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February 25, 2026.

FILE -Anaheim Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville gives instructions during the overtime period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh, Dec. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Joel Quenneville wins his 1,000th game, joining Scotty Bowman in an elite club for NHL coaches

February 25, 2026

Joel Quenneville became the second coach in NHL history to win 1,000 games when his Anaheim Ducks rallied to beat the Edmonton Oilers 6-5. Quenneville joined Scotty Bowman in this exclusive hockey club with a milestone win Wednesday night in the Ducks’ first game back from the Olympic break. Bowman became the first coach to reach the mark in 1997. The 67-year-old Quenneville has made a successful return to the NHL this season in Anaheim after a four-year absence from the league following his resignation from the Florida Panthers in late 2021 over his inaction during the Chicago Blackhawks’ sexual abuse scandal 11 years earlier.

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FILE -Toronto Blue Jays' pitcher Max Scherzer runs prior to Game 7 of baseball's World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Nov. 1, 2025, in Toronto. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)

Max Scherzer and Toronto Blue Jays agree to $3 million, 1-year deal, AP source says

February 25, 2026

Max Scherzer is returning to the Toronto Blue Jays. The three-time Cy Young Award winner has agreed with the reigning American League champions on a $3 million, one-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press early Thursday. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal was subject to a successful physical and had not been announced. The 41-year-old Scherzer can earn another $10 million in performance bonuses. Scherzer went 5-5 with a 5.19 ERA in 17 starts and 85 innings for the Blue Jays last season, his 18th in the major leagues. He signed a $15.5 million, one-year contract with Toronto in February 2025.

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Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (91) looks to pass as Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Joel Quenneville gets his 1,000th career win in Ducks’ 6-5 comeback victory over Oilers

February 25, 2026

Joel Quenneville became the second coach in NHL history to win 1,000 games with the Anaheim Ducks’ 6-5 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers. Quenneville joined Scotty Bowman in an exclusive hockey club with a milestone win in the Ducks’ first game back from the Olympic break. Cutter Gauthier scored the tiebreaking goal with 1:14 to play for the Ducks, who erased a pair of two-goal deficits. Leo Carlsson had a goal and two assists in his first appearance since Jan. 10. Zach Hyman and Evan Bouchard scored late in the second period to put the Oilers ahead, but they blew the lead.

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FILE - This photo shows the Ice Harbor dam on the Snake River in Pasco, Wash, Oct. 24, 2006. (AP Photo/Jackie Johnston, File)

Judge orders changes to Columbia and Snake river dam operations to help ‘disappearing’ salmon

February 25, 2026

A federal judge in Oregon has ordered narrow changes to hydropower dam operations on the Columbia and Snake rivers in the Pacific Northwest to help salmon. U.S. District Judge Michael Simon said the Trump administration’s plans for the massive structures would harm salmon runs that are “disappearing from the landscape.” The ruling came in a decades-long legal effort by the states of Oregon and Washington, Native American tribes, and conservation and fishing groups to ensure better protections for migrating salmon, which are killed in large numbers by the massive dams. The litigation was recently revived after the Trump administration torpedoed a landmark 2023 agreement to help recover imperiled salmon runs.

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FILE - Kilmar Abrego Garcia speaks during a rally ahead of a mandatory check at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Baltimore, Dec. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough, File)

Kilmar Abrego Garcia asks US judge in Tennessee to dismiss his criminal case, saying it’s vindictive

February 25, 2026

Attorneys for Kilmar Abrego Garcia are trying to prove that criminal charges against him are vindictive and should be dismissed. The Salvadoran citizen was mistakenly deported last year in violation of a court order, and that galvanized both sides of the immigration debate. He was eventually returned to the U.S. only to face human smuggling charges in Tennessee. The federal judge in the case already determined some Trump administration officials made statements about Abrego Garcia that are cause for concern. At a Thursday hearing in Nashville, Abrego Garcia will try to prove that the animus of those officials is what motivated the charges against him.

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President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Most Americans see Iran as an enemy but doubt Trump’s judgment on military force, AP-NORC poll finds

February 25, 2026

A new AP-NORC poll finds that as the U.S. and Iran head into their next round of nuclear talks in Geneva, many U.S. adults continue to view Iran’s nuclear program as a threat. At the same time, few Americans have high trust in President Donald Trump’s judgment on the use of military force abroad. The survey was conducted Feb. 19-23, as military tensions built in the Middle East between the United States and Iran. It found that about half of U.S. adults are “extremely” or “very” concerned that Iran’s nuclear program poses a direct threat to the United States, but only about one-quarter of Americans say they have high trust in Trump on relationships with adversaries or the use of military force abroad.

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UConn guard Solo Ball reacts in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against St. John's, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

Reed powers No. 6 UConn to 72-40 rout against No. 15 St. John’s

February 25, 2026

Tarris Reed Jr. had 20 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks, and No. 6 UConn held 15th-ranked St. John’s to 20% shooting in a 72-40 blowout that snapped the Red Storm’s 13-game winning streak. Alex Karaban added 14 points and five rebounds for the Huskies, who moved back into first place in the Big East by avenging an 81-72 loss to St. John’s at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 6. St. John’s missed 12 consecutive shots in the first half and then its final 24 field goal attempts of the game as the Huskies romped to their most lopsided victory in series history. It was by far the largest defeat for the Johnnies in three seasons under Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino.

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FBI Director Kash Patel, flanked by Attorney General Pam Bondi, left, and Jeanine Pirro, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, appears before reporters at the Justice Department, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in Washington, to announce the capture of a key participant in the 2012 attack on a U.S. compound that killed four Americans in Benghazi, Libya. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

FBI fires agents who worked on Trump classified document investigation, AP sources say

February 25, 2026

The FBI has fired additional agents who worked on an investigation into President Donald Trump, this time terminating employees who participated in the probe into the Republican’s hoarding of classified documents. That’s according to people familiar with the matter. The firings disclosed Wednesday are part of a broader personnel purge under the leadership of Director Kash Patel, a Trump appointee who, over the last year, has pushed out dozens of employees who either contributed to investigations of the president or who were perceived as not in alignment with the administration’s agenda. The Justice Department has engaged in similarly sweeping firings of prosecutors since Trump took office last year.

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Canada's Mark Stone (61) challenges with Finland's Olli Maatta (3) during a men's ice hockey semifinal game between Canada and Finland at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Golden Knights sit 5 from Olympic gold-medal game in NHL return against Kings

February 25, 2026

The Vegas Golden Knights were without five players from the Olympic gold medal-game Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Kings in the NHL’s return from a three-week break. Having already ruled out center Jack Eichel and defenseman Noah Hanifin from the champion United States, the Golden Knights traveled without Canadian forwards Mark Stone and Mitch Marner and defenseman Shea Theodore. The United States beat Canada 2-1 in overtime in Milan on Sunday. Eichel, Stone and Marner are Vegas’ top three point producers, Theodore and Hanifin lead Vegas defensemen in ice time and points.

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Mikey Shulman, one of the founders of AI music generator startup Suno, right, and research scientist Christian Steinmetz, collaborate on creating a song, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

AI song generator startups Suno and Udio angered the music industry. Now they’re hoping to join it

February 25, 2026

AI music platforms Suno and Udio were sued by major record labels in 2024 for allegedly exploiting the recorded works of professional musicians. Since then, the pair have strived to make peace with the industry through settlements and licensing deals. While many professional musicians remain skeptical of the budding AI music industry, some artists, like Christopher “Topher” Townsend, already are embracing the technology and creating hit new tracks and digital extensions of themselves.

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FILE - Tom Goldstein, who writes SCOTUSblog.com, poses for a photograph in front of the Supreme Court, Oct. 31, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, file)

Supreme Court litigator convicted of tax evasion over income from high-stakes poker

February 25, 2026

A prominent Supreme Court litigator who also published a popular blog about the nation’s highest court has been convicted of tax evasion and related charges stemming from his secretive lifestyle as an ultra-high-stakes poker player. A federal jury found SCOTUSblog co-founder Thomas Goldstein guilty of 12 of 16 counts on Wednesday after a six-week trial in Maryland. Goldstein was charged with failing to pay taxes on millions of dollars in gambling income. Prosecutors also accused him of diverting money from his law firm to pay gambling debts and falsely deducting gambling debts as business expenses. Goldstein argued more than 40 cases before the Supreme Court before retiring in 2023.

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United States' Kendall Coyne, left, and United States' Hilary Knight celebrate after victory ceremony for women's ice hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Hilary Knight wants focus on the US women’s Olympic success, not Trump’s ‘distasteful’ joke

February 25, 2026

Hilary Knight says the U.S. women’s hockey team is moving past what she called a “distasteful” joke by President Donald Trump. Knight says she is focusing the performance of her team and by American women in general at the Games. Trump drew attention after telling the gold-medal-winning U.S. men’s team he would also have to invite the women to the White House. Knight said the video of Trump’s remark is taking attention away from the respectful relationship between the men’s and women’s teams. Goaltender Jeremy Swayman said the men “should have reacted differently” in the moment.

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A United States Border Patrol agent gestures to a car while conducting immigration enforcement operations, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ryan Murphy)

DHS official promises that federal immigration agents won’t be at polling places during the midterms

February 25, 2026

A DHS official is promising top state election administrators that immigration agents will not be at polling places during November’s midterm election. Heather Honey, an election conspiracy theorist who is deputy assistant secretary for election integrity for the Trump administration, pledged Wednesday on a call with secretaries of state from around the country to discuss the midterms, according to several officials on the call. Democrats and some election officials have increasingly worried the Trump administration would try to interfere in November’s elections, in part by posting immigration agents at the polls. Those fears rose after last month’s immigration crackdown in Minneapolis.

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Toucan seen flying around Sin City has been rescued

February 25, 2026

A toucan seen flying around the Las Vegas desert has been captured by a bird rescue group. The group has been trying to catch the bird for months since he escaped from his owner in November. The toucan named Sam flew into a garage, where the homeowners trapped it until the rescue group could come. Sam was taken to the veterinarian and shows signs of wear and tear, but the group thinks he’ll be OK.

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Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden smiles as he heads off the court after being interviewed following the Cavaliers' victory over the Denver Nuggets in an NBA basketball game Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

James Harden out for the Cavaliers against the Bucks after breaking right thumb

February 25, 2026

James Harden sat out the Cleveland Cavaliers’ game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night because of a broken right thumb. Harden was injured Tuesday night in a 109-94 home victory over New York. X-rays Wednesday showed a non-displaced fracture of the distal phalanx. Harden will undergo treatment and evaluation. The 17-year veteran was traded by the Los Angeles Clippers to Cleveland on Feb. 4. He averaged 18.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and eight assists in his seven games with the Cavaliers. Cleveland also was without two other starters. Donovan Mitchell is out with a right groin strain and Evan Mobley is inactive due to left calf injury management.

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Singer D4vd is ‘target’ in investigation of killing of girl whose body was found in car in Hollywood

February 25, 2026

Singer D4vd is at the center of a Los Angeles grand jury investigation of the killing of a 14-year-old girl found dead in a Tesla. Prosecutors name the 20-year-old singer as a “target” in subpoenas seeking to have his relatives testify. On Wednesday, the documents became public after a court fight in Texas involving his mother, father, and brother. Police have not publicly named the singer whose legal name is David Burke as a suspect. Investigators say they found Celeste Rivas Hernandez in a tow yard car in September. The papers describe severe decomposition and dismemberment of the body.

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FILE - New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia gestures to fans as he leaves during the third inning of the team's baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels Sept. 18, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)

New York Yankees to retire CC Sabathia’s No. 52 on Sept. 26

February 25, 2026

CC Sabathia’s No. 52 will be retired on Sept. 26 by the New York Yankees, who will dedicate a plaque in honor of the Hall of Famer at Monument Park before that day’s game against the Baltimore Orioles. Sabathia will be the 24th man to have his number retired by the Yankees, the first since Paul O’Neill was honored with the retirement of No. 21 in 2022. Twenty-three numbers have been retired, with No. 8 set aside for both Yogi Berra and Bill Dickey. Sabathia will join former teammates Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte with plaques in Monument Park, beyond Yankee Stadium’s center-field fence.

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Lawyers say Pennsylvania student protesters did not know a man who joined scrum was the police chief

February 25, 2026

Lawyers for student protesters detained in Pennsylvania after a scuffle with police say their clients did not know that a man in street clothes who put his arm around a 15-year-old girl’s neck was the local police chief. The lawyers say the Quakertown high school students acted in self-defense. Quakertown Police Chief Scott McElree, who also serves as borough manager, did not return messages left this week at his home and office. Some residents have called for him to resign. Bucks County District Attorney Joe Khan is investigating, while also prosecuting the teens in juvenile court.

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New Jersey Devils' Jack Hughes (86) speaks to fans before an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Olympic star Jack Hughes returns to NHL — missing a few front teeth

February 25, 2026

U.S. Olympic hero Jack Hughes was honored by the New Jersey Devils before their game Wednesday night against Buffalo as NHL play resumed followed a three-week break. The Devils showed video of Hughes’ overtime goal in the United States’ 2-1 victory over Canada on Sunday in the gold medal game in Milan. The 24-year-old center lost a few teeth in the third period of that game when he was high-sticked by Sam Bennett. Said Hughes to the crowd: “I’m so proud and so happy that the men’s and women’s hockey teams brought the gold medal back to America.” Hughes arrived in New Jersey late Tuesday night after being recognized with his U.S. teammates by President Donald Trump at the State of the Union address.

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Canada head coach Jon Cooper, top right, directs his players during the first period of the men's ice hockey gold medal game against the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Lightning coach Jon Cooper to miss 2 games after his father’s death

February 25, 2026

Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper is stepping away for two games after his father Robert died. The team turns to assistant Rob Zettler as acting head coach. Cooper led Canada to a silver medal at the Milan Cortina Olympics. On Wednesday, Zettler ran the bench at home against Toronto. On Thursday, he’ll coach at Carolina. Zettler said Cooper left Wednesday morning to return to Vancouver. The NHL restarted play on Wednesday after a break for the Olympic Games in Milan. Tampa Bay held a six-point lead in the Atlantic Division. The Lightning were tied atop the Eastern Conference.

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A document that was included in the U.S. Department of Justice release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, photographed Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, shows a photo of Epstein on a inmate report from the Federal Bureau of Prisons . (AP Photo/Jon Elswick)

Justice Department says it’s reviewing whether any Epstein-related records were mistakenly withheld

February 25, 2026

The Justice Department says it is looking into whether it improperly withheld documents from the Jeffrey Epstein files. The announcement Wednesday comes after several news organizations reported that records involving uncorroborated accusations made by a woman against President Donald Trump were not among those released to the public. The reports say the Justice Department did not release some summaries of interviews that the FBI conducted with an unidentified woman who claimed to have been sexually assaulted by both Trump and Epstein when she was a minor in the 1980s. The Justice Department has said that the FBI received many “untrue and sensationalist” claims about Trump that are included in the files.

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FILE - New York Attorney General Letitia James attends a news conference Dec. 15, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, File)

New York sues Counter-Strike game developer saying ‘loot boxes’ promote gambling

February 25, 2026

New York’s attorney general is suing video game developer Valve, claiming the “loot boxes” found in Counter-Strike and other popular video game franchises illegally promote gambling. State Attorney General Letitia James said Wednesday that games such as Counter-Strike 2, Team Fortress 2 and Dota 2 charge users for the chance to win rare items held in the virtual containers. The items can then be sold online for significant sums. James’ office wants the to company stop promoting what it says is essentially gambling. The state also wants Valve to pay a fine, restitution and damages to users. Messages seeking comment were left Wednesday for the Washington-based company.

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"No parking" signs stand along one side of the road that Nancy Guthrie lives on in Tucson, Ariz., Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, while canopies and vehicles of people covering the investigation line the other side. (AP Photo/Felicia Fonseca)

No-parking zone in Nancy Guthrie’s neighborhood widened amid complaints about journalists, streamers

February 25, 2026

The no-parking zone around the home of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother where journalists and social media streamers have stationed themselves over the past three weeks since her disappearance is being widened. The change is being made in response to complaints from neighbors about congested roads, trespassing and trash left along roadways. County officials say an effort over the weekend to have one-way traffic flow on the road in front of Nancy Guthrie’s house hasn’t worked as they hoped. Authorities say journalists and streamers can still have access to the area, but they will have to park elsewhere and get dropped off in the neighborhood.

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Driver Ty Gibbs walks in the pit area during a NASCAR Daytona 500 practice, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Daytona, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Chris Gabehart: Joe Gibbs Racing lawsuit is ‘punishing a former employee for daring to leave’

February 25, 2026

Chris Gabehart says Joe Gibbs Racing is suing him to punish him for leaving, not to protect trade secrets. Gabehart filed a declaration admitting he photographed some team files but his own forensic audit shows he never shared them. JGR says its own audit shows searches and folders tied to Spire Motorsports. JGR added Spire to the lawsuit on Tuesday night. Gabehart says his job fell apart after pressure to work with Ty Gibbs. He says Joe Gibbs’ grandson got preferential treatment within the organization. Gabehart says JGR stopped paying him in November. JGR claims more than $8 million in damages.

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FILE - An eBay app logo is shown on a mobile phone, July 11, 2019, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)

A settlement is reached in a case tied to eBay’s bizarre deliveries and harassment campaign

February 25, 2026

A Massachusetts couple who were targeted in a harassment campaign by former eBay employees have reached a settlement in a lawsuit against the company. David and Ina Steiner run an online newsletter covering the e-commerce industry and said the company tried to silence them to stifle their reporting on eBay. They said employees sent them threatening messages and disturbing anonymous deliveries, including live cockroaches and spiders, a funeral wreath and a bloody pig mask. Seven former employees were criminally charged, and most pleaded guilty to conspiracy and cyberstalking. In 2024, eBay agreed to pay a $3 million penalty under a deferred prosecution agreement. Settlement terms in the civil case were not disclosed.

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Bill and Hillary Clinton, battle-tested, gear up for another Washington fight

February 25, 2026

Bill and Hillary Clinton are slated to testify this week in a House investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, part of a deal with Republicans after it became clear that Congress — with the help of some Democrats — was on track to hold them in contempt if they refused to cooperate. For the battle-hardened couple, it amounts to one more Washington brawl. And like so many of the battles that came before, this one is another mix of questionable judgment, sexual impropriety, money and power.

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FILE - Georgia Power Co.'s Plant Bowen generates electricity, Dec. 14, 2020, in Euharlee, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart, File)

Feds give record $27B in loans for utility expansion in Georgia and Alabama

February 25, 2026

Federal energy officials say they will loan a record $27 billion federal loan to Georgia Power and Alabama Power to expand electricity supply. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright announced the loan Wednesday, saying subsidized interest rates will save customers more than $7 billion over time. The utilities plan to build new natural gas plants, add transmission lines, and upgrade older power plants. The loan comes as electricity prices rise faster than inflation in many states. There is also widespread grassroots opposition to new data centers for artificial intelligence.

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FILE - Attorney Marc Agnifilo, left, and Teny Geragos, right, for Sean "Diddy Combs, arrive at Manhattan federal court, Oct. 10, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, File)

Harvey Weinstein hires Luigi Mangione and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ lawyers as his 3rd NY trial looms

February 25, 2026

Harvey Weinstein has hired Luigi Mangione and Sean “Diddy” Combs’ lawyers to represent him at his third New York rape trial, recasting his legal team after declining to end the matter with a guilty plea. The lawyers, Jacob Kaplan, Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos, confirmed the move in court papers Tuesday. They take over for Weinstein’s longtime lawyer, Arthur Aidala, who ceded his courtroom role to focus on the ex-studio boss’ appeals and pending civil matters. Kaplan was a member of Weinstein’s original defense team in 2018 and is expected to have a leading role in his defense at the third trial, which involves a charge that the Oscar-winning producer raped hairstylist and actor Jessica Mann in a Manhattan hotel in 2013.

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FILE - The logo for ExxonMobil appears above a trading post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, April 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

Federal judge in Texas allows lawsuit against California attorney general over ExxonMobil remarks

February 25, 2026

A federal judge in Texas has ruled that California’s attorney general can face a defamation lawsuit over comments attacking ExxonMobil’s plastics recycling claims. U.S. District Judge Michael J. Truncale wrote earlier in February that California Attorney General Rob Bonta cannot use official immunity because the comments appeared in a campaign email soliciting donations. The email sent to Texas residents said that Exxon knew that only 5% of plastics is recycled. Bonta sued Exxon in September 2024 over claims the company misled consumers about recycling. Exxon then sued Bonta in January 2025, saying his remarks hurt business deals.

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World Trade Center’s last office tower soon will get built and house American Express

February 25, 2026

New York’s governor says the World Trade Center’s final office tower will start construction as soon as this spring and become American Express’ new headquarters. Gov. Kathy Hochul and the company announced the plan for 2 World Trade Center on Wednesday. The development marks a milestone nearly 25 years after the Sept. 11 attacks destroyed the site. The 55-story building is planned on a spot is currently occupied by a low placeholder building, covered with colorful graffiti-style murals, and a beer garden. Completion is expected in 2031.

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FILE - The U.S. Department of Justice logo is seen on a podium before a press conference, May 6, 2025, at the Justice Department in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, File)

Trump’s pick to lead new Justice Department unit scrutinized as president declares ‘war on fraud’

February 25, 2026

President Donald Trump’s pick to lead a new Justice Department division dedicated to rooting out fraud says he would pursue prosecutions “without fear or favor,” amid growing questions about how the new unit will operate free of political pressure from a White House that has declared a “war on fraud.” The proposed National Fraud Enforcement Division has raised eyebrows not only because fraud is already prosecuted by the department’s Criminal Division but because the White House has suggested it will have an unusual role in overseeing the new division’s work.

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Samsung unveils its latest Galaxy smartphones during a showcase in San Francisco on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Haven Daley)

Samsung rolls out more AI, new privacy shield mode with the new Galaxy S26 lineup

February 25, 2026

Samsung on Wednesday unveiled its latest Galaxy smartphones, which boast an even bigger toolbox of artificial intelligence technology than the previous two generations and introduce a new privacy shield that blocks snoopy bystanders from sneaking a peek at the display screen. The upgrades on the Galaxy S26 lineup, coming to stores March 11. will also include price increases of 10% to 13% on the basic and mid-tier models while the Ultra device will cost the same as last year’s version. Samsung also is dangling another reason to pony up for its most expensive Galaxy S26 with a new feature called “Privacy Display” that will only be available on the Ultra.

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Brooks Koepka tees off on the eighth hole while playing the North Course at Torrey Pines during the second round of the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

Brooks Koepka returns to the Cognizant Classic for his first start there since 2022

February 25, 2026

Brooks Koepka returns to his hometown PGA event with plenty of comforts, and a few bruises, as he plays the Cognizant Classic. He says his toddler son hit him in the face with a hockey stick at home. Koepka called it painful but says he kept all his teeth. He will play this event for the first time since 2022 after nearly four years with LIV Golf. He says he wants to contend a few times before Augusta. The tournament now plays easier than it used to. Shane Lowry also hopes scoring gets tougher. The field lacks top-ranked stars.

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New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel walks along the sideline during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Vrabel calls for increased staffing at NFL replay center to help cut down on mistakes

February 25, 2026

New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel called on the league to increase staffing at the replay command center to make sure that reviews from all games are treated equally in the future. Vrabel spoke at the NFL scouting combine Wednesday and was asked about comments earlier this week made by NFL executive Troy Vincent that there were a handful of mistakes made in replay last season in games played in the early Sunday afternoon window when as many as nine games were played at the same time.

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President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

Trump’s portrayal of ‘golden age’ is out of sync with how Americans see economy

February 25, 2026

President Donald Trump sought in his first State of the Union address to sell Americans on the idea of a booming economy, falling prices, and soaring jobs, yet he faces a skeptical public with a much gloomier view. Barely 12 hours before his speech, in fact, The Conference Board, a business research group, released its latest consumer confidence report. It showed that overall confidence in the economy remains historically low, and is barely above the level it plunged to in the depths of the COVID recession. Other polling has yielded similar results: Only 39% of Americans approve of Trump’s economic leadership, according to the latest Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research survey.

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Seattle Mariners' Cal Raleigh runs the bases past Chicago White Sox third baseman Lenyn Sosa after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of a spring training baseball game Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Cal Raleigh not focused on trying for another 60-homer season in Seattle

February 25, 2026

Cal Raleigh has already gone deep this spring. Still, the switch-hitting Seattle Mariners catcher isn’t focused on trying to repeat his MLB-leading 60 homers from last season. He hit a 427-foot homer against the Chicago White Sox in an exhibition game Tuesday, his first in three spring games. He told Seattle Sports this week that he knows the elephant in the room is 60 homers, but that it’s not something he’s setting out to do. His 60 homers were the most for a player who was primarily a catcher. He finished second in the American League MVP voting behind New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge.

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Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent speaks during an interview following President Donald Trump's State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

Trump administration hits Iran with new sanctions as nuclear talks near

February 25, 2026

The Trump administration is expanding its pressure on Iran by imposing new sanctions aimed at the country’s missile, drone and oil networks. Treasury announced the move Wednesday that targets 30 people, companies and ships. The sanctions focus on Iran’s “shadow fleet” and on drone makers like Qods Aviation Industries. The measures block access to any U.S.-held property and ban American dealings with those listed. The penalties are part of the Trump administration’s efforts to press Tehran to make a deal to further scale back its nuclear program. They were imposed ahead of another round of talks in Geneva on Thursday.

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FILE - Sondra Lee, a cast member for the Broadway show "Hello Dolly1" appears backstage at the St. James Theater in New York on Oct. 14, 1964. (AP Photo/Harvey Lippman, File)

Sondra Lee, a veteran Broadway dancer with roles in ‘Peter Pan’ and ‘Hello Dolly!’ dies at 97

February 25, 2026

Broadway dancer and actor Sondra Lee, who helped shape “Peter Pan” and “Hello, Dolly!,” has died at 97. Her friend, the Rev. Joshua Ellis, says Lee died Monday in her New York City apartment. Legendary choreographer-director Jerome Robbins discovered her early in her career, putting her in “High Button Shoes.” She later originated Tiger Lily in the 1954 Broadway “Peter Pan.” She played Minnie Fay in the original “Hello, Dolly!,” staying with the show for years. Lee later taught and consulted on films. Her last appearance came in 2025 at Carnegie Hall.

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President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

Trump’s return to office has seen sweeping changes to immigration enforcement

February 25, 2026

President Donald Trump’s return to office has seen sweeping changes to how immigration enforcement is carried out. Trump touted his immigration and border security record during his State of the Union address Tuesday, highlighting how numbers of migrants arriving at the southern border plummeted during his first year in office. But the Republican president made scant mention of the fallout from immigration enforcement operations in places such as Minneapolis and Chicago, where residents protested heavy-handed tactics by immigration enforcement officers. As the number of arrests has surged, so has the number of immigrants being held in Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s network of detention facilities across the country.

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Canada's Sidney Crosby (87) reacts after Canada lost to the United States in a men's ice hockey gold medal game between Canada and the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby placed on injured reserve after getting hurt at the Olympics

February 25, 2026

The Pittsburgh Penguins will have to begin their playoff push without Sidney Crosby. The team has placed their longtime captain on injured reserve with a lower-body injury he sustained at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics. Crosby will miss at least a week, though he is expected to be out for longer than that. The 38-year-old Crosby leads the Penguins in points, goals and assists. Pittsburgh begins the post-Olympic break at home against New Jersey. The Penguins are trying to return to the playoffs following a three-year absence.

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FILE - The tassels on Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving wave as he participates during the second half in Game 3 of the NBA basketball finals against the Boston Celtics, Wednesday, June 12, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez, File)

The surprising complexity behind the squeak of basketball shoes on hardwood floors

February 25, 2026

A new study uses physics to uncover why sneakers squeak on the basketball court. Scientists slid a shoe against a smooth glass plate over and over, filming it and recording the squeaking sounds with a microphone. As the shoe works hard to keep its grip, the sole changes shape thousands of times per second as it momentarily loses and then regains contact with the floor at a frequency that matches the pitch of the loud squeak we hear. These insights can help scientists understand essential questions about friction, which has important practical applications. The study was published Wednesday in the journal Nature.

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The Supreme Court is photographed, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

Supreme Court rules against private prison firm facing forced-work suit from immigration detainees

February 25, 2026

The Supreme Court has ruled against a private prison company facing a lawsuit alleging immigration detainees were forced to work and paid only $1 a day. Wednesday’s decision is a procedural defeat for the GEO Group, but the case isn’t over. The Florida-based company is fighting a lawsuit from 2014 alleging detainees in Aurora, Colorado, had to perform unpaid janitorial work and other jobs for little pay to supplement meager meals. The company said it was immune as a government contractor, but a judge disagreed. The Supreme Court rebuffed the company’s push to immediately appeal that ruling.

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FILE - The town of Libby, Mont., is seen Feb. 17, 2010. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

Appeals court overturns finding that BNSF Railway contributed to 2 asbestos deaths in a Montana town

February 25, 2026

A federal appeals court has overturned a judge’s finding that BNSF Railway contributed to the deaths of two people in a Montana mining town where thousands have been sickened by asbestos exposure. A jury last year awarded $4 million each to the estates of the two people who died in 2020. Attorneys for the plaintiffs blamed the railroad for allowing asbestos-contaminated mining material to accumulate in a rail yard in downtown Libby, Montana. BNSF argued the railway was required under law to accept the asbestos-tainted vermiculite for shipment from a nearby mining operation and had been told by mining company W.R. Grace that it was safe. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued its opinion Tuesday.

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Esta imagen proporcionada por la NASA muestra el cohete lunar de la NASA en la plataforma del Centro Espacial Kennedy en Florida el jueves 19 de febrero de 2026. (NASA vía AP)

NASA moves its Artemis II moon rocket off the launch pad for more repairs

February 25, 2026

NASA is moving its grounded Artemis moon rocket from the launch pad back to its hangar for more repairs. The 4-mile-long slow-motion trek began Wednesday morning at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center. It’s expected to take all day. Managers ordered the rollback over the weekend after a problem developed with the rocket’s helium pressurization system. Already delayed a month by hydrogen fuel leaks, the launch team had been targeting March for the Artemis II astronaut mission — humanity’s first trip to the moon in decades. But now it’s off until at least April.

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Luke Grimes returns as fan favorite Kayce Dutton in new ‘Yellowstone’ spinoff, ‘Marshals’

February 25, 2026

Luke Grimes returns as Kayce Dutton in “Marshals,” a “Yellowstone” spinoff that pulls him from ranch life into law enforcement. “Yellowstone” ended in 2024 with Kayce at peace, but the new show upends that. A former Navy SEAL friend recruits him into a small U.S. Marshals team in Montana. The series digs into Kayce’s military skills and his effort to heal from personal tragedy. Showrunner Spencer Hudnut calls it a character-driven, non-traditional procedural. It also brings back familiar “Yellowstone” faces. Grimes also serves as a producer. The show debuts March 1 on CBS and streams on Paramount+.

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This image provided by the European Southern Observatory shows the complex distribution of molecular gas in the Central Molecular Zone (CMZ) of the Milky Way, designated in different colors: sulphur monoxide (cyan), silicon monoxide (green), isocyanic acid (red), cyanoacetylene (blue), and carbon monosulphide (magenta). The stars in the foreground of this image were observed at infrared wavelengths (Y, Z and J filters). (ALMA(ESO/NAOJ/NRAO)/S. Longmore via AP)

Swirling beauty of the Milky Way galaxy’s heart is captured in a new telescope picture

February 25, 2026

A telescope in Chile has revealed the swirling splendor of star-forming gases at the heart of our Milky Way galaxy. The European Southern Observatory released the picture Wednesday. It zeros in on a region of cold cosmic gases stretching more than 650 light-years. The clouds of gas and dust surround the supermassive black hole at the galactic dead center. It’s the largest image ever taken by the ALMA antenna network in the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth.

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FILE - Dr. Casey Means, a wellness influencer, left, and journalist Megyn Kelly attend a confirmation hearing for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for the Secretary of Health and Human Services post, at the Capitol in Washington, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File)

Casey Means faces the Senate health committee in a confirmation hearing to be US surgeon general

February 25, 2026

Wellness influencer and entrepreneur Dr. Casey Means is set to appear before the Senate health committee as she seeks approval to be U.S. surgeon general. Wednesday’s confirmation hearing was rescheduled from last October, when Means went into labor the day she was set to appear. The hearing gives Means a chance to share her vision for ending chronic disease through dietary and lifestyle changes, a message aligned with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his Make America Healthy Again movement. Means will likely face tough questions about her qualifications and potential conflicts. The Stanford-educated physician left her Oregon surgical residency program and has promoted many products, sometimes without disclosing how she could benefit.

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President Donald Trump exits the House Chamber after delivering the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. (Kenny Holston/The New York Times via AP, Pool)

Trump plans to take his State of the Union message on the road — eventually

February 25, 2026

President Donald Trump has a midterm year message to sell. Trump’s State of the Union address Tuesday boasted about economic strength and a tougher America. The Republican president will get the chance to test drive that narrative later this week, when he travels to Texas to talk about the economy and energy policies. Republican lawmakers say Trump’s State of the Union sets the tone for their campaign message this year. While presidential travel remains key, Trump is known for finding ways to grab attention. Trump’s speech was peppered with a series of made-for-social-media surprises designed to be clipped and replayed repeatedly. Democrats argue many American families are still struggling under Trump’s policies.

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A banner, showing co-owners Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, as well as drivers Bubba Wallace, Corey Heim and Tyler Reddick, hangs in the lobby at Airspeed, the headquarters of 23XI Racing, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026 in Huntersville, N.C. (AP Photo/Jenna Fryer)

Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s 23XI Racing aims for motorsports dominance

February 25, 2026

Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s 23XI Racing is surging in NASCAR with two wins to open the 2026 season. Tyler Reddick has won the Daytona 500 and last week at Atlanta, and he and teammate Bubba Wallace go to Texas this weekend ranked first and second in the Cup Series standings. At its headquarters called Airspeed, the team leans into an employee-first culture. It throws parties after wins and offers perks like a top gym and Jordan sneakers. The group also pushes bold marketing. Leaders say last year’s federal antitrust suit against NASCAR never broke focus and the team now aims to set the standard.

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Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) runs with the ball while being guarded by Orlando Magic guard Anthony Black (0) and Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)

Luka hesitates, LeBron misses on the last possession of a rough homestand for the slumping Lakers

February 25, 2026

When Luka Doncic had the ball in his hands with a chance to win the game for the Los Angeles Lakers, the Slovenian scoring machine passed. That’s not what anybody around the Lakers wanted or expected. That includes LeBron James, the recipient of that pass on the final possession of the Lakers’ 110-109 loss to Orlando on Tuesday night. Doncic rarely hesitates to shoot from inside 30 feet when he’s as open as he was, but he said he thought he was too far from the basket to take a shot. James desperately launched a fallaway 3-point attempt that got nowhere close.

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