Statue depicting Trump, Epstein as Jack, Rose from 'Titanic' appears on National Mall

Astatuedepicting PresidentDonald Trumpand deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein embracing in a "Titanic" pose similar to Jack and Rose, two of the movie's characters, appeared on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., this week.

The 12-foot statue was unveiled by The Secret Handshake group, a small organization of citizens using art and humor to prompt political discourse, on Tuesday, March 10, with a backdrop of the U.S. Capitol. The partially gold spray-painted art installation shows Epstein standing at the bow of a ship with his arms stretched out, with the president behind him holding his wrists.

The statue depicts the men in the iconic scene from the film where lovers Jack and Rose embrace on the bow of the ship at sunset.

The artwork is titled "The King of the World," a reference to that scene in which Jack, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, shouts: "I'm king of the world."

A statue depicting President Donald Trump and deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein embracing in the iconic "Titanic" pose by Jack and Rose, two of the movie's characters, appeared on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The artwork is titled "The King of the World," a reference to the scene in which Jack, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, shouts: "I'm king of the world."

The 12-foot statue was unveiled in front of the U.S. Capitol by The Secret Handshake group, a small organization of citizens using art and humor to prompt political discourse. The same group was also responsible for the statue of Trump and Epstein holding hands titled "Best Friends Forever" that appeared on the National Mall in September.

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Trump–Epstein statue recreates iconic Titanic scene of Jack and Rose

Astatuedepicting President Donald Trump and deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein embracing in the iconic "Titanic" pose by Jack and Rose, two of the movie's characters, appeared on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The artwork is titled "The King of the World," a reference to the scene in which Jack, played by Leonardo DiCaprio, shouts: "I'm king of the world."The 12-foot statue was unveiled in front of the U.S. Capitol by The Secret Handshake group, a small organization of citizens using art and humor to prompt political discourse. The same group was also responsible for the statue of Trump and Epstein holding hands titled "Best Friends Forever" that appeared on the National Mall in September.

"The tragic love story between Jack and Rose was built on luxurious travel, raucous parties and secret nude sketches," a plaque on the side of the statue states. "This monument honors the bond between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, a friendship seemingly built on luxurious travel, raucous parties, and secret nude sketches."

The statue is flanked by 10 giant banners with a photo of Trump and Epstein with the words, "Make America Safe Again." The banners also bear the insignia of the Justice Department, though the word "Justice" has been blanked out.

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More:See Trump banners adorn DOJ headquarters, more federal buildings

A USA TODAY reporter observed tourists and residents observing the statue on Tuesday, March 10. Many people stopped through their runs or on their commutes home to capture the scene with their phones.See it in the video at the top of the story.

It's not clear how long the statue will remain there. The Secret Handshake told USA TODAY in an email it hopes the statue will remain in place for several more days, but did not provide more information.

White House criticizes statue

Trump has previously said that he did not know of Epstein's criminal behavior.

In a statement to USA TODAY, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson condemned the display, asking when "wealthy Democrat donors" will create sculptures of Democrats "who continued to solicit money and meetings from Epstein after he was convicted as a sex offender."

Previous Trump and Epstein statue

The organization is also responsible for a Trump-Epstein friendship statue that depicted the two billionaires holding hands and prancing, which appeared on the National Mall in September, also known as Friendship Month.

Permits for installations on the National Mall are approved by the National Park Service. USA TODAY has emailed the agency for additional information.

Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at mdelrey@usatoday.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Statue of Trump, Epstein as Jack, Rose from 'Titanic' appears in DC

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Statue depicting Trump, Epstein as Jack, Rose from 'Titanic' appears on National Mall

Astatuedepicting PresidentDonald Trumpand deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein embracing in a "Titanic" pose s...

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Why authorities are finally searching Epstein's ranch in New Mexico

Authorities on Monday began searching a sprawling ranch in New Mexico formerly owned by the late convicted sex offenderJeffrey Epstein, renewing questions about the steps taken by the U.S. Department of Justice nearly a decade ago.

While the New Mexico Department of Justice has released few details about the new investigation, here is what we know about the ranch and what prompted the renewed scrutiny:

Did the Department of Justice ever search the ranch?

When Epsteinwas arrestedin July 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges, the investigation into his alleged illicit activity swept across many of his opulent properties. However, investigators apparently never searched his New Mexico ranch, formerly known as "Zorro Ranch," according to emails released by the U.S. DOJ earlier this year.

When Epstein was found dead by suicide in a Manhattan jail cell in August 2019, investigators' scope broadened, but authorities appear to have never returned to raid the property for potential evidence.

While New Mexico initiated its own investigation into the property, the probe was paused in 2019 at the request of the U.S. DOJ, according to New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez.

What prompted state authorities to re-open their investigation?

In a statement issued last month, the New Mexico DOJ said the investigation was re-opened because "revelations outlined in the previously sealed FBI files warrant further examination."

The statement did not provide further details about the "revelations," and state Attorney General Torrez has not publicly commented on which files prompted the investigation. The New Mexico DOJ has not responded to inquiries from ABC News about the scope of the investigation.

However, approximately a week before the New Mexico DOJ opened their investigation, the office received a request from the New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands to investigate an unsubstantiated allegation included in files released by the U.S. DOJ that two bodies were buried in the hills around the ranch.

House Oversight Committee to depose Epstein's longtime accountant

"On behalf of the New Mexico State Land Office, I am requesting that both the U.S. Department of Justice and the New Mexico Department of Justice thoroughly investigate this disturbing allegation," New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard said on Feb. 10 in a letter obtained by ABC News.

According to documents released by the U.S. DOJ, a local radio host received an email in November 2019 from an anonymous individual who claimed to have worked at the ranch and alleged that two "foreign girls" were buried on the grounds of the ranch after being strangulated.

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The radio host told the FBI that he originally received a demand for one bitcoin in exchange for the location of the bodies and seven videos of sexual abuse.

According to an FBI report memorializing the tip, the host promptly shared the information with the FBI. The report suggested that the tip was received by the FBI and that the radio host spoke with investigators, though it does not appear the claim was investigated further, in part because the email account that sent the tip was deactivated.

The report and materials released by the U.S. DOJ did not include any evidence to corroborate the claims beyond the initial email. The documents and concern from the New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands appear to be part of the reason investigators have re-opened the investigation.

Who owns the ranch now?

Zorro Ranch was sold in 2023 to Texas businessman and politician Don Huffines, who is currently the Republican nominee for Texas's state comptroller. He was endorsed by President Donald Trump in an upset victory against the incumbent.

In a post on social media, Huffines explained that he was aware of the history of the property when he purchased it in 2023 and that "at the time of the sale, it was marketed that the proceeds would go to the victims."

Epstein files: DOJ releases previously withheld FBI reports about sex abuse allegation against Trump

He said in the post that he has renamed the ranch "San Rafael" and intends to "to remake it as a Christian retreat, reclaiming it for Jesus."

The New Mexico DOJ this week said it "appreciates the cooperation of the current property owners in granting access for the search and extends its thanks to the ranch staff for their professionalism."

It is unclear if the New Mexico DOJ obtained a search warrant for the property or is just operating with the consent of the property owner.

What is the goal of the investigation?

The investigation comes as New Mexico lawmakers are seeking to better understand how Epstein was able to avoid legal scrutiny for years. Last month, the New Mexico House voted unanimously to create an Epstein "Truth Commission" to better understand Epstein's activities in the state. The commission has subpoena power and a budget of $2 million to carry out its investigation.

In a column last week, Attorney General Torres acknowledged that the state's investigation faces obstacles but vowed to issue a public report about his findings.

"Epstein has been dead for years. Zorro Ranch has changed ownership. Physical evidence may no longer exist, and the statute of limitations has likely run on many potential offenses. These are real obstacles, and survivors deserve to hear them stated plainly. But we will follow the evidence wherever it leads and leave no credible question unexplored," Torres said.

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Why authorities are finally searching Epstein's ranch in New Mexico

Authorities on Monday began searching a sprawling ranch in New Mexico formerly owned by the late convicted sex offenderJe...

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Man charged over alleged threats against Rep. Eric Swalwell, Jerome Powell and Trump

A Florida man was indicted this month over threats against Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., President Donald Trump and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.

Diego Villavicencio faces afour-count indictmentthat alleges he threatened a member of Congress, writing, "I'll kill you and your family and you won't do anything about it"; that he threatened an unnamed individual who, he wrote, would "be shot and killed on Sept. 23"; and threatened the president of the United States, writing: "I'll be driving there to take a couple of shots at trump and some other corrupt plutocrats."

Swalwell confirmed that the unnamed member of Congress in the indictment is him. Swalwell, an outspoken critic of Trump and 2026 candidate for governor of California, is arecurring target of threats. He also served as an impeachment manager in Trump's second impeachment trial.

"The aim of this threat was to silence me," Swalwell told NBC News. "Political violence has never been the answer. And it never will be. My family and I are grateful to the Department of Justice for their attention to this violent threat."

The unnamed individual appears to be Powell. The Fed chairman was not named in the indictment, but an FBI affidavit states that one of the posts read "Jerome is next." The threat was reported to the FBI by a senior special agent with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve Protective Services Unit ahead of a Sept. 23 Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce 2025 Economic Outlook Luncheon,where Powell spoke, the affidavit said. The Federal Reserve did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A federal judge ordered Villavicencio held after he was arrested last month. A trial has beenset for May.An attorney for Villavicencio did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Swalwell's officetold NBC News last yearthat the Justice Department hadn't brought charges in two cases involving threats against him and his family.

He and Attorney General Pam Bondi got into a discussion about securityduring a congressional hearing last month, with Bondi telling members of Congress that "none of you should be threatened, ever," and that "none of your children should be threatened. None of your families should be threatened."

Swalwell said he had not discussed this particular case with Bondi.

In anaffidavit last month, an FBI special agent wrote that an X user believed to be Villavicencio had "called for terrorist acts of violence against government officials and CEOs."

One of the threats came in response to a social mediapost in which Swalwell wrotethat Bondi "REFUSED to prosecute MULTIPLE direct death threats against me and my family."

The X account that the FBI said appeared to belong to Villavicencio also published a post in October that read "Death to America Bomb America Bomb the federal reserve Kill politicians Kill CEOs Shoot Joe Biden Shoot [redacted] Shoot Donald Trump END CAPITALISM FREE THE PEOPLE."

The user was suspended in November, "apparently for violating X's terms of use," the FBI affidavit said.

byGreen Magazine

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Man charged over alleged threats against Rep. Eric Swalwell, Jerome Powell and Trump

A Florida man was indicted this month over threats against Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., President Donald Trump and Feder...

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NBA third-quarter report cards: Grading all 15 teams in the West, where only two teams get high marks

We have turned a corner around the 2025-26 NBA regular season's 60-game mark, and that means it is well past time for our third-quarter report cards. After tacklingthe Eastern Conference, we move to the West, where we have given out two A's.

That's right: The Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs are the class of the conference, favorites to meet in what could be a brutal Western Conference finals.

As we have seen this week, the Denver Nuggets are right there with them when Aaron Gordon is in the fold alongside Nikola Jokić, and they are a tandem again. And the Minnesota Timberwolves can get there on the right night. Whether they can do it four times in seven tries a few times over is another matter. What a gauntlet it will be.

The Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers are no slouches, either, though their offense and defense, respectively, may prevent them from contending at the top.

These are things we have known for some time. The play-in tournament field is settling into form, too, as are the tankers, including one F grade. The biggest movers? Those Los Angeles Clippers, who went from an F in the first quarter to a D at midseason and now a C. Might Darius Garland help get them to a B by end of year?

We are, after all, grading to date, not only for the third quarter, in order to give you a complete picture of the season, not just a 20-game snapshot. We are also grading against expectations. Have you completed the task you set out to do, even if that meant to properly tank, or did you exceed expectations, as have the Phoenix Suns?

But we do not want to give away too much. On to our third-quarter report card.

(For reference:First-quarter grades•Midseason grades)

Dallas Mavericks•Denver Nuggets•Golden State Warriors•Houston Rockets•Los Angeles Clippers•Los Angeles Lakers•Memphis Grizzlies•Minnesota Timberwolves•New Orleans Pelicans•Oklahoma City Thunder•Phoenix Suns•Portland Trail Blazers•Sacramento Kings•San Antonio Spurs•Utah Jazz

Dallas Mavericks (21-44)

• Three-quarter MVP: Cooper Flagg (20-7-4 on 47/30/80)

• Offensive rating: 109.5 (29th) • Defensive rating: 114.2 (16th)

• Best lineup: Flagg • Max Christie • Caleb Martin • Naji Marshall • Dwight Powell (+26 in 46 minutes)

• Against .500 teams: 10-29 • Against losing teams: 11-15

This was not supposed to be like this. The Mavericks thought they would compete. … Since the trade deadline, when the Mavericks dealt Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards for some picks, they are 2-12. … They are 2-18 since Jan. 24. … This is no culture in which to develop Flagg. … He is a winning, connective player, absent fellow winners to connect. …Kyrie Irving is not returning as a reinforcement, either. … Look at Dallas' best lineup. Look at those players. … At least Dallas will add another high-end lottery pick in the draft. … Maybe he wins with Flagg. … Do not let Nico Harrison off the hook. Dealing Luka Dončić for Davis, and then dumping Davis, is a disastrous development.

Grade: D

Denver Nuggets (39-26)

• Three-quarter MVP: Nikola Jokić (29-13-10 on 58/39/83)

• Offensive rating: 120.1 (1st) • Defensive rating: 116.5 (22nd)

• Best lineup: Jokić • Jamal Murray • Christian Braun • Cameron Johnson • Aaron Gordon (+60 in 172 minutes)

• Against .500 teams: 18-19 • Against losing teams: 21-7

When Jokić is playing, regardless of who shares the court with him, the Nuggets are scoring 125.3 points per 100 possessions, better than history's best offensive rating. … When Jokić is on the floor with Aaron Gordon, Denver is almost as stout as Oklahoma City's top-rated defense. … That is reason to believe in these Nuggets still, despite all their red flags (a series of injuries,Johnson's play, an otherwise porous defense and that troublesome record against good teams, to name a few). … They're a game from the play-in tournament, performing like they are prepared for their forthcoming test, even giving the Thunder a game, only we have not seen them studying together too much. … You would like to see more than 12 games as a group from their best lineup.

Grade: C

Golden State Warriors (32-33)

• Three-quarter MVP: Stephen Curry (27-4-5 on 47/39/93)

• Offensive rating: 114.1 (16th) • Defensive rating: 113.1 (13th)

• Best lineup: Curry • Moses Moody • Brandin Podziemski • Draymond Green • Al Horford (+25 in 35 minutes)

• Against .500 teams: 15-23 • Against losing teams: 17-10

Give the Warriors credit. All of their best lineups featured Jimmy Butler, who suffered an ACL injury, and they are still in position to make a play-in bid, despite missing Curry for 25 games, too. … The Green-Horford duo allows 111.2 points per 100 possessions, equivalent to a top-five rating. … Curry's personal offensive rating: 118.0 points per 100 possessions, also top five. … He can't get back from a knee injury soon enough, after back-to-back losses to the Jazz and Bulls, two tanking teams. … To make the playoffs, to put a scare into someone, there would be honor in that. … Allow us a wild thought: Curry, Butler, Green, Horford and … LeBron James. Golden State in their golden years.

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Grade: C

Houston Rockets (40-24)

• Three-quarter MVP: Kevin Durant (26-6-5 on 51/41/89)

• Offensive rating: 116.9 (8th) • Defensive rating: 111.9 (6th)

• Best lineup: Durant • Amen Thompson • Josh Okogie • Jabari Smith Jr. • Alperen Şengün (+60 in 346 minutes)

• Against .500 teams: 20-15 • Against losing teams: 20-9

Durant, man, what a legend. He might be the most consistent scorer in NBA history. … Those numbers of his, closing in on the 50/40/90 club again, you can pencil them in every year. … What was once a promising Şengün season has turned sour, givenhis defensive on/off numbers. … Another interesting lineup: Durant, Thompson, Reed Sheppard, Dorian Finney-Smith and Clint Capela (+52 in 75 minutes). … They grab 8% fewer offensive rebounds sans Steven Adams. Noticeable difference. … Both of the Thompson twins need jump shots. An offseason challenge. … For Sheppard, there is only so much trial and error a team can get away with in the West.He has to be good.

Grade: B

Los Angeles Clippers (32-32)

• Three-quarter MVP: Kawhi Leonard (28-6-4 on 50/37/91)

• Offensive rating: 115.8 (12th) • Defensive rating: 115.3 (19th)

• Best lineup: Leonard • Kris Dunn • Derrick Jones Jr. • John Collins • Brook Lopez (+10 in 110 minutes)

• Against .500 teams: 15-26 • Against losing teams: 17-6

Will Leonard reach 65 games for the second time since 2016-17? He may have an All-NBA First Team case if he does. … The loss of Ivica Zubac to a trade was meaningful. But the loss of Yanic Konan Niederhauser to injury may have been more significant. … (Why with Niederhauser do we always mention his middle name? Is it because it is Konan? It is because it is Konan.) … With Darius Garland in the lineup, the Clippers are outscoring opponents by 24.9 points per 100 possessions. It's only been four games, but still. … They are 5-1 in their last six games with the league's best offensive rating (124.1) in that span. … Hey, we almost got through this without mentioning Aspiration.

Grade: C

Los Angeles Lakers (40-25)

• Three-quarter MVP: Luka Dončić (33-8-9 on 47/36/77)

• Offensive rating: 116.6 (9th) • Defensive rating: 115.7 (20th)

• Best lineup: Dončić • Austin Reaves • Marcus Smart • Rui Hachimura • Deandre Ayton (+47 in 96 minutes)

• Against .500 teams: 17-20 • Against losing teams: 23-5

How dare Ayton scoff at the idea of playing like Clint Capela. The Lakers should be so lucky. … Notice who is not in the Lakers' best lineup: LeBron James. … They are, in fact, playing better without him. … When Dončić and Reaves share the court with James, they play like a bottom-five offense. Without him? They perform like the league's best offense. …Net ratingof Dončić, Reaves, James and no Smart: -9.8. Net rating of Dončić, Reaves, Smart and no James: +29.2. … James is a free agent at season's end. Who pays him and how much? Massive questions without answers. … It would be kind of cool to see James lean into becoming a role player, but his 3 and D are both lacking. … Can he just be connective tissue in his old (basketball) age? Or else retirement calls.

Grade: C

Memphis Grizzlies (23-41)

• Three-quarter MVP: Cedric Coward (13-6-3 on 47/34/84)

• Offensive rating: 113.7 (19th) • Defensive rating: 116.3 (21st)

• Best lineup: Coward • Vince Williams Jr. • Jaylen Wells • Santi Aldama • Zach Edey (+34 in 36 minutes)

• Against .500 teams: 8-30 • Against losing teams: 15-11

Why is Ja Morant still on this team? Because the Grizzlies couldn't find any takers. ... With Zach Edey in the lineup in 11 games this season, Memphis outscored opponents by 18.3 points per 100 possessions, submitting the league's best defense. Without him, a bottom-five defense has been beaten by 4.4 points per 100 chances. … Promise for the future. … Speaking of which, who is the Grizzlies' MVP to this point? That was no easy question to answer. … It is Coward, though, as promising a player as there is on this roster. … He isapiece of the future, notthepiece. … They do not want another No. 11 pick. And by dealing Jaren Jackson Jr. they are doing their best to acquire one.

Grade: F

Minnesota Timberwolves (40-25)

• Three-quarter MVP: Anthony Edwards (29-5-4 on 49/40/79)

• Offensive rating: 116.0 (11th) • Defensive rating: 112.4 (9th)

• Best lineup: Edwards • Donte DiVincenzo • Jaden McDaniels • Julius Randle • Rudy Gobert (+128 in 676 minutes)

• Against .500 teams: 17-18 • Against losing teams: 23-7

Michael Jordan said he loves the passion Edwards plays with on both ends and told him, "You need to continue improving on your game." … A heady challenge from the G.O.A.T. But a necessary one. If anyone understands what it takes to win from the 2 position. … It isn't out of the realm of possibility to consider Edwards could one day be a 30-point 50/40/90 guy. … A sub-.500 record against winning teams but 5-5 against OKC, San Antonio and Denver is reason to believe in these Wolves. … More reason to consider them contenders: That starting lineup. It has played 160 more minutes than Detroit's starting lineup and almost twice as many minutes as any other lineup in the NBA. … Rudy Gobert is all but assured of making a ninth All-Defensive team in 10 years.

Grade: B

New Orleans Pelicans (21-45)

• Three-quarter MVP: Trey Murphy III (22-6-4 on 47/39/89)

• Offensive rating: 113.1 (22nd) • Defensive rating: 117.7 (26th)

• Best lineup: Murphy • Jeremiah Fears • Herbert Jones • Saddiq Bey • Derik Queen (+17 in 117 minutes)

• Against .500 teams: 5-34 • Against losing teams: 16-11

Notice, again, who is absent from the Pelicans' best lineup: Zion Williamson, who is playing like a 41-year-old LeBron, only at the age of 25. … There was a time when we could not fathom the possibility that Williamson, in his prime, could approach the 65-game mark and not be in the All-NBA conversation, but here we are. … Be careful who we saddle with the Face of the League label so early. … Dejounte Murray in six games back from an Achilles injury: 16-5-5 on 47/27/89 shooting splits. Encouraging! … Since Jan. 14, the Pelicans are 12-12 with a (slightly) positive net rating (+0.1). … Queen and Fears appear to be players. … But the team is in line to hand a top-10 pick to Atlanta.

Grade: D

Oklahoma City Thunder (51-15)

• Three-quarter MVP: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (32-5-7 on 55/38/90)

• Offensive rating: 117 (7th) • Defensive rating: 106.2 (1st)

• Best lineup: Gilgeous-Alexander • Cason Wallace • Lu Dort • Chet Holmgren • Isaiah Hartenstein (+71 in 165 minutes)

• Against .500 teams: 27-11 • Against losing teams: 24-4

The difference between OKC's defense and the Western Conference's second-best defense, that of the Spurs, is the difference between San Antonio and the 16th-rated Mavericks. … The Thunder are 15-0 when that top lineup takes the floor. … Another top five-man unit: SGA, Wallace, Dort, Holmgren and Jalen Williams (+69 in 117 minutes), though they are "just" 8-4 in their games together. … They might be the favorite, with or without Williams. That depth is something. … Should we be concerned at all about their offense? Not when SGA is on the court. Did you see him close out the Nuggets — and maybe the MVP conversation — on Monday? He is offense unto himself. … Andadding Jared McCaingave them just the offensive boost they needed off the bench.

Grade: A

Phoenix Suns (38-27)

• Three-quarter MVP: Devin Booker (25-4-6 on 45/32/87)

• Offensive rating: 113.8 (18th) • Defensive rating: 112.6 (10th)

• Best lineup: Booker • Collin Gillespie • Dillon Brooks • Royce O'Neale • Mark Williams (+56 in 266 minutes)

• Against .500 teams: 17-23 • Against losing teams: 21-4

Booker is back in the fold from a hip injury and not a moment too soon, as the Suns' offense was severely slipping in the absence of him and Brooks. … Phoenix is 5-1 with a top-five offense in its last six games. … It needs Brooks back to solidify the defense in advance of the playoffs. … If it gets there. The recent skid sent the Suns into seventh in the West, where they will have a hard time leapfrogging anyone in front of them. … Jordan Ott has done the most with the least in his conference. The Suns play hard for their coach. … That includes Williams, who was cast aside by the Lakers for medical reasons, only to perform admirably in his 1,322 minutes across 56 games this season.

Grade: B

Portland Trail Blazers (31-35)

• Three-quarter MVP: Deni Avdija (24-7-7 on 46/34/80)

• Offensive rating: 112.5 (23rd) • Defensive rating: 115.2 (18th)

• Best lineup: Avdija • Shaedon Sharpe • Kris Murray • Toumani Camara • Donovan Clingan (+15 in 106 minutes)

• Against .500 teams: 16-29 • Against losing teams: 15-6

Good news for the Blazers: It would be almost impossible to fall out of 10th place. … Bad news: They may not make it much farther than that, unless they can catch the Warriors, and even then what hope do they have of winning consecutive play-in games? … They have not won two straight games in more than a month, and before then they lost six straight. … Since Jan. 22, when the Blazers took a .500 record into the second half of the season, they are 8-13, owners of a 27th-rated offense. … With Avdija in the fold, though, now back from injury, and even without Sharpe, who could be out through March, they are scoring 117 points per 100 possessions, a top-10 figure.

Grade: C

Sacramento Kings (16-50)

• Three-quarter MVP: DeMar DeRozan (18-3-4 on 49/33/86)

• Offensive rating: 109.7 (27th) • Defensive rating: 119.7 (28th)

• Best lineup: DeRozan • Russell Westbrook • Zach LaVine • Keegan Murray • Maxine Raynaud (+14 in 90 minutes)

• Against .500 teams: 8-35 • Against losing teams: 8-15

The Kings thought they would be decent. … How do we square this: They refused to play Keon Ellis, even though everyone knew he was good, and they gifted him to the Cavaliers, who now count him as integral to their playoff rotation? … Dennis Schröder, too. The Kings signed him, only to undermine him by adding Russell Westbrook, and then traded him, along with Ellis, for De'Andre Hunter's cumbersome contract. … Make it make sense. … Nothing may ever make sense in Sacramento. … Might the Kings actually secure a top-three pick in this top-heavy draft? They have a 40% chance right now. … With whom are they building around that pick? … Free Domantas Sabonis.

Grade: C

San Antonio Spurs (47-17)

• Three-quarter MVP: Victor Wembanyama (24-11-3 on 51/35/82)

• Offensive rating: 117.5 (5th) • Defensive rating: 110.2 (3rd)

• Best lineup: Wembanyama • De'Aaron Fox • Stephon Castle • Devin Vassell • Julian Champagnie (+82 in 178 minutes)

• Against .500 teams: 27-12 • Against losing teams: 20-5

When Wembanyama is on the court, the Spurs operate like a top-three offense and the NBA's best defense (allowing just 103.8 points per 100 possessions). … Stephon Castle has been sensational when paired with either De'Aaron Fox or Dylan Harper in the backcourt, outscoring opponents by 8.7 and 14.3 points per 100 possessions, respectively. … San Antonio belongs in every conversation of the most serious contenders. … Vassell's return was big for them. They still might need another wing. … How much do we trust Harrison Barnes, Keldon Johnson or Julian Champagnie in the biggest moments? … The Spurs have one ofthe easiest remaining schedules; the Thunder have one of the hardest. The No. 1 seed, then, and the MVP race, is not set.

Grade: A

Utah Jazz (20-45)

• Three-quarter MVP: Lauri Markkanen (27-7-2 on 48/36/90)

• Offensive rating: 113.3 (21st) • Defensive rating: 120.5 (29th)

• Best lineup: Markkanen • Keyonte George • Svi Mykhailiuk • Kyle Filipowski • Walker Kessler (+34 in 51 minutes)

• Against .500 teams: 10-30 • Against losing teams: 10-15

Seven-footers to make at least 2.5 3-pointers per game for their careers: Markkanen. That is the list. … In the brief time they played together, Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr., acquired at the trade deadline, outscored opponents by 13.4 points per 100 possessions. Encouraging. … Perhaps too much, at least for this season, when the goal is to secure a top-eight pick (and not lose it to the Thunder). … They would, ideally, like a higher pick than that, but they may have won too much. … George is good. The Jazz are scoring 119 points per 100 possessions, a great number, when he shares the court with Markkanen. … Ace Bailey is gonna be good. … A lot to like about these Jazz.

Grade: B

byGreen Magazine

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10:22:00 AM

NBA third-quarter report cards: Grading all 15 teams in the West, where only two teams get high marks

We have turned a corner around the 2025-26 NBA regular season's 60-game mark, and that means it is well past time for...

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Norway police apprehend three suspects in 'terror bombing' of US embassy

By Terje Solsvik

Loud bang reported near the U.S. embassy compound in Oslo

OSLO, March 11 (Reuters) - Norwegian police said on Wednesday they had apprehended three brothers suspected of carrying out Sunday's bombing at the U.S. embassy in Oslo, in ‌an attack investigators have branded an act of terrorism.

The powerful early-morning blast from an ‌improvised explosive device (IED) damaged the entrance to the embassy's consular section but caused no injuries, Norwegian authorities have said.

The three suspects, ​all in their 20s, are Norwegian citizens with a family background from Iraq, police said.

"They are suspected of a terror bombing," Police Attorney Christian Hatlo told reporters.

"We believe they detonated a powerful bomb at the U.S. embassy with the intention of taking lives or causing significant damage," Hatlo said, adding that none of ‌the suspects had so far been ⁠interrogated.

One of the men was believed to have planted the bomb while the two others were believed to have taken part in the plot, Hatlo said.

The ⁠brothers, who were not named, had not previously been subject to police investigations, he added.

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A lawyer representing one of the three men said he had only briefly met with his client and that it was too ​early to ​say how the suspect would plead.

Lawyers representing the ​two others did not immediately respond to ‌requests for comment when contacted by Reuters.

"Although it is early in the investigation, it is important that the police have achieved what they characterise as a breakthrough in the case," Norway's Minister of Justice and Public Security Astri Aas-Hansen said in a statement.

Images of one of the suspects released by police on Monday showed a hooded person, whose face was not visible, wearing dark clothes and carrying a ‌bag or rucksack.

Investigators on Monday said one hypothesis was that ​the incident was "an act of terrorism" linked to the war ​in the Middle East, but that other ​possible motives were also being explored.

Police are now investigating whether the bombing was ‌done on behalf of a foreign state, ​Hatlo said, reiterating that they ​were also looking into other possible motives.

Europe has been on alert for possible attacks as the U.S. and Israel conduct air strikes on Iran and Iran strikes Israel and U.S. ​targets in the Middle East.

On Monday, ‌a synagogue in the Belgian city of Liege was damaged by a blast that ​authorities called an antisemitic attack. It was not clear who was behind it.

(Reporting by ​Terje Solsvik, editing by Essi Lehto and Philippa Fletcher)

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9:42:00 AM

Norway police apprehend three suspects in 'terror bombing' of US embassy

By Terje Solsvik Loud bang reported near the U.S. embassy compound in Oslo OSLO, March 11 (Reuters) - Norweg...

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