WNBA submits new collective bargaining proposal to players' union

When the WNBA and players' union meton Mondayin New York, the league promised a new collective bargaining agreement proposal. It delivered that offer on Friday, Feb. 6, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told USA TODAY Sports. The details of the new proposal were not available.

WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike toldthe Associated PressFriday that the gap between the two sides on issues like revenue sharing continues to be vast. But the players' union wants to close it and avoid a lock out or strike.

"I know our players 100% want to play this year," she said. "We want a season.

"We made the point that once we nail (revenue sharing), we can get everything else done."

A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces celebrates with Chelsea Gray #12 and Jewell Loyd #24 after winning Game Four of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 10, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Las Vegas Aces defeat the Phoenix Mercury 97-86 to win the championship.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces celebrates after winning Game Four of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 10, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces celebrates with Chelsea Gray #12 and Jewell Loyd #24 after winning Game Four of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals at Mortgage Matchup Center on Oct. 10, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Las Vegas Aces defeat the Phoenix Mercury 97-86 to win the championship.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Catherine Engelbert, WNBA Commissioner, hands the Most Valuable Player award to A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces after winning Game Four of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 10, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces drives to the basket against Kahleah Copper #2 of the Phoenix Mercury during Game Four of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 10, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces holds up the championship trophy after winning Game Four of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 10, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces celebrates after winning Game Four of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 10, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Chelsea Gray #12 of the Las Vegas Aces celebrates with fans after winning Game Four of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 10, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Las Vegas Raiders owner and managing general partner and Las Vegas Aces owner Mark Davis and head coach Becky Hammon speaks to the media following Game Four of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 10, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces sits with the media during the post-game press conference following Game Four of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 10, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces speaks to the media following Game Four of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 10, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces takes a shot in the fourth quarter against the Phoenix Mercury during Game Four of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 10, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

See the moment the Las Vegas Aces celebrate their 2025 WNBA championship win

A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces celebrates with Chelsea Gray #12 and Jewell Loyd #24 after winning Game Four of the 2025 WNBA Playoffs finals at Mortgage Matchup Center on October 10, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Las Vegas Aces defeat the Phoenix Mercury 97-86 to win the championship.

The players are asking for 30% of the gross revenue. The league's previous proposal, one the other had, offered more than 70% of net revenue. The WNBA's previous offer also included a maximum $1 million base salary, with a projected revenue sharing component that raises players' max total earnings to more than $1.3 million in 2026.

Theregular-season is supposed to tipoff May 8. But before that can happen the Toronto Tempo and Portland Thorns will have an expansion draft. Free agency and the WNBA draft also need to take place.

WNBA playersauthorized the union executive committee to "call a strike when necessary"in December.

"Having the strike on the table is something that we're very much aware of, but there's so many more conversations that have to happen," Ogwumike told the AP. "You know, we're not just going to say, 'Hey, today's the day (we'll strike).' You know, I think that's what we're demonstrating right now is negotiating in good faith."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:WNBA submits new CBA proposal to players' union

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February 07, 2026

WNBA submits new collective bargaining proposal to players' union

When the WNBA and players' union meton Mondayin New York, the league promised a new collective bargaining agreement p...

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Micah Parsons reveals trade to Eagles was 'very close,' Cowboys wanted Jalen Carter in exchange

Micah Parsons to the Philadelphia Eagles? Jalen Carter with the Dallas Cowboys? It almost happened, according to Parsons.

Duringa live taping of his podcastfrom San Francisco, the All-Pro linebacker revealed to Eagles receiver A.J. Brown that they were nearly teammates this past season.

"So, to be honest with you, bro, it was very close," Parsons said to Brown and Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young. "It was very close. Eagles before the Jaelan Phillips, before all of them, it was me. And I was really about to come."

"But there was one person I had to play with and if he was gone, I didn't want to be there and that was Jalen Carter," he added. "They wanted a D-tackle. And they wanted to trade me, plus some picks. I don't really care about the picks, but I'm going to play next to JC, you feel me? Yeah. Sorry Cowboys fans, it really almost happened. I feel like the trajectory would've changed."

Micah Parsons says he was 'really almost' traded to the EaglesWatch full interview NOW:https://t.co/KTojIcNbyPpic.twitter.com/3LtiTbmvoV

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport)February 7, 2026

The full podcastcan be seen here. Parsons' remarks about the Eagles begin at the 6:15 mark.

Parsons' story certainly checks out. The Eagles were reportedly aggressive in pursuing the edge rusher beforethe Cowboys traded him to the Green Bay Packersin August. And Parsons, who grew up near Philadelphia and played college football at Penn State, wanted to play for the Eagles someday. But not without playing next to one of the team's best players in Carter.

Yet Dallas was unlikely to deal its defensive star to an NFC East rival. The Cowboys also wanted to ensure the Packers wouldn't somehow flip him to Philadelphia, as unlikely as that seemed, byincluding a provisionin the terms of the trade. A condition of the deal was that Green Bay would have to trade its 2028 first-round pick to Dallas if Parsons was traded to an NFC East team before the end of the 2026 NFL season,according to ESPN.

Every Micah Parsons sack in his first year with the#Packerspic.twitter.com/nyHWESOBew

— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL)January 20, 2026

The Cowboys showed they coveted a defensive tackle by acquiring Kenny Clark from the Packers in exchange for Parsons, along with first-round selections in 2026 and 2027. Dallas further tried to strengthen its interior defensive line at the trade deadlineby adding Quinnen Williamsfrom the New York Jets.

Parsons referencing what could have been compels "what if" dreaming for Eagles fans and Cowboys fans.

With Parsons on its defense, would Philadelphia have surged toward a second consecutive Super Bowl title? (The Eagles finished 13th among NFL teams in total defense.) Could he have made the difference inthe Eagles' 23-19 playoff lossto the San Francisco 49ers? Philadelphia ended uptrading for edge rusher Jaelan Phillipsat the deadline.

The three-time All-Pro suffereda torn ACL in his left kneeduring a Week 15 loss to the Denver Broncos. In 14 games, he tallied 12.5 sacks, 27 quarterback hits, 12 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles and 41 tackles in his first season with the Packers.

And as Parsons acknowledged, the Cowboys would have benefited by adding Carter, named to his second Pro Bowl after compiling 33 tackles, 3 sacks, 5 tackles for loss, 12 QB hits and seven passes defended. Perhaps he could have helped Dallas reach the playoffs instead of finishing 7-9-1 and out of the postseason.

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February 07, 2026

Micah Parsons reveals trade to Eagles was 'very close,' Cowboys wanted Jalen Carter in exchange

Micah Parsons to the Philadelphia Eagles? Jalen Carter with the Dallas Cowboys? It almost happened, according to Parsons....

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Juventus ties down star player Kenan Yildiz until 2030

TURIN, Italy (AP) — Turkey midfielder Kenan Yildiz has extended his contract with Juventus through June 2030, the Italian club announced Saturday.

Italy Serie A Soccer

The 20-year-old Yildiz scored on his debut against Frosinone in December 2023. He has since inherited the club's No. 10 jersey and last year became the youngest player to captain the team.

Altogether Yildiz has scored 25 goals and also set up 19 in 115 appearances over two and half seasons with Juventus. This season he has eight goals and five assists in Serie A.

"Kenan embodies leadership, sacrifice and the constant pursuit of improvement. He is the personification of Juventus' values, and he carries them onto the pitch in every game he plays," the club said.

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Media reports suggested the new deal made Yildiz the best-paid player in the squad.

The German-born Yildiz switched to Juventus Under-19s from Bayern Munich's youth setup in 2022.

AP soccer:https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

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February 07, 2026

Juventus ties down star player Kenan Yildiz until 2030

TURIN, Italy (AP) — Turkey midfielder Kenan Yildiz has extended his contract with Juventus through June 2030, the Italian...

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Will Forte details grueling return to “SNL” for Glen Powell's MacGruber sketch: 'It really was like the old days'

Esther Kuhn/NBC

Key points

• Will Forte tells EW he got "very little sleep" as he prepared to revive MacGruber for Glen Powell's Saturday Night Live hosting gig.

• The comedian first played the character as an SNL cast member, then for a film and TV series.

• "It really was like the old days," says the actor, who's currently partnering with Teva to promote awareness for Huntington's disease.

Will Fortemakes writing MacGruber sound as stressful as, well,beingMacGruber.

TheLast Man on Earthstar tellsEntertainment Weeklyabout the whirlwind saga that led to his signatureSaturday Night Livecharacter's return while promoting his Huntington's disease awareness campaign with Teva.

Forte says thatGlen Powellwas instrumental in getting MacGruber back on the air when theRunning Manactor hostedSNLin November.

Esther Kuhn/NBC

"It came pretty late in the game," Forte says of the sketch. "I know Glen a little bit through friends and so he had reached out. My friend put us in touch 'cause he was coming to host for the first time and just had a couple questions about what the week was gonna be like. So we had a nice chat about that. And he said he had a MacGruber idea."

Forte explains that he was working on the second season of Netflix'sThe Four Seasonswith fellowSNLalum Tina Fey in Beacon, N.Y., when conversations transpired about reviving MacGruber for Powell's episode.

"I was like, 'Okay, I don't think I could even do it if they wanted me to,'" he remembers. "But I didn't know what they had in mind. I thought, 'Oh, maybe they just want MacGruber to come walk out in the monologue' or something like that."

The comedian knew he was in for something more involved when he heard that theSNLteam wanted "a traditional MacGruber," which ultimately ended up being a six-minute sketch in which the title hero (Forte) tries to evade questions from his allies (played by Powell and cast memberChloe Fineman) about his presence in the Epstein files.

"So me and my buddy John Solomon and Jorma Taccone — the original MacGruber team — we just started working and stayed up super late," Forte remembers. "It was really like old times, 'cause in those oldSNLwriting days, you are so sleep deprived. So it felt like home."

Forte says that jugglingSNL,Four Seasons, and his Huntington's awareness campaign was no easy feat.

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"It was a couple nights of getting very little sleep and having to try to write in the cracks ofFour Seasonsstuff, and then go act in someFour Seasonsscenes and then run into the computer and writing, and then going into the city, staying up til 3 to write, and then waking up at 6 to shoot MacGruber and then shooting it, and then going right up to Beacon again to do this night shoot," he remembers.

Esther Kuhn/NBC

"And then I had to come back down on Saturday for this Huntington's awareness campaign with Teva. We were shooting something that Saturday, and that's the day you're editing it," he continues. "And then as soon as the Teva shoot was over, I raced over to 30 Rock and tried to edit it. So, man, it really was like the old days."

The comedian reflects on how the new MacGruber experience compared to his originalSNLrun. "Back then, when all you're doing is focusing onSNL, you're always thinking like, 'Oh man, if we could have only had even 30 more minutes!'" he says. "But this was tough 'cause it was also all three of us — me, Jorma, and John — spread out all over the place. John was in California in Lone Pine with very bad reception.Jorma had been in an accidentwhere he fell off a ladder. So he was still on pain pills every once in a while. But we did it! It was really fun."

Forte, anSNLcast member from 2002-2010, first played the character on a Jan. 20, 2007 episode of the legendary sketch show. A spoof of 1980s adventure seriesMacGyver,MacGruber recurred nearly a dozen times during the actor's run on the show, and again when he hosted in 2022. The fan-favorite character launched aless successful feature filmand, later, aneight-episode series on Peacock.

Amy Sussman/Getty

Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with ourEW Dispatch newsletter.

Forte partnered with Teva to raise awareness for Huntington's disease after his brother-in-law, Douglas, was diagnosed with the condition, an inherited disorder in which nerve cells in the brain decay over time, affecting movement, cognitive ability, and mental health.

"More people have Huntington's than have ALS, but everybody knows ALS, so that's why we're trying to get the word out about it," Forte explains. "We're trying to get some support and a bigger community going to support the people who have Huntington's, and to teach the people who don't have it about it."

Forte offers his perspective on supporting the Huntington's community. "The more you can be there to support your loved ones who are going through it and create a big community around them, the better," he says. "And to talk about it. Just talk about it. The more you talk about it, the better. 'cause It's easy to just get scared about, 'Oh, am I gonna say the right thing? What do I say?' But saying anything is better than saying nothing."

You can learn more about Forte's family's experience with Huntington's disease on theHonestlyHD website.

Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

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February 07, 2026

Will Forte details grueling return to “SNL” for Glen Powell's MacGruber sketch: 'It really was like the old days'

Esther Kuhn/NBC Key points Will Forte tells EW he got "very little sleep" as he prepared to revive ...

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How Billie Holiday, Billy Crystal's Uncle Made Black Music History with a Protest Song About Lynching (Exclusive)

Amanda Edwards/Getty;Gilles Petard/Redferns

NEED TO KNOW

• Billie Holiday was one of the most influential singers of the 20th century, with hits including "God Bless the Child" and "Lover Man"

• Billy Crystal's uncle Milt Gabler was a record producer who launched the label Commodore Records in the 1930s

• The four episodes of the docuseries Black & Jewish America: An Interwoven History premieres on PBS between Feb. 3 and Feb. 24

Billie Crystalis known for comedic movies like 1989'sWhen Harry Met Sally...and 1991'sCity Slickers, and for hosting the Academy Awards nine times, making him second only to 19-time Oscar host Bob Hope. But the Emmy-winning Hollywood legend also has an unexpected major tie to Black history.

His uncle Milt Gabler produced one of jazz legend Billie Holiday's seminal singles: "Strange Fruit" — a protest song that became a musical cornerstone of the Civil Rights Movement in the first half of the 20th century. It's one of many examples of the divine connection between Black and Jewish Americans.

The four-episode PBS docuseriesBlack & Jewish America: An Interwoven History, which premiered on Feb. 3 with the first episode, explores the histories of Black people and Jewish people in the United States and how those histories have diverged and intersected over the course of centuries.

"By the 1930s, the rise of facism in Europe drew Black and Jewish Americans even closer, as Nazi propaganda borrowed pages from the Jim Crow playbook," the docuseries' host and executive producer Henry Louis Gates Jr. says at the beginning of episode 2, "Strange Fruit." He adds, "After the Holocaust, there was a heightened awareness of their shared suffering as well as a growing recognition of their differences."

Jewish people were at the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement alongside Black Americans, and many of popular music's mid-century classics were collaborations between Black and Jewish talent. For example, the greatest hits by the Black vocal group The Coasters, including "Yakety Yak" and "Poison Ivy," were written by the Jewish songwriting team Jerome Leiber and Michael Stoller.

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

Then there was Atlantic Records legend Jerry Wexler, who produced landmark classics for Ray Charles ("What'd I Say"),Aretha Franklin("Respect") and Wilson Pickett ("Mustang Sally"). AndDionne Warwickmade her mark in the '60s with a string of hits written by the Jewish songwriting duo Burt Bacharach and Hal David, which Carole King and her husband Gerry Goffin helped craft classics by the Shirelles ("Will You Love Me Tomorrow"), Little Eva ("The Loco-Motion") and Franklin ("[You Make Me Feel Like] A Natural Woman").

Decades earlier, Holiday and Gabler made history with "Strange Fruit." As the documentary explains in a clip shared exclusively with PEOPLE, Gabler first heard "Strange Fruit" when Holiday herself sang it in Gabler's family store, in hopes that Milk would produce a recording of it.

"According to him, she sang it in the store a cappella," Crystal, 77, says of his uncle and Holiday in the clip. "And he said to me, 'I just cried like a baby. I said, We gotta record this thing. I don't care if we make a buck.' "

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Murray Korman/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

Gabler recorded "Strange Fruit" on his Commodore record label after pretty much every other label turned it down.

"A White Jewish producer, and the greatest Black jazz singer of all-time, and an all-Black band, working together to produce art," Crystal adds. "Isn't that the metaphor for what we should be and where we should be at? Why can't the world be like this?"

Abel Meeropol, the son of Russian Jewish immigrants, was working as a school teacher in New York City when he wrote "Strange Fruit" as a poem, and he published it in 1937. He was inspired by aphotothat showed the lynching of two Black teenagers in Indiana in 1930, and he later set his poem to music.

Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty

Holiday performed it as both a mournful hymn and a political lamentation about the harsh realities of life in the Jim Crow South during the first part of the 20th century. "Southern trees bear a strange fruit, blood on the leaves and blood at the root, black body swinging in the Southern breeze, strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees," she sings in the first verse.

The song, released as a single in 1939, sparked outrage among racists in and out of power and made Holiday a target of the U.S. government. Banned by radio stations around the country, it nonetheless sold a million copies and became the biggest hit of her career.

Bill Spilka/Getty

Gabler went on to produce a number of landmark recordings, including Bill Haley & His Comets' "Rock Around the Clock," the song widely credited as launching rock & roll into the mainstream in 1955. Both Holiday, who died in 1959 at age 44, and Gabler were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in 2000 and 1993, respectively.

The obituary that ran inThe New York Timeswhen Gabler died in 2001 at age 90 underscored his enduring bond with Holiday. "At the time of his death," it read, "there was just one photo by his bedside. It was of Billie Holiday."

"Strange Fruit," the second episode ofBlack & Jewish America: An Interwoven Historypremieres on PBS Feb. 10 at 9 p.m. ET. Episodes 3 and 4 will follow on Feb. 17 and 24, respectively, at the same time. All episodes will be available to stream on PBS.org, thePBS appand PBS Documentaries Prime Video Channel.

Read the original article onPeople

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February 07, 2026

How Billie Holiday, Billy Crystal's Uncle Made Black Music History with a Protest Song About Lynching (Exclusive)

Amanda Edwards/Getty;Gilles Petard/Redferns NEED TO KNOW Billie Holiday was one of the most influential singe...

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Authorities tow car from Nancy Guthrie's home, investigate new message

Local and federal authorities said Friday they're "aware of a new message" regarding the disappearance of "Today" show co-hostSavannah Guthrie's mom,Nancy Guthrie, as the high-profile search continues.

"Investigators are actively inspecting the information provided in the message for its authenticity," the Pima County Sheriff's Department said in a post onsocial media.The FBI also posted asimilar statementon social media. It's unclear what kind of message it is.

Inanother social media post, a little after 4 p.m. local time Friday, the sheriff's department said that investigators were "conducting follow-up" at the home of Nancy Guthrie and "surrounding areas."

Two law enforcement sources told CBS News on Saturday that investigators are "developing good information" but that "nothing is imminent."

The road in front of the Guthrie home was restricted, the sheriff's department said, and late last night, what appeared to be a dark-colored SUV was towed from the home. The sources said the car was Nancy Guthrie's, and that investigators were examining it for possible fingerprints and potential other clues. Investigators also removed a camera from the roof of the home.

The FBI and the sheriff's office are continuing to canvass the neighborhood and are tracking down vehicles that were seen on surveillance cameras in the area the night Nancy Guthrie disappeared.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos spoke with CBS News correspondent Jonathan Vigliotti about the case on Friday, but was guarded about details, including how the abductor may have entered the home or if there were signs of forced entry. The sheriff's office said Saturday they had no planned briefings.

Investigators believe Nancy Guthrie is "still out there"after her family reported her missing to authorities on Sunday, after not finding her at home when she didn't show up for church that morning.

Bloodfound outside Nancy Guthrie's homehas been confirmed to be hers, local officials said this week.

The sheriff's department has said no suspect or person of interest has been identified in the case. Authorities are treating her disappearance as a criminal matter.

The FBI also announced a$50,000 rewardfor information leading to Nancy Guthrie's recovery or the arrest and conviction of the people involved in her disappearance.

A ransom note that investigators said they're taking seriously included a deadline of 5 p.m. Thursday, said Heith Janke, the special agent in charge of the FBI's field office in Phoenix. The note demanded payment in bitcoin, and if a transfer wasn't made, then a second demand was for next Monday, Janke said.

On Wednesday night, Savannah Guthrie appeared with her brother, Camron Guthrie, and sister, Annie Guthrie, in a video saying they're "ready to talk" but that they need to know their mother is alive.

"We need to know, without a doubt, that she is alive and that you have her. We want to hear from you, and we are ready to listen. Please, reach out to us," Savannah Guthrie said.

Camron Guthrie alsomade an appeal on Thursdayon social media for their mom's return, saying, "Whoever is out there holding our mother, we want to hear from you."

White House says it removed Trump post with racist video of Barack and Michelle Obama

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February 07, 2026

Authorities tow car from Nancy Guthrie's home, investigate new message

Local and federal authorities said Friday they're "aware of a new message" regarding the disappearance o...

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Most victims in migrant boat collision in Greece had severe head injuries, diver says

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — A diver who helped recover bodies from adeadly collisionbetween a boat carrying migrants and a Greek coast guard vessel said Friday that most of the 15 people who died had suffered severe head injuries, as questions mounted over the circumstances of the incident.

A search and rescue operation was still underway Friday for potentially missing people three days after the collision off the coast of the eastern Aegean island of Chios. Fifteen people were killed and 26 injured,including 11 childrenand two coast guard officers. The total number of people on board the small speedboat remains unclear.

The large number of casualties has led to questions over how the collision occurred. Judicial authorities have launched an official inquiry.

Evaggelos Kirithras, a diver who participated in the recovery of the bodies that night, told The Associated Press that when he arrived on the scene, he saw 12 bodies lying inside a semisubmerged inflatable speedboat. The vessel had not capsized, he said.

"Most of them had head injuries. I can't describe how bad the head injuries were," Kirithras said, comparing the injuries to the impact of hitting a wall. The diver said he has participated in other rescue and recovery operations with the coast guard in the past, "but this was the first time I've seen such force."

A report prepared by four coroners who examined the bodies indicated they had suffered severe injuries, Greek media said. The report has not been made public.

The exact circumstances of the collision remain unclear. In an initial statement, the coast guard said its patrol boat had come across the speedboat making its way toward Chios without navigation lights. It said the speedboat ignored sound and light signals to stop, and suddenly changed direction, colliding with the patrol boat and capsizing.

Photos released by the coast guard showed signs of abrasion on the patrol boat's right side. The coast guard's account couldn't be independently verified.

"The pursuit, the collision, the injuries testify to a very violent incident," said Kostas Arvanitis, a left-wing member of the European Parliament, demanding the publication of any footage from cameras on board the patrol vessel.

But authorities have said the camera on board had not been recording at the time.

Speaking in parliament Friday, Maritime Affairs Minister Vassilis Kikilias, under whose jurisdiction the coast guard lies, said the decision to not switch on the camera had been taken by the vessel's captain because the migrant boat was already nearby and the long-range thermal imaging camera would not have worked properly.

"As I have been informed… the (camera's) function is infrared and long-distance, so even if it had been switched on, it would not have had clear recordings of the collision event," Kikilias said, and repeated that any judicial and administrative investigation into the incident was welcome.

All but one of the surviving passengers on board the roughly 8-meter (26-foot) speedboat have been identified as Afghans, while one Moroccan national among the injured has been arrested on suspicion of migrant smuggling.

Greece is a major entry point into the European Union for people fleeing conflict and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and Asia.Fatal accidents are a common occurrence. Many undertake the short but often perilous crossing from the Turkish coast to nearby Greek islands in the eastern Aegean. But increased patrols and allegations ofpushbacks— summary deportations without allowing for asylum applications — by Greek authorities have reduced crossing attempts.

Kantouris reported from Thessaloniki, Greece

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February 07, 2026

Most victims in migrant boat collision in Greece had severe head injuries, diver says

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — A diver who helped recover bodies from adeadly collisionbetween a boat carrying migrants and a Gree...

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