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Welcome back to the Abstract! Here are the studies this week that had off-Earth offspring, took stock of a mortal threat, productively slept, and sought out old friends.First, what to expect when youre expecting a star child. Then: how to fight cancer, the nap-plications of lucid dreaming, and why old rats dont make new friends.As always, for more of my work, check out my book First Contact: The Story of Our Obsession with Aliens or subscribe to my personal newsletter the BeX Files.How to make babies in space (Dont)Palmer, Giles Anthony et al. Reproductive biomedicine in space: implications for gametogenesis, fertility and ethical considerations in the era of commercial spaceflight. Reproductive BioMedicine Online.Its hard enough to have babies on Earth, let alone off it. But if humans ever do expand beyond our planet to live in orbital outposts or on other planets, we would presumably want to build healthy families there. Even in the near term, it is conceivable that space will be flooded by rich tourists eager to join the 250-mile-high club, raising questions about how to practice safe space sex (or if that is even possible).In a new study, scientists review the medical and ethical challenges of space reproduction, noting that while space sex is often overshadowed by sensationalized or speculative portrayals, the topicnonetheless demands serious attention.Space is toxic to terrestrial life. It is an inherently hostile environment for terrestrial biology to thrive, said researchers led by Giles Anthony Palmer of the International IVF Initiative Inc. The microgravity, cosmic radiation, circadian disruption, pressure differentials, and extreme temperatures found in orbit or beyond present unique and multifactorial stressors to the human body.As we enter a new era of space exploration, defined by longer missions, broader participation, and eventual human settlement beyond Earth, the question is not simply whether reproduction can occur in space, but whether human fertility can be preserved, protected and comprehensively understood in an environment fundamentally different from that in which our species evolved, the team added.The study provides a comprehensive review of how various space environments might impact fertility, pregnancy, labor, and health outcomes of children. For example, studies of rodent reproduction in space show higher risks of abnormal cell division and impaired development; meanwhile, the inherent dangers of pregnancy and labor are significantly amplified in space environments.The question of whether humanity should reproduce beyond Earth is no longer hypotheticalit is a pressing ethical frontier, the team concluded. In the context of commercial spaceflight, where ambition often outpaces caution, the stakes are higher than ever. Without robust frameworks, rigorous research, and a deeply human commitment to ethical principles, there is a risk of exporting not just life but injustice, exploitation and harm into the cosmos. To be worthy of the stars, we must earn our place, not only through technological prowess, but through ethical wisdom.In other newsLets get cancers assFink, Hanna et al. Global and regional cancer burden attributable to modifiable risk factors to inform prevention. Nature Medicine.Roughly ten million people die from cancer each year, making it a leading cause of morbidity worldwide. While many cancers are not preventable, scientists set out to estimate just how much of the global cancer burden can be attributable to modifiable risk factors, meaning behavioral, environmental, or occupational factors that influence the odds of developing cancer.The results revealed that nearly 4 in 10 cancer cases worldwide in 2022 could have been prevented by eliminating exposure to the risk factors considered in this study, which include smoking, alcohol consumption, and contaminated environments, said researchers led by Hanna Fink of the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer.Smoking (15.1%), infections (10.2%) and alcohol consumption (3.2%) were the leading contributors to cancer burden, the team added. Lung, stomach, and cervical cancers represented nearly half of preventable cancers. Strengthening efforts to reduce modifiable exposures remains central to global cancer prevention.The researchers also found obvious gendered patterns in causes of cancer such as higher rates of smoking and alcohol consumption in men, and higher BMI in women. While there is an enduring allure to the idea of a cancer cure-all, this study underscores that the disease emerges from a complex interplay of factors, only some of which are under our control.To sleep, perchance to lucid dreamKonkoly, Karen R. et al. Creative problem-solving after experimentally provoking dreams of unsolved puzzles during REM sleep. Neuroscience of Consciousness.Scientists have gone ahead and done an Inception. In a new study, 20 experienced lucid dreamers were presented with puzzles matched with sound cues, which were then played as the participants slept to help them crack unsolved tasks in their dreams.Figure illustrating the experiment design. Image: Konkoly, Karen R. et al.Whereas dream content is notoriously difficult to control experimentally, here we induced dreams about specific puzzles by presenting associated sounds during REM sleep, said researchers led by Karen R. Konkoly of Northwestern University. We preferentially recruited experienced lucid dreamers, intending for them to receive our real-time instructions in their dreams about which puzzles to volitionally attempt to solve.Although many participants did not experience lucid dreams, we nevertheless found that cues successfully influenced dream content, biasing dreaming toward specific puzzles, the team added. Moreover, when puzzles were incorporated into dreams, they were more likely to be solved the next morning.Yet more evidence for the most broadly applicable advice to humanity: sleep on it.Despite all my rage I am still just a rat in a mazeGupta, Subhadeep Dutta et al. When Familiar Faces Feel Better: A Framework for Social Neurocognitive Aging in a Rat Model. eNeuro.People get set in their ways as they get olderand thats apparently true for rats, according to this new research. To probe the effects of age on mammalian social behavior, researchers obtained 169 male rats in two age cohorts: young adults at six months old and aged rats that were way over the hill at two years old.A series of rat mixers in water mazes revealed that the rodent elders were as likely to interact with rats as youngsters, but nearly half of them preferred to mingle with rats that were familiar to them, rather than socializing with new faces.Results for the aged rats were strikingly different from young in two ways, said researchers led by Subhadeep Dutta Gupta of the National Institute on Aging in Baltimore. First, as a group, aged rats failed to display a reliable social novelty preference overall and second, inter-individual variability was significantly greater among old animals, with nearly half exhibiting a phenotype not seen in the young group, comprising an apparent social bias for the familiar conspecific.I think we can all relate to an occasional social bias for familiar conspecifics. To that end, the study concludes with a truth bomb: It is important to recognize that a brief session of social interaction with a stranger inevitably falls short in matching the depth of familiarity established through enduring human social relationships.In the words of the ultimate rat elder, Master Splinter: Help each other, draw upon one another, and always remember the true force that binds you.Thanks for reading! See you next week.

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This image provided by the Pima County Sheriff's Department on Feb. 2, 2026, shows a missing person alert for Nancy Guthrie. (Pima County Sheriff's Department via AP, File)2026-02-07T14:00:16Z Moments after the news broke about the apparent abduction of Today show host Savannah Guthries mother, the floodgates opened on social media.Influencers relayed the timeline from the hours after Nancy Guthrie was last seen and posted photos of the blood found on her front porch that later was a match for the 84-year-old grandmother. Others called out individuals connected to the case as looking sus or filmed themselves walking through her neighborhood to help find her.The desperate search for Guthrie, who authorities believe was taken a week ago against her will from her home just outside Tucson, Arizona, has become the latest investigation to pique the widespread interest of online armchair detectives.As the search continues with no suspects or persons of interest, posts across Instagram, TikTok, X, Facebook and YouTube have put millions of eyeballs on tips and theories surrounding her disappearance. But theyve also helped to amplify rumors and forced law enforcement to repeatedly set the record straight on at least one crucial detail. Michael Alcazar, adjunct professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and retired New York Police Department detective, said overall the positives outweigh the negatives when it comes to the onslaught of social media posts. More people are aware; It keeps people alert, he said. If they know she hasnt been found yet, perhaps people will remember that and if they see something, they might say something. He compared it to the widespread online response to the disappearance and death of Gabby Petito in 2021 and the impact that may have had on her body being found.Two YouTubers said at the time that an image they posted showed Petito and her boyfriends white van and that it led investigators to the area where her body was found. But the FBI didnt specify what led to the discovery. I think its just something that we have to adapt to as far as law enforcement, Alcazar said. The true crime community is growing. ... Theres a lot of people out there that want to help.But with the widespread posts also comes the proliferation of misinformation.Ashleigh Banfield, from the cable network NewsNation, announced on her podcast Wednesday that a law enforcement source told her a Guthrie family member is the prime suspect. She seemed to quickly walk-back the statement seconds later, saying the person may be a prime suspect, and adding that family members are often looked at first. The information quickly took off across social media, with people posting photos of the person she named.Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos addressed the rumor early in a news conference Thursday, saying authorities dont have any suspects or persons of interest. That remained the case Friday.I plead with you to be careful of what it is we put out there. ... You could actually be doing some damage to the case, you could do some damage to the individual, too, he said later in the news conference. Social medias kind of an ugly world sometimes. Other posts have included a medium expressing her feeling that Guthrie is close by and a woman using astrology to point her viewers in the direction of what may have happened.Calvin Chrustie, who has more than three decades of experience in negotiations for kidnapping, ransom and extortions, said if the public truly understood the toll those situations can have on family and law enforcement, they might not hastily post unsubstantiated information. This stuff on X and other stuff out there thats pure speculation is actually making it more difficult for the families and making it more difficult to the police to secure the safe, you know, the safe return of the hostage, he said.Julie Urquhart, an elementary school teacher in New Brunswick, Canada, has been posting about the case on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook. She said she was drawn to the disappearance because she has a mother near Guthries age and was fascinated that someone could have taken her seemingly without a trace.Urquhart said her information comes from national news sites and law enforcement news conferences. One of her posts on TikTok and Instagram amassed more 4 million views, she said.Thats 4 million eyes that now saw that story and now maybe will see something or know something or know someone who does, she said. Theres just so many people it hits. __Associated Press reporter Safiyah Riddle in Montgomery, Alabama, contributed.

2026-02-07T13:59:36Z NEW YORK (AP) Daniel Moore was about 30 the first time it happened. At the end of a long, hot, stressful day, he chugged an ice-cold glass of milk. It felt like a bunny rabbit trying to jump out of my chest, said Moore, now 60. Moore, a radiologist, knew what it was: A-fib.Short for atrial fibrillation, A-fib is a quivering or irregular heartbeat that is a worrisome stage-setter for blood clots, stroke and heart failure. Some researchers believe more than 10 million Americans have it most of them older. And its expected to become even more common in the years ahead.Yet, University of Utah heart researcher Dr. T. Jared Bunch sees reason for optimism. Even though we see more of the disease, were better at treating it, said Bunch, who co-authored a book on A-fib. Symptoms can include shortness of breathA-fib occurs when the hearts upper chambers, called the atria, beat out of sync with the lower chambers, the ventricles. Not everyone is aware something is wrong, but some people suffer alarming symptoms like a pounding heartbeat and shortness of breath.I definitely have no exercise tolerance when Im in it, Moore said. I cant run. Walking is tiring faster. I get a little light-headed standing up.The heart can surpass 200 beats per minute for someone with A-fib, more than double the 60 to 100 beats typical for a healthy adults resting heart rate. Symptoms can come and go, and its not usually life-threatening by itself. But the erratic beating can lead to blood pooling in the heart that can become clots in days or even hours. Those clots, in turn, can travel to the brain and cause strokes.A-fib also can increase the risk of developing ventricular fibrillation a more serious condition. This article is part of APs Be Well coverage, focusing on wellness, fitness, diet and mental health. Read more Be Well. Diagnosis is becoming more common Experts say smartwatches and other devices that can detect erratic heartbeats are one reason A-fib diagnoses are increasing. Many people who experience symptoms dont understand what is happening.The American Heart Association found that more than half of people with A-fib didnt know about the condition before they were diagnosed. Studies have suggested 15% or more of strokes can be tied to A-fib, and that the percentage rises in older people. The condition is one reason that U.S. stroke deaths rose in the last decade, although the stroke death rate has dipped in the last few years. What causes A-fib?Researchers attribute A-fib to damage in the hearts upper chambers and its electrical signaling. Genetics can play a role, but other contributors include high blood pressure, diabetes, stress, sleep apnea, smoking and alcohol.Those harms accumulate over time, which is one reason why the condition tends to hit older adults. About 70% of A-fib cases are people 65 and older, Bunch said.Viruses can also pose a threat because they can affect the proteins behind the hearts electrical signals or prompt an immune response that damages heart tissue. COVID-19 is among the list of viral culprits, and likely contributed to A-fib in some patients, experts say.Studies have found no link to COVID-19 shots, said Dr. Jose Joglar, a Dallas-based expert who helped author American Heart Association guidelines on A-fib diagnosis and management. Doctors have a range of treatment optionsTheres no cure, but a number of therapies can help manage the problem.Were miles beyond where we used to be in treating A-fib, said Dr. Laurence Epstein, of Hofstra University and Northwell Health. The technology has really evolved. One initial treatment is a cardioversion, which involves using a defibrillator to deliver an electric shock to the heart to restore rhythm. Its often successful, but sometimes only temporarily. For some patients, doctors may recommend implanted devices. Pacemakers can regulate heart rhythm, and a device called a Watchman can close off a clot-prone area of the upper heart.And then theres ablation. Its a procedure in which a doctor uses heat, cold or electric pulses to zap certain areas of the heart, creating scars that block faulty electric signals. Traditionally, ablation was used when other approaches failed, but in recent years ablation techniques have become more advanced and it has become a first choice for certain patients, including those with heart failure.Medications to regulate the heart or thin the blood to reduce stroke risk can have problematic side effects. How to lower your riskPeople can lower their risk of developing A-fib by living a healthy lifestyle. That includes exercising, getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, managing high blood pressure, and avoiding tobacco products and alcohol.Doctors also have long warned about excessive levels of caffeine, although some new evidence suggests that at least a little may be OK. One small study published recently found that patients who averaged one cup a day saw less recurrence of symptoms than those who abstained entirely.If symptoms do develop, its important to take them seriously, said Amy Stahley, who was first diagnosed three years ago. She went to bed one night and her heart began racing to more than 150 beats per minute. She immediately went to a hospital. If youre feeling a little off, get it checked out, said Stahley, who is a nurse and dean of Davenport Universitys College of Health Professions in Michigan.Moore, a radiology professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, agreed.The longer you stay in A-fib, the more likely you are to stay in it for life, he said.___The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. MIKE STOBBE Stobbe mainly covers public health for The Associated Press. twitter mailto

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Switzerland's Laura Zimmermann, center, celebrates after scoring her side's opening goal during a preliminary round match of women's ice hockey between Switzerland and Czechia at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)2026-02-07T10:28:27Z MILAN (AP) Its game on for Finland and Switzerland in the womens hockey tournament at the Milan Cortina Olympics on Saturday despite both nations dealing with a stomach virus affecting its players.Finland had its full complement of 20 skaters and two goalies dressed for warmups ahead of playing the United States, two days after its game against Canada had to be postponed.Finlands outing will be the nations tournament opener after Thursdays scheduled game against Canada was postponed to Feb. 12. The postponement came as a result of Finland having 13 of its 23 players in quarantine because of a norovirus that began affecting the team on Tuesday night.On Friday, Finland coach Tero Lehtera said his team was going to play the U.S. no matter what following a practice in which only nine players were absent.Switzerland also announced it was preparing to play Canada, a day after revealing it had one player test positive for the norovirus. Switzerland opened with a 4-3 shootout win over the Czech Republic on Friday. The entire Swiss team spent Friday night in isolation and skipped the opening ceremony. The incubation period has now passed, Switzerlands chief medical officer, Hanspeter Betschart, said in a statement. From a medical perspective, there are currently no concerns about the game taking place, provided no further players show symptoms.The team did not reveal which player was affected. Switzerland held a practice skate as scheduled Saturday. Six skaters and two goalies practiced in what the team said was an optional session. Olympic organizers played down the significance of the virus cases.It is not (an outbreak). Lets not start to make a point about what is currently five athletes being dealt with, Olympic Games executive director Christophe Dubi said Saturday. Proper protocols, really well done.International Olympic Committee spokesman Mark Adams said IOC medical director Jane Thornton sees no reason to suspect the cases on the two teams are related. Germany goalie Sandra Abstreiter said players are very much aware of the virus and taking precautions, including agreeing not to shake hands without gloves on following games. That was evident following Germanys 5-2 win over Japan, when each team formed a line and saluted the crowd without opposing players interacting with each other.I think thats the smart play as of right now. And then obviously were disinfecting a lot. Were not sharing things, Abstreiter said. Its obviously in our heads. But we just still have to focus on hockey obviously. And we just have to let our medical team take care of that.Germany coach Jeff MacLeod said the teams medical officials have stressed that players should immediately notify them at the first hint of any symptoms.___AP Sports Writers James Ellingworth and Graham Dunbar contributed to this report.___AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

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U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, speaks at an event at the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Feb. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell, File)2026-02-07T13:20:58Z WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump has taken the unusual step of tapping military leaders for high-level diplomacy, sending the top U.S. commander in the Middle East to talks over Irans nuclear program and positioning the Army secretary as a key negotiator on ending the Russia-Ukraine war.Adm. Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, for the first time joined indirect U.S.-Iran talks Friday in Oman, appearing in his dress uniform as a reminder of the American buildup of military might in the region. As Army Secretary Dan Driscoll reprised his role at Russia-Ukraine talks this week, he worked to keep the conversation going with Ukrainian officials in the downtime between sessions, according to a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive talks.With special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner balancing both sets of thorny negotiations, the choice to bring in military leaders whether for their expertise, connections or to signal potential tougher options reflects how the Republican administration has upended traditional U.S. foreign policy and diplomacy. Elisa Ewers, who served in national security positions in the George W. Bush and Obama administrations, said placing active-duty military leaders like Cooper in diplomatic roles shows how the Trump administration has devalued skilled diplomats and the tools of diplomacy in favor of an overreliance on the military to try to solve foreign policy challenges. It often takes an enormous amount of time, investment and hard work to get to the point where you can say diplomacy has succeeded, said Ewers, now a Middle East scholar at the Center for a New American Security, quoting the idiom that not every nail needs a hammer. But Eliot Cohen, who served as counselor of the State Department in the George W. Bush administration, noted how American generals were involved in arms control talks with the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Cohen said Trumps move to send in Driscoll, the Armys top civilian leader, was more unusual. But he said, Presidents do this kind of thing.Theres a long tradition of American presidents using unusual people as emissaries if they trust them and think they can deliver the message, Cohen said. Intended to send a message The talks in Oman aimed to cool escalating tensions between Iran and the U.S. that have the region on edge. Trump said the talks were very good and more were planned for early next week. But he warned that if Iran did not make a deal over its nuclear program, the consequences are very steep.Trump has repeatedly threatened to use force to compel Iran to reach an agreement, and he sent the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and other warships to the region during Tehrans bloody crackdown on nationwide protests.Michael OHanlon, a defense and foreign policy analyst at the Brookings Institution, said Coopers presence was meant to signal resolve and to intimidate. Including the CENTCOM commander is quite unusual and seems intended to send a message more than to add to the heft of the negotiating team for the talks themselves, OHanlon wrote in an email. But the relationship is already so tense and bad that I doubt itll make much difference, unless the Iranians have had a fundamental rethinking on their nuclear program, OHanlon added. Michael Singh, who was senior director for the Middle East at the White House National Security Council in the George W. Bush administration, said he saw Coopers presence as more to do with his expertise. Witkoff and Kushner are not experts on Iran but generalists engaged in diplomatic talks worldwide, while Cooper has knowledge of the region and access to military experts who can evaluate any proposed concessions to Irans nuclear program, Singh said.Cooper spoke at length about Irans nuclear and military capabilities during his nomination hearing in June, shortly after the U.S. launched strikes on the Islamic Republics key nuclear sites. These are very technical issues were dealing with, said Singh, managing director at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Theyre not issues you can deal with instinctively. Adm. Cooper will have access to that expertise in a way that Witkoff and Kushner either dont or might not choose to access. Cooper brings both knowledge and the implicit threat of force, which is part of the negotiation, said Cohen, the former Bush official who is now a scholar at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.The White House has not responded to a request for comment about why Trump sent Cooper to participate in the talks. Building relationships In November, Driscoll was suddenly tapped for negotiations to try to end Russias nearly 4-year war in Ukraine.Talks back then had stalled, and Driscoll used an already planned trip to Ukraine as an opportunity to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other top government, military and defense industry officials.Since then, Driscoll has been part of several other negotiation sessions, including in Abu Dhabi this week.The person familiar with the negotiations said Driscolls role has coalesced around acting as a kind of liaison between the Ukrainians and Trump officials like Witkoff and Kushner. The person said the relationship with the Ukrainians was the result of Driscolls ability to keep the dialogue going between negotiation sessions as well as his military perspective as a leader and former Army officer.Driscoll served as an armor officer for more than three years and earned the rank of first lieutenant. He deployed to Iraq from October 2009 to July 2010.In Abu Dhabi, he was joined by U.S. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, commander in Europe of both U.S. and NATO forces, who helped negotiate the reestablishment of high-level military-to-military dialogue between the United States and Russia for the first time in four years.It will provide a consistent military-to-military contact as the parties continue to work towards a lasting peace, a U.S. military statement said.

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Seattle Seahawks president of football operations/general manager John Schneider speaks during a news conference at the NFL football team's facilities ahead of Super Bowl 60, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)2026-02-07T17:20:56Z SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) Winning the headlines during free agency in March doesnt typically lead to success in January and February in the NFL.This season, that hasnt been the case.Two of the most aggressive teams during the free agency period last offseason ended up in the Super Bowl, with the big-spending New England Patriots taking on the Seattle Seahawks.We felt like we needed a total culture shift, New England general manager Eliot Wolf said. We spent a lot of time doing work on the type of people that we brought in, and its crazy to say, but I dont know that we missed on a person. Not every player has been the greatest free agent signing ever, but all the people that brought in during free agency have been phenomenal.The Patriots handed out the most money on the unrestricted free agent market, with more than $364 million in contracts nearly $100 million more than the next-highest team handed out to 19 free agents, according to Spotrac. New England also led in guaranteed money spent, with nearly $175 million of those deals fully guaranteed. The Patriots won a bidding war for star defensive tackle Milton Williams with a four-year, $104 million contract and added several other key defensive players like cornerback Carlton Davis, edge rushers Harold Landry and KLavon Chaisson, and linebacker Robert Spillane. New England also got No. 1 receiver Stefon Diggs on a three-year, $63.5 million deal, along starting offensive linemen Morgan Moses and Garrett Bradbury and receiver Mack Hollins. I think you just have to be very intentional with the people that youre bringing in, coach Mike Vrabel said. I think sometimes free agency, you have to be able to use it. People use it in different ways. Its a part of our business. Its another way to acquire players and player acquisition. Understand that you have to be convicted on the person that youre bringing in as a player, and also the impact that theyre going to make in the locker room, around the building and in the community. The Seahawks came in fourth in free agency spending at more than $205 million, led by a three-year, $100.5 million deal for quarterback Sam Darnold as well as smaller contracts to edge rusher DeMarcus Lawrence and receiver Cooper Kupp. General manager John Schneider also hit on several budget deals for players, with tight end Eric Saubert and tackle Josh Jones helping Seattle reach the Super Bowl.While the free agent moves were important, none of this would have been possible without the draft. Schneider has been on a recent draft heater helped by the acquisition of extra picks thanks to the trade of quarterback Russell Wilson in 2022.The recent run comes after years of poor picks eroded the roster strength as the Seahawks added players like Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Devon Witherspoon, Kenneth Walker, Charles Cross, Byron Murphy, Riq Woolen and A.J. Barner in recent years before using their top two picks in April on immediate impact players Grey Zabel on the offensive line and versatile defender Nick Emmanwori. It was a master class by John and our personnel folks, coach Mike Macdonald said of his balance of draft and free agency. A lot of coaches have a lot of input, especially through free agency. ... When you have a shared alignment about what type of team you want to have, what type of people you want in your building. I think that streamlines that process.Shrewd moves in free agency helped fuel Philadelphias title run last season, when the Eagles signed AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year Saquon Barkley to a three-year, $37.5 million deal and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson to a three-tear $27 million contract, and got All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun and key offensive linemen Mekhi Becton on one-year deals.Philadelphia also handed out a big-money contract to edge rusher Bryce Huff, who made almost no impact, but the Eagles likely wouldnt have won it all without an aggressive March.The Patriots needed to be aggressive because of some poor drafting at the end of coach Bill Belichicks tenure following the 2023 season, but Wolf doesnt plan to follow this path too often. I dont think its going to be a rule for us, Wolf said. I dont want to say its unique, but in some ways it is. Its been really rewarding and Im just really happy for these guys. Theyve kind of come together and bought into Coach Vrabels culture and here we are.___AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl JOSH DUBOW Dubow is an NFL writer for The Associated Press who covers the San Francisco 49ers and provides weekly analysis of NFL statistics. twitter mailto

President Donald Trump speaks during a session on his Board of Peace initiative at the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)2026-02-07T17:02:06Z WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump plans to convene the first meeting of his Board of Peace this month in Washington to raise money for the reconstruction of Gaza.The meeting, proposed for Feb. 19, would include both world leaders who accepted Trumps invitation in January to join the board as well as members of an executive committee for Gaza that will oversee the specifics of the territorys governance, security and redevelopment, two Trump administration officials said Saturday. It was not immediately clear how many leaders would accept the Republican presidents invitation, according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the meeting has not yet been formally announced and details of its agenda were still being determined.One official said the administration expected robust participation.A copy of the invitation that was sent late Friday to invited participants and obtained by The Associated Press, says the meeting will be held at the U.S. Institute of Peace, now known as the Donald J. Trump U.S. Institute of Peace, pending an ongoing legal battle with the former leadership of the nonprofit think tank. The administration seized the facility last year and fired almost all the institutes staff. Trumps new board was first seen as a mechanism focused on ending the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. But it has taken shape with his ambition for a far broader mandate of resolving global crises and appears to be the latest U.S. effort to sidestep the United Nations as Trump aims to reset the post-World War II international order.Many of Americas top allies in Europe and elsewhere have declined to join what they suspect may be an attempt to rival the Security Council.

Gold medallist Francesca Lollobrigida of Italy celebrates with the Italian flag after the women's 3,000 meters speedskating race at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)2026-02-07T16:33:08Z MILAN (AP) Speedskater Francesca Lollobrigida won host Italys first gold medal of the Milan Cortina Games on Saturday, taking the womens 3,000 meters in an Olympics-record time.With fans rising to their feet and roaring for her as she competed on her 35th birthday, Lollobrigida finished in 3 minutes, 54.28 seconds, more than two seconds ahead of runner-up Ragne Wiklund of Norway.Valerie Maltais of Canada was third.Lollobrigida is from Frascati, a hill town just outside Rome well-known for its white wine, and her great aunt was the late Gina Lollobrigida, a star actress of the 1950s and 60s.This was the fourth Olympics for Francesca Lollobrigida, the mother of a 2-year-old son, and her first gold indeed, the first for a woman from her nation in speedskating. She collected two medals at Beijing four years ago: a silver in the 3,000 and a bronze in the mass start. As expected, she was greeted by a big cheer during the introductions before her heat, and Lollobrigida responded with a big smile and a big wave with both arms overhead, before covering her chest with her hands.Racing with Maltais, Lollobrigida trailed at the first checkpoint. But the Italian kept gaining ground and, perhaps boosted by the loud support from her countrymen in the seats, surged on the final lap, arms swinging behind her. How fast was she? Her time was not only much better than anyone else on the ice Saturday, it was more than 2 1/2 seconds faster than the Olympic mark set by Irene Schouten when she claimed the 3,000 gold at the 2022 Beijing Games.There were four more skaters left to go after Lollobrigida was done, and as she waited to find out what would happen, she actually didnt want to watch much, frequently covering her eyes with her hands.AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics HOWARD FENDRICH Fendrich is an Associated Press national writer based in Washington, D.C. He reports on tennis and other sports. twitter mailto

Seth Ryan was hired Saturday as the Jets' new passing-game coordinator, a source told ESPN.

The former speaker, a prodigious fund-raiser and shrewd campaign strategist, seldom intervenes in primaries but has made an exception for a Kennedy before.

Cold-weary New Yorkers will get hit by another blast of frigid weather. Heres what to expect, and what the city is doing to protect the vulnerable.

Ties between the exchange and the presidents company, World Liberty Financial, have only strengthened since the president pardoned Binances founder, Changpeng Zhao.

Francesca Lollobrigida of Italy celebrates with her gold medal on the podium of the women's 3,000 meters speedskating race at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)2026-02-07T18:08:12Z MILAN (AP) Francesca Lollobrigida led a tricolor day for Italy at the Milan Cortina Olympics.The speedskater won gold in the womens 3,000 meters after Giovanni Franzoni took silver in the mens downhill ahead of Italian teammate Dominik Paris for bronze on the same slope Saturday.Swiss skier Franjo von Allmen had the honor of winning the first gold medal of the 2026 Games, edging the Italians in Bormio, to kick off the first official day of action at the Winter Olympics.Lollobrigida wins Italys 1st gold medal of Milan Cortina GamesIn Milan, Lollobrigida won the womens 3,000 in an Olympic-record time on her 35th birthday. It was host Italys first gold medal of the 2026 Games. Lollobrigidas great aunt was the late Gina Lollobrigida, a star actress of the 1950s and 60s. Silver and bronze for Italy in mens downhillVon Allmen was the leader after his downhill run but the wait for his rivals to finish was nerve-racking. No one beat his time of 1 minute, 51.61 seconds, though, and the 24-year-old Swiss racer won the first gold medal of the Olympics.I tried to enjoy the moment, but I didnt quite realize what was going on today, von Allmen said after his Olympic debut.Paris will certainly enjoy his moment. The 36-year-old Italian had competed in four previous Olympics and came away empty-handed each time.This time marked the charm.Its my fifth Olympics, and getting the first medal in front of the home crowd, thats really special, Paris said. Italian downhill medalist gives shout-out to Jannik SinnerThe 24-year-old Franzoni was asked about skiing with Italian tennis great Jannik Sinner as kids. The four-time Grand Slam champion had won a national junior title on the slopes. Franzoni said he received messages from Sinner before and after a recent downhill victory.Its an honor for me that he takes some little moments to share this moment, Franzoni said, and I hope today he was watching the race. Lindsey Vonn tells the AP all good after training runIn Cortina, Lindsey Vonn completed another downhill training run and was set for Sundays medal race despite tearing her left ACL a little more than a week ago. The 41-year-old American crossed the line in third position and told The Associated Press all good. She has been wearing a large brace on her injured knee. Disappointment for Jessie Diggins in skiathlonJessie Diggins, the most decorated American cross-country skier ever, finished eighth in the 20-kilometer womens skiathlon in Tesero. She finished more than 2 minutes behind winner Frida Karlsson of Sweden.I had a crash on the first lap, where my tip just disappeared in the slush, and unfortunately it was a tough spot where you lose all your momentum, the 34-year-old Minnesota native said.JD Vance and Jake Paul attend US womens hockey gameU.S. Vice President JD Vance sat with influencer and boxer Jake Paul as they watched the U.S. womens hockey team beat Finland 5-0 on Saturday. Pauls fiancee, Jutta Leerdam, is a speedskater for the Netherlands.Finland was playing two days after the teams game against Canada had to be postponed because of a stomach virus affecting players. Switzerland was preparing to play Canada a day after announcing that one of its players tested positive for the norovirus.___AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics RSShttps://feedx.net https://feedx.site

After an 11-year hiatus, the NBA is bringing back the Shooting Stars competition. The All-Star Saturday night contest will feature four teams made up of two current NBA players and one retired player.

Hilary Knight scored to tie the U.S. Olympic women's hockey career goal record, and the Americans wore down a Finland opponent that spent much of the week dealing with a stomach virus in a 5-0 win at the Milan Cortina Games on Saturday.

The post appeared to describe the presidents rationale for deleting a racist video about the Obamas that he had shared.

The billionaires decision to merge his A.I. start-up with his rocket company will test investors interest in giant combinations of unalike businesses.

The state is the first in the United States to require paid leave for prenatal care. While some women are using the time off for medical appointments, others dont know that its available.

Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., is seen before a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Oct. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert, File)2026-02-07T19:37:33Z WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump received rare blowback from Republican lawmakers over a video posted to social media that included a racist image of former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, depicted as primates.Since Trumps return to the White House, Republican lawmakers have treaded carefully when disagreeing with the president, often communicating their concerns in private for fear of suffering his wrath. But the swift calls to remove the post, which also echoed false conspiracy theories about the 2020 election, represented a rare moment of bipartisan backlash to Trumps actions from lawmakers on Capitol Hill.Multiple GOP members of the Senate and House joined their Democratic colleagues in voicing disgust and criticism at the post and urged the president to remove it.Trump declined to apologize, saying he did not see the racist portion of the video when he passed it on to staff. How Republican lawmakers reactedSouth Carolinas Tim Scott, the only Black Republican senator and chair of the Senate GOPs campaign arm, criticized the image and urged the president to remove it.Praying it was fake because its the most racist thing Ive seen out of this White House. The President should remove it, Scott wrote on social media.Other Republican senators echoed the sentiment. Even if this was a Lion King meme, a reasonable person sees the racist context to this, Sen. Pete Ricketts of Nebraska, wrote on social media. The White House should do what anyone does when they make a mistake: remove this and apologize. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine called the image appalling. Roger Wicker, the senior senator from Mississippi, denounced it as totally unacceptable. The president should take it down and apologize, Wicker wrote.Sen. John Curtis of Utah called Trumps post blatantly racist and inexcusable. It should never have been posted or left published for so long. In the House, Rep. Mike Lawler of New York called Trumps post wrong and incredibly offensivewhether intentional or a mistakeand should be deleted immediately with an apology offered. Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska, a frequent Trump critic, quipped on social media about the White Houses shifting explanations for the videos origin and deletion.Praise for the post being removedMore Republicans lodged their objections to the post after the video was taken down.This content was rightfully removed, should have never been posted to begin with, and is not who we are as a nation, wrote Sen. Katie Britt, an Alabama Republican.Rep. John James, a Michigan Republican running for governor, said he was glad to see that trash has been taken down. James, one of four Black Republicans in the House, said he was shocked and appalled by that post but defended Trumps character.I know the President. He is not racist, said James, who campaigned for Trump in Black communities during the 2024 presidential campaign.Still, some of Trumps closest allies defended him. Laura Loomer, a far right activist and media personality, called on her social media followers to highlight any Republican lawmakers attacking Trump today with false accusations of racism. I am compiling a list of every single GOP Senator who attacked President Trump today, and I am printing it out and giving it to President Trump ahead of the @NRSC Winter Meeting in Palm Beach, Florida this weekend, wrote Loomer, who has influenced administration policy and threatened retribution against GOP lawmakers in the past.A shifting White House narrativeTrump has been a longtime critic of the Obamas. Before entering politics, he earned fame among conservatives as a champion of the birther conspiracy theory that falsely claimed that President Obama was not born in the U.S. White House officials made multiple shifting statements about how the animated video, which has circulated among conservatives online for months, came to be posted by the presidents account.White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt at first said the post, which appears to be AI-generated, depicted Trump as King of the Jungle and the Obamas and other Democrats as characters from The Lion King. But the Disney animated classic does not include any characters depicted as apes, and is set in an African savanna not a jungle. White House officials later said that the video was erroneously posted by a staffer. I liked the beginning. I saw it and just passed it on, and I guess probably nobody reviewed the end of it, Trump told reporters on Air Force One. Asked if he condemned the racist parts of the video, Trump said, Of course I do. Democrats rally to former first coupleSupporters of the Obamas also took to social media not only to condemn the presidents post, but also to celebrate the former first couple. We should ALL be outraged, Pete Souza, the former chief White House photographer during the Obama White House, posted to social media. I will not post a screenshot of the video here. Instead, I thought it best to respond with a few of my photographs of Barack and Michelle.Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., posted images of the Obamas and praised their brilliance, elegance, and beauty.I want Americans, particularly our young people, to know that the vast majority of our country supports and uplifts you despite the filth spewing from the Oval Office, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., wrote to the Obamas on social media. MATT BROWN Brown covers national politics, federal policy and democracy issues for The Associated Press. twitter instagram mailto

Jake Paul, left, and Vice President JD Vance attend a preliminary round match of women's ice hockey between the United States and Finland at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)2026-02-07T17:20:27Z MILAN (AP) U.S. Vice President JD Vance sat with influencer and boxer Jake Paul as they watched the U.S. womens hockey team ease to a 5-0 win over Finland at the Winter Olympics on Saturday.Vance and his family entered during the intermission at the end of the first period, with the U.S. leading 1-0. Paul joined them shortly after. Pauls fiancee Jutta Leerdam is a speedskater for the Netherlands at the Milan Cortina Games.Vance sat with his youngest child, daughter Mirabel, on his lap. Usha Vance, wearing a sweatshirt with USA in big letters, clapped along to Queens We Will Rock You, before the second period started. The vice president and his wife stood and clapped when the U.S. womens team scored a goal. They were back on their feet cheering a few minutes later when the U.S. women scored again.Among those seated near Vance were 2010 Olympic figure skating gold medalist Evan Lysacek and hockeys twin sisters, Hall of Famers Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson and Monique Lamoureux-Morando. They were members of the U.S. gold medal-winning team at the 2018 Winter Games. Its the second time that Vance has watched the U.S. womens team at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. He was also at the Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena on Thursday, when the U.S. beat Czechia 5-1 in its opening game of the preliminary round. U.S. player Taylor Heise said it was awesome to hear that Vance and Paul were at the rink, but she wasnt aware during the game. I know (teammate) Abbey Murphy wants to meet Jake Paul, so wed love to set that up, she said.None of us knew that they were here, actually, Heise added. Just happy to be playing, and whoevers there gets to watch the show, because I think were pretty good.The U.S. players are especially familiar with Paul through his relationship with Leerdam, who competes in speedskating against U.S. hockey captain Hilary Knights girlfriend Brittany Bowe. I know his fiancee, Jutta, weve watched her work out. Shes phenomenal. Were excited to go and watch her and obviously were cheering on Brit Bowe, Heise said.___Michelle L. Price and John Wawrow contributed to this report.___AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

Mayor Karen Bass speaks at a vigil, June 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer, File)2026-02-07T04:58:50Z LOS ANGELES (AP) Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is heading into a challenging reelection bid as she continues to suffer fallout from last years devastating wildfire and ongoing criticism of City Hall on issues from street paving to homelessness. The deadline is Saturday for candidates to enter the contest ahead of the June 2 primary election. Bass a first-term Democrat and the first Black woman to hold the post already is facing challenges from tech entrepreneur and nonprofit founder Adam Miller; reality television personality Spencer Pratt, who lost his home to the deadly Palisades Fire; and community organizer Rae Huang. A late entry was city council member Nithya Raman, a one-time Bass supporter who will now be trying to oust her.Although the contest is officially nonpartisan, it is breaking along sharp political lines.Pratt is a Republican in a heavily Democratic city who was endorsed by Steve Hilton, a Republican candidate for governor, and Richard Grenell, an ally of President Donald Trump. Raman was the first council member elected with the backing of the Democratic Socialists of America. Huang has positioned herself to the political left of Bass, who while in the U.S. House member was a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. The race is unfolding at an unsettled time for the city of nearly 4 million. Complaints about the cost of living whether for rent, taxes or groceries are a constant refrain. Dirty, pocked streets and sidewalks abound. Hollywood jobs have been decamping for years for more affordable locales. Ongoing Trump administration immigration raids have shaken the city. Despite studies showing a slight decline in the homeless population, encampments remain commonplace. And recovery from the Palisades Fire, which killed 12 people and destroyed much of the tony seaside neighborhood in January 2025, continues at a pace that some say is too slow. In an upbeat speech this month laying out her vision for the citys future, Bass talked of the upcoming 2028 Olympics in the city and plans to spruce up busy thoroughfares. Even in this difficult chapter in our history, great events, moments of unity, are possible, Bass said. And they are coming. Los Angeles-based Democratic consultant Bill Carrick sees the race as wide-open. Under Californias primary rules, all candidates appear on the same ballot and the top two finishers advance to the November general election a system that can lead to unpredictable outcomes. A candidate can win the mayoralty outright by capturing more than 50% of the primary vote, but that appears unlikely with a large field that is also expected to include a string of little-known contenders.Voters are kind of unhappy with city government, and I think the Palisades Fire certainly contributed enormously with that feeling, Carrick said. Controversy over handling of fireThe mayor, who was on a trip to Ghana as part of a presidential delegation when the fire began raging through the Palisades neighborhood, has been on the defensive for her actions during and after the blaze.The Los Angeles Times has published a series of reports, based on public records requests, showing that drafts of the Los Angeles Fire Departments after-action report included deletions and revisions intended to soften the failures of city and department officials.This week Bass office forcefully denied allegations in a Times story, based on anonymous, secondhand sources, that she pushed for changes in the report before publication to shield City Hall from potential legal action. She told reporters that the account was completely fabricated.Officials have said the deadly blaze was ignited by remnants of a Jan. 1 fire that continued to smolder underground. In October, a 29-year-old man was arrested and charged with sparking the earlier fire. The LAFD has faced scrutiny over whether it properly extinguished the New Years Day blaze.On his website, Pratt who rose to reality-TV fame alongside his wife, Heidi Montag, on The Hills said he watched his home burn because the system failed us. We dont need more government programs, Pratt added. We need common sense, accountability, and a mayor that shows up for everyone.Miller, a Democrat running as an outsider with the ability to invest in his own campaign, poses a new challenge for Bass, who defeated billionaire Rick Caruso in her 2022 election. Miller founded Cornerstone OnDemand, a global education company, and later cofounded the Better Angels nonprofit to address homelessness. Los Angeles has extraordinary potential but too often City Hall hasnt been there for the people who call it home, Miller said in a statement. Two potential rivals dont enter raceBass also avoided two potential, strong rivals in the contest. Caruso decided not to run again after months of equivocation, and Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath announced late Friday she would not enter the race. Both have been outspoken critics of the mayors handling of homelessness and the fire and were widely seen as possible contenders.Its clear you want a different kind of leadership and you are ready to see change in your city, Horvath said in a video posted on the social platform X, but she added that her work on the county board was not finished. MICHAEL R. BLOOD Blood is a political writer for The AP. Over the years he has filed stories under datelines from Wasilla, Alaska, to Tel Aviv, but he has spent most of his career anchored in AP bureaus in Washington, D.C., New York City and - for the last two decades - Los Angeles. twitter mailto

Jim Stolley, the chief counsel for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Minnesota, has left as government prosecutors grapple with a crush of cases.