The National Weather Service Mount Holly office has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Delmarva Peninsula, effective from Thursday morning at 3:27 AM through Friday evening at 6:00 PM.
The warning was put into effect on February 21st and remains active until February 23rd, alerting residents across Delaware and the Eastern Shore to prepare for potentially dangerous winter weather conditions.
Local residents should monitor weather conditions closely and take necessary precautions as the storm system moves through the region over the next two days.
TV Delmarva will continue to track this developing weather situation and provide updates as conditions change throughout the warning period.
Delaware businesses with international supply chains are facing fresh uncertainty after the Supreme Court invalidated numerous tariffs President Donald Trump had placed on Asian imports, only to see Trump announce new sweeping duties within hours.
The high court’s decision eliminated tariffs that Trump’s administration had placed on major Asian exporters including China, South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan – a critical player in the global technology supply chain that many Delaware companies rely on.
Trump responded swiftly, announcing a new 10% tariff on imports from all nations beginning Tuesday, set to last 150 days under different legal authority. Trade experts warn this could signal additional measures ahead, creating more uncertainty for Delaware businesses and investors.
Japanese officials said Tokyo “will carefully examine the content of this ruling and the Trump administration’s response to it, and respond appropriately.”
China, which is set to welcome Trump for a visit in late March, has not yet issued an official response as the country observes an extended holiday period. However, Christopher Hui, Hong Kong’s financial services secretary, called the U.S. situation a “fiasco” during a Saturday media briefing.
Hui argued that Trump’s new tariff actually highlights Hong Kong’s “unique trade advantages,” stating: “This shows the stability of Hong Kong’s policies and our certainty … it shows global investors the importance of predictability.”
Hong Kong maintains separate customs status from mainland China, which has protected it from direct impact of U.S. tariffs on Chinese products. This arrangement has allowed Hong Kong to sustain trade relationships even as U.S.-China tensions have intensified.
The Supreme Court’s Friday ruling specifically targeted tariffs Trump implemented using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which is reserved for national emergencies.
According to Global Trade Alert, the court decision alone reduces the average U.S. trade-weighted tariff rate from 15.4% to 8.3% – nearly cutting it in half.
Countries facing the highest U.S. tariff rates will see the most significant relief. China, Brazil, and India will experience double-digit percentage point reductions, though rates remain elevated.
Taiwan’s government issued a statement saying it was “monitoring the situation closely,” noting uncertainty about how the U.S. will implement trade agreements with various nations.
“While the initial impact on Taiwan appears limited, the government will closely monitor developments and maintain close communication with the U.S. to understand specific implementation details and respond appropriately,” Taiwan’s cabinet announced.
Taiwan recently completed two significant agreements with the United States – a January memorandum committing Taiwan to $250 billion in investments, and a February deal reducing mutual tariffs.
Trade analysts caution that the Supreme Court’s intervention may provide minimal relief for the global economy. They anticipate continued confusion as trading nations prepare for Trump to pursue alternative methods of imposing tariffs that circumvent the court ruling.
Nantapong Chiralerspong, who leads Thailand’s Trade Policy and Strategy Office, suggested the ruling might actually boost Thai exports as uncertainty triggers “front loading” – where exporters rush shipments to the U.S. ahead of potentially higher future tariffs.
Corporate filings reviewed by Reuters show companies throughout the Asia-Pacific region have reported financial losses, supply chain disruptions, and market exits as tariff conflicts intensified through 2025 and early 2026.
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah’s highest court declined Friday to consider Republican legislators’ challenge to new congressional boundaries that could hand Democrats control of one of the state’s four GOP-held House seats this November.
Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant wrote in the court’s order that justices lack “jurisdiction over Legislative Defendants’ appeal.”
The Republican lawmakers were challenging a November ruling where a state judge implemented congressional boundaries that create a district favorable to Democrats, replacing a map designed to keep all four House seats in Republican hands.
Under the new boundaries, Salt Lake County remains largely consolidated in a single district rather than being split across all four districts as before — a change that keeps the heavily Democratic area’s voting power intact.
GOP legislators contend the court overstepped its authority by implementing district lines the Legislature never approved.
Republican Senate President Stuart Adams criticized Friday’s decision, declaring the “chaos continues.”
“We will keep defending a process that respects the Constitution and ensures Utah voters across our state have their voices respected,” Adams stated.
Katharine Biele, who leads the League of Women Voters of Utah and was among those who sued over the original map, praised the court’s action.
“We are encouraged that the court dismissed this improper appeal and allowed the process to move forward without disruption to voters or election administrators,” Biele said.
The redistricting controversy began with an August ruling by Judge Dianna Gibson, who invalidated Utah’s post-2020 census congressional map after finding lawmakers ignored voter-approved anti-gerrymandering measures.
The dispute has thrust Utah into a nationwide redistricting fight, particularly after President Donald Trump called on Republican-controlled states to redraw maps mid-decade to help the GOP maintain House control in 2026.
The court-approved boundaries significantly improve Democratic chances of winning a seat in a state that hasn’t sent a Democrat to Congress since early 2021.
Emma Petty Addams, who co-leads Mormon Women for Ethical Government and also sued over the original map, said Friday that “the courts have provided an important check on the Legislature, affirming the people’s constitutional right to alter and reform their government.”
The decision arrives just weeks before candidates must file paperwork to run for reelection.
A separate federal lawsuit remains active, filed in February by two of Utah’s Republican House members. That case argues the state judge violated federal constitutional principles by rejecting the GOP-controlled Legislature’s district boundaries.
European businesses are expressing cautious concern following a U.S. Supreme Court decision that eliminated a significant portion of President Trump’s trade tariffs, warning that the ruling may actually increase uncertainty in international commerce.
The nation’s highest court delivered a major blow to the Republican president by overturning his extensive tariff program, which had been implemented using emergency powers legislation. The decision is expected to have widespread effects across the global marketplace.
Despite celebrations from some companies that had fought lengthy court battles against these trade barriers, European industry organizations, businesses, and market experts are expressing worry that the court’s action could make international trade relationships even more complicated following difficult negotiations last year.
Paolo Castelletti, who leads Italy’s wine association UIV, expressed concern about the decision’s potential consequences. “This ruling … risks creating a boomerang effect, producing further uncertainty and a freeze on orders while operators wait for a clearer regulatory framework,” Castelletti stated.
The stakes are particularly high for Italian wine producers, as the United States represents their largest export market. Italian wine sales to America totaled approximately 1.9 billion euros ($2.3 billion) in 2024, accounting for nearly 25% of Italy’s worldwide wine exports.
Numerous companies are warning that Trump will probably seek alternative methods to implement comparable tariffs, which would reduce any benefits from lower trade barriers. Additionally, the situation could increase friction between America and its key trading partners, while obtaining tariff refunds may prove challenging.
In response to the court’s decision, Trump declared new worldwide tariffs of 10% for an initial 150-day timeframe and admitted uncertainty about whether any refunds would be available.
Steve Ovara, who heads the International Trade Practice Group at King & Spalding law firm, noted that companies his firm represents – ranging from major U.S. manufacturers to consumer and technology corporations – generally anticipate that any tariff relief will be temporary.
“The major issue everybody’s going to be dealing with for at least the short term is some additional uncertainty,” Ovara explained.
Wolfgang Grosse Entrup, the managing director of Germany’s chemical and pharmaceutical industry group VCI, which represents major companies including BASF, Bayer and Evonik, shared similar concerns.
“For our firms, this isn’t the start of a phase of stability, but a new round of uncertainty. Anyone who believes this means the tariff conflict is over is mistaken,” he said. “New tariffs based on a different legal basis are possible at any time.”
Peter Sand, chief analyst at shipping cost platform Xeneta, emphasized that political risks continue to affect freight companies, with supply chain risk reduction becoming an “irreversible trend.”
“The damage to many shippers’ supply chains is largely done and probably won’t be undone,” Sand observed.
France’s cosmetics trade group FEBEA, whose membership includes companies like L’Oreal, indicated it remains “very cautious” about the ruling and plans to monitor how the U.S. government responds, including potential new tariff implementations.
“We are all used to the twists and turns on this subject of customs duties,” said FEBEA secretary general Emmanuel Guichard.
Massimiliano Giansanti, who leads Italy’s agricultural organization Confagricoltura, acknowledged that the U.S. court decision “dismantles the entire legal basis” for Trump’s tariff system, but cautioned it creates complications for exporters who were just beginning to adjust to American trade barriers.
“All this generates deep instability at a time when we need certainty and have begun a process together with our U.S. importers,” Giansanti stated.
Irish whiskey exporters are taking a wait-and-see approach before making any moves, according to Eoin Ó Catháin, Director of the Irish Whiskey Association. He suggested that political discussions and tension reduction would more likely solve tariff issues.
“This isn’t a silver bullet to get rid of tariffs,” he said. “This is just another complication, it’s another twist in the story.”
WASHINGTON – Former President Donald Trump continues moving America closer to potential military conflict with Iran, despite advisers pushing him to concentrate on economic concerns that matter most to voters before this year’s midterm elections.
Trump has directed massive military deployments to the Middle East and authorized preparations for possible weeks-long aerial strikes against Iran. However, he hasn’t provided detailed explanations to Americans about why he might launch the most aggressive U.S. action against the Islamic Republic since 1979’s revolution.
This Iranian focus represents the clearest indication of how international affairs, including expanded military force usage, has dominated Trump’s agenda during his second term’s initial 13 months, frequently overshadowing domestic concerns like living costs that polling data shows Americans prioritize.
According to a senior White House official, despite Trump’s aggressive language, the administration lacks “unified support” for proceeding with Iranian attacks.
Trump’s team remains conscious about avoiding a “distracted message” toward undecided voters who prioritize economic issues, the official told Reuters anonymously since they lacked press authorization.
White House advisers and Republican campaign officials want Trump emphasizing economic matters, which was highlighted as the primary campaign priority during this week’s private briefing attended by multiple cabinet secretaries, according to someone present. Trump didn’t attend that meeting.
A second White House official responding to Reuters inquiries stated Trump’s international policy agenda “has directly translated into wins for the American people.”
“All of the President’s actions put America First – be it through making the entire world safer or bringing economic deliverables home to our country,” the official said.
November’s elections will determine whether Trump’s Republican Party maintains control over both Congressional chambers. Losing either chamber to Democrats would challenge Trump during his presidency’s remaining years.
Republican strategist Rob Godfrey warned that extended Iranian conflict would create substantial political dangers for Trump and fellow Republicans.
“The president has to keep in mind the political base that propelled him to the Republican nomination – three consecutive times – and that continues to stick by him is skeptical of foreign engagement and foreign entanglements because ending the era of ‘forever wars’ was an explicit campaign promise,” Godfrey said.
Republicans intend campaigning on individual tax reductions passed by Congress last year, plus programs reducing housing and certain prescription drug expenses.
Despite some opposing voices, many within Trump’s isolationist “Make America Great Again” movement backed last month’s quick operation that removed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. However, he might encounter greater resistance if steering America into Iranian warfare, since Iran represents a much stronger opponent.
Trump, who has consistently threatened Iranian strikes unless they agree on nuclear program terms, repeated his warning Friday, stating Tehran “better negotiate a fair deal.”
America targeted Iranian nuclear facilities in June, and Iran has promised fierce retaliation if attacked again.
Trump secured 2024 reelection through his ‘America First’ platform largely by promising inflation reduction and avoiding expensive foreign conflicts, but he’s struggled convincing Americans he’s making progress lowering high prices, polling shows.
Nevertheless, Republican strategist Lauren Cooley suggested Trump’s supporters might back Iranian military action if it’s decisive and limited.
“The White House will need to clearly connect any action to protecting American security and economic stability at home,” she said.
Even with polls showing minimal public desire for another foreign war and Trump struggling to stay focused on addressing voters’ economic anxieties, any Iranian escalation represents risky moves by a president who recently acknowledged to Reuters that his party could face midterm difficulties.
Foreign policy historically hasn’t been decisive for midterm voters. However, having deployed substantial aircraft carriers, warships and warplanes to the Middle East, Trump may have cornered himself into military action unless Iran makes major concessions it’s shown little willingness accepting. Otherwise he risks appearing internationally weak.
Trump’s reasons for possible attacks have remained unclear and inconsistent. He initially threatened January strikes responding to Iran’s violent suppression of nationwide protests but then retreated.
He’s recently tied military threats to demands that Iran end nuclear programs and suggested “regime change,” but neither he nor aides have explained how airstrikes could achieve that.
The second White House official insisted Trump “has been clear that he always prefers diplomacy, and that Iran should make a deal before it is too late.” The president, the official added, has emphasized Iran “cannot have a nuclear weapon or the capacity to build one, and that they cannot enrich uranium.”
What many perceive as unclear messaging contrasts sharply with then-President George W. Bush’s extensive public justification for 2003’s Iraq invasion, which he said aimed to eliminate weapons of mass destruction. Although that mission relied on faulty intelligence and false claims, Bush’s stated objectives were initially clear.
Godfrey, the Republican strategist, noted independent voters – critical in close elections – will scrutinize Trump’s Iranian handling.
“Midterm voters and his base will be waiting for the president to make his case,” he said.
MILAN – A dream matchup is set for Sunday as Canada and the United States prepare to clash in the men’s Olympic hockey championship game in Milan, delivering exactly the showdown North American hockey fans hoped to witness.
The return of NHL players to Olympic competition after a 12-year absence couldn’t have produced a more perfect finale, with hockey’s two dominant nations bringing their star-studded professional rosters to battle for gold.
Canada enters the championship seeking to cement their hockey dominance with a 10th Olympic gold medal, representing the nation that created the sport and considers it sacred. Meanwhile, the United States aims to settle an old score – Canada crushed their gold medal dreams in overtime 16 years ago, and America hasn’t captured Olympic hockey gold in 46 years.
“NHL players have not had the ability to play in the Olympics since 2014, that’s 12 years. Some of these kids were in diapers then,” Canada coach Jon Cooper said, referring to the Sochi Games. “They’ve never been part of this. There is so much pride. The hockey has been so great and so close. That’s why the Olympics are unique. There is nothing like it in the world.”
Both squads dominated their preliminary groups, making their championship meeting seem inevitable from the start. However, the quarterfinals nearly shattered those expectations when each team survived grueling overtime battles that almost ended their gold medal pursuits. Canada fought back from behind against the Czech Republic, while the United States maintained composure after Sweden tied the game with only 91 seconds remaining in regulation.
The semifinals told different stories for each team on Friday. The Americans demolished Slovakia 6-2 in a dominant performance, while Canada struggled more against defending champion Finland, playing without injured captain Sidney Crosby.
Cooper remained uncertain Friday about whether Crosby, who exited their quarterfinal match with an undisclosed injury, would be available for the final.
Regardless of Crosby’s status, Canada possesses exceptional firepower in 29-year-old superstar Connor McDavid – a future Hall of Famer leading the tournament with two goals and 11 assists through five games. They also feature 19-year-old phenom Macklin Celebrini, who has netted five goals, plus NHL leading scorer Nathan MacKinnon.
“It’s everything. It’s the gold medal at an Olympic Games,” said MacKinnon, a forward for the Colorado Avalanche. “We are very lucky to be here and it’s a great opportunity. We have got to be ready.”
The Americans have no intention of watching their northern neighbors claim more Olympic gold, hoping to mirror their women’s team’s success after defeating Canada for gold in Thursday’s thrilling championship.
Defenseman Quinn Hughes leads all tournament defensemen with one goal and six assists, looking to create a family celebration alongside brother Jack, who has recorded three goals and three assists in five games.
“We believe this is the best group in the whole tournament and the best group in the world,” said Jack Hughes, who scored twice in Friday’s 6-2 Slovakia victory. “We are proud Americans, and we are excited to have a chance at the gold medal.”
Following Friday’s Supreme Court decision that invalidated President Trump’s tariff program, businesses across the nation are now pursuing refunds for the substantial sums they’ve already paid to the federal government.
The high court’s ruling eliminated the controversial trade policy, but justices failed to provide guidance on a crucial financial question: the fate of approximately $133 billion in tariff payments already collected by the government.
This massive sum represents payments made by importers and businesses since the tariffs were first implemented, and companies are now mobilizing legal efforts to recover these funds. The uncertainty surrounding these refunds has created significant confusion in the business community as firms work to determine their next steps.
The Supreme Court’s decision marks a significant shift in trade policy, but the unresolved question of refunds could have far-reaching implications for both businesses and government finances moving forward.
Los Angeles Clippers All-Star Kawhi Leonard was forced to leave Friday night’s game against the Lakers early due to discomfort in his left ankle, according to team officials. Leonard exited the contest with 5:10 left on the clock as the Clippers fell to their crosstown rivals 125-122.
Despite the early departure, Leonard put together another impressive offensive showing, scoring 31 points to extend his remarkable streak of 35 straight games with 20 or more points.
The injury adds to Leonard’s ongoing health concerns, as the star forward has battled persistent knee problems throughout his tenure with the Clippers, which began during the 2019-20 campaign. Earlier this season, he was sidelined for 10 contests due to separate ankle and foot ailments.
The seven-time All-Star has been having a career year offensively, posting personal-best averages of 27.8 points per game to go with 6.4 rebounds across 42 appearances this season. Throughout his 14-year NBA career, the two-time champion has maintained averages of 20.5 points and 6.4 rebounds over 775 games, starting in 746 of those contests.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta pushed back against critics using the term ‘bottlers’ on Friday, as his team prepares for Sunday’s crucial Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur while facing mounting pressure in the title race.
The Gunners have struggled in recent weeks, managing only two victories in their past seven league matches. Their recent stumbles include consecutive draws against Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers, allowing Manchester City to narrow the gap to just five points while holding a game in hand.
This marks another challenging period for the North London side, which has finished second in the league during each of Arteta’s last three seasons as manager.
When reporters questioned Arteta about the ‘bottlers’ criticism surrounding his team’s latest title race struggles, he firmly rejected the characterization.
“It’s not part of my vocabulary and I don’t see it like this because I don’t think anybody wants to do that as an intention,” Arteta stated during Friday’s press conference.
The Spanish manager acknowledged the disappointment while emphasizing his focus on moving forward.
“That’s individual opinion, perspective. You have to respect that. That’s what I said after in the press conference. You lose two points against Wolves in the manner that the game played out, you have to take it on the chin. It’s part of our role,” he explained.
“What I’m very interested in is the next one, what we are made of, what we love about this and how we write our own destiny from here,” Arteta added.
Despite their league struggles, Arsenal remains active across multiple competitions, having advanced to the League Cup final while still competing in both the Champions League and FA Cup round of 16.
Sunday’s opponents Tottenham present their own storyline, currently sitting in 16th place in the Premier League table. The Spurs will be led by recently appointed manager Igor Tudor, who took over the position last week following Thomas Frank’s departure.
Top-ranked tennis player Carlos Alcaraz kept his flawless 2026 season alive Friday, taking down defending champion Andrey Rublev 7-6(3) 6-4 in the Qatar Open semifinals. The victory sends the Spanish sensation to his 12th final appearance in his last 13 tournament entries.
Saturday’s championship match will pit Alcaraz against 21-year-old Arthur Fils of France, who secured his spot by defeating Czech player Jakub Mensik 6-4 7-6(4) in the other semifinal contest.
The Russian defender mounted a spirited comeback effort, erasing a 3-0 deficit to even the second set before staving off five match opportunities. However, Alcaraz managed to close out the victory, extending his season win streak to 11 consecutive matches.
“I know what I’m able to do every time that I step on court. For me it’s great. Obviously, the way I’m approaching every match, I’m just really proud about it,” the 22-year-old Alcaraz commented after the match. The young champion has appeared in the final four of the last four Grand Slam tournaments, capturing three titles during that stretch.
“It’s paying off, all the focus and attention. I’m just happy and proud about myself with how I’m getting better and getting mature I guess,” he added.
The opening set saw Rublev struggle with his backhand, committing 14 unforced errors on that wing. Despite this, he managed to match Alcaraz’s aggressive play with pinpoint forehands that caught the baseline, leading to an even exchange of service breaks that forced a tiebreaker.
Alcaraz maintained his composure during the crucial tiebreak, building a 6-3 advantage while a visibly frustrated Rublev repeatedly struck his racket against his knee, eventually snapping a string. The seven-time Grand Slam champion then sealed the set with a deceptive shot, faking a slice before delivering a powerful forehand winner down the line.
The second set appeared to be heading toward a comfortable finish for Alcaraz after he secured two service breaks for a 5-3 lead. However, while serving for the match, the world number one watched Rublev save three match points to break back and level the set.
Alcaraz responded immediately by breaking serve once more in the following game, finally converting his sixth match point opportunity when Rublev’s backhand sailed beyond the baseline.
Meanwhile, Fils earned his fifth career final berth with a dominant performance against 16th-ranked Mensik, wrapping up the victory in just over 90 minutes. The French player, who endured an eight-month layoff due to a lower back stress fracture suffered during last year’s French Open, played error-free tennis while successfully defending seven of eight break point chances and converting two of his five opportunities.
“Eight months without playing, watching others and staying in bed. It was a long and difficult ordeal. But today, the comeback is all the more sweet. It means a lot to me to be in the final,” Fils reflected on his journey back to competitive tennis.
Undefeated boxing legend Floyd Mayweather has announced his fourth return from retirement, planning his first sanctioned professional bout in almost ten years, according to his new promotional company CSI Sports/Fight Sports on Friday. The identity of his opponent remains undetermined.
Prior to his professional comeback, the 48-year-old champion has scheduled an exhibition match against heavyweight legend Mike Tyson, though organizers have not revealed the date or location for this event.
“I still have what it takes to set more records in the sport of boxing – from my upcoming Mike Tyson event to my next professional fight afterwards – no one will generate a bigger gate, have a larger global broadcast audience and generate more money with each event – than my events,” Mayweather declared in a statement posted on his promotional company’s website.
This announcement represents Mayweather’s fourth attempt at ending retirement, having previously stepped away from professional boxing in 2007, 2015, and 2017. His most recent retirement followed his victory over mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor, which preserved his perfect 50-0 professional record. Since then, he has participated in multiple exhibition contests.
Throughout his thirty-year boxing career, Mayweather conquered numerous elite opponents from his generation and starred in the three most financially successful fights in boxing history, facing Manny Pacquiao, Conor McGregor, and Canelo Alvarez.
Delaware State University’s softball team encountered a challenging start to their 2026 season, suffering defeats in both matchups during the opening day of the Bulldog Invitational tournament.
The Hornets were unable to secure a victory in either contest, leaving them with an 0-2 record as they wrapped up day one of the multi-team competition.
The Dover-based team will look to regroup and bounce back as the tournament continues, hoping to turn their fortunes around in upcoming games.
KYIV, Ukraine — Severely wounded veterans from Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia have discovered a path to recovery through theatrical performance, staging a moving adaptation of Ivan Kotliarevskyi’s “Eneida” — Ukraine’s version of Virgil’s ancient “Aeneid.” The amateur acting group, made up of soldiers bearing serious injuries from the Russian invasion, recently debuted their production at Kyiv’s National Academic Molodyy Theatre after spending almost a year in preparation.
Under the guidance of director Olha Semioshkina, these veterans have woven together classical epic poetry with comedy, determination, and their own battlefield experiences to create a unique theatrical experience. The performance represents how art can serve as a healing force, allowing these wounded warriors to transform their personal struggles into compelling drama that resonates with audiences.
The production showcases the veterans’ journey from trauma to artistic expression, demonstrating the therapeutic power of creative storytelling in the face of war’s devastating physical and emotional toll.
LONDON (AP) — While King Charles III’s brother faced arrest and police searched royal estates, Britain’s monarchy attempted to project normalcy during what experts describe as their most serious crisis in nearly a century.
As news outlets dissected details of a sex scandal reaching Buckingham Palace’s doorstep, the royal family maintained their scheduled appearances Thursday. Charles attended London Fashion Week’s opening day, Queen Camilla participated in a midday musical performance, and Princess Anne conducted a prison visit.
This commitment to routine royal obligations represents more than traditional British resilience — it marks the Windsor family’s strategic battle for institutional survival as Andrew’s detention threatens to erode public confidence in the crown.
Following his promise to cooperate with law enforcement regarding his brother’s connections to deceased convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the monarch emphasized his commitment.
“My family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all,” Charles declared in an official statement bearing his signature “Charles R.,” utilizing the Latin Rex abbreviation for king.
The mere necessity of Charles issuing such a declaration reveals the severity of problems created by his 66-year-old sibling’s arrest. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, as he’s now known, endured 11 hours of detention before release under investigation — neither formally charged nor cleared.
The situation proved so extraordinary that analysts referenced the 1640s execution of King Charles I during England’s Civil War to find historical comparison.
Mountbatten-Windsor’s detention on suspected misconduct in public office charges represents the monarchy’s gravest crisis since Edward VIII’s 1936 abdication to wed American divorcee Wallis Simpson.
That previous scandal damaged royal popularity for 15 years, only recovering when Edward’s replacement, King George VI, remained in Britain throughout World War II, showing solidarity with citizens enduring Nazi bombardment.
Before her coronation, Queen Elizabeth II embraced her father’s example, publicly dedicating her existence to British service.
However, while Edward’s abdication crisis peaked within days and offered a straightforward resolution — Edward’s departure allowing his brother’s succession — the current Mountbatten-Windsor situation continues indefinitely without clear resolution.
Today’s crisis originated from revelations about the former prince’s Epstein relationship, exposed when the Justice Department released millions of investigation documents last month.
Authorities previously referenced reports suggesting Mountbatten-Windsor provided trade intelligence to Epstein, a wealthy financier, during 2010 when serving as Britain’s international trade special representative.
At least eight UK police departments are examining issues highlighted in these documents.
Unlike previous royal controversies, “this time there doesn’t seem to be any clear route forward,” observed Ed Owens, who authored “After Elizabeth: Can the Monarchy Save Itself?” “There’s no blueprint to follow” regarding how the institution should address these allegations.
The monarchy last navigated similar challenges following Princess Diana’s death, Charles’ former wife. Elizabeth and Charles faced criticism for inadequately responding to massive public mourning as thousands gathered at Kensington Gardens, placing flowers outside the late princess’ residence. Some demanded Charles relinquish his heir status to son William.
The queen subsequently organized focus groups to gauge public sentiment and understand people’s intense connection to someone they’d never encountered. This crisis taught royals that Diana’s relatability had touched people in ways the House of Windsor hadn’t grasped.
These insights later influenced other royals, including Diana’s sons William and Harry, toward more casual and accessible approaches.
Yet this moment differs partly due to rapidly evolving media landscapes and increased demands for leadership transparency.
Progress requires confronting difficult questions about institutional knowledge — and family awareness — regarding Mountbatten-Windsor’s conduct. The palace has attempted clear separation between the former prince and remaining monarchy by removing his titles, including princely designation.
Adding to the former prince’s troubles, the British government considers formally eliminating him from crown succession. Despite losing status and honors, Andrew remains eighth in line, changeable only through legislation.
Charles becomes the first monarch “that has to meet our expectations of figures in public life, which is to be accountable and to explain yourself,” stated Craig Prescott, a royal authority at Royal Holloway, University of London. “And you always have to work to earn the support of the public. And that is a particular challenge when you’re facing a controversy such as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.”
Critics contend the monarchy responded slowly to mounting pressure, considering Mountbatten-Windsor’s Epstein connections have been public knowledge for over ten years.
The optimal outcome involves police investigation focusing exclusively on Epstein file information and its connection to Mountbatten-Windsor, according to Peter Hunt, former BBC royal correspondent. The worst scenario would involve expanded inquiries into broader institutional knowledge and timing.
“Were questions raised about his behavior as a trade envoy over those 10 years? Were they answered? What did people do about them?” Hunt questioned on BBC.
BUDAPEST, Hungary — A pizzeria in Hungary’s capital has created an unusual culinary experiment that takes diners on a journey back 2,000 years, long before ingredients like tomatoes and mozzarella ever reached European shores.
Neverland Pizzeria’s owner Josep Zara and his culinary team have developed a special pizza recipe that exclusively uses ingredients that ancient Romans would have recognized, creating a dish from an era when modern pizza didn’t exist.
“Curiosity drove us to ask what pizza might have been like long ago,” Zara explained. “We went all the way back to the Roman Empire and wondered whether they even ate pizza at the time.”
Technically, ancient Romans didn’t consume pizza as we understand it today. Tomatoes didn’t arrive in Europe until centuries later from the New World, and mozzarella cheese hadn’t been developed yet. Historical accounts suggest that mozzarella’s creation directly led to pizza’s invention in Naples during the 18th century.
However, Romans did consume flatbreads baked in ovens and topped with various herbs, cheeses and sauces — the true predecessors of today’s pizza — commonly sold at ancient Roman food stalls known as thermopolia.
The inspiration for Zara’s creation came from a 2023 archaeological find in Pompeii, where researchers discovered a fresco showing a focaccia-style flatbread garnished with what appeared to be pomegranate seeds, dates, spices and a sauce resembling pesto. This discovery captured international attention and sparked Zara’s creativity.
“That made me very curious about what kind of flavor this food might have had,” he noted. “That’s where we got the idea to create a pizza that people might have eaten in the Roman Empire, using only ingredients that were in wide use at the time.”
Zara dove into extensive research on Roman food culture, working with a German historian and studying the ancient cookbook De re coquinaria, believed to have been written around the 5th century. His research produced a comprehensive list of historically authentic ingredients for the restaurant’s head chef to work with.
“We sat down to imagine what we might be able to make using these ingredients, and without using things like tomatoes and mozzarella,” Zara said. “We had to exclude all ingredients that originated from America.”
Head chef László Bárdossy explained that these limitations led to months of testing and several unsuccessful attempts.
“We had to discard a couple ideas,” Bárdossy said. “The fact that there wasn’t infrastructure like a water system at the time of the Romans made things difficult for us, since more than 80% of pizza dough is water. We had to come up with something that would have worked before running water.”
Their breakthrough came from using fermented spinach juice to help the dough rise. The base incorporates ancient grains like einkorn and spelt, which were commonly grown during Roman times, resulting in a denser texture than contemporary pizza dough.
The completed pizza features toppings associated with wealthy Roman dining, including epityrum (an olive paste), garum (a fermented fish sauce that was essential in Roman cuisine), duck leg confit, toasted pine nuts, ricotta cheese, and a grape reduction sauce.
“Our creation can be called a modern pizza from the perspective that we tried to make it comprehensible for everyone,” Bárdossy explained. “Although we wouldn’t use all its ingredients for everyday dishes. There is a narrow niche that thinks this is delicious and is curious about it, while most people want more conventional pizza, so it’s not for everyday eating. It’s something special.”
According to Zara, this experimental dish embodies Neverland Pizzeria’s overall approach to food.
“We’ve always liked coming up with new and interesting things, but tradition is also very important for us, and we thought that these two things together suit us,” he said.
Despite their willingness to experiment, Zara noted there’s one modern ingredient the restaurant refuses to use.
“We do a lot of experimentation with our pizzas. But of course, we definitely do not use pineapple,” he said.
Delaware businesses are facing continued uncertainty following a Supreme Court decision that eliminated certain federal tariffs, only to see President Trump immediately promise new trade restrictions within hours of the ruling.
The high court’s Friday decision struck down tariffs that Trump had implemented using emergency powers legislation. However, the president quickly announced plans to impose a 10% duty on all imported goods for 150 days using different legal authority, while exploring additional trade penalties against nations he claims use unfair practices.
According to the Trump administration, these trade measures support domestic manufacturing and help narrow America’s trade deficit. However, numerous companies throughout the U.S. have been forced to increase prices and make operational changes to handle the additional costs these tariffs create.
“Any economic benefit from reducing tariffs in the short term will likely be partially negated by an extended period of uncertainty,” explained Michael Pearce, an economist with Oxford Economics. “Since the administration will probably rebuild tariffs using other, more permanent methods, the total tariff level could still end up near current rates.”
Companies attempting to recover the estimated $133 billion to $175 billion in tariffs previously collected that are now considered unlawful face a complex process that will likely benefit larger corporations with greater resources. Regular consumers seeking refunds are unlikely to receive compensation.
Given Trump’s firm stance on trade policy, many companies are preparing for extended legal disputes.
Basic Fun, a Florida toy manufacturer that produces Lincoln Logs and Tonka trucks, recently joined numerous other companies in legal action to recover tariffs paid to the federal government.
Company CEO Jay Foreman expressed concern about potential new tariffs Trump might implement, though he believes toys won’t be targeted. Nevertheless, he stated, “I do worry about some type of perpetual fight over this, at least for the next three years.”
The fresh 10% tariff Trump announced Friday immediately created concerns for Daniel Posner, who owns Grapes The Wine Co. in White Plains, New York. With wine shipments requiring approximately two weeks to travel across the Atlantic, he’s uncertain whether a delivery arriving Monday will face the new charges.
“We’re reactive to what’s become a very unstable situation,” Posner explained.
Ron Kurnik operates Superior Coffee Roasting Co. in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, near the Canadian border. Beyond dealing with U.S. tariffs, Kurnik also confronted retaliatory Canadian tariffs for most of last year when exporting his coffee.
“It’s like a nightmare we just want to wake up from,” said Kurnik, whose business has implemented two 6% price increases since tariffs took effect. Although he welcomes the Supreme Court’s decision, he doubts he’ll ever receive a refund.
Various industries, including retail, technology, and agriculture, used the Supreme Court ruling to highlight how Trump’s trade policies have impacted their operations.
The Business Roundtable, representing over 200 American companies, issued a statement urging the administration to focus future tariffs specifically on unfair trade practices and national security issues.
Retail businesses have adopted various strategies to manage tariff effects, including absorbing costs internally, reducing expenses, and diversifying supply chains. However, they’ve still had to pass along some price increases during a time when consumers are especially concerned about inflation.
Dave French, executive vice president of government relations for The National Retail Federation, the country’s largest retail trade organization, expressed hope that lower courts would ensure “a seamless process” for tariff refunds. Friday’s ruling didn’t address this matter.
Trump’s tariffs created significant challenges for the technology industry, as many products are manufactured overseas or rely on imported components. The Computer & Communications Industry Association, representing technology companies that employ more than 1.6 million people, expressed optimism that the decision will reduce trade tensions.
“With this decision behind us, we look forward to bringing more stability to trade policy,” said Jonathan McHale, the association’s vice president for digital trade.
Agricultural producers, who have suffered from higher equipment and fertilizer costs since tariffs began, plus reduced export demand, also voiced their concerns.
“We strongly encourage the president to avoid using any other available authorities to impose tariffs on agricultural inputs that would further increase costs,” stated American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall.
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act didn’t authorize the president to tax imports, a power reserved for Congress. However, the decision only applies to tariffs imposed under that specific law, leaving some industries without any relief.
The ruling maintains tariffs on steel, upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets, and bathroom vanities, according to the Home Furnishings Association, which represents 15,000 furniture retailers across North America.
At Revolution Brewing in Chicago, aluminum used for cans costs as much as the beer ingredients due to metal tariffs Trump imposed that aren’t affected by the Supreme Court decision. Although the cans are manufactured in Chicago, the aluminum originates from Canada, explained Josh Deth, the brewery’s managing partner.
Tariffs represent just one challenge for his business, which also deals with fluctuating barley prices and declining craft beer demand.
“Everything kind of adds up,” he noted. “The beverage industry needs relief here. We’re getting crushed by the prices of aluminum.”
Italian wine producers severely affected by the tariffs received the Supreme Court decision with doubt, cautioning that it might only increase trade uncertainty with the United States.
The U.S. represents Italy’s largest wine market, with sales tripling in value over the past two decades. Potential EU tariffs, which the Trump administration initially threatened could reach 200%, caused widespread industry concern that persisted even after the U.S. reduced, delayed, and negotiated lower rates.
“There is a more than likely risk that tariffs will be reimposed through alternative legal channels, compounded by the uncertainty this ruling may generate in commercial relations between Europe and the United States,” explained Lamberto Frescobaldi, president of UIV, a trade organization representing over 800 winemakers.
Throughout Europe, initial responses centered on renewed disruption and confusion regarding costs for businesses exporting to America.
Trump’s tariffs could affect pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and automotive parts, noted Carsten Brzeski, an ING bank economist. “Europe should not be mistaken, this ruling will not bring relief,” he warned. “The legal authority may be different, but the economic impact could be identical or worse.”
WASHINGTON — The nation’s highest court delivered a decisive blow to President Donald Trump’s expansive tariff program on Friday, but justices sidestepped a massive financial puzzle: how to handle the $133 billion in import duties already collected under policies now deemed illegal.
Businesses across the country are already positioning themselves for potential refunds, though experts warn the path ahead will be complicated and messy.
Trade attorneys expect importers will eventually recover their money, but the process won’t be smooth. “It’s going to be a bumpy ride for awhile,” said Joyce Adetutu, a trade attorney with Vinson & Elkins law firm.
According to legal experts at Clark Hill, the refund process will likely involve multiple entities including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, New York’s specialized Court of International Trade, and various federal courts.
“The amount of money is substantial,” Adetutu noted. “The courts are going to have a hard time. Importers are going to have a hard time.”
However, she emphasized that given the Supreme Court’s strong rejection of Trump’s tariff authority, “it’s going to be really difficult not to have some sort of refund option.”
The court’s 6-3 decision Friday determined that Trump’s use of emergency powers legislation to implement the tariffs was invalid. Notably, two Trump-appointed justices voted with the majority to overturn this major component of his second-term economic agenda.
The contested tariffs were substantial levies Trump placed on nearly all nations worldwide last year, citing the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The Supreme Court determined this law doesn’t grant presidential authority to impose import taxes, which constitutionally belongs to Congress.
Government customs officials have already gathered $133 billion through IEEPA tariffs by mid-December. However, everyday consumers shouldn’t expect direct compensation for higher prices they paid when businesses transferred tariff costs to customers; those refunds would more likely benefit the importing companies directly.
In his dissenting opinion, Justice Brett Kavanaugh criticized his fellow justices for avoiding the refund question entirely: “The Court says nothing today about whether, and if so how, the Government should go about returning the billions of dollars that it has collected from importers.”
Using language from Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s comments during November oral arguments, Kavanaugh predicted the refund process would likely become a “mess.”
Speaking to reporters Friday, Trump expressed frustration with the court’s ruling and said he felt “absolutely ashamed” of justices who voted against his tariff program. “I guess it has to get litigated for the next two years,” Trump stated. “We’ll end up being in court for the next five years.”
Eliminating the IEEPA tariffs might benefit the economy by reducing inflation pressures. Tariff refunds could boost consumer spending and economic growth, though economists expect modest overall impact.
Many nations still face significant U.S. tariffs on particular industries, and Trump plans to implement replacement levies through alternative legal mechanisms. Any refunds that do materialize will take considerable time to distribute — TD Securities estimates 12 to 18 months.
U.S. customs already maintains procedures for refunding duties when importers demonstrate administrative errors occurred. Trade attorney Dave Townsend from Dorsey & Whitney suggests the agency might expand this existing framework to handle IEEPA tariff refunds.
Courts have previously established refund systems in trade disputes. During the 1990s, after courts declared a harbor maintenance fee on exports unconstitutional, they created an application process for exporters to recover their payments.
However, customs officials and courts have never confronted anything approaching this scale — thousands of importers seeking tens of billions in refunds simultaneously.
“Just because the process is difficult to administer doesn’t mean the government has the right to hold on to fees that were collected unlawfully,” explained Alexis Early, a trade lawyer with Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner.
Ryan Majerus, who works at King & Spalding and previously served as a federal trade official, said it remains unclear how authorities will manage such enormous refund demands. The government might streamline operations, potentially creating dedicated online portals for refund claims.
Yet Adetutu cautions that “the government is well-positioned to make this as difficult as possible for importers. I can see a world where they push as much responsibility as possible onto the importer” — potentially requiring court action to secure refunds.
Several major corporations, including Costco, Revlon, and food producer Bumble Bee Foods, had already filed refund lawsuits before the Supreme Court decision, positioning themselves advantageously if tariffs were overturned.
Additional legal conflicts seem inevitable. Manufacturers might pursue portions of supplier refunds if those suppliers had raised prices to cover tariff expenses.
“We may see years of ongoing litigation in multiple jurisdictions,” Early predicted.
Regular consumers face slim prospects for refund windfalls. Higher retail prices would be difficult to trace to specific tariffs. While Early wouldn’t recommend spending money on legal fees pursuing consumer refunds, she noted: “In America, we have the ability to file a lawsuit for anything we want.”
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, a Democratic Trump critic, has demanded state refunds representing his state’s 5.11 million households. In a letter released through his campaign, Pritzker calculated tariffs cost each Illinois household $1,700 — totaling $8.7 billion. He warned of “further action” if payment isn’t provided.
Nevada Treasurer Zach Conine submitted a $2.1 billion payment request to federal authorities Friday, seeking to recover tariff costs for his state.
“As Nevada’s chief investment officer, I have a responsibility to try to recoup every single dollar that the Trump Administration takes from Nevada families,” Conine stated.
SALT LAKE CITY — Twelve months following her husband’s passing, a Utah mother of three published a children’s book on her own, claiming it assisted her boys in dealing with their unexpected loss. Kouri Richins appeared on local television to promote “Are You With Me?” and received recognition for supporting young children through parental grief.
Just weeks following the book’s 2023 release, authorities took her into custody on murder charges related to her husband’s death.
The detention created widespread disbelief throughout her small mountain community near Park City, where twelve jurors will determine her future during a month-long trial beginning Monday.
The 35-year-old Richins confronts almost three dozen charges related to her husband’s death, including aggravated murder, attempted murder, forgery, mortgage fraud and insurance fraud. She has entered a not guilty plea.
According to prosecutors, she murdered her husband Eric Richins at their residence in March 2022 by adding fentanyl to a cocktail he consumed. They claim she faced significant debt and committed the murder for monetary benefit while planning a life with another man she was secretly dating.
This disturbing situation involving a formerly respected local writer accused of benefiting from her own alleged violent act has fascinated true-crime followers since her detention. Previously celebrated as an emotional story, her book now serves as evidence for prosecutors claiming she executed a premeditated murder.
Her defense lawyers, Wendy Lewis, Kathy Nester and Alex Ramos, expressed confidence that jurors will side with Richins after learning her version of events.
“Kouri has waited nearly three years for this moment: the opportunity to have the facts of this case heard by a jury, free from the prosecution’s narrative that has dominated headlines since her arrest,” her legal team said in a statement. “What the public has been told bears little resemblance to the truth.”
During the evening her husband died, Richins contacted emergency services to report discovering him “cold to the touch” at their bed’s foot, the police report states. Medical personnel declared him deceased, and an autopsy later revealed five times the fatal amount of fentanyl in his body.
According to charging documents, this wasn’t her initial attempt on his life.
One month prior on Valentine’s Day, Eric Richins informed friends he developed hives and lost consciousness after eating one bite of a sandwich Richins had prepared for him. She purchased the sandwich during the same week authorities say she obtained fentanyl pills from their family housekeeper. Opioids like fentanyl can trigger serious allergic responses.
Following self-administration of his son’s EpiPen and consuming large amounts of Benadryl, Eric Richins awakened from deep sleep and contacted a friend saying, “I think my wife tried to poison me,” according to the friend’s written testimony.
One day following Valentine’s Day, Kouri Richins messaged her supposed lover, “If he could just go away … life would be so perfect.”
The friend Eric Richins contacted that evening and the housekeeper who claims she sold his wife drugs may serve as crucial witnesses in the coming trial. Additional witnesses might include family members and the man Kouri Richins allegedly conducted an affair with.
The prosecution’s primary witness, housekeeper Carmen Lauber, informed police she provided Richins with fentanyl pills purchased from a dealer several days before Valentine’s Day. Later that month, Richins supposedly told the housekeeper the pills weren’t potent enough and requested she obtain stronger fentanyl, charging documents indicate.
Defense lawyers plan to argue Lauber never actually provided Richins with fentanyl and was motivated to fabricate her story for legal immunity. Lauber faces no charges in this case, and investigators confirmed at a previous hearing she received immunity.
Authorities never discovered fentanyl pills at Richins’ residence, and the housekeeper’s dealer stated he was incarcerated and withdrawing from drugs when he told investigators in 2023 about selling Lauber fentanyl. He subsequently claimed in a sworn statement he only sold her OxyContin.
Court documents show Eric Richins consulted with a divorce lawyer and estate planner in October 2020, one month after learning his wife made significant financial choices without his awareness. She maintained a negative bank balance, owed lenders over $1.8 million and faced a creditor lawsuit, court records show.
Prosecutors claim Kouri Richins incorrectly assumed she would receive her husband’s estate according to their prenuptial agreement terms. She also secretly established multiple life insurance policies on her husband totaling nearly $2 million in benefits, prosecutors claim.
She additionally faces accusations of falsifying loan documents and fraudulently collecting insurance payments following her husband’s death.
Legal professionals are calling a criminal investigation into backcountry ski guides highly unusual after a devastating avalanche in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains claimed nine lives this week, with legal experts saying such probes have virtually no precedent.
Typically, backcountry skiing clients sign liability waivers that protect guides and tour companies from lawsuits, according to attorney Andrew McDevitt. California courts also recognize skiing as an activity with inherent dangers.
This means recreational skiers accept certain hazards, including potential impacts with rocks or trees and unpredictable snow conditions, McDevitt explained.
McDevitt and fellow attorneys across California, Colorado and Utah who work on ski accident litigation said they’ve never encountered a guided trip fatality from an avalanche that triggered criminal charges.
However, this week’s tragedy is receiving heightened scrutiny likely due to its magnitude and the choice to continue despite avalanche forecasts, McDevitt noted. The incident represents the most deadly avalanche in the United States since 1981, when 11 climbers perished on Washington state’s Mount Rainier.
Utah attorney Rob Miner, who specializes in ski injuries, emphasized that liability waivers don’t excuse guide companies if they ignore proper safety measures or inadequately warn clients about dangers.
“They’re guides. It is presumed they will not guide you into an experience that may kill you, or that creates an unreasonable risk of death,” Miner said.
The massive avalanche struck the group Tuesday as they descended from the remote Sierra Nevada backcountry. Among the fatalities were three of four guides from Blackbird Mountain Guides who were leading the expedition. Six individuals survived the disaster.
Key factors investigators will likely examine include the guides’ decision to begin a three-day backcountry expedition with 11 clients during elevated avalanche danger, then choosing to ski out Tuesday after conditions deteriorated from a powerful storm.
The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office provided no additional details when announcing the investigation Friday. A state workplace safety agency also confirmed it launched its own probe into the incident.
The guides’ choices and their communication with clients could also influence potential wrongful death lawsuits, legal experts noted. It remains unclear what weather information the guides accessed before the group began skiing out.
“There’s a lot of speculation,” said attorney Ravn Whitington, who handles ski injury and wrongful death litigation in Truckee, California, close to the avalanche site. “What investigators know at Nevada County Search and Rescue, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office and the Nevada County District Attorney’s Office are just not known to the public.”
In a company statement, Blackbird Mountain Guides noted that all four guides held backcountry skiing certifications and taught avalanche education courses. The company explained that guides maintain contact with senior staff at Blackbird’s headquarters during expeditions to discuss conditions and route options.
“There is still a lot that we’re learning about what happened. It’s too soon to draw conclusions, but investigations are underway,” the company said.
The 15-person ski group launched their expedition Sunday as storm warnings were escalating. By Tuesday morning, officials warned that avalanches were anticipated. Safety specialists note that backcountry skiers commonly venture out during avalanche watches or even more severe avalanche warnings.
Families of the six Blackbird clients who died stated the expedition was thoroughly planned beforehand and the victims carried avalanche safety gear. “They were trained and prepared for backcountry travel and trusted their professional guides on this trip,” the families said in a Thursday statement.
The Cleveland Cavaliers pushed their season-high winning streak to seven games Friday night, defeating the Charlotte Hornets 118-113 on the road behind outstanding performances from Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen.
Mitchell led the scoring attack with 32 points, while Allen contributed 26 points and dominated the boards with 14 rebounds. Allen was highly efficient, connecting on 11 of his 15 field goal attempts throughout the contest.
James Harden delivered a solid performance in the second half, finishing the night with 18 points and eight assists. Sam Merrill chipped in with 10 points to support Cleveland’s balanced offensive effort.
Cleveland’s success from the charity stripe proved crucial in securing the victory, as the team converted 26 of 28 free throw attempts. Mitchell was particularly effective from the line, making 12 of 13 attempts. The win marks the Cavaliers’ 12th victory in their last 13 contests.
Charlotte received a breakout performance from rookie Kon Knueppel, who connected on seven three-pointers en route to a game-high 33 points. The Hornets also got 18 points each from LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. The loss was Charlotte’s third defeat in four games, ending what had been a nine-game winning streak.
Timberwolves 122, Mavericks 111
Anthony Edwards exploded for 40 points on 16-of-30 shooting as Minnesota secured a home victory over Dallas.
Rudy Gobert recorded a double-double with 22 points and 17 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who captured their third straight victory. Naz Reid provided valuable bench scoring with 21 points.
Dallas was paced by Khris Middleton’s 18 points, while Naji Marshall and Marvin Bagley III each contributed 15 points. The defeat extended the Mavericks’ losing streak to 10 games. Star rookie Cooper Flagg remained unavailable due to a sprained foot injury.
Grizzlies 123, Jazz 114
Olivier-Maxence Prosper tallied 23 points and GG Jackson added 20 as Memphis overcame a significant halftime deficit to defeat Utah at home, snapping a four-game skid.
The Grizzlies received contributions from throughout their roster, with Javon Small adding 16 points and Jaylen Wells scoring 13. Lawson Lovering recorded 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Cam Spencer notched 10 points and 10 assists. Memphis placed eight players in double figures.
Utah was led by Isaiah Collier’s 24 points, with Kyle Filipowski and Ace Bailey each scoring 20 points. Blake Hinson contributed 13 points in just his second NBA appearance.
Wizards 131, Pacers 118
Alondes Williams achieved career highs with 25 points and 10 rebounds coming off the bench as Washington completed a two-game series sweep of Indiana at home.
Sharife Cooper added 18 points for the Wizards, while Tre Johnson and Tristan Vukcevic each scored 14 points. Bilal Coulibaly contributed 13 points as Washington won back-to-back games for the fourth time this season.
Indiana received 22 points from Jay Huff, who shot 8-of-11 from the field including five three-pointers. Quenton Jackson scored 21 points and Micah Potter added 18 for the Pacers.
Thunder 105, Nets 86
Jared McCain scored 21 points off the bench and Chet Holmgren added 15 points and seven rebounds as Oklahoma City defeated Brooklyn despite missing key players.
The Thunder captured their third win in four games while playing without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander due to an abdominal injury and Jalen Williams with a hamstring issue. Brooklyn has now dropped three consecutive games and six of their past eight.
Michael Porter Jr. paced the Nets with 22 points and nine rebounds but struggled from long range, hitting just one of nine three-point attempts. Nolan Traore contributed 17 points in the losing effort.
Heat 128, Hawks 97
Tyler Herro made his return from injury with 24 points, leading Miami to a dominant road victory over Atlanta.
Herro, who had been sidelined for 15 games with fractured ribs, came off the bench and shot 9-of-14 from the field while grabbing four rebounds. Bam Adebayo recorded 17 points and eight rebounds, and Norman Powell added 15 points for Miami.
Jalen Johnson delivered a triple-double for Atlanta with 16 points, 16 rebounds, and 11 assists. The Hawks also received 22 points from Onyeka Okongwu and 20 points each from Nickeil Alexander-Walker and CJ McCollum.
Bucks 139, Pelicans 118
Cam Thomas and Ryan Rollins each scored 27 points while Kevin Porter Jr. added 25, powering Milwaukee to a road victory over New Orleans.
Thomas was efficient in limited minutes, making 11 of 17 shots in just 21 minutes off the bench. Rollins connected on a career-best seven three-pointers and matched Porter by shooting 10-of-15 from the field. The victory was Milwaukee’s third straight and sixth in seven games.
New Orleans got 32 points from Zion Williamson, who scored 14 in the opening quarter and shot 13-of-17 for the game. His interior dominance helped the Pelicans score 84 points in the paint, though it wasn’t enough to prevent the loss.
The 18th-ranked Saint Louis Billikens staged an impressive comeback Friday evening, overcoming a substantial early deficit to defeat visiting VCU 88-75 and maintain their position at the top of the Atlantic 10 conference.
Kellen Thames powered the rally with 16 points and five steals, helping the Billikens (25-1, 13-1 A-10) erase a 14-point first-half disadvantage. Saint Louis dominated the second half, outpacing the Rams (21-7, 12-3) by a commanding 55-33 margin to halt VCU’s impressive 10-game victory run.
The turning point came during a decisive 21-2 scoring run, sparked by Thames contributing seven consecutive points that transformed an eight-point deficit into an 11-point advantage for the home team.
Three other Billikens players reached double figures in scoring: Amari McCottry, Ishan Sharma, and Robbie Avila each contributed 13 points, while Quintin Jones added 11. The victory helped Saint Louis recover from their initial conference defeat earlier this week against Rhode Island.
VCU’s offense was paced by Lazar Djokovic with 19 points and Brandon Jennings, who added 18 points in the losing effort.
In other ranked team action, seventh-ranked Purdue dominated Indiana 93-64 at home in West Lafayette. Trey Kaufman-Renn led the Boilermakers with 20 points, supported by Fletcher Loyer and Omer Mayer who each scored 18.
The Boilermakers controlled the game from start to finish, building leads as large as 34 points while shooting an exceptional 64.7% from the field. Purdue also dominated the rebounding battle 30-15 over the Hoosiers. Braden Smith contributed 15 points and eight assists, while Kaufman-Renn added six rebounds and five assists to even their season series with their in-state rivals.
Indiana was led by Lamar Wilkerson’s 20 points, with Tayton Conerway (12), Tucker DeVries (11) and Reed Bailey (10) also reaching double digits.
Meanwhile, 22nd-ranked Miami of Ohio preserved their perfect season record with a 91-77 victory over Bowling Green in Oxford, Ohio. Luke Skaljac paced the RedHawks with 24 points while Eian Elmer contributed 21.
The duo’s three-point shooting proved crucial, as Skaljac connected on 5 of 10 attempts from beyond the arc while Elmer made 5 of 8, helping Miami hit 13 three-pointers on 30 attempts. Peter Suder managed 10 points and five rebounds despite foul difficulties, and Antwone Woolfolk added 10 points and eight rebounds as the RedHawks moved within four victories of completing an undefeated regular season.
Bowling Green (16-12, 7-8) received a strong performance from Javontae Campbell, who recorded 24 points, six rebounds and six assists before fouling out. Mayar Wol scored 15 points and Josiah Shackelford added 12, with both players making three three-pointers each.
Spanish tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz extended his perfect 2025 season record on Friday, securing a spot in the Qatar ExxonMobil Open championship match after defeating defending titleholder Andrey Rublev 7-6 (3), 6-4 in Doha.
The tournament’s top seed now boasts an impressive 11-0 record this year. The 22-year-old recently made tennis history by completing the career Grand Slam at the Australian Open just three weeks ago.
Friday’s semifinal victory over the fifth-ranked Russian proved challenging for Alcaraz. Rublev managed to break serve twice while Alcaraz was attempting to close out the opening set, and the Spaniard ultimately required six match points across two separate games to finish off his opponent.
France’s Arthur Fils will meet Alcaraz in Saturday’s final after overcoming Czech Republic’s sixth-seeded Jakub Mensik 6-4, 7-6 (4). This marks Fils’ first appearance in a tour-level championship match since claiming the Tokyo title in 2024.
At the Delray Beach Open in Florida, fifth-seeded American Tommy Paul earned revenge in a repeat of last year’s final, defeating top-seeded compatriot Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-3 in Friday’s quarterfinals. Paul dominated on serve while capitalizing on three of eleven break opportunities against Fritz, who won the Delray Beach crown in both 2023 and 2024.
Paul’s semifinal opponent will be fourth-seeded Learner Tien, who survived an all-American battle against eighth-seeded Frances Tiafoe 7-6 (5), 3-6, 7-5.
American Sebastian Korda mounted a comeback against Norway’s second-seeded Casper Ruud, winning 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 to set up a semifinal showdown with Italy’s third-seeded Flavio Cobolli. Cobolli advanced by defeating Hong Kong qualifier Coleman Wong 7-5, 6-7 (7), 6-2.
In Rio de Janeiro at the Rio Open, Argentina’s eighth-seeded Tomas Martin Etcheverry prevailed over Portugal’s Jaime Faria 7-6 (4), 6-4 in an unusual quarterfinal encounter. The opening set went to a tiebreaker without any service breaks, but the tiebreaker itself saw neither player hold serve until Etcheverry finally did at 5-4, then won the next two points to claim the set.
Etcheverry will meet Czech Republic’s Vit Kopriva in the semifinals after Kopriva eliminated Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6-4, 6-4. Peru’s Ignacio Buse secured the other semifinal berth by overcoming Italy’s Matteo Berrettini 6-3, 2-6, 6-3, while the final quarterfinal match between Argentina’s Thiago Agustin Tirante and Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo was still in progress Friday evening.
ORLANDO, Fla. – University of Delaware swimmer Victoria Novinskiy has achieved her second NCAA qualifying time in just 48 hours, reaching the standard in the 200-butterfly event during the Atlantic Sun Swimming & Diving Championships.
The Blue Hens women’s swimming and diving squad maintains the top position heading into day four of the conference championships taking place in Orlando, Florida.
Novinskiy’s latest qualifying performance adds to what has been a standout week for the Delaware athlete, who previously met NCAA standards in another event earlier in the competition.
The 2026 Atlantic Sun Championships continue with Delaware looking to maintain their leading position as the meet progresses.
Two University of Delaware swimmers have secured their tickets to the 2026 NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships while competing at the Atlantic Sun Conference meet in Orlando, Florida.
Blue Hens athletes Matvei Namakonov and Kade Snyder both achieved qualifying times during the second day of competition at the Atlantic Sun Swimming & Diving Championships, earning them berths in the prestigious national tournament.
The strong individual performances have helped propel Delaware’s men’s swimming and diving squad to second place in the team standings following three days of championship competition in Florida.
The NCAA Championships represent the pinnacle of collegiate swimming and diving, bringing together the nation’s top performers to compete for individual and team titles.
Sacramento Kings forward De’Andre Hunter’s season has come to an abrupt end after undergoing surgical repair of a detached retina in his left eye, the team confirmed Friday.
The 28-year-old player suffered the injury during the third quarter of Sacramento’s February 6th matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers. The incident occurred in just his second appearance wearing a Kings uniform.
Dr. M. Ali Khan performed the procedure Friday at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Roseville, California. Team officials expect Hunter to recover completely, with his next medical evaluation scheduled for approximately eight weeks from now.
This latest setback adds to Sacramento’s mounting injury woes. The struggling franchise, currently sitting at the bottom of NBA standings with a 12-45 record and mired in a franchise-record 15-game losing streak, already lost two other key players this week when Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine both underwent season-ending procedures Wednesday.
Three-time All-Star Sabonis required surgery to address a torn meniscus in his left knee. The frontcourt star had just returned to action in mid-January following a 27-game absence.
Two-time All-Star guard LaVine opted for surgery after battling a right hand tendon injury that kept him in and out of the lineup for 10 games.
During his brief stint with Sacramento, Hunter started both contests and contributed 15 points, three rebounds and one assist across 51 total minutes of play.
The Kings acquired Hunter on February 1st through a three-team transaction that brought him from Cleveland. In return, the Cavaliers received guards Dennis Schroeder and Keon Ellis. The deal also involved Sacramento sending Dario Saric and a 2029 second-round draft pick to Chicago, while the Bulls transferred Emanuel Miller to Cleveland for another second-round selection.
This season, Hunter appeared in 45 games with 25 starts, posting averages of 13.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 26.1 minutes per contest.
Originally selected fourth overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2019 NBA Draft, Hunter spent his early career with Atlanta from 2019-20 until Cleveland acquired him in exchange for Caris LeVert and Georges Niang on February 6, 2025.
Throughout his professional career, Hunter has compiled averages of 14.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 29.6 minutes across 372 regular season appearances with 271 starts. His playoff statistics include 14.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 30.7 minutes over 24 games with 16 starts.
A missing person alert for a Wilmington man has been called off after he was found safe.
Edward Frescoln, who had been the subject of a Gold Alert, has been located, according to authorities. The alert system, which is used to help find missing adults who may be in danger, has now been officially canceled.
No additional details about the circumstances of his disappearance or how he was found have been released at this time.
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The nationally fifth-ranked Salisbury University baseball squad will face schedule modifications during their participation in the D3 Showcase tournament this weekend.
Tournament organizers made the decision to alter the Sea Gulls’ upcoming games after Friday’s three baseball contests ran significantly longer than anticipated, creating timing conflicts for the remainder of the event.
The schedule changes mean Salisbury will now compete in two games on Saturday as part of the adjusted tournament format in Greensboro, North Carolina.
The University of Delaware Blue Hens softball team opened their weekend at the Mizuno Classic in dominant fashion, claiming victories over two major opponents on Friday at the University of Virginia-hosted tournament.
Delaware blanked Ohio State 2-0 before defeating Maryland 5-2 on February 20th, marking a strong start to the three-day event. The Blue Hens’ success was anchored by stellar pitching performance from Josie Crossman, who took the mound for both contests.
Crossman delivered an exceptional day of work, throwing 10.2 total innings across the two games while surrendering just a single hit. The Delaware pitcher recorded 12 strikeouts and remarkably allowed zero earned runs throughout her appearances, earning wins in both matchups.
The double-header sweep gives Delaware momentum heading into the remainder of the Mizuno Classic, where they’ll look to build on Friday’s strong pitching and offensive production against quality competition.
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Salisbury University’s track and field squads began their quest for conference titles with strong showings during the opening day of competition at the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference Indoor Championships on Friday.
The Sea Gulls took to the track at Christopher Newport University’s Freeman Center, marking the start of the 2026 C2C Indoor Championships with solid performances across multiple events.
Both the men’s and women’s teams from Salisbury demonstrated their competitive readiness as they launched their championship campaign in Newport News, Virginia.
Delaware municipalities now have the opportunity to apply for designation under the state’s Downtown Development District Rebate Program after recent expansion efforts created three new openings.
The Office of State Planning Coordination announced Thursday that it is accepting applications from cities and towns seeking to join the program, which grew from 12 to 15 designated districts following Governor Matt Meyer’s expansion initiative last month.
The rebate program provides financial incentives to encourage development and revitalization in participating downtown areas across the state. Municipal leaders interested in securing one of the three available designations can now begin the application process through the state planning office.
Officials have not yet announced application deadlines or specific criteria that will be used to evaluate submissions from interested communities.
The University of Delaware Blue Hens baseball team faced a challenging start to their 2026 season, falling to Mississippi State in their opening series on the road.
The Blue Hens traveled to Starkville to take on the Bulldogs in what marked the beginning of their new campaign. Despite their efforts, Delaware was unable to secure a series victory against the Southeastern Conference opponent.
The loss serves as an early test for the Blue Hens as they navigate the beginning of what they hope will be a successful season. The team will need to quickly adjust and learn from this experience as they prepare for upcoming matchups.
Delaware’s baseball program will look to bounce back from this opening series defeat as they continue their 2026 schedule. The Blue Hens will have opportunities to demonstrate their resilience and competitive spirit in future games.
Five major European countries have launched a collaborative effort to develop affordable air defense technology by tapping into Ukraine’s extensive battlefield experience gained during four years of conflict with Russia.
The initiative, announced Friday, involves France, Poland, Germany, the United Kingdom and Italy working together through what they call the E5 partnership. This represents one of several European defense initiatives aimed at strengthening border security, including plans for a “drone wall” designed to better monitor and stop unauthorized aircraft from entering European airspace.
Both Russia and Ukraine have developed advanced drone warfare capabilities through the harsh realities of combat, where battlefield innovations have transformed modern military tactics. Poland has already begun collaborating with Ukraine on drone technology through joint training exercises and manufacturing partnerships.
These collaborative efforts gained momentum following multiple incidents where unauthorized drones have challenged European borders and disrupted airport operations. While Russia has been accused of involvement in some cases, Moscow denies any intentional actions or participation.
“The UK and our E5 partners are stepping up — investing together in the next generation of air defense and autonomous systems to strengthen NATO’s shield,” said Luke Pollard, Britain’s minister for defense readiness and industry.
“We have some of the best kit on the entire planet for shooting down air threats. The problem is to be effective at shooting down relatively low-cost missiles, drones, and other threats facing us,” he said. “We need to make sure that we’re matching the cost of the threats with the cost of defense.”
Polish Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz explained that the participating nations signed an agreement for shared investment in manufacturing and purchasing drone-based attack systems and affordable defense technologies through a program titled Low-Cost Effectors and Autonomous Platforms, or LEAP.
“Combat technologies and techniques are changing rapidly — we must respond quickly and appropriately,” Kosiniak-Kamysz said. “We also signed a crucial commitment regarding the joint development of drone-based strike capabilities, low-cost joint production, and joint procurement of drone effectors, i.e, combat payloads, using artificial intelligence.”
The cost-effectiveness issue became apparent when Russian drones violated Polish airspace in September 2025, prompting Warsaw and NATO allies to deploy multimillion-dollar fighter jets against drones worth only thousands of dollars that ultimately crashed in Polish rural areas. Affordable kinetic or electronic countermeasures would enable drone detection and elimination at significantly reduced costs.
European nations have rushed to strengthen their military capabilities following President Donald Trump’s harsh criticism of NATO, European defense expenditures, and previously solid alliances. The European Union has increased defense spending and is considering more extensive military cooperation projects.
“Europe’s security is more uncertain than it has been in decades,” said Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, pointing to Russian aggression, Middle Eastern instability, China’s influence, and a “redefined” relationship with the United States. She described the affordable interceptor program as evidence of Europe’s dedication to self-defense.
“If we want to keep our country safe, we must strengthen our hard power. The good news is that we are already investing record sums in defense. Europe is stepping up. but it’s not about competing with NATO. It’s about making Europe stronger within NATO. A stronger Europe makes the alliance also stronger.”
However, the 32-member military alliance faces challenges from Trump’s second presidency. His recent threats regarding Greenland, a semi-independent Danish territory and NATO ally, along with critical comments about NATO forces in Afghanistan, have created additional friction.
Although Greenland tensions have temporarily cooled, the internal disputes have significantly weakened the world’s largest security alliance’s capacity to discourage potential adversaries.
The company responsible for creating ChatGPT announced Friday that it had flagged suspicious activity from a user who would later become responsible for one of Canada’s most devastating school attacks.
OpenAI revealed that in June of last year, their monitoring systems detected concerning behavior from Jesse Van Rootselaar’s account, specifically activities that appeared to promote violence.
The artificial intelligence firm, based in San Francisco, weighed whether to notify the Royal Canadian Mounted Police about the account but ultimately decided the user’s actions fell short of their criteria for contacting authorities. The company terminated Van Rootselaar’s access to their platform in June 2025 due to policy violations.
Last week, the 18-year-old perpetrator took the lives of eight individuals in a secluded area of British Columbia before taking her own life with a firearm.
According to OpenAI, their standard for involving law enforcement requires evidence of immediate and believable threats of severe physical violence against others. Company officials stated they found no concrete or urgent planning at that time. This information was initially disclosed by The Wall Street Journal.
Following news of the tragic incident, OpenAI personnel contacted the RCMP to share details about the shooter and how ChatGPT had been used.
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the Tumbler Ridge tragedy. We proactively reached out to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police with information on the individual and their use of ChatGPT, and we’ll continue to support their investigation,” an OpenAI spokesperson said.
RCMP Staff Sgt. Kris Clark verified through email Friday that the AI company had made contact with law enforcement following the shooting incident.
Clark explained that investigators are conducting a “thorough review of the content on electronic devices, as well as social media and online activities” related to Van Rootselaar. He noted that “digital and physical evidence is being collected, prioritized, and methodically processed.”
Authorities report that Van Rootselaar began the attack by killing her mother and stepbrother at their residence before proceeding to assault the local school. The perpetrator had previously been in contact with police regarding mental health issues.
Investigators have not yet determined what motivated the shooting.
The remote community of 2,700 residents sits in the Canadian Rockies, located over 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) northeast of Vancouver, close to the Alberta provincial boundary. Law enforcement confirmed the casualties included a 39-year-old teaching assistant and five students between the ages of 12 and 13.
This incident represents Canada’s most lethal mass violence event since 2020, when an individual in Nova Scotia murdered 13 people and started fires that claimed nine additional lives.
WASHINGTON — Federal military officials announced Friday they executed another fatal operation targeting a suspected narcotics trafficking vessel in Eastern Pacific waters.
According to U.S. Southern Command’s social media announcement, the targeted vessel “was traveling through established drug smuggling corridors in the Eastern Pacific while conducting narcotics trafficking activities.” Military officials confirmed three fatalities resulted from the operation. Accompanying footage depicts a watercraft on the ocean surface before erupting in flames.
This latest operation brings the total casualties from Trump administration attacks on suspected drug vessels to no fewer than 148 deaths across a minimum of 43 operations conducted since early September throughout Caribbean and eastern Pacific waters.
President Donald Trump has declared the United States engaged in “armed conflict” with Latin American cartels, defending these operations as essential escalation measures to halt drug trafficking. However, his administration has provided minimal evidence supporting claims of eliminating “narcoterrorists.”
Opposition voices have challenged both the legal authority for these operations and their practical effectiveness, noting that fentanyl responsible for numerous fatal overdoses typically enters the U.S. through overland routes from Mexico, where production occurs using chemicals sourced from China and India.
These maritime operations have faced particularly harsh criticism after reports emerged that military forces killed survivors from the initial boat attack during a subsequent strike. Trump administration officials and Republican legislators defended the actions as lawful and essential, while Democratic representatives and legal scholars characterized the killings as murder or potential war crimes.
Delaware transportation officials report that southbound Interstate 95 has been completely shut down at the Interstate 495 junction following a vehicle collision.
The crash has blocked all southbound traffic lanes at this major highway interchange, creating significant delays for commuters and travelers in the area.
Drivers heading south on I-95 are urged to find alternative routes while emergency responders and cleanup crews address the situation at the scene.
No additional details about the severity of the crash or potential injuries have been released at this time.
Delaware transportation officials have shut down all northbound traffic on Interstate 95 at Marsh Road following a vehicle accident.
The crash has prompted a complete closure of the northbound lanes, creating significant traffic disruptions for commuters and travelers in the area.
Drivers heading north on I-95 are being urged to find alternative routes while emergency responders work at the scene.
DelDOT has not yet provided information about the severity of the crash, the number of vehicles involved, or an estimated timeline for reopening the roadway.
This is a developing story and TV Delmarva will provide updates as more information becomes available.
The Air Force Academy has officially concluded its relationship with basketball coach Joe Scott following his suspension earlier this year, both parties announced Friday through a mutual agreement.
Scott’s coaching position was put on hold January 17th when academy officials began looking into concerns about how he interacted with his players.
Athletic Director Nathan Pine released a statement acknowledging Scott’s contributions while explaining the decision to move forward with new leadership. “Coach Scott’s passion for the game of basketball has long been evident in his competitive and direct coaching style. It was this coaching style that guided Air Force Basketball to some of the program’s most memorable achievements during his initial tenure at the Air Force Academy,” Pine stated. “This is a different day, and now is the right time for a new voice and a new approach to drive the culture and success of the men’s basketball program, aligned with the Air Force Academy’s mission of forging leaders of character developed to lead in our Air Force and Space Force. We thank Coach Scott for his 10 years of service to the Academy and wish him and his family well.”
Since Scott’s suspension, Jon Jordan has stepped in as the temporary head coach. The Falcons currently hold a disappointing 3-23 overall record and remain winless in Mountain West Conference play at 0-15. Under Jordan’s leadership, the team has lost all nine contests, extending their losing streak to 19 games dating back to their November 23rd victory over IU Indianapolis, which ended 98-85.
Scott’s history with Air Force spans two different periods as head coach. During his first tenure, he led the Falcons to remarkable success in the 2003-04 season, achieving a 22-7 record and capturing the Mountain West Conference championship. That season also marked the program’s inaugural NCAA Tournament appearance. His outstanding performance earned him Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year recognition and placed him fourth in the Associated Press Coach of the Year rankings.
Following his initial four-year run at Air Force from 2000-04, Scott moved on to Princeton University, where he coached for three seasons and compiled a 38-45 record with the Tigers.
Scott then spent nearly a decade leading the University of Denver basketball program from 2007-16. His most successful season there came in 2012-13 when he helped the Pioneers claim a share of the Western Athletic Conference regular-season title.
When Scott returned to Colorado Springs in 2020 for his second tenure with Air Force, success proved more elusive. Throughout his recent four-year stint, he never managed to guide the team to a winning season. The program reached its lowest point during the 2024-25 campaign, finishing with just 4 wins against 28 losses and managing only one conference victory in 19 attempts.
The former Princeton player, who competed for the Tigers from 1983-87, concludes his coaching career with an overall record of 281 wins and 369 losses across all his positions.
In his farewell statement, Scott expressed appreciation for his time at the academy. “I thank Nate Pine for his leadership,” Scott said. “The Air Force Academy gave me my first head coaching opportunity and I am forever grateful. We will always be fans of Air Force Basketball.”
The Falcons are scheduled to face UNLV at home this Saturday as they continue their challenging season under interim leadership.
President Donald Trump held his inaugural face-to-face meeting with Vietnamese Communist Party leader To Lam at the White House on Friday, where he pledged to help lift Vietnam from U.S. lists that limit the nation’s access to advanced American technology, according to details released by Vietnam’s government news outlet.
The historic White House encounter marked the first official in-person discussion between the two leaders, taking place after To Lam participated in Washington’s inaugural Board of Peace gathering.
This diplomatic meeting came on the heels of major commercial agreements totaling more than $30 billion, which will see Vietnamese carriers purchasing 90 planes from American aircraft manufacturer Boeing.
On the same day, Trump revealed plans for an immediate 10% tariff increase on most international imports following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn several of his previous comprehensive tariff policies.
San Diego Padres reliever Yuki Matsui is dealing with a left groin strain that occurred during Thursday’s batting practice, putting his participation in the World Baseball Classic in jeopardy, according to Padres manager Craig Stammen.
The left-handed pitcher was forced to stop throwing after delivering approximately 20 pitches due to groin tightness. As a result, the team has removed him from his planned relief outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers this Sunday during spring training.
The injury raises concerns about Matsui’s ability to represent Japan, the current World Baseball Classic champions, in the upcoming international tournament.
“We’ve got to see how he comes out of this day off, and then how he feels (Saturday),” Stammen told reporters. “Honestly, I think it puts the WBC in question.”
Japan begins tournament play on March 6 when they face Chinese Taipei. Stammen indicated that the final choice regarding World Baseball Classic participation will ultimately rest with the 30-year-old pitcher, who is entering his third campaign with San Diego.
“He has got to make that decision,” Stammen said. “He has got to be able to talk with the coaches and the (general manager of Team Japan) and see if that’s still an option for him. It’s going to be a tough road for him to get healthy enough to be ready to pitch in the WBC. But I’ll let him address that.”
“We’ve had internal conversations about it. Ultimately, it’s up to him. We can’t call Team Japan and say, ‘Hey, Yuki is not pitching.’ Yuki has to make that decision, and I think he’ll come to a pretty good decision on that.”
During the 2023 season, Matsui compiled a 3-1 record with a 3.98 ERA across 61 relief outings. Throughout his San Diego career spanning 125 games, he holds a 7-3 record with a 3.86 ERA, though he has allowed 18 home runs over 126 innings pitched.
Delaware transportation officials have temporarily blocked all southbound traffic on US Route 13 following a vehicle collision that occurred south of Shannon Boulevard.
The roadway closure remains in effect as emergency responders and cleanup crews work at the accident scene. DelDOT has not yet provided details about the severity of the crash or an estimated time for reopening the affected lanes.
Drivers traveling southbound on this busy corridor should plan for delays and consider using alternative routes until normal traffic flow is restored.
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Supreme Court delivered a significant blow to President Donald Trump’s authority on Friday, striking down his administration’s cornerstone economic strategy in a decision that has reshaped the political landscape in Washington.
The high court’s ruling represents a rare public rejection of the Republican president’s policies, marking what many consider the most substantial legal defeat of his current term. The decision has injected new uncertainty into an already volatile political environment ahead of upcoming midterm elections.
Delaware Governor Matt Meyer, a Democrat, witnessed Trump’s immediate response to the news during a White House meeting with governors. According to Meyer, who was present in the room, Trump expressed that he was “seething” and declared he needed to take action regarding the courts.
Trump’s public response was equally intense. During a press conference with reporters, the president launched harsh criticism against the justices who voted against him, including two he had personally nominated to the bench. He branded them as weak, disgraceful, and an “embarrassment to their families,” while dismissing what he characterized as flawed reasoning by the majority.
Chris Borick, who teaches political science at Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania and works as a pollster, emphasized the significance of the defeat. “For someone who never admits losing,” Borick observed, “this is a pretty significant loss.”
The ruling specifically targeted Trump’s extensive use of tariffs, a policy tool that has become central to his second-term agenda. The president has frequently described tariffs not merely as border taxes on imported goods, but as “my favorite word” and “the most beautiful word in the dictionary” during rallies with supporters.
Throughout his presidency, Trump has employed tariff threats as a negotiating weapon across numerous policy areas, from securing soybean purchase agreements to attracting foreign investment commitments, combating drug trafficking, intervening in global disputes, influencing prescription medication costs, and supporting preferred American industries.
Despite Congress holding constitutional responsibility for taxation matters, the Republican-led legislature has largely remained passive while Trump expanded his tariff authority.
The Supreme Court, which has frequently supported Trump’s initiatives through immunity rulings and emergency decisions favoring his policies, broke from this pattern with Friday’s 6-3 verdict. Chief Justice John Roberts, a conservative, authored the majority opinion that challenged Trump’s longstanding claim that he possessed unlimited power to implement broad tariffs under national economic security provisions.
Julian E. Zelizer, a presidential historian from Princeton University, characterized the decision as damaging to Trump’s broader governing philosophy. “It is a blow to his expansive vision of emergency powers, which was the pillar for his entire economic agenda and more,” Zelizer explained.
Facing this major setback, Trump responded in his characteristic manner by attacking those who opposed him while simultaneously declaring victory. Speaking under dramatically dimmed lighting in the White House press briefing room, he criticized judges he had previously appointed to their positions.
Trump argued that the ruling actually clarified his extensive authority to implement tariffs or completely halt trade relationships with other nations. He referenced a dissenting Supreme Court opinion suggesting the decision might not significantly limit presidential tariff powers in future cases.
“I can charge much more than I was charging,” Trump declared during the briefing.
“It’s a little more complicated,” he acknowledged. “The process takes a little more time, but the end result is going to get us more money, and I think it’s going to be great.”
When reporters asked whether he would seek congressional authorization for the powers the Supreme Court determined he lacked, Trump remained defiant in his response.
“No, I don’t need to, it’s already been approved,” he stated. “I mean, I would ask Congress and probably get it.”
Trump has utilized the International Emergency Economic Powers Act more extensively than any previous president. However, despite his confident statements during Friday’s briefing, alternative legal mechanisms available for imposing tariffs would require lengthier implementation processes, more comprehensive justifications, and would include expiration dates.
Saikrishna Prakash, a constitutional law expert at the University of Virginia School of Law, assessed the ruling’s impact on presidential authority. “The presidency is definitely weaker” because of this decision, Prakash concluded. “He’s weaker.”
New Baltimore Orioles slugger Pete Alonso wasted no time making his mark, delivering a crucial two-run home run in his debut appearance that lifted the O’s to a 2-0 victory over the New York Yankees in Friday’s spring training opener in Sarasota, Florida.
The newly-signed free agent provided all the offense Baltimore needed when he launched a first-pitch curveball from Yankees right-hander Bradley Hanner (0-1) over the left field wall in the sixth inning. Jeremiah Jackson had reached base on a single before Alonso’s blast gave the Orioles their margin of victory.
Alonso, a five-time All-Star first baseman who earned National League Rookie of the Year honors in 2019, brings considerable power to Baltimore after inking a five-year, $155 million deal. The slugger spent his entire seven-year major league tenure with the New York Mets, where he established a franchise record with 264 home runs before making the move to the American League.
Baltimore’s pitching staff delivered strong performances throughout the contest. Right-hander Jose Espada (1-0) earned the victory with a flawless sixth inning that included two strikeouts, while Trey Gibson secured the save by tossing three shutout frames, allowing just two hits while striking out three batters.
The Yankees managed only three hits and two walks while their hitters went down on strikes 13 times in the defeat.
Diamondbacks 3, Rockies 2
Third baseman Nolan Arenado connected against one of his former clubs in his initial at-bat, helping Arizona capture a narrow victory over host Colorado in their Cactus League season opener in Scottsdale, Arizona.
The eight-time All-Star third baseman drove a slider from Colorado right-hander Antonio Senzatela over the left-center field fence on the fourth pitch of his at-bat in the second inning. Arenado joined the Diamondbacks through a January 13 trade from St. Louis, where he spent five seasons after beginning his career in Colorado from 2013-20.
Arizona utilized eight different pitchers, with right-hander Taylor Rashi (1-0) earning the win after a perfect seventh inning. Jose Cabrera collected the save by working two hitless, scoreless innings despite issuing two walks and recording one strikeout. Colorado reliever Patrick Weigel (0-1) surrendered two runs on three hits with one strikeout in one inning of work.
Royals 7, Rangers 3
Salvador Perez and Michael Massey each contributed 2-for-3 performances with home runs and two RBIs apiece as Kansas City defeated host Texas in both teams’ spring training opener in Surprise, Arizona.
Right-hander Stephen Kolek captured the victory for the Royals, allowing one run on three hits and one walk while striking out two over two innings. Kansas City used eight pitchers who combined to give up seven hits, three runs and four walks with seven strikeouts. Perez added one of four doubles for the Royals, while Bobby Witt Jr. contributed a triple.
Texas starter Nathan Eovaldi absorbed the loss after surrendering three hits including both home runs and three runs with two strikeouts in two innings. Seven Rangers pitchers combined to allow seven runs on nine hits and three walks with seven strikeouts.
White Sox 8, Cubs 1
Designated hitter Korey Lee collected three hits in four at-bats as Chicago’s White Sox accumulated 12 hits in a dominant victory over the host Cubs in their spring training opener in Mesa, Arizona.
Austin Hays launched a two-out, 428-foot solo home run in the first inning, while teammate Sam Antonacci added a 417-foot two-run blast in the second. Munetaka Murakami drove in two runs with a double in the fourth inning.
White Sox right-hander Jonathan Cannon (1-0) started and allowed two hits including Seiya Suzuki’s solo homer in the first inning, one run and one walk with three strikeouts in 1⅔ innings. Cubs starter Jameson Taillon (0-1) gave up four hits including two home runs, four runs and one walk while striking out one in 1⅔ innings.
Mariners 7, Padres 4
Michael Arroyo and Leo Rivas homered as part of Seattle’s 13-hit offensive display in a victory over San Diego in Peoria, Arizona.
Arroyo also doubled and joined Luke Raley with two hits for the Mariners, who maintained the lead throughout. Seattle used nine pitchers, with right-hander Jason Ruffcorn earning the win despite working just one-third of an inning with the game tied 3-3 in the seventh.
Jose Miranda homered and doubled while Romeo Sanabria also went deep for the Padres, who finished with eight hits. San Diego left-hander Jackson Wolf (0-1), the fifth of seven Padres pitchers, allowed two runs on three hits and one walk with one strikeout over 1⅔ innings.
MESA, Ariz. — Japanese baseball star Munetaka Murakami almost didn’t make it to his inaugural spring training appearance with the Chicago White Sox on Friday.
But after overcoming a highway traffic jam, the 26-year-old slugger delivered an impressive performance at the plate.
Despite arriving just 20 minutes before game time, Murakami collected two hits and drove in two runs during his first Cactus League appearance. The Japanese power hitter is adjusting to Major League Baseball following his $34 million, two-year deal with Chicago signed last December.
Team officials briefly pulled Murakami from the starting roster when he encountered heavy traffic en route to Sloan Park. He managed to arrive in time and grounded out to second base during his initial plate appearance in the opening frame of Chicago’s 8-1 triumph over the Cubs.
“There was a big, big accident in the highway,” Murakami said through a translator. “I was just concerned the whole time. … To be really, really honest, I wasn’t able to prepare fully, but I made it in time I think.”
Friday marked the opening day of spring exhibitions, featuring several notable debuts. Baltimore’s new first baseman Pete Alonso and Arizona’s fresh third baseman Nolan Arenado both homered for their respective clubs, while Alex Bregman managed no hits in two at-bats during three innings of action in his Cubs debut.
“It was a great to be out here and play in a spring training game with the Cubs,” said Bregman, who inked a $175 million, five-year deal with Chicago during free agency. “It was fun. Obviously super cool to have all that energy in the ballpark.”
Baltimore fans gave Alonso an enthusiastic reception before his first trip to the batter’s box against the Yankees. Although Kenedy Corona’s spectacular diving grab robbed him of a hit in the third inning, Alonso launched Bradley Hanner’s opening curveball over the left field wall for a two-run blast in the sixth frame of the Orioles’ 2-0 Florida victory.
During his final campaign with the New York Mets last season, Alonso connected for 38 home runs. He committed to a $155 million, five-year agreement with Baltimore in December.
Arenado opened the second inning with a solo homer during Arizona’s 3-2 victory over Colorado in Scottsdale. The eight-time All-Star joined the Diamondbacks through a January trade with St. Louis.
Chicago is counting on Murakami to help reverse their fortunes after losing an astounding 324 games across the past three seasons. During eight seasons with Japan’s Central League Yakult Swallows, he compiled a .270 batting average with 246 home runs and 647 RBIs across 892 contests.
Playing first base, Murakami recorded his inaugural hit by driving Connor Schultz’s 91.9 mph sinker up the middle during the third inning. The single with one out registered a 108.3 mph exit velocity.
In the fourth inning with one out and runners on all bases, Murakami sent a Porter Hodge pitch toward center field. Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki lost sight of the ball in the bright sun, allowing it to drop on the warning track’s back edge for a two-run double.
“I’m really happy how it went, without any injuries,” Murakami said. “I had butterflies inside me the first few minutes of it. But after I started fielding and I got an at-bat, I felt a bit more comfortable and felt myself.”
Both Murakami and Suzuki will represent Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic, and the pair discussed Chicago baseball during the offseason.
“I loved him, but after the popup, I hate him. So I’m not going to support him,” Suzuki joked through a translator.
Murakami watched a called third strike during his final plate appearance in the sixth inning before being substituted defensively prior to the bottom half.
White Sox manager Will Venable commended Murakami’s composure following his pre-game transportation troubles.
“This guy is so committed and such a professional,” Venable said. “We’ve asked him to do some things that he hasn’t necessarily been accustomed to and how he prepares and his adaptability and flexibility to do those things has been awesome. That adjustability gives you confidence that he’s going to be able to go out there and make adjustments throughout the year.”
Major League Baseball’s introduction of automated umpiring technology got its first test run Friday during spring training, with teams winning more than half of their disputes against home plate umpires.
During five games featuring the automated ball-strike system, teams successfully contested 13 out of 23 umpire decisions, resulting in a 56.5% success rate for challenges, according to MLB officials.
The games averaged 4.6 disputes per contest, with an average of 2.6 calls getting reversed by the automated system.
Plate umpire Alex MacKay faced the most scrutiny during Arizona’s narrow 3-2 victory over Colorado, with seven of his calls being questioned. Six of those challenges proved successful, including four out of five contested decisions that went in Arizona’s favor, while Colorado went two-for-two on their disputes.
This marks baseball’s preparation for implementing the controversial “robot umpire” technology during regular season play for the first time. Last year’s spring training trials showed teams achieved a 52.2% success rate, overturning 617 out of 1,182 challenged calls.
Under the current system, each team can dispute up to two calls per game. Teams maintain their challenge opportunity when they win a dispute, similar to existing video replay rules that began with home run calls in 2008 and expanded significantly by 2014. During extra innings, teams receive an additional challenge for each extra frame, even if they’ve used up their original allotments.
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Wildlife experts are drawing attention to a devastating crisis affecting pangolins, unique scaly creatures that have earned the unfortunate distinction of being the world’s most illegally traded mammals.
Saturday marks World Pangolin Day, when conservationists spotlight the dire situation facing these timid, armor-plated animals that inhabit regions across Africa and Asia.
According to data from CITES, the international organization overseeing endangered species trade, pangolins and their body parts surpass all other mammals in illegal wildlife commerce. Between 2016 and 2024, authorities confiscated more than 500,000 pangolins during anti-smuggling raids.
The World Wildlife Fund calculates that more than one million pangolins have been removed from their natural habitats in the past ten years, including countless others that authorities never recovered.
While pangolin meat serves as a luxury food in certain regions, their distinctive scales drive the illicit market. These scales consist of keratin, the same substance found in human nails and hair. Asian markets, particularly in China, prize these scales for unsubstantiated medicinal properties in traditional treatments.
Eight distinct pangolin varieties exist worldwide — four native to Africa and four to Asia. Every species currently faces severe to critical extinction threats.
Despite being called scaly anteaters, pangolins share no genetic connection with actual anteaters or armadillos.
These creatures stand alone as the sole mammals entirely covered in overlapping keratin plates with razor-sharp edges. This natural armor provides exceptional protection, enabling pangolins to curl into impenetrable spheres that even lions cannot penetrate, giving these nighttime insect hunters virtually no natural enemies.
However, this defense proves useless against human poachers. From a conservation perspective, pangolins lack the public appeal of elephants, rhinoceros, or tigers, despite remarkable features like their insect-catching tongues that extend nearly the length of their entire bodies.
Although some data suggests pangolin smuggling has decreased since the COVID-19 outbreak, poaching continues at dangerous levels throughout African regions, conservationists report.
Nigeria represents a major trafficking center. Dr. Mark Ofua, a veterinary specialist and West African representative for Wild Africa conservation organization, has dedicated over ten years to pangolin rescue efforts, initially purchasing animals from bushmeat vendors to save their lives. He operates both an animal rehabilitation facility and pangolin nursery in Lagos.
Ofua’s work focuses on educating Nigerians about pangolins through children’s wildlife programs and recruiting entertainers, musicians, and social media influencers with massive followings to participate in conservation efforts or simply appear alongside pangolins.
Three of Africa’s four pangolin species live in Nigeria, yet remain largely unknown among the nation’s 240 million residents.
Ofua’s commitment to pangolin awareness began during an incident while transporting rescued pangolins in a carrier. A group of well-dressed young men approached and inquired about the animals’ identity.
“Oh, those are baby dragons,” he responded playfully. The exchange sparked deeper reflection.
“There is a dark side to that admission,” Ofua said. “If people do not even know what a pangolin looks like, how do you protect them?”
SÃO PAULO (AP) — Despite Bad Bunny’s worldwide chart dominance, the reggaeton superstar has faced challenges breaking through in Brazil, where audiences traditionally show strong loyalty to homegrown musical talent over international acts.
However, momentum that started building with his Grammy-winning release “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” could gain significant traction following his historic debut concerts in São Paulo on Friday and Saturday.
The Puerto Rican artist, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, arrives in Brazil during his career’s highest point, riding the wave of massive attention from his recent Super Bowl halftime show appearance.
“This represents the optimal moment to crack a market like Brazil, coming when he’s achieved dominance across virtually every other region globally,” explained Felipe Maia, an ethnomusicologist working on his doctorate in popular music and digital technologies at Paris Nanterre University.
Despite ranking among the world’s most-streamed performers for years, the artist and his music failed to appear among Brazil’s top-played content in 2024, based on Spotify data. Brazilian artists claimed all the leading streaming positions in the country last year.
In a nation celebrated for samba, funk, bossa nova, choro, sertanejo, forró and pagode musical styles, domestic artists capture 75% of streaming activity, according to entertainment data specialist Luminate’s 2025 midyear report. Brazil leads all countries in consuming its own musical content, the study found.
Nevertheless, excitement surrounding Bad Bunny has gained momentum in Brazil, especially following “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.” Originally planning just one show at Allianz Parque arena, rapid sellout conditions forced organizers to add a second date, which also reached capacity.
By Friday afternoon, extensive lines had developed outside the venue. Brazilian supporters mingled with fans traveling from El Salvador, Colombia and Venezuela. Many attendees sported straw hats — a signature Bad Bunny accessory traditionally worn by jíbaros, Puerto Rico’s rural farming community.
Official Ticketmaster prices ranged from $50 to $210, though scalpers demanded over $830 for Friday’s performance — exceeding 2.5 times Brazil’s monthly minimum wage.
Flávia Durante, a São Paulo DJ focusing on Latin American music, noted that some Brazilians previously viewed Spanish-language music as outdated due to associations with Mexican soap operas, but Bad Bunny’s recent album changed perceptions.
“Currently everyone recognizes his entire catalog, singing along enthusiastically. I typically feature his music during peak evening hours. Audiences request his songs even at rock or 80s pop-themed events,” Durante observed.
His Super Bowl appearance accelerated this popularity surge. Bad Bunny’s Brazilian Spotify streams jumped 426% in the week following his halftime performance compared to the previous period. Individual tracks saw dramatic increases, with “Yo Perreo Sola” leading at 2,536% growth.
During Brazil’s Carnival season, Bad Bunny-inspired costumes became common sights at Rio’s vibrant street celebrations.
Nicole Froio, a Colombian Brazilian writer covering Latin American cultural topics, participated wearing a straw hat and artificial tropical plants mimicking his latest album artwork. This marked Froio’s third consecutive Carnival honoring the Puerto Rican performer — she has two Bad Bunny tattoos with plans for a third.
Previously, Froio stood alone among her Brazilian friends in appreciating Bad Bunny’s music. She attributes this to Brazilians struggling to embrace their Latino identity.
“Significant bias exists against Hispanic music, with prejudices stemming from his Puerto Rican accent and comprehension difficulties,” she explained.
While Brazil’s Latino identity exists, it remains scattered and elusive given the continent-sized nation’s diversity, Maia noted. Bad Bunny successfully highlights this connection, particularly in metropolitan areas like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
During his Super Bowl performance, Bad Bunny mentioned Brazil alongside other American nations, emphasizing that “America” encompasses two continents rather than serving as a U.S. synonym.
Bad Bunny’s worldwide success, including his Brazilian breakthrough, “confirms our inclusion — that we belong,” said 22-year-old longtime fan Diogo da Luz before Friday’s concert. “He demonstrates our unity as one people.”
For Froio, who waited six years to see him perform live and attended Saturday’s show, Bad Bunny “embodies Latino resistance.”
She highlighted how other Latin American stars like Anitta, Shakira, and Ricky Martin have recorded complete songs in different languages, while Bad Bunny maintains his music almost exclusively in Spanish.
“His sound contains genuine authenticity that encourages me to remain true to myself regardless of others’ opinions,” Froio concluded.
WASHINGTON — Federal officials terminated a prosecutor within hours of his selection by judges to lead a prominent Virginia U.S. attorney’s office on Friday, escalating an ongoing dispute between the Trump administration and the judiciary over prosecutorial appointments.
James Hundley was unanimously selected by federal judges to take over as interim U.S. attorney for Virginia’s Eastern District, replacing former Trump attorney Lindsey Halligan in the role. However, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche quickly announced Hundley’s dismissal through social media, asserting executive authority over the appointment process.
“EDVA judges do not pick our US Attorney. POTUS does. James Hundley, you’re fired!” Blanche wrote on X.
Hundley, an attorney with over three decades of experience in both criminal and civil litigation, had not responded to requests for comment by Friday evening.
This dismissal represents the most recent disruption within one of the nation’s premier federal prosecution offices, which has experienced significant instability since September. The turmoil began when veteran prosecutor Erik Siebert stepped down under administration pressure to bring charges against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, two prominent Trump critics.
Following Siebert’s departure, the administration installed Halligan, a White House staff member, who proceeded to secure indictments against both Comey and James. However, a federal judge later ruled that Halligan’s appointment violated legal procedures, leading to the dismissal of both cases. The Justice Department has challenged this ruling on appeal.
Halligan stepped down from her position last month after district judges continued to question whether her appointment was legitimate under federal law.
While U.S. attorneys normally undergo Senate confirmation, federal statutes allow attorneys general to make temporary appointments for restricted periods. The Justice Department has faced multiple legal challenges for attempting to extend these temporary positions beyond their authorized terms, with judges frequently ruling such extensions improper.
A similar situation unfolded in northern New York last week, where the Justice Department dismissed a judge-appointed U.S. attorney after less than 24 hours on the job. District judges had selected that attorney after refusing to extend the term of the Trump administration’s preferred candidate, John Sarcone, beyond his 120-day limit.
Authorities in New Castle County are actively searching for a 77-year-old Wilmington resident who vanished Friday morning from his neighborhood.
Police have activated a Gold Alert for Edward Frescoln, who disappeared from the 1100 block of North Overhill Court at approximately 8:05 a.m. on February 20, 2026.
Law enforcement officials report they have conducted thorough search operations but have not been able to make contact with Frescoln or determine his whereabouts, raising concerns about his wellbeing.
The Gold Alert system is typically used when elderly or vulnerable adults go missing and may be in danger.
Anyone with information about Edward Frescoln’s location is urged to contact the New Castle County Division of Police immediately.
A federal appeals court has removed a legal obstacle blocking Louisiana from implementing its requirement for Ten Commandments displays in public school classrooms.
The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals decided 12-6 on Friday to remove an injunction that a district court had imposed on the legislation in 2024. The majority opinion stated that determining the law’s constitutional validity was premature at this stage.
The court explained that crucial details remain unclear, including how conspicuously schools might exhibit the religious text, whether educators will reference the Ten Commandments during instruction, or if additional historical documents such as the Mayflower Compact or Declaration of Independence will accompany the displays.
The panel determined these missing specifics prevented them from evaluating potential First Amendment concerns. The majority stated in their decision that insufficient facts were available to “permit judicial judgment rather than speculation.”
However, the six dissenting judges authored multiple opposing opinions, with some contending the matter was ready for judicial examination and others maintaining the legislation subjects students to government-sanctioned religion in mandatory attendance settings, creating an obvious constitutional violation.
Circuit Judge James L. Dennis stated the law “is precisely the kind of establishment the Framers anticipated and sought to prevent.”
This decision follows the complete court’s hearing of case arguments in January 2026, after a three-judge panel previously determined Louisiana’s legislation was unconstitutional. Arkansas has enacted comparable legislation that faces federal court challenges.
Texas implemented its version on September 1st, representing the nation’s most extensive effort to install Ten Commandments displays in public schools. Although federal judges blocked multiple school districts through injunctions in two lawsuits, many classrooms statewide already feature the posters as districts either funded printing costs directly or accepted donated materials.
These measures represent part of Republican initiatives, including those supported by President Donald Trump, aimed at introducing religious elements into public education. Opponents claim this breaches church-state separation, while supporters maintain the Ten Commandments hold historical significance and helped establish American legal foundations.
Families from diverse religious backgrounds, including Christianity, Judaism, and Hinduism, along with clergy and non-religious households, have challenged these laws.
In 1980, the Supreme Court determined a comparable Kentucky statute violated the Constitution’s Establishment Clause, which prohibits Congress from “making any law respecting an establishment of religion.” The court concluded the law lacked secular purpose and served purely religious objectives.
The Supreme Court ruled in 2005 that similar displays in Kentucky courthouses were unconstitutional. Simultaneously, the court permitted a Ten Commandments monument to remain on Texas state Capitol grounds in Austin.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — U.S. military aircraft responded Thursday to intercept five Russian planes flying in international waters off Alaska’s western coastline, though defense officials emphasized Friday that the encounter was routine and non-threatening.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command reported detecting and monitoring two Russian Tu-95 bombers, two Su-35 fighter jets, and one A-50 surveillance aircraft operating in the vicinity of the Bering Strait on Thursday.
NORAD deployed two F-16 fighters, two F-35 stealth jets, one E-3 surveillance plane, and four KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft to meet, identify, and accompany the Russian planes until they left the region, the command announced in an official statement.
According to NORAD’s release, “The Russian military aircraft remained in international airspace and did not enter American or Canadian sovereign airspace.” The statement emphasized that such encounters “occurs regularly and is not seen as a threat.”
The Russian planes were flying within the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone, located near the Bering Strait — a narrow waterway approximately 50 miles wide that divides the Pacific and Arctic oceans.
These identification zones extend beyond national airspace boundaries into international territory. Though considered international airspace, all aircraft must announce their identity when entering these zones for national security purposes, NORAD explained.
The defense command employs satellite technology, ground-based radar systems, airborne detection equipment, and aircraft to monitor and track aerial activity in the region.
While NORAD maintains its primary headquarters at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado, the organization operates its Alaska mission from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson located in Anchorage.
Federal authorities announced Friday that PacifiCorp has reached a $575 million settlement to resolve government claims stemming from six catastrophic wildfires that occurred in Oregon and California during 2020 and 2022.
According to the Justice Department, the agreement addresses allegations that the utility’s power lines were responsible for igniting four Oregon fires in 2020 and two California fires in 2020 and 2022. The settlement funds will go toward restoring approximately 290,000 acres of burned public lands and reimbursing firefighting expenses.
“This settlement served the Department’s longstanding policy of holding individuals and corporations responsible for damages caused by wildfires. Every fire impacting federal lands, no matter the size, is a priority,” stated U.S. Attorney Eric Grant of the Eastern District of California.
The Justice Department emphasized the importance of recovering firefighting costs, noting that “the U.S. Forest Service now spends more than half of its budget on wildfire suppression annually.”
PacifiCorp released a statement saying the agreement reflects its continued efforts to resolve wildfire-related claims, with total settlements now exceeding $2 billion.
The utility company continues to battle numerous lawsuits connected to Oregon’s devastating 2020 fires. Multiple jury verdicts have already ordered PacifiCorp to pay hundreds of millions in damages to fire victims.
A significant 2023 Oregon jury ruling found PacifiCorp liable for negligent conduct after failing to shut off power to 600,000 customers despite fire danger warnings from officials. The jury’s determination of negligent and willful behavior resulted in punitive damages for a class of property owners, with over 1,000 additional cases scheduled for trial in 2026 and 2027.
The company has appealed this verdict and the case remains in state court.
The Labor Day weekend fires of 2020 rank among Oregon’s most devastating natural disasters, claiming 11 lives, destroying thousands of homes, and burning over one million acres. California’s 2020 Slater Fire and 2022 McKinney Fire also resulted in multiple fatalities.
This week, PacifiCorp announced plans to sell its Washington state wind, natural gas, and distribution operations to Portland General Electric for $1.9 billion as part of efforts to strengthen its financial position. The company has been required to post court bonds while appealing wildfire judgments, creating cash flow challenges.
“Improve the company’s financial stability while simplifying our operations,” CEO Darin Carroll explained Tuesday, adding that the sale would help ensure reliable service for Washington customers.
While PacifiCorp’s parent company, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, maintains over $382 billion in cash reserves, the conglomerate expects its subsidiary to handle its own financial obligations. Greg Abel, who previously headed Berkshire’s utility division, now serves as the company’s CEO.
Authorities in Las Vegas are treating Thursday’s vehicle crash into an electrical substation as an act of terrorism, officials announced during a Friday press briefing.
Sheriff Kevin McMahill of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department assured residents that no continuing danger exists to the community following the incident.
Emergency dispatchers received a report at 10 a.m. Thursday about a vehicle that had crashed through security barriers at the electrical facility in Boulder City, situated roughly 25 miles southeast of Las Vegas, McMahill explained.
The vehicle’s operator was identified as 23-year-old Dawson Maloney of Albany, New York, who had been reported as a missing person and took his own life with a firearm, the sheriff stated.
Before the incident occurred, Maloney had contacted relatives, discussing intentions of self-harm and stating he planned to carry out an action that would make him newsworthy. In communications with his mother, he described himself using terrorist terminology, police revealed.
Investigators discovered explosive devices and numerous publications “related to extremist ideologies” inside Maloney’s hotel accommodation, McMahill reported. The materials covered various radical viewpoints including right-wing and left-wing extremism, environmental extremism, white supremacist beliefs, and anti-government philosophies.
“These findings significantly elevate the seriousness of this incident,” McMahill stated.
Records show Maloney was enrolled as a student at Albany Law School in the class of 2027. He had also achieved honors recognition during multiple terms at Siena University in New York.
Law enforcement recovered two shotguns, a pistol resembling an assault rifle, and flamethrowers from his rented vehicle, McMahill noted. Maloney was dressed in what officers characterized as “soft-body armor.”
A search of an Albany residence yielded a 3D printing device and various firearm components necessary for weapon assembly. Maloney had traveled by rental car from Albany to Boulder City, according to Christopher Delzano, the FBI’s Las Vegas special agent-in-charge.
Boulder City is a historical community that houses the Hoover Dam, recognized as one of America’s remarkable civil engineering achievements. The dam supplies water to millions of residents and produces approximately 4 billion kilowatt-hours of hydroelectric energy annually for Nevada, Arizona and California.
The targeted electrical substation belongs to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. The installation operates in coordination with Hoover Dam and transmits electricity to the Los Angeles metropolitan area, McMahill explained. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power confirmed to The Associated Press that it is monitoring the situation, with no operational impacts or service interruptions reported.
Boulder City Police Chief Timothy Shea confirmed that investigators found no evidence of significant damage to essential infrastructure and no utility service disruptions occurred.
A comparable event took place in 2023 when an individual drove a vehicle through barriers at a solar energy installation in the desert northeast of Las Vegas, igniting the car. The solar facility provided power to Las Vegas Strip gambling establishments. That perpetrator was deemed mentally incompetent for trial. The attack followed multiple incidents and arrests involving electrical substations across Washington, Oregon and North Carolina, raising federal concerns about electricity transmission network security.
“We are heartbroken to hear of the tragic passing of one of our law students, Dawson Maloney, in an off-campus incident,” said Tom Torello, director of communications and marketing at Albany Law School, in a statement.
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks baseball team encountered a setback in their season series opener against Virginia Military Institute, falling to the Keydets at Gray-Minor Stadium in Lexington, Virginia.
The game took place on February 14, 2025, marking an early season matchup for both teams as they continue their respective campaigns.
While the Hawks were unable to secure a victory in the series opener, there were individual bright spots in the performance. Notably, Aponte delivered a strong offensive showing, collecting multiple hits during the contest.
This marks Aponte’s second multi-hit performance of the young season, demonstrating consistent production at the plate despite the team’s struggles in this particular game.
The Hawks will look to bounce back and even the series as they continue their road trip against VMI in the coming days.
American military officials announced Friday through a social media post that they conducted a strike against a boat in the eastern Pacific Ocean, resulting in the deaths of three individuals.
The military disclosed the fatal operation on X, characterizing the incident as part of an ongoing series of similar actions in the region.
MILAN – Team USA’s men’s hockey squad stands just one victory away from capturing their first Olympic gold medal in nearly five decades, following a commanding 6-2 semifinal victory over Slovakia on Friday at the Milano Cortina Olympics.
The Americans will now face off against Canada in the championship match, setting up a classic rivalry showdown as they seek to end a gold medal drought that stretches back to their legendary 1980 triumph – the famous “Miracle on Ice” that captivated the nation.
That historic 1980 victory saw a team of amateur and college players shock the heavily favored Soviet Union 4-3, creating one of sports’ most memorable underdog stories on their way to Olympic gold.
Forward Brock Nelson, who has family ties to U.S. Olympic hockey history with a grandfather on the 1960 gold medal team and an uncle on the celebrated 1980 squad, spoke about the significance of facing Canada.
“The rivalry with Canada is obviously a long battle and a long history,” Nelson explained. “(These are) two countries that want to come out on top, have the bragging rights that they’re the best country in the world.”
By advancing to the final, the U.S. team has already secured their first Olympic hockey medal since the 2010 Vancouver Games, where Canada broke American hearts with a 3-2 overtime victory in the gold medal contest.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski revealed he prepared for this opportunity by watching the Netflix documentary “Miracle on Ice: The Boys of ’80” before departing for Milan.
“It definitely motivated me a little bit more,” Werenski shared. “And it’s something not a lot of American hockey players have ever done. I think 36 players have ever won a gold medal for the U.S. in the Olympics, so we’re aware of what’s at stake.”
“We’re going to embrace it, we’re going to enjoy it, and this is why you play the game,” he added.
The stakes couldn’t be higher for this American squad, which features NHL stars competing in the Olympics for the first time since 2014. The United States hasn’t defeated Canada in an Olympic men’s hockey final since 1960 at Squaw Valley.
Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin, who found the net in Friday’s semifinal win, described his anticipation for this moment.
“Not even going to go into how much I’ve thought about it as a kid, but that was just a dream up until the Four Nations, it turned into serious thoughts,” Larkin said, referencing last year’s tournament that Canada won.
Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk emphasized that a gold medal victory would transcend this single team’s achievement.
“There’s 1980, there’s the ’96 World Cup — those moments grew the game so much and shaped our entire generation,” Tkachuk noted.
“Now we have a chance to do the same, to push the sport forward and make it even better for the next generation.”
Since President Donald Trump began his second term in January 2025, the nation’s highest court has been flooded with legal challenges to his administration’s actions across multiple policy areas.
The Supreme Court justices have weighed in on disputes involving immigration enforcement, federal agency independence, military policies, government workforce changes, and international trade measures.
TRADE POLICY SETBACK
In a significant blow to the administration’s economic agenda, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on February 20 against Trump’s extensive tariff program. The justices determined that his use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act from 1977 went beyond presidential authority. The court emphasized that under the Constitution, Congress holds the power to establish taxes and tariffs, not the president. These tariffs had sparked international trade disputes, unsettled financial markets, and created worldwide economic instability since Trump launched his global trade offensive.
FEDERAL RESERVE INDEPENDENCE
The justices appeared doubtful about Trump’s unusual attempt to dismiss Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook during January 21 oral arguments. The case centers on the central bank’s autonomy from political pressure. Congressional law establishing the Fed includes safeguards against political meddling, mandating that governors can only be removed “for cause,” though this term lacks clear definition or established procedures. Trump moved to terminate Cook in August, alleging mortgage fraud prior to her appointment – accusations Cook disputes. Cook, a Biden appointee, maintains these charges are merely a cover for policy disagreements. The court’s decision is anticipated by late June.
MILITARY DEPLOYMENT BLOCKED
On December 23, 2025, the court declined to authorize Trump’s plan to deploy National Guard forces to the Chicago region, part of his expanded domestic military operations in Democratic-controlled areas that opponents view as retribution against political rivals. The justices upheld U.S. District Judge April Perry’s injunction preventing the deployment of hundreds of troops in response to a lawsuit filed by Illinois state and local officials. The Justice Department had requested permission for the deployment while litigation continued.
AGENCY LEADERSHIP DISPUTES
During December 8, 2025 arguments, conservative justices signaled support for Trump’s dismissal of Federal Trade Commission member Rebecca Slaughter, potentially strengthening executive power while threatening decades-old legal precedent. The case involves the administration’s appeal of a lower court ruling that found Trump overstepped his authority by removing the Democratic FTC member in March before her term concluded. Conservative justices seemed receptive to arguments that congressional tenure protections for independent agency heads unconstitutionally limit presidential authority. The court permitted Slaughter’s removal while the case proceeds, with a ruling expected by June’s end.
The justices postponed action on November 26, 2025, regarding Trump’s effort to remove the nation’s chief copyright official, temporarily keeping Shira Perlmutter in her position as U.S. register of copyrights and Copyright Office director while her legal challenge continues.
CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION
Arguments are scheduled for April 1 concerning Trump’s controversial directive limiting birthright citizenship, which would fundamentally change how a 19th-century constitutional provision has been interpreted. A lower court blocked the executive order instructing federal agencies to deny citizenship recognition to children born in America if neither parent holds U.S. citizenship or permanent residency status. The court found Trump’s policy violated the 14th Amendment and existing federal law protecting birthright citizenship in a class-action case brought by affected families.
Earlier, on June 27, 2025, the Supreme Court restricted federal judges’ ability to issue nationwide injunctions against presidential policies.
The court supported Trump’s aggressive immigration stance on September 8, 2025, by allowing federal agents to conduct Southern California raids targeting individuals for deportation based on race or language. It granted the Justice Department’s request to suspend a judge’s order that temporarily prohibited agents from stopping or detaining people without “reasonable suspicion” of illegal presence, or based on race, ethnicity, or Spanish-speaking or accented English.
On October 3, 2025, the court again enabled the administration to eliminate temporary legal protection for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan migrants, supporting Trump’s mass deportation priorities. It approved the administration’s request to halt U.S. District Judge Edward Chen’s ruling that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem lacked authority to terminate the Temporary Protected Status granted under Biden.
The court allowed the administration on May 30, 2025, to revoke temporary legal status for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan, Cuban, Haitian and Nicaraguan migrants. It suspended U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani’s order blocking the termination of immigration “parole” for 532,000 migrants, potentially exposing them to swift removal.
On May 16, 2025, the court maintained its block on Trump’s deportations of Venezuelan migrants under an 1798 wartime law, citing inadequate due process. The justices granted an ACLU request to continue halting removals. The administration alleges these Venezuelans belong to the Tren de Aragua criminal organization.
The court cleared the way on June 23, 2025, for resumed deportations to “third countries” without allowing migrants to demonstrate potential harm they might face at their destination.
On April 10, 2025, the court ordered the administration to facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego, a Salvadoran man erroneously deported to El Salvador. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on June 6 that Abrego had returned to face criminal charges for transporting illegal immigrants. Abrego entered a not guilty plea.
TRANSGENDER POLICIES
The court permitted Trump’s transgender military ban on May 6, 2025, allowing the armed forces to discharge thousands of current transgender service members and reject new applicants while legal challenges proceed. It granted the Justice Department’s request to lift U.S. District Judge Benjamin Settle’s nationwide injunction blocking the policy implementation.
On November 6, 2025, the court allowed the administration to prohibit passport applicants from designating sex that reflects their gender identity, requiring documents to correspond only to birth-assigned sex while a class action lawsuit continues.
FEDERAL WORKFORCE CHANGES
The justices cleared the path on July 8, 2025, for massive government job cuts and extensive agency downsizing. They lifted U.S. District Judge Susan Illston’s order blocking large-scale federal layoffs termed “reductions in force.” Workforce cuts were planned across the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Health and Human Services, State, Treasury, Veterans Affairs and over a dozen other agencies.
On July 23, 2025, the court allowed Trump to remove three Democratic Consumer Product Safety Commission members – Mary Boyle, Alexander Hoehn-Saric and Richard Trumka Jr. – strengthening presidential control over agencies designed to be independent.
The court permitted Trump on May 22, 2025, to keep two Democratic federal labor board members away from their positions while their dismissal challenges proceed – Cathy Harris from the Merit Systems Protection Board and Gwynne Wilcox from the National Labor Relations Board.
On April 8, 2025, the justices blocked a judge’s order requiring the administration to rehire thousands of terminated employees, suspending U.S. Judge William Alsup’s injunction for six federal agencies to reinstate recently hired probationary workers.
SPENDING AND RESEARCH
The court allowed Trump on September 26, 2025, to withhold approximately $4 billion in congressionally authorized foreign aid as part of his “America First” agenda, despite constitutional provisions granting Congress spending authority.
However, on March 5, 2025, the justices refused to let the administration withhold payments to foreign aid organizations for completed work as Trump moves to eliminate American humanitarian projects globally.
The court cleared the way on July 14, 2025, for dismantling the Department of Education, supporting Trump’s effort to reduce federal education involvement in favor of state control. It lifted U.S. District Judge Myong Joun’s order reinstating nearly 1,400 department employees and blocking function transfers to other agencies.
On August 21, 2025, the court permitted extensive cuts to National Institutes of Health grants for research involving racial minorities or LGBT individuals, part of Trump’s campaign against diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
The justices allowed the administration on April 4, 2025, to proceed with millions in teacher training grant cuts as part of the diversity initiative crackdown.
GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY
On June 6, 2025, the court granted the Department of Government Efficiency extensive access to personal information in Social Security Administration databases for millions of Americans as part of Trump’s federal workforce reduction efforts.
The same day, justices extended their block on judicial orders requiring DOGE to provide records to a government watchdog group seeking operational details.
Emergency officials in Australia’s Victoria state have issued the most urgent evacuation warning possible as an uncontrolled wildfire threatens residents near a remote mining community, according to Saturday reports from Sydney.
The emergency alert covers areas around the A1 Mine Settlement in Gaffney’s Creek, located approximately 31 miles northeast of Melbourne, the state’s capital city.
Victoria Emergency posted on their website that “Leaving immediately is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous,” while confirming that firefighters have not yet gained control of the flames.
According to the Australian Broadcasting Corp., the challenging mountainous landscape is preventing ground crews from effectively fighting the fire.
The threatened region has a rich history of gold mining dating back to the 1860s and remains sparsely populated, though it draws campers and visitors seeking outdoor recreation.
Victoria Emergency reported that three additional wildfires were active on Saturday, all classified at the “watch and act” level, which represents the second-most serious threat category.
Australia’s southeast region faced devastating wildfire conditions in January, when thousands of emergency responders fought blazes that destroyed residential properties, left thousands without electricity, and consumed vast areas of natural landscape. Those fires marked the most severe since the catastrophic Black Summer fires of 2019-2020, which burned an area equivalent to Turkey’s size and claimed 33 lives.
Despite suffering a decisive defeat against Team USA in Friday’s Olympic men’s hockey semifinal, Slovakia’s national team is drawing positive momentum from their third-period performance as they prepare for their bronze medal matchup with Finland.
The Americans dominated Slovakia 6-2 in Milan, effectively putting the game away by the second period’s conclusion with a commanding five-goal advantage. However, Slovakia managed to outplay their opponents 2-1 during the final frame, providing a foundation for optimism heading into their next contest.
Team captain Tomas Tatar reflected on the significance of reaching this stage of competition for his nation.
“It’s a privilege to be here and represent your country at a tournament like this and to get this far, to be this close, to be successful,” Tatar stated. “Obviously, for such a small country as we are against these giant hockey countries, we can compete.”
Head coach Vladimir Orszagh emphasized how his team’s locker room discussion sparked their improved play in the game’s closing period.
“Coming to the third period, we talked about it in the locker room that we need to build something,” Orszagh explained. “We need to build what we’ve been building for the whole tournament, but it wasn’t there for two periods for us. So we want to build the chemistry and the way we played in the games before. And we saw some light at the end of the tunnel in the third period. We won the period, so we want to build on it.”
Slovakia’s Olympic journey has been remarkable, beginning with a statement victory over defending champion Finland in their opening match. They subsequently claimed the top spot in their group standings and dispatched Germany convincingly in the quarterfinals before encountering the determined American squad seeking their first Olympic gold since 1980.
The upcoming bronze medal contest presents a different challenge, as Finland has shown significant improvement since their early tournament loss to Slovakia. The Finnish team nearly upset Canada in the other semifinal, holding a two-goal lead before ultimately surrendering the advantage.
Despite the sting of Friday’s semifinal loss, Tatar expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity that lies ahead.
“You know, if you would say before a tournament for us, to play a bronze medal game, we would definitely take it,” Tatar added. “Obviously today hurts, but I’m sure we’re all excited to have that opportunity to play tomorrow for a bronze medal.”
The nationally-ranked Goldey-Beacom Lightning baseball squad endured a difficult day on the diamond, suffering defeats in both games of a doubleheader against Frostburg State University in Cary, North Carolina.
The Lightning, currently ranked 30th in the nation, first fell 9-2 in the opening contest before battling through extra innings in the nightcap, ultimately losing a marathon 12-inning affair by a score of 5-3.
The extended second game proved particularly challenging for Goldey-Beacom, as the team fought through nine additional frames beyond regulation play before Frostburg State managed to secure the victory.
The doubleheader sweep represents a setback for the Lightning’s season as they continue their campaign in North Carolina.
Minnesota Twins star pitcher Pablo Lopez faces a lengthy recovery after the team announced Friday that he will need Tommy John surgery, forcing him to miss all of the 2026 baseball season.
The right-handed pitcher is scheduled to undergo the procedure next Wednesday in Dallas to reconstruct the ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing arm. This marks the second time Lopez has required this surgery, having previously undergone the same operation in 2013 following his rookie year in the Seattle Mariners organization.
The team showed their support on social media, posting on X: “Twins Territory is with you, Pablo.”
Lopez, who will celebrate his 30th birthday on March 7th, had been a workhorse for the team in recent years, taking the mound for 32 starts each season from 2022 through 2024. However, the 2025 campaign proved challenging as he was placed on the injured list three different times, limiting him to just 14 starts where he posted a 5-4 record with a 2.74 earned run average across 75 2/3 innings pitched. His season was interrupted by a hamstring problem, a muscle issue in his throwing shoulder, and ultimately a forearm strain.
Throughout his eight-year major league career split between the Miami Marlins from 2018-2022 and the Twins, Lopez has compiled a 59-53 record with a 3.81 ERA across 172 starts. He has recorded 994 strikeouts while issuing 251 walks over 965 innings of work. The 2023 All-Star selection is currently in year three of a four-year contract worth $73.5 million that he signed in 2023.
Following Friday’s Supreme Court decision overturning former President Trump’s emergency tariffs, businesses that transferred their potential refund rights to investment firms are now celebrating – though the road ahead remains complicated.
Mark Mintman, Chief Financial Officer at Atlanta-based toy company Kids2, described the situation as “a tiny win in what seems to be an ongoing, changing environment.” His company received $2 million from a Boston investment fund in return for claims related to $15 million in tariffs paid to customs officials through last September.
Kids2, which brings in 95% of its toy and baby product inventory from China, is currently consulting with attorneys to determine how to protect its refund eligibility. The high court’s ruling delegated the specifics of refund procedures to lower courts, potentially creating an expensive and complex legal process.
The situation became more uncertain when Trump announced Friday his intention to pursue alternative methods for collecting these taxes, leaving importers like Kids2 unclear about their financial outlook.
These arrangements allow businesses to receive immediate partial payments of their potential refunds. Companies retain these upfront payments following the tariff reversal, while any government refunds go to the investment partners. Mintman characterized these deals as a “cost-recovery action,” noting that companies would keep the money regardless of whether tariffs were upheld, while investors would receive nothing in that scenario.
This represents Wall Street’s latest innovation in monetizing future cash flows, similar to existing markets for lawsuit settlement payments and lottery winnings. Music icon David Bowie famously pioneered this concept by selling his royalty streams through “Bowie Bonds.”
Attorney Amy Pasacreta from Orrick’s restructuring division highlighted the substantial uncertainty surrounding refunds. “Are there going to be refunds? And if so, how importers can claim the refunds? And this, as alluded to by President Trump this afternoon, could go on for months or years,” she explained.
Pasacreta anticipates new participants entering the market given the increased probability of eventual refunds, with claim values expected to rise following Friday’s court decision.
“We’ve had inbounds on people looking to find claims to buy, and we’ve also discussed with some sellers (importers) who were in the process of speaking to people before today’s decision, and sort of what it means for them,” Pasacreta noted.
Jay Foreman, head of toy manufacturer Basic Fun, which produces Tonka trucks, Care Bears and K’Nex building sets, indicated via email that he’s considering selling his refund claim if the “discount fee was reasonable.”
Foreman explained he “could take that money and reinvest in our business at once, and also if tariff stay off toys, work with retailers to lower prices ASAP.”
Following Friday’s Supreme Court decision declaring that President Donald Trump overstepped his authority when implementing tariffs through emergency powers legislation, legal experts anticipate a massive wave of refund litigation heading to the U.S. Court of International Trade, where businesses have already assembled teams of attorneys to recover their tariff payments.
Legal professionals specializing in trade law indicate that the number of refund-seeking lawsuits – currently exceeding 1,800 cases – may dramatically increase following the justices’ rejection of the legal foundation supporting approximately $175 billion in customs collections since April of last year.
During a Friday White House press briefing, Trump announced plans to implement additional tariffs while forecasting an extended court battle for businesses pursuing refunds. “We’ll end up being in court for the next five years,” he stated.
Court documents reviewed by Reuters show that Washington-based Crowell & Moring has submitted no fewer than 150 refund cases to the trade court following Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff declaration last April, advocating for major corporations such as warehouse retailer Costco, beauty company Revlon, and eyewear manufacturer EssilorLuxottica, which produces Ray-Ban glasses.
Sidley Austin, another prominent legal firm, has participated in over 150 tariff-related lawsuits since April, providing representation for companies including J. Crew, Illumina, Dole, and Diageo.
Representatives from both Crowell and Sidley were unavailable for immediate comment.
Among the smaller practices handling substantial caseloads is Grunfeld, Desiderio, Lebowitz, Silverman & Klestadt, a 40-attorney trade specialty firm that has initiated more than 300 tariff lawsuits on behalf of clients including high-end fashion houses Prada and Dolce & Gabbana. Joseph Spraragen, a partner at Grunfeld, explained that clients compensate the firm through flat fees for case initiation.
Legal representatives informed Reuters they anticipate filing numerous additional cases in upcoming weeks at the New York-headquartered Court of International Trade, where importing companies have a two-year window to pursue refund claims.
“The time to do it was yesterday. The next best time to file is today,” stated Richard O’Neill from Neville Peterson, a 10-attorney practice with over 100 pending lawsuits.
Julian Beach from Pillsbury law firm, which maintains more than twelve active cases, identified a crucial question regarding whether the trade court possesses authority to issue rulings with nationwide impact in refund cases. According to Beach, the Justice Department has indicated it will oppose any attempts to secure nationwide injunctive relief.
Trade attorney Brian Janovitz of DLA Piper, who represents clients pursuing refunds, noted that even if the government acknowledges owing refunds for previous imports, the specific procedure remains unclear. He predicted additional trade court lawsuits are probable “because companies will want to preserve that avenue of seeking relief given the uncertainty.”
Pillsbury partner Nancy Fischer suggested that if refund disputes proceed through the courts, the process will likely be combative, referencing Trump’s Friday comments about anticipated litigation.
“It really depends on whether the administration decides to play hardball,” Fischer explained. “It could get resolved quickly, if the parties were in agreement, but I am not so sure that necessarily is going to be the case.”
Federal energy regulators have cleared the way for a massive utility acquisition, announcing Friday their approval of Blackstone Infrastructure’s purchase of TXNM Energy.
The investment firm struck the agreement to buy the utility company last year in a deal valued at $11.5 billion when debt is included.
According to TXNM Energy, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission determined there is “no evidence that either state or federal regulation will be impaired by the proposed transaction” and confirmed the deal will not create “an adverse effect on rates.”
The company also noted that the mandatory waiting period required under federal antitrust law has now run out, clearing another regulatory hurdle for the transaction.
GASTONIA, N.C. — Investigators have concluded that the December house fire that claimed the life of NASCAR star Denny Hamlin’s father was accidental, though officials say they still cannot determine what sparked the deadly blaze.
According to a report from Gaston County Emergency Management & Fire Services, the December 28th fire began in a bedroom of the two-story residence, but investigators could not pinpoint the “cause of ignition,” labeling it as “undetermined.”
Despite the unknown ignition source, county spokesperson Adam Gaub confirmed in a Friday email that the investigation concluded the fire was accidental in nature.
Emergency responders discovered Dennis Hamlin, 75, and his wife Mary Lou Hamlin, 69, outside their burning home that evening, both suffering from severe injuries. Dennis Hamlin succumbed to his injuries, while Mary Lou survived the incident.
The residence, situated near Stanley approximately 20 miles northwest of Charlotte, was owned by a business entity that listed Denny Hamlin as its manager, public records show.
The NASCAR driver had previously disclosed that his father was battling a serious illness prior to the fire.
Denny Hamlin ranks among NASCAR’s elite competitors, with 60 Cup Series victories under his belt, including three Daytona 500 triumphs. Along with basketball legend Michael Jordan, Hamlin co-owns the racing team whose driver Tyler Reddick captured this year’s Daytona 500 championship just last weekend.
WASHINGTON — In a surprising move, the Trump administration announced Friday it will maintain stringent requirements forcing most municipalities to eliminate dangerous lead pipes within a decade, continuing to support rigorous water safety regulations established during the Biden presidency.
The Environmental Protection Agency informed a federal appeals court in the nation’s capital that it would uphold the most comprehensive revision of lead-contaminated water regulations in thirty years, despite legal opposition from utility industry groups.
While the current Trump administration has generally pursued rapid elimination of regulations, including loosening restrictions on air and water pollution controls, officials are taking a different stance regarding drinking water safety. On the same day, the administration eliminated strict controls on mercury and other dangerous emissions from coal-fired power plants.
“Following extensive consultation with stakeholders, EPA determined that the sole method to meet the Safe Drinking Water Act’s requirement to prevent expected negative health impacts ‘to the extent feasible’ is to mandate the replacement of lead service lines,” according to the agency’s legal document.
The agency maintained that meeting this goal within ten years is achievable, supporting regulations that were partially based on evidence showing previous approaches using chemical treatments and monitoring to control lead “did not succeed in preventing widespread lead contamination and extensive negative health consequences.”
In August, the EPA indicated its intention to support the previous administration’s comprehensive regulations while also stating it would “create new resources and guidance to provide practical implementation flexibility and regulatory transparency.” This language raised concerns among environmental advocates who feared the agency might introduce exemptions.
Lead, a toxic heavy metal previously widespread in materials including pipes and paint, damages the nervous system and can impair children’s growth, reduce intelligence levels, and elevate blood pressure in adults. When lead pipes deteriorate, they can poison drinking water supplies. The earlier Trump administration’s regulations were less stringent and did not require complete pipe replacement.
The Biden administration completed its lead-contaminated water reforms in 2024. The new rules required utilities to address lead contamination at reduced concentrations, establishing just 10 parts per billion as the action threshold, reduced from the previous 15 parts per billion. When elevated levels were detected, water systems were required to notify customers, implement immediate corrective measures, and work toward replacing lead pipes, which typically represent the primary source of lead contamination in drinking water.
Officials from the Biden administration projected at the time that these enhanced standards would safeguard as many as 900,000 babies from low birth weight and prevent approximately 1,500 early deaths annually from cardiovascular disease.
“Community advocacy and years of lead-poisoned neighborhoods demanding clean tap water have made opposing health protection rules against toxic lead politically untouchable. Perhaps only an inflexible water utility trade organization would dare challenge this fundamental public health protection,” stated Erik Olson, senior director at the Natural Resource Defense Council, an environmental advocacy organization.
The American Water Works Association, representing utility companies, contested the regulations in court, claiming the EPA overstepped its authority by attempting to regulate pipe sections located on private property and therefore cannot mandate water systems to replace them.
The agency responded Friday that utilities can be compelled to replace complete lead pipes because they maintain adequate control over these systems.
The AWWA also argued the ten-year timeline was unrealistic, pointing to difficulties securing adequate workforce for the project and noting that water utilities simultaneously face other major infrastructure demands. Water utilities received three years for preparation before the decade-long replacement period begins, with some cities having extensive lead pipe networks granted additional time.
The agency stated it carefully examined information from numerous water utilities and determined that most could complete lead pipe replacement within ten years or sooner.
The initial lead and copper regulations for drinking water were implemented by the EPA over three decades ago. While these rules substantially decreased lead levels in water, critics argued they allowed cities to respond too slowly when contamination levels increased.
Lead pipes are predominantly located in older, industrial regions of the nation, including metropolitan areas like Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, and Milwaukee. The updated regulations also modify how lead concentrations are calculated, potentially substantially increasing the number of communities found in violation.
The EPA under President Donald Trump has emphasized deregulation efforts. Officials have worked to reduce climate change initiatives and encourage fossil fuel development. However, their initial approach to drinking water matters has shown more complexity.
In March, for instance, the EPA revealed plans to partially reverse regulations targeting so-called “forever chemicals” in drinking water — the other significant tap water protection from the Biden era. This modification aimed to maintain strict limits for certain common PFAS while proposing to eliminate and reconsider standards for other varieties and extend implementation timelines.
Both PFAS and lead pipes represent expensive risks to water safety. Some federal funding exists to assist communities with these challenges.
The Biden administration calculated approximately 9 million lead pipes supply water to residential and commercial properties across the United States. The Trump administration revised this analysis and currently estimates roughly 4 million lead pipes exist. Methodological changes, including presuming that communities failing to provide data lack lead pipes, caused this substantial difference. The updated estimate does address questionable results from certain states — advocates noted that the agency’s original projections for Florida, for example, appeared excessively high.
The EPA did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The AWWA referenced their existing court documents when contacted for a statement.
WASHINGTON — Internal government documents reveal that a federal immigration officer shot and killed a U.S. citizen during a nighttime traffic encounter in Texas last year, an incident that federal authorities never announced to the public.
Ruben Ray Martinez, 23, died in what appears to be the first of at least six fatal shootings involving federal officers during the current administration’s immigration enforcement efforts. The Department of Homeland Security stated Friday that the March incident on South Padre Island happened after Martinez deliberately hit an agent with his vehicle.
The fatal encounter involved officers from Homeland Security Investigations who were working alongside local police during an immigration operation, according to internal records secured by American Oversight, a Washington-based government accountability organization.
These documents came to light through a Freedom of Information Act legal challenge that produced heavily censored Immigration and Customs Enforcement files.
While local news organizations covered Martinez’s death on March 15, 2025, neither federal nor state officials revealed that HSI agents were involved in the shooting. DHS explained Friday that the victim “intentionally ran over a Homeland Security Investigation special agent,” prompting another officer to fire “defensive shots to protect himself, his fellow agents, and the general public.”
The agency declined to explain why no official statement or media notification was issued about the officer-involved shooting during the past 11 months.
Rachel Reyes, Martinez’s mother, explained that her son had recently turned 23 when he traveled with his closest friend from San Antonio to the coast for a birthday celebration. South Padre Island serves as a popular spring break destination on the Gulf Coast near the Mexican border, drawing thousands of young visitors each March.
Martinez held a job at an Amazon distribution center, enjoyed gaming, and spent time with friends. His mother emphasized he had no previous encounters with police.
“He was a typical young guy,” Reyes shared with The Associated Press. “He never really got a chance to go out and experience things. It was his first time getting to go out of town. He was a nice guy, humble guy. And he wasn’t a violent person at all.”
An internal ICE incident summary within the released documents indicates that HSI officers were helping South Padre Island police manage traffic flow around a multi-injury car crash scene just after midnight.
A blue Ford sedan carrying Martinez and a passenger approached the officers, who commanded the driver to halt. The document doesn’t specify their reasoning. While Martinez initially ignored the orders, he did eventually bring the vehicle to a stop.
Officers then encircled the car and demanded the occupants exit, but Martinez “accelerated forward” and struck an HSI agent “who wound up on the hood of the vehicle,” the summary states. A supervising HSI agent positioned beside the car then discharged his weapon several times through the open driver’s window, causing the vehicle to stop.
Emergency medical personnel already present at the crash site immediately administered aid, and Martinez was transported by ambulance to a Brownsville area hospital where doctors declared him deceased. The passenger, also an American citizen, was arrested.
The HSI officer reportedly struck by the vehicle received treatment for a knee injury at a local hospital before being discharged.
All names of the HSI agents and the two vehicle occupants were blacked out in the ICE summary, though Reyes confirmed her son was the deceased driver. She said he sustained three gunshot wounds.
The document indicates Texas Rangers responded to investigate and assumed primary responsibility for the shooting inquiry.
Reyes said she discovered approximately one week after the incident that a federal agent, not local police, had shot her son. A Rangers investigator contacted her and allegedly stated that video evidence contradicted the federal agents’ version of events. DHS did not immediately address Friday’s inquiry about claims of contradictory video footage.
The investigator informed her that the state’s investigation concluded in October and the case would go before a grand jury for possible criminal charges.
The Texas Department of Public Safety, which oversees the Rangers, confirmed Friday that the shooting investigation remains “active” and refused to provide additional details.
Cameron County District Attorney Luis V. Saenz, whose Democratic-held office has jurisdiction over South Padre Island, did not return Friday messages. South Padre Island Police Chief Claudine O’Carroll also failed to respond to comment requests.
Family legal representatives said Friday they have worked throughout the past year seeking accountability and transparency.
“It is critical that there is a full and fair investigation into why HSI was present at the scene of a traffic collision and why a federal officer shot and killed a U.S. citizen as he was trying to comply with instructions from the local law enforcement officers directing traffic,” attorneys Charles M. Stam and Alex Stamm stated.
The ICE summary indicates the HSI agents worked for a maritime border security task force normally focused on fighting international criminal networks at shipping ports. During the past year, officers from various federal agencies have been reassigned to prioritize immigration operations.
In January, ICE officer Jonathan Ross killed Renee Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis mother, while she sat in her SUV. Administration officials initially characterized Good as a “domestic terrorist” who attempted to ram officers before multiple videos surfaced that questioned the government’s account.
Similar to the Good incident, police training specialists questioned why a federal officer apparently positioned himself in Martinez’s vehicle path.
“You don’t stand in front of the car, you don’t put yourself in harm’s way,” said Geoffrey Alpert, a University of South Carolina police use-of-force expert. He noted there’s never justification for such positioning, “because you don’t know whether this person is going to flee, and if he flees, you could be dead.”
Alpert said investigators will likely examine available body camera footage or other recordings to determine how quickly Martinez moved the vehicle forward, whether he simply released the brake or pressed hard on the accelerator.
Martinez’s mother said she couldn’t believe he would deliberately attack a law enforcement officer.
“They didn’t give him a chance,” Reyes said. “It’s so excessive. They could have done anything else besides that. It’s like they shoot first and ask questions later.”
MILAN – Team USA’s men’s hockey squad delivered a commanding performance Friday night, defeating Slovakia 6-2 in Olympic semifinal action to advance to Sunday’s gold medal contest against Canada.
The Americans dominated from start to finish, building a commanding 5-0 lead before Slovakia managed to find the back of the net. Dylan Larkin opened the scoring, followed by goals from Tage Thompson and Jack Eichel, while Jack Hughes found the net twice in the offensive explosion. Brady Tkachuk also contributed a goal sandwiched between Slovakia’s two late scores.
The contest grew heated in its closing moments when brothers Brady and Matthew Tkachuk engaged in fisticuffs with Slovakia’s Erik Cernak, resulting in all three players receiving 10-minute penalties and early exits from the game. Brady Tkachuk was assessed an additional two-minute roughing penalty.
“A lot of guys in there, hard to see from the bench,” U.S. forward Brock Nelson commented about the altercation. “But love the fire from my guys for sure.”
With NHL stars back in Olympic competition after a 12-year hiatus, many anticipated this North American rivalry would culminate in a championship showdown. Team USA delivered on those expectations following Canada’s narrow 3-2 semifinal triumph over defending champion Finland.
“I think it’s what everyone wanted, this match-up in the gold medal game, and I’ve thought about it a lot,” Larkin stated.
The bronze medal contest will feature Slovakia against Finland on Saturday at Santagiulia Arena, the same venue that will host Sunday’s title game.
Larkin struck first just five minutes into the opening period, receiving a feed inside the blue line before weaving through Slovak defenders and firing a wrist shot past goaltender Samuel Hlavaj.
Despite two man-advantage opportunities in the first period, Slovakia couldn’t capitalize against the tournament’s only team yet to surrender a short-handed goal.
The Americans needed just 17 seconds on their initial power play chance in the period’s final minute, with Thompson unleashing a one-timer from a sharp angle that found the net’s upper reaches.
Team USA successfully killed off two more penalties early in the middle frame before exploding for two goals within 19 seconds to effectively seal the victory.
Hughes maneuvered around Slovakia captain Tomas Tatar before rifling a shot into the top corner, and before the arena announcer could complete his call, Eichel had wrapped a backhand attempt around the goalie for another score.
Slovakia immediately pulled Hlavaj in favor of Stanislav Skorvanek, but the replacement lasted less than six minutes before Hughes buried his second goal of the evening for a 5-0 advantage.
Juraj Slafkovsky’s goal for Slovakia drew little celebration, and Brady Tkachuk restored the five-goal margin with a breakaway tally before Pavol Regenda added Slovakia’s final score.
The United States continues pursuing their first Olympic gold since the legendary 1980 Lake Placid “Miracle on Ice,” when they upset the heavily favored Soviet Union en route to the championship. The Americans hope to mirror their women’s team, which captured gold by defeating Canada in Thursday’s final.
A federal appeals court decision on Friday has enabled Louisiana to move ahead with implementing a controversial law mandating Ten Commandments displays in every public school and university classroom throughout the state.
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans reversed a lower court’s constitutional challenge by an 11-7 margin, determining that the law’s legality should be evaluated based on how individual school districts choose to carry it out.
The decision represents a significant defeat for families who filed suit against the Republican-controlled state’s legislation, claiming it violated their First Amendment religious freedoms. Legal representatives for these parents declined to provide immediate commentary.
Republican Governor Jeff Landry enacted the legislation, designated as H.B. 71, in 2024. The measure mandates that poster or framed displays of the Ten Commandments be placed in all K-12 schools and publicly funded higher education institutions.
According to Christian and Jewish traditions, the Ten Commandments were divine revelations given to the Hebrew prophet Moses.
This legislation made Louisiana the initial state to mandate such religious displays since the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated a comparable Kentucky statute in 1980. Both Arkansas and Texas enacted similar legislation in 2025, though both faced legal challenges resulting in court orders blocking their implementation.
A lower court judge initially halted the law’s implementation in November 2024, and a three-member 5th Circuit panel supported that decision in October. However, the complete appeals court subsequently decided to review the case, resulting in Friday’s reversal.
In their unsigned decision, the 5th Circuit majority explained that since the law provides school districts with implementation flexibility, it cannot be declared unconstitutional across all potential applications, emphasizing that circumstances would be significant.
“We do not know, for example, how prominently the displays will appear, what other materials might accompany them, or how—if at all—teachers will reference them during instruction,” the majority wrote. “More fundamentally, we do not even know the full content of the displays themselves.”
The court’s majority, composed entirely of judges appointed by Republican presidents, characterized their decision as limited in scope, noting that future legal challenges based on actual implementation remain possible.
U.S. Circuit Judge James Dennis authored a dissenting opinion supported by five colleagues appointed by Democratic presidents, describing the majority’s decision as a “calculated stratagem” designed to circumvent Supreme Court precedents.
“By placing that text on permanent display in public school classrooms, not in a way that is curricular or pedagogical, the State elevates words meant for devotion into objects of reverence, exposing children to government‑endorsed religion in a setting of compulsory attendance,” Dennis stated in his dissent.
The legal case is identified as Roake et al v Brumley et al, 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 24-30706.
Professional hockey teammates will transform into Olympic adversaries Sunday when Team USA battles Canada for gold in what promises to be a championship showdown that NHL fans have been dreaming about.
Close to 150 NHL players traveled to Milan to compete in these Winter Games, marking the premier league’s first Olympic participation since 2014. Now 50 players remain in contention for gold as this historic hockey rivalry takes center stage once again.
Canada’s Sam Reinhart, who plays alongside Team USA’s Matthew Tkachuk on the Florida Panthers, acknowledged the challenge ahead. “It makes it harder,” Reinhart explained. “You know how competitive they are, you know how nice it is to have them on your team when the games get the tightest.”
Every single NHL franchise had representation among the four semifinal teams, which also featured Finland and Slovakia, creating exactly the type of star-studded tournament the league envisioned when announcing player participation two years ago.
Nathan MacKinnon, the NHL’s leading goal scorer, says temporarily setting aside professional loyalties hasn’t been difficult in Milan. The Canadian star will face his Colorado Avalanche teammate Brock Nelson on Sunday.
“You have new teammates right now,” MacKinnon stated. “New teammates, new brothers, in this short amount of time we’ve become really close.”
The NHL entered the Milano Cortina Games with strong momentum, as ESPN and ABC viewership climbed 39% compared to last year during the season’s first four months, helped by marquee players and the television hockey hit “Heated Rivalry.”
Before men’s competition even started, Olympic officials expressed hopes that elite North American league players would become regular Olympic participants in future Games.
This championship matchup between longtime rivals – predicted by both betting experts and casual observers – should elevate excitement even higher, as the Americans pursue their third Olympic gold while Canada seeks their tenth men’s tournament title.
Team USA’s Jack Eichel will see several Vegas Golden Knights teammates wearing Canadian jerseys, including Mitch Marner, Mark Stone, and Shea Theodore. “We’re all competitors and we want to win,” Eichel said. “We can go back to being teammates after the game.”
President Donald Trump lashed out at the Supreme Court following Friday’s decisive 6-3 decision that stripped away his authority to independently impose import tariffs, as he pledged to persist with his worldwide trade conflict that has created global economic tension over the past year.
Dismissing what he characterized as an absurd decision, Trump declared an immediate 10% import tax on goods from every nation, adding to any tariffs already in place. Current law permits him to enforce this tax for 150 days, though legal challenges may emerge.
The Supreme Court’s historic decision eliminated the negotiating power that Trump and his trade representatives have used against foreign nations at diplomatic tables to alter international relationships and worldwide commerce.
The decision initially caused U.S. stock markets to jump before closing with modest gains, as financial experts cautioned about returning market instability while awaiting Trump’s future actions.
The court’s ruling raises doubts about trade agreements that Trump’s representatives have secured in recent months by threatening steep tariffs. The decision leaves uncertain what happens to the $175 billion Trump has gathered from American importers through what the court determined was his misinterpretation of existing law.
“I’m ashamed of certain members of the court, absolutely ashamed, for not having the courage to do what’s right for our country,” Trump stated to White House reporters, arguing that foreign nations were celebrating the decision and “dancing in the street.”
Without providing proof, he suggested that most justices yielded to outside pressure: “They’re very unpatriotic and disloyal to our Constitution. It’s my opinion that the court has been swayed by foreign interests and a political movement that is far smaller than people would ever think.”
After returning to office 13 months ago, Trump claimed he possessed what the court described as the “extraordinary power to unilaterally impose tariffs of unlimited amount, duration, and scope.” Declaring a national emergency, he argued the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) gave him authority to establish tariffs at whatever level he selected.
Chief Justice John Roberts anchored the court’s decision with language from the U.S. Constitution: “The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises.”
The Trump administration’s claim that it had identified a war-like crisis to establish a legal exception did not convince the justices.
“The Government thus concedes, as it must, that the President enjoys no inherent authority to impose tariffs during peacetime,” Roberts stated in his opinion.
“And it does not defend the challenged tariffs as an exercise of the President’s warmaking powers. The United States, after all, is not at war with every nation in the world.”
Even with the court’s clear statement that the president had overstepped his constitutional limits, Trump told reporters: “It’s ridiculous, but it’s OK, because we have other ways, numerous other ways.”
Following twelve months of Trump’s frequently spontaneous tariff declarations that have disrupted markets and the international economy, the ruling and Trump’s reaction have brought back significant uncertainty that economists, investors and government officials hoped was behind them.
“I think it will just bring in a new period of high uncertainty in world trade, as everybody tries to figure out what the U.S. tariff policy will be going forward,” stated Varg Folkman, an analyst with the European Policy Centre think tank.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested the court decision might produce varying outcomes.
“The Supreme Court has taken away the President’s leverage, but in a way, they have made the leverage that he has more draconian because they agreed he does have the right to a full embargo,” Bessent explained on Fox News’ “The Will Cain Show.”
“We will get back to the same tariff level for the countries. It will just be in a less direct and slightly more convoluted manner,” he added.
By implementing his new temporary 10% tariff, Trump became the first president to use Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which permits the president to impose tariffs up to 15% for as long as 150 days to address “fundamental international payments problems.” This action may also face legal opposition. These tariffs can only continue beyond that timeframe with Congressional approval.
Dallas released linebacker Logan Wilson on Friday, ending his brief stint with the team just over three months after acquiring him in a trade with Cincinnati.
The franchise announced that cutting Wilson will free up $6.5 million in available salary cap money.
Wilson had established himself as a consistent defensive presence in Cincinnati, recording at least 100 tackles in four consecutive seasons from 2021 through 2024. However, his performance failed to meet expectations after Dallas traded a 2026 seventh-round draft pick to obtain him at the trade deadline.
The 29-year-old defender managed only 24 tackles and forced one fumble across seven appearances with Dallas, starting just one game. Wilson was completely inactive during the team’s Week 17 contest against Washington.
Between his time with both Cincinnati and Dallas this season, Wilson accumulated 70 tackles across 15 games with eight starts. Despite serving as a team captain in Cincinnati, he had already lost his starting position before the trade occurred.
Dallas selected Wilson in the third round of the 2020 draft when he joined Cincinnati. He became a crucial defensive player in 2021, contributing to the Bengals’ Super Bowl run that ended in a loss to Los Angeles. Wilson led all postseason players with 39 tackles during that playoff campaign.
That 2021 season saw Wilson record four interceptions, matching his total from another standout year. Throughout his five-year career, he has compiled 11 interceptions, seven forced fumbles, 5.5 quarterback sacks, and 565 total tackles across 83 games with 66 starts.
Now available as a free agent, Wilson could draw interest from Buffalo. The linebacker played college football at Wyoming alongside Bills quarterback Josh Allen, and Buffalo reportedly showed interest before Cincinnati completed the trade with Dallas.
WASHINGTON – Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy defended the federal government’s decision to temporarily shut down El Paso’s airport last week, telling reporters Friday that the closure was warranted despite swift reversal of the order.
The Federal Aviation Administration had announced plans to keep the Texas airport closed for 10 days, but changed course and reopened it just hours after the initial announcement.
Multiple news organizations, including Reuters, reported that aviation officials made the closure decision due to safety worries related to a military laser system designed to counter drone threats. When questioned about whether his social media comments regarding the situation were inaccurate, Duffy responded: “I use the information that I get.”
The Transportation Secretary indicated his department will provide a briefing to members of Congress next week, addressing lawmakers’ substantial questions about how the airport closure was handled.
WASHINGTON – Federal transportation officials announced Friday they will implement new regulations mandating that commercial truck driver examinations be conducted exclusively in English, while also pledging to crack down on illegitimate driver training programs.
The U.S. Transportation Department revealed plans to eliminate the self-certification process for commercial truck driving schools following the discovery of hundreds of training programs that failed to comply with federal standards. The current administration has implemented multiple measures to address issues related to foreign commercial drivers with limited English proficiency.
Market watchers are looking ahead to earnings from artificial intelligence leader Nvidia Corporation next week, hoping the results will help stabilize U.S. stock markets that have been shaken by AI-related concerns and are processing a recent Supreme Court decision overturning President Donald Trump’s broad trade tariffs.
The Supreme Court’s Friday decision to strike down Trump’s tariffs initially boosted stocks and Treasury yields, but investors remain uncertain about what alternative trade measures Trump might implement and how the government will handle litigation and refunds.
Along with this market uncertainty and Nvidia’s upcoming report, Wall Street is paying close attention to quarterly earnings from other technology companies, particularly software firms facing threats from concerns that artificial intelligence could disrupt their operations.
The semiconductor powerhouse Nvidia, currently the world’s most valuable company by market value, will release its report on Wednesday. This comes as major technology stocks and other large-cap companies have started 2026 on weak footing, dragging down the major indexes they’ve helped drive higher in recent years.
Companies known as AI “hyperscalers” have revealed plans to increase capital expenditures for data center construction and other infrastructure projects, which frequently rely on Nvidia’s products, positioning the company for potentially strong financial results, according to Marta Norton, chief investment strategist at retirement and wealth services provider Empower.
“The expectation for outsized results for Nvidia has been a persistent theme over the past few years,” Norton said. “And so it’s hard for Nvidia to surprise when everyone expects it to surprise.”
The S&P 500 benchmark index shows a modest 0.2% gain for the year so far. However, significant volatility exists beneath the surface, with shares in sectors like software, wealth management, and real estate services taking heavy losses due to fears they could be vulnerable to AI disruption.
NVIDIA ANALYSTS WATCH GUIDANCE AND CEO REMARKS
Nvidia’s stock price jumped more than 1,500% from late 2022 through the end of last year. In 2026, the stock has gained approximately 0.8% through Thursday. Other members of the “Magnificent Seven” group of megacap stocks that have powered the current bull market have performed worse this year, with Microsoft shares falling more than 17% in 2026 and Amazon declining 11%.
Nvidia’s stock alone carries enough weight to move major indexes, holding a 7.8% position in the S&P 500.
For its fiscal fourth quarter, analysts expect the company to report a 71% increase in earnings per share alongside revenue of $65.9 billion, based on LSEG data. For the upcoming fiscal year, analysts predict average earnings of $7.76 per share, representing a 66% increase. However, the range of analyst estimates is “significant,” noted Melissa Otto, head of research at S&P Global Visible Alpha. The lowest fiscal year earnings estimate stands at $6.28 per share while the highest reaches $9.68, according to LSEG information.
“If the bulls are right, then the stock is looking probably not too expensive,” Otto said. “If the bears are right…it’s not that cheap.”
Remarks from Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang during the quarterly conference call could have wide-reaching implications for the AI industry, including for hyperscaler companies whose stock prices have faced pressure over concerns about insufficient returns on capital investments.
“Jensen has to come out and show his confidence in his own customers,” said Nick Giorgi, chief equity strategist at Alpine Macro. “The fact that to this point, Nvidia has been a cheerleader for their biggest customers is actually what you should want as an investor in this whole ecosystem.”
SOFTWARE EARNINGS AND STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS SCHEDULED
Quarterly reports from major software companies Salesforce and Intuit will carry more weight than typical, given the AI-related selloff affecting the industry. The S&P 500 software and services index has dropped approximately 20% year-to-date.
“Next week is going to be pretty important for software,” said King Lip, chief strategist at BakerAvenue Wealth Management. While the broad selling in the sector appears “overdone,” Lip noted, “I think there are some software names that are … going to have to find a way to adapt and innovate.”
AI infrastructure companies Dell and CoreWeave will also report earnings in the upcoming week.
Beyond technology, retailers Home Depot and Lowe’s are scheduled to release results as the fourth-quarter earnings season concludes. Investors will also assess President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday.
Despite technology sector struggles, indexes have received support from a market shift toward sectors including energy, industrials, and consumer staples.
“It’s kind of a perplexing market,” Norton said. “Everything that worked in 2025 is now having a hard 2026. And what was left behind in 2025 is working in 2026.”
Security officials confirmed Friday that Israeli military operations in Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley resulted in six deaths and left 21 people injured, according to two sources who spoke with Reuters.
The strikes targeted the mountainous region that runs along Lebanon’s border with Syria, marking the latest escalation in regional tensions.
The casualty figures were provided by security sources familiar with the situation in the area.
New Orleans has decided to promote guard-forward Bryce McGowens from his two-way contract to a full three-year NBA deal, according to ESPN reports released Friday.
The financial details of McGowens’ new contract have not been disclosed.
The 23-year-old player has put together solid numbers during his time with the Pelicans this season, posting averages of 7.9 points and 1.9 rebounds across 32 appearances, including 11 as a starter. McGowens has been efficient with his shooting, connecting on 48.0% of his field goal attempts and an impressive 45.3% from beyond the arc.
New Orleans interim head coach James Borrego praised McGowens’ development when discussing the expected contract upgrade last week. “We’ve seen the work every day behind the scenes,” Borrego said. “He’s ready for the moment. I think this is his moment, his time now. He’s one of those guys who can play both sides of the ball.”
McGowens entered the NBA as a second-round selection by Minnesota in the 2022 draft. Throughout his professional career spanning 150 games with 32 starts, he has accumulated averages of 5.4 points and 1.7 rebounds while suiting up for Charlotte from 2022-24, Portland during the 2024-25 season, and now New Orleans.
The defending Olympic hockey champions from Finland experienced crushing disappointment Friday night in Milan after losing a heartbreaking semifinal matchup against tournament favorite Canada, ending their dreams of repeating as gold medalists.
The Finnish squad had built a commanding two-goal advantage early in the second period, highlighted by Erik Haula’s shorthanded goal. However, the Canadian team mounted a fierce comeback and delivered the decisive blow with just 36 seconds remaining in regulation.
“Sad, upset, a lot of emotions, so I kind of feel flat,” expressed Haula, who competes professionally for the NHL’s Nashville Predators.
“I don’t know how to explain it. It’s hard to feel anything. We lost. They’re going to the gold-medal game and we’re going to the bronze, and I don’t feel anything,” Haula continued, adding, “I feel about as bad as you can feel.”
The statistics revealed Finland’s struggle, managing only three shots on target during the second period when Haula found the net. Canada dominated the shot count 39-17 throughout the full 60 minutes. Despite the lopsided numbers, Haula maintained confidence that his team gave their maximum effort against the tournament’s most favored squad.
“We played the best team in the world, we took it to them,” Haula stated.
“We kept talking about how we can’t just defend them. We were here for gold, and nobody thought we could do it today. And our goal was to prove everyone wrong, and it just came short.”
The Finnish team must now regroup for Saturday’s bronze medal contest, where they’ll meet whichever team loses the other semifinal matchup between the United States and Slovakia.
“It’s not easy, obviously. It’s a tough pill to swallow,” acknowledged team captain Sebastian Aho.
“But yeah, we just kind of flush this one out and wake up tomorrow and come with a good mentality,” Aho explained. “I’m sure that when it’s all said and done, the bronze medal will be an unbelievable accomplishment.”
The head of the Dallas Federal Reserve Bank shared measured confidence Friday about the direction of inflation while acknowledging significant economic uncertainties that could affect future interest rate decisions.
Lorie Logan, speaking to an audience at Columbia University in New York City, expressed that she holds a “cautiously optimistic” view that current monetary policy positions mean “we’re on a path for inflation to come back down toward our target.”
However, Logan tempered her optimism, stating “I’m not fully convinced that we’re on a pathway to our 2% target” given substantial questions surrounding how existing tariffs have affected the economy and what changes may come following the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down numerous import taxes implemented by President Donald Trump.
The Fed official highlighted several economic forces that could prevent inflation from declining as expected. “There are a lot of tailwinds with fiscal policy here being supportive, financial conditions also being supportive, and we continue to see pretty strong business investment from AI (artificial intelligence) and consumer spending,” Logan explained. “There is the potential for demand to outstrip supply and keep inflation from falling” to appropriate levels.
When discussing the Federal Reserve’s current approach, Logan stated “I do think that policy is well positioned,” adding “I see risks on both sides of our mandate that we need to be attentive to, but I wouldn’t want to speculate about different scenarios that may play out going forward.”
The central bank reduced its key interest rate by 0.75 percentage points during the previous year, bringing it to the current range of 3.50%-3.75%. This move aimed to support a weakening employment market while maintaining sufficient economic restraint to bring inflation back to target levels.
Several Federal Reserve officials expressed discomfort with these rate reductions, particularly as inflation continues running significantly above the 2% goal and actually increased last year when Trump’s tariff policies took effect. Financial markets expect additional rate cuts this year, though Fed policymakers have provided minimal direction.
Logan, who possesses voting rights on the Federal Open Market Committee this year, confirmed her support for the central bank’s choice to maintain current rates during its January 27-28 meeting.
Regarding tariff uncertainty, Logan noted questions about how the system will operate following the Supreme Court ruling, including unclear effects of potential rebates for invalidated taxes on price pressures. “It’s something we’ll be paying attention to, but I don’t have any specific perspective” on potential outcomes, she said.
Logan also discussed technical aspects of the Fed’s money market liquidity management, which has required maintaining an exceptionally large balance sheet. She suggested that payment system innovations and regulatory changes might reduce financial institutions’ need to hold substantial reserve levels.
“I don’t have strong views about the direction of liquidity regulations at the moment,” Logan stated. “I’ve worried over time that we’ve trapped a lot of highly liquid assets” under extensive regulations and “I do think we need to be looking” at these rules “thoroughly.”
Logan reiterated her position that the Federal Reserve should shift from targeting the federal funds rate to focusing on repo market rates for monetary policy, arguing the latter provides clearer signals about money market conditions.
Energy giant ConocoPhillips is reportedly looking into offloading Texas oil field properties valued at roughly $2 billion, according to a Bloomberg News report released Friday that cited sources with knowledge of the discussions.
The oil and gas holdings in question were acquired by the Houston-based company through previous transactions involving Concho Resources and Shell, according to the report.
Sources indicate that ConocoPhillips has enlisted financial advisors to help identify potential purchasers, with both strategic industry players and private equity firms expected to show interest in the properties.
However, the discussions remain in preliminary phases, and the company may ultimately choose to retain ownership of these assets, the sources noted.
During its fourth-quarter earnings announcement, ConocoPhillips revealed it had completed $3.2 billion worth of asset sales in 2025 and continues working toward its goal of disposing $5 billion in assets by late 2026 as part of its business optimization strategy.
The company has not yet provided a response to requests for comment regarding the Bloomberg report.
Federal Reserve officials find themselves navigating fresh uncertainty following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn major tariffs from the Trump presidency, complicating their efforts to chart the course for interest rates after a turbulent year of economic adjustments.
Central bank policymakers had recently begun feeling more confident that price increases linked to tariffs from the previous year would begin to fade. However, the high court’s ruling has introduced new variables that could either reverse or pause this trend, particularly as the current administration explores alternative methods to reinstate similar import taxes through different legal channels.
Atlanta Federal Reserve President Raphael Bostic outlined several concerns during remarks in Birmingham, Alabama, asking: “Is there a requirement to pay back the firms that have paid in?…If so, that’s a lot of disruption. Does this cause businesses to revert back to old business models about where they are getting their supplies?…Will there be another vehicle to put all those tariffs in at the same level or are there constraints?”
The market’s confusion became apparent in interest rate futures trading on Friday, as investors shifted their predictions between a potential Fed rate cut in June versus waiting until July, demonstrating how the Supreme Court’s decision has complicated economic forecasting.
Key questions remain about whether companies will postpone planned price hikes due to the ruling, potentially lowering inflation, or if they might delay hiring and investment decisions because of the uncertainty, similar to patterns observed last year.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that legal battles over refunds for the invalidated taxes could extend for “weeks, months, years.” He assured that the administration would implement replacement import duties using what he described as established legal authorities to compensate for the tariff gap created by the Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision.
“No one should expect that the tariff revenues will go down,” Bessent stated during an address to the Economic Club of Dallas. President Donald Trump responded forcefully to the ruling by announcing an immediate 10% tariff on imports from all nations, adding to any existing duties.
St. Louis Fed President Alberto Musalem suggested his economic projections might remain relatively stable if the administration’s replacement tariffs essentially match the previous duties that were imposed under emergency powers through the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). However, he plans direct conversations with corporate executives to understand their transition strategies.
“It is possible that as companies begin to think of how they’re going to transition from paying IEEPA tariffs to paying a different kind of tariffs, that could introduce a period of uncertainty there for companies,” Musalem explained to Fox Business Network’s Edward Lawrence.
Dallas Fed President Lorie Logan acknowledged the ruling has created additional ambiguity in policy planning. “It’s something we’ll be paying attention to, but I don’t have any specific perspective,” she commented during an appearance in New York.
Federal health regulators have given the green light to a new psychiatric medication developed by Vanda Pharmaceuticals, marking another treatment option for patients with severe mental health disorders.
The pharmaceutical company announced Friday that the Food and Drug Administration has cleared their drug for treating two serious psychiatric conditions, though specific details about the conditions were not disclosed in the initial announcement.
The approval represents a significant milestone for Vanda Pharmaceuticals as they bring their mental health treatment to market for patients who may benefit from this new therapeutic option.
Energy companies across the nation may see some financial relief following the Supreme Court’s Friday ruling that eliminated several trade tariffs implemented during the Trump administration, though industry experts caution that global energy markets will likely remain largely unaffected.
The court’s decision stands to benefit oil producers and drilling companies by lowering costs associated with foreign-manufactured equipment and components that were subject to the tariffs. Companies involved in building liquefied natural gas facilities and other major energy projects could particularly benefit, as these operations often depend on specialized modules and parts produced overseas.
One example includes Venture Global, which constructs LNG facility components in Italy before shipping them to the United States for final installation. The previous tariff structure had increased operational expenses throughout the energy sector’s supply chain, forcing many companies to either absorb higher costs or attempt to transfer them to their clients.
Cam Hewell, who serves as president and CEO of Premium Oilfield Technologies, expressed optimism about the financial impact. “We were forecasting that we would have to pay around $5 to $6 million in tariff taxes in 2026, so that number will come down, hopefully,” Hewell explained.
The executive noted that his company had absorbed most of the tariff burden rather than passing it to customers. “We had to eat about 90% of the tax increase, so it won’t have a big impact on what we charge customers. But it will free up more cash flow for research and development, employee raises, and cash back to investors,” he added.
Kirk Edwards, president of Texas-based Latigo Petroleum, suggested the ruling would help energy companies develop more accurate budgets and better calculate drilling expenses.
However, the Supreme Court’s action did not affect the 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum that were also implemented previously. Some industry leaders worry the current administration might find alternative methods to maintain similar cost burdens.
Hewell voiced these concerns, stating: “I have some fear that the administration will quickly bypass Congress and cook up another tariff scheme that mimics the current one…and never change the amounts we have to pay.”
President Trump has indicated he may pursue other tariff options, suggesting a 10% worldwide tariff lasting 150 days. “We have alternatives, great alternatives,” Trump said.
Despite the potential construction cost savings for LNG facilities, energy analysts don’t expect major changes in international gas trading patterns. Ira Joseph, a senior research associate at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy, explained that economic factors will likely keep Chinese LNG purchasing patterns unchanged.
“It makes more sense for China to continue to trade on U.S. LNG to Europe to make an arbitrage on the shipments or import cheaper oil-indexed LNG from the Middle East,” Joseph said.
Alex Munton, who directs global gas and LNG research at Rapidan Energy consulting firm, emphasized that geopolitical considerations remain paramount. “Beijing now treats its LNG market as strategic leverage with the U.S., and no LNG purchases were agreed as part of the deal late last year. Beijing is unlikely to offer purchases or make concessions, even if tariffs now ease,” Munton explained.
Samantha Santa Maria-Hartke, head of market analysis at Vortexa, noted the administration’s determination to pursue its policy objectives. “If this administration has proven anything, it’s that it is extremely resourceful in trying to get its agenda accomplished, they will look for alternative options,” she said.
China had ceased importing U.S. crude oil and LNG after implementing its own counter-tariffs, and Santa Maria-Hartke indicated this policy would likely continue regardless of the Supreme Court’s decision.
HAVANA — American sanctions targeting Cuba’s fuel supply are driving the island nation’s healthcare system toward complete breakdown, according to Cuba’s top health official who spoke out Friday.
Cuba’s medical infrastructure was already facing severe challenges alongside the nation’s struggling economy, with shortages of equipment, personnel, and medications being commonplace. However, the situation has deteriorated dramatically in recent weeks. Emergency vehicles are running out of fuel needed for critical calls. Power failures are repeatedly striking aging medical facilities. Aircraft delivering essential medical supplies have been grounded because Cuba’s government reports it cannot provide fuel for planes at its airports.
International experts and foreign government officials have cautioned that the Caribbean island may be approaching a humanitarian emergency.
During a conversation with The Associated Press, Cuba’s Health Minister José Ángel Portal Miranda stated that American sanctions have moved beyond merely damaging the island’s economic foundation and are now endangering “basic human safety.”
“You cannot damage a state’s economy without affecting its inhabitants,” Portal said. “This situation could put lives at risk.”
Portal indicated that 5 million Cuban citizens living with long-term medical conditions will experience disruptions to their medications or care. Among these are 16,000 cancer patients who need radiotherapy and an additional 12,400 receiving chemotherapy.
Heart-related medical care, bone and joint treatments, cancer services, and care for severely ill patients dependent on electrical power backup represent the most severely affected specialties, according to the minister. Treatments for kidney conditions and emergency transportation services have also joined the roster of compromised medical services.
The power shortage that Cuba has been battling for years reached unprecedented levels last month following U.S. President Donald Trump’s signing of an executive directive imposing tariffs on nations that sell or supply oil to Cuba. This action followed Trump’s removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by just weeks, along with his declaration that Venezuelan petroleum exports to Cuba would cease.
The island nation, which generates just 40% of its fuel domestically and relies heavily on petroleum for power generation, has historically counted on partnerships with countries like Venezuela, Mexico, and Russia to meet its energy needs. However, these supply lines have now been cut off.
Trump has publicly stated that his broader objective involves forcing governmental change in Cuba through increased economic pressure on the island, which has already endured decades of American sanctions.
Cuban citizens — whom the American government claims to support — are experiencing the severe consequences of the U.S. fuel embargo as daily hardships intensify. Public transportation has reduced service, gasoline is under tight restrictions and available only for foreign currency, and widespread power outages have reached unprecedented levels.
“There’s been a drastic change since January,” said Aniliet Rodríguez, a 25-year-old pregnant woman who was admitted that month to a maternal care center for an extreme case of anemia. “There’s no bread, no milk for nutrition … . There are no medicines.”
Cuba’s medical system operates on a universal, no-cost basis, offering neighborhood clinics throughout communities and government-subsidized pharmaceuticals. Nevertheless, it has fallen into crisis mode in recent years, particularly following the COVID-19 outbreak. Thousands of physicians earning government salaries insufficient to purchase basic necessities like eggs have left the country, while medical facilities have rapidly declined.
Medication shortages have compelled many citizens to purchase drugs through illegal markets.
These issues are anticipated to intensify in upcoming weeks despite Cuba’s government attempting to adapt to current circumstances, Portal explained. Solar energy systems have been installed at medical facilities while officials focus resources on pediatric and geriatric care.
However, he also noted they have implemented limitations on energy-intensive equipment such as CT scanners and laboratory diagnostics, explaining that physicians must depend on more fundamental treatment approaches, essentially denying many patients access to advanced medical care.
“We are facing an energy siege with direct implications for the lives of Cubans, for the lives of Cuban families,” Portal said.
Federal aviation safety oversight of United Airlines’ maintenance operations faces significant challenges due to staffing shortages, workforce turnover, and inappropriate reliance on remote inspections rather than in-person reviews, a government audit revealed Friday.
The Transportation Department’s inspector general determined that the Federal Aviation Administration doesn’t have adequate personnel or workforce planning strategies to properly monitor United’s extensive aircraft fleet. Similar oversight deficiencies have been identified at other major carriers including American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Allegiant Air in previous government reviews.
While the FAA chose not to provide direct comments on the audit findings to The Associated Press, the agency referenced a response letter included in the report. The correspondence indicated the FAA accepted most audit recommendations and planned to implement corrective measures by year’s end.
“FAA will implement a more systemic approach to strengthen inspector capacity and will take other measures to ensure that staffing levels remain sufficient to meet surveillance requirements,” the letter said.
Key audit recommendations include reassessing staffing policies, conducting independent surveys of inspector workloads and workplace environment, and enhancing training for accessing United’s safety information systems. The report noted that current data access limitations prevent inspectors from properly analyzing maintenance concerns and safety patterns.
United Airlines responded to AP inquiries by emphasizing its collaborative relationship with federal regulators and its internal safety oversight programs.
“United has long advocated in favor of providing the FAA with the resources it needs for its important work,” the carrier said.
The inspector general conducted this review from May 2024 through December 2025, during a period marked by several maintenance-related incidents involving United aircraft.
Audit findings revealed that FAA personnel sometimes performed “virtual” inspections when lacking staff or travel funding, despite agency requirements to delay reviews that cannot be completed in person. Remote inspections pose safety concerns because inspectors might overlook or incorrectly assess maintenance deficiencies, according to the report.
“Inspectors we spoke with stated that their front-line managers instructed them to perform inspections virtually rather than postponing inspections,” the report said.
Persistent staffing gaps at FAA offices responsible for United oversight have led to reduced inspection frequency, limited monitoring of maintenance activities, and significant loss of experienced personnel and expertise.
Recent United incidents include a March 2024 emergency evacuation after a plane veered off a Houston runway following landing. The following day, another United aircraft lost a tire during San Francisco takeoff but successfully diverted to Los Angeles.
Most recently, in December 2025, a United flight experienced engine problems during departure from Dulles International Airport but returned safely to the terminal.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump faced a major setback Friday when the Supreme Court dealt a crushing blow to his worldwide tariff program, with six justices ruling against the trade policy that formed a cornerstone of his economic agenda.
The decision sparked an extraordinary public rebuke from Trump, who unleashed harsh criticism against the justices who ruled against him, particularly targeting two of his own Supreme Court nominees.
The ruling challenged Trump’s expansive use of emergency powers for trade policy and tested whether the high court would maintain its independence from presidential pressure.
‘The Supreme Court’s ruling on tariffs is deeply disappointing and I’m ashamed of certain members of the court, absolutely ashamed, for not having the courage to do what’s right for the country,’ Trump declared during a White House briefing room appearance hours after Chief Justice John Roberts authored the majority opinion.
While Trump said he anticipated opposition from the court’s three liberal justices, he praised their consistency. ‘But you can’t knock their loyalty,’ he remarked. ‘It’s one thing you can do with some of our people.’
When pressed about Justices Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett, both Trump nominees who sided with the majority, the president didn’t hold back. ‘I think it’s an embarrassment to their families, if you want to know the truth, the two of them,’ Trump stated.
Vice President JD Vance joined the criticism, though avoiding personal attacks. ‘This is lawlessness from the Court, plain and simple,’ Vance posted on X. Notably, Vance’s wife Usha previously served as a law clerk for Chief Justice Roberts.
The tariff challenge drew support from across the political spectrum, with the libertarian Liberty Justice Center leading the legal fight alongside business organizations including the Chamber of Commerce.
Trump’s relationship with the Supreme Court has been complicated since his first presidency began in 2017. While he secured a major victory in 2024 with a presidential immunity decision that shielded him from prosecution related to his 2020 election challenges, this latest ruling represents a significant defeat.
During his current term’s early months, Trump had successfully won several emergency appeals that enabled implementation of his immigration enforcement policies and other priority initiatives.
Presidential criticism of Supreme Court decisions spans American history. Thomas Jefferson opposed the landmark Marbury v. Madison ruling that established judicial review powers. Franklin Roosevelt, frustrated by New Deal setbacks, unsuccessfully attempted to expand the court by adding justices.
Barack Obama used his 2010 State of the Union address to criticize the Citizens United decision while justices sat in the audience, prompting Justice Samuel Alito to mouth ‘not true’ in response. Alito hasn’t attended the annual speech since.
However, Trump’s personal attacks crossed traditional boundaries, according to Ed Whelan, a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and former clerk to Justice Antonin Scalia.
‘It’s entirely fine for a president to criticize a Supreme Court ruling that goes against him. But it’s demagogic for President Trump to contend that the justices who voted against him did so because of lack of courage,’ Whelan explained in an email.
Past presidents have privately expressed disappointment with their appointees’ decisions. Dwight Eisenhower reportedly told associates that selecting Chief Justice Earl Warren following the Brown v. Board of Education ruling was his greatest error, according to biographer Stephen Ambrose.
Theodore Roosevelt allegedly criticized Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes for a dissenting opinion, saying he ‘could carve out of a banana a judge with more backbone.’ Holmes was a Civil War veteran wounded in battle.
The key difference is that previous presidential criticisms occurred privately, not during a livestreamed White House briefing.
Trump and Chief Justice Roberts have clashed before, with Roberts issuing two public statements defending federal judges against Trump’s attacks.
While Trump avoided naming Roberts directly Friday, he appeared to target the chief justice when claiming he lost because justices ‘want to be politically correct’ and are ‘catering to a group of people in D.C.’
Trump employed similar rhetoric when criticizing Roberts’ 2012 vote that preserved Obamacare.
The timing mirrors the Citizens United aftermath, as Trump and several justices will likely share the same space Tuesday when the president delivers his State of the Union address to Congress.
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg once fell asleep during a presidential speech, later blaming California wine for her drowsiness. Tuesday evening, no justice is expected to doze off.
A University of Maryland Eastern Shore women’s bowling standout has earned conference recognition for her recent performance on the lanes.
Gabriela Becerra Diaz received Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week honors following her impressive showing at the James Brown Invitational tournament, where she claimed sixth place overall among competitors.
The weekly award highlights Becerra Diaz’s continued development as a key contributor to the Hawks bowling program during her freshman campaign. Her top-10 finish at the invitational demonstrated the skill level that has made her a standout performer for UMES this season.
The recognition marks another achievement for the Hawks athletics program as conference play continues throughout the winter season.
MILAN – Team USA delivered a dominant performance against Slovakia on Friday, crushing their opponents 6-2 in the Olympic men’s ice hockey semifinals to earn their spot in the gold medal game.
The Americans controlled the game from start to finish, building a commanding five-goal lead before entering the third period. Dylan Larkin, Tage Thompson, and Jack Eichel each found the net, while Jack Hughes contributed two goals to the offensive explosion. Brady Tkachuk added another score sandwiched between Slovakia’s two consolation tallies.
This marks the return of NHL talent to Olympic competition after a dozen years away from the Games, and many had predicted the powerhouse North American teams would benefit from having their top players available.
Those predictions proved accurate as the Americans easily secured their finals berth following Canada’s nail-biting 3-2 semifinal victory over Finland, the tournament’s defending champions.
The stage is now set for Sunday’s championship showdown between the longtime rivals at Milan’s Santagiulia Arena. Meanwhile, Slovakia and Finland will battle for the bronze medal on Saturday at the same venue.
The artificial intelligence company behind the popular ChatGPT platform has shared ambitious financial projections with investors, according to a Friday report from CNBC.
OpenAI has informed potential backers that it plans to invest approximately $600 billion in computing infrastructure by the decade’s end, sources familiar with the matter told the network.
The Microsoft-supported AI firm also anticipates generating more than $280 billion in annual revenue by 2030, with roughly half coming from individual consumers and the other half from business clients, the report indicated.
The company’s financial performance in 2025 exceeded expectations, bringing in $13.1 billion in revenue compared to its initial $10 billion goal, according to CNBC. Meanwhile, OpenAI’s expenses reached $8 billion last year, staying below the projected $9 billion budget.
When contacted by Reuters for verification, OpenAI representatives had not provided a response as of Friday evening.
Carnival Corporation announced Friday it will merge its separate stock market listings and relocate its corporate base of operations to Bermuda.
The major cruise line currently maintains dual listings on both the New York Stock Exchange and London Stock Exchange. Under the new structure, the London-based Carnival Plc will become a fully-owned subsidiary, while all trading will consolidate on the New York exchange.
According to company documents, Carnival will change its corporate domicile from the Republic of Panama to Bermuda and operate under the new name “Carnival Corporation Ltd” once the reorganization is complete.
The announcement comes on the heels of strong financial performance for the cruise industry giant. Just last month, Carnival projected annual profits that exceeded analyst expectations on Wall Street, driven by continued strong booking demand from higher-income passengers.
Investors have responded favorably to the company’s recovery, with Carnival shares climbing approximately 30% over the past year.
Microsoft announced Friday that Phil Spencer, the longtime leader of its gaming operations, will step down after spending nearly four decades with the tech giant, marking a significant leadership transition during challenging times for the gaming industry.
Asha Sharma, a company insider, has been appointed as the new executive vice president and CEO of Microsoft’s gaming division, where she will report directly to Microsoft’s Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella.
In her new role, Sharma pledged to refocus efforts on Xbox gaming systems, stating her intention to “recommit to our core Xbox fans and players.”
The gaming division faces mounting pressures from tariff-related expenses, intense market competition, and unpredictable consumer purchasing patterns, which have forced the company to increase Xbox hardware prices.
Microsoft’s gaming revenues dropped approximately 9.5% during the most recent quarter, according to company reports from last month, while the division also recorded undisclosed impairment losses.
The technology company completed its massive $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the studio behind “Call of Duty,” in 2023, significantly expanding Microsoft’s presence in the video game industry following extensive regulatory review.
Microsoft’s gaming operations face intense rivalry from Sony’s PlayStation brand, especially in console sales and exclusive gaming content.
Spencer will continue working with the company in an advisory capacity through the summer months to facilitate a seamless leadership transition.
“Last year, Phil Spencer made the decision to retire from the company, and since then we’ve been talking about succession planning,” Nadella explained.
Additionally, Microsoft announced that Sarah Bond, who served as Xbox’s president and chief operating officer, is departing the company “to begin a new chapter.”
Matt Booty has been promoted to executive vice president and chief content officer within the gaming division, Microsoft confirmed.
Previously, Booty held the position of president overseeing game content and development studios at Microsoft, based on his professional profile.
Booty will report to Sharma, who brings experience from previous positions at Meta and the online grocery service Instacart, Microsoft stated.
Diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran appear to be crumbling as both nations move toward potential military confrontation over Iran’s nuclear activities, according to government sources and international diplomats.
Officials from neighboring Gulf states and Israel now believe armed conflict has become more probable than a negotiated settlement, with the Biden administration assembling one of its largest military presences in the region since the 2003 Iraq invasion.
Sources with knowledge of Israeli planning indicate that Jerusalem views the situation between Iran and America as deadlocked and is preparing for potential joint military operations with the United States, though no final decisions have been reached about executing such plans.
This development would mark the second instance of coordinated US-Israeli military action against Iran within twelve months, following joint airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear installations last June.
Gulf nation officials report that oil-producing countries in the region are bracing for possible military action that could spiral beyond control and create widespread Middle Eastern instability.
Two Israeli government sources informed Reuters that they view the divide between Washington and Tehran as impossible to bridge, with the likelihood of immediate military escalation being substantial.
Certain regional authorities suggest Iran is making a dangerous error by continuing to demand concessions, while President Trump finds himself constrained by his own military positioning – unable to reduce forces without appearing weak unless Iran provides concrete commitments to end its nuclear weapons pursuits.
Former US diplomat and Iran expert Alan Eyre observed that “Both sides are sticking to their guns,” noting that meaningful progress cannot occur “unless the U.S. and Iran walk back from their red lines – which I don’t think they will.”
Eyre added, “What Trump can’t do is assemble all this military, and then come back with a ‘so-so’ deal and pull out the military. I think he thinks he’ll lose face. If he attacks, it’s going to get ugly quickly.”
Negotiations between the two nations have reached an impasse across fundamental issues including uranium enrichment, missile programs, and sanctions relief.
During mediation efforts by Oman, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi declined to even examine an envelope containing US missile-related proposals, immediately returning it unopened, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
Following Tuesday’s Geneva meetings, Araqchi stated that both sides had established “guiding principles,” while the White House maintained significant gaps remained between the parties.
Iran is anticipated to present a written response soon, a US official confirmed, with Araqchi announcing Friday that he expected to have a draft counterproposal prepared within days.
However, Trump, who has deployed aircraft carriers, naval vessels, and fighter jets to the Middle East, cautioned Iran Thursday that it must reach an agreement on its nuclear program or “really bad things” will happen.
The president seemed to establish a 10 to 15-day timeline, prompting Tehran to threaten retaliation against US regional bases if attacked. These escalating tensions have driven oil prices higher.
US officials indicate Trump has not yet decided on military action, though he acknowledged Friday that he might order limited strikes to pressure Iran into negotiations.
“I guess I can say I am considering that,” he told reporters.
The potential timing for any attack remains uncertain. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on February 28 regarding Iran. A senior US official noted that all American forces would not be positioned until mid-March.
European and regional authorities believe the magnitude of US military deployment would allow Washington to strike Iran while simultaneously protecting its bases, allies, and Israel.
America’s primary requirement remains constant: complete cessation of uranium enrichment on Iranian territory. Iran maintains it must preserve its nuclear capabilities and refuses to negotiate regarding its ballistic missile program, while denying intentions to develop nuclear weapons.
Should negotiations collapse, defense expert David Des Roches explained that current US Gulf activities already indicate how strikes would commence: disabling Iran’s air defenses before targeting the Revolutionary Guards Navy, the force responsible for years of tanker attacks and threats to block the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of global oil passes.
However, some Arab and European officials express uncertainty about Trump’s ultimate objectives, with European governments wanting America to clarify what military strikes would accomplish – whether to weaken Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities, prevent escalation, or pursue more ambitious goals like “regime change.”
Various regional and European officials question whether military action could alter Iran’s governing structure, led by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and defended by the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.
Some argue that without clear alternative political forces in Iran and with the leadership’s resilience largely unchanged, assuming strikes could trigger “regime change” would be dangerous.
Military operations may prove easier to initiate than control, and much more difficult to convert into strategic success, they warn.
Compromise indicators have been minimal. Ali Larijani, a key Khamenei adviser, told Al Jazeera TV that Iran was prepared to accept comprehensive International Atomic Energy Agency monitoring to demonstrate it is not pursuing nuclear weapons. Tehran has subsequently notified IAEA director Rafael Grossi of this decision.
A source knowledgeable about the talks revealed that Iran’s support for regional militias had not been formally discussed, but Tehran had no fundamental opposition to addressing US concerns about proxy forces.
Three regional officials reported that Iranian negotiators had clarified that any meaningful concessions require Khamenei’s approval, as he considers enrichment and missile development sovereign rights.
Washington Institute analyst David Makovsky noted that each side is testing the other’s boundaries.
Washington believes overwhelming force will force Tehran to surrender, while Tehran believes Trump lacks commitment for prolonged conflict and Israel considers the differences too substantial to resolve, making confrontation nearly unavoidable, he explained.
Agricultural leaders across multiple states are sounding the alarm about data centers expanding into farming communities, warning that valuable agricultural land needs better protection from commercial development.
According to Farm Bureau officials, the growing presence of data facilities in countryside locations has sparked concerns about preserving prime agricultural property. Ohio Farm Bureau’s president Bill Patterson describes this as part of a broader land use challenge affecting much of the Midwest region.
“Whether it’s green energy, commercial, housing, or eminent domain, you have to” address these competing land uses, Patterson explained, highlighting the various pressures facing rural landowners today.
The Farm Bureau leadership is now developing new policies specifically designed to shield farming operations from encroaching data center development while maintaining the agricultural character of rural communities.
Delaware’s agricultural community is welcoming a Supreme Court decision that restricts presidential authority to impose trade tariffs under emergency powers legislation.
Scott Metzger, who leads the American Soybean Association, expressed relief following Friday’s high court ruling that limits how presidents can utilize the International Emergency Economic Powers Act for imposing trade restrictions.
“The IEEPA tariffs have been used on several ag products,” Metzger stated, highlighting concerns about how these trade measures have impacted farming operations.
The Supreme Court’s Friday decision struck down multiple tariffs implemented during the Trump administration, providing what soybean producers view as protection against similar future trade policies that could harm their industry.
Good evening, Delmarva! We’re wrapping up this Friday with mostly cloudy skies and temperatures settling around 37 degrees tonight. A gentle west wind at 5 to 10 mph will keep things feeling crisp, so grab that jacket if you’re heading out this evening.
Saturday brings better news with partly sunny skies and a pleasant warmup to around 50 degrees – perfect for any weekend outdoor plans! However, don’t get too comfortable with the nice weather. Changes are brewing as we head into Saturday night, when clouds increase and we’ll see our first chance of light rain moving into the area.
The weather story continues into Sunday, where we’re tracking a mixed precipitation event. Rain and snow are expected, with temperatures dropping to around 40 degrees. This could create some slippery conditions, especially for early Sunday morning travelers.
Bottom line: enjoy Saturday’s mild conditions, but keep an eye on Sunday’s weather if you have travel plans. Stay warm out there, Delmarva, and have a great weekend!
PHILADELPHIA – Delaware’s women’s tennis team made program history Friday afternoon, stunning the 40th-ranked Penn Quakers with a thrilling 4-3 victory in Philadelphia.
The milestone triumph represents the most significant win against a nationally-ranked opponent in the Blue Hens’ tennis program history. Senior player Amelia Gorman delivered the decisive blow, securing the match-winning point with her triumph in third singles competition.
The narrow victory showcases the continued growth and competitiveness of Delaware’s women’s tennis program, as the Fightin’ Blue Hens proved they could compete with and defeat elite-level opposition on the road.
A former University of Delaware football standout is making his return to Newark, but this time he’ll be calling plays from the sidelines instead of catching passes on the field.
Jourdan Townsend, who graduated from UD in 2023 after a stellar career as a wide receiver for the Blue Hens, has been named the program’s new senior offensive analyst and assistant wide receivers coach. Head coach Ryan Carty made the announcement on Friday.
The appointment brings the former Blue Hens star back to his collegiate home, where he’ll now help develop the next generation of Delaware receivers. Townsend’s transition from player to coach represents a quick move into the coaching ranks following his graduation just two years ago.
The hiring adds a familiar face to Carty’s coaching staff, as Townsend brings firsthand knowledge of the Delaware football program and its offensive system to his new role.
Agricultural commodity markets presented a mixed picture during Thursday’s trading session, with grain and livestock futures showing divergent movements across various sectors.
In grain markets, March corn futures climbed 1 and 3/4 cents to settle at $4.27 and 1/2 per bushel. Meanwhile, March soybean contracts dropped 3 and 1/2 cents to close at $11.37 and 1/2. Soybean meal for March delivery surged $5.00 to reach $309.80, while March soybean oil fell 76 points to finish at 58.92.
Wheat markets showed strength, with March Chicago wheat futures advancing 14 cents to end the session at $5.73 and 1/2 per bushel.
Livestock markets faced downward pressure for the most part. April live cattle contracts decreased $1.42 to settle at $242.00, while March feeder cattle dropped $2.25 to close at $368.02. However, April lean hog futures bucked the trend, gaining 22 cents to finish at $93.67.
These market movements reflect ongoing supply and demand dynamics affecting agricultural commodities, which can impact local farming operations throughout the region.
Friday’s trading session at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange showed varied results for dairy commodities, with some products gaining ground while others lost value.
Dry whey experienced a decline of six cents, closing at 68 cents per pound. Trading activity remained quiet with no transactions recorded for this product.
Forty-pound blocks of cheese dropped by $0.0125 to finish at $1.4975 per pound. Market activity was moderate with five transactions completed, with prices ranging between $1.4950 and $1.5075.
Cheese barrels moved in the opposite direction, gaining two cents to reach $1.49 per pound, though no trading activity was documented.
Butter showed strong performance, climbing nine cents to $1.87 per pound. This commodity saw the most active trading with seventeen transactions recorded, spanning from $1.85 to $1.88.
Nonfat dry milk also posted gains, increasing by $0.0625 to settle at $1.6850 per pound. Six sales were completed within a price range of $1.6775 to $1.69.
Delaware’s top officials are celebrating a major legal victory after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against tariffs put in place during the previous Trump administration.
Attorney General Kathy Jennings and Governor Matt Meyer both released public statements responding to the high court’s decision to eliminate tariffs that had been implemented through the International Emergency Economic Powers Act during Trump’s presidency.
Jennings characterized the Supreme Court’s decision as a significant win across multiple fronts. “The court’s ruling is a decisive victory for the rule of law, for common sense, and for affordability,” the Attorney General stated.
The legal challenge successfully overturned the IEEPA-based tariffs that had been a signature policy of the Trump administration’s trade approach.
Federal agriculture officials are standing behind a massive $12 billion emergency aid package for struggling farmers as the application process launches Monday, several days earlier than originally planned.
Speaking at the Agricultural Outlook Forum in Arlington, Virginia this week, U.S. Department of Agriculture officials justified the unprecedented assistance as essential to keeping American farmers afloat during continued economic hardship.
The financial relief comes as the agricultural sector faces mounting pressures, with concerns growing after Friday’s Supreme Court decision overturning former President Trump’s emergency tariff policies – a ruling that could create additional complications for farm communities already dealing with financial strain.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the accelerated timeline during Friday’s conference, telling attendees that qualifying farmers should see money deposited directly into their accounts by February 28th.
“These resources will help carry producers into the next season, truly a bridge, as purchase commitments and new trade deals take effect and input costs continue to decline,” Rollins explained to the crowded ballroom of agricultural professionals.
The relief package centers around the Farmer Bridge Assistance program, which will distribute $11 billion in direct payments to producers who planted any of 19 designated commodity crops, calculated on a per-acre basis. An additional $1 billion has been earmarked specifically for specialty crop growers.
However, industry experts warn that even this substantial government intervention won’t fully address the scale of agricultural losses, which have exceeded $30 billion in recent years.
John Newton, who serves as vice president of public policy and economic analysis for the American Farm Bureau Federation, characterized the aid as temporary relief while longer-term solutions take effect.
The assistance will function as “a bridge until the improvements in the farm bill programs are realized on the farm,” Newton explained during the conference.
Questions remain about the Agriculture Department’s ability to process what officials expect will be an overwhelming number of applications. Significant federal workforce reductions last year, particularly affecting USDA’s Farm Service Agency offices throughout rural America, have already created delays in various government services for farmers.
The emergency payments highlight the severity of current agricultural economic conditions. Department economists project that U.S. net farm income will decline by 0.7% this year, even with record-breaking government support expected to comprise nearly 29% of producers’ total earnings.
Looking ahead to the 2026/27 growing season, USDA forecasters anticipate modest price increases for major crops including corn, soybeans, and wheat. Projected average prices stand at $4.20 per bushel for corn, $10.30 for soybeans, and $5.00 for wheat – representing 10-cent increases from current levels but remaining significantly below the peaks reached in 2022/23.
Chief Economist Justin Benavidez acknowledged that while emergency farm assistance has reached near-historic levels and helped prevent more widespread agricultural business failures, it has likely contributed to keeping input costs elevated for producers.
