MADISON, Wis. — A 20-year-old Wisconsin man received a seven-year prison sentence Thursday for attempting to burn down a Republican congressman’s office because he opposed the lawmaker’s support for TikTok divestiture legislation.
Fond du Lac County Circuit Judge Tricia Walker also ordered Caiden Stachowicz of Menasha to serve seven years of extended supervision following his prison term, according to court documents.
Stachowicz entered a no contest plea in November to arson charges. In return for his plea, which carries the same weight as a guilty verdict during sentencing without admitting wrongdoing, prosecutors dismissed burglary and property damage charges.
Defense attorney Timothy Hogan did not respond to requests for comment.
Court documents reveal that a police officer arrived at the scene of a fire outside Republican U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman’s Fond du Lac office around 1 a.m. on January 19, 2025, and found Stachowicz in the vicinity. The office is located approximately 55 miles northwest of Milwaukee.
Stachowicz admitted to the officer that he ignited the fire due to his dislike of Grothman, the complaint states. His original plan involved breaking into the building to start the fire indoors, but after failing to shatter a window, he doused an electrical box behind the structure and the front entrance area with gasoline before lighting it with a match and observing the flames, according to court filings.
The defendant explained his motivation by saying he wanted to destroy the office because the federal government was eliminating TikTok in violation of his constitutional freedoms and peaceful solutions were no longer viable, the complaint indicates. He noted that Grothman supported the ban but emphasized he had no intention of harming the congressman or anyone else.
In April 2024, Grothman cast his vote for legislation mandating that ByteDance, TikTok’s China-based parent company, divest its American operations. The original compliance deadline was January 19, 2025, though President Donald Trump has extended the timeline through several executive orders. TikTok completed arrangements two months ago to establish an American version of the video-sharing platform, which Trump has endorsed.
Representatives from Grothman’s congressional office have not responded to requests for comment.
Students from across Delaware had the opportunity to witness history in the making as they attended the American debut of Glory Ride, a powerful new musical production. The show brings to life the remarkable wartime story of Gino Bartali, an Italian cycling champion whose heroic deeds during World War II led to the rescue of hundreds of Jewish individuals facing Fascist persecution.
The educational theater experience took place during special student matinee showings in March, providing young people with a unique learning opportunity that combines arts education with important historical lessons about the Holocaust.
This cultural initiative aligns with Delaware’s Strategic Plan objectives while offering students an engaging way to learn about courage, resistance, and human compassion during one of history’s darkest periods. The musical showcases how one person’s determination and bravery can make a profound difference in the lives of others facing persecution.
Beast Industries has terminated a video editor from their team this week after prediction market platform Kalshi leveled insider trading allegations against the employee.
According to Kalshi’s announcement last month, a platform user had wagered approximately $4,000 on streaming markets connected to MrBeast content with “near-perfect” results. The company discovered this user was actually a Beast Industries employee who “likely had access to material non-public information.” As a result, Kalshi imposed a two-year ban on the editor, issued a $20,000 fine, and notified federal regulatory agencies.
A representative from Beast Industries, the company established by Jimmy Donaldson, stated that the approximately 500-employee organization maintains “no tolerance for this behavior” and has launched an independent review. Company president and CEO Jeff Housenbold revealed to CNBC that he had implemented restrictions months earlier preventing MrBeast staff and Beast Games contestants from trading, referencing Donaldson’s hit Amazon Prime reality competition series.
This situation draws YouTube’s largest channel, known for Donaldson’s elaborate stunt-based content featuring substantial cash prizes, into ongoing discussions about prediction market regulation and whether such platforms constitute gambling. Kalshi operates as one of multiple popular services enabling users to bet on potential event outcomes, with wagering options spanning from Super Bowl entertainment to international political developments.
The Beast Industries representative urged Kalshi and similar platforms to share their investigative results more transparently. Housenbold, who formerly served on Caesars Entertainment’s board of directors, described prediction markets as “ripe for abuse” during CNBC’s “Squawk Box” program last week. He noted these platforms strongly resemble gambling operations, emphasizing that government officials must make the final classification decision.
Federal oversight of prediction markets currently falls under the Commodity Futures Trading Commission rather than state gambling regulatory bodies. Industry critics argue both prediction market operators and regulators should strengthen measures preventing insider trading violations.
“You could be a third-party cameraman on set and know what the first song in the rehearsal is for a singer. You can be the person reviewing a script and knowing what the end result is,” Housenbold explained. “There’s so much information out there and it’s asymmetric and people are taking advantage of that.”
Weather forecasters are warning that the season’s first significant severe weather outbreak could impact America’s central regions, placing millions of residents from Texas through Iowa in the path of dangerous tornado activity.
The National Weather Service reported that isolated severe thunderstorms are forecast to develop Thursday evening across the Texas Panhandle, western Oklahoma, and portions of Kansas. Forecasters anticipate these storms will produce large hail, destructive winds, and potentially several tornadoes.
However, Friday is when the most dangerous weather conditions are anticipated across a broad region encompassing much of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Missouri, while extending into adjacent states, weather service forecasts indicate.
The Storm Prediction Center reports that over 6 million Americans face the greatest severe weather threat on Friday, including residents of the Kansas City and Tulsa, Oklahoma metropolitan regions. An additional 22 million people are under a moderate risk level in areas that encompass Oklahoma City, St. Louis, Omaha, Nebraska, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
This same weather system driving the severe storm potential will also deliver exceptionally high temperatures for the season by weekend.
“Temperatures will be 20-30 degrees above average, with 80s reaching as far north as parts of the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic,” federal forecasters wrote in their long-range forecast discussion. “Daily records could become widespread.”
Texas Senator John Cornyn is launching aggressive attacks against his Republican primary runoff rival while the state anticipates President Donald Trump’s promised backing in the race.
Cornyn’s campaign unveiled a new attack advertisement Thursday targeting state Attorney General Ken Paxton with multiple ethical and personal allegations. The move signals the beginning of what could become an even more contentious and costly second round of campaigning.
The advertisement highlights controversies surrounding Paxton, including his impeachment proceedings on corruption allegations that resulted in acquittal but revealed an extramarital relationship, plus a state securities fraud case that Paxton settled through a plea agreement while maintaining his innocence.
Campaign officials for Cornyn report investing tens of thousands of dollars to ensure voter exposure to the advertisement. While this represents a small fraction of the over $110 million already spent before Tuesday’s primary, it could signal much larger expenditures ahead if the six-minute video becomes shortened television commercials.
Trump refrained from backing any candidate during the primary phase, disappointing Republicans who worry about wasted resources and time in Texas rather than focusing on more competitive swing states. The president indicated Wednesday he plans to announce his choice for the May 26 runoff and expects the unendorsed candidate to withdraw, though no decision has been revealed.
Cornyn barely secured first place in Tuesday’s concluded primary but failed to reach the majority threshold needed to prevent a runoff. Representative Wesley Hunt placed third before being eliminated.
Republican leadership supports Cornyn, the established incumbent pursuing his fifth term, while cautioning that Paxton carries excessive controversy to succeed against Democratic candidate James Talarico in November’s general election.
However, Paxton has demonstrated durability against previous attacks and has positioned himself as a champion for Trump’s “Make America Great Again” agenda. Speaking with conservative commentator Benny Johnson, he declared he would not withdraw regardless of endorsement developments.
“I’m going to give people in Texas a choice,” Paxton said. “The people in Washington can have their own opinion. The president can have his own opinion.”
Paxton presented an alternative proposal through social media, suggesting he might consider withdrawal if Senate Republican leadership eliminated the filibuster to advance Trump-supported legislation requiring strict citizenship verification for voting. This proposal remains stalled in the Senate.
Trump seemed irritated by Paxton’s defiance.
“That is bad for him,” he told Politico. “So maybe, maybe that leads me to go the other direction.”
The president had previously stated on social media that he would endorse a Texas candidate because the divisive race cannot “be allowed to go on any longer.”
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump dismissed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem from her position Thursday following intense scrutiny of her department’s performance on immigration enforcement and emergency response efforts.
The president announced via social media that Oklahoma Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin will be nominated to replace Noem, just two days after she endured harsh questioning from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
In his announcement, Trump indicated Noem would transition to serve as “Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas,” describing it as a newly created security program concentrated on Western Hemisphere operations.
Shortly after Trump’s public statement, Noem appeared at a scheduled Department of Homeland Security gathering where she delivered prepared comments without acknowledging her removal, instead reinforcing points from Trump’s recent State of the Union address.
This marks the first Cabinet-level departure during Trump’s current presidential term. Noem’s exit concludes a controversial period leading the department amid widespread opposition and legal challenges to immigration enforcement strategies.
Her position became increasingly precarious following this week’s congressional hearings, where she encountered unusual but severe criticism from Republican representatives. Lawmakers particularly questioned a $220 million advertising initiative featuring Noem that promoted voluntary departure for undocumented immigrants.
During testimony, Noem stated Trump had prior knowledge of the advertising campaign, though Trump contradicted this claim in a Thursday Reuters interview, denying he approved the promotional effort.
The former South Dakota governor faced ongoing criticism throughout her tenure overseeing Trump’s strict immigration policies, particularly following fatal shootings of two demonstrators in Minneapolis by immigration enforcement personnel. Her department also drew scrutiny regarding its management of congressional funding allocations.
Growing dissatisfaction with Noem’s implementation of the administration’s immigration agenda — especially her response to the Minneapolis shooting incident involving two American citizens — combined with concerns over disaster management contributed to her removal. Both Democratic and Republican legislators criticized her performance during this week’s hearings on multiple fronts.
Beyond immigration matters, Noem encountered bipartisan criticism regarding delays in Federal Emergency Management Agency funding approvals and the administration’s overall disaster response coordination.
While Mullin requires Senate confirmation for the permanent position, federal vacancy legislation permits him to serve in an acting capacity as Homeland Security secretary during the nomination process.
TORREY, Utah — Law enforcement officials have apprehended a 22-year-old Iowa man in connection with the deaths of three women in Utah, announcing the arrest Thursday after a multi-state manhunt.
Ivan Miller of Blakesburg, Iowa, is accused of a deadly crime spree that unfolded Wednesday afternoon in rural Utah communities near popular national parks. According to Utah Highway Patrol Lt. Cameron Roden, Miller allegedly murdered an elderly woman at her residence, took her vehicle, and drove to a hiking trail where he killed two other women before fleeing in one of their cars.
The tragic discovery began when the husbands of two hikers went searching for their wives near Capitol Reef National Park. The men found one vehicle missing from the trailhead and discovered another car they didn’t recognize, prompting them to contact authorities.
“The husbands told authorities one vehicle was missing from the trailhead and they didn’t know who owned the other,” Roden explained.
Police traced the unknown vehicle to its owner, leading them to discover the first victim at a brick residence in Lyman, which remained surrounded by police tape Thursday as investigators collected evidence.
Law enforcement tracked Miller’s route using license plate recognition technology and vehicle tracking systems. The trail led from Utah through northern Arizona to the mountain community of Pagosa Springs in southwestern Colorado, where Miller abandoned the stolen vehicle. Officers located him after a brief search in the area.
Miller appeared in Colorado jail records Thursday, held on a misdemeanor charge of carrying a concealed weapon. His initial court appearance was set for Friday afternoon. The Colorado Public Defender’s office is representing him, though officials declined to provide additional comments.
The victims include two friends who were hiking together – one in her 30s and another in her 60s – plus an 80-year-old woman who lived approximately 10 miles from the trail in Wayne County. Authorities say there was no connection between the hikers and the elderly victim.
“There is no indication that Miller had any connection to the victims,” Roden stated. Investigators believe the attacks were crimes of “convenience” rather than targeted violence, though they continue examining when Miller arrived in Utah and his activities before the killings.
The crime prompted safety warnings for Wayne County residents, with nearby schools closing Thursday as a precaution. Officials had asked the public to help locate a white Subaru Outback while warning people not to approach the vehicle.
Multiple crime scenes in Torrey and surrounding areas remain under investigation, with support from the State Bureau of Investigation and Crime Lab, according to Roden.
Major League Soccer club FC Cincinnati has brought in goalkeeper Fabian Mrozek through a loan arrangement with Liverpool FC of the English Premier League.
The agreement with the 22-year-old Polish keeper was revealed Thursday and extends through the 2026 season, featuring an option for a permanent acquisition. Mrozek will take up one of the team’s international player spots.
Throughout his time with Liverpool’s youth and reserve squads, Mrozek has recorded 19 shutouts across 60 matches at the U18, U19, and U21 levels. He has also earned six substitute appearances with Liverpool’s senior squad.
“Fabian is a talented young goalkeeper,” said FCC general manager Chris Albright. “He will add quality and depth to our goalkeeping group and we look forward to his development under Paul Rogers. We’d like to welcome him to Cincinnati.”
Cincinnati’s current goalkeeper roster features primary starter Roman Celentano along with Evan Louro and Bryan Dowd.
Sources familiar with the transaction confirmed Thursday that the Buffalo Bills have reached an agreement to obtain wide receiver D.J. Moore from the Chicago Bears, according to two individuals with direct knowledge of the deal who spoke to The Associated Press.
The trade involves Buffalo sending Chicago a second-round selection in this year’s draft in exchange for Moore and a fifth-round pick, according to the sources. The individuals requested anonymity since the transaction cannot be finalized until the new league year begins on Wednesday.
The nearly 29-year-old receiver recorded 50 receptions for 682 yards and found the end zone six times during the previous season, helping Chicago reach the playoffs in Ben Johnson’s inaugural campaign as head coach. Moore will now join Buffalo under new coach Joe Brady, providing quarterback Josh Allen with another target after the team has cycled through various receivers in recent seasons.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Tesla CEO Elon Musk took the witness stand Thursday in a San Francisco courtroom, standing by his controversial statements made before his $44 billion acquisition of Twitter in 2022. The billionaire faces accusations from investors who claim his public comments deliberately misled them and resulted in significant financial losses.
The legal battle stems from a class-action suit filed shortly before Musk’s takeover of the social media platform, which he later rebranded as X. The deal was finalized in October 2022, half a year after Musk initially agreed to purchase the struggling company at $54.20 per share.
Shareholders who sold their Twitter stock between May 13 and October 4, 2022, are represented in the lawsuit. They argue that Musk intentionally violated federal securities regulations through strategic moves designed to lower the company’s share value, hoping to either abandon the purchase entirely or negotiate a reduced price.
During his second day of testimony, Musk maintained his position that Twitter harbored significantly more fraudulent and spam accounts than the company’s official disclosure of 5 percent in regulatory documents.
The issue of automated accounts and fake profiles on Twitter predated Musk’s acquisition negotiations. In 2021, the company agreed to pay $809.5 million to resolve allegations that it had inflated its user growth statistics and monthly active user counts. Twitter had also regularly reported its bot estimates to the Securities and Exchange Commission over multiple years, acknowledging that their calculations could potentially underestimate the actual figures.
However, Musk and certain independent analysts contend the actual percentage was far greater, reaching at least 20 percent. During his testimony, Musk described claiming the bot percentage was at minimum this level as equivalent to “saying the grass is green or the sky is blue.”
NEW YORK — Investment banking giant Morgan Stanley is eliminating approximately 2,500 positions as the financial industry continues widespread workforce reductions this year.
The job cuts represent about 3% of Morgan Stanley’s total staff and are happening throughout the investment banking operation, according to a source familiar with the situation who spoke anonymously since the company isn’t publicly discussing the reductions.
Similar to other financial firms, Morgan Stanley expanded rapidly during the coronavirus pandemic, growing from 60,000 workers in 2019 to 82,000 by the close of 2022. The firm employed 83,000 people at the end of 2025.
Already in the first two months of this year, tens of thousands of positions have been eliminated across various industries, with many affecting white-collar workers. Financial companies haven’t escaped this trend.
Both Citigroup and BlackRock have reportedly reduced their employee numbers, and last week financial technology firm Block — parent company of Cash App and Square — announced plans to eliminate 40% of its staff. Although Block founder Jack Dorsey attributed the cuts to artificial intelligence-driven productivity improvements, industry analysts pointed out that Block had essentially tripled its workforce between 2019 and 2025, expanding from 3,800 to 12,000 employees.
Morgan Stanley’s workforce reduction won’t affect the company’s financial advisors, though the firm is reducing support staff within its lucrative wealth management operations.
The Wall Street Journal initially broke the story about Morgan Stanley’s layoffs on Thursday.
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — A Greek man has experienced profound emotions after discovering a photograph that captured his grandfather’s final moments before being executed by Nazi forces during World War II.
Thrasivoulos Marakis spent his life listening to family stories about his namesake grandfather, whom he never had the chance to meet. The tales described a towering man who lost his life during Nazi retaliation operations in Greece throughout the war.
Throughout the years, Marakis possessed only a single faded family photograph of his grandfather.
However, a new image surfaced last month through an online auction. The photograph depicted his grandfather walking with composure toward his execution alongside fellow prisoners.
This discovery has deeply affected the Marakis family and generated intense emotions throughout Greece, where the killing of 200 prisoners by Nazi occupying forces on May 1, 1944 stands as one of the nation’s most moving representations of wartime defiance.
The photographs hold profound personal significance for Marakis.
“They went to their deaths with their heads held high so that we could be free today,” he said.
On Thursday, the Culture Ministry unveiled these disturbing photographs of the execution — the first authenticated images ever released publicly — following their acquisition of the collection from a private collector in Belgium.
Marakis, a Crete resident, identified the tall, broad-shouldered figure leading one group — with rolled-up sleeves, walking forward with dignity — as his grandfather, 40-year-old dairy farmer Thrasivoulos Kalafatakis.
He presented the image to aging family members and their acquaintances, including a local 97-year-old woman.
“That’s when I got the final confirmation,” he told The Associated Press. “It was very moving for the family — deeply, deeply moving.”
The photograph captures prisoners marching under guard toward Athens’ Kaisariani firing range, where they faced execution in groups of 20 as retaliation for a resistance attack that killed a German commander in southern Greece.
The Greek government acquired the archive from a Belgian collector for 100,000 euros ($115,700). The collection contains 262 photographs captured by German Wehrmacht lieutenant Hermann Heuer, who served in Greece during 1943–44, plus wartime currency and news clippings from that era.
While unveiling the materials in Athens, Culture Minister Lina Mendoni explained that the images offer compelling evidence of Nazi occupation strategies and restore personal identities to victims previously known primarily through written records.
“The value of this collection is immense,” Mendoni said. “The photographs…are priceless, because they give a face and a visual dimension to historical testimonies.”
“What matters is how the Greeks faced the Nazi system with courage,” she added.
Multiple photographs document the prisoners’ last moments.
One sequence shows trucks carrying detainees along unpaved roads from Athens’ outskirts Haidari prison camp to the execution site east of the city center. Another image captures the men entering the shooting area, where stacks of jackets sit piled beside the entrance.
Valentin Schneider, a researcher at the University of Athens’ Department of History and Archaeology who assisted in authenticating the images, explained the detail’s importance.
“Most likely it was on the orders of the German army,” Schneider said. “To make the bullets penetrate more easily, they asked them to remove their coats and heavy clothing.”
Additional photographs document seldom-recorded moments: one captures the precise instant gunfire erupts, while another shows the executed prisoners on the ground, all having fallen backward.
Historians note that such visual documentation is exceptionally uncommon.
Throughout Nazi occupation of Greece from 1941 to 1944, German commanders regularly ordered executions of hostages or civilians following resistance operations.
Many prisoners killed at Kaisariani had been detained years before by Greece’s pre-war authoritarian government for communist political activities and remained incarcerated when German forces took control of the country.
The 200 prisoners faced execution in response to the ambush and assassination of a German military commander in southern Greece by resistance fighters.
The archive also exposes another aspect of the German officer who captured the photographs. Among the images are glimpses of Heuer’s personal life — including swimming near Athens, touring the Acropolis and spending time with his family after returning to Germany.
Stavroula Fotopoulou, director of the Culture Ministry’s antiquities and cultural heritage department, explained that the photographs represented a wider system promoted by the Nazi regime.
They “created a powerful propaganda machine, not only with professional photographers in the propaganda units, but by encouraging everyone — soldiers and their families — to take photographs,” she said. “Why? So these images could be sent back home and build the impression of the Wehrmacht’s successes.”
Mendoni announced that official identification of individuals shown in the photographs will commence immediately. Digital versions will be distributed to victims’ families as well as institutions and museums requesting them.
“In that moment, the Greeks — and these people in particular — showed true greatness,” Mendoni said. “They reacted with bravery and dignity. That’s what we must hold on to.”
Marakis stated the images demonstrate his grandfather “stood by his beliefs and his ideology. He never renounced them”
He added: “If he had renounced them, he would have lived longer.”
These represent just some of the evolving justifications the Trump administration has offered for its military campaign against Iran and the assassination of Iranian leadership, all without first obtaining congressional approval or allied support. Key details remain murky about this expanding conflict initiated by the president, including how it will end, when operations might conclude, and which groups Trump envisions replacing what he terms the “sick people” currently governing Iran.
What sets this U.S.-Iran confrontation apart from previous tensions is the apparent lack of coordination among Trump administration officials regarding fundamental questions: What are the objectives and why act at this moment?
“Typically, you establish a unified rationale from the outset and maintain consistent communication,” explained David Schenker, formerly of the Trump administration and currently with the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. “However, this presents difficulties for the current administration.”
By midweek, White House officials characterized the Republican president’s launch of Operation Epic Fury as responding to historical Iranian threats against America “and the president’s assessment, grounded in evidence, that Iran presents an immediate and direct danger to the United States of America.” Experts question this characterization.
Below are selected explanations from Trump administration representatives during the past week as the U.S.-Israel confrontation with Iran escalated into warfare.
STATEMENTS FOLLOWING U.S.-ISRAEL ATTACKS ON IRAN LAST SUMMER:
“THE NUCLEAR SITES IN IRAN ARE COMPLETELY DESTROYED!” Trump declared in a June 24, 2025, Truth Social posting.
RESPONSES TO INTELLIGENCE REPORTS SUGGESTING IRAN’S NUCLEAR PROGRAM SUFFERED ONLY TEMPORARY SETBACKS:
“That is a false story, and it’s one that really shouldn’t be re-reported,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated during a June 25, 2025, Politico interview.
COMMENTS SINCE THE ASSASSINATION OF IRANIAN SUPREME LEADER AYATOLLAH ALI KHAMENEI:
“If we didn’t do what we’re doing right now, you would have had a nuclear war and they would have taken out many countries because, you know what? They’re sick people,” Trump said Tuesday at the White House.
CONTEXT:
Tehran has consistently maintained its nuclear program serves peaceful purposes, though the UN’s nuclear monitoring agency and Western governments assert Iran operated an organized weapons program until 2003.
The program’s current status remains unknown since officials have blocked International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors from accessing bombed nuclear sites since June. This information comes from a confidential watchdog report distributed to member nations and obtained February 27 by The Associated Press.
Iran claims it has halted enrichment activities since June. AP analysis of satellite imagery reveals renewed activity at two targeted locations, indicating Iran may be evaluating damage and potentially salvaging materials.
Under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, Iran must cooperate with the IAEA, but suspended all collaboration following the conflict with Israel.
ADMINISTRATION STATEMENTS:
“Iran possesses a very large number of ballistic missiles, particularly short-range ballistic missiles, that threaten the United States and our bases in the region, and our partners in the region, and all of our bases in the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain,” Rubio told reporters February 25.
“The regime already had missiles capable of hitting Europe and our bases — both local and overseas — and would soon have had missiles capable of reaching our beautiful America,” Trump stated during a Monday White House Medal of Honor ceremony.
Iran “was building powerful missiles and drones to create a conventional shield for their nuclear blackmail ambitions,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said during Monday’s Pentagon briefing.
CONTEXT:
Iran has not confirmed intentions to develop intercontinental ballistic missiles. The nation maintains self-imposed restrictions on its missile program, capping range at 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles). This reaches throughout the Middle East and portions of Eastern Europe.
Trump administration representatives informed congressional staff during private Sunday briefings that U.S. intelligence indicated no Iranian preparations for preemptive strikes against America. Officials instead acknowledged broader threats from Iran and affiliated groups.
“There’s been a lot of reporting that the assessments from the intelligence and military didn’t suggest that there was going to be an Iranian first strike,” noted Naysan Rafati, senior Iran analyst at the Washington-based International Crisis Group. “My sense has been that opportunity is at least as much of a significant factor as threats, certainly.”
ADMINISTRATION STATEMENTS:
“We knew that there was going to be an Israeli action. And we knew that if we didn’t preemptively go after (Iran) before they launched those attacks, we would suffer higher casualties,” Rubio told reporters Monday.
“Israel was determined to act in its own defense here, with or without American support,” House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., informed reporters. Should that have occurred, he continued, “exquisite intelligence” indicated Iran would target American assets. “If we had waited, the consequences of inaction on our part could have been devastating,” he stated.
“No,” Trump responded to White House reporters Tuesday when questioned whether Israel pressured his decision to attack Iran. “If anything, I might have forced Israel’s hand.”
CONTEXT:
No evidence suggests Israel was compelled to cooperate with the U.S. in these strikes.
An Israeli military official, speaking anonymously per protocol, described coordinated planning between America and Israel Wednesday. Three weeks prior to the attacks, Israel recognized the operation was heading toward renewed Iranian confrontation and dispatched a team to the Pentagon, the official revealed. On Friday, Israeli forces deliberately indicated military stand-down for the weekend, releasing images showing personnel and senior commanders departing for Shabbat dinner.
This shared intelligence enabled strikes to proceed hours later in a surprise daytime assault, sources familiar with the operation informed the AP over the weekend. The eventual U.S.-Israeli attack barrage occurred so rapidly they were nearly simultaneous — three strikes across three sites within one minute — eliminating Khamenei and approximately 40 senior officials, another Israeli military official reported Sunday.
During operations, American and Israeli command centers maintained real-time synchronization for rapid tactical adjustments, the first Israeli military official said Wednesday.
In a televised statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Israel conducted the strikes “in full cooperation” with the United States.
ADMINISTRATION STATEMENTS:
“If Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go,” Trump posted on Truth Social January 2.
“When we are finished, take over your government. It will be yours to take,” Trump addressed Iranians on Truth Social immediately following initial strikes.
“This is not a so-called regime change war. But the regime sure did change, and the world is better off for it,” Hegseth stated at Monday’s Pentagon briefing.
CONTEXT:
America maintains an extensive, complex regime change history. Consider Vietnam, Panama, Nicaragua, Iraq and Afghanistan following September 11, 2001, and Venezuela recently.
Regarding Iran specifically, the CIA assisted in engineering a 1953 coup that removed Iran’s democratically elected leader and granted near-absolute authority to Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. However, like the shah, who was overthrown during Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, regime change rarely proceeds as intended.
This occurs partly because such outcomes remain beyond Trump’s complete authority, as he acknowledged Tuesday.
“Most of the people we had in mind are dead,” he informed reporters. “Now we have another group. They may be dead also based on reports. So, I guess you have a third wave coming, and pretty soon we’re not going to know anybody.”
WASHINGTON — Delaware is among 24 states that filed a federal lawsuit Thursday challenging President Donald Trump’s recently implemented global import duties, which were put in place following a major Supreme Court setback.
Democratic state attorneys general spearheading the legal challenge claim Trump is exceeding his executive authority with the proposed 15% import duties affecting much of the world.
The president has defended the tariffs as necessary tools to address America’s persistent trade deficits. Trump implemented the duties using Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 after the Supreme Court invalidated tariffs he had established last year through emergency powers legislation.
The previously unused Section 122 permits presidents to establish tariffs up to 15%, but limits them to five months without congressional approval.
Oregon, Arizona, California and New York attorneys general are spearheading the legal action.
The plaintiff states contend that Section 122 was designed for use only under specific, narrow conditions and doesn’t authorize Trump to establish broad-based import taxes. They also claim the tariffs will increase expenses for state governments, businesses and consumers.
Many of these same states previously won legal battles against Trump’s tariffs established under different legislation: the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
Just four days after the Supreme Court invalidated his comprehensive IEEPA tariffs on February 20, Trump utilized Section 122 to establish 10% duties on international goods. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant announced to CNBC on Wednesday that the administration would increase the rates to the maximum 15% this week.
Democratic states and other opponents argue the president cannot utilize Section 122 as a substitute for the invalidated tariffs to address trade deficit issues.
The Section 122 provision targets what it describes as “fundamental international payments problems.” The central question is whether this language encompasses trade deficits — the difference between U.S. exports and imports.
Section 122 emerged from financial crises during the 1960s and 1970s when the U.S. dollar was backed by gold. Foreign nations were exchanging dollars for gold at fixed rates, threatening currency collapse and market instability. Since the dollar is no longer gold-backed, opponents argue Section 122 is outdated.
In an embarrassing development for Trump, his Justice Department argued in court documents last year that the president needed emergency powers because Section 122 had “not have any obvious application” for addressing trade deficits, calling them “conceptually distinct” from balance-of-payment concerns.
However, some legal experts believe the Trump administration has stronger legal ground this time.
“The legal reality is that courts will likely provide President Trump substantially more deference regarding Section 122 than they did to his previous tariffs under IEEPA,” Peter Harrell, visiting scholar at Georgetown University’s Institute of International Economic Law, wrote in a Wednesday analysis.
The specialized Court of International Trade in New York, which will consider the states’ lawsuit, ruled last year when striking down the emergency-powers tariffs that Trump didn’t require them since Section 122 was available for combating trade deficits.
Companies that paid duties under that legislation achieved a court victory Wednesday when a judge determined refunds are warranted.
Trump possesses additional legal mechanisms for implementing tariffs, with some already surviving judicial scrutiny. Duties Trump established on Chinese imports during his initial presidency under Section 301 of the same 1974 trade legislation remain active.
The lawsuit also includes attorneys general from Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, plus the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — During an emotional news conference Thursday, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds expressed her continued support for military operations against Iran, even while mourning the deaths of four soldiers from her state who have been killed since December.
Two Iowa soldiers lost their lives last weekend when a retaliatory drone attack struck in Kuwait as the conflict with Iran escalated.
“I believe in the mission right now,” said Reynolds, a Republican, her voice cracking with emotion during the press briefing.
The governor defended the U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran, stating: “I think it was the right thing to do. Just look at what Iran has done over the last several years. Hopefully we’re in and out. I believe that’s the goal of this administration.”
The two soldiers killed in Kuwait were Major Jeffrey O’Brien, 45, from Indianola, and Sergeant Declan Coady, 20, from West Des Moines. They were part of six Army Reservists who died in the attack, all serving with the 103rd Sustainment Command, a unit responsible for providing essential supplies including food, fuel, water, ammunition, and transportation equipment.
Earlier in December, the Iowa National Guard lost two members in Syria: Sergeant Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, from Des Moines, and Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard, 29, from Marshalltown. Military officials attributed their deaths to the Islamic State group.
“I can’t imagine the sacrifice,” Reynolds said. “To think they’re coming home and then maybe things have changed, delayed. We had some killed in action.”
The governor revealed she had personal conversations with Coady’s father and O’Brien’s wife following the tragedy.
“As you can imagine, they’re heartbroken and as Iowans, we grieve with them,” she said, noting that some wounded soldiers have been successfully evacuated to Germany for medical treatment.
O’Brien’s civilian employer, cybersecurity firm ProCircular, remembered him fondly. CEO Aaron Warner highlighted his “uplifting humor” and “calm guidance,” saying: “His quiet strength and expertise protected countless systems and left a lasting impact on everyone privileged to work with him.”
Military officials have released the names of the other four soldiers killed in the Kuwait attack: Sergeant 1st Class Nicole Amor, 39, from White Bear Lake, Minnesota; Captain Cody Khork, 35, from Winter Haven, Florida; Sergeant 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42, from Bellevue, Nebraska; and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, 54, from Sacramento, California.
Tina Marzan shared that her husband’s deployment was scheduled to conclude in just a few months, and their family had been eagerly planning to celebrate his April birthday upon his return home.
During America’s colonial era, taverns functioned as far more than simple establishments for food and beverages. These venues, frequently referred to as “public houses of entertainment,” operated as vital community centers where residents exchanged information, handled business matters, and built social connections.
The Delaware Public Archives has scheduled a First Saturday Program for Saturday, March 7, 2026, beginning at 10:30 a.m., focusing on the role of women in operating these important establishments on Dover Green during the colonial period.
Motorists traveling on Delaware Route 40 are experiencing significant delays this morning after a vehicle accident forced the closure of two westbound right lanes at Eden Circle.
According to DelDOT traffic officials, the collision has blocked the right lanes of traffic heading west, creating a bottleneck for commuters in the area. Emergency responders are currently on scene working to clear the roadway.
Drivers are advised to expect delays and consider alternate routes if possible while crews work to restore normal traffic flow. The duration of the lane closures has not yet been determined.
The University of Delaware men’s basketball program received academic recognition this week when player Christian Bliss was selected for Conference USA’s All-Academic team for the 2025-26 season.
The conference headquarters in Dallas made the announcement on Thursday, highlighting student-athletes who have excelled both on the court and in the classroom.
The All-Academic team honors recognize players who have demonstrated outstanding performance in their academic studies while competing at the collegiate basketball level.
The University of Delaware women’s basketball squad is set to close out their regular season campaign with a road game against Liberty University.
The Blue Hens will travel to face the Flames as they look to cap off what has been a competitive season for the program. This final regular season contest will serve as preparation for the team’s upcoming postseason tournament play.
Delaware’s women’s basketball program has been working throughout the season to build momentum heading into the most crucial part of their schedule. The matchup against Liberty represents their last opportunity to fine-tune their game before tournament action begins.
The team will be looking to carry any positive results from this final regular season game into their postseason efforts, where every game becomes win-or-go-home.
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware men’s soccer program has announced a significant staff change, with Justin Makar being elevated to associate head coach.
Head coach Tommy McMenemy revealed the promotion on Thursday, recognizing Makar’s valuable contributions to the Blue Hens program over the past four seasons.
Makar has served as an essential member of Delaware’s coaching staff since joining the team, helping guide the program through four years of competition.
The promotion reflects the university’s confidence in Makar’s abilities and his important role in the continued development of the men’s soccer program at Delaware.
A University of Delaware women’s basketball standout has been recognized for excellence in the classroom as well as on the court.
Ella Wanzer has been selected for the Conference USA Women’s Basketball All-Academic Team, according to an announcement made by the conference on Thursday.
The recognition makes Wanzer the first Blue Hen player to receive a conference academic honor since Hannah Jardine accomplished the feat during the 2016-17 season.
The Dallas-based conference announced the academic team selections, highlighting student-athletes who have demonstrated outstanding performance both athletically and academically throughout the season.
NASA delivered reassuring news Thursday from Cape Canaveral, Florida, confirming that asteroid 2024 YR poses no threat to the moon when it passes by in December 2032.
Previously, the space agency had calculated a 4.3% probability that the space rock would strike the lunar surface. However, fresh data collected by the Webb Space Telescope during February observations allowed researchers to better calculate the asteroid’s trajectory.
The updated analysis shows the asteroid will safely bypass the moon by approximately 13,200 miles on December 22, 2032.
When astronomers first spotted the 200-foot-wide asteroid in late 2024, initial concerns focused on whether it might pose a danger to Earth. Scientists eliminated any Earth collision possibilities for the next 100 years during their 2024 analysis, though the moon remained under consideration as a potential impact site until this latest assessment.
WASHINGTON — The federal commission examining President Donald Trump’s White House ballroom construction proposal has postponed its decision until April 2nd, according to the panel’s chairman during Thursday’s proceedings.
Will Scharf, who chairs the National Capital Planning Commission and serves as a senior advisor to the Republican president, revealed the scheduling change at the beginning of the panel’s March session.
The commission was expected to render its decision on Thursday after hearing additional project information from White House representatives and commission staff members.
However, Scharf announced the vote would be delayed until April to accommodate all citizens wishing to provide input. The overwhelming response — with over 100 individuals registering to speak — prompted the meeting to move to an online format.
The commission has received numerous written submissions regarding Trump’s proposal for a 90,000-square-foot ballroom addition to be constructed where the former East Wing previously existed. The president has stated the $400 million project will be funded through private contributions. Trump ordered the East Wing’s demolition in October.
Scharf explained the virtual meeting format would facilitate the public testimony process, which he anticipated could continue into Friday due to the substantial number of registered speakers.
“They are taking time out of what I presume are busy schedules to join us,” he stated. “One way or the other, we are going to make sure that members of the public have the opportunity to be heard on this project.”
Project opponents have criticized Trump for proceeding with the East Wing demolition before obtaining approval from both the National Capital Planning Commission and the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts. The fine arts commission granted its approval last month.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation, operating as a private nonprofit organization, petitioned a federal court to suspend construction activities until proper submissions were made to both federal commissions and Congress, while also ensuring public input opportunities.
U.S. District Judge Richard Leon denied this request last week, prompting the trust to announce plans for filing a revised legal challenge.
RICHMOND—More than 50 women agricultural leaders from across Virginia made history on February 26 when they gathered at the state capitol for the inaugural Farm Woman Lobby Day.
The participants, who represent farming operations throughout the state, came together as part of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Women’s Leadership Program to advocate for agricultural literacy while the 2026 General Assembly session continues. The women visited lawmakers’ offices to share their perspectives and promote farming education.
During their visits, the farm women handed out copies of “Farm Boots,” this year’s Agriculture in the Classroom featured book, to state legislators. They urged the lawmakers to read the book to students in their districts during Agricultural Literacy Week, scheduled for March 23-27.
The event featured remarks from several key state officials, including Gov. Abigail Spanberger and Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi, along with administration officials and rural advocates.
“Thank you for the work you do in communities across Virginia,” Gov. Spanberger told the assembled women. “In the legislation that’s moving forward, or the work our administration is doing, it’s important we have an agricultural perspective at the table.”
Katie Frazier, Virginia’s Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry, emphasized the state government’s dedication to supporting the commonwealth’s largest private industries.
“And we want to build on the diversity of our industries and see opportunities for growth across all sectors in all areas,” Frazier explained. “Many of our legislators are not from areas that represent agriculture anymore, but they still understand and appreciate the impact that all of you make in your community.”
Del. Justin Pence, R-Edinburg, who farms in addition to serving in the legislature and sits on the VFBF state board representing the northern Shenandoah Valley, highlighted the significance of 2026 being declared the International Year of the Woman Farmer.
“Women need to be where the decisions are made,” Pence emphasized. “It’s meaningful when you come here to share your perspectives. Agriculture is a bipartisan issue, and Farm Bureau has a great working relationship with legislators on both sides of the aisle.”
Orange County farmer and district women’s leader Katelyn Burner delivered a book to the office of Del. Lily V. Franklin, D-Roanoke.
“We are celebrating women in agriculture,” Burner explained. “About a third of Virginia farms are women-owned and-operated, which is amazing. And we’re also celebrating 16 years of Ag Literacy Week. This is an opportunity to teach children in kindergarten through third grade about where their food comes from, the importance of farms, and how hard farmers work.”
Sen. Russet W. Perry, D-Leesburg, praised the impact that Farm Bureau advocates have on state lawmakers, noting that their voices distinguish themselves among the numerous special interest groups that lobby the General Assembly.
“We know that women of the Farm Bureau are so strong, so tough and so smart!” Perry declared.
Faye Hundley, who chairs the Women’s Leadership Committee, urged the participating women leaders to “keep that little fire burning.”
“And continue to advocate as strongly as you have today,” she added.
RICHMOND—Female agricultural leaders from across Virginia came together to share honest perspectives about juggling farming operations, family obligations, and community roles during a forum titled “Harvest of Hustle: Women Leading Farms, Families & Futures.”
The discussion took place after morning advocacy work at the Virginia State Capitol, where participants in the Women’s Leadership Program met with legislators to champion Agricultural Literacy Week and other key issues during Farm Woman Lobby Day on February 26.
The panel featured representatives from farming operations throughout Virginia’s agricultural regions, including longtime farm advocate Maxine Arey from Augusta County, Kimberly Foley who leads Foley Seed & Service in Hanover County, fifth-generation farmer and agribusiness owner Kayla Lawrence from Frederick County, and Sarah Barlow Rudolph, a Wythe County advocate who manages both farm duties and a full-time career.
Foley recalled watching her father’s difficulties in the cattle industry during the early 2000s, which forced him to take work as a local agriculture instructor to save the farm.
“Up until that point, I was absolutely determined that I was not going to be involved in agriculture or subject my family to the tough stuff that they dealt with,” she recalled.
However, witnessing his dedication inspired Foley to forge her own agricultural career path. She emphasized that personal strength often becomes clear only when looking back.
“A setback can signify progress,” Foley said. “It’s putting you in the right position at the right time to be creative about new decisions you get to make.”
Lawrence similarly observed her father overcome farming obstacles and changes. She now works alongside him full-time at Richard’s Fruit Market, a family operation spanning 73 years.
“We’ve had freezes, we’ve had droughts,” Lawrence said. “We’ve had to sell cattle because we couldn’t feed them. But I’ve learned you have to fix that problem right then and there, and worry about tomorrow’s problems tomorrow. Farm Bureau has pushed us through these times. Those connections helped us figure out how to solve these problems.”
Rudolph emphasized that preserving Virginia’s agricultural heritage depends on investing in future farmers. She criticized the longstanding practice of discouraging bright rural students from returning to agriculture.
“We won’t do that to this next generation, because there’s so many wonderful ways that they can play into agriculture, regardless of whether they decide on a four-year university or not,” she said. “We can use their passion to continue to grow our industry.”
Arey stressed that current farm operators must prepare pathways for the next generation to succeed.
“One of the best gifts you can give is a good farm succession plan,” she said.
The farm women also attended a confidence-building presentation by Carrie Walker, American Farm Bureau Federation director of membership engagement.
APPOMATTOX, Va.—A corporate donation is helping accelerate construction of a new agricultural facility for a Virginia FFA chapter that has earned the state’s top ranking three years running.
Channel Seed has provided $4,000 through its Channeling Good program to support the Appomattox FFA Alumni Agricultural Complex, a multipurpose building that will feature livestock handling facilities and space for community agricultural activities.
The contribution comes as the Appomattox County chapter continues to demonstrate exceptional performance, with roughly 20% of students participating in the Future Farmers of America program and donning the organization’s signature blue corduroy jackets.
More than 75 individuals including current students, program graduates, and community supporters attended last summer’s groundbreaking ceremony for the new complex.
Two Channel Seed employees, Bobby Long and Glenn Dye, submitted the nomination for the donation. Dye operates farming operations across Appomattox, Fauquier and Stafford counties and holds a position on the Stafford County Farm Bureau’s board of directors. He has also championed farm equipment highway safety initiatives throughout Virginia.
“The FFA is trying to secure funds for this tremendous building project opportunity,” Dye explained. “Since they’ve been chosen as the top FFA chapter in the state for three consecutive years now, I felt they were most deserving. The Appomattox FFA program is preparing the students to be positively contributing young adults. After graduation, they are much more desirable job candidates and possess the soft skills to be productive members of society.”
Mary Beth Primm, who leads the Appomattox FFA Alumni as president, spoke with the Appomattox-Times about the significance of Channel Seed’s contribution to their agricultural facility project.
“Support like this allows us to provide hands-on learning opportunities, develop student leadership, and move one step closer to making the agricultural complex a reality,” she stated.
The new structure will make livestock-related educational projects more accessible to students while creating a central location for regional farming events and activities.
Channel Seed specializes in providing tailored seed products along with agronomic guidance and local assistance for farmers growing corn and soybeans.
Dye emphasized the critical need for young people to enter agricultural careers, pointing to demographic challenges facing the farming industry.
“Our industry faces a constant uphill battle in so many facets,” he noted. “We need our young leaders to continue—not just operating—but advocating for our great and increasingly important industry. They are the agricultural leaders of the future.”
He also highlighted concerns about the aging farmer population, noting that the average age continues to climb annually.
Those interested in supporting the Appomattox FFA’s facility construction can contribute at secure.qgiv.com/for/appomattoxbarnproject.
For media inquiries, contact Emily Biras with Channel Seed communications at 314-221-3620.
The streaming service Netflix announced Thursday its purchase of InterPositive, an artificial intelligence technology company for filmmaking established by Oscar-winning actor and director Ben Affleck.
The companies did not reveal how much Netflix paid for the acquisition.
Entertainment companies are increasingly embracing artificial intelligence for creating content and developing stories, marking a significant shift from Hollywood’s previous worries about AI threatening creative positions and copyright protections.
Disney made headlines recently when it revealed plans to let OpenAI incorporate characters from Star Wars, Pixar and Marvel properties into the company’s Sora AI video creation platform.
Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria emphasized the company’s philosophy on AI integration: “We believe new tools should expand creative freedom, not constrain it or replace the work of writers, directors, actors, and crews.”
This marks Netflix’s first major acquisition since withdrawing from the competitive bidding process for Warner Bros Discovery’s studio and streaming properties, which ultimately went to Paramount Skydance.
The “Argo” director and star established InterPositive in 2022, developing artificial intelligence systems that can comprehend visual storytelling principles and maintain editorial continuity while adhering to filmmaking standards despite production obstacles like missing footage or poor lighting conditions.
Affleck explained his company’s approach to responsible AI development: “We also built in restraints to protect creative intent, so the tools are designed for responsible exploration while keeping creative decisions in the hands of artists.”
As part of the deal, Affleck will take on a senior advisory role at Netflix.
WASHINGTON – The concept of astronauts enjoying hummus on the moon may not be as outlandish as it sounds. Researchers have achieved a breakthrough in space agriculture by successfully cultivating chickpeas in artificial lunar soil, bringing us closer to the goal of astronauts producing their own food during extended lunar missions.
The study demonstrated that edible chickpeas could be grown in soil compositions made primarily of simulated moon material, based on lunar samples brought back during NASA’s Apollo missions over 50 years ago.
At Texas A&M University, scientists cultivated a chickpea variety called “Myles” within a controlled growing environment. The seeds received a coating of beneficial fungi before being planted in a combination of artificial lunar soil created by Florida company Space Resource Technologies and vermicompost, a nutrient-dense material produced through earthworm decomposition of organic matter.
The experiment showed successful chickpea harvests in soil compositions containing up to 75% lunar simulant material. While higher concentrations of the simulated moon soil – called regolith – resulted in fewer harvestable chickpeas, the individual chickpea sizes remained consistent. However, seeds planted in pure lunar simulant could not produce flowers or seeds and died prematurely.
Both the United States and China are preparing to return astronauts to the lunar surface in upcoming years, with plans for establishing permanent moon bases.
“Chickpeas are high in protein and other essential nutrients, making them a strong candidate for space crop production,” said Jessica Atkin, a doctoral candidate and NASA fellow at Texas A&M’s Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, lead author of the research published on Thursday in the journal Scientific Reports.
Developing local food production capabilities is essential for sustaining personnel at moon bases, given the impracticality of shipping all necessary food supplies from Earth.
“In our goal toward establishing a lunar presence – or one on Mars – we will need to learn how to grow food on the moon, since it will not be sustainable to ship food in spaceships. This is because it is still quite expensive to ship things to space, so weight is a factor, and also because the survival of astronauts on the moon can’t be dependent on the timely shipment of supplies,” said study co-author Sara Oliveira Santos, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Texas Institute for Geophysics.
“Plants would also help produce oxygen and enhance life-support systems for future human settlements,” said astrobiologist Jyothi Basapathi Raghavendra of Northumbria University in England, lead author of a second study published on Thursday that examined growing conditions for microbes in simulated Martian soil.
Lunar soil consists essentially of pulverized rock and dust particles, frequently sharp and glass-like in texture, created over billions of years through meteorite collisions. Although it contains necessary nutrients and minerals for plant growth, it lacks organic matter and remains hostile to life, unlike Earth’s nutrient-rich organic soil.
“Previous studies have shown plants can germinate in authentic lunar samples or grow in regolith simulants, often by adding compost or other types of organic matter,” Atkin said. “In this study, we focused on microorganisms. Instead of only adding organic material, we tested whether plant-microbe partnerships could help condition regolith, improve its structure and reduce plant stress.”
WHAT ABOUT THE TASTE?
The flavor of these space-grown chickpeas remains unknown for now.
“The chickpeas are currently being tested for metal accumulation, which is why we haven’t eaten them just yet,” Atkin said.
Both actual lunar regolith and the artificial version used in the research contain elevated concentrations of metals including aluminum and iron. While iron serves as a vital plant nutrient, aluminum does not and can be harmful when ingested.
“Before anyone makes moon hummus, we need to confirm they are safe and nutritious. Those results will be published in a follow-up paper later this year,” Atkin said.
The fungal coating applied to the seeds formed a beneficial relationship with the chickpeas, assisting the plants in absorbing crucial nutrients while limiting their intake of harmful heavy metals. These microorganisms successfully established themselves on plant roots even in pure regolith simulant and helped bind loose particles together, making the regolith behave more similarly to Earth soil.
The research team added some levity to their laboratory work. Atkin played moon-themed music including Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Bad Moon Rising” to motivate the plants. She also displayed an image of chickpeas growing on the lunar surface.
“Kind of silly, but something to aim for,” Atkin said.
“This is a small first step toward growing crops on the moon,” Oliveira Santos said, “but we have shown this is feasible and we are moving in the right direction.”
City officials in Rehoboth Beach have released comprehensive data about their response to the devastating late February snowstorm that buried the coastal community under more than 18 inches of snow and brought destructive winds. Longtime residents described the weather event as the most severe winter storm they have ever experienced.
Municipal crews have been operating continuously to remove snow accumulation, clear fallen tree branches and debris, and return the community to normal operations. City officials emphasized that these recovery efforts were made possible through the unwavering commitment of municipal employees.
Streets Department Operations
During the height of the storm, the Streets Department deployed 8 crew members working extended 12-hour shifts. The department’s fleet of 9 snow plows operated throughout the city both during and after the snowfall. Crews applied roughly 8 tons of road salt across city streets during the operation.
Emergency Communications Response
The city’s 9-1-1 Communications Center maintained 12-hour shifts throughout the storm period, with 2 to 3 dispatchers cycling through each shift. Between 1 p.m. Sunday and 7 a.m. Tuesday, emergency communications staff handled 370 total calls and managed 90 separate incidents.
Within city boundaries, dispatchers responded to 30 incidents, with 25 of those involving downed trees or power lines. Beyond the city limits, dispatch personnel worked alongside the County Emergency Operations Center and National Guard units to coordinate assistance for calls originating from the Angola region.
Officials indicated they will release additional data regarding tree and debris removal operations once those cleanup efforts are finished.
The University of Delaware softball program kicks off its Conference USA schedule this week as they welcome Florida International University to campus.
This marks an important milestone for the Blue Hens as they begin conference play in their new athletic home. The matchup against FIU represents the team’s first official game as members of Conference USA.
The Blue Hens will look to start their conference campaign on a strong note when they take the field against the Panthers. This home opener provides an opportunity for Delaware to establish momentum early in the CUSA season.
The University of Delaware Blue Hens men’s lacrosse squad is preparing for a challenging home contest this Friday as they welcome the Maryland Terrapins to campus.
Maryland arrives in Newark carrying impressive national rankings, sitting at #14 in one poll, #12 in another, and #14 in a third major ranking system, making them a formidable opponent for the Blue Hens.
The matchup represents a significant test for Delaware’s lacrosse program as they take on one of the region’s top-tier teams on their home field. Game details and kickoff time were not specified in the original announcement.
After a stretch of gloomy and cool weather, a significant warm up is expected to develop across the Delmarva Peninsula this weekend and continue into the first half of next week. Forecasters say temperatures could surge well above normal as a much milder air mass spreads into the Mid Atlantic.
The transition begins later this weekend as a ridge of high pressure builds over the western Atlantic Ocean. At the same time, several upper level disturbances will track across the northern United States, helping to set up a pattern that allows warmer air to gradually move northward into the region.
Before the warmer air fully arrives, cooler conditions may linger into Saturday due to a setup known as cold air damming. Strong high pressure over eastern Canada will push cooler air southward into the region, while a boundary remains positioned to the south and west of Delmarva. This could keep skies cloudy with areas of fog and cooler temperatures early in the weekend.
As the weekend progresses, the colder air mass will begin to erode from south to north. This process may lead to a sharp temperature difference across the region on Saturday before warmer air eventually takes over. Some showers may also develop Saturday night as a disturbance passes to the north and a trailing cold front approaches. A stray thunderstorm cannot be ruled out, although widespread severe weather is not expected.
By Sunday, much of the Delmarva region will become firmly established within the warmer air mass as high pressure settles offshore. Winds shifting to the south and southwest will help draw warmer air northward.
Temperatures are expected to climb into the 60s across much of the region Sunday and Monday. Even warmer conditions are likely by the middle of next week, when highs could reach the low to mid 70s on Tuesday and Wednesday. These readings would be 10 to 20 degrees above average for early March.
Communities along the coast may see somewhat cooler temperatures due to developing sea breezes off the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay. This could keep coastal locations several degrees cooler than inland areas.
The warm pattern may not last indefinitely, however. Forecast models suggest a cold front could approach the region around Wednesday, bringing another chance of showers and potentially preventing temperatures from reaching the warmest projections.
Even so, the overall trend points toward a dramatic shift from recent chilly conditions to a stretch of springlike warmth across the Delmarva Peninsula during the upcoming week.
A federal lawsuit has been filed in Washington, D.C. targeting President Trump and Pam Bondi over their handling of TikTok’s asset sale.
The legal complaint alleges the Trump administration sidestepped federal laws specifically created to prevent the dissemination of Chinese propaganda within the United States. Instead of following these regulations, the lawsuit claims the administration facilitated a partial ownership transfer to business associates with close ties to Trump.
The lawsuit was submitted to federal court in the nation’s capital, challenging the administration’s approach to the controversial social media platform’s ownership structure.
BEIRUT (AP) — Massive traffic jams clogged Lebanon’s capital Thursday as thousands of frightened civilians attempted to escape following an Israeli military directive demanding the complete evacuation of Beirut’s southern neighborhoods, suggesting preparations for extensive bombing operations in the region.
The directive targeting the district called Dahiyeh urged civilians to “save your lives and evacuate your homes immediately,” while providing specific escape routes for residents in different neighborhoods.
Throughout the renewed fighting between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants, Israel has targeted locations in Beirut’s outskirts and previously warned all residents south of the Litani River to abandon their communities, though this marks the first comprehensive evacuation directive for areas within the Lebanese capital itself.
Following recent U.S. and Israeli operations against Iran that sparked renewed Middle Eastern warfare, Hezbollah fired rockets and unmanned aircraft toward Israel Monday for the first time in more than twelve months, prompting Israeli counter-strikes against southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern districts.
The fighting has resulted in 102 deaths and displaced over 83,000 Lebanese citizens prior to Thursday’s evacuation directive.
Hadi Kaakour, a resident fleeing Beirut’s southern neighborhoods, expressed uncertainty about finding safety even after leaving his home.
“We don’t put anything past them (Israel), they will strike us no matter where we go,” he said.
Other evacuees voiced anger about Lebanon becoming entangled in the broader regional conflict.
“We got sucked into a mess that we have nothing to do with,” said Yousef Nabulsi, another fleeing resident. “People have been displaced and are now staying on the streets, and this is wrong.”
United Nations peacekeeping forces stationed in southern Lebanon witnessed and monitored fighting in the region as additional Israeli military units crossed the border, according to a representative from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, who spoke Thursday. This marked the initial official confirmation of active combat operations.
“Ground combat was observed west of Kfar Kila,” a village near the border with Israel, overnight, which included “firing of shots,” UNIFIL spokesperson Tilak Pokharel said. In Khiyam, a town about 5 km (3 mi) from the border, he said peacekeepers saw “air attacks and flares and heard explosions.”
Israeli officials announced Tuesday they deployed reinforcements to southern Lebanon. Israeli military units had maintained control of multiple border positions in Lebanon following a November 2024 ceasefire that ended the earlier Israel-Hezbollah conflict.
Lebanese military forces withdrew from border areas as Israeli troops advanced, while Hezbollah released multiple statements claiming successful attacks against advancing Israeli forces and distributed footage showing a tank being hit by a guided missile. Israeli military officials reported Wednesday that two soldiers sustained injuries from anti-tank weapons fire in Lebanon.
TEHRAN — Joint military strikes conducted by the United States and Israel have devastated Iran’s capital city, creating widespread destruction and claiming the life of Iran’s supreme leader in the attacks.
Photographs from Tehran reveal extensive damage throughout the city, with columns of smoke billowing over the urban landscape and numerous structures reduced to debris. Citizens in the Iranian capital are grieving the loss of their nation’s highest-ranking leader, who perished during the bombardment.
The images, compiled by Associated Press photographers, document the aftermath of the coordinated assault on the Middle Eastern nation’s seat of power.
MIAMI (AP) — At a regional security conference in Miami on Thursday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called on Latin American nations to intensify their military campaigns against drug trafficking organizations, cautioning that Washington stands ready to pursue unilateral action if partner countries don’t step up their efforts against criminal networks threatening U.S. border security.
“America is prepared to take on these threats and go on the offense alone if necessary,” Hegseth declared during his address at U.S. Southern Command headquarters, speaking before defense leaders from allied nations across the region.
The Pentagon organized what it called the inaugural “Americas Counter Cartel Conference,” drawing military officials from more than a dozen conservative-leaning governments that maintain strong ties with President Donald Trump, including representatives from Argentina, Honduras and the Dominican Republic. These defense leaders accompanied their presidents to Florida ahead of a planned weekend summit with Trump at his nearby golf resort.
During his remarks, Hegseth emphasized the shared Christian values between the United States and Latin America, arguing these principles face danger due to years of insufficient action and relying solely on traditional law enforcement methods to counter organized crime and terrorist networks throughout the Western Hemisphere.
“Business as usual will not stand,” he declared, promising American assistance to fight cartels, rebuild deterrence capabilities and “make the Americas great again.”
Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, who has helped shape Trump’s hardline regional policies, reinforced Hegseth’s message with even stronger language.
“Cartels that operate in this hemisphere are the ISIS (Islamic State group) and al-Qaida of this hemisphere and must be treated just as ruthlessly,” Miller stated, emphasizing that “hard power” and deadly force — rather than criminal prosecution — should be deployed against these organizations.
“The human rights that we are going to protect are not those of the savages that rape, torture and murder but those of the average citizens,” he added.
These discussions occur as the Republican administration works to deploy military resources to reassert American influence in the hemisphere while simultaneously managing military operations in Iran.
Upon assuming office in January 2025, Trump announced a renewed emphasis on Latin American affairs, a strategic shift his national security framework calls the “Trump Corollary” to the 19th-century Monroe Doctrine, which aimed to prevent European interference in the Americas. Central to this approach is expanded use of U.S. military forces to eliminate drug cartels that have long been blamed for escalating violence and homicide rates that stunt Latin America’s economic growth and drive migration northward.
“For too long, leaders in Washington abandoned the simple wisdom of the Monroe Doctrine,” Hegseth stated, referring to Trump’s regional security emphasis as the “Donroe Doctrine.”
Trump previously classified cartels from Mexico and Venezuela as foreign terrorist organizations before later announcing that the United States was engaged in “armed conflict” with these groups.
This unprecedented use of executive authority to address drug trafficking forms the legal foundation for Washington’s justification of dozens of attacks against suspected narcotics smugglers in Caribbean and Eastern Pacific waters — totaling 44 vessel strikes that have killed at least 150 people.
A large-scale naval presence not witnessed in Latin America since the Cold War’s conclusion also enabled the U.S. military mission in early January that resulted in the capture of Venezuela’s former president, Nicolas Maduro. He currently faces narcotics charges in New York.
Trump’s strategy has gained backing from regional conservatives like El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele, who gained power promising to use “mano dura” — an iron fist approach — against criminal organizations. This week marked the first time Ecuador conducted joint military operations with U.S. forces targeting organized crime networks.
However, using military forces to replace roles typically handled by civilian law enforcement carries significant risks in a region where military institutions lack strong oversight, armed forces have histories of human rights violations, and corruption remains a persistent problem.
“Without strong rule-of-law institutions and civilian oversight, militarizing the fight against cartels can weaken the very institutions needed to defeat them,” warned Rebecca Bill Chavez, president of the Inter-American Dialogue and former deputy assistant defense secretary for Western Hemisphere affairs.
NBC Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie stepped behind the cameras at the network’s New York studios on Thursday, marking her first visit since her elderly mother vanished from Arizona over a month ago.
Guthrie came to express gratitude to her NBC colleagues for their ongoing support during this difficult time, according to the Today show. The veteran morning show host will eventually resume her on-air duties, but the network stated she “remains focused right now supporting her family and working to help bring Nancy home.”
Nancy Guthrie, age 84, disappeared from her residence near Tucson on January 31st and was officially reported missing the next day. Law enforcement officials suspect she may have been kidnapped or taken involuntarily.
Despite the family posting a substantial $1 million reward for any leads that could help locate Nancy, investigators have struggled to gather meaningful information about her whereabouts.
Guthrie has served as co-host of NBC’s flagship morning program for more than a decade, beginning in 2012. Former Today show personality Hoda Kotb has stepped back into the role temporarily while Guthrie focuses her efforts on the search for her missing mother.
WASHINGTON – A congressional committee is demanding transparency from major travel and rideshare companies about their potential use of artificial intelligence to manipulate consumer pricing.
On Thursday, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer sent formal inquiries to the chief executives of five prominent companies, including rideshare giants Uber and Lyft, as well as travel booking platform Expedia. The Republican lawmaker is seeking information about whether these firms employ what’s known as ‘surveillance pricing’ – using detailed customer data to increase costs.
In his correspondence to the companies, Comer expressed alarm that advanced pricing algorithms combined with extensive personal consumer information could enable businesses to “weaponize personal data and pad their profit margins at the expense of providing transparency to consumers.”
The investigation also encompasses online marketplace Instacart and travel booking service Booking.com. None of the targeted companies provided immediate responses when contacted for comment about the congressional inquiry.
The probe reflects growing congressional concern about how major technology and travel companies leverage consumer data and artificial intelligence in their pricing strategies.
A federal lawsuit has been filed against President Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi, challenging the administration’s decision to approve TikTok’s restructured ownership arrangement on Thursday.
The legal action, brought by the Public Integrity Project representing two American retail investors who own stakes in competing social media companies, was filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. The plaintiffs argue that the government’s approval violates a 2024 federal law and seek to force a renegotiation of the arrangement.
According to the filing, the goal is to require a new deal “that doesn’t put administration allies in a position to censor political content on one of the world’s most popular media platforms.”
The legal challenge does not attempt to shut down TikTok, which serves 200 million American users.
Last April, Congress enacted legislation mandating that ByteDance divest its American operations by January 2025 or face prohibition and potentially hundreds of billions in penalties. However, Trump chose not to implement the law’s enforcement, while Bondi informed businesses they would not face consequences for continuing TikTok operations.
ByteDance announced that TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, completed in January with 80% ownership by non-Chinese stakeholders, would protect American user information, applications, and algorithms using data security and cybersecurity protocols. The company provided limited information regarding the ownership transfer or financial terms.
The lawsuit states: “Under the announced deal, ByteDance would still control all the essential elements of TikTok. Such a deal would subvert the very purpose of the TikTok Law, as ByteDance could continue to push Chinese propaganda and censor the content it does not like.”
This ownership restructuring represents a significant development for the social media platform following years of legal battles that started in August 2020 when President Trump initially attempted to prohibit the application due to national security issues.
This marks the first court challenge to the ownership deal and may provide insight into the new joint venture structure that is crucial for TikTok’s continued operation in America, despite criticism from certain congressional members.
Representatives from the White House, Justice Department, and TikTok have not yet provided responses to requests for comment.
Trump has stated that the arrangement satisfies the requirements outlined in the divestiture legislation.
Berkshire Hathaway announced Thursday that the investment giant has started purchasing its own shares again after nearly two years without buybacks, marking a significant move by new CEO Greg Abel who took over from Warren Buffett in January.
The company initiated the share repurchases on Wednesday, ending a drought that lasted since May 2024.
These buybacks could help the Omaha-based conglomerate deploy some of its massive $373.3 billion cash reserve that accumulated while Buffett had difficulty finding attractive investment opportunities.
In a show of personal confidence, Abel revealed he purchased 21 Class A shares on Wednesday for approximately $14.6 million, using the after-tax proceeds from his $25 million annual salary. The 63-year-old executive now holds 249 Class A shares valued at roughly $182 million and indicated he intends to make similar investments going forward.
During his inaugural television interview as CEO on CNBC from New York, Abel confirmed he discussed both the corporate buybacks and his personal stock purchases with Buffett beforehand.
These announcements could help address investor worries that Berkshire has been overly conservative with its capital allocation, while demonstrating Abel’s deeper financial commitment to the trillion-dollar enterprise.
Buffett, now 95, continues as chairman and maintains virtually his entire wealth in Berkshire shares. Abel previously received $870 million in 2022 when he sold his 1% ownership in Berkshire Hathaway Energy back to the parent company.
Berkshire stock climbed 1.5% during morning trading Thursday. However, through Wednesday’s close, the shares had underperformed the S&P 500 by more than 30 percentage points over the 10 months since Buffett’s surprise announcement of stepping down as CEO.
The conglomerate’s vast holdings encompass Geico insurance, BNSF railway, numerous industrial and manufacturing operations, consumer brands like Duracell and Fruit of the Loom, plus a $297.8 billion stock portfolio dominated by Apple shares.
Abel explained to CNBC that the company repurchases stock when management believes the true worth of shares surpasses their trading price, generating long-term shareholder value.
“With the transition of leadership,” Abel noted, it was crucial to announce the resumption of buybacks. While Berkshire typically reports repurchases quarterly, Abel characterized this disclosure as a special one-time communication.
CFRA Research analyst Cathy Seifert called the buybacks a “positive signal” following Monday’s sharp stock decline – the worst single-day drop since Buffett’s departure announcement.
“For that near-term positive to be sustained, we’ll have to see improvement in Berkshire’s underlying fundamentals,” she said.
Abel emphasized that increasing his personal stake helps synchronize his interests with shareholders for the long haul. He expressed his intention to serve as CEO for two decades.
Berkshire stands apart from most major corporations by not offering equity compensation or stock option programs.
“The whole idea is: our shareholders are owners, use their after-tax dollars to buy Berkshire, I’ll do the same,” Abel said. “No one else in corporate America does this.”
The company maintains its policy of not paying dividends, with Abel stating none are planned for the foreseeable future.
Abel also addressed escalating legal battles involving Berkshire subsidiary PacifiCorp over September 2020 Oregon wildfires, where plaintiffs allege the utility failed to deactivate power lines.
PacifiCorp confronts $50 billion in potential liability beyond already settled cases, prompting S&P Global to warn Monday of a possible downgrade to junk bond status.
Abel stated that “any time we’re responsible for something, we’re willing to take absolute responsibility,” but emphasized PacifiCorp must resist covering damages from lightning-caused fires.
“We’re sorry, absolutely, that these people’s lives have been impacted,” Abel said. “We feel for them. But that’s not the utility’s responsibility to take on those costs and obligations. So that’s where we’re drawing the line.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered sharp criticism Thursday toward Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has prevented approval of a vital $104 billion European Union assistance package that Ukraine desperately needs in its ongoing conflict with Russia.
The financial support from international partners has become essential for Ukraine’s budget operations, as the country redirects most government resources toward military defense. Hungary, an EU nation that has kept friendly relations with Moscow, rejected the aid package earlier this month during disagreements over petroleum supply issues.
“We hope a certain person in the EU will not keep blocking the 90 billion… and Ukrainian soldiers will have weapons,” Zelenskyy stated during a press conference in Kyiv.
“Otherwise, we will give the address of this person to our armed forces, our guys. Let them call him, speak with him in their own language.”
These comments are expected to increase friction between the two leaders as Russia’s four-year military campaign against Ukraine continues, while Orban – who will face voters on April 12 – has avoided directly criticizing Moscow’s actions.
Hungary’s rejection of both the financial aid and additional EU penalties against Russia stems from what Budapest claims was Ukraine’s intentional disruption of oil flowing through the Druzhba pipeline that transports Russian petroleum to European markets.
Ukrainian officials maintain that petroleum shipments ceased following Russian strikes on pipeline facilities in January, and repair crews are working to restore operations as quickly as possible. Zelenskyy announced Thursday that the Soviet-built pipeline system could resume functioning within six weeks.
“They (the Russians) are killing us, and we’re supposed to give poor little Orban oil, because without it he won’t win elections?” he said.
Orban has positioned the Ukrainian conflict as a central issue in his upcoming reelection campaign.
Ukrainian forces continue defending against persistent Russian offensives across multiple sections of the 750-mile battle line, while Kyiv navigates American pressure for peace negotiations and resists Russian demands for territorial concessions.
Although facing disadvantages in weaponry and personnel, Ukraine’s military has reclaimed ground in recent weeks, with February marking the first month since 2023 where territorial gains exceeded losses, according to analysis from the Finland-based Black Bird Group.
European foreign ministers attempted unsuccessfully this month to convince Budapest against penalizing Ukraine for delays in pipeline restoration, which also affects Slovakia, another EU neighbor of Ukraine.
Slovakia, led by Prime Minister Robert Fico who also maintains sympathetic views toward the Kremlin, announced it would deny Ukrainian requests for emergency electrical power until oil deliveries restart through the Druzhba system.
MOSCOW – Russian investigators announced Thursday that corruption charges have been filed against a high-ranking former defense ministry official, marking another development in an extensive investigation targeting military leadership.
According to the state Investigative Committee, Ruslan Tsalikov faces accusations of embezzlement, money laundering, and accepting bribes during his time in government service.
Tsalikov held the position of first deputy defense minister for nearly a decade, serving from 2015 until 2024. His tenure coincided with a period that saw widespread corruption investigations result in the detention of numerous high-ranking military officers, deputy ministers, and civilian defense personnel.
The prosecution follows a pattern of similar cases, including that of former deputy minister Timur Ivanov, who received a 13-year prison sentence in July 2025.
Both Tsalikov and Ivanov worked under the leadership of Sergei Shoigu, who maintained a close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin for many years. Shoigu’s role as defense minister ended in 2024 when he was reassigned to lead Russia’s Security Council.
HAVANA (AP) — Large areas of western Cuba continue to experience power outages on Thursday, almost 24 hours after a widespread electrical failure struck the region in another incident attributed to the island’s deteriorating power infrastructure and fuel shortages.
Repair teams have been working through the night to fix a damaged boiler at a major thermoelectric facility, though authorities caution that complete power restoration may require three to four days.
According to state media, approximately 297,000 Havana residents, representing 34% of customers, currently have electricity, along with 37 medical facilities and five water treatment facilities.
Cuba’s Electric Union posted on X that the power system is functioning “in a limited capacity, prioritizing basic services, primarily health and water supply.”
State media indicated that two generating facilities are currently shut down due to petroleum shortages.
The island nation has faced ongoing challenges with its deteriorating electrical infrastructure and unreliable fuel deliveries, with the situation worsening significantly in recent months.
Critical petroleum deliveries from Venezuela stopped after the United States targeted the South American nation in early January. Following that, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on any nation providing oil to Cuba.
In recent weeks, Cuban authorities enacted strict fuel conservation policies and announced that aviation fuel would be unavailable at nine airports through mid-March.
This power failure marks the second major outage to affect western Cuba in a three-month period.
The December blackout persisted for almost 12 hours. Authorities attributed that incident to a malfunction in transmission infrastructure connecting two generating facilities, which created system overload and triggered the collapse of the western power network.
Many of Cuba’s power generation facilities have been in service for more than three decades and receive minimal upkeep due to financial constraints. Government officials state that U.S. economic sanctions have blocked access to replacement equipment and specialized components.
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has positioned himself as the leading European voice opposing President Donald Trump’s policies, particularly after denying the U.S. military access to Spanish bases for operations against Iran.
The confrontation escalated Tuesday when Trump threatened to “cut off all trade with Spain” following the Spanish leader’s refusal to cooperate. Tensions grew further when Spain’s foreign minister disputed White House claims that Madrid had received Trump’s message “loud and clear” and was now working with American forces.
Although condemning Tehran’s authoritarian government, Sánchez declared he would not support what he characterized as an unjustified military campaign.
“We are not going to be complicit in something that is bad for the world and is also contrary to our values and interests, just out of fear of reprisals from someone,” Sánchez declared, adopting the rallying cry “No to the war” during a recent address.
The disagreement over Spanish military facilities appears more diplomatic than strategically significant, given America’s extensive network of bases throughout Europe and the Middle East, with other European nations providing support.
Spain and the United States have maintained steady, cordial relations spanning decades, beginning in the 20th century when America established shared military installations during Francisco Franco’s dictatorship.
The 54-year-old Sánchez assumed office in 2018 and ranks among Europe’s most visible progressive leaders.
He has championed core liberal principles including women’s rights, legal immigration pathways, human rights protections, international law adherence, and climate action — issues that have become frequent targets of Trump’s MAGA agenda and European far-right movements.
Prior to the Iran conflict, Sánchez had already established himself as Trump’s ideological opponent across numerous policy areas.
The Spanish leader has emerged as one of Israel’s harshest critics regarding its Gaza military operations, repeatedly condemning the extensive civilian casualties following Hamas’s 2023 surprise assault on Israeli soil.
“This is not self-defense, it’s not even an attack — it’s the extermination of a defenseless people,” he stated while traveling across Europe and the Middle East seeking peace negotiations.
Within NATO, Spain stood alone in rejecting commitments to raise defense spending to 5% of national economic output. Sánchez negotiated a special exemption during last year’s alliance summit, limiting Spain’s commitment to 2.1%, which he termed “sufficient and realistic.”
Trump suggested Spain’s NATO membership should be reconsidered, though this remains an unexecuted threat.
While numerous European nations tightened border controls and the Trump administration expanded immigration enforcement, Spain is currently processing work and residence documentation for 500,000 foreign nationals already within its borders.
Sánchez has directly referenced Trump while promoting immigration’s economic advantages for his nation.
“MAGA-style leaders may say that our country can’t handle taking in so many migrants — that this is a suicidal move, the desperate act of a collapsing country,” he stated in a recent New York Times editorial. “But don’t let them fool you. Spain is booming.”
Under Sánchez’s leadership, Spain has joined nations including Australia and France in restricting social media access for young teenagers, contrasting sharply with the Trump administration’s support for technology companies and their interpretation of free speech rights online.
X platform owner Elon Musk attacked the Spanish prime minister last month, labeling Sánchez “the true fascist totalitarian” following his announcement of plans to ban social media access for those under 16.
Diplomatic relations between Spain and the United States are becoming increasingly strained as Madrid refuses to allow American military forces access to two jointly operated bases within Spanish territory.
The Spanish administration has confirmed its position to block U.S. access to these facilities as military operations involving the United States and Israel against Iran continue to expand. This stance has created a widening divide between Spain and the current Trump administration.
Protesters gathered in Barcelona on Wednesday, displaying images of Iran’s deceased supreme leader alongside Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez while demonstrating against American and Israeli military actions targeting Iran.
The refusal to grant base access represents a significant diplomatic challenge for U.S. military operations in the region, as these Spanish facilities have traditionally served as important strategic locations for American forces.
A Virginia wildlife biologist shared a memorable moment from last spring when his grandson Eli called in turkeys for his older brother Sam during their Craig County hunt. While no birds were harvested that day, the experience highlighted the excitement of turkey hunting across generations.
Now, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources Upland Game Biologist Mike Dye is providing hunters with expectations for the upcoming 2026 spring season. Wildlife managers closely monitor the poults per hen (PPH) ratio from previous years, particularly focusing on birds that are now two years old, since these gobblers tend to be the most responsive to calls and vocal during hunting season.
“The 2024 hatch was 2.1 PPH, which was pretty good,” Dye said. “Maybe not as high as in the past, but average for what we have seen in recent years. As far as 3-year-old gobblers, the 2023 PPH was 1.8, which is somewhat low. However, the 2025 PPH dropped significantly to a statewide average of 1.3, which is concerning. While there are many factors that influence turkey recruitment, poor weather during nesting and when the poults are young can reduce success substantially. In much of the state during early June 2025 when poults were hatching, we had rain and cold weather, which is not ideal. Though, of course, we’ve received scattered reports of good hatches, but, overall, summer recruitment was pretty minimal.”
The challenging weather conditions have led to realistic expectations for this hunting season. “So, I am expecting hunting to be more difficult this spring,” Dye said. “I would expect a slight decline in the harvest this spring as a result of that lower productivity in the past few seasons. But on a historical level, turkey populations are still in fairly good shape in most of the state. Since 2020, the statewide harvest has been historically high, and the harvest seems to be moving back toward pre-COVID levels.”
According to Dye, Virginia’s turkey population would benefit significantly from favorable weather conditions this year, particularly warm and dry conditions during the first two weeks of June when most young turkeys emerge across the state.
Despite reproduction challenges, some factors are working in favor of Virginia’s turkey population. “One thing in favor of our hens is that the last two autumns have seen good acorn production statewide,” Dye continued. “So, the hens should be entering this spring in good physical shape. Another plus is that in the Southwest Virginia Coalfields region, there was a tremendous periodic cicada hatch the spring of 2025. Every creature from turkeys to bears to coyotes to songbirds benefits from abundant cicadas in that they are an easy, high protein food for wildlife to eat…and this is especially true for poults.”
Hunters should be aware of significant regulatory changes taking effect for the 2026-27 season. The annual harvest limit remains at three birds, but new restrictions limit hunters to one beardless turkey, which can only be taken during fall season. This means fall hunters can still take three birds total, but two must have beards. Spring hunters may continue using all three tags for bearded birds as in previous years.
“With this regulation, we are simply trying to protect a few more hens,” Dye said. “Of course, weather and habitat are the main factors affecting turkey numbers, but DWR hopes this regulation will help some, too.”
Virginia’s Youth and Apprentice Weekend is scheduled for April 4-5, with the regular spring season running from April 11 through May 16. All-day hunting opportunities begin April 27.
Fiction: Raccoon numbers have skyrocketed throughout Virginia and are causing turkey and other game bird populations to crash.
Facts: Current research doesn’t support claims of growing raccoon numbers, with populations appearing steady despite normal year-to-year changes. Though wildlife experts can’t dismiss localized increases, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources information shows no significant statewide raccoon population growth. Officials note that many people think raccoon numbers are rising because they see more of them around trail cameras baited with food. Setting out food draws raccoons and can create a false impression that their numbers are unusually high for the area.
Though raccoons effectively destroy nests, they seldom kill grown game birds. In most situations, their existence doesn’t restrict turkey numbers, unless suitable nesting habitat is scarce. Strategic trapping may briefly lower raccoon numbers, but improving habitat for turkey nesting typically delivers better long-term nesting outcomes.
Property owners should avoid drawing raccoons if supporting turkey nesting matters to them. Actions like providing food for wildlife can unnaturally boost raccoon numbers or draw raccoons from surrounding areas. Though some think they’re helping wildlife by offering food, feeding can actually damage wildlife in multiple ways including spreading diseases and parasites, increasing dangerous human-animal encounters, and potentially reducing game bird nesting success.
Fiction: Predators are eliminating so many turkeys that populations can’t increase.
Facts: Though multiple predators hunt adult turkeys including bobcats, coyotes, and great horned owls, people remain the top cause of death for adult male turkeys. Earlier Virginia studies showed only 25 percent of male turkey deaths resulted from predation. Meanwhile, hunters caused 46 percent of deaths and illegal killings during closed seasons added another 17 percent of fatalities. This information shows an adult male turkey faces much higher odds of being killed by humans than predators.
Female turkeys experience somewhat lower survival rates and face higher predation. Usually, fewer than half of adult females live to see the following year. Studies show predation frequently leads mortality causes for females. Female deaths concentrate during spring and early summer because they move around more before nesting while searching for perfect nesting spots, and spend extensive time sitting on nests up to 20-22 hours daily. This ground time increases their vulnerability to predators during these critical periods.
Though blaming predators seems logical, these deaths often indicate a bigger problem: inadequate habitat. When females must nest in poor locations or travel extensively seeking suitable nesting areas, mortality risk increases. Expanding the quantity and quality of nesting cover allows females to move less often and typically achieve better nesting success.
Some Virginia regions show declining turkey numbers while others experience growth. Turkey populations shift based on nesting conditions, winter food availability, and environmental factors. These population changes frustrate managers and hunters but happen regardless of predator numbers. Areas with suppressed turkey populations usually face habitat or environmental challenges rather than predator issues. Regions where turkeys thrive do so despite existing predators, typically because adequate habitat balances turkey populations with local predator dynamics.
Focused trapping offers some advantages, but these benefits peak when sufficient nesting and chick-rearing cover exists nearby. Simply trapping predators in poor habitat won’t likely produce desired outcomes. Lower quality habitats always experience greater fluctuations due to environmental and nutritional pressures.
Fiction: Turkeys only call from roosts because of coyote presence.
Facts: Calling intensity depends on numerous factors including weather conditions, air pressure, turkey density, breeding season timing, and hunting activity. Many hunters encounter turkeys that call from roosts but won’t respond after flying down, leading to theories about predator influence like coyotes. The idea seems reasonable since a turkey announcing its ground location might attract predators that follow sounds. This theory suggests coyote presence alone teaches turkeys to stop calling once they leave roosts. However, the actual situation is more complicated.
Usually the main factor affecting turkey calling behavior is nearby female presence and their breeding status. Many turkeys that call from roosts then go quiet have roosted close to females. Once on the ground, they don’t need to keep advertising their location. These females are typically actively mating and frankly, the male is busy and doesn’t need to attract additional attention. These scenarios happen more during early season when females are still breeding through the first couple weeks.
Another major influence on calling intensity is hunting pressure itself. Recent southeastern U.S. research demonstrates that calling often drops dramatically when hunting season opens. One study examined hunted versus non-hunted locations. Turkeys on non-hunted property kept calling normally throughout hunting season, while hunted turkeys called less frequently once hunting pressure started. Both locations had coyotes present with human pressure being the main difference. So while we often view predators as major influences, hunting and hunting pressure may play equally important or larger roles in turkey behavior. Currently, little evidence suggests coyotes alone drive turkey calling changes.
Fiction: Trapping predators wastes time.
Facts: Trapping represents a respected tradition requiring extensive outdoor skills, expertise, and technical knowledge for success. Virginia offers numerous reasons to master trapping arts and techniques. Trapping also serves as a crucial wildlife and habitat management tool, used for wildlife monitoring and population control, providing protection for endangered species and habitats, and helping prevent and resolve human-wildlife conflicts. Though trapping alone rarely solves turkey or game bird population declines, it serves important functions and shouldn’t be ignored as part of the solution. However, ensuring areas have solid habitat foundations should always be the primary focus.
Governor Matt Meyer has officially proclaimed March 9 through March 13, 2026 as Severe Weather Awareness Week in Delaware, encouraging residents across the First State to prepare for potentially dangerous weather events that can occur throughout the year.
The initiative is led by the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) in partnership with the National Weather Service, the University of Delaware’s Center for Environmental Monitoring and Analysis (CEMA), the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT), and Delaware Sea Grant. The goal is to increase awareness about severe weather threats and encourage residents to take steps now to protect their families and communities.
State officials say the week serves as a reminder that Delaware regularly faces weather hazards such as flooding, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, lightning, and coastal storms. Many of these events can develop quickly, giving residents little time to react without proper preparation.
Daily Severe Weather Safety Topics
Throughout the week, emergency management officials will focus on a different severe weather hazard each day, sharing safety tips and preparedness information.
Monday: Flood safety
Tuesday: Tornado safety
Wednesday: Severe thunderstorms and hail
Thursday: Lightning safety
Friday: Preparing for severe weather
Residents are encouraged to follow along on social media and online resources to learn how to respond when severe weather strikes.
Recent Severe Weather Highlights Need for Preparedness
Delaware has experienced several significant weather events in recent years that highlight the importance of preparedness.
In 2020, the remnants of Tropical Storm Isaias produced the longest tornado ever recorded in Delaware, carving a destructive path from Dover in Kent County to Glasgow in New Castle County. More recently, a tornado in Sussex County in April 2023 resulted in the state’s first tornado-related fatality in decades.
Flooding has also been a growing concern. The remnants of Hurricane Ida produced historic rainfall and flooding in Wilmington in 2021, underscoring the risks associated with extreme weather across the region.
Nationally, severe weather continues to cause major impacts. According to federal climate data, the United States recorded 27 separate billion-dollar weather disasters in 2024, with the majority tied to severe thunderstorms.
Steps Delaware Residents Can Take Now
Emergency management officials say preparedness before severe weather strikes is critical. Residents are encouraged to:
Sign up for alerts through the Delaware Emergency Notification System (DENS)
Build a basic emergency preparedness kit
Create a family emergency plan
Know evacuation zones and local hazards
Stay informed through weather alerts and trusted forecasts
More preparedness information and resources are available at PrepareDE.org.
Officials say even small steps taken ahead of severe weather can significantly reduce risks to lives and property when dangerous conditions develop.
A stretch of gloomy weather is expected to continue across the Delmarva Peninsula through Friday as a stalled frontal boundary keeps the region locked into cool, damp conditions.
The front will remain positioned mostly south of the region, allowing several weak areas of low pressure to move along it. These disturbances will periodically bring light rain or scattered showers while maintaining a very moist air mass over the area.
The first round of rain arrived early Thursday morning, with another wave expected to move through later tonight. Between these periods of rainfall, mist and drizzle are likely to develop, along with areas of fog as light winds and abundant moisture linger across the region.
Patchy dense fog will remain a concern at times through Friday. However, forecasters note that winds may stay just strong enough to prevent widespread dense fog development. Melting snow and warming ground temperatures may also help reduce the risk somewhat, though localized visibility reductions are still possible, particularly during the overnight and early morning hours.
As a result, conditions may remain murky across much of the Delmarva Peninsula with low clouds and periods of reduced visibility.
The unsettled pattern continues into Friday as a backdoor cold front pushes into the region from the north and east before stalling across Delmarva. This setup will trap low-level moisture beneath a temperature inversion, leading to persistent cloud cover along with occasional drizzle, light showers, and areas of fog.
Temperatures will stay on the cool side for early March, with afternoon highs across most of the region expected to remain in the 40s.
LONDON, March 5 – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer plans to hold a news briefing Thursday afternoon to provide an update on the worsening situation in the Middle East, according to a spokesperson from his office.
The Prime Minister is scheduled to meet with reporters at 2 p.m. local time in London, the spokesperson confirmed.
The United Kingdom, which did not participate in the weekend offensive against Iran, has announced plans to relocate military assets to the Middle East following an assault on its military installation in Cyprus.
Earlier this week, Starmer’s administration revealed it would send a naval vessel along with helicopter units equipped with anti-drone technology to help counter Iran’s revenge attacks.
With the U.S.-Iran conflict now in its sixth day, the hostilities have expanded beyond Persian Gulf nations and reached into Asia, leading thousands of tourists and residents stranded in the region to attempt evacuation from the Middle East.
Delta Airlines unveiled sweeping changes to its executive leadership structure Thursday, repositioning key executives as the airline prepares for the departure of a veteran operations leader.
The airline announced that Chief Financial Officer Dan Janki will transition to the role of chief operating officer, while Peter Carter receives a promotion to president. These organizational shifts become effective April 1.
The leadership transition stems from the upcoming retirement of John Laughter, who has overseen Delta’s daily operations and its TechOps maintenance division. Laughter will continue with the airline until April 30.
CEO Ed Bastian praised Laughter’s contributions, noting he played a crucial role in rebuilding the TechOps division following Delta’s 2005 bankruptcy proceedings, managed the integration with Northwest Airlines, and navigated the company’s operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his new position, Janki will oversee significant operational areas including flight operations, cabin service, booking systems, customer support, and safety protocols. Erik Snell, currently serving as chief customer experience officer, will step into Janki’s former finance position.
Carter’s expanded presidential role will encompass enterprise strategy alongside his existing oversight of global policy, legal affairs, Delta’s international operations, property management, and sustainability initiatives.
Additional executive moves include Alain Bellemare taking on the chairman role for Delta TechOps, while Chief Marketing Officer Alicia Tillman will be leaving the company. Ranjan Goswami will expand his duties as chief marketing and product officer.
Bastian emphasized that these organizational changes demonstrate Delta’s leadership capabilities and commitment to developing executives who will lead the airline’s future growth.
These adjustments continue reshaping Delta’s senior management team following the retirement of President Glen Hauenstein last month, who had developed the airline’s premium-focused business approach.
Despite the executive changes, Bastian has stated publicly that he has no retirement plans and expects to continue leading Delta for years to come.
Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren is set to unveil new legislation Thursday aimed at preventing a U.S. Army ammunition facility from distributing military-grade bullets to civilian buyers, citing concerns that some rounds have ended up in the hands of Mexican drug cartels and been linked to numerous mass shooting incidents across America.
The proposed Stop Militarizing Our Streets Act, backed by Senator Andy Kim along with Representatives Robert Garcia and Jamie Raskin, would ban Pentagon contractors from distributing military-grade assault weapons and ammunition to civilian purchasers.
The legislation would also mandate that military contractors exclusively work with commercial dealers who implement basic safety measures, including customer background checks and maintaining records showing minimal connections to firearms later involved in criminal activities.
The proposed law specifically addresses the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant located in Independence, Missouri, a World War Two-era facility that serves as the primary rifle ammunition supplier for U.S. military forces.
Winchester, an Olin Corporation subsidiary, operates the facility under an Army contract that permits commercial sales of any ammunition not purchased by the military.
Warren noted that powerful .50-caliber rounds confiscated by Mexican officials from cartel members were tracked back to the Lake City facility.
Olin Corporation and its Winchester subsidiary have not yet provided responses to requests for comment.
“Americans’ tax dollars should not be used to fuel gun violence,” Warren stated. “Congress must step in to keep Americans safe, and that means stopping the U.S. military and giant defense contractors from selling weapons of war to cartels, criminal groups, and mass shooters that terrorize our communities.”
A 2023 New York Times investigation revealed that AR-15 ammunition manufactured at the Lake City facility had been utilized in at least twelve mass shooting events since 2012, including the tragedies in Aurora, San Bernardino, Las Vegas, Sutherland Springs, Parkland, Buffalo, and Uvalde.
A leading cryptocurrency trading platform has reached a massive $25 billion valuation after securing investment from the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange, according to an announcement Thursday.
OKX, which ranks among the world’s top cryptocurrency exchanges, received the minority investment from Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), demonstrating how established Wall Street firms are rapidly building digital currency capabilities as cryptocurrencies become increasingly integrated into traditional finance.
The partnership includes several strategic components that will benefit both organizations. ICE plans to license cryptocurrency pricing data from OKX and create federally regulated futures contracts based on that information. Meanwhile, OKX will distribute ICE’s U.S. futures and tokenized equity markets to its global user base of over 120 million people.
This investment represents ICE’s continued expansion into digital assets, following its recent stake in Polymarket, currently the world’s biggest prediction market platform. The company previously invested early in Coinbase, another major cryptocurrency exchange.
Industry experts suggest the cryptocurrency sector may be approaching a significant turning point that could signal the end of the recent market downturn, particularly after President Donald Trump expressed support for the Clarity Act legislation earlier this week.
However, OKX Global Managing Partner Haider Rafique expressed some concerns about regulatory timing. “There was a time window to get Clarity done. It’s looking more and more challenging as time goes by and we get closer to midterms. Maybe we should have accepted the market structure bill and then pushed amendments later on,” Rafique told Reuters.
The cryptocurrency industry achieved another milestone this week when rival exchange Kraken’s banking division became the first U.S. digital asset bank to access the Federal Reserve’s payment system through a limited-purpose account. This development marks a significant victory for an industry that has spent years seeking access to the Fed’s extensive payment infrastructure.
Rafique indicated OKX may pursue similar banking capabilities in the future. “I think it’s very likely we will go in that direction in the future, and I hope it doesn’t take us six years to do it,” he said.
The OKX valuation significantly exceeds recent market newcomers Bullish and Gemini, highlighting the premium investors place on established cryptocurrency platforms. As part of the agreement, ICE will receive a board seat at OKX, though financial terms of the investment were not disclosed.
Good news for early morning commuters – the National Weather Service has cancelled the Dense Fog Advisory that was affecting parts of Delaware and South Jersey.
The advisory, which expired at 5:30 AM, had been in effect for several areas including inland Sussex County, Delaware beaches, and multiple counties in South Jersey including Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic, and Cape May counties.
Visibility conditions have improved significantly across the region, allowing the weather service to lift the advisory earlier than initially expected. The fog had reduced visibility to less than a quarter mile in some areas during the overnight hours.
While the advisory has been cancelled, drivers should still exercise caution during early morning hours when fog can develop quickly, especially near coastal areas and inland waterways. When encountering any remaining patches of fog, remember to slow down, use low-beam headlights, and maintain extra distance between vehicles.
The improved visibility means normal travel conditions have returned to the Delmarva Peninsula and South Jersey coastal regions. Stay with TV Delmarva for continued weather updates throughout the day, and remember to allow extra time for your morning commute as conditions can change rapidly during this time of year.
Drivers traveling on Shingle Point Road should expect delays today as the Delaware Department of Transportation has implemented a temporary lane restriction for ongoing construction work.
The northbound lane of Shingle Point Road is currently closed to traffic between Webb Road and Tyndall Farm Lane while crews complete construction activities in the area.
According to DelDOT, the lane closure will remain in place until 5:00 PM today. Motorists are advised to plan alternate routes or allow extra travel time when passing through this section of roadway.
Traffic is being maintained in the southbound direction during the construction period.
CVS Health announced Thursday its collaboration with Google Cloud, a division of Alphabet, to develop an artificial intelligence-driven healthcare platform that will integrate information from multiple sources to assist customers with real-time health management.
The new system, called Health100, will serve as a comprehensive healthcare engagement platform available to all customers, no matter which pharmacy or insurance company they currently use. CVS plans to debut Health100 in 2026, with additional information expected to be shared at Google’s yearly health conference, The Check Up, later this month.
According to Tony Ambrozie, CVS’s chief digital, technology and information officer, who spoke during a media briefing, the platform will incorporate autonomous AI technology that requires little human oversight to function as a round-the-clock personal healthcare companion for users.
“It will connect benefit managers, pharmacies, providers, and digital health systems into a single consumer-centric platform,” Ambrozie explained.
The system promises to deliver quicker healthcare options while helping users find ways to minimize their personal medical expenses. Users will interact with the mobile application through AI-powered visual and voice features.
Google Cloud will provide the technological foundation for Health100 using its business-grade platform and artificial intelligence tools, including Gemini models, Cloud Healthcare API, and BigQuery systems.
Patient information security will be maintained through Google Cloud’s infrastructure and protected data storage systems, which comply with federal privacy regulations and work alongside CVS Health’s existing security and privacy measures.
This partnership follows Google Cloud’s previous collaboration with Humana, where they created a system to provide personalized responses to members’ healthcare benefit inquiries.
WASHINGTON, March 5 – A senior Federal Reserve official warned Tuesday that ongoing inflation concerns combined with robust employment figures could force the central bank to reconsider its policy approach, especially as international tensions threaten to drive consumer costs even higher.
Tom Barkin, who leads the Richmond Federal Reserve, told Bloomberg Television that recent economic indicators suggest a notable change from conditions that previously supported rate reductions. “The sense that the risks of the labor market were up while the risk to inflation were down” guided previous Fed rate cuts, Barkin explained. “The data that’s come in over the last couple months suggests it has moved in the other direction.”
Looking ahead to upcoming economic reports, Barkin expressed particular concern about inflation trends that show little sign of cooling. “With the PCE numbers that we’re expecting next week, you’ve got a couple months of relatively high inflation. That certainly puts pause to any conclusion that we’re done fighting this,” he stated, referencing the anticipated Personal Consumption Expenditures report that economists expect will show inflation remaining roughly one percentage point higher than the Fed’s 2% goal.
Recent Middle East unrest has prompted investors to seek financial shelter, sparking fresh discussion about which investments truly provide security during uncertain times.
The decision has become more complex as conventional safe investments are acting erratically. Gold prices have fluctuated dramatically while the U.S. dollar – which lost favor over the past year – has made a comeback.
Here’s how popular safe-haven options are performing:
U.S. DOLLAR SHOWS STRENGTH
Among protective investments, the American dollar has likely delivered the strongest performance this week.
The dollar index, measuring the U.S. currency against six international counterparts, has risen 1.5%. The greenback has even strengthened against the Swiss franc and Japanese yen, currencies that usually excel during market uncertainty.
This performance stands out because the dollar weakened when stocks dropped during last April’s trade disputes, casting doubt on its protective qualities.
Flow data indicates demand centers on short-term dollar cash rather than other dollar-denominated investments.
America’s position as a net energy exporter means crises that push benchmark Brent crude oil above $80 per barrel should provide support.
“The dollar has some safe-haven characteristics, but it is context specific,” said James Lord, Morgan Stanley’s head of FX strategy.
However, this won’t always hold true, he noted, as U.S. policy uncertainty has weakened the currency’s protective appeal.
GOVERNMENT BONDS LOSE APPEAL
Government bonds have failed to draw the protective investment flows usually seen during geopolitical disruptions, with traders focusing more on inflation expectations than defensive characteristics.
Budget concerns, including Germany’s easing of debt restrictions and broader anxieties about increased government borrowing, have overshadowed safe-haven attraction.
German 10-year bond yields, the eurozone standard, have climbed 14 basis points this week.
“Germany is a flight-to-quality kind of investment, but you don’t really want to be playing around at the long end of the bull market if they’re raising more debt,” said Bryn Jones, Rathbones’ head of fixed income.
GOLD MAINTAINS CREDIBILITY
Gold’s reputation as a protective investment remains strong, evidenced by its 240% increase this decade.
The precious metal has shown volatility, dropping significantly Tuesday. Experts believe this occurred partly because investors sold well-performing assets to offset losses elsewhere, as Middle East conflict concerns damaged market confidence.
This shouldn’t undermine gold’s protective status, which stays solid given inflation concerns, geopolitical tensions, and high debt levels, analysts say.
State Street reported gold remains under-represented in portfolios, with gold exchange-traded fund allocations below 1% of global fund assets, under the 5-10% range they recommend for strategic allocation.
“As a base case, $6,000 is more likely than $4,000 this year, and we’re just above $5,000,” said Aakash Doshi, State Street Investment Management’s head of gold strategy. “That’s a clear point to make.”
TRADITIONAL CURRENCY REFUGES TESTED
The Swiss franc and Japanese yen, historically considered currency shelters, have declined 1.2% and 0.8% this week.
“The one that looks relatively attractive from a valuation perspective is still probably the Japanese yen. It stands out to me as one that can provide protection in this environment,” said Justin Onuekwusi, chief investment officer at St. James’s Place.
Political uncertainty has added risk to the yen’s outlook following reports that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has expressed concerns about additional interest rate increases.
Meanwhile, experts warn the franc’s potential gains may be limited, given the Swiss National Bank’s warning that it’s prepared to intervene against excessive strength.
“Elevated SNB intervention risks would likely diminish its haven attributes during the current shock,” said Goldman Sachs strategist Teresa Alves.
DEFENSIVE STOCKS DISAPPOINT
Stocks typically struggle during market stress, though certain defensive sectors like utilities or consumer staples usually see smaller losses.
This pattern hasn’t emerged this time.
The S&P utilities and consumer staples sectors have dropped 1% and 2.8% respectively this week, while the S&P 500 remains unchanged. In Europe, utilities fell 3% and consumer staples declined 4.5% compared to the STOXX 600’s 3% drop.
This partly reflects their previous strong performance. One major investment trend, at least before the conflict began, involved purchasing “hard assets” like infrastructure and industrial companies.
More generally, defensive value stocks have outperformed growth stocks, with some achieving strong results.
“When you’re investing in the classically defensive sectors at the level of current interest rates, you have to be much more disciplined about relative prices,” said James Bristow, portfolio manager at Templeton Global Investments.
“I own shares in Pepsi, for example, … (it) isn’t the highest quality company, but the starting point was very low … that’s a different margin of safety from if you’re buying shares in, say, Nestle.”
The Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles is set to reopen its Wilmington office on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, beginning operations at 8:00 in the morning.
Officials announced that all services at the location will require scheduled appointments as a way to control how many people are inside the building at any given time. Residents can now schedule their visits through the state’s online booking system at appointments.dmv.de.gov.
The appointment-based system represents the DMV’s approach to managing customer flow while resuming full operations at the New Castle County location.
Motorists traveling eastbound on Federal School Lane in New Castle County should expect delays due to ongoing construction work affecting traffic flow.
The Delaware Department of Transportation reports that the left lane is currently blocked between South DuPont Highway (Route 13) and River Road as crews conduct construction activities in the area.
Officials indicate the lane restriction will remain active until 5 PM today, after which normal traffic patterns are expected to resume.
Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time and use caution when navigating through the construction zone.
WASHINGTON — Weekly unemployment benefit applications across the United States held steady last week, maintaining the same level as the prior week and signaling that job cuts continue at historically minimal rates.
Applications for unemployment assistance during the week that concluded February 28 remained at 213,000, matching the previous week’s total, according to Thursday’s Labor Department data. Economic experts polled by FactSet had predicted 215,000 new claims would be filed.
Weekly unemployment applications serve as an indicator of layoff activity nationwide and provide near real-time insight into employment market conditions.
Earlier this month, Labor Department figures showed American businesses created an unexpectedly robust 130,000 positions in January while the jobless rate dropped from 4.4% to 4.3%. Nevertheless, government adjustments slashed 2024-2025 employment numbers by hundreds of thousands, bringing last year’s job creation total down to merely 181,000. This represents roughly one-third of the initially reported 584,000 and marks the poorest performance since 2020’s pandemic year.
February employment statistics will be released by the government on Friday.
Although weekly job cuts have stayed within a historically modest range of 200,000 to 250,000 over recent years, several prominent corporations have declared workforce reductions lately, including UPS, Amazon, Dow and the Washington Post in recent weeks.
The Labor Department also disclosed recently that available positions dropped in December to their lowest point in over five years.
Currently, America’s employment landscape appears trapped in what economic analysts describe as a “low-hire, low-fire” condition that has maintained unemployment at historically minimal levels while making it difficult for jobless individuals to secure new employment.
Information from the past year has generally shown a job market where recruitment has clearly decelerated, hampered by uncertainty driven by President Donald Trump’s tariffs and the continuing impact of elevated interest rates the Federal Reserve implemented in 2022 and 2023 to control pandemic-related inflation spikes.
Economic experts remain divided on whether January’s better-than-anticipated job growth represents an isolated occurrence or potentially signals the beginning of employment market recovery, which might prompt the Fed to postpone additional reductions to its benchmark interest rate.
Certain Fed officials have specifically contended that last year’s sluggish hiring demonstrates that borrowing expenses are hampering growth and discouraging business expansion. Consistent improvement in hiring could challenge this perspective.
Thursday’s Labor Department data revealed that the four-week rolling average of unemployment claims, which eliminates some weekly fluctuations, decreased by 4,750 to 215,750.
The overall count of Americans seeking jobless benefits for the prior week ending February 21 increased by 46,000 to 1.87 million, according to government figures.
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — A catastrophic tunnel collapse at a coltan mining operation in eastern Congo has claimed the lives of at least 200 workers, according to reports from the rebel-controlled facility.
Government officials and rebel leaders are pointing fingers at each other over who bears responsibility for the tragedy, while also disagreeing about the actual number of casualties. However, experts confirm this represents one of the most devastating mining accidents in recent memory.
This disaster comes on the heels of a similar incident that occurred in January, which also resulted in more than 200 fatalities in a region already struggling with humanitarian challenges and active warfare.
The Rwandan-supported M23 rebel organization captured the town of Rubaya and gained control of its mining operations in May 2024.
The tunnel collapse occurred on Tuesday when multiple hand-excavated shafts gave way, trapping workers inside, according to Congo’s Ministry of Mines.
Located approximately 25 miles west of Goma, the regional hub, the mining site employs thousands of workers who primarily use manual labor techniques. Workers create extensive tunnel systems, frequently running alongside each other, with minimal structural reinforcement and no emergency escape routes should disasters occur.
Information about the incident remains limited due to the site’s isolated location and pressure from both rebel forces and mine operators to suppress details following the accident.
Ibrahim Taluseke, who works as a miner at Rubaya, explained to The Associated Press that mine operators face financial obligations of $300 per victim’s family, creating motivation to downplay casualty figures.
“Imagine if you give a high number, these owners could even eliminate you. Because often they even hide the victims’ bodies to avoid compensation,” Taluseke stated.
Additional miners provided conflicting casualty counts from the disaster.
Given the challenges of reaching Rubaya, researchers hold different views about what caused these consecutive collapses.
Christian-Géraud Neema, who serves as a nonresident scholar with the Carnegie Africa Program, attributed the disaster to severe rainfall and stressed the importance of questioning official accounts.
“It’s normal for Kinshasa to exaggerate the numbers,” he explained, noting that such accidents occur regularly and cautioning against linking the recent collapses directly to rebel management of the facilities. “We should not be shocked; we should expect another collapse in three weeks’ time or in a month,” Neema added.
Guillaume de Brier, who conducts research for the International Peace Information Service (IPIS), acknowledged that while the recent disasters rank among the most lethal in years, M23’s takeover of the mining operations has contributed to the problems.
“Because of M23, there are no more civil society protections or state services,” de Brier explained. The absence of oversight during active conflict has led to increased worker numbers, as many people have become unemployed and cannot secure jobs outside the small-scale mining industry, he added.
The facilities extract coltan, which stands for columbite-tantalite, a mineral ore containing the valuable metals tantalum and niobium.
These materials are classified as essential raw materials by major powers including the United States, European Union, China, and Japan. Tantalum finds its way into smartphones, laptops, and car electronics, plus aircraft engines, missile systems, and GPS equipment. Niobium serves critical roles in pipeline construction, rocket manufacturing, and jet engine production.
A United Nations investigation revealed that since capturing Rubaya, M23 has collected taxes on monthly trading and transportation of 120 metric tonnes of coltan, earning no less than $800,000 monthly. U.N. specialists report the coltan then moves to Rwanda for export. However, researchers note that even prior to M23’s control, the mineral flowed to Rwanda, with the primary change being the elimination of Congolese middlemen from the process.
Delaware’s Department of Motor Vehicles will reopen its Wilmington branch next Tuesday, March 10, 2026, starting at 8:00 a.m., but customers will need to book appointments ahead of time.
The state agency is implementing an appointment-only policy to better control the number of people inside the facility at any given time. Delaware residents can schedule their visits through the state’s online booking system at appointments.dmv.de.gov.
For those who don’t have internet access, the DMV has set up a phone line at 302-744-2500 where customers can call to reserve their appointment slots.
Fire investigators have ruled that a late-night apartment blaze in Smyrna was caused by accident, according to the Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Emergency crews responded to Sunnyside Village Apartments on Malvern Lane just before 11:30 p.m. on March 4, 2026, after receiving reports of a fire at the multi-unit residential complex.
The Citizens Hose Company of Smyrna led the response effort, with additional fire departments providing mutual aid assistance to battle the flames at the unit block location.
Following their investigation into the incident, state fire marshals have concluded the fire was not intentionally set and resulted from accidental causes.
The United Kingdom has implemented new visa requirements for citizens of St. Lucia beginning Thursday, according to an official statement from the Caribbean nation’s government.
British officials justified the policy change by pointing to a significant rise in asylum applications from residents of the former British colony, which has approximately 180,000 inhabitants.
The timing of this immigration policy shift comes as Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration faces mounting pressure to demonstrate stricter border controls, particularly with the populist Reform UK party climbing in public opinion surveys. Immigration remains a highly contentious political topic throughout Britain.
St. Lucia’s leadership indicated they received notification of the change through correspondence dated Wednesday and are now working directly with British officials to maintain favorable travel arrangements between the two nations. Government representatives said they will continue discussions to “explore pathways for maintaining strong mobility arrangements.”
Previously, St. Lucian nationals could visit the United Kingdom by obtaining a 16-pound Electronic Travel Authorization. The Caribbean government announced that current ETA holders will have a six-week grace period to adjust to the new requirements.
Despite the World Bank’s 2023 estimate showing minimal net emigration from St. Lucia—just 23 people—British authorities determined the visa requirement was necessary due to increased asylum requests.
As a Commonwealth member, St. Lucia maintains historical ties to Britain dating back to its colonial period. Before the 1970s, citizens from many Commonwealth nations held rights to live and work in the United Kingdom.
The visa policy for St. Lucia coincides with Britain’s announcement earlier this week that it would suspend study visas for applicants from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan, while also halting work visa approvals for Afghan nationals.
The Iran-backed militant organization Hezbollah has sent its most skilled fighters back to Lebanon’s southern border area to engage Israeli military units, according to three Lebanese sources with knowledge of the military movements.
The elite Radwan unit members have been ordered to enter combat and prevent Israeli armored vehicles from advancing further, with the sources pointing to Khiyam as one location where Israeli forces reportedly moved forward on Wednesday.
The Lebanese Shi’ite Muslim organization, which Iran’s Revolutionary Guards founded in 1982, joined the conflict on Monday by launching attacks in retaliation for Iran’s supreme leader’s death in a joint U.S.-Israeli strike on Tehran.
Since that time, Israel has conducted intensive bombardments across southern Lebanon and beyond, deploying additional ground forces across the border while directing Lebanese civilians to evacuate large portions of the frontier zone where Israeli military personnel have maintained positions since the 2024 conflict.
In a Wednesday television address, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem declared the organization would resist what he characterized as Israel’s “occupation and expansion” strategy.
“For us, this is an existential defence,” he stated.
The specialized fighters moved south after Hezbollah initiated rocket and drone attacks on Monday, the sources revealed while requesting anonymity due to the matter’s sensitive nature.
These forces had previously departed the region between the Litani River and Israel’s border following a U.S.-mediated ceasefire that ended the 2024 war, relocating north of the river, according to the sources.
The exact number of elite troops deployed was not disclosed by the sources.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun confirmed that Hezbollah’s initial Monday barrage originated from positions north of the Litani River.
Israeli military representatives said they were reviewing the information but did not immediately offer commentary on the sources’ claims. Lebanon’s army refused to provide statements, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s office did not respond to requests for comment.
The Israeli military reported Wednesday that two soldiers sustained injuries from anti-tank weapons fire in southern Lebanon, marking the first documented casualties among Israeli forces since the regional conflict began.
Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for multiple tank attacks this week, alongside numerous rocket and drone strikes against Israeli targets.
An Israeli military spokesman said Wednesday that forces were “positioning troops a little farther” into Lebanese territory than previously “to prevent any attacks against the northern communities” within Israel.
Before the October 7, 2023 Hamas assault on Israel sparked widespread regional fighting, Hezbollah had showcased Radwan fighters practicing simulated Israeli invasion scenarios for journalists in May 2023.
Approximately 5,000 Hezbollah militants died during the 2024 Israeli war, with many casualties coming from Radwan unit ranks. The conflict significantly diminished Hezbollah’s capabilities.
Israel has maintained almost daily attacks against Hezbollah positions since that war ended, including a December strike on what Israeli officials described as a Radwan training facility in the south.
Under the 2024 ceasefire terms, which required Lebanon’s army to confiscate unauthorized weapons starting in areas south of the Litani, Lebanese military forces captured numerous Hezbollah arms stockpiles. While Hezbollah stated it honored the ceasefire south of the Litani, the group maintained the agreement did not cover other Lebanese territories.
Amazon Web Services announced Thursday the rollout of a new artificial intelligence system designed to streamline healthcare operations and improve patient care access.
The technology platform, called Amazon Connect Health, works with existing electronic medical record systems to handle patient verification, schedule appointments, compile medical histories, create clinical documentation, and process medical coding tasks.
The AI-powered system operates continuously throughout the day and night, instantly booking patient appointments while forwarding more complicated situations to human staff when necessary. The technology uses specialized machine learning trained on healthcare-specific information and medical guidelines.
Amazon says the platform undergoes rigorous testing for safety and accuracy, including reviews by medical professionals to ensure reliability.
UC San Diego Health, an early adopter of the technology, reports cutting one minute from each phone call and seeing call abandonment rates drop by as much as 60 percent since implementing the system.
The platform can record conversations between doctors and patients during medical visits, create draft clinical notes for healthcare providers to review immediately, and produce easy-to-understand summaries for patients.
To maintain transparency, Amazon Connect Health includes a feature called evidence mapping that connects AI-generated information directly back to its original source, such as call recordings and medical records.
Amazon One Medical has utilized the documentation capabilities for over one million patient visits, with high adoption rates among clinicians who use it regularly each week.
Delaware workers are seeing mixed signals in the job market as new unemployment benefit filings held steady last week, while nationwide layoffs saw a dramatic decrease in February, according to federal data released Thursday.
The Labor Department reported that first-time unemployment benefit applications remained at 213,000 for the week ending February 28, matching the previous week’s seasonally adjusted figure. Economic forecasters had anticipated claims would reach 215,000.
Employment conditions are showing signs of recovery following last year’s challenges, which analysts attributed to economic uncertainty created by former President Trump’s widespread tariff policies implemented through emergency powers legislation.
After the Supreme Court overturned those import duties, Trump responded by implementing a 10% worldwide tariff, later announcing plans to increase it to 15%.
The Federal Reserve’s latest Beige Book assessment released Wednesday indicated that employment levels were “generally stable in recent weeks as seven of the twelve districts reported no change in hiring.” The report also noted that “contacts in several districts cited rising nonlabor input costs, softer demand, or uncertainty about overall economic conditions as reasons for flat or lower employment levels.”
Economic analysts remain hopeful that job market conditions will strengthen throughout the year as tax reduction measures boost consumer spending.
Data from Challenger, Gray & Christmas, an international job placement company, revealed that American companies announced 48,307 position eliminations in February, representing a 55% decrease from January and a 72% drop compared to the same period last year. While hiring intentions jumped 140% from the previous month, they remained 63% below February of last year.
Limited hiring activity means workers who lose their positions may face extended periods without employment.
The report showed that 1.868 million people continued receiving unemployment assistance beyond their first week of benefits during the week ending February 21, an increase of 46,000 from the prior period.
Recent college graduates don’t appear in unemployment claims statistics since their limited employment history makes them ineligible for jobless benefits. These weekly figures won’t influence Friday’s February jobs report since they fall outside the survey period.
Economic experts predict February will show an increase of 59,000 nonfarm jobs following January’s gain of 130,000 positions, with the unemployment rate expected to remain at 4.3%.
BRUSSELS – NATO’s top leader emphasized the alliance’s preparedness and vigilance following the successful interception of an Iranian ballistic missile targeting Turkey, a NATO member nation, during a Thursday interview with Reuters.
Secretary General Mark Rutte spoke about various alliance matters, including France’s nuclear policy changes and defended his supportive comments about President Donald Trump’s leadership.
MISSILE DEFENSE SUCCESS
“NATO air missile defence was able to take it out. So that was very important. It also shows you, I think, clear evidence that we, with a 360-degree approach, will defend every inch of NATO territory. Our military are constantly on it. But of course, this was serious and absolutely condemnable,” Rutte stated regarding the intercepted missile.
MIDDLE EAST INVOLVEMENT CONCERNS
When asked about potential NATO involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts, Rutte clarified the alliance’s position. “Article 5, I think, is not in order here. Nobody’s talking about Article 5. And the most important thing is that our adversaries have seen yesterday that NATO is so strong and so vigilant, and even more vigilant, if possible, since Saturday because of the situation, of course, in the Middle East,” he explained.
TRUMP’S IRAN STRATEGY
Discussing the president’s military decisions regarding Iran, Rutte noted the threat Iran posed. “We know that Iran was close to getting its hands on a nuclear capability, a missile capability, which would be a threat, not only to the Middle East, and of course, to Israel, and potentially it would be life-threatening to Israel, but also a threat to Europe,” he said.
The NATO chief highlighted European support for U.S. operations: “Clearly, NATO is not itself involved here. NATO allies are providing key enabling support. What we see here is that NATO, in that sense, is also this power protection projection platform for the United States. Because without European allies, the U.S. would have found it very difficult to launch this campaign against Iran.”
FUTURE IRAN POLICY
Regarding long-term objectives, Rutte expressed broad agreement among allies. “I think there is widespread acknowledgement and agreement that at least we have to be sure that going forward, Iran, this republic, is not able again, to pose (a) death threat to its neighbours, to Israel, the Middle East, to Europe,” he said.
“From my conversations with senior American military and political leaders, it’s my absolute sense that they know where they are going,” Rutte added.
UKRAINE CONFLICT UPDATE
The secretary general connected Iran’s role in supporting Russia’s war efforts, calling it “one of the key supporters of the Russian war effort against Ukraine — totally unprovoked, this crazy war which started in 2014 and then the full-scale invasion in February 2022.”
He provided positive updates on Ukrainian progress: “What we also see now is that Ukraine is already, for some weeks, being able to recapture terrain, territory which the Russians got their hands on before, so that is really good news. We know that the Ukrainians are posing extreme losses on the Russians, months in, months out, many times more than the Russians lost in Afghanistan in the 1980s.”
DEFENDING TRUMP PRAISE
Addressing criticism about his complimentary remarks toward the U.S. president, Rutte justified his approach. “Obviously I do believe that the United States is the most powerful and most quintessential ally within the Alliance. If the president of that country is able to get the whole of NATO at 2% last year, and then in The Hague, collectively agreeing to the 5% — I would doubt it, without President Trump, we would have really reached it. And then him now taking this decisive action to take out this capability of Iran … if a president of a country is providing that type of leadership, some praise is warranted,” he explained.
ALLIANCE UNITY
Discussing internal NATO dynamics, particularly regarding Spain, Rutte praised their contributions: “Spain is deployed all over NATO territory. Their troops are part of many forward land forces, many initiatives, many NATO missions. I really want to commend them for that — there is a Spanish Patriot system in Turkey, defending key American interests. Yes, there are also discussions on spending. But this is an alliance of democracies. When there are debates between allies, I always try to stay a bit muted.”
FRENCH NUCLEAR POLICY
Commenting on French President Macron’s recent nuclear deterrence statements, Rutte expressed support while emphasizing American leadership. “I really welcome this. It is leveraging more of what France is doing. However, and we all agree on this, the ultimate, supreme guarantor of our way of life … is, in the end, the United States nuclear umbrella, and that is key,” he said.
“I’m absolutely convinced the U.S. is completely committed to NATO,” Rutte concluded.
A Colorado aerospace company announced Thursday it has secured $550 million in new investment, bringing its total valuation to $8 billion as financial backers increasingly focus on defense and space technology amid rising global tensions.
Sierra Space completed what it calls a Series C funding round, driven by growing investor interest in national security assets and commercial space infrastructure development. The space industry is experiencing increased capital investment, particularly for companies holding government contracts and demonstrated manufacturing capabilities.
LuminArx Capital Management spearheaded the investment round, joined by previous investors General Atlantic, Coatue, Moore Strategic Ventures, and Andalusian Private Capital, according to the company’s announcement.
Based in Louisville, Colorado, Sierra Space has established itself as a major provider of satellite technology, space transport systems, and defense equipment for U.S. national security agencies. The company previously completed a $290 million Series B funding round in 2023, which established its value at $5.3 billion.
Company officials say the new funding will boost manufacturing capabilities and advance technology development for defense and intelligence operations.
“As we scale, our priority remains strengthening national security capabilities while delivering the discipline, reliability, and performance our government and commercial partners depend on,” CEO Dan Jablonsky exclusively told Reuters.
Government agencies increasingly rely on space-based technology for intelligence collection, secure communications, and other essential defense operations as they pursue enhanced resilience and immediate data access.
Sierra Space has secured major government agreements, including a $450 million contract to construct more than four satellites for a national security client and a Space Development Agency deal potentially worth up to $740 million.
The company is also advancing its reusable Dream Chaser spaceplane project, engineered to transport cargo and eventually astronauts to low Earth orbit. Sierra Space achieved important manufacturing benchmarks in 2025 and plans a test flight for late 2026.
Industry observers are monitoring SpaceX’s anticipated public stock offering, which could significantly alter competition within the space technology sector.
Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD announced Thursday the debut of its advanced second-generation Blade Battery technology, featuring what company chairman Wang Chuanfu describes as “disruptive” charging capabilities in frigid conditions.
The battery breakthrough comes as BYD works to bounce back from recent declining sales figures while facing intensified competition in China’s electric vehicle marketplace.
Speaking from BYD’s Shenzhen headquarters, Wang demonstrated how the upgraded battery technology can power up from 20% to 97% capacity in under 12 minutes, even when temperatures drop to minus 20 degrees Celsius. This rapid charging provides vehicles with a driving range of 777 kilometers, equivalent to 483 miles.
According to Wang, the enhanced batteries feature improved energy density that allows BYD’s premium Denza Z9GT and Yangwang U7 vehicle models to achieve driving ranges exceeding 1,000 kilometers. The chairman noted that the battery systems have successfully completed safety evaluations that surpass China’s updated national standards.
BYD has set ambitious goals for expanding its “Flash Charging” infrastructure network to 20,000 stations by late 2026, with plans to install 2,000 of these charging points along highway corridors. The company reported having constructed over 4,000 charging stations as of March 5.
NATO’s top leader expressed support Thursday for France’s decision to strengthen its nuclear capabilities, though he emphasized that American defense protection continues to serve as Europe’s primary security guarantee.
Secretary General Mark Rutte praised French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent announcement to expand France’s nuclear deterrent and possibly permit European allies to host French military aircraft during deterrence operations. This development follows growing anxiety among European nations regarding America’s reliability as a defense partner.
Speaking from Brussels on Thursday, Rutte indicated that France’s updated nuclear strategy would complicate Russia’s ability to evaluate European defense capabilities. He voiced approval for ongoing nuclear cooperation discussions between Paris and multiple European capitals.
However, the NATO chief stressed that Europe cannot function without American security assurance and worked to address doubts about Washington’s dedication to European defense.
“The ultimate, supreme guarantor of our way of life … is, in the end, the United States’ nuclear umbrella, and that is key,” Rutte stated during his Reuters interview.
During his address at a submarine facility, Macron explained that France’s nuclear doctrine revision occurred with full transparency regarding Washington and serves as a complement to NATO’s nuclear operations.
France and Germany have created a nuclear coordination committee to address deterrence matters and plan to begin practical collaboration this year. Macron indicated that Greece, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and Sweden may also participate in French nuclear exercises.
Over the past 14 months, the Trump administration has frequently criticized Europe’s capacity and willingness for self-defense.
In accidentally disclosed communications between senior Trump officials before strikes against Yemen’s Iran-supported Houthis last year, someone identified as Vice President JD Vance expressed frustration, writing “I just hate bailing out Europe.” This prompted another official, identified as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, to criticize European “free-loading.”
Responding to Washington’s pressure, NATO’s European nations have increased their military spending obligations.
A dispute over Greenland earlier this year intensified European concerns about American dedication to ally protection. Nevertheless, Rutte expressed confidence in America’s NATO commitment and European security protection.
“I’m absolutely convinced the U.S. is completely committed to NATO,” he declared.
“The United States knows that to stay safe itself (on) the U.S. mainland, you need a secure Atlantic, a secure Europe, a secure Arctic.”
The conflict between the United States and Iran intensified Thursday with fresh attacks on oil tankers in Gulf waters and Iranian drone incursions into Azerbaijan, raising concerns the crisis could engulf additional oil-producing nations in the region.
An explosives-laden remote-controlled Iranian vessel targeted a crude oil tanker flying under the Bahamas flag while it was anchored near Iraq’s Khor al Zubair port, preliminary reports indicate. Meanwhile, a second tanker positioned off Kuwait’s coast began taking on water and leaking oil following a massive blast on its port side.
Since hostilities erupted Saturday between the United States, Israel and Iran, nine ships have been targeted in attacks. Iran fired a barrage of missiles toward Israel early Thursday and deployed drones into Azerbaijan, wounding four individuals.
The growing violence follows Washington’s rejection of a proposal to cease American strikes and coincides with the emergence of Iran’s deceased supreme leader’s son as a leading candidate for succession, indicating Tehran shows no signs of yielding to international pressure.
Ship-tracking data from MarineTraffic reveals approximately 200 vessels, including oil and liquefied natural gas carriers plus cargo ships, remain anchored in open Gulf waters near major producing nations. Hundreds more ships sit stranded outside the Strait of Hormuz, unable to reach their destination ports. This critical waterway handles roughly one-fifth of global oil and LNG shipments.
BP removed international personnel from Iraq’s Rumaila oil facility after two unidentified drones touched down within the field boundaries, Iraqi oil industry sources reported. Baghdad has slashed daily oil output by nearly 1.5 million barrels as storage capacity reached its limit and tanker loading became impossible, officials confirmed to Reuters.
Energy markets responded sharply Thursday, with oil prices climbing approximately 3% and extending their surge to more than 14% since Saturday’s conflict onset. US-Israeli military operations against Iran have severely disrupted Middle Eastern supply chains.
European natural gas benchmark prices jumped over 5% Thursday, reaching 51.30 euros per megawatt-hour and climbing roughly 50% for the week. Russian President Vladimir Putin declared his nation could immediately cut off gas deliveries to Europe amid the energy price volatility stemming from the Iranian crisis.
Qatar, responsible for 20% of worldwide LNG production, suspended gas operations earlier this week due to the ongoing conflict. Major alternative suppliers including the United States and Australia possess minimal excess capacity to compensate for the supply shortage, according to industry analysis and Reuters data.
The European Union faces increased risks and costs in replenishing gas reserves during upcoming months due to the Iranian conflict and LNG supply disruptions. The bloc continues importing some Russian gas while planning to terminate pipeline deliveries by late 2027 and prohibit new short-term LNG agreements starting late April 2026.
Asian energy importers experienced additional strain from Middle Eastern supply interruptions. China instructed refineries to avoid signing new fuel export agreements and attempt canceling existing shipment commitments, multiple informed sources revealed Thursday.
Embassy workers and diplomatic personnel in Saudi Arabia’s capital received orders to remain indoors on March 5 due to concerns about a possible security threat, according to three sources familiar with the situation.
The shelter-in-place directive affected staff members working within Riyadh’s diplomatic district, where multiple foreign missions are located.
The sources, who had direct knowledge of the security alert, did not provide additional information about the nature of the potential threat.
Good news for morning commuters across the Delmarva Peninsula – the National Weather Service has cancelled the Dense Fog Advisory that was affecting travel conditions throughout the region.
The advisory, which was lifted at 5:15 AM this morning, had been impacting visibility across a wide swath of our viewing area, including inland Sussex County, Delaware beaches, and several counties in southern New Jersey including Ocean, Atlantic, and Cape May counties.
While the official advisory has been cancelled, drivers should remain cautious as patchy fog may still linger in some low-lying areas and near waterways. The National Weather Service confirms that visibility has improved sufficiently to warrant lifting the advisory.
For those hitting the roads this morning, remember to use low-beam headlights if you encounter any remaining foggy conditions, reduce your speed, and increase following distance. High-beam headlights can actually reduce visibility in fog by reflecting light back toward your vehicle.
The advisory officially expired at 5:30 AM, and current conditions show continued improvement across the region. Stay with TV Delmarva for the latest weather updates and traffic conditions throughout your morning commute.
Delaware Department of Transportation crews are conducting litter removal operations along a stretch of Interstate 95 southbound this afternoon.
The cleanup work is taking place on the right shoulder between the Delaware Welcome Center and the Maryland state line, with crews expected to wrap up their efforts by 4:30 PM today.
Motorists traveling through the area should exercise caution and be aware of the work crews operating along the roadside during the cleanup operation.
NAIROBI, Kenya — Grieving families whose sons were tricked into joining Russia’s military forces in Ukraine took their pleas to Kenya’s parliament Thursday, demanding an end to the deceptive recruitment practices that sent their loved ones to war.
The demonstrators walked through Nairobi’s streets carrying pictures of their sons — some fighting on the battlefield, others wounded, killed, or missing in action. Their chants echoed through the capital as they called on officials to bring their family members home safely.
Among the crowd, protesters displayed a large white sign with red lettering that declared: “KENYANS AND FAMILIES DEMAND JUSTICE FOR THEIR SONS RECRUITED INTO RUSSIA MILITARY.”
Government officials revealed last month that over 1,000 Kenyans had been enlisted to serve in Russia’s forces fighting Ukraine. Current figures show 89 Kenyans remain active in combat zones, with one fatality confirmed, 39 receiving medical treatment in hospitals, and 28 listed as missing in action. Some recruits have managed to return to Kenya.
Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi informed The Associated Press last month of his plans to visit Russia, describing it as a “diplomatic approach to rein in” those who are “taking advantage of anyone in this misadventure.”
Mudavadi also indicated that diplomatic efforts are ongoing to free Kenyans being held as prisoners of war in Ukraine and to bring home those remaining in Russia.
Ukraine’s ambassador to Kenya, Yurii Tokar, confirmed to the AP Wednesday that one Kenyan is currently detained as a prisoner of war in Ukraine. He explained that under Geneva Convention rules, POWs are generally freed when conflicts end, though both Ukraine and Russia have conducted multiple prisoner exchanges throughout the four-year conflict.
Lamech Mboga, whose brother departed for Russia in August 2025, told the AP he suspects his sibling is now imprisoned in Ukraine and pleaded for his freedom.
A parliamentary intelligence briefing delivered last month by majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah revealed that both Kenyan and Russian officials worked together with recruiting companies to deceive Kenyans into military service.
Thursday’s parliamentary petitioners insisted that those responsible for the recruitment scheme must face charges for “human trafficking, forced recruitment, and possible violations of international humanitarian and labor laws.”
Authorities have already filed human trafficking charges against two Kenyans in connection with the case.
Motorists traveling through southern Delaware should plan for delays on Nassau Road today as construction crews have shut down one lane of traffic.
The Delaware Department of Transportation reports that the southbound direction of Nassau Road has a lane closure in effect between New Road and Coastal Highway (Route 1). The construction work is scheduled to continue until 5:00 PM today.
Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time and use caution when passing through the work zone. Traffic may be reduced to a single lane in the affected area.
ARLINGTON, Va. — A major agricultural trade organization is praising recent progress on farm legislation in Congress, describing the advancement as a vital move toward delivering stability to America’s farming sector.
The National Grain and Feed Association issued a statement on March 5, 2026, expressing support for the House Agriculture Committee’s decision to move forward with the farm bill during committee markup proceedings.
The organization recognized Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson, a Pennsylvania Republican, along with other committee members for their efforts in pushing the legislation ahead. They also called on House leadership to schedule floor consideration of the measure without delay.
“Advancing the farm bill out of committee is a critical step toward delivering the certainty farmers, grain handlers, and the broader agricultural supply chain urgently need,” said NGFA President and CEO Mike Seyfert. “Congress should build on this bipartisan momentum and move quickly to consider the legislation on the House floor.”
The association highlighted its strong backing for keeping the existing Conservation Reserve Program spending limits unchanged, as well as enhanced funding for the Market Access Program and additional trade initiatives. These programs are viewed as essential for boosting export potential and maintaining the competitive edge of American agriculture in global markets.
The organization expressed its commitment to ongoing collaboration with legislators from both the House and Senate as the farm bill moves through the legislative process toward final approval.
Alexander Lukashenko, the president of Belarus, has granted clemency to 18 individuals currently serving prison sentences, according to an announcement from his administration on Thursday.
Among those receiving pardons, 15 had been convicted on extremism-related charges. This particular criminal designation has become a common tool used by Lukashenko’s government to prosecute political opposition members and critics of his rule.
The clemency announcement was made through a Telegram channel associated with the presidential administration.
Former President Barack Obama has endorsed Virginia Democrats’ congressional redistricting initiative, marking his involvement in another state-level mapping dispute as midterm elections approach.
Obama’s endorsement came Thursday, one day following the Virginia Supreme Court’s decision to allow the redistricting question to proceed to an April 21 voter referendum. Early voting starts Friday.
This marks Obama’s second endorsement of a Democratic redistricting effort that asks voters to temporarily bypass independent map-drawing processes in favor of party-drawn districts to counteract former President Donald Trump’s push for GOP gerrymandering in Republican-led states. California voters passed a comparable measure last fall to respond to Republicans’ mid-decade redistricting efforts that started in Texas.
In a video provided to The Associated Press before its public release, Obama urges Virginia residents to back the voter referendum on the redrawn districts. He stated the measure will ensure “your voting power is not diminished by what Republicans are doing in other states.”
“This amendment gives you the power to level the playing field in the midterms this fall,” Obama states in the video, distributed by Virginians for Fair Elections. “And voters will have the final say over what the maps look like.”
Virginia Democrats unveiled a new congressional map in February designed to provide their party with four additional seats. The Democratic-controlled legislature approved the proposed map, and Democratic Governor Abigail Spanberger signed it into law.
The map becomes active only with voter approval and Virginia Supreme Court backing.
Obama also emphasizes that it’s a temporary measure, similar to California’s proposal. Following the 2030 census, he explains, “Virginia will go back to a system that lets a bipartisan redistricting commission redraw the maps.”
Virginia’s situation has changed rapidly, with no certainty the new map will be implemented this year even with voter approval.
Wednesday’s Virginia Supreme Court decision was its second ruling allowing the new map to go before voters while justices examine legal challenges to the initiative. The court has yet to determine whether the mid-decade redistricting plan and voter referendum are constitutional, suggesting the April vote might be meaningless if it upholds a lower court’s ruling blocking the effort.
Virginia Democratic legislators have characterized their redistricting proposal as a reaction to Trump’s encouragement of Republican states to redraw their maps to preserve a GOP House majority. Republicans call it an attempt by northern Virginia liberals to control congressional districts throughout the state.
Virginia currently has six Democrats and five Republicans representing the state in the U.S. House, elected from districts created by a court after a bipartisan legislative commission couldn’t reach agreement on a map following the 2020 census.
Redistricting has become a key issue for Obama.
He has highlighted the matter since departing office in 2017 and helped fundraise for the National Democratic Redistricting Committee and its related organizations, one of which has filed and backed lawsuits in multiple states challenging GOP-drawn districts. Eric Holder, Obama’s former attorney general, leads that organization.
Obama actively supported California’s Democratic redistricting ballot measure last year and appeared in advertisements backing Proposition 50, which the U.S. Supreme Court upheld last month.
At an NDRC fundraising event, Obama said partisan gerrymandering wasn’t his “preference.” However, he added, if Democrats “don’t respond effectively, then this White House and Republican-controlled state governments all across the country, they will not stop, because they do not appear to believe in this idea of an inclusive, expansive democracy.”
GALLE, Sri Lanka — A deadly submarine attack by US forces has claimed the lives of 87 Iranian naval personnel after their warship participated in military exercises with India’s navy, according to officials from New Delhi.
The attack highlights how the ongoing US-Israeli military campaign against Iran is expanding far beyond Middle Eastern boundaries. The incident has also sparked intense discussions in India regarding maritime safety throughout the Indian Ocean, where New Delhi maintains substantial naval operations.
Sri Lankan naval forces pulled 87 bodies from the water and saved 32 crew members from the IRIS Dena on Wednesday, after the vessel was destroyed in international waters near the island nation. Such submarine warfare represents an uncommon occurrence not seen since the Second World War.
According to Sri Lanka’s maritime forces, they responded to an emergency call from the IRIS Dena, but arrived to find only oil slicks and survivors in the water where the ship had been. Medical facilities in Galle, located on Sri Lanka’s southern shoreline, received the rescued sailors for treatment.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth characterized the attack as evidence that US-Israeli military actions against Iran are expanding internationally, calling the IRIS Dena a “prize ship.” President Donald Trump has stated that eliminating Iran’s naval capabilities remains a primary war objective.
The Defense Department shared footage on social media platform X capturing the torpedo strike. The video shows the Iranian vessel being torn apart by an underwater blast, sending massive water columns skyward.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi condemned the US Navy for what he called “an atrocity at sea” in destroying the frigate, posting on social media Thursday that America “will come to bitterly regret” the assault.
Araghchi reported the IRIS Dena was carrying “almost 130” personnel.
Indian naval and defense officials confirmed the Iranian warship had taken part in the International Fleet Review and the multinational MILAN 2026 naval training operation, hosted by India’s navy at Visakhapatnam port between February 15-25. Defense ministry sources said 74 nations participated in these events.
Indian naval social media posts from February 17 showed the Iranian vessel during the exercises, including photographs of crew members displaying their national flag on deck.
Araghchi emphasized that the frigate had served as “a guest” of India’s naval forces. Indian government officials have yet to issue public statements regarding the incident.
In Sri Lanka, Media Minister and government spokesperson Nalinda Jayatissa informed parliament Thursday that a second Iranian vessel has entered their territorial waters.
Jayatissa offered no additional information about this ship or its crew size. He stated the government aims to “minimize the loss of lives and safeguard regional peace” without providing specifics.
India considers the Indian Ocean vital to national security, regularly deploying naval patrols and hosting international training exercises to protect crucial shipping routes for worldwide commerce and energy transport. The nation has historically attempted to balance diplomatic relations between the US and Iran while promoting peaceful dialogue.
Indian opposition politicians Thursday criticized the government’s silence on the matter, arguing that a warship’s destruction so near India’s maritime territory demanded an official response.
The opposition Indian National Congress party criticized what it termed “silence” from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration.
“The conflict has reached our backyard, with an Iranian warship sunk in the Indian Ocean. Yet the Prime Minister has said nothing,” opposition leader Rahul Gandhi posted on X.
Former diplomat Kanwal Sibal, who held the foreign secretary position from 2002-2003, wrote on X that while India bears no “political or military responsibility for the U.S. attack,” its “responsibility is at a moral and human plane.”
“The U.S. has ignored India’s sensitivities,” Sibal stated. “The ship was in these waters because of India’s invitation.”
A traffic accident has resulted in lane restrictions on Route 1 near the Smyrna Leipsic Road overpass, according to Delaware Department of Transportation officials.
The right lane of the highway remains blocked as crews work to clear the scene of the collision. DelDOT is advising drivers to use caution when traveling through the area and to expect potential delays.
No information about injuries or the cause of the crash has been released at this time. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternative routes if possible while cleanup efforts continue.
Good news for morning commuters across Delmarva – the National Weather Service has cancelled the Dense Fog Advisory that had been affecting the region earlier this morning.
The advisory, which was lifted at 5:15 AM, had impacted several areas across our viewing region, including inland Sussex County, Delaware beaches, and parts of southern New Jersey including Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic, and Cape May counties, along with southeastern Burlington County.
Visibility conditions have improved significantly across these areas, allowing the Weather Service to cancel the advisory ahead of its original expiration time of 5:30 AM.
While the advisory has been lifted, drivers should continue to exercise caution during morning travel, as patchy fog may still linger in some low-lying areas and near waterways. If you encounter reduced visibility while driving, remember to slow down, use low-beam headlights, and maintain extra distance between vehicles.
The timing of this improvement is good news for the morning commute, as many residents across Delmarva head out for work and school. Weather conditions are expected to continue clearing throughout the morning hours.
Stay with TV Delmarva for continued weather updates and traffic information throughout your morning commute.
Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano and her administrative team have received a personal invitation to attend a congressional markup hearing in the nation’s capital this Thursday, March 5th.
The invitation was extended by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan’s office, requesting Giordano’s presence at the Washington, D.C. proceedings.
Details about the specific purpose of the hearing or Giordano’s role in the markup session were not immediately available.
Good news for morning commuters across the Delmarva Peninsula – the National Weather Service has cancelled the Dense Fog Advisory that was affecting the region early Wednesday morning.
The advisory, which was lifted at 5:15 AM, had been impacting visibility across several areas including Delaware’s beaches and inland Sussex County, as well as parts of southern New Jersey including Atlantic, Ocean, Cape May, and Monmouth counties.
Dense fog can create dangerous driving conditions by reducing visibility to less than a quarter mile, making it difficult for drivers to see other vehicles, traffic signals, and road hazards. When fog does develop in our area, remember to use low-beam headlights, reduce your speed, and increase following distance.
The cancellation means conditions have improved significantly across the affected areas, and normal visibility has returned to most locations. However, drivers should remain alert as patchy fog can still develop quickly, especially near waterways and low-lying areas common throughout the Delmarva Peninsula.
For the latest weather updates and traffic conditions, stay tuned to TV Delmarva. We’ll continue monitoring conditions and will alert you immediately if any new weather advisories are issued for our viewing area.
Grocery retailer Kroger released conservative financial projections Thursday as the company operates under new leadership amid challenging consumer spending conditions.
These represent the initial quarterly results presented by CEO Greg Foran, who previously led Walmart’s U.S. operations and achieved 20 consecutive quarters of comparable sales increases. Financial analysts had expressed optimism about his hiring last month.
The supermarket chain anticipates 2026 same-store sales growth, not including fuel, will range between 1% and 2%. The middle of this projection falls short of analyst expectations for 2% growth.
The company projected adjusted earnings per share will land between $5.10 and $5.30, mostly under analyst predictions of $5.29 based on LSEG data.
Kroger dismissed CEO Rodney McMullen in March 2025 after a board review determined his personal behavior breached company standards.
McMullen’s departure concluded an 11-year leadership period and created an extended executive void that concluded with Foran’s appointment in February.
A United States submarine launched a torpedo attack against an Iranian naval vessel in the Indian Ocean this week, representing the first instance of America sinking an enemy ship with such weaponry since the Second World War.
The incident occurred on March 4 when the Iranian warship IRIS Dena came under attack from American forces, according to officials from Sri Lanka, the United States, and Iran. The strike was part of coordinated U.S. and Israeli military actions targeting Iranian assets.
Search and Recovery Efforts Continue
Sri Lankan naval forces initiated emergency rescue operations after receiving an urgent distress signal from the IRIS Dena during the early morning hours of Wednesday.
When rescue teams arrived at the location, they found the warship had already gone down, with only a petroleum spill marking where the vessel once floated. Approximately 130 personnel were aboard the ship when it sank.
Recovery teams have pulled 87 bodies from the water and saved 32 survivors, who received medical attention for relatively minor wounds and were anticipated to leave the hospital on Thursday. Maritime search teams continue looking for roughly 10 missing crew members.
Naval Exercise Participation
The vessel went down in Sri Lankan territorial waters, approximately 19 nautical miles from the southern coastal city of Galle, following the submarine assault.
The Dena had been making its way back to Iran after completing participation in naval training exercises conducted in India between February 16 and February 26, staged near the southern Indian port of Visakhapatnam.
The Iranian ship joined 17 other foreign naval vessels in the MILAN exercise, which occurs every two years and included participants from Sri Lanka, Australia, Japan, and Russia. Military representatives from more than 70 nations observed the drills, including delegates from the United States and Britain.
Indian military officials characterized the training operation as among the most extensive multinational naval exercises in the Indo-Pacific region, designed to improve coordination between forces, enhance maritime surveillance capabilities, and strengthen joint response systems.
International Response
India’s naval command had previously celebrated the Dena’s participation as evidence of the “enduring cultural connections between the two countries.” Following the sinking, footage has emerged showing Iranian naval personnel parading through Visakhapatnam streets during exercise ceremonies.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi posted on social media platform X that the Dena served as “a guest of India’s Navy” and suffered the attack without advance notice while in international waters. He warned that the United States “will bitterly regret the precedent it has set.”
New Delhi has remained silent regarding the attack, although many Indians have commended neighboring Sri Lanka for its rescue response. India’s primary opposition Congress party condemned the government’s lack of response, stating the conflict had “reached our backyard” and challenging New Delhi’s position as a “net security provider” in the Indian Ocean area.
Traditional Anglican churches have announced the formation of a new leadership structure that directly challenges the established authority of the Archbishop of Canterbury, according to announcements made Thursday during a conference in Nigeria’s capital city of Abuja.
The newly formed governing body will include bishops, clergy members, and laypeople, all holding equal voting rights in decision-making processes. Rwandan Archbishop Laurent Mbanda received unanimous selection to chair this council, though organizers emphasized he will operate within a shared power structure rather than as a singular leader.
Bishop Paul Donison addressed the gathering, explaining the rationale behind the organizational shift. “Believing the current instruments of communion no longer meet the needs of the majority of Anglicans around the world, the global Anglican Communion is to be led by a conciliar structure,” Donison stated.
“I am also pleased to announce that Archbishop Laurent Mbanda was unanimously elected chairman of the Global Anglican Council,” Donison added during his remarks to attendees.
The Global Anglican Future Conference, known as GAFCON, represents traditional churches primarily located across Africa and Asia. The organization maintains it now speaks for the majority of Anglican believers worldwide.
These churches have expressed strong opposition to progressive developments within certain parts of the Anglican Communion, particularly regarding women’s ordination and expanded acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals. The group voiced sharp criticism following the Church of England’s historic decision last October to appoint Sarah Mullally as its first female Archbishop of Canterbury.
BRUSSELS – NATO’s top official affirmed Thursday that alliance members will maintain their commitment to Ukraine’s defense despite ongoing tensions involving Iran.
Speaking to Reuters, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized that member nations view their international obligations as interconnected rather than conflicting.
“Many leaders in Europe and the United States, Canada say it has to be ‘and, and’: make sure that as allies we enable what the Americans are doing in the Middle East … and at the same time make sure that Ukraine has what it needs to stay strong in the fight,” Rutte explained during the Brussels interview.
The NATO chief’s remarks underscore the alliance’s position that supporting multiple international efforts simultaneously remains a priority for member countries.
MOSCOW – A court in Russia’s Krasnodar region handed down a 15-year prison sentence Thursday to a Romanian national found guilty of conducting espionage operations on behalf of Ukraine.
According to a Telegram announcement from the court’s media office, the defendant identified as Adrian-David Chercio was convicted of collecting and transmitting sensitive intelligence about air defense installations located in Sochi, the Black Sea resort destination.
Court officials stated that Chercio entered into an agreement to conduct intelligence work for Ukrainian authorities in November 2024, though they did not disclose the timing of his detention.
Romanian foreign ministry representatives have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the case.
Broadcom Corporation saw its stock price climb approximately 7% in pre-market trading Thursday following the company’s announcement that it anticipates artificial intelligence chip revenues will surpass $100 billion by 2027, marking its aggressive entry into a sector dominated by Nvidia.
Technology giants including Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta are projected to invest over $600 billion this year in artificial intelligence infrastructure development, creating increased demand for semiconductors, servers, data storage, and network hardware.
The semiconductor manufacturer plans to provide 3 gigawatts of tensor processing units for artificial intelligence applications to Anthropic by 2027, while also preparing to deliver OpenAI’s inaugural AI chip with more than 1 gigawatt capacity during the same timeframe.
These production volumes position Broadcom to compete at similar levels with recent artificial intelligence chip contracts secured by Nvidia and AMD.
Market observers remain skeptical about whether substantial AI investments will produce adequate returns to support current high stock valuations, contributing to recent steep drops among the world’s most valuable technology companies.
Year-to-date performance shows Broadcom’s shares declining roughly 8.3%, while Nvidia has fallen approximately 2%.
“The AI spend overhang will still linger, but Broadcom made a strong case for their AI revenue to outgrow the market,” analysts at Jefferies stated.
For its second quarter, Broadcom forecasts revenue of approximately $22 billion, exceeding analyst expectations of $20.56 billion according to LSEG data. The company projects AI chip revenue of $10.7 billion for the quarter.
Additionally, Broadcom unveiled a new stock buyback program worth up to $10 billion, set to run through year-end.
BERLIN — A German court handed down a 13-year prison sentence Thursday to a young Syrian man who attacked and severely injured a Spanish visitor at Berlin’s Holocaust Memorial more than a year ago.
The 20-year-old perpetrator, identified by authorities only as Wassim Al M. following German privacy regulations, faced conviction on multiple charges including attempted murder and seeking membership in an international terrorist group, according to reports from German news agency dpa.
Court officials determined that he made the journey from Leipzig to Berlin on February 21, 2025, with the intention of conducting an assault on behalf of the Islamic State organization.
Presiding judge Doris Husch explained that the defendant selected the Holocaust Memorial as his target location because “he believed he would find people of Jewish faith there.” The attack involved stabbing the Spanish visitor in the neck area, followed by the perpetrator yelling “Allahu akbar,” meaning “God is great.”
The 31-year-old Spanish victim lived through the assault but continues to receive mental health care and remains unable to return to work.
Throughout the legal proceedings, the defendant claimed he immediately felt remorse for his actions and maintained that he had come to Berlin because of coercion from someone he met online while viewing Islamic State propaganda materials.
According to investigators, the defendant reached Germany in 2023 without adult supervision and received approved asylum status before settling in Leipzig. Police took him into custody approximately three hours following the attack when he approached law enforcement officers while covered in blood.
The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe consists of 2,700 gray concrete blocks situated close to the Brandenburg Gate in central Berlin, serving as a tribute to the 6 million Jewish victims of the Holocaust.
This violent incident took place just two days prior to a nationwide German election where immigration policies had emerged as a major campaign topic, intensified by several fatal attacks involving immigrants in the preceding months.
Chinese officials unveiled their most conservative economic growth projection in more than 30 years during Thursday’s opening of the nation’s annual legislative session in Beijing, signaling what experts view as a realistic approach to ongoing domestic financial challenges.
The government also published its complete five-year strategic plan extending through 2030, highlighting priorities for economic and political direction with emphasis on developing independence in sectors including artificial intelligence, robotics, and cutting-edge technologies amid intensifying competition with America.
The week-long legislative gathering is anticipated to formally endorse the five-year blueprint in the coming days.
Premier Li Qiang announced an economic expansion goal of 4.5% to 5% for 2026 during his annual government work presentation — marking the most modest target since 1991 and representing the first reduction from the official “around 5%” objective established for 2023 through 2025.
This decreased projection follows an extended real estate sector downturn that caused housing values to plummet, undermined consumer spending and investment confidence, and resulted in widespread unemployment.
To tackle the nation’s internal economic difficulties, government representatives committed to steadying the real estate market through managing new construction and decreasing existing inventory.
Li also emphasized the significance of stimulating domestic spending, though the country’s allocation of 250 billion yuan ($36 billion) designated for consumer product trade-in incentives fell short of the previous year’s 300 billion yuan commitment.
Even amid the ongoing U.S.-China trade dispute, Beijing reported achieving its official 5% economic growth objective for the previous year. This success stemmed primarily from its unprecedented trade surplus approaching $1.2 trillion, driven by increased exports to areas including Europe and Latin America.
“What we achieved in 2025 was indeed hard won,” Li stated during his address. “Rarely in many years have we encountered such a grave and complex landscape.”
Regarding Taiwan, the independently governed territory that Beijing has claimed for generations, Li emphasized that the government will “resolutely fight against” independence movements.
The selection of “fight against” terminology seemed to represent a more aggressive stance compared to the previous year’s language of “resolutely oppose.”
Within the comprehensive draft of its five-year strategy through 2030, Chinese leadership outlined ambitions for achieving technological independence to compete with the United States. The proposed plan detailed objectives for progress in artificial intelligence, robotics, semiconductors, biomedicine, quantum technology, and aerospace sectors.
To guarantee innovation advances, Chinese authorities estimated at least 7% annual average increases in national research and development expenditure.
Government leaders also announced a 7% military budget increase for 2026, reaching approximately 1.9 trillion yuan ($270 billion). This represented a slight decrease from the roughly 7.2% yearly growth over the past three years.
During his presentation, Li declared that the nation must accomplish “solid gains in military training and combat readiness.” This statement coincided with President Xi’s expanding military leadership purge — including dismissing nine military officials from the congress the previous week — as the country accelerates its armed forces modernization timeline.
Like numerous global regions, China confronts a population challenge as its citizenry ages and fertility rates decline. The 1.4 billion population decreased for the fourth consecutive year in 2025, dropping by approximately 3 million from the prior year.
Chinese officials pledged Thursday to establish a “fertility-friendly society” through policies addressing education, employment, childcare, and healthcare assistance aimed at encouraging increased births.
Concerning environmental objectives, China, the planet’s largest polluter, indicated it would maintain its renewable energy initiatives and carbon emission reductions.
For the five-year period ending in 2030, Beijing established a target of decreasing carbon emissions per gross domestic product unit by 17%, compared to the 18% reduction goal from the preceding five-year span.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The Iranian government has long threatened to unleash widespread missile and drone attacks throughout the Middle East if it perceived an existential threat to its survival.
The Islamic Republic is now making good on those warnings.
Following Saturday’s U.S.-Israeli military operation that resulted in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Tehran has deployed thousands of drones and ballistic missiles against Israeli targets, U.S. military installations and diplomatic facilities in the region, plus energy infrastructure throughout the Persian Gulf. Iranian forces have also launched missile strikes against Turkey and sent drones into Azerbaijani territory.
Tehran’s fundamental approach centers on creating fear about an expanding conflict, hoping that Washington’s allies will exert sufficient pressure to stop the military campaign. An extended war with American and Israeli casualties could also benefit Iran’s position.
However, this strategy of attacking neighboring countries could prove counterproductive.
Preserving Iran’s governmental structure through the conflict represents Tehran’s top objective, according to Ellie Geranmayeh, deputy director of the Middle East and North Africa program at the European Council on Foreign Relations.
“Iran is upping the costs for this U.S. military campaign and regionalizing it from the get-go, as they promised they would if America restarts the war again with Iran,” she said. Last June, the United States joined Israel in a 12-day military campaign against nuclear enrichment facilities. While Iran claims its nuclear program serves peaceful purposes, Iranian officials had previously threatened to develop nuclear weapons while enriching uranium to near-weapons-grade concentrations.
Iranian leadership believes that causing casualties and disrupting energy supplies to increase oil and gas costs will prompt America’s partners or domestic opposition to pressure U.S. President Donald Trump into scaling back operations.
“The Iranians are banking on basically out-stomaching him, and exhausting him and his allies to the point where they would basically have a diplomatic off-ramp,” Geranmayeh said. While Trump remains unpredictable, she noted, he currently appears focused on “unconditional surrender to his demands, rather than a negotiated settlement.”
American and Israeli forces have conducted hundreds of air attacks, causing significant damage to Iranian governmental, military and nuclear facilities. Though severely outmatched militarily, Iran continues launching ballistic missiles at Israel, resulting in 11 deaths and disrupting daily life for millions of Israelis. Additional fatalities have occurred in Gulf Arab nations, while the U.S.-Israeli offensive has claimed 1,045 Iranian lives.
Following over two years of conflict in Gaza, Israeli citizens show limited enthusiasm for another extended military engagement. Public opinion surveys indicate Americans are similarly reluctant about prolonged warfare.
The American-Israeli assault followed unsuccessful diplomatic negotiations between the U.S. and Iran regarding Tehran’s nuclear program and Western economic sanctions.
Trump announced Monday that his four goals include eliminating Iran’s missile capacity, destroying its naval forces, preventing nuclear weapons acquisition, and stopping support for allied militant organizations.
Iran’s military response has affected every regional nation, including Oman, which facilitated recent nuclear negotiations and maintained decades of close Iranian relations after helping the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said suppress a 1970s insurgency.
Last week, with U.S. naval forces gathering in the region, Oman’s foreign minister traveled urgently to Washington attempting to preserve nuclear discussions.
Subsequently, Oman became involved in the conflict. Iranian missiles have struck an Omani port and vessels near its coastline. Oman’s Duqm port provided logistical support for the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier’s deployment preparations.
Saudi Arabia, which established diplomatic détente with Tehran in 2023, also faced attacks this week. Its Ras Tanura oil refinery suffered repeated strikes and drones hit the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh — creating an awkward situation for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has cultivated close ties with Trump.
Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, both maintaining strong Trump relationships, have also experienced repeated targeting.
A stark mathematical reality emerges as fighting continues. Iran possesses limited missile and drone inventories, while Gulf Arab states, the U.S. and Israel maintain finite supplies of interceptor missiles capable of stopping incoming attacks.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reported Wednesday that thousands of Iranian missiles and drones have been “intercepted and vaporized” during the conflict. Israeli military officials claim to have eliminated dozens of missile launch systems.
For American and Israeli forces, destroying missiles and launch platforms remains crucial. Both nations had to intercept Iranian missiles during June’s war and repeatedly throughout the Israel-Hamas conflict.
“In simple terms, we are focused on shooting all the things that can shoot at us,” said U.S. Navy Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of American Central Command.
A senior Western official, speaking anonymously about intelligence information, estimated Iran has several days of ballistic missile supplies at current firing rates, though Tehran may reserve some for extended operations.
Israeli military sources report significantly reduced Iranian launches recently due to airstrikes — despite warning sirens continuously sounding across Israel from Wednesday into Thursday.
Iran’s approach of threatening energy security, creating divisions between Gulf and Western nations, and increasing operational costs is “backfiring,” said Hasan Alhasan, a Middle East specialist with London’s International Institute for Strategic Studies.
“It’s driving and pushing the Gulf states into closer alignment with the United States,” he said.
“The Gulf states can’t simply sit idle and continue absorbing indefinite attacks to their critical infrastructure and to civilians in Gulf cities,” Alhasan said. They likely seek both additional defensive weapons and diplomatic solutions to end the conflict.
Iran’s foreign minister suggested his country’s military units now operate independently without central government oversight, potentially explaining Iran’s increasingly unpredictable attacks.
“They are acting based on instructions — you know, general instructions — given to them in advance,” Abbas Araghchi told Al Jazeera on Sunday.
However, following a Wednesday conversation with Araghchi, Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, “categorically rejected” his claim that Iranian missiles only targeted American interests rather than Qatari territory.
Listen to the Morning Delmarva Farm Report Update — March 5, 2026
DELMARVA — Cattle farmers across Delmarva are now in the crucial 90-day window that determines breeding season success. This 3-month preparation period happens well before artificial insemination begins or bulls are introduced to herds. During these critical months, female cattle undergo significant metabolic adjustments and reproductive developments that directly impact egg quality and prepare the uterus for pregnancy. Getting nutrition and body condition right now pays dividends when breeding actually starts.
Markets
A massive Brazilian soybean harvest is adding pressure to commodity markets that will affect Delmarva grain farmers. An Iowa State economist says Brazil’s situation mirrors last year’s overwhelming U.S. corn harvest, when post-World War 2 record acreage combined with record yields drove prices down.
March corn futures settled at $3.92/bu, soybeans at $10.43, and wheat at $5.18. Locally, corn is trading around $4.10 on Delmarva.
Forecast
Dense fog continues this morning with visibility under a quarter mile in spots, clearing by mid-morning. Light rain likely today with a high near 54°F and east winds 5-10 mph. Tonight, widespread fog returns with rain likely, low around 39°F. Friday brings patchy fog and a high near 50°F.
This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Morning Edition, March 5, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.
Federal officials have failed to release $625 million in promised security funding for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, missing a January 30 deadline and raising concerns among host cities about their ability to adequately prepare for the major international event.
New Jersey Representative Nellie Pou, a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, believes partisan motivations are behind the Department of Homeland Security’s failure to distribute the allocated funds.
“I don’t have any doubt that they are using that for political reasons,” Pou told Front Office Sports about DHS’s delayed payments.
The Democratic congresswoman went further, characterizing the Trump administration’s intentions as “100%” political.
Pou’s congressional district encompasses MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which will host eight World Cup matches, including the championship game on July 19. FIFA has designated the facility as “New York New Jersey Stadium” for tournament purposes, dropping the corporate sponsor name.
The representative disputed explanations from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem about the funding delay.
“Secretary (Kristi) Noem is saying she isn’t releasing them because of funding impasse. That is absolutely not true,” Pou stated.
In a written statement issued last week, Noem defended the department’s position and blamed Democrats for the holdup.
“FEMA was in the final stages of reviewing applications to ensure proper oversight when Democrats shut down the government putting significant portions of the FEMA staff on administrative leave. No funds have been awarded yet under the FIFA World Cup Grant Program. The longer DHS goes without funding, the less prepared our nation will be for threats at the FIFA World Cup and America 250. This Democrat shutdown directly impacts DHS’s ability to keep Americans safe at these events and our national security,” Noem wrote.
“Democrats must end this shutdown now and let DHS get back to our mission of protecting the Homeland,” she continued.
Multiple host cities have expressed urgency about receiving their allocated security grants.
During a House Homeland Security Committee hearing last week, Miami host committee Chief Operating Officer Raymond Martinez warned about his city’s anticipated $70 million grant.
“Within the next 30 days is the drop-dead date. I know that the local agencies are very anxious. But without receiving this money, it could be catastrophic for our planning and coordination,” Martinez testified.
Kansas City Deputy Police Chief Joseph Mabin also emphasized the critical nature of the federal funding during the same hearing.
“The … funding would be critical for our staffing and our mutual aid partners to come in and assist. We just don’t have enough officers within my own department to cover all the threats,” Mabin explained.
Drivers across the Delmarva Peninsula should prepare for hazardous conditions tonight as the National Weather Service has issued a Dense Fog Advisory effective from 6 PM this evening through 10 AM Thursday morning.
Visibility could drop to less than one mile in dense fog, creating dangerous driving conditions throughout the region. The advisory covers inland Sussex County, Delaware beaches, and extends into coastal New Jersey including Ocean, Atlantic, and Cape May counties.
The fog is expected to develop this evening and persist through Thursday morning’s commute, potentially causing significant travel delays and safety concerns on area roadways.
Motorists are strongly urged to take extra precautions if travel is necessary. The Weather Service recommends slowing down, using headlights even during daytime hours, and maintaining extra following distance between vehicles. Drivers should also consider delaying non-essential travel until conditions improve.
The Dense Fog Advisory remains in effect until 10 AM Thursday. Stay with TV Delmarva for continuing weather updates and check our website and mobile app for the latest conditions before heading out on the roads.
Motorists traveling on southbound Route 1 near Dover should be aware of ongoing maintenance activity along the highway today.
Delaware Department of Transportation cleanup crews are currently removing litter from the shoulder area of the southbound lanes. The work zone extends from mile marker 81 and operations are scheduled to continue until 4 PM this afternoon.
Drivers are advised to use caution when passing through the area and to be alert for workers and equipment near the roadway.
