MOSCOW, Feb 17 – An American citizen has been handed a four-year prison term by a Russian court after being convicted of attempting to smuggle a component from a Kalashnikov assault rifle out of the country, according to a report from Russia’s RIA state news agency released Tuesday.
The individual was caught trying to remove the rifle stock – a key component of the weapon – from Russian territory, leading to the criminal charges and subsequent conviction.
The San Diego Padres bolstered their organizational depth Monday by signing first baseman Ty France and right-handed pitcher Walker Buehler to minor league contracts, multiple sources reported.
France returns to the franchise that originally selected him in the 2015 draft. His contract reportedly includes a spring training invitation to the major league camp, though the agreement remains subject to completing a physical examination.
The 31-year-old France earned his first Gold Glove Award in 2025 during his time with the Minnesota Twins and Toronto Blue Jays, posting a .257 batting average along with seven homers and 52 runs batted in across 138 contests.
France enjoyed his most productive campaign in 2022 as a member of the Seattle Mariners, recording a .274 average with career-best totals of 20 home runs and 83 RBIs while earning his only All-Star Game selection.
Throughout his seven-year major league career spanning 840 games with San Diego, Seattle, Cincinnati, Minnesota and Toronto, France has compiled a .262 batting average with 81 long balls and 364 RBIs.
Meanwhile, the 31-year-old Buehler continues working to regain his previous effectiveness after missing the entire 2023 campaign due to his second Tommy John elbow reconstruction procedure.
During his dominant stretch from 2017 through 2022 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Buehler compiled a 46-16 record and 3.02 earned run average over 115 appearances, including 106 starts. However, since returning from his second elbow surgery, he has posted an 11-13 mark with a 5.10 ERA in 42 outings for the Dodgers, Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies.
Boston signed Buehler to a one-year, $21 million contract last winter, but the Red Sox released him mid-season after he went 7-7 with a 5.45 ERA in 23 games. Philadelphia subsequently signed him in September, where he finished strong with a 3-0 record and 0.66 ERA in three appearances.
The two-time All-Star played crucial roles in the Dodgers’ World Series championships in 2020 and 2024. His postseason resume includes a 2-0 record with one save and a 0.75 ERA in three World Series games, contributing to his overall 4-4 playoff record and 3.04 ERA across 19 postseason contests.
Buehler is expected to compete for San Diego’s fifth starter position, while France will likely serve in a backup role behind newly acquired Nick Castellanos, who reportedly leads the competition for the starting first base job.
MOSCOW – Russian defense officials reported that their air defense systems successfully intercepted 151 Ukrainian drones during overnight operations, according to a Tuesday report from the state-run TASS news agency.
The defense ministry served as the source for the claim about the drone interceptions, TASS reported on Tuesday.
ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 29, 2026) — State agriculture officials in Maryland have identified what appears to be a case of H5 bird flu at a commercial chicken operation in Caroline County, according to an announcement from the Maryland Department of Agriculture.
The detection represents the initial occurrence of this highly pathogenic avian influenza strain at a commercial poultry facility in the region.
South Africa has secured its position as the continent’s second-largest poultry producer in 2025, according to a new industry analysis examining Africa’s leading poultry markets.
The nation’s poultry sector experienced a notable recovery this year, continuing its upward trajectory following substantial setbacks from disease outbreaks that previously disrupted operations across the industry.
This assessment comes from Sebastiane Ebatamehi of The African Exponent, who has been conducting an extensive review of the continent’s top 10 poultry-producing nations. South Africa’s ranking represents the ninth installment in this ongoing series analyzing Africa’s poultry industry leaders.
The recovery marks a significant turnaround for South Africa’s poultry producers, who have worked to rebuild their operations and market position after facing considerable challenges in previous years due to health-related disruptions in their flocks.
Two major agricultural powers have announced plans to strengthen their partnership in the poultry industry through new collaborative agreements.
Russia and China have formalized their commitment to working together on poultry breeding projects by signing agreements that may pave the way for future joint business ventures specializing in genetics and breeding technology development.
The partnership involves prominent agricultural research organizations from both nations, working alongside the Russian National Poultry Farmers Union to establish this cooperative framework.
This collaboration represents the latest effort by both countries to expand their agricultural ties and share expertise in livestock breeding innovations.
Delaware’s vital poultry industry is grappling with challenges that go far beyond providing proper feed and shelter to their flocks, according to agricultural experts.
Today’s commercial chickens have been specifically developed to achieve remarkable efficiency, fast development, excellent feed conversion ratios, and consistent results across entire flocks. However, agricultural specialists warn that even in the best-managed facilities, poultry encounters numerous hidden stress factors that silently undermine their genetic potential.
These concealed challenges extend well beyond obvious problems like excessive temperatures or overcrowded conditions. Industry professionals point to additional low-level stressors that can significantly impact bird performance, though the original report was incomplete and did not specify all the factors involved.
For Delaware, where poultry represents a cornerstone of the agricultural economy, understanding and addressing these invisible performance barriers could be crucial for maintaining the state’s competitive edge in the industry.
The findings highlight the complexity of modern poultry management, where success requires attention to factors that may not be immediately apparent to farm operators.
Russian meat producers are voicing serious concerns about a dramatic surge in chicken imports from China, cautioning that the increased volume is creating significant pricing pressures in their domestic market.
According to industry officials, Russia brought in approximately 110,000 tonnes of chicken meat from China during 2025, with shipment volumes climbing each month. The meat industry representatives warn this influx is beginning to impact both chicken and pork pricing in a domestic market already facing considerable strain.
The growing imports represent a significant shift in Russia’s poultry supply chain, as Chinese suppliers capture an increasing share of the Russian market. Industry leaders say the mounting pressure from these imports threatens the stability of local meat pricing structures.
Russian meat sector officials indicate the situation reflects broader challenges facing their domestic market, which was already experiencing difficulties before the surge in Chinese poultry shipments began affecting local pricing dynamics.
A collaborative study between the Ineos Oxford Institute for antimicrobial research and China Agricultural University has identified a potential breakthrough for chicken farmers seeking alternatives to standard antibiotic treatments.
The research focused on Nitroxoline, a medication that was previously employed in select nations for treating urinary tract infections. Scientists found that this older drug exhibited impressive antibacterial effectiveness when tested as a replacement for frequently prescribed antibiotics like tetracycline in poultry operations.
The findings could provide chicken producers with new options as the agricultural industry continues to face pressure to reduce reliance on conventional antibiotics. The study suggests that Nitroxoline performed well in laboratory testing and showed positive characteristics that could make it suitable for widespread use in poultry farming.
This development comes as farmers and researchers worldwide seek sustainable alternatives to traditional antibiotic treatments in livestock operations, addressing growing concerns about antibiotic resistance and food safety.
Morocco has secured its position as a dominant force in Africa’s poultry industry, claiming the third spot among the continent’s top poultry-producing nations for 2025.
According to industry analysis by Sebastiane Ebatamehi from The African Exponent, Morocco generated approximately 653,000 metric tons of poultry meat during 2024. This substantial production volume places the North African kingdom behind only Egypt and South Africa in continental rankings.
The findings are part of an ongoing series examining Africa’s leading poultry markets, highlighting the significant role Morocco plays in the region’s agricultural landscape. The country’s impressive output demonstrates the growing strength of its domestic poultry sector and its contribution to meeting protein demands across the continent.
Delaware’s poultry industry waste may soon contribute to a groundbreaking solution for sustainable protein production, according to new scientific research examining how processed chicken farm wastewater can nourish black soldier fly larvae.
The study focuses on using electrocoagulation-treated sludge from poultry operations as nutrition for these specialized insects, which are gaining recognition as an environmentally responsible alternative to conventional fishmeal used in fish farming.
With the aquaculture industry increasingly seeking alternative protein sources, black soldier fly larvae have captured attention for their potential to replace traditional fish-based feeds while reducing environmental impact.
The research represents a dual environmental benefit – finding productive uses for poultry industry byproducts while creating sustainable protein sources for fish farming operations.
This development could particularly benefit Delaware’s significant poultry sector by providing new revenue streams from waste materials that previously required costly disposal methods.
Brazil has achieved unprecedented success in its egg export market during 2025, with international shipments more than doubling to establish a new all-time high. This remarkable performance signals a major transformation within a sector that held relatively minor significance in Brazil’s poultry industry just a few years earlier.
The South American nation’s combined exports of fresh and processed egg products reached 40,894 tonnes throughout the year, demonstrating the growing international expansion of Brazil’s egg production sector.
This dramatic increase highlights how Brazil’s egg industry has evolved from playing a secondary role to becoming a significant player in global markets, marking a notable shift in the country’s agricultural export portfolio.
Delaware’s poultry industry relies on tiny but powerful nutrients that pack a major punch when it comes to keeping birds healthy and productive. These essential micronutrients, known as trace minerals, are fed to chickens and turkeys in small amounts but deliver outsized benefits for farm operations across the region.
Five key minerals – zinc, copper, manganese, iron, and selenium – serve as critical building blocks that help activate hundreds of different enzymes and proteins within poultry. These biological processes control vital functions including disease resistance, energy processing, reproductive health, cellular protection, skeletal strength, and the ability to handle environmental pressures.
Today’s commercial poultry operations push birds to achieve high levels of egg and meat production while managing various stressors, making proper mineral nutrition more important than ever for Delaware’s agricultural economy.
Dangerous fungal toxins are becoming an increasingly serious threat to poultry operations as changing weather patterns create unpredictable growing conditions, according to agricultural experts.
During the recent Alltech 2025 Global Harvest Broadcast, industry analysts delivered a concerning assessment about the growing complexity and occurrence of these harmful substances, known as mycotoxins, which can contaminate feed crops.
The specialists emphasized that weather-related changes are dramatically affecting crop harvests, while new types of fungal contamination are emerging that require constant monitoring from farmers and producers.
Despite these challenges, experts noted that advancing laboratory testing methods are creating fresh possibilities for identifying problems earlier and developing better prevention strategies.
This development is particularly significant for Delaware’s agricultural sector, where poultry farming represents a major economic driver for the state’s rural communities.
Commercial beekeepers are demanding higher fees for their pollination services this year, with the cost to rent bee colonies for almond orchards rising 15 percent compared to 2024 rates.
According to new data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, the increased expenses reflect the ongoing pressures facing the commercial beekeeping industry.
The price hike comes as almond growers rely heavily on rented bee colonies to pollinate their crops, making this cost increase a significant factor in overall production expenses. California’s almond industry depends on billions of bees trucked in from across the country each spring for the critical pollination period.
This upward trend in pollination costs may eventually impact consumer prices for almonds and almond-based products, as growers face higher operational expenses during the crucial growing season.
Delaware’s peanut farmers saw a small but positive bump in their earnings last week, according to new agricultural data.
Growers received an average of 24.1 cents per pound for all farmer stock peanuts during the seven-day period that ended on February 7th. This represents an increase of half a cent compared to the previous week’s pricing.
The price improvement comes as local agricultural producers continue to navigate market conditions for their peanut harvests. These weekly price reports help farmers and agricultural businesses track market trends for one of the region’s important crops.
GENEVA (AP) — American and Iranian representatives are scheduled to conduct their second diplomatic meeting Tuesday in Geneva regarding Tehran’s nuclear activities, occurring while Washington increases its military footprint across the Middle East and Iran conducts extensive naval drills.
President Donald Trump has made repeated threats about using military action to force Iran into accepting restrictions on its nuclear development. Tehran has indicated it would retaliate with its own strikes. Trump has also issued warnings to Iran concerning its violent suppression of recent nationwide demonstrations.
The initial diplomatic session took place February 6 in Oman, located on the Arabian Peninsula’s eastern coast, and involved indirect communication. Vehicles bearing American flags arrived at the palace location only after Iranian representatives appeared to have departed. Details about Tuesday’s negotiation format remain unclear.
Trump’s representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are making the trip for these latest discussions. During a visit to Budapest, Hungary on Monday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed optimism about reaching an agreement with Iran despite existing challenges. “I’m not going to prejudge these talks,” Rubio stated. “The president always prefers peaceful outcomes and negotiated outcomes to things.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, serving as Tehran’s lead negotiator, conducted a meeting Monday in Geneva with the director of the U.N. nuclear monitoring organization.
“I am in Geneva with real ideas to achieve a fair and equitable deal,” Araghchi posted on X. “What is not on the table: submission before threats.”
During the previous week, a senior Iranian security representative visited Oman for discussions with Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, the primary mediator facilitating these negotiations. Their meeting likely centered on updates from the initial session and planning future steps.
“Regional peace and security is our priority, and we urge restraint and wise compromise,” al-Busaidi posted on X following his discussion with Ali Larijani, Iran’s former parliamentary leader who currently heads the Supreme National Security Council.
Iran has historically delivered its positions through written communication when engaging with American officials. Notably, in 2019, Japan’s then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attempted to deliver a letter from Trump to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who declined to accept it.
Iran declared that its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard began military exercises early Monday in the Strait of Hormuz, Persian Gulf, and Gulf of Oman. These strategic waterways serve as vital international shipping lanes, handling approximately 20% of global oil transportation.
Additionally, EOS Risk Group reported that maritime personnel in the area received radio notifications warning of potential live-fire exercises Tuesday in the northern section of the Strait of Hormuz within Iranian waters. Iranian state television did not confirm the live-fire component.
This marked Iran’s second recent announcement regarding live-fire military drills.
Trump announced last week that the USS Gerald R. Ford, the globe’s largest aircraft carrier, would redeploy from the Caribbean to the Middle East, joining existing American naval forces in the region.
The Ford, whose deployment was initially reported by The New York Times, will operate alongside the USS Abraham Lincoln and its escort destroyers, which have maintained regional presence for more than two weeks. American forces recently destroyed an Iranian drone approaching the Lincoln, coinciding with Iran’s attempt to intercept a U.S.-flagged vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.
Persian Gulf Arab states have cautioned that any military confrontation could escalate into broader regional warfare in a Middle East still recovering from the Gaza Strip conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The Trump administration seeks an agreement restricting Iran’s nuclear capabilities while preventing weapons development. Iran maintains it is not pursuing weaponization and has resisted demands to cease uranium enrichment or surrender its uranium stockpiles.
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi indicated Tehran’s potential willingness to negotiate nuclear compromises in exchange for relief from U.S.-led international sanctions.
“The ball is in America’s court. They have to prove they want to have a deal with us,” Takht-Ravanchi told the BBC Sunday. “If we see a sincerity on their part, I am sure that we will be on a road to have an agreement.”
“We are ready to discuss this and other issues related to our program provided that they are also ready to talk about the sanctions,” he continued.
American-Iranian negotiations were ongoing for several months before Israel’s 12-day military campaign against Iran in June immediately suspended the diplomatic process. During that conflict, U.S. forces struck Iranian nuclear facilities, likely eliminating numerous centrifuges used for uranium enrichment to near-weapons-grade levels. Israeli attacks also severely damaged Iran’s air defense systems and targeted its ballistic missile capabilities.
Iran continues asserting its nuclear program serves civilian purposes only. Prior to the June conflict, Iran had been processing uranium to 60% purity, approaching the technical threshold for weapons-grade material.
NEW ORLEANS, La. — While most Americans return to their regular routines following the Presidents Day weekend, the Big Easy is throwing its biggest party of the year as Fat Tuesday festivities take center stage across the Crescent City.
Fat Tuesday serves as the grand finale of the multi-week Carnival celebration, offering residents and visitors one last opportunity for extravagant celebration and feasting before the solemn Lenten season of fasting and contemplation begins. This beloved tradition always takes place on the day preceding Ash Wednesday in the Christian calendar.
The day’s festivities in Louisiana’s largest city include several signature processions, including the famous Zulu Social Aide & Pleasure Club parade. Participants in this beloved event don traditional African-themed costumes while distributing coveted souvenirs to eager spectators, including plastic jewelry, sweets, commemorative coins, plush toys, drinking cups and various novelties. The parade’s most prized giveaway remains the specially decorated coconuts that parade-goers eagerly seek to catch.
As the day progresses, the Rex parade, featuring the traditional King of Carnival, will make its way down the iconic St. Charles Avenue. Spectators will gather beneath the magnificent oak trees draped in Spanish moss and colorful beads to witness this spectacular procession.
The Carnival celebration is renowned for its massive, ornate floats and the elaborate costumes worn by participants. Notable among these are the Black masking Indians, who create stunning outfits featuring intricate beadwork, jewels, and dramatic feathered headpieces. Throughout the French Quarter, revelers showcase handmade costumes that embody the distinctive character of New Orleans.
The festivities extend far beyond the city limits, encompassing celebrations throughout Louisiana. These range from elegant private galas to the traditional Cajun custom known as Courir de Mardi Gras, or the Fat Tuesday Run. This rural Central Louisiana tradition features costumed participants who perform, solicit ingredients from local residents, and chase live chickens that will later be prepared in a community gumbo feast.
Similar Carnival celebrations are taking place in other Gulf Coast communities, including Mobile, Alabama, and Pensacola, Florida. The tradition also continues in internationally recognized festivals throughout Brazil and various European nations.
American agriculture continues to experience a downward trend in the total number of farming operations, according to newly released federal projections.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that 1,865,000 farms will be operating across the country in 2025, representing a decrease of 15,000 agricultural operations compared to the previous year’s totals.
This decline reflects ongoing consolidation patterns within the agricultural sector that have persisted for several decades as smaller farming operations either expand, merge with larger enterprises, or cease operations entirely.
The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service compiled these figures as part of their annual assessment of farming trends and land usage patterns across America.
While the total count of individual farms continues to shrink, industry analysts note that remaining operations often increase in size and production capacity to meet the nation’s food production demands.
RICHMOND—Agricultural producers from across Virginia made their voices heard at the state capitol as they gathered to discuss critical farming issues with elected officials.
The Virginia Farm Bureau Federation hosted its yearly Legislative Day, bringing together more than 100 farmers to share how pending legislation could affect their operations and local communities.
The discussions encompassed numerous agricultural concerns, such as state cost-share program funding, preserving minimum wage and overtime exemptions for agricultural workers, regulations for utility-scale solar installations, proper food labeling requirements, pesticide regulations, and addressing the shortage of large animal veterinarians.
In their meeting with Lt. Gov. Hashmi, agricultural producers expressed backing for HB 508 and SB 340, bills that would establish a definition of agrivoltaics emphasizing farming as the primary use, with solar panels serving as an additional element of the agricultural business.
This definition ensures that agrivoltaics systems “work in conjunction with an operating farm that benefits both the farm and other users on the power grid,” explained Coty Goodwin, who raises beef cattle in Orange County.
Agricultural producers also emphasized the need to maintain local control over solar installation decisions and warned against implementing uniform statewide regulations.
“The best decisions are made at the local county board of supervisors where we can sit down and look at each unique situation,” Goodwin stated. “We don’t want our localities to lose the power of making their own siting decisions.”
The Farm Bureau backs HB 322 and SB 186, legislation requiring accurate labeling of alternative protein products to clearly indicate their source and ingredient composition.
Improper labeling “causes so much confusion at the grocery store,” noted Cecilia Moyer, who operates a dairy farm in Amelia County. “It’s very important to have clear labels so consumers know what they’re buying.”
The Senate version of the labeling bill received unanimous approval.
Agricultural producers from southern Virginia discussed labor issues and crop protection chemicals with Aaron Yohai, who serves as legislative aide to Del. Vivian Watts, D-Fairfax. They expressed opposition to HB 1375, legislation that would prohibit the production and distribution of paraquat, an essential herbicide for corn, cotton, soybean and peanut cultivation.
Pittsylvania County farmer Donny Moore pointed out that pesticide users must already undergo training for proper application. A complete prohibition would create additional challenges for crop producers because “right now there’s nothing else in our tool bag to take its place.”
VFBF board member Robert J. Mills Jr. and farmers from Loudoun County spoke with Sen. Kannan Srinivasan, D-Loudoun, and Syreeta Martin-Glenn, legislative assistant for Sen. Jennifer Carroll Foy, D-Fairfax and Prince William. Their conversation focused on HB 20 and SB 121, which would remove minimum wage exemptions for agricultural workers, and highlighted the financial burden this would place on farming operations.
The Farm Bureau seeks to exclude H-2A and H-2B worker programs from the proposed legislation. Mills observed that farmers provide housing and transportation under these programs, effectively raising compensation above minimum wage levels.
“Virginia is the only state in our region that’s taking out the minimum wage exemption,” Mills said. “Our margins are already so thin and this would put us at a competitive disadvantage to surrounding states that do have these exemptions.”
Throughout the morning, lawmakers received complimentary snack packages featuring Virginia-produced, value-added farm products.
Those interested in following agriculture-related legislation can visit the VFBF Plows and Politics blog.
For media inquiries, contact Martha Moore, VFBF senior vice president of governmental relations, at 804-347-5752.
GENEVA – Critical nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran resumed Tuesday in Switzerland, as both countries navigate a delicate diplomatic process overshadowed by potential military conflict.
American representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are participating in the discussions alongside Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, with Oman serving as mediator, according to sources familiar with the negotiations.
The diplomatic efforts unfold against a backdrop of military preparations on both sides. US defense officials report that American forces are positioning for potential weeks-long operations should President Trump authorize military action against Iran.
Meanwhile, Iran launched military exercises Monday in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping lane for oil exports from Gulf nations that have been urging diplomatic solutions to the standoff.
These latest negotiations mark a continuation of talks that restarted February 6, addressing a nuclear disagreement spanning decades between the two nations.
The United States and Israel maintain that Iran seeks to develop nuclear weapons capability that could pose an existential threat to Israel. Iranian officials counter that their nuclear program serves only civilian purposes, despite enriching uranium to levels far exceeding power generation needs and approaching weapons-grade concentration.
Iran remains mindful of previous diplomatic attempts that were interrupted last June when Israel initiated bombing operations against Iranian targets, later joined by American forces striking nuclear facilities. Following those attacks, Tehran announced it had suspended uranium enrichment activities.
Iran’s government has faced internal challenges since then, dealing with massive civil unrest that resulted in thousands of casualties. The protests stemmed from economic hardships partly caused by international sanctions that have severely impacted Iran’s oil revenues.
The current situation differs from previous negotiations, with Trump deploying what he describes as a substantial naval presence to the region.
American negotiators hope to broaden discussions beyond nuclear issues to include Iran’s missile capabilities. However, Iranian officials state they will only consider limitations on nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief, refusing to completely abandon uranium enrichment or discuss their missile program.
During a Monday press conference in Budapest, Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged the difficulty of reaching an agreement with Iran while expressing America’s willingness to pursue negotiations.
Prior to the main talks, Araqchi met with Rafael Grossi, director of the International Atomic Energy Agency, to address technical cooperation matters and aspects of the upcoming American discussions.
Tuesday afternoon will see Witkoff and Kushner engage in separate three-way discussions involving Russia and Ukraine, as the administration attempts to broker an end to Moscow’s four-year military campaign in Ukraine.
Major luxury fashion companies are experiencing dramatic stock market swings as they attempt to bounce back from a prolonged sales slump, with hedge fund activity and artificial intelligence market concerns adding fuel to the fire.
High-end brands including Dior and Gucci have seen sales of premium handbags and designer apparel decline following an initial post-COVID surge. Market watchers are now closely monitoring any indicators that suggest the luxury sector might be ready to return to positive growth.
The recovery signals remain inconsistent so far. Meanwhile, recent technology-driven market selloffs in the United States threaten to reduce wealthy consumers’ purchasing power, while hedge fund strategies targeting luxury companies are making stock price movements even more extreme.
LVMH, the globe’s largest luxury conglomerate with a market value of 260 billion euros ($308.49 billion), experienced its steepest single-day decline since 2020 in late January. This happened after company leader Bernard Arnault expressed reserved expectations for the coming year, crushing investor hopes for a rapid turnaround. In contrast, LVMH’s October market announcement had pushed shares up 12% in what was the company’s strongest trading day in over twenty years.
HEDGE FUNDS TARGET LUXURY SECTOR
Data from hedge fund tracker Hazeltree shows that luxury stocks and broader consumer spending categories faced some of the heaviest short-selling activity heading into earnings season.
When large numbers of short positions exist – meaning investors are betting stock prices will drop – it can create significant price volatility. Companies that report better-than-anticipated results often see short-sellers scramble to exit their positions quickly.
Kering stock surged 11% last week after the company’s final quarter revenues declined less severely than analysts predicted. New chief executive Luca de Meo described seeing “early, fragile” recovery indicators.
“Two factors are driving the volatility in luxury stocks like Kering,” said Michael Oliver Weinberg, a hedge fund investor and special advisor to the Tokyo University of Science Endowment.
“First, indexation has locked up capital in passive ‘buy and hold’ positions,” he explained, noting how significant portions of stock remain tied up in index funds, creating a smaller pool for active trading and causing larger price movements.
“Second, the market is now dominated by multi-manager hedge funds trading specifically against news and data points when they have a research or information edge.”
AI MARKET CONCERNS THREATEN LUXURY SPENDING
Hedge fund influence has contributed to increased volatility across European markets in recent years.
However, the luxury industry’s dependence on affluent consumer spending makes it particularly vulnerable to U.S. stock market fluctuations. After a remarkable bull market run, American markets are now experiencing increasingly unpredictable swings tied to artificial intelligence developments.
Kering’s de Meo has indicated that stock market performance serves as a gauge for American luxury consumption patterns and identified potential AI market corrections as a threat to European luxury companies.
“Many Americans have savings held in stocks, so if the market holds up well, consumption will keep driving growth. If there’s a crash, an AI bubble, etcetera, then we’ll talk again,” de Meo told reporters following last Tuesday’s earnings announcement.
“But for now it’s looking good.”
While hedge funds capitalize on changing market sentiment, investors with longer-term positions in luxury companies face a challenging ride.
“In these record high markets that are very concentrated with high valuations, clearly people are extremely nervous and everybody is wanting to hit the sell button,” said Christopher Rossbach, managing partner at J. Stern & Co in London, which maintains LVMH holdings.
“You have to look at the company fundamentals and look through the noise because there are significant cyclical issues that have hit luxury companies, but they are working through them,” he added.
Some market participants are shifting investments between different luxury brands, seeking to profit from recovery narratives. While troubled Kering jumped after reporting smaller-than-expected sales declines, Hermes – maker of coveted Birkin handbags and largely unaffected by the sector downturn – gained only 2.5% despite another strong quarterly performance. Hermes currently trades at 45 times projected earnings, more than double LVMH’s valuation.
“You’re seeing quite significant share price moves as the nuance is slightly different (at each company),” said Emily Cooledge, head of luxury research at Rothschild & Co Redburn. “And because we’re at that fragile tipping point moment.”
A major healthcare technology acquisition appears to be moving forward, with life sciences corporation Danaher reportedly nearing completion of a massive deal to purchase medical monitoring company Masimo for approximately $10 billion, according to a Financial Times report published Monday.
Sources with knowledge of the negotiations told the Financial Times that the substantial transaction could be announced as early as Tuesday, assuming no final obstacles emerge.
Neither Danaher nor Masimo provided immediate responses when contacted for comment about the reported acquisition. Reuters was unable to independently confirm the Financial Times reporting.
The medical monitoring technology company Masimo currently carries a market value of roughly $7 billion based on current stock calculations.
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Virginia’s forestry leaders are working to address mounting pressures that could undermine the long-term viability of forest management throughout the state.
The newly formed Virginia Wood Council convened its inaugural meeting in September, bringing together representatives from various industry groups and government agencies. Participants included the Virginia Farm Bureau, Virginia Forestry Association, Virginia Loggers Association, Virginia Forest Products Association, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, along with loggers, mill operators and manufacturers.
“The plan is to understand all the emerging forest product industry issues, and figure out what’s causing them,” said Sabina Dhungana, utilization and marketing program manager for the Virginia Department of Forestry.
Virginia’s forestry sector ranks as the state’s third-largest industry, generating over $23 billion in annual economic impact while providing jobs for more than 108,000 workers and contributing to reforestation efforts across millions of acres statewide.
The industry operates through collaboration between forest property owners, forestry professionals, loggers, timber purchasers and other specialists who work to maintain a consistent supply of renewable timber resources used for lumber production, paper manufacturing, energy generation and other purposes.
“Sustainability is a big thing we can be proud about,” Dhungana observed. “We grow way more than we harvest on an annual basis, we have all these best management practices in place, and we are one of the unique states that has a water quality program.”
Patrick Murphy, who serves on the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation board, draws on his extensive experience as a county forester to help fellow forest landowners maximize their property’s potential while maintaining conservation practices.
“Reforestation is a great investment,” Murphy stated. “It helps keep your land productive and working, and depending on what methods are used to prepare the land prior to tree planting or improve the land after planting, we have cost-share programs available through the Virginia Department of Forestry to help offset some of those costs.”
The state’s Reforestation of Timberlands Program, administered by the VDOF, offers financial assistance to property owners for pine reforestation projects. Funding comes from the Virginia Forest Products Tax combined with matching state General Fund dollars.
Between 1970 and 2020, Virginia’s forestry sector contributed more than $54.5 million toward tree cultivation on private properties. Combined with legislative matching funds, these investments have supported reforestation of over 51,000 harvested sites encompassing nearly 2 million acres across Virginia.
Harvested timber serves construction, furniture manufacturing and building material production for both domestic and international customers. However, trade conflicts, housing market instability, and the globalization of manufacturing and workforce are creating uncertainty across the sector.
“We’ve had about 10-15 primary hardwood mill closures in the last three to four years,” Dhungana reported. Additionally, continuing forest fragmentation and logger workforce shortages are raising concerns for Murphy and other professionals in Southside Virginia.
Dhungana noted that numerous Virginia mills operate as family businesses, with owners often hesitant to burden their children with debt and business risks, creating succession challenges.
“It’s a very hard and risky business,” she explained. “If we keep losing mills, forest management sustainability in Virginia will be super hard—if not impossible.”
She urges consumers to purchase locally-sourced wood products and contact the VDOF for information about finding these materials.
WEST AUGUSTA—Throughout Virginia, agricultural operations are growing more than just produce and raising animals. These specialized farms are fostering self-assurance, promoting self-reliance, and developing capabilities that enable people to succeed—all through routine agricultural activities.
This approach, known as care farming, combines agricultural work with healing and educational methods. These operations use farming activities as therapeutic tools, offering assistance, building relationships, and generating chances for individual development while providing physical, emotional, and social advantages.
In Augusta County’s countryside, a Christmas tree operation gives young men opportunities for development through productive labor. The 80-acre site has served Boys Home of Virginia students since Joanne Tannehill donated the property in 1994, offering practical educational opportunities.
Small groups of students dedicate weekends each year to caring for thousands of fir trees, managing the property, and acquiring valuable life skills. Spring marks the beginning of their work, as students chart tree rows and determine planting quantities.
“The kids help lay out the grid, and we quiz them on the math,” explained farm manager Rick Hutson.
As the year progresses, students move young trees to new locations, trim branches, maintain fields, and remove unwanted vegetation. During this process, they receive hourly compensation, maintain physical fitness, build friendships, and learn cooperation, accountability, and self-confidence.
Their hard work reaches its peak each autumn when the operation welcomes visitors following Thanksgiving. Students assist customers in choosing and harvesting trees they’ve cared for, fulfill commercial orders, and market wreaths and decorations.
The property, encompassed by beautiful woodland, hiking paths, water features, and open areas, also provides peaceful moments for young men who have encountered challenges in their past.
“The woods can be a very cleansing and therapeutic place,” Hutson said. “And it’s good for them to get out where it’s not as structured.”
In Albemarle County, Innisfree Village has created an uplifting community environment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1971. At this location, residents—known as coworkers—share living spaces with volunteers, contribute to maintaining the 550-acre community, and develop enduring relationships and abilities through meaningful activities.
“We’re not just an organization focused on care delivery, but rather on everyone being participatory,” said Innisfree’s executive director, Rorie Hutter.
This involvement encompasses farm duties, where coworkers tend to chickens, cattle, sheep, pigs, and turkeys—gathering eggs, moving cows between grazing areas, fixing barriers, providing food, distributing hay, and removing downed trees.
“We have our basic chore checklist, just like every farm,” explained farm manager and longtime volunteer Tim Wool.
Food prepared using fresh eggs and grass-fed meat combined with produce and seasonings from the community’s garden showcase the importance of everyone’s work.
“It’s realizing, ‘I just harvested tomatoes yesterday and now we’re enjoying those incredible tomatoes,’” Hutter said. “That direct correlation is really important for our folks.”
Jobs are kept simple and divided into smaller steps so “individuals with differing abilities can fully participate,” Wool said. Activities are chosen based on personal interest and capability, always prioritizing the welfare of people, animals, and the land.
“There are opportunities here that people probably haven’t been exposed to,” Hutter added. “By setting up a supportive environment, there’s a much more enriched menu of choices.”
Additional information and photographs are available in Winter Cultivate magazine. For media inquiries, contact Asianna Holloway at Boys Home of Virginia at 540-965-7714, or Hutter at 434-823-5400.
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WASHINGTON—As millions of Americans prepare to watch the New England Patriots take on the Seattle Seahawks in the 2026 Super Bowl, farmers across the region are working to satisfy an enormous appetite for game day favorites.
According to the National Chicken Council’s annual Chicken Wing Report, football fans nationwide are projected to consume a staggering 1.48 billion chicken wings during the championship game. This figure represents an increase of approximately 10 million wings compared to the previous year’s Super Bowl consumption.
To put this massive number in perspective, if all 1.48 billion wings were placed end to end, they would wrap around Earth nearly three complete times.
Virginia’s thriving poultry sector plays a crucial role in supplying this tremendous demand. Data from the most recent U.S. Census of Agriculture shows that 1,168 Virginia farms raised more than 55 million broilers and other meat chickens in 2022.
The poultry industry represents one of America’s most valuable agricultural sectors, generating approximately $45.4 billion in national farm-level receipts during 2024. Virginia alone saw cash receipts for broilers surpass $1.2 billion, based on USDA Economic Research Service statistics.
Economic analysts from the American Farm Bureau Federation recently examined popular Super Bowl snacks and the financial challenges facing the farmers who produce them in their latest Market Intel report.
The Super Bowl ranks as the second-largest food consumption day in America, trailing only behind Thanksgiving.
“As fans gather around their TVs this Super Bowl Sunday, it’s worth remembering that every bite reflects far more than what’s on the plate,” the Market Intel states. “It reflects a highly coordinated agricultural system and the farmers and ranchers working every day to keep it running, even as economic pressures continue to mount well beyond game day.”
Despite strong wing demand, poultry producers face significant challenges within a highly consolidated, contract-driven industry. Farmers receive fixed payments that prevent them from capitalizing when wholesale or retail prices increase. Additionally, producers must finance their own facilities, often investing over $1 million in specialized poultry houses and equipment.
Tortilla chips dominate Super Bowl snacking preferences. These corn-based treats begin with field corn, America’s most extensively planted crop. Virginia’s corn production generated $227 million in value during 2024.
However, corn farmers currently face historically low prices, with projections showing average losses of $173 per acre for the 2026 crop year.
Potato chips rank as the second most popular Super Bowl snack. American farmers annually produce nearly $5 billion worth of potatoes, while Virginia’s 481 potato farms harvested 3,240 acres in 2022.
Although potato demand remains robust, escalating expenses for labor, energy, storage, and other operational costs have exceeded market payments to farmers.
Popular game day items including pizza, queso dip, and charcuterie boards depend on the nation’s approximately 24,800 dairy operations. Dairy products secured fourth place among Virginia’s top farm commodities in 2024, producing over $363 million in revenue.
While U.S. milk production has reached record highs, helping maintain affordable and plentiful cheese supplies for consumers, economic pressures have caused dairy farm numbers to drop by more than 60% between 2005 and 2024.
“Farmers are proud to grow the food America’s families enjoy during their parties, and every other day of the year,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “We’re fortunate to be blessed with such an abundant food supply, but the reality is, farmers are facing an economic crisis like we haven’t seen in generations.
“We’re grateful for aid the administration has delivered to farmers this year and do not take that for granted, but more steps are needed to ensure farmers can stay in business until markets improve,” he continued. “There will be only one winner in the game this Sunday, but everyone wins when we protect America’s food supply chain.”
ASHLAND—While Delaware residents grow weary of shoveling snow and navigating icy conditions, local gardens are actually benefiting from winter’s frozen grip. The white blanket covering lawns and flower beds serves as natural protection for plants while delivering valuable nutrients to the soil below.
Snow collects beneficial elements such as nitrogen and phosphorus as it falls through the atmosphere, according to Scot Ferguson, who works as a Virginia Cooperative Extension agent in Hanover County.
Delaware homeowners can maximize these benefits by being strategic about where they pile snow during cleanup efforts. Rather than viewing snow removal as just another winter chore, Ferguson suggests thinking of it as preparation for spring growth.
“You’d want to relocate snow along the drip line of the shrub or tree, kind of like you would with mulch,” Ferguson explained. Placing snow around garden beds and landscaped areas provides “a little bump of nitrogen” to plants.
The melting process delivers these fertilizing compounds gradually into the ground. When warmer weather arrives, the slow melt provides consistent moisture without overwhelming plant roots.
“Plants are probably not getting super waterlogged, and you’re not dealing with runoff,” Ferguson noted. “They will be quite hydrated and trying to transpire!”
Rural property owners who manage large areas of grassland typically invest between $4 and $10 per acre for professional nutrient management services. These landowners appreciate the free fertilization that winter storms provide.
“And for bigger landowners with cover crop programs, that’s where they find the bang for their buck,” Ferguson said.
While Delaware’s native plants handle local weather patterns well, imported ornamental species like boxwood and delicate perennials can suffer damage when cold snaps arrive suddenly.
North Carolina Cooperative Extension research shows that even thin snow coverage shields soil from dramatic temperature swings. This protective barrier keeps soil temperatures more stable, preventing damage to plant root systems.
“And if it’s warm enough under there, the snow forms an insulating blanket, and grass will certainly grow,” Ferguson observed. “Snow still allows sunlight to penetrate its surface. If the plant can move water, if the ground isn’t frozen, then plants and grass can probably photosynthesize!”
Despite predictions of six additional weeks of winter conditions, Delaware temperatures will continue to vary throughout the season.
“Your flowering plants may come into bloom when we have warm weather,” warned Mark Viette, former host of “In the Garden,” a video series from Virginia Farm Bureau Federation. These mild periods may be followed by “a real cold spell.”
Viette recommends covering blooming plants with sheets or soft materials, adding warmth with outdoor-rated incandescent lighting when needed.
WASHINGTON—As hunger reaches unprecedented levels throughout Virginia, food assistance organizations are turning to regional farmers to help provide healthier options for families in need.
New federal dietary guidelines from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of Health & Human Services emphasize the importance of high-quality protein, dairy products, and fresh produce in combating poor nutrition outcomes nationwide.
“We know that eating well and eating good food is a critical part of your health journey,” said Eddie Oliver, executive director of the Federation of Virginia Food Banks. “But access has to be part of the conversation when we talk about better health outcomes, because the most nutritious food is often the least affordable.”
Food insecurity affects millions of Americans annually, describing situations where people lack reliable access to sufficient food due to financial constraints. Research from Feeding America shows that individuals facing food insecurity experience higher rates of chronic illness and typically incur greater healthcare expenses compared to those with consistent food access.
Virginia recorded its highest food insecurity numbers in 2023, with more than 1 million residents affected according to Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap research.
Oliver reports that requests for food assistance through the federation’s seven regional food banks and their 1,150 partner pantries continue to climb.
Current food purchasing costs for the network have increased nearly fivefold since 2019, driven by inflation, reduced federal funding for food acquisition programs, and cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Medicaid through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
During the recent government shutdown, the organization exceeded its budget by approximately $3 million responding to what Oliver described as “the longest pantry lines we’ve seen in years—when folks were unsure if they were going to get their SNAP benefits, and we had a lot of layoffs.”
Virginia Department of Social Services data shows 850,500 state residents were participating in SNAP as of September 2025.
Oliver explained that accommodating SNAP reductions from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act would require the food bank network to “suddenly distribute twice as much food overnight.”
Dairy products, meat, protein sources, and fresh produce top the list of most-requested pantry items while remaining the most difficult to obtain. As retail grocery stores face their own supply challenges, the network increasingly relies on local agricultural producers for nutritious food options.
“It’s really remarkable that agriculture is Virginia’s largest private industry, and yet we have over a million people who are food insecure,” Oliver observed. “We feel like we can support local economies and strengthen Virginia’s food system by buying from local producers.”
The federation strengthens farmer relationships through programs like Farms to Food Banks, which incorporates The Virginia Agriculture Food Assistance Program. VAFAP, managed by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, provides compensation to farmers for products donated or sold to charitable food organizations.
Recent apple crop surpluses led to successful collaborations between the food bank network and Shenandoah Valley orchards, distributing quality apples to community members while reducing waste and supporting farmer income.
To meet protein demands, the network has obtained peanut butter from regional processors, locally-raised beef, and fresh milk through its Milk for Good initiative. A partnership with the Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative and charitable contributions enabled the purchase of more than 30,000 half-gallon containers of milk over the past three months.
“Everyone loves the local connection,” Oliver noted. “Likewise, farmers are some of the most generous people in the state, and they’re always excited about the opportunity to partner with food banks, because they know it’s going to help families in their communities.”
Oliver highlighted that VAFAP can combine with the state’s food crop donation tax credit, providing farmers with 50% farm market value for nutritious foods donated to food banks. Donors may claim up to $10,000 annually in tax credits.
Agricultural producers interested in collaborating with the food bank network should contact Oliver at [email protected] or 785-220-7708.
Community members can best support these efforts through financial contributions and volunteering at local food banks and pantries.
Additional information is available at vafoodbanks.org.
Media inquiries: Contact Oliver at 785-220-7708.
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A cattle producer from Craig County was celebrated for her dedication to Virginia’s agricultural community when she received recognition for five years of leadership service.
Jeannie L. Dudding was honored on January 28th during a Virginia Farm Bureau Federation board meeting held in Richmond. VFBF President Scott Sink presented the service award to acknowledge her commitment to the organization.
In her role as District 4 director, Dudding advocates for Farm Bureau members who operate farms and ranches across eight counties: Alleghany, Bedford, Botetourt, Craig, Franklin, Henry, Patrick and Roanoke.
Before her current position, Dudding worked as an agriculture and natural resources agent with Virginia Cooperative Extension in Giles County. Today, she teaches agriculture and serves as the FFA advisor at Giles High School.
Her involvement with Farm Bureau extends well beyond her board service. Dudding previously led the Craig County Farm Bureau as president and has maintained a board position with that local chapter for nearly two decades. She currently heads the VFBF Equine Advisory Committee.
Her leadership experience also includes time with the Craig County Farm Bureau Young Farmers Committee, where she served as chairperson for two years. In 2013, she claimed victory in the VFBF Young Farmers Discussion Meet competition, and two years later, the VFBF Women’s Leadership Committee named her Farm Woman of the Year.
Dudding earned her master’s degree in career and technical education from Virginia Tech. She also holds bachelor’s degrees in both animal science and education from the University of Connecticut.
Together with her husband Jason, Dudding operates an Angus cow-calf business. The couple’s children, Layton and Evie, participate in 4-H and FFA programs while managing their own livestock projects.
The Virginia Farm Bureau Federation represents nearly 137,000 members across 88 county organizations, making it the state’s most prominent agricultural advocacy group. The organization operates as an independent, nonpartisan, voluntary association dedicated to advancing Virginia’s farming industry.
For additional information, contact Kathy Dixon, VFBF assistant director of communications, at 804-370-3055.
Delaware State University women’s basketball standout Amya Scott has captured her fourth Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week recognition, the university announced.
The honor marks another milestone in Scott’s impressive debut season with the Hornets, demonstrating her consistent impact on the court throughout the campaign.
Scott’s repeated recognition by the MEAC underscores her significant contributions to Delaware State’s women’s basketball program and establishes her as one of the conference’s top first-year players.
The freshman’s performance has been a bright spot for the Hornets this season, with her fourth weekly honor reflecting her sustained excellence in conference play.
Delaware State University’s softball team experienced mixed results during the opening day of the Elon Phoenix Invitational, managing to secure one victory while dropping another contest.
The Hornets faced Manhattan in one of their matchups, where despite a strong individual performance from Lopez de Haro, who collected three hits during the game, Delaware State was unable to secure the win.
The split record leaves the Hornets with a 1-1 mark as they completed their first day of competition at the tournament hosted by Elon University.
Delaware State will look to build on their opening day performance as the invitational continues, with the team hoping to capitalize on the offensive production demonstrated by players like Lopez de Haro.
The Delaware State University Hornets men’s basketball squad encountered a tough night on the court, falling to Norfolk State by a final score of 75-58 in conference action.
The Hornets struggled to keep pace with their opponents throughout the contest, unable to mount a significant comeback against Norfolk State’s offensive attack. The 17-point margin of defeat reflects the challenges DSU faced in both offensive execution and defensive stops during the game.
This setback continues what has been a difficult stretch for the Delaware State basketball program as they work to find their rhythm in conference competition. The team will look to regroup and refocus as they prepare for upcoming matchups in their schedule.
The Hornets will need to address both ends of the court moving forward, as they seek to bounce back from this loss and build momentum for the remainder of their season.
The Delaware State University women’s basketball team experienced a challenging night on the court, falling to Norfolk State by a margin of 77-45 in their recent matchup.
While the Hornets struggled as a team, they did see a bright spot in the performance of player Huggins, who managed to reach double figures in scoring. However, her individual effort was not sufficient to prevent the substantial defeat.
The loss represents a difficult outcome for the DSU women’s basketball program as they continue their season. The 32-point deficit highlights the challenges the team faced throughout the game against their Norfolk State opponents.
The Hornets will look to regroup and bounce back from this setback as they prepare for their upcoming games in the season.
TOKYO – Japanese stocks experienced a notable decline on Tuesday as the country’s primary Nikkei 225 index dropped roughly 1% while the majority of Asian financial markets remained shuttered for Lunar New Year observances.
Commodity markets showed mixed results, with U.S. futures trending downward and petroleum prices displaying varied movement. Both gold and silver values decreased during trading.
Disappointing economic information released on Monday seemed to dampen investor confidence in Tokyo trading, with technology conglomerate SoftBank Group suffering a substantial 6.2% drop that contributed to the broader market decline. These losses came after a significant market surge that followed Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s ruling party achieving a decisive victory in the February 8 general election.
The Nikkei 225 stood at 56,237.65 by the midday trading session, representing a 1% decrease.
Market analysts suggested that investors were likely securing gains from the recent upward momentum that pushed the Nikkei to historic highs. Public opinion surveys indicate that Takaichi’s approval ratings are gradually declining as enthusiasm wanes for her economic recovery proposals involving increased government expenditures and tax reductions.
Other active Asian markets showed varied performance, with Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 climbing 0.3% to reach 8,964.10, while India’s Sensex dropped slightly by 0.1%. Thailand’s SET index experienced a minor decline of less than 0.2%.
Monday’s European trading session concluded with mixed results, and U.S. markets remained closed in observance of Presidents Day. American exchanges are scheduled to resume operations on Tuesday.
Last Friday’s U.S. trading saw the S&P 500 gain marginally by less than 0.1% following one of its most significant drops since Thanksgiving. The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 0.1%, while the Nasdaq composite fell 0.2%.
Stock valuations have been fluctuating alongside changing investor sentiment regarding substantial artificial intelligence investments. Market participants continue monitoring inflation trends and potential impacts on interest rate policies.
Early Tuesday commodity trading showed benchmark U.S. crude oil rising 65 cents to reach $63.54 per barrel. Meanwhile, Brent crude, which serves as the global pricing standard, decreased 29 cents to $68.36 per barrel.
Currency markets saw the U.S. dollar weaken to 153.17 Japanese yen from the previous 153.51 yen. The euro traded at $1.1841, declining from $1.1852.
Precious metals faced pressure with gold prices falling 1.4% and silver dropping 3.4%.
Digital currency Bitcoin declined 0.6% to approximately $68,500.
GUATEMALA CITY — Guatemalan officials concluded their state of emergency on Monday, bringing to a close a month-long period of expanded government authority that began after gang members murdered 10 police officers.
President Bernardo Arévalo had requested the extraordinary powers following the deadly attacks on law enforcement personnel by suspected criminal organization members.
During the emergency period, certain constitutional protections were suspended, giving law enforcement the ability to detain suspects without obtaining judicial warrants. These expanded arrest powers will end as the country transitions to less severe security measures beginning Tuesday, though Arévalo has not specified the exact nature of these upcoming policies.
Unlike the emergency declaration, the replacement security measures will not need legislative approval or periodic extensions.
Speaking on Sunday, Arévalo reported that law enforcement had detained 83 gang members throughout the emergency period. He also claimed that both murder rates and extortion complaints had decreased compared to the corresponding timeframe from the previous year, though he did not release specific statistics.
Guatemala’s temporary emergency powers stand in sharp contrast to the extended extraordinary measures in neighboring El Salvador, where President Nayib Bukele has maintained similar anti-gang authorities through monthly legislative renewals for almost four years.
The deadly attacks on Guatemalan police occurred in January when criminal groups struck back at law enforcement following government efforts to suppress uprisings at three correctional facilities.
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Tuesday that his government refuses to bring home 34 women and children who allegedly have connections to ISIS and are currently detained in Syria.
The group, representing 11 different families, had been scheduled to travel from Damascus back to Australia, but Syrian officials sent them back to the Roj detention facility in northeastern Syria on Monday due to administrative complications, according to government sources.
Since ISIS fell from power in 2019, Australia has assisted in bringing home only two groups of its citizens from Syrian detention camps. Additional Australians have managed to return on their own without official government support.
When asked about reports suggesting the most recent group possessed Australian passports, Albanese declined to provide details.
“We’re providing absolutely no support and we are not repatriating people,” Albanese told Australian Broadcasting Corp. in Melbourne.
“We have no sympathy, frankly, for people who traveled overseas in order to participate in what was an attempt to establish a caliphate to undermine, destroy, our way of life. And so, as my mother would say, ‘You make your bed, you lie in it,’” Albanese added.
The Prime Minister referenced how the international organization Save the Children was unable to convince Australian courts that the government bore legal responsibility for bringing citizens home from Syrian detention facilities.
Following a 2024 federal court decision that sided with the government, Save the Children Australia’s chief executive Mat Tinkler maintained that officials still carried a moral duty to repatriate these families, even without legal requirements.
Albanese warned that if members of this latest group somehow reached Australia independently, they would face criminal charges.
Australian law made it illegal to visit the former ISIS territory of al-Raqqa province without valid justification between 2014 and 2017. Violators could face up to a decade behind bars.
“It’s unfortunate that children are impacted by this as well, but we are not providing any support. And if anyone does manage to find their way back to Australia, then they’ll face the full force of the law, if any laws have been broken,” Albanese added.
The most recent successful repatriation occurred in October 2022, when a group arrived in Sydney.
That group included four women who had been partners of ISIS supporters, along with 13 children.
Government officials had determined this group faced the greatest risk among approximately 60 Australian women and children being held at Roj camp, authorities explained at that time.
In 2019, the previous conservative administration brought home eight children whose fathers were Australian ISIS fighters who had been killed.
The topic of ISIS supporters has gained renewed attention in Australia following a deadly attack at a Jewish festival at Bondi Beach on December 14 that killed 15 people. Authorities believe the perpetrators drew inspiration from ISIS.
Delaware State University’s baseball team got off to a challenging start this season, dropping both games of their opening doubleheader and being held scoreless in the process.
The Hornets were defeated 10-0 by VMI in what marked a difficult beginning to their 2026 campaign. The shutout loss left the team searching for answers as they look to bounce back from the disappointing season debut.
With the twin defeats, Delaware State now sits at 0-2 as they prepare to regroup and work on the issues that plagued them in their first outing of the year.
The Hornets will need to address their offensive struggles and tighten up their defense as they move forward in the early portion of their schedule.
The Delaware State University Hornets softball squad got off to a rough start this season, suffering a crushing 20-0 shutout loss to the University of Virginia in their opening game.
The Dover-based Hornets were unable to generate any offensive momentum against the Cavaliers, failing to cross home plate throughout the entire contest. Meanwhile, Virginia’s offense exploded for 20 runs in what became a one-sided affair.
The lopsided defeat marks a challenging beginning to the new campaign for Delaware State’s softball program. The team will look to regroup and bounce back from this difficult season opener as they continue their schedule.
This represents the first game of what the Hornets hope will be an improved season despite the setback against the ACC opponent from Charlottesville.
The Delaware State University women’s basketball team experienced a challenging night on the court, falling to Howard University by a score of 68-51 in their recent matchup.
While the Hornets struggled as a team, they did see a notable individual performance from Scott, who managed to reach double-digit scoring in the contest. However, her efforts were not sufficient to lift Delaware State to victory against their opponents.
The loss adds to the season’s challenges for the Hornets as they continue their campaign. The team will need to regroup and focus on their upcoming games as they work to improve their performance on both ends of the court.
Delaware State will look to bounce back from this setback as they prepare for their next scheduled contest.
The mayor of Los Angeles is publicly demanding that the leader of the 2028 Olympic Games organizing committee step down after revelations about his past communications with Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted associate of Jeffrey Epstein.
Mayor Karen Bass stated Monday that Casey Wasserman should resign from his role as chairman of LA28, the committee responsible for planning the upcoming Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
The controversy stems from Justice Department documents released in late January that revealed flirtatious email correspondence between Wasserman and Maxwell from over twenty years ago. Maxwell was the longtime companion of Jeffrey Epstein, both of whom were later convicted on sex trafficking charges.
While Wasserman has stated he never maintained personal or professional ties with Epstein, he has publicly expressed regret for his connection to Maxwell, emphasizing that their association occurred years before either individual’s criminal activities became known.
Last week, the LA28 board conducted an investigation and determined that Wasserman should remain in his leadership position. Their review concluded that his connections to Epstein and Maxwell were limited to what had already been made public.
Speaking to CNN, Bass expressed her disagreement with this decision. “My opinion is that he should step down,” the mayor stated. “That’s not the opinion of the board.”
According to the board’s findings, Wasserman’s involvement with these individuals dates back 23 years, when he and his former spouse participated in a humanitarian trip to Africa. They traveled on Epstein’s aircraft at the request of the Clinton Foundation, during a time when neither Wasserman nor the general public were aware of any criminal conduct.
LA28 officials indicated this African mission represented Wasserman’s only direct interaction with Epstein, and the email exchanges with Maxwell occurred shortly afterward.
The organizing committee’s board commended Wasserman for his “strong leadership” during his decade-long tenure with LA28.
Bass acknowledged she lacks the authority to remove Wasserman from his position, noting her primary responsibility involves ensuring Los Angeles is ready to host the Games.
“The board made a decision,” Bass explained. “I think that decision was unfortunate, I don’t support the decision. I do think that we need to look at the leadership.”
Despite her concerns about the leadership situation, the mayor emphasized her commitment to the Olympic preparation process.
“However, my job as mayor of Los Angeles is to make sure that our city is completely prepared to have the best Olympics that has ever happened in Olympic history,” she said. “So my focus is a little different, but the behavior of Maxwell, what they were involved in is abhorrent, and it’s an issue that I’ve worked on for a long time.”
Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Wasserman has begun the process of selling his talent and marketing company. He reportedly informed his employees that he felt he had “become a distraction” to the business and decided to move forward with the sale.
Investment firm Elliott has acquired a stake exceeding 10% in Norwegian Cruise Line and intends to advocate for operational reforms at the cruise company, according to a Wall Street Journal report published Monday that cited sources with knowledge of the situation.
Reuters was unable to independently confirm the Wall Street Journal’s reporting.
Norwegian Cruise Line has not yet provided a response to Reuters’ inquiry for comment.
Data compiled by LSEG shows Norwegian’s stock price has dropped more than 11% during 2025, while competitor cruise lines Royal Caribbean and Carnival have experienced increases due to robust consumer demand and elevated ticket pricing.
Just last week, Norwegian Cruise named John Chidsey, the former chief executive of Subway Restaurants, as its new leader, taking over from Harry Sommer.
The cruise company has previously indicated that its fourth-quarter earnings, scheduled for release later this month, will likely fall short of analyst projections.
In contrast, competitor Royal Caribbean released projections last month forecasting continued strong consumer interest, as wealthy travelers maintain their preference for ocean-based vacation experiences.
According to Monday’s Wall Street Journal report, Elliott has privately contacted Adam Goldstein, who previously served as president and chief operating officer at Royal Caribbean, regarding a potential nomination to Norwegian Cruise’s board of directors.
The investment firm seeks to enhance Norwegian Cruise’s financial results and customer satisfaction, the report stated, observing that Elliott considers Royal Caribbean to have successfully managed both areas and recognizes that Norwegian Cruise has achieved a solid recovery in the past.
NORFOLK, Va., Feb. 11, 2026—Two Delaware State University track and field competitors have been recognized with Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference weekly awards.
Sophomore Ian Cain received the distinction of MEAC Men’s Track Athlete of the Week, while his DSU teammate Christopher Johnson was honored as the conference’s Men’s Field Athlete of the Week.
The weekly honors highlight the strong performance of Delaware State’s men’s indoor track and field program as the season continues.
Delaware State University’s equestrian team delivered an impressive performance at home, defeating UT Martin by a score of 12-6 in Dover.
The Hornets showcased their skills with outstanding performances in both the Jumping Seat and Western categories, leading them to a commanding win over their opponents.
The victory highlights the strength of Delaware State’s equestrian program as they continue their competitive season with solid results across multiple riding disciplines.
The Delaware State University equestrian squad delivered an impressive performance in Western riding disciplines, claiming victory 6-3 in that category, though they ultimately suffered an 11-8 defeat against tenth-ranked UC Davis during NCEA competition action in Dover.
The Hornets demonstrated their strength in Western events, showcasing the talent that has made them competitive in collegiate equestrian sports. Despite the overall loss to the highly-ranked UC Davis team, Delaware State’s Western riders proved they could compete with top-tier programs.
The close final score reflects the competitive nature of the match, with Delaware State’s Western dominance keeping the contest tight throughout the competition held on their home turf.
Three student-athletes from Goldey-Beacom College earned recognition from the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference this week for their exceptional performances on the field and court.
Senior pitcher Kory Williams, who hails from Pennsauken, New Jersey, received the conference’s Baseball Pitcher of the Week award. The Lightning also had sophomore Jaime Neris Jr. from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, earn a spot on the baseball Weekly Honor Roll.
The college’s men’s basketball program was also represented in the weekly honors, with junior Emarquis Jones of Brooklyn, New York, being selected for the Men’s Basketball Weekly Honor Roll.
The multiple recognitions highlight the strong athletic performances across different sports programs at the Wilmington-based college during the current competitive season.
The Goldey-Beacom College Lightning baseball team showcased exceptional pitching in a doubleheader sweep today in Cary, North Carolina.
The Delaware-based Lightning started their day with a narrow 1-0 shutout victory against Franklin Pierce University before following up with a commanding 7-0 blanking of Mercy College.
Both games demonstrated the team’s strong defensive play and pitching prowess, with Lightning hurlers preventing their opponents from crossing home plate in either contest.
The doubleheader sweep marks a successful road trip for the Goldey-Beacom program as they continue their season away from their Wilmington campus.
Athletes from Goldey-Beacom College turned in impressive performances during weekend competition at the Widener Indoor Classic, with both men’s and women’s track and field squads delivering notable results.
The Lightning’s track and field programs showcased their talents during the indoor meet, demonstrating the strength of both their male and female competitors across various events.
The weekend competition provided an opportunity for Goldey-Beacom’s student-athletes to test their skills against other collegiate programs in an indoor setting, with the teams representing the college well in their respective events.
Goldey-Beacom College’s baseball team launched their 2026 season with contrasting outcomes during their opening weekend in Cary, North Carolina.
The Lightning, who enter the season with regional rankings, secured a 7-5 win against Franklin Pierce University in their season opener, marking a successful start against another regionally-ranked opponent.
However, the team couldn’t maintain that momentum in their second contest, falling to Mercy College by a score of 11-6.
The split results give Goldey-Beacom a 1-1 record as they begin what they hope will be a successful campaign in 2026.
The Goldey-Beacom Lightning men’s basketball team returned to winning ways Tuesday night, defeating Georgian Court 89-79 in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference play at their home court in Wilmington.
The Lightning dominated the second half, converting 60 percent of their field goal attempts to pull away from a determined Georgian Court team that kept the game competitive throughout.
This victory marks the Lightning’s ninth win in their past ten contests, continuing their strong recent performance as they build momentum in conference play.
The home win showcased Goldey-Beacom’s ability to execute when it mattered most, using their second-half shooting surge to overcome Georgian Court’s persistent efforts and secure the double-digit victory.
The Goldey-Beacom Lightning women’s basketball team dropped a conference matchup against Georgian Court on Thursday evening, falling 73-52 at their home court in Wilmington.
The Lightning hosted the visiting team at the Joseph West Jones Center, where they battled their Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference rivals but ultimately came up short by 21 points.
The defeat marks another challenging game for Goldey-Beacom as they continue their season against CACC competition.
Three student-athletes from Goldey-Beacom College earned recognition on the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Weekly Honor Roll for basketball this week.
On the men’s side, junior players Julian Williams from Fayetteville, North Carolina, and Emarquis Jones from Brooklyn, New York, were both selected for the Men’s Basketball Weekly Honor Roll.
The women’s basketball program also had representation, with junior Genesis Garcia from Aguada, Puerto Rico, earning a spot on the Women’s Basketball Weekly Honor Roll.
The weekly honors recognize outstanding individual performances by student-athletes across the CACC conference during recent games.
The Goldey-Beacom Lightning’s remarkable run came to a disappointing conclusion Thursday night, as the team suffered a narrow 80-78 defeat on the road against Felician University in Rutherford, New Jersey.
The highly anticipated matchup between the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference’s two leading teams delivered the thrilling contest that fans expected, though the outcome wasn’t what Lightning supporters had hoped for.
The loss brings an end to Goldey-Beacom’s impressive eight-game winning streak, marking their first defeat since their hot streak began. The two-point margin highlights just how competitive the game remained throughout, with both teams battling for conference supremacy.
The Lightning will now look to regroup and start a new winning streak as they continue their conference schedule.
The Goldey-Beacom Lightning women’s basketball team encountered a challenging road game this week, traveling to Rutherford, New Jersey to take on Felician University.
The Lightning faced an uphill battle against the Golden Falcons, who currently hold the runner-up position in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference standings. Goldey-Beacom was unable to keep pace with their opponents throughout the contest, ultimately suffering a decisive 90-49 defeat.
The loss highlights the competitive nature of conference play as the Lightning continue their season against strong opposition within the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference.
The Goldey-Beacom College track and field programs began their 2025-26 athletic season by competing at the Fastrack National Invite held in Staten Island, New York.
Both the men’s and women’s teams from the Wilmington-based college are entering this season with considerable momentum from their previous campaign. The men’s squad achieved a historic milestone last year by capturing their first-ever Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference championship in program history.
Meanwhile, the women’s team also had a strong showing in conference competition, securing a third-place finish in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference standings.
These impressive results from the previous season have created elevated expectations and optimism for both programs as they embark on their current campaign. The Lightning teams will look to build upon their recent success throughout the 2025-26 season.
HAMPTON, Va. – The Salisbury University women’s swimming program delivered a dominant performance this weekend, capturing their second straight New Jersey Athletic Conference championship title at the Hampton Aquaplex.
Unlike last season’s nail-biting finish that earned the Sea Gulls their inaugural conference crown, this year’s victory was decisive from start to finish. The nationally-ranked 24th team controlled the four-day competition, accumulating an impressive 1,635 total points.
The Sea Gulls’ commanding lead left little doubt about the outcome, as they finished more than 600 points ahead of runner-up Mary Washington, which earned 987.5 points. Rowan University claimed third place with 971.5 points in the 10-team field at the 2026 NJAC Swimming & Diving Championships that concluded Sunday.
The back-to-back conference titles mark a significant achievement for the Salisbury program, demonstrating the team’s growth from last year’s dramatic championship victory to this season’s wire-to-wire dominance.
Veteran television journalist Anderson Cooper announced Monday his departure from CBS’s long-running newsmagazine ’60 Minutes’ after nearly two decades, citing his desire to spend more quality time with his young children.
Cooper, who has simultaneously worked for both CBS and CNN since 2006, will continue hosting his nightly program ‘Anderson Cooper 360′ on CNN while wrapping up his remaining commitments to ’60 Minutes’ through the current season, which concludes in May.
The correspondent made his announcement during a period of internal challenges at the prestigious Sunday evening news program. Cooper’s most recent appearance was this past Sunday, where he presented a segment featuring documentary filmmaker Ken Burns.
‘Being a correspondent at ’60 Minutes’ has been one of the great honors of my career,’ Cooper stated. ‘I got to tell amazing stories, and work with some of the best producers, editors and camera crew in the business. For nearly 20 years, I’ve been able to balance my jobs and CNN and CBS, but I have little kids now and I want to spend as much time with them as possible, while they still want to spend time with me.’
Cooper’s departure coincides with ongoing tensions within the newsroom under the leadership of Bari Weiss, who became CBS News editor-in-chief last fall. The timing has sparked speculation about potential connections between his exit and recent editorial decisions at the network.
The journalist began contributing to ’60 Minutes’ during the 2006-2007 season through an unusual arrangement that allowed him to maintain his primary role at CNN, where his evening show has aired since 2003.
CBS News released a statement acknowledging Cooper’s contributions over the past two decades. ‘We’re grateful to him for dedicating so much of his life to this broadcast, and understand the importance of spending more time with family,’ the network said. ”60 Minutes’ will be here if he ever wants to return.’
The newsmagazine has faced recent controversies, including a December incident where leadership postponed a report from correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi about immigration policies from the previous Trump administration. Network executives requested additional efforts to secure interviews with administration officials, though Alfonsi reportedly viewed the decision as politically motivated. The piece eventually aired one month later with supplementary comments but no on-camera interviews.
Additionally, the program became entangled in legal action when former President Donald Trump filed a lawsuit over the handling of an interview with 2024 election candidate Kamala Harris. CBS’s parent company Paramount Global ultimately reached an out-of-court settlement with Trump, causing frustration among some staff members.
The online news outlet Breaker initially broke the story of Cooper’s departure from CBS.
The Salisbury University men’s swimming program added another impressive achievement to its resume this weekend, capturing second place at the New Jersey Athletic Conference Swimming and Diving Championships held in Hampton, Virginia.
The Sea Gulls, currently ranked 18th nationally, concluded their championship run on Sunday at the Hampton Aquaplex, demonstrating the program’s continued improvement within conference standings. The team’s silver medal performance represents their ongoing progress as they work their way up through the league hierarchy.
Sunday marked the conclusion of the four-day championship event, where Salisbury’s swimmers competed against other NJAC institutions for conference supremacy. The strong finish caps off what has been a successful season for the Sea Gulls’ swimming program.
Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner made a strong comeback Monday, securing a commanding 6-1, 6-4 victory over Czech player Tomas Machac during opening round action at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha. This marked Sinner’s return to competition following a heartbreaking semifinal defeat at the Australian Open in late January.
The second-seeded Sinner, who had claimed back-to-back Australian Open titles before falling to Novak Djokovic in a five-set thriller (3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4) in Melbourne, showed no signs of that disappointment on Monday. The Italian played flawless tennis, avoiding any break point situations while limiting his unforced errors to just nine throughout the match.
Russia’s Daniil Medvedev, seeded fourth and the 2023 tournament winner in Doha, also cruised through his opening match with a 6-4, 6-2 triumph over China’s Juncheng Shang.
Czech Republic’s Jakub Mensik, the sixth seed, managed to overcome British qualifier Jan Choinski in three sets, 6-7 (6), 6-2, 6-4. Other players advancing included Australia’s Alexei Popyrin and French competitors Arthur Fils and Valentin Royer.
At the Delray Beach Open in Florida, American Alex Michelsen dominated on serve, capturing 86% of his service points in a 7-6 (4), 6-4 upset victory over Monaco’s sixth-seeded Valentin Vacherot. Michelsen’s serving was particularly sharp, winning an impressive 92.3% of points when landing his first serve (36 of 39 attempts).
American Frances Tiafoe, the eighth seed and 2018 Delray Beach champion, advanced with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Australian qualifier Rinky Hijikata. Fellow American Marcos Giron also moved forward, defeating Japanese qualifier Sho Shimabukuro 6-3, 7-5. France’s Terence Atmane and Hong Kong’s Chak Lam Coleman Wong also claimed first-round victories.
The Rio Open saw a disappointing day for Brazilian tennis, as all three home country players competing Monday suffered first-round exits.
Peru’s Ignacio Buse mounted a comeback to eliminate Brazilian qualifier Igor Marcondes 4-6, 7-5, 6-4. Czech player Vit Kopriva defeated Brazil’s Gustavo Heide 6-2, 7-6 (5), while Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann ousted Joao Lucas Reis Da Silva 7-6 (3), 6-4.
In Monday’s biggest upset, Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic, who entered as a lucky loser from qualifying, knocked out Germany’s seventh-seeded Daniel Altmaier 6-4, 7-6 (7). Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo and Argentina’s Thiago Agustin Tirante both advanced with straight-set victories.
An Australian federal court has imposed a $11.3 million penalty on Mobil Oil Australia for deceiving customers about the quality of gasoline sold at service stations across Queensland, according to the nation’s competition watchdog announced Tuesday.
The company, which distributes gasoline, diesel and other petroleum products to Australian retailers and operates under the ownership of energy giant Exxon Mobil, faced legal action from regulators over deceptive marketing practices.
Australia’s Competition and Consumer Commission brought the case to court in 2024, charging that the petroleum supplier had deceived customers regarding fuel quality at six branded service stations throughout Queensland.
On Tuesday, the oil company acknowledged it had provided false information to consumers from August 2020 through July 2024, incorrectly advertising that its “Mobil Synergy Fuel” included specific performance-enhancing additives, according to the commission’s announcement.
The deceptive practices took place at nine Mobil service stations across northern and central Queensland communities, including Aitkenvale, Barcaldine, Berserker, Biloela, Guthalungra, Proserpine, Rasmussen, Rural View and Yeppoon.
According to the regulatory agency, the gasoline provided to these locations was identical or nearly identical to standard fuel without additives available at competing non-Mobil retail locations.
The commission stated that the false advertising occurred through various signs and promotional materials at the nine service stations that highlighted the supposed advantages of Mobil Synergy Fuel.
“Petrol is an essential good for most households, and there is no way of knowing what you’re putting in your tank other than relying on the signage provided by the retailer,” stated ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh.
“We considered it very likely that some people chose to fill up at these petrol stations because they thought they were getting a different quality of petrol with particular benefits for their car engine,” Keogh added.
The commission confirmed that the company’s actions violated Australian consumer protection laws.
According to the regulator, Mobil has committed to working jointly with the commission to present proposed court orders and penalties to the judge.
The petroleum company did not provide an immediate response to requests for comment from news outlets.
British heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury revealed Monday that Anthony Joshua’s devastating car accident in Nigeria became the pivotal moment that convinced him to end his retirement and step back into the boxing ring.
The former heavyweight titleholder Joshua suffered minor injuries in the December crash that tragically took the lives of two members of his training team – strength and conditioning coach Sina Ghami and trainer Latif “Latz” Ayodele.
Speaking to media at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where he’s scheduled to battle Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11 for his comeback fight, Fury explained how the tragedy influenced his thinking.
“The biggest turning point in this comeback for me was the tragedy that happened with Anthony Joshua,” Fury stated during Monday’s press conference.
“I hear all that bad news that’s gone on and I thought, you know what, life is very short, very precious and very fragile.
“Tomorrow is a mystery, we have to live for today. And me living for that day, I made my mind up there and then that I’m going to come back to boxing – because it’s something that I love, I’m passionate about and that I’ve always been in love with.”
The 37-year-old fighter officially announced his comeback from retirement this past January. His upcoming match will mark his first time in the ring since suffering a defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024, ending his second reign as world heavyweight champion.
Investment banking giant Goldman Sachs is reportedly moving to eliminate diversity considerations from its board member selection process, according to a Monday report from The Wall Street Journal.
Sources familiar with the situation told the publication that the financial services company intends to stop considering race, gender identity, sexual orientation, and similar diversity elements when its board evaluates prospective candidates.
Reuters has not been able to independently confirm the Wall Street Journal’s reporting at this time.
SALISBURY, Md. – Salisbury University’s men’s tennis program, currently ranked 39th nationally, secured a commanding 7-0 victory against the Goucher College Gophers this past Sunday at the university’s Indoor Tennis Center.
The decisive win held special significance as it marked the inaugural official match triumph for newly appointed head coach Tyler Linscott, who recently took over leadership of the Sea Gulls tennis program.
The Sea Gulls dominated across all match-ups during the afternoon competition, shutting out their opponents completely in what proved to be a strong opening performance under their new coaching leadership.
SCRANTON, Pa. – The Salisbury University men’s lacrosse squad showcased their championship caliber with a dominant 20-3 triumph over Scranton University’s Royals during Saturday’s matchup at Weiss Field.
The second-ranked Sea Gulls established complete control from the opening faceoff, executing a perfect first half that featured 13 consecutive goals without allowing a single score from their opponents. This overwhelming offensive display set the tone for what would become a lopsided victory.
The afternoon contest demonstrated Salisbury’s offensive prowess and defensive discipline as they maintained their momentum throughout the game. The Sea Gulls’ ability to dominate both ends of the field proved too much for the Royals to overcome.
This decisive victory continues Salisbury’s strong season performance and reinforces their position as one of the top-ranked programs in collegiate men’s lacrosse.
WASHINGTON, DC – Salisbury University’s women’s lacrosse squad delivered a dominant performance on Saturday, defeating the Catholic University of America Cardinals by a score of 17-9 at Carlini Field.
The Sea Gulls, currently holding the third position in national rankings, secured their second victory away from home within a span of four days. The team’s strong showing in the nation’s capital demonstrated their continued excellence on the road this season.
Saturday’s matchup saw Salisbury control the game against the Cardinals, building a substantial lead through consistent offensive pressure and solid defensive play throughout the contest.
SALISBURY, Md. – Salisbury University’s baseball program kicked off the 2026 season in dominant fashion Saturday, as the nationally fifth-ranked Sea Gulls delivered a stunning doubleheader sweep against the visiting Moravian Greyhounds at Donnie Williams Sea Gull Baseball Stadium.
The Sea Gulls showcased an explosive offensive performance throughout both contests, shutting out their opponents by scores of 30-0 and 13-0. Each game was completed in seven innings on Saturday afternoon.
The overwhelming victories marked an impressive start to the new campaign for the highly-ranked Salisbury squad, demonstrating the team’s offensive firepower right from the season’s opening day.
HAMPTON, Va. – Salisbury University’s women’s swimming program, currently ranked 24th nationally, moved closer to capturing their second straight New Jersey Athletic Conference championship following an outstanding performance on Saturday.
The Sea Gulls demonstrated their dominance during the third day of competition at the 2026 NJAC Swimming & Diving Championships, held at Hampton Aquaplex in Virginia.
With their strong showing throughout the weekend, Salisbury appears well-positioned to defend their conference title and claim consecutive NJAC crowns.
HAMPTON, Va. – A senior leader from Salisbury University’s 18th-ranked men’s swimming squad captured his first championship title, capping off an impressive third day of competition at the 2026 New Jersey Athletic Conference Swimming & Diving Championships on Saturday at the Hampton Aquaplex.
Dominic Kazzi earned the top spot in the 100-yard breaststroke, marking a breakthrough victory for the veteran swimmer who had been seeking his first conference gold medal. The triumph highlighted another solid performance for the Sea Gulls, who continue to hold their position as strong contenders in the team standings.
The championship meet showcased the depth and talent of Salisbury’s swimming program, with the team maintaining their competitive edge throughout the multi-day event. Kazzi’s victory represents the culmination of years of training and dedication as he approaches the end of his collegiate swimming career.
Competition at the NJAC Championships continues as teams battle for conference supremacy in the pool, with Salisbury’s swimmers looking to build on their momentum from Saturday’s successful session.
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Salisbury University’s women’s basketball squad secured an important conference victory during their weekend road trip, defeating the University of Mary Washington on Saturday afternoon.
The Sea Gulls claimed a crucial win in SCORE conference play, adding another victory to their season record while competing away from their home court.
The triumph in Fredericksburg, Virginia represents a significant achievement for the Salisbury program as they continue their campaign in conference competition.
SALISBURY, Md. – Salisbury University’s women’s tennis squad kicked off their 2026 campaign with a narrow defeat on Saturday, falling to Stevens University by a score of 4-3 at the SU Outdoor Tennis Center.
The Sea Gulls battled hard in their home opener but came up just short against the visiting Ducks in what proved to be a closely contested match. The one-point margin highlighted the competitive nature of the season-opening encounter.
The match took place on Saturday afternoon at Salisbury University’s outdoor tennis facility, marking the beginning of what the Sea Gulls hope will be a successful 2026 season despite the disappointing start.
The University of Delaware Blue Hens baseball squad is gearing up for their inaugural home game of the season as they prepare to face off against La Salle.
The team will be taking the field at their home diamond for the first time this season, marking an important milestone in their campaign. This matchup represents the official start of home games for the Blue Hens as they look to establish momentum on familiar territory.
The contest against La Salle will give local fans their first opportunity to see the team in action at home this year, as the Blue Hens work to build on their early season performance.
DALLAS – University of Delaware senior basketball standout Justyn Fernandez has captured his second Conference USA Player of the Week award this season, recognition that comes after he powered the Fightin’ Blue Hens to two wins in league action over the past week.
The weekly honor highlights Fernandez’s outstanding performance as he continues to lead Delaware’s men’s basketball team through conference play. His efforts helped the Blue Hens maintain their perfect 2-0 record during the week in Conference USA matchups.
This marks the second time this season that the senior has received the prestigious weekly recognition from Conference USA officials, underscoring his consistent impact on the court for the Delaware program.
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware men’s basketball squad is preparing to make program history this Wednesday evening at the Bob Carpenter Center as they welcome Western Kentucky for what will be the Blue Hens’ inaugural UDance Night celebration.
This milestone event represents a first for the Delaware basketball program, combining athletic competition with the university’s signature dance marathon tradition. The Blue Hens will take the court against the visiting Western Kentucky team in what promises to be a memorable evening for fans and players alike.
The matchup is scheduled to tip off Wednesday night at the Bob Carpenter Center in Newark, where Delaware supporters will have the opportunity to witness this historic moment in Blue Hens basketball.
The University of Delaware Blue Hens softball team delivered an exciting finish to their home-opening weekend, completing a doubleheader sweep against Saint Joseph’s on Sunday, February 15th.
The Blue Hens dominated the opening contest, securing an 11-3 victory that concluded after six innings due to the run rule. Delaware’s offensive power was on full display as they built a commanding lead throughout the game.
Game two provided much more drama for the home crowd. Trailing entering the bottom of the seventh inning, the Blue Hens mounted a spectacular comeback, scoring three runs in their final at-bat to secure a walk-off victory over the Hawks.
The doubleheader victories capped off a successful 3-2 record for Delaware’s opening weekend at home. The Blue Hens demonstrated both their offensive capabilities in the first game and their resilience in the nightcap, showing they can win games in multiple ways.
The dramatic finish in game two highlighted the team’s ability to perform under pressure, with the seventh-inning rally providing an exciting conclusion for fans in attendance at the home opener.
NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware ice hockey squad has learned their fate for the upcoming Atlantic Hockey America Championship tournament following the conclusion of regular season play.
The Blue Hens, who earned the seventh seed in the tournament, are set to clash with sixth-seeded Robert Morris in their opening playoff matchup on Thursday, February 19. The game will take place in St. Charles, Missouri, with the opening faceoff scheduled for 2 p.m. Eastern Time.
Fans who want to follow the action can watch the game via streaming on FloHockey.
The matchup represents a crucial postseason opportunity for Delaware’s hockey program as they look to advance through the AHA Championship bracket.
Crude oil markets showed little movement Tuesday as global investors monitored potential supply chain disruptions following Iranian military exercises near a critical shipping corridor, coinciding with upcoming nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran scheduled for later in the day.
Former President Donald Trump announced Monday his “indirect” participation in the Geneva discussions, expressing optimism that Iran seeks to reach an agreement. Over the weekend, Trump stated that changing Iran’s government “would be the best thing that could happen.”
Brent crude futures dropped 0.2% to $68.59 per barrel by 0106 GMT, after climbing 1.3% the previous day.
West Texas Intermediate crude reached $63.73 per barrel, gaining 84 cents or 1.34%, though this increase reflected Monday’s trading activity since the contract lacked settlement due to the Presidents Day federal holiday.
Several major markets remained closed Tuesday for Lunar New Year celebrations, including those in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea and Singapore.
“The market remains unsettled amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainties,” stated Daniel Hynes, an ANZ analyst, in a research publication.
“Should tensions in the Middle East ease, or meaningful progress be made in the Ukraine situation, the risk premium currently built into oil prices could swiftly unwind. However, any negative outcome or further escalation could prove to be bullish for oil.”
Iranian forces launched military exercises Monday in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial international shipping lane and petroleum export channel for Gulf Arab nations, who continue advocating for diplomatic solutions to resolve the ongoing dispute.
Iran, alongside OPEC partners Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Iraq, ships the majority of their petroleum through this waterway, primarily destined for Asian markets.
Financial firm Citi indicated that if Russian supply interruptions maintain Brent prices between $65 and $70 per barrel over the coming months, OPEC+ will likely respond by boosting production using available capacity.
OPEC+ appears inclined toward resuming oil production increases beginning in April, according to three alliance sources, as the organization prepares for peak summer consumption while price stability benefits from US-Iran diplomatic tensions.
“It is our base case that both Iran and Russia-Ukraine deals happen by or during the summer of this year, contributing to a decline in prices to $60-62/bbl Brent,” Citi reported.
Boxing legends Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather Jr. have tentatively scheduled their highly anticipated exhibition match, with reports indicating the bout will occur in Africa next spring.
Sources suggest the exhibition is planned for April 25, 2026, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The venue would be Kinshasa, Congo, the same historic location that hosted the legendary “Rumble in the Jungle” championship fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman back in 1974.
The 59-year-old “Iron” Mike Tyson, who holds a professional record of 50-7 with 2 no contests, recently returned to the ring against Jake Paul in a Netflix-streamed event on November 15, 2024. Tyson was defeated by unanimous decision in that eight-round contest and hasn’t secured a victory since his February 22, 2003 win over Clifford Etienne.
Meanwhile, 48-year-old Floyd “Money” Mayweather, who maintains his perfect 50-0 professional record, last competed against John Gotti III on August 24, 2024. This marked Mayweather’s eighth exhibition since hanging up his gloves as an undefeated champion following his victory over MMA fighter Conor McGregor in August 2017.
Initial announcements about the potential matchup surfaced in September 2025, though specific details remained scarce. Questions arose about the fight’s status when Mayweather’s exhibition against Mike Zambidis was scheduled for June 27 in Athens, Greece.
However, Tyson confirmed the plans during a Friday interview with TMZ, stating: “Yeah, that’s happening. You think I’d give that up? I was minding my business, he challenged me!”
MILAN, Feb 16 – Japanese figure skater Ryuichi Kihara revealed he performed through constant tears during his historic Olympic comeback, as he and skating partner Riku Miura delivered Japan’s inaugural pairs figure skating gold medal with an emotionally charged performance Monday.
The accomplished duo, who hold two world championship titles, faced heartbreak after placing fifth in Sunday’s short program following a costly lift mistake. However, they bounced back with a commanding free skate routine set to the Gladiator theme that their coaching team described as fueled by determination, faith, and seven years of perseverance.
The 33-year-old Kihara admitted he arrived at practice still emotionally affected by their previous performance and unable to move past the error.
“I couldn’t stop crying since this morning, I just couldn’t bounce back from yesterday’s mistake, I really couldn’t snap out of it, the tears kept flowing … even on the ice I couldn’t stop crying,” he explained, though he credited the overwhelming support from others with helping him regain focus.
“Riku, my coach, my friends in Japan… everyone around me sent me messages of support. Everyone said it’s not over yet… Normally I’m the stronger one but this time around Riku really supported me,” Kihara added.
His 24-year-old partner Miura explained that witnessing Kihara’s emotional state motivated her to step up as the team’s anchor.
“Ryuichi has been crying since this morning, and so I felt like I needed to be strong and support him and help him focus,” Miura stated.
The skating partnership, which began in 2019, arrived at the Olympics as top contenders following their victory at December’s Grand Prix Final in Nagoya and their first-place finish in the pairs portion of the team competition, where they contributed to Japan’s silver medal.
However, their journey has been marked by significant physical challenges. Kihara has dealt with ongoing back problems, while Miura has consistently competed despite a shoulder that frequently dislocates. During the 2025 Japan Championships, she popped her shoulder back into place during warmups after it dislocated, then went on to achieve a personal-best short program score.
Their free skate routine embodied these battles through its themes of warfare, endurance, and victory.
Performing to Andrea Bocelli’s rendition of music from the “Gladiator” film score, the pair executed each element with the precision that had eluded them the day before, their movements reflecting the toughness that has characterized their collaboration.
“We made a huge mistake yesterday but for the past seven years we’ve worked so hard … we have grown over the last seven years,” Miura reflected, explaining their mindset to “forget what happened yesterday and start from scratch.”
This groundbreaking gold medal represents another significant achievement for Japan in a sport traditionally controlled by European and North American teams. Prior to earning world silver in 2022, Japan had not reached a major ISU pairs podium for ten years.
Kihara, who broke down emotionally after completing their routine, admitted they hadn’t anticipated winning the top prize.
“We knew that the last group was filled with amazing skaters, and so we honestly didn’t think that we would win gold tonight,” he shared. “It’s a little bit of a disbelief … that we’re able to get a medal for Japan pair skating for the first time ever.”
The US dollar maintained its recent strength Tuesday as investors positioned themselves ahead of crucial Federal Reserve signals expected later this week regarding potential interest rate reductions.
Currency markets experienced reduced activity with numerous Asian exchanges closed for Lunar New Year celebrations and following Monday’s Presidents Day holiday in the United States. Major economic announcements scheduled for later in the week include the Federal Reserve’s latest meeting minutes and preliminary US economic growth statistics.
Japan’s currency recovered some ground after disappointing economic figures from the previous day sparked speculation about increased government stimulus measures. Meanwhile, Australia’s dollar declined slightly following the publication of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s February policy meeting records.
Kristina Clifton, who serves as senior currency strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia in Sydney, expressed optimism about America’s economic outlook. “We’re quite positive on the U.S. economy,” Clifton stated. “The market is currently pricing a high chance of a June interest rate cut, which is also our view. However, we differ from the market in that we expect a follow-up cut in July.”
She further explained their long-term perspective, saying, “We judge that the most important driver of the dollar through 2026 will be the narrative of U.S. exceptionalism.”
The dollar index, which tracks the greenback’s performance against major global currencies, remained relatively stable at 97.12 following a 0.2% increase during the prior trading session. The European common currency dropped 0.06% to $1.1843.
Japan’s yen gained 0.15% to reach 153.28 against the dollar, while Britain’s pound weakened by 0.07% to $1.3616.
Last Friday’s consumer price data revealed that US inflation rose more slowly than economists had predicted in January, providing Federal Reserve officials with additional flexibility for monetary policy adjustments throughout the year.
Financial market participants are currently anticipating 62 basis points worth of policy loosening for the remainder of the year, suggesting two quarter-point reductions plus approximately a 50% probability of a third cut. The initial reduction is most likely to occur in June, with markets placing an 80% likelihood on a 25-basis-point decrease.
The Federal Open Market Committee plans to release its January meeting minutes on Wednesday. Additional significant economic indicators this week include inflation measurements from Britain, Canada and Japan, plus preliminary global business activity readings on Friday.
Japan’s currency rally lost momentum Monday when government statistics revealed the nation’s economy expanded at just a 0.2% annualized rate during the most recent quarter.
Australia’s dollar fell 0.07% against the US currency to $0.7064. New Zealand’s currency dropped 0.08% to $0.6026 before the Reserve Bank of New Zealand’s policy announcement Wednesday, where officials are widely anticipated to maintain current interest rates.
Australia’s central banking authority determined that inflation would have remained persistently elevated without the interest rate increases implemented this month, though uncertainty remains about whether additional tightening measures will be required.
Records from the RBA’s recent board meeting revealed members were concerned that risks to their inflation and employment objectives had “shifted materially.”
In digital currency markets, bitcoin increased 0.05% to $68,881.72, while ethereum remained relatively unchanged at $1,999.11.
The Philippine government has issued a sharp rebuke to China’s embassy in Manila after Chinese diplomats suggested that escalating tensions between the two nations could lead to the loss of millions of jobs.
In a statement released late Monday, the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs condemned what it described as inappropriate diplomatic language from the Chinese Embassy.
The diplomatic friction stems from ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea, where both countries have engaged in repeated confrontations over maritime boundaries and access rights.
Recent calls by some Philippine senators to expel China’s ambassador triggered the embassy’s warning last week that serious harm to relations between the countries would result in significant job losses.
Philippine foreign ministry officials responded forcefully to those remarks, stating: “We take strong exception to the embassy’s tone, which appears to imply that such cooperation could be withheld as a form of leverage or retaliation.”
The ministry further criticized the Chinese diplomatic approach, saying: “In the current atmosphere, this framing risks being perceived as coercive and undermines constructive bilateral dialogue.” Officials urged Chinese representatives to “adopt a responsible and measured tone in public exchanges.”
The Chinese Embassy had not provided a response to requests for comment as of Tuesday, which marks a holiday in both nations for the Lunar New Year celebration.
The dispute reflects broader tensions over South China Sea territories, where Philippine authorities have accused China of hostile behavior within their exclusive economic zones. These alleged actions include hazardous naval maneuvers, attacks with water cannons, and interference with supply operations.
China has countered these accusations by claiming the Philippines is violating territories that belong to China under international law.
Financial markets across Asia displayed mixed performance Tuesday during trading sessions affected by holiday closures, while petroleum prices climbed ahead of scheduled nuclear discussions between the United States and Iran set to commence in Geneva.
Trading activity remained light as multiple major markets including mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea remained shuttered for Lunar New Year celebrations. American markets had also been closed Monday in observance of Presidents’ Day.
Japanese markets showed declines with the Nikkei falling 0.5% while the broader Topix index dropped 0.2% to close at 3,779.29.
Australian markets bucked the trend, with the S&P/ASX200 gaining nearly 0.5% during trading.
Bond markets saw yields decline, with ten-year Treasury yields dropping 1 basis point to 4.044% on Tuesday, reaching their lowest point since early December. Japanese five-year yields decreased 2 basis points to 1.65%, marking the lowest level since February 2.
During early Asian trading, Nasdaq futures declined 0.1% while S&P 500 futures advanced 0.2%.
The dollar index, which tracks the American currency against major trading partners, remained steady at 97.07 following a modest 0.2% gain the previous session.
Japan’s struggling economy continued drawing attention Tuesday, following disappointing economic growth data released the day before.
Officials reported Monday that Japan’s economy expanded at an annualized rate of just 0.2% during the fourth quarter, significantly below economist predictions of 1.6% growth as government expenditures weighed on economic activity. The Japanese yen gained 0.15% against the dollar Tuesday, trading at 153.28 per dollar.
These disappointing figures underscore the economic challenges facing Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and may bolster her advocacy for more aggressive government spending measures, according to economic analysts.
The Bank of Japan’s next policy meeting is scheduled for March, with traders seeing minimal probability of an interest rate increase. Reuters polling of economists last month indicated expectations that the central bank would delay policy tightening until July.
“The market has likely assumed that softer GDP data in the fourth quarter will encourage PM Takaichi’s plans to offer additional fiscal support and reduce the sales tax on food,” NAB analysts wrote in a research note.
“Pricing for BoJ rate hikes nudged a little lower post the GDP data, with only 4 basis points priced for the March meeting and 16 basis points priced for April.”
Australia’s central bank stated Tuesday that it determined inflation would have remained persistently elevated without the interest rate increases implemented this month, though officials expressed uncertainty about whether additional tightening measures would be required.
Petroleum prices advanced ahead of US-Iran diplomatic talks designed to reduce regional tensions, occurring alongside anticipated OPEC+ production increases.
US West Texas Intermediate crude gained 1.29% while Brent crude futures climbed 1.33% overnight.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards navy conducted military exercises in the Hormuz Strait Monday, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency, one day before the resumption of Iran-US nuclear discussions. This strategic waterway handles approximately 20% of worldwide oil transportation.
“The market remains unsettled by geopolitical uncertainties, with investors cautious due to the pending US-Iran and Ukraine negotiations this week,” ANZ analysts said.
“Speculative positions have been increasing in recent weeks. If tension in the Middle East eases or meaningful progress is made on the Ukraine war, the risk premium currently built into oil prices could swiftly unwind.”
Gold declined 0.85% to $4949.5 per ounce as Monday’s stronger dollar made the greenback-denominated precious metal more costly for investors holding other currencies. Spot silver dropped 2%.
An investment firm is making a bold move to reshape the leadership of travel website giant TripAdvisor, according to a new report from the Wall Street Journal on Monday.
Starboard Value, which currently owns more than 9% of the Massachusetts-based travel company, is preparing to nominate candidates for most positions on TripAdvisor’s eight-person board of directors. The investment firm plans to deliver a letter to the current board on Tuesday detailing its strategy, according to sources cited by the Wall Street Journal.
Neither Starboard Value nor TripAdvisor provided immediate responses when contacted for comment about the reported board challenge.
This isn’t the first time Starboard has pressed TripAdvisor for changes. The investment company has previously called on TripAdvisor’s leadership to consider selling TheFork, its restaurant reservation platform.
The timing of Starboard’s move comes as TripAdvisor faces significant financial challenges. The company, valued at approximately $1.1 billion, has watched its stock price tumble nearly 46% over the last twelve months. Shares reached their lowest point ever last Thursday following the release of disappointing fourth-quarter financial results that fell short of analyst predictions.
ELON, N.C. – The Delaware Blue Hens baseball program wrapped up their season-opening weekend with a twin bill against Elon University this past Saturday.
The Blue Hens made the trip to North Carolina on February 14th to face the Phoenix in the doubleheader matchup, marking the conclusion of Delaware’s first weekend of competition for the new season.
BOSTON – A University of Delaware distance runner made history Saturday, smashing the school’s 5,000-meter record at the Valentine Invitational track meet.
Marie-Theres Gruber, competing for the Blue Hens track and field program, demolished the previous program standard in the 5K during the Boston competition. Her record-breaking performance highlighted a strong day for Delaware athletics.
The Blue Hens didn’t stop there, as three additional athletes secured spots among the program’s all-time top-10 performances in their respective events during Saturday’s meet.
The Valentine Invitational provided an excellent stage for Delaware’s track and field team to showcase their talents against quality competition, with Gruber’s historic run leading the way for the Blue Hens’ impressive showing.
The University of Delaware Blue Hens softball squad delivered high drama on Saturday, February 14th, splitting a twin bill against the Georgetown Hoyas in spectacular fashion.
In the opening contest, Delaware found themselves trailing 7-3 entering the bottom half of the seventh and final inning. What happened next was pure magic for the home crowd, as the Blue Hens mounted an incredible four-run rally to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
The heroics culminated when Bridget Chapman stepped to the plate and delivered a clutch walk-off single, sending teammates and fans into celebration as Delaware captured an 8-7 victory.
However, the second game told a different story entirely. Georgetown bounced back with strong pitching and timely hitting to shut out the Blue Hens 3-0, ensuring the day would end with each team claiming one victory.
The doubleheader showcased both the resilience and competitive spirit that defines college softball, with Delaware’s remarkable comeback in game one serving as a testament to never giving up until the final out.
The University of Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens basketball squad continued their recent hot streak Saturday, defeating Missouri State 76-67 on the road in Springfield, Missouri.
The victory marks the third straight win for Delaware, bringing their overall season record to 9-16 while improving to 5-9 in Conference USA competition. Missouri State suffered the loss, dropping their record to 13-12 overall with a 7-7 mark in CUSA play.
The Blue Hens have shown significant improvement during this three-game winning streak, finding their rhythm as the conference season progresses. The road victory demonstrates the team’s growing confidence and ability to perform away from their home court.
QUEENS, N.Y. – The University of Delaware men’s lacrosse squad earned their first victory of the season Saturday, edging St. John’s 12-11 in a hard-fought contest in New York. John McCurry powered the Blue Hens’ offense with three goals, marking his first hat trick of the campaign.
The narrow victory moves Delaware’s record to 1-2 on the young season, while St. John’s remains winless at 0-2. The Fightin’ Blue Hens managed to hold off the Red Storm in what proved to be a closely contested battle throughout.
McCurry’s offensive explosion provided the spark Delaware needed to secure the one-goal triumph on the road. The performance gives the Blue Hens momentum as they continue their 2026 campaign.
A mouthwatering vegetarian lasagna recipe that combines fresh spinach and mushrooms has been making waves after being demonstrated by Chef Tammy Brawley during Virginia Farm Bureau’s weekly television show, ‘Real Virginia.’
This hearty dish offers a delicious alternative to traditional meat lasagnas while delivering rich flavors and satisfying textures that will please the whole family.
Ingredients needed:
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 medium garlic cloves, minced
• Two 28-ounce cans of crushed or whole tomatoes, preferably San Marzano
• 4 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• Kosher salt and coarse-ground black pepper
• Medium onion, minced
• 1 pound cremini mushrooms, sliced (or any mushroom of choice)
• 12 cups baby spinach, washed and chopped, if desired
• 1 pound mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 5 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated, about 2/3 cup
• 15 no-boil lasagna noodles or homemade pasta sheets
• Nonstick cooking spray
Preparation instructions:
Begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees and positioning the oven rack in the center. In a large skillet, warm the oil and garlic over medium heat for approximately two minutes until aromatic but not browned. Add the tomatoes and let the mixture simmer for about ten minutes until it becomes slightly thicker. Mix in the fresh basil along with salt and pepper according to your taste preferences. Add water as needed to create roughly 3½ cups of sauce, then set the pan to one side.
Using a separate medium-to-large skillet, warm olive oil over medium heat. Cook the minced onion for about five minutes until it becomes clear. Add the sliced mushrooms and continue cooking for approximately eight minutes until they turn golden brown. Season the mixture with salt and pepper, then transfer to a bowl and set aside.
In the same pan, add a bit more olive oil and heat over medium temperature. Add the spinach and cook while stirring frequently for about five minutes until the leaves wilt. Season with salt and pepper, then combine with the mushroom and onion mixture.
Coat a 13 x 9 inch casserole dish with nonstick spray. Distribute half a cup of sauce evenly across the bottom. Layer three noodles horizontally over the sauce. Spread three-quarters cup of the vegetable mixture evenly across the noodles, followed by half a cup of sauce. Top with three-quarters cup of mozzarella and two tablespoons of Parmesan cheese. Continue this layering process until all vegetables are used. Finish the top layer of noodles with the remaining cup of sauce, cup of mozzarella, and two tablespoons of Parmesan.
Cover the dish loosely with foil that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Bake for 25 minutes, then remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes until the top becomes golden brown. Allow the lasagna to rest for five minutes after removing from the oven before slicing and serving.
GENEVA – Ukrainian and Russian diplomatic teams are scheduled to convene in Geneva this Tuesday and Wednesday for another attempt at U.S.-facilitated peace negotiations, with territorial disputes expected to dominate discussions according to Moscow officials.
President Donald Trump continues to urge both Moscow and Kyiv toward a settlement that would end what has become Europe’s largest military conflict since World War II ended in 1945. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed frustration that his nation faces mounting pressure to make compromises.
Moscow’s primary demand centers on Ukraine surrendering the final 20% of Donetsk’s eastern territory that Russian forces have been unable to secure through military action – a concession that Kyiv categorically rejects.
“This time, the idea is to discuss a broader range of issues, including, in fact, the main ones. The main issues concern both the territories and everything else related to the demands we have put forward,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday.
The Swiss lakeside location represents a change from Abu Dhabi, which previously hosted two negotiation sessions that both parties characterized as productive despite yielding no major agreements.
These Geneva discussions arrive just before February 24th marks four years since Russia launched its comprehensive assault on its smaller neighbor. The prolonged conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives, displaced millions of civilians, and left numerous Ukrainian communities in ruins.
Russian forces currently control approximately 20% of Ukraine’s sovereign territory, including Crimea and sections of the eastern Donbas area captured prior to the 2022 escalation. Recent Russian bombardments targeting power infrastructure have left hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians without electricity and heating throughout a brutal winter season.
EXPECTATIONS REMAIN MODEST FOR MEANINGFUL PROGRESS
Moscow announced that Vladimir Medinsky, a senior aide to President Vladimir Putin, will head Russia’s negotiating team.
Ukrainian representatives have previously criticized Medinsky for delivering historical lectures they view as justification for Russia’s invasion, which has further dampened hopes for substantial progress during the Geneva meetings.
Military intelligence director Igor Kostyukov will participate in the discussions, while Putin’s special representative Kirill Dmitriev will join a separate committee addressing economic matters.
During Saturday’s Munich Security Conference, Zelenskyy expressed cautious optimism that the Geneva negotiations would prove “serious, substantive… but honestly sometimes it feels like the sides are talking about completely different things.”
Ukraine’s delegation will include Rustem Umerov, who serves as secretary of the national security and defense council, along with Zelenskyy’s chief of staff Kyrylo Budanov. Senior presidential advisor Serhiy Kyslytsya will also attend.
Prior to departing for Geneva, Umerov stated that Ukraine’s objective of “a sustainable and lasting peace” remains firm.
Beyond territorial questions, Russia and Ukraine maintain significant disagreements over control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility and potential Western military presence in post-conflict Ukraine.
According to sources, U.S. representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will attend on behalf of the Trump administration. The American envoys are simultaneously participating in separate Geneva discussions involving Iran this week.
Torrential downpours struck New Zealand’s South Island on Tuesday, creating dangerous flooding conditions and prompting authorities to shut down numerous roads and bridges as a destructive storm system continued its path southward after wreaking havoc in Wellington over the weekend.
Weather officials warned that a low-pressure system positioned off the eastern coastline could deliver additional rounds of intense rainfall throughout Tuesday. The meteorological service cautioned that waterways could surge quickly and that the saturated ground conditions raised concerns about potential landslides.
MetService New Zealand’s most recent forecast also predicted hazardous ocean conditions with massive swells expected along the coastline.
Emergency officials issued a local state of emergency for the Banks Peninsula area adjacent to Christchurch, the nation’s second-most populous city, following severe flooding, toppled trees, and mudslides that isolated neighborhoods while knocking out utilities and communications infrastructure in multiple locations.
“We anticipated the weather easing off, but unfortunately that hasn’t happened, and isn’t forecast to begin easing until 6:00 p.m. (0500 GMT),” Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger said.
Mayor Mauger called on citizens to limit water usage as the extreme weather persisted, and officials instructed some residents to boil their drinking water after floodwaters compromised a water processing plant.
The popular tourist destination of Akaroa, located approximately 90 kilometers (56 miles) northwest of Christchurch, became completely inaccessible due to the conditions.
Cameron Gordon, who owns a local cafe, described how floodwaters had risen to his establishment’s exterior walls. “Worst I’ve seen in my 20 years by quite some margin,” he told NZME media group.
Digital photographs circulating online revealed crumbled roadway sections, submerged streets, and rapidly swelling creeks throughout the affected areas.
The weather system had previously created significant chaos across extensive portions of the North Island, where aviation operations were suspended, primary transportation routes were blocked, and electrical service was disrupted for tens of thousands of people. Multiple Wellington residents on the North Island continued experiencing power outages on Tuesday, according to New Zealand news outlets.
A war of words has erupted between President Donald Trump and Maryland Governor Wes Moore regarding the handling of a catastrophic sewage leak that has contaminated the Potomac River since January.
From his Florida residence during the holiday weekend, Trump criticized what he characterized as inadequate local leadership in addressing the environmental crisis. The president announced on social media that he was directing federal agencies to take charge of coordinating the cleanup effort.
“There is a massive Ecological Disaster unfolding in the Potomac River as a result of the Gross Mismanagement of Local Democrat Leaders, particularly, Governor Wes Moore, of Maryland,” Trump wrote in his post. He further stated he “cannot allow incompetent Local ‘Leadership’” to transform the Potomac “into a Disaster Zone.”
However, the damaged infrastructure falls under the authority of DC Water, a Washington-based utility that operates under federal oversight from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The failed pipeline, known as the Potomac Interceptor, dates back to the 1960s.
Governor Moore’s spokesperson, Ammar Moussa, fired back at the president’s accusations, stating the administration has been avoiding its responsibilities regarding the cleanup of what University of Maryland scientists describe as among the most significant sewage disasters in American history.
“The President has his facts wrong — again,” Moussa declared. “Apparently the Trump administration hadn’t gotten the memo that they’re actually supposed to be in charge here.”
Moussa also noted that EPA representatives failed to attend a recent legislative session focused on the cleanup efforts, suggesting federal agencies were not fully engaged in the response.
DC Water’s top executive, David L. Gadis, confirmed Monday that his organization has maintained communication with the EPA since the pipeline failure occurred.
A White House representative, speaking without authorization to be named publicly, defended Trump’s criticism by claiming Maryland had been slow to work with federal authorities and had neglected necessary infrastructure improvements to the state’s water systems.
The president indicated that the Federal Emergency Management Agency would lead coordination efforts, while acknowledging that a funding freeze affecting the Department of Homeland Security could impact operations.
Congressional Democrats and the Trump administration failed to reach agreement on DHS funding legislation, resulting in a partial government shutdown that began Saturday. The funding gap affects multiple agencies including FEMA, the Coast Guard, TSA, Secret Service, ICE, and Customs and Border Protection.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt used the sewage crisis to pressure Democrats, posting on social media: “Add this to the long list of reasons Democrats need to get serious and fund the Department of Homeland Security.”
The environmental disaster began January 19 when a massive 72-inch diameter sewage pipe collapsed, releasing millions of gallons of untreated wastewater into the river system northwest of the nation’s capital.
DC Water officials report that repair work has proven more challenging than initially anticipated. Recent pipeline inspections revealed a substantial blockage approximately 30 feet from the rupture site, described as “far more significant” than originally estimated. Engineers discovered a large rock formation blocking the line that must be cleared before permanent repairs can begin.
The utility estimates emergency repairs will require an additional four to six weeks to complete. The restoration work will address the immediate pipe damage as well as broader environmental remediation needs.
District of Columbia environmental officials have assured residents that drinking water supplies remain uncontaminated but have advised against direct contact with Potomac River water. Authorities recommend avoiding fishing in affected areas and keeping pets away from the waterway.
This latest dispute adds to ongoing tensions between Trump and Moore, a Democrat considered a potential presidential candidate in 2028. The two have clashed repeatedly since Trump returned to office.
Trump has announced he will exclude Moore and Colorado Governor Jared Polis from a White House governors’ dinner scheduled for Saturday during the National Governors Association gathering in Washington.
The administration has also criticized Moore regarding crime rates in Baltimore, with Trump threatening to deploy National Guard forces to the city. Moore and other Maryland Democratic leaders have countered that Baltimore homicides have dropped to historic lows, with sustained decreases beginning in 2023, and rejected the need for Guard deployment.
Additionally, the Trump administration has questioned Moore about diversity contracting policies and rising expenses related to rebuilding Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, which collapsed in March 2024 after a container vessel collision.
Speaking to reporters during his return flight from Florida Monday evening, Trump cited both the bridge reconstruction and sewage spill response as reasons for excluding Moore from the governors’ dinner.
“He can’t fix anything,” Trump told the press corps.
Moore’s spokesman emphasized the state’s willingness to collaborate with federal officials on addressing the crisis.
“The Potomac isn’t a talking point, and the people of the region deserve serious leadership that meets the moment,” Moussa concluded.
ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigerian military officials confirmed Monday that roughly 100 American service members and their equipment have been deployed to the West African nation to assist with military training operations as Nigeria continues its fight against various militant organizations.
According to a military statement, the American presence comes in response to Nigeria’s formal request to Washington for assistance with military training programs, technical assistance, and intelligence coordination.
This military cooperation represents a thaw in relations between Washington and Abuja, which became strained after former President Donald Trump accused Nigeria of failing to prevent what he characterized as genocide against Christians. Nigerian officials have disputed this characterization, with experts noting that the security crisis affects people of all faiths rather than targeting specific religious groups.
Major General Samaila Uba, who speaks for Nigeria’s Defense Headquarters, has previously clarified that American personnel will not participate in combat operations or take direct operational control, emphasizing that Nigerian commanders will maintain full authority over their forces.
U.S. military involvement in the region has been escalating, with American forces conducting airstrikes against Islamic State-affiliated fighters in Nigeria’s northwest in December. Last month, the commander of U.S. Africa Command acknowledged that a small contingent of American military advisors was already operating in Nigeria, primarily providing intelligence assistance following coordination meetings in Abuja.
The West African country faces an ongoing security challenge from numerous armed factions competing for territory and influence. These include homegrown Islamic extremist organizations such as Boko Haram and its splinter group, Islamic State West Africa Province. The threat landscape also includes the IS-affiliated Lakurawa organization and various criminal networks specializing in kidnapping operations and illegal resource extraction.
The security situation has deteriorated further with the involvement of militant groups from neighboring Sahel countries, including Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, which conducted its inaugural attack on Nigerian territory last year. United Nations statistics indicate that thousands of Nigerians have lost their lives in this violence, with security analysts criticizing the government’s efforts to safeguard civilians.
Despite claims that Christians are specifically targeted, analysts and local residents report that the majority of casualties from these armed groups are actually Muslims living in Nigeria’s predominantly Muslim northern regions, where most of the violence occurs.
The NBA’s annual midseason celebration achieved the ratings success it has been seeking for years.
Sunday’s All-Star Game broadcast on NBC drew 8.8 million viewers combined across television and streaming platforms, representing the largest viewership for the event since 2011, based on initial Nielsen ratings and Adobe Analytics released Monday.
This viewership total represented an 87% increase from the previous year’s 4.7 million viewers, with the dramatic improvement attributed to the league’s new tournament structure pitting “USA vs. the World” teams that provided genuine competition beyond typical exhibition play.
Peak viewership reached 9.8 million during the 7:00-7:15 p.m. Eastern time slot, coinciding with the most competitive moments as USA Stripes edged the World squad 48-45 in the tournament’s most intense and decisive period.
Individual standouts included Anthony Edwards, who earned MVP recognition after posting 32 points, nine rebounds and three assists for USA Stars throughout the three 12-minute contests, while Victor Wembanyama led the World team’s effort with 33 points, eight rebounds and two blocked shots.
While acknowledging room for improvement, the revised format provided the competitive element league officials have sought to restore in recent seasons.
Strategic scheduling also contributed to the success, as the game aired following NBC’s comprehensive Winter Olympics coverage for the 2026 Milan Cortina games and transitioned smoothly into the network’s primetime lineup.
President Donald Trump announced Monday that he plans to participate in an indirect capacity in nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran, scheduled to commence Tuesday in Geneva.
Speaking to reporters while traveling on Air Force One, Trump stated his intention to engage in the diplomatic process. “I’ll be involved in those talks, indirectly. And they’ll be very important,” the President declared.
The upcoming negotiations occur against a backdrop of escalating tensions, with the United States having positioned a second aircraft carrier in the Middle East region. According to U.S. officials who spoke with Reuters, military planners are making preparations for the potential of an extended military operation should diplomatic efforts fail to produce results.
When questioned about the likelihood of reaching an agreement, Trump indicated that Iran appears inclined toward aggressive bargaining tactics but referenced lessons learned from previous confrontations. He noted that Tehran experienced the ramifications of taking an uncompromising position last summer when American forces conducted strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.
The President expressed confidence that Iranian officials have incentives to engage constructively in the current round of discussions. “I don’t think they want the consequences of not making a deal,” Trump remarked.
The nuclear dialogue between Washington and Tehran had previously reached an impasse before the U.S. collaborated with Israel in attacking Iranian nuclear installations in June. The deadlock centered on America’s insistence that Iran abandon uranium enrichment activities within its borders, which U.S. officials consider a potential route to developing nuclear weapons capability.
Meanwhile, Iran’s civil defense organization conducted chemical defense exercises Monday at the Pars Special Economic Energy Zone, aimed at improving emergency response capabilities for possible chemical incidents at the strategic energy facility in southern Iran.
SYDNEY, Feb 17 – Australia’s Reserve Bank determined that inflation would have remained persistently elevated without the interest rate increase implemented this month, though officials remain uncertain whether additional tightening measures will be required.
Board meeting minutes from the Reserve Bank of Australia released Tuesday revealed that members expressed concern about risks to inflation and employment goals that had “shifted materially,” strengthening the argument for a rate increase.
“Members agreed that the data received since the previous meeting had strengthened their concern that, without a policy response, inflation would remain persistently above target for too long,” according to the meeting minutes.
The board voted unanimously to increase the cash rate by 25 basis points to 3.85%, undoing one of three rate cuts implemented in 2025. Financial markets are betting that persistent inflation this quarter could prompt another rate hike to 4.10% when the board meets in May.
First quarter consumer price data, scheduled for release in late April, is expected by analysts to show core inflation remaining around 3.4%, significantly higher than the RBA’s target range of 2% to 3%.
The central bank projects core inflation will reach 3.7% by mid-year and decline to 3.2% by the end of December.
Meeting minutes indicated the board identified risks in both directions for inflation and economic growth, emphasizing they will depend on upcoming economic data to guide policy decisions.
“Members agreed that the prevailing uncertainties meant it was not possible to have a high degree of confidence in any particular path for the cash rate,” the minutes stated.
While some inflationary pressures may prove temporary, the broad-based nature of price increases could continue without policy tightening, according to the minutes.
However, board members acknowledged their commitment to returning inflation to target levels over time while preserving recent employment gains.
The board observed that domestic spending had exceeded expectations, while rapid increases in home prices and mortgage activity indicated financial conditions were less restrictive than previously believed.
Labor market conditions remained strong with unemployment dropping to 4.1% in December, leading the board to conclude that “downside risks” to employment had diminished.
The global economy has shown greater resilience to U.S. trade policies than anticipated, partly due to increased investment in artificial intelligence and data center infrastructure.
While a sustained rise in the Australian dollar could somewhat tighten financial conditions, the board noted that part of the currency’s strength reflected expectations of higher interest rates.
New Mexico state legislators have unanimously authorized what officials describe as the first comprehensive investigation into activities at Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch, where the deceased financier allegedly engaged in sex trafficking and sexual assault of girls and women.
The bipartisan commission will collect testimony from alleged abuse survivors at the property, situated approximately 30 miles south of Santa Fe, New Mexico’s capital. State lawmakers are also encouraging area residents to come forward with information.
Epstein passed away in 2019 in what authorities determined was suicide while in a New York detention facility awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking allegations.
The four-member truth commission will work to identify visitors to the ranch and state officials who potentially had knowledge of activities at the 7,600-acre estate, or participated in alleged sexual abuse occurring in its hacienda-style main residence and additional buildings.
This Democratic-sponsored investigation intensifies political pressure to expose Epstein’s criminal activities, creating challenges for President Donald Trump following the Justice Department’s recent release of millions of Epstein documents that revealed new details about ranch operations.
The released documents show connections between Epstein and two former Democratic New Mexico governors, as well as a former state attorney general.
The House of Representatives legislation, which received unanimous approval, could create exposure for additional politicians connected to Epstein in the Democratic-controlled state, along with scientists, investors and other prominent individuals who visited the property.
The investigation carries a $2.5 million budget and includes subpoena authority, seeking to address weaknesses in New Mexico law that potentially enabled Epstein’s operations within the state. Committee work begins Tuesday, with interim results expected in July and a complete report due by December.
“He was basically doing anything he wanted in this state without any accountability whatsoever,” stated New Mexico state Representative Andrea Romero, a Democrat who helped sponsor the legislation.
Romero indicated that committee testimony could support future criminal prosecutions.
Victim advocacy groups praised the decision, noting that Zorro Ranch had received less attention from federal investigations that concentrated on Epstein’s Caribbean island and New York residence.
“Many of the survivors had experiences in New Mexico, and as we’ve learned, you know, there were local politicians and other people that were aware of what was happening in New Mexico,” explained attorney Sigrid McCawley, whose firm has represented hundreds of Epstein survivors.
Among those survivors was the late Virginia Giuffre, who experienced abuse multiple times at the ranch, McCawley noted.
The U.S. Department of Justice referred comment requests to the FBI, which declined to provide a statement.
Multiple civil lawsuits allege Epstein sexually assaulted minors at Zorro Ranch, though he never faced criminal charges for these alleged incidents.
Romero stated there are no records of federal law enforcement conducting searches at what locals called “the playboy ranch,” where Epstein allegedly sexually abused a 16-year-old girl as early as 1996.
Former New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas initiated an investigation in 2019 but suspended it at federal prosecutors’ request to prevent “parallel investigation,” according to his statement.
Current New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez has designated a special agent to examine allegations that may emerge from the truth commission, according to spokesperson Lauren Rodriguez.
Democratic State Representative Marianna Anaya, a sexual assault survivor advocate who co-sponsored the legislation, is developing companion legislation to extend New Mexico’s statute of limitations for childhood sexual assault, which would enable civil lawsuits by Epstein’s alleged abuse survivors.
Epstein purchased the ranch in 1993 from Bruce King, a three-term New Mexico Democratic governor who died in 2009.
The financier transported guests and “masseuses” to the property and employed local massage therapists, ranch manager Brice Gordon informed the FBI in 2007, according to documents in the Epstein files.
In unsealed 2016 court testimony, Giuffre stated that Epstein’s associate Ghislaine Maxwell instructed her to provide a “massage” to the late former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson at the ranch. According to Giuffre’s memoir, Maxwell’s “massage” instructions meant victims should engage in sexual encounters with abusers.
Richardson’s representative Madeleine Mahoney stated in 2019 that Giuffre’s claims were “completely false.”
Gordon informed the FBI that most masseuses Epstein employed at the ranch were recruited locally through Ten Thousand Waves spa, a Santa Fe establishment, or through referrals.
Spa spokesperson Sara Bean stated in a recent phone interview that Ten Thousand Waves neither supplied nor referred masseuses to Zorro Ranch.
In the documentary “Surviving Jeffrey Epstein,” former Santa Fe massage therapist Rachel Benavidez alleged that Epstein sexually abused her when she was hired to work at the ranch.
Investment consultant Joshua Ramo disclosed Sunday that he visited the ranch once for a 2014 lunch representing professors from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, who attended the meeting. Ramo, who was then CEO of consulting firm Kissinger Associates, said he and Epstein met with business leaders and scientists approximately 14 times in New York between 2013 and 2016.
“I deferred to the due diligence of the institutions involved, assuming that his presence signaled he had been appropriately vetted,” Ramo said regarding the ranch visit. “I feel a deep sense of grief for the survivors of his crimes.”
Email correspondence shows Epstein contacted Ramo in 2015 about visiting Ten Thousand Waves, suggesting they meet for lunch in Santa Fe. Ramo replied, “I assumed we were meeting at the pink bottom ranch.” Ramo, currently CEO of consulting firm Sornay LLC, said he cannot recall that comment or whether they met that day.
Throughout the years, Epstein donated to New Mexico Democratic political campaigns, including those of Richardson and Gary King, Bruce King’s son and former New Mexico attorney general. When these contributions became public, both men promised to return the funds or donate them to charity.
Gary King traveled on an Epstein-chartered aircraft during his 2014 New Mexico gubernatorial campaign, according to emails in the Epstein files. Epstein agreed to cover approximately half of the $22,000 charter cost, with King paying the remainder. King did not respond to requests for comment.
DUBLIN – European regulators have launched a formal inquiry into Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence chatbot following reports that the system created explicit sexual content featuring real individuals, including minors.
Ireland’s Data Protection Commission announced Tuesday that it has begun investigating X’s Grok AI system to determine whether the company violated European privacy regulations in how it handles personal information and generates potentially harmful imagery.
As X’s primary European Union regulatory overseer – since the social media platform’s EU headquarters are located in Ireland – the commission has authority to impose penalties reaching up to 4% of the company’s worldwide annual revenue under Europe’s strict data protection rules.
The regulatory body informed X of the investigation on Monday, according to an official statement. The inquiry will examine whether the company properly followed required data protection protocols.
Last month, Grok generated a surge of artificially-created, sexually explicit images of actual people when users made such requests on X, sparking international condemnation and multiple regulatory responses.
While X implemented restrictions intended to prevent Grok from creating such content, Reuters discovered earlier this month that the AI system continued producing inappropriate images when users requested them.
The investigation comes amid broader tensions between U.S. technology companies and European regulators. President Donald Trump and his administration have criticized EU oversight of American tech firms, characterizing the bloc’s financial penalties as unfair taxation.
Musk, who owns X and holds the title of world’s wealthiest individual, has similarly voiced opposition to European regulatory measures, particularly those targeting online content moderation.
“The DPC has been engaging with XIUC (X Internet Unlimited Company) since media reports first emerged a number of weeks ago concerning the alleged ability of X users to prompt the @Grok account on X to generate sexualised images of real people, including children,” stated Deputy Commissioner Graham Doyle.
“As the Lead Supervisory Authority for XIUC across the EU/EEA, the DPC has commenced a large-scale inquiry,” Doyle explained, noting the investigation will assess the company’s adherence to “fundamental obligations under the GDPR in relation to the matters at hand.”
The Irish probe represents one of several international investigations targeting Grok. On January 26, the European Commission initiated its own inquiry into whether the AI system spreads prohibited content, including manipulated sexual imagery, throughout EU member nations.
Additionally, Britain’s privacy enforcement agency opened a formal investigation on February 3, examining similar concerns about Grok’s data processing practices and its capability to generate harmful sexual content.
Federal agriculture officials have unveiled further information regarding a billion-dollar emergency assistance initiative aimed at helping specialty crop and sugar producers navigate challenging economic conditions. The relief effort addresses rising production expenses, market instability, and declining export opportunities that have impacted these agricultural sectors.
Known as the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers Program (ASCF), this initiative provides support for agricultural commodities that were not included in the previously established Farmer Bridge Assistance Program. The program covers a wide range of qualifying crops, including various fruits and other specialty agricultural products.
This one-time financial assistance represents the federal government’s response to ongoing challenges facing specialty crop producers across the nation, including those in Delaware’s agricultural community.
European regulators have launched a formal privacy investigation into Elon Musk’s X social media platform following reports that its artificial intelligence chatbot Grok produced inappropriate deepfake images without permission, according to Ireland’s data protection authority announced Tuesday.
The Data Protection Commission in Ireland revealed it informed X on Monday about beginning the investigation under the European Union’s comprehensive data privacy laws, increasing the regulatory pressure the platform faces across Europe and globally regarding Grok’s conduct.
The AI system triggered worldwide criticism last month when it began fulfilling user requests to digitally remove clothing from people using its image creation and modification tools, including placing women in see-through swimwear or suggestive outfits. Research teams reported that some generated content appeared to feature minors. While X implemented certain limitations on Grok afterward, European officials remained unsatisfied with these measures.
According to the Irish regulatory body, their investigation centers on the apparent generation and publication on X of “potentially harmful” intimate or sexual images created without consent that contain personal information from European residents, including minors.
X has not provided a response to requests for comment.
The AI system was developed by Musk’s artificial intelligence venture xAI and operates through X, where user interactions and the system’s responses remain publicly viewable to other platform users.
The regulatory authority explained the investigation will examine whether X followed EU data privacy regulations called GDPR, short for General Data Protection Regulation. These rules designate Ireland’s regulator as the primary enforcement body for the bloc’s privacy standards since X operates its European headquarters from Dublin. Breaking these regulations can lead to substantial financial penalties.
Deputy Commissioner Graham Doyle stated in an official announcement that the regulator “has been engaging” with X following news coverage that emerged weeks ago regarding “the alleged ability of X users to prompt the @Grok account on X to generate sexualized images of real people, including children.”
Earlier this month, French law enforcement conducted searches at X’s Paris location and requested billionaire owner Elon Musk appear for questioning. Additionally, both data privacy and media oversight agencies in Britain, which departed from the EU, have initiated their own examinations of X.
The social media company already faces another EU investigation from Brussels examining whether it meets the bloc’s digital regulations designed to protect social media users by requiring platforms to limit the distribution of illegal material such as child exploitation content.
