The University of Delaware men’s tennis squad delivered another commanding performance Friday, shutting out Navy 4-0 in Annapolis, Maryland. This decisive victory marks the Blue Hens’ fifth win in a row.
Delaware’s tennis program continues its strong season, now boasting an 8-1 overall record. The complete shutout against Navy demonstrates the team’s current dominance on the court.
Navy’s squad, meanwhile, suffered their second loss of the season, bringing their record to 5-2 following Friday’s defeat at home.
The Blue Hens’ current five-game winning streak showcases the program’s momentum as they continue their competitive season.
The Executive Director of the National Symphony Orchestra has resigned from her position, leaving the prestigious ensemble based at Washington’s Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Jean Davidson announced her resignation on Friday, telling the New York Times that “It’s no secret that this has been a really hard year.” She revealed that she began seeking new employment opportunities several months ago and will now lead the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in California.
The National Symphony Orchestra has not yet provided a response to requests for comment regarding Davidson’s departure.
Her resignation comes during a period of significant upheaval at the Kennedy Center, the nation’s premier cultural venue named in honor of President John F. Kennedy following his death. President Donald Trump has assumed the role of chairman and implemented major organizational changes, including installing a board that voted to incorporate his name into the institution. Trump recently revealed plans to shut down the Kennedy Center for a two-year renovation period.
Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty, who serves as an ex-officio Kennedy Center board member, initiated legal action last year challenging the name modification. She has now expanded her lawsuit to request court intervention to prevent efforts to “shutter and gut” the facility.
Roma Daravi, the center’s vice president of public relations, responded to the legal challenges in a statement, saying “We’re confident the court will uphold the board’s decision on the name change and the desperately needed renovations which will continue as scheduled.”
Beatty’s lawsuit also alleges that Trump-appointed Republican board members illegally removed voting privileges from her and other congressional ex-officio board members representing both political parties.
When asked about the voting rights dispute, Daravi’s office directed inquiries to previous statements made to the Washington Post, where she maintained that ex-officio members have historically not participated in voting. “The bylaws were revised to reflect this longstanding precedent and everyone received the technical changes both before the meeting and after revisions,” Daravi explained in correspondence with the Post.
The Kennedy Center has experienced numerous performance cancellations since Trump’s return to office, with dozens of artists withdrawing from scheduled appearances. While various reasons have been cited for these cancellations, several performers have specifically mentioned disagreement with elements of Trump’s political agenda. The venue traditionally hosts significant cultural events, including the annual Kennedy Center Honors ceremony held each December.
Federal authorities are pointing fingers at China following a cybersecurity incident that compromised an FBI computer system, according to a Wall Street Journal report released Friday.
Investigators believe hackers with ties to the Chinese government successfully penetrated an internal FBI network that stores data connected to domestic surveillance operations, sources familiar with the investigation told the publication.
Officials have not yet determined how extensive the security breach was or the full impact of the intrusion, as the probe remains in preliminary phases.
When contacted for comment, both the FBI and China’s embassy in Washington have yet to provide responses regarding the alleged cyber incident.
A federal judge in Boston has thrown out the legal case of a college student who was improperly sent back to Honduras, citing the “sad truth” that her refusal to take a government-provided return flight eliminated the court’s authority to continue hearing her lawsuit.
Any Lucia Lopez Belloza, age 20 and a first-year student at Babson College in Massachusetts, chose not to get on a February 27 flight that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement had organized to bring her back to America. Her decision came after the Trump administration warned it would attempt another deportation if she returned.
Lopez Belloza arrived in the United States from Honduras at age 8 and has stated she had no knowledge of a final removal order that was issued against her when she was just 11 years old.
Her legal team had asked Boston-based U.S. District Judge Richard Stearns to allow Lopez Belloza to pursue the lawsuit she initiated after immigration officials detained her at Logan International Airport in Boston last November. She had been traveling to Texas to celebrate Thanksgiving with family members.
However, Stearns confirmed his previous determination that he lacked authority to consider her detention case because she had already been transported to Texas by immigration officials when the lawsuit was filed on November 21.
The judge’s only remaining legal basis for involvement would have been enforcing an order from another judge that was issued just minutes after Lopez Belloza’s case began. That order prohibited her deportation or removal from Massachusetts for 72 hours. Despite this court directive, immigration authorities flew her from Texas to Honduras the following day.
A government attorney later expressed regret to Stearns for an “error” committed by an ICE officer who failed to properly notify other agency personnel about the court order’s existence.
On February 13, Stearns directed the administration to correct this mistake by helping Lopez Belloza return to the United States. The administration responded last week by offering to have her take the ICE flight from Honduras to Texas.
But officials also indicated that ICE intended to pursue another deportation attempt once she arrived and maintained the right to hold her in custody. Lopez Belloza described the situation as a “nightmare” and decided to stay in Honduras rather than board the aircraft.
“The sad truth is that when Any declined the flight she also waived this court’s only remaining basis for jurisdiction,” Stearns stated in his ruling.
The judge noted that if she had taken the flight, the court order preventing her immediate deportation would still be active, providing her with “ample opportunity” to file a new legal challenge in Texas regarding her detention.
Todd Pomerleau, who represents Lopez Belloza, announced plans to file an appeal.
Three major allies are charting their own course to secure essential minerals, moving away from a trade partnership proposed by the United States to counter China’s overwhelming control of rare earth supplies.
Senior government representatives from Japan, France, and Canada revealed they are developing independent strategies to obtain critical minerals and decrease dependence on Chinese sources, according to Reuters reporting from Toronto.
The alternative approaches being considered include establishing import limits on specific rare earth materials, providing financial support to mining operations that can diversify mineral supply chains, and creating a purchasing alliance – a Canadian-initiated G7 project designed to establish dependable mineral sources beyond China’s reach and challenge that nation’s stranglehold on these essential materials.
Last month, U.S. Vice President JD Vance announced America’s intention to organize allies into a special trade partnership focused on critical minerals. However, four weeks following that declaration, several countries are pursuing different strategies, reflecting Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s call for mid-sized nations to unite as President Donald Trump has strained relationships with traditional partners.
The White House has not provided a response to requests for comment.
Hiroyuki Hatada, who leads the Americas Division at Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, spoke at a Toronto mining conference about potential solutions. He suggested that providing subsidies to projects throughout the Western Hemisphere could make them economically viable competitors to Chinese operations.
These rare earth elements are challenging to extract and are essential components in mobile devices, electric vehicles, and advanced military equipment. China maintains control over more than 90% of these materials and implemented export restrictions last year as a response to American tariffs.
Japan has encouraged its manufacturing sectors to establish business agreements with rare earth projects that the country has supported financially alongside partners including France, Australia, and Canada.
“They might not be the cheapest, but now that the industry understands the balance of risk and price, it is not a bad idea to use those projects,” Hatada explained.
Benjamin Gallezot, France’s interministerial representative for strategic mineral and metal supplies, informed Reuters that the American proposal represents one method of diversification, “but there are other ways to do it.”
“There will not be a general policy, that is our view. Second, it has to be built and discussed between a large number of countries, not only the G7, but G7 plus,” he stated.
France has proposed implementing a quota arrangement limiting how much metal companies can import, along with requirements for businesses in specific industries to diversify their supply sources. Gallezot also indicated France backs Canada’s buyers’ alliance concept and will advance this idea as France assumes the G7 leadership role this year.
Over the past two years, G7 nations have introduced various measures to address China’s rare earth market dominance. Western governments express concern that critical industries, including defense, have become overly dependent on inexpensive rare earth materials from China.
Canada has recently finalized 30 new agreements with 12 nations for proposed investments totaling C$12.6 billion ($9.22 billion) in mining and mining technology, bringing total investments to approximately C$18 billion since October. On March 4, Australia announced it would participate in Canada’s G7 critical minerals production partnership.
“Canada believes that the best way to address the issue of concentrated supply of critical minerals is through a production alliance or a buyers’ club,” Energy and Mining Minister Tim Hodgson told Reuters on Tuesday.
The luxury retail company that owns Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus announced Friday it will permanently close 15 additional department stores as it continues restructuring under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Saks Global Inc. revealed plans to shut down 12 additional Saks Fifth Avenue locations and three more Neiman Marcus stores. Among the affected Saks locations are stores in Chevy Chase, Maryland, Chicago, and San Antonio, Texas. According to a company representative, these stores will continue operating through the end of May.
This latest round of closures adds to the nine stores the company announced for closure last month – eight Saks Fifth Avenue locations and one Neiman Marcus store. Those initial closures are scheduled to wrap up by the end of April.
When all 24 planned store closures are complete this spring, the luxury retail giant will operate 13 Saks Fifth Avenue stores, including its iconic Manhattan Fifth Avenue flagship location, along with 32 Neiman Marcus stores and Bergdorf Goodman in New York City.
In positive news for the struggling retailer, Saks Global reported that 500 brand partners have resumed product shipments, unlocking approximately $1.3 billion in retail inventory. This represents over 80% of expected merchandise deliveries from February through April, with the company anticipating continued progress.
The retailer has also negotiated payment arrangements with roughly 175 suppliers or is currently in discussions to establish such agreements.
Saks Global has been downsizing operations since entering Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January. Last month, the company announced it would eliminate 14 of its standalone Fifth Avenue Club personal styling locations, retaining only three.
The company also discontinued Horchow.com, the home goods website that Neiman Marcus purchased in the late 1980s. Since February 19, customers visiting the site are automatically redirected to the home section of NeimanMarcus.com.
Additionally, Saks Global is shuttering most of its Saks Off Fifth outlet stores, keeping only 12 locations. These remaining outlets will primarily function as clearance centers for excess merchandise from Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, and Bergdorf Goodman.
PORTLAND, Maine — Federal aviation investigators have revealed that a private aircraft that went down in Maine this past January, claiming the lives of all six occupants, remained on the tarmac following de-icing procedures for nearly double the recommended timeframe, according to a preliminary investigation released Friday by the National Transportation Safety Board.
Federal Aviation Administration protocols dictate that aircraft should depart within nine minutes of beginning de-icing treatment. However, the NTSB’s findings indicate that 17 minutes elapsed before the jet attempted takeoff.
According to the investigation report, the aircraft’s captain stated it was “standard” to allow 14 to 18 minutes, noting they would only return for additional de-icing if the delay exceeded 30 minutes. The co-pilot agreed with this assessment, the document reveals.
The preliminary findings do not establish a definitive cause for the tragedy, which investigators expect to determine in their comprehensive report. The NTSB’s complete investigation findings typically require more than a year to publish.
An NTSB representative refused to provide additional commentary beyond the written report.
“There were multiple airport CCTV cameras that captured the airplane during the takeoff,” the report states. “Several of these cameras showed the airplane impact the ground followed by multiple explosions as the impact sequence progressed.”
The aircraft came to rest inverted on the runway and erupted in flames. Airport operations were suspended for multiple days following the incident.
The high-end aircraft, registered to a Texas legal practice, had made a refueling stop in Bangor while traveling to Paris during light snowfall, gentle winds, and temperatures near freezing as a significant weather system approached the Bangor area. Just prior to the crash, another aircraft had canceled its departure, informing air traffic control that poor visibility conditions and the need for additional de-icing treatment prompted their decision to abort.
While snowfall would eventually reach approximately 9.5 inches, the precipitation was just beginning when the accident occurred. Recovery teams, initially hindered by severe weather conditions, successfully retrieved both the voice recorder and flight data recorder for examination.
The Bombardier Challenger 600 had undergone routine de-icing procedures before moving to the departure runway, according to airport officials. Aviation regulations require pilots to return for additional treatment if the calculated protection time from de-icing expires.
The six victims, including four passengers and two crew members, had stopped in Bangor for fuel while traveling from Houston to France on January 25. Among those killed was Houston attorney Tara Arnold, 46, along with three employees from her high-end travel business.
The additional fatalities included Houston event coordinator Shawna Collins, 53; culinary expert Nick Mastrascusa, 43, and wine specialist Shelby Kuyawa, 34, both from Hawaii; along with pilots Jacob Hosmer, 47, from Pearland, Texas, and Jorden Reidel, 33, also from Texas.
Bangor International Airport, located roughly 235 miles north of Boston and 130 miles north of Portland, serves as one of America’s nearest airports to Europe and frequently accommodates private aircraft requiring fuel for transatlantic flights. The Bombardier was bound for France’s Champagne region when the fatal crash occurred.
ATLANTA — Georgia Republican legislators are advancing additional measures to restrict local prosecutors, claiming their probe into Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis demonstrates the necessity for such actions.
Willis secured an indictment in August 2023 against Trump and 18 co-defendants, alleging their involvement in a comprehensive conspiracy to unlawfully reverse the 2020 presidential election outcome. The case was thrown out in November when courts prohibited Willis and her team from continuing the prosecution due to an “appearance of impropriety” related to a romantic involvement she maintained with a prosecutor she recruited to spearhead the case.
Multiple state senators supporting legislation that cleared the chamber Friday are campaigning for statewide positions, with primary elections scheduled for May 19. The prospects for prosecutor-related bills remain uncertain in the House, which maintains less partisan divisions than the Senate while still under Republican leadership.
The Senate-approved legislation expands the grounds for disciplining or dismissing local prosecutors through a commission established in 2024 to oversee elected district attorneys throughout Georgia, along with elected solicitors general handling minor offenses in certain counties.
The proposal empowers the commission to take action against prosecutors for breaching bar regulations, failing to inform crime victims about prosecutorial decisions, not responding to public records requests, or demonstrating “undue bias or prejudice” toward defendants.
“We received substantial evidence and heard testimony regarding prosecutor behavior and the genuine erosion of public confidence in the independence and fairness of prosecuting attorneys statewide,” stated Sen. Bill Cowsert, an Athens Republican seeking the attorney general position.
While Cowsert rejected claims the legislation specifically targeted Willis, Republican Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who has received Trump’s backing in his gubernatorial campaign, offered a different perspective.
“Fani Willis’ lawfare against President Trump and his supporters has demonstrated the critical importance of oversight through the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission,” Jones declared in a statement. “This legislation provides the PAQC with tools to address DAs who avoid transparency, participate in unprofessional conduct, and fail to fulfill their obligations to crime victims.”
Among 140 complaints submitted to the commission in 2025, only three complaints concerning the same rural county solicitor general avoided dismissal. Washington County Solicitor General Michael Howard stepped down in July during an investigation, promising never to seek prosecutor office again.
Senators previously approved legislation strengthening the commission’s investigation capabilities during the session. However, this represents a modest result from the investigation, which included Willis’ own December appearance featuring heated exchanges with Republican Sen. Greg Dolezal, who is seeking the lieutenant governor role.
A second Friday proposal failed that would have required district attorneys and certain county officials in five Democratic-leaning metro Atlanta counties to run on nonpartisan ballots. This change would have affected Willis, a Democrat. Sen. Ed Setzler, a Republican from Acworth, contended nonpartisan officials would deliver better results. The measure collapsed after eight Republicans opposed it.
A third proposal initially would have permitted Georgia’s attorney general to intervene in major criminal cases without district attorney approval, but Democrats supported the revised version after Cowsert modified it to allow district attorneys to seek assistance.
The state Senate established the Special Committee on Investigations in January 2024 to examine misconduct allegations against Willis, an elected Democrat, regarding her Trump prosecution.
WASHINGTON — Dr. Vinay Prasad, the Food and Drug Administration’s controversial vaccine director, is stepping down from his position for the second time in less than twelve months, following ongoing disputes over his handling of vaccine and specialty drug approvals.
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary informed agency employees about Prasad’s departure in an email sent Friday evening, noting that he will leave his post at the end of April to resume his academic career at the University of California, San Francisco.
This latest exit comes after a series of contentious situations surrounding the FDA’s evaluation process for vaccines, gene treatments, and biotechnology medications, where pharmaceutical companies have expressed frustration with the agency’s policy reversals and demands for additional clinical studies on previously approved treatments.
Last July, Prasad was temporarily removed from his position after clashing with biotechnology industry leaders, patient advocacy organizations, and conservative supporters of President Donald Trump. However, he returned to his role within two weeks with support from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Commissioner Makary.
Since joining the FDA in May of last year, Prasad, who previously worked in academia and criticized the agency’s drug evaluation standards, has pursued what appears to be conflicting regulatory approaches. While he has collaborated with Makary on initiatives designed to streamline and accelerate the FDA’s drug approval process for pharmaceutical companies, he has simultaneously implemented additional safety warnings and research requirements for certain biotechnology products and vaccines, especially COVID-19 immunizations that have drawn criticism from Kennedy, who opposed vaccines before joining the Trump administration.
WASHINGTON — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s tenure came to an abrupt end Thursday when President Donald Trump announced her dismissal, following intense congressional scrutiny over a controversial $220 million advertising campaign that prominently showcased the outgoing secretary.
The dismissal followed two days of heated congressional hearings where Noem faced sharp questioning from Republican lawmakers about the expensive ad campaign, which included a video of her riding horseback through a forest near Mount Rushmore while delivering tough border security messages.
According to an administration official speaking anonymously, the costly advertising effort and several other leadership missteps, including problems with an immigration operation in Minnesota and staff management issues, contributed to Trump’s decision to remove her from the position.
Throughout her 13-month service, Noem consistently positioned herself as the visible representative of the department’s immigration enforcement efforts. Her social media presence featured numerous videos showing her participating in migrant arrest operations, photographs of her at an El Salvadoran prison, and airport announcements where she blamed Democrats for government shutdowns.
The Mount Rushmore advertisement combined patriotic imagery including rocket launches and wheat fields with footage of Trump’s swearing-in ceremony and his response to an assassination attempt. In the video, Noem delivers a stern warning while dressed in western attire.
“Anyone who searches for freedom can always find a home here, but that freedom’s a precious thing. And we defend it vigorously. You cross the border illegally, we’ll find you,” Noem states in the promotional material.
“But if you come here the right way, your American dream can be as big as these open skies. From President Trump and me, Welcome home,” she continues.
During this week’s congressional questioning, Republican Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana challenged the appropriateness of the massive spending while the administration fought against government waste. Kennedy directly asked about presidential approval for the campaign.
“The president approved ahead of time you spending $220 million running TV ads across the country in which you are featured prominently?” Kennedy inquired.
“Yes, sir,” Noem responded. “We went through the legal processes. Did it correctly.”
Lawmakers also pressed Noem about contract awards related to the campaign. The Associated Press previously reported that the Department of Homeland Security bypassed standard competitive bidding procedures, citing urgent border conditions, and awarded initial funding to two firms with Republican connections.
When Noem defended the campaign’s effectiveness to Kennedy, he replied sharply: “Well, they were effective in your name recognition.”
Kennedy suggested the campaign created serious problems for the president, expressing doubt about Trump’s supposed approval. “It’s just hard for me to believe knowing the president as I do, that you said, ‘Mr. President, here’s some ads I’ve cut and I’m going to spend $220 million running them’ that he would have agreed to that,” Kennedy stated.
Trump later contradicted Noem’s testimony in an NBC News interview, claiming ignorance about the campaign and expressing displeasure with it.
“I spent less money than that to become president. I didn’t know about it,” Trump said.
Kennedy revealed that Trump contacted him Tuesday evening in an angry state about the situation. “Her version and the president’s version of whether the president, A) was informed and B) consented are decidedly different,” Kennedy explained.
Following Noem’s termination, Kennedy described speaking with Trump after the secretary’s testimony, saying the president was “mad as a murder hornet.”
When Trump initially selected Noem for his Cabinet, he praised their long relationship and called her “very strong” on border security. As recently as January, following controversy in Minneapolis, Trump said she was performing “great.”
Beyond the Mount Rushmore advertisement, Noem appeared in additional promotional content and maintained a constant social media presence showing her fieldwork. From her first days in office, she made herself visible during enforcement operations, including arrests in New York City where she wore protective gear and described removing “dirtbags off the streets.”
Her public appearances included piloting aircraft in Alaska, participating in firefighting training exercises, and accompanying agents during a Chicago raid near a Walmart location. In one controversial video, she stood before crowded prison cells in El Salvador, warning potential illegal immigrants about possible consequences.
While Noem successfully elevated her public profile, she ultimately became another senior administration official to clash with the president and face removal from her position. Trump announced Oklahoma Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin as her replacement and said Noem would serve as “Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas,” a new Western Hemisphere security initiative.
SALISBURY, Md. – Salisbury University’s men’s tennis squad battled through tough doubles competition before leveraging their singles talent to defeat Methodist University 5-2 during Friday’s match at the Sea Gulls’ outdoor tennis facility.
The victory showcased the team’s resilience as they overcame early challenges in doubles play, then demonstrated their roster depth during individual matches to secure the win against the visiting Monarchs.
The afternoon contest highlighted Salisbury’s ability to adapt their strategy mid-match, ultimately outpacing their opponents through superior singles performance at their home venue.
The Colorado Avalanche welcomed back a familiar face Friday when they acquired center Nazem Kadri through a trade with the Calgary Flames, reuniting with the veteran who played a crucial role in their 2022 Stanley Cup championship run.
In exchange for Kadri, Calgary received forward Victor Olofsson, unsigned prospect Max Curran’s rights, and two conditional draft selections – a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 first-round pick. The Flames also sent a 2027 fourth-round selection to Colorado as part of the deal.
According to Sportsnet, Calgary has agreed to cover 20% of Kadri’s remaining contract value to facilitate the transaction.
The 35-year-old forward leaves Calgary as their top point producer this season, recording 41 points through 61 games with 12 goals and 29 assists.
Colorado currently sits atop the NHL standings, leading the league in both offensive production and defensive play, while Calgary finds itself tied for 30th place entering Friday’s action.
“Obviously super excited,” Kadri shared with TSN on Friday. “You know, a team at the very top of my list. Man, I can’t wait.”
Following Colorado’s championship victory in 2022, Kadri inked a seven-year, $49 million deal with Calgary. During that memorable playoff campaign, he contributed seven goals and 15 total points across 16 postseason contests.
His finest regular season performance came with the 2021-22 Avalanche squad, where he established personal bests with 87 points on 28 goals and 59 assists during their title-winning campaign.
Throughout his NHL career spanning 1,046 regular season games, Kadri has accumulated 319 goals and 751 points while playing for Calgary, Colorado, and Toronto. The Maple Leafs selected him seventh overall in the 2009 draft before trading him to the Avalanche in 2019.
Olofsson, age 30, contributed 11 goals and 25 points in 60 appearances for Colorado this season after signing a one-year, $1.575 million deal last August.
The Swedish forward brings 430 games of NHL experience from his time with Buffalo, Vegas, and Colorado, totaling 116 goals and 236 points throughout his career.
Robert Lighthizer, who previously served as the United States trade representative, has stepped down from his position on Trump Media & Technology Group’s board of directors as of Friday, according to Securities and Exchange Commission documents filed March 6.
Lighthizer was instrumental during former President Donald Trump’s administration in implementing significant tariffs on goods from China and leading efforts to restructure the North American Free Trade Agreement with Mexico and Canada.
The SEC filing indicated that Lighthizer’s exit from the board and its various committees was not the result of any conflicts with company leadership or board members.
Trump Media & Technology Group, which Trump established and operates the Truth Social platform targeting conservative users, has faced challenges in expanding its media operations while competing against established social media giants and dealing with inconsistent user engagement.
The company has explored the possibility of making Truth Social a standalone publicly traded entity.
Last December, TMTG announced a major strategic shift by agreeing to combine with TAE Technologies, a California company, in a stock transaction worth more than $6 billion. This merger represents a move toward fusion energy development, creating a public company focused on building large-scale power facilities to address growing electricity needs, particularly from artificial intelligence data centers.
A stellar individual performance by Sabou Gueye propelled Providence to victory in the opening round of the Big East women’s basketball tournament Friday evening in Uncasville, Connecticut. The seventh-seeded Friars defeated tenth-seeded DePaul 69-55 behind Gueye’s career-best 31-point effort.
Gueye’s exceptional shooting touch was on full display as she connected on 15 of 26 field goal attempts without attempting a single free throw. Her fourth-quarter surge included 10 crucial points that helped secure the victory. Beyond her scoring, Gueye contributed seven rebounds, three assists and two steals in the comprehensive performance.
The turning point came during a second-quarter surge when Gueye netted the final nine points of an 11-0 Providence run, including her lone three-pointer of the contest, giving the Friars a lead they would never relinquish. Though DePaul managed to cut the deficit to 14 points late in the game after trailing by as many as 22, Gueye put the game away with a pair of fast-break layups.
Providence received additional support from Teneisia Brown, who recorded a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds. Orlagh Gormley also made significant contributions with 13 points, seven assists and five rebounds while shooting a perfect 3-for-3 from three-point range. The victory improves Providence’s record to 15-17 and sets up a quarterfinal matchup with second-seeded Villanova on Saturday.
For DePaul, which concludes its season at 8-24, Kate Novik led the scoring with 13 points while Michelle Ojo added 10 points in the losing effort.
In the evening’s other first-round contest, eighth-seeded Georgetown outlasted ninth-seeded Butler 62-58 behind Laila Jewett’s 19-point performance. Jewett sealed the victory by converting four free throws in the final 15 seconds of play.
The Hoyas took control with an 8-0 third-quarter run and maintained their advantage despite never leading by more than six points. Georgetown improved to 14-16 and earned a quarterfinal date with top-seeded and undefeated UConn. Brianna Scott contributed 10 points and seven rebounds while Chet Nweke added 10 points and six rebounds for the winners.
Butler’s season ended at 12-19 despite strong efforts from Anna Wypych (18 points) and Mallory Miller (15 points). The Bulldogs’ 20 turnovers proved costly, as Georgetown converted those mistakes into 21 points.
Washington completed a trade with San Jose on Friday, bringing defenseman Timothy Liljegren to the Capitals organization in return for a 2026 fourth-round draft selection that previously belonged to Vegas.
The 26-year-old Swedish defenseman has tallied 11 points during the current season with San Jose, including one goal and 10 assists across 43 games played. Liljegren is completing the final year of his two-year contract worth $6 million and will become an unrestricted free agent after this season.
Originally selected 17th overall by Toronto in the 2017 NHL Draft, Liljegren has accumulated 93 career points through 307 NHL games, recording 21 goals and 72 assists during his time with both Toronto (2019-24) and San Jose.
A major Wall Street investment firm is predicting that oil prices could climb beyond $100 per barrel within the next week if shipping disruptions through a critical Middle Eastern waterway persist.
Goldman Sachs issued the warning on March 6, stating that the risks to their original price predictions are mounting rapidly due to severe interruptions in the Strait of Hormuz shipping lanes.
The financial institution indicated it may need to adjust its oil price projections in the coming days unless there are clear signs that normal shipping operations will resume through the strait. Goldman Sachs currently projects Brent crude prices in the $80s range for March and upper $70s for the second quarter.
“We now also think it’s likely that oil prices, especially for refined products, would exceed the 2008 and 2022 peaks, if Strait of Hormuz flows were to remain depressed throughout March,” the bank stated.
Oil markets experienced their most significant weekly increases on Friday since the extreme market volatility witnessed during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The gains came as Middle Eastern conflicts have brought shipping and energy exports through the crucial Strait of Hormuz to a standstill.
According to Goldman Sachs’ calculations, daily shipping volumes through the Strait of Hormuz have declined by approximately 90%.
Tensions escalated further when a representative of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards issued a challenge to U.S. President Donald Trump to send American naval forces to provide protection for oil tankers navigating the strait. Trump responded by demanding Iran’s “unconditional surrender,” marking a significant increase in his demands one week after initiating military action alongside Israel, potentially complicating efforts to reach a quick resolution to the conflict.
Additionally, Barclays issued its own warning earlier in the day, suggesting that Brent crude prices could potentially reach $120 per barrel if the Middle Eastern conflict continues for several more weeks.
Chicago will host a public memorial service on Friday to honor the legacy of civil rights icon Jesse Jackson. The celebration of life ceremony is anticipated to draw a diverse gathering of attendees including current and former government officials, religious leaders, and entertainment figures.
Following Friday’s public memorial, family and close friends will gather for a private funeral service on Saturday.
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks softball team encountered a setback on the road, losing their series-opening matchup against Drexel University.
The Hawks were unable to secure a victory in the away contest, marking another challenge in their ongoing season campaign. The team will look to regroup as they continue their series against the Dragons.
UMES will have additional opportunities to bounce back in the remainder of their series with Drexel as they work to find their rhythm on the diamond.
MIAMI — Federal prosecutors in Miami are exploring potential criminal charges against officials from Cuba’s government, sources familiar with the situation report. This development unfolds as President Trump continues discussing the prospect of a “friendly takeover” of the Caribbean nation.
Jason Reding Quiñones, who serves as the federal prosecutor for South Florida, has assembled a specialized team combining federal attorneys with agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration and additional agencies. Their mission involves developing criminal cases targeting individuals linked to Cuba’s government and ruling Communist Party, according to sources who requested anonymity since they lack authorization to speak publicly about the initiative.
The specific Cuban leaders under scrutiny and the nature of potential charges remain unclear at this time.
When asked for comment Friday, the Justice Department stated that “federal prosecutors from across the country work every day to pursue justice, which includes efforts to combat transnational crime.”
This prosecutorial effort emerges amid Trump’s increasingly confrontational approach toward Cuba’s communist regime.
Following the recent capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, a key Cuban ally, Trump announced last month that his administration was conducting high-level discussions with Havana officials regarding “a friendly takeover” of the island. He reiterated these assertions this week, indicating Cuba would receive his focus after concluding military action with Iran.
“They want to make a deal so bad,” Trump commented regarding Cuba’s leadership.
Although Cuba has diminished as a primary national security concern in Washington over recent years, it continues holding significant importance for Miami’s federal prosecutor’s office, where Cuban-American exile communities heavily influence the region’s political, economic, and cultural landscape.
The local FBI division maintains a specialized Cuba unit that played a crucial role in 2024’s arrest of former Ambassador Victor Manuel Rocha, who faced accusations of secretly working for Cuba since the 1970s.
Recently, multiple Miami-area Republican representatives, along with Florida Senator Rick Scott, have urged the Trump administration to revive criminal proceedings related to the 1996 incident where four aircraft operated by anti-communist exiles were shot down.
In their February 13 correspondence to Trump, legislators including Representatives Maria Elvira Salazar and Carlos Gimenez referenced decades-old reporting suggesting former President Raúl Castro, who commanded Cuba’s military then, authorized the attack on the unarmed Cessna planes.
“We believe unequivocally that Raúl Castro is responsible for this heinous crime,” the lawmakers stated. “It is time for him to be brought to justice.”
Though no charges against Castro have been announced, Florida’s attorney general indicated this week that state-level proceedings into the incident would begin.
The current administration has also criticized Cuba for failing to assist American anti-terrorism initiatives, placing it among a small group of nations including North Korea and Iran that the United States designates as state terrorism sponsors.
This classification results from Cuba’s protection of American fugitives and its unwillingness to surrender Colombian rebel commanders during their peace negotiations with that South American country.
AUSTIN, Texas — A Texas congressman’s unexpected withdrawal from his reelection campaign has positioned a controversial firearms enthusiast to claim the Republican nomination in a massive congressional district spanning the state’s border region.
Brendan Herrera, age 30, first became well-known through online videos featuring himself firing various weapons while using the moniker ‘The AK Guy.’ Two years ago, he narrowly lost to incumbent Representative Tony Gonzales but managed to push the race to a runoff in this week’s primary election.
On Thursday evening, Gonzales announced his exit from the race following his acknowledgment of an extramarital relationship with a former employee who subsequently took her own life. This development leaves Herrera without any Republican opposition in Texas’s 23rd congressional district.
Democratic candidates are hoping to capitalize on the situation by portraying Herrera as an extreme right-wing candidate, though they face significant challenges in a solidly conservative district that extends 800 miles along the Mexican border.
‘I appreciate Tony Gonzales for making the appropriate decision,’ Herrera said in a statement. ‘I look forward to being the voice of TX23 that our district deserves.’
After relocating from North Carolina to Texas in 2020, Herrera amassed millions of followers through YouTube content showcasing firearms testing at shooting ranges. He identifies as a ‘Second Amendment Absolutist’ and has been highly critical of Gonzales’s backing of gun control measures following the tragic shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, located within their district.
Herrera has drawn scrutiny for controversial remarks regarding the Holocaust. During a 2022 video, he referred to a German submachine gun as ‘the original ghetto blaster’ while performing goose-stepping movements to German music.
In the same footage, while shooting at a White Claw beverage can, a masked companion asks Herrera whether he’s ‘hiding any White Claw underneath the floorboards?’
Herrera responds affirmatively before yelling, ‘Gestapo right there!’ and firing at a case of drinks. He then remarks, ‘they did not see that coming,’ deliberately pronouncing ‘not see’ to sound like ‘Nazi.’
The video later shows Herrera stating, ‘I’m not really a big fan of fascism,’ while claiming his comments were historical humor.
Democratic candidate Katy Padilla Scott, a former educator, quickly condemned Herrera over the controversial footage Friday morning.
‘Parents I talk to in #TX23, particularly those in Uvalde, are disgusted that this man could represent our families in Congress,’ Padilla Scott wrote on social media.
However, Republican officials remain confident about retaining the seat and dismiss Democratic chances of capturing it with Herrera as their nominee.
‘Texas’ 23rd District is deep red, and Democrats know it,’ stated Christian Martinez, spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee. ‘While they talk a big game in Washington, they don’t even have a credible recruit and are too busy defending their own vulnerable members across Texas to compete here.’
Texas Republican strategist Brendan Steinhauser suggested his party must weigh whether Herrera creates unnecessary complications during a challenging midterm cycle.
The party prefers to consider the district ‘in the bag and off the board,’ he explained, but ‘it probably won’t be.’
‘They’re going to take a look at this one,’ Steinhauser noted. ‘Does it hurt the Republican Party to support this particular candidate?’
The district ranks as the nation’s second-largest and served as a consistent congressional battleground until redistricting occurred in 2021. It became a Republican stronghold in 2024 when former President Donald Trump won the area by almost 15 percentage points.
Trump had previously backed Gonzales. Recently, an attorney representing the former president issued a ‘cease and desist’ notice to Herrera’s campaign, alleging they distributed misleading campaign materials featuring Trump’s likeness.
Support for Gonzales deteriorated amid the controversy surrounding his affair and the woman’s suicide, with House Republican leadership pressuring him to abandon his campaign.
Gonzales indicated he will complete his current term, helping his party preserve its narrow House majority.
The Pentagon plans to deploy an innovative anti-drone technology to Middle Eastern locations after the system demonstrated effectiveness against Russian unmanned aircraft in Ukraine, according to two U.S. officials who spoke with The Associated Press on Friday.
Although American forces have successfully intercepted Iranian missiles using Patriot and THAAD defense systems, current anti-drone capabilities in the region remain inadequate, explained a defense official who requested anonymity due to the classified nature of military operations.
One official described America’s efforts to counter Iran’s Shahed drones as “disappointing,” noting that Tehran’s unmanned aircraft represent a more primitive design compared to the advanced versions Russia continues developing and deploying in Ukraine.
This military enhancement reflects growing worries about potential Iranian retaliation throughout the region following recent American and Israeli military operations. Nations along the Persian Gulf have criticized the lack of sufficient preparation time before facing waves of Iranian drone and missile attacks.
The technology being transferred, called Merops, operates by launching counter-drones against incoming threats. Compact enough to transport in a standard pickup truck, the system can detect hostile drones and pursue them using artificial intelligence that functions even when GPS and communication signals face interference.
Traditional radar equipment designed for high-velocity missiles often fails to detect drones, which can appear similar to birds or aircraft. Merops specifically targets these smaller threats while offering significant cost advantages over firing missiles worth hundreds of thousands of dollars at drones costing under $50,000.
Connecticut Representative Jim Himes, the leading Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, acknowledged this week that “we’re pretty good at taking missiles down. What is much more problematic for us is the huge inventory of Iranian drones, which are hard to detect and hard to take down.”
Himes characterized the drone threat as a “math problem” because America cannot continue depending on expensive interceptors like Patriot systems to destroy inexpensive Iranian drones.
“It’s really, really expensive to take down a cheap drone,” he explained. “A giant missile going after a tiny little crappy drone.”
NATO members Poland and Romania received Merops deployments in November after Russian attack drones repeatedly violated NATO airspace. The defense official confirmed that America has gained valuable insights from operating this system and similar technologies in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed Thursday that Washington requested his nation’s assistance in combating Iran’s Shahed drones, which Russia has deployed extensively throughout Ukraine. While Zelenskyy did not detail the specific support Ukraine would provide, the defense official confirmed Merops represents part of this collaboration.
When questioned about Zelenskyy’s statements, Trump responded to Reuters Thursday: “Certainly, I’ll take, you know, any assistance from any country.”
Defense officials indicated Merops will operate at multiple Middle Eastern sites, including locations without permanent U.S. military presence. Perennial Autonomy, the manufacturer supported by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, will handle most direct shipments without impacting European defensive capabilities.
Perennial Autonomy has not yet responded to inquiries regarding Merops deployment in the Middle East.
Pentagon leadership admitted during private congressional briefings this week that stopping Iranian drone swarms remains challenging, leaving some American assets in Gulf nations exposed.
“This does not mean we can stop everything, but we ensured that the maximum possible defense and maximum possible force protection was set up before we went on offense,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth explained to reporters this week.
Michael Robbins, who leads AUVSI, a drone industry organization, argued that experiences in the Middle East and Ukraine demonstrate America must rapidly deploy advanced counter-drone capabilities, ensuring “our forces can defend bases and populations without spending a million dollars to stop a $50,000 threat.”
ROCKVILLE, Md. — A Montgomery County judge has handed down a 35-year prison sentence to the daughter of a former top U.S. intelligence official for fatally stabbing a friend during an intoxicated dispute at a Maryland residence.
Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Terrence McGann imposed the sentence Friday on 33-year-old Sophia Negroponte. In November, a jury convicted her of second-degree murder in the killing of 24-year-old Yousuf Rasmussen. This marked her second trial for the same offense after her original 2023 conviction was thrown out on appeal.
Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy said the punishment was fitting for the crime. “The 35-year sentence mirrors the sentence imposed following the first trial in 2023. This is an appropriate and just outcome in light of the seriousness of this crime and the consistent findings of two separate juries who carefully evaluated the evidence,” McCarthy stated.
An appeals court had reversed the initial guilty verdict in 2024, determining that jurors should not have heard disputed segments of Negroponte’s police questioning and testimony from a prosecution witness who challenged her truthfulness.
The Washington, D.C. resident was among five Honduran children who had been abandoned or orphaned before being adopted by John Negroponte and his spouse during his tenure as U.S. ambassador to the Central American nation in the 1980s, The Washington Post reported.
John Negroponte was tapped by former President George W. Bush in 2005 to become the country’s inaugural intelligence director. His diplomatic career also included serving as deputy secretary of state and holding ambassador posts in Mexico, the Philippines, at the United Nations, and in Iraq.
A 22-year-old man now facing charges for the deaths of three Utah women had been walking free despite previous arrests in Iowa for cabin break-ins and illegal hunting violations, according to court records.
Ivan Miller was released on his own recognizance in January following his Iowa arrest, with authorities requiring only his promise to return for future court proceedings.
However, Miller failed to show up for his scheduled Friday arraignment because he was being held in a southern Colorado jail, where law enforcement had apprehended him driving one of the allegedly stolen vehicles.
Colorado’s public defender’s office is now representing Miller. Justin Bogan, who oversees the office in the judicial district covering Pagosa Springs, refused to provide comment on Thursday.
In Utah’s remote desert landscape, loved ones of the deceased women are grappling with what law enforcement has characterized as crimes of opportunity.
According to court filings detailing investigative interviews, Miller explained to authorities that he took the women’s vehicles and financial cards because he required means to travel back to Iowa.
Two of the victims were discovered by their spouses near a hiking trail after the women failed to return from their desert excursion. The third victim, described as a devout woman who took pride in maintaining her property, was located close to her residence.
Utah Department of Public Safety Lt. Cameron Roden stated that investigators found no evidence linking Miller to any of the three victims prior to the alleged crimes.
Miller’s movements in the days leading up to the killings show a pattern of transience. Shortly before the murders, he collided with an elk while driving through the town of Loa.
Following the accident, Miller sold his pickup to a towing company, leaving him without transportation. After several nights in local accommodations, he allegedly took shelter in a storage building belonging to 86-year-old Margaret Oldroyd in Lyman, Utah, near Torrey and Capitol Reef National Park.
Authorities discovered Oldroyd’s Buick on Wednesday at a trailhead approximately 10 miles from her rural home among the area’s farms and ranches. Miller allegedly confessed to investigators that he observed two women exiting a Subaru at that location, killed them, and stole their vehicle.
The victims at the trailhead were identified as Linda Dewey, 65, and her niece Natalie Graves, 34. Their bodies were located in a dried creek bed near the trail, which locals frequently use. Their husbands contacted emergency services and flagged down a park ranger.
“Our family is dealing with the shock of the devastating loss of two members of our family who were bonding over the beauty of a hike in one of their favorite places on earth — cherished by them and the community, considered to be a safe sanctuary,” the family of Dewey and Graves said in a statement. “They were murdered. We cannot comprehend why this happened.”
The family portrayed Dewey as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter and sister with extensive family connections and friendships worldwide.
“She was loved deeply and loved her family deeply. She was the heart of our family,” their statement said.
Regarding Graves, described as a wife, daughter and sister, the family called her “joy, sunshine and beauty embodied.”
Investigators traced the Buick back to Oldroyd, whose remains were discovered in a basement area beneath the shed on her property.
Neighboring resident Randy Jones expressed disbelief over the death of someone he called “the sweetest woman you’d ever meet.” He noted her dedication to maintaining her flowers and lawn in pristine condition.
Jones recalled that Oldroyd previously worked at a neighborhood grocery store handling inventory. When he assisted her with removing skunks from her yard, she would show appreciation by baking him a cake.
“Out here in rural counties, we all take care of each other,” Jones said.
According to Jones, Oldroyd rarely ventured from home in recent years except for church attendance and grocery shopping. Occasionally, she would visit him and his horses.
Wayne County prosecutors allege Miller shot Oldroyd from behind while she watched television, then stole her vehicle.
Following the discovery of the bodies, law enforcement conducted a widespread search throughout the Four Corners region for Miller.
His route took him through northern Arizona and northwestern New Mexico before authorities apprehended him in Pagosa Springs, a Colorado resort community famous for its hot springs along the San Juan River.
Court documents indicate Miller told investigators he killed the two women after deciding he disliked driving the Buick and stole bank cards because he needed funds for his return trip to Iowa.
Miller’s Iowa charges include felony second-degree burglary and misdemeanor theft, marijuana possession and firearms possession, with his Friday arraignment now missed. A January 13 court order shows he was released without posting bail based solely on his agreement to appear.
His Iowa arrest occurred after park rangers at a southern Iowa state facility entered a cabin on December 31 to prepare it for incoming guests.
Rangers found the entrance unlocked, food items on counters, a pan containing bacon grease on the stove, a container holding several marijuana cigarettes, and loaded firearms including a bolt-action rifle with bayonet attachment and an AR-10 equipped with scope and bipod, according to arrest documents.
The occupant had also installed a television, Xbox gaming system and Starlink internet equipment, indicating “intent to stay for a long period of time” at Lake Wapello State Park, according to the affidavit filed by the two rangers.
The document states Miller arrived while rangers were present, knocked quietly and quickly acknowledged breaking into the cabin three days earlier while seeking warm shelter.
The prosecutor’s office handling Miller’s Iowa case declined Friday to discuss the matter, including whether Iowa authorities would allow Utah officials to pursue their more serious charges first. A voicemail was left Friday for his Iowa public defender.
The 11th-ranked Ohio State women’s basketball team survived a tense quarterfinal battle against 19th-ranked Minnesota, winning 60-55 at the Big Ten tournament in Indianapolis on Friday.
Elsa Lemmila led the Buckeyes with a double-double performance of 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Jaloni Cambridge delivered the decisive blow with a crucial layup with just 16 seconds remaining on the clock. Cambridge contributed 17 points along with six assists, five rebounds and three steals in an outstanding all-around performance. Chance Gray chipped in 13 points for the victorious Buckeyes.
Despite being outrebounded 44-27, the fourth-seeded Buckeyes (26-6) managed to secure victory by creating 21 turnovers against the fifth-seeded Gophers (22-8). Minnesota’s Sophie Hart dominated the boards with 19 rebounds while adding 12 points, and Grace Grocholski paced all scorers with 18 points.
The game remained competitive until the final moments, with Grocholski providing four assists, including a setup for Mara Braun’s three-pointer that brought Minnesota within three points at 58-55 with 1:32 left on the clock. Grocholski had an opportunity to tie the contest with a three-point attempt at the 43-second mark but missed the shot.
Ohio State’s victory earns them a spot in Saturday’s semifinal round, where they will face top-seeded UCLA.
No. 2 UCLA 78, Washington 60
Lauren Betts dominated with 26 points and eight rebounds as the second-seeded Bruins pulled away from eighth-seeded Washington in Friday’s opening quarterfinal contest.
The Bruins (29-1) trailed by just one point with 2:33 left in the third quarter before unleashing a 7-0 scoring burst to end the period. All-American center Betts then took control in the fourth quarter, contributing six points during a 13-3 run that stretched nearly four minutes.
These two decisive runs provided UCLA with necessary separation after Washington (21-10) had threatened the heavily favored Bruins for over three quarters. The Huskies had jumped out to a 10-point first-half advantage behind strong early performances from Avery Howell, who finished with a team-leading 18 points, and Sayvia Sellers.
Sellers scored five of her 10 total points in the early second quarter as Washington stretched their lead to 22-12. UCLA answered when Kiki Rice exploded for seven of her 18 points during a game-changing 15-0 Bruins run that gave them a lead they maintained for the remainder of the contest.
Croatia will reinstate compulsory military service beginning this week, marking the first time in 17 years that the European Union nation has required mandatory military duty.
Starting Monday, 800 new recruits will begin two-month basic training programs at military facilities throughout the country.
The Croatian government modified its defense legislation last October to bring back mandatory service, aligning with European trends as tensions with Russia have prompted calls for enhanced defense readiness across the continent.
While the public initially showed mixed reactions to the policy change, more than half of the initial group of recruits volunteered for service, with women making up 10% of participants. Only 10 individuals have filed for conscientious objector status and requested civilian service assignments instead, representing the lowest such percentage in Europe according to academic experts.
Leon Dejanovic, an 18-year-old internet influencer, will begin his training in May as one of 4,000 conscripts the government intends to recruit annually.
Although receiving his draft notification in January felt “a little scary and surprising,” the social media personality with thousands of followers said he sees the upcoming training as an opportunity to step away from his digital world.
“Honestly, I cannot wait to be without my cell phone for a while because I am on my cell phone all day for my job,” Dejanovic told Reuters from his home in Karlovac, located 50 kilometers southwest of Zagreb, the capital.
The training program will cover fundamental survival techniques, self-defense, first aid, and operating FPV drones. Participants receive various benefits including a monthly stipend of 1,100 euros ($1,272.04), employment history credits, and priority consideration for government jobs.
However, not everyone shares Dejanovic’s positive outlook. His friend Josip Franjo Cvitesic, a 19-year-old factory employee, expressed reservations about the program.
“I haven’t received a call-up yet, but honestly, I’m against it,” said Cvitesic, explaining his worry that military service might interfere with his employment and earnings.
With Croatia’s reinstatement of mandatory service, 10 NATO member countries now require compulsory military duty, alongside Greece, Turkey, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
The Houston Texans made a significant roster move Friday by cutting ties with running back Joe Mixon, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, which creates $8 million in salary cap room for the franchise.
The 29-year-old Mixon sat out the complete 2025 campaign due to an unexplained foot ailment and was set to enter the last season of his three-year, $27 million contract that he inked in March 2024.
Houston managed to post a 12-5 record despite playing without Mixon and secured their third consecutive playoff berth. First-year player Woody Marks paced the squad with 703 rushing yards while seasoned veteran Nick Chubb contributed 506 yards on the ground.
Earlier this week, several media sources indicated that the Texans are bringing in running back David Montgomery from the Detroit Lions through a trade involving offensive lineman Juice Scruggs plus fourth- and seventh-round selections in the upcoming April draft.
During his debut 2024 campaign with Houston, Mixon accumulated 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns. Throughout his career spanning 111 games (102 as a starter) with the Cincinnati Bengals (2017-23) and Texans, he has amassed 7,428 rushing yards and 60 touchdowns. His receiving statistics include 319 receptions for 2,448 yards and 14 scores.
During his season-ending media session on January 21, Texans general manager Nick Caserio spoke about Mixon’s situation, calling the running back’s foot problem a “freak thing.”
“It wasn’t like he was riding a snowmobile or anything like that,” Caserio said. “It was more of a medical condition or situation that never … really didn’t improve maybe as much as everybody would have hoped. I’m not trying to evade the question. That’s the reality of the situation. He didn’t jump off a building. He wasn’t cliff diving or anything. He wasn’t doing anything irresponsible. It was just a freak thing.”
Caserio also commented on the lack of clear information regarding Mixon’s puzzling injury that occurred during the offseason.
“It was a very unique situation,” Caserio said. “I don’t think anybody really had any clarity, honestly, from the start of the year until now. I’d say Joe worked very, very hard to try to get himself ready to play football. It just never manifested itself, came to fruition.”
Multiple sources confirm the Toronto Maple Leafs have shipped out two veteran forwards in separate trade deadline deals, sending Scott Laughton to Los Angeles while Bobby McMann heads to Seattle.
The transactions reportedly bring Toronto a conditional third-round pick in exchange for Laughton, while the McMann deal nets the Leafs a second-round selection in 2027 plus a fourth-rounder in 2026. Both players will become unrestricted free agents this summer.
According to ESPN, Toronto’s conditional pick from the Kings becomes a second-round selection should Los Angeles make the postseason.
Toronto had surrendered a first-round draft choice to Philadelphia to bring in Laughton during last season’s trade deadline. The 31-year-old center managed 10 goals and 16 total points across 63 games in a Leafs uniform.
The 29-year-old McMann has contributed 19 goals and 32 points through 60 contests this year, accumulating 54 goals and 91 points during 200 games with Toronto overall. The team originally signed him as an undrafted college free agent back in 2020.
Toronto finds itself trailing by eight points for an Eastern Conference playoff berth after suffering consecutive road defeats against New Jersey and the New York Rangers. Both Laughton and McMann were held out of those contests due to roster management decisions.
Seattle currently occupies the Western Conference’s final wild-card position, maintaining a three-point advantage over Los Angeles, Nashville, and San Jose in the standings race.
SALISBURY, Md. – In a heart-stopping finish on Friday afternoon, Salisbury University’s women’s tennis squad narrowly defeated the Methodist University Monarchs by a score of 4-3 at the SU Outdoor Tennis Center.
The Sea Gulls battled through a closely contested match that required every point to determine the winner. The victory showcased the team’s resilience as they managed to edge out their opponents in what proved to be a nail-biting competition.
Friday’s triumph adds another win to Salisbury University’s tennis program as they continue their season with momentum from this hard-fought victory over Methodist.
Delaware State Police’s Sex Offender Apprehension and Registration Unit (SOAR) has released public alerts regarding multiple sex offenders who are currently wanted and others who are homeless.
Sex Offenders Being Sought
Law enforcement officials are actively searching for several sex offenders who have not complied with registration requirements or failed to update their current addresses. Anyone with knowledge of these individuals’ whereabouts should contact authorities at (302) 739-5882. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) 847-3333. The cases highlighted represent just a fraction of the sex offenders currently being sought. A comprehensive list is available on the Delaware Sex Offender Registry website.
The wanted individuals include Charles A. Fulton, John A. Martz, Mollie Anne Schonwit, and Roy Stevens, all classified as Tier 2 moderate risk offenders.
Homeless Sex Offender Alert
Authorities have also issued notifications about sex offenders who are currently without permanent housing. These individuals are not being sought for registration violations but are part of a community awareness initiative. If residents have information indicating any of these people are living at a specific residence, they should call (302) 739-5882 or Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) 847-3333. The individuals listed have recently been reported as homeless and represent only some of the current homeless sex offenders. The complete registry of homeless offenders can be found on the Delaware Sex Offender Registry website.
The homeless offenders identified include Mark Carmean (Tier 3), Rodney Johnson (Tier 2), Jerome Powell (Tier 2), and Eric Riffel (Tier 2).
Complete profiles and additional information for all listed individuals are accessible through the state’s online sex offender database.
Financial markets experienced a sharp decline on Friday as investors grew increasingly concerned about the possibility of an economic downturn combined with persistent inflation pressures. The day’s trading saw significant losses across major stock indices following the release of employment data.
Crude oil prices climbed to their highest point since 2023, with the surge attributed to ongoing conflict involving Iran. The escalating tensions in the region have created uncertainty in global energy markets, pushing petroleum costs upward once again.
Market activity at the New York Stock Exchange reflected the day’s volatility, with trader Michael Gagliano among those working to navigate the challenging trading conditions on the exchange floor.
The combination of disappointing jobs figures and rising energy costs has created a challenging environment for investors, who are now weighing the potential for reduced economic growth alongside inflationary pressures from higher oil prices.
BOSTON — Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum has been cleared to play Friday night against the Dallas Mavericks, marking his first appearance this season following nearly 10 months of recovery from Achilles tendon surgery.
The All-Star’s playing status was officially changed Friday afternoon before the Celtics host Dallas at home. Tatum underwent surgery to fix a torn right Achilles tendon he sustained during Boston’s playoff series against New York last spring.
Just one day earlier, team officials had listed Tatum as questionable for Friday’s contest. This represented the first time all season that he wasn’t designated as out while continuing his rehabilitation from the injury that occurred in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Knicks in May.
The star player had previously expressed his desire to make his comeback during a home game at TD Garden.
The Celtics enter tonight’s matchup with a 41-21 record, placing them second in the Eastern Conference standings.
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Soccer legend Lionel Messi broke his longstanding tradition of avoiding political appearances when he visited President Donald Trump at the White House this week, presenting him with a sparkling pink soccer ball during Inter Miami’s championship celebration.
The global soccer icon has historically been as skilled at avoiding political figures as he is at evading defenders on the pitch, particularly when it comes to leaders from his native Argentina. Many questioned whether Messi would even participate in Inter Miami’s White House visit following their MLS Cup victory.
When the ceremony began, Messi was notably absent from the team’s initial gathering. Instead, he made his entrance walking beside President Trump and team owner Jorge Mas Santos, later gifting the president the glittery ball.
Though Messi remained quiet during the event, his mere presence appeared significant for an athlete whose political views have remained largely unknown throughout his career.
Following Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph under Messi’s leadership, the team chose not to visit then-President Alberto Fernández at Argentina’s Casa Rosada. Argentina’s current leader, Javier Milei, who maintains ties with Trump, has publicly praised Messi but hasn’t managed to secure a meeting or photograph with the star. Last year, Messi was unable to attend a ceremony where former President Joe Biden would have presented him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom due to scheduling conflicts.
The White House visit generated shock and disappointment in Argentina, especially among fans who had respected the national team captain for staying out of political matters — a quality that set him apart from predecessor Diego Maradona. However, some believe his appearance could benefit Argentina as the country prepares for World Cup matches on U.S. soil.
Kirk Bowman, a Georgia Tech professor at the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs who researches soccer and politics in Latin America, wasn’t caught off guard by Messi’s decision.
“He is very ‘long-termism’ in his career, both as a player but also as someone who has a very strong team building long-term wealth,” Bowman explained, referencing Messi’s numerous business ventures, including his ownership stake in Inter Miami.
“He’s also embedded very strongly in Miami as a community, which is far more conservative as a soccer community than other parts of the United States,” Bowman noted.
During the event, Messi stood beside Trump as the president made remarks about Iran, Cuba and Venezuela, offering applause at the conclusion. Supporters have defended Messi by pointing to his limited English proficiency, which Bowman describes as providing “an extra layer of brand protection.”
Neither Inter Miami nor Messi’s representatives responded to Associated Press inquiries about the visit. However, Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano addressed questions during a Friday media session.
“I thought we would talk about football but I guess I’m not lucky. We were following the protocol that is practically a tradition for a team to visit the White House when it becomes champion,” Mascherano stated.
He explained that the team spent several hours at the White House and that their “contact with Trump was what you saw on TV and not much more than that.”
The photograph of Messi alongside Trump prompted some supporters to recall the anti-American positions of the late Maradona, Argentina’s other football legend. The captain of Argentina’s 1986 World Cup-winning squad actively supported figures like Fidel Castro and Hugo Chávez, even getting revolutionary Ernesto “Che” Guevara tattooed on his arm.
In contrast, Messi has maintained silence on political issues across all countries where he’s resided, including Argentina, Spain, France and the United States. During his time at FC Barcelona from his teenage years until 2021, he navigated a politically turbulent period when Catalonia’s independence movement threatened to separate the region from Spain. Despite the movement dividing Catalonia’s 5 million residents, Messi avoided taking any stance on the separatist cause.
He skillfully maintained his status as a beloved figure among Barcelona’s politically divided fanbase by focusing on scoring goals and winning championships. While he could be heard shouting “Visca Barça y visca Catalunya!” (“Long live Barça and long live Catalonia”) during celebrations, this chant was standard among players and carried minimal political significance.
Though Messi never learned Catalan, he consistently spoke positively about Barcelona, the city he moved to at age 13. In a 2024 interview with Catalan television channel Tv3, Messi said his “children are Catalans” and that “I feel like I am from Barcelona.”
Some hints of his political perspectives emerged in 2011 and 2020 interviews with La Garganta Poderosa, a left-leaning Argentine publication. In the earlier interview, Messi expressed admiration for Guevara, and in the more recent conversation during the coronavirus pandemic, he identified inequality as one of society’s most urgent challenges.
Despite this rare political appearance, Bowman believes Messi is unlikely to become more politically active.
“I don’t think he’s really comfortable being political, but he’s not uncomfortable being used in politics as long as the net benefit is positive,” he observed.
Bowman referenced Messi’s promotional agreement with Saudi Arabia’s tourism authority and the accompanying “sportswashing” criticisms, comparing Messi’s strategy to the kingdom’s standard “tarnish clause.”
“I think Messi is seen in the same way,” Bowman concluded. “He will participate in things as long as it doesn’t tarnish Brand Messi.”
A group of computer science students from Delaware State University claimed first place at the University of Delaware’s HenHack programming competition.
The hackathon brought together collegiate teams to demonstrate their coding abilities and innovative problem-solving skills in a competitive environment.
This victory highlights the growing strength of Delaware State University’s computer science program and the talent of its students in technology-focused competitions.
Motorists traveling along Hardin Lane should plan for potential delays as construction crews continue their work in the area.
The Delaware Department of Transportation reports that intermittent lane restrictions are affecting the stretch of Hardin Lane between Darwin Drive and Phyllis Drive. These temporary closures are expected to continue throughout the day until 6 PM.
Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time and exercise caution when navigating through the construction zone. The lane restrictions may cause periodic traffic backups as vehicles merge around the work area.
Cape Henlopen State Park will temporarily shut down two of its popular walking paths for maintenance work beginning next week.
Starting March 9, the Junction and Breakwater Trail will be closed to visitors Monday through Friday for a three-week repair period. Following that work, the Gordon Pond Trail will also be unavailable on weekdays for two weeks while crews address areas damaged by storm surge and high tides.
The weekday-only closures will allow park officials to complete necessary maintenance while keeping the trails open for weekend visitors. Both paths are expected to fully reopen after the repair work is completed.
Motorists traveling eastbound on Kirkwood Highway are facing traffic delays after a water main rupture forced authorities to close the right turn lane near the 5810 address.
The Delaware Department of Transportation is monitoring the situation as utility crews work to repair the damaged water infrastructure. The lane closure is expected to remain in effect until the water main can be fixed and the roadway deemed safe for normal traffic flow.
Drivers are advised to use alternate routes or allow extra travel time when passing through the area. DelDOT continues to provide updates on the traffic incident through their online reporting system.
This weekend marks the start of the Formula One World Championship season, bringing historic developments for American automakers in the world’s most costly and technologically sophisticated form of motorsport.
General Motors will enter Formula One competition for the first time, while Ford makes its return to the premier racing series. Both manufacturers are set to make their mark in a sport known for pushing the boundaries of automotive technology and engineering.
The upcoming season represents a significant milestone for American involvement in Formula One, as these major Detroit-based automakers join the global competition that attracts millions of viewers worldwide.
A traffic accident has resulted in lane restrictions on northbound Route 1 in the Smyrna area, according to Delaware Department of Transportation officials.
The crash occurred at Smyrna Leipsic Road, forcing authorities to shut down the right travel lane to traffic. Drivers heading north on Route 1 through this section should anticipate slower speeds and potential backups while emergency personnel and cleanup crews respond to the incident.
DelDOT has not provided details about the severity of the collision or whether any injuries occurred. The department continues to monitor the situation and will reopen the lane once the roadway is deemed safe for normal traffic flow.
Commuters are advised to allow extra travel time or seek alternative routes to avoid the affected area.
QUITO, Ecuador — Cuban embassy personnel departed Ecuador on Friday following the expiration of a 48-hour ultimatum issued by President Daniel Noboa’s administration demanding their immediate exit from the country.
Embassy workers lowered the Cuban flag from their diplomatic facility in northern Quito before their departure.
Cuba’s Foreign Ministry issued a Friday statement announcing the complete closure of embassy operations in Quito while expressing disappointment over what it called “the unilateral and unfriendly action” taken by Ecuador’s leadership.
The South American nation on Wednesday branded Cuban Ambassador Basilio Antonio Gutiérrez and his entire diplomatic team as unwelcome individuals, ordering their departure within two days.
Following the expulsion announcement, witnesses observed someone on the embassy rooftop destroying documents by fire in what appeared to be an oven. The Associated Press captured the incident, which President Noboa later shared on social media with the comment: “A paper barbecue.”
Ecuador’s foreign affairs department stated the expulsion followed established international diplomatic protocols but provided no explanation for forcing the departure. Under the Vienna Convention, nations may remove diplomatic personnel without justification.
This diplomatic breakdown comes just before President Trump’s scheduled Florida meeting with multiple conservative Latin American officials, including Noboa. The timing coincides with heightened U.S. sanctions against countries conducting oil trade with Cuba, which Trump recently labeled a “failed nation,” and follows rising tensions after the January 3rd U.S. military capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, a close Cuban partner, in Caracas.
Cuban officials announced Thursday that a fifth person has succumbed to injuries sustained during a deadly February confrontation involving a speedboat registered in Florida.
Cuba’s interior ministry reported that Roberto Álvarez Ávila passed away on March 4 from wounds received in the incident. Ministry officials stated that other injured individuals who were detained “continue to receive specialized medical care according to their health status.”
The fatal encounter occurred on February 26 when Cuban military personnel intercepted a speedboat carrying 10 individuals as it neared the island’s coastline. According to Cuban officials, those aboard the vessel fired upon the soldiers first. Cuba maintains that the boat’s occupants were armed Cuban expatriates residing in the United States who intended to infiltrate the country and “unleash terrorism.” Cuban forces reportedly killed four people initially and injured six others during the exchange.
“The statements made by the detainees themselves, together with a series of investigative procedures, reinforce the evidence against them,” Cuba’s interior ministry declared, noting that “new elements are being obtained that establish the involvement of other individuals based in the U.S.”
This week, Cuban authorities announced terrorism charges against six individuals who were aboard the vessel. Officials displayed confiscated materials they claim were recovered from the boat, including 12 high-caliber firearms, over 12,800 rounds of ammunition, and 11 handguns.
Cuban officials have released limited information about the shooting incident, stating only that it occurred approximately 1.6 kilometers northeast of Cayo Falcones along Cuba’s northern shoreline. While authorities provided the vessel’s registration information, verification remains difficult as Florida does not make boat registration records publicly accessible.
The incident has the potential to escalate diplomatic tensions between former President Donald Trump’s administration and the Cuban government. Cuba’s economic stability had previously depended heavily on Venezuelan oil support, which became uncertain following a U.S. military intervention that removed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro from power.
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia’s political landscape has shifted into high gear as candidates officially entered the race Friday for the state’s May 19 primary elections, setting up competitive battles for both the U.S. Senate seat and the governor’s mansion in this pivotal swing state.
The Republican field challenging Democratic incumbent U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is emphasizing their allegiance to President Donald Trump while directing their criticism primarily at the sitting senator rather than attacking fellow GOP contenders. Meanwhile, candidates vying to replace term-limited Republican Governor Brian Kemp are positioning themselves within crowded primary fields from both major parties.
The candidate qualification period in Georgia transforms the state Capitol into a political showcase where hopefuls deliver their campaign messages and demonstrate their electoral strength. Here’s what emerged from the proceedings:
The Republican challenge to Ossoff includes U.S. Representatives Mike Collins and Buddy Carter, along with Derek Dooley, who previously coached football at the University of Tennessee.
During a Monday rally with his supporters, Ossoff made his case for re-election, stating that voters should return him to office because “they recognize this president has gone too far, that the chaos and the corruption and the cruelty are wrong for Georgia and wrong for the country.”
The incumbent senator emphasized that voters understand “a need for checks and balances” against Trump, cautioning: “My opponents will be his puppets.”
Collins labeled Ossoff “California’s third senator” while highlighting his endorsements, including Wednesday’s backing from The Club for Growth, a conservative advocacy organization.
“We need to be spending every minute that we got making sure that this country is safe, making sure it’s productive, and making sure that it is affordable to people here,” Collins stated.
Dooley emphasized that his coaching background provides him with skills to connect with voters who typically don’t support Republican candidates.
“It’s important we have a candidate that can appeal to a lot of these crossover voters, people who don’t always vote in the midterms, who don’t always vote Republican,” he explained.
Carter expressed a singular focus during his qualification registration: “We’ve got to get rid of Jon Ossoff.”
“My plan is to win,” Carter declared. “Let’s keep the main thing the main thing.”
Health care executive Rick Jackson became the final major gubernatorial candidate to qualify Friday, greeting schoolchildren during his registration while asserting that despite his substantial advertising expenditures, “there is no way to buy an election. You’ve got to earn it.”
Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, who has Trump’s endorsement, expressed confidence despite Jackson’s high-profile campaign launch into the eight-candidate Republican field.
“The newness is going to wear off, and they’re going to look to the person who’s been most consistent throughout the years,” Jones said. “And I have that.”
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger successfully completed his qualification Wednesday without incident, despite a 2022 Georgia Republican Party resolution urging party officials to block his candidacy. This resolution reflects the significant animosity many Republican activists hold toward Raffensperger after he declined to assist Donald Trump in overturning his 2020 Georgia election defeat.
Raffensperger is avoiding those controversies in his gubernatorial campaign, focusing instead on economic issues: “the most important thing right now is how do you kind of deal with this affordability crisis and you create good paying jobs.”
Attorney General Chris Carr, another major Republican contender, highlights his accomplishments in job recruitment and crime prevention, noting that constituents “care about jobs, safety, education, affordability.”
“They don’t really want to talk about social issues the way the right and the left traditionally have,” Carr observed, despite ongoing debates between Jackson and Jones regarding transgender policy issues.
Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former Atlanta mayor widely considered the Democratic frontrunner among eight candidates, told reporters Monday that her policy agenda including affordability measures, free technical education, and state income tax relief for teachers will resonate beyond Democratic voters to general election participants who haven’t supported Democrats in the past 24 years.
“I’m speaking my truth on what I feel a leader and a governor in this state needs to offer to people, so I don’t have to worry about changing my message for a general election audience,” Bottoms explained.
Geoff Duncan, who switched from Republican to Democrat, continued emphasizing his potential appeal to crossover voters, saying he remains “focused on the affordability crisis, the health care crisis, and unfortunately still the Donald Trump crisis.”
Former state Senator Jason Esteves promoted his own policy platform while criticizing both Bottoms and Duncan. He pointed out that Bottoms declined to seek re-election as mayor and that Duncan, after supporting Republican initiatives as lieutenant governor that he now opposes, also withdrew from political life.
“We can’t afford to have folks that will stay silent, nor can we have folks that are going to be absent or quit when the going gets tough,” Esteves declared.
Former DeKalb County CEO Mike Thurmond became emotional while describing his impoverished childhood as a Black man and his subsequent political achievements as proof of the “American dream.”
“I’m here representing all of those Georgians who couldn’t afford to be here today, who are pulling two jobs, working overtime, can’t afford the pay their insurance,” he said.
A Cleveland mother charged with murdering her two young children had her bond set at $2 million during a Friday court hearing, following the discovery of the girls’ remains in suitcases buried in shallow graves.
Twenty-eight-year-old Aliyah Henderson is facing two aggravated murder charges related to the deaths of Mila Chatman and Amor Wilson. The children’s bodies were found after someone walking their dog noticed one of the suitcases earlier this week and contacted authorities.
During her court appearance, Henderson remained mostly silent. Court officials noted that prosecutors found no prior criminal history for the defendant, while her appointed attorney mentioned she had housing arrangements and was actively seeking employment.
DeShaun Chatman, who is Mila’s father, remembered his daughter as a joyful child who embodied what it meant to be young. “She was happy-go-lucky — a ‘kid’s kid’ who was always smiling,” he said. Chatman revealed he had not seen Mila in five years despite his unsuccessful attempts to obtain emergency custody.
Following the hearing, Cullen Sweeney, who serves as the chief public defender for Cuyahoga County, refused to discuss the case details. Henderson’s future legal representation remains uncertain at this time.
According to the county Medical Examiner’s Office, Mila was 8 years old and Amor was 10. Officials used DNA testing to confirm the relationship between the half-sisters and establish their identities. Investigators also discovered a third child during their search of a residence connected to the case. That child, who appears to be in good health, is now under the care of child welfare services.
The leader of the National Symphony Orchestra at Washington’s Kennedy Center is stepping down to take over operations at a Los Angeles performing arts venue, marking another high-profile exit from the nation’s premier cultural institution.
Jean Davidson will become the new executive director and CEO of the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, officials announced Friday. Davidson had been running the National Symphony Orchestra since joining the Kennedy Center in 2023, following an eight-year tenure leading the Los Angeles Master Chorale at The Music Center.
“The arts are where a community sees itself, and where it imagines what’s possible next,” Davidson stated. “I’m honored to join the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Arts at this pivotal moment.”
Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell praised Davidson’s contributions in a statement to The Associated Press, saying she deserved recognition for her work.
“I have enjoyed working with Jean to cultivate new donors and patrons while cleaning up the financial mess at the (center),” he commented.
In her own statement to The Associated Press, Davidson reflected on her time with the orchestra: “It has been a great honor to serve the NSO and to work alongside Gianandrea Noseda, Steven Reineke, the extraordinary musicians, and the dedicated staff and board. I’m deeply proud of everything we’ve accomplished together.”
However, Davidson revealed to the Los Angeles Times that staying at the Kennedy Center had become increasingly challenging due to circumstances beyond her influence.
The departure comes as the Kennedy Center faces significant upheaval under Trump’s renewed focus on the institution. Unlike his first presidency when he largely overlooked the venue, Trump has now made it central to his campaign against what he calls “woke” culture. He removed the center’s former leadership and installed new trustees who voted to rebrand it as the Trump Kennedy Center, though legal experts say such a change requires congressional approval.
The turmoil has prompted several prominent artists including Renée Fleming, Philip Glass and Bela Fleck to cancel scheduled performances. The Washington National Opera also ended its long-standing partnership with the center. Trump recently announced plans to shut down the facility this summer for a two-year renovation project.
Davidson will replace Robert van Leer at the Wallis, who recently departed to become performing arts program director at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.
PARIS, March 6 – Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister has issued a stark warning to European Union nations, stating that any country providing military support to U.S. and Israeli operations against Iran will face retaliatory strikes.
Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi delivered the warning during a television interview with France 24, declaring that such nations would become targets for Iranian response.
“Any country that joins in the aggression against Iran, joins America and Israel in the aggression against Iran, definitely, they will be also legitimate targets for Iran retaliation,” Takht-Ravanchi stated during the interview.
The warning comes as several European nations, including France, Greece, and Italy, have deployed naval vessels toward the Middle East region. Despite these military movements, most EU leadership has publicly condemned Iranian military actions while simultaneously advocating for diplomatic resolution to the ongoing conflict.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced Friday that Berlin is collaborating with international partners to develop strategies for ending hostilities with Iran. However, Merz also affirmed that Germany aligns with the objectives of both the United States and Israel in the region.
Two technology powerhouses have pulled out of plans to expand a major artificial intelligence facility in Texas following prolonged discussions about funding and shifting operational requirements, according to a Bloomberg News report released Friday.
Oracle and OpenAI were working to grow their AI data center as part of the Stargate initiative, a collaborative effort involving SoftBank, OpenAI, and Oracle focused on constructing data facilities. President Donald Trump announced this ambitious project in January, stating the participating companies planned to commit as much as $500 billion toward AI infrastructure development.
While the existing facility continues operating and construction work proceeds on current sections, Oracle and OpenAI have chosen not to proceed with preliminary agreements to lease additional space for expansion, according to the report.
The breakdown in discussions has created an opportunity for Meta Platforms to potentially secure the expansion space in Abilene, Texas, from developer Crusoe. Nvidia played a role in facilitating these new negotiations.
Both Oracle and OpenAI rely on Nvidia’s artificial intelligence chips at their Stargate location. The semiconductor company intervened to ensure its technology, rather than products from rival Advanced Micro Devices, would power the enlarged data center, the report indicated.
Nvidia has committed $150 million as a deposit to Crusoe and began efforts to bring Meta on board as a tenant for the expanded facility, Bloomberg News stated.
Representatives from Oracle, OpenAI, and Meta have not yet provided responses to requests for comment.
The three companies originally announced intentions to establish five additional AI data centers across the United States for the Stargate project in September. These facilities include three locations partnering with Oracle, two connected to SoftBank, and the proposed expansion of Oracle’s Abilene site.
International government bond markets are experiencing some of their most significant weekly declines in months, driven by worries that ongoing Middle East warfare will push inflation higher and prompt central banks to take more aggressive monetary policy stances.
Oil prices were poised Friday to record their strongest weekly performance since the extreme market swings during the early COVID-19 pandemic in spring 2020, as the conflict has disrupted shipping and energy exports through the crucial Strait of Hormuz.
German government bonds saw their biggest yield jumps in nearly three years, while certain U.S. short-term government debt was tracking toward its weakest weekly performance since the Liberation Day tariff disputes.
Thomas Urano, co-chief investment officer at Sage Advisory in Austin, explained the market dynamics: “Energy price inflation is generally shorter term in nature. But that’s going to hit headline inflation hard.”
Two-year government bonds, which react most strongly to changing interest rate expectations, have borne the heaviest impact from the sell-off, continuing their decline even after reports showed the U.S. economy unexpectedly lost jobs last month.
British two-year bond yields, known as gilt yields, climbed 35 basis points this week to reach their highest point since October. The increase represents the largest weekly yield jump since August 2024.
German two-year yields reached their peak since October 2024 and were headed for a 30-basis-point weekly increase, marking the largest such rise since April 2023.
U.S. two-year yields advanced 16 basis points for the week, representing the biggest gain since last April’s tariff-related market turbulence.
Michael Lorizio, head of U.S. rates and mortgage trading at Manulife Investment Management, noted that last week’s rally had pushed two-year Treasury yields to a three-and-a-half year low, leaving some investors in unfavorable positions. He added that others believed the yield decline had gone too far given economic conditions, contributing to this week’s market movement.
In Britain and several other nations, the week’s market shifts were amplified by investors reversing their positions on short-term bond rallies and yield curve changes as central banks reduce rates.
Fidelity International portfolio manager Mike Riddell described the situation: “There’s been a colossal stop out and positioning clean-up.”
Money market participants are now assigning less than a 50% probability to a Bank of England rate reduction in the near term.
James Rossiter, head of global macro strategy at TD Securities in London, observed: “Inflation expectations have become much more important to central banks after they were really burned in 2022.”
The market disruption has spread internationally, with both Australia and Canada experiencing approximately 20 basis point increases in their borrowing costs this week.
When bond yields increase, it indicates that bond prices are declining.
The selling pressure has extended into corporate bond markets as well.
The iTRAXX Europe Crossover index, which measures insurance costs against default risk for high-yield corporate debt, stood around 287 basis points Friday after touching 290.5 basis points earlier, its widest spread since June.
A comparable investment-grade credit measure, the iTRAXX Europe Main, hit its widest level since May, surpassing 60 basis points.
Berenberg chief economist Holger Schmieding commented on the broader implications: “However the conflict is resolved, it has already undermined our previous assumption that energy prices would remain low and stable this year.”
European Central Bank policymaker Jose Luis Escriva stated Friday that the ECB is highly unlikely to alter rates at its upcoming meeting and will continue making decisions on a meeting-by-meeting basis.
Market participants are pricing in an 11% likelihood of a rate increase at the March ECB meeting, with 29% odds for a hike at the April gathering.
In the United States, federal funds futures traders are not fully anticipating a rate cut until September, which represents a delay from the previously expected July timeframe.
The Seattle Kraken have locked up their captain Jordan Eberle with a two-year contract extension worth $11 million, the team announced Friday.
The 35-year-old team leader has put together an impressive campaign this year, recording 42 points through 59 games with 22 goals and 20 assists in his fifth year with Seattle. Eberle is averaging 18 minutes and 37 seconds of ice time per game, marking his highest average since the 2014-15 season.
The veteran forward brings extensive NHL experience to the Kraken, having accumulated 770 career points with 330 goals and 440 assists over 1,119 games spanning 16 seasons. His professional journey has taken him through stints with the Edmonton Oilers from 2010 to 2017, the New York Islanders from 2017 to 2021, and now Seattle.
Eberle, who hails from Saskatchewan, was selected as Seattle’s second franchise captain at the start of the 2024-25 season on Opening Day. The two-time All-Star was playing out the final year of his previous two-year deal valued at $9.5 million.
President Donald Trump plans to continue his strict immigration enforcement policies under the guidance of key adviser Stephen Miller, despite removing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem from her position, according to current and former government officials and congressional members.
Trump terminated Noem’s role on Thursday following months of disputes over aggressive immigration enforcement methods and congressional concerns regarding department contracts and internal chaos within her agency.
However, Miller — who serves as White House deputy chief of staff and designs Trump’s immigration policies — maintains his authority over immigration matters, according to three government officials. Trump’s selection for the next homeland security secretary, Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin, is considered to share Trump’s strict immigration stance.
“Stephen is a survivor,” one official commented, speaking anonymously about internal White House operations. The source indicated that Noem’s dismissal reflected concerns about policy implementation rather than opposition to Trump’s restrictive immigration agenda.
When asked for comment, a White House representative stated that Miller coordinates various issues — spanning from immigration to anti-cartel activities — and is “working to ensure the President’s policy agenda is implemented.”
Neither the Department of Homeland Security nor Mullin’s office provided responses to comment requests.
Trump secured his return to the White House in 2024 through a campaign emphasizing the prevention of unauthorized immigration and increased deportations. Immigration served as one of Trump’s strongest polling topics after taking office and became a central Republican Party priority. However, following criticism of aggressive enforcement in American cities, public support for his immigration policies has decreased in recent months, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling data.
Republicans maintain slim majorities in both congressional chambers but face November midterm elections that could threaten their Washington control.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt posted on X Thursday regarding Noem’s removal, stating that Trump’s immigration objectives remain constant.
“President Trump’s immigration agenda is keeping our border secure and deporting illegal alien criminals from our country, and it will continue without interruption,” she declared.
During Noem’s tenure, DHS deployed thousands of federal immigration officers to Los Angeles, Chicago, Minneapolis and other Democrat-controlled cities to locate immigration violators, conducting operations in residential areas and pursuing day workers in Home Depot parking facilities.
Following the fatal shooting of two American citizens — Renee Good and Alex Pretti — by federal agents in Minneapolis, the administration announced it would adopt a less visible “targeted” strategy for immigration arrests.
Current and former federal immigration personnel reported no immediate policy changes since Noem’s departure announcement, though several anticipated the administration would continue avoiding high-profile operations in American cities after the Minneapolis incident.
The 48-year-old Mullin joined the Senate in 2023 after serving ten years in the House of Representatives. Similar to Noem, he operates a ranch and owns a cattle operation in Oklahoma that doubles as a wedding venue among other enterprises.
Despite being a freshman senator, Mullin has distinguished himself among the 100 senators, occasionally presiding over Senate sessions while wearing a prominent, light-colored cowboy hat.
He briefly pursued mixed martial arts fighting and attracted significant media coverage in 2023 when he stood during a Senate hearing to challenge Teamsters President Sean O’Brien to “stand your butt up” and fight.
Mullin supported a Republican-backed funding measure last year that allocated a record $170 billion for immigration enforcement through September 2029 and endorses fundamental aspects of Trump’s immigration agenda.
Republican legislators commended Mullin following news of Trump’s nomination for DHS secretary, a role requiring Senate majority approval.
“He’s strong on the border and that’s what we need,” Missouri Republican Senator Eric Schmitt told reporters Thursday. “The deportations will continue.”
Noem faced harsh criticism from both parties for quickly labeling Good and Pretti as participants in “domestic terrorism” after their deaths and before completing a thorough investigation.
Mullin similarly characterized Pretti as dangerous despite video evidence contradicting that assertion. During a Fox News interview on January 24, the day Pretti died, he called Pretti “a deranged individual” who carried a loaded weapon and intended “to cause max damage.”
Capitol Hill Democrats celebrated Noem’s departure but maintained that the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement methods require modification. Democrats have withheld DHS funding since mid-February attempting to pressure the White House toward more moderate approaches.
Connecticut Democratic Senator Chris Murphy indicated that funding negotiations operate from the White House and expressed doubt that Noem’s firing would resolve the deadlock.
“I think we’re better off without her, but she wasn’t running the department,” Murphy stated Thursday. “Stephen Miller runs that department and will continue to run the department so I don’t really think much will change.”
Queen Anne’s County residents can attend the regular commissioners meeting scheduled for Tuesday evening, March 10th, beginning at 5:30 PM.
Those interested in reviewing what topics will be discussed can access the meeting agenda through the county’s official website at qac.org in the AgendaCenter section.
The meeting provides an opportunity for community members to observe local government proceedings and stay informed about county business and decisions affecting the area.
TUNIS, Tunisia — Several pro-Palestinian organizers were taken into custody by Tunisian police on Friday amid growing tensions surrounding plans for a new humanitarian aid mission to Gaza, according to activist groups.
Local media outlets in Tunisia reported that the country’s National Guard financial crimes division launched an investigation into possible money laundering, fraud, and improper handling of donated funds raised for the flotilla effort.
The investigation is reportedly focused on multiple leaders and committee members involved in steering the flotilla project, with some individuals being held while officials examine how donation money was collected and managed. Tunisian government officials have not issued any public statements regarding the arrests.
Among those detained were Wael Naouar, Jawaher Channa, and Nabil Channoufi, all connected to the Global Sumud Flotilla’s leadership team and its Tunisian organizing branch, activists confirmed. The arrested individuals have not made any public comments.
Flotilla organizers have condemned the arrests as an attack on Palestinian solidarity efforts and are demanding the immediate freedom of those in custody.
The arrests came after multiple days of interference with flotilla-related activities in Tunis as groups prepared for a new civilian maritime mission aimed at reaching Gaza. Israeli forces stopped similar vessels and arrested participants during a comparable flotilla attempt in the previous year.
United Nations officials report that hundreds of thousands of supply pallets have accumulated at Gaza border crossings since an October ceasefire took effect. However, Israeli authorities have barred more than two dozen aid organizations from Gaza operations due to non-compliance with updated registration requirements, leaving Gaza’s 2 million Palestinian residents still facing severe humanitarian conditions.
The planned flotilla is designed to carry over 1,000 participants, including medical professionals, war crimes researchers, and engineers, organizers stated. A coordinated land convoy is also planned that could involve thousands of additional supporters. The vessels are scheduled to depart from ports in Spain, Tunisia, and Italy.
Officials prohibited a Thursday gathering in Tunis that was set to welcome international activists, including Brazilian advocate Thiago Ávila, Swedish environmental campaigner Greta Thunberg, and Palestinian organizer Seif Abu Koshk from the Global March to Gaza.
Ávila’s representatives posted on Facebook that he was also detained Friday at Brussels Airport while traveling from Tunis to Amsterdam for a Hague Group meeting, an alliance of nations committed to legal and diplomatic efforts supporting international law.
Security personnel also blocked a ceremony earlier this week at Tunisia’s Sidi Bou Said port that was meant to recognize dock workers who had assisted with last year’s flotilla mission, activists reported.
Before Friday’s detentions occurred, the Tunisian section of the flotilla’s organizing committee had announced plans for a Saturday evening demonstration in Tunis supporting Iran following combined military strikes by the United States and Israel.
PARIS (AP) — The French capital’s Fashion Week is proving once again why it stands as the world’s fashion epicenter, featuring A-list celebrities filling front rows, daring design innovations, and runway collections exploring major themes around authority, artisanship and feminine form.
Media mogul Oprah Winfrey drew attention at both the Stella McCartney and Chloé presentations. Meanwhile, actresses Sissy Spacek and Julia Garner joined rapper Lil Yachty in premium seating at the Loewe show.
The celebrity presence has equaled the artistic vision — with both reaching impressive heights.
At the midpoint of fall 2026 presentations, distinct patterns are surfacing from the catwalks: intentional dressing, pleasurable fashion choices, and bold confidence in appearance.
These are the movements shaping this season’s direction.
This year marks six decades since the women’s tuxedo debuted, and Saint Laurent maintains unmatched ownership of this heritage.
Designer Anthony Vaccarello, celebrating his decade leading the brand, presented a series of precision-cut Smokings — the label’s signature term for its legendary women’s formal wear — featuring deep V-necks and stretched proportions that sparked the same rebellious spirit founder Yves Saint Laurent introduced during the 1960s.
He translated identical sensual, form-fitting construction into business attire using flowing pinstripe materials with minimal internal structure, essentially proposing that tuxedo styling deserves a place in women’s wardrobes throughout the day.
While numerous Milan brands presented impressive black business suits this season, Saint Laurent’s interpretation maintains distinct territory — more polished, more precise, carrying deeper significance.
Vaccarello’s complementary element involved lace, reinforced with latex and constructed into structured cardigan-style jackets and straight skirts.
This represented lace with strength — resilient rather than fragile.
Combined with dramatic eye makeup, substantial gold accessories and slingback shoes, the collection demonstrated that Saint Laurent’s signature elements remain as influential as ever.
Fashion creators are embracing body-revealing designs this season without hesitation.
Vaquera designers Bryn Taubensee and Patric DiCaprio presented a controversial showcase within a Parisian church, featuring revealed skin throughout — hip-hugging pants, leather garments with purposefully positioned zippers and nods to fashion’s most daring moments from recent decades.
At Courrèges, Nicolas Di Felice constructed his lineup around following one woman’s daily journey from bedroom to nightclub, incorporating body-hugging cuts and angular openings on pinafore dresses.
Isabel Marant’s designer Kim Bekker emphasized brief and fitted pieces with tiny cropped shorts, mini skirts and sleek leather pencil skirts.
At Loewe, the creative partnership of Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez continues reshaping luxury craftsmanship concepts — while clearly enjoying the process.
Their second collection delivered sensory impact: inflatable channels integrated into outerwear and leather raincoats, shearling shaped and styled to mimic champion poodle grooming, and latex formed in 3D-printed molds to reinvent intimate wear essentials.
The setting was saturated in taxi cab yellow, electronic music provided the soundtrack, and plush marine animals occupied front row spots alongside Hollywood celebrities.
The design team has referenced artist Cosima von Bonin as major influence, explaining the gingham details and hand-painted botanical patterns throughout the collection.
Their craftsmanship approach deliberately contrasts with designers celebrating imperfection or handmade qualities.
McCollough and Hernandez pursue craftsmanship so advanced it eliminates all traces of human touch — leather jackets thinned to feather weight, joined so seamlessly they appear machine-manufactured. This represents bold contradiction: supreme expertise appearing effortless.
Fringe detailing is gaining prominence across numerous presentations.
At Carven, designer Mark Thomas established it as his confident second collection’s hallmark — fringed gloves, textured surfaces and ultra-thin layered panels bringing motion and depth to skirts and dresses.
He combined sheer organza with lace in wine and chocolate shades, producing romantic yet purposeful clothing.
Fringe elements have appeared throughout other shows, establishing itself as one of the season’s subtle but consistent movements.
Courrèges under Di Felice has emerged as one of the week’s most dependable presentations.
His fifth-year anniversary collection displayed narrow flared coats, A-line skirts and vinyl knife-pleated into dresses — sophisticated Parisian minimalism attracting both younger buyers and fashion reviewers.
This represents uncommon dual appeal, which Di Felice has achieved.
Isabel Marant’s Bekker had models rushing down runways wearing weathered denim, reversible statement jackets and glittering knitted mini dresses with curved-heel pumps.
The atmosphere was energetic, social and boldly enjoyable — representing women moving between fashion shows and celebrations, living intensely.
Deep reds, bright blue and Mondrian-inspired color blocking highlighted the denim-focused color scheme.
Evening wear carried disco influences, featuring flowing sparkly dresses and high-split satin skirts.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Police have arrested two suspects following an assault on law enforcement officers providing security for San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, according to city officials. The mayor remained safe during the incident.
The assault occurred Thursday evening when a group of individuals blocked the path of Lurie’s vehicle and security team in the Tenderloin district. According to witnesses who spoke with Mission Local, a San Francisco news publication, the situation escalated to violence after one of the protective officers requested the group clear the way.
Footage captured by the news organization reveals one security officer, wearing formal attire, engaged in a physical confrontation with an individual who eventually forced the officer to the ground.
The mayor’s purpose for visiting the Tenderloin — an area notorious for open drug activity and sales — remained uncertain, though Lurie frequently conducts walking tours throughout the city to engage with community members.
“There was an altercation involving Lurie’s security detail and that the mayor was not involved,” stated Charles Lutvak, speaking on behalf of Lurie.
According to a police department statement, San Francisco officers arrived at the location following a backup request from the mayor’s protective detail, who reported being engaged in physical combat with two unknown individuals.
Both protective officers suffered injuries that were not life-threatening and received medical attention from emergency responders on scene, the San Francisco Police Department confirmed in their official statement.
Authorities charged both suspects with assault on a peace officer using a deadly weapon, resisting arrest, drug paraphernalia possession, and additional violations.
WASHINGTON — International law specialists conclude that a deadly submarine torpedo strike by U.S. forces against an Iranian naval vessel appears to comply with both international and American military regulations, although uncertainty remains about whether adequate rescue operations were conducted for the 32 survivors.
According to legal scholars, questions are emerging regarding the legal foundation of the broader U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran and the response following the torpedo strike on the IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean.
The submarine attack on the Dena in international waters off Sri Lanka resulted in 87 fatalities, while 32 Iranian naval personnel were pulled from the water alive.
Marko Milanovic, an international law professor at the University of Reading in Britain, characterized the broader Iranian operations as “a clear violation of the UN charter,” but noted the Dena represented “a clear military target.”
“Targeting a military vessel is not a war crime,” Milanovic stated.
According to the Indian government, the warship had recently completed naval training exercises hosted by India and was traveling through international waters on its return journey.
Rachel VanLandingham, a Southwestern Law School professor and former U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel who worked as a judge advocate general, explained that neither the ship’s distance from active combat zones nor its participation in joint naval training affected the strike’s legality.
“It doesn’t matter that it wasn’t firing at the time,” she explained regarding the Iranian vessel. “It matters that it can be used to fire at American military assets.”
However, the events following the torpedo impact may present legal concerns.
“The attack may not violate the law of war, but that’s only the start of the analysis,” explained Brian Finucane, a former decade-long member of the State Department’s Office of the Legal Adviser. “What happens after the attack is another matter.”
Under international humanitarian law, U.S. forces should have implemented “all possible measures” to assist in locating and rescuing wounded or shipwrecked individuals.
The Pentagon’s Defense Department Law of War Manual establishes identical obligations for American naval forces. However, the manual acknowledges that “practical limitations,” such as a submarine’s confined space, might necessitate alerting other vessels, aircraft, or nearby officials about survivor locations.
Taking individuals aboard a submarine — among the U.S. Navy’s most secure vessels — also creates complications.
A U.S. official, speaking anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the information, verified that American forces notified Sri Lankan officials of the ship’s coordinates for search and rescue operations after the attack.
Sri Lanka’s foreign minister, Vijitha Herath, informed Parliament that the nation’s navy received an emergency signal from the damaged vessel and deployed ships and aircraft for rescue operations.
However, when Sri Lankan naval forces arrived at the site, the ship had disappeared, leaving “only some oil patches and life rafts,” according to navy spokesman Commander Buddhika Sampath. “We found people floating on the water.”
Finucane noted that without additional details, “it’s hard to evaluate whether there were possible measures they could have taken. But at a minimum, they should be explaining this.”
Eugene R. Fidell, a Yale Law School military law instructor, suggested it “may be a long time before we have a full account of who did what and when in the aftermath of the attack. If as it appears, they alerted the coastal authorities, they did right to do so.”
Nevertheless, challenging questions persist, Fidell observed, particularly regarding whether rescue teams could reach the location quickly enough. “So until we get more clarity, granular clarity, I think it’s premature to make any judgments,” he stated. “I’m being circumspect, but I think It’s important to be circumspect.”
Federal prosecutors filed civil forfeiture actions on Friday seeking to recover more than $15.3 million allegedly tied to an illegal Iranian oil smuggling operation, according to the Justice Department.
The legal actions target funds that prosecutors claim Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani used to “operate multiple distribution companies” that sold and transported Iranian oil and other goods in defiance of American economic sanctions.
According to the Justice Department, Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani is the son of Ali Shamkhani, who served as a senior adviser to Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The department noted that both Ali Shamkhani and Ali Khamenei died in joint U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran conducted last week.
Dallas Wings standout Arike Ogunbowale found herself in legal trouble early Thursday morning when Miami-Dade County authorities took her into custody on a misdemeanor battery charge following an alleged nightclub altercation.
Law enforcement officials report that the four-time All-Star guard allegedly struck a man with her fist outside a Miami nightclub, causing the individual to fall to the ground. The arrest took place at 4:20 a.m. Eastern Time.
The incident happened while Ogunbowale was out with her Mist teammates celebrating their victory in Wednesday evening’s Unrivaled 3-on-3 championship game. The 29-year-old player, who celebrated her birthday just this past Monday, had contributed 19 points to help Mist BC secure an 80-74 victory over Phantom BC in Medley, Florida.
An Unrivaled league representative addressed the situation in a statement to ESPN, saying: “The league is aware of an incident involving Arike Ogunbowale and we are in the process of gathering additional information. We’re in contact with Arike and her representatives.”
The Dallas Wings organization also released their own statement regarding the matter. “The Wings are aware of an incident involving Arike Ogunbowale and are in the process of gathering more information,” the team told ESPN. “Further comments will be provided once we have more details.”
Since joining the WNBA as the fifth overall draft selection in 2019, Ogunbowale has established herself as one of the league’s premier players. Over 224 career games, she has maintained averages of 19.9 points, 4.0 assists, and 3.2 rebounds per contest. Her accolades include three All-WNBA team selections and two All-Star Game MVP awards.
The Wings are preparing for the upcoming 2026 WNBA season after finishing with a disappointing 10-34 record last year. Their regular season opener is scheduled for May 9 against the Indiana Fever.
Military officials announced Friday they will partner with the Federal Aviation Administration this weekend to test powerful laser weapons designed to neutralize dangerous drones in New Mexico.
According to Pentagon officials, the upcoming trials will focus on addressing aviation safety issues while collecting information about how the laser technology affects aircraft stand-ins, testing automated safety shutdown mechanisms, and evaluating potential risks to pilot vision.
The joint testing follows an incident on February 25 when military personnel mistakenly destroyed a government drone using their laser-based defense system. That mishap led aviation authorities to broaden the no-fly zone around Fort Hancock, Texas, after the FAA had initially grounded all aircraft at El Paso’s airport for 10 days on February 18, though officials reversed that decision within eight hours.
In a Friday interview, U.S. Deputy Transportation Secretary Steve Bradbury explained the testing aims to help the FAA understand the laser system’s constraints and how operators can modify and manage the technology.
Bradbury emphasized that aviation officials want to establish protocols ensuring airspace safety when these systems operate, eliminating the need for case-by-case approvals.
“If we don’t have that we’ll need to close airspace or at least restrict airspace as necessary,” Bradbury explained, noting they are rushing to finish their safety evaluation. “They have a critically important job to do and we have a critically important job to do and we need to coordinate so both jobs are getting done.”
Following a classified briefing Wednesday, congressional members highlighted the need for better inter-agency communication regarding these incidents.
Senate Commerce Committee Chair Ted Cruz noted the challenges, saying “It’s clear that there were real challenges in terms of operationalizing counter-drone technology.”
Detroit Lions veteran left tackle Taylor Decker has asked the organization to release him following unsuccessful contract negotiations.
The 32-year-old offensive lineman, who holds the distinction of being Detroit’s longest-serving current player, made the announcement through his Instagram account on Friday. This news came just over a week after Decker had publicly stated his intention to play an 11th season in the NFL.
“Things change,” Decker shared in his social media post. “145 games started, 3 playoff appearances, 2 division titles, a decade carrying the shield. I fully intended to do it once again, but my time as a Lion is coming to an end.”
He continued: “In the weeks since notifying the team of my return there have been numerous discussions. Many of which were a surprise to me, and we could not find common ground. Therefore I decided to request my release.”
Earlier this year on February 24th, Decker had expressed his commitment to returning, sharing a photo of himself entering the field with the caption: “‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I; SEND ME!’ #Year11”
Detroit selected Decker as the 16th overall choice in the 2016 NFL Draft after his college career at Ohio State. Throughout his Lions tenure, he appeared in every regular season game he was available for, starting all 140 contests plus an additional five playoff games.
The veteran lineman earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2024 despite dealing with a significant shoulder problem that restricted his practice participation and nearly led him to consider retirement.
Swedish maritime authorities seized control of a cargo vessel in Baltic Sea waters on Friday afternoon, citing concerns about the ship’s legal status and registration.
Coast guard officials boarded the vessel at approximately 3:50 p.m. near Trelleborg, a coastal town in southern Sweden, according to an official statement. Authorities questioned the legitimacy of the ship’s flag registration and considered it to be operating without proper documentation.
The vessel, named Caffa, was flying a Guinean flag at the time of the seizure, but Swedish authorities determined it should be classified as stateless under domestic and international maritime regulations. Law enforcement officials suspect the ship was operating under fraudulent flag documentation.
Maritime tracking data shows the Caffa is a 96-meter cargo freighter used for general shipping purposes.
Swedish Civil Defence Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin revealed on social media that the vessel appears on Ukraine’s sanctions list as a freight ship.
“The ownership structure is unclear and there are suspicions that the vessel is not insured. As recently as this summer, the ship is said to have changed from a Russian to a Guinean flag,” Bohlin wrote.
Maritime officials have opened a formal investigation into potential violations of shipping laws related to vessel safety and seaworthiness standards.
“The Coast Guard has personnel on board to gather information about the condition of the vessel and crew, conduct searches, and conduct interviews,” authorities stated.
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National Public Radio journalists recently provided analysis of the escalating Middle East conflict during an episode of the national security podcast ‘Sources & Methods.’
Host Mary Louise Kelly conducted interviews with Pentagon reporter Tom Bowman and international correspondent Aya Batrawy to examine the current state of warfare in the region and its broader implications.
The podcast episode focused on understanding the experience of being within an expanding conflict zone as tensions continue to rise across the Middle East.
The University of Delaware Blue Hens men’s basketball squad is gearing up to conclude their regular season campaign with a home contest against Louisiana Tech.
The matchup will serve as the final regular season game for the Blue Hens, who will be looking to end their schedule on a strong note in front of their home crowd.
The team will host Louisiana Tech as they wrap up what has been their regular season slate of games before potentially moving into postseason play.
Agricultural producers nationwide experienced a notable boost in peanut compensation during the week that concluded on February 28th, according to federal agricultural data.
Farmers received an average of 24.1 cents per pound for their entire stock of peanuts during that period, marking an increase of 8.5 cents compared to previous pricing levels.
The price improvement represents welcome news for agricultural operations that depend on peanut production as a key component of their farming income.
WASHINGTON — Legal representatives for The New York Times made their case Friday before a federal judge, arguing that restrictive Pentagon policies are preventing journalists from providing Americans with crucial information about military activities during wartime.
During the initial court hearing for the newspaper’s lawsuit against the Defense Department, Times lawyer Theodore Boutrous emphasized to U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman the critical need for public awareness, stating: “It’s more important than ever for the public to know as much as they can.”
While Judge Friedman did not issue an immediate decision on whether to compel the Pentagon to restore press credentials for reporters who departed the facility last October rather than accept the new restrictions, his comments indicated doubt regarding central elements of the government’s justification for the policy.
The judge, appointed by former Democratic President Bill Clinton, expressed that it is “more important than ever” for Americans to access “a variety of views” concerning federal government operations and leadership decisions.
“A lot of things need to be held tightly and secure, but openness and transparency allows members of the public to know what their government is doing,” Friedman stated.
Justice Department lawyer Michael Bruns defended the credentialing requirements as serving the government’s “compelling interest” and fulfilling its “statutory obligation” to safeguard national security information.
“This is not a trivial exercise,” Bruns contended.
Friedman indicated his intention to render “as prompt a decision as I can, because I know it’s important for lots of reasons.”
The Times filed suit against the Pentagon and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in December, alleging the credentialing requirements infringe upon journalists’ constitutional protections for free speech and due process.
Times representative Charles Stadtlander referenced recent U.S. military actions against Iran and resulting American military casualties, saying these events “illuminate the public’s right to access deep, impartial reporting on the details of the military actions happening as we speak.”
“Today was an important opportunity for The New York Times’s lawyers to make our case for the clear importance and public service of allowing journalists to report fully on the Pentagon,” Stadtlander commented.
The Pentagon’s current press pool consists primarily of conservative media organizations that accepted the policy terms. News outlets that declined the new requirements, including The Associated Press, have maintained their military coverage from locations outside the building.
Separately, The Associated Press awaits a ruling from a three-judge appeals court panel regarding its own legal challenge against the Trump administration. The AP alleges retaliation through reduced access to presidential activities due to the outlet’s refusal to adopt the president’s renaming of the Gulf of Mexico.
Pentagon officials have defended their approach as implementing “common sense” regulations that shield the military from potential national security breaches.
“The goal of that process is to prevent those who pose a security risk from having broad access to American military headquarters,” government lawyers stated.
Times legal counsel argues the policy aims to suppress critical media coverage of President Donald Trump’s administration.
“The First Amendment flatly prohibits the government from granting itself the unbridled power to restrict speech because the mere existence of such arbitrary authority can lead to self-censorship,” they contended.
The newspaper also challenges the Pentagon’s inconsistent application of its regulations. The Times highlighted that Trump supporter Laura Loomer, a right-wing commentator who accepted the Pentagon requirements, seemingly violated policies against soliciting unauthorized information through her “tip line” promotion.
Government officials did not object to Loomer’s “general tip line” while determining that a Washington Post tip line breaches policy because it allegedly “targets” military personnel and department staff.
WASHINGTON — Two U.S. intelligence officials say Moscow has shared data with Tehran that could enable Iran to target American naval vessels, aircraft and other military resources throughout the region.
The sources, who requested anonymity due to the classified nature of the intelligence, emphasized that there’s no evidence Russia is instructing Iran on how to use this information.
This marks the initial sign that Russia may be getting involved in the conflict between the U.S., Israel and Iran that began a week ago. Moscow maintains one of the few remaining diplomatic relationships with Tehran, as Iran faces international isolation due to its nuclear activities and backing of regional militant organizations like Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis.
The White House minimized concerns about Russia potentially sharing intelligence regarding U.S. targets in the area. During a Friday briefing, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told journalists that “it clearly is not making any difference with respect to the military operations in Iran because we are completely decimating them.”
When asked if President Trump had discussed the alleged intelligence sharing with Russian President Vladimir Putin or if Russia should face consequences, Leavitt declined to respond, stating she would allow the president to address those questions directly.
Regarding whether Russia might extend beyond diplomatic support to provide military aid to Iran, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov indicated Tehran had made no such requests.
“We are in dialogue with the Iranian side, with representatives of the Iranian leadership, and will certainly continue this dialogue,” Peskov stated Friday.
When pressed about whether Moscow had supplied military or intelligence support to Tehran since the Iran conflict began, he chose not to comment.
Moscow has strengthened ties with Iran while seeking crucial missiles and drones for its ongoing four-year conflict in Ukraine.
The previous Biden administration released classified intelligence showing Iran provides Moscow with attack drones and has helped Russia establish a drone production facility.
The prior U.S. administration also claimed Iran had delivered short-range ballistic missiles to Russia for use in the Ukraine conflict.
The Washington Post initially reported details about this U.S. intelligence.
When asked if these revelations had affected Trump’s confidence in Putin’s capacity to negotiate peace in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Leavitt responded, “I think the president would say that peace is still an achievable objective with respect to the Russia-Ukraine war.”
WASHINGTON — Federal officials granted authorization Friday allowing business transactions with Venezuela’s government-controlled gold mining operation, Minerven, marking another step in the Trump administration’s strategy to influence the South American nation’s valuable natural resources.
The authorization came following a visit by U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to Venezuela earlier this week, where he held discussions with acting President Delcy Rodríguez and met with representatives from over 24 American mining and mineral extraction firms. Many of these companies had previously conducted operations in Venezuela before withdrawing.
During his visit, Burgum reported that Venezuelan officials provided safety guarantees to mining enterprises considering investments in the nation, where mineral-wealthy regions have historically been dominated by guerrilla fighters, criminal organizations and other unlawful groups.
The new authorization specifically prohibits individuals and businesses from Russia, Iran, North Korea and Cuba from participating in any agreements with Minerven.
This initiative represents part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to counter China’s dominance in critical mineral markets, particularly those resources found in abundance throughout Venezuela. The licensing arrangement supports the administration’s broader strategy to stabilize the historically troubled nation after U.S. forces captured former President Nicolás Maduro two months earlier.
In related developments involving Venezuela’s natural resources, American authorities recently moved to claim legal control over a sanctioned oil tanker and approximately 2 million barrels of crude oil that were confiscated near Venezuela’s coastline in December. This January, Rodríguez enacted legislation allowing private ownership in Venezuela’s petroleum industry.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Federal immigration officials have detained a Colombian journalist who works for a Spanish-language media outlet in Tennessee, sparking a legal dispute over whether proper arrest procedures were followed.
Estefany Rodriguez Flores, who reports for Nashville Noticias and has published stories examining ICE practices, was taken into custody Wednesday when immigration agents stopped the vehicle she was traveling in. She remains held by ICE’s enforcement and removal division, according to federal court filings in Nashville.
Court documents filed Friday show conflicting accounts about whether agents possessed a valid arrest warrant during the detention.
Rodriguez’s attorney argues that no arrest warrant was displayed during the stop, only paperwork directing her to report to ICE offices. Legal documents indicate her lawyer spoke with an ICE representative who confirmed no arrest warrant existed at the time of detention.
Federal attorneys representing ICE counter these claims, stating in their own court filing that officials obtained a proper arrest warrant for Rodriguez on Monday. They also assert her visa allowing her to remain in the United States had lapsed, making “her arrest and detention” lawful under federal regulations.
The 29-year-old journalist entered the country through legal channels and has resided in the United States for five years, her legal team states. She possesses valid employment authorization and has submitted applications for political asylum as well as legal residency through her American citizen spouse.
According to Nashville Noticias, Rodriguez and her husband were traveling in a clearly marked company vehicle when multiple cars surrounded them and she was transported to a detention facility.
ICE officials have not responded to requests for comment on the case.
Prior to her arrest, Rodriguez had scheduled meetings with ICE regarding her immigration status that were postponed twice – first due to winter weather closing offices, then because an agent could not locate her appointment in the computer system, legal documents reveal. A replacement meeting had been arranged for March 17.
Rodriguez began working with Nashville Noticias in 2022, where she covers community affairs, family matters, health topics, law enforcement, and immigration policy.
The news organization issued a statement saying Rodriguez “needs to reunite with her young daughter and husband to continue her legal process within the framework permitted by law.”
Her legal representatives have filed motions seeking her immediate release, while federal prosecutors have asked the court to reject this request.
Federal marine scientists are collaborating on an ambitious project to restore one of Puerto Rico’s famous bioluminescent bays, where microscopic organisms create a magical glowing effect in the water.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is leading restoration efforts in the Vieques Bioluminescent Bay Natural Reserve, working to rebuild the delicate ecosystem that supports these light-producing marine organisms.
The restoration work includes underwater cultivation of coral fragments suspended in specially designed frames placed over seagrass beds. Scuba divers carefully maintain these underwater nurseries as part of the comprehensive habitat restoration effort.
Bioluminescent bays are rare natural wonders where tiny organisms called dinoflagellates emit blue-green light when disturbed. Only a few such bays exist worldwide, making their conservation critically important for marine biodiversity and eco-tourism.
The restoration project represents a significant investment in preserving Puerto Rico’s unique marine ecosystems and the communities that depend on them for their livelihoods.
The Treasury Department granted authorization Friday for specific Venezuelan gold transactions, according to its website, following Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s completion of a mining-centered visit to the South American nation.
Burgum, who leads the U.S. National Energy Dominance Council, has praised interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez’s initiatives to welcome foreign investment in oil and mineral sectors, reflecting similar commendations from President Donald Trump.
During Thursday remarks, Burgum stated that Rodriguez’s proposed mining legislation would generate business opportunities, with operating permits expected soon, and that Rodriguez has committed to ensuring corporate security.
The Treasury authorization permits dealings with government-owned mining company Minerven and related entities for exporting, selling, buying, delivering, or transporting Venezuelan gold to the United States, provided contracts follow U.S. legal frameworks, according to the department’s statement.
The statement specified that payments to sanctioned persons, except local taxes or permits, must go through Foreign Government Deposit Funds, while prohibiting transactions involving debt exchanges or Venezuelan government digital currencies.
The license also blocks dealings with individuals from nations historically aligned with Venezuela’s government, including Russia, Iran, North Korea and Cuba, plus joint ventures with China.
Venezuela possesses enormous mineral wealth including gold, iron ore, bauxite and coltan, yet production remains well below potential due to facilities requiring extensive repairs and investment for modernization and expansion.
Both Minerven and state metals corporation Corporacion Venezolana de Guayana have faced U.S. sanctions for years, while foreign investment dropped significantly after nationalizations under former President Hugo Chavez.
Industry analysts suggest immediate export recovery possibilities, especially for gold, but warn that substantial investment exceeding oil sector needs is required, alongside renewed exploration initiatives.
Burgum’s two-day visit included over two dozen mining and minerals companies, with the secretary expressing confidence about expanding both petroleum and mining operations in Venezuela.
Rodriguez, who assumed acting leadership after the U.S. removal of President Nicolas Maduro in January, indicated that recent oil reforms reducing taxes, expanding ministry authority and granting private producer independence will serve as the template for upcoming mining regulation changes expected to reach legislators soon.
In January, Rodriguez reported that gold production reached 9.5 tons during 2025.
Corporate borrowers in America’s private lending market experienced their worst year on record in 2025, with failures reaching an unprecedented 9.2%, according to new data released Friday by Fitch Ratings.
The credit rating agency’s analysis examined 302 businesses carrying private credit obligations and documented 38 separate default incidents involving 28 different companies. This alarming figure surpassed the previous year’s already-troubling record of 8.1% in 2024.
Companies generating $25 million or less in annual earnings represented the largest portion of last year’s failures, with problems spread across multiple industry sectors, the research shows.
Fitch’s study focused predominantly on mid-sized enterprises earning $100 million annually or less, typically carrying approximately $500 million or less in total outstanding obligations.
The agency’s default calculations encompassed both formal bankruptcy proceedings and troubled debt restructuring agreements, where struggling companies negotiated modified payment terms with their financial partners.
These troubling statistics emerge during a broader market downturn affecting software companies, which represent a significant segment of private credit borrowing.
Interestingly, Fitch documented zero software sector defaults during 2025, though the agency clarifies it classifies software companies based on their primary target markets when relevant.
The majority of private credit arrangements featured variable interest rates connected to federal benchmark rates, which have remained elevated for three consecutive years. Fitch identified this factor as a primary driver behind last year’s surge in defaults.
“Capital structures in the PMR portfolio tend to be predominantly floating rate with minimal interest rate hedges in place,” the report’s authors wrote, referring to privately monitored ratings. “This leaves companies’ cash flow highly vulnerable to elevated rates.”
WASHINGTON, March 6 – The Biden administration announced Friday that American forces are making substantial progress in establishing control over Iran’s airspace, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt projecting completion of achievable military objectives within the next month and a half.
During a briefing with reporters at the White House, Leavitt revealed that the administration is also evaluating potential candidates for Iran’s future leadership. This announcement came one day after President Donald Trump stated in a Reuters interview that America should play a role in selecting Iran’s next leader.
“I know there’s a number of people that our intelligence agencies and the United States government are looking at, but I won’t get any further on that,” Leavitt stated when pressed for details.
In Thursday’s interview, Trump expressed doubt that the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s son would assume power, despite being considered a leading candidate to replace his father, who died in a military strike when the current conflict began.
Trump declared earlier Friday that negotiations with Iran would only occur under terms of “unconditional surrender.”
Leavitt clarified the President’s position, explaining: “What the President means is that when he, as Commander in Chief of the US Armed Forces, determines that Iran no longer poses a threat to the United States of America, and the goals of Operation Epic Fury has been fully realized, then Iran will essentially be in a place of unconditional surrender, whether they say it themselves or not.”
Health officials in South Carolina confirmed Friday that the state’s historic measles outbreak has reached 991 cases, marking an increase of just one case since Tuesday’s report. The slow growth suggests the nation’s most significant measles outbreak in decades may be losing momentum.
The outbreak, which started in October, has primarily affected the northwestern region of South Carolina, including areas around Greenville and Spartanburg. Current data shows 52 individuals remain under quarantine due to virus exposure, while three others are in isolation.
Vaccination efforts have intensified dramatically in response to the crisis. February saw a 70 percent jump in measles vaccinations statewide compared to the same period last year. Spartanburg County experienced an even more dramatic response, with vaccination rates climbing 139 percent last month compared to February 2025.
Federal assistance continues to pour into the state. Three specialists from the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service, known as “disease detectives,” are scheduled to arrive next week to help examine outbreak data. This follows the recent deployment of twelve public health professionals funded by the CDC Foundation who are already working to help contain the spread.
Analysis of the infected population reveals concerning vaccination gaps. Of the 991 cases, 925 individuals had not received measles vaccination, while 19 were partially vaccinated. Twenty-six cases occurred in fully vaccinated people, and vaccination status remains unknown for 21 patients.
According to the most recent CDC figures from March 5, the United States has recorded 1,281 confirmed measles cases in 2026, with South Carolina’s outbreak representing a significant portion of the national total.
The New York Red Bulls have promoted 17-year-old defender Matthew Dos Santos from their youth development program to a full professional contract, the Major League Soccer team announced Friday.
Dos Santos will remain with the organization through the 2028-29 MLS season, with the club holding additional contract options for the 2029-30 and 2030-31 seasons.
“We’re very pleased to sign Matty to a first-team contract. He’s a young player who has shown strong growth through our pathway and has earned this opportunity with his commitment and performances,” head of sport Julian de Guzman said. “We believe Matty has the mentality and potential to continue developing within our environment, and we’re excited to support the next step in his progression.”
The teenage defender has already appeared in the Red Bulls’ opening two games of the current season while playing on temporary agreements with Red Bulls II, the team’s MLS NEXT Pro development squad, contributing one assist during those appearances.
Head coach Michael Bradley praised the young player’s work ethic and attitude in earning his promotion to the senior roster.
“Matty has worked hard every day to put himself in this position,” head coach Michael Bradley said. “He’s shown a real willingness to learn, a good understanding of what we ask from players in his role, and the character we value in this group.”
Federal authorities are moving forward with plans to establish a streamlined system for refunding billions of dollars in tariffs that courts have declared unlawful.
Brandon Lord, who heads the trade policy and programs directorate at U.S. Customs and Border Protection, informed the Court of International Trade on Friday that his agency is developing a simplified refund mechanism. According to Lord’s court submission, the new system should be operational within 45 days and will demand very little documentation from importing businesses.
This development follows Wednesday’s court order requiring the federal government to reimburse all importers for unlawful tariffs, including accumulated interest. U.S. Court of International Trade Judge Richard Eaton ruled that every importer on record deserves compensation following the Supreme Court’s decision invalidating the substantial import taxes that former President Donald Trump implemented under the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
The proposed refund system must receive Judge Eaton’s approval before implementation can begin.
Lord’s court filing revealed staggering numbers: more than 330,000 importing companies have submitted over 53 million entries to CBP since March 4, resulting in approximately $166 billion in tariff payments that must now be returned.
Under existing procedures, Lord calculated that processing these refunds would consume more than 4.4 million employee hours. He emphasized that reassigning all staff to refund processing full-time would be impossible, explaining that such a move would severely compromise CBP’s other critical operations, including revenue protection duties and essential national security responsibilities.
However, Lord expressed confidence in the agency’s ability to create and deploy an innovative system that will consolidate and expedite both refund and interest payments within the 45-day timeframe.
“This new process will require minimal submission from importers,” Lord stated in his filing. “It will also minimize errors by ensuring accurate IEEPA refund calculations through system validations and allowing for a review period for CBP to resolve any discrepancies with the importer and to confirm no other outstanding enforcement issues or no revenue is owed.”
Lord also highlighted a significant procedural hurdle: while CBP transitioned to electronic-only refunds as of February 6, the vast majority of eligible importers have not yet enrolled in the digital payment system. Of the 330,566 companies that paid the contested tariffs, only 21,423 have finished setting up their accounts to receive electronic refunds.
“Until importers complete the process to receive refunds electronically, the refunds will be rejected,” Lord warned in his statement.
Satellite imagery and military expert analysis point to a U.S. airstrike as the probable cause of a devastating explosion at an Iranian elementary school that claimed more than 165 lives, primarily children, according to information from American and Israeli defense officials.
The February 28th attack on Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School has drawn the heaviest civilian casualties reported since current hostilities began, prompting severe condemnation from United Nations officials and international human rights organizations. The strike occurred during regular school hours in Minab, located approximately 680 miles southeast of Tehran.
New satellite photographs obtained Wednesday and examined by news organizations reveal the school building largely destroyed, with debris scattered throughout the area and a distinctive curved gap torn through the structure’s roof. Military analysts indicate the concentrated damage pattern shown in these aerial images matches characteristics typical of precision airstrikes.
Iranian officials have pointed fingers at both Israel and the United States for the deadly blast. However, neither nation has claimed responsibility for the attack. During a Wednesday Pentagon briefing, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed questions about the school incident, stating, “All I can say is that we’re investigating that. We, of course, never target civilian targets. But we’re taking a look and investigating that.”
Multiple indicators suggest American military involvement in the strike. The Pentagon’s decision to initiate a formal investigation represents one key factor, as military protocols require such assessments only when initial reviews determine potential U.S. responsibility for civilian casualties.
The school’s strategic placement also raises questions – positioned directly beside a Revolutionary Guard installation in Hormozgan Province and near housing for naval personnel. American forces have concentrated operations against maritime targets in this region and have confirmed conducting strikes in the province, including operations near the school’s location.
Israeli military operations, while denying involvement in this particular strike, have concentrated on Iranian territories closer to Israeli borders and have not reported any missions extending south of Isfahan, which sits 500 miles from the school site. Meanwhile, U.S. naval vessels, including the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, maintain positions in the Arabian Sea within striking distance of the target area.
When contacted for comment about these findings, U.S. Central Command officials declined to provide details, explaining, “It would be inappropriate to comment given the incident is under investigation.”
Farzin Nadimi, a senior researcher at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy specializing in Iranian military affairs, offered his assessment of the incident. “My assumption is that probably there were some activities recently there and they detected and tracked them, but … they weren’t aware or didn’t have an up-to-date database that a girls’ school was there and they bombed it,” Nadimi explained.
The educational facility sits adjacent to a fortified area identified on mapping systems as the Seyyed Al-Shohada Cultural Complex of the Guard, housing medical facilities, fitness centers, and recreational areas.
Satellite photography reveals the destruction extended beyond the school grounds, with explosive damage affecting at least five structures within the Guard installation, creating numerous blast craters, burned roof sections, and rubble piles throughout the compound. Historical satellite records indicate the school building remained connected to the Guard facility until approximately ten years ago when barriers were constructed between the properties.
Iranian digital mapping services identify residential quarters for the Assef Brigades positioned roughly 165 yards from the school within the Revolutionary Guard complex. According to Nadimi, the 16th Assef Coastal Missile Group operates as part of the Guard’s naval forces. This unit falls under the 1st Naval District’s authority, which oversees the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz – the narrow waterway handling one-fifth of global oil and natural gas shipments. This strait has remained a focal point of regional tensions.
Following the attack, footage broadcast by Iranian state television and confirmed through satellite image verification displayed numerous newly excavated burial sites at a local cemetery. Nadimi suggested the school likely served children of Guard military families.
The incident has generated widespread international criticism from United Nations leadership and global human rights organizations. This condemnation comes alongside reports of additional educational facilities being targeted in Iran.
Airwars, a London-headquartered organization monitoring conflict casualties, currently examines three additional school attacks that resulted in civilian injuries. Beyond these cases, the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency documented at least two more school strikes within the past 48 hours.
According to Elise Baker, senior legal counsel at the Atlantic Council, a Washington nonprofit research organization, deliberately targeting educational institutions constitutes a clear breach of international warfare regulations.
“Strikes can only legally target military objectives and combatants, but the school was a civilian object and the students and teachers were civilians,” Baker explained. “The school’s proximity to (Guard) facilities and the attendance of children of (Guard) members at the school does not change that conclusion: It was a civilian object.”
Three independent experts who reviewed the satellite evidence and scene footage told news organizations the materials strongly indicate multiple weapons struck the compound. However, any comprehensive evaluation faces complications due to the absence of bomb fragment photographs from the blast site. No independent investigative teams have accessed the location during the ongoing conflict.
The surrounding residential areas show no crater marks or explosive evidence, indicating remarkable targeting precision, according to Corey Scher, a researcher who analyzes satellite and radar information to study battlefield landscape changes.
“All the strikes are clustered within the walled-off compound,” Scher observed. “That’s one level of precision at the block level. And then most of the strikes are basically leading to direct hits on buildings. That’s another level of precision.”
Scher determined the school and other damaged compound structures displayed destruction patterns consistent with air-to-ground munitions usage.
“They didn’t explode in the air above the building,” he noted. “It looks like the explosion happened at the time they hit the surface, whether it was the building or the ground.”
Sean Moorhouse, a former British Army officer with explosive ordnance expertise, stated the available satellite imagery provided insufficient detail to identify specific weapon types used in the attack. However, he indicated the visible destruction aligned with expected results from multiple 2,000-pound high-explosive warhead impacts. The precise multiple strikes would contradict theories suggesting a malfunctioning Iranian missile caused the school damage.
N.R. Jenzen-Jones, director of Armament Research Services, concluded the school and Guard compound experienced “multiple simultaneous or near-simultaneous strikes.” He noted that videos recorded immediately after the attack show smoke billowing from the Guard facility, while satellite images and witness accounts describe multiple building impacts and several explosion sounds.
“If indeed it is confirmed that an American or Israeli strike hit the school, there are several potential points of failure in the targeting cycle,” Jenzen-Jones stated. “We might be seeing an intelligence failure, likely rather early in the process, which misidentified the target or failed to update a targeting list following the building’s change in use.”
Motorists traveling through downtown Wilmington should expect delays as construction crews have temporarily shut down one lane of traffic on 4th Street.
The Delaware Department of Transportation reports that the right lane is currently blocked between North Church Street and Christina Avenue while construction work takes place in the area.
Drivers are advised to use caution when traveling through the construction zone and allow extra time for their commute. The duration of the lane closure has not been specified by transportation officials.
The City of Rehoboth Beach has issued their newest newsletter installment for March 6, 2026, continuing their regular publication series titled ‘Lines in the Sand.’
The newsletter represents the city’s ongoing effort to keep residents and visitors informed about municipal updates and community happenings.
This edition follows the city’s established pattern of regular communications with the public through their newsletter format.
The University of Delaware women’s lacrosse squad prepares for a challenging road matchup this Saturday against Georgetown University, which holds rankings of No. 24, No. 18, and No. 16 in various national polls.
The Blue Hens will face the highly-ranked Hoyas as they continue their season with this away contest. Georgetown’s strong national standing across multiple ranking systems indicates Delaware will encounter stiff competition in Saturday’s game.
The matchup represents a significant test for the Blue Hens as they take on one of the top-ranked programs in collegiate women’s lacrosse.
BUDAPEST, Hungary — Hungary’s Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó leveled accusations against Ukraine on Friday, claiming the neighboring country is attempting to meddle in Hungary’s upcoming elections where Prime Minister Viktor Orbán confronts his most significant political challenge to date.
Szijjártó delivered his remarks to hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside Ukraine’s embassy in Budapest. The rally was coordinated by a mysterious pro-government group connected to Orbán’s Fidesz party, occurring on the same day Hungarian authorities arrested seven employees of a Ukrainian state bank and confiscated two armored vehicles transporting approximately $80 million in cash. Ukrainian officials condemned the action as unlawful hostage-taking.
During his address to the crowd, Szijjártó presented multiple unproven claims, including assertions that Ukraine had been working alongside the European Union and Orbán’s political opponents to prevent Russian oil deliveries to Hungary through the Druzhba pipeline.
The crowd responded with outrage when Szijjártó claimed Ukraine was attempting to sway Hungary’s April elections to install a government more sympathetic to Ukrainian interests.
“This is something that will not happen in Hungary. There will be no pro-Ukraine government, and Hungary will not have a pro-Ukraine prime minister,” Szijjártó declared.
“Ukraine is fighting for itself, not for us and not in place of us, so we owe absolutely nothing to Ukraine,” he stated.
The rally, featuring speeches from additional ruling party officials, unfolded amid deteriorating relations between Hungary and Ukraine, as both nations remain locked in a contentious dispute over Hungary’s access to Russian petroleum through a pipeline traversing Ukrainian soil.
Petroleum deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline have been halted since January 27. Ukrainian officials report that Russian drone attacks damaged pipeline infrastructure, with repairs posing safety hazards to workers. They noted that even if restored, the system would remain susceptible to additional Russian strikes.
Hungarian leadership has blamed Ukraine for intentionally blocking Russian crude deliveries and pledged severe countermeasures against Kyiv until petroleum flows restart.
Orbán, who has preserved strong ties with the Kremlin while intensifying an aggressive anti-Ukraine campaign before next month’s election, has labeled Ukraine Hungary’s “enemy,” and claimed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is attempting to trigger an energy crisis to influence the April 12 vote.
The Hungarian leader has previously halted diesel exports to Ukraine, blocked new EU sanctions against Russia, and prevented a substantial 90-billion-euro ($106-billion) loan to Kyiv in response to the oil supply disruption. He has also positioned military personnel at crucial energy facilities throughout Hungary, alleging Ukraine is planning sabotage operations.
Currently behind in most polling data against a well-regarded center-right opponent, the populist Orbán has centered his campaign on persuading voters that Ukraine represents a fundamental threat to Hungarian security.
Serving since 2010, the European Union’s most tenured leader has argued that losing the election would result in the EU forcing Hungary into financial ruin by eliminating Russian energy imports, and that Hungarian young people would face death on Ukrainian battlefields.
Szijjártó, Hungary’s foreign minister, visited Moscow on Wednesday for a friendly meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, seeking assurances from Russian officials that Hungary would maintain access to Russian oil and gas despite disruptions from the Middle East conflict and Druzhba pipeline interruptions.
On Friday, he characterized Ukraine as imposing an “oil blockade” designed to benefit Orbán’s electoral opponent ahead of the vote.
“They know precisely that if there is a crisis in Hungary’s oil supply … it is bad for the government,” he remarked.
LIMA, Peru — Peru must provide financial compensation to the family of a woman who lost her life during a government-mandated sterilization initiative, according to a decision from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.
Thursday’s groundbreaking decision marks the first time Latin America’s premier human rights tribunal has ruled on Peru’s controversial sterilization campaign, which disproportionately affected poor and Indigenous women during former President Alberto Fujimori’s tenure.
Court documents reveal that Celia Ramos, a 34-year-old mother from an Andean community, sought medical treatment at a government facility in 1997 but was instead pressured into undergoing tubal ligation surgery. The operation took place under substandard conditions without adequate equipment or medications to address potential complications.
During the procedure, Ramos suffered a serious allergic reaction, yet medical staff delayed transferring her to intensive care for thirty minutes. She passed away nineteen days later on July 22, 1997. Government officials avoided conducting a complete autopsy and failed to provide her family with adequate information about the circumstances surrounding her death, according to the court’s findings.
The tribunal has mandated that Peru provide roughly $340,000 to the Ramos family, covering both the medical costs from the failed attempt to save her life and compensation for the income she would have generated during her remaining working years.
Peru’s justice ministry has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the ruling.
Last August, Peru’s judicial system dismissed criminal charges against Fujimori related to the sterilization program, turning down prosecutors’ appeal. After Fujimori’s death in 2024, the case returned to its initial complaint phase. Legal proceedings now concentrate on establishing criminal liability for other former government officials, including multiple ex-health ministers.
FRANKFURT, Germany — A temporary authorization from the U.S. Treasury Department permitting India to purchase Russian crude oil for the next 30 days has provided an unexpected financial lifeline to Moscow amid the ongoing Middle East conflict, as energy revenues continue funding Russia’s military operations in Ukraine.
Treasury officials announced this week that India may continue importing crude oil and petroleum products from Russia through April 4.
The temporary authorization aims to reduce pressure on oil prices that impact American consumers at the gas pump. However, it also highlights how the escalating U.S.-Israeli confrontation with Iran is creating tighter global energy markets — benefiting Russian crude exports.
Following Russia’s comprehensive invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, China and India emerged as Moscow’s primary oil customers after the European Union — previously Russia’s largest buyer — implemented a comprehensive boycott.
President Donald Trump had imposed 25% tariffs on India for maintaining Russian oil purchases. Indian imports from Russia decreased after Trump removed the tariff on February 6, following what he described as India’s commitment to cease Russian oil purchases.
International benchmark Brent crude climbed to $89 per barrel on Friday, rising from approximately $73 one week earlier, just before the Middle East conflict intensified. Russia’s Urals export blend reached $70, jumping from below $40 as recently as December.
The expanding Iranian conflict and threats of Iranian drone or missile strikes have effectively halted tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, the sole maritime route from the Persian Gulf that handles 20% of global oil transportation.
Vessels navigating the strait, which borders Iran to the north, transport energy supplies from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Iran. Currently, no shipments are passing through the waterway.
Rising oil prices following the practical closure of the Strait of Hormuz chokepoint have created at least a temporary financial recovery for Russia’s energy sector revenues.
These revenues had declined due to previously low global prices and intensifying Western sanctions targeting Russia’s “shadow fleet” of vessels with unclear ownership used to circumvent price limits established by the Group of Seven nations, along with sanctions against Russia’s largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil.
In approving India’s month-long exemption, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated the 30-day timeframe would “not provide significant financial benefit” to Moscow since it only covers Russian oil sitting on tankers without buyers.
Industry experts estimate approximately 125 million barrels of crude could be involved.
“This stop-gap measure will alleviate pressure caused by Iran’s attempt to take global energy hostage,” Bessent wrote on X.
Russian oil continues trading at a substantial discount compared to international benchmark Brent. Nevertheless, Russian crude now exceeds the $59 per barrel baseline included in the Russian Finance Ministry’s 2026 budget projections.
Energy tax revenues can represent 20% to 30% of Russia’s federal budget. Taxation is calculated on oil prices after Russian producers cover approximately $15 per barrel in costs, meaning price drops can significantly reduce government income.
Furthermore, the suspension of seaborne liquefied natural gas production by major supplier Qatar — halted following an Iranian drone attack on Qatar’s primary LNG facility early in the Iran conflict — will dramatically intensify global competition for available shipments, including Russian supplies.
European natural gas futures prices have skyrocketed, creating uncertainty about the EU’s strategy to eliminate remaining Russian gas imports by 2027.
The conflict’s duration will largely determine the outcome. During the first week, consequences from the confrontation that began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 are expanding to involve more than a dozen nations.
Energy market specialists suggest that if hostilities conclude within one to two weeks, oil prices could rapidly return to pre-conflict levels around $65 per barrel, providing minimal benefit to Russia.
However, an extended conflict — one causing lasting damage to oil infrastructure, pipelines and terminals in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the UAE and Kuwait, driving oil prices above $100 per barrel — could generate substantial long-term profits for Russia.
Russia experienced state oil and gas revenue dropping to a four-year low of 393 billion rubles ($5 billion) in January, with the month’s budget deficit of 1.7 trillion rubles ($21.8 billion) marking the largest on record, according to Finance Ministry data.
Economic expansion has stalled as massive military expenditures have plateaued. With declining oil and gas revenues for the state budget, President Vladimir Putin has implemented tax increases and expanded borrowing from cooperative domestic banks to maintain fiscal stability in the war’s fifth year.
When questioned about the waiver, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov acknowledged increased demand for Russian oil amid the Middle East war and stated that “India and China are guided by their national interests, and we do the same.”
“We continue our cooperation, including the energy field and energy trade, with India and China,” Peskov stated.
“We note a significant increase in demand for Russian energy resources in connection with the Iran war,” he continued. “Russia has been a reliable supplier of oil and gas. It can guarantee all contracted supplies.”
The click of a metal door. Golden light filtering through colored glass. Childhood tears and morning anxiety about boarding the school bus.
These haunting recollections stay with clergy abuse survivors for decades after their traumatic experiences.
This week’s release of a comprehensive Rhode Island attorney general’s investigation exposed extensive abuse within the Catholic Diocese of Providence, naming 75 religious officials who sexually victimized more than 300 minors beginning in 1950. The probe examined thousands of diocesan documents and conducted extensive interviews with survivors and witnesses over multiple years. Investigators believe the actual victim count significantly exceeds these documented cases.
However, survivors emphasize that statistics tell only a fraction of their stories. Each documented incident represents childhood trauma that emerges years later — accompanied by lengthy journeys toward understanding their experiences.
Numerous survivors dedicated decades to seeking answers and urging officials to launch investigations. Today, some are publicly sharing their ordeals and outlining their expectations moving forward: expanded survivor support services, church-funded therapy and counseling assistance, and responsibility from Catholic hierarchy.
“That metal door’s hardware clicking still echoes in my mind today,” stated Dr. Herbert “Hub” Brennan, an internal medicine physician practicing in his East Greenwich, Rhode Island birthplace, where he was raised in a deeply Catholic household.
Brennan experienced sexual abuse during elementary school at the hands of Rev. Brendan Smyth, an Irish clergyman who came to the area during the 1960s. Brennan served as an altar boy at Our Lady of Mercy Parish when the abuse commenced in the church’s sacristy.
According to Brennan, a nun would remove him from classroom instruction and direct him to wait in the principal’s office until Smyth’s arrival, who would then escort him to the nurse’s quarters.
“People say rape stands among the rare crimes where victims bear the shame,” Brennan explained. “The shame feels overwhelming. The subsequent secrecy meant to conceal that shame becomes an obstacle to recovery.”
Brennan faced his trauma years afterward when a 1995 newspaper landed on his doorstep. The front-page story about Smyth’s Irish arrest declared: “Diocese has no complaints about jailed priest.”
Smyth eventually received conviction for attacking children no fewer than 100 occasions across four decades.
When Brennan subsequently attempted discussing his abuse with a parish clergyman, he received assurance that no complaints existed, only discovering later that this priest had shared living quarters with Smyth.
This discovery motivated Brennan’s pursuit of accountability. He eventually collaborated with attorney Mitchell Garabedian and reached a settlement through Massachusetts Superior Court.
“I felt compelled to ensure others understood exactly what transpired within this diocese — whether others suffered similar experiences, who bore responsibility, and how they concealed it,” Brennan explained.
This week’s report felt like the culmination of his efforts, he noted: “This enabled my transition from survivor-victim to advocate.”
For Claude Leboeuf, amber illumination streaming through stained-glass windows continues triggering distressing recollections.
Leboeuf, who endured abuse by a priest during childhood in nearby Massachusetts and currently advocates for Rhode Island victims, described the report as a crucial step toward dismantling the church’s “wall of secrecy.”
Leboeuf said his memories only resurfaced recently, motivating him to pursue legal remedies and speak openly about his experiences.
“These individuals need genuine assistance: financial support, educational funding, therapeutic services,” he emphasized. “The consequences are real and endure extensively.”
In a recorded statement, Providence Bishop Bruce Lewandowski characterized the report as describing a “tragic history” of abuse that inflicted permanent damage on victims and their families. He expressed “extreme sadness” and “intense shame” while reviewing it and offered apologies to survivors for church leadership’s historical failures in child protection. Lewandowski stated the diocese has established protective measures designed to address allegations promptly and prevent abuse.
Leboeuf disputes this characterization.
“This isn’t ancient history. This represents justice withheld for over 60 years for some individuals,” he stated. “These are people who brought their concerns to the diocese as children during the 1960s, and they faced dismissal, mockery, even punishment.”
Ann Hagan Webb recalls the anxiety she experienced each morning before her school bus’s arrival. Webb was merely a kindergarten student when her parish priest initiated sexual abuse at her Rhode Island school.
The abuse occurred from 1957 through 1965, during which Webb — victimized from ages 5 to 12 — remembers pre-school emotional breakdowns, sometimes requiring physical assistance onto the bus.
Only decades later, at age 40, did Webb seek therapeutic help to process these memories. When she felt prepared to report the abuse, Webb encountered hostility.
Initially, she requested only reimbursement for therapy expenses. Nevertheless, she faced doubt, with Diocese of Providence officials demanding her medical documentation and challenging her claims’ truthfulness.
Webb shifted toward advocacy, establishing herself as a prominent voice for clergy abuse survivors. In 2019, she successfully lobbied the Rhode Island Legislature to pass legislation called “Annie’s Law,” enabling civil accountability for child sexual abusers.
The advocacy work has proven draining, Webb noted, and she continues facing stigma during public appearances. Her abuse often gets overlooked, she explains, because many people assume clergy abuse only affected male victims.
“For 32 years, the diocese has labeled me not credible. I cannot describe that feeling,” Webb said.
The attorney general investigation’s release has rekindled her optimism that change and justice remain achievable.
“This feels like vindication,” she declared.
“I hope the public demands their church transform,” she continued.
The Rhode Island investigation arrives during a period when examining potential clergy abuse has become commonplace.
This represents a dramatic change from 2002, when The Boston Globe revealed the Boston Archdiocese’s practice of transferring abusive priests between parishes without alerting parents or law enforcement, sparking worldwide investigations.
This reckoning required decades longer in Rhode Island. With among the nation’s highest per-capita Catholic populations — approaching 40% — the Diocese of Providence preserved secrecy surrounding clergy abuse despite emerging accusations and litigation over the years.
Attorney Tim Conlon, who has extensively represented sexual abuse victims in Rhode Island, explained that when he initially filed lawsuits against the Diocese of Providence, many people refused believing such allegations could occur in their own parishes. During the late 1990s, he recalled, even his mother questioned whether he was pursuing the correct path.
State legislation has also complicated victims’ justice-seeking efforts, Conlon noted, referencing strict limitations on civil litigation against institutions like the Catholic Church and restrictive statutes of limitations for second-degree sexual assault.
“There’s clearly a demand for reform,” Conlon stated. “The need’s magnitude is thoroughly documented.”
Virginia’s 2026 General Assembly session is rapidly approaching its conclusion, with only one week remaining in the legislative calendar. Advocacy organizations are making final pushes to secure complete funding for Agricultural Best Management Practices cost-share programs during these crucial final days.
Legislative advocacy teams are simultaneously working to provide support for Virginia’s meat processing industry, which has been identified as a key partner requiring assistance. The dual focus on environmental agricultural practices and meat processing infrastructure highlights the varied needs of the state’s farming sector.
As the legislative session draws to a close, advocacy groups are preparing to shift their attention to upcoming regional policy development meetings scheduled to take place across the state. These meetings will provide opportunities for continued engagement on agricultural policy issues beyond the formal legislative session.
Good news for morning commuters across the Delmarva region – the National Weather Service has cancelled the Dense Fog Advisory that was affecting much of our viewing area early this morning.
The advisory, which expired at 5:30 AM, had been impacting visibility across Inland Sussex County, Delaware Beaches, and several counties in South Jersey including Western and Eastern Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic, and Cape May counties. Southeastern Burlington County was also included in the affected areas.
While the advisory has been lifted, drivers should remain cautious during early morning hours when fog conditions can develop quickly, especially near coastal areas and waterways. When encountering any remaining patches of fog, remember to slow down, use low-beam headlights, and increase your following distance.
The cancellation comes as meteorologists observed improving visibility conditions across the region. However, residents should stay alert for changing weather conditions, as coastal areas of Delmarva can experience rapid shifts in visibility.
For the latest weather updates and traffic conditions, stay tuned to TV Delmarva throughout your morning commute. We’ll continue monitoring conditions across Delaware, Maryland’s Eastern Shore, and South Jersey.
Drivers using Estates Drive today will encounter periodic traffic delays as construction work continues in the area.
According to DelDOT, flagging operations are affecting traffic flow on Estates Drive between Appleby Road and Conlin Court. The intermittent traffic control is expected to remain in place through 6 PM today.
Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time when using this route and to follow the directions of flaggers directing traffic through the construction zone.
Drivers using Estates Drive today will encounter periodic traffic delays as construction crews continue their work in the area.
According to Delaware Department of Transportation officials, flag operators are managing vehicle flow along the stretch of Estates Drive that runs between Appleby Road and Conlin Court. The traffic control measures will remain in place through 6 p.m. today.
Motorists should plan for potential delays and consider alternate routes if possible while crews complete their construction activities in the work zone.
A fundamental Christian declaration proclaiming Jesus as divine sovereign has transformed into a divisive political statement across the United States, sparking debates about religious expression and hate speech.
The traditional proclamation “Christ is king” represents a cornerstone belief for Christians worldwide, with Catholics and numerous Protestant denominations marking Christ the King Sunday annually. However, this sacred declaration has evolved into something far more contentious based on its context and usage.
Political rallies, social media platforms, and public speeches by right-wing figures have increasingly featured this religious phrase in recent years. Sometimes it appears as support for establishing America as explicitly Christian or pledging national loyalty to Christian beliefs. Several current Cabinet members and former congressional representatives have incorporated the phrase into their public statements and online posts.
However, political activists have also combined the religious declaration with anti-Jewish rhetoric and harmful stereotypes targeting Jewish communities.
Far-right personalities and their supporters have embraced the phrase with growing frequency. Conservative commentator Candace Owens, known for promoting antisemitic conspiracy theories, markets merchandise featuring “Christ is King” branding on coffee mugs and clothing.
This trend reflects broader divisions within conservative politics, as traditional conservatives confront an increasingly outspoken faction whose criticism of Israel often includes overt antisemitism, according to critics. While some insist they oppose Zionism rather than Jewish people, this represents a significant departure from historically strong Republican support for Israel.
Research from the Rutgers University-affiliated Network Contagion Research Institute confirms that the phrase sometimes serves as clear hostility toward Jewish people, according to their 2025 findings.
Their analysis of social media content from 2021 through 2024 revealed dramatic growth in using “Christ is king” as hateful messaging targeting Jews. Researchers expressed concern about this departure from the phrase’s traditional role as an uplifting, sacred statement rooted in scripture.
“The weaponization or hijacking of ‘Christ is King’ represents a disturbing inversion of its original intent. Rather than sacralizing shared values, extremists have exploited this religious expression to justify hatred,” the report said.
A recent gathering of President Donald Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission brought these controversies into sharp focus during discussions about antisemitism.
During the February 9 hearing, witness Seth Dillon described frequently encountering people who follow the religious phrase immediately with offensive slurs against Jewish people.
“This should offend every Christian,” said Dillon, the CEO of the conservative satirical site The Babylon Bee.
Commission participant Carrie Prejean Boller repeatedly questioned witnesses about whether opposing Zionism constitutes antisemitism. She explained that her Catholic faith leads her to reject Zionism while denying any antisemitic intent. She directly asked Dillon whether he considered “saying ‘Christ is king’ is antisemitic.”
Dillon responded negatively, explaining that as a Christian, he regularly affirms that “Christ is my king” while emphasizing that circumstances matter significantly.
He described how followers of far-right personality Nick Fuentes, known as Groypers, have appropriated the phrase despite Fuentes spreading antisemitic viewpoints.
This represents “using the Lord’s name in an abusive manner,” Dillon said.
Supporters of Fuentes shouted “Christ is king” during the Million MAGA March in November 2020, a demonstration rejecting Republican Trump’s electoral loss to Democrat Joe Biden.
Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, the Republican commission chairman, announced Prejean Boller’s dismissal from the panel following the meeting. He claimed she attempted to “hijack” the proceedings for personal purposes.
After her removal, Prejean Boller has posted extensively on X, condemning “Zionist supremacists” while repeatedly using “Christ is King.” She has also criticized military actions by the United States and Israel against Iran.
As a recent Catholic convert, she rejects the popular evangelical belief that contemporary Israel fulfills biblical prophecy.
The commission hearing represented just one venue for these ongoing “Christ is king” debates.
The Network Contagion Research Institute’s 2025 analysis found that while many social media references to “Christ is king” remain purely religious, extremist figures have “systematically co-opted” the phrase.
Researchers reported that Fuentes and similar extremists employ the declaration as a “white supremacist mantra publicizing their antisemitic beliefs.”
Fuentes has claimed Holocaust exaggeration, condemned “organized Jewry in America,” and described battling “satanic, globalist elites,” echoing antisemitic conspiracy theories.
The religious phrase “Christ is king” lacks inherent political meaning, according to Brian Kaylor, president and editor-in-chief of Word&Way, a progressive publication covering faith and politics.
However, this characteristic provides “deniability” for those using it politically, he explained.
“We’re at a dangerous point with the phrase ‘Christ is king’ because of the heavy activity and use of it on the far right in very fascist, antisemitic ways,” said Kaylor, a Baptist minister and author of several books on religion and politics. “We’re at the danger of that phrase losing its meaning to where this new antisemitic use is the dominant definition.”
The phrase has also gained traction among some Catholic and evangelical conservatives who strongly support Israel and consistently oppose antisemitism, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Kaylor described the phrase as frequently serving as “a declaration of Christian nationalism” asserting that “the nation should be brought under the dictates of Christ.”
These controversies have exposed both religious and political divisions.
The Vatican maintains diplomatic relationships with Israel while recognizing Palestinian statehood. Pope Leo XIV has advocated for a two-state solution while condemning antisemitism. Throughout the Israel-Hamas conflict, popes Francis and Leo criticized both Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attacks and Israel’s extensive military response, with Leo demanding an end to Israel’s “collective punishment” of Gaza residents.
Other Catholics on the Religious Liberty Commission emphasized that Jesus and his disciples were Jewish, referencing a pivotal 1965 Vatican document that condemns antisemitism and rejects blaming all Jews, including contemporary ones, for Jesus’s crucifixion.
Patrick, the commission leader, characterized his dispute with Prejean Boller as reflecting “a real problem with a very small group in our Republican Party.” He warned that failing to reject antisemitism could “destroy our party,” speaking on “The Mark Levin Show” podcast.
Nevertheless, Prejean Boller has attracted support from Catholics for Catholics, a conservative lay organization describing itself as “militant organization dedicated to the evangelization of this great country.”
The group plans to present Prejean Boller with a Catholic Champion Award at a March 19 Washington event featuring speakers including Owens.
Prejean Boller has shared event announcements on X, including a Spanish-language statement translating to “We will not rest until we convert the USA into a Catholic nation.” The post concluded in English with “Christ is King!”
FARGO, N.D. — A 12-week-old puppy with droopy ears and four paws has become the latest addition to the North Dakota Highway Patrol’s specialized search team.
The youngster named Beau is entering the ranks of bloodhounds who handle challenging missing person cases throughout the upper Midwest region.
These canines search for lost children, individuals suffering from dementia, and wanted criminals. While the patrol employs drones and aircraft for search operations, bloodhounds provide a time-tested, simple-technology approach.
“These dogs are just specifically bred to search for people,” said Trooper Steven Mayer, who handles Bleu, one of the dogs.
Law enforcement agencies from Maine to Florida to Texas to Arizona to California utilize bloodhounds, according to Danny Jones, executive director of the U.S. Police Canine Association. While drones and helicopters can scout ahead of canines, bloodhounds offer unmatched capabilities.
“To actually get a direction and start moving in a direction, you’re going to need a dog on the ground to start that trail, and that’s the difference between the technology and actually having a dog such as a bloodhound on the ground,” Jones said.
These dogs possess approximately 300 million scent receptors within their noses, far exceeding humans and surpassing other dog breeds, Mayer explained.
Their large, drooping ears and skin folds assist in collecting odors that enable the dogs to follow human trails, sometimes after a week or longer, he noted. The canines have detected scents from walls people have touched, soil where individuals stumbled, and even vomit on vehicle doors.
The Highway Patrol started utilizing bloodhounds approximately 14 years ago, transitioning from multi-purpose dogs to specialized drug detection canines and tracking dogs. The state unit receives roughly 70 service requests annually, including one to Montana last year to assist in locating a suspect in the fatal shooting of four individuals at an Anaconda bar.
Two handler-dog teams traveled 10 hours to provide assistance. They came reasonably close to the suspect, who was positioned where the dogs were signaling, Mayer explained. Additional requests have originated from South Dakota and Utah.
Beau was born in Texas but has relocated to Fargo, North Dakota’s most populous city. His current instruction focuses primarily on house training and kennel training along with basic commands, plus exposing him to various locations, individuals and settings, said Trooper Dustin Pattengale, Beau’s handler. He will not be prepared for complete or certified tracking until reaching approximately 9 months of age.
“The basic training is just introducing him to scent articles and then ramping up the training to where he goes further and further and encompasses different trails, different types of environment,” Pattengale said.
Bloodhounds exhibit high energy, affection and compassion but can demonstrate stubbornness, excessive drooling and mischievous behavior, making them unsuitable for apartment living, Mayer noted.
His partner, Bleu, is a large, friendly canine with one eye, having lost the other after an injury while playing with another bloodhound. His tracking capabilities remain unaffected, Mayer stated.
Beau continues growing as a puppy, his lengthy ears becoming wet from dragging across the ground while he investigated a snow-covered area, continuously sniffing. He enjoys his beef liver rewards.
“He is a very energetic young pup. He’s pretty relaxed for the most part, most days, but he is eager. He likes to work. He likes to sniff,” Pattengale said.
Beyond search operations, North Dakota has assisted agencies through other means. Last year, Mayer traveled to Omaha, Nebraska, for a week to help the city police department train its initial bloodhound, Willow.
Omaha previously contacted the nearest bloodhounds, located in the Chicago area, for search missions, Omaha Police Sgt. Scott Warner explained. The benefit was evident and Willow joined the force early last year.
He anticipates Willow becoming a valuable resource for the region. Omaha intends to eventually have multiple dogs and handlers, he stated.
Willow has tracked missing individuals, including an elderly man on Christmas Eve, through diminishing light, steep terrain, mud and water.
Locating training mentors proves essential, Warner emphasized. Much of the bloodhound network operates through personal recommendations, he noted.
“I had no idea that North Dakota had a bloodhound program. There’s not a directory that I can look at that tells me where dogs are,” Warner said.
Mayer and his spouse have journeyed globally to assist with dog training, making trips to Hungary, Italy, South Africa and Wales, with plans later this year to visit Slovenia and Austria. They provide these services without charge.
Handlers represent a unique group of individuals, Mayer observed.
“They drop everything at the drop of a hat and they’ll leave their family, their friends, they’ll leave Easter dinner to go find a stranger that they’ve never met before,” he said.
North Dakota’s canines have gained popularity on the Highway Patrol’s social media platforms. Beau’s name was selected through a Facebook poll. Recent videos show him chewing a toy bear and another bloodhound, Lorace, running around in new boots.
“Everybody loves a dog, I mean, especially these little babies, these floppy-eared ones,” said Mayer, who hopes the dogs’ public presence generates quicker requests for their services.
“The more word we can get out about the program and the faster we get calls on it, the easier we can get out and be available to help people,” he said.
Motorists traveling along Route 13 in Sussex County should expect delays due to construction work that has closed one shoulder of the highway.
The Delaware Department of Transportation reports that the shoulder closure affects the stretch of Sussex Highway/South DuPont Highway (Route 13) running from Woodyard Road to Marsh Branch Road (Road 441).
Construction crews are working in the area, with the shoulder expected to reopen by 1:00 PM today. Drivers are advised to use caution when traveling through the work zone and allow extra time for their commute.
Delaware Department of Transportation crews are conducting litter cleanup operations along a stretch of Interstate 95 southbound this afternoon.
The cleanup work is taking place on the right shoulder between the Delaware Welcome Center and the Maryland state line, with crews expected to wrap up their efforts by 4:30 PM today.
Motorists traveling through the area should exercise caution and be aware of the work crews present along the roadway during the cleanup operation.
The World Health Organization announced Thursday that it has confirmed 13 separate attacks targeting healthcare facilities in Iran during current military operations in the region, with officials investigating reports of medical personnel casualties.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus revealed during a Geneva press conference that the organization has documented the healthcare attacks in Iran along with one incident in Lebanon, though he did not specify who was responsible for the strikes.
“WHO has verified 13 attacks on health care in Iran and one in Lebanon,” Ghebreyesus stated during the briefing.
According to Dr. Hanan Balkhy, who spoke at the same press conference, Iranian officials reported that four healthcare workers lost their lives while 25 others sustained injuries in the incidents. She noted that four ambulances were also impacted and that medical facilities and hospitals experienced minor structural damage from nearby strikes.
The attacks forced at least one hospital in Tehran, Iran’s capital city, to evacuate its patients and staff, according to previous statements from the UN health agency.
Earlier this week, Iran’s representative to the United Nations in Geneva sent correspondence to Tedros claiming that military strikes had damaged 10 healthcare facilities.
Balkhy also mentioned that the WHO’s logistics center in Dubai, which distributes medical supplies to numerous countries throughout the region, has temporarily suspended operations due to transportation limitations caused by the regional conflict.
Congressional representatives engaged in heated debate Wednesday over whether families using food stamps should be allowed to purchase hot rotisserie chicken as the House Agriculture Committee reviewed the Farm Bill.
The discussion centered around an amendment proposed by Representative Rick Crawford, a Republican from Arkansas, that would expand the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to include heated rotisserie chicken. Under current regulations, SNAP recipients can buy the same chicken only when it’s served cold.
The amendment has garnered backing from lawmakers across party lines during the committee’s markup session, suggesting potential for the change to move forward in the legislative process.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Chicken Council has delivered a set of recommendations to federal food safety regulators aimed at better controlling salmonella contamination in chicken and other poultry products.
The industry organization’s proposals were sent to the Food Safety and Inspection Service this week, coming on the heels of a public forum where the federal agency explored workable approaches to tackle salmonella reduction in poultry.
During the agency’s recent meeting titled “Exploring Practical Strategies to Reduce Salmonella in Poultry Products,” officials and industry representatives discussed potential solutions to the persistent food safety issue.
The National Chicken Council expressed gratitude for the collaborative approach, stating: “We appreciate FSIS’s partnership in this process and the Agency’s commitment to identifying practical, implementable solutions grounded in common sense.”
The submission represents the industry’s formal response to ongoing federal efforts to minimize salmonella risks associated with poultry consumption, though specific details of the recommended strategies were not immediately disclosed.
A senior American military official pledged Friday that the United States will take action following Iran’s targeting of civilian populations across the Middle East region.
U.S. Central Command leader Brad Cooper revealed that Iran has launched attacks against 12 separate nations following joint American and Israeli military strikes against the Islamic Republic in the previous week. Among these incidents, Iran deployed seven attack drones Thursday evening that struck civilian residential areas in Bahrain.
“This is unacceptable and will not go unanswered,” Cooper declared in his official statement.
Queen Anne’s County Commissioners have approved moving forward with nine zoning text amendments that were proposed by local residents.
During their meeting on February 24, 2026, the commissioners decided to send these citizen-initiated proposals to the Planning Commission for their review and recommendations.
The Planning Commission will now examine each of the nine proposed amendments before making their recommendations back to the County Commissioners.
NBA player Dillon Brooks, who plays forward for the Phoenix Suns, faces drunk driving allegations following his detention in the early hours of Friday in Scottsdale, Arizona, according to law enforcement officials.
Police pulled Brooks over during a traffic stop around 1 a.m., and following their investigation, they placed him under arrest on DUI suspicions. The basketball player was processed at the local jail and freed approximately 3:30 a.m. after completing the booking procedures.
The 30-year-old athlete has been sidelined from play since February 21 due to a broken left hand. Medical professionals anticipate he will remain out of action until late March at the earliest following surgical treatment.
Team officials acknowledged the incident in an official response, stating: “We are aware of the situation involving Dillon Brooks and are gathering more information. We have no further comment at this time.”
Hours before his detention, the Suns faced off against the Chicago Bulls at their home venue Thursday evening, suffering a narrow 105-103 defeat.
Prior to sustaining his injury, Brooks was experiencing his most successful NBA season to date, posting a personal best average of 20.9 points per game. The player joined Phoenix through a trade deal that transferred 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant to the Rockets this past offseason.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum made a high-profile trip to Jalisco state Friday, working to calm safety fears before the FIFA World Cup after deadly cartel violence swept through the region.
The bloodshed began after Mexico’s military killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” the country’s most influential drug cartel leader, last month. His death sparked violent clashes between cartel members and authorities, along with car burnings throughout Mexico, with Jalisco and its capital city Guadalajara experiencing the worst of the chaos.
The deadly confrontations claimed more than 70 lives, including 25 National Guard officers, creating serious questions both domestically and internationally about whether Guadalajara can safely welcome thousands of World Cup visitors.
Flanked by her security team and top military officials Friday, Sheinbaum conducted her daily press conference from military facilities in the same municipality where “El Mencho” was recently laid to rest under tight security and where World Cup matches will take place.
“We are here … to tell everyone in Jalisco, all the people of Jalisco, that we are together, that we are working for peace, security and the well-being of the inhabitants of this beautiful state,” Sheinbaum said.
With less than 100 days remaining before World Cup kickoff, Sheinbaum and security leaders outlined comprehensive safety measures for the international tournament, involving more than 20 federal agencies, military branches, and local law enforcement.
Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch, who spearheads Mexico’s anti-cartel operations, explained that Mexican officials have coordinated with counterparts in the United States, Canada and FIFA to enhance preparation and emergency response capabilities.
The security framework will feature specialized officer training, practice drills, alert systems, protective details around venues, airports, transportation routes and hotels, plus safety protocols for teams and spectators, García Harfuch noted.
Sheinbaum has worked to demonstrate assurance despite widespread concerns, including speaking directly with FIFA President Gianni Infantino by phone soon after the February violence outbreak, during which he voiced his “full confidence” in Mexico’s ability to co-host the tournament. Earlier this week, she publicly wore a FIFA scarf and posed alongside the World Cup trophy.
General Román Villalvazo, who oversees World Cup security coordination, announced Friday the establishment of three joint operation centers in host cities Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey.
“The 2026 FIFA World Cup organized by Mexico, the United States and Canada represents an unprecedented event,” he said.
“For Mexico, it entails two challenges: to present a reliable and secure country before the international community, and to have the capacity to confront any threats that undermine national security.”
A former White House aide turned federal prosecutor who pursued high-profile cases against Donald Trump’s political adversaries is now under scrutiny by the Florida Bar for potential professional misconduct.
Lindsey Halligan, who briefly held the position of acting U.S. attorney for Virginia’s Eastern District, is the subject of an active disciplinary investigation, according to confirmation from Florida Bar officials. The Campaign for Accountability, a watchdog organization that requested the inquiry, made public a letter verifying the ongoing probe.
Bar representatives confirmed an open file exists regarding Halligan but refused additional comment, citing the confidential nature of disciplinary proceedings. Halligan has not responded to requests for comment about the investigation.
The disciplinary action stems from Halligan’s controversial tenure leading one of the Justice Department’s most respected prosecution offices. Despite lacking federal prosecution experience, she was placed in the role last September after the Trump administration pressured out her predecessor, Erik Siebert, seeking charges against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
While Halligan successfully obtained indictments in both cases, her prosecutorial approach immediately drew criticism. Defense attorneys representing Comey highlighted numerous procedural problems in the grand jury proceedings, pointing to legal and factual mistakes that compromised the process.
A federal judge harshly criticized Halligan in November for making “fundamental misstatements of the law,” particularly her alleged indication to grand jurors that Comey lacked Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination.
Both prosecutions ultimately collapsed when another judge determined Halligan’s Justice Department appointment violated legal requirements. She departed the position in January following these rulings.
The bar complaint revisits these events and alleges Halligan may have breached professional conduct standards by continuing to identify herself as the district’s acting U.S. attorney in court documents even after judicial determination that her service was illegal.
According to the complaint, “In this way, Ms. Halligan appears to have issued false or misleading communications regarding herself and her services.”
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith will likely be cut from the roster before March 11, when the NFL’s new league year officially begins, according to multiple reports.
While the Raiders are anticipated to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, General Manager John Spytek suggested at last month’s NFL Scouting Combine that the team might prefer not to start a first-year player immediately in Week 1 of the upcoming season.
The Raiders’ backup quarterback Kenny Pickett, who stepped in when Smith suffered an injury late in the season, will enter free agency.
By releasing Smith following just one year as their starting quarterback, Las Vegas will free up $8 million in salary cap room and avoid triggering an automatic contract guarantee scheduled to activate on March 13.
However, cutting Smith will still cost the Raiders $18.5 million in dead money. The team acquired Smith in March 2025 through a trade with the Seattle Seahawks to serve as the starting quarterback under head coach Pete Carroll.
Carroll departed after one season, and Smith endured significant punishment playing behind what ranked among the league’s poorest offensive line units.
In 15 starting appearances, Smith recorded the NFL’s highest interception total with 17 while throwing for 3,025 yards and 15 touchdowns. He was brought down for sacks 55 times throughout the season.
The 35-year-old Smith has now suited up for five different NFL teams since the New York Jets selected him with the 39th pick in the 2013 draft.
Federal customs officials announced Friday they are developing a streamlined refund system that will allow businesses to reclaim illegally collected tariff payments within 45 days, eliminating the need for costly lawsuits.
Brandon Lord, a senior official with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, made the announcement in court documents as federal attorneys worked with a trade judge to establish procedures for returning $166 billion in tariff collections to approximately 330,000 importing businesses.
The refunds stem from tariffs that formed a cornerstone of former President Donald Trump’s trade strategy, which the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional last month. While the high court struck down the tariffs, it provided no guidance on refund procedures, leaving many smaller importing companies concerned about expensive and lengthy legal battles.
According to Lord’s court filing with the U.S. Court for International Trade, the upcoming system will streamline the process significantly. “This new process will require minimal submission from importers,” Lord stated in the document.
A major Brazilian airline is preparing to make a significant shift in its operations by adding international long-distance flights for the first time, according to industry sources.
Gol, which currently flies only Boeing 737 aircraft on domestic routes, will reportedly announce Friday that it plans to establish Rio de Janeiro’s Galeao international airport as the base for its upcoming fleet of Airbus A330-900 aircraft.
The airline is set to receive five of these wide-body planes, each equipped with roughly 300 seats and capable of flights lasting up to 15 hours. The aircraft will be added to Gol’s operations progressively from 2026 through 2027.
Two individuals with knowledge of the strategy indicated that the new planes will service extended routes to North America and Europe, with New York and Florida among the potential destinations under consideration.
According to one source who spoke anonymously due to the confidential nature of the plans, Gol has been pursuing landing slots in multiple major European cities, including Porto and London, though the airline may not ultimately serve all of these locations.
When contacted for confirmation, Gol representatives declined to provide details about these expansion plans.
The move would represent a major transformation for the Brazilian carrier, which has historically focused exclusively on shorter domestic flights within Brazil using its fleet of narrow-body Boeing aircraft.
