BEIRUT (AP) — Without warning on Wednesday, Israeli warplanes unleashed a devastating assault on central Beirut, tearing apart buildings and turning residential blocks into debris piles in neighborhoods that had previously remained untouched by the conflict.
Israeli military officials later stated that the Iran-supported Hezbollah organization had moved operations into civilian and business districts well beyond the militia’s traditional base in the capital’s southern areas, where the group’s distinctive yellow banners line the streets and Israeli evacuation notices have been posted for weeks.
Lebanese Health Ministry officials reported the assault claimed more than 300 lives and left over 1,800 people injured, with the majority of victims located in Beirut and surrounding southern communities. The casualties represent the highest single-day death toll during the five-week conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
Wednesday’s military strikes targeted bustling shopping areas, densely packed residential zones, and affluent waterfront neighborhoods — locations that had previously felt insulated from the warfare, aside from the constant presence of Israeli surveillance drones and sporadic explosion sounds.
A devastating attack along Corniche al-Mazraa, one of the city’s major thoroughfares, demolished an apartment complex adjacent to a well-known dried fruit and nut vendor, igniting numerous parked vehicles with occupants still trapped inside.
In the hillside community of Tallet El Khayat, another blast leveled a multi-level structure near an exclusive shopping center — local residents confirmed that a celebrated Arabic poet and her spouse were among the fatalities.
The coastal Ain el Tineh area suffered another direct hit that destroyed an apartment complex housing an exotic plant store, located close to the parliamentary speaker’s home and facing the city’s sole public beach access.
Additional bombardments demolished residential units adjacent to a renowned confectionery in the mixed-use Mar Elias district, obliterated portions of a structure containing a snack bar and beauty salon in Caracas, destroyed ground-level floors of a building on Beirut’s waterfront boulevard, and created burning wreckage in the crowded Basta community near an educational facility housing displaced families — an attack that killed a young woman and her two children among others.
SAO PAULO — A leadership vacuum in Rio de Janeiro state continues to deepen after Brazil’s Supreme Court delayed a crucial ruling Thursday on how the region will choose its next governor, leaving the nation’s most famous state in administrative limbo for over three weeks.
The state has operated without permanent executive leadership since March 23, when Governor Cláudio Castro stepped down to pursue a Senate bid in October’s elections, following legal requirements. Potential successors have been unavailable to assume control, leaving urgent matters including law enforcement decisions, transportation issues, and fuel pricing without proper oversight.
Supreme Court Justice Flávio Dino requested additional time to review the case, which will determine whether Castro’s replacement serves through January via a special election or through selection by state legislators. Dino has up to three months to present his findings to the court.
Currently, the Supreme Court’s 10 justices favor legislative selection by a 4-1 margin.
Deputy Governor Thiago Pampolha would normally assume the role, but he resigned in 2025 to join a state oversight agency. State legislative speaker Rodrigo Bacellar was next in succession until his recent arrest and removal from office.
Ricardo Couto de Castro, who heads Rio’s state court system, now serves as interim governor. However, his temporary status has created difficulties in securing cooperation from other government officials, according to local news reports.
A permanently elected governor may not take office until January, as Rio residents were already scheduled to choose new leadership during October’s general elections.
Political consultant and former government minister Thomas Traumann described the ongoing crisis as both embarrassing and potentially dangerous for the state.
“Brazil’s government has just offered a deal to reduce diesel prices, which are high because of the conflict in the Middle East. Rio is one of the few that did not agree because there’s no one to authorize it. Now we will have Brazil’s most expensive diesel,” Traumann said. “And what if there’s violence from crime gangs tomorrow morning. Who is going to tell police to react?”
Local news outlets report that Rio’s judicial officials worry about potential delays in court proceedings as their leader manages state government duties indefinitely.
Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro and potential challenger to current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in October’s elections, has advocated for state legislator Douglas Ruas to receive the governorship through legislative appointment.
Meanwhile, supporters of President Lula and his Rio gubernatorial candidate Eduardo Paes have called for a direct voter election to fill the position.
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration announced Thursday that tax refunds have surged 24% when compared to the four-year average from before Trump assumed the presidency, attributing the boost to the Republican tax reform package enacted in recent years.
While the White House had initially projected that average refund amounts would climb by no less than $1,000 when this tax filing season launched in January, the most recent Internal Revenue Service figures show the current average refund sits at $3,521. This represents an 11% jump from the previous tax year’s average of $3,170.
Speaking anonymously to preview the data analysis, a Trump administration official attributed the refund increases to various tax relief measures and spending reductions affecting taxpayers at different income levels. These include eliminating taxes on tips and overtime pay, allowing deductions for auto loan interest, and providing certain deductions for senior citizens.
The official would not identify which specific tax deduction generated the most significant savings for filers. The administration’s analysis drew from daily Treasury Department statements covering the 2021-2026 timeframe.
When questioned about whether potential economic gains from larger tax refunds might be negated by rising fuel costs stemming from conflict in Iran and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, the official emphasized that the enhanced refunds are putting more money directly into Americans’ wallets.
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office projects that the Republican tax and spending legislation will contribute $4.2 trillion to the federal debt by fiscal year 2034, based on their most recent Budget and Economic Outlook report.
The current tax filing period opened in January, and taxpayers face an April 15 deadline to submit their returns or file for an extension.
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has achieved numerous victories through the Supreme Court’s emergency appeals process, with Justice Sonia Sotomayor explaining that conservative justices often view halting executive actions as causing irreversible damage.
Speaking at the University of Alabama School of Law on Thursday, Sotomayor described the surge in emergency requests from Trump’s team as “unprecedented in the court’s history.”
The nation’s highest court ruled in favor of the Trump administration in approximately 24 cases during the previous year, frequently overturning lower court rulings that had deemed various policies potentially unlawful. These decisions covered topics ranging from immigration enforcement to significant reductions in federal funding.
Although intended as temporary measures, these rulings have effectively enabled Trump to advance major components of his policy agenda in the near term.
The emergency appeals process, which involves requests for swift Supreme Court intervention in ongoing lower court cases, has become a point of contention among the justices themselves. This tension became visible when Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and Justice Brett Kavanaugh engaged in a rare public disagreement about the emergency docket last month.
While Sotomayor has opposed many rulings favoring Trump, she explained that the court’s conservative majority frequently argues that stopping executive policies or congressional legislation creates legal damage that cannot be undone. This creates a difficult standard for opponents to meet, even when plaintiffs include immigrants facing potential deportation or states experiencing cuts to educational funding.
“If you start with the presumption that there is irreparable harm to one side, then you’re going to have more grants of emergency relief. Because the other side is going to have a much harder time,” she said. “It has changed the paradigm on the court.”
Sotomayor’s remarks offered insight into Supreme Court decisions that typically receive minimal public explanation. Despite numerous emergency victories for Trump, the court did reject his comprehensive tariff policies following complete legal briefs and oral arguments.
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — In his inaugural interview with an American television network, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel firmly declared he will not resign from office, according to NBC News’ Meet the Press. A segment of the interview aired Thursday.
During the nearly five-minute preview of a longer interview set to broadcast Sunday, NBC journalist Kristen Welker questioned whether Díaz-Canel would consider resignation “if it meant saving Cuba.”
The Cuban leader responded by challenging the question itself, asking if she had ever posed such a query to other world leaders: “Is that a question from you, or is that coming from the State Department of the U.S. government?”
Díaz-Canel emphasized Cuba’s sovereignty, stating: “In Cuba, the people who are in leadership position are not elected by the U.S. government, and they don’t have a mandate from the U.S. government. We have a free sovereign state.”
The president explained his role stems from public service rather than personal gain, saying he assumed the presidency not from “personal ambition or corporate ambition or even a party ambition,” but through a mandate from citizens.
“If the Cuban people understand that I am not fit for office, that I have no reason to be here, then I should not be holding this position of president, I will respond to them,” he stated.
The interview occurs amid continued strain in U.S.-Cuba relations, though both nations have confirmed ongoing discussions without revealing specifics.
Díaz-Canel criticized what he termed America’s “hostile policy” toward his country, claiming the U.S. government has “no moral to demand anything from Cuba.”
He urged American recognition of how current policies have harmed Cuban citizens “and how much they have deprived the American people from a normal relationship with the Cuban people.”
The Cuban president expressed willingness for unconditional dialogue on any subject, “not demanding changes from our political system as we are not demanding change from the American system, about which we have a number of doubts.”
Cuba attributes its mounting economic challenges to what it calls a U.S. energy embargo, with fuel shortages impacting healthcare, public transit, and production of essential goods and services.
A Russian vessel delivered 730,000 barrels of crude oil to Cuba in late March, representing the island’s first petroleum shipment in three months. Russia has committed to sending an additional tanker.
Although President Donald Trump’s administration threatened tariffs on nations supplying oil to Cuba in early January, officials permitted the Russian delivery to proceed.
“Cuba’s finished,” Trump commented at the time. “They have a bad regime. They have very bad and corrupt leadership and whether or not they get a boat of oil, it’s not going to matter.”
The island nation generates only 40% of its fuel requirements internally and lost crucial oil supplies from Venezuela following U.S. actions against that South American nation in early January, including the arrest of its former leader.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has expressed concern over Iran’s plan to charge transit fees for ships using the Strait of Hormuz, warning that such measures could harm worldwide commerce and energy distribution, according to Reuters.
During an address to Italy’s lower parliamentary chamber, Meloni stated, “If Iran were to succeed in obtaining the authority to apply additional tariffs to transits through the Strait, this could still lead to economic consequences and shifts in trade flows.” She continued, “We are already working with the UK-led coalition for the Strait of Hormuz, which includes more than 30 countries, to try to build security conditions that allow for the full restoration of freedom of navigation and supply.”
Meloni’s comments come amid ongoing disruptions to shipping traffic through the strategic waterway following conflict with Iran. Warnings about potential closures and attacks on critical infrastructure have significantly decreased oil shipments through this vital international trade route.
While tensions have somewhat diminished since a ceasefire took effect on Wednesday, uncertainty continues and maritime operations have not yet resumed normal activity levels.
This narrow waterway serves as one of the planet’s most crucial energy transport channels, handling approximately 20% of daily global oil and natural gas shipments. Any interruption to vessel movement through the strait can rapidly impact international markets, pushing energy costs higher and creating supply chain difficulties.
Italy has indicated boundaries regarding its participation in naval security missions. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini announced on Wednesday that Italy would not send warships to patrol the region without United Nations approval.
The international coalition initiative seeks to create stable conditions in the waterway and maintain uninterrupted access for worldwide energy transportation, while governments continue monitoring developments after the ceasefire and evaluating possibilities of renewed conflict.
Former First Lady Melania Trump issued an uncommon public statement Wednesday from the White House Grand Foyer, firmly rejecting claims that she maintained a personal relationship with convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein or his associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
Trump also made a direct appeal to Congress, requesting that lawmakers organize public hearings where Epstein’s victims could provide sworn testimony to officially document their experiences.
In her remarks, Trump confronted persistent speculation head-on, stating: “The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today.” She emphasized that she maintained no connection to either Epstein or Maxwell.
“I never been friends with Epstein,” Trump stated, acknowledging that she and Donald Trump sometimes attended the same social gatherings as Epstein in New York City and Palm Beach, but stressed this did not constitute a personal bond. “To be clear, I never had a relationship with Epstein or his accomplice, Maxwell.”
Epstein, a financier, faced federal sex trafficking charges involving minors when he was taken into custody in 2019. He died in jail while his trial was pending. Maxwell, who worked with him, received a 20-year prison sentence in 2021 after being found guilty of helping to recruit and abuse underage victims.
Regarding a previously disclosed email correspondence with Maxwell, Trump characterized it as ordinary communication. “My email reply to Maxwell cannot be categorized as anything more than casual correspondence,” she explained, noting it did not indicate any significant relationship.
Trump revealed she first met Epstein in 2000 at an event where she accompanied Donald Trump, stressing she had no awareness of his criminal behavior at that time. She dismissed online allegations, saying: “Numerous fake images and statements about Epstein and me have been calculating on social media for years now,” and cautioned: “Be cautious about what you believe. These images and stories are completely false.”
She confirmed her name has not surfaced in legal cases connected to Epstein and rejected any involvement in his illegal activities. “I was not a participant, was never on Epstein’s plane, and never visited his private island,” she declared.
Trump mentioned that she and her legal team have contested what she termed “unfound and baseless lies,” pointing out that multiple individuals and organizations, including Daily Beast, James Carville, and HarperCollins UK, had issued apologies or corrections.
Iranian citizens are experiencing mixed emotions following a two-week halt in hostilities with the United States, as the temporary reprieve from feared military strikes comes alongside growing concerns about increased government oppression at home.
The truce announcement provided immediate comfort to Iranians who had been anticipating what many believed could be devastating U.S. military action. Citizens with limited internet connectivity had reportedly been sharing what they thought might be their final communications before President Donald Trump revealed an agreement to pursue diplomatic talks with Iran.
While the temporary peace has offered emotional comfort, it has done little to calm deeper worries about how the Iranian government treats its own people. Opposition leaders and activists express particular concern that authorities will exploit this period to intensify their crackdown on dissidents and accelerate executions of political detainees.
Abbas Khorsandi, who serves as secretary of the Free Democratic Party of Iran, expressed urgent alarm about the safety of political prisoners. “In the current extremely critical situation, we reiterate our grave concern for the lives of political prisoners in Iran,” he stated. Khorsandi emphasized that government oppression “has continued unabated,” with “consecutive executions persisting and claiming the lives of our young people.” He warned that during the ceasefire, officials are “deeply concerned about the prospect of this societal anger manifesting in concrete form in the streets.” “As a result,” he explained, “they are intensifying executions and continuing to endanger the lives of political prisoners.”
Anxiety extends to ordinary citizens still living within Iran’s borders. A Tehran-based artist known only as Goli shared her concerns with The Media Line, expressing fear that Iran’s leadership will exploit both conflict and peace to maintain heavy security presence in public areas. “What fills me with dread,” she explained, “is that the Islamic Republic may use the war and the ceasefire as a pretext to keep military forces on the streets and effectively maintain a state of martial law, so that any protests are met with live fire from the very outset.”
Some observers believe the real conflict lies not between Tehran and Washington, but between Iranian citizens and their own government. Amelia Assadi emphasized to The Media Line that “the central issue here is the conflict between the people of Iran and the Islamic Republic, not the war, ceasefire, or any peace arrangement between the regime and the United States.” She stressed that “the struggle between the people and the Islamic Republic will never come to an end.” Describing the government as fundamentally illegitimate, she argued that “a regime that, for more than 47 years, has not ceased killing, torture and executions can never establish legitimacy among the Iranian people and is ultimately destined to fall.”
The temporary peace follows 40 days of warfare that severely damaged Iran. Senior military and security officials were killed, while crucial economic and infrastructure sectors sustained major damage. Attacks targeted petrochemical plants, steel manufacturing facilities, and energy installations. The conflict claimed over 2,000 lives and destroyed tens of thousands of homes, creating widespread displacement. As citizens prepared for what President Trump had characterized as “hell” and “a return to the Stone Age,” major retailers had already begun increasing prices on essential items.
Despite the current ceasefire, Iran remains unstable. Public focus has shifted to political prisoners awaiting execution, mass arrests conducted during wartime, and the potential for renewed widespread civil unrest. Many view this calm period as temporary, with underlying tensions that could soon reignite into broader social upheaval against the Islamic Republic.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has directed his cabinet to pursue immediate direct discussions with Lebanon, with the primary objectives of dismantling Hezbollah and establishing a peaceful agreement between the nations.
Netanyahu shared on social media platform X that his decision came after “repeated calls” from Lebanon seeking negotiations. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun had previously posted on X that the “only solution” involves a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, followed by “direct negotiations” between the countries. Aoun noted that Lebanese security forces have been “carrying out their work fully to enforce security, despite the difficult circumstances they are facing.”
Israeli sources informed Kan News that military actions against Hezbollah will persist throughout the negotiation period, including air strikes and ground operations. These military efforts would only decrease once agreements are secured regarding Hezbollah’s disarmament and protecting northern Israeli residents’ safety.
Kan News reported that an Israeli cabinet source indicated Lebanon must remove Hezbollah ministers from government positions as a trust-building step during discussions. Israeli leadership believes an agreement could be finalized before anticipated October elections, with talks proceeding amid ongoing conflict while addressing border disputes.
This diplomatic effort follows Wednesday’s ceasefire announcement between the United States and Israel on one side, and Iran on the other. After that ceasefire was declared, Israel initiated extensive operations targeting Hezbollah. President Donald Trump clarified that Lebanon was excluded from the truce agreement, while Iran cautioned that ongoing strikes in Lebanon might threaten the ceasefire arrangement.
Pakistani officials have implemented comprehensive security protocols throughout Islamabad as the nation prepares to host critical diplomatic discussions between the United States and Iran beginning April 10.
The capital city’s administration has announced a two-day closure of government offices on Thursday and Friday to accommodate the high-profile negotiations, which come after Pakistan successfully mediated a two-week ceasefire between the two nations.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended invitations to both countries for direct diplomatic engagement in hopes of establishing a lasting peace agreement.
Representatives from Washington and Tehran have both verified their participation in the Pakistan-hosted negotiations.
President Donald Trump has designated Vice President JD Vance, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner to represent American interests during the discussions.
Iran’s deputy foreign minister announced that their delegation will be led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf for the Islamabad meetings.
Extensive protective measures have been established throughout the city’s governmental Red Zone, major administrative buildings, diplomatic quarters, and all transportation access points.
Security forces including police and Rangers have increased their presence across the capital, with the Army’s rapid response units standing by for deployment.
An Interior Ministry official informed The Media Line that military forces will assume control of the Red Zone’s security, supported by Rangers and police personnel stationed throughout the area.
Negotiation participants will stay at a luxury hotel situated within the secured Red Zone perimeter.
Security sources report that a US Air Force C-130 transport plane delivered an advance security and tactical team to Nur Khan Air Base on Thursday afternoon.
Officials told The Media Line that US Secret Service and CIA personnel have also arrived in Islamabad to evaluate security protocols and prepare the venue for the American delegation.
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with US Ambassador Natalie Baker on Thursday for extensive discussions regarding Middle East developments and logistical preparations for the Islamabad negotiations. Naqvi stated that a thorough security strategy has been established to ensure complete protection for all international visitors.
Prior to the US-Iran discussions, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conducted a significant meeting Thursday afternoon with Chief of Defense Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir. A statement from the prime minister’s office indicated their conversation centered on ceasefire developments and related issues as Pakistan prepares to facilitate negotiations between the United States and Iran.
As this latest round of diplomatic engagement approaches, underlying mistrust between the two nations remains evident. Throughout the previous year, they have attempted negotiations on two separate occasions, with both efforts disrupted by renewed conflict before achieving meaningful progress.
Independence advocates in Alberta say recent political shifts positioning Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for a potential parliamentary majority are fueling their movement to break away from Canada.
Organizers collecting signatures across the western Canadian province for a citizen-initiated independence referendum report increased public backing following Wednesday’s party switch by longtime Conservative member Marilyn Gladu to Carney’s Liberal party.
“We’ve had thousands of signatures since then,” Jeff Rath, spokesperson for the Alberta Prosperity Project independence group, stated during a Thursday interview.
“Mark Carney himself has been the biggest help to the Alberta independence movement,” Rath added.
While Alberta’s election officials have not confirmed signature totals, Rath claims the citizen petition has already surpassed the roughly 177,000 signatures required under provincial law to initiate an October separation referendum.
Carney’s office has not yet responded to requests for comment.
Gladu represents the fourth Conservative lawmaker to switch to the Liberals since November. Carney could achieve a House of Commons majority as early as Monday if his party captures at least one seat in three upcoming special elections. Such a majority would strengthen the prime minister’s ability to advance his legislative priorities.
The most recent defection has sparked significant anger among Conservative supporters. In oil-rich Alberta, which typically votes conservative, many residents feel abandoned by these party switches and fear a Liberal majority government would harm provincial interests, according to Rath.
Social media posts from separatist supporters also suggest the defections could drive additional independence backing.
“If more conservative floor crossers come forward, winning a referendum becomes very hard to stop,” read one social media post on platform X, which independence activist Keith Wilson shared Thursday.
The separatist movement has expanded outreach efforts to the United States to gauge American reactions to potential Alberta independence, Rath noted.
Wilson recently appeared on conservative media host Glenn Beck’s show, with Beck expressing support for the independence cause.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk also seemed to back Alberta separatism this week, responding “Yeah” on X to an independence supporter’s claim that leaving Canada represents the only path to saving the country.
Rath characterized Musk as a “big supporter” of the movement.
The separatist groups face a May 2 deadline to file their petition with Elections Alberta.
Public opinion surveys consistently indicate separation support remains limited in Alberta. A recent poll conducted before Gladu’s defection showed 27% of decided voters would support independence.
Motorists traveling through Lewes should expect to encounter road work crews along Kings Highway today as DelDOT conducts line painting operations in the area.
The mobile line painting crew began work earlier today and is expected to continue their operations until 6 PM this evening. Drivers are advised to use caution when traveling through the work zone and may experience brief delays.
DelDOT regularly conducts road maintenance activities including line painting to ensure proper lane markings and traffic safety throughout the state’s roadway system.
YELLOW SPRINGS, Ohio — Comedy star Dave Chappelle celebrated alongside community members Thursday as he officially opened the doors to a beautifully restored 1800s schoolhouse that will serve as the permanent home for local NPR station WYSO.
The ceremony marked the completion of a renovation project largely bankrolled by Chappelle, ensuring the radio station wouldn’t be forced to move away from Yellow Springs during challenging times for community media organizations.
“It’s like our lifeblood in the community,” Chappelle shared with The Associated Press regarding the station, remembering how losing it to nearby Dayton would have delivered “a crushing blow” to Yellow Springs.
Over 200 community members assembled outside the historic Union Schoolhouse, where Chappelle was joined by his family, station management, and local leaders including Yellow Springs Mayor Steve McQueen and Dayton Mayor Shenise Turner-Sloss for the celebration.
The Union Schoolhouse dates back to 1872 and originally operated as one of the area’s first racially integrated educational facilities before later serving various municipal and commercial purposes. Following years of abandonment, Chappelle’s real estate venture, Iron Table Holdings, acquired the property in 2020.
The building has been completely reimagined as a contemporary, flexible facility, with WYSO’s operations taking up the ground levels and Chappelle’s business offices located upstairs.
Chappelle viewed this investment as equally focused on historic preservation and community development.
“If you have the opportunity like I did, to invest in your community, then it’s one of the greatest investments I’ve ever made,” he explained. “In some ways it feels dutiful. Other times I feel proud. … but ultimately, I’m doing it because I want to, not because I have to.”
This development occurs as community news organizations nationwide struggle with reduced funding, changing audience habits and growing pressure from online competitors.
According to Chappelle, stations like WYSO provide crucial community stability. He characterized it as “a beacon for sanity,” delivering “a solid baseline of truth in context” amid today’s fractured media environment.
“I grew up listening to WYSO since high school, and they’ve always been here connecting to the people,” explained Mark Willis, a Yellow Springs resident. “They’re not out of a big city. They’re not subject to censorship by a sponsor. They tell the truth, they tell the stories, and it’s rare these days. To see them growing instead of shrinking is beautiful.”
Instead of making a simple financial contribution, Chappelle chose to fund the entire building renovation, enabling the station to stay community-based while preserving its editorial freedom.
“Dave has never made a suggestion about our programming,” stated Luke Dennis, WYSO’s general manager. He explained the new location revolutionizes the station’s public engagement through performance venues, community spaces and enhanced programming capabilities.
“We belong to the community,” Dennis emphasized.
Small-market public radio has encountered increasing difficulties recently, from financial constraints to divided audiences.
Dennis believes the investment gives WYSO a competitive advantage. “We’re in a place of strength,” he noted.
Yellow Springs holds deep significance for Chappelle. While raised in Maryland, he spent childhood summers in the village where his deceased father served as dean of students at Antioch College.
Currently residing on a 39-acre property with his wife and three children, Chappelle has become deeply involved in local life. He has purchased additional community real estate, launched a downtown comedy venue and organized nationally recognized events, including pandemic-era performances in a neighboring cornfield.
Chappelle actively participates in municipal governance, attending town hall meetings and championing community projects.
As residents toured the renovated facility following the ceremony, the event represented far more than a simple opening.
“I’m more determined and inspired that these institutions flourish and stay of the people,” Chappelle reflected after the celebration. “The only way they can do that is the people supporting them. I’m hopeful more than worried.”
A wedding celebration in Sudan’s North Darfur region turned tragic when a drone attack killed at least 30 civilians, including women and children, United Nations officials announced Thursday.
The deadly strike occurred during a wedding ceremony in the town of Kutum, according to Stéphane Dujarric, who serves as spokesperson for the U.N. secretary-general, during his Thursday briefing.
This attack represents another escalation in the growing use of drone warfare between Sudan’s military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, groups that have been engaged in conflict since April 2023. The ongoing war has claimed more than 40,000 lives based on U.N. data, though aid organizations believe the actual death toll may be significantly higher.
Local advocacy groups, including the Emergency Lawyers and Resistance Committees in el-Fasher, issued statements Thursday via social media pointing to the Sudanese Armed Forces as responsible for Wednesday’s attack.
“We condemn this and all attacks against civilians. Attacks using drones against civilians and civilian objects are unacceptable,” Dujarric stated regarding the incident.
Military officials have not yet responded to requests for comment about the attack.
According to the Emergency Lawyers, there has been a “recurring pattern” of drone strikes by both warring factions since March across multiple provinces including South Kordofan, Blue Nile, East, Central and South Darfur, forcing additional civilian displacement.
Just last week, another drone assault targeted a medical facility in the country’s south-central region, resulting in at least 10 deaths. The international medical organization Doctors Without Borders, known as MSF, reported that the RSF conducted two drone attacks on al-Jabalain Hospital in White Nile province, striking both an operating room and maternity unit.
“MSF is outraged by these repeated attacks on health care, which have escalated dangerously in recent weeks,” stated Esperanza Santos, MSF’s emergency operations chief for Sudan. “Health facilities, medical staff and patients must always be protected. We call on RSF and SAF to immediately stop this spiral of violence against medical facilities.”
The increase in drone attacks throughout Sudan’s Kordofan region has created mounting casualties among civilians while also disrupting humanitarian aid efforts, according to analysts and relief workers.
A federal court has halted the Trump administration’s move to eliminate immigration protections for more than 5,000 Ethiopian nationals, preventing their potential deportation and preserving their ability to remain and work in America.
U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy in Massachusetts ruled Wednesday that the Trump administration ended the Temporary Protected Status program for Ethiopians while ignoring proper procedures established by Congress.
The ruling adds to mounting legal challenges as hundreds of thousands of protected immigrants from various nations fight the cancellation of their status in federal courtrooms nationwide. This marks another judicial obstacle to Trump’s efforts to eliminate TPS programs as part of his strict immigration policies.
During the Biden presidency, over 1 million immigrants from 17 nations received TPS protection. However, the Department of Homeland Security has revoked protections for 13 of those countries since Trump began his second term in January 2025.
Venezuelan nationals represented the biggest group of beneficiaries, with Haitians and Salvadorans following in size.
The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to consider arguments on April 29 regarding the administration’s attempts to end TPS for 6,100 Syrian nationals and 350,000 Haitian immigrants.
Congress established TPS in 1990 to halt deportations to nations experiencing natural disasters or civil conflict, providing work authorization in periods lasting up to 18 months.
The Biden administration provided TPS to Ethiopians in the U.S. during 2022, citing the necessity to shield them from armed violence and humanitarian crisis. Officials extended the protection in April 2024.
The Trump administration’s Department of Homeland Security cancelled Ethiopia’s TPS designation in December 2025, claiming the nation no longer qualified for the protection.
Judge Murphy determined that DHS ignored the legal procedures Congress created to govern TPS decisions.
“Fundamental to this case — and indeed to our constitutional system — is the principle that the will of the President does not supersede that of Congress,” Murphy, who was appointed by Biden, said in his decision. “Presidential whims do not and cannot supplant agencies’ statutory obligations.”
Following Murphy’s ruling, DHS emphasized that TPS remains a temporary program.
DHS spokeswoman Lauren Bis said the ruling “is just the latest example of judicial activists trying to prevent President Trump from restoring integrity to America’s legal immigration system.”
LOS ANGELES — A massive fraud operation targeting California’s Medicaid system has resulted in criminal charges against 21 individuals accused of stealing more than $267 million through fake hospice billing schemes, state officials announced Thursday.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta revealed that authorities have taken five suspects into custody so far in connection with the elaborate scam, which comes as federal officials intensify their nationwide crackdown on healthcare fraud.
The investigation began after the Department of Health Care Services alerted state prosecutors to suspicious activity. Authorities discovered that the accused fraudsters had purchased stolen personal information from dark web sources, targeting residents from other states to illegally register them for Medi-Cal benefits — California’s version of the federal Medicaid program that serves low-income residents.
Using these fraudulent enrollments, the suspects established 14 separate hospice care businesses and submitted false claims totaling approximately $267 million for services that were never provided, according to Bonta’s office.
“This isn’t a political game for us. This is about protecting taxpayer dollars, protecting the programs that sick and vulnerable Californians rely on, and protecting our state,” Bonta stated in an official announcement.
The defendants face multiple felony charges including conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, healthcare fraud, money laundering, and identity theft, with additional penalties for aggravated white-collar crimes and money laundering.
California Governor Gavin Newsom emphasized the state’s commitment to prosecuting such crimes. “For years, California has led the charge to protect public programs from fraud and abuse,” Newsom said in the announcement. “We hold accountable to the fullest extent of the law anyone who tries to rip off taxpayers and take advantage of public programs, particularly those as sensitive as hospice care.”
Since taking office, Attorney General Bonta’s administration has pursued 119 criminal cases related to hospice fraud and obtained 51 convictions, his office reported.
The charges come during heightened federal scrutiny of healthcare fraud, particularly in Democratic-led states. The Trump administration has made California a primary target of its anti-fraud initiatives, with particular focus on Medicare hospice fraud in the Los Angeles region. President Trump established an anti-fraud task force in March through executive order, placing Vice President JD Vance in charge of the effort.
Federal authorities arrested eight additional suspects last week in separate healthcare fraud cases throughout the Los Angeles area, demonstrating the scope of fraudulent activity officials are working to combat. While the federal crackdown has primarily focused on states with Democratic leadership, Republican-controlled Florida has also been asked to provide detailed information about its fraud detection and prevention methods.
WASHINGTON — A federal judge ruled Thursday that the Defense Department continues to defy his previous court order requiring the restoration of journalist access to the Pentagon.
U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman previously supported The New York Times this month when he determined that the Pentagon’s updated credentialing rules infringed upon reporters’ First Amendment free speech rights and constitutional due process protections. Friedman again backed the Times’ position, finding that Pentagon officials attempted to circumvent his ruling by implementing new regulations that effectively ban all journalists from the facility without mandatory escort supervision.
“The department simply cannot reinstate an unlawful policy under the guise of taking ‘new’ action and expect the court to look the other way,” Friedman wrote.
Friedman’s original ruling required Pentagon leadership to restore press credentials for seven Times journalists and emphasized that his decision covers “all regulated parties.”
Pentagon representatives did not immediately provide comment when contacted. The Pentagon facility functions as the central command center for American military operations.
Last October, journalists from major news organizations departed the building rather than accept the new requirements. The Times filed a lawsuit against the Pentagon and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in December challenging the policy changes.
Legal representatives for the Times claimed the Pentagon violated both “the letter and spirit” of the judge’s March 20 ruling through its modified policy. The newspaper also alleged that Pentagon officials were attempting to establish unprecedented guidelines controlling when journalists may grant anonymity to their sources.
Friedman stated that the access currently provided to credential holders “is not even close to as meaningful as the broad access” they previously enjoyed.
Government attorneys argued that the Pentagon’s updated policy completely follows the judge’s instructions. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell previously announced the administration’s intention to appeal Friedman’s March 20 ruling.
The Pentagon Press Association, which represents AP journalists, stated that the Pentagon’s temporary policy maintains elements that Friedman ruled unconstitutional while introducing additional limitations on credentialed reporters.
“In effect, Plaintiffs ask this Court to expand the Order to prohibit the Department from ever addressing the security of the Pentagon through a press credentialing policy with conditions that may address similar topics or concerns as the enjoined conditions. The Order does not say that, and this Court should not read it to say that,” Justice Department attorneys wrote.
The existing Pentagon press corps consists primarily of conservative media organizations that accepted the policy changes. Reporters from outlets that rejected the new requirements, including The Associated Press, have maintained their military coverage from locations outside the Pentagon.
Friedman, who received his judicial appointment from Democratic President Bill Clinton, referenced recent U.S. military actions in Venezuela and Iran as examples highlighting the importance of public access to government information.
“Those who drafted the First Amendment believed that the nation’s security requires a free press and an informed people and that such security is endangered by governmental suppression of political speech. That principle has preserved the nation’s security for almost 250 years. It must not be abandoned now,” the judge wrote.
Friedman concluded that the disputed policy clearly aims to eliminate “disfavored journalists” and substitute them with those who are “on board and willing to serve” the administration.
“That,” he wrote, “is viewpoint discrimination, full stop.”
PHOENIX — A federal court has refused to block Arizona prosecutors from pursuing criminal charges against prediction market company Kalshi, which stands accused of running an unlawful gambling operation within state borders.
U.S. District Judge Michael Liburdi issued his ruling Wednesday, turning down Kalshi’s attempt to halt the criminal proceedings. The judge also rejected the company’s request for an immediate determination that federal regulations override Arizona’s gambling statutes, stating the case is too premature for such a decision.
Arizona’s Attorney General’s Office has filed 20 misdemeanor wagering violations against Kalshi, claiming the platform facilitated wagers on political elections, college athletics, and individual athlete statistics.
Arizona became the first state to pursue criminal charges against Kalshi, citing laws that ban unlicensed gambling businesses and election wagering. These criminal allegations represent a significant escalation in the ongoing legal dispute over whether prediction markets must comply with traditional gambling regulations.
The Associated Press reached out to Kalshi for response to the court decision. Attorney General Kris Mayes’ office refused to provide comment Thursday.
Kalshi is set to appear for arraignment Monday in Maricopa County Superior Court. The criminal proceedings are taking place in state court since the charges involve violations of state statutes.
The company, which describes itself as a financial exchange rather than a gambling site, is pursuing its civil lawsuit in federal court. Kalshi argues it should only be subject to oversight by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, not individual state authorities.
Kalshi’s business model involves customers purchasing and selling contracts for “Yes” or “No” positions based on potential event outcomes. The company claims its service differs from traditional gambling because users trade contracts with each other rather than wagering against the platform itself.
In a federal lawsuit filed shortly before criminal charges were announced, Kalshi maintained that federal law supersedes Arizona’s attempt to apply state regulations. The company also warned that preventing it from offering event contracts would damage its business viability, harm platform credibility, and create additional operational challenges.
Kalshi has accused Arizona of filing criminal charges specifically to disrupt its civil lawsuit.
State attorneys argue that Kalshi has promoted itself as a sports and election betting service, and Arizona has the authority to enforce its gambling regulations against the company for violating state statutes.
Kalshi has filed lawsuits against Arizona, Utah, and Iowa to prevent expected state enforcement actions. Multiple other states have initiated various forms of legal proceedings against the platform.
Court decisions have produced varying results across different jurisdictions. Judges in Nevada and Massachusetts have issued early decisions favoring states seeking to prohibit Kalshi and rival platform Polymarket from providing sports wagering services. However, federal judges in New Jersey and Tennessee have ruled in Kalshi’s favor.
Earlier this month, federal authorities filed legal challenges against Connecticut, Arizona, and Illinois, contesting those states’ regulatory efforts targeting prediction market operators.
The Trump administration has expressed support for these platforms.
Donald Trump Jr. serves as an advisor to both Kalshi and Polymarket while also holding an investment stake in Polymarket. Additionally, Trump’s Truth Social platform is developing its own cryptocurrency-based prediction market called Truth Predict.
CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuelan legislators enacted comprehensive mining legislation Thursday as the nation attempts to draw cautious international investors to an industry previously controlled by criminal organizations with government connections.
The legislative action represents the most recent policy initiative by acting President Delcy Rodríguez following increased pressure from the Trump administration, which resulted in the U.S. military removing former President Nicolás Maduro from power in January after 26 years of socialist governance.
The comprehensive legislation must now face constitutional review by Venezuela’s highest court before implementation.
The new law governs mineral extraction rights, creates classifications for small, medium, and large mining operations, and permits independent dispute arbitration — a provision international investors consider essential protection against government asset seizures. Additionally, the legislation prohibits top officials including the president, vice president, cabinet members, and governors from obtaining mining permits.
National Assembly president Jorge Rodríguez described the legislation as a “vehicle for the construction of future prosperity” and an “instrument that protects” mining workers throughout Venezuela following its passage.
The vote occurred one day after the acting president requested patience from public and private employees, whose salaries have long been insufficient to purchase basic goods, while her administration addresses economic challenges. She pledged a wage adjustment for May 1 without revealing specific amounts.
While workers demonstrated for improved compensation in Caracas on Thursday, Delcy Rodríguez departed for Grenada on her inaugural international visit as acting president.
Twenty years ago, numerous international companies in Venezuela’s mining and petroleum industries experienced government asset confiscation. Nevertheless, as essential oil income declined, Maduro’s administration established a mining development area in 2016 covering more than 10% of Venezuelan territory across the nation’s central region.
Mining activities for gold, diamonds, copper, and additional minerals have expanded significantly since that designation. Many operations remain informal and unlicensed, functioning under harsh conditions with criminal organization involvement.
Murder, human trafficking, fuel smuggling, and additional criminal activities occur regularly in mining regions, yet ordinary Venezuelans continue migrating there seeking quick wealth and poverty escape.
Government officials and military personnel receive portions of illegal mining profits in exchange for permitting mine operations.
“The mining and subsequent sale of gold has proven to be a lucrative financial scheme for some well-connected Venezuelans and senior officers within the National Bolivarian Armed Forces, which profits from charging criminal organizations for access and inputs, such as fuel,” according to a U.S. State Department congressional report from last year.
“The estimated market value of gold mined in Venezuela is difficult to confirm, but well-respected sources estimate that it averaged $2.2 billion annually over the past five years.”
The recently enacted legislation establishes royalty payments and taxation while limiting mining permits to 30-year terms with renewal options. The law also creates imprisonment penalties for illegal activity participants and environmental damage causes, while authorizing confiscation of illegally extracted minerals.
SALISBURY, Md. – Salisbury University’s nationally-ranked baseball squad unleashed an offensive explosion Thursday, crushing the Virginia Wesleyan Marlins 32-2 in a seven-inning contest at Donnie Williams Sea Gull Baseball Stadium.
The Sea Gulls, currently ranked 12th in the nation, dominated from the opening inning and maintained their commanding lead throughout the shortened game. The team’s powerful hitting display resulted in one of the most lopsided victories of the season.
The contest was called after seven innings due to the mercy rule, as Salisbury’s offense proved too much for the visiting Marlins to handle on Thursday afternoon.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has established new operating guidelines for a federal vaccine advisory committee, expanding the panel’s scope to emphasize vaccine risk assessment and potential safety data shortcomings.
Kennedy signed the updated charter on March 31, which was made public Thursday. The action follows a federal court decision last month that found most of Kennedy’s previous panel appointees lacked proper qualifications and suspended their recommendations.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices provides guidance to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding vaccine usage and has become a central component of Kennedy’s initiative to transform national vaccination policies.
U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy in Boston ruled on March 16 that the committee had been improperly restructured. Kennedy, known for his opposition to vaccines, had dismissed all 17 independent specialists who previously served on the panel and appointed new members who align with his disputed positions on vaccination.
The revised charter expands qualification standards for committee members beyond traditional vaccine expertise and immunization research, now incorporating toxicology, data science, and professionals with “expertise in the assessment of vaccine safety and efficacy.”
Dorit Reiss, a UC Law San Francisco professor specializing in vaccine policy, explained that the updated charter reduces expertise requirements by only requiring members to be “knowledgeable,” potentially making it more difficult for courts to enforce expertise standards.
The new guidelines also designate four additional organizations as non-voting committee liaisons, including the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, the Independent Medical Alliance, and Physicians for Informed Consent—all groups that have promoted anti-vaccine positions.
Additionally, the Medical Academy of Pediatrics and Special Needs, which supports children with autism, has been included. Kennedy has persistently claimed that childhood vaccines trigger autism, despite extensive scientific research demonstrating vaccine safety.
Earlier this week, Kennedy’s Department of Health and Human Services announced plans for the expanded charter, which affects recommendations influencing vaccine usage and insurance coverage, including the national childhood vaccination schedule.
HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon stated that renewing and publishing the committee charter represents “routine statutory requirements and do not signal any broader policy shift.”
Daniel Jernigan, who previously directed the CDC’s National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, warned that the new charter will simplify committee restructuring and “further politicizes the discussion at the meeting.”
Jernigan was among three senior CDC officials who resigned in August to protest Kennedy’s vaccination policies.
Richard Hughes IV, representing the American Academy of Pediatrics in their lawsuit challenging Kennedy’s vaccine policies, said it was too early to determine whether his organization would contest the new charter. “It really remains to be seen how they reconstitute the committee,” Hughes explained.
The former Slovenian model who became America’s First Lady has consistently maintained her position in the White House on her own terms, rarely engaging directly with the press or taking public stances on political matters.
Thursday’s media appearance where Melania Trump firmly rejected any suggestion of ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein stands out as one of her uncommon direct addresses to journalists during her tenure.
The 55-year-old First Lady has maintained an exceptionally low public profile for someone in such a prominent position. During 2017, her husband’s initial year in the presidency, she delivered just eight public addresses. This contrasts sharply with Michelle Obama, who gave 74 speeches during Barack Obama’s first presidential year in 2009.
Kate Andersen Brower, who authored “First Women: The Grace and Power of America’s Modern First Ladies,” described her to Britain’s The Times in 2024, saying: “She is very unknowable.”
Despite her typically reserved approach, the First Lady has occasionally generated significant public attention. Following the 2020 election, she supported her husband’s unfounded claims of electoral victory, stating: “Every legal – not illegal – vote should be counted,” using similar rhetoric to allegations of voting irregularities.
A particularly memorable moment occurred in 2018 when she sparked widespread media attention by choosing to wear a jacket displaying “I REALLY DON’T CARE, DO YOU?” during her flight to Texas for a visit with migrant children who had been separated from their families. She later explained the jacket was her response to media criticism.
Earlier this year, she produced a documentary film called “Melania” that followed her activities during the 20 days before her husband’s second presidential inauguration. While promoted as providing unprecedented behind-the-scenes access, reviewers noted it offered limited fresh perspectives.
As Donald Trump’s third spouse, she holds the distinction of being the first naturalized citizen to serve as First Lady. Her modeling career began at age 16, eventually taking her to fashion capitals Paris and Milan before she relocated to New York in 1996.
She encountered her future husband at a Manhattan social event two years after arriving in the city, and they wed in January 2005.
President Trump has drawn comparisons between his wife and the iconic Jackie Kennedy, later known as Jackie Onassis. During a 2019 appearance on Fox News’ “Fox and Friends,” he stated: “We have our own Jackie O today. It’s called Melania. We’ll call it Melania T.”
“People love her. She gets no credit from the media, but she gets credit from the people,” Trump added.
AUGUSTA, Georgia – An 18-year-old amateur golfer experienced all the expected challenges of his Masters debut at Augusta National, plus one unexpected wardrobe malfunction that kept everyone laughing.
Mason Howell, a high school student who holds the U.S. Amateur championship title, was paired with last year’s Masters winner Rory McIlroy for Thursday’s opening round. The teenager described the day as both a learning opportunity and an enjoyable experience, despite shooting a five-over 77.
“Rory is awesome. We had a great walk today,” Howell shared with media following his round.
The young golfer admitted that pre-round anxiety got the better of him initially. “I was on the first tee and couldn’t feel my arms,” he explained.
Adding to the drama was Howell’s baseball cap, which refused to stay put during his swings. The hat flew off three separate times throughout the round, beginning with his very first tee shot when excitement and aggressive play combined to create the wardrobe issue.
“I was going to swing out of my shoes to see if I could cover that right bunker,” Howell said. “It was pretty funny.”
While his initial drive ended up in the wrong fairway – landing on the ninth hole instead – Howell said sharing a laugh with McIlroy afterward helped calm his nerves. He managed to save par on both opening holes and noted his driving accuracy improved throughout the day.
The pairing provided valuable lessons for the amateur, as he watched McIlroy demonstrate the strategic thinking that separates major champions from other players. Howell observed how the Northern Ireland native made smart decisions when in difficult positions and avoided turning small mistakes into bigger problems.
“He does a great job knowing where to miss,” Howell noted. “There are some things I can learn going into tomorrow.”
Even when facing challenges, including putting struggles on the fourth hole, Howell maintained a positive attitude with his caddie and left the course feeling optimistic about future rounds.
Looking ahead to Friday’s second round, he identified key areas for improvement: hitting more greens in regulation and exercising patience. He also plans to address his equipment issue with a simple adjustment.
“We might just tighten it up one button,” he said, referring to his troublesome hat.
Venezuelan legislators officially appointed Larry Devoe to serve as the nation’s attorney general during a Thursday session of the National Assembly. Devoe, who maintains close ties with interim President Delcy Rodriguez, received overwhelming support for the permanent position.
The 46-year-old official had been fulfilling the role temporarily since February, when former attorney general Tarek Saab stepped down from his long-held position. Prior to his current role, Devoe led the National Council of Human Rights in the South American country.
Assembly Speaker Jorge Rodriguez, who is the acting president’s brother, announced that a legislative panel had reviewed more than 70 potential nominees before recommending Devoe for the post. The final vote tally showed 275 lawmakers supporting his appointment.
The opposition put forward their own candidate, with lawmaker Henrique Capriles backing longtime legal scholar Magaly Vasquez, who garnered 10 votes in the final count.
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware women’s tennis squad extended their winning streak to five matches Thursday afternoon, shutting out Saint Joseph’s 4-0 on the DFH Outdoor Courts.
The Blue Hens delivered a dominant performance on their home courts, sweeping their opponents to maintain their perfect record over the past five contests. The victory showcases the team’s continued strong play as they build momentum through their current season.
Thursday’s match marked another commanding display by the Delaware program, which has now strung together five straight victories without dropping a single contest during this impressive run.
State motor vehicle officials are warning Delaware residents to be cautious of fraudulent text messages that appear to come from the DMV.
The Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles has issued an alert about a new text message scam targeting residents across the state. These deceptive messages claim the recipient owes money for an unpaid traffic ticket.
According to the warning, the fraudulent texts tell people they must settle an outstanding violation by clicking on an included web link. The messages threaten serious consequences if payment isn’t made by a certain deadline, including suspended vehicle registration, loss of driving privileges, potential legal consequences, and collection agency involvement.
DMV officials are advising all Delaware residents to avoid clicking any links contained in these suspicious text messages.
A legal conflict centered around artwork at a Kansas burger restaurant may ultimately reach the nation’s highest court. The case’s final determination could have significant ramifications for municipal governments throughout the United States.
Listen to the Evening Delmarva Farm Report Update — April 9, 2026
DELMARVA — Cattle producers nationwide are receiving a boost from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s new Grassland Resilience and Conservation Initiative. The foundation announced $32.8 million in grants to 6 partner organizations, covering conservation work on more than 2 million acres of grassland habitat.
Markets
Livestock futures climbed at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Thursday. June live cattle settled up $1.27 at $247.20 per hundredweight. August contracts gained $0.92 to close at $243.35. Feeder cattle showed even stronger gains, with May contracts jumping $2.42 to $370.42.
Soybeans posted modest gains on technical buying and renewed strength in crude oil. The USDA raised price estimates for wheat, corn, soybeans, soybean meal, cheese, and cotton in Thursday’s WASDE report.
Forecast
Delmarva is holding at 55° this evening under mostly sunny skies with southeast winds at 10 mph. Tonight drops to 39° with partly cloudy conditions. Friday looks good with patchy frost early, then mostly sunny skies and a high of 63°.
This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Evening Edition, April 9, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.
MINNEAPOLIS — A frightening collision between two Detroit Tigers outfielders sent center fielder Parker Meadows to the hospital Thursday during their game against Minnesota.
The 26-year-old Meadows suffered a head injury when he crashed into teammate Riley Greene as both players chased down a shallow fly ball hit by Josh Bell in the eighth inning. Medical staff transported Meadows off the field via cart for immediate medical evaluation.
The collision occurred when Greene, playing left field, called for the ball while Meadows was also moving toward it from center field. Despite Meadows attempting to pull back at the final moment, his face struck Greene’s head with significant force, causing both players to fall to the ground.
Following the impact, Meadows remained on his back appearing stunned and barely responsive, with his arms extended upward and visible bleeding on his face. After several minutes, medical personnel helped him sit upright before assisting him to his feet and onto the medical cart.
Detroit’s organization has not yet provided an update regarding Meadows’ medical status or the extent of his injuries.
BEIRUT (AP) — At exactly 2:14 p.m., the initial explosion struck, creating a thunderous crash that sounded like a massive truck collision right outside our newsroom. An Israeli airstrike had targeted a location in the immediate vicinity.
Almost immediately, columns of smoke began ascending throughout Beirut’s horizon — from the waterfront promenade to the city’s most congested crossroads, emerging from both affluent districts and impoverished areas. The explosions continued relentlessly. We gave up tracking them. A colleague rushed upstairs from the lower floor, her complexion pale and mouth quivering.
Throughout my decade of residence in Beirut, Lebanon’s capital has endured multiple waves of Israeli bombardments, the explosive device attacks on Hezbollah operatives, and the catastrophic harbor blast of 2020. However, Wednesday marked the first occasion when the entire city seemed paralyzed with shock.
Within a 10-minute timeframe, Israeli forces claim they struck 100 locations throughout Lebanon. The majority were concentrated in Beirut. The death toll exceeded 300 individuals, with more than 100 being women, children, and senior citizens. Evening news programs compared it to the darkest periods of Israel’s 1982 Beirut invasion — specifically that August when approximately 300 people perished during roughly 10 hours of continuous shelling.
Prior to Wednesday’s assault, numerous Lebanese citizens had anticipated that a ceasefire declaration made earlier regarding the Iran conflict would halt the ongoing month-long hostilities between Israel and the Iranian-supported militant organization Hezbollah.
The specific targets remain unclear. Israeli officials stated they attacked Hezbollah command facilities, though they only confirmed eliminating one assistant to the organization’s leader.
As explosions continued, frightened residents became trapped in gridlock while rushing home to relocate their families, uncertain of Israel’s next target. Others frantically attempted calls through overloaded phone systems, searching for family members or shouting at relatives to evacuate immediately. Bewildered motorists gazed at the thick black and white smoke clouds engulfing the city, attempting to identify safe routes.
Within the affected zones, chaos reached extreme levels. Residents’ faces were blackened with debris. At Corniche al-Mazraa, one of Beirut’s major intersections, an Associated Press photographer witnessed burned vehicles stacked upon each other. One contained a crushed victim.
On Mar Elias, a primary commercial avenue, an explosion created dust clouds and wreckage that obscured an entire city block. Across the road, Sahar Charara remained hidden in her residence.
Following the 2020 port disaster that caused minor injuries to her two children, Charara has attempted to shield herself from witnessing violence victims — reflecting how years of accumulated trauma have affected Lebanese citizens. However, when the debris settled, she glanced outside and witnessed the anguish of an entire city reflected in an elderly woman who stood motionless, screaming continuously.
“There were so much horror and fear in her screaming,” said Charara.
When Charara emerged from her residence an hour afterward, she briefly spoke with her neighbor whose business was demolished. The woman’s expression showed a “blank look of horror,” Charara said.
She discovered later from her building’s security guard that another resident had fallen from their balcony and died upon impact.
Several hundred meters west of Charara’s location, drivers maneuvered erratically while attempting to flee Tallet al-Khayyat, one of Beirut’s elevated areas featuring some of the city’s most prestigious residential buildings. One structure disintegrated instantly after an Israeli bomb struck; a resident reported hearing the building’s foundation grinding before collapse.
An attack occurred near Nahida Khalil’s residence, close to the waterfront. She then noticed smoke rising from her brother’s building further down the road.
The following 15 minutes seemed endless as she attempted to contact her brother without success. Eventually, his wife answered, screaming that their building was struck. They had searched through black smoke filling their home to locate their three children. Upon reaching the street, they discovered half their building was destroyed, with the remaining portion slowly collapsing as emergency workers searched for survivors.
“I lived through all the wars since 1975. I never felt this fear,” said Khalil, who has lived in the same building for decades. “These strikes are meant to terrorize … and to spoil the ceasefire and cause division” between Lebanese.
By evening, residents continued evaluating damage and casualties while determining safe locations. Some families slept in separate rooms, reasoning that if overnight attacks occurred, some family members might survive.
Emergency operations continued throughout the night.
At Khalil’s family building in the Ain Mreisseh area, rescue teams received encouragement after discovering a 92-year-old man alive. However, by Thursday morning, they continued searching for four or five additional victims, they informed the AP. A man whose 23-year-old daughter remained missing stood atop the debris pile assisting in the search.
At medical facilities, personnel continued attempting to identify numerous bodies.
The final attack occurred just past midnight, targeting Beirut’s southern outskirts, which have faced regular bombardment during the conflict. Mohammed Mehdi’s barbershop, operating for three decades, was destroyed.
During the current conflict, he and his family abandoned their home in the Chiyah neighborhood, now sleeping in a dental office near Khalil’s family building. Despite this, he maintained his barbershop operations, visiting daily to meet friends, drink coffee, and occasionally cut hair. He closed Wednesday as explosions began across the city.
“They carried out 100 strikes. Ours was the 101st,” he said Thursday. He is mourning Lebanon’s dead from the day. “I am still in shock, and I don’t know where things are going. I lost my job and this loss may last for a while.”
TABRIZ, Iran (AP) — Following a five-day journalism assignment in Iran’s capital, an Associated Press photography team embarked on an extensive road trip toward Turkey’s border. The nearly half-day journey captured glimpses of daily Iranian life through vehicle windows, documenting moments defined by travel and geographic diversity.
The visual narrative traces the photographers’ path using highway designations, starting with Highway 2 departing Tehran and progressing through Routes 16, 24, and 32. Their cameras captured herders guiding flocks of goats and sheep, commercial trucks in transit, a wandering stray dog, and the rhythm of roadside commerce. In Tabriz, they photographed a vendor creating cotton candy, while other stops revealed a baker at work and merchants selling fresh produce, meals and warm beverages. Near Golshahr, they documented a hotel worker maintaining spotless hallway floors.
Throughout the expedition, dramatic terrain unfolded under expansive azure skies dotted with brilliant white clouds and darker formations drifting overhead.
The photographic documentation concludes at the Razi–Kapıköy international crossing, where both the highway and narrative transition once again.
The collection represents a curated selection by Associated Press photography editors.
WASHINGTON — Two major organizations successfully reached a settlement agreement with the Justice Department on Thursday, reversing budget cuts that threatened library funding nationwide through the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences.
The American Library Association and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees announced their legal agreement will restore the IMLS’s ability to distribute grants and maintain programs supporting libraries and museums across the country.
Justice Department officials have not yet provided comment on the settlement, while White House representatives directed inquiries to the Justice Department’s Civil Division.
Democracy Forward led the legal challenge filed in May, seeking to prevent the administration from dismantling the IMLS following President Donald Trump’s March 14 executive order labeling the agency and others as “unnecessary.”
The cost-cutting initiative represented part of a wider government effort to reduce federal spending by eliminating staff positions, grant programs, and various services.
Following the executive order, agency employees were placed on administrative leave and received termination letters. The acting director proceeded to cancel existing grants and contracts while dismissing all National Museum and Library Services Board members.
“When the administration began shuttering IMLS last year, it set off a chain reaction. Libraries across the country started cutting hours, staff and services people rely on – after-school programs, support for job seekers and connection for older adults,” stated American Library Association president Sam Helmick.
According to settlement terms, all 2025 staff reduction orders have been canceled, allowing affected employees to resume their positions. The IMLS has agreed not to implement additional workforce reductions related to the executive order’s objectives.
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees president Lee Saunders described the settlement as a win for communities nationwide that rely on library and museum services.
The organizations will formally dismiss their lawsuit within seven days, provided the government fulfills all agreement conditions.
This settlement follows a Rhode Island federal judge’s approval three days earlier of the administration’s request to withdraw its appeal in a separate case brought by 21 state attorneys general.
Established in 1996 under Republican congressional leadership, the IMLS serves as the sole federal agency dedicated to library funding. Its mission focuses on advancing and supporting America’s museums and libraries through grants, research, and policy initiatives.
The institute merged operations from earlier government entities, including the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science and the Institute of Museum Services.
Annual IMLS grant distribution reaches thousands of recipients nationwide, totaling over $200 million in recent years.
Online betting platforms that allow people to place wagers on everything from sports to political outcomes are facing renewed scrutiny after suspicious trading activity surrounding the conflict in Iran.
Before this week’s fragile ceasefire agreement was announced, several new accounts on the Polymarket platform placed extremely precise, well-timed bets predicting a fighting halt would be declared on April 7. The traders collectively earned hundreds of thousands of dollars in winnings, while others await payouts as the conflict’s resolution remains uncertain.
These transactions have again highlighted concerns about the shadowy and rapidly expanding world of round-the-clock speculative betting that now dominates much of the internet. Questions about questionable activity have intensified, including one anonymous Polymarket user who earned over $400,000 after the U.S. military captured former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January.
The precise timing and subject matter of these trades have sparked worries about possible insider trading, with growing demands from legislators for formal investigations. Major platforms like Polymarket have implemented additional safeguards recently to prevent insider trading, though critics argue these measures fall short.
Additionally, since prediction market bets are classified differently from conventional gambling, disputes over government regulation have emerged. The Trump administration has already expressed support for platform operators and filed lawsuits against three states attempting to impose stricter regulations.
The range of subjects covered by prediction markets varies enormously. While there has been increased wagering on elections and athletic competitions lately, users have also invested millions in topics such as a rumored but never-materialized “secret finale” for Netflix’s “Stranger Things,” whether the U.S. government will acknowledge extraterrestrial life, and how frequently billionaire Elon Musk might post on social media monthly.
In industry terminology, purchases or sales on prediction markets are known as “event contracts.” These are usually marketed as “yes” or “no” bets, with prices fluctuating between $0 and $1, representing traders’ collective willingness to pay based on perceived likelihood from 0% to 100%.
When traders believe an event is more probable, contract prices increase accordingly. As these probabilities shift over time, users can exit positions early for modest gains or to minimize losses on existing investments.
Supporters of prediction markets contend that financial stakes lead to more accurate forecasting and provide an alternative to traditional polling for measuring public sentiment. Some believe monitoring these markets offers valuable insights into potential news developments, especially regarding elections.
However, prediction markets can produce incorrect results, and the identities of traders remain largely unknown. While platform operators collect personal information for identity verification and payment processing, most users trade under anonymous usernames on public websites, making it difficult to determine who profits from various contracts.
Theoretically, investors may closely monitor specific events, but others might simply make random guesses. Critics emphasize that the accessibility and speed of joining these continuous betting platforms leads to daily financial losses, particularly affecting users who may already have gambling problems.
Polymarket ranks among the world’s largest prediction markets, accepting payments through cryptocurrency, debit cards, credit cards, and bank transfers. Restrictions differ by country, but in the United States, these markets have grown rapidly in recent years alongside changing Washington policies.
While prediction markets have gained support from the Trump-controlled Commodity Futures Trading Commission, former President Joe Biden took a more aggressive regulatory approach. After a 2022 CFTC settlement, Polymarket was prohibited from U.S. operations. This changed under Trump late last year when Polymarket announced its return following commission approval. American users can now join a “waitlist” for platform access.
Polymarket’s primary rival, Kalshi, has operated as a federally-regulated exchange since 2020. The platform provides similar contract trading opportunities and currently permits election and sports betting nationwide. Kalshi obtained court permission weeks before the 2024 election to allow Americans to bet on political races and began hosting sports trading last year.
The sector now includes numerous major players. Major League Baseball signed an agreement with Polymarket last month, following partnerships in professional hockey and soccer. Sports betting leaders DraftKings and FanDuel have launched their own prediction platforms. Trump’s Truth Social has also announced plans for an integrated prediction market through a Crypto.com partnership, while Donald Trump Jr. holds advisory positions at both Polymarket and Kalshi.
Last month, The Associated Press agreed to provide U.S. election data to Kalshi.
Since they market event contracts rather than traditional gambling, prediction markets fall under CFTC regulation, allowing them to bypass state-level restrictions or prohibitions on conventional gambling and sports betting.
“It’s a huge loophole,” said Karl Lockhart, a DePaul University assistant law professor who studies this area. “You just have to comply with one set of regulations, rather than (rules from) each state around the country.”
Sports betting has become a central focus. Several major states, including California and Texas, still prohibit sports betting, yet residents can now wager on games, player trades, and more through event contracts.
An increasing number of states and tribal governments are attempting to halt this practice. However, the Trump administration has resisted, asserting that the CFTC holds exclusive regulatory authority over prediction markets. Legal experts anticipate litigation will eventually reach the Supreme Court.
Despite overseeing trillions of dollars in the broader U.S. derivatives market, the CFTC is considerably smaller than the Securities and Exchange Commission, which regulates securities. As event contracts proliferate rapidly on prediction platforms, the agency has experienced significant staff reductions and leadership departures. CFTC chairman Michael Selig currently serves as the only member filling one of five commissioner positions.
Congressional members from both parties have recently introduced comprehensive legislation for additional oversight. Subsequently, Kalshi, which maintains it has always prohibited insider trading, quickly implemented restrictions preventing political candidates from trading on their own campaigns and preemptively blocking sports participants from contracts related to their activities. Polymarket revised its policies to explicitly prohibit users from trading on contracts where they might possess confidential information or could influence outcomes.
The CFTC can also prohibit event contracts involving war, terrorism, and assassinations, which experts suggest could place some prediction market trades, including those related to the Iran conflict, on uncertain legal ground within the United States. Lawmakers like Democratic Senator Adam Schiff are pursuing complete bans on such trading.
Nevertheless, users might access certain contracts while traveling internationally or through different VPN connections.
Delaware Department of Transportation crews are conducting debris removal operations along Governor Printz Boulevard today, affecting traffic in both the northbound and southbound lanes.
The cleanup work is taking place between Claymont and Edgemoor, with crews working on the shoulder and median areas of the roadway. DelDOT officials report the debris removal operation is scheduled to continue through 5 PM this afternoon.
Motorists traveling through the area should expect possible delays and are advised to use caution when passing the work zone.
In an unusual public declaration on Thursday, First Lady Melania Trump firmly rejected suggestions that she maintained a friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, the deceased convicted sex offender.
The first lady’s statement also addressed speculation about how she met her husband, clarifying that Epstein did not play a role in introducing her to President Donald Trump.
The public statement represents a rare occasion where the first lady has directly addressed controversial topics in the media spotlight.
Used-car retailer CarMax announced Thursday it has reached an agreement with activist investor Starboard Value to appoint two new directors to its board of directors ahead of the company’s 2026 annual shareholder meeting.
The automotive company will add Bill Cobb and Jim Kessler as board members following pressure from Starboard Value, which revealed its investment position in CarMax last month. The activist investment firm had put forward nominations for Cobb and Starboard’s founder and chief executive Jeff Smith to join the board while calling on the retailer to enhance its online customer services, reduce operational expenses and restructure its pricing model.
As part of the settlement agreement and with the planned addition of Cobb and Kessler to the board, Starboard Value has agreed to pull back its director nominations for the upcoming annual meeting, according to CarMax’s announcement.
CarMax Chief Executive Keith Barr stated that the incoming board members will contribute valuable automotive industry knowledge and consumer market experience to the company.
“We are confident that the refreshed Board in conjunction with Keith as CarMax’s new CEO can drive substantial value creation,” Smith said.
The popular ticket resale website StubHub Holdings reached a $10 million settlement with federal regulators on Thursday over allegations the company hid additional fees from customers purchasing event tickets.
Federal Trade Commission officials filed the complaint and proposed agreement in New York federal court, stating that StubHub displayed ticket listings on its platform “without clearly and conspicuously disclosing up-front how much consumers actually would pay, including all mandatory fees.”
The settlement stems from the FTC’s “Fees Rule” that took effect in May of last year, mandating that businesses must transparently show complete pricing for live event tickets upfront.
Federal regulators had previously sent StubHub a warning notice after implementing the new pricing transparency requirements.
Under the terms of the agreement, the company must provide financial compensation to affected customers.
A company representative stated that while StubHub disputes the FTC’s interpretation of the matter, they are issuing partial fee refunds to impacted purchasers to resolve the agency’s concerns.
“This settlement covers a limited number of transactions, spanning just three days in May 2025, where some listings on our site may have displayed ticket prices exclusive of fees,” the spokesperson said.
The federal order additionally mandates that StubHub must display complete pricing more clearly across its website.
The enforcement action reflects heightened regulatory activity following a Trump administration directive from March of last year instructing the FTC to “take appropriate action … to ensure price transparency at all stages of the ticket-purchase process, including the secondary ticketing market.”
WASHINGTON – Federal communications regulators announced Tuesday they are weighing restrictions that could prevent three prominent Chinese telecommunications firms from establishing data center operations on American soil while also blocking domestic carriers from establishing connections with these companies.
The Federal Communications Commission revealed it has reached a preliminary determination to stop American telecommunications providers and other carriers operating within US borders from establishing interconnections with entities included on what officials call the “Covered List” – companies deemed to present national security risks. This list includes China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom.
The potential restrictions represent the latest effort by federal authorities to limit Chinese telecommunications companies’ presence in American infrastructure networks over concerns about possible security threats.
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid received a diagnosis of appendicitis and is set to have surgical treatment on Thursday in Houston, according to an announcement from the team.
The surgery is scheduled for the same day the 76ers are set to face the Houston Rockets on the road.
Philadelphia officials stated that additional information regarding Embiid’s condition will be shared when deemed necessary.
Currently sitting in eighth place within the Eastern Conference standings, the 76ers remain positioned to qualify for the play-in tournament.
This season has seen Embiid participate in only 38 games due to various health concerns. His most recent absence came during Saturday’s matchup against the Detroit Pistons, where he was sidelined due to a right oblique injury, ongoing injury management protocols, and illness. Throughout the entire season, the star center has been unable to participate in consecutive games during back-to-back scheduling.
NEW YORK — A federal jury is set to decide whether Live Nation Entertainment and its Ticketmaster division illegally dominate the concert industry after closing arguments wrapped up Thursday in a major antitrust case.
Attorneys representing 34 states argued that the entertainment giant uses monopolistic practices to control ticket sales and inflate concert prices across the country.
Live Nation’s defense team pushed back, telling the Manhattan federal court that increased competition exists throughout the industry and their client operates fairly in America’s flourishing concert market.
Defense attorney David Marriott argued the states failed to demonstrate monopolistic behavior by Live Nation.
“They can’t, and they didn’t,” he said.
The federal government initially spearheaded this civil lawsuit but reached a settlement agreement with Live Nation in 2024 just weeks ago, claiming victory after securing significant concessions regarding ticket sales at numerous company-owned amphitheaters. Settlement talks between the states and Live Nation proved largely unsuccessful, causing a week-long trial delay.
Judge Arun Subramanian provided legal instructions to jurors following the conclusion of closing statements. Deliberations were anticipated to begin either late Thursday or Friday.
State representative Jeffrey Kessler told jurors during his closing argument that evidence demonstrated the companies “violated antitrust laws and it is time to hold them accountable.”
Kessler explained to jurors that civil trial standards require only a preponderance of evidence — greater than 50% certainty — to prove Live Nation and Ticketmaster unlawfully exercised monopoly control.
The attorney characterized the corporation as a “monopolistic bully” and claimed it used tactics that “kept digging the moat around the monopoly castle in order to protect their market position.”
According to Kessler, Live Nation’s dominance of 86% of the concert market and 73% of the broader entertainment market including sporting events proves monopolistic control.
Defense lawyer Marriott argued that Live Nation and Ticketmaster earned their market position through decades of dedicated work that produced superior industry products.
“We are the biggest entertainment company and ticketer in the country. We’re not hiding from that fact,” he said. “We are big. That is not against the laws in the United States. Success is not against the antitrust laws in the United States.”
Marriott emphasized the company works to “outflank and outcompete” rivals and urged jurors not to penalize the business because states presented internal communications where employees described as “fierce competitors” discussed defeating the competition.
The defense attorney justified the company’s decision not to immediately terminate an employee who admitted during testimony to writing messages between late 2021 and early 2023 that ridiculed customers as “so stupid” and claimed the company was “robbing them blind, baby.”
“People say, sometimes, stupid stuff,” Marriott explained, noting the remarks concerned lawn chair and parking fees. “We don’t condone that. But we also don’t just ax somebody because they made a mistake years in the past.”
Marriott maintained that entertainment venues and performers are experiencing unprecedented success while fans benefit from a vibrant and growing entertainment sector.
“Our job is to help venues and artists make money. We don’t make excuses for that,” Marriott said.
Delaware’s motor vehicle agency is warning residents across the state to stay alert for fraudulent text messages attempting to steal personal information.
Officials with the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles have issued a public advisory after discovering a new text messaging fraud scheme targeting local drivers. The deceptive messages claim recipients have unpaid traffic violations that require immediate attention.
The phishing attempt arrives via text message and tries to trick people into clicking malicious links by referencing supposed outstanding traffic tickets. State officials are emphasizing that residents should never click on these suspicious links.
This warning represents the latest effort by Delaware DMV officials to protect citizens from increasingly sophisticated digital fraud attempts that specifically target motor vehicle-related services.
The University of Delaware men’s tennis squad encountered difficulties on the road, dropping a 4-1 decision to William & Mary in their latest match.
The Blue Hens found themselves outmatched during the contest, as they were only able to secure a single point against their Colonial Athletic Association opponents. The loss continues what has been a challenging stretch for Delaware’s tennis program.
Playing away from home proved difficult for the Blue Hens, who were unable to establish momentum against William & Mary’s lineup. The team will look to regroup and refocus as they prepare for their upcoming matches.
Delaware’s tennis program continues to work toward building consistency as the season progresses, with hopes of finding better results in future competition.
The University of Delaware women’s lacrosse squad delivered a commanding performance Thursday afternoon, overwhelming Kennesaw State in a 16-3 blowout victory at Delaware Stadium during Atlantic Sun Conference competition.
The Fightin’ Blue Hens controlled the game from opening draw to final whistle, extending their impressive winning streak to eight games. The victory pushes Delaware’s record to 9-4 for the season while maintaining their perfect 4-0 mark in ASUN Conference matchups.
Meanwhile, the visiting Owls saw their record drop to 7-7 overall and 2-3 within conference competition following the lopsided defeat.
The dominant display showcased Delaware’s offensive firepower and defensive strength as they continue building momentum through the heart of their conference schedule. The Blue Hens have now established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in ASUN play this season.
Vladimir Putin announced Thursday that Russian military forces will halt operations in Ukraine for 32 hours during the Orthodox Easter holiday weekend, responding to an earlier request from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to pause some fighting during the religious observance.
The Russian leader’s order, issued through the Kremlin, directs all forces to stop combat activities beginning at 4 p.m. Saturday through the end of Sunday.
Earlier this week, Zelenskyy had suggested both nations refrain from attacking energy infrastructure during the holiday period, making his proposal through United States mediators who have been facilitating discussions between Moscow and Kyiv representatives as the invasion enters its fifth year.
Ukrainian officials had not responded publicly to Putin’s ceasefire declaration as of Thursday evening.
Past ceasefire attempts have yielded minimal results. Putin announced a similar 30-hour pause last Easter, though both nations later blamed each other for violating the temporary truce.
The official Kremlin announcement stated that “orders have been issued for this period to cease hostilities in all directions,” while noting that “troops are to be prepared to counter any possible provocations by the enemy, as well as any aggressive actions.”
“We assume that the Ukrainian side will follow the example of the Russian Federation,” the statement added.
Moscow has turned down a 30-day unconditional ceasefire that the United States and Ukraine proposed last year as a pathway to peace negotiations, demanding instead a complete resolution agreement while continuing to announce brief, one-sided truces.
The American-facilitated discussions have stalled on major issues, with Washington’s focus shifting toward Middle Eastern conflicts as Russian and Ukrainian forces continue fighting along an approximately 800-mile battle line.
PHOENIX — Environmental advocates achieved significant victories in Arizona’s utility board elections, gaining control over decisions at the country’s largest public power company as it faces mounting electricity demands from expanding data centers.
Tuesday’s election results from the Salt River Project in the Phoenix area show that competing groups will need to find middle ground on critical issues including potential rate hikes and the choice between natural gas versus renewable energy sources to satisfy growing power needs.
The electoral contest concluded amid heightened voter engagement driven by climbing household energy costs and community resistance to large-scale data centers throughout this swing state and beyond, as national political dynamics energize previously obscure utility board races.
The campaign also attracted involvement from Turning Point Action — primarily recognized for rallying young conservative voters for President Donald Trump — which labeled the environmental advocates as “radical environmentalists.”
Clean energy supporters secured two additional positions on the 14-member board, establishing an 8-to-6 voting advantage. Nevertheless, candidates supported by construction companies and data center developers maintained control of the president and vice president roles, preserving their authority to determine which issues reach the board for consideration.
“We’re a little disappointed by not winning president and vice president, but now we have a majority, so we’re going to have to do a little negotiating,” said Randy Miller, a renewable energy advocate on the board.
The power company estimates it must expand its generating capacity by 100% over the next ten years while facing mounting pressure to decrease dependence on fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas that produce climate-warming emissions.
Supporters of the incumbent president and vice president caution about potential energy shortages and power outages without maintaining some reliance on natural gas-powered generating facilities.
The group campaigning under the “clean energy” banner argued that current board leadership shows excessive willingness to connect to natural gas infrastructure, implement rate increases, and welcome data center development. These candidates have previously opposed significant natural gas initiatives by the Salt River Project and last year’s rate increase proposal.
A federal court in Phoenix has thrown out a plea deal that would have freed a man who confessed to attacking a Navajo elder and abandoning her to die.
Preston Henry Tolth, 26, must now stand trial on carjacking and assault charges connected to Ella Mae Begay’s 2021 vanishing. Court officials have not scheduled a trial date.
The proposed deal would have given Tolth credit for three years already behind bars in return for admitting his involvement and entering a guilty plea to one robbery charge.
Begay’s case drew nationwide coverage and brought attention to the widespread problem of missing and murdered Indigenous people. Almost five years have passed since her disappearance, and she remains missing.
The unusual move to throw out the plea deal came after heartbreaking statements from Begay’s son and niece, who argued Tolth should remain locked up until he discloses where Begay can be found.
Begay’s daughter contacted authorities about her mother’s disappearance in June 2021 from their Sweetwater, Arizona home, located in the northern region of the Navajo Nation.
Tolth, whose father had been in a relationship with Begay’s sister, first claimed he had no connection to her vanishing. During subsequent questioning, he admitted to taking Begay’s pickup truck while she was inside, repeatedly striking her, and abandoning her alongside a road.
According to the plea agreement, Tolth exchanged the vehicle for money and illegal substances.
Tolth was scheduled for trial in 2024, but prosecutors suffered a significant setback when a federal judge ruled his admission could not be used as evidence. The judge determined an FBI agent had improperly pressured Tolth by making false claims about available evidence after Tolth had requested to remain silent.
In court documents, federal prosecutors explained that losing Tolth’s confession had damaged their case and argued the plea deal would give Begay’s family more closure than a trial with limited evidence.
MADISON, Wis. — Governor Tony Evers put his signature on legislation Thursday that authorizes online sports wagering in Wisconsin, bringing the state into a group of 33 that permit the activity.
However, Wisconsin residents shouldn’t expect to place legal online bets anytime soon. The legislation, which received support from both parties in the state legislature, mandates that Wisconsin must first hammer out fresh agreements with Native American tribes who will operate the sports wagering platforms.
The governor emphasized his commitment to fair treatment across all tribal nations in the negotiation process.
“The real work begins today,” Evers stated. “Each of the 11 Tribes must now work diligently-and together-to shape the future of sports betting in Wisconsin. … An approach that exacerbates long-standing inequalities among Tribal Nations is not good for Wisconsinites or Wisconsin. I will not entertain it as governor.”
Currently, Wisconsin permits gambling exclusively on tribal territory through special agreements between the state and tribal governments. Sports wagering is restricted to specific tribal gaming facilities, while online betting remains prohibited.
The newly enacted legislation would permit online sports wagering only when the technological infrastructure managing the bets, including computer servers, operates from tribal lands within Wisconsin. This system, called the “hub-and-spoke” approach, has already been implemented in Florida.
Wisconsin’s tribal agreements require tribes to share a portion of their gambling profits with the state government. During 2024, tribal casinos contributed more than $66 million to state coffers.
Evers highlighted that the new legislation creates opportunities “to support mental health programs and to combat the opioid crisis, two issues that I know plague both Tribal Nations and communities across our state.”
The legislation gained backing from multiple Wisconsin tribes and the Milwaukee Brewers. Advocates argue that residents are already wagering through overseas betting sites, prediction platforms, or by traveling to neighboring states like Illinois where it’s permitted.
Opposition came from the Sports Betting Alliance, representing major companies including FanDuel, DraftKings, bet365, BetMGM and Fanatics. These companies claimed partnering with Wisconsin tribes wouldn’t be financially viable since federal regulations require tribes to receive 60% of gambling revenues. They favored a state constitutional amendment that would open sports betting to all operators.
Evers, who won’t seek a third term this year, initially pledged to sign the bill if Wisconsin’s 11 federally recognized tribes supported it. He later expressed reservations when some tribes remained uncommitted. On Thursday, the governor confirmed that all 11 tribes are now actively discussing implementation details.
Nationwide, regulated sportsbooks processed approximately $167 billion in wagers last year, producing nearly $17 billion in revenue after paying customer winnings, according to the American Gaming Association. This represented almost a 23% jump from the prior year.
NEW ORLEANS — An individual who spent almost three decades behind bars before his conviction was overturned achieved a historic electoral victory in New Orleans, vowing to repair the court system that wronged him. However, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and Republican lawmakers are now working quickly to abolish his position before his inauguration.
Calvin Duncan secured 68% of voter support this past November to claim the Orleans Parish criminal court clerk position, campaigning on judicial reform based on his personal struggles to obtain court documents while incarcerated in maximum security facilities.
Duncan reconstructed his life partly through seeking and winning the clerk position. However, Louisiana Senate Republicans voted Wednesday to eliminate Duncan’s newly won role as part of broader GOP initiatives to reorganize New Orleans’ court system — a Democratic stronghold with a majority Black population. The state’s Legislature remains predominantly Republican and white, with the conservative state leading challenges to voting rights protections.
Duncan’s inauguration is set for May 4.
Speaking to The Associated Press, he expressed belief that Louisiana officials are targeting him in retaliation, despite his name appearing on the National Registry of Exonerations, because they have consistently rejected his claims of innocence.
Republican leaders deny personal motivations and characterize their actions as promoting governmental efficiency.
“The citizens of New Orleans overwhelmingly said: ‘I want to give this person a chance, he can make a difference,’” Duncan, a Democrat, told lawmakers during a March committee hearing. “What this bill does, it says: ‘Thank you but you wasted your time.’ It disenfranchises everybody.”
Duncan’s legal troubles began with David Yeager’s 1981 murder when the victim was 23 years old, resulting in Duncan’s imprisonment for over 28 years. In 2011, facing a hearing on new evidence, prosecutors offered to reduce Duncan’s sentence to time already served if he accepted guilt for manslaughter and armed robbery charges. Though Duncan gained freedom, he continued fighting to clear his reputation.
Eventually, in 2021, a judge determined Duncan had been wrongfully convicted and completely dismissed his sentence.
During his 2023 tenure as state attorney general, Landry fought against Duncan’s request for wrongful conviction compensation. Duncan abandoned his petition when Landry’s replacement, Liz Murrill, threatened action against Duncan’s state law license. During Duncan’s clerk campaign, Murrill promised “further action” if he continued describing himself as “exonerated.”
Both Landry and Murrill have referenced Duncan’s acceptance of the 2011 plea agreement for manslaughter and armed robbery.
“The Attorney General made it clear during the election that if I continued to accurately speak about my innocence and exoneration that I would face consequences from her office,” Duncan told The Associated Press. “We are seeing those consequences today as she and the Governor try to undo the will of 68% of voters in New Orleans.”
Murrill stated she had “no involvement” in efforts to eliminate the office.
Landry informed the AP that removing Duncan’s elected position focused on enhancing “government efficiency” and “cleaning up a system in Orleans Parish that has been plagued by dysfunction and corruption for years.”
Supporters of merging the criminal clerk position with the civil clerk role note that other parishes have combined these offices. Eliminating the criminal clerk position would save approximately $27,300 annually, according to legislative auditor estimates, though consolidation costs remain “unknown.”
The legislation’s Republican sponsor, Sen. Jay Morris from north Louisiana, admitted that eliminating Duncan’s elected role might overwhelm the civil clerk with additional cases. His proposed solution involves “hiring someone.”
While other New Orleans judicial officials facing potential future job elimination would complete their current terms, Duncan would not receive this consideration.
Morris informed lawmakers that the legislation aims to pass in time to prevent Duncan from assuming office before his four-year term begins.
The measure, expected to pass the GOP-controlled House and receive Landry’s approval, would take immediate effect upon the governor’s signature.
“I have never seen something so barbaric,” Sen. Royce Duplessis, a Democrat representing New Orleans said on the Senate floor. “I understand politics and I know you all are going to vote how you are going to vote. But just know, when we are all done here, history has a record.”
Duncan, age 62, led efforts resulting in a 2020 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that eliminated non-unanimous jury convictions. He also established a nonprofit organization focused on improving incarcerated individuals’ court system access. He has described winning the clerk’s office as his life’s greatest achievement.
Oakland Athletics right fielder Brent Rooker was forced to exit Thursday’s matchup against the New York Yankees after experiencing right flank discomfort during his opening inning plate appearance.
The injury occurred when Rooker swung at a changeup from Yankees pitcher Ryan Weathers, fouling the ball off with the count at 0-2. Rooker immediately showed signs of distress, grimacing and appearing to favor his back area before being examined by manager Mark Kotsay and team medical staff, who ultimately removed him from the contest.
Oakland officially disclosed the injury during the fourth inning of play.
Lawrence Butler stepped in to replace Rooker in the third position of the batting order. Butler struck out looking on the following pitch, with the at-bat officially recorded under Rooker’s statistics.
The previous evening, Rooker had delivered the game-winning hit for Oakland, connecting on a sacrifice fly against David Bednar in the ninth inning that secured a 3-2 victory on Wednesday.
This season, Rooker has struggled at the plate with a .146 batting average, though he has contributed two home runs and eight RBIs. His most impressive performance came during Sunday’s dramatic 12-10 extra-inning triumph over Houston, where he drove in six runs on two homers, including a walk-off three-run blast that ended the contest in the 10th inning.
The NBA handed down a $25,000 penalty to the Orlando Magic on Thursday after the team improperly handled their injury reporting requirements.
According to league officials, the Magic incorrectly reported guard Anthony Black’s availability before their Monday matchup with the Detroit Pistons. The team’s original injury report marked Black as unavailable to play, but he ultimately took the court during the game.
The 22-year-old guard contributed 14 points during his 15 minutes of action in Orlando’s dominant 123-107 win over Detroit.
In his third NBA season, Black has posted averages of 15.1 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.8 rebounds across 62 appearances, including 40 games as a starter.
NEW YORK — Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum will take the court at Madison Square Garden Thursday evening, marking his first appearance at the venue since suffering a devastating Achilles tendon rupture during last year’s postseason.
The Celtics will be shorthanded for their matchup against the New York Knicks, as teammate Jaylen Brown has been sidelined with left Achilles tendinitis.
Boston can clinch the Eastern Conference’s second seed with a win Thursday night, an achievement many considered unlikely given they expected to play most of the season without their star forward.
Tatum’s injury occurred on May 12 during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, when he collapsed on the court in the final quarter of New York’s victory. The Knicks ultimately eliminated the defending champion Celtics in that series.
Following Thursday morning’s practice session at MSG, Tatum shared his emotions with reporters, describing feelings of “nervousness, anxiousness. All the things you probably would expect.”
When asked about his approach to handling the emotional return, Tatum responded: “I think it’s just deciding to face the challenge head-on and put my uniform on.”
Since returning to action on March 6, Tatum has appeared in 15 contests, posting averages of 21.6 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. Following Tuesday’s home win against Charlotte, he admitted he wasn’t “thrilled to go back and play” at the famous Manhattan arena.
“Last time I played there, obviously, it was a traumatic experience for me,” Tatum explained.
During Tatum’s extended recovery period, Brown stepped up with an outstanding campaign for the Celtics. The All-Star guard is posting 28.8 points per game across 70 appearances this season.
Delaware Department of Transportation crews are currently conducting debris removal activities along Governor Printz Boulevard, affecting traffic in the Claymont and Edgemoor corridor.
The cleanup operation is underway in both the northbound and southbound lanes, with workers focused on clearing trash from the shoulder areas and median strip. According to DelDOT, the debris removal effort is expected to wrap up by 5 PM today.
Motorists traveling through the area should expect possible delays and are advised to use caution when passing the work zone. The cleanup activities are taking place along the stretch of roadway that connects the Claymont and Edgemoor communities in New Castle County.
Federal investigators are examining the National Football League over concerns the organization may be engaging in unfair business practices, a government source has revealed.
The unnamed official, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the ongoing probe, explained that the investigation centers on “affordability for consumers and creating an even playing field for providers.”
The Wall Street Journal was first to break news of the federal investigation.
Two individuals familiar with the matter indicated that NFL leadership has yet to be formally notified about the investigation. These sources also requested anonymity as they are not permitted to discuss potential legal proceedings.
This federal probe emerges as government agencies intensify their examination of rising costs for sports viewing. The Federal Communications Commission has launched a public comment period regarding the trend of live sporting events moving from traditional broadcast television to streaming platforms.
NEW YORK — Oakland Athletics left-hander Jeffrey Springs carried a no-hit bid into the seventh inning during Thursday afternoon’s game against the New York Yankees in the Bronx.
The southpaw permitted two runners to reach base during the third frame but escaped trouble by striking out slugger Aaron Judge on a called third strike using his changeup. Springs concluded the fifth inning by retiring José Caballero on a fly ball to deep left field.
During the sixth inning, Springs successfully used an automated ball-strike challenge that resulted in a strikeout of Ryan McMahon on a called third strike. He finished the sixth frame having thrown 72 pitches after Judge made a soft ground out to the third baseman.
Oakland’s franchise record includes 13 no-hitters throughout its history. The most recent came from Mike Fiers, who accomplished the feat on May 7, 2019, at home in Oakland against Cincinnati.
The Yankees organization has been on the receiving end of eight no-hitters during their franchise history. Their most recent occurrence was a combined effort by Houston pitchers Cristian Javier, Hector Neris and Ryan Pressly on June 25, 2022, at Yankee Stadium.
Army ROTC students at Old Dominion University have shared their firsthand account of a deadly campus shooting, describing in vivid detail how their instructor gave his life to protect them and how they fought back against the gunman who targeted their program.
The cadets released a 17-minute video on Wednesday detailing the March 12 attack at the Norfolk campus, where Lt. Col. Brandon Shah threw himself at the shooter to shield his students from harm.
According to Cadet Jah-Ire Urtarte, Shah’s heroic actions prevented further casualties that day.
“If he didn’t lunge at him, you know, I wouldn’t be here right now,” Urtarte explained. “There’s a possibility he could’ve turned his gun and I could’ve been next.”
The attacker, Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, an Army National Guard veteran, also perished in the incident. Jalloh had previously admitted guilt in 2016 for trying to assist the Islamic State and served 11 years behind bars. He was under supervised release when the attack occurred.
According to the cadets’ testimony, Jalloh entered their classroom and anxiously inquired whether it was an ROTC session. After receiving confirmation, witnesses say he drew a handgun from his waistband, yelled ‘Allahu akbar,’ and opened fire at Shah.
Students scrambled for safety as Shah wrestled with the gunman. Cadet Louis Ancheta described drawing his pocket knife and advancing toward the struggle, taking a bullet to his chest in the process.
“It really didn’t feel like it hit me,” Ancheta recalled, gesturing toward his sternum. “It felt like a graze. After that, I’m like, ‘I can keep on going.’”
Once Shah managed to turn the attacker around, Ancheta deployed the folding tactical blade that most cadets routinely carry.
“So, I just go in there, just start stabbing him,” he recounted. “As I’m stabbing, other cadets jump in.”
Cadet Jeremy Rawlinson also drew his knife to help neutralize the danger.
Even with multiple students restraining him, Jalloh maintained control of his weapon. Cadet Wesley Myers focused on disarming him, forcing his fingers between the gunman’s grip and the pistol to wrestle it away and remove the remaining bullet.
Once they had secured the weapon, the cadets immediately shifted to treating the injured. Cadet Samuel Reineberg discovered a gunshot wound on Shah’s upper right leg, while Rawlinson provided his belt to create a tourniquet.
“On an instant, we switched over to doing combat care,” Rawlinson explained.
Myers attended to Ancheta’s injuries.
“It’s different when it’s not a mannequin and it’s your friend,” Myers reflected. “So, myself and another cadet pull him to the side and lay him on his back and begin performing first aid.”
Ancheta mentioned asking his fellow cadets to contact his mother during the ordeal.
During his recovery, Ancheta was honored with the Purple Heart, joining several other cadets who received recognition for their courageous response.
The students credited Shah with both protecting them and preparing them for such a crisis through his training.
“So, he got to see all the training that he and the rest of Cadre had been giving us for the past years, he got to see us instantly do that in action,” Rawlinson noted. “He got see right then and there, like, hey, these guys didn’t panic. They immediately switched over.”
According to his university profile, Shah was himself an ODU ROTC graduate who returned to lead the program in 2022. During his military service, Shah piloted helicopters on missions across Iraq, Afghanistan and Eastern Europe.
Just two days prior to the shooting, Shah had instructed cadets to avoid wearing their military uniforms on campus for security reasons, another cadet had previously revealed to The Associated Press.
“Because of all the situation that’s happening with Iran and all of that stuff in the Middle East,” explained Cadet Brandon Rebolledo, who was in the adjacent ROTC facility during the attack. “To make sure that we did not become a target and to make sure that we were keeping a low profile.”
The cadets maintain that Shah was the true hero of that tragic day.
“So, he has a saying: Be bold, be quick, be gone,’” Rawlinson shared.
Cadet Oshea Bego added: “Col. Shah really set that example for what it means, not just as a warrior, leader and soldier, but also just as a human being.”
BEIRUT (AP) — The current hostilities between Israel and Lebanese militant organization Hezbollah represent merely the most recent chapter in a bitter rivalry spanning more than four decades. This antagonistic relationship has been marked by episodes of intense combat and full-scale warfare, interrupted by periods of fragile peace.
Below are key moments that have defined this long-standing confrontation:
1982: Israeli forces launch a major incursion into Lebanon, targeting the Palestinian Liberation Organization and its allies. During this period, Hezbollah emerges with support from Iran, modeled after Iran’s Islamic Revolution, specifically to resist Israel’s subsequent occupation of southern Lebanon. The group begins conducting guerrilla operations against Israeli forces.
1992: Israeli helicopter gunships kill Hezbollah commander Abbas Mousawi. Hassan Nasrallah takes over leadership of the organization, a position he would hold for the following thirty years.
1996: Israeli forces conduct a major operation designed to force Hezbollah forces north beyond the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the border. Israeli artillery fire strikes a United Nations facility sheltering hundreds of displaced civilians in Qana, resulting in at least 100 civilian deaths and injuring many more.
2000: Following an extended campaign of attrition, Israeli troops complete their withdrawal from southern Lebanon. This development is celebrated throughout the Arab world as a significant triumph for Hezbollah.
2006: Hezbollah militants conduct a cross-border operation, ambushing an Israeli military patrol and killing three soldiers while capturing two others, triggering a month-long conflict between the two sides that concludes without a clear victor. Israeli bombing campaigns devastate villages and residential areas in southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern neighborhoods, employing a comprehensive destruction strategy later termed the “Dahiyeh Doctrine.”
2008: Imad Mughniyeh, serving as Hezbollah’s top military commander, dies when an explosive device detonates in his vehicle in Damascus. Israeli intelligence is suspected of orchestrating the killing.
2012: Hezbollah joins the Syrian conflict, backing President Bashar Assad’s government. Subsequently, Israel begins conducting periodic air operations in Syria, targeting Iranian and Hezbollah installations, personnel, and weapons transfers allegedly destined for Hezbollah. During this timeframe, Israel refrains from conducting operations against Hezbollah within Lebanese borders.
OCT. 8, 2023: Following Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel that trigger the Gaza conflict, Hezbollah launches rocket attacks across the Israeli border. Israel retaliates with aerial bombardments and artillery fire, initiating a limited conflict that initially remains concentrated along the border region.
SEPT. 17, 2024: Israel executes an operation in Lebanon involving remotely-detonated explosive devices concealed in pagers distributed to Hezbollah operatives and civilian staff. The following day, a comparable attack involves walkie-talkie devices. These operations result in dozens of fatalities and thousands of injuries, primarily affecting Hezbollah personnel but also harming women and children.
NOV. 27, 2024: A ceasefire arrangement mediated by the United States formally concludes the Israel-Hezbollah conflict. Israel maintains regular military operations in Lebanon, claiming these actions prevent Hezbollah from reconstituting its capabilities.
MARCH 2, 2025: Following joint Israeli and American attacks on Iran two days earlier that sparked broader Middle Eastern warfare, Hezbollah fires missiles at Israeli targets. The group states this bombardment responds to the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and “ongoing Israeli violations” in Lebanon.
After more than a year of public deliberation, Rehoboth Beach commissioners voted Monday, April 6, to approve significant revisions to the city charter that will now advance to the Delaware General Assembly for final authorization.
City officials emphasize that the approved modifications do not authorize any property tax increases. All future tax adjustments would require additional public discussion, community input sessions, and formal votes by the mayor and commission members.
A key provision changes how property tax caps are calculated, shifting from a set dollar figure to a percentage based on the city’s total property values. This adjustment ensures that three newly approved hotels and 31 residences planned for Oceanside Reserve (formerly the Baymart site) contribute appropriate tax amounts. The change also addresses situations where expensive new construction replaces demolished older properties. City records show 34 demolition permits were issued in 2025, with an average of 28 annually over the past decade.
Officials also clarified that the charter revisions do not authorize increased municipal spending. Budget decisions remain part of the separate annual budget process, with the FY 2027 budget having undergone five public sessions in January, February, and March before final approval on March 20.
The approved charter language includes two modifications from earlier versions. First, the section addressing commissioner qualifications now specifies that prohibited financial interests apply to property “in the City of Rehoboth Beach” when defining conflicts that would prevent spouses or partners from serving together on the board.
Second, commissioners removed restrictions that would have prevented household members of current commissioners from seeking office, as long as they are not spouses or romantic partners.
City leadership addressed criticism about insufficient public participation, noting that charter discussions have occurred in open meetings for well over a year with numerous opportunities for resident feedback through written comments, meeting testimony, and other communications.
A Dutch transgender darts competitor says she will continue her battle after new regulations implemented by the sport’s governing body restrict women’s competitions to biological females only.
Noa-Lynn van Leuven from the Netherlands expressed her opposition Thursday as the Darts Regulation Authority’s updated policy went into effect.
“Apparently, I just got retired — not by choice, but because I’m no longer allowed to compete,” Van Leuven stated in an Instagram video posted to her account.
The 29-year-old athlete had been participating in the Professional Darts Corporation’s Women’s Series. Last year, she made history by becoming the first transgender woman to participate in the PDC World Darts Championship.
“I’ve worked so damn hard for years just to get here. I showed up, I competed. I respected the sport every game, every single day,” van Leuven said. “And now, with just one decision, I’m being told I don’t belong anymore. This isn’t just about me. This is another huge hit for the trans community.”
Van Leuven remains qualified to participate in open PDC competitions.
While her potential legal recourse remains uncertain, she wrote alongside her video message: “This isn’t the end. I’m just going back to the drawing board. I’m not done fighting.”
The DRA released a statement Thursday explaining it initiated a policy evaluation in 2025, which involved obtaining a report from “an academic developmental biologist who has published several papers on sex and categories in sport. The DRA has also considered extensive legal advice.”
“As a result of its review, the DRA is satisfied that to achieve fair competition in darts, only biological females should be eligible to compete in women’s tournaments regulated by DRA Rules,” the organization stated.
CARACAS, Venezuela — Law enforcement officers formed blockades throughout Venezuela’s capital city Thursday as labor union representatives, retired workers and government employees attempted to reach the presidential residence demanding improved salaries and retirement benefits.
The demonstration took place just one day after acting President Delcy Rodríguez appeared on state television requesting patience from both government and private sector employees while her administration addresses the nation’s economic challenges.
For several years, employee compensation has fallen far short of covering essential living expenses. Government workers typically earn approximately $160 monthly, while private sector employees averaged around $237 annually.
Law enforcement personnel positioned themselves throughout central Caracas early Thursday morning to prevent the demonstration from advancing. Protesters managed to push through several initial roadblocks multiple times. However, strengthened police barriers ultimately stopped the crowd approximately 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) away from the Miraflores presidential compound.
Authorities reported no immediate casualties or detentions resulting from confrontations between law enforcement and demonstrators.
During her televised statement, Rodríguez pledged salary improvements beginning May 1. While she did not specify exact amounts, she indicated the adjustments would be structured to prevent the economic inflation that occurred following previous minimum wage modifications.
The country’s current minimum wage stands at 130 bolivars, equivalent to $0.27 monthly, unchanged since 2022. This amount falls significantly below the United Nations’ extreme poverty threshold of $3 daily.
“This increase, as we have indicated, will be a responsible increase,” Rodríguez said. “Likewise in the near future, as Venezuela enjoys more resources that allow for the sustainability of salary improvements and workers’ income, we will continue moving forward on this path.”
The Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday its intention to relax regulations governing coal ash waste disposal, reversing stricter standards implemented during the previous administration’s environmental initiatives targeting coal-fired power facilities.
Under the Trump administration’s new proposal, oversight requirements for groundwater monitoring near coal ash storage locations would be reduced, and companies would no longer face mandates to clean up entire coal facility properties – only specific areas where ash was deposited. The changes would also streamline processes for repurposing coal ash materials.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin defended the proposal, stating it demonstrates the agency’s “commitment to restoring American energy dominance, strengthening cooperative federalism, and accommodating unique circumstances at certain (coal ash) facilities.”
Coal combustion generates massive quantities of ash waste containing dangerous heavy metals. Without proper containment, this material can seep into underground water supplies. Many coal facilities are located along rivers and waterways, with ash storage sites positioned in close proximity.
Initial coal ash regulations were established during the Obama era, mandating protective linings for new storage areas, water quality testing, and closure of leaking containment ponds – often requiring ash relocation. The Biden administration removed exemptions for older coal ash sites in 2024.
This regulatory rollback represents another step in the Trump administration’s broader campaign to reduce environmental restrictions as part of relief measures for fossil fuel companies. The action aligns with President Trump’s agenda to revitalize America’s coal sector while limiting cleaner energy alternatives.
“The toxic metals and pollutants leach out into the surrounding waters,” warned Nicholas Torrey, an attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center, a nonprofit organization. “That’s the pollution threat that’s happening every day.”
Environmental organizations and community activists cautioned that these modifications will increase dangerous contaminants in water sources and heighten exposure risks for residents living near coal facilities.
Coal industry representatives have maintained that extensive regulations increase operational costs and force premature plant shutdowns. The sector has previously petitioned the EPA for regulatory adjustments.
A coalition of coal and energy trade groups stated last year: “EPA’s recent unprecedented expansion of the federal (coal ash) regulations has needlessly diverted funds from the power sector’s efforts to meet the Nation’s growing energy needs; increased costs for power companies and consumers without corresponding benefits to public health or the environment.”
Major environmental disasters initially spurred EPA action on coal ash oversight. Federal attention began following a 2008 Tennessee containment failure that scattered coal ash across 300 acres, requiring extensive remediation. Cleanup workers later reported cancer cases linked to ash exposure. A similar incident occurred in North Carolina in 2014, releasing tens of thousands of tons of material.
MADISON, Wis. — Board members overseeing Wisconsin’s university system pushed back against their ousted president’s assertion that his termination came without warning, explaining to state legislators Thursday that he failed to tackle urgent matters including artificial intelligence policy and avoided making tough choices that might displease various stakeholders.
The board of regents had remained largely silent about their shocking decision Tuesday to remove Jay Rothman from his position leading the 165,000-student system until Thursday’s hearing. The regents made their unanimous choice to terminate Rothman following private deliberations, with no public debate.
In a Wednesday interview with The Associated Press, Rothman stated he was unaware of the reasons behind his termination and felt “blindsided” by the decision.
However, during Thursday’s state Senate committee session, two regents contradicted Rothman’s account, asserting he understood more about the situation than he’s acknowledging. They emphasized there were “substantial” justifications for his removal, which Rothman was cognizant of.
“That decision was not made lightly,” Regent President Amy Bogost said. “It was not political. It was not retaliatory. It was unanimous. … We made a difficult decision for the right reasons, and I firmly stand by it.”
Frustrated Republican legislators organized the public hearing to demand explanations from regents regarding the unexpected dismissal.
Regent Timothy Nixon outlined multiple concerns about Rothman’s leadership, including insufficient urgency in handling crucial matters like artificial intelligence, misalignment with board priorities, attempts to restrict public board conversations and transparency, interference with board members’ legislative communications, and claiming individual credit for collective achievements.
Nixon additionally mentioned his ongoing efforts to have the university system explain its workforce of 579 employees, an issue Rothman failed to address adequately.
“He doesn’t want to upset either the Legislature, the governor or the faculty or anybody else,” Nixon testified. “He didn’t want to upset the apple cart and, quite frankly, I think the apple cart needs some upsetting.”
Board members informed lawmakers that Rothman could choose to waive confidentiality protections regarding personnel matters, but he understands this would allow regents to reveal additional information. Instead, Rothman is leveraging that confidentiality to create a narrative “that is deliberately one-sided” and damaging to the institution, Bogost explained.
“That is not a search for truth,” she said. “That is strategy. … To do the media circuit that he’s on denigrates our great universities, and that makes me sad.”
Nixon compared the handling of Rothman’s departure, including the declined option to retire or resign, to standard practices for corporate executives.
“This is no different than moving on to a new quarterback, no matter what you thought of the previous quarterback and what they did,” Nixon said.
Congressional leaders are demanding federal investigations into the prediction betting platform Polymarket following suspicious trading activity that occurred just before President Donald Trump announced a U.S.-Iran ceasefire this week.
According to reports, more than 50 newly created accounts on Polymarket wagered significant amounts on a ceasefire agreement in the hours and minutes leading up to Trump’s Tuesday night social media announcement. These accounts had no previous betting history on the platform.
This marks the third major instance of questionable timing on Polymarket trades. Earlier this month, an unidentified user earned $400,000 by betting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro would lose power, placing the wager just hours before Maduro’s capture. Another trader made approximately $550,000 betting on U.S. military action against Iran and the removal of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei shortly before hostilities began.
Harvard University researchers published findings last month suggesting the problem extends far beyond geopolitical events. Using blockchain data analysis, they calculated that traders with possible insider knowledge have generated $143 million in profits on Polymarket, betting on everything from Taylor Swift’s personal life to Nobel Peace Prize winners.
Representative Ritchie Torres, a New York Democrat serving on the House Financial Services Committee, sent correspondence Thursday to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission requesting a thorough review of these suspicious trades.
“This pattern raises serious concerns that certain market participants may have had access to material nonpublic information regarding a market-moving geopolitical event,” Torres stated in his letter, which was exclusively shared with news outlets.
During a media interview, Torres questioned the odds of legitimate trading. “What is the statistical likelihood that of anyone other than an insider trader placing a winning bet 12 minutes before a market-moving presidential announcement,” Torres said. “There are two answers: God, or an insider trader. And something tells me that God it not placing bets around Donald Trump’s posts on Truth Social.”
Platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi enable users to place wagers on diverse events, from local weather forecasts in Phoenix to Federal Reserve interest rate decisions. While federal regulations prohibit U.S. residents from using Polymarket, the platform’s cryptocurrency foundation and minimal identity verification make enforcement challenging.
Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal also sent demands to Polymarket Thursday, seeking explanations for why the company continues permitting bets on warfare and violence, and questioning their efforts to prevent insider trading.
“Polymarket has become an illicit market to sell and exploit national security secrets unlike any in history, and by extension a potential honeypot for foreign intelligence services watching for those same suspicious bets and wagers,” Blumenthal wrote.
Bipartisan criticism has emerged from Republican lawmakers as well, with pending legislation in both chambers aimed at restricting these betting markets.
“We don’t want to imagine a world where America’s adversaries use prediction markets to anticipate our next move,” stated Representative Blake Moore, a Utah Republican, responding to the ceasefire betting revelations.
Polymarket has not responded to requests for comment regarding these allegations.
Both Polymarket and Kalshi face significant pressure as they pursue expanded U.S. operations, particularly in the profitable sports betting sector.
After being prohibited from U.S. operations in 2022, Polymarket is attempting reentry by purchasing a CFTC-licensed exchange and clearinghouse. The company has started limited domestic operations while maintaining its separate offshore cryptocurrency platform beyond U.S. regulatory reach.
Kalshi, already operating under U.S. regulation, aims to become America’s leading prediction market. The company has expanded heavily into sports betting, leading critics to characterize it as primarily a sports gambling platform with secondary event-based contracts. Both companies have formed partnerships with sports franchises and media organizations to expand their market presence.
The rivalry includes political connections, with Donald Trump Jr. holding investment stakes in Polymarket through his 1789 Capital venture fund while simultaneously serving as a paid strategic consultant for Kalshi.
The chief financial officer of Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence venture xAI has stepped down from his role, according to a Thursday report from the Information citing sources with knowledge of the situation.
Anthony Armstrong, who took on the CFO position in October, is leaving the company amid what sources describe as a broader pattern of senior executive departures from the organization.
Before joining xAI, Armstrong worked as an investment banker at Morgan Stanley and provided advisory services to Musk during his purchase of the social media platform X. According to previous reporting by the Information in February, Armstrong had been working under Bret Johnsen, who became the finance leader of the merged entity after xAI and SpaceX completed their record-breaking combination.
When contacted for comment about Armstrong’s departure, xAI representatives did not provide an immediate response to Reuters.
According to an October report in the Financial Times, Armstrong had been overseeing financial operations for both xAI and X. His responsibilities included working to restore the social media platform’s financial health after many advertisers pulled their spending when Musk implemented less restrictive content policies.
Meanwhile, SpaceX is moving forward with plans for a major public stock offering aimed at raising $75 billion, which would give the aerospace company a valuation of up to $1.75 trillion, according to previous Reuters reporting.
Company officials presented IPO details to their banking team during a Monday meeting, indicating plans to reserve a significant number of shares for individual investors and announcing a June event for 1,500 retail investors.
The Los Angeles Lakers have unveiled new premium seating options for this playoff season, creating additional spots for high-profile fans and celebrities in their exclusive floor section.
The franchise revealed Thursday that they’re introducing extra courtside seats in the same area where stars like Jack Nicholson, Denzel Washington, Will Ferrell, Ice Cube, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Kim Kardashian have been regulars for decades. According to the Lakers, their floor seating has been completely sold out for over five decades.
“Courtside Reserve is second-row courtside seating that places fans in the heart of the action within the highly sought-after and exclusive floor section, offering an immersive experience,” the Lakers explained in their announcement. “The new on-floor seating features premium hospitality, including in-seat food and beverage service, VIP club access and a seamless, elevated experience from the moment guests enter the arena.”
Fans interested in purchasing these exclusive tickets must apply for access through a special section on the team’s website. The organization emphasized that these limited Courtside Reserve spots are being “offered in the smallest quantity to preserve the exclusivity of the courtside environment,” and buyers will receive priority access to purchase season tickets in this section going forward.
This suggests the Courtside Reserve concept will extend beyond just this postseason.
While the Lakers haven’t disclosed specific pricing, reports from the New York Post indicate that regular season courtside tickets typically range from $4,000 to $10,000 per seat, varying by game day and opposing team. During playoff games, these premium seats can command between $20,000 and $40,000 per seat for each contest.
Following their NBA championship victory during the 2019-20 bubble season, the Lakers have experienced mixed playoff success, missing the postseason once, suffering three first-round eliminations, and reaching the conference finals on one occasion.
With three regular season games remaining, both the Lakers and Houston Rockets hold identical 50-29 records, though Los Angeles currently claims the No. 4 playoff seed due to tiebreaker advantages. This fourth seed position secures home-court advantage for their opening playoff series.
Should current standings hold, the Lakers would face the Rockets in their playoff opener at home.
A major American spirits company is reportedly considering making a bid for the owner of Jack Daniel’s whiskey, according to industry sources.
Sazerac, a privately-owned beverage company, is examining the possibility of pursuing Brown-Forman in what could become a competitive situation with French spirits giant Pernod Ricard, which is already engaged in merger discussions with the whiskey maker.
News of Sazerac’s potential interest sent Brown-Forman stock soaring Thursday, climbing as much as 14.9% during trading. The shares have now increased by approximately one-third since initial reports emerged about Pernod’s interest in the company.
The Wall Street Journal first broke the story about Sazerac’s consideration of a possible deal earlier Thursday.
Pernod Ricard and Brown-Forman publicly announced in late March that they had entered into preliminary discussions regarding a potential combination. Such a merger would bring together the globe’s second-largest spirits company with America’s top whiskey producer.
Industry analyst Robert Moskow from TD Cowen suggested that additional distilled spirits companies might also show interest in Brown-Forman, citing the company’s “scarce-asset profile” and the powerful Jack Daniel’s brand.
Both Sazerac and Brown-Forman refused to provide comments when contacted by Reuters.
These acquisition discussions highlight the broader industry trend of spirits manufacturers seeking growth opportunities after an extended period of declining performance characterized by weakening consumer demand, rising costs, and trade-related challenges.
Growing health consciousness and the popularity of weight-loss medications have also pushed consumers toward alcohol-free options and energy beverages.
Additionally, younger consumers, especially Generation Z, are reducing their consumption of beer and spirits in certain markets.
Brown-Forman has remained under the ownership and control of the Brown family since the company’s establishment in 1870. The company previously turned down an acquisition attempt from beer company Constellation Brands in 2017.
In recent weeks, Brown-Forman reaffirmed its financial projections for fiscal 2026 despite facing headwinds from an unpredictable economic climate. The company has also experienced declining sales in crucial markets including the United States.
Sazerac, which originated from 17th-century Cognac in western France, is currently under the control of the Goldring family. The company’s portfolio includes Corazon Tequila and Svedka Vodka. Notably, Sazerac previously acquired several brands from Brown-Forman in 2016, including Southern Comfort and Tuaca.
Philadelphia 76ers star center Joel Embiid will be absent from Thursday night’s matchup against the Houston Rockets after being sidelined by illness.
The timing proves challenging for Philadelphia, as the franchise currently sits in eighth place with a 43-36 record while battling to secure a better playoff position in the Eastern Conference. The 76ers trail the sixth-seeded Toronto Raptors by one game, with Toronto holding a 44-35 record and only three contests left on the schedule.
This season, the 32-year-old Embiid has contributed 26.9 points and 7.7 rebounds per game across 38 appearances, all as a starter.
The dominant big man earned MVP honors during the 2022-23 campaign and has been selected to seven All-Star games throughout his career. Over his entire NBA tenure, Embiid has posted averages of 27.6 points and 10.8 rebounds across 490 games since Philadelphia selected him third overall in the 2014 NBA Draft.
Florida Panthers defenseman Seth Jones has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering a fractured foot during Tuesday night’s 4-3 shootout defeat against Montreal.
Head coach Paul Maurice announced Thursday that Jones sustained the foot fracture in the second period of the game but continued playing through the pain.
“He gutted it out (to finish the game),” Maurice said. “We’ll get it looked at when we get back.”
Despite the injury, Jones completed 31 shifts and recorded a team-leading 29 minutes and 27 seconds of ice time in the loss to the Canadiens.
The defending back-to-back Stanley Cup champions now sit at 37-37-4 with 78 points and have already been mathematically eliminated from postseason contention.
The 31-year-old veteran had previously been sidelined for 26 contests earlier this campaign due to an upper-body ailment suffered on January 2nd. Jones concludes the season with 32 points, including seven goals and 25 assists, across 52 appearances.
Throughout his career, the four-time All-Star and 2025 Stanley Cup champion has accumulated 473 points on 106 goals and 367 assists over 912 NHL games with four different franchises since Nashville selected him fourth overall in the 2013 draft.
Delaware transportation officials are warning drivers to plan alternate routes as Cherry Lane prepares for a weekend closure and upcoming maintenance work at its railroad crossing.
The Delaware Department of Transportation says Cherry Lane will be completely shut down at the railroad crossing on Friday and Saturday, April 10th and 11th.
Beginning Monday, April 13th at 7:00 am, Norfolk Southern railroad crews will start general maintenance operations at the Cherry Lane crossing. This work will result in periodic lane restrictions on Cherry Lane throughout the project.
Motorists are advised to seek alternative routes during the complete closure this weekend and expect possible delays next week during the maintenance period.
New Castle County police have arrested a teenage Wilmington resident on multiple felony charges related to possession of child sexual abuse material.
Logan Albright, 19, of Cannon Drive in Wilmington, is now facing 25 felony counts after investigators with the New Castle County Division of Police Criminal Investigations Unit discovered illegal images on his cellular device.
The investigation began in February 2026 when detectives received a tip that Albright was storing child pornography, which authorities also classify as child sexual abuse material (CSAM), on his phone.
Police immediately launched a comprehensive investigation into the allegations against the suspect.
Motorists traveling along Coastal Highway (Route 1) should expect delays near Reynolds Road as construction crews have shut down left lanes in both the northbound and southbound directions.
The Delaware Department of Transportation reports that the lane restrictions will remain in effect until 3 PM today as work continues in the area.
Drivers are advised to use caution when traveling through the construction zone and to allow extra time for their commute while the lane closures are active.
At a time when stadium food prices continue to soar across the country, one prestigious sporting event stands out for bucking the trend. The Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia has maintained its tradition of offering remarkably affordable concession stand food.
The tournament’s signature cheese sandwich remains priced at just $1.50, the same cost it has been for years despite widespread inflation affecting food prices nationwide. Other sandwich options at the concession stands range from $1.50 to $3, making them among the most budget-friendly options at any major sporting venue.
Even the tournament’s most expensive concession items – beer and wine – are priced at just $6 each, a fraction of what similar beverages cost at other major sporting events. The Georgia golf championship has built its reputation on maintaining a straightforward and accessible menu for patrons.
This commitment to affordable concessions continues even as the tournament’s ticket prices have steadily increased over the years, creating a unique contrast in the world of professional sports hospitality.
Professional football organizations are discovering that Name, Image, and Likeness agreements revolutionizing college athletics provide valuable intelligence about how future draft picks will handle sudden wealth before signing major professional contracts.
According to numerous talent evaluators, this insight has become a valuable asset during the selection process.
“The cool thing about college scouting that we always had to answer when we were going to schools, how’s a guy going to be when he has money? Now we have that answer,” Los Angeles Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz said recently. “Some guys get the money and change the way they are. Other guys get the money and you hear stories about taking guys out for dinner, taking his teammates (out) and he works hard, is a leader. You kind of get the answer. It’s a great thing and it’s great for players in college to have that opportunity.”
Financial decisions can reveal a prospect’s maturity level, showing whether they demonstrate self-control or become easily sidetracked. Athletes who remain concentrated despite profitable opportunities are more likely to successfully adjust to professional football. Talent scouts examine whether a player’s on-field performance declines after receiving substantial compensation or if they continue displaying the same dedication and reliability. Their relationships with fellow team members also represent a crucial factor.
“Does the guy have eight cars or does he actually have a financial advisor, and he puts it into an S&P stock index because he’s trying to grow his portfolio?” Houston Texans GM Nick Caserio said. “You’ve got probably a different thought process that goes into it. I know what I would do. Nobody was giving me any NIL money and I wasn’t good enough. But, again, it’s just understanding their thought process.”
Student-athletes were prohibited from monetizing their athletic abilities until 2021, when the NCAA modified regulations to allow students to generate income from their name, image and likeness.
This policy change, combined with increased mobility through the transfer portal, has fundamentally altered college athletics. Elite athletes are now securing lucrative partnerships with major corporations. Educational institutions can allocate up to $20.5 million for athlete compensation. Many competitors are pursuing financial opportunities by transferring between universities.
“I think it paints a clearer picture in terms of makeup,” Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles said. “I like to follow the whole journey. I don’t hold it against an 18-year-old that gets a million bucks to go to school and maybe didn’t have his priorities straight. I think most of us here, if that happened to us, we might be doing some crazy things, too, or maybe not focus where we should be focused. But I want to see the learning lessons that come from that and understand their structure of the people they put around them. I want to understand how they battle through adversity. I think the toughest thing is when there’s an out to transfer when things get hard, we heard the resilience of our young players. So I want to learn through that and learn how they grew throughout their whole deal.”
These commercial agreements can also prepare athletes for NFL careers, providing early exposure to wealth, sponsorship deals and personal marketing. They gain experience with celebrity status and fiscal responsibility during college.
“I think it helps, for us, it helps us reveal maybe makeup, character, behavior,” Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton said. “To some degree, you can see the journey that some players take. And look, in a lot of ways, (it has been) a very positive change.”
School transfers were previously viewed as warning signs. That perspective has shifted.
“Back in the day, if a guy transferred one time, you kind of asked what happened? Like, did you get run out of this school or whatever?” Buffalo Bills GM Brandon Beane said. “Well, now it’s. … why’d you stay here four years? Like, what happened? It’s almost, it’s flipped, but you do ask those questions. And sometimes you ask them about, did you leave just because of the money? Did you leave for other reasons? You kind of just want to know. And at the same time, our scouts, one of their jobs, is talking to individuals at each program and trying to put together that puzzle of who this person is, how they tick. Are they simply motivated just for money? Or is the money a side benefit? They’re really still playing the game for the love of the game.”
Certain athletes remain in college longer because they can earn more as student-athletes if they’re not projected as early draft selections.
Additional playing time can also enhance their draft prospects.
Carolina Panthers GM Dan Morgan said he evaluated several players who chose to return for another season that he wishes would have entered the draft.
“We just gotta evaluate who is at our disposal,” Morgan said.
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — State officials in Maryland announced Thursday they have secured a settlement agreement with the companies behind the cargo vessel that struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge two years ago, leading to a catastrophic collapse that claimed six lives.
Attorney General Anthony Brown revealed the preliminary agreement has been struck with Grace Ocean Private Limited and Synergy Marine Pte Ltd, the respective owner and operator of the M/V Dali. This settlement addresses part of Maryland’s legal claims stemming from the vessel’s collision with the bridge on March 26, 2024.
“For two years, Maryland workers, families, and communities have carried the weight of a disaster that should never have happened,” Brown stated in an official announcement. Specific terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
Brown emphasized that the Dali’s impact with the bridge “disrupted the Port of Baltimore, devastated livelihoods, and sent economic shockwaves across our State that are still being felt today.”
“Our work is not finished, but this settlement is an important step toward making Maryland whole,” Brown added.
Representatives for the vessel’s owner and management company have not yet provided comment on the agreement.
The Maryland Transportation Authority recently projected that constructing a replacement bridge will cost between $4.3 billion and $5.2 billion, with completion expected by late 2030.
The current settlement does not address potential claims against Hyundai, the vessel’s manufacturer, according to the attorney general’s office.
The cargo ship was departing Baltimore bound for Sri Lanka when it experienced steering problems due to electrical failure. Six road maintenance workers who were repairing potholes during their nighttime shift perished when the bridge structure gave way.
Maryland’s lawsuit, filed in federal court last September, contended the tragedy resulted from negligent practices, poor management, and reckless handling of an unseaworthy vessel that should have remained docked.
The state pursued compensation for multiple damages including bridge destruction, environmental harm to the Patapsco River, revenue losses, and extensive economic impacts affecting Maryland residents.
The bridge failure completely shut down Port of Baltimore shipping operations, eliminated jobs for thousands of workers, forced traffic through already burdened neighborhoods, and created lasting economic consequences throughout the region, officials noted.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge served as a crucial Baltimore transportation link, enabling motorists to avoid downtown traffic. The original 1.6-mile steel structure required five years to build and began serving traffic in 1977, playing an essential role in port logistics.
HAMBURG, N.Y. (AP) — A western New York resident has abandoned his legal battle to retrieve his beloved 12-foot alligator after state officials confiscated the massive reptile following more than three decades of cohabitation.
Tony Cavallaro filed a lawsuit against New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation following the March 2024 incident when officers arrived at his Buffalo-area residence with a search warrant. The authorities tranquilized the enormous 750-pound alligator, which Cavallaro had named Albert, before transporting the animal away in a vehicle.
The reptile, which had been residing in Cavallaro’s indoor pool area, was subsequently relocated to a wildlife sanctuary in Texas.
Cavallaro challenged the state’s refusal to grant him a permit for keeping Albert. However, this past March, he chose to end his legal pursuit after nearly two years of expensive court proceedings with no resolution in sight, his legal representative confirmed.
“Tony’s upset,” attorney Peter Kooshoian said Thursday. “He had the animal for over 30 years — never had a problem until this occurred. So he doesn’t feel he was treated correctly by the government.”
Kooshoian explained that even if Cavallaro had won his case, he anticipated the state would impose strict oversight on his care of the animal.
According to the department, Cavallaro’s permit to possess Albert had lapsed in 2021. The agency also stated that regardless of license status, Cavallaro had violated regulations by allowing visitors to touch the alligator and swim alongside it, which justified the removal under dangerous animal protection laws.
State officials reported that the confiscated reptile suffered from vision loss in both eyes and spinal problems, along with additional medical concerns.
Cavallaro maintained that Albert was “just a big baby” who had never displayed hostile behavior.
He had purchased the alligator as a two-month-old hatchling from a reptile exhibition in Ohio and regarded the animal as his “emotional support animal.”
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has expanded its maritime research capabilities by incorporating a new autonomous vessel into its collection of unmanned ocean exploration equipment.
This latest addition strengthens NOAA’s capacity to gather critical oceanographic information and conduct comprehensive marine research operations using cutting-edge technology.
The unmanned vessel represents part of NOAA’s ongoing commitment to advancing scientific understanding of ocean systems through innovative research tools and autonomous data collection methods.
Delaware Department of Transportation officials have implemented a temporary right shoulder closure on northbound Route 9 (River Road) that will affect traffic through mid-afternoon.
The shoulder restriction is located along the stretch of roadway between Hamburg Road and Federal School Lane. DelDOT indicates the closure will remain active until 3:00 PM today.
Motorists traveling through the area should expect potential delays and are advised to use caution when passing through the work zone.
BEIRUT, April 9 – A prominent Hezbollah parliamentarian announced Thursday that his organization will not participate in face-to-face diplomatic talks with Israel, calling instead for Lebanon’s government to insist on an immediate halt to hostilities before any diplomatic progress can occur.
The statement from Ali Fayyad comes in response to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent announcement that he had directed his administration to pursue direct diplomatic discussions with Lebanon. Fayyad emphasized that Lebanon’s official stance should also focus on securing the removal of Israeli military forces from Lebanese soil and ensuring displaced residents can safely return to their communities.
A peaceful community of chimpanzees in Uganda’s Kibale National Park has shocked researchers after splitting into warring factions, with former friends launching deadly coordinated attacks against each other.
For twenty years, scientists watched members of the Ngogo chimpanzee community live harmoniously in their rainforest home, spending time eating, resting, traveling and grooming together. However, this once-stable group eventually broke apart and descended into years of brutal violence that has claimed 28 lives.
According to a new study published Thursday in the journal Science, this represents the first clearly documented case of wild chimpanzees dividing into separate factions, with one group systematically targeting the other through organized attacks.
“Biting, pounding the victim with their hands, dragging them, kicking them – mostly adult males, but sometimes adult females participate in the attacks,” explained Aaron Sandel, a University of Texas primatologist who led the research.
The Ngogo group, which researchers have monitored since 1995, was the largest known wild chimpanzee community anywhere, reaching approximately 200 members at its peak. Most chimp groups typically contain around 50 individuals.
While scientists have previously observed chimpanzees attacking members of neighboring communities, this situation was entirely different because the violence occurred between former allies who had known each other their entire lives.
“It is hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that yesterday’s friend turned into today’s foe. Males in the two groups grew up with each other, knew each other their entire lives and cooperated and collaborated with each other, benefiting in the process,” said John Mitani, a University of Michigan professor emeritus and senior author of the study.
“So why split? Perhaps they became a victim of their own success when the group grew to an intolerably large size,” Mitani added.
Researchers believe multiple factors contributed to destabilizing the community. The group’s unusually large size may have created intense competition for food and mating opportunities among males. Additionally, seven chimpanzees died in 2014 showing signs of illness, which may have disrupted established social bonds and created tensions.
Leadership changes also played a role in the community’s breakdown. Around 2015, when hostilities began emerging, a chimpanzee named Jackson overthrew the previous alpha male in these male-dominated societies.
Initially, the group remained unified despite existing social clusters. However, members of two clusters started avoiding each other in 2015. Following another illness outbreak in 2017 that killed 25 chimpanzees, primarily infants, members of one cluster attacked Jackson, though he survived. By late 2017, two distinct groups had formed – designated as the Western and Central groups.
The Western group initiated the violence against the Central group beginning in 2018. Through 2024, the published research documented 24 deaths – seven adult males and 17 infants. The attacks have continued, with four additional deaths recorded last year and this year, bringing the total to 28. Many other chimpanzees have vanished without explanation, suggesting additional unreported killings.
“They just beat and jump on the victim relentlessly. I’ve witnessed cases that take less than 15 minutes. There’s some biting, and if you examine the bodies of victims, you will see cuts. But nothing that looks like it can cause a fatality. Instead, I’ve always thought that mature victims die due to internal injuries,” Mitani described.
“By contrast, a single mature chimpanzee can snatch an infant from its mother and kill it quickly with a few bites or via blunt force trauma. The latter might include slamming it to the ground,” he continued.
Despite starting smaller in both population and territory, the Western group has now grown larger than the Central group in both aspects and has suffered no known casualties.
Though researchers avoided labeling these events as a civil war – a term with specific meaning in human conflicts – they acknowledged significant similarities.
The team noted one previous example from Tanzania in the 1970s where a chimpanzee community appeared to split with deadly violence between factions. However, that case involved artificial feeding by researchers that altered natural behavior, and observations were limited to feeding locations, leaving many questions unanswered.
While chimpanzees and bonobos are humanity’s closest evolutionary relatives, the researchers warned against drawing direct comparisons between chimpanzee violence and human behavior.
“We are similar in some ways, due to our shared evolutionary history, but we are also fundamentally different because we have changed during the past 6-8 million years, after having split off from them,” Mitani concluded.
The University of Delaware Blue Hens baseball squad is gearing up to welcome Missouri State to campus for a three-game Conference USA series this weekend.
The matchup will see the Blue Hens take the field at their home venue as they continue their conference play against the Bears in what promises to be an important series for both teams’ CUSA standings.
This series represents another opportunity for the Delaware baseball program to showcase their skills in front of the home crowd while competing against conference opposition.
BEIRUT (AP) — Following the announcement of a preliminary ceasefire between the United States and Iran, Israeli forces significantly intensified their military campaign against Hezbollah, the Iran-supported militant organization operating in Lebanon.
Lebanese health authorities report that the surge in bombardments across central Beirut and other regions resulted in over 200 fatalities and wounded more than 1,000 individuals.
Israeli defense forces stated they had struck locations connected to Hezbollah operations and confirmed the elimination of an assistant to group leader Naim Kassem. However, Lebanese authorities noted that the bombardments, which targeted heavily populated residential and business areas during peak traffic hours, resulted in significant civilian casualties, though specific numbers were not disclosed.
In response to the intensive bombardment campaign — which generated widespread international condemnation — Hezbollah fired missiles into Israeli territory, though reports indicate no major casualties occurred.
The current conflict between Israeli forces and Hezbollah began following joint US-Israeli military action against Iran in late February. Following this week’s ceasefire declaration between the US and Iran, disagreement has emerged regarding whether the agreement encompasses the Israel-Hezbollah hostilities; Tehran claims it does, while Washington and Tel Aviv maintain it does not.
The two forces have engaged in numerous conflicts since Hezbollah’s establishment in the 1980s as a resistance movement opposing Israel’s occupation of southern Lebanese territory.
On March 2, just two days following the US-Israeli assault on Iran, Hezbollah fired missiles toward Israeli targets. The organization stated the attack served as retaliation for the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and for “repeated Israeli aggressions” within Lebanon.
This renewed fighting occurred 15 months following a US-mediated truce that ended their prior conflict. That previous war began one day following the devastating October 7, 2023, Hamas-orchestrated assault on southern Israeli communities.
Hezbollah, which maintains an alliance with Hamas, initiated attacks on Israel after it launched its intensive counterattack against Hamas forces in Gaza. What initially developed as limited border skirmishes between Israel and Lebanon escalated into comprehensive warfare by September 2024.
Following a November 2024 ceasefire agreement, Israeli forces maintained almost daily aerial bombardments in Lebanon, claiming the operations aimed to prevent Hezbollah from reorganizing. Israeli military units also maintained control of five strategic hilltops within Lebanese territory along the border.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah faced both internal and external pressure to relinquish its remaining weapons stockpile. The organization remained relatively inactive and avoided involvement during last summer’s 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran. Many observers believed the group had become too weakened to engage in combat after sustaining significant losses during the 2024 fighting, making their entry into the current war following US-Israeli attacks on Iran unexpected.
As of Wednesday, Lebanese health ministry statistics show that Israeli strikes have killed more than 1,730 individuals and wounded over 5,870 since March 2. The civilian casualty count remains unclear, though the totals include hundreds of women, children, and medical personnel.
More than one million Lebanese residents have been forced from their homes. Israeli authorities have issued comprehensive evacuation orders for residents to abandon large sections of the country, typically followed by bombardment of those evacuated areas. Many displaced individuals are sleeping in vehicles, on streets, or in overcrowded schools converted to emergency shelters.
Israeli officials report that Hezbollah has fired thousands of missiles and drones across the border, though most have been intercepted or landed in unpopulated areas. The Israeli military reports 12 soldiers killed in southern Lebanon and over 400 wounded.
A small number of civilian deaths have also occurred in northern Israel, including one individual killed by rocket fire and another accidentally killed by Israeli artillery during border fighting. The continuous barrage of missiles and drones has created anxiety among northern Israeli residents. Many express frustration that the government has not offered evacuation assistance as provided during previous conflicts.
Israeli ground forces have also launched an invasion of southern Lebanese territory. Intense combat has developed with Hezbollah fighters in border regions, and UN peacekeeping personnel have occasionally been caught in crossfire; three UN force members have been killed.
Some Israeli officials have advocated for their military to occupy southern Lebanon extending to the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the border. Israeli forces have destroyed homes in border villages. Many displaced Lebanese residents fear Israel intends to establish a depopulated buffer zone, preventing their return home.
Lebanese officials have attempted direct negotiations with Israel to end the fighting. On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Israel had agreed to participate in discussions focused on Hezbollah disarmament and potential peace arrangements.
When the US and Iran announced their preliminary ceasefire Wednesday, Pakistan’s prime minister, whose nation served as mediator, stated on social media that it applied to “everywhere including Lebanon.” Iranian officials also maintain the agreement includes Lebanon. However, the US and Israel firmly deny this interpretation.
Hezbollah has declared it will not honor the ceasefire unless Israel complies as well.
Middle East analyst Joe Macaron described the upcoming negotiations as “a test of how much the Iranian regime is committed to help Hezbollah.” He suggested Israel is unlikely to agree to — or be compelled by the US to accept — complete ceasefire and withdrawal from Lebanon.
While the US might pressure Israel to cease strikes in central Beirut, Macaron predicted a “long war of attrition” will likely develop between Israel and Hezbollah in southern regions. The Israeli military lacks the capability to control the entire area south of the Litani River, Hezbollah cannot force Israeli troops from southern Lebanon, and neither Israel nor the Lebanese government can forcibly disarm the organization, he explained.
According to Macaron, the only solution will require a negotiated agreement.
Delaware Department of Transportation officials have implemented a southbound lane closure on Shingle Point Road (Route 249) as construction crews continue their work in the area.
The affected stretch runs between Wisteria Boulevard and Webb Road (Route 248A), with the lane restriction expected to stay in place through 5 PM today.
Motorists traveling through the area should expect delays and are encouraged to seek alternate routes when possible. DelDOT continues to monitor the situation and will reopen the lane once construction activities are completed for the day.
Three Middle Eastern countries have joined forces to create a major new trade partnership that could reshape commerce across the region. Syria, Jordan, and Turkey recently finalized a comprehensive transportation agreement during a ministerial meeting in Amman, Jordan.
The three-nation partnership establishes a comprehensive framework covering ground transportation, shipping, and railway systems. Transport ministers from each country participated in the signing ceremony, creating specialized committees and working groups designed to standardize policies and procedures across all three nations.
This collaboration seeks to transform theoretical commitments into actual infrastructure projects, supported by investment funding and technological improvements to enhance operational effectiveness and ensure lasting partnership. Officials expect the coordination will facilitate smoother movement of cargo and travelers while simplifying customs processes, ultimately improving supply chain operations and increasing commercial activity between the participating countries.
A comprehensive three-year plan details the necessary actions and requirements for transportation agencies, with goals to convert border areas from basic transit points into centers for economic cooperation and shared development. The initiative focuses heavily on activating the “Middle Corridor,” which the participating nations envision as a crucial pathway connecting various markets and expanding international trade, potentially transforming the region’s economic structure.
Railway development receives special emphasis in the partnership, with plans to create a three-nation technical committee responsible for assessing current rail networks and identifying technical and financial needs for upcoming projects. Syria is currently preparing an initial railway connection blueprint linking all three countries to support collaborative planning and construction efforts.
The Hejaz Railway initiative stands as a key component, designed to connect northern Anatolia with the southern port of Aqaba and extend toward Gulf regions, enhancing cargo and passenger transportation according to contemporary transport standards.
This initiative represents part of a larger transportation sector development effort focused on facilitating transit through streamlined border processes, strengthening connections between coastal ports and interior areas, and implementing digital transportation management systems. Government officials emphasize that infrastructure improvements, particularly in ground and rail transportation, will be essential for reducing expenses and enhancing trade effectiveness, aligning with worldwide movements toward more environmentally sustainable transportation.
Jordan’s Transport Minister Nedal Katamine explained his nation’s goal to enhance its position as a regional logistics center through developing integrated transportation systems, constructing contemporary logistics facilities, improving border crossing points, and expanding private sector collaborations. This effort forms part of a wider economic modernization strategy that positions the transportation sector as central to growth and competitive advantage.
Turkish Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu emphasized that implementing the “North–South Corridor” should produce substantial economic benefits through increased export capabilities, port revitalization, expanded market reach, and enhanced transit income.
Uraloglu further highlighted that the three-way cooperation offers a practical structure for advancing the region’s transportation infrastructure, with potential to link this corridor to broader networks connecting the Arabian Peninsula, Central Asia, and Europe.
This partnership emerges following multiple technical conferences between the three nations aimed at rebuilding ground and rail connections after years of interruption, especially due to Syria’s conflict. With growing demand for more effective alternative trading pathways, this three-nation agreement represents a major advancement toward restructuring the region’s transportation infrastructure, strengthening economic integration, and restoring its function as a strategic link between Eastern and Western markets.
President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning that military action will return with unprecedented intensity if Iran violates the terms of a recently negotiated ceasefire, while Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli expressed doubt about the agreement’s durability, estimating it has only even odds of surviving.
Trump stated that American military forces, ships, and aircraft continue to be positioned in the region with enhanced weaponry and supplies, ready to respond against what he characterized as “a substantially degraded enemy.”
“If for any reason it is not, which is highly unlikely, then the ‘Shootin’ Starts,’ bigger, and better, and stronger than anyone has ever seen before,” Trump declared, noting that Iran had committed to abandoning nuclear weapons development and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
“In the meantime our great Military is Loading Up and Resting, looking forward, actually, to its next Conquest. AMERICA IS BACK!” he added.
Chikli, who serves in Israel’s governing Likud party, expressed harsh criticism of the ceasefire timing during a radio interview with 103FM, describing the decision as premature. “I think it was a mistake to go to a ceasefire at this time. Countries like these, the Japanese Empire, Nazi Germany, you need to bring them to their knees,” he stated.
The Israeli minister assessed the truce as having only a “50% chance” of enduring, though he emphasized that Israel had secured major victories during the conflict. “Iran lost its status as a regional power,” Chikli argued, claiming that Tehran’s Axis of Resistance has “collapsed.”
“I look at whether we brought about massive achievements, whether we created a new reality in the north, on the border with Gaza, in the Middle East? The answer is yes, yes, and yes,” he declared.
Significant disagreements over ceasefire provisions continue to create tension. Iran and the United States have offered conflicting interpretations of the agreement, especially concerning nuclear programs and shipping lane access.
Tehran has not completely reopened the Strait of Hormuz, claiming treaty violations have occurred, and has suggested it might charge transit fees, while the White House maintains that passage will stay free of charge. Gulf region nations experienced missile attacks on Tuesday.
Uncertainty also surrounds the agreement’s scope. Pakistan initially indicated that Lebanon was covered under the ceasefire, but Trump informed PBS that Israeli military actions targeting Hezbollah were excluded from the arrangement. Iran issued a warning Wednesday evening that ongoing strikes against Hezbollah could undermine the ceasefire.
A University of Delaware track and field athlete has been recognized for her community service efforts by Conference USA officials.
Distance runner Leah Clear was selected to receive the Conference USA Winter Spirit of Service Award, according to an announcement made by the league on Thursday.
The recognition highlights Clear’s dedication to service activities outside of her athletic commitments with the Blue Hens track and field program.
Conference USA presents the Spirit of Service Award to student-athletes who demonstrate exceptional commitment to community involvement and volunteer work throughout the academic year.
CEGLÉD, Hungary — A small business owner from this Hungarian city dismisses polling data suggesting Prime Minister Viktor Orbán might face defeat in this weekend’s crucial election.
István Vároczi, 63, who operates a handbag and goods stand in central Cegléd, remains confident in the leader he has supported for nearly four decades.
Orbán, who has held power for 16 years with four consecutive electoral wins, now confronts his most serious challenge yet from center-right candidate Péter Magyar of the Tisza party. Magyar has spent months crisscrossing Hungary’s rural areas, attempting to erode Orbán’s traditional stronghold support.
Though polling indicates many Hungarians have turned away from Orbán’s Fidesz party and desire political change, the veteran prime minister continues to command strong loyalty from significant segments of society, especially senior citizens and residents of smaller communities.
“I’ve been watching him for nearly 40 years, I have always voted for him and I will again, I’ve never been disappointed in him,” Vároczi explained. “His biggest strength is that he didn’t forget where he came from. He always remained a normal person. I’m sure he has flaws, but who doesn’t?”
Vároczi described Fidesz as “the only party I trust” and called Orbán’s leadership record “unparalleled.”
Magyar’s Tisza party has gained momentum among Hungarian voters following four years of economic decline, partially attributed to the European Union’s decision to freeze billions in funding over concerns about democratic institutions and corruption during Orbán’s tenure.
However, recent polling from Medián released Wednesday reveals 47% of Hungarians aged 65 and older favor Fidesz, compared to just 29% supporting Tisza. The data also shows Orbán’s support increases in smaller towns and villages.
In the central Hungarian town of Albertirsa, home to roughly 14,000 residents, retired pipe fitter János Falajtár grew visibly moved while discussing what he views as Orbán’s service to the nation. Fighting back tears, he stated that Orbán had “acted for the people.”
“The decisions don’t matter. Common sense and heart matter,” Falajtár said.
The prime minister has rolled out voter-friendly initiatives ahead of the election, including a popular program reducing utility costs supported by Hungary’s continued energy purchases from Russia. Pensioners receive an additional “13th month” payment annually, with a 14th installment now being implemented.
Orbán has also launched efforts to restore rural pubs and churches while eliminating income taxes for mothers with multiple children.
Beyond specific policies, Orbán’s personal appeal, focus on preserving Hungarian culture, and efforts to strengthen national identity appear to resonate most powerfully with his supporters.
The retired pipe fitter believes Orbán has brought unity to the nation, including ethnic Hungarian populations in neighboring countries after roughly 72% of Hungary’s historical territory was lost following World War I.
“We are now beginning to unite the Greater Hungary in Vojvodina, Slovakia, Transcarpathia, Transylvania, and even in Austria,” Falajtár said. “They only took a small piece from us, but it’s still ours.”
Throughout his campaign, Orbán has emphasized various threats he claims will endanger Hungarians without his continued leadership, particularly the ongoing conflict in neighboring Ukraine, which he argues could bankrupt the country or draw it into direct military involvement.
Despite economic challenges, many Orbán supporters attribute problems to outside forces rather than governmental failures.
The administration “is doing what it can for us, for the people,” Vároczi concluded.
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greek officials have announced comprehensive legislation prohibiting children aged 15 and younger from accessing social media platforms, with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis hoping the initiative will encourage the European Union to establish uniform age restrictions across all 27 member nations.
The upcoming legislation will focus on social media services where users can establish profiles, communicate with others, and post content, including platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
When the law takes effect, social media companies must re-verify every user’s age throughout Greece to eliminate accounts belonging to those 15 or younger. Government officials say their primary responsibility will involve monitoring platform compliance and responding to reported infractions.
Enforcement violations will be forwarded to authorities in the country where each social media company operates or to EU leadership. Companies face potential penalties including fines reaching 6% of worldwide revenue, ongoing daily penalties until they comply, or operational limitations.
Speaking directly to young people in a Wednesday social media video, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis addressed the restrictions, explaining that parents and teenagers have shared with him how excessive social media use creates stress, anxiety, and sleep problems.
“Now I’m certain that many young ones will be angry. If I was at your age, perhaps I’d feel the same way too. But our role, my role isn’t always to be pleasant,” Mitsotakis said.
“If something makes us feel more anxious or worse, lesser than who we really are, then it’s perhaps best that we put a stop to it.”
The Greek leader emphasized that the legislation doesn’t aim to separate young people from technology but rather shield them from the “addictive design of certain platforms and their profit model that’s grounded in how long you spend in front of a mobile phone screen that denies you your innocence and freedom.”
Mitsotakis indicated the new legislation should be presented this summer and become operational at the beginning of next year.
The Greek initiative follows France’s lead, which implemented similar social media restrictions for children 15 and under earlier this year.
In correspondence to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Mitsotakis called for establishing a “unified European framework” before year’s end to support national efforts protecting minors.
The Greek prime minister recommended EU-wide social media prohibitions for youth 15 and younger, consistent age verification systems, requiring platforms to re-confirm user ages every two years, and creating an organization for member countries and the commission to evaluate violations and rapidly implement penalties.
Anti-abortion advocates across the nation are expressing mounting impatience with the Trump administration’s handling of abortion pill regulations, seeking swifter action to limit online prescriptions they believe are weakening state-level abortion prohibitions.
This week’s federal court decision in Louisiana highlighted growing tensions over the issue. U.S. District Judge David Joseph, a Trump appointee, indicated the state presented compelling arguments while choosing not to immediately halt telehealth prescriptions for the abortion medication mifepristone.
Organizations opposing abortion are urging the Food and Drug Administration to expedite its ongoing review, hoping for new limitations on mifepristone access, particularly through online medical consultations. Federal officials maintain that comprehensive reviews require adequate time.
These advocacy groups have concentrated their pressure primarily on the FDA rather than directly criticizing the Republican president, whose three Supreme Court nominees helped enable the 2022 decision that eliminated Roe v. Wade protections and permitted current state prohibitions. However, the administration’s court filings requesting delays until completing its review have angered some activists.
“The stall tactics are beyond frustrating,” said Kristi Hamrick, speaking for Students for Life of America. Hamrick suggested the administration could also prevent pill distribution through mail by reinterpreting and enforcing a 19th-century statute.
Judge Joseph delivered a split decision Tuesday in litigation initiated by Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill alongside a woman claiming her partner forced her to use mifepristone to terminate her pregnancy.
The broader objective involves reversing FDA policies that have expanded pill accessibility. Murrill and officials from other states filing comparable lawsuits argue that online medication availability undermines prohibition effectiveness in the 13 states banning abortion throughout pregnancy, with narrow exceptions.
Provider surveys indicate telehealth availability helps explain why U.S. abortion numbers haven’t declined following Roe’s reversal. Although state bans include medication abortion restrictions, some Democratic-led states have enacted protective legislation for healthcare providers prescribing pills via telehealth and mailing them to ban states. These protective statutes face testing through various legal proceedings.
In Louisiana’s case, Joseph rejected Murrill’s request for immediate telehealth prescription blocking during ongoing litigation. However, he indicated eventual action remains possible and plaintiffs would likely prevail because the state demonstrated “irreparable harm.”
The judge also mandated FDA reporting on its drug review progress within six months.
Wednesday brought Murrill’s appeal filing to the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, seeking accelerated action.
Family Research Council President Tony Perkins, an influential conservative voice and former Louisiana legislator, praised Murrill’s appeal.
Perkins noted public surprise upon learning abortion numbers haven’t decreased since the 2022 Supreme Court ruling.
“Bewilderment sets in,” he explained. “We’re already seeing an enthusiasm gap between the parties. What the Republicans do not need is a dampening of enthusiasm in their base.”
He hopes the administration will impose pill restrictions rather than risk losing conservative, anti-abortion voter support in November’s elections.
Some organizations adopt more cautious approaches.
National Right to Life’s federal affairs director Madison LaClare expressed confidence in the administration’s mifepristone review process. SBA Pro-Life America president Marjorie Dannenfelser avoided presidential criticism, stating: “The Trump-Vance administration has an important opportunity right now to prioritize women’s safety.”
Nevertheless, recent voting patterns suggest abortion-rights supporters maintain political advantage. Since Roe’s overturn, abortion questions have appeared on ballots in 17 states, with abortion-rights positions winning in 14 instances.
“There seems to be an emerging consensus in the country that people don’t want to ban abortion,” observed Rachel Rebouche, a University of Texas School of Law professor studying abortion issues.
Wednesday’s FDA statement to The Associated Press confirmed ongoing mifepristone safety evaluation, “including the collection of robust and timely data, evaluation of data integrity, and implementation of the analyses, validation, and peer-review.”
Following completion, the agency will determine whether prescription rule modifications are warranted.
The FDA noted such academic studies typically require over a year but the agency aims for faster completion. Spokespersons declined specifying when work commenced.
Mifepristone has remained a key focus for anti-abortion activists and congressional allies since Trump’s return to office. During January 2025 confirmation proceedings, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced repeated Republican questioning about the medication and confirmed presidential safety review requests.
Frustration over perceived FDA inaction intensified last fall when the agency approved an additional generic mifepristone version.
The medication typically combines with another drug, misoprostol, for abortion procedures.
Originally approved in 2000 as safe and effective for early pregnancy termination, mifepristone initially carried strict prescribing and distribution limitations due to rare excessive bleeding cases. Only specially certified physicians could prescribe it, requiring in-person appointments for pill dispensing.
Both requirements ended during COVID-19. FDA officials explained that over 20 years of monitoring and reviewing numerous studies involving thousands of women demonstrated safe unsupervised usage.
The United States Postal Service announced Thursday that it has notified federal budget authorities of its decision to temporarily halt employer contributions to Federal Employees Retirement System pensions in order to maintain payroll operations, vendor payments, and mail delivery services.
This decision by the Postal Board of Governors aims to safeguard cash flow and maintain operational liquidity amid what USPS Chief Financial Officer Luke Grossmann described as the agency’s “ongoing, severe financial crisis” in a message sent to postal workers. Agency leaders have projected that the USPS could exhaust its available funds by approximately February 2027.
Beginning Friday, the suspension of employer pension contributions will take effect, though Grossmann emphasized that current and future retirees will not face immediate consequences.
“The risk to the Postal Service and the American public from insufficient liquidity for postal operations dramatically outweighs any longer-term risk to the pension funds from not making the currently due payments,” he stated. The postal service previously deferred similar payments during a financial emergency in 2011.
While halting pension contributions, the Postal Service will maintain employee retirement deductions sent to the federal Office of Personnel Management, continue Thrift Savings Plan contributions including employer automatic and matching funds, and preserve employer Social Security contributions.
Brian Renfroe, who leads the National Association of Letter Carriers, acknowledged that while the temporary halt on pension payments is “not ideal,” it won’t directly affect his membership, who recognize the postal service’s financial difficulties.
“Given a menu of options, none of which are overall positive, they would certainly prefer the Postal Service making a move like this as opposed to something that immediately impacts them or immediately impacts in a negative way the service that we provide to the American people,” Renfroe explained.
Nearly all career postal employees—99 percent—participate in the Federal Employees Retirement System.
In recent testimony before Congress and in discussions with The Associated Press, Postmaster General David Steiner emphasized that the 250-year-old institution requires lawmakers to remove long-standing borrowing restrictions, enabling the independent agency to access additional funding.
“That will buy us the time to make the fixes we need to make, and we can sail on down the road,” Steiner explained to the AP. The postmaster general has also advocated for additional reforms, including granting the Postal Service the power to increase stamp prices sufficiently to offset operational losses.
The advocacy organization Keep Us Posted, which represents consumers, catalog companies, greeting card manufacturers and other stakeholders, has called on Congress to limit any price increases to annual adjustments. The group also seeks to preserve six-day weekly mail delivery and ensure postal regulators maintain stronger oversight of service modifications.
Mail volume has dramatically declined for the Postal Service, dropping from approximately 220 billion pieces in 2006 to roughly 110 billion pieces currently, as digital communication and online bill payment have become more prevalent.
For fiscal year 2025, USPS recorded net losses of $9 billion, despite total operating revenue growing by $916 million or 1.2%, primarily driven by its Ground Advantage shipping program. The previous fiscal year saw net losses of $9.5 billion.
HOUSTON — The four-member crew of Artemis II is preparing for their dramatic homecoming after completing humanity’s first lunar mission in more than five decades, with the astronauts calling their experience both otherworldly and deeply meaningful.
On Thursday, the penultimate day of their mission, the space travelers were within 150,000 miles of Earth and steadily approaching home while organizing their spacecraft for what pilot Victor Glover called a “fireball” descent through the atmosphere.
“We have to get back. There’s so much data that you’ve seen already, but all the good stuff is coming back with us. There are so many more pictures, so many more stories,” Glover explained, noting that “riding a fireball through the atmosphere is profound as well.”
Commander Reid Wiseman highlighted the extraordinary nature of losing communication with Earth for nearly an hour while traveling behind the lunar surface, calling the experience particularly “surreal.”
“There’s a lot that our brains have to process … and it is a true gift,” Wiseman shared during the crew’s first media briefing since launch, held late Wednesday.
During their journey behind the moon on Monday, Wiseman, Glover, Christina Koch, and Canada’s Jeremy Hansen achieved a historic milestone, reaching a record distance of 252,756 miles from Earth — farther than any humans have ever traveled. Upon emerging from the moon’s shadow, the crew witnessed a spectacular total solar eclipse as the lunar body blocked their view of the sun.
Glover explained that their April 1 launch from Florida reduced the lighting on the moon’s far side, but noted the eclipse served as compensation, calling it “one of the greatest gifts.”
Friday’s atmospheric reentry and ocean landing near San Diego has become the crew’s primary focus, representing a phase as challenging and risky as their initial launch. The recovery vessel USS John P. Murtha is already positioned at sea, supported by military aircraft and helicopters ready to assist in the retrieval operation.
This marks the first collaboration between NASA and the Defense Department for a lunar crew’s return since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. Their Orion spacecraft will barrel through Earth’s atmosphere at an estimated 34,965 feet per second — equivalent to 23,840 mph — creating intense heat and stress on the vehicle.
Mission controllers will carefully monitor the performance of the capsule’s heat shield during reentry. The previous unmanned Orion test flight to the moon in 2022 resulted in more heat shield damage than anticipated from the extreme 5,000-degree Fahrenheit temperatures experienced during atmospheric reentry.
Rather than replacing the Artemis II heat shield, which would have caused significant mission delays, NASA modified the spacecraft’s descent profile to minimize exposure to the most intense heat. Future missions starting with Artemis III will incorporate newly designed heat shield technology.
The upcoming Artemis III mission will focus on astronauts practicing orbital docking procedures with lunar landing vehicles around Earth. Artemis IV, scheduled for 2028, aims to successfully land two crew members near the moon’s south pole, establishing the foundation for NASA’s planned permanent lunar outpost.
NASA leadership has been reluctant to share specific risk calculations for the nearly 10-day mission, while acknowledging that launch and reentry represent the greatest dangers.
“We’re down to the wire now,” stated NASA’s Lakiesha Hawkins. “We’re down to the end of the mission, and obviously getting the crew back home and getting them landed safely, is a significant part of the risk that’s still in front of us.”
Two first-year athletes at Goldey-Beacom College have earned recognition from the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference, bringing home three monthly honors for the institution.
Freshman tennis standout Jenna Frank, who hails from Ulm, Germany, captured dual recognition by earning both the Women’s Tennis Player of the Month and Rookie of the Month designations from the CACC.
Meanwhile, freshman golfer Matteo Sasdelli from Florence, Italy, was selected as the Men’s Golf Rookie of the Month by the conference.
The achievements highlight the strong international presence among Goldey-Beacom’s athletic programs and the immediate impact these newcomers are making in their respective sports during their debut collegiate seasons.
Negotiations are underway between the Chicago Sky and Los Angeles Sparks for a potential player exchange involving All-Star guard Ariel Atkins and forward Rickea Jackson, according to a Thursday report from Front Office Sports.
While no deal has been completed, sources indicate an official announcement could come this Saturday if talks progress successfully.
The 29-year-old Atkins posted solid numbers during her debut season with Chicago in 2025, recording 13.1 points per game along with 3.6 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals across 34 contests, starting every game.
Atkins brings championship experience to any team, having won a WNBA title with Washington in 2019. Throughout her professional career spanning stints with the Mystics from 2018-24 and now Chicago, she has compiled averages of 13.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.5 steals over 251 games with 246 starts. The seventh overall selection in the 2018 draft has earned five All-Defensive team honors and maintains a solid 36.2% accuracy rate from beyond the arc.
Meanwhile, Jackson put together an impressive 2025 campaign for Los Angeles, contributing 14.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game while starting 37 of 38 appearances.
The 25-year-old forward entered the league as the fourth pick in the 2024 draft and immediately made her mark by earning All-Rookie team recognition. Her strong play continued into 2025, where she placed ninth in MVP consideration. Over her two-year professional career spanning 78 games with 72 starts, Jackson has maintained averages of 14.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists.
This potential move would mark Chicago’s second significant roster change this week, following Monday’s trade that sent two-time All-Star Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream in exchange for two first-round draft selections.
Global ticket sales for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics began Thursday after organizers reported breaking records during the initial week of local presales, demonstrating significant early interest for Games that depend heavily on private funding.
According to LA28, more tickets were purchased during the opening week than any previous Olympic Games achieved in their first week of sales. Every ticket during this initial period went to buyers from the Los Angeles and Oklahoma City regions, though some customers voiced concerns about elevated prices, additional fees, and limited availability.
Officials reported that local purchasers bought hundreds of thousands of $28 tickets, which organizers promote as the most affordable Olympic tickets in modern times. However, some buyers have expressed frustration over high costs, fees, and scarce ticket options.
“The success of the locals presale speaks for itself,” stated LA28 CEO Reynold Hoover. “We’re thrilled by the level of interest and enthusiasm in tickets to the Games.”
The worldwide sales phase, called “Drop 1,” continues until April 19 for fans chosen through a lottery system and given specific purchasing windows. Tickets are offered for all Olympic competitions, including opening and closing ceremonies.
Event organizers admitted that some customers experienced surprise at pricing after marketing campaigns emphasized the $28 entry-level options, only to discover many budget seats sold rapidly or that certain events carried much higher price tags.
Allison Katz-Mayfield, LA28’s senior vice president for games delivery revenue, explained to Reuters this outcome was anticipated since the cheapest tickets would naturally sell first.
“We really wanted to make sure that the locals had access to the most affordable tickets and we saw that come to life through this presale,” she explained, noting that additional low-cost options would become available in upcoming sales periods.
LA28 announced that over one million $28 tickets will eventually be offered to the public. Nearly half of all Olympic tickets cost less than $200, while more than three-quarters, including championship events, are under $400. Only approximately 5% of tickets exceed $1,000, according to organizers.
Katz-Mayfield reported that interest surpassed projections from the registration process through the initial sales window. She noted that roughly one-third of currently available tickets remained priced below $200 as global sales commenced.
The organizing committee faces pressure to demonstrate it can produce a financially responsible Games without burdening taxpayers, who might bear responsibility for budget overruns. LA28 has stated its more than $7 billion operation will be funded primarily through ticket sales, sponsorships and hospitality services.
Katz-Mayfield said robust ticket sales, combined with sponsorship and hospitality income, provided encouraging indicators for the Games’ financial stability.
LA28 also cautioned fans against purchasing from unauthorized resale websites before its official resale program launches in 2027, warning that tickets sold elsewhere might be speculative or invalid.
The head of the International Monetary Fund warned Thursday that Middle East warfare will likely drive countries to seek between $20 billion and $50 billion in emergency financial assistance from the global lending organization.
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva told reporters at the organization’s Washington headquarters that the currently suspended conflict has created significant strain on the world economy. Daily global oil flows have dropped by 13 percent while liquefied natural gas supplies have fallen 20 percent, creating energy supply shortages that have pushed prices higher and disrupted international trade networks.
Speaking before next week’s scheduled IMF and World Bank meetings, Georgieva revealed that the warfare has forced the Fund to lower its worldwide economic growth projections, confirming earlier statements she made to Reuters earlier this week.
“Had it not been for this shock, we would have been upgrading global growth,” Georgieva explained, pointing to positive momentum from robust technology investments and favorable financial market conditions. “But now, even in our most hopeful scenario, it involves a downgrade of growth.”
President Donald Trump announced a two-week ceasefire agreement with Iran on Tuesday, though Israel’s ongoing military operations in Lebanon could potentially undermine efforts to establish lasting peace.
According to Georgieva, the conflict presents varied but substantial risks across IMF member nations. Countries that import oil – representing 80 percent of all nations – face challenges from higher energy costs and supply shortages, while major oil-producing countries and regional economies without oil resources have experienced disproportionate impacts.
“Even in a best case, there will be no neat and clean return to the status quo ante,” Georgieva stated. She noted that Qatar’s Ras Laffan facility, which generates 93 percent of the Gulf region’s liquefied natural gas, has remained closed since March 2 and may require three to five years to reach full production capacity again.
“The fact is, we don’t truly know what the future holds for transits through the Strait of Hormuz, or for that matter, for the recovery of regional air traffic,” she continued, referencing visual data showing sharp declines in aviation and shipping activity over the past six weeks. “What we do know is that growth will be slower – even if the new peace is durable.”
The fighting, which started on February 28, will continue creating widespread economic effects, Georgieva said. Oil refinery closures and shortages of refined petroleum products are hampering transportation systems, tourism industries, and international commerce.
Food security concerns will affect an additional 45 million people, pushing the total number facing hunger beyond 360 million worldwide. Supply chain problems will persist due to industrial reliance on materials including sulfur, helium needed for semiconductor manufacturing, and naphtha used in plastic production.
The IMF plans to publish multiple economic scenarios in next week’s World Economic Outlook report, ranging from relatively quick recovery to situations where oil and gas prices stay elevated for extended periods, Georgieva said.
Even the most optimistic projections include growth reductions because of infrastructure damage, supply interruptions, reduced confidence, and other lasting economic wounds.
In January, the IMF had predicted global growth of 3.3 percent in 2026 and 3.2 percent in 2027. The organization has not yet specified the size of next week’s downward revisions. Georgieva previously told Reuters that inflation forecasts would also increase.
Next week’s international meetings will bring together thousands of finance officials from around the world to discuss managing the war’s economic impact and determining how the IMF can assist countries requiring help, Georgieva said.
She emphasized that the IMF maintains adequate resources and can expand balance of payments assistance through current programs, with additional nations expected to request aid. She did not name specific countries seeking support.
The anticipated increase in funding requests adds to $140 billion in active programs that existed before the war began, according to an IMF official. When including outstanding credit and planned lending, the IMF’s total commitments reach $245 billion.
From May 2024 through March 2025, the IMF authorized more than $36 billion in new loans, based on research from Boston University.
Georgieva cautioned that energy supply disruptions are already pushing up short-term inflation expectations, though longer-term expectations remain stable.
Financial market conditions have tightened in an orderly fashion, with some recent easing becoming apparent.
The overall economic impact will depend on whether the ceasefire maintains stability and leads to permanent peace, and the extent of damage the war ultimately causes, Georgieva said.
Georgieva acknowledged that demand adjustments are inevitable but urged countries against implementing export restrictions, price controls, and other policies that could worsen global economic conditions.
“I appeal to all countries to reject go-it-alone actions,” she said. “Don’t pour gasoline on the fire.”
While suggesting value in careful observation, Georgieva recommended that central banks “step in firmly with rate hikes” if inflation expectations risk becoming unanchored and creating an inflationary cycle. However, she warned against premature actions that could throw “cold water on growth.”
She observed that many nations are implementing conservation strategies, including restricting private vehicle usage and encouraging remote work arrangements. Most countries have avoided broad tax reductions or energy subsidies, and the IMF is actively collaborating with governments to ensure any measures remain temporary.
Implementing deficit-funded stimulus programs now would increase pressure on monetary policy and amplify rising benchmark interest rates, further increasing debt costs.
Public debt levels are generally much higher than two decades ago, Georgieva noted, encouraging countries to move quickly to restore their financial reserves following this crisis after years of failing to do so.
Even before the current conflict, global public debt was projected to reach approximately 100 percent of gross domestic product by 2029, representing the highest level since 1948.
Monday night’s NCAA men’s basketball championship game between Michigan and the University of Connecticut captured the attention of 18.3 million viewers nationwide, representing the largest television audience for the tournament’s final game in seven years.
The viewership numbers across TBS, TNT, truTV and HBO Max showed a significant 23% jump compared to the same networks’ coverage of the 2024 championship contest.
Michigan’s 69-63 triumph in Indianapolis, which secured the Wolverines their first national title since 1989, reached its highest audience of 20.4 million viewers during the game’s final moments between 11 and 11:15 p.m. Eastern Time.
These viewing figures represent the strongest performance for an NCAA championship game since Virginia’s victory over Texas Tech in Minneapolis during 2019.
The Final Four rounds, which included Arizona and Illinois alongside the two finalists, brought in an average of 14.2 million viewers, reflecting an 11% increase from the previous year. The complete tournament, with additional games broadcast on CBS, averaged 10.9 million viewers – a 7% rise from last year and the second-highest viewership for the tournament since 1994.
Television coverage of March Madness is split between TBS Sports and CBS Sports, with the two networks taking turns broadcasting the championship game annually.
Volkswagen announced Thursday that it will cease manufacturing its ID.4 electric SUV at its Tennessee facility this month, pointing to difficulties facing the American electric vehicle marketplace.
The German automaker joins other manufacturers who have reduced or halted electric vehicle production following the federal government’s decision last fall to discontinue a $7,500 tax incentive for EV purchases.
The company plans to redirect its Chattanooga, Tennessee facility toward manufacturing its gasoline-powered Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport SUVs, which have higher production volumes. This summer, Volkswagen will begin producing a redesigned Atlas midsize SUV model set to reach dealerships in 2027.
While the automaker indicated it plans to develop a new version of the ID.4 specifically for North American consumers, no timeline was provided for when this model might become available. Current ID.4 inventory is projected to remain available through 2027.
Sales data shows the ID.4’s struggles, with fourth-quarter 2025 sales dropping 62% compared to the same period the previous year.
Despite ending ID.4 production, Volkswagen will continue selling its ID. Buzz electric van to American customers.
Florida’s Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Thursday that his office has begun investigating OpenAI, the company behind the widely-used ChatGPT artificial intelligence chatbot, as the tech firm moves toward a potential public stock offering that could be worth as much as $1 trillion.
Speaking in a video message shared on the social media platform X, Uthmeier expressed alarm about the possibility that OpenAI’s information and artificial intelligence systems might end up “into the hands of America’s enemies, such as the Chinese Communist Party.”
The attorney general’s office plans to serve subpoenas to the company in the near future.
Uthmeier further raised concerns about ChatGPT’s role in facilitating harmful activities, noting that the platform, which serves more than 900 million users each week, has been connected to illegal conduct such as child exploitation and promoting suicide and self-harm behaviors.
“We’ve also learned that ChatGPT may likely have been used to assist the murderer in the recent mass school shooting at Florida State University” that killed two, he added.
The company has not yet provided a response to requests for comment from Reuters.
Though recognizing artificial intelligence as a “monumental leap” in technological advancement, Uthmeier emphasized that it should enhance, assist and benefit humanity rather than “lead to an existential crisis or our ultimate demise.”
Previously, California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta and Delaware’s Attorney General Kathy Jennings collaborated on a letter sent to OpenAI in September 2025, voicing serious worries about growing reports regarding how the company’s technologies affect children.
JERUSALEM – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Thursday that he has directed his government to pursue direct peace negotiations with Lebanon, with a primary focus on dismantling Hezbollah’s military capabilities.
Speaking in a public statement, Netanyahu referenced Lebanon’s ongoing requests for dialogue, saying “In light of Lebanon’s repeated requests to open direct negotiations with Israel, I instructed the cabinet yesterday to start direct negotiations with Lebanon as soon as possible.” He added that “The negotiations will focus on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations between Israel and Lebanon.”
Lebanese officials have not yet responded to Netanyahu’s announcement.
Earlier Thursday, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun had called for an end to hostilities, stating that “the only solution to the situation in Lebanon is to achieve a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, followed by direct negotiations between them.” Aoun indicated he was pursuing diplomatic channels that were gaining “positive” reception from the international community.
The current conflict escalated after Hezbollah, backed by Iran, launched attacks against Israel beginning March 2nd, prompting Israel to respond with a major military campaign. Lebanese government figures report that Israeli military operations have resulted in approximately 1,700 deaths and forced more than one million residents from their homes.
Intelligence sources indicate that at least 400 Hezbollah militants have been eliminated in the fighting, while the group has launched hundreds of rockets and drone attacks targeting Israeli territory.
New Castle County Police are expanding their automated speed camera program to include two residential roadways where officials hope to reduce speeding and improve safety for residents.
The department announced that speed enforcement cameras will be installed along a section of Milltown Road stretching from McKennans Church Road to Duncan Road, as well as along McKennans Church Road between Milltown Road and Bardell Drive.
Police officials say the camera system is designed to improve traffic safety in these neighborhood areas where speeding has become a problem.
As part of the new enforcement program, warning signs indicating “Photo Enforced” will be posted in the designated areas to alert drivers about the automated speed monitoring.
The initiative represents the latest expansion of New Castle County’s efforts to use technology to address traffic safety concerns in residential communities throughout the area.
PITTSBURGH (AP) — While it may be excessive to claim that Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin’s legendary matchup rescued the NHL, their emergence certainly brought a new chapter to a league that desperately needed revitalization following the devastating 2004-05 lockout season.
Drafted just one year apart but worlds different in personality — Ovechkin embodying explosive passion while Crosby represents methodical precision — these two icons have dedicated nearly twenty years to shaping their teams and transforming hockey itself. They represent that exceptional category of athletes who arrived with enormous pressure and managed to exceed every expectation.
Their combined achievements include five Hart Trophies, four Stanley Cup victories, more than 3,400 career points, and an endless collection of unforgettable moments that have cemented their places in hockey history.
Ovechkin holds the record as hockey’s greatest goal scorer of all time, while Crosby stands as the sole player to maintain a point-per-game average across 21 consecutive seasons. These two legends will clash twice more during this weekend’s final regular season games as Washington and Pittsburgh complete a home-and-away series.
Nobody knows if these 100th and 101st career encounters between these hockey giants will mark their final meetings.
Crosby, now 38, has his contract extending through next season and continues performing at an elite level as his Pittsburgh team surprisingly pushes toward playoff qualification. Meanwhile, 40-year-old Ovechkin remains secretive about his plans following what has been a disappointing campaign for Washington.
This could represent the conclusion of their storied rivalry. Even if not, the end approaches rapidly. Before this legendary competition transitions into nostalgic memories, let’s examine the memorable highlights (and one notable disappointment) from two athletes who lifted a league damaged by internal conflicts and guided it successfully into modern hockey:
Final Score: Pittsburgh 5, Washington 4
Venue: Mellon Arena, Pittsburgh
Statistics: Crosby recorded one goal and one assist; Ovechkin contributed one assist.
Game Summary: This inaugural meeting between the future superstars remains unique as the only contest that featured Hall of Fame legend Mario Lemieux, who served as Ovechkin’s childhood hero. Lemieux announced his retirement two months afterward, having already transferred leadership responsibilities to Crosby. The 18-year-old “Sid the Kid” demonstrated his future potential by maneuvering between two Washington defenders before executing the signature backhand shot that would become his trademark move.
Final Score: Washington 5, Pittsburgh 2
Venue: Verizon Center, Washington, D.C.
Statistics: Crosby earned one assist, Ovechkin scored one goal with one assist.
Game Summary: This relatively routine mid-season result provided a rare glimpse into the genuine animosity that existed between Ovechkin and Crosby during their early careers. A second-period confrontation led to physical contact that resulted in Crosby losing his helmet and considerable verbal sparring between the players. The Associated Press reported their post-game comments:
“What I can say about him?” Ovechkin said. “He is a good player, but he talks too much.”
And what does Crosby make of Ovechkin’s showmanship?
“Like it or lump it, that’s what he does,” Crosby said. “Some people like it, some people don’t. Personally, I don’t like it.”
Final Score: Washington 4, Pittsburgh 3
Venue: Verizon Center, Washington, D.C.
Statistics: Both Crosby and Ovechkin achieved hat tricks.
Game Summary: During their inaugural playoff encounter, both stars delivered spectacular performances in their athletic prime. Each player scored three goals in the Eastern Conference semifinal’s second game, with Ovechkin netting the decisive score with 4:38 remaining in regulation.
However, Crosby ultimately prevailed in the series. After seven grueling games, Ovechkin missed a crucial breakaway opportunity against goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, and Crosby responded with a goal moments later, launching a decisive 6-2 victory. Crosby captured his first Stanley Cup championship one month later.
Final Score: Washington 5, Pittsburgh 4
Venue: Mellon Arena, Pittsburgh
Statistics: Crosby scored twice; Ovechkin recorded three goals and one assist.
Game Summary: During a blizzard on Super Bowl Sunday, Ovechkin orchestrated a dramatic rally from a 4-1 disadvantage. His three-goal performance included two third-period scores that forced a tie, and he provided the key pass for Mike Knuble’s power-play winner 2:49 into overtime.
Several days afterward, Crosby led Team Canada to a dominant 7-3 quarterfinal victory over Ovechkin’s Team Russia at the Olympics. Crosby then delivered arguably his career’s most significant moment by scoring the overtime goal that secured Olympic gold for Canada on their home ice.
Final Score: Pittsburgh 2, Washington 0
Venue: Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
Statistics: Crosby recorded one assist, Ovechkin was held scoreless.
Game Summary: The third playoff series between these franchises during the Crosby-Ovechkin era concluded with the familiar outcome of their previous encounters. Crosby assisted on Bryan Rust’s second-period goal that gave Pittsburgh the lead. Ovechkin unleashed a powerful one-timer toward Pittsburgh’s Marc-Andre Fleury, but the goaltender miraculously deflected the shot with his stick handle, completing a 29-save performance that propelled the Penguins to their second consecutive Stanley Cup title.
Final Score: Washington 4, Pittsburgh 3
Venue: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh
Statistics: Both Crosby and Ovechkin contributed one goal and one assist.
Game Summary: Pittsburgh’s quest for three straight championships began promisingly in 2018. The Penguins advanced smoothly to face Washington in the second round, splitting their opening games in the nation’s capital. Crosby scored late in the second period to give Pittsburgh the advantage before former Penguin Matt Niskanen equalized early in the third period.
The contest seemed destined for overtime until Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom created a two-on-one scoring opportunity. Backstrom passed to Ovechkin, whose initial attempt was stopped by goaltender Matt Murray. In one smooth sequence that contrasted sharply with his typical power-based style, Ovechkin deflected the rebound mid-air into the empty net, giving Washington the series advantage.
Six days later in the same arena, Ovechkin set up Evgeny Kuznetsov’s overtime winner in Game 6 as Washington overcame their playoff struggles and captured the franchise’s first and only Stanley Cup championship.
