CAIRO — A devastating highway crash in Egypt Thursday afternoon claimed the lives of 18 people and left three others injured when two vehicles collided, according to Egyptian authorities.
The fatal accident took place around 12:30 p.m. on the 30 June Axis highway south of Port Said province, where a truck struck a pickup vehicle carrying fishermen to their workplace. Officials have not yet determined what caused the two vehicles to crash into each other.
The pickup was transporting fishermen to fish farms located in Port Said, a coastal area in Egypt’s northeast known for its thriving fishing sector, when the deadly accident occurred. Authorities believe the workers were likely residents of Matareya, a town and district within Dakahlia province.
Images shared on the Facebook page of Dakahlia’s governor revealed the devastating scene, showing the pickup vehicle completely destroyed between two large cargo trucks with wreckage spread throughout the roadway.
Egypt’s Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly issued a statement offering sympathy to the bereaved families and directed that financial support be given to them. The Port Said governor also traveled to both the accident location and area hospitals where the injured were being treated to confirm traffic flow had resumed and survivors were getting adequate medical attention, his office announced on Facebook.
Egypt experiences thousands of traffic fatalities annually due to its problematic transportation safety situation. Most accidents result from excessive speed, deteriorating road conditions, and inadequate enforcement of driving regulations.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentucky’s highest court delivered a decisive blow to charter school advocates Thursday, declaring unconstitutional a law that would have provided public funding for these alternative educational institutions.
The unanimous Supreme Court decision reinforced that state education dollars must be reserved exclusively for traditional public schools, with no exceptions.
Republican lawmakers had pushed the funding legislation through in 2022, overriding a veto from Democratic Governor Andy Beshear. However, a lower court struck down the law the following year.
Justice Michelle M. Keller penned the court’s opinion, stating that Kentucky’s constitution clearly prohibits directing public education money away from the established common school system.
This legal defeat follows another significant loss for charter school proponents in 2024, when Kentucky voters turned down a constitutional amendment that would have permitted lawmakers to direct taxpayer funds toward private and charter school tuition.
The ongoing battle represents years of frustrated efforts by charter school supporters to establish these institutions in Kentucky. Advocates maintain these schools provide valuable alternatives for families seeking different educational approaches for their children. Critics counter that charter schools would drain essential resources from existing public schools while potentially discriminating in student admissions.
While Kentucky has permitted charter schools since 2017, none have actually opened due to the absence of any funding mechanism.
Justice Keller emphasized that the court’s ruling focused solely on constitutional law, not educational policy.
“We make no predictions about the potential success of charter schools or their ability to improve the education of the Commonwealth’s children, and we leave public policy evaluations to the Commonwealth’s designated policymakers — the General Assembly,” she stated.
However, Keller noted Kentucky’s longstanding constitutional commitment to public education, writing that for over a century, the state has viewed education as a fundamental obligation that has faced repeated challenges.
“The mandate implicates state education funds are for common schools and for nothing else,” the justice concluded.
A Franklin County judge handed down four consecutive life sentences Thursday to a Columbus woman who admitted to fatally poisoning four men with fentanyl while attempting to rob them.
Rebecca Auborn, 36, received the maximum penalty after entering guilty pleas to charges stemming from a deadly scheme where she would arrange sexual encounters with victims before administering lethal drug doses. The sentences allow for potential parole consideration after 60 years.
Prosecutors brought the case against Auborn in 2023, alleging she systematically targeted men for robbery by using fatal fentanyl overdoses. While she initially maintained her innocence, Auborn changed her plea to guilty in late 2023.
Each life sentence carries eligibility for parole after 15 years, according to the Franklin County court. Additionally, Auborn entered a guilty plea for felonious assault related to an attempted overdose of a fifth victim, Ohio Attorney General David Yost announced Thursday.
“This sentence reflects the defendant’s disregard for life and the callousness not only to kill, but to do it repeatedly,” Yost said. “My heart goes out to the families who lost a loved one — I pray that this measure of justice brings them closure and peace.”
According to Yost, the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force launched their investigation after receiving tips about a sex worker who was drugging clients to steal from them. Authorities indicate the criminal activity occurred throughout 2022 and 2023.
WASHINGTON — During his visit to the nation’s capital for the first Board of Peace summit, Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto finalized a mutual trade agreement with President Donald Trump on Thursday.
While specific terms weren’t immediately disclosed, the nations had previously established a framework agreement last summer requiring Southeast Asia’s biggest economy to remove tariffs on most U.S. products, with America imposing a 19% tariff rate on Indonesian imports — matching rates applied to Cambodia and Malaysia.
This week also saw Indonesian and American businesses finalize 11 separate agreements totaling $38.4 billion, covering purchases of U.S. agricultural products including soybeans, corn, cotton and wheat, along with partnerships in critical minerals, oil field recovery operations, and semiconductor joint ventures.
Speaking to business leaders Wednesday at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Prabowo stated: “We have negotiated very intensively over the last few months, and I think we have reached solid understandings on many issues.”
The White House described the agreement as a “great deal” in an official statement.
“The Agreement will help both countries to strengthen economic security, promote economic growth, and thereby continuously lead to global prosperity,” according to the White House announcement.
The trade agreement was finalized on the same day Prabowo, who leads the world’s largest Muslim nation, confirmed his commitment at the Board of Peace gathering to deploy 8,000 troops or “more if necessary” for an international stabilization mission in Gaza.
Indonesia became one of the first nations to make a concrete commitment to a key component of Trump’s post-conflict Gaza reconstruction strategy.
During the Board of Peace session, Trump acknowledged Prabowo, saying: “President Prabowo of Indonesia, thank you very much. It’s a big country you have, and you do a great job.”
Prabowo responded with praise for Trump’s leadership: “We are very optimistic with the leadership of President Trump, this vision of real peace will be achieved. There will be problems, but we will prevail.”
Cambodia and Vietnam represent the other two Southeast Asian nations participating in the board, which initially focused on overseeing the Gaza ceasefire but has expanded to address broader international conflicts.
Leaders from both countries traveled to Washington for the opening session. Cambodia has already completed its trade agreement with the United States, while Vietnam has established a preliminary framework deal.
Indonesian businesses committed this week to purchasing 1 million tons of soybeans, 1.6 million tons of corn, and 93,000 tons of cotton from American suppliers. They also promised to buy up to 5 million tons of U.S. wheat through 2030.
The nations also agreed to collaborate on critical minerals, though specific details remain undisclosed.
Washington seeks Indonesia’s cooperation in removing export restrictions on critical minerals, which the Trump administration believes could protect U.S. manufacturers from supply chain interruptions. The administration aims to reduce dependence on China’s control over essential materials used in products ranging from military aircraft to mobile devices.
During the Chamber of Commerce gathering, Prabowo suggested Indonesia could function as a “bridge” and “honest broker” between major powers, seemingly referencing U.S.-China tensions.
At the Board of Peace meeting, Trump praised Vietnam as “incredible as a country and as a force” and told leader To Lam it was “a really great honor to have you.”
Lam’s U.S. visit marks his first since winning reelection as head of Vietnam’s Communist Party leadership last month. Traditionally, China serves as an initial destination to acknowledge ideological connections and Beijing’s position as Vietnam’s primary trade partner. Lam did travel to China in August 2024 before his first U.S. visit during his initial term.
Political observers note that Lam’s decision to visit America before Beijing represents a significant change in diplomatic sequencing. Hanoi characterizes its international approach as independent and balanced among global powers.
Trade discussions between Vietnam and the United States continue following the Trump administration’s implementation of 20% tariffs on Vietnamese exports. The most recent sixth round of negotiations wrapped up in early February.
Congressional Democrats are sounding the alarm over the Census Bureau’s decision to include citizenship questions in practice tests for the 2030 national population count, warning it could frighten immigrant communities and compromise the accuracy of the critical survey.
House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Democrats sent a letter Thursday asking the Census Bureau to abandon its plan to use the American Community Survey form, which contains citizenship questions, during field tests scheduled to begin next month in Huntsville, Alabama, and Spartanburg, South Carolina. Instead, they want officials to use standard census forms without such questions.
“The Trump Administration is risking millions of taxpayer dollars to pursue policies which could fatally compromise the 2030 count before it even begins,” the lawmakers stated in their correspondence to acting Census Bureau Director George Cook and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, whose department supervises the statistical agency.
Neither the Census Bureau nor Commerce Department provided immediate responses to requests for comment.
These practice runs allow the statistical agency to develop better methods for counting populations that were missed in previous surveys. The national headcount plays a crucial role in determining congressional representation and Electoral College votes for each state, while also guiding the distribution of $2.8 trillion in federal funding each year. One innovation being evaluated involves having U.S. Postal Service employees handle duties traditionally performed by census workers.
Recently, the Census Bureau announced its 2026 testing strategy would incorporate the American Community Survey form, which poses numerous detailed questions to participants, while canceling planned tests in Colorado Springs, Colorado, western North Carolina, western Texas and Arizona tribal territories.
Democratic lawmakers expressed worry that including citizenship questions would discourage immigrant participation, leading to systematic undercounting of certain populations.
“Many immigrants or citizens in mixed-status families, including green card holders and other legal permanent residents, face fear, chaos, and uncertainty over who the Trump Administration will target next for denaturalization and deportation,” their letter stated.
During his previous presidency, Donald Trump made unsuccessful attempts to insert citizenship questions into the 2020 census. The Republican leader also issued directives aimed at excluding undocumented individuals from congressional apportionment calculations and requiring citizenship data collection.
The Supreme Court ultimately prevented the citizenship question addition, and President Biden eliminated both orders after taking office in January 2021, before the 2020 census results were finalized.
The Constitution’s 14th Amendment specifies that “the whole number of persons in each state” must be counted for congressional and Electoral College apportionment purposes. Census Bureau officials have consistently interpreted this language to include all U.S. residents, regardless of immigration status.
America’s trade imbalance with other nations decreased slightly in 2025, according to new federal data released Thursday, even as President Donald Trump imposed significant tariffs on imports from most countries around the world. The Commerce Department announced that the difference between what the United States exports versus what it imports dropped to approximately $901 billion from $904 billion the previous year.
In positive employment news, fewer Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, with jobless claims continuing at historically low numbers. Weekly unemployment applications for the period ending February 14 decreased by 23,000 to reach 206,000, the Labor Department announced Thursday. This figure came in well below economist predictions of 225,000 new claims. Meanwhile, the total count of Americans receiving ongoing unemployment benefits rose to 1.87 million for the week ending February 7, representing an increase of 17,000 from the prior week.
Homebuyers received welcome news as the typical 30-year mortgage rate dropped to 6.01% this week, marking the lowest point in over three years, according to mortgage purchaser Freddie Mac. The rate declined from 6.09% the previous week and compares favorably to 6.85% from one year ago. This represents the most affordable mortgage rates since September 8, 2022, when rates stood at 5.89%.
Retail giant Walmart reported strong quarterly performance Thursday, crediting low prices and fast delivery options for attracting customers across income levels during the holiday shopping season. However, the Bentonville, Arkansas-based retailer expressed caution about future conditions, citing concerns about consumer confidence, employment stability, and student loan payment difficulties.
The federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a discrimination lawsuit against a regional Coca-Cola bottling company, claiming the business violated male employees’ rights by hosting a women-only networking event. The legal action stems from a complaint by a male worker at Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast regarding a two-day business trip to Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut during September 2024 that included approximately 250 female employees.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg faced questioning in a Los Angeles courtroom Wednesday regarding Instagram’s impact on young users. The case involves a 20-year-old plaintiff seeking to hold social media platforms accountable for potential harm to children who use their services. Meta and YouTube remain as defendants after TikTok and Snap reached settlements.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi promoted his country as a global center for artificial intelligence development during a summit in New Delhi Thursday. Modi emphasized India’s goal to “design and develop in India” while serving worldwide needs. The gathering featured international leaders and technology executives, including French President Emmanuel Macron and Google’s Sundar Pichai, with U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres proposing a $3 billion international AI fund.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto finalized a mutual trade agreement with President Trump Thursday during a visit to Washington for the inaugural Board of Peace meeting. The deal eliminates most Indonesian tariffs on American products while establishing a 19% U.S. tariff on Indonesian exports. The White House described the agreement as beneficial for both nations’ economic security.
White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett called for consequences against Federal Reserve economists Wednesday following their research showing that American businesses and consumers bear most of the cost from new tariffs. Hassett’s remarks represent the latest tension between the Trump administration and the traditionally independent Federal Reserve, highlighting ongoing concerns about consumer prices for essentials and major purchases.
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware women’s golf squad prepares to launch their spring competition schedule this weekend with a trip to Georgia for the Reynolds Lake Oconee Invitational, an event hosted by Mercer University.
Leading the charge for the Fightin’ Blue Hens will be first-year standout Rhianna Gooneratne, who aims to carry forward the momentum from an outstanding autumn campaign that marked the beginning of her college golf journey.
The talented newcomer demonstrated impressive skills during her initial collegiate season and now serves as a cornerstone player for Delaware’s lineup as they embark on their spring tournament slate.
Facebook’s parent company Meta has trimmed its yearly stock option payouts to the majority of workers by roughly 5%, according to a Financial Times report released Thursday.
The decrease in employee equity compensation comes as CEO Mark Zuckerberg channels billions of company dollars into expanding the tech giant’s artificial intelligence capabilities and infrastructure.
The stock option reduction affects most Meta employees as the social media company shifts its financial priorities toward AI development and related technology investments.
WASHINGTON – Iran has issued a stern warning to the United Nations, declaring it would retaliate with force if attacked militarily, according to a letter sent Thursday to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
In the correspondence, Iranian officials stated that Tehran would view military installations, infrastructure and resources belonging to any “hostile force” throughout the region as valid targets should Iran come under military assault.
The communication from Iran’s permanent UN mission characterized President Donald Trump’s language regarding Iran as creating “a real risk of military aggression,” while emphasizing that Iran does not seek armed conflict.
However, the letter made clear that Iran would react “decisively” if faced with military attacks against its territory.
A senior Federal Reserve official expressed optimism Thursday about the current state of the nation’s monetary policy, saying recent interest rate reductions have helped strengthen employment conditions.
Mary Daly, who leads the San Francisco Federal Reserve, indicated during a Thursday discussion that the central bank’s strategy appears to be working effectively. She noted that job market conditions have improved following last year’s rate reductions, while inflation is anticipated to continue moving downward as tariff effects fade.
“Our price stability and full employment both seem to be in a good place; policy is in a good place,” Daly stated during her streamed discussion with Robert Kaplan, who previously headed the Dallas Fed. “And we have the opportunity now to think through what information is coming in, what impact will AI have, how will productivity evolve, how will demand strength evolve and how should we manage policy going forward.”
The comments came as Federal Reserve officials continue monitoring economic indicators to guide future policy decisions.
The University of Delaware ice hockey team saw their season come to a crushing conclusion following an overtime defeat in the opening round of the Atlantic Hockey Association Championship tournament.
The Blue Hens battled through regulation time but were unable to secure victory when the game extended into the extra period, ending their hopes of advancing deeper into the postseason tournament.
The loss marks the end of another chapter for Delaware hockey as they look ahead to rebuilding for next season’s campaign.
The University of Delaware baseball squad is preparing for a demanding road trip as they head to Starkville, Mississippi, for a three-game series against the fourth-ranked Mississippi State Bulldogs.
The Blue Hens will face a significant test against one of college baseball’s elite programs when they take the field in Starkville. The series represents a major challenge for Delaware as they go up against a highly-ranked SEC opponent on their home turf.
This road series will provide valuable experience for the Blue Hens program as they compete against top-tier competition in a hostile environment. The matchup against Mississippi State offers Delaware an opportunity to measure themselves against one of the nation’s premier college baseball teams.
Delaware State Police are working to piece together details from a shooting incident that unfolded Wednesday evening at a Claymont area gas station.
Authorities were called to the Sunoco station at 3615 Philadelphia Pike around 11:50 p.m. on February 18, 2026, following reports of gunfire. According to investigators, a gray sedan pulled up to one of the gas pumps, and the person behind the wheel went inside the convenience store. Shortly afterward, a second car arrived with additional occupants who also went into the store.
Police say there was some kind of confrontation between the groups inside the business. The sedan’s driver then rushed back to their car. As the other two people came out of the store, someone in the gray vehicle opened fire with a handgun, shooting several rounds in their direction. All parties had left the area before officers arrived on scene.
While no one was hurt in the shooting, the convenience store sustained damage from the gunfire.
The case remains under active investigation by Delaware State Police detectives. Officials are asking anyone who saw what happened or has information about the incident to reach out to Detective B. Timmons at (302) 365-8434. Tips can also be shared through private messages to the Delaware State Police Facebook page or by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
Anyone affected by crime or sudden loss can access support services around the clock through the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit and Delaware Victim Center by calling 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461) or emailing [email protected].
Prince Andrew, the younger brother of King Charles, was taken into custody Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office amid allegations he shared classified government materials with deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Authorities released him later that day without filing formal charges.
The detention comes after the U.S. Justice Department made public millions of documents connected to Epstein, revealing the extensive connections between the wealthy financier and numerous high-profile political and business leaders. Epstein died while incarcerated in 2019.
The 66-year-old Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has already lost his royal titles and been removed from his residence due to his connections with Epstein. Two years ago, he reached a settlement in a civil case filed by an Epstein victim who claimed he sexually assaulted her as a minor. The settlement included no admission of guilt, and Thursday’s arrest was unrelated to those accusations.
Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing and expressed remorse about his association with Epstein. He has maintained he witnessed no sexual crimes.
Representatives for Andrew did not return requests for comment after his arrest, and he has remained silent publicly since the document release.
The following details from the released files reveal the nature of the relationship between Epstein and Mountbatten-Windsor:
CLASSIFIED GOVERNMENT MATERIALS
Released correspondence from U.S. authorities appears to demonstrate that Mountbatten-Windsor transmitted official documents and confidential materials to Epstein during 2010, while serving as a government trade representative. Trade representatives typically cannot share such materials due to confidentiality agreements.
One November 2010 correspondence shows Mountbatten-Windsor transmitting four UK government visit reports to Epstein covering Vietnam, Singapore, Hong Kong and Shenzhen, which his palace adviser had provided just minutes before following an official trade mission to southern China and Southeast Asia.
That same day, Mountbatten-Windsor also sent Epstein multiple files marked “Overseas Bids 301110,” which he had just received from his private office.
The materials also contain comprehensive expense evaluations related to his commercial and charitable activities.
A December 24, 2010 email reveals Mountbatten-Windsor transmitting what he called a “confidential brief” from Afghanistan’s Provincial Reconstruction Team regarding potential international investment opportunities to Epstein. He requested Epstein’s feedback and suggestions.
A May 2010 message references an earlier private conversation with Epstein about managing “responsibility” for financial matters. The context of whether the former prince was discussing his trade envoy duties or other matters remained unclear.
Mountbatten-Windsor indicated there were “no problems” provided he assigned investment responsibility to trusts, banks, investment vehicles or “trusted individuals.”
Additional messages show Mountbatten-Windsor sharing sensitive internal information with an Abu Dhabi banker, including details about a potential approach to luxury automaker Aston Martin. A former royal aide forwarded that correspondence to Epstein. Other communications include financial discussions and preparations for a planned China trip in his trade envoy capacity.
BUSINESS VENTURES
Other correspondence indicates Mountbatten-Windsor was considering a private business venture with Epstein called the Green Park Group in 2010 while still serving as trade envoy. Separate messages show discussions with a mutual contact about an investment entity called Witan Holdings.
A July 2010 email chain shows Mountbatten-Windsor discussing a proposed $8 billion “cash-for-oil” deal involving contacts in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Libya. The messages describe potential roles for senior UAE and Libyan officials, including an introduction to a top aide of Libya’s former leader Muammar Gaddafi.
Additional emails show Mountbatten-Windsor discussing China-related business engagement in 2010, including preparations for a Beijing trip and an “exchange deal of private placement for oil.”
SOCIAL CONNECTIONS
The documents reveal that Mountbatten-Windsor maintained social contact with Epstein both before and after his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
In a 2009 sworn statement, Epstein’s former house manager Juan Alessi testified that Mountbatten-Windsor would stay at the disgraced financier’s property for weeks and received “daily massages.” Alessi could not be reached for comment.
Mountbatten-Windsor has denied any improper conduct during his time with Epstein.
In 2010, shortly after Epstein’s house arrest concluded, he emailed Mountbatten-Windsor about a “beautiful” and “trustworthy” 26-year-old Russian woman he thought the then-prince might enjoy dining with. Mountbatten-Windsor replied he would be “delighted” to meet her and asked: “Will she be bringing a message from you?”
The documents also contain photographs of Mountbatten-Windsor lying across the laps of several women, whose faces have been obscured.
An Australian healthcare company announced Friday it will divest its majority ownership in its French subsidiary by distributing shares directly to investors.
Ramsay Health Care revealed plans to give shareholders its controlling 52.79% ownership stake in Ramsay Sante, which operates as a separate publicly-traded entity in France. The distribution will complete a full separation between the Australian parent company and its French healthcare division.
The announcement came as part of the company’s strategic restructuring efforts, though specific details about the timeline for the distribution were not immediately provided.
NEW YORK – Stock markets across the United States closed Thursday with slight declines, mirroring losses seen in European markets as ongoing diplomatic tensions between America and Iran contributed to rising oil prices and market uncertainty.
Economic data released Thursday painted a mixed picture, with the nation’s goods trade deficit reaching an all-time high while unemployment claims dropped more than analysts had predicted, offering positive signals about job market strength.
Among major market sectors, technology and financial companies saw the largest declines, while utility and energy stocks posted gains. Defense and aerospace companies outperformed the broader market, contrasting sharply with travel-related businesses including airlines, hotels, restaurants, and cruise operators, which experienced significant drops.
The dollar strengthened against other currencies as economic indicators suggested underlying stability in the American economy. Treasury bond yields showed mixed results as investors evaluated potential Federal Reserve policy changes, coinciding with the government’s sale of $9 billion in 30-year inflation-protected securities.
Gold prices climbed as traders balanced concerns over international conflicts against positive domestic economic news.
Several major developments shaped market sentiment Thursday. European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde reportedly assured colleagues she intends to remain in her position, contradicting earlier speculation about her potential early departure.
President Trump issued warnings to Iran regarding its nuclear program, stating that “bad things” would occur if the country fails to negotiate a deal, apparently setting a 10-day timeframe for action.
In Federal Reserve news, Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari criticized recent comments from White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett, calling Hassett’s suggestion that New York Fed officials should “be disciplined” for tariff research an assault on central bank independence.
Trump also announced the formation of a “Board of Peace” for Gaza reconstruction, revealing that multiple countries have pledged $7 billion toward rebuilding efforts contingent on Hamas disarmament.
Looking ahead, investors will monitor several key economic reports Friday, including personal consumption data, fourth-quarter GDP figures, manufacturing surveys, consumer confidence measures, and new home sales numbers.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared Thursday that his nation has successfully pulled through economic hardships and achieved key financial objectives during the launch of the country’s most important political gathering, according to state-run media reports.
The hermit kingdom kicked off its Ninth Party Congress, a massive political assembly that takes place once every five years to assess the government’s performance, establish new policy directions, and potentially shuffle leadership roles.
During his opening remarks, Kim claimed North Korea had achieved “significant accomplishments” across multiple areas including politics, the economy, military defense, cultural affairs, and international relations over the previous five-year period, while strengthening the nation’s independence.
The North Korean leader also stated that his country has created a “big change” in its relationships with foreign nations and influenced the worldwide political situation.
State media KCNA reported Friday that the gathering drew 5,000 members from the controlling Workers’ Party, who received proposals for new objectives and strategies across different government sectors for the upcoming five-year term.
In a dramatic finish at the Milano Cortina Olympics Thursday, the United States women’s hockey team secured Olympic gold by defeating Canada 2-1 in overtime, with Megan Keller delivering the championship-clinching goal that ended Canada’s reign as defending champions.
The Americans appeared destined for another heartbreaking loss to their longtime rivals while trailing in the final period, but team captain Hilary Knight managed to even the score and force the championship match into sudden-death overtime. In the three-on-three extra period, Keller maneuvered past Canadian defender Claire Thompson and guided the puck beyond the goaltender to secure the United States’ third Olympic gold medal in women’s hockey.
The championship contest at Santagiulia Arena delivered another memorable moment in hockey’s most intense rivalry, with capacity crowds alternating between “Canada!” and “USA!” chants throughout the evening.
Despite entering as favorites following their dominant 5-0 victory over Canada during group play – marking Canada’s first Olympic shutout loss – the Americans faced early resistance from Canadian goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens, who delivered an outstanding first-period performance.
The United States received an early second-period power-play opportunity but failed to capitalize. Instead, Canada struck first when Laura Stacey intercepted the puck at center ice, advanced toward goal, and passed to Kristin O’Neill, who executed a skillful backhand shot for the shorthanded score.
Facing their first tournament deficit, the Americans struggled to solve Desbiens until pulling their goaltender for an additional attacker with approximately two minutes remaining in regulation. Knight managed to deflect a shot from Olympic newcomer Laila Edwards into the net for the equalizer, simultaneously establishing a new U.S. women’s Olympic goal-scoring record.
This marked the third occasion in four Olympics that these teams required overtime to determine the championship winner. The arena fell silent before Keller ended the suspense just over four minutes into the extra session.
As head coach John Wroblewski shed emotional tears on the sideline, the American squad celebrated wildly while disappointed Canadian players watched solemnly before the medal presentation, with spectators dancing to Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the USA.”
The victory extended Canada’s losing streak against the Americans to seven consecutive games. The United States has now appeared in seven of eight possible Olympic championship matches. Earlier Thursday, Switzerland claimed bronze with a 2-1 overtime victory over Sweden.
A Wilmington woman is now facing serious criminal charges after Newark Police concluded a lengthy investigation into a string of retail thefts that cost local businesses thousands of dollars.
The Newark Police Department launched their investigation at the start of 2024 when they began tracking a pattern of shoplifting cases involving the same individual. Through their investigative work, officers documented instances where a female suspect was caught on surveillance stealing merchandise from various retail locations throughout the area.
The cumulative value of the stolen goods reached into the thousands of dollars, prompting authorities to pursue felony-level charges against the suspect. The investigation spanned several months as police worked to build a comprehensive case linking the woman to multiple theft incidents.
Newark Police have not yet released the suspect’s identity or specified which retail establishments were targeted during the alleged crime spree. The case represents a significant retail theft investigation for the department, given the substantial monetary losses involved.
The arrest concludes what authorities describe as a thorough investigation into organized retail theft activity in the Newark area. Police continue to work with local businesses to address ongoing concerns about shoplifting and retail crime.
Team USA figure skater Alysa Liu secured the women’s individual gold medal on Thursday, marking a historic achievement for American figure skating.
What makes Liu’s victory even more remarkable is her relaxed approach to competition. The skater previously stated that earning a medal wasn’t her primary concern heading into the event.
Liu’s triumph represents a significant milestone for American women’s figure skating, as she becomes the first U.S. woman to capture individual gold in the sport since Sarah Hughes achieved the same honor in 2002.
The victory caps off what has been an impressive performance by Liu, who celebrated her golden moment on the ice following her winning routine.
Federal authorities have issued emergency directives forcing coal-fired power plants to remain operational despite utility companies’ desires to permanently close these facilities. This unprecedented federal intervention has triggered a court dispute in Colorado.
The conflict represents a broader clash between the current administration’s energy policies and market forces driving utilities away from coal power. Power companies cite economic and environmental factors in their decisions to decommission aging coal facilities, but federal officials are using emergency powers to override these business decisions.
The Colorado case has become a focal point for this nationwide tension between federal energy mandates and private sector preferences for transitioning to alternative power sources.
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks men’s volleyball team claimed victory over Roberts Wesleyan in a 3-1 match, marking their second consecutive triumph against the visiting team.
This latest win continues the Hawks’ successful streak, having now defeated Roberts Wesleyan in two consecutive encounters. The team demonstrated strong performance throughout the match to secure the victory at home.
The Hawks’ consistent play against Roberts Wesleyan shows the team’s ability to maintain their competitive edge in repeat matchups.
HAVANA — Seventy-year-old Guillermo Beltrán carried home two hefty bags Thursday filled with crucial supplies his family desperately needed — rice, beans, amaranth, and crackers — along with cooking oil, large tins of sardines, and canned fruit. Each item bore identical markings reading “Made in Mexico.”
Beltrán, a Cuban father of two, joined hundreds of others receiving Mexican humanitarian relief ordered by President Claudia Sheinbaum to assist the struggling island nation battling power outages and critical fuel shortages intensified by U.S. oil restrictions.
“I feel very grateful,” Beltrán expressed. “The Mexican president should be praised to the skies for showing such concern and courage.”
Mexican Navy vessels carrying humanitarian supplies arrived at Cuban ports last week, coming two weeks following U.S. President Donald Trump’s warnings about imposing tariffs on nations that provide oil to the island, further intensifying the Caribbean nation’s already dire economic and energy situation.
The vessels delivered approximately 800 tons of essential items, with an additional 1,500 tons of powdered milk and beans scheduled for transport in upcoming days.
Cuban officials announced the assistance will benefit at-risk families with malnourished children or senior citizens in Havana and the Mayabeque and Artemisa provinces. State television broadcast earlier this week showed the materials being distributed to bodegas — government-operated stores that provide basic necessities to citizens using a nationwide rationing system.
The supplies Beltrán received were delivered straight to his residence by his local Havana bodega supervisor.
“People are very grateful for these donations,” 28-year-old manager Roberto Román explained to The Associated Press. His responsibilities include serving 1,780 customers across 850 households.
Cuba’s economic troubles that began in 2020 have worsened due to heightened U.S. sanctions designed to pressure changes in the island’s governing system. These restrictions have created critical supply shortages and devastating power failures that reached their worst point in early 2026.
The island had depended significantly on Venezuelan oil deliveries that stopped when the U.S. launched attacks against the South American nation in early January and detained its leadership.
Since Cuba generates just 40% of its necessary fuel internally, it faces extreme vulnerability to foreign blockades. Although strong supporters like Russia and China have criticized U.S. actions, their assistance has stayed primarily rhetorical so far.
Naval operations in the Pacific Ocean this week resulted in massive cocaine seizures totaling more than 10 tons by Mexican and Salvadoran forces, while U.S. military operations against suspected drug smuggling vessels claimed 11 lives across three separate incidents in Latin American waters.
Mexico’s most recent operation occurred Thursday when authorities intercepted a semi-submersible vessel approximately 250 nautical miles south of Manzanillo port, seizing nearly four tons of suspected narcotics and apprehending three individuals aboard the low-profile craft equipped with three visible engines.
Mexican Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch announced on X that this latest bust pushed the week’s total seizures to nearly 10 tons, though specific details about additional operations were not disclosed.
Intelligence cooperation between Mexican authorities and U.S. Northern Command, along with the U.S. Joint Interagency Task Force South, facilitated the successful interdiction, according to Mexican officials.
El Salvador achieved what officials called the nation’s largest drug seizure in history on Sunday, capturing 6.6 tons of cocaine from a 180-foot vessel flying a Tanzanian flag located 380 miles southwest of the Salvadoran coastline. Naval divers discovered 330 cocaine packages concealed within the ship’s ballast compartments, leading to the arrest of 10 individuals from Colombia, Nicaragua, Panama, and Ecuador.
Salvadoran officials displayed the confiscated vessel FMS Eagle at La Union port on Thursday, where more than 200 wrapped drug packages were arranged across the deck for public viewing.
The Trump administration has intensified pressure on Mexico to increase drug interdiction efforts throughout the past year, with President Trump citing fentanyl trafficking as justification for imposing tariffs on Mexican goods.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has adopted a more confrontational approach toward drug cartels compared to her predecessor, including the extradition of dozens of narcotics trafficking suspects to face prosecution in American courts.
However, Sheinbaum has publicly criticized U.S. military strikes against suspected drug-carrying vessels in Caribbean and Pacific waters.
Since the U.S. government initiated operations targeting individuals it labels “narcoterrorists” last September, at least 145 people have died in these military strikes.
This week’s U.S. operations targeted three vessels – two boats in the eastern Pacific carrying four people each, and one Caribbean vessel with three occupants aboard. While the administration released images showing the destruction of these boats, no evidence was provided confirming they contained illegal drugs.
RICHMOND, Va. — Democratic efforts to reshape Virginia’s congressional boundaries hit another roadblock Thursday when a state judge issued a temporary restraining order halting preparations for a planned April ballot measure.
Judge Jack Hurley Jr. of the Tazewell Circuit Court approved the emergency order sought by national Republican organizations, citing concerns about both the timeline and language of the proposed referendum that could potentially shift control of four U.S. House seats.
The Republican National Committee and National Republican Congressional Committee filed the legal challenge, joined by GOP Representatives Ben Cline and Morgan Griffith, who contended that Democratic lawmakers were forcing redistricting legislation through the statehouse while ignoring procedural requirements that make such swift action improper.
This marks the second occasion that Judge Hurley has sided against Democratic redistricting initiatives. Earlier in January, he determined that lawmakers illegally approved a constitutional amendment resolution during a special session, violating rules about timing relative to upcoming elections.
While Democrats have appealed that earlier decision to Virginia’s highest court, and the justices initially indicated the referendum could move forward during their review, this new restraining order creates additional uncertainty.
The Virginia dispute stems from a broader national redistricting fight that began when President Donald Trump encouraged Republican-controlled states like Texas to redraw their maps mid-decade, aiming to help the GOP maintain its slim House majority despite typical midterm challenges facing the party in power.
The strategy has sparked redistricting battles nationwide. Republican strategists believe they can secure nine additional seats through map changes in Texas, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio. Meanwhile, Democrats are counting on gaining six seats in California and Utah, with Virginia representing their best opportunity to close the remaining gap needed to flip House control.
SANTA FE, N.M. — New Mexico has made history by becoming the first state in the nation to establish a universal childcare program that covers costs for families at every income level, following through on commitments made by Democratic Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.
While parents nationwide struggle with overwhelming daycare expenses that often force them out of the job market, political leaders from New York to San Francisco have been working to expand access to affordable and subsidized childcare options. The political implications are significant as concerns about budget instability and potential fraud create challenges.
Other states have taken different approaches: California has removed copayments for certain families, Washington and Oregon have established payment caps for families, and Vermont uses employer payroll taxes to support childcare subsidies.
New Mexico’s approach depends largely on revenue generated from oil and gas operations, including profits from a newly established $10 billion early childhood education trust fund. This creates a complex situation for a progressive governor who originally sought to limit the industry’s influence.
“I think you’re going to see more states look for ways to do it,” the governor said Thursday. “It’s really a workforce engine, while paying real respect to the affordability affordability crisis that families have.”
With Lujan Grisham’s term ending next year, state legislators concerned about unlimited spending chose a measured approach during the legislative session that concluded Thursday. They maintained flexibility to implement copayments should the state’s financial situation worsen, representing a concession the governor had to accept.
State officials report that an additional $700 million will be directed toward New Mexico’s childcare assistance program over the coming five years. Copayments remain improbable and would require 90 days advance notice to families.
Choices regarding potential cost-sharing will be connected to new yearly reporting mandates. The early education department now has expanded power to oversee childcare providers’ employee compensation, debt management, and business operations.
State Senator George Muñoz, who co-sponsored the legislation, explained that lawmakers took advantage of the chance to establish protective measures.
“We didn’t want to end up like Minnesota, where all of the sudden there was rampant fraud,” he said, referencing federal prosecutors’ claims that billions in federal dollars were misappropriated from Minnesota-administered programs for children with autism, addiction treatment, and other services.
According to Muñoz, families will see substantial benefits, noting that free childcare will increase their disposable income.
Las Cruces resident Marianna Eanone explained that her earnings combined with her husband’s military pay previously exceeded the qualification threshold for childcare assistance. The family previously spent $1,000 monthly for their 3-year-old’s licensed home daycare and after-school care for their kindergarten student.
“It’s been a weight off to not have to worry about that,” said Eanone, who is employed by a program that helps families access child development resources.
She noted they now have financial flexibility for occasional restaurant meals, martial arts lessons for their 6-year-old, increased student loan payments, and future savings.
These advantages connect with voters, according to experts.
“They are sending a really strong signal about the importance of child care to the well-being of the families in the state, the well being of the economy, of businesses,” said Karen Schulman, senior director of child care policy for the National Women’s Law Center.
New Mexico progressively increased income eligibility for childcare assistance before implementing universal coverage on November 1, expanding eligibility to 25,000 additional children. The program saves families an average of $14,000 annually per child.
The New Mexico law permits the state to establish waiting lists when demand exceeds available childcare spaces. This approach aims to ensure priority access for children in challenging situations, including those in severe poverty, children with disabilities, and those facing developmental delays.
The measure also addresses worries that rapidly expanding childcare subsidies across all income levels might reduce availability for low-income families. Legislative analysis showed that participation from low-income families dropped as assistance expanded to higher-earning households.
Elizabeth Groginsky, who leads New Mexico’s early childhood education department, said legislators also preserved funding flexibility for recently approved initiatives to enhance childcare quality, increase minimum wages, and extend operating hours through improved state reimbursement rates.
However, childcare availability remains limited throughout much of New Mexico, even as the state expands assistance beyond working parents to include grandparent caregivers, foster parents, and individuals experiencing homelessness.
Lawmakers have forwarded separate legislation to the governor aimed at increasing home-based daycare and childcare centers in residential neighborhoods by superseding certain local zoning and permit requirements, including homeowner association restrictions on childcare operations.
New Mexico’s top prosecutor has revived a criminal probe into suspected illegal activities at Jeffrey Epstein’s former ranch property, citing newly disclosed federal documents.
State Attorney General Raúl Torrez announced the decision Thursday following his office’s review of materials recently made public by the U.S. Department of Justice.
While New Mexico prosecutors had shuttered their original investigation in 2019 following a request from federal authorities in New York, state officials now say “revelations outlined in the previously sealed FBI files warrant further examination.”
The state justice department indicated that investigators and prosecutors will pursue immediate access to complete, uncensored federal case materials and plan to collaborate with additional law enforcement agencies and a newly formed legislative truth commission examining ranch activities.
“As with any potential criminal matter, we will follow the facts wherever they lead, carefully evaluate jurisdictional considerations, and take appropriate investigative action, including the collection and preservation of any relevant evidence that remains available,” the New Mexico Department of Justice said in a statement.
Earlier this week, New Mexico’s truth commission held its inaugural session. The bipartisan four-member group of state representatives has been tasked with probing claims that the property may have enabled sexual abuse and human trafficking.
State legislators also expressed interest in understanding why Epstein failed to register as a sex offender following his 2008 guilty plea for soliciting prostitution from a minor, and whether public officials engaged in corrupt practices.
Epstein acquired the expansive Zorro Ranch property in 1993 from former Democratic Governor Bruce King, subsequently constructing a 26,700-square-foot mansion on a hilltop complete with its own airstrip.
The estate was purchased from Epstein’s creditors in 2023 by the family of Don Huffines, a Texas Republican seeking the state comptroller position. Huffines announced on social media platform X that the property has been rechristened San Rafael Ranch, named for a healing saint, and will serve as a Christian retreat center for his family.
NEW YORK – Investment management company Blue Owl Capital issued a clarification Thursday, stating it has not suspended investor access to funds from one of its private debt investment vehicles, following a decline in the firm’s stock price after announcing changes to withdrawal procedures.
The company emphasized in its Thursday statement that it is “not halting investor liquidity in” its non-traded debt fund Blue Owl Capital Corp II. This clarification came one day after Blue Owl announced it would distribute 30% of the fund’s net asset value back to investors while discontinuing its quarterly withdrawal options.
Rather than continuing its previous tender offer system that allowed investors to withdraw up to 5% of their investment capital, Blue Owl explained its revised approach would deliver greater returns. “We are returning six times as much capital and returning it to all shareholders over the next 45 days. In the coming quarters we will continue to pursue this plan to return capital to OBDC II investors,” the company stated.
VIENNA – A court in Austria has convicted a 37-year-old recreational climber of manslaughter in connection with his girlfriend’s fatal exposure to cold temperatures near the country’s tallest mountain, according to Austrian media outlets.
The tribunal in Innsbruck, located in western Austria, sentenced the man to five months in prison, though the term was suspended. Officials determined he caused the woman’s death through severe negligence when he abandoned her to seek rescue assistance in January 2025.
The tragic incident occurred in the vicinity of Austria’s highest peak, where the woman succumbed to the extreme cold conditions after being left alone during the climbing expedition.
A Wall Street brokerage firm has completely scrapped its plans to go public on Thursday, becoming the latest casualty of turbulent market conditions that are making it increasingly difficult for companies to launch successful stock offerings.
Clear Street announced it was pulling its registration statement for a U.S. stock market debut, following a week of delays that the company attributed to unfavorable “market conditions.” The firm had already dramatically reduced the amount of money it hoped to raise before making the decision to abandon the effort entirely.
The withdrawal comes as concerns about artificial intelligence disrupting traditional business models have triggered widespread selling across multiple sectors. Financial services companies and technology firms have been particularly hard hit by the recent market downturn.
The challenging environment has forced numerous companies to scale back or delay their public offering plans throughout 2026. Market instability, increased scrutiny of company valuations, and poor performance of recently public companies have all contributed to a weakened pipeline of new stock listings.
Recent examples highlight the difficulties facing companies seeking to go public. Brazilian financial technology company Agibank cut its offering size by more than half last week and is now trading below its initial stock price. Meanwhile, Liftoff Mobile, backed by investment firm Blackstone, postponed its IPO earlier this month before refiling new paperwork on Tuesday, only hours after withdrawing its previous attempt.
These rapid changes in listing strategies demonstrate the uncertainty currently gripping financial markets.
The year began with concerns that excessive enthusiasm for AI technology was creating a stock market bubble. However, artificial intelligence has since become viewed as a disruptive threat, with entire industries experiencing sell-offs following product announcements from AI-focused startups.
Clear Street, established in 2018, initially operated as a prime brokerage service before expanding into additional areas including investment banking services.
Financial documents from the company’s IPO filing showed Clear Street projected its net revenue would grow to between $1.04 billion and $1.06 billion in 2025, up significantly from $463.6 million the previous year.
The decision to abandon its public offering plans highlights the ongoing difficulties companies face when trying to access public markets. These challenges follow setbacks last year when U.S. trade policies and political divisions disrupted what many had hoped would be a recovery in the IPO market.
Former President Donald Trump leveled accusations against Barack Obama on Thursday, claiming the ex-president improperly shared classified details when Obama recently confirmed the existence of extraterrestrial life.
Speaking to reporters while flying to Georgia aboard Air Force One, Trump offered no proof for his assertion but stated Obama crossed a line with his public statements.
“He took it out of classified information … He’s not supposed to be doing that,” Trump declared to the press. “He made a big mistake.”
The controversy stems from Obama’s appearance on Brian Tyler Cohen’s podcast, which aired last Saturday. When the host inquired about whether aliens exist, Obama gave a candid response.
“They’re real, but I haven’t seen them, and they’re not being kept in … Area 51. There’s no underground facility unless there’s this enormous conspiracy and they hid it from the president of the United States,” Obama responded during the interview.
The Nevada-based Area 51 facility has long been the subject of conspiracy theories suggesting the military stores alien remains and crashed spacecraft there. However, declassified CIA documents from 2013 revealed the location served as a testing ground for classified surveillance aircraft.
Obama’s statements showed no signs of drawing from government intelligence briefings or sensitive materials.
The former president expanded on his views in a Sunday Instagram message, writing: “I saw no evidence during my presidency that extraterrestrials have made contact with us. Really!”
In that social media post, Obama explained his belief in alien life by pointing to mathematical probabilities given the universe’s immense size, while noting the unlikely chance of such beings reaching Earth due to vast distances involved.
When reporters asked Trump about his own views on extraterrestrial existence Thursday, he remained noncommittal, saying: “I don’t know if they’re real or not.”
White House officials declined to elaborate beyond Trump’s public remarks, while Obama’s representatives have not yet provided comment on the allegations.
The Defense Department has actively investigated UFO reports in recent years, with top military officials announcing in 2022 that their research uncovered no proof of alien visits or crashes on Earth.
A comprehensive Pentagon analysis released in 2024 examined government UFO investigations dating back to World War II’s conclusion, determining that no extraterrestrial technology has been discovered and that most reported sightings involved common objects or natural occurrences that were misidentified.
President Donald Trump has notified Congress that he’s working on a nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia that eliminates key protections previously deemed essential to prevent the kingdom from developing atomic weapons, according to congressional documents obtained by Reuters.
Both Trump, a Republican, and former President Joe Biden, a Democrat, have collaborated with Saudi officials on plans to construct the nation’s first civilian nuclear power facilities.
This development occurs as global concerns mount over a potential nuclear arms race, following the recent collapse of the final strategic weapons limitation agreement between Russia and the United States, while China continues expanding its nuclear capabilities.
Nonproliferation advocates and numerous lawmakers from both parties – including current Secretary of State Marco Rubio during his Senate tenure – have demanded that any nuclear deal include strict protections. These would prohibit Saudi Arabia from enriching uranium or reprocessing used nuclear fuel, both potential routes to weapons production, requirements that previous U.S. administrations have also supported.
These groups also demand Saudi Arabia accept the Additional Protocol, which provides the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency extensive and intrusive monitoring authority over nuclear activities, including surprise inspections at undisclosed sites.
The Trump administration delivered a preliminary report to congressional committee leaders in November, which the Arms Control Association revealed Thursday is mandated when the government isn’t pursuing the Additional Protocol requirements.
Kelsey Davenport, who leads nonproliferation policy for the Arms Control Association, expressed concern in a Thursday analysis, stating the report “raises concerns that the Trump administration has not carefully considered the proliferation risks posed by its proposed nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia or the precedent this agreement may set.”
Trump’s congressional notification claims the proposed U.S.-Saudi civilian nuclear agreement, called a 123 Agreement, positions American industry as central to Saudi Arabia’s nuclear development while maintaining proliferation protections.
However, the document creates opportunities for Saudi enrichment capabilities by referencing “additional safeguards and verification measures to the most sensitive areas of potential nuclear cooperation” between the nations, specifically mentioning enrichment and reprocessing activities.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s effective leader, has previously stated the kingdom would pursue nuclear weapons if regional adversary Iran develops them.
“If they get one, we have to get one,” the crown prince told Fox News in 2023, explaining such weapons would be necessary “for security reasons, and for balancing power in the Middle East, but we don’t want to see that.”
The White House and State Department have not responded to requests for comment. Saudi Arabia’s Washington embassy also has not provided a response.
Davenport emphasized that “It behooves Congress” to check the administration’s authority to finalize an agreement with Saudi Arabia and “consider not just the implications for Saudi Arabia, but also the precedent that this deal will set, and vigorously examine the terms of the proposed 123 Agreement.”
The Arms Control Association reports the Trump administration could submit the 123 Agreement to Congress as early as February 22, having approximately 90 days following the congressional report to do so. The agreement would take effect and authorize Saudi Arabia’s civilian nuclear program unless both the Senate and House approve resolutions rejecting the 123 Agreement within 90 days.
Technology company Akamai Technologies announced Thursday that it expects 2026 revenues to surpass Wall Street projections, demonstrating strong confidence that its cloud infrastructure business will maintain robust growth momentum.
The Massachusetts-based firm is benefiting from rising demand in both security and computing sectors, as businesses focus on protecting their digital operations and applications while moving to cloud-based systems.
Companies are increasingly implementing multi-cloud approaches to reduce expenses and prevent dependency on single vendors, which has opened new opportunities for Akamai’s specialized edge-computing solutions.
Corporate spending on cybersecurity tools has also risen sharply due to escalating sophisticated cyber attacks and government-backed digital threats, driving higher demand for Akamai’s protective services.
The technology firm projects 2026 revenues will range from $4.40 billion to $4.55 billion, with the middle estimate exceeding the analyst consensus of $4.42 billion compiled by LSEG data.
Chief Executive Officer Tom Leighton noted in a Reuters interview that the company is observing rising memory costs in the current market.
He indicated that Akamai may consider price adjustments to offset these increased expenses, though any such changes would be implemented cautiously.
The widespread expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure by major technology companies has consumed significant portions of global memory chip inventory, driving up prices as manufacturers focus on higher-profit data center components rather than consumer products.
During the final quarter ending December 31, Akamai recorded $1.10 billion in revenue, exceeding the anticipated $1.08 billion estimate.
The Washington Supreme Court delivered a unanimous ruling Thursday allowing grieving families to pursue legal action against Amazon over the suicide deaths of their loved ones who purchased sodium nitrite through the online marketplace.
The state’s highest court overturned a lower appeals court decision that had blocked the families from suing Amazon for negligence, with that earlier court claiming suicide represented an intervening cause that broke the chain of responsibility.
In the majority opinion, Justice G. Helen Whitener determined that Amazon bears a responsibility to exercise reasonable care toward its customers and must prevent exposing them to “harm from the foreseeable conduct of a third party.”
Whitener stated that a jury should determine whether suicide deaths were a predictable outcome of the Seattle company’s alleged failure to meet this standard of care.
The legal challenge involves 28 families who claim Amazon has been aware for years of sodium nitrite’s connection to suicide deaths but has permitted unrestricted sales of the chemical along with other items that could facilitate self-harm. The plaintiffs refer to these combined products as “suicide kits.”
These families are pursuing damages under Washington state’s product liability statutes following their relatives’ deaths.
Thursday’s ruling specifically addressed appeals from four families whose relatives, ranging in age from 17 to 27, consumed sodium nitrite with purity levels of 98% or 99.6% during 2020 and 2021.
Amazon responded by stating its disagreement with the court’s decision while reaffirming its dedication to customer safety and offering sympathy to families impacted by suicide.
This case represents part of a broader legal trend attempting to hold online marketplaces like Amazon accountable for items sold by independent vendors on their platforms.
“Amazon is one of the world’s biggest companies, and shouldn’t be profiting from products they know people use to harm themselves,” said Carrie Goldberg, an attorney representing the families.
Sodium nitrite serves as a legitimate chemical compound commonly employed as a food preservative in meat and fish products. The substance also has applications in research facilities and as a treatment for cyanide poisoning.
Amazon acknowledged in its response that highly concentrated sodium nitrite “is not intended for direct consumption, and unfortunately, like many products, it can be misused.”
The company has since implemented restrictions prohibiting the sale of sodium nitrite products with concentrations exceeding 10%.
Team USA’s women’s hockey squad secured Olympic gold Thursday evening with a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory over Canada at the Milano Cortina Olympics.
The championship win marks the third time the American women have claimed Olympic gold in hockey, having now competed in seven Olympic finals throughout the program’s history.
The nail-biting contest required extra time to determine a winner, with the United States ultimately prevailing in the overtime period to deny Canada the top spot on the podium.
Olympic curling athletes found themselves trekking through snow-covered streets Thursday when severe weather conditions brought transportation to a standstill in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
The American women’s curling squad, led by Tabitha Peterson, secured their semifinal berth with a 7-6 victory over Switzerland, but getting to the venue proved challenging.
“We had to grab a taxi and then get out halfway through and walk in the snow. But we made it in time,” explained team member Taylor Anderson-Heide.
“It probably took like an hour longer. We were okay. We got here an hour early, so we were still good. We like to leave nice and early.”
This wasn’t Anderson-Heide’s teammate Cory Thiesse’s first snowy walk to competition. She experienced similar conditions during her mixed doubles event, where she earned a silver medal alongside partner Korey Dropkin.
“Before Korey and I played, I think it was the gold medal game, the same thing happened. We just got off the bus and walked down the hill,” Thiesse recalled.
“We did the same thing today. In these scenarios, you just roll with the punches and expect unexpected things to happen. I’m really proud of us for not letting it kind of affect us at all.”
Olympic officials pushed back the women’s final round-robin matches and men’s semifinal games by half an hour due to the transportation difficulties.
Canadian team captain Rachel Homan, whose squad advanced to the semifinals after defeating South Korea, described being trapped on a bus for an hour.
“Obviously, the game was delayed, some teams didn’t even make it for practice, but it was great of the officials to recognise that,” Homan said.
“It’s not fun. We tried to leave early and the bus that we tried to get on had already left. We tried to get on an earlier bus, but you can’t predict an hour in the snow.”
Canadian coach Heather Nedohin managed to find some levity in the weather-related complications.
“I think the ski athletes are thinking, ‘it’s an indoor sport and you’re delayed by snow? How does that work for you guys?’,” Nedohin joked.
Cattle futures displayed varied performance at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange as traders awaited the week’s direct trading activity and Friday’s cattle inventory report from federal agriculture officials. Live cattle contracts for April delivery gained $.90 to close at $243.42, while June contracts rose $.45 to finish at $238.87. Meanwhile, feeder cattle saw declines with March contracts dropping $.30 to close at $370.27.
The family of a Jeffrey Epstein victim is expressing hope that recent developments signal the beginning of justice for those connected to the late sex offender’s network of associates.
Sky Roberts, brother of Virginia Giuffre who died by suicide last April, told reporters he views the Thursday arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as a pivotal moment in seeking accountability.
“This is where the house of cards starts falling,” Sky Roberts stated during an interview alongside his wife Amanda Roberts.
British authorities arrested King Charles’ brother on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office, stemming from allegations he provided confidential government documents to Epstein. Mountbatten-Windsor was subsequently released from custody.
The Roberts family is pressing the U.S. Justice Department to pursue additional individuals they believe participated in Epstein’s criminal activities as millions of documents related to the case become public.
The document releases are creating significant political and business disruptions as new information emerges about the disgraced financier’s wide-ranging social network. The situation continues to present challenges for President Donald Trump, who had previously raised questions about Epstein and his connections before returning to office.
Back in 2022, the royal family member resolved a civil case filed in America by Giuffre, who alleged sexual abuse occurred when she was underage at locations connected to Epstein or his associates.
The current criminal investigation is separate from and unrelated to previous sexual misconduct allegations.
The late Queen Elizabeth’s second son has consistently denied any criminal behavior regarding Epstein and has expressed regret about their association.
Polling data from Reuters/Ipsos indicates Americans largely see the Epstein matter as evidence that wealthy, influential people escape consequences and believe government officials are concealing information about Epstein’s client base.
“We are trailing too far behind in justice, especially when we are sitting on the mountains of information that we have,” Amanda Roberts explained. “The world is looking at us to do the right thing here.”
Epstein received immunity in 2008 after pleading guilty to Florida state prostitution charges, serving just 13 months behind bars. Federal authorities arrested him again in July 2019 on sex trafficking charges involving numerous minors. He died in his Manhattan jail cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial, with officials ruling his death a suicide.
Amanda Roberts described learning about Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest as bringing “a mixed bag of emotions.”
“Initially we were … vindicated and screaming, at one point at 3 a.m. And then it just hits you – that gut punch of the fact that she’s not here to see this, that we’re not able to call her and tell her how astronomically proud we are of her.”
Cattle markets are expected to experience significant fluctuations over the next twelve months, according to a livestock economics specialist. Derrell Peel from Oklahoma State University predicts that trading patterns will remain unpredictable as the industry navigates various challenges.
Peel specifically warns that when the United States restarts live cattle imports from Mexico, the futures market will likely show an immediate negative response. “The futures market will react negatively, at least for a couple of days,” Peel stated. “But then I think we’re going to figure out that it’s a” reasonable development for the industry.
The economist’s projections suggest that market participants should prepare for continued price swings and trading uncertainty as various factors influence cattle valuations throughout the year.
Minnesota state legislators gathered this week for the initial meeting of the Senate Agriculture, Broadband, and Rural Development Committee to tackle escalating challenges facing the state’s farming community during the 2026 Legislative Session.
Committee Chair Aric Putnam, a Democratic representative from St. Cloud, highlighted the alarming increase in agricultural bankruptcy filings across the state. Putnam emphasized the inherent challenges of farming, noting that producers face numerous uncontrollable variables that impact their operations and financial stability.
The legislative session marks a critical moment for addressing the mounting pressures confronting Minnesota’s agricultural sector as lawmakers seek solutions to support struggling farm operations throughout the state.
Commodity markets saw upward movement in soybean and wheat prices following the release of data from the USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum. Soybean values climbed due to technical purchasing activity and short position covering, with additional support coming from strength in both soybean oil and crude oil markets.
Weather conditions in Argentina provided some market relief, as precipitation overnight exceeded trader expectations. Forecasters are calling for additional moisture in certain regions of the country. Market analysts suggest the recent rainfall has helped stabilize growing conditions across Argentina’s agricultural areas.
Traders are also keeping close watch on harvest operations currently underway in Brazil, as South American crop conditions continue to influence global commodity pricing.
Rehoboth Beach city officials are working to clarify confusion surrounding potential modifications to business licensing fees following recent budget discussions. City representatives emphasize that these proposed adjustments are not intended to address any budget deficit, as the fiscal year 2027 budget is already balanced.
The conversation around modifying business license costs began in 2024 but was temporarily paused while the city developed a comprehensive fee and penalty structure. With that framework now in place, municipal leaders believe this budget cycle is appropriate to revisit these licensing discussions along with other fee considerations.
City officials have provided additional context regarding the proposed modifications:
The suggested changes remain under consideration and have not received final approval. Current business licensing costs span from $35 to $1,500, while the proposed structure would range from $45 to $750. The majority of licenses would see approximately 23% increases, such as a fee rising from $325 to $400.
A significant change involves the elimination of complimentary seasonal parking permits historically provided to licensed businesses. These transferable permits carry a $325 value and have been included at no charge with annual licenses. Under the new proposal, businesses would need to purchase parking permits separately, though they could obtain them at a reduced rate of $260, representing a 20% discount.
The Building and Licensing Department distributed 1,480 complimentary permits to business license holders in 2024, followed by 1,454 permits in 2025. Business license revenue represents approximately 1.9% of General Fund budgeted income and 1.1% of total budgeted revenue.
Any approved fee increases would become effective in January 2027, coinciding with the annual business license renewal period. The review encompasses more than just business licenses, extending to building permits, code enforcement fees, water and sewer charges, convention center pricing, traffic fines, and various code violation penalties.
The opera world is mourning the loss of José van Dam, a celebrated Belgian bass-baritone who passed away at 85 years old, according to an announcement Thursday from a Belgian conservatory.
The renowned vocalist died Tuesday while in Croatia, confirmed Natsumi Krischer from Belgium’s Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel. Van Dam had established the institution’s voice department in 2004 and served as a master in residence.
The singer was born Joseph van Damme in Brussels on August 25, 1940, and studied at the Brussels Royal Conservatory. He chose José van Dam as his professional name when he first stepped onto the opera stage in 1960, performing Don Basilio in Rossini’s ‘Il Barbiere di Siviglia’ at Belgium’s Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège.
Two years later, van Dam made his Paris Opera debut as Priam and the Voice of Mercury in Berlioz’s ‘Les Troyens.’ His reputation grew significantly during the late 1960s and early 1970s while performing at Berlin’s Deutsche Oper under chief conductor Lorin Maazel, and through his 1971 Salzburg Easter Festival appearance as Don Pizarro in Beethoven’s ‘Fidelio’ alongside conductor Herbert von Karajan.
The bass-baritone made his mark at the world’s most prestigious venues by performing Escamillo in Bizet’s ‘Carmen’ – first at Milan’s Teatro alla Scala in 1972, followed by London’s Royal Opera in 1973, and New York’s Metropolitan Opera in 1975. He later performed the title character in Mozart’s ‘Le Nozze di Figaro’ during a 1976 Paris Opera tour at the Met.
Van Dam earned particular recognition for his portrayals of leading characters in Verdi’s ‘Falstaff’ and ‘Simon Boccanegra,’ Mozart’s ‘Don Giovanni,’ Berg’s ‘Wozzeck,’ and Mussorgsky’s ‘Boris Godunov.’ He was also highly praised for his performances as Philipp II in Verdi’s ‘Don Carlo,’ Hans Sachs in Wagner’s ‘Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg,’ and Amfortas in Wagner’s ‘Parsifal.’
In a 2010 Opera magazine interview, van Dam reflected on his approach to selecting roles. ‘Before taking on a new role that has interested me, I always looked carefully at the tessitura,’ he explained. ‘At age 20, I was more of a bass; with the help of careful exercises, the voice stretched further at both ends, and especially at the top, I’ve never had any particular vocal difficulties with a role, but I’ve always been careful.’
The singer, recognized for his sophisticated interpretations, revealed his artistic preferences during a 1981 interview, expressing that he favored concert performances over staged operas.
‘When I’m on the stage and I’m acting, I’m singing Figaro or Giovanni or Amfortas,’ he stated. ‘I’m not José van Dam!’
Van Dam originated the demanding title role in Messiaen’s ‘Saint François’ during its 1983 Paris premiere and reprised it at the 1988 Salzburg Festival.
New York Times critic John Rockwell praised his performance during the original production, writing that van Dam was ‘technically and interpretively impressive in his extremely long role.’
The Belgian artist’s final operatic performance came in 2010 when he appeared in Massenet’s ‘Don Quichotte’ at Brussels’ La Monnaie theater.
Throughout his career, van Dam received 10 Grammy nominations and claimed three victories. He won the vocal solo category for his Ravel songs recording with conductor Pierre Boulez in 1984, and earned best opera recording honors for Strauss’ ‘Die Frau ohne Schatten’ in 1992 and ‘Meistersinger’ in 1997, both conducted by Georg Solti.
Beyond the opera stage, van Dam appeared in films, including a 1979 adaptation of Mozart’s ‘Don Giovanni’ directed by Joseph Losey, where he played Leporello. He also starred as opera singer Joachim Dallayrac in 1988’s ‘The Music Teacher,’ which received an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film.
LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — Former Bolivian President Evo Morales made his first public appearance Thursday after vanishing from public view for nearly seven weeks, putting to rest widespread speculation about his whereabouts and addressing supporters in his political home base.
The extended absence of Bolivia’s longtime socialist leader had generated intense speculation and rumors that he had left the country following the recent U.S. capture of his Venezuelan ally, former President Nicolás Maduro.
Morales’ lengthy disappearance highlighted how little information flows out of the remote Chapare region, where the ex-president has been hiding for the past year while avoiding arrest on human trafficking charges. It also demonstrated the country’s anxiety about potential future foreign policy moves by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Video released by Radio Kawsachun Coca, the media arm of Morales’ coca farmers’ union, showed the former leader wearing dark sunglasses and smiling as he rode a tractor into a stadium in Chimoré, a town in central Bolivia, to speak with his followers.
The 66-year-old Morales, who became Bolivia’s first Indigenous president and governed from 2006 until his controversial removal from power in 2019 followed by self-imposed exile, revealed he had been battling chikungunya, a mosquito-transmitted disease that brings fever and intense joint pain with no available cure, and experienced unexpected complications.
“Take care of yourselves against chikungunya — it is serious,” Morales told the crowd, looking noticeably weaker than in previous public appearances.
He rejected speculation spread by local political figures and amplified on social media platforms suggesting he might attempt to escape Bolivia, promising to stay in the country despite facing potential detention under conservative President Rodrigo Paz, whose victory last October brought an end to nearly twenty years of governance by Morales’ Movement Toward Socialism party.
“Some media said, ‘Evo is going to leave, Evo is going to flee.’ I said clearly: I am not going to leave. I will stay with the people to defend the homeland,” he declared.
President Paz’s restoration of diplomatic relationships with the United States and recent moves to welcome back the Drug Enforcement Administration — approximately 17 years after Morales kicked out American anti-narcotics officers while building closer ties with China, Russia, Cuba and Iran — have created unease in the coca-farming areas that form Morales’ core support base.
On Thursday, Paz announced he will attend a meeting with Trump in Miami on March 7 for a gathering of ideologically similar Latin American leaders, as the Trump administration works to challenge Chinese influence and strengthen U.S. control in the region.
Prior to announcing his endorsed candidates for Bolivia’s upcoming municipal and regional elections next month, Morales delivered an extended address that echoed his previous frequent criticisms of American imperialism.
“This is geopolitical propaganda on an international scale,” he stated regarding Trump’s efforts to revive the 1823 Monroe Doctrine to reestablish American dominance in the Western Hemisphere. “They want to eliminate every left-wing party in Latin America.”
Federal officials announced Thursday that their efforts to eliminate diversity initiatives in higher education have resulted in 31 universities terminating relationships with The PhD Project, an organization dedicated to helping racial minorities obtain doctoral degrees.
This nonprofit remained relatively obscure until conservative activists highlighted it last year, prompting the U.S. Department of Education to launch a formal inquiry. Republican leaders argue that university diversity initiatives frequently discriminate against white and Asian American students.
Since the investigation began in March 2025, three dozen institutions have agreed to sever partnerships with the organization, according to the department’s Office for Civil Rights announcement Thursday. Officials report ongoing discussions with an additional 14 educational institutions.
Federal authorities stated that The PhD Project “unlawfully limits eligibility based on the race of participants” and accused partnering institutions of violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in federally funded educational programs.
“This is the Trump effect in action: institutions of higher education are agreeing to cut ties with discriminatory organizations, recommitting themselves to abiding by federal law, and restoring equality of opportunity on campuses across the nation,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon said.
Several institutions quickly terminated their relationships with The PhD Project once the investigation launched, seeking to avoid complications with the current administration. The government had previously warned schools they risked losing federal funding over “race-based preferences.”
The PhD Project represents one of numerous nonprofit organizations working to expand higher education access for underrepresented communities.
“The PhD Project was founded with the goal of providing more role models in the front of business classrooms and this remains our goal today,” the organization said in a statement Thursday. According to their website, the group has “helped more than 1,500 members earn their doctoral degree.”
The 31 institutions identified by federal officials include prominent public research universities like Arizona State, Ohio State and the University of Michigan, alongside elite private institutions such as Yale, Duke and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
MIT, similar to other schools named in the investigation, had paid The PhD Project “a nominal fee” to participate in university fairs or conferences, enabling MIT representatives to recruit prospective students, according to spokesperson Kimberly Allen.
MIT notified federal authorities in April 2025 that it had ceased participating in such events and received notification months later that the Office for Civil Rights had determined a Title VI violation. The institution signed a “resolution agreement” with the department approximately one week ago to settle the issue “but explicitly did not admit any liability, wrongdoing or violation of any law or regulation,” Allen explained.
The University of North Dakota reported that it immediately terminated its membership with The PhD Project two weeks following last year’s investigation announcement.
“The University became a member of the PhD Project to have access to the PhD Project’s member directory and applicant database, to be able to recruit a larger pool of qualified applicants for faculty positions,” spokesperson David Dodds explained in a statement.
The University of Utah participated in annual conferences organized by the nonprofit during the 2024-25 academic year and two preceding years. The institution ended its association with the project in October following a settlement with the department, according to university spokesperson Rebecca Walsh.
Among 170 PhD students accepted into Utah’s business school during the past 14 years, only two came through The PhD Project connection, Walsh noted.
The Education Department reported that all 31 universities have committed to examining partnerships with other organizations “to identify any that violate Title VI by restricting participation based on race.”
The current administration has focused on eliminating various practices it categorizes as diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
WASHINGTON — Gaza’s landscape remains devastated, with whole neighborhoods flattened and fundamental concerns about restoring essential water treatment plants, sewage systems, roadways, power networks and vital infrastructure required to generate adequate food supplies and prevent mass hunger.
Yet a sparkling new national soccer facility for a region ravaged by more than two years of conflict between Israel and Hamas? FIFA says that’s taken care of.
This unexpected commitment emerged during a theatrical and sometimes peculiar political presentation at President Donald Trump’s first Board of Peace gathering in Washington Thursday, where nine nations committed $7 billion for Gaza relief efforts and five additional countries agreed to send military personnel for an international peacekeeping mission.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino explained their reasoning: “We don’t have to just rebuild houses or schools or hospitals or roads. We also have to rebuild and build people, emotion, hope and trust. And this is what football, my sport, is about.”
The international soccer federation committed $50 million for a new venue accommodating 20,000 to 25,000 fans, plus plans for a $15 million FIFA training academy. Additionally, the organization vowed to invest another $2.5 million creating 50 small soccer fields called “arena mini pitches” and five regulation-size fields at $1 million each.
Notably, Gaza lacks its own national soccer squad. A combined Palestinian team represents both Gaza and the West Bank, earning FIFA recognition in 1998 but never reaching World Cup competition.
Infantino emphasized soccer’s broader significance: “Football, or soccer, as it is called here, is the world’s universal language. It’s about hope. It’s about joy. It’s about happiness. It’s about coming together. It’s about uniting the world.”
During his presentation, he displayed a promotional video declaring “A simple ball. A shared field. A reason to believe again,” highlighting how FIFA and the Board of Peace would collaborate to “turn football into a bridge toward peace, dignity and hope.”
The promotional material outlined FIFA’s vision for establishing Gaza soccer competitions across youth, amateur and regional categories, promising a “complete football ecosystem designed to support communities and future generations.”
Infantino has maintained a visible White House presence leading up to this year’s World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. He regularly appears at Trump gatherings during presidential travels, including last month’s Davos, Switzerland appearance when the Board of Peace was officially announced as part of the broader White House-negotiated ceasefire ending Gaza hostilities.
During Thursday’s remarks, Trump repeatedly highlighted Infantino while downplaying the absence of key U.S. allies like Britain and Canada from the board.
Trump observed about board membership: “Virtually everyone is the head of a country,” adding that Infantino is “head of soccer, so that’s not so bad.”
The president told Infantino: “I like your job the best, I think.”
Thursday’s participants received red caps styled after Make America Great Again hats, featuring “USA” in white lettering and “45-47” representing Trump’s presidential terms. Infantino briefly donned his hat alongside other attendees.
Trump mentioned Infantino throughout various unrelated anecdotes, including when comparing his real estate success to special envoy Steve Witkoff’s achievements, and while describing a malfunctioning escalator incident during the fall U.N. General Assembly meeting that Trump suggested warranted arrests.
The president even briefed Infantino about B-2 bombers carrying “very big bombs.”
Trump’s most enthusiastic praise for Infantino centered on FIFA awarding him a peace prize last year, following Trump’s unsuccessful pursuit of a Nobel Peace Prize from Norway’s selection committee.
Trump reflected on the situation: “I think they saw that I got screwed by Norway.”
ATLANTA — District Attorney Fani Willis’ office is defending a decades-old murder conviction against former Black Panther leader H. Rap Brown while simultaneously condemning serious misconduct that occurred during the original prosecution.
In a Wednesday court filing, Georgia prosecutors maintained that recent DNA analysis continues to support Brown’s guilt in the fatal shooting of sheriff’s deputies in 2000. Brown, who later changed his name to Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin, was convicted of killing Deputy Ricky Kinchen and wounding Deputy Aldranon English outside his Atlanta residence.
However, the same filing delivered harsh criticism of the case’s original lead prosecutor, Robert McBurney, who now serves as a Fulton County superior court judge. McBurney has presided over several nationally significant cases, including overseeing the special grand jury in Willis’ investigation that led to charges against Donald Trump and others regarding alleged attempts to overturn Georgia’s 2020 election results.
Willis’ team described McBurney’s trial conduct as “the most egregious” problem in the case, stating he “crossed the line from aggressive advocacy into misconduct that undermined the core principles of justice.”
The filing detailed how McBurney violated Al-Amin’s constitutional rights during closing arguments by presenting a chart titled “Questions for the defendant” and making comments designed to highlight that Al-Amin chose not to testify. When Al-Amin remained seated for religious reasons as the jury entered, McBurney told jurors, “Don’t stand for him.”
“These were not minor oversights; they reflected a troubling pattern of behavior that prioritized winning over truth, and conviction over justice,” prosecutors wrote.
The filing also revealed misconduct by FBI Special Agent James Campbell, who allegedly approached the handcuffed Al-Amin after his arrest, kicked and spat on him, and declared, “This is what we do to cop killers.” Defense lawyers have long claimed Campbell planted the weapons used in the shooting at Al-Amin’s arrest location.
According to the filing, Campbell had previously been transferred to Atlanta after shooting an unarmed Muslim man in the back of the head, with that victim’s supporters also accusing Campbell of planting evidence.
Despite acknowledging these serious issues, prosecutors argue that modern DNA testing strengthens the case against Al-Amin. While DNA tests excluded Al-Amin from genetic material found on both weapons, his DNA was discovered on a leather belt wrapped around one of the guns.
“This case had a trifecta of issues which undermined the process and the public’s confidence in justice,” the filing stated.
Al-Amin died in prison last November, but his family seeks a hearing to clear his reputation. Their attorney, Mawuli Davis, said, “His legacy is still at the center of this.”
Willis’ office indicated it would not oppose a comprehensive review of the case, potentially allowing for public reexamination of a prosecution that has long divided civil rights advocates and law enforcement officials.
The incident occurred on March 16, 2000, when deputies Kinchen and English arrived in Atlanta’s West End neighborhood to serve a warrant on Al-Amin for failing to appear in court on charges of driving a stolen vehicle and impersonating an officer. English testified that Al-Amin opened fire with an assault rifle when they attempted the arrest, then used a handgun to shoot the wounded Kinchen three times as he lay in the street.
Al-Amin was captured four days later in White Hall, Alabama, where he had helped establish a Muslim community.
As a 1960s activist, Al-Amin had famously declared that violence was “as American as cherry pie” and that Black Americans would use force if necessary to combat oppression. He later converted to Islam during a prison term and relocated to Atlanta in the 1970s, where he became a prominent imam and leader of the National Ummah, one of the country’s largest Black Muslim organizations.
McBurney did not respond to requests for comment, and contact information for Campbell could not be located.
Entertainment giant Live Nation Entertainment exceeded Wall Street’s revenue expectations for the fourth quarter on Thursday, driven by continuing strong appetite for live concerts and performances.
The entertainment industry leader, which serves as a key indicator of consumer discretionary spending and the overall health of the global entertainment market, saw benefits from steady demand for live performances at major venues including arenas and amphitheaters, where consumers continued to spend their entertainment dollars.
In an unexpected development, Live Nation accidentally released its financial results on its corporate website before the scheduled announcement time.
The company welcomed 159 million concert-goers worldwide in 2025, representing an increase from 151 million attendees the previous year. Live Nation reported that advance ticket purchases for 2026 events have climbed by double-digit percentages to approximately 67 million fans, with more than 80% of major venue performances already secured.
Market analysts noted that investors are demonstrating renewed enthusiasm for businesses considered “AI-resistant,” providing additional support for the company’s performance.
In related legal developments, a federal judge ruled Wednesday to allow an antitrust case against Live Nation to move forward, following government allegations that the company leveraged its dominance in concert promotion and ticket sales to stifle competition. The decision sets the stage for a trial scheduled for March.
Live Nation’s fourth-quarter earnings climbed 11.1% to reach $6.31 billion, surpassing analyst predictions of $6.11 billion based on LSEG data compilation.
The company’s concert division saw revenue jump 12% to $5.15 billion during the quarter, outperforming forecasts of $4.93 billion. Meanwhile, ticketing division revenue remained relatively stable, rising just 1% to $846.2 million compared to $841.1 million in the same period last year.
ARLINGTON, Virginia – The chief executive of the organization that represents America’s major airlines warned on Thursday that President Trump’s plan to limit credit card interest rates to 10% could severely impact the aviation sector, potentially resulting in reduced air travel and aircraft operations.
Airlines for America CEO Chris Sununu expressed concerns during an aviation industry conference, stating the proposed restrictions could create widespread economic consequences for airlines. “If they start capping credit cards at 10% or start minimizing the small 2% fee that they get charged on the credit cards, it’ll have a massive repercussion, economic effect across this industry,” Sununu explained at the Virginia gathering.
The warning comes after President Trump announced on January 10th his intention to implement a temporary one-year limit on credit card interest rates, set to begin on January 20th. The proposed policy would establish the 10% ceiling across the financial sector.
Financial services company Charles Schwab facilitated the transfer of approximately $27.7 million for Jeffrey Epstein as the disgraced financier attempted to acquire an elaborate palace in Morocco during the 10 days leading up to his 2019 arrest, according to newly released Department of Justice documents.
The transactions, being disclosed publicly for the first time, reveal how the major U.S. brokerage managed Epstein’s funds during a period when he faced heightened public attention following investigative reporting by the Miami Herald in 2018.
Seven days after Epstein’s arrest, on July 13, Schwab reported the transfers as suspicious activity to the U.S. Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, the records indicate.
Analysis of over 100 documents reveals that Schwab established three accounts for Epstein’s business entities in April 2019, including one for Southern Trust, the company seeking to purchase the luxurious Bin Ennakhil palace located in Marrakesh, Morocco.
The Schwab business account designated Richard Kahn, who served as Epstein’s accountant, as the authorized representative, while Epstein was listed as Southern Trust’s president and sole beneficial owner.
From June 26 through July 9, 2019, Southern Trust directed Schwab to transfer approximately $12.7 million in euros for the property acquisition, but subsequently canceled the order. Schwab later received a new wire request bearing Epstein’s signature and processed $14.95 million for the same property, despite insufficient account funds while awaiting the return of the initial payment.
When contacted by Reuters, Schwab refused to discuss account specifics, citing federal regulations, privacy laws, and company policies requiring confidentiality.
“An associate of Epstein opened accounts in April 2019. Shortly after, our Risk team began investigating the accounts and within 60 days of starting the review, we notified the client of our decision to close and terminate the relationship. We also referred the matter to federal law enforcement,” the company stated in an email response.
Schwab would not elaborate on the exact timing of when its risk assessment team initiated its investigation.
Federal Bank Secrecy Act regulations require financial institutions to submit suspicious activity reports within 30 days of discovering concerning facts, in addition to reporting daily cash transactions exceeding $10,000 to help detect and prevent money laundering activities.
FinCEN representatives declined to provide comments. An attorney representing Kahn did not respond to inquiries from Reuters.
Marc Leon, the Morocco-based real estate agent, informed Reuters via email that Epstein initially attempted to purchase Bin Ennakhil in 2011, with negotiations over terms and pricing continuing for years.
According to a property description found in the DOJ’s document collection, Bin Ennakhil features gold-adorned walls, a hammam steam spa, 60 marble fountains, and outdoor pool and jacuzzi facilities, spanning a total area of 4.6 hectares. The listing describes multiple gardens containing hundreds of olive trees and over 2,000 palm trees, covering an area larger than New York’s Washington Square Park or approximately six standard soccer fields.
Leon also justified his involvement in facilitating Epstein’s property purchase attempt.
“Epstein had been convicted of sex crimes (in 2008) and had served his sentence. There was therefore nothing to prevent him from attempting to purchase property in Morocco. We had no way of knowing that he had continued his terrible crimes,” he explained.
Epstein died by suicide in jail during August 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
Epstein approached Schwab in 2019 as Deutsche Bank was closing accounts belonging to the convicted sex offender, who had entered a guilty plea in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a minor and served prison time.
Schwab was among at least seven financial institutions subpoenaed by the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2020 for documents related to Epstein’s estate co-executors. The subpoena did not identify Schwab as a defendant and included no allegations of misconduct against the brokerage.
Email communications and wire transfer documentation within the DOJ files, which may be incomplete, demonstrate that Epstein discussed acquiring the luxury Marrakesh property with his associates during spring 2019.
Southern Trust, Epstein’s company, agreed to purchase the property through Leon in March of that year.
After evaluating various financing options, the records show Epstein directed associates to transfer funds to Leon.
Schwab subsequently received instructions from Southern Trust to wire 11.15 million euros, approximately $12.7 million at that time’s exchange rate, to Leon on June 26, 2019, according to Schwab’s suspicious activity report reviewed by Reuters.
The money was sent to Leon’s Julius Baer account in Switzerland, where Leon was based at the time, the report indicates.
The following day, Schwab received a phone call from an individual whose identity is redacted in the report, requesting cancellation of the transfer. When asked for the reason, they informed Schwab that the real estate deal terms were not “agreeable.”
The caller also mentioned that another payment for a larger amount would be sent to a different account, according to the report.
Schwab successfully reversed the transaction, with funds scheduled to be credited back on July 10, the report shows.
Two days prior to Epstein’s arrest, Southern Trust instructed Schwab through a July 4 wire transfer request signed by Epstein and his co-signatory to send Leon $14.95 million, the report indicates.
Schwab stated the funds were directed to Leon’s Julius Baer account, according to the report.
However, Epstein’s Southern Trust account lacked adequate funds because Schwab had not yet returned money from the earlier transaction, the report notes.
While Schwab could reasonably expect the payment to be transferred back to Epstein’s account, the bank would have faced risk exposure until the funds were returned.
Reuters could not determine when the $12.7 million ultimately returned to Epstein’s account, but the funds were scheduled to arrive on July 10, according to the July 13-dated report.
When asked about its policy at that time for processing international wire transfers with insufficient account funds, Schwab declined to comment.
Reuters was unable to confirm whether Julius Baer accepted the transfers. A Julius Baer spokesperson declined to provide comments.
Leon stated: “The anti-money laundering checks in force were carried out by the banking institutions involved in the future transaction, which ultimately never took place.”
Not until July 9, three days following Epstein’s arrest, did Schwab cancel the second transfer at the request of an individual acting for Epstein whose name is redacted, the report shows.
An email within the other DOJ documents shows Epstein’s accountant Kahn requested the transfer cancellation on July 9.
Kahn has been ordered to appear before Congress next week to answer questions about whether he assisted in facilitating Epstein’s crimes through his oversight of the deceased sex offender’s financial matters, House Oversight Committee member Robert Garcia announced in a January media statement.
Reuters has no evidence indicating Kahn engaged in wrongdoing.
In subsequent communication with Schwab after Epstein’s arrest, an unidentified Epstein associate inquired whether future Southern Trust account transfers would still require two signatures, as additional money would be sent soon, the report shows.
Epstein had been charged with sex trafficking of minors and remained incarcerated, the DOJ announced on July 8.
Schwab informed FinCEN in the July 13 report that it had “concerns with attempted wires for the purpose of real estate, in light of negative media surrounding Jeffrey Epstein” and worries about him potentially being a flight risk before a bail hearing.
“This investigation is the result of an internal referral,” the document shows Schwab stating.
While Epstein’s transaction failed to complete, the Bin Ennakhil palace — meaning “amidst the palms” — in Marrakesh is no longer unoccupied.
“The property has since been sold to another buyer,” Leon informed Reuters.
Basketball fans tuned in by the millions for the NBA’s All-Star weekend, generating the highest television viewership numbers in nearly 25 years, league officials revealed Thursday.
A total of 46 million viewers across the United States watched the festivities on NBC and ESPN networks, representing the strongest ratings since 2011 and marking a threefold increase compared to the previous year’s event.
The weekend’s programming included a revamped format featuring Sunday’s USA versus World competition, structured as a mini-tournament with four 12-minute contests. Additional events throughout the weekend included Friday’s celebrity matchup and Rising Stars showcase, along with Saturday’s competitions for three-point shooting, Shooting Stars, and the slam dunk championship.
Minnesota Timberwolves player Anthony Edwards earned Most Valuable Player recognition during Sunday’s milestone 75th NBA All-Star Game, held at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. Edwards guided the USA Stars squad to victory over USA Stripes with a decisive 47-21 final score.
Television ratings for Super Bowl LX received an upward revision from Nielsen, pushing total viewership to 125.6 million people.
Initial reports showed the Seattle Seahawks’ championship win against the New England Patriots drew 124.9 million viewers when combining audiences from NBC, Peacock, Telemundo and various digital streaming services. According to Nielsen, the adjustment became necessary after discovering that a Big Data collection company failed to properly gather viewing information from its equipment during the February 8 game.
Despite the increased numbers, Super Bowl LX remains in second place for all-time viewership, falling short of the previous year’s championship game that attracted a record-breaking 127.7 million watchers. The Seahawks’ commanding 29-13 triumph did achieve milestone status as NBC’s most-watched broadcast ever, generating a combined household rating average of 39.7.
FRANKFURT – JPMorgan’s European division faces a substantial financial penalty after banking regulators discovered years of incorrect capital reporting, officials announced Thursday.
The European Central Bank imposed a 12.18 million euro fine (equivalent to $14.32 million) on the American banking giant’s European operations for improperly calculating and reporting their capital requirements over an extended period.
According to the ECB’s findings, the violations spanned from 2019 through 2024, during which JPMorgan consistently underreported the risk levels of certain assets on their books.
“Between 2019 and 2024, the bank reported lower risk-weighted assets than it should have done,” the ECB said. “This occurred because, for 15 consecutive quarters, the bank misclassified corporate exposures and applied a lower risk-weight for credit risk to them than what banking rules prescribe.”
Banking officials also determined that JPMorgan inappropriately left out specific transactions when computing their risk-weighted assets, further compounding the reporting errors.
The financial institution has the option to appeal this regulatory decision through the Court of Justice of the European Union.
In response to the penalty, JPMorgan accepted responsibility for the violations and confirmed they have addressed the underlying problems.
“J.P. Morgan SE proactively identified and self-reported the issues, which have now been fully remediated,” a spokesperson said in a statement.
“JPMSE has consistently maintained strong capital buffers, and our robust, prudent approach to capitalization remains unchanged.”
The penalty represents the latest enforcement action by European banking authorities as they continue monitoring compliance with post-financial crisis regulations designed to ensure banks maintain adequate capital reserves.
Brazil’s transportation leadership is pushing to make it easier for airlines to access government-backed financing through a multi-billion dollar aviation fund, according to official government documents.
Transportation Minister Silvio Costa Filho sent a formal request to Finance Minister Fernando Haddad last week seeking to relax loan requirements for the National Civil Aviation Fund (FNAC), which is set to distribute approximately $765 million beginning in 2026.
“It will be necessary to adjust the resolution to make FNAC credit more attractive,” Costa Filho wrote in an official letter to Finance Minister Fernando Haddad.
The February 13 correspondence, reviewed by Reuters, outlines several significant modifications to current lending terms. The proposals would broaden loan eligibility beyond aircraft purchases to include pilot training and aviation worker education programs. Currently, the fund only supports buying domestically-built planes, engines, parts and related equipment.
Another major change would dramatically increase financing limits from 10% to 30% of an aircraft’s total value. The proposal also seeks explicit permission for airlines to use loan money for contractual guarantees.
Brazil’s leading aircraft manufacturer Embraer stands to gain from the expanded government-supported financing options.
The minister additionally wants to reduce regional flight requirements that airlines must meet to qualify for funding. His plan would cut the mandatory annual flight increase in Brazil’s Amazon and northeastern areas from 30% to 15% compared to pre-financing request levels. Alternatively, airlines could ensure 17.5% of total yearly departures serve those regions, down from the current 20% requirement.
Neither the transportation ministry nor finance ministry provided immediate responses regarding the proposal’s timeline or review process by Brazil’s National Monetary Council, the country’s primary economic policy authority.
The lending program emerged in October following sustained airline industry lobbying. Government officials justified the support as necessary recovery assistance after COVID-19 impacts on aircraft purchases, maintenance operations, and sustainable fuel acquisition.
Brazil’s aviation market is dominated by three major carriers: Gol, LATAM, and Azul, ranked by market share.
The fund offers loans at 6.5% to 7.5% annual interest rates depending on the credit type, significantly below Brazil’s 15% benchmark rate.
Federal agriculture officials have announced higher prices for three major crops – corn, soybeans, and wheat – during the Department of Agriculture’s annual Agricultural Outlook Forum, with the increases tied to anticipated changes in farming patterns.
The department’s chief economist Justin Benavidez announced a reduction in total expected planted acreage of approximately 1.5 million acres for the 2026 growing season. According to Benavidez, the most significant development involves farmers switching between corn and soybean plantings.
“The big story here, the swap between corn and bean acres, leaving us with about 94 million acres of,” Benavidez stated during the forum presentation.
These projected shifts in crop allocation are driving the upward price adjustments across the three commodity markets, reflecting supply and demand expectations for the coming growing seasons.
Cattle ranchers across the Oklahoma panhandle and southwest Kansas are beginning the difficult process of assessing damage after a massive wildfire tore through their operations this week.
According to Michael Kelsey, who serves as executive vice president of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, the blaze known as the Ranger Road fire has consumed approximately 285,000 acres across the two-state region.
“There are some big ranches up there and they’re still going to find” additional damage as they continue surveying the affected areas, Kelsey stated.
The agricultural official indicated that multiple livestock producers throughout the region are now working to rebuild and recover from the extensive fire damage that swept through their properties.
The nation’s red meat industry experienced a challenging start to 2026, with January production figures showing a notable decline from the previous year.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, commercial red meat production reached 4.58 billion pounds in January 2026, representing a 4% decrease compared to January 2025 levels. The monthly totals broke down to 2.45 billion pounds of pork production and 2.119 billion pounds of beef production.
Industry analysts point to reduced slaughter numbers for both cattle and hogs across all categories as the primary driver behind the production shortfall. Weather conditions and the availability of market-ready livestock both played significant roles in the January decline.
The production decrease reflects ongoing challenges facing livestock producers as they navigate seasonal weather patterns and manage their herds for optimal market timing.
Indiana’s animal health authorities are bracing for another tough battle against bird flu as wild bird migration season gets underway. The Indiana State Board of Animal Health has already confirmed four fresh cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza this month, signaling what officials expect will be a difficult 2026 for the state’s poultry sector.
According to Denise Derrer Spears, the timing aligns with typical seasonal patterns. “Mid-February is about the normal time when we start seeing the wild bird migration start up, and that often coincides with our first findings early in [the season],” she explained.
The emergence of new HPAI cases during migration season raises concerns for Indiana’s poultry producers, as migrating waterfowl and other wild birds serve as primary carriers of the deadly virus that can devastate commercial flocks.
Recent federal data indicates that robust market demand continues to impact ethanol inventory levels across the United States. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, current ethanol reserves stand at 25.588 million barrels, marking the peak level observed since mid-January.
Weekly figures demonstrate a mixed picture for the biofuel industry. While stockpiles increased by 340,000 barrels from the previous week, they remain 630,000 barrels below levels recorded during the same period last year.
Export activity has shown notable strength, with daily shipments averaging 177,000 barrels. This represents a substantial weekly increase of 40,000 barrels and a year-over-year gain of 39,000 barrels, highlighting growing international appetite for American-produced ethanol.
Seniors in Elkton will need to head to a different location for their regular activities starting next week.
The Elkton Senior Activity Center is moving temporarily to the Elk Room while contractors complete heating and air conditioning repairs at the main facility.
The relocation begins Monday, February 9, 2026, according to Cecil County officials.
All regular programming and activities will continue at the temporary Elk Room location during the construction period.
Maryland watermen will get additional time to harvest oysters this spring after state officials announced a two-week extension to the wild oyster season, pushing the end date from March 31 to April 14.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources approved the extension to assist commercial harvesters who lost valuable work days when frigid January and February temperatures created ice coverage across much of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.
All existing equipment restrictions and daily catch limits will stay in place during the extended period. However, handscraping operations in hand tong areas will not be allowed under the new timeline.
“Maryland’s watermen have faced a difficult oyster season after recent declines in market demand and ice on waterways blocked access to traditional harvest areas,” stated DNR Secretary Josh Kurtz. “This oyster season extension will give them additional opportunities to boost their livelihoods and the local communities where they live. DNR made this decision after extensive conversations with industry stakeholders and scientists. Coordinated oyster restoration and management efforts led by DNR have resulted in a multi-year increase of the overall oyster population in Maryland. We are confident that extending the season will not affect the ongoing resurgence of oysters in the Bay and local rivers.”
The decision comes during a period of remarkable recovery for Maryland’s oyster populations, which have reached their strongest levels in over two decades. Recent state assessments show adult oyster numbers in Maryland waters have more than tripled since 2005, jumping from 2.4 billion to 7.6 billion oysters.
Fall surveys tracking oyster reproduction have documented strong breeding success for the fifth straight year in 2024 and 2025, following an exceptional 2023 season when baby oyster populations reached levels not observed in a generation. Scientists recorded approximately 87 young oysters per bushel in 2023, nearly four times the typical median of 23.6 per bushel.
The State Oyster Committee, made up of representatives from county oyster committees, initially requested the season extension. The chair of DNR’s Tidal Fish Advisory Commission, which includes commercial watermen and seafood dealers, reviewed and endorsed the proposal before forwarding it to DNR leadership.
State crews worked continuously this winter to break ice formations using two different vessels, keeping navigation channels open and helping watermen reach fishing areas. Despite round-the-clock ice-breaking efforts, the severe cold caused waters to refreeze quickly, leaving many commercial boats docked and unable to operate.
The extension also addresses challenging market conditions that have affected watermen beyond weather problems. Despite abundant oysters available for harvest, buyers have significantly reduced their purchasing, with many watermen reporting that dealers are only buying oysters one day per week or less frequently over the past two years.
Residents can support local watermen and fishing communities by purchasing Maryland oysters from seafood markets and restaurants throughout the region.
Secretary Kurtz officially approved the two-week extension on Thursday, with DNR posting public notification on its website the same day. The new regulation takes effect February 23, 2026, and covers all commercial oyster harvesting equipment types through April 14, 2026.
Maryland’s Department of Health, Department of the Environment, and DNR work together continuously to ensure oyster-growing waters meet safety standards for shellfish harvesting under the National Shellfish Sanitation Program. This federal program requires regular testing of shellfish waters and oversight of harvesting and processing to guarantee oysters are safe for consumption.
CHICAGO — The Chicago Bears’ possible relocation to Indiana gained significant momentum Thursday when state legislators unanimously endorsed legislation to establish a stadium development authority.
Indiana’s House Ways and Means Committee voted 24-0 to approve creating the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority, which would handle financing, building, and leasing a new stadium facility. The NFL franchise is evaluating property near Wolf Lake in Hammond, Indiana.
“The passage of SB 27 would mark the most meaningful step forward in our stadium planning efforts to date,” the team said in a statement. “We are committed to finishing the remaining site-specific necessary due diligence to support our vision to build a world-class stadium near the Wolf Lake area in Hammond, Indiana.”
Republican Governor Mike Braun and Indiana legislators have actively courted the historic NFL team while Illinois continues struggling with its own stadium development efforts spanning several years. Notably, the Bears made no reference to Illinois in their Thursday statement.
Meanwhile, Illinois lawmakers abruptly canceled a scheduled Thursday morning hearing on legislation that would permit the Bears and other major developers to negotiate extended property tax agreements with local authorities.
“Illinois was ready to move this bill forward,” Matt Hill, a spokesman for Gov. JB Pritzker posted on X. “After a productive three-hour meeting yesterday, the Bears leaders requested the (Illinois General Assembly) pause the hearing to make further tweaks to the bill. This morning, we were surprised to see a statement lauding Indiana and ignoring Illinois.”
The franchise has shifted its stadium plans multiple times between property it owns in Arlington Heights, Chicago’s lakefront area, and back to the suburban location.
Team officials have indicated they would finance stadium construction at the former racetrack site roughly 30 miles northwest of Soldier Field, though they require public assistance to complete the development.
A consultant study released in September revealed the team is requesting $855 million in public infrastructure funding for an Arlington Heights stadium capable of hosting Final Four tournaments and Super Bowl games. The Bears had hoped Illinois would pass legislation last October freezing property taxes for major construction projects, enabling them to start building in 2025, but that effort failed.
In September 2022, the Bears announced a nearly $5 billion Arlington Heights development plan including dining, shopping, and entertainment venues while finalizing their purchase of that location.
The team’s attention shifted toward constructing a new facility adjacent to Soldier Field after Kevin Warren joined as president three years ago, replacing retiring Ted Phillips. The Museum Campus transformation proposal received strong support from Mayor Brandon Johnson but lukewarm response from Pritzker and state lawmakers when unveiled in April 2024.
Last spring, the organization announced returning focus to Arlington Heights, citing “significant progress” with local officials.
Since relocating to Chicago in 1921, the Bears have never owned their home venue, playing at Wrigley Field from 1921 to 1970 before moving to Soldier Field.
The head of NASA delivered sharp criticism Thursday toward Boeing and space agency leadership regarding the failed Starliner mission that resulted in two astronauts being stranded at the International Space Station for an extended period.
Administrator Jared Isaacman pointed to inadequate leadership and flawed decision-making at Boeing as the root causes of Starliner’s failures. He also criticized NASA management for not stepping in sooner to bring astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams home more rapidly.
The two former test pilots, who have since retired from NASA, remained at the space station for over nine months before returning to Earth aboard a SpaceX vehicle in March.
According to Isaacman, the issues plaguing Starliner need to be thoroughly analyzed and resolved before any future crewed missions can proceed.
Isaacman elevated the classification of Starliner’s problematic maiden crewed voyage to a “Type A mishap,” a designation reserved for incidents that pose potential crew danger. This classification places it in the same category as the Challenger and Columbia shuttle tragedies, which also involved organizational and leadership failures. Isaacman argued that the mission should have received this serious classification from the beginning, noting that internal pressures to maintain Boeing’s involvement and stay on schedule prevented proper oversight.
“This is just about doing the right thing,” he stated. “This is about getting the record straight.”
Engine malfunctions and additional technical issues nearly prevented Wilmore and Williams from successfully docking with the space station after their 2024 launch. Boeing continues to analyze the thruster problems.
“We almost did have a really terrible day,” commented NASA Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya, alluding to the possibility of crew fatalities.
Boeing responded that NASA’s findings will assist the company in advancing crew safety measures and emphasized its commitment to continuing the Starliner program.
No schedule has been established for Boeing’s next Starliner launch, which would be an unmanned cargo mission serving as another safety demonstration before resuming astronaut flights. This indefinite grounding means SpaceX remains the sole American provider of astronaut transportation services.
“Boeing has made substantial progress on corrective actions for technical challenges we encountered and driven significant cultural changes across the team,” the company stated.
Boeing’s Starliner difficulties preceded this problematic crewed mission. The initial unmanned test flight in 2019 reached an incorrect orbit, necessitating a second attempt that encountered its own complications.
Following the retirement of the space shuttle program, NASA contracted both Boeing and SpaceX in 2014 to provide astronaut transportation to and from the orbiting laboratory. These multi-billion dollar agreements have seen SpaceX successfully complete 13 crew missions to the space station since 2020.
Kshatriya acknowledged that NASA must improve its oversight going forward.
“We have to own our part of this,” he said. Regarding Wilmore and Williams, “We failed them.”
A remarkable convergence of religious observances has highlighted the spiritual diversity within Kosovo this week, as both Christian and Muslim residents began their respective periods of fasting and devotion.
The simultaneous beginning of the Catholic Lenten season and the Islamic month of Ramadan represents an uncommon alignment that occurs roughly once every three decades, fostering interfaith harmony and mutual respect.
The Balkan country, home to 2 million residents with over 90% identifying as Muslim, continues to heal from the devastating 1998-99 conflict that claimed 13,000 lives during its fight for independence from Serbia, which is predominantly Orthodox Christian. Kosovo’s ethnic Albanian leadership has committed to fostering religious and ethnic harmony in the aftermath of that war.
Catholic worshippers assembled Wednesday evening at Pristina’s Mother Teresa Cathedral, where they received the traditional ash marking on their foreheads as a sign of penitence and humility.
For Catholics, this ceremony launches the 40-day Lenten journey of prayer, contemplation, and fasting leading up to Easter. Similarly, Ramadan began Thursday in Kosovo, initiating the Islamic period of heightened devotion culminating in the celebration of Eid al-Fitr.
“It is a special opportunity that this year we have Lent and Ramadan together,” Catholic believer Dode Palukaj observed. “What unites us is fasting, shared prayer, solidarity and love.”
The timing of these observances aligns approximately every three decades. Ramadan follows the Islamic lunar calendar as its ninth month, with its beginning traditionally determined by moon sighting, which can differ between nations.
Father Agim Qerkini, Pristina’s Catholic priest, celebrated Kosovo’s long history of religious acceptance, emphasizing that current divisions stem from ethnic rather than faith-based conflicts.
“Faith is what enriched us for many centuries,” Father Qerkini stated. “It is a reality we are proud of, precisely because our history, as we all know, has faced many different hardships.”
Serbia continues to reject Kosovo’s 2008 independence declaration, creating ongoing regional instability in the Balkans.
In the historically diverse southern city of Prizren, Muslim resident Varis Hashimi has dedicated himself to preserving a custom from the Ottoman era.
Throughout Ramadan, Hashimi climbs daily to an ancient fortress overlooking Prizren to launch fireworks, signaling the conclusion of each day’s fast. This tradition brings families together for their evening meals.
Community members recall that cannons once served this purpose. On Thursday evening, Hashimi made his first ascent of the season, lighting fireworks against the sunset sky.
“The idea is to revive an old tradition,” Hashimi explained.
Below in the city, mosque calls for Iftar resonated throughout Prizren, marking the end of the daily fast as local restaurants welcomed their first customers of the evening.
MADISON, Wis. — After serving a record-breaking tenure as Wisconsin’s Assembly Speaker, Republican leader Robin Vos declared Thursday he will step down when the year concludes, ending his 22-year legislative career.
Speaking from the Assembly floor, Vos announced his departure following 14 years in the speaker’s role, a period marked by intense political battles and friction with former President Donald Trump over Wisconsin’s 2020 election results.
Throughout his time in office, Vos navigated Wisconsin through politically charged years when the swing state became nationally recognized for restricting union influence, serving as a crucial presidential battleground, and experiencing heated redistricting disputes over GOP-favorable electoral maps that Vos championed.
Democratic critics viewed Vos as an unofficial shadow governor who strategically leveraged his legislative control to create governmental gridlock while pushing conservative policies and preventing Democrats from achieving meaningful wins.
Republican allies praised Vos as a calculating political strategist who successfully outplayed opponents across party lines, establishing himself as one of Wisconsin’s most powerful GOP figures in recent decades.
Speaking with The Associated Press, Vos predicted Democrats will be “happy that I’m gone,” while warning his conservative critics: “You’re going to miss me.”
During former GOP Governor Scott Walker’s administration, Vos proved instrumental in advancing major conservative initiatives, including the controversial 2011 Act 10 legislation that virtually eliminated collective bargaining rights for most government employees. He also spearheaded efforts to enact multiple tax reductions, right-to-work legislation, and voter identification mandates — all measures Democrats fiercely opposed.
Following Tony Evers’ 2018 gubernatorial victory over Walker and the departure of the top Senate Republican to Congress two years afterward, Vos became the undisputed leader of state GOP forces and a primary target for liberal opposition.
Over the past seven years, Vos effectively blocked most of Evers’ policy initiatives. He even undermined Evers before the governor took office in 2019 by pushing through lame-duck legislation that stripped executive powers.
“I’ve been tenacious and I’ve fought for what our caucus wants,” Vos stated.
Vos and his Republican colleagues repeatedly dismissed Evers’ special legislative sessions and successfully challenged gubernatorial authority during the 2020 COVID-19 crisis. His legal challenge against Evers’ stay-at-home directive made Wisconsin the first state where courts struck down a governor’s pandemic restrictions.
However, Vos faced criticism from within his own party, particularly from Trump, who accused him of inadequately investigating Wisconsin’s 2020 election outcome. While Vos eventually commissioned a former conservative state Supreme Court justice to examine the election, he later terminated the investigation amid bipartisan backlash over conspiracy theories and failure to uncover evidence of significant fraud.
This investigation represented an unusual political stumble for Vos, who now supports revoking the former justice’s legal credentials. Vos has consistently called hiring Gableman his greatest political error.
Trump backed Vos’s 2022 primary opponent, and supporters launched multiple failed recall campaigns against him. Vos dismissed his critics as “whack jobs and morons” while successfully defending his position to become Wisconsin’s longest-serving speaker, surpassing Democrat Tom Loftus’s 1983-1991 record.
Under Vos’s leadership and Republican-drawn district maps, the GOP majority expanded until the state Supreme Court mandated new boundaries in 2023, leading to Democratic gains in recent elections. Republican seats peaked at 64 under Vos but will drop to 54 in his final year.
While Democrats express optimism about capturing the majority this year, Vos maintains confidence that Republicans will retain control despite his departure from leadership.
The 57-year-old Vos first won his Assembly seat in 2004 and gained the speakership in 2013, achieving the longest-serving speaker milestone in 2021.
Vos disclosed he experienced a mild heart attack in November, which he kept private until Thursday’s announcement, though he emphasized this health scare didn’t drive his retirement decision.
“It was the tap on the shoulder that I needed to make sure that my decision is right,” he explained.
While calling a future candidacy “unlikely,” Vos didn’t completely dismiss the possibility of seeking office again.
Notably, Vos shared college living quarters with Reince Priebus, who later chaired the Republican National Committee in 2016 and served as Trump’s initial White House chief of staff.
Governor Evers, despite their frequently adversarial relationship, acknowledged that Vos’s departure “marks the end of an era in Wisconsin politics.”
“Although we’ve disagreed more often than we didn’t, I respect his candor, his ability to navigate complex policies and conversations, and his unrivaled passion for politics,” Evers commented.
Democratic Congressman Mark Pocan, who served alongside Vos in the legislature and maintained their friendship despite political differences, described him as a “formidable opponent” and “probably the most intelligent and strategic Assembly speaker I have seen.”
Democratic leaders have selected Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger to present their party’s official response following President Donald Trump’s State of the Union speech scheduled for next Tuesday evening.
Spanberger’s selection comes just months after she made history by becoming Virginia’s first woman to hold the governor’s office, defeating her Republican opponent by a significant double-digit margin in the recent election.
The Democratic counter-speech will air immediately after Trump concludes his remarks to Congress, providing the opposition party with their most prominent platform to present an alternative vision to the nation.
Before assuming the governor’s mansion, Spanberger represented Virginia in the U.S. House of Representatives for six years. Her successful gubernatorial campaign focused heavily on making life more affordable for working families and reducing everyday expenses.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer praised the selection in a prepared statement, saying Spanberger “will lay out a clear path forward: lower everyday costs, protect healthcare, and defend the freedoms that define who we are as a nation.”
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries announced the choice, describing Spanberger as someone who “embodies the best of America as a mother, community leader and dedicated public servant.”
During her campaign, Spanberger frequently criticized the administration’s efforts to reduce the federal workforce, a message that resonated strongly in Virginia due to its large population of government employees.
At her swearing-in ceremony, she addressed federal workers directly, stating: “Those who have devoted their lives to public service, you are worried about an administration that is gilding buildings while schools crumble, breaking the social safety net and sowing fear across our communities. Betraying the values of who we are as Americans.”
Virginia’s substantial federal employee base was severely impacted by last year’s historic government shutdown, which left thousands of workers without paychecks for several weeks.
Currently, another partial government shutdown is underway as congressional Democrats and the White House remain deadlocked over Department of Homeland Security funding. The shutdown, which started Saturday, appears likely to continue through Tuesday’s presidential address with no resolution in sight.
Spanberger brings unique credentials to the role, having previously worked as a CIA case officer before entering politics. She has built her political brand around her national security background and public service experience.
The governor also emphasizes her role as a mother whose daughters attended Virginia’s public schools and her reputation as a former House member who frequently collaborated across party lines.
Since taking office, Spanberger has indicated willingness to cooperate with the president on areas of mutual agreement while also delivering sharper criticism of White House policies.
WASHINGTON — The Justice Department building in the nation’s capital now displays a prominent banner showing President Donald Trump’s image on its exterior, installed Thursday as a visible representation of the administration’s influence over the federal law enforcement agency.
Though similar banners have appeared on other federal buildings throughout Washington, placing one on the Justice Department represents a notable break from the agency’s historical practice of maintaining separation from direct White House influence.
Positioned between two building columns, the banner displays the message “Make America Safe Again,” reflecting the administration’s emphasis on combating illegal immigration and reducing violent crime.
Current Attorney General Pam Bondi has positioned herself as a strong ally of the president, departing from previous attorneys general who maintained greater distance from the White House to preserve the neutrality of legal proceedings and investigations.
Administration officials have pushed back against claims of politicizing the Justice Department, arguing instead that the previous Biden administration compromised law enforcement integrity through two federal criminal prosecutions of Trump that were ultimately dropped following his 2024 electoral victory.
The Justice Department has not yet provided a response regarding Thursday’s banner installation.
Under the current administration, the Justice Department has launched investigations targeting several individuals the president has criticized, raising questions about potential political motivations behind enforcement actions.
Federal prosecutors have filed charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey, though these cases were subsequently dropped. Separately, efforts were made to pursue indictments against Democratic Congress members related to a video encouraging military personnel to resist “illegal orders.”
Additional ongoing investigations include examining Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s congressional testimony and reviewing whether Minnesota Democratic officials interfered with federal immigration enforcement through their public statements.
Two key Chicago Bulls guards appear ready to make their comeback Thursday when Toronto visits, as both Josh Giddey and Tre Jones have been marked as probable for the matchup.
The duo has been recovering from hamstring injuries that kept them off the court for extended periods.
Giddey’s absence has stretched across eight consecutive games following a setback he suffered during Chicago’s matchup with Indiana on January 28th. The injury originally occurred December 29th in a contest against Minnesota, which had already forced him to sit out 11 straight games.
The 23-year-old guard is enjoying his strongest statistical season, posting personal bests with 18.6 points per game alongside 8.8 assists and 8.6 rebounds through 34 appearances, including 31 as a starter.
Throughout his professional career spanning 314 games with Oklahoma City and Chicago, Giddey has contributed 14.6 points, 7.6 assists, and 6.4 rebounds per contest. The Thunder selected him sixth overall in the 2021 draft before he joined the Bulls.
Jones, 26, last took the court January 22nd and has been productive this season with 12.4 points and 5.8 assists per game across 38 contests. His 1.3 steals per game leads the team, and he has started 20 games this year.
The national pharmacy chain Walgreens is eliminating more than 600 positions throughout the country after its recent acquisition by private equity company Sycamore Partners, according to a Bloomberg News report published Thursday that referenced internal company correspondence.
According to the report, the pharmacy giant is eliminating 469 positions in Illinois while planning to cut an additional 159 jobs in Texas, where the company is shutting down a distribution facility.
Reuters reached out to Walgreens for a statement but did not receive an immediate response.
The struggling retail chain was purchased by the private equity firm for $10 billion in 2024, following a series of expensive strategic errors and intense competition from discount competitors like Amazon and Walmart that pressured profit margins.
According to the Bloomberg report, Sycamore Partners intends to reduce operational expenses through workforce reductions and eliminating paid holiday benefits for certain workers, while simultaneously working to increase store revenue by introducing new merchandise like electronic cigarettes.
The private equity company focuses on retail and consumer sector investments and has a history of purchasing struggling retail businesses for financial gain, with previous acquisitions including well-known brands like Staples, Talbots, and Nine West.
Healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson is considering selling its orthopedics division rather than spinning it off as a separate company, with the unit potentially worth more than $20 billion, Bloomberg News reported Thursday.
The division, called DePuy Synthes, has attracted attention from major private equity firms who are already evaluating a possible acquisition, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
Johnson & Johnson has not yet responded to requests for comment about the potential sale.
The pharmaceutical company announced last year its intention to split off the orthopedics division as an independent entity over the following 18 to 24 months. This move represents J&J’s second significant spinoff in recent years as the company concentrates on faster-growing areas of healthcare.
According to Bloomberg’s report, J&J is currently compiling documentation and financial records for DePuy Synthes ahead of scheduled meetings with prospective purchasers in the upcoming weeks.
Multiple major private equity companies are reportedly considering joining forces to acquire the division, though the sale might also attract competing medical device manufacturers, Bloomberg noted.
DePuy Synthes specializes in manufacturing hip, knee and shoulder replacement devices, surgical tools and related medical products, bringing in $9.3 billion in revenue during 2025.
J&J’s Chief Financial Officer Joe Wolk had previously indicated the company was evaluating various approaches for the separation, with preference given to a tax-free spinoff while keeping other alternatives available.
Wolk also mentioned that the separation process had already begun, and the company doesn’t anticipate providing significant updates on the transaction until the middle of 2026.
A former University of Delaware baseball standout will take the mound for Team Italy when the 2026 World Baseball Classic gets underway this spring.
Ron Marinaccio, who previously pitched for the Blue Hens, has earned a coveted roster spot with the Italian national team for the upcoming international tournament. The selection marks a significant milestone for the Delaware baseball program alumnus.
The World Baseball Classic brings together top players from around the globe to compete for their respective countries in what has become one of baseball’s premier international competitions.
The United States Department of Agriculture has released new data showing a substantial decrease in commercial red meat production nationwide, with output falling 6 percent compared to the previous year.
The decline in livestock processing represents a significant shift in the nation’s meat production industry, according to the latest federal statistics on commercial slaughter operations.
This reduction in red meat production could have implications for both consumers and agricultural communities, including farming operations throughout the Delmarva region where livestock remains an important part of the local economy.
The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service compiled the production figures as part of their regular monitoring of the nation’s food supply chain and agricultural output.
American ethanol exports experienced a remarkable surge in December, concluding what industry officials are calling an exceptionally successful year for the renewable fuel sector.
According to data from the Renewable Fuels Association, the nation shipped 220.3 million gallons of ethanol overseas during December, representing a 4% increase compared to November’s figures. This December total ranks as the second-highest monthly export volume in the industry’s history.
The strong December performance helped drive annual export numbers to 2.18 billion gallons for 2024, breaking previous records for yearly ethanol shipments from the United States.
Strong cattle prices are prompting local farmers to explore expanding their operations into livestock production. Agricultural industry representatives say they’re witnessing growing interest from producers considering entering or returning to cattle farming.
“We’re talking to a lot of people that have talked expansion or getting back into the livestock industry,” said Jesse Ahrens with United Producers. The organization has noticed increased participation at livestock auctions from farmers who don’t currently raise cattle.
Ahrens noted that some producers are seriously considering making the transition due to the favorable market conditions currently benefiting cattle operations.
Agricultural leaders are voicing increasing dissatisfaction as Congress fails to reach an agreement on establishing E15 ethanol fuel availability across the nation. The legislative effort has stalled beyond its intended January completion date, leaving industry stakeholders waiting for resolution.
Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig reports that the congressional Rural Domestic Energy Council remains engaged in ongoing discussions with various interested parties to work through remaining issues. “We’re all still a little frustrated that this couldn’t have been accomplished in another fashion there at the end of January, but you,” Naig stated, acknowledging the widespread disappointment over the missed timeline.
The delay affects efforts to expand access to E15, a gasoline blend containing 15 percent ethanol, which supporters say could benefit both farmers and consumers nationwide.
Contact: M/Cpl. Ryan Schmid, Public Information Officer Email: [email protected] Phone: 302-736-7130
Dover Police have taken Eric Dryden, 61, into custody after a tense standoff situation that unfolded Wednesday afternoon on Stoney Drive. The incident started when authorities received a call at 3:34 p.m. regarding a domestic dispute where gunshots had been fired.
According to police reports, the situation began when Dryden became involved in a heated dispute with a victim inside their shared residence. During this confrontation, Dryden physically attacked the victim and at one point aimed a gun at her before firing a shot into an interior wall of the home. The victim managed to escape the house safely and called for help.
When officers arrived and tried to convince Dryden to come out of the house, he refused to cooperate. This led to the deployment of Dover Police Department’s Special Operations Response Team (SORT), their Crisis Negotiations Team, and Delaware State Police SORT units. The incident caused major traffic problems in the area, requiring Delaware Department of Transportation crews to help manage the disruption.
Throughout the standoff, Dryden came outside multiple times while armed with a firearm but repeatedly went back inside and would not give himself up to authorities.
At some point during the incident, officials decided to cut power to the home. A City of Dover electrical worker, protected by a Delaware State Police armored vehicle and two Dover Police SORT officers, approached the house to shut off the electricity. While this was happening, Dryden fired his weapon from inside the home toward the outside, coming dangerously close to hitting the utility worker and the officers helping him.
The standoff came to an end when Dryden hurt himself inside the residence and finally gave up. Emergency medical teams treated him at the scene before taking him to a local hospital for care.
Dryden is currently receiving medical treatment at an undisclosed hospital and will face formal charges once doctors clear him. The charges include:
Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited (2 counts)
Reckless Endangering (4 counts)
Aggravated Menacing
Resisting Arrest
Offensive Touching
Dryden is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Dover Police expressed gratitude to several organizations that helped during the incident. The Capital School District opened Dover High School as a temporary shelter for residents who had to leave their homes during the standoff. Delaware State Police provided ongoing support and worked closely with Dover officers, while the Delaware Department of Transportation helped control traffic. Kent County Paramedics and Ambulnz provided medical assistance throughout the incident.
Police also thanked the residents who were forced to leave their homes during the standoff, praising their patience and cooperation, which helped officers do their job safely while keeping everyone out of danger.
ANNAPOLIS, MD – A virtual meeting has been scheduled by the Maryland State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners for February 26th, 2026, beginning at 10:30 a.m.
The board’s agenda will cover several key areas including the approval of new license applications, evaluation of continuing education requirements, discussion of pending legislation affecting veterinary practice, and other standard board operations.
Those seeking additional details about the meeting can reach out to Nathaniel Boan, who serves as the Board’s Executive Director. He can be contacted by phone at 410-841-5862 or via email at [email protected].
Leaders in Missouri’s hog farming sector are keeping a close eye on upcoming federal farm legislation, hoping it will address concerns about California’s Proposition 12 regulations affecting their industry.
The head of the Missouri Pork Association’s Board of Directors emphasizes that farming rights continue to be crucial for American pig producers. “We want to be able to raise the pigs and do it the way we know how, which is best for the pig,” the chairman stated.
Mike Diggs, a representative from Smithfield Foods, notes that California’s Proposition 12 has created different perspectives within the agricultural community about livestock housing standards and interstate commerce regulations.
A Palestinian-American teenager has died after being shot by an Israeli settler during a confrontation in the occupied West Bank, according to Palestinian health officials who announced the death late Wednesday evening.
The victim, identified as 19-year-old Nasrallah Mohammed Jamal Abu Siam, was wounded during the Wednesday incident in Mukhmas village, located near Ramallah.
U.S. embassy representatives have spoken out against the violence. A State Department official told Reuters on Thursday: “The U.S. Department of State has no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizen overseas.”
According to a family member who requested anonymity due to concerns about retaliation from Israeli security personnel, the deadly encounter began when settlers entered the village attempting to steal livestock. The relative explained that when local residents, including Abu Siam, intervened to stop the theft, the settlers opened fire on the group, striking Abu Siam and other villagers.
Palestinian Authority news service WAFA reported that the violence left five individuals injured overall, with three suffering gunshot wounds including Abu Siam. The agency provided no additional information about the remaining injuries.
Israeli military officials have not yet provided a response to requests for comment regarding the shooting.
Such attacks by Israeli settlers targeting Palestinians in the West Bank have dramatically escalated since Gaza hostilities commenced in October 2023. United Nations statistics show nearly 700 people have been forced from their homes due to settler violence in 2026.
UN records indicate nine Palestinians have lost their lives in West Bank violence during 2026, while 240 were killed throughout 2025. During that same 2025 period, two Israelis died in West Bank incidents, the data shows.
Prosecutions for settler violence remain uncommon in Israel. Israeli watchdog organization Yesh Din reported that by the close of 2025, just 2% of the hundreds of settler violence cases they tracked since October 7, 2023, led to criminal charges.
Abu Siam joins several other American citizens, including activist Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi, who have been killed by Israeli military personnel or settlers in the West Bank over the past two years.
A team of paleontologists embarked on an extraordinary expedition deep into the Sahara Desert that resulted in a remarkable dinosaur discovery, following clues from a decades-old scientific paper.
The scientists faced a challenging three-day journey across unforgiving desert landscape in 2022 to reach Jenguebi, an extremely isolated location in northern Niger. The nearest landmark bears the telling name Sirig Taghat, which translates to “no water, no goat” in the local Berber dialect of Tamasheq.
Their persistence was rewarded with the uncovering of fossils belonging to Spinosaurus mirabilis, a massive fish-eating predator that ranks among the largest carnivorous dinosaurs in Earth’s history.
University of Chicago paleontologist Paul Sereno, who led the research expedition, described their destination as “The heart of the Sahara – the most barren, unforgiving, yet beautiful, part of the desert.”
The research team had previously conducted a brief exploratory mission to the area three years prior, departing from the city of Agadez. The Jenguebi site sits hundreds of miles away from any permanent human habitation.
“Jenguebi is extremely remote and isolated, and very hard to get to. It is very far from the closest cities, there are no roads that lead to the area directly, and on top of that, almost nobody – even Tuareg Berber nomads – inhabits it at any given time because of the scarcity of nearby wells,” explained Daniel Vidal, a paleontologist affiliated with both the University of Chicago and Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia in Spain.
Vidal described the arduous logistics of reaching their destination: “It took us almost three whole days of driving off-road to get to the site, with the hardest part in the last day, having to navigate through the sand dunes with a large convoy including a large truck carrying drinking water, supplies and equipment that got stuck in the sand constantly. However, any frustration or exhaustion from this long trip vanished instantly as we arrived and started discovering new fossils in no time.”
The expedition was inspired by a brief mention in a 1950s scientific publication, where a French geologist noted finding a single tooth in the region that resembled specimens from another carnivorous dinosaur species discovered in Egypt’s Western Desert.
Sereno pointed out that no scientific teams had revisited that particular location for more than seventy years.
Vidal painted a picture of the harsh environment: “It is an arid area with sand dunes and barely any vegetation. There is only a single water well that still yields water in the vicinity. But more importantly to us paleontologists, there are large areas with patches of rock outcrop surrounded by extensive dunes, which in satellite images look like an island archipelago surrounded by a sea of dunes, which led to the nickname ‘Spinosaur archipelago.’”
The geological formations proved to be a treasure trove for fossil hunters. “These rocks are very thin and soft sandstone that feels almost like compacted beach sand, and it is very rich in vertebrate fossils, particularly dinosaurs. So rich that we located more than a hundred fossil localities in under two weeks of fieldwork,” Vidal noted.
The scientific team successfully extracted fossils from several Spinosaurus mirabilis specimens, along with remains from various other dinosaur species dating back approximately 95 million years.
“I am amazed by how Spinosaurus mirabilis left people in awe since the moment it was discovered,” Vidal reflected on their remarkable find.
Researchers working in Niger’s remote Sahara Desert have discovered fossils belonging to a previously unknown species of Spinosaurus, one of the largest carnivorous dinosaurs ever to walk the Earth. The massive predator featured a distinctive blade-like skull crest and specialized interlocking teeth designed for capturing fish.
This ancient hunter roamed forested regions and waded into rivers to catch large fish, much like modern wading birds – though scientists describe it as a “hell heron” given its enormous size of approximately 40 feet in length and weight between 5 and 7 tons.
The creature dominated Africa’s landscape during the Cretaceous Period roughly 95 million years ago, hunting large fish including coelacanths in the area’s waterways. Its bone head crest measured about 20 inches tall and curved like a scimitar sword, while a large sail-like structure rose from its back and an extended crocodile-like snout completed its distinctive appearance.
Scientists have named the new discovery Spinosaurus mirabilis, combining the existing genus name meaning “spine lizard” with “mirabilis,” which translates to “astonishing” in reference to its remarkable crest. This represents only the second known Spinosaurus species, joining Spinosaurus aegyptiacus, which was identified in 1915 from Egyptian fossils.
The Spinosaurus genus, famous for its appearances in “Jurassic Park” films, stands as the only known semi-aquatic dinosaur predator and ranks alongside Tyrannosaurus, Giganotosaurus and Carcharodontosaurus among history’s largest meat-eating dinosaurs.
Both Spinosaurus species lived during the same time period and shared similar body structures, including elongated back spines that formed sail-like features and skulls adapted for fish hunting. However, Spinosaurus mirabilis possessed a significantly larger crest than its Egyptian relative, along with an extended snout, more widely spaced teeth, and longer rear legs.
Scientists believe the impressive crest served primarily for display purposes rather than combat, as it appears too delicate for use as a weapon despite being solid bone without air cavities found in other dinosaur crests. The crest was likely covered in keratin similar to bull horns and may have been brightly colored for mating displays, territorial disputes, or species recognition.
“It’s about love and life – attracting a mate, defending your hot feeding shallows,” explained University of Chicago paleontologist Paul Sereno, who led the research published Thursday in Science journal. “What else could be more important?”
The dinosaur’s nostrils were positioned further back than typical, allowing it to submerge most of its snout underwater while hunting swimming prey without compromising its breathing. Additionally, its upper and lower teeth rows fit together perfectly when biting, a feature called interdigitation.
“Their large conical teeth without serrations that interdigitate form a ‘fish trap’ that is very good at piercing and trapping slippery fish in the jaws, preventing them from sliding,” said study co-author Daniel Vidal, a paleontologist at the University of Chicago and Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia in Spain.
“Spinosaurus mirabilis has some of the most extreme piscivorous adaptations of any dinosaur, so we know it was better at preying upon fish than it would have been at preying upon other dinosaurs,” Vidal added.
Previous Spinosaurus aegyptiacus fossils discovered in Egypt and Morocco near the ancient Tethys Sea coastline, combined with certain skeletal characteristics, led some researchers to theorize that Spinosaurus was fully aquatic – an open-water swimmer and diving predator in marine environments.
However, the new Spinosaurus mirabilis fossils were located far inland, approximately 300 to 600 miles from the nearest ancient ocean shoreline. This discovery, along with anatomical evidence, supports the theory that Spinosaurus was a shallow-water predator rather than fully aquatic.
Sereno described the Spinosaurus mirabilis discovery as “the coup de grâce for the aquatic hypothesis.”
The fossil site at Jenguebi represents a remote Sahara location featuring fossil-rich sandstone formations surrounded by sand dunes. During their 2022 expedition, researchers departed from Agadez city in a convoy and traveled off-road through desert terrain for nearly three days, frequently becoming stuck in sand.
Their challenging journey proved worthwhile, as they uncovered portions of three Spinosaurus mirabilis skulls along with additional bones and fossils from other ancient creatures.
After years of being overshadowed by T. rex in popular culture, Spinosaurus is finally receiving recognition.
Dairy commodity trading posted gains Thursday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, buoyed by an encouraging forecast released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Cheese block prices climbed one cent to reach $1.51 per pound, with trading activity recording one transaction at $1.5050. Cheese barrels held steady at their previous level of $1.47 per pound.
Butter saw the most significant movement, jumping 7.5 cents to $1.78 per pound. Market activity was robust with seventeen transactions completed, ranging from $1.7175 to $1.7850 per pound.
Dry whey prices remained flat at 74 cents per pound, showing no change from the previous trading session.
A federal judge in Brazil has restored a court directive requiring authorities to remove indigenous demonstrators who have been blocking entry to a grain terminal operated by American agricultural giant Cargill, according to court documents obtained by Reuters.
For multiple days, indigenous activists have prevented truck access to Cargill’s grain facility in Santarem, located in northern Brazil, as they oppose proposed dredging operations on the Tapajos river.
A federal court initially issued a mandate last Friday requiring Brazilian authorities to take action within 48 hours to clear the demonstrators and restore normal operations at the Para state facility.
However, federal prosecutors challenged that initial ruling, telling Reuters they filed an appeal. The prosecutors contended the court’s decision violated National Council of Justice guidelines requiring direct involvement of indigenous communities and mandatory mediation sessions before any forced removal.
Their appeal succeeded on Sunday when the original order was overturned, prosecutors confirmed. But Wednesday’s renewed court decision represents a victory for the grain trading company.
Federal prosecutors indicated they are reviewing the most recent judicial ruling.
Cargill representatives chose not to provide comment on the situation.
Washington’s highest court delivered a unanimous decision Thursday allowing grieving families to proceed with legal action against Amazon.com over the deaths of loved ones who used sodium nitrite purchased through the e-commerce giant to end their lives.
The state Supreme Court overturned a previous lower court decision that had blocked the families from pursuing negligence claims under Washington’s product liability statutes. The earlier ruling had determined that suicide served as an intervening cause that broke the chain of liability for the deaths.
The legal challenge involves four separate families who allege that Amazon actively encouraged sodium nitrite sales through its website while also marketing additional items that could help individuals complete suicide attempts.
According to the plaintiffs, the Seattle-headquartered company has been aware of sodium nitrite’s role in suicide deaths for multiple years but has chosen to continue offering the substance for purchase without implementing safety restrictions.
Representatives for Amazon and the company’s legal team have not yet provided responses to media inquiries seeking comment on the court’s ruling.
The Atlanta Hawks announced Thursday they have upgraded forward Caleb Houstan from a two-way agreement to a standard NBA contract. The team did not reveal financial details of the new deal.
The 23-year-old forward has appeared in 10 contests for Atlanta during the current season, contributing 2.3 points per game while averaging 4.9 minutes off the bench.
Originally drafted by Orlando in the second round as the 32nd overall pick in 2022 following his college career at Michigan, Houstan spent his initial three NBA seasons with the Magic. During his time in Orlando from 2022-25, he compiled averages of 4.1 points, 1.5 rebounds and 14.4 minutes across 168 appearances, including 23 starts.
The Hawks initially signed Houstan to a two-way deal on October 18, 2025. While splitting time between the NBA and G League, he has been productive with the College Park Skyhawks, Atlanta’s developmental affiliate, posting 15.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 32.9 minutes per game over 30 contests as a starter.
Houstan made Hawks history on December 3, becoming the franchise’s first player to compete in both NBA and G League games on the same date, suiting up for a daytime contest with the Skyhawks before playing that evening for Atlanta.
Federal housing officials announced Thursday a new regulation that would restrict public housing assistance primarily to U.S. citizens, a move that housing advocates warn could displace tens of thousands of residents across the country.
The regulation, which appeared in the Federal Register, would restrict funding for public housing and other federal housing programs to citizens and qualified noncitizens. Under the new requirements, all residents living in federally-funded housing must provide documentation proving their citizenship or qualified status, including seniors over 62 who previously only needed to verify their age.
The policy would essentially prevent families with mixed immigration status — households where some members qualify for assistance while others do not — from receiving housing aid, representing part of the administration’s broader immigration enforcement efforts. A comparable regulation was introduced but never completed during Trump’s previous term and appears as a key objective in the conservative policy framework Project 2025.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, the days of illegal aliens, ineligibles, and fraudsters gaming the system and riding the coattails of American taxpayers are over,” HUD Secretary Scott Turner said in a statement. “HUD’s proposed rule will guarantee that all residents in HUD-funded housing are eligible tenants. We have zero tolerance for pushing aside hardworking U.S. citizens while enabling others to exploit decades-old loopholes.”
The regulation becomes official when published in the Federal Register on Friday. HUD officials have not specified a timeline for implementation.
Housing rights organizations immediately condemned the proposal.
“Our country can ensure that every one of us, no matter where we come from or what language we speak, has a safe home,” Shamus Roller, the executive director of the National Housing Law Project said in a statement. “Instead, Trump is trying to evict immigrant families, citizen and non-citizen, from HUD housing.
Research from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities in December projected that as many as 20,000 families or up to 80,000 individuals could lose housing assistance under eligibility changes that would reverse policies in place for decades.
The regulation’s effects could extend beyond those without proper documentation. Approximately 3.8 million U.S. citizens lack documentation proving their citizenship, while another 17.5 million face difficulties obtaining such paperwork.
“Everyone deserves an affordable home, including our neighbors, friends, and coworkers who are immigrants,” said Sonya Acosta, a senior policy analyst with the Center. “This rule would force 20,000 families with mixed immigration statuses to make the agonizing choice between losing the assistance that helps them pay rent every month or separating their family. People without a documented immigration status have never been eligible for rental assistance.”
NEW YORK — America has recently delivered roughly $160 million to the United Nations, though this amount represents just a small portion of the almost $4 billion debt the country carries with the international organization, UN officials announced Thursday.
According to UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, the funds from the Trump administration are designated specifically for the organization’s standard operating expenses.
The United Nations reports that America’s total debt includes $2.196 billion owed to the main operational fund — with $767 million of that amount due for the current year — plus an additional $1.8 billion owed to the separate fund that supports peacekeeping missions worldwide.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a stark warning last month, stating the organization faces potential financial ruin unless member countries settle their outstanding payments or the financial system undergoes major reforms — a statement widely understood as targeting the United States specifically.
This payment announcement coincided with President Donald Trump launching the inaugural session of his Board of Peace initiative, which observers view as an effort to challenge the UN Security Council’s authority in global conflict resolution.
Trump has previously criticized the United Nations for failing to reach its full potential. His administration made no contributions to the UN in 2025 and has severed ties with multiple UN agencies, including the World Health Organization and UNESCO, while cutting financial support to numerous other affiliated organizations.
According to UN leadership, the United States accounts for approximately 95% of all overdue payments to the organization’s primary budget.
The Oakland Athletics have brought back former manager Bob Melvin in a new capacity, announcing Thursday that the 64-year-old will take on a role as special assistant in baseball operations.
According to the team’s announcement, Melvin “will serve as an adviser to the front office on baseball matters.”
The veteran skipper previously led Oakland from 2011 through 2021, guiding the team to six playoff appearances during his tenure. His successful run with the A’s earned him American League Manager of the Year recognition twice, in 2012 and 2018.
Throughout his 22-year managerial career, Melvin accumulated a 1,678-1,588 record while leading five different franchises. His journey included stints with Seattle (2003-04), Arizona (2005-09), Oakland, San Diego (2022-23), and most recently San Francisco (2024-25).
San Francisco parted ways with Melvin after the Giants concluded the 2024 season with an .500 record at 81-81.
During his time with Arizona, Melvin also captured National League Manager of the Year honors in 2007. Despite his success across multiple organizations, none of his teams advanced to the World Series.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has canceled a planned meeting of its vaccine advisory panel originally set for late February, according to a Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, known as ACIP, was supposed to convene from February 25th through 27th. Officials have not announced when the meeting might be rescheduled.
This development occurs as Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. continues his push to transform the nation’s vaccination policies. His initiatives include eliminating broad recommendations for six childhood vaccines such as COVID and hepatitis B shots, expanding federal support for state vaccine exemptions, and reducing funding for mRNA vaccine research.
The advisory panel plays a crucial role in determining vaccination recommendations, which typically influence health insurance coverage decisions, state school vaccination requirements, and how doctors counsel patients and families about immunizations.
The committee underwent significant changes last year when Kennedy dismissed all 17 of its members in June, leading to multiple restructuring efforts.
These changes coincide with a leadership transition at the CDC. Jay Bhattacharya, who currently serves as National Institutes of Health Director, will take over as acting CDC director, according to a Trump administration official who spoke Wednesday. He will replace the current acting director, Jim O’Neill.
A German pharmaceutical company has taken legal action against Moderna in Delaware’s federal courthouse, claiming the American drugmaker stole patented technology for its latest coronavirus vaccine.
BioNTech filed the patent infringement case on Thursday, targeting Moderna’s newly approved COVID-19 vaccine called mNEXSPIKE. According to court documents, BioNTech claims this next-generation vaccine – which received FDA approval in 2025 – uses proprietary technology without permission.
The disputed technology involves an advanced messenger RNA vaccine formula that allows for smaller doses to be administered to patients while maintaining effectiveness. BioNTech developed this innovation alongside partner Pfizer for their Comirnaty vaccine.
This legal battle represents the latest chapter in an ongoing patent war between the two pharmaceutical giants. Moderna previously filed its own lawsuit against BioNTech and Pfizer back in 2022, which remains unresolved in the courts.
These competing lawsuits are part of a broader trend across the biotechnology industry, where companies are pursuing legal claims seeking compensation for intellectual property used in the highly profitable COVID-19 vaccines.
Neither Moderna nor BioNTech provided immediate responses when contacted about the new legal filing. Pfizer representatives, who are not named as defendants in this particular case, also declined to comment.
Two Cleveland Guardians pitchers facing federal charges for allegedly manipulating pitches to benefit sports bettors entered not guilty pleas during a Wednesday court appearance in Brooklyn federal court.
Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz entered their pleas through an interpreter before U.S. District Court Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto, who indicated the trial will likely be delayed from its current spring schedule to October.
While the trial date officially remains set for May 4, Judge Matsumoto instructed both legal teams to negotiate a new timeline and present their recommendation by Monday’s end.
The updated federal indictment claims Clase communicated with accomplices using coded language involving roosters and chickens. Prosecutors also allege he deliberately threw an errant pitch to Detroit’s Matt Vierling, the first batter he faced in Game 1 of the 2024 American League Division Series, bouncing the ball before ultimately striking out Vierling.
Federal prosecutors brought charges against both players on November 9, including wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, and conspiracy to influence sporting events through bribery. Ortiz entered his initial not guilty plea the following day, while Clase was arrested at JFK Airport on November 13 and pleaded not guilty that same day.
According to federal authorities, both pitchers received thousands of dollars in payments to assist Dominican Republic-based gamblers in winning at least $460,000 through bets placed on pitch velocity and whether throws would result in strikes or balls.
The 27-year-old Clase has earned recognition as a two-time American League Reliever of the Year and three-time All-Star selection. Over six major league seasons, with five spent in Cleveland, he has compiled a 21-26 record alongside a 1.88 ERA and 182 saves.
Ortiz, also 27, joined Cleveland through a trade before the 2025 season. His four-year major league career includes 75 appearances with 50 starts and a 4.05 ERA.
Both athletes have remained on non-disciplinary paid leave since July while the federal case proceeds.
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware’s football program is gearing up for spring training as the team builds on their successful 2025 season that ended with a 68 Ventures Bowl Championship victory.
The Blue Hens are set to conduct 15 spring training sessions as they begin their preparation for the upcoming 2026 season, following NCAA guidelines for practice limits.
The spring workouts will allow the team to maintain the positive energy and success from their championship-winning season while developing players and strategies for the year ahead.
Israeli military forces have elevated their state of readiness following intelligence assessments suggesting a potential confrontation with Iran could begin imminently, according to Wednesday reports from Israel’s state broadcaster Kan that cited high-ranking Israeli officials.
The heightened alert status comes as tensions continue to mount across the Middle East region, accompanied by a substantial increase in American military presence. Israeli leadership believes Washington may launch strikes against Iranian targets in the coming days, potentially developing into an extended military campaign spanning multiple weeks.
Sources speaking to Kan indicated that President Donald Trump appears increasingly inclined to approve major military action in the region, leading Israeli defense officials to prepare for hostilities that could commence “possibly within days.” Security agencies throughout Israel are operating under enhanced vigilance protocols.
During a recent parliamentary meeting, Boaz Bismuth, who leads the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, acknowledged the gravity of the situation. “We are facing challenging days in relation to Iran,” Bismuth stated. “The public is preparing, the authorities are preparing,” he added.
Israeli government officials confirmed that a previously scheduled security cabinet meeting has been moved from Thursday to Sunday due to the mounting tensions between Washington and Tehran, along with the expanded American military deployment throughout the region.
According to Axios reporting based on flight tracking data and U.S. official sources, the Trump administration sent a second aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East last week. The news outlet documented that more than 50 military aircraft, including advanced F-35, F-22 and F-16 fighters, have been repositioned to the region within the past day.
The Wall Street Journal characterized the current American air power concentration as the most substantial Middle Eastern military buildup since the 2003 Iraq invasion. This deployment capability would support a far more extensive operation than the previous U.S. attack on Iranian nuclear installations during last June’s Israel-Iran conflict, which utilized B-2 stealth bombers.
Concurrently, Iran and the United States wrapped up their second session of indirect nuclear negotiations in Geneva this week. These diplomatic discussions took place at Oman’s embassy with mediation provided by Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi. The initial round of talks occurred in Muscat on February 6.
In a separate development, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk issued an urgent advisory for Polish nationals to immediately depart Iran, emphasizing that the threat of active military conflict is “very, very real.” Tusk warned that fighting could commence within “a few, a dozen or several dozen hours,” and stressed that evacuation opportunities may soon disappear entirely.
Earlier this year, both the U.S. State Department and the U.S. virtual embassy to Iran issued advisories recommending American citizens leave Iran as widespread protests and government crackdowns intensified throughout the country.
The chief financial officer of Japan’s largest steelmaker says the company anticipates improved performance from its U.S. Steel operations without implementing workforce reductions, according to statements made this week.
Takahiko Iwai, CFO of Nippon Steel, told reporters the company foresees U.S. Steel contributing to profits during fiscal 2026, a significant improvement from zero earnings projected for the current year. The turnaround is expected to come from rising steel prices and technology sharing between the companies.
Unlike capacity cuts Nippon Steel made in Japan during the early 2020s, similar measures won’t be necessary for the American operations due to expanding demand in the U.S. steel market, Iwai explained during the interview.
“U.S. Steel’s operation has been steadily improving through capital expenditure effects,” Iwai said, noting that approximately 100 Nippon Steel employees have been deployed to American facilities to implement proven methods and advanced technology.
The Japanese company finalized its $15 billion purchase of U.S. Steel in June following lengthy negotiations. However, Nippon Steel revised its earnings projection for the American business downward in November, dropping expectations from 80 billion yen ($515 million) to zero for the nine-month period ending March 2026.
Iwai attributed the disappointing forecast to challenging market conditions, customers delaying purchases due to U.S. tariff policies, and shipping delays caused by severe winter weather.
Looking ahead, facility upgrades are expected to boost next year’s financial results. The CFO highlighted that the Big River 2 plant is now operating near maximum capacity and will contribute for a complete fiscal year after beginning operations in late 2024.
The primary obstacle facing U.S. Steel is its expensive variable-cost framework, which resulted from insufficient investment over many years, Iwai noted. Nippon Steel aims to establish a system that can maintain steady profitability even when market conditions weaken.
The company plans to complete investment initiatives over four years to increase production of high-profit specialty products, which should “significantly improve quality and cost competitiveness,” according to Iwai.
He emphasized that the United States represents the world’s biggest market for premium steel grades and faces less competition from Chinese manufacturers compared to other regions.
Regarding financing, Iwai said 1.3 trillion yen of the 2 trillion yen bridge loan used for the acquisition must be refinanced by June, after excluding 700 billion yen already secured through subordinated loans and similar financial instruments. The company is evaluating multiple refinancing approaches.
When asked about reports that Nippon Steel might issue up to 500 billion yen in convertible bonds, Iwai declined to provide details.
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Chief Economist Justin Benavidez is scheduled to present his inaugural agricultural economic forecast today during the department’s yearly Agricultural Outlook Forum.
This marks Benavidez’s first major economic projection since taking on the role, as he addresses attendees at the annual conference focused on the agricultural sector’s financial outlook.
Poor infrastructure throughout Brazil’s primary corn and soybean producing regions continues to drive up shipping expenses for agricultural products. However, farmers in the South American agricultural giant remain optimistic that significant improvements may soon become reality.
Delaware State Police have taken into custody two Baltimore residents following an elaborate shoplifting operation at a Newark retail store that netted over $3,300 in merchandise and led to drug charges.
The suspects, identified as 47-year-old Ron Wardlaw and 43-year-old Lashonda Rooks, were apprehended Wednesday afternoon at Dick’s Sporting Goods on Center Drive after employees reported suspicious activity around 4:00 p.m. on February 18, 2026.
According to investigators, the pair worked together to collect thousands of dollars worth of items throughout the store. Police say Rooks took merchandise into a fitting room while Wardlaw left the building, abandoning a cart full of products near the entrance.
Authorities discovered that Wardlaw had coordinated with a third individual who came into the store looking for the abandoned cart, but employees had already secured the merchandise before the accomplice arrived.
When officers reached the scene, Wardlaw tried to flee in his vehicle but was intercepted just a short distance from the shopping center. Meanwhile, troopers found Rooks still in the fitting room, where she was using a cutting tool to remove security devices from stolen items. Both suspects were taken into custody peacefully, though the third accomplice escaped before police arrived.
The investigation took a more serious turn when officers searched Wardlaw’s vehicle and uncovered approximately 17.85 grams of what they believe to be heroin.
Following their arrest, both suspects were transported to Troop 6 for processing. Wardlaw now faces multiple felony charges including Possession of Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quantity, Attempted to Commit Theft – Organized Retail Crime Over $1500, and Conspiracy 2nd Degree. After appearing before Justice of the Peace Court 3, he was sent to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution with bail set at $60,000.
Rooks is facing four felony counts: Possession of Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quantity, Possession of Shoplifters Tools or Instruments Facilitating Theft, Attempted to Commit Theft – Organized Retail Crime Over $1500, and Conspiracy 2nd Degree. She was also arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 3 and is being held at the Delores J. Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution on $61,000 bail.
Team USA’s Jordan Stolz has captured his third medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, earning silver in the men’s 1500-meter speedskating competition in Milan, Italy on Thursday.
The accomplished American athlete entered these Winter Games amid significant expectations, and he has delivered on that promise. Stolz now possesses two gold medals alongside his newly-won silver, with one final event still ahead of him.
The latest achievement adds to what has already been an impressive Olympic showing for the speedskating star, who continues to establish himself as one of the premier competitors in his sport on the world’s biggest stage.
A Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer has officially launched operations in Italy, marking another milestone in the growing presence of Asian automakers across Europe.
Zeekr, a premium electric car brand owned entirely by Geely Holding Group, announced its Italian market debut on Thursday through a partnership with distributor Jameel Motors. The company plans to begin delivering its complete lineup of four electric vehicle models when retail locations open this spring.
Lothar Schupet, who serves as acting CEO of Zeekr Europe, described Italy as a “key market” for the brand’s continental expansion strategy. He noted that the launch timing aligns with surging consumer interest in high-end electric vehicles and ongoing improvements to charging networks across the country.
The electric vehicles carry price tags between roughly 38,000 and 73,000 euros, which translates to approximately $44,680 to $85,833 depending on the specific model and available features.
This Italian launch follows Zeekr’s December entry into Germany’s automotive market. The brand has already established operations across several European nations, including Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
Looking ahead, Schupet revealed plans to Reuters in January for additional market expansions scheduled for 2026, targeting France, Britain, and Spain.
Geely, which stands as BYD’s primary Chinese competitor, announced ambitious goals in January to achieve worldwide vehicle sales exceeding 6.5 million units by 2030. This target would position the company among the globe’s five largest automakers amid fierce rivalry with established international manufacturers.
Chinese automotive companies have made significant inroads throughout Europe by offering more competitive pricing than European competitors, while benefiting from government incentives supporting the transition away from fossil fuel vehicles.
Sweden’s women’s hockey team departed the Milan Olympics medal-free but with their confidence restored, according to head coach Ulf Lundberg, marking a significant turnaround for a program that was once among the sport’s elite.
The Swedish squad fell just short of the podium Thursday, dropping a devastating 2-1 overtime decision to Switzerland in the bronze medal contest. Despite missing out on hardware, the team found plenty to celebrate in what marked their strongest Olympic showing in more than a decade.
“Sometimes the journey is the goal,” Lundberg explained. “I am as proud of the players as I would have been if we had a bronze medal.”
Sweden previously stood among women’s hockey’s top nations, capturing bronze in 2002 and silver in 2006. However, recent Olympic appearances saw the team struggle to advance beyond the quarterfinal round in both 2018 and 2022, including a crushing 11-0 quarterfinal loss to Canada at the Beijing Games.
The Milan Olympics showcased a revitalized Swedish program that dominated Group B play without a single loss before meeting tournament favorites Team USA in the semifinal round.
“Obviously empty now. At the same time I’m very proud of this team and what we accomplished,” team captain Anna Kjellbin shared. “We won this quarter-final that we’ve been losing for so many years now. Played a pretty good semi-final as well.”
The Swedish players staged a boycott of their national team program in 2019, demanding better compensation and improved working conditions. Kjellbin expressed hope that their Milan performance would inspire future players.
“I hope there’s a lot of young girls sitting and watching our game and if they’re not already in the sport I hope they take the chance and start playing hockey,” Kjellbin said.
“I think the future of women’s hockey in Sweden is bright and I can’t wait to experience that.”
