Victory Capital sweetened its offer to buy Janus Henderson, whose board last week unanimously rejected the company’s takeover proposal and recommended shareholders back a take-private transaction by Nelson Peltz’s Trian Fund Management and venture firm General Catalyst.
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Victory Capital Raises Cash Offer in Revised Bid for Janus Henderson
2026 NFL free agency: Experts debate best, worst signings
NFL free agency has started to slow down since officially opening March 11, so it’s a good time to take stock of the moves.
Some teams have made splash signings, such as the Ravens adding edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, the Vikings bringing in quarterback Kyler Murray and the Chiefs signing running back Kenneth Walker III. But what were the best moves so far in free agency? What about the most puzzling moves? Which teams improved the most, and which might have taken a step backward?
We asked 15 of our NFL experts to weigh in with their picks from the past two weeks. Let’s start with the top signings and trades of March.
Jump to:
Best moves | Head-scratching moves
Most improved teams | Least improved teams
What was the best overall move so far?
Matt Bowen, NFL analyst: The Rams signing cornerback Jaylen Watson. After trading for Kansas City’s Trent McDuffie, the Rams added another Chiefs cornerback. With his physical coverage traits and ability to align in press, Watson fits as the boundary matchup versus the X receiver. That will allow McDuffie to play to wide side of the field in coordinator Chris Shula’s defense.
Jeremy Fowler, national NFL reporter: The Giants signing tight end Isaiah Likely. A tight end who gets open is a friendly addition for a young quarterback, and Likely will be that for Jaxson Dart. His presence allows New York to lean into two tight end sets, and at $40 million over three years, Likely’s contract is cheaper than that of former Giants receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, who signed a four-year, $78 million deal with Tennessee.
Pamela Maldonado, sports betting analyst: The Chiefs signing running back Kenneth Walker III. He fixes one area of inconsistency for the Chiefs: the run game. When you already have quarterback Patrick Mahomes and an offense built around the pass, what stresses a defense the most is a back who can turn a routine carry into a 20-yard gain. That’s Walker’s game.
Matt Miller, NFL draft analyst: The Titans signing defensive end John Franklin-Myers. They have been desperate for an outside pass rush, and Franklin-Myers is a dream scheme fit in the Robert Saleh defense. His ability to line up inside, head-up on a tackle or play wide in a 6-technique gives the Titans maximum versatility up front. This draft class doesn’t have a surefire pass rusher for the Titans to draft at No. 4, so checking this box in free agency was key.
Jason Reid, senior Andscape writer: The Rams trading for McDuffie. Seattle wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba tormented the Rams this season, capping his Offensive Player of the Year campaign with 10 receptions, 153 yards and a touchdown in the NFC Championship Game. The Rams gave up a lot of draft capital for McDuffie and then made him the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback, but he could be outstanding for L.A. in the slot and on the boundary. Cincinnati All-Pro wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase can attest to that.
Aaron Schatz, NFL analyst: Quarterback Kyler Murray signing with the Vikings. Only two years ago, Murray played a full season with a 63.4 QBR, ninth in the NFL. But more importantly, the language in Murray’s contract with Arizona means that the Vikings signed Murray for the veteran minimum of $1.3 million. That’s a ridiculous bargain for a struggling starting quarterback, let alone a QB who could be above average.
Mike Tannenbaum, NFL front office insider: Murray to the Vikings. Minnesota won nine games last season despite poor QB play from J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer. If Murray is good — or at least better than those players — the Vikings have a real chance to win the loaded NFC North.
Lindsey Thiry, national NFL reporter: Murray to the Vikings. Coach Kevin O’Connell has a noteworthy track record of developing and improving the play of his quarterbacks. In Minnesota, Murray has the chance to challenge McCarthy for the starting role. Murray gets a much-needed fresh start after stagnating in Arizona. Second chances for quarterbacks don’t come around often, but this appears to be a legitimate opportunity for Murray to revive his career.
What was the most head-scratching signing of free agency?
Stephania Bell, injury and fantasy football writer: Running back Jerome Ford signing with the Commanders. Granted, it appears the Commanders are making low-risk moves as they add to their RB room. But this fit was puzzling. Rachaad White came in on an inexpensive deal to complement Jacory Croskey-Merritt and reconnect with his college pal Jayden Daniels. Ford, whose best season with the Browns was three years ago, had more catches than carries last season, when his role dwindled. Washington then re-signed Jeremy McNichols, who, in addition to his special teams contributions, still notched more carries than Ford in 2025.
Mike Clay, fantasy football writer: The Colts re-signing wide receiver Alec Pierce. I was stunned to see all the pre-free agency hype — and eventual four-year, $116 million deal — for Pierce. I wasn’t surprised because of his ability, but because of how little he was utilized in Indianapolis. Even in a breakout 2025 season, Pierce ranked 48th among receivers in target share (18%). In all four of his NFL seasons, he has finished no better than 42nd in targets, 45th in catches, 18th in yards and 18th in touchdowns. The Colts not only made Pierce one of the highest-paid receivers, but they then traded Michael Pittman Jr., who has had 200 more catches than Pierce since 2022.
Liz Loza, fantasy football writer: The Falcons signing quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Given Michael Penix Jr.’s ACL injury and Kirk Cousins‘ release, adding Tagovailoa made sense for the Falcons. But it’s far from a flex. After all, the Dolphins willingly incurred an NFL-record $99.2 million dead cap hit to release him. That speaks volumes. Though the Falcons’ investment in Tagovailoa is relatively low (one-year, $1.3 million deal), it’s far from inspiring as a move.
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Orlovsky on Tua in Atlanta: This is the best decision for both parties
Dan Orlovsky and Domonique Foxworth discuss whether Tua Tagovailoa is a good fit for the Atlanta Falcons.
Eric Moody, fantasy football writer: The Seahawks signing running back Emanuel Wilson to a one-year deal. It adds depth, but it doesn’t solve their bigger problem in the backfield. Losing Walker to the Chiefs hurts, especially with Zach Charbonnet coming off a major injury and no clear short-term solution. With questions about the run game and a new playcaller in Brian Fleury, the Seahawks’ offensive identity suddenly feels far less certain.
Ben Solak, NFL analyst: The Cowboys trading for edge rusher Rashan Gary. I don’t mind the fit for Gary in the Cowboys’ defense. He’s a bulky edge rusher on a team that needs more run-stuffing power. But the Cowboys traded a fourth-round pick for Gary’s deal, which will average out at a $19.5 million cap hit over the next two seasons. Was that really necessary when Boye Mafe and Bradley Chubb signed close to that amount? When Jonathan Greenard, a similarly strong run defender with a far better pass rush profile, was also available via trade? I’m surprised Dallas chose this option in a rich class of free agent edge rushers.
Field Yates, NFL analyst: The Bills signing edge rusher Bradley Chubb. Buffalo had a significant need to upgrade at edge rusher, and Chubb helps that cause. But the amount was surprising; Chubb’s deal includes $29 million guaranteed over three years. He is a solid player who piled up 8.5 sacks last season, but that’s a steep figure for a soon-to-be 30-year-old rusher. I thought his market would be lighter than that, but Buffalo acted fast with many of the coveted pass rushers unavailable.
Seth Walder, analytics writer: The Bengals signing defensive tackle Jonathan Allen. The aforementioned Chubb signing and Kwity Paye‘s deal with the Raiders are also great contenders for this superlative. But Allen getting as much as he did — two years, $26 million — as a 31-year-old coming off two straight years of declined performance (resulting in his release from the Commanders and Vikings) was really surprising. It also was a break for the Vikings. Allen had $8 million guaranteed from when they cut him — and they could get all of that money back depending on how the contract is structured.
Which is the most improved team after free agency and other moves over the past week?
Bell: The Chiefs. Sometimes, the rich get richer in the NFL, and Kansas City did just that after missing the postseason for the first time since 2014. The Chiefs lacked an explosive run game and addressed that with Walker. They retained a quarterback’s best safety valve in tight end Travis Kelce, who could prove exceptional for newly signed quarterback Justin Fields while Mahomes works back from ACL surgery. And they signed defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga to bolster the interior alongside Chris Jones. Cha-ching.
Clay: The Jets. They still have a ways to go, but the Jets are headed in the right direction after inexpensively steadying the quarterback situation (Geno Smith) and retaining running back Breece Hall. They added much-needed impact players at every level of coach Aaron Glenn’s defense, including defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat, edge rusher Kingsley Enagbare, linebacker Demario Davis, underrated cornerback Nahshon Wright and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Loza: The Panthers. General manager Dan Morgan did an excellent job of identifying the team’s greatest needs in an attempt to capitalize on the Panthers’ turnaround in 2025. From an offensive standpoint, quarterback Bryce Young figures to be better protected and supported thanks to the additions of offensive tackle Rasheed Walker, center Luke Fortner and wide receiver John Metchie III (his teammate at Alabama). But the Panthers’ most impressive upgrades came on defense. They spent big on edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd, while also generating depth with defensive end Patrick Jones II.
Moody: The Steelers. They took a meaningful step toward fixing their passing game by adding Pittman and signing him to an extension. The move finally gave DK Metcalf a legitimate running mate at receiver. Running back Rico Dowdle also adds depth and flexibility to the backfield alongside Jaylen Warren, giving Pittsburgh more options in the run game. The biggest question now is quarterback, which probably will determine how much noise the revamped Steelers offense can make in 2026.
Solak: The Raiders. Often, the most improved team in free agency is the team with tons of money and tons of needs. Such was the case here, as the Raiders filled big holes with center Tyler Linderbaum, linebackers Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean, defensive end Kwity Paye and nickel back Taron Johnson. Quietly, one of the best signings was ex-Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor. He brings quality field-stretching as a WR3 but could become a higher-volume player out of the shadows of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
Thiry: The Rams. They were one score from advancing to the Super Bowl, and with the trade for McDuffie and signing of Watson, they created a necessary boost for their secondary. That change could enable them to return to the Super Bowl in what might be the final season of reigning MVP Matthew Stafford‘s career.
Yates: The Titans. There is an old axiom to not confuse activity with achievement, but dollars count in free agency, and I believe that the Titans are much further along than they were before free agency. Coach Robert Saleh is reunited with three front-seven members from his Jets tenure, led by Franklin-Myers. Saleh’s defenses during his time in New York were often excellent, so I expect this defense to attack right away.
Walder: The Vikings. Forgive the simplicity, but a team’s biggest offseason change is going from zero starting-caliber quarterbacks to one starting-caliber quarterback. That’s what the Vikings accomplished, moving them from a noncontender to a team with a real shot at the postseason.
Which team has taken a step backward over the past week, and what is one move you’d like to see it make?
Bowen: The Lions. They added some offensive players who fit the identity of coach Dan Campbell’s program: center Cade Mays and running back Isiah Pacheco. But Detroit’s defense is still missing an edge rusher opposite of Aidan Hutchinson. Veteran Joey Bosa is still available, or the team could look to address this in the draft.
Fowler: The Seahawks. They had six key free agents and lost four of them, retaining wideout Rashid Shaheed and cornerback Josh Jobe. The step back was calculated. Instead of overpaying to keep the Super Bowl roster intact, the Seahawks can replenish by drafting quality players with their compensatory picks. Seattle also must budget for a Jaxon Smith-Njigba megadeal. Still, adding one more key player for coach Mike Macdonald — perhaps a third safety — would help the secondary.
Maldonado: The Seahawks. Walker’s explosiveness is gone from Seattle, Boye Mafe is missing from the pass-rush rotation and the secondary lost Riq Woolen and Coby Bryant. None of those moves breaks the team, but they collectively thin out the Seahawks’ depth. Seattle kept the core intact, but this looks more like roster maintenance than improvement. The team should look to sign another edge rusher to replace the pass-rush depth lost and keep Macdonald’s defensive front rotating fresh.
Miller: The 49ers. Adding a 33-year-old wide receiver (Mike Evans) doesn’t solve any of the team’s problems on the offensive line, defensive line or secondary. This is another move that reeks of trying to fill holes instead of building for the future. With Trent Williams‘ future uncertain, the weaknesses on both lines will soon be exposed in San Francisco. Drafting a left tackle of the future in the first round is the right move, and I like Utah’s Caleb Lomu or Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor as fits.
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Schefter: Mike Evans is veteran presence 49ers were looking for
Adam Schefter tells Pat McAfee how Mike Evans ended up signing with the 49ers.
Reid: The Chiefs. Although they received four picks in the McDuffie trade, they lost a cornerstone 25-year-old. The Rams also signed Watson, who’s only 27. The Commanders lured starting linebacker Leo Chenal (25), and the Bengals signed safety Bryan Cook (26). Notice a trend? The Chiefs didn’t just lose defensive starters — they lost key players entering their prime. The Chiefs need major help at edge rusher and offensive tackle, but cornerback is now their biggest need. With the No. 9 pick, the Chiefs should select LSU’s Mansoor Delane.
Schatz: The Eagles. Woolen will help the Eagles solve their CB2 problem, but they lost several other players. Phillips helped transform their defense at midseason. Safety Reed Blankenship was an important part of the secondary. They could afford to lose linebacker Nakobe Dean because they have Jihaad Campbell, but the depth took a hit. Arnold Ebiketie was a good addition to make up for the loss of Phillips, but with the top free agent safeties on new teams, the Eagles should improve that position through the draft.
Tannenbaum: The Texans. Last year, they lost left tackle Laremy Tunsil. And this year, they traded right tackle Tytus Howard and replaced him with Braden Smith. I’m not sure how these O-line changes help further quarterback C.J. Stroud‘s development. Ideally, they should sign a veteran such as Joel Bitonio if he plays in 2026. He’ll be 35 in October but has started 178 games. The Texans could also draft an offensive lineman at No. 28 — Alabama’s Proctor or Arizona State’s Max Iheanachor are possibilities.
Ali Larijani, Iran’s top security official, killed in airstrike, Israel says. Here’s why his death is significant.
Top Iranian security official Ali Larijani was killed in overnight strikes, Israel said Tuesday, marking a significant moment for the Islamic Republic in the conflict.
Israeli defense minister Israel Katz said in a statement that Larijani was “eliminated.” There was no immediate confirmation out of Iran on his apparent killing.
Larijani, the head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, was among the most senior leaders of the regime still alive in Iran after top leaders — including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei — were killed at the start of the war. He was one of the regime’s most experienced insiders and deeply trusted by the late Khamenei. He was also among a very small group of people who could manage both the war and the politics around it.
He was a hardliner who understood negotiation, and also a system loyalist who understood limits.
Larijani had been a defiant voice since the war began and warned only a week ago, in a message aimed at President Trump, that the Iranian people “do not fear your empty threats; even those greater than you have failed to erase them… so beware lest you be the ones who disappear.”
He last appeared in public on Friday at a demonstration for al-Quds Day, an annual event in support of Palestinians. It was an act of defiance as he walked through crowds in Tehran in the middle of the conflict.
Why Larijani’s death is significant
Larijani was a former Revolutionary Guards officer who went on to run state broadcasting, serve as Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator and serve as the speaker of parliament for more than a decade. More recently, he returned to the core of power as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, sitting at the intersection of military, intelligence and political decision-making. He also came from one of Iran’s most powerful clerical families, which matters in the theocracy.
In the months leading up to the war, Larijani had become even more important, at times effectively running the country’s day-to-day strategy as pressure mounted.
Operationally, the impact of his death is likely limited in the short term. Politically, it could harden attitudes and reinforce the narrative inside Tehran that this is an existential fight aimed at dismantling the leadership itself.
Over time, it removes one of the few insiders who could help shape a political off-ramp. Figures like Larijani are often the ones who help manage not just how wars are fought, but how they end.
Larijani could operate inside the security state and still engage in external negotiation. He helped shape Iran’s nuclear posture and was involved in quiet efforts to reopen channels with Washington even as tensions escalated.
Just as importantly, he helped manage the political layer of the war itself.
He was one of the few figures who could shape the messaging, signal intentions and maintain lines of communication externally, even as fighting continued, while remaining fully trusted by the system. While he understood escalation, he also understood where it needed to stop. That made him one of the few figures in Tehran capable of managing both sides of a crisis at once, and without him, that capability shrinks.
His death also means that Mojtaba Khamenei, who is the new supreme leader and son of the late ayatollah, loses one of the few men who knew how his father actually ran power. Larijani was close to the late Khamenei and part of an inner circle that understood how power was exercised at the top.
The Islamic Republic, however, is built to absorb the losses of leaders like Larijani, and so his death may not fundamentally change Iran’s trajectory. Power does not disappear, but instead shifts while the system remains.
In his final messages, Larijani was blunt. He framed the war as an existential struggle and challenged Muslim countries directly, asking them, “Which side are you on?” over their apparent silence as the violence raged on. At the same time, he insisted Iran was not seeking domination over its neighbors.
Larijani among other leaders killed
The Israeli military also announced on Tuesday the killing of the Gen. Gholam Reza Soleimani, the commander of Iran’s feared Basij paramilitary force.
“The Israeli Air Force, acting on IDF intelligence, targeted and eliminated Gholamreza Soleimani, who operated as commander of the Basij unit for the past six years,” the IDF said in a statement, accusing the Basij, under Soleimani’s command, of leading “the main repression operations, employing severe violence, widespread arrests, and the use of force against civilian demonstrators” to quash anti-government protests that swept across Iran in January.
The IDF called Soleimani’s assassination “an additional significant blow to the regime’s security command-and-control structures” and it vowed to “continue to operate with determination against commanders of the Iranian terror regime.”
The Trump administration said earlier this month that the operation against Iran had killed 49 of “the most senior Iranian regime leaders.”
The U.S. said on Friday it was offering up to $10 million, and the potential opportunity to relocate, for information on the whereabouts of 10 senior Iranian leaders. Larijani had been among them.
No injuries reported after crews respond to fire at home in Albuquerque
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Early Tuesday morning Albuquerque Fire Rescue responded to reports of a fire at a single story house. Fire crews arrived on scene and reported a fire at the back of a residence on the 200 block of Espanola St. NE. AFR says the fire primarily involved a shed in the back yard […]
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Watch LAMB OF GOD’s Entire Intimate Philly Show, Featuring A Deep Wrath Cut
Just two days after releasing their new album Into Oblivion, Richmond, VA metallers Lamb of God delivered a special intimate performance on March 15 at Theatre of Living Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The show offered fans a rare opportunity to see the band in a small club setting rather than the arenas and large theaters they typically headline. Opening the evening were deathcore heavyweights Fit for an Autopsy.
The event carried special significance for Lamb of God, as Philadelphia played a key role in the band’s rise during the mid-2000s. The city served as the backdrop for their classic live album and DVD Killadelphia, released in 2005.
The band mixed fan favorites with brand-new material from Into Oblivion, including the live debuts of “Into Oblivion” and “Parasocial Christ.” They also performed “Grace” for the first time since 2010. The full set was:
- “Ruin”
- “Laid to Rest”
- “Blood Junkie”
- “Into Oblivion” (live debut)
- “Resurrection Man”
- “Grace” (first performance since 2010)
- “Desolation”
- “512”
- “Walk With Me in Hell”
- “Parasocial Christ” (live debut)
- “11th Hour”
- “Memento Mori”
- “Sepsis”
- “Redneck”
Lamb Of God is also set to return to the road this month for what promises to be the heaviest tour of 2026, with the North American trek featuring support from Kublai Khan TX, Fit For An Autopsy, and Sanguisugabogg. Get those dates below and get your tickets here.
3/17 National Harbor, MD The Theater MGM National Harbor
3/19 Montreal, QC Bell Centre
3/20 Toronto, ON GCT Theatre
3/22 Detroit, MI Fox Theatre
3/24 Minneapolis, MN Armory
3/25 Chicago, IL Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom
3/27 Denver, CO Fillmore Auditorium
3/28 Salt Lake City, UT The Union Event Center
3/30 Portland, OR Theater of the Clouds
3/31 Seattle, WA WAMU Theater
4/1 Vancouver, BC PNE Forum
4/3 San Francisco, CA The Masonic
4/4 Inglewood, CA YouTube Theater
4/5 Phoenix, AZ Arizona Financial Theatre
4/7 Albuquerque, NM Revel Entertainment Center
4/10 Austin, TX Moody Amphitheater
4/11 Irving, TX The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
4/12 Houston, TX 713 Music Hall
4/14 Nashville, TN War Memorial Auditorium
4/15 Atlanta, GA Coca-Cola Roxy Theatre
4/16 Raleigh, NC Red Hat Amphitheater
4/18 Reading, PA Santander Arena
4/19 Virginia Beach, VA The Dome
4/21 Buffalo, NY Buffalo RiverWorks
4/23 Brooklyn, NY Brooklyn Paramount
4/25 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena
4/26 Boston, MA MGM Music Hall at Fenway
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Coke’s Sprite Takes Back NBA Sponsorship From PepsiCo’s Starry
Partnerships with other PepsiCo brands, including Gatorade and Ruffles, remain in place.
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Texas vs. NC State prediction, odds, spread, time: 2026 First Four picks from proven expert
Teams trending in the wrong direction meet when the Texas Longhorns face the North Carolina State Wolfpack on Tuesday night in a 2026 First Four matchup. The winner moves on as a No. 11 seed to face sixth-seeded BYU on Thursday. Ole Miss defeated Texas 76-66 in the first round of the SEC Tournament last Wednesday, while NC State was beaten by Virginia 81-74 in Thursday’s quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament. The Longhorns (18-14), who have lost five of six, placed sixth in the SEC regular-season standings at 9-9. The Wolfpack (20-13), who have also dropped five of six, finished in a tie for seventh in the ACC with Florida State at 10-8.
The game from UD Arena in Dayton, Ohio, tips off at 9:15 p.m. ET. Texas defeated N.C. State 102-97 on Nov. 26 and leads the all-time series 4-2. Texas is a 1.5-point favorite in the latest Texas vs. NC State odds, while the over/under for total points scored is 158.5. Before making any Texas vs. N.C. State picks, check out what SportsLine college basketball expert Bob Konarski has to say.
Konarski specializes in college basketball, displaying in-depth knowledge of hundreds of Division I teams. He is a regular presence in the SportsLine Discord, co-hosts a weekly X Spaces with fellow CBB expert Tom Casale and can be seen on the “Early Edge” breaking down his college hoops plays. He enters the tournament on a 65-44 run on college basketball picks, returning $1,615 for $100 players. Anyone following could have seen huge returns.
Now, Konarski has his sights set on Texas vs. NC State, and just revealed his First Four picks and betting predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see Konarski’s picks. Here are several men’s college basketball odds and men’s college basketball betting lines for NC State vs. Texas:
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Texas vs. NC State spread: |
Texas -1.5 |
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Texas vs. NC State over/under: |
158.5 points |
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Texas vs. NC State money line: |
Texas -110, NC State -110 |
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Texas vs. NC State picks: |
See picks at SportsLine |
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Texas vs. NC State TV: |
truTV |
Top Texas vs. NC State predictions
Konarski is going Over on the point total (158.5). Both teams rank in the top 30 nationally in scoring and have a similar offensive profile with Texas averaging 83.8 points per game, while NC State averages 83.7. Four players average at least 13 points for Texas, with Dailyn Swain leading the way with 17.8. The same can be said of NC State, though its top-four scorers all have either 13.8 or 13.9 points per game, so there’s a lot of offensive balance for the Wolfpack.
Konarski advises looking for value in early live over/under lines, but ultimately expects this game to clear the total. “There may be nerves to start out this game, so there could be a good live opportunity on the Over since neither teams play much defense,” he told SportsLine. “The pace will be there since both teams can score in bunches quickly.”
How to make NC State vs. Texas picks
Konarski has also found a critical X-factor that has him jumping all over one side of the spread. You can only see that pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Texas vs. N.C. State in the 2026 First Four, and what critical X-factor makes one side of the spread a must back? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread to jump on, all from the expert on a 65-44 roll on his college basketball best bets, and find out.
Zelenskyy will discuss Russia-Ukraine war with British leader and NATO chief
LONDON — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in London on Tuesday for talks with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the British government said, as European countries look to keep international attention on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine while the unfolding Iran war engages world leaders.
Starmer’s office said NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte will also join the meeting at 10 Downing St. to discuss peacemaking efforts in Ukraine and “the need to maintain sanctions pressure on Russia.”
The meeting comes days after the U.S. temporarily waived some Russian oil sanctions in a bid to ease pressure on global supplies triggered by the war in the Middle East, which was sparked by the joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran starting on Feb. 28.
Zelenskyy criticized Washington’s move to ease sanctions, saying it would provide a windfall for Moscow to keep up its attacks on Ukraine.
U.S. President Donald Trump says he wants to secure a peace deal that ends Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II and has rattled the continent’s leaders, who reckon that Russia could pose a credible security threat to the European Union by the end of the decade.
But U.S.-brokered talks between delegations from Moscow and Kyiv, which so far have yielded no significant progress on key issues, have lost momentum amid the Middle East conflict.
Ukraine is the “ultimate loser” from the war with Iran, said Ed Arnold, Senior Research Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London.
That, he said, is because the war is draining stocks of American air defense missiles that are crucial for Kyiv to shoot down Russian missiles and is diverting Washington’s attention from Russia-Ukraine talks on ending the war.
Ukrainian teams have recently visited Gulf countries to discuss mutual interests, according to Zelenskyy.
It is important for Ukraine to secure deals with Gulf states for advanced air defense systems in exchange for Ukrainian anti-drone expertise and technology, said François Heisbourg, special adviser at the Foundation for Strategic Research in Paris.
Trump has spurned Zelenskyy’s offer of help for the United States and its Persian Gulf partners in fighting Iranian drones. Ukraine has become one of the world’s leading producers of high-tech, battle-tested drone interceptors.
British officials say Russia and Iran are collaborating on drone technology and tactics in the Middle East. Drone combat experts from the U.K. and Ukraine have been sent to the region to help Iran’s neighbors repel its drone attacks.
Starmer’s office said the U.K. and Ukraine will sign a deal combining “Ukraine’s expertise and the U.K.’s industrial base to manufacture and supply drones and innovative capabilities.” Britain is also funding an “AI Center of Excellence” in conjunction with the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.
Zelenskyy, announcing his arrival in London on X, said his priorities are “more security and opportunities for Ukraine.”
Starmer said in a statement that “drones, electronic warfare and rapid battlefield innovation are now central to national and economic security, and that has only been further magnified by the conflict in the Middle East.”
“By deepening our defense partnerships, we are strengthening Ukraine’s ability to defend itself from Russia’s brutal, ongoing attacks, while ensuring the U.K. and our allies are better prepared to meet the threats of the future.”
Russia’s Defense Ministry said Tuesday that its air defenses intercepted and destroyed 206 Ukrainian drones overnight over Russian regions, the annexed Crimean Peninsula and the Azov Sea. A total of 40 intercepted drones were flying toward Moscow, the ministry said.
Asked about an increase in Ukrainian drone attacks on Moscow over the past few days, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that authorities in Kyiv were “continuing absolutely futile resistance” against Russia’s invasion.
Zelenskyy said late Monday that counterattacks by Ukrainian forces at eastern and southern points along the front line have wrecked Moscow’s plans for a March offensive.
His comments couldn’t be independently verified, but the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, said Monday that Ukrainian counterattacks “are likely constraining” some Russian offensive operations.
Ukraine’s air force said that Russia launched 178 long-range drones of various types across the country overnight, starting late Monday, with 154 of them either intercepted or jammed while 22 more struck their targets.
In the southern Ukraine city of Zaporizhzhia, a Russian strike damaged a terminal of Ukraine’s biggest private delivery company, Nova Poshta, the company said on Telegram. Eight people were wounded, according to Ivan Fedorov, the head of the regional military administration.
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Associated Press writers Illia Novikov in Kyiv, Ukraine and Emma Burrows in London contributed to this report.
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Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
National Counterterrorism Center Joe Kent director steps down
‘I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran’: Counterterrorism Center director steps down
The director of the National Counterterrorism Center has announced his resignation, saying he “cannot in good conscience” back the Trump administration’s war in Iran.Joe Kent said on social media that Iran “posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.”Kent is a former political candidate with connections to right-wing extremists. Kent was confirmed to his post last July on a 52-44 vote.Video above: Strait of Hormuz: President Trump’s demands and how U.S. allies are reacting
The director of the National Counterterrorism Center has announced his resignation, saying he “cannot in good conscience” back the Trump administration’s war in Iran.
Joe Kent said on social media that Iran “posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.”
Kent is a former political candidate with connections to right-wing extremists. Kent was confirmed to his post last July on a 52-44 vote.
Video above: Strait of Hormuz: President Trump’s demands and how U.S. allies are reacting
Hyundai Abruptly Halts All Sales of SUV After Infant Death
Hyundai is stopping sales of certain SUVs and planning a recall after the tragic death of a little girl.
When you load up your kids in the SUV for a drive somewhere, the last thing on your mind is your 2-year-old getting killed by the SUV’s seats — but that is allegedly exactly what happened.
The victim was a 2-year-old girl from Ohio who died on March 7, when she was allegedly pinned in between the power folding seats in her parents’ Hyundai.
On certain Hyundai Palisades, the power folding seats may fail to detect contact with occupants or objects, Hyundai warns the public.
Which Hyundai Palisade Sales Are Being Stopped?
According to Fox Business, Hyundai has placed sales of the 2026 Palisade Limited and 2026 Palisade Calligraphy trims on hold while the company works with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on a planned recall.
In a recent press release Hyundai said about 68,500 vehicles could be affected. They also released an official statement regarding the incident that happened on March 7.
READ MORE: Ford Recalls 1.74 Million Cars Due to Safety Concerns
“Hyundai is aware of a tragic incident involving a Palisade. While Hyundai does not yet have the full details and the incident is still under investigation, a young child lost her life. Hyundai extends its deepest sympathies to her family.”
With the tragic accident that took place 10 days ago, Hyundai realizes that just halting the sales of the specific Palisade won’t be enough, so they released a statement for all current owners as well.
“When using the second-row one‑touch tilt‑and‑slide feature to access the third row, customers should avoid pressing the seatback button during entry or exit.”
Still, if you feel uneasy about the whole situation and you own one of the affected models, Hyundai is considering offering rentals for owners to drive until they can offer a further solution.
The automotive giant is also working on an over-the-air interim software update to address the problem.
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