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"Intelligence confirmed the vessels were transiting along known narco-trafficking routes and were engaged in narco-trafficking operations," Southern Command said Tuesday ina post to X.

The strikes are the latest in a series of controversial military operations that have alarmed and frustrated congressional critics of the administration, although lawmakershave opted toallow the strikes to continue without prior congressional approval.

In the latest announcement, U.S. Southern Command alleged the three boats were "operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations." The post referred to those killed as "male narco-terrorists," saying that eight people were killed on two boats in the eastern Pacific and three were killed on a boat in the Caribbean. No U.S. troops were harmed, the post said.

The post also said the strikes were conducted at the direction of Marine Corps Gen. Francis Donovan, who serves as the commander of U.S. Southern Command.

The military has not provided evidence that the boats or people onboard were involved in drug trafficking or proof of the number killed. NBC News has not independently verified the military's claims.

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The U.S. has launched more than 40 strikes that have killed more than 130 people,according to official estimates provided by the Defense Department.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth touted the strikes in a poston X, writing, "Turns out President's Day — under President Trump — is not a good day to run drugs."

The Trump administration has claimed the strikes are needed to stop the trafficking of drugs that are killing Americans, raising tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela — a major drug transit hub, the U.S. alleges.

Critics of the strikes have painted the administration's actions as lawless and irresponsible, criticism that reached a crescendo after reports that the militarystruck one of the boats twice, ultimately killing two survivors.

In January, the U.S. launched a direct military attack on Venezuela, extraditingPresident Nicolás Maduroand his wife to face narcoterrorism and other charges in the U.S. The Maduros have pleadednot guilty to the charges.

Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez has maintained that Maduro is stillthe legitimate leaderof Venezuela. President Donald Trumptold reporters on Mondaythat he believes Rodríguez "probably has to say that" for political reasons., adding that he thinks she is "doing a very good job."

The outbreak, which began in October, has been centered in the northwest part of the state, ‌which includes Greenville ⁠and Spartanburg, according to the South Carolina Department of Public Health.

The South Carolina ⁠outbreak is part of the nation's largest measles surge in more than three decades, federal ​health data ​show.

Of those infected, 893 ​were unvaccinated, 20 ‌were partially vaccinated with one of the recommended two-dose measles-mumps-rubella vaccines, 26 were fully vaccinated and 23 had unknown vaccination status.

There are currently 127 people in quarantine and eight in isolation, the ‌state health department said.

Last ​week, U.S. Food and Drug ​Administration Commissioner Martin ​Makary, in an interview, urged Americans ‌to get vaccinated for ​measles.

"I think everyone ​in this administration has been pretty clear that the best way to prevent measles ​is to ‌get your kid vaccinated against measles," he ​said.

(Reporting by Sneha S K in Bengaluru; ​Editing by Alan Barona)

During this period, the San Francisco International Airport expects fewer than 10 percent of flights to be delayed by at least 30 minutes, as all arrivals and departures will be handled on the airport's two runways.

This closure should not affect which terminals are available for boarding, but it will affect flights' takeoff and landing schedules. If travelers are flying into or out of San Francisco's airport and have a connecting flight, folks should expect delays and plan accordingly when booking their tickets.

The airport will be repaving the surface layer on the right side of runway 1. In addition, Granite Construction Company will make improvements to adjacent taxiways, upgrading lighting and painting new striping and markings.

The total cost of the project is expected to be about $180 million, with the Federal Aviation Administration providing $92.1 million in funding for the improvements.

Travelers walk through the airport during holiday travel at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on December 22, 2025, in Arlington, Virginia. In November, the Department of Transportation announced their desire for travelers to start dressing up for flying. Citing an undeniable rise in bad behavior on airplanes, the DOT announced a new campaign meant to encourage civility in air travel.

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See holiday travelers as US fliers are asked to dress for the airport

Travelers walk through the airport during holiday travel at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on December 22, 2025, in Arlington, Virginia. In November,the Department of Transportation announced their desire for travelers to start dressing upfor flying. Citing an undeniable rise inbad behavioron airplanes, the DOT announced a new campaign meant to encourage civility in air travel.

Am I owed anything if my flight is delayed?

When it comes to delayed flights, it depends on the circumstances and the airline.

According to theU.S. Department of Transportation, if a flight is delayed for uncontrollable reasons, such as severe weather or local emergencies, the airline does not owe travelers anything extra.

If a flight is delayed for controllable reasons, such as refueling or crew issues, but the traveler has not waited more than 3 hours, airlines are not required to provide any compensation.

If a traveler's flight is delayed by more than 3 hours, airlines are required to provide some form of compensation, and each airline offers different forms, according to theU.S. Department of Transportation.

All major American airlines will provide passengers with a meal or a meal voucher.

However, some airlines, such as Alaska, Hawaiian, JetBlue, and Southwest, provide travelers with a credit or travel voucher in the event of a delay.

If a flight is delayed overnight, nearly all American Airlines flights, excluding Frontier, will provide passengers with complimentary hotel accommodation and transportation to the hotel.

All airlines can rebook a passenger on the same airline for no additional cost.

What happens if my flight is delayed?2 critical questions you need to ask when flight is canceled, delayed

Noe Padilla is a Northern California Reporter for USA Today. Contact him atnpadilla@usatodayco.com, follow him on X @1NoePadillaor on Bluesky @noepadilla.bsky.social.Sign up for theTODAY Californian newsletteror follow us on Facebook atTODAY Californian.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:SFO warns at least 10% of flights will be delayed due to runway repair

EU Iran Talks

U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to use force to compel Iran to agreeto constrain its nuclear program. Iran has said it would respond with an attack of its own. Trump has also threatened Iran over itsdeadly crackdown on recent nationwide protests.

The first round of talks Feb. 6 were held inOman, a sultanate on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, and were indirect, with SUVs flying the American flag entering the palace venue only after it appeared the Iranian officials had left. The arrangements for Tuesday's round of negotiations were not clear.

Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were traveling for the new round of talks. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, visiting Budapest, Hungary, said Monday that the U.S. hopes to achieve a deal with Iran, despite the difficulties. "I'm not going to prejudge these talks," Rubio said. "The president always prefers peaceful outcomes and negotiated outcomes to things."

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who is leading the talks for Iran, met withthe head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog agencyMonday in Geneva.

"I am in Geneva with real ideas to achieve a fair and equitable deal," Araghchi wrote on X. "What is not on the table: submission before threats."

Last week, a top Iranian security official traveled to Oman and met with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, the chief intermediary in the talks, in a meeting likely focused on updates from the first round and next steps.

"Regional peace and security is our priority, and we urge restraint and wise compromise," al-Busaidi wrote on X after his meeting with Ali Larijani, a former Iranian parliament speaker who now serves as the secretary to the country's Supreme National Security Council.

Iran has in the past communicated its positions in writing when dealing with the Americans. Famously, Japan's then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe tried to hand Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei a letter from Trump in 2019 that he refused to take.

Iran holds naval drills against the US military buildup

Iran announced that its paramilitary Revolutionary Guard started a drill early Monday morning in the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, waterways that arecrucial international trade routesthrough which20% of the world's oil passes.

Separately, EOS Risk Group said sailors passing through the region received a radio warning that the northern lane of the Strait of Hormuz, in Iranian territorial waters, likely would see a live-fire drill Tuesday. Iranian state TV did not mention the live-fire drill.

It was Iran's second warning in recent weeks about a live-fire drill.

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Last week, Trump said the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, was being sent from the Caribbean Sea to the Mideast to join other warships and military assets theU.S. has built upin the region.

The Ford, whose new deployment was first reported by The New York Times, will join the USS Abraham Lincoln and its accompanying guided-missile destroyers, which havebeen in the regionfor over two weeks. U.S. forces already haveshot down an Iranian dronethat approached the Lincoln on the same day last week that Iran tried to stop a U.S.-flagged ship in the Strait of Hormuz.

Gulf Arab nations have warned any attack could spiral into another regional conflict in a Mideast still reeling from theIsrael-Hamas warin the Gaza Strip.

Iran says any deal must include easing of punishing sanctions

The Trump administration is seeking a deal to limit Iran's nuclear program and ensure it does not develop nuclear weapons. Iran says it is not pursuing weapons and has so far resisted demands that it halt uranium enrichment or hand over its supply of uranium.

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi signaled that Tehran could be open to compromise on the nuclear issue, but is looking for an easing of international sanctions led by the United States.

"The ball is in America's court. They have to prove they want to have a deal with us," Takht-Ravanchi told the BBC on Sunday. "If we see a sincerity on their part, I am sure that we will be on a road to have an agreement."

"We are ready to discuss this and other issues related to our program provided that they are also ready to talk about the sanctions," he added.

The U.S. and Iran were in the middle of months of meetings when Israel's launch ofa 12-day war against Iranback in June instantly halted the talks.The U.S. bombed Iranian nuclear sitesduring that war, likely destroying many of the centrifuges that spun uranium to near weapons-grade purity. Israel's attacks decimated Iran's air defenses andtargeted its ballistic missile arsenalas well.

Iran has insisted its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. Before the June war, Iran had beenenriching uranium up to 60% purity,a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels.

Associated Press writer Melanie Lidman contributed from Tel Aviv, Israel.

The Associated Press receives support for nuclear security coverage fromthe Carnegie Corporation of New YorkandOutrider Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. ___ Additional AP coverage of the nuclear landscape:https://apnews.com/projects/the-new-nuclear-landscape/

US Air Force assets based in the United Kingdom, including refueling tankers and fighter jets, are being repositioned closer to the Middle East, according to sources familiar with the movements.

The US is also continuing to flow air defense systems to the region, according to a US official, and several US military units deployed in the region that were expected to rotate out in the coming weeks have had their orders extended, said one source familiar with the matter. Dozens of US military cargo planes have transported equipment from the US to Jordan, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in recent weeks, according to flight-tracking data.

On Friday evening, multiple fighter aircraft were also given diplomatic clearance to enter Jordanian airspace, according toopen-source air traffic communications. Satellite images show 12 US F-15 attack planes have been positioned at Jordan's Muwaffaq Salti Air Base since January 25.

More broadly, open-source flight data reveals there have been over 250 US cargo flights into the region.

President Donald Trump has been threatening military action against Iran for weeks, beginning last month when he warned Iranian leaders that he was prepared to order an attack if the government did not stop killing protesters. And on Friday, he said he believes regime change "would be the best thing that could happen" in Iran.

The buildup of military assets and emphasis by Trump and senior members of the administration that regime change is preferable has the region on edge and increases the stakes for Tuesday's talks, which the president said Monday he will be "indirectly" involved in. The Switzerland talks are expected to be led by Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, on the US side, with Iran represented by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

'No one knows' who would take over

But the administration still does not appear to have a clear understanding of what would come next if it removed the Iranian regime, according to two sources familiar with the matter. Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed this during a congressional hearing late last month, telling lawmakers that "no one knows" who would take over if the regime fell.

The likely alternatives could be even more problematic for the US and its allies, sources said. In the short term, the hard-line Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps would likely fill any leadership void, the US intelligence community believes, according to sources.

The IRGC "is definitely prominent and functions above the standard military bureaucracy, but it is hard to predict exactly what would happen in a regime collapse scenario," said one source familiar with recent US intelligence reporting on the matter.

The US also lacks clear insight into the IRGC's hierarchy following the US assassination of Iran's most powerful military commander, Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani, during Trump's first term.

Whereas US intelligence officials had a very good understanding of the power dynamics in Venezuela before the US captured then-President Nicolás Maduro last month, they lack the same insight into who, if anyone, would constitute a viable replacement for Iran's supreme leader, sources said.

Multiple sources said there were legitimate reasons to consider kinetic action several weeks ago at the height of the Iranian protests. At that point, there was a small window of time when US strikes could have potentially tipped the balance in favor of the opposition, providing momentum for Iranians to overthrow their government organically.

Those sources now wonder whether Trump "missed the moment" and question whether military strikes weeks later would accomplish what they could have last month.

At the time, however, US military assets were concentrated in the Caribbean rather than the Middle East, limiting the administration's options and worrying the Israelis, who were concerned they would be left exposed if Iran were to retaliate by attacking them with ballistic missiles.

Since then, Trump has shifted his rationale for a potential attack, framing it around Iran's reluctance to stop enriching uranium for its nuclear program.

"I think they'll be successful," Trump said Friday of the upcoming talks. "If they're not, it's going to be a very bad day for Iran."

Unlike last month, the US now has the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group in the region, the USS Gerald Ford carrier strike group on the way, and fighter jet squadrons and tankers being rapidly repositioned.

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"In case we don't make a deal, we'll need it," Trump said Friday, when asked why the Ford was headed to the region.

The buildup gives the US military extensive strike options should Trump order an attack. Guided-missile destroyers steaming with the carriers, for example, can carry dozens of Tomahawk cruise missiles with a range of 1,000 miles and wielding 1,000-pound conventional warheads. US Navy carrier strike groups usually operate with an attack submarine that can also launch Tomahawks. F-35 and F-15E fighter jets can carry an array of guided bombs and air-to-surface missiles.

Among the potential targets for strikes are the headquarters of the IRGC and other military installations beyond Iranian nuclear sites, according to multiple sources. There is also some discussion about the US and Israel conducting joint operations, the sources said. Those could resemble Operation Midnight Hammer last summer, when the US struck Iranian nuclear sites toward the end of the 12-day Israel-Iran war, they added.

'It's hard to do a deal with Iran'

Trump said over the weekend that the US "doesn't want any enrichment," indicating that he will not settle for a deal that allows even low-level uranium enrichment by Iran. Given Iran's position that enrichment is its right, sources said there may not be space for negotiation.

But the sources also noted that hard-line positions going into negotiations can always change.

There are also other ways the Iranian government could try to ward off a US attack, including with economic incentives. During multiple rounds of US-Iran talks last year, there were discussions about possible business deals that could be struck in conjunction with a nuclear agreement, including granting the US privileged access to developing Iran's oil, gas and rare earths resources, one source said. That topic is expected to be raised again, this person added.

The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog, Rafael Grossi, met with Araghchi in Geneva on Monday for what both described as "in-depth technical discussions," as preparations intensify for the crucial nuclear negotiations Tuesday.

In public remarks, Rubio has maintained that Trump prefers a diplomatic resolution. But he has also repeatedly stressed that such a deal will be difficult.

"Iran ultimately is governed and its decisions are governed by Shia clerics — radical Shia clerics, okay? These people make policy decisions on the basis of pure theology. That's how they make their decisions. So, it's hard to do a deal with Iran," Rubio said at a press conference in Budapest, Hungary, on Monday.

Asked Sunday whether the administration would inform Congress if it decides to attack Iran or attempt to remove Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Rubio would not commit.

"We'll follow whatever the law is on it, and it depends on the circumstance it would lead to. But right now, we're talking about negotiations," he said at a press conference in Slovakia.

"If that changes, it'll be obvious to everyone. And obviously, whatever the law requires us to do, we'll do," he added.

Regional allies including the Arab states in the Persian Gulf are deeply concerned that US military action could destabilize the region. They have lobbied for holding off on military action to give diplomacy more time, according to sources familiar with the talks.

"Everybody is pushing against a strike," said a diplomat from the region. This person added that Israel is the only regional player that has been urging the US to attack.

Iran, meanwhile, held further military exercises less than 24 hours ahead of the Geneva talks. On Monday, Iran's official Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting reported that the IRGC had launched a "valiant defense" of three Iranian islands by land, air and sea that are the subject of a longtime border dispute between Iran and the United Arab Emirates.

According to the report, IRGC drones are positioned at Iran's southernmost point, ready to confront any aggressors.

Iran's armed forces chief of staff, Maj. Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi, warned Sunday that "Trump should know that he would be entering a confrontation that gives harsh lessons, the outcome of which would ensure that he no longer bellows threats around the world," according to state-run Press TV.

This story was updated with additional developments.

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Texas Tech (19-6, 9-3 Big 12) has won three consecutive games after losing two straight to UCF and Kansas.

"I don't know if anyone is ever prepared for Big 12 play, but you'd better be prepared for a grind," Texas Tech coach Grant McCasland said. "It's going to be a fight. Our intent was how well can we fight every day, and our team is believing in that aspect.

"We don't have it all figured out. We're just scratching the surface."

Arizona State (13-12, 4-8) has not played since Feb. 10 when it beat Oklahoma State at home. The Sun Devils will attempt to win consecutive games for the first time since a three-game streak against Oklahoma, Northern Arizona and Santa Clara from Dec. 6-13.

Texas Tech post player JT Toppin is coming off a 31-point, 13-rebound performance in the win over Arizona.

The reigning Big 12 Player of the Year is in position to earn that award again. He is averaging 21.9 points and 11 rebounds per game.

Christian Anderson complements Toppin as the point guard. He had 19 points, eight assists and six rebounds against the Wildcats. He also made 6 of 15 shots from 3-point range.

"I love the fight of this team," McCasland said. "JT and Christian weren't going to let us lose. JT Toppin was not going to be denied at the end of this game.

"You don't come into (Arizona's) building and win unless you're fighting and competitive. I love being part of this team."

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Arizona State will counter Toppin and Anderson with 7-foot-2 freshman Massamba Diop and journeyman point guard Maurice Odum, who previously played for Pacific and Pepperdine.

Diop is averaging 13.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game. Odum is at 17 points and six assists per game.

Arizona State has struggled with rebounding this season, ranking last in the Big 12 with a minus-2.7 differential per game.

In the win over Oklahoma State, the Sun Devils finished with a 45-34 rebounding advantage, including a 19-10 edge on offensive rebounds. That contributed to a points-in-the-paint advantage of 38-26.

"It looks like we figured out how to rebound," Sun Devils coach Bobby Hurley said. "I thought the balance was really good. We set the tone early in the game with establishing our ability to get some rebounds.

"We missed some shots, but were able to get second-chance opportunities. It's probably the biggest differential we've had in second-chance points all season, so great job for the guys."

Arizona State would need a miracle late-season run to become an NCAA Tournament candidate.

Beating Texas Tech would enhance Arizona State's NET ranking, which stood at No. 71 through the weekend. The Red Raiders' NET ranking was No. 16. The Sun Devils also have opportunities against Kansas and Iowa State to conclude the season.

The Sun Devils are 2-9 against Quad 1 opponents with victories over Texas and Santa Clara.

--Field Level Media

Decades later, Jordan is now aDaytona 500winner.

He was an ecstatic team owner during the victory celebration, which he joined seconds before winnerTyler Reddickwas presented the trophy.

Reddick paused the party and was enveloped in Jordan's arms before the Basketball Hall of Famer gave high-fives to the No. 45 crew from 23XI Racing. A stream of well-wishers soon followed, including NASCAR chairman Jim France, who warmly congratulated Jordan with a smile and a handshake.

It was at least the second cordial public interaction the two have shared since December, when France and NASCARsettled the federal antitrust lawsuitthat 23XI and Front Row Motorsports had lodged. The lawsuit consumed the sport for more than two years and ended on the ninth day of trial, when NASCAR relented and settled before the top motorsports series in the United States suffered any more humiliation.

The settlement was a huge win for Jordan, who forever will be viewed as the team owner bold enough to stand up to NASCAR's dictatorship way of ruling the series. But that was already behind Jordan by the time he got to Daytona International Speedway, where he started Sunday by insisting the goal was to help grow NASCAR moving forward and focus on making 23XI a championship-contending race team.

"Both sides have been somewhat at a stalemate and we both needed to have conversations about change, how we can grow this sport," Jordan told Fox Sports before the green flag. "Unfortunately, we had to go through what we had to go through. But I think coming out of that, you have a much better appreciation for each other and I think it opens up conversations amongst each other to continue to grow the game."

Hours later, he was in victory lane celebrating as if he'd just won a seventh NBA championship. When France stopped by, it was clear all parties are moving forward.

Denny Hamlin, the three-time Daytona 500 winner who is partners with Jordan at 23XI, was the winning team owner representative in post-victory requirements and said there are no lingering bad feelings among the parties.

"I think December was a wake-up call. I think that the conversations since then have been a lot of self-reflection, in my opinion, from NASCAR. I think they would have done things differently had they had the opportunity to," Hamlin said. "But we knew that we needed to stick up for what we believed was right. We have to now figure out how we can get the sport back where it was decades ago.

"In order to do that, the only way we can do it is we're all going to have to pull the rope in the same direction. Even conversations that I've had with NASCAR executives as late as a couple days ago, sitting in a bus talking about what do we need to be five years from now, two years from now, 10 years from now. What does the sport need to look like?

"Those were all really good conversations, and they were very open to suggestions."

Jordan didn't become a NASCAR participant until 2021, when he partnered with Hamlin, a three-time Daytona 500 winner, to form 23XI. He attends races — sometimes he watches from pit road, other times a suite — and although others run the team, Jordan is involved and sounds committed to NASCAR.

The Reddick win was a win for NASCAR, Hamlin argued, because it got Jordan into the headlines.

"It's big for the sport. He's the most popular athlete in the world. I don't think there's any disputing that," Hamlin said. "He loves the sport, and certainly he goes to a lot of races. Sometimes you don't even see him and he's there. He makes more races than people know. He loves this race team."

AP auto racing:https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing