What's Behind the Latest Controversies in US Politics and Beyond?

The past week has seen a flurry of controversies in US politics, with President Trump's comments on the US women's hockey team sparking outrage and a military plane crash in the Philippines leaving several injured. Meanwhile, in Texas, a new poll shows Rep. Jasmine Crockett leading in the Democratic primary for the US Senate, and in New York, Mayor Zohran Mamdani has appointed a new social services chief amid scrutiny over the city's handling of its homeless population.

Let's start with the controversy surrounding Trump's comments on the US women's hockey team. After the team won gold at the Winter Olympics, Trump called into the locker-room celebration and invited the players to be his guests at Tuesday's State of the Union address. However, his comments were met with criticism from team captain Hilary Knight, who called them a "distasteful joke." Knight said that the controversy overshadowed the team's Olympic win and that there is respect and support between the men's and women's teams.

In other news, a US military plane crashed into a barrier while taking off in the Philippines, leaving five service members injured. The incident occurred during a training exercise north of Manila, and the cause of the crash is still under investigation.

In Texas, a new poll shows Rep. Jasmine Crockett leading in the Democratic primary for the US Senate. The poll, conducted by the University of Texas/Texas Politics Project, shows Crockett leading her opponent, Texas State Rep. James Talarico, 56 percent to 44 percent. The primary is seen as a key contest in the battle for control of the US Senate.

In New York, Mayor Zohran Mamdani has appointed a new social services chief amid scrutiny over the city's handling of its homeless population. The appointment comes after at least 20 people were found dead outdoors during an especially cold winter. The new commissioner, Erin Dalton, has experience working with homeless populations and has promised to improve the city's social services.

Finally, in Massachusetts, Democrats are pressing Trump on his Cuba policy amid a crisis on the island. Sens. Ed Markey and Elizabeth Warren, along with Rep. James McGovern, wrote a letter to Trump questioning his foreign policy initiatives in Cuba. The letter comes as the island struggles with a shortage of resources, including oil, due to sanctions imposed by the Trump administration.

As the US continues to grapple with a range of domestic and international issues, these controversies are likely to remain in the headlines for the foreseeable future.

Sources:

• "US hockey star Hilary Knight responds to Trump's 'distasteful joke' about women's team" (The Guardian)
• "5 hurt when US military plane hits barrier on takeoff in Philippines" (CNN)
• "Crockett up by double digits in Texas Senate Democratic primary poll" (The Hill)
• "Mamdani names new social services chief amid scrutiny over deaths of homeless New Yorkers" (The New York Times)
• "Massachusetts Democrats press Trump on Cuba policy amid crisis" (The Boston Globe)