Above the countryside of western Ukraine, an interceptor drone shaped like a bullet plunged toward its objective while dozens of military personnel watched from below. Soldiers erupted in celebration as the aircraft successfully severed a cable connecting another drone to a balloon, sending it floating into the distance.
This week, Ukraine’s top military drone operators faced off in an unusual competition – not battling Russian forces, but competing against fellow pilots for recognition and advanced equipment for their respective units.
Unmanned aircraft have revolutionized warfare in Ukraine. Young soldiers operating explosive-laden strike drones through video game controllers – often from command posts well behind battle lines – have become a source of terror for opposing forces.
The “Wild Drones” competition took place in open fields near the resort community of Truskavets, bringing together operators from 19 of Ukraine’s premier units alongside manufacturers of frontline drone equipment.
“This is an opportunity for them to communicate with each other a little, to learn something or share something with someone, and to see from manufacturers what new products are available,” said “Grey”, the sergeant major of the Black Raven drone battalion of the 93rd Mechanized Brigade, an organizer of the event. He asked to be identified by his military call sign.
Ukraine has embraced the “gamification” of warfare. The previous year saw implementation of a scoring system for confirmed drone eliminations. Military units can exchange these points for gear through the armed forces’ DOT-Chain and Brave1 Market digital platforms, dubbed “Amazon for war”.
“It’s a bit like choosing a car. They all do different things,” said one soldier from the first battalion of the 22nd Separate Mechanized Brigade, who asked not to be identified.
Military leaders say this approach boosts soldier morale through competitive elements while ensuring top-performing pilots receive resources most effectively.
While Russia’s monetary reward system focuses on equipment destruction, Ukraine’s point structure also incentivizes targeting personnel, as Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov aims to inflict 50,000 casualties monthly on Moscow’s forces. Ukrainian officials estimate current Russian military deaths and serious injuries at approximately 35,000 per month, though Moscow disputes these numbers.
The competition, established two years prior, provided respite for participants who have served on the front since Russia’s 2022 invasion. The atmosphere remained casual, featuring barbecue meals and social gatherings, with some attendees accompanied by spouses and children.
Multiple officers reported their units maintain regular communication with drone producers to suggest enhancements.
“It’s a constant, ongoing process,” said “Dym”, the call sign of the commander of the about 400-strong Black Raven unit. “If we have one version of a drone today, in three months it could be a completely different drone.”
The expanding operational range of drones continues to widen the “Kill Zone” – presently extending roughly 15 kilometers (nine miles) on either side of battle lines – where personnel and vehicles face rapid drone strikes.
Multiple competitors noted that aircraft like the Vampire heavy bomber – manufactured by Ukrainian defense technology firm Skyfall – now transport food, water and medical equipment into dangerous areas to minimize human presence.
Category champions at the competition earned three Vampire drones along with batteries and operating systems.
A company representative, using the call sign “Ares”, stated Skyfall maintains capacity for producing over 10,000 drones daily while continuously incorporating battlefield feedback.
“The biggest demand is automisation, so fewer people can operate more drones,” he said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has rejected a German proposal for associate European Union membership, calling the plan unjust in a letter sent to top EU officials on Friday.
The German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had put forward the idea of allowing Ukraine to attend EU meetings without voting privileges as a transitional measure toward complete membership. Merz suggested this approach could help broker an agreement to conclude the four-year conflict that began with Russia’s invasion.
However, Zelenskiy argued in his correspondence, which Reuters obtained, that recent electoral changes removing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban – a strong critic of Ukraine’s EU bid – now open the door for meaningful advancement in membership discussions.
“It would be unfair for Ukraine to be present in the European Union, but remain voiceless,” Zelenskiy wrote in his message. “The time is right to move forward with Ukraine’s membership in a full and meaningful way.”
The Ukrainian leader directed his letter to European Council President Antonio Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, who currently holds the rotating EU Council presidency.
In his correspondence, Zelenskiy expressed gratitude to European officials for their wartime assistance and emphasized Ukraine’s role as a shield protecting the entire 27-member union from Russian attacks.
“We are defending Europe – fully, not partially, and not with half-measures,” he stated. “Ukraine deserves a fair approach and equal rights within Europe.”
Japan’s Trade Minister Ryosei Akazawa confirmed Saturday that he engaged in an informal conversation with China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao during international meetings, though he emphasized no official bilateral discussions took place between the two nations.
The Japanese official made his comments to media representatives following his participation in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation ministerial sessions held in Suzhou, located in eastern China.
This interaction represents the most significant contact at the senior official level between Japan and China since tensions between the countries escalated in November.
“Before the dinner began on Friday, I approached Minister Wang and had a brief conversation,” Akazawa stated, explaining that he couldn’t provide specifics since the exchange involved diplomatic matters.
According to Kyodo news agency, Akazawa had expressed hope on Friday that he might have the chance to address various topics with Wang should the circumstances allow.
When asked whether Japan had made an official request for bilateral meetings, a trade ministry representative chose not to provide comment.
Any formal meeting between Akazawa and his Chinese counterpart would have represented the most substantial diplomatic engagement since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sparked the current dispute by stating that a theoretical Chinese military action against Taiwan might prompt a Japanese response.
Following those remarks, Beijing implemented various countermeasures, including advising Chinese nationals against traveling to Japan and restricting exports of certain rare earth materials essential for manufacturing electric vehicles, military equipment and other goods.
While participating in the APEC ministerial sessions, Akazawa urged countries that export materials to address unreasonable restrictions on rare earth exports, though he refrained from identifying specific nations, according to the ministry representative.
China has blocked Japan’s access to multiple heavy rare earth elements and other critical materials for a minimum of four months, timing that aligns with the diplomatic disagreement and indicates Beijing may be leveraging its mineral resources for diplomatic purposes.
Tampa Bay mounted a decisive four-run rally in the eighth inning to defeat the New York Yankees 4-2 on Friday night, overshadowing what had been an impressive comeback performance by Gerrit Cole in his return from reconstructive elbow surgery.
The Rays capitalized on defensive miscues by the Yankees’ infield during their explosive eighth-inning surge, scoring four times against relievers Tim Hill and Camilo Doval in just six at-bats to turn a close game into a 4-1 advantage.
With the victory, Tampa Bay maintained their perfect record against New York this season at 4-0 while extending their division lead in the AL East to 5 1/2 games. The win marked the Rays’ fifth consecutive victory and their 22nd triumph in 26 contests.
Cole delivered a solid performance in his first outing since facing the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 5 of the World Series on Oct. 30, 2024. The right-handed pitcher surrendered just two hits across six innings while recording two strikeouts and issuing three walks.
Braves 5, Nationals 4 (11 innings)
Chadwick Tromp delivered clutch hitting in extra innings, first tying the game with a single in the 10th before delivering the winning hit in the 11th to give Atlanta victory over visiting Washington.
Tyler Kinley (4-2) pitched a flawless 11th inning as Atlanta captured its fourth consecutive win. Austin Riley and Mauricio Dubon each collected three hits in the victory.
Washington got home runs from CJ Abrams and Curtis Mead but dropped their fourth game in six tries. Paxton Schultz (0-2) surrendered Tromp’s game-winning hit.
Blue Jays 6, Pirates 2
Kevin Gausman dominated with eight strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings as Toronto defeated visiting Pittsburgh to extend their winning streak to three games.
Gausman (4-3) surrendered one run on six hits to earn his first victory in five outings. Louis Varland closed out the final six batters for his seventh save. Yohendrick Pinango and George Springer contributed two-run doubles, while Ernie Clement and Jesus Sanchez hit back-to-back doubles in the eighth.
Pittsburgh committed three defensive errors, including two in the third inning that helped Toronto score three runs. Bubba Chandler (1-6) struck out a career-high 11 batters while allowing three runs (one earned) on two hits across five innings. Brandon Lowe recorded two hits and scored twice.
Astros 4, Cubs 2
Christian Vazquez powered Houston’s offense with a home run, single and two RBIs as the visiting Astros defeated Chicago in their series opener.
Houston starter Spencer Arrighetti (6-1) held Chicago scoreless through five innings, allowing just two hits. The victory came after the Astros had managed only six runs total in their previous four games, losing three of them.
Cubs right-hander Jameson Taillon (2-4) gave up four runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings. Pete Crow-Armstrong homered for Chicago, which extended their losing streak to six games and dropped 10 of 12.
Guardians 1, Phillies 0
Pinch hitter Kyle Manzardo connected for a ninth-inning home run off Jhoan Duran, giving visiting Cleveland their seventh straight victory over Philadelphia.
Gavin Williams (7-3) was dominant through eight innings, striking out 11 without issuing a walk while allowing four hits. Cade Smith earned his 17th save as Cleveland’s pitching staff overcame an offense that managed just four hits against Cristopher Sanchez.
Sanchez threw eight scoreless innings, extending his shutout streak to 37 2/3 consecutive innings — the longest by a Philadelphia pitcher since at least 1920. However, Duran (1-2) surrendered the decisive homer to Manzardo.
Rockies 3, Diamondbacks 2
Chad Stevens came through with the go-ahead single with one out in the ninth inning, helping Colorado secure victory over Arizona in Phoenix.
Stevens’ first hit of the season and third of his career drove home Sterlin Thompson with the winning run as Colorado snapped a three-game skid. TJ Rumfield had tied the game for the Rockies with a double in the eighth.
Arizona’s Lourdes Gurriel Jr. drove in two runs before leaving in the sixth inning with left hamstring tightness. The Diamondbacks surrendered a 2-0 lead and saw their season-best five-game winning streak come to an end.
White Sox 9, Giants 4
Munetaka Murakami capped a nine-run fourth inning with a bases-clearing double, while Davis Martin cruised to his fifth straight win as Chicago prevailed at San Francisco.
Andrew Benintendi added a two-run double and Sam Antonacci, the major league leader in hit-by-pitches, was plunked twice and scored twice in the same inning, helping Chicago win their ninth game in 12 tries. Martin (7-1) allowed four runs in 5 2/3 innings.
Trevor McDonald (2-1) was charged with seven runs in 3 2/3 innings as San Francisco dropped their fourth straight. Luis Arraez had an RBI single among his two hits.
Twins 8, Red Sox 6
Byron Buxton and Austin Martin launched two-run homers in the seventh inning as visiting Minnesota rallied for victory over Boston to open their three-game series.
The Twins overcame deficits of 4-0 and 6-3 to win behind their four-run seventh, tagging Boston reliever Justin Slaten (0-2) for his first earned runs of the season. Buxton and Martin each went 2-for-5 and combined for five RBIs. Travis Adams (1-0) pitched two innings of relief.
Wilyer Abreu (2-for-5) and Nick Sogard (2-for-3) both collected multiple hits for Boston.
Orioles 7, Tigers 4
Jackson Holliday’s first hit in three games since his season debut this week was a two-run go-ahead homer in the fourth inning, leading Baltimore past visiting Detroit in their series opener.
Pete Alonso launched a three-run homer and finished with four RBIs as Baltimore ended a three-game losing streak to begin a 10-game homestand. Gunnar Henderson collected three hits while Holliday, Adley Rutschman and Leody Taveras each had two hits.
Kevin McGonigle homered for Detroit, which suffered its seventh consecutive loss. Hao-Yu Lee had two hits and two RBIs. Jack Flaherty (0-6) surrendered six runs (three earned) on eight hits in 3 1/3 innings.
Marlins 2, Mets 1
Owen Caissie drove in two runs and Jakob Marsee made two spectacular catches in center field for host Miami, which edged New York in their series opener.
Eury Perez (3-6) and three relievers combined on a three-hitter for Miami, which ended a three-game losing streak. New York has dropped three of four. Perez allowed two hits over 6 1/3 innings.
Juan Soto blasted a 449-foot homer to right-center in the first inning before adding a single in the fourth. Mets opener Tobias Myers gave up one hit in his first start of the season.
Padres 7, Athletics 3
Ramon Laureano broke a tie with a home run in the bottom of the seventh inning as San Diego defeated visiting Oakland in their series opener.
Laureano worked a full count against Jeffrey Springs (3-5) before crushing a changeup an estimated 401 feet to left field for his sixth homer of the year. The blast made a winner of reliever Adrian Morejon (4-1), who worked 1 1/3 perfect innings with three strikeouts.
Springs allowed only three hits — all home runs — and four runs in 6 1/3 innings. San Diego starter Walker Buehler received a no-decision after giving up five hits and three runs in five innings.
Mariners 2, Royals 0
Mitch Garver clubbed a two-run homer in the seventh inning, after Logan Gilbert pitched effectively into the sixth, and visiting Seattle edged struggling Kansas City.
Gilbert allowed two hits and never faced serious trouble over 5 2/3 innings. Kansas City starter Noah Cameron matched Gilbert’s effectiveness, allowing four hits and tying a career high with eight strikeouts while throwing 96 pitches over six strong innings.
Seattle managed just five hits, but Garver and Julio Rodriguez each had two. Gilbert, Eduard Bazardo (3-2), Matt Brash and Andres Munoz (nine saves) combined to allow just four hits and strike out 10 Kansas City batters, who have scored 28 runs while losing 10 of 11.
Brewers 5, Dodgers 1
William Contreras established the tone with an early three-run homer and Logan Henderson threw five innings of two-hit ball to lead Milwaukee past visiting Los Angeles in the opener between division leaders.
Milwaukee, coming off a Cubs sweep, has won 12 of 14 to reach the top of the NL Central. The NL West-leading Dodgers had won five of six on their current road trip. It marked the first meeting since Los Angeles swept Milwaukee in last season’s NLCS.
Henderson (2-1) allowed two singles in five innings. Los Angeles, which managed just three hits, scored an unearned run in the seventh on Shohei Ohtani’s sacrifice fly. Milwaukee jumped on Justin Wrobleski (6-2) for four runs on six hits in a 10-batter, 38-pitch first inning.
Angels 9, Rangers 6
Zach Neto hit two home runs and Anaheim native Wade Meckler homered in his first career Angels at-bat, a three-run shot, leading Los Angeles past Texas in Anaheim, Calif.
Oswald Peraza went 3-for-4 with a homer as Los Angeles snapped a three-game losing streak. Grayson Rodriguez (1-1) earned his first win since 2024 after allowing four runs on seven hits over 5 2/3 innings.
Brandon Nimmo homered, doubled and drove in two runs while Danny Jansen also went deep for Texas, which had won three of four. Jacob deGrom (3-4) was tagged for six runs on six hits in three innings.
ACERRA, Italy — Grieving families in a contaminated region surrounding Naples gathered Saturday to meet with Pope Leo XIV during his pastoral visit, bringing decades of sorrow, frustration and pleas for accountability following the deaths of their children from cancer connected to organized crime’s massive toxic waste disposal operations.
The papal visit to the region known as Terra dei Fuochi, or Land of Fires, occurred just before the 11th anniversary of Pope Francis’ major environmental encyclical Laudato Si (Praised Be), demonstrating Leo’s commitment to continuing his predecessor’s focus on ecological issues.
Last year, the European Court of Human Rights confirmed residents’ longstanding claims that criminal organizations’ dumping, burying and incineration of hazardous materials resulted in higher cancer rates and other health problems across 90 municipalities near Caserta and Naples, affecting 2.9 million people.
The court determined that Italian officials had been aware of the contamination since 1988, attributing it to the Camorra crime organization that oversees waste management, yet failed to implement adequate measures to safeguard residents’ health. The legally binding decision granted Italy two years to establish a toxic waste database and document health hazards for area residents.
The pontiff traveled to Acerra to meet families who have lost young family members to cancer, representing the human toll of environmental contamination. Bishop Antonio Di Donna calculated that 150 young people have perished in the city of approximately 58,000 during the last 30 years.
“We very much wanted the pope to meet with them because these children and young people who have died are, to all intents and purposes, victims of environmental pollution. There is a link, a correlation between pollution and the incidence of cancer,” Di Donna said.
Among those lost was Maria Venturato, who succumbed to cancer in 2016 at age 25. Her father Angelo expressed his desire to speak with the pope about their circumstances, “not for me … for the next generation.”
“I’d like to give these young people a future, so I’m asking for the pope’s help with this. That is, I’m making a strong appeal to him to go to those in power and say, ‘Look, let’s heal this land of fires,’” he said.
Filomena Carolla intends to give the pope a memorial book documenting the life of her daughter, Tina De Angelis, who died of cancer at 24.
“I’m just angry at the people who poisoned the soil, because what did our children have to do with it? What did they have to do with it, so young,” Carolla said.
Francis’ original plans to visit the region in 2020 were postponed due to the pandemic.
Friday brought news that appears to resolve the most pressing question surrounding the United States World Cup team selection, as The Athletic reported that Gio Reyna has secured a place on the squad.
The 23-year-old midfielder possesses considerable technical ability, but his selection by coach Mauricio Pochettino has sparked debate given his injury-plagued career, poor recent club performance, and previous behavioral concerns with the national squad.
This season has been particularly disappointing for Reyna, who earned only four starting positions and participated in a mere 19 matches while playing for Borussia Monchengladbach. His offensive production was minimal, recording a single goal with zero assists.
His career included six seasons with German club Borussia Dortmund, plus a short loan period at England’s Nottingham Forest. Following a productive 2020-21 campaign where he started 23 matches and contributed four goals plus five assists for Dortmund, injuries severely reduced his availability in subsequent seasons.
While Reyna has netted nine goals across 36 appearances for the U.S. men’s national team, his most notable headlines may have stemmed from his limited role during the 2022 World Cup. Reports indicated he nearly faced removal from that tournament’s roster due to his negative response to being relegated to reserve status.
Another significant development in the reported roster involves the exclusion of Real Salt Lake midfielder Diego Luna. The 22-year-old has scored four times in 18 national team matches and earned recognition for his tenacious style, exemplified when he continued playing in last year’s Costa Rica friendly despite suffering a broken nose.
Several players who faced uncertain selection prospects ultimately secured roster spots according to the report, including Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Turner, Toulouse center back Mark McKenzie, and Leeds United winger Brenden Aaronson.
Sebastian Berhalter, age 25, is the son of former USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter.
Pochettino plans to announce the complete 26-player roster during a Tuesday ceremony in New York.
The National Weather Service office in Mount Holly, New Jersey has issued an advisory warning of dangerous rip current conditions affecting coastal areas.
The safety alert went into effect early this morning at 2:24 AM and will remain active until 8:00 PM today, May 23rd.
Beachgoers are urged to exercise extreme caution when entering ocean waters during this period, as rip currents pose serious risks to swimmers of all skill levels.
Rip currents are powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water that can quickly pull swimmers away from shore and into deeper waters.
Weather authorities have put a high surf advisory into effect for coastal areas, warning residents and beachgoers of potentially dangerous wave conditions.
The advisory went into effect at 2:24 AM on May 23rd and will continue until 8:00 AM on May 24th, according to the National Weather Service Mount Holly office in New Jersey.
The warning indicates that wave heights and surf conditions could pose risks to those near the shoreline during this timeframe.
ISHØJ, Denmark (AP) — A Danish artist who specializes in creating sculptures from recycled materials has spent more than ten years placing giant wooden troll figures across the globe. Thomas Dambo has constructed nearly 200 of these creations spanning 19 nations.
The former hip-hop performer and poet is now moving his fairy tale-inspired works indoors for his inaugural museum exhibition.
“The Garbage Man” exhibition at the Arken Museum of Contemporary Art, located outside Copenhagen, presents a narrative about playful trolls who secretly enter the museum, assume control, and transform the space.
“They build and leave a giant human made of trash … as a lesson for the humans to behave better and don’t put their trash where everybody else lives,” Dambo explained from his workspace near Denmark’s capital city.
The 46-year-old creator began installing his troll sculptures in 2014 when he constructed two pieces for a music festival in Denmark.
In 2016, he concealed six massive trolls throughout forested locations surrounding Copenhagen. This initiative became an internet sensation, attracting millions of online viewers.
“I was like, if I tell a story that combines them all, then when I’ve done this (for) 10 years, I will probably have made over 100 sculptures and … I have made the world into my stage,” he explained.
After twelve years of work, Dambo has completed nearly 200 sculptures. He and his crew construct approximately 25 new troll figures each year. His tallest creation, “Long Leif,” measures 13 meters (43 feet) in height and is located in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.
Typically, Dambo’s creations function as both treasure hunts and artistic displays. His storybook-inspired sculptures are positioned in remote locations including woodlands, mountainous regions, tropical areas, and meadows worldwide, with visitors able to locate them through a digital “Troll Map.”
Examples include “Little Lisa” concealed within a forest in Germany and “Happy Kim” relaxing in a botanical garden in South Korea.
Young visitors climb on the sculptures while adults marvel at discovering the trolls. Dambo calculates that approximately 5 million people encounter his works each year.
“The sculptures bring people out to experience things that they would otherwise have been too lazy or maybe not creative enough to go and visit,” he noted. “My trolls, they bring people to all these small, little corners of the world.”
Every troll created by Dambo features distinct naming and styling. In the Arken exhibition, launching Sunday and continuing through Nov. 29, his latest pieces draw inspiration from childhood companions.
These sculptures possess “personalities of a late teenage, young 20s type of group of boys that are causing havoc, and the type of gang that would break into a museum and fill it up with trash,” Dambo described.
While trolls frequently feature in Nordic legends, Dambo selected these mythological beings as a means to communicate themes about waste management and recycling.
The environmental artist’s sculptures consist almost completely of waste materials and abandoned items, including wooden shipping pallets, used furniture, and old whisky containers.
He explained that working within a museum setting allows him to incorporate materials unsuitable for outdoor conditions, such as abandoned electronics, cardboard, and clothing items in large quantities.
In one section, a troll called “Dyna Dee” rests atop a 6-meter (nearly 20-foot) pile of donated clothing from a neighborhood recycling group.
Dambo aims for museum attendees to depart with motivation to reduce their purchasing habits.
“It’s not really about recycling, it’s about you probably have enough clothes in your cabinet to wear for the rest of your life,” he stated. “This is not my recycling project, this is my stop buying stuff project.”
The aerospace company conducted a test launch of its most powerful Starship rocket to date on Friday from its Texas facility.
The massive rocket’s trial flight took place just two days following an announcement from the company’s CEO that the business would go public. According to the NASA Administrator, this test brings the Starship vehicle closer to future lunar missions.
The enhanced rocket represents the company’s largest and most advanced version of the spacecraft designed for deep space exploration.
Foreign nationals currently living in the United States who seek permanent residency will now be required to return to their home countries to complete the green card application process, according to a Friday announcement from the Trump administration.
The policy represents an unexpected reversal of established immigration procedures that have been in place for years.
Under the new requirements, individuals seeking permanent resident status can no longer complete their applications while remaining in the United States, marking a significant departure from previous practices.
WASHINGTON – Three months following President Donald Trump’s military campaign against Iran, questions emerge about whether battlefield successes can convert into meaningful strategic achievements.
Despite winning numerous tactical engagements, Trump now confronts a more complex challenge as Iran continues controlling the Strait of Hormuz while showing minimal willingness to compromise on nuclear issues, leaving the theocratic regime fundamentally unchanged.
Multiple analysts suggest Trump’s declarations of total success appear unconvincing as both nations navigate between uncertain diplomatic efforts and his intermittent threats to renew military strikes, which would likely trigger Iranian counterattacks throughout the region.
The president now risks a scenario where America and its Gulf Arab partners conclude the confrontation in a weaker position, while Iran, despite suffering military and economic damage, potentially gains increased influence after demonstrating its ability to disrupt one-fifth of global oil and gas flows.
Though the crisis continues, some experts suggest Trump might discover a face-saving resolution if negotiations develop favorably, while others anticipate a troubling post-conflict landscape.
“We’re three months in, and it’s looking like a war that was designed to be a short-term romp for Trump is turning into a long-term strategic failure,” said Aaron David Miller, a former Middle East negotiator for Republican and Democratic administrations.
This situation particularly concerns Trump, given his well-known aversion to appearing unsuccessful – a characterization he frequently applies to political rivals. In this Iranian crisis, he leads the world’s most powerful military against a secondary power that seemingly believes it holds advantages.
This predicament could make Trump, who hasn’t established clear end goals, more resistant to compromises that might appear as retreats from his maximum demands or resembling the 2015 Obama-era nuclear agreement with Iran that he abandoned during his first presidency, according to analysts.
White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales said the U.S. has “met or surpassed all of our military objectives in ‘Operation Epic Fury.’”
“President Trump holds all the cards and wisely keeps all options on the table,” she added.
Trump sought reelection promising to avoid unnecessary military interventions but has created an entanglement that could permanently harm his foreign policy legacy and international credibility.
The ongoing confrontation occurs as he encounters domestic criticism over elevated U.S. gasoline costs and declining approval numbers after initiating the unpopular conflict before November’s midterm elections. His Republican Party struggles to retain Congressional control.
Consequently, more than six weeks into a ceasefire, some analysts believe Trump confronts a difficult decision: accept a potentially imperfect agreement as an exit strategy or escalate militarily while risking an extended crisis. Should diplomacy fail, his options might include launching focused but limited strikes, declaring final victory, and moving forward.
Another possibility involves Trump potentially redirecting attention toward Cuba, as he has indicated, hoping to change the conversation and pursue a potentially simpler victory.
Such a move might lead him to underestimate Havana’s challenges, similar to how some Trump aides privately admit he incorrectly assumed the Iran operation would mirror the January 3 raid that captured Venezuela’s president and resulted in his replacement.
Nevertheless, Trump maintains supporters.
Alexander Gray, a former senior adviser in Trump’s first term and now chief executive officer of the American Global Strategies consultancy, rejected the notion that the president’s Iran campaign was on the ropes.
He argued that significant damage to Iranian military capabilities represented a “strategic success,” that the conflict brought Gulf states closer to America while distancing them from China, and that Iran’s nuclear program’s future remains undetermined.
However, signs suggest Trump’s frustration with his inability to shape the narrative. He has criticized opponents and accused news media of “treason.”
The conflict has continued twice beyond the maximum six-week timeline Trump established when joining with Israel to begin the war on February 28. While his MAGA political supporters have remained loyal regarding the war, fractures have emerged in his previously nearly unanimous Republican lawmaker support.
Initially, extensive airstrikes rapidly weakened Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal, destroyed much of its naval fleet, and eliminated numerous senior leaders.
But Tehran responded by closing the strait, causing energy prices to surge, and attacking Israel and Gulf neighbors. Trump then ordered Iranian port blockades, but this has also failed to force Tehran’s compliance.
Iranian leaders have countered Trump’s victory claims with their own propaganda characterizing his campaign as a “crushing defeat,” though Iranian officials have clearly exaggerated their own military capabilities.
Trump stated his war objectives included preventing Iran’s nuclear weapons development, ending its regional and U.S. interest threats, and facilitating Iranian citizens’ efforts to overthrow their government.
No evidence suggests his frequently changing goals have been accomplished, and many analysts consider achievement unlikely.
Jonathan Panikoff, a former deputy national intelligence officer for the Middle East, said that while Iran suffered devastating damage, its leaders view mere survival of the U.S. assault as success while learning their control extent over Gulf shipping.
“What they discovered is they can exercise that leverage and with few consequences for them,” said Panikoff, now at the Atlantic Council think tank, adding that Iran appeared confident it could endure more economic hardship than Trump and outlast him.
Trump’s primary stated war goal – Iran’s denuclearization – remains unachieved, and Tehran has demonstrated little willingness to substantially limit its program.
Highly enriched uranium stockpiles are believed to remain buried following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes last June and could be retrieved and further refined to weapons grade. Iran claims it wants America to acknowledge its uranium enrichment rights for stated peaceful purposes.
Complicating matters further, Iran’s supreme leader has issued orders that the country’s near-weapons-grade uranium cannot be exported, two senior Iranian officials told Reuters.
Some analysts have suggested the war could increase, rather than decrease, Iran’s likelihood of accelerating nuclear weapon development efforts for protection similar to nuclear-armed North Korea.
Another Trump declared objective – forcing Iran to cease supporting armed proxy groups – also remains unmet.
Adding to Trump’s challenges, he now confronts new Iranian leaders considered more hardline than their eliminated predecessors. Post-conflict, they are widely expected to retain sufficient remaining missiles and drones to continue threatening neighbors.
He also faces consequences from further deteriorating relationships with traditional European allies, who have largely declined his assistance requests for a war they weren’t consulted about.
China and Russia, meanwhile, have observed lessons about U.S. military limitations against asymmetric Iranian tactics and how some weapons supplies have become depleted, analysts said.
Robert Kagan, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution think tank, has argued that the outcome will represent an even more decisive blow to U.S. standing than its humiliating withdrawals from much longer, bloodier conflicts in Vietnam and Afghanistan because those countries “were far from the main theaters of global competition.”
“There will be no return to the status quo ante, no ultimate American triumph that will undo or overcome the harm done,” he wrote in a recent commentary entitled “Checkmate in Iran” on the Atlantic magazine’s website.
Mexico claimed a convincing 2-0 victory against Ghana during a World Cup preparation match held Friday evening in Puebla, providing fans a preview of the anticipation growing with less than three weeks remaining until the nation begins tournament competition.
Despite Puebla not being designated as one of Mexico’s World Cup venue locations, supporters wearing green jerseys generated an energetic environment all evening long. Continuous waves circled the venue even though certain sections remained visibly vacant due to closures mandated by FIFA penalties related to offensive crowd behavior during earlier national squad competitions.
Brian Gutierrez established Mexico’s dominance right away, bending a shot into the net from outside the penalty area just two minutes into play at Cuauhtemoc Stadium.
Young Liga MX standout Gil Mora hit the goalpost during the opening period, while Alexis Vega saw his header disallowed due to an offside violation before halftime arrived.
Ghana, playing without their newly named coach Carlos Queiroz who was not present while assistant coaches directed from the sideline, nearly found an equalizer early in the second period after creating two goalkeeper saves and striking the upper crossbar.
However, replacement player Guillermo Martinez crushed the visiting team’s comeback hopes in the 54th minute, completing a fast break opportunity to extend Mexico’s advantage to two goals.
Manager Javier Aguirre utilized the exhibition match to assess his roster before announcing Mexico’s complete World Cup team selection on June 1st, bringing in European-based talents Edson Alvarez, Jorge Sanchez and Luis Chávez for second-half action after they recently arrived at the training facility.
Los Angeles third baseman Max Muncy will be sidelined for several games after taking a pitch to his right wrist during the eighth inning of Friday’s 5-1 defeat to the Milwaukee Brewers at their home stadium.
The 35-year-old player, who had gone without a hit in his previous three plate appearances, was struck by a 95.5 mph slider thrown by reliever Aaron Ashby.
Following the contest, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts shared encouraging news about the injury. “The initial X-ray was negative, which was great,” Roberts said. “I think it got enough of the pad to protect it. He’ll be down for the next couple days just to make sure we get that swelling out. I think right now, we’re breathing a sigh of relief.”
Despite the positive test results, Muncy remains cautiously hopeful about his condition.
“I’m not feeling great right now, but it is a relief,” Muncy commented. “We’ve just got to monitor it the next couple of days. Typically, especially in that area, the X-rays never come back positive immediately. It kind of forms a little bit.”
“I’m pretty sure it half my wrist pad and then half my wrist. So me deciding to wear that wrist guard the last couple years might have saved my wrist.”
According to Roberts, Santiago Espinal, who entered the game as a pinch runner for Muncy, will take over third base duties for Saturday’s matchup.
The injured player currently paces the Dodgers with 12 home runs this season and maintains a .258 batting average along with 19 RBIs across 48 games.
The two-time All-Star began his major league career with the Oakland Athletics during 2015-16 before signing with Los Angeles as a free agent prior to the 2017 campaign. Throughout his career spanning 1,068 games, the three-time World Series winner has compiled a .231 batting average with 226 home runs and 623 RBIs.
A knowledgeable source is pushing back against claims that America’s weapons transfers to Taiwan have been delayed because of the ongoing Iran conflict, stating that such military sales require years to complete and have no connection to the current war.
The island nation of Taiwan, which China considers part of its territory, continues to await American approval for a weapons package that could reach $14 billion in value, according to previous reports.
Uncertainty emerged in Taipei after President Donald Trump indicated following his recent meeting with China’s President Xi Jinping that he remained undecided about approving the military package.
During a Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee hearing on Thursday, acting U.S. Navy Secretary Hung Cao stated that weapons sales to Taiwan had been temporarily halted to ensure America maintained sufficient munitions for Operation Epic Fury, the military operation targeting Iran.
However, a source with knowledge of the situation noted that Trump has indicated a decision on Taiwan’s weapons sales would come soon.
“These sales take years to process and are unrelated to Operation Epic Fury,” the source explained, referencing the military campaign that America and Israel began in February. “The United States Military has more than enough munitions, ammo, and stockpiles to serve all of President Trump’s strategic goals and beyond.”
The 1979 Taiwan Relations Act legally requires America to supply Taiwan with defensive capabilities, and officials have maintained since Trump’s meeting with Xi that Taiwan policy remains consistent.
Taiwan’s leadership stated Friday that they had received no notification regarding any delays in American weapons sales.
Beijing has consistently demanded that America cease all military sales to the island.
Taiwan’s administration dismisses China’s territorial claims, maintaining that only Taiwan’s citizens have the authority to determine the island’s destiny.
A deadly gas blast at a mining facility in China’s Shanxi province has resulted in eight fatalities and left 38 workers trapped beneath the surface, according to state media reports released Saturday.
The incident occurred Friday evening at the Liushenyu coal mine located in Changzhi city, as reported by the official news agency Xinhua. At the time of the blast, approximately 247 workers were operating below ground. By early Saturday morning, rescue teams had successfully evacuated 201 workers to safety.
Authorities are currently investigating what triggered the deadly explosion, Xinhua stated.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered comprehensive rescue efforts for the missing workers and demanded a thorough investigation into what caused the tragedy, with accountability measures for those found responsible, according to the news agency.
The affected province serves as China’s primary coal mining region. Despite being larger than Greece with approximately 34 million residents, Shanxi’s extensive mining workforce of hundreds of thousands extracted 1.3 billion tons (1.17 billion metric tons) of coal during the previous year, representing nearly one-third of the nation’s total coal production.
Travelers planning to use their accumulated airline miles and credit card points this summer are facing disappointing news.
Credit card holders who collect airline miles and travel rewards points will discover their accumulated balances provide less value during the upcoming travel season.
Jet fuel prices have surged due to the Iran conflict, pushing up both airline ticket costs and baggage fees. The Labor Department’s recent data shows airfares climbed 21% in April compared to the same month last year. Summer flights typically carry higher price tags due to increased passenger demand.
Travel industry experts warn that consumers hoping to redeem airline-branded credit cards or bank travel rewards for specific destinations or premium seats may need to contribute additional cash, select alternative locations, or accept less convenient flight times to maximize their account benefits.
During the initial phase of frequent flyer programs, airlines provided clear charts showing customers the exact mile requirements for upgraded service or distance-based flights. Today, nearly every carrier employs continuous fare adjustments through algorithm-driven dynamic pricing systems.
Point-based flight pricing now follows overall demand patterns, similar to cash fares. The monetary value of seats typically matches their point equivalent. Elevated airfares generally result in higher mile or point requirements for ticket purchases.
Well before current global oil supply disruptions, consumers, two U.S. senators, and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg criticized airline practices of raising point or mile requirements for free flights and reducing available reward seats before customers could use their loyalty earnings.
“There’s no question that dynamic award pricing, higher redemption rates on some domestic routes, and added fees have made it harder to find the outsized deals that travelers enjoyed a decade ago,” said Brian Kelly, the travel and credit card rewards expert better known as The Points Guy. “But that doesn’t necessarily mean points have lost value. It just means consumers need to be more strategic about how they redeem them.”
However, positive aspects exist for travelers.
Multiple methods exist for accumulating airline miles, with most programs offering no expiration dates. Enrolling in an airline’s frequent flyer program represents the most straightforward approach and typically requires no fees. Based on the carrier, members accumulate miles through flights with the airline or partner companies and can exchange them for benefits including flight discounts, seat improvements, or baggage allowances. Premium loyalty program levels also provide advantages such as priority boarding or waived baggage costs.
Leading airlines collaborate with financial institutions to offer co-branded credit cards that include annual fees. These cards generate miles for users with every purchase.
“When you’re going to spend money anyway, you might as well get something back for it,” said Adam Morvitz, a credit card miles expert and CEO of point.me, a travel loyalty platform. “If you’re already buying groceries, paying for gas or booking a hotel, a travel rewards card turns that everyday spending into points that can fund your next trip.”
Frequent flyer status or airline credit cards may provide summer cost savings in this area. To compensate for increased jet fuel expenses, several U.S. airlines have elevated checked baggage fees for domestic and many short-distance international flights. United Airlines increased first checked bag costs from $40 to $50. Delta Air Lines raised their initial checked bag fee from $35 to $45.
Airlines continue permitting customers with high-tier loyalty status or holders of credit cards like the Delta SkyMiles Card from American Express or United’s card with Chase to check bags without charge.
Financial companies including American Express, Chase Bank and CitiBank offer their own travel credit cards that provide points through purchases. Travelers seeking flexibility to fly with multiple airlines typically prefer these options. Card benefits may include airport lounge access, travel insurance, eliminated foreign transaction fees, and TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credits.
“For those who spend responsibly, the value is incredible as you’re able to get more in value from the perks, even if there is an annual fee,” he said.
For newcomers, Morvitz suggests flexible points cards rather than airline-specific choices because they allow transfers between loyalty programs and offer more redemption possibilities if airlines modify their award pricing. He advises consumers to select cards matching their actual spending patterns — such as cards offering bonus categories for groceries or dining — while evaluating whether annual fees justify the benefits they’ll genuinely utilize.
Many banks are advertising substantial sign-up bonuses as people develop summer travel plans, including offers of 100,000 miles or up to 150,000 miles or points for new customers who meet qualifications and spend specified amounts within designated timeframes — typically the initial three months. Kelly noted these bonuses create favorable timing for obtaining such cards, potentially making trips more affordable for those requiring additional points.
These enrollment offers can represent among the most valuable reward card features, sometimes worth over $1,000 in travel benefits, Morvitz explained. However, consumers should carefully monitor minimum spending requirements for qualification. He also suggests utilizing category bonuses and shopping portals to maximize rewards while always including frequent flyer numbers with airline bookings.
The crucial consideration is that bank travel cards or airline loyalty cards lose their value if balances are carried over. Average credit card interest rates range between 21% and 24%, meaning even a $1,000 balance can rapidly eliminate savings from complimentary checked bags.
“Travel rewards cards are one of the best financial tools available to responsible cardholders, but they’re designed for people who treat them like a debit card,” Morvitz said. “Spend what you’d spend anyway and always pay the balance in full each month. The moment you start carrying a balance and paying interest, the math works against you.”
Hotels present another area where travelers may receive reduced value from reward points this summer. Hyatt restructured its loyalty program this week, expanding from three tiers to five. While some budget hotel stays will maintain current point requirements, the same may not apply to Hyatt’s premium properties.
The travel blog One Mile at a Time calculated that some of Hyatt’s most exclusive properties could cost up to 67% more with points under the revised system.
“If you’re sitting on hotel points, don’t sit and hoard them. … They quickly seem to be getting less valuable,” said Sally French, who covers credit cards and loyalty programs for Nerd Wallet.
GOP-led states are accelerating efforts to redraw congressional boundaries in their favor before November’s midterm elections, following a recent Supreme Court ruling that reduced minority voting protections under federal law.
Within just a few weeks, revised U.S. House boundaries have already become law in Tennessee and Alabama, while similar measures have passed through at least one legislative chamber in Louisiana and South Carolina. However, legal and legislative obstacles still exist before these new maps can take effect for November voting.
Congressional boundaries are normally redrawn following each decade’s census. However, President Donald Trump has encouraged Republican-controlled states to pursue redistricting now as they work to maintain the GOP’s slim House majority amid challenging political conditions. Historically, a sitting president’s party tends to lose congressional seats during midterm elections, and Trump’s approval numbers remain underwater.
The aggressive redistricting strategy could yield significant gains for Republicans. Since Trump initially pushed Texas to revise its voting boundaries last year, GOP strategists believe they could secure up to 15 additional seats through new House districts across seven states. Democratic efforts have been more limited, targeting approximately six seats through new boundaries in two states.
Here’s an overview of the latest redistricting developments:
Republican Gov. Henry McMaster convened a special legislative session to address congressional redistricting. The GOP-controlled House approved a proposal early Wednesday designed to boost the party’s prospects of capturing the state’s sole Democratic-held seat.
Senate members are scheduled to convene Saturday — marking their third consecutive day of meetings — to review the redistricting proposal. However, approval remains uncertain.
Democratic lawmakers oppose the plan, while some Republicans also express concerns. Several GOP senators worry that their strategy to target the district represented by Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn might backfire by distributing too many Democratic voters into Republican-held areas, potentially making those seats vulnerable.
South Carolina’s primary elections are scheduled for June 9. The proposed legislation would establish a new congressional primary date in August.
The Supreme Court invalidated Louisiana’s congressional map, which featured two majority-Black districts held by Democrats, ruling it constituted illegal racial gerrymandering. The state House is expected to consider a revised map next week that would substantially alter one of those districts while improving Republican chances of winning it.
While Republicans controlling the state Legislature agree on the general framework of the new map, the House and Senate have different approaches for dividing certain areas, including decisions about which parishes remain intact versus those that get divided.
A House committee modified a map that the Senate had previously approved. Should the chambers pass different versions, a joint legislative committee could attempt to broker a compromise before the session concludes June 1.
Republican Gov. Jeff Landry delayed Louisiana’s May 16 congressional primary until later in the summer to provide time for redistricting completion.
A federal court considered arguments Friday regarding a request to prevent Alabama from implementing congressional districts that could help Republicans secure an additional seat in the midterm elections. This represents the most recent development in an ongoing legal battle.
Republican state legislators approved a map in 2023 featuring one majority-Black district. The court had previously blocked that map and mandated a replacement that resulted in Democrats winning two seats where Black residents form a majority or near-majority.
However, the U.S. Supreme Court recently reversed that directive and instructed the lower court to reconsider the case based on the Louisiana ruling.
Legal representatives from the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the ACLU, advocating for Black voters, want a three-judge panel to block the state from implementing the 2023 map. They argue a preliminary injunction is justified because the Louisiana decision shouldn’t impact a separate determination that Alabama’s map intentionally discriminated against Black voters.
Alabama conducted its primary elections on May 19. However, new congressional primaries are set for August for districts that differ under the 2023 map.
A state court panel considered arguments Thursday in another NAACP legal challenge aimed at overturning Tennessee’s new congressional map, which divides a Memphis-area, majority-Black district represented by a Democrat. The revised map could enhance Republican opportunities to claim all nine of the state’s seats.
The legal challenge argues that the General Assembly incorporated elements in the redistricting legislation that weren’t specifically authorized or required under a proclamation by Republican Gov. Bill Lee establishing the special session agenda. These include a provision eliminating a state law that bars mid-decade redistricting.
If lawmakers exceeded their constitutional authority, the lawsuit maintains that the new map cannot be implemented.
Two recent national spelling bee champions, Dev Shah from 2023 and Faizan Zaki from last year, shared nearly identical victory moments – standing on a confetti-covered stage alongside a man wearing glasses and an aloha shirt, proudly displaying his book “Words of Wisdom.”
That man is Scott Remer, and for him, those championship photos represent more than celebration – they’re essential marketing for his unique business.
The 32-year-old Remer holds the distinction of being America’s sole full-time professional spelling coach, while most others in the field are former competitors still attending college or high school. Though nearly every national champion from the last 15 years has received coaching, Remer stands alone in making it his primary profession.
At this year’s competition – running Tuesday through Thursday in Washington with 247 contestants – multiple finalists will likely be Remer’s pupils when the field narrows to roughly 10 competitors.
“He’s probably one of the most influential figures in spelling over the past 10 years,” said Shah, now 17.
Remer’s resume includes training five national champions, and following the competition’s return after pandemic interruptions in 2020 and 2021, he has expanded his coaching operation significantly. This year he claims 34 students, maintaining at least 29 pupils during each of the previous four competitions.
His fees exceed those of competitors: private sessions cost up to $180 per hour. Additionally, when students place in the top 10 and earn prize money, Remer collects up to 10% of their winnings as what he terms “a performance-based bonus.”
Despite his demanding personality during instruction, many families consider Remer’s services worthwhile – or perhaps valuable because of his intensity.
Consistently enthusiastic and outgoing regarding spelling matters, Remer traces his coaching passion to his disappointing fourth-place finish in 2008, his final competition year. He describes his motivation as sharing knowledge, helping children achieve their potential, and the challenge of uncovering competition-worthy words.
“This is really about the love of language and the love of the competition. Part of it is once you’re stung by the bee, there’s kind of no going back,” Remer said. “I’m not going to deny that it pays well, because it does. But I don’t know that there’s anything wrong with that.”
His two most recent champions credit him as essential to their victories.
“Even though his classes are more expensive, it’s definitely worth it,” Faizan said. “I saw results.”
Faizan’s father, Zaki Anwar, negotiated a reduced $120 hourly rate for Remer’s instruction since Faizan already possessed advanced spelling skills. Remer earned 7% of the champion’s $52,500 prize total – a $3,675 bonus.
“After winning, it doesn’t really matter,” Anwar said.
Remer’s instruction focuses on word roots, language patterns, and pattern exceptions. He aims to develop deep linguistic understanding enabling spellers to decode unfamiliar words, as Shah demonstrated with “rommack” in 2023.
However, Remer’s rates and teaching approach have driven some students to seek alternative coaches.
“I found it prohibitively expensive,” said Navneeth Murali, a University of Pennsylvania student who competed through 2020 and now coaches spellers at roughly $50 per hour. “It wasn’t a realistic option for me.”
Grace Walters, who trained 2022 champion Harini Logan, charges $75 hourly. Both she and Murali accept only a few students annually.
“I’m very much quality over quantity. It’s really important to me that I’m able to get to know each speller as a whole person, not just as a speller, and tailor my curriculum to them as individuals,” said Walters, a University of Kentucky linguistics graduate student. “But I have to give credit where it’s due: If everyone was doing it like me, there wouldn’t be enough coaches for all the spellers out there.”
Sree Vidya Siliveri worked with Remer before placing 60th in 2024 but struggled with his methods, according to her father, Sreedhar Siliveri. After finding new coaching, she finished 10th in 2025.
“We were looking for alternatives and found some of the fresh, like, high school students who can be friendlier and charge less,” Sreedhar Siliveri said.
Even devoted Remer supporters acknowledge his sometimes abrupt and demanding approach with middle school students. Simone Kaplan, who placed second among the “octo-champs” of 2019, valued Remer’s rigorous coaching while recognizing it doesn’t suit everyone.
“Scott is a true logophile, a master of languages. He pushes his students to keep up with him,” Kaplan said. “That can inspire some spellers to learn and succeed, but it can also leave a student feeling like they’ve disappointed him if they don’t spell every word right. And that’s difficult for a kid.”
Remer says his objective involves providing support while delivering necessary feedback to prevent repeated errors.
“I try to be tough but fair, and I also try to modulate my teaching methods, based on the kids’ needs and the kids’ personalities,” he said. “Whether I’m always successful at that is I guess an open question.”
A 2016 Yale graduate who earned a Cambridge master’s degree the following year, Remer published his first study guide, “Words of Wisdom: Keys to Success in the Scripps National Spelling Bee,” in 2010 as a teenager. That same year, he coached his first champion, Anamika Veeramani.
He has authored three additional books and previously worked for the Council on Foreign Relations and as communications coordinator for an LGBTQ-friendly New York synagogue. Since 2020, he has focused entirely on spelling coaching while also providing Chinese, Spanish, writing, and standardized test preparation tutoring. Born and raised in Cleveland’s suburbs, he currently resides in Mexico City.
Remer has penned annual Guardian op-eds about the competition since 2019. He distributes email lists featuring his students and progress updates, referring to them as “my spellers” despite many having multiple tutors. (Faizan worked with three coaches last year.) During competition week, Remer maintains constant visibility, conducting on-site lessons and sitting with families during television coverage.
While recognizing the need for self-promotion, he admits discomfort with marketing activities.
“I think I’m trying not to be particularly self-aggrandizing in general,” Remer said, “so if the question is, does it come naturally to me to do that sort of promotional and marketing work, the answer is no.”
Scripps, the Cincinnati media company operating the century-old competition, doesn’t endorse coaching, but executive director Corrie Loeffler considers the practice unavoidable given the competition’s intensity.
Loeffler diplomatically questioned whether any coach should claim responsibility for a speller’s achievements.
“It’s hard work, it’s study ethic, it’s perseverance,” she said. “These kids are doing pretty incredible things at a really high level, especially at a young age, and I want them to be able to take credit for that themselves, knowing that it’s a community and they’ve had so much support along the way.”
Richard Childress Racing announced Friday it will permanently retire the No. 8 Chevrolet following the death of driver Kyle Busch, who passed away at 41 after battling a serious illness.
However, the racing team plans to hold the number for potential future use by Busch’s 11-year-old son, Brexton Busch, should he decide to pursue NASCAR competition.
In an official statement, RCR explained: “Kyle Busch was instrumental in the design of RCR’s stylized No. 8 and it has become synonymous with Kyle and an important symbol for his fans and the NASCAR industry. No one can carry it forward to the level that he did. The No. 8 is reserved and ready for Brexton Busch when he is ready to go NASCAR racing.”
The young Busch has already shown promise in motorsports, capturing the Tulsa Shootout Jr. Sprint Championship last year.
Beginning with Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, RCR will field the No. 33 Chevrolet with driver Austin Hill in place of the retired No. 8.
Kyle Busch leaves behind his wife Samantha and two children: Brexton and 4-year-old daughter Lennix.
During his racing career, Busch claimed NASCAR Cup Series titles in 2015 and 2019. He holds the all-time record with 234 wins across NASCAR’s three premier divisions, including 63 Cup Series victories.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio touched down in India Saturday, beginning a crucial four-day diplomatic visit designed to rebuild a relationship strained by trade conflicts and President Donald Trump’s tariff policies.
This marks Rubio’s inaugural journey to India, with scheduled visits to Kolkata, Agra, Jaipur and New Delhi. According to the State Department, discussions will center on trade partnerships, energy collaboration and defense cooperation.
American leaders, including Trump during his initial presidency, have consistently worked to draw the historically neutral nation closer as a balance against Russian influence and China’s expanding presence in the Indo-Pacific region. However, these diplomatic efforts suffered a significant setback when Trump imposed some of America’s steepest tariffs on Indian goods last year.
While many of these trade penalties were reduced through a temporary agreement, both nations have yet to reach a final comprehensive trade deal.
Indian officials had pushed for a Trump visit connected to a Quad summit involving the United States, India, Japan and Australia, but experts indicate this proposal was shelved due to trade disagreements and other pressing matters, including the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.
Meanwhile, America has strengthened relationships with India’s neighboring rival Pakistan, with Islamabad playing a crucial role in peace negotiations, creating additional friction in U.S.-India relations.
The energy emergency triggered by the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran has also hindered American attempts to reduce India’s dependence on Russian oil.
Speaking Thursday, Rubio identified energy as a primary focus, noting ongoing discussions to increase America’s portion of India’s energy imports.
“We want to sell them as much energy as they’ll buy,” he said. “There’s a lot to work on with India. They’re a great ally, a great partner. We do a lot of good work with them.”
For Indian officials, Trump’s recent visit to Beijing this month heightened worries about American commitments, according to Basant Sanghera, a former State Department South Asia policy expert now with The Asia Group consultancy.
Sanghera explained that Trump’s strategy had “created a perfect storm of anxiety” in India regarding the U.S. relationship, “but ties have stabilized and both sides are trying to build momentum in the areas that there is convergence.”
The previous Biden administration prioritized India as a crucial strategic ally and honored Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a 2023 state visit. Trump also hosted Modi at the White House early in his second term before implementing harsh tariffs that derailed diplomatic progress.
U.S. Ambassador Sergio Gor, nicknamed “the India whisperer” by Michael Kugelman of the Atlantic Council think tank, began his duties in New Delhi in January and has worked to restore relations. Gor maintains a personal friendship with Trump and previously served as a White House adviser.
In February, both countries established a “framework for an interim agreement” on trade, reducing Trump’s tariffs on Indian products to 18% from a severe 50%, with half previously tied to India’s earlier Russian oil purchases.
However, negotiations to complete the agreement stalled after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Trump’s tariffs in late February.
This decision effectively lowered duties on Indian goods to 10%, but New Delhi continues evaluating its options as the Trump administration pursues investigations under unfair trade practices laws expected to reinstate much of the previous levies.
A source familiar with the negotiations revealed American disappointment with India’s perceived delays and apparent expectation of securing favorable terms without significant concessions, a sentiment likely to complicate Rubio’s efforts to stabilize relations.
“I do not expect Secretary Rubio will have much impact in changing the downward trajectory,” said Richard Rossow of the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank.
“The lack of a trade agreement – more than three months after the announcement of the ‘interim deal’ – clouds other areas of engagement.”
India’s requests for the White House to arrange a Trump visit for a Quad summit, designed to counter China’s growing influence, remain unanswered, according to another source familiar with the discussions.
Rubio’s upcoming meeting with fellow Quad foreign ministers in Delhi will mark the third such gathering without leader-level participation and represents an “unannounced downgrade” of the alliance, Rossow noted.
Despite this, the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi posted on X emphasizing the Quad’s significance, stating it stands “together for a free and open Indo-Pacific… From supporting regional security to diversifying critical minerals supply chains.”
A scenic mountainous region in western Uganda is seeking to distance itself from a deadly virus that bears its name, as health officials worry about stigma from the current Ebola outbreak in neighboring Congo.
The district of Bundibugyo, home to approximately 200,000 residents, became the namesake for a strain of Ebola virus following an outbreak nearly twenty years ago. The region, characterized by steep hills and valleys along Uganda’s border with Congo, is primarily populated by cocoa farmers working the challenging terrain.
What was once known as a picturesque area has gained unwanted global attention due to its connection with the Bundibugyo virus strain, which is currently causing hundreds of infections in eastern Congo. Health authorities report 160 suspected deaths from Ebola across two provinces in the neighboring country.
The virus strain received its name from the November 2007 outbreak in the remote western Uganda location, when scientists determined it was distinct from previously identified Ebola types. Unlike the Sudan strain, first found in what is now South Sudan, or the Zaire variety discovered in present-day Congo in 1976, this new form required its own classification.
Scientists consider the Bundibugyo strain particularly concerning because it remains less studied than other Ebola variants. The virus had been circulating in Congolese communities before health officials identified it as the source of increasing illness cases.
The original 2007 Bundibugyo outbreak resulted in at least 37 deaths before being controlled by year’s end. A smaller second outbreak of the same strain occurred in northeastern Congo in 2012.
Dr. Tom Ksiazek, a University of Texas Medical Branch virologist who led the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention team that first identified the Bundibugyo virus, noted that early case detection in previous outbreaks enabled rapid public health responses.
Currently, while no Ebola cases exist in the Bundibugyo district itself, the ongoing association with the virus strain concerns Ugandan officials. Government spokesman Alan Kasujja has called on international health authorities to clarify that Uganda is not the center of the latest outbreak.
“Bundibugyo is too beautiful to be the name of a disease,” he said on X. “We need to take back its name from this madness.”
The World Health Organization handles virus naming conventions and has shown sensitivity to avoiding terms that could stigmatize communities, as demonstrated when monkeypox was renamed mpox in 2022. However, Ebola strains have traditionally been named for their discovery locations.
Uganda’s health officials, experienced in managing Ebola outbreaks, emphasize that “no Ebola” currently exists in their East African nation. They want WHO to provide more specific information in outbreak updates to avoid confusion.
The country has documented only two cases, both involving Congolese citizens who entered Uganda before Congo officially declared an outbreak on May 15. A 59-year-old man was hospitalized in the capital city of Kampala on May 11 and died three days later. A second patient, a woman about whom authorities have released limited information, is receiving treatment at a different Kampala hospital.
President Yoweri Museveni emphasized Thursday that the outbreak is primarily “on the Congo side,” encouraging tourism officials to counter perceptions that Ebola is spreading within Uganda.
Museveni advised citizens to “stop shaking hands” as a preventive measure and ordered the postponement of an annual religious gathering that draws thousands of pilgrims, including those from Congo, to a Catholic basilica near Kampala by June 3.
Additional protective measures announced Thursday include halting all public transportation and flights between Congo and Uganda.
Dr. Emmanuel Batiibwe, who directed efforts to contain a 2022 Ebola outbreak that killed at least 55 people, warned of high risks from cross-border trade. Preventing the current outbreak from entering Uganda will require “enhanced surveillance at all points of entry,” he said.
Uganda has faced multiple Ebola outbreaks, including a 2000 epidemic that killed more than 200 people and another in Kampala last year.
Existing Ebola vaccines and treatments prove ineffective against the Bundibugyo strain. Health experts emphasize contact tracing, isolation, and proper protective equipment for healthcare workers as crucial prevention strategies.
According to WHO, fruit bats are believed to naturally harbor Ebola viruses. The disease spreads through contact with infected individuals’ bodily fluids or contaminated materials.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio touched down in India Saturday, preparing for crucial discussions next week with officials from India, Australia, and Japan – the four nations that make up the Indo-Pacific coalition called the Quad.
The diplomatic mission comes as the United States works to repair damaged relationships with India following tensions created by President Donald Trump’s trade policies, which imposed higher tariffs on various Indian goods.
During his four-day stay, Rubio plans to travel to multiple cities and attend a celebration in New Delhi commemorating America’s 250th year of independence.
“There’s a lot to work on with India, they’re a great ally and partner. We do a lot of good work with them so this is an important trip,” Rubio said ahead of his visit to India.
Rubio landed in Kolkata Saturday morning and plans to tour Mother House, the central operations of the Missionaries of Charity established by Mother Teresa. His itinerary includes stops in Agra and Jaipur, cities famous for their historic landmarks and royal architecture.
The Secretary of State will conduct one-on-one discussions with India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and is anticipated to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Tuesday’s Quad ministerial gathering in New Delhi will bring together officials from the alliance that has consistently criticized China for demonstrating military strength in the South China Sea and aggressively advancing its territorial maritime demands.
China argues its military presence serves purely defensive purposes to safeguard what it considers legitimate territorial rights, characterizing the Quad as an effort to limit its economic expansion and global influence.
Following his swearing-in ceremony in January of last year, Rubio’s initial official overseas commitment involved conferences with foreign ministers from the remaining Quad nations, conducted both collectively and individually.
A Japanese nurse who holds the distinction of being the only woman to successfully climb the world’s second-tallest mountain, K2, on three separate occasions has accomplished something even more remarkable: reaching the top of all 14 of Earth’s highest peaks.
However, for 44-year-old Naoko Watanabe, mountaineering represents much more than accumulating achievements. She views it as pursuing adventure, finding happiness, and discovering new cultures, people, and cuisines. This June, she plans to guide a team of amateur climbers back to Pakistan’s Nanga Parbat, dubbed the “killer mountain,” which remains her preferred destination.
“I’m just an ordinary person who has happened to achieve records while climbing the Himalayas during my vacations,” Watanabe explained during a recent Associated Press interview conducted in Tokyo. “I don’t consider myself a mountaineer.”
Watanabe’s high-altitude journey began in 2006 during her nursing school years when she successfully ascended Cho Oyu, standing at 8,201 meters (26,906 feet) as the world’s sixth-tallest mountain along the Nepal-China border.
This marked her inaugural climb of one of the globe’s 14 mountains that rise above 8,000 meters (26,246 feet).
Following her transition to full-time nursing at a university hospital in 2009, she found it challenging to juggle her career with her climbing passion, ultimately choosing temporary nursing positions to allow more frequent expeditions.
She now regularly ventures into the Himalayas as an escape from Japan’s demanding, conformity-focused society, using these climbs to restore her mental equilibrium. Her current mission involves introducing others who need respite to the happiness that mountain climbing can provide.
Watanabe is currently organizing a June expedition to Pakistan’s Nanga Parbat, the world’s ninth-tallest peak, which she successfully summited on her second try in 2022. For this upcoming journey, she intends to accompany amateur climbers, with most participants remaining at base camp.
“The Nanga Parbat base camp is extremely scenic and it’s my favorite among the 14 peaks,” Watanabe explained. “I want everyone to see that.” She encourages participants to move at their preferred speed, take breaks freely, capture photographs, and engage with Sherpa guides.
“They are not supposed to be working hard,” Watanabe emphasizes. “I want (the climbers) to be free from the stereotypes and realize that the Himalayas can be fun … and to know there are more important things than reaching the summit.”
Born in Onojo City in southern Japan in 1981, Watanabe began her adventure journey at age 3 when her mother enrolled her in a children’s adventure program. Her early experiences included island camping in China, expeditions across Mongolian grasslands with other youngsters, and climbing a snow-covered Pakistani mountain at age 12.
Throughout her youth, she credits her love for adventure and climbing with helping her navigate challenging periods as she wrestled with Japan’s cultural expectations to participate in group activities while avoiding individual distinction.
Her healthcare background has proven invaluable during her 31 expeditions spanning the last two decades.
“The experience (as a nurse) has become useful in the mountains when I face emergencies and need to make a quick decision on the spot about the weather or my own health conditions.”
During her initial Everest attempt in 2011, with only 150 meters (160 yards) remaining to the summit, she chose to retreat when weather conditions rapidly declined. Her emotional Sherpa objected, insisting they were merely one hour from the peak. However, Watanabe foresaw potential oxygen supply issues if deteriorating weather caused delays. During their descent, she temporarily lost her vision. They returned safely, though she developed pneumonia.
Returning to Everest in 2013 on an exceptionally windy day, conditions appeared more favorable. While other climbers withdrew, she proceeded cautiously and successfully reached the summit.
Watanabe achieved the milestone of becoming the first Japanese woman to conquer all 14 of the world’s tallest mountains in October 2024, when she summited the 8,027-meter (26,335-foot) Mount Shishapangma in China.
In July 2024, she also earned recognition from Guinness World Records as the first woman to reach the summit of the 8,611-meter (28,251-foot) K2, the world’s second-tallest mountain, on three occasions.
Watanabe intends to continue climbing for the pure enjoyment it provides.
“I will probably end up climbing (mountains in the Himalayas) about 100 times,” she projects. “It would be fun if that eventually becomes a record that I set in my own unique way.”
A month-long United Nations gathering focused on examining the global nuclear nonproliferation agreement concluded Friday without reaching consensus, as disputes between the United States and Iran over Tehran’s atomic activities derailed negotiations.
The conference chair, Vietnam’s U.N. Ambassador Do Hung Viet, declared that the 191 nations party to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty could not agree on even a diluted concluding statement. He declined to identify which nations prevented consensus.
This marks the third consecutive unsuccessful review of the NPT, widely regarded as the foundation of worldwide efforts to prevent nuclear weapons proliferation and promote disarmament. During the previous treaty assessment in August 2022, Russia prevented consensus on a concluding document due to its February 2022 Ukraine invasion and mentions of Moscow’s control over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility, Europe’s largest.
Disputes regarding Tehran’s atomic activities intensified before the Iran war, which commenced with U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Feb. 28. President Donald Trump has stated the conflict aimed to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability. Iran has processed uranium to levels approaching weapons-grade purity but maintains its program serves only peaceful purposes.
The U.S. and Iran have confronted each other since the review conference began on April 27. The U.S. has charged Iran with displaying “contempt” for its treaty obligations, while Iran has claimed U.S. and Israeli attacks on its atomic installations breached international law.
Iran participates in the NPT, which mandates nations allow the U.N. nuclear oversight body to inspect all atomic facilities. However, Iran has denied International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors entry to nuclear locations bombed by the U.S. last June.
During closing remarks, the United States labeled Iran a “prolific treaty violator” and accused it of “shirking accountability for its grotesque violations” throughout the conference. Iran charged the U.S. and its partners with waging a “relentless campaign” to justify their “unlawful attacks” on the nation and its nuclear infrastructure.
Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Washington-based Arms Control Association, said the conference “showed that rhetorical support for the NPT is strong, but the foundations of the NPT are cracking due to inaction, inattention, and intransigence on the part of the major powers.”
“Much more enlightened, engaged, and pragmatic leadership and diplomacy will be needed to guard against the growing risks of an unconstrained nuclear buildup, threats to resume nuclear testing, and the risk of a nuclear-armed Iran,” Kimball said.
Britain’s Rebecca Johnson, founding executive director of the Acronym Institute for Disarmament Diplomacy, delivered sharp criticism of both the U.S. and Russia, the world’s two largest nuclear powers, which she said “double down on nuclear threats, blame others and try to undermine or ignore the NPT’s nuclear disarmament commitments and related agreements.”
Emergency crews in California are working around the clock to prevent a potential disaster after authorities forced tens of thousands of residents from their homes due to a deteriorating chemical storage tank that could either rupture or explode.
The crisis began Thursday in Garden Grove, a community of approximately 172,000 residents located about 30 miles south of Los Angeles, when officials discovered a storage tank at an aerospace manufacturing facility was at risk of catastrophic failure.
Craig Covey, division chief of the Orange County Fire Authority, explained that firefighters have been continuously spraying the tanks with water using remote-controlled equipment to maintain safe temperatures and “buying us time,” according to a video he shared on social media.
The problematic storage container holds methyl methacrylate, a highly flammable and volatile substance used in plastic production and aerospace manufacturing, according to the Orange County Register.
In an earlier video message, Covey outlined the dire situation facing emergency responders, explaining that the tank could fail and release up to 7,000 gallons of toxic chemicals, or it could detonate and threaten additional storage tanks nearby.
“I know I keep talking about we were handed this situation where there’s only two things that can happen, it could crack and leak, or it could blow up. That’s not acceptable to us,” Covey stated in his later video update. “I have an entire team actively working locally, regionally, across the state, and across the country, to try to figure out how to fix this.”
Covey emphasized his determination to find a solution, saying his objective was to “get all these brilliant minds together to put a plan together, so that we don’t let this blow up.”
The evacuation threat escalated Friday when officials received updated information from the manufacturing company that increased explosion concerns, according to TJ McGovern, interim chief of the Orange County Fire Authority.
Garden Grove Police Chief Amir El-Farra reported that approximately 40,000 people live within the evacuation area, with roughly 15% declining to leave their homes, as noted by the Orange County Register.
Emergency management teams have established three temporary shelters – one within Garden Grove itself and additional facilities in the adjacent communities of Anaheim and Cypress.
Dr. Regina Chinsio-Kwong of the Orange County Health Care Agency warned that escaping vapors could cause serious breathing problems if people experience extended exposure, though air quality monitoring equipment has not yet detected any chemical vapors in the atmosphere.
“You are safe as long as you are out of the zone that was determined to be an evacuation zone,” Chinsio-Kwong assured residents.
A major Silicon Valley law firm has agreed to pay $54 million to settle allegations that it played a role in enabling the massive fraud at collapsed cryptocurrency exchange FTX.
Fenwick & West, which served as outside legal counsel to FTX during its rise to become one of the world’s largest crypto platforms, reached the preliminary settlement agreement on Friday. The deal was filed in federal court in Miami and requires judicial approval.
FTX customers who brought the lawsuit claimed that the technology-focused law firm “helped to craft and implement strategies that facilitated FTX’s fraud.” Fenwick had been a primary external legal advisor as the exchange gained prominence before its spectacular 2022 collapse and bankruptcy filing.
Lead plaintiff attorneys, including litigator David Boies, told the court the settlement with Fenwick was fair and would help avoid the uncertainties of prolonged and complicated litigation.
In its Friday statement, Fenwick maintained its innocence, saying it “was not aware of the fraud at FTX, stands by the integrity of its legal work, and disputes wrongdoing of any kind, as we have consistently stated throughout this matter.” The firm, which has more than 500 attorneys on staff, added that “we look forward to putting this matter behind us” and concentrating on its business operations.
This settlement represents part of a second round of agreements stemming from the FTX legal battles. Previous settlements involved two former FTX executives.
FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried received a 25-year prison sentence in 2024 after being convicted of stealing $8 billion from customers through a massive fraud operation. He entered a not guilty plea and has filed an appeal of his conviction.
San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama has achieved another milestone in his defensive dominance, earning every single first-place vote for the NBA All-Defensive First Team, the league revealed Friday evening. This recognition comes after the 22-year-old star received the unanimous Defensive Player of the Year honor just last month.
Joining Wembanyama on the elite first team are Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren, Detroit’s Ausar Thompson, Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert, and Boston’s Derrick White. Notably, Holmgren faced off against Wembanyama during the Western Conference finals.
Both Holmgren and Thompson ranked as the second and third place finishers in the Defensive Player of the Year race, trailing behind Wembanyama, who topped the NBA with 3.1 blocks per game for his third consecutive season leading that category.
The All-Defensive First Team voting results showed Holmgren in second place with 93 first-place votes and four second-place selections, totaling 190 points. Thompson claimed third with 72 first-place votes and 22 third-place votes for 166 points. Gobert earned fourth place with 151 points from 61 first-place and 29 second-place votes, while White rounded out the top five with 146 points from 58 first-place and 30 second-place votes.
The All-Defensive Second Team features Oklahoma City’s Cason Wallace alongside Toronto’s Scottie Barnes, New York’s OG Anunoby, Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels, and Miami’s Bam Adebayo.
Adebayo received additional recognition as the NBA Social Justice Champion, earning the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Trophy. The league will also contribute $100,000 to the Bam, Books & Brotherhood Foundation in his honor.
“I accept this award not just for myself, but for every voice that has gone unheard and every person working behind the scenes to create a more just and compassionate world,” Adebayo stated in a team announcement.
The other contenders for the social justice award included Boston’s Jaylen Brown, San Antonio’s Harrison Barnes, Cleveland’s Larry Nance Jr., and Detroit’s Tobias Harris.
A devastating blast at a Staten Island dry dock facility Friday resulted in one fatality and left 36 people wounded, according to officials. The explosion occurred while fire crews were already responding to an active blaze and working to free two individuals who had become trapped.
Among the injured were two firefighters who required hospitalization. One fire marshal sustained severe injuries including a skull fracture and brain hemorrhage, requiring intubation for treatment. The second firefighter remained in serious but improving condition, authorities reported.
“This was a complex, fast-developing emergency situation,” New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani told reporters.
“First responders did what they always do: they ran towards danger so others could escape to safety.”
Authorities confirmed the fatality was a civilian but released no additional information about the victim’s identity.
Mamdani stated that a thorough investigation would commence after crews fully suppress the remaining fire.
Fire departments had initially responded to reports of a basement fire with two workers trapped inside when the explosion took place, according to officials.
The emergency unfolded in Staten Island’s Richmond Terrace area, located in the New York City borough situated across the harbor from Manhattan.
A fatal explosion at a New York City shipyard on Friday claimed one life and left 36 people wounded, according to officials.
Fire department authorities report that the majority of those hurt in the blast were firefighters and emergency responders who arrived at the scene following the incident.
The explosion occurred at a shipyard facility located on Staten Island, sending multiple people to area hospitals for treatment.
BOSTON — Baseball legend Roger Clemens stepped back onto the pitcher’s mound at Fenway Park, delivering another fastball from the familiar spot.
This time, however, his son was positioned behind home plate as the catcher.
The former Boston ace, who holds the Red Sox record for strikeouts with 2,590, threw his ceremonial first pitch slightly to the right of the plate to his 30-year-old son Kody Clemens, a utility player for the Minnesota Twins, before Friday evening’s game between Minnesota and Boston.
The 63-year-old grandfather was pleased with the moment, especially with family members and grandchildren watching from the stadium seats.
“A little two-seamer. Didn’t slip, didn’t tear anything,” Clemens said. “Home plate seems to get farther and farther away every year. I don’t know what that’s about. But it’s kind of like the Ted Williams seat. I think we know no one’s going to hit one there and it keeps going up one row every year.”
Attendees received a commemorative Roger Clemens bobblehead as part of his return to Fenway Park.
This marked another father-son baseball moment for the Clemens family. Earlier in 2025, Roger and Kody shared pregame duties when they exchanged lineup cards during a spring training contest between the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies, with Roger working for New York while Kody played for Philadelphia.
In 2006, Roger also shared the field with his eldest son Koby in the minor leagues when the then-43-year-old pitcher was completing a rehabilitation assignment with the Houston Astros during what would become his second-to-last major league campaign.
According to Roger, his family enjoys teasing him about certain baseball achievements that his son has accomplished that he never will.
“They’re always messing with me now because they said he’s done two things in professional ball that I never will: strike out (Shohei) Ohtani and hit a home run here at Fenway,” Clemens said.
One honor that still eludes the veteran pitcher is having his major league jersey number retired. The University of Texas honored their former standout as the first player to receive that recognition in 1993.
Although Clemens isn’t officially recognized on Boston’s honor roll, no full-time Red Sox player has worn his No. 21 since his departure following the 1996 season.
He expressed interest in potentially having the number retired by the Red Sox, the team where he spent the majority of his career.
“I don’t have any control over that, but I had 13 wonderful years here. I love that number,” Clemens said. “I thought it was really cool when I came out at Texas that they had it hanging in my locker. So, it’s been a great number for me. I went to 22 a little bit, and a lot of family members had that number, too. So both solid numbers.”
NEW YORK — After an absence spanning 569 days, Yankees star pitcher Gerrit Cole made his highly anticipated return to the mound Friday evening, delivering six scoreless innings against Tampa Bay while helping his team to a 1-0 advantage.
The 35-year-old right-handed pitcher, who underwent elbow ligament reconstruction surgery in March 2025, surrendered just two hits and issued three walks while recording two strikeouts. Cole delivered 50 strikes out of his 72 total pitches, beginning 18 of 22 at-bats with strikes.
The six-time All-Star and 2023 American League Cy Young Award recipient displayed remarkable command for someone returning from such an extended break. Cole required only 11 pitches combined in the third and fourth frames and at one point set down 10 consecutive batters.
His four-seam fastball averaged 96.1 mph across 35 offerings, topping out at 98.6 mph during the opening inning. Cole’s arsenal included 13 sinkers, 10 sliders, eight changeups and six knuckle-curves throughout the outing.
Cole demonstrated his baseball instincts by picking off a baserunner to navigate first-inning difficulty and displayed clear passion when he yelled after firing a full-count fastball past Jonathan Aranda for a called strikeout in the fifth frame.
Austin Wells provided offensive support with a fifth-inning home run against Nick Martinez.
Sporting several days of facial hair, Cole warmed up to the Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter,” then knelt on the infield dirt just in front of the pitcher’s mound to focus on the ground. He incorporated his modified overhead arm motion in his delivery, a technique developed during his rehabilitation process.
Cole maintained his stamina by eating bananas in the dugout between innings.
Chandler Simpson faced a 95.9 mph called strike to open the contest, then managed an opposite-field bloop hit to left-center on another fastball and moved up when Junior Caminero drew a full-count walk. After Aranda flew out, Cole caught Simpson off second base during his leadoff attempt and Yandy Díaz went down looking on a sinker for the third out.
Cole navigated around a one-out walk in the second inning, then set down three straight batters on seven pitches in the third and again on four pitches in the fourth. He retired 10 consecutive hitters before Cedric Mullins broke through with a fifth-inning base hit.
Cole’s last meaningful major league appearance came on Oct. 30, 2024, during Game 5 of the World Series, when the Los Angeles Dodgers rallied from a 5-0 deficit by scoring five unearned runs off Cole to capture the championship.
He underwent medical testing after surrendering two home runs during his second spring training appearance in 2025 against Minnesota on March 6, leading to reconstructive elbow surgery five days afterward.
Cole completed two one-inning spring training appearances this season on March 18 and 24, then started his minor league rehabilitation assignments on April 17. He posted a 4.71 ERA across 28 2/3 innings, giving up 28 hits while striking out 28 and walking three batters.
State senator David Brock Smith secured victory in Oregon’s Republican U.S. Senate primary on Friday, marking the final major race decided from the state’s May 19 primary election.
Smith prevailed over six other Republican candidates and will now challenge Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley, the incumbent, in the November general election.
“This campaign is about putting Oregon first. Fighting for affordable living, safer communities, good-paying jobs, responsible government, and protecting the values that make our beloved state strong,” Smith declared in a statement. “This election is bigger than politics. It’s about restoring hope, opportunity, and accountability for every Oregonian.”
Merkley, who first took office in 2008, is considered to hold a relatively secure position given that Oregon voters haven’t chosen a Republican for U.S. Senate since 2002. His campaign team had not provided a response by Friday evening regarding Smith’s primary victory.
This outcome follows other major primary decisions announced on election night, including a gas tax ballot question and the Republican gubernatorial primary that established a November showdown for the state’s highest office.
Voters decisively defeated a ballot measure proposing to increase the state gas tax by 6 cents to 46 cents per gallon. The Democratic-controlled Legislature had approved this controversial gas tax hike along with additional fees last year to fund road repairs and address transportation budget shortfalls. Republicans subsequently organized a referendum drive to place the issue before voters for final determination.
Republican leaders celebrated the gas tax measure’s defeat after voters soundly rejected it. Democratic officials largely stayed quiet and didn’t mount organized support efforts as the Iran war drove gas prices higher. Several party members had predicted voter rejection of the measure leading up to the primary.
For governor, Republican state Sen. Christine Drazan won her party’s nomination from a crowded field of 14 contenders. She defeated rivals including another GOP legislator who had championed the gas tax referendum effort and a former NBA player.
Drazan’s win creates a repeat matchup with Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek, who secured her party’s nomination while seeking another term. In 2022, Drazan fell short against Kotek by more than 3 percentage points in a three-candidate race that featured an independent contender.
Kotek won her initial gubernatorial term that year following legislative service that included a record tenure as Oregon’s House speaker. She has clashed with the Trump administration, which attempted unsuccessfully to send National Guard troops to Portland last fall, citing protection of federal facilities and staff after demonstrations at the city’s U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building.
Kotek has also committed to addressing homelessness, mental health challenges, and educational concerns. However, despite approving funding and initiatives targeting these problems, the state continues experiencing increased homelessness and declining student achievement scores that remain below pre-pandemic benchmarks.
Drazan will probably focus on these challenges while confronting difficult odds: Oregon voters haven’t chosen a Republican governor in more than four decades.
In Oregon’s single competitive U.S. House race, Democratic incumbent Rep. Janelle Bynum secured her primary victory. County commissioner Patti Adair claimed the Republican nomination in that district and will attempt to reclaim the seat for the GOP. Republicans had flipped this seat in 2022 for the first time in many years before Bynum won it back for Democrats.
Federal health authorities announced Friday they are temporarily prohibiting lawful permanent residents from entering the United States if they have visited the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda or South Sudan within the past 21 days due to Ebola concerns.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had initially exempted U.S. citizens, nationals and green card holders from a 30-day entry prohibition, but officials now say including permanent residents in the restriction is essential to prevent the virus from reaching American soil.
“Applying this authority to lawful permanent residents for a limited period of time provides a balance between protecting public health and managing emergency response resources,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a statement.
The World Health Organization elevated the risk assessment to “very high” Friday for the uncommon Bundibugyo strain of Ebola potentially becoming a nationwide outbreak in the DRC and has classified the situation there and in Uganda as an emergency of international concern.
Health officials initially implemented the restriction Monday using Title 42 of U.S. public health law, which grants federal health agencies the power to block migrants from entering the nation to halt the transmission of infectious diseases.
Permanent residents have traditionally been protected from U.S. entry limitations. The CDC’s pandemic-era Title 42 directive excluded them, as did various travel restrictions implemented during the Trump administration.
An internal World Bank document obtained by Reuters shows that 27 nations have taken steps to secure rapid access to emergency funding through existing bank programs following the start of the Iran war.
The confidential document did not identify which specific countries are involved or reveal the total dollar amounts they are seeking. World Bank officials declined to provide comment on the matter.
According to the document, three nations have successfully established new funding mechanisms since the Middle East conflict started on February 28, while the remaining countries continue working through the approval process.
The ongoing conflict has created widespread disruption in global energy markets, damaging supply chains worldwide and blocking critical fertilizer deliveries to developing nations.
Government officials from Kenya and Iraq have publicly confirmed their efforts to obtain emergency World Bank assistance to address war-related impacts, including Kenya’s struggle with rising fuel costs and Iraq’s significant decline in oil revenues.
These 27 nations are part of a larger group of 101 countries that have access to various pre-established financing tools for crisis situations. This includes 54 countries enrolled in the Rapid Response Option, which permits nations to utilize up to 10% of their unused financing.
World Bank President Ajay Banga announced last month that the institution’s emergency response tools would enable countries to access between $20 billion and $25 billion through pre-arranged emergency financing, existing project funds, and rapid-disbursement programs.
Banga indicated the bank could redirect portions of its investment portfolio to reach $60 billion within six months, with potential long-term adjustments bringing the total to approximately $100 billion.
During the same period, International Monetary Fund head Kristalina Georgieva predicted that up to 12 countries would request between $20 billion and $50 billion in immediate assistance from the global lending institution. However, according to three informed sources, few formal requests have been submitted.
“Countries are definitely in wait-and-see mode,” one source said, requesting anonymity.
Kevin Gallagher, director of the Global Development Policy Center at Boston University, explained that nations prefer World Bank funding over IMF negotiations because IMF programs typically mandate austerity policies that could worsen social unrest already occurring in countries like Kenya.
A federal jury in Seattle has cleared Boeing of fraud allegations on Friday, rejecting claims that the aircraft manufacturer concealed safety issues with 737 MAX planes sold to LOT Polish Airlines in the previous decade.
The Polish carrier had alleged that Boeing committed fraud by concealing a crucial modification to the widely-used narrow-body aircraft’s flight control systems. This modification was connected to two deadly 737 MAX accidents in 2018 and 2019 that resulted in the aircraft being banned from flying worldwide for 20 months.
LOT Polish Airlines had been pursuing $153 million in compensation for losses it claimed were caused by the aircraft grounding.
Following a two-week court proceeding, jury members spent three hours in deliberation before reaching their decision.
“We are gratified by the jury’s verdict in our favor today,” a Boeing spokesperson said.
LOT Polish Airlines released a statement recognizing the decision while keeping open the possibility of filing an appeal.
“As the legal process may not yet be concluded, LOT will not comment further on the details of the proceeding at this stage,” the company said.
A deadly gas explosion at a coal mining facility in northern China’s Shanxi province has claimed eight lives, with 38 workers still trapped underground, according to Saturday reports from state news agency Xinhua, which cited the local emergency management authority.
The blast happened late Friday evening at the Liushenyu coal mine located in Qinyuan county, where 247 employees were working below ground when the explosion occurred, Xinhua stated.
Rescue teams had successfully evacuated 201 individuals to safety by early Saturday morning, which included the eight fatalities, according to the news report.
Former Indianapolis 500 champion Alexander Rossi says he’s ready for Sunday’s big race despite dealing with injuries from a crash earlier in the week. The driver was behind the wheel of a backup vehicle during Friday’s practice after sustaining injuries to his left hand and right ankle in Monday’s incident.
The 2016 Indy 500 champion was hurt during Monday’s wreck in Turn 2 that also included Pato O’Ward in the collision. Following the accident, Rossi was seen using crutches when he exited his vehicle.
During Friday’s “Carb Day” media session, the Ed Carpenter Racing competitor expressed confidence that his No. 20 Chevrolet would perform well in Sunday’s race at Indianapolis despite the setback.
“I feel fine, it was good,” Rossi commented about Friday’s practice session. “It was really important that it didn’t rain today for obvious reasons, and the (No.) 20 car did an amazing job to build a car that’s just as good as the one we had.
“It never gets old. This place is magical for so many different reasons. If we can do something pretty cool on Sunday, it’ll be one heck of a story.”
During Friday’s session, Rossi completed 48 laps with his fastest speed reaching 222.291 mph, placing him 31st among all 33 competitors. He’s scheduled to begin Sunday’s race from the second starting position. Defending champion Alex Palou of Spain earned the pole position, while David Malukas in the No. 3 car rounds out the front row.
O’Ward also took his backup vehicle out for Friday’s practice and noticed differences in how it handled compared to his original car.
“Every car has its little details of how it likes certain setups and adjustments,” explained O’Ward of Mexico. “I think this one, as much as it was like the other, it wasn’t. It’s a different car.
“We’re getting there, we are getting there. (The practice) obviously ended much better than it started, so we’ve found the right direction, and I think we’ve got (the car) in the window where we can work with it during the race.”
The Arrow McLaren driver posted his fastest lap at 224.202, ranking 20th for the day after completing 58 laps.
Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Josef Newgarden from Team Penske recorded Friday’s quickest time during Carb Day, clocking 228.342 on his 11th lap out of 55 total.
Newgarden faces a significant challenge starting from the eighth row in the 23rd position. The most recent driver to claim victory from such a far back starting spot was Johnny Rutherford, who won from 25th place in 1974.
The recent champion wasn’t placing too much emphasis on Friday’s practice results.
“It feels OK, feels all right,” said the 2023 and 2024 winner. “But today is Friday. We’ve got to be good on Sunday.
“I’m just ready to get to Sunday. Sunday is what’s going to matter with the Shell car. Team Chevy has done a great job for us this month, so I’m excited to go racing.”
Four-time Indianapolis 500 victor Helio Castroneves of Brazil remains a contender to watch as he prepares for his 26th appearance at the legendary speedway.
The 51-year-old driver, who celebrated his birthday earlier this month, finished 19th in Friday’s practice with a speed of 224.293 after running 70 laps.
“It feels great, this machine looks strong,” Castroneves stated. “The guys did a great job.”
Castroneves last captured the Indianapolis 500 in 2021, adding to his previous victories in 2001, 2002, and 2009.
Emergency officials issued evacuation orders for roughly 40,000 residents in Southern California on Friday following a dangerous leak from a chemical storage tank that poses serious safety risks.
The hazardous situation prompted authorities to close local schools as they warned that the compromised storage facility could potentially burst or explode. The chemical tank has continued leaking despite ongoing response efforts.
Orange County Fire Authority Division Chief Craig Covey addressed the media during a press briefing held at the Los Alamitos racetrack in Cypress regarding the dangerous materials incident occurring in Garden Grove.
Emergency crews are working to contain the situation while residents remain displaced from the affected area until the threat is resolved.
A traffic accident has resulted in the closure of the left lane on southbound Interstate 495 at Philadelphia Pike.
The crash is causing delays for drivers traveling through the area. Motorists are advised to use caution and allow extra time for their commute while emergency crews work to clear the scene.
No additional details about the accident or any potential injuries have been released at this time.
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — A man from Argentina who was held in Venezuelan custody for 448 days issued an appeal Friday for global leaders to intensify efforts pressuring the administration of interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez to free other detainees.
Nahuel Gallo, age 35, gained his freedom on March 1 following his arrest on spy-related charges leveled by the administration of former President Nicolás Maduro, who has since been removed from power.
“I think we’re still imprisoned until our fellow inmates are freed,” Gallo told The Associated Press.
Throughout his nearly 15-month incarceration, Gallo reported suffering physical assaults, inadequate healthcare, and relentless mental torment while confined at Rodeo I facility.
Since assuming the role of acting president following Maduro’s January apprehension by U.S. forces, Rodríguez has pledged democratic changes, and Venezuelan officials have previously rejected accounts of prison mistreatment. However, opposition voices maintain that hundreds continue to be held on political grounds.
According to Gallo, these ongoing imprisonments demonstrate that Venezuela’s oppressive apparatus continues to function.
During a Thursday meeting in Buenos Aires with U.S. Ambassador to Argentina Peter Lamelas, the diplomat issued a statement declaring that “the Maduro regime in Venezuela used the arbitrary detention of foreign citizens as a tool of political repression.”
Earlier this week, National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez — who is the interim president’s brother — revealed intentions to free 300 prisoners, including some whom human rights organizations view as politically motivated cases.
Gallo’s arrest occurred on Dec. 8, 2024, during his attempt to cross into Venezuela for a visit with his Venezuelan partner, María Alexandra Gómez García, and their child, who was under 2 years old at the time.
While passing through border control, Venezuelan officials examined his mobile device and discovered WhatsApp messages between him and his partner discussing Venezuela’s political and economic circumstances.
“You’re criticizing my president,” Gallo recalled officers telling him.
He was subsequently taken to the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence, where he reported being restrained, struck, and kicked during questioning sessions.
Following this, he was placed in a truck where agents persisted with interrogation after discovering contacts connected to Argentine legal institutions on his phone.
“You are a spy. You work for the government,” he recalled them saying while threatening to throw him from the vehicle, pressing a gun against his head and pointing a Taser at him.
Almost three weeks following his detention, then-Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek William Saab charged Gallo with engaging in “terrorist actions” against Venezuela.
Throughout his nearly 15-month stay at Rodeo I, Gallo reported having zero communication with Argentine representatives and receiving no updates about potential release discussions.
Gallo painted a picture of brutal circumstances within the facility. Healthcare was severely restricted. Prisoners received only brief daily periods for bathing, laundering, and restroom use. Guards regularly deployed pepper spray against inmates.
His foreign status prohibited him from receiving visitors. His first conversation with his wife occurred only after a full year behind bars and following his decision to begin a hunger strike.
The experiences that continue to trouble him most involve witnessing guards assault prisoners in adjacent cells.
“I think the greatest torture is seeing something being done to someone else and not being able to do anything,” Gallo said.
He currently utilizes social media platforms to expose Venezuelan prison conditions and campaign for those who remain incarcerated.
“The person who’s still inside is waiting for the one who got out to do something,” he said.
Gallo continues to recall the words his fellow prisoners shared as he departed Rodeo I: “Gallo, don’t forget about us.”
The primary immigration courthouse in San Francisco has permanently shut its doors, leaving no asylum seekers awaiting decisions and no attorneys presenting cases in what was once a bustling legal venue.
When President Donald Trump began his current term, the facility employed 21 immigration judges. By its closure on May 1, only two remained after the others were terminated, chose retirement, or stepped down during the White House’s systematic removal of federal immigration judges.
This shutdown represents another example of the widespread disruption affecting immigration courts nationwide as the current administration seeks methods to process its enormous backlog of 3.8 million asylum cases while maximizing deportations.
Rejection rates for asylum requests have increased dramatically following the dismissal of nearly 100 judges deemed too lenient, with hundreds of military attorneys approved to take their places. Immigrants have faced arrest upon arriving at courthouses or government facilities for scheduled hearings.
While this national transformation continues, San Francisco becomes the first major metropolitan area to lose its primary immigration court, creating disorder and breakdown in an area historically welcoming to those seeking asylum. The two remaining judges will operate from a different federal facility in the city but will function as part of an immigration court located across the bay.
According to court personnel, this welcoming reputation may have contributed to its closure.
“It was a vibrant legal scene and so I think if you were looking to target a court you would have to look at what San Francisco stands for,” said Jeremiah Johnson, an immigration judge in the city until he was fired in November. He is now executive vice president of the National Association of Immigration Judges.
The majority of the court’s 117,000 immigration cases have been relocated to a facility in Concord, approximately 30 miles away, which opened two years ago to assist with San Francisco’s case backlog. However, disruption has also affected that location. A courthouse that began 2025 with 11 judges now operates with five following multiple terminations. It already handled 60,000 cases before absorbing the San Francisco transfers.
San Francisco’s immigration court, which ranked third nationally in asylum case volume, was historically regarded as among the most favorable to asylum seekers. Between 2019 and 2024, nearly 75% of applicants obtained some form of protection, compared to 43% nationally, based on information gathered by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, a nonprofit data research center based at Syracuse University.
This success rate stemmed partly from San Francisco’s extensive network of immigrant advocacy groups and pro bono or affordable legal services, resulting in one of the nation’s highest rates of legal representation for immigrants.
The Executive Office of Immigration Review, the Department of Justice division overseeing immigration courts, announced in March its intention to close the San Francisco courthouse in 2027 as a cost-reduction strategy and transfer cases to Concord. However, the closure occurred ahead of schedule after almost all San Francisco judges departed or were dismissed. The Executive Office offered no comprehensive explanation for the changes, stating only that it chose not to renew the court’s lease and does not discuss personnel issues.
Security measures at the Concord courthouse are extensive, possibly due to the new case influx. Armed security personnel question each visitor about weapons or explosives and observe as everyone powers down their mobile devices. Even coffee is prohibited inside. Only water is permitted, and only in clear containers.
Judah Lakin, an immigration attorney based in Oakland who also teaches at UC Berkeley School of Law, said the closure of the San Francisco court has made cases more time consuming since it’s harder for his clients, who often travel from hours away, to reach Concord on public transportation.
One recent 10-minute hearing in Concord took him more than two hours of travel, he said.
Beyond logistical challenges, Lakin explained that the turmoil in immigration courts under the Trump administration has created a tense courtroom environment. Mass terminations have resulted in last-minute hearing cancellations, cases have been rescheduled with minimal notice, and clients often remain in extended legal uncertainty, making them susceptible to deportation.
One of his clients, he said, was provisionally granted asylum by a judge, who was then fired before signing the decision. The case was transferred to a second judge, who was also fired. Now on their third judge, his client is still waiting.
“The ground is constantly shifting underneath your feet, whether it’s judges being fired and hearings getting canceled, whether it’s your clients getting arrested, whether it’s getting denials on things that used to be standard and routine,” Lakin said.
“I think that’s on purpose. That’s by design. It’s part of the strategy,” he added.
San Francisco’s immigration court was among the nation’s first to employ judges with non-prosecutorial backgrounds, with many having prior experience assisting immigrants at nonprofits or representing them in legal proceedings.
Witnessing the court’s closure is “heartbreaking,” said Dana Leigh Marks, a former San Francisco immigration judge who retired in 2021 after 35 years on the bench and who was among the first judges in the nation to be hired from private practice.
She views the Trump administration’s decision to close the largest immigration court in Northern California as part of an effort to undermine due process and eventually dismantle the path to asylum.
“It’s all a part of big ways and little ways that the Trump administration is trying to get non-citizens out of the country,” she said.
Johnson, the dismissed San Francisco judge, received his appointment during the first Trump administration. He believes he became a target because he approved asylum in 89% of his cases.
“You don’t fire judges if you disagree with the way they’re handling a case, that’s not how courts work. If you disagree, you appeal that decision,” he said.
Johnson, who is the executive vice president of the National Association of Immigration Judges, defended his judicial record, pointing out that over eight years, only about 10 of his cases were appealed by the Department of Homeland Security, and very few were sent back for further hearings by the Board of Immigration Appeals.
Unlike federal courts, where there are strict rules of procedure and judges have lifetime tenure, the Justice Department runs immigration courts, and the attorney general can fire the judges with fewer constraints.
There were 754 immigration judges across the country at the start of Trump’s second term. Now, there are about 600, including some temporary judges, according to data collected by the judges’ union. Widespread courthouse arrests of immigrants have caused hundreds of people not to even show up for hearings, leading to deportation orders in absentia.
Nidaa Pervaiz came to the Concord court on a recent day to represent a client from Nepal. She prefers the new courthouse in some ways, since it’s closer to her home.
But, she said, she and her clients are already feeling the impact of the changes. Fewer judges leads to fewer hearings. That means more delays for her clients, whose paperwork can expire even before they can appear before a judge.
“Their whole lives are at stake, and they are coming to make a plea for their future” she said.
Drivers traveling westbound on Jackson Street should expect delays this afternoon as construction crews have closed the right lane between Lancaster Avenue and Chestnut Street.
The lane restriction is expected to remain in place until 3:30 PM today while work continues in the area.
Motorists are advised to use caution when driving through the construction zone and allow extra time for their commute.
ROCHESTER, NY – Salisbury University’s women’s lacrosse team watched their championship hopes slip away Friday evening in a heartbreaking 5-4 defeat to Wesleyan University Cardinals during NCAA semifinal action.
The Sea Gulls, who entered the contest as the tournament’s second seed, couldn’t overcome the third-seeded Cardinals in what became a defensive battle at Judson Stadium on the RIT campus. The narrow one-goal margin brought an end to Salisbury’s impressive season run.
Both teams struggled to find offensive rhythm in the tightly contested matchup, with neither squad able to pull away decisively throughout the game.
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — In a dramatic late-night announcement on Friday, Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye dismissed Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko following prolonged political friction between the two leaders.
Government Secretary General Oumar Samba Ba made the announcement during a nighttime television broadcast, revealing the end of a partnership that had brought their party to power.
The dismissal marks the climax of escalating disputes between these once-allied leaders from the Patriotes Africains du Sénégal pour le Travail, l’Éthique et la Fraternité (Pastef) party, which had successfully ousted the previous administration.
According to Ba, the prime minister’s removal triggered the resignation of all government ministers and led to the cabinet’s complete dissolution.
The Pastef party had secured victory following an aggressive political battle against the previously governing Alliance pour la République party. This came amid widespread concerns that former President Macky Sall might exploit a 2016 constitutional amendment to extend his presidency. Sall, who governed from 2012 to 2024, ultimately chose not to seek reelection, leading to his party’s defeat.
Sonko, who leads the Pastef party, was prohibited from seeking the presidency after courts upheld a defamation conviction and the Constitutional Court rejected his candidacy. Faye stepped in as the party’s candidate in Sonko’s place.
Following his dismissal, Sonko posted a brief message on X, stating: “Praise be to Allah. Tonight I will sleep with a light heart in the Keur Gorgui neighborhood.”
Tens of thousands of Southern California residents remained displaced Friday as emergency crews worked desperately to contain a dangerous chemical leak that threatens to explode without warning.
Emergency officials issued mandatory evacuation orders for approximately 40,000 people after a storage vessel containing 6,000 to 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate began overheating and releasing toxic vapors Thursday at an aerospace plastics manufacturing plant in Garden Grove, Orange County.
The leak originated at GKN Aerospace, a facility that produces components for both commercial and military aircraft. When overnight efforts to stop the chemical release failed, authorities expanded evacuation zones Friday to include portions of five additional Orange County communities: Cypress, Stanton, Anaheim, Buena Park and Westminster.
Garden Grove Fire Chief Craig Covey delivered a stark warning during Friday’s afternoon briefing, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
“This is not precautionary. … This thing is going to fail, and we don’t know when,” Covey stated. “We’re doing our best to figure out when or how we can prevent it.”
The fire chief explained that the compromised tank faces two catastrophic scenarios: it could crack and spill the hazardous substance onto the ground, or it could detonate entirely.
Garden Grove Mayor Stephanie Klopfenstein acknowledged residents’ concerns during the press conference, saying, “We understand that this is frightening. But the evacuation orders are in place for your safety.”
Emergency responders have constructed protective barriers using sandbags around the facility to contain any potential chemical release and prevent contamination from reaching storm drainage systems, waterways, or the Pacific Ocean.
Covey described methyl methacrylate as extremely volatile, poisonous, and combustible.
“We are setting up these evacuations in preparation for these two options: it fails, or it blows up,” the fire chief explained in a social media video update. “Please follow our requests and orders for evacuations.”
While emergency teams successfully neutralized one damaged storage vessel initially, Covey announced Friday morning that the second tank had entered what he called “the biggest crisis.”
Authorities reported no casualties or fatalities related to the incident. Educational institutions throughout the affected area suspended operations as a safety precaution.
Officials revealed Friday that both fentanyl and methamphetamine were discovered inside a residence where emergency personnel became ill while responding to a suspected overdose incident in a rural New Mexico county.
Three individuals discovered inside the residence on Wednesday lost their lives. A fourth person who was present in the home and one emergency worker who fell ill remained hospitalized as of Friday.
A physician who examined the responders displaying symptoms such as nausea and dizziness determined their condition most closely matched fentanyl exposure. The investigation into the method and cause of the exposure continues.
During a press conference in Albuquerque, University of New Mexico Hospital Chief Medical Officer Steve McLaughlin stated that officials were operating “under the assumption” that fentanyl caused the illness. He described the responders’ symptoms as ranging from mild to moderately severe.
“It’s probably not absorbed through your skin, but it would be absorbed through your eyes, nose, mucous membranes, or if you inhale it,” McLaughlin explained to The Associated Press.
Officials noted during Friday’s briefing that methamphetamine poses notorious toxicity risks upon exposure, while fentanyl presents less danger. The responders who became sick had provided direct medical care to the individuals discovered inside the house located east of Albuquerque, in the rural community of Mountainair.
Over a dozen emergency personnel underwent quarantine and decontamination procedures following their response to the location.
Among the two individuals still receiving hospital treatment Friday, one was discovered unconscious in the residence where the three fatalities occurred. Officials reported receiving the initial call from a coworker of one of the people inside after they failed to appear for work.
New Mexico State Police Chief Matt Broom stated that investigators found no immediate evidence suggesting drug manufacturing operations within the house.
State police announced early in the investigation that no public danger existed and that the unidentified substance was not believed to be airborne.
Officials identified two victims Friday as Mika Rascon, 51, and Georgia Rascon, 49. The third deceased person’s identity remains unreleased, and the cause and manner of all three deaths await determination.
Recorded communications from the Torrance County Fire Dispatch channel on Broadcastify revealed that responders initially received a report about a 60-year-old man who was unconscious but breathing.
Minutes later, a dispatcher announced the presence of three additional people at the location, with two possibly not breathing. Emergency personnel then requested naloxone, the medication used to reverse opioid overdoses. Officials confirmed that naloxone successfully revived one person.
Within an hour of the original emergency call, the dispatch center reported multiple exposures had occurred.
Several emergency responders developed symptoms including coughing, vomiting and dizziness, according to authorities. Hospital officials noted that most responders experienced no symptoms.
Research evidence indicates that fentanyl, a powerful opioid, does not typically cause overdoses through casual skin contact or brief airborne exposure in standard field conditions. Medical experts explain that overdoses require substantial ingestion, injection or inhalation of the drug.
Local residents in Mountainair, a community of fewer than 1,000 people, have expressed concerns about drug use affecting their area and surrounding regions.
According to the most recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, New Mexico ranked fourth nationally for drug overdose death rates in 2024, recording 775 fatalities.
SpaceX conducted a test flight Friday of its most advanced Starship rocket to date, featuring an enhanced design that NASA plans to use for returning astronauts to the lunar surface.
The revamped mega rocket took its maiden voyage just two days following an announcement by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk about taking his company public. The launch occurred from Texas’s southern border region, with the spacecraft carrying 20 simulated Starlink satellites scheduled for deployment on the opposite side of the globe.
This marks the 12th experimental mission for the rocket system Musk envisions will eventually transport humans to Mars. However, lunar missions through NASA’s Artemis initiative come first in the timeline.
October saw the final launch of the previous generation of space-bound Starships. SpaceX’s third-generation model — an enhanced variant called V3 — lifted off from a newly constructed launch platform at Starbase, located close to the Mexican border. Technical problems with the launch pad prevented Thursday evening’s scheduled attempt.
The company hoped to prevent the explosive incidents that occurred during consecutive launches the previous year, when mid-flight detonations scattered debris across the Atlantic Ocean. Previous test flights also concluded with fiery endings.
Standing at 407 feet (124 meters) tall, this newest variant surpasses earlier Starship models by multiple feet (over 1 meter) and delivers increased engine power.
The updated booster features fewer but larger and more durable grid fins designed to guide it back to Earth after takeoff, plus an enlarged and reinforced fuel transfer system that supplies the 33 primary engines. This fuel line matches the dimensions of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 first-stage booster. The retro-styled, stainless steel vehicle also contains enhanced capabilities across the board — additional cameras, improved navigation and computing systems — along with docking equipment for upcoming rendezvous and lunar operations.
The Starship system is designed for complete reusability, utilizing massive mechanical arms at launch sites to capture returning rocket components. However, during this recent test mission, no recovery operations were planned. The redesigned first-stage booster’s journey ended in the Gulf of Mexico, while the spacecraft and its satellite demonstrations concluded in the Indian Ocean.
NASA has contracted SpaceX for billions of dollars — along with Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin — to develop the lunar landing vehicles that will transport Artemis astronauts to the moon’s surface.
Both companies are competing to achieve the first successful mission.
Although Starship has reached space’s outer boundaries during multiple flights lasting no more than an hour, Bezos’ Blue Moon vehicle has not yet launched, though a prototype is being prepared for a lunar mission later this year.
NASA plans to follow April’s successful lunar flyby mission with four astronauts by conducting an orbital docking test around Earth next year. During that Artemis III mission, crew members will rehearse connecting their Orion capsule with either Starship, Blue Moon, or both vehicles.
A crewed lunar landing mission — Artemis IV — could occur as early as 2028 using whichever lander proves safer and becomes operational first. This would represent NASA’s first crewed moon landing since Apollo 17 in 1972. The current objective involves establishing a lunar base near the moon’s south pole, operated by both astronauts and robotic systems.
SpaceX has begun accepting bookings for private missions to the moon and Mars aboard Starship.
Dennis Tito, the world’s inaugural space tourist and California businessman, along with his wife, reserved seats 3 1/2 years ago for a lunar orbit flight. The departure date remains undetermined.
This week, another affluent space traveler — Chinese-born bitcoin investor Chun Wang — revealed his plans to journey to Mars on Starship’s inaugural interplanetary voyage. Wang previously funded a SpaceX polar mission in a Dragon capsule last year and, together with his selected crew, became the first to orbit over both polar regions.
Neither cost nor timeline details were disclosed for his Mars expedition.
NEW YORK (AP) — A Manhattan federal judge dismissed author Michael Wolff’s legal case against first lady Melania Trump on Friday, describing his “twisted” effort to stop her potential $1 billion lawsuit over his comments linking her to Jeffrey Epstein as contrary to how “federal courts operate.”
Federal Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil criticized both parties for engaging in an “unacceptable degree of strategic maneuvering” and declared she “refuses to supervise a poorly presented quarrel.”
Vyskocil, a President Donald Trump appointee, acknowledged that Wolff and the first lady “face a legitimate legal conflict,” but emphasized “their dispute must follow standard legal processes like any other case.”
The author initiated legal proceedings against Melania Trump in October following correspondence from her attorney, Alejandro Brito, warning that she would have “no choice” but to pursue litigation unless he withdrew comments that allegedly inflicted “severe damage to her reputation and finances.”
Initially filed in New York state court, Brito successfully moved the case to federal jurisdiction. In her 45-page ruling, Vyskocil determined that although federal court maintains authority over the matter, she chose not to exercise it and “dismisses this case to be litigated like any other.”
Attempts to reach representatives for the first lady’s office, Brito, and Wolff’s legal counsel were unsuccessful.
During an April White House appearance, Melania Trump publicly rejected any connection to Epstein, the wealthy financier and registered sex offender who died by suicide in jail during August 2019 while facing sex trafficking allegations.
Speaking from prepared text, the first lady announced she and her legal team were challenging “false and groundless accusations” suggesting connections to Epstein.
“The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today,” Melania Trump said. “The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility and respect. I do not object to their ignorance, but rather I reject their mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation.”
Wolff’s legal filing claimed the Trumps “routinely threaten critics” with expensive litigation “to suppress opposition speech, intimidate detractors broadly, and secure unwarranted financial settlements and North Korean style confessions and apologies.”
He alleged these intimidation tactics were “intended to establish nationwide fear preventing citizens from freely exercising First Amendment protections.”
The author has written twelve books, including four bestselling works focused on the president.
According to his lawsuit, Melania Trump’s legal threats concerned remarks he made to The Daily Beast and in three online videos. Wolff argued some statements were partial quotes removed from proper context.
Additional comments, his legal team argued, constituted protected expression. The characterization of the Trumps’ relationship as a “sham marriage, trophy marriage” represented a “reasonable and warranted” opinion, according to the filing.
The lawsuit emphasized that Wolff never alleged Melania Trump participated in Epstein’s criminal activities.
Following Brito’s correspondence in July 2025, The Daily Beast withdrew an article headlined “Melania Trump ‘Very Involved’ in Epstein Scandal: Author,” which featured Wolff’s interview.
Wolff’s lawsuit clarified his remarks addressed the first lady’s “participation” in managing the situation “privately” within the White House — not suggesting involvement in Epstein’s offenses.
Other statements Wolff defended as accurate included claims about Melania Trump encountering Donald Trump within Epstein’s social network, and allegations that Donald Trump pursued relationships with associates’ spouses and initially became intimate with Melania Trump aboard Epstein’s aircraft.
NEW YORK — At least 16 people sustained injuries, three of them serious, when an explosion and fire erupted at a shipyard facility on Staten Island Friday afternoon, according to the New York Fire Department.
The incident began around 3:30 p.m. Friday when someone called to report two workers stuck in a confined area at the dock, according to Joanne Mariano from the fire department’s press office. When firefighters arrived, they discovered flames burning in the lower level of a large metal building at the dock location.
While emergency crews were battling the blaze, a significant explosion happened at the location approximately 50 minutes after their arrival, Mariano explained.
By 5 p.m., emergency personnel had documented 16 injured individuals at the scene, Mariano reported. Among those seriously hurt were two firefighters and one civilian. Two other firefighters suffered moderate injuries, while the remaining victims had minor injuries. Two emergency medical workers were also among those with minor injuries.
Officials were still working to confirm the final number of patients, Mariano noted.
More than 200 firefighters and emergency medical staff from 68 different units responded to the scene Friday evening, according to Mariano. Authorities continue to investigate what caused the fire and explosion.
Richard Oviogor, who was nearby during the incident, spoke to WABC-TV about hearing two explosions and what felt like a “big shock wave.”
The location houses multiple businesses, including a coffee roasting operation and a self-storage business. The shipyard was previously operated by the Bethlehem Steel Company, which constructed vessels for the U.S. Navy during World War II.
Wreckage from unmanned aircraft sparked a blaze at an oil facility in Russia’s Black Sea port city of Novorossiysk, leaving one person hurt, authorities reported in the early hours of Saturday, May 23.
According to the General Headquarters of southern Krasnodar Region in a Telegram post, multiple technical and administrative structures were engulfed in flames. The falling wreckage also struck the facility’s oil storage terminal.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis revealed on Friday that Blue Origin will invest $600 million to grow its Rocket Park operations in Cape Canaveral.
This major investment announcement comes at a time when Blue Origin’s competitor, Elon Musk’s SpaceX, is moving toward a public offering with an estimated worth of $1.75 trillion.
Key highlights of the expansion include:
• A massive 830,000-square-foot facility dedicated to manufacturing upper stages will create 500 aerospace positions, with workers earning an average of more than $98,000 annually.
• Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp described the initiative in a statement: “Project Horizon is the latest and most ambitious chapter in Blue Origin’s decade-long commitment to Florida.”
• According to Limp, Blue Origin has grown to employ nearly 4,000 people since 2015 and has invested over $2.3 billion through partnerships with 500 Florida suppliers.
• Financial backing for the project will come through the Spaceport Improvement Program, a collaborative effort between Space Florida and the Florida Department of Transportation, which previously supported Blue Origin’s new launch pad at Launch Complex 36.
• Blue Origin, the space venture owned by billionaire Jeff Bezos, currently holds the distinction of being the sole company that both builds and launches rockets from Florida.
• Federal aviation authorities directed Blue Origin in April to examine an upper-stage failure of its New Glenn rocket following an unsuccessful satellite mission launched from Florida.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX conducted a crucial test Friday evening, launching its 12th Starship mission from Texas facilities in what represents the maiden voyage of the upgraded V3 spacecraft.
The uncrewed launch from Starbase, Texas near Brownsville marked a significant moment for the rocket company as it approaches what could become the largest initial public offering in history next month.
This inaugural flight of the Starship V3 – engineered to support more regular Starlink satellite deployments and future NASA lunar missions – comes after months of testing postponements and could influence investor sentiment before the anticipated IPO.
The massive spacecraft, which has consumed over $15 billion in development costs as a completely reusable vehicle, plays a central role in Musk’s vision to reduce launch expenses, grow his Starlink enterprise, and pursue goals from deep-space missions to orbital data facilities – all calculated into his targeted $1.75 trillion IPO valuation.
A positive test outcome would strengthen SpaceX’s argument that Starship, recognized as the world’s most massive and powerful rocket ever launched, is approaching commercial viability following years of explosive failures and development setbacks.
The enormous rocket system, featuring the upper-stage Starship crew vehicle mounted on its Super Heavy booster, lifted off Friday evening from SpaceX’s Gulf of Mexico facilities near Brownsville.
This launch represented the company’s 12th Starship test since 2023 and the inaugural flight for the V3 version of both the spacecraft and its Super Heavy booster – equipped with the company’s latest Raptor 3 engines – plus the first departure from a new launch platform built for the enhanced rocket.
PLANNED OCEAN SPLASHDOWN
SpaceX announced it would not try to recover or land either the booster or upper-stage Starship following Friday’s test mission, regardless of performance.
However, test goals encompass completing multiple return-flight procedures by both the lower-stage rocket and Starship, including controlled landing sequences before both vehicles impact ocean waters.
The Super Heavy aims for a Gulf of Mexico splashdown location approximately seven minutes post-launch. The Starship will continue traveling through suborbital space before executing its own “exciting landing!” as SpaceX describes it, in the Indian Ocean roughly one hour afterward.
During Starship V3’s space journey, mission plans involve its payload system releasing 20 simulated Starlink satellites individually, plus two operational satellites positioned along Starship’s flight path to monitor the spacecraft’s heat protection and relay information to ground controllers during descent.
Approximately 20 minutes following the payload release demonstration, a scheduled restart of Starship’s Raptor engine in space will occur.
For Starship’s intense, transonic return through Earth’s atmosphere, engineers deliberately removed one heat shield tile to assess varying aerodynamic pressures on surrounding tiles. Additional tiles received white paint to function as imaging references during testing.
The rocket’s thermal protection system constitutes one of SpaceX’s most challenging development obstacles with Starship, as engineers work to create an extremely durable protective coating requiring minimal or zero maintenance between flights.
INVESTOR ATTENTION BEFORE IPO
This 12th test flight in the Starship program faces intense investor observation three weeks before an IPO that could establish the first U.S. market entry exceeding $1 trillion and instantly make SpaceX among the world’s most valuable public companies.
SpaceX’s most profitable operations, focused on its Starlink business and orbital data center plans, depend heavily on Starship successfully delivering them to space.
Although Musk has publicly accepted previous test-flight failures calmly, questions remain about how investors will balance the billionaire entrepreneur’s willingness to accept short-term risks against his long-term goals for lunar and interplanetary exploration.
SpaceX’s engineering approach, viewed as more risk-accepting than many established aerospace companies, relies on a flight-testing method that pushes new spacecraft to failure points, then refines improvements through repeated attempts.
Musk, who established his California-based rocket firm in 2002, stated one year ago he expected Starship to complete its first uncrewed Mars journey by late 2026, a timeline now clearly unattainable.
The V3 incorporates numerous enhancements designed to optimize the vehicle’s performance for missions extending beyond the low-Earth orbit domain of SpaceX’s current primary launch system, comprising Falcon 9 or Falcon Heavy rocket boosters with Dragon capsules.
Among the key improvements to the Super Heavy booster is redesigning its 33 Raptor engines to generate increased thrust from a configuration that weighs considerably less.
The upper-stage Starship’s propulsion system has similarly been enhanced for extended-duration missions, featuring capabilities for spacecraft-to-spacecraft connections, space-based refueling, and improved maneuverability.
Several Starship tanker craft would need to perform the orbital refueling process – a dangerous and untested procedure necessary for SpaceX’s strategy regarding its initial lunar-landing mission, scheduled for 2028.
These elements were all included in the $3 billion-plus contract SpaceX secured in 2021 through NASA’s Artemis program, the U.S. initiative to return astronauts to the moon’s surface this decade for the first time since 1972. These objectives position Starship at the heart of a renewed space competition with China, which targets its own crewed lunar landing in 2030.
SALISBURY, Md. – Salisbury University’s baseball program, known as the “Team of the ’20s,” has earned another trip to college baseball’s biggest stage. The seventh-ranked Sea Gulls baseball squad has qualified for the NCAA Division III Baseball Championship following their Super Regional sweep of the 21st-ranked University of Chicago Maroons on Friday.
Playing at Donnie Williams Sea Gull Baseball Stadium during rainy conditions, Salisbury captured both contests with scores of 5-3 and 7-4. This marks the fourth occasion in six seasons that the program has reached this elite level of competition.
The victories pushed the Sea Gulls’ current winning streak to 17 consecutive games, representing the longest such streak for the program in over a decade. Salisbury will join seven other teams competing in the Division III World Series, which begins next Friday in Eastlake, Ohio, a community near Cleveland.
A Salisbury University athlete has secured a place in the finals of one of track and field’s premier events at this year’s NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
Kai Smith, competing for the Salisbury University Track & Field program, qualified for the 100-meter dash finals during the second day of competition at the national championships. The event is being held at Roger Harring Stadium at Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex in La Crosse, Wisconsin, with The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse serving as the host institution.
Smith’s advancement to the finals represents a significant achievement at the Division III national championship level, where the country’s top collegiate athletes compete for national titles.
American tennis player Tommy Paul mounted an impressive turnaround Friday to secure his spot in the Hamburg Open championship match, overcoming Australia’s Alex de Minaur 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 in semifinal action in Germany.
The sixth-seeded Paul found himself in deep trouble early, falling behind 3-0 in the second set after dropping the opener. But the American then dominated play, capturing nine consecutive games to flip the match in his favor and control the deciding set. This marks Paul’s 10th career tour-level final appearance and his second on clay surfaces, with both clay finals coming this season following his Houston championship last month. While de Minaur managed to save 13 of 17 break point opportunities, he struggled on second serves, winning only 44% of those points.
Paul’s championship opponent will be qualifier Ignacio Buse, who made history by becoming Peru’s first player to reach a tour-level final since Luis Horna accomplished the feat in 2007. The 22-year-old Buse dominated lucky loser Aleksander Kovacevic 6-1, 6-4 in just 64 minutes. Despite landing only 42% of his first serves, Buse was nearly perfect on serve, winning 89% of his service points.
At the Geneva Open in Switzerland, No. 4 Learner Tien survived a marathon battle against Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik, the tournament’s second seed, prevailing 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (5) to claim his first clay court final berth.
The 20-year-old Tien looked poised for an easy finish after racing to a 6-1 lead in the decisive tiebreaker, but needed five match points before finally securing victory. Tien becomes Geneva’s youngest finalist since Sergi Bruguera in 1990 and marks the first American to reach the tournament’s final since Aaron Krickstein in 1984.
Tien’s final opponent will be unseeded Argentine Mariano Navone, who upset three-time Geneva champion and sixth-seeded Casper Ruud of Norway 7-5, 6-2. Navone controlled the match with superior shot-making, recording 27 winners compared to Ruud’s 21 while committing fewer unforced errors 29-19. Saturday’s Geneva final will crown a second-time tour-level champion, as both players seek their second career trophy.
The New York Yankees have brought back their former Cy Young Award-winning pitcher from the injured list, with the right-hander set to take the mound Friday night against Tampa Bay in a crucial American League East battle at home.
The veteran starter has spent 14 months working his way back from Tommy John surgery, with the last two months focused on gradually strengthening his arm and participating in minor league rehabilitation games as he prepared for his Yankees comeback.
“It’s been tough. I mean, I’ve missed it quite a bit,” the pitcher said earlier this week. “There’s been some blessings along the way as well. I talked about my family and spending time with my boys. But largely I’m just looking forward to being really tired and having that exhaustion, like, mean something.”
The 35-year-old will step onto a major league mound for the first time since Game 5 of the 2024 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. That following spring, he underwent reconstructive elbow surgery just five days after giving up two home runs during a spring training appearance against the Minnesota Twins.
During spring training this season, he made two appearances for the Yankees before starting his rehabilitation assignment on April 17. Across six minor league games with three different New York affiliate teams, he recorded a 4.66 ERA while surrendering 28 hits over 29 innings, striking out 28 batters and issuing three walks.
“We’re thrilled to get him back,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Thursday. “I think that goes without saying. It’s been a long road and I feel like he’s crushed the rehab process. I feel like the ramp up’s been really good. We’ve been diligent, haven’t skipped things and haven’t rushed things.”
“As a result, I think he’s in position to come here and perform at a high level. That being said, it’s been a long time and so I’m sure there’ll be some things he’s got to iron out at this level, too.”
The Yankees also activated utility man Jose Caballero from the 10-day injured list, where he had been recovering from a fractured finger.
Caballero sustained the injury to his right middle finger on May 10 while diving back to first base to avoid a pickoff attempt during a 4-3 road defeat to the Milwaukee Brewers.
While Caballero was sidelined, the Yankees promoted shortstop Anthony Volpe, who made his 2026 MLB debut after beginning the season rehabilitating from shoulder surgery performed last October before being sent to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on May 3.
Prior to getting hurt, Caballero was hitting .259 with four home runs, 13 RBIs and 13 stolen bases across 41 games, starting 39 contests at shortstop. The Yankees obtained him at the 2025 trade deadline from division rival Tampa Bay and utilized him in both outfield and infield positions, though he had secured the everyday shortstop role entering this season.
Right after Caballero’s injury occurred, Boone suggested the 29-year-old would keep his starting shortstop spot, but the Yankees manager remained uncommitted over the past week regarding how Volpe would be deployed once Caballero was cleared to return to the majors.
“We’ll see. We haven’t had that conversation yet. The biggest thing is he’s come up and played his butt off,” Boone said of Volpe during an appearance on “Talkin’ Yanks” on Tuesday. “The one thing that’s encouraging is how Anthony’s played in not ideal circumstances. He’s come up and performed at a really high level.”
Following Spencer Jones being sent to Triple-A Thursday, Volpe stays on the roster, although his future role remains uncertain as Caballero is listed in the starting lineup at shortstop for Friday night’s game.
Volpe, 25, competed through a partial labrum tear in his left (non-throwing) shoulder last season before undergoing the October surgery. Both his batting performance and defensive play declined in 2025 while dealing with the injury, a drop-off from his 21-home run, Gold Glove rookie campaign in 2023 across 159 games and his .243 average with 12 homers and 60 RBIs in 160 games during 2024.
Over 480 career games, Volpe has hit .222 with 52 home runs, 192 RBIs, 84 doubles and 72 stolen bases. He also shared the American League lead with 19 errors last season.
NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Yankees will begin training Anthony Volpe at second base now that José Caballero has returned from his broken middle finger injury.
Caballero came back from the injured list and took the field at shortstop during Friday’s series opener against the AL-leading Tampa Bay team after completing the required 10-day absence. Volpe sat on the bench for the game.
“As I’ve told them each, it’s not going to be the perfect scenario every single day. You may like or not like a decision on a given day, but the end of the day we’re all working for the same thing,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “We want to win big, and we want win big for the Yankees. And then it’s my job to try and put you in the best position to be successful and there’ll be some days where that makes sense and is fair or not fair.”
Caballero sustained his injury when he dove back toward first base during a pickoff play by Abner Uribe in the ninth inning of a Milwaukee game on May 10, despite using a sliding mitt for protection. The 29-year-old player, who joined the Yankees from Tampa Bay on July 31 last year, had appeared in 39 of the team’s initial 41 games at shortstop, posting a .249 batting average with four home runs, 13 RBIs and 13 stolen bases for a .720 OPS.
Volpe, who held the starting shortstop role from 2021-23, had been sent down to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after recovering from shoulder surgery performed on Oct. 14, but was called back up when Caballero suffered his injury.
“Both guys are going to play. Cabby’s versatility comes into play now again with Anthony here,” Boone said. “These things have a way of working themselves out. It’s a good situation to be in because we have two players that we feel like can play vital roles in us winning games.”
During Caballero’s time on the injured list, Volpe made eight starts at shortstop and posted a .217 batting average with three RBIs, two stolen bases and seven walks for a .707 OPS.
“Like what I’ve seen. I feel like he’s had a good week of at-bats,” Boone said. “I feel he’s played well in the field. Again, it’s a week, but he’s a really talented player that we have high expectations for.”
Volpe’s experience at second base in professional baseball consists of just one game each at Class A Tampa and High-A Hudson Valley in 2021, the same year he also played three games at third base for Tampa.
“Second base I’m not too worried about,” Boone said. “I probably wouldn’t put him over at third up here. I’d want him to go do that a little bit.”
Volpe also got second base experience during five spring training games in 2023.
“He may still end up being all at shortstop. On the days he’s playing shortstop, I may move Cabby around,” Boone said. “But I want him to at least get some work over there and see that side of the field, too.”
Caballero brings experience at second base, third base and the outfield as well.
The Yankees created roster space by sending top prospect Spencer Jones down to Scranton. Jones made his debut on May 8 and managed a .167 batting average with no extra-base hits and two RBIs across 27 plate appearances in 10 games. His call-up came after Jasson Domínguez injured his left shoulder crashing into Yankee Stadium’s outfield wall on May 7.
“It was a good experience for Spencer even though he didn’t get a lot of results,” Boone said. “I actually feel like he held his own pretty well.”
Domínguez is currently taking batting practice off a tee and may return to game action by late next week or early June.
Giancarlo Stanton, who has been out since April 24 with a strained right calf, will undergo evaluation next week and might receive clearance to begin running.
Trent Grisham returned to the starting lineup in the leadoff spot and center field after sitting out one game. He had exited Wednesday’s contest due to knee discomfort, but tests revealed no structural problems.
The Yankees also brought back ace right-hander Gerrit Cole from the 15-day injured list following his recovery from elbow ligament replacement surgery. He was scheduled to start Friday in his first meaningful big league game since the 2024 World Series.
Right-hander Yovanny Cruz was sent to the RailRiders on Thursday night after making his first two major league appearances.
OMAHA, Neb. — Eighteen American travelers who encountered hantavirus exposure aboard the MV Hondius cruise vessel are experiencing warm Nebraska welcome while awaiting word on their quarantine duration at an Omaha medical facility.
Meanwhile, health authorities confirmed a 12th case tied to the vessel on Friday in the Netherlands, as officials continue tracking hundreds of potentially exposed individuals.
Speaking at Friday’s press briefing, the physician overseeing the National Quarantine Unit monitoring the American travelers reported none are displaying symptoms currently. However, Dr. Michael Wadman directed inquiries about whether these 18 individuals must complete the entire 42-day isolation period at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s specialized facility to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC remained silent Friday regarding plans for these travelers, who occupy accommodations resembling hotel suites equipped with personal exercise equipment and compact refrigerators. These quarters feature specialized negative-pressure air systems and waste sterilization technology to prevent germ transmission.
Hantavirus typically spreads through rodent waste and rarely passes between humans. However, the Andes strain identified in this cruise outbreak may occasionally transmit person-to-person. Symptoms typically emerge one to eight weeks following exposure. Officials recommended extended quarantine due to the virus’s incubation timeline.
Wadman explained that upon learning their extended stay duration, travelers began purchasing necessities since health authorities permitted only small plastic bags of personal items when departing the MV Hondius. With luggage left behind, delivery packages began flowing to the quarantine facility after passengers reached Omaha on May 11.
Between twice-daily health screenings, staff at the country’s sole dedicated quarantine facility work to help passengers occupy their time through special dining experiences featuring local food establishments and unique Nebraska specialties like Runzas, plus educational sessions about sandhill crane migrations that draw millions of these magnificent birds statewide each spring.
The quarters include high-speed internet access enabling virtual connections with loved ones. Jake Rosmarin acknowledged occasional loneliness being distant from his fiance in Boston, but says time passes quickly through family calls and creating content for his Facebook and Instagram travel channels. Rosmarin maintains optimism rather than dwelling on nearly another month remaining in isolation.
“Why am I going to harp on those negative aspects? The time’s just gonna go by slow if I kind of harp on the negatives,” he said.
Rosmarin expressed deep gratitude for nurses and physicians from the medical center and neighboring Nebraska Medicine hospital who volunteer at the quarantine facility, starting with deliveries of his preferred Starbucks iced horchata with oat milk and vanilla cold foam.
“They’ve just been amazing. Truly. Truly, truly, truly. I think they’ve gone above and beyond with making sure that we’re comfortable here,” said Rosmarin, who purchased a new mattress topper and pillows plus Mixtiles photos of himself and his fiance for wall decoration to create a homier atmosphere.
Rosmarin and several other passengers unexpectedly left their rooms briefly Sunday evening during a tornado warning for Omaha, maintaining masks and distance while medical personnel wore complete protective gear.
Hospital officials plan serving passengers Runza on Tuesday and Omaha Steaks Thursday next week. Rosmarin ordered a barbecue bacon Runza, combining meat, seasonings and sauce baked within bread. This fast-food chain known for these sandwiches operates almost exclusively statewide, though similar meals elsewhere might be called bierocks.
Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, who operates a large hog operation, mentioned at Friday’s briefing his hopes to arrange a pork tenderloin meal, provided hospital chefs prepare it properly.
Wadman noted quarantined passengers remain cooperative despite the CDC issuing formal orders this week preventing two from departing the facility.
“I think there’s many that would really like to be home,” Wadman said, though CDC approval before the 42-day period remains unclear. Individual cases will receive separate evaluation.
Twelve individuals worldwide from the MV Hondius have become ill, including one crew member confirmed Friday in the Netherlands. Three cruise passengers died, including a Dutch couple health officials believe were initially exposed while touring South America. No fatalities have occurred since May 2, according to World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
“We continue to urge affected countries to monitor all passengers and crew carefully for the remainder of the quarantine period. More than 600 contacts continue to be followed in 30 countries, and a small number of high risk contacts are still being located,” he said.
University of Nebraska President Jeffrey Gold stated new cases will influence public health officials’ quarantine duration decisions, though the CDC controls that timeline.
“Any case, any symptoms, any positive test anywhere gives us more information about the biology of this viral illness. And it as any good scientific approach would be, it influences our decision making,” Gold said.
Court documents reveal that one of two teenagers responsible for a deadly San Diego mosque attack this week had previously drawn police attention for troubling conduct and Nazi worship, leading authorities to remove his family’s firearms a year prior to the violence.
Law enforcement officials conducting a wellness visit at Caleb Vazquez’s residence documented that he was “involved in suspicious behavior idolizing nazis and mass shooters,” and secured a judicial order on Jan. 29, 2025, to confiscate 26 firearms through a 2014 California statute permitting weapon removal from individuals deemed threatening.
According to an affidavit from Marco Vazquez, the teen’s father, the family had willingly given up the weapons several days before the court action.
Law enforcement officials report that Vazquez, 18, connected with Cain Clark, 17, through internet platforms where both became radicalized. Investigators have not released additional information about their relationship or identified which weapons were utilized in the attack.
On Monday, Cain Clark’s mother contacted police about missing weapons from their residence, initiating an extensive manhunt for the teenagers before they carried out the assault at the Islamic Center of San Diego and subsequently took their own lives, authorities stated.
Legal documents indicate Vazquez’s parents chose to “secure all sharp knives in the home” and turn over firearms previously stored in a locked gun safe after learning of unspecified serious accusations against their son. He had also been previously subjected to involuntary mental health hospitalization. The court papers, initially disclosed by The New York Times, did not detail the reason for his psychiatric admission.
In a Thursday statement, the Vazquez family revealed that Caleb Vazquez was diagnosed with autism and had developed resentment toward certain aspects of his identity, though they did not elaborate on specific challenges.
“Coming from a diverse family that not only includes immigrants but Muslims as well, we always taught the importance of acceptance, compassion, and love for one another. We are proud of the different backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, and religions within our family and community,” their statement said.
“We believe this, combined with exposure to hateful rhetoric, extremist content, and propaganda spread across parts of the internet, social media, and other online platforms, contributed to his descent into radicalized ideologies and violent beliefs,” said their statement, released through their attorney Colin Rudolph.
The family encouraged him to pursue treatment and he attended rehabilitation facilities, according to their statement. Vazquez’s parents did not respond immediately to Associated Press interview requests. Legal counsel who represented Vazquez’s parents during the weapon confiscation also did not return calls.
Written materials from Vazquez and Clark containing white supremacist ideology showed Vazquez describing “some mental health issues” and romantic rejection. The documents indicate both teenagers admired previous attackers who died during mass shooting incidents. Their writings displayed animosity toward Jewish people, Muslims, Black people and various other communities.
Vazquez departed San Diego Unified School District in June 2018 following attendance at Washington Elementary through fifth grade, district spokesperson James Canning informed The Associated Press. His subsequent educational placement remains unknown.
Clark was registered in a virtual high school within the district, Canning confirmed.
The search for the teenagers began Monday when Clark’s mother reported her son was suicidal and had fled. She informed authorities he wore camouflage clothing, had stolen multiple weapons from their home, and was accompanied by an associate, San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl stated earlier this week.
Officers were continuing to question the mother about potential locations when the shooting commenced at the county’s primary mosque.
In a 2025 court filing, Vazquez’s father described his family’s dedicated attempts to redirect Caleb Vazquez toward positive behavior. He explained that when they relinquished their weapons, they maintained contact with his educational institution, closely supervised his social media activity, and ensured he attended therapy sessions twice weekly.
“We observe all of his online activities, who he talks to, what he talks about, and who he is friends with,” Marco Vazquez wrote, stressing that he rejected his son’s beliefs.
Specialists note growing challenges in assisting individuals attracted to the type of extremism demonstrated by Vazquez and Clark.
Samira Benz works for the Violence Prevention Network, which conducts interventions when people are radicalized into believing in violent extremism. Benz said the work has become increasingly complicated as the internet blurs ideologies and creates niche, meme-based languages that can be fleeting and hard to decipher.
“Even if a parent is looking at the phone of their child, they don’t necessarily see something bad is going on,” Benz said.
WASHINGTON — Foreign nationals currently in the United States seeking permanent residency will be required to return to their home countries to complete their green card applications, according to a Friday announcement from the Trump administration that caught immigration advocates and attorneys off guard.
The policy reverses more than 50 years of established practice that allowed foreign nationals with legal status to pursue and finalize their permanent residence applications while remaining in the United States. This included spouses of American citizens, work and student visa holders, refugees, and asylum seekers.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services stated that temporary foreign nationals wanting to become lawful permanent residents must go back to their home countries to submit applications, unless “extraordinary circumstances” exist. USCIS officers will determine if applicants qualify for such exceptions.
“Nonimmigrants, like students, temporary workers, or people on tourist visas, come to the U.S. for a short time and for a specific purpose. Our system is designed for them to leave when their visit is over. Their visit should not function as the first step in the Green Card process,” the agency stated.
The move represents another effort by the Trump administration to make legal immigration more challenging for foreigners currently in America and those seeking to enter.
“The goal of this policy is very explicit. Senior officials in this administration have said over and over that they want fewer people to get permanent residency because permanent residency is a path to citizenship and they want to block that path for as many people as possible,” said Doug Rand, a former senior advisor at USCIS during the Biden administration, who added that about 600,000 people already in the U.S. apply each year for a green card.
The agency has not specified when the policy takes effect, whether applicants must stay abroad throughout the entire process, or how it affects pending green card applications.
USCIS told the Associated Press via email that individuals providing an “economic benefit” or serving the “national interest” might be permitted to remain in the U.S., while others would need to apply from overseas.
This policy addition follows other administration measures restricting entry from numerous countries. Some nations face complete travel prohibitions, while others experience visa processing delays. Legal experts warn that requiring people from restricted countries to return home for green card applications could permanently prevent their return.
“If families are told that the non-citizen family member must return to his or her country of origin to process their immigrant visa, but immigrant visas are not being processed there, it’s a Catch-22. These policies will effectively create an indefinite separation of families,” wrote World Relief, a humanitarian and refugee resettlement organization.
USCIS characterized the modification as restoring “the original intent of the law” and eliminating a “loophole.”
However, immigration attorneys and advocacy organizations objected, arguing that status adjustment within the U.S. has been standard procedure for many groups, and numerous individuals cannot safely return home or lack embassy access for applications. The U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan, for instance, has remained closed since the American withdrawal in August 2021.
“USCIS is trying to upend decades of processing of adjustment of status,” said Shev Dalal-Dheini, senior director of government relations at the American Immigration Lawyers Association. “This all applies very broadly to anyone seeking a green card”.
Those affected could include spouses of American citizens, immigrants with humanitarian protections seeking green cards, work visa holders including physicians and other professionals, plus student and religious visa recipients, the attorney explained.
Dalal-Dheini noted that visa appointment wait times at certain U.S. consulates overseas can exceed one year.
Immigration lawyers spent Friday afternoon analyzing the policy memorandum and announcement, attempting to understand its scope of application.
Organizations providing legal and support services to immigrants reported receiving calls from worried clients about how the new guidelines would affect them.
“It’s really hard to tell how this is going to be applied,” said Jessie De Haven, senior staff attorney with the California Immigration Project a non profit that provides legal services to low income immigrants. “I do think it might have a chilling effect on people applying.”
The immigration case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia has become a lightning rod in discussions surrounding President Donald Trump’s border enforcement strategies since he first made headlines in March 2025 following his removal to El Salvador, which occurred despite a judicial order that should have stopped it.
Garcia’s complex legal battle has energized advocates on both sides of the immigration policy discussion. His situation involves two separate legal proceedings: a civil lawsuit in Maryland challenging the Department of Homeland Security’s efforts to send him to various African nations, and a criminal matter in Tennessee where federal prosecutors had accused him of human trafficking.
The Tennessee criminal case was recently thrown out by a judge who determined the Justice Department engaged in “vindictive prosecution.”
The following chronology outlines major developments in Garcia’s case:
Garcia departed El Salvador for the United States as a minor.
Law enforcement apprehended Garcia near a Maryland hardware store, alleging gang connections before transferring him to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody.
An immigration judge in Maryland determined Garcia could not be sent back to El Salvador due to gang threats against his relatives. He received employment authorization and was placed under federal monitoring.
ICE officers detained Garcia in Baltimore as he drove home with his young son, age 5.
Garcia was wrongfully removed to El Salvador and imprisoned in a facility known for harsh conditions.
The nation’s highest court directed the Trump administration to facilitate Garcia’s return to the United States.
Upon his return, Garcia faced human trafficking charges stemming from a 2022 traffic incident in Tennessee.
Federal immigration officials announced intentions to send him to multiple African nations, but a Maryland federal judge issued a restraining order preventing this action.
Garcia was released from the Tennessee detention facility where he had been held since June to rejoin his family in Maryland while awaiting court proceedings. ICE immediately issued a notice of their plan to deport him to Uganda following his release.
Garcia appeared at a Baltimore immigration facility and was taken into federal custody.
A Maryland federal judge ordered Garcia’s immediate release from ICE detention.
The same Maryland federal judge prohibited ICE from detaining Garcia again.
A Tennessee federal judge dismissed all human trafficking charges against Garcia, citing evidence that prosecutors engaged in “vindictive prosecution.”
George Russell claimed the top starting spot for Saturday’s Canadian Grand Prix sprint race, leading a Mercedes front-row sweep with teammate Kimi Antonelli securing second place during Friday’s qualifying session in Montreal.
Lando Norris of McLaren, the current reigning champion, earned the third starting position at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, while his teammate Oscar Piastri will begin the race from fourth place.
Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc claimed the fifth and sixth starting positions for Saturday’s sprint competition.
The 19-year-old Antonelli, who has claimed victory in the previous three grand prix events, currently holds the championship lead with a 20-point advantage over Russell following four completed race weekends, making him the youngest driver ever to lead the Formula One standings.
WELLINGTON, May 23 – The New Zealand government announced a major defense investment of NZ$1.58 billion ($924.62 million) as part of its 2026 budget, with maritime security taking center stage, according to Defence Minister Chris Penk on Saturday.
The country’s naval combat operations currently rely on two Anzac-class frigates, HMNZS Te Kaha and HMNZS Te Mana, which entered service in 1997 and 1999 respectively. These vessels, along with most of the nation’s fleet, are projected to reach their operational limits by the mid-2030s. Last year, the government committed to doubling defense expenditures to approximately 2% of GDP over an eight-year period to strengthen the nation’s military capabilities.
The funding breakdown includes NZ$880 million for additional operational expenses and NZ$700 million in capital investment for defense initiatives and priority projects outlined in the Defence Capability Plan.
Under the Maritime Fleet Renewal initiative, resources will support the development of two distinct drone platforms: extended-range surveillance aircraft for intelligence gathering across the South-West Pacific region, and specialized polar-capable units designed to operate from Royal New Zealand Navy ships in Southern Ocean missions.
The budget allocation will also support essential repairs and upgrades to the Anzac-class frigates and HMNZS Canterbury, extending their service life until replacement vessels become operational.
Penk noted that combined defense investments have totaled NZ$5.8 billion since the Defence Capability Plan’s introduction just over twelve months ago.
The complete budget details are scheduled for public release on May 28.
Bolivian officials announced Friday that law enforcement and military personnel will establish humanitarian corridors Saturday in the La Paz region to allow essential goods to bypass protest blockades that have disrupted supply chains.
The demonstrations have escalated over recent weeks as various groups including labor unions, mining workers, transportation employees, and rural communities demand that President Rodrigo Paz reverse austerity policies and tackle increasing costs of living. Several groups have demanded the president step down, signaling growing opposition to the current administration.
Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story faces an extended absence from the field following Thursday’s surgical procedure in Philadelphia to address a sports hernia.
The Red Sox announced the operation on Friday without providing a specific recovery timeline. However, the 33-year-old infielder shared with media members last Saturday that “the basic prognosis is six to 10 weeks, give or take.”
The injury first surfaced during spring training when Story experienced discomfort but continued playing despite the pain. Team officials initially classified the problem as a groin issue until additional medical examinations revealed it was actually a hernia.
Story’s performance this season has reflected his physical struggles, posting a .206 batting average alongside three home runs, 19 RBIs and 57 strikeouts across 41 games. His slugging percentage sits at just .303, significantly lower than his career average of .483.
When discussing his declining statistics on Saturday, Story acknowledged the injury’s impact while taking responsibility. “I hate to (make excuses). I’m not going to be blaming it all on that, but it plays a part, for sure. I think the main thing is getting it right, and I’m not so much worried about what has happened, and I’m more worried about problem-solving it and moving forward with the next steps, whatever that may be,” he said.
Throughout his 11-season career spanning 1,106 games with the Colorado Rockies (2016-21) and Red Sox, Story maintains a .262 batting average with 207 home runs and 655 RBIs. He earned National League All-Star recognition twice during his time with Colorado in 2018 and 2019.
Boston manager Chad Tracy announced Friday that second baseman Marcelo Mayer will transition to shortstop starting Sunday and continue at that position during Story’s recovery period. Nick Sogard took over shortstop duties for Friday’s matchup against the Minnesota Twins.
A U.S. missionary who contracted Ebola is receiving experimental medications designed to combat the virus at a German medical facility, according to American health authorities who spoke Friday.
The rare Bundibugyo variant of Ebola currently spreading in the Democratic Republic of Congo has no approved vaccines or established treatments. This outbreak has sickened nearly 750 individuals and claimed 177 lives.
Officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declined to reveal the specific medications being administered to the patient, who the Serge Christian mission organization has named as Dr. Peter Stafford, citing medical privacy regulations.
The World Health Organization declared this outbreak a global health emergency and indicated Friday that an experimental antiviral medication called obeldesivir from Gilead Sciences shows potential. WHO estimates vaccine development could require six to nine months.
Thomas Geisbert, an Ebola researcher at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston who contributed to creating Merck’s Ervebo vaccine for Zaire Ebola, has collaborated with Gilead on obeldesivir development.
Geisbert’s team evaluated the Gilead medication against Ebola Zaire and Ebola Sudan strains, along with the related Marburg virus in primate studies, though they haven’t tested it against Bundibugyo.
The medication completely prevented Ebola Sudan infection in test animals and provided 80% to 100% protection against Marburg and Ebola Zaire variants, Geisbert reported to Reuters.
No evidence exists regarding the drug’s effectiveness in patients already showing Ebola symptoms, and it hasn’t been evaluated against the current outbreak’s strain, according to Geisbert.
However, obeldesivir underwent testing in hundreds of COVID patients during advanced clinical trials and demonstrated general safety.
“I think that that’s something that potentially has some utility here,” he said.
Geisbert explained these treatments could serve as temporary measures to control outbreaks while vaccines are being developed.
Gilead representative Ashleigh Koss confirmed the company maintains communication with international and regional health officials, stating that laboratory research suggests obeldesivir should work against this Ebola strain.
An alternative treatment involves an experimental antibody combination designated MBP134, developed by Geisbert alongside Dr. James Crowe from the Vanderbilt Vaccine Center and licensed to San Diego’s Mapp Biopharmaceutical.
Mapp, creator of the ZMAPP antibody treatment used during the 2014-2016 West African Ebola crisis, is partnering with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority to provide the treatment for high-risk cases, a U.S. official announced Wednesday.
This antibody mixture, derived from two antibodies found in an Ebola survivor’s blood, aims to combat various Ebola strains including Sudan, Zaire, and Bundibugyo variants.
Geisbert’s research team administered the cocktail to monkeys infected with Bundibugyo, waiting seven days until symptoms appeared before providing the antibody therapy.
“This is mimicking somebody that walks into a clinic,” he explained. “We were able to protect five or six of those from lethal disease, so that was pretty convincing,” he noted, expressing confidence in the product’s potential against Bundibugyo.
Mapp confirmed its collaboration with WHO and other agencies responding to the Congo outbreak. Company president Larry Zeitlin stated via email that he couldn’t reveal whether Americans in Europe are receiving this therapy.
Good evening, Delmarva! We’re wrapping up Friday with steady rain moving across the peninsula, and this wet pattern isn’t going anywhere just yet.
Tonight, expect light rain to continue with temperatures holding steady around 50 degrees. We’ve got an east wind picking up at 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph, so you might hear some blustery conditions outside your window. The good news? Rainfall amounts will stay light – less than a tenth of an inch expected.
Saturday brings more of the same with rain continuing and temperatures climbing to a more comfortable 60 degrees. The wet weather persists into Saturday night with lows around 56.
Looking ahead to Sunday, things get more interesting as temperatures jump to 74 degrees, but we’re tracking the possibility of showers transitioning to thunderstorms. It’s shaping up to be a soggy but mild weekend across Delmarva.
Keep those umbrellas handy and drive safely on wet roads. We’ll keep you updated as conditions develop. Stay dry out there, Delmarva!
Drivers on southbound I-295 are facing lengthy delays this morning as heavy congestion creates a 10 to 15 minute backup between Landers Lane and the Churchmans Marsh area.
The traffic slowdown is impacting the southbound lanes of the interstate, with vehicles moving at reduced speeds through the affected stretch.
Motorists planning to travel through this corridor should allow extra time for their commute and consider alternate routes if possible.
Delaware State Police’s Sex Offender Apprehension and Registration Unit (SOAR) has released public alerts regarding sex offenders who are wanted or currently without permanent housing.
Authorities are actively searching for several sex offenders who have failed to comply with registration requirements or update their current addresses. Among those being sought are Christopher Gartner-Hunter and Bruce Chandler.
Anyone with information about the location of these wanted individuals is urged to contact authorities at (302) 739-5882. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) 847-3333.
Police emphasize that the individuals highlighted in this alert represent just a fraction of those currently being sought. The complete list of wanted sex offenders can be found on the Delaware Sex Offender Registry website.
Additionally, SOAR has issued notifications about sex offenders who are currently homeless but are not wanted for registration violations. These individuals include Quentrae Carroll, Robert Cooper, Kevin Woods, and Moises Torres-Paddilla.
While these homeless individuals are not considered wanted, police ask the public to report any information if they believe these people are residing at a specific address. The same contact numbers apply for reporting this information.
Officials note that those listed as homeless represent only recently reported cases and make up a small portion of the total number of homeless sex offenders tracked by the registry. The full homeless sex offender list is available on the Delaware Sex Offender Registry website.
A federal judge has thrown out criminal charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man, citing concerns about prosecutorial misconduct.
U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw determined that the Justice Department engaged in vindictive prosecution against Garcia, leading to the dismissal of the criminal case.
The ruling represents a significant legal victory for Garcia, who had previously attended a rally and prayer vigil before reporting to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Baltimore, Maryland in August 2025.
Democratic National Committee leadership is struggling to move forward following yesterday’s problematic release of their 2024 election analysis, while party chairman Ken Martin confronts growing demands for his resignation from fellow Democrats.
Martin, who leads the national committee, is receiving pressure from lawmakers and party operatives who believe he poorly handled a document meant to serve as a thorough review of the party’s shortcomings and potential blueprint moving forward. The chairman held the report back for several months, creating speculation about what it contained, before finally making it public this week while simultaneously declaring it too defective to provide value.
“There doesn’t seem to be a plan to turn things around and the clock is ticking. November is literally around the corner,” Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Texas, told Semafor. “I believe it’s time for him to move on.”
“He should resign,” Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., said to Axios.
And in a radio interview, Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wisc., said he agreed with a caller saying Martin should be replaced.
Despite the criticism, Martin retains backing from numerous state party officials who have received consistent financial support from the national organization since his appointment. During a Thursday discussion with committee staff members, Martin expressed regret for his management of the analysis and stated his commitment to remaining in his leadership role.
“This was a major mistake. I own it, and now it’s time for us to move forward at the DNC, and I hope that you’ll move forward with me,” Martin said, according to a person with knowledge of the call who was not authorized to disclose a private conversation.
Martin, who was relatively unknown as a Minnesota political operative before ascending to lead the national party’s official political apparatus last year, has previously drawn criticism for poor fundraising performance and his inability to build confidence among the party’s diverse membership.
However, there was no sign that a serious alternative was emerging. The Associated Press contacted a half dozen Democratic presidential prospects to gauge their support for Martin and all of them declined to weigh in.
The internal party conflict creates a significant distraction for Democrats who appear to be gaining political traction in their effort to challenge President Donald Trump’s control over Washington. The party aims to recapture control of both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate during November’s midterm contests, with Republicans potentially at risk due to Trump’s poor approval numbers, public dissatisfaction regarding the conflict in Iran, and ongoing economic concerns.
Martin’s supporters nationwide criticized Democrats who are contributing to the election-year turmoil, characterizing them as disgruntled consultants and backers of Martin’s former competitors for committee leadership.
Kansas Democratic Party Chair Jeanna RePass described calls for the first-term chair to step down as “ridiculous and dangerous.”
“It is dangerous for Democrats to be playing politics with our leadership when these elections are five and a half months away,” she said. “The American people are counting on us.”
Janet Kleeb of Nebraska, who leads her state party and the DNC’s association of state committees, said the fighting “is nuts.”
“I haven’t had a single chair come to me saying I think Ken needs to resign,” she said. “Ken was elected by the DNC members to do a four-year term, and he has not violated any of our rules or bylaws where there would be a two-thirds vote, right? Because that’s what it would take to remove the chair.”
Kleeb added, “These reports are such distraction.”
The much-anticipated post-election analysis concluded that Kamala Harris “wrote off rural America” during the 2024 presidential campaign and failed to attack Trump with sufficient “negative firepower,” among other key findings.
Martin distributed the 192-page document only after experiencing significant internal pressure from party operatives. He had initially promised to make the analysis public before assuming committee leadership last year, but chose to withhold it due to concerns it would disrupt Democrats’ concentration on the November midterm elections.
“I didn’t want to create a distraction,” Martin wrote on Substack. “Ironically, in doing so, I ended up creating an even bigger distraction. And for that, I sincerely apologize.”
While the analysis criticizes Democrats’ emphasis on “identity politics,” it avoids addressing some of the most contentious aspects of the 2024 campaign. The document fails to examine former President Joe Biden’s decision to seek reelection, the hurried process of selecting Harris as his replacement after he withdrew, or the party’s bitter disagreement over the war in Gaza.
A former Columbia University graduate student and pro-Palestinian activist plans to petition the U.S. Supreme Court following a federal appeals court decision that brings the government closer to removing him from the country, according to his legal representatives.
The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia rejected a request for a full court review by a narrow 6-5 margin on Friday. Earlier this year in January, a three-judge panel from the same circuit determined that a New Jersey federal judge lacked authority when he sided with Mahmoud Khalil and ordered his release from immigration custody last year.
Legal representatives from the American Civil Liberties Union, who are part of Khalil’s defense team, announced they will seek an emergency order from the 3rd Circuit to halt enforcement of the ruling and prevent Khalil’s detention or removal while pursuing Supreme Court review.
The high court petition is anticipated within the coming months, potentially by late summer.
“Today’s decision is not the final word, and we still strongly believe in our arguments going forward,” stated ACLU senior counsel Brett Max Kaufman.
The January appeals court ruling determined that Khalil’s legal challenge to his detention and subsequent federal court decisions were filed too early, as federal law mandates such disputes must first proceed through the immigration court system under the Justice Department rather than the judicial branch.
The ruling did not address the central constitutional question in Khalil’s situation: whether the Trump administration’s attempt to remove him based on his campus activism and criticism of Israel violates constitutional protections.
Judge Cheryl Ann Krause, who supported the court’s review of the decision, criticized the majority in her dissent, writing that the court was “abdicating our duty to meaningfully review Khalil’s constitutional claims.” She argued the Judicial Branch cannot serve as a proper check on other government branches “if we write ourselves out of relevance and leave the Executive Branch to check itself.”
The 31-year-old Khalil has simultaneously appealed to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Louisiana, where he was held in custody, challenging the Board of Immigration Appeals’ decision to uphold his removal order.
Khalil’s legal team contends the immigration judge failed to properly evaluate relevant evidence and incorrectly upheld allegations that he provided false information on his permanent resident application. His attorneys maintain this charge was filed as retaliation for his protest activities.
The immigration court suggested Khalil could be sent to Algeria, where he holds citizenship through a distant family connection, or Syria, his birthplace in a refugee camp to Palestinian parents. His legal team warns he would face life-threatening dangers if returned to either location.
As a prominent voice in Columbia’s pro-Palestinian movement, Khalil was taken into custody in March 2025 and subsequently held for three months at a Louisiana immigration facility, causing him to miss his child’s birth.
Government officials have alleged Khalil led activities “aligned to Hamas,” though they have not provided supporting evidence and have not filed criminal charges. They also claim he omitted required information from his green card application.
Khalil has rejected these accusations as “baseless and ridiculous,” describing his arrest and detention as a “direct consequence of exercising my right to free speech as I advocated for a free Palestine and an end to the genocide in Gaza.”
The government based the arrest on a rarely invoked law permitting removal of non-citizens whose beliefs are considered threatening to U.S. foreign policy objectives. In June 2025, Judge Michael Farbiarz determined this justification would likely be found unconstitutional and ordered Khalil’s release.
The Trump administration challenged that decision, maintaining that deportation matters should be decided by immigration judges rather than federal courts. The 3rd Circuit sided with the administration in a 2-1 ruling.
Judge Emil Bove, who previously investigated student protesters as a senior Justice Department official, did not take part in the 3rd Circuit’s vote on whether to review the case. He subsequently denied a motion from Khalil’s lawyers requesting his recusal, declaring the request moot.
Federal tax authorities are contemplating whether to mandate that taxpayers reveal their citizenship status on upcoming tax documents, three sources with knowledge of the discussions told Reuters on Friday.
Officials at the Internal Revenue Service are reviewing two different versions of the standard Form 1040 that individuals use to report income and request tax benefits, according to the sources who requested anonymity due to concerns about workplace consequences.
One version features routine modifications reflecting updated tax regulations. The alternative includes these same changes plus an additional checkbox stating: “Check this box if you are a non-U.S. citizen or have dual citizenship.”
Treasury Department spokespeople, who oversee the IRS, refused to provide comment on Friday regarding the potential changes.
All immigrants, including those without legal documentation, must file annual tax returns using identical IRS paperwork as citizens. Filing taxes has historically served as an important pathway for undocumented individuals seeking to achieve legal immigration status.
Throughout 2025, the Treasury Department and Department of Homeland Security worked to establish data-sharing agreements, providing confidential taxpayer information to immigration authorities supporting the administration’s removal operations.
A federal court judge issued an order in November preventing the IRS from releasing such information, though the federal government has challenged this decision on appeal. In February, the IRS acknowledged to the court that it had mistakenly provided DHS with confidential data belonging to over 42,000 taxpayers.
WASHINGTON, May 22 – Two senior House Democrats sent a letter Friday demanding Secretary of State Marco Rubio provide answers about whether his top aide assisted in fast-tracking a visa that enabled a fugitive former Polish Cabinet official to escape to America from Hungary, dodging Poland’s extradition efforts.
“These events and decisions constitute a massive abuse of power and disregard for the legal immigration processes of the United States,” Representatives Gregory Meeks and James Raskin stated in their letter to Rubio, which Reuters obtained.
Both lawmakers hold ranking Democratic positions on the House foreign relations and judiciary panels.
The visa approval amounts to “an unprecedented level of interference in the domestic politics and judicial systems of two longstanding U.S. treaty allies,” the representatives stated, referencing Poland and Hungary, which are both NATO partners.
The Democrats’ correspondence referenced a Monday Reuters investigation revealing that Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau instructed high-ranking State Department personnel to process and fast-track a U.S. visa for former Polish Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro.
Polish authorities seek Ziobro on 26 criminal counts primarily connected to his purported mishandling of funds from a crime victims program. Ziobro maintains his innocence, claiming he faces a politically driven prosecution by Poland’s current pro-European Union governing alliance.
Neither the State Department nor White House provided immediate responses to comment requests.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s administration states it plans to prosecute Ziobro and that legal officials have drafted an extradition petition to the United States.
Ziobro escaped to Hungary in January and obtained refuge under former Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Warsaw anticipated that Orban’s electoral loss to pro-EU challenger Peter Magyar in April would result in Ziobro’s return to Poland. Magyar had pledged to extradite him immediately upon taking office.
However, Landau instructed senior personnel within the State Department’s Consular Affairs Bureau in Washington to direct the U.S. embassy in Budapest to provide Ziobro with a visa, according to three sources, with one indicating it was a journalist visa.
Ziobro obtained his visa before Magyar’s May 9 inauguration and, per Polish prosecutors, journeyed to Italy before reaching the U.S. using a refugee document since his Polish passport had been canceled.
In their correspondence, Meeks and Raskin highlighted that Ziobro could face up to 25 years imprisonment if found guilty on his charges, which include accusations he utilized crime victims compensation money to purchase surveillance software for targeting political opponents.
The legislators warned that approving Ziobro’s visa risked “invite a significant diplomatic crisis” with Poland. They insisted the Trump administration honor any extradition demands from Warsaw.
They requested Rubio provide written responses to questions regarding the matter and conduct an in-person briefing for their committees by June 21.
Their inquiries included whether U.S. President Donald Trump or his staff participated in authorizing Ziobro’s visa and the legal basis for its approval.
The duo also requested all documentation and correspondence involving Landau, the Bureau of Consular Affairs, the U.S. embassies in Warsaw and Budapest, and any materials concerning potential involvement by Tom Rose, the U.S. ambassador to Poland.
Lantheus Holdings is considering a possible sale following a takeover proposal from Curium Pharma that puts the company’s value at approximately $7 billion, according to a Bloomberg News report published Friday citing sources with knowledge of the situation.
According to the report, both companies have been engaged in talks regarding a possible transaction that could be finalized within weeks, though sources noted that no definitive agreement has been reached and negotiations may not lead to a completed deal.
The report indicated that Curium received a valuation of roughly $7 billion in the previous year when CapVest Partners, the company’s owner, secured funding for a continuation vehicle for the nuclear medicine business.
Neither Lantheus nor Curium provided immediate responses to requests for comment from Reuters.
The radiopharmaceutical company’s stock declined almost 2% during after-hours trading. The shares have climbed 54.8% year-to-date, bringing the company’s market value to approximately $6.15 billion.
MONTREAL, May 22 – Red Bull’s team leader Laurent Mekies maintained his position that Max Verstappen’s race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase will move to McLaren as team principal, even as current principal Andrea Stella insisted he would remain in his role.
Mekies initially made this claim during the Miami Grand Prix earlier this month, prompting McLaren Chief Executive Zak Brown to respond that the Frenchman apparently “knows something I don’t.”
“Look, it’s certainly my understanding that GP (Lambiase) is going to McLaren to become a team principal,” Mekies stated during an FIA news conference at the Canadian Grand Prix on Friday, with Stella present when questioned about the matter again.
“That’s what I told you at the time (in Miami).”
“Obviously we had a number of conversations before he was going to make that decision. Now, don’t ask me if it’s going to happen. The timing of it is none of my business. I can just tell you the content of our conversations.”
McLaren revealed Lambiase’s transfer in April, setting his arrival for no later than 2028 when his current contract expires.
The team also stated he would take on the position of Chief Racing Officer, working in a support capacity alongside Stella.
Stella, leading a team that has captured two straight constructors’ championships and Lando Norris’s drivers’ title last season, has faced media rumors linking him to Ferrari, while speculation surrounds their Australian driver Oscar Piastri potentially moving to Red Bull.
Questions have also emerged about whether four-time world champion Verstappen might follow Lambiase to McLaren, though Mekies expressed no concern about this possibility.
Stella dismissed the various rumors on Friday, with the Italian affirming his complete dedication to McLaren, noting Piastri’s contentment and suggesting the ‘Silly Season’ had begun early.
“For us, it’s important to employ the best talents in Formula One because Zak and I want to build the strongest team,” he continued.
“I have been part of the Ferrari team in the early 2000s, and I know what level of seniority, expertise, leadership you need to be successful in the present and in the future.
“And employing GP is part of this vision … of creating additive leadership that can integrate with the present leadership and create a stronger and stronger team at McLaren.
“I very strongly wanted GP to join McLaren. I am personally very stretched in my role as team principal, and I need a strong group of leaders working with me. So, I think the plan is very clear. Any other speculation leads us back to the silly season.”
The New York Mets promoted right-handed pitcher Jonah Tong from Triple-A Syracuse on Friday, while simultaneously releasing veteran closer Craig Kimbrel to make room on the roster.
Tong, who is 22 years old, holds the distinction of being the organization’s second-ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline. The team brought him up just before beginning a three-game series against the Miami Marlins.
Selected by the Mets in the seventh round of the 2022 MLB Draft, Tong made his major league debut during the previous season, where he compiled a 2-3 record with a 7.71 ERA across five starting assignments.
The organization may deploy the Canadian pitcher in a bulk relief role on Friday following Tobias Myers’ start in the opening game.
This season, Tong has been among the minor league leaders in strikeouts, entering Friday tied for sixth place with 55 strikeouts. Last season, he led all minor leaguers with 179 strikeouts. Through nine starts with Syracuse this year, he holds a 1-3 record and 5.68 ERA.
Meanwhile, Kimbrel, who will celebrate his 38th birthday on Thursday, struggled in his time with the Mets after signing a minor-league contract in January, posting a 6.00 ERA across 14 appearances.
The veteran reliever sits fifth on the all-time saves list with 440 career saves. During his peak years with the Atlanta Braves, he topped the National League in saves for four consecutive seasons beginning with his Rookie of the Year season in 2011.
Kimbrel achieved 39 saves with the San Diego Padres in 2015 and notched more than 30 saves in three consecutive campaigns with the Boston Red Sox from 2016-18, before his effectiveness began to wane.
Over the last seven seasons, he has played for seven different major league organizations. During the previous season, Kimbrel appeared in 42 minor league contests across the Braves, Texas Rangers and Houston Astros systems, while making only 14 major league appearances – 13 with Houston and one with Atlanta.
Throughout his career, Kimbrel has compiled a 56-50 record with a 2.65 ERA over 865 relief appearances.
A culture of volunteerism and community support continues to thrive in a Missouri town fifteen years after a devastating tornado brought widespread destruction to the area.
The powerful storm caused extensive damage throughout Joplin, Mo., destroying large portions of the community. In the disaster’s wake, close to 100,000 volunteers arrived to assist with reconstruction efforts.
That remarkable outpouring of support has left a lasting impact on the community, with the volunteer spirit that emerged during the recovery period continuing to shape how residents approach community service today.
Two separate Memorial Day observances have been organized by Delaware’s veterans organizations for this year’s commemoration.
The Delaware Department of Veterans Affairs (DDVA) working alongside the Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs (DCVA) will present ceremonies on different dates to honor fallen service members.
The initial observance is scheduled for Saturday, May 23, 2026, beginning at 10 a.m. The Delaware Veterans Memorial Ceremony will serve as the venue for this event, located in Bear, Delaware.
Details regarding the second planned ceremony have not yet been released by the organizing veterans groups.
WASHINGTON — A group of President Donald Trump’s opponents filed a federal lawsuit Friday seeking to halt distributions from a newly established $1.776 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund designed to compensate Trump supporters who claim they were targeted by government persecution.
The legal challenge intensifies growing opposition to the Trump administration’s establishment of the settlement fund, which emerged from the Republican president’s legal dispute with the Internal Revenue Service concerning the disclosure of his tax documents.
Lawyers representing the challengers from Democracy Forward, a legal advocacy organization, are requesting judicial intervention to stop the fund’s operation and block the Trump administration from making any payments through the program.
The group bringing the lawsuit includes a dismissed prosecutor and a college professor who was cleared of charges related to allegedly attacking federal agents during a demonstration.
Additionally, two law enforcement officers who participated in defending the U.S. Capitol during the January 6, 2021 assault filed their own legal action this week aimed at preventing Capitol riot participants from accessing settlement payments.
When questioned during Tuesday’s congressional testimony, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche declined to exclude the possibility that individuals who attacked police officers on January 6 might qualify for compensation from the settlement fund.
Federal immigration officials have no active agreements or connections with surveillance software company Paragon Solutions, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
The agency clarified that Immigration and Customs Enforcement maintains no existing contracts or business relationships with the spyware manufacturer.
Despite this denial, ongoing concerns remain about whether ICE utilizes commercial surveillance technology in its operations.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The current White House approach toward Cuba mirrors the tactics used against Venezuela: petroleum sanctions, increased American naval presence, criminal indictments and ongoing intervention warnings.
However, analysts caution that identical pressure strategies don’t guarantee identical outcomes, despite President Donald Trump frequently stating that “Cuba is next.”
“President Trump viewed the Venezuelan intervention as a fantastic success,” said Brian Finucane, a senior adviser with the International Crisis Group and a former State Department lawyer. “And he’s sought to replicate the Venezuela model elsewhere, including in Iran. But obviously, Cuba, like Iran, is a very different country than Venezuela.”
Should Washington succeed in removing Cuba’s current government, no clear replacement exists who would collaborate with the Trump administration, Finucane noted. This contrasts sharply with Venezuela, where American forces apprehended leader Nicolás Maduro in January, allowing his deputy, Delcy Rodríguez, to assume control with Washington’s backing.
Cuban officials, speaking anonymously due to lack of authorization for public statements, assert “there is no Delcy in Cuba.”
Current American military deployment in Caribbean waters remains significantly smaller and less intimidating compared to the extensive naval buildup preceding Maduro’s removal, Finucane observed. Additionally, prosecuting 94-year-old former Cuban leader Raúl Castro carries less weight than charging Venezuela’s active president with narcotics crimes to justify his detention.
The following outlines key parallels and contrasts between Washington’s pressure strategies targeting Venezuela and Cuba:
Following his established pattern, Trump established groundwork for American involvement in Venezuela — and potentially Cuba — through escalating warnings months ahead of any military intervention.
The president has cautioned Caribbean nation leaders to comply or confront American military power. Prior to the bold operation that removed Maduro from office, Trump appeared alongside senior national security officials in Florida, delivering what became his final public warning to the authoritarian ruler.
“If he wants to do something, if he plays tough, it’ll be the last time he’ll ever be able to play tough,” Trump declared in December. Following Maduro’s transport to America for prosecution, Trump redirected attention toward regional targets, particularly Cuba.
“Cuba is ready to fall. Cuba looks like it’s ready to fall. I don’t know if they’re going to hold out,” he informed reporters on Jan. 5.
Trump proceeded to threaten trade penalties against nations selling or providing petroleum to Cuba, suggesting America might have “the honor of taking Cuba” after military actions in Venezuela and Iran.
Thursday brought renewed warnings, with Trump labeling Cuba “a failed country.”
“Other presidents have looked at this for 50, 60 years, doing something,” Trump stated. “And, it looks like I’ll be the one that does it.”
American petroleum sanctions targeting Cuba and Venezuela aim for identical outcomes: applying severe pressure on governing authorities through completely opposite approaches.
Regarding Venezuela, the administration focused on blocking the nation’s oil sales to deprive Maduro’s regime of income. Post-Maduro, efforts shifted toward preventing Venezuela from shipping oil to specific nations — especially Cuba, which provided no monetary compensation — while demanding compliance with American terms for such exports.
Most Venezuelan crude now flows through American refineries.
Cuba faces restrictions on oil imports, though Washington has permitted limited shipments to reach the island nation, which recently announced depleted reserves. These petroleum sanctions, expanding the decades-old American trade embargo, have severely hampered the government’s ability to supply electricity and fuel to citizens.
Such measures risk going too far, Finucane warned, potentially driving many Cubans to attempt the 90-mile journey to Florida in improvised vessels, similar to 1990s exodus patterns.
“President Trump especially cares about immigration. And if they push too hard on Cuba and destabilize the island, there’s the possibility of some kind of a refugee crisis,” he explained.
Federal prosecutors charged Maduro with narco-terrorism conspiracy and additional counts during Trump’s initial presidency in 2020.
These charges justified Maduro’s capture, leading to his current detention in New York where he awaits trial after entering not guilty pleas. This action transformed Venezuela’s relationship with America, permitting previously banned Venezuelan oil sales to American companies and international markets — a dramatic reversal after years of blocked government and petroleum sector dealings.
The indictment targeting Castro for the 1996 destruction of civilian aircraft operated by Miami-based exiles represents another escalation step in the administration’s pressure strategy, according to William LeoGrande, an American University professor specializing in Latin American politics.
However, he noted that apprehending Castro on murder and aircraft destruction charges wouldn’t alter Cuban government operations.
Castro “still has influence and the leadership seeks his opinion on major decisions, but he is not running the government on a day-to-day basis,” LeoGrande explained.
Months before Maduro’s capture, Washington deployed naval vessels near Venezuelan waters in what became the largest Latin American military buildup in decades.
The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier, America’s most sophisticated warship, was redirected from European operations to participate. Three amphibious assault vessels transported Marine expeditionary forces along with helicopters and Osprey aircraft.
American forces spent months targeting suspected drug-smuggling vessels in Caribbean and eastern Pacific waters — operations that continue — while fighter aircraft conducted flights over the Gulf of Venezuela.
Maduro’s actual capture involved over 150 aircraft deployed throughout the Western Hemisphere.
Current Caribbean Sea military presence remains smaller, including two amphibious assault ships carrying Marines. Officials highlighted the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier’s arrival with accompanying vessels coinciding with this week’s Castro charges announcement.
However, the Nimitz is conducting final regional maritime exercises before decommissioning.
“They’re very different situations, and it’s very difficult to see similar outcomes,” Finucane concluded. “A snatch-and-grab raid against Raúl Castro or someone who’s actually in a leadership position doesn’t seem like it’s going to have the same outcome in Cuba as in Venezuela.”
WASHINGTON — Lawmakers from both political parties are confronting the Department of Defense over stalled distribution of $600 million in military assistance for Ukraine and eastern European partners, sending correspondence to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday demanding immediate release of the funds.
Tensions have escalated between Capitol Hill and the current administration in recent weeks as members of Congress seek answers about the status of $400 million designated for Ukraine and an additional $200 million earmarked for defense initiatives in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Congress approved this funding during the previous year. Even members of the president’s own party have expressed dissatisfaction as President Donald Trump’s administration distances itself from Ukraine and European partnerships.
“Ukraine has persistently and bravely repelled a four-year Russian onslaught, but its military needs and deserves continued American support,” said Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin and Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley in the joint letter.
Republican Sens. Kevin Cramer and Thom Tillis and Democratic Sens. Michael Bennet and Catherine Cortez Masto also signed onto the letter.
More than three weeks ago during congressional testimony, Hegseth informed legislators that the Ukraine assistance had been “released” and promised a distribution plan would be forwarded to lawmakers shortly. However, the senators indicate the Pentagon has not delivered on its commitment to provide that plan by the May 15 deadline.
“Any further delays — particularly as the Department reportedly plans troubling U.S. troops withdrawals from the region — risks our ability to adequately deter Russia,” the senators said.
This correspondence represents another indication of Senate Republican dissatisfaction with the current administration following a week where the president backed a primary opponent against Texas Sen. John Cornyn, creating widespread anger.
Through social media exchanges with the president on Friday, Tillis criticized Trump’s advisors for policies he claims are damaging the party politically, including, “Firing our very best generals and not holding Putin accountable for his systematic kidnapping, rape, torture, and murder of Ukrainian civilians.”
Multiple party members have also questioned Hegseth’s decision to dismiss Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George last month. George had advocated for restructuring Army combat tactics to include drone technology and had collaborated with Ukrainian forces to gain battlefield insights.
In the House, a proposal backed by opposition party members to implement comprehensive Russian sanctions and provide $1 billion in military support to Ukraine has gained traction. Although this aid package faces slim chances of becoming law, it’s contributing to renewed congressional momentum for backing Ukraine’s defense efforts.
The $400 million in security assistance for Ukraine represents a modest amount compared to the multi-billion dollar packages that Congress initially authorized in the months and years following Russia’s invasion, but for lawmakers, this provision has become symbolic of their ongoing commitment.
A traffic incident has resulted in lane restrictions on a major roadway, according to transportation officials.
The right lane of southbound Route 1 at Exit 95 is currently blocked following a vehicle collision. The closure is affecting traffic flow in the area as emergency responders and cleanup crews work at the scene.
Drivers traveling through this corridor should anticipate potential delays and may want to consider alternative routes until the roadway is fully reopened.
New Castle County police are working to piece together the details of a crash between a vehicle and pedestrian that occurred Thursday in the 3900 block of Old Capital Trail.
The collision has prompted authorities with the New Castle County Division of Police to shut down traffic along Old Capital Trail from Gray Avenue to Highland Avenue while the investigation continues.
Drivers planning to travel through the area are being urged to find alternative routes and stay away from the closure zone until further notice.
The condition of the pedestrian and additional details about the circumstances of the crash have not yet been released by police.
CONCORD, N.C. — Emergency dispatch recordings obtained Friday by The Associated Press reveal NASCAR star Kyle Busch suffered breathing problems, felt overheated, and was coughing up blood on the day prior to his passing.
The 41-year-old racing champion died Thursday. While no official cause of death has been announced, his family previously disclosed he had been receiving hospital treatment for a “severe illness” just three days ahead of his planned participation in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Sources with knowledge of the incident, speaking anonymously due to the sensitive nature of undisclosed details, told the AP that Busch collapsed while working in a Chevrolet racing simulator facility in Concord on Wednesday and was rushed to a Charlotte-area hospital.
The emergency call, made that Wednesday afternoon from the General Motors training center, captured an unidentified person calmly reporting to dispatchers: “I’ve got an individual that’s (got) shortness of breath, very hot, thinks he’s going to pass out, and is producing a little bit of blood, coughing up some blood.”
Audio released by the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office shows the caller described finding Busch on a restroom floor within the facility, noting “He is awake.” The caller provided location details for emergency crews and requested they arrive without sirens.
NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell has scheduled a press conference for later Friday at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Busch’s sudden passing has devastated the racing community during one of motorsports’ most significant weekends, coinciding with the Indianapolis 500.
Thursday evening’s NHL conference final between the Carolina Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens began with a moment of silence honoring the driver.
Vice President JD Vance posted on social media: “I had the opportunity to meet Kyle, one of NASCAR’s greatest racers, on the campaign trail in 2024. Usha and I are praying for him and his family. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.”
Richard Childress Racing, Busch’s team for the past four seasons, announced they will retire his No. 8 Cup Series car and switch to No. 33 starting with Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 race.
The team stated the No. 8 will remain available exclusively for Busch’s son, Brexton, when he begins his NASCAR career.
At 11 years old, Brexton Busch has already gained recognition for his racing abilities.
“Kyle Busch was instrumental in the design of RCR’s stylized No. 8 and it has become synonymous with Kyle and an important symbol for fans and the NASCAR community,” RCR posted on X. “No one can carry it forward to the level that he did.”
Overcast conditions and unusually cool temperatures created a somber atmosphere at the track Friday, complementing the memorial tribute to Busch displayed on the venue’s video screen.
Driver Christopher Bell plans to compete in Friday night’s NASCAR Trucks Series event, a race Busch was originally scheduled to enter.
Busch claimed victory in last week’s Trucks competition at Dover — his final career triumph — bringing his total wins across NASCAR’s three national divisions to 234, more than any other driver in history.
His most recent Cup Series performance was a 17th-place finish in Sunday’s All-Star race.
“It’s going to be very strange to be out there without Kyle in the field,” Bell said. “It’s going to take a long time before things feel back to normal.”
Bell described Busch’s death as creating a “gutwrenching feeling.”
He recalled speaking with Busch before the recent Trucks Series race, saying he appeared “normal, like completely normal.”
Just Monday, Busch shared a birthday celebration post for his son Brexton on Instagram, writing “Your mom & I are so proud who you’re turning out to be!”
The father and son had spent Tuesday evening in Durham, North Carolina, attending the launch of a go-kart facility with the Andretti family.
“I guess it is a very stark reminder of how fragile life can be,” Bell reflected.
A massive $7.25 billion settlement agreement intended to resolve thousands of cancer-related claims against the manufacturer of Roundup weed killer may face significant delays due to ongoing legal challenges.
Legal counsel opposing the settlement submitted documents on Friday seeking to transfer the proceedings from Missouri state court to federal jurisdiction, potentially disrupting the June 4 deadline for individuals to withdraw from the settlement agreement. This jurisdictional dispute over which court should oversee the proposed resolution may interfere with established timelines and postpone any final decision on approval.
This legal maneuvering occurs while the U.S. Supreme Court considers a separate case that might prevent thousands of state court lawsuits against Bayer, the agrochemical company that obtained Roundup through its 2018 purchase of Missouri-headquartered Monsanto. Bayer argues that state-level claims alleging inadequate cancer risk warnings should be prohibited since the company complied with federal labeling requirements that don’t mandate such warnings.
The German-based corporation also challenges claims that glyphosate, Roundup’s primary active component, causes non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
The Environmental Protection Agency has concluded that the substance is unlikely to cause cancer in humans when used according to instructions. However, plaintiffs reference a 2015 determination by the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer, which designated the chemical as “probably carcinogenic.”
The Supreme Court case represents John Durnell, who claims he developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma following more than two decades of applying Roundup in a St. Louis community garden. While Durnell isn’t included in the proposed class-action settlement, his lawyer, Ashley Keller, submitted objections withdrawing several other clients from the settlement before also filing documentation to transfer the settlement case to federal jurisdiction.
“This is a huge settlement that is extinguishing the rights of tens of thousands of cancer victims,” Keller stated on Friday. “It was rushed in to state court.”
The federal court transfer attempt will likely encounter resistance.
Christopher Seeger, the attorney designated as a potential claimants’ representative in the settlement, criticized the court transfer as “a baseless delay tactic that should be promptly denied.”
Bayer issued a statement calling the move one that “has no merit,” and indicated it would work to maintain the proceedings in state court.
The proposed nationwide settlement was submitted in February to St. Louis Circuit Court in Missouri. The agreement aims to resolve most current Roundup litigation, plus any future cases filed by individuals exposed to Roundup in coming years. However, Bayer maintains the option to withdraw from the settlement if too many claimants choose to opt out.
A settlement hearing is set for July 9 in state court. The Supreme Court is anticipated to render its decision in Durnell’s case before the end of June.
Under the proposed settlement terms, Bayer would contribute annual payments to a designated fund for up to 21 years, reaching a maximum of $7.25 billion. Individual compensation amounts would differ based on Roundup usage patterns, age at diagnosis, and the severity of their non-Hodgkin lymphoma condition.
Agricultural, industrial, or turf workers with extensive Roundup exposure would receive approximately $165,000 if diagnosed with an aggressive form of the disease before age 60, based on the proposed settlement structure. However, those diagnosed at 78 years or older would receive approximately $10,000.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A federal court has dismissed human smuggling charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia on Friday, after his wrongful deportation became a flashpoint in immigration policy debates during President Donald Trump’s administration.
Garcia’s removal to El Salvador last year created significant problems for Trump administration officials when courts ordered his return to the United States. Garcia argued that both when the criminal charges were filed and inflammatory public comments made by senior Trump officials proved the case against him was retaliatory.
From Nashville, U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw approved Garcia’s request to dismiss the case due to “selective or vindictive prosecution.”
The decision represented a significant criticism of a Justice Department that faced repeated allegations under President Donald Trump of pursuing defendants for political reasons. The Trump administration highlighted the charges against Garcia during a news conference last year where then-Attorney General Pam Bondi stated, “This is what American justice looks like.”
“Kilmar Abrego Garcia is a victim of a politicized, vindictive White House and its lawyers at what used to be an independent Justice Department,” Garcia’s defense team said following Friday’s decision. “We are so pleased that he is a free man.”
The Justice Department promised to challenge the ruling, describing the judge’s decision as “wrong and dangerous.”
Crenshaw noted that without Garcia’s “successful lawsuit challenging his removal to El Salvador, the government would not have brought this prosecution,” while rejecting government claims of “new evidence” against him.
While Crenshaw didn’t conclude the government demonstrated “actual vindictiveness,” a difficult standard typically requiring evidence such as prosecutors admitting charges were filed for revenge, the judge determined sufficient evidence existed for “presumptive vindictiveness.” This included when the indictment was filed, public statements by then-U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, and continued oversight by other senior Justice Department officials that thoroughly compromised the case against Garcia.
Crenshaw found the government’s explanations unconvincing.
Garcia faced charges of human smuggling and conspiracy to commit human smuggling, with federal prosecutors alleging he received payment to transport individuals who were illegally present in the United States.
The accusations originated from a 2022 Tennessee traffic stop for speeding. Body camera video from a Tennessee Highway Patrol officer captured a peaceful interaction with Garcia. Nine passengers were in the vehicle, and officers privately discussed potential smuggling concerns. Ultimately, Garcia was permitted to leave with just a warning.
In Friday’s decision, Crenshaw emphasized that when the charges were filed was key to presuming vindictiveness. Homeland Security knew about the traffic incident for two years and had concluded the case against Garcia when they deported him. After the U.S. Supreme Court determined he should return to the U.S., they revived the case. Though the government needed to counter the vindictiveness presumption, prosecutors failed to call the person who reopened the case to testify about their reasoning, providing only “secondhand testimony” instead.
Garcia’s deportation violated a 2019 immigration court ruling that protected him from removal to his native country, after the judge determined he faced threats there from a gang targeting his family. Garcia is a Salvadoran national with an American spouse and child who resided in Maryland for years despite entering the U.S. illegally as a minor. The 2019 ruling permitted him to live and work in the U.S. under Immigration and Customs Enforcement monitoring, though he didn’t receive permanent residency.
Current Trump administration officials have stated Garcia cannot stay in the U.S. They have pledged to remove him to a third nation, most recently Liberia.
WASHINGTON, May 22 – Two federal banking agencies have given their approval to emergency shutdown blueprints submitted by America’s biggest financial institutions, outlining procedures for safely dissolving operations during bankruptcy proceedings.
The Federal Reserve and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation found no deficiencies in these emergency plans, known as “living wills,” from the country’s 8 biggest banks and 56 foreign banking organizations. On Friday, the regulatory agencies also revealed that previously identified problems in submissions from Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup have been properly resolved. These four institutions had received criticism from regulators in 2024 for failing to demonstrate adequate methods for safely dismantling their derivatives portfolios during potential bankruptcy scenarios.
A recently obtained 911 emergency call reveals that NASCAR champion Kyle Busch was suffering from severe breathing problems and coughing up blood just 24 hours before his passing, according to USA Today reports released Friday.
The racing legend, who claimed two NASCAR Cup Series championships and is regarded as among the sport’s greatest competitors, passed away Thursday at the age of 41.
His death was confirmed by the Busch family, Richard Childress Racing and NASCAR officials, coming just hours after they had announced his hospitalization earlier in the week and his absence from Sunday’s upcoming Coca-Cola 600 race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
The emergency call originated Wednesday from a General Motors facility located in Concord, N.C.
During the 911 call, an unidentified male caller described finding Busch collapsed on a bathroom floor in severe distress. The caller specifically requested that emergency vehicles arrive without sirens activated.
“I’ve got an individual that’s (experiencing) shortness of breath, very hot and thinks he’s going to pass out and he’s producing a little bit of blood, coughing up some blood,” the caller told the dispatcher.
Medical personnel transported Busch to a Charlotte-area hospital following the emergency response.
Officials have not yet disclosed the cause of death.
Busch leaves behind his wife Samantha, along with his 11-year-old son Brexton and 4-year-old daughter Lennix. He was the younger sibling of NASCAR Hall of Famer Kurt Busch, 47.
Throughout his career, Busch accumulated an impressive 234 victories spanning NASCAR’s three premier series: 63 Cup Series wins, 102 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series victories, and 69 Craftsman Truck Series triumphs. His most recent victory came at Dover in the trucks division on Friday, just six days prior to his death.
The Las Vegas-born driver captured NASCAR Cup Series titles in both 2015 and 2019. While the Daytona 500 victory eluded him throughout his career, he earned his first pole position for the race this season before completing the event in 15th place.
His most notable victories included the 2008 Southern 500, back-to-back Brickyard 400 wins in 2015 and 2016, and the 2019 Coca-Cola 600.
Two top-level Walmart officials are stepping down in what represents significant organizational changes happening under CEO John Furner, according to reports from May 22.
Tom Ward, who serves as COO of the warehouse chain Sam’s Club, will be retiring from his position by month’s end. Meanwhile, Cedric Clark, who oversees store operations for the retailer’s U.S. business, is also exiting, though his departure has not received an official announcement.
The Wall Street Journal broke this story on Friday.
These executive departures come one day after the retail giant restated its cautious yearly sales and earnings projections.
The company had previously disclosed multiple leadership transitions earlier this year when CEO John Furner assumed control in February, taking over from Doug McMillon.
A federal judge has thrown out criminal charges against Kilmar Abrego, a Salvadoran migrant whose case became a focal point of immigration enforcement efforts during the previous administration.
The judge ruled on Friday that the charges would not have been brought if Abrego had not fought against his removal from the country, effectively dismissing the indictment.
Abrego had entered the country without authorization and later became a high-profile case when he was deported to a large detention facility in El Salvador this past March. His removal occurred despite an existing court directive that prohibited sending him back due to potential persecution risks.
Following a Supreme Court directive requiring the government to bring him back to American soil, Abrego was returned to the United States in June. However, his return came only after federal prosecutors had obtained criminal charges against him for alleged human smuggling activities.
Abrego entered a plea of not guilty to the charges and maintained through his legal team that the prosecution was launched as payback for his lawsuit demanding his return to the United States.
State transportation officials have issued an emergency road closure in New Castle County after infrastructure damage forced the immediate shutdown of a local roadway.
The Delaware Department of Transportation reports that Lorewood Road has been closed between Ratledge Road and Tami Trail following a significant structural failure.
Transportation crews responded to the scene on Thursday, May 21, 2026, after two large corrugated metal drainage culverts partially gave way beneath Lorewood Road where it crosses over Joy Run.
Department personnel were sent to the location right away to block off the affected area and evaluate the extent of the structural damage to the roadway infrastructure.
Drivers on Route 1 southbound are experiencing traffic backups this morning between US 9 and Camelot Drive.
The Delaware Department of Transportation reports that congestion in the area is causing delays of approximately 5 to 10 minutes for motorists traveling through this stretch of roadway.
Commuters are advised to allow extra travel time or consider alternate routes if possible while crews work to clear the congestion.
Weather officials have issued a high surf advisory for coastal areas, effective from Wednesday afternoon through Friday morning.
The National Weather Service office in Mount Holly, New Jersey issued the advisory on May 22 at 3:54 PM EDT, with conditions expected to persist until May 24 at 8:00 AM EDT.
Residents and visitors in affected coastal areas should exercise caution near the water during this period.
Maritime safety advocates successfully extracted 10 derelict boats from Virginia waters during a coordinated three-day cleanup operation that ran from April 14-16. The BoatUS Foundation partnered with Lynnhaven River and TowBoatUS crews from Gwynns Island and Portsmouth to tackle the removal project in Gloucester and Portsmouth areas.
The cleanup represents part of a larger initiative targeting up to 100 abandoned vessels throughout the region. Lynnhaven River NOW spearheaded the collaborative effort, bringing together nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and private sector partners to combat the mounting environmental and safety concerns created by derelict boats. The project receives backing from a 2023 grant awarded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris Program.
“Abandoned boats don’t just disappear. They become a burden on communities, the environment and local economies,” said Alanna Keating, Director of Outreach at BoatUS Foundation. “By connecting trusted partners, we are addressing the issue of ADVs and making real progress toward cleaner, safer Virginia waterways.”
The extraction of derelict vessels delivers immediate advantages for waterway health and surrounding communities. When left to deteriorate, these boats can discharge fuel into the water, create dangerous obstacles for navigation, and cause lasting harm to marine habitats and coastal areas. Successful removal operations improve safety conditions for boaters, protect natural environments, and prevent long-term ecological damage.
Two TowBoatUS operators handled the challenging removal work: Chris Parker from Gwynns Island and Donald Duck from Portsmouth. Both contractors donated considerable time and equipment while navigating the complexities of extracting vessels in various states of decay.
“Every removal is different, and often more complex than people realize,” Parker said. “Some vessels can be refloated and towed, while others need to be taken apart piece by piece. It takes time and coordination, but the impact on the community and the bay is significant once removed.”
“These boats pose real risks to navigation and safety,” Duck said. “We see how they can break free, damage property, or require emergency response. Prevention through proper insurance and responsible disposal can make a big difference.”
The BoatUS Foundation operates a comprehensive abandoned vessel program that includes the Turning the Tide Summit and maintains a national tracking database for derelict boats across the country.
Several local officials attended the cleanup activities, including Gloucester County Administrator Greg Gentry, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality Coastal Zone Manager Jeff Flood, and Portsmouth Mayor Shannon Glover.
Boaters who spot abandoned or deteriorating vessels in waterways are urged to file reports with appropriate authorities.
American tennis star Emma Navarro dominated her compatriot Ann Li with a commanding 6-1, 6-3 victory on Friday, securing her spot in the championship match of the Internationaux de Strasbourg tournament in France, where she’ll face top-seeded Victoria Mboko.
The American player demonstrated exceptional defensive skills by saving seven out of eight break point opportunities while capitalizing on five of her eight break point chances, wrapping up the WTA 500 clay-court semifinal match in just 77 minutes. Navarro is now pursuing her third professional title and her first victory since capturing the Merida Open championship in Mexico this past March 2025.
Mboko required nearly three hours to secure her finals berth, defeating Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian in a grueling 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-2 battle that lasted two hours and 52 minutes. The 19-year-old Canadian player mounted an impressive comeback after trailing 4-1 and 5-2 in the first set. She’s also chasing her third professional title and first victory since winning the Hong Kong Open last November.
Grand Prix SAR La Princesse Lalla Meryem
In Morocco’s capital city of Rabat, sixth-seeded Croatian player Petra Marcinko will square off against unseeded Ukrainian competitor Anhelina Kalinina in Saturday’s final of this tournament.
Marcinko advanced by defeating Switzerland’s Jil Teichmann with scores of 7-6 (2), 6-3 in their semifinal clash at this WTA 250 clay-court event. The Croatian player dominated her service game, winning 83.3% of first-serve points (30 out of 36), delivering four aces and successfully converting five of ten break point opportunities during the match that lasted one hour and 45 minutes.
Kalinina will be pursuing her first-ever WTA Tour championship after recording an impressive 6-0, 6-3 triumph in just 60 minutes against Hungary’s seventh-seeded Panna Udvardy. The Ukrainian player never allowed her opponent a single break point opportunity while successfully converting five of her eight break point chances.
A new survey from pollster Datafolha reveals Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has opened up a lead over opposition Senator Flavio Bolsonaro in this year’s presidential race, with the incumbent benefiting from recent news stories connecting his right-wing opponent to a discredited banking figure.
According to the poll released Friday, the leftist president would capture 47% of the vote compared to 43% for Flavio in a hypothetical second-round matchup. This marks a shift from a survey conducted May 16 that showed the two candidates in a dead heat.
The polling was conducted in Sao Paulo and released on May 22.
