For years, the town has pressed the company responsible to clear the massive blades—but their pleas have gone unanswered, leaving the growing eyesore untouched.

"It’s really ugly," says Samantha Morrow, the city attorney. She’s explored the cost of removing the blades, but estimates range from $13 million to a staggering $54 million—far beyond what the city can afford.

Each year, thousands of visitors flock to Sweetwater for its famed Sweetwater Rattlesnake Roundup, while nearby wind energy projects bring a steady stream of additional traffic. But according to Miesha Adames, the towering piles of discarded blades are tarnishing the town’s image—leaving a lasting impression for all the wrong reasons.

Miesha Adames, Sweetwater's executive director of economic development. Photographer: Brenda Bazán/Bloomberg

Texas officials have had enough. Just last month, Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a civil lawsuit against Global Fiberglass Solutions—the company accused of abandoning the massive wind turbine blades in Sweetwater—escalating the fight to clean up the growing mess.

Four individuals have now been indicted on charges of illegal dumping and theft, as prosecutors move to crack down on the growing scandal. The Nolan County District Attorney’s Office is pushing for substantial prison sentences—and warns that even more charges could be on the way.

“They chose Sweetwater, Texas, Nolan County, and just decided, ‘I’m going to take some money and I’m going to leave this here and it’s their problem,” District Attorney Ricky Thompson told reporters at a recent press conference held in front of the blades. “That’s not okay.”

The backlash isn’t limited to Texas. Global Fiberglass Solutions is now under mounting pressure nationwide—facing another lawsuit from the state of Iowa, along with a wave of claims over unpaid wages and outstanding debts to suppliers.

At its core, this is the story of an entrepreneur who believed he could turn discarded wind turbine blades into a multimillion-dollar opportunity—but, by many accounts, got in over his head. What followed is a cautionary tale: frustrated residents, mounting debt, and a growing web of legal troubles closing in.

Don Lilly, chief executive of Global Fiberglass Solutions, insists he hasn’t illegally dumped anything and says he’s still committed to recycling the blades. In an interview late last year, he described being trapped in a vicious cycle—taking in more retired blades while struggling to find buyers for the recycled material—leaving the massive stockpile to keep growing.

In a statement emailed to Bloomberg News in March, Don Lilly said Global Fiberglass Solutions would not comment on the allegations due to ongoing litigation. Meanwhile, the company’s head of business development, Ronald Albrecht, along with his legal representatives, did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

 

The blades have been cut into thirds, leaving openings that locals worry pose a safety risk. Photographer: Brenda Bazán/Bloomberg

While the case itself is unusual, it shines a spotlight on a much bigger problem: what to do with aging wind turbine blades and other complex, plastic-heavy materials once they reach the end of their life. As older turbines are replaced or refurbished, the volume of blade waste is surging—and by 2050, the world could be facing as much as 43 million tons of it, according to one estimate.

Wind turbine blades can be repurposed—shredded for use in cement kilns or transformed into new materials—but these processes are costly and come with environmental trade-offs of their own. Demand for recycled blade material remains limited, leaving few willing buyers. Some companies have found creative uses—turning old blades into bus shelters or even pedestrian bridges—but for now, those innovations remain niche solutions to a rapidly growing problem.

Low-carbon wind power remains a critical tool in the fight to keep global temperatures in check, and the waste it generates represents only a tiny fraction of what ends up in landfills each year. Even so, the local environmental footprint of renewable energy is vastly outweighed by the far more damaging impacts of fossil fuel production—putting the broader picture into sharp perspective.

Back in 2009, Don Lilly and Ken Weyant launched Global Fiberglass Solutions in Bothell after being introduced by a mutual friend. At the time, Lilly was coming from a background in software sales, with no experience in recycling. Weyant—an accountant who later died in 2015—had become fascinated with materials that were notoriously difficult to reuse and was searching for a partner who, as Lilly put it, “thought outside the box.”

The pair spotted an opportunity in the growing wave of waste from composite materials—like those used in boats and airplane wings. A few years later, they expanded their ambitions to include wind turbine blades after Don Lilly came across an article about a turbine manufacturer struggling to dispose of its used blades—an idea that would soon reshape the company’s direction.

The timing couldn’t have been better. In 2015, the U.S. government extended the federal production tax credit for wind energy, triggering a wave of “repowering” across the industry—where operators replaced older turbines, or just their blades, with larger, more efficient models capable of generating more electricity. The result: a looming surge of retired blades, with thousands suddenly destined for landfills nationwide.

Up to 90% of a wind turbine’s mass can be recycled with relative ease—but the blades are a different story. Built from layers of fiberglass or carbon fiber wrapped around cores of balsa wood or plastic foam, they’re fused together with liquid resin that hardens into a single, stubborn structure. Pulling those materials apart is both technically challenging and expensive. Even getting the blades to a recycling site adds another hurdle, often requiring specialized trucks, oversized-load permits, and significant logistical costs.

A roadside sign for Global Fiberglass Solutions along State Highway 70 in Sweetwater tells passing drivers the massive piles of discarded blades are being “prepared for recycling”—a promise that contrasts sharply with the towering stacks still left in place. Photographer: Brenda Bazán/Bloomberg

Global Fiberglass Solutions pitched its vision to turbine makers, including General Electric, promising to cut up retired blades directly at wind farms, haul them away for recycling, and provide official decommissioning certificates. Don Lilly also highlighted a key partnership with Karl Englund, a researcher from Washington State University who later became the company’s chief technology officer. Englund had developed a process to grind old blades into filler materials he said could reinforce products ranging from furniture to concrete—an idea that sounded as promising as it was ambitious.

In 2016, Global Fiberglass Solutions pitched General Electric with a presentation showcasing products it claimed could be made from retired blades—manhole covers, pallets, and industrial panels. The proposal even dangled discounted pricing and the promise of “joint PR activity on recycling efforts,” according to court filings—an offer designed to turn waste into both profit and positive publicity.

The following year, in 2017, Global Fiberglass Solutions set up operations in a former aluminum recycling plant in Sweetwater—marking a major step in its expansion. Not long after, General Electric signed two deals with the company to remove and recycle nearly 5,000 retired blades, paying more than $3,500 per blade—a high-stakes bet on a solution that promised to tackle a growing waste problem.

Global Fiberglass Solutions pitched turbine manufacturers on a sweeping solution: it would cut up retired blades right at wind farms, haul them away for recycling, and provide official decommissioning certificates—an all-in-one promise designed to make a complex problem disappear. Photographer: Brenda Bazán/Bloomberg

According to Karl Englund, the problem was simple: filler products just didn’t excite potential customers. “People want sexy. They want their recycling operation to have some whiz-bang,” he said in an interview. Even worse, producing filler—even if demand had existed—would have consumed only a small fraction of the material coming from the blades, leaving the bulk of the waste problem unresolved.

Karl Englund had also developed a method to turn more of the blades into usable panels—but scaling it up came at a steep cost. The specialized equipment was expensive, and the grinding process itself put intense strain on machinery, causing significant wear and tear that made the operation even harder to sustain.

Even so, a press release from Global Fiberglass Solutions in early 2019 painted a far more optimistic picture—claiming that “commercial production” was already underway in Sweetwater, despite signs the operation was still struggling to scale.

Tatiana Golik said she was pressured by executives to portray Global Fiberglass Solutions as “fully operational” during a 2019 presentation to a turbine manufacturer. She also said she was instructed to draft a client newsletter declaring that “manufacturing is on.” The newsletter, reviewed by Bloomberg, claimed the company was producing between 300 and 500 pounds of pellets each day—an assertion that painted a far more active operation than some insiders say actually existed.

“That was a complete lie,” Golik said in an interview. “We weren’t producing anything daily.”

In an email to Bloomberg, Don Lilly pushed back on the claims, saying statements from former employees are “disputed.” He added that the plant’s status evolved over time and, during that period, it “had not yet received all permits required to conduct full manufacturing operations”—offering a more nuanced picture of a facility still in transition.

After its 2018 visit to Sweetwater, General Electric chose not to sign any additional contracts with Global Fiberglass Solutions. By then, however, the damage was done: GE had already handed over roughly 5,000 blades for recycling—many of which ended up stockpiled across Iowa and Texas. And GE, it turned out, wasn’t the company’s only client.

In 2022, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality issued an enforcement order requiring Global Fiberglass Solutions to secure permits for the blades already on site—and to stop accepting new material until it did. Regulators say the company failed to comply, prompting the case to be referred to Ken Paxton. Since then, according to Paxton’s office, Global Fiberglass has continued taking in multiple deliveries of turbine parts at its main Sweetwater facility, further escalating the standoff.

Some of the blades were hauled in by Dent Trucking, a local firm that began working with Global Fiberglass Solutions in 2017. Its owner, Cliff Dent, said he invested heavily—buying seven extra-long trailers at $35,000 each specifically to transport the massive blades. But the payments eventually stopped. Dent says he’s now owed $590,000 and has been forced to dip into his retirement savings just to keep his business afloat.

Global Fiberglass Solutions also stockpiled hundreds of blades from General Electric across three sites in Iowa. The company told GE it planned to expand into a facility in Newton—even touting it in a press release as a “major development.” But when later interviewed, Don Lilly said those plans unraveled after asbestos was discovered inside the building, preventing his team from ever gaining access to the site.

In 2022, the Iowa Attorney General’s Office warned General Electric it would pursue a civil environmental enforcement action over the growing blade waste—targeting both GE and Global Fiberglass Solutions. Facing mounting pressure, GE moved quickly to defuse the situation, ultimately paying $5.5 million to have the blades removed.

Cliff Dent says he invested in specialized extra-long trailers to haul massive wind turbine blades—only to be left unpaid, with Global Fiberglass Solutions now owing him hundreds of thousands of dollars. Photographer: Brenda Bazán/Bloomberg

In September 2023, General Electric sued Global Fiberglass Solutions, accusing it of “fraud and deception” and running a “bait-and-switch scheme.” In response, Global Fiberglass pushed back, arguing in court filings that its agreements with GE did not require it to actually recycle the blades—only to ensure they didn’t end up in landfills—setting the stage for a high-stakes legal battle over what was promised versus what was delivered.

In 2024, a judge sided with General Electric—which had by then split into three entities, with its wind business spun off into GE Vernova Inc.—and ordered Global Fiberglass Solutions to pay roughly $15.5 million, plus interest and legal fees, delivering a costly blow in the escalating dispute.

“We are pleased that the court ruled in our favor,” a GE Vernova spokesperson said in a statement to Bloomberg. “We will continue to work with other reputable suppliers and support industry partnerships designed to address the industry-wide issue of wind-turbine-blade recycling.” GE Vernova didn’t address specific questions about its dealings with Global Fiberglass.

From there, the legal pressure on Global Fiberglass Solutions only intensified. In September 2024, the Iowa Attorney General’s Office filed suit against the company, along with Don Lilly and Ronald Albrecht, alleging they illegally disposed of solid waste by stockpiling blades while making “no effort to recycle” them. Lilly and Albrecht moved to dismiss the claims, arguing Iowa courts lacked jurisdiction and that they shouldn’t be held personally liable—but a district court judge rejected that request. The two have since taken their fight to the Iowa Supreme Court, where the appeal remains pending.

Tatiana Golik, Heath Ince, and Karl Englund say they believe Don Lilly set out with the genuine goal of recycling the blades—but ultimately mismanaged the business, turning ambition into a costly unraveling.

Tatiana Golik said she left Global Fiberglass Solutions in 2022 after months without pay—and is still owed $86,000. Heath Ince says he’s owed more than $14,000 himself. He also recalled urging Don Lilly to fence off the towering blade piles to keep children from climbing on them—but said his warnings were ignored.

“Towards the end, he was desperate for money and started trying to save himself, regardless of who else got hurt,” said Ince.

Don Lilly declined to comment on the specific allegations from Heath Ince and Tatiana Golik. In late 2025, he said he remained active in blade recycling through a new company he had launched, which had recently signed contracts—though he refused to disclose the identities of his clients.

“This is not Global Fiberglass. It has nothing to do with Global Fiberglass,” he said.

The fate of the towering blade piles in Sweetwater remains uncertain, leaving residents and industry watchers alike wondering what will happen next.

Most retired wind-turbine blades end up in landfills. In the U.S., the main alternative is to shred them and feed them into cement kilns—but many experts see this as little more than a temporary fix. Cement kilns are major sources of hazardous air pollutants and carbon emissions, and the irregular arrival of blades clashes with the kilns’ need for a steady mineral mix. The process is also far more expensive than simply landfilling. Only a handful of U.S. kilns accept blades, and the intense grinding quickly wears out the specialized equipment.

"Silica will grind down every component you use," said Bob Cappadona, president and CEO for hazardous waste at Veolia North America. After General Electric moved away from Global Fiberglass Solutions, Veolia began shredding GE’s blades for cement kilns. “The grinder we were using was nearly half a million dollars and we were going through them like candy,” Cappadona recalled.

Disused blades in a field off State Highway 70. Photographer: Brenda Bazán/Bloomberg

Other companies are exploring alternative approaches. Some are designing blades with materials that can be more easily separated for recycling. Others, like Vestas Wind Systems AS and Gjenkraft, are experimenting with heat or chemical treatments to break down blades—though these methods can be energy-intensive and costly. In Iowa, a company called Renewablade is incorporating blades into non-structural concrete, but its process is limited to local production.

Some older turbines and their components are refurbished and sold secondhand in countries such as Italy and Poland, where strict height restrictions can make it difficult to install the newer, larger models.

To encourage innovation, members of WindEurope agreed to a voluntary ban on landfilling turbine blades, which went into effect in January. Meanwhile, in Texas, a new law requires that the costs of disposing and recycling wind components be factored into the financial assurances mandated under wind-power facility agreements.

Meanwhile, in Sweetwater, the towering piles of discarded blades remain a daily eyesore, with no clear timeline for when—or if—they will ever be removed.

Cliff Dent, who last transported blades for Global Fiberglass Solutions in 2023, says he still worries about children from the nearby housing complex getting injured by the towering piles.

“They’re like handmade forts to go play in. They’re stacked and they’re dangerous,” he said. “For us, this started out as a blessing but it’s turned into a nightmare.”

Photo: Brenda Bazán

The discovery marks the second time this month that researchers have uncovered spyware aimed at iPhones and other Apple devices. Taken together, these two hacking tools paint a troubling picture: a booming underground market for highly sophisticated malware designed to siphon off personal data—and even drain cryptocurrency wallets—right under users’ noses, researchers warn.

Cybersecurity researchers from Lookout, mobile security firm iVerify, and Google—part of Alphabet—have released coordinated analyses of a newly identified malware strain they’ve dubbed “Darksword.” Earlier this month, on March 3, Google and iVerify also disclosed another powerful iPhone spyware known as “Coruna.” What’s especially alarming: investigators discovered that Darksword was hosted on the very same servers, hinting at a deeper, possibly connected operation behind both threats.

"There’s now a verified pipeline of recent exploits … that have ended up in the hands of potentially criminal entities with a financial focus," said Justin Albrecht, a principal researcher at Lookout, underscoring the growing risk behind these increasingly accessible hacking tools.

Google Sounds the Alarm on Expansive, Far-Reaching Hacking Campaigns

Google says its researchers have uncovered multiple, separate campaigns using Darksword—carried out by commercial surveillance vendors and suspected state-linked hackers—targeting victims in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Malaysia, and Ukraine, signaling a far broader and more coordinated threat than previously known.

Google linked the campaigns in Malaysia and Turkey to PARS Defense, a Turkish commercial surveillance vendor. The company did not respond to requests for comment—adding another layer of uncertainty around its alleged role in these operations.

According to iVerify and Lookout, the malware was quietly delivered to iPhone users running iOS versions 18.4 through 18.6.2—triggered simply by visiting one of dozens of compromised Ukrainian websites. Those versions, released by Apple between March and August 2025, may have left a significant window of opportunity for the attack to unfold undetected.

Researchers say it’s still unclear exactly how many iPhones remain vulnerable to Darksword attacks. Apple has already rolled out several patches to fix the underlying flaws, but that doesn’t mean users are in the clear. Many people delay or skip updates altogether—leaving an estimated 220 million to 270 million iPhones still running exposed iOS versions, according to iVerify and Lookout, based on public data. Adding to the concern, Google did not disclose its findings ahead of Wednesday’s report, raising questions about how long the threat may have gone unnoticed.

An Apple spokesperson said the attacks specifically targeted “out of date software,” emphasizing that the underlying vulnerabilities have already been fixed through multiple updates rolled out over the past several years—meaning users on the latest operating system versions are no longer exposed.

“Keeping software up to date remains the single most important thing users can do to maintain the high security of their Apple devices,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added that all malicious domains identified by Google have now been blocked through Apple Safe Browsing in Safari—an extra safeguard designed to stop the attacks from spreading any further.

The emergence of two separate, high-powered iOS exploits in just one month points to a thriving and rapidly evolving ecosystem—one where tools once reserved for state-level intelligence agencies are now spreading more widely, said Rocky Cole, co-founder and COO of iVerify.

Researchers say the vulnerabilities were uncovered thanks to careless security missteps—mistakes that are rarely seen in the typically precise, highly disciplined world of state-backed iPhone hacking—making the discovery all the more surprising.

In findings and interviews ahead of Wednesday’s release, researchers at iVerify and Lookout revealed that Darksword was hosted on the same internet servers used by the suspected Russian operators behind Coruna—an overlap that hints at a potentially deeper connection between the two operations.

“Flood insurance should be easy to understand and easy to buy,” said Trevor Burgess, chairman and CEO of Neptune Flood. “Our app in ChatGPT allows us to meet customers where they are and make protection more accessible for families and businesses nationwide. Neptune is an AI-native company, and we are excited to be pioneering technological advancements for the benefit of consumers.”

Property owners can simply ask questions about coverage and receive an instant preliminary quote through a seamless conversational AI experience. Available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., Neptune says the new capability expands on its existing direct-to-consumer, real-time quoting technology—already offered on its website and through agency partners’ sites—now delivered as an embedded AI quoting assistant designed to make flood insurance faster and easier to access.

In a recent interview with Insurance Journal, Burgess said the private flood insurance market is evolving at remarkable speed. He noted that the company operates without human underwriters, processes roughly 20,000 quotes every day, and is able to deliver a price to about 95% of applicants—highlighting the power of its fully automated underwriting model.

With the Neptune Flood app now available in ChatGPT, consumers can quickly and easily:

• Get clear, instant answers to their questions about flood risk.
• Receive an instant, real-time preliminary quote in just seconds.
• Explore flood insurance options explained in clear, everyday language.
• Seamlessly move to neptuneflood.com to quickly complete their purchase and secure coverage.

Tom Wexler, Neptune’s chief engineer, explained, “We architected our proprietary underwriting system, Triton, as a modular, API-first underwriting system specifically so it could integrate into new digital environments like ChatGPT. Using the Model Context Protocol (MCP), a lightweight API layer securely orchestrates data retrieval, risk modeling, and rating in real time on top of our existing underwriting infrastructure. Because our underwriting stack is fully automated and cloud-native, we can extend instant quoting into conversational AI without changing our core workflow.”

The Neptune Flood app on ChatGPT is now live—ready for users to explore here.

Hours later, Benjamin Netanyahu stepped before cameras for his first press conference since the war began, delivering a stark and unmistakable message. The Israeli leader issued a thinly veiled threat against Mojtaba Khamenei while forcefully defending Israel’s sweeping military assault on Iran—an offensive that has already claimed thousands of lives and sent shockwaves through global energy markets and stock exchanges.

“I wouldn’t issue life insurance policies on any of the leaders of the terrorist organization,” Benjamin Netanyahu said, delivering the line with a pointed warning. “I don’t intend to give an exact message here about what we are planning or what we are going to do.”

Standing between two Israeli flags and answering questions through a video link, the Israeli prime minister left the message hanging in the air—hinting at possible moves ahead while keeping the details deliberately under wraps.

In Iran, Mojtaba Khamenei did not appear publicly. Instead, his remarks were read aloud by a presenter on state television. No images of the new supreme leader have surfaced since the Israeli strike that ignited the war—an attack that wiped out much of his family, including his father, Ali Khamenei, and his wife—adding a layer of mystery and tension to his sudden rise to power.

In the statement, Mojtaba Khamenei urged neighboring countries to shut down U.S. military bases operating on their soil, warning that any facilities still being used against Iran would remain in Tehran’s crosshairs. The message carried a stark warning: if those bases stay open, Iran will continue to strike them.

"I assure everyone that we will not neglect avenging the blood of your martyrs," the hardline cleric declared, vowing that Iran would relentlessly pursue revenge for those killed in the conflict. The warning from Mojtaba Khamenei underscored the uncompromising tone of his first message since taking power, signaling that retaliation remains at the heart of Tehran’s strategy as tensions continue to escalate.

"The popular demand is to continue our effective defense and make the enemy regret it," Mojtaba Khamenei said, adding that Iran must keep using one of its most powerful pressure points: blocking the Strait of Hormuz.

The narrow waterway—through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply normally flows along Iran’s coast—has become a critical lever in Tehran’s escalating standoff with the West.

Iranian state television gave no explanation for why the message was read by a presenter instead of being delivered in person by Mojtaba Khamenei. Iranian officials have said he was only lightly wounded during the initial February 28 airstrikes that ignited the conflict, but the true extent of his injuries remains unclear—fueling speculation about his condition and why he has yet to appear in public.

The growing risk of one of the most severe disruptions to global energy supplies in decades sent oil prices surging about 9%, pushing crude back to around $100 a barrel after earlier sliding in the week on hopes the conflict might end quickly. The sharp rebound underscored how fragile the market remains, as traders brace for the possibility that the crisis could choke off vital energy flows and ripple across the global economy.

U.S. stocks slid on Thursday, with the S&P 500 posting its steepest three-day percentage drop in a month as investors grew increasingly uneasy about the escalating conflict and its potential shockwaves across the global economy. The selloff signaled a sudden shift in market mood, as optimism earlier in the week quickly gave way to rising fear and uncertainty on Wall Street.

Flames Erupt as Oil Tankers Burn at Iraqi Port

Two oil tankers erupted in flames at an Iraqi port after being struck by suspected Iranian boats packed with explosives—an attack widely seen as a bold show of defiance against Donald Trump, who declared just a day earlier that the United States had already won the war. The fiery strike sent a stark message that the conflict may be far from over.

Images verified by Reuters and filmed at the port of Basra captured a dramatic scene: ships swallowed by towering orange fireballs that lit up the night sky. The devastating blast left at least one crew member dead, underscoring the deadly stakes as the conflict spills into vital energy hubs.

Just hours earlier, three other vessels were hit across the Gulf, signaling a widening threat to shipping in one of the world’s most critical trade corridors. Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for at least one of the strikes—an attack that left a Thai bulk carrier engulfed in flames. Meanwhile, a separate container ship reported being struck by an unidentified projectile near the United Arab Emirates, raising fresh fears that the conflict is rapidly spreading across key maritime routes.

On another front in the increasingly unpredictable war, Israeli airstrikes slammed into a building in central Beirut on Thursday, sending thick plumes of smoke billowing over the Lebanese capital and rattling a city already on edge as the conflict spreads beyond its original battle lines.

Israel also ordered residents to evacuate another wide stretch of southern Lebanon, escalating its campaign against the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. The move came after the group unleashed its largest barrage of rockets into Israel since the war began, raising fears that the conflict is rapidly widening across the region. 

So far, the war has claimed more than 2,000 lives, with nearly 700 of those deaths reported in Lebanon alone—a grim toll that highlights how quickly the violence is spreading and how devastating the human cost has already become.

As Drones Fill the Skies, Donald Trump Says the U.S. Stands to Gain

Casting doubt on U.S. and Israeli claims that much of Iran’s long-range arsenal had been destroyed, fresh waves of drones were reported flying across the region—entering the airspace of Kuwait, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Oman—a sign that Tehran may still have significant strike capability despite the ongoing bombardment.

In another troubling development, a U.S. military refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq on Thursday. U.S. officials said the incident involved another aircraft but was not caused by hostile or friendly fire, leaving key questions about what exactly happened in the skies over the war zone.

Since the United States and Israel launched their strikes against Iran on February 28, seven U.S. service members have been killed—an early toll that highlights the growing risks as the conflict deepens.

Iran has warned it will not allow oil shipments to pass through the Strait of Hormuz until attacks by the United States and Israel come to an end. But Donald Trump brushed aside the surge in oil prices, signaling confidence that the situation will not derail the broader economic outlook despite mounting tensions in one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.

“The United States is the largest Oil Producer in the World, by far, so when oil prices go up, we make a lot of money,” Trump wrote on social media.

Scott Bessent told Sky News in an interview that the United States Navy could begin escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz once military conditions allow—possibly alongside an international coalition—signaling a potential effort to reopen one of the world’s most vital energy corridors despite the escalating conflict.

The United States is both a net exporter of oil and the world’s largest consumer of it—a balance that leaves the economy highly sensitive to global price swings. Economists warn that if oil prices stay elevated for long, the ripple effects could spread quickly, fueling broader inflation and driving up costs across everything from transportation to everyday goods. 

In a separate remark, Donald Trump said the Iran national football team would still be welcome to compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the United States is set to co-host. But he added a striking caveat, suggesting it might not be appropriate for the team to attend “for their own life and safety,” a comment that underscored how deeply the escalating conflict is beginning to ripple beyond the battlefield and into the world of global sport.

‘Security Forces Are Everywhere’

Inside Iran, residents say security forces have stepped up their presence across cities and key public areas, a visible show of strength meant to signal that the government still firmly holds the reins. The expanded patrols and checkpoints appear designed not only to deter unrest but also to project an image of control at a moment when tensions inside the country are running high.

“Security forces are everywhere, more than before. People are afraid to come out, but supermarkets are open,” teacher Majan, 35, said by phone from Tehran.

Israel said it had targeted checkpoints in Tehran run by the Basij, a volunteer militia tied to the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, striking positions the group uses to enforce security across the capital. The attacks highlight Israel’s expanding effort to weaken Iran’s internal security apparatus as the conflict pushes deeper inside the country.

Israel and the United States have urged Iranians to rise up and overthrow the country’s clerical leadership. Many people inside Iran have long called for change, and some even openly celebrated the death of the elder supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, on February 28—the first day of the war—after security forces under his rule had killed thousands of anti-government protesters in January.

Yet despite the anger and frustration simmering beneath the surface, there has been no clear sign of organized dissent as the country faces mounting attacks from abroad.

Tehran Aims to Trigger a Prolonged Global Economic Shock

Iran is signaling that its new strategy is to unleash a prolonged economic shock—one aimed at forcing Donald Trump to back down. A spokesperson for Iran’s military command warned on Wednesday that the world should brace for oil prices to soar as high as $200 a barrel, a stark reminder of how quickly the conflict could shake the global economy.

Chris Wright said Thursday that he does not expect oil prices to surge to that level, though he stopped short of ruling it out entirely. “I would say unlikely, but we are focused on the military operation and solving a problem,” Wright told CNN, signaling that Washington remains more concerned with the unfolding conflict than with short-term market volatility.

Oil prices continued to climb even after developed nations announced Wednesday that they would release 400 million barrels from their strategic reserves—nearly half of it coming from the United States. The move was meant to calm jittery markets, but the surge in prices showed that fears of deeper disruptions to global energy supplies are still gripping traders.

Unsurprisingly, the strongest results emerged in commercial liability lines, where insurers posted some of the highest loss ratios on record. At the other end of the spectrum were personal lines—particularly homeowners insurance, which is often vulnerable to wildfire risk. That segment saw notably lower loss ratios, helped in part by a rare bit of luck: the United States avoided any landfalling hurricanes last year, giving insurers a much-needed break from major catastrophe losses.

Ultimately, the lows outweighed the highs, according to a report on property/casualty insurers’ statutory financial results from S&P Global Market Intelligence titled “Spectacular P&C Statutory Profitability May Prove Fleeting.” Yet the most important takeaway from last year’s record-setting performance wasn’t simply the divide between personal and commercial lines. Instead, researchers say the real story was the widening gap between property and casualty—two sides of the industry that moved in sharply different directions as 2025 unfolded.

"We can say with conviction that the industry will not replicate these results in 2026, or, quite possibly, at any point in the foreseeable future," wrote analysts Jason Woleben, Tim Zawacki, and Husain Rupawala of S&P Global Market Intelligence in a report released Monday. They noted that 2025 delivered the strongest underwriting performance in 19 years, fueled by a rare alignment of favorable market cycles, lighter catastrophe losses, and aggressive profitability initiatives across the industry. But the momentum may be short-lived. Slowing premium growth and intensifying competition are already casting doubt on whether insurers can come close to repeating such standout results anytime soon.

In dollar terms, the property/casualty industry posted a staggering $67.9 billion in net underwriting gains in 2025—easily eclipsing the inflation-adjusted record of $54.2 billion set in 2006. The milestone highlights just how extraordinary the year was for insurers, marking one of the most profitable underwriting performances the industry has ever seen.

The industry’s combined ratio came in just under 93.0—an exceptionally strong result that has been topped only once in the past two decades. The only better performance was a 92.4 combined ratio recorded back in 2006, underscoring just how rare and remarkable the industry’s underwriting strength was in 2025.

When it comes to the biggest winners and losers by line of business, S&P Global Market Intelligence highlighted several striking extremes. The firm’s research on 2025 net loss ratios reveals just how dramatically performance varied across the property/casualty landscape—setting the stage for some eye-opening highs and lows across the industry.

• The homeowners line posted a net loss ratio of 53.7 in 2025—an impressive 11.1-point improvement from 2024 and its strongest performance in a decade. It marked the lowest level since 2015, highlighting just how dramatically conditions improved for insurers in this catastrophe-sensitive segment.
• The private passenger auto segment also delivered a notable turnaround. Its net loss ratio fell to 61.1 in 2025—an improvement of 4.7 points from 2024 and the line’s best result since 2020. Even more striking, the personal auto physical damage segment recorded a net loss ratio of just 52.2, the lowest level seen in at least three decades, underscoring a dramatic rebound in profitability for auto insurers.
• Meanwhile, casualty lines moved in the opposite direction. According to an aggregate analysis by S&P Global Market Intelligence, the net loss ratio for casualty business climbed to 66.7 in 2025. Within that group, pressure was especially evident in several key segments: the loss ratio for other liability coverage surged to a 21-year high of 68.0, while medical professional liability also reached its highest level in more than two decades at 57.9—signaling mounting claims costs across parts of the casualty market.

Notably, private passenger auto liability told a more nuanced story. The subline posted a net loss ratio of 67.9 in 2025—down 2.1 points from 2024 but far from a record. In fact, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence, the personal auto liability loss ratio has been lower than 67.9 in 20 of the past 30 years. The figure reinforces analysts’ broader takeaway: the real dividing line in 2025 wasn’t personal versus commercial business, but property versus liability—an imbalance that ultimately shaped the year’s overall property/casualty underwriting results.

“[E]ven as underwriting results on a total-filed basis improved to levels we may only see once or twice in our lifetimes, several commercial casualty lines showed noteworthy deterioration,” the S&P GMI analysts wrote.

“In addition to the unique confluence of circumstances that led to 2025’s outsized profitability, written premium growth is significantly lagging earned premium growth at respective rates of 4.9% and 6.3% as heightened competition returns to the private auto market and the scourge of social inflation is not going away,” they wrote, further explaining why the industry’s success in 2025 is unlikely to be replicated in 2026.

But a review of industry sales data by Reuters points to a more market-driven explanation: Automakers are offering far fewer budget models while packing showrooms with larger, more upscale vehicles—pushing the average price of a new U.S. car to roughly $47,000. The shift toward pricier models highlights a striking feature of today’s so-called K-shaped U.S. economy: Wealthier buyers are fueling a growing share of spending, while many middle- and lower-income Americans are increasingly priced out.

The result: America’s new-car buyers are increasingly more affluent, while a large share of middle- and lower-income consumers are being pushed out of the showroom and toward the used-car lot.

The limited number of reasonably priced options has been a growing frustration for Delaware resident Sarah Merriman. As the lease on her Ford Mustang Mach‑E electric SUV approaches its end, she’s finding it surprisingly difficult to track down an affordable replacement.

“I’m stressing out, because I’m already in a $700 car payment right now,” Merriman said.

The affordability crunch could become a “tremendous vulnerability” for traditional automakers if Chinese brands eventually break into the U.S. market, said John Casesa, senior managing director at Guggenheim Partners and a former executive at Ford Motor Company.

“It’s a risk that they underserve less affluent consumers, and new entrants come in and steal that business,” he said.

‘We’re Buying More Loaded Vehicles’

Vehicle affordability has become a major talking point for Donald Trump and several lawmakers as the U.S. heads toward the midterm congressional elections. In December, officials from the Trump administration pointed to the need to bring down car prices as a key reason for easing fuel-economy standards.

Within the auto industry, the affordability debate often centers on the average transaction price—the typical amount buyers pay across all new vehicle models. According to research from J.D. Power, that figure has surged about 40% from December 2018 to December of last year, climbing to roughly $47,000—an increase that underscores just how quickly new cars are slipping out of reach for many Americans.

“We’re buying more expensive vehicles. We’re buying more trucks and SUVs. We’re buying more loaded vehicles,” said Tyson Jominy, a senior vice president at J.D. Power.

Back in 2010, just 96 vehicle models carried sticker prices at or above the once-lofty $40,000 mark, according to data from car-shopping site Edmunds. Since then, options at that price level— even after adjusting for inflation—have exploded. By last year, shoppers were staring at 156 models in that bracket, with many now pushing closer to $60,000, highlighting how dramatically the new-car market has shifted upmarket.

Meanwhile, truly budget-friendly options have become increasingly rare. In 2010, shoppers could choose from 25 models priced around $20,000 or less. By last year, that number had slipped to just 20 models at the inflation-adjusted equivalent—roughly $30,000 today—underscoring how the entry-level car is slowly disappearing from the market.

The result is a striking shift in who can afford to buy a new car—reshaping the income profile of America’s car-buying public almost entirely.

The share of new vehicles purchased by U.S. households earning $100,000 or less held steady at roughly 50% to 60% for years—until the start of this decade, according to vehicle-registration data from S&P Global Mobility. Since then, that balance has shifted sharply. By last year, buyers in the $100,000-or-less income bracket accounted for just 36% of new-vehicle sales, highlighting how quickly the market has tilted toward wealthier households.

"It’s truly a K economy for us," said Brad Sowers, a car dealer in the St. Louis area who operates dealerships for General Motors, Stellantis—the maker of Jeep—and Kia.

Pricier Cars, Bigger Profits

The shift has helped automakers post stronger profits even as overall vehicle sales have softened in recent years. Over time, Detroit’s traditional Big Three—General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Stellantis—have steadily phased out many smaller, entry-level models in the U.S., replacing them with higher-margin trucks and SUVs that deliver bigger returns.

Many of those discontinued car lines carried relatively thin profit margins. By contrast, former auto executives say core margins on large SUVs and pickup trucks can top 20%. The payoff is clear: in 2024, General Motors generated about $4,200 in operating profit per vehicle sold in North America—up sharply from roughly $3,000 per vehicle in 2018.

Executives at General Motors say affordability remains a priority, pointing to several small SUVs positioned as accessible entry-level options—most notably the Chevrolet Trax and the Buick Envista, both of which have gained traction with budget-conscious buyers.

"We’ve been able to create a portfolio where we can make money top to bottom," said Paul Jacobson, chief financial officer of General Motors, speaking at an event last month.

In February, Ford Motor Company said it plans to offer five models priced under $40,000 by the end of the decade—including at least one electric vehicle expected to come in at around $30,000, a move aimed at bringing more affordable options back to the market.

The shift toward pricier vehicles is clearly reflected in Jeep, the iconic off-road and SUV brand owned by Stellantis. A decade ago, Jeep’s U.S. lineup—made up of roughly half a dozen models—started at prices ranging from about $17,000 to $30,000, a far more accessible entry point than many of today’s offerings.

Today, starting prices for Jeep vehicles in the U.S. run from roughly $30,000 to about $65,000 for the upscale Jeep Grand Wagoneer—a model that can easily top $100,000 when fully loaded. The sharp rise in Jeep’s pricing has helped boost profits for parent company Stellantis, but it has also come alongside a noticeable slide in the brand’s U.S. market share.

Antonio Filosa, who took over as CEO of Stellantis last year, says restoring affordability is now a key strategy to win back customers. As part of that push, Jeep has begun making features like LED lighting and heated steering wheels standard or more affordable. Combined with broader price cuts, the changes can add up to about $4,000 in extra value on certain models, the company says.

“I need to unlock some of the things that you love about Jeep, make them more affordable,” Jeep brand CEO Bob Broderdorf told Reuters in December.

Since fighting erupted between the United States, Israel, and Iran on Saturday, at least nine vessels have come under attack. Early Thursday, Iran unleashed another wave of missiles toward Israel and sent drones across the border into Azerbaijan, leaving four people injured and heightening fears that the conflict is widening.

The escalation comes after lawmakers in Washington blocked a motion to halt U.S. strikes, while the son of Iran’s slain supreme leader has emerged as a leading contender to succeed him—signaling that Tehran has little intention of backing down under mounting pressure.

Roughly 200 vessels—including oil tankers, liquefied natural gas carriers, and cargo ships—were sitting idle in open waters off the coasts of major Gulf producers, according to Reuters estimates based on ship-tracking data from MarineTraffic, underscoring how sharply the conflict has disrupted one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.

Hundreds of other vessels were stranded outside the Strait of Hormuz, unable to reach nearby ports, according to shipping data. The chokepoint is one of the world’s most critical energy corridors, carrying roughly a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.

President Donald Trump has offered U.S. Navy escorts and government-backed insurance in an effort to get shipping moving again and ease pressure on energy prices. On Thursday, the insurance market Lloyd’s of London said it is already in talks with the U.S. government about the proposed plan.

BP evacuated its foreign staff from Iraq’s Rumaila oil field after two unidentified drones landed inside the facility, according to Iraqi oil sources. Meanwhile, officials told Reuters that Iraq has slashed oil production by nearly 1.5 million barrels per day after storage filled up and tankers were unable to load—another sign of how severely the conflict is choking the region’s energy flows.

One refinery in Kuwait has shut down entirely, while another has scaled back its processing rate. In Bahrain, a third refinery has also reduced output—signaling how quickly the escalating conflict is beginning to disrupt the region’s energy infrastructure.

Oil Prices Surge Again as Middle East Tensions Intensify

Oil prices surged again on Thursday, with Brent crude climbing 3% and U.S. West Texas Intermediate jumping 4%. Since the war erupted on Saturday, both benchmarks have soared about 16%, as U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran rattle Middle East energy supplies and jolt global markets.

A key European benchmark for natural gas rose about 3% on Thursday, extending a stunning rally that has already pushed prices nearly 60% higher so far this week as energy markets reel from escalating tensions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow could halt gas supplies to Europe immediately as energy prices surge in the wake of the Iran crisis, signaling that Russia may redirect its exports to markets willing to pay higher prices.

Asian energy importers faced mounting pressure as Middle East supply disruptions rippled across global markets. In response, China has instructed refiners not to sign new fuel export contracts and to try to cancel shipments already committed, several people familiar with the matter said on Thursday—an unusual move that underscores growing concern over tightening supplies.

Photograph: An Iranian flag is placed among the ruins of a police station struck on March 2, 2026 during the U.S.–Israeli military campaign in Tehran, Iran; the photo was taken on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

A government-chartered Air France flight sent to bring French nationals home from the United Arab Emirates was forced to turn back on Thursday after missile fire was reported in the area, French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot said—underscoring the growing risks facing evacuation efforts. 

“This situation reflects the instability in the region and the complexity of repatriation operations,” he said.

Britain’s first repatriation flight from Oman touched down at London’s Stansted Airport early Friday after being rescheduled due to operational setbacks, including delays while boarding passengers—highlighting the complex logistics behind the evacuation effort.

Abu Dhabi–based Etihad said Friday it will restart a limited flight schedule through March 19, reconnecting its hub with about 70 destinations worldwide—including London, Paris, Frankfurt, Delhi, New York, Toronto, and Tel Aviv—as airlines cautiously rebuild operations.

As of Thursday, traffic at Dubai International Airport—normally the world’s busiest—had nearly doubled from Wednesday, according to flight-tracking site Flightradar24. Even so, activity remained at just about 25% of its typical level, underscoring how sharply air travel in the region has slowed.

Dubai-based Emirates said late Thursday it is operating a reduced flight schedule to 82 destinations—including London, Sydney, Singapore, and New York—until further notice. The airline also warned that passengers transiting through Dubai will only be accepted if their onward connecting flight is confirmed to be operating, as carriers move cautiously amid ongoing disruptions.

The scaled-back operations at major Middle Eastern hubs have hit travelers especially hard on routes between Europe and the Asia-Pacific, disrupting one of the world’s busiest long-haul corridors and leaving many passengers scrambling for alternatives.

Together, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad typically carry about one-third of all passengers traveling from Europe to Asia—and more than half of those flying from Europe to Australia, New Zealand, and nearby Pacific islands—according to data from Cirium, highlighting just how crucial these Gulf carriers are to global travel.

Qatar’s main hub in Doha remains closed, but authorities have begun arranging a small number of relief flights from neighboring Oman and Saudi Arabia, offering a narrow lifeline for stranded travelers.

Data from Cirium shows the scale of the disruption: between February 28—when the conflict began—and March 5, more than 44,000 flights were scheduled to depart from or arrive in the Middle East, but over 25,000 of them have already been canceled.

Malaysia Airlines said it will add extra flights from Kuala Lumpur to London and Paris from Friday through Sunday to help accommodate passengers affected by the disruptions, while SriLankan Airlines announced an additional Colombo–London service on Sunday to ease the growing backlog of stranded travelers.

Jet Fuel Prices Surge as Airline Stocks Slide

Rising oil prices have pushed jet fuel costs sharply higher, with Singapore jet fuel (JET-SIN) climbing to a record $225 a barrel this week. Traders say the surge is being driven by growing fears that supplies from Middle Eastern refineries could tighten.

The price pulled back to about $195 a barrel on Thursday as traders locked in profits, but it still stood at nearly twice last week’s level—highlighting just how dramatically jet fuel costs have surged in a matter of days.

“As well as lost revenue, airlines are likely to be affected by higher fuel prices,” Fitch Ratings said.

Fuel-hedging strategies vary widely among airlines, but Fitch says most carriers across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa have locked in roughly 50% to 80% of their fuel needs for the next three months—offering some protection as prices swing wildly.

Across Asia, airline stocks came under pressure on Friday: Qantas Airways slipped more than 1%, Air New Zealand tumbled 6.4%, Hong Kong’s flagship carrier Cathay Pacific fell 1%, Singapore Airlines edged down 0.6%, and Korean Air Lines dropped 2%.

Shares of major Chinese carriers listed in Hong Kong—including Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines—were largely unchanged, while Japan Airlines’ stock also held steady, bucking the broader slide in regional airline shares.

Travelers Describe Chaos as the Rush to Leave Intensifies

With the conflict showing no clear signs of easing, disruptions to passenger flights and air cargo across the region appear likely to drag on—leaving airlines, freight operators, and travelers bracing for prolonged turbulence.

Passengers have been paying staggering sums to escape the Middle East, and some who managed to catch commercial flights from Oman on Thursday said the scramble to get home from Dubai had been “absolute chaos,” as travelers fought for scarce seats and last-minute routes out.

“We paid 1,500 pounds ($2,005.05) to get across to Muscat (Oman) to get on the plane,” said Ed Short after he arrived at London’s Heathrow Airport on a British Airways flight.

“We’d spent about 20,000 pounds booking Emirates flight instead. So we’re hoping we get those back.”

($1 = 0.7481 pounds)

Photograph: A Lufthansa plane from Muscat, Oman, the first evacuation flight on behalf of the German government, lands at Frankfurt Airport in Frankfurt/Main, Germany on Thursday, March 5, 2026. (Hannes P. Albert/dpa via AP)

The intensifying conflict in the region has forced dozens of fully loaded oil and gas tankers to remain anchored inside the Persian Gulf, effectively choking off supplies bound for key markets in Asia and Europe. With attacks on vessels in and around the strait still occurring at an alarming pace, the route has become too dangerous for energy tankers—and their multimillion-dollar cargoes—to risk the journey.

Washington moved this week to offer insurance backstops and naval escorts after global insurers began pulling back from war-risk coverage. But for many shipowners, the assurances have yet to ease fears about sending vessels through the increasingly dangerous waters.

"This represents a near-total temporary pause in routine commercial traffic," the JMIC said, noting that just one inbound and one outbound vessel crossed the strait on March 4. The count includes only ships with their transponders switched on, meaning any vessels sailing without signals may not be captured. Compounding the risk, sophisticated interference with global positioning system signals has been reported in the area, disrupting both navigation and communications.

Two vessels — MSC Grace and Sonangol Namibe — were reportedly caught up in separate incidents in the Arabian Gulf and near Iraq. Meanwhile, the bulk carrier Iron Maiden managed to exit the strait while broadcasting “CHINA OWNER,” a signal widely seen as an attempt to deter attacks and secure safe passage through the tense waterway. In another case, the LPG tanker Bogazici transmitted a message identifying itself as a Muslim-owned, Turkish-operated vessel — a striking example of how ships are increasingly using public signals in hopes of avoiding trouble.

Photograph: Cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz in February 2026; photo credit: Giuseppe Cacace/AFP/Getty Images

Amazon Web Services Inc. revealed for the first time that drones had “directly struck” two of its facilities in the United Arab Emirates. In Bahrain, the company said, another drone attack exploded near a separate site, damaging critical infrastructure. The disclosure underscores how escalating regional tensions are now reaching the very heart of the cloud systems that power businesses around the world.

"We are working to restore full service availability as quickly as possible, though we expect recovery to be prolonged given the nature of the physical damage involved," the company said in a post, warning that recovery will likely take time because of the extent of the physical damage. In the meantime, AWS customers are seeing higher error rates and reduced availability — a stark reminder that even the world’s most sophisticated cloud networks are not immune to real-world shocks.

The damage and resulting outages highlight how a fast-spreading conflict is rippling across the Middle East, with explosions reported in Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. The economic shockwaves are now hitting global markets: oil prices have surged, and tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has nearly come to a standstill as mounting security risks force shippers to think twice.

Two of AWS’s three regional data center hubs “remain significantly impaired,” the company said in an update posted at 4:19 a.m. UAE time on Tuesday. A third availability zone is operating normally, but some services are still feeling the ripple effects because they rely on systems housed in the damaged facilities. The uneven recovery paints a stark picture: parts of the cloud are back online, while others remain under serious strain.

Amazon Web Services Inc. said it is racing to bring the affected facilities back online and urged customers in the Middle East to back up critical data and consider shifting workloads to other AWS regions as a precaution. The company operates 123 availability zones across 39 regions worldwide — a vast global footprint now being tested by an escalating regional crisis.

"Even as we work to restore these facilities, the ongoing conflict in the region means that the broader operating environment in the Middle East remains unpredictable," AWS said in a statement posted on its website, signaling that uncertainty could linger well beyond the immediate repairs. The company declined to provide additional details beyond its public updates, leaving customers and investors watching closely for what comes next.

As the United States and Israel launched a coordinated military offensive against Iran early Saturday, Tehran moved quickly to make good on its vow of retaliation. Missiles and drones were directed at U.S. interests and allied targets across the Middle East, signaling that the response would be anything but symbolic. The sweeping counterstrike has raised urgent fears that what began as a targeted operation could spiral into a far wider regional conflict—one with consequences that may extend well beyond the battlefield.

Iran’s semiofficial Fars news agency reported that missile strikes were aimed at key U.S. military installations across the region, including the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, and the headquarters of the United States Fifth Fleet in Bahrain.

But the barrage did not stop there. Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia were also struck on Saturday, widening the scope of the confrontation and underscoring how quickly the conflict is spilling across borders—raising the stakes for the entire Middle East.

For weeks, as the United States steadily reinforced its military presence across the region, Iranian officials issued increasingly stark warnings. They vowed not only to retaliate against Israel, but to “turn all U.S. interests, bases, and centers of influence” into legitimate targets. The message was unmistakable: if conflict erupted, it would not be contained. Now, those threats are no longer just rhetoric—they are shaping a rapidly escalating reality that could redraw the region’s security landscape.

Saturday’s response was broad and unmistakable—but it stopped short of the overwhelming force many had braced for. While the strikes spanned multiple fronts, the scale and intensity appeared more measured than feared, leaving analysts and regional leaders questioning whether this was a calculated warning shot—or merely the opening move in a far more dangerous escalation.

It is still too soon to measure the full scope of Iran’s response, but early indications suggest it has been more dispersed and less concentrated than during last June’s 12-day war, when nearly 600 missiles were fired at Israel. For now, the pattern appears calculated rather than overwhelming—raising a critical question: is this a restrained show of force, or the first phase of something far more intense?

Where Iran Struck Back

Sources: Iranian state news agency, verified satellite images and video. Lazaro Gamio, Samuel Granados, Pablo Robles, Daniel Wood/The New York Times

Later in the conflict, U.S. forces struck three Iranian nuclear facilities, escalating tensions to a new and dangerous level. Tehran did not respond immediately. Instead, more than a day later, it launched missiles at the American Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Most of the incoming missiles were intercepted, and no casualties were reported—but the delayed retaliation underscored a calculated strategy. The exchange signaled that both sides were willing to push the envelope, while still appearing to measure just how far the confrontation could go.

The strikes were widely viewed as measured—more symbolic than devastating—and Iran had reportedly alerted both the United States and Qatar in advance. In a surprising turn, Donald Trump publicly thanked Tehran for what he described as restraint, declaring that it was “time for peace.” The carefully calibrated exchange left observers wondering whether both sides were signaling a desire to de-escalate—or simply pausing before the next move.

Saturday’s retaliation, aimed at multiple U.S. interests across several countries, sent a sharp signal that the conflict may be entering a far more dangerous phase. By widening the battlefield beyond a single front, the strikes heightened fears that civilians, critical infrastructure, and regional stability itself could soon be caught in the crossfire. What began as targeted military exchanges now carries the unmistakable risk of a broader escalation—one that could reshape the security landscape of the Middle East.

"The Iranians are responding by spreading the pain across the region and seeking to impose costs on U.S. allies and partners who host U.S. forces and bases," said Dana Stroul, research director at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and a former deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East.

Her assessment underscores a deliberate strategy: rather than concentrating their response in one arena, Tehran appears intent on widening the pressure points—forcing Washington’s regional partners to weigh the risks of their alliances as the conflict intensifies.

Among the countries targeted on Saturday was the United Arab Emirates, where the Defense Ministry said its air defenses successfully intercepted several missiles launched from Iran. Yet even a successful interception could not prevent tragedy. According to officials, falling debris struck a residential neighborhood in Abu Dhabi, killing one person and damaging nearby property. The incident served as a stark reminder that in modern warfare, danger does not end in the sky—its consequences can still land squarely at home.

Jordan’s state-run news agency reported that the country’s military intercepted two ballistic missiles after they entered its airspace, though officials stopped short of identifying their origin. The brief statement left as many questions as answers, underscoring how quickly the conflict is bleeding across borders—and how even nations not directly involved are being drawn into its widening arc.

Qatar’s Defense Ministry said its air defenses intercepted at least two waves of incoming missiles, signaling a sustained attempt rather than a single strike. In a separate statement, the Interior Ministry reported no casualties and no damage to residential areas. For now, the country appears to have avoided the worst—but the back-to-back attacks highlight how rapidly the conflict is intensifying and how little margin for error remains.

Saudi Arabia said its air defenses intercepted attacks aimed at the capital, Riyadh, as well as the country’s eastern region, preventing what officials suggested could have been far more serious damage. The kingdom swiftly condemned what it called “cowardly” Iranian strikes on its territory. The strong language signaled more than outrage—it reflected growing alarm that the confrontation is no longer confined to traditional front lines, but is pressing deeper into the heart of the Gulf.

In an earlier statement on Saturday, the Saudi government voiced strong support for fellow Arab nations that had come under retaliatory fire, pledging to stand with them and provide assistance. The message signaled more than routine diplomacy—it underscored a growing sense of regional solidarity as tensions mount, and hinted at the possibility of a more coordinated response if the conflict continues to expand.

The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, was described as “effectively closed,” according to Tasnim, a news outlet affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. If true, the implications would be immediate and far-reaching: roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas flows through this narrow passage. Any sustained disruption could jolt global energy markets, rattle economies, and transform a regional confrontation into a worldwide economic shock.

Sirens wailed across Israel in the hours after it launched its strikes on Iran, sending residents scrambling for shelter as the threat of retaliation became immediate. Israeli media reported that Iranian missiles hit Tirat Carmel, in the Haifa District, where a large fragment slammed into a residential building. The impact caused significant structural damage and injured one resident—an unsettling reminder that even a single piece of falling debris can turn a distant exchange of fire into a personal crisis at home.

In Umm al-Fahm and another community in northern Israel, officials reported minor injuries as emergency crews fanned out to assess the damage. Debris and impact sites were later identified in Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, Kafr Manda, Kafr Harif, and parts of southern Israel, underscoring how widely the strikes were felt. What might appear as scattered impact points on a map translated, on the ground, into shattered glass, shaken neighborhoods, and a population once again bracing for what could come next.

No fatalities have been reported in Israel so far, according to the country’s emergency service, Magen David Adom, which said in a social media post that the only injuries occurred as people rushed to shelters. While the absence of direct casualties offered a measure of relief, the frantic dash for safety revealed the deep anxiety gripping communities—where even seconds can mean the difference between safety and catastrophe.

Iran also backs what it describes as an “axis of resistance,” relying on proxy groups across the Middle East—among them the Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon—to extend its reach and challenge regional rivals. Though some of these forces have been weakened by recent clashes, they remain capable of targeting U.S. troops and allied interests. Their involvement raises the stakes dramatically, threatening to push the confrontation beyond Iran’s borders and transform a direct standoff into a far broader, multi-front conflict.

After strikes hit one of its strongholds earlier in the day, Kata'ib Hezbollah, the most powerful Iran-aligned militia in Iraq, vowed swift retaliation. “We will soon begin attacking American bases in response to their aggression,” one of the group’s leaders told The New York Times.

The warning signaled that the conflict may be poised to expand yet again—opening another volatile front and raising the prospect that U.S. forces in Iraq could soon find themselves directly in the crosshairs.

On Saturday, Hezbollah issued a sharply worded statement condemning the U.S.–Israeli strikes on Iran, signaling solidarity with its longtime ally. Yet the group stopped short of declaring whether it would enter the fight. That ambiguity spoke volumes: while the rhetoric was forceful, the absence of a clear commitment left the region watching closely—uncertain whether another powerful actor is preparing to step onto an already crowded battlefield.

Saturday’s strikes triggered widespread airspace closures across the region, disrupting commercial flights and heightening a sense of mounting instability. What is usually an invisible web of busy flight paths quickly went dark, as governments moved to shield civilian aircraft from the expanding threat. The sudden shutdown underscored how rapidly the conflict is rippling beyond military targets—spilling into everyday life and global travel.

Qatar Airways and Emirates announced they were temporarily suspending flights to and from their hubs in Doha and Dubai, respectively, as security concerns intensified. The move by two of the region’s largest carriers signaled just how quickly the escalating conflict is disrupting global travel—turning major international gateways into symbols of a rapidly shifting and uncertain reality.

Syria’s civil aviation authority announced it would shut down the country’s southern air corridors for 12 hours starting at noon local time, redirecting flights along approved alternative routes, according to an official statement. The temporary closure reflects mounting concern over the rapidly evolving security situation—another sign that the conflict’s impact is no longer confined to the battlefield, but is reshaping the region’s skies in real time.

Iran’s air defenses and broader military capabilities were significantly weakened during last year’s war with Israel, leaving Tehran less prepared as these latest strikes unfold. But analysts caution against assuming restraint equals weakness. Some experts believe Iran may be deliberately conserving its firepower, calculating that the confrontation could stretch on for days—as several U.S. officials have warned. If that assessment proves correct, what appears measured today could give way to a far more intense phase in the days ahead.

“Iran’s policy here is endurance,” said Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group, adding that Iran has a high threshold to absorb pain. “If this becomes a war of attrition, the U.S. and Israel are more likely to blink first than Iran.”

Photo: Smoke billows into the sky after an explosion rocked Manama, Bahrain, on Saturday. Credit: Reuters.

The long-running Global Forecast System (GFS) was flashing red, warning that the storm could wallop much of the Northeast. But memories of the model’s past misfires lingered — and it was largely alone in forecasting such extreme impacts. That hesitation kept many forecasters on edge, holding back until Friday afternoon before finally acknowledging the real possibility that parts of New York could be buried under more than a foot of snow.

The snowfall totals reported by the National Weather Service have been nothing short of staggering. Central Park was buried under nearly 20 inches — ranking among its largest snowstorms on record. Out on Long Island, the numbers climbed even higher, with some communities digging out from more than two feet of snow.

Predicting a powerful winter storm is a different beast altogether, scientists say. Unlike hurricanes — which churn over open water for days before slamming into shore — nor’easters can rapidly organize and hammer the East Coast in less than 24 hours.

To get ahead of this week’s storm, forecasters had to pinpoint exactly where surges of Arctic air and moisture would collide — and how they would interact with a ribbon of low pressure racing along the jet stream — all several days before the first flakes began to fall.

So far, artificial intelligence hasn’t made that high-wire act much easier, said Bob Oravec, a senior forecaster at the Weather Prediction Center in Maryland. Despite the buzz surrounding next-generation models, he noted, the challenge of nailing down a fast-moving winter storm remains as daunting as ever — and the margin for error razor thin.

“There’s no perfect model yet,” Oravec said. “That’s the problem.”

A bundled-up worker battles heavy snowfall outside the New York Stock Exchange as a powerful winter storm sweeps through New York on Feb. 23. The scene — captured by photographer Michael Nagle for Bloomberg L.P. — underscores the storm’s grip on the heart of America’s financial district.

In the U.S., storm watches and warnings are issued by the National Weather Service and then amplified by private forecasting firms. For this storm, responsibility fell to the agency’s local office in Upton, New York, which oversees safety alerts for New York City and parts of New Jersey and Connecticut.

Forecaster David Stark said the team held off on issuing its first alerts until Friday, as lingering uncertainty over the storm’s exact track kept officials cautious — a reminder of how even a slight shift can mean the difference between a nuisance snowfall and a paralyzing blizzard.

“We don’t like to put out warnings early and give a false sense of alarm if it’s not needed,” Stark said.

While the GFS — developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — ultimately nailed the storm’s impact on New York City, scientists say it wasn’t flawless. The model overstated the threat across parts of the Mid-Atlantic and slightly misjudged how long the storm would linger — a reminder that even when the headline forecast is right, the finer details can still make or break the story.

But as of Tuesday morning, a powerful new European AI-driven model is telling a different story, projecting a far lower threat. The conflicting outlooks are once again putting forecasters on edge — and raising the stakes for what could come next.

Though the models are likely to shift again in the days ahead, Andrew Kruczkiewicz of the Columbia Climate School** says he’s focused on something just as critical: how forecasters weigh AI-driven projections before sounding the alarm to the public.

As the next storm takes shape, he’s watching closely to see whether cutting-edge algorithms earn forecasters’ trust — or whether human judgment still carries the final word when it matters most.

“We’re so trained to think anything AI is better,” said Kruczkiewicz. “Even if models are considered better or high quality, decision-making is not necessarily simplified.”

In its 2025 Cyber Risk Report, Resilience reveals a decisive shift in the threat landscape: attackers are moving beyond ransomware schemes that simply lock up data and are now focusing on pure extortion—stealing sensitive information and leveraging it for maximum pressure and payout.

Resilience found that data-theft-only attacks surged from 49% of extortion claims in the first half of last year to 65% in the second half—a sharp escalation in just six months. The company says this marks a clear strategic pivot: instead of encrypting systems, attackers are stealing highly sensitive data, threatening to expose it publicly, and using that leverage to demand payment.

That tactic undercuts one of the most trusted safeguards in cybersecurity: backups. According to Resilience, backups are largely "ineffective against the primary threat: reputational and regulatory damage from data exposure."

The report also highlights a troubling pattern: in some cases, an insured organization pays a threat actor to keep stolen data private, only to be hit later with class-action lawsuits once affected individuals are formally notified of the breach.

And even then, there’s no assurance the attackers won’t turn around and sell the very data they were paid to keep quiet—leaving victims exposed all over again.

Resilience predicts that extortion-only attacks could account for the majority of extortion incidents by the end of 2026—a stark warning for organizations still relying on yesterday’s playbook.

The insurer argues it’s time for a fundamental shift: move beyond recovery-focused strategies and double down on prevention, including robust data loss prevention, zero-trust architecture, encryption at rest, and strict identity containment to stop attackers before they gain leverage.

“Cyber risk is constantly changing,” Vishaal “V8” Hariprasad, co-founder and CEO of Resilience, said in a press release. “As cybercriminals shift their tactics, a new reality is setting in: the real risk is about more than a security incident’s immediate disruption, it’s about the long-tail aftershocks that follow.”

In the report, Resilience urged organizations to “prepare for the reality that successful attacks, driven by the shift from operational disruption to reputational and regulatory exposure, now carry substantially higher financial severity than in previous years.”

Resilience Portfolio Impact

Scattered Spider, a hacking collective known for targeting major corporations, grabbed industry headlines last summer with a wave of cross-industry attacks. Its campaign against U.K. retailers in particular sent shockwaves through the market—and the impact was clearly reflected in Resilience’s data.

The insurer reported that retail, which had recorded virtually no material losses in its portfolio in 2024, suddenly surged into the top three sectors for cyber losses, with average severity climbing to $2.6 million.

Within Resilience’s portfolio, manufacturing continued to generate the highest total losses—although average claim severity fell by roughly 29% year over year. Health care, meanwhile, remained the most severe sector in terms of per-incident impact.

Together with retail, these three industries accounted for a striking 68% of all portfolio losses, underscoring just how concentrated—and costly—the cyber risk landscape has become.

The Russian-speaking attackers used their foothold in security devices spanning 55 countries to push deeper into select victims’ networks, activity that strongly suggested the early stages of coordinated ransomware campaigns, the report said.

The sweeping breaches—described by Amazon.com Inc. as financially driven—underscore a troubling new reality: hackers are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence to streamline, accelerate, and scale their cyberattacks with unprecedented efficiency.

"It’s like an AI-powered assembly line for cybercrime, helping less skilled workers produce at scale," said CJ Moses, who oversees security engineering and operations at Amazon.com Inc., in the report.

The document does not disclose which AI tools were used, nor does it identify the organizations targeted—details that add another layer of unease to an already alarming trend.

Researchers believe the hackers took an opportunistic approach, zeroing in on firewalls with weak protections rather than singling out specific industries, the report said.

The compromised devices were scattered across South Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, West Africa, Northern Europe, and Southeast Asia—underscoring just how far and fast the campaign was able to spread.

When the attackers ran into stronger defenses, they didn’t dig in—they simply pivoted to easier targets, Moses said. And once inside a network, they “largely failed when attempting to exploit anything beyond the most straightforward, automated attack paths,” according to the report—suggesting their AI-fueled efficiency had clear limits when faced with layered, well-configured security.

Last year, a hacker exploited technology developed by Anthropic PBC as part of a sweeping cybercrime operation that affected at least 17 organizations, the company said—calling it an “unprecedented” case of attackers weaponizing a commercially available artificial intelligence tool at scale.

Amazon.com Inc. warns that this is likely just the beginning—and expects more AI-driven cyberattacks to follow.

“Organizations should anticipate that AI-augmented threat activity will continue to grow in volume from both skilled and unskilled adversaries,” Moses said.

It wasn’t authorities who first uncovered the alleged squatting — it was a sharp-eyed 19-year-old neighbor next door who sounded the alarm last year, the outlet reported, setting off a chain of events that would soon grip the entire community.

Tameika Goode, 40, allegedly invoked “squatter’s rights” to justify moving into a $2.3 million mansion — a bold claim that has since ignited outrage and intensified an already bitter legal fight. WBFF FOX45

"Less than two weeks of being incarcerated, Tameika Goode is back in the house," said neighbor Ian Chen, a student at College of William & Mary in Virginia, in an interview with the outlet — a development that has left residents stunned and demanding answers.

It was Chen who first alerted Montgomery County police more than a year ago, reporting what he believed was an unlawful intrusion — a phone call that would spark a drawn-out legal battle and thrust the quiet neighborhood into an unexpected spotlight.

The teen is now urging state lawmakers to tighten the laws governing squatting, arguing that stronger statutes are urgently needed to prevent similar cases from spiraling out of control — and to restore a sense of security in neighborhoods shaken by the ordeal.

“I feel they should be a lot more proactive,” Chen told WBFF-TV News last week. “I am honestly shocked this hasn’t been fixed 10, 20 years ago, and that this problem has been going on, especially recently, in every community across the state, whether it’s in rural counties in our western panhandle or suburban neighborhoods in Washington and Baltimore.”

The upscale Maryland mansion that Tameika Goode allegedly occupied without permission carries a staggering $2.3 million price tag — a jaw-dropping detail that has only intensified outrage and fueled the high-stakes fight over who truly belongs inside its doors. WBFF FOX45

The 40-year-old allegedly leaned on so-called “squatter’s rights” to justify moving into a $2.3 million mansion — a controversial claim that has stunned neighbors and ignited a fierce legal clash over property, power, and the limits of the law. @meekthe1/TikTok

The broader legal battle involving Goode is still unfolding — a slow-burning courtroom fight that shows no signs of ending anytime soon and continues to keep the community on edge.

“Get out of my face,” she snapped at a reporter during a break in recent court proceedings — a tense, heated moment that underscored just how charged and combative the case has become.

According to multiple reports, when she returned after her brief time behind bars, she was met with a startling scene — her belongings allegedly piled outside the home, a dramatic sight that signaled the battle over the property was far from settled.

Her attorney, Alex Webster, told The Baltimore Sun this month that Goode “did her research” — a pointed remark that suggests her legal strategy may be more calculated than critics assume.

“Get out of my face,” she snapped at a reporter during a break in recent court proceedings WBFF FOX45

“She found out that a certain property was under the control of a certain group — there was a title issue,” he told the outlet. “Due to the title issue, she was able to assume the property under squatter rights.

“It’s not a particular squatter right,” he added. “But there are rights known as squatter’s rights.”

The debate over so-called squatters’ rights has spread across the United States — even reaching the streets of New York City — turning what was once a niche legal issue into a nationwide flashpoint that’s striking close to home for property owners everywhere.

The District Attorney’s office said the pair are accused of falsifying official records in a calculated effort to swindle elderly homeowners — allegations that paint a troubling picture of vulnerable residents being targeted in cold, methodical schemes.

“They’re too dumb to know they’re in a bad school,” Friedman reportedly said while her microphone was still live, according to The New York Times — a stunning remark that was broadcast to the room and would soon trigger a wave of outrage.

Allyson Friedman, a professor at Hunter College, ignited fierce backlash after making explosive remarks during a public call about potential school closures — comments that quickly spread beyond the meeting and set off a firestorm of criticism. Hunter College

“If you train a black person well enough, they’ll know to use the back,” she said. “You don’t have to tell them anymore.”

She appeared to be responding to remarks from Reginald Higgins, the district’s interim acting superintendent, who had referenced Carter G. Woodson — widely regarded as the father of Black history — moments before the exchange took a deeply controversial turn.

“If you make a man think that he is justly an outcast, you do not have to order him to the back door. He will go without being told,” Woodson wrote in his 1933 book “The Mis-education of the Negro.”

A university spokesperson denounced Friedman’s remarks as “abhorrent,” according to the Daily Mail — a stark rebuke that underscored the growing backlash and signaled the institution was distancing itself from the controversy.

Education officials said they were deeply troubled by Friedman’s remarks, while students listening on the Zoom call were left stunned and shaken — a moment of disbelief that quickly gave way to anger as the fallout intensified.

The remarks left students horrified — a jarring moment that rippled through the room and sparked immediate outrage. CEC3

“I am deeply disturbed by the blatantly racist and harmful remarks made during the CEC3 meeting,” said Rita Joseph, the City Council’s education chair, condemning the comments in strong terms and signaling that the controversy had reached the highest levels of city leadership.

Brad Hoylman-Sigal, the Manhattan borough president, blasted Friedman’s remarks as “outrageous,” adding his voice to a growing chorus of officials demanding accountability as the controversy continued to escalate.

“It is particularly despicable that these vile words were uttered while children were giving testimony at the meeting, exposing them to this hatred,” he added.

Friedman later issued an apology, attempting to clarify her remarks, according to The New York Times — a move that did little to quell the mounting criticism surrounding her comments.

“My complete comments make clear these abhorrent views are not my own, nor were they directed at any student or group,” she said.

“I fully support these courageous students in their efforts to stop school closures.

“However, I recognize these comments caused harm and pain, while that was not my intent I do truly apologize.”

A spokesperson for Hunter College denounced the remarks as “abhorrent,” delivering a blunt condemnation that underscored the seriousness of the fallout and the institution’s swift response to the controversy. Christopher Sadowski

Black students account for roughly 20% of total enrollment across New York City’s public schools — a significant share of the student population that underscores just how deeply the remarks resonated across the city’s education system.

In recent weeks, officials have been weighing potential school closures in Manhattan’s District 3, according to Chalkbeat — a proposal that has stirred anxiety among families and set the stage for heated public debate.

With more than 17,000 undergraduates and 5,500 graduate students enrolled, Hunter College serves a vast and diverse academic community — amplifying the impact and visibility of the controversy.

Black or African American students comprise about 11.5% of the university’s undergraduate enrollment — a meaningful portion of the campus community, making the controversy all the more deeply felt.

The West Village pop-up — widely seen as a pointed nod to Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s proposal for government-run grocery stores — drew more than 400 New Yorkers. They began lining up hours before the 2 p.m. opening, eager to pack blue tote bags with free produce, pantry staples, and everyday essentials, turning an ordinary afternoon into a scene that felt more like a movement than a shopping trip.

Hundreds of city residents packed the West Village on Thursday afternoon, lining up for a chance to shop at betting platform Polymarket’s buzzworthy “free grocery store” — a promotion that quickly turned an ordinary weekday into one of the neighborhood’s most talked-about scenes. Robert Miller

“Times are hard. Things are very expensive, so this helps,” said Forest Hills resident Tori Hall, who was second in line outside the pop-up store. “It goes a long way.”

The eye-catching promotion came on the heels of a similar play by rival prediction market Kalshi, which earlier this month offered East Village shoppers a $50 grocery giveaway — escalating a competition that’s quickly spilling from online betting boards onto neighborhood streets.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani didn’t let the moment pass quietly. Responding to Polymarket’s free-store announcement on X this month, he cheekily shared a photo of a tongue-in-cheek headline that read: “Heartbreaking: The worst person you know just made a great point.”

The fast-growing betting app — which lets users place wagers on everything from military actions to high-stakes political outcomes — has also sparked mounting concern. Critics warn that access to classified or other so-called “insider” information could give some bettors an unfair edge, raising uncomfortable questions about where prediction ends and privileged knowledge begins.

Just this week, an Israel Defense Forces reservist and a civilian were indicted in Israel for allegedly using classified military intelligence to place bets on the platform — a case first reported by The Block. The charges have intensified scrutiny around how sensitive information could potentially be leveraged for profit in the fast-moving world of prediction markets.

Prediction markets have also drawn sharp criticism from Letitia James. In a pre–Super Bowl consumer alert, the New York attorney general warned that some of these platforms may violate state gambling laws and could expose users to “significant financial risk” — a stark caution just as betting interest surges around one of the year’s biggest sporting events.

The shop attracted more than 400 eager shoppers, many of whom began lining up hours before the 2 p.m. opening — a growing crowd that signaled this was far more than an ordinary afternoon errand. Robert Miller

Last year, State Assemblymember Clyde Vanel (D-Queens) introduced legislation that would classify certain prediction market contracts as “unlicensed gambling” — a move that could significantly reshape how these fast-growing platforms operate in New York and beyond.

Websites found in violation could face steep civil penalties — up to $50,000 per infraction, or as much as $1 million for every day they allow wagers on “sensitive” topics such as deadly incidents or political elections. The proposed fines send a clear message: regulators are prepared to hit hard where it hurts most — the bottom line.

Shoppers at Polymarket’s free store appeared largely unfazed by the surrounding controversy. Several told The Post they hope the company’s giveaways aren’t just a one-time splash, but the start of something more permanent — a benefit they’d gladly see stick around long after the headlines fade.

"If it is [a publicity stunt], then I got some free food coming out of here … This is exactly what a food bank does," said Hall, a 58-year-old paralegal and mother who showed up at 6 a.m. to secure her spot at the front of the line, determined not to miss out.

The Charles Street store will open daily from 2 to 5 p.m. through Monday — a limited window that’s likely to keep lines forming as word continues to spread. Robert Miller

She walked away with everyday essentials — socks, tampons, and toilet paper — along with fresh bananas and apples, ground beef, and cartons of organic eggs, a haul that turned a simple visit into a meaningful score.

“I hate going grocery shopping because I’m spending $150 to $200 every time,” she said. “We just need a helping hand.”

"Groceries cost a lot. It’s terrible," agreed Dayna V., an East Harlem resident who claimed the very first spot in line. By the time she left, she was carrying three tote bags stuffed to the brim with food and household essentials — proof of just how much the rising cost of living is weighing on everyday New Yorkers.

"The eggs right now, it’s $10 and up, so this [free store] is good," said the 43-year-old Manhattan resident, who is currently unemployed — underscoring just how sharply rising grocery prices are squeezing those already on the margins.

In a statement, Polymarket said it has donated $1 million to Food Bank For New York City “to help fight food insecurity across all five boroughs” — a significant pledge that adds another layer to the company’s highly visible push into the city’s grocery debate. Robert Miller

“I love Polymarket!” she exclaimed, showing off her haul of Cheerios, juice, sweet potato chips and fabric softener. “I hope they … create more of it, and I hope this is really here to stay in the future.”

The Charles Street store will operate from 2 to 5 p.m. each day through Monday — a brief run that’s expected to keep excitement high and lines forming as long as the doors stay open.

In a statement, Polymarket said it has also contributed $1 million to Food Bank For New York City “to help fight food insecurity across all five boroughs” — a sizable donation that underscores the company’s effort to frame its high-profile promotion as part of a broader response to the city’s growing affordability crisis.

Grocery prices in New York City surged by a staggering 65.8% between 2012 and 2023, according to a report released last year by the state comptroller’s office — a sharp climb that helps explain why even a temporary “free” store can draw hundreds within hours.

The same report found that one in nine households statewide faced food insecurity between 2020 and 2022 — with most of those struggling families living in the five boroughs. The numbers paint a sobering picture of a crisis that is hitting hardest in the heart of the city.

Software engineer Luke McInerney, 31, of Manhattan, came prepared. He set up a folding chair, opened his laptop, and worked remotely while waiting for the grocery store doors to open — turning a long line into just another productive part of his day.

“I just think this is a quintessential New York experience,” he said. “Everyone out here in the cold together. There’s a camaraderie to it.”

One of the reporters, identified as Michael Neuman, tried to walk past Perez when the professor suddenly reached for his phone. Moments later, Perez allegedly grabbed Neuman and forced him to the ground — a chaotic scene captured on video and first shared on Instagram by DJ Byrnes.

Ohio State assistant professor Luke Perez is seen confronting two journalists in a hallway on February 9, 2026 — a tense encounter that quickly spiraled and was caught on camera. D.J. Byrnes/The Rooster via Storyful

DJ Byrnes, who publishes the Rooster newsletter, says Neuman — a documentary filmmaker — was attempting to press Ohio State Vice President E. Gordon Gee with questions about student loan debt when the confrontation unfolded.

“I told you not to put that in my face,” Perez yells over Neuman. “Now, I’m not gonna ask you again, don’t touch me.”

“I didn’t touch you, motherf–ker, who the f–k are you,” Neuman shouts back at Perez.

The professor pushed back on the allegations, claiming Neuman “put his hands on me” and that a camera was thrust inches from his face before the situation spiraled.

Perez, a 12-year veteran of the Air National Guard, is seen turning and walking down the hallway as Neuman and Byrnes can be heard warning that they will call police and seek his arrest.

“That’s a lawsuit for sure,” Neuman says. “Are you f–king kidding me. He hits like a bitch, too. Sucker-punching me and he can’t knock me out? What a bitch.”

Perez is seen on camera suddenly wrapping his arms around Neuman as the confrontation turns physical. D.J. Byrnes/The Rooster via Storyful

The struggle quickly escalated, sending both men tumbling to the floor in a chaotic scuffle. D.J. Byrnes/The Rooster via Storyful

Gee, Ohio State’s president emeritus, was visiting Perez’s class as a guest speaker for a lecture series on “Profiles in American Leadership,” according to the Columbus Dispatch.

Byrnes, a self-described political gadfly, says he had cornered Gee in the hallway to question him about his controversial remarks that Ohio State sexual abuse survivors were engaging in “cancel culture,” the university’s decades-long ties to the late convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, and the privatization of on-campus parking, he wrote in The Rooster.

After Neuman tried to follow up with Gee, Perez stepped in, declaring the questioning over — a confrontation that quickly erupted into a violent altercation.

“That’s a lawsuit for sure,” Neuman said. “Are you f–king kidding me. He hits like a bitch, too. Sucker-punching me and he can’t knock me out? What a bitch.” D.J. Byrnes/The Rooster via Storyful

Perez was placed on paid administrative leave Tuesday following the alleged assault, as campus police continue to investigate the incident, WSYX reported, citing a university spokesperson.

Byrnes argued that Perez had infringed on their First Amendment rights, noting that Ohio State University, as a public institution, is bound to uphold free speech.

“I thought we were in a bastion of free speech only to end up with a guy physically assaulted,” Byrnes told the outlet. “There’s no other way to describe it other than assault. It was bizarre.”

Perez was placed on paid administrative leave Tuesday following the alleged assault, while campus police continue their investigation into the tense hallway altercation. D.J. Byrnes/The Rooster via Storyful

Neuman is now demanding that Perez face assault charges in the wake of the widely shared, viral confrontation.

“My client wants Perez prosecuted and terminated,” Neuman’s lawyer, Rocky Ratliff, told WSYX. “This is not the actions of an admirable professor or someone who’s professional. If the roles were reversed, he definitely would already be in jail.”

The two men say Perez stepped into the hallway to insist he didn’t consent to being filmed, but they weren’t there for him — their focus was on questioning Gee.

The Chase Center was established after a state bill required Ohio State and four other public universities to actively promote “intellectual diversity” on campus.

Ohio State’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors slammed Perez’s behavior caught on video, calling the actions unacceptable.

“Based on what we know now, this incident is a vivid illustration of a larger problem — the way the Chase Center and other so-called ‘intellectual diversity’ centers have been forcibly and unnecessarily imposed on Ohio’s universities,” the chapter said in a statement to the Columbus Dispatch.

“Unfortunately, this assault — and the embarrassing actions around it — make it clear these centers aren’t really about encouraging civil discourse and intellectual diversity. AAUP-OSU is in favor of free speech for everyone on campus, not just for the ideas that politicians want to promote.”

“They held me against my will,” Carlos Palazuelos, 36, told reporters outside his home. “They didn’t even read me my rights until two hours later.”

Carlos, a man briefly held by police during the search for Nancy Guthrie, was released from custody on February 10, 2026. CBS News

The man says the handcuffs were so tight they left his wrists swollen and sore.

Outside his home in Rio Rico, a tiny border community 60 miles south of Tucson, Palazuelos cried out, insisting on his innocence after being freed.

“What the f–k am I doing here? I didn’t do anything, to be honest, I’m innocent,” he recalled.

Carlos recalls driving with his wife when they noticed law enforcement trailing them. They pulled over, and he got out of the car, tense and unsure what would happen next.

Palazuelos insists he works in Tucson for a parcel delivery service and has no recollection of ever meeting Guthrie, the woman reported missing on February 1.

“I told them, I work in Tucson for GLS, I might have delivered a package to her house but I never kidnapped anybody,” he told ABC15. “They hold me from 4 p.m. ’til now.”

Savannah Guthrie of NBC’s 'Today' stands with her mother, Nancy, who vanished on February 1, 2026, sparking a nationwide search. savannahguthrie/Instagram

Police gathered outside a Rio Rico, Arizona, home on February 10, 2026, as the investigation unfolded. Pic-Andy Johnstone for California Post

Palazuelos told investigators he had never heard of Guthrie or her daughter, "Today" host Savannah Guthrie—saying he simply doesn’t watch the news.

“I hope they get the suspect, because I’m not it. And they better do their job and find the suspect that did it so they can clear my name, I’m done,” he said.

Palazuelos says he wasn’t told why authorities were looking for him in the investigation, and no charges were filed.

Key events in the disappearance of Savannah Guthrie’s mother:

While he was held by police, investigators scoured the home he shares with his wife, children, and extended family.

Though the target of the search remained unknown, Palazuelos says police forcefully broke down his front and garage doors.

"Look what they put my family through," he said, pointing to the battered front door.

Palazuelos’ mother-in-law says police confiscated all their cellphones and the very car he was riding in, leaving the family shaken.

“They showed me a video to see if it was him, to see … if I recognize the things he was wearing, he doesn’t have any of that. He doesn’t have anything that comes in the video,” Carlos’ mother-in-law told ABC15.

On February 1, 2026, the FBI released images of an armed person seen outside Nancy Guthrie’s home. FBI

“They went inside, busted the doors from my house, they went inside and took my son to the living room,” she said.

The woman said she barely knew about the Nancy Guthrie case, having only seen brief posts on Facebook and paid little attention to the unfolding story.

“They already asked us a lot of questions about it, like I said I have nothing to hide, you can go in my house, you can search anything you want, there’s nothing to hide. I don’t know the lady, I don’t know about the lady,” she told NewsNation.

The family’s car was eventually brought back to their home, ending a tense ordeal.

On Tuesday, the FBI released images showing a masked, armed person caught on video messing with a doorbell camera outside the home of the elder Guthrie on the morning she went missing.

With a flashlight seemingly clenched in his mouth, the suspect stumbled across Nancy’s patio in sneakers, a fleece, and a backpack, tampering with the camera and at one point placing nearby flowers in front of the lens.

A handgun was plainly visible, tucked in the front of his pants as he moved.