The New York Yankees revealed Wednesday evening that Hall of Fame pitcher CC Sabathia will see his jersey number 52 permanently retired during a ceremony on September 26th, taking place before the team’s matchup with the Baltimore Orioles.
The ceremony will also include the unveiling of a commemorative plaque honoring Sabathia at Monument Park, located beyond Yankee Stadium’s center field wall.
This distinction makes Sabathia the 24th individual to have his uniform number permanently retired by the Yankees organization. The last player to receive this recognition was Paul O’Neill, whose number 21 was retired in 2022. While 23 different numbers have been retired overall, number 8 holds special significance as it honors both Yogi Berra and Bill Dickey.
Sabathia will stand alongside his former Yankees teammates Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte, who also have monuments in the prestigious Monument Park area.
The left-handed pitcher earned six All-Star selections throughout his career and captured the American League Cy Young Award in 2007 while playing for Cleveland. His first year in pinstripes proved memorable, as he helped lead the Yankees to a World Series championship in 2009 after joining the team as a free agent.
During his impressive 19-year major league career spanning time with Cleveland (2001-08), Milwaukee (2008), and the Yankees (2009-19), Sabathia compiled a 251-161 record with a 3.74 earned run average and struck out 3,093 batters. His strikeout total ranks third all-time among left-handed pitchers, trailing only Randy Johnson and Steve Carlton. In his 11 seasons wearing Yankees pinstripes, he posted a 134-88 record with a 3.81 ERA and recorded 1,700 strikeouts.
Baseball writers elected Sabathia to the Hall of Fame on his first opportunity in 2025, cementing his legacy among the sport’s greatest players.
The complete list of Yankees players with retired numbers includes: Billy Martin (1), Derek Jeter (2), Babe Ruth (3), Lou Gehrig (4), Joe DiMaggio (5), Joe Torre (6), Mickey Mantle (7), Yogi Berra and Bill Dickey (8), Roger Maris (9), Phil Rizzuto (10), Thurman Munson (15), Whitey Ford (16), Jorge Posada (20), Paul O’Neill (21), Don Mattingly (23), Elston Howard (32), Casey Stengel (37), Mariano Rivera (42), Reggie Jackson (44), Andy Pettitte (46), Ron Guidry (49), and Bernie Williams (51).
Additionally, Jackie Robinson’s number 42 was permanently retired across all of Major League Baseball in 1997.
AKOBO, South Sudan — In a hospital bed in South Sudan’s northeastern region, 18-month-old Kool Gatyen Pajock received medical treatment as his grandmother Nyayual Chuol watched healthcare workers tend to his wounded legs.
According to Chuol, government soldiers shot the toddler and murdered his parents before she carried him 80 miles from their village to seek medical help in Akobo, near the Ethiopian border.
Their story represents just a fraction of the 280,000 individuals forced from their homes over the past two months due to escalating violence in Jonglei state between government military forces, called the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces, and opposition fighters from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement In Opposition.
“I have nothing in my hand now to take care of this baby,” Chuol said. “I’m worried about my four children who ran in different directions when the attack took place. I don’t know where they are now.”
The current violence puts at risk a delicate peace accord established in 2018 following five years of civil warfare.
Under a 2020 power-sharing deal, opposition leader Riek Machar became first vice president serving with President Salva Kiir. However, Kiir detained Machar at his residence after fresh violence erupted in March. Authorities charged Machar with treason in September along with seven other opposition figures connected to an assault on government troops.
Tensions intensified in December when opposition fighters captured government positions in Jonglei. Since January, government forces have launched a counterattack using air strikes and ground operations, even while officially supporting the peace deal.
Beyond displacement, ordinary citizens have endured substantial casualties.
“People are still fearing that the government army may come and attack here,” Chuol said. “This is what is worrying me right now.”
Twenty-eight-year-old Nyankhiay Gatluak Jock fled her village of Walgak following a government assault in early February.
“They bombed us from the gunship helicopter, and after that the soldiers came with their cars and started shooting,” said Jock, who joined 42,000 displaced individuals seeking shelter in Akobo under United Nations Mission protection.
“We want to ask the president to tell his army to differentiate between the combatants and the civilians,” Jock said while nursing two children in a church where other displaced women and young people had gathered.
Following government forces’ bombing of a Doctors Without Borders medical facility on February 3rd, Nyaphan Nyang Lual traveled toward Akobo with her husband, daughter and one-month-old granddaughter. During their journey, gunmen killed her husband and kidnapped her daughter.
Lual arrived in Akobo with granddaughter Bhan Tut Mut but couldn’t locate food aid and feared for the infant who had developed severe diarrhea.
“We took her to the clinic but there is no medicine there, and I cannot afford to buy from the pharmacy,” Lual said.
Aid organizations have also suffered attacks. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that 13 medical facilities in Jonglei were “looted or partially destroyed.” Accounts of extensive sexual violence have also surfaced.
Budget reductions and government limitations on relief organizations have created shortages of resources and supplies, according to aid workers who expressed frustration about their inability to provide adequate assistance.
“We have nothing … no feeding, no medication,” said Susan Tab, a reproductive health officer in Akobo with Nile Hope, a South Sudanese organization. “The only thing we can provide to help these displaced people is psychosocial support.”
UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher traveled to Akobo on February 21st as part of a tour through South Sudan’s conflict-affected regions.
With nearly three years of civil conflict in northern Sudan and fighting in neighboring Horn of Africa nations, Fletcher described South Sudan as “one of the most neglected crises in the world right now.”
“I want to make this crisis more visible to the public. And I want them to demand change. To demand funding. To demand political engagement to end this war,” Fletcher said.
Thousands of displaced women and children welcomed him in Akobo, though they remained uncertain about their safety and prospects. Some carried signs with handwritten pleas, including one with the stark message, “They killed everyone.”
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — In a surprising development, Venezuela’s chief prosecutor stepped down from his position Wednesday only to be immediately named as the country’s acting human rights ombudsman by lawmakers.
Tarek William Saab, who has served as a key figure in the government’s enforcement actions and maintained close ties to former President Nicolás Maduro, tendered his resignation to the National Assembly controlled by the ruling party without providing any explanation for his departure. Saab has overseen the prosecutor’s office since 2017, facing ongoing allegations of human rights abuses throughout his tenure.
The resignation marks another shift in government leadership following the dramatic January 3 arrest of Maduro by U.S. military forces in Caracas.
Lawmakers moved quickly to install Saab in the ombudsman position on an interim basis, where he will serve until a committee selects a permanent successor to Alfredo Ruiz. Ruiz, who had occupied the ombudsman role since 2017, stepped down citing “personal, family, and health reasons that I must attend to.” The ombudsman office focuses on promoting, defending and overseeing human rights protections.
These leadership changes come amid increased examination of both offices after acting President Delcy Rodríguez made decisions last month to free individuals imprisoned for political reasons and advance amnesty legislation, which became law last week.
Rodríguez’s actions have sparked small protests and public discussions that have highlighted issues including fabricated charges, delayed prosecutions and other mistreatment of actual and suspected government critics.
“His departure as Attorney General is promising but appointing him as Ombudsman is a slap in the face of victims,” stated Juanita Goebertus, Americas director at Human Rights Watch, regarding Saab’s transition. “Meaningful reform requires appointing a new attorney general who is independent, ceases to persecute dissent, and commits to ensuring that all political prisoners are released and amnestied.”
Saab has consistently rejected all allegations of misconduct. In defending his record Wednesday, he stated he carried out his duties “with integrity and honor” and “played the constitutional role of preserving peace and protecting the human rights of our people in a period of unimaginable aggression.”
Human rights organizations, including a United Nations Human Rights Council-supported panel, have documented the charges against Saab. In findings related to the 2024 presidential election, the panel criticized Saab’s efforts to “give a semblance of legality” to the severe violations that occurred following the voting.
“The role played by the Attorney General was most conspicuously evident during the crackdown after the announcement of the election results,” the panel’s findings stated. “Following the protests, the Attorney General led the State action that resulted in human rights violations, including mass arrests, under the guise of the executive’s narrative of fighting a ‘coup d’état’ and ‘fascism’.”
Defense attorneys representing Pennsylvania high school students say their young clients had no way of knowing that the plainclothes man who grabbed a 15-year-old girl by the neck during a protest was actually the town’s police chief.
The legal team says students from Quakertown Community High School were demonstrating against immigration enforcement when they acted to protect themselves, and they plan to challenge all charges. The accusations include simple assault that was upgraded to felony aggravated assault because the alleged target is Police Chief Scott McElree.
“He charged from his vehicle into the middle of this group of kids,” defense attorney Donald Souders explained Wednesday. “Many of the kids jumped in, in an attempt to defend her. They assumed that this was a counterprotester.”
According to the defense team, 72-year-old McElree drove up in an unmarked vehicle without wearing any uniform, badge, or hat, and failed to announce his identity. Social media videos captured the altercation between the students and law enforcement officers.
McElree, who doubles as the Philadelphia suburb’s borough manager, hasn’t responded to messages left at his residence and workplace on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“My client was directly choked by the chief. It was alleged that she had struck him, which she did not,” stated attorney Timothy Prendergast, representing the small 15-year-old girl. “They are innocent. They were exercising their First Amendment rights. The chief did not like that and acted outside of his authority.”
Prendergast’s client and at least two other students were freed Tuesday, with some placed under house arrest wearing electronic monitoring devices. It remained unclear Wednesday whether the remaining two students were still detained. The attorneys haven’t revealed their clients’ names, as juvenile court files aren’t available to the public.
Community members are demanding McElree step down. Bucks County District Attorney Joe Khan launched an investigation while simultaneously pursuing charges against the teenagers in juvenile court. Defense counsel questioned Khan’s ability to remain neutral while handling both responsibilities.
Approximately 35 students had organized a walkout Friday to oppose U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement policies when officers confronted them near a bakery, roughly half a mile from their school.
Souders is defending a 16-year-old male student whose glasses were shattered when a uniformed officer pushed him into a large planter during the confrontation. The teenager spent his weekend in detention trying to remove glass fragments from his eye, receiving care from a nurse before his father brought him to a hospital Tuesday following his release, Souders reported.
School district leaders had initially discussed the planned walkout with student organizers but revoked approval Friday morning due to safety worries, according to the acting superintendent’s public statement.
Most participants are students of color, with several being children of immigrant families, their legal representatives noted. Both Quakertown, home to roughly 9,300 people, and the high school, enrolling about 1,650 students, have predominantly white populations.
Defense attorneys say the demonstrating students faced harassment during their march from another student group shouting insults and racial slurs at them.
“Throughout the protest, the police were following from a distance,” Souders noted. “Probably in hindsight, they should have interceded between the protesters and counterprotesters. They were saying really awful things to get the kids riled up.”
His client, a junior who maintains two restaurant jobs, was freed under house arrest with electronic monitoring, allowing him to leave only for school, work, religious services, and other pre-approved activities.
As minors, the teenagers are entitled to adjudication hearings within 30 days — or 10 days if remaining in custody. However, the legal team expects to request additional time to collect video footage and other case evidence.
“This was an abomination of (police) escalation when it should have been a teaching moment for de-escalation,” said attorney Ettore “Ed” Angelo, who represents another charged 15-year-old girl who was released.
State police have released dashcam footage capturing the moment former WWE executive Vince McMahon slammed his high-end sports car into another vehicle on a Connecticut interstate last summer while a trooper was attempting to catch up with him.
The 80-year-old McMahon was behind the wheel of his 2024 Bentley Continental GT, traveling at speeds exceeding 100 mph on the Merritt Parkway in Westport when the collision occurred, state police reported.
Dashcam footage from the trooper’s vehicle captures McMahon speeding up, then failing to brake in time to prevent striking a BMW from behind. The expensive Bentley then veers into a guardrail before spinning back across the roadway, sending debris and dust flying.
“Why were you driving all over 100 mph?” state police Detective Maxwell Robins questioned McMahon when he reached the damaged Bentley, which carries a price tag of more than $300,000.
“I got my granddaughter’s birthday,” McMahon responded, telling the officer he was heading to celebrate with her. This exchange was captured on police body camera footage.
The July 24 incident resulted in no serious injuries, occurring on the same date that wrestling icon Hulk Hogan passed away from a heart attack in Florida.
In addition to damaging the BMW’s rear end, a third vehicle traveling in the opposite direction was hit by flying wreckage. Coincidentally, the driver of that vehicle was wearing WWE merchandise, the police video shows.
Authorities issued McMahon citations for reckless driving and following too closely. An October court appearance resulted in McMahon being accepted into a pretrial probation program that will clear the charges from his record next October upon successful completion. The court also required him to donate $1,000 to charity.
Defense attorney Mark Sherman characterized the incident as an unfortunate accident.
“Not every car accident is a crime,” Sherman stated. “Vince’s primary concern during this case was for the other drivers and is appreciative that the court saw this more of an accident than a crime that needed to be prosecuted.”
According to state police, Detective Robins was attempting to measure McMahon’s speed and conduct a traffic stop when the crash happened. Officials clarified this was not a police chase, which involves officers pursuing someone attempting to evade law enforcement. They noted McMahon didn’t appear to be trying to escape, though the video suggests some confusion.
“I’m trying to catch up to you and you keep taking off,” Robins tells McMahon in the footage.
“No, no no. I’m not trying to outrun you,” McMahon responds.
Initial crash reports released to news outlets shortly after the incident made no reference to police involvement.
The Associated Press secured the video recordings Wednesday via public records request. The Sun newspaper had previously obtained the footage.
Body camera video also captures the trooper asking McMahon if he was using his phone during the crash. McMahon denied this and mentioned he hadn’t operated his vehicle in quite some time.
When Robins comments on the car’s speed capabilities, McMahon agrees, saying “Yeah, too (expletive) fast.”
The footage includes McMahon speaking with the driver he struck from behind. Barbara Doran of New York City previously told the AP that McMahon showed concern for her wellbeing and expressed relief she wasn’t hurt. She was traveling to catch a ferry to Martha’s Vineyard when the collision occurred.
Following the issuance of traffic citations, McMahon exchanged handshakes with Robins and another officer, who offered him well wishes.
McMahon resigned from his WWE CEO position in 2022 during a company probe into sexual misconduct claims. He also stepped down as executive chairman of TKO Group Holdings’ board of directors in 2024, one day after a former WWE staff member filed a sexual abuse lawsuit against him. McMahon has disputed these allegations, and the legal case continues.
McMahon purchased what was then called the World Wrestling Federation in 1982, building it from a regional operation into a global entertainment empire. He managed the company alongside his wife Linda, who currently serves as U.S. education secretary, while also making personal appearances at WWE events.
The teenage daughter of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un made another prominent public appearance this week, attending a major military parade in Pyongyang alongside her father and top military officials.
State-controlled media released images Thursday showing Ju Ae, believed to be in her early teens, standing beside Kim Jong Un as they watched the Wednesday evening parade that concluded the ruling Workers’ Party Ninth Congress. Both father and daughter wore matching black leather coats as they observed the proceedings.
The photos, distributed by North Korea’s official KCNA news agency, depicted the young woman applauding the parade and watching military aircraft fly overhead with Kim and senior defense leaders.
While state media didn’t specify Ju Ae’s official role at the event, her prominent placement at one of North Korea’s most significant political gatherings has intensified discussions about potential leadership succession in the dynasty-based system.
South Korea’s National Intelligence Service recently informed legislators that there are indicators Ju Ae is contributing to policy discussions, suggesting she “was in the stage of being internally appointed successor.”
The teenager has become increasingly visible in North Korean state media over the last three years, beginning with her first public appearance in late 2022 when she joined her father at an intercontinental ballistic missile launch. At that time, official media referred to her as Kim’s “beloved” daughter.
Since then, she has been photographed at various high-profile events including weapons tests, military commemorations, and important state celebrations. She’s typically shown with long hair and wearing luxury leather jackets or fur-lined outerwear as the regime’s propaganda machine has gradually increased her public profile.
North Korean authorities have never officially disclosed Ju Ae’s exact age, though experts believe she was born in the early 2010s. Intelligence sources in South Korea identify her as the child of Kim Jong Un and his spouse Ri Sol Ju.
Her existence first became known internationally in 2013 when former NBA player Dennis Rodman mentioned meeting Kim’s “baby” daughter named Ju Ae during a visit to Pyongyang.
The young woman expanded her international presence last September when she accompanied Kim Jong Un on a trip to China, further fueling questions about her future role in the regime.
Little information is available about Kim Jong Un’s other children, if any exist.
GENEVA – American and Iranian diplomats will sit down for another round of nuclear negotiations Thursday in Geneva, as tensions escalate over Tehran’s atomic program and the possibility of military action looms large.
The diplomatic session represents the latest attempt to resolve a dispute that has persisted for decades, with Washington and its allies suspecting Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons capabilities through its uranium enrichment activities. Iranian leadership continues to reject these allegations.
Representing the United States will be Special Envoy Steve Witkoff alongside Jared Kushner, who serves as President Trump’s son-in-law, according to a U.S. official speaking to Reuters. They will engage in indirect discussions with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, with Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi serving as mediator, similar to last week’s Geneva meetings.
During his State of the Union address Tuesday, President Trump outlined his position on potential military action against Iran, expressing his preference for a diplomatic solution while firmly stating he would prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Vice President JD Vance reinforced this stance Wednesday during a Fox News interview, declaring: “Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon. That would be the ultimate military objective, if that’s the route that (Trump) chose.”
The diplomatic efforts unfold against a backdrop of significant American military deployment throughout the Middle East, raising concerns about broader regional warfare. Last June, U.S. forces joined Israeli operations targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, prompting Tehran to promise severe retaliation for any future attacks.
Trump delivered an ultimatum on February 19, demanding Iran reach an agreement within 10-15 days or face what he described as “really bad things.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Araqchi responded Tuesday by expressing his nation’s commitment to securing a balanced and prompt agreement while maintaining Iran’s rights to peaceful nuclear technology. American officials view uranium enrichment within Iranian borders as a potential route to weapons development.
“A deal is within reach, but only if diplomacy is given priority,” Araqchi posted on social media platform X.
Recent reporting by Reuters indicates Tehran has proposed new compromises in exchange for sanctions relief and acknowledgment of its uranium enrichment rights, seeking to prevent American military strikes.
Despite these overtures, significant disagreements persist between both nations, particularly regarding the extent and timing of sanctions relief, according to a senior Iranian official who spoke with Reuters.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei confronts perhaps the most serious challenge of his 36-year leadership, with the country’s economy buckling under intensified sanctions and facing renewed domestic protests after violent suppression of major demonstrations in January.
Rafael Grossi, who leads the International Atomic Energy Agency, is anticipated to participate in the Geneva discussions with representatives from both countries, mirroring his involvement in previous talks.
The U.S. dollar weakened during Thursday’s Asian trading session as investors responded positively to stronger-than-anticipated earnings from tech giant Nvidia while awaiting clarity on upcoming American trade tariffs.
The dollar index, which tracks the currency’s performance against six major international currencies, continued its decline from Wednesday’s session, dropping to 97.592. This weakness comes as markets remain uncertain about President Donald Trump’s next moves following the Supreme Court’s February 20 decision that overturned his emergency tariff measures.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer announced Wednesday that tariff rates for certain nations will increase from the current 10% to 15% or higher, though he did not specify which trading partners would be affected or provide additional implementation details.
Westpac analysts noted that “President Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address focused on the economy but provided little-to-no information on new policy initiatives.” They also pointed out that the U.S. Trade Representative “offered no details regarding how the higher tariff will be applied in situations where it breaches U.S. trade deals.”
Market sentiment received a significant lift after artificial intelligence leader Nvidia projected first-quarter revenue figures that exceeded analyst expectations on Wednesday. This positive news energized Wall Street stocks, pushing the technology-driven rally to two-week peaks. However, Nvidia shares retreated during after-hours trading, causing U.S. stock futures to decline slightly.
The Japanese yen gained 0.2% against the dollar, reaching 156.045 as it recovered from hitting two-week lows on Wednesday. Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda indicated that the central bank would examine economic data during its March and April meetings before determining whether to increase interest rates, according to Thursday’s Yomiuri newspaper report.
The yen’s recovery followed Wednesday’s weakness after Japan’s government named two academic economists known for supporting economic stimulus measures to the central bank’s governing board.
Capital Economics analysts warned that “Further efforts from the Takaichi government to influence the BOJ threatens another round of turmoil in Japan’s bond and currency markets.” However, they believe “the underlying fundamentals point towards continued stabilisation in the JGB market and a rebound in the yen.”
The 10-year U.S. Treasury bond yield increased by 0.2 basis points to 4.048%.
Financial markets overwhelmingly expect the Federal Reserve to maintain current interest rates at its upcoming meeting. Fed funds futures indicate a 98% probability that the central bank will leave rates unchanged during its March 18 two-day session, according to CME Group’s FedWatch tool.
In offshore trading, the dollar remained steady against the Chinese yuan at 6.854, representing the strongest position for China’s currency in three years.
The euro held flat at $1.1815, while the British pound showed little movement at $1.3555.
The Australian dollar maintained its position at $0.7127, and the New Zealand dollar briefly dipped below $0.60 against the U.S. currency before recovering to trade flat at $0.6001.
Cryptocurrency markets saw continued declines, with Bitcoin falling 1.0% to $68,218.64 and Ethereum dropping 1.9% to $2,060.31.
Nu Holdings, the parent company behind digital banking platform Nubank, announced Wednesday that its fourth-quarter net earnings jumped 50% compared to the same period last year, fueled by expanding customer numbers.
However, the company’s stock price fell 5.5% during after-hours trading in New York, erasing earlier gains of about 4% that occurred immediately following the earnings announcement. Market analysts expressed concerns regarding the bank’s operational expenses.
The digital banking company, which serves customers in Brazil, Mexico and Colombia while preparing for U.S. market entry, earned $894.8 million in net profit during the October through December period. This represents a significant increase from the $552.6 million recorded in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Chief Financial Officer Guilherme Lago explained to Reuters that the earnings growth stemmed from an expanded customer base, higher revenue per active user, and consistent customer service costs.
“This brings positive leverage to revenue,” Lago stated.
JPMorgan financial analysts noted that while net earnings exceeded both their projections and market forecasts, the outperformance was largely attributed to lower-than-expected tax rates. They warned this “may be the main pushback from bearish investors, even as most operational metrics look good.”
The digital bank reported quarterly revenue growth of 45%, reaching $4.86 billion. Customer numbers across all three operating markets climbed to 131 million, representing a 15% increase.
Citi analysts praised the results, calling it “a strong quarter by Nubank on top-line, with an acceleration in loan portfolio growth and net interest income.” However, they cautioned that “cost of risk and operating expenses mud the picture for Nubank.”
The company’s overall lending portfolio, consisting primarily of credit card loans, grew 40% to reach $32.7 billion. Meanwhile, the rate of loans overdue by more than 90 days decreased slightly to 6.6%, down 0.1 percentage points.
During an analyst conference call, Lago mentioned that delinquency rates typically increase during the first quarter due to “natural seasonality,” a pattern Nubank anticipates will repeat this year.
In January, Nubank obtained the first of three required regulatory approvals for entering the U.S. market within the coming year.
Chief Executive Officer David Velez acknowledged during the call that while the U.S. banking sector appears highly competitive, the company sees potential opportunities in specific market segments.
MANCHESTER, England – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer confronts a crucial political challenge Thursday as Manchester voters select a new member of Parliament in what polling indicates will be an extremely tight race among three parties.
The special election in the Gorton and Denton constituency pits Starmer’s Labour Party against the populist Reform UK movement and the environmentally-focused Green Party, with surveys showing all three competitors running neck-and-neck.
This electoral battle represents another hurdle for Starmer, whose leadership has come under scrutiny following multiple policy reversals and his controversial decision to name Labour veteran Peter Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to the United States.
Starmer made an unexpected campaign visit to the region Monday, with his team emphasizing that voters face a clear decision between Labour and Reform UK, the party headed by Brexit champion Nigel Farage.
Labour officials have consistently argued that supporting the Green Party, which appeals to voters through progressive policies on economic relief and Gaza solidarity, essentially amounts to “a vote for Reform.”
Speaking before the election, Starmer characterized the decision as one that “could not be more stark,” stating: “Driving down the cost of living with Labour or driving a wedge between communities under Reform. Moving forwards together, or opening up anger and division that holds our country back.”
Labour secured this parliamentary seat comfortably during their overwhelming national victory in 2024, though the sitting representative announced his resignation last month.
Current polling data suggesting equal support among the three parties makes this the first significant electoral challenge for Starmer since facing criticism over the Mandelson appointment. Questions have emerged about Mandelson’s past connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, though Mandelson maintains his innocence of any misconduct.
This ambassadorial selection compounds a growing list of strategic errors and policy flip-flops that have not only questioned Starmer’s decision-making abilities but prompted some within his own party to demand his resignation.
The 63-year-old leader has pledged to continue in his role, though his standing in Gorton and Denton may have suffered after he reportedly prevented popular Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham from seeking Labour’s nomination in the district.
Labour instead selected Angeliki Stogia, a local council member, to compete against Reform’s Matt Goodwin, a professor and writer, along with Green Party candidate Hannah Spencer, also serving on the local council. The campaign has been characterized by mutual accusations of unfair tactics.
A defeat in this traditionally Labour stronghold would deliver another significant setback to Starmer, particularly if the Green Party emerges victorious.
However, Labour members of Parliament suggest such a loss might not prove devastating, pointing instead to May’s local government elections across England and regional assembly contests in Wales and Scotland as the more decisive evaluation of Starmer’s leadership.
Tuesday’s agricultural commodity trading session concluded with mixed results across grain and livestock markets on February 25, 2026.
March corn futures finished at $4.30½ per bushel, climbing 2¾ cents from the previous session. Soybean contracts for March delivery reached $11.48¼, gaining 8¾ cents on the day.
Soybean-related products also posted strong advances, with March soybean meal rising $7.60 to close at $318.30, while March soybean oil increased 23 points to finish at 60.26.
Chicago wheat bucked the upward trend, with March contracts dropping 1¾ cents to end at $5.65¾ per bushel.
Livestock futures demonstrated positive momentum across the board. April live cattle contracts advanced $1.17 to $240.27, while March feeder cattle gained $1.20, closing at $366.30. April lean hog futures rose 40 cents to finish the session at $96.20.
Cattle futures closed higher on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Tuesday, buoyed by recent gains in boxed beef pricing as market participants await clearer direction in direct cattle trading.
Live cattle contracts showed solid gains across multiple months, with April contracts climbing $1.17 to reach $240.27 per hundredweight. June live cattle futures advanced $1.15 to settle at $236.70.
Feeder cattle also posted strong performance, with March contracts gaining $1.20 to close at $366.30, while April feeders jumped $1.82 higher during the trading session.
The upward movement in cattle futures reflects ongoing strength in boxed beef values, which has provided underlying support to the livestock market as traders monitor developments in cash cattle negotiations.
A British telecommunications company made history Thursday by introducing the continent’s first satellite-based mobile phone service that works with standard smartphones.
Virgin Media O2, jointly owned by Telefonica and Liberty Global, unveiled its O2 Satellite service that enables text messaging, WhatsApp communication, and Google Maps access in remote areas lacking traditional cell tower coverage. The monthly subscription costs three British pounds, equivalent to approximately $4.06.
The innovative service utilizes SpaceX’s Starlink satellite constellation to expand the company’s coverage across Britain from 89% to 95% of the country’s territory.
Phones equipped with compatible technology will seamlessly switch to satellite connections when conventional cellular networks are unavailable, according to company officials. Users can access messaging platforms including WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, plus weather forecasts and location services.
Initially, the satellite connectivity will function on Samsung’s newest smartphone models, providing continuous communication for travelers and outdoor enthusiasts engaged in hiking, mountain climbing, and aquatic activities.
The European launch follows T-Mobile’s introduction of comparable satellite-to-cellular technology in the United States last July, priced at $10 monthly.
Virgin Media O2 CEO Lutz Schuler described the launch as a pivotal advancement for Britain’s mobile communication infrastructure.
“By launching O2 Satellite, we’ve become the first operator in Europe to launch a space-based mobile data service that, overnight, has brought new mobile coverage to an area around two-thirds the size of Wales for the first time,” he said.
Competitor Vodafone achieved a milestone in January by completing the first satellite video call from an area without ground-based mobile coverage using a standard smartphone. The company intends to roll out comprehensive satellite-to-mobile services through its partnership with AST SpaceMobile, though no launch timeline has been announced.
Austin Riley delivered a decisive two-run blast that propelled the Atlanta Braves to a 3-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday at North Port, Florida, in spring training action.
The Pirates’ Paul Skenes, fresh off winning the 2025 National League Cy Young Award, made his spring debut but struggled with control issues. The ace right-hander gave up one run on a single hit while issuing four walks and recording four strikeouts across 2 1/3 innings, facing a dozen hitters. Skenes also saw four of his strike calls overturned when Atlanta successfully challenged using the automated ball-strike system.
Pittsburgh managed just six hits and received minimal offensive production beyond Ryan O’Hearn’s RBI single in the opening frame. Meanwhile, Atlanta collected five hits total, with Jurickson Profar contributing an RBI double and Riley launching his 419-foot homer to center field, both coming in the third inning.
The Braves’ pitching staff dominated with 13 total strikeouts, led by starter Bryce Elder who fanned three batters during his two-inning outing.
Orioles 4, Rays 3
Vance Honeycutt’s 410-foot solo blast in the seventh inning capped Baltimore’s comeback from a 3-1 deficit to defeat Tampa Bay in Sarasota, Florida.
The Rays had seized control in the fourth when Jonny DeLuca connected on a three-run homer to center following Nick Fortes’ leadoff walk and Ryan Vilade reaching base on a fielding mistake by third baseman Weston Wilson.
After Tyler O’Neill’s RBI double gave Baltimore the early advantage, the Orioles tied things up in the fifth on a fielder’s choice that turned chaotic when second baseman Cooper Kinney’s throwing error allowed two runs to score. Honeycutt then delivered the game-winner off right-hander Derrick Edington.
Blue Jays 4, Tigers (ss) 4
Toronto rallied in the ninth inning with help from two Detroit errors surrounding a single to deadlock with the Tigers’ split squad in Lakeland, Florida.
The Blue Jays’ ninth-inning surge began when Riley Tirotta reached base on first baseman Josue Briceno’s fielding miscue and advanced to third on Jimenez’s single before being thrown out at second. Arjun Nimmala then grounded into a fielder’s choice that scored Tirotta and put Nimmala at second when shortstop John Peck made a throwing error.
Leadoff man Ernie Clement starred for Toronto with a perfect 3-for-3 performance that included two RBIs, a double and a triple. Eloy Jimenez contributed two hits including a double, while Thayron Liranzo powered a three-run homer for Detroit in the sixth.
Red Sox 5, Twins 3
Boston exploded for four runs in the third inning to build a 5-0 advantage and withstood Minnesota’s late charge in Fort Myers, Florida.
Both clubs recorded eight hits, with the Red Sox getting doubles from Ceddanne Rafaela, Roman Anthony and Kristian Campbell. Jarren Duran was Boston’s only multi-hit performer. The Red Sox deployed nine pitchers who combined for eight strikeouts and four walks.
Luke Keaschall put Minnesota on the board with a two-run double in the fifth, and Tanner Schobel added an RBI single in the eighth. Nine Twins pitchers allowed six walks while striking out five.
Phillies 5, Tigers (ss) 3
Otto Kemp went deep and Philadelphia controlled the game from start to finish against Detroit’s split squad in Clearwater, Florida.
Alec Bohm paced the Phillies offense with a 2-for-3 showing that featured RBI singles in both the third and fifth innings. Kemp launched his first spring training homer, a 419-foot solo shot in the fourth, while Bryce Harper recorded his first RBI of the spring on a double.
Detroit got on the scoreboard when Javier Baez singled home a run in the fourth, and Brett Callahan added a ninth-inning homer that traveled 405 feet.
Astros 4, Marlins 1
Taylor Trammell and Anthony Huezo homered as Houston relied entirely on extra-base hits for its scoring in defeating Miami at Jupiter, Florida.
Walker Janek’s two-run double in the fourth inning gave the Astros a 2-1 lead over the Marlins. Trammell followed with a 353-foot solo homer in the fifth, and Huezo added a 364-foot blast to left center in the eighth. Houston starter Hunter Brown was stellar, allowing just one hit while striking out two over two shutout innings.
Miami managed only five hits, including Jakob Marsee’s leadoff double to start the bottom of the first. However, he was picked off and the next two batters lined out to waste the opportunity.
Cardinals 6, Mets 0
Nolan Gorman’s three-run homer provided more than enough offense as St. Louis pitchers blanked New York in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
Starter Richard Fitts earned the victory by allowing two hits with one strikeout over two innings, as seven Cardinals pitchers combined on the eight-hit shutout. They walked just one batter while fanning six.
Mets starter Jonah Tong surrendered three runs on three hits and one walk with two strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings. Right fielder Carson Benge, among New York’s top prospects, batted leadoff and went 3-for-3 while his teammates managed five hits.
ANNAPOLIS, MD — State agriculture officials have confirmed another outbreak of H5 avian influenza at a commercial chicken operation in Caroline County, Maryland, according to an announcement made February 25, 2026.
The Maryland Department of Agriculture reported that initial laboratory results indicate a presumptive positive detection of the highly pathogenic strain at the broiler facility.
This development represents the second instance of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) affecting a commercial poultry operation within Caroline County during the current period.
Technology company C3.ai revealed Wednesday it will eliminate approximately one-quarter of its worldwide workforce as its new chief executive implements sweeping organizational changes, while also projecting fourth-quarter revenue far below Wall Street expectations.
The artificial intelligence software firm, which employed about 1,181 full-time workers as of April 30, 2025, said it anticipates incurring between $10 million and $12 million in restructuring expenses during the current quarter. The company also plans to slash non-payroll expenses by roughly 30% before the end of 2027.
Stephen Ehikian, who assumed the CEO role in September, explained the rationale behind the dramatic changes. “It was clear to me that we were not organized appropriately. We’ve reduced our cost structure and cash burn. We’ve restructured and flattened the sales organization,” Ehikian stated.
The company’s third-quarter financial performance disappointed investors, with an adjusted net loss of 40 cents per share that surpassed the anticipated loss of 29 cents per share that analysts had predicted, based on LSEG data.
Looking ahead to the fourth quarter, C3.ai anticipates generating revenue ranging from $48 million to $52 million, a figure substantially lower than the $77.47 million that market analysts had forecasted.
For the full year, the company projects an adjusted operational loss between $219.5 million and $227.5 million, which represents an improvement from the $324.4 million loss recorded in fiscal 2025. Following the announcement, C3.ai’s stock price dropped 20% in after-hours trading.
Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper is stepping away from his coaching duties for two games following the passing of his father, Robert Cooper.
The Lightning organization announced that assistant coach Rob Zettler has taken over as interim head coach, leading the team during Wednesday evening’s matchup against Toronto at home and will continue in that role for Thursday’s road game in Carolina.
Cooper, who guided Tampa Bay to back-to-back Stanley Cup titles in 2020 and 2021, recently returned from coaching duties with Team Canada at the Milan Cortina Olympics, where his squad earned silver medals after falling 2-1 in overtime to Team USA in the championship match.
Speaking before Wednesday’s contest against the Maple Leafs, Zettler expressed support for his colleague during this difficult time. “Thoughts and prayers, as always, to Coop and his family,” Zettler stated. “That was the No. 1 thing, that he takes care of business back home. He left this morning to go back to Vancouver. What I am in confident in is our guys. They’ve been excellent in so many ways this year, including in times like this where he’s Coop’s missing or something happens to one of the guys.”
The National Hockey League resumed play Wednesday following its Olympic break. Tampa Bay currently sits atop the Atlantic Division with a comfortable six-point advantage, and their 78 points match Carolina’s total for the Eastern Conference lead.
The Lightning demonstrated exceptional form heading into the Olympic pause, posting an impressive 19-1-1 record across their final 21 contests.
California wildlife officials have shut down popular elephant seal viewing tours after confirming that seven seal pups have contracted avian flu at Año Nuevo State Park. Additional animals are displaying symptoms of the illness, researchers announced Wednesday.
Scientists from UC Santa Cruz and UC Davis confirmed this marks the first documented case of the bird flu virus affecting marine mammals in California waters.
The global avian flu pandemic that started in 2020 has killed millions of domestic birds and infected wildlife across the globe. Marine mammals like seals and sea lions have proven especially susceptible to the disease. Recent outbreaks have claimed thousands of sea lions in Chile and Peru, thousands of elephant seals in Argentina, and hundreds of seals along New England’s coast.
While health officials consider the virus low-risk for humans, they’re urging the public to stay away from the seals and keep pets at a safe distance.
Each winter, thousands of massive elephant seals migrate to Año Nuevo State Park, located roughly 90 minutes south of San Francisco, for their breeding season activities including fighting, mating and birthing. This natural phenomenon attracts countless tourists and nature enthusiasts who come to observe Earth’s largest seal species, either from designated public areas or through guided docent-led excursions into the breeding colonies.
The park’s viewing areas are now closed and all tours have been suspended “out of an abundance of caution,” according to Jordan Burgess, deputy district superintendent for California’s Department of Parks and Recreation. Officials believe this action will help prevent potential disease transmission that could occur from human foot traffic through elephant seal habitats, she explained.
“We’re definitely not panicking about human exposure at this point,” Burgess stated, emphasizing that the priority is protecting both seal populations and public health.
Christine Johnson, who heads UC Davis’ Institute for Pandemic Insights at the Weill School of Veterinary Medicine, said researchers detected the outbreak rapidly due to heightened surveillance efforts in recent years. After observing sick and deceased animals on February 19th and 20th, scientists gathered samples for analysis at the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System. Laboratory results confirmed the presence of HPAI H5N1 virus in the specimens.
Approximately 30 additional animal samples are awaiting test results, Johnson noted.
University scientists are collaborating with state and federal wildlife agencies along with The West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network to continue monitoring the affected animals.
New York’s top prosecutor has taken legal action against gaming giant Valve, accusing the company of operating an illegal gambling scheme through virtual prize containers in popular video games.
Attorney General Letitia James filed the lawsuit Wednesday in state court, targeting the company’s use of digital prize boxes in major gaming titles including Counter-Strike 2, Team Fortress 2, and Dota 2. The legal action alleges these virtual containers force players to pay money for random chances at winning rare digital items.
According to James’ office, the Counter-Strike system particularly mimics casino-style gambling, featuring animated spinning wheels that eventually land on prize selections.
“Valve has made billions of dollars by letting children and adults alike illegally gamble for the chance to win valuable virtual prizes,” James stated. “These features are addictive, harmful, and illegal.”
The Bellevue, Washington-based gaming company has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the allegations.
While these digital prize containers typically contain decorative items like character accessories or weapon designs that don’t affect gameplay, James’ office notes they can command substantial prices in online marketplaces.
The lawsuit reveals that some of the scarcest items have sold for thousands of dollars online, with one particular Counter-Strike AK-47 weapon design recently fetching over $1 million.
James’ legal filing accuses Valve of violating New York’s constitution through its gambling promotion practices. The state seeks to halt these operations and demands the company provide user compensation, damages, and penalties totaling three times the profits earned from these features.
The attorney general’s office points to research indicating that children exposed to gambling activities face four times greater risk of developing gambling addictions in adulthood compared to those without such exposure.
“Loot boxes, like other forms of gambling, can lead to addiction and result in real harm,” the lawsuit states. “But Valve’s loot boxes are particularly pernicious because they are popular among children and adolescents, who are lured into opening loot boxes by the prospect of winning expensive virtual items that convey status in the gaming world.”
James’ office reports that the popularity of these virtual prizes has attracted not only online investors and speculators driving up values, but also criminals who target third-party marketplaces where these digital items are sold for real money.
The company both enables these external trading platforms and operates its own Steam Community Market, where players can sell their virtual items and use the earnings to purchase additional games, gaming equipment, or other digital content.
GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Terror gripped Mexican citizens as they turned to their phones for updates following the death of the nation’s most notorious drug kingpin, only to encounter a torrent of fabricated social media content portraying widespread devastation.
Following a massive military operation on Sunday that resulted in the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, better known as “El Mencho,” his Jalisco New Generation Cartel unleashed brutal retaliation across approximately 20 states, claiming over 70 lives through roadblocks, bombings, and shootouts.
However, alongside legitimate reports of carnage and official shelter-in-place orders, the web became saturated with false information — including AI-created videos and photos intended to amplify terror, according to Mexican authorities.
“We didn’t know what was true and what was false,” expressed Victoria Elizabeth Peceril, 31, as she strolled through Guadalajara’s now-peaceful streets Wednesday with her three children. “We were really scared.”
Among the fabricated content was a doctored image supposedly showing an aircraft ablaze at Guadalajara’s airport, accompanied by false claims that armed groups had captured the facility and held tourists captive.
Government analysis revealed between 200 and 500 problematic and false posts circulated since Sunday’s military action, with as many as 30 garnering over 100,000 views each.
During President Claudia Sheinbaum’s Wednesday press conference, officials shared research from Tecnologico de Monterrey, a private institution, showing that 35% to 40% of these posts contained misleading context, at least 25% were deceptive, and nearly 25% involved AI manipulation or complete fabrication.
False narratives included claims that an American operative had killed Oseguera Cervantes by strangulation, that President Sheinbaum was concealing herself aboard a Pacific naval ship, and theories connecting the cartel leader’s death to former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro’s potential capture.
The research institution stopped short of identifying the source behind this content creation.
“There was a lot of badly intentioned news Sunday, looking to generate terror,” Sheinbaum had stated the previous day.
Mexican communities frequently rely on messaging app groups and X platform accounts for local updates. In northern border regions controlled by criminal organizations, these communications often function like traffic advisories, alerting residents to criminal convoy locations for safety purposes.
Given the Jalisco organization’s history of dramatic violence — including destroying military aircraft and targeting Mexico City’s police leadership — social media claims of extreme cartel brutality seemed credible to many.
“At first, we believed everything,” admitted Nicolás Martín, 28, a Mexico City resident who was vacationing near Puerto Vallarta when the violence erupted. He described the circulated imagery as resembling “what you see in movies.”
Martín noted his surprise at the professional quality of early Sunday posts, including apparent drone recordings of explosions and fires in Puerto Vallarta. He observed that genuine footage from such chaotic moments would typically appear more unsteady and amateur.
According to Vanda Felbab-Brown, a Brookings Institution organized crime specialist from Washington, the Jalisco cartel may have orchestrated at least portions of the disinformation campaign.
This particular criminal organization has notably prioritized developing its digital capabilities among Mexico’s various crime groups.
“The criminals are becoming very tech-savvy,” Felbab-Brown observed.
“It was impressive to see the level of misinformation,” she continued, referencing the fake airport takeover images. She characterized these “impressive and sophisticated” posts as likely AI-generated content from Jalisco Nueva Generación-controlled chatbots.
These posts “certainly added to the aura of chaos and meltdown in Mexico,” Felbab-Brown concluded.
Despite efforts by Mexican officials and the U.S. Embassy to counter circulating falsehoods on Sunday, Sarai Olguín, a 22-year-old Guadalajara university student, found distinguishing truth from fiction challenging.
As she and neighbors sheltered indoors, friends forwarded videos and images discovered online. She partially credits these posts with keeping civilians off dangerous streets.
One message warned that “after a certain hour they were going to kill everyone,” she recalled. “In a way it’s good, because all of this false news helped take care of people even though they sowed immense fear.”
Listen to the Evening Delmarva Farm Report Update — February 25, 2026
DELMARVA — Crop prices pushed higher today as the U.S. dollar weakened and technical buying lifted soybean futures. Brazil has wrapped up collection of roughly 2 billion bushels of soybeans so far this season, while recent rains in Argentina are helping late-planted crops. Traders are watching tomorrow morning’s export sales report closely.
Markets
March corn closed at $5.37 a bushel, up 4 cents. March soybeans finished at $12.21, gaining 9 cents. March wheat settled at $6.12, up 3 cents. Live cattle for April jumped $1.17 to $240.27 per hundredweight.
Local cash corn is running $4.90 to $5.10 on Delmarva, with soybeans bringing $11.75 to $12.00.
Poultry
On the poultry front, USDA reports broiler egg production and chick placement are both up 2% nationally, signaling steady growth in the chicken sector.
Forecast
Expect partly cloudy skies tonight with temperatures dropping to 31° and light west winds. Thursday brings light rain likely, possibly mixing with snow, with a high near 43° and light north winds. Thursday night turns mostly cloudy with lows around 25°.
This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Evening Edition, February 25, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.
SEOUL, South Korea — During the conclusion of a major ruling party gathering, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared his nuclear-equipped nation has the capability to “completely destroy” South Korea should its security face threats, according to state media reports released Thursday. While maintaining his hardline stance against Seoul, Kim signaled potential openness to renewed discussions with Washington as he outlined policy objectives for the coming five years.
According to state media reports, Kim also emphasized expanding his military’s weapons capabilities, specifically calling for the creation of submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missiles and a broader collection of tactical nuclear weapons, including artillery and short-range missiles designed to target South Korea.
The North Korean leader stated that his country’s rapid nuclear and missile development has “permanently cemented” its position as a nuclear weapons state, while demanding the United States abandon what he views as “hostile” policies toward his nation before any diplomatic talks can resume.
The Workers’ Party gathering, which started last Thursday in Pyongyang, occurs as Kim establishes a more aggressive regional stance, utilizing his growing nuclear military capabilities and strengthening ties with Moscow that have intensified tensions with both Washington and Seoul.
The Korean Central News Agency reported that North Korea conducted a military parade in the capital Wednesday as the congress concluded, marking Kim’s third such gathering after previous ones in 2016 and 2021.
Kim’s statements during the congress were widely expected, as he has adopted increasingly aggressive positions toward South Korea throughout 2024, abandoning the North’s historical pursuit of peaceful reunification between the divided Koreas and designating the South as a permanent adversary. However, analysts predicted Kim would maintain a more cautious approach toward Washington to keep future diplomatic possibilities alive, ultimately seeking sanctions relief and implicit acceptance as a nuclear state.
Kim has recently focused on strengthening ties with Russia, deploying thousands of soldiers and substantial military equipment to assist Moscow’s Ukraine conflict, likely receiving aid and military technology in return. Experts suggest maintaining flexibility makes strategic sense as the Ukraine war could conclude, potentially reducing North Korea’s value to Moscow.
In his congress summary, Kim stated his administration maintained the “toughest stance” toward Washington, but noted there was “no reason we cannot get along” with Americans if they abandoned their allegedly “hostile policy” toward the North. North Korea frequently uses this terminology to describe U.S.-led pressure and sanctions targeting Kim’s nuclear program. His remarks reflected North Korea’s established position demanding Washington drop denuclearization requirements before resuming negotiations.
North Korea has consistently refused Washington and Seoul’s diplomatic overtures aimed at dismantling its nuclear program, which stalled in 2019 after Kim’s second summit with then-U.S. President Donald Trump collapsed during his initial presidency.
The future of U.S.-North Korea relations “depends entirely on the U.S. attitude,” Kim stated. “Whether it’s peaceful coexistence or permanent confrontation, we are ready for either, and the choice is not ours to make.”
Scientists studying moon rocks brought back by Apollo astronauts more than 50 years ago have made surprising discoveries about the lunar magnetic field, according to research published Wednesday.
The findings could become even more significant as NASA prepares for its upcoming Artemis missions, with four astronauts scheduled to orbit the moon in a test flight launching as early as April from Kennedy Space Center following recent postponements.
Research conducted by scientists at the University of Oxford reveals that although the moon’s magnetic field remained relatively weak throughout most of its history, it experienced dramatic surges that actually surpassed Earth’s magnetic strength during very brief windows between 3 and 4 billion years ago. The study was published in Nature Geoscience.
These magnetic fields serve as crucial protection from harmful cosmic radiation and, for Earth specifically, dangerous solar particles.
According to lead researcher Claire Nichols, the moon experienced “incredibly short spikes in high magnetic field strength” that lasted at most 5,000 years and potentially as briefly as several decades. These surges resulted from the melting of titanium-heavy rocks located deep beneath the lunar surface.
Earlier scientific theories suggested the moon maintained a consistently strong magnetic field for extended periods, based on analysis of materials collected by Apollo crews between 1969 and 1972. Since Artemis astronauts will explore the moon’s southern polar areas rather than the equatorial lava fields visited during Apollo missions, these new samples are expected to provide additional insights into the moon’s ancient magnetic properties.
The Oxford research team reexamined previous measurements from Apollo specimens and discovered that elevated titanium concentrations matched with preserved evidence of strong magnetic activity. Materials from both the initial and final lunar landings — Apollo 11 and Apollo 17 — contained significant titanium levels.
“We have found a missing link,” Nichols explained via email. She noted that magnetic field strength can be “intermittently really strong and may fluctuate far more than we have traditionally thought.”
The scientists believe Apollo samples don’t accurately represent the moon’s overall composition since they originated from comparable locations rich in titanium that reached the surface through volcanic activity. Upcoming Artemis crews intend to examine ancient rock formations near the south pole, where permanently dark craters are believed to hold frozen water.
According to Nichols, learning about the moon’s magnetic protection throughout history “is critical for thinking about planetary habitability.”
The Trump administration is preventing Venezuela from covering legal defense expenses for their former leader Nicolás Maduro, who faces drug trafficking charges in New York, according to his attorney who argues this could violate his constitutional right to legal representation.
Defense lawyer Barry Pollack informed a federal judge in Manhattan through an email last week that the U.S. Treasury Department had prevented authorization for legal fees that Venezuela’s government is obligated to cover for Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores according to their nation’s laws and traditions. This correspondence became part of the public court file on Wednesday.
Both Maduro and his spouse have been detained in New York without the possibility of bail since their capture from their Venezuelan residence on January 3 during a covert nighttime operation conducted by U.S. military personnel. Both individuals have entered not guilty pleas.
This dramatic arrest, which came after months of military preparation in the Caribbean region, has enabled the Trump administration to wield significant control over Maduro’s successor, Vice President and current acting President Delcy Rodriguez. Facing U.S. pressure, Rodriguez has quickly moved to welcome American investment in Venezuela’s petroleum sector, release political detainees, and restore direct diplomatic contact with Washington — a relationship that had been severed when the first Trump administration closed the U.S. embassy in Caracas during 2019.
According to Pollack’s email, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, which oversees Venezuela-related sanctions, had initially approved payment of legal expenses by the Venezuelan government on January 9.
However, the Trump administration withdrew this approval in under three hours “without explanation,” while maintaining authorization for the first lady’s legal representation costs, Pollack stated.
This legal fee controversy is directly connected to American foreign policy objectives. The initial Trump administration severed diplomatic relations with Maduro in 2019, instead recognizing the opposition leader of the National Assembly as Venezuela’s rightful president. The Biden administration followed a similar approach.
Nonetheless, permitting Rodriguez’s administration to fund Maduro’s defense could undermine prosecutors’ courtroom efforts to challenge the former leader’s claims that his arrest was unlawful and that he enjoys immunity from U.S. prosecution as a foreign head of state under domestic and international law.
A 25-page criminal indictment charges Maduro and co-conspirators with collaborating alongside drug cartels and military officials to enable the transportation of thousands of tons of cocaine into the United States. Both defendants could receive life sentences upon conviction.
The alleged conspiracy included Maduro and his wife ordering kidnappings, physical assaults, and murders of individuals who owed drug money, according to the indictment. This reportedly included executing a local drug leader in Caracas.
The Treasury Department, White House, and Justice Department did not respond to requests for comment.
Pollack indicated he requested the Office of Foreign Assets Control on February 11 to restore the original authorization and allow Venezuela to fulfill its responsibility for Maduro’s defense expenses.
The attorney noted that Maduro “cannot otherwise afford counsel” and will seek judicial assistance to fund his defense.
Pollack argued the United States was “interfering with Mr. Maduro’s ability to retain counsel and, therefore, his right under the Sixth Amendment to counsel of his choice.”
WASHINGTON — Federal officials confirmed Wednesday they are examining whether certain documents from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation were improperly excluded from public release, following media reports that key records were missing from the files.
The review comes after multiple news outlets discovered that FBI interview summaries were absent from the extensive collection of Epstein-related documents the government made public. These missing records reportedly involve unverified allegations made by an unnamed woman against President Donald Trump.
According to news reports, the woman contacted authorities following Epstein’s 2019 arrest, claiming she had been sexually assaulted by both Trump and Epstein during the 1980s when she was underage. Trump has consistently rejected any wrongdoing connected to Epstein.
“Several individuals and news outlets have recently flagged files related to documents produced to Ghislaine Maxwell in discovery of her criminal case that they claim appear to be missing,” the Justice Department stated on social media. “As with all documents that have been flagged by the public, the Department is currently reviewing files within that category of the production.”
Maxwell, who served as Epstein’s long-time associate, is currently serving two decades in prison following her conviction on sex trafficking charges.
Federal officials indicated that any document determined to have been wrongfully withheld and required under the law mandating the files’ public release would be published accordingly.
The controversy centers on a series of 2019 FBI interviews with the accuser. While authorities reportedly spoke with the woman four times, only one interview summary appeared in the publicly available documents, according to recent news coverage.
Journalist Roger Sollenberger first reported the missing records on Substack, with NPR also covering the issue. Subsequently, major outlets including The New York Times, MS Now, and CNN have documented the omissions.
Democratic Representative Robert Garcia, who holds the ranking position on the House Oversight Committee, announced his panel would examine the withheld documents. Garcia stated he had examined unredacted evidence logs and could “confirm that the DOJ appears to have illegally withheld FBI interviews” with the woman making the accusations.
Last month, the Justice Department announced it was making public over 3 million pages of Epstein-related materials. Epstein died by suicide in a New York detention facility in 2019 while facing sex trafficking charges. Officials explained they aimed for transparency while reserving the right to withhold certain materials, including those that could expose victims, duplicate records, legally privileged information, or documents tied to active investigations.
“Some of the documents contain untrue and sensationalist claims against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election. To be clear, the claims are unfounded and false, and if they have a shred of credibility, they certainly would have been weaponized against President Trump already,” the department stated when initially releasing the records.
The document redaction process quickly showed problems, with officials pulling back materials flagged by victims and their attorneys, plus a “substantial number” of additional documents the government identified on its own.
Legal representatives for Epstein accusers informed a New York federal judge last month that nearly 100 victims had their lives “turned upside down” due to inadequate redactions in the government’s latest document release. The exposed materials included nude photographs showing victims’ faces, along with names, email addresses, and other personal details that were either left unredacted or inadequately concealed.
The publicly released files contained other unsubstantiated allegations against Trump and additional public figures. In Wednesday’s social media statement, the department did not explain why documents related to this particular accuser might have been excluded.
TUCSON, Ariz. — Officials in Pima County are expanding parking restrictions around the residence of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show host Savannah Guthrie, following three weeks of neighbor complaints about media presence since her disappearance.
County authorities report that residents have expressed frustration over crowded streets, people entering private property without permission, and debris scattered along roadways where news teams and online content creators have set up camp.
Officials attempted to implement one-way traffic patterns this past weekend near Nancy Guthrie’s residence, but the measure failed to resolve the situation, prompting broader parking limitations.
Beginning Thursday, the enhanced restrictions will remain in place, though media personnel and streamers may continue accessing the area by parking in other locations and arranging transportation into the community. Those who violate the new rules will receive $250 citations.
The continuous presence of television crews, online bloggers and curious spectators has generated divided opinions among local residents. While some neighbors welcome the publicity surrounding the case, others have positioned traffic barriers and warning signs on their land to prevent unwanted visitors.
County officials state that camping equipment, power generators and broadcasting vehicles positioned throughout the street have caused traffic problems and raised safety issues.
Nancy Guthrie was last observed at her residence near Tucson on January 31 and reported as missing one day later. Law enforcement suspects she was forcibly taken from her home. Investigators discovered blood evidence on her front entrance but have released limited details about their findings.
Volunteer search efforts have persisted despite sheriff’s department requests for civilians to avoid independent searches. One small volunteer team discovered a dark-colored backpack on Sunday, though it did not match the brand shown in FBI surveillance footage featuring a masked individual at Guthrie’s property on the evening she vanished.
Media representatives and content creators are not the only visitors to the area. Family supporters have arrived at the home to leave floral arrangements, yellow memorial ribbons, religious crosses and written prayers.
Extremist organizations with ties to al Qaeda and ISIS are dramatically escalating their violent campaigns along the borders of Niger, Benin and Nigeria, transforming previously quiet transit routes into dangerous war zones, a new study reveals.
Research from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) project, released Thursday, shows that terror incidents involving Islamic extremist factions in this three-nation border region jumped 90% from 2024 to 2025, while fatalities more than doubled, surpassing 1,000 deaths as violence escalated.
The data highlights how jihadist organizations continue to gain ground throughout West Africa, despite more than ten years of efforts by regional governments and international military forces to stop their advancement.
According to the study, fighters connected to al Qaeda and ISIS have strengthened their foothold across Benin’s Alibori and Borgou departments, Niger’s Dosso region, and Nigeria’s Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger and Kwara states. These operations now demonstrate “continued spread, growing lethality, and rising risks to civilians,” the report stated.
Military officials from Nigeria and government representatives from Niger and Benin did not provide responses when contacted for comment.
Nigeria has been fighting Islamic insurgents for more than 15 years, primarily battling Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the country’s northeastern regions. However, cells affiliated with al Qaeda and ISIS have intensified their activities in northwestern areas, where extensive forest cover and limited government control provide ideal conditions for their operations.
West Africa is home to numerous jihadist factions, with many functioning under the broader organizations of al Qaeda-connected Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) or Islamic State in the Sahel Province (ISSP).
This territorial expansion has contributed to widespread political upheaval throughout the region. Military forces in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have overthrown governments since 2020, claiming that democratically elected leaders failed to address the growing violence. Military personnel who attempted an unsuccessful coup in Benin last December also cited security concerns as justification.
The United States conducted airstrikes in northwestern Nigeria in December and has started positioning a limited number of military personnel to provide training support for Nigerian forces confronting these militant groups.
Cooperation between regional governments has deteriorated in recent years as Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali—now controlled by military leadership—have pulled out of regional partnerships, making coordinated security efforts more difficult.
ACLED researchers noted that jihadist organizations have increased their public communications regarding activities in the tri-border area, potentially indicating rivalry between competing groups. This type of “outbidding,” according to the report, will likely lead to increased violence.
Limited government oversight and poorly secured borders have historically made frontier areas throughout the Sahel and coastal West Africa attractive targets for Islamic extremist groups looking to avoid security forces, resupply their fighters and gain control over local populations.
On Wednesday, the Tennessee Titans made the decision to part ways with two key players from their roster, cutting center Lloyd Cushenberry and safety Xavier Woods.
During his time with Tennessee, Cushenberry took the field as a starter in 15 contests during what marked his second campaign with the franchise. Meanwhile, Woods appeared in 11 games for the team, earning starting duties in 10 of those matchups during his inaugural season wearing a Titans uniform.
The 28-year-old Cushenberry became a member of the Titans organization in 2024 following a four-year tenure with the Denver Broncos to begin his professional career. Throughout his NFL journey, he has taken the field in 80 contests, earning a starting role in every single game. When healthy and available during the 2025 season, he participated in 99% of Tennessee’s offensive plays.
The 30-year-old Woods contributed 39 tackles while also recording two interceptions and one sack during his time with the Titans. Prior to joining Tennessee on a two-year deal last offseason, the veteran safety had played for multiple franchises, including four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys from 2017 through 2020, one year with the Minnesota Vikings in 2021, and three seasons with the Carolina Panthers spanning 2022 to 2024.
A major chip design software company experienced a significant stock decline Wednesday evening after delivering a revenue outlook that disappointed Wall Street investors.
Synopsys saw its stock price drop more than 5% during after-hours trading following the release of its financial forecast, which cited ongoing challenges from Chinese trade restrictions and broader economic headwinds.
The California-based technology firm has encountered difficulties in the Chinese market, where trade limitations have blocked clients from launching new semiconductor design initiatives. Additionally, the company has seen weaker demand from a key foundry partner.
Industry experts point to another factor impacting the business: the semiconductor industry’s pivot toward artificial intelligence chips is reducing manufacturing of traditional consumer electronics like mobile phones and personal computers. This shift has particularly affected Synopsys’ intellectual property division, which provides ready-made circuit blueprints to manufacturers.
The IP segment’s revenue dropped by more than 6% during the first quarter, falling from $435.1 million in the previous year to $407 million this period.
Chief Financial Officer Shelagh Glaser addressed the China situation during the company’s earnings conference call, stating: “Excluding Ansys, China revenue declined slightly year‑over‑year, consistent with our outlook.” She noted that the Ansys acquisition contributed roughly $886 million to first-quarter earnings.
Looking ahead to the second quarter, Synopsys projects revenue between $2.23 billion and $2.28 billion, which falls below the $2.24 billion consensus forecast from financial analysts surveyed by LSEG.
However, the company’s earnings per share projection of $3.11 to $3.17 on an adjusted basis slightly exceeded analyst expectations of $3.09.
The first quarter showed mixed results, with total revenue reaching $2.41 billion, surpassing the anticipated $2.39 billion. Adjusted earnings of $3.77 per share also beat the consensus estimate of $3.56.
Synopsys is currently managing substantial debt obligations stemming from its massive $35 billion purchase of engineering simulation software company Ansys, a deal that was completed in July 2025.
To address financial pressures, the company announced a corporate restructuring initiative in November, which includes eliminating approximately 10% of its workforce while reallocating resources to more promising business opportunities.
WASHINGTON – A leading House Democrat is charging that the Justice Department has deliberately concealed FBI interview records involving sexual abuse allegations against President Donald Trump by an underage victim.
Rep. Robert Garcia, who serves as the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, stated Wednesday that he has verified news reports indicating DOJ held back more than 50 pages of documents concerning the woman’s claims. These materials were excluded from the over 3 million Jeffrey Epstein-related documents the department has made public.
According to Garcia, the concealed records demonstrate that federal investigators treated the allegations with seriousness, conducting four separate interviews with the accuser. However, authorities only made public the initial interview, which did not contain specific details about her accusations involving Trump.
“The fact that DOJ is suppressing documents alleging President Trump’s commission of sexual abuse of an underage victim only heightens my genuine concerns about a White House cover-up,” Garcia stated in his correspondence to the department.
Justice Department officials responded that they are conducting a review to determine whether any Epstein-connected documents were inappropriately withheld, promising to make them available to the public if deemed suitable.
DOJ officials have cautioned that some previously released materials contain unsubstantiated allegations and sensational claims targeting Trump.
The department maintains it has kept certain materials confidential to protect the identities of Epstein’s victims and avoid compromising active investigations.
Among the materials DOJ has made public are photographs showing Trump alongside several women with obscured faces, plus a provocative message to Epstein featuring the silhouette of an unclothed woman that appears to carry Trump’s signature.
Court records and witness testimony from Ghislaine Maxwell’s 2021 prosecution reveal Trump used Epstein’s aircraft on multiple occasions. In one electronic message, Epstein stated that Trump “knew about the girls,” though the meaning remains unclear.
White House representative Abigail Jackson maintained that Trump has been “totally exonerated on anything relating to Epstein.”
Trump maintained close social connections with Epstein throughout the 1990s and 2000s but has consistently denied awareness of the financier’s criminal activities. He claims their relationship ended prior to Epstein’s 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. Trump disputes ever using Epstein’s aircraft and maintains the suggestive note is fraudulent.
Digital banking company Chime announced Wednesday that it anticipates 2026 revenues will surpass Wall Street projections, boosted by robust customer interest in its online banking services and steady consumer spending patterns.
The financial technology sector has transformed traditional banking by introducing digital-first platforms, user-friendly interfaces, and reduced fees, creating intense rivalry for established financial institutions.
Following the announcement, Chime’s stock price jumped 9.4% during after-hours trading, with the company projecting it will reach profitability by 2026.
Digital banking platforms like Chime have gained ground against major financial institutions by focusing on younger demographics and underbanked populations, resulting in significant user growth and transaction volume.
For the full year, Chime projects revenues ranging from $2.63 billion to $2.67 billion, surpassing analyst predictions of $2.61 billion based on LSEG data.
“We’re in the business of acquiring primary account relationships. Those exist at the incumbent banks, Chase, BofA and Wells and so that is our primary competition,” Chief Financial Officer Matt Newcomb stated during a Reuters interview.
“We continue to extend our lead over traditional banks,” he added.
The company reported that artificial intelligence implementation has reduced its service costs by approximately 30% while boosting average revenue per active customer by 23% during the previous three years. Market observers are monitoring AI-powered improvements across various sectors as the technology advances.
Current quarter revenue projections fall between $627 million and $637 million, exceeding analyst estimates of $624.8 million.
These financial results demonstrate continued strength in U.S. consumer spending, with Americans maintaining purchases of daily necessities, which benefits the payments industry.
Transaction volume, including outbound instant transfers, rose 16% to reach $35.3 billion during the quarter, while active membership increased 19% to 9.5 million users.
“We’re seeing very consistent trends in the consumer, and that’s true across income levels,” Newcomb noted.
Chime’s banking approach focuses on typical American consumers, providing various services for clients with minimal credit backgrounds who depend more heavily on debit rather than credit cards. The company plans to broaden its offerings in 2026 with membership levels and investment options.
Fourth quarter revenue reached $596 million for the period ending December 31, surpassing analyst forecasts of $577.7 million.
Listen to the Morning Delmarva Farm Report Update — February 25, 2026
DELMARVA — America’s farm economy is sending mixed signals this week according to Creighton University economist Ernie Goss. He says the sector isn’t as strong as producers would like but it’s holding steady against potential headwinds. The uncertain environment continues to challenge grain and livestock operations across Delmarva as producers manage input costs and volatile markets.
Meanwhile, a Wisconsin soybean grower is pushing the Trump administration to lock in firm trade commitments with international buyers. The farmer wants signed agreements with enforcement teeth so foreign markets can’t back out at the last minute. That stability matters for Delmarva growers watching export demand.
Markets
March corn futures closed at $4.37/bu. Soybeans settled at $10.18. Wheat came in at $5.45. Local cash corn on Delmarva is running $4.30 to $4.35. Soybeans are fetching $9.90 to $10.10 at regional elevators.
Forecast
Partly cloudy skies are expected today with a high of 43° and light winds out of the north. Good conditions for fieldwork if ground is dry enough. Tomorrow brings light rain likely transitioning to a chance of light snow by evening with temperatures reaching 43° before dropping overnight to 25°. Producers should plan accordingly if outdoor work is scheduled.
This article is based on the Delmarva Farm Report Update Morning Edition, February 25, 2026. Hosted by Tom Bradley.
A complete road closure is affecting drivers in Sussex County after a tree fell and brought down power lines across Sandy Landing Road.
Delaware Department of Transportation officials report that Sandy Landing Road is impassable in both directions between Falling Point Road and Sussex Road due to the fallen tree and downed electrical wires blocking the roadway.
Motorists are advised to find alternate routes while crews work to remove the debris and restore safe passage through the area. DelDOT has not provided an estimated timeline for when the road will reopen to traffic.
Delaware transportation officials have shut down a section of Birch Knoll Road after a tree fell across the roadway, blocking traffic in both directions.
The road closure is in effect at the intersection of Birch Knoll Road and Stone Crop Road, where the fallen tree is preventing vehicles from passing through the area.
Motorists are advised to find alternate routes while crews work to remove the tree and reopen the roadway. No timeline has been provided for when the road will be cleared and traffic can resume normal flow.
DelDOT continues to monitor the situation and will update drivers once the obstruction has been removed and the road is safe for travel.
Drivers traveling on Estates Drive should plan for potential delays this afternoon as road crews conduct intermittent flagging operations in the area.
The flagging work is taking place along Estates Drive between Appleby Road and Conlin Court, according to Delaware Department of Transportation officials.
Traffic control personnel will be directing vehicles through the work zone on an as-needed basis until 6 p.m. today.
Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time when using this route and to exercise caution when approaching the work area.
The nation’s highest court showed signs of division during arguments in a case that weighs homeowners’ constitutional protections against local governments’ power to collect overdue property taxes.
The legal battle focuses on a fundamental question: Can municipalities lawfully take possession of residents’ homes when property taxes go unpaid, then sell those properties through public auctions that may yield far less money than homeowners could receive through private market sales?
The case has drawn attention from property rights advocates who argue that forced sales at below-market prices violate constitutional protections, while local government officials maintain they need effective tools to collect tax revenue that funds essential public services.
During oral arguments, the justices appeared uncertain about how to balance these competing interests, suggesting the final ruling could significantly impact how communities across the country handle delinquent property tax situations.
South Korean e-commerce powerhouse Coupang will release quarterly earnings Thursday, with investors closely watching for signs of damage from a major security incident that compromised customer information for millions of users.
The online retail giant is confronting challenges on multiple fronts following a November cyber incident that exposed personal details of approximately 34 million customers, including names, telephone numbers, and delivery addresses. While financial information and account passwords remained secure, the breach has created opportunities for competing platforms.
Government investigators concluded this month that internal management failures, rather than sophisticated external attacks, were responsible for the security lapse. In response, Coupang stated it would “take all necessary steps to prevent further harm and continue strengthening safeguards to prevent a recurrence.”
“Consumer trust in Coupang has been shaken,” commented Lee Kwang-lim, an executive director at the Korea Chainstores Association, which represents major retailers including E-mart and Lotte Mart.
Data analytics show the breach’s measurable impact on user engagement. Mobile app usage dropped 3.5% between November and January, while competitor Naver saw usage surge 23% during the identical timeframe, according to WISEAPP research.
Financial metrics also reflect customer migration, with daily consumer spending declining 6.3% to roughly 139.2 billion won ($97 million) in January compared to November, based on IGAWorks Mobile Index tracking.
Wall Street analysts have reduced their revenue projections for Coupang’s fourth quarter by 2.2% and lowered core earnings estimates by 6.7%, according to LSEG information. The company’s New York Stock Exchange shares have tumbled approximately 34% since the breach announcement, while traditional retail and shipping companies have seen stock gains.
The timing proves particularly challenging as proposed policy changes threaten Coupang’s competitive foundation. The company built its market leadership through “Rocket Delivery,” enabling customers to place orders until midnight for pre-dawn arrival.
South Korean regulations have prohibited large physical retailers from overnight operations for over ten years, designed to shield small local businesses from competition. However, online platforms like Coupang, established in 2010 by Harvard alumnus Bom Kim, operated outside these restrictions, fueling their rapid growth.
Government officials announced plans earlier this month to relax nighttime limitations for large-format stores, creating new opportunities for delivery service competition.
Coupang declined to provide comment when contacted by reporters.
Competing platforms including E-Mart, Kurly, and Naver are accelerating their rapid-delivery programs to capitalize on Coupang’s vulnerabilities.
Naver CEO Choi Soo-yeon recently highlighted “meaningful” increases in both online traffic and customer spending during January.
CJ Logistics, which serves Naver among other clients, reported overnight and same-day delivery volumes jumped 120% in the fourth quarter compared to the previous year.
Despite these headwinds, some market observers believe Coupang’s established advantages may limit competitor gains.
“There is still nothing quite as convenient as Coupang,” noted Seo Jung-yeon, a senior analyst at Shinyoung Securities.
“The key question is … how effectively competitors seize this opportunity to gain share.”
Housing sector stocks experienced significant losses Wednesday after major home improvement chains delivered sobering assessments about the current state of America’s real estate market.
Lowe’s shares plummeted 5.6% as the retail giant projected annual sales and profit figures that fell short of analyst expectations. The company, valued at approximately $150 billion, attributed its cautious outlook to ongoing challenges from elevated borrowing costs and market uncertainty.
The housing sector’s troubles dragged down multiple companies, with homebuilder Lennar closing down 4.9%, PulteGroup falling 4.5%, and D.R. Horton declining 4%. Building materials supplier Builders FirstSource saw the steepest drop at 6.4%. The broader S&P 1500 Homebuilding index tumbled 3.7% to reach its lowest point in three weeks.
During Lowe’s earnings call, CEO Marvin Ellison painted a challenging picture of consumer sentiment, describing it as “subdued given inflationary pressures and overall economic uncertainty.” Ellison explained that “a persistent lock-in effect remains in place, keeping housing turnover and new home starts under pressure,” leading the company to anticipate that “improvement in housing and home improvement markets to be gradual.”
Home Depot’s chief financial officer Richard McPhail echoed similar concerns during Tuesday’s earnings discussion, characterizing the current market as a “frozen housing environment” that has persisted since 2023 without meaningful signs of recovery. Home Depot’s stock declined 2.3% Wednesday.
The real estate market faces multiple headwinds including scarce inventory, elevated mortgage rates, and increased building expenses. January data showed existing home sales dropped to their weakest performance in over two years.
Investment expert Jake Dollarhide from Longbow Asset Management in Tulsa, Oklahoma, offered his perspective on the market dynamics. “You would think given the president’s remarks on outlawing big corporations from buying homes that that would be a boon to the homebuilders,” Dollarhide noted, referencing President Trump’s State of the Union comments about restricting corporate home ownership.
However, Dollarhide suggested the stock declines reflect “the warped situation” currently affecting housing. “Interest rates are too high. People are stuck in their homes, a prisoner to their one-, two- or three-percent mortgage rates, and they’re not moving,” he explained.
Despite mortgage rates showing a slight decrease to 6.09% for 30-year fixed loans, demand for home purchase loans actually dropped 4.7%, indicating continued weakness in one of the housing market’s key forward-looking indicators.
These housing sector losses occurred even as the broader S&P 500 managed to gain 0.8% for the day, highlighting the specific challenges facing real estate-related businesses.
WASHINGTON – The Central Intelligence Agency has rolled out new Persian-language guidance on social media platforms, providing Iranians with secure methods to reach out to American intelligence officials.
This recruitment campaign unfolds as President Donald Trump has significantly increased U.S. military presence across the Middle East, positioning forces for potential strikes against Iran should nuclear negotiations scheduled for Thursday collapse without an agreement.
During his State of the Union address on Tuesday, Trump began building his argument for potential military intervention, declaring he would never permit the Islamic Republic – which he labeled as the globe’s leading terrorism supporter – to obtain nuclear weapons. Iranian officials continue to deny pursuing nuclear weapons capabilities.
The intelligence agency distributed its Persian-language instructions across multiple platforms on Tuesday, including X, Instagram, Facebook, Telegram and YouTube.
This latest outreach represents part of an ongoing CIA initiative targeting potential informants within Iran, China, North Korea and Russia.
The agency advised interested Iranians to “take appropriate action” for personal safety before making contact and warned against using workplace computers or personal mobile devices.
“Use a new, disposable device, if possible” and “be aware of your surroundings and who may be able to see your screen or activity,” the instructions stated, requesting that contacts share their locations, names, professional roles and “access to information or skills of interest to our agency.”
The guidance recommended using reliable Virtual Private Networks “not headquartered in Russia, Iran or China,” or utilizing the Tor Network, which provides data encryption and conceals users’ IP addresses.
CIA officials refused to provide additional comments. Iran’s United Nations representatives have not yet responded to requests for comment.
American negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are set to engage with Iranian representatives headed by Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in Geneva on Thursday for continued discussions regarding Tehran’s nuclear activities.
Trump has warned of military intervention should negotiations fail to produce results, or if Tehran proceeds with executing individuals detained during January’s nationwide anti-government protests.
Human rights organizations report that government forces killed thousands during their suppression of the demonstrations, marking Iran’s most severe internal upheaval since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The U.S. Defense Department is conducting an investigation into major defense contractors Boeing and Lockheed Martin regarding their use of artificial intelligence technology from Anthropic, according to a report from Axios published Wednesday.
Military officials have requested that both aerospace giants provide detailed information about how extensively they depend on Claude, which is Anthropic’s artificial intelligence system. This inquiry represents an initial move that could potentially result in the AI company being classified as a “supply chain risk” by defense officials.
The investigation highlights growing concerns within the Pentagon about the security implications of artificial intelligence systems used by companies that handle sensitive military contracts and defense projects.
A federal jury has found Thomas Goldstein, a renowned Washington attorney known for arguing Supreme Court cases, guilty on multiple tax and financial fraud charges connected to his secret career as a professional poker player.
The 12-member jury delivered their decision Wednesday following three days of deliberations in Greenbelt, Maryland, after a lengthy seven-week trial. Goldstein faced conviction on 12 out of 16 criminal charges, though jurors cleared him of several counts related to helping prepare fraudulent tax documents.
Federal prosecutors had accused the prominent lawyer of concealing millions of dollars earned through poker gambling, providing false information on mortgage applications, and making unauthorized payments through his former legal practice, Goldstein & Russell. His sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
Before retiring from legal practice in 2023, Goldstein had established himself as one of the nation’s premier appellate lawyers, presenting more than 40 cases before the Supreme Court and helping create the legal news platform SCOTUSblog. His criminal charges shocked Washington’s legal establishment.
The trial exposed Goldstein’s extensive participation in international high-stakes poker competitions. Government lawyers revealed that he earned more than $26 million during a single tournament series in late 2016, money they claim he illegally hid from tax authorities and financial institutions.
The case centered on whether Goldstein deliberately broke federal tax and mortgage regulations. He maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings, attributing any financial reporting mistakes to excessive dependence on his professional advisors and accounting staff.
Taking the witness stand in his own defense, Goldstein acknowledged he should have been more vigilant about his tax filings and law firm’s financial matters, but denied any criminal intent. “The mistakes, responsibility for those tax years is mine. I may end up continuing to pay for this for a long time,” he told the jury. “That’s my responsibility. It’s just very different from whether I committed a crime.”
Prosecutors painted a different picture, describing Goldstein as a detail-oriented attorney who fully understood his legal obligation to report gambling earnings and losses. Lead prosecutor Sean Beaty challenged Goldstein’s testimony, characterizing him as dishonest and accusing him of hiding the extent of his poker activities from his spouse and others.
Beaty highlighted Goldstein’s extravagant purchases of luxury timepieces, vehicles, and real estate for the jury. “Poker. Travel. Cars. Watches. All while you owed millions of dollars to the IRS,” the prosecutor stated.
Goldstein admitted to having second thoughts about his spending choices but maintained that purchasing property while owing back taxes wasn’t against the law.
The trial featured testimony from several notable witnesses, including Hollywood actor Tobey Maguire, famous for his role in 2002’s “Spider-Man” and other major films. Maguire, who faces no criminal allegations, explained how he retained Goldstein’s legal services in 2020 to collect more than $7 million that a Texas businessman allegedly owed him from poker games.
Goldstein successfully helped Maguire recover the debt. The actor testified that Goldstein instructed him to send his $500,000 legal fee to a third party instead of paying him directly.
The original criminal charges included allegations about payments to women involved in extramarital affairs with Goldstein, but the presiding judge dismissed those particular accusations before trial.
Zambian officials have declined to move forward with a major health assistance agreement from the United States worth over $1 billion, stating Wednesday that portions of the deal conflict with their national priorities.
The comprehensive funding package was designed to address HIV, malaria, disease preparedness, and maternal health initiatives across a five-year period. Under the proposed terms, Zambia would have contributed approximately $340 million in matching funds during the same timeframe, according to draft documents obtained by Reuters.
Originally scheduled for completion in November, the agreement stalled when updated versions contained concerning provisions, according to a Zambian Health Ministry representative who spoke with Reuters Wednesday.
The problematic section “did not align with the position and interests of the government of Zambia… We have therefore requested further revisions to the content in question,” the official explained, though they would not specify the nature of the disputed content.
Last December, American officials announced they had reached “a plan that aims to unlock a substantial grant package of U.S. support in exchange for collaboration in the mining sector and clear business sector reforms” with Zambian leadership.
The African nation ranks as the continent’s second-largest copper producer behind the Democratic Republic of Congo, while also possessing significant deposits of cobalt, nickel, manganese, graphite, lithium and rare-earth materials.
When contacted this month, a State Department representative told Reuters via email that specific details of active diplomatic discussions would remain confidential. “Secretary [of State Marco] Rubio has consistently been clear that foreign assistance is not charity; it is designed to further the national interests of the United States,” the spokesperson stated.
Zambian authorities maintain the health agreement stands separate from resource extraction issues. “It has no relation whatsoever to minerals, mining, or any natural resources,” their spokesperson emphasized, adding they welcome productive discussions “but only within terms that are clear, mutually agreed upon, and fully aligned with Zambia’s national interests.”
Nevertheless, the draft documentation examined by Reuters indicates the arrangement would end and financial support would cease if both nations cannot reach consensus by April 1 regarding a “bilateral compact” that Secretary Rubio presented to Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema on November 17, 2025. Three informed sources confirmed this compact involves mining cooperation.
Public health organizations in both countries have raised objections to the proposed data-sharing components, which would extend for a decade, while expressing concern about the secretive nature of the discussions.
“The data sharing will be one way from Zambia to the U.S. and the information will benefit the U.S.,” explained Owen Mulenga, who works with the Treatment, Advocacy and Literacy Campaign, a local organization advocating for HIV/AIDS treatment access. “We need support from the U.S. but there should be transparency,” Mulenga told Reuters, noting widespread speculation about mining connections that government officials refuse to address with advocacy groups.
Asia Russell, who leads Health GAP, a worldwide HIV advocacy organization monitoring the negotiations, criticized the arrangement: “This deal would slash U.S. government funding to life-saving programs… while prioritizing the interests of mining corporations over the needs of Zambians with HIV.”
This development represents part of a broader shift in how the Trump administration structures international health assistance after dissolving its primary aid agency last year, reducing global funding and contracts, and implementing an “America First” approach to health diplomacy.
On the same day, Zimbabwe withdrew from its own $367 million agreement, citing data privacy issues and describing the terms as unfair. Kenya’s larger $1.6 billion arrangement with Washington remains on hold due to ongoing legal challenges, though Nigeria and Uganda have completed their agreements.
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates discussed his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during a Gates Foundation staff meeting this week, with the organization confirming he accepted accountability for his decisions.
According to a foundation representative, Gates openly discussed the matter and provided detailed responses to multiple inquiries during Tuesday’s town hall session.
The tech billionaire’s name appears throughout recently released Justice Department documents related to the investigation of the deceased financier. These records contain email exchanges between Gates and Epstein regarding charitable initiatives, scheduling records showing their meetings, and photographs from shared events.
No criminal allegations have been made against Gates regarding Epstein, and Gates maintains he was unaware of Epstein’s illegal activities. Gates has previously stated their meetings focused on charitable work and his belief that Epstein could assist with fundraising for causes including global health initiatives. “Every minute that I spent with him I regret and I apologize that I did that,” Gates recently told Australia’s 9News.
The renewed focus on Gates’ connection to Epstein intensified after the Justice Department made millions of related documents public last month. This scrutiny led Gates to withdraw from giving the main presentation at New Delhi’s India AI Impact Summit last week “to ensure the focus remains on the AI Summit’s key priorities.”
Melinda French Gates, who departed the Gates Foundation in 2024 to pursue her own charitable work through Pivotal Ventures, has stated her former husband needs to address questions about his Epstein connections. Both have acknowledged that his association with Epstein contributed to difficulties in their marriage.
WASHINGTON — Conservative critics believe they may have found the controversy that could finally bring down the Clinton political dynasty. After initially resisting calls to appear before Congress, the former first couple now faces another major political battle as they prepare to use their decades of experience to challenge their opponents.
Bill and Hillary Clinton are returning to a familiar 1990s-style political warfare.
The former president and secretary of state are scheduled to appear before a House committee Thursday and Friday as part of an ongoing Jeffrey Epstein investigation. This arrangement came after Republicans made it clear they would pursue contempt charges if the Clintons continued to refuse cooperation. For this politically seasoned duo, it represents yet another Capitol Hill confrontation featuring the same elements that have defined their careers: questionable decisions, sexual misconduct allegations, financial dealings, and power struggles.
When Bill Clinton ran for president in 1992, he described his candidacy as offering voters “two for the price of one,” signaling a presidential partnership unlike any previous administration, featuring a first lady with professional achievements matching her husband’s. This partnership has enabled the Clintons to survive numerous controversies, including deeply personal scandals that might have destroyed other marriages. As his political career wound down, hers gained momentum with her election to represent New York in the U.S. Senate, followed by her role as secretary of state and her 2016 Democratic presidential nomination.
Long-time Clinton observers note that this latest controversy demonstrates how the couple — shaped by the political upheaval of Vietnam and Watergate — has consistently found itself at the center of cultural battles. With the Epstein investigation continuing to develop globally, the Clintons once again find themselves caught up in a major scandal.
“It’s kind of a sad but fitting coda to extraordinary political lives,” said David Maraniss, who has written two biographies of Bill Clinton.
Neither Clinton has been accused of any criminal activity related to Epstein, the convicted sex offender who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
However, Epstein maintained connections with Bill Clinton over many years, including multiple White House visits during the 1990s according to official records. Following Clinton’s presidency, Epstein became involved in his charitable work, and the former president took several trips aboard Epstein’s private aircraft.
“Traveling on Epstein’s plane was not worth the years of questioning afterward,” Bill Clinton wrote in his 2024 memoir. “I wish I had never met him.”
The Republican-controlled House Oversight Committee issued subpoenas for both Clintons last summer. The 79-year-old former president and 78-year-old former secretary of state mostly avoided public discussion of the matter for months, but maintaining silence became more difficult in December when Bill Clinton appeared prominently in the initial release of Epstein documents.
The thousands of released documents included photographs showing him aboard a private aircraft, including one image with an unidentified woman whose face was obscured sitting next to him with her arm around him. Another photograph depicted Bill Clinton in a swimming pool alongside Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate and British socialite, with another person whose face was redacted. A third image showed Bill Clinton in a hot tub with an unidentified woman whose face was also obscured.
Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer of Kentucky warned he would pursue contempt charges against the Clintons if they failed to comply with the subpoenas, which would mark an unprecedented action since no former president has ever been forced to testify before Congress. Donald Trump cited this precedent between his presidential terms to resist a subpoena from the committee investigating the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack.
Although the photographs of Bill Clinton lacked context, they highlighted how his political potential has consistently been overshadowed by personal misconduct.
The same 1992 campaign that symbolized the Baby Boom generation’s political emergence was also plagued by allegations of an extramarital affair with Gennifer Flowers. A presidency largely characterized by economic growth nearly collapsed when Clinton faced impeachment in 1998 for perjury and obstruction of justice after denying a sexual relationship with Monica Lewinsky.
In each instance, many Republicans believed they had finally gained an advantage over the Clintons. Yet each time, the Clintons managed to escape the pressure.
Former Republican congressman Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas, who served as a House manager during Clinton’s impeachment proceedings, characterized the couple as “a smart lawyer and brilliant communicator.”
A consistent strategy emerged with each crisis: the Clintons would vehemently deny accusations and frequently discredited women making claims against them. They would portray the Republican Party as villainous while redirecting public focus toward more positive topics like the era’s strong economy.
Bill Clinton, famous for telling voters “I feel your pain,” consistently maintained public connection. He actually achieved some of his highest presidential approval ratings during his impeachment investigation and trial, with approximately 70% of Americans approving of his job performance.
Hillary Clinton similarly outmaneuvered Republicans who saw opportunity in her response to a 2012 attack on a Libyan compound that resulted in four American deaths. She emerged from an 11-hour televised congressional hearing in 2015 appearing composed. Even the Republican committee chairman investigating the attack acknowledged uncertainty about whether she had revealed new information about what many in his party viewed as scandalous.
That experience is shaping the Clintons’ approach to this week’s testimony. Hillary Clinton has been particularly outspoken about demanding public hearings rather than the private sessions Comer currently plans.
“We have nothing to hide,” she told the BBC earlier this month.
Bill Clinton’s communications team has adopted an aggressive approach reminiscent of the political “war room” strategy popularized during the 1992 campaign to counter negative coverage.
One statement accused Comer of “lying in every appearance he’s made this week.” Another mockingly presented GOP Representatives Scott Perry of Pennsylvania and Andy Biggs of Arizona with a “hypocrisy award of the day,” pointing out how these Oversight committee members ignored subpoenas from the January 6 panel.
The Clintons also published a four-page letter to Comer on social media defiantly criticizing a process they described as “literally designed to result in our imprisonment.”
Echoing their 1990s strategy of redirecting attention, the letter criticized the White House for dismantling institutions, implementing severe immigration enforcement, and pardoning Capitol riot participants.
The Clintons’ political ascent coincided with talk radio’s emergence as a political force, with Rush Limbaugh using his daily program to constantly attack the White House. Today, conservative podcast hosts like Benny Johnson have assumed Limbaugh’s role and celebrated when the House panel moved to hold the couple in contempt last month.
“Do you understand Donald Trump made good on his oldest promise arguably which is he told all of us 10 years ago that Hillary Clinton would be going to jail?” Johnson said last month.
However, some circumstances have shifted.
The unwavering Democratic support the Clintons previously enjoyed in Congress has weakened as newer lawmakers have taken office — nine Democrats joined Republicans on the House committee to advance the contempt resolution. Trump, who faces his own scrutiny regarding Epstein connections and may be concerned about establishing a precedent for compelling former presidents to testify, has shown unusual sympathy for the Clintons.
He told NBC News that it “bothers me that somebody is going after Bill Clinton.” He has called Hillary Clinton “a very capable woman.”
Even Hutchinson, who helped build the case for Bill Clinton’s impeachment, expressed compassion for the couple.
“It’s frustrating and disappointing that President Clinton and Secretary Clinton are having to go through this fact-finding ordeal,” he said. “That’s difficult for them.”
During Tuesday evening’s State of the Union speech, President Donald Trump orchestrated what many are calling a calculated political ambush targeting Democratic lawmakers. Midway through his address to Congress, Trump issued a direct challenge: rise to your feet if you believe safeguarding American citizens, rather than ‘illegal aliens,’ should be the government’s primary obligation.
The orchestrated confrontation may become the defining moment of what was already an exceptionally lengthy presidential address. Trump’s Republican supporters are certainly hoping it will be.
Democratic members of Congress who chose to attend the speech found themselves trapped in an impossible scenario. They could either show support for a president their party opposes, or risk appearing unpatriotic in what was clearly designed as campaign material.
‘One of the great things about the State of Union is how it gives Americans a chance to see clearly what their representatives really believe,’ Trump declared. He then issued his ultimatum: ‘If you agree with this statement, then stand up and show your support: The first duty of the American government is to protect American citizens. Not illegal aliens.’
The president’s words immediately created visible battle lines throughout the congressional chamber, reflecting the broader divisions across America.
Trump’s entire speech demonstrated the unique theatrical power available to any sitting president, particularly one with his background in entertainment. He honored military veterans while connecting their service to America’s upcoming 250th birthday celebration. He highlighted the U.S. men’s hockey team’s Olympic victory and delivered emotional moments, including introducing the widow of murdered activist Charlie Kirk.
However, no other segment of the address generated the impact of Trump’s sit-or-stand ultimatum.
Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson immediately jumped up behind the president. Republican legislators throughout the chamber followed suit with enthusiastic applause. Nearly every Democratic lawmaker remained in their seats, some appearing uncomfortable while others stared ahead stoically.
‘Isn’t that a shame?’ Trump responded. ‘You should be ashamed of yourself, not standing up.’
The confrontation exemplified Trump’s signature style as a former reality TV personality who has incorporated dramatic moments into his political leadership. His next test will be using this divisive approach to help Republicans in upcoming midterm elections, as the party works to maintain congressional control.
The moment seemed tailor-made for Trump supporters to share across social media platforms and preserve for future campaign advertisements. White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller posted on X: ‘The entire Democrat Party disqualified itself from government service in this one exchange. Nothing like it in U.S. history.’
Fox News host Lawrence Jones commented Wednesday morning: ‘This is your Democratic Party right here. The entire speech was riddled with test questions for Democrats.’ He argued Democrats don’t view people ‘with different stripes’ as legitimate Americans.
CNN analyst Van Jones dismissed the moment as pure theatrics. ‘If he would have said ‘Stand up if you like puppies,’ they would have said, ‘We like kittens.’ I mean, there was no way they were going to stand up. He was just trying to make Democrats look bad.’
While gathering reactions from Saginaw, Michigan residents, Jones questioned a panel member about what he would have done as a Democrat in that situation. The man avoided directly answering initially. When pressed again, he replied: ‘I would have respected our country and I would have stood to my standards. I would have stayed to who I am.’
During a Fox News interview Wednesday, host Bill Hemmer asked Pennsylvania Democratic Senator John Fetterman whether he stood during that particular moment.
Fetterman explained he stood when Trump recognized a crime victim’s mother, a freed Venezuelan political prisoner, and Erika Kirk. He also stood for military veterans. However, he avoided directly answering Hemmer’s specific question about the controversial challenge.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer deflected when CNN asked about the moment. ‘We agree we need to protect Americans,’ Schumer said. ‘He’s not. By his reckless ICE agency in Minnesota, two Americans were killed. Americans are being pulled out of their car and beaten.’
The confrontation showcased Trump’s television communication abilities, developed during his years starring in ‘The Apprentice’ before entering politics, according to Robert Thompson, director of Syracuse University’s Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture. ‘However we feel about the politics and craziness,’ Thompson explained, ‘he has a real sense of rhetorical timing. He can play a room.’
Thompson noted that Democrats were caught unprepared, forced into a role they never agreed to play. With more time to consider their response, he suggested, they might have simply rolled their eyes and stood up anyway.
That approach might have worked if Trump had only mentioned the government’s duty to protect American citizens, said Kathleen Hall Jamieson, director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania.
But Trump went further than that. By framing the choice as citizens versus ‘illegal aliens’ — terminology many find offensive — he changed the entire dynamic, Jamieson explained. While the challenge may have energized Trump’s base supporters, she predicted independents and Democrats would recognize it as a trap.
‘I don’t think the Democrats had any choice,’ Jamieson concluded. ‘But here’s a potential implication: You may see a higher number of Democrats not attending future State of the Union addresses.’
Democratic strategist Xochitl Hinojosa argued her party couldn’t participate in characterizing any immigrant as subhuman. While Trump achieved a visual moment ‘that might end up being on Fox News all day,’ she said it doesn’t alter negative public opinion about his immigration policies and the ICE operation in Minneapolis where two Americans died.
David Axelrod, former President Barack Obama’s communications director, said Trump’s objective was provoking a reaction. He dismissed concerns that Democrats made a lasting error, even if Trump achieved his immediate goal.
‘He’s on the defense now’ regarding the economy and immigration issues, Axelrod observed. ‘It will be interesting to see how it plays out.’
Democratic strategist Antjuan Seawright from South Carolina, who occasionally advises House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, characterized the sit-or-stand challenge as a ‘distraction moment’ for Trump.
‘I think,’ Seawright concluded, ‘the members who ignored the president did our party a favor.’
BOSTON — A married couple from Massachusetts has resolved their legal battle with eBay following a terrifying harassment ordeal that involved former company workers sending them live bugs, death threats, and other disturbing items to their home.
David and Ina Steiner, residents of Natick who operate EcommerceBytes, an online publication covering the e-commerce sector, filed their federal lawsuit in Boston back in 2021. The couple alleged that eBay orchestrated a campaign designed to “intimidate, threaten to kill, torture, terrorize, stalk and silence them” as retaliation for their news coverage of the online marketplace giant.
According to court documents, the Steiners endured digital stalking, threats on their lives, and physical surveillance conducted by former eBay staff members. The harassment campaign included anonymous packages containing live cockroaches and spiders, a funeral arrangement, and a bloodied pig mask delivered to their residence.
Boston federal Judge Patti Saris officially closed the case Wednesday following the settlement agreement, though either party has 60 days to reopen proceedings if the deal falls through. The financial terms of the resolution remain confidential.
eBay representatives declined to provide additional comment beyond referencing the court’s dismissal order. However, when the lawsuit was initially filed, the company acknowledged that “the misconduct of these former employees was wrong” and pledged to “do what is fair and appropriate to try to address what the Steiners went through.”
The harassment scheme came to light in 2020 when federal authorities brought charges against seven ex-eBay workers. Prosecutors alleged the group launched their intimidation campaign after becoming upset over the couple’s newsletter reporting. The majority of those charged entered guilty pleas to conspiracy and cyberstalking charges, resulting in prison sentences or home detention.
Beyond the disturbing deliveries, investigators revealed that the former employees also had adult magazines sent to a neighbor’s address with the husband’s name attached and plotted to secretly place a tracking device on the couple’s vehicle by breaking into their garage.
eBay Corporation agreed to pay $3 million in criminal penalties to federal prosecutors in 2024 as part of a deferred prosecution arrangement.
A Texas grand jury declined Wednesday to issue criminal charges against a federal immigration officer who shot and killed an American citizen during a traffic encounter last March, according to local prosecutors.
Ruben Ray Martinez was fatally shot by a Homeland Security Investigations agent on March 15, 2025. The Department of Homeland Security kept the incident under wraps until news organizations including The Associated Press brought it to light last week.
Cameron County District Attorney’s Office released a brief statement confirming the grand jury’s decision not to pursue indictments after reviewing the case. Officials provided no further explanation for the determination.
According to DHS officials, Martinez “intentionally ran over a Homeland Security Investigation special agent,” prompting another officer to discharge “defensive shots to protect himself, his fellow agents, and the general public.”
This incident represents the first in a series of at least six fatal encounters involving federal law enforcement since President Donald Trump’s administration began its intensified immigration enforcement efforts.
However, a passenger traveling with Martinez has challenged the government’s version of events. Joshua Orta, who witnessed the shooting, provided a conflicting account in a preliminary sworn statement prepared last year, according to lawyers representing Martinez’s relatives. Tragically, Orta died in an automobile accident over the weekend.
The two men were visiting South Padre Island when they approached an intersection where local police and federal agents were managing traffic flow around a vehicle collision, based on Orta’s preliminary statement.
According to the draft testimony, Orta maintained that Martinez never struck any officer with their vehicle, describing their car as moving at a crawl when a federal agent opened fire through the driver’s window without issuing any verbal warnings or commands for compliance.
Legal representatives for Martinez’s family have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the grand jury’s decision.
North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un declared that the future of diplomatic ties between Pyongyang and Washington rests completely on how the United States chooses to approach his regime, according to reports from state-controlled media KCNA released Thursday.
The hermit kingdom staged a military parade Wednesday evening as part of celebrations marking the conclusion of a significant party gathering, state media reported.
Kim brought North Korea’s Ninth Congress of the ruling Workers’ Party to a close on Wednesday, announcing that the assembly had established major policy objectives for the nuclear-armed nation over the coming half-decade.
According to KCNA, Kim stated: “We have a prospective plan to strengthen our national nuclear force, and will focus on projects to increase the number of nuclear weapons and expand nuclear operational means and space for use.”
The North Korean leader suggested diplomatic possibilities with Washington, telling state media: “If the U.S. withdraws its policy of confrontation with North Korea by respecting our country’s current status… there is no reason why we cannot get along well with the U.S.”
Kim has yet to respond to diplomatic approaches from U.S. President Donald Trump, despite the two leaders holding three face-to-face meetings during Trump’s previous presidency.
In stark contrast to his measured tone regarding America, Kim delivered harsh words about South Korea, branding it the “most hostile enemy” and dismissing any possibility of negotiations with Seoul. He warned that North Korea “can initiate arbitrary action” should South Korea engage in “obnoxious behaviour” while facing the nuclear-armed North.
Kim went further in his threats against the South, declaring that “South Korea’s complete collapse cannot be ruled out,” according to KCNA’s reporting.
Telecommunications company AT&T has reached a settlement agreement with four New York City public pension funds, resolving a dispute over shareholder voting rights on workforce diversity disclosure.
The Dallas-based company will now allow its shareholders to vote on whether AT&T should publicly reveal demographic information about its 133,000 employees, including breakdowns by race, ethnicity, and gender.
New York City Comptroller Mark Levine made the settlement announcement on Wednesday, just over a week after the pension funds filed legal action. The lawsuit aimed to prevent AT&T from excluding their diversity-focused proposal from the company’s 2026 annual shareholder meeting.
The pension funds involved include the New York City Employees’ Retirement System along with retirement funds for police officers, teachers, and other educational workers. These groups argued that AT&T’s resistance to their proposal came after the Securities and Exchange Commission changed its policies in November, making it easier for corporations to exclude shareholder proposals by claiming a “reasonable basis” for doing so.
“Today’s settlement is a major win for investors amid ongoing attempts to undermine transparency and accountability,” Levine stated. “AT&T shareholders will now have the responsibility to vote on our proposal that requests disclosure of clear and detailed data to help investors better assess its efforts to advance equal opportunity.”
AT&T has not yet provided a response to requests for comment following the settlement announcement.
The case highlights a broader trend where corporations frequently petition the SEC for permission to exclude shareholder proposals from voting ballots. Companies typically receive approval for such requests approximately half the time, with hundreds of these requests submitted annually.
This settlement occurs during a period when numerous corporations have scaled back their diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives following President Donald Trump’s announcement of a federal crackdown on such programs shortly after beginning his second presidential term.
President Donald Trump launched a social media attack Wednesday against two Muslim Democratic congresswomen following their disruptive outbursts during his State of the Union speech the night before.
Representatives Ilhan Omar from Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib from Michigan interrupted Trump’s address Tuesday evening as he highlighted his administration’s strict immigration policies and enforcement measures. The lawmakers yelled “you’re killing Americans” at the president, with Omar also shouting “liar” during the speech.
Trump responded with harsh criticism on his Truth Social platform Wednesday, describing the two representatives as having “the bulging, bloodshot eyes of crazy people, LUNATICS, mentally deranged and sick who, frankly, look like they should be institutionalized.”
“We should send them back from where they came — as fast as possible,” Trump wrote, despite both Omar and Tlaib being United States citizens.
The confrontation stemmed from the lawmakers’ opposition to Trump’s immigration crackdown, which has faced scrutiny after two deadly incidents in January where federal agents fatally shot U.S. citizens in Minnesota. Immigration detention facilities have recorded at least eight deaths since early 2026, adding to 31 fatalities documented last year.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries condemned Trump’s remarks as “xenophobic” and “disgraceful.” Tlaib responded on social media platform X, saying Trump’s comments demonstrated “he is crashing out.”
The Council on American-Islamic Relations labeled the president’s statements as racist. “It’s racist and bigoted to say two Muslim U.S. lawmakers should be sent to the country they were born in or where their ancestors came from based on their criticism of the gunning down of Americans by ICE,” stated CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell.
During Tuesday’s address, Trump repeated accusations against Somali communities regarding fraud and claimed “Somali pirates” had damaged Minnesota. His administration has deployed armed federal immigration officers to Minnesota citing these fraud allegations.
The White House has not provided comment on the latest controversy. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt previously stated that media outlets have unfairly “smeared” the president with racism accusations.
Civil rights organizations argue Trump’s enforcement actions have fostered an atmosphere of fear and that he exploits individual fraud cases to justify broader immigrant targeting. Critics also question his commitment to fighting fraud, pointing to his past pardons of individuals with fraud convictions.
This incident follows recent criticism of Trump after his social media account shared a video containing racist portrayals of former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama.
WASHINGTON – Vice President JD Vance announced Wednesday that American intelligence has detected indicators suggesting Iran is working to restore its nuclear capabilities following strikes conducted by U.S.-led forces on Iranian nuclear facilities in June.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that the June military operations successfully eliminated Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and has vowed to prevent Tehran from rebuilding the program.
“The principle is very simple: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” Vance stated during a press briefing on Wednesday, speaking one day before scheduled diplomatic discussions in Geneva involving American and Iranian representatives.
According to Vance, U.S. representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are set to conduct meetings with an Iranian delegation in Geneva on Thursday to determine if a diplomatic solution can be achieved, while American military forces maintain a substantial presence throughout the region.
The University of Delaware men’s basketball squad is making the journey south to Alabama for an upcoming game against Jacksonville State University.
The Blue Hens will take their talents on the road as they prepare to face the Gamecocks in what promises to be an important matchup for the team’s continued progress this season.
Delaware’s starting lineup will be looking to build momentum as they venture into hostile territory for this interstate competition.
Federal regulators announced Wednesday they are examining the increasing trend of live sporting events moving away from traditional free television to paid streaming platforms and subscription services.
The Federal Communications Commission is seeking public feedback on potential actions the agency “could take to ensure continued access by viewers to live sports through free over-the-air broadcast TV.” Officials are also questioning whether existing sports broadcasting contracts interfere with television stations’ obligations to serve the public interest.
The commission highlighted the dramatic financial evolution in sports broadcasting, noting that the National Football League signed a two-year deal with CBS in 1961 worth $9.8 million, while current NFL media agreements exceed $10 billion annually.
“Broadcast television stations used the popularity of live sports and the advertising revenues from the programming to support their own industry and operations, including funding the local news and reporting that are so important to our country,” the agency stated.
When contacted for response Wednesday, the NFL defended its distribution approach, stating that more than 87% of games appear on free broadcast television, with all games available on free TV in the home markets of competing teams.
“The NFL has the most accessible, fan-friendly distribution model across all of sports and entertainment,” the league responded in an official statement.
Representatives from Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, the National Hockey League, and major television networks did not provide immediate responses to requests for comment.
A 1961 federal law provides major sports leagues with antitrust exemptions, enabling them to combine individual team television rights and market those rights collectively.
The FCC pointed out that the NFL maintains broadcasting agreements with multiple companies including Walt Disney (ABC’s parent company), Paramount (CBS owner), Fox Corporation, NBCUniversal, NFL Network, Amazon, and Google. These contracts are expected to generate over $100 billion in rights fees throughout their duration.
According to the commission, numerous sporting events that were previously accessible through free broadcast television or standard cable packages are now exclusively available through individual streaming subscriptions, creating frustration among sports fans.
The FCC reported that NFL games appeared across 10 different platforms last year, with estimates suggesting consumers might spend more than $1,500 annually to access all games.
Venezuela’s top prosecutor has stepped down from his position after nearly a decade of service, according to an announcement from the country’s National Assembly on Wednesday.
Attorney General Tarek Saab, 63, submitted his resignation letter along with the nation’s ombudsman, ending a tenure that began in 2017. During his time in office, Saab oversaw the government’s handling of significant corruption investigations and the detention of numerous opposition leaders and demonstrators, many of whom human rights organizations claim were wrongfully imprisoned.
The distinctive prosecutor, known for his extensive tattoos and background as a published poet, has consistently rejected claims that Venezuela detains political prisoners. In a recent interview with Reuters, Saab expressed optimism that a newly enacted amnesty law would create a “100% pacified” nation.
“I call them prisoners, I don’t give anything any additional label,” Saab stated to Reuters earlier this month. “They are detainees for actions that at the time were documented.”
These comments echoed previous statements Saab made in 2024, prior to mass arrests following protests surrounding a disputed presidential election that resulted in thousands of detentions.
Assembly secretary Maria Alejandra Hernandez formally announced the resignations during Wednesday’s session. “The National Assembly received communications addressed to lawmaker Jorge Rodriguez Gomez, president of this legislature, signed by: first, citizen Tarek William Saab, by which he submits his resignation from the post of Attorney General of the Republic; and second, citizen Alfredo Ruiz Angulo, by which he submits his resignation from the post of Ombudsman,” Hernandez stated.
Rodriguez, who is the brother of acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez, indicated that temporary officials will be appointed to fill both positions while permanent successors are selected. Saab did not respond to requests for comment regarding his departure.
The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission announced Wednesday that it possesses complete authority to investigate and prosecute illegal activities within prediction markets, after a major trading platform reported discovering insider trading violations.
The federal agency stated it maintains “full authority” to address such violations in event market contracts, referencing Kalshi’s disclosure that the company had identified and suspended trader accounts connected to two separate insider trading incidents.
Worries about insider trading within these emerging but expanding markets have been increasing, with a senior Justice Department official recently identifying them as a prime target for enforcement actions. State gaming authorities have also attempted to regulate these markets, which directly compete with casinos and established betting companies.
In a recent court document, the CFTC asserted it holds exclusive oversight over these markets, intensifying its conflict with state regulators.
Firms registered under CFTC oversight, including Kalshi, are generally required to help monitor misconduct within their platforms and report violations to the federal agency.
Both the CFTC and Kalshi declined to provide immediate responses when contacted for further details.
Video conferencing company Zoom Communications announced Wednesday that its upcoming quarterly earnings will likely miss Wall Street projections, as the firm faces mounting pressure from competitors and cautious corporate spending habits.
The company’s stock dropped almost 3% during after-hours trading following the announcement.
Zoom finds itself under increasing pressure from competing platforms like Microsoft’s Teams and Google Meet from Alphabet, both of which are packaged with comprehensive workplace software suites that frequently offer more cost-effective solutions for business clients.
Even with efforts to expand its product lineup, Zoom continues to struggle with declining growth rates as the pandemic-driven remote work trend fades and workers head back to traditional office settings.
Although the company’s enterprise division has maintained stability, its online division, which caters to individual users and smaller companies, continues to underperform.
During the fourth quarter, Zoom’s online division generated $489.7 million in revenue, while customer turnover rates saw a slight uptick compared to the previous year.
The entire software industry has faced challenges in recent months as investors wait for clearer understanding of artificial intelligence’s effects and possible disruptions to existing business models.
Although Zoom has introduced numerous AI-powered features to boost growth, the company’s technology investments may put strain on its operating profit margins.
The company projects first-quarter revenue will range from $1.22 billion to $1.23 billion, matching analysts’ average prediction of $1.22 billion based on LSEG data.
Adjusted earnings per share are expected to fall between $1.40 and $1.42, which is lower than the estimated $1.45.
Motorists traveling through the Phillips Hill Road area will need to find alternate routes as Jones Store Road remains blocked due to a fallen tree.
Delaware Department of Transportation officials report the roadway is currently impassable in the vicinity of Phillips Hill Road as crews work to remove the tree obstruction.
Drivers are advised to avoid the area and use alternative routes until the roadway can be safely reopened. No timeline has been provided for when the road closure will be lifted.
Wall Street continued its upward momentum Wednesday, marking the second straight day of solid gains as technology stocks led another market rally and investors showed renewed interest in assets that had recently fallen out of favor, including precious metals and digital currencies.
The market’s attention focused heavily on quarterly earnings from Nvidia, the world’s most valuable company with a market capitalization exceeding $4 trillion. The chip manufacturer’s financial reports have become as closely watched as major economic indicators like employment and inflation data.
Nvidia exceeded expectations once again, reporting fourth-quarter revenue of $68.13 billion that surpassed analyst predictions. The company projected revenue would climb to $78 billion in the current quarter, well above the average analyst forecast of $72.6 billion. Nvidia shares jumped 4% in after-hours trading following the announcement.
The technology sector as a whole gained 1.8%, while other standout performers included Coinbase, which surged 13.5%, and Super Micro Computer, up 8%. However, Lowe’s declined 5.5% after issuing cautious guidance, pulling the real estate sector down 0.7%.
International markets also showed strength, with Taiwan, South Korea, Brazil, and Japan’s Nikkei all reaching new record highs. South Korean stocks have been particularly impressive this year, climbing 45% year-to-date, while broader emerging market indices have posted double-digit gains.
Currency markets saw notable movement as well. China’s onshore yuan extended its winning streak to nine consecutive days, its longest rally since 2010. The Korean won emerged as the top-performing major currency, gaining 1%, while the dollar weakened and the Japanese yen continued to struggle among major currencies. Bitcoin added 8% to its value.
In commodities, oil prices edged slightly higher, while precious metals showed strong performance with silver climbing 4% and platinum advancing 6%.
Meanwhile, Japan made surprising policy moves as the government nominated two academic economists to the Bank of Japan’s board, both considered policy doves who favor accommodative monetary conditions. This development may disappoint those expecting the central bank to continue normalizing its ultra-loose monetary policy.
Looking ahead, several key events could influence market direction, including South Korea’s interest rate decision, speeches from European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde and Federal Reserve Vice Chair Michelle Bowman, and the release of U.S. weekly unemployment claims data.
The current market environment reflects what Goldman Sachs describes as the loosest financial conditions in emerging markets in four years, creating what analysts call a self-reinforcing cycle of strong domestic equity performance, dollar weakness, and stable Treasury markets.
Australia’s national airline Qantas Airways exceeded Wall Street expectations Thursday when it announced first-half earnings that outperformed analyst predictions, driven by continued strength in passenger travel demand.
The carrier’s financial success stemmed from steady customer demand across both its premium services and low-cost options, according to company reports released February 26th.
Strong passenger numbers on both domestic Australian routes and international flights, expanded service to overseas destinations, and the addition of new planes to its fleet all contributed to Qantas’s positive performance during the first six months of its fiscal year.
Company executives indicated they anticipate reservation levels to remain steady throughout their route network for the remainder of 2024.
The airline’s domestic operations saw revenue climb 5% due to increased flight capacity, while Jetstar, Qantas’s budget subsidiary, experienced a significant 38% increase in core operating profits for its domestic services.
These strong results enabled Australia’s primary airline to achieve underlying pre-tax earnings of A$1.46 billion (equivalent to $1.04 billion USD), surpassing the Visible Alpha analyst consensus forecast of A$1.42 billion and exceeding the A$1.39 billion earned during the same period last year.
In addition to the earnings announcement, Qantas revealed plans for a share repurchase program worth up to A$150 million and declared an interim shareholder dividend of 19.8 Australian cents per share.
NEW YORK – Federal officials are preventing Venezuela’s government from covering the legal costs for Nicolas Maduro as the ousted leader battles drug trafficking charges in a New York courtroom, according to his defense attorney.
Both Maduro and his spouse Cilia Flores entered not guilty pleas on January 5 to narcotics charges that could result in lengthy federal prison sentences. The pair remains in custody in New York while awaiting their trial proceedings.
Defense attorney Barry Pollack informed U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein in court documents that Treasury officials initially approved an exemption to Venezuela sanctions on January 9, permitting the country to cover Maduro’s attorney fees. However, authorities withdrew that approval just hours afterward without providing any justification.
According to Pollack, “Venezuelan law and custom” requires the government to cover presidential and first lady expenses.
“The government of Venezuela has an obligation to pay Mr. Maduro’s fees, Mr. Maduro has a legitimate expectation that the government of Venezuela would do so, and Mr. Maduro cannot otherwise afford counsel,” Pollack stated in his February 20 letter that became public Wednesday.
Representatives from the Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s office handling the prosecution refused to provide comment. Treasury Department officials have not yet responded to inquiries about the matter.
American special operations forces apprehended Maduro and Flores during a nighttime operation in Caracas on January 3, culminating months of pressure from President Donald Trump’s administration demanding the socialist leader resign. Federal prosecutors allege Maduro misused his authority to assist drug trafficking operations throughout his 13-year rule.
Following Maduro’s arrest, former Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has assumed control of Venezuela’s government. During his January 5 court hearing, Maduro maintained his claim as the nation’s rightful president.
Pollack indicated that Flores may still be eligible to receive government funding for her legal representation. Her attorney Mark Donnelly has not yet commented on the situation.
Pollack gained prominence representing WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, who admitted guilt to charges of conspiring to obtain and reveal classified military information.
Computer chip manufacturer Nvidia announced Wednesday it anticipates first-quarter sales will exceed Wall Street expectations, as major technology companies continue their heavy investment in artificial intelligence processors despite growing questions about these massive expenditures.
The company’s stock price climbed more than 3% during after-hours trading following the announcement.
The world’s most valuable corporation projects sales of approximately $78 billion for the upcoming fiscal first quarter, with a margin of error of 2%. This figure surpasses the average analyst prediction of $72.60 billion, based on LSEG research data.
Market watchers are closely examining Nvidia’s performance to determine if the hundreds of billions being invested by major tech firms in data center infrastructure is generating returns.
“Our customers are racing to invest in AI compute — the factories powering the AI industrial revolution and their future growth,” stated CEO Jensen Huang.
Financial markets have been anticipating strong sales figures for Nvidia’s premium AI processing units, supported by substantial capital investments from technology leaders including Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon.com, and Meta Platforms. These companies are projected to spend at least $630 billion by 2026, with the majority allocated to data centers and processors.
Companies and government entities worldwide are investing heavily in the competition to create the most advanced AI technology, fearing they might otherwise fall behind.
However, potential threats to Nvidia’s long-standing leadership in AI chip manufacturing are beginning to surface. Competitor AMD plans to introduce a new premier AI server this year and has secured contracts with some of Nvidia’s major clients, including Meta.
Additionally, Alphabet’s Google has become a significant competitor through an agreement to supply Anthropic, the company behind the Claude chatbot, with its proprietary chips known as TPUs. Media sources indicate Google is also negotiating to provide chips to Meta.
Major technology companies are increasingly developing their own solutions for enhanced computing capabilities, investing in creating proprietary chips for deployment in their data facilities.
For the January quarter, Nvidia reported revenue of $68.13 billion, surpassing projections of $66.21 billion according to LSEG information. The company announced adjusted earnings of $1.62 per share, exceeding the estimated $1.53 per share.
In the highly anticipated earnings report, released approximately 10 minutes behind schedule, Nvidia indicated its current quarter projections do not account for anticipated revenue from data center chip sales to China.
Nevertheless, the company disclosed it obtained permits this month from the U.S. government to deliver “small amounts” of its H200 processors to Chinese customers.
Market analysts and investors had been anticipating the possible resumption of Nvidia’s AI chip sales to China, which were previously limited due to U.S. government export restrictions.
Last month, Huang expressed optimism that China would permit the company to market its advanced H200 AI processor in the country, noting that licensing was in final stages.
Competitor AMD has reintroduced AI chip sales to its current quarter outlook after obtaining authorization to ship modified processors to China.
Nvidia announced it has obtained sufficient inventory and production capacity to satisfy demand for multiple upcoming quarters.
The company also revealed it will incorporate stock-based compensation costs in its non-GAAP financial reporting, departing from standard industry practices during a period when technology companies are competing intensely for leading AI engineers and researchers.
“Stock-based compensation is a foundational component of Nvidia’s compensation program to attract and retain world-class talent,” the company stated.
Following a deadly avalanche incident, how do authorities go about examining the specific circumstances and extracting valuable lessons from the tragedy?
The investigation process extends well beyond simply examining snow and weather conditions, as officials work to piece together the complex factors that contributed to the fatal event.
FBI Director Kash Patel is coming under fire from Democratic lawmakers and other critics who are questioning his use of government-funded aircraft for official travel.
The controversy surrounds concerns about whether taxpayer dollars are being properly utilized for the director’s transportation expenses on federal jets.
Critics are calling for greater transparency and accountability regarding how public funds are being allocated for high-ranking officials’ travel arrangements.
Federal energy officials announced Wednesday they have approved a historic $27 billion loan package for electric utility companies in Georgia and Alabama, with officials claiming the massive funding will help reduce customer costs while companies expand their power infrastructure to meet growing demand from computer data centers.
Georgia Power will receive $22.4 billion while Alabama Power gets $4.1 billion from the loan package. Both companies operate under Southern Company, an Atlanta-based utility giant that ranks among the country’s largest power providers. The utilities plan to spend the money constructing new natural gas power facilities, building additional transmission infrastructure, and modernizing current power plants.
According to Energy Secretary Chris Wright, the loan arrangement will generate more than $7 billion in customer savings over multiple decades through reduced, government-subsidized interest rates.
“We’re focused on driving down costs,” Wright stated. He emphasized that the loan would guarantee Southern Company customers “have access to affordable, reliable and secure energy for decades to come.”
Both Wright and President Donald Trump have consistently promoted their fossil fuel-supporting policies as essential for maintaining electric grid reliability nationwide. This includes recent directives over nine months to prevent coal plant closures beyond their scheduled shutdown dates.
Wright claims these directives have protected utility customers from millions in costs and maintained power during January’s winter storm. However, opponents argue the orders are unwarranted and have increased electric bills by forcing utilities to operate older, costlier facilities.
“These loans will help lower the cost of investments in our grid that will enhance reliability and resilience for the benefit of our customers,” stated Chris Womack, Southern Company’s chairman, president and CEO.
The loan announcement comes during increased examination of rising utility costs, as electricity rates have climbed faster than inflation across numerous states. Additionally, widespread resistance has emerged against new artificial intelligence data centers.
During Tuesday’s State of the Union address, Trump unveiled a “ratepayer protection pledge” targeting higher utility costs linked to AI development. He indicated technology companies would supply their own electricity when constructing data centers, though Trump offered no specifics while promising price reductions.
While no confirmation exists regarding tech company commitments to construct independent power facilities, Wright told reporters Wednesday that “every name you know that’s developing a data center has been in dialogue with us.”
He mentioned “cooperation” from major corporations including Microsoft, Google and Meta, though he provided no details about formal written commitments.
Government utility loans have a long history, including $12 billion in loan guarantees from both the initial Trump administration and President Barack Obama’s administration for two expensive nuclear reactors at Georgia’s Plant Vogtle, which Georgia Power partially owns.
Trump’s recent tax and budget legislation modified the loan program to emphasize expanding electricity generation and transmission capacity. Under President Joe Biden, loan guarantees prioritized environmental energy objectives.
Gregory Beard, who leads the recently renamed Office of Energy Dominance Financing, said Wednesday that reducing interest rates while abandoning Biden’s approach “will get us back on the right track in terms of affordability.”
The loan office will examine individual projects for financial viability, he explained. “We’re not going to build this plant or deploy this capital until we are sure that it’s the right thing to do for the local community, for the local ratepayer,” Beard said during an interview.
However, these requirements appear absent from loan documents Southern Company released Wednesday. Jennifer Whitfield, a Southern Environmental Law Center attorney who represented opponents of Georgia Power’s expansion, acknowledged the loans would benefit Georgians financially but questioned their prudence.
“As a taxpayer, it’s hard to avoid the fact that this is a bailout paid for by every taxpaying citizen of the United States,” she commented.
Customer savings require approval from elected Public Service Commissions in both Alabama and Georgia. Commissioners approved a three-year rate freeze for Georgia Power last July, while Alabama commissioners authorized a two-year freeze in December. Company representatives highlight these freezes amid record rate increase requests by utilities nationwide. Critics argue company-supportive regulators have maintained elevated prices and utility profits.
Georgia voters removed two Republican commission incumbents in November over concerns about increasing bills.
Commissioner Peter Hubbard, among two newly elected Democrats, recently attempted unsuccessfully to reverse approval for Georgia Power’s expansion plans. He argued Wednesday that decreasing costs for solar, wind and battery technologies could render new natural gas facilities economically unfeasible over time.
“It’s locking us into a costlier option,” he said regarding the federal loan. “And so I think it just is not meeting the moment of affordability.”
Cuban authorities announced Wednesday that their military personnel fatally shot four individuals traveling on a speedboat registered in Florida after those aboard the vessel fired weapons at Cuban forces in territorial waters.
The Caribbean nation’s Interior Ministry released a brief statement regarding the deadly encounter, specifying that the confrontation took place approximately one mile northeast of Cayo Falcones along Cuba’s northern coastline.
Authorities have not confirmed whether any American citizens were among those on the watercraft.
While Cuban officials disclosed the vessel’s registration information, The Associated Press could not immediately confirm boat ownership details since Florida does not make watercraft registration records available to the public.
According to the ministry’s account, the incident resulted in injuries to one Cuban military member, four fatalities among the boat’s occupants, and six additional people wounded.
The purpose behind the boat’s presence in Cuban territorial waters remains unknown.
In their official statement, ministry representatives said Cuba’s administration was “safeguarding its sovereignty and ensuring stability in the region.”
U.S. Vice President JD Vance confirmed Wednesday evening that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had briefed him regarding the incident. Vance noted that the White House was keeping watch over developments but refused to share additional information.
“Hopefully it’s not as bad as we fear it could be,” Vance said.
Florida’s attorney general, James Uthmeier, announced he has directed prosecutors to collaborate with federal, state and law enforcement agencies to launch an investigation.
“The Cuban government cannot be trusted, and we will do everything in our power to hold these communists accountable,” he wrote on X.
Florida Representative Carlos A. Gimenez condemned the four deaths and labeled the Cuban administration as murderers.
“This regime must be relegated to the dust bin of history!” he wrote on X.
Confrontations between Cuba’s maritime forces and American-flagged speedboats operating in Cuban waters occur regularly, though recent incidents involving gunfire from passengers or resulting in deaths have not been documented.
Historically, some American-registered vessels have carried unspecified cargo toward the island nation or attempted to transport Cuban nationals illegally into United States territory.
U.S. Coast Guard representatives did not respond immediately to requests for information. Both the Pentagon and Department of Homeland Security referred inquiries to the State Department, which has not yet provided a response.
This confrontation unfolds amid escalating tensions between Washington and Havana following increased pressure from the Trump administration. The two nations previously worked together on anti-drug trafficking efforts and other criminal matters but have discontinued such cooperation.
WASHINGTON — On Wednesday, Vice President JD Vance declared that the Trump administration will “temporarily halt” certain Medicaid payments to Minnesota due to suspected fraudulent activity, marking part of what he characterized as an intensive campaign against the abuse of taxpayer dollars.
The Medicaid program serves as America’s healthcare lifeline for individuals with low incomes. By the end of 2025, approximately 70 million Americans were participating in the program across the nation.
Speaking alongside Dr. Mehmet Oz, who heads the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Vance explained the administration was implementing this measure “in order to ensure that the state of Minnesota takes its obligations seriously to be good stewards of the American people’s tax money.”
This Wednesday action represents one component of the Trump administration’s broader initiative to expose fraudulent activities nationwide. The push follows accusations of fraudulent behavior involving daycare facilities operated by Somali residents in Minneapolis, which led to an extensive immigration enforcement operation in the Minnesota city and sparked widespread demonstrations.
Last month, Oz released a social media video claiming billions in fraudulent hospice and home healthcare activities in Los Angeles. California Democratic leaders criticized Oz for the video, where he appeared outside an Armenian bakery while alleging, without supporting documentation, that much of the fraudulent activity was “run by the Russian Armenian mafia.”
During a Wednesday interview on Fox News Channel, Vance revealed that both the Justice Department and Treasury Department would participate in the anti-fraud efforts, including examining tax documentation to identify fraudulent schemes.
“There’s a whole host of tools that we have never used,” Vance stated.
NEW YORK (AP) — Disgraced movie producer Harvey Weinstein has assembled a new defense team featuring attorneys who represent Luigi Mangione and Sean “Diddy” Combs as he prepares for his third New York rape trial.
Court documents filed Tuesday confirmed that attorneys Jacob Kaplan, Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos will now handle Weinstein’s defense. They are replacing his previous attorney Arthur Aidala, who will shift his focus to handling the former studio executive’s appeals and civil litigation matters.
Kaplan previously served on Weinstein’s original defense team in 2018 and is anticipated to play a key role in the upcoming trial. The case centers on allegations that the Oscar-winning producer sexually assaulted hairstylist and actor Jessica Mann at a Manhattan hotel in 2013.
During a January court appearance, Weinstein maintained his innocence, stating he “never assaulted anyone” and expressing that his “spirit was breaking” after spending nearly six years in prison.
The trial was originally scheduled to begin March 3 but has been delayed without a new date set. Weinstein is scheduled to appear in court March 4 for a status update. The legal team changes were first disclosed by Law360.
Kaplan and Agnifilo currently serve as defense counsel for Mangione in both state and federal proceedings related to the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The attorneys successfully had terrorism charges dismissed in the state case and prevented the death penalty from being sought in federal court.
Agnifilo and Geragos previously defended Combs, securing a mixed verdict with acquittals on sex trafficking and racketeering counts. They are currently among the legal team defending wealthy siblings Alon, Oren and Tal Alexander in their Manhattan federal sex trafficking case.
All three attorneys work as partners at the Manhattan-based firm Agnifilo Intrater.
“Harvey believes that, after two prior trials on this matter, a recalibrated outlook and strategic approach offers the most effective path forward,” stated Weinstein spokesperson Juda Engelmayer.
Last June’s retrial produced a complicated outcome: Weinstein was found guilty of forcing oral sex on Miriam Haley, cleared of similar charges involving Kaja Sokola, while jurors failed to reach a decision on the rape charge concerning Mann. The deliberation process collapsed when the jury foreman declined to continue participating.
The Associated Press typically withholds the names of alleged sexual assault victims unless they provide consent, which Haley, Sokola and Mann have all granted.
Weinstein’s legal team contended that the retrial outcome was compromised by conflicts and intimidation among jury members. However, Judge Curtis Farber, who will preside over the third trial, dismissed these claims and told Weinstein during the January hearing: “You had a fair trial.”
Weinstein’s initial 2020 trial resulted in convictions for raping Mann and sexually assaulting Haley, but New York’s top court reversed those verdicts and mandated last year’s retrial. The Court of Appeals determined that Weinstein’s case was compromised by testimony regarding accusations not directly related to the charges.
The transition between Weinstein and Aidala, who handled the appeal and represented him in both previous trials, appears to have been mutually agreed upon and cordial.
“Our work does not end here,” Aidala commented. “We will continue to advocate forcefully on his behalf in the appellate courts, where we are confident that serious legal errors will be addressed and his most significant conviction will ultimately be overturned.”
The timing of Weinstein’s trial may be influenced by his new attorneys’ busy schedules, including Mangione’s state trial set to commence June 8. Prosecutors estimate that even with only Mann as an accuser, the proceedings could extend up to five weeks.
Weinstein could receive up to 25 years in prison for his conviction on first-degree criminal sex act charges involving Haley. The pending third-degree rape charge related to Mann carries a maximum sentence of four years — less time than he has already served.
The Academy Award-winning producer has remained incarcerated since his original 2020 conviction and received an additional prison sentence in a California case that he is currently appealing.
WASHINGTON – Federal officials are withholding portions of Medicaid payments to Minnesota following allegations that federal money earmarked for social welfare programs has been stolen, Vice President JD Vance announced Wednesday.
The suspension of funding comes as the Trump administration investigates suspected fraudulent activity involving federal dollars meant to support the state’s Medicaid program.
Vance made the announcement from Washington on Wednesday, though additional details about the scope of the investigation or the specific amount of funding being withheld were not immediately provided.
A defense lawyer representing the man accused of fatally striking NHL player Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew is seeking to have certain charges dismissed, claiming his client was not legally intoxicated at the time of the crash.
During a Tuesday hearing in Salem County Superior Court, defense attorney Richard F. Klineburger told Judge Michael Silvanio that blood alcohol testing procedures were flawed because they analyzed Sean Higgins’ plasma rather than his blood directly, leading to an artificially elevated BAC reading. According to the defense team’s expert analysis, Higgins’ actual blood alcohol content measured 0.075 percent – falling short of the legal driving threshold.
Prosecutors maintain the defendant’s BAC registered 0.087 percent, exceeding the legal limit.
Higgins faces charges in connection with the deaths of Johnny Gaudreau, age 31, and Matthew Gaudreau, age 29, who were struck while cycling near their family’s New Jersey residence in August 2024. The brothers had returned home to attend their sister’s wedding celebration.
The tragedy has gained renewed attention as Johnny Gaudreau was recently in the spotlight during the U.S. hockey team’s Olympic gold medal victory. The Columbus Blue Jackets player would likely have earned a spot on the national squad.
Throughout the Olympic tournament, Team USA honored the memory of both Gaudreau brothers and invited Johnny’s children to join their celebratory team photograph on the ice.
Klineburger stated that what he considers faulty blood testing procedures “impacted the grand jury” during their decision to indict Higgins. The charges include first-degree aggravated manslaughter, reckless vehicular homicide, fleeing the scene of a fatal collision, and evidence tampering.
Should Higgins receive convictions on all charges, he faces a potential sentence of up to 70 years behind bars.
According to ESPN reports on Wednesday, the Denver Broncos have stayed within Colorado borders to fill a key coaching vacancy, bringing aboard University of Colorado defensive coordinator Robert Livingston for their defensive passing game coordinator and lead defensive backs coach positions.
The 40-year-old Livingston steps into the role previously held by Jim Leonhard, who departed Denver earlier this month to take over as the Buffalo Bills’ defensive coordinator.
This marks Livingston’s comeback to professional football following a two-year stint with the Buffaloes. His NFL background includes nine years with the Cincinnati Bengals from 2015 through 2023, where he primarily served as the secondary coach for eight seasons. His Bengals tenure began in 2014 as a scout before moving to special teams assistant duties in 2015, working alongside current Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, who was coaching Cincinnati’s defensive backs at the time.
Under Livingston’s guidance in 2024, Colorado’s defense showed remarkable transformation during his inaugural season working with head coach Deion Sanders. The Buffaloes made a stunning leap from 121st place in scoring defense during 2023 to 43rd nationally in 2024, surrendering just 23.1 points and 351.9 yards per contest while posting a 9-4 record with a 7-2 Big 12 Conference mark.
The previous season told a different story, as Colorado struggled to a 3-9 overall record and 1-8 conference performance after losing key players including Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, safety Shilo Sanders, quarterback Shedeur Sanders, and other core starters to the NFL. During that campaign, the Buffaloes allowed 30.5 points per game, ranking 111th nationally, while giving up 425.7 yards per contest, placing them 121st in the country.
ESPN’s reporting indicates that Colorado linebackers coach Chris Marve will step up to fill Livingston’s former role as the university’s defensive coordinator.
Cloud data analytics company Snowflake announced Wednesday that its revenue projections for fiscal 2027 will exceed Wall Street expectations, as businesses increasingly turn to artificial intelligence applications and cloud-based services.
The Montana-based company, which went public in 2012, provides a platform that allows businesses to store and analyze their data in one centralized location for generating insights and building AI applications.
Business customers are ramping up their investments in moving operations to cloud-based systems while simultaneously developing artificial intelligence capabilities, creating higher demand for services like those Snowflake provides.
Chief Executive Officer Sridhar Ramaswamy revealed to Reuters that the company recently closed its biggest contract to date. “We also signed the largest deal in our history of over $400 million,” Ramaswamy stated, though he did not identify the customer.
The company’s Snowflake Intelligence platform, which became available to customers last November, has already been implemented by more than 2,500 clients, according to Ramaswamy.
For the fiscal year concluding January 31, 2027, Snowflake projects product revenue will reach $5.66 billion, surpassing the $5.50 billion average forecast from financial analysts tracked by LSEG.
The company’s first-quarter product revenue outlook of $1.26 billion to $1.27 billion also topped analyst predictions of $1.23 billion.
Snowflake operates on a consumption-based pricing model that depends on how much customers use its storage and computing services. The company faces strong competition from rivals like Databricks, which recently secured $5 billion in funding this month.
Despite the positive financial outlook, Snowflake’s stock price dropped approximately 3% in after-hours trading.
The company has established separate multi-year partnerships worth $200 million each with AI companies OpenAI and Anthropic to incorporate their advanced technology into Snowflake’s platform, aimed at helping more businesses adopt artificial intelligence.
In a recent acquisition move, Snowflake purchased app-monitoring company Observe for an undisclosed sum to improve its capabilities in identifying and resolving software and data performance problems.
With a customer base exceeding 13,000 clients, including notable companies like Figma and BlackRock, Snowflake reported fourth-quarter product revenue increased roughly 30% to $1.23 billion, beating analyst estimates of $1.18 billion.
The company’s adjusted earnings per share of 32 cents also surpassed expectations of 27 cents per share.
Federal investigators secretly collected phone records belonging to two individuals who now hold top positions in the Trump administration, according to revelations made Wednesday by current FBI Director Kash Patel.
Patel disclosed to Reuters that the FBI issued subpoenas for his phone records and those of current White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles during 2022 and 2023, when both were private citizens. The collection occurred during Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into former President Donald Trump’s handling of classified documents and alleged election interference.
The FBI director characterized the record seizure as government overreach under the previous administration, claiming the files were deliberately hidden from oversight.
“It is outrageous and deeply alarming that the previous FBI leadership secretly subpoenaed my own phone records – along with those of now White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles – using flimsy pretexts and burying the entire process in prohibited case files designed to evade all oversight,” Patel stated.
Smith received his appointment as special counsel in November 2022 to oversee the investigation examining whether Trump interfered with the 2020 election results and improperly retained classified materials at his Mar-a-Lago resort.
The phone record collection focused on what investigators call “toll records,” which show call timing and recipients but not conversation content. Federal authorities can obtain such records through subpoenas without requiring judicial approval.
According to Patel, investigators gathered the records during the period when Smith was examining allegations that Trump illegally removed classified documents to his Florida property after leaving office in 2021 and subsequently obstructed federal recovery efforts.
Both Patel and Wiles maintained close relationships with Trump during this timeframe. Patel had publicly stated in 2022 that Trump had declassified the Mar-a-Lago documents, though prosecutors challenged this assertion and Trump’s legal team never presented this argument in court proceedings.
Patel received a grand jury summons in connection with the case after being granted limited immunity from criminal prosecution. Both he and Wiles underwent questioning by investigators as part of Smith’s document retention probe.
The FBI director revealed that the phone records were stored in files marked “Prohibited,” making them difficult to locate within the bureau’s computer systems. He announced that he has recently eliminated the FBI’s ability to use this classification system.
Smith brought felony charges against Trump related to the classified documents investigation in 2023, though a federal judge later dismissed the case. Smith abandoned his appeal following Trump’s election victory. Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing in connection with Smith’s investigations.
Congressional Democrats have previously supported Smith’s investigative methods, arguing that subpoenaing phone records and collecting other evidence was appropriate for thoroughly examining allegations of misconduct by Trump and his associates.
Phone record collection represents a standard investigative practice, even involving prominent individuals, as authorities work to establish case facts and identify potential participants in alleged incidents.
The record collection continued into Wiles’ tenure as Trump’s co-campaign manager, though Patel did not specify exact start and end dates for the surveillance period.
Republican leadership has previously criticized Smith’s investigative approaches, particularly his collection of phone records from U.S. senators and other GOP officials during his examination of alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
During previous testimony, Smith defended his record collection practices, stating they helped investigators confirm the timeline surrounding the January 6 Capitol riot and that prosecutors “followed all legal requirements in getting those records.” He assured lawmakers that the collected records did not include conversation content.
A federal judge issued a permanent order Monday preventing the Justice Department from releasing Smith’s report on the documents investigation. Smith has informed Congress that court orders prohibit him from discussing investigation aspects not previously revealed in court documents.
Smith previously told congressional members that his investigators had significant concerns about obstruction of justice during their probes. He informed lawmakers that his office “followed Justice Department policies, observed legal requirements and took actions based on the facts and the law.”
Representatives for Smith declined to provide comments regarding Patel’s allegations. Former Attorney General Merrick Garland, who appointed Smith as special counsel, former FBI Director Chris Wray, and President Biden have not responded to requests for comment. The White House and Wiles also have not issued statements.
London Stock Exchange Group finds itself at a crossroads as CEO David Schwimmer prepares to deliver the company’s 2025 financial results this Thursday, facing mounting pressure from declining stock values and an influential activist investor demanding changes.
The exchange and financial data company has seen its share price tumble approximately 30% over the past twelve months, while activist investment firm Elliott Management has recently taken a stake in the business and is pushing for operational improvements.
Schwimmer, a former Goldman Sachs executive who assumed leadership in 2018, faces several challenging options to turn around the company’s fortunes, according to industry analysts and investors. These potential strategies include implementing multi-billion pound share buyback programs, demonstrating the value of LSEG’s data offerings in an artificial intelligence-dominated marketplace, reducing operational expenses to improve profit margins, and potentially divesting certain business units.
ACTIVIST INVESTOR ENTERS THE PICTURE
Under Schwimmer’s leadership, LSEG completed a massive $27 billion acquisition of financial data provider Refinitiv in 2019, transforming the company from primarily operating London’s stock exchange into a comprehensive data and markets enterprise. Three years later, the company forged a decade-long artificial intelligence and cloud computing alliance with Microsoft.
Despite these strategic moves, LSEG’s stock performance has fallen behind competing exchanges and data companies. Recent weeks have brought additional selling pressure as investors worry that AI technology could undermine the company’s core business operations. Elliott Management, known for its aggressive activist approach, recently disclosed its shareholding position while seeking performance enhancements.
“The management team needs to demonstrate that they have the credibility to take LSEG to the next stage,” stated Stephen Yiu, chief investment officer of the Blue Whale growth fund, which holds LSEG shares. Yiu mentioned he’s maintaining his position, established in December 2023, while monitoring progress indicators and Elliott’s influence.
LSEG responded in a company statement: “LSEG maintains an active and open dialogue with our investors, while remaining focused on executing our strategy.” Elliott Management, recognized for its persistent activist campaigns, refused to discuss specific demands made to LSEG or confirm details about its share acquisition.
It’s worth noting that LSEG serves as Reuters’ primary customer, with the news service supplying content for LSEG’s Workspace terminals and additional products.
Several major shareholders continue supporting Schwimmer’s strategic direction. Lindsell Train, among LSEG’s top five investors, wrote in a February communication that the company’s stock decline reflected broader weakness in software and data sector stocks, stating they could “point to no operational failings to account for the recent share price falls.” All sixteen analysts covering LSEG currently recommend purchasing the stock, with several suggesting AI-related concerns are excessive.
Last October, Schwimmer argued that artificial intelligence cannot replace LSEG’s services. “For those who think AI models can scoop up so-called public data from the internet and displace us, that just does not reflect how this industry works and fundamentally ignores the non-replicable nature of the vast majority of our data,” he explained.
Financial analysts project LSEG will report adjusted pretax profits of 3.3 billion pounds, representing an increase from 2.97 billion pounds recorded in 2024, based on company-compiled forecasts.
ELLIOTT TARGETS PROFIT MARGIN IMPROVEMENTS
LSEG’s annual subscription value growth, which measures subscription revenue expansion across primary business segments, has stagnated in recent years.
The company initially boosted this metric by reducing customer departure rates, according to analyst observations. Annual subscription value growth surged from 4.6% to 6.2% between 2021 and 2022 but subsequently declined to 5.6% in the latest quarterly report, partially due to one-time impacts from Credit Suisse’s account consolidation.
Elliott believes LSEG’s profit margins trail industry competitors and has prioritized margin improvement in its demands, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. While Reuters couldn’t confirm specific steps Elliott is advocating, internal AI implementation to enhance operational efficiency represents one possibility, the source indicated.
The activist investor is also urging Schwimmer to more aggressively counter suggestions that AI threatens LSEG’s business model and provide clearer explanations of the Microsoft partnership’s advantages, the source revealed.
Schwimmer has characterized the Microsoft agreement as “transformative” and predicted “meaningful” revenue benefits beginning in 2025.
However, some analysts and investors remain unconvinced by the partnership’s results. “The partnership has failed to deliver so far and other companies are moving much faster,” Blue Whale growth fund’s Yiu observed.
Microsoft declined to provide commentary on the matter.
POTENTIAL ASSET SALES AND SHARE BUYBACKS
Elliott, which oversees approximately $80 billion in assets, is encouraging LSEG to evaluate its business portfolio and believes the company can support a 5 billion pound share buyback program, the source disclosed. LSEG did not respond to Reuters’ inquiry regarding this information.
UBS analysts estimate that if LSEG were valued using similar metrics as industry peers, the company could be worth around 47 billion pounds. Wednesday’s closing market valuation stood at 39 billion pounds.
Elliott views FTSE Russell, LSEG’s indexing division, and LCH, its clearing operations, as undervalued within the larger organization, the source explained. The company could also consider selling portions or all of its 51% ownership in Tradeweb, currently valued at nearly $13 billion based on market prices, the person added.
Breaking up the company would essentially represent Schwimmer acknowledging his strategy’s shortcomings, according to someone who has collaborated with him. Schwimmer has characterized LSEG’s divisions as “great trophy assets on their own” that become more valuable through integration, emphasizing the company’s efforts to connect its products more closely.
Multiple analysts and a shareholder told Reuters they favored increased buyback programs but expressed caution regarding significant asset sales.
“We think it would be the wrong decision,” said Ben Needham, portfolio manager at Ninety One, ranking among LSEG’s top-20 shareholders. “You get a higher share price because of it; it would no doubt be accretive to where the market is today. But instant gratification isn’t a way of creating long-term value.”
France’s Culture Minister Rachida Dati has stepped down from her government role to dedicate her efforts to campaigning for mayor of Paris in the upcoming March 15 election.
Dati submitted her resignation letter to President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday, according to her statements during a television interview with BFMTV.
The French president has accepted her departure from the cabinet position, his office confirmed.
“The head of state thanked her for the useful action she has carried out in service to the French people over the past two years and offered her his full support in the fight she is waging,” Macron’s office stated.
During her tenure as Culture Minister, Dati recently managed leadership transitions at the renowned Louvre Museum following several institutional challenges. Polling data from Ifop indicates she leads the mayoral race, though victory would likely require a runoff election scheduled for March 22.
Salisbury’s Infrastructure and Development Department has announced that work will commence today, Wednesday, February 25, 2026, on a new combined restroom and pavilion facility at Waterside Park on Parsons Road.
The construction site at 1001 Parsons Road will have parking restrictions in effect throughout the building process. Officials warn that heavy construction equipment will be moving in and out of the work zone regularly, potentially causing traffic slowdowns along both Parsons Road and Marine Road.
City officials estimate the building project will require approximately 150 days from start to finish.
Salisbury city leaders expressed gratitude for residents’ understanding and patience while the new park amenities are under construction.
Commercial fishermen and seafood lovers are celebrating as Apalachicola Bay in North Florida has resumed limited wild oyster harvesting operations following a five-year closure.
The bay, located along Florida’s Gulf Coast, had suspended oyster harvesting activities for half a decade before authorities determined conditions were suitable for a cautious return to operations.
The restoration of harvesting rights in select areas of the bay marks a significant milestone for the local fishing industry and restaurants that depend on fresh, locally-sourced oysters.
Federal environmental officials have moved forward with establishing renewable fuel requirements for the next two years, sending their proposed volume standards to Washington budget reviewers.
During Tuesday’s National Ethanol Conference held in Orlando, EPA’s Aaron Szabo, who serves as assistant administrator for air and radiation, delivered what he called breaking news to attendees. Szabo announced that the agency’s renewable fuel standards final rule for the upcoming years was being transmitted to the Office of Management and Budget for consideration.
The renewable volume obligations represent federal requirements for how much renewable fuel must be blended into the nation’s fuel supply. These standards are part of the Renewable Fuel Standard program, which mandates the use of biofuels like ethanol in gasoline.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Electrical outages, towering snow drifts reaching waist-deep levels, and additional flurries continued to plague Northeast communities Wednesday following a historic winter storm that blanketed the region from Maryland through Maine with massive accumulations of snow and ice.
The storm’s impact continued to disrupt daily life throughout the area: Rhode Island residents faced their third consecutive day trapped in homes as neighborhood roads stayed impassable, garbage collection services were delayed across multiple communities, and educational institutions shifted to remote learning after receiving 3 feet of snowfall that exceeded records established during the legendary 1978 blizzard.
Electrical service remained disrupted for over 138,000 customers Wednesday afternoon, with Massachusetts bearing the brunt of outages, especially throughout Cape Cod, data from poweroutage.us showed. Energy company workers maintained 18-hour work schedules to reconnect service while residents sought refuge in emergency warming facilities to stay warm and charge electronic devices.
Anny Enos brought her three grandchildren to a warming facility in Barnstable, Massachusetts, Wednesday to power up their electronics and escape their cold home. Without electricity since Sunday afternoon, she worried restoration might not occur until Friday.
After discarding most refrigerated items Tuesday, she remained hopeful for the best outcome.
“I hate to say it but it doesn’t seem like they were ready,” she said.
The winter weather event generated “thousands” of locations requiring repair work that demanded crews use heavy machinery to clear massive snow accumulations before installing replacement utility poles or fixing existing infrastructure, explained Doug Foley, president of electric operations for Eversource in Massachusetts. Additional repair teams from neighboring states arrived Wednesday to assist recovery efforts.
Adding to difficulties, an unwelcome additional 3 inches of snow accumulated early Wednesday, worsening hazardous travel conditions before rising temperatures created slushy road surfaces.
This week’s enormous snowstorm has municipal crews working extended hours to remove towering accumulations.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani implemented innovative solutions: beyond distributing 143 million pounds of road salt by Tuesday evening, city officials recruited approximately 3,500 individuals as temporary snow removal workers, paying $30 hourly to clear transit stops and roadways.
Authorities reported that carbon monoxide exposure claimed the life of a man in a Rhode Island community that had lost electrical service. Joseph Boutrous, 21, had informed a Salve Regina University classmate about plans to charge his phone inside his vehicle, Newport Police Capt. Joseph Carroll stated. Snow blocking the exhaust system caused the accidental death of the sophomore from Bohemia, New York, who played offensive line for the football team. Social media messages indicated his teammates were devastated by the loss.
Significant cleanup work remained ahead. New York areas have residents feeling isolated, according to Jeff Peters, spokesperson for the Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York.
“You’ll find a portion of a sidewalk that is clear, and then there’s maybe a 6-inch pathway that can only be walked with one foot in front of the other and no room for a stroller, rollator, walker or crutches,” Peters said. “Then you get to the corner and not only is it unshoveled, but you have basically a glacier at the end of it.”
Tina Guenette, who relies on a motorized wheelchair, spent time this week clearing snow from her property after more than 33 inches accumulated in Harrisville, Rhode Island, located approximately 17 miles northwest of Providence.
“I really have no choice if my service dog wants to go outside,” Guenette said. Harrisville’s volunteer snow-shoveling program hasn’t had volunteers for years, she said.
Monday’s weather system covered the region with heavy snowfall, grounded aircraft, interrupted public transportation, and toppled electrical infrastructure.
Analyzing the storm’s scope, meteorologist Ryan Maue, former chief scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, determined the total snowfall contained approximately 2.5 trillion gallons of water equivalent.
If all accumulation from Maryland to Maine had fallen exclusively on Manhattan, it would have created a pile exceeding one mile in height. Concentrated solely on Rhode Island, the hardest-hit state, the snowfall would have buried the entire Ocean State under more than 92 feet, The Associated Press calculated.
In liquid form, the amount could fill the Empire State Building with water over 9,000 times. New York State received water equivalent to 680 billion gallons, Pennsylvania accumulated 410 billion gallons, and Massachusetts collected 28 billion.
Eventually, the melting snow will help address drought conditions affecting Northeast regions, Maue noted, though currently it’s compounding difficulties during an already challenging winter season.
“I think this storm took a severe winter and turned it into an extreme winter or a record extreme winter,” he said.
New York City crews established large heated water basins where substantial amounts of snow and ice will be deposited for melting, acting Sanitation Commissioner Javier Lojan announced. These facilities processed 23 million pounds of snow during last month’s winter storm.
Snow-covered Providence, Rhode Island, is transporting accumulations to five designated sites, with additional disposal locations potentially being established, according to Josh Estrella, communications director for city government.
Several major school districts resumed classroom instruction Wednesday, including Philadelphia, which had conducted online education during the week’s first two days. Boston schools reopened following closure since last week’s winter vacation period. However, in severely affected Rhode Island, Providence schools remained closed for a third day as the district implemented “virtual learning” Wednesday.
New York City maintained regular school operations for more than 900,000 students in the nation’s largest public education system, though many students and families navigated enormous snow barriers and avoided salt-spreading vehicles during morning arrival.
Thousands of flights throughout the United States faced cancellation in recent days. By Wednesday, travel disruptions appeared to decrease, with nearly 200 flights grounded, flight tracking website FlightAware reported. Rhode Island’s T.F. Green International Airport resumed operations Tuesday. Some Wednesday flights departed while others were canceled.
When Jamie Meyers’ flight touched down in New York from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday evening, the cabin filled with relieved passengers who broke into applause. The Manhattan resident had originally planned to arrive home Sunday but experienced a cancellation and substantial delay.
Several established NFL quarterbacks may be switching uniforms this offseason, as teams face a challenging market with limited options at the position.
Kirk Cousins is expected to become a free agent within two weeks when Atlanta releases him. Meanwhile, Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa and Arizona’s Kyler Murray could also be on the move as their respective franchises evaluate their futures.
The quarterback position has always been crucial in professional football, but teams are finding it increasingly difficult to achieve long-term stability at the spot. Even after investing heavily in a franchise signal-caller, organizations often reconsider their commitment due to financial constraints, injury concerns, or underwhelming performance.
Teams looking to make changes this offseason face challenging circumstances. Beyond Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, who captured both the national championship and Heisman Trophy and is projected as Las Vegas’s top draft selection, the incoming rookie class lacks depth.
The free agent market offers limited bargain alternatives. Green Bay’s backup Malik Willis will draw interest despite having just six career starts under his belt. However, teams willing to invest significantly in salary cap space or trade assets should find some worthwhile options.
Minnesota exemplifies the quarterback uncertainty plaguing many franchises, entering this period with questions following J.J. McCarthy’s inconsistent and injury-plagued first season.
Despite coach Kevin O’Connell’s continued support for McCarthy’s abilities and character, the organization plans to add a veteran for both depth and competition heading into 2026.
“We’re going to explore every opportunity, and I don’t think there’s anything specifically we’re looking for,” explained executive vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski, who serves as interim general manager after Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s departure. “We can’t manufacture anything that’s not there. What are the options? Is it reciprocal? Is it financially doable? There are a lot of things that go into it.”
Cousins represents the most reliable choice when Atlanta releases him next month, allowing the Falcons to fully commit to 2024 first-round selection Michael Penix Jr., who lost his starting role due to a knee injury. The 38-year-old quarterback’s history with O’Connell and positive relationship with Minnesota could facilitate a return, potentially serving as a transitional starter while McCarthy continues developing.
Tagovailoa’s status in Miami remains uncertain under new leadership, despite signing an extension less than two years ago. His approximately $56 million salary cap impact, combined with fresh faces in management and coaching, puts his future in question. After six seasons marked by injuries and inconsistency, including a career-high 15 interceptions in 2025, the 27-year-old former fifth-overall pick from 2020 could attract interest from other clubs.
“Everything’s on the table, including the potential of a trade,” stated general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. “We don’t know which way that’s going to go. There’s a lot of different factors in play, a lot of conversations being had.”
Murray’s situation in Arizona appears equally uncertain after a foot injury limited him to five games during the Cardinals’ disappointing 3-14 campaign. The former top overall pick from 2019 carries a roughly $52 million cap hit for a franchise also implementing new coaching leadership. General manager Monti Ossenfort echoed familiar language at this week’s NFL combine: “All options are on the table.”
Throughout his career, Murray has never achieved more than nine victories in a single season and has yet to win a playoff game.
“When you had the kind of year that we had, there’s a lot of room for improvement,” Ossenfort acknowledged. “We’ve got to find a way to do that.”
Daniel Jones appeared poised for success with Indianapolis after signing a prove-it deal last season, mirroring Sam Darnold’s breakout performance with Seattle. However, a December Achilles injury derailed those plans and reduced league-wide interest. General manager Chris Ballard has expressed interest in re-signing the former sixth-overall pick from 2019, who continues rehabilitating from the injury.
At 42, Aaron Rodgers seems unlikely to change teams again, as reuniting with coach Mike McCarthy in Pittsburgh offers an appealing alternative to retirement.
While Lamar Jackson and Baltimore have experienced some challenges recently, the two-time MVP appears headed toward a new contract. His involvement in the coaching search suggests the Ravens aren’t considering a trade. “I have spoken to Lamar about a lot of different things over the last month,” said general manager Eric DeCosta. “He’s been very engaged.”
Any speculation about Houston’s commitment to C.J. Stroud following three consecutive divisional playoff losses was quickly dismissed by general manager Nick Caserio during combine interviews.
“He’s our quarterback,” Caserio declared about the 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. “He isn’t going anywhere. We have a lot of confidence, a lot of belief.”
Agricultural education programs across the nation are receiving a boost through the National FFA Foundation’s annual fundraising initiative. The organization is currently conducting its 11th annual Give FFA Day campaign designed to provide financial support to Future Farmers of America chapters throughout the United States.
According to Kristy Meyer, a representative from the National FFA Organization, contributors have the flexibility to designate where their money goes. “When someone donates, they can indicate if they want it to go to their local chapter, to their state, or nationally,” Meyer explained. “These donations help fund the programs that we know” are essential to the organization’s mission.
The foundation emphasizes that every dollar contributed through this campaign flows directly into supporting FFA activities and educational opportunities for young people involved in agriculture.
Agricultural commodity markets saw upward movement today as soybean prices climbed higher driven by technical purchasing activity and investors covering short positions. The weakening U.S. dollar also provided additional support for grain prices.
South American harvest updates show Brazil has completed collection of roughly 2 billion bushels of soybeans from their current growing season. Meanwhile, recent rainfall in Argentina is primarily helping crops that were planted later in the season.
Market participants are closely monitoring Thursday morning’s export sales report, scheduled for release at 8:30 a.m. Eastern time, to determine whether Chinese buyers will increase their purchasing activity. There have been some reports of U.S. soybean transactions, though details remain limited.
The combination of short covering by traders and weakness in the dollar has created a supportive environment for both soybean and corn futures as agricultural markets continue to react to global supply and demand factors.
During a recent conference call with state election administrators, a Department of Homeland Security official provided clear assurance that Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel will not be stationed at voting sites during the upcoming midterm elections.
The official made the definitive statement while addressing concerns from top state voting officials about potential immigration enforcement activities at polling locations. The clarification comes as election officials work to ensure all eligible voters feel safe participating in the electoral process.
The assurance was delivered during a briefing designed to coordinate security measures and address questions about federal agency involvement in election operations.
A tragic incident in Rhode Island serves as a deadly reminder of winter weather dangers after a college football player lost his life to carbon monoxide poisoning while trying to charge his phone during a power outage.
Joseph Boutros, a 21-year-old student at Salve Regina University, was discovered unresponsive in his vehicle Monday outside a campus building in Newport, Rhode Island. Emergency responders determined the young man died accidentally from carbon monoxide exposure after snow from a major winter storm blocked his car’s exhaust system.
The massive storm had left hundreds of thousands without electricity throughout the Northeast region. Newport Police Captain Joseph Carroll explained that Boutros had informed another student he planned to use his vehicle to charge his phone since the area had lost power. The university’s football program expressed being “heartbroken” over Boutros’ passing in a social media announcement.
Rhode Island residents continued dealing with storm aftermath Wednesday, with many facing a third consecutive day trapped at home due to unplowed neighborhood streets.
While winter storms bring obvious dangers like icy conditions and freezing temperatures, one of the deadliest threats from heavy snowfall remains invisible to human senses.
Understanding carbon monoxide dangers becomes crucial during power failures and frigid weather conditions.
Winter months and periods following significant snowfall create elevated carbon monoxide poisoning risks, according to Centers for Disease Control data. Cold temperatures lead people to rely more heavily on heating equipment and furnaces that produce this deadly gas.
Various equipment failures can block adequate ventilation systems, with accumulated snow frequently obstructing exhaust outlets and air vents.
Medical professionals call carbon monoxide the “silent killer” since people cannot smell, see, or taste this dangerous substance. Extended contact with carbon monoxide prevents blood from delivering oxygen to vital body organs.
Initial symptoms include severe headaches, confusion, and fatigue, which progress to loss of consciousness, seizures, and ultimately death.
Dangerous carbon monoxide accumulation occurs when individuals operate heating equipment without adequate airflow or ventilation systems — including running vehicles in enclosed garages, moving outdoor grills indoors, or using gas cooking appliances for warmth. Tragic situations similar to Monday’s fatal incident often involve people waiting in vehicles for extended periods without realizing blocked exhaust systems.
A significant historical example occurred during 1978, when a severe snowstorm dumped two feet of snow across New England within approximately 30 hours. The rapid snowfall stranded about 3,000 automobiles and 500 commercial trucks along an eight-mile stretch of Massachusetts highway, according to New England Historical Society records.
During that storm, 14 individuals died from carbon monoxide exposure while trapped in their snow-covered vehicles.
Vehicle-related incidents represent just one danger source. A devastating 2022 storm claimed more than three dozen lives, including at least one person who died when snow covered heating system vents and sent carbon monoxide into their New York residence.
Jake Fisher, Consumer Reports’ senior director of automotive testing, notes that sitting in running vehicles typically poses minimal risk under normal circumstances. However, drivers should watch for warning indicators and schedule annual vehicle inspections. Automobiles become more susceptible to exhaust system leaks following accidents and require professional evaluation before returning to service.
“Engines emit a lot of very dangerous chemicals and gases,” Fisher said. “If your car is not running right and you hear it sounding funny, you really do need to get it checked out.”
MADISON, Wis. — Following seven years of courtroom battles, energy giant Enbridge has commenced construction work to redirect an aging oil pipeline away from a tribal reservation in northern Wisconsin, even as fresh legal challenges threaten to halt the project.
The current route sends approximately 12 miles of Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline through the Bad River Band of Lake Superior’s reservation near Lake Superior’s shoreline. In 2019, the tribe initiated legal action against Enbridge to force removal of the pipeline section, contending that land use agreements had lapsed six years prior and the 73-year-old infrastructure posed risks of a major environmental disaster.
A court ruling in 2023 established a June deadline for the company to extract the pipeline segment from tribal lands. The Bad River tribe and environmental advocates have pushed for complete shutdown of the line while pursuing ongoing legal strategies to block the rerouting effort. On February 13, an administrative law judge validated Enbridge’s state wetlands authorization, eliminating the final legal obstacle and allowing construction to proceed.
Company representative Juli Kellner confirmed that work crews began tree removal along the proposed new corridor on Tuesday.
This month, the Bad River tribe and a group of environmental organizations submitted separate legal actions in Iron County Circuit Court requesting immediate suspension of the wetlands authorization, claiming officials failed to properly assess construction-related environmental harm.
“The Bad River watershed is not an oil pipeline corridor that exists to serve Enbridge’s profits. It is our homeland. We must protect it,” Elizabeth Arbuckle, the Bad River tribal chair, said in a statement announcing the tribe’s filing.
Both cases await judicial decisions, with a hearing in the Bad River matter set for Thursday.
Enbridge representative Kellner argued that requesting a construction halt lacks justification considering the extensive review process and public energy needs. She emphasized that the pipeline supplies 10 refineries and propane facilities serving millions throughout the Midwest and Great Lakes area.
The Calgary, Alberta-based company has operated Line 5 to move crude oil and natural gas liquids from Superior, Wisconsin, to Sarnia, Ontario, since 1953.
Line 5 faces additional controversy in Michigan, where environmental groups and tribal nations worry about a 4.5-mile underwater section beneath the Straits of Mackinac that could fail. The straits connect Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, where a rupture could create an environmental catastrophe.
Enbridge has suggested installing the underwater segment within a protective tunnel. Construction requires approvals from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. Neither agency has granted permission, though the corps has expedited its review process following President Donald Trump’s 2025 energy emergency directive.
Separately, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Attorney General Dana Nessel have pursued legal action to invalidate the agreements permitting pipeline operations in the straits.
A federal judge dismissed Whitmer’s case in December, but the governor has filed an appeal with the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The U.S. Supreme Court is considering whether Nessel’s case should proceed in state or federal court.
A veteran Associated Press journalist who spent nearly four decades reporting on fashion and Vatican affairs has passed away in Rome at age 80.
Daniela Petroff died Tuesday at her residence while recovering from a recent fall, according to her husband Victor Simpson, who previously served as AP’s Rome bureau chief.
Before joining the Associated Press, Petroff worked as a correspondent for The Chicago Tribune and Time magazine in Rome. She later became a cornerstone of AP’s cultural reporting, establishing comprehensive coverage of Milan’s fashion weeks that included both men’s and women’s collections throughout the year.
The Simpson family faced devastating loss in 1985 when their 11-year-old daughter Natasha was killed in the December 27 terrorist attack at Rome’s airport, which also injured their son Michael. Two years later, when their youngest daughter Debbie was born, Pope John Paul II personally called to offer congratulations to Petroff.
Simpson announced his wife’s passing, writing that she had fallen asleep after lunch and chose not to wake up, “to finally embrace again her beloved Natasha.”
Speaking four languages fluently – Italian, German, French, and English – Petroff pioneered AP’s Milan fashion reporting during Giorgio Armani’s emergence as a global designer. Her approach emphasized factual, concise reporting while avoiding personal opinions and critiques.
“She had a gift for putting the facts into kind of a very artful context,” said Lisa Anderson, who reported on Milan fashion for The Chicago Tribune starting in the mid-1980s. “She looked at that industry, which often takes itself too seriously, with a lot of amusement as well as respect, which is probably the right combination of qualities to approach fashion reporting.”
Petroff’s final AP article appeared in September – an authoritative piece about Armani following the designer’s death.
“Starting with an unlined jacket, a simple pair of pants and an urban palette, Armani put Italian ready-to-wear style on the international fashion map in the late 1970s, creating an instantly recognizable relaxed silhouette that has propelled the fashion house for half a century,” Petroff wrote.
Throughout her career, she documented the emergence of major fashion figures including Gianni Versace, Gucci during Tom Ford’s leadership, Karl Lagerfeld’s work at Fendi, and the Missoni fashion family. She frequently applied her fashion expertise and writing skills to Vatican coverage as well.
In a 2014 article about Pope Francis’ newly appointed cardinals, she wrote: “But with the ‘slum pope’ now calling the sartorial shots, fashionistas and Vaticanistas are wondering how his new cardinals — who hail from some of the poorest places on Earth, including Haiti, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast — will dress themselves for their new role.”
Beyond fashion and Vatican news, Petroff reported on major Italian cultural events, including the 2003 reopening of Venice’s La Fenice opera house following a devastating fire. “True to its namesake the phoenix, La Fenice has risen up from the ashes,” she wrote for the reopening coverage.
Born in 1945 in Mecklenburg, Germany, Petroff spent her childhood in Paris before moving to New York, where she attended the Convent of the Sacred Heart Catholic school. As an only child, she relocated with her parents to Rome for her final two high school years, graduating from Marymount International School.
Following studies at Manhattanville College in New York, Petroff returned to Rome and earned a degree in modern languages from La Sapienza University. She met Victor Simpson, then AP’s new news editor, shortly after returning to Rome. The couple married in 1973.
Gail Willett Bejarano, a childhood friend from New York, remembered ice-skating adventures in Central Park, after-school treats at Schrafft’s, and testing boundaries with the Sacred Heart nuns. Despite being an excellent student, Petroff joined other girls in sneaking looks at boys from nearby Loyola school, “hike your uniform up and put lipstick on, all forbidden,” Bejarano recalled.
Following her 2017 retirement from AP, Petroff devoted her time to Marymount, her former school, where she served as board chair.
A private funeral service is set for Thursday, with a memorial service planned for Monday at Marymount.
Petroff leaves behind her husband Simpson, son Michael, and daughter Debbie.
BISMARCK, N.D. — A North Dakota judge announced this week he will require Greenpeace to pay damages totaling approximately $345 million related to protests against the Dakota Access oil pipeline that occurred nearly ten years ago. The environmental organization maintains it lacks the financial resources to cover such an enormous sum.
Court documents filed on Tuesday show Judge James Gion plans to sign an order mandating multiple Greenpeace organizations pay the judgment to pipeline operator Energy Transfer. The judge established the $345 million figure last year after cutting a jury’s original damage award roughly in half, though his recent filing did not specify the exact final total.
This anticipated order is expected to trigger appeals from both parties to the North Dakota Supreme Court.
A nine-member jury previously determined that Netherlands-based Greenpeace International, Greenpeace USA, and their funding organization Greenpeace Fund Inc. were responsible for defamation and additional claims filed by Dallas-headquartered Energy Transfer and its Dakota Access subsidiary.
The jury held Greenpeace USA accountable on every charge, including conspiracy, trespassing, creating a public nuisance, and tortious interference. The remaining two organizations were found responsible for portions of the allegations.
The legal action originated from pipeline demonstrations during 2016 and 2017, when thousands of activists gathered and established camps close to where the project crosses the Missouri River above the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s territory. The tribe has consistently fought the pipeline, viewing it as a danger to their water resources.
The original damage award reached $666.9 million, split among the three Greenpeace groups in varying amounts before the judge lowered the total. Greenpeace USA faced $404 million of that judgment.
Energy Transfer has stated it will challenge the reduced damages, describing the jury’s initial verdict and award as “lawful and just.” The company did not respond to requests for comment regarding Tuesday’s court action.
In financial documents filed recently, Greenpeace USA disclosed it lacks sufficient funds to cover the $404 million jury award “or to continue normal operations if the judgment is enforced.” The organization reported having $1.4 million in cash and equivalent assets, with total resources of $23 million as of December 31, 2024.
While Greenpeace refused to comment on Tuesday’s court filing, interim general counsel Marco Simons for Greenpeace USA confirmed the organization cannot afford the judgment.
“As mid-sized nonprofits, it has always been clear that we would not have the ability to pay hundreds of millions of dollars in damages,” Simons stated Wednesday.
Simons emphasized the case remains far from concluded and expressed confidence about their planned appeal.
“These claims never should have reached a jury, and there are many possible legal grounds for appeal – including a lack of evidence to support key findings and valid concerns about the possibility of ensuring fairness,” Simons explained.
Greenpeace argues the lawsuit represents an attempt to use courts to silence activists and critics while suppressing First Amendment freedoms. The pipeline company counters that the case concerns Greenpeace’s failure to follow legal requirements, not issues of free speech.
During trial proceedings, Energy Transfer’s legal team argued that Greenpeace coordinated efforts to halt pipeline construction, including organizing demonstrators, providing blockade materials, and spreading false information about the project.
Lawyers representing the Greenpeace organizations maintained there was insufficient evidence supporting the company’s accusations and argued that Greenpeace staff had minimal involvement in the protests, with the organizations bearing no responsibility for Energy Transfer’s construction delays or refinancing issues.
Emergency responders in South Florida are working around the clock to control a massive blaze that has consumed more than 25,000 acres within Big Cypress National Preserve as of Wednesday. The fire is located approximately 20 miles from the controversial immigration detention center dubbed ‘Alligator Alcatraz.’
Smoke and reduced visibility from the flames have forced authorities to temporarily shut down lanes along Interstate 75, the major highway known as Alligator Alley that links Florida’s Atlantic and Gulf coasts through the expansive Everglades region. Such fires typically occur during the state’s dry winter months.
Despite the fire’s proximity, the immigration detention facility faces no immediate danger, according to Stephanie Hartman, communications director for the Florida Department of Emergency Management.
‘The fire is situated 20 miles to the west of the facility and is burning in the opposite direction. Thanks to the increased humidity levels, we are seeing faster fire recovery and containment,’ she said.
The detention center, which began operations last July at a remote airstrip located deep within the Everglades, has drawn significant attention amid the current administration’s immigration enforcement efforts. The facility houses individuals facing federal deportation proceedings.
Hartman confirmed that emergency officials maintain constant communication with firefighting teams and would receive 24-hour advance notice if evacuating the detention center becomes necessary. She emphasized that evacuation plans have been thoroughly practiced to ensure rapid deployment.
When pressed about the current number of people held at the facility, Hartman did not provide an immediate response.
State authorities initially announced that ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ could accommodate 3,000 detainees when it opened in July 2025, with potential expansion to house 5,000 individuals. Court proceedings held in Fort Myers during late January revealed the facility currently holds approximately 1,500 people.
A powerful cold front that moved through the region Sunday introduced dry atmospheric conditions, prompting the National Weather Service to issue red flag fire warnings throughout much of Florida, explained Anthony Reynes, a senior meteorologist with the Miami office.
Rising humidity levels on Wednesday helped improve conditions that had been feeding the blaze, Reynes noted. However, he warned that southerly winds combined with parched vegetation and soil continue to create favorable conditions for additional fires.
Weather forecasters predict minimal rainfall for the remainder of the week, meaning the severe drought affecting the entire state will persist, he added.
Environmental advocates have been denied their request to examine the financing behind Meta’s massive $27 billion data center project in Louisiana, according to an announcement Wednesday from the legal organization Earthjustice.
The environmental law firm had petitioned the Louisiana Public Service Commission last month, seeking an investigation into how the project’s funding structure might eventually burden everyday utility customers with unfair costs.
The controversy surrounds Meta’s planned data center facility in Richland Parish, Louisiana, which requires the construction of three new natural gas power plants to support its operations.
According to Earthjustice’s petition, Meta modified its financial commitment to the project around the same time state regulators gave approval for the power plants. Under this revised agreement, the tech giant can walk away from the entire project after just four years instead of the original 15-year commitment, while also removing its financial guarantee for the venture.
Environmental lawyers argue that if Meta exits early, the local utility company won’t have enough time to recover the construction costs for the power plants. Those expenses would then be passed along to regular customers – including households and local businesses – through increased utility rates.
“By dismissing this motion, the PSC is giving the green light to more tech companies to use this kind of financial maneuvering to maximize profits while evading public accountability,” said Susan Stevens Miller, senior attorney at Earthjustice.
Officials with the Louisiana utility commission could not be reached for immediate comment on their decision.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden sustained a right thumb injury during Tuesday night’s victory over the New York Knicks, leaving his status uncertain for Wednesday’s matchup.
The Cavaliers are set to face the Milwaukee Bucks at home on Wednesday evening.
Team officials announced that X-rays conducted on Wednesday revealed a “non-displaced fracture of the distal phalanx” in Harden’s thumb.
Medical experts note that this particular bone is situated at the tip of the finger.
Cleveland’s medical staff indicated that the 36-year-old veteran will receive ongoing treatment while his condition is monitored.
The former league MVP from 2017-18 and six-time All-NBA first-team honoree is now playing for his sixth franchise. Cleveland obtained Harden on February 4th through a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, sending guard Darius Garland and a 2026 second-round selection in return.
Since joining Cleveland, the Cavaliers have posted a 6-1 record with Harden on the court. During his time with the team, he’s contributed 18.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 8.0 assists per contest.
This season across 51 games, Harden has posted averages of 24.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 8.1 assists.
Throughout his 17-year career spanning 1,202 games with 988 starts, the veteran guard maintains career averages of 24.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 7.3 assists.
Selected third overall in the 2009 NBA Draft, Harden’s professional journey has included stops with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, Clippers, and now the Cavaliers.
Should Harden be unable to suit up Wednesday evening, Cleveland would be missing both starting backcourt players, as Donovan Mitchell has already been ruled out due to a right groin injury.
A Chinese artificial intelligence company that shocked global markets last year with its cost-effective technology has now shut out major American chip manufacturers from accessing its newest AI model before its public release, according to two industry sources.
DeepSeek, the AI laboratory behind the disruptive low-cost model, has denied Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices early preview access to its anticipated V4 update, departing from typical industry protocols, sources familiar with the situation revealed.
The Chinese firm has instead granted domestic technology companies, including Huawei Technologies, exclusive early access to the forthcoming model, giving them a multi-week advantage to fine-tune the software for their processing systems.
This approach contradicts established industry standards where AI companies routinely provide pre-launch versions of significant models to major chip manufacturers like Nvidia and AMD. This collaboration ensures optimal software performance on commonly used hardware platforms. DeepSeek had maintained close working relationships with Nvidia’s technical teams in previous projects.
The anticipated V4 model was originally scheduled for release during the Lunar New Year celebrations. While Chinese chip companies received weeks of advance optimization time, American manufacturers were completely excluded from the process, sources indicated.
Both Nvidia and AMD representatives declined to provide statements regarding the situation. DeepSeek and Huawei did not respond to inquiries seeking comment.
The specific reasoning behind DeepSeek’s decision remains unclear, according to available information.
Ben Bajarin, CEO of Creative Strategies research firm, assessed the situation’s impact, stating: “The impact to Nvidia and AMD for general data accelerators is minimal – most enterprises are not running DeepSeek, which serves as a benchmarking model more than anything else.” He noted that emerging AI programming tools are accelerating software-hardware optimization timelines “from months to weeks.”
Bajarin suggested this decision likely reflects a wider Chinese government initiative “to try to keep U.S. hardware and models disadvantaged” within China’s market.
These developments coincide with revelations from a senior Trump administration official who told reporters that DeepSeek’s newest AI system was developed using Nvidia’s cutting-edge Blackwell processor through a mainland China-based cluster, potentially violating American export restrictions.
According to the US official, DeepSeek may attempt to conceal technical evidence of American AI chip usage and publicly assert that Huawei processors were used for model training.
Since DeepSeek emerged prominently in January 2025, its models have been downloaded over 75 million times through the Hugging Face open-source platform, contributing to a surge of Chinese open-source models challenging American AI laboratories. Chinese model downloads have exceeded those from all other nations on the platform among models released in the past year.
The growing prominence of Chinese open-source AI models has heightened Washington discussions regarding advanced US AI chip exports to China. Last year, US officials permitted resumed shipments of Nvidia’s H20 and AMD’s MI308 processors – designed for AI inference operations – to China, while maintaining restrictions on more sophisticated processors. Whether DeepSeek has obtained authorization to purchase these American chips remains uncertain.
The H20 and MI308 processors focus on inference operations, which involve running completed AI models. The MI308 generated substantial demand, with AMD reporting $390 million in chip sales during its latest quarterly period.
DeepSeek joins several other Chinese AI companies planning to introduce new models this month.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Wednesday it plans to put its historic South Building headquarters on the National Mall up for sale while moving remaining staff to facilities nationwide before 2025 ends.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins described the decision as a necessary cost-saving measure, pointing to expensive upkeep requirements and sparse occupancy levels in the decades-old facility.
The announcement comes after thousands of USDA workers accepted voluntary departure packages and left their positions during the past year as part of President Donald Trump’s initiative to streamline federal government operations and reduce its overall size.
Speaking at a Wednesday news conference held outside the building, Rollins reflected on the facility’s decline. “At one time, the South Building was the beating heart of USDA, alive with research and teeming with activity decades ago. But today, it is a shell of what it once was,” she stated.
The property will be transferred to the General Services Administration for the sales process, Rollins explained, while Iowa Senator Joni Ernst displayed a “For Sale By Owner” sign during the announcement.
According to GSA Administrator Edward Forst, the landmark USDA building constructed during the 1930s faces $1.6 billion in overdue maintenance expenses, with approximately 80% of its office space currently unoccupied.
Department officials have indicated plans to relocate most Washington-based personnel to regional centers in North Carolina, Missouri, Indiana, Colorado and Utah.
The Salisbury University Sea Gulls men’s basketball squad is making final preparations for the 2026 Coast-to-Coast Conference Championships tournament.
The upcoming tournament represents a significant opportunity for the Sea Gulls to showcase their skills against conference rivals in what promises to be competitive championship play.
Tournament organizers have released promotional materials highlighting the anticipated matchups and championship format for the 2026 competition.
Additional details regarding specific game times, matchups, and venue information are expected to be announced as the tournament date approaches.
Recent federal data presents a nuanced picture for ethanol production across the United States. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, daily ethanol output reached an average of 1.113 million barrels, representing a decrease of 5,000 barrels compared to the previous week.
Despite the weekly decline, production levels remain consistent with recent patterns and demonstrate notable improvement over the past year. Annual figures show an increase of 32,000 barrels as manufacturing facilities work to satisfy consumer demand.
The Iowa State University Center for Agricultural and Rural Development has also weighed in on the ethanol market trends, though their complete analysis was not immediately available.
INDIANAPOLIS — Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel is pushing the NFL to boost personnel at its replay review headquarters, arguing that all games deserve equal treatment when it comes to official reviews.
Speaking at the NFL scouting combine on Wednesday, Vrabel responded to recent statements from league executive Troy Vincent, who acknowledged that several replay review errors occurred last season during early Sunday afternoon games when up to nine contests run simultaneously.
“We need to make sure every game is treated the same — from the prime-time game on Sunday night to the prime-time game on Monday or Thursday or whether it’s one of those one o’clock games that is the lifeblood of our league,” Vrabel stated. As a competition committee member, he emphasized the importance of addressing staffing concerns during the offseason.
“So if it’s something we need to take care of in the offseason, staffing issues that need to be taken care of so that those things are looked at, we need to be really good at replay because there’s going to be mistakes on the field,” Vrabel continued. “We have to get to a system in replay that’s as close to 100% accurate as possible.”
Vincent revealed earlier this week that among 171 plays reviewed through replay or replay assist, only a small number were mishandled. Most of these errors occurred during the 1 p.m. Eastern time slot when multiple games compete for attention.
“There were five after we kind of took a step back and breathed — four of them (were) in the 1 o’clock window,” Vincent explained. “Just volume and you go, ‘Ah, if we had to do that one again, just looking at it.’”
One significant error impacted playoff positioning during a Week 14 matchup. Vincent highlighted a replay decision that reversed an on-field interception call against Pittsburgh’s Aaron Rodgers. This ruling cost Baltimore 46 yards of field position, and the Ravens ultimately fell 27-22 after a potential winning touchdown pass from Lamar Jackson to Isaiah Likely was deemed incomplete upon review.
While that particular call wasn’t among the five mistakes Vincent mentioned, he noted it sparked additional debate about catch definitions. A Baltimore victory in that contest would have secured the AFC North championship for the Ravens instead of the Steelers.
However, adding replay center staff during busy game windows wouldn’t address all disparities compared to marquee matchups, which benefit from significantly more broadcast cameras.
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch, a former broadcaster and new competition committee member, believes this camera issue also requires attention.
“I do think that’s something we want to strive for as a league,” Lynch said. “I think there’s some uniformity you can get by requiring teams to have fixed cameras and things. I know all those things are being discussed, but that is a reality that the one o’clock games, there’s multiple games going on at the same time. So, the New York headquarters, they’re not going to have all their attention on that game. And then within that, the element that I talked about just not having the amount of cameras and angles. That’s a reality and something that we have to figure out because every game is important in our league, not just the prime-time games.”
Veteran astronaut Mike Fincke broke his silence Wednesday, revealing that he was the crew member whose health emergency led to NASA’s unprecedented medical evacuation from the International Space Station last month.
The 58-year-old space veteran disclosed his identity in a written statement, though he declined to specify the nature of his medical issue. Fincke explained that his condition improved rapidly with assistance from his fellow crew members and medical professionals monitoring from Earth.
The astronaut reported that he has fully recovered from the incident.
“Spaceflight is an incredible privilege, and sometimes it reminds us just how human we are,” Fincke stated.
Fincke had traveled to the space station with three other astronauts aboard a SpaceX mission launched last summer. Their assignment was cut short on January 15, just one week after Fincke suffered what he described as a “medical event that required immediate attention” from his colleagues. The health scare also led to the scrapping of a scheduled spacewalk involving Fincke and another NASA crew member.
After their capsule landed in the Pacific Ocean, all four astronauts were transported to a medical facility in San Diego. The crew returned to Houston the following day.
During a press briefing one week after their return, while the affected astronaut’s name remained undisclosed, Fincke mentioned that the space station’s ultrasound equipment proved valuable during the medical situation.
In his Wednesday statement, Fincke provided additional context, emphasizing that while the situation wasn’t classified as an emergency, the team decided “to take advantage of advanced medical imaging not available on the space station.”
A former Air Force colonel who joined NASA’s astronaut program in 1996, Fincke has accumulated 549 days in orbit across four space missions.
NEW YORK (AP) — Construction on the final office building at the World Trade Center complex is set to begin this spring, with American Express serving as the anchor tenant for what will become the company’s new corporate headquarters, Governor Kathy Hochul and the financial services giant announced Wednesday. The milestone comes nearly a quarter-century after the September 11 terrorist attacks devastated the original site.
The planned 2 World Trade Center structure will complete the lengthy and challenging reconstruction of the original 16-acre complex. While a residential tower to replace another building damaged in the 9/11 attacks still lacks a construction timeline, this office building announcement marks significant progress in the symbolic rebirth of ground zero.
Hochul and other state leaders highlighted the development as evidence of New York’s enduring appeal to major corporations, particularly as states like Florida actively court businesses to relocate from the Empire State.
“Building 2 World Trade Center will bring another iconic skyscraper to Lower Manhattan, create thousands of good-paying union jobs and provide billions in economic benefits to New Yorkers,” the Democratic governor stated.
Stephen Squeri, American Express’s chief executive, described the new skyscraper as “an investment in our company’s future, our colleagues and the Lower Manhattan community.” The credit card company has maintained its presence in the area for nearly two centuries, with its existing headquarters located just west of the trade center complex.
The original World Trade Center was destroyed when terrorists affiliated with al-Qaida flew hijacked aircraft into the twin towers on September 11, 2001, as part of coordinated attacks that also targeted the Pentagon and resulted in a crash in Pennsylvania. The attacks claimed nearly 3,000 lives, with the majority of casualties occurring at the trade center.
Reconstruction efforts faced numerous obstacles including engineering challenges, funding difficulties, political disputes, and extensive public discussions about appropriate development plans. Despite these setbacks, the site now features the prominent 1 World Trade Center tower, additional office buildings, the September 11 memorial and museum, a transportation and retail complex, and a cultural performing venue, all situated on property managed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
The proposed 55-floor building will span approximately two million square feet and rise at the northeast section of the site. Currently, the location houses a temporary low-rise structure decorated with colorful street art and an outdoor drinking establishment.
While American Express refused to disclose construction costs for the tower — which the company will purchase while leasing the land beneath — officials confirmed no tax breaks are involved in the arrangement. Requests for additional financial details were sent to relevant authorities.
Earlier proposals called for a structure reaching 80 stories, with media companies News Corp. and the former Twenty-First Century Fox among those previously considering relocation to the building. Similar to other trade center developments, securing adequate funding and a primary tenant proved challenging over many years. The COVID-19 pandemic further complicated matters in 2020 as office buildings emptied and companies reconsidered their space requirements.
Developer Larry Silverstein consistently maintained confidence the project would move forward despite obstacles.
Lisa Silverstein, chief executive of Silverstein Properties and daughter of the 94-year-old developer, praised American Express as “an iconic institution embodying the strength, resilience, and global significance of the project.”
The financial services company intends to occupy the entire Norman Foster-designed structure, featuring a modern design with glass facades, outdoor terraces, and landscaped areas throughout. The building is designed to house up to 10,000 employees, though American Express declined to compare this capacity to their current facility.
The City of Lewes has postponed its monthly community meeting originally planned for Wednesday due to winter weather conditions.
Officials announced that the Coffee With Council session set for February 26, 2026 will not take place as scheduled because of the snowstorm that recently hit the area.
Residents will have another opportunity to meet with city leadership when the program returns on March 5, 2026. Mayor Amy Marasco is expected to attend that rescheduled session.
A former Spanish military officer who orchestrated one of Europe’s most dramatic failed coups has passed away at the age of 93.
Antonio Tejero died Wednesday night in Alzira, a town in eastern Spain, according to a statement from legal representatives of his family.
Tejero became infamous for his role in leading approximately 200 armed civil guards in a brazen assault on Spain’s parliament building on February 23, 1981. The attack represented the final and most significant effort to derail Spain’s democratic transformation following the 1975 death of dictator Francisco Franco.
In a remarkable coincidence, Tejero’s death occurred on the exact same day Spanish authorities released previously classified government documents concerning the 1981 coup attempt.
The takeover ultimately collapsed when Spain’s then-King Juan Carlos I appeared on national television to condemn the action, urging military forces to reject the coup and honor the nation’s new constitution.
The dramatic 18-hour siege, during which Tejero and his fellow guards held parliament members and government ministers captive, remains etched in Spanish national memory. Television cameras captured the entire ordeal as it unfolded, allowing Spanish citizens to witness the crisis in real time.
Broadcast footage showed military personnel discharging weapons inside the parliamentary chamber while elected officials dove for cover beneath their desks.
Wearing the distinctive patent leather tricorn hat of Spain’s civil guard police force, Tejero brandished a pistol and commanded “Everyone, freeze!” as he took control of the building. The raiders disrupted proceedings as lawmakers were preparing to confirm Leopoldo Calvo-Sotelo as the country’s new prime minister.
Following his conviction for military rebellion, Tejero completed 15 years and nine months of a 30-year prison term.
Upon his release, he split his time between his hometown of Málaga in southern Spain and the capital city of Madrid, according to a 2011 report by Spanish newspaper El País.
Madrid law firm A. Cañizares Abogados announced Wednesday that Tejero died “peacefully, surrounded by his entire family and after receiving the holy sacraments.”
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced Wednesday that the Trump administration has begun taking steps to put the USDA South building up for sale by handing control of the property over to the General Services Administration.
The move represents the opening phase of what officials describe as an effort to dispose of the government-owned facility and relocate the Food and Nutrition Service office currently housed there.
By transferring oversight of the building to GSA, the administration is setting in motion the formal process that could eventually lead to the sale of the federal property.
Soybean producers in Brazil’s Mato Grosso region are launching a campaign to showcase their environmental efforts and transform their image from climate destroyers to sustainability champions. However, experts are concerned that the potential breakdown of a major deforestation prevention initiative could reverse the gains they’ve made in recent years.
