China sets deadline for Big Tech to clear algorithm issues, close ‘echo chambers’Trump's criticism of NATO member countries for not meeting their defense spending commitments is not new. Since taking office, he has repeatedly called for increased burden-sharing among NATO allies, arguing that the United States is shouldering too much of the financial responsibility for the alliance's defense. While some member countries have made progress towards meeting the agreed-upon spending target of 2% of GDP, others lag behind, prompting Trump to escalate his rhetoric and issue a direct threat of withdrawal.
LEXINGTON, Va. — The Middlebury field hockey team scored twice in the second half and held off a strong Tufts' squad to capture the NCAA Championship with a 2-1 triumph. The Panthers secured their seventh-straight crown and ninth overall as the program finishes the season with a 19-2 mark. Middlebury manufactured a great opportunity on the first penalty corner with 5:49 elapsed. Grace Keefe blasted a rising shot off an insert that Tufts goalie Lydia Eastburn deflected away with her blocker. The Jumbos countered at the 6:36 mark as Claire Gavin took a redirection off a Panther stick and raced toward the left side of the cage. Goalie Madeline DiLemme thwarted Gavin's backhanded attempt to keep the score 0-0. The Panthers had two final chances in the opening quarter off penalty corner inserts from Caroline Segal. Each shot attempt from Emily Stone (9:39) and Megan Fuqua (14:32) was blocked by Jumbo defenders as the score read 0-0 after one. Middlebury continued its relentless pressure just 50 seconds into the second stanza. Georgianne Defeo grabbed possession in a group of Jumbos and Panthers and blasted a bid toward the left post that was stopped by Eastburn. Lilly Branka nearly put the Panthers ahead at the 18:18 mark by sliding around two Tufts defenders on the endline and launching a bid near the left post. Eastburn stood her ground, pinning herself to the post and knocking the bid away. Lainie Person looked to put the Jumbos on the board just 2:04 into the second half, but her bid sailed wide left. Middlebury took the lead with 2:10 left on its first shot of the second half. Branka dribbled the ball near the Tufts endline and flicked a pass toward the middle of the cage. Segal sprawled out and tapped the ball in while diving to the ground for the 1-0 edge. The Panthers extended their lead at the 50:44 mark. Claire McMichael ran down the right side of the field and slid a pass toward the middle of the circle. Eastburn came off her line to kick the ball away, but Defeo got to the ball a second earlier and poked it underneath Eastburn's pads to make it 2-0. Tufts responded 22 seconds later off a penalty corner. Kylie Rosenquest found the cage after a great pass from Pearson to cut the deficit to one with 8:54 showing on the clock. Tufts tried to muster up some momentum, but Middlebury's defense stepped up to the task, not allowing a single shot over the remainder of action to earn the 2-1 triumph. Branka was named the NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player after tallying two assists during the playoffs. Branka also earned a spot on the all-tournament squad alongside Amy Griffin (2G, 2A), Keefe (1G, 1A) and Segal (6G, 1A). With one goal today, Segal moves into fifth all-time in single-season points (57). Her tally is her fifth game-winner this season and the 10th of her career. Segal's marker caps her season with 24 goals, which is tied for fifth in program history over one campaign. The Panthers close the season with 105 goals scored, good for second all-time behind the 107 scored by the 2022 and 2023 National Championship teams. Tufts and Middlebury battled for the 35th time and the fourth time in the NCAA Tournament. The Panthers have won each of the last two meetings in the postseason, including a 2-0 victory in the 2018 title tilt. Middlebury made its 21st postseason appearance and played in the championship game for the 13th time. This marked the fifth time that the NCAA Championship took place between a pair of NESCAC squads. The Panthers have appeared in each of those five contests, claiming three of them. Middlebury caps the season with a 19-2 record, marking the 13th-consecutive season that the program has tallied 15 or more triumphs.
