take action to safeguard irrigation rights for potato producers who depend on consistent water supplies to meet their contractual obligations and maintain viable crop production.
KINSHASA, Congo — Tensions in eastern Congo have intensified following the death of a high-ranking M23 rebel leader in a drone attack, according to United Nations officials and human rights organizations reporting Tuesday.
Willy Ngoma, a key spokesperson for the Rwanda-supported M23 movement who played a crucial role in the group’s eastern Congo operations, died in an early morning drone assault near Rubaya, a mining community in North Kivu province.
Both a local UN representative and a human rights coordinator in the region confirmed the incident to The Associated Press, requesting anonymity due to safety concerns.
Local residents informed the AP that the drone targeted a location that had recently become an M23 stronghold.
The longstanding regional conflict intensified significantly in January of last year when M23 fighters launched an unprecedented offensive, capturing the strategic cities of Goma and Bukavu while extending their territorial control across multiple communities in the war-torn area.
The identity of those responsible for the drone attack remains unknown. Although President Donald Trump and Qatar have led diplomatic efforts to restore peace, fighting has persisted in recent weeks between M23 forces and Congolese military units supported by local Wazalendo militia fighters.
Neither M23 representatives nor Congolese government officials have responded to requests for comment. Both sides have repeatedly blamed each other for breaking the terms of a ceasefire agreement brokered with assistance from international and regional mediators.
HARLINGEN, Texas — In a small side room at a Texas barbecue restaurant, former Republican Representative Mayra Flores addressed barely a dozen supporters in the Rio Grande Valley. Given only sixty seconds to make her case for returning to Washington, she stretched her remarks to three minutes while competing with the noise from a nearby ice machine.
The modest gathering was a stark contrast to the excitement Flores generated for her party in 2022, when her special election triumph made her the first GOP representative from the Rio Grande Valley in more than a century and a half. Though she subsequently lost two elections, that initial win demonstrated Republicans could appeal to working-class Latino voters in areas previously considered Democratic strongholds, previewing Donald Trump’s own regional gains in 2024.
“Don’t let anyone take that from us,” Flores told the small crowd.
However, as the March 3 primary approaches, Flores finds herself facing significant challenges within her own party. Campaign fundraising has proven difficult, and Trump has thrown his support behind challenger Eric Flores, an attorney and first-time candidate who shares her surname but no family connection.
This Flores versus Flores matchup has evolved into an intense and personal battle between two young Hispanic Republicans who represent their community’s conservative shift. The primary winner will become one of Texas’ most watched GOP candidates, tasked with unseating Democratic Representative Vicente Gonzalez, who has long been a Republican target. Recent redistricting efforts in Texas were partly aimed at making Gonzalez more vulnerable.
A November Republican win would cement the party’s position in this competitive region and indicate successful adaptation to changing American demographics. A defeat might suggest the GOP’s recent Rio Grande Valley successes were merely temporary.
Control of the House of Representatives may well be decided here at Texas’ southern edge, where the state meets Mexico at the Rio Grande River and Gulf of Mexico. Trump plans to visit the area Friday with a Corpus Christi appearance.
The Rio Grande Valley stretches as an interconnected urban expanse along 100 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border. This rapidly expanding region houses 1.5 million residents, nearly 90% Hispanic and predominantly working-class.
Historically Democratic, the area has experienced a notable political transformation. Trump narrowed his deficit by double digits between 2016 and 2020, despite losing both the region and presidency. Mayra Flores’ victory followed two years later, and Trump carried every regional county in 2024.
Following her special election success, Flores twice fell to Gonzalez, who has consistently outperformed Democratic presidential candidates. She blames her defeats on 2022 redistricting that favored Democrats, an issue Republicans addressed through additional redistricting last year.
Under Trump’s influence, Texas GOP legislators redrew district lines last fall to benefit Republicans, hoping to capture up to five Democratic House seats statewide and maintain House control. Three of these targeted districts are located in the Rio Grande Valley.
These represent the first elections under the revised map.
Texas Republicans are betting that the decade-long movement of working-class voters toward the GOP represents a lasting change, though that outcome remains uncertain.
“This area has a lot of conservative and Republican values–family, church,” explained Jonathan Campos, a Republican rancher near Brownsville seeking county commission election. “They just don’t realize it.”
Trump disrupted the race with his unexpected December endorsement of Eric Flores, a former federal prosecutor and Army officer who has attracted more financial support and momentum than Mayra Flores.
“Eric knows the Wisdom and Courage it takes to Ensure LAW AND ORDER,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
Following Trump’s endorsement, businessman Scott Mandel withdrew from the race and backed Eric Flores, despite having raised over $1 million for his own campaign.
The 34-year-old Eric Flores emphasizes his background with a Texas National Guard border patrol unit and his federal prosecution work in McAllen.
“I’m going to take that same tenacity that I served in uniform on the border, the same tenancy fighting the cartels and the human smugglers in the federal courtroom – that’s what I want to take to D.C.,” he stated.
He characterized Mayra Flores as having had her opportunity, labeling her an “opportunist” who benefits financially from her repeated district losses.
“Yeah, she had a short stint in Congress, but how about the remaining portion of her life?” he questioned. “Fact is, she’s been a career candidate for almost six years, paying herself with campaign funds.”
This message appeals to many supporters, including Doug Wells, a 60-year-old grocery clerk who acknowledged her congressional experience but said, “But overall, I think he’s got more life experience.”
The 40-year-old Mayra Flores dismissed Trump’s endorsement of her opponent as a decision made by his advisers.
She highlighted that Eric Flores only recently joined the Republican Party, pointing to his father Kino Flores’ background as a Democratic state legislator convicted of ethics violations. She has also criticized his prosecutorial work as service with the same “Biden DOJ” that pursued Trump.
While Joe Biden was president during Eric Flores’ tenure, he worked as a career attorney in Texas without involvement in Trump prosecutions or Washington policy decisions.
Mayra Flores counts Margaret Cervantes of Harlingen among her supporters. The 69-year-old retiree praised her strength and noted she hasn’t heard Flores speak negatively about opponents.
The following day, two hours away in Corpus Christi, Flores met privately at a coffee shop with Jack Cooper, a project manager and Army veteran who promised to encourage his contacts to support her.
In these intimate settings, Mayra Flores works to counter perceptions that her political moment has passed.
“I’ve been doing this since 2021” when Republican victory seemed impossible, she noted, arguing that her success created opportunities for her current challenger.
“I did it when it was hard,” she declared. “I ran so men like him could walk.”
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump indicates he has substantial material to cover during tonight’s address.
The president returns to Capitol Hill to present his State of the Union speech during a pivotal period of his administration, facing approval numbers near historic lows while supporters await more concrete solutions to their economic hardships.
Additionally, the Supreme Court recently ruled against the tariff measures that formed a cornerstone of his current term. Meanwhile, the international policy issues he pledged to resolve effortlessly now appear more complex, with another possible military action against Iran on the horizon.
The slim Republican control in Congress that has offered minimal resistance to Trump’s broad interpretation of executive authority faces potential elimination following this year’s midterm contests, where competing interests may clash.
Several key issues emerge as the speech approaches.
Trump made no effort to conceal his anger following the Supreme Court’s rejection of his comprehensive tariff program last week. Beyond questioning the legal logic of the justices who opposed one of his primary initiatives — including two of his own appointees — he called them an “embarrassment to their families.”
Tonight, many of these same justices will likely occupy front-row seats in the House chamber during Trump’s remarks.
The question remains whether Trump will confront the justices directly or demonstrate restraint by limiting his criticism to the ruling itself.
Presidential criticism of the court during State of the Union addresses has precedent. In 2010, President Barack Obama condemned the Court’s Citizens United ruling — which enabled millions in anonymous political contributions — saying it would “open the floodgates for special interests,” causing Justice Samuel Alito to visibly disagree by mouthing “not true.”
Supreme Court justice attendance has become increasingly irregular since that incident. Alito stopped attending after 2010, joining conservative Justice Clarence Thomas, who has long viewed these speeches as overly political. Last year, during Trump’s special congressional address, only four justices attended — Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Elena Kagan, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett.
Trump welcomed the justices cordially then, even telling Roberts “thank you again, I won’t forget it.” Many interpreted this as gratitude for the Court’s presidential immunity decision, though Trump claimed on social media he was simply thanking the chief justice for administering his oath.
Nevertheless, justices seeking to avoid televised presidential criticism may choose to stay away Tuesday.
Democrats were still adapting to Trump’s return when he last spoke to Congress — and it was evident.
During his 2025 joint session speech, Democrats brought signs with messages from “Save Medicaid” and “Musk Steals” to simply “False.” Rep. Al Green of Texas interrupted Trump, resulting in his removal from the chamber.
The signage drew widespread criticism as artificial, while Green’s outburst proved distracting. For voters angered by Trump’s assertive power use in his early months, the display offered little assurance that Democrats could effectively counterbalance the White House.
Democrats seek to prevent a repeat of last year’s chaos. Expect fewer signs and possibly reduced Democratic attendance overall. Numerous lawmakers have announced they will skip the speech, with some planning alternative Washington events.
This approach may reduce theatrical moments but might not convince frustrated voters that Democrats possess a unified, effective message after a decade of Trump’s political presence.
Following Democratic governors’ boycott of a weekend White House dinner with Trump, avoiding the State of the Union may further emphasize the fundamental divide between America’s major political parties.
Virginia’s recently sworn-in Governor Abigail Spanberger will deliver the Democratic response to Trump.
Trump speaks at the beginning of a difficult election year for fellow Republicans, who maintain a precarious congressional majority. Much of the GOP’s difficulty stems from voter perception that the party hasn’t adequately addressed rising costs.
The White House acknowledges voter economic concerns and claims to be addressing them. However, Trump frequently struggles with message discipline. During a Georgia visit last week intended to emphasize economic issues, the president instead promoted disputed election fraud claims and voter identification proposals. When discussing affordability, he described it as a Democratic-created problem he has now “solved.”
Trump’s immigration rhetoric may also draw attention. Republicans faced criticism after two American citizens died in Minneapolis last month during an aggressive federal immigration operation. While Trump maintains tough language regarding undocumented immigrants, his administration has reduced Minneapolis operations. The president told New York Governor Kathy Hochul last week he would direct future immigration enforcement to welcoming locations.
Trump campaigned on quickly ending global conflicts. A year later, Russia’s Ukrainian war continues, Gaza maintains a fragile ceasefire, and Trump threatens major Iranian military action just eight months after claiming the U.S. had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
His military intervention in Venezuela less than two months ago, which captured leader Nicolas Maduro, demonstrates his continued international involvement despite America First messaging.
Trump supporters may applaud his nationalist rhetoric, but the Republican president displays increasingly globalist actions in his second term’s first year.
Iranian conflict remains a real possibility. Trump has established the largest Middle Eastern U.S. military presence in decades. Last week he warned Iran’s leadership that “bad things will happen” soon without a nuclear agreement.
Trump rarely practices self-editing. Last year’s speech — technically a joint address rather than a State of the Union — lasted nearly one hour and 40 minutes, setting a congressional address record that Trump may seek to surpass.
“It’s going to be a long speech because we have so much to talk about,” he stated Monday.
President Donald Trump announced Saturday on Truth Social his intention to send a hospital ship to Greenland, claiming residents there are ill and lacking proper medical attention. However, both of the U.S. Navy’s hospital vessels are currently being repaired at an Alabama shipyard.
Trump’s statement has sparked a response from Greenland’s prime minister, who defended the territory’s healthcare infrastructure. This latest development adds to ongoing tensions as Trump continues discussing his desire to acquire Greenland, a semi-autonomous region under NATO partner Denmark.
In his social media post, Trump referenced his Arctic special envoy, stating: “Working with the fantastic Governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, we are going to send a great hospital boat to Greenland to take care of the many people who are sick, and not being taken care of there.”
However, no widespread illness outbreaks have been documented in Greenland recently, and Trump’s post didn’t specify what health crisis he was addressing.
Greenland’s 57,000 residents receive medical services primarily through Queen Ingrid Hospital located in capital city Nuuk, supplemented by multiple regional healthcare facilities, according to the Danish Medical Journal. The territory provides comprehensive free healthcare to citizens and permanent residents, covering everything from general practice visits to specialist care, hospital treatment, medications, dental services, and home nursing assistance, as reported by the Nordic Council of Ministers.
Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen responded by highlighting their universal healthcare approach while contrasting it with America’s system. “We have a public health care system where treatment is free for citizens. That is a deliberate choice — and a fundamental part of our society,” Nielsen stated. “That is not how it works in the USA, where it costs money to see a doctor.”
While healthcare access is free, the Center for Public Health in Greenland acknowledges significant public health obstacles exist across the expansive island territory. These issues stem largely from the rapid transformation “from a hunting society to a modern industrial and knowledge society” occurring within a compressed timeframe. Contemporary health problems increasingly include obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
Healthcare staffing shortages persist in certain areas. Anna Wangenheim, Greenland’s health and disability minister, recently made an “urgent” Facebook appeal seeking dentists for three communities: Aasiaat, Paamiut, and Nanortalik.
Despite accessibility challenges in isolated regions and personnel shortages, Greenland has made significant healthcare progress since taking control of its medical system in 1992, according to University of Greenland professor Lene Seibæk. “In 2020, life expectancy in Greenland was approximately 71 years for men and 77 years for women, representing an increase of approximately six years for men and five to six years for women since the 1990s and exceeding the global average,” Seibæk explained.
Trump claimed in his post that a hospital ship was already “on the way” to Greenland. In reality, both the USNS Mercy and USNS Comfort remain at a Mobile, Alabama shipyard, as confirmed by recent facility social media posts and public vessel tracking information.
The Comfort docked at the Alabama facility on January 23rd and is scheduled to remain there until April for contracted maintenance work. The Mercy has been there since August, with repairs extending beyond original timelines. Additional maintenance work for the Mercy is planned for March at an Oregon shipyard.
Even if either vessel were expedited from repairs, significant preparation time would be required before deployment. Hospital ships operate with basic crews that must be supplemented with medical personnel from nearby hospitals at their Norfolk, Virginia, or San Diego home ports. Each ship contains 12 operating theaters and 1,000 hospital beds requiring full medical staffing.
Louisiana Governor Landry, serving as Trump’s Arctic envoy, supported the president’s assertions Sunday on X, claiming “many villages and small towns lack basic services that Americans often take for granted.” Landry added that “small settlements are without permanent doctors, diagnostic tools, or specialist care — forcing residents to travel great distances for vital treatments that should be available at home.”
While some remote settlements may lack on-site medical facilities, Greenland utilizes telemedicine extensively for distant communities. Patients requiring unavailable local care can be transported to the national hospital or regional centers. Complex medical cases warrant flights to Denmark, with government coverage for both transportation and treatment costs.
Rural American communities face comparable healthcare access challenges, often more severe due to financial barriers and travel distances. These problems have intensified over the past decade with maternity ward closures, pharmacy struggles, and rural hospitals preparing for potential federal Medicaid reductions.
Since 2010, 152 rural hospitals across America, particularly in southern states, have either eliminated inpatient services or closed completely, based on University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill data. While telehealth expansion helps address some disparities, it cannot solve universal access issues as many rural areas experience provider shortages and unreliable internet connectivity.
Louisiana exemplifies these challenges, with most parishes being fully or partially rural. According to the state health department, 73% of Louisiana residents live in areas lacking adequate primary care providers, 86% without sufficient dental providers, and 93% without enough mental health professionals.
SALISBURY, Md. – Weather conditions have forced the cancellation of Wednesday’s baseball game between Salisbury University and Cairn University.
The Sea Gulls, who currently hold the fourth position in national rankings, were set to host the matchup at their home field this afternoon. However, unfavorable weather prompted officials to call off the contest.
University officials have not yet announced when the game will be rescheduled. The makeup date remains to be determined as both teams work to find an available slot in their schedules.
Canadian aviation regulators have given the green light to two General Dynamics Gulfstream business aircraft models following weeks of pressure from President Donald Trump, who had criticized the lengthy approval process.
According to government documents, Transport Canada has now certified the Gulfstream G700 and G800 business jets. This development follows Trump’s public complaints about delays in the Canadian approval process for these American-manufactured aircraft.
The Federal Aviation Administration’s top official indicated earlier this month that Canada would likely announce certification for several Gulfstream business aircraft that had been waiting for approval for multiple years. Earlier reports confirmed that Canada had already certified Gulfstream’s G500 and G600 models.
Trump had previously posted on social media threatening significant trade action against Canada’s aviation sector. He warned of plans to remove certification for Bombardier Global Express business jets manufactured in Canada and proposed implementing 50% import duties on all Canadian aircraft until Transport Canada approved the American-made Gulfstream planes.
Aviation industry professionals expressed concern about the situation, emphasizing that aircraft certification decisions should be based solely on safety considerations without political interference.
International aviation regulations establish that the country where aircraft are designed and manufactured holds primary responsibility for initial safety certification through type certificates. In Gulfstream’s situation, the United States serves as the primary certifying authority since the aircraft are designed domestically.
While other nations typically accept the primary regulator’s safety determinations, they maintain authority to request additional information or decline validation of those certifications.
WASHINGTON – Federal economic data released Tuesday revealed that wholesale inventory levels across the nation experienced a modest uptick during December, accompanied by robust sales performance.
According to the Commerce Department’s Census Bureau, wholesale stock levels climbed 0.2% during the final month of 2024, mirroring the identical growth rate recorded in November. Officials noted the report’s release was postponed due to previous government shutdown disruptions.
When compared to the same period the previous year, inventory levels jumped 2.9% in December. The data highlighted notable stock increases in automotive and furniture sectors.
However, professional equipment inventory levels dropped 0.2%, while computer equipment stocks decreased by 1.4%. Despite experiencing their third consecutive quarterly reduction, business inventories contributed positively to the fourth quarter’s 1.4% annualized GDP growth rate. Consistent consumer purchasing has led to inventory reductions. The nation’s economy expanded 4.4% during the July through September period.
Wholesale sales climbed 1.0% in December, following November’s stronger 1.4% surge. Based on December’s sales velocity, clearing current stock levels would require 1.27 months, an improvement from November’s 1.28-month timeline. The inventory-to-sales ratio measured 1.30 months in December 2024.
The Atlanta Braves have locked up veteran left-handed pitcher Chris Sale with a contract extension that could keep him in uniform through the 2028 season, the team announced Tuesday.
Atlanta already activated an $18 million team option for the 2026 season at the conclusion of the 2025 campaign, preventing Sale’s contract from expiring as originally scheduled. The new extension adds $27 million for the 2027 season, plus gives the Braves a $30 million option for 2028.
Despite battling a fractured ribcage that sidelined him for 10 weeks during the 2025 season, Sale posted a solid 7-5 record with a 2.58 earned run average. The veteran southpaw recorded 165 strikeouts, including an impressive stretch in September where he notched four games with nine strikeouts in just five starts after returning to the rotation.
Sale will celebrate his 37th birthday on March 30, which coincidentally falls on the opening game of Atlanta’s second series in the 2026 regular season.
The pitcher made a spectacular National League debut in 2024, his first season with the Braves, topping the NL in three major categories: 18 victories, a 2.38 ERA, and 225 strikeouts.
Before joining Atlanta, Sale spent 13 seasons competing in the American League. He began his major league career with the Chicago White Sox in 2010 before moving to the Boston Red Sox via trade in 2017.
Over his career spanning 393 games with 312 starts, Sale has compiled a 145-88 win-loss record. His career statistics include a 3.01 ERA and 2,579 strikeouts across 2,084 innings pitched.
The NFL revealed Tuesday that the Detroit Lions have been chosen to compete in Munich, Germany during a regular season matchup in 2026.
Officials will announce the opposing team and specific game date once the complete 2026 schedule becomes available this spring.
This Munich contest represents one of nine international games scheduled across four continents for the upcoming season, marking a new record for the league.
The matchup will take place at Allianz Arena, the 70,000-capacity stadium that serves as home base for German soccer giant FC Bayern Munich. The venue is also set to host another NFL game in 2028, while Berlin will welcome games in 2027 and 2029.
Alexander Steinforth, NFL Germany’s general manager, emphasized the significance of the German market. “Germany continues to be a key market in the NFL’s international growth ambitions, with Europe’s largest fanbase,” Steinforth stated. “We are excited to welcome the Detroit Lions to play in the 2026 NFL Munich game — and in partnership with the Lions, FC Bayern Munich and the City of Munich, we look forward to bringing an incredible NFL experience to fans across the region in the NFL 2026 season.”
Through the league’s global markets initiative, the Lions maintain marketing privileges across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Lions president and CEO Rod Wood expressed enthusiasm about the international opportunity. “We are thrilled to be playing internationally and specifically in Munich for the 2026 season,” Wood commented. “As an organization, we have invested greatly in the German market and are excited to play in front of our passionate German fans.”
The upcoming German game carries particular meaning for Lions standout Amon-Ra St. Brown.
The two-time All-Pro wide receiver shared his personal connection to the opportunity. “It has been a dream of mine to play a game in my mother’s home country of Germany since coming to the league,” St. Brown explained. “I cannot wait to play in front of the incredible fans that I’ve gotten to know through my visits and football camps in the country. Their support for me and the country’s instant connection to the Lions brand is inspiring, and I’m looking forward to our team getting to showcase Detroit football on an international scale.”
Detroit previously participated in international contests during the 2014 and 2015 seasons, with both games taking place in London.
A middle school instructor from Bedford County has received Virginia’s highest recognition for weaving agricultural concepts into her teaching curriculum.
Cindy Watson, who teaches at Forest Middle School, has been selected as the 2026 Virginia Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher of the Year. The honor celebrates educators who successfully blend farming topics with standard academic subjects.
The recognition highlights Virginia educators who effectively weave agricultural themes into their regular lesson plans.
Watson builds her exploratory science and robotics design courses around agricultural foundations, creating hands-on STEM experiences for students. Her technology-focused lessons help pupils grasp how farming affects everyday life while dispelling outdated beliefs about contemporary agricultural practices.
“Cindy’s application of agriculture in her curriculum enhances her students’ agricultural literacy and sparks curiosity,” said Lynn Black, Virginia AITC director of education. “By connecting farming with STEM concepts, she’s helping students become more informed and responsible adults who understand where their food comes from, and the vital role agriculture plays in our world.”
Watson’s classroom activities have included challenging science projects such as NASA’s Plant the Moon initiative, Growing Beyond Earth experiments, and Space Chile Grow a Pepper Plant studies. These educational experiences allowed students to investigate agricultural fundamentals including plant genetics, soil composition, hydroponics systems, and nutrient cycles while gathering and examining plant development data.
Her curriculum also incorporates robotics technology, unmanned aircraft systems, and computer modeling to study pollination processes and food production ecosystems, natural disaster impacts, and intricate agricultural distribution networks. The robotics component introduces students to precision farming techniques and shows how farmers employ drones and GPS technology for crop management and operational improvements.
Watson’s lessons demonstrate career connections between agriculture and STEM fields, including programming autonomous harvesting equipment, applying biotechnology for drought-resistant crop development, and managing vertical farming operations. Her teaching approach emphasizes how science and technology drive modern agriculture and help innovation address global food security challenges.
“Students can figure out at a younger age whether this is something they’d want to pursue as a career,” said Watson, who grew up on a farm outside of Chicago. “I like to give my students opportunities they might not get somewhere else. This is my passion, and I’m fortunate to have a community that supports these programs.”
Watson’s Virginia AITC Teacher of the Year recognition includes funding for the 2026 National AITC Conference scheduled for June in Providence, Rhode Island, plus a $500 monetary prize.
Additional details about the Teacher of the Year program are available at virginia.agclassroom.org.
The Virginia Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom operates as a nonprofit organization dedicated to building agricultural understanding and appreciation through educational programs and community outreach. More information and support opportunities can be found at virginia.agclassroom.org.
Questions can be directed to Black at [email protected] or 804-350-3596.
Federal agriculture officials have launched registration for the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program, with specialty crop producers being urged to participate after meeting acreage documentation requirements.
Richard Fordyce, the USDA’s Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation, explained to agricultural reporters that numerous crop varieties are eligible for the program. He emphasized the importance of proper documentation, stating: “There’s a bunch of crops on there, and we’re asking farmers that grow those crops to make sure they have a completed acreage report.”
The federal assistance program requires growers to submit detailed acreage information before they can access the bridge funding designed to support agricultural operations.
Rehoboth Beach officials report significant progress in storm recovery efforts as utility crews work throughout the city to restore electrical service. Municipal leaders have maintained communication with Delmarva Power throughout the restoration process, and numerous residents have confirmed their electricity has returned.
The storm left multiple trees scattered across city streets, creating ongoing cleanup challenges. Sussex Tree is handling the majority of debris removal operations under supervision from the city’s arborist, though officials warn the process may require several days to complete all blocked roadways.
City maintenance teams continue treating sidewalks and streets with salt while clearing remaining storm debris. Officials caution residents about hazardous black ice conditions this morning despite Governor-ordered statewide travel restrictions being canceled. The City Manager has also ended the Emergency Route Declaration, reopening parking throughout the area.
All municipal wastewater pumping facilities within city limits regained electrical power during overnight hours, though one station outside the city boundaries remains operating on backup generator power. Officials have withdrawn their previous request for residents to minimize water consumption following the restoration of normal pumping operations.
Yesterday’s water conservation advisory was issued as a precautionary measure when three in-town pumping stations were forced to rely on generator backup systems with uncertain power restoration timelines. While backup generators provide dependable service, officials explained they can occasionally malfunction, potentially creating sewage backup situations if power outages continue. Though such incidents are uncommon during winter months, city leaders chose to err on the side of caution with their conservation request.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced this week that its vaccine advisory committee will convene on March 18, according to information posted on the agency’s official website.
The scheduled meeting was confirmed in an update published Tuesday on the CDC’s online platform.
PARIS – The world’s seven leading democratic nations issued a joint declaration Tuesday expressing steadfast commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial rights, marking exactly four years since Russia launched its military invasion.
The Group of Seven statement endorsed diplomatic efforts by President Trump to broker peace talks between the warring nations. “We express our continued support for President Trump’s efforts to achieve these objectives by initiating a peace process and bringing the parties to direct discussions. Europe has a leading role to play in this process, joined by other partners,” the leaders stated.
The declaration, which appears to have backing from Washington, emphasized that any lasting resolution must involve both countries working collaboratively. “We acknowledge that only Ukraine and Russia, working together in good faith negotiations, can reach a peace agreement,” according to the statement released from Paris.
The timing of the announcement coincides with the somber milestone of Russia’s February 24, 2022 invasion that launched the ongoing conflict.
WASHINGTON – Major Chinese drone manufacturer DJI announced Tuesday it has taken legal action against federal regulators over restrictions that prevent the company from selling new drone models in the United States.
The drone giant filed its challenge in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, targeting a December decision by the Federal Communications Commission that blocks imports of new drone models and essential parts from DJI and fellow Chinese company Autel.
In a company statement, DJI criticized the federal action, saying “It carelessly restricts DJI’s business in the U.S. and summarily denies U.S. customers access to its latest technology.”
Under the FCC’s December ruling, DJI, Autel, and other international drone manufacturers are prohibited from securing the required federal authorization needed to market new drone models or essential components within American borders. However, the companies may continue selling drone models that were already approved before the restriction took effect.
Xcel Energy announced Tuesday that it has formed a partnership with tech giant Google to supply electricity for the company’s upcoming data center facility in Pine Island, Minnesota, while adding 1,900 megawatts of renewable energy capacity to the electrical grid.
The nation’s electricity usage is projected to surge dramatically over the coming years, fueled by the expansion of data centers supporting artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency operations, along with growing adoption of electric heating systems and vehicles in residential and commercial settings.
In response to this growing energy demand, utility companies nationwide have committed billions in investments to modernize America’s electrical infrastructure, though these upgrades have sparked worries about potential rate increases for consumers.
According to Xcel, the Minnesota project will not burden existing ratepayers with additional costs, as Google will cover all expenses related to its new electrical service in accordance with state regulatory and legislative guidelines for major energy users.
The utility company detailed that the initiative will bring 1,400 MW of additional wind power generation, 200 MW of solar energy capacity, and 300 MW of extended-duration battery storage systems. The project also includes a $50 million commitment to Xcel’s Capacity*Connect initiative.
Google, owned by parent company Alphabet, has been aggressively pursuing power supply agreements to support its expanding network of data centers nationwide.
On the same day, AES Corp announced a two-decade power supply contract with Google for a planned data center facility in Wilbarger County, Texas.
Just last week, renewable energy firm Ormat Technologies revealed it had secured a long-term geothermal energy agreement with NV Energy to support Google’s Nevada operations.
Officials from the European Union anticipate that the United States will reduce tariffs on products containing steel and aluminum in the coming weeks, according to a Bloomberg News report published Tuesday that cited sources with knowledge of the situation.
The expected tariff reductions would help reduce a significant point of tension in trade relations between the United States and Europe, the report indicated.
According to the Bloomberg report, the anticipated modifications would not impact tariffs applied to basic commodity forms of these metals.
Reuters was unable to confirm the Bloomberg report independently.
This development occurs amid growing uncertainty surrounding broader trade negotiations, particularly following a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that restricted the current administration’s authority to use emergency powers for implementing extensive “reciprocal” tariffs. This ruling has created doubt about the possibility of reaching a comprehensive trade agreement between Washington and Brussels.
DOVER, DE – Delaware State University’s women’s tennis team came up short in their Saturday showdown against Drexel University, losing by a score of 5-2 on February 21st in what proved to be a competitive matchup.
The Dragons took early control by securing the doubles point to start the day, putting pressure on the Hornets to respond. Delaware State’s players answered the challenge with notable individual efforts during singles competition, though it wasn’t enough to overcome the early deficit.
The match showcased the competitive spirit of both teams, with Delaware State demonstrating their ability to bounce back despite the challenging start to the competition.
A formal evening of commemoration is planned for Delaware residents as the nation approaches its 250th birthday milestone. The Delaware 250 organization has announced plans for a special gala bringing together citizens from throughout the state.
The “Celebrate Delaware” formal affair will take place on Saturday evening, April 18th, running from 7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. at Wilmington’s renowned Hotel Du Pont. Organizers are encouraging attendees to don black-tie attire for the elegant occasion.
The event represents part of Delaware’s broader efforts to recognize and honor the upcoming semiquincentennial anniversary of American independence, with the First State playing host to an evening focused on both looking back at history and celebrating the present.
MUNICH — A childhood aspiration is about to become reality for Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, following confirmation that his team will compete in this year’s NFL international game in Munich.
The talented receiver has deep ties to Germany through his mother, who was born there, and has cultivated a devoted following among the nation’s growing NFL fanbase.
“It has been a dream of mine to play a game in my mother’s home country of Germany since coming to the league,” St. Brown expressed in an official league announcement released Tuesday.
“I cannot wait to play in front of the incredible fans that I’ve gotten to know through my visits and football camps in the country. Their support for me and the country’s instant connection to the Lions brand is inspiring, and I’m looking forward to our team getting to showcase Detroit football on an international scale.”
The Lions’ matchup opponent remains to be announced. Munich’s contest is among a historic lineup of nine international NFL games scheduled for 2026, featuring debut appearances in France, Australia and Brazil.
This marks the NFL’s third return to Munich’s renowned stadium, which typically serves as the venue for German soccer powerhouse Bayern Munich. The Bavarian city welcomed the league’s inaugural German game in 2022, followed by another contest in 2024. Frankfurt and Berlin have previously served as host cities for NFL games as well.
The Atlanta Braves have locked up their Cy Young Award-winning pitcher Chris Sale through the 2027 season, announcing Tuesday they’ve added $27 million to his existing contract.
Sale, who turns 36 next year, captured the 2024 National League Cy Young Award during his debut season in Atlanta. The new agreement also features a $30 million team option that could keep him with the Braves through 2028.
The Braves obtained Sale from the Boston Red Sox in a December 2023 trade, subsequently restructuring his deal into a $38 million contract spanning two years with an $18 million club option for 2026. Atlanta picked up that option last November.
Since joining the Braves, Sale has compiled a 25-8 record with a 2.46 earned run average across 49 starts and one relief outing. His performance earned him two All-Star selections, bringing his career total to nine.
Throughout his 15-year major league career with Chicago White Sox, Boston, and Atlanta, Sale has posted a 145-88 record with a 3.01 ERA, accumulating 2,579 strikeouts over 2,084 innings pitched. His rate of 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings leads all pitchers who have thrown at least 1,500 innings.
Sale’s success in Atlanta marks a remarkable turnaround after struggling with injuries during his time in Boston, where he landed on the disabled or injured list nine separate times due primarily to shoulder and elbow problems. He underwent Tommy John surgery in March 2020 and didn’t return to major league action until August 2021.
Consumer sentiment among Americans, including Delaware residents, showed a small rebound in February after taking a sharp dive in January, according to new data released Tuesday.
The Conference Board reported that its monthly consumer confidence measurement climbed to 91.2 in February, up from a revised reading of 89 the previous month.
However, when looking ahead, Americans remain cautious about what’s coming. The index measuring short-term outlook for income, business conditions and employment jumped four points to 72, but stayed well beneath the 80 threshold that economists watch as a potential recession warning sign. This marks the 13th straight month this forward-looking indicator has remained below that critical level.
Meanwhile, how consumers view current economic conditions dropped 1.8 points to 120 this month.
Survey participants continued to express concerns about prices and inflation at elevated levels, with little change from previous months. References to trade policies and political issues increased among respondents, while worries about job market conditions decreased somewhat as employment perceptions showed slight improvement.
Economic experts describe the nation’s employment situation as being in a “low hire, low fire” pattern, with companies hesitant to make major staffing changes due to uncertainty surrounding Trump administration tariff policies and the ongoing impact of higher interest rates.
Federal data released earlier this month revealed that employers across the country added 130,000 nonfarm positions in January, exceeding expectations. However, total job creation for 2025 reached only 584,000 positions, representing roughly one-quarter of the more than 2 million jobs created during 2024.
This employment slowdown occurs despite continued U.S. economic expansion that frequently surpasses expert forecasts.
NBC’s Today show anchor Savannah Guthrie announced Tuesday that her family has put up a $1 million reward for any information that could lead to finding her missing mother, Nancy Guthrie, who disappeared from her Arizona residence over three weeks ago.
The television host shared that while her family continues to hope for her mother’s safe return, they’re also preparing for the possibility that it may be too late. Law enforcement officials have raised concerns about the 84-year-old’s wellbeing due to her need for essential daily medications.
“She may already be gone,” Guthrie wrote on Instagram. “She may already have gone home to the Lord that she loves and is dancing in heaven.”
Nancy Guthrie disappeared from her residence near Tucson, Arizona, on January 31st and was reported as missing the following day. Law enforcement suspects foul play was involved, with the FBI releasing security footage showing a masked individual at her front entrance on the evening she disappeared.
Investigators discovered blood evidence on her front porch, though officials have kept most details of their investigation confidential.
The NBC host emphasized that her family desperately needs closure, regardless of the circumstances.
“Someone out there knows something that can bring her home,” she stated.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Office reports that hundreds of personnel are dedicated to the investigation, with assistance from the FBI and additional agencies. Officials say they have received more than 20,000 tips from the public.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iranian citizens are expressing deep concern as America positions unprecedented military strength throughout the Middle East, while diplomatic negotiations scheduled for Geneva this week represent what many consider a final opportunity for Iran’s leadership to reach an agreement with President Donald Trump.
Many describe feeling hopeless about their situation. Already weakened by years of economic sanctions that intensified after Trump pulled out of the international nuclear agreement in 2018, Iranians recently endured their nation’s most violent suppression of protesters in modern times, with security forces killing thousands and arresting tens of thousands more in January.
With Geneva negotiations set for Thursday, numerous citizens express fear about potential military conflict that could exceed the devastating Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s.
However, unlike that previous conflict which united Iranians in patriotic defense, the possibility of war with America has created deep divisions among citizens who range from steadfast government supporters to those believing their nation is fracturing.
“Every morning when I get up, my brain is full of chaos,” said Sepideh Bafarani, a 29-year-old woman who works in a woman’s clothing store. “It’s a possible war … and an ongoing bad economic situation.”
Rasool Razzaghi, a 54-year-old resident in Tehran, the Iranian capital, summed up the approaching talks with a similar concern.
“I predict that if both sides really mean what they are saying, a war will start,” he said.
Trump has spent recent weeks discussing an “armada” now positioned near Iran’s coastline, featuring the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. Additionally, he has deployed the USS Gerald R. Ford, the globe’s largest aircraft carrier, from Caribbean waters toward Middle Eastern positions.
Analysis from Washington’s Center for Strategic and International Studies indicates at least 16 U.S. Navy vessels have been assembled in the region.
This deployment mirrors Operation Desert Fox from 1998, when American and British military forces conducted four days of bombing campaigns against Iraq due to Saddam Hussein’s failure to meet U.N. Security Council requirements regarding weapons inspections. Combined with carriers and ground-based aircraft in Jordan, the force includes stealth F-35 fighters and additional warplanes capable of executing significant strikes against Iran.
Iranian citizens have monitored this military concentration with increasing alarm, either by circumventing internet restrictions or accessing satellite news broadcasts. Meanwhile, Iranian state television continues broadcasting footage of domestic military exercises and officials promising massive retaliation against any American attack.
Tuesday reports from Iranian state TV described Revolutionary Guard exercises involving missile launches, drone flights, and coastal target practice, though specific timing and locations weren’t provided.
“I don’t know. I’m not so optimistic,” a passer-by told The Associated Press on Tuesday in Tehran, declining to give his name for fear of reprisals. “It’s not an equal situation. One side has entered the talks with a lot of power, it has lot of equipment. On the other hand, Iran is in a weak position. They want total surrender, but I think that’s not viable.”
Steve Witkoff, Trump’s billionaire associate now functioning as his Middle East envoy, has stated the president couldn’t understand why Iran “hadn’t capitulated” considering the forces positioned against it regionally and in Europe. Iranian Foreign Minister spokesman Esmail Baghaei rejected Witkoff’s remarks Monday, declaring “the word ‘capitulation’ does not exist in the Iranians’ dictionary.”
Beyond public rhetoric, uncertainty remains regarding what Iran might propose to Trump. Tehran maintains its intention to continue uranium enrichment, which Trump has consistently demanded must cease. Iran also refuses to negotiate regarding its ballistic missile program or regional proxy support, both additional Trump requirements.
Communication with Iranian citizens remains challenging as internet and phone services continue experiencing disruptions following last month’s nationwide demonstrations. Tehran residents often remain wary of speaking with journalists, frequently assuming all reporters work for the government. Iran’s theocracy maintains control over all domestic radio and television broadcasting.
Those willing to speak with AP repeatedly referenced the 1980s Iraq conflict, a traumatic experience for anyone old enough to remember.
“I remember many bad situations but even during Iran-Iraq war in 1980s it was not like this,” said Hassan Mirzaei, a 68-year-old taxi driver. “I am in shock without any hope — especially when there is word about war.”
He added: “I have two orphaned grandchildren, and I need to work to feed.”
“Everybody is worried because (of) the consequences of war with a country like America,” said the Tehran passer-by. “We once fought Iraq for eight years, but it was a country at the same level with us. Going to war with America, Israel and NATO will have very horrible and unpredictable consequences.”
“What can we do,” he added. “We can’t leave your country. We have no choice but to adapt.”
However, not all citizens oppose their government. Ami Mianji, a 33-year-old who runs an auto repair shop, described Iranians as a brave people who are not afraid of war.
“I do not care about threats by Trump and others, eventually Iranians will push back any warmonger,” Mianji said.
For many younger citizens, however, the recent protest crackdown has destroyed any remaining trust in their government.
“I have no hope,” said one student who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity also fearing reprisals. “Iran is refusing to back down from its positions for sure, because if it does, it would have officially given up its 40-year-old ideology.”
“I have no hope,” he added. “The leaders of both countries speak often and none of them is willing to concede to reach a deal. So the likelihood for war is high.”
GENEVA – A coalition of Western nations stood in solidarity with Ukraine and denounced Russian military actions during a United Nations assembly in Geneva, marking four years since Russia’s military invasion began.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed to international partners from Kyiv to continue backing Ukraine, even as European allies remain split over implementing additional economic penalties against Moscow during anniversary observances.
Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide addressed a Human Rights Council side meeting attended by representatives from numerous nations including France, Britain, Canada, Japan and Peru, though the United States appeared absent from the gathering.
“What Russia has done and is doing in Ukraine right now is violating every principle in the book,” Eide declared to the assembly. “Everything the U.N. stands for is being violated,” he continued, concluding his remarks with “Glory to Ukraine!”
Moscow has offered multiple justifications for deploying military forces into its neighboring country, citing the need to “demilitarise” Ukraine and counter NATO’s eastward growth following the Soviet Union’s dissolution. Ukrainian officials and Western supporters reject claims they threaten Russia, instead accusing Moscow of attempting territorial seizure.
During a separate Conference on Disarmament session in Geneva, a collection of primarily European representatives exited the room while Russian Ambassador Gennady Gatilov delivered his address. The departing diplomats assembled outside the venue, displaying Ukraine’s flag and wearing ribbons in the nation’s blue and yellow colors.
UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock announced from New York that a resolution expressing alarm over Russia’s invasion and demanding an immediate ceasefire plus enduring peace agreement was being prepared.
Authorities in Uganda announced Tuesday that they have detained two women following allegations of public same-sex behavior, citing the nation’s strict anti-LGBTQ legislation passed last year.
The arrests took place February 18 in Arua city, located in Uganda’s northwestern region, according to official police statements. The detained individuals include a 22-year-old performer and her 21-year-old companion who is currently unemployed.
Law enforcement officials stated the women were “involved in queer and unusual acts believed to be sexual in nature, besides being allegedly seen openly kissing … in broad daylight,” with authorities claiming these alleged violations date back to last year.
Uganda’s parliament approved the Anti-Homosexuality Act in 2023, moving forward despite strong opposition from Western nations and human rights organizations both domestically and internationally.
Legal experts consider this legislation among the most severe anti-LGBTQ laws globally, establishing life imprisonment as punishment for same-sex relations while authorizing capital punishment for what the law defines as “aggravated” cases.
The law’s aggravated provisions apply to individuals with previous convictions, cases involving transmission of terminal diseases through same-sex contact, or intimate relations with minors, elderly individuals, or people with disabilities.
In a related development earlier this month, Ugandan judicial authorities dismissed charges against a man who had been the first person prosecuted under the aggravated homosexuality provisions, determining he was mentally incompetent due to extended pre-trial detention.
