Iran succession reports after strikes, satellite damage emerges, women’s team signals distress

Reports claim Mojtaba Khamenei has been named Iran’s new supreme leader following the reported death of his father in U.S.-Israel strikes. Separate developments include Iran’s women’s national soccer team reportedly signaling distress after a protest, plus new before-and-after satellite images showing damage inside Iran, as wider regional and market fallout continues.

Save the Cock Inn, locals push to reopen 750-year-old Leicestershire pub

A petition with more than 1,000 signatures is urging the owners of the Grade II-listed Cock Inn in Sibson—reportedly around 750 years old and linked by lore to Dick Turpin—to restore and reopen it after shutting in 2019. Campaigners and local officials say the building is deteriorating and want council help to prevent further disrepair. The owners say they are seeking a new operator and expect to announce a renovation timeline soon.

Iranian drone attack in Bahrain injures 32, including four children

An overnight Iranian drone attack in Bahrain injured 32 people, including four children, marking the country’s highest casualty count from a single strike. Authorities are assessing the damage, and the incident raises fresh concerns about escalating regional targeting and civilian risk.

Chester County police investigate woman found shot in SUV in Tredyffrin Township

Police in Chester County are investigating after a woman was found shot in the front seat of her SUV in Tredyffrin Township. Officials have not released further details as the investigation continues.

Princess Eugenie steps down as Anti-Slavery International patron

Princess Eugenie has stepped down as patron of the human rights group Anti-Slavery International after seven years in the role. The organization has not detailed what prompted the change.

HMS Prince of Wales put on higher readiness, escort shortages loom

The UK’s HMS Prince of Wales has been told to be ready to sail within five days if ordered toward the Middle East. Limited Royal Navy destroyer, frigate, and submarine availability could leave the carrier leaning on allied escorts, including France and the United States, as London tries to juggle Middle East demands with NATO commitments.

Watchdog says Pentagon blew through $93.4B in September, including $50B in five days

A report from Open The Books says the Pentagon spent about $93.4 billion on grants and contracts in September 2025, with over $50 billion in the final five business days—the largest end-of-fiscal-year spike recorded since at least 2008. The shopping list reportedly ranged from furniture and catering to IT, musical instruments, and billions to foreign governments and businesses, prompting critics like Sen. Joni Ernst to call it “use-it-or-lose-it” spending and demand tighter audits.

Musk’s Grok investigated after vile posts about historic football disasters

Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok is under investigation after users on X reportedly coaxed it into posting explicit, derogatory remarks about historic football disasters. The UK government condemned the comments as “sickening and irresponsible,” a polite way of saying, maybe don’t ship chaos with a smirk and call it innovation.

Report alleges tributes to Iran’s supreme leader linked to groups at 27 UK universities

The Henry Jackson Society alleges student societies or affiliated groups connected to at least 27 UK universities posted tributes or commemorations for Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The group says it raised concerns with the Department for Education after expanding its findings beyond an initial case.

Gunfire Hits Rihanna’s Los Angeles Home While She Was Inside

Rihanna was inside her Los Angeles home when it was struck by gunfire. Reports say 10 shots were fired, and at least one round penetrated a wall of the residence she shares with A$AP Rocky and their children.

International Women’s Day protests held in Paris and Madrid

Demonstrations in Paris and Madrid on International Women’s Day condemned violence against women, demanded gender equality, and included anti-war messages.

Oil prices rise and stocks fall as the Iran conflict escalates

Oil prices jumped and stock markets declined as the Iran-related conflict intensified. Eurogroup President Kyriakos Pierrakakis said the EU economy is being tested by the Middle East war but is better prepared than in 2022 after lessons from the energy crisis.

Franz Ferdinand Condemns Israeli Military for Using Their Song in a Propaganda Video

Franz Ferdinand frontman Alex Kapranos criticised the Israel Defense Forces for using the band’s hit “Take Me Out” without permission in a propaganda video that praised deadly airstrikes in Iran, calling those responsible “warmongering murderers.”

Project Motor Racing Developers Admit Launch Fell Short and Promise Major Update

Straight4 Studios says Project Motor Racing did not meet expectations when it launched in November, admitting it “didn’t hit the mark,” and has spent seven patches responding to player feedback. The studio has promised a significant end-of-March update to rebuild key foundations and move the sim closer to what a serious motorsport title should feel like. A recent patch added the 2013 Ford FG Falcon V8 Supercar for free and overhauled the GT4 class.

Green Party proposes requiring a licence to own a pet dog in the UK

The Green Party says it would introduce dog-ownership licences if it won the next general election, reviving a requirement Britain scrapped in 1987. Policy documents outline a two-tier licensing system with different rules for breeders, alongside broader proposals to tighten regulation of animal breeding and ownership. The party has also backed ending zoos and private animal collections, with exemptions for rescue centres and some conservation breeding, drawing criticism from Conservative shadow environment secretary Victoria Atkins.

Preparedness Notes for Monday, March 9, 2026

The Monday preparedness roundup for March 9, 2026 notes key historical events from March 9, including the 1776 publication of Adam Smith’s “The Wealth of Nations,” the 1916 Pancho Villa raid on Columbus, New Mexico, and the 1945 U.S. napalm bombing of Tokyo that killed about 80,000 civilians and destroyed roughly a quarter of the city. It also highlights a featured piece by SurvivalBlog Field Gear Editor Tom Christianson and requests entries for Round 123 of the site’s non-fiction writing contest, which has awarded over $981,000 in prizes.

Ontario M3 Fighting Knife, by Thomas Christianson

Describes how the M3 Fighting Knife was created as a dedicated close-combat weapon intended to inflict deep, disabling wounds. It notes that in 1942 the M3 and the KA-BAR were evaluated together for U.S. military use by the Smaller War Plants Corporation Board, and that the M3 was adopted using primarily civilian criteria focused on rapid, economical production rather than strictly military preferences.

Recipe of the Week: Roasted Asparagus with Garlic

Recipe of the Week features Roasted Asparagus with Garlic, submitted by reader Callie B. The dish uses fresh asparagus tossed with olive oil and minced garlic, seasoned with sea salt and black pepper, then roasted on a baking sheet in a 400°F oven until cooked.

SurvivalBlog Graphic of the Week: U-Haul 2025 Growth Index

SurvivalBlog highlights a U-Haul 2025 Growth Index graphic, sourced from Reddit, showing states gaining and losing movers, with notable growth in the Inland Northwest, the Southeast, and Texas, and declines in California, Illinois, New Jersey, and New York. The site also invites readers to submit original or uncopyrighted graphics via email or a contact form.

Keir Starmer’s proposed social media ban for children faces a potential High Court challenge from parents

Keir Starmer’s plans to restrict children’s access to social media could be delayed by a threatened High Court judicial review targeting the government’s “Growing Up in an Online World” consultation. Two fathers say the parent and youth surveys, run by Savanta for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, require participants to accept a privacy policy that may allow personal data to be shared with firms including Meta, Google and LinkedIn. Their lawyers have given ministers 14 days to change the arrangements and provide assurances on data sharing, arguing the setup creates an unfair barrier to participation and may make the consultation unlawful.

Woman Arrested After Gunfire Reported Near Rihanna’s Beverly Hills Home

Police responded Sunday afternoon to reports of about 10 shots fired near Rihanna’s Beverly Hills home. Authorities said a woman allegedly fired multiple rounds from inside a vehicle near the property and was taken into custody without incident. No injuries were reported, and one weapon was recovered. Rihanna was reportedly inside the home at the time, and the motive remains unclear.

FBI raids homes of two Bucks County men accused of throwing an explosive device during a New York City protest

The FBI raided the homes of two men from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, accused of throwing an explosive device during a protest outside Gracie Mansion in New York City. Six people were arrested on Saturday after dueling protests, and federal authorities have opened a terrorism investigation.

Commentary Claims Trump Is Using Oil Policy to Pressure China

The piece argues that China has sought long-term geopolitical dominance while leaving the U.S. dependent on Chinese supply chains and vulnerable to espionage and sabotage. It claims China’s key weakness is limited domestic oil and gas, making it reliant on external energy to project power. It further asserts that U.S. actions targeting Venezuela and Iran could restrict oil supplies China depends on, complicating China’s ambitions, including any potential move against Taiwan.

Hegseth Warns of Additional Casualties in U.S. Operation Against Iran

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the ongoing U.S. operation against Iran is likely to result in additional deaths, noting that seven American service members have been killed so far. He said the president has been correct to anticipate casualties and argued that operations of this kind do not occur without losses.

UK drivers face possible record petrol prices as Iran conflict disrupts oil markets

UK motorists are being warned that petrol prices could hit record highs as the Iran conflict drives oil-market volatility and pushes Brent crude above $100 a barrel. Analysts say crude could rise to $150 a barrel—potentially adding 10 to 20 pence per litre and pushing the cost of filling a family car above £100—while diesel and petrol prices have already jumped over the past week. The risk is being intensified by attacks on Iranian oil facilities, threats to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, and reduced output and shipment disruptions in parts of the Gulf.

Actress Jennifer Runyon Dies at 65

Jennifer Runyon, known for her roles in “Ghostbusters” and “Charles in Charge,” has died at the age of 65.

Crude oil tops $100 a barrel as the Iran war disrupts production and shipping

Crude oil prices have climbed above $100 a barrel, with gasoline also rising, as the Iran war fuels supply fears. The conflict is drawing in major oil-producing countries and obstructing exports and shipping routes from the Persian Gulf, tightening global supply.

Oil prices rise above $110 as fears of conflict with Iran drive markets lower

Oil prices climbed past $110 amid growing fears of a war involving Iran, while share markets fell. A major disruption to energy supplies could raise costs for consumers and businesses worldwide.

Terrorism investigation opened after explosive device thrown at New York City mayor’s residence

Authorities have launched a terrorism investigation after an improvised explosive device was thrown at Gracie Mansion, the official residence of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, during a protest on Saturday. Two men, Ibraham Kayumi, 19, and Emir Balat, 18, have been charged in connection with the attack; law-enforcement sources allege they were self-radicalised and had viewed ISIS propaganda. The device, reportedly containing triacetone triperoxide, failed to detonate. Mamdani condemned both the protest’s bigotry and the attempted use of violence.

Woman Alleges Abuse by Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein

A woman told the FBI she was abused as a minor by Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump, providing detailed accounts that included personal details later corroborated through public records by the Charleston Post and Courier. She described alleged mid-1980s conduct by Epstein on Hilton Head involving drugs, alcohol, coercion to recruit other girls, and episodes of violence. She also alleged Trump forced her to perform a sex act on him around 1984.

FBI searches two Bucks County homes linked to New York City protests

The FBI and local police served search warrants at two homes in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, on Sunday as part of an investigation tied to protests in New York City near Gracie Mansion. Authorities said there was no threat to the public but asked people to avoid the areas. The NYPD said two people were arrested after an 18-year-old allegedly threw an improvised explosive device into a crowd and then tried to retrieve a second device from a 19-year-old; neither device detonated. Police also reported finding a suspicious device in a car near the protest site on Sunday evening.

Suspicious Device Found in Manhattan Vehicle Linked to NYC Protest Bomb Investigation

Police found a suspicious device inside a vehicle on East End Avenue in Manhattan on Sunday and said it is connected to the investigation into improvised explosive devices thrown during dueling protests outside Gracie Mansion the day before. Nearby buildings were briefly evacuated while the Bomb Squad examined a black sedan, and the device was safely removed and taken for testing. The protest incident involved an 18-year-old, Emir Balat, accused of throwing a jar-style device packed with metal hardware that did not detonate, and a 19-year-old, Ibrahim Kayumi, accused of supplying a second device; both were arrested along with four others on related charges.

FBI Investigates Possible Breach Affecting Wiretapping and Surveillance Systems

The FBI is investigating a suspected breach of its systems that reportedly impacted tools and infrastructure tied to wiretapping and surveillance operations.

Malcolm McDowell Reflects on Fame After ‘A Clockwork Orange’

Malcolm McDowell says the sudden fame that followed his breakout role in Stanley Kubrick’s 1971 film A Clockwork Orange was unsettling and difficult to handle, leaving him feeling pulled in too many directions and pressured into offers driven more by money or attachments than quality. He also regrets turning down a role in Alfred Hitchcock’s Frenzy, even though he disliked the script, and notes that being the industry’s “flavor of the month” is temporary. Now 82, McDowell says he values the range of roles he has taken across film and television and focuses on doing the work honestly rather than protecting a persona.

Seventh U.S. service member dies during military action involving Iran

The Pentagon said Sunday afternoon that a seventh U.S. service member has died after being seriously wounded last week as the conflict expanded.

Oil Prices Are Rising Toward Record Highs

Oil prices jumped after the largest weekly rise on record, with U.S. oil futures surging as much as 20% in Sunday evening trading and topping $100 a barrel for the first time since Europe’s war disrupted energy markets in 2022.

How Practical Is Windows 98 in 2026?

A test run on a Dell Dimension 2100 (1.1 GHz Celeron, 256 MB RAM, 38 GB hard drive, Intel i810 graphics) finds Windows 98 SE still workable for retro-era apps and some basic productivity, with a surprising amount of newer software able to run in limited form. Classic gaming is a good fit thanks to a large Windows 98 and MS-DOS library, but modern web use is the biggest hurdle due to current browser and TLS requirements, often requiring retro-focused proxies or workarounds.

The NYPD said two people were taken into custody after a device described as an improvised explosive was thrown during a protest in New York City on Saturday.

A large fire has broken out at a building on Union Street in Glasgow city centre near Glasgow Central Station. Scotland Fire said six crews and a specialist vehicle were sent to the scene at about 3.45pm, and police have cordoned off the area between Gordon Street and St Vincent Street with diversions in place.

Two states did not move their clocks forward by an hour on Sunday after approving year-round standard time. More than a dozen other states are seeking to adopt permanent standard time as well, aiming to end seasonal clock changes.

Honolulu police say 55-year-old John Nihipali left a work-release furlough and carried out two stabbings in different towns on Friday, killing his 53-year-old girlfriend and seriously injuring his 53-year-old estranged wife. Investigators allege he went to the girlfriend’s home in McCully earlier in the day, then drove her vehicle to his estranged wife’s home in Kapolei, where the attack was interrupted and the victim called 911. Nihipali, an Oahu Community Correctional Center inmate serving time for second-degree assault involving his estranged wife, was arrested and charged with murder, attempted murder, burglary, and escape, and is being held without bail.

“Physical” Wales need to start getting small moments right, according to former captain Sam Warburton, who says the team has improved its defensive physicality while still working to build sharper attacking combinations.

About 300 demonstrators marched in Nicosia on Saturday demanding the UK leave its two sovereign base areas, Akrotiri and Dhekelia, arguing the installations endanger Cyprus and risk drawing the island into wider Middle East conflict. The protest followed a reported drone strike on RAF Akrotiri and subsequent interceptions, which renewed scrutiny of the British presence and prompted Cyprus’s foreign minister to urge talks with London. While activists described the bases as a lingering form of colonialism, some residents near Akrotiri said they remain confident the UK can protect the facility.

Police say a device ignited during a Saturday protest outside Gracie Mansion, the home of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, was an explosive. The NYPD Bomb Squad’s preliminary analysis determined it was not a hoax device.

Rugby Special’s John Barclay and Sam Warburton examine how Scotland’s clear plan to stretch France helped drive a thrilling 50–40 win at Murrayfield.

A sloppy, disjointed England display in a 23-18 loss to Italy in Rome raised concerns about the team’s confidence and internal clarity, with Rugby Special’s John Barclay and Sam Warburton pointing to a lack of clarity within Steve Borthwick’s squad.

B-21 Raider stealth bomber production to speed up

Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Air Force plan to accelerate production capacity for the B-21 Raider as the program advances through ground and flight testing. Final assembly is underway in Palmdale, California, with manufacturing across the United States, and the first operational aircraft is expected to arrive at Ellsworth Air Force Base in 2027. Northrop Grumman says it has invested more than $5 billion in digital engineering and manufacturing infrastructure, and that test aircraft performance is exceeding digital model predictions as the test fleet expanded in 2025 to increase flight-test tempo.

Trump Shifts Support Away from Venezuela’s Machado

President Trump increasingly backs Delcy Rodríguez as Venezuela’s interim president, sidelining opposition leader María Corina Machado as she prepares to return to Venezuela.

Israeli strikes kill at least 20 people in southern Lebanon

Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed at least 20 people on Sunday as Israel broadened its conflict with Iran and allied groups beyond previous fronts. At the same time, Iran continued launching missile and drone attacks across the Gulf.

Netanyahu Achieved His Goal of Drawing the U.S. Into Confrontation With Iran

A joint campaign with the United States pulls Washington directly into Israel’s confrontation with Iran, potentially reshaping the region’s strategic balance and strengthening Israel’s military position. The approach reflects Netanyahu’s long-standing effort to persuade U.S. presidents that Iran is an American concern too, but it also leaves both leaders politically exposed if the campaign fails or backfires.

Nus Ghani Speaks About the ‘Abhorrent’ Discrimination She Faced in Politics and Why She Challenged It

WATCH: Nus Ghani opens up about “abhorrent” discrimination she faced in politics, saying, “I didn’t let it pass.” The Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons says she has faced discrimination throughout her life and in Westminster, including being told her faith was an issue. Speaking with Gloria de Piero, the Conservative MP for Sussex Weald said she challenged what happened to ensure others do not experience the same treatment, while warning that constantly revisiting it could end up defining her rather than those who misused power against her. Ghani said she has continued her career despite the prejudice she encountered.

Dan Crenshaw’s Political Rise and Decline

The Rise and Fall of Dan Crenshaw highlights how quickly building a political profile through today’s media and online attention can backfire. It portrays Crenshaw’s downturn as a warning to politicians who try to accelerate their careers in the political-media ecosystem, emphasizing that negative coverage is not always beneficial and that succeeding online requires constantly adapting to shifting dynamics.

Former rapper Balendra Shah poised to become Nepal’s next prime minister

Former rapper Balendra Shah appears set to become Nepal’s next prime minister after his party won the general election by a landslide.

Workers Who Enjoy Corporate Jargon May Perform Worse at Their Jobs

New Cornell University research in Personality and Individual Differences suggests workers who enjoy impressive-sounding but meaningless corporate jargon may perform worse at their jobs. Cognitive psychologist Shane Littrell developed the Corporate Bullshit Receptivity Scale and had over 1,000 office workers rate vague “corporate” statements alongside real executive quotes. People more taken in by buzzwords were more likely to view managers as charismatic and visionary, but scored lower on analytic thinking, cognitive reflection, and fluid intelligence, and performed worse on tests of effective workplace decision-making. Higher receptivity also correlated with greater job satisfaction and inspiration from mission statements, and a greater tendency to repeat the jargon themselves.

England’s kick-heavy tactics backfired

England World Cup winner Matt Dawson says England’s kick-first approach played a key role in their historic first defeat to Italy, and argues they must loosen up and play with greater freedom in their next match against France.

UK opens a booking portal for charter flights for Britons in Dubai

The UK has opened an online booking portal for charter flights for British nationals in Dubai, after thousands of flights across the Middle East were cancelled over the past week.

Marin Alsop Conducts Rachmaninoff and Schumann in Marian Anderson Hall, March 20–22

During Women’s History Month, the Philadelphia Orchestra will perform in Marian Anderson Hall from March 20 to 22 under Principal Guest Conductor Marin Alsop, featuring music by Rachmaninoff and Schumann. Alsop, known for mentoring and supporting women in music, will lead the program.

RFU continues to back Steve Borthwick despite a poor run of defeats

The Rugby Football Union is maintaining its support for England coach Steve Borthwick despite a hugely disappointing sequence of losses. RFU chief Bill Sweeney said Borthwick will be questioned about the team’s wretched Six Nations campaign once the tournament ends.

Police Investigate Possible Explosion Outside the U.S. Embassy in Oslo

Norwegian police are investigating a possible explosion outside the U.S. Embassy in Oslo. Justice and Public Security Minister Astri Aas-Hansen called the incident unacceptable and said it is being treated with the utmost seriousness.

Midday News Bulletin for March 8, 2026

A midday roundup of the latest developments from across Europe and around the world, covering breaking news and key updates in business, politics, entertainment, culture, and travel.

AI agents are helping cybercriminals and state-backed hackers automate routine attack tasks

Microsoft’s global threat intelligence lead Sherrod DeGrippo says AI agents are enabling cybercriminals and nation-state actors to offload routine “janitorial” work involved in planning and executing cyberattacks, making operations faster and easier. She notes that North Korea is among the groups taking advantage of these capabilities.

Spoofing an Emergency Vehicle Traffic Signal Preemption System

Spoofing an emergency traffic preemption signal is technically possible. By obtaining and reverse-engineering Tomar Strobecom hardware, a researcher found that some systems encode data by skipping or precisely timing infrared pulses. Using an Arduino Nano and an IR LED, they were able to trigger Strobecom preemption and transmit a vehicle ID, though the system proved timing-sensitive and may require valid IDs to actually change lights.

Senator says U.S. strikes on Iran could affect China and Russia

Sen. Kevin Cramer, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said U.S. military operations alongside Israel against Iran could ripple beyond the Middle East. In a Sunday radio interview, he argued the strikes send a message to major adversaries, including China and Russia, and could influence broader geopolitical calculations.

Property tycoon says he will buy closing churches in England to keep them as churches

Property investor Samuel Leeds says he wants to buy churches across England that are shutting down to prevent them being converted into homes, businesses, or other uses, arguing that buildings built as churches should remain churches. Posting on X, he said profit is not the priority, and later said he had made a £225,000 cash offer for Darelston Methodist Church in Wednesbury. The pledge comes amid widespread church closures and political debate over the repurposing of church buildings, alongside polling suggesting rising belief and church attendance in recent years.

Portugal’s women chefs push back on tradition for International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day is being marked by profiling four women chefs in Portugal who are challenging traditional expectations and raising standards in the country’s catering industry.

UN warns Middle East conflict is at a “moment of grave peril”

UN humanitarian affairs head Tom Fletcher told the BBC the conflict in the Middle East has created a moment of grave peril, with escalating humanitarian risks.

Upper Austria Grand Prix in Linz delivers big judo moments

Day 2 of the Upper Austria Grand Prix in Linz featured gold medals for Rafaela Silva, Ethan Nairne, Michaela Polleres, and Adilet Almat. The home crowd roared for Polleres’ dramatic golden-score win.

March 8 birthdays

Actor Camryn Manheim turns 65, and actor Aidan Quinn turns 67.

On this day in 1965, U.S. Marines land in Da Nang

On March 8, 1965, about 3,500 U.S. Marines landed in Da Nang, South Vietnam, marking the first major deployment of U.S. ground troops in the Vietnam War.

Commentary, Britain “made its own” energy vulnerability

A commentary argues the UK helped create its energy vulnerability by restricting domestic gas drilling, closing power stations, and allowing energy prices to rise sharply over the past two decades, leaving the country more exposed to global energy shocks.

Report, women are leaving European tech because of workplace culture

A new report says workplace culture is the top reason women are leaving tech jobs across Europe, deepening their declining presence in the sector.

Explosion reported at U.S. Embassy in Oslo

Norwegian police said an explosion struck the U.S. Embassy in Oslo early Sunday. No injuries were reported.

China’s ultra-cheap phones get squeezed by AI memory demand and geopolitics

Rising AI-driven demand is pushing DRAM and NAND prices higher, destabilizing handset pricing and squeezing thin-margin Chinese phone makers. Separately, a Dutch court-ordered investigation and government intervention tied to Nexperia and its Chinese owner Wingtech are worsening supply-chain splits—disrupting chip flows and pushing costlier parallel production. Together, these pressures threaten the viability of sub-$100 devices and could force weaker brands to exit.

Daniel Dubois says fatherhood fuels his focus ahead of Fabio Wardley fight

Heavyweight Daniel Dubois says becoming a father has strengthened his motivation ahead of his May bout with fellow Brit Fabio Wardley in Manchester. He said he wants to be a role model for his son, Zion, and framed the matchup as strictly professional after past trash talk and a tense press-conference moment.

Geopolitics, oil shocks, and chip risk collide in a sprawling analysis

An analysis claims that over an 87-day period the U.S. carried out two major operations: the capture of Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro, and a U.S.-Israeli strike campaign on Iran that reportedly killed Iran’s leader and disrupted shipping after a declaration that the Strait of Hormuz was closed. It argues the combined effect reduced China’s access to discounted oil from Venezuela and Iran, adding strain alongside semiconductor supply risk tied to Taiwan’s TSMC as Silicon Valley ramps up AI infrastructure spending.

Sri Lankan-born baker wins Paris’s best traditional baguette and lands Élysée contract

Sithamparappillai Jegatheepan, 43, beat out established French bakers to win Paris’s award for best traditional baguette. The prize includes about £4,000 and a contract to deliver fresh baguettes to the Élysée Palace each morning. Jegatheepan moved to France in 2003, opened his own bakery in 2019, and said this was his first time entering the competition, with his French citizenship application still pending.

AccuWeather: Showers early, then sunshine and springlike warmth

AccuWeather forecasts Sunday will start with morning showers before clearing to sunshine later in the day, as the recent cloudy pattern breaks and warmer, springlike air moves in.

Federal judge voids Voice of America layoffs, says Kari Lake unlawfully held acting CEO authority

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., voided recent layoffs at Voice of America and found that Kari Lake unlawfully exercised authority as acting CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media. Judge Royce Lamberth ruled her leadership violated the Constitution’s appointments clause.

Conservative media infighting over a $220 million DHS ad campaign featuring Kristi Noem

Fox News host Tomi Lahren criticized outgoing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem over a taxpayer-funded $220 million DHS ad campaign that prominently featured Noem, calling it wasteful and a distraction from immigration policy. Lahren backed President Donald Trump’s move to replace Noem with Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin, pending Senate confirmation. The campaign also drew scrutiny from Sen. John Kennedy, who questioned Noem about whether Trump approved it. Noem said the president was aware and called it effective.

Australian state polls: One Nation surges in Victoria, mixed leaders elsewhere

Two Victorian polls put One Nation around 23 to 24 percent on primary votes, while disagreeing on whether Labor or the Coalition leads on primary support. Two-party results range from 50-50 to 52-48 Coalition. The polling shows weak approval for Premier Jacinta Allan, broad dissatisfaction with the state’s direction, and strong support for a royal commission into alleged CFMEU corruption. A New South Wales poll shows Labor well ahead on a two-party basis, aided by optional preferential voting that splits the right-wing vote. South Australia is tracking toward a record number of lower-house candidates for the March 21 election.

Penn State sends eight wrestlers to Big Ten finals after dominant semifinal round

Penn State advanced eight wrestlers to the Big Ten championship finals on Sunday after going 8-1 in Saturday’s semifinals at the Bryce Jordan Center, building a 146.5-point team total ahead of Nebraska and Ohio State at 112. Luke Lilledahl, Marcus Blaze, Shayne Van Ness, Mitchell Mesenbrink, Levi Haines, Rocco Welsh, Josh Barr, and PJ Duke reached the finals, with Mesenbrink and Barr earning tech falls. Heavyweight Cole Mirasola fell to the consolation bracket after a 5-2 loss to Michigan’s Taye Ghadiali, and Braeden Davis will wrestle for seventh.

Opinion: Trump’s offshore wind freeze could backfire by creating regulatory whiplash

An opinion piece argues that President Donald Trump’s second-term efforts to stall offshore wind, including freezing leases, slowing permits, suspending projects, and appealing court rulings, could undermine “energy dominance” by increasing regulatory uncertainty. It says concerns about subsidies, costs, or national security should be addressed directly through policy and market reforms rather than reopening projects that already cleared permitting. It warns that stop-start politics raises financing costs, threatens jobs, and could trigger cancellation liabilities. The piece calls for bipartisan, technology-neutral permitting reform to speed energy infrastructure approvals across pipelines, transmission, nuclear, and renewables.

AccuWeather: Cloudier skies and patchy fog to start the weekend in the Philadelphia region

AccuWeather reports more clouds and areas of patchy fog at the start of the weekend in the Philadelphia region. A spotty thunderstorm is possible overnight, with showers lingering into tomorrow before sunshine returns later in the day.

Trump Meets Families at Dover as Bodies of Soldiers Killed in Kuwait Return

President Donald Trump joined grieving families at Dover Air Force Base for the dignified transfer of six U.S. Army Reserve soldiers killed in Kuwait.

Newcastle Suffer 3-1 FA Cup Loss to Manchester City, Highlighting the Gap to the Top

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said his team learned a tough lesson after a 3-1 FA Cup fifth-round defeat to Manchester City, calling it a sobering reminder of the gap between Newcastle and the top sides.

Italy secure their first Six Nations victory over England

Italy earned their first-ever Six Nations win against England in Rome, taking advantage of England’s second-half yellow cards to Sam Underhill and Maro Itoje to close out a celebratory victory as England’s campaign slid further into trouble.

How the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant Was Modernized in the 1990s

Modernization at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the 1990s focused on extending, not replacing, its 1970s SKALA automation system while the remaining RBMK reactors continued operating. Engineers added an auxiliary information-measurement system called DIIS, bridged to SKALA through a Ukrainian SM-1210 minicomputer and linked onward to an 80386 PC and an ARCnet network. The upgrade enabled real-time visualization and on-site reactor core modeling from measurements, reducing reliance on sending data to Moscow, while keeping existing SKALA workflows such as PRIZMA tape-based adjustments. This hybrid of Soviet-era mainframe technology and newer PC computing supported operations through the staged shutdowns of Units 2 in 1991, 1 in 1996, and 3 in 2000.

Iranian Official Says Iran Will Respond to Attacks Launched from U.S. Bases in the Persian Gulf

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council secretary Ali Larijani said Tehran will respond to any attacks carried out from U.S. military bases in the Persian Gulf, calling such retaliation a consistent policy and Iran’s right amid ongoing U.S. military operations.

Arcadia University Shoulder Research Center seeks adults with shoulder pain for paid research studies

Arcadia University’s Shoulder Research Center is recruiting adults ages 18 to 65 with shoulder pain for paid studies examining brain activity in response to neuromuscular electrical stimulation or pain-relieving injections. Participants will complete eligibility questions and a shoulder screening, then undergo shoulder strength testing and non-invasive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, or TMS, in Room 103 of the Health Sciences Building. Sessions run 1.5 to 4 hours across 1 to 3 visits, with compensation of 50 to 125 dollars paid after completion. Participation is voluntary and can be ended at any time. Interested volunteers can contact primary investigator Dr. Jeffrey Paskewitz at [email protected].

Pedestrian Dies in Hit-and-Run Crash in Chester Heights, Delaware County

Pennsylvania State Police are investigating a fatal hit-and-run crash that killed a pedestrian late Thursday night in Chester Heights, Delaware County.

Trump Says Transfers of Fallen U.S. Service Members Are Part of War

President Trump said that attending dignified transfer proceedings for U.S. service members killed in action is “part of war,” after he attended the transfer of six service members killed in Kuwait following the start of the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. He made the remarks to reporters aboard Air Force One when asked whether he would attend additional transfer ceremonies.

90-year-old Ocean City resident marks 10,000 days at the beach

Ninety-year-old Ocean City resident Earl Paul has reached 10,000 beach days, continuing a daily routine that began as a way to heal after his wife’s death.