A federal appeals court delivered a setback to the Trump administration on Wednesday, denying its effort to overturn a judicial order mandating continued funding for New York’s massive Hudson Tunnel project.
The three-member panel from the Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals determined that lifting the lower court’s temporary restraining order while an appeal proceeds would allow the Transportation Department to halt future funding payments. The judges warned this could lead to construction work stopping, creating “serious risk of injury and deterioration that the states, at considerable expense, will become responsible to safeguard against.”
The dispute centers on the $16 billion Hudson Tunnel infrastructure project, with the court’s decision ensuring payments to the overseeing authority will continue for now.
A drone manufacturing company with financial backing from President Donald Trump’s eldest sons is positioning itself to compete for lucrative Pentagon contracts.
Powerus, which counts Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump among its investors, has experienced rapid growth through acquisitions of competitor companies and is eyeing a share of the $1.1 billion the Pentagon has allocated for building domestic armed drone manufacturing capabilities following the administration’s prohibition on Chinese drone imports.
The Trump family’s business expansion has faced scrutiny for international real estate ventures in countries seeking presidential favor and cryptocurrency investments that benefit from administration policies. Less noticed are their new investments in federal contractors supplying various products from rocket components and rare earth materials to artificial intelligence processors and computing equipment.
Company co-founder Brett Velicovich dismissed concerns about potential conflicts of interest regarding government contracts that could financially benefit the president’s family members.
“There’s no conflict there. Whatever they’re doing, is what they’re doing,” Velicovich stated when asked about the Trump brothers’ involvement. “Our focus at the company has nothing to do with politics.”
When contacted for comment about possible conflicts, the Trump Organization provided a statement from Eric Trump: “I am incredibly proud to invest in companies I believe in. Drones are clearly the wave of the future.”
Established approximately one year ago by former U.S. Army Special Operations personnel, Powerus currently produces drones primarily for civilian applications including agricultural fertilizer distribution and wildfire suppression. However, the company is rapidly scaling operations to provide the Defense Department with military drones similar to those deployed in conflicts involving Ukraine, Russia, and Iran’s recent attacks on U.S.-allied Gulf nations.
The firm has acquired three competing companies within the last six months and intends additional purchases. Powerus recently secured $60 million in investor funding for its acquisition strategy and plans to access further capital through a reverse merger process, where a private entity gains public trading status by purchasing an existing publicly-traded company with minimal operations.
The target public company is Aureus Greenway Holdings, a Florida-based entity partially owned by Eric and Donald Jr. that operates several golf properties and maintains a Nasdaq listing.
Between the two brothers, Donald Jr. maintains the most extensive involvement in federal contracting businesses through his venture capital firm, 1789 Capital.
Following Trump’s reelection, 1789 Capital brought Donald Jr. on as a partner before launching an aggressive investment campaign, backing 25 companies within one year compared to just six investments in the previous two years, according to Pitchbook research data. The majority of these target companies appear to be pursuing federal contracts, taxpayer funding, or have already secured such agreements.
The Trump brothers have also established their own investment company to acquire stakes in American businesses aligned with their father’s goal of revitalizing domestic manufacturing. After The Associated Press inquired about regulatory filing language indicating the firm would target companies seeking federal grants, Trump’s chief business attorney submitted revised documentation removing that language.
Donald Jr. appears well-positioned to support Powerus’s objectives. He has publicly advocated for armed drone development, demonstrates technical knowledge of the industry, and publicly supported Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during his contentious confirmation process.
When questioned about Powerus’s decision to merge with a Trump-affiliated company rather than the numerous other Nasdaq-listed entities with minimal operations, co-founder Velicovich said he lacked financial expertise to explain the choice.
“Our focus is 100% on getting the right technology in the hands of the warfighter,” he explained, “regardless of who the investors are.”
NEW YORK — Pierre Omidyar’s charitable foundation, dedicated to broadening participation in the digital economy’s benefits, will welcome new leadership next month.
Michele Jawando will step into the CEO role at Omidyar Network, the progressive organization announced Wednesday. The group combines traditional charitable giving with profit-driven impact investing. Jawando brings experience as both a civil rights attorney and former Google executive who oversaw public policy partnerships at the tech giant. She’ll now guide one of the most well-funded technology organizations working to challenge Silicon Valley’s dominance over how artificial intelligence gets built, implemented and governed.
“Our focus will be making sure that there is a much more diverse set of views and people and coalitions and voices shaping the moments, the opportunities and the rules for the AI era,” Jawando said.
“I just want people to feel agency and power in this moment,” she added. “I hate the fact that most people feel like this technology is happening to them.”
Charitable organizations typically can’t match the financial resources and political influence of AI corporations worth hundreds of billions of dollars that have gained favorable treatment under President Donald Trump’s administration. This week highlighted those concerns as the Trump administration took action against Anthropic after the AI company declined to grant the government unlimited military access to its technology.
The Anthropic situation reinforces Jawando’s belief that a small group of corporations shouldn’t control the boundaries for what she describes as “really powerful super tools.” Omidyar Network has recently narrowed its mission to address what leadership viewed as philanthropy’s insufficient involvement with AI’s rapidly changing environment, assembling a $30 million generative AI investment portfolio over recent years.
Recognizing the “David and Goliath kind of asymmetry” in available resources, Jawando explained her mission involves creating connections throughout the philanthropic sector to amplify workers’ viewpoints.
“The responsible and safe use of AI shouldn’t be just one company’s mantra,” Jawando said. “It’s not that some companies are too responsible and others aren’t. It’s just that we don’t have a public governance framework.”
Departing Omidyar Network CEO Mike Kubzansky acknowledged that charitable organizations will always face funding disadvantages against major technology companies and noted the sector’s reputation for poor collaboration.
However, he emphasized Jawando’s leadership role in a philanthropic alliance dedicating $500 million toward AI development that serves public interests. Kubzansky credited his replacement with recruiting multiple donors who hadn’t previously engaged significantly in AI issues, including the Doris Duke Foundation and Lumina Foundation.
“She rarely jumps to the oppositional card first,” he said. “She finds new partners for us and she brings people along.”
Describing herself as someone who builds connections, Jawando explained that Omidyar Network will intensify efforts to engage underrepresented communities, shape state-level legislation and fund research that applies this “marvelous technology” to benefit ordinary citizens.
This approach includes collaborating with advocacy organizations like the Model Alliance, which successfully promoted recently enacted New York legislation requiring fashion industry workers’ permission before creating digital copies of their appearances. The organization seeks to empower marginalized groups by backing leaders such as Fallon Wilson, co-founder of #BlackTechFutures Research Institute, who partners with historically Black colleges and African American religious institutions on AI education.
Omidyar Network plans to continue backing technology regulation supporters despite Trump’s executive action limiting state AI oversight measures. With growing public criticism of power-intensive data centers that continue expanding in scale and quantity, Jawando said the organization wants to find examples of responsible data center operations that factor in elements like carbon neutrality and community involvement. The group also finances AI researchers focused on advancing healthcare applications rather than corporate services.
“I think we have the people. I think we have the will. I think we have the creativity,” she said. “In a way that, if you only are forced to think about shareholders every three months, you start to lower and really narrow the window of your ambition.”
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Lyft has agreed to implement nationwide changes protecting the rights of disabled passengers to travel with service animals following a settlement announced Wednesday in Minnesota.
The agreement stems from complaints filed by college student Tori Andres, who contacted the Minnesota Department of Human Rights after multiple Lyft drivers denied rides to her and her service dog, Alfred. State investigators found the ride-sharing company had violated Minnesota’s Human Rights Act, leading to negotiations that produced a settlement with national implications through mandatory driver training and app modifications.
“This case is a deeply personal thing to me because I travel pretty much everywhere with my guide dog,” Andres explained during a press conference, while her black Labrador rested calmly beside her. “He is my eyes. He is my freedom, and he is why I am able to live independently.”
Under the settlement terms, Lyft must provide disability rights training to all drivers and warn them they could face “deactivation” and lose driving privileges for violating accessibility laws, according to state Human Rights Commissioner Rebecca Lucero. She emphasized that drivers cannot cancel or deny rides due to service animals, wheelchairs, or passengers with vision impairments. The state will oversee Lyft’s compliance for three years, while Andres receives $63,000 in compensation.
“We expect that all riders in Minnesota and in fact, across the United States, will benefit from these changes,” Lucero stated.
The settlement mandates several app improvements, including enhanced accessibility settings allowing passengers to inform drivers about service animals and streamlined reporting for service denials. When drivers attempt to cancel rides after passengers disclose service animals through the app, they’ll immediately receive warnings stating “It’s against the law to refuse service animals” and face potential termination.
Minnesota officials reached this agreement without filing a lawsuit. While competitor Uber wasn’t involved in this settlement, Lucero noted that Minnesota’s Human Rights Act applies to all ride-sharing companies. She indicated her office regularly receives transportation-related discrimination complaints but didn’t specify current actions against other companies.
“We recommend that all businesses use this as an opportunity to look at their policies, training and accountability systems to make sure that it’s being enforced correctly,” Lucero advised.
Neither Lyft nor Uber representatives immediately responded to requests for comment about the settlement or their service animal policies. Uber’s website states that service animals must be accommodated according to accessibility laws and company policy, with no exceptions for allergies, religious concerns, or animal fears.
This settlement comes as the federal government pursues a lawsuit against Uber filed in San Francisco last September, alleging systematic refusal to serve disabled individuals, including those with service dogs. A federal magistrate judge recently rejected Uber’s motion to dismiss the case.
“Access to ride shares like Lyft is not a convenience. It is, in fact, a civil right,” Lucero concluded.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s fisheries research team has compiled an impressive collection of underwater photographs spanning a decade of scientific surveys, offering the public a glimpse into the mysterious world beneath the ocean’s surface.
These captivating images were captured during the Gulf of Maine Bottom Longline Survey, where scientists deploy specialized camera equipment to document marine life and underwater conditions. Chief Scientist Giovanni Gianesin and Captain Eric Hesse are among the team members who have contributed to this extensive photographic documentation of ocean research.
The survey work involves lowering camera cages into the depths of the ocean, allowing researchers to observe and record marine ecosystems without disturbing the natural habitat. This method provides valuable scientific data while creating stunning visual records of underwater life.
The decade-long collection showcases both the scientific rigor and unexpected beauty discovered during routine fisheries research operations. These surveys play a crucial role in understanding marine populations and ecosystem health in the Gulf of Maine region.
NOAA Fisheries continues to conduct these important research missions, combining scientific methodology with the documentation of extraordinary underwater discoveries that help inform conservation and fisheries management decisions.
A prominent American medical device manufacturer reported Wednesday that hackers infiltrated its computer systems worldwide, causing significant operational disruptions.
Stryker Corporation, headquartered in Portage, Michigan, released a statement on its corporate website addressing the security breach. “We have no indication of ransomware or malware and believe the incident is contained. Our teams are working rapidly to understand the impact of the attack on our systems,” the company announced.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Handala’s logo appeared on the company’s login screens. Handala is a cybercriminal organization with connections to Iran.
The company confirmed that the cyber intrusion specifically targeted its Microsoft software systems. Representatives did not respond to requests for further details.
The corporation produces various healthcare equipment ranging from prosthetic joints to medical beds and generated over $25 billion in revenue during 2025. Stryker employs approximately 56,000 workers globally.
Alexander Leslie, who serves as a senior adviser with Recorded Future, a threat intelligence firm, emphasized the significance of targeting such a company. He noted the “escalation in target choice and effect.”
“Attacking a high-profile U.S. health care manufacturer is exactly the kind of pressure point that creates outsized strategic and political ripple effects,” Leslie explained to The Associated Press.
PRAGUE — The Czech Parliament voted Wednesday to approve a defense budget for 2026 that doesn’t satisfy NATO spending requirements, ignoring appeals from both American officials and the nation’s president.
In a 104-87 vote in the lower chamber’s 200-member assembly, lawmakers — many supporting the new administration led by populist Prime Minister Andrej Babiš — authorized nearly 155 billion koruna ($7.4 billion) for the Defense Ministry. This represents slightly more than 1.7% of the country’s gross domestic product.
NATO requires member nations to dedicate 2% of GDP to defense spending. Czech expenditures would barely exceed the 2% threshold only when including defense-related funding distributed across other government departments. Whether this accounting method would satisfy alliance standards remains uncertain.
Defending his position, Babiš contended his administration faced competing priorities, including “the health of our citizens,” and described the allocation as “the maximum possible” given the deteriorated public financial situation left by the former government.
Alliance members pledged in 2014 to reach the minimum 2% GDP defense spending level, with NATO anticipating all countries, including the Czech Republic, would achieve this benchmark by the previous year.
During the 2025 Hague summit, responding to Trump administration demands, the alliance established more ambitious goals: investing 3.5% of GDP on essential defense needs and an additional 1.5% on defense and security-related expenditures by 2035.
President Petr Pavel, a former military general, pressed legislators to boost the budget allocation, referencing Russia’s continuing assault on Ukraine. “Today, there is not a single justifiable reason for defense and security spending to stagnate,” Pavel stated.
While the president must approve the budget, he has indicated he will sign it, acknowledging that budgetary decisions belong to the government’s authority rather than his own.
Babiš regained leadership following his ANO (YES) movement’s decisive victory in October elections, establishing a coalition government with two smaller parties: the Freedom and Direct Democracy party and the Motorists. Their platform includes reducing support for Ukraine and opposing certain European Union initiatives.
U.S. Ambassador Nicholas Merrick has emphasized Czech NATO responsibilities to the nation’s leadership.
“If Czechia fails to fulfill its commitments, it impacts the entire alliance,” Merrick addressed a Prague security conference last week. “And I don’t need to remind you, and the Czech people, how essential it is that allies honor commitments.”
The ambassador warned that with the proposed defense spending plan, “Czechia would risk being among the lowest spenders in the alliance, and would be demonstrating negative momentum compared to peer NATO partners.”
Destructive weather systems moved through northern Illinois and northwest Indiana, generating several tornadoes that left extensive damage across both states.
The severe weather event produced multiple tornado touchdowns, resulting in significant destruction throughout the affected regions.
Visual documentation compiled by Associated Press photographers captures the extensive impact left behind by the storm system as it moved through the area.
QUITO, Ecuador — Ecuador’s government announced plans Wednesday for a large-scale military campaign targeting criminal organizations across three western provinces, with logistical assistance from United States forces.
Interior Minister John Reimberg announced during a radio interview that authorities will implement a nighttime curfew running from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. between March 15-30 across Guayas, Los Ríos and Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas provinces — regions experiencing the highest violence rates in the South American nation.
Reimberg emphasized that residents must remain indoors during curfew hours and keep streets clear to allow military personnel and equipment to move freely through the areas.
“We do not want collateral victims from the attacks we are about to launch,” Reimberg said. “We have significant support from U.S. forces for the operations we are about to carry out.”
The U.S. Embassy in Ecuador did not provide immediate response to requests for comment from news organizations.
When contacted Wednesday afternoon, U.S. Southern Command referenced earlier statements from Marine Gen. Francis L. Donovan following March 3 military strikes: “We commend the men and women of the Ecuadorian armed forces for their unwavering commitment to this fight, demonstrating courage and resolve through continued actions against narco-terrorists in their country.”
The announcement follows recent joint military operations between Ecuador and the United States targeting organized crime networks, though neither nation previously disclosed specific locations or operational scope.
Reimberg described the upcoming strikes as efforts to “destroy what they have built in various parts of the country,” but refused to elaborate on tactical details for security reasons.
Beginning in early 2021, Ecuador has confronted persistent attacks from organized crime networks that law enforcement officials say maintain strong connections to drug trafficking organizations operating in Colombia and Mexico.
Authorities identify Ecuador as a critical logistics center for international drug smuggling operations, functioning as a transit and distribution point for narcotics — primarily originating from Colombia, with additional shipments from Peru. Officials report these illegal substances move through Ecuadorian ports toward destinations including Central America, the United States and Europe.
JOHANNESBURG — Diplomatic tensions between the United States and South Africa have escalated after the country’s foreign minister called in America’s new ambassador to account for his controversial public statements, officials announced Wednesday.
Ambassador Leo Brent Bozell III faced official scrutiny following his Tuesday address to a gathering of business executives, where he questioned South Africa’s relationship with Iran and criticized domestic policies promoting opportunities for Black citizens over other racial groups.
The diplomatic relationship between these former allies has deteriorated significantly since Donald Trump resumed the presidency. Current relations have reached their most strained level since apartheid — the system of white minority governance — concluded in 1994. Trump has consistently criticized South Africa’s Black-majority leadership.
Bozell, a conservative political figure selected by Trump, began his duties in Pretoria just last month.
During his initial comprehensive public statements regarding US-South Africa relations since his arrival, Bozell argued that South Africa should modify certain affirmative action policies created to address inequalities stemming from decades of racial separation under apartheid. He drew parallels between these current laws and the discriminatory legislation that oppressed Black South Africans during apartheid.
The ambassador additionally advocated for changes to property legislation that permits the South African government to seize land without providing compensation under specific conditions.
“While South Africa welcomes active public diplomacy and the strengthening of bilateral ties, we emphasize that such engagements must remain consistent with established diplomatic etiquette and international protocols,” Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola stated during a news briefing. “In this regard, we have called in the ambassador of the United States, Ambassador Bozell, to explain his undiplomatic remarks.”
Zane Dangor, the foreign ministry’s director-general, revealed that Bozell held discussions with South African representatives on Tuesday, during which the ambassador “apologized and expressed regret.”
The US government has not yet provided any official response.
Trump’s primary accusation against South Africa’s government centers on his unsubstantiated assertion that white farmers from minority communities face targeted violence and murders. Even certain conservative white Afrikaner organizations have disputed the Trump administration’s allegations.
These claims became the focus of a tense White House encounter between Trump and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa last year, highlighting the deteriorating diplomatic relationship.
Bozell did modify one of his earlier statements on Wednesday. During Tuesday’s business leader gathering, he had criticized a South African judicial decision that determined an apartheid-era slogan used by an extreme-left political organization did not constitute hate speech, despite containing the words “kill the Boer.” The term Boer describes white farmers in South Africa.
The Trump administration has labeled this slogan as anti-white hate speech. Bozell reinforced this position Tuesday, stating: “I am sorry, I don’t care what your courts say, it’s hate speech.” However, he clarified on social media Wednesday that his remarks represented his personal opinion and “the U.S. government respects the independence and findings of South Africa’s judiciary.”
The Trump administration has implemented additional unprecedented measures against South Africa — America’s largest African trading partner — including removing its ambassador from Washington last year and excluding South Africa from Group of 20 meetings held in the United States this year.
Ocean City, Maryland officials are making final preparations for this year’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities, which will include the popular annual parade and festival celebration on March 11, 2026.
While the community looks forward to enjoying the holiday events, local law enforcement is reminding everyone about safety. The Ocean City Police Department, working alongside other law enforcement agencies, will be taking part in Maryland’s statewide Border-to-Border St. Patrick’s Day initiative focused on preventing impaired driving.
The enhanced enforcement effort aims to keep roads safe during one of the year’s most popular party holidays, when alcohol-related incidents typically increase. Officials encourage all celebration participants to plan ahead for safe transportation if they intend to drink during the festivities.
The St. Patrick’s Day parade and festival have become signature events for the coastal resort town, drawing both local residents and visitors from across the region to participate in the Irish-themed celebration.
The University of Delaware men’s tennis program received recognition this week as two of its players were honored by Conference USA officials.
Tennis players Mason Robins and James Sclater have been named the CUSA men’s doubles team of the week, according to an announcement made by the conference on Wednesday from Dallas.
The weekly honor highlights the pair’s performance on the court for the Blue Hens tennis program.
New federal agriculture statistics reveal positive trends in the nation’s chicken production industry, with increases reported in both breeding operations and chick distribution.
According to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, the number of broiler-type eggs placed in incubation facilities nationwide rose by 1 percent during the reporting period.
Additionally, the placement of broiler-type chicks across the United States increased by 2 percent, indicating continued growth in the poultry sector.
These figures reflect the ongoing activity in America’s chicken production chain, from breeding facilities through to farms where the birds will be raised for meat production.
Worcester County officials have announced an upcoming Agricultural Compliance Committee meeting set for Monday, March 16, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.
The public session will be held in Board Room 1102 on the first floor of the Worcester County Government Center, located at 1 West Market Street in Snow Hill, Maryland.
County officials have made the meeting agenda available online for public review ahead of the scheduled gathering. The document can be accessed through the county’s official website.
This represents part of the county’s ongoing efforts to address agricultural compliance matters within Worcester County’s jurisdiction.
SPARKS, Md. – A standout weekend performance has earned Blake Malamphy from Salisbury University’s men’s lacrosse squad national recognition from USA Lacrosse Magazine.
The publication announced Tuesday morning that Malamphy has been selected as the National Division Three Player of the Week following his exceptional showing on Saturday.
Malamphy’s recognition comes as the Sea Gulls men’s lacrosse team holds the fifth position in national rankings, continuing what has been an impressive campaign for the program.
The weekly honor from USA Lacrosse Magazine highlights top performers across Division Three men’s lacrosse programs nationwide, making Malamphy’s selection a significant achievement for both the player and Salisbury University’s athletics program.
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Officials in Cambodia announced Wednesday their goal to eliminate every remaining online fraud operation within the country’s borders before May arrives, according to the leader of the nation’s anti-cybercrime initiative.
Senior Minister Chhay Sinarith, who oversees the Commission for Combating Online Scams, revealed during an Associated Press interview that authorities have identified 250 suspected fraud locations since beginning operations in July. Of those sites, approximately 200 have been successfully dismantled, representing an 80% closure rate.
Following the April deadline, Sinarith indicated that law enforcement will continue enforcement operations to prevent these criminal enterprises from reestablishing themselves.
This marks another attempt by Cambodia to address the scam center problem, though previous efforts have yielded limited success.
Online fraud has become a massive problem across Southeast Asia, with Cambodia and Myanmar serving as major hubs for these operations. International experts and United Nations officials estimate that victims worldwide lose tens of billions of dollars each year to these schemes.
These criminal operations are deeply connected to human trafficking networks, as foreign workers are recruited through deceptive job advertisements and then forced into near-slavery conditions to operate romance and cryptocurrency fraud schemes.
According to Sinarith, the current enforcement campaign has resulted in 79 criminal cases targeting 697 suspected operation leaders and their accomplices.
During the same period, nearly 10,000 scam center employees from 23 different nations have been sent back to their home countries, with fewer than 1,000 still waiting for official repatriation. Additional workers have independently returned home after escaping or being freed from raided facilities.
Sinarith emphasized that Cambodia maintains strong cooperation with multiple nations, particularly China and the United States, in addressing this criminal activity.
On Tuesday, Cambodian authorities conducted a raid on a suspected fraud center located in a Phnom Penh high-rise, resulting in the arrest of approximately 60 individuals of Cambodian and Chinese nationality who were caught working at their stations.
“They did chat to convince people in Europe to invest the money with them, but their investment is fake and fraudulent. It is not real,” explained Bun Sosekha, a deputy commissioner with Phnom Penh Municipal Police.
Media representatives were shown seized materials on Wednesday, including costumes and counterfeit identification documents that fraudsters used to impersonate Japanese law enforcement officers online as a method to deceive and intimidate their targets.
The illegal activity has troubled Cambodia since its modest beginnings in 2012, when operators primarily used voice-over-internet-protocol technology to hide their true locations and identities, Sinarith noted.
These fraudulent schemes expanded dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic, as casinos that had previously focused on questionable online gambling activities lost their walk-in clientele and shifted to large-scale internet fraud operations.
Since then, similar scam operations have established themselves globally, reaching as far as Africa and Latin America.
University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s men’s golf team competed at the Appalachian State Surf Club Invite, with sophomore Max Osten turning in the squad’s top individual performance.
Osten carded the lowest round for the Hawks during the tournament, helping to lead UMES through the competitive field at the invitational event.
The strong showing by Osten continues his solid play for the Hawks’ golf program this season as the team works through their spring tournament schedule.
Virginia Farm Bureau is commemorating a major milestone as the agricultural organization reaches its centennial year. The group has produced a special video feature exploring the significance of the organization to its membership base throughout the state.
The commemorative piece examines how the Farm Bureau has served Virginia’s farming community over the past century, providing insight into the organization’s role in supporting agricultural interests and rural advocacy.
As part of their anniversary celebration, Virginia Farm Bureau is sharing stories and perspectives from members about the organization’s impact on their lives and livelihoods in the agricultural sector.
The Virginia Farm Bureau has reached a significant milestone, commemorating a full century of dedicated service to the state’s agricultural community.
The organization has produced a historical overview documenting its 100-year journey of supporting farmers and rural residents throughout Virginia since its establishment.
The Farm Bureau’s centennial celebration highlights decades of advocacy work, member services, and commitment to Virginia’s farming industry and rural way of life.
Throughout its history, the Virginia Farm Bureau has worked to represent the interests of agricultural producers and promote policies that benefit farming communities across the Commonwealth.
A strong cold front moving through the region early Thursday morning will bring a dramatic change in the weather across the Delmarva Peninsula, replacing the recent warmth with gusty winds and much colder temperatures through the day.
Behind the cold front, a surge of colder air will rapidly move in from the west. Temperatures will start the day relatively mild early Thursday morning, but readings will steadily fall throughout the day as the colder air takes hold. Many areas across Delmarva are expected to drop from the 50s during the morning into the 40s by the afternoon.
As the front moves offshore, a small disturbance riding along the boundary may produce a few additional showers across the region during the morning and early afternoon. Some forecast models suggest the possibility of rain briefly mixing with wet snow before ending, particularly as colder air deepens in the atmosphere. However, this scenario may be overdone as much drier air quickly moves in behind the front.
With the incoming dry air likely to shut down precipitation fairly quickly, any lingering showers should taper off from west to east through the day. Even if a brief rain and snow mix were to occur, temperatures will remain above freezing, meaning no snow accumulation is expected.
The most noticeable change on Thursday will likely be the wind. Strong northwest winds will develop behind the cold front as colder air pours into the region. Gusts are expected to reach between 30 and 40 mph through much of the morning and into the early afternoon hours. These winds will combine with falling temperatures to make conditions feel significantly colder compared to the mild weather earlier in the week.
Winds will gradually begin to ease later Thursday afternoon and into the evening, but the colder air will remain firmly in place.
By Thursday night, temperatures across Delmarva are expected to drop sharply, with overnight lows falling into the upper 20s to lower 30s by early Friday morning. The colder conditions will mark a stark contrast from the unseasonably warm weather experienced just a day earlier.
Drivers traveling south on Route 896 should expect delays near Welsh Tract Road due to ongoing construction activity.
Delaware Department of Transportation officials report that the right turn lane on Summit Bridge Road (Route 896) southbound at the Welsh Tract Road intersection is currently blocked to traffic.
The lane closure is expected to remain in effect until 3 PM today as construction crews complete their work in the area.
Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and use caution when navigating through the work zone.
Drivers heading south on Route 1 are facing traffic delays today due to ongoing construction work that has forced the closure of one travel lane.
The Delaware Department of Transportation reports that the left southbound lane of Coastal Highway is blocked between Deep Branch Road and Broadkill Road (Route 16) while crews complete construction activities.
Officials say the lane restriction will remain in effect until 3:00 PM today, after which normal traffic flow is expected to resume.
Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and use caution when driving through the work zone area.
AKRON, Ohio — Ohio Republican U.S. Senator Jon Husted will appear via remote testimony this Wednesday in the ongoing corruption trial involving two former FirstEnergy Corporation executives.
Husted will serve as a defense witness for former chief executive Chuck Jones and former company lobbyist Michael Dowling. His testimony is expected to verify details from numerous meetings, email exchanges, and text messages that have been referenced throughout the five-week trial proceedings where his name has appeared. No allegations of misconduct have been made against Husted.
The senator’s court appearance occurs during a contentious election season as he campaigns to retain his Senate position this fall. Husted received the appointment last year following JD Vance’s departure from the seat. His anticipated opponent is Democrat Sherrod Brown, who previously served three terms as senator before losing his 2024 reelection campaign.
During early 2019, when Husted held the position of lieutenant governor-elect, federal prosecutors claim Jones and Dowling provided bribes to Ohio’s incoming utility regulator, Sam Randazzo, who has since passed away. The alleged payments were made in exchange for favorable legislation and regulatory decisions, including support for a $1 billion rescue package for two nuclear facilities connected to FirstEnergy. This bailout became central to a broader $60 million corruption scandal that led to the current prosecutions. Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder, who orchestrated the scheme, is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence.
On December 18, 2018, Governor-elect Mike DeWine and Husted joined Jones, Dowling, and Josh Rubin for dinner at Columbus’s historic Athletic Club. DeWine later selected Randazzo to lead Ohio’s Public Utilities Commission. Earlier that same day, Rubin — who worked as both a FirstEnergy lobbyist and advisor to the 2018 DeWine-Husted campaign — had counseled the executives on strategies for influencing DeWine regarding their preferred candidate to head the utilities commission, according to text messages included in the criminal filing.
Rubin advised the executives against informing DeWine about their planned visit to Randazzo’s home following the dinner. That evening, Randazzo sent Dowling a text message containing financial figures spanning 2019 through 2024: “Total 4,333,333.” Dowling responded: “Got it, Sam. Good seeing you as well. Thanks for the hospitality. Cool condo.”
The following day brought another exchange between Jones and Randazzo. Jones wrote: “We’re going to get this handled this year, paid in full, no discount. Don’t forget about us or Hurricane Chuck may show up on your doorstep! Of course, no guarantee he won’t show up sometime anyway.”
Randazzo’s reply stated: “Made me laugh — you guys are welcome anytime and anywhere I can open the door. Let me know how you want me to structure the invoices. Thanks.”
Randazzo was facing both state and federal criminal charges related to his involvement in the corruption scheme when he died by suicide in April 2024.
The painful spike in gas prices hitting drivers’ wallets stems largely from an ongoing conflict that has shut down the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping channel for Persian Gulf oil and natural gas. This narrow waterway along Iran’s coastline has become impassable due to warfare, prompting international governments to develop emergency plans for restoring commercial traffic once hostilities end.
French President Emmanuel Macron is spearheading a multinational initiative to restore access to this energy bottleneck, enabling oil, gas and commercial goods to resume flowing freely “when circumstances permit.” His strategy involves deploying naval warships to provide protection for oil tankers and cargo ships navigating the strait after the intense combat subsides.
However, retired naval commanders with extensive experience in Hormuz waters warn that any vessels attempting passage would face extreme vulnerability in the strait’s confined shipping channels if foreign military forces tried reopening the route before fighting ceased.
“In today’s context, sending warships or civilian vessels into the Strait of Hormuz would be suicidal,” retired French navy Vice Admiral Pascal Ausseur told The Associated Press.
A ceasefire with Iran “would make the situation shift from suicidal to dangerous. At that point, military ships could be deployed. And then escort operations could begin,” he explained.
Naval forces from France, America, Britain and other nations possess crucial hands-on experience defending against missile and drone attacks in the region. These crews have successfully protected cargo ships during Red Sea operations against strikes launched by Iran-supported Houthi fighters from Yemen.
French warships deployed machine guns, artillery and advanced air-defense systems to repel Houthi assaults. The French frigate Alsace destroyed three ballistic missiles in Red Sea waters during 2024 while protecting a container vessel. Captain Jérôme Henry, who commanded the ship during that period, described the potentially fatal attacks as nerve-wracking and exhausting for his crew. American Navy vessels and sailors also endured significant stress from these maritime confrontations.
“There were repeated attacks, either by drones or missiles,” Henry recalled. “The crew didn’t get much sleep.”
Retired French Vice Admiral Michel Olhagaray, formerly leading France’s advanced military studies center, noted that “all navies learned a great deal” about collaborative operations and ship protection from Red Sea missions, while also incorporating lessons from Ukraine’s defense against Russian missile and drone bombardments during Moscow’s invasion.
“It would allow us to deploy to that region with fairly refined know-how and a high level of cooperation — and that is extremely important,” stated Olhagaray, who previously commanded a French frigate patrolling the Strait of Hormuz during the 1980s Iran-Iraq conflict.
Iran possesses significantly more advanced military capabilities than its Houthi allies in Yemen, who caused extensive damage and disruption in Red Sea shipping. Equipped with Iranian weapons, these rebels attacked over 100 commercial vessels using missiles and drones between November 2023 and January 2025, destroying two ships, killing four crew members, and severely reducing trade volumes.
According to U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency analysis, Iran can strike throughout the entire Strait of Hormuz and surrounding areas using anti-ship cruise missiles developed from Chinese-designed weapons. The country can also attack vessels with extended-range missiles, unmanned aircraft, high-speed assault boats and underwater mines, which were deployed during the Iran-Iraq war. Recent American strikes against Iranian mine-laying ships highlight the seriousness of this threat.
With active warfare continuing, the Hormuz corridor remains “very, very dangerous” with shipping risks “much greater” than Red Sea operations against the Houthis, Olhagaray warned.
“The means to counter this threat must be far more substantial and far more effective,” he emphasized. “Before the heat can decrease… most of the offensive installations on land in Iran would have to be eliminated. There would need to be constant monitoring, patrols, extremely close surveillance, and a very high level of intelligence to be able to say that it would be possible to allow tankers to transit, even with military escorts.”
“That will not happen at all — not at all — in the near future.”
Maritime specialists identify another major obstacle: convincing shipping insurance companies and vessel operators that Hormuz navigation has become safe again. Insurance costs for strait transit have skyrocketed to levels France’s transportation minister called “insane,” creating “a big problem” for shipping firms.
“Maritime traffic is a business. That business has to make money. If insurance costs are so high that you can’t make a profit by sailing through a given area, then you don’t sail through that area. Shipowners are not going to operate at a loss,” explained Ausseur, currently serving as director of the Mediterranean Foundation for Strategic Studies think tank.
Insurance premiums for oil tankers seeking Hormuz passage have increased dramatically compared to pre-war rates and are nearing costs charged for grain ships departing Ukraine during the ongoing Russian conflict, according to Marcus Baker, global marine, cargo and logistics director for insurance broker Marsh Risk.
Potential military escort services for commercial vessels “would be helpful,” Baker noted.
“That’s been done before in conflicts past, so that’s not something unusual and that will obviously give a degree of confidence to the insurers that the vessels are going to have a greater degree of safety,” he said.
A major climate adaptation initiative is coming to Point Lookout State Park in St. Mary’s County, Maryland, with $1.25 million in state funding allocated for comprehensive upgrades designed to combat rising sea levels and frequent flooding.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced the multi-year renovation project will construct a natural living shoreline and permanently close two campground sections that experience constant tidal flooding. The initiative represents the first climate resilience project funded through Maryland’s Great Maryland Outdoors Act, passed in 2022 with $5 million designated for environmental protection efforts.
“The Great Maryland Outdoors Act is building a more resilient future for Maryland State Parks,” said Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz. “The work at Point Lookout and other projects supported by this funding will use nature-based solutions to support our climate adaptation goals while also building community resilience to ensure our parks are accessible to the public for generations to come.”
The comprehensive plan includes establishing a living shoreline system to combat erosion and enhance the park’s natural defenses against rising waters. Two camping areas – Green’s Point Loop and Lanier Loop – will be permanently shuttered due to persistent nuisance flooding, with these sites transformed into picnic facilities for registered campers or restored to their original marsh habitat.
Situated at the southern tip of St. Mary’s County where the Potomac River meets the Chesapeake Bay, Point Lookout faces significant environmental challenges. Scientific projections indicate water levels could climb between 1.5 and 2.5 feet within the next 25 to 50 years, making the park particularly vulnerable to climate impacts.
The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay has been selected as the nonprofit partner to oversee the project through a competitive application process. The organization will handle technical support, project management, and community outreach efforts.
“The Alliance is eager to collaborate with the Maryland Park Service and Maryland Department of Natural Resources on this important coastal resilience project,” stated Laura Todd, Associate Green Infrastructure Program Director for the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay. “The upcoming ecological restoration and outreach efforts at Point Lookout will enhance natural resources for the benefit of Chesapeake Bay fish, wildlife, and the many visitors to the park.”
The park’s campground has remained closed since 2021 for critical water and sanitation system repairs, with reopening scheduled for spring 2026. When facilities resume operations, campers will have access to Tulip Loop offering full hookups, mixed-use sites at Malone and Hoffman’s Loops, and the six-site Conoy Loop designed for families and groups.
The living shoreline component will involve strategic placement of sand, installation of marsh vegetation and shrubs, and construction of structures to encourage oyster reef development. Educational signage will be installed to highlight the importance of marsh ecosystems in the face of climate change.
“Support for initiatives such as this is incredibly important to our park system,” noted Jonas Williams, Director of Planning for the Maryland Park Service. “With support from the Great Maryland Outdoors Act, we can ensure Point Lookout State Park is more resilient for future generations.”
Design work is scheduled to commence in early 2026, followed by on-site construction. University of Maryland landscape architecture students have already contributed conceptual designs for the restoration effort.
Additional climate protection work is simultaneously underway at Point Lookout through DNR’s Grants Gateway program, which is funding a living shoreline along the park’s causeway – the sole access route to the facility and historic sites including the Point Lookout Lighthouse and Civil War prisoner-of-war camp location.
Three additional climate adaptation projects funded by the Great Maryland Outdoors Act are expected to launch in 2026, addressing flooding challenges across various landscape types and demonstrating nature-based solutions for infrastructure, habitat, and public safety protection.
“Climate change is reshaping Maryland now — bold adaptation on our state lands is showing how nature-based practices can strengthen Maryland’s resilience,” said Jackie Specht, DNR’s Resilient Systems Officer. “Great Maryland Outdoors Act projects, such as the one in Point Lookout, will protect important areas and serve as models for future action.”
The National Milk Producers Federation has made its 2025 annual report available to the public. The yearly publication details the organization’s work and accomplishments throughout the year.
The report provides an overview of the federation’s efforts to represent dairy farmers and cooperatives across the United States. The document serves as a comprehensive review of the organization’s initiatives and programs implemented during 2025.
Israel’s Ambassador to the United States is raising alarms about Iran’s potential to disrupt global energy supplies, warning that the conflict extends far beyond Middle Eastern borders.
Ambassador Yechiel Leiter spoke out Tuesday as concerns grew over the security of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for international oil transport. The ambassador posed a stark question about the implications of Iranian control over this strategic passage.
“If a Nuclear Iran Took the Strait of Hormuz, Who Would Control the World’s Oil?” Leiter asked, emphasizing the global stakes involved in the current tensions.
The strait serves as a crucial bottleneck for energy markets, with approximately 20 percent of the world’s petroleum liquids flowing through this narrow waterway. Even potential threats to disrupt or block this passage are enough to cause significant concern among oil markets and international governments.
According to Leiter, the joint efforts between the United States and Israel focus on preventing Tehran from developing nuclear capabilities, stopping the spread of terrorism, and blocking Iran from gaining control over critical global energy transportation routes.
The ambassador’s comments highlight how regional conflicts in the Middle East can have far-reaching consequences for global energy security and economic stability worldwide.
Baltimore Ravens have landed one of the NFL’s premier pass rushers, signing four-time Pro Bowl defender Trey Hendrickson to a massive four-year contract worth $112 million, according to a source familiar with the agreement who spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday.
The source requested anonymity since the deal cannot be officially completed until the new league year begins at 4 p.m. Eastern time.
This signing comes after Baltimore withdrew from a major trade deal for Las Vegas Raiders star pass rusher Maxx Crosby on Tuesday night. According to a source with knowledge of the situation, Crosby did not pass his medical examination. The source spoke anonymously due to the confidential nature of medical information.
With the failed Crosby trade behind them, Baltimore retained the pair of first-round selections they would have sent to Las Vegas and immediately shifted focus to landing the top available pass rusher in free agency.
The 31-year-old Hendrickson earned All-Pro recognition with Cincinnati in 2024, topping the league with 17.5 quarterback sacks. His 2023 campaign was limited to just seven contests due to injury concerns, during which he recorded four sacks.
Throughout his nine-year professional career split between New Orleans and Cincinnati, Hendrickson has accumulated 81 career sacks. He has achieved double-digit sack totals in four different seasons, including back-to-back 17.5-sack campaigns in 2023 and 2024.
SAN FRANCISCO — Tech giant Microsoft has joined forces with artificial intelligence company Anthropic in seeking federal court intervention to stop the Trump administration from classifying the AI firm as a supply chain security risk.
In court documents filed Tuesday, Microsoft is contesting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s decision from last week that excluded Anthropic from Pentagon contracts by categorizing its artificial intelligence technology as a threat to national security.
The military’s move against Anthropic followed a highly visible disagreement over the company’s decision to restrict military applications of its Claude AI system. President Trump has also directed all federal departments to discontinue using Claude.
“Employing a supply chain risk classification to resolve a contractual disagreement could result in serious economic consequences that do not serve the public good,” Microsoft stated in its Tuesday court submission to the San Francisco federal courthouse, where Anthropic filed suit against the administration on Monday.
According to Microsoft’s legal documents, the Pentagon’s decision “compels government contractors to follow unclear and poorly defined orders that have never previously been used against an American business.”
The filing requests judicial intervention to temporarily suspend the classification, allowing for more “thoughtful dialogue.”
Pentagon officials refused to provide comment, citing their policy against discussing ongoing legal proceedings.
Microsoft has also expressed support for Anthropic’s two ethical boundaries that created friction during contract talks.
“Microsoft also believes that American AI should not be used to conduct domestic mass surveillance or start a war without human control,” the company stated. “This position is consistent with the law and broadly supported by American society, as the government acknowledges.”
WASHINGTON — Federal authorities arrested a motorist Wednesday morning following a collision with a temporary security barrier positioned outside the White House grounds.
According to the Secret Service, the incident occurred shortly before 6:30 a.m. when the individual drove his van directly into the security barrier. Officers from the Secret Service’s uniformed division immediately apprehended the driver at the scene.
The suspect’s name has not been disclosed by authorities, who say he is currently being questioned by investigators. Officials indicate that criminal charges are expected to be filed against the man.
As a precautionary measure, a police bomb squad responded to examine the vehicle and confirmed it contained no explosive materials or other dangerous items.
Residents across the Delmarva Peninsula should remain alert Wednesday afternoon and evening as a developing weather system may bring the potential for strong to severe thunderstorms before a powerful cold front sweeps through the region overnight.
A strengthening area of low pressure moving across the eastern Great Lakes this afternoon will track into southern Quebec tonight. As this system intensifies, it will drag a strong cold front eastward across the Mid-Atlantic, arriving in the Delmarva region late tonight into early Thursday morning.
Ahead of the front, a warm and increasingly humid air mass will settle across the region during the day Wednesday. Temperatures will climb well above normal, while dew points rise into the upper 50s and lower 60s. This combination of warmth and moisture will help create a favorable environment for thunderstorms to develop.
We are closely watching a pre-frontal trough expected to form over central Pennsylvania during the afternoon. Thunderstorms that develop along this feature could organize and move eastward into the Delmarva region by mid to late afternoon and into the early evening hours.
Strong winds in the atmosphere will help support organized storm development. Forecast models indicate wind shear values of around 40 to 50 knots, which can help storms organize into line segments capable of producing damaging wind gusts. Some storms may also produce small hail, generally around quarter size, and there is a low but non-zero chance that an isolated tornado could occur.
The overall severe weather threat will depend heavily on how much sunshine develops during the day. If clouds remain widespread or if morning showers limit daytime heating, the atmosphere may not become unstable enough to support stronger storms. However, if breaks of sunshine develop, particularly across southern and western parts of the region, storm intensity could increase.
Current guidance suggests that areas south and west of Philadelphia have the greatest potential for stronger storms. The Storm Prediction Center has placed these areas in a Slight Risk, or Level 2 out of 5, for severe weather. Closer to the coast, including parts of coastal Delaware and New Jersey, the threat is lower due to cooler marine air moving in from the Atlantic Ocean, which tends to stabilize the atmosphere.
After the initial round of thunderstorms moves through Wednesday evening, activity may decrease overnight with only scattered showers expected for a time. The main cold front is forecast to cross the region early Thursday morning. Most of the rain associated with the front appears likely to occur after the boundary passes, which should limit any additional severe weather threat.
Temperatures will remain unusually warm overnight until the cold front moves through. Once the front passes early Thursday morning, temperatures will begin to drop quickly, signaling the arrival of cooler air across the region to start the day.
BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of Congo (AP) — Citizens of the Republic of Congo will cast ballots in a presidential election this weekend, though the results appear predetermined as the nation’s long-serving president encounters minimal opposition from political rivals.
Numerous young citizens indicate they have no intention of taking part in an election that current President Dennis Sassou N’Guesso is virtually guaranteed to win. The half-dozen opposition contenders have failed to present any meaningful challenge to the leader who has governed this oil-wealthy Central African nation of 5.61 million residents for 42 years combined.
The 82-year-old Sassou N’Guesso initially assumed power in 1979 and remained in control until the 1992 election where he placed third. He regained authority as a militia commander following a four-month civil conflict in 1997 and has maintained leadership ever since, securing victory in four elections against divided opposition forces.
He ranks as Africa’s third longest-serving leader, trailing only Cameroon’s Paul Biya and Equatorial Guinea’s Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. A 2015 constitutional referendum eliminated both age restrictions and term limits for the presidency, ensuring Sassou N’Guesso could continue seeking office.
Throughout the nation’s youth population, optimism for transformation appears minimal, with many planning to skip Sunday’s voting.
This includes Macaire Epoha, a 38-year-old mathematician who performs various temporary jobs to make ends meet in the capital city of Brazzaville.
“N’Guesso will be re-elected with his usual scores, which are close to 80%,” Epoha said. “The elections have no bearing on young people.”
Cyprien Massamba earned a university degree in geography but has worked as a taxi driver for a decade. He plans to abstain from voting and wishes enough citizens would boycott the election to draw international attention to the nation’s severe economic struggles.
“The people are languishing in poverty,” Massamba said.
Remadji Hoinathy, a senior researcher on central Africa at the Institute of Security Studies, describes the elections as serving only to “legitimize power without competition.”
N’Guesso, representing his Congolese Party of Labor, confronts six challengers, including Mabio Mavoungou Zinga, a former parliament member leading an opposition alliance.
Political experts believe the opposition stands no chance following the ruling party’s power consolidation, frequently employing intimidation methods to undermine rivals. Two prominent opposition candidates are skipping the election due to claims of biased electoral procedures.
Grappling with substantial debt levels and persistent economic decline, unemployment among youth aged 15 to 24 reaches 41% — almost twice the 22% rate for the entire workforce, based on World Bank data.
Dependent on petroleum resources, the nation’s economy remains vulnerable to global oil market fluctuations and confronts a soaring debt-to-GDP ratio of 95.4%, according to World Bank figures.
“If you look at the level of the debt and youth unemployment, then it clearly appears the oil revenues have been ill-managed in terms of being unable to diversify the economy, respond to people’s daily needs and create jobs for the youth,” said Hoinathy, the senior Central Africa researcher.
Political observers identify another emerging concern — the question of presidential succession. Given the nearly inevitable electoral victory and considering his advanced age, this may represent N’Guesso’s final term, analysts suggest.
Denis-Christel Sassou Nguesso — the president’s 51-year-old son who has held the position of minister of international cooperation and promotion of public-private partnership since 2021 — appears to be prepared for leadership, they indicate.
The president’s campaign message to young citizens has emphasized a pledge to “accelerate the march toward development,” vowing to expedite infrastructure projects and agricultural mechanization.
However, in a country where 47% of residents are under 18, youth voters seem unmoved by this appeal.
“The system is locked down by the old guard,” said Coretta Imongui, a 28-year mother of three seeking employment.
“However, they will not live forever,” she said. “I still have hope for my children and grandchildren.”
Former First Lady Jill Biden is preparing to share her personal account of President Joe Biden’s unexpected withdrawal from the 2024 presidential campaign, marking the first time she has publicly addressed the turbulent period that ended her husband’s five-decade political journey.
After nearly half a century as a political spouse, the former first lady has chosen to reveal her private thoughts about those challenging three weeks in her upcoming memoir rather than through public statements at the time.
Simon & Schuster’s Gallery Books announced Wednesday that her book, titled “View from the East Wing: A Memoir,” will hit shelves on June 2.
In a brief phone conversation with The Associated Press, Jill Biden described the memoir as a “reflection of my four years as first lady” and noted that the writing process provided emotional relief.
“It was kind of cathartic for me to write it, and I wrote about all the, you know, sometimes painful — but other times, most of it really beautiful moments that Joe and I shared during his presidency,” she explained.
The former first lady refused to elaborate on Tuesday about specific experiences, whether positive or negative, including observing her husband navigate the choice to conclude his half-century political journey by exiting the 2024 race.
When Joe Biden launched his second-term campaign in April 2023, he was already 80 years old and held the record as America’s oldest sitting president. Questions about his age and capacity to serve until age 86 became increasingly prominent public concerns. Fellow Democrats began urging him to withdraw following his poor debate showing against Trump in June 2024, during which he spoke with a hoarse voice, failed to effectively communicate his points, and frequently seemed to lose focus. His team attributed the weak performance to illness.
Initially, Joe Biden maintained his commitment to continue campaigning, but within weeks he announced his departure from the race and threw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris. Harris secured the Democratic nomination but ultimately fell to Trump in the November 2024 general election.
Jill Biden explained that through her memoir, “I have put things in perspective,” offering what she characterizes as a “more balanced view” of her husband’s presidential tenure.
The book also serves as recognition of women who, similar to herself, manage various responsibilities simultaneously.
“It’s also a story about my being able to balance life, you know, as a working woman and as a mother, a grandmother, a first lady,” she noted.
Throughout her White House years, the 74-year-old Jill Biden broke new ground as the first presidential spouse to maintain her pre-White House profession. Having taught English and writing at community colleges for many years, she continued her teaching duties twice weekly at a Northern Virginia institution while fulfilling her first lady responsibilities.
According to the publisher, the former first lady also chronicles her service during an extraordinary chapter in American history, covering the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequences of the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
Her husband took the presidential oath on the Capitol steps on January 20, 2021, merely two weeks after Trump supporters, motivated by his unfounded allegations of electoral fraud, violently invaded the building attempting to prevent lawmakers from confirming Joe Biden’s electoral victory.
The pandemic response dominated Joe Biden’s initial year in office, and while he primarily remained at the White House, Jill Biden donned protective masks and traveled nationwide promoting vaccination efforts. She also maintained her focus on military families, educational initiatives, community colleges, cancer prevention, and women’s health programs.
Prior to her first lady role, Jill Biden served as second lady from 2009 to 2017 during her husband’s vice presidency under Barack Obama. She currently leads the Milken Institute’s Women’s Health Network.
This marks Jill Biden’s second memoir, following 2019’s “Where the Light Enters,” which detailed her relationship with Joe Biden, then a Delaware U.S. Senator, and their marriage and shared life. She has additionally authored three children’s books.
American tap water typically meets safety standards and maintains high quality, though taste and delivery can differ between locations and buildings.
This variability has driven significant growth in the water filtration industry, with products ranging from basic pitcher systems to expensive reverse osmosis units costing thousands. However, environmental specialists indicate that most American homes don’t require comprehensive water treatment systems. The key challenge lies in determining whether filtration is actually necessary for your situation.
Through the Safe Drinking Water Act, the EPA establishes health requirements for over 90 contaminants found in public water supplies, covering both chemical substances and microorganisms. Water companies use disinfectants such as chlorine to eliminate dangerous bacteria before distribution to residences. The majority of public water systems comply with these regulations, making tap water safe for most Americans.
Gregory Pierce, who directs the Human Right to Water Solutions Lab at UCLA, explained his perspective: “Unless you’re experiencing health impacts, you’ve got a notice from your water system or there’s a credible media story saying your water is unsafe, you shouldn’t feel the need to get a filter. You’re still welcome to because it might make your water taste a little bit better, but it shouldn’t be considered necessary to have a water filter in 90-plus percent of the United States.”
Understanding how to evaluate local water conditions, determining when water analysis is worthwhile, and selecting appropriate filtration that addresses specific issues without overspending are important considerations.
Begin by reviewing your water company’s yearly Consumer Confidence Report, which outlines discovered contaminants and compliance with federal requirements. These documents are usually found on municipal or utility websites, though you can also reach out to your provider for additional information. Water companies typically maintain responsibility only until water reaches private property lines, so quality can differ between buildings.
These reports may provide sufficient confidence for many consumers. However, some individuals seek additional assurance, particularly in aging structures.
Jess Goddard, who serves as chief science officer at environmental testing company SimpleLab, recommends: “You should probably test your water to identify if you have a risk that you need to treat.”
Private wells operate under different maintenance and safety requirements since they fall outside Safe Drinking Water Act regulations, making homeowners responsible for monitoring. The EPA provides resources specifically for private well owners.
Testing packages can range from several hundred dollars upward, depending on the contaminants being screened.
The testing process typically involves ordering a kit, collecting water samples according to provided instructions, and mailing them to certified laboratories. Labs examine samples for specific contaminants including PFAS chemicals, microplastics, metals, and disinfection byproducts before issuing reports.
When testing identifies serious problems, Pierce suggests contacting your water utility or state environmental agency for assistance. High contaminant levels may require solutions beyond household filtration, such as temporary bottled water use or infrastructure improvements like pipe replacement.
If issues don’t warrant such extreme measures, filtration systems may provide benefits.
Consumers should identify their filtration objectives and understand different filter capabilities. The EPA notes that many household uses like toilet flushing and laundry don’t require treatment, so cooking and drinking water are primary considerations.
Most filters receive certifications from nonprofit organizations NSF and the American National Standards Institute. Standard NSF/ANSI certifications include 42 for taste or odor issues, 53 for health-related effects, and 401 for emerging contaminants. An NSF database enables searches by product name or targeted compounds.
Sydney Evans, a science analyst who directed a water filter testing initiative at the Environmental Working Group, noted: “Not every filter is good for everything. And even if there’s a filter out there that does absolutely everything, maybe you don’t need it.”
Many families choose filters not for safety reasons, but to address taste or smell issues, “which really do impact people’s enjoyment or sense of confidence in their drinking water,” according to Goddard.
For these situations, basic carbon filters, including many standard pitcher models, can prove effective. Activated carbon removes chlorine and compounds created when chlorine interacts with natural organic materials in water.
These compounds are normal in treated water, explained Samantha Bear, a senior research analyst at SimpleLab. Even when levels remain below federal thresholds, she and her team filter their tap water not because it’s dangerous, but to minimize long-term exposure.
Even residents in areas without significant PFAS contamination may worry about these substances. PFAS stands for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. The EPA states that filters can lower PFAS concentrations but encourages people to contact local water providers first when concerns arise.
Lead represents another contaminant that often exceeds filtration system capabilities. Since the EPA maintains that no lead level is safe, people may choose filters even where alternative water sources or pipe replacement aren’t recommended.
Pitcher systems, refrigerator filters, and faucet-mounted units process water at point of use locations where you drink or cook. Under-sink systems and reverse osmosis units also treat water at taps but may need professional installation.
Whole-house systems process water at entry points, filtering water before distribution throughout homes. These systems typically cost more and often require professional installation. They’re generally used for issues affecting all household water like hardness, elevated iron levels, or certain volatile compounds, rather than contaminants originating in plumbing.
Besides filtration systems, some homes use water softeners to reduce mineral presence that can accumulate and harm plumbing, though these systems don’t eliminate most other contaminants. Distillation systems, which boil water and condense steam to remove minerals and some contaminants, are less common in residential settings.
Most households don’t require whole-house or distillation systems unless addressing specific, documented problems, experts indicated.
Proper maintenance and filter replacement also matters, since cartridges can lose effectiveness or permit bacterial growth without following manufacturer replacement schedules.
“Otherwise they may do more harm than good,” warned Pierce, the UCLA researcher.
SALISBURY, Md. – The latest edition of Roadie Joes Rankings was published for the second Wednesday of March, spotlighting several Salisbury University athletic programs.
This week’s rankings include standings for the Sea Gulls’ women’s lacrosse team, baseball squad, men’s lacrosse program, men’s track and field, along with both men’s and women’s swimming teams.
The rankings provide an updated look at how Salisbury’s various athletic programs are performing as the spring sports season continues to unfold.
Worcester County’s Fire Training Center will conduct an emergency services training session next month, according to county officials.
The training event is set for Tuesday, April 21st, 2026, running from 8:00 AM through 4:30 PM at the Fire Training Center facility.
County records show the event was scheduled by staff member M. Owens on March 11th, 2026.
Further details about the specific nature of the emergency services training or participants were not immediately available from Worcester County officials.
Destructive weather systems spawned multiple tornadoes across Illinois and Indiana Tuesday, demolishing houses, toppling trees and electrical lines, and flooding a 911 dispatch center near Chicago with distress calls, authorities reported.
“Please do not come here. Do not try to help right now,” Newton County Sheriff Shannon Cothran warned in a video message recorded in front of what appeared to be a demolished residence in Lake Village, a small community in northwestern Indiana.
Numerous houses in the area were flattened by what appears to have been a tornado, and Indiana State Police Cpl. Eric Rot confirmed that residents sustained injuries. However, he could not specify how many people were hurt or detail their medical status.
Powerful weather systems bringing heavy rainfall and hail across Midwest regions threatened to produce violent tornadoes, destructive winds and oversized hail stretching from the southern Plains through the southern Great Lakes, the National Weather Service reported. Tornado watches extended from Oklahoma through Michigan.
Multiple tornadoes developed throughout northeastern Illinois and northwestern Indiana, though the precise count will remain unknown until authorities complete damage assessments, explained Andrew Lyons, a meteorologist with the weather service Storm Prediction Center.
Lyons characterized the event as a standard early spring severe weather outbreak. The system is forecast to continue eastward through portions of the mid-Atlantic and East Coast on Wednesday, potentially delivering additional severe conditions, he noted.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker announced on social media platform X that he had received briefings about the storm and tornado destruction.
“Keeping in our thoughts all Illinoisans impacted by the severe weather — we’ll be here to help them recover,” he stated.
One tornado touched down near the Kankakee fairgrounds, approximately 57 miles south of Chicago, then moved northeast into Aroma Park, causing widespread destruction, the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office confirmed. Officials reported no injuries in that area.
“I want to remind area residents to check on their neighbors and loved ones but to avoid unnecessary travel, if at all possible,” Kankakee County Sheriff Mike Downey stated.
Social media footage captured the tornado cutting through agricultural fields near an airport as vehicles gathered along nearby roadways.
Over 2 million Americans faced moderate severe weather risks in Illinois and Indiana. An additional 22 million people encountered slightly lower risks across a broader area encompassing Chicago, Fort Worth, Texas, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Delaware wildlife officials have released the final numbers from the 2025-26 hunting season while simultaneously introducing a digital tool designed to help residents better understand the state’s big game populations.
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control revealed the statewide deer hunting results alongside the debut of their Division of Fish and Wildlife’s new interactive Game Harvest Dashboard. This online platform allows both hunting enthusiasts and curious Delaware residents to dig deeper into comprehensive data about large game animals throughout the First State.
The timing of both announcements reflects the agency’s commitment to transparency and public engagement regarding wildlife management practices across Delaware.
Motorists traveling through a local construction zone should plan for potential delays this afternoon as work crews continue their project.
Delaware Department of Transportation officials report that Upland Court at South Skyward Drive will experience periodic lane restrictions due to construction activities. The lane closures are expected to continue through 5:30 PM today.
Drivers are advised to use caution when traveling through the work zone and consider alternate routes if possible to avoid potential delays.
A prominent Bedouin human rights attorney says her years of community work have convinced her that female leadership and cooperation between different ethnic groups are vital for creating lasting peace and fairness in Israeli society.
Hanan Alsanah, a feminist lawyer who has dedicated decades to activism, spoke about her experiences during an International Women’s Day conversation on the program “Facing the Middle East” with host Felice Friedson. Her work has ranged from educational initiatives in the Negev region to providing emergency assistance following the October 7 terrorist attacks.
During the interview, Alsanah discussed her transformation from growing up in a traditional Bedouin household to establishing herself as a respected legal advocate and peacebuilder who is now considering entering the political arena.
The attorney emphasized that increasing women’s involvement in politics and building cooperation at the community level can help strengthen social justice efforts and create more stable, long-term solutions across Israeli society.
While the broader Middle East conflict between Israel, the United States, and Iran dominates headlines, Palestinian communities find themselves caught in the crossfire with their governing authority increasingly pushed aside from key decisions affecting their future.
The West Bank continues to experience intense security pressures, Gaza’s political direction remains unclear, and the Palestinian Authority appears to have little influence over the developments that will shape both territories.
Two regional experts provide contrasting perspectives on the current situation. Hiba Husseini, an attorney who previously served as legal counsel to Palestinian negotiators during peace talks, and Kobi Michael, a political researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies and the Misgav Institute, disagree on the implications but both acknowledge that Palestinian issues are being swept along by a broader regional conflict controlled by outside powers.
According to Husseini, the most pressing concern is the daily insecurity facing Palestinians, particularly in the West Bank, where civilian protections are minimal and freedom of movement remains severely limited.
“This is not an Israeli–American retaliation against Iran. It’s an attack on Iran, and the retaliation was made by Iran, which is affecting not only our lives but also those of the entire region,” she told The Media Line.
Husseini emphasized that the threat encompasses both physical and mental health impacts. The West Bank lacks protective shelters, leaving residents vulnerable to debris from missile defense systems while also subjecting them to the psychological stress of witnessing warfare in their vicinity.
“The situation in the West Bank is very difficult because we don’t have shelters in Palestine,” she said. “If you have parts falling on the West Bank and on any part of the West Bank, it will cause damage, of course, and may even cause a death. We are not very safe. Also, the situation is very difficult because we hear everything, we feel everything, and we see everything.”
The Palestinian Authority has implemented crisis measures including school and university closures, online learning transitions, and advisories for residents to remain indoors. However, these actions highlight the constraints on Palestinian self-governance, as Israeli military checkpoints continue controlling inter-area travel and West Bank operations persist despite the Iranian conflict.
“You still have daily incursions in the West Bank by the Israeli military,” she said. “Even though they’re busy fighting Iran, the troops that usually are present in the West Bank have remained in the West Bank; they’re still going into incursions in the northern West Bank—Nablus, Jenin—regularly.”
Husseini argued that for most Palestinians, immediate concerns stem from local circumstances rather than the wider regional military confrontation.
“There is fear, more fear, ironically and sadly, more fear from the settlers and from the protection they receive from the army, more so than from missiles or parts of missiles falling on the West Bank on our heads,” she said.
The Palestinian Authority’s budget crisis compounds this sense of insecurity. While the authority continues managing aspects of daily governance, it operates with diminished resources. Since much of its funding relies on tax collection by Israel under Oslo Accords arrangements, recurring delays or withholding of these funds has created difficulties in paying employee wages and maintaining public services.
Husseini noted that the broader crisis has intensified economic hardships for Palestinians already struggling financially.
“It has already affected our economics, this situation. We’re not earning, so revenues are not coming in,” she said. “There is no welfare system in Palestine. … There is no unemployment support. So it’s a very difficult situation financially for people to sustain themselves for a long time.”
She also contended that the Palestinian Authority has been politically marginalized, excluded from regional diplomatic efforts and discussions about Gaza’s future governance.
“They have been sidelined,” she said. “The US and Israel don’t want them to participate in the technocratic committee or anything related to Gaza. … They don’t seek their input. … They don’t even have a role to play in the West Bank at the moment.”
This marginalization is particularly evident in Gaza, where the proposed technocratic government intended to assume control following the ceasefire has not yet been established. Hamas maintains its military presence, while local armed factions reportedly receiving Israeli support have emerged in portions of the territory. Without consolidated governance, issues of reconstruction, public services, and security remain unaddressed.
Michael views the current situation through a different lens. He believes Iran serves as the central player in the regional conflict system, and the confrontation with Tehran could fundamentally transform the region beyond Palestinian territories.
“I think that Israel perceives the event as a very historical opportunity to reshape the regional architecture in its entirety,” Michael told The Media Line.
He noted that Gulf nations remain cautious about openly supporting Israel and the United States due to concerns about potential abandonment if Washington fails to see the conflict through to completion.
“The Gulf countries are very hesitant when it comes to Iran because they don’t rely on the Americans,” he said. “They are afraid that if they join the American-Israeli coalition now … the Americans will not finish the job, and then they will remain there with Iran, which is the wounded lion.”
Michael characterized the military operation as carefully coordinated and potentially transformative in its impact on Iran.
“It’s a very well-planned campaign, a very clear division of war between both sides,” he said. “The accumulation of the damages that are caused to Iran is very significant. … Iran after the war … will not be Iran that we used to know.”
However, he emphasized that the crucial question concerns what happens after the military phase transitions to political decision-making.
“The big question … is what is going to be on the day after,” he said. “On the day that President Trump reaches the conclusion that he won the war … what will remain here in the region?”
This uncertainty also applies to the Palestinian Authority, whose diminished role Michael attributes less to deliberate exclusion than to being overshadowed by larger developments.
“They became very marginal,” he said. “Nobody now has the patience to deal with the Palestinians because everybody understands that we are facing a tectonic event that will change the entire world.”
Nevertheless, Michael acknowledged that the West Bank situation is becoming increasingly problematic within Israel, particularly due to violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers.
“When it comes to the West Bank and to the brutal, violent, and the terrorist behavior of some of the Israeli settlers—we are talking about a marginal group—but unfortunately this marginal group is very vocal, very violent, and very damaging,” he said.
He suggested there is growing awareness in Israel that this issue requires attention.
“I think that there is an understanding among the Israeli leadership that enough is enough in this regard, and measures will be taken,” he noted.
Recent violence in communities like Abu Falah, where three Palestinians were reportedly killed in settler-related incidents within recent days, continues escalating West Bank tensions even as regional focus shifts toward Iran.
For Husseini, this convergence of pressures has created a situation where Palestinians face multiple simultaneous crises: weakened institutions, economic difficulties, settler violence, movement limitations, and uncertainty about Gaza’s future.
“It’s a disastrous formula for the Palestinians,” Husseini said. “A bankrupt and sidelined PA, an uncertain future for Gaza, and restrictions also in East Jerusalem. It’s a grim situation for us.”
The difference between these two assessments is striking. Michael envisions a regional realignment underway that could shift Middle Eastern power dynamics. Husseini sees Palestinian challenges deepening as attention turns elsewhere. Currently, both viewpoints align on one aspect: the Iranian conflict has not settled Palestinian questions but has instead embedded them more deeply within a broader regional struggle while leaving fundamental issues unresolved.
Officials at Thailand’s Phuket airport temporarily shut down their main runway Wednesday following a landing gear failure involving an Air India Express aircraft arriving from India.
Flight AXB938, which had departed from Hyderabad, encountered problems with its nose wheel during the landing process, causing damage to the aircraft’s landing gear system as it touched down on the runway surface.
According to an Air India Express representative, the aircraft “experienced an issue with the nose wheel at Phuket Airport.” The spokesperson continued, “The crew followed all standard protocols, and guests were deplaned.”
Airport officials confirmed that no injuries occurred during the incident and announced the runway would resume operations at 6 p.m. local time (1100 GMT).
Photos shared on social media by Thai state broadcaster MCOT revealed the aircraft’s damaged landing gear making direct contact with the runway pavement, with one wheel completely detached. The images also showed extensive skid marks zigzagging across the tarmac surface.
The budget airline, which operates as Air India’s low-cost division, maintains a fleet exceeding 100 aircraft from both Boeing and Airbus manufacturers.
This incident adds to a series of safety concerns surrounding the airline. India’s aviation regulatory body issued a reprimand to Air India Express in March of last year for failing to replace engine components on an Airbus A320 as mandated by the European Union’s aviation safety authority, Reuters previously reported. Officials also criticized the airline for creating false documentation to appear compliant with safety requirements.
Between January and November of last year, Air India Express documented 95 technical problems, ranking second among Indian carriers for reported defects during that timeframe, according to India’s civil aviation ministry in December. Ministry officials did not elaborate on the specific types of mechanical issues encountered.
The parent company, Air India, has faced heightened regulatory attention in recent months following multiple safety violations and a fatal crash in Ahmedabad last June that claimed 260 lives.
Phuket serves as a major transportation hub for Thailand, handling hundreds of daily flights connecting passengers from Middle Eastern, European, and Asian destinations, along with domestic travel routes.
HEBRON, Kentucky – President Donald Trump turned his attention back to domestic economic concerns Wednesday, making his first campaign stop since the U.S.-Israeli military operation in Iran began nearly two weeks ago.
The Kentucky visit marked Trump’s initial public appearance focused on domestic policy since the conflict started, giving him an opportunity to highlight his economic agenda before November’s midterm elections where Republicans face tight races to maintain control of Congress.
The president scheduled speaking engagements in northern Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio, though White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt couldn’t specify the reasoning behind selecting these particular locations. Notably, the Kentucky area falls within the district of Republican Representative Thomas Massie, who has been a vocal Trump critic and frequently opposes his own party’s positions.
Massie gained attention for spearheading efforts demanding greater transparency from the Justice Department regarding documents related to deceased convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Trump has thrown his support behind the Republican challenger set to compete against Massie in May’s primary election.
During his appearances, Trump planned to emphasize his initiatives to reduce prescription medication costs, a central talking point for Republicans attempting to address voter concerns about economic pressures.
This economic-focused tour represents Trump’s ongoing effort to promote his domestic policies to Americans, though these messages have frequently been overshadowed by international developments, particularly the Iran conflict that has driven fuel costs higher.
According to AAA data, gasoline prices have increased by 61 cents per gallon both in Kentucky and across the nation compared to the previous month.
“Short term oil prices, which will drop rapidly when the destruction of the Iran nuclear threat is over, is a very small price to pay,” Trump wrote on social media earlier this week, “ONLY FOOLS WOULD THINK DIFFERENTLY!”
Bill Kunkel, a 67-year-old former welder from Union, Kentucky, expressed concerns to Reuters about how the Iran military action and Trump’s trade policies might continue impacting the region’s logistics and manufacturing sectors.
“I voted for Trump because he was going to get us out of all of these wars. That is one of the reasons why I agree with Massie – it can’t just be a forever war,” Kunkel stated, referencing Massie’s opposition to Trump’s Iran war decision.
In an interview, Massie said he welcomes the president’s visit to his district, noting their shared voter base.
“I’ve taken care to never insult the president, to never call him names. If I have a policy disagreement with him, I articulate it and keep it to that,” he explained.
Trump has backed Ed Gallrein, a former Navy SEAL officer and farmer whom Trump describes as “high-quality,” to challenge Massie, whom Trump labels “unreliable.” Gallrein’s campaign confirmed his attendance at the president’s event.
“There is growing dissatisfaction with where Massie is, and part of it is not supporting the president,” commented Larry Mazzuckelli, a retired federal employee and political observer from Union, Kentucky.
WASHINGTON – An international cybercriminal successfully penetrated FBI computer systems in 2023, gaining access to materials connected to the bureau’s Jeffrey Epstein investigation, according to a knowledgeable source and Justice Department records obtained by Reuters.
This marks the first public disclosure of specific details about who infiltrated servers at the FBI’s New York Field Office, including confirmation that an overseas hacker was responsible for the security breach.
The FBI characterized what they called a “cyber incident” as “an isolated one” in their official response.
“The FBI restricted access to the malicious actor and rectified the network. The investigation remains ongoing, so we do not have further comments to provide at this time,” the bureau stated.
While the source indicated the attack appeared to be conducted by a cybercriminal rather than a state-sponsored actor, the incident highlights the potential intelligence significance of these files, according to one expert. Court-ordered releases of Justice Department materials have revealed the deceased financier’s connections to influential figures across politics, finance, academia and business sectors, sparking investigations worldwide.
“Who wouldn’t be going after the Epstein files if you’re the Russians or somebody interested in kompromat?” said Jon Lindsay, who researches the role of emerging technology in global security at the Georgia Institute of Technology. “If foreign intelligence agencies are not thinking seriously about the Epstein files as a target, then I would be shocked.”
News outlets CNN and Reuters initially reported the breach on February 17, while French publication Marianne first identified the Epstein connection.
Epstein, who had longstanding ties to President Donald Trump, entered a guilty plea in 2008 to prostitution-related charges, including soliciting a minor. He died by hanging in his jail cell during 2019, officially ruled a suicide, following his re-arrest on federal sex trafficking charges involving minors.
February 2023 Security Incident
The cyberattack succeeded after Special Agent Aaron Spivack accidentally left a server at the Child Exploitation Forensic Lab vulnerable while attempting to work through the bureau’s complicated digital evidence protocols, according to the source and documentation.
Spivack’s written timeline, part of the extensive Epstein document release earlier this year, indicates the infiltration occurred on February 12, 2023. He discovered the breach the next day upon starting his computer and finding a text file alerting him to the network compromise.
Additional investigation revealed evidence of suspicious server activity, with the document noting the activity “included combing through certain files pertaining to the Epstein investigation.”
The timeline doesn’t specify which particular files were viewed, whether the hacker downloaded information, or the intruder’s identity. Reuters couldn’t determine any connection between the compromised data and either the Epstein documents released publicly or those still classified.
Spivack, whose name appears throughout the documents related to the Epstein investigation, hasn’t responded to multiple contact attempts. Reuters couldn’t reach Richard J. Roberson, Jr., identified as Spivack’s attorney in the documents. Seven FBI agents named in the documents as participants in the breach investigation also didn’t return messages.
Video Communication Between Hacker and FBI
In his statement to FBI investigators examining his potential responsibility for the breach, Spivack claimed he was being made “a scapegoat for the intrusion” and blamed contradictory bureau policies and inadequate IT guidance. Reuters couldn’t confirm the outcome of the internal FBI investigation.
The knowledgeable source revealed the intrusion was executed by an international hacker who seemed unaware they had accessed a law enforcement server. The cybercriminal reportedly expressed revulsion at finding child abuse imagery on the system and left a message threatening to report the owner to federal authorities.
Bureau officials reportedly resolved the situation by proving to the hacker they actually were the FBI, partly through a video conference where agents displayed their law enforcement badges to a webcam.
Reuters couldn’t establish – and the source claimed not to know – the hacker’s identity, operating location, what they did with accessed materials, or whether authorities attempted to identify or prosecute them for the FBI server intrusion.
Numerous Justice Department documents remain heavily censored while others stay completely classified despite legal requirements for full disclosure last year. The Trump administration cites protection of victim identities and ongoing investigations as reasons for withholding material.
Listen to the Morning Delmarva Farm Report Update — March 11, 2026
DELMARVA — Livestock owners across Delmarva need to start planning now to prevent grass tetany in their herds as spring grazing season approaches. This potentially deadly condition strikes when cattle graze on rapidly growing cool-season grasses that are low in magnesium. Veterinarians say the condition can kill animals within hours if left untreated. The key is proactive prevention through mineral supplementation programs started well before turnout.
Organic dairy farmers nationwide are seeing improved profits thanks to a shortage of organic milk that’s driven up farm-gate prices. The supply crunch is providing welcome financial relief to producers who’ve committed to organic certification.
Markets
May corn futures settled at $4.39 per bushel, up 2 cents. May soybeans gained 8 cents to close at $10.74. July wheat dropped 3 cents to $5.18. Local grain elevators are paying around $4.25 for corn and $10.50 for soybeans.
Forecast
Expect a mild Wednesday with highs near 68 degrees and a chance of afternoon showers as southerly winds pick up. Thursday turns wet with rain showers likely and highs only reaching the mid-50s as a cold front pushes through. Winds will shift northwest at 15 to 20 miles per hour. Thursday night could see temperatures drop to the low 30s with a lingering chance of rain showers before skies clear.
This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Morning Edition, March 11, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.
The Atlanta Hawks pushed their winning streak to seven games with a 124-112 victory over the Dallas Mavericks at home, powered by a dominant fourth-quarter performance from Jalen Johnson.
Johnson delivered when it mattered most, putting up 13 of his game-high 27 points in the final period to secure Atlanta’s longest winning run since the 2021-22 campaign. The victory also snapped a four-game skid against Dallas while extending the Mavericks’ struggles to eight straight defeats, their worst stretch since the 2016-17 season.
The pivotal moment came with the score knotted at 97-97. Johnson stepped up with a crucial three-point play followed by a long-range shot, giving Atlanta a 105-99 advantage and preventing the Hawks from surrendering what had been an 18-point second-half cushion.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker contributed 29 points for Atlanta, including consecutive three-pointers late in the fourth quarter that sealed the outcome. Onyeka Okongwu posted 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds, while Dyson Daniels recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 assists.
For Dallas, Klay Thompson provided the biggest offensive spark coming off the bench, connecting on five three-point attempts for 21 points. Khris Middleton added 16 points, and Cooper Flagg, Daniel Gafford, and Naji Marshall each chipped in 14 points. Flagg also pulled down 12 rebounds and dished out five assists.
Atlanta jumped out early, building a 10-2 advantage that grew into a commanding 40-26 lead after the opening quarter.
Dallas made a push in the second period with a 9-1 run that trimmed the deficit to 45-39. Hawks coach Quin Snyder used a timeout to regroup his team, and Atlanta responded with six unanswered points to rebuild their double-digit cushion. The Hawks maintained a 64-53 halftime advantage.
The third quarter saw Atlanta unable to put the game away despite holding an 18-point lead with 5:08 remaining. Dallas countered with a 20-6 surge, cutting the margin to just four points at 93-89 on a Thompson three-pointer with 1:01 left in the period. Atlanta entered the final quarter leading 95-91, but the Mavericks managed to even the score at 97-97 on a Middleton basket with 9:02 remaining before Johnson’s heroics took over.
The Hawks continued to play without Jonathan Kuminga, who missed his third consecutive game due to a left knee bone bruise.
The Nashville Predators mounted an impressive comeback Tuesday night, overcoming a two-goal deficit to defeat the Seattle Kraken 4-2 in a crucial Western Conference matchup.
Defenseman Ryan Ufko celebrated his first NHL goal while goaltender Juuse Saros delivered a stellar performance with 43 saves for Nashville. Tyson Jost, Reid Schaefer and Steven Stamkos also found the net, with Jonathan Marchessault contributing two assists in the victory.
The win helped Nashville balance their current five-game road trip at 1-1-0 and moved them to within one point of Seattle in the race for the Western Conference’s second wild-card playoff spot.
For Seattle, Kaapo Kakko and Matty Beniers provided the offense, but the Kraken suffered their third consecutive loss. Joey Daccord made 23 saves in the losing effort. The Kraken will face league-leading Colorado on Thursday to wrap up their six-game home stretch.
Nashville’s turnaround came entirely in the middle frame, where they netted three consecutive goals to flip a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 advantage. Stamkos sealed the victory with an empty-net goal with just five seconds remaining in regulation.
The Predators’ rally began at 4:14 of the second period when Jost converted a setup from Fedor Svechkov. Svechkov carried the puck along the right boards before cutting toward the middle and finding Jost on the left side for a wrist shot that beat the sprawling Daccord.
Nashville drew even at 10:19 when Matthew Wood maneuvered through the slot between two Seattle defenders and fed Schaefer for an easy finish at the top of the goal crease.
Ufko completed the remarkable turnaround at 14:25, dancing through three Kraken defenders before deking Daccord and sliding a forehand shot inside the right goalpost for his milestone first NHL tally. The defenseman was playing in just his fourth career game.
Seattle had dominated the opening period, outshooting Nashville 19-7 while building their two-goal cushion.
Kakko struck first at 2:14 when he pounced on a rebound after Saros had stopped Shane Wright’s initial attempt from the right corner. Kakko buried the loose puck from just beyond the crease.
Beniers extended Seattle’s lead at 9:46 with a sharp-angled wrist shot from the right wing that found its way past Saros high on the near side.
The Kraken were missing forward Jaden Schwartz, who remains sidelined indefinitely after taking a skate blade to the face during Saturday’s game against Ottawa. Newly acquired forward Bobby McMann, obtained in Friday’s trade with Toronto, is still awaiting work visa processing and was unavailable.
Two people died and five others were wounded when a Russian drone struck a civilian business in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, according to local authorities.
Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov confirmed the casualties on the Telegram messaging platform, stating, “Unfortunately, there is preliminary information about two people killed.”
Regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported that all five injured individuals sustained serious injuries and are receiving medical treatment. The drone attack also sparked a fire at the targeted business, Syniehubov added.
The city of Kharkiv sits approximately 18 miles from Ukraine’s border with Russia. The city successfully defended against Russian ground forces during the initial stages of the full-scale invasion that began in February 2022, but has remained under constant threat from aerial bombardments throughout the ongoing conflict.
America’s men’s national soccer team has selected the Great Park Sports Complex in Irvine, California as their official training headquarters for the 2026 World Cup tournament this summer.
The U.S. Soccer Federation made the announcement Tuesday, revealing their choice of the Southern California facility.
The training site sits strategically within 50 miles of SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, where the American squad will compete in two of their three preliminary round contests. Their remaining group match is scheduled for Seattle.
If the United States finishes first in their group, their opening elimination round game would take place at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
The Great Park facility boasts 24 soccer fields, featuring a stadium with more than 5,000 seats that serves as home to Orange County SC of the USL Championship league. The national team will conduct their training sessions at the stadium, with practices closed to spectators.
Matt Crocker, U.S. Soccer’s sporting director, expressed enthusiasm about the selection. “We are delighted to have Great Park as our training site for the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” Crocker stated. “The facilities are simply outstanding and will provide the perfect training environment for our team to prepare to be successful at the World Cup.”
Irvine’s Mayor Larry Agran also welcomed the decision. “We are honored that the U.S. Men’s National Team has chosen to train at the Great Park during the FIFA World Cup,” Agran commented. “This decision reflects the caliber of the Great Park Championship Soccer Stadium and the professionalism of the staff who operate it. Irvine is proud to welcome the players, coaches, and supporters from around the world to our great city for one of the world’s most celebrated sporting events.”
Reports from The Athletic indicate that U.S. Soccer initially pursued UC Irvine as their training base, but negotiations between the university and FIFA failed to produce an agreement. The federation subsequently shifted their focus to the Great Park location.
Before World Cup competition begins, the American team has scheduled four exhibition matches: Belgium on March 28 and Portugal on March 31, both in Atlanta; Senegal on May 31 in Charlotte; and Germany on June 6 in Chicago.
The United States kicks off Group D competition against Paraguay on June 12 in Inglewood, followed by Australia on June 19 in Seattle. Their final group stage encounter on June 25 in Inglewood will pit them against whichever team emerges from a UEFA playoff involving Slovakia, Kosovo, Turkey, or Romania.
BEIJING – The world’s largest automotive market experienced its most significant downturn in 24 months during February, as China’s total vehicle sales declined 15.4% compared to the previous year, according to new industry data released Wednesday.
The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers reported that domestic vehicle purchases dropped dramatically by 34.2%, reaching just 950,000 units sold within the country’s borders. However, international shipments provided a bright spot, surging 58% to reach 590,000 vehicles exported during the month.
Industry analysts point to the timing of Lunar New Year celebrations as a contributing factor to the sharp monthly fluctuations. The holiday period traditionally creates significant volatility in manufacturing and consumer spending patterns during the opening months of each year.
When examining the broader picture, combined domestic sales and international exports showed a 10.7% decrease across January and February together, indicating underlying challenges in the market beyond seasonal disruptions. Reduced government incentives have also created headwinds for consumer demand in recent months.
TORONTO (AP) — Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal Party has gained another step toward majority control of Canada’s Parliament following the latest opposition member to switch allegiances.
New Democratic Party interim leader Don Davies expressed strong disappointment Tuesday evening over Member of Parliament Lori Idlout’s decision to join the Liberal ranks, according to his official statement.
The move brings the Liberals significantly closer to achieving majority status, which would enable them to advance legislation without requiring support from opposition parties.
Liberal Cabinet minister Sean Fraser posted a welcome message for Idlout on social media platforms.
This marks the fourth recent defection to Carney’s party, following three Conservative members who switched sides in previous months.
Following Idlout’s departure from the left-leaning New Democratic party, the Liberals now hold 170 seats in the House of Commons. A majority requires 172 Members of Parliament, which would grant them unilateral authority to enact any legislation.
Neither Carney’s spokesperson nor Idlout’s office provided immediate responses to requests for comment.
The prime minister has scheduled special elections in three constituencies that could deliver the majority if Liberals capture two of the three seats.
Carney announced March 8 that voting will take place April 13 across three districts: Scarborough Southwest and University-Rosedale in the Toronto region, both viewed as Liberal strongholds, plus Terrebonne near Montreal, where the outcome remains uncertain.
The three Conservative legislators who recently joined the Liberal caucus include Chris d’Entremont, Michael Ma and Matt Jeneroux.
Jeneroux cited Carney’s World Economic Forum address in Davos as influential in his decision. During that speech, Carney criticized economic pressure tactics used by major powers against smaller nations, earning widespread acclaim and overshadowing U.S. President Donald Trump at the international gathering.
Since taking over from Justin Trudeau as prime minister in 2025 and securing electoral victory, Carney has positioned the Liberals toward the political center.
“One year into his tenure as PM, Carney maintains strong domestic popularity and, particularly following his notable January 20 Davos address, has emerged as a more visible figure internationally,” observed Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal.
“Mark Carney’s Liberals have successfully drawn both Conservative and NDP Members of Parliament into their ranks, demonstrating the current political success of the Prime Minister’s moderate positioning amid ongoing domestic concerns about economic issues and trade relationships, particularly regarding Canada-US relations,” Béland explained in an email.
Extended security checkpoint lines stretched into baggage areas and parking structures at several American airports over the weekend, signaling potential widespread travel complications as the current government shutdown continues.
Such disruptions, though not yet common nationwide, rarely affect San Francisco International Airport — the biggest among approximately two dozen U.S. airports utilizing private security contractors through a specialized federal initiative that permits airports to contract out screening duties while maintaining TSA supervision.
Since contractor payments derive from federal contracts, compensation typically continues during government shutdowns.
“The money’s already been allocated, the payments have already been made, and that continues without interruption,” SFO spokesperson Doug Yakel told The Associated Press. “That is a very nice place to be.”
This difference highlights an ongoing aviation industry discussion: Could private contractors working under TSA supervision offer a solution — protecting airport security functions from political standoffs that can interrupt American air travel?
Several aviation professionals view the TSA screening initiative as a possible framework for maintaining security checkpoint operations with minimal disruptions during shutdowns. At SFO, this arrangement helped sustain screening activities throughout last year’s unprecedented 43-day shutdown, according to Yakel.
However, opponents warn that privatization isn’t a complete solution — and might create additional hazards. The labor organization representing federal screeners contends that transferring operations to private firms could undermine employment protections and decrease compensation and benefits for workers already experiencing significant turnover under challenging circumstances.
TSA’s screening partnership initiative permits airports to employ private security firms selected by the federal government to operate checkpoints while TSA maintains procedural authority and supervision. The agency states that private security personnel undergo identical security background investigations and must satisfy the same health standards as potential federal security screeners.
Beyond SFO, other participating facilities include Kansas City International Airport, Atlantic City International Airport and Orlando Sanford International Airport.
The overwhelming majority of America’s approximately 400 commercial airports depend on federal screening personnel employed directly by TSA. During shutdowns, these employees must continue working despite halted paychecks — a situation that has historically resulted in increased absences and slower checkpoint processing as shutdowns extend.
The present partial shutdown impacts only the Department of Homeland Security, which encompasses TSA. Congressional Democrats declined to fund the department due to disagreements with its immigration enforcement methods. This interruption represents the third shutdown in under a year leaving TSA personnel temporarily without compensation — requiring them to await back pay once government operations resume.
These interruptions can spread throughout the travel network, creating cascading issues across already packed flight schedules. The pressure is particularly intense during this period as airlines and airports prepare for what they anticipate will be among the busiest spring break travel seasons recorded.
Aviation security specialist Sheldon Jacobson, whose research helped develop TSA PreCheck, stated the program’s effectiveness at SFO, a major international facility, demonstrates that privatization “is something that needs to be explored.”
SFO ranks within the top 15 busiest American airports by passenger volume. As a significant international travel hub, it stands as California’s second-busiest airport after Los Angeles International Airport.
“It’s operated just as well as any other airport,” Jacobson stated, noting that SFO’s numerous terminals and role as a United Airlines hub prove that even large-scale operations can function effectively under this framework. “If SFO is the litmus test for delivering this privatized product, then many other airports can do it, too.”
Jacobson observed that most airports currently utilizing the program are smaller facilities, but “the scale issue should not be a limiting factor,” and advocated for expanded discussion on how such alternatives could deliver government services efficiently while benefiting travelers.
“Of course TSA would have oversight. It’s not like they’re freewheeling on their own,” he said regarding privately contracted screeners. “We might as well use a government shutdown that affects air travel as an opportunity to begin that discussion.”
The American Federation of Government Employees, representing TSA officers, has consistently opposed privatization.
“We will never advocate for any privatization of any federal employees. We don’t believe that’ll work,” Johnny Jones, secretary-treasurer of the TSA union’s bargaining unit, said in a brief phone call this week.
Through a blog entry on their website, the union contends it could undermine accountability for aviation security — among the reasons Congress decided to federalize airport screening following the September 11 attacks.
The union also cautioned that private companies might face pressure to reduce expenses in ways affecting training, staffing numbers and employee benefits. Depending on contractors, the union states, could generate inconsistencies between airports if various companies manage checkpoints nationwide, potentially complicating supervision of a system designed to uphold uniform national security standards.
“We have to remember the TSA was created in the wake of 9/11 when there were no security standards or very minimal security standards,” said airline industry analyst Henry Harteveldt, president of Atmosphere Research Group. “The TSA came around, they established very stringent airport screening security requirements, which exist to this day.”
Others suggest simpler approaches to address the shutdown issue.
Industry organizations — including the U.S. Travel Association, Airlines for America and the American Association of Airport Executives — are pressing Congress to enact legislation ensuring aviation workers receive payment regardless of the government’s funding situation.
“Every time Washington fails to fund the government, these essential workers pay the price. So do travelers. So does the economy,” Geoff Freeman, U.S. Travel Association’s president, said in a statement. “That is why America’s travel industry has come together, because this workforce is too important, and the stakes are too high, for this to keep happening.”
Republican legislators have advocated in recent years to eliminate the agency completely and substitute its screening responsibilities with private contractors supervised by the federal government.
Last year, two GOP senators introduced the “Abolish TSA Act,” which would gradually eliminate the agency and transfer supervision to a new office responsible for aviation security. Supporters of the unlikely legislation claim privatized screening could operate more efficiently and remain less susceptible to shutdowns.
TSA leadership has indicated willingness for discussion. Speaking at a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing last year, Ha Nguyen McNeill, a senior official performing the duties of TSA administrator, said “nothing is off the table” regarding potential privatization.
“If a new privatization scheme makes sense, then we’re happy to have that discussion to see what we can come up with,” McNeill said. “It’s not an all-or-nothing game.”
At SFO, officials report their screening framework was implemented over two decades ago for reasons unconnected to government shutdowns. However, with shutdowns in recent years becoming longer and more disruptive, the airport states their arrangement has revealed an unexpected advantage: reduced staffing interruptions at checkpoints.
“The benefits, I think, are compelling,” Harteveldt said. “The real issue is making sure that any vendor, any partner to the TSA, upholds the strict standards that TSA has established and works with TSA to ensure that screening remains efficient and finds ways to make it even better.”
LEWIS, N.Y. — The peaceful wilderness of New York’s Adirondack Mountains, known for echoing loon calls and quiet lakeside camping, could soon echo with the thunder of military artillery if a controversial testing proposal moves forward.
A military contractor’s plan to conduct howitzer testing in this rural Adirondack Park community has sparked fierce opposition from local residents and environmental advocates, prompting park officials to schedule a rare public hearing on the matter.
Critics worry that artillery blasts on private property would destroy the area’s peaceful atmosphere and frighten away wildlife including moose, deer, bears and various bird species. Environmental groups express additional concern since the proposed testing site sits close to state-owned forest land within the 6-million-acre park’s mix of public and private property.
“I hunt. I shoot. I reload. I know guns,” local resident Dan Canavan explained from his home located roughly one mile from the proposed testing facility in Lewis. “You can’t equate a 155 millimeter howitzer with a hunting rifle, but that’s how he’s been selling it.”
Military contractor Michael Hopmeier argues his howitzer barrel testing would serve national security interests and maintains that noise levels reaching the closest neighbors through the forest wouldn’t exceed typical rural sounds like chainsaws or hunting firearms.
Hopmeier plans to create a testing facility along a country road approximately 10 miles west of Lake Champlain.
The proposal calls for firing steel projectiles from barrels measuring up to 155 millimeters (roughly 6 inches) across a distance equivalent to two football fields, occurring 30 times annually. Testing would happen during midday hours on weekdays, limited to twice daily. A metal shipping container packed with sand and gravel would capture the projectiles, which would contain no explosive warheads.
“We are not investigating explosive shells. We are not blowing things up,” Hopmeier explained during a recent presentation to neighboring town officials.
His company aims to evaluate factors like barrel deterioration and recoil for military applications. Adirondack Park Agency regulators have repeatedly requested additional details since receiving the initial application in 2021.
Hopmeier’s business, Unconventional Concepts, Inc., stated in their application that testing would support research at the U.S. Army laboratory at Watervliet Arsenal, located about two hours south. While no current contract exists, Hopmeier indicated via email that his company could pursue government contracts once testing authorization is secured.
The Army’s DEVCOM Armaments Center confirmed via email that it currently has no plans for howitzer testing at the Adirondack location, “but may consider future artillery experimentation based on Army priorities.”
The proposed testing range would sit near a Cold War-era nuclear missile silo that Hopmeier’s company purchased in 2015 — one of twelve that previously surrounded the now-closed Plattsburgh Air Force Base. The former silo site currently serves research purposes.
Artillery testing would occur on property adjacent to this site. Despite the remote location, 44 residences fall within a 2-mile radius of the proposed testing area.
Howitzer blasts generate extremely intense sound — approximately 180 decibels at the source, exceeding most fireworks and reaching levels that can cause hearing damage and physical harm.
Although testing would occur away from well-known Adirondack destinations like Lake Placid and Lake George, Hopmeier’s proposal has generated significant public attention. State regulators received more than 1,400 public comments, with only 19 expressing approval.
Town council member Lanita Canavan fears losing the tranquil character of their remote community of roughly 1,300 residents and worries about birds abandoning her feeders. Resident April Guilder questions potential impacts on local water sources.
“Who’s sticking up for us? That’s my question,” Guilder asked during a recent informational session at the town fire station. “I don’t feel like there’s anybody that’s doing that, and that’s kind of frustrating.”
Some residents remain upset about Hopmeier’s “Jaded Thunder” military exercises from last September, which involved his property and helicopters from Fort Drum. Multiple complaints emerged about low-altitude helicopter flights and gunfire. One local resident compared the experience to the film “Apocalypse Now.”
While the howitzer proposal stands separately, some residents view it as another disruption connected to Hopmeier’s activities.
However, Jim Pulsifer, who owns the proposed testing property, stated he wouldn’t participate if he believed noise levels would be excessive. Citing the work’s national importance and potential local employment benefits, he offered his land without charge.
“I know there’s a lot of people that moved into the Adirondacks for their little peace and quiet,” said Pulsifer, who lives near the proposed test site. “Well, people have to live in the Adirondacks, too — and make a living.”
Following multiple postponements, a public hearing is scheduled for April 22. An administrative law judge will spend months examining whether howitzer testing aligns with park regulations and character.
Hopmeier has questioned the park agency’s authority to block his testing plans, though he acknowledged that regulatory approval “makes things cleaner.” He has also filed litigation seeking to invalidate the board’s hearing decision, claiming one member with previous environmental group connections should have recused themselves.
“Allowing them to treat me unfairly and disregard basic rights is a disservice to my community and country,” Hopmeier wrote, “so I fight on.”
Stock markets across Asia posted solid gains Tuesday while investors closely monitored developments in the Iran conflict for indications of when hostilities might conclude.
U.S. market futures and crude oil prices both moved upward during trading.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 index climbed 2.1% to reach 55,387.75, while South Korea’s Kospi jumped dramatically by 3.5% to 5,724.30.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index posted a modest 0.3% increase to 26,039.23, and China’s Shanghai Composite index edged up slightly by 0.1% to 4,127.34.
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 increased 0.5% to $8,738.50.
Taiwan’s main stock index surged 3.9%.
Meanwhile, U.S. markets showed mixed results Tuesday, with the S&P 500 declining 0.2% to 6,781.48, following a day of dramatic fluctuations driven by extreme oil market movements. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 34 points, or 0.1%, closing at 47,706.51, while the Nasdaq composite managed a slight gain of less than 0.1% to 22,697.10.
Crude oil prices continued trading well below Monday’s peak levels. These dramatic price swings have created turbulence in financial markets globally due to concerns that the conflict might disrupt international oil and natural gas supplies for an extended period.
In early Wednesday trading, Brent crude oil, which serves as the international benchmark, increased 9 cents to $85.36 per barrel. This represents an 11% decline from the previous day’s closing price.
U.S. benchmark crude gained 36 cents to reach $83.81 per barrel.
Oil markets experienced a dramatic drop Monday afternoon from nearly $120 per barrel, the highest price point since 2022, following President Donald Trump’s comments to CBS News that he believes “the war is very complete, pretty much.” These remarks sparked optimism that the conflict could end soon, potentially restoring normal oil shipments from Middle Eastern producers to global customers.
Despite this, tensions have escalated as the conflict enters its 11th day. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced plans for the most aggressive strikes to date, while Pentagon officials provided details about the expanding number of injuries among American military personnel.
American forces reported destroying more than a dozen Iranian mine-laying vessels Tuesday, prompting Iran to threaten a complete blockade of regional oil exports, declaring it would prevent “even a single liter” from reaching enemy nations.
President Trump has consistently emphasized his commitment to maintaining access through the Strait of Hormuz. The ongoing conflict has effectively shut down this critical waterway along Iran’s coastline, through which approximately 20% of global oil typically passes daily.
“If Iran does anything that stops the flow of Oil within the Strait of Hormuz, they will be hit by the United States of America TWENTY TIMES HARDER than they have been hit thus far,” Trump wrote on his social media platform late Monday.
Historical data shows stock markets typically recover fairly quickly from military conflicts, provided oil prices don’t remain elevated for extended periods. Uncertainty about the duration of current price levels has caused dramatic market volatility worldwide, with significant fluctuations occurring even within single trading sessions.
Extended high oil prices could severely impact household budgets already strained by inflation. Businesses would face increased costs for fuel and inventory transportation to retail locations and distribution centers. This scenario raises concerns about “stagflation,” an economic condition combining stagnant growth with persistent high inflation.
In currency markets early Wednesday, the dollar strengthened to 158.26 Japanese yen from 158.23 yen. The euro gained ground against the dollar, rising to $1.1625 from $1.1610.
HONOLULU (AP) — Visitors to Hawaii might be surprised to learn that the vibrant purple lei they received as a welcome gift likely contains flowers that never grew on Hawaiian soil.
The majority of these scentless orchid garlands are crafted using blooms shipped from Thailand, where cultivation and assembly costs are significantly lower than producing the flower necklaces that have become emblematic of Hawaiian heritage.
Several Hawaii state legislators believe more should be done to support makers of lei using locally cultivated, aromatic flowers. Proposed solutions include mandatory labeling that would distinguish Hawaii-produced garlands and banning government agencies from purchasing foreign-made lei, although some vendors express concern these regulations could price the garlands beyond reach.
“You don’t come to Hawaii and not at least have a flower or a lei,” explained Kuhio Lewis, CEO of the Hawaiian Council, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing Native Hawaiian culture and commerce. “For us to now be importing is not good. It’s actually embarrassing.”
The tradition of presenting and wearing lei crafted from flowers, foliage, seeds or shells has long been connected to Hawaiian people, who view these garlands as symbols of affection or the “aloha” spirit. According to a 2002 University of Hawaii publication, they served not only ceremonial purposes but were part of daily attire for everyone from tribal leaders to young children.
Currently, Hawaii residents exchange lei for numerous occasions, from birthday parties to job promotions. Graduating students from elementary through college levels receive lei stacked so high they nearly obscure their faces behind towering walls of blossoms. Legislative session opening days see lawmakers experience similar floral coverage. Expectant mothers receive open-ended strands instead of closed loops, following a belief that circular lei symbolize umbilical cords endangering unborn babies.
“We always are looking for ways that we can honor people through our Indigenous cultures, which is giving lei,” stated state Rep. Darius Kila, who is Native Hawaiian.
Given lei-giving’s deep roots in Hawaiian society, legislators frequently purchase and distribute them — during groundbreaking ceremonies, to recognize community members or volunteers, or for staff birthday celebrations.
This year, Kila championed legislation requested by the Hawaiian Council that would have mandated a specific portion of lei bought by state officials contain in-state grown flowers. The proposal also called for lei labeling informing buyers about flower origins.
While that legislation didn’t pass, a companion Senate measure continues advancing. It would establish a working committee to examine whether local flower producers and lei creators can satisfy growing garland demand, while developing recommendations to safeguard the domestic industry.
“The growing commercialization of lei and lei materials has led to increased use of imported plant materials and manufactured components that are marketed using Hawaiian language, imagery, and place names,” the Senate legislation declares. This practice “may mislead consumers and undermine local growers, lei makers, and cultural practitioners.”
When Hawaii’s population and visitor numbers surged during the 1900s, lei manufacturers began incorporating non-indigenous ornamental plants like carnations and jasmine to satisfy escalating demand, and these varieties remain widely popular today.
Kila, a Democratic representative from western Oahu, maintains a personal policy for himself and his team: “I really try not for us to give out orchid lei, specifically the purple Thailand orchid lei.”
During a recent lei shopping trip through Honolulu’s Chinatown, where numerous lei vendors and flower retailers cluster together, Kila searched for puakenikeni — nicknamed the “10-cent flower,” allegedly referencing times when lei sold for ten cents — along with ginger and tuberose varieties. These non-native blossoms produce varying intensities of jasmine-scented sweetness.
“People want pikake” — a jasmine variety, noted Francis Wong, proprietor of the established Chinatown business Jenny’s Lei and Flowers. “That’s the top flower in Hawaii.”
Wong typically obtains the fragrant white blossoms from a Nanakuli farm, close to Kila’s community. However, winter months bring seasonal supply shortages, he mentioned.
Wong and his spouse Pickoun Wong, who assembles flowers in the shop’s rear area, have operated the business for 18 years. They offer Thailand orchids to provide customers more affordable alternatives, particularly when local flower availability is restricted.
Local residents consistently choose local flowers, according to Monty Pereira, general manager at Watanabe Floral. However, imported blooms help extend scarce local inventory, he noted. One favored lei combines Hawaii-grown tuberose with imported carnations.
The Thailand-cultivated orchids also satisfy lei demand beyond Hawaii, frequently from former residents now living in other states, he added.
Watanabe Floral ranks as Hawaii’s largest florist operation. It distributes approximately 250,000 lei annually, representing roughly 25% of total business volume, Pereira reported.
He filed testimony opposing Kila’s proposed state agency purchasing restrictions, arguing it might inadvertently decrease overall lei consumption rather than bolster the industry.
Limiting imported flowers could inflate lei prices, he explained during an interview.
“If like 30 lei stands and florists are fighting for the same lei, that’s when lei is going to start to be $100, $150, $200,” he warned. During the previous Mother’s Day, a three-strand pikake lei commanded $150.
Additionally, Trump administration tariffs have raised Thailand orchid costs to nearly match some local flower prices, he observed.
Pereira, who is Native Hawaiian, expresses concern about people increasingly choosing lei made from candy or ribbons instead of flowers, a trend particularly common at graduation events.
“The bigger threat is making it so expensive that the people of Hawaii cannot afford to enjoy something that’s culturally significant to us,” he concluded.
The 49-year-old son of entertainment icon Cher is set to appear in court Wednesday to address charges stemming from an alleged home invasion in New Hampshire this month.
Elijah Allman, a Malibu, California resident, was taken into custody for the second time in just days after his February 27 arrest for reportedly causing a disturbance at the elite St. Paul’s School in New Hampshire. Authorities have not established any link between Allman and either the prestigious preparatory academy or the Windham, New Hampshire residence he allegedly targeted.
According to Superintendent Jonathan Banville, Allman is currently being held at the Rockingham County Department of Corrections under preventive detention measures.
The son of the late musician Gregg Allman is facing multiple charges related to the March 1 home invasion, including two criminal mischief counts, one burglary charge, and a bail violation count. Law enforcement officials stated in their report that Allman lacked authorization to enter the property and used force to gain access.
During the earlier prep school incident, Allman received charges on four misdemeanor counts: dual simple assault charges, criminal trespass, and criminal threatening. He also received a disorderly conduct violation, which New Hampshire law treats as illegal but not criminal.
Around 7 p.m. on the day of the school incident, Concord police officers responded to complaints about Allman disrupting activities in St. Paul’s School dining facility. Following his charges, authorities released Allman on bail while his case proceeds through the judicial system.
Attempts to reach Allman for comment were unsuccessful, as he did not reply to email inquiries and his phone number was non-functional. Court documentation does not clearly indicate whether Allman has secured legal representation.
Last December, Cher petitioned a court to establish temporary conservatorship over her son’s financial affairs, citing concerns that his mental health struggles and addiction issues have compromised his ability to handle his wealth responsibly and may endanger his wellbeing.
The entertainment star’s legal filing indicated that Elijah Allman receives scheduled distributions from a trust fund. However, the petition stated that “given his ongoing mental health and substance abuse issues,” she worried that “any funds distributed to Elijah will be immediately spent on drugs, leaving Elijah with no assets to provide for himself and putting Elijah’s life at risk.”
Several weeks following the filing, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Jessica Uzcategui rejected the conservatorship request, stating she remained unconvinced that such urgent intervention was necessary. Allman attended the hearing alongside his legal team, who recognized his past difficulties but contended he was currently stable, participating in support meetings, receiving treatment, and rebuilding his relationship with his previously separated spouse.
HUNTSVILLE, Texas — A 51-year-old North Texas resident was set to receive a lethal injection Wednesday evening for the brutal murders of his girlfriend and her young child almost 13 years ago.
Cedric Ricks received a death sentence for the May 2013 murders of Roxann Sanchez, 30, and her 8-year-old son Anthony Figueroa inside their Bedford apartment, located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. During the violent attack, Sanchez’s older son Marcus Figueroa, then 12, sustained injuries but survived.
The execution was scheduled to take place after 6 p.m. Central Time at the Huntsville state prison facility, located approximately 70 miles north of Houston.
Ricks’ legal team filed an emergency petition with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to halt the execution, claiming prosecutors improperly excluded potential jurors based on their race, violating his constitutional protections. Courts have previously rejected other appeals from Ricks that challenged his legal representation and sought to exclude certain evidence.
The Supreme Court established in its 1986 Batson v. Kentucky decision that removing jurors due to racial considerations breaches the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause.
“At trial, Ricks already suspected that the State had singled out minority jurors to exclude them from his jury,” Ricks’ attorneys said in their petition to the Supreme Court.
Defense lawyers contended that prosecutorial notes from jury selection, which weren’t discovered until 2021, demonstrate that prosecutors targeted minority jurors for removal.
However, the Texas Attorney General’s Office maintained that court documentation proves the prosecution’s jury selection choices were “race neutral,” with lower courts already determining that prosecutors acted without discrimination.
Ricks “viciously stabbed his girlfriend Roxann and her eight-year-old son Anthony to death,” the attorney general’s office said. “The public has a strong interest in enforcement of Ricks’ sentence.”
On Monday, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles rejected Ricks’ petition for either a 90-day delay or sentence commutation.
According to prosecutors, the tragedy unfolded when Ricks and Sanchez engaged in a heated dispute inside their residence. When Sanchez’s two children from her previous relationship — Anthony and Marcus Figueroa — attempted to intervene in the altercation, the situation escalated.
Court documents reveal that Ricks seized a kitchen knife and repeatedly stabbed Sanchez. Marcus Figueroa fled to his bedroom closet and attempted to contact emergency services. Following Anthony Figueroa’s death, Ricks continued his attack on Marcus, who managed to survive by pretending to be dead. Ricks left unharmed his infant son Isaiah, who was 9 months old at the time.
After fleeing the scene, Ricks was subsequently apprehended in Oklahoma.
During court proceedings, Ricks acknowledged having anger management problems and claimed he was protecting himself from the two boys who had intervened to help their mother.
“Explaining my rage, I was upset. Things happen. I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t know. I wish I could bring them back, like, right now,” said Ricks, who also apologized for the killings.
The day prior to the fatal stabbings, Ricks had made a court appearance on charges related to a previous assault against Sanchez.
Should the execution proceed as planned, Ricks would become the second individual executed in Texas this year and the sixth nationwide. Texas leads all states in the total number of executions performed.
Meanwhile, Charles “Sonny” Burton, a 75-year-old Alabama death row inmate, was originally scheduled for execution Thursday. However, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey commuted his sentence Tuesday to life imprisonment without parole. Burton had been condemned to death for a 1991 robbery-related killing, despite not being the shooter.
WASHINGTON — Consumer costs are expected to climb significantly in the coming months, driven by recent dramatic increases in fuel prices that economists say will push inflation well beyond February’s relatively modest projections.
The Labor Department is set to release February inflation data Wednesday, with economists surveyed by FactSet predicting a 2.5% annual increase in consumer prices, up slightly from January’s 2.4%. Core inflation, which strips out volatile food and energy costs, is also forecast at 2.5% for February, matching January’s five-year low.
However, these numbers reflect conditions before the Iran conflict that began February 28, which has disrupted shipping through the Persian Gulf and caused dramatic swings in oil markets. Fuel costs have already surged and are anticipated to drive inflation substantially higher when March data becomes available next month.
The price increases will concern Federal Reserve officials focused on controlling inflation and may dampen consumer spending while weighing on economic growth overall. While the surge could prove temporary if the conflict resolves quickly as President Donald Trump has suggested, rising gas costs threaten to worsen inflation for several months as Americans continue struggling with nearly five years of persistently high prices that have made affordability a challenging political issue for congressional Republicans facing midterm elections this year.
Crude oil reached nearly $120 per barrel late Sunday before dropping Monday after Trump indicated the conflict would be a “short-term excursion.” However, he has also warned of continued attacks, leaving the timeline for resolution unclear.
Energy analysts caution prices could climb much higher if the Strait of Hormuz stays blocked, which has eliminated approximately three-quarters of Persian Gulf oil production from global markets, according to Wood Mackenzie energy analytics. The firm projects oil could hit $150 per barrel in coming weeks if shipments don’t restart.
Such increases would further elevate U.S. gas prices, which reached a nationwide average of $3.54 per gallon Tuesday according to AAA, representing roughly a 20% jump in just one month.
Eventually, higher fuel costs will increase other expenses including airfares and shipping charges, potentially making groceries and restaurant meals more costly.
Meanwhile, given oil price volatility — U.S. crude fell nearly 9% to $86.55 Tuesday afternoon — forecasting the long-term impact remains challenging. If shipping resumes within a week or so, gas prices will likely decrease fairly quickly, though they typically drop much more gradually than they rise.
Laura Rosner-Warburton, senior economist at MacroPolicy Perspectives consulting firm, anticipates inflation could surge 0.8% to 0.9% in March alone compared to the previous month when that data is released. This would mark the largest monthly increase in nearly four years, potentially pushing annual inflation above 3% and possibly approaching 4% in subsequent months.
In contrast, overall prices are projected to rise just 0.3% in February from the prior month.
The gas price jump so far this month represents the steepest increase since March 2022, and before that, June 2009, Rosner-Warburton noted.
“That is enormous,” she said. “Increases of that magnitude are highly unusual.”
Core prices will face less immediate impact this month but could edge higher over time as expensive fuel drives up airline tickets and other transportation expenses. Core inflation is expected to have risen 0.3% in February from January.
Even if the sharp increase proves brief, it will almost certainly postpone any Federal Reserve interest rate reduction when policymakers meet next week. The Fed lowered its benchmark rate three times last year before keeping it steady at January’s meeting.
Fed officials remain deeply split over whether maintaining the current 3.6% rate is necessary to bring inflation closer to the 2% target, or if they should lower rates to encourage borrowing, spending, and job creation.
Last Friday’s government employment report showed an unexpectedly steep job decline in February, with employers cutting 92,000 positions and unemployment rising to 4.4% from 4.3%, though still remaining relatively low.
The disappointing jobs data creates a particularly challenging situation for the Fed, which would typically lower rates to stimulate growth and hiring but usually raises rates — or maintains current levels — when inflation concerns arise.
“That’s always the worst-case scenario for the central bank,” said Austan Goolsbee, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, on Bloomberg Friday. “As we get more uncertainties, I kind of think that the time at which it makes sense to act keeps getting pushed back.”
Gregory Daco, chief economist at EY-Parthenon consulting firm, explained that normally the Fed would view an oil price shock as having only temporary inflation effects and might still reduce rates if the economy needed lower borrowing costs.
However, Fed policymakers were stung several years ago when they initially characterized the post-COVID inflation surge of 2022-23 — the worst in four decades — as temporary, Daco said. Consequently, they will hesitate to risk cutting rates too early. Some officials even suggested during January’s meeting they might need to raise rates soon rather than lower them, according to meeting minutes — and that was before the Iran conflict began.
Former President Donald Trump has scheduled visits to Ohio and Kentucky for Wednesday, where he will promote his economic agenda while addressing concerns about how the ongoing Iran conflict is affecting the nation’s financial stability. The trip also marks his effort to unseat one of the Republican lawmakers who has consistently opposed him.
Trump’s first stop will be Cincinnati, where he plans to tour the facilities of Thermo Fisher Scientific, a pharmaceutical company. During this visit, he will highlight his administration’s work on reducing prescription drug costs, emphasizing his commitment to making daily expenses more manageable for American families as the midterm elections approach in November.
Following the Cincinnati event, Trump will travel to a logistics and packaging facility in Hebron, Kentucky, located within Rep. Thomas Massie’s congressional district. Trump is actively supporting a primary opponent against Massie in the upcoming election.
This journey represents Trump’s first major effort this primary season to fulfill his promises of targeting party members who have challenged his leadership on important issues. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized the economic focus, stating he’ll be “talking about the economy, which is, of course, the utmost importance to him.”
Public opinion surveys indicate Americans had growing concerns about Trump’s economic stewardship even before the Iran situation escalated. The military engagement has complicated Trump’s messaging strategy, as fuel costs he previously celebrated for staying low are now climbing rapidly, and stock markets that had reached new peaks have begun declining.
February employment data showed companies eliminated 92,000 positions, far more than anticipated, while adjustments removed an additional 69,000 jobs from December and January reports that the White House had previously described as “blockbuster.”
Despite these challenges, Trump maintains his position that the nation’s economy is thriving while placing responsibility on Democrats for any problems. “They’re the one that caused the problem,” he told House Republicans during a Florida meeting on Monday. “But we’re really bringing down prices big.”
After Democratic victories in Virginia and New Jersey gubernatorial contests last November, the White House announced Trump would conduct nationwide travel to demonstrate his focus on everyday economic concerns and calm voters worried about persistent inflation and economic expansion.
Since that announcement, Trump has visited Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, and Texas, though his remarks have occasionally emphasized his personal political disputes rather than his proposals for reducing household expenses across America.
Wednesday’s events will feature Trump’s first primary season appearance supporting his pledge to challenge party members who oppose his key initiatives. Trump has given his endorsement to Ed Gallrein, who works as a farmer and businessman while serving as a retired Navy SEAL, in his campaign against incumbent Massie in Kentucky’s Republican primary scheduled for May 19. Trump and Gallrein will make a joint appearance on Wednesday.
Massie has been a vocal Trump opponent who voted against the administration’s preferred tax and spending legislation, and challenged Trump by advocating for the release of documents connected to Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigations. He has also criticized the U.S. military action in Venezuela that removed former President Nicolás Maduro and, more recently, the Iran conflict.
“This isn’t America First,” Massie wrote on X Sunday, attributing rising fuel costs to the war.
DORAL, Fla. — Former President Donald Trump believes he has the solution for Republicans worried about maintaining their congressional control: expand current voter ID requirements to eliminate mail-in voting and limit transgender protections.
Speaking to GOP members at his Miami-area golf resort on Monday, Trump declared, “It’ll guarantee the midterms. If you don’t get it, big trouble.”
However, within a day, House Republican leadership revealed different priorities, with Trump’s renamed legislation — now called the SAVE America Act instead of the SAVE Act — notably absent from their top agenda items.
Michigan Representative Lisa McClain, serving as House GOP conference chair, focused on family tax relief, energy self-sufficiency, and proposed savings accounts for newborns while discussing “real results for real people.” Louisiana’s House Majority Leader Steve Scalise emphasized collaboration with Trump to “make life more affordable for working families.” Minnesota Representative Tom Emmer, the House majority whip, celebrated consecutive victories while declaring “working families are keeping more of their hard-earned money in their pockets.”
As House Republicans conclude their annual policy retreat Wednesday, a clear election-year rift has developed.
With their majority hanging by just a handful of seats, veteran Republicans want to spotlight the party’s efforts on cost reduction — challenging work given their razor-thin voting margin. Trump, however, frequently pursues different objectives.
The conflict he launched in Iran has undermined the party’s affordability messaging, forcing GOP leadership to field repeated inquiries about escalating fuel prices, which House Speaker Mike Johnson characterized as a “temporary blip.” Trump’s promoted voting legislation stems from his continued assertion that he prevailed in the 2020 presidential race — claims that numerous courts and his former attorney general have rejected.
The former president sometimes dismissed the conventional economic concerns his fellow Republicans wanted to emphasize.
“Every time I go out, save America, sir. Save America Act,” Trump stated at the GOP gathering. “That’s all they talk about. They don’t talk about housing. They don’t talk about anything. That’s what they want to talk about.”
Johnson, who maintains close ties with Trump and shared the stage with him this week, isn’t backing away from Trump’s voting bill advocacy. Tuesday saw him reject any suggestion of disagreement between his colleagues and the administration.
“We’re all on the same page,” Johnson stated. “The president and I are exactly in lockstep.”
Nevertheless, obstacles remain substantial.
Seeking to pressure legislators, including certain Republicans, Trump declared he would refuse to sign any other bills until his voting legislation passes. This creates potential congressional gridlock precisely when lawmakers need voter approval for their return to Washington.
Enacting legislation meeting Trump’s specifications will prove difficult. Since the House already approved an earlier version, Trump’s requested modifications would require new chamber action.
Senate dynamics present additional complications, where Republicans face challenges advancing the measure without Democratic backing — and that was before Trump requested expansions, urging Republicans to “go for the gold.”
Meanwhile, Congress faces other significant responsibilities, including reopening the Department of Homeland Security and confirming its incoming director.
Johnson indicated Tuesday that lawmakers could potentially continue operating despite Trump’s signing threats. The speaker referenced constitutional provisions allowing bills to become law if sent to the president but remain unsigned for 10 days.
Confronting difficult political calculations, Johnson attempts redirecting attention toward Democrats, particularly regarding the DHS closure, which has caused airport security delays nationwide in recent days.
“If you missed a wedding or funeral or are worried about missing your flight for spring break this weekend, you have Democrats to blame,” he declared.
Republicans devoted much of this week to reminding voters about pre-Trump administration difficulties. They repeatedly referenced inflation and border crossings during former President Joe Biden’s tenure.
The pivotal question for this year’s elections may be whether voters prioritize the transition from Biden to Trump or concentrate on future developments.
Should voters adopt a forward-looking perspective, Republicans could face additional challenges.
Approximately one-third of Americans identified inflation or personal financial concerns as government priorities this year, based on December AP-NORC polling. Virtually none mentioned voting legislation or election security worries.
Under intense Florida sunshine Tuesday afternoon, several House Republicans gathered to argue they deserve continued power while demonstrating responsiveness to constituent needs.
“We’re not sitting back on our laurels,” declared Representative Beth Van Duyne of Texas. “We recognize there is still plenty for us to do and we’re working on that.”
The Denver Broncos have secured their top ground game performer, announcing Tuesday that running back J.K. Dobbins will remain with the franchise under a two-year extension.
The agreement becomes official Wednesday when the NFL’s new league year commences.
The 27-year-old running back topped Denver’s rushing statistics in his debut season, accumulating 772 yards and four touchdowns across 153 carries while contributing 11 catches for 37 yards as the Broncos advanced to the AFC championship game.
Throughout his NFL career beginning in 2020 with Baltimore, Dobbins has maintained impressive efficiency metrics, ranking third among running backs with at least 500 carries in both rushing average at 5.2 yards per attempt and “big play” percentage at 14.7 percent for runs of 10 yards or more.
Across six NFL seasons spanning Baltimore (who drafted him in the second round in 2020), Los Angeles, and Denver, the former Ohio State standout has accumulated 3,024 rushing yards on 582 attempts with 25 touchdowns through 47 games and 30 starts. His receiving statistics include 70 catches for 367 yards and one score.
During his four playoff appearances, including one start, Dobbins has produced 173 rushing yards and one touchdown on 43 carries, while adding eight receptions for 88 yards and another score.
Currency traders adopted a wait-and-see approach Wednesday as the U.S. dollar maintained stability amid ongoing uncertainty about the escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
Financial markets had initially anticipated that President Donald Trump might work toward a quick end to the hostilities, though Trump has simultaneously issued strong warnings about striking Iran if it interferes with energy shipments through the critical Strait of Hormuz waterway.
The American currency had strengthened significantly during the conflict’s early days as oil prices climbed, but has since retreated somewhat on speculation the crisis might resolve quickly. However, market experts doubt such an outcome.
“We expect the war to run for months, not weeks, while acknowledging the high level of uncertainty,” said Kristina Clifton, senior currency strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
Tuesday saw what both Pentagon officials and Iranian sources described as the most devastating air attacks since fighting began, with U.S. and Israeli forces conducting intensive strikes against Iranian targets.
Escalating tensions further, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps threatened to halt Gulf oil shipments unless American and Israeli military operations stop immediately.
These rapidly changing Middle Eastern developments have created challenges for traders attempting to accurately assess market risks, leading many to pause their activities temporarily.
“Traders are largely sitting on their hands and waiting for further news and greater clarity so that risk can be priced more efficiently,” said Chris Weston, head of research at Pepperstone.
During early Asian trading, the euro traded at $1.16205, showing modest improvement from Monday’s three-month low. The British pound gained 0.12% to reach $1.34305.
The dollar index, tracking the U.S. currency against six major competitors, registered 98.876, moving slightly away from Monday’s three-month peak.
Australia’s dollar, considered sensitive to global risk sentiment, remained near Tuesday’s nearly four-year high at $0.713.
The Australian currency’s strength followed Reserve Bank of Australia Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser’s Tuesday warning that rising oil costs would increase inflation pressures and potentially trigger interest rate increases at next week’s policy meeting.
“The war in the Middle East has had some large impacts on expectations for central bank interest rates,” CBA’s Clifton said. “Since the war began at the end of February markets have either moved from pricing cuts to pricing hikes, or to pricing less cuts than previously.”
Federal Reserve futures markets now anticipate only 39.7 basis points of rate reductions by year’s end, suggesting uncertainty about whether the central bank will implement a second quarter-point cut in 2024.
Market attention will focus on Wednesday’s February U.S. inflation report, with economists surveyed by Reuters predicting core consumer prices increased 0.2% monthly while overall prices rose 0.3%.
The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that the International Energy Agency has proposed its largest-ever strategic oil reserve release to counter crude price increases driven by the Middle Eastern conflict.
The world’s top-ranked pickleball player, Anna Leigh Waters, is preparing to step onto the international stage for the first time when she competes at Vietnam’s Hanoi Cup next month, tournament organizers announced Tuesday. This marks a significant milestone as the rapidly growing paddle sport expands its reach across global markets.
Waters currently holds the number one ranking in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles on the Carvana PPA Tour. She’s scheduled to team up with Anna Bright for women’s doubles competition and partner with Ben Johns in mixed doubles during the April 1-5 tournament.
The competition will take place at My Dinh Indoor Athletics Arena and offers 1,000 ranking points to winners as part of the Professional Pickleball Association’s worldwide ranking structure.
The sport blends aspects of tennis, table tennis, and badminton using paddles and a specialized court.
“I’ve experienced the sport’s growth in the U.S., and I am honoured to be part of the first PPA Tour Asia event in Hanoi,” Waters said in a statement.
After the tournament concludes, Waters will head to Ho Chi Minh City on April 6-7 to conduct training clinics and participate in a demonstration event working with equipment company Franklin Sports.
Waters has become one of the sport’s biggest stars as pickleball experiences explosive growth throughout the United States and internationally.
She began her professional career at age 12 and has since commanded the professional tour, contributing to increased interest in pickleball as the sport spreads worldwide.
WASHINGTON – A Trump administration State Department nominee has withdrawn his candidacy following backlash over racially charged statements that cost him Republican backing in the Senate.
Jeremy Carl, who was selected for the assistant secretary of state position overseeing international organizations, announced his decision Tuesday on social media platform X. While expressing gratitude to President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for their continued support, Carl acknowledged it wasn’t enough to secure confirmation.
“We also needed the unanimous support of every GOP Senator on the Committee on Foreign Relations, given the unanimous opposition of Senate Democrats to my candidacy, and unfortunately, at this time this unanimous support was not forthcoming,” Carl wrote in his statement.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee must typically approve nominations before they advance to a full Senate confirmation vote.
Carl’s prospects dimmed after Utah Republican Senator John Curtis, who sits on the foreign relations panel, expressed concerns following February confirmation hearings. Curtis stated he couldn’t support Carl as the right representative for America’s interests in international forums.
Curtis specifically pointed to Carl’s “anti-Israel views” and “insensitive remarks” targeting Jewish people as reasons for his opposition.
It’s unusual for Republican senators to oppose Trump’s nominees, as the GOP-controlled chamber has generally supported the president’s appointments and agenda.
Neither the White House nor State Department provided immediate responses to requests for comment.
During his confirmation hearing, senators grilled Carl about previous statements regarding Jewish people and his endorsement of the “great replacement theory” – a debunked conspiracy claiming that leftist and Jewish elites are orchestrating the demographic replacement of white Americans through non-white immigration.
Carl told senators he couldn’t recall making some of the quoted statements and expressed regret about others. “I made some comments in interviews about minimizing the effects of the Holocaust that were absolutely wrong,” he admitted during testimony.
When questioned about whether efforts to replace white Americans were underway, Carl responded that he believed Democratic immigration policies have “certainly sent signs of that.”
Carl currently works as a senior fellow at the Claremont Institute, a conservative think tank, and previously served as deputy assistant secretary of the interior during Trump’s first presidency.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un monitored strategic cruise missile launches alongside his teenage daughter via video feed from a naval vessel, according to state media reports released Wednesday, amid rising tensions over U.S.-South Korean joint military exercises.
Photos distributed by the Korean Central News Agency depicted the pair inside a conference room viewing a display screen that showed weapons being launched from the naval destroyer Choe Hyon, which entered service one year ago.
The North Korean leader monitored the missile launches through video transmission on Tuesday and emphasized the importance of maintaining “a powerful and reliable nuclear war deterrent,” according to KCNA’s report, which made no reference to his daughter’s presence.
The young woman, identified by sources as Kim Ju Ae and believed to be approximately 13 years old, has been present at multiple high-profile occasions alongside her father, including military ceremonies and weapons demonstrations, beginning in late 2022. Intelligence officials from South Korea concluded last month that Kim Jong Un appears poised to name her as his successor.
According to KCNA, the missiles successfully struck target islands located off North Korea’s western coastline. The news agency quoted Kim Jong Un as explaining that the launches were designed to showcase the naval force’s strategic attack capabilities and provide troops with weapons training experience.
The North Korean leader personally witnessed comparable cruise missile tests from the same destroyer just one week earlier, though his daughter did not attend that demonstration.
The missile testing on Tuesday followed the commencement of annual spring military exercises between the United States and South Korea, which North Korea characterizes as preparation for an attack.
Kim Yo Jong, the dictator’s sister and a high-ranking government official, issued a warning on Tuesday that the military drills once again expose the United States and South Korea’s “inveterate repugnancy toward” North Korea. She declared that North Korea would “convince the enemies of our war deterrence.”
The Freedom Shield exercise, scheduled to run for 11 days starting Monday, consists primarily of computer-based command center simulations paired with practical field exercises. North Korea typically responds to these training operations by conducting its own weapons testing.
Delaware State University’s softball team emerged victorious in a nail-biting contest against Towson University, claiming a 4-3 win that required extra innings to decide.
The Hornets managed to outlast their opponents in a game that stretched to 10 innings before Delaware State could secure the victory. The extended battle showcased both teams’ determination as they fought through regulation play without a decisive outcome.
This triumph adds another win to Delaware State’s season record as the Hornets continue their competitive campaign. The extra-inning victory demonstrates the team’s resilience and ability to perform under pressure in crucial moments.
The close scoreline reflects the competitive nature of the matchup, with both squads trading runs throughout the contest before Delaware State ultimately prevailed in the additional frames.
LOS ANGELES — NBA superstar Luka Doncic has revealed he’s no longer engaged to the mother of his two young children and is currently battling for custody rights.
According to reports from TMZ on Tuesday, Anamaria Goltes has filed legal documents in California seeking child support payments and legal fees. Following these reports, Doncic issued a public statement explaining that he recently called off his engagement to Goltes due to difficulties bringing his daughters to America during basketball season.
“I love my daughters more than anything and I’ve been doing everything I can for them to be with me in the U.S. during the season, but that hasn’t been possible, so I recently made the tough decision to end my engagement,” the Lakers star told ESPN. “Everything I do is for my daughters’ happiness and I will always fight to be with them and give them the best life I can.”
The 27-year-old basketball star and Goltes had maintained a romantic relationship spanning ten years after first meeting as teenagers in Slovenia. The couple announced their engagement in July 2023, welcoming their first daughter in November 2023 and their second daughter Olivia in December 2025. Doncic actually left the Lakers temporarily to return to Slovenia for Olivia’s birth.
The All-Star player joined the Lakers organization through a trade with Dallas that sent Anthony Davis the other direction in February 2025. This past summer, he committed his future to Los Angeles by signing a lucrative three-year deal worth $165 million.
Currently, Doncic leads all NBA players in scoring with an average of 32.5 points per game this season, while also contributing 7.8 rebounds and ranking third league-wide with 8.4 assists per contest.
HONOLULU (AP) — Spectacular eruptions at Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano sent molten lava shooting 1,000 feet into the air on Tuesday, forcing officials to temporarily shut down sections of a national park and a major highway due to dangerous volcanic debris raining down on the area.
Located on Hawaii’s Big Island, Kilauea has been putting on a stunning display for residents and tourists for over a year through an intermittent eruption that regularly launches dramatic lava fountains skyward.
Tuesday morning’s volcanic activity represents the 43rd episode of eruptions since they started in December 2024. Live video footage captured two brilliant red lava fountains accompanied by billowing smoke. Officials cannot predict how long this latest episode will continue, as previous eruptions have varied from several hours to multiple days.
As with previous episodes, the molten lava remained contained within Kilauea’s summit crater located inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, posing no danger to residential areas or structures.
However, the towering lava fountains created significant problems for surrounding communities and transportation routes as volcanic debris and ash, scientifically called tephra, began falling across the region. This hazardous material forced officials to temporarily close sections of the national park near the summit and shut down portions of Highway 11, a crucial transportation corridor circling the island, on both sides of the park.
Hawaii County authorities established an emergency shelter at a local district gymnasium to assist residents and visitors affected by the road closures or falling volcanic debris. County spokesperson Tom Callis reported that no individuals had used the shelter shortly after it opened.
The National Weather Service issued an official ashfall advisory for the area.
County officials warn that volcanic tephra can cause irritation to eyes, skin and breathing passages. The debris can also create blockages and other complications for water collection systems that many Big Island residents rely on, according to authorities.
Previous eruption episodes produced such heavy ashfall that some communities required assistance from county emergency response teams to remove volcanic debris that covered their properties, Callis explained.
Kilauea ranks among the planet’s most active volcanic systems.
The University of Delaware Blue Hens softball team experienced a setback in their recent contest against the Maryland Terrapins, falling short in their efforts to secure a victory.
The matchup between the two teams resulted in a loss for the Blue Hens, who were unable to generate enough offensive production to overcome their Maryland opponents.
The defeat adds to the team’s season record as they continue their campaign in collegiate softball competition.
SUGAR LAND, Texas – The University of Delaware women’s golf squad delivered their strongest performance of the tournament during Tuesday’s final round, climbing the standings to secure fifth place at the Riverbend Intercollegiate championship.
The Blue Hens posted the day’s best team score among all 16 competing schools at the Houston Christian University-hosted event. Delaware concluded the three-day tournament with a combined total of 889 strokes, finishing 25 shots above par at Riverbend Country Club.
The challenging course, measuring 6,153 yards with a par of 72, served as the backdrop for the competitive field throughout the tournament weekend.
Major technology corporations are abandoning their traditional approach of using cash reserves, instead turning to bond markets to secure funding for massive artificial intelligence infrastructure projects, according to industry reports released March 10.
Investment in AI technology is set to skyrocket from $410 billion in 2025 to more than $600 billion by 2026, raising concerns about a potential AI investment bubble among market watchers.
Bridgewater Associates warned last month that the AI investment surge has moved into a “more dangerous phase,” characterized by exponentially increasing infrastructure investments and greater dependence on external financing.
Amazon leads the charge with plans to secure approximately $37 billion through an 11-part bond offering, specifically targeting AI infrastructure development. The retail giant’s bond sale generated remarkable investor interest, attracting roughly $126 billion in peak demand across U.S. markets. This follows Amazon’s November initiative to raise $15 billion in its first U.S. dollar bond sale in three years, which drew $80 billion in investor demand. Amazon currently maintains $105.03 billion in outstanding debt against $86.81 billion in cash reserves, with a $2.75 billion bond payment scheduled for May 12, 2026.
Cloud software company Salesforce is preparing to issue up to $25 billion in debt to support a significant share repurchase program, according to Bloomberg News reports citing industry sources. The company holds $8.50 billion in outstanding debt compared to $7.33 billion in cash, with its next major payment of $1.50 billion due April 11, 2028.
Oracle announced in February its intention to raise between $45 billion and $50 billion in 2026 through combined debt and equity offerings to expand cloud infrastructure capacity. The database company faces legal challenges from bondholders who filed suit in January, alleging Oracle failed to properly disclose its need for substantial additional debt to fund AI infrastructure development. Oracle, led by Chairman Larry Ellison, previously filed for approximately $18 billion in debt through a six-part offering in September 2025. The company carries $131.25 billion in outstanding debt while holding $38.46 billion in cash, with a $2.75 billion payment due March 25, 2026.
Google’s parent company Alphabet made headlines in February by issuing an unusual 100-year bond worth 1 billion pounds ($1.35 billion) as part of a comprehensive $31.51 billion global debt raising effort. The company sold 5.5 billion pounds in sterling bonds across five separate offerings. Previously, Alphabet filed in November to raise $17.50 billion in U.S. debt and 6.5 billion euros ($7.58 billion) in European markets for general corporate purposes, including existing debt payments. Alphabet maintains $80.21 billion in outstanding debt against $30.71 billion in cash, with a $2 billion payment scheduled for August 15, 2026.
Telecommunications provider Verizon filed in November to raise approximately $11 billion in corporate bonds to help finance its $20 billion acquisition of fiber-optic internet provider Frontier Communications, which completed in January. Verizon carries the highest debt load at $149.02 billion outstanding against $19.05 billion in cash reserves, with a $205.66 million payment due March 20, 2026.
Facebook owner Meta Platforms filed for its largest bond offering in company history last October, seeking up to $30 billion to fund expensive AI infrastructure expansion. Meta faces substantial cost pressures from AI investments, increasing its capital spending plans by 73% this year to deliver personalized AI services to its extensive social media user base. The company holds $59 billion in outstanding debt compared to $35.87 billion in cash, with a $2.66 billion payment scheduled for August 15, 2027.
International legal experts filed a formal complaint Tuesday with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, charging that El Salvador’s government has engaged in crimes against humanity.
The legal filing details allegations of widespread torture, killings, and forced disappearances occurring during the nation’s state of emergency, which President Nayib Bukele’s administration put into effect four years ago this month.
According to the complaint, there exist “reasonable grounds” to conclude that crimes against humanity, as outlined in Article 7 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, are taking place in the Central American nation.
The document further contends that these human rights violations stem from government policy “known and even promoted by the highest levels of President Nayib Bukele’s government.”
Bukele’s administration first enacted the emergency measures on March 27, 2022, responding to an outbreak of gang-related violence that claimed 87 lives during a single weekend period.
Since implementing the emergency powers, government forces have imprisoned more than 90,000 individuals, with approximately 500 of those held in custody dying while in state facilities.
Government statistics indicate that murders have dropped by over 90% during Bukele’s presidency.
However, Salvadoran Public Defender General Rene Escobar pushed back against the accusations, stating that the administration rejects any policy involving “forced disappearance, torture, sexual violence, or arbitrary executions.”
Swiss banking giant UBS appeared before a federal judge in Brooklyn Tuesday, seeking protection from potential Holocaust-related lawsuits stemming from newly discovered Nazi connections at Credit Suisse, the bank it acquired last year.
UBS attorney David Burns requested that U.S. District Judge Edward Korman issue a “clarifying order” confirming that a massive $1.25 billion settlement from 1999 encompasses “all claims, past, present and future” connected to the Holocaust, World War Two, and related events.
The 1999 agreement resulted in payments to more than 458,000 Holocaust survivors and their families through Credit Suisse, according to legal documents. UBS purchased Credit Suisse in a Swiss government-orchestrated bailout during 2023.
The current legal dispute emerged after a 2020 investigation into Credit Suisse revealed fresh evidence of the bank’s Nazi connections, including 890 accounts potentially linked to Nazi organizations. Judge Korman has not announced when he will make his decision.
During the lengthy 2-hour and 15-minute hearing, Burns argued that the Simon Wiesenthal Center, a prominent Jewish human rights organization, should be barred from challenging the existing settlement, stirring up public debate about it, or pursuing fresh legal action based on newly surfaced information regarding Credit Suisse’s Nazi relationships.
“The Wiesenthal Center has from the outset made the very public and private claim that Nazi assets are not part of the settlement, and has threatened litigation,” Burns stated. He emphasized that UBS sought “complete closure.”
However, Faith Gay, representing the Wiesenthal Center that had previously supported the 1999 agreement, pushed back against UBS’s request for what she characterized as an advisory ruling that “expands and reinterprets” the settlement by dismissing claims “as broad as the Grand Canyon.” Gay maintained her client has made no litigation threats.
“There’s nothing for you to decide,” Gay informed the judge who had originally supervised the settlement. “And yet they’ve given us this proposed order that binds all parties.”
Gay further alleged that UBS was attempting to suppress her client’s constitutional right to free speech by silencing criticism of the settlement’s validity, comparing it to “putting a sock in Simon Wiesenthal’s mouth.”
Part of the disagreement centers on UBS’s refusal to provide approximately 150 documents requested by investigator Neil Barofsky, which the bank claims fall under attorney-client privilege protection.
UBS has already provided 16.5 million documents to Barofsky and indicated willingness to release the contested materials if Korman grants the requested clarifying order.
Barofsky’s investigation is scheduled for completion this year.
Judge Korman noted that Nazi assets were not discussed during the original 1999 settlement talks, as he recalled. He urged both legal teams to negotiate over which documents could be released.
The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee recently examined details from Barofsky’s investigation during hearings last month.
Committee Chairman Senator Charles Grassley, a Republican, revealed to reporters that the 890 questionable accounts belonged to entities including the German Foreign Office, which coordinated Jewish deportations to concentration camps, along with the SS paramilitary force and a German weapons manufacturer.
Both UBS and Credit Suisse have issued public apologies for their involvement in Holocaust-era activities.
The United States Senate has given the official go-ahead for artificial intelligence chatbots to be used in government operations, according to a New York Times report published Tuesday that referenced an internal memorandum.
Senate staff members are now permitted to utilize three specific AI platforms for their official duties: OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini chat service, and Microsoft Copilot. According to the report, these three AI tools have already been incorporated into the Senate’s existing technology systems.
When contacted for confirmation about this development, a Microsoft representative stated the company was investigating the reported approval. Neither Google nor OpenAI provided responses when asked to comment on the matter.
SALISBURY, Md. – The second-ranked Salisbury University Sea Gulls baseball team staged a thrilling comeback attempt but fell just one run short, dropping an 8-7 decision to the Messiah Falcons on Tuesday at Donnie Williams Sea Gull Baseball Stadium.
Facing a five-run deficit heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, the Sea Gulls mounted an impressive rally by plating four runs in their final at-bat. However, the team was unable to score the crucial tying run that would have sent the game into extra innings.
The loss came despite the dramatic late-inning surge that brought the home crowd to its feet as Salisbury nearly pulled off what would have been a remarkable comeback victory against the visiting Falcons.
Listen to the Evening Delmarva Farm Report Update — March 10, 2026
DELMARVA — Agricultural producers should take advantage of the current warm spell to get early season herbicide applications down, according to FMC Corporation’s regional technical manager Gail Stratman. She is urging farmers to capitalize on optimal weather conditions now, saying by late March and early April timing becomes critical for effective weed control. The window is open right now for those pre-emergent treatments.
Markets
Corn futures closed mixed with nearby contracts up $0.02 while deferred months slipped. Soybeans added $0.07 on improved demand signals. Wheat lost $0.04 on profit taking. Local cash corn is running $5.90 in Dover with soybeans at $11.70.
Forecast
The region is wrapping up a beautiful Tuesday evening with temperatures near 70° under sunny skies. Tonight drops to 46° with mostly clear conditions and light south winds. Wednesday looks mostly sunny with a high near 69°, though a slight chance of showers develops late in the day. By Wednesday night those shower chances increase with possible thunderstorms as a system moves through. Temperatures Wednesday night stay mild around 51°.
This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Evening Edition, March 10, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.
A standout athlete from Salisbury University’s men’s lacrosse squad has earned national recognition for his exceptional play on the field.
Blake Malamphy was selected as the National Division Three Player of the Week by USA Lacrosse Magazine, the publication announced Tuesday morning. The honor follows Malamphy’s outstanding showing during Saturday’s game for the Sea Gulls, who currently hold the fifth position in national rankings.
The weekly award highlights top performances across Division III men’s lacrosse programs nationwide. Malamphy’s selection puts a spotlight on the strong lacrosse tradition at Salisbury University, located in Sparks, Maryland.
DOVER, DE (March 10, 2026) – Delaware insurance officials are stepping forward to clear up confusion among homeowners who worry that ongoing property reassessments across the state will lead to higher insurance bills.
The state’s Department of Insurance, along with its Consumer Services & Investigation division, is launching an educational effort to inform residents that property value reassessments have no direct connection to homeowners insurance premium calculations.
According to state officials, numerous Delaware residents have reached out with concerns that the statewide reassessment process currently underway will automatically trigger increases in their annual insurance costs.
The department’s advisory aims to explain the actual factors that insurance companies use when determining premium rates for homeowners policies.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The University of Delaware women’s basketball squad delivered a commanding performance Tuesday night, overwhelming ninth-ranked Kennesaw State 66-47 during their inaugural Conference USA Basketball Championship appearance at Propst Arena.
The historic victory marks the Fightin’ Blue Hens’ first-ever participation in the CUSA postseason tournament, and they made it count with a dominant showing against a highly-ranked opponent.
Leading the charge was Cherisier, who matched her personal best with 24 points in the crucial tournament opener. Her stellar performance helped propel Delaware to a convincing 19-point margin of victory.
The Blue Hens now advance to Wednesday’s quarterfinal matchup, where they’ll face the tournament’s top seed, Louisiana Tech. That game is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. as Delaware continues their remarkable postseason run.
The impressive upset victory showcases the program’s growth and establishes Delaware as a legitimate contender in their debut CUSA tournament appearance.
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware’s Department of Athletics, Community, and Campus Recreation has revealed plans to bring back their popular high school team days program when the spring 2026 season begins.
The program allows local high school athletic teams to attend University of Delaware sporting events without paying admission fees. Teams interested in participating must provide their complete roster information ahead of time to qualify for the free entry to designated Blue Hens games and matches.
The initiative represents the university’s continued effort to strengthen connections between the Blue Hens athletics program and high school sports teams throughout the region.
The University of Delaware women’s lacrosse squad is set to take their talents on the road for an upcoming contest against the Drexel Dragons in Philadelphia.
The Blue Hens will travel to face their opponents in what marks another important game in their season schedule. The team continues to build momentum as they prepare for this matchup against Drexel.
Delaware’s women’s lacrosse program remains focused on their competitive season as they take on conference and regional rivals throughout the spring campaign.
KABUL, Afghanistan — Taliban officials on Tuesday pushed back against American accusations that they hold foreign citizens captive to gain political advantages, insisting that Afghan law enforcement arrests individuals solely for breaking the country’s laws, not for negotiating purposes.
The State Department made the announcement Monday, officially classifying Afghanistan as a nation that sponsors wrongful detention and claiming it practices “hostage diplomacy.” This designation places Afghanistan alongside Iran, which received similar criticism from the U.S. within the last two weeks for holding Americans to secure policy changes.
Afghanistan’s Foreign Affairs Ministry in Kabul described the U.S. designation as “regrettable” in their Tuesday response.
During a United Nations-facilitated conference in Doha this past July, Taliban representatives suggested trading Afghans imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay for Americans currently held in Afghanistan. The ministry characterized their ongoing diplomatic conversations with the United States about this matter as productive on Tuesday. However, they emphasized that any foreign nationals in Afghan custody had broken the nation’s laws.
“The government of Afghanistan underscores that no foreign nationals have been detained for purposes of a deal,” the ministry said. “Certain individuals have been detained on charges of violating established laws, and in many instances, they have been released in the normal course following the completion of legal procedures.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a travel warning for Americans on Monday, advising against trips to Afghanistan because the Taliban “continues to unjustly detain our fellow Americans and other foreign nationals.”
“The Taliban continues to use terrorist tactics, kidnapping individuals for ransom or to seek policy concessions. These despicable tactics need to end,” Rubio said.
Rubio demanded freedom for two Americans reportedly in Taliban hands: Dennis Coyle, a university researcher held since January 2025, and Mahmood Habibi, an Afghan American business owner who worked as a contractor for a telecommunications firm based in Kabul and disappeared in 2022.
Both the FBI and Habibi’s relatives believe Taliban forces captured him, though Taliban officials deny having him in custody.
Last September, Afghan Taliban authorities released American citizen Amir Amiri from prison as part of efforts to improve diplomatic ties with Washington.
February brought encouraging news for the housing market as buyers responded to declining mortgage rates and a small uptick in available properties, driving up home sales as the spring buying season approached.
The National Association of Realtors reported Tuesday that sales of existing homes climbed 1.7% in February compared to January, reaching a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.09 million units.
While sales dropped 1.4% compared to the same month last year, with all regions except the South showing year-over-year declines, the February figure exceeded economists’ projections of 3.84 million units, according to FactSet.
“Good momentum, but nonetheless sales are still below one year ago,” Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist, said during a conference call.
Housing prices maintained their upward trajectory last month, though at a more moderate pace. The nationwide median home price reached $398,000 in February, marking a 0.3% increase from the previous year and setting a new February record since data collection began in 1999. This extends the streak of annual price increases to 32 consecutive months.
February’s performance represents a recovery from January’s disappointing results, when existing home sales experienced their steepest monthly drop in nearly four years and hit their slowest annual pace in over two years, though NAR later revised January’s numbers slightly upward.
The housing sector has struggled since 2022, when borrowing costs started climbing from their pandemic-era lows. Last year, sales of existing homes remained at three-decade lows.
Since 2023, sales activity has consistently hovered near the 4-million annual rate, falling significantly short of the historical average of 5.2 million annually.
Rapid price appreciation, particularly in recent years, combined with a nationwide housing shortage worsened by years of insufficient construction, has pushed homeownership beyond reach for many potential buyers.
Meanwhile, decreasing mortgage rates have enhanced buying power for those who can afford current market conditions.
Two weeks ago, the average 30-year mortgage rate fell just below 6% for the first time since late 2022, according to mortgage buyer Freddie Mac.
First-time homebuyers particularly benefited from the rate decline last month, representing 34% of all February purchases and matching the highest percentage seen in five years, Yun noted.
However, the 10-year Treasury yield, which influences mortgage pricing, has increased following oil price spikes since the Iran conflict began, potentially pushing borrowing costs higher as spring buying season arrives.
“Despite mortgage rates falling below 6% briefly, international conflict has sent them higher in recent days,” Lisa Sturtevant, chief economist at Bright MLS, said in an email. “If the conflict with Iran is limited, the housing market could rebound quickly. However, a prolonged conflict could stall home sales activity this spring.”
Affordability continues challenging many prospective homeowners, particularly first-time buyers lacking existing home equity for new purchases. Economic uncertainty and signs of labor market weakness are also keeping potential buyers hesitant, economists note.
Those able to purchase are finding more options available, though inventory remains well below historical standards.
Unsold homes totaled 1.29 million at February’s end, representing a 2.4% increase from January and 4.9% growth from the previous February, NAR reported. This still falls far short of the approximately 2 million homes typically available before the COVID-19 pandemic.
February’s inventory equals a 3.8-month supply at current sales rates. A balanced market between buyers and sellers traditionally requires 5 to 6 months of supply.
“We really do need more inventory to show up,” Yun said, warning that insufficient spring inventory combined with increased buyer activity could drive prices higher.
TORONTO — Authorities in Toronto are examining reports that shots were fired at the United States consulate building in the city’s downtown area during the early hours of Tuesday.
Officials confirm that no one was injured in the incident.
Law enforcement officers with Toronto police responded to calls around 5:30 a.m. regarding someone discharging a weapon at the American diplomatic facility.
Authorities posted on social media that officers were dispatched to the location in the vicinity of University Avenue and Queen Street West.
“Evidence of a firearm discharge has been located,” authorities stated in their social media update.
Police have not yet provided any details about potential suspects.
This incident follows recent attacks on two synagogues in the Toronto metropolitan area that were targeted by gunfire over the past weekend.
Tourism officials in Ocean City, Maryland are rolling out an innovative social media campaign designed to showcase what makes their coastal destination special.
The new video series, titled “Only in Ocean City,” will make its debut on Friday, April 3rd, according to an announcement made March 10th by Ocean City Tourism officials.
The campaign aims to capture the distinctive experiences, seaside appeal, and unique attractions that set the popular Maryland beach resort apart from other coastal destinations along the East Coast.
Officials say the series will focus on highlighting unexpected adventures and the special character that draws visitors to the oceanfront community year after year.
The University of Delaware athletics department has unveiled its schedule of sporting events and activities for the current week, according to information released Tuesday, March 10.
The Blue Hens’ weekly athletics calendar provides fans and supporters with upcoming games, matches, and other athletic department activities across various sports programs.
The athletics schedule serves as a guide for University of Delaware sports enthusiasts looking to attend or follow their favorite teams throughout the week.
A strong cold front is expected to move through the region late Wednesday night into early Thursday morning, bringing a period of showers and possibly a few strong thunderstorms.
Ahead of the front, warmer and more humid air will move into the area Wednesday. This could help showers and a few thunderstorms develop as the cold front approaches overnight. While a few storms could become strong, the overall threat for severe weather across Delmarva appears to be relatively lower.
One reason for the lower risk locally is the influence of the Atlantic Ocean. Water temperatures are still very cold this time of year, which creates a stable marine layer near the coast. This cooler, more stable air can weaken storms as they move east toward the Delmarva Peninsula.
The greater risk for stronger storms is expected to remain farther inland, mainly west of our area, where conditions will be more favorable for storms to stay organized with the threat of strong winds, some small hail and a limited tornado risk across Western Maryland.
Even so, residents across Delmarva should expect periods of showers and rounds of thunder late Wednesday night into early Thursday morning.
After the cold front moves through Thursday morning, temperatures will begin to fall during the day as much colder air moves in. In fact, the warmest temperatures Thursday may occur just after midnight before dropping into the 40s by late afternoon with gusty northwest winds.
Unseasonably warm air is moving into the region today as strong southerly winds bring a much milder and more humid airmass across Delmarva. Afternoon temperatures are expected to climb into the mid to upper 70s, putting some locations within reach of record high temperatures for this time of year. And a few isolated areas have a shot of near 80 degrees!
Winds will increase from the south to southwest with gusts up to 20 to 25 mph, helping push the warm air northward. Humidity will also increase, with dew points rising into the upper 50s and low 60s, making it feel more like late spring than early March.
Areas along the immediate coast will likely stay a bit cooler due to the southerly wind coming off the still-cold Atlantic Ocean, but inland communities could see temperatures approach daily records.
Cloud cover will gradually increase through the day Wednesday, and a few showers may begin developing later in the afternoon, especially across western parts of the region ahead of an approaching cold front.
Listen to the Morning Delmarva Farm Report Update — March 10, 2026
DELMARVA — Dense fog is blanketing Delmarva with visibility dropping below a quarter mile in many areas. A Dense Fog Advisory remains in effect until 10 a.m., prompting caution on rural roads and delays for field work startup.
The fog should lift by mid-morning with temperatures climbing to 67 degrees under mostly sunny skies. Light south winds at 5 mph will keep conditions mild.
Forecast
Wednesday brings partly sunny skies with highs near 68 degrees, but a slight chance of rain showers develops late in the day. Thursday looks wet with rain showers likely and temperatures cooling to 58 degrees.
Markets
Corn futures are giving back some recent gains after Monday’s rally. May corn closed at $4.32/bu. Soybeans showed mixed trading with May contracts settling at $10.71. Wheat markets also closed mixed with May contracts at $5.18/bu.
On the Delmarva Peninsula, local grain elevators are offering $4.20 for cash corn and $10.45 for soybeans.
Policy
Trade policy remains a concern for farmers as markets watch for developments ahead of talks between President Trump and Chinese leadership later this month. Agricultural economists say these discussions could impact key export markets that American farmers depend on.
This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Morning Edition, March 10, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.
Drivers across the Delmarva Peninsula should prepare for hazardous conditions overnight as the National Weather Service has issued a Dense Fog Advisory effective from midnight tonight through 10:00 AM Tuesday morning.
Visibility could drop to just one quarter mile or less in dense fog, creating dangerous driving conditions throughout the region. The advisory affects Kent and Inland Sussex Counties in Delaware, along with Talbot County in Maryland. Several New Jersey counties are also under the advisory, including Western Monmouth, Atlantic, Cumberland, Ocean, and Southeastern Burlington.
The thick fog is expected to develop after midnight and persist through the Tuesday morning commute, potentially causing significant delays for travelers.
Motorists are strongly advised to slow down, use headlights, and maintain extra distance between vehicles when driving in these conditions. If visibility becomes extremely limited, drivers should consider pulling over safely until conditions improve.
The Dense Fog Advisory was issued by the National Weather Service Mount Holly office at 7:33 PM Monday evening and will remain in effect until 10:00 AM Tuesday. Commuters should allow extra travel time and stay updated on changing conditions throughout the night and early morning hours.
MILAN (AP) — Father Paolo Venturelli maintains his distance when viewing Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper.’ The Dominican priest chooses to observe the masterpiece from across the room where it was created, positioning himself on the far side of what once served as his religious order’s dining hall.
‘From that vantage point, the artwork appears as if it were created right in the center of our dining room,’ Venturelli explained about the famous work that portrays the Gospel account of Christ’s final dinner with his twelve disciples. ‘It evokes profound human and spiritual responses.’
Venturelli resides at Santa Maria delle Grazie, a monastery and church in Milan where Leonardo created his masterpiece during the 1490s under commission from Ludovico Sforza, Milan’s ruler at that time.
The renowned fresco, which depicts the biblical moment when Jesus reveals that one disciple will betray him, occupies the monastery’s original dining hall. These spaces traditionally function as gathering places where religious communities share meals, prayers and scripture readings. However, at Santa Maria delle Grazie, this room no longer serves the friars’ everyday needs.
Following Napoleon’s dissolution of religious institutions in the 1700s, the dining hall became government property. Currently operating as the Cenacolo Vinciano, Italy’s Regional Directorate of Museums of Lombardy oversees the space.
‘We rarely visit because we must request authorization to enter,’ Venturelli noted, explaining that he faces the same 15-minute time restriction as other guests due to conservation requirements.
‘The space is no longer ours.’
Santa Maria delle Grazie currently houses twelve priests and nine students in training within its Dominican community. Wearing their traditional white habits — or brown hooded garments during winter months — the religious men are frequently visible throughout the church.
Many tourists who visit the Cenacolo skip the neighboring church entirely. However, those who do explore both locations often regard Venturelli and his fellow friars with fascination.
‘We just left the courtyard area and noticed one of the brothers tending to the garden,’ shared Maria Teresa Bruzzi, who made the trip from Genoa with her spouse in mid-February.
‘We came to view Leonardo’s masterpiece, but we also wished to explore the church since it holds special significance,’ she continued. ‘This Renaissance structure blends two architectural approaches and held great importance for the Sforza dynasty.’
Venturelli observed that visitors to the sacred space frequently express amazement at its design. ‘When they enter the chapel dedicated to Our Lady of the Grazie, they witness that the surrounding splendor was constructed to honor the one who embodies perfect beauty — God,’ he stated.
Cenacolo admission tickets frequently sell out completely, and the museum remains closed Mondays, leaving spontaneous Milan visitors unable to view the painting. The church, however, opens every day and accommodates those seeking to participate in Mass or receive the sacrament of confession.
‘Confession services remain highly requested, and we continue providing this ministry for Milan residents as well as all guests,’ explained Father Llewellyn Muscat, who leads the Dominican community at Santa Maria delle Grazie.
Venturelli provides confession services for Italian speakers. Muscat assists those communicating in English, Italian and Maltese, his native language. While additional friars serve French and German speakers, the leader emphasized that all members strive to communicate with everyone.
‘We cannot withhold the blessings that the Lord bestows upon each person,’ Muscat declared.
Dominican friars established themselves at Santa Maria delle Grazie during the complex’s 15th-century construction. Nevertheless, the religious order had already established roots in Milan previously.
Those early brothers’ dedication to St. Catherine of Siena remains apparent throughout the church. Wall paintings show her alongside St. Catherine of Alexandria, connected to the Dominican emphasis on learning and recognized as the patron of philosophers.
This scholarly heritage also appears within the monastery itself. Just beyond the constant stream of visitors, numerous bookshelves line the corridors.
‘Study forms a core part of our character,’ Muscat stated.
Neither he nor his religious brothers adhere to rigid daily timetables. However, learning, worship and their pastoral work structure their activities.
Clergy members like Muscat regularly conduct Mass and support neighboring parishes when additional priests are required. Others manage the training program for new members, instruct at area Catholic schools, or work with Santa Maria delle Grazie’s cultural center, which coordinates lectures and programs.
‘We strive to provide the spiritual encouragement that individuals require,’ Muscat explained.
Leonardo’s selection to create ‘The Last Supper’ within a Dominican monastery was intentional. Venturelli noted that most dining halls in his order feature this biblical scene on their walls. Muscat added that it reflects Dominican values.
‘For our community, it doesn’t trigger feelings about something from history,’ he said. ‘It represents a continuation where we dine alongside Jesus and his disciples, as if his teachings are directed toward us as well.’
Muscat, like other visitors who stand before Leonardo’s wall painting, experiences deep emotion from the artwork.
In his situation, though, both the artistic achievement and their common heritage create a more profound connection. The painting, like the monastery that contains it, has survived centuries of turmoil and needed collaborative efforts to endure.
‘The Last Supper’ challenges my individual conscience and the conscience of our entire order,’ Muscat reflected. ‘Because at the Grazie, we don’t function as separate individuals, but as a community that serves and receives others.’
The order’s current dining space sits away from tourist areas, deep within the maze-like monastery where the friars discover the silence necessary for contemplation and worship. It features a simple, spacious design with multiple square tables rather than a single long table, unlike the table shown in ‘The Last Supper.’
It serves well, Muscat acknowledged. But perhaps, he wondered, someday the original dining hall might return to their care.
SALLA, Finland — Nearly 1,000 spectators braved bone-chilling temperatures in northern Finland this weekend to witness the annual Salla Reindeer Cup, a traditional competition that has captivated audiences for generations.
The remote town of Salla, located approximately 164 miles northeast of Oulu and close to the Russian frontier, hosted visitors from across the globe, including travelers from Italy, Norway, Germany, and France, all eager to experience this unique cultural event.
Fans gathered to watch as reindeer thundered across snow-packed courses, dragging their ski-equipped handlers behind them in a test of speed and endurance. Victory goes to whichever team crosses the finish line first.
According to Lasse Aatsinki, who leads the Salla Reindeer Cup organization, this sporting tradition has deep historical roots in the region. “Salla has a long history in reindeer racing — it’s been going on here since the 1950s,” Aatsinki explained. “Back then, men spent winters in the forest, there were no snowmobiles. In late winter, the reindeer were in great shape, so they started racing them.”
The modern version has evolved into a structured competitive sport featuring specially trained male reindeer, with reindeer herding remaining a cornerstone of Scandinavian heritage, particularly among the Sami Indigenous communities of the far north.
The weekend’s highlight was the elite “hot series” competition, where only reindeer capable of completing the kilometer-long course in under 1 minute and 19 seconds earn qualification.
“It’s a science. A lot depends on the reindeer’s character — it has to tolerate a lot: the audience, other reindeer, noise, movement,” Aatsinki noted. “Everyone has their tricks — and they’re usually kept under the fur hat. Every owner has their own way.”
Enthusiastic spectators shouted encouragement in Finnish, calling out “hyvä, hyvä” and “mene, mene” — meaning “good, good” and “go, go” — as the animals charged toward the finish line.
Between competitions, attendees warmed themselves with hearty reindeer soup and kampanisu, a beloved local pastry that’s a Salla specialty.
Sunday’s championship round concluded with victory going to a reindeer called Pompom, whose owner Hannu Krupula praised the animal’s exceptional abilities.
“Pompom is exceptionally fast and smart, and you rarely find one like that,” Krupula said of his winning reindeer.
“If there’s any weakness, it’s that it’s not very good-looking — which can be misleading,” he continued. “When you look at that reindeer, you might quickly think it’s poorly fed or something. But it eats well. It’s a rare individual.”
Following the competition’s conclusion, Pompom and all participating reindeer received their preferred reward — lichen, considered a delicacy among the animals.
A federal jury in Manhattan has delivered guilty verdicts against three brothers on sex trafficking charges after deliberating following a lengthy five-week trial that concluded Monday.
Two of the convicted men had built careers as highly successful luxury real estate agents, ranking among the most prominent brokers in the nation’s high-end property market before facing these serious federal charges.
The convictions mark the end of a significant federal prosecution that has drawn attention due to the defendants’ previous prominence in the luxury real estate industry.
Delaware’s youngest elementary students continue facing academic challenges linked to the COVID-19 pandemic, even though most were infants or not yet born when the crisis first disrupted schools in early 2020.
A new study released Tuesday by education research organization NWEA reveals that first and second-grade students are underperforming compared to their peers from before the pandemic on both mathematics and reading assessments. While math performance shows gradual improvement each year, reading abilities have remained flat since spring 2021.
The findings suggest the academic struggles extend beyond simple classroom interruptions to broader changes in society during the pandemic years.
“There’s something kind of systemic here happening … within schools and outside of schools,” explained NWEA researcher Megan Kuhfeld. “We can’t pinpoint one specific cause.”
The pandemic’s impact on older students has been extensively documented – remote learning replaced in-person instruction, children missed crucial face-to-face time with teachers, mental health declined during isolation periods, and some students stopped attending school entirely.
Federal funding totaling billions of dollars was distributed to school systems nationwide to address learning gaps, producing varying degrees of success. Recent national testing data from 2024 shows fourth and eighth-grade reading scores continuing to decline, though math performance has shown upward movement.
Because standardized testing for younger children occurs less frequently, the NWEA research provides valuable insight into how deeply the academic disruption affected early learners. The study analyzed test results from students during the current 2024-25 academic year.
Kindergarten students maintained steady math and science scores throughout the pandemic period. However, first and second-graders mirror patterns seen in older students, with both subjects scoring below pre-pandemic benchmarks despite math showing slow recovery.
Reading scores have essentially stagnated since the conclusion of the first complete pandemic school year in spring 2021.
Researchers point to several potential contributing factors, including emerging evidence that fewer parents are reading aloud to their children – an activity proven to enhance literacy development. A 2024 survey conducted in the United Kingdom found less than half of children under age 5 receive regular read-aloud time, representing a 20-point decrease from twelve years earlier.
Some school districts report success in addressing the reading challenges. Minnetonka Public Schools near Minneapolis says their reading scores have rebounded to pre-pandemic levels through increased emphasis on phonics instruction and regular literacy assessments. Students needing additional support receive targeted help in specific areas where they struggle, such as having difficulty with oral reading practice with classmates.
However, certain factors remain beyond schools’ influence. Associate Superintendent Amy LaDue noted that many young children spent extended time at home during the pandemic, missing experiences like museum visits and peer interaction that support language and literacy growth. This particularly affected children from lower-income households.
“These kids weren’t in school when the pandemic happened, but (some) were … in early childhood and preschool,” LaDue observed. “Their opportunities … to have those experiences outside of their home that build literacy skills and to apply them with peers probably were impacted because they were home.”
In response to these challenges, numerous states and municipalities are expanding early childhood education programs. California has implemented universal pre-kindergarten, while New York City is extending pre-K programs to include 2-year-olds. New Mexico has eliminated child care costs for nearly all families.
Listen to the Evening Delmarva Farm Report Update — March 9, 2026
DELMARVA — Maryland’s Department of Agriculture opened applications today for the 2026 MFARM grant program. The Food and Agricultural Resiliency Mechanism aims to tackle food insecurity across the state while creating dependable sales opportunities for Maryland producers on the Eastern Shore and beyond. The competitive funding initiative addresses two critical issues at once, ensuring vulnerable populations access nutritious food while supporting the economic stability of local farms. Applications are being accepted now.
Meanwhile, agricultural company GROWMARK plans to launch Soyleic high-oleic soybean varieties by 2027. According to Bryan Stobaugh, Director of Licensing and Commercialization for Missouri Soybean, this advancement will create additional market possibilities and deliver more valuable crop alternatives for farmers. The specialty soybeans offer enhanced nutritional profiles and potentially higher returns for producers.
Markets
Soybeans and wheat closed mixed today as corn gave back some gains. Early soybean support from rising crude oil prices faded as petroleum markets pulled back from peak levels. Oil maintained strength for much of the day due to Middle East supply concerns.
Cash cattle trading remained sluggish with no purchase offers or seller prices emerging yet. Analysts expect substantial activity to hold off until Thursday or Friday.
Forecast
Dense Fog Advisory remains in effect tonight through 10 AM tomorrow. Overnight lows around 42°F are expected. Tuesday brings areas of fog early then mostly sunny skies with highs reaching 65°F. Wednesday sees patchy fog giving way to a slight chance of rain showers with highs near 67°F.
This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Evening Edition, March 9, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.
Listen to the Morning Delmarva Farm Report Update — March 9, 2026
DELMARVA — Agricultural markets are watching closely as President Trump prepares for scheduled talks with Chinese leadership later this month and into early April. According to Greg McBride, brokerage director at Allendale, farm markets across the country are paying close attention to these diplomatic developments that could impact grain exports. The discussions represent a critical moment for American agriculture, which depends heavily on international sales.
Former U.S. Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman says trade policies continue threatening key export markets that farmers desperately need.
Markets
Corn futures retreated after recent gains, giving back some ground in Monday trading. Soybeans closed mixed after early support from rising crude oil prices lost momentum. Wheat also showed inconsistent movement as traders assessed global supply conditions.
Cash cattle trading remains quiet as buyers and sellers position themselves for later week activity.
Forecast
Dense fog continues impacting Delmarva this morning with visibility reduced across the region. Expect areas of fog to persist through mid-morning before clearing. Today’s high near 65° under mostly sunny skies once the fog lifts. South winds light at 0 to 5 miles per hour.
Tonight will be mostly clear with patchy fog developing after midnight. Low around 46°. Tuesday looks mostly sunny with a high near 67°, but patchy morning fog and a slight chance of rain showers are expected by afternoon. Wednesday night brings a better chance of showers and thunderstorms.
This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Morning Edition, March 9, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.
PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona’s Republican Senate President Warren Petersen announced Monday that he provided federal investigators with documents from the 2020 presidential election, marking another development in the Trump administration’s pursuit of the former president’s unsubstantiated claims about the election he lost to Joe Biden.
In a social media statement, Petersen revealed he responded “late last week” to a federal grand jury subpoena requesting documents from the disputed Maricopa County election review that Republican legislators had commissioned.
“The FBI has the records,” Petersen stated.
Petersen declined to provide further details when contacted, with a Republican Senate spokesperson confirming via email that he “does not have anything to add outside of his X post at this time.” The Phoenix FBI field office has not responded to inquiries about the matter.
This development represents the second instance in 2025 where federal agents have collected election materials from key battleground counties that Trump failed to win during his reelection bid. Earlier in January, FBI agents confiscated ballots and additional documents from Georgia’s Fulton County, encompassing Atlanta, following a Justice Department search warrant application. Court documents revealed the warrant was based on longstanding allegations that had undergone extensive investigation without uncovering evidence of significant fraud.
Democratic Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes released a sharp rebuke following Petersen’s announcement, emphasizing that numerous audits, independent reviews, and court proceedings regarding the 2020 election discovered no proof of widespread irregularities that would have changed the results.
“Warren Petersen knows all of this. He has known it for years. He spread false stories of election fraud in 2020, and he remains an unrepentant election denier,” Mayes stated. “What the Trump administration appears to be pursuing now is not a legitimate law enforcement inquiry. It is the weaponization of federal law enforcement in service of crackpots and lies.”
Republican legislators contracted a company that conducted a six-month investigation in 2021 seeking fraud evidence from the prior year’s presidential contest, an effort that experts criticized for its partisan approach and questionable methods. The review examined far-fetched theories, including testing ballots for bamboo fibers to determine if they had been illegally imported from Asia.
The investigation concluded without validating former President Trump’s false assertions of election theft — actually determining that Biden had received 360 additional votes beyond what Maricopa County’s certified results showed, including the Phoenix area.
Cyber Ninjas, the contracted firm, also confirmed there were “no substantial differences” between their manual ballot recount and the official tally.
Earlier examinations of the 2.1 million ballots conducted by impartial professionals following state protocols identified no major issues with Maricopa County’s 2020 election administration, which was overseen by Republicans both then and currently. Biden carried the county by 45,000 votes and secured Arizona by 10,500 votes statewide.
Federal authorities employed different approaches to secure election documents in both states. The Georgia situation involved a court-approved search warrant requiring FBI agents to demonstrate probable cause for suspected criminal activity. In Arizona, investigators used subpoenas, a legal tool that doesn’t require judicial approval or prosecutors to establish probable cause for potential crimes.
These 2020 election investigations occur amid Justice Department disputes with various states, including some under Republican leadership, regarding access to comprehensive voter information containing names, birth dates, addresses, and partial Social Security numbers. Election administrators have raised concerns that sharing such data could violate state and federal privacy regulations and potentially enable improper voter registration removals.
NEW YORK — Oil prices soared past $110 per barrel on Monday, marking the highest levels witnessed since 2022, as the ongoing conflict involving Iran continues to disrupt global energy markets and impact Delaware consumers.
Delaware drivers are experiencing immediate financial pressure as fuel costs rise at service stations across the state.
However, the impact extends far beyond vehicle owners. Virtually every product purchased by consumers — from groceries to household items — requires transportation from manufacturing locations. These shipping expenses will increase alongside rising gasoline, diesel, and aviation fuel costs.
The oil price surge is expected to become a major contributor to U.S. inflation rates. Industry analysts warn that if the military conflict persists, the cost of virtually all consumer products could rise.
“The longer this lasts, the more significant the shock would be,” stated Gregory Daco, chief economist at consulting firm EY-Parthenon.
The following details explain how escalating oil and gasoline expenses may affect Delaware consumers while the conflict continues.
Crude oil serves as the raw material for gasoline, diesel, and aviation fuel production. When crude prices increase, the cost of these essential fuels that power vehicles, equipment, buses, delivery vehicles, and aircraft also rises.
Throughout the United States, motorists paid an average of $3.48 per gallon for regular gasoline on Monday, compared to $2.98 before hostilities commenced. Fuel prices have jumped approximately 17% since the U.S. and Israel launched attacks against Iran.
Regional variations exist across different states. California drivers faced $5.20 per gallon, representing a 12% increase from the previous week. Several California refineries have ceased operations in recent years, forcing the large state to import gasoline and other refined petroleum products from Asian markets.
In contrast, Louisiana’s average price reached $3.04, benefiting from local oil production and refining facilities.
The current oil price increase will likely drive gasoline costs even higher, with Asia and Europe potentially experiencing more severe impacts due to their greater reliance on Middle Eastern oil and natural gas compared to the United States.
Diesel fuel prices — which power large commercial trucks — also climbed on Monday to $4.65 per gallon nationally, representing a 23% increase since the war began.
“Can’t underscore what a massive jolt this is to the logistics, trucking, (agriculture) sectors,” wrote Patrick De Haan, a petroleum analyst at GasBuddy, on X Monday.
The practical shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, the critical waterway transporting one-fifth of global crude oil and liquified natural gas, has already created shipping industry challenges. Rapidly increasing oil and gas prices will compound these difficulties.
According to Patrick Penfield, professor of supply chain practice at Syracuse University, fuel expenses represent 50% to 60% of total shipping operation costs, meaning higher fuel prices significantly impact the entire industry.
“When fuel prices start to go up, everything starts to slow down,” Penfield explained. “So your ships slow down, your trucks slow down. People are less apt to ship things via air. And it really kind of causes a drag on the economy when fuel price go up.”
Fuel surcharges will also increase as shipping companies attempt to transfer higher expenses to customers, ultimately raising product prices for consumers.
Home heating and cooking expenses using natural gas will likely increase as the military conflict continues.
Europe’s benchmark natural gas prices have risen 75% since the war started, based on Intercontinental Exchange data.
This could also impact costs for products manufactured from natural gas, including petrochemical feedstock used in plastic and rubber production, as well as nitrogen fertilizer.
The oil price spike probably won’t immediately affect U.S. grocery store prices, according to David Ortega, a professor of food economics and policy at Michigan State University. However, if oil prices stay elevated for a month or longer, he noted, “we’re in different territory.”
Rising oil prices impact agriculture through two mechanisms, Ortega explained. They increase input costs including fuel for farming equipment and fertilizer derived from natural gas. They also boost demand for soybean oil, palm oil, and other vegetable oils that serve as petroleum-based fuel alternatives.
However, Ortega noted that farm production costs represent only a small portion of supermarket prices. Processing and food transportation, which require substantial energy, account for larger shares.
“Food gets to the grocery store on diesel, whether it’s on a truck or on a boat,” Ortega said.
If oil prices remain high, fresh foods requiring rapid transportation could experience price increases more quickly than packaged foods with longer shelf lives, Ortega predicted.
With U.S. oil prices climbing roughly 42% from pre-war levels — reaching approximately $95 per barrel from about $67 before the conflict — JPMorgan economists roughly estimate this could increase U.S. inflation from 2.4% in January to 3% or higher in upcoming months.
EY-Parthenon economist Daco estimated that rising gas prices could drive monthly inflation as high as 1% in March, which would represent the largest monthly increase in four years. Annual inflation would approach 3% under this scenario.
“That’s a significant shock in and of itself,” Daco stated.
Mark Mathews, chief economist and executive director of research at the National Retail Federation, indicated that higher gas prices would likely impact consumer spending, particularly affecting lower-income shoppers.
U.S. households spend an average of $2,500 annually, or nearly $50 weekly, on gasoline, he noted. If consumers pay an additional $10 per week, their budgets face definite strain.
“How do they offset that?” he questioned. “Going out to a movie theater or going to a theme park or going out to eat — all those areas would be … more likely see cuts.”
Mathews anticipates that retailers will absorb increased transportation costs temporarily — similar to their approach with higher tariffs — before raising prices.
Italian Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti cautioned against transferring higher energy costs to consumers, referencing lessons from Russia’s Ukraine invasion.
“We must act immediately to stop energy prices from spreading to all consumer goods, as happened in 2022,” he stated during a Monday G7 meeting in Brussels, according to his office’s statement.
Ed Anderson, a professor of supply chain and operations management for the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas, indicated that shipping companies won’t immediately transfer costs to customers.
“If the conflict is only in the short run, companies will eat it,” he said.
NEW YORK (AP) — An escalating conflict in Iran has brought oil tanker traffic to a virtual standstill, targeted petroleum refineries, and created anxiety among investors concerned about rising energy costs.
Despite what appears to be an appropriate moment to access global emergency petroleum stockpiles, international leaders have demonstrated hesitation in taking such action.
Here’s an examination of the energy reserves nations maintain and the circumstances under which they utilize them:
Following the outbreak of Middle Eastern hostilities on February 28, initiated by American and Israeli strikes against Iran, petroleum tanker movement through the Strait of Hormuz has essentially ceased, blocking a critical route for substantial global oil transportation.
This disruption has caused petroleum prices to climb dramatically.
Brent crude, the global benchmark, jumped to approximately $120 per barrel on Monday—roughly 65% above pre-conflict levels—before declining toward $90.
Nations worldwide maintain substantial petroleum quantities available for emergency situations, including America’s massive Strategic Petroleum Reserve stored in underground salt formations across Texas and Louisiana.
Since oil functions as an international commodity, and releasing large quantities onto the market carries worldwide consequences, nations frequently consult with each other before accessing reserves. This includes coordination through the International Energy Agency, established following the 1973 oil shortage.
However, deciding to utilize oil reserves involves complex considerations, especially during warfare with constantly changing conditions and uncertain duration.
“The key question on drawing down these reserves remains one of, ‘How long will this conflict last?’” says Tom Seng, an energy finance professor at Texas Christian University. “And, more importantly, ‘How long with the Strait of Hormuz remain blocked?’”
Emergency oil supplies have been accessed during previous market disruptions, including conflicts in Iraq, Libya, and most recently Ukraine.
Kenneth Medlock, senior director of the Center for Energy Studies at Rice University, explains the issue isn’t whether the current situation warrants intervention, but rather determining the optimal timing.
“The price is up but it could get worse,” Medlock says. “What happens if this drags on for two, three months? Then you run into a situation where you lose your buffer.”
All 32 International Energy Agency member nations commit to maintaining reserves equivalent to at least 90 days of imports. While the United States exports more than it imports and maintains reserves without obligation, other countries must eventually replenish any reserves they use.
“Because of that, countries tend to keep reserves for a last-resort scenario, should the disruption be prolonged,” says Maksim Sonin, an energy executive who works with Stanford University’s Hydrogen Initiative.
To date, leadership has shown reluctance to access reserves.
During the weekend, President Donald Trump minimized suggestions of utilizing the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, stating supplies remained adequate and prices would decline soon.
Group of Seven industrialized nations representatives discussed the matter Monday but similarly chose against using strategic reserves.
“We’re not there yet,” French Finance Minister Roland Lescure said after chairing the G7 meeting. Still, he told reporters in Brussels that the group was “ready to take necessary and coordinated steps in order to stabilize markets, such as strategic stockpiling.”
Fatih Birol, the executive director of the IEA, participated in the meeting, subsequently noting the “significant and growing risks for the market.” The organization reports that IEA member countries possess over 1.2 billion barrels of emergency petroleum.
Although leaders have avoided using their reserves thus far, energy expert Brenda Shaffer suggests that merely discussing the option could calm markets.
“As long as the market keeps hearing about these possibilities,” says Shaffer, a professor at the Naval Postgraduate School, “I think that will have a smoothing effect on the global oil market.”
A defendant who was originally charged with murder for his role in the deadly shooting following the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl celebration received a two-year prison sentence on Monday after prosecutors dropped the murder charge due to Missouri’s self-defense statutes.
Dominic Miller entered a guilty plea to a firearms violation as part of a negotiated agreement. Court documents show Miller was one of at least six individuals who discharged weapons during the chaotic incident that forced players, city leaders, and hundreds of spectators to flee for safety.
The violence broke out near Kansas City’s Union Station as the festivities, which attracted roughly one million attendees, were winding down. Radio host Lisa Lopez-Galvan lost her life while attending the event with her relatives. Approximately 24 additional victims, including many minors, sustained injuries but recovered.
Court filings indicate that 12 individuals displayed weapons during the incident, with confiscated firearms including no fewer than two assault-style rifles.
“Under Missouri’s self-defense and defense-of-others doctrines, we must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that any charged defendant was the initial aggressor or did not act in lawful self-defense or defense of others to overcome justification,” the Jackson County prosecutor’s office said in a written statement.
Attempts to reach Miller’s legal representative for comment were unsuccessful.
The original second-degree murder accusation against Miller would have resulted in a sentence ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment.
However, Missouri joins more than 30 other states that have enacted various forms of stand-your-ground legislation during the last 20 years. Unlike previous laws that permitted individuals to use force for protection within their residences, stand-your-ground provisions extend broader self-defense protections without regard to location.
Law enforcement officials and prosecutors have stated the shooting spree began when members of one group challenged another for looking at them. Lyndell Mays faces accusations of initiating the gunfire. Subsequently, a 15-year-old opened fire in Mays’ direction, striking Miller, who also acknowledged discharging multiple rounds.
While investigators initially indicated ballistic evidence connected the fatal bullet to Miller’s weapon, prosecutors stated in their recent announcement that insufficient evidence existed to establish his gunshot caused Lopez-Galvan’s death. Officials noted they briefed the victim’s family on the legal obstacles involved.
“The greatest justice would be having Lisa back, but since that is not possible, accountability still matters,” the family said in a statement released through the prosecutor’s office. “We also share the hope expressed in court that change can come from this and that people recognize the importance of making better choices.”
Mays is set to face trial next year on multiple charges including second-degree murder. The juvenile participant previously received a sentence to a youth correctional facility.
