Salt Lake City, Utah - The Kroger Co. today announced that its Smith's Food & Drug Stores division will be the company's second banner to stop accepting Visa credit cards as a form of payment, beginning April 3, 2019. Smith's will continue to accept all other forms of payment.

Washington, DC - The number of cigarettes that the largest cigarette companies in the United States sold to wholesalers and retailers nationwide declined from 240.5 billion in 2016 to 229.1 billion in 2017, according to the most recent Federal Trade Commission Cigarette Report.

San Diego, California - Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer has approved Key West, Florida as the site for the commissioning of the future USS Billings (LCS 15). The event will take place in August 2019. The specific date has yet to be announced.

Washington, DC - Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo: "Following Indian counter-terrorism actions on Tuesday, I spoke with Indian Minister of External Affairs Swaraj to emphasize our close security partnership and shared goal of maintaining peace and security in the region. I also spoke to Pakistani Foreign Minister Qureshi to underscore the priority of de-escalating current tensions by avoiding military action, and the urgency of Pakistan taking meaningful action against terrorist groups operating on its soil.

Washington, DC - Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo: "Five years ago, Russia's occupation of Ukraine's Crimean peninsula fueled an escalation of Russian aggression. Russia attempted to upend the international order, undermined basic human freedoms, and weakened our common security. The world has not forgotten the cynical lies Russia employed to justify its aggression and mask its attempted annexation of Ukrainian territory. Russia’s use of force against a peaceful neighbor must not be tolerated by reputable states. The United States reiterates its unwavering position: Crimea is Ukraine and must be returned to Ukraine’s control.

San Diego, California - Did you know that one in 12 women will be victims of stalking at some point in their lives? Men make up a smaller, but equally victimized group.