Australia’s defense minister criticized China’s choice to dispatch only university researchers and military academics to Asia’s premier defense conference, calling it a wasted chance for meaningful dialogue during a period when regional nations seek greater clarity about Beijing’s military intentions.
Richard Marles, Australia’s defense minister, made the comments before the start of the three-day Shangri-La Dialogue conference in Singapore on Friday. He described the gathering as an exceptional forum for defense officials and policy experts worldwide to share perspectives and build diplomatic connections.
“We’ve seen China engage in the biggest conventional military buildup in the world since the end of the Second World War, and that has not happened with a strategic reassurance for other countries,” Marles told Reuters in an interview.
China’s Defense Minister Dong Jun chose not to attend the conference for the second consecutive year. Beijing announced plans to send a team composed primarily of military scholars and academic experts from the People’s Liberation Army instead of senior government officials.
The conference will feature Marles alongside U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, and defense leaders from France, Britain, Malaysia, the Philippines and additional countries.
“(China’s) presence is something that we welcomed in the past, and having opportunities to engage with China are important,” Marles said.
The Australian official explained that his country continues building defense partnerships throughout the Asia-Pacific region, while maintaining its strategic alliance with America as the foundation of Australia’s security framework.
Addressing concerns about potential American distraction from Asian affairs due to conflicts involving Iran, Marles stated: “We see that America remains very committed to the Indo-Pacific, and from our point of view, our alliance with the United States is absolutely fundamental to our national security.”
“The global rules-based order is under pressure in the Indo-Pacific,” he added, referring to the international system of shared laws, agreements, and institutions established after World War Two.
“This is a moment in time where we are looking to all the relationships that we have around the world, where we have common ground and where we can work together and where we can, we do.”
Marles, Hegseth and British defence minister John Healey have scheduled an announcement on Saturday regarding their AUKUS project, through which Australia will obtain nuclear-powered submarines.
While Marles refused to provide specifics, news outlets have reported the three nations are preparing to reveal substantial cooperation on unmanned underwater vehicles.
International diving experts are traveling to central Laos to assist in a complex rescue operation involving seven people who have been trapped underground for more than a week, according to a volunteer organization from Thailand announced Friday.
The group of Lao nationals had gone into the cave located in Xaisomboun province to search for gold when a landslide caused by severe rainfall blocked their way out. Volunteer rescue teams from Thailand began assisting with the operation on Sunday.
The additional rescue personnel include Robin Cuesta from France, Audita Harsono from Indonesia, Japan’s Yoshitaka Isaji, Naruchit Kiatmaneesri from Thailand and Australia’s Josh Richards, according to a social media announcement by the volunteer organization.
Kengkard Bongkawong, a cave diving expert from Thailand participating in the mission, reported Friday on social media that the trapped individuals’ physical condition is worsening while they wait for extraction.
“The rescue operation is extremely challenging, as it involves moving them through narrow passages stretching hundreds of metres and requiring underwater diving,” he said.
Video recorded Thursday by another volunteer from Thailand, Norrased Palasing, captured survivors positioned on a rock shelf far inside the cave, showing emotional reactions upon seeing rescuers. Norrased’s group successfully located five of the seven missing individuals. In the recording, he informed them that rescue teams would deliver supplies into the cave while working to remove the standing water.
One person who survived, giving his name as Lin, said, “Don’t worry about me, mum. The rescuers are here. I’m safe now. I miss you mum. I miss you mum and dad. In a few days I’ll be out.”
The World Health Organization’s director-general touched down in Kinshasa, Congo’s capital city, Thursday evening to observe response efforts against an outbreak of an uncommon strain of Ebola virus. Medical teams are battling equipment shortages, community skepticism, and violence from armed factions in an unstable area.
“To come here is to really show to the community that they’re not alone,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters at the airport.
“Pushing orders from my comfortable office in Geneva is easy, but I’m asking my colleagues to work with the community and I am asking communities to protect themselves,” he added.
The European Union delivered medical supplies to Ituri province, where Congo’s Ebola outbreak is centered, on Thursday. The same day, the United States pledged an additional $80 million in assistance, pushing its total contribution beyond $112 million.
Healthcare workers operating with limited resources have been fighting to control an outbreak of the Bundibugyo virus, an Ebola variant with no approved treatment or vaccine available. In certain locations, medical professionals have been forced to use outdated protective masks when caring for potential patients.
The WHO reports 1,077 suspected cases and 238 suspected deaths as of Tuesday.
Healthcare workers face increased risks due to community anger over strict medical procedures for handling victims’ remains, which conflict with traditional burial customs. Local residents have carried out at least three assaults on medical facilities.
Tedros noted that additional obstacles are making outbreak control more difficult, including large numbers of people forced from their homes by armed violence in the area, along with food shortages.
On Wednesday, he requested a ceasefire in an area where armed factions have conducted violent attacks for many years.
“We cannot build community trust or isolate the sick while bombs are falling,” Tedros said.
Located in northeastern Congo near the Ugandan border, Ituri province has suffered from attacks by the Allied Democratic Force, a rebel group allied with the Islamic State group, and a coalition of ethnic militias. In early May, the ADF killed at least 40 people and burned several homes in Ituri.
The disease has also appeared in the Congolese provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu, south of Ituri, where the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group controls many key cities, including Goma and Bukavu. The rebels have reported two cases.
The area’s primary airport in Goma, which also serves as a base for humanitarian operations in the region, has remained shut since January 2025, when M23 captured the city.
The fighting has created one of the globe’s most severe humanitarian emergencies, with at least 7 million people forced from their homes in eastern Congo.
The WHO leader said Thursday he opposes countries implementing travel restrictions against citizens of nations affected by the outbreak.
“There are ways to manage workers and to manage cases without having a strong, restricted travel ban and we don’t encourage that as WHO,” Tedros said.
The Trump administration announced a temporary prohibition last week on entry for people without U.S. passports, as well as U.S. green-card holders, who have visited Congo, Uganda or South Sudan in the past 21 days. It said Wednesday it plans to send Americans who are exposed to Ebola to a new facility in Kenya instead of flying them to the U.S. Congo’s neighbors, Uganda and Rwanda, recently closed their borders.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass acknowledges her first term leading the nation’s second-largest city has been challenging as she campaigns for reelection. “I haven’t always got it right,” she admits candidly.
Despite the difficulties, the first Black woman to serve as mayor believes she deserves another chance to lead the nearly 4 million residents of the city preparing to host the 2028 Olympics. Murder rates have declined and street homelessness has decreased under her leadership. Reconstruction of homes lost in devastating wildfires has begun, though critics argue progress remains too slow.
“There’s more work to do,” Bass states.
Mayoral campaigns in Los Angeles typically generate little excitement in a city more focused on the Lakers, Dodgers and entertainment industry than local politics. However, this election cycle stands apart as Bass works to overcome criticism from the Palisades Fire, which became the most destructive blaze in the city’s history. The mayor was traveling in Ghana as part of a presidential delegation when the fire began.
Reality television star Spencer Pratt lost his home in the disaster and now seeks to unseat the mayor he holds responsible for the destruction.
The campaign has taken an unusual turn with artificial intelligence-generated videos featuring Pratt as a superhero fighting street crime and Democratic officials. Filmmaker Charles Curran created the content, which Pratt distributes through his social media channels.
Tuesday’s primary will send the top two vote-getters to a November general election unless one candidate secures a majority.
While officially nonpartisan, Bass represents the Democratic Party, along with progressive city council member Nithya Raman, who decided late to challenge her former political ally.
Pratt gained fame with his wife, Heidi Montag, on “The Hills” and is a registered Republican who has received approval from President Donald Trump, though not a formal endorsement.
A University of California, Berkeley, Institute of Governmental Studies poll conducted with The Los Angeles Times shows Bass, Raman and Pratt in a statistical tie, with other candidates lagging behind. The survey of 1,351 likely voters between May 19 and May 24 found no candidate with a clear advantage.
The tight race represents dangerous territory for any sitting mayor, highlighting public skepticism about her performance.
During a recent Saturday campaign stop, Bass appeared confident while greeting enthusiastic supporters in a Mid-City neighborhood, where she deposited her ballot. Despite facing potential electoral trouble, she seemed relaxed, smiling warmly while interacting with dogs and young children.
When asked about Pratt’s growing national profile, she characterized him as lacking serious political credentials.
“He is an entertainer and that’s what he’s doing is entertaining,” Bass commented.
She also raised questions about Pratt’s viability in a city where fewer than 15% of registered voters belong to the Republican Party. Trump remains deeply unpopular in California beyond his conservative supporters, capturing only 32% of Los Angeles County votes two years ago. No Republican has won the mayor’s office since 1997.
“This is Los Angeles,” Bass declared. “This is not a MAGA city.”
Diane Mitchell Henry, a registered Democrat and event planner supporting Bass, praised the mayor’s extensive government background.
“She knows the heartbeat of Los Angeles,” she explained. “I trust her.”
With 14 candidates on the ballot, a November runoff seems inevitable.
Democratic strategist Garry South predicts Bass will advance to the general election despite declining approval ratings, likely facing Pratt in the final round.
He doubts whether Pratt’s social media campaign effectively reaches actual voters, noting that the state’s most consistent voters tend to be older, white and affluent homeowners.
“Most voters are over 50, pure and simple. You are not going to grab that demographic by posting clever stuff on YouTube and Instagram,” South observed.
The race echoes the 2022 election when billionaire developer Rick Caruso campaigned on increased police funding during heightened concerns about crime and homelessness. Bass ultimately prevailed by nearly 10 percentage points.
Beyond immediate challenges of wildfire recovery and homelessness, Los Angeles struggles to define its future direction.
The entertainment industry has steadily moved production to less expensive locations. A downtown revitalization effort collapsed during pandemic lockdowns, leaving many office buildings struggling to find tenants. The city continues battling long-standing problems with basic services like street maintenance and streetlight repairs. The restaurant sector has suffered numerous high-profile closures. Trump administration immigration enforcement has created anxiety among residents. Traffic congestion remains a persistent problem.
Bass won election in 2022 by promising to address the homeless crisis and rising crime rates that gained national attention through smash-and-grab robberies. She has secured support from most Democratic leaders, including former Vice President Kamala Harris, Gov. Gavin Newsom and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, plus the city’s influential labor organizations.
“We are not going to have this level of failure in our city for four more years,” Pratt told CNBC on Thursday. He described the city as unsafe and disgusting, saying “We pay with our money to give needles to drug addicts to overdose in front of kids.”
Raman has pledged to accelerate housing development, restore entertainment industry employment and improve street maintenance and other essential services. She believes residents are “hungry for a different future for this city — one that is affordable, functional, creative and safe,” according to a Thursday statement.
Bass dismissed concerns about her competition.
“We’re almost to the finish line,” she said after casting her ballot. “I’m feeling good.”
Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Rumen Radev announced Friday that American military aircraft stationed in the NATO member nation will only be permitted to remain through the end of June, citing the United States’ failure to establish visa-free travel for Bulgarian citizens.
“I fully understand the complexity of the regulatory procedures and the need for time, but we also have our priorities and procedures, and we cannot respond positively to the request for long stays of aircraft and tanks at the Sofia airport,” the Prime Minister stated, according to BTA news agency.
The announcement follows recent diplomatic efforts between the two countries regarding visa policy. Earlier this month, Radev held discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump, requesting the elimination of visa requirements for Bulgarian nationals traveling to America.
According to the Prime Minister, he emphasized the urgent nature of this issue during their conversation but has yet to receive a favorable response from the United States.
Currently, Bulgaria allows American military aircraft to operate from its capital city Sofia under an arrangement that was set to expire at May’s end. Radev indicated that his government would approve a one-month extension on Friday, providing the aircraft permission to stay through June to allow the U.S. additional time to reconsider its position.
The Prime Minister recently secured a decisive victory in parliamentary elections held on April 19.
NAIROBI, May 29 – Eight students have been taken into custody by Kenyan law enforcement officials in connection with a deadly blaze at a girls’ boarding school that claimed 16 lives, according to an announcement made Friday by the police’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
The students face arson charges related to the tragic fire incident at the boarding facility.
MILAN, May 29 – Italy’s central bank is working directly with international artificial intelligence technology companies as new AI systems prepare to enter the financial industry, according to Governor Fabio Panetta during his yearly address on Friday.
The coordination efforts focus on making sure emerging AI technologies are safely integrated when they become available for public use.
Italy’s central bank has recently begun conversations with domestic regulators, financial institutions and their technology service providers regarding this matter.
Financial institutions must maintain responsibility for protecting and maintaining their systems, and when they utilize external providers, those companies share the same obligations.
According to Panetta, addressing these challenges requires more than just technical solutions – it demands leadership from executive teams who must establish robust oversight and control systems.
International bond markets experienced dramatic swings throughout May as the Iran conflict continued to create uncertainty among investors, driving borrowing costs to levels not seen in decades before economic concerns brought them back down.
The volatility highlights how sensitive financial markets remain to both inflation worries and mounting government debt burdens worldwide, even as potential diplomatic progress offers hope for stabilization.
TREASURY TURBULENCE
U.S. Treasury bonds faced severe pressure during the month, with 30-year bond yields climbing to approximately 5.2% by May 20 – the highest level recorded since 2007. The $28 trillion U.S. government bond market was shaken by stalled diplomatic efforts that drove oil prices back over $110 per barrel, combined with concerning American inflation figures.
The selloff wasn’t limited to American markets. British bond yields reached their highest points in 20 to 30 years, Japanese yields hit all-time records, and Germany’s 10-year yields climbed to their peak since 2011.
“The market’s concerned that inflation may be here a bit longer than we had anticipated,” explained David Zahn, who serves as Franklin Templeton’s head of European fixed income.
ECONOMIC HEADWINDS
Market conditions shifted as diplomatic talks between the U.S. and Iran showed advancement, causing oil prices to retreat and borrowing costs to decline. Disappointing economic indicators, especially from European nations, also reduced expectations for aggressive interest rate increases.
Data released last week revealed that Euro zone business activity contracted at its steepest pace in two and a half years during May, as the region struggled with escalating energy expenses.
“With this level of yields it’s becoming attractive for an investor,” noted Nicolas Forest, chief investment officer at Candriam. “We have a slowdown of the economy and that’s supportive for the bond markets.”
AMERICAN DIVERGENCE
While energy-dependent economies including the Euro zone, Britain and Japan had previously suffered the most during bond market declines, the United States stood out as the worst performer in May.
American 10-year yields increased by 6 basis points between April 30 and May 29, while German equivalent yields dropped by 6 basis points.
European economic weakness reduced rate increase expectations there, but the American economy maintained its strength, supported by increased artificial intelligence investment spending.
Market participants completely eliminated expectations for any Federal Reserve rate reductions this year and temporarily anticipated a full 25 basis point rate increase by December.
Thursday’s data revealed the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge rose 3.8% annually in April, marking the fastest increase in three years.
BRITISH BOND CONCERNS
May proved particularly challenging for the UK government bond market, which has remained vulnerable to sharp declines since the 2022 crisis during Liz Truss’s tenure.
Thirty-year British government bond yields surged to 5.87% in mid-May, their highest since 1998, as global market turmoil combined with concerns that a potential successor to struggling Prime Minister Keir Starmer might increase government spending.
British bonds later recovered as peace prospects improved, UK economic data weakened, and leading candidate Andy Burnham committed to maintaining the government’s fiscal guidelines.
Between April 30 and May 29, 10-year British government bond yields outperformed both German and U.S. equivalents, falling approximately 21 basis points, though they remain 58 basis points higher since the conflict began.
“If we look at Bank of England pricing, we’ve gone from two cuts at one point to nearly three hikes, so that’s been the main driver (of UK bonds),” said Matthew Amis, investment director at Aberdeen.
“But also in the background the political volatility has clearly not helped.”
LONG-TERM DEBT PRESSURES
Longer-term government debt, which responds more strongly to economic and budget concerns than shorter-term bonds, experienced the heaviest selling during mid-May.
Inflation-adjusted ‘real’ yields also increased in both the U.S. and Europe, demonstrating that price pressures weren’t investors’ sole worry.
Bank of America analysts identified what they called “ever-worsening fiscal dynamics” as a primary factor behind the U.S. Treasury selloff.
Despite the Federal Reserve’s committee-based decision making, some investors expressed concerns about the independence of new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh, who received his appointment from U.S. President Donald Trump.
“Let’s imagine that he decides to cut rates despite higher inflation,” Forest said. “That’s not very supportive for U.S. Treasuries.”
Italy’s central bank governor Fabio Panetta announced Friday that artificial intelligence technology holds tremendous potential to address the nation’s struggling worker productivity challenges.
Speaking during the Bank of Italy’s yearly assembly, Panetta outlined how AI adoption could transform the country’s economic outlook through significant productivity gains.
According to Panetta’s projections, even gradual implementation of AI technology could deliver annual productivity increases of 0.2 percentage points. However, with aggressive and widespread deployment, those gains could exceed one full percentage point each year.
The central bank chief emphasized that strengthening Italy’s venture capital and private equity sectors would be essential to supporting AI innovation across the economy.
Current statistics reveal that while 30% of Italian companies have incorporated some form of AI technology, only approximately 5% are using it extensively, Panetta observed.
He highlighted that Italy’s AI adoption rates fall below international benchmarks, making government intervention necessary to accelerate implementation.
Panetta also disclosed that the Bank of Italy maintains ongoing communications with major global AI technology developers and has recently initiated discussions with banking institutions regarding AI integration strategies.
A federal law designed to expose the hidden ownership of shell companies is facing political headwinds despite previously enjoying support from both major political parties. The Corporate Transparency Act, which was intended to bring greater accountability to business structures that can obscure their true owners, no longer has the cross-party backing it once received.
The Trump administration is now moving to halt the implementation of this transparency legislation, marking a significant shift in the political landscape surrounding corporate disclosure requirements.
A decade has passed since Naomi “Nonie” Lynn received a diagnosis of agoraphobia, a condition characterized by anxiety about being in public spaces. Recently, Lynn opened up about her experience in a conversation with Mandy Lashay, discussing how their relationship evolved from casual visits into a meaningful bond.
During their discussion, Lynn reflected on how Lashay’s regular visits provided support during her journey with the anxiety disorder. What began as simple check-ins gradually developed into a genuine friendship that has helped Lynn navigate the challenges associated with her fear of public places.
The conversation between the two women highlights how personal connections can flourish even when mental health challenges create barriers to traditional social interactions.
Despite living in an era where physical paper plays a diminished role compared to previous generations, vintage paper collectibles continue to captivate enthusiasts. At a recent paper show in Pennsylvania, younger collectors who grew up in the digital world were spotted browsing for vintage postcards and comic books.
The event showcased how paper ephemera maintains its appeal even among those who have never known a world without smartphones and tablets. These collectors, born into the digital age, are finding value and interest in tangible pieces of history that previous generations once used in their daily lives.
A devastating blast at a Dallas apartment building has claimed the lives of at least three individuals, including one child, according to local officials. Emergency responders continue searching the scene as authorities warn additional casualties may be discovered.
The deadly incident occurred at a residential complex in the Texas city, though officials have not yet released details about what caused the explosion or the current condition of other residents who may have been affected.
Japanese financial institutions have received access to an advanced artificial intelligence system from OpenAI to bolster their defenses against cyber threats, according to Japan’s finance minister.
Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama announced Friday that select Japanese banks were granted access to OpenAI’s GPT-5.5 model following discussions with the American AI company’s leadership in Tokyo.
“This is a welcome development and a big step forward in strengthening Japanese financial institutions’ ability to defend against cyberattacks,” Katayama told reporters after meeting with Jason Kwon, OpenAI’s chief strategy officer.
The finance minister declined to identify which specific financial institutions would receive access to the technology.
According to reports from the Nikkei newspaper published Thursday, Japan’s three largest banking institutions – MUFG Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp and Mizuho Bank – are anticipated to receive access to OpenAI’s newest model. The advanced system is reportedly available exclusively to trusted partners and is considered comparable to competing technology from Anthropic’s Claude Mythos.
French authorities have requested a criminal investigation into alleged mistreatment of French citizens who participated in a humanitarian flotilla attempting to deliver aid to Gaza, according to statements made Friday by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.
“Based on a report I requested from our Consul General in Turkey, who informed me of sexual violence, exposure to the cold, beatings, and repeated humiliation of French nationals, all of these acts are likely to constitute criminal offenses (and) I decided yesterday to refer the matter to the public prosecutor,” Barrot stated during an interview with France Inter radio.
The flotilla was stopped last week while attempting to transport humanitarian supplies to Gaza. According to organizers, participants faced serious abuse during their detention, resulting in multiple hospitalizations due to injuries and at least 15 reports of sexual assault, including rape. All detained activists have since been freed.
Legal representatives for the French flotilla participants announced plans to file their own formal complaint regarding the violence their clients endured, which they described as including humiliation, rape and torture.
However, these lawyers rejected an offer from Barrot’s office to meet and discuss the situation. In their response, they stated that “the buzz from the minister’s declarations will not make us forget that the French government has supported the state of Israel since the beginning of the genocide.”
Taiwan’s premier technology trade show next week is expected to shine a spotlight on Nvidia’s deepening investment in the island nation and Taiwan’s expanding influence in artificial intelligence infrastructure development.
The Nvidia chief executive, Jensen Huang, who arrived in Taipei over a week before the event begins, emphasized his company’s commitment on Wednesday by announcing plans to invest up to $150 billion annually in Taiwan, describing the nation as the center of the artificial intelligence revolution.
“Many years ago, we had 10 partners. Five years ago, maybe 50 partners. Now we have 150 partners,” Huang stated.
Similarly, AMD’s chief executive Lisa Su announced last week that her company plans to invest more than $10 billion in Taiwan’s artificial intelligence industry, noting the company is working with local partners to ensure adequate capacity for growth in 2026 and beyond.
The island nation features a comprehensive network essential for AI data centers, including manufacturers of AI servers, packaging facilities, and component suppliers.
“Taiwan’s AI role is moving from a semiconductor story to an infrastructure story,” commented Ryan Fletcher, a partner at McKinsey & Company.
“The question is no longer only who makes the chip, but who can turn it into a powered, cooled, networked and serviceable AI system.”
The Computex exhibition will take place from June 2-5, beginning with an opening presentation from Huang on Monday, with strengthened relationships between Nvidia and its partners expected to be a major focus.
Since his arrival in Taiwan, Huang has maintained an intensive schedule of meetings and dinners with supply chain leaders, including sessions with TSMC CEO C.C. Wei, Foxconn Chairman Young Liu and Quanta Computer Chairman Barry Lam.
Although Computex has historically focused on consumer electronics, Nvidia has transformed it into a more enterprise-focused event in recent years. Expected highlights include the company’s data center offerings, including its latest Vera Rubin AI computing platform and Vera central processing unit, along with developments in robotics and manufacturing AI applications.
The show, anticipated to be the largest Computex ever with 1,500 exhibitors, will feature other prominent technology executives including Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, Qualcomm Chief Executive Cristiano Amon and Arm boss Rene Haas.
Marvell’s chief executive, Matt Murphy, and NXP Semiconductors CEO Rafael Sotomayor are also scheduled to attend.
Intel’s presentation by Tan will draw significant attention from industry observers.
“He’s been able to get Intel back on its feet and his keynote will give indications on other directions that he is looking to take the company,” said Bryan Ma, vice president, client devices research at IDC.
Ma noted he will be watching for developments including a long-rumored Nvidia PC platform, Intel’s Arc G-series processors for handheld gaming devices, and will assess industry sentiment amid elevated memory costs.
Intel is anticipated to highlight its numerous partnerships and renewed focus on high-performance central processing units for AI inference, according to Ian Cutress, chief analyst at More than Moore.
The technology showcase occurs during a period of increased geopolitical tensions.
China’s President Xi Jinping warned U.S. President Donald Trump at their recent summit that mismanaging Taiwan issues could result in conflict between the nations. China has also intensified pressure on Taiwan through increased military activity in surrounding areas.
Despite these tensions, Taiwan’s technology business continues to thrive. The island’s server exports jumped to $60 billion last year, up dramatically from just $571 million in 2017.
Emergency teams battling flooding in a remote Laos cave announced Friday they are pumping water from the underground chambers in hopes of extracting five villagers who have been stuck inside for more than a week.
Recent overnight storms have made their mission more challenging, rescue officials reported. Teams are also continuing their search for two additional people who remain unaccounted for. The group had reportedly gone into the cave seeking valuable minerals.
International rescue specialists from Laos and Thailand have collaborated throughout the week, navigating winding, tight corridors with sharp rock formations and water-filled sections of the underground system. The cave sits in a mountainous region of central Xaisomboun province, roughly 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of the capital, Vientiane.
The rescue team includes multiple divers who participated in the complex 2018 mission in northern Thailand that saved 12 schoolboys and their soccer coach after they spent more than two weeks trapped underground.
According to the Lao organization Rescue Volunteer for People, a Malaysian diver is also participating in the operation. Kengkaj Bongkawong, who leads the Thai rescue group Metta Tham Rescue Kalasin, reported that diving specialists from Indonesia, Japan and France were traveling to join the effort.
Wednesday’s confirmation that five trapped villagers had been located sparked celebration among rescue personnel. Officials confirmed they would press forward with the search for the remaining two missing individuals.
Footage captured by Thai cave diver Norrased Palasing documented the powerful moment when he and Finnish diving instructor Miiko Paasi surfaced and found the stranded men. The video shows the men with headlamps, seated on rocks while surrounded by floodwater.
The Lao rescue organization identified the five men by their first names: Khamla, Mued, Ee, Ing, and Laen. Reports indicate they were in stable condition but weakened by dehydration and hunger. Rescue divers have provided them with soft food and water.
The men could be heard crying out when they spotted their rescuers, and Norrased asked about their physical condition and circumstances.
The men introduced themselves on camera and sent reassuring messages to their loved ones.
“Don’t worry mom, dad. I’m still strong, I’m still healthy. Tomorrow I will be home. I love you mom and dad,” said the man who identified himself as Mued.
Lao authorities report the villagers typically gather resources from the mountainous, densely forested area to support themselves.
The villagers had reportedly gone into the cave searching for gold deposits. Bounphong Khammanyvong, a local official in Longcheng, the district containing the cave, explained they had spotted rocks or sand with distinctive colors inside the cave and entered hoping to extract them to determine their value.
In a Thursday interview with local media outlet Xaisomboun Province Television, Bounphong explained the villagers became trapped when heavy rainfall caused flooding that prevented their exit. An eighth member of the group who managed to escape notified authorities.
He stated the group entered on May 20, which differs from rescuers who reported the date as May 19.
Rescue Volunteer for People announced on its Facebook page that Friday’s mission included pumping water from the cave system to attempt evacuating the five villagers later that day, but heavy morning rainfall had hindered their progress.
“The front of the cave is in a low-lying area. When it rains, all water will flow down to this area and into the cave,” Bounphong explained during his interview.
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — A Kenyan court has temporarily blocked American plans to build a quarantine facility in the East African nation for U.S. citizens who have been exposed to a dangerous strain of Ebola virus currently spreading in northeastern Congo. The decision came after significant opposition from healthcare professionals and advocacy groups.
An official from the U.S. administration revealed on Wednesday that America intended to transport exposed citizens to this proposed Kenyan facility rather than bringing them back to American soil. The official requested anonymity when discussing the administration’s strategy. Details remained unclear about the specific location within Kenya for the proposed facility and whether Kenyan officials had formally approved the arrangement.
Kenya’s government acknowledged ongoing discussions with the United States regarding Ebola preparedness support but avoided directly addressing the quarantine facility proposal. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced in a statement that the U.S. government plans to provide $13.5 million to support Kenya’s Ebola readiness initiatives.
The High Court in Nairobi issued an order on Friday halting any agreements related to the Ebola facility pending the resolution of legal challenges scheduled for Tuesday.
Two separate organizations filed petitions against the facility: the Katiba Institute, which works to protect Kenya’s Constitution, and the Kenya Law Society. The Kenya Law Society requested the court invalidate any existing agreements between the two nations regarding this project, pointing to public health dangers and insufficient public consultation.
The legal group also argued that Kenya does not possess “the high-containment infrastructure required to safely manage such a facility, exposing the public to serious health risks.”
A union representing Kenyan physicians issued a 48-hour strike warning on Thursday if the government moves forward with the agreement. The union stated that since the U.S. clearly refuses to allow Ebola on American territory, Kenya should not become another “dumping ground.”
“As the vanguard of Kenya’s healthcare system, we are utterly disgusted by the government’s apparent willingness to trade national biosecurity and the lives of its citizens for foreign aid,” the union’s chairperson, Davji Atellah, said in a statement.
In northeastern Congo, healthcare professionals working with limited resources are fighting to control an outbreak of the Bundibugyo virus, an Ebola variant without any authorized treatment or vaccination.
Congolese officials have documented over 1,000 suspected infections, including at least 220 fatalities, since declaring the outbreak on May 15. However, the virus had been circulating undetected for weeks, and the WHO believes the actual scope exceeds reported numbers.
The outbreak has also crossed into neighboring Uganda, which has reported seven confirmed cases and one death.
Honda Motor has announced a safety recall affecting 98,892 vehicles throughout the United States due to a malfunction that could cause airbags to deploy when they shouldn’t, according to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced Friday.
The safety recall affects specific models including Honda Acura TLX, Accord Hybrid, and 2022 Accord vehicles, according to the federal auto safety agency.
The problem stems from a defective front passenger seat weight sensor that can develop cracks and experience electrical shorts, NHTSA explained.
This malfunction could result in airbags deploying unexpectedly even when passengers such as infants in car seats or children are present – situations where the airbag system should normally prevent deployment for safety reasons.
To fix the problem, authorized dealers will install replacement seat weight sensors free of charge to vehicle owners, according to NHTSA.
The United Nations’ Human Rights Office issued a statement Friday demanding stronger government regulations and monitoring to protect children using digital platforms.
“Enhancing protection of children online is an urgent priority that we need to make sure not only gets done – but that it gets done right,” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Tuerk said in a statement.
Tuerk also emphasized that technology companies must integrate child safety measures directly into their digital platforms.
BEIJING, May 29 – Beijing issued a sharp rebuke on Friday regarding Canada’s recent naval passage through the Taiwan Strait, declaring strong opposition to nations that threaten Chinese sovereignty and security while claiming to exercise navigation rights.
Reports from Canadian news outlets indicated that the frigate HMCS Charlottetown completed the passage last week, traveling solo without escort vessels from partner nations.
A spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry, Mao Ning, stated that while China acknowledges all nations’ maritime navigation rights under international law, the country “firmly opposes any attempt by any country to undermine its sovereignty and security under the pretext of freedom of navigation.”
Federal safety officials announced Friday that an electric vehicle manufacturer is pulling more than 2,000 cars off the road nationwide due to concerns about sudden power loss that could lead to accidents.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that the recall affects 2,039 vehicles across the United States. The safety agency identified the following key points about the recall:
• Certain 2024-2025 Air model vehicles are included in the recall action, according to the NHTSA.
• Federal regulators explained that problems with the car’s inverter component could cause damage leading to complete loss of driving power.
• The manufacturer plans to address the problem through remote software updates to diagnose the defect, with the NHTSA noting that faulty inverters will be replaced at no cost to vehicle owners.
The parent company of Chrysler announced Friday it will pull more than 419,000 vehicles from American roads due to a computer glitch that could prevent side airbags from functioning correctly during accidents, according to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Federal safety regulators explained that this software malfunction could cause delays in side airbag activation during collisions, making these vehicles fail to meet required U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
The safety recall impacts several vehicle models, including 2022-2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2023-2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee L models, according to the federal transportation safety agency.
Authorized dealerships will provide software updates for the occupant restraint controller module at no cost to vehicle owners, safety officials confirmed.
Western intelligence and government officials report that Russia has escalated secret operations aimed at sabotaging Armenia’s leader ahead of next month’s election, concerned that his success could cement the former Soviet nation’s shift toward Western allies.
According to interviews with five Western intelligence officials and documents reviewed by Reuters, Moscow’s strategy before the June 7 election includes spreading false information to benefit pro-Russian candidates and an ambitious plan to bring tens of thousands of Russian-Armenians to influence the outcome.
Armenia, a nation of 3 million people without ocean access, has largely stayed within Moscow’s sphere of influence since the Cold War ended and continues to house Russian military forces. However, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who leads in polling, has strengthened ties with Europe and NATO, becoming an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, who endorsed Pashinyan’s re-election campaign on Wednesday.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled to Yerevan this week, finalizing a minerals agreement and a deal for the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity – a planned transportation corridor through Armenia that could weaken Russian regional influence.
Armenia, which belongs to a Russian-led economic alliance, halted its involvement in Moscow’s regional security partnership in 2024. This month the country welcomed NATO’s leader at a European leaders summit.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has openly expressed his dissatisfaction with Pashinyan’s Western turn. Recently, Moscow has threatened that Armenia could lose access to affordable natural gas and has limited imports of Armenian goods including fruit, vegetables, flowers and brandy.
“What Pashinyan is trying to do is a threat to Russia,” said Thomas de Waal, senior fellow with Carnegie Europe. Diversification “means Russia loses the virtual monopoly it’s had in Armenia.”
Three Western officials identified Moscow’s favored candidate as Samvel Karapetyan, a billionaire facing trial for allegedly advocating government overthrow.
Karapetyan, who holds Armenian-Russian citizenship, rejects the accusations. His attorney, Robert Amsterdam, told Reuters his client was unaware of any Russian backing.
Europe has repeatedly charged Russia with election interference, including recent cases in Moldova and Hungary. Russia claims that the EU and United States meddle in neighboring countries to draw them into Western influence.
Russia’s foreign ministry did not reply to requests for comment, but told reporters Thursday that allegations of Russian interference in Armenia’s domestic matters represented “spymania.”
Armenia’s government communications department refused to address the specific claims in this report, but described steps being implemented to combat false information and guarantee free, fair, and transparent elections.
In October, the Kremlin created a department called the Directorate for Strategic Cooperation and Partnership, which four sources say is directing influence operations in Armenia. The sources, like others in this report, requested anonymity.
Russian officials have discussed in recent months sending Russia-based Armenians to vote against Pashinyan, five sources reported.
Armenians form a substantial worldwide diaspora, including a Russian population that some estimates place above 2 million. Armenians cannot cast ballots in elections from overseas.
One source, a senior U.S. official, said the number of people Moscow could successfully transport remained debated within the intelligence community. However, the source noted, intelligence officials consider the concept seriously. Armenians regularly travel between the countries, with dozens of daily flights.
Russian authorities estimated approximately $50 million to transport 100,000 voters, three sources said. By mid-May, the Kremlin had assigned quotas of Armenians each region should send and asked administrators to report preparation updates, those officials added.
Reuters could not determine whether such a plan was active or if it would be sufficient to narrow the substantial gap between leading candidates.
A poll from earlier this month indicated Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party would place first with approximately 30% of votes.
The same poll showed Karapetyan’s Strong Armenia party at roughly 6%, placing second in a competitive field.
Pashinyan assumed office in 2018 when demonstrations removed his Moscow-friendly predecessor. Relations worsened after Russian peacekeepers stationed in Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnically Armenian separatist territory within neighboring Azerbaijan, could not prevent its capture by Azerbaijan in 2023.
In August, Pashinyan signed a U.S.-mediated peace agreement ending the decades-long dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the contested region. The agreement would establish the transport route through southern Armenia, enabling goods to move eastward toward Central Asia, while providing Azerbaijan direct access to its exclave of Nakhchivan and to Turkey. Moscow cautiously supported the agreement.
Washington has indicated U.S.-supported security personnel could supervise the narrow land strip, which would follow the Iranian border, a prospect intelligence officials say Russia considers unacceptable.
If Pashinyan loses power, major components of Trump’s peace initiative would likely collapse, two Western officials said.
In a video circulated online in May, masked individuals speaking an Armenian dialect threatened to kill Pashinyan. Reuters could not verify if the threat was genuine or identify those responsible. The matter is under investigation in Armenia.
Three sources, including a senior U.S. official, described serious and continuing concerns about the Armenian leader’s safety, without providing details.
Parts of the U.S. government, including the C.I.A., have recently provided covert assistance for Pashinyan’s personal security, according to a current U.S. official, a former U.S. official and a third person familiar with the arrangement. One source said the assistance included sharing information about potential threats.
The White House, State Department, U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence and Pashinyan’s office did not respond to requests for comment about the prime minister’s security situation. The CIA declined to comment.
Russian officials have intensified existing online false information campaigns to damage the Pashinyan government, officials said.
In one case, a Russian-supported online campaign falsely claimed a corrupt land transaction involving Pashinyan with Jeanne Shaheen and Thom Tillis, two U.S. senators who publicly raised concerns in April about Russian disinformation, the U.S. official said. Shaheen and Tillis did not respond to requests for comment.
One European official said the campaigns involve a Kremlin-connected bot network called “Storm-1516”, which participated in attempts to interfere with recent U.S. elections.
Three sources said the Kremlin had recruited Russian political consulting firms and think-tanks, including the Social Design Agency (SDA), sanctioned in the European Union and the United Kingdom for spreading disinformation to weaken support for Ukraine.
Reuters examined five Russian-language documents that sources said were created by SDA. The news organization could not independently confirm that SDA produced the documents.
One document suggested establishing a media outlet named Yerevan1 for Russia’s Armenian diaspora to foster a “negative attitude” toward Pashinyan with a “core narrative” that “Armenia can only prosper in a close alliance with Russia and under its protection.” Neither SDA nor Yerevan1 responded to comment requests.
The document concluded that Russian-Armenians could influence the election decisively if “high turnout among them can be ensured”.
Ukrainian officials announced Friday that Russian drone strikes targeted three international merchant ships as they traveled through Ukraine’s Black Sea shipping corridor late Thursday and into the early morning hours.
Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba reported via Telegram that the attacks sparked fires aboard all three vessels, though ship crews managed to extinguish the flames.
According to Ukraine’s seaports authority, the targeted ships operated under flags from Vanuatu, the Comoros and Panama.
Ukrainian naval forces provided additional details about one vessel, the Ant, describing it as a Turkish-owned freight ship flying the Vanuatu flag. The navy said the ship was en route to Turkey after departing from a port in the Odesa region.
The attack on the Ant resulted in a blaze and forced the evacuation of two crew members who sustained injuries, naval officials reported. The vessel was carrying cargo when the strike occurred.
This latest assault continues Russia’s pattern of targeting Ukraine’s maritime trade routes throughout the conflict, which has lasted more than four years since Russia’s invasion began. These attacks have focused on ports crucial to Ukraine’s international commerce and wartime economic stability.
A well-known Hong Kong journalist has begun serving a five-day jail term after his appeal was rejected in a case that has heightened worries about the territory’s shrinking press freedoms.
Ronson Chan, who previously served as chairman of the Hong Kong Journalists Association, lost his appeal Friday and was immediately ordered to prison following his conviction for obstructing a police officer.
The territory was previously considered a stronghold for media freedom throughout Asia, but numerous news organizations have been shuttered, multiple journalists detained, and those continuing their work face increasingly restricted conditions since officials launched a crackdown on activist movements after the large-scale pro-democracy demonstrations in 2019.
Chan was taken into custody in September 2022 while heading to cover a story. Authorities alleged he refused to present his identification card when requested by a plainclothes officer.
A trial court imposed the five-day sentence in 2023, determining that Chan had not produced his identity card promptly and continued questioning the officer in a “reckless” manner. He challenged the ruling and was released on bail pending appeal.
Deputy High Court Judge Lily Wong confirmed both Chan’s conviction and sentence Friday, directing that he be taken into custody immediately.
Before the court session, Chan, dressed in a black shirt bearing the phrase “Free Press,” spoke with reporters about feeling troubled and conflicted. He explained his decision to remain in Hong Kong to continue his journalism work, citing press freedom guarantees in the territory’s mini-constitution, the Basic Law.
“If I end up losing today, I feel it would be quite a big irony for me personally,” he said.
During the post-2019 protest crackdown, two outspoken Hong Kong news organizations — Apple Daily and Stand News — were compelled to cease operations in 2021.
Two former senior editors from Stand News were found guilty of conspiracy to publish and distribute seditious materials in 2024. One received a 21-month prison term.
In February, Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai was given a 20-year sentence after being convicted of conspiracy to collaborate with foreign entities and conspiring to publish seditious content. Six additional newspaper employees, also convicted under national security legislation like Lai, received sentences ranging from six years and nine months to 10 years.
Throughout other newsrooms, reporters encounter increasing restrictions and growing self-censorship. The decline in press freedom mirrors a wider reduction of Western-style civil rights in the former British territory, which was returned to Chinese control in 1997.
Hong Kong officials maintain that security legislation is essential for the territory’s stability.
The territory placed 140th among 180 nations and territories in the most recent World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders.
Market turbulence is strengthening arguments for Japan’s central bank to halt the reduction of its enormous bond portfolio in the upcoming fiscal year, potentially providing breathing room for Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi as investors grow increasingly worried about her fiscal policies.
Such a halt would represent a significant shift in the Bank of Japan’s quantitative tightening strategy, which has been underway since 2024 as part of Governor Kazuo Ueda’s campaign to reverse a decade of extensive economic stimulus measures.
During its June 15-16 session, the BOJ will examine its current bond reduction schedule that runs until March and establish a new framework for fiscal 2027.
While no modifications are anticipated for the existing reduction plan, financial markets are closely watching whether the BOJ will continue decreasing its monthly bond acquisitions in fiscal 2027 or keep the current purchasing level unchanged.
Though the BOJ has not reached internal agreement on the ultimate choice, halting the reduction is gaining favor as the preferred approach, with uncertainty surrounding the Iran conflict keeping bond markets unstable, according to two sources with knowledge of the discussions.
“Markets remain volatile, so there’s no need to rush,” one source commented regarding the BOJ’s reduction plan, noting that many market participants seemed to support maintaining current purchasing levels.
Political factors may also encourage the BOJ to pause, as climbing bond yields could limit Takaichi’s spending initiatives.
“What the administration wants to avoid most is rises in bond yields,” stated one of the sources.
Recent central bank research revealed that some investors are now urging the BOJ to suspend its bond reduction strategy, underscoring the difficulties it encounters in decreasing its substantial Japanese government bond holdings.
Previous indicators suggested the BOJ might contemplate slowing its reduction plan given market uncertainty.
A more definitive signal regarding the BOJ’s bond strategy will emerge next week when the central bank publishes notes from its May 21-22 meeting with bond market participants.
“We’ve seen a pretty fast rise in bond yields, which makes it hard for investors to buy bonds. The finance ministry may be getting worried too,” explained former BOJ official Nobuyasu Atago.
“Given the political headwinds, I see no reason for the BOJ to keep tapering next fiscal year,” he added.
Worries about Japan’s deteriorating fiscal situation and increasing inflation drove the 10-year JGB yield to a three-decade peak of 2.8% last week, approaching the 3% projection the finance ministry used when preparing its fiscal 2026 budget. Exceeding 3% would increase debt servicing expenses and limit resources for additional spending.
The BOJ’s interest rate decision could also influence its reduction plan, with an increase in short-term rates to 1% from 0.75% viewed as highly likely at the June meeting.
Although the central bank has stated its reduction program carries no monetary policy consequences, the argument for slowing quantitative tightening grows stronger if it implements a rate increase, analysts note.
“With the bond market so unstable, it would be natural for the BOJ to play it safe and avoid causing undue market turbulence,” said Mari Iwashita, executive rates strategist at Nomura Securities, who anticipates a reduction pause in fiscal 2027.
“A combination of a taper pause and rate hike would be a good one,” she explained, as the former would reduce upward pressure on yields while the latter would address concerns that the BOJ is falling behind in managing inflation risks.
Increasing debt and unstable yields have intensified challenges for central banks unwinding balance sheets that expanded dramatically from years of extensive asset purchases designed to stimulate their economies.
In the United States, analysts question whether new Federal Reserve chief Kevin Warsh can advance his proposals for a smaller balance sheet as U.S. Treasuries lose appeal.
The BOJ has also proceeded carefully with its quantitative tightening program that started in 2024, gradually reducing purchases and currently cutting monthly buying by 200 billion yen each quarter.
Political obstacles for the BOJ’s quantitative tightening have increased under Takaichi, who has promised to reduce taxes and increase spending through debt-financed funding.
Regardless of reduction decisions, a decrease in the BOJ’s holdings, currently around 500 trillion yen, will continue steadily due to maturing JGBs rolling off, which has already reduced its balance sheet by 20% from its late 2023 peak.
This provides additional justification for the BOJ to maintain current purchasing levels, said former BOJ executive Akira Otani, currently managing director at Goldman Sachs Japan.
“When inflationary risks from the Middle East conflict and the government’s proactive fiscal policy are putting upward pressure on bond yields, proceeding with further tapering could cause political friction by pushing up yields,” he stated.
Federal health officials have identified serious safety and record-keeping violations at a manufacturing facility operated by Dabur India, following an inspection conducted in January at the company’s plant in Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
The Food and Drug Administration’s inspection report, released publicly this week, detailed multiple concerns including potential contamination hazards and deliberate falsification of production records. Dabur India represents one of the country’s most established consumer goods manufacturers, operating for more than 140 years and marketing itself as a leading global distributor of Ayurvedic health products.
The company distributes various over-the-counter health items in the American market, including products for cough and cold relief, antifungal treatments, pain management gels, and dental care items.
According to the inspection findings, certain areas within the manufacturing facility presented microbiological contamination dangers. Federal inspectors discovered that essential production documentation had been deliberately altered to hide the fact that equipment designated for specific products was actually being utilized for manufacturing multiple different items.
The report documented unsanitary conditions including the presence of a live bird and bird waste in the raw materials storage facility, located approximately 30 feet from packaging supplies. Additionally, inspectors observed an unidentified dark substance covering more than one-quarter of ceiling areas in both the raw materials warehouse and the finished product storage facility.
These discoveries occur during a period of increased regulatory oversight of Indian pharmaceutical manufacturers regarding quality control standards for medical products shipped to the United States, which represents their primary international market.
Federal inspectors also raised questions about the facility’s testing procedures, noting that while laboratory results for microbiology tests appeared to meet acceptable standards, substantial contamination was actually observed in numerous samples during the on-site inspection.
The company has not yet provided a response to requests for comment regarding the inspection findings.
After receiving a form 483 notice, which is standard procedure following FDA facility inspections, companies typically submit detailed responses outlining corrective measures they plan to implement to address identified issues.
The inspection report additionally noted that facility management had failed to properly review production and quality documentation to ensure regulatory compliance before releasing product batches for sale, and identified shortcomings in equipment cleaning and maintenance protocols.
A court in Kenya has temporarily blocked plans by the United States to establish an Ebola quarantine facility within the East African nation’s borders.
High Court Judge Patricia Nyaundi issued the suspension order late Thursday, also prohibiting Kenya from accepting any individuals who have been exposed to or infected with Ebola under the proposed arrangement with the United States. The temporary ban will remain in place until a legal challenge to the agreement is resolved.
The White House announced Thursday that the United States planned to establish the Kenyan facility to isolate American citizens who had encountered Ebola exposure. Under the proposal, these individuals would not be returned to American soil if they showed symptoms, but would instead be transported to a third nation.
The Katiba Institute, a Kenyan rights organization, filed the legal challenge on Thursday to block the facility’s creation.
“The secretive, unilateral establishment of an Ebola quarantine facility raises grave constitutional concerns regarding the rights to life, health, fair administrative action, public participation, and parliamentary oversight,” the rights group said.
Judge Nyaundi scheduled the next court proceeding for June 2 to continue hearing arguments in the case.
A major British supermarket chain has announced a new technology partnership aimed at strengthening its online shopping capabilities and competing more effectively with larger competitors.
Asda, which ranks as the third-largest grocery retailer in Britain, revealed Friday that it has formed an alliance with technology company Ocado to enhance its digital commerce operations throughout the United Kingdom. The move comes as the chain works to regain ground lost to its bigger competitors, including market leader Tesco and second-place Sainsbury’s.
The supermarket chain currently operates approximately 1,100 locations and maintains a significant online grocery presence in Britain, processing over 700,000 digital orders each week.
Under the new arrangement, the partnership will concentrate on rapidly replacing and enhancing Asda’s current digital commerce systems. Ocado’s technology solutions are scheduled to be implemented across both traditional stores and specialized fulfillment centers beginning in 2027.
“These solutions include Ocado’s front-end (webshop), in-store fulfilment, and software to support last mile planning and route efficiency,” the companies stated in their announcement.
Economic analysts predict China’s manufacturing sector likely stagnated during May after experiencing growth for the previous two months, with weakening consumer demand domestically and rising costs from the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran potentially impacting factory production.
Economists surveyed by Reuters anticipate the official manufacturing purchasing managers’ index will decline to 50 from April’s reading of 50.3, reaching the critical mark that divides expansion from decline. The median prediction from 14 economic experts suggests this downturn.
The National Bureau of Statistics plans to publish the PMI data on Sunday, which should provide insight into how continued supply chain interruptions and price increases from the ongoing Middle East crisis affected Chinese manufacturers, particularly with the Strait of Hormuz oil transportation route staying mostly blocked.
Data released earlier in May showed conflicting signals about China’s economic performance in April, with overseas shipments jumping significantly while domestic retail activity and factory output growth weakened. Manufacturing costs climbed as producer prices increased sharply, though industrial company earnings posted their strongest gains since November 2023.
The economy faces challenges from continued sluggish domestic consumption and excess manufacturing capacity, leaving it vulnerable to external threats like fluctuating energy costs and protective trade policies from international partners. However, worldwide demand for artificial intelligence technology has boosted orders for Chinese-manufactured electronics, supporting growth in high-tech manufacturing and maintaining strong export performance.
While U.S. President Donald Trump’s May visit to Beijing produced limited major agreements, both governments committed after the meeting to pursue mutual tariff reductions on goods worth $30 billion or more. China’s Commerce Ministry expressed hopes that the U.S. would “honour its commitment” to keep tariff rates on Chinese products at or below levels established in last year’s trade agreement.
Strong export performance and China’s energy stockpiles have so far protected the economy from war-related impacts and lessened pressure for significant economic stimulus programs, particularly after officials established more modest growth objectives for this year.
However, if cost burdens continue increasing, government leaders may need to strengthen domestic consumer spending, stabilize employment conditions, and provide additional support for the troubled housing market to protect against international economic uncertainties.
Russian President Vladimir Putin appears poised to dramatically intensify his military campaign against Ukraine as his forces encounter battlefield setbacks and domestic support for the conflict begins to waver.
Military analysts suggest Putin is preparing to significantly increase aerial bombardments of Ukraine’s capital, hoping such actions will boost his declining popularity at home and convince a increasingly doubtful Russian public that Moscow is prevailing in the conflict, which has now entered its fifth year.
Moscow’s threat to conduct “consistent and systematic” missile attacks on Kyiv, coupled with demands that foreign diplomatic missions evacuate the capital, demonstrates Putin’s plan to expand Russia’s bombardment campaign despite significant costs and potential global condemnation.
Large-scale exercises of Russia’s nuclear arsenal earlier this month and aggressive rhetoric from Moscow warning Ukraine’s European partners about possible retaliation for what the Kremlin describes as their participation in Ukrainian drone operations have highlighted Putin’s determination to raise the stakes.
Following territorial gains last year, Russia’s progress along the more than 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) battle line has recently stalled, while Ukraine’s military has conducted effective counterattacks and regained territory.
“The character of the war is shifting in favor of Ukrainian forces, at least for now,” the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War said in a recent analysis. “Russian forces’ rates of advances are stagnating while Ukrainian forces are employing novel tactics and operational concepts in efforts to break out of positional warfare.”
The military deadlock undermines Putin’s stated objective of rapidly seizing the eastern Donetsk region that remains under Ukrainian authority. Kyiv has refused his demands to retreat from the area as a precondition for ending hostilities.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has substantially increased its long-distance attacks on Russian energy infrastructure and weapons manufacturing facilities, causing growing destruction.
Putin reduced the scope of the annual May 9 Victory Day parade, concerned about Ukrainian drone attacks. Shortly afterward, a large drone assault on Moscow’s outskirts resulted in three deaths and demonstrated that even the heavily defended capital remains vulnerable to strikes, undermining Kremlin attempts to portray the war as a remote conflict that doesn’t impact regular Russians.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the attacks were “significantly changing the situation — and, more broadly, the world’s perception of Russia’s war.”
Recognizing the increasing danger of Ukraine’s deep-strike capabilities, Russian legislators this week passed legislation requiring the country’s financial institutions to fund the installation of drone-jamming equipment at their locations, rather than depending on military protection.
“From Russia’s perspective, these attacks are just going to get worse,” said Thomas Withington of the Royal United Services Institute in London. He added that Ukraine’s increasingly audacious drone attacks were “exacting not only a political but an economic cost in Russia.”
Russia’s economy has stalled as the initial stimulus from enormous military expenditures has diminished. The administration has increased taxes and expanded domestic borrowing to maintain budget balance. Despite windfall oil profits from the U.S. war in Iran, core economic problems persist.
Putin is anticipated to minimize these negative trends at next week’s international economic forum in St. Petersburg, an annual gathering designed to highlight Russia’s accomplishments.
Nigel Gould-Davies of the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies said in an analysis that “war-fueled high prices of capital, labor and goods, as well as rising taxes, have begun to depress the civilian sectors,” resulting in “a dual economy of overheated military output and civilian stagnation.”
Although Russia has depended on volunteer forces to conduct the war, providing them relatively generous compensation and additional benefits, Gould-Davies contended that “there are signs that this incentive may no longer be working effectively, and that Russia has begun to lose more troops than it can recruit.”
To maintain the war effort, the Kremlin must compel mobilization of human and material resources, requiring it to “curtail the last remaining post-Soviet market freedoms, labor freedom, and freedom of movement,” he said.
Indicating growing dissatisfaction, some social media personalities who previously supported the Kremlin have begun publicly criticizing government actions.
Government moves to limit mobile internet access and block widely-used messaging applications have disrupted daily life for millions, generating public complaints. Natalya Kasperskaya, a prominent IT entrepreneur and strong Kremlin ally, sharply condemned the shutdowns and efforts to block virtual private networks, warning they inflict massive harm on the technology industry.
Tatyana Stanovaya, a Russia expert who founded the R.Politik newsletter focused on Kremlin politics, noted the expanding Ukrainian drone attacks along with mobile internet shutdowns and increasing taxes have weakened Putin’s position. While he faces no immediate challenges to his authority, “the gradual fading of Putin’s credibility is real,” she said.
During early spring, Russian public opinion surveys, including one conducted by a government-operated polling organization, showed a decline in Putin’s approval numbers, though they increased slightly in May in the state-controlled poll after the organization modified its methodology to include in-person interviews. Many experts believe the figures may be exaggerated amid an extensive crackdown on opposition.
“Putin is losing his magic,” Alexander Baunov of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center wrote in a commentary. “Power remains undivided in his hands, but its spell is fading. Even loyalists complain about the mounting restrictions and repression, and once-upbeat businesspeople are now despondent.”
Following a May 22 Ukrainian drone strike on a college dormitory in Russian-controlled eastern Ukraine that Moscow claimed killed 21 people, Putin authorized a massive missile attack on Kyiv and surrounding areas. Sunday’s bombardment that included Russia’s new hypersonic Oreshnik missile resulted in two deaths, injured dozens, and destroyed or damaged numerous structures.
On Monday, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced Moscow will conduct “consistent and systematic” attacks on Kyiv to target drone manufacturing sites and “decision-making centers.” It called on foreign diplomats to evacuate the capital — a request Ukraine’s allies rejected.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov contacted U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to alert him of the planned strikes and advocate for the evacuation of American diplomats.
“The danger in all of these wars as they continue and then they go on is that they always have the threat of escalation, of spreading into something new,” Rubio told reporters after the call.
The Iran war has essentially suspended U.S. diplomatic efforts in Ukraine and depleted American missile stockpiles, postponing the shipment of U.S.-manufactured Patriot missiles that Ukraine urgently requires to defend against Russian attacks.
Moscow-based military analyst Sergei Poletaev said Russia views the shortage of air defense systems in Kyiv as an advantage.
“Kyiv’s air defenses have been exhausted enough to make a massive attack efficient,” he said in a recent commentary.
Along with the announced offensive against Kyiv, Russia issued numerous threats directed at Ukraine’s European partners.
The Defense Ministry released a list of European facilities it claimed were participating in producing drones and components for Ukraine. Moscow’s Foreign Intelligence Service warned the Baltic nations that their NATO membership won’t shield them from Moscow’s retaliation if they permit Ukraine to conduct attacks from their territory. Those allies have rejected Moscow’s accusations.
“We are actually very, very close to direct military confrontation,” said Dmitry Polyansky, Russia’s envoy to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
Leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are scheduled to participate in a commemorative summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russia this June, according to the Philippines’ top diplomat on Friday.
Philippine Foreign Secretary Theresa Lazaro announced on X that she had a phone conversation with her Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, regarding ASEAN’s upcoming gathering in the Russian city of Kazan.
According to the Russian Embassy in Manila, Lavrov and Lazaro discussed “the prospects of expanding Russia’s strategic partnership” with ASEAN in preparation for the June 17 to 18 summit.
ASEAN’s membership consists of the Philippines, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, East Timor and Vietnam.
While the majority of ASEAN member states supported a United Nations General Assembly resolution that condemned Russia for its Feb. 24, 2022, invasion of Ukraine, the regional organization has continued its relationship with Moscow as a “dialogue partner” and participates in annual high-level meetings with Russian officials.
The diverse ASEAN membership includes states with varying international alignments. Some nations, such as Washington’s treaty ally the Philippines, which currently holds the association’s yearly rotating presidency, are viewed as aligned with the United States. Other members maintain significant trade and security relationships with China and Russia. Vietnam and Laos chose to abstain from the UN General Assembly resolution regarding the attack on Ukraine.
Multiple ASEAN members, including the Philippines Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam, have either imported or shown interest in buying Russian crude oil following the spike in global fuel prices after the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran in February.
A Philippine government official, speaking anonymously to The Associated Press due to lack of authorization to discuss the matter publicly, confirmed that Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will participate in the summit with Putin.
Singapore’s participation remains uncertain. The prosperous island nation has condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and implemented sanctions against Moscow.
Myanmar’s leader, despite the country currently coordinating ASEAN’s relations with Russia, will probably be barred from attending. ASEAN has banned Myanmar’s leaders from participating in high-level meetings, including annual summits with Asian and Western nations, following Myanmar’s military forcibly removing Aung San Suu Kyi’s democratically elected government in 2021, which triggered a civil war. Lower-level career diplomats have been permitted to participate.
In 2021, ASEAN leaders put forward a five-point peace plan calling for an immediate cessation of fighting and hostilities, but Myanmar’s government has not succeeded in ending the violence or promoting dialogue.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim faces mounting political challenges as members abandon his party to join a rival organization established by a former ally, according to political observers and legislators.
Ibrahim assumed leadership in November 2022 following more than twenty years leading opposition efforts against government corruption.
Although his administration has brought political stability back to Malaysia, questions have emerged regarding his anti-corruption commitments, the pace of government reform efforts, and increasing discord within his governing coalition.
Rafizi Ramli, a former economic minister previously considered a possible successor to Ibrahim, declared earlier this month his intention to leave the prime minister’s People’s Justice Party (PKR), resign from parliament, and lead the relatively unknown Malaysia United Party, known as Bersama.
According to party officials, Bersama has attracted over 18,000 membership requests, with approximately one-third coming from previous PKR members.
Although most departing PKR members have been grassroots supporters or local officials rather than parliamentarians – who are legally prohibited from switching parties while serving – the scale of departures has sparked concerns about Ibrahim’s capacity to maintain power should internal coalition conflicts trigger early elections.
Hassan Abdul Karim, a PKR legislator and long-time Ibrahim ally, stated on social media Thursday that he had stopped attempting to prevent member departures because leadership ignored their grievances. Despite maintaining faith in PKR, he described the party as currently “hurt, wounded and critically injured.”
Hassan told Reuters separately that Bersama might attract substantial support from undecided voters, younger citizens, and those focused on economic issues.
“If more PKR members of parliament who support Rafizi leave the party, Anwar will lose legitimacy as prime minister,” he said.
Ibrahim’s office did not provide comment when contacted.
PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh, who also serves as a deputy minister, told Reuters there was “no noticeable exodus of members leaving PKR to join Bersama.”
Government spokesperson and PKR information chief Fahmi Fadzil also minimized reports of mass departures this week, noting that 5,000 people had joined during the previous two months and total membership exceeded one million.
The resignations do not immediately threaten Ibrahim’s position as prime minister, since he retains parliamentary majority support.
However, University of Nottingham Asia political analyst Bridget Welsh said the PKR division would hurt the party’s electoral prospects and diminish Ibrahim’s chances for a second term as prime minister.
“Equally important, are perceptions of how Anwar is managing his own party, as problems within PKR do not reflect well,” she said.
While the next general election is scheduled for early 2028, Ibrahim indicated earlier this month he might call early voting if administrative divisions continue expanding.
Dissatisfaction has increased among the premier’s reform-minded supporters regarding the government’s handling of an anti-corruption agency scandal, while coalition partners have occasionally disagreed over approaches to ethnic and religious matters in the diverse, Muslim-majority nation.
Two legislators told Reuters in March that national elections might occur as early as July alongside several anticipated state elections.
“We believe that a political party must practise the values of reform and democracy that it proclaims to the people. Unfortunately, we no longer see these principles being practised consistently in PKR today,” 21 local PKR members stated in a joint Monday announcement of their immediate party departure.
Multiple regional PKR leaders have also resigned this month in similar circumstances, with one stating that Rafizi’s Bersama represents a continuation of PKR’s founding principles.
Australia’s opposition Liberal Party has chosen former Prime Minister Tony Abbott as its new president, marking a decisive shift toward conservative politics as the party struggles to recover from major electoral defeats.
The center-right Liberals, who once controlled Australian politics, have faced significant challenges following devastating losses in 2022 and 2025 elections. During those contests, they surrendered large portions of their traditional urban strongholds to centrist independent candidates and Labor opponents.
Current polling data indicates the party now trails behind an emerging populist right movement, spearheaded by the One Nation party.
Party leader Angus Taylor, who took over from a more moderate predecessor in February, has already committed to reducing immigration, lowering taxes, expanding mining and gas operations, and slowing emission reduction efforts – all positions that align with Abbott’s views.
In a recent blog entry, Abbott expressed his support for the new direction, stating: “The Taylor-led Coalition is resolved to be a clear alternative, keeping government within limits and unleashing the talents of the Australian people, via our proven ability to drill, dig, and grow our way to prosperity.” Abbott did not respond to requests for comment.
The former prime minister faced no opposition and received confirmation during Friday afternoon’s party meeting, according to a party spokesperson.
Zareh Ghazarian, an associate professor of politics at Monash University, characterized the situation bluntly: “This is a party really on the ropes.”
“It needs to do something to get out of this rut,” he explained. “Bringing in a high-profile national president would potentially be a way to do that, putting the party on a more attacking footing.”
Abbott’s new role operates outside parliamentary duties. He will oversee party operations and influence governance decisions, membership matters, fundraising efforts, and strategic planning.
Recent polling highlights the magnitude of the Liberal Party’s predicament. A survey conducted this week suggests that if elections were held today, the party would secure just 12 seats in the 150-member federal parliament – its worst showing ever – while completely eliminating its coalition partner, the Nationals.
Meanwhile, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation, an anti-immigration movement experiencing renewed support, would capture 53 seats to become the nation’s primary right-wing faction and main opposition force, according to the Access Group and Redbridge poll.
Abbott addressed this challenge directly in his blog, writing: “It’s been the Liberal Party’s political timidity that’s driven the rise of One Nation, with conservative voters despairing of ever again having a champion to vote for.”
The 68-year-old Abbott brings a reputation as a conservative Catholic, devoted monarchist, and fitness enthusiast. Party members regard him as one of their most effective campaigners and the most recent Liberal leader to successfully win power from opposition status.
His 2013 electoral victory came through a landslide campaign built around memorable three-word messages targeting illegal immigration, carbon taxes, and government expenditures: ‘stop the boats’, ‘axe the tax’, and ‘stop the waste’. Despite this success, party colleagues removed him from leadership and the prime minister’s office after only two years through an internal vote.
When asked for response, a spokesperson for Taylor referenced a recent media appearance where he expressed enthusiasm for Abbott’s appointment. “He’s going to work with me and rebuild the party,” Taylor stated during the interview.
Sarah Cameron, who lectures in public policy at Griffith University, suggested that while Abbott might help the Liberal Party secure conservative backing, Australia’s mandatory voting system typically rewards parties that appeal to moderate voters.
Abbott himself lost his parliamentary seat seven years ago to centrist independent candidate Zali Steggall.
Steggall told reporters that voters “made a decisive choice in 2019 to reject the politics Mr Abbott represented: division, climate denial and culture wars.”
“Reinstalling one of the key architects of the Liberal Party’s decline suggests the party has learnt very little,” she concluded.
Satellite imagery has uncovered a massive military construction project in China’s remote desert regions, where security experts believe the country is building extensive infrastructure to safeguard its nuclear missile capabilities from potential first strikes.
The satellite photos examined by news organizations show China constructing an expansive network of launch platforms, protective bunkers and communication centers near the isolated nuclear missile sites housing the military’s most powerful long-range weapons.
According to three security analysts who reviewed the imagery, the photographs reveal more than 80 platforms that could accommodate China’s growing collection of mobile missile systems and air-defense equipment. The facilities may also support electronic warfare operations, satellite communications and command functions.
This previously unreported construction demonstrates a major expansion of reinforced infrastructure meant to protect and operate China’s ground-based nuclear capabilities. The network represents a substantial upgrade in the country’s efforts to maintain second-strike abilities, highlighting escalating nuclear rivalry with the United States amid growing tensions over Taiwan’s status.
“We can see this infrastructure is being built on a grand scale, covering thousands of square kilometers of desert beyond the silo fields,” said Alexander Neill, an adjunct fellow at Hawaii’s Pacific Forum think tank. Based on the potential capabilities, he noted, “we’re looking at a very considerable enhancement and diversification of China’s strategic nuclear deterrent.”
Protecting these desert installations is crucial to China’s declared objective of maintaining a minimal yet effective nuclear deterrent — a strategy based on the ability to strike back if attacked first. Although the People’s Liberation Army can launch nuclear weapons from submarines and aircraft, the missile sites in northwestern Xinjiang region and Gansu province form the foundation of its nuclear arsenal.
China’s nuclear expansion ranks among the most closely watched aspects of President Xi Jinping’s military modernization efforts, partly due to what some foreign diplomats characterize as insufficient transparency from the country and unsuccessful American attempts to engage Chinese leadership about their developing nuclear capabilities and goals.
A fundamental element of China’s approach is its “no first use” policy, indicating its forces would not begin a nuclear conflict. However, some senior Western diplomats and analysts suggest China might potentially use nuclear threats to discourage outside intervention in a Taiwan conflict.
Earlier this month, Xi cautioned U.S. President Donald Trump that poor management of their nations’ Taiwan disputes, which China considers its territory, could bring them to a “dangerous place.” Taiwan’s government disputes China’s territorial claims.
China’s defense ministry did not respond to inquiries about its nuclear program and the developments shown in the satellite images. The Pentagon declined to comment on intelligence-related issues.
The new desert facilities center on two octagon-shaped installations constructed over the past six years in eastern Xinjiang. Both are located southwest of the Hami nuclear missile sites — one approximately 140 kilometers away, the other roughly 230 kilometers distant.
Satellite images reveal the octagonal structures house personnel quarters and large military vehicles. They are surrounded by armored bunkers and fortified weapons storage areas, plus airfields and rail connections linking the octagons to the Hami installations.
Images show exercises involving large military vehicles took place around the northern octagon this month and in April. Recent photographs also display large tents and what two analysts identified as camouflaged launch sites carved into the desert, some equipped with air-defense missile systems.
While the octagons have been documented before, this is the first report detailing the scope of the launch-pad network connected to the octagons, recent military activity at one facility, and analysts’ evaluations that the pads could accommodate mobile missile launchers and electronic-warfare operations.
Five security scholars consulted agreed the infrastructure could broadly support China’s nuclear program and other military functions. However, they noted that crucial details remain unclear — including what weapons China might position at the launch pads and whether the octagon structures contain truck-mounted ballistic missiles or nuclear warhead assembly facilities.
The PLA showcased nuclear-capable weapons during a Beijing parade last September marking the 80th anniversary of World War II’s end. These included silo-based and truck-mounted intercontinental ballistic missiles.
U.S. officials and arms-control experts say China is expanding and upgrading its nuclear weapons capabilities more rapidly than any other country. The most recent Pentagon assessment of China’s military modernization indicates the nation’s warhead production has decelerated but remains on course to deploy 1,000 warheads by 2030. The December report estimated China likely has positioned 100 ICBMs across its three primary silo locations.
China has also been enhancing its early-warning capabilities, supported by its Huoyan-1 satellites, according to U.S. officials. The system can identify an approaching ICBM within 90 seconds of launch and notify a command center within three to four minutes, according to the Pentagon — enough time for China to launch its own silo-based weapons before impact.
Each octagon anchors a network of dirt roads and conduits extending deep into the desert. These pathways connect to concrete platforms positioned among rocky formations and dry creek beds.
Three security scholars said the platforms could deploy mobile air-defense missiles, electronic warfare equipment or, from some larger ones, road-mobile ICBM launchers.
Hans Kristensen, director of the Federation of American Scientists’ Nuclear Information Project, said while determining how the various installations would be utilized was challenging, “it is hard to rule anything out” considering the infrastructure’s scale in such a harsh environment.
Kristensen and Neill suggested the conduits linking the pads to the octagon structures might house fiber-optic cables for communications.
At the northernmost octagon, three analysts identified a possible space or microwave communications facility under construction, pointing to satellite dishes and two large towers.
“Taken together, I think there is a real possibility that the octagonal structures and the strange towers are linked to C3 — command, control, and communications — as well as maintenance and storage activities related to China’s nuclear operations at the Hami ICBM silo site,” said Tong Zhao, a senior fellow in nuclear policy at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
A third octagon-shaped facility south of the Lop Nur nuclear test sites is less advanced. It appears to function as a target range: Images reveal pock-marked terrain, damaged structures and what analysts at Vantor, a commercial satellite imagery provider, identified as replicas of Western jet fighters.
The scope of the defensive network surrounding its silos potentially distinguishes China from other major nuclear powers. The U.S. and Russia — whose warhead inventories and deployed weapons greatly surpass those of China — depend on a combination of large numbers of silos, their remote locations and reinforced construction to prevent a first strike, rather than extensive missile defense, Kristensen explained.
The magnitude of what is developing in China’s northwestern desert has surprised even experienced analysts.
“I’ve never seen anything quite like it,” Kristensen said. “It’s an extraordinary effort.”
The president of Iran’s soccer federation stated Thursday that he has no knowledge of any efforts to add striker Sardar Azmoun to the country’s World Cup roster, even after a high-ranking government official publicly called for the player’s return.
Azmoun, who has netted 57 goals across 91 international appearances, was omitted from coach Amir Ghalenoei’s initial roster. Local news outlets have reported his exclusion stems from allegations of disloyalty to the government.
The 31-year-old forward made a passionate statement defending his patriotism last week, which prompted Vice President Abdolkarim Hosseinzadeh to make a public plea on Monday.
“If possible, let us bring him back to the national team,” Hosseinzadeh wrote on X.
“This is not merely a sporting decision, but a message in favour of national unity.”
Federation president Mehdi Taj told Iranian television Thursday that he lacks information regarding any potential call-up for Azmoun. When questioned further, he stated: “This matter will be followed up through the proper discussions. As for Mr. Sardar, I’m not currently aware of his situation.”
Iranian media outlets report that Azmoun angered government hardliners by sharing a photo of himself meeting with Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai’s ruler, soon after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes targeted Iran.
Iran views the United Arab Emirates, where Azmoun competes professionally, as an adversary in the conflict that emerged following those airstrikes.
The preliminary roster is currently training in Turkey, but time is limited for Azmoun’s potential inclusion, as the final 26-player squad must be finalized before FIFA’s Monday deadline.
The team will establish their tournament headquarters in Tijuana, Mexico, rather than Tucson, Arizona as originally planned.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo announced Monday that FIFA contacted her administration after U.S. officials indicated they preferred Iran not stay within American borders during the June 11 to July 19 competition.
Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, visited Tijuana Thursday and expressed gratitude to Sheinbaum for accommodating the team after the United States “failed to do so.”
Despite Mexico serving as a co-host alongside the U.S. and Canada, Iran is scheduled to play two group stage contests in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.
Pasandideh noted that the squad has yet to receive U.S. entry visas.
Taj, who was denied entry to Canada for the FIFA Congress in late April due to his connections with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), emphasized that FIFA must secure U.S. visa guarantees.
“FIFA has to arrange multiple-entry visas so the players can travel back and forth,” said Taj, who held a senior IRGC position before transitioning to soccer leadership.
“If they aren’t granted visas to enter the United States, then the consequences are pretty obvious.”
Both the U.S. and Canada have designated the IRGC as a “terrorist entity” and maintain policies against admitting individuals with ties to the elite military organization.
Taj previously disclosed that some squad members and coaching staff also served in the IRGC during their required military service.
Iran’s tournament debut is set for June 15 against New Zealand.
Japan’s currency has slipped back to concerning levels that triggered official market intervention just one month ago, raising questions about Tokyo’s remaining financial resources and determination to support its struggling yen.
Japanese authorities deployed approximately $63 billion in suspected currency-buying operations during late April and early May, representing just a small portion of the nation’s $1 trillion reserve fund. However, market participants believe using all or even a significant portion of these reserves would be impractical. As speculative positions against the yen begin building again, government officials are working to maintain market uncertainty.
“The more foreign reserves shrink, the more vulnerable Japan looks to speculators,” said Daisaku Ueno, chief foreign exchange strategist at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities. With pressure to sell the yen showing no signs of diminishing, “the war of nerves between the authorities and the market looks set to continue.”
Currency-buying intervention requires selling foreign assets, of which Japan possessed approximately $1 trillion at April’s end. After subtracting roughly 10 trillion yen ($62.78 billion) used in the April and May operations, based on Bank of Japan money market calculations, approximately 150 trillion yen remains, providing enough resources for “around 30 rounds” of intervention, according to Goldman Sachs economist Yuriko Tanaka.
‘CRUCIAL’ UNDERSTANDING
However, depleting Japan’s entire foreign asset portfolio wouldn’t be practical, especially since it would harm U.S. Treasury values at a time when American cooperation remains essential. The U.S. Treasury conducted “rate checks” that helped push the dollar-yen rate lower in January.
“U.S. understanding is crucial” to maintaining intervention effectiveness, said Takeshi Ueno, a senior economist at NLI Research Institute. If Washington opposed such activities, it “could invite speculative yen selling.”
FREE-FLOAT RULES
Another potential limitation on intervention involves International Monetary Fund standards where countries that intervene too frequently risk losing their “free-floating” exchange rate designation. However, chief currency diplomat Atsushi Mimura has stated the IMF rules don’t constrain how frequently the government can intervene.
“The thinking is that curbing excessive volatility takes priority,” said Akira Moroga, the chief market strategist at Aozora Bank. Even if Japan lost its free-floating currency classification, “I don’t think they care at all,” he added.
The yen weakened to 159.65 on Thursday, its lowest point since April 30 when Japan allegedly conducted its first intervention in nearly two years. The Ministry of Finance plans to announce at 1000 GMT on Friday the total spending on foreign exchange intervention since April 28.
Japanese Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama on Friday once again refused to comment on whether her agency had intervened, reiterating that officials were prepared to take “decisive action.”
CAUTIOUS BOJ
The yen has been weakened by the three-month Middle East crisis, with rising energy costs creating a trade shock for Japan, which imports nearly all its oil. This worsened an existing decline amid the BOJ’s careful approach to interest rate increases and expectations of expanded fiscal stimulus under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
While previous Japanese governments focused on the pace of change when deciding to intervene, the current administration appears more focused on protecting the 160 per dollar threshold. Rather than avoiding intervention, some market participants are now positioning for it.
A dealer at a domestic bank reported buy orders for dollars are concentrating in the 155-157 yen per dollar range, reflecting genuine dollar demand from importers and speculative positions. On the upside, market expectations suggest the next intervention will occur before the 162 level.
“The government will want to defend that level at all costs,” said a dealer at a domestic bank.
A spacecraft owned by Jeff Bezos’ aerospace company Blue Origin detonated during engine testing at the launch site Thursday evening, occurring just days before a scheduled satellite mission next week.
The explosion happened while the rocket was undergoing an engine-firing test at the launch pad, disrupting preparations for the upcoming satellite deployment.
TORONTO — A Toronto-area man facing charges for allegedly providing deadly substances to individuals who used them to take their own lives will enter a guilty plea this Friday to 14 counts of counseling or aiding suicide, according to his legal representative.
Kenneth Law is set to appear before a Newmarket, Ontario court to formally enter his plea, with sentencing proceedings anticipated to follow at a later date. In exchange for Law’s guilty plea, Canadian prosecutors have agreed to drop 14 murder charges, confirmed his attorney Matthew Gourlay.
Law’s case has triggered investigations spanning multiple continents, with law enforcement agencies worldwide examining more than 100 deaths potentially connected to his activities. The Canadian charges specifically involve 14 individuals throughout Ontario, ranging in age from 16 to 36 years old.
Investigators say Law operated multiple websites to advertise and distribute sodium nitrite, a chemical typically used in meat preservation that becomes lethal when consumed. Law allegedly distributed at least 1,200 packages across more than 40 nations, with approximately 160 shipments reportedly going to Canadian addresses, according to police reports.
Law has remained in custody since authorities arrested him at his Mississauga, Ontario residence in May 2023. Law enforcement agencies in the United States, Britain, Italy, Australia and New Zealand have also launched their own investigations into his alleged activities.
British authorities reported in 2023 that they were examining 88 deaths involving individuals who purchased items from Canada-based websites that allegedly provided lethal materials to vulnerable people considering self-harm.
Under Canadian law, those convicted of aiding suicide face potential sentences of up to 14 years in prison, while first-degree murder convictions carry mandatory life imprisonment with no possibility of parole for 25 years.
A coroner in New Zealand determined that four suicide victims in that country had purchased materials online from a business connected to Law, though the coroner noted that Law’s actions fall outside New Zealand’s legal jurisdiction.
While recommending suicide remains illegal under Canadian law, medically assisted dying has been permitted since 2016 for individuals 18 and older. Adults suffering from serious illnesses, diseases or disabilities may request assistance in dying, but must obtain help from a licensed physician.
A 14-year-old competitor named Shrey Parikh emerged victorious at the Scripps National Spelling Bee after participating in a high-stakes rapid-fire spelling round.
The competition took place at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, marking the 101st annual edition of the renowned spelling contest.
This year’s championship represents the third occasion that the winner has been determined through the accelerated “spell-off” format, a method that was first implemented in 2021 to decide close competitions.
E.W. Scripps Company president and CEO Adam Symson presented the championship trophy to Parikh following the intense final round that captivated audiences with its rapid-fire spelling challenges.
A recent survey indicates that China’s residential property market may be experiencing a less severe downturn than experts previously predicted, with signs pointing toward potential recovery by 2027.
According to a Reuters housing market survey conducted between May 18-28, residential property values are projected to decrease by 3.5% this year, which represents an improvement from the 4.0% drop that was anticipated in March. The outlook extends further into the future, with prices expected to climb 0.3% in 2027, contrasting with earlier predictions of no movement, and a 1.8% increase anticipated for 2028, up from the previously forecasted 0.5% gain.
Lulu Shi, director of Asia-Pacific corporate ratings at Fitch Ratings, explained that the nation’s construction sector will likely continue shrinking through 2026, though the rate of contraction should gradually moderate as government support measures persist, risks from defaults and contagion diminish, and new housing sales reach more sustainable long-term volumes.
The central government’s recent efforts to restrict new developments and reduce housing stock, announced during the annual parliamentary session in early March, have prompted various Chinese municipalities to introduce buyer incentives, including financial subsidies.
In late April, Shenzhen relaxed purchasing restrictions in its central areas, while Guangzhou implemented subsidies for home purchases.
Shi noted that recent policy adjustments could speed up market stabilization in prime locations within major cities, while “suburban districts and lower-tier cities facing population outflows and industrial decline may remain under greater pressure.”
The survey reveals that property investment is anticipated to decline 12.0% this year, a steeper drop than the 10.3% decrease predicted in March, while sales are expected to fall 8.3%, worse than the previously estimated 6.5% decline.
Huang Yu, executive vice president of the China Index Academy, pointed to diminished household confidence regarding employment, income, and housing value expectations as continuing factors that will suppress market demand.
Industry analysts emphasized that policymakers are focused on market stabilization and preventing chaotic deceleration rather than attempting to revitalize the sector through aggressive stimulus measures.
Yingxue Ren, associate director of corporate ratings at S&P Global (China) Ratings, described the primary policy goal as working to “prevent the risk of a sharp loss of momentum,” while noting that officials retain the capacity to expand support measures if circumstances require it.
Financial markets face a weekend of uncertainty as they wait for U.S. President Donald Trump to make a crucial decision on a reported agreement with Iran, according to sources who spoke with Reuters.
The potential deal would extend the current ceasefire between the two nations and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but Trump’s final approval remains the last hurdle before implementation.
Asian markets showed little movement early in the trading day. Currency values remained stable while bond markets maintained their weekly gains, as traders believe rising fuel costs may pressure Trump to approve the agreement.
The push for Middle Eastern stability is gaining momentum as global borrowing costs climb higher. Financial experts worry that increased interest rates could worsen economic pressures and hurt investment markets.
European nations will release new inflation data on Friday, and while economists predict only minor increases, the numbers will likely strengthen expectations for interest rate increases in June.
Japan’s inflation remained under the country’s 2% goal for the fourth consecutive month, according to Friday’s data from Tokyo. However, improving manufacturing production continues to support the possibility of a Japanese rate increase next month.
Currency traders are watching the yen carefully as it hovers near 160 per dollar, a threshold that has made investors cautious about challenging government intervention to protect the currency.
Technology stocks continued their artificial intelligence-driven rally. Dell’s stock price jumped 39% in extended trading after the company increased its AI server revenue projections. In Hong Kong, computer manufacturer Lenovo has seen dramatic gains, rising 18% and posting a weekly increase of nearly 50% – its biggest weekly jump since 1997.
Friday’s key market influences include inflation reports from Germany, France, and Italy, Canadian economic growth data, and continued developments in U.S.-Iran negotiations.
A Chinese technology executive announced Friday that a semiconductor division’s operational independence has been largely achieved, according to local media reports from Shanghai.
Wingtech Technology Chairperson Yang Mu told China Star Market that the Chinese division’s manufacturing output and shipping abilities are showing steady improvement. Yang made these comments during a Shanghai business event.
The situation stems from Wingtech’s ownership of Dutch semiconductor company Nexperia, though the Chinese firm’s control remains limited following Dutch government action in October 2025 that prevented the chipmaker from relocating operations to China.
The dispute has created a rift between the Netherlands-based parent company and its Chinese subsidiary, with the Chinese division announcing its separation from the Dutch operation. In response, the European division stopped sending semiconductor wafers to China.
Yang emphasized Friday that the Chinese operation’s leadership and research teams are firmly established in China and maintain full decision-making power over business operations.
The executive also noted that partnerships have been formed with several Chinese suppliers. “A stable supply model based on multiple nodes and multiple sources has now been formally implemented,” Yang stated.
BUCHAREST, Romania — Romanian officials reported Friday that a Russian drone involved in nighttime strikes against Ukraine went off course and slammed into an apartment building in eastern Romania, leaving two people hurt.
According to a statement from Romania’s Defense Ministry, radar systems monitored the drone as it entered Romanian territory before it struck the rooftop of a structure in Galati. The collision sparked a blaze, caused minor injuries to two individuals, and forced the evacuation of multiple residents.
Emergency responders and law enforcement arrived at the location. Galati sits along the Danube River, positioned east of both Moldova and Ukraine’s borders.
Romanian defense forces deployed two F-16 fighter aircraft and a helicopter with authorization to engage potential threats, while emergency alerts were issued to people living in the impacted regions.
Moscow has been deploying long-range ballistic weapons and drones to target Ukraine’s electrical infrastructure and strike urban areas, while Ukraine prepares for additional intense bombardments.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated Thursday that he was urging the United States to supply additional Patriot air defense systems capable of defending against Russian strikes.
He cautioned that shipments to Ukraine are dangerously inadequate as the Iran war redirects and reduces U.S. inventories. “I believe (the U.S.) must act quicker. We are being very persistent,” Zelenskyy told reporters during a visit to Sweden.
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres cautioned the U.N. Security Council that the growing escalation and intensification of attacks threatens to spiral beyond control, carrying “unknown and unintended consequences.” He noted that civilian deaths in the first four months of this year exceeded those in the corresponding timeframe over the previous three years.
Guterres urged increased diplomatic efforts, immediate de-escalation and “a full and unconditional ceasefire.”
During the week of May 22-28, 2026, performers in colorful costumes celebrated their special national observance in Lima, Peru. Meanwhile, damaged structures continue to stand five months following an assault by breakaway members of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia in Buenos Aires, Cauca, Colombia. On the sports front, Cruz Azul claimed victory in the Mexican soccer championship over their city competitors Pumas.
The photo collection was assembled by photo editor Leslie Mazoch, who is based in Mexico City.
DES MOINES, Iowa — A former school district leader in Iowa’s most populous district will discover Friday the length of his prison term for making false citizenship claims and unlawfully having weapons. His incarceration would precede expected deportation proceedings.
Ian Roberts, who hails from the South American nation of Guyana, entered guilty pleas in January to both charges, which could result in up to 20 years behind bars. Defense attorneys are requesting probation “to facilitate his removal from the United States,” while federal prosecutors seek a 37-month prison term — slightly more than three years — based on court filings.
Federal authorities accused Roberts of knowingly working without proper employment authorization throughout nearly his entire 20-year tenure in city school systems and providing a fake Social Security card when hired to lead the Des Moines public schools, an organization educating 30,000 students.
The remarkable case has spanned the academic year from Roberts’ September 26 arrest through Friday’s sentencing proceedings. Des Moines Public Schools announced last month it updated its conflict-of-interest guidelines following an audit that revealed Roberts directed district contracts to a consulting company where he had employment ties, confirming earlier Associated Press reporting from weeks after immigration authorities apprehended him.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers targeted Roberts and conducted a traffic stop while he drove his district-provided Jeep Cherokee. Officials say he attempted to escape before state troopers helped locate him. Law enforcement discovered a loaded firearm wrapped in cloth beneath the vehicle’s seat along with $3,000 in currency. Investigators found three additional weapons when searching his residence.
Defense lawyers stated in court papers that Roberts devoted his American life to serving the public and, while he failed to follow federal regulations, posed no danger to community safety. Following Roberts’ marriage to an American citizen, his legal team explained, immigration officials rejected his application for permanent residency because he hadn’t revealed a previous arrest. Roberts claimed he believed disclosure wasn’t necessary since prosecutors had dismissed those charges.
“While Dr. Roberts tried to adjust his status three more times, this initial mistake by Dr. Roberts sealed his fate,” his attorneys wrote. “In the background of his career for the next 24 years, this denial of his adjustment of status haunted Dr. Roberts like a ghost, eventually derailing his life and career.”
Numerous individuals wrote character references supporting Roberts to challenge his public portrayal and highlight his positive contributions. His defense team emphasized he likely faces removal to Guyana, where he will “be left without his career, without his wife, without his children, in a country where he has not lived for thirty years,” they wrote. “While it is the correct outcome, it is also going to already be incredibly harsh on Dr. Roberts.”
Federal prosecutors stated Roberts “placed his self-interest above the law and the duty he owed the public he served.” In seeking the three-year term, prosecutors outlined years of intentional misrepresentation regarding his immigration status. They indicated uncertainty about which documents Roberts used to demonstrate work eligibility from 2008 onward, years before receiving temporary authorization in 2018, but noted he “deliberately obtained employment without work authorization at school after school, within state after state” while aware of his unlawful presence.
Prosecutors maintained this history should influence the judge’s sentencing decision, arguing that potential deportation alone doesn’t justify a lighter punishment.
Roberts “cultivated a public image grounded in integrity, leadership, and authenticity,” prosecutors wrote. Yet, he “engaged in conduct that undermined those values.”
WASHINGTON — Former Attorney General Pam Bondi appeared before House lawmakers Friday for closed-door questioning regarding Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual abuse cases, marking a significant moment that puts renewed focus on the administration’s mishandled release of Epstein-related documents.
In prior public hearings, Bondi displayed a confrontational stance when questioned by legislators about the Epstein matter. Whether she will maintain that same demeanor Friday remains uncertain, given that she no longer leads the Justice Department. The questioning session is taking place privately.
The recorded interview provides legislators an opportunity to seek details about how the administration handled Epstein documents and related issues, including the imprisonment of his former associate and girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell. The Justice Department transferred Maxwell to a Texas prison facility last August.
“I think she absolutely could clear up many missing pieces if she wanted to,” said Rep. Yassamin Ansari, an Arizona Democrat on the House Oversight Committee. “Now it’s a question of whether or not she is willing to be transparent.”
Legislators are seeking information about prosecutorial decisions regarding Epstein’s associates, how the Justice Department managed the congressional requirement to release Epstein documents, and whether President Donald Trump played a role in the proceedings.
Bondi, who disclosed this week that she is receiving treatment for thyroid cancer, has remained connected to Trump’s circle despite leaving her position in early April.
This week, Trump named her to a White House artificial intelligence panel, and Justice Department officials, including Harmeet Dhillon, who leads the department’s Civil Rights Division, will accompany Bondi Friday as her legal representation.
Democrats characterize this arrangement as creating a conflict of interest.
A Justice Department spokesperson explained that officials were present to assist lawmakers in understanding the department’s procedures for releasing case documents.
Bondi has been at the center of the political controversy surrounding Epstein, first creating expectations for complete disclosure of the Epstein documents, then reversing course. This change prompted congressional action to mandate the release through legislation.
Bondi encountered additional criticism when the Justice Department delayed releasing the files and subsequently included personal details of potential victims. During congressional hearings, she has maintained that she was attempting to comply with legal requirements.
The House Oversight Committee has been pursuing a comprehensive Epstein investigation covering multiple presidential terms.
The committee issued a subpoena to Bondi in March through a bipartisan vote, but she attempted to avoid compliance by arranging a private meeting with lawmakers that month. This strategy only increased tensions between Bondi and committee Democrats.
Bondi’s exit from the Justice Department also created uncertainty about enforcing the congressional subpoena. Following Democratic committee members’ push for a civil contempt resolution against Bondi, she consented to participate in a transcribed interview instead of a sworn deposition.
Oversight panel Democrats have opposed this arrangement, arguing it permits Bondi to refuse answering questions. They have also urged the Republican committee chair, Rep. James Comer, to videotape the session.
“A failure to film and release a video of Ms. Bondi’s testimony would present a grave injustice to the American people and survivors of Epstein’s crimes,” the committee’s top Democrat, Rep. Robert Garcia, wrote to Comer.
Comer explained he is permitting Bondi to participate in a transcribed interview rather than a deposition as encouragement for cooperation. Previously, he enforced subpoenas on former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton when they resisted demands. Both of their depositions were video-recorded.
Nevertheless, Comer stated Bondi could face prosecution for providing false information to Congress. He indicated the committee would publish a transcript of the interview.
Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark made WNBA history Thursday evening, setting a new league record as the quickest player ever to accumulate 500 career assists during the team’s matchup against the Golden State Valkyries in San Francisco.
The 24-year-old guard achieved this historic milestone in just her 59th professional game.
Clark began Thursday’s contest with 497 assists to her name, needing only three more to break the record. Those three crucial assists came rapidly during the second quarter of play. First, she set up Raven Johnson and Myisha Hines-Allen for easy scoring opportunities near the basket. Then, Clark made a long pass from her chest position down the court to Sophie Cunningham, who was running ahead for a fast-break score that brought Indiana within five points at 37-32.
Earlier in the current season, Clark also achieved another significant milestone by surpassing 1,000 career points. Her combination of reaching both 1,000 points and 500 assists makes her by far the most rapid WNBA player to accomplish both feats. The previous record holder for fastest to 500 assists was Sue Bird, who needed 82 games to reach that number.
Stock prices for Wipro climbed 4.67% in pre-market trading Friday morning following the information technology services firm’s announcement of a broadened collaboration with ServiceNow, a software company based in the United States.
The expanded alliance will focus on implementing agentic artificial intelligence workflows throughout essential business operations, according to the Indian technology company.
A federal judge has rejected the California Department of Parks and Recreation’s request to halt oil transportation by Sable Offshore Corp through a controversial pipeline beneath the Santa Ynez offshore platform on Thursday.
The court’s decision represents a significant blow to California’s campaign against the Santa Ynez project, which Sable resumed operations on in March following federal government intervention. For Sable, the ruling delivered a substantial victory, boosting the company’s stock price by almost 12%.
The Department of Parks and Recreation had requested preliminary injunctive relief, arguing they would face irreparable damage from the operation of a portion of Sable’s pipeline running beneath the Gaviota State Park.
The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California determined that the department “manifestly failed to demonstrate that it will suffer irreparable harm in the absence of preliminary injunctive relief.”
A spokesperson for California State Parks expressed disappointment with the court’s ruling and stated they would persist in fighting Sable’s “egregious trespass on public land” in a released statement.
Multiple additional legal battles from various California state agencies, including litigation against the U.S. Department of Energy, remain ongoing. The district court observed in Thursday’s order that most of these cases are still in early phases.
A major Chinese technology company has revealed a new strategy for developing advanced computer chips that could help the nation work around US trade restrictions that have limited access to sophisticated manufacturing equipment.
Huawei introduced an innovative semiconductor design philosophy this week that prioritizes enhancing signal transmission speeds instead of continuing the traditional approach of making transistors progressively smaller. This new method could provide China with an alternative pathway to create state-of-the-art chips despite sanctions that have been in place since 2019.
The restrictions have prevented China from obtaining the most sophisticated extreme ultraviolet lithography machines, which has hampered Chinese chipmakers’ ability to compete with global industry leaders like Taiwan’s TSMC in the race to develop increasingly miniaturized manufacturing processes that enhance chip performance.
The semiconductor field has long followed Moore’s Law, which states that the number of transistors on a microchip approximately doubles every two years. Huawei’s alternative strategy introduces what the company calls the Tau Scaling Law, which focuses on reducing the time required for signals to travel through chips and broader computing systems.
The company’s core innovation, known as LogicFolding, involves organizing logic, analogue and memory circuits in layered, more closely connected configurations. This arrangement could potentially enhance density, efficiency and processing speeds over the coming decade.
Supporters view this approach as a method to continue chip advancement as traditional manufacturing improvements begin to plateau.
“For Huawei, chips face two key constraints. One is inevitable that Moore’s Law will hit a physical ‘wall’ within the next decade,” said He Tingbo, the president of Huawei’s semiconductor business, in comments to China’s People’s Daily this week.
“The other is accidental because of the external restrictions that Huawei encountered this ‘wall’ earlier than its peers,” she added, apparently referring to US sanctions on importing advanced manufacturing equipment.
However, some industry experts argue that minimizing latency has always been a component of semiconductor design and that many of the fundamental concepts resemble existing work in three-dimensional stacking, advanced packaging and system optimization.
“This is a breakthrough for Huawei, but it’s not a threat for TSMC,” Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang told reporters in Taipei on Thursday. “TSMC has been using die stacking and 3D packaging for how long now? Almost 10 years. And so TSMC’s technology is very advanced.”
The semiconductor industry has already adopted advanced packaging technologies that stack chips vertically in the pursuit of building more powerful computing systems. TSMC has led this field with its packaging technology called SoIC, which allows for more tightly integrated diverse chiplets to reduce size and boost performance.
Memory chip manufacturers such as SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics also employ advanced 3D stacking and packaging technologies to create multi-layer memory chips, which are essential components of AI chipsets, while improving power efficiency and performance.
Huawei contends that LogicFolding may surpass commonly used 3D integrated circuit stacking techniques by “very finely and carefully split the critical paths of logic circuits across multiple layers,” according to Liao Heng, chief scientist at Huawei Semiconductor.
However, Bernstein analysts warned in a research note that while stacking multiple chip layers increases transistor density, it also raises power density and creates risks of chip overheating. Production yields and costs will present additional obstacles for widespread adoption, they noted.
Huawei’s own development timeline acknowledges these challenges. The company’s executive said the approach would require new semiconductor design tools adapted to folded chip architectures, along with improved methods for managing heat across devices from smartphones to large AI data centers.
“With the methodology of not optimising the area on a chip level, but on a system level based on time, that will dramatically change the capability requirements for the EDA (electronic design automation) vendors,” said Handel H. Jones, CEO of International Business Strategies, during a panel discussion on Tau Scaling on Tuesday.
Standard electronic design automation software from vendors like Cadence Design Systems and Synopsys serves a vital function in developing blueprints for complex semiconductor devices.
Huawei’s most specific assertions focused on a new Kirin smartphone chip scheduled for release later this year, which would be the first to implement its LogicFolding architecture.
Compared to its previous single-layer design, the new chip would boost power efficiency by 41% and increase the chip’s maximum operating speed by nearly 13%, according to Huawei’s He in a speech on Monday.
These numbers would be substantial if achieved in mass production. However, Huawei did not share production yield data, cost comparisons or a detailed explanation of how the improvements would measure against competing chips manufactured using more advanced process technologies.
“There’s nothing concrete that can be independently verified or benchmarked against other players at the moment,” said Lian Jye Su, chief analyst at tech research firm Omdia.
Victor Wembanyama delivered a dominant performance with 28 points and 10 rebounds, propelling the San Antonio Spurs to a commanding 118-91 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals.
The series will now come down to a decisive Game 7 on Saturday in Oklahoma City, where the winning team will earn the right to meet the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals.
Following Oklahoma City’s 127-114 victory in Game 5 on Tuesday, where Wembanyama managed 20 points and six rebounds, Spurs coach Mitch Johnson expressed that his team required a bigger contribution from its star player.
Wembanyama wasted no time demonstrating his enhanced impact compared to Game 5. Within the opening 90 seconds, he connected on two three-point shots and recorded a blocked shot as San Antonio established an early advantage they would maintain throughout the contest.
San Antonio built a 15-point cushion early in the second quarter, though Oklahoma City managed to cut that margin to five points before halftime, ultimately entering the locker room down by seven.
The Spurs intensified their defensive pressure during the late stages of the third quarter and unleashed a devastating 20-0 scoring surge that effectively decided the outcome before the final period began.
Oklahoma City endured a brutal stretch where they failed to convert 14 straight field goal attempts, going nearly eight minutes without adding to their point total.
The Thunder managed only 13 points in the third quarter, marking their lowest single-quarter output of the entire season.
With the contest effectively decided after three quarters, Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault chose to rest Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein during the fourth quarter.
Gilgeous-Alexander led his team with just 15 points while shooting 6-of-18 from the field. This represented Gilgeous-Alexander’s most modest scoring performance since he tallied 14 points in Game 3 of last season’s Western Conference finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Dylan Harper contributed 18 points coming off the bench for San Antonio, while Stephon Castle chipped in 17 points and nine assists with only one turnover.
Although Oklahoma City’s bench players had generally outperformed San Antonio’s reserves throughout most of the series, the Spurs’ second unit outscored the Thunder’s bench 46-38 in Game 6.
San Antonio established momentum early through exceptional three-point shooting.
The Spurs connected on eight three-pointers in the opening quarter, with Wembanyama accounting for three of those makes.
Oklahoma City struggled from long range in the first quarter, converting just one of six attempts from beyond the arc.
The Thunder welcomed back Jalen Williams after he had been sidelined for the previous three games due to a hamstring strain, but he was limited to 10 minutes of action and scored only one point. Williams came off the bench for the first time since Dec. 10, 2022, during his rookie campaign.
Workers responsible for electrical operations at a major iron ore shipping facility in Western Australia are warning they may walk off the job before the financial year concludes on June 30, according to union representatives who made the announcement Friday.
The facility in question is BHP’s Port Hedland bulk export terminal, where tensions between management and electrical workers appear to be escalating.
Union leader Adam Woodage delivered a direct message to company executives, stating: “BHP needs to take notice and Tim Day needs to take notice that he needs to negotiate with us.” Woodage was addressing Tim Day, who serves as the mining company’s head of iron ore operations in Western Australia.
The potential work stoppage comes as negotiations between the union and BHP management have apparently reached an impasse, prompting workers to consider strike action as leverage in their dispute.
Victor Wembanyama appeared transformed for Game 6 in every possible way.
The San Antonio superstar arrived at his home venue Thursday evening wearing a Shaolin robe, a clear reference to his two-week retreat at a Chinese temple last summer where he pursued physical, mental and spiritual development. His newly trimmed haircut provided another indication that he was focused entirely on the task ahead.
Most importantly, his play on the basketball court returned to elite levels.
In his first elimination game experience, Wembanyama delivered an impassioned speech to his teammates before tip-off, which is unusual for him. Despite the pressure, he appeared completely at ease. The young star recorded 28 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks and two assists while shooting 10-for-21 in 28 minutes of action, propelling the Spurs to a 118-91 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder and evening the Western Conference finals at 3-3.
The decisive Game 7 takes place Saturday evening in Oklahoma City, where Wembanyama began this conference championship series with an outstanding 41-point, 24-rebound performance that lifted the Spurs to a double-overtime victory. Another win on Saturday would send him and the Spurs to the NBA Finals to face the New York Knicks.
Wembanyama’s influence was evident from the opening moments of Game 6. Following the opening tip, his next three actions unfolded as follows: successful 3-point shot, defensive block, followed by another successful 3-pointer. This established the rhythm, and the Spurs maintained their lead throughout.
With the outcome determined well before the final period ended, he was able to rest for most of the fourth quarter. While Game 6 was still in progress, it seemed likely that Wembanyama’s thoughts had already shifted to Game 7. Harrison Barnes, the team’s third-oldest player, spent time during the fourth quarter speaking with Wembanyama on the Spurs’ bench, sharing some veteran advice. Barnes talked while Wembanyama listened and acknowledged. The specific content of their conversation was unclear, but the message appeared to resonate.
Thursday’s contest reinforced the pattern that has defined this series. When Wembanyama plays as the most impactful player on the court, the Spurs emerge victorious. When he falls short of that standard, they suffer defeats. Simply playing well has proven insufficient — during the three Spurs losses, he has posted an average of 22.3 points while shooting 43%. In the three Spurs victories, his averages jump to 34 points on 51% shooting.
Markets across Asia posted gains Friday as investors reacted to prospects of a potential agreement between the United States and Iran to prolong their existing ceasefire for an additional 60 days.
Petroleum prices declined on growing confidence about conflict de-escalation, though they continue trading well above levels seen before hostilities began. Market experts cautioned that any potential ceasefire prolongation should be approached carefully, noting that petroleum supply restoration will require significant time.
Futures markets in the United States showed slight declines.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 surged 1.8% to reach 65,814.96 following Friday’s release of data indicating Tokyo’s core inflation rate for May increased at a slower pace than economists had predicted.
The Kospi in South Korea climbed 2.3% to 8,369.81.
These two major indices are currently trading close to their all-time peak values.
The Hang Seng in Hong Kong rose 0.4% to 25,098.68, while Shanghai’s Composite index declined 0.2% to 4,092.22.
The S&P/ASX 200 in Australia increased 1% to 8,681.80.
Taiwan’s Taiex showed gains of 2.3%.
Representatives from the United States and Iran achieved a preliminary agreement Thursday regarding ceasefire extension and scheduling fresh discussions about Iran’s nuclear program, according to a U.S. official. Iran had not yet publicly acknowledged the agreement, and the preliminary deal still required approval from U.S. President Donald Trump.
Brent crude, the global benchmark, dropped 0.8% in early Friday trading to $91.97 per barrel. This commodity was priced around $70 per barrel in late February prior to the conflict’s start. U.S. benchmark crude decreased 1.2% to $87.85 per barrel.
Market participants are monitoring closely for potential reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. official indicated the preliminary agreement specifies that Iran would be prohibited from charging fees to vessels passing through the strait, while the United States would progressively remove its maritime blockade of Iranian ports.
“The oil market continues to edge lower amid growing optimism that the U.S. and Iran are moving toward a deal,” ING commodities strategists Warren Patterson and Ewa Manthey wrote Friday. “A reopening of the strait would offer some immediate relief to the oil market with tankers leaving the Persian Gulf. However, the recovery is still uncertain.”
Vessel operators may hesitate to dispatch ships into the Persian Gulf initially due to concerns that the ceasefire might collapse, they noted. Additionally, restoration of oil and gas production would probably occur gradually rather than immediately.
Wall Street achieved new records Thursday with the benchmark S&P 500 reaching another all-time peak, advancing 0.6% to 7,563.63. The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased less than 0.1% to 50,668.97, while the technology-focused Nasdaq composite rose 0.9% to 26,917.47.
Dollar Tree discount retail chain stock jumped 17.9% following its report of better-than-expected earnings, while department store chain Kohl’s surged 20.6% after also delivering results that exceeded forecasts.
In early Friday currency trading, the U.S. dollar strengthened to 159.30 Japanese yen from 159.24 yen. The euro declined to $1.1646 from $1.1651.
WASHINGTON — The weight of expectations followed Shrey Parikh into the Scripps National Spelling Bee as a top contender, but his self-assurance was evident each time he received a familiar word. When the competition ultimately came down to a lightning-round showdown with Ishaan Gupta, Shrey delivered a decisive performance.
The 14-year-old transformed what had been a tight, high-caliber championship into a commanding victory Thursday evening, blazing through the 90-second “spell-off” and correctly spelling 32 words to claim the title of America’s top young speller. Ishaan managed 25 correct spellings during the tiebreaker round.
Hailing from Rancho Cucamonga, California, Shrey had previously placed third in 2024 but suffered a setback at his school competition last year while fighting illness. Since then, he has dominated spelling competitions, claiming victories in multiple online contests against many of the same competitors he defeated this week in the nation’s capital. His championship prize includes a personalized trophy and $52,500 in prize money.
“Right now I’m probably the happiest I’ve ever been. I’m just so happy and relieved, and just such a flood of emotions,” Shrey said. “At my school bee last year, I was really dejected and just very upset. It didn’t even sink in until the next day. I had a really tough time, but I’m glad I was able to bounce back.”
Ishaan, a 12-year-old seventh-grader from Jersey City, New Jersey, had reached the semifinals previously, exceeded expectations by outperforming seasoned competitors in the finals, and remains eligible for next year’s competition.
Sarv Dharavane, a 12-year-old sixth-grader from Dunwoody, Georgia, claimed third place for the second year running and has two additional opportunities to better that result.
This marks the first time in the competition’s history that both second- and third-place finishers from a previous year have gone on to claim victory. Faizan Zaki captured last year’s title after finishing as runner-up two years prior, just ahead of Shrey, who is his close friend.
Dressed in business-casual attire featuring a dark, long-sleeved collared shirt, khakis and sneakers, the tall Shrey approached the microphone wearing a serious, nervous expression that immediately disappeared when he heard his word from pronouncer Jacques Bailly and nodded enthusiastically — his signature indication that he recognized the word.
When the announcement declared his spell-off victory, Shrey turned and offered his competitor a handshake.
His triumph can be attributed to rigorous preparation. Shrey worked with three coaches: Sam Evans, who has guided each of the last three champions; Sohum Sukhatankar, himself a co-champion in 2019; and Vijaya Ganesh, a veteran coach and mother of a former competitor. He engaged in continuous practice against other elite spellers, studied advanced materials thoroughly, and worked to minimize the factors that had caused the few surprising defeats in his extensive spelling career.
“The school bee last year was a blessing in disguise,” said Shrey’s father, Gaurav Parikh. “That’s very important in life to experience, you know, ups and downs. You’re not going to win everything. You’re going to learn how to deal with setbacks.”
Past competitors, coaches and other experts characterized this year’s finalists as exceptionally talented, and they demonstrated their abilities early by achieving a perfect 18-for-18 start, sailing through the initial spelling and vocabulary segments. Aiden Meng of Orinda, California, broke that perfect streak when he stumbled on “catometope” at the beginning of the second spelling round.
The audience then reacted with surprise when the elimination bell sounded for two contestants considered championship contenders: Oliver Halkett for “Faesulae” and Zwe Spacetime for “vaesite,” words featuring challenging etymological origins and vowel combinations.
The competition’s relocation to Constitution Hall, which had drawn criticism from spellers and their families due to logistical challenges, actually enhanced the event’s energy, with more intimate seating arrangements and improved sightlines bringing spectators closer to the competition.
New television host Mina Kimes of ESPN provided smooth commentary alongside veteran bee analyst Paul Loeffler.
One element absent from the new venue: The traditional confetti shower when the winner was announced. Shrey’s celebration remained subdued and respectful. However, there was no question that he had earned his victory.
“Shrey’s relentless,” Evans said. “I’ve really never seen someone put this much effort into spelling bees and learning everything that he possibly can.”
Federal authorities have filed additional criminal charges against former Miami Heat player Terry Rozier in connection with an ongoing sports betting investigation, claiming he accepted a substantial payment to leave a basketball game early in March 2023.
The 32-year-old athlete faced new accusations Thursday when prosecutors in Brooklyn federal court issued a superseding indictment charging him with bribery in sporting contests and honest services wire fraud conspiracy. This type of legal filing allows prosecutors to modify or introduce additional charges in an active criminal matter.
Rozier has maintained his innocence regarding involvement in the betting operation and continues battling to get the case thrown out after entering not guilty pleas to wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy charges last December. His legal team contends that the prosecution’s approach — claiming he prevented betting platforms from making well-informed decisions about accepting wagers — conflicts with a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that limited the scope of federal wire fraud laws.
“The new indictment just confirms that our motion to dismiss was righteous — new charges, new theories, but all just an effort to make something stick,” Rozier’s attorney, Jim Trusty, wrote in an email to The Associated Press.
Authorities arrested Rozier in October alongside former NBA player Damon Jones, who admitted guilt last month for his involvement in schemes targeting major betting platforms including DraftKings and FanDuel. The case also involves sports bettor and influencer Marves Fairley, who entered guilty pleas Thursday to conspiracy, bribery and additional federal charges related to gambling schemes affecting basketball contests in the U.S. and China.
Rozier currently remains out of custody on $3 million bond. The ongoing legal proceedings have prevented him from playing this season.
The updated charges claim that Rozier not only deceived sportsbooks, but also betrayed the NBA and his team at the time, the Charlotte Hornets.
According to prosecutors, Rozier worked with gamblers to exit a game prematurely, claiming a persistent lower leg injury, enabling them to collect on more than $250,000 in wagers betting that his points, assists and other statistics would fall below the lines established by sportsbooks.
However, not every bet paid off because Rozier managed four rebounds, exceeding the betting line, according to the superseding indictment. Following the game, Rozier and his associates renegotiated his payment, reducing it from $100,000 to approximately $70,000, court documents stated.
Prosecutors filed the new charges against Rozier on the same day that Fairley, known as “Vezino Locks” on Instagram, entered his guilty pleas. During his plea hearing, Fairley acknowledged using inside information to gain advantages when wagering on NBA, NCAA and Chinese Professional Basketball League games — including paying $100,000 to Rozier’s longtime friend in exchange for advance notice that Rozier planned to leave a game early.
“Fairley’s attorney Eric Siegle said his client deeply regrets and is ashamed of his conduct.”
“By publicly acknowledging his guilt and conduct today, Marves is taking the first step toward atoning for his wrongful conduct and to starting his ‘second half’ on the right foot,” Siegle said.
BEIJING, May 29 (Reuters) — The Philippine justice department has freed 64 Chinese nationals from custody after determining there was not enough evidence to support the charges brought against them, according to China’s embassy in the Southeast Asian nation.
The workers faced accusations of breaking nuclear safety regulations as well as immigration and labor laws.
The Chinese nationals, employed at a steel facility in Misamis Oriental province, had been held since May 15.
According to the Chinese embassy, six additional workers are currently going through the release process. The embassy also noted it has made multiple formal protests regarding the detentions.
A labor organization representing Samsung Electronics workers in consumer products will seek court intervention to block a compensation agreement that mainly favors the company’s semiconductor employees, according to legal representatives.
This week, two other labor groups at the global technology giant, including the largest union, approved a compensation package offering substantial bonuses to memory chip division workers, who have benefited from increased profits during the artificial intelligence surge.
The Samsung Electronics Co Union (SECU), representing approximately 13,000 members primarily from smartphone, television, and home appliance departments, had previously attempted to halt the voting process through legal action.
The last-minute government-brokered deal’s approval prevented an anticipated 18-day work stoppage, though workers outside the semiconductor division received less favorable treatment.
Following the vote’s completion, SECU plans to request judicial suspension of the compensation agreement’s implementation, union legal representation stated during Friday’s court proceedings.
SECU’s legal team indicated they would file revised injunction documentation next week, anticipating a judicial decision within 30 days.
Representatives from Samsung Electronics’ largest union refused to provide statements.
The corporation was unavailable for immediate response.
A 14-year-old student from Rancho Cucamonga, California, claimed victory at the Scripps National Spelling Bee Thursday evening, taking home the $50,000 grand prize after a dramatic spell-off finale.
Shrey Parikh, an eighth-grader, outperformed his competitor by correctly spelling 32 words in a 90-second rapid-fire round. His opponent, 12-year-old seventh-grader Ishaan Gupta from Jersey City, New Jersey, managed 25 correct spellings from the same word list while sequestered during Parikh’s attempt.
The two finalists reached the climactic showdown after successfully navigating 18 rounds without a single misspelling during the final day of competition. Competition officials implemented the spell-off format in 2021 following the 2019 event that concluded with eight co-champions who continued spelling words without error.
According to event organizers, Parikh’s championship word was “bromocriptine,” defined by the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary as “a polypeptide alkaloid that is a derivative of ergot and mimics the activity of dopamine.”
Parikh secured his spot in the spell-off by successfully spelling “Philepitta,” a genus of Madagascan birds, while Gupta matched his performance in the 18th round with “Ertebolle” — referring to an Early Neolithic or Late Mesolithic culture in the Baltic region.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee stands as one of America’s most recognized academic competitions, with roots dating back to 1925 when the Louisville Courier-Journal newspaper launched a national spelling contest for students.
Throughout the years, the competition has transformed into an intensely competitive event attracting hundreds of participants from throughout the United States and internationally.
Participants earn their spots through local and regional competitions, tackling challenging and unusual words by often constructing unfamiliar terms using knowledge of etymology, pronunciation and meaning.
A total of 247 finalists, all 15 years old or younger, participated in the three-day televised national championship at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington.
Samsung Electronics announced Friday that it has begun delivering samples of its newest high-bandwidth memory chips to clients, gaining a competitive advantage over rivals in providing updated versions of components essential for artificial intelligence data centers. The announcement caused the company’s stock to rise.
The technology giant from South Korea reported that its new 12-layer HBM4E chip delivers performance improvements of more than 20% compared to earlier HBM4 models.
According to Samsung, the chip incorporates its newest 1c DRAM process technology — sixth-generation, 10-nanometer-class DRAM — combined with Samsung’s 4-nanometer foundry logic base die.
This launch represents Samsung’s push to recover ground in the HBM marketplace after losing position to competitors like SK Hynix and Micron in providing cutting-edge artificial intelligence memory components, especially to Nvidia.
The development occurs just three months following Samsung’s February launch of HBM4 chip deliveries to clients, demonstrating the corporation’s commitment to enhancing its standing in the future AI memory sector through early distribution of its newest product samples.
In April, Samsung announced its intention to deliver initial HBM4E chip samples during the second quarter.
Samsung’s client base encompasses significant AI companies including AMD, Nvidia and Google, as well as others, amid growing demand for sophisticated memory components utilized in AI servers and processing units.
Stock prices for Samsung Electronics climbed up to 6.5% during morning sessions, outpacing the benchmark KOSPI’s 2.3% increase. SK Hynix shares gained 1.2% at 0207 GMT.
Market experts attributed the increases to Samsung’s recent HBM announcement and positive sentiment regarding its AI chip division prospects, following Anthropic’s designation of Samsung as a strategic infrastructure partner in its recent funding round.
Anthropic reported securing funding at a post-money valuation of $965 billion, identifying Samsung, Micron and SK Hynix as partners whose technologies serve crucial functions in supplying memory, storage and logic components.
Among the three companies, Samsung received specific recognition for its logic chip capabilities, heightening investor hopes that this partnership could eventually generate additional foundry contracts following Samsung’s $16.5 billion supply agreement with Tesla, announced last year.
“In the HBM market, early movers tend to secure the bulk of orders, so gaining market share in the initial stages is critical,” said Jeff Kim, head of research at KB Securities-Jefferies.
Kim observed that Samsung had joined the HBM3 and HBM3E markets behind competitors, which restricted the order volume it could obtain.
“But if Samsung successfully completes the qualification process for HBM4E, the HBM vendor structure, which has largely centred on SK Hynix and Micron, that could shift toward SK Hynix and Samsung, considering Samsung’s manufacturing capacity,” Kim added.
SK Hynix commanded the worldwide HBM market with a 57% share in the fourth quarter of 2025, with Samsung holding 22% and Micron at 21%, based on Counterpoint Research data.
Kim also suggested Samsung could gain advantages in foundry operations, as Taiwan’s TSMC anticipates having its advanced-node capacity completely reserved for upcoming years.
“That raises expectations that Samsung, as one of the few companies capable of producing advanced chips, could win more orders for advanced-node manufacturing,” he said.
The Toronto Blue Jays have sidelined second baseman Lenyn Sosa for at least 10 days after he suffered a right wrist contusion when struck by a pitch during Tuesday’s game.
The team announced Thursday that Sosa’s placement on the injured list is effective retroactively from Wednesday. To fill his roster spot, Toronto has promoted infielder Charles McAdoo from their Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo.
The 26-year-old Sosa sustained the injury when Miami’s starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara hit him with a pitch during the Blue Jays’ dominant 8-1 victory at home on Tuesday. This season with Toronto, Sosa has struggled at the plate, posting a .188 batting average with 15 hits in 80 at-bats, along with one home run and six RBIs across 28 games. Earlier this year with the Chicago White Sox, he managed a .212 average with seven hits in 33 at-bats over 12 appearances.
Throughout his major league career spanning from 2022 to 2026, Sosa has compiled a .241 batting average with 38 home runs and 134 RBIs over 343 games split between Chicago and Toronto.
The Blue Jays obtained Sosa from the White Sox on April 13 in exchange for minor league outfielder Jordan Rich plus future considerations.
McAdoo, age 24, has been performing well at Buffalo this season with a .250 batting average, eight home runs, and 27 RBIs in 50 games. MLB Pipeline ranks him as the 26th prospect in Toronto’s system, and he has yet to make his major league debut.
Toronto manager John Schneider praised McAdoo’s versatility and recent performance. “(McAdoo) can play third, first. He’s played a little bit of second the last couple of weeks in Triple-A,” Schneider explained. “He can run, but I think just putting together a pretty good offensive year. So, (we’ll) take a look at it for sure.”
The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted McAdoo in the 13th round of the 2023 MLB Draft from San Jose State University.
Thursday brought additional roster moves for the Blue Jays. The team sent right-handed pitcher Chase Lee back to Buffalo while bringing Connor Seabold up to the major league roster. They also moved right-hander Lazaro Estrada from the 15-day to the 60-day injured list due to right shoulder impingement, creating space on the 40-man roster.
The Blue Jays acquired Seabold on Wednesday from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for minor league left-handed pitcher Juanmi Vasquez.
Lee, 27, struggled in his brief major league stint, posting an 8.10 ERA with four walks and just one strikeout over 3 1/3 innings across three relief appearances for Toronto.
Seabold, 30, showed better results this season with Detroit, going 1-0 with a 3.45 ERA, five walks, and 14 strikeouts in 15 2/3 innings of work.
Motorists traveling on Route 896 should expect ongoing lane striping activities affecting both directions of traffic between S. Old Baltimore Pike and Red Lion Road.
Mobile striping crews are currently conducting road marking operations along this stretch of roadway, with work expected to continue through 6AM.
Drivers are advised to exercise caution when traveling through the work zone and allow extra time for potential delays.
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump is caught in a challenging political position as he works to resolve the ongoing conflict with Iran, facing pressure to reopen critical shipping lanes and reduce gas prices while simultaneously dealing with potential criticism from hardline Republicans in his own party who oppose making any concessions to Tehran.
Trump’s predicament became apparent during a week of intensive diplomatic activity marked by reports of a developing framework agreement that, according to sources with knowledge of the negotiations, would extend the current ceasefire and end Iran’s control over the crucial oil-shipping route while postponing talks about its nuclear program.
If approved by both Trump and Iranian leadership, such a temporary agreement would represent the most meaningful progress toward peace since he partnered with Israel in launching attacks against the Islamic Republic on February 28, and could help alleviate the rising energy costs the conflict has caused.
However, the deal could also attract criticism from an important part of Trump’s political base – prominent Republicans demanding that he “finish the job” by continuing military strikes to eliminate Tehran’s ability to develop nuclear weapons, which he has cited as his primary justification for the war.
This week, some of Trump’s hardline anti-Iran supporters reacted to news of a possible agreement with disapproval, even suggesting that he might achieve little more than the 2015 Iran nuclear deal that former President Barack Obama negotiated and Trump dismantled during his first presidency.
Prominent Republicans who typically align with Trump, including Senators Lindsey Graham, Roger Wicker and Ted Cruz, encouraged the president to avoid making compromises.
Trump responded by stating he was in “no rush” and would only accept a “great” agreement.
Facing these conflicting pressures – finding a quick fix for high fuel costs while ending Iran’s nuclear aspirations – the president has limited options available.
“Trump’s rhetorical swings and abrupt reversals of the past week suggest a president trying to park a wide war in a tight spot,” said Laura Blumenfeld, a Middle East expert at Johns Hopkins University.
A White House official said “negotiations are proceeding nicely and he has made his redlines clear.”
“President Trump will only make a good deal for the American people, which must ensure that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon,” the official said on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive internal matters.
UNANSWERED QUESTIONS
Media reports on Thursday about the terms of the “memorandum of understanding” indicate the proposed agreement leaves many of the most difficult issues unresolved.
These include the strait’s future status over the long term, how Iran’s stockpile of near-weapons-grade enriched uranium will be handled, and specific details about possible sanctions relief.
The developing framework, while preventing military escalation, would currently fall well short of Trump’s previous demand for “unconditional surrender” and his promise to eliminate Iran’s nuclear program. Iran has maintained it is only for peaceful purposes.
“If these terms are accurate and if a deal is concluded, the Islamic Republic appears to be getting more in the MOU than the U.S.,” Jason Brodsky, policy director of United Against Nuclear Iran, a nonprofit policy organization, said on X. “A pledge for more nuclear talks? Be wary.”
Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported the agreement text had not been completed. Trump has previously announced that deals were imminent multiple times, and there was no assurance that this latest attempt would succeed where previous efforts have failed.
This week’s diplomatic activity has occurred alongside a new but limited exchange of military strikes that has put stress on the fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran.
Experts say Trump seems to be attempting to find a middle ground between pressuring Iran to make concessions on important matters while offering only modest compromises in return that would still enable him to present the result as a victory.
Reopening the strait would be welcomed globally, but Trump would simply be restoring the free movement of shipping that existed before he initiated the war.
At the same time, political and economic pressures are mounting for the president, whose public approval numbers have reached record lows.
Midterm elections are approaching in November, with fellow Republicans fighting to keep control of Congress, and recent analyses indicate that continued conflict would cause severe harm to the worldwide economy.
TRUMP DISMISSES MIDTERMS
Iran seems to be seeking immediate sanctions relief to help its damaged economy, which Trump’s critics worry he may find difficult to refuse while pursuing a deal to end the war.
During a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Trump appeared to address his critics by restating hardline positions and claiming he wasn’t concerned about the midterms. His advisers have privately worried that elevated gasoline prices could hurt Republicans’ election chances.
Iran has demonstrated confidence in its strong position, having shown it can withstand the military assault and control one-fifth of global oil supplies, according to analysts.
“The president gives every sign of wanting this over soon,” said Jon Alterman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank. “That makes the Iranians dig in their heels.”
The past week’s dramatic shifts were typical for a president who ran on promises to avoid unnecessary conflicts, only to lead the U.S. into foreign involvement without clearly explaining the reasoning.
How he chooses to conclude the conflict is anticipated to be a significant element in shaping his second-term foreign policy record, experts say.
Jeff Bezos’ space company Blue Origin reported on Thursday that it encountered a malfunction during engine testing, with social media footage capturing their New Glenn rocket bursting into flames in a dramatic explosion.
The incident occurred during what’s known as a hot-fire test, a procedure where rocket engines are ignited while the vehicle remains secured to the ground.
“All personnel are accounted for,” Blue Origin stated in a post on X.
The company has invested billions of dollars over approximately ten years creating New Glenn, a towering rocket standing 29 stories tall featuring a reusable first stage designed to rival SpaceX’s Falcon fleet and its more advanced Starship.
The Federal Aviation Administration did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — An explosive malfunction during a rocket engine test Thursday evening sent shockwaves through surrounding neighborhoods and illuminated the Florida sky with an orange glow.
The incident involved Jeff Bezos’ space company Blue Origin and its New Glenn rocket during what the company described as a hotfire test. Blue Origin confirmed through social media that all personnel were safely accounted for following the blast.
Local emergency authorities have stated there are no dangers from toxic vapors or other safety concerns stemming from the explosion.
This setback comes after the enormous New Glenn vehicle was previously sidelined in April when it failed to deliver a satellite to its intended orbital path due to propulsion system problems. The rocket has only completed three missions and represents Blue Origin’s vehicle of choice for delivering lunar landing craft for NASA.
The blast occurred around 9 p.m., causing structures in neighboring Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach to vibrate. Local residents quickly took to social platforms to share their experiences and seek answers about the disturbance. The launch facility at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Launch Complex 36 can be seen from coastal areas, and images of the fiery explosion rapidly spread online.
“We experienced an anomaly during today’s hotfire test,” Blue Origin stated in their official response. “We will provide updates as we learn more.”
The New Glenn vehicle first launched in 2025 from Cape Canaveral and bears the name of John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth.
SINGAPORE (AP) — Asia’s most significant defense conference begins this weekend with Beijing’s accelerating military buildup and questions surrounding America’s regional commitments taking center stage as world leaders and security officials gather in Singapore.
The International Institute for Strategic Studies is hosting the Shangri-La Dialogue as tensions mount across multiple global hotspots, including escalating Middle East conflicts that have disrupted a fragile ceasefire in the Iran war and Russia’s continued assault on Ukraine.
Vietnamese leader To Lam will deliver Friday’s opening keynote speech, followed by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday, who plans to outline the Trump administration’s approach to the Indo-Pacific region.
This year, Lam has strengthened his position within Vietnam by assuming dual roles as both Communist Party general secretary and president, breaking from the Southeast Asian country’s historical practice of distributing leadership responsibilities.
Vietnam finds itself in a complex position, facing territorial disputes with Beijing in contested waters while maintaining China as its largest trading partner. Simultaneously, the United States serves as Vietnam’s primary export market and has been working to expand diplomatic ties and defense agreements to compete with Hanoi’s longtime partner, Russia.
However, recently disclosed documents revealed that despite upgrading diplomatic relations with Washington to their highest level, Vietnam’s military leadership continues to question American motives and has prepared defensive measures against potential American military action.
Given Hanoi’s careful diplomatic maneuvering between Washington and Beijing, observers anticipate Lam will emphasize building consensus to address disagreements and promoting collaborative efforts for regional peace and growth.
Lam is scheduled to hold private discussions with Hegseth during the conference. This marks Hegseth’s second participation in the summit, where he previously sparked Beijing’s anger by declaring that “the threat China poses is real, and it could be imminent,” while describing Chinese military exercises as “rehearsing for the real deal.”
Hegseth previously stated that Washington would strengthen its defensive capabilities against what the Pentagon views as rapidly emerging threats, especially regarding China’s hostile position toward Taiwan.
However, this year’s address follows closely after U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent visit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing, where Xi cautioned that the two nations could face conflict over Taiwan without proper handling of the situation.
After their discussions, Trump praised Xi as a “great leader” and expressed optimism about having a “fantastic future together.” Trump also questioned Washington’s commitment to defending Taiwan, describing a pending $14 billion weapons package as “a very good negotiating chip for us” with China.
China maintains its claim over the independently governed democratic island, with Xi refusing to eliminate the possibility of military action to seize control.
Meanwhile, the U.S. continues providing Taiwan with advanced aircraft, missiles and defensive weapons while maintaining “strategic ambiguity” regarding potential military intervention should China attack the island.
Trump has demonstrated less certainty about Taiwan compared to previous presidents, raising doubts about whether he might reduce American support for the island.
According to Pentagon officials, Hegseth’s address will emphasize the military’s “common-sense approach to safeguarding U.S. vital national interests in the Indo-Pacific.”
Given the recent Beijing meeting between the two leaders, Hegseth appears unlikely to make statements that would overshadow Trump’s own comments.
China plans to present its perspective during Sunday’s session, though Beijing is reportedly sending a lower-ranking delegation this year, with the specific speaker yet to be announced.
Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun was also absent from last year’s gathering.
Although the annual summit primarily addresses Asian security matters, discussions will inevitably include Russia’s continuing war against Ukraine and the Iran conflict, which has resulted in closing the Strait of Hormuz.
During normal conditions, twenty percent of global oil shipments pass through the strait, and Iran’s effective blockade has driven up worldwide oil prices, creating economic challenges internationally. Qatar’s defense minister is among this weekend’s scheduled speakers.
Prior to the conference opening, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy contacted Trump and U.S. Congress requesting additional American-manufactured air defense supplies to counter escalating Russian missile strikes.
While Zelenskyy, who made an unexpected personal appearance two years ago at Shangri-La, is not anticipated to attend this year, the speaker lineup includes numerous senior European defense leaders from countries including Lithuania and Poland.
Residents and tourists in New York City turned their eyes skyward Thursday to witness the annual astronomical event called Manhattanhenge.
The descending sun appeared perfectly framed within a corridor of towering buildings as it aligned with Manhattan’s organized street layout before disappearing below the skyline.
Thursday’s impressive display marks only the first occurrence this year. An even more complete view of the setting sun nestled between the city’s iconic high-rises is anticipated Friday. The celestial event will return again on July 11 and 12.
This astronomical alignment occurs approximately three weeks on either side of the summer solstice.
Through the years, the event has transformed into an essential viewing experience, drawing photography enthusiasts and curious onlookers to city sidewalks during spring and summer evenings.
Here’s what makes this distinctly New York phenomenon special:
The name was created by astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson in a 1997 piece for “Natural History” magazine. Tyson, who leads the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, drew inspiration from his teenage visit to Stonehenge.
The television personality, who would later host programs including PBS’ “Nova ScienceNow,” participated in a research expedition guided by Gerald Hawkins, the researcher who initially proposed that Stonehenge’s ancient stone structures functioned as an astronomical observation site.
The New York native Tyson recognized similarities between the sun setting among Manhattan’s skyscrapers and the way sunlight penetrates Stonehenge’s stone circle during the solstice.
However, unlike the ancient Stonehenge architects, Manhattan’s urban designers had no intention of creating solar alignment. The effect emerged purely by coincidence.
The phenomenon doesn’t coincide with this year’s summer solstice on June 21. Rather, it occurs roughly three weeks before and after that date, when the sun positions itself in perfect harmony with the city’s east-west running streets.
Spectators can experience two distinct variations of this event.
Thursday’s display, along with July 12’s occurrence, features exactly half the sun visible above the horizon while the other half sits below during the street alignment moment, the Hayden Planetarium explains.
Friday’s event and July 11’s showing will present the complete sun appearing suspended between structures before it descends toward the New Jersey skyline beyond the Hudson River.
Popular observation locations include the city’s wide east-west avenues: 14th Street, 23rd Street, 34th Street, 42nd Street and 57th Street.
Moving eastward provides increasingly spectacular views as sunlight illuminates building surfaces lining both sides of the roadway. The phenomenon can also be observed from Long Island City in Queens, looking across the East River.
Witnessing Manhattanhenge requires no special arrangements or organized events.
Crowds typically assemble along east-west streets roughly 30 minutes before sunset to capture photographs as evening approaches. Clear skies are essential – overcast or rainy conditions prevent any visible display.
Comparable phenomena happen in other cities featuring organized street patterns. Chicagohenge and Baltimorehenge occur when sunset aligns with those cities’ grid systems during March and September, coinciding with spring and fall equinoxes. Torontohenge takes place in February and October.
However, Manhattanhenge stands out due to the exceptional height of surrounding structures and the clear western view toward the Hudson River.
The world’s largest contract electronics manufacturer expressed strong optimism about its future expansion prospects on Friday, with leadership citing surging artificial intelligence demand as a primary driver.
Speaking at the company’s annual shareholder gathering in New Taipei, Chairman Young Liu said the Taiwan-based firm maintains tremendous confidence in its growth trajectory. The electronics giant, which serves as the primary server manufacturer for Nvidia and top iPhone assembler for Apple, recently posted impressive financial results with first-quarter profits jumping 19% compared to the previous year.
Liu highlighted the substantial investment activity among major cloud service providers, noting their capital expenditures have already surpassed $700 billion this year. “Their capital expenditure is our market. It has already reached $700 billion, and their capital expenditure next year is expected to potentially reach $1 trillion. This gives us immense confidence in our future growth momentum,” Liu stated.
The company, officially known as Hon Hai Precision Industry, announced earlier this month plans to increase its own capital spending by 30% this year from the previous year’s T$174 billion ($5.55 billion) figure. This investment will support expanded manufacturing capabilities for AI servers to meet growing market demand.
Despite the positive outlook, the company’s stock performance has lagged behind the broader market, rising 19% year-to-date compared to Taiwan’s main index gaining 54%.
BUCHAREST, May 29 – Romanian defense officials announced Friday that a Russian drone violated the country’s airspace before crashing into an apartment building in the southeastern city of Galati, sparking a blaze on the structure’s rooftop.
The incident occurred when the unmanned aircraft breached Romanian territorial boundaries and struck the residential complex, according to a statement released by the nation’s defense ministry.
The US dollar maintained its downward trend against other major world currencies Friday, positioning itself for a weekly decline amid emerging reports of a potential ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran.
According to four sources who spoke with Reuters, the proposed agreement would extend the current Middle East truce by an additional 60 days and restore normal shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The deal remains subject to Trump’s approval while negotiators work to address more complex matters including Iran’s nuclear program.
Oil markets declined and investors showed less interest in the traditionally safe-haven dollar, though trading remained cautious as market participants expressed uncertainty about achieving a permanent solution. This hesitation followed contradictory messages from both Washington and Tehran throughout the week.
Currency markets showed the euro trading at $1.1653, gaining 0.03% during Asian trading hours, while the pound remained unchanged at $1.3445.
The Australian dollar held steady at $0.7164, and the New Zealand dollar climbed 0.2% to $0.5946, reaching its highest point in over two weeks.
The dollar index, which tracks the greenback’s performance against multiple currencies, stayed relatively flat at 98.997 following Thursday’s 0.2% decline. The index appears ready to break a two-week winning streak and finish the week down 0.3%.
“It might well be that once this crisis in Iran, in the Middle East, is behind us, we expect the U.S. dollar to remain weak,” said Massimiliano Castelli, head of strategy in the global sovereign markets team at UBS Asset Management.
Castelli explained that while the Middle East conflict temporarily halted dollar weakness due to safe-haven demand, many investors continue seeking alternatives to U.S. dollar assets.
The Japanese yen gained strength, reaching 159.27 against the dollar amid broader greenback weakness, moving away from the psychologically important 160-per-dollar threshold that has previously triggered intervention by Japanese authorities.
Economic data revealed that U.S. inflation accelerated to its fastest rate in three years during April, fueled by rising energy costs related to the Iran conflict. This development reinforces economists’ expectations that the Federal Reserve will maintain current interest rates well into the following year.
Boston Red Sox right-handed pitcher Garrett Whitlock has been sidelined with knee inflammation, landing him on the 15-day injured list as of Thursday.
The roster move dates back to Monday. To fill the spot, Boston brought up rookie left-handed pitcher Tyler Samaniego from their Triple-A affiliate in Worcester.
Whitlock serves as the primary setup pitcher ahead of closer Aroldis Chapman. He injured his left knee during last Sunday’s 6-5 home defeat against the Minnesota Twins, when slippery field conditions caused him to hyperextend the joint.
“First warmup pitch on Sunday, obviously, the conditions were super wet, I kind of slipped and hyperextended my knee and everything,” Whitlock explained about the moment he got hurt.
The 29-year-old pitcher gave up one run on two hits while recording just one out in that appearance.
“Honestly, I got pretty sped-up just because it was on the very first (warmup) pitch, and then I was like, ‘Man, that didn’t feel good.’ And it was just kind of in my head,” Whitlock said. “And then I saw the clock going. I was like, ‘Oh, they didn’t stop it. I need to keep throwing.’ So yeah, I probably should have taken some time to be like, ‘All right, slow things down.’ But that’s part of it. You’re just trying to compete and everything. I’m never going to make excuses.”
Whitlock has been out of action for three games through Thursday and received a pain-relieving injection on Tuesday. He also had an MRI scan performed earlier in the week.
“Luckily, no structural damage, like no ligament or anything like that,” Whitlock said. “So I’m just kind of trying to get everything out of it now.”
This season, Whitlock has compiled a 3-1 record with a 3.20 ERA, issuing six walks while striking out 25 batters across 19 2/3 innings in 20 relief outings.
Since joining Boston in 2021, Whitlock has posted a 28-15 record with 10 saves and a 3.13 ERA, walking 82 and striking out 368 in 333 1/3 innings over 185 regular-season appearances, including 23 starts.
Samaniego brings a 0-2 record with a 1.04 ERA this season for Boston, walking seven and striking out 13 in 17 1/3 innings across 18 relief appearances.
An unmanned aircraft crashed into a high-rise residential building in Romania’s Galati city near the Ukrainian border on Friday, leaving two people with minor injuries, according to Romania’s General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations in a Facebook announcement.
The aircraft collided with an apartment on the building’s 10th floor, sparking a blaze, emergency officials reported. Photos from the scene revealed firefighting crews responding to the incident and scattered wreckage on the ground below.
Emergency responders stated that the aircraft’s complete explosive load went off upon impact, prompting the evacuation of approximately 70 residents. Officials did not release additional information regarding the type of unmanned aircraft involved. Fire crews successfully extinguished the flames.
In another occurrence, an unmanned aircraft carrying no explosive materials was discovered near Basesti in Maramures county in Romania’s northwest region, with the location being secured, TVR broadcaster reported Thursday evening, referencing local officials.
Officials were examining where the aircraft originated and how it ended up in the region, according to TVR. The report indicated the device had a wingspan measuring approximately 3 metres (9.84 feet).
Meanwhile, local officials in southern Ukraine reported that multiple unmanned aircraft targeted the Izmail port in the Odesa region during the early morning hours Friday.
Izmail, situated near the Romanian border, houses Ukraine’s largest port facility along the Danube River and serves as a regularly attacked strategic site.
Drivers traveling eastbound on Kirkwood Highway should expect delays due to a construction-related lane closure affecting traffic flow in the area.
The right lane is currently blocked between Ogletown Road and Anna Way, with the closure expected to remain in effect until 5 AM, according to traffic officials.
Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and use caution when driving through the construction zone.
A federal judge issued a decision Thursday determining that executions using nitrogen gas do not breach the Constitution’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment, dismissing claims from an Alabama death row prisoner that the method inflicts excessive pain.
The decision followed the nation’s first comprehensive court trial examining whether this execution technique violates constitutional protections. Eight individuals have been put to death using this method – seven in Alabama and one in Louisiana. The court’s finding allows Alabama and additional states to proceed with nitrogen gas executions and represents a defeat for opponents who anticipated a thorough review of Alabama’s procedures would end its implementation.
This execution technique, initially implemented in 2024, requires securing a breathing apparatus over the condemned person’s face and substituting regular air with pure nitrogen gas, resulting in death through oxygen deprivation. Death row prisoner Jeffery Lee filed the legal challenge last year. The 58-year-old Lee faces execution by nitrogen gas on June 11 at a prison in southern Alabama.
“While Lee establishes that death by nitrogen hypoxia involves some suffering, he fails to show that the protocol is cruel and unusual in violation of the Eighth Amendment,” U.S. District Judge Emily C. Marks wrote.
Legal representatives for both the state and Lee disagreed about the duration inmates remain conscious during nitrogen gas executions. Judge Marks determined the evidence demonstrates Alabama’s procedure “likely causes severe air hunger —the most severe form of breathing discomfort — for one to three minutes” but concluded this did not constitute a constitutional breach.
Lee’s legal team has indicated through court documents they plan to appeal the ruling.
The Alabama attorney general commended the judge’s ruling.
“After the first full trial on nitrogen hypoxia in the entire country, the district court found it to be constitutional. The district court considered all the evidence and concluded that nitrogen hypoxia is not cruel and unusual, affirming that the question of capital punishment belongs to the people and their representatives, not the courts, to resolve,” Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said.
Condemned individuals executed through nitrogen gas have exhibited varying degrees of trembling during the procedures, with state and defense attorneys disagreeing whether these movements are involuntary responses or indicators of distress. Alabama’s most recent nitrogen gas execution required more than 30 minutes to finish.
Judge Marks observed that Lee confronted a difficult legal standard since the U.S. Supreme Court has not determined any state’s execution method constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.
According to the Death Penalty Information Center, five states have approved nitrogen gas for executions, though only two have actually implemented it.
Lee received a capital murder conviction for the deaths of Ellis and Thompson on Dec. 12, 1998, close to the small community of Orrville, Alabama. Prosecutors stated Lee entered a pawn shop carrying a sawed-off shotgun and fatally shot Jimmy Ellis, the shop’s owner, and Elaine Thompson, an employee.
A jury decided 7-5 that Lee should receive life imprisonment. Nevertheless, a judge overturned that recommendation and imposed a death sentence. Alabama eliminated the judicial override practice in 2017 and no longer permits judges to reject jury sentencing decisions in capital cases.
Lee’s attorneys did not provide an immediate response to the decision.
“The real torture of the death penalty is in the decades of waiting. With what we know about each of the available methods of being killed in Alabama or in the U.S., I can’t imagine anyone choosing conscious suffocation,” said Abraham Bonowitz, executive director of Death Penalty Action, a group that opposes the death penalty.
He noted that Lee would not receive the death penalty if sentenced under current law since judicial override has been eliminated.
Two top executives at KPMG Australia have resigned their positions after the accounting firm’s internal investigation into whistleblower complaints about client data sharing failed to meet company standards, the firm announced Friday.
Andrew Yates, who has been with the company since 1990 and served as chief executive since 2021, stepped down after the firm’s probe into the whistleblower’s concerns “fell short of the firm’s expectations, those of the whistleblower and the broader community,” according to a company statement.
Julian McPherson, the firm’s managing partner of audit and assurance, also resigned and will depart the company following an organized transition period, the statement said.
“It is clear that in this case we have let ourselves down and I take accountability,” Yates stated in the announcement.
McPherson acknowledged his role, saying: “Matters have arisen for which I am responsible, and I take accountability.”
The departures represent a significant setback for Australia’s professional services industry as the accounting firm grapples with the fallout from the whistleblower allegations.
New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson sustained a fracture to his right pinky finger during the past week, with no established timeline for his return to action, multiple sources reported Thursday.
The Knicks are set to compete in the NBA Finals for the first time in 25 years, with their championship series beginning Wednesday against whichever team emerges from the Western Conference finals. Oklahoma City holds a 3-2 advantage over host San Antonio in their best-of-seven series, with Thursday night’s game potentially deciding the matchup.
The 28-year-old Robinson contributed eight points and grabbed 10 rebounds during 18 minutes of action in New York’s dominant 130-93 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers at their home court in Game 4 on Monday, completing a sweep that secured the Eastern Conference title.
The circumstances and exact timing of Robinson’s injury remain unknown, according to the reports.
Serving as the primary backup to six-time All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns, Robinson has posted averages of 5.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 14.2 minutes per contest while connecting on a league-best 73.7% of his field goal attempts (28 of 38) across 13 playoff appearances as a reserve player. His free-throw shooting has been problematic, however, as he has converted just 13 of 43 attempts for a 30.2% success rate.
Throughout the regular season, Robinson compiled averages of 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and 19.6 minutes across 60 games with 16 starts, earning an eighth-place finish in NBA Sixth Man of the Year award voting.
Second-year player Ariel Hukporti serves as New York’s third-string center option. The 7-footer appeared in 54 regular-season contests with five starts and averaged 2.2 points, 2.9 rebounds and 9.2 minutes.
Over his professional career, Robinson has averaged 7.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 23.4 minutes across 397 regular-season appearances with 215 starts.
Robinson holds the distinction of being the longest-tenured player on the Knicks roster, having been chosen by New York in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft following his time at Western Kentucky.
The chief federal prosecutor in Chicago has publicly refuted claims that his office initiated a criminal probe into E. Jean Carroll, the author who successfully sued U.S. President Donald Trump over sexual assault and defamation allegations.
On Thursday, U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros issued a statement clarifying his office’s position after reports emerged suggesting the Justice Department had begun examining Carroll’s testimony.
“The Chicago U.S. Attorney’s Office can confirm that it has not opened – and has never opened – a criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll,” Boutros stated.
The confusion arose after a source with knowledge of the situation informed Reuters on Wednesday that federal prosecutors were looking into potential perjury charges related to Carroll’s testimony in her two victorious civil cases against Trump.
Carroll’s attorney, Robbie Kaplan, has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the matter.
According to the anonymous source, the alleged inquiry centered on Carroll’s statements during her successful legal battles, which concluded in 2023 and 2024. These cases involved accusations that Trump sexually assaulted her at a New York department store and subsequently defamed her by calling her a liar.
CNN was the first news outlet to report on the purported investigation.
The Trump administration’s Justice Department has initiated multiple investigations targeting the president’s critics and has filed criminal charges in several instances since taking office.
The source indicated that prosecutors were focusing on a 2022 deposition where the former Elle magazine writer stated she had not received external funding for her lawsuit. Her legal team later disclosed that Reid Hoffman, the billionaire co-founder of LinkedIn, had covered portions of her legal expenses.
However, an appeals court ruled in 2024 that “Ms. Carroll plausibly represented that she had forgotten about the limited outside funding counsel obtained in September 2020 when this question was first posed to her in 2022, and the additional discovery did not indicate otherwise.”
In May 2023, a jury determined that Trump had sexually assaulted Carroll and defamed her through false statements, though they did not find him guilty of rape. A separate jury in January 2024 concluded he had defamed her and ordered him to pay $83.3 million in damages.
Trump continues to deny any wrongdoing and remains engaged in ongoing legal disputes with Carroll.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who has swiftly implemented Trump’s directives since replacing his predecessor, has recused himself from any department investigation due to his previous role as one of Trump’s personal lawyers in the Carroll appeals process, according to the source.
A federal court has dismissed a lawsuit filed by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration targeting Boston’s sanctuary city immigration policies.
U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin, based in Boston, determined the U.S. Department of Justice did not have proper legal standing to bring the case forward. This represents one of approximately twelve similar legal challenges the department has pursued against jurisdictions with sanctuary policies led by Democrats.
The September lawsuit targeted the city and Democratic Mayor Michelle Wu, specifically challenging the Boston Trust Act, which was originally passed in 2014. City council members renewed their backing of the ordinance in December 2024 ahead of Trump’s return to the presidency.
Under this ordinance, the Boston Police Department and other municipal officials are prohibited from working with federal agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, on civil immigration matters. This includes restrictions on holding migrants for possible deportation or providing their personal details.
Federal attorneys contended these restrictions interfered with immigration enforcement activities and violated both the U.S. Constitution and federal immigration statutes.
However, Judge Sorokin, who received his appointment from Democratic President Barack Obama, concluded the administration could not prove it had proper legal standing to contest the policy. He also found they failed to show how a favorable court decision would address the alleged damages the federal government claimed to experience.
The judge noted that even if Boston’s ordinance were struck down, local police still would not be permitted to provide the assistance ICE sought. This is due to a 2017 decision by Massachusetts’ top court during Trump’s initial presidency that prevented state law enforcement from holding non-citizens based exclusively on federal civil immigration detainers.
“In Massachusetts, there is simply no source of authority empowering Boston police officers to do what the United States would like them to do,” Sorokin wrote.
The Justice Department has not provided a response to requests for comment.
Judge Sorokin’s decision indicates the Justice Department has been unsuccessful in all comparable cases against municipalities and states with sanctuary policies, with courts rejecting four additional lawsuits in Colorado, Illinois and New York.
“Today’s ruling is a victory for the rule of law and for local governments across the country,” Jill Habig, whose group the Public Rights Project helped defend Boston against the lawsuit, said in a statement.
Two pitchers from Salisbury University’s baseball program received prestigious national honors Thursday night during the opening ceremony of the Division III College World Series in Eastlake, Ohio.
Right-handed hurlers Aidan Brinsfield and Cole Williams were both named to the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings All-America Second Team for the 2026 season. The recognition marks the 26th and 27th time Sea Gulls players have earned ABCA All-American status.
The honors were presented during Thursday evening’s ceremony as part of the College World Series festivities. Both players earned spots on the prestigious Second Team through voting by the coaching association.
New York Knicks big man Mitchell Robinson is dealing with a fractured right pinkie finger, with no clear timeline established for his recovery, a source with knowledge of the situation has revealed.
The source provided this information to The Associated Press anonymously on Thursday, as the organization has not yet made an official announcement regarding the injury.
The development comes as New York prepares for Game 1 of the NBA Finals, scheduled for next Wednesday as they travel to face either Oklahoma City or San Antonio.
Throughout the postseason’s first three rounds, Robinson has participated in 13 of the team’s initial 16 contests, contributing over 17 minutes as a substitute during the Eastern Conference finals-deciding win in Cleveland. The squad resumed practice activities at their home facility Thursday.
New York has compiled a remarkable 12-2 postseason record, outscoring opponents by an average of 19.4 points per contest while riding an 11-game winning streak. This current run matches the third-longest consecutive victory streak recorded within a single postseason.
The 28-year-old big man has contributed 5.3 points and 3.0 rebounds per game during the playoffs, serving primarily as a backup whose court time increases when Karl-Anthony Towns encounters foul difficulties. Offensively, Robinson has become a target for intentional fouling due to his struggles from the charity stripe, converting just 13 of 43 attempts for a 30.2% success rate.
ESPN initially broke the news of Robinson’s finger fracture.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The reigning MVP quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams, Matthew Stafford, expressed his acceptance of the team’s decision to select Ty Simpson in last month’s draft, despite having the league’s top performer locked in for a minimum of two more seasons.
“Listen, I’m not 25 years old, and I get that,” Stafford commented on Thursday following organized team activities at the Rams’ training facility. “So we’re doing everything we can to be as good a football team as we can for now, for the future, for all of it.”
The veteran signal-caller, now 38, revealed he maintains “constant dialogue and a great relationship” with head coach Sean McVay, who contacted him last month before the Rams shocked the league by selecting Simpson with the 13th overall selection. The Alabama quarterback wasn’t anticipated to be chosen so early in the draft or land with the Rams, who had already confirmed Stafford’s return for 2026.
Following his record-breaking season, the NFL’s sixth all-time leading passer secured a substantial contract extension for 2027 just last week, solidifying his position that was already secure. McVay has consistently affirmed that Stafford remains the Rams’ starter for however long he chooses to continue playing, even following the team’s investment of their highest draft selection in a decade on a quarterback.
However, Stafford also clarified the reasoning behind the Rams’ quarterback selection when he confirmed Thursday that he continues to evaluate his future on an annual basis, even with his two-year contractual obligation.
“Happy to have next year taken care of if I decide to play — and they still want me back,” Stafford remarked with a smile. “Excited to get that behind me, because I just want to come out here and play, and not think about the extra stuff. It’s good to get it done sooner rather than later.”
During this month’s workouts, Stafford and Simpson have been training together with returning backup Stetson Bennett and undrafted rookie Matthew Caldwell. Bennett and Simpson are anticipated to battle for the backup position behind Stafford, who enters his 18th professional season.
The veteran quarterback and the 23-year-old Simpson seem to be developing a positive relationship early on, though Stafford remains primarily concentrated on his own preparation rather than mentoring, as he pursues a legitimate opportunity to claim his second championship ring this season.
“He’s a guy that asks questions,” Stafford noted. “I’ve been trying to answer those as honestly and as thoroughly as I possibly can. He’s a smart kid. He’s got talent, obviously. Happy to add good players to our team. He’s one of them. But my job is to go out there and get myself and our team as ready to play as we possibly can.”
Stafford is fresh off one of his finest campaigns, earning his inaugural MVP recognition. He threw for a league-leading 4,707 yards and a personal-best 46 touchdown passes against only eight interceptions while guiding the Rams to 12 victories, two playoff road wins, and an appearance in the NFC championship contest.
Although Stafford plans to delay his decision about returning for 2027 until next offseason, it appears increasingly evident that he has no desire to play elsewhere. He rejected interest from other franchises a year ago and promptly secured his future with the Rams this year after his MVP campaign.
When questioned about whether he plans to conclude his career with the Rams, Stafford responded: “That would probably be a ‘Yes,’ but … this is life, and I don’t know what’s going to happen. I do love playing here. I love playing for this organization. Love my teammates, and my family loves it here.”
A woman from Ghana who is expecting a baby has been confined with her young son for over a week in a room without windows at Washington Dulles International Airport, despite entering the country legally, according to her legal representatives.
Annabella Gyasi, 38, and her four-year-old child arrived at the airport last Tuesday with plans to travel to Ohio for medical treatment. The boy, who was born with hand deformities, had a scheduled May 30 appointment at Akron Children’s Hospital to determine if he was ready for surgical intervention, the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia stated in emergency court filings.
The family had previously visited the United States in 2024 seeking medical treatment but returned home when doctors determined the child was not yet old enough for the procedure.
However, U.S. Customs and Border Protection detained both mother and child after Gyasi, who is more than four months into her pregnancy, expressed fears about returning to Ghana due to persecution they had experienced there, her attorneys stated.
“Ms. Gyasi legally traveled to the U.S. to get necessary medical care for her son, but the illegal detention and inhumane treatment that she’s experiencing at Dulles is endangering her son’s health as well as her own,” said Sophia Gregg, senior immigrants’ rights attorney at the ACLU of Virginia.
Federal immigration authorities disputed claims of mistreatment.
“These allegations are false,” the Department of Homeland Security responded. “Everyone in CBP custody, including this individual, has access to appropriate care, including medical evaluation by a doctor, medication, and food.”
During her time in custody, Gyasi has required emergency hospital care on two occasions due to pregnancy-related complications, including bleeding and dizziness, but was brought back to the detention facility each time, her legal team reported. Medical staff during one hospital visit “expressed concern that she was not eating enough in detention and was over-stressed,” according to the civil liberties organization.
The mother repeatedly requested additional food for herself and her child from detention officers but was refused, her lawyers stated.
Concerned about her unborn child’s welfare, Gyasi told officials she would prefer deportation rather than continue without adequate nutrition. Food was provided only after she signed deportation paperwork, her attorneys said.
Her legal team subsequently informed Customs and Border Protection personnel that she had agreed to deportation only due to desperate circumstances.
Court documents from U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema revealed that immigration authorities claimed Gyasi could not legally enter using tourist visas and was being prepared for expedited removal because she had “admitted under oath that she came to the United States in order to seek asylum and her intent was not to leave the United States to return to Ghana.”
Judge Brinkema has scheduled oral arguments for Friday.
NEW YORK (TV Delmarva) — For the first time in over 15 years of monitoring, the United Nations has added Israeli military forces to its annual blacklist documenting sexual violence in global conflict areas, citing their handling of Palestinian prisoners. Israeli officials reject these claims.
The comprehensive 35-page document — obtained by Israel’s UN mission late Thursday before Friday’s anticipated publication — identifies 77 governmental and non-governmental entities across 12 nations accused of perpetrating or enabling sexual violence during armed conflicts. The report indicates a significant increase in documented incidents from 2024 to 2025.
This year’s listing also marks the first inclusion of Russian military and security personnel for alleged sexual violence against war prisoners and detained civilians throughout the Ukraine conflict.
The 2025 blacklist features both Israel’s military and security apparatus alongside Hamas fighters, who were previously included following their October 7, 2023 assault on Israel that triggered the Gaza conflict.
Last year’s report from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had cautioned both Israel and Russia about potential blacklisting.
Representatives from both nations responded with fury to their inclusion and condemned Guterres directly.
“We will write a letter to the secretary-general saying that these are unsubstantiated lies and alleged things which again portray Russia as a villain, like they do all the time,” stated Russia’s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia. He indicated Russia is compiling documentation and preparing its own assessment of Ukrainian treatment of Russian war prisoners.
“We are done with this UN Secretary-General,” declared Danny Danon, Israel’s UN representative, in a social media post. “Guterres has put Israel on the same blacklist along with Hamas, ISIS and the most depraved terrorist organizations in the world.” Guterres’ second five-year tenure concludes December 31.
Danon emphasized that Israel had supplied documentation, evidence and comprehensive responses addressing the report’s allegations.
The document states that in 2025, UN investigators successfully recorded “patterns of sexual violence” targeting Palestinians held in Israel and occupied Palestinian areas, confirming numerous instances of conflict-related sexual abuse, including torture, affecting 14 males, seven females, nine boys and one girl from Gaza and the West Bank. The report notes 13 incidents in 2025 and 18 during 2023 and 2024.
“Violations consisted of rape, including with objects, gang rape, attempted rape, physical violence to the genitals, instances of targeted shooting of the genitals, touching of breasts and genitals, strip and cavity searches conducted without apparent security justification, forced nudity and threats of rape,” the document detailed.
It described at least nine victims, primarily from Gaza, who experienced rape or gang rape, sometimes repeatedly, by members of the Israel Defense Forces, Israel’s correctional system, special operations units and law enforcement.
Israel’s foreign ministry stated Thursday it has “comprehensively, thoroughly, and unequivocally refuted these allegations.”
“This decision is yet another example of the UN’s long-standing, institutionalized hostility toward Israel,” the ministry posted on X.
The assessment continues to feature allegations against Hamas regarding sexual violence, though notes many specifics remain unverified due to the Israeli government’s ongoing refusal to grant UN officials necessary investigative access.
The report indicates Russian officials similarly maintain consistent denial of access to UN human rights investigators, yet investigators still confirmed 310 instances of conflict-related sexual violence in Russia and Russian-controlled Ukrainian territories against war prisoners and civilian detainees. Most victims were male, according to the findings.
Ukrainian human rights observers recorded 31 instances of conflict-related sexual violence against prisoners and civilian detainees, with most incidents occurring before 2025, the report noted. Ukraine remains absent from the UN blacklist.
The head coach at Texas Tech has responded to criticism about his team’s schedule with a bold financial proposal aimed at Texas coach Steve Sarkisian.
Coach Joey Maguire announced that Texas Tech has already secured agreements from Texas State and Abilene Christian to accept buyout payments and face each other instead of their currently scheduled Week 1 opponents. This would clear the way for Texas Tech and Texas to meet in the season opener, either at AT&T Stadium or in Lubbock, Texas.
“We would love to play the University of Texas in Week 1,” Maguire stated Thursday during the Big 12 Conference spring meetings.
The Red Raiders captured the conference title with a 12-1 record last season and advanced to the College Football Playoff, where they fell to Oregon in the quarterfinal round after receiving a first-round bye.
Sarkisian sparked controversy when he commented that “there’s a team in our state that plays in another conference that has a schedule that I would argue if I played with our twos and our threes, we could go undefeated, and they’ll probably make the CFP this year.”
Texas Tech chairman of the Board of Regents Cody Campbell backed up the proposal Thursday on social media, confirming the university’s willingness to cover buyout costs for both the Abilene Christian and Texas State matchups. He directly addressed Sarkisian and Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte in his post.
“Upping the ante: @TechAthletics will pay the buyout for both the ACU and Texas State games. Let’s go!!! @CoachSark @_delconte,” Campbell wrote.
Maguire initially doubted that Sarkisian’s remarks were directed at his program, but after considering the details, he decided to issue the challenge.
“I said there’s no way they’re talking about us because Sark’s a pretty tough guy,” Maguire explained. “I would think if he was talking about us, he’d call us out.”
“… They can come to Lubbock Week 1, and we can figure out if their 2’s and 3’s can win this conference,” he added.
Electrical workers at BHP’s Port Hedland bulk port terminal are preparing to vote on potential work stoppages after half a year of unsuccessful contract negotiations with company management, according to a Friday statement from the Electrical Trades Union.
The union characterized the six-month negotiation period as involving company representatives who either lacked authority to reach agreements or showed unwillingness to engage in meaningful discussions.
According to the union, workers are attempting to address major inequalities in their employment terms, as they were brought on under vastly different common-law contracts through two distinct legal entities that are both controlled by BHP.
The Electrical Trades Union represents over 70,000 electricians, apprentices and electrical workers throughout Australia, based on information from the organization’s website.
Workers are also pursuing clear job classifications and advancement criteria, along with equal compensation for employees doing identical work.
“Union members are left to resort to protected industrial action as the only way forward when BHP managers fail to negotiate after multiple meetings,” stated Electrical Trades Union WA Secretary Adam Woodage.
Woodage further noted that BHP workers throughout the Pilbara region have experienced a consistent pattern of conduct that has made lawful protected industrial action their sole remaining option.
Port Hedland ranks among the world’s largest iron ore loading facilities and stands as Australia’s biggest such port. The facility connects to several BHP mining operations throughout the Pilbara region.
BHP has not yet provided a response to Reuters’ request for comment.
A major pharmaceutical partnership was announced Friday as Pfizer and Chinese biotechnology company Innovent Biologics revealed a comprehensive licensing and collaboration agreement valued at up to $10.5 billion for developing 12 experimental cancer treatments.
The financial structure includes an immediate $650 million payment to Innovent, with an additional $9.85 billion possible through development, regulatory approval, and sales milestone achievements.
The collaboration focuses on a collection of antibody-drug conjugates featuring novel differentiated payloads and multi-specific antibodies, incorporating eight early-stage assets originated by Innovent and four discovery programs proposed by Pfizer.
According to the agreement terms, Innovent will spearhead the development of all 12 programs through Phase 1 clinical testing, after which Pfizer will assume responsibility for worldwide development activities.
The partnership operates through three distinct tiers. Four programs will involve joint development and commercialization, with shared profits in the United States and Europe while Innovent maintains rights in Greater China.
For an additional four programs, Pfizer obtains exclusive licensing rights outside Greater China, while securing exclusive global licensing and assuming all worldwide development expenses for the final four programs.
Innovent confirmed in an exchange filing that the company, along with its wholly-owned subsidiaries Innovent Biologics (Suzhou) and Fortvita Biologics (USA), has entered into this agreement with Pfizer.
Samsung Electronics announced Friday that it has commenced distribution of sample units for its newest high-bandwidth memory technology, the 12-layer HBM4E chip, which the company describes as the industry’s inaugural shipment of this advanced product type.
The technology giant from South Korea reported that this latest chip delivers performance speeds exceeding 20% compared to earlier HBM4 generation products.
According to Samsung, the chip incorporates the company’s newest 1c DRAM process technology, which represents sixth-generation 10-nanometer-class DRAM, combined with Samsung’s 4-nanometer foundry logic base die technology.
The manufacturer had announced in April its intention to deliver initial HBM4E chip samples during the second quarter.
This development follows just three months after Samsung initiated shipments of its HBM4 chips to clients in February, highlighting the company’s push to solidify its standing in the emerging AI memory sector through early distribution of cutting-edge product samples.
Among Samsung’s client base are prominent AI industry leaders including AMD, Nvidia and Google, as market demand continues growing for sophisticated memory chips utilized in AI servers and processing units.
Drivers traveling westbound on Route 4 will encounter a lane closure due to ongoing construction work in the area.
The right turn lane on westbound Route 4 is currently closed from Route 273 to Salem Church Road as crews continue their construction activities. The closure is expected to last until 5 a.m.
Motorists are advised to plan for potential delays and consider alternate routes if possible during the construction period.
Motorists traveling southbound on Route 13 are encountering intermittent lane restrictions due to ongoing construction work.
The lane closures are affecting the stretch of highway between Lorewood Grove Road and Biddles Toll Plaza, with work scheduled to continue until 5 a.m.
Drivers should expect potential delays and are advised to use alternate routes when possible or allow extra travel time when using this section of the highway.
Motorists traveling on Interstate 495 northbound should expect delays this morning as construction crews have closed the left lane at the Interstate 95 and Interstate 495 split.
The lane closure is part of ongoing construction work in the area and is expected to remain in effect until 5 a.m.
Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time and use caution when approaching the work zone. Traffic may be slower than usual during the closure period.
Authorities from the Delaware State Police and Delaware Department of Justice have launched an investigation into a custody death that occurred at Troop 3 in Camden.
Officers were dispatched to a Misty Way home in Hartly around 8:00 p.m. on May 27, 2026, responding to reports of domestic violence. Before law enforcement arrived at the scene, they received word that the suspect, 49-year-old Shane Mullen of Hartly, had fled the location driving his girlfriend’s car. Mullen was wanted on an outstanding felony domestic violence warrant from a May 22, 2026 incident at the same address. Officers also learned he had allegedly attacked his girlfriend again that evening. As ground units searched for Mullen, the Delaware State Police Aviation Unit spotted the vehicle and began a chase. The pursuit traveled through Maryland before returning to Delaware and concluding back at the Misty Way residence. Mullen initially would not exit the vehicle when ordered. After eventually getting out, he continued to disobey police commands. Officers released a police dog, which Mullen attacked before being apprehended.
Medical personnel took Mullen to a local hospital to treat injuries from the dog bite, and he was later discharged.
After his hospital release on the morning of May 28, 2026, officers brought him to Troop 3 where he faced multiple charges.
The charges included:
• 5th Offense Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (Felony) • Resisting Arrest with Force or Violence (Felony) • Disregarding a Police Officer Signal (Felony) • Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle • Assault Second Degree on Law Enforcement Animal • Offensive Touching • Breach of Release – 2 counts • Traffic Charges
Additional charges related to the May 22, 2026 incident included:
• Strangulation (Felony) • Assault Third Degree • Breach of Release
Security cameras recorded Mullen alone in a temporary holding cell at Troop 3, where he used a shoelace to hang himself. Officers discovered Mullen and immediately began life-saving measures, but he was declared dead shortly afterward.
Given the circumstances of the death, the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit has taken over the case, working alongside the Delaware Department of Justice’s Division of Civil Rights and Public Trust.
After the investigation concludes, the Delaware State Police’s Office of Professional Responsibility will conduct its own review of the incident.
Crime victims, witnesses, or those who have lost loved ones to sudden death can receive help through the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit and Delaware Victim Center, which provides 24-hour support via a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). The Victim Services Unit can also be reached by email at [email protected].
SAO PAULO (AP) — The United States State Department revealed Thursday its decision to classify two major Brazilian criminal organizations as foreign terrorist groups, a designation that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has consistently characterized as meddling designed to benefit his political opponent, Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, before October’s presidential race.
Prior to the elections, allies of former President Jair Bolsonaro and supporters of his son’s presidential campaign have pushed for this classification of the two organizations — First Command of the Capital, or PCC, and Red Command, or CV — while criticizing Lula for inadequately confronting these criminal networks.
Experts estimate that both organizations together likely contain more than 50,000 members, and note that most of their international ties are with Europe rather than North America.
Classifying Latin American criminal cartels as foreign terrorist groups represents a tactic employed by Trump’s administration as it shifts toward military operations and other forceful measures to address drug trafficking throughout the Western Hemisphere, including conducting fatal boat attacks against those it terms “narcoterrorists” in Caribbean waters and the eastern Pacific Ocean.
“CV and PCC are two of the most violent criminal organizations in Brazil. Together, they command thousands of members and have orchestrated brutal attacks against Brazilian police officers, public officials, and civilians,” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated. “Their influence and illicit networks extend far beyond Brazil’s borders, across our region and into our country.”
“Today’s action taken by the State Department further demonstrates the Trump Administration’s unwavering commitment to dismantling cartels and criminal organizations in our region and ensuring the safety of the American people,” he continued. The classification becomes effective June 5. Until that date, both organizations will be listed as specially designated global terrorists.
Lula, who is campaigning for reelection while attempting to strengthen his anti-crime reputation, has publicly rejected labeling criminals as terrorists, while Bolsonaro’s congressional allies have openly encouraged Trump to take stronger action against the gangs.
Also Thursday, Brazilian prosecutors initiated a large-scale operation to break up fraud, money laundering and tax evasion schemes, representing the newest phase of an investigation focused on criminal gangs including the PCC and CV.
Lula’s special adviser for foreign affairs and former foreign minister Celso Amorim became the first official to publicly respond to Rubio’s announcement.
“Public security is a key topic for social economic development. Organized crime is an evil that must be fought. International cooperation is welcome, especially in matters of money laundering and arms trade. (But) pretext for intervention is unacceptable,” Amorim stated.
Public security is expected to become a divisive issue in Brazil’s presidential elections, when Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, chosen as the former president’s successor, competes against Lula. The 71-year-old Jair Bolsonaro is ineligible to run due to serving his 27-year prison term for orchestrating a coup attempt.
Experts have noted that neither Jair Bolsonaro nor Lula achieved significant success in combating the two criminal organizations, though Brazil’s federal police and prosecutors have executed multiple raids targeting them in recent years. Authorities achieved a significant victory against the PCC in August by destroying portions of its money laundering operation that involved gas stations, perfume shops and even a financial services company located on one of Sao Paulo’s major streets.
Brazil’s federal police reported that their operation, called Hidden Carbon, discovered companies connected to the PCC had laundered at least 6 billion reals ($1.1 billion) in recent years.
Political analyst Thomas Traumann describes Rubio’s action as “the Trump administration trying to meddle in the election after a request by Flávio Bolsonaro during his trip to Washington.”
“Flávio Bolsonaro’s campaign was hit by his problematic businesses with a corrupted banker, he came to the Trump administration to ask for some help and he got this one,” Traumann explained. “Lula’s best moment in the polls was after Trump imposed tariffs against Brazil and he revived a narrative on national sovereignty. It is likely he will do it again.”
Brazil’s president did not respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press. Sen. Bolsonaro has not yet commented on the decision.
A federal judge conducted an extramarital relationship with a senior police officer — including engaging in sexual activity within courthouse chambers during working hours that court staff could hear — and initially denied the conduct before ultimately receiving only a confidential reprimand while staying in position, according to a judicial system investigation.
The 11th Judicial Circuit’s Judicial Council, covering Alabama, Florida and Georgia, issued a February ruling ordering the private reprimand. The United States Judicial Conference’s Committee on Judicial Conduct and Disability upheld that decision last week. Authorities did not reveal the judge’s identity or specific courthouse location within the circuit.
While federal judges serve lifetime appointments, they face potential disciplinary measures including censure, public or private reprimands, and temporary case suspensions. Congressional impeachment represents the only removal method.
The investigation determined the judge and the unnamed officer engaged in “sexual intercourse in the judge’s chambers during business hours within hearing distance of staff” and that the judge attended a partisan political gathering. Initially, the judge called these claims “outrageous” and rejected them entirely.
When deciding on the confidential reprimand that protected the judge’s anonymity, the committee considered that the judge withdrew her false denials. The committee also determined the judge would probably not repeat such behavior, noting the relationship had ended and the judge promised to avoid partisan political activities going forward. The committee additionally weighed the judge’s “otherwise exemplary service to the court.”
“Although the special committee is deeply troubled by the conduct in which the judge engaged, the Subject Judge has demonstrated a strong propensity for rehabilitation and continued diligent service to the judiciary,” the committee’s report says.
Lester Tate, an attorney who frequently represents Georgia judges facing state judicial system misconduct charges, characterized the penalty as a “slap on the wrist.”
“I’m shocked that there was not a more severe punishment for the false statements that were made by this judge during the course of the investigation,” he said, adding that he always advises his clients that it is best to tell the truth.
Someone with a lifetime appointment who judges others must be truthful about their own shortcomings, and most people would probably consider “being held up for a little public scorn” fitting in this situation, Tate said.
The investigation began when one of the judge’s law clerks reported the judge had participated in sexual conduct with an officer repeatedly in the judicial office. Additional allegations included improper clerk supervision and an incident where the judge shouted and used profanity toward staff members.
William Pryor, the 11th Circuit’s chief judge, requested the judge address these allegations. The judge responded immediately and “specifically denied” every claim. In a subsequent email the following day, the judge suggested to Pryor that the law clerk might have fabricated the allegations as revenge for mandatory office work requirements. Pryor formed a special investigative committee.
The committee’s examination of entry logs and security recordings revealed an officer had regularly visited the judge’s chambers wearing uniform during lunch periods. Six clerks recalled observing someone matching the officer’s appearance, with three remembering hearing what could have been sexual activity from the judge’s office.
Three clerks remembered bringing summer interns on their initial day to observe the judge conducting a criminal case hearing. Immediately afterward, they informed the committee, the judge refused to have lunch with the interns, admitting to consuming too many martinis the previous evening at a primary election celebration for a district attorney friend.
The clerks reported the judge failed to provide adequate guidance and “rarely, if ever, substantively edited civil orders the clerks drafted.” While clerks described an “eggshell culture,” the committee found no evidence of abusive conduct.
The judge eventually confessed to maintaining an extramarital sexual relationship with the officer but rejected the staff mistreatment allegations, the committee documented. The judge acknowledged attending a “mixer” for former district attorney’s office employees, where the judge previously worked, but claimed it occurred in a separate room from the victory celebration.
The judge also agreed to compose apology letters to six former law clerks, decline the district chief judge position when eligible, and avoid serving on any Judicial Conference committees.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. — The contrast couldn’t be more striking for retired striker Jozy Altidore as he visited the newly opened U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Georgia. The $250 million facility spanning 200 acres with 19 fields stands in sharp contrast to where his 2014 squad used to recover in a plastic cold tub positioned on pavement outside Stanford’s Cagan Stadium in California.
“This is the culmination, right?” Altidore remarked Thursday. “This is what I’m sure past players strived to want to be a part of.”
The transformation of American soccer infrastructure has been dramatic as the nation gears up to host the World Cup next month. Sunil Gulati, who later served as U.S. Soccer Federation president, remembered having to purchase soccer balls from a Kmart on the day of a scrimmage in Colorado Springs, Colorado. That 1985 match featured players competing for roster spots for the FIFA Under-16 World Championship, and sprinklers even activated during the game.
Training conditions improved gradually over the decades. Before the 1994 World Cup, the Americans used a $3.5 million, seven-acre site that opened in 1993 in Mission Viejo, California. The team later utilized a Chula Vista, California facility for the 1998 tournament, followed by training in Cary, North Carolina for both 2002 and 2006. Princeton hosted preparations in 2010, with Stanford serving as the base in 2014.
More recently, the national squad conducted practices at Major League Soccer club facilities. The current training center, which officially opened May 7, received a $50 million founding donation from Arthur Bank, who owns both the Atlanta Falcons and an MLS franchise. Construction took place on former cattle grazing land approximately 25 miles from Atlanta, and the facility now serves all 27 U.S. national teams.
“It’s nice to have the first rights of everything that you want to do here,” explained midfielder Tyler Adams, who captained the American squad at the 2022 World Cup. “Whenever you train at an MLS facility or something like that, it’s their facility. You’re a guest.”
The complex features 13 regulation-size natural grass fields across three tiers, plus two additional artificial turf surfaces, two sand fields for beach soccer, and two indoor pitches. The USSF relocated its headquarters from Chicago to this center, which contains 20 locker rooms, 19 conference spaces, a 10,000-square-foot fitness center, and a kitchen with adjoining dining space.
Administrative offices occupy the second level, with some providing views of the primary training fields where the World Cup squad has been practicing.
“From my office, you can see the grass. It’s the first time I’ve ever been excited to see grass grow,” said USSF CEO JT Batson.
The USSF studied international models during development, including England’s St. Georges Park and France’s national team training center at Clairefontaine.
Team members are lodging at a hotel in the neighboring community of Trilith. This region has experienced rapid development following the establishment of Trilith Studios, a film and television production facility where Marvel Studios creates its movies.
Defender Chris Richards will join the group last, arriving Friday after staying with Crystal Palace for Wednesday’s UEFA Conference League final in Germany.
World Cup roster players observed the women’s under-16 squad during Wednesday’s training session.
“They can see the first team and how they move and how the operate and that’s the goal of where they want to end up,” Adams noted. “As a youth national team player, if I could have ever had the opportunity to be even close to the senior team, that would have been really special because that’s your dream.”
DENALI NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE, Alaska — Emergency teams are working to locate four mountaineers who tumbled down Alaska’s Mount McKinley, the continent’s highest mountain, according to Thursday reports from the National Park Service.
Officials have not determined the status of the fallen climbers after the incident was reported to park rangers during overnight hours, with rescue teams waiting for favorable weather to deploy helicopters to the location, according to an agency announcement. The mountaineers were members of a seven-person expedition.
The remaining three team members provided assistance to those who had fallen before heading back to their base location, the announcement states. The accident happened close to Denali Pass, at approximately 18,200 feet (5,547 meters). The climbing party retreated to what’s called high camp at roughly 17,000 feet (5,181 meters), the announcement states. McKinley reaches approximately 20,310 feet (6,190 meters).
Throughout the years, numerous mountaineering accidents and fatalities have taken place on the route connecting high camp and Denali Pass, primarily due to falls without proper safety equipment, the park reports.
Park officials and mountaineering instructors set up and service snow pickets — devices used to create anchoring systems for additional safety on challenging terrain like steep inclines — along the route from high camp to Denali Pass, according to the park. Mountaineers are encouraged to carry their own pickets should the safety equipment installed by officials and instructors be absent or covered by snowfall.
The park service reported that atmospheric conditions on the peak were getting better and would allow helicopter rescue missions shortly. The department did not provide immediate responses to requests for additional details.
A standard mountaineering period for Mount McKinley starts in late April and runs through mid-July, the park states. Officials could not immediately confirm the current number of climbers attempting the ascent.
On Wednesday, two different climbers were airlifted from the mountain by helicopter at approximately 11 p.m. in an unrelated emergency, though park officials stated they had no further details to provide.
Major League Baseball has put forward a salary cap proposal during ongoing labor negotiations with the players’ union, as the current collective bargaining agreement approaches its December 1st deadline at 11:59 p.m. ET.
The league announced Thursday its intention to implement a $245.3 million salary cap that would include benefits, marking the first time since 1994 that baseball has pushed for such spending restrictions. This proposal comes one day after the players’ association presented its opening position in negotiations.
Data from Spotrac.com indicates the proposed cap falls below current spending levels for eight teams in the 2026 season, including the New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres and Atlanta Braves when taxes are included.
Along with the spending ceiling, the league also suggested establishing a $171.2 million salary floor, which would force 12 teams to boost their current payroll commitments according to Spotrac’s analysis.
The proposal includes increasing players’ revenue share to 50%, which the league argues would benefit athletes given that revenues have grown 247% since 2003 while player salaries have risen 149% during the same period.
“Our salary cap and floor proposal levels the playing field while sharing baseball revenue with the players 50/50 as we grow the game together,” MLB spokesman Glen Caplin said in a statement. “Further, by sharing media revenue equally as part of our proposal, we can address another top fan concern of local TV blackouts. We look forward to working with the MLBPA during the bargaining process to continue improving the game for the fans.”
The players’ union expressed concerns about returning to the contentious atmosphere of 1994, when a mid-season strike ultimately led to the cancellation of the World Series and continued until the start of the 1995 campaign.
“Yesterday, the MLBPA presented a comprehensive package of proposals designed to improve compensation for players at all levels, and to incentivize and reward competition on the field,” interim MLBPA executive director Bruce Meyer said in a statement.
“The owners responded today with a demand for a salary cap system, something generations of players have fought against. The last time the owners made such an explicit push for a cap — over 30 years ago — it led to the longest work stoppage in MLB history… Caps don’t lower ticket prices for fans, eliminate tanking or ensure teams are run with equal competence. They suffocate competition by offering owners an all-purpose excuse for inaction and mediocrity.”
During a Wednesday appearance on ESPN’s Pat McAfee Show, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred defended the ownership position by claiming it addresses fan concerns about competitive balance.
“We pay a lot of attention to what our fans are saying,” Manfred said. “The one thing that they’re the biggest on right now is the lack of competitive balance in the game. And I think that’s going to be the cornerstone issue of the negotiations with the MLBPA.”
Current season standings challenge this narrative, as four teams among the top 10 in payroll according to Spotrac — the Mets, Blue Jays, Houston Astros and Detroit Tigers — currently have losing records. In fact, 11 of the 18 highest-spending teams are performing below .500.
“We’ll continue our review of the owners’ proposal and stand ready to negotiate system improvements that benefit players and fans alike,” Meyer said.
Russia dismissed American warnings Thursday and restated its intention to carry out systematic attacks on Kyiv, despite harsh condemnation from the United States during a United Nations Security Council meeting.
The diplomatic confrontation occurred during a session that Ukraine requested following Moscow’s weekend assault involving hundreds of drones and missiles targeting Kyiv and surrounding regions.
The weekend attack featured deployment of a nuclear-capable Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile, marking at least the third instance Russia has used this weapon against Ukraine since November 2024.
Deputy U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Tammy Bruce denounced Sunday’s assault and described Russia’s deployment of the Oreshnik as “an inexplicable, dangerous and barbaric escalation” of the conflict that began with Russia’s comprehensive invasion in February 2022.
“We caution Russia not to mount so-called systematic strikes against Kyiv, which risk further civilian casualties and setting back the prospect of peace,” Bruce stated.
The weekend bombardment resulted in at least two civilian deaths and approximately 100 injuries, according to reports. Moscow claimed the attack was retaliation for a Ukrainian strike on a student dormitory in Donetsk, the eastern region seized by Moscow-backed separatists in 2014.
Bruce’s remarks represented some of the strongest condemnation of Russia from the Trump administration, which has typically adopted a more conciliatory approach toward Russia compared to most U.S. allies.
The deputy ambassador did not specify potential U.S. responses should Moscow proceed with its threatened “systemic strikes.”
Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia repeated Moscow’s claim that Sunday’s bombardment focused on crucial Ukrainian military and intelligence installations and renewed Russia’s commitment to strike “decision-making centers and command posts.”
“Since the above facilities are dispersed throughout Kyiv, we warned foreign citizens, including the staff of diplomatic missions and offices of international organizations, about the need to leave the city as soon as possible,” he stated.
U.N. Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari expressed that the United Nations was “deeply concerned” about Russia’s promised “consistent and systemic strikes” against targets in Kyiv.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Thursday that America plans to classify two Brazilian criminal organizations, PCC and Comando Vermelho, as “Foreign Terrorist Organizations” beginning June 5.
Brazil’s Lula administration has worked to prevent these classifications, fearing they could create opportunities for U.S. military intervention in Brazil or lead to sanctions against financial institutions that inadvertently conduct business with gang members.
Although the Foreign Terrorist Organization classification is scheduled to begin in June, the State Department immediately labeled both groups as “Specially Designated Global Terrorists” on Thursday, according to Rubio’s statement.
Rubio characterized these organizations as among Brazil’s “most violent criminal organizations” with influence and networks that span the region and reach into American territory.
“The Trump Administration will continue to use all available tools to protect our nation and our national security interests by keeping illicit drugs off our streets and disrupting the revenue streams funding violent narco-terrorists,” Rubio stated.
