Global financial markets experienced volatile trading Tuesday as U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement about halting military action against Iran sent ripples through oil prices and equity markets worldwide.
On Monday, Trump revealed he had suspended planned military strikes against Iran to create space for diplomatic discussions aimed at ending the ongoing conflict, following Tehran’s submission of a new peace proposal to Washington.
The president later expressed optimism about potential negotiations, stating there was a “very good chance” the United States could broker an agreement with Iran to prevent the nation from acquiring nuclear weapons.
However, market participants remained wary after being shaken by a weekend drone attack in the United Arab Emirates during the previous trading session.
“We’ve seen a lot of back and forth already,” commented Fabien Yip, a market analyst at IG.
“Until we actually see real action happening (in the Strait of Hormuz), whereby ships are passing through safely and we see a material rebound in the numbers of traffic going through in the Strait, I think the market in general is shrugging off the commentary from either side,” Yip added.
Energy markets responded immediately to Trump’s diplomatic overtures, with Brent crude futures dropping over 2% to $109.41 per barrel, while U.S. crude declined 1.3% to $107.25 per barrel. Despite these decreases, both oil benchmarks remained more than 50% higher than their pre-conflict levels.
Equity markets across Asia showed mixed performance, with MSCI’s comprehensive Asia-Pacific index excluding Japan declining 0.22%. Japan’s Nikkei bucked the trend with a 1% gain, while South Korea’s Kospi tumbled 2%.
U.S. futures markets reflected uncertainty, as Nasdaq futures erased earlier gains to trade 0.07% lower and S&P 500 futures slipped 0.03%. European markets appeared more optimistic, with EUROSTOXX 50 futures climbing 0.4%, FTSE futures advancing 0.3%, and DAX futures rising 0.4%.
Market attention will soon shift to Nvidia’s earnings report scheduled for Wednesday, which analysts view as crucial for the artificial intelligence sector and broader market sentiment.
“Nvidia’s earnings are the ultimate test for a stock market that is not only trading at record highs, but one that also had a breathtaking bounce off of the March lows, as Nvidia is the market’s shorthand for everything AI and this market’s gains have been driven in large part by AI over the past few years,” explained Richard Reyle, chief investment officer at Questar Capital Partners.
The decline in oil prices provided relief for global bond markets, which had experienced significant selling pressure, though concerns about long-term inflation from the Iran conflict persisted.
U.S. Treasury yields retreated from recent highs, with the benchmark 10-year note yielding 4.5974% in early Asian trading, down from a more than one-year peak. The two-year yield also decreased slightly to 4.0564%.
Japanese government bond yields, which had reached record levels in the prior session, similarly declined across all maturities.
G7 finance ministers gathered in Paris overnight to address growing worries about public debt levels and bond market instability.
Financial markets are currently anticipating interest rate increases from major central banks this year, as policymakers may need to tighten monetary policy to address renewed inflation pressures from sustained high energy costs.
“While the economic rationale for pricing persistently higher inflation over the coming years on the current supply shock is weak particularly given the labor market backdrop, a return of supply-side volatility and the sanguine growth tone in markets both argue for more risk premium through the inflation curve,” Goldman Sachs analysts noted.
Currency markets showed the dollar strengthening due to safe-haven demand since the conflict began, rising 0.1% to 159 yen and raising concerns about potential intervention from Tokyo to support its weakening currency.
The euro fell 0.1% to $1.1643, while the British pound similarly declined 0.1% to $1.3419.
Gold prices edged slightly lower to $4,562.50 per ounce, facing pressure from rising bond yields.
Detroit Tigers star pitcher Tarik Skubal completed his first comprehensive bullpen workout on Monday, marking his return to a regular five-day schedule, as reported by The Athletic.
The pitcher underwent a procedure on May 6 to extract loose material from his left elbow.
While Monday marked Skubal’s second mound session since the operation, it represented the first occasion he utilized his complete pitching arsenal.
“Everything was very normal,” Skubal stated. “I think that’s what the goal is, to get back to normal as fast as possible and get in a five-day rotation and get your body back in shape to be back in the big leagues.”
The procedure was performed using a NanoNeedle 2.0, an advanced surgical instrument designed to accelerate healing. Traditional arthroscopic operations typically require a 2-3 month rehabilitation period.
This season, Skubal holds a 3-2 record with a 2.70 ERA and 0.946 WHIP across seven appearances.
Kansas City Royals left-handed pitcher Kris Bubic has been sidelined with left elbow soreness, landing on the 15-day injured list as of Monday, media reports indicate.
The roster move takes effect retroactively from May 15, one day following Bubic’s briefest performance this season during Kansas City’s matchup with the White Sox in Chicago. In that 6-2 defeat, he surrendered five earned runs across four innings of work.
To fill Bubic’s roster spot, Kansas City brought up reliever Eli Morgan from their Triple-A affiliate in Omaha.
Bubic, who carries a 3-2 record and 4.11 ERA this season, was scheduled to take the mound for Tuesday’s home contest against Boston. However, manager Matt Quatraro announced prior to Monday’s game that the team would instead utilize multiple relievers for that start.
The 28-year-old pitcher, who had Tommy John surgery in 2023 and dealt with a rotator cuff strain that ended his strong 2025 campaign in late July, remains hopeful this will be a brief absence from the lineup.
“Very mild in nature,” Bubic said. “It’s not something I want to push, given my history and given the timing of the year. So for me, this is good news in a sense. I’ll talk to (Dr. Vincent Key) when he’s here later, but I expect this to be pretty minimal IL, just a few weeks, and we should be back. That’s the expectation in my head.”
Throughout his entire professional career with Kansas City, Bubic compiled an 8-7 record with a 2.55 ERA across 20 starts during the 2025 season.
The California native holds career statistics of 22-38 with a 4.14 ERA.
Morgan, the 30-year-old right-handed pitcher, brings experience from four seasons with Cleveland and one with the Chicago Cubs. He appeared in seven games for Kansas City during April before his assignment to Omaha, recording an 0-1 mark with one save and a 2.61 ERA.
CANNES, France — The world’s most prestigious film festival has become a gathering place where movie industry concerns bubble to the surface, and this year artificial intelligence dominates the conversation.
The 79th edition of the festival may be remembered as the first time this celebrated event seriously confronted AI’s impact — its influence has swept across the French Riviera like a massive wave. Since the festival began, there’s been continuous discussion about AI’s power to transform cinema, whether positively or negatively.
However, attitudes appear to be shifting in many circles.
“The buzz in Cannes and the buzz in the industry, it does feel like it’s definitely a turning point,” said Scott Mann, co-chief executive of Flawless, a company that specializes in assistive AI programs for post-production.
AI technology has become much more visible both in films and behind the scenes.
This marks the first time the festival has entered into a partnership with Meta through a new multiyear agreement. The tech company has established a presence at the Majestic Hotel. Meta’s AI technology was utilized in creating a festival submission: Steven Soderbergh’s “John Lennon: The Last Interview.”
The film documents an extensive and revealing conversation that Lennon and Yoko Ono conducted on the same day Lennon was murdered in 1980. To create visual elements accompanying Lennon’s words, Soderbergh employed Meta’s artificial intelligence software to generate dreamlike imagery.
This decision drew harsh criticism from many festival reviewers, but Soderbergh, a skilled pioneer who has filmed movies using iPhones, feels the time has come for such creative exploration.
“We haven’t seen yet someone with a certain amount of creative credibility go full-metal AI on something, and see how people react. I think it’s necessary,” Soderbergh said in an interview. “How do you know where the line is until somebody crosses it? I don’t think what I’m doing crosses it. Some people may disagree. I don’t know where my line is yet. I’m waiting to see.”
Industry professionals attending the festival have been establishing their own boundaries and making public statements about artificial intelligence.
During the opening ceremony, jury member Demi Moore declared that opposing AI “is a battle we will lose.” The following day, honorary Palme d’Or winner Peter Jackson stated: “I don’t dislike it at all. To me, it’s just a special effect. It’s no different from other special effects.”
Director James Gray, whose star-studded family story “Paper Tiger” emerged as a weekend highlight, expressed confidence about the technology.
“In some cases, it can be a very helpful tool,” said Gray in an interview. “I don’t think in our lifetime, or even our children’s lifetimes, it will come close to mirroring the only true infinite we know, which is the soul.”
“The answer I think is that most young people should be studying the humanities,” added Gray. “People should be reading Tolstoy in their spare time to understand the human soul.”
The festival is taking place following several major AI-related developments in Hollywood.
This month, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science announced new policies, declaring that only performances “demonstrably performed by humans with their consent” will be eligible for acting awards.
Simultaneously, the Oscar organization stated that AI tools “neither help nor harm the chance of a nomination.”
The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists recently secured a preliminary deal with studios that outlines and clarifies AI protections regarding digital doubles and computer-generated performers.
Certain technological advances have caused alarm throughout Hollywood. The introduction of Tilly Norwood, a completely AI-generated “actress,” triggered industry-wide anger. This year, the first preview of a digital recreation of Val Kilmer after his death, created with his family’s approval, generated another wave of controversy.
Although more extreme applications of generative AI continue causing concern, other versions are gaining acceptance.
“It is going to be a part of our business,” Kent Sanderson, Bleecker Street chief executive, said in a panel discussion. “It is going to lower production costs, and yes, you probably will be able to make something that looks like a Marvel movie in your basement in a couple of years.”
Despite having strict regulations about red carpet attire, the festival isn’t implementing any rules prohibiting AI in film entries — at least not yet.
Before the festival commenced, artistic director Thierry Frémaux responded cleverly to an AI question, observing that he had also heard James Cameron used special effects for “Avatar.”
“What I can say with certainty in relation to artificial intelligence is that we are on the side of the artists, the screenwriters, actors and voice actors,” said Frémaux. “We stand with everyone whose job could be negatively impacted by artificial intelligence. It requires legislation. We need to control this.”
Mann, the Flawless executive, was positioned on the festival beach outside a celebration his company was hosting at one of the waterfront venues that frequently hold film industry gatherings. Since 2019, Flawless has worked to show that AI can be applied responsibly.
He firmly opposes unlicensed generative AI.
“But what we’ve found is that the way people don’t understand is part of the problem. AI as a term is seen as a catchall, but it’s not that simple,” says Scott. “The truth is, our industry needs saving. It needs a technological evolution, and this is offering it.”
A powerful earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale rocked southern China’s Guangxi region in the early hours of Monday morning, claiming two lives and forcing mass evacuations, according to government media outlets.
The tremor left four additional people with injuries and prompted officials to evacuate more than 7,000 people from Liuzhou city as a safety precaution.
Rescue operations to locate missing residents concluded by noon on Monday when crews successfully recovered the final trapped individual, a 91-year-old man who was discovered in stable health, local officials reported.
Footage broadcast by the government television network CCTV depicted heavy machinery working to remove rubble from the disaster zone. The earthquake brought down no fewer than 13 structures and caused hillside collapses that cut off road access to the affected region, CCTV documented.
Railway operations in the Liuzhou area faced cancellations and scheduling disruptions due to the seismic activity.
While southern China experiences periodic seismic events, the most powerful tremors typically occur in the western mountain regions or eastern areas near Taiwan. The region’s most catastrophic recent earthquake registered 7.9 magnitude and devastated southwestern Sichuan province in 2008, resulting in over 87,000 casualties and disappearances.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Following his decisive primary election defeat, Louisiana Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy expressed unwavering confidence Monday night about his decision to vote for former President Donald Trump’s conviction during impeachment proceedings five years earlier.
“I cast my ballot to defend the Constitution. Perhaps it led to losing my position, but that doesn’t matter,” Cassidy stated to members of the press at the Capitol. “I had the honor of casting a vote that defended the Constitution, and isn’t that something remarkable?”
The senator’s political career ended Saturday during his state’s Republican primary following Trump’s endorsement of a rival candidate. For years, Cassidy had attempted to demonstrate continued support for the former president despite his conviction vote following the January 6, 2021, Capitol incident.
After years of avoiding questions about his impeachment decision — frequently remaining silent when approached by reporters in Capitol corridors — Cassidy now expresses feeling “great.”
“You see before you someone who cherishes this nation, who feels extremely positive about my service to this country, the Constitution, and my fellow citizens,” Cassidy declared. “Shouldn’t we all desire to declare that we supported the Constitution during a significant moment? That describes my feelings exactly. I take great satisfaction in it.”
Cassidy becomes another member of the group of Republican officials who opposed Trump and faced electoral consequences. Whether he will follow the path of colleagues like North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, who became more vocal after announcing retirement last year, remains uncertain. On Monday evening, Cassidy avoided direct criticism of Trump, noting that “individuals expect me to make negative statements, but I’m focusing on positive remarks.”
However, he suggested he might speak out more, telling journalists he remains undecided about supporting the upcoming Democratic proposal to end the Iran conflict and expressing criticism of a new approximately $1.8 billion compensation fund for Trump supporters who claim unjust investigation and persecution — potentially including individuals prosecuted and subsequently pardoned for January 6 Capitol incident involvement.
While Cassidy contemplated his Senate tenure spanning two terms, his Republican colleagues who remain Trump supporters offered subdued or detached responses to his defeat.
“Bill’s defeat was foreseeable, and Bill understood this,” stated his Louisiana colleague, Republican Sen. John Kennedy.
Kennedy explained that Cassidy chose to campaign regardless, “and I admire that decision, and I appreciate his public service. We’re proceeding to a runoff situation now and we have two excellent candidates in the runoff.”
Cassidy’s Trump conviction vote from five years ago “created challenges, without doubt,” Kennedy acknowledged.
South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, among Trump’s strongest supporters, declared on NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday that “individuals who attempt to politically undermine Trump, who obstruct his priorities, will face defeat.”
Trump concurred, writing on social media over the weekend that “it’s satisfying to observe that his political career has ENDED!”
Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, among six other Republicans who supported Trump’s conviction in his second impeachment trial, alone expressed disappointment that Cassidy won’t return to the Senate.
His loss “definitely affects our work here,” she noted. “I valued collaborating with him and his guidance.”
Before Saturday, Cassidy remained quiet on most Trump-related controversies. He made significant efforts to demonstrate presidential support, notably by ultimately backing Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination despite initially questioning Kennedy’s vaccine skepticism. As both a physician and chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Cassidy’s support proved essential.
Monday, Cassidy declined to discuss any regrets about that decision. He likened the vote to an unsuccessful high school date and remarked that “life moves forward.”
He spoke more directly about Trump’s new “anti-weaponization fund,” established through a settlement resolving the president’s Internal Revenue Service lawsuit regarding his tax return disclosure.
While other Republicans avoided fund-related questions upon returning to Washington Monday evening, claiming insufficient knowledge or declining comment, Cassidy said he sees no legal basis for it.
“We operate under rule of law,” Cassidy emphasized. “You cannot simply create arbitrary policies.”
Congressional oversight is necessary, he argued, adding that campaign trail constituents “worry about meeting their basic needs, not about establishing unauthorized funds without legal foundation.”
Cassidy’s February 2021 impeachment trial support for Trump’s conviction surprised many, given the reserved doctor’s generally supportive stance — or reluctance to challenge — Trump throughout his initial presidency. He deliberated for days beforehand and refused trial commentary before voting.
Seven Republicans total voted for conviction as the Senate ultimately acquitted Trump. Only two others remain in the Senate: Murkowski and Maine Sen. Susan Collins, who also faces reelection in her considerably more moderate state.
Following his 2021 vote, Cassidy declared feeling “at peace” with his choice. The decision haunted him throughout the entire five-year period, becoming increasingly problematic when Trump won reelection and Cassidy campaigned again.
Asked Monday about future political aspirations, Cassidy made an indirect reference to Trump’s attempts to reverse his 2020 presidential election defeat and his unfounded assertions that prompted the January 6 Capitol attack by supporters.
A quarterback at Texas Tech has taken legal action against the NCAA, filing an injunction on Monday as he seeks to return to the field for the upcoming college football season. The 22-year-old player, Brendan Sorsby, was ruled ineligible for competition by the university following gambling violations.
The legal filing claims the NCAA is acting in a “deeply hypocritical” manner regarding gambling issues and argues that Sorsby will face “irreparable harm” without court intervention. Court documents describe his gambling problem as a “clinically diagnosed” disorder.
“The NCAA has weaponized his condition to shore up a facade of competitive integrity, while simultaneously profiting from the very gambling ecosystem it polices,” the filing states.
Sorsby has been undergoing treatment at an inpatient facility for his condition since the end of April, according to reports.
NCAA regulations strictly prohibit student-athletes from wagering on any NCAA-sanctioned competition. Violations of these rules, particularly when players bet on their own teams, can result in lifetime suspensions from collegiate athletics.
The quarterback placed modest bets on Indiana football while he was on that team, wagering that the team would “win or for teammates to exceed expectations.” He did not play in any of the contests on which he placed wagers.
The legal team representing Sorsby has invoked the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, asking that the NCAA be “precluded from enforcing its gambling bylaws against Mr. Sorsby to deny or withhold his reinstatement.” The petition seeks his eligibility to “participate fully” for Texas Tech in 2026, including game participation, and requests that contrary NCAA actions be declared “void and unenforceable.”
The NCAA responded Monday, stating it had not yet received any reinstatement application in this matter.
“The Association’s sports betting rules are clear, as are the reinstatement conditions,” the NCAA statement said. “When it comes to betting on one’s own team, these rules must be enforced in every case for the simple reason that the integrity of the game is at risk.”
Sorsby topped ESPN’s transfer portal rankings this offseason following two seasons at Indiana and two at Cincinnati.
SINGAPORE, May 19 – The American dollar recovered from recent losses during Tuesday’s Asian trading session after U.S. President Donald Trump announced he had postponed military action against Iran to pursue diplomatic negotiations, while bond markets stabilized following a two-day decline.
The U.S. dollar index, which tracks the currency’s performance against six major currencies, remained stable at 99.026, drawing investor interest after reduced concerns about military escalation caused the index to drop 0.3% on Monday, ending a five-day rally.
“Sentiment stabilised after reports that the U.S. President had called off a planned strike on Iran following appeals from Persian Gulf leaders,” Westpac analysts wrote in a research note.
The 10-year U.S. Treasury bond yield decreased 3 basis points to 4.591%, pulling back from its highest point in a year as concerns about persistent inflation growth subsided. Brent crude oil prices dropped 2.4% to $109.43 per barrel.
Over the previous week, the dollar had strengthened as investors sought safety amid Middle East conflict escalation and a global bond market selloff, as markets reassessed the likelihood that central banks might need to intervene to control inflation while the Strait of Hormuz remained blocked and energy markets faced disruption.
Federal funds futures indicate a 36.2% likelihood of a 25-basis-point increase at the U.S. central bank’s December 9 two-day meeting, up from just 0.5% probability one month earlier, based on the CME Group’s FedWatch tool.
The dollar remained unchanged against the yen at 158.895 yen following Tuesday’s government data showing Japan’s economy expanded at an annualized 2.1% rate in the first quarter, exceeding the median market prediction of 1.7% growth.
Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama informed reporters on Monday that Japan remains prepared to counter excessive currency market volatility whenever necessary, while ensuring any intervention to strengthen the yen and reduce dollar holdings avoids driving up U.S. Treasury yields.
Market participants continue monitoring for additional intervention signals to bolster the yen, which remains only marginally stronger than before Japanese authorities began their first market intervention in nearly two years last month.
Central bank data suggests Tokyo may have allocated close to 10 trillion yen ($63 billion) since initiating its most recent yen-purchasing intervention on April 30.
The euro stayed flat at $1.1650, while the British pound declined 0.1% to $1.3427.
The Australian dollar fell 0.1% to $0.7164, while the New Zealand dollar dropped 0.1% to $0.5868.
The U.S. dollar maintained its position at 6.798 yuan against the Chinese currency in offshore trading.
Bitcoin rose 0.2% to $77,005.69, while ether increased 0.8% to $2,131.91.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that his country and China stand ready to provide mutual support across numerous issues, particularly regarding sovereignty protection and national unity, during a video message delivered before his scheduled visit to China beginning Tuesday.
Putin described the relationship between the two nations as having achieved an ‘unprecedented level’ of trust and mutual understanding as he prepares for discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping scheduled for Wednesday.
The two nations are prepared to work together based on principles of mutual benefit and equality and “to support each other on issues affecting the core interests of the two countries, including the protection of sovereignty and national unity,” Putin stated. He offered no additional specifics about these arrangements.
According to Putin, both countries are actively broadening their cooperation across economic, political and defense sectors, noting that the “close” and “strategic” partnership between Moscow and Beijing serves “a stabilizing role” in international affairs.
“We are not aligning against anyone, but working for the cause of peace and universal prosperity,” Putin declared.
New York City’s mayor Zohran Mamdani sat down with JPMorgan Chase Chief Executive Jamie Dimon at the financial giant’s headquarters Monday, marking their first in-person discussion since Mamdani took office and faced pushback over his wealth tax proposals.
The meeting took place at 270 Park Avenue, where Mamdani, who campaigned as a democratic socialist when running for mayor of the nation’s financial hub last year, held talks with Dimon for the first time, according to a statement from his office.
The pair discussed ways to eliminate government inefficiencies and streamline bureaucratic processes during their conversation, the statement noted.
A JPMorgan representative described the discussion as positive, saying the meeting was “constructive and the tone was friendly.”
Mamdani has faced sharp opposition from wealthy individuals including Citadel founder Ken Griffin over his support for legislation that would increase tax burdens on the affluent.
During his campaign, Mamdani focused on making the city more accessible to lower-income families, promising to halt rent increases and address rising prices for basic needs like food and childcare services.
Dimon had previously expressed the nation’s biggest bank’s readiness to work with Mamdani on city challenges. “Cities have issues and problems and it takes all hands on deck to fix those problems,” he said in a Reuters interview last November.
As one of the city’s biggest private sector employers, JPMorgan adds $42 billion to New York’s economy each year, according to figures the bank released last year.
The San Antonio Spurs will be without their starting point guard De’Aaron Fox for Monday night’s Game 1 of the Western Conference finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder after he was sidelined due to a sprained right ankle.
Fox had been listed with a questionable status on Monday afternoon before team officials made the final call to hold him out less than an hour before the game’s start time.
Head coach Mitch Johnson had expressed optimism that Fox would be cleared to play when speaking with the media shortly before the official announcement was made.
During the team’s midday practice session, Fox informed reporters that he planned to test his injured ankle before making a final determination about his availability.
The ankle injury occurred during Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals when the Spurs faced the Minnesota Timberwolves. Minnesota’s Ayo Dosunmu accidentally stepped on Fox’s ankle while both players were going after a loose ball.
Despite the injury, Fox managed to participate in the series’ final two contests, contributing 18 points in Game 5 and 21 points in Game 6. In the deciding game, he made 8 of his 10 field goal attempts and recorded nine assists.
The 28-year-old guard has posted averages of 18.8 points and 5.8 assists across 11 playoff games this season. Throughout the regular season, he maintained similar production with 18.6 points and 6.2 assists per game over 72 starts, which earned him his second All-Star selection.
With Fox unavailable, rookie Dylan Harper and NBA Sixth Man of the Year Keldon Johnson are expected to take on expanded responsibilities in the lineup.
Forward Luke Kornet, who had also been questionable with a left foot issue, has been cleared to participate in Monday’s game.
The Baltimore Orioles brought back infielder Jackson Holliday from the 10-day injured list ahead of Monday’s matchup with Tampa Bay in St. Petersburg, Fla.
The 22-year-old has been making his way back to the big leagues after breaking a hamate bone during batting practice before spring training began in February.
Following surgery, he completed 11 rehabilitation games with Triple-A Norfolk between March 27 and April 12, plus two additional games with High-A Fredericksburg on April 18-19.
However, the 2022 MLB Draft’s top overall selection was pulled from Norfolk’s contest against Memphis on April 24 when he felt discomfort while swinging.
He came back May 7 and participated in three contests for Double-A Chesapeake, then returned to Norfolk where he connected for his first homer with the Tides on Saturday.
Over the last two weeks, the Orioles had Holliday practicing defensive drills at third base. His major league experience includes 195 games at second base and 11 at shortstop.
While Holliday faced challenges in 2024, he posted a .242 batting average with 17 homers and 55 RBIs across 586 at-bats in 149 games during 2025. He also recorded 17 stolen bases.
To make room on the roster, the Orioles sent third catcher Maverick Handley down to Norfolk. Handley, who was called up when outfielder Dylan Beavers went on the 10-day injured list May 13, recorded just one plate appearance.
Drivers heading north on Route 1 should expect delays this morning due to ongoing construction work that has closed the left lane of traffic.
The lane restriction affects the stretch of northbound Route 1 between Cedar Beach Road (Route 36) and N.E. Front Street, according to state transportation officials.
The construction-related closure is set to continue until 6 AM, when normal traffic patterns are expected to resume.
Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and use caution when driving through the work zone.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The San Antonio Spurs will begin their Western Conference finals campaign without their starting guard De’Aaron Fox, who has been sidelined for Monday evening’s series opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to right ankle soreness. The setback creates an early challenge for the Spurs in what was expected to be a highly competitive matchup.
In contrast, Oklahoma City received positive news as Jalen Williams returned to action following a six-game absence caused by a left hamstring strain.
Fox participated in San Antonio’s morning practice session on Monday, with the player stating he was “trying to test it out.” He also took the court in Oklahoma City approximately 90 minutes before the scheduled tip-off for Game 1. However, that second session apparently did not produce the desired results, leading to the decision to keep him out of action.
Throughout these playoffs leading up to Monday, Fox had been contributing 18.8 points and 5.8 assists while playing a team-high 33.3 minutes per contest for San Antonio. The organization has not provided detailed information about the ankle problem, describing it only as soreness.
“It’s one of those deals where it’s not going away for as long as we’re playing, I don’t believe,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said.
Fox was absent for San Antonio’s initial eight contests this season and had only missed three additional games since that time. The Spurs brought a 7-3 record into Monday when playing without Fox this season.
Williams had been unavailable for 55 of Oklahoma City’s first 90 games this season prior to Monday, including playoff contests. Among those missed games, 19 were due to a right wrist problem and 36 were connected to hamstring issues — with the right hamstring keeping him out for 30 regular season games and the left hamstring causing his most recent six-game absence during this playoff stretch.
Ajay Mitchell stepped up effectively during Williams’ six-game playoff absence, moving into the starting lineup and posting 21.2 points per game — the team’s second-highest average during that period, trailing only two-time reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — while shooting 48% from the field.
Oklahoma City entered Monday with a 27-8 record when Williams was available this season, compared to 45-10 when he was not in the lineup.
An uncommon strain of Ebola responsible for a deadly outbreak in Congo has claimed close to 120 lives, and medical experts say the response efforts face significant challenges due to the lack of targeted vaccines or treatments for this particular variant.
“There’s nothing even close to ready for clinical trials,” said Dr. Celine Gounder, an infectious disease specialist and epidemiologist who treated patients in West Africa during the 2014-2016 Ebola epidemic. “And so that means responders, healthcare workers and other aid workers are really back to the basics.”
The strain responsible for the current crisis is known as Bundibugyo virus, representing a less frequently encountered form of what health authorities classify as Ebola virus disease.
According to Dr. Tom Ksiazek, a University of Texas Medical Branch virologist and veterinarian, Bundibugyo has triggered two previous outbreaks, all occurring within the same Congo River basin area. Ksiazek previously led the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Special Pathogens Branch, the team that originally discovered this virus in 2007.
The transmission methods mirror those of other Ebola strains: direct contact with bodily fluids from infected or deceased individuals, including sweat, blood, feces or vomit. Medical personnel and family members providing care to patients face the greatest exposure risk, according to specialists.
“So very often we see doctors and nurses among the first to be infected and to die,” said Gounder, editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News.
Based on limited outbreak data available to researchers, Bundibugyo appears somewhat less lethal compared to the Zaire virus, which represents the most frequently occurring species.
“I think a 30%-plus mortality rate is still quite scary, but it’s hard to say with a lot of precision because we don’t have a lot of experience,” Gounder said.
During the two earlier Bundibugyo episodes, health officials detected initial cases quickly, Ksiazek noted, enabling rapid public health interventions: providing healthcare workers with appropriate protective gear, locating and quarantining exposed individuals, and delivering supportive medical treatment to patients. Adequate medical attention “reduces mortality significantly,” he explained.
This supportive care includes administering substantial amounts of IV or oral fluids, Gounder explained.
Medical teams are currently focused on identifying and isolating cases, tracking their contacts, and educating communities about virus prevention. During the West African epidemic, implementing safe burial practices proved essential for halting transmission, Gounder said, as people contracted the disease while preparing deceased relatives for funeral ceremonies. Ensuring healthcare workers receive proper protective equipment remains equally vital, experts emphasized.
“Of course, it’s problematic because vaccines are some of our best tools for combating infectious diseases,” said Lina Moses, an epidemiologist and disease ecologist at Tulane University. However, other public health strategies — community education, contact tracing, rapid testing — remain effective, she added.
“It’s important to keep in mind that every single Ebola outbreak that has occurred in the (Democratic Republic of the Congo) — we’re on our 17th now — has been stopped,” she said.
A medical examiner’s report issued Monday verified that a Haitian immigrant’s death following months in an Arizona immigration detention center stemmed from dental complications, supporting claims made by his relatives.
However, the findings also revealed that 56-year-old Emmanuel Damas had refused multiple dental treatment recommendations to extract problematic teeth, contrary to his brother’s earlier assertions that he died from an untreated tooth infection.
The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office determined Damas succumbed to complications from a chest infection accompanied by abscesses in his neck and throat regions. The official cause of death also cited his serious dental conditions.
Damas passed away while held at the Central Arizona Florence Correctional Center in Florence, Arizona, marking him as one of no fewer than 51 detainees who have perished in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody since President Donald Trump’s second term commenced in January 2025.
Similar to his case, medical examiners have classified most of these deaths as resulting from natural causes. Medical professionals have noted that many stem from conditions that could be prevented through prompt and adequate healthcare.
His death stands as the sole case where dental issues have been identified as a cause or contributing element among three dozen fatalities for which such information has been made public by medical examiners and coroners.
The autopsy findings indicated that Damas was placed on a waiting list following an October dental examination that recommended extraction of a specific tooth. When the opportunity for removal arrived three months afterward, the report stated he refused the procedure, claiming the tooth no longer caused pain.
During a follow-up appointment in mid-February, Damas again rejected advice to have teeth extracted. Several days later, when Damas reported throat pain and stomach discomfort, detention facility personnel recommended he visit the medical unit, but he declined, the autopsy report noted.
Medical staff transported him to a hospital on Feb. 19 due to respiratory failure and subsequently transferred him to additional hospitals for advanced treatment. He passed away on March 2 at a Scottsdale hospital.
Raymond Audain, an attorney representing Damas’ relatives, stated in a release that Damas died due to failures by ICE and the private corrections corporation operating the Florence facility to deliver essential medical treatment.
The family also commissioned a private pathologist to perform an independent autopsy on Damas, although Audain refused to provide that report when requested by The Associated Press.
The county’s autopsy “confirms what Mr. Damas’s family has determined through its own investigation: that Mr. Damas died of sepsis as a result of a descending infection from his head and neck that started with him experiencing tooth pain. Mr. Damas begged prison staff for medical care on numerous occasions including the night before he was hospitalized, but he was ignored,” Audain wrote.
CoreCivic, the company that manages the Florence facility, issued a statement saying it regards detainee deaths at its locations with gravity.
“While we’re unable to share specific information about a detainee’s medical care due to federal privacy laws, we are committed to providing safe, humane and respectful care for everyone entrusted to us,” CoreCivic said. “We take seriously our obligation to adhere to all applicable federal detention standards and will continue to ensure that all detainees receive appropriate and timely medical attention
The AP left a message with ICE seeking comment on the autopsy report.
A dismissed Connecticut law enforcement officer is now facing manslaughter charges after state investigators determined he improperly handled a deadly encounter with a Black man experiencing a mental health emergency.
Joseph Magnano, who was terminated from the Hartford Police Department, shot and killed Steven Jones on Feb. 27. Jones, age 55, had a documented history of mental health issues and was seen walking down a street carrying a large blade.
The Connecticut Inspector General filed charges against Magnano on Monday after he surrendered to authorities, Hartford Police Union President James Rutkauski confirmed.
Details regarding Magnano’s legal representation were not readily accessible.
The fatal incident sparked significant community backlash and raised concerns about Hartford’s procedures for handling individuals experiencing mental health emergencies.
Video from body-worn cameras revealed that when Magnano reached the location, three fellow officers were already attempting to peacefully communicate with Jones, who had inflicted cuts on himself and was experiencing suicidal thoughts, based on a 911 call placed by his sister.
The other officers maintained distance from Jones and used calm voices, but Magnano immediately started yelling commands for him to drop the weapon. Within less than 60 seconds of exiting his patrol car, he discharged nine rounds at Jones.
Monday’s arrest warrant from the Connecticut Inspector General stated that their probe determined Magnano “did not engage in de-escalation measures (and) he failed to make reasonable attempts to use non-lethal force.”
The investigation also determined that Jones “did not pose an imminent threat to bystanders,” and that Magnano had “ample space” to retreat from the situation.
“To the extent Magnano subjectively believed that Jones posed a risk of serious physical injuries to bystanders in the area, Magnano made no effort to move bystanders out of any perceived harm’s way,” the warrant noted.
In his official incident documentation, Magnano stated he was “fearful of Jones making a sudden lunge towards either an officer or citizen.”
During Monday’s press briefing, Rutkauski, the police union head, accused the inspector general’s office of rushing its findings, adding that Magnano was “defending his fellow officers, the community, himself.”
Civil rights lawyer Ben Crump, who represents Jones’ relatives, described the charges as a “necessary and meaningful step toward accountability.”
“Stevie was in the middle of a mental health crisis, and instead of receiving the care he needed, he was shot nine times,” Crump said in a statement. “This charge reflects what the family has known all along, that what happened to Stevie was not justified.”
Minnesota Wild netminder Filip Gustavsson faces hip surgery for an injury that may have contributed to his struggles late in the season, team officials announced Monday.
The procedure’s timing remains uncertain regarding whether the 27-year-old goalkeeper will be ready when training camp begins. Wild general manager Bill Guerin indicated Monday that the operation would happen “as soon as possible.” Guerin explained that the problem stemmed from gradual wear and tear rather than a specific incident.
The hip problem may explain why Gustavsson’s play deteriorated toward season’s end and why he only appeared in one playoff contest. Rookie netminder Jesper Wallstedt took over as the primary goaltender during Minnesota’s postseason campaign, which concluded in the second round following their elimination by the Colorado Avalanche.
When speaking with media members on Friday, Gustavsson made no reference to any physical ailments. The Swedish goaltender has secured a five-year deal worth $34 million that kicks off with the 2026-27 campaign.
This past season, Gustavsson compiled a 28-15-6 record alongside a 2.69 goals-against average and four clean sheets across 50 appearances, starting 49 of those contests. During his lone playoff appearance in Game 2 against Colorado, he surrendered four goals while making 18 saves in a 5-2 defeat.
Throughout his career spanning one-plus seasons with the Ottawa Senators (2020-22) and four campaigns with the Wild, Gustavsson has posted a 111-74-26 mark with a 2.67 GAA and 15 shutouts over 219 games, starting 210 of them.
The 23-year-old Wallstedt recorded an 18-9-6 regular season performance with a 2.61 GAA and four shutouts in 35 games, making 33 starts. He went 5-5-0 with a 2.77 GAA during 10 playoff starts.
Guerin expressed satisfaction with his goaltending duo – both hailing from Sweden – and indicated no urgency to move either player via trade.
“I like our goaltending situation, to be quite honest with you,” Guerin said. “Both of our goalies are No. 1 goalies, you know? The luxury of it is being able to put a fresh, rested goalie in the net every night, and you know both guys are signed. They’re both very good. They work well in a tandem. They support each other. I’m very comfortable with where it is.”
The Texas Rangers have sidelined shortstop Corey Seager with lower back inflammation, placing him on the 10-day injured list effective from Friday’s date.
In a related roster move, the team brought up utility player Michael Helman from their Triple-A affiliate in Round Rock.
Medical staff ordered an MRI examination for Seager on Sunday to identify the source of his back troubles after the player missed action since his last appearance against Arizona on Wednesday. The discomfort began Saturday morning.
Speaking to the media on Sunday, Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said Seager “was here (at the stadium) before me trying to get in the lineup.”
The 32-year-old infielder is struggling offensively this year with a .179 batting average and is currently mired in a career-worst streak of 27 straight at-bats without a hit. Through 42 games, he has recorded seven home runs and driven in 20 runs.
Now in his fifth campaign with Texas, Seager earned World Series MVP recognition in 2023 as the Rangers defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks in a five-game series. That same year, he finished second in regular-season MVP voting behind Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels.
Seager previously captured World Series MVP honors with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020 and has been selected to five All-Star games throughout his career.
Helman, who will celebrate his 30th birthday this Saturday, saw action in 38 contests for Texas last season and appeared in nine games for the Minnesota Twins in 2024. Across those appearances, he has posted a .239 batting average with five home runs and 20 RBIs.
Professional golfer Garrick Higgo has ended his working relationship with caddie Austin Gaugert following a disappointing performance at the PGA Championship that included a penalty for tardiness.
The golfer’s agent confirmed to Golfweek on Monday that Higgo has brought back former caddie Nick Cavendish-Pell after missing the cut at the major championship.
The 27-year-old player was assessed a two-stroke penalty during the opening round for arriving late to his tee time, a mistake that proved costly throughout the tournament. His initial score of 1-under-par 69 would have been a 67 without the penalty, which would have put him in a tie for the lead at that point.
Higgo then posted a 76 in his second round and failed to make the cut by just one stroke — a fate he would have avoided had it not been for the tardiness penalty.
Following his opening round, Higgo made several notable statements, including his admission that the penalty “wasn’t a surprise. I was late. I mean, my caddie was yelling at me to get to the tee.”
Television coverage from the first round showed Gaugert urging Higgo to move quickly from the practice green to the first tee at Aronimink Golf Club.
Higgo has claimed victory twice on the PGA Tour and three times on the DP World Tour. He will compete in this week’s CJ Cup Byron Nelson in Texas with Cavendish-Pell serving as his caddie. Cavendish-Pell was working with Higgo in 2021 when he captured his first PGA Tour victory at the Palmetto Championship.
Standard Chartered announced on Tuesday ambitious new financial goals for 2028 while revealing plans to eliminate roughly 15% of its corporate function positions by 2030.
During a strategy presentation to investors, the financial institution outlined its goal to achieve more than 15% return on tangible equity (ROTE) — an important measure of bank profitability — representing an increase of over three percentage points from 2025 targets, with projections reaching approximately 18% by 2030.
The bank’s previous tangible return goal was set above 12% for 2026.
These ambitious plans emerge amid Middle East tensions that create uncertainty for the financial outlook. Industry experts warn that Asia-Pacific banking institutions may face increased loan-loss provisions if Iranian conflicts persist, as elevated energy expenses and reduced economic growth put pressure on borrowers.
The Middle East situation has created both challenges and opportunities for Standard Chartered. During the first quarter, the institution allocated $190 million in precautionary provisions related to Middle East conflicts.
According to the bank, its upcoming growth phase will benefit from a more unified operational structure, which it plans to accomplish by reducing corporate functions, including back-office positions.
As of December 31, the organization employed more than 81,800 full-time staff members, based on its annual report.
The bank, which concentrates on Asia and Africa markets, revealed this updated global strategy after surpassing previous performance goals ahead of their target dates, drawing focus to whether Chief Executive Bill Winters can maintain this positive trajectory following years of organizational restructuring.
The institution completed a ten-year transformation, evolving from a potential acquisition candidate into a successful emerging-markets focused bank.
“We achieved our 2026 medium-term financial targets a year earlier than planned,” Winters said in a statement.
“We now have a more focused, streamlined and efficient organisation.”
The bank supports its new objectives by maintaining emphasis on higher-margin operations, including wealthy retail customers and financial institutions within its corporate and investment banking segment.
During the first quarter, the institution recorded both its peak wealth revenue and highest new client investments.
On Monday, the bank appointed Manus Costello, head of investor relations and equity research veteran, as its permanent CFO, replacing Diego De Giorgi, who stepped down in February after serving nearly three years with the institution.
Australia’s central bank officials are expressing concern that escalating energy expenses could rapidly drive consumer prices higher, given the current strained condition of the nation’s economy, potentially triggering a major change in how people view future inflation.
The Reserve Bank of Australia’s assistant governor, Sarah Hunter, explained during prepared remarks on Tuesday that this concern contributed to the central bank’s decision to increase interest rates for the third time this year to 4.35% this month, completely undoing the policy easing implemented in 2025.
“The recent rise in oil prices is particularly challenging to navigate. Higher oil prices mean higher costs and higher consumer prices in the near term – that is a given,” Hunter stated during her address to the Bloomberg Forum for Investment Managers.
“But this shock has come against a backdrop of elevated capacity constraints and domestic cost pressures… our research suggests pass-through will be faster and more extensive, and the risk of inflation expectations drifting higher is elevated,” she continued.
Hunter observed that several companies have already implemented higher fuel surcharges while some construction firms are reconsidering pricing for upcoming contracts.
Major uncertainties persist, she noted. Oil prices might remain high for an extended period and the Iran war could result in broader and more lasting supply chain disruptions that would contribute to inflation. Brent crude futures reached two-week peaks on Monday, trading beyond $110 per barrel, while the Strait of Hormuz stayed closed.
Nevertheless, inflation could be reduced if consumers decrease spending and companies pull back on investments more dramatically than anticipated, she indicated.
A counselor working in the Woodbridge School District has earned recognition as Delaware’s 2026 Behavioral Health Professional of the Year.
Taylor Richey, who serves at the Woodbridge Early Childhood Education Center, received the prestigious honor during a ceremony that celebrated outstanding behavioral health professionals from school districts and charter networks throughout the state.
Secretary of Education Cindy Marten presented the award at the statewide banquet, which recognized mental health professionals working in educational settings across Delaware.
A tragic shooting incident at an Islamic Center in San Diego has resulted in five deaths, including three victims and two suspected gunmen.
The deadly violence unfolded at the religious facility, leaving the community shaken by the loss of life. Authorities have confirmed that both suspected shooters died in addition to the three people they allegedly targeted.
While weekly religious services remain statistically very safe activities, with billions attending globally each year and typically fewer than several hundred fatalities from attacks annually, recent violence has heightened concerns among faith communities.
Monday’s shooting at a San Diego mosque represents the most recent incident in a troubling pattern of violence directed at religious facilities, creating increased anxiety among religious leaders and congregants nationwide.
The following incidents represent significant attacks on American religious institutions over the past decade and a half:
May 18, 2026: At San Diego County’s largest mosque, two teenage attackers fatally shot a security officer and two additional men before taking their own lives, according to officials. Investigators are treating the incident as a hate crime.
March 12, 2026: A 41-year-old man drove his pickup into Temple Israel synagogue near Detroit before dying in a shootout with security personnel. The attacker had recently lost four family members in an Israeli military strike in Lebanon. Israeli officials reported that some of his relatives belonged to the Iran-supported militant organization Hezbollah.
Sept. 29, 2025: In Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, a 40-year-old attacker drove his truck into a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building and ignited the chapel, resulting in four deaths and nine injuries. Law enforcement killed the perpetrator. Federal investigators stated he harbored “anti-religious beliefs against the Mormon religious community.”
Aug. 27, 2025: During Mass at Minneapolis’s Church of the Annunciation, a former parish school student opened fire, killing two children and wounding several others before dying by suicide.
Oct. 27, 2018: At Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue, a white supremacist with antisemitic views murdered eleven Jewish worshippers. The perpetrator received a federal death sentence following his conviction on numerous charges.
Nov. 5, 2017: What investigators believe was a family dispute led to modern Texas’s deadliest mass shooting when 25 people, including an expectant mother, were murdered at Sutherland Springs’ First Baptist Church.
June 17, 2015: After joining a Bible study at Charleston, South Carolina’s historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, a young white supremacist killed nine congregants, including senior pastor Clementa Pinckney. He became the first person sentenced to federal execution for a hate crime.
Aug. 5, 2012: A 41-year-old white supremacist who had spoken about racial warfare killed six people at Oak Creek’s Sikh Temple of Wisconsin. An additional victim died in 2020 from head injuries sustained in the attack, bringing the total deaths to seven.
The United States Senate approved President Donald Trump’s nominee to head the federal agency responsible for overseeing 250 million acres of public land on Monday, amid ongoing efforts by the administration to expand drilling and mining operations while rolling back environmental protections.
Former congressman Steve Pearce secured confirmation to direct the Interior Department’s Bureau of Land Management after Monday’s 46-43 Senate vote. His nomination sparked controversy due to his Republican Party leadership role in New Mexico and his history of supporting land leasing agreements with industry, drawing fierce opposition from Democrats and environmental advocates.
During his February confirmation hearing, Pearce sought to calm concerns by referencing his upbringing on a family farm where land and water conservation was essential.
“The security and economic health of the country, especially the western states, rests squarely with the BLM,” he testified. “We can and must balance the different uses of public land. Local economies and future generations depend on us doing our job right.”
The Bureau of Land Management employs approximately 10,000 workers who oversee roughly 10% of U.S. territory. The agency also manages 700 million acres of subsurface mineral rights, encompassing significant oil, natural gas and coal deposits.
Trump and congressional Republicans have been dismantling regulations implemented during former President Joe Biden’s tenure that they consider harmful to business interests. The administration has made millions of acres of federal land available for mining and drilling operations and eliminated land use plans and conservation initiatives developed under Biden.
New Mexico’s Democratic Party previously labeled Pearce “an outright enemy of public lands,” claiming he serves the interests of the oil and gas sector.
The Center for Western Priorities characterized Pearce’s confirmation as part of a comprehensive attack on public lands by Trump and Republicans, citing recent cancellations of grazing regulations and other policy shifts.
Pearce, who served as a fighter pilot and Vietnam War veteran, represented seven terms in the U.S. House for a district covering oil production areas, including sections of the Permian Basin and extensive public land holdings.
His congressional record reflected conservative positions, and he championed ranchers’ interests when portions of Lincoln National Forest were restricted to safeguard the threatened New Mexico meadow jumping mouse.
Pearce has stated that his congressional experience and constituent meetings revealed that the federal government had become what he described as an absentee landlord. Rather than collaborating with states and local communities on land management decisions, he argued the government was imposing its will upon them.
In his new role, he promised to incorporate local perspectives into his decision-making approach.
During his House tenure, Pearce pressed the U.S. Interior Department to shrink the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument near Las Cruces, New Mexico, as part of a nationwide monument review during Trump’s initial presidency. He argued that reducing the monument’s size would protect established business operations on public lands. This stance generated enduring criticism from environmentalists who opposed his nomination.
BOISE, Idaho — Mark Fuhrman, the former Los Angeles police detective whose testimony became a focal point of controversy during the OJ Simpson murder trial, has passed away.
Fuhrman was among the initial pair of detectives assigned to investigate the 1994 murders of Simpson’s former wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman in Los Angeles. During the investigation, he claimed to have discovered a blood-stained glove at Simpson’s residence, but his testimony faced intense scrutiny as defense attorneys questioned whether racial prejudice influenced his work.
During cross-examination, Fuhrman stated under oath that he had not used anti-Black racial epithets in the decade prior, but audio recordings created by someone seeking to write screenplays revealed he had used such language on multiple occasions.
According to Lynn Acebedo, the chief deputy coroner in Kootenai County, Idaho, Fuhrman passed away on May 12. County policy prohibits releasing details about the cause of death.
Following Simpson’s acquittal in 1995, Fuhrman left the Los Angeles Police Department. He relocated to Idaho with his wife Caroline and their two children, a daughter and son.
Fuhrman faced perjury charges in 1996 and entered a no contest plea. He went on to work as a television and radio analyst and authored “Murder in Brentwood,” a book detailing the killings.
Motorists traveling northbound on S. DuPont Highway (US Route 13) should expect delays due to an active construction zone restricting the left lane of traffic.
The lane closure spans from Voshells Mill Star Hill Road to Willow Grove Road and will remain in place until 5 AM, according to transportation officials.
Drivers are advised to plan for extra travel time and use caution when navigating through the work zone area.
A food company has announced the withdrawal of a tahina product from store shelves following concerns about bacterial contamination.
Nassar Investments issued the recall for Malazi Tahina sold in 1-kilogram bottles bearing the expiration date of December 30, 2026, and UPC number 6 224011 088244. The company cited salmonella contamination as the reason for the product withdrawal.
Health officials warn that salmonella is a dangerous bacteria that can lead to severe and potentially life-threatening infections. The risk is particularly high for young children, elderly individuals, and those with compromised immune systems.
The recall announcement was made on May 19, 2026, from Raleigh, North Carolina. Consumers who have purchased the affected product are advised to dispose of it immediately and not consume it.
Retired basketball star Rick Fox, who won three NBA championships during his playing career, received an appointment Monday to serve as a senator for the opposition party in the Bahamas following an unsuccessful campaign for elected office in last week’s general election.
The Free National Movement Party selected Fox to fill one of their four designated Senate positions.
The Bahamian electoral system allows citizens to vote for House of Assembly representatives, while Senate members receive appointments. Both ruling and opposition parties have the authority to choose their own senators, including those who were unsuccessful in electoral contests.
Fox campaigned as a Free National Movement Party representative in last Tuesday’s election but did not receive sufficient votes for victory.
“Nobody likes to lose, but sometimes setbacks give us the opportunity to reflect, grow, sharpen ourselves and come back wiser, stronger and more prepared for what’s next,” Fox said in a video posted on social media after the defeat.
The sitting Bahamian Prime Minister Philip Davis and his Progressive Liberal Party claimed victory in the election, earning a second consecutive term in power. This achievement represents the first time a political party has secured back-to-back general election wins in that nation since 1997.
Fox’s eligibility to seek office in the Caribbean nation stems from his birth in Canada to a Canadian mother and Bahamian father, and he spent his childhood years in the Bahamas.
The former athlete spent 13 seasons playing professional basketball after being selected in the first round of the NBA draft. His career included time with the Boston Celtics before joining the Los Angeles Lakers, where he contributed to three championship victories. Fox concluded his NBA career in 2004.
Beyond basketball, Fox has pursued acting opportunities, taking roles in various films and television productions.
CARACAS, Venezuela — College students and other protesters took to the streets of Venezuela’s capital Monday, mourning an elderly woman who passed away over the weekend shortly after discovering her son had died while in government detention nine months prior.
The group of several dozen demonstrators, primarily university students, temporarily shut down a major roadway in Caracas while holding Venezuela’s administration responsible for the deaths of both Víctor Hugo Quero, a detainee whose imprisonment was viewed as politically driven, and his mother Carmen Navas, age 82. The protesters displayed a large photograph of Navas while voicing their demands.
“What it stirs up in Venezuelans, in the Venezuelan youth, is rage, man,” student leader Miguel Ángel Suárez said of the deaths.
Navas passed away just 10 days after the country’s prison authorities released a public announcement revealing that Quero had died in July following hospitalization during his incarceration. Officials had concealed this information while Navas spent months searching detention facilities, legal offices and government buildings demanding evidence her son was alive, after his arrest in January 2025.
According to the official government report, the 51-year-old salesperson died from “acute respiratory failure secondary to pulmonary thromboembolism” 10 days following his hospital admission for digestive problems. Authorities claimed they never contacted his family members because he had not supplied emergency contact details.
Human rights advocates, opposition political figures and families of other political detainees immediately condemned the circumstances surrounding both deaths.
“They didn’t die; they were killed!” demonstrators chanted Monday. “Justice for Carmen!”
According to the Venezuelan prisoners’ rights organization Foro Penal, more than 400 individuals remain imprisoned throughout the nation on political grounds.
The New York Times filed a second federal lawsuit against the Defense Department on Monday, challenging an escort requirement for journalists working inside Pentagon facilities that the newspaper claims violates constitutional protections.
This marks the second legal action the publication has taken against the military in five months over media access restrictions.
A Times spokesman, Charlie Stadtlander, told The Associated Press in an email that the escort policy represents “an unconstitutional attempt by the Pentagon to prevent independent reporting on military affairs.”
“As we have said before: Americans deserve visibility into how their government is being run, and the actions the military is taking in their name and with their tax dollars,” Stadtlander stated.
Defense Department spokesperson Sean Parnell responded on X, characterizing the Times’ newest legal challenge as “nothing more than an attempt to remove the barriers to them getting their hands on classified information.”
The legal battle represents another chapter in growing friction between news organizations and the second Trump administration, with disputes increasingly moving from public discourse into courtrooms.
According to the Times, this additional lawsuit was necessary after their December legal action against the Pentagon challenged new regulations implemented by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The newspaper is now targeting what it calls an interim policy “that the Pentagon hastily put into place after a federal judge ruled in The Times’s favor in its original lawsuit.” This interim measure mandates that journalists must have escorts accompanying them throughout their time inside the Pentagon.
The escort requirement took effect in March after U.S. District Court Judge Paul L. Friedman struck down previous media access limitations, determining they infringed upon the rights of Times reporter Julian E. Barnes and the publication.
In April, the same judge determined that the interim policy violated his March decision. However, the escort requirement continues to operate after an appeals court temporarily blocked portions of Friedman’s ruling while the government pursues its appeal. That appeals process remains active.
The latest legal filing, submitted by both the newspaper and reporter Barnes to the District of Columbia district court, seeks to have the judiciary directly examine the escort rule’s constitutional validity.
In their court documents, the publication argues the rule shares the same objective as other Pentagon media limitations — “closing the Pentagon to any journalist or news organization unwilling to report only what Department officials approve.”
The Times maintains this approach is “patently unconstitutional.”
The December lawsuit targeted new regulations from Hegseth that the Times claimed violated constitutional guarantees of free speech and due process. News organizations including the Times departed the Pentagon rather than accept these rules as conditions for press credentials. They now report on military matters from outside the facility, while a newly approved press corps selected by the department currently uses the Pentagon press space.
In his Monday X post, Parnell stated that the Times and its reporters “want to roam the halls of the Pentagon freely and without an escort — a privilege that they do not have in any other federal building.”
He continued: “The Department’s policy is completely lawful and narrowly designed to protect national security information from unlawful criminal disclosure.”
A Michigan man who served almost 21 years behind bars for the 1990 killings of two hunters has reached a $5.25 million settlement agreement after claiming law enforcement withheld crucial evidence that could have aided his defense, his attorney announced Monday.
Jeff Titus walked free in 2023 when his murder convictions were dismissed following a prosecutor’s request. The Innocence Clinic at University of Michigan law school and two investigators successfully convinced officials that an Ohio serial killer may have actually committed the 1990 hunter murders.
Titus had consistently maintained his innocence throughout his imprisonment.
“It’s been a long road for Jeff,” attorney Wolf Mueller said. “He’s 74. He lost two decades of his life. The money doesn’t make up for the loss of decades, but it allows him to put this part of his life behind him.”
Attempts to reach the attorney representing a retired homicide detective named in the lawsuit were unsuccessful.
Doug Estes and Jim Bennett were shot and killed near Titus’ Kalamazoo County property in 1990. While Titus was initially ruled out as a suspect, murder charges were brought against him 12 years later. Prosecutors painted Titus as someone with a temper who was hostile toward trespassers.
University of Michigan law school students and faculty were working to secure a new trial when investigators uncovered a 30-page file from the original case at the county sheriff’s office. The discovery proved significant: it mentioned Thomas Dillon of Magnolia, Ohio, as an alternative suspect.
Jacinda Davis from the TV network Investigation Discovery and Susan Simpson from the “Undisclosed” podcast had questioned Titus’ guilt and explored Dillon’s potential involvement.
Dillon passed away in prison in 2011. He was taken into custody in 1993 and eventually admitted guilt in the deaths of five Ohio residents who were hunting, fishing or jogging.
Monday’s settled lawsuit did not focus on Dillon as an alternative perpetrator. Instead, law enforcement was accused of denying Titus his constitutional rights by withholding information that could have undermined a crucial witness’s trial testimony, Mueller explained.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump recently criticized the reliability of climate change forecasts in a social media message that mischaracterized scientific research, modeling updates and international climate policy discussions.
The United Nations regularly publishes comprehensive scientific assessments examining current trends and future possibilities regarding human-driven climate change. Researchers periodically revise some scenarios used for future forecasting. A critical factor determining the extent and consequences of coming climate change involves carbon dioxide emissions from burning coal, oil and natural gas. Higher carbon pollution leads to increased global warming, so researchers build their forecasts around various potential scenarios.
These scenarios sparked the president’s weekend social media message. Here’s an examination of the facts:
TRUMP: “GOOD RIDDANCE! After 15 years of Dumocrats promising that ‘Climate change’ is going to destroy the Planet, the United Nations TOP Climate Committee just admitted that its own projections (RCP8.5) were WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!”
THE FACTS: Trump referenced forecasting models from 2011 developed by scientists connected to the U.N.’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that received updates in research published in a scientific publication this spring. The revision determined that the previous worst-case scenario — known as RCP8.5 — was unlikely.
These modifications led scientists and non-scientists who minimize climate change dangers or question climate science to attack the international climate research panel’s decades of work on social media, which earned a Nobel Prize. The changes also prompted leading climate researchers to explain why including improbable scenarios remains necessary and to highlight that the revision also shows how dramatically the world has expanded cleaner energy usage, including solar and wind power and electric vehicles. This has caused rapidly rising carbon emissions to essentially level off.
Even during its development 15 years ago, that worst-case scenario remained unlikely — other scenarios were deemed more probable. However, the most extreme scenario stayed possible if the world pursued heavy fossil fuel consumption, particularly continued extensive coal use, the dirtiest fossil fuel. It forecast end-of-century warming around 8 degrees Fahrenheit (4.5 degrees Celsius) above mid-1800s levels.
This wasn’t fear-mongering, stated climate researcher Detlef Van Vuuren of Utrecht University, lead author of the new research outlining future scenarios, and Johan Rockström, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany.
Even with minimal projected warming “we enter danger,” Rockström stated. “We enter danger both from extreme events (such as floods, heat waves and droughts) but also from risks of crossing tipping points” such as loss of coral and glaciers.
The now-abandoned scenario represented “a relevant low-probability high-risk scenario” serving to help governments “be prepared with the possible risks of climate change. For instance, living in the Netherlands — a country possibly vulnerable to flooding — I would not like my government to only look at the best-guess scenario, but also explore what the risks are,” Van Vuuren stated.
“The risks of climate change have not disappeared. The good news is that we did not follow the most dramatic emission pathway. However, we are still heading towards a future with significant climate impacts; a future that we should avoid,” Van Vuuren added.
It represents a future of suffering and increased deaths, but was never about completely destroying the planet, stated Cornell University climate researcher Natalie Mahowald.
Nine out of 10 climate researchers interviewed by The Associated Press stated the worst-case scenario that was abandoned seemed unlikely but still possible when initially released. However, they noted this has changed due to rapid growth in carbon-free wind and solar energy technologies that has made them occasionally cheaper than fossil fuels.
Eliminating the old worst-case scenario occurs because “we are making progress in slowing climate change with a well-established affordable range of solutions — especially, solar, wind, battery storage, and electrified transportation,” stated University of Michigan environment dean Jonathan Overpeck.
TRUMP: “My administration will always be based on TRUTH, SCIENCE, and FACT!”
THE FACTS: A major Trump administration climate action was initially supported by a document presented as scientific research that scientists called inaccurate and was later abandoned.
In July 2025, the Trump administration announced it would overturn an Obama-era scientific determination by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that climate change threatened America’s public health. Supporting this decision, the Department of Energy released a 151-page document by its Climate Working Group, claiming climate change wasn’t significantly harmful.
Numerous scientists informed the AP that the Trump justification document contained errors, bias and misrepresentations.
The National Academy of Sciences, established by President Abraham Lincoln to counsel the federal government on scientific matters, released a prompt assessment challenging the Trump document and stating “human-caused emissions of greenhouse gases and resulting climate change harm the health of people in the United States.” Additionally, 85 scientists wrote a letter declaring the Trump assertions “are misleading or outright wrong.”
When the Trump administration formally reversed the EPA endangerment determination in February, it excluded the scientific justification from the Department of Energy that scientists had challenged.
Motorists traveling on northbound Interstate 95 should expect potential delays due to an ongoing litter removal operation between mile marker 7 in Wilmington and the Pennsylvania border.
The cleanup activities are scheduled to run until 12 PM today, according to traffic officials.
Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time and exercise caution when passing through the work zone area.
The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for New Castle County in Delaware and Eastern Chester County in Pennsylvania, warning residents to prepare for dangerous heat conditions through Wednesday evening.
Heat index values are expected to reach up to 98 degrees, with some areas potentially seeing near-record temperatures and heat indices approaching 100 degrees during peak afternoon hours. The advisory remains in effect until 8 PM Wednesday.
Meteorologists warn this early season heat wave poses heightened risks because our bodies haven’t yet acclimated to such intense temperatures and humidity levels. The combination could lead to heat-related illnesses if proper precautions aren’t taken.
Health officials urge residents to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day, stay indoors in air-conditioned spaces when possible, and avoid prolonged sun exposure. Don’t forget to check on elderly relatives and neighbors who may be more vulnerable to heat stress.
Relief is on the way. Showers and thunderstorms are forecast to arrive later Wednesday afternoon and evening, which should break this dangerous heat pattern and bring more comfortable conditions to the region.
Stay with TV Delmarva for continued weather updates as we track this developing situation.
Motorists traveling on northbound Interstate 95 should expect delays due to construction activity causing a lane restriction between the Newark toll plaza and Christiana Road (Route 273).
The left lane closure is currently in effect and is expected to remain until 7 a.m. this morning.
Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time and use caution when passing through the construction zone.
A massive consolidation in the electric utility industry is taking shape as one energy giant moves to purchase another major power provider, forming what would become the nation’s largest electricity company.
The acquisition plan was revealed on Monday, with the purchasing company seeking to combine operations with the target utility. This corporate merger is happening during a period when electrical demand continues to surge alongside rising rates, driven largely by the rapid growth of artificial intelligence data centers across the country.
The deal would significantly reshape the American electricity landscape, concentrating more power generation under a single corporate umbrella. Industry observers point to affordability as a key concern for consumers as these major utility consolidations move forward.
Data centers supporting AI operations require enormous amounts of electricity to function, contributing to increased strain on the nation’s power grid and upward pressure on consumer rates.
President Trump announced Monday that he has called off a scheduled military strike against Iran following appeals from Gulf region leaders who believe diplomatic negotiations can still succeed.
In a post on Truth Social, the president revealed that a military operation set for Tuesday has been postponed after leaders from Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE asked him to give talks more time.
“I have been asked by the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, and the President of the United Arab Emirates, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to hold off on our planned Military attack of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which was scheduled for tomorrow, in that serious negotiations are now taking place, and that, in their opinion, as Great Leaders and Allies, a Deal will be made, which will be very acceptable to the United States of America, as well as all Countries in the Middle East, and beyond,” the president wrote.
“This Deal will include, importantly, NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS FOR IRAN!” he added.
The president said he has directed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Daniel Caine, and military leadership to cancel the strike while keeping forces ready if diplomatic efforts collapse.
“We will NOT be doing the scheduled attack of Iran tomorrow, but have further instructed them to be prepared to go forward with a full, large scale assault of Iran, on a moment’s notice, in the event that an acceptable Deal is not reached,” President Trump wrote.
Earlier Monday, Reuters reported that Pakistan delivered a new Iranian proposal to Washington. According to Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, the proposal centered on ending the conflict and included American “confidence-building measures,” though it reportedly did not address US concerns about uranium enrichment and Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
A senior US official speaking to Israel’s Channel 12 News indicated that diplomatic progress has been minimal.
“We have not achieved much progress,” the official said, describing the situation as “very serious.”
“If that does not happen, we will conduct this discussion through bombs,” the official added.
Tehran has delivered an updated 14-point peace proposal to Washington through Pakistani intermediaries, according to reports from Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency on Monday. The development comes amid heightened tensions between the two nations as both the United States and Israel make preparations for potential renewed military action.
According to the news agency, Iranian officials modified their original proposal following receipt of a recent American counterproposal. The updated framework emphasizes negotiations to halt the conflict and includes measures aimed at building trust between Washington and Tehran.
A source with knowledge of Iran’s negotiating team told Tasnim that Washington’s most recent proposal includes an agreement to suspend oil sanctions against Iran during the negotiation phase. This represents a change from previous American proposals, though Tehran continues to demand the complete elimination of all sanctions as part of any final agreement.
President Trump issued a stern warning on Sunday, stating that time is running out for Tehran to reach an accord. “The clock is ticking,” he declared, adding “there won’t be anything left of them” if negotiations fail.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed Monday that the United States had transmitted updated terms and considerations to Tehran via Pakistan, despite publicly dismissing Iran’s initial proposal.
“After Iran sent its 14-point (proposed) plan (to the United States through Pakistan), the US side conveyed its considerations. We also presented our considerations in return,” Baghaei explained.
Speaking at his weekly news briefing, Baghaei noted the apparent contradiction in American diplomacy. “Although the American side publicly announced that this plan was rejected, we received from the Pakistani mediator a set of revised points and considerations from their (the Americans’) point of view,” he stated.
Baghaei emphasized that diplomatic talks continue while reaffirming Iran’s unwillingness to abandon what it characterizes as its sovereign right to enrich uranium.
President Trump has demanded that Iran halt uranium enrichment activities and has stated that any final agreement must block Tehran’s path to nuclear weapons development.
Earlier draft agreements that President Trump reportedly declined would have permitted Iran to maintain its current stockpile of 60%-enriched uranium and continue enrichment operations. While Iran maintains it is not pursuing nuclear weapons, it continues enriching uranium to levels that serve no civilian purpose.
Baghaei also addressed maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, stating that Iran and Oman view themselves as responsible for maintaining safe passage through the strategic waterway. He further suggested that Iran would seek war damages from the United States, characterizing the conflict as “illegal and baseless.”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog welcomed Mohamed Hagi as Somaliland’s inaugural ambassador to Israel during a diplomatic ceremony held at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem on May 18, 2026.
The historic credential presentation coincided with the 35th anniversary of Somaliland’s declaration of independence from Somalia on May 18, 1991. Israel became the first nation to officially recognize Somaliland on December 26, 2025.
During the same ceremony, Herzog also accepted credentials from new ambassadors representing the Republic of Korea (Park Inho), the Holy See (Apostolic Nuncio Monsignor Giorgio Lingua), Australia (Neil Hawkins), and Vietnam (Nguyen Ky Son).
Herzog characterized Hagi’s appointment as part of Israel’s broader initiative to enhance relationships with African countries and referenced his previous encounter with Somaliland’s president in Davos.
“It’s a great honor to receive the first ambassador of the Republic of Somaliland in Israel as we further pursue our warm and good relations with the nations of Africa. I especially want to welcome you after I met your President in Davos, where we had a wonderful meeting,” Herzog stated.
The Israeli president characterized Somaliland’s response to Israel’s recognition as emotionally powerful.
“The incredible joy of the people of Somaliland shown upon Israel’s recognition of your nation warmed our hearts. I think this is a unique opportunity to develop dialogue with … Muslim countries who are so important in the region.”
Herzog indicated Israel plans to provide support in areas including food security, energy, and science, stating: “Hopefully, we will go from strength to strength together.”
Hagi characterized the Israel-Somaliland partnership as extending beyond standard diplomatic relations, calling it strategic cooperation.
“It’s an honor to be here today. We have built a great relationship, which is a strategic one that will pave the way forward on many things in all domains, whether that is development, political cooperation, security cooperation, and, of course, the people-to-people relationship,” Hagi stated.
“The people of Somaliland very much appreciate that Israel became the first country to recognize Somaliland,” he concluded.
Scientists at Tel Aviv University have developed a groundbreaking experimental therapy for spinal cord injuries that dramatically reduced nerve damage and enhanced motor function recovery in laboratory animal studies. The research team believes this innovative approach could revolutionize treatment methods for both spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries.
The research, conducted by the Gray Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences at Tel Aviv University and published recently in the journal Inflammation and Regeneration, targeted the prevention of secondary damage that occurs following the original spinal cord trauma. The scientists reported that their treatment decreased inflammation, reduced scar tissue development, and prevented nerve cell deterioration while enhancing the restoration of movement and walking capabilities.
“This study presents an innovative therapeutic approach that significantly reduces early nerve cell damage after spinal cord injury and improves functional recovery. Treated animals achieved up to 80% recovery of motor function, highlighting the therapy’s potential to dramatically improve outcomes after injury,” the researchers said.
The research team was headed by Dr. Angela Ruban from the Stanley Steyer School of Health Professions at the Gray Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences and the Sagol School of Neuroscience, working alongside Dr. Yona Goldshmit and students Josef Levin, Rosemary Lavender, Alexander Yakovchuk, Evgeny Banyas, and Ruth Baltovska. A CRO independently confirmed the results as part of NeuroHagana’s preclinical development program under Dr. Amit Benbenishty’s leadership.
According to the researchers, spinal cord trauma causes a quick accumulation of glutamate, a brain chemical that can lead to further nerve cell destruction, inflammation, deterioration, and tissue scarring. Their innovative therapy operates by eliminating excessive glutamate from the blood circulation within the initial hours following trauma.
During animal experiments, treated subjects regained up to 80% of typical motor abilities two months post-treatment, while untreated animals recovered only approximately 30%. The scientists noted that the therapy showed effectiveness when given as late as 8 hours post-injury and could be administered by emergency personnel through a straightforward intravenous injection.
Dr. Ruban indicated the results suggest it might be feasible to halt the secondary damage cascade following injury, while Dr. Goldshmit noted the technique could potentially apply to stroke and traumatic brain injuries as well. The research team is currently investigating its possible application for blast-related head trauma stemming from the Oct. 7 attacks and subsequent conflict.
Israeli military authorities have implemented a controversial law that establishes capital punishment as the standard sentence for Palestinians found guilty of terror-related murders targeting Israelis. The measure became official Sunday evening when Maj. Gen. Avi Bluth, who leads the Israel Defense Forces Central Command, signed the necessary military directive.
The Knesset approved this legislation on March 30, 2026, establishing death sentences as the presumed punishment for Palestinians convicted of terrorism-motivated killings of Israelis. Judges may only substitute life imprisonment when they find exceptional circumstances warrant an alternative sentence.
The new rules allow military tribunals to order executions with just a simple majority rather than requiring complete agreement among judges. Additionally, the law eliminates any power to grant pardons or reduce sentences handed down by military courts.
Israeli citizens are exempt from this legislation’s provisions.
Since the Knesset’s approval, the law has faced substantial legal and global criticism. The Association for Civil Rights in Israel joined with additional human rights groups in filing Supreme Court petitions challenging the measure, contending it creates discriminatory practices.
Israel’s Supreme Court has directed government officials to provide responses to these legal challenges by May 24.
Those filing petitions highlighted specific language in the law requiring that attackers must have acted to “negate the existence of the State of Israel or the authority of the military commander in the area.” Opposition voices maintain this criterion would disproportionately target Palestinian perpetrators.
Some observers suggest that proving intent to “negate the existence of the State of Israel” or undermine military authority may prove challenging, potentially resulting in life sentences rather than executions for many accused individuals.
International bodies have also voiced strong opposition. The United Nations Human Rights Office along with multiple independent UN specialists have denounced the measure, stating it creates discriminatory death penalty practices and breaches international standards for fair legal proceedings.
National Security Minister Ben Gvir and Defense Minister Israel Katz praised the law’s implementation.
“This is a clear and sharp change of policy after the October 7 [2023] massacre: A terrorist who murders Jews can no longer rely on [prisoner exchange] deals, [good prison] conditions, or the hope to be released in the future,” Defense Minister Israel Katz and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said in a joint statement.
“Whoever chooses murderous terrorism against Jews needs to know that the State of Israel will bring him to justice all the way.”
Katz added: “Terrorists who murder Jews will not sit in prison in pleasant conditions, will not wait for [prisoner exchange deals] and will not dream of release — they will pay the heaviest price.”
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Officials reported Monday that a rapidly expanding wildfire ignited by a deadly medical aircraft crash near Ruidoso, New Mexico, has forced evacuations in a rural region north of the Capitan Mountains and led to closures within the Lincoln National Forest.
The aircraft was traveling from Roswell Air Center to Sierra Blanca Regional Airport when it went down in the early morning hours Thursday, claiming the lives of all four individuals on board. The victims have been named as pilots Keelan Clark and Ali Kawsara from Generation Jets, along with flight nurses Jamie Novick and Sarah Clark from Trans Aero MedEvac.
“Our hearts remain with the families and loved ones navigating an unimaginable loss,” Matt Goertz, vice president of Trans Aero MedEvac, said in a joint statement with Generation Jets.
Both the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are conducting investigations into the crash.
The blaze expanded dramatically throughout the weekend due to arid and gusty conditions, growing to nearly twice its size from Sunday to Monday morning, now covering more than 19 square miles (50 square kilometers). The fire remains uncontained in a lightly populated region, despite efforts from over 600 firefighters representing the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management and multiple interagency Hotshot crews.
Adam Turner, a public information officer for the fire, explained that the challenging, mountainous landscape has prevented crews from directly attacking the flames.
“This is what firefighters call ‘mountain goat territory,’” said Turner, noting that crews were focusing instead on containment efforts and directing the fire away from evacuated cattle ranches to the northeast and the community of Arabella to the west.
Southern New Mexico remained under a red flag warning Monday, with anticipated wind speeds of 20-30 mph (32-50 kph).
A passionate soccer enthusiast and former metallurgist in Rio de Janeiro has transformed his devotion to the sport into a successful enterprise, handcrafting FIFA World Cup trophy replicas at his workshop in the western part of the city.
Jarbas Meneghini Carlini was inspired to begin his craft after witnessing Brazil’s team captain Dunga hoist the trophy in celebration of the nation’s fourth World Cup victory in 1994. This moment sparked Carlini’s determination to make his own version.
“They weren’t for sale. So I decided to make the trophies myself. And today, I’m a trophy craftsman,” he explained from his Campo Grande workshop.
The 58-year-old craftsman creates each replica World Cup trophy by hand using molds and applies paint finishes. His creations vary in both size and cost, with prices spanning from approximately $1 to $100.
While Carlini markets his trophies to supporters and visitors at the famous Maracanã soccer stadium nearby, he has also presented his creations as gifts to renowned players such as Pelé, Jorginho and Ronaldinho, shipping them throughout Brazil and internationally.
When describing the visible excitement on customers’ faces as they photograph themselves with his creations, Carlini emphasizes the trophy’s significance.
“Everyone wants to be a world champion, everyone wants to be the best,” Carlini explained.
Similar to soccer’s most prestigious award, Carlini’s versions feature two stylized human forms stretching upward to hold a globe. However, his are constructed from plaster instead of 18-carat gold.
“Yet it brings the same sense of wonder, as if it were made of gold,” Carlini noted.
Throughout the years, the craftsman has expanded his offerings to include reproductions of the previous World Cup trophy that was used from 1930 to 1970, the Copa Libertadores trophy, and also golden balls, gloves and boots.
World Cup tournament years bring particularly strong sales, according to Carlini.
With the nation preparing to cheer for the Seleção — their national squad — in this year’s competition taking place in the United States, Canada and Mexico during June and July, Carlini has prepared 200 trophies. He anticipates sales could climb to 600 should Brazil claim victory.
The largest South American nation has captured five World Cup championships, surpassing all other countries, though their most recent triumph occurred in 2002.
Brazilians are recognized for their celebratory playing approach and executing amazing moves like bicycle kicks, noted Carlini, who is optimistic his team will break their championship drought this year.
“That’s what we should use in the next World Cup to become champions: use joy, use artistry,” he stated.
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Law enforcement officials report that two teenage gunmen carried out a deadly shooting at a San Diego Islamic center on Monday, fatally wounding three men before ending their own lives. Investigators are treating the incident as a hate crime, according to police.
The targeted Islamic Center represents the biggest mosque facility in San Diego County, based on information from its website.
San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl confirmed that one of the victims was a security guard employed by the mosque.
Alex Murdaugh has initiated legal action in federal court against the former court clerk whose misconduct during his murder trial resulted in the South Carolina Supreme Court reversing his convictions and life sentence for killing his wife and son.
The federal lawsuit, filed on Sunday, names former Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill and alleges she violated Murdaugh’s constitutional right to a fair trial. The legal action demands punitive and compensatory damages plus attorney fees. Court documents show Murdaugh paid $600,000 for his trial defense.
The state’s highest court issued a unanimous decision on Wednesday determining that Hill “egregiously attacked Murdaugh’s credibility” by indicating to jury members during his 2023 trial that the formerly influential attorney was guilty and his testimony was unreliable.
Since discovering the bodies of his wife Maggie and younger son Paul outside their residence in 2021, Murdaugh has maintained his innocence in their deaths.
The federal complaint charges Hill with “reckless or callous indifference to Mr. Murdaugh’s federally protected right to trial before an impartial jury” and claims her actions stemmed from “evil motive or intent.”
Hill’s legal representative, Will Lewis, had not responded to requests for comment by Monday.
During a Monday press conference, Murdaugh’s lawyer Jim Griffin stated the lawsuit aims to hold Hill responsible for her actions and expose the “entire scope of her conduct.”
“She’s yet to be thoroughly investigated by the state, and she’s not been held accountable by the state,” he said.
Griffin described Murdaugh’s emotional reaction to the Supreme Court ruling.
“‘I’m reading it. I see it says reversed but I still have a hard time believing it,’” Griffin recalled Murdaugh saying.
Several jury members reported that Hill, who was responsible for managing evidence and jury oversight during the proceedings, instructed them to observe Murdaugh’s physical demeanor during his testimony and warned them not to be deceived or misled by his statements.
The South Carolina Supreme Court determined Hill’s actions were driven by the “siren call of celebrity” and aimed at boosting sales of her trial-related book titled “Behind the Doors of Justice: The Murdaugh Murders.” The publication was withdrawn following accusations of plagiarism.
Hill has admitted guilt to providing false information about her statements and actions during the trial, including displaying disturbing crime scene photographs to multiple journalists.
Prosecutors have announced their intention to pursue a new trial against Murdaugh, indicating another extended legal proceeding is likely. The case gained widespread attention through various streaming series, popular books, and numerous true crime podcasts.
Law enforcement officials concluded that Murdaugh’s opioid addiction and elaborate financial fraud schemes targeting clients and his family’s legal practice were being exposed, leading him to murder his wife and son as a distraction while he searched for solutions to his mounting problems.
Murdaugh continues his incarceration. He admitted to embezzling approximately $12 million from clients and is currently serving concurrent sentences: 40 years federal time and 27 years state time for his financial offenses.
Stock markets faced pressure Monday as bond yields climbed to record levels worldwide, raising concerns about inflation and economic growth prospects. The bond market selloff created headwinds for equities, particularly affecting technology shares before a major earnings announcement from a key chipmaker later this week.
Market analyst Jamie McGeever highlighted a pressing challenge confronting central banks as inflation accelerates: negative real interest rates that provide unwanted economic stimulus when policymakers are trying to cool growth.
Asian markets suffered significant losses, with Japanese stocks dropping 1% and Australian shares falling 1.5%. European markets showed mixed results, with UK stocks gaining 1% and broader European indices up 0.5%. U.S. markets were split, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq declining while the Dow managed a 0.3% gain.
Technology stocks bore the brunt of selling pressure, falling 1% as a sector. The Philadelphia semiconductor index tumbled 2.5%, with memory chip manufacturer shares down 6% and graphics processor company shares declining 1.3%. Energy stocks bucked the trend, rising 1.8%.
Bond markets experienced dramatic moves globally. Japan’s 30-year government bond yield reached an all-time high, while German 30-year bond yields hit their highest level since 2011. UK 30-year government bond yields climbed to levels not seen since 1998. U.S. Treasury bonds closed relatively unchanged after earlier volatility.
Currency markets saw the dollar index reach a six-week peak before closing lower for the first time in six sessions. The British pound emerged as the strongest performer among major currencies, while digital currency Bitcoin extended losses for a fourth consecutive day.
Commodity markets showed mixed performance, with oil prices advancing and gold gaining 0.5%.
Economic data from China revealed concerning trends, with retail sales, industrial production, and loan demand all falling short of expectations. According to analysts at a major investment bank, the April data represented a “particularly concerning reality check” for the world’s second-largest economy.
The data highlighted three key areas of weakness: slowing industrial production despite strong exports, deteriorating household spending, and record household debt repayments indicating weak domestic demand.
Geopolitical tensions continue to impact corporate costs, with a review of 279 company statements across the U.S., Europe, and Asia showing at least $25 billion in expenses related to ongoing Middle East conflicts. This figure approaches the $35 billion in costs companies reported from recent trade policy changes.
Looking ahead, investors will monitor developments in the Middle East, along with economic data from Australia, Japan, and Canada. Several central bank officials are scheduled to speak, including representatives from the European Central Bank, Bank of England, and U.S. Federal Reserve.
While America is home to numerous structures that date back hundreds of years, the majority of today’s construction professionals lack training in maintaining these historic properties. An innovative New Hampshire initiative is bridging this knowledge gap by instructing teenagers in traditional restoration methods.
The program focuses on teaching high school students the specialized skills needed to preserve and repair historic buildings, techniques that have largely disappeared from modern construction education.
A recent trade agreement between the United States and China regarding agricultural purchases could lead Brazil to redirect its farming exports to new markets, according to industry analysts speaking Monday.
The arrangement, which the White House announced Sunday, may create opportunities for Brazil to fill market spaces vacated by American agricultural products as the US concentrates on shipping to Brazil’s primary trading partner, experts suggest.
However, specialists caution that determining the full effects of this agreement on Brazil’s farming industry may be too early, though the nation’s agricultural competitiveness could enable expansion into different markets.
Government statistics show Brazil exported $55.22 billion worth of agricultural products to China in 2025, representing roughly one-third of the sector’s international sales for that period. Soybeans made up $34.5 billion of those exports, while meat products totaled $9.82 billion.
The White House projects China will purchase an additional 25 million metric tons of American soybeans, and if these transactions occur, Brazil would probably adjust its trade patterns accordingly, according to Stag International brokerage.
“A Chinese soybean purchase program of 25 million tons would mainly displace buyers outside China toward Brazil and other origins,” the brokerage said in a report.
Stag International notes that Brazil maintains structural advantages in competition and, with projections showing a record harvest exceeding 180 million tons in 2026, should continue securing substantial demand from markets beyond China.
Industry organizations Anec and Abiove had not provided responses to inquiries at the time of reporting.
In an unexpected development, Brazil might increase beef shipments to America if the country—dealing with limited supply—sends more of its own beef products to China.
“In principle, if the renewal of U.S. plant approvals (by China) is confirmed, there could be interest from the United States in recapturing part of its share in the Chinese market. Given the large shortfall in U.S. production to meet domestic demand, opportunities could emerge for other countries, such as Brazil, to expand sales to the U.S.,” said Paulo Mustefaga, CEO of industry group Abrafrigo.
Chinese customs records from Friday revealed that China has renewed over 400 expired export permits for American beef processing facilities, following a summit in Beijing between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“It is worth noting that the United States, like Brazil, is also subject to a quota on beef exports under safeguard measures (by China), which should limit any expansion of U.S. sales to the Chinese market,” Mustefaga added.
Nathan Kimsey of England captured the leading position at Monday’s U.S. Open final qualifying tournament held at Walton Heath Golf Club in Surrey, England, securing his spot alongside six other golfers who earned entry into the major championship field.
Ugo Coussaud from France emerged victorious in a four-player playoff to claim the final qualifying position at 10 under par, defeating LIV Golf player Thomas Detry from Belgium, South Africa’s Hennie Du Plessis, and England’s Andrew Wilson in the sudden-death competition.
The 33-year-old Kimsey fired rounds of 68 and 62 for a 36-hole total of 10-under 130, finishing two strokes ahead of Spain’s Rocco Repetto Taylor. Also earning spots with scores of 11 under were Italy’s Filippo Celli, England’s Matthew Jordan, Spain’s Angel Hidalgo, and Denmark’s Niklas Norgaard.
This marks Kimsey’s inaugural U.S. Open appearance and only his second major championship opportunity. His previous major experience came at last summer’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush, where he made the cut and finished tied for 40th place.
The Surrey venue represents the final qualifying opportunity for European competitors and marks the first of 13 qualifying locations worldwide. Additional qualifying is taking place Monday in Dallas, with Japan hosting a site on May 25, while the remaining 10 locations across North America will conduct qualifying on June 8, traditionally known as “golf’s longest day.”
At Dallas Athletic Club, LIV Golf’s Peter Uihlein held the leading position during Monday’s 36-hole qualifying event. Competitors are playing one round each on the Blue Course and Gold Course layouts.
Nine qualifying positions are up for grabs among a field filled with both PGA Tour and LIV Golf professionals.
Uihlein stood at 8 under par through eight holes of his second round after opening with a 67, based on the USGA’s online scoring system. Hayden Springer, South Korea’s Tom Kim, Colombia’s Sebastian Munoz, Doug Ghim, and Kevin Streelman were all positioned to either qualify directly or enter a playoff situation.
Additional notable players seeking qualification in Dallas include Spain’s Sergio Garcia, a LIV member who missed qualifying last year after competing in 25 consecutive U.S. Opens; Tom Hoge; Canada’s Mackenzie Hughes; and South Korea’s Byeong Hun An, who joined LIV earlier this season.
Peru’s progressive presidential hopeful Roberto Sanchez has named a former economy minister to spearhead his economic policy team as he prepares for a June runoff election against conservative rival Keiko Fujimori.
Sanchez announced Monday that Pedro Francke, viewed as a moderate economist, will lead the technical committee responsible for developing key policy proposals including a review of resource extraction agreements, a 33% boost to minimum wage levels, and constitutional reforms.
The left-wing candidate barely qualified for the June 7 runoff after a prolonged month-long vote counting process from the initial election round, which faced delays due to logistical challenges and fraud allegations.
Financial markets have grown nervous about Sanchez’s increasing poll numbers, particularly given his proposals to examine mining agreements in Peru, one of the globe’s top copper-producing nations.
Francke previously held the economy minister position for half a year during 2021 and 2022 under leftist leader Pedro Castillo, playing a crucial role in reassuring financial markets during Castillo’s own electoral battle against Fujimori.
Castillo currently remains imprisoned on charges of rebellion and conspiracy following his brief presidency, which concluded with an unsuccessful attempt to disband Congress in 2022. He has publicly backed Sanchez’s campaign from behind bars.
During remarks at a Swiss embassy-hosted forum on informal mining in Lima, Sanchez indicated he would soon reveal his complete technical team roster along with a detailed agenda for his administration’s initial 100 days.
“We need a strong, social, market-based economy, not one of oligopolies and monopolies,” Sanchez said. “We are a truly popular government that wants to democratize rights, the economy, resources, and justice.”
When asked directly, Sanchez avoided confirming whether Francke might serve as economy minister if elected to office.
The progressive candidate also revealed that economist Oscar Dancourt, who previously directed Peru’s central bank between 2001 and 2005, has joined his economic advisory team.
Drivers using southbound Route 15 should expect delays this afternoon due to ongoing construction work that has forced the closure of the right travel lane.
The lane restriction affects the stretch of roadway between Wooded Way and Bison Road, with traffic reduced to the left lane only in that section.
Transportation officials indicate the lane closure will remain in effect until 4 PM today as crews complete their construction activities.
Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and use caution when approaching the work zone area.
The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) is alerting drivers about upcoming lane closures on Montchanin Road for tree removal operations this week.
Traffic will be restricted in the first location along Montchanin Road from Adams Dam Road to Smith Bridge Road on Tuesday, May 26th and Wednesday, May 27th. Work crews will be active between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm during those days.
A second section of Montchanin Road will also see lane restrictions between Smith Bridge Road and Twaddell Mill Road. This work is scheduled for Wednesday, May 27th and Thursday, May 28th.
Motorists are advised to plan for potential delays and consider alternate routes during the specified work hours.
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Medical authorities trace the current Ebola outbreak in Congo back several weeks before it was officially identified.
The World Health Organization has designated the outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern, with fatalities now surpassing 100. Uganda has reported two cases, one resulting in death.
Below is a chronological breakdown of events as they unfolded, after health officials initially faced challenges identifying the outbreak due to an uncommon virus strain not typically linked to Congo’s previous Ebola cases:
A medical worker, representing the initial suspected case known to officials, becomes ill and passes away in Bunia, Ituri Province’s capital in northeastern Congo. According to Congo’s health minister, the individual’s remains were subsequently moved to Mongbwalu, a nearby mining community.
The health minister reports the person’s death occurred on April 24. However, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states the death happened on April 27 following severe hemorrhaging symptoms.
A person who had close contact with the initial suspected victim also dies after developing similar symptoms, the Africa CDC reports.
Laboratory tests conducted on specimens in Bunia show negative results for the standard Ebola virus strain, also called the Zaire virus, which has been the predominant type in Congo’s past Ebola outbreaks.
Multiple viruses cause Ebola disease. According to WHO, three are responsible for major outbreaks: Ebola virus, Sudan virus and Bundibugyo virus. Health officials require an additional two weeks to determine that the less common Bundibugyo virus is responsible for this outbreak.
The World Health Organization receives notification of what it describes as a “high-mortality” outbreak involving an unidentified disease in Mongbwalu. Medical personnel are among those who have died. Community reports indicate approximately 50 fatalities at this point.
The Congolese health minister subsequently states that officials suspect the first victim’s body, which was transported to Mongbwalu, may have initiated the outbreak in that location. Corpses of Ebola-infected individuals can remain extremely infectious.
A 59-year-old Congolese man with fever and body pain is hospitalized in Kampala, Uganda’s capital, located 700 kilometers (434 miles) from Ituri. Ugandan officials confirm he crossed the border from Congo.
A WHO emergency response team travels to Mongbwalu and the adjacent Rwampara health districts in Ituri to conduct investigations as the outbreak continues expanding.
Medical personnel analyze thirteen blood specimens from suspected Ebola patients in Rwampara at a laboratory facility in Kinshasa, Congo’s capital.
The same day, the Congolese patient dies at the Ugandan hospital. His remains are returned to Congo.
Laboratory testing in Congo identifies Bundibugyo virus in eight of the thirteen Rwampara specimens. Ugandan health officials subsequently examine a sample collected after death from the man who died in their country, which also tests positive for Bundibugyo virus. No approved treatment or vaccine exists for this strain.
Congo’s Health Ministry officially announces an Ebola outbreak, with the Africa CDC reporting 246 suspected cases and 65 fatalities. This number quickly increases to over 300 cases and more than 100 deaths within days.
Uganda confirms its outbreak remains contained to two cases, both involving individuals who had traveled from Congo.
This marks Congo’s 17th major Ebola outbreak since the disease’s initial discovery in 1976.
The WHO formally designates the Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda as a public health emergency of international concern. The U.N. health organization clarifies the outbreak doesn’t qualify as a pandemic emergency like COVID-19 and recommends against border closures.
Nevertheless, it urges countries sharing land borders with Congo or Uganda to immediately strengthen surveillance systems and ensure medical workers receive training to investigate and treat Ebola cases.
Congolese authorities report that an American physician working in Congo is among the confirmed outbreak cases.
Dr. Jean-Jacques Muyembe, medical director of the country’s National Institute of Bio-Medical Research, confirms the doctor is among the Bunia cases. According to his employing organization, he had been providing patient care at a local hospital.
Motorists will need to find alternate routes as a portion of Kenton Road remains completely shut down for construction activities.
The roadway closure affects traffic traveling in both directions along the stretch that runs from Burning Mill Road to Mapledale Road. The construction work is expected to keep this section of road inaccessible to vehicles through Sunday, July 12th, 2026.
Drivers should plan for delays and seek alternative routes when traveling in the area during the construction period.
Henry Clausell has earned NEC Rookie of the Week honors, bringing UMES Baseball their third conference weekly recognition of the season.
The achievement represents another milestone for the Hawks’ baseball program as they continue to garner conference-level acknowledgment for their players’ performances this year.
Clausell’s selection as the weekly rookie standout adds to what has been a successful season for individual UMES Baseball players earning Northeast Conference distinctions.
Chaos erupted worldwide when Swatch released its newest timepiece, with authorities using tear gas in Paris, brawls breaking out in Milan, and overnight lines forming from New York to Singapore as consumers desperately sought the coveted Royal Pop watch.
The Swiss timepiece manufacturer acknowledged Monday that the situation had gotten out of hand, emphasizing that supplies of the Royal Pop — a partnership with luxury brand Audemars Piguet — are plentiful and urging customers to remain calm.
The frenzy centers around a “bioceramic” watch priced at approximately $400, though its potential resale value reaches into the thousands. By Monday, the colorful timepieces were flooding eBay, with one listing demanding 3,055.58 British pounds ($4,092.31) “or Best Offer” and advertising “IN HAND!!! Swatch x AP Royal Pop.”
This incident represents the newest chapter in decades of consumer hysteria that has impacted brands from Nike to Apple, as people scramble to capitalize on trending products and their resale potential.
“It looks like people got crazy to get a Royal Pop to make money through resale, not because they are fans of the Swatch,” explained Pierre-Yves Donze, a business history professor at Osaka University Graduate School of Economics. “People want money, especially. Royal Pop is not like a cool product, but a way to make easy money.”
This represents a shift from previous product launches, Donze noted in an email, when consumers purchased hyped items because “they wanted to have it in their collection.”
While Swatch declined to address questions about the massive markup on resold products, the company told The Associated Press that difficulties occurred at roughly 20 of its 220 global locations where “challenges arose on launch day because the queues of interested customers were exceptionally long and the organization of some shopping malls was not sufficient to handle this level of turnout.”
According to the company’s statement, the Royal Pop has generated more than 11 billion social media views since its debut.
Swatch drew parallels to the MoonSwatch release in March 2022, created with sister brand Omega during the pandemic, which triggered similar scenes of masked customers racing toward stores from Singapore to Sydney.
The company has navigated product hysteria for over forty years. In 1984, it suspended a massive 13-ton yellow Swatch from a Frankfurt building, coinciding with the popularity of its revolutionary mass-produced, budget-friendly timepieces that differed dramatically from traditional watches. Consumers began sporting models like “White Memphis” and “Chrono-tech” with its bold primary-colored hands.
This weekend, London’s Carnaby Street Swatch location again attracted lengthy queues ahead of the Royal Pop debut. Dozens of people crowded the sidewalk outside the Oxford Street store Sunday before opening, prompting authorities to shutter all London Swatch outlets and several others throughout the U.K. Similar scenes unfolded globally, with closed stores in the Netherlands and what was described as a “mosh pit” atmosphere in New York’s Times Square.
French authorities deployed both tear gas grenades and spray to scatter crowds gathering outside the nation’s Swatch locations, according to the national police service.
Officers used gas grenades at the massive Westfield Parly 2 shopping center west of Paris, where television footage captured riot police with shields and helmets positioned outside the shuttered watch store. In Lyon, officers deployed a gas grenade when crowds refused multiple dispersal orders at the city’s Bellecour public square, while Montpellier municipal police used tear gas spray. The police service noted that crowds remained peaceful at other Swatch locations.
Swatch France announced on Instagram that “because of public security considerations,” stores in six French cities would remain closed that day.
The company subsequently released a statement guaranteeing that the Royal Pop would remain available for months.
The timepiece debuted exclusively in physical stores without online availability — a questionable decision according to some observers, given the heightened atmosphere created by substantial resale profits motivating those waiting in line. Scattered injuries, arrests, and property damage were reported.
Many companies consider the liability risks of such hype too dangerous.
“A lot of the streetwear drops and sneaker drops that used to happen when I was younger, all of them have moved online because of safety concerns,” observed Odunayo Ojo, a London-based fashion and cultural critic, on his YouTube channel Fashion Roadman. Either Swatch “didn’t get the memo,” underestimated the product’s appeal, or deliberately amplified the launch to boost sales.
“Swatch already has a track record of understanding how these things go,” Ojo noted.
By Monday, the lines had disappeared, possibly because, as observers near a Paris Swatch store reported, no Royal Pop watches remained in stock. Word was that fresh shipments were expected soon.
WASHINGTON — A massive $1.7 billion compensation program has been established by the Justice Department to provide financial relief to supporters of President Donald Trump who claim they faced unfair prosecution during the previous administration, officials announced Monday. Democratic leaders are condemning the initiative as both unconstitutional and corrupt.
In a statement, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche described the program — called the “Anti-Weaponization Fund” — as providing “a lawful process for victims of lawfare and weaponization to be heard and seek redress.” Blanche’s announcement did not address how investigations and prosecutions of Trump’s political opponents under his oversight have subjected the Justice Department to identical accusations of politically motivated law enforcement that he claims to oppose.
The compensation program emerged from an agreement to settle Trump’s $10 billion legal action against the Internal Revenue Service concerning the disclosure of his tax documents.
This initiative aligns with Trump’s persistent assertions that the Justice Department under the Biden administration was used as a weapon against him, despite the fact that then-President Joe Biden himself faced scrutiny during that period. The program represents both an extremely unusual settlement approach and another example of the Trump administration’s willingness to compensate supporters who faced investigations and, in some instances, charges and convictions prior to Trump assuming office.
Democratic legislators, who are preparing a court challenge to this action, contend it will become a taxpayer-funded “slush fund” for Trump supporters and allies claiming political persecution. They also raise concerns about whether the president should have authority to allocate funds for this program without explicit congressional authorization.
Here’s what you need to understand about this compensation program:
The program was revealed after Trump and his sons, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., along with the Trump Organization agreed to withdraw their legal action against the IRS and the Treasury Department. Their lawsuit claimed that confidential tax record disclosures caused them reputational and financial damage and harmed their public image, among other claims.
Based on the Justice Department’s announcement, the program aims to establish a formal procedure for individuals or organizations claiming they were inappropriately targeted by the government for political, ideological or personal motivations.
“The use of government power to target individuals or entities for improper and unlawful political, personal, or ideological reasons should not be tolerated by any administration,” Justice Department official Trent McCotter stated in the announcement.
The funding will originate from the federal judgment fund, which covers court judgments and settlement agreements in lawsuits against the government.
According to the Justice Department, the program will evaluate claims of alleged government political targeting, provide formal apologies and distribute monetary compensation to qualifying applicants.
The allegations of a weaponized Justice Department during the Biden administration ignore the reality that President Joe Biden himself faced investigation for potentially mishandling classified information, while his son Hunter faced charges for gun and tax violations.
The Justice Department has not specified by name who might theoretically qualify for the program, but numerous investigations of Trump supporters during the Biden administration created potential beneficiaries seeking compensation.
Law enforcement officials, for example, filed charges against approximately 1,500 individuals related to the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol. On his first day of his second term, Trump either pardoned these individuals, reduced their prison terms or dismissed their cases.
Whether compensation eligibility would extend to Jan. 6 defendants convicted of assaulting officers with improvised weapons including flagpoles, a hockey stick and crutch remains uncertain. Over 250 individuals received assault convictions, with the attacks often documented on surveillance or body camera recordings.
Additional prominent Trump supporters who faced investigation and charges include Steve Bannon, who completed a prison term for defying a congressional subpoena, and Peter Navarro, who received a similar contempt conviction and later received a pardon.
The Justice Department states the program will obtain $1.776 billion from the federal judgment fund, operating until Dec. 15, 2028, under supervision of a five-member commission selected by Blanche, with one member chosen after consulting with congressional leadership. The Justice Department notes the president maintains removal authority over any member.
The commission’s methodology for determining compensation awards remains unclear.
The Justice Department references previous settlement cases as authorization for this program — including litigation involving Keepseagle v. Vilsack — a significant 1999 class-action lawsuit filed against the USDA by Native American farmers alleging that the USDA discriminated against Native American farmworkers by refusing them farm loans while approving comparable loans for white applicants.
“The Obama Administration settled the case by establishing an administrative claims process funded by $680,000,000 paid from the judgment fund, which was deposited into a bank account to fund the claims received,” the Justice Department stated.
Democratic legislators and ethics monitors strongly criticized the program’s creation — describing it as corrupt, lacking transparency and potentially becoming a “slush fund” for the president and his supporters.
Nearly 100 congressional members filed a brief initiating a legal challenge to the case.
“This case is nothing but a racket designed to take $1.7 billion of taxpayer dollars out of the Treasury and pour it into a huge slush fund for Trump at DOJ to hand out to his private militia of insurrectionists, rioters, and white supremacists, including those who brutally beat police officers on January 6, 2021, and sycophant accomplices to his election stealing schemes,” Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, stated.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., described the program as “corruption on steroids.”
Last month, she and other Democratic legislators introduced the Ban Presidential Plunder of Taxpayer Funds Act, which would prohibit the sitting president and vice president from receiving settlement payments from the U.S., among other provisions.
President Donald Trump plans to expand the selection of medications offered through his administration’s TrumpRx discount drug website, a White House official confirmed Monday while speaking anonymously to preview the upcoming announcement.
The additional drug options will be revealed during a White House healthcare affordability event scheduled for Monday afternoon, potentially strengthening a government platform that the Republican administration has promoted as assistance for Americans facing escalating medical expenses.
Critics from the Democratic Party have dismissed TrumpRx as a publicity stunt, pointing out that numerous medications featured on the site are already affordable for insured individuals or available as less expensive generic alternatives through other retailers. Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts recently described it as a “conduit for Big Pharma to steer consumers to expensive brand-name drugs when cheaper generics are available.”
The government-operated website does not function as a direct medication purchasing platform. Rather, it serves as a connecting service that directs Americans to pharmaceutical companies’ consumer websites for actual purchases. The site also offers pharmacy discount coupons. TrumpRx debuted in February featuring more than 40 medications, including weight-loss treatments like Ozempic and Wegovy.
This Monday announcement, initially covered by Bloomberg News, arrives as healthcare costs have become a primary voter issue leading up to the November midterm elections. Medical expenses remain a significant concern for numerous Americans, a problem worsened by recent Medicaid reductions and the end of enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies this year that caused dramatic premium increases for some individuals.
Beyond TrumpRx, the administration has highlighted additional initiatives aimed at reducing medication costs, including agreements between the president and 17 major pharmaceutical companies to provide drugs at prices matching or below those found in other developed nations.
SAN DIEGO (AP) — A gunman fired multiple shots at a San Diego mosque on Monday, with law enforcement officials stating they believe individuals were wounded in the attack.
Officer Anthony Carrasco confirmed that witnesses reported hearing numerous gunshots at the Islamic Center of San Diego, located approximately 9 miles (14 km) north of the city’s downtown area. Authorities were uncertain whether the gunman was positioned inside or outside the building, or if the suspect had been apprehended. The San Diego Police Department announced on social media that the situation remains “still active but contained.”
Carrasco stated he could not provide additional details at that time.
According to its website, the Islamic Center represents the largest mosque in San Diego County. The facility houses the Al Rashid School, which the website indicates provides instruction in Arabic language, Islamic studies and the Quran.
Television aerial coverage captured more than a dozen children holding hands while being escorted from the center’s parking area, which was surrounded by numerous police vehicles. The white mosque sits within a neighborhood featuring homes, apartment complexes and strip malls that include Middle Eastern dining establishments and markets.
The governor’s office confirmed he was receiving updates on the situation.
“We are grateful to the first responders on the scene working to protect the community and urge everyone to follow guidance from local authorities,” his office posted on the social platform X.
The Islamic Center’s website describes its mission as serving not only the Muslim community but also working “with the larger community to serve the less fortunate, to educate, and to better our nation.” The facility hosts five daily prayer services and collaborates with various organizations and people of different faiths on social initiatives.
A rapidly expanding wildfire broke out Monday morning in Southern California, forcing residents from their homes and destroying at least one house.
The blaze began shortly after 10 a.m. in Simi Valley, located in Ventura County approximately 30 miles northwest of Los Angeles.
By just before noon, the fire had consumed more than 180 acres, said Scott Dettorre, spokesperson for the Ventura County Fire Department.
Television news helicopters captured images showing at least one residence engulfed in flames. Fire officials have not released specific numbers on property damage. Several helicopters were observed making water drops on the burning area while thick gray smoke covered the surrounding community.
Evacuation orders were issued for residents living in Simi Valley’s southern section. The city is home to more than 125,000 people.
Emergency responders worked urgently to prevent the fire from advancing down hillsides into residential areas of Thousand Oaks.
The National Weather Service issued an advisory for the region warning of winds between 20 and 30 mph lasting until 3 p.m.
Having accumulated over 50 NHL playoff appearances, Jack Eichel believes the Vegas Golden Knights shouldn’t alter their strategy as they advance deeper into postseason play.
“We know we need to be better, and you want to continue to elevate your game both individually and as a team the further you go,” Eichel said. “That’s our goal.”
However, executing that plan becomes increasingly challenging. Elite-level hockey has reached the third round, featuring three of the five top championship contenders still competing in conference finals. Vegas will battle the league’s top team Colorado in the Western Conference, while the perfect Carolina squad awaits the victor of the seventh game between Buffalo and Montreal.
Game 1: Wednesday, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Favorite: Colorado (2-5)
The Avalanche claimed the Presidents’ Trophy for their outstanding regular season performance and maintained their position at the top of NHL standings for 156 straight days starting November 1, marking the longest such streak in 40 years. They eliminated Los Angeles with a sweep in round one and defeated Minnesota in five contests, mounting a comeback to finish off the Wild in overtime after trailing 3-0 away from home.
At this stage, the competition intensifies significantly.
“I would expect Colorado’s stiffest challenge is going to come here in this next series because Vegas has been around the block,” former player and coach-turned-TNT analyst Ed Olczyk said. “They’ve got an experienced coach. They’re getting goaltending that they didn’t get for a lot of the regular season.”
With Carter Hart between the pipes and Mitch Marner providing leadership, the Golden Knights have reached the Western final for the fourth occasion in their nine-season history. This marks their first appearance under coach John Tortorella, who assumed control in late March and guided the team through a 7-0-1 stretch to close the regular season plus additional playoff achievements.
“We feel really good about ourselves,” Tortorella said. “In playoffs, it’s not just the X’s and O’s and all. It’s how you feel, and the confidence level you have. I think we’re in a good spot.”
Colorado’s counterpart Jared Bednar isn’t concerned about his team’s ability to perform under increased scrutiny. The Avalanche sit four years past their 2022 Stanley Cup championship, while Vegas captured the title in ’23.
“We have the exact same expectations as Vegas does,” Bednar said. “We have very similar experience, too: probably close to half the roster winning a Stanley Cup a couple years ago, no success since, and here we are facing each other. So, pressure on us is no different than the pressure on them.”
Regarding player health, Vegas captain Mark Stone has been sidelined since exiting Game 3 against Anaheim with an undisclosed injury. Avalanche standout Cale Makar has been managing an apparent right arm or shoulder injury while teammate defenseman Sam Malinski and forward Artturi Lehkonen were unavailable for portions of the Minnesota series.
Game 1: Thursday, 8 p.m. ET (TNT, TruTV)
Favorite: Carolina (4-11)
The Hurricanes became the first franchise to complete clean sweeps of both opening rounds since the NHL adopted four best-of-seven series format in 1987. Their reward includes 11 complete days of rest before beginning the Eastern final.
“Obviously that’s not great,” Olczyk said. “That’s not ideal, but you’d rather have that than play back-to-back seven-game series and probably having guys being taped up to just get out there.”
Carolina captain Jordan Staal shares that perspective, dismissing concerns about potential rust and stating, “If anyone in the league was in a playoff series and they had the opportunity to win in four or seven, they would pick four.”
Another victory would match the 1985 Edmonton Oilers for the longest winning streak to begin playoffs.
With defending champion Florida eliminated after injuries disrupted the Panthers’ campaign and traditional powerhouses like Toronto and Tampa Bay knocked out early, conditions have aligned favorably for the Hurricanes to break through. They’ve advanced at least one round during each of Rod Brind’Amour’s eight seasons as coach but haven’t yet made the Stanley Cup Final.
“They’re perfect — no blemishes,” Olczyk said, highlighting Frederik Andersen’s goaltending and balanced offensive production as key factors. “I felt that it was them: It was Carolina and everybody else. And could they do it when they were the favorites and when the path was opened, could they take advantage? And they have taken full advantage.”
The eventual winner of the Sabres-Canadiens matchup will face a rapid transition from Monday night’s Game 7 to competing in Raleigh just 72 hours later. Montreal’s most recent third-round appearance came in 2021 during pandemic-adjusted divisional playoffs designed to address border restrictions, while Buffalo hasn’t advanced this far since back-to-back Eastern final appearances in 2006-07.
GREENBURGH, N.Y. — When NBA schedule makers paired Donovan Mitchell’s Cleveland Cavaliers against Jalen Brunson’s New York Knicks for a nationally broadcast season opener and Christmas Day game, they clearly saw this as the Eastern Conference’s premier matchup.
That prediction proved accurate.
Both teams return to Madison Square Garden’s bright lights where their season began Tuesday, but now they’ll compete in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.
“It’s go-time now,” Brunson declared Monday.
New York has dominated the playoffs with record-breaking performances. Cleveland, strengthened by adding James Harden, gained momentum late in the regular season and convincingly eliminated Detroit, the East’s top seed, in round two.
This advancement marks Mitchell’s first conference finals appearance and brings him back to his hometown area. The Elmsford, New York native grew up near the Knicks’ practice facility.
“Yeah it’s great I get to play at home, woo, but it doesn’t matter,” Mitchell stated. “We’ve got to be locked in and ready to go, and I know we will be.”
New York secured the East’s third seed while Cleveland finished fourth, trailing Detroit and Boston significantly. However, seven months after the Knicks defeated the Cavaliers in Mike Brown’s coaching debut, both squads have fulfilled preseason expectations.
The Cavaliers started as the East’s wagering favorites and reclaimed that position following Harden’s acquisition from the Los Angeles Clippers. New York ranked second in preseason predictions but climbed to the top during the playoffs, and their performance demonstrates why.
The Knicks have captured seven consecutive victories and outpaced Atlanta and Philadelphia by a combined 194 points, marking the largest differential through any team’s initial 10 playoff contests. New York reached 140 points in both series-clinching games.
“They’re rested and they’re a juggernaut right now,” Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson observed. “I mean, it’s just what it is. It’s hard to blow out teams in the playoffs like they’ve been blowing out. Point differential means something in this league.”
Cleveland performed adequately rather than exceptionally throughout most of this postseason, requiring seven games to advance past both Toronto and Detroit. However, they claimed their final two road victories against the 60-win Pistons, including a dominant 125-94 Game 7 triumph.
Jarrett Allen contributed 23 points while Evan Mobley added 21 points and 12 rebounds, demonstrating that Cleveland’s strength extends beyond their prolific backcourt.
“I remember back in the day when I was with Pop, Pop said you need three All-Stars to win a championship. Well, they’ve got four,” Brown commented, referencing his assistant coaching tenure under Gregg Popovich in San Antonio.
New York defeated Cleveland in five games during the 2023 first round, Brunson’s inaugural New York season, extending their series record to 4-0 against the Cavaliers. The Knicks hold a 12-2 advantage in playoff matchups, having previously won series in 1978, 1995, and 1996.
Beyond Mitchell, both head coaches return to former organizations. Brown previously coached Cleveland twice, guiding them to their first NBA Finals in 2007. Atkinson, a Long Island native, served as Mike D’Antoni’s assistant with the Knicks before receiving his first head coaching opportunity in Brooklyn.
New York hasn’t competed since May 10, while Cleveland has just one complete day between rounds.
The extended break allows the Knicks to recover physically, with OG Anunoby returning to full practice after missing Philadelphia’s final two games with a strained right hamstring. Yet the layoff might disrupt a team operating in excellent rhythm.
“I’ve been in both situations. I’ve been playing while the team is waiting and I’ve been waiting while a team is playing, and you can say a lot theoretically,” Brown explained. “You could say that they’re going to be tired, but you can also say they have a competitive edge because they’ve been going at it for seven games and we’ve been off.”
Cleveland has received significant contributions beyond Mitchell and Harden.
Mobley has dominated on both ends, averaging 17 points while leading in rebounds (8.0) and tying for blocks (1.9). Allen has delivered strong Game 7 performances and benefited from Harden’s emphasis on interior offense.
Max Strus, Dennis Schroder, and Sam Merrill have provided crucial bench production. Strus made pivotal steals in Games 3 and 5 against Detroit. Schroder offers veteran ball-handling when Harden and Mitchell rest, while Merrill maintains 40.4% three-point accuracy.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A former Jacksonville Jaguars head coach has been unsuccessful in his multi-million dollar arbitration battle against the NFL franchise that terminated him for cause in 2021, according to a source with knowledge of the legal proceedings.
The individual provided information to The Associated Press under the condition of anonymity due to non-disclosure agreements that prevent both parties from publicly discussing the matter. The source indicated the case reached resolution in 2025, though On3 initially reported the outcome Monday.
The Jaguars organization refused to provide comment, and attempts to reach Meyer for response were unsuccessful.
Team owner Shad Khan terminated Meyer for cause in December 2021, just hours after former player Josh Lambo publicly accused Meyer of physically kicking him during a practice session months prior — marking the final incident in a series of controversies during Meyer’s 11-month stint with the franchise.
Meyer attempted to manage a professional roster using collegiate methods. He decorated the facility with motivational sayings and phrases, implemented training camp-style drills during practice sessions, and maintained his flawed philosophy that coaching staff work for players while players perform for their coaches. He frequently brought in guest speakers for motivation and consistently blamed his assistant coaches for accumulating defeats rather than holding the professional athletes accountable.
Among Meyer’s most controversial actions occurred after a Thursday evening matchup in Cincinnati during late September. He decided to remain behind with relatives rather than return home with his squad, and was subsequently recorded the next evening acting inappropriately with a female patron at an establishment in Columbus, Ohio.
Abandoning his team demonstrated Meyer’s disconnect from professional football culture. This represented just one example of questionable judgment from a coach who achieved remarkable collegiate success — earning three combined championship titles — while leading programs at Bowling Green, Utah, Florida and Ohio State.
Meyer contested his dismissal through arbitration proceedings. A favorable ruling would have secured the remaining portion of his five-year agreement valued at approximately $6 million per year.
Meyer and Lambo remain engaged in separate civil litigation scheduled for trial in early August. Lambo voluntarily removed the Jaguars organization from his lawsuit earlier this year.
Lambo seeks more than $3.5 million in lost wages and emotional distress compensation related to Meyer’s alleged actions. The complaint filed in 4th Judicial Circuit Court in Duval County alleges Meyer established a hostile workplace and claims Lambo’s job performance declined following the kicking incident and verbal mistreatment from Meyer.
Meyer, 61, currently serves as a college football television analyst for Fox Sports and received induction into the College Hall of Fame in December.
A Palestinian worker has died from injuries sustained when Israeli forces opened fire as he attempted to enter Israel in search of employment, according to Palestinian medical authorities who confirmed his death on Monday.
This represents the second fatal incident within a week involving a Palestinian worker being shot while attempting to cross the border for employment purposes.
Palestinian health officials in Ramallah named the victim as 32-year-old Mahmoud Al-Amleh. Medical authorities reported he sustained gunshot wounds on Sunday morning from Israeli forces in Beit Ula village, located in the southern territory close to Hebron. Emergency responders transported Al-Amleh to a Hebron medical facility where he underwent emergency surgery.
Speaking to The Associated Press, Hamdan Al-Amleh explained that his cousin had joined other workers attempting to enter Israel for employment.
Israeli military officials acknowledged opening fire on Palestinians and wounding an individual. Military representatives stated that soldiers discharged their weapons because the Palestinians were believed to be damaging border infrastructure during their crossing attempt. The military’s official statement indicated that firing at suspects represents standard protocol during detention operations.
This incident follows another Palestinian fatality under comparable circumstances less than seven days earlier.
Prior to the conflict between Israel and Hamas, Israeli authorities permitted tens of thousands of Palestinians to work within Israel’s borders. However, Israel revoked the majority of these work permits following the Hamas-led assault on southern Israel that occurred on Oct. 7, 2023. As the West Bank’s economy continues to deteriorate and joblessness increases, growing numbers of Palestinians from the occupied territory have tried to enter Israel without authorization to find basic employment opportunities.
Data from the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs indicates that Israeli military personnel or settlers have fatally shot no fewer than 47 Palestinians in the West Bank during this year through May 11.
OCHA reports that 17 Palestinians have lost their lives and more than 290 others have sustained injuries while attempting to cross the barrier since Oct. 7, 2023.
Drivers traveling on Chestnut Ridge Drive should plan for potential delays this afternoon due to ongoing traffic control operations in the area.
The flagging work is taking place along Chestnut Ridge Drive between Woodlytown Road and Mayapple Lane, with operations expected to wrap up by 5:30 PM today.
Officials describe the flagging operation as intermittent, meaning traffic flow will vary throughout the afternoon as work crews manage vehicle movement through the area.
Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and consider alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.
Supporters of Bolivia’s former President Evo Morales joined massive demonstrations Monday as the South American nation grapples with its most severe economic crisis in decades.
The protests and highway blockades, which began more than two weeks ago, represent the most significant threat yet to President Rodrigo Paz, Bolivia’s first conservative president following almost 20 years of socialist leadership.
Following a six-day trek across the Andes mountains, thousands of Morales backers carrying dynamite sticks and slingshots arrived in the capital, where riot police awaited them. Explosions echoed through downtown La Paz as security forces responded with tear gas against demonstrators demanding the president step down just six months after taking office. “Homeland or death, we will win!” protesters shouted.
Paz assumed the presidency last year during a period when conservative leaders aligned with the Trump administration gained power across Latin America. Facing the country’s worst economic downturn in four decades, he has worked to address Bolivia’s fuel shortages, control its enormous budget deficit, and tackle the lack of U.S. dollars while managing powerful factions connected to Morales that threaten his administration.
Recently, his administration has negotiated agreements with protesting miners and educators who have agreed to halt their demonstrations.
Highway blockades have traditionally served as the primary tactic for social movements supporting Morales that say they speak for Bolivia’s predominantly rural Indigenous population. During the past 16 days, these roadblocks have trapped thousands of trucks on major routes, creating shortages of food, fuel and medical supplies in La Paz and other urban areas.
The administration sent police and military personnel throughout the nation over the weekend attempting to clear the blockades, resulting in an undetermined number of injuries and at least 90 arrests by Monday, the public prosecutor reported.
“They can march if it’s peaceful, but we will take action if they commit crimes,” Deputy Interior Minister Hernán Paredes stated Monday.
Paz claims Morales is directing the civil unrest to weaken his government.
Eight allied Latin American nations, spanning from Argentina to Panama, issued a collective statement last week condemning “any action aimed at destabilizing the democratic order.” The U.S. State Department joined the criticism Sunday, expressing support for Paz’s efforts “to restore order for the peace, security, and stability of the Bolivian people.”
Following Paz’s appeal, neighboring Argentina announced it would begin a week-long humanitarian airlift to help address shortages in the country.
Morales coordinated the recent march from his refuge in Bolivia’s isolated tropical region. He has remained hidden in the highlands for the past year and a half, avoiding an arrest warrant related to charges concerning his sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl.
Morales maintains the allegations are politically motivated.
The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for New Castle County in Delaware and Eastern Chester County in Pennsylvania, warning residents of potentially dangerous heat conditions through Wednesday evening.
Heat index values are expected to reach up to 98 degrees, with some areas potentially hitting near 100 degrees during peak afternoon hours. The advisory, which began Sunday afternoon, will remain in effect until 8:00 PM Wednesday.
“Given the intensity of this early season stretch of heat and humidity, we are not acclimated to it yet, and therefore impacts could be greater if precautions are not taken,” the Weather Service warned. Record-setting high temperatures are possible through Wednesday.
Health officials stress the importance of staying hydrated and cool during this heat wave. Residents should drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned spaces when possible, avoid prolonged sun exposure, and check on elderly relatives and neighbors who may be more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses.
Relief is on the way. The Weather Service says showers and thunderstorms are expected to arrive Wednesday afternoon and evening, which should break this early season heat wave.
Stay with TV Delmarva for continued weather updates.
WILMINGTON — State transportation officials are alerting drivers about upcoming lane restrictions in New Castle County this Friday.
The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) will implement a lane closure on Woodlawn Road from the western edge of the traffic circle to Thompson Bridge Road on Friday, May 29th. The restriction will be in effect from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. while crews conduct tree removal operations.
Officials are advising drivers to exercise caution when traveling through the work zone and to anticipate minor traffic delays during the six-hour period.
Additional details are available on DelDOT’s website at www.deldot.gov or through their mobile application.
Drivers traveling on Frederica Road should plan for potential delays as construction work continues to impact traffic flow in the area.
The roadway between Front Street and Market Street is experiencing intermittent lane restrictions that will remain active until 4 PM today. The closures are necessary to accommodate ongoing construction activities in the corridor.
Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time when using this route and consider alternate paths if possible during the affected hours.
The National Agricultural Statistics Service has issued its newest report detailing crop progress and agricultural conditions nationwide.
The agency’s Crop Progress and Condition Estimates document offers current data on how crops are developing and the state of farming operations.
This regular publication helps track agricultural trends and provides valuable information for farmers, researchers, and industry professionals monitoring crop performance throughout the growing season.
A controversial gold mining operation in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest faces a crucial legal decision Wednesday, as a court in the nation’s capital determines which level of government holds authority over the project’s environmental approval process.
The judicial panel in Brasilia must decide whether Brazil’s federal government or the northern state of Para holds jurisdiction to issue environmental permits for the mining venture operated by Canadian firm Belo Sun.
Since 2012, Belo Sun has worked to develop the Volta Grande gold extraction facility along the Xingu River in Para state. The proposed location sits approximately 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) from Belo Monte, ranked as the planet’s third-largest hydroelectric facility, whose operations have diminished river flow and significantly impacted nearby communities.
The Volta Grande operation would become the Brazilian Amazon’s largest gold mining facility.
Based on a 2015 feasibility analysis submitted by Belo Sun, the company plans to extract 3.52 million ounces of gold across 17 years, removing over 600 million tons of material. The mining site would span 24 square kilometers (9.2 square miles) and impact 125 hectares (309 acres) of Amazon rainforest.
A 2021 independent evaluation by researchers from the University of Sao Paulo and University of Amazonas determined the operation posed excessive risks and recommended rejection.
The assessment’s primary concern focused on the planned tailings dam, engineered to hold mining debris directly above a water channel near the Xingu River. Researchers warned that dam failure could rapidly release toxic materials into the river, endangering Indigenous and riverine populations along with the ecosystem.
The operation would also force relocation of 813 families, according to the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil, or Apib. These communities, already severely impacted by droughts following the Belo Monte development, could experience additional hardship. The Belo Monte facility has decreased water flow in the Xingu River section where the Belo Sun operation is planned.
Using analysis from nonprofit Amazon Watch, prosecutors calculated the Volta Grande facility would generate approximately 3.7 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions, a greenhouse gas contributing to global warming. The calculation assumes one ton of carbon dioxide emissions per 28 grams of extracted gold.
The Volta Grande licensing process has encountered resistance from its inception.
In 2013, prosecutors moved to stop the process, pointing to inadequate consultation with affected Indigenous communities. In 2017, a complete federal court panel supported this position, mandating federal government approval and formal Indigenous community consultation before project advancement.
Nevertheless, in 2025, justices reversed that ruling and transferred licensing authority back to Para state. Prosecutors filed an appeal, contending the recent decision constituted a separate, new proceeding. The court will address the appeal Wednesday.
Last December, the Juruna and Arara Indigenous communities of the Xingu issued an open letter declaring they have never consented to the project, as mandated by the 2017 ruling. In a statement provided to The Associated Press, Belo Sun maintained it has conducted proper Indigenous consultation, following protocols established by affected communities and monitored by authorities.
Federal prosecutors contended that Brazil’s national government — rather than Para’s local government — should authorize the project given its nationwide implications. The operation would impact Indigenous territories, which falls under federal oversight, affect the Xingu River — a federal waterway — and further influence the Belo Monte hydropower facility, constructed by the federal government.
“From the start, as we did in Belo Monte, we have argued that the licensing falls under federal jurisdiction because it affects Indigenous lands and a federal river,” federal prosecutor Felício Pontes Jr., who is working on the case, said.
He noted that combined impacts with the hydroelectric facility represent a central concern. Brazilian courts have already established that Belo Monte’s effects exceeded initial projections.
In recent decisions, courts have mandated compensation for affected communities and required Norte Energia, the dam operating company, to supply clean water to families whose natural sources disappeared, as well as reassess water diversion from the Xingu River for turbine operations.
“This could create a major conflict if there isn’t a single authority licensing both projects, given the impacts one project has on the other,” the prosecutor said.
Should the court choose to transfer the case to federal oversight, the decision could nullify environmental permits issued in 2025 to Belo Sun by Para state. Regardless, parties may still pursue challenges. Additional lawsuits questioning the operation remain pending in courts.
Before the vote, Belo Sun announced initiation of new technical research for the Volta Grande operation. On May 12, the company reported hiring a mining consultancy to examine and update technical studies for the Installation License. The objective includes identifying enhancements, outlining updates to a definitive feasibility study and creating a phased project plan. Belo Sun anticipates completing this phase by the third quarter of 2026.
Belo Sun stated the Volta Grande facility remains subject to environmental licensing by appropriate regulatory and judicial authorities in Brazil.
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth made an unusual foray into electoral politics Monday, launching verbal attacks against one of President Donald Trump’s most vocal Republican opponents in Congress while inserting himself into a Kentucky House race that serves as a measure of the president’s influence.
Hegseth made the trip to Kentucky to deliver criticisms aimed at weakening Rep. Thomas Massie before Tuesday’s primary contest in Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District. The defense secretary claimed he was appearing “as a private citizen” rather than in his official Cabinet role.
However, Hegseth repeatedly invoked Trump’s name while endorsing Massie’s challenger, former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein.
“President Trump needs reinforcements, and that’s what war fighters do. They stand behind leaders and have their back,” Hegseth said. “Too often, Thomas Massie has acted like his job is to stand apart from the movement that President Trump leads, instead of strengthening it. When President Trump needs backup, Massie wants to debate process.”
The defense secretary’s campaign involvement marks an unusual departure from standard practice while the country remains engaged in warfare, occurring as Trump seeks to showcase his ongoing control over the Republican Party amid growing economic worries and Iran war concerns fewer than six months from midterm voting.
Massie’s primary contest stands out this midterm cycle as a significant test of Trump’s influence. Presidential supporters have invested tens of millions into efforts to defeat Massie, creating what has become the costliest congressional primary battle in American history.
Massie, among the few Republican House members to publicly oppose Trump, has spoken against the Iran conflict and strongly advocated for making the Jeffrey Epstein files public.
“They’re desperate. That’s why they’re sending the secretary of war to my district,” Massie said Sunday on ABC’s “This Week.” “That’s why the president’s losing sleep and tweeting about this.”
Before Hegseth’s Kentucky visit, the Pentagon released a statement addressing accusations that the defense secretary violated regulations by using government funds for campaign activities.
“Secretary Hegseth is attending this event in his personal capacity. No taxpayer dollars will be used to facilitate his visit,” said Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell. “His participation has been thoroughly vetted and cleared by lawyers, including the Department of War Office of General Counsel, and does not violate the Hatch Act or any other applicable federal statute.”
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced Monday that he has postponed a military operation against Iran that was set to take place Tuesday, citing ongoing diplomatic efforts.
The president made the announcement through a social media post, explaining that serious negotiations are currently happening. This comes after Trump had warned that time was running out for Iran to reach an agreement or face renewed military action following a delicate ceasefire.
While Trump did not provide specifics about the military operation that was planned, he stated that he directed U.S. armed forces to remain ready for a comprehensive, major attack on Iran at any moment if diplomatic efforts fail to produce a satisfactory agreement.
For several weeks, Trump has warned that the ceasefire established in mid-April might collapse without a deal between the nations, though the requirements for such an agreement have varied over time.
Two Navy aircraft crashed in a dramatic midair collision during an Idaho air show Sunday, but remarkably all four crew members aboard both planes managed to eject safely before the jets plummeted to the ground in a fiery explosion.
The incident occurred during the “Gunfighter Skies” air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base, located approximately 57 miles southwest of Boise.
According to Cmdr. Amelia Umayam, spokesperson for Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet, just one of the four crew members sustained injuries and received hospital treatment Monday. The injuries were described as non-life-threatening.
Aviation expert Billie Flynn, a former F-35 senior test pilot and demonstration specialist, described the successful ejections as “truly remarkable.”
“It is astonishing considering the way the airplanes impacted each other — incomprehensible even,” Flynn stated.
The aircraft involved were two U.S. Navy EA18-G Growlers from Electronic Attack Squadron 129 based at Whidbey Island, Washington. Each plane carried two crew members.
The EA-18G Growler spans 60.2 feet in length and completed its inaugural flight in August 2006, marking the first new electronic warfare aircraft design in over 35 years, Navy records show. The aircraft saw its first combat deployment in Libya during 2011 and has since operated globally.
Spectator footage captured the moments before impact, showing one aircraft positioned slightly behind the other. Upon collision, the jets became locked together, with one plane’s underside pressed against the top of the other aircraft.
The combined wreckage then spun and rocked together, momentarily pointing skyward before rotating downward toward the earth. The ground impact created a massive fireball with black smoke billowing upward.
The crew members ejected in rapid sequence, their parachutes deploying as the aircraft began their fatal descent.
Flynn analyzed the collision footage and suggested pilot error as the likely cause.
The video evidence indicates the pilots were attempting to align their aircraft closely in a wing-tip to wing-tip formation but failed to complete the standard rejoining maneuver safely, Flynn explained.
“This is clearly a pilot error,” Flynn concluded.
Military officials have not disclosed any details about potential contributing factors to the crash. Umayam confirmed an investigation is ongoing while recovery operations for the destroyed aircraft continue.
“Our priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of our personnel, as well as security of the aircraft during the recovery,” Umayam stated in correspondence with The Associated Press.
John Cox, an aviation safety specialist and CEO of Safety Operating Systems, noted that air show pilots represent the elite tier of aviators, but operate within extremely narrow safety margins.
“Air show flying is demanding. It has very little tolerance,” Cox explained. “The people who do it are very good and it’s a small margin for error. I’m glad everybody was able to get out.”
The air show sector has pursued enhanced safety measures across approximately 200 annual events nationwide. The most recent fatal air show incidents occurred in 2024, claiming two lives in separate crashes at different venues.
Sunday’s Gunfighter Skies event marked the first air show at the base since 2018, when a hang glider pilot perished during a performance crash.
The base previously experienced a 2003 Thunderbirds aircraft crash during a maneuver attempt. That pilot avoided injury by directing the plane away from spectators and ejecting moments before ground impact.
John Cudahy, president and CEO of the International Council of Air Shows, reported significant safety improvements over recent decades. Annual U.S. air show fatalities averaged 3.8 deaths from 1991 to 2006, but have declined to an average of 1.1 deaths yearly since 2017, even accounting for a 2022 Dallas collision between vintage aircraft that killed six people. No air show deaths occurred in 2025 or 2023, and no spectator fatalities have happened at U.S. air shows since 1952.
MIAMI — A former business associate of Venezuelan leadership faced federal charges in Miami court Monday, accused of laundering money through an alleged bribery operation involving government officials.
Alex Saab appeared before a federal judge following his weekend deportation by acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who has been removing insider businesspeople suspected of corrupt activities with the previous administration.
Wearing shackles and prison clothing, the defendant responded “Yes, ma’am,” in English when informed of the single money laundering charge connected to an undisclosed bribery operation. Court documents were unsealed during the proceeding but remain unavailable to the public.
The 54-year-old Saab faced previous federal charges in 2019 under the first Trump presidency and was detained in Cape Verde during a fuel stop while on what Venezuelan officials called an important humanitarian trip to Iran.
President Joe Biden granted him a pardon in 2023 as part of a prisoner exchange that freed multiple detained Americans in Venezuela and returned a fleeing foreign defense contractor. The agreement, which was part of an unsuccessful Biden administration attempt to encourage free elections, drew sharp criticism from Republicans and federal investigators, who continued pursuing Saab for additional alleged crimes outside the limited pardon scope.
Federal authorities have historically characterized Saab as the former leader’s “bag man” and may seek his testimony against his previous associate, who faces drug trafficking charges in Manhattan following his January capture during a U.S. military operation.
This latest prosecution unfolds as the Trump administration works to reshape Venezuelan relations.
Trump and top officials have praised Rodríguez, who has opened Venezuela’s petroleum sector to American investment during rising oil costs linked to Iranian conflict. In return, the White House has reduced election pressure, despite constitutional requirements for voting within 30 days of a president becoming “permanently unavailable.”
However, Rodríguez confronts significant internal opposition from the ruling socialist party’s more radical elements, including figures like Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, who maintains substantial security force influence and faces his own U.S. criminal charges.
Mario Silva, who previously hosted pro-government programming on state television before his removal following the former president’s capture, challenged Saab’s deportation legality, citing constitutional extradition prohibitions.
“The imperialists don’t negotiate. They conquer, test and probe — until our country shatters,” Silva stated during a Sunday social media livestream. “Nobody is safe right now.”
Silva noted that Venezuela’s previous efforts to secure Saab’s freedom exceeded actions taken for the former president and former First Lady Cilia Flores.
Possibly expecting criticism, Venezuela’s immigration department Saturday described Saab only as a “Colombian citizen who is implicated in committing several crimes in the United States of America, a fact that is widely known, notorious, and heavily documented in the media.”
Rodríguez’s current silence contrasts sharply with her previous support during Venezuela’s international campaign for his release from U.S. custody. She previously called him an “innocent Venezuelan diplomat” who was illegally “kidnapped” during a humanitarian mission to Iran to bypass the “immoral, imperial blockade” imposed by the United States.
While consolidating power, Rodríguez has separated herself from Saab, removing him from her Cabinet and eliminating his position as primary liaison for foreign companies seeking Venezuelan investments.
Saab built wealth through Venezuelan government deals. His 2019 charges involved a low-income housing contract that was never completed.
The Associated Press previously reported his investigation connection to another Justice Department case against Saab’s business partner, Alvaro Pulido, regarding the CLAP program established to provide basic foods — rice, corn flour, cooking oil — to impoverished Venezuelans during severe hyperinflation and currency collapse.
The 2021 indictment identified Saab as “Co-Conspirator 1” and alleged he helped create shell companies to bribe a pro-government governor who granted the partners an overpriced Mexican food box import contract.
Saab previously met secretly with the Drug Enforcement Administration before his initial arrest and, during a private 2022 court session, his attorneys disclosed his years-long cooperation helping the DEA investigate corruption within the former administration’s inner circle. Through this cooperation, he surrendered over $12 million in illegal profits from corrupt business activities.
Officials in the Maldives are examining several potential causes behind the tragic deaths of five Italian researchers during a cave diving expedition last week, with authorities questioning whether the team went far deeper underwater than originally intended.
The diving team entered the underwater cave on Thursday under the leadership of Monica Montefalcone, a 51-year-old marine ecology professor from the University of Genoa who frequently conducted research dives in Maldivian waters. Among those who perished were her daughter and four other researchers, including a diving instructor whose remains were retrieved from 60 meters below the surface.
This incident represents the most fatal single diving accident in the nation’s recorded history.
Mohamed Hussain Shareef, the chief spokesperson for the Maldives president’s office, confirmed that officials had authorized the research team to study soft corals at the Devana Kandu location.
“What we didn’t know was that it was cave diving,” Shareef explained. “Because, as divers will tell you and appreciate, it’s a very different discipline with its own sets of challenges and risks involved, and particularly at that depth, there are any number of things that could have gone wrong.”
Carlo Sommacal, Montefalcone’s husband, defended his wife’s expertise in statements to Italian news outlets, emphasizing she would never have endangered her daughter or team members. He characterized her as “one of the best divers in the world” with approximately 5,000 dives to her credit, describing her as “always conscientious” and “never reckless.”
“I’m sorry, I wasn’t there and I’m no expert, and from what I’m seeing and reading, even the experts don’t have definite answers but are merely making hypotheses – lots of them,” he communicated to Reuters through WhatsApp.
Finnish diving specialists located the remaining four victims on Monday within the cave’s deepest third chamber, where they were found “pretty much together,” according to Shareef. Recovery operations are scheduled to retrieve two bodies on Tuesday and the remaining two on Wednesday.
The dangerous nature of these depths became tragically apparent when a Maldivian rescue diver also lost his life during body recovery attempts last week. The non-profit Divers Alert Network Europe, which is coordinating the recovery mission, reported that their expert divers required sophisticated technical equipment, including closed-circuit rebreathers that recycle exhaled air, to locate the victims on Monday.
Shafraz Naeem, a veteran Maldivian diver who has navigated the Devana Kandu cave system more than 30 times under deep-exploration permits and currently advises the nation’s defense forces and police, explained that the cave opening sits approximately 55 meters down, with sunlight penetrating only the initial chamber before complete darkness takes over.
Diving specialists explain that increasing depth creates higher pressure around divers, causing each breath to deliver greater oxygen quantities to the lungs and bloodstream, even when breathing standard air. When this oxygen exposure becomes excessive or prolonged, it can overstimulate the central nervous system and cause tissue damage.
“It is incredibly dangerous to conduct dives at these depths on compressed air,” Naeem warned. “Theoretically oxygen toxicity starts to occur on compressed air at about 55 meters. That is very risky and very dangerous. You never know when oxygen toxicity will hit you.”
However, Riccardo Gambacorta, who previously served as diving instructor for victim Muriel Oddenino, disputed the oxygen poisoning theory.
“My personal opinion is that an unexpected incident may have occurred underwater. They essentially did not anticipate a certain situation,” he stated.
The Italian research team that entered the caves Thursday consisted of Montefalcone’s daughter Giorgia Sommacal, biologist Federico Gualtieri, researcher Oddenino, and diving instructor Gianluca Benedetti, whose body was recovered that same evening. Benedetti had resided in the Maldives for seven years.
Shareef announced the suspension of the vessel used by the diving team “because the regulations here say that if you want to take divers on expeditions, you need a dive school permit, which they didn’t have, sadly.”
Abdul Muhsin Moosa, operator of the MV Duke of York, stated his vessel held authorization for recreational diving to depths of 30 meters maximum.
“We are sharing these details with the government, as well,” he noted, explaining that arriving divers received briefings about Maldivian recreational diving restrictions prohibiting descents beyond 30 meters.
For recreational dives within 30 meters, standard compressed air contains 21% oxygen and 79% nitrogen, but deeper expeditions require oxygen concentrations above 32%, according to diving experts. For depths approaching 50 meters, specialists recommend divers carry at least two cylinders of specialized breathing gas each.
Investigators have not yet determined whether strong underwater currents may have forced the divers below their intended depths.
The chief executive of Nvidia expressed optimism Monday that China will eventually allow American semiconductor companies greater market access following last week’s diplomatic engagement between high-level U.S. and Chinese officials.
The technology company has secured necessary permits from American authorities to market its H200 processors, but Chinese regulators have not yet granted permission as the nation continues building its domestic semiconductor industry. Recent discussions between the U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping did not yield immediate progress for Nvidia’s efforts to market H200 processors in China.
Speaking during a Bloomberg Television interview at a Dell-sponsored event, the executive shared his perspective on future market conditions.
“My sense is that over time, the market will open,” he stated.
A federal jury in Boston ruled on Monday that Takeda Pharmaceutical employed anticompetitive tactics to prevent the launch of a generic alternative to Amitiza, its constipation treatment medication.
The jury determined that pharmacies, insurance companies, retailers and other parties suffered approximately $885 million in financial harm due to Takeda’s scheme to block the generic drug from entering the market.
The verdict represents a significant legal defeat for the pharmaceutical company in what was described as an antitrust case focused on delaying competition for the anti-constipation medication.
The person who started athletic apparel company Lululemon Athletica announced Monday that he’s prepared to come to terms on the main conditions offered by the fitness clothing manufacturer.
According to a regulatory document filed Monday, the business attempted without success to resolve its contentious proxy dispute with Wilson just last week, with the clothing company stating that its founder increased his demands during negotiations.
Wilson responded with his own statement, saying: “The Board has not provided me with detail on where our disagreements lie right now, but as of Friday last week, we seemed to be in full agreement on the principal terms.”
Third baseman Gio Urshela has called time on his professional baseball career, making the announcement Monday after spending a decade in Major League Baseball across eight different franchises and appearing in 851 games.
The 34-year-old player shared his decision through a heartfelt message on Instagram, writing: “Today is the day to close this chapter as a professional player, and this is not a moment to be sad. It is a moment to be grateful to God for allowing me to play this beautiful sport that changed my life.”
Urshela’s career truly flourished during his time with the New York Yankees from 2019 through 2021, following underwhelming stints in Cleveland during 2015 and 2017, plus a season in Toronto in 2018. His breakout 2019 campaign saw him post impressive numbers with a .314 batting average, 21 home runs, and 74 RBIs. He maintained strong performance in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season with a .298 average, followed by a .267 average with 14 homers and 49 RBIs in 2021.
The Yankees traded Urshela along with catcher Gary Sanchez to the Minnesota Twins on March 13, 2022, receiving infielders Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa plus catcher Ben Rortvedt in return.
Following his Minnesota tenure, Urshela played for the Los Angeles Angels in 2023, split the 2024 season between the Detroit Tigers and Atlanta Braves, and most recently appeared with the Athletics in 2025. He entered free agency after participating in spring training with the Twins.
Urshela concludes his professional career with a .270 lifetime batting average, recording 312 runs, 73 home runs, and 352 RBIs over his 10-season tenure.
A Heat Advisory remains in effect for northern Delaware and southeastern Pennsylvania until 8:00 PM Wednesday, with dangerous heat index values climbing near 100 degrees.
New Castle County in Delaware and Eastern Chester County in Pennsylvania are under the advisory, issued by the National Weather Service. Maximum heat indices could reach 98 degrees, with record-setting temperatures possible through Wednesday afternoon.
The Weather Service warns this early-season heat wave poses heightened risks since our bodies haven’t yet adjusted to extreme temperatures. The combination of intense heat and high humidity significantly increases the danger of heat-related illnesses.
“Given the intensity of this early season stretch of heat and humidity, we are not acclimated to it yet and therefore impacts could be greater if precautions are not taken,” meteorologists stated.
Residents should drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned spaces, avoid direct sunlight, and check on elderly relatives and neighbors. Peak heating occurs during afternoon hours when conditions become most dangerous.
Relief is expected Wednesday evening when showers and thunderstorms move through the region, finally breaking this unseasonable heat pattern. Until then, take all necessary precautions when venturing outdoors and limit strenuous activities during peak afternoon hours.
Weather authorities have issued a heat advisory that will remain in effect from Saturday afternoon through Monday evening.
The National Weather Service Mount Holly New Jersey office announced the advisory on May 18 at 2:10 PM EDT, with the warning period extending until May 20 at 8:00 PM EDT.
Residents should prepare for elevated temperatures during this multi-day period and take appropriate precautions to stay safe in the hot conditions.
Thousands of demonstrators backing Bolivia’s former leftist leader Evo Morales took to the streets of La Paz on Monday, escalating civil unrest that has paralyzed the nation for almost two weeks and created critical shortages of essential goods including food, fuel and medical supplies.
The widespread disruptions have left commercial vehicles stranded on major highways and prevented patients from accessing medical care, according to government officials. Bolivia has requested assistance from Argentina, which responded by dispatching a military transport plane loaded with food aid.
ORIGINS OF THE CIVIL UNREST
What started as labor strikes in early May has transformed into a countrywide movement encompassing trade unions, mining workers, transportation employees and agricultural communities. Demonstrators are demanding that President Rodrigo Paz’s administration reverse budget-cutting policies and tackle escalating costs of living, with some groups demanding his removal from office.
Political experts indicate the civil disorder has expanded beyond local complaints to encompass broader opposition to the government’s economic policies.
PRIMARY CONCERNS OF PROTESTERS
The demonstrations focus on mounting financial hardships. Educational workers are seeking increased salaries and additional funding, while transportation unions have initiated indefinite work stoppages due to fuel scarcities and supply chain issues. Native and farming communities are resisting land reform policies they claim benefit wealthy property owners.
Even after the administration withdrew a disputed land reform law earlier this month, demonstrations have persisted.
GOVERNMENT’S REACTION
Paz, who assumed the presidency in November and inherited a struggling economy, has justified budget reductions and cuts to fuel subsidies as essential for restoring fiscal stability.
He is developing a legislative reform proposal for Congress that involves progressively removing fuel price regulations and implementing strategies to increase domestic energy output and investment.
The administration has attempted to reduce tensions through dialogue and salary improvements while sending approximately 3,500 security personnel to remove highway blockades. Officials report that roughly 57 individuals have been detained.
Government representatives have accused opposition figures and Morales supporters of promoting the roadblocks, which they claim have led to at least three fatalities, including patients who could not reach medical facilities.
EVO MORALES’ INVOLVEMENT
Morales, who led Bolivia from 2006 to 2019, has endorsed the demonstrations, characterizing them as a reaction to economic difficulties and political targeting.
Thousands of his followers have gathered after a judge found him in contempt earlier this month for not appearing in court regarding a trafficking case. Morales maintains his innocence.
“As long as the structural demands such as fuel, food, and inflation are not addressed, the uprising will not be halted,” he wrote on X.
INVESTOR SENTIMENT
Market responses have remained subdued so far, partly because Bolivian government bonds typically see limited trading activity. The additional yield that investors require for holding Bolivian debt compared to similar U.S. Treasury securities decreased in May to its lowest level since at least 2020, according to LSEG data.
Nevertheless, analysts caution about increasing risks.
“Bolivia is in a period of social and political stress, as an escalating national strike converges with mass protests and widespread roadblocks,” JPMorgan said in a client note.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT FOR BOLIVIA
Highway blockades have traditionally been a standard strategy employed by protesters. During the tenure of former left-wing president Luis Arce, comparable disruptions organized by groups supporting Morales along with mining and agricultural communities sometimes brought major transportation corridors to a standstill and resulted in billions in economic damage.
Political analysts note that Paz confronts the difficult task of stabilizing the economy while forming new political and social partnerships in a deeply divided political landscape.
“There are no easy or quick solutions in sight,” said economist Gonzalo Chavez.
Drivers traveling on southbound Pennsylvania Avenue in New Castle County will encounter construction-related lane restrictions today.
The shoulder is currently closed between Hopeton Road and Westover Road as crews conduct construction work in the area. The closure is expected to last until 7 PM this evening.
Motorists are advised to use caution when traveling through the work zone and allow extra time for their commute.
The European Union decided Monday to continue sanctions against people and organizations connected to former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s administration for an additional year, but simultaneously removed seven government bodies from its restricted list as part of broader policy changes toward Damascus.
The restrictive measures will now remain in effect until June 1, 2027, according to an announcement from the European Council following the organization’s yearly assessment of its Syria sanctions policy.
Individuals and entities still on the list face frozen assets and restrictions on travel, while European Union citizens and businesses cannot provide financial resources to them.
The European Union stated that removing the seven entities from sanctions was designed to help “the strengthening of the EU’s engagement with Syria” after Assad’s government fell in late 2024 and a new administration under President Ahmed al-Sharaa took power.
Syria’s foreign ministry responded with a statement saying the sanctions relief for the seven entities would aid the nation’s recovery and rebuilding work, bolster government institutions, and help maintain stability.
The ministry also expressed approval for continuing sanctions against former Assad government figures accused of participating in violations against Syrian citizens.
In May 2025, the European Union removed all economic restrictions on Syria while maintaining measures targeting former Assad administration members and security-related sanctions.
The organization explained that networks connected to the previous government still maintain power and could interfere with Syria’s democratic transition and peace-building processes.
Earlier this month, the European Union also reinstated its full cooperation agreement with Syria, stating that the circumstances that caused its suspension during Assad’s violent response to demonstrators in 2011 no longer existed.
A Minnesota county prosecutor filed criminal charges Monday against a federal immigration officer who shot a Venezuelan man during an immigration enforcement operation earlier this year.
Christian Castro, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, faces four counts of second-degree assault and one count of filing a false crime report in connection with the January 14 shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, according to Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty, who announced the charges during a press conference. Authorities have issued an arrest warrant for Castro.
The shooting occurred after Castro and another federal officer pursued a different individual to an apartment duplex shared by that person and Sosa-Celis. During the incident, the federal officer shot Sosa-Celis in the leg, Moriarty said. She noted that both Sosa-Celis and the other resident were in the United States legally.
Initially, federal authorities claimed that Sosa-Celis and Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna had attacked an officer using a broom handle and snow shovel during the confrontation. However, a federal judge subsequently dropped those charges, and federal officials launched an inquiry into whether the two immigration officers provided false testimony under oath regarding the events.
Neither the Department of Homeland Security nor Justice Department officials responded immediately to requests for comment. DHS has previously stated that providing false testimony under oath constitutes a “serious federal offense” and that dishonest statements could lead to termination or criminal prosecution of officers.
Last month, Minneapolis officials made public surveillance footage of the incident, which was recorded from a distance by a municipal security camera.
The federal government deployed thousands of officers to the Minneapolis and St. Paul region as part of President Donald Trump’s nationwide deportation initiative. The Department of Homeland Security, ICE’s parent agency, labeled Operation Metro Surge as its most extensive immigration enforcement effort to date and declared it successful.
However, the multi-week operation generated significant tensions, and the fatal shootings of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal officers sparked widespread protests and raised concerns about officer behavior.
Hennepin County, which encompasses Minneapolis, has been examining several incidents from the operation and brought charges last month against another ICE agent for alleged misconduct while performing official duties.
Minnesota officials and the Trump administration have disagreed over which government level has authority to investigate and prosecute officers for actions taken during official operations. The Trump administration has questioned whether Minnesota officials possess proper jurisdiction.
State authorities have expressed distrust in the federal government’s ability to investigate its own personnel or ensure accountability.
Hennepin County is still investigating the deaths of Good and Pretti and filed a lawsuit against the administration in March seeking access to evidence in those cases and the Sosa-Celis matter. While Moriarty has not brought charges in either death, she has expressed confidence that her office’s investigations will provide transparency, regardless of whether criminal charges result.
WASHINGTON — On Monday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the United States will provide an additional 30-day window allowing nations to import Russian oil currently aboard vessels at sea, a decision aimed at addressing supply shortfalls triggered by conflict involving Iran.
This announcement represents an ongoing shift in policy from an administration that had previously indicated Russian oil sanctions would be reinstated. The temporary sanctions waiver was initially declared in early March and first extended in April, occurring just two days after Bessent stated at the White House he had no intentions of prolonging the sanctions relief.
This most recent 30-day extension follows Bessent’s previous statements to The Associated Press that the Russian oil sanctions waiver would expire, reflecting persistent global economic difficulties stemming from the Iran conflict as supply shortages drive up prices and hinder economic growth.
According to Bessent, the extension will benefit poorer countries requiring oil access because China will lose some of its capacity to “stockpile discounted oil” from Russia. However, the temporary suspension of sanctions carries risks by potentially helping Russia fund its military operations in Ukraine.
“This extension will provide additional flexibility, and we will work with these nations to provide specific licenses as needed,” Bessent stated on social media.
OAKLAND, Calif. — A federal court has thrown out legal claims brought by Elon Musk against OpenAI and its leadership team, with a jury determining that the billionaire entrepreneur missed the legal deadline to pursue his case.
The Tesla CEO, who helped establish OpenAI in 2015, had alleged that the artificial intelligence company’s executives abandoned their original commitment to operate as a nonprofit organization focused on benefiting humanity. Musk contributed $38 million during the company’s early years before accusing CEO Sam Altman and his senior leadership of secretly transitioning to a profit-driven business model.
A nine-member jury concluded that Musk’s legal challenge came too late, violating statute of limitations requirements. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers endorsed the jury’s advisory decision on Monday, officially rejecting Musk’s lawsuit. The jury reached their conclusion after just two hours of deliberation.
The legal proceedings, which started April 27 in Oakland, California, revealed details about the contentious split between these prominent technology figures and OpenAI’s early development. The company now carries an $852 billion valuation and is preparing for what could become one of the largest stock market debuts ever.
Altman and OpenAI maintained that no permanent commitment existed to maintain nonprofit status indefinitely. They contended that Musk understood this arrangement and pursued litigation after failing to gain exclusive control over the rapidly expanding AI enterprise.
The lawsuit sought financial compensation for OpenAI’s charitable division and demanded Altman’s removal from the company’s board. Musk’s withdrawal of financial support created a significant rift between the former collaborators. He claimed his actions were justified by deceptive practices that OpenAI’s board recognized when they dismissed Altman as CEO in 2023, though he regained his position within days.
The three-week proceedings featured testimony from Musk, Altman, his senior associate Greg Brockman, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, and numerous other technology industry figures. During his testimony spanning three days, Musk told jurors: “I think they’re going to try to make this lawsuit … very complicated, but it’s actually very simple. Which is that it’s not OK to steal a charity.”
Musk’s legal filing alleged “breach of charitable trust” and claimed that Altman and Brockman improperly benefited financially as ChatGPT’s creator gained tremendous value. Trial testimony revealed that Brockman’s ownership interest in OpenAI is valued at approximately $30 billion.
OpenAI dismissed Musk’s accusations as baseless resentment designed to harm its expansion while promoting Musk’s competing venture xAI, which he established in 2023. During questioning by OpenAI attorney William Savitt, Musk displayed defensive behavior.
“Your questions are not simple,” Musk stated during one exchange. “They are designed to trick me essentially.”
The jury also heard from former OpenAI board members Helen Toner and Tasha McCauley, who discussed their decision to terminate Altman in 2023. Both women were subsequently removed from the board when Altman resumed his leadership role.
Both Altman and Musk had sought the CEO position during OpenAI’s formative period. Altman testified about his concerns regarding Musk’s efforts to increase his influence over OpenAI, which aimed to responsibly develop artificial general intelligence surpassing human capabilities.
“Part of the reason we started OpenAI is we didn’t think AGI could be under the control of any one person, no matter how good their intents are,” Altman explained.
Concluding his testimony, Altman expressed his previous admiration for Musk before their relationship deteriorated.
“I felt like he had abandoned us, not come through on his promises, put the company in a very difficult place, jeopardized the mission, didn’t really care about the things I thought he cared about,” Altman said. “It’s been an extremely painful thing for me … to have someone that I respected so much not acknowledge that and continue to publicly attack us.”
Federal health officials have pulled back a charter for an important vaccine advisory committee due to what they’re calling an administrative mistake, according to a Monday notice in the Federal Register.
The Department of Health and Human Services explained that the withdrawal happened because they failed to follow proper timing rules required under federal regulations for making such changes.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had established a new charter on April 6 for the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the group that provides guidance to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about vaccine recommendations across the United States.
This committee has been central to Kennedy’s wider push to transform how the country approaches vaccine policy. He previously dismissed and replaced all 17 independent specialists who had been serving on the committee last year.
The updated charter came after a March 16 ruling by U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy in Boston, who was handling a lawsuit challenging some of Kennedy’s vaccine policy modifications. The charter broadened the committee’s responsibilities to include examining vaccine dangers, safety data, and membership qualifications.
Murphy’s decision had temporarily suspended the committee’s operations, determining that its current members didn’t meet the requirements outlined in their own charter.
Last month, the Trump administration filed an appeal against Murphy’s ruling, which had prevented significant policy shifts under Kennedy’s direction, including plans to reduce the number of standard childhood vaccine recommendations.
A high-ranking Sudanese paramilitary officer who was jailed following international condemnation over footage showing him killing defenseless civilians has been freed from custody and sent back to active combat, according to nine sources who spoke with Reuters.
Two sources – including a Sudanese intelligence official and a commander from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces – reported personally witnessing RSF Brigadier General al-Fateh Abdullah Idris, nicknamed Abu Lulu, fighting in Kordofan during March. A Chadian military officer informed Reuters that RSF officers had requested Abu Lulu’s return to combat to improve troop morale amid intense fighting.
Reuters interviewed 13 total sources claiming knowledge of Abu Lulu’s release, including three RSF commanders, one RSF officer, a family member of Abu Lulu, a Chadian military officer with RSF command connections, and seven additional sources with RSF leadership contacts or intelligence access regarding RSF field activities.
When questioned by Reuters, the RSF-led coalition government issued a Monday statement rejecting claims that Abu Lulu had been released. Ahmed Tugud Lisan, spokesman for the RSF-led Tasis government, said a special court would prosecute him and others charged with violations during the al-Fashir offensive.
“The talk about Abu Lulu being released is untrue, malicious, and completely false,” the statement said. “Abu Lulu and the others accused of violations during the liberation of al-Fashir have been in detention since their arrest and have never left prison.”
Reuters could not contact Abu Lulu directly.
SANCTIONS CITE WAR CRIMES
The RSF detained Abu Lulu in late October 2025, days following its violent capture of al-Fashir, a major North Darfur city. Several videos had emerged showing him killing defenseless individuals during the assault. His conduct led to the nickname “the butcher of al-Fashir,” which the U.N. Security Council referenced when imposing sanctions on him February 24 for human rights violations.
The three-year civil conflict between Sudan’s army and the RSF represents a vicious power battle for national control and financial resources. Aid organizations describe it as creating the world’s most severe humanitarian emergency. An independent U.N. investigation determined earlier this year that the mass murders in al-Fashir showed characteristics of genocide. Another U.N. investigation documented over 6,000 deaths by RSF fighters between October 25-27.
Four videos authenticated by Reuters demonstrate Abu Lulu shooting no fewer than 15 defenseless captives in al-Fashir on October 27, following the RSF’s city takeover. All victims wore civilian clothes. International law considers killing any unarmed, non-threatening person – including former combatants – a war crime.
Following international condemnation from U.N. officials, U.S. politicians and others, RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, called Hemedti, publicly admitted his fighters committed violations in al-Fashir and promised to establish an accountability committee for investigating abuses. On October 30, the RSF published video of Abu Lulu being transported to Shala prison in southwestern al-Fashir. The footage shows a handcuffed Abu Lulu being removed from a vehicle by armed personnel and placed in a cell. An unnamed RSF spokesperson at the prison states Abu Lulu “will be presented to a just trial in accordance with the law.”
In November, Al Jazeera reported Abu Lulu’s release, referencing unspecified online videos. However, on December 2, the leader of the RSF-appointed accountability committee informed Reuters they held Abu Lulu in custody while investigating him and other RSF soldiers for al-Fashir violations. Al Jazeera did not respond to Reuters’ questions about their November coverage.
Four sources informed Reuters that Abu Lulu was freed in December. Reuters could not verify his exact release date.
The family member stated that before Abu Lulu received authorization to resume Kordofan duties, he appeared before a November disciplinary panel of six senior officers. The hearing addressed videos featuring him that harmed the RSF’s image. Reuters could not confirm the hearing occurred or its results.
Abu Lulu belongs to the same clan as Hemedti, the RSF leader. Three sources – an RSF commander and RSF officer both connected to RSF leadership, plus a researcher with committee contacts investigating Abu Lulu – said Hemedti’s brother, Abdelrahim Dagalo, the RSF deputy commander, personally authorized Abu Lulu’s prison release.
The RSF officer explained that while the disciplinary committee had not formally released Abu Lulu, the deputy commander ordered his freedom through radio communication.
COMMAND RESPONSIBILITY
The Abu Lulu videos represent part of nearly 300 online videos from the offensive period analyzed by Reuters and the Sudan Witness project at the Centre for Information Resilience.
Abu Lulu was the sole commander Reuters identified in video footage shooting unarmed individuals. However, the Reuters-Sudan Witness investigation discovered three additional senior RSF commanders were present in the same location during the mass killings.
One Reuters-verified video shows Gedo Hamdan Abu Nashuk, the top RSF commander for North Darfur, walking beside Abu Lulu on October 27 morning. Reuters geolocated videos from this location and found Nashuk was recorded within 40 meters of two other videos showing Abu Lulu executing defenseless men. By analyzing shadows in the three videos, Reuters determined they were filmed within a two-hour timeframe.
Under international law, these leaders could face criminal liability for crimes their fighters committed during the conflict, according to Jehanne Henry, a human rights attorney and Sudan director at The Reckoning Project, a U.S. non-profit documenting war crimes.
The RSF did not address questions regarding specific commander actions during the al-Fashir offensive. On October 29, Hemedti stated that any soldier or officer committing crimes would face arrest and investigation, with results made public.
The RSF government has been delayed in prosecuting those accused of violations, spokesman Lisan explained, because it is “establishing state structures under difficult circumstances.”
“We are committed to achieving justice and holding all those who commit violations accountable,” Lisan said. “Any talk to the contrary is deliberate misinformation.”
WITNESS ACCOUNTS
Reuters interviewed six survivors in Chadian refugee camps who reported witnessing Abu Lulu killing civilians in al-Fashir before fleeing in October 2025.
Manazil Mousa, 25, identified Abu Lulu from videos a Reuters reporter showed her and said she encountered him while her family was escaping al-Fashir. She said he confiscated their phones and possessions, severely beat them, and shot and killed her brother, Mubarak.
“Abu Lulu is the one who abused us,” she said. “He was the one who killed Mubarak. He is the one who killed our families and killed our husbands.”
Madina Adam, 38, reported that Abu Lulu entered Al-Fashir University on October 27, where she was taking shelter with other civilians, and began killing women and children.
She recounted one incident where Abu Lulu asked a pregnant woman about her pregnancy stage, and when she answered “seven months,” he shot her seven times in the stomach. Two witnesses described the identical scene in a February U.N. report.
Adam said Abu Lulu then ordered 10 children to sit down and made them chant RSF slogans while recording. The children begged not to be killed, she said, but he shot all 10.
SECRECY ORDERED
An RSF commander reported that leadership instructed other officers to remain silent about Abu Lulu’s combat return. A different RSF commander and the relative said Abu Lulu was freed under conditions prohibiting him from filming or being filmed during battle. Reuters has found no images of him in action since his release.
“He has been free for about three or four months and is on the battlefield with his troops,” said one RSF commander, who declined to be named.
Abu Lulu’s relative explained the RSF required the commander’s expertise because its forces are encountering difficulties. After securing al-Fashir control, the RSF moved its offensive eastward into Kordofan region, between its territory and army-controlled areas. It has experienced fierce combat there.
“He is very popular with the troops and that’s good for their morale,” the relative said.
In multiple videos verified by Reuters and Sudan Witness, other RSF fighters celebrate Abu Lulu and his killings. In one filmed and posted online November 1, 2025, by Salah Abdeen Mohamed Azala, an RSF fighter, Azala states many fighters are prepared to replace Abu Lulu.
“If Abu Lulu disappeared, or you arrested him or tried him, we are all 1,000 Abu Lulus,” he says, speaking to the camera. “I too am Abu Lulu.”
According to a Monday report from The Athletic, the Professional Women’s Hockey League is preparing to reveal San Jose, California as the location for its 12th franchise during an announcement scheduled for Tuesday.
San Jose will join three other expansion teams set to begin competition in the 2026-27 season, including franchises in Detroit, Las Vegas and Hamilton, Ontario.
League officials have scheduled a press conference for 12:45 p.m. PT on Tuesday at the SAP Center, which serves as the home venue for the NHL’s San Jose Sharks.
This expansion represents a significant growth milestone for the PWHL, which has now expanded to twice its founding membership from 2023. The league originally launched with six teams based in Boston, Minnesota, Montreal, New York, Ottawa and Toronto. Two additional franchises in Vancouver and Seattle joined the competition in 2025.
San Jose’s addition continues a recent trend of Bay Area expansion in women’s professional sports. The Golden State Valkyries became part of the WNBA in 2025, while Bay FC joined the NWSL in 2024.
Three months following joint military action by the United States and Israel against Iran, an escalating standoff has developed with neither Washington nor Tehran showing signs of backing down, creating mounting economic hardship and increasing the likelihood of renewed warfare.
Policy experts are expressing growing alarm not about the possibility of reaching an agreement, but rather how much longer this volatile situation can continue before a strategic error by either the United States or Iran sparks another round of conflict.
Voices within the U.S. and Israel are increasingly advocating for additional military action, with certain officials believing that heightened pressure might diminish Tehran’s bargaining position and compel Iran to return to diplomatic discussions.
“There is one major problem with this theory: We have already tested it, repeatedly, and Iran did not capitulate,” said Danny Citrinowicz, a senior researcher on Iran at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies and former head of the Iran branch in Israeli Defense Intelligence.
“We’re in a war of attrition with the prospect of a new U.S.-Israeli attack growing by the day,” said one regional official.
Iranian officials told Reuters concessions on their missile programme, nuclear capabilities or control of the Strait are not policy tools but ideological pillars of the Islamic Republic’s survival — giving them up is not compromise, it is surrender.
This perspective, according to Citrinowicz, explains why extended military confrontation has been unable to force Tehran away from its fundamental positions, and why additional escalation is unlikely to achieve success.
Multiple rounds of indirect diplomatic discussions facilitated by Pakistan have failed to yield any significant progress. The differences between the two sides remain enormous.
The United States is demanding that Iran cease uranium enrichment activities for two decades and transfer its existing stockpiles to American custody.
Iran is seeking an end to military strikes, security assurances, compensation for war damages, and acknowledgment of its authority over the Strait of Hormuz — conditions that Washington has dismissed.
Iran’s foreign ministry did not reply to a request for comment. The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the issues raised in this article.
President Donald Trump has warned Tehran that the “clock is ticking,” saying they “better get moving, FAST, or there won’t be anything left of them.” He threatened that if Tehran fails to reach a deal with Washington, it will face “a very bad time.”
Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group said neither side has shown willingness to make “the painful concessions” needed for a deal. “Both believe time is on their side and they have the upper hand, and that perception is precisely what is making a deal impossible.”
The outcome is a prolonged struggle focused on one of the globe’s most vital shipping routes. Prior to the conflict, the Strait handled approximately 25% of worldwide oil commerce and 20% of liquefied natural gas shipments. Currently, with the waterway nearly sealed off, economic consequences are expanding and disrupting supply chains.
Former State Department Iran official Alan Eyre, who took part in past U.S.-Iran talks, said an agreement may be out of reach. “These two sides will never reach a deal. Trump doesn’t want to just win, he wants to humiliate Iran and be seen as having crushed Iran.”
Tehran views its enriched uranium reserves and dominance over the Strait of Hormuz as fundamental strategic resources vital to its survival. “Iran is therefore determined to use these assets to guarantee its interests,” a senior Iranian official said, adding capitulation is not an option.
“We fight, we die, but we don’t accept humiliation. Surrender is fundamentally incompatible with Iran’s identity.”
A second Iranian official contended that Tehran has already achieved victory — not through military defeat of Washington, but by maintaining its resistance. Extended periods of U.S. and Israeli attacks have been unable to break Iran’s resolve, strengthening its belief that its nuclear reserves and Strait control remain central to its defensive strategy.
Giving up these advantages would destroy that equilibrium. “Trump wants to declare victory but Iran won’t give it to him. Can the world economy withstand the pressure? That’s the question Trump owes the world an answer to,” he added.
Additional strikes would not alter Iran’s strategic thinking, only speed up escalation, he stated, emphasizing that Iran will not abandon enrichment activities or yield to ultimatums without reciprocal concessions from Washington.
However, beneath the defiant public stance, Iranian sources close to the establishment describe a more conflicted reality: Tehran does not want a prolonged “no war, no peace” scenario as inflation rises, unemployment worsens and strikes on key industries bleed an already battered economy.
Instead, they said, Iran is seeking a preliminary deal to end the war — reopening the Strait of Hormuz under Iranian oversight in exchange for lifting the U.S. blockade, before tackling harder issues such as sanctions relief and nuclear restrictions. The U.S. says ending the war must be deferred to later talks.
Regarding nuclear matters, Iranian sources indicate Tehran might dilute its 440 kilogram stockpile of highly enriched uranium or transfer portions overseas, preferably to Russia, maintaining it could retrieve the material if Washington breaches any future agreement. Washington has declined this proposal.
Iran is also advocating for a shorter suspension of enrichment than Washington’s 20-year requirement and complete access to $30 billion in frozen funds, but Washington has only agreed to release a quarter of those assets under a timetable, the sources added.
Tehran is pursuing a new management structure for the Strait of Hormuz, refusing to return to pre-conflict conditions, while the U.S. demands unconditional reopening — no fees, no restrictions — a division that may prove more difficult to resolve than the nuclear dispute itself.
Aaron David Miller, a former U.S. official and Middle East negotiator, says control of the Strait of Hormuz will be the key measure of success or failure for Washington. How this ends could define Trump’s foreign policy, he added, with the U.S. leader acutely sensitive to the risk of being seen as having lost.
Reopening the waterway without a political settlement, Miller added, would require “a prolonged American occupation with ground forces of Iranian territory”.
There is no military solution to the Strait of Hormuz other than the costly one that Trump may be unwilling to undertake, argued Vaez, leaving negotiations as the only viable path.
Despite operational gains of the U.S.-Israeli campaign, the strikes have failed to deliver a strategic knockout, Citrinowicz said.
“We didn’t topple the regime — we have a more radicalised one. We didn’t end Iran’s missile capacity. And they still have the uranium.”
Citrinowicz said overestimating pressure and underestimating Tehran’s resilience carries its own danger.
“It raises the risk that Washington once again enters a confrontation expecting coercion to produce capitulation, and discovers, too late, that the regime was prepared to absorb far more pain than anticipated,” he said.
Swedish truck manufacturer Volvo Group reached a $197 million agreement Monday with California’s Air Resources Board to resolve claims the company violated state regulations for heavy-duty truck engines.
The deal addresses accusations that Volvo improperly reported auxiliary emission control systems in more than 10,000 heavy-duty engines manufactured between 2010 and 2016 in California, leading to pollution levels that surpassed state limits, according to CARB.
Under the agreement, Volvo will pay $13 million in civil fines, contribute $71 million to CARB’s Air Pollution Control Fund, invest $108 million in California emissions-reduction initiatives, and cover $5 million of CARB’s investigation expenses, the company announced.
The settlement includes software updates and extended warranty coverage for approximately 7,200 engines currently operating in California.
California regulators praised Volvo’s cooperation, stating the company “acted transparently and in good faith in explaining and improving emissions control devices and fully cooperated with the state investigation.”
Volvo emphasized the agreement includes no acknowledgment of wrongdoing and said an internal investigation “found no evidence of bad faith.”
The truck manufacturer will record a $197 million charge against its second-quarter operating results, though this amount will be excluded from adjusted operating income calculations. The company expects an $89 million cash flow impact in the current quarter, with remaining payments distributed over five years.
Volvo Group plans to release its second-quarter financial results on July 17.
Congressional representatives have introduced bipartisan legislation that would impose annual charges on electric vehicle owners to help fund highway maintenance across the country.
The proposed measure would require electric vehicle drivers to pay $130 each year, while owners of certain plug-in hybrid models would face a $35 annual charge. These fees are designed to address the funding gap created as more drivers switch to vehicles that don’t contribute to gas tax revenues traditionally used for road repairs.
The legislation is part of a comprehensive five-year highway funding package worth $580 billion, which lawmakers must pass before the current authorization expires on September 30. Currently, most federal road repair funding comes from taxes on diesel fuel and gasoline, which electric vehicles don’t use.
Under the proposal, these annual charges would increase by $5 yearly beginning in 2029, eventually reaching $150 for electric vehicles and $50 for plug-in models.
The transportation committee is scheduled to consider the bill on Thursday. The legislation was jointly introduced by the committee’s Republican chair, Sam Graves, and top Democratic member, Rick Larsen.
Several states have already implemented similar fee structures for electric vehicles to ensure these drivers contribute to road maintenance costs. Federal lawmakers have avoided raising fuel taxes for three decades despite increasing infrastructure repair expenses. Earlier this year, some Republican senators proposed a much higher $1,000 charge on electric vehicles for highway funding.
The Sierra Club has voiced opposition to the legislation, stating it would reduce funding for electric vehicle charging infrastructure and “includes an irresponsible tax for EV and plug-in hybrid drivers.”
The bill also addresses autonomous vehicle regulations, directing federal transportation officials to create performance-based safety standards for self-driving buses, trucks, and commercial vehicles within two years. These rules would not cover passenger cars and would override state regulations.
Additionally, the legislation would mandate that autonomous school buses transporting children must have a human operator present.
An electric vehicle advocacy organization, the Electrification Coalition, previously argued that a $250 fee for electric vehicles would be excessive, noting that typical gas-powered vehicles contribute only $88 annually through federal fuel taxes.
Since 2008, more than $275 billion has been transferred from general government funds to cover road repairs, including $118 billion from the 2021 infrastructure legislation.
With congressional elections approaching in November, some lawmakers express concern about reaching an agreement on highway funding before the September 30 deadline.
Salisbury, MD – Officials in Salisbury, Maryland are launching a federally-funded initiative to enhance sidewalk accessibility throughout multiple neighborhoods by upgrading ADA-compliant ramps across the community.
The enhancement initiative will receive funding through the Community Development Block Grant program and will concentrate on Church Street, Doverdale, and additional neighborhoods to make sidewalk navigation safer and more accessible for all residents.
While sidewalk ramps may go unnoticed by many people, they become essential for parents with strollers, individuals using wheelchairs, and elderly residents attempting to cross streets safely. These accessibility features help make urban navigation easier for everyone in the community.
“This project is another step toward improving accessibility and connectivity throughout our neighborhoods,” said Mayor Taylor. “By upgrading ADA ramps, we are helping create more accessible sidewalks for residents and visitors while continuing to invest in infrastructure that benefits the entire community.”
This initiative represents part of Salisbury’s continued commitment to updating infrastructure, enhancing neighborhood connections, and developing public areas that provide greater safety and welcome for both residents and visitors.
Work crews are scheduled to start the improvements within the next few weeks. Pedestrians should expect temporary sidewalk disruptions during construction hours while teams complete the accessibility enhancements.
