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WASHINGTON (AP) — American sympathies in the Middle East have shifted dramatically toward the Palestinians, according tonew Gallup polling, after decades of overwhelming support for the Israelis.

That shift accelerated during the war in Gaza. Three years ago, 54% of Americans sympathized more with the Israelis, compared to 31% for the Palestinians.

Now, their support is about evenly balanced, with 41% saying their sympathies lie more with the Palestinians, and only 36% saying the same about the Israelis.

The numbers reflect how support for Israel has become deeply contentious in the U.S., with profound implications for American politics and foreign policy. The changing sentiment has been largely driven by Democrats, who are now much more likely to sympathize with Palestinians. U.S. assistance to Israel has been a major dividing line in the party's primaries this year.

Gallup's data indicates that the shift was already happening before Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, then increased during Israel's subsequent military operations in Gaza. The polling has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points, meaning sentiment toward Israelis and Palestinians are roughly even.

"It's the first time they have reached parity, which is really quite striking," said Benedict Vigers, a senior global news writer at Gallup. "In not many years, that very significant gap in public opinion has now completely closed."

Democrats and independents

About two-thirds of Democrats now say their concerns lie more with the Palestinians, while only about 2 in 10 sympathize more with the Israelis. As recently as 2016, the picture looked very different: About half of Democrats sympathized more with the Israelis and only about one-quarter sympathized with the Palestinians.

The shift began even before the Israel-Hamas war turned the issue into a flash point within the Democratic Party. Palestinian militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in the initial attack and took another 251 hostage, but the Israeli response has been widely seen as disproportionate, with Gaza health officials reporting more than 72,000 Palestinians killed, nearly half of them women and children, and wide swaths of the territory reduced to rubble. Many progressive politicians and activists now describe Israel's actions in the war as genocide — a charge Israel vehemently denies.

Democrats have expressed greater sympathy for the Palestinians than the Israelis since 2023 — in a Gallup poll that was conducted before the Oct. 7 attacks — but Gallup's surveys show their support in the conflict has been tilting toward the Palestinians and away from the Israelis since around 2017.

Some of that early decline in sympathy appeared to be tied todisapproval of the right-leaning Israeli leader, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose favorability in the U.S.fell nearly 15 percentage points between 2017 and 2024, according to separate Gallup polling.

Netanyahu clashed with former President Barack Obama in the last year of his administration, then forged a warmer relationship with President Donald Trump, who delivered several victories to Netanyahu in his first term, includingrecognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israeland Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights. Trump also persuaded three Arab countries to establish commercial and diplomatic ties with Israel. The closeness between Trump and Netanyahu has continued into Trump's second term.

The conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians wasa point of tension for Democratsduring President Joe Biden's administration, as well as during the 2024 presidential election. An AP-NORC poll conducted toward the end of 2023, just a few months into the war in Gaza, found that Democrats weresharply dividedon whether the U.S. was too supportive of Israel, and another AP-NORC poll from 2024 found that Democratic voters were more likely to say the Israeli governmentheld "a lot" of responsibilityfor the war's escalation.

Democrats' sympathy for the Palestinians intensified as the war progressed, Gallup's polling shows, and independents' views also shifted. This year, independents expressed more sympathy for the Palestinians than the Israelis for the first time in Gallup's trend. About 4 in 10 independents are more sympathetic toward the Palestinians. That's compared to about 3 in 10 for the Israelis, a new low.

Most Republicans continue to side with Israel — about 7 in 10 say they are more sympathetic to the Israelis — but that is a slight downtick from about 8 in 10 before the start of the war. Some figures in the Republicans' isolationist "America First" wing are also increasingly questioning traditional U.S. support for Israel.

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Generational gaps

Younger adults — those 18 to 34 in this poll — are also increasingly sympathetic toward the Palestinians, according to the Gallup survey.

Younger Americans' sympathies have been shifting toward the Palestinians since around 2020, and reached a new high this year. About half of 18 to 34 year olds say they have more sympathy for the Palestinians, compared to about a quarter who say that about the Israelis.

Student protests against the Israel-Hamas warappeared on college campusesaround the country during the war, asking colleges to cut investments supporting Israel.

But the shift is only "partly a generational story," according to Vigers.

The new poll also found for the first time that middle-aged Americans, those 35 to 54, expressed more sympathy for the Palestinians than the Israelis — a reversal from last year. And while Americans over 55 are more sympathetic toward Israel, that gap is narrowing, too.

"With adults over 55, they are more sympathetic to Israelis, but it's as low as it's been since 2005," Vigers said.

Palestinian state

About 6 in 10 U.S. adults, 57%, favor the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, according to the new polling. That's not significantly different from recent years, as at least half of U.S. adults have supported an independent Palestinian state since 2020.

Vigers notes that "party polarization is at or near its record high" on this question, even though it hasn't been sharply increasing year over year.

In the last few years, there's been an uptick among Democrats and independents in support for the two-state solution. Now, about three-quarters of Democrats and roughly 6 in 10 independents say they support an independent Palestinian state. Only about one-third of Republicans say the same.

The opinions of the people who would be directly affected by a two-state solution are quite different. Only about 3 in 10 Israelis living in Israel and Palestinians living in the West Bank and east Jerusalem said they supported a two-state solution in which an independent Palestinian state existed alongside Israel, according to theGallup World Poll conducted in 2025.

"On the ground, in the region, far fewer Israelis and Palestinians tell us that they are in favor of the two-state solution than Americans when asked a very similar question," Vigers said. "There is that interesting sort of disconnect between the region itself and Americans' views toward it."

Aamer Madhani contributed to this report.

The Gallup poll was conducted Feb. 2-16, 2026, among 1,001 U.S. adults, aged 18 and older, using a sample drawn from Gallup's probability-based panel. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 4.0 percentage points.

VIENNA (AP) — Iran has not allowed the United Nations nuclear agency access to itsnuclear facilitiesbombed by Iran and the United States during a12-day warin June, according to a confidential report by the watchdog circulated to member states and seen Friday by The Associated Press.

Ukraine-Nuclear-Risks

The report from the International Atomic Energy Agency stressed that it "cannot verify whether Iran has suspended all enrichment-related activities," or the "size of Iran's uranium stockpile at the affected nuclear facilities."

Iran has four declared enrichment facilities, but the report warned that because of the lack of access, the IAEA "cannot provide any information on the current size, composition or whereabouts of the stockpile of enriched uranium in Iran."

The report stressed that the "loss of continuity of knowledge ... needs to be addressed with the utmost urgency."

Iran has long insisted its program is peaceful, but the IAEA and Western nations say Tehran had an organized nuclear weapons program up until 2003. The U.S. is seeking a deal to limit Iran's nuclear program and ensure it does not develop nuclear weapons.

Highly enriched material should be verified regularly

The IAEA reported that Iran had informed the agency in a letter dated Feb. 2 that normal safeguards were "legally untenable and materially impracticable," as a result of threats and "acts of aggression."

The confidential report also said Friday that Iran did provide access to IAEA inspectors "to each of the unaffected nuclear facilities at least once" since June 2025, with the exception of a power plant at Karun that is under construction.

Iran is legally obliged to cooperate with the IAEA under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, butsuspended all cooperationafter the war with Israel.

According to the IAEA, Iran maintains a stockpile of 440.9 kilograms (972 pounds) of uranium enriched up to 60% purity — a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%.

That stockpile could allow Iran to build as many as 10 nuclear bombs, should it decide to weaponize its program, IAEA director general Rafael Grossi warned in arecent interview with the AP. He added that it doesn't mean that Iran has such a weapon.

Such highly enriched nuclear material should normally be verified every month, according to the IAEA's guidelines.

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IAEA observes activity around nuclear sites

In the absence of direct access to the nuclear sites, the IAEA turned to commercially available satellite imagery.

Observation of the Isfahan facility, some 350 kilometers (215 miles) southeast of Tehran, showed "regular vehicular activity" around the entrance to a tunnel complex used to store enriched material, the report said.

Isfahan was struck by both Israel and the United States in June.

The IAEA said it also observed activity at the enrichment sites in Natanz and Fordow, but added that "without access to these facilities it is not possible for the Agency to confirm the nature and the purpose of the activities."

IAEA joined Geneva talks

The IAEA reported on Friday that Grossi attended negotiations between the U.S. and Iran on Feb. 17 and Feb. 26 in Geneva at which he "provided advice" on the verification of Iran's nuclear program. The report said that those negotiations are "ongoing."

Thursday's talks, the third round this year under Omani mediation, ended without a deal, leaving the danger of another Mideast war on the table as the U.S. has gathered a massive fleet ofaircraft and warshipsin the region.

An Omani official said lower-level technical talks would continue next week in Vienna, the home of the IAEA. The agency is likely to be critical in any deal.

Iran says it is not pursuing weapons and has so far resisted demands that it halt uranium enrichment on its soil or hand over its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

Similar talks last year between the U.S. and Iran about Iran's nuclear program broke down after the start of the war in June. Before then, Iran had beenenriching uranium up to 60% purity.

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/

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Tyrese Maxey usually gifts his milestone basketballs and other valuable career keepsakes to his mother.

All-Star Weekend Basketball

Denyse Maxey might have a tough time taking possession of her son's latest game ball.

For starters,Tyrese Maxeyclutched the basketball from the moment he walked off the court of the76ers' latest winall the way through the postgame news conference and back into the locker room. Like an elite guard,Maxeyseemed in no hurry to cough up the ball.

Also, Mom didn't show up Thursday night to get the ball.

"She wasn't here tonight," Maxey said, laughing.

He then tapped the mic for added effect: "Mom, that's crazy that you didn't come to my game."

Had Maxey's mother been among the sellout crowd of 19,746 fans at the 76ers' win over Miami, she would have witnessed a little slice of history.

For a franchise that boasts10 retired numbers, Maxey stands alone at No. 1 on the team's career3-point list. The 25-year-old Maxey was serenaded with "MVP!" chants as he hit five 3s against the Heat to pass Allen Iverson (whose No. 3 is one of those retired numbers) and finish the game with a record 887 — and counting.

"AI is somebody who we've all looked up to, who I looked up to as a small guard," Maxey said. "To be able to pass him in anything in basketball, that's cool."

Maxey keeps racking up the milestones in his sixth season since the 76ers took him 21st overall out of Kentucky in the 2020 draft.

He was voted anAll-Star starterfor the first time, participated in the 3-point shooting contest and is averaging career highs in most major categories, including points-per-game (29.1). Playing for a franchise that made load management in vogue in the NBA, Maxey leads the league in minutes with 38.4 per game.

"A lot of it is just opportunity," 76ers coach Nick Nurse said. "A lot of it is confidence. A lot of it is the work he's put in. It's all those kind of rolled into one."

Maxey was expected to be a spoke in the wheel when he was drafted.

The 76ers belonged toJoel Embiidand Ben Simmons and were supposed to for at least a decade. Until Simmons' career collapsed. Then the Sixers were tethered to Embiid and James Harden. Until Harden wanted out in an ugly professional divorce.

With his joyous attitude and fan friendliness that's made him one of Philadelphia's most popular athletes, Maxey was there all along waiting for his chance to prove that, yes, he could be an elite franchise player. Maxey scored50 pointsfor the first time in November 2023; the same season he earned his first All-Star game nod and was named the NBA'smost improved player.

"We know after the Harden thing went down, we had to put the ball in his hands a lot more," Nurse said. "I think he's still growing in that capacity, as well."

The 76ers count themselves lucky to have Maxey, thanks to shrewd scouting and, well, thanks also in part to current Phoenix Suns assistant coach Mike Muscala.

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Muscala hit a winning 3-pointerfor Oklahoma City in a fairly meaningless game against Miami in 2020, the pandemic season. Per terms of a previous trade, the 76ers had the Thunder's first-round pick unless it was in the top 20. But the Thunder's win in the NBA bubble meant the Sixers earned possession of the first-round selection, which was pick No. 21.

"I remember (assistant) Sam Cassell and I had kind of fallen on Maxey," former 76ers coach Doc Rivers said. "But there were a couple of guys in front of him that hadn't been drafted. And we were, like, in a silent panic. Somebody get these guys, somebody draft these guys. It all fell for us. It did. It really just fell right into our hands. It was nice."

Consider, Maxey set the 3-point record against the Heat, who took Precious Achiuwa (already on his third team) with the 20th overall pick.

"You re-draft that, he's at the very top somewhere, for sure," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said.

The 76ers sure aren't complaining about their luck in snagging Maxey.

Again, though, the Sixers tried to make Maxey just a piece of a Big Three ahead of the 2024 season when they signed Paul George to a four-year, $212 millionfree-agent contract. Maxey got paid, too, with a five-year, $204 million extension that gave the Sixers a high-priced, high-expectations road to a championship chase.

Like Simmons, like Harden, George was nowhere to be found for the Sixers on Thursday. He's in the midst of a25-game suspensionfor violating the terms of the NBA's anti-drug program.

As always, Maxey showed up.

He scored 28 points, added 11 assists and helped the Sixers stretch their lead over the Heat to 2 1/2 games for the sixth spot — the one that keeps them out of the play-in tournament — in the Eastern Conference.

"We need some signature home wins, man," Maxey said.

The 76ers got one — and another signature moment from Maxey.

For comparison, Maxey has 887 3s on 2,336 attempts (38%) in 375 career games. Iverson was 885 of 2,864 (31%) over 722 career games with the 76ers.

There's one more way Maxey would like to pass Iverson. Championships. Iverson never won one while Maxey is looking for his first.

Maxey believes the nucleus is set to win one in Philly — and he'll likely be the one to lead them.

"I know I have a coach and organization who believe in me and teammates who believe in me," Maxey said. "And when you have that it kind of pushes you to be even better than who you are."

AP NBA:https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Rihanna shared a glimpse into her daily routine in a video shared on Instagram on Friday, Feb. 27

NEED TO KNOW

• The singer was seen working on her fashion brand Savage X Fenty, new music and an outfit for her youngest son

• "Commercial break," she captioned the post, which comes as she stars in a new campaign for Dior's J'adore fragrance

Rihannais skipping sleep to stay on top of her businesses and parenting!

On Thursday, Feb. 26, the "Umbrella" singer, 38, shared a glimpse into an average day in her life onInstagramand teased potential new music as she revealed she's been in the studio.

The timestamped video began with her walking into a meeting for her fashion brand Savage X Fenty shortly after 9 p.m. After greeting her co-workers, she was seen discussing designs and examining fabric samples to give her approval. "Le Freak" by CHIC played in the background as Rihanna then signed copies of her albums,Loud, Music of the SunandGood Girl Gone Bad.

"I still have to go to the studio after this and I have to make a Mardi Gras costume for my son after the studio," she said as the meeting continued until almost 2 a.m. "Longest day ever."

The nine-time Grammy winner and rapperA$AP Rockysharetwo sons— Riot, 2, and RZA, 3 — and daughter Rocki, whom they welcomed in September.

Rihanna was busy at work in the studio by around 2:30 a.m., but muted the video's audio to avoid revealing the music she was working on.

The "We Found Love" singer hasn't released a studio album sinceANTIin 2016, while her latest song, "Friend of Mine," was released in 2025 for theSmurfsmovie.

"We should have coffee someday, get to know each other," she joked with the sound engineers in the Instagram video. "Yesterday's price is not today's price."

The musician sharing that she was in the studio sent her fans into a frenzy with hopes she is working on her ninth studio album.

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One wrote in the comments section, "Now this album is really coming!" while another of her 349 million Instagram followers added, "Studio? Do you mean new music? 🎵."

Rihanna then revealed she still hadn't slept when she began "mom duties" at 7 a.m, as she had to get straight to work on her son's Mardi Gras costume.

She was seen gluing sequins and green feathers to an umbrella before also embellishing a pair of denim pants.Chaka Khan's "I'm Every Woman" played as she carried her son Riot out of the house wearing the outfit she finished making at 8:30 a.m.

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He posed from different angles in an embellished blazer and the pants before Rihanna joined the fun, wearing a metallic Mardi Gras mask.

"Commercial break," she captioned the post, concluding the video without revealing if she was finally going to rest.

The video comes during an already busy period for Rihanna as she recently attendedNew York Fashion Weekin support of partner A$AP Rocky, 37, and teased a new Dior J'adore fragrance coming on Feb. 27.

Rocky debuted the Fall/Winter 2026 collection for AWGE during fashion week as Rihanna sat front and center.

"I'm always proud of my man," Rihanna toldNew York Post's Alexaat the event. "My guy's creative and a genius."

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Savannah Guthrieis expected to return to "Today". The question isn't if, it's when. After being away from the anchor desk for several weeks, viewers still expect her return. However, no date has been set yet. Asourcesays Guthrie will come back on her own timeline, even if she needs more time before she feels ready.

Savannah Guthrie is expected to return to Today show but timing is uncertain, says Katie Couric

Former "Today" co-anchor Katie Couric, who spent 15 years on the program, acknowledged just how delicate the moment is. "This situation is tragically unprecedented," Couric said in a recent interview. "I think it's really hard to compare anything else to what Savannah and her family are dealing with right now. Morning shows are living, breathing organisms, and when something happens to a member of these very close-knit teams, it is devastating to everyone."

In Guthrie's absence, NBC made a strategic and sensitive choice. Hoda Kotb, who stepped away from full-time duties early last year, returned on an interim basis. She now anchors alongside Craig Melvin. Kotb will remain in place while Guthrie stays with her family, according to a source close to the matter. Each morning, Melvin and Kotb remind viewers that their colleague "remains with her family."

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Guthrie has occupied the 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. flagship hours since 2012, and audiences have built a years-long relationship with her. NBC appears keenly aware of that bond. "They are fortunate that Hoda, who is a familiar and beloved face, is able to step in so seamlessly under very difficult circumstances," Couric said. "I think they are trying to handle it as well as they possibly can."

Over more than a decade, Guthrie has become central to the program's identity. She stepped into the role during a turbulent chapter in "Today"'s history, replacing Ann Curry after an exit that rattled viewers and briefly boosted "Good Morning America".

The postSavannah Guthrie Might Return to Today Show but There's a Catch — Reportappeared first onReality Tea.

The federal investigation into theLos Angeles Unified School Districtsuperintendent, whose home and school office were raided Wednesday, may be tied to a failed multimillion-dollar AI school contract involving a potential conflict of interest.

Alberto Carvalho previously awarded a $6 million contract, paying $3 million up front, to education technology company AllHere.

A former salesperson employed by the firm also had her Miami property raided the same day as Carvalho, according to public recordscitedby the Los Angeles Times. The woman, Debra Kerr, reportedly had close ties to Carvalho during his tenure leading Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

Spokesperson Jim Marshallconfirmedto local media Miami Herald that "we searched a residence in Southwest Ranches today as part of this matter and have since cleared the scene."

Fbi Raids Home And Offices Of Major Los Angeles School District Superintendent

In 2023, Carvalho secured a contract with AllHere to develop anAI chatbotcalled "Ed," designed to help address student issues such as absenteeism.

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It ultimately collapsed in 2024 after its founder, Joanna Smith-Griffi, was accused of embezzling funds amid data privacy risks and whistleblower concerns. She was later charged with securities fraud, wire fraud and identity theft.

Kerr further claimed in AllHere's bankruptcy court filings that the company owed her commissions for helping secure its deal with LAUSD,accordingto education-focused outlet The 74.

While federal officials confirmed that search warrants were conducted Wednesday, they declined to reveal the nature of the investigation, noting that the warrants remain under seal.

However, sources told the LA Times that the investigation fell under the broad category of financial issues, and that the raid focused on Carvalho rather than the California school district.

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Maine 'Mama Bear' Facing Threats As Parents Battle To Keep 8-Year-old Boy Off Girls' Basketball Team

LAUSD released a statement saying the district is fully cooperating with federal officials.

"The LAUSD Board of Education understands that today's news has raised questions across our school communities," it said.

"The Board's priority remains ensuring that our students, families, and employees experience a safe and welcoming learning environment. Teaching and learning continue across our schools. Los Angeles Unified continues to stay focused on our responsibility to serve students and our families."

The superintendent has led the nation's second-largest school district since 2022, overseeing the education of roughly 400,000 students. He was also unanimously reappointed to the position in September 2025.

Before moving to California, he spent 14 years leadingMiami‑Dade County Public Schools, the nation's fourth-largest school district.

Wednesday's raids mark the latest controversy to engulf Carvalho.

In 2020, he helped secure a $1.57 million donation from a company that had a pending contract with the district, the Miami Heraldreported.

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The funds reportedly went to an education nonprofit he founded, and the company's online learning program, which was ultimately plagued with problems, was quickly scrapped.

In June 2021, the school's inspector general determined that the donation, intended to benefit teachers, did not violate any policies but created the "appearance of impropriety," the outlet said. The foundation was subsequently urged to return the funds, which reportedly had beendistributed to teachersas $100 gift certificates.

Original article source:FBI raid involving LA schools superintendent possibly tied to failed $6M AI deal, potential conflict

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The U.S. Embassy in Israel on Friday told its staff that it could leave the country and urged anyone considering departure to do so immediately, as thethreat of an American strike on Iranlooms.

U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee told embassy employees in an email that discussions with officials in Washington had led to a decision authorizing departures for those who wished to leave.

The email was recounted to The Associated Press by someone involved with the U.S. mission who wasn't authorized to share details. Sent before 10:30 a.m., it urged staff considering departure to do so quickly, advising them to to focus initially on getting any flight out of Israel and to then make their way to Washington.

"Those wishing to take AD should do so TODAY," Huckabee wrote, using an acronym for "authorized departure."

"While there may be outbound flights over the coming days, there may not be," he added.

Huckabee said that there was no need for panic, but for those desiring to leave, it was important to make plans soon.

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The email came a day afterIran and the United Stateswalked away from nuclear negotiations without a deal. Airlines such as Netherlands-based KLM have already announced plans to suspend flights out of Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport, and other embassies have also made plans for authorized departures from Israel and neighboring countries.

Australia on Wednesday "directed the departure of all dependents of Australian officials posted to Israel in response to the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East." India and several European countries with missions in Iran advised citizens to avoid travel to the country as well.

On a town hall meeting Friday after the email was sent, Huckabee told staff that he was encouraging airlines to keep flying.

The departure authorizations signal a new level of contingency planning as a massive fleet of U.S.aircraft and warshipsmass in the Middle East.

Badr al-Busaidi, Oman's foreign minister who is mediating in the negotiations, said that there had been significant progress made on Thursday, though officials from Iran and the United States haven't announced steps forward.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Thursday offered no specifics, but said "what needs to happen has been clearly spelled out from our side."

___ Metz reported from Ramallah, West Bank.