On February 16, 2026, a mass shooting occurred at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, during a high school boys' hockey game. The incident took place at approximately 2:30 PM during a "Senior Night" match between the Coventry/Johnston co-op team and the Blackstone Valley Co-op. The shooting resulted in three deaths, including the perpetrator, and left three others critically injured.

The Incident

The shooting began in the stands during gameplay, causing immediate panic among the dozens of spectators and student athletes. Witnesses reported hearing a rapid burst of 11 to 13 gunshots. Many players initially mistook the sound for skates banging against the boards or balloons popping before fleeing the ice to barricade themselves in locker rooms. The violence ended after a "Good Samaritan" intervened, which police credit with preventing further tragedy. The gunman was found dead at the scene from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Victims and Targeted Nature

Authorities described the shooting as a targeted act of domestic violence stemming from a family dispute. The fatalities included:

• The perpetrator’s daughter, who died at the arena.

• The perpetrator’s wife, who passed away after being transported to the hospital.

• The perpetrator himself.

The three injured victims, identified as family members and a family friend, were hospitalized in critical condition at Rhode Island Hospital.

The Perpetrator

The shooter was identified as Robert K. Dorgan, a 56-year-old resident of North Providence. Dorgan, who also used the names Roberta and Roberta Esposito, was the father of a senior student playing in the game.

Court records and family statements revealed a troubled background:

• Mental Health: Dorgan’s daughter stated that he suffered from mental health issues.

• Gender Identity and Disputes: Dorgan was transgender and had undergone gender-reassignment surgery in 2020. This transition was a central point of contention in several family disputes and played a role in his 2020 divorce from his wife, Rhonda.

• Social Media: Posts attributed to Dorgan's accounts revealed extremist, racist, antisemitic, and pro-Nazi views.

Aftermath and Official Response

In response to the tragedy, Governor Dan McKee and Mayor Don Grebien issued statements of mourning and established mental health support services, including a 211 hotline and grief counseling at the Blackstone Valley Visitor's Center. The Rhode Island Interscholastic League temporarily suspended all high school games statewide out of respect for the victims.

The event also reignited calls for stricter gun control. Advocates from organizations such as Moms Demand Action and Stop Gun Violence demanded legislative action, specifically citing the need for safe storage laws and "red flag" laws to prevent individuals in crisis from possessing firearms. This tragedy occurred only two months after another mass shooting at Brown University in nearby Providence.

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Chinese New Year 2026, also known as the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, officially begins on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, marking the arrival of the Year of the Fire Horse. This rare astrological combination occurs only once every 60 years, with the last instance in 1966. The Horse symbolizes strength, speed, success, and vitality, while the Fire element adds intense passion and bold ambition to the year's energy.

Key Dates and Public Holidays

The 2026 celebration in mainland China features the longest Spring Festival holiday in history, lasting nine days from February 15 to February 23. To compensate for this extended break, February 14 and February 28 are designated as adjusted workdays. While official holidays vary by region—such as three days in Hong Kong and Macau—the cultural festivities traditionally span 16 days, culminating in the Lantern Festival on March 3, 2026.

Traditions and Taboos

Adhering to ancient customs is vital for securing good fortune in the coming year. Key practices include:

• Cleaning and Sweeping: Houses should be cleaned before the festival. During the first days of the New Year, sweeping or taking out the trash is strictly forbidden, as it is seen as symbolically throwing away luck and wealth.

• Appearance: Getting a haircut is discouraged because the word for "hair" is a homonym for "prosperity"; cutting it is equated to cutting away one's fortune. Participants are encouraged to wear red or gold for good luck and to avoid black or white, which are associated with mourning.

• Language and Behavior: One must avoid unlucky words related to death, illness, or poverty. Breaking glass or porcelain is considered a bad omen, though the bad luck can be negated by reciting auspicious phrases like "suì suì píng ān".

• Shou Sui: On New Year’s Eve, families stay up late to usher in the new year, a tradition rooted in protecting children from the mythological monster "Suì".

Symbolic Cuisine

Food plays a central role in the celebrations, with each dish carrying a specific meaning:

• Whole Fish (Yú): Served intact to represent "surplus" and abundance year after year.

• Dumplings (Jiaozi): Their shape resembles ancient gold ingots, symbolizing wealth and new beginnings.

• Year Cake (Nian Gao): A sticky rice cake that symbolizes rising higher and making progress each year.

• Forbidden Foods: One should avoid eating porridge on the first day of the year, as it was historically associated with poverty.

Celebrations and Greetings

Major public events, such as the Chinese New Year Night Parade in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, will feature dazzling floats, including a horse-themed installation by the Hong Kong Jockey Club and international performances from groups like Italy’s flag-wavers and the Philippines' Masskara dancers.

When greeting others, the most common phrases include "Gong Xi Fa Cai" (Mandarin) or "Gong Hei Fat Choy" (Cantonese), wishing for prosperity and wealth. For the 2026 zodiac, the idiom "Ma Dao Cheng Gong" (May success arrive immediately with the horse) is particularly auspicious.

The Fire Horse Personality

Children born between February 17, 2026, and February 5, 2027, will be Fire Horses. They are predicted to be charismatic, independent, adventurous, and hardworking. However, the "double fire" nature of this sign can also lead to impulsivity and a stubborn streak, requiring a balance of patience and clear routines from parents.

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In the year 1447 AH (2026), Ramadan is expected to be a significant spiritual and liturgical milestone, falling during the late winter and early spring. The month is defined by Sawm (fasting), one of the five pillars of Islam, where practitioners abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs from dawn until sunset to cultivate piety and God-consciousness.

Dates and Methodology

Determining the start of Ramadan 2026 is complex due to a divergence between astronomical calculations and traditional sightings.

• North America and Europe: The Fiqh Council of North America (FCNA) and the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) have officially announced that Ramadan will begin on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, based on astronomical calculations.

• Middle East and Asia: Many other regions, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Turkey, Singapore, and Oman, expect the month to begin on Thursday, February 19, 2026. This is because the moon is projected to set before or very shortly after the sun on February 17, making a physical sighting nearly impossible.

• Astronomical Context: A rare annular solar eclipse will occur on February 17, 2026, which scientists use to confirm the moon's position at the moment of conjunction.

Fasting and Spiritual Observance

Daily life during Ramadan is governed by the prayer timetable, starting with the pre-dawn meal (Suhoor) and ending at sunset with Iftar.

• Fasting Durations: Because Ramadan occurs in late winter for the Northern Hemisphere, fasting hours will be moderate, ranging from approximately 11.5 to 15.5 hours globally. For example, London will see an 11-hour fast, while Christchurch, New Zealand, will experience over 15 hours.

• Taraweeh and Laylat al-Qadr: Nights are marked by Taraweeh congregational prayers. The spiritual climax occurs during the last ten nights, particularly Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Power), which is expected to fall on the evening of March 16, 2026 (the 27th night).

Community and Economic Impact

Ramadan 2026 will trigger major adjustments in public and economic life, particularly in Muslim-majority nations.

• Labor and Governance: Countries like the UAE, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia mandate reduced working hours for both public and private sectors to accommodate those fasting.

• Charity (Zakat): Charity is essential, with Zakat al-Fitr (a mandatory year-end donation) set at approximately AED 25 in the UAE and a recommended $10 in the United States.

• Public Events: Cities like Dubai have planned extensive cultural programs, including drone shows, street food festivals, and "Ramadan Wonders Markets".

Conclusion: Eid al-Fitr

The month will conclude with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, which is expected to fall on Friday, March 20, 2026, or Saturday, March 21, 2026, depending on the length of the month (29 or 30 days) and the sighting of the new crescent for the month of Shawwal.

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