The nation’s highest court examined legal challenges Wednesday regarding President Trump’s executive action targeting birthright citizenship protections.
The judicial hearing occurred during a politically significant time for the Trump administration, as justices weighed arguments surrounding the controversial policy directive.
WELLINGTON – New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced Thursday that Chris Penk will take over as the nation’s defense minister as part of a broader cabinet reorganization, placing a former military serviceman in charge of the country’s armed forces.
In the ministerial shake-up, Penk will join the Cabinet and assume control of multiple security-related departments, including Defense, the Government Communications Security Bureau, the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service, and Space operations.
“Chris’ time in the NZDF (New Zealand Defence Force) leaves him well-placed to lead the work our Government has done in raising the status and capability of our armed forces,” Luxon said in a statement.
The appointment occurs during a period when New Zealand is placing increased emphasis on military investment and defense capabilities. Last year, the government announced an ambitious plan to boost defense expenditures beyond 2% of the nation’s GDP over the next eight years, backed by NZ$9 billion ($5.2 billion) in additional funding.
Penk will succeed outgoing Defense Minister Judith Collins, who is stepping down from Parliament. The prime minister also revealed adjustments to various other ministerial roles, affecting the energy, public service, and Pacific peoples portfolios.
The Philadelphia Flyers have secured defenseman David Jiricek’s future with the organization, announcing a two-year contract extension worth $3 million on Wednesday.
The 22-year-old Czech defenseman became a Flyer through a March 6 trade deal that saw forward Bobby Brink head to the Minnesota Wild. While Jiricek has not yet appeared in a game for Philadelphia’s NHL roster, he remains with the organization.
Since joining the Flyers system, Jiricek has been making his mark with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, Philadelphia’s American Hockey League team. In 10 appearances with the Phantoms, he has contributed 10 points through two goals and eight assists.
Originally selected sixth overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2022 NHL Draft, Jiricek brings NHL experience to his new contract. Throughout his professional career spanning 84 games between Columbus and Minnesota, he has accumulated 13 points with two goals and 11 assists.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza demonstrated his professional football readiness during Wednesday’s pro day workout, delivering an impressive performance that caught the attention of NFL scouts, particularly from the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Heisman Trophy winner completed an outstanding 53 of 56 passes during his 20-minute throwing session, appearing bigger, stronger and faster than when he first declared for the draft months ago. Mendoza has bulked up to 236 pounds, adding 11 pounds since the national championship game.
“I’m trying to be the best me possible. Whatever team picks me, you only need one team to believe in you,” Mendoza stated. “Whether I’m the first pick or the last pick, I’m trying to be the best quarterback possible in September.”
The Raiders have shown clear interest in Mendoza, with this marking their third meeting. The team previously conducted a Zoom call and formal interview at February’s NFL Scouting Combine. On Wednesday, at least 10 Raiders organization members attended the workout, including General Manager John Spytek and Head Coach Klint Kubiak, who watched intently throughout the session.
Mendoza’s performance was nearly flawless, with only one overthrown pass on a 60-yard attempt to Elijah Sarratt. His precision throw to EJ Williams – launched from one 40-yard line and caught in stride at the 6-yard line – drew audible reactions from watching scouts at Indiana’s indoor practice facility.
“I think the main goal today was to serve my teammates,” Mendoza explained, noting he skipped the NFL Scouting Combine workout to bring more attention to his Indiana colleagues. “I think I was able to do that. Be able to put them in position to be able to make plays.”
Other Hoosiers also impressed during the workout. Cornerback D’Angelo Ponds ran a blazing 4.31-second 40-yard dash, complementing his 43.5-inch vertical jump recorded at the combine.
Running back Roman Hemby, who began draft preparation immediately after the championship game, praised Mendoza’s leadership and character.
“That’s a guy that’s a great leader, a great person,” Hemby said. “He doesn’t have to do some of the things he does. He wanted to go out there and showcase the guys. That shows the type of person he is. That’s why we love him.”
With the Raiders holding the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh later this month, Mendoza’s name appears likely to be called early in the selection process.
The head of NATO will travel to the nation’s capital next week as tensions escalate between President Donald Trump and European partners within the military alliance.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has scheduled what officials describe as a previously arranged visit to Washington, according to alliance spokesperson Allison Hart. The White House has also verified the upcoming meeting.
“I can confirm that the Secretary General will be in DC next week for a long-planned visit,” Hart stated. Officials have not released additional information about the visit’s agenda.
The meeting occurs as Trump has expressed consideration of withdrawing the United States from the Western defense partnership, citing European nations’ unwillingness to deploy naval vessels to help clear the Strait of Hormuz.
During Wednesday’s Easter gathering at the White House with allied representatives, Trump delivered sharp criticism of France, the United Kingdom, and other partner nations, referring to them as a “paper tiger.”
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was established in 1949 as a defense against potential Soviet aggression and has served as the foundation of Western security arrangements for more than seven decades. The alliance encompasses European nations alongside the United States and Canada.
“We’ve had some very bad allies in NATO,” Trump stated. “Hopefully, we’re never going to need them. I don’t think we will need them.”
As March Madness basketball fever builds, officials in New Hampshire and several other states are raising alarms about a potential threat to their gambling revenue streams.
State legislators are expressing anxiety that their share of sports betting profits could decline significantly as gamblers increasingly migrate to prediction market platforms instead of traditional regulated sportsbooks.
The emergence of these new technological betting platforms represents a growing challenge for states that have come to rely on tax revenue from legalized sports wagering operations.
A section of Hillside Road remains impassable after a tree fell into overhead power lines, prompting officials to block off the area to traffic.
The Delaware Department of Transportation reports the roadway is shut down between Centerville Road and Greenspring Road while crews work to address the hazardous situation.
Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes while utility workers and transportation officials coordinate the removal of the downed tree and assess any damage to the electrical infrastructure.
No timeline has been provided for when the roadway will reopen to normal traffic flow.
A New York-based grocery chain has pulled peeled garlic products from its shelves after discovering they may pose a serious health threat to consumers.
Tops Friendly Markets, headquartered in Williamsville, New York, announced the voluntary recall of Christopher Ranch Peeled Garlic and Garland Fresh Peeled Garlic across all product codes. The company took action after determining the items could harbor Clostridium botulinum bacteria due to improper storage temperatures.
The dangerous bacteria can develop when products are not maintained at appropriate cold temperatures during storage and transport. Clostridium botulinum produces toxins that cause botulism, a potentially fatal illness that affects the nervous system.
Customers who purchased either brand of peeled garlic from Tops locations are advised to discard the products immediately and not consume them. The recall applies to all varieties and packaging sizes of both Christopher Ranch and Garland Fresh peeled garlic items.
The Food and Drug Administration is monitoring the recall as part of its ongoing food safety oversight. No illnesses have been reported in connection with these products at this time.
The Goldey-Beacom Lightning softball team ended a lengthy drought against their local rivals on Tuesday, defeating Wilmington University 3-0 in the second game of a doubleheader.
The victory marks the Lightning’s first regular-season triumph over the cross-town Wildcats since April 12, 2017, breaking a streak that had lasted nearly nine years. Even more significant for the home crowd, this represented Goldey-Beacom’s first victory against Wilmington on their own field since April 3, 2014.
The day began with disappointment as the Lightning dropped the opening contest by a score of 3-1. However, the team regrouped and dominated the nightcap, shutting out their rivals to split the doubleheader and provide a memorable moment for players and fans alike.
The breakthrough victory against their nearby competitors gives Goldey-Beacom momentum as they continue their season, finally overcoming a rival that had gotten the better of them for the better part of a decade.
DELMARVA — Rain is moving into the region tonight at a critical time for Delmarva growers. Fields have been drying out nicely after last week’s wet spell, but showers and thunderstorms overnight could delay field work into Thursday. Most operations across Sussex County and the Eastern Shore have been pushing hard to get corn in the ground ahead of this system.
Corn futures closed at $5.78 per bushel, down 4 cents on the session. Soybeans settled at $12.32, up 6 cents. Wheat finished at $6.14, down 2 cents.
Local cash corn on Delmarva is running $4.90 at most elevators. Soybeans are bringing in $11.45.
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms continues through this evening with temperatures holding near 80 degrees under southwest winds at 5 miles per hour. Tonight, expect showers and thunderstorms, especially after midnight. Lows drop to around 50 degrees with southeast winds staying light.
Thursday is looking cloudy with a slight chance of morning rain showers, then drying out. Highs only reach the mid-50s with northeast winds 5 to 10 miles per hour. Conditions are not ideal for planting, but fields should be workable by Friday when temperatures warm back into the low 70s under mostly sunny skies.
This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Evening Edition, April 1, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.
A young Baltimore Orioles catcher etched his name in baseball history Wednesday night by becoming the first major league player to end a game with a winning challenge using the new Automated Ball-Strike System.
Samuel Basallo, just 21 years old, made the historic call during the ninth inning of Baltimore’s 8-3 victory over the Texas Rangers. With two outs and Albert Suárez pitching for the Orioles, home plate umpire Manny Gonzalez called Suárez’s 1-2 pitch to Evan Carter a ball. Basallo immediately challenged the call.
The replay review revealed that most of the baseball had crossed through the upper outside edge of the strike zone, overturning the original call and ending the game in Baltimore’s favor.
“I think we had two (challenges left) at that point,” Basallo explained through a translator after the game. “I thought why not use it? Better to use it and see what happens instead of holding onto it.”
The rookie catcher, who also launched a 437-foot home run during Wednesday’s contest, showed some nervous energy during the replay review before celebrating with Suárez on the pitcher’s mound. Suárez had thrown three innings to earn his first save since 2017.
“I wasn’t thinking it was a strike, and then when he challenged I was like, ‘OK, let’s see,’” Suárez commented. “Good thing we got it.”
This marks the inaugural season that the automated ball-strike technology has been implemented in regular-season major league baseball games.
The Orioles previously utilized a challenge in another high-pressure situation on Sunday, converting what would have been a full-count walk into a strikeout during their 8-6 victory over Minnesota. That challenge resulted in Twins manager Derek Shelton being ejected from the game, as he argued the challenge signal wasn’t made quickly enough.
Suárez had been recalled to the major leagues after Zach Eflin was forced to exit Tuesday’s start due to elbow discomfort. Following an early morning flight Wednesday, Suárez was able to provide much-needed relief for the team’s bullpen.
When asked about his overall opinion of the Automated Ball-Strike System, the 36-year-old pitcher offered a candid response.
“I think I like it more after what happened today,” Suárez said.
Medical researchers have developed precise virtual copies of patients’ hearts that allow doctors to test treatments for dangerous irregular heartbeats before performing actual procedures on the real organ.
The groundbreaking approach targets ventricular tachycardia, a challenging heart rhythm disorder that triggers approximately 300,000 deaths annually in the United States and serves as a leading cause of sudden cardiac arrest.
Johns Hopkins University researchers conducted a small initial study using this digital twin technology, with FDA approval to guide treatment for 10 patients. The findings were published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine, though larger studies will be necessary to validate the approach.
The research represents part of a growing trend where doctors explore how digital twin technology, previously used in aerospace and manufacturing, could revolutionize medical care.
Dr. Jeffrey Goldberger, a cardiac specialist at the University of Miami not connected to the research, worked with earlier versions of similar technology 15 years ago and commended the new developments. “This is what we envisioned,” he said.
While physicians have traditionally relied on 3D models for disease simulation and technique practice, Hopkins biomedical engineer Natalia Trayanova explained that genuine digital twins can forecast how actual organs will respond to various treatments. Her laboratory creates vibrant, interactive models using advanced MRI scans and additional patient data.
“We treat the twin before we treat the patient,” Trayanova said. “Did it work? And if it did, are there new things that arise” that will require more or different care?
Ventricular tachycardia occurs when the heart’s electrical system malfunctions, creating an extremely rapid heartbeat as electrical signals become trapped in the heart’s lower chambers, preventing proper blood circulation throughout the body.
“You see this heart that is basically quivering,” Trayanova said.
While medications can provide some relief, the primary treatment involves ablation procedures where physicians guide catheters to the heart and destroy problematic tissue. However, this process often requires trial-and-error methods, with patients enduring lengthy periods under anesthesia as doctors identify optimal treatment locations. Multiple ablation procedures are frequently necessary, and many patients require backup defibrillator implants.
Trayanova’s digital heart replicas display colorful patterns on computer screens, with blue, green, yellow and orange hues illustrating electrical wave movement through healthy heart regions before becoming trapped on damaged tissue in a circular pattern resembling hurricane swirls.
“It allows me to recreate the functioning of the patient’s organ and then predict what is the best way to ablate,” she said.
The technology identifies problematic areas where electrical waves repeatedly impact tissue. Virtual ablation testing reveals whether targeting specific regions resolves the issue or creates additional arrhythmias requiring treatment. “Then we poke it again,” she explained.
Researchers developed personalized ablation plans for all 10 study participants. Cardiologists transferred these targets to their mapping systems and focused exclusively on predetermined locations rather than searching independently.
After more than one year, eight patients showed no arrhythmias while two experienced only single brief episodes during recovery periods, surpassing the typical 60% success rate, according to Dr. Jonathan Chrispin, a Hopkins cardiologist who led the study. Eight patients also discontinued their anti-arrhythmia medications.
Perhaps most significantly, cardiologists may be able to minimize tissue damage by focusing on “specifically the areas that we think are critically important,” Chrispin said. “We could potentially make these procedures shorter, safer, more effective.”
The Hopkins research team plans to expand their digital twin studies to include additional hospitals and has initiated trials using the technology for atrial fibrillation, a more common irregular heartbeat condition. Other research groups are investigating digital twin applications for cancer treatment.
MIAMI — A prominent Washington lobbyist with close connections to President Donald Trump told a federal court he immediately ended his relationship with former Congressman David Rivera after discovering in 2020 that Venezuela’s government had given the Miami Republican a $50 million contract, destroying his assumption that both men were working to bring down Nicolás Maduro’s regime.
Brian Ballard has served as a key witness alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Rivera’s Miami trial, where the former congressman faces accusations of conducting unregistered lobbying work for Maduro’s administration.
The proceedings have revealed behind-the-scenes efforts during Trump’s first presidency involving secret lobbying by Trump associates and Venezuelan officials, plus a billionaire who allegedly channeled stolen oil revenues to Venezuela’s democratic opposition while simultaneously seeking partnerships for Maduro’s sanctions relief campaign.
While the initial charm campaign was unsuccessful, several participants — including acting President Delcy Rodríguez and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles — are now involved in Trump’s promise to “run” Venezuela.
Federal prosecutors claim Rivera transformed into a paid advocate for Maduro after departing Congress, using his long-standing friendship with fellow Cuban-American Rubio and other Republican contacts to pressure the White House into softening its Venezuela stance.
Rivera, 60, maintains his innocence, arguing he worked as a business consultant for a U.S. subsidiary of Venezuela’s government oil company, which would exempt him from Foreign Agents Registration Act requirements.
Following Ballard’s testimony about text messages, emails and lobbying documents that showed his growing suspicion of Rivera, defense attorneys requested a mistrial Tuesday, claiming prosecutors improperly implied Rivera attempted to involve Ballard in the alleged conspiracy. Judge Melissa Damian rejected the request.
Ballard developed friendships with Rubio and Rivera decades ago while building his lobbying business as the two served in Florida’s legislature. Ballard Partners later represented the Trump organization in Florida before becoming a Washington powerhouse. By 2025, the firm was earning $88 million in fees, surpassing all other lobbying companies according to official disclosures.
Early in Trump’s presidency, Ballard said Rivera approached him about representing Venezuela’s opposition. Since both men were known critics of the Venezuelan government, “anything we could do to help end the Maduro regime would’ve been very much of interest to me,” Ballard testified.
Additionally, Ballard was consulting with Rex Tillerson, Trump’s initial secretary of state choice, and used Rivera as a connection to then-Senator Rubio, who had reservations about the former ExxonMobil CEO’s Venezuela positions. Rubio testified last week that he also felt deceived by his friend.
A key figure for both Ballard and Rivera’s Venezuela involvement was Raúl Gorrín, a Caracas media mogul whose persistent efforts to influence Trump administration officials highlight the dangers of foreign influence operations in American politics.
Gorrín faced indictment in 2018 for allegedly bribing Venezuela’s treasurer with luxury yachts and show horses to secure illegal currency exchange arrangements. However, when Rivera introduced him to Ballard in 2017, the billionaire portrayed himself as a Trump supporter advocating democratic reform.
The three men traveled on Gorrín’s private aircraft to the Dominican Republic for meetings with Venezuelan opposition figures. Ballard also described visiting Gorrín’s Miami residence to meet Lilian Tintori, wife of Maduro’s most prominent imprisoned critic at the time, Leopoldo López.
Several months afterward, Gorrín’s media outlet, Globovision, signed an $800,000 agreement with Ballard’s company for assistance with U.S. expansion. Ballard expressed initial hesitation due to reports that Globovision had moderated its Maduro criticism under Gorrín’s ownership, but said he was convinced following research and Tintori’s support.
“She thought he was a good person, not a Maduro puppet,” he testified.
Ballard said he soon questioned the arrangement. He also revealed he was unaware that a firm partner had helped write a letter Gorrín wanted personally delivered to Trump in 2017, promising — from one businessman to another — to “devote every waking minute to a successful resolution of the crisis in Venezuela.” The Secret Service prevented the letter’s delivery.
When news emerged about Gorrín’s federal money laundering investigation, Ballard said he immediately ended the partnership.
“I finally said it’s not worth it,” he stated.
Ballard never recruited Venezuelan opposition members as clients. He offered to waive fees, but his requirement for public disclosure on the Justice Department’s website was considered too dangerous. He said Tintori worried it would provoke Maduro and threaten her husband’s safety.
After learning Gorrín remained involved and claimed to be providing financial support to Tintori, Ballard sent a February 13, 2017 text to Rivera’s co-defendant, former Rubio fundraiser Esther Nuhfer: “Please make sure the people you are dealing with understand the serious nature of the FARA laws.”
Two days following that message, Trump demanded López’s freedom, sharing an Oval Office photograph with Tintori, Rubio and Vice President Mike Pence.
López, currently in Spanish exile, said his wife never accepted money from Gorrín and accused Rivera of attempting to falsely connect him to the conspiracy charges Rivera now faces. He said masked, heavily armed military intelligence officers stormed his cell the same day his wife visited the White House.
“It was one of the worst raids I experienced in the four years I was imprisoned,” he recalled.
Unknown to Ballard, Rivera was simultaneously arranging meetings for Rodríguez in New York, Caracas, Washington and Dallas, prosecutors stated.
Rep. Pete Sessions was also participating. The Texas Republican attempted to facilitate a meeting between Rodríguez and Exxon’s CEO and secretly visited Caracas for a Maduro meeting arranged by Gorrín and Rivera. “My best to your family,” Sessions wrote beneath a letter to Maduro.
The congressman appears on the defense witness list. Rivera’s attorneys also sought testimony from Wiles, who registered as a Ballard lobbyist for Globovision, but the White House blocked it.
Prosecutors contend Rivera’s three-month, $50-million consulting agreement was actually a disguise as Venezuelan officials attempted to convince the Trump administration to restore normal relations. Ballard testified he first discovered it when Rivera was named in a 2020 lawsuit alleging he performed no actual work.
When he contacted his former friend to express his surprise, Rivera claimed the Trump administration knew he was collaborating with Maduro’s opponents, Ballard said. Rivera also referenced their Dominican Republic meeting three years prior, where he said the “plot was hatched” by Venezuela’s opposition.
“So you’re part of it too!!!,” Rivera texted, including crying-laughing emojis.
Ballard was furious and said he blocked Rivera’s phone number.
“I have nothing to do with this David,” he responded in a final message. “I don’t find it humorous at all.”
WASHINGTON — The United States removed economic sanctions against Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodríguez on Wednesday, as confirmed by a Treasury Department listing on the Office of Foreign Assets Control website.
This sanctions removal sends a clear message that Washington acknowledges Rodríguez as Venezuela’s rightful leader following the January 3rd capture of former President Nicolás Maduro and his spouse by American military forces in Caracas, the Venezuelan capital.
Both Maduro and his wife were transported to New York where they now face drug trafficking accusations, with both entering not guilty pleas.
Venezuelan officials have not yet provided a response to requests for comment regarding the sanctions relief.
The Treasury Department originally imposed sanctions on Rodríguez and her brother Jorge Rodríguez during the first Trump presidency for their alleged roles in weakening Venezuela’s democratic institutions.
The brother and sister duo, alongside other close Maduro associates, were placed on Treasury’s sanctions list in September 2018, following Maduro’s re-election victory in what international observers deemed fraudulent due to the exclusion of opposition candidates and political parties.
“Maduro has given Delcy Eloina Rodríguez Gomez and Jorge Jesus Rodríguez Gomez senior positions within the Venezuelan government to help him maintain power and solidify his authoritarian rule,” Treasury said in a statement at the time.
Since Maduro’s removal just months ago, Rodríguez has spearheaded Venezuela’s collaborative efforts with the Trump administration, promoting her petroleum-wealthy country to global investors while embracing private investment, international arbitration processes, and external oversight.
From a legal standpoint, Maduro remains Venezuela’s official president.
Following the January 3rd military operation, Venezuela’s government-aligned supreme court ruled his absence as “temporary,” which avoided the requirement for immediate elections while maintaining his presidential protections under international law. The court authorized Rodríguez to serve for up to 90 days, with potential extension to six months pending approval from the National Assembly, which remains under ruling party control and is led by her brother.
The 90-day authorization period concludes this Friday.
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware women’s lacrosse squad extended their impressive winning streak to seven games with a narrow 13-12 triumph over Saint Joseph’s during Thursday’s non-conference matchup at Delaware Stadium.
Senior standout Jaclyn Marszal delivered a stellar performance, recording eight points through four goals and four assists to guide the Fightin’ Blue Hens to victory. Her offensive contributions proved crucial in the closely contested battle against the visiting Hawks.
The victory pushes Delaware’s record to 8-4 for the season, while Saint Joseph’s drops to 5-7 following the one-goal defeat. The Blue Hens’ current seven-game winning streak demonstrates the team’s strong momentum as they continue their 2026 campaign.
The thrilling contest showcased competitive lacrosse action at Delaware Stadium, with both teams battling throughout the afternoon before the home team secured the narrow victory.
Major car manufacturers are preparing to pour billions of dollars into expanding their United States manufacturing operations as they work to circumvent potential tariffs from the Trump administration, though industry leaders emphasize they need certainty regarding trade policies before moving forward with final plans.
Automotive companies have pressed the Trump administration to renew the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which faces evaluation this year. Industry executives describe this trade pact as essential for American vehicle manufacturing.
Toyota has committed to a $10 billion investment across the United States during the coming five years, though the company has only revealed specifics for approximately $2 billion of that total.
“Where we build, what we build, is all in flux so to speak,” Toyota Division General Manager David Crist told Reuters on the sidelines of the New York Auto Show. “It’s hard to make those decisions with a 25% USMCA tariff. I think we have to get more clarity on that before we finalize every decision within the $10 billion, but that investment is coming.”
Hyundai has revealed plans for a $26 billion investment commitment extending through 2028. The manufacturer displayed a concept SUV and announced intentions to manufacture a new mid-size truck in America by 2030.
Hyundai CEO Jose Munoz explained the company’s goal of producing 80% of US-sold vehicles domestically while increasing American production from 800,000 units to 1.2 million annually. “We want to invest here,” Munoz told Reuters at the show. “This is our most important market.”
Previously, Hyundai informed the Trump administration that unclear USMCA status was causing delays in investment choices.
“Early confirmation of USMCA’s extension would immediately unlock over $20 billion in new American investments. Every month of ambiguity slows job creation, site selection and technology development,” Hyundai said.
Volkswagen revealed an updated version of its Atlas SUV on Wednesday, manufactured at the company’s Tennessee facility.
“When you look at the investment volumes and also lead times to build up a product portfolio and supply chains, stability is just so important,” Kjell Gruner, president and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, told Reuters.
Nissan’s most affordable vehicles for American consumers come from Mexican facilities, creating complications due to tariff policies, according to Christian Meunier, chairman of Nissan Americas. “The problem is, they’re not made in the U.S., and it’s a very big challenge to build very affordable cars in the U.S. because of the labor rate,” he told Reuters.
Nissan is expanding operations at its Tennessee manufacturing site and introducing a new Rogue hybrid model there next year. The tariffs were “a good thing for Nissan, because it forced us to accelerate the localization of our production,” Meunier said.
Financial markets surged Wednesday as investors grew increasingly hopeful that tensions in the Middle East could soon ease, with President Donald Trump indicating America would pull out of Iran “pretty quickly” ahead of his prime-time television speech.
The optimism sent stock markets climbing across the globe while driving down oil prices and weakening the dollar. Trump’s evening address is expected to “provide an important update” on the Iran situation, though market analysts warn the speech could create volatility in either direction.
In a market analysis column, financial expert Jamie McGeever examined whether central banks have been dumping U.S. Treasury bonds, noting that Federal Reserve custody holdings have dropped to their lowest point in 16 years. According to McGeever, while central banks likely are selling these securities, the pace isn’t as rapid as many believe.
Stock markets painted a picture of widespread gains, with South Korea jumping 9% and Japan rising 5% in Asian trading. European markets also participated in the rally, with the STOXX 600 climbing 2.5% and London’s FTSE 100 advancing 1.8%. On Wall Street, the S&P 500 gained 0.7% while the Nasdaq posted a stronger 1.2% increase. The MSCI World index recorded its largest two-day advance since April of last year.
Eight of the S&P 500’s sectors posted gains, with industrial, materials, technology, and communications services companies all rising at least 1%. Energy stocks bucked the trend, falling 4% in their worst single-day performance in a year. Individual stock movers included Nike, which plummeted 15%, and Chevron, down 5%. On the positive side, Intel surged 8% while Eli Lilly climbed 5%.
Currency markets saw the dollar weaken by 0.4%, marking its steepest two-day decline since early February. The British pound led gains among major developed-nation currencies, while the Chilean peso topped emerging market performers.
Bond trading remained relatively calm, with Treasury yields edging up 1-2 basis points across different maturities. Interest rate futures began pricing in the possibility of a Federal Reserve rate cut this year rather than an increase.
Commodity markets reflected the geopolitical optimism, with Brent crude falling 3% and West Texas Intermediate dropping 2%. Gold bucked the trend by gaining 2%, while U.S. natural gas hit a six-month closing low.
The uncertainty surrounding Trump’s messaging has created confusion in markets. Recent statements from the president have been contradictory – sometimes declaring the war over, other times suggesting continued bombing campaigns. Similarly mixed signals have emerged regarding the strategic Strait of Hormuz, potential ground troops, and the likelihood of reaching a diplomatic agreement.
Despite March bringing armed conflict, oil prices reaching $100 per barrel, and major global supply disruptions, consumer confidence and business sentiment surveys suggest widespread optimism that any economic damage will prove temporary. Purchasing managers’ indices also reflect this generally positive outlook.
Investors appear eager to capitalize on market dips, though questions remain about whether this confidence will translate into solid economic activity data. While it’s hard to envision no impact on production, trade, spending, or investment, markets have defied expectations before.
In an unusual twist, U.S. natural gas futures fell Tuesday to their lowest level since the Middle East crisis began February 28, posting their weakest close in half a year. While global energy prices remain elevated and volatile, particularly in Asia and Europe, American gas prices face pressure from high storage levels and unseasonably mild weather. The front-month contract closed Tuesday at $2.819 per million British thermal units, down 20% from its post-February 27 peak of $3.494 reached March 9.
Looking ahead to Thursday’s trading session, market participants will be watching for Middle East developments, energy market movements, and economic data from Australia, South Korea, Canada, and the United States. Federal Reserve Dallas President Lorie Logan is also scheduled to speak.
Utah authorities have officially closed a murder case that remained unsolved for half a century after DNA testing provided conclusive evidence that notorious serial killer Ted Bundy was responsible for killing a teenage girl.
Officials from the Utah County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday they now have “definitive proof” connecting Bundy to the death of Laura Ann Aime, who was just 17 years old when she disappeared.
According to investigators, Aime vanished on Halloween night in 1974 after she left a party by herself to visit a nearby convenience store. College students discovered her remains on Thanksgiving Day that same year, finding her body discarded near State Road 92 in American Fork Canyon, just feet away from the main highway.
Law enforcement officials noted striking similarities between this case and Bundy’s known methods. “Case evidence similarities indicated that the manner of abuse and the likely cause of death was comparable to the modus operandi of Theodore ‘Ted’ Bundy,” the sheriff’s office stated.
The sheriff’s office confirmed in their announcement: “The Utah County Sheriff’s office has definitive proof that Theodore ‘Ted’ Bundy murdered Laura Ann Aime in 1974.”
Bundy, who boasted about killing no fewer than 100 women during his criminal spree, was put to death in Florida in 1989 following his conviction for murdering 12-year-old Kimberly Leach. His capture occurred in 1978.
Before his execution, Bundy had verbally admitted his role in Aime’s disappearance and death, along with other victims, according to the Utah County Sheriff’s Office. However, authorities said he refused to provide specific details about his involvement in the crimes.
At the time, both the sheriff’s office and Utah County Attorney’s Office rejected Bundy’s spoken confession regarding Aime’s murder because “the evidence in possession and with the available investigative sciences for the time” would not have been sufficient to secure a conviction in court.
The breakthrough came when investigators recently reexamined physical evidence and submitted it to the Utah Bureau of Forensic Services. The analysis revealed that DNA recovered from Aime’s body matched the convicted serial killer.
Bundy’s killing spree spanned from 1974 to 1978, during which he confessed to murdering 36 young women. Investigators have also connected him to additional homicides across Washington, Oregon, Utah and Colorado.
With the Final Four on the horizon, television viewership for the 2024 men’s NCAA basketball tournament has reached levels not seen in more than three decades, according to new data from Nielsen released Wednesday.
The tournament’s opening two weekends drew an average of 10.3 million viewers across CBS Sports and TNT Sports through the Elite Eight round, marking the highest-watched March Madness since 1993. This represents a 9% jump in audience numbers compared to the previous year.
The Elite Eight matchup between UConn and Duke proved particularly captivating for viewers, drawing 13.4 million people on average and reaching a peak audience of 18.9 million during the game’s dramatic finish.
Sweet 16 action during the early evening time slot last week also delivered impressive numbers, averaging 14.2 million viewers for games including Duke versus St. John’s and Michigan against Alabama. This 38% increase made it the most-watched early evening Sweet 16 broadcast since 1992.
Tournament organizers saw improvement across the board, with every Sweet 16 and Elite Eight contest outperforming last year’s corresponding games in terms of audience size.
The viewership data comes from Nielsen’s Big Data + Panel system, a measurement approach that received accreditation just over a year ago. This method combines traditional cable and satellite viewing information with data from internet-connected televisions, drawing from approximately 45 million homes and 75 million devices nationwide, according to industry publication Variety.
WASHINGTON – Federal trade officials announced Wednesday they have launched a patent infringement investigation targeting streaming devices and display equipment made by Roku and Hisense brands.
The U.S. International Trade Commission revealed that Las Vegas company InnoTV Labs LLC filed the complaint, claiming that imported products from California-based Roku Inc, Purple Tag Media Technology Shanghai Ltd, and China-based Hisense Visual Technology Co violate its patent rights.
According to the trade commission’s announcement, InnoTV Labs is seeking both a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders to stop the importation of the allegedly infringing streaming players, display devices and related components.
The investigation falls under Section 337, which allows the trade panel to examine whether imported goods violate U.S. intellectual property rights.
Motorists should expect delays on Nassau Road today as construction crews have shut down the right lane of northbound traffic.
The lane closure affects the stretch of Nassau Road running north between Coastal Highway (Route 1) and New Road. Delaware Department of Transportation officials report the restriction is necessary for ongoing construction activities in the area.
The right lane is expected to reopen to traffic by 5 PM today. Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time and use caution when passing through the work zone.
Officials recommend considering alternate routes during peak travel times to avoid potential backups in the construction area.
Spring fishing enthusiasts across Maryland are finding plenty of action on the water this week as the state’s catch-and-release striped bass season gets underway in Chesapeake Bay waters.
The recreational striped bass fishing season runs through April 30 in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay waters from Abby Point to Worton Point in the northern bay down to the Virginia border, including the Potomac River. Starting May 1, fishermen will be allowed to keep one striped bass daily measuring between 19 and 24 inches.
According to this week’s fishing forecast from April 1-7, bay water temperatures have reached the low to mid-50s, with smaller waterways holding in the upper 50s. Sunny downwind areas in smaller streams may see temperatures approaching the low 60s, creating ideal conditions for white perch as they migrate from winter areas to prepare for spawning.
Striped bass are moving toward spawning grounds in low-salinity areas of the bay and tidal rivers. Fishing experts recommend focusing on channel edges where fish travel to these spawning locations.
During the catch-and-release period, trolling anglers must limit themselves to six lines using barbless hooks without stinger attachments. Cut bait requires non-offset circle hooks, and eel bait is prohibited. Most large female striped bass in the upper bay will be pre-spawn, requiring careful handling and quick release.
The upper bay offers catch-and-release striped bass fishing below the Abby Point to Worton Point line. Water temperatures in this region are holding around 50 degrees. Anglers can also target largemouth and smallmouth bass in the lower Susquehanna River, along with blue catfish and channel catfish using non-offset circle hooks.
White perch spawning runs are active throughout tidal rivers in the upper bay, including the North East, Sassafras, Bush, Gunpowder, Chester, and Magothy rivers. Popular techniques include small jig heads or shad darts with grass shrimp, minnow pieces, or bloodworms. Hickory shad have arrived in the Susquehanna River and at the mouths of Deer Creek and Octoraro Creek.
In the middle bay, anglers seeking striped bass are trolling along steep channel edges using barbless bucktails with chartreuse or white sassy shads. Large soft plastic jigs are also proving effective. The Choptank River and Tuckahoe Creek are producing excellent white perch action, with larger females now joining smaller males in the spawning run.
The lower bay presents perhaps the best opportunity for catch-and-release striped bass fishing, as all fish heading to spawning rivers must pass through these waters. The main Potomac River is also open for catch-and-release fishing. Hickory shad spawning runs have begun in the Potomac River near Fletcher’s and Little Falls, as well as the Mason Branch of Mattawoman Creek.
State hatchery crews continue stocking put-and-take trout waters for spring fishing. Stocking updates are posted on the state’s trout stocking website as they occur, typically by early afternoon on stocking days.
Largemouth bass are actively feeding throughout the day due to cool water temperatures and pre-spawning energy needs. Effective lures include crankbaits, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, paddletails, and craw jigs near cover areas and emerging grass beds.
Spring crappie fishing is excellent, with fish schooling near structure including fallen trees, submerged brush, and marina docks. Small minnows under slip bobbers remain the most popular technique.
Blue catfish activity is strong throughout tidal rivers, with medium-sized fish in upper river sections and larger specimens in middle to lower areas. The Potomac, Patuxent, Nanticoke, Choptank, and Chester rivers hold the largest populations.
Along the Atlantic coast, surf anglers are watching for the season’s first black drum along Assateague beaches, though clearnose skates and dogfish are currently providing most of the action. The Ocean City fishing community awaits the first flounder reports from inside the inlet.
Striped bass are offering exciting catch-and-release opportunities at the Route 90 Bridge and Verrazano Bridge piers during evening hours. Anglers are using paddletails and soft plastic jigs near bridge structures and marsh banks. While most caught fish measure below the 28-inch minimum, some fall within the legal 28 to 31-inch slot.
Tautog fishing remains productive at offshore wreck and reef sites for boats able to reach these locations. As water temperatures rise this month, tautog are expected to move into Ocean City Inlet, providing opportunities for shore and small boat anglers.
Recent government statistics reveal that agricultural producers across America are significantly cutting back on corn and wheat cultivation in the wake of soaring fertilizer costs tied to the U.S. military conflict with Iran.
The latest federal information indicates that farmers nationwide have reduced their planned corn and wheat acreage by several million acres compared to previous seasons. This dramatic shift in planting decisions comes as producers struggle with fertilizer expenses that have climbed substantially since America launched its attack on Iran.
The escalating costs represent another financial burden for grain producers who were already facing tight profit margins before the international conflict began affecting agricultural input prices.
Military experts are raising concerns about the U.S. Navy’s preparedness to handle underwater explosive devices in critical Persian Gulf waters, highlighting what they describe as years of insufficient focus on mine-clearing capabilities.
According to defense analysts, naval mine-clearing operations have consistently been underfunded and overlooked in favor of more prominent weapons programs that capture greater attention from military leadership and lawmakers.
The assessment comes amid ongoing tensions in the strategically vital Persian Gulf region, where underwater mines could pose significant threats to commercial shipping and military vessels.
At least three USS Cincinnati-class littoral combat ships have been outfitted with mine-detection and removal equipment, representing part of the Navy’s current approach to addressing these underwater threats.
Military specialists emphasize that while sea mines present serious risks to naval operations, the specialized equipment and training required for mine-clearing missions have not received proportional investment compared to other naval defense systems.
Motorists traveling on Bison Road should expect lane restrictions today as construction crews work in the area.
DelDOT reports that the shoulder along Bison Road is currently closed to traffic between Upper King Road and Lake Front Drive while construction activities are underway.
The shoulder restriction is expected to be lifted by 6 PM this evening, according to traffic officials.
Drivers are advised to use caution when traveling through the work zone and to expect possible delays during the construction period.
Poultry facilities across the country can now submit applications for a national workplace safety recognition program that honors companies with outstanding safety achievements. The joint initiative welcomes submissions from members of three major industry organizations: the National Turkey Federation, National Chicken Council, and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association.
Companies operating processing plants, egg facilities, hatcheries, feed mills, animal support services, and rendering operations are all eligible to participate. To earn consideration, businesses must show they have developed creative and successful safety initiatives while keeping workplace injury and illness numbers below industry standards for three straight years.
Recent Bureau of Labor Statistics figures show the poultry sector achieved an injury rate of 2.4 incidents per 100 full-time employees. This performance surpasses comparable agricultural sectors at 3.2, the broader food manufacturing industry at 3.3, all manufacturing at 2.7, and general industry at 2.6.
The 2024 figure of 2.4 represents a dramatic 90% improvement since 1994, when the rate stood at 22.7 according to the earliest available federal data. This substantial progress demonstrates the sector’s sustained focus on enhancing worker protection.
“Working safely is part of our industry’s values of taking care of our folks,” said Rick Hellinga, senior director of Safety, Health and Loss Prevention at Simmons Foods and chair of the Joint Poultry Industry Safety & Health Council. “Our workforce is at the heart of producing nutritious, affordable food, and the industry is continually advancing safety practices, training and technology to reduce workplace hazards. As a result, we have seen meaningful progress in reducing injuries and illnesses over the years.”
The Joint Poultry Industry Safety & Health Council includes representatives from all three sponsoring organizations. Together, these groups represent 95% of America’s poultry production and their member companies create more than 1.4 million jobs nationwide.
Companies interested in applying can find program guidelines and submission materials online. All applications must be received by May 15. Winners will receive their honors during the National Safety Conference for the Poultry Industry, scheduled for August 17-19 at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Destin, Florida.
MOSCOW — During high-level discussions in the Russian capital Wednesday, President Vladimir Putin delivered a clear ultimatum to Armenia regarding its future economic partnerships, stating the nation cannot simultaneously participate in European Union membership and Moscow’s economic alliance.
Armenia has been actively pursuing stronger relationships with both the United States and European Union since signing a peace agreement with Azerbaijan last year that ended long-standing conflicts. Armenian leader Nikol Pashinyan has publicly announced his country’s intention to seek EU membership and has halted Armenia’s involvement in Russia’s military alliance known as the Collective Security Treaty Organization.
During the opening of discussions with Pashinyan in Moscow, Putin expressed that Russia remains “absolutely calm” regarding Armenia’s European outreach efforts, though he emphasized that “it’s impossible to be in a customs union with the EU and the Eurasian Economic Union.”
The Eurasian Economic Union, established in 2015 with Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan as members alongside Russia, operates as a unified marketplace enabling unrestricted movement of products, investment capital and workers.
Putin’s remarks seemed designed as a cautionary message, particularly given that Armenia’s path to EU membership remains uncertain with no concrete discussions about potential trade agreements currently underway.
The Russian president pointed out significant differences in market regulations between the two economic systems across various product categories, suggesting alignment between them appears unlikely in the near future. While acknowledging Armenia’s right to choose its direction, Putin highlighted that his country currently provides natural gas to Armenia at substantially reduced rates compared to European market prices.
Pashinyan acknowledged the impossibility of simultaneous membership in both organizations but indicated Armenia could maintain its current Eurasian Economic Union status while expanding European cooperation. “Ties with Russia are very deep and important for us,” he stated.
The relationship between Armenia and its historical patron Russia has deteriorated significantly since Azerbaijan regained complete control of the Karabakh territory in 2023, ending decades of ethnic Armenian separatist control in the region.
Armenian leadership criticized Russian peacekeeping forces stationed in the area for failing to prevent Azerbaijan’s military campaign. Moscow, focused on its Ukrainian conflict, dismissed these criticisms and argued its troops lacked authority to intervene in the situation.
Putin contended Wednesday that Pashinyan’s 2022 decision to acknowledge Karabakh as Azerbaijani territory prevented Moscow from taking action. He referenced the American-mediated peace agreement signed last year between the two nations and a potential transportation corridor supported by President Donald Trump as creating new opportunities for regional collaboration.
Putin also expressed expectations that pro-Russian political forces would have fair access to compete in Armenia’s upcoming June parliamentary elections, noting that some of their representatives have faced detention — likely referencing Russian-Armenian businessman Samvel Karapetyan, a Pashinyan opponent arrested last year after demanding government change.
Pashinyan, who has led Armenia since 2018, responded by explaining that Armenian law prohibits Russian passport holders from participating in electoral processes.
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Military personnel from the African nation of Chad have touched down in Haiti’s capital city, marking the beginning of a new United Nations-supported mission designed to combat rampant gang violence, officials announced Wednesday.
The Chadian military team has arrived in Port-au-Prince alongside Jack Christofides, who serves as the mission’s special representative. Both were sent following a formal request from Haiti’s government, according to an official announcement shared on the force’s social media platform.
Officials did not release additional specifics about the deployment, and representatives for the mission have not responded to requests for more information.
The arrival of the Chadian personnel follows discussions between United Nations officials and Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé regarding collaboration with the U.N. Support Office in Haiti. This office will supply the new mission with essential resources including housing, workspace, medical services, food supplies, water, electricity, fuel, transportation, aircraft support and other vital assistance.
In late September, the U.N. Security Council gave approval for a 5,550-member mission designed to replace a Kenya-led international force that struggled with insufficient personnel and funding during its deployment. The previous operation only managed to deploy roughly 1,000 troops instead of the planned 2,500.
Unlike its predecessor, the new gang-suppression mission will possess authority to detain suspected gang members, a capability the earlier force lacked.
Criminal organizations currently maintain control over approximately 90% of Haiti’s capital city and significant portions of the nation’s central territories.
According to the most recent United Nations data, more than 5,500 individuals lost their lives throughout Haiti and over 2,600 sustained injuries between March 1, 2025 and January 15, 2026. The ongoing gang warfare has also forced more than 1.4 million residents to flee their homes in the country of nearly 12 million people.
DETROIT — Wayne State University evacuated one of its historic buildings Wednesday afternoon following a blaze that broke out inside the nearly 100-year-old structure.
Television footage captured dense black smoke billowing from upper floors of the 14-story Maccabees Building, an architectural landmark designed by Albert Kahn that sits along Woodward Avenue just north of Detroit’s downtown core.
University officials confirmed through social media that the blaze on the building’s 11th floor had been successfully contained, with no reported injuries. Investigators believe the fire originated within the building’s heating and cooling system.
The university has maintained ownership of the Maccabees Building for over two decades, housing various administrative offices including the Computer Science Department and African American Studies program. However, the facility typically doesn’t serve as a classroom location for students.
The building holds significant broadcasting history, having served as the original home for early radio and television production facilities. Notable programs including “The Lone Ranger” and “The Green Hornet” were broadcast from studios within the building beginning in the 1930s.
Delaware Department of Transportation crews are conducting litter removal operations along Route 896 southbound at the intersection with Summit Bridge Road (Route 71) this afternoon.
The cleanup work is taking place on the southbound shoulder and is expected to wrap up by 5 PM today. Motorists traveling through the area should exercise caution and be aware of workers present along the roadway.
DelDOT regularly conducts these maintenance operations to keep Delaware’s highways clean and safe for drivers.
SALT LAKE CITY — Advanced DNA analysis has finally confirmed what investigators suspected for decades: notorious serial killer Ted Bundy was responsible for the brutal 1974 murder of a Utah teenager, authorities announced Wednesday.
Seventeen-year-old Laura Ann Aime vanished on Halloween night five decades ago after leaving a party by herself to visit a nearby store. Hikers discovered her remains approximately one month later alongside a highway in American Fork Canyon. The victim had been restrained, severely beaten, and found without clothes. Investigators determined she was likely held captive for multiple days following her kidnapping.
While law enforcement had long believed Bundy was the perpetrator — officials noted he verbally admitted responsibility before his 1989 Florida execution — the case stayed active until definitive proof could be established.
The notorious criminal became one of America’s most deadly serial killers, connected to no fewer than 30 female victims across multiple states during the 1970s. His crimes — committed in college dormitories, public spaces, and other locations — terrified the nation. Bundy’s capture generated intense public interest, partly due to his perceived charm and attractive appearance.
Law enforcement had meticulously maintained physical evidence from Aime’s murder, enabling forensic specialists to examine materials and identify samples most likely to contain usable genetic material, according to Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Beau Mason.
The state forensics laboratory acquired cutting-edge equipment in 2023 capable of extracting genetic profiles from tiny, deteriorated, or mixed DNA specimens, Mason explained. This advanced technology enabled scientists to isolate a single male genetic profile, which was then compared against a national criminal database.
The results matched Bundy’s DNA profile, Mason confirmed.
Aime’s relatives remembered her as an independent spirit who cherished nature and approached life with enthusiasm.
“Laura Aime is the quintessential daughter of Utah County,” Utah County sheriff’s Sgt. Mike Reynolds stated during Wednesday’s press conference. “We felt the pain the family feels when she was taken. We felt the pain that you felt this whole entire time, and we’ve had the desire to deliver to you some type of healing, we can’t really say closure.”
The timeline of Bundy’s initial attacks remains unclear, but by 1974, young women — particularly university students — started vanishing in Washington state. Law enforcement was still examining those disappearances when Bundy relocated to Salt Lake City and continued his killing spree across Utah, Idaho, and Colorado.
During Aime’s murder, Bundy was enrolled in law school at the University of Utah.
His first arrest occurred in August 1975 after officers stopped his vehicle and discovered suspicious materials including rope, restraints, and a face covering.
The following year, he was convicted of kidnapping and attacking a Utah teenager who had escaped. Bundy received a 15-year prison sentence for that offense, and while incarcerated, faced additional charges related to a nursing student’s earlier death.
Authorities transported him to Aspen, Colorado for court proceedings in 1977, where he escaped by climbing through a courthouse window when left unattended. Though recaptured within a week, he broke free again six months later by breaking through his jail cell ceiling.
Bundy then traveled across the country to Tallahassee, Florida. On January 15, 1977, he invaded the Chi Omega sorority house at Florida State University, killing two women with a wooden club and severely injuring two others. He subsequently attacked another woman at a nearby residence.
Weeks later, he kidnapped, sexually assaulted, and murdered 12-year-old Kimberly Leach in Lake City, Florida. She is believed to be his final victim. Bundy was apprehended in Pensacola while operating a stolen car, and his DNA was collected in Florida.
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Medical examiners in Erie County have classified the February death of a visually impaired refugee from Myanmar as a homicide, officials announced Wednesday.
Nurul Amin Shah Alam, 56, was discovered deceased on a Buffalo street in late February, five days after federal Border Patrol agents had dropped him off at a Tim Hortons doughnut shop.
According to the Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office, Shah Alam died from complications related to a perforated duodenal ulcer, which was worsened by hypothermia and dehydration. The medical examiner’s office did not assign blame for the death.
When authorities classify a death as homicide, it indicates the death resulted from someone else’s actions or failure to act, though it doesn’t automatically indicate criminal activity occurred.
County officials scheduled a press conference for later Wednesday to discuss the findings.
TV Delmarva reached out to U.S. Customs and Border Protection for a response. The federal agency had previously stated that Shah Alam appeared to have no distress, movement problems, or disabilities requiring special care when officers left him at the restaurant on February 19th. According to the agency, they selected the Tim Hortons location because it provided a secure, heated environment close to his most recent known residence.
However, Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan confirmed the restaurant was not open for business when Shah Alam was left there.
The refugee had just been released from county jail and was temporarily held by Border Patrol before officials determined he could not be deported. His family members, who had been waiting for his jail release, were never notified that he had been freed.
Shah Alam’s attorney filed a missing person report with Buffalo police on February 22nd.
Two days later, on February 24th, his body was discovered near the downtown sports complex where the Buffalo Sabres hockey team plays. Investigators have not determined how he traveled the several miles from the Tim Hortons to that location, or established the exact time of his death.
The University of Delaware baseball squad is gearing up for a significant road trip as they prepare to face New Mexico State University in a weekend series away from home.
The Blue Hens will be traveling across the country to take on the Aggies in what represents a key matchup for the team’s season schedule. The series will test Delaware’s ability to perform on unfamiliar territory as they venture far from their home diamond.
This cross-country journey marks an important opportunity for the Blue Hens to showcase their skills against out-of-region competition while building experience playing in different environments and conditions.
A University of Delaware senior has earned top honors in Conference USA golf this week. Aryan Vuradi received the Conference USA Men’s Golfer of the Week award, according to an announcement made by the conference office on Wednesday.
The Blue Hens golfer earned the weekly recognition based on his play during the Mobile Bay Intercollegiate tournament that took place earlier this week. The Dallas-based conference selected Vuradi from among all eligible men’s golfers across its member institutions.
This marks a significant achievement for both Vuradi and the University of Delaware men’s golf program as they continue their competitive season in Conference USA play.
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore softball team was blanked 6-0 by George Mason University in a game where Hawks pitcher Brown went the distance on the mound.
Brown pitched all seven innings for UMES in the losing effort, demonstrating durability and determination despite the challenging offensive output from George Mason.
The Hawks were unable to generate enough offense to support Brown’s complete game effort, as George Mason’s pitching staff held UMES scoreless throughout the contest.
The defeat adds to the Hawks’ season record as they continue their campaign in collegiate softball competition.
MEXICO CITY – Mexico’s top diplomat Juan Ramon de la Fuente is stepping away from his role as Foreign Minister due to medical concerns, according to Wednesday reports from Mexican news outlets.
Roberto Velasco, who currently leads the North America division within the foreign ministry, is expected to assume the position, according to the reports.
De la Fuente took medical leave last November to undergo surgery. Reuters could not immediately verify the Mexican media reports or confirm whether his departure from the ministry will be permanent.
Officials from New Zealand and the Cook Islands finalized a Defense and Security Declaration on Thursday in Rarotonga, according to announcements from New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown.
The agreement establishes crucial political commitments between the two nations, with Peters explaining in a statement that the declaration “outlines a set of important political commitments the Cook Islands and New Zealand have made to one another that provide clarity on key aspects of our special constitutional relationship.”
This formal agreement follows a period of strained relations between the constitutionally connected nations, triggered by the Cook Islands’ growing diplomatic and economic connections with China, as well as discussions about establishing an independent Cook Islands passport separate from New Zealand.
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Military personnel from Chad touched down in Haiti on Wednesday, becoming the first soldiers deployed as part of a United Nations-supported Gang Suppression Force (GSF), according to an announcement made by the force on social media platforms.
Accompanying the military deployment, Jack Christofides, a United Nations official, also landed in Haiti to serve as the GSF’s special representative. This new force represents an expanded version of the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support mission, though meaningful troop deployments have been absent since the mission received authorization in September of last year.
Bahrain encountered significant resistance Wednesday in its push for United Nations backing to safeguard merchant vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting international disagreements on addressing Iran’s effective blockade of the critical waterway that has triggered an unprecedented energy supply crisis.
As the nation holding April’s rotating leadership of the 15-member UN Security Council, Bahrain distributed an updated draft proposal that eliminated earlier language about mandatory enforcement actions, attempting to address concerns from other countries, especially Russia and China.
However, according to a UN diplomatic source, China, Russia and France presented objections to the revised draft before it could advance to final consideration at Wednesday’s noon deadline through the silence procedure – a process where resolutions pass unless a member nation raises opposition. Bahrain’s UN representative Jamal Fares Alrowaiei informed media that the proposal still needed “a lot of work.”
Leading Gulf nations and Western powers remain without a concrete strategy to restore access to the waterway, which has been essentially blocked since hostilities commenced one month ago, driving energy costs dramatically higher. Approximately 20 percent of global oil and natural gas typically moves through this vital shipping channel.
“There are ongoing communications and discussions with the Council members to bring a convergence of views and find a draft that can garner consensus, so that it can be adopted soon,” Alrowaiei stated.
At the conflict’s outset, US President Donald Trump promised to deploy naval vessels to accompany commercial ships through the strait and urged other nations to assist in securing the passage. Recently, however, he has indicated America should not participate in such efforts, arguing that other countries, particularly European NATO members, should handle reopening the strait.
Maritime traffic ceased using the waterway after Iran attacked vessels in response to strikes launched by the United States and Israel that initiated the conflict on February 28.
Bahrain’s original proposal, obtained by Reuters and supported by fellow Gulf Arab nations and Washington, had specifically referenced Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which permits the Security Council to approve actions from economic sanctions to military intervention.
Diplomatic sources indicated such a resolution would likely have failed, as Iran’s allies Russia and China were prepared to block it if needed.
The modified version reviewed by Reuters eliminated the Chapter VII language but maintained forceful wording essentially approving military action in the Strait of Hormuz, Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman to guarantee passage and prevent disruption of international shipping, including within or near territorial waters.
The UN representatives for Russia, France and China did not provide immediate responses when questioned about their concerns with Bahrain’s proposal.
Security Council resolutions need a minimum of nine supporting votes and cannot face vetoes from the five permanent members: the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France.
According to diplomatic sources, France has proposed an alternative resolution seeking UN authorization after conditions stabilize.
Trump intensified his criticism of NATO Wednesday, warning of potential withdrawal from the long-standing alliance due to other nations’ absence from the Iran conflict.
France responded to Trump’s warnings Wednesday, asserting the military alliance exists to maintain Euro-Atlantic regional security rather than conduct offensive operations in the Strait of Hormuz.
French naval commander Admiral Nicolas Vaujour addressed a Paris security conference Wednesday, explaining France’s efforts to gather multiple nations for discussions on establishing lasting conditions for strait reopening.
Vaujour noted that China must eventually become more directly involved in restoring oil transportation through the strait, given China’s position as the world’s top oil importer via this route.
WASHINGTON, April 1 – The Treasury Department announced Wednesday that economic sanctions have been lifted against Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez, marking a significant shift in U.S.-Venezuela relations just under three months since American forces apprehended former President Nicolas Maduro during an operation in the Venezuelan capital.
The Trump administration has been working closely with Rodriguez’s interim government, which took power after Maduro’s capture. This cooperation includes negotiations for American purchases of Venezuelan oil and the issuance of sanctions exemptions designed to promote U.S. business investment in the South American nation.
American forces took Maduro into custody on January 3 following an extended period of escalating diplomatic tensions between Washington and Caracas. His arrest triggered a series of political transformations throughout Venezuela. Maduro, along with his spouse Cilia Flores, currently faces drug trafficking allegations in a New York courtroom.
Officials from Venezuela’s communications ministry, which manages all media inquiries for the government, have not yet provided a response to requests for comment regarding the sanctions removal.
Drivers traveling through Ogletown should prepare for upcoming roadwork as the Delaware Department of Transportation begins a major pathway project next week.
Starting Monday, April 6th, DelDOT crews will break ground on a new multi-use path along Route 4 that will run through the Route 273 interchange area. The project also includes enhanced bicycle and pedestrian crossing facilities at Augusta Drive.
The transportation agency warns drivers to exercise extra caution while traveling through the work zone and to anticipate some minor traffic delays during construction hours. The entire project is slated for completion by fall 2026.
Delaware State Police have taken into custody two individuals from Pennsylvania on weapons-related felony charges after investigating reports of gunfire Tuesday evening near the Claymont Transit Center.
Officers responded around 6:30 p.m. on March 31, 2026, to the transit facility on Transit Center Drive following calls about shots being fired in the area. Law enforcement intercepted a Kia Soul departing from a service road adjacent to the railroad tracks.
The vehicle’s occupants were identified as 58-year-old Robert Morrison, who was driving, and 35-year-old Cori Morrison, age 35, both residents of Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania. During questioning, the pair told officers they had been engaging in target practice activities near the Delaware River.
A search of their vehicle uncovered two concealed loaded handguns along with additional ammunition. Police investigation subsequently determined that Robert Morrison has a previous felony conviction on his record, which legally bars him from owning or possessing firearms.
Both individuals were taken into custody peacefully and transported to Troop 1 for processing.
Robert Morrison faces multiple charges including two counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited (Felony) and Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon (Felony). He appeared before Justice of the Peace Court 3 for arraignment and was released on his own recognizance.
Cori Morrison was charged with Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon (Felony), also appeared before Justice of the Peace Court 3, and was likewise released on her own recognizance.
Maryland’s Board of Public Works has allocated more than $190,000 in state funding for recreational trail development and environmental conservation projects spanning several counties, officials announced today.
The grants, distributed through the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, will benefit communities in Cecil, Talbot, and Worcester counties, with additional funding supporting a trail project in Snow Hill. State officials also gave approval to two conservation easement donations benefiting the Maryland Environment Trust and a land preservation organization in Queen Anne’s County.
State funding of $11,500 through the Program Open Space – Stateside initiative will allow officials to purchase 1.4 acres bordering the Warrior Mountain Wildlife Management Area in Allegany County. This land acquisition aims to enhance public access for outdoor activities including hunting, hiking, and wildlife observation.
Two initiatives received approximately $82,500 through Program Open Space – Local funding. Talbot County officials will use their portion to finalize the county’s 2027 Land Preservation, Parks, and Recreation Plan. Worcester County will utilize its allocation to design and build a 1.2-mile walking trail loop at John Walter Smith Park, creating new recreational opportunities for residents.
Cecil County will receive nearly $19,000 through the Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure Program to enhance Calvert Regional Park. The improvements will include installing benches, tables, waste receptacles, and field goals to make the facility more user-friendly. This infrastructure program received funding during fiscal years 2022 and 2023 specifically to support local government park and recreation initiatives.
Environmental conservation efforts will receive $80,000 through the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) for acquiring a permanent conservation easement on waterfront property in Worcester County. The 42-acre easement, which includes six acres donated by the landowner, will safeguard 2,500 feet of forested stream buffers along the Pocomoke River and one of its tributaries.
Officials also approved two donated conservation easements covering 400 acres total, which will be managed jointly by the Maryland Environmental Trust and the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy. These easements on Queen Anne’s County farmland will preserve valuable agricultural soil and protect forested creek buffers within the Corsica River watershed.
Complete details regarding these funding decisions can be found in the Board of Public Works April 1, 2026 meeting documentation. The board consists of three members: Governor Wes Moore, Treasurer Dereck E. Davis, and Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman.
The Program Open Space – Local initiative supports county and municipal governments in planning, acquiring, and developing recreational lands and facilities. Created in 1969 under the Department of Natural Resources, this program demonstrates Maryland’s ongoing dedication to natural resource conservation while ensuring outdoor recreation access for all residents. Property transfer taxes provide the program’s funding.
Program Open Space – Stateside focuses on preserving natural areas throughout Maryland for public recreation, watershed protection, and wildlife conservation through land purchases and conservation easements. Properties acquired through fee simple purchases become state parks, forests, and wildlife management areas under departmental oversight.
Maryland’s Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program has operated a permanent easement component since 2009, working with voluntary landowners to establish conservation easements that maintain Conservation Reserve Program practices beyond federal contract expiration dates.
The Maryland Environmental Trust serves as the state’s official land trust organization. Founded in 1967, it currently manages over 1,100 easements covering 143,000 acres statewide, making it among the nation’s oldest and most effective land trusts. From the Chesapeake Bay region to Garrett County’s mountains, the trust collaborates with landowners and local conservation groups to protect Maryland’s most significant landscapes and natural resources for future generations.
Investment professionals nationwide say their clients are grappling with an accumulation of economic uncertainties as they enter the second quarter, including concerns about ongoing conflicts, volatile energy costs, and private credit market disruptions.
Despite a strong rally on the final trading day of March that marked the year’s best single-day performance, U.S. stock indices still posted their weakest quarterly results since 2022. The S&P 500 fell 4.6% during the first three months of the year.
This unease represents a fundamental change in how financial professionals view market risk. The traditional approach of spreading investments across different asset types, which worked reliably for years, now faces new challenges as advisors question whether past market behavior will predict future trends.
Mark Stancato from VIP Wealth Advisors in Decatur, Georgia, explained the current environment: “Markets can handle bad news. What they struggle with is a lack of clarity about policy direction and end goals. That’s what we’re seeing, not just equity volatility but a broader sense that outcomes are hard to model.”
The first quarter saw weakness across both stock and bond markets, with 10-year Treasury yields climbing from 4.01% in early March to peaks of 4.44% by month’s end. Even gold, typically considered a safe investment during turbulent times, experienced its worst month since October 2008 with a 13% decline in March.
Lisa Kirchenbauer, who works at Omega Wealth Management in Arlington, Virginia, described the current climate: “This is one of the toughest economic/market situations I’ve ever seen.”
Jim Carroll, a senior wealth advisor at Ballast Rock Private Wealth in Charleston, South Carolina, noted that daily market swings increased during the first quarter, even though overall market declines remained relatively controlled.
Matt Dmytryszyn, who serves as chief investment officer at Composition Wealth, expressed concern that mounting economic pressures might alter how wealthy families approach spending decisions, potentially impacting the broader economy.
Dmytryszyn warned that growth factors could weaken under current conditions. Should this occur, economic recovery would depend more heavily on artificial intelligence productivity improvements and spending by affluent consumers. If these elements fail to deliver, he cautioned, “we could see a two-phase equity market decline, one driven by the fear and impact of the war with Iran, with a second stemming from a U.S. economic recession.”
David Haas of Cereus Financial Advisors in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, worries about the possibility of stagflation – a rare but troubling combination of rising prices and economic stagnation.
“I am not expecting 7% inflation, but it’s likely to be north of 4%,” Haas stated. He anticipates that elevated oil costs and supply chain problems could slow economic expansion. “Not necessarily recession, but maybe close.”
Many advisors find the concurrent decline in both stocks and bonds particularly troubling, as it mirrors the challenging conditions of 2022 when both investment categories lost value and provided no safe refuge for investors.
Jon Ulin of Ulin & Co Wealth Management in Boca Raton observed: “Simultaneous weakness in both stocks and bonds has exposed the limits of the traditional 60/40 cushion investors have counted on for decades.”
Multiple advisors emphasized that the sheer number and complexity of current issues presents unprecedented challenges.
Kirchenbauer noted that this uncertainty appears to be affecting client behavior, as she has observed reduced responsiveness to her communications.
“Are they numb, overwhelmed, petrified?” she wondered.
The Food and Drug Administration has granted approval to Eli Lilly’s new weight loss medication, introducing another pill option to a market currently led by injectable treatments and creating heightened rivalry with Novo Nordisk’s oral Wegovy product.
The pharmaceutical giant’s new drug, orforglipron marketed under the brand name Foundayo, is taken once daily and works by copying the hunger-reducing GLP-1 hormone that’s also targeted by Lilly’s popular injection tirzepatide, which is marketed as Mounjaro for diabetes treatment and Zepbound for weight management.
Financial analysts are weighing in with their perspectives on the new approval.
Equisights Research analyst Parth Talsania noted the competitive advantages of the new medication. “Absence of dosing restrictions (for Foundayo) is a clear adherence lever and should support stronger conversion among new-to-therapy patients,” Talsania said. “For Novo, the risk is not immediate share loss but incremental pressure on patient starts and pricing as Lilly expands access points. Overall, in a nutshell, we believe Lilly’s early approval of orforglipron strengthens its competitive positioning in GLP-1s.”
J.P. Morgan analyst Chris Schott expressed optimism about Lilly’s market position. “With this approval, we see the company (Lilly) well positioned with multiple potential sources of upside to numbers over the next several years,” Schott said. “We anticipate strong uptake of Foundayo… (but) expect inital Foundayo volumes to ramp more slowly relative to Oral Wegovy with a more significant inflection in 2H26/2027+. As such, we expect a solid initial volume ramp, but one that may trend below that of Oral Wegovy.”
Citi analyst Geoff Meacham highlighted the drug’s user-friendly features despite entering the market after its competitor. “Despite launching second behind Novo’s Wegovy pill, we think Foundayo’s superior ease-of-use more than offsets its 2.2% efficacy deficit and positions it to eventually capture the lion’s share of this rapidly expanding market. Crucially, the earlier-than-expected approval enables full participation in the upcoming broad Medicare access volume ramp,” Meacham said. “Clean safety label and crucially, no food restriction requirements that, altogether, underpin our 2026 $2.8 billion forecast.”
UBS analyst Michael Yee acknowledged market uncertainties while remaining positive about Lilly’s prospects. “There is some debate on how LLY’s oral market share will play out given consensus for oral Wegovy has moved up from (about) $800 million earlier this year given a solid launch so far. But all this bodes well for LLY,” Yee said.
Scotiabank analyst Louise Chen predicted international market success, stating: “We expect orforglipron to be more popular in most markets outside the U.S.”
Cantor Fitzgerald analyst Carter Gould focused on competitive dynamics and market entry strategy. “While it’s unclear how broad commercial access will be ‘out of the gate’, or how it will ramp in those first few months, we see this as seizing some of the attention on the pricing front from Novo, and helping drive conversations and conversion,” Gould said.
MILWAUKEE — A veteran baseball umpire was forced to exit Wednesday’s matchup between the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers after taking a direct hit from a foul ball to his protective face gear.
C.B. Bucknor, who was officiating behind home plate, was struck during the second inning when Rays batter Nick Fortes made contact with a 100-mph fastball thrown by Milwaukee pitcher Jacob Misiorowski. The ball ricocheted backward and collided with Bucknor’s face mask.
The 63-year-old official immediately dropped to his knees following the impact while Brewers catcher William Contreras rushed to assist him. Milwaukee’s medical personnel quickly arrived on the field to evaluate Bucknor before he was escorted off the playing surface.
Following Bucknor’s exit, Chad Fairchild moved from his first-base umpiring position to take over home plate duties, reducing the officiating crew to three members. The incident caused approximately 13 minutes of game delay.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Hushed conversations and curious glances filled the Supreme Court chamber Wednesday as President Donald Trump made history by becoming the first sitting commander-in-chief to personally attend oral arguments from the public seating area.
The president, typically drawn to cameras and spotlight moments, sat quietly with his hands folded while the justices proceeded without acknowledging his unusual presence. This unprecedented move represented an extraordinary display of executive influence and privilege.
Accompanying Trump were Attorney General Pam Bondi and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick as they observed their administration’s legal team argue in favor of the president’s executive directive to eliminate constitutional and legal protections for birthright citizenship.
Throughout the ninety-minute session, Trump remained attentive as justices from across the ideological spectrum challenged the administration’s attorney with pointed questions. Multiple justices, including three Trump personally selected for the bench, expressed skepticism about the proposed birthright citizenship limitations.
When opposing counsel began their presentation, Trump departed the courtroom. Within an hour, the president took to social media, writing: “We are the only Country in the World STUPID enough to allow ‘Birthright’ Citizenship!”
Approximately three dozen nations actually provide citizenship rights to children born within their borders. The president’s online statement represented another instance of his direct criticism targeting the court and individual justices.
Trump previously expressed shame regarding six justices who voted against his positions and questioned their loyalty to America. He particularly criticized Justices Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett, both his nominees, describing them as “an embarrassment to their families.”
Chief Justice John Roberts, without naming Trump specifically, stated last month that personal attacks on federal judges pose dangers and “it’s got to stop.”
Legal scholars suggest Trump’s intimidation efforts, if that was the intent, will likely prove ineffective.
UCLA constitutional law professor Adam Winkler noted that justices “pride themselves in their independence, even if some agree with much of Trump’s agenda.”
Harvard Law constitutional professor Richard Re compared Trump’s courtroom visit to “a reversal of the justices’ frequent appearances at the State of the Union address.”
“I don’t think the justices will be intimidated, no matter what the president does,” Re stated.
Trump’s presence brought unusual drama to the typically formal proceedings. Actor Robert DeNiro, a vocal Trump opponent, also attended the session, sitting in the special section designated for justices’ guests and relatives.
The two men did not interact during the hearing.
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger celebrated a significant victory Wednesday when he revealed his office had secured $6.7 million in refunds for investors who were allegedly defrauded in a massive $156 million Ponzi scheme that targeted prominent Republican figures across Georgia and Alabama.
Though overseeing securities regulation has traditionally been part of Georgia’s secretary of state duties, Raffensperger has been highlighting his investigation into First Liberty Building & Loan losses while campaigning for the Republican gubernatorial nomination.
The secretary of state revealed that Bankers Life, which operates under Indiana’s CNO Financial Group, agreed to reimburse investments made by 46 individuals who put money into First Liberty through Timothy Nathaniel Darnell, a former financial adviser with the company.
“Bankers Life, as a company, chose to do the right thing and help the Georgians who lost everything in this alleged Ponzi scheme,” Raffensperger stated during a press conference.
The financial firm potentially faced legal consequences for inadequate supervision of Darnell and allowing him to market unapproved investment products.
So far, Raffensperger’s department has imposed $500,000 in civil penalties on three individuals and achieved an unusual legislative success by expanding his authority to assist securities fraud victims.
These actions occur while Raffensperger competes in a contentious primary field scheduled for May 19, which features Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, healthcare businessman Rick Jackson, and state Attorney General Chris Carr. All candidates seek to succeed Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, who cannot pursue a third consecutive term. Many Trump-supporting Republicans harbor resentment toward Raffensperger, primarily known for rejecting Donald Trump’s request to “find” votes to reverse Democrat Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential victory in Georgia. This securities case provides an opportunity for him to present a different image to GOP voters who might still consider supporting him.
Democratic candidates, meanwhile, aim to capture the governor’s mansion in battleground Georgia for the first time in nearly a quarter-century. Leading Democratic contenders include former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, party-switcher Geoff Duncan, former state Sen. Jason Esteves, and former state Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond.
First Liberty marketed itself as a lending institution offering high-interest short-term business loans while promising investors annual returns reaching 16%. However, a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission lawsuit filed last year alleges that company leader and Republican activist Brant Frost IV misappropriated $17 million for personal use, family members, and connected businesses, while making additional loans that borrowers failed to repay.
Victims included a business operated by former Georgia GOP Chairman David Shafer, Alabama state Auditor Andrew Sorrell, and a political action committee under Sorrell’s Republican control. Party insiders report that numerous grassroots Republicans also suffered losses, with others attracted through advertisements on programs featuring conservative hosts like Erick Erickson, Hugh Hewitt, and Charlie Kirk.
Beyond civil penalties, Raffensperger’s office has recently recommended criminal prosecution for three individuals investigators claim helped recruit investors for First Liberty. These include Brant Frost V, son of the company leader; Fayette County school board member Randy Hough; and Darnell, who also serves as president of the Georgia Republican Assembly, an organization seeking to influence state Republican politics.
Both Frost V and Darnell have rejected allegations of misconduct. Hough has not responded to media inquiries. No criminal charges have been filed against anyone.
A court-appointed receiver is also working to recover investor funds. A March 23 receiver’s report revealed First Liberty collected approximately $156 million from investors and distributed $89 million in principal and interest payments, resulting in at least $65 million in losses. As of March 23, the receiver held $5.16 million in cash while pursuing recovery from nearly 30 defaulted First Liberty loans.
While Ponzi schemes occur frequently—including a suburban Atlanta man’s conviction in January for a $380 million operation—the involvement of prominent Republicans in First Liberty has generated increased political attention.
Republican state legislators attempted to transfer securities regulation from Raffensperger’s office to state banking authorities this year, citing his office’s failure to identify schemes before their collapse. However, the secretary of state, often targeted by Republican lawmakers, successfully defended against these efforts. He then achieved a legislative win by convincing the General Assembly to approve legislation enabling his office to collect victim restitution rather than only imposing fines on violators. Governor Kemp has yet to sign or veto this measure.
WASHINGTON — Congressional Republican leadership revealed their strategy Wednesday for restoring complete funding to the Department of Homeland Security and bringing a historic partial government shutdown to a close.
House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune outlined their approach in a joint statement, indicating that GOP members in both chambers will implement President Donald Trump’s instructions to fully finance the department through dual legislative pathways in the upcoming days. The first route involves standard appropriations procedures, while the second utilizes a reconciliation measure that Republicans would likely need to advance independently later in the year.
However, success isn’t assured for either approach, and the plan is expected to encounter resistance from Democratic lawmakers and potentially from within Republican ranks as well.
“We appreciate and share the President’s determination to once and for all bring an end to the Democrat DHS shutdown,” Johnson, representing Louisiana, and Thune, from South Dakota, stated.
Legislative gridlock emerged last week when the Senate approved legislation that excluded funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol operations while abandoning Democratic proposals for new agency restrictions.
Meanwhile, House Republicans advanced their own measure providing complete DHS funding for a 60-day period.
The shutdown persisted as Congress members departed for a two-week break in their home states and districts. While Senate Democrats must collaborate on portions of the Republican plan, their willingness to participate remains uncertain.
As nationwide gasoline costs climb beyond $4 per gallon, lawmakers at federal and state levels are discussing temporary cuts to motor fuel taxes to ease the burden on drivers.
Currently, just Georgia and Utah have moved forward with eliminating all or portions of their gasoline taxes following fuel price increases driven by the conflict in Iran. Additional states are weighing similar measures. However, multiple factors may prevent policymakers from cutting gas taxes, including worries about state budgets, questions regarding effectiveness, and unknown duration of the ongoing war.
An examination of the numbers reveals the complexity of this policy debate:
The two states implementing gas tax relief chose markedly different strategies. Georgia implemented a 60-day elimination of its 33-cent per gallon gasoline tax after Republican Governor Brian Kemp approved the measure on March 20, becoming the first state to respond since the war began. Utah’s Republican Governor Spencer Cox signed legislation three days afterward to temporarily reduce 6 cents from the state’s 38-cent per gallon fuel tax. However, Utah’s six-month decrease doesn’t start until July 1.
According to Jeff Lenard, spokesman for the National Association of Convenience Stores, retail gas stations have averaged 38 cents per gallon markup over wholesale costs during the past five years. He noted their actual profits after operating costs are frequently less than half that amount. Additionally, daily oil barrel prices have fluctuated wildly throughout the Iran conflict — sometimes equivalent to approximately 40 cents per gallon, Lenard explained.
These figures matter because they demonstrate how complicated gas pricing can be. Suspending gas taxes doesn’t guarantee drivers will experience equivalent retail price decreases. This complexity has made Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis reluctant to repeat a gas tax suspension he implemented during 2022’s price surge.
“Our ability to influence the fuel prices are really marginal at best,” DeSantis stated in March, adding: “I don’t think the consumer really felt relief.”
California imposes the nation’s steepest gas tax at 61 cents per gallon, plus additional surcharges. This tax contributes to California maintaining America’s highest gas prices, averaging $5.89 per gallon Wednesday according to AAA. Multiple Democratic and Republican gubernatorial hopefuls have advocated for gas tax suspension. However, the proposal hasn’t gained momentum in the Democratic-controlled Legislature, where some worry about replacing lost revenue.
Maryland Republicans advocated for a 30-day gas tax pause. But the Democratic-led General Assembly rejected their efforts. A representative for Democratic Governor Wes Moore explained that a one-month suspension could create a $100 million gap in the state’s transportation funding while officials already face spending cuts and budget shifts to address projected statewide shortfalls.
A superior approach would involve ending the war, stated Moore spokesman Ammar Moussa, adding: “The best way to bring prices down is to address the source of the pain.”
Since the conflict started February 28, Trump has consistently claimed it might conclude quickly while simultaneously threatening to expand the conflict.
Whether states possess adequate funds to compensate for lost fuel tax revenue represents a crucial consideration. Georgia is utilizing its budget surplus. In Connecticut, Democratic state Senate leadership has proposed that Governor Ned Lamont could access approximately $330 million remaining in an emergency fund designed to respond to federal government actions, helping offset a suggested one-month suspension of the state’s 25-cent per gallon gas tax.
“The fund was created precisely for situations like this: when federal actions create hardship for Connecticut families,” Senate President Pro Tem Martin Looney and Majority Leader Bob Duff stated.
A representative for the Democratic governor indicated Lamont is prepared to collaborate with legislators on “a smart and strategic pause to the state’s gas tax.”
Gas taxes typically fund construction, expansion, and maintenance of roads and bridges. Without shifting money from other sources, suspending gas taxes means reduced transportation project funding, including some already budgeted initiatives.
In South Carolina, state gas tax generates approximately $800 million annually, helping finance nearly $7 billion in projects from two-lane road safety improvements to major interstate interchange renovations. Republican Governor Henry McMaster fears major projects would require more time and money if tax revenue decreased. He characterized gas tax suspension as a “sort of knee-jerk reaction.”
“We’d like them all to be lower and lower,” McMaster said, “but that’s one we should not take any money out of.”
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian reached out directly to Americans through a written message, declaring that his nation does not hold hostility toward everyday US citizens, according to Wednesday reports from Press TV.
In his correspondence to the American public, Pezeshkian challenged depictions of Iran as a dangerous nation, stating that such characterizations are “neither consistent with historical reality nor with present-day observable facts.”
President Donald Trump issued a stark warning Wednesday, threatening to withdraw the United States from the NATO alliance after European member nations declined to deploy naval vessels to help clear the Strait of Hormuz near Iran, escalating his criticism of the military partnership.
Legal scholars remain divided on whether Trump possesses unilateral authority to exit the nearly eight-decade-old transatlantic alliance, despite his history of making significant policy decisions without legislative backing, many of which face judicial challenges.
CONSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK
While the Constitution grants the president authority to negotiate treaties with Senate guidance and approval from two-thirds of senators, it provides no specific guidance on withdrawing from existing treaties.
NATO TREATY PROVISIONS
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, established in 1949 to defend against Soviet aggression and serving as the foundation of Western security since, includes European nations alongside the United States and Canada.
The treaty’s Article 13 permits any member nation to exit after providing twelve months’ written notice to the U.S. government, which then notifies other member governments of the withdrawal declaration.
No NATO member has ever terminated its membership in the alliance’s history.
CURRENT U.S. LEGISLATION
Congress enacted legislation in 2023, signed by then-President Joe Biden, that prohibits any president from ending, suspending, or withdrawing from the NATO treaty without approval from two-thirds of the Senate.
The provision was incorporated as an amendment to the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, the comprehensive annual Pentagon policy legislation. Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia and then-Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida co-sponsored the amendment.
Rubio, currently serving as Trump’s Secretary of State and National Security Adviser, stated Tuesday that Washington must reassess NATO relationships following the Iran conflict that commenced February 28 with American and Israeli airstrikes.
The defense authorization amendment additionally prohibits federal funding for any NATO withdrawal efforts.
TRUMP’S POSITION
Trump has maintained years of harsh NATO criticism. During his previous presidency in 2020, the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel concluded that presidents hold exclusive treaty withdrawal authority, not Congress.
A Congressional Research Service analysis from February 2026 indicated that if court challenges arise, the executive branch could reference that legal opinion to argue the defense authorization amendment violates constitutional principles.
Speaking to Reuters Wednesday, Trump confirmed he would “absolutely” consider alliance withdrawal in a national address, expressing his “disgust with NATO.”
Trump’s statements followed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s refusal to reconfirm America’s commitment to NATO’s mutual defense obligations.
Policy experts suggest this commitment uncertainty, rather than legal constraints, represents the crucial factor.
“If the president and the military are not committed to NATO and European security, then I don’t think there’s much Congress can actually do to hold that back,” said Max Bergmann, a former State Department official who is now director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
POTENTIAL OUTCOMES
International law typically grants heads of state authority to withdraw from treaties when such withdrawal is permitted and proper procedures are followed.
American law remains less definitive, though presidents have exited multiple treaties without congressional consent, including Trump’s 2020 withdrawal from the 35-nation Open Skies treaty permitting unarmed surveillance flights over participating countries.
Should the matter reach federal courts, challengers would face significant obstacles, including demonstrating legal standing through personal stakes in the outcome to contest the withdrawal.
The Supreme Court’s conservative majority, which frequently supports Trump’s positions, has never ruled on the substance of a treaty withdrawal case.
A major data center development company is on the verge of securing $16 billion in funding to construct an enormous Oracle facility, according to Bloomberg News reports released Wednesday.
Related Digital has spent recent months gathering the substantial financing needed to develop a sprawling campus in Saline Township, Michigan. The massive facility is designed to support Oracle’s computing applications for OpenAI, with funding arrangements expected to reach completion within the coming weeks.
The financing deal reflects the ongoing surge in artificial intelligence infrastructure investments, as major technology corporations allocate billions toward building systems capable of rivaling human cognitive abilities.
Investment giant Blackstone plans to contribute approximately $2 billion in equity funding, representing roughly half of what was originally considered for the project, according to the Bloomberg report.
Bank of America is spearheading an additional $14 billion in debt financing. While initially planned as construction lending, the funding package is now anticipated to take the form of a bond offering.
An Oracle representative expressed satisfaction with the project’s advancement, stating: “We are proud of the rapid progress that’s been made both in financing and developing our data center in Saline Township, Michigan.”
The company spokesperson confirmed that vertical construction has begun at the campus site, emphasizing that development remains on schedule and proceeding as planned.
Related Digital, Blackstone, and Bank of America did not provide immediate responses to requests for comment from Reuters.
The ambitious project stems from an October announcement by OpenAI, Oracle, and Related Digital regarding their collaboration to build a data center campus exceeding one gigawatt capacity in Saline Township. The initiative represents part of their broader Stargate effort to expand artificial intelligence infrastructure throughout the United States.
SpaceX submitted paperwork Wednesday for an initial public offering that Elon Musk claims will fund his ambitious plan to transform the rocket company into an artificial intelligence giant by deploying as many as 1 million data center satellites in space to avoid Earth’s power and water constraints.
This bold vision echoes a comparable effort by Microsoft in 2015, when the tech giant submerged a shipping container-sized computing facility on the ocean floor near Scotland. Microsoft hoped to reduce energy consumption using natural ocean cooling while harnessing offshore wind and tidal energy sources.
Despite achieving all technical objectives, Microsoft’s “Project Natick” was scrapped over two years ago because of insufficient customer interest and poor financial viability, according to two sources familiar with the initiative who spoke to Reuters.
When asked about the project, a Microsoft representative stated: “While we don’t currently have datacenters in the water, we will continue to use Project Natick as a research platform to explore, test, and validate new concepts around datacenter reliability and sustainability.”
Five industry experts warned Reuters that Microsoft’s experience serves as a warning for SpaceX, noting that despite their vastly different locations, both initiatives share critical flaws: they depend on modular systems that cost significant amounts to install and cannot be expanded, fixed, or enhanced – capabilities the AI sector considers essential.
“These challenges are likely to be more severe in space than under the sea,” explained Roy Chua, who founded research company AvidThink. He highlighted unresolved issues including orbital cooling methods, expensive rocket launches, and how space conditions might damage AI processing equipment.
SpaceX declined to provide comment. The company, which purchased Musk’s AI venture xAI in February, may collect up to $75 billion through its public offering, potentially creating the biggest IPO ever recorded. The xAI portfolio encompasses social platform X, previously known as Twitter, and the Grok AI chatbot system.
While Microsoft demonstrated that underwater computing centers could function technically, clients showed no interest in expanding them, instead choosing traditional ground-based facilities that offered less expensive and quicker improvements as AI technology advanced rapidly, the two informed sources revealed, requesting anonymity due to the project’s sensitive nature.
The permanently sealed design that SpaceX plans to duplicate in space offers restricted adaptability, given that AI processors improve dramatically each year while satellites or ocean-based data centers typically get replaced only every five to seven years.
Financial considerations also created obstacles, the sources noted. Underwater data center deployment exceeded land-based construction costs, and although expenses might decrease with larger scale implementation, this would demand tens of billions in investment funding.
Space deployment will cost significantly more.
MoffettNathanson analysts wrote in a February report that Musk’s million-satellite AI plan would require trillions of dollars in spending.
For orbital data centers to become financially practical, launch expenses must drop from current levels of thousands of dollars per kilogram to hundreds of dollars per kilogram, industry analysts project.
“The problem is not whether something can work, but whether it makes sense economically versus simply building more capacity on the ground,” said Tim Farrar, who works as an independent satellite sector analyst at TMF Associates.
Musk claims he will solve the technical and financial obstacles, including radiation damage, heat control in vacuum conditions, and frequent equipment replacement needs, by dramatically reducing launch costs and creating more durable AI processors.
According to Musk, demand won’t be problematic because Earth’s energy supplies will rapidly diminish as AI becomes necessary to support a future where robots exceed human population, all vehicles operate autonomously, and space travel becomes commonplace.
“The idea that we just can’t solve problems on Earth, like power shortages and environmental issues, strikes me as unrealistically negative about Earth to try and make everything seem better in space,” Farrar commented.
Musk’s strategy depends on Starship, SpaceX’s advanced rocket system designed for complete reusability and much larger cargo capacity than current Falcon rockets. However, Starship runs years behind its original timeline and has experienced explosive failures during several of its 11 test flights since 2023.
MoffettNathanson calculates that reaching Musk’s objective would need 3,000 Starship launches annually, equivalent to eight daily missions.
Jeff Bezos’ aerospace company Blue Origin also supports orbital computing facilities. The rocket manufacturer announced in March that its Project Sunrise proposal would provide AI processing power in space using clean solar energy while maintaining Earth-based data center systems.
Blue Origin did not respond to requests for additional information.
Space-based data centers do have potential, but they’re more likely to supplement rather than replace ground facilities, according to Claude Rousseau, a research director at Analysys Mason who monitors satellite markets.
“I strongly believe that there’ll be no way in the foreseeable future that space-based data centers can replace ground data centers,” Rousseau stated, adding that it would serve specialized markets supporting orbital infrastructure like military satellite networks and space stations.
The International Space Station already operates experimental systems designed to handle data processing in orbit and decrease dependence on communication bandwidth to Earth.
During a February appearance on the All-In podcast, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang described the financial prospects of space-based AI data centers as unfavorable.
“We should definitely work on the ground first because we’re already here,” Huang stated, characterizing orbital AI infrastructure as a long-term engineering problem rather than an immediate answer.
Chua suggested that plans to relocate data centers underwater or into space attempt to avoid Earth-based problems while generating entirely new and more difficult obstacles.
“There are many problems that we can solve on Earth before space,” Chua observed, mentioning improvements in AI chip performance, enhanced water recycling systems, and increased adoption of solar energy and compact nuclear power generation.
A federal appeals court has blocked the Trump administration from implementing new restrictions on billions of dollars in federal grants that support housing and services for homeless individuals across the country.
The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston declined Wednesday to overturn a lower court decision that prevented the Department of Housing and Urban Development from changing how it distributes money through the Continuum of Care program.
Circuit Judge Julie Rikelman, appointed by President Biden, warned that allowing the policy changes would create chaos for funding recipients and result in housing organizations closing their doors, leaving vulnerable people without shelter.
“In sum, the record paints a disturbing picture of the harms that would flow to the plaintiffs, their constituents, and the public from issuing a stay,” Rikelman wrote in the decision.
The case originated from a legal challenge filed by Democratic leaders from 20 states plus Washington, D.C., along with local governments and nonprofit organizations. HUD has not yet responded to requests for comment on the ruling.
According to attorneys representing some plaintiffs, the administration’s proposed changes could have affected more than $2 billion in grant money that supports 4,000 local housing coalitions nationwide.
“Because the appeals court refused to grant the federal government’s motion to stay the injunction pending appeal, almost 200,000 people — many living with disabilities — will not be displaced from stable housing,” stated Jill Habig, who leads the Public Rights Project legal organization.
The dispute centers on the Continuum of Care program, which has operated since 1987 to help states, municipalities and nonprofits provide assistance to homeless populations, particularly veterans, families and disabled individuals.
For decades, the program has operated under a “housing-first” philosophy that emphasizes getting people into permanent homes without requiring them to first meet conditions like maintaining sobriety or finding employment. The grants also fund additional services including childcare, job training, mental health support and transportation.
The Trump administration has expressed criticism of the housing-first model. In November, HUD announced plans to restructure the grant program to emphasize temporary housing options that include work requirements and other stipulations.
U.S. District Judge Mary McElroy in Providence, Rhode Island, ruled in December that HUD’s proposed changes violated federal law governing homeless shelter programs. She noted that Congress has consistently prioritized funding for stable, permanent housing solutions.
Following Congress’s passage of a February spending bill requiring HUD to continue existing Continuum of Care projects and distribute new grants, the administration requested that McElroy lift her injunction. This would have allowed some of the approximately $4 billion in program funding to fall under HUD’s revised guidelines.
However, McElroy refused the request, emphasizing the importance of protecting funding recipients from “upheaval and service gaps.” The administration subsequently appealed her decision, pointing to the new legislation, though plaintiffs argue the law never endorsed HUD’s funding approach.
The American poultry industry is showing signs of expansion, with new federal data revealing a 2 percent uptick in broiler-type egg production and chick placement across the country.
According to the latest statistics, hatcheries nationwide increased their setting of broiler-type eggs by 2 percent compared to previous periods. Similarly, the placement of broiler-type chicks for future meat production also rose by the same percentage.
This growth pattern suggests the chicken industry is responding to market demands and maintaining steady production levels. The increases affect the supply chain from hatchery operations through eventual retail distribution of poultry products.
The data reflects activity at commercial hatcheries that supply chicks to farms specializing in raising chickens for meat production, rather than egg-laying operations.
Agricultural facilities across the United States processed 6.43 million tons of soybeans to extract crude oil during February 2026, according to new federal agricultural statistics.
The processing volume, which equals roughly 214 million bushels, reflects ongoing demand for soybean oil in various industrial and food applications.
The data comes from the latest agricultural processing report tracking commodity crushing operations nationwide.
Textile manufacturing operations processed 20.1 million pounds of synthetic fibers using cotton-based production systems during February 2026, according to newly released industry data.
The figures represent the total volume of artificial fiber materials that were handled through cotton processing equipment nationwide during the month.
This measurement tracks how much manmade fiber content flows through traditional cotton manufacturing systems, providing insight into current textile production patterns and the integration of synthetic materials in conventional cotton processing facilities.
February 2026 saw significant corn utilization across the United States, with 469 million bushels processed for ethanol production and various other industrial applications, according to new federal agricultural data.
The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service released figures showing corn consumption patterns for the 28-day period of February 2026, following the 31-day January reporting period.
The grain crushing report provides insight into how American-grown corn is being utilized in the ethanol industry and other manufacturing sectors that rely on corn as a primary ingredient.
These monthly statistics help track agricultural commodity flows and provide important market information for farmers, processors, and industry analysts monitoring grain usage trends nationwide.
BOGOTA, Colombia — Two people died and 19 others were wounded Wednesday morning in a devastating multi-vehicle collision at a toll plaza in central Colombia, according to local officials. People who witnessed the crash reported hearing multiple explosions as video footage revealed vehicles completely consumed by fire.
The deadly incident occurred when a milk truck experienced brake failure and slammed into six other vehicles and one motorcycle that were stopped at the toll facility in the Cundinamarca region, located approximately 50 kilometers (31 miles) north of Bogota, according to Governor Emilio Rey, who posted details on X.
Rey confirmed that those wounded in the crash are receiving medical care at area hospitals, though he did not release information about the severity of their injuries.
Video footage aired by Colombian news outlets captured people weeping as they worked to help or rescue those who became trapped, while vehicles burned and lay destroyed around the toll area.
“I saw when the truck went through the toll booth, then there was an explosion, it overturned, and there were strong explosions and vehicles burning,” witness Hollman Osma told local news station Noticias Caracol. “There was absolutely nothing that could be done.”
Emergency responders dispatched no fewer than 11 ambulances along with firefighting crews and police officers to the crash site, Rey informed Noticias Caracol. The highway continues to remain shut down.
Elon Musk’s rocket company has taken the first steps toward going public by submitting initial documents with federal regulators, according to two people with knowledge of the filing. The potential stock offering could become the largest in Wall Street history and might elevate Musk to trillionaire status.
The anticipated SpaceX public offering is expected to be among Wall Street’s most significant events this year, with multiple investment firms positioning themselves to assist in raising billions of dollars. The funds would support Musk’s ambitious goals of establishing a lunar base, launching massive orbital data centers, and eventually sending humans to Mars.
The individuals who disclosed this information requested anonymity since they lack authorization to discuss the confidential Securities and Exchange Commission registration publicly.
SpaceX has not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter.
While the exact fundraising target remains undisclosed, reports suggest the company aims to raise up to $75 billion. The stock debut, potentially scheduled for June, could establish SpaceX’s total valuation at $1.5 trillion—nearly twice its December valuation when some minority shareholders sold their holdings, according to Pitchbook research.
Beyond manufacturing reusable rockets for launching astronauts and equipment into space, SpaceX operates Starlink, the globe’s largest satellite communications network. The company has also recently acquired two other Musk ventures: the social media platform X (previously known as Twitter) and his artificial intelligence company, xAI.
A jury in Utica, New York has delivered a guilty verdict against a former corrections officer in the deadly assault of an inmate at a state prison facility.
Jonah Levi was convicted Wednesday on charges of manslaughter, gang assault, and conspiracy in connection with the March 1, 2025 death of Messiah Nantwi at Mid-State Correctional Facility in upstate New York. However, jurors cleared him of the more serious second-degree murder charge.
Levi represents the first corrections officer to face trial in Nantwi’s killing.
The 22-year-old victim suffered fatal injuries after being repeatedly struck by multiple guards using fists, boots, and batons, according to prosecutors. Nantwi died from severe head trauma and additional bodily injuries sustained during the violent encounter.
The deadly incident unfolded during an unauthorized work stoppage by numerous officers, which prompted the governor to deploy National Guard troops to maintain facility security. Nantwi’s death occurred just months following the fatal beating of Robert Brooks at another correctional facility located directly across from Mid-State.
As a member of an emergency response unit, Levi responded to Nantwi’s housing area to assist National Guard personnel who had requested backup after the inmate became uncooperative during a routine prisoner count. Testimony revealed that Nantwi had settled down after additional help was summoned.
The violent confrontation began when responding officers attempted to restrain Nantwi in his cell after he resisted handcuffing and grabbed an officer’s vest. Prosecutors stated the assault escalated significantly when Nantwi bit a guard’s hand.
During the trial, Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick accused Levi of repeatedly stomping on Nantwi’s head and taking part in a subsequent cover-up effort among guards.
“The evidence of guilt here, ladies and gentlemen, is simple and it’s overwhelming. Stomp on someone’s head, you’re not trying to get their attention,” Fitzpatrick stated during Monday’s closing arguments. “You’ve divorced yourself from the human race.”
Defense attorney Lewis G. Spicer argued that his client did not employ any force that led to Nantwi’s death.
“Jonah Levi did not kick Messiah Nantwi in the head,” Spicer declared in his closing remarks.
More than six additional individuals have entered guilty pleas to reduced charges connected to the assault and alleged cover-up attempt.
Two more former guards face upcoming trials, with Caleb Blair scheduled for a May 4 murder trial alongside a co-defendant facing first-degree manslaughter charges. A third guard charged with manslaughter will stand trial on June 1.
Nantwi had been incarcerated since May 2024, serving a five-year term for second-degree criminal possession of a weapon stemming from a 2021 shootout with police officers. During that incident, Nantwi sustained multiple gunshot wounds while the officers remained unharmed.
DOVER, Del. – Delaware residents can explore the state’s rich heritage through a variety of arts and educational offerings being presented by the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs during April.
The HCA has organized programming designed to engage participants across all age groups, featuring activities that span from Revolutionary War period explorations to interactive workshops where attendees can create Delft Tiles – ornate glazed ceramics that reflect Delaware’s colonial connections.
DOVER — Governor Matt Meyer has unveiled his selections for the Delaware Interfaith Council, emphasizing the group’s mission to build stronger communities while bridging faith organizations with state service agencies.
The governor expressed gratitude to departing council members while announcing the fresh appointments. “The Delaware Interfaith Council is dedicated to advocating for policies that will foster community and uphold our responsibility to one another, and I want to thank the outgoing members for their leadership and guidance over the last year,” Meyer stated.
The council serves as a vital link between Delaware’s religious communities and government officials, working to develop policies that strengthen community bonds and promote cooperation across different faith traditions.
Meyer highlighted the ongoing importance of religious organizations in Delaware’s civic landscape, noting their continued role in community service and policy development throughout the state.
Consumer products giant Unilever is undergoing a massive transformation under CEO Fernando Fernandez, who is steering the company back toward the beauty and personal care sectors where he built his career.
The 59-year-old Argentine executive, who previously scored major success expanding the TRESemmé hair care brand throughout Brazil about 15 years ago, has orchestrated the sale of Unilever’s entire food division since taking over as CEO last year.
This week, the company finalized an agreement with spice manufacturer McCormick that creates a massive $65 billion food conglomerate encompassing everything from sauces to seasonings. Under the arrangement, Unilever will maintain approximately 10% ownership while shareholders control another 55%.
The divestiture strips away food products ranging from Magnum ice cream to Hellmann’s mayonnaise, leaving behind a streamlined organization concentrated on beauty, personal care, and household products – sectors where Fernandez devoted most of his 38-year tenure at Unilever promoting items like Dove soap and Surf laundry detergent.
“This is the right step at the right time to build a simpler, sharper, higher-growth Unilever,” Fernandez explained to financial analysts following the McCormick agreement.
“We are creating a 39-billion-euro household and personal care pure play with leading positions in highly attractive categories, a stronger exposure to fast-growing geographies like the U.S. and India,” he added.
The restructuring centers around Unilever’s 23 primary home, beauty and personal care “power brands” that generate most of the company’s revenue, including Dermalogica, Pond’s, Sunsilk and Cif cleaning products.
Stock market reaction proved mixed, with Unilever shares dropping to two-year lows Tuesday and declining further Wednesday as investors expressed concerns about the extended timeline for completing the transaction in 2027.
However, some financial backers recognize long-term advantages in concentrating on faster-expanding beauty, personal care and home product markets.
“Perhaps the most overlooked benefit is the increased focus gained by simplifying Unilever’s business model,” explained David Samra, managing director at Artisan Partners, a Unilever investor. “The company moves from operating in two distinct industries to concentrating on a narrower group of brands in faster-growing markets.”
While the food segment maintained high profit margins, its sales expansion consistently trailed other divisions, hampering Unilever’s objective to boost annual revenue by 4%-6%.
“The prize of a pure-play home and personal care company will be worth it in the end,” stated Barclays analyst Warren Ackerman.
The strategic pivot comes after sustained pressure from investors and board members demanding organizational changes, including billionaire activist investor Nelson Peltz, who holds a $1.73 billion stake and serves on the board.
This pressure contributed to the departure of two previous CEOs, most recently Hein Schumacher, who was removed for insufficient progress in streamlining the company’s brand portfolio. Fernandez, who served as finance chief under Schumacher, received promotion to accelerate the restructuring process.
These transactions represent a dramatic reversal after Unilever spent most of the past century acquiring food and beverage companies including Marmite, Colman’s and Horlick’s.
However, increasingly health-focused consumers and the emergence of GLP-1 weight-loss medications have weakened demand for packaged foods while intensifying competition from lower-priced store brands has further challenged the sector.
Currently, Unilever trades at a forward price-to-earnings multiple of 14.8 times, below competitors L’Oreal, Procter & Gamble, Nestle and Danone, which range between 17.2 and 25.3 times, according to LSEG Workspace information.
“Unilever has historically traded at a discount to pure-play HPC peers like L’Oréal or Procter, partly because of the drag from lower-growth food categories,” noted Will Nott, portfolio manager at Ninety One, another Unilever investor.
“There is clearly re-rating potential, but it won’t happen overnight. The market will want to see clean execution through the transition,” he concluded.
Three of the world’s most influential financial institutions announced Wednesday they will work together to address the widespread economic consequences stemming from the current Middle East conflict.
Leaders from the International Monetary Fund, International Energy Agency, and World Bank revealed plans to establish a joint coordination team aimed at maximizing their collective response to the crisis’s far-reaching economic and energy effects.
According to their collaborative announcement, the ongoing conflict has created massive regional disruptions and sparked what they describe as among the most severe energy supply shortfalls in global market history.
“At these times of high uncertainty, it is paramount that our institutions join forces to monitor developments, align analysis, and coordinate support to policymakers to navigate this crisis,” the leadership of all three organizations stated.
The newly formed coordination team plans to evaluate how severely different nations are being affected, develop coordinated response strategies, and rally stakeholders to provide assistance where it’s most needed.
Their response framework may encompass specialized policy guidance, evaluation of financing requirements, and provision of financial assistance through low-interest or zero-interest loans, along with additional risk management tools yet to be specified.
The conflict, which erupted when the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, has resulted in thousands of casualties throughout the Middle East. Iran subsequently retaliated with attacks on Israeli territory, American military installations, and Gulf region nations, while simultaneously opening another battlefront in Lebanon.
Now entering its second month, the warfare has expanded throughout the region, creating energy supply disruptions and raising concerns about potential global economic instability.
“The impact is substantial, global, and highly asymmetric, disproportionately affecting energy importers, in particular low-income countries,” the three international organizations emphasized.
The institutions highlighted that the conflict has already driven up costs for oil, natural gas, and fertilizers, while raising alarm about food price increases and affecting worldwide supply networks for helium, phosphate, aluminum, and various other materials. The tourism industry has also suffered significant damage.
“The resulting market volatility, weakening of currencies in emerging economies, and concerns about inflation expectations raise the prospect of tighter monetary stances and weaker growth,” the organizations explained.
“We are committed to working together to safeguard global economic and financial stability, strengthen energy security, and support affected countries and people on their path to sustained recovery, growth, and job creation through reforms,” they concluded.
PARIS, April 1 – A top French naval official stated Wednesday that China must take a more active stance in resolving the ongoing crisis affecting oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, as current measures appear inadequate to handle vessel traffic demands.
Speaking at the War & Peace security conference in Paris, Admiral Nicolas Vaujour explained that while Beijing has maintained diplomatic communications with Iranian officials to allow some ships passage, these efforts fall short of what’s needed.
“We have not seen China’s navy step in to reopen the strait. On the other hand, there is direct political dialogue between Chinese and Iranian authorities to ensure that a certain number of vessels can pass. Will that be enough to restore normal traffic flows? I don’t believe so,” Vaujour stated.
The French admiral added: “As a result, China will probably have to engage more directly in the debate and show its impatience with the fact that the strait remains closed.”
According to Vaujour, France is currently coordinating efforts to convene multiple nations for high-level political discussions aimed at establishing sustainable conditions for reopening the strategic waterway.
Military forces will eventually be required to oversee any reopening operations, with officials examining the framework used by the previous European Union-led Agenor mission that previously operated in the strait.
Naval authorities are also investigating potential mine deployment in the area that would require clearing operations.
“This is obviously not a question for France alone. It concerns all partner countries, Gulf states, the United States and other European countries as well. But it is clearly an issue we are working on, should mining be confirmed, which, as of today, has not been established,” Vaujour explained.
Canada’s central bank has announced it will place greater emphasis on discretionary decision-making when setting interest rates, departing from its typical data-driven approach due to rising global instability, according to meeting minutes made public Wednesday.
The financial institution maintained its key interest rate at 2.25% during its March 18 meeting, with Governor Tiff Macklem indicating that policymakers would overlook temporary inflation spikes caused by the Iran conflict but would take action if price increases became entrenched.
The ongoing war in Iran has driven crude oil costs higher and raised fears about broader inflationary pressures across the economy.
Canada’s seven-member rate-setting committee determined it was premature to assess the conflict’s lasting economic consequences.
“They acknowledged that they would need to rely on judgment more heavily than usual and take a risk management approach to monetary policy,” the bank’s deliberation summary stated.
“They agreed to keep options open while closely monitoring the unfolding conflict in the Middle East, US trade policy and incoming data,” the document added.
Since October, the central bank has maintained its policy rate within the lower portion of what it considers a neutral range—neither boosting nor restraining economic activity. For nearly twelve months, inflation has remained near the center of the bank’s 1% to 3% target zone.
Policymakers noted that with inflationary forces appearing subdued, they possessed some leeway regarding rate adjustments and “could therefore take some time to see how the war in Iran evolved and what it meant for the outlook.”
Canada’s economic expansion and employment situation have weakened recently due to trade-related uncertainty and an upcoming evaluation of the United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement.
Committee members concurred that the energy price surge resulting from the Iranian conflict would drive inflation higher in the short term, though the broader economic implications remain unclear at this early juncture.
Financial markets are anticipating two rate increases during the latter half of the year following President Donald Trump’s suggestion that the conflict might conclude within two to three weeks.
SALISBURY, Md. – Salisbury State University has released its weekly athletic rankings for the first Wednesday of April, marking a significant milestone with the introduction of inaugural NCAA Power Index statistics for lacrosse programs.
The comprehensive rankings showcase performance metrics for both women’s and men’s lacrosse squads, representing the first time these teams have been evaluated using the NCAA Power Index system this season.
Additionally, the weekly report includes refreshed coaching polls for the university’s baseball team and men’s track and field program, providing updated standings as spring athletic competitions continue to unfold.
The rankings serve as a benchmark for the Sea Gulls’ athletic programs as they progress through their respective seasons, offering fans and supporters insight into how their teams measure against competition across the region.
Dairy farmers received valuable training on protecting their herds from disease outbreaks through a recent educational session hosted by the National Dairy FARM Program. The workshop, titled “Where to Start: Building an Enhanced Biosecurity Plan,” took place on March 18 at the Central Plains Dairy Expo in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
The training was led by FARM Biosecurity specialist Miquela Hanselman, working alongside Dr. Danelle Bickett-Weddle, who owns Preventalytics. Together, they taught dairy producers methods for recognizing potential threats unique to their livestock operations.
The FARM Biosecurity initiative provides dairy farmers with a structured approach to creating stronger disease prevention protocols through three key phases:
The initial phase focuses on managing movement-related dangers, including livestock transfers, delivery of supplies, and staff activities on the farm.
Phase two involves conducting a comprehensive evaluation that examines animal health surveillance, livestock movement tracking, vehicle and equipment protocols, staff procedures, and establishing clear boundary lines. These separation barriers help define entry points and regulate movement throughout farm facilities, with each component linking to the overall biosecurity strategy.
The final phase requires developing a customized daily biosecurity protocol tailored to each specific operation, while collecting critical information including Premises identification numbers and emergency contact details for the facility.
Beyond the training session, the FARM Program engaged with the wider dairy industry community during the expo week, distributing complimentary educational materials and discussing with consumers the important work performed daily on dairy operations across the country.
The FARM Program continues to lead efforts in promoting responsible farming practices on dairy operations, supporting the U.S. dairy sector’s commitment to ongoing improvement through community outreach and educational initiatives.
Agricultural cooperatives working with the NEXT program have finalized 77 international sales agreements during March, with one week remaining unreported due to publication schedules. These deals represent more than 30.4 million pounds of dairy products sold through NEXT-supported transactions in 2026. Deliveries are planned for buyers across Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, Middle East-North Africa, Eurasia, South America, Central America and the Caribbean, with shipments scheduled between March and October.
International sales play a vital role in supporting dairy producers and their cooperatives nationwide. Regardless of whether cooperatives directly participate in overseas trade, accessing global markets remains crucial. The NEXT program offers a pathway for moving American dairy products to international buyers by addressing competitive challenges facing U.S. dairy exports.
The reported dairy product volumes represent active delivery agreements rather than finalized export shipments. NEXT will distribute export support payments to participants only after confirming actual product shipment and delivery through required paperwork verification.
Delaware State Police detectives are searching for two armed suspects who attacked and robbed a pedestrian in New Castle during the early morning hours Wednesday.
The incident took place around 12:30 a.m. on April 1, 2026, along the 3000 block of New Castle Avenue. According to investigators, a 37-year-old New Castle resident was on foot in the area when a gray SUV pulled up nearby. Two men wearing face coverings and dark clothes got out of the vehicle and approached the victim. Police say the suspects hit the man with a firearm and took his belongings before driving away in the same SUV. Emergency responders transported the injured man to a local medical facility where he was treated for injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
The case remains under active investigation by the Delaware State Police Criminal Investigations Unit. Investigators are asking anyone who may have seen the robbery or has information about the suspects to reach out to Detective M. Conway at (302) 365-8411. Tips can also be submitted through a private message to the Delaware State Police Facebook page or by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
Crime victims and witnesses seeking support services can access help around the clock through the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit and Delaware Victim Center. The free hotline is available at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461), and assistance can also be requested via email at [email protected].
The nation’s highest court heard arguments challenging constitutional birthright citizenship protections, with President Donald Trump in attendance at the proceedings in the nation’s capital.
During oral arguments, most Supreme Court justices directed pointed questions toward Solicitor General D. John Sauer, expressing doubt about the administration’s stance that automatic citizenship should be denied to children born on U.S. soil to parents who are in the country without legal status.
The case centers on the interpretation of the 14th Amendment’s citizenship clause, which has traditionally granted citizenship to nearly all individuals born within American borders. Outside the courthouse, supporters of birthright citizenship protections gathered to demonstrate their position on the constitutional issue.
The justices’ questioning suggested skepticism toward overturning the longstanding interpretation of birthright citizenship laws that have been in place for generations.
President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he’s collaborating with congressional Republican leaders to secure funding for immigration enforcement personnel using a legislative strategy that sidesteps Senate filibuster procedures.
In a Wednesday post on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated: “We are going to work as fast, and as focused, as possible to replenish funding for our Border and ICE Agents.”
The president is coordinating with House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune on the initiative, which aims to boost resources for border security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.
Trump set an ambitious timeline for the legislation, declaring: “I am asking that the Bill be on my desk NO LATER than June 1st.”
The approach would utilize budget reconciliation procedures, allowing the measure to pass with a simple majority vote rather than the typical 60-vote threshold needed to overcome a filibuster in the Senate.
WASHINGTON – Federal officials announced Wednesday they have initiated legal proceedings against Idaho state government over the state’s refusal to turn over voter registration records.
The Department of Justice confirmed the lawsuit was filed against Idaho for not complying with requests to provide the voter registration information.
The legal action represents the latest development in ongoing tensions between federal and state authorities regarding access to election-related documentation.
An environmental activist ship intentionally rammed into a commercial fishing vessel in Antarctic waters this week, sparking accusations of reckless endangerment in one of Earth’s most remote and ecologically fragile regions.
The Tuesday incident involved the M/V Bandero, operated by the Captain Paul Watson Foundation, which deliberately approached and struck the Norwegian-flagged Antarctic Sea while it was harvesting krill. Video footage lasting two minutes, obtained by The Associated Press from Aker QRILL Co., captures the Bandero slowly approaching the fishing vessel’s rear section before making contact with its port side.
The confrontation highlights escalating tensions in Southern Ocean waters over Antarctic krill harvesting. These tiny shrimp-like creatures serve as essential food for whales and play a crucial role in combating climate change, while also being sought after for health supplements, fish feed, and various commercial products.
According to Aker’s Wednesday statement, the activist vessel came dangerously close to hitting a fuel tank aboard the Antarctic Sea, potentially threatening an ecosystem populated by numerous whale species, seals, and seabirds that depend on the region’s delicate krill populations.
The Norwegian company reported that its international crew experienced no injuries but was badly shaken by the encounter. Officials announced plans to pursue all possible legal remedies.
“Our crew were put at risk in some of the most remote waters on Earth, and only luck avoided potential environmental damage,” stated Aker CEO Webjørn Barstad.
The Captain Paul Watson Foundation declined to respond to AP inquiries regarding Aker’s claims. However, the organization issued its own statement describing their tactics as “aggressive nonviolence.” The group reported that their crew, under the leadership of French activist Lamya Essemlali, successfully halted all krill fishing activities during a five-hour “direct intervention” targeting two Aker-owned ships. The foundation also released photographs showing crew members deploying large metal devices designed to destroy fishing nets.
Watson, the organization’s founder, was not aboard the vessel, which left Australia last month as part of the foundation’s “Operation Krill Wars” campaign.
“Throughout the encounter, the crew witnessed Antarctic wildlife in the surrounding waters, including penguins, seals, and even a whale, underscoring what was at stake as a small ship challenged a powerful industrial krill operation in a stark David-and-Goliath scenario,” the foundation declared.
Watson established the worldwide Sea Shepherd conservation organization during the 1970s and spent decades building a notorious reputation through vessel ramming and other confrontational maritime tactics that frequently resulted in his imprisonment. His most recent detention occurred in Greenland during 2024, where he spent five months on a Japanese arrest warrant that Denmark ultimately dismissed. Japanese authorities had sought his capture following a 2010 incident where he allegedly directed a ship captain to hurl explosives at what Japan classified as a research whaling vessel.
The Canadian-American activist previously enjoyed backing from Hollywood personalities, but his extreme methods have created divisions within the movement he established. While affiliates in France and Brazil continue supporting his recently formed foundation, Sea Shepherd Global and 20 national branches have shifted focus toward maritime surveillance patrols, policy advocacy, and assisting law enforcement in developing nations where illegal fishing flourishes.
Antarctic krill fishing reached unprecedented levels last season, prompting the first-ever early shutdown of harvesting operations.
Aker operates as the globe’s dominant krill harvester, accounting for more than half of worldwide catches.
The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources oversees this distant fishery. This international body includes 27 countries plus the European Union.
Any formal investigation, including potential criminal charges, will likely begin when the Mongolia-flagged Bandero reaches its next port destination. International maritime regulations require overtaking vessels to maintain safe distances from ships they are passing.
The Bandero takes its name from the tequila business owned by John Paul DeJoria, an American billionaire who created Paul Mitchell hair products and has long supported Watson’s environmental campaigns.
Federal health authorities gave the green light Wednesday to a new daily weight-loss medication from Eli Lilly, marking the second oral drug available for treating obesity and related health conditions.
The Food and Drug Administration fast-tracked approval for orforglipron, a GLP-1 medication that functions similarly to popular injection treatments by copying a natural hormone that regulates hunger and satiety.
The medication will be sold under the brand name Foundayo and is scheduled to reach pharmacies on Monday. Eli Lilly announced that insured patients could access the drug for as little as $25 monthly using the company’s discount program. Those paying out-of-pocket will face costs ranging from $149 to $349 per month based on dosage strength.
This oral option joins Novo Nordisk’s pill version of Wegovy, which has generated over 600,000 prescriptions across the United States since receiving approval in December.
The FDA cleared Eli Lilly’s medication through a new initiative designed to accelerate drug approval timelines. Officials completed their review of the company’s submission in just 50 days.
During clinical testing involving more than 3,000 obese adults, those receiving the maximum 36-milligram dose of orforglipron shed 11.2% of their body weight — approximately 25 pounds on average — over a period exceeding 16 months. In contrast, participants given a placebo lost only 2.1% of their weight, or fewer than 5 pounds, according to findings published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Neither oral medication from Lilly nor Novo Nordisk achieved the weight reduction seen with injectable versions. Lilly’s Zepbound injections produce an average 21% weight loss, while Novo Nordisk’s injectable Wegovy averages around 15%.
While both once-daily pills offer ease of use, orforglipron provides greater flexibility as a small-molecule GLP-1 drug with no dietary restrictions. The Wegovy pill requires specific timing — taken with minimal water on an empty stomach in the morning, followed by a 30-minute wait before consuming food or beverages.
Study participants taking orforglipron also experienced better waist measurements, blood pressure readings, triglyceride levels, and cholesterol numbers, researchers reported.
Digestive problems and other side effects caused 5% to 10% of orforglipron users to stop treatment, compared to nearly 3% in the placebo group.
Research from KFF, a nonprofit health policy organization, shows roughly one in eight Americans have tried injectable GLP-1 medications. However, many more struggle to afford the expensive shots.
The Indianapolis-based Lilly’s new pill will be part of a Trump administration agreement to reduce costs for GLP-1 drugs.
NEW YORK — A federal judge on Wednesday approved a modest postponement for Luigi Mangione’s trial in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, scheduling it for October rather than September, though defense attorneys had pushed for a delay until next year.
U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett based her ruling on the timeline for Mangione’s state murder trial, which is slated to start June 8 and run four to six weeks. She turned down the defense team’s request to push the federal proceedings back to January or February 2027, which would have allowed them to seek a delay of the state case until September.
Defense lawyers contended that consecutive trials on such a tight schedule would infringe upon his constitutional protections. But Garnett noted their alternative plan to move the federal case to 2027 and reschedule the state case “doesn’t solve any of these problems because it shifts the very same problems from the summer to the fall.”
The federal case will now begin jury selection on Oct. 5 rather than Sept. 8, with opening arguments and witness testimony starting Oct. 26 instead of Oct. 13, according to Garnett. She noted the timeline could shift again if the state proceedings face delays.
The 27-year-old defendant has entered not guilty pleas and could receive life imprisonment if found guilty in either proceeding.
“There really is no way around taking into account the events in the state case,” Garnett stated during Wednesday’s hearing at Manhattan federal court. However, she added, “I am skeptical of moving the (federal) trial wholesale into 2027 when the state trial has not been adjourned. it is a little bit of a tail wagging the dog.”
Alongside setting the new court date, Garnett adjusted the timeline for federal jury selection preparations to avoid conflicts with the state trial, allowing Mangione additional time to examine questionnaires completed by hundreds of prospective jurors.
Judge Gregory Carro, who oversees the state case, had previously suggested moving the state trial to September — but only if federal prosecutors challenged Garnett’s decision preventing them from pursuing capital punishment. They chose not to appeal.
Wednesday’s ruling by Garnett gives Carro limited flexibility to postpone the state trial, and delaying it until after the federal case could create double jeopardy issues.
State double jeopardy protections take effect once a jury is sworn in during a previous prosecution, like a federal case, or if that prosecution concludes with a guilty plea. While the cases involve separate charges, they stem from the same alleged criminal conduct.
During a February court appearance, Mangione voiced opposition to facing two separate trials, stating to the judge: “It’s the same trial twice. One plus one is two. Double jeopardy by any commonsense definition.”
Thompson, age 50, was fatally shot on Dec. 4, 2024, while walking to a midtown Manhattan hotel for UnitedHealth Group’s yearly investor meeting. Security footage captured a masked shooter firing at him from behind.
Authorities report that the words “delay,” “deny” and “depose” were inscribed on the bullets, echoing language critics use to characterize how insurance companies evade claim payments.
Mangione, who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and comes from an affluent Maryland family, was apprehended five days after the shooting when someone recognized him at a McDonald’s restaurant in Altoona, Pennsylvania, roughly 230 miles west of Manhattan.
His legal team has claimed that law enforcement compromised his case by turning his arrest into a “Marvel movie” spectacle, including having armed personnel escort him along a Manhattan pier after flying him to New York and publicly announcing their intention to pursue the death penalty before formal charges were filed.
In January, Garnett dropped a federal murder charge — murder through firearm use — that would have allowed prosecutors to seek execution, ruling it legally defective.
The judge, a former Manhattan federal prosecutor nominated to the bench by President Joe Biden, also dismissed a weapons charge but maintained stalking charges that carry a potential life sentence.
ATLANTA — A federal judge has thrown out a civil rights lawsuit brought by the family of an environmental activist fatally shot by Georgia state troopers, ruling that law enforcement acted reasonably when they used pepper balls against the protester’s tent and later fired deadly shots after the 26-year-old wounded an officer.
The fatal shooting of Manuel Paez Terán, who went by “Tortuguita,” occurred on January 18, 2023, and became a rallying point for activists opposing construction of what opponents called “Cop City” — a large-scale police and firefighter training facility built on forested land and a former prison farm outside Atlanta that opened last year.
The family of Paez Terán filed suit against three law enforcement officials they claimed organized and executed the operation targeting demonstrators who had been camping in the woods for months near the DeKalb County construction site. Their legal action alleged officers violated Paez Terán’s constitutional speech rights and used unreasonable force against the activist, causing them to panic and fire shots. A family-commissioned autopsy found that Paez Terán, who identified with they/them pronouns, was seated cross-legged with hands raised when struck by more than a dozen bullets.
In Monday’s decision, U.S. District Judge Steven Grimberg pointed out that even the family acknowledged Paez Terán shot at officers, injuring one, which made the troopers’ deadly response justified. Grimberg further determined that officers were legally permitted to fire pepper balls at Paez Terán when the activist, facing criminal trespass charges, refused commands to exit the tent.
“Because Paez Teran initiated gunfire with the (Georgia State Patrol) officers, Plaintiffs cannot maintain that Defendants’ actions were the proximate cause of the use of deadly force that ultimately ended the decedent’s life,” the judge wrote.
Grimberg additionally found the officers protected by qualified immunity, a legal doctrine that shields law enforcement and government employees from lawsuits claiming constitutional violations.
Attorneys Jeff Filipovits and Wingo Smith said Paez Terán’s parents, Belkis Terán and Joel Paez, are “devastated” by the court’s decision.
“They feel they are being denied the accountability they deserve,” the attorneys said in a statement. “The records of their child’s death still have not been publicly released. They will be reviewing all their legal options.”
Body camera video from four Atlanta officers present doesn’t capture the actual shooting, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. However, the agency reported the footage shows officers finding Paez Terán in a wooded tent and opening fire in self-defense after the activist shot at troopers while disregarding verbal orders to leave.
A prosecutor chose not to file charges against the troopers who killed Paez Terán, determining their deadly force was “objectively reasonable.” Investigators also confirmed ballistics evidence showed the wounded trooper was hit by a bullet from a firearm Paez Terán legally bought in 2020.
Demonstrators created the “Stop Cop City” campaign to oppose building the 85-acre Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, arguing it would harm the environment by destroying large forest areas and worsen flooding risks in a low-income, predominantly Black community. They also objected to spending tens of millions in taxpayer money on what critics called an “urban warfare” training facility.
Demonstrations against the project sometimes turned violent, with masked protesters setting fire to police vehicles and construction machinery — incidents that resulted in a sweeping racketeering case against 61 demonstrators in 2023. A Fulton County judge dismissed the high-profile prosecution on procedural issues last year, though Republican Attorney General Chris Carr is challenging that decision.
While the movement has diminished following the racketeering charges and the training center’s completion, the name Tortuguita continues to appear at anti-police demonstrations, and the activist’s likeness remains visible in murals and protest materials throughout Atlanta.
NEWARK, Del. – The Delaware Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame announced Wednesday that three former University of Delaware baseball standouts have been selected for induction into their prestigious organization.
Dave May, Dr. G. Willy Miranda, and Brian Wallace, all graduates of the Blue Hens baseball program, received the honor recognizing their significant impact on Delaware baseball.
The induction ceremony celebrates the achievements of these former collegiate players who have made lasting contributions to baseball in the First State. The Delaware Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have demonstrated excellence in the sport and helped advance baseball throughout the region.
All three inductees played for the University of Delaware’s baseball team during their collegiate careers before going on to make their mark in the baseball community.
The University of Delaware Blue Hens softball squad is extending their current away game schedule with an upcoming matchup against the University of Texas at El Paso Miners.
The team is maintaining their road trip momentum as they travel to face UTEP in what marks another key contest in their ongoing season schedule.
The Blue Hens will look to build on their recent performances as they take on the Miners during this extended period of away games.
Aerospace industry stocks experienced significant gains Wednesday following news that Elon Musk’s SpaceX has secretly submitted paperwork for a public stock offering, with investors anticipating major growth opportunities for the space sector.
According to Reuters, the private space company filed confidential documents for a U.S. stock market debut and could be valued at more than $1.75 trillion, based on information from a source close to the situation.
Multiple aerospace companies saw their stock prices climb, with Rocket Labs increasing 5.8% and Planet Labs jumping 9.6%. Intuitive Machines rose 10.5% while Howmet Aerospace gained 3.4%.
Year-to-date performance has been strong across the sector, with Planet Labs up more than 56%, Intuitive Machines rising 26%, and Howmet Aerospace climbing 16.3%.
“It isn’t unusual for the entire sector to rally because some investors will interpret the announcement of the IPO as very positive for that type of industry and the timing is also coincidental with the launch this evening of the U.S. space escapade,” explained Peter Andersen, founder of Andersen Capital Management.
The timing coincides with NASA’s planned Wednesday evening launch of four astronauts on a 10-day lunar mission.
Other Musk-related investments also benefited, with Tesla stock rising 2.6% and satellite communications firm EchoStar, which holds SpaceX investments, gaining 4.8%.
Specialized investment funds focused on aerospace performed well, with the Ark Space & Defense Innovation and Procure Space exchange-traded funds climbing 2.9% and 4.8% respectively. Both funds have more than doubled their value since 2023.
The potential public offering arrives during a period of heightened investor interest in space-related businesses, fueled by reduced launch expenses, expanding satellite infrastructure, and increasing demand for orbital data center capabilities.
SpaceX’s market entry could generate substantial retail investor interest, with Musk reportedly considering reserving up to 30% of company shares specifically for individual investors, according to Reuters.
Delaware farmers and agricultural producers nationwide are adjusting their planting strategies for 2026, with plans to reduce corn acreage while expanding soybean cultivation, according to new data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture released Tuesday.
The shift reflects mounting economic pressures on the farming community as the ongoing Iran conflict has significantly increased fertilizer and fuel costs, adding another burden to an already struggling agricultural sector.
Federal agriculture officials released their initial survey-based crop acreage projections for the year alongside quarterly grain inventory figures. However, agricultural experts warn these early estimates may not fully capture the economic disruptions caused by the current conflict.
Survey participation continues to decline, with only 37.6% of farmers responding to the March agricultural survey, down from 44.3% the previous year – marking the lowest response rate on record for this particular survey, according to the agency’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Jake Hanley, managing director and senior portfolio specialist at Teucrium Trading, explained the situation: “Because of what’s happening in the fertilizer market, and the timing of when the survey went out, this is probably the highest number in planted acreage we’ll see in corn this year.”
The economic reality is driving farmers’ decisions, as corn and wheat crops demand significantly more expensive fertilizer compared to soybeans. The U.S.-Israeli military action against Iran has disrupted crucial nitrogen supply chains from the Gulf region to agricultural markets worldwide.
These escalating fertilizer expenses represent just one of several obstacles confronting today’s farmers, who are also dealing with depressed grain prices, increasing costs for other agricultural inputs, and questions surrounding Chinese demand for American crops. Trade tensions initiated by the Trump administration have severely impacted U.S. soybean exports to China, the globe’s largest buyer.
According to USDA projections, farmers nationwide plan to cultivate 95.338 million acres of corn this year, representing a decrease from 98.788 million acres in 2025. Soybean plantings are expected to increase to 84.7 million acres, up from 81.215 million acres the previous year.
Market analysts had anticipated even steeper reductions in corn planting due to Iran-related disruptions, projecting corn acreage at 94.371 million acres and soybean plantings at 85.549 million acres in a Reuters survey.
The agriculture department’s soybean acreage estimate came in lower than market expectations, causing soybean futures to rally.
Wheat acreage faces particularly steep declines, with farmers planting 43.775 million acres for this year’s harvest – down from 45.328 million acres last year and representing the smallest wheat acreage since record-keeping began in 1919. This figure also fell short of analysts’ projections of 44.786 million acres.
Traditional farming practices in the Midwest involve rotating corn and soybean crops annually on the same fields to maintain soil health. However, some producers are breaking from this established rotation when they see opportunities for better profits or reduced losses.
Federal forecasts predict U.S. net farm income will decline this year despite near-record government assistance payments, continuing a four-year streak of narrow profit margins, elevated production costs, and low commodity prices.
Agricultural organizations are pressing Congress for additional support for crop producers as the Iran conflict’s effects ripple through the broader economy. The Trump administration is currently distributing $12 billion in aid to farmers affected by trade disputes with China that damaged U.S. soybean sales.
Grain inventories as of March 1 showed increases across corn, soybeans, and wheat compared to the same period last year, reflecting abundant supplies following strong harvests and trade disruptions in the previous year.
U.S. corn stockpiles reached 9.024 billion bushels on March 1, compared to 8.147 billion bushels a year earlier, though slightly below analysts’ expectations of 9.104 billion bushels.
These substantial inventories continue to pressure crop prices for farmers while providing cost relief for livestock producers and biofuel manufacturers.
“There’s plenty of corn right now to be had,” Hanley noted. “But all the elements right now are building that the risk is to the upside here.”
Colorado Avalanche’s standout defenseman Cale Makar will be sidelined for multiple games following an upper-body injury, according to head coach Jared Bednar’s announcement on Wednesday.
“(He’s) going to be OK. He’s going to miss some time here. Nothing serious, though,” Bednar stated during his Wednesday appearance on Altitude radio.
The injury occurred in the second period of Monday’s commanding 9-2 victory over the Calgary Flames at home in Denver. Makar was unable to return for the final period of play.
Despite recording three assists in the game, Makar absorbed a significant hit from Adam Klapka but managed to complete that shift and participate in two additional shifts before being declared out for the remainder of the contest late in the third period.
The 27-year-old defenseman currently sits third among Avalanche players in scoring with 75 points, including 20 goals and 55 assists this season.
Makar achieved a notable milestone last June when he became one of only a select group of players to capture multiple Norris trophies before reaching age 27. This exclusive group includes Hockey Hall of Fame legends Bobby Orr (eight victories), Denis Potvin and Paul Coffey (three each), and Rod Langway (two), along with current Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson, who also claimed the award twice before his 27th birthday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky participated in virtual discussions Wednesday with American negotiators, according to a source with knowledge of the conversations, as Ukraine works to maintain the Trump administration’s attention on its conflict with Russia during the Iran war.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte participated in the discussions alongside U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Senator Lindley Graham, the source informed Reuters.
Ukraine intends to propose a potential Easter ceasefire, Zelensky announced to media on Tuesday, and will request that negotiators relay this proposal to Russian officials.
Through a Telegram message, Zelensky revealed he also conducted a conversation with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday, updating him on his ceasefire plan.
“I informed Keir about the situation on the frontline: our positions are now much stronger,” Zelensky said.
Ukraine has intensified attacks on Russian petroleum facilities in recent weeks. Approximately 40% of Russia’s oil export operations have been disrupted, based on Reuters analysis from last week.
Zelensky has indicated Ukraine would be willing to halt these attacks if Russia agrees to end strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities.
Russian foreign ministry officials dismissed the ceasefire proposal on Wednesday, labeling it a “PR stunt.” The Kremlin restated its position that Ukrainian forces should have withdrawn from Donbas territory – which Russia has been unable to completely capture during four years of warfare – “yesterday.”
Ukraine views halting combat at current battle lines as a reasonable compromise and refuses Russia’s demands to retreat from territories it continues to hold in the Donetsk region, which is part of Donbas.
Zelensky has consistently advocated for a meeting involving Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating that territorial matters can only be resolved through direct leader-to-leader negotiations.
After recent diplomatic tensions between American and European representatives, Finnish President Alexander Stubb announced on X Wednesday that he had spoken with Trump: “Constructive discussion and exchange of ideas on NATO, Ukraine and Iran.”
A coalition of states led by California is requesting $10.3 million in legal fees and expenses after successfully preventing the proposed merger between grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons.
California would receive $5.1 million of the total amount as the state increasingly takes on major antitrust cases independently of federal regulators. U.S. District Judge Adrienne Nelson in Portland, Oregon, has already determined that the states deserve compensation for their legal costs but hasn’t yet decided on the specific dollar amount.
The Golden State is spearheading several other antitrust battles, including a bipartisan push to stop Nexstar’s $3.54 billion purchase of Tegna after federal authorities chose not to intervene. California and eight other states, plus the District of Columbia, are also continuing their lawsuit against Live Nation even after the Department of Justice reached a settlement during the trial.
Additionally, California is examining Paramount Skydance’s proposed $110 billion deal to acquire Warner Bros Discovery, which federal regulators are also investigating.
The fee request demonstrates the significant financial burden states face when challenging corporate mergers. According to court documents filed in Oregon federal court, the states spent less money by collaborating with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission on the case.
The FTC and state coalition achieved victory in 2024 when Judge Nelson issued a ruling that stopped the $25 billion transaction, which states argued would have created the biggest supermarket merger in American history.
Washington state pursued its own separate legal challenge, resulting in an additional state court order preventing the merger. Washington was ultimately granted $28.4 million in legal fees and costs.
However, well-funded corporations invest heavily in defending their proposed deals. Kroger and Albertsons combined reported spending $1.5 billion on merger-related expenses. A portion of those costs went toward employing over 60 defense lawyers from eight different law firms, with some attorneys charging more than $1,625 per hour, according to state filings.
Representatives for both Kroger and Albertsons have not yet responded to requests for comment on the fee request.
An intensive outreach campaign successfully reversed declining enrollment trends in a federal dairy protection program, leading to increased participation among American dairy farmers this year.
The Dairy Margin Coverage Program now includes 13,349 participating farms, representing a jump from last year’s 12,989 enrollments. The percentage of dairy operations taking part in the USDA program climbed to 57 percent, compared to 53 percent in the prior enrollment period.
The National Milk Producers Federation spearheaded the communication effort through multiple channels, including television appearances on RFD-TV, articles distributed through farm broadcasting networks, social media campaigns, leadership columns, member notifications, and press announcements.
The enrollment increase demonstrates that dairy producers continue to value this financial protection program and benefit from its assistance. Congressional improvements to the program were included in last year’s budget reconciliation legislation, featuring updated production records and expanded milk volume coverage.
Meanwhile, February margin calculations under the program triggered another round of payments to participating farmers. The reported margin reached $8.46 per hundredweight, marking a $0.65 increase from the previous month. Producers who chose the maximum $9.50 coverage level received $1.04 per hundredweight for February.
The improved margin resulted from an $0.80 per hundredweight rise in overall milk prices from January, though this was partially offset by a $0.15 increase in the program’s feed cost calculation, primarily due to higher soybean meal prices.
According to USDA projections from late March using the agency’s decision-making tool, February’s payment may be the final significant payout for the year, with only a small March payment possible. The department forecasts margins will average $10.61 per hundredweight annually.
American dairy farmers are celebrating a significant victory following the March 13 signing of a reciprocal trade agreement between the United States and Ecuador, marking another success for the National Milk Producers Federation’s ongoing advocacy efforts with federal officials.
The agreement addresses longstanding challenges that have hindered U.S. dairy exports to Ecuador, where restrictive tariffs and complex trade barriers have limited market access for American producers.
Key provisions of the new trade deal include the removal of tariffs on various U.S. dairy products, a complete restructuring of Ecuador’s complicated import licensing procedures, and acknowledgment of American regulatory standards. The agreement also eliminates requirements for facility listings and allows Ecuadorian officials to accept certification documents from U.S. regulatory agencies.
Cheese manufacturers will particularly benefit from protections secured for 40 commonly used cheese names, including “parmesan,” preventing international competitors from claiming exclusive rights to these essential product terms.
“With an unprecedented investment in U.S. dairy manufacturing capacity, deals like this are vital to making it easier for international buyers to source the great products our dairy companies are making,” stated Gregg Doud, President and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation.
This Ecuador agreement represents the tenth trade deal achieved by the current Administration that expands market opportunities for American dairy exports. Both the National Milk Producers Federation and the U.S. Dairy Export Council continue collaborating with the U.S. Trade Representative’s office to ensure successful implementation and maintain progress on future agreements.
A dairy industry representative addressed lawmakers on March 17 during a Congressional Agriculture Trade Caucus meeting, calling attention to ongoing trade obstacles that prevent American dairy farmers from fully accessing North American markets through the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
Tony Rice from the National Milk Producers Federation spoke about the upcoming USMCA review process as a chance to address unresolved trade issues.
“The USMCA Joint Review presents an opportunity for the United States to strengthen the agreement and ensure Mexico and Canada live up to their commitments,” Rice said. “Preserving tariff-free access to Mexico is paramount, while measures to address Canada’s failure to comply with its dairy obligations and Mexico’s delayed implementation of its common name provisions are necessary for U.S. dairy producers receive the full benefit of the agreement.”
According to industry officials, Canada has been managing its import quota system in ways that block American dairy products while also avoiding trade agreement rules governing dairy protein exports. These actions work against the market opportunities the trade deal was supposed to create.
Mexico also faces criticism for incomplete implementation despite maintaining generally positive trade relations. The country has yet to fully adopt USMCA provisions protecting common product names that allow American producers to sell items like “feta” cheese, and needs to prevent new barriers on U.S. cheese shipments.
The National Milk Producers Federation and U.S. Dairy Export Council have been discussing these issues with lawmakers and government officials as the agreement review approaches. The Agriculture Trade Caucus, a bipartisan group launched in January 2024 with help from both dairy organizations, regularly holds sessions on export challenges and Congressional solutions.
Both dairy groups plan to continue advocating for agreement improvements to ensure commitments to American dairy farmers are fulfilled when the three nations meet on July 1 to discuss the trade pact’s future.
A dairy industry official brought urgent shipping and transportation concerns directly to federal lawmakers and White House officials in March, highlighting how ongoing disruptions are damaging America’s dairy export business.
Tony Rice, who serves as senior director of trade policy for the National Milk Producers Federation, appeared before a House Judiciary Subcommittee on March 17 to address ocean shipping problems affecting dairy exporters nationwide.
“Dairy farmers milk their cows 365 days a year,” Rice told lawmakers during the Administrative State, Regulatory Reform and Antitrust hearing. “For a dairy producer, these supply chain issues are not abstract policy concerns. When export shipments are delayed, cancelled, or become more expensive to move, the disruptions ripple back through the supply chain and ultimately affect farm income.”
The stakes are significant for America’s dairy sector, which shipped $9.6 billion worth of products totaling three million metric tons overseas last year. However, dairy exporters find themselves at the mercy of a small number of foreign-controlled shipping companies, creating vulnerability when transportation networks face problems.
During his congressional testimony, Rice advocated for several solutions including expanded domestic shipbuilding capabilities, enhanced Federal Maritime Commission supervision, and requiring shipping companies to be more transparent about their cargo booking practices.
Beyond traditional shipping delays, the industry now faces a growing threat from organized theft targeting shipping containers. Rice joined other supply chain representatives at a March 18 White House meeting with the National Economic Council to discuss this escalating problem. The group urged federal officials to allocate more resources toward dismantling criminal organizations that break into containers seeking valuable merchandise, often affecting dairy shipments in the process.
Meanwhile, the National Milk Producers Federation and U.S. Dairy Export Council are supporting congressional passage of the bipartisan Combating Organized Retail Crime Act. This legislation would provide the Department of Homeland Security with enhanced authority to pursue and arrest these criminal networks.
Dairy producers dealing with transportation and supply chain problems can reach Tony Rice at [email protected] for assistance.
New Castle County police have arrested a local man for driving under the influence for the seventh time after finding him stopped in traffic on a busy roadway.
The incident unfolded Tuesday evening, March 31, 2026, around 5:17 p.m. when a New Castle County Division of Police officer discovered a gray BMW 525 sitting motionless at the intersection of North DuPont Highway and West Lincoln Avenue in New Castle.
Police made contact with the vehicle’s operator, who was later determined to be a 50-year-old resident. The driver has now been charged with his seventh DUI offense, according to authorities.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about repeat DUI offenders in New Castle County. Additional details about the arrest and charges were not immediately available.
Rising spring temperatures are bringing increased concern about New World screwworm potentially crossing into the United States from Mexico. The National Milk Producers Federation is collaborating with government agencies and industry partners to help dairy operations prepare for this threat.
Active infestations are moving northward toward the border between the US and Mexico, with the nearest confirmed case approximately 150 miles south of Texas. In response, officials are deploying sterile flies within 50 miles of the Mexican border in Texas to control pest populations before they can affect American cattle operations.
On March 16, the National Milk Producers Federation hosted an educational webinar featuring key experts to discuss the latest developments regarding New World screwworm and its potential impact on American dairy operations.
The webinar featured three specialists: Dr. Adis Dijab from APHIS Veterinary Services as associate deputy administrator, Dr. Sonja Swiger who serves as professor and extension entomologist at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, and Dr. T.R. Lansford III, who holds positions as deputy executive director and assistant state veterinarian with the Texas Animal Health Commission. These experts explained how to identify screwworm symptoms in cattle, provided updates on the pest’s current distribution, and offered actionable prevention strategies for producers.
The specialists also outlined available treatment protocols for affected livestock and explained possible cattle transportation regulations or limitations that could be implemented if an outbreak occurs within US borders.
Federal USDA officials and state authorities will lead outbreak response efforts. The National Milk Producers Federation has submitted recommendations to USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service regarding their emergency response strategies for potential US screwworm invasions, and USDA is incorporating this input into their updated response framework.
Should an outbreak occur, USDA will oversee interstate animal movement, while individual states may implement additional regulations for livestock transportation within their boundaries. Producers should anticipate quarantine measures and movement limitations in areas near any infestation, including mandatory pre-transport health examinations and treatment protocols when necessary, following established continuity of business guidelines for screwworm animal health certification. Most producers should retain the ability to transport their animals by following protocols for inspections, wound care, documentation, and proper biosecurity measures.
The FDA has broadened treatment options for New World screwworm through Emergency Use Authorizations. On March 10, FDA approved an EUA for a new topical spray specifically for lactating dairy cattle that requires only a 10-day milk withdrawal period. This represents the first approved medication for treating New World screwworm in milk-producing cattle.
The National Milk Producers Federation plans to maintain its collaboration with federal and state officials to ensure dairy producers receive necessary resources and assistance to maintain healthy herds.
Dairy industry advocates successfully blocked West Virginia legislation that could have eliminated flavored milk from school cafeterias across the state.
The West Virginia legislative session ended on March 14 without passing SB 745, which proposed stringent restrictions on added sugars in school meal programs. The measure would have effectively banned flavored milk and similar dairy products from school lunch menus, sparking opposition from nutritionists, dairy producers, and school food service professionals.
The National Milk Producers Federation collaborated with the International Dairy Foods Association and other organizations to inform state legislators about potential negative impacts of the legislation. Studies demonstrate that eliminating flavored milk from schools leads to decreased overall milk consumption among students, resulting in lower intake of essential nutrients including calcium, vitamin D, and potassium.
The implications reached beyond West Virginia’s borders, as the state has emerged as a center for the “Make America Healthy Again” initiative. Approval of SB 745 might have created a template for comparable measures in additional states or potentially at the national level.
The successful opposition to this bill preserved student meal options, evidence-based nutrition policies, and dairy’s contribution to children’s nutritional needs. West Virginia students will maintain access to flavored milk and other dairy products that contribute significantly to balanced diets, while emphasizing the value of research-driven approaches to nutrition policy development.
The National Milk Producers Federation has launched a groundbreaking monthly newsletter this week, marking the organization’s first venture into state-focused communications. The State Issues Digest aims to bolster advocacy efforts for dairy farmers by enhancing coordination between states and improving response times to emerging policy challenges.
The monthly publication will reach interested federation members, spotlighting critical matters that impact dairy farmers and their cooperative organizations nationwide at the state government level.
The first issue addresses several pressing concerns, including how extended producer responsibility regulations are creating financial and operational burdens for dairy cooperatives and processing facilities. Additional coverage includes initiatives to eliminate flavored milk options from school meal programs, proposals to expand E-Verify mandates for businesses, and efforts to broaden raw milk distribution opportunities.
Those interested in receiving the digest can register and adjust their communication settings through the federation’s website to ensure delivery of upcoming issues.
Dairy farmers across the nation received welcome news as the House Agriculture Committee passed the 2026 Farm Bill on March 5, incorporating numerous priorities championed by the National Milk Producers Federation through months of collaboration with committee leadership.
The bipartisan legislation, which received broad committee support under the guidance of Chairman GT Thompson, a Pennsylvania Republican, includes crucial measures to bolster dairy operations and cooperative organizations. Key provisions authorize comprehensive long-term studies of dairy processing costs while extending vital programs including Dairy Forward Pricing, Dairy Indemnity, and the Dairy Research and Promotion Program. The bill also strengthens voluntary conservation initiatives led by producers, with specific emphasis on supporting methane reduction strategies.
Trade-related achievements represent a significant victory for the dairy sector, as the federation successfully pushed for long-term requirements directing the federal government to safeguard traditional cheese designations such as parmesan and feta during international trade discussions. The organization also achieved its goal of officially transferring the Food for Peace program to the Department of Agriculture, accompanied by dedicated annual funding of $200 million for dairy-based therapeutic products aimed at addressing global malnutrition challenges.
The comprehensive package delivers additional benefits including enhanced funding for export promotion activities, improved access to renewable energy initiatives for farmer-owned cooperatives, expanded dairy participation in nutrition incentive programs, and ongoing commitment to farmer mental health resources and workplace safety measures.
With President Trump’s backing, Chairman Thompson plans to bring the legislation to the House floor in coming weeks, though the Senate has yet to take action on corresponding legislation. The National Milk Producers Federation continues working to build cross-party support for measures that will provide enduring benefits to dairy producers nationwide.
WILMINGTON – Drivers who use East 4th Street in Wilmington should prepare for traffic delays next week as railroad crews conduct routine maintenance work.
DelDOT officials say Delaware Car Railroad workers will begin their maintenance project at the railroad crossing on East 4th Street Monday morning at 7:00 am on April 6th. The maintenance work will cause periodic lane restrictions in the vicinity of the crossing throughout the week.
Transportation officials expect the railroad maintenance to conclude by 5:00 pm on Thursday, April 9th. Motorists are advised to plan alternate routes or allow extra travel time when driving through the area during the four-day work period.
An unprecedented battle of competing imagery is playing out across Washington D.C.’s National Mall as the Trump administration settles into power.
Federal buildings now display the president’s likeness while opposition groups counter with mocking displays and protest installations on the grounds below, creating a stark visual contrast in the heart of the nation’s capital.
Among the most attention-grabbing demonstrations was a satirical installation placed near the U.S. Capitol building in February, featuring figures of President Trump and deceased convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The temporary display, titled “King of the World” and inspired by an iconic movie scene from Titanic, attracted massive crowds who shared images across social media platforms.
This clash of visual messaging represents an extraordinary moment in American politics, where official government imagery competes directly with grassroots opposition art in one of the country’s most symbolic locations.
A federal court has determined that the Department of Homeland Security violated the law when it revoked immigration status from thousands of individuals who used the CBP One application to enter the United States.
The judge’s decision on Tuesday restores the legal immigration standing of all affected people who had their status canceled after entering through the CBP One system.
The ruling addresses concerns about the government’s handling of cases involving people who followed proper procedures using the official CBP One mobile application for requesting entry into the country.
BAGHDAD — A 49-year-old American freelance journalist who disappeared Wednesday in Baghdad was recognized for her bold approach to reporting, frequently venturing into dangerous territories across the Middle East with minimal financial resources.
Shelly Kittleson, originally from Wisconsin, had established herself as a respected correspondent throughout the region after years of living overseas, including time based in Rome. Security footage captured the moment she was abducted by two individuals who forced her into a vehicle at a crowded Baghdad street corner on Wednesday.
Patrizio Nissirio, who previously worked as an editor at Italian news agency ANSA and has known Kittleson since 2011 when she served as a translator, praised her dedication. “She is a great reporter and always wants to go to areas where no one wants to go,” Nissirio explained.
He recalled advising her about safer reporting options: “I said to her, ‘You don’t need to be in a war zone to do good journalism,’ and she told me, ‘I think my work is worth something when I am in those areas,’” Nissirio said.
Colleagues and friends characterize Kittleson as a fearless and persistent journalist who dedicated more than ten years to covering Iraq, Syria, and the broader Middle East region for various publications, including Al-Monitor, a specialized regional news website.
Known for her inquisitive nature and self-reliance, she frequently immersed herself within local populations, sometimes choosing to stay with host families instead of commercial accommodations.
Her freelance status meant she typically operated solo, covering vast distances while carrying all her possessions, without the security resources that larger news organizations might provide their staff.
Friends describe the Wisconsin-born journalist as compassionate and spiritually minded, having converted to Islam during her time in the region.
She maintained a vegetarian diet, which Iraqi acquaintances noted was challenging in the meat-centric cuisine of Middle Eastern nations. She was often good-naturedly mocked for her heavy bags, which she refused to leave unattended at the basic Baghdad hotel where she resided.
Three Iraqi associates agreed to discuss Kittleson only without revealing their identities, concerned about potential retaliation from militant organizations if connected to her publicly.
During her last communications before the kidnapping, she inquired with contacts about transportation options between various cities while continuing her efforts to secure story access.
Just hours before her abduction, Kittleson met with an acquaintance in Baghdad’s Karrada district and revealed she had been warned that U.S. officials informed her of a militia group’s plan to target her. However, she dismissed the threat as lacking credibility.
Iraqi colleagues mentioned that security personnel and militia members had detained Kittleson at checkpoints previously, but she had consistently secured her freedom. “They will not hurt me,” she assured her friend that afternoon prior to her capture.
Rather than security concerns, she expressed worry about her financial difficulties, mentioning she lacked any work assignments during her Baghdad stay. Financial hardship had been a persistent challenge throughout her career of modest living.
Working independently, she frequently depended on assistance from Iraqi journalism professionals.
On March 9, Kittleson attempted to enter Iraq from Syria through the al-Qaim border crossing. While border authorities issued her a visa, Iraqi intelligence personnel subsequently blocked her entry, referencing kidnapping risks, according to three separate accounts from individuals she contacted that day.
She then traveled to Jordan and successfully entered Iraq through that route without complications.
“She always complained of the treatment of freelance journalists, saying they are not paid enough. She was always trying to make ends meet and said she would sleep on any couch she could find, unlike the big foreign correspondents that sleep in fancy hotels,” Nissirio explained.
“Her job has always been difficult, but she had a burning passion for it that I respect and appreciate.”
Kittleson’s most recent publication appeared in Il Foglio on Monday, March 31, examining how the Iran conflict has impacted Iraq’s Kurdish territories.
