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• Two young sisters have died following a fire that fully engulfed a home in Queensland, Australia, on Sunday, Feb. 1

• The siblings were treated for breathing difficulties in the hospital prior to their deaths

• Two teenage boys were also treated in the hospital after escaping the blaze
  

Two young sisters have died following a devastating house fire in Queensland, Australia.

On Friday, Feb. 6, the Queensland Police confirmed in areleasethat the siblings died on Thursday following a fire that occurred at their family home in the city of Townsville on Sunday, Feb. 1.

"Emergency services were called to the Gum Court address around 5:30 a.m. following reports of the property being fully alight," authorities said.

"Two teenage boys were able to escape the fire, with emergency services able to extract a two-year-old girl and a 13-year-old girl from the house," the release added.

The sisters have been identified as sisters, Hallie, 2, and Evie, 13, according to theAustralian Broadcasting Corporation(ABC),news.com.auand9NEWS.

Both girls were taken to the Townsville University Hospital in a critical condition after suffering breathing difficulties. The boys who escaped the blaze were reported to have sustained smoke inhalation injuries, per ABC.

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While it's currently unclear what caused the fire, police stated in their release that the incident is not being treated as suspicious.

"There are no words to describe the pain being experienced by the girls' parents, Karah and Zac," a statement by the Townsville Hospital and Health Service on behalf of the family, read, per ABC and aGoFundMepage.

"Both parents would like to thank friends, extended family and the wider community for the care, compassion and support shown during this incredibly difficult time," the statement continued.

"As the family grieves and supports their other children and loved ones, they kindly ask that their privacy is respected," the statement added.

A spokesperson from the family also said in a statement earlier this week that the girls' mother Karah worked as a nurse at the Townsville University Hospital, per ABC.

They added that the mother was a "devoted single mother of four."

"She has spent her career caring for others and is now facing unimaginable heartbreak, while also having lost her family home," the spokesperson added. "The emotional, physical and financial strain on her and the wider family is overwhelming."

PEOPLE has contacted the Queensland Police Department and the Townsville Hospital and Health Service for comment.

Read the original article onPeople

OSLO, Norway (AP) — Norway's crown princess issued an apology on Friday to those she has "disappointed" following days of scrutiny of her contacts with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and said she was sorry for the situation she had put the royal family in.

Crown Princess Mette-Marit's communications and contacts withEpsteinhave put her in the spotlight in recent days, adding to the embarrassment to the royals just as her son wentto trial this weekfor multiple offences including charges of rape.

The Epstein files contained several hundred mentions of the crown princess, who said in 2019 that she regretted having had contact with Epstein, Norwegian media reported.

The documents, which include email exchanges, showed that Mette-Marit borrowed an Epstein-owned property in Palm Beach, Florida, for several days in 2013. Broadcaster NRK reported that the stay was arranged through a mutual friend, which was later confirmed by the royal household.

The royal palace said Friday that Mette-Marit wants to talk about what happened and explain herself in more detail, but is unable to at present. It added that she is in a very difficult situation and "hopes for understanding that she needs time to gather her thoughts."

It also issued a statement from the crown princess herself, her second in a week, in which she reiterated her deep regret for her past friendship with Epstein.

"It is important for me to apologize to all of you whom I have disappointed," she said. "Some of the content of the messages between Epstein and me does not represent the person I want to be. I also apologize for the situation I have put the Royal Family in, especially the King and Queen."

Mette-Marit said in a statement issued shortly after the latest Epstein files were released that she "must take responsibility for not having investigated Epstein's background more thoroughly, and for not realizing sooner what kind of person he was." She added: "I showed poor judgment and regret having had any contact with Epstein at all. It is simply embarrassing."

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A suicide bomber targeted a Shiite mosque on the outskirts ofIslamabadduring Friday prayers, killing 31 people and wounding at least 169 others, officials said, a rare bombing inPakistan'scapital as its Western-allied government struggles to rein in a surge in militant attacks across the country.

APTOPIX Pakistan Shiite Mosque Blast

Television footage and social media images showed police and residents transporting the wounded to nearby hospitals. Some of the wounded in the attack on the sprawling mosque of Khadija Al-Kubra were reported to be in critical condition.

Rescuers and witnesses described a harrowing scene, with bodies and wounded lying on the mosque's carpeted floor. Hussain Shah said he was praying in the mosque courtyard when he heard a sudden, loud explosion.

"I immediately thought that some big attack had happened," he said. He then went into the mosque to utter chaos — many of the wounded were screaming and crying out for help. Shah said he counted around 30 bodies inside the mosque, while the number of the wounded appeared to be significantly higher.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the explosion, but suspicion is likely to fall on militants such as the Pakistani Taliban or the Islamic State group, which has been blamed forprevious attacks on Shiite worshippers, a minority in the country. Militant groups across Pakistan often target security forces and civilians.

A surge in militant attacks

Though attacks are not so frequent in Islamabad, Pakistan has seen a surge in militant violence in recent months, largely blamed onBaloch separatist groupsand the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, which is a separate group, but allied with Afghanistan's Taliban. A regional affiliate ofthe Islamic State grouphas also been active in the country.

In the initial aftermath of the explosion, a lower number of casualties was released, but Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Memon gave the latest tolls.

Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif wrote on X that preliminary findings suggest the suicide bomber had been on the move to and from Afghanistan. Asif said the mosque's security guards tried to intercept the suspect, who opened fire at them and then detonated his explosives among the worshippers.

The condition of the guards was not immediately known. Pakistan often accuses Afghanistan, where the Taliban seized power again in August 2021 as American and NATO troops were withdrawing after a 20-year war, of harboring militants and members of the Pakistani Taliban. Kabul denies the accusation.

Afghanistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement Friday saying that the "Islamic Republic of Afghanistan condemns such attacks that violate the sanctity of sacred rituals and mosques and target worshippers and innocent people."

The attack also drew condemnation from the international community, including the United Sates and European Union. Condolences and condemnation also poured in from various embassies in Islamabad.

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Political and religious leaders condemn the attack

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended condolences to the families of the victims in sperate statements and asked that all possible medical assistance be provided for those wounded.

"Targeting innocent civilians is a crime against humanity," Zardari said. "The nation stands with the affected families in this difficult time."

"Those who are responsible must be identified and punished," Sharif said. Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also condemned the attack.

Friday's attack occurred as Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who is on an official two-day visit, was attending an event with Sharif. The event in Islamabad was several miles away from the site of the explosion.

A top Shiite leader, Raja Nasir, expressed deep sorrow over the attack at Khadija Al-Kubra.

"Such a terrorist act in the federal capital is not only a serious failure in protecting human lives but also raises significant questions about the performance of the authorities and law enforcement agencies," he said and asked for people to give blood as the hospitals in Islamabad were in urgent need for blood supplies for the wounded.

The last deadliest attack in Islamabad was in 2008, when a suicide bombing targeted the Marriott Hotel in the capital, killing 63 people and wounding over 250 others. In November, asuicide bomber had struck outside a court in Islamabad,killing 12 people.

The latest attack came nearly a week after the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army carried out multiple attacks in insurgency-hit southwestern Balochistan province, killing about 50 people.

Security forces responding to those attacks also killed more than 200 "terrorists," according to the military.

Associated Press writers Babar Dogar in Lahore and Asim Tanveer in Multan, Pakistan, contributed to this story.

While events for the 2026 Olympics have already begun, the Winter Gamesofficially kick off this Friday, Feb. 6, with the Milan Cortina Opening Ceremony. The 2026 Opening Ceremony theme is "Armonia," or harmony in English. You can expect to see Olympians parade through Italy, witness the passing of the Olympic flame and the lighting of the Olympic cauldron and enjoy performances from Italian and international artists, including Andrea Bocelli and Mariah Carey.

The Opening Ceremony for the 2026 Winter Olympics will officially begin at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT. An enhanced primetime encore broadcast will re-air on NBC Friday evening at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Here's what else you need to know about watching the 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony. Looking forhow to watch every event during the Winter Games? Yahoo has you covered.

How to watch the 2026 Olympics Opening Ceremony:

Date:Friday, Feb. 6, 2026

Time:2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT

TV channel:NBC

Streaming:Peacock

When is the 2026 Olympics Opening Ceremony?

The Winter Games officially begin with the Opening Ceremony on Feb. 6 (though some events will start as early as Feb. 4).

Olympics Opening Ceremony start time

The Opening Ceremony for the 2026 Winter Games will begin at 2 p.m. ET/ 11 a.m. PT on Friday, Feb. 6. It will also re-air in primetime on NBC at 8 p.m. ET.

2026 Olympics Opening Ceremony TV channel

All of the 2026 Winter Olympics, including the Opening Ceremony, will air on NBC and stream live on Peacock.

NBC Sports legend Terry Gannon will host coverage of the Milan Cortina Opening Ceremony, with help from three-time Olympic snowboarding champion Shaun White.

How to watch the 2026 Olympics Opening Ceremony without cable

Who is performing at the Milan Cortina 2026 Opening Ceremony?

In addition to the Olympians, Mariah Carey has been announced as a headlining performer. Carey will join a lineup which includes Italian actress Matilda De Angelis, Andrea Bocelli, Laura Pausini and Ghali.

How long is the Olympic Opening Ceremony?

The 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony is expected to last around three hours.

Where are the Winter Olympics this year?

The 2026 Winter Olympics will be held in Northern Italy, primarily in Milan and also the Alpine mountain resort town of Cortina d'Ampezzo. The Opening Ceremony will primarily take place inside San Siro Stadium.

Winter Olympics time difference

This year's Olympic Games are in Italy, which is 6 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Time, so some events will start bright and early for U.S. viewers, and live coverage will likely wrap up around 4 p.m. ET each day. NBC will have primetime replays of the biggest moments each night.

2026 Winter Olympics TV/streaming schedule

All times Eastern.

Wednesday, Feb. 4 (Pre-opening competition begins)

Curling (round robin) – 2 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Curling (round robin) – 8 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Alpine skiing training – 3–6 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Thursday, Feb. 5

Curling (round robin) – 2 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Curling (round robin) – 8 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Freestyle skiing qualifications – 4 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Snowboard qualifications – 6 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Friday, Feb. 6 – Opening ceremony

Curling (round robin) – 2 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Figure skating (team event short programs) – 6 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Snowboard slopestyle qualifications – 6 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Speedskating (early distances) – 8 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Opening ceremony – 2 p.m. (Peacock – Live)

Opening ceremony – 8 p.m. (NBC – Primetime)

Saturday, Feb. 7

Alpine skiing (men's downhill) – 3 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Snowboard slopestyle finals – 6 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Speedskating medals – 7 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Figure skating (team free programs) – 8 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Hockey (group play begins) – 10 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Sunday, Feb. 8

Alpine skiing (women's downhill) – 3 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Freestyle skiing moguls finals – 6 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Figure skating (pairs short program) – 8 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Luge (singles runs) – 9 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Hockey (group play) – 12 p.m. (Peacock – Live)

Monday, Feb. 9

Biathlon sprint – 5 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Speedskating medals – 7 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Figure skating (pairs free skate – medals) – 8 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Curling (round robin) – 9 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Skeleton (heat 1–2) – 11 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Tuesday, Feb. 10

Alpine skiing (giant slalom) – 4 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Snowboard halfpipe qualifications – 6 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Figure skating (men's short program) – 8 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Curling (round robin) – 10 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Wednesday, Feb. 11

Nordic combined – 4 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Freestyle skiing aerials finals – 6 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Figure skating (men's free skate – medals) – 8 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Speedskating medals – 11 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Thursday, Feb. 12

Alpine skiing (slalom) – 4 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Snowboard halfpipe finals – 6 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Figure skating (ice dance rhythm dance) – 8 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Curling (medal round qualifiers) – 10 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Friday, Feb. 13

Biathlon pursuit – 5 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Figure skating (ice dance free dance – medals) – 8 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Skeleton finals – 10 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Hockey (quarterfinals) – 12 p.m. (Peacock – Live)

Saturday, Feb. 14

Alpine skiing (tea.m. combined) – 4 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Cross-country skiing distance race – 6 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Figure skating (women's short program) – 8 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Speedskating medals – 11 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Sunday, Feb. 15

Snowboard cross finals – 6 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Figure skating (women's free skate – medals) – 8 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Luge relay – 11 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Hockey (semifinals) – 1 p.m. (Peacock – Live)

Monday, Feb. 16

Freestyle skiing dual moguls – 6 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Cross-country skiing team sprint – 8 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Curling (medal games) – 10 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Tuesday, Feb. 17

Biathlon relay – 5 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Speedskating team pursuit – 7 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Hockey (placement games) – 12 p.m. (Peacock – Live)

Wednesday, Feb. 18

Alpine skiing (final technical events) – 4 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Freestyle skiing big air – 6 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Curling (gold medal match) – 9 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Thursday, Feb. 19

Cross-country skiing marathon – 6 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Snowboard parallel events – 8 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Hockey (bronze medal games) – 1 p.m. (Peacock – Live)

Friday, Feb. 20

Biathlon mass start – 6 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Speedskating final medals – 8 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Figure skating gala – 1 p.m. (Peacock – Live)

Saturday, Feb. 21

Men's hockey gold medal game – 12 p.m. (Peacock – Live)

Women's hockey gold medal game – 3 p.m. (Peacock – Live)

Men's hockey gold medal game – 8 p.m. (NBC – Primetime)

Sunday, Feb. 22 – Closing Ceremony

Cross-country skiing final event – 6 a.m. (Peacock – Live)

Closing Ceremony – 2 p.m. (Peacock – Live)

Closing Ceremony – 8 p.m. (NBC – Primetime)

More ways to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics on NBC

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"You have to think about other people, and I have enough to think about."

The Gist

• Whoopi Goldberg is the subject of a new Interview Magazine feature.

• She made rare comments about her love life while speaking with playwright Jeremy O. Harris.

• "Being lonely and being alone are two different things," Goldberg shared.

Whoopi Goldbergrarely discusses her love life, but in a newInterview Magazinefeature, she admitted that "not everybody's cut out to be in a relationship."

"I'm not good at relationships because you have to think about other people, and I have enough to think about with my daughter and her husband and my grandkids and my great-grandkids and all the people at work," she told playwrightJeremy O. Harrisin an article published on Wednesday, February 4.

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"In the last 25 years, I recognized that not everybody's cut out to be in a relationship. Some people are just cut out to be one-night stands," she added. "I don't want to live with anybody. I lived with my daughter. That's all I can handle. I have lots of people that I love, but I don't need them living with me. I don't need to be sleeping with them."

Goldberg, who has been divorced three times, has one child, Alex Martin, with her first ex-husband, Alvin Martin. She was later married to David Claessen from 1986 to 1988, followed by Lyle Trachtenberg from 1994 to 1995.

In the same interview, Goldberg also shared why living alone suits her.

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"Being lonely and being alone are two different things," Goldberg explained. "I don't necessarily get lonely because there's enough people around who don't let me. But most people are not comfortable being alone because we've been taught that there's something wrong with you if you're not a pair, that being singular, eating singular, is a bad thing."

Goldberg went on to say how she accepts that she's "not great at partnerships."

"There are some people who are brilliant at it, but I think we walk into relationships with a lie and say, 'I'm not trying to change you.' But in fact, you are trying to change them," she said. "I'd rather you say, 'Listen, I don't know if I could be true to you. I think I might need more than one person in my life.' I'd rather hear you tell me that so I can make the decision."

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Read the original article onInStyle

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"He Got Game," the song from theSpike Leemovie of the same name, has a new sound.

A version of the track released this week features a new title, "She Got Game," and a new opening — part of feminist iconGloria Steinem's landmark "Address to the Women of America" speech.

Public Enemyreturn, of course, but additional artists on the song include Flau'jae and Retina MC, along with appearances by Cindy Blackman Santana, Blu DeTiger, Grace Bowers, and Elizabeth Beisel, who has won two Olympic medals in swimming.

"Yeah boy,"Flavor Flavraps, "she in a league of her own/ three-point clutch, she in a zone/ I got the clocks so I got the time, she got game, so she gets to shine."

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

Public Enemy was formed in 1982 and originally included Flavor Flav,Chuck D, Terminator X, and Professor Griff. The influential rap group's music includes such classics as "Fight the Power," "Don't Believe the Hype," "Welcome to the Terrordome," and "911 Is a Joke."

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In 1998, they released the albumHe Got Gameas the movie's soundtrack, with the song of the same name. The film stars Denzel Washington as Jake Shuttlesworth, who must convince his basketball player son, Jesus (Ray Allen), to attend the governor's alma mater to get Jake's prison sentence reduced.

Proceeds from "She Got Game" will benefit the Women's Sports Foundation and Black Music Action Coalition's Female Fund.

The inspiration for the project came from Flavor Flav's connection to the Olympics. The rapper and former reality TV star is an official hype man at the Milan Cortina Games.

While he's had the job before, for the U.S. women's water polo, this go around, he's cheering for theU.S. bobsleigh and skeleton teams.

The 2026 Olympics arealready underway, although the opening ceremony isn't until Friday.

Watch the Milan Cortina Games on NBC and Peacock.

Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

President Donald Trump tours a migrant detention center, dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz," located at the site of the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in Ochopee, Florida, on July 1, 2025. Credit - Andrew Caballero-Reynolds—AFP/Getty Images

As the Trump Administration seeks to expand its immigrant detention capacity around the country by converting warehouses and other facilities to house thousands of detainees, local communities, government leaders, and even the would-be sellers of some of the buildings are putting up a fight.

President Donald Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" allocated $45 billion to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to build new detention centers, part of a larger $170 million the law put toward immigration enforcement.

The agency has already made moves to acquire buildings to serve as detention centers in at least eight states, with three properties purchased just last month: one for $102 million in Maryland, another for $84 million in Pennsylvania, and a third for $70 million in Arizona.

But as the Administration's aggressive immigration crackdown draws widespread backlash and scrutiny following the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by federal agents in Minneapolis in January, ICE's efforts to expand its detention network are also facing pushback.

Read more:Inside Mayor Jacob Frey's Fight For Minneapolis

Republican Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippiwroteto Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Wednesday to voice his disapproval of the agency's plan to establish one such facility in his home state.

"While I support the enforcement of immigration law, I write to express my opposition to this acquisition and the proposed detention center," the senator wrote. Noting that in his understanding the facility would have room to house more than 8,500 beds, he added that the town of Byhalia, where it would be located, does not have enough medical and human services to support such a large detainee population.

Wicker is just the latest of a number of leaders who have spoken against the moves to build new detention centers or taken action to block their establishment as residents in many of the surrounding communities have made their own shows of protest.

Here are some of the other places where communities and their representatives are pushing back.

Oklahoma City

In Oklahoma City, the Department of Homeland Security outlined plans to convert a warehouse located near the largely Hispanic Western Heights School District into a detention center. But following weeks of opposition from locals and city council members, the company that owns the warehouse broke off talks with the agency and said it wouldn't be selling.

Mayor David Holt—a Republican—released a statement announcing the decision after meeting with the property owners last week.

"The owners of the property at 2800 S. Council Road confirmed to me this morning that they are no longer engaged with the Department of Homeland Security about a potential acquisition or lease of this property," Holt said. "I commend the owners for their decision and thank them on behalf of the people of Oklahoma City. As Mayor, I ask that every single property owner in Oklahoma City exhibit the same concern for our community in the days ahead."

Salt Lake City

In Salt Lake City, Mayor Erin Mendenhall last month sent a letter to the owner of a warehouse on the city's west side that was rumored to be in ICE's sights stating that if the facility were to be used a detention center it would be in violation of city code, according to theSalt Lake Tribune, which obtained a copy of the letter.

Some 50 Utahns gathered in early January outside of the warehouse to protest the suspected efforts to acquire the building to convert into an ICE facility, carrying American flags and "ICE OUT" signs.

Mendenhall, a Democrat, told the owner of the warehouse that the building would need to have enough bathrooms, exits, and fire emergency systems to satisfy zoning requirements if it were to hold more than 20 "individuals whose movements are restricted in any way," according to the Tribune. She also warned that a detention facility would "have an enormous impact" on the area's water supply and sewage system.

The mayor later called aggressive federal immigration enforcement actions in other cities "utterly deplorable" in a state of the city address. "Such a facility has no place in our city, whether at that site or anywhere else," Mendenhall said.

The 20 Democratic members of Utah's Senate and House of Representatives also sent a letter to the state's four U.S. House members and two U.S. senators calling for them to combat the apparent plans for the facility.

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"We urge you to publicly oppose the placement of an ICE detention facility in Utah, demand transparency and accountability from the Department of Homeland Security and use your oversight and appropriations authority to prevent federal funding from being used to expand immigration detention here," reads the letter.

The Ritchie Group, which owns the warehouse DHS was rumored to be interested in purchasing, last week released a statement saying it had no intention of selling or leasing the property to the government following the pushback.

Kansas City

Federal agents toured another large warehouse, in Kansas City, in mid-January. Democratic Jackson County Legislator Manny Abarca IV, who said he went by the facility to observe after being told DHS was touring it, shared avideoof federal officers shining a flashlight at him and asking him questions while he was in his car. Abarca said in the post that ICE agents confirmed the agency was "looking to place a 7,500 bed facility in this or a similar building in the area."

Hours later, city council members issued a moratorium on approvals for nonmunicipal detention facilities in a 12-1 vote. The moratorium is in effect until Jan. 15, 2031, and covers any permits, zoning, or development applications that would need the city's approval. The warehouse would require a special use permit from the city to operate as a detention center.

"If they want to continue to do business in Kansas City, they need to understand that you are not going to sell out our community for short-term profit," council member Johnathan Duncan, who represents the district in which the warehouse is located,toldlocal NPR affiliate KCUR.

Abarca has said he will seek to impose a similar moratorium on the county level.

The day after the city council approved the measure, the property's owner, independent private investment firm Platform Ventures, toldlocaloutletsin a statement that it was approached with an unsolicited offer to buy the warehouse in October 2025 and that "all negotiations are complete."

"PV does not question prospective buyers on their intent after close, and we will not engage in public conversations involving speculation over future uses," the company said.

Ashland, Virginia

The owner of yet another warehouse eyed by ICE, a 550,000 square-foot facility in the small town of Ashland, Virginia, announced last week that it would no longer be selling the property to DHS after news of the planned sale drew backlash.

"The transaction to sell our industrial building in Ashland, Virginia will not be proceeding," the Canadian company, Jim Pattison Developments, said in astatement.

DHS's acquisition of the building faced opposition from both local residents and leaders, as well as voices within Canada .

Sean Davis, the chairman of the board of supervisors in Hanover County, where Ashland is located, told residents that the board opposed the sale after hundreds gathered at the county administrative building to protest the transaction before it was cancelled.

Amid the outcry, the company said in a statement the week before it announced it was not going through with the sale that it had not been aware of the ultimate owner or intended use of the building at the time that it accepted the offer to buy the warehouse from "a U.S. government contractor."

"We understand that the conversation around immigration policy and enforcement is particularly heated, and has become much more so over the past few weeks," Jim Pattison Developments said at the time. "We respect that this issue is deeply important to many people."

Elkridge, Maryland

Nearby in Maryland, Howard County executive Calvin Ballannouncedearlier this week that the county had revoked a building permit for another planned detention facility in Elkridge.

"The retrofitting of private office buildings for detention use, without transparency, without public input, without clear oversight, is deeply troubling," Ball, a Democrat, said at a news conference on Monday.

At a publichearingabout the proposed facility on Thursday, county leaders said they believed the Administration was seeking to convert a 29,000 office building into an ICE detention center and discussed two proposed bills that are aimed at preventing such a move.

"We all know in this room that an ICE detention facility is not welcome here in Elkridge and it's not welcome anywhere in Maryland," Democratic Rep. Sarah Elfreth, who represents the area in the House, said during the hearing.

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