Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal will make his return to the pitcher’s mound this Saturday when his team faces the Cleveland Guardians on the road, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch confirmed on Thursday.
The left-handed pitcher, who has claimed the American League Cy Young Award twice in consecutive years, has been sidelined since undergoing a procedure on May 6 to extract loose debris from his throwing elbow.
“We’re adding the best pitcher in baseball back to our mix,” Hinch said Thursday. “It’s hard to describe what that boost will be.”
The 29-year-old Skubal felt pain during his April 29 appearance against the Atlanta Braves in a contest Detroit lost 4-3. During that outing, he gave up two earned runs across seven innings but was not credited with the loss or victory.
“I need to keep the game of baseball as the game of baseball, especially not trying to make up for the last five weeks I’ve been gone,” Skubal said Tuesday, via the Detroit Free Press. “I can’t do that with one pitch or one outing. That’ll be the challenge — to keep the game as the game.”
Through seven appearances this season, Skubal holds a 3-2 record with a 2.70 earned run average. He has recorded 45 strikeouts while issuing just six walks across 43 1/3 innings pitched.
He delivered quality performances in five of those seven outings.
Since joining Detroit in 2020, Skubal has compiled a 57-39 win-loss record with a 3.06 ERA over seven seasons, appearing in 144 games with 141 starts. During that span, he has fanned 934 hitters while walking 178 across 810 innings of work.
Detroit concluded the previous campaign at 87-75, finishing one game behind the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Central division race. The Tigers knocked out Cleveland in the wild-card playoffs before falling to the Seattle Mariners in the AL Division Series.
Currently, Detroit sits in fourth place within the Central division with a 28-40 record this season.
Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk announced Thursday that cybercriminals successfully breached multiple internal computer networks at the company.
The drugmaker has enlisted outside cybersecurity specialists to help investigate the breach and has notified appropriate government agencies about the incident.
As a precautionary measure, Novo Nordisk has shut down several internal computer networks temporarily while working to restore the compromised systems using secure protocols.
“While our investigation and response are ongoing, we have discovered that certain non-public data, including personal data, were copied externally without authorisation. We are informing the impacted parties as appropriate,” the Danish drugmaker said.
The pharmaceutical company emphasized that its primary business functions continue operating normally despite the cybersecurity incident.
A Chinese pharmaceutical company has launched a federal lawsuit against the Pentagon after being designated as having ties to China’s military operations.
WuXi AppTec announced Thursday that it submitted legal papers to a U.S. district court challenging the Department of Defense’s decision to place the firm on a registry of Chinese entities allegedly supporting Beijing’s armed forces.
The pharmaceutical company finds itself among major Chinese corporations on this registry, including technology giant Alibaba, search engine company Baidu, and electric vehicle manufacturers BYD and NIO, all of which Washington suspects of assisting China’s military capabilities.
Pentagon officials released the comprehensive registry earlier this week, encompassing numerous prominent Chinese technology enterprises that authorities believe contribute to Beijing’s defense and manufacturing capabilities. The move highlights ongoing national security worries as tensions escalate between the two superpowers.
This legal challenge follows WuXi’s Tuesday statement promising swift measures to contest and rectify what the company termed an “erroneous designation.”
According to exchange documents filed Thursday, WuXi is requesting that courts invalidate the Pentagon’s classification of the company as a “Chinese military company” and strike the firm from the official registry.
When contacted for response, a Pentagon representative stated that the Department maintains a policy of not discussing active or prospective legal proceedings.
The latest agricultural production data reveals that winter wheat harvests have fallen below earlier projections, showing a 2 percent decrease from the forecasts issued in May.
The updated crop production figures indicate that growing conditions or other factors have impacted the final yields compared to what was anticipated during the spring growing season.
This decline represents a shift from the optimistic projections made earlier in the year, when agricultural officials were forecasting higher production levels for the winter wheat crop.
The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for New Castle County, Delaware, effective from 11 AM Thursday through 8 PM Friday, as dangerous heat and humidity grip the region.
Heat index values are expected to reach up to 104 degrees, creating potentially hazardous conditions for residents across northern Delaware and surrounding areas including Philadelphia, southern New Jersey, and southeastern Pennsylvania.
“Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses,” warns the National Weather Service. The advisory affects millions of people in the Delaware Valley region.
Health officials urge residents to take precautions: drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned rooms when possible, and avoid prolonged sun exposure. Check on elderly relatives and neighbors, and limit strenuous outdoor activities to early morning or evening hours.
Some relief may come from scattered showers and thunderstorms expected late Thursday and Friday afternoons, though humidity will remain high. A cold front moving through this weekend should bring more comfortable conditions.
If you don’t have air conditioning, call 211 for assistance finding cooling centers. Watch for signs of heat exhaustion including dizziness, nausea, and excessive sweating.
The advisory expires Friday at 8 PM.
Delaware transportation officials are alerting drivers about upcoming tree removal operations scheduled for three separate locations over the next seven days.
The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) says the initial project will take place this Sunday morning, April 14th, along southbound Route 141. The work zone will span from Alapocas Drive to the Tyler McConnell Bridge, with crews operating between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.
DelDOT has not yet released details about the timing and locations of the remaining two tree removal projects planned for the week.
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Victor Wembanyama acknowledged he was stating the obvious when he outlined the two scenarios facing his team in Saturday night’s Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
Either San Antonio wins and keeps the series alive, or New York captures the NBA championship.
Those are the only options remaining. Following 1,321 total games this season — including 1,230 regular season contests, 84 playoff matchups, six play-in tournament games, and one NBA Cup deciding game between these teams — the situation has become that straightforward. A Spurs victory at home would force at least one more game, while a Knicks win would leave only a championship parade on the calendar.
With San Antonio down 3-1 in the series, Wembanyama recognizes the challenging circumstances ahead. History shows that 37 of the previous 38 teams facing a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals have watched their opponents claim the championship. Making matters worse, the Spurs must overcome this deficit after suffering the largest collapse in Finals history — surrendering a 29-point advantage in Wednesday’s 107-106 Game 4 defeat in New York.
“I think it’s going to go one of two ways,” Wembanyama commented following Wednesday’s loss, during which San Antonio was outscored 55-25 over the final 21 1/2 minutes. “One of two ways. A bad one and a good one. The bad one would be giving up. The good one would be getting stronger through this, getting more together. I know this is what we’re going to do.”
Both teams had Thursday off from official practice sessions. Friday practice sessions are planned in San Antonio before Saturday night’s pivotal Game 5, where New York sits one victory away from ending a 53-year championship drought.
The Knicks captured the first two Finals games in San Antonio — mounting comebacks from double-digit deficits in both contests — to seize control of the series. A Saturday victory would make New York the first team since Houston in 1995 to win three games on San Antonio’s home court during a single playoff series.
“Our mentality has to be 0-0, the way it’s been,” Knicks guard Jalen Brunson stated, echoing the approach he has emphasized throughout this postseason. “It has to be that way, and I feel like us moving forward with that mindset can really benefit us. There’s nothing to celebrate. It’s not over yet, not even close.”
While teams holding 3-1 leads typically avoid premature celebrations, Brunson’s caution carries additional weight in this particular series.
Although the 3-1 disadvantage has historically proven nearly impossible to overcome in NBA Finals, with only LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers successfully rallying past Golden State in 2016, this matchup remains statistically competitive.
New York holds just an eight-point scoring advantage across all four games. Field goal percentages are nearly identical, with the Knicks shooting 44% compared to San Antonio’s 43%. Three-point production shows the Knicks with 52 makes versus the Spurs’ 49. Free-throw shooting percentages stand at 79% for New York and 78% for San Antonio. The Knicks lead by three rebounds while both teams have recorded exactly 90 assists through four contests.
“Just take this one game at a time,” said Spurs guard De’Aaron Fox, who faced criticism for attempting a blocked layup in Game 4’s closing seconds rather than running down the clock with a one-point lead. “It obviously looks like a steep hill, but this is something that’s happened before. Take this thing one game at a time. We’ve been in a position to win all these games. We’ve been up double digits. We have to figure out what we need to do to be able to put some of these games away.”
The late-game struggles have become a puzzling pattern for San Antonio.
Game 1 saw them leading by one point with 1:51 remaining before falling to an 11-0 New York closing run.
In Game 2, they held possession in a tied contest with 11 seconds left, only to lose when Wembanyama’s pass to Stephon Castle went unseen, creating a turnover that led to Brunson’s championship-winning free throw.
Most recently, they squandered their 29-point Game 4 lead yet still maintained a one-point advantage until Anunoby’s tip-in with 2.1 seconds remaining.
“We have to try to put this behind us,” Fox said.
Should they fail to do so, New York’s five-decade championship wait could conclude Saturday evening.
LAGOS, Nigeria — Nigerian citizens began their journey home from South Africa on Thursday following government-mandated evacuations in response to deadly immigration demonstrations that have rocked the region.
The departure included 262 passengers along with three government representatives who boarded the aircraft bound for Lagos, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed. Ministry officials previously announced that more than 1,000 Nigerian nationals have signed up for voluntary departure.
South African authorities stated the departing individuals were residing in the country without proper documentation, disputing Nigerian government claims that citizens were escaping xenophobic violence.
Nigerian government representatives did not provide immediate responses to Associated Press inquiries for additional information.
Nigeria joins other African countries in arranging emergency flights to bring citizens home from South Africa. Beginning in April, multiple immigration demonstrations have resulted in violence against foreign residents. These demonstrations reflect growing friction between immigrant workers and local residents who believe foreigners are claiming employment opportunities. South African leadership has denounced these incidents as xenophobic violence.
Nigerian Foreign Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu explained the president directed the “evacuation of imperiled Nigerian citizens who consider their lives at risk by continued stay in South Africa.”
“The price of your peace, and the safety of your children is worth any sacrifices you have to make, or any assets you have to leave behind when fleeing a conflict zone or hate-infested environment,” the minister stated in her message to departing citizens.
Nigeria’s evacuation operation comes after Ghana brought home approximately 1,000 of its citizens from South Africa. South African officials reported that most returning Ghanaians lacked proper documentation.
Liberia has similarly raised alarm about citizen safety in South Africa. News outlets have reported President Joseph Boakai stating the government will pursue all required actions, including organizing comparable return flights to Liberia.
South Africa’s Home Affairs Department reported processing 586 Nigerians for departure after discovering they were undocumented. Officials indicated the following group will depart on Monday.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber confirmed they received emergency travel documentation from the Nigerian High Commission.
He additionally noted they were labeled “undesirable persons” and banned from returning to South Africa for five years. “Foreign nationals must ensure that their immigration status remains compliant with South African immigration laws at all times and to regularize their stay,” he stated.
WASHINGTON — Internal documents show that fruit-flavored electronic cigarettes recently approved by federal health regulators didn’t perform significantly better at helping people quit smoking compared to tobacco-flavored versions, raising fresh concerns about the agency’s controversial authorization.
Last month, the Food and Drug Administration granted approval to its first fruit-flavored vaping products, effectively backing them as safer alternatives to traditional cigarettes. The approval contradicted the agency’s long-held stance that fruit flavors attract young users and should demonstrate additional health advantages before receiving adult approval.
Lawmakers and health advocacy organizations swiftly criticized the move and demanded explanations from the agency.
An FDA document released this week offers additional insight into the agency’s reasoning. The six-page memo shows regulators seemingly avoiding their earlier warnings about sweet vaping flavors while recognizing flaws in research provided by vape company Glas Inc.
Under federal requirements, manufacturers must prove their products benefit overall public health. This typically involves showing that their vaping devices help adult smokers transition away from or stop using cigarettes without encouraging teenage use.
According to the memo, smokers using Glas vaping products showed much higher rates of completely switching away from cigarettes during a three-month research period.
However, the information revealed no “statistically significant differences” between adults who used the company’s mango and blueberry varieties versus those who used tobacco-flavored electronic cigarettes.
This means the newly approved vapes didn’t meet the same standards as other flavored products the FDA had previously approved, including menthol-flavored devices from Juul and NJOY. Those manufacturers demonstrated that adults using menthol products were significantly more likely to reduce or eliminate cigarette use compared to those using tobacco-flavored vaping products.
In another section, FDA officials stated that the Glas flavored products “did not have to demonstrate added adult benefit” since young people would be unlikely to access them. Glas requires customers to unlock each electronic cigarette through an age-verification smartphone application.
The agency’s decision also contradicts recent FDA guidance telling manufacturers that fruit and dessert flavors must meet “a high evidentiary burden” for adult approval due to youth risks. Tobacco-flavored products typically don’t appeal to teenagers and usually face less stringent FDA review processes.
The FDA memo is also notably short compared to similar documents.
Typical FDA memos regarding new vaping products span dozens of pages. Last year’s authorization document for Juul’s menthol electronic cigarettes exceeded 90 pages and contained comprehensive scientific information from studies involving 50,000 participants.
The brief Glas memo omits important information, including the number of smokers included in the company’s research.
The FDA typically publishes such documents immediately following authorization announcements. The Glas document appeared on the agency’s website more than a month after officials approved the products.
Congressional members have questioned the agency about this decision. Last month, 10 Democratic senators wrote to the agency seeking additional details about the authorization, describing it as a “shortsighted and reckless decision.”
The Glas application, which covered menthol and tobacco-flavored vapes as well, took a complicated route to approval. The small Los Angeles-based manufacturer submitted its marketing application to the FDA in 2021, and officials initially denied it.
In February, FDA scientists reversed their position and approved multiple flavors. However, a senior official under then-FDA Commissioner Marty Makary blocked that decision, according to internal documents the agency later made public.
The mango and blueberry-flavored products received final approval during Makary’s final full week as agency head. He left the position following months of criticism from industry groups, including tobacco manufacturers that have pressured President Donald Trump’s Republican White House for relaxed vaping flavor regulations.
A company representative was not available for comment when contacted Thursday morning.
WASHINGTON, June 11 (Reuters) – The head of U.S. Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin, stood behind the Trump administration’s visa rejection decisions on Thursday as this week marked the start of the World Cup tournament. He indicated that discussions had taken place with FIFA leadership while refusing to provide details about individual visa situations.
A robotics company based in Barcelona that specializes in artificial intelligence technology announced Thursday it has successfully secured $85 million through a new investment round, demonstrating continued momentum in Spain’s expanding technology industry.
The company, Theker, focuses on creating robotic systems that utilize artificial intelligence to carry out different functions within industrial settings.
Venture capital firm CRV spearheaded the investment round, with participation from major corporations including Samsung and luxury brand conglomerate LVMH.
This significant funding announcement follows Amazon’s earlier commitment to invest an additional €18 billion ($20.7 billion) in Spain just months ago, aimed at expanding data center operations and advancing artificial intelligence development.
Britain’s drug regulatory authority granted approval Thursday for a new oral weight-loss medication from Novo Nordisk, providing patients with an injection-free option for treating obesity while strengthening the Danish pharmaceutical company’s competitive position ahead of U.S. competitor Eli Lilly.
This regulatory clearance offers a more user-friendly treatment choice for over 10 million residents of England as pharmaceutical companies compete to broaden the reach of these medications, which have revolutionized the weight-loss treatment market and transformed the drug industry landscape.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has cleared the Wegovy pill for adult patients dealing with obesity who maintain a body mass index of 30 or higher, as well as individuals with BMI readings from 27 to 30 who also have at least one obesity-related health condition.
Following this regulatory clearance, Britain’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence will conduct its own evaluation before the medication becomes accessible through the NHS healthcare system.
In the interim, patients may obtain the pill from private healthcare providers. Novo anticipates the medication will become accessible through private prescriptions in the coming weeks.
Danielle Brightman, clinical director at digital healthcare platform Numan, stated that clearing oral medication means “better access for more people battling obesity”.
Current NHS England data indicates that obesity impacts approximately 30% of adults in England, representing roughly 13 million to 14 million individuals.
The Novo pill features semaglutide, the identical active compound found in the company’s highly successful injectable medications Wegovy for weight management and Ozempic for diabetes treatment.
Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer announced Thursday that its commercial aviation division maintains an order backlog exceeding $15 billion, while declaring that significant engine problems plaguing its newest E2 aircraft series have been addressed.
The backlog figure was revealed following Embraer’s announcement last week of a confirmed purchase agreement for 15 E195-E2 aircraft from aircraft leasing company Azorra.
At the conclusion of the first quarter, the company’s backlog reached $15 billion, representing a 50% increase compared to the same period last year.
According to the unit’s marketing vice president Rodrigo Silva e Souza, who spoke with reporters, the company maintains a strong position to achieve its projected delivery target of 80 to 85 commercial aircraft in 2026.
Silva e Souza stated that Embraer anticipates no E2 aircraft will remain grounded due to engine problems by the conclusion of 2026.
Aircraft engine manufacturers have encountered mounting pressure from airline companies due to planes being taken out of service and increased maintenance expenses.
According to Embraer, the current aircraft-on-ground rate for the E2 fleet sits at 1%, a dramatic decrease from the peak of 22% recorded in March 2025.
The E2 aircraft utilize engines manufactured by RTX’s Pratt & Whitney division, which Embraer reports are currently receiving upgrades to enhance performance in high-temperature, challenging operating conditions.
While maintaining what it describes as a “robust” order backlog, Embraer indicates it still offers manufacturing slots prior to 2030, positioning this as a competitive advantage over industry giants Boeing and Airbus.
Embraer specializes in aircraft designed to accommodate approximately 150 passengers or fewer, operating below the passenger capacity of Airbus’ and Boeing’s most popular A320 and 737 aircraft series.
State officials announced today they have reached a preliminary agreement to acquire a Delaware State University facility that will serve as the foundation for expanding homeless services in Kent County.
Governor Meyer, working alongside the Delaware State Housing Authority, revealed the agreement in principle to purchase the university’s Living and Learning Commons located in Dover. The acquisition represents a significant development in efforts to bring the Hope Center approach to Kent County.
The announcement follows Governor Meyer’s establishment of the Delaware Interagency Collaborative to End Homelessness, marking continued progress in the administration’s strategy to address housing challenges across the state.
Rehoboth Beach has wrapped up its 2026 restaurant inspection program, marking the completion of a joint effort between the city’s code enforcement and wastewater departments. Officials examined 98 out of 107 restaurants, with just one establishment failing to pass due to incomplete documentation.
Among the 68 food establishments that serve alcohol and were checked for permit compliance, 97% successfully passed their inspections. City officials report that businesses which didn’t meet requirements are working with municipal staff to address their compliance problems.
The positive results stem from the city’s new approach to restaurant oversight, featuring better coordination in their annual inspection program. Code enforcement teams handled permit compliance checks, while wastewater personnel separately examined grease, oil, and fat management using uniform checklists and shared monitoring systems. Officials say this strategy transforms the city’s approach from responding to problems after they occur to preventing them beforehand. The structured yearly inspection schedule helps restaurant owners know what’s expected, ensures fair treatment across all businesses, enhances record maintenance, and catches minor problems before they develop into serious operational or infrastructure challenges.
Claymont — The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) is alerting drivers about upcoming ramp closures at the I-95/Naamans Road interchange for hazardous tree removal operations.
Traffic restrictions will affect the interchange ramps individually, beginning Saturday, June 13th at 6:00 am with the closure of the ramp connecting Naamans Road to northbound I-95. This closure is scheduled to last until 3:00 pm.
Later that same day, June 13th, the second phase will involve shutting down the ramp leading from southbound I-95 to Naamans Road.
Championship series in the NBA revolve around defining moments.
These instances are brief fragments of time – just seconds or a single play. Think of Michael Jordan’s shoulder shrug, LeBron James’ chase-down block, Jerry West’s 60-foot shot to force extra time, Ray Allen’s three-pointer that rescued Miami in 2013, Magic Johnson’s sky hook, Kobe Bryant leaping onto a table with five fingers raised for his fifth championship, or Willis Reed hobbling onto the court for Game 7.
These are the sequences that endure forever – individual events or plays that become legendary.
The New York Knicks may have redefined this concept entirely. Their Game 4 NBA Finals victory came thanks to one such defining sequence – OG Anunoby’s tip-in that completed the Knicks’ stunning recovery from a 29-point deficit certainly secured him permanent status among basketball’s most iconic plays.
However, the entire rally was truly the moment. Countless plays at Madison Square Garden wove together to create a story worthy of the nearby Broadway theaters and Radio City Music Hall stages.
The sequence lasted 21½ minutes of game time, stretching over an hour in actual duration. While Anunoby provided the dramatic finish, it’s reasonable to expect that whatever film project actor, director and devoted Knicks supporter Ben Stiller is capturing courtside with his phone during this series will prominently showcase much of those crucial 21½ minutes.
“You have to have a little luck in life. You’ve got to have a little luck in sports,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said. “But you can also make your luck, too.”
Calling the Knicks fortunate to hold a 3-1 series advantage would be unfair, as it implies they don’t deserve this position. They absolutely deserve it. They captured two road victories in San Antonio to open the series, overcoming double-digit deficits in both contests, then lost Game 3 at home before digging themselves into that 29-point hole in Game 4.
San Antonio couldn’t miss any shots during the opening half.
San Antonio couldn’t connect on anything during the closing half.
This represented fortunate circumstances for New York, unfortunate ones for San Antonio, and both teams bore responsibility for the shift. The score stood 81-52 in favor of the Spurs with 21½ minutes remaining. Historical precedent suggested victory was certain.
Wrong.
“It’s a pretty clear picture if you watch the game in terms of what we did in the first half and why we scored so many points. It was pace, finding the paint, passing the ball to your teammate, taking good shots,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “The second half was opposite of that.”
During those final 21½ minutes:
— New York outscored San Antonio 55-25.
— The Spurs converted just 6 of 35 field goal attempts.
— Anunoby and Jalen Brunson combined for 33 points for the Knicks.
— Victor Wembanyama endured a stretch where he made only 1 of 11 shots.
“I can’t really explain it right now,” Wembanyama said afterward when trying to make sense of everything that had just happened. “I don’t know. I think it’s just execution, greediness of some sort. We clearly weren’t the most hungry in the second half.”
During the third quarter’s midpoint, Anunoby connected on a three-pointer to cut the Knicks’ deficit to 19. While seemingly minor, it marked their first time reducing San Antonio’s advantage below 20 points since early in the second quarter.
The rally – the defining moment – was just beginning.
The deficit shrank to 15 entering the final quarter. It dropped to 12 following a Karl-Anthony Towns three-pointer with 7:28 remaining, then reached single digits when Towns scored again a minute later. The Garden erupted. Taylor Swift, seated courtside, bounced up and down like millions have done at her concerts. Spike Lee, also courtside, waved his arms frantically as though directing this unscripted performance.
The margin narrowed to seven, then four, then one. New York grabbed the lead before briefly surrendering it. Then Anunoby delivered his magic.
The moment reached completion.
“We believe in each other,” Knicks guard Jose Alvarado said. “That’s the main thing.”
One more victory would truly complete this story. That would represent the ultimate moment, should it occur. Knicks supporters have endured 53 years waiting for such a celebration; the franchise hasn’t claimed an NBA championship since 1973, when the Larry O’Brien Trophy didn’t even carry that name yet.
Should that moment arrive, Wednesday’s sequence – those 21½ incredible minutes condensed into one moment – will have made it all possible.
“We focus on the things we need to get better every single day and not being satisfied with the things that we’ve done so far,” Brunson said. “Very proud of my teammates, day-in and day-out. But (there’s) a lot — a lot — that we have to learn … to honestly be better and be where we want to be.”
WASHINGTON — Global economic expansion will slow significantly this year as the ongoing conflict with Iran drives up energy costs and creates widespread market uncertainty, according to a new World Bank assessment released Thursday.
The international development organization now projects worldwide economic growth of only 2.5% for this year, marking the poorest performance since the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted international trade six years ago.
The financial institution revised downward its growth projections for two-thirds of nations across the globe.
However, the United States avoided a forecast reduction. The World Bank maintains its prediction that America’s economy will expand by 2.2% this year, matching its January projection and slightly improving from 2.1% growth in 2025.
The U.S. economy demonstrates greater stability than oil and natural gas importing nations due to its status as a significant energy producer, while also benefiting from substantial tax reductions and surging artificial intelligence investments. Nevertheless, American consumers continue to face frustration over elevated gasoline and commodity costs.
Developing nations face more severe economic headwinds. The World Bank reduced its 2026 growth estimate for emerging market economies by 0.4 percentage points to 3.6%, the lowest projection since the pandemic. According to the bank, in these regions, “the disruption in energy supplies and sharp increase in energy prices caused by the conflict have dampened confidence and weakened broader economic activity.”
China, the second-largest global economy, is projected to achieve 4.2% growth this year, declining from 5% in 2025 and below the 4.4% the institution had previously predicted for this year in January. India is anticipated to maintain its position as the fastest-expanding major economy with 6.6% growth, though this represents a significant drop from 7.7% in 2025.
The 21 European nations using the euro currency are collectively forecast to achieve modest 0.8% expansion this year, down from 1.4% in 2025.
Iran’s response to attacks by the U.S. and Israel included shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for one-fifth of global oil and natural gas shipments. Energy costs have surged as a result. The World Bank anticipates Brent crude oil will average $94 per barrel this year, representing a 36% increase from 2025 and 50% above the institution’s January projection.
The conflict has also interrupted fertilizer trade flows, with significant exports moving through the Persian Gulf region. This disruption could trigger food supply shortages as agricultural producers reduce fertilizer use to avoid increased expenses.
Health officials are sounding the alarm about deadly summer heat after revealing that more than 200,000 Europeans lost their lives to heat-related causes during the past four years, according to the World Health Organization’s Europe office announced Thursday.
The warning comes as forecasters predict another summer of above-normal temperatures, which pose serious health risks including heat exhaustion and potentially fatal heat stroke.
“The impacts of climate change are a clear and present danger, and its most immediate and lethal manifestation is extreme heat,” stated Dr. Hans Kluge, director of the WHO’s Europe office. “Heatwaves are no longer freak weather anomalies. They are now a recurring crisis inflicting suffering, claiming lives and fracturing our health systems and infrastructure.”
The WHO’s European division is pushing for nations and organizations to develop comprehensive heat response strategies, including establishing cooling centers and adjusting work schedules to protect employees from dangerous midday temperatures.
“Our goal is clear and our ambition is bold: zero heat-related deaths,” Kluge declared.
Adding to concerns, weather experts announced Thursday that El Nino has developed in the Pacific Ocean and may reach record-breaking intensity. Scientists warn this natural warming pattern will amplify global temperatures already rising due to fossil fuel emissions and could intensify severe weather worldwide.
Health experts recommend these essential steps to prevent heat-related illness:
Avoid outdoor exposure during peak heat hours of the day. When venturing outside at midday becomes necessary, limit physical exertion and find shade where temperatures feel cooler. Try to spend two to three hours daily in air-conditioned spaces and monitor local heat advisories.
During daylight hours, keep windows closed and use blinds or shutters for coverage. Once evening arrives and outdoor temperatures drop below indoor levels, open windows for ventilation. Program air conditioning units to 81 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius) and use fans to enhance cooling effects. Communities with limited resources often face greater heat risks due to inadequate housing and limited access to cooling systems.
Maintain proper hydration by consuming one cup of water hourly and take cool baths or showers. When bathing isn’t available, use damp cloths or spray bottles on skin. Choose light-colored, loose clothing and breathable bedding materials. For outdoor activities, wear wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses and sunscreen.
Vehicles must never be used to leave children or pets unattended, as interior temperatures can reach dangerous levels rapidly. Cover baby strollers with thin, damp fabric rather than dry materials that trap heat, and consider portable fans for additional cooling. Pay special attention to adults over 65 and individuals with disabilities or heart, lung, or kidney conditions. Those living alone may also need extra monitoring.
Workers in manual labor and outdoor jobs face heightened heat illness risks, particularly when work schedules cannot be adjusted for extreme temperatures.
Health officials reported Thursday that overnight drone attacks by paramilitary forces in central Sudan resulted in at least 15 deaths and dozens of injuries, highlighting the growing use of unmanned aircraft in the nation’s ongoing conflict that has stretched beyond three years.
The strikes began late Wednesday and hit multiple locations throughout el-Obeid, including areas close to military installations, according to two health officials from el-Obed Hospital who treated the casualties. The officials, who requested anonymity due to lack of authorization to speak publicly, confirmed that more than 10 individuals sustained injuries, with several in critical condition.
Sudan’s conflict began in April 2023 following escalating tensions between government military forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, known as RSF. The ongoing violence has resulted in no fewer than 59,000 deaths, forced approximately 13 million people from their homes, and created famine conditions across large areas of the nation. Humanitarian aid is desperately needed by over 30 million residents.
Dr. Mohamed Elsheikh, representing Sudan Doctors Network which monitors casualty figures, informed The Associated Press that RSF drones struck a cemetery during a funeral service in el-Obeid, killing four attendees, and also hit a fuel station. He was unable to immediately verify whether those killed and injured were civilians or military personnel.
A Mercy Corps aid worker speaking anonymously due to safety concerns told the AP that drone bombardments have escalated throughout el-Obeid recently, with attacks focusing on areas where people gather. The worker reported that educational institutions have halted operations and commercial markets are operating with limited capacity due to the ongoing strikes.
Emergency Lawyers, a local organization monitoring aid efforts, stated Thursday that casualty numbers will likely rise as unmanned aircraft continued flying above the city.
The organization reported that residential areas near the 5th Infantry Division’s military headquarters in el-Obeid were struck, along with a supply truck bringing food into the city, killing the driver.
“This series of attacks indicates a widespread pattern of targeting civilian gatherings, neighborhoods and infrastructure, including during rescue operations and funerals,” the group stated, raising alarm about the indiscriminate nature of the bombardments.
The conflict, now entering its fourth year, has resulted in Sudan’s military maintaining control over northern, eastern and central territories, including the nation’s Red Sea shipping facilities and petroleum infrastructure. The RSF and allied forces hold Darfur and portions of Kordofan near the South Sudan border, both areas containing valuable oil reserves and gold mining operations.
According to experts, unmanned aircraft warfare has emerged as the most lethal danger facing civilians in Sudan’s war, with both military factions receiving drone supplies from various Middle Eastern and international sources. Humanitarian organizations report that increased drone activity in Kordofan has severely disrupted relief efforts in the region.
A 63-year-old former political leader from Northern Ireland took the witness stand Thursday to firmly reject allegations that he sexually assaulted two children over two decades ago.
Jeffrey Donaldson appeared at Newry Crown Court where he entered not guilty pleas two weeks earlier to 18 total charges – including one rape count, four gross indecency counts, and 13 indecent assault counts. The alleged incidents span from 1985 through 2008 and involve two accusers.
Both individuals who brought forward the accusations testified during the proceedings that they experienced abuse during their childhood years. According to their statements to law enforcement, Donaldson inappropriately touched them when they were elementary school-aged children. The older accuser, identified in court documents as Complainant B, also alleged rape occurred.
During his Thursday testimony, Donaldson categorically rejected all allegations against him. Addressing the rape accusation directly, he stated: “It just didn’t happen, I am absolutely crystal clear about that.”
“It is not something I would ever have done, it is just simply not true,” he added.
At the time of his 2024 arrest, Donaldson held the top position in the Democratic Unionist Party, a conservative political organization committed to preserving Northern Ireland’s connection to the United Kingdom.
The defendant showed visible emotion during portions of his court appearance, describing how his mind was “in a spin” following his arrest. His legal troubles prompted him to step down from his party leadership role and abandon his position in the U.K. Parliament.
Eleanor Donaldson, the defendant’s 60-year-old spouse, faces her own legal challenges related to allegations she assisted her husband’s purported criminal conduct. However, she will participate in a fact-finding proceeding rather than a full criminal trial due to mental health considerations.
The defendant rejected any implication that his wife observed abuse taking place but failed to stop it.
“She would have been very angry, she would have intervened immediately,” he testified. “I am absolutely clear, there is no situation where that happened.”
From 2021 through 2023, Donaldson held the most influential position within Northern Ireland’s unionist political movement as head of the DUP.
Court proceedings are anticipated to continue for approximately two more weeks.
Elon Musk’s space exploration company is preparing for a historic stock market debut that revolves around astronomical figures — and the numbers behind SpaceX’s public offering plans are truly staggering.
Financial documents for the upcoming stock launch reveal expenditures on an enormous scale — surpassing the entire economic production of many nations — with plans to expand dramatically as Musk works to fulfill his ambitious vision of transporting humans to other worlds. The capital expected to be generated from this initial stock sale — projected at $75 billion — will help fund these ambitious, science-fiction-like objectives.
If the public offering proceeds smoothly, it would establish a new record as the biggest in history. The move could also elevate Musk, who holds a significant ownership position in SpaceX and currently ranks as the planet’s wealthiest individual, to become the first person worth more than a trillion dollars.
Beyond the remarkable financial figures, the company’s filing documents read somewhat like a screenplay for a futuristic Hollywood film as Musk outlines his vision of using rocket technology to prevent human extinction by transforming our species into inhabitants of multiple planets.
Initially, Musk plans to transport astronauts to the moon for establishing a lunar outpost. His ultimate goal involves creating settlements on Mars.
Here’s an examination of the impressive statistics underlying Musk’s extraordinary aspirations.
SpaceX would achieve this market valuation if its publicly traded shares maintain the initial offering price of $135 per share. Given the significant investor enthusiasm surrounding SpaceX, the stock price could potentially climb higher during its first trading day. Currently, computer chip manufacturer Nvidia holds the position as the world’s most valuable publicly traded corporation at approximately $4.9 trillion. A valuation of $1.77 trillion would position SpaceX alongside Broadcom as the sixth most valuable company, based on Wednesday’s market closing.
This represents Elon Musk’s total wealth as of June 10, according to Forbes calculations. Based on how significantly the SpaceX public offering increases the value of Musk’s company ownership, he might achieve trillionaire status for the first time in history. The total wealth of the second through fifth richest individuals on the Forbes ranking — Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergei Brin, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg — equals $999.2 billion.
SpaceX would generate these funds by offering 555,555,555 shares priced at $135 each through the public offering, representing more than twice the previous IPO record of $26 billion achieved by Saudi oil company Aramco in 2019.
This represents the quantity of advanced Starlink satellites that Musk indicates SpaceX intends to launch into orbit. The Starlink network currently operates approximately 9,600 satellites in space. For perspective, UPS reports operating 135,000 delivery vehicles — including motorcycles — across its transportation network.
Musk will maintain this level of decision-making authority at SpaceX through his ownership of over 90% of the company’s Class B shares, which provide holders with 10 votes per share. He additionally holds a 12.3% ownership in Class A shares, which carry single voting rights per share.
Musk must achieve this population level in a Martian settlement to qualify for a portion of his SpaceX performance-based compensation. Currently, no technology exists to transport even a single individual to Mars, much less one million people. Earth cities with similar populations include Ottawa, Prague and San Jose, California.
The company’s total expenditures in 2025 across all divisions, encompassing rockets, satellites and artificial intelligence systems. The majority of this spending, totaling just under $11.4 billion, originated from its connectivity division that operates the Starlink satellite network. In comparison, NASA’s 2026 budget allocation is $24.4 billion.
SpaceX allocated this amount in 2025 for purchasing Cybertrucks from Musk’s other publicly traded enterprise, Tesla. The entry-level Cybertruck model is priced at $69,990. This $131 million expenditure would purchase approximately 1,871 vehicles. The business relationships between Musk’s companies have generated discussion about a potential future merger between Tesla and SpaceX.
This represents the projected portion of IPO shares designated for individual investors with smaller investment budgets, commonly called retail investors. Generally, only approximately 5% to 10% of IPO shares are allocated to this investor category.
The World Cup has begun, setting the stage for an intense rivalry between athletic giants Nike and Adidas both on the soccer field and in retail stores worldwide.
Nike desperately needs a victory. The global soccer competition, taking place partially on American soil, arrives during the second year of CEO Elliott Hill’s effort to turn the company around. The athletic wear manufacturer has watched its market position weaken, anticipates revenue will decline between 2% and 4% during the current quarter, and has seen stock values plummet more than 30% this year as shareholders lose patience with Hill’s recovery efforts.
However, encouraging developments are emerging in retail locations. Customers walking into the Pelé Soccer store in Times Square recently encountered a display of mannequins wearing Nike uniforms for the United States, Brazil, and France teams.
Nike’s World Cup marketing effort called “Rip the Script,” centered on a promotional video showcasing soccer stars and famous personalities including Kylian Mbappé and Kim Kardashian, dominated the window showcase at a Champs Sports location in midtown Manhattan. The prominent positioning of Nike jerseys by the Foot Locker subsidiary demonstrates Nike’s advancement in repairing connections with retail partners that were damaged when former CEO John Donahoe shifted toward selling directly to consumers.
“Football allows us to reach so many different people,” said Camilo Andrade, Nike’s vice president of global football. Regarding collaboration with wholesale retailers, the approach “has been first and foremost to make sure that we restore those relationships,” Andrade added.
Beyond introducing two new Mercurial soccer cleats this month, the athletic apparel company is providing uniforms for 12 national teams, collaborating with local streetwear designers, and updating soccer products at over 5,000 Nike and wholesale locations around the world.
However, the competition remains intense. Adidas, serving as an official World Cup sponsor and a brand with deep soccer heritage, is backing 14 teams and providing the tournament’s official match ball, which acts as a prominent centerpiece in retail environments.
British retailer JD Sports has observed that Mexico and Argentina jerseys – both supported by Adidas – have emerged as the top-selling team uniforms so far, according to a company spokesperson. Industry experts suggest brand success will partially depend on which teams perform well in the actual tournament.
Louis Carrillo, 30, found himself attracted to a display of Mexico jerseys at Pelé Soccer – not just to cheer for his home country’s team as they compete against South Africa on Thursday, he explained, but also because of the distinctive Adidas three stripes featured on the shirt’s shoulders.
He previously purchased Nike’s Mercurial soccer boots during his youth, “but I feel that it’s not the same anymore,” Carrillo added, noting his enthusiasm for the design has diminished.
Industry analysts warn that even a World Cup boost might not be sufficient to change Nike’s overall direction. The sportswear leader still must introduce more innovative products that capture consumer attention.
RBC Capital Markets reduced its Nike stock recommendation just one day before the World Cup’s opening match. Analyst Piral Dadhania pointed to a slower-than-anticipated recovery, stating the World Cup influence and new products are “not sufficient to offset clean-up actions elsewhere in the business.”
“The problems that Nike has are not going to just go away because of the World Cup,” said Morningstar analyst David Swartz. “But it’s certainly an opportunity to get the brand back in front of people.”
Nike’s product selection will help increase brand visibility as the tournament progresses, but currently, Adidas merchandise appears more prominent at retailers like Dick’s Sporting Goods and Foot Locker, according to analysts at Telsey Advisory Group who published their findings this week.
Major stock market indexes moved higher Thursday as investors purchased discounted technology shares while monitoring ongoing Middle East tensions.
Semiconductor companies recovered following Wednesday’s decline that pushed major indexes down over 1% and sent technology stocks into correction territory with a 10% fall from recent peaks.
Intel surged 10%, while Nvidia and Micron Technology climbed 1.3% and 2.4% respectively. The S&P 500 technology index rose 1.4%, and the Philadelphia SE Semiconductor index jumped 4.5%.
Oracle stock dropped 12.5% after the company announced capital spending projections for fiscal 2027 that exceeded Wall Street expectations. Software stocks declined 2.2% overall.
Applovin and Atlassian each fell approximately 3%, while Servicenow, Salesforce and Adobe decreased between 2.2% and 3%.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced Washington would strike Iran “very hard tonight” and soon assume control of the Middle Eastern nation’s oil and gas infrastructure and markets. Oil prices moved higher.
“That’s (Trump’s warning) a pretty worrisome thought for the market but what we’re seeing here is a market that may have been grossly oversold over the past few days. And so that’s why we’re seeing some sort of a bump,” said Phil Blancato, chief market strategist at Osaic Wealth.
At 09:56 a.m. ET, the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 450.39 points, or 0.90%, to 50,371.57, the S&P 500 advanced 58.67 points, or 0.81%, to 7,325.66 and the Nasdaq Composite rose 267.93 points, or 1.07%, to 25,437.44.
The S&P 500 has fallen roughly 4% since reaching a record closing high in early June as investors wrestle with worries about elevated tech valuations and stricter monetary policy, with Middle East conflict adding inflationary concerns.
Ten of 11 major S&P 500 sectors posted gains, with industrial stocks leading the advance.
Communication services fell 1.5%, as Alphabet and Meta each dropped nearly 2%.
Economic data revealed U.S. producer prices rose more than anticipated in May, resulting in the biggest annual increase in over three years.
Additionally, the number of Americans filing unemployment benefit claims rose slightly last week.
The Federal Reserve is widely anticipated to maintain current interest rates at next week’s policy meeting, with investors expecting at least one 25 basis point rate increase by year’s end.
The eagerly awaited Friday market launch of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, expected to be valued at $1.75 trillion, could challenge this year’s rally that has repeatedly pushed stocks to record heights.
The World Bank reduced its global growth projection for 2026 due to the Middle East war, stating growth could decelerate to just 1.3% if energy supply disruptions become more severe and create significant financial market stress.
Among other notable moves, Navan soared 16.5% after the corporate travel booking agency increased its full-year revenue and operating income forecasts on Wednesday.
Rising stocks outnumbered declining ones by a 3.27-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and by a 2.11-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq.
The S&P 500 recorded 9 new 52-week highs and 7 new lows while the Nasdaq Composite registered 86 new highs and 86 new lows.
Federal weather officials confirmed Thursday that El Nino weather patterns have formed and are anticipated to grow stronger through the winter of 2026-27, according to the U.S. Climate Prediction Center.
The government weather agency noted that these El Nino conditions have emerged during the past month.
El Nino represents a natural climate event that happens when trade winds weaken, allowing warmer ocean temperatures to accumulate across the central and eastern equatorial Pacific. This weather pattern generally results in elevated global temperatures and shifts in weather systems, creating drought conditions in certain areas while producing excessive rainfall in others.
“El Nino is likely to have a negative impact on crop yields in Southeast Asia and India, where El Nino is typically associated with below-normal rainfall,” said Kyle Tapley, enterprise sales executive at Vaisala Xweather’s WeatherDesk.
India’s monsoon season provides approximately 70% of the nation’s annual precipitation and remains crucial for its farming industry, which represents roughly 18% of the country’s nearly $4 trillion economy. Reduced rainfall amounts could result in diminished harvests for crops including rice, cotton and soybeans, while also affecting winter crop production.
In Indonesia, rice producers are working to plant earlier than usual as they prepare for potential extended dry conditions this year. Malaysia’s economic minister has cautioned that El Nino may reduce crop production by 8% to 10% on average during this period.
“El Nino typically leads to a less-active U.S. hurricane season and we expect a below-normal Atlantic hurricane season this year. However, it is important to remember that a strong hurricane is still possible even in a less-active hurricane season,” Tapley said.
The current U.S. hurricane season started June 1 and continues until November 30.
Alphabet’s Google is reportedly negotiating with Samsung Electronics to produce components for its upcoming artificial intelligence processor, according to a Thursday report from The Information citing sources with knowledge of the discussions.
The arrangement would have Taiwan’s TSMC manufacturing the primary portion of the processor, which carries the internal designation ‘Icefish,’ while Samsung would handle production of a specialized component responsible for memory connectivity using its advanced 2-nanometer manufacturing process, sources indicated.
The semiconductor sector continues to face significant production constraints as TSMC, the globe’s leading contract chip manufacturer, struggles to meet escalating demand and prevent supply chain disruptions during the current artificial intelligence expansion.
Google has been working to develop its proprietary AI processors as competitive alternatives to Nvidia’s market-leading graphics processing units, with tensor processing unit sales contributing significantly to the company’s cloud computing revenue growth.
The ‘Icefish’ processor remains in development phases and may begin large-scale manufacturing by 2028, The Information reported.
Earlier this week, The Information disclosed that Google was discussing with Intel the production of over three million TPUs scheduled for 2028, according to industry sources.
Alphabet has not yet provided comment on the report, while Samsung Electronics was unavailable for immediate response outside standard business hours. Reuters was unable to independently confirm the information.
Elon Musk’s rocket company has attracted over $70 billion in investment orders from individual investors ahead of its highly anticipated stock market launch, according to a Bloomberg News report published Thursday that cited sources with knowledge of the situation.
Individual investors are anticipated to receive a minimum of 20% of available shares, the Bloomberg report indicated, though it noted that discussions continue and offering specifics may still be modified.
The space exploration company did not provide an immediate response to Reuters’ request for comment. Reuters was unable to independently confirm the Bloomberg report.
Reuters had previously reported that the rocket manufacturer was weighing the possibility of designating up to 30% of the stock offering for individual investors, representing an uncommonly large portion for retail participation designed to capitalize on Musk’s devoted fanbase.
The eagerly awaited market launch is set for Friday, with the aerospace company targeting $75 billion in fundraising at approximately a $1.8 trillion company valuation.
The company has attracted over $250 billion in total investor interest for what is positioned to become the biggest initial public offering on record, Reuters reported Tuesday, citing sources with knowledge of the situation.
Drivers traveling on westbound Route 14 in the Milford area should expect lane restrictions due to ongoing construction work.
The right shoulder is currently closed on the Milford Harrington Highway between Church Hill Road and Canterbury Road (Route 15) as crews perform construction activities.
Officials say the shoulder closure will remain in place until 5 PM today. Motorists are advised to use caution when traveling through the work zone and allow extra time for their commute.
SALISBURY, Maryland — Officials in Salisbury, Maryland have announced they’re bringing back and significantly expanding their no-cost summer programs aimed at keeping young people active while providing nutritious meals to families throughout the area.
The Game On! initiative, which proved successful during its inaugural year, will return to Lake Street Playground while also launching at Doverdale Park and Playground for the first time. Officials say the decision to add Doverdale demonstrates how well-received the program has been and shows the city’s dedication to delivering community-focused recreational opportunities to additional neighborhoods.
City Council President April Jackson partnered with the city to develop Game On! with the goal of making organized recreational activities and outdoor fun more accessible in municipal parks, ensuring children remain physically active and socially connected in their own neighborhoods.
Families can participate in Game On! at no cost without needing to sign up in advance. A pair of part-time recreational staff will be present to facilitate games, coordinate activities, and foster an inclusive atmosphere where kids can participate in active recreation all summer long. The program operates weekdays from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., running from July 1 through August 14, 2026.
Additionally, complimentary lunch service for youth under 18 will be available at both Game On! sites Monday through Friday at noon, through a collaboration with Wicomico County Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services.
Official launch activities are scheduled for June 30, 2026, with celebration events happening from 10 a.m. to noon at both Lake Street Playground and Doverdale Park and Playground. The launch festivities will include inflatable bounce attractions, refreshments, and numerous games and activities for children.
“I’m excited to see these programs grow and reach more young people across our community,” said Community Relations Manager Rachel Manning. “This summer, I hope even more youth will take advantage of the chance to get outside, make new friends, and have fun.”
City officials are also promoting enhanced summer offerings at the Newton Community Center, which will operate Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Free lunch service will be provided there as well at noon daily for children under 18. The Newton Community Center remains a secure, inclusive environment for youth during summer break, providing recreation, social connection, and reliable meal access.
“These programs are an investment in our neighborhoods and our youth,” said Mayor Randy Taylor, “By providing free meals and activities throughout the summer, we are creating more opportunities for children and families right here in Salisbury.”
Combined, these initiatives demonstrate the city’s continued dedication to offering accessible, community-centered opportunities that promote youth development, encourage physical activity, and guarantee children receive proper nutrition during the summer period.
Event Details:
Kickoff Event: June 30, 2026, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Locations: Lake Street Playground & Doverdale Playground | Salisbury, MD
Complete program information is available at the City of Salisbury’s website: https://salisbury.md/departments/housing-community-development/youth-development
The University of Delaware softball program has elevated one of its coaching staff members to a higher position within the organization.
Nikki Andrade has been elevated to associate head coach while maintaining her current responsibilities as recruiting coordinator, according to an announcement made by head coach Jen Steele on Wednesday, June 10.
The promotion represents a significant advancement for Andrade within the Blue Hens softball program structure.
Federal weather officials confirmed today that El Niño has officially developed in the tropical Pacific Ocean, with forecasters issuing an El Niño Advisory as the climate phenomenon is anticipated to grow stronger through the fall season.
The National Weather Service announced that El Niño, which represents the warm phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation climate pattern, is projected to reach moderate or strong intensity this autumn. Weather experts predict a 63% probability that sea surface temperatures will rise more than 2.0°C above normal in the Pacific monitoring zone. Should temperatures cross this threshold, NOAA would classify the event as a “very strong” El Niño.
El Niño occurs when equatorial Pacific Ocean temperatures climb 0.5°C above typical levels for multiple consecutive months. Weather scientists also track atmospheric conditions over this Pacific region, monitoring for changes in the Walker Circulation – a large-scale east-to-west airflow pattern created by temperature and pressure variations between the warm western Pacific and cooler eastern waters. El Niño is declared when this circulation pattern weakens and warmer waters move eastward toward South America.
The climate pattern typically reaches peak strength during winter months, with its most significant global effects occurring during northern hemisphere winter seasons. During typical El Niño winters, the jet stream over the northern Pacific tends to move southward, directing storm systems across the southern portion of the United States. This southward shift also creates drier conditions over the Northern Rockies and Ohio and Tennessee river valleys. Temperature-wise, El Niño frequently produces warmer than normal winter conditions across northern U.S. regions.
“Every El Niño is not the same; each one is unique with its own imprint on our weather,” stated Ken Graham, director of NOAA’s National Weather Service. “Advanced monitoring and an improved understanding of El Niño patterns allow the NWS to better predict and better prepare the public and our core partners for what is to come.”
Common El Niño impacts include stronger upper-level winds that typically reduce storm and hurricane formation in the Atlantic Basin, while weaker winds encourage tropical development in the eastern and central Pacific regions. The phenomenon also brings stormier conditions to the Southern U.S., increasing chances for both rain and snow during El Niño winters.
High tide flooding risks may increase in parts of the United States, particularly along the West Coast. The climate pattern also affects marine life migration patterns, with warm water species moving northward while cold water species relocate farther north or into deeper waters. These behavioral shifts impact fish growth, survival, and reproduction rates. Previous El Niño episodes have also contributed to increased harmful algal bloom formation along the U.S. West Coast.
In February, NOAA officially began using the Relative Oceanic Niño Index for monitoring sea surface temperatures and predicting El Niño and La Niña events. Unlike the traditional Oceanic Niño Index, which uses a fixed 30-year temperature baseline, the new index updates monthly, providing more reliable identification of climate events.
NOAA’s climate monitoring team has tracked both the traditional and new indices since 2021. After observing several years of climate phases and corresponding atmospheric responses, scientists determined that the new index better correlates with expected Walker Circulation changes, offering more valuable information to weather experts, emergency managers, and the public.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — An artificial intelligence company plans to invest $150 million in creating a fellowship initiative that will place trained coaches with nonprofit organizations across the nation to help them better utilize AI technology in their operations.
The program, called Claude Corps after the company’s well-known AI chatbot, will recruit and place 1,000 trained fellows with various organizations for one-year assignments. The company’s president told The Associated Press that Anthropic hopes this initiative will grow and become a cornerstone of its mission to help society benefit from AI while addressing potential dangers.
The president said Claude Corps will undergo evaluation following its initial year to determine whether it should continue and grow.
“We’re hoping it’s a good idea that can take root and that other people can build on and learn from, whether that’s public or private,” she said during an interview at Anthropic headquarters in San Francisco. “But I think my hope is that we’ll learn, the people who do it will learn, and we’ll be able to come back and do it again next time even better.”
Anthropic’s financial commitment covers compensation for Claude Corps participants and provides participating host organizations with $10,000 grants plus complimentary credits to access Claude.
Charitable giving is fundamental to how Anthropic’s founding team believes the business should operate, the president explained. She, along with her brother who serves as CEO, and the company’s five additional co-founders have committed to donating 80% of their personal wealth. They structured Anthropic as a public benefit corporation, a legal framework that allows for-profit businesses to pursue both financial success and social good.
Anthropic, currently valued at $965 billion, is preparing for a public stock offering, having recently submitted confidential paperwork for an initial public offering.
Speaking before the SEC filing became public, the president declined to discuss IPO timing but emphasized that the company’s principles are transparent to potential investors.
“There’s decisions and choices that we might make that might feel in conflict with just the pure commercial interests of the business and we’re going to be really open about that,” she explained. “I think we have been very well served by our inclination to just be very honest about who we are because people who like that really like us. And for people, if it’s not what they like, they don’t work with us. And I think that’s actually better for everyone.”
Anthropic has been vocal regarding dangers associated with this emerging technology. The company recently warned that businesses should coordinate pausing advanced AI development if humans risk losing control over self-improving systems. It worked with Pope Leo XIV during development of his AI encyclical addressing regulation needs. The company also engaged in a notable dispute with President Donald Trump’s administration after refusing to grant the U.S. military unrestricted access to its AI systems.
The president described Anthropic as “unusual” because its business operations and research divisions function independently.
“Sometimes research says things like ‘AI is doing bad things’ and we really want to be open about what those things are,” she noted. “Because I don’t think there’s a way for the broader community that is the world to adapt to these changes if we don’t understand the challenges.”
Bella DeVaan, who leads the Charity Reform Initiative at the progressive research organization the Institute of Policy Studies, expressed doubt that AI companies will voluntarily allocate sufficient profits to support everyone affected by AI implementation.
“The fox can’t guard the henhouse,” said DeVaan, who has researched wealthy individuals’ charitable contributions. “They can’t be responsible for their own regulation or for their own definition of what their altruistic mandate is. That has to be determined by the public.”
Similar to Pope Leo’s encyclical recommendations, DeVaan advocates for stronger government oversight of AI companies. Without official intervention, she fears AI could establish a permanent class of displaced workers. She believes governments must conduct independent research on AI’s potential benefits and risks rather than relying on AI companies’ findings.
Anthropic separately announced Wednesday it will contribute $200 million toward an economic framework supporting workers displaced by AI technology. This effort begins with funding research into problems created by AI adoption.
“We can’t understand what the societal disruption might look like if we don’t study it, publish it and talk about it,” the president stated.
For Claude Corps development, Anthropic collaborated with CodePath, a San Francisco-based nonprofit focused on helping first-generation and low-income students enter technology careers through educational programs and career assistance.
CodePath’s CEO said he had long considered redesigning AmeriCorps to address AI adoption. The federal volunteer service agency experienced significant funding cuts under Trump administration policies last year.
“I think we need programs that are meeting folks where they are when you’re looking at the traditional late adopters — from nonprofits to governments, to schools,” he explained. “We’re putting humans into the organizations that serve the majority of Americans as a way to bring them along and bring our communities along.”
He said CodePath will oversee the program, which accepts fellowship applications until July 17. The CEO noted the fellowship targets diverse young professionals early in their careers.
“We are intentionally trying to be extremely accessible,” he said. “We’re not requiring that you have a certain degree. We want the initial group of fellows to be representative of a broad section of the population in this country.”
Jennifer Blatz, who leads StriveTogether, a Cincinnati-based nonprofit network preparing young people for improved economic opportunities, expressed excitement that her organization was selected to host two Claude Corps fellows.
While her nonprofit currently uses AI for analyzing program impact data, she hopes Claude Corps can help standardize AI implementation across her organization and its network covering 27 states. Blatz wants both her network and the communities they serve to understand “AI is a tool – not the whole strategy.”
“AI can help us work smarter, but trust building and community collaboration, that’s a deeply human part of the work,” she said. “And that’s not going away just because we use this tool.”
The digital money transfer platform Zelle plans to launch operations in India during the second half of this year, marking the service’s inaugural venture beyond U.S. borders since beginning operations almost ten years ago.
The company behind Zelle’s network, Early Warning Services, described India as an ideal “natural starting point” for expanding internationally. Data from India’s central banking authority shows that approximately one-third of all money transfers sent to India annually originate from the United States.
Early Warning Services anticipates further expansion into additional global markets. Alongside revealing plans for India, the organization announced development of its own digital currency backed by U.S. dollars, called ZelleUSD, which will support infrastructure for future international operations.
Over its nine-year history, Zelle has emerged as a leading method for Americans to transfer funds directly between bank accounts. According to Early Warning Services, users and small businesses processed over $1.2 trillion through the platform in 2025.
However, the payment platform’s expansion hasn’t been without challenges. The service has endured years of examination regarding fraudulent activity and unauthorized transactions, including legal action brought by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in December 2024. The Trump Administration dismissed that case with prejudice in March 2025 after taking control of the bureau and ending most enforcement efforts against financial institutions.
A separate legal challenge filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James containing comparable accusations is currently progressing through New York’s court system.
Seven major national banks jointly control EWS, including JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America and Wells Fargo.
NEW YORK (AP) — Numerous employees worry that machines will replace them as artificial intelligence technology spreads rapidly through workplaces.
However, what if humans possess characteristics that are both uniquely human and crucial for professional achievement that AI cannot easily substitute?
Several workplace specialists believe that as more companies implement AI technology, developing soft skills like empathy, critical thinking and ethical decision-making can help workers become irreplaceable.
Throughout various industries and job types, “the abilities that resist being replaced by AI are those that are most uniquely human,” stated Maria Flynn, president and CEO of Jobs for the Future, a nonprofit organization focused on workforce development. “Some of these include building relationships, resolving conflicts, the capacity to guide and inspire others, and making ethical judgments.”
Flynn noted that even when posting technical positions like IT support, companies indicate they want candidates who communicate effectively and demonstrate leadership qualities.
“We began using the phrase ‘durable skills’ and consider them as abilities that truly are lasting, maintaining their worth through economic changes, technological advances and labor market disruptions,” she explained. “And we believe, particularly now during this period of AI progress, that durable skills genuinely make workers valuable in the workplace, no matter what tools and technology become available.”
Below are five abilities to develop based on areas where specialists say humans maintain advantages over artificial intelligence.
Understanding body language and reading between the lines to understand what wasn’t directly stated are abilities that many believe humans perform best. These skills also support the capacity to demonstrate empathy, and being aware of others’ emotions is a desirable quality in employees.
Marco Iansiti, a professor of business administration at Harvard Business School, witnessed this personally during a hospital visit.
“A nurse provides incredibly human influence. Emotion, connecting with the patient, the kind of care that is so crucial,” Iansiti explained. “I recall moments when I was ill in the hospital and the nurse was like a blessing. Would I have allowed a robot to do the same? No. There was a human bond there that I found extremely valuable.”
AI could assist in hospital environments by handling routine tasks like paperwork, allowing nurses more time to deliver caring patient treatment, he noted.
“There are many systems being implemented now that I believe are highly effective at this and basically free healthcare workers to perform the tasks they should be doing and excel at.”
Creating solid personal connections with coworkers, clients and stakeholders continues to be a valued ability that experts say artificial intelligence systems struggle to duplicate. Sales professionals, for instance, maintain files or databases containing information they’ve gathered about clients through direct interactions.
“You have individuals who have trusted you and purchased products from you over the past decade. That holds worth and that’s difficult to transfer to artificial intelligence,” Iansiti said.
People skills also prove invaluable during conflicts. “Having that human involved to manage those expectations, to smooth any hurt feelings, to create the kinds of relationships that are necessary, to speed up quality work, will still be essential,” Flynn stated.
Conflict resolution remains a necessary trait for managers, according to Colleen Adler, director analyst in the human resources practice at the Gartner consulting firm.
“People still have managers, and managers and leaders influence how they feel, and colleagues affect how we feel too,” Adler said. “There remains a quality to AI that doesn’t yet replicate human connection. That might change; I don’t believe we’re at that point yet.”
Work settings are changing quickly and many workers feel they’re moving from one challenging situation to another, Adler observed. While AI systems can’t help employees feel better about that uncertainty, effective leaders can support their teams, she added.
Artificial intelligence systems gather information and create responses but can produce errors, making it crucial to question their output. Building extensive knowledge in your field can help you recognize when AI-generated results about your industry are wrong, said Amalia Kaufman, course developer and instructor at the University of California, Irvine Division of Continuing Education.
“You must have the thinking ability and critical analysis and subject expertise to understand it, and to recognize when it’s incorrect,” Kaufman said. “You must verify your facts.”
In research published in the journal Science, Stanford researchers examined 11 popular AI systems and discovered that artificial intelligence chatbots tended to flatter and validate users’ feelings, supporting a user’s actions 49% more frequently than humans did. Stepping back and using critical thinking when reviewing AI-generated results can help counter its tendency to be overly agreeable with users.
The capacity to differentiate right from wrong, or follow one’s inner voice, is an ability that is naturally human, experts stated.
Sometimes, people depend on physical sensations to guide their choices. “Gut feelings are something you experience in your gut,” Iansiti said. “It’s not simply a pattern of information processing in your brain. It is actually an emotional response that is fundamentally different from how AI functions. At least this current generation of AI.”
When life-or-death choices must be made, such as when to employ deadly military action, “do you want something that lacks human emotion, that doesn’t have a physical form connected with the intelligence?” Iansiti questioned. “AI can pretend to have a conscience because it’s learned about what conscience means, but it doesn’t possess a conscience.”
People can create parameters, or guidelines, for artificial intelligence systems to help AI make ethical choices, he said. But human involvement is still necessary.
“It’s extremely difficult to design a system that’s ethical for everything. It’s much more effective to build it for a particular use case. Like hiring,” Iansiti said.
Ethical concerns aren’t the only ones that AI is less prepared to address currently. The ability to generate creative concepts and make choices in unclear situations — while planning strategies or creating a brand identity, for instance — is another significant human capability, experts said.
“We don’t think that’s something that will be duplicated by artificial intelligence,” said Heather Stefanski, chief learning and development officer at management consulting firm McKinsey. “If we’re all simply using the AI solution to solve problems, how will you truly be unique?”
Humans make decisions based on a combination of knowledge and life experiences, Flynn said. Artificial intelligence uses extensive data but doesn’t necessarily function well in uncertain areas, Flynn noted. For now, the ability to consider all aspects of an issue and provide context remains a type of intelligence that people have to a greater degree than AI, she said.
“The qualities that make us uniquely human to me will continue to be what helps our society flourish in productive ways,” Flynn said. “And ensuring that we are highlighting those qualities, paying attention to them, making sure those are characteristics that people can identify and express and feel confident about, will be important as we all navigate a rapidly changing future.”
Israel’s highest court is deliberating whether to continue holding a Palestinian medical professional who was captured by Israeli troops more than a year ago in Gaza and participated in a video hearing Wednesday to contest his confinement.
As of Thursday evening, the Supreme Court had not announced its ruling, according to Naji Abbas, who oversees prisoner affairs at Physicians for Human Rights — Israel, a nonprofit organization.
Hussam Abu Safiya, who directed operations at the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, emerged as a symbol of medical personnel working under extreme conditions during the Israel-Hamas conflict. He managed the medical center during an 85-day military blockade, producing video appeals asking for assistance. According to PHRI, fourteen medical professionals from Gaza remain in Israeli custody.
Video footage from his Wednesday court appearance showed Abu Safiya, age 53, restrained in handcuffs while wearing white detention clothing. His appearance was noticeably thin and pale, with what appeared to be whip-like injuries visible on both arms.
PHRI reports he was recently moved to isolation, a decision his son, Elias Abu Safiya, claimed in a social media video occurred soon after filing his legal challenge. Israeli authorities have not filed criminal charges against Abu Safiya.
Israel’s Justice Ministry had not provided comment by Thursday when contacted. The Israeli Prison Service rejected allegations of prisoner mistreatment. In their response, officials stated that all detainees receive appropriate medical attention and any misconduct accusations submitted through proper procedures undergo review.
Israeli military officials stated Abu Safiya is under investigation for allegedly collaborating with or supporting Hamas, the organization controlling Gaza. Healthcare workers and international relief organizations who have worked alongside Abu Safiya have rejected these accusations.
Following Wednesday’s proceedings, Abu Safiya’s legal representative, Nasser Odeh, shared a statement from his client.
“I am a pediatrician who provides medical care to patients, the wounded, and the most vulnerable in the Strip,” Odeh said, conveying the doctor’s message. “I carried out my work in accordance with international law and humanitarian standards. My detention is unjust and arbitrary.”
The conflict between Israel and Hamas started on Oct. 7, 2023, following an assault by the Gaza-based organization on southern Israel that resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken. The subsequent Israeli military campaign in Gaza has resulted in nearly 73,000 fatalities, based on figures from the territory’s Health Ministry, which does not separate civilian and military casualties. The ministry employs healthcare professionals, and the United Nations along with other independent observers consider its statistics the most credible casualty data available.
WASHINGTON — Officials have postponed the debut of a new international bridge spanning the Detroit River after President Donald Trump had previously threatened to prevent its opening due to unresolved matters.
The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority announced Thursday, just one day before a planned ribbon-cutting event, that both nations have decided to postpone the bridge’s launch to allow additional time for addressing remaining concerns.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge represents a joint venture between Canada and Michigan, with traffic expected to begin flowing across it before the end of this month.
Uncertainty surrounding the bridge’s debut had persisted for several months following Trump’s February ultimatum demanding Canada transfer no less than half of the bridge’s ownership to the federal government, along with meeting other undisclosed conditions as part of his ongoing disputes regarding international trade matters.
This week’s distribution of opening ceremony invitations followed discussions between Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles.
Bobby Leddy, a spokesperson for Whitmer, stated: “This project is a powerful example of bipartisan and international cooperation, and the governor looks forward to attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony when it happens.”
Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing participated in a video conference Thursday hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron focused on worldwide economic imbalances, occurring just days before G7 countries convene in France to address concerns about inexpensive Chinese exports flooding their markets.
The French leader, who will host the Group of Seven summit next week in Evian-les-Bains, has attempted to work with Beijing in a final effort at cooperation before the European Union determines whether to strengthen its trade policies regarding China, according to French officials.
“Our common goal should be clear. It is to put the global economy back on a stronger growth path. I think we all share this objective. In order to deliver, we need obviously some domestic policies and effective international co-operation,” Macron stated as the video conference began.
“Co-ordination is key, and if they (global imbalances) are not addressed through a co-ordinated approach among the world’s major economies, these imbalances risk unwinding in a disorderly manner, leading to abrupt economic and financial adjustments,” he continued.
European Union leaders will convene directly following the June 15 to 17 G7 meeting, with China expected to be a major topic of discussion.
Zhang’s participation in the video conference titled “Global Convergence for Growth,” which was confirmed by a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, represents an uncommon example of China working with the G7 nations of France, Britain, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, along with the EU.
Beijing has consistently criticized the organization as illegitimate for addressing global issues and for failing to represent the world order properly.
European concerns are mounting over China’s record trade surplus and advancement in higher-value industries, as its exports of electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries and other advanced technology products pose threats to European manufacturers, in what experts call a “second China shock” after its control of lower-value sectors in the 2000s.
China has stood by its industrial policies and dismissed claims that Chinese exporters receive unfair advantages from government subsidies. It maintains that other nations are violating international trade regulations by implementing unilateral tariffs.
Since December, the Chinese capital has welcomed leaders from five G7 countries in a series of high-level diplomatic meetings. Macron met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing during that period, urging him that China should assist in rebalancing economic relationships through cooperation, or Europe would face limited options beyond implementing more protective trade measures.
Nevertheless, EU countries remain split on their approach to China. Germany, Europe’s biggest trading economy, has traditionally resisted imposing tariffs on one of its primary export destinations. However, as Chinese automobile manufacturers compete more aggressively with German companies, some German legislators have started advocating for a firmer position toward Beijing.
Operating from a heavily fortified underground command center near the front lines, Ukraine’s top drone warfare official is orchestrating an ambitious strategy to completely sever Crimea’s connections to Russia through targeted unmanned aircraft attacks.
The intensifying drone campaign across Russian-held territories has severely disrupted military supply chains and fuel deliveries, forcing officials to implement fuel restrictions in Crimea last month.
Robert Brovdi, who leads Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, reported that the operations have slashed traffic along the Novorossiya highway by over two-thirds in recent weeks. This critical roadway serves as Russia’s primary military supply line through occupied southern Ukraine into Crimea.
Brovdi, widely recognized by his military nickname “Madyar” in reference to his Hungarian heritage, predicted complete Ukrainian dominance over the route within 30 days.
“We will isolate Crimea in the near future,” Brovdi stated during an interview from his compact workspace within the bunker, while drinking black tea and chain-smoking cigarettes.
Russia took control of the Crimean peninsula along with large portions of eastern Ukraine in 2014.
Brovdi compared targeting vehicles on the vulnerable highway to being “as easy as shooting partridges in an open field.”
Russia’s defense ministry declined to provide comment on the story. President Vladimir Putin admitted last week that Ukraine’s drone strikes were inflicting damage but maintained they presented no danger to Russia’s economic stability.
Defense experts indicate Ukraine’s campaign of medium-range attacks within Russian-controlled areas has disrupted supply lines to the front – bringing Russian advances nearly to a halt last month – and compromised air defense systems, creating opportunities for longer-distance strikes that have damaged oil facilities and weapons manufacturing deep within Russia.
Brovdi explained that one of his key objectives was compelling Moscow to withdraw forces rather than advance them.
“We will create conditions that will make it extremely difficult for any military personnel or those working in the defence industry to remain in Crimea, in the temporarily occupied territories, or use the access routes to them.”
During more than four years of conflict, Brovdi has reinvented himself from a prosperous grain merchant into one of Ukraine’s most successful military leaders. Since assuming control of Ukraine’s drone operations last June, the 50-year-old has dramatically expanded their scope.
Medium-range combat missions grew 28 times over the past year, while deep penetration strikes into Russian territory increased nearly four times during the same timeframe, according to the drone forces leader.
During the first five months of this year, his units eliminated 174 Russian air defense systems valued at approximately $5.4 billion, Brovdi reported, opening pathways to additional targets.
Through systematic attacks on Russia’s military personnel, petroleum infrastructure, and arms manufacturing, Brovdi aims to cause losses severe enough to damage Moscow’s capacity and determination to continue the conflict.
“We’re opening the door to vast spaces where the pain of the war, which is felt in nearly every Ukrainian town, should be felt, including in the consciousness of residents,” said Brovdi, wearing a black cap and black T-shirt.
He emphasized that Ukraine has not and will not target civilians or civilian infrastructure directly. Russia has recently alleged that Kyiv killed dozens of civilians in occupied Ukraine.
Michael Kofman, senior fellow in the Russia and Eurasia program at the Carnegie Endowment, said improvements in drone technology made Ukraine’s goal of isolating Crimea achievable over time. However, accomplishing the larger strategic objective of pushing back Russian forces would still need a coordinated ground campaign.
Kofman noted that Russia’s own specialized drone unit, called Rubicon, was actively working to counter Ukraine’s current superiority in medium-range drones.
Found guilty in absentia by Russia on terrorism charges in March, Brovdi ranks among Moscow’s top priority targets. His aerial warfare operations are directed from a deep underground facility near the battle zone. The Reuters journalists were transported to meet Brovdi in a vehicle with darkened windows and escorted underground.
Lines of sleeping quarters border a hallway leading to a room packed with numerous monitors showing live battlefield intelligence. Vibrant artwork by prominent Ukrainian artists – some from Brovdi’s personal collection – decorates the walls alongside captured Russian drones.
Brovdi, originally from western Ukraine, enlisted as a volunteer when Russia’s invasion began in 2022. He built his “Madyar’s Birds” unit, now Ukraine’s most formidable drone brigade, from the ground up.
Each attack is recorded, confirmed and documented. Wall-mounted displays show a comprehensive scoreboard, continuously updated. Between 10 and 12 terabytes of data are stored daily for future artificial intelligence applications.
Brovdi, who mixed dark humor throughout his remarks, described the conflict in commercial language.
“This is our accounting from previous business projects, which we adapted just for military purposes: changed grain carriers, wagons and grain to types of weapons, ammunition, and our clientele is a little different,” he explained.
Through data analysis, Brovdi seeks to eliminate “the human factor” from combat: “a person can be tired, can be biased, can make mistakes.”
After his unit achieved one of the military’s highest elimination rates, Brovdi became central to Kyiv’s approach of directing drone capabilities against individual Russian troops to offset Ukraine’s personnel limitations.
In the first five months of 2026, drone forces eliminated more than 50,900 Russian military personnel and struck over 176,500 enemy objectives. The daily average elimination rate was 337 Russian soldiers and 1,169 enemy targets, according to data Brovdi provided.
Brovdi’s statistics also calculated the average expense of eliminating one Russian soldier at roughly $918 over the previous year.
Reuters was unable to independently confirm these numbers.
Drone units, representing 2.5% of Ukraine’s military, were responsible for approximately one-third of Russian casualties over the last 12 months, their data indicated.
The goal is to expand drone forces to 5% of the military, Brovdi stated.
“By scaling up the use of unmanned aerial vehicles — not just within the drone units, but across the army as a whole — we are significantly increasing the number of targets destroyed.”
Producer prices across the United States climbed significantly higher than anticipated during May, marking the steepest annual increase seen in three and a half years as ongoing Middle East tensions pushed energy costs upward.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics within the Labor Department announced Thursday that the Producer Price Index for final demand rose 1.1% during May, matching a revised 1.1% climb from April.
Financial analysts surveyed by Reuters had predicted a more modest 0.7% increase, following what was initially reported as a 1.4% April surge. Over the full 12-month period ending in May, producer prices jumped 6.5%, representing the most substantial annual growth recorded since November 2022. Energy products and other goods saw prices rise 2.8%, contributing nearly four-fifths of the overall producer price increase, while service costs grew by 0.3%.
The ongoing conflict between the United States and Israel against Iran has pushed up costs for energy products such as gasoline and diesel fuel. International supply networks have faced significant pressure due to shipping restrictions through the Strait of Hormuz, creating shortages across numerous product categories including fertilizers, aluminum, and various consumer goods.
Federal officials reported Wednesday that consumer inflation surged past 4% during May, marking the first time this threshold was crossed in three years.
The nation’s central banking system monitors Personal Consumption Expenditures price measurements as part of its 2% inflation goal.
The combination of increasing inflation and steady employment conditions has prompted financial markets to anticipate a rate hike from the Federal Reserve. However, economic experts believe the threshold remains elevated for policy tightening measures, noting that the oil price surge has thus far stayed limited to transportation industries. The central bank is anticipated to maintain its benchmark overnight interest rates within the 3.50%-3.75% range during next week’s meeting. Economic analysts expect the Fed will move away from its previous easing stance.
After reviewing the consumer price report, economists projected that PCE inflation might rise 0.4% in May, mirroring April’s increase. Annual PCE inflation was predicted to reach 4.0% for the 12-month period through May, which would represent the largest jump since May 2023, up from April’s 3.8% figure.
WASHINGTON – U.S. President Donald Trump announced Thursday that America plans to strike Iran and assume control of the Middle Eastern nation’s energy sector.
Speaking through his Truth Social platform, Trump declared the United States will hit Iran and eventually seize command of the country’s petroleum infrastructure and energy markets.
“At some point in the not too distant future, we will be taking Kharg Island, and other oil infrastructure points, and assume total control of their Oil and Gas Markets, much like we have with Venezuela,” Trump stated in his social media post.
The announcement was made from Washington on Thursday, with Trump indicating the action against Iran would happen in the immediate future.
Motorists traveling southbound on Route 13 should expect delays due to a construction-related lane closure between Hessler Boulevard and Memorial Drive.
The right lane is currently blocked off for construction activities and will remain closed until 3:30 PM this afternoon.
Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time and use caution when passing through the work zone area.
State environmental officials are proceeding with dredging operations on the Indian River near Millsboro, working to enhance navigation channels for boaters while supporting wetland restoration efforts in the area.
DNREC has lifted typical seasonal timing restrictions for the project, determining that the environmental benefits of completing the marsh restoration work outweigh potential negative impacts. Officials cite degraded water flow conditions in the region as justification for allowing the dual projects to move forward during summer months.
The dredging and restoration work is scheduled to run through March 2027, with operations focusing on improving the waterway’s navigation channel while restoring nearby tidal marsh areas.
A Japanese pharmaceutical company announced Thursday that its experimental treatment for psoriasis, developed using artificial intelligence technology, demonstrated superior performance against an existing medication in a major clinical study.
The drugmaker said its investigational once-daily pill, zasocitinib, successfully met the primary endpoint of a late-stage trial involving adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, showing better skin clearance results than Bristol Myers Squibb’s approved medication Sotyktu following 16 weeks of treatment.
Plaque psoriasis represents a chronic immune-mediated condition affecting the skin, resulting in red, scaly, and inflamed patches across the body.
The development of zasocitinib utilized artificial intelligence technology, part of an increasing movement within the pharmaceutical sector to employ AI for accelerating drug discovery, reducing clinical trial durations, and minimizing animal testing requirements.
According to the company, zasocitinib delivered complete skin clearance for 35% of trial participants after 16 weeks, representing more than 2.5 times the success rate observed with Sotyktu.
The pharmaceutical firm also reported that zasocitinib’s safety profile remained consistent with previous studies, with no additional safety concerns identified during the trial.
The daily oral medication provides a practical treatment alternative for plaque psoriasis patients, joining Bristol Myers’ Sotyktu and Amgen’s Otezla in a therapeutic area primarily controlled by injectable treatments.
The company views zasocitinib as a potentially major revenue generator to help compensate for anticipated income losses from upcoming patent expirations for its inflammatory bowel disease treatment Entyvio, which faces key patent losses by the decade’s end.
Last year, the drugmaker projected that zasocitinib, pending regulatory approval, could achieve peak yearly sales between $3 billion and $6 billion.
The pharmaceutical company obtained zasocitinib through its acquisition of Nimbus Therapeutics in 2022, in a transaction worth up to $6 billion.
The company stated it plans to share comprehensive trial data at future medical conferences and continues working toward submitting FDA approval applications for zasocitinib as a plaque psoriasis treatment during this fiscal year.
Drivers traveling on southbound Peachtree Run Road will encounter a shoulder closure between Sunny Meadow Drive and Jericho Road that is expected to last until 6 PM today.
The temporary closure is affecting traffic flow in the area, and motorists are advised to plan accordingly for potential delays.
No additional details about the reason for the closure or expected completion time beyond 6 PM were immediately available.
DENDRON—Breyon D. Pierce, a sixth-generation farmer from Surry County, recalls countless Saturdays working the land rather than enjoying cartoons or playing outdoors.
“But over time, seeds were planted within me that taught me something much greater,” Pierce explained. “Farming is not just a profession; it’s a calling.”
Pierce, an accomplished agriculture educator, cultivates peanuts, corn, soybeans and wheat across more than 900 acres alongside his father Glen at Pierce Farms LLC.
On June 9, the family welcomed state officials to their operation, hosting Gov. Abigail Spanberger, Sec. of Agriculture and Forestry Katie Frazier, Virginia General Assembly representatives and Virginia Farm Bureau Federation officials. The governor enacted several measures supporting the state’s agricultural and forestry sectors while promoting community food access.
Gov. Spanberger also delivered a proclamation honoring the Pierce family for their role as producers of food, fiber and fuel during Virginia Agriculture Week, June 7–13.
“There is no better place to recognize it than right here on this farm with a family that embodies what it means to devote your life to our land,” she said.
Pierce emphasized the complex challenges confronting farmers today. The state has seen nearly half a million acres of farmland disappear over the past five years, while producers struggle with increasing costs across various markets.
Safeguarding agricultural property remains essential for Virginia’s leading private industry and farming families’ survival, Pierce stated, noting the land “is meant to feed families, support communities, and provide opportunities for our future generations.”
The governor enacted five measures supporting Virginia’s agricultural and forestry industries while surrounded by local producers and agricultural advocates, including VFBF senior vice president of governmental relations Martha Moore.
Farm Bureau backed these legislative measures, Moore noted. “And now we consider them victories.”
HB 512 establishes a comprehensive prosperity strategy for agriculture and forestry sectors with yearly reports to the General Assembly.
SB 522 improves Forest Sustainability Fund management for localities preserving forest areas within the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
SB 186 safeguards Virginia consumers and cattle producers by mandating clear labeling of manufactured protein products that cannot be misrepresented as genuine beef.
HB 1086 enables farmers to bid against out-of-state competitors for school nutrition contracts, increasing Virginia children’s access to locally-grown food.
SB 302 continues the peanut excise tax that funds essential marketing, research and educational programs for Virginia’s peanut growers.
Virginia’s agricultural sector generates an annual economic impact of $82.3 billion in total industry production, creates more than 381,000 jobs, and adds $43.8 billion in additional value. Broiler chickens led 2024 commodity rankings by cash receipts exceeding $1.2 billion, followed by cattle and calves, miscellaneous crops, milk and dairy products, soybeans, turkey and corn.
The state houses approximately 38,600 farms, with 95% owned and operated by individuals or families.
Visit vdacs.virginia.gov/vagrown to locate farmers markets, roadside vendors and agritourism sites. Shoppers should look for Virginia Grown and Virginia’s Finest labels on products throughout retail locations statewide.
Drivers should expect delays on a busy stretch of Foulk Road today as construction crews have shut down the right lane of southbound traffic.
The lane closure affects the section of Foulk Road running between Silverside Road and Chatham Drive, where construction activities are currently underway.
Transportation officials indicate the right lane restriction will remain active until 3:30 PM this afternoon. Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and merge safely when approaching the work zone.
Drivers traveling northbound on S DuPont Boulevard should expect delays today as construction crews have closed the right shoulder of the roadway.
The shoulder closure affects the stretch of highway between Big Woods Road and Cathleen Drive, according to traffic officials.
The construction-related closure is expected to remain in place until 3 PM today. Motorists are advised to use caution when traveling through the work zone and allow extra time for their commute.
ORANGE—As National Dairy Month kicks off in June, shoppers can celebrate by purchasing milk that showcases Orange County dairy farmer Molly Elgin McWilliams on the packaging.
Molly Elgin McWilliams, a Virginia Farm Bureau member, appears alongside her daughter Halle on the new Strawberry Whole Milk cartons from Maola, which hit store shelves on May 5. This packaging approach addresses increasing consumer desire to learn about the origins of their food.
“On the consumer side, content that features our farmers consistently drives the highest engagement, showing how much customers value knowing where their food comes from,” said Amanda Culp, Maola director of communications and marketing. “It makes sense to carry that through to our packaging.”
This farmer-consumer connection holds particular significance in Virginia, where 365 dairy operations house committed farmers who tend their cattle and deliver fresh, premium milk daily, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services reports. Each dairy cow typically yields approximately 8 gallons of milk per day.
Maola operates as a farmer-owned dairy cooperative that emphasizes the bond between agricultural producers and customers as central to its goal of sustainably creating premium dairy offerings.
“We want our farmers to have pride in the products we are producing,” Culp said. “It’s our duty to be good stewards of their milk.”
The newly launched Maola Strawberry Whole Milk demonstrates this dedication. Produced without artificial coloring, the beverage delivers 8 grams of protein along with 13 vital nutrients. Customers can find the product throughout Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia, including at 60 Wegmans stores, 188 Ingles Markets and Sheetz locations.
Dairy items remain crucial components of nutritious eating habits. Milk provides vital nutrients such as protein, calcium and vitamins A and D, which promote strong bones, help regulate blood pressure and may lower the likelihood of certain chronic conditions, U.S. Dairy states.
With rising consumer appetite for high-protein alternatives, Maola has broadened its product selection. The cooperative introduced Maola More in April, an ultra-filtered milk offering 15 grams of protein and 3 grams of prebiotic fiber while containing reduced sugar and being lactose-free. Maola More comes in whole milk and 2% chocolate milk options.
Throughout National Dairy Month, highlighting local producers like McWilliams underscores the essential contribution dairy farmers make in delivering milk from agricultural operations to dining tables daily.
“The package says 100% fresh, 100% local, and it truly is,” Culp said.
HENRICO—With blooming flowers and fresh crops appearing at Virginia farmstands, June highlights the vital pollinators that make this abundance possible.
National Pollinator Month draws attention to the essential role that birds, bats, bees, butterflies, beetles and other creatures play in our daily lives, while promoting efforts to establish and safeguard their living spaces. The month’s main event, National Pollinator Week, takes place June 22-28 this year.
These pollinators do more than create beautiful gardens. According to the Pollinator Partnership, pollinators make possible one in every three bites of food consumed by humans, with no less than 75% of food crops depending on them. The U.S. Department of Agriculture calculates that pollinators add $18 billion each year to crop production.
However, pollinator numbers keep dropping due to climate change, loss of habitat, pesticide application, parasites and diseases.
Stephen Living, habitat coordinator with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, explained that truly helping pollinators requires thinking about “the whole structure” of their habitats—including food sources, nesting areas, breeding grounds and protective shelter.
“A lot of native bees are ground nesting, so providing areas of bare ground is valuable,” Living advised. “And keep some fallen leaves where possible.”
An effective habitat design incorporates diverse flowering plants and year-round resources. DWR provides Virginia Native Pollinator seed packets containing a mix of native wildflowers that benefit pollinators.
“When you’re doing a landscape from an aesthetics standpoint and want interest across the seasons, think about that from a wildlife perspective too,” he said. “Choose plants that bloom successively to provide resources across seasons.”
Trees and shrubs play an equally vital role in creating lasting habitats. Native oak and black cherry trees provide support for various butterflies and caterpillars.
The crucial factor is selecting native species.
“Native plants also feed the young insects, the larvae,” he said. “They support a much greater diversity and number of young insects than non-native plants do, and these in turn support wildlife like our songbirds.”
Living also recommended reducing pesticide use and adopting integrated pest management methods to lessen harm to beneficial insects.
While many tools and garden additions can help pollinators, he cautioned against certain popular trends—like widely-used bee hotels, which “can be valuable but have some pitfalls.
“They need to be carefully managed and cleaned out regularly, so we don’t create concentrations of harmful parasites,” he advised. “Do some research and find some that can be maintained and cleaned.”
He recommended avoiding butterfly houses, since “butterflies aren’t using those.”
The DWR’s Habitat at Home initiative provides guidance and resources for developing pollinator- and wildlife-friendly areas, plus recognition opportunities. Visit bit.ly/43uS3cx.
For additional information about native plants for pollinators, visit Plant Virginia Natives at plantvirginianatives.org.
Media: Contact Shelby Crouch, Virginia DWR public information officer, at 804-802
On Thursday, the European Central Bank became the first major financial institution to increase interest rates as a direct response to the Iran war, while policymakers including new U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh grapple with addressing inflation driven by soaring oil costs.
The ECB’s governing council increased its key rate from 2% to 2.25%, ending a year-long period at the previous level. This decision precedes upcoming rate-setting sessions next week involving the Fed, the Bank of Japan, and the Bank of England.
Crude oil costs have surged dramatically as Iran has blocked oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway that typically handles one-fifth of global oil and fuel transportation. The rate increase is designed to combat consumer price inflation driven by higher expenses for petroleum-based products including gasoline, diesel fuel, cooking gas and heating oil.
International benchmark Bent crude traded near $92 per barrel Thursday, climbing from approximately $73 before the conflict began. This surge has driven inflation to 3.2% in May across the 21 nations using the euro currency, exceeding the ECB’s 2% goal.
However, ECB officials must balance higher borrowing costs against an economy experiencing modest growth. This consideration has led analysts to believe Thursday’s increase will be isolated, primarily intended to demonstrate to financial markets that the bank won’t fall behind if inflation continues climbing.
Australia and the Philippines have implemented rate increases since the conflict started, with focus now turning to decisions in major economies. The U.S. Federal Reserve is anticipated to maintain its current key rate when it convenes next week under new chair Warsh, who was appointed this year by President Donald Trump.
Warsh previously supported rate reductions last year, while Trump frequently criticized Warsh’s predecessor, Jerome Powell, for insufficient borrowing cost cuts. However, with inflation reaching a three-year peak as fuel prices have jumped following the Iran war, even Trump and his administration have begun shifting toward maintaining current rates.
The Fed will likely modify its post-meeting statement by eliminating language suggesting its next action would be a reduction. This change would create possibilities for future rate increases. Multiple Fed officials have cautioned that if inflation doesn’t start declining soon, a rate hike might be required before year’s end.
Increasing benchmark rates affects lending costs across the economy, making borrowing more expensive and reducing demand for goods. Higher central bank rates can increase interest expenses for home purchases, factory investments, and government borrowing.
The ECB might manage with just one or two increases because the inflation surge could be less severe than anticipated, according to Carsten Brzeski, global chief of macro at ING bank.
This is because consumers affected by post-pandemic inflation increases are reluctant to accept higher prices, forcing businesses to absorb elevated energy costs themselves. “The pass-through of higher energy and input prices to final consumption will be limited due to a lack of ability and willingness of consumers to actually pay for these higher prices,” he wrote in an emailed comment.
LONDON (AP) — Britain’s Defense Secretary John Healey stepped down unexpectedly Thursday, criticizing the government for inadequate military funding during a period of escalating global threats.
In his resignation letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Healey stated the government’s Defense Investment Plan falls “well short of what is required at this dangerous time.”
The plan’s release has been postponed following reported disputes between the defense ministry and the Treasury over spending levels.
While Starmer has promised to increase U.K. defense expenditures to 2.5% of gross domestic product by 2027 and 3% by 2034, military officials argue this timeline is insufficient.
“You have been unable, and the Treasury has been unwilling, to commit the resources that the nation needs to defend the country at this time of rising threats,” Healey stated in his departure letter.
The defense secretary pointed to growing military obligations and security challenges, including the Iran war, Ukraine’s ongoing conflict, and Russian threats.
“I am now left with no other option than to submit my resignation as your Defence Secretary,” he wrote.
Since the Labour Party took power in July 2024, Healey has served as Britain’s defense leader and earned recognition as a competent and dedicated official.
During his tenure, he played a crucial part in strengthening international backing for Ukraine and building a multinational alliance to ensure security following any potential ceasefire. Healey also helped lead efforts to create a maritime security force aimed at maintaining shipping access through the Strait of Hormuz after the Iran conflict concludes.
This departure creates additional challenges for the struggling prime minister, who is already confronting pressure from Labour Party members calling for his resignation.
KABUL, Afghanistan — The United Nations mission in Afghanistan announced Thursday that it has verified the deaths of 13 civilians, primarily women and children, resulting from Pakistani military strikes on eastern Afghanistan the day before, backing up casualty figures provided by Afghan officials.
Pakistan had rejected as false propaganda a Wednesday statement from Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid claiming the military strikes in Khost, Kunar and Paktika provinces resulted in 13 civilian deaths — including 11 children, one woman and one man.
The military action ended a month-long peaceful period after what Pakistan had earlier characterized as “open war” between the two nations. The ongoing dispute has resisted international attempts to establish lasting peace.
UNAMA, the UN mission’s official designation, stated on X that it had “documented 13 civilian deaths and 10 injuries, mainly children and women, from airstrikes” during the overnight hours between Tuesday and Wednesday.
“UNAMA reiterates its call for de-escalation, a durable ceasefire, protection of civilians, reopening of border crossings particularly for humanitarian assistance, and dialogue to resolve differences,” the organization stated. The border closure has lasted for months, hampering commerce and travel while leaving thousands stranded.
Since February, when Afghanistan launched retaliatory strikes against Pakistan following Pakistani airstrikes within Afghan territory, hundreds have died in the cross-border violence. Multiple rounds of internationally brokered peace negotiations have been unsuccessful in achieving a permanent ceasefire.
Pakistan maintains that Afghanistan provides sanctuary to militants responsible for deadly attacks within Pakistani territory, particularly the Pakistani Taliban, identified as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP. This organization operates independently from but maintains ties with the Afghan Taliban, which has controlled Afghanistan since taking power in 2021 following the disorganized departure of U.S.-led forces. Afghan authorities reject these allegations.
Pakistan stated it conducted border strikes with Afghanistan on Wednesday to eliminate militant training facilities and safe houses.
During Thursday’s regular press briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi explained that the strikes responded to numerous recent militant attacks within Pakistan.
“We carried out these strikes to target safe havens, masterminds and planners belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij,” Andrabi stated, referencing the government’s designation for the Pakistani Taliban and similar militant organizations. “We acted on credible intelligence, and there was selective targeting of their hideouts.”
He emphasized that protecting Pakistani citizens remains the government’s primary concern and that anti-militant operations will persist. “We continue to undertake military strikes with precision and accuracy, eliminating terrorist hideouts,” he stated.
Andrabi refused to address the UN casualty report directly, indicating officials would need to examine its findings. Nevertheless, he challenged the UN’s casualty documentation methods.
“What is their methodology for measuring that?” he questioned. “Our strikes were precise and targeted at the hideouts and camps of these terrorists.”
Following increased militant attacks against Pakistani civilians and security personnel, Pakistan announced in February it was engaged in open warfare with Afghanistan. The combat has focused primarily along border regions, though Pakistan has also launched airstrikes against Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul.
In March, an airstrike targeted a drug rehabilitation facility in the city, with Afghan officials reporting over 400 fatalities. Pakistan contested the casualty count and denied civilian targeting, claiming it had struck an arms storage facility.
Wednesday’s military action occurred months following China’s hosting of peace negotiations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Beijing subsequently reported both nations had committed to avoiding conflict escalation and pursuing resolution.
Pakistani officials have indicated that China and other allied nations continue encouraging both parties to reach a sustainable peace agreement.
Military exchanges between the United States and Iran continued for a consecutive day, bringing the Middle East dangerously close to renewed full-scale warfare.
This marks the third instance this week of retaliatory military action that has destabilized the Middle East. Initial exchanges occurred between Iran and Israel, followed by two separate rounds of military strikes between America and Iran, impacting regional nations that house U.S. military installations.
In other developments, President Donald Trump responded to news that May’s consumer price index rose 4.2% annually by expressing an unexpected perspective on inflation. Rather than dismissing rising costs as a Democratic “hoax” as he has done before, or claiming progress on reducing living expenses, Trump took a different approach.
A federal judge Wednesday denied a government oversight organization’s petition for an emergency court order that would have temporarily halted the Trump administration’s progress on establishing a new $1.776 billion compensation fund for individuals claiming to be victims of government weaponization.
However, the judge concluded the proceedings with a stern caution to Trump’s team: “Don’t play possum with this court,” U.S. District Judge Richard Leon warned a government lawyer.
Leon delivered his ruling from the bench supporting the administration, which contended that the oversight group’s legal challenge has become irrelevant since acting Attorney General Todd Blanche informed Congress this month that the government is abandoning its fund plans. Leon, appointed by Republican President George W. Bush, stated he currently accepts Blanche’s assurance.
The judge’s decision against issuing emergency relief does not finalize the government’s “Anti-Weaponization Fund” fate. Leon indicated he will review a separate petition from the plaintiffs — Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington — seeking a preliminary injunction for more lasting prevention of fund distributions.
A potential gap in legislation permitting U.S. overseas intelligence collection becomes increasingly probable as Trump rejected bipartisan Congressional pressure to quickly appoint a permanent intelligence agency leader.
Trump has reinforced his temporary selection for director of national intelligence, Federal Housing Finance Regulator Bill Pulte, despite his limited relevant background. Democrats indicate they will oppose renewing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, called FISA, unless the president removes Pulte’s nomination and selects a permanent successor.
Thursday morning will see House attempts to pass temporary FISA extension legislation, though success appears doubtful. The Senate may pursue similar action, hoping to avoid an unprecedented gap in this surveillance capability.
This deadlock could soon restrict U.S. government overseas intelligence gathering just as World Cup matches commence in cities nationwide and before celebrations marking the nation’s 250th anniversary. The legislation expires Friday at midnight.
Trump’s proposed UFC event on the White House South Lawn has demanded extensive coordination from over seven federal departments, hundreds of daily on-site personnel and a minimum $60 million investment, according to court documents revealing preparation details.
The event celebrates America’s 250th founding anniversary, scheduled for this weekend with the primary feature — seven mixed martial arts competitions — planned for Sunday.
However, proceedings could be stopped by judicial intervention, as requested by two Virginia residents in their federal case against the National Park Service, which manages the South Lawn.
The agency submitted its opposition to the request Tuesday, outlining event operations in the filing.
“Well over $60 million and tens of thousands of hours of labor have been expended,” the document stated, noting that UFC and its associated organizations provided the funding.
Trump Wednesday demonstrated his evolved approach to inflation concerns, expressing what he described as affection for rising prices.
When questioned about the latest consumer price index report showing May’s 4.2% annual increase, the president adopted an unexpectedly positive stance regarding the difficult economic news. Trump avoided characterizing affordability challenges as a Democratic “hoax” as he previously has done, and refrained from asserting progress in reducing living costs.
Following government reports that inflation reached its highest point since April 2023, Trump commended the figures.
“You know what I really love?” Trump stated. “I love the inflation.”
This represented an unusual position considering voters approaching November midterm elections have identified the economy as a primary concern — and have given Trump poor ratings on economic issues. Democrats immediately began promoting his televised remarks across social media platforms within minutes.
The United States and Iran continued military exchanges for a second consecutive day, pushing the Middle East toward renewed full-scale conflict.
The American military action, extending into Thursday morning Iranian time, seemed more comprehensive and intense than the previous day’s operations, though Tehran provided minimal information regarding damage assessment. An Indian official reported that a U.S. strike on an oil vessel allegedly attempting to breach Washington’s Iranian port blockade resulted in three Indian sailor deaths, highlighting maritime personnel dangers.
This represented the third weekly instance of reciprocal strikes destabilizing the Middle East. Initial exchanges involved Iran and Israel, followed by two U.S.-Iran military rounds affecting regional countries hosting American military facilities.
These renewed hostilities occurred while war-ending negotiations appeared stalled, with Trump cautioning that Tehran would “pay the price” for negotiation delays.
WASHINGTON—Agricultural producers across nine Virginia counties can now access emergency financial assistance after the U.S. Department of Agriculture declared their drought-affected regions as natural disaster areas.
This federal designation enables the USDA Farm Service Agency to provide critical emergency funding to agricultural operations impacted by severe drought conditions. These financial resources may be utilized for equipment and livestock replacement, farm operation restructuring, or refinancing specific debts. The FSA will evaluate loan applications considering loss severity, available collateral, and the borrower’s capacity to repay.
The counties qualifying for emergency loan assistance are: Amherst, Appomattox, Buckingham, Campbell, Charlotte, Henry, Nelson, Pittsylvania and Sussex.
Furthermore, these adjacent regions also qualify for assistance: Albemarle, Augusta, Bedford, Cumberland, Dinwiddie, Fluvanna, Franklin, Greensville, Halifax, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Patrick, Prince Edward, Prince George, Rockbridge, Southampton and Surry counties, along with the cities of Danville, Lynchburg and Martinsville.
Agricultural producers must submit loan applications by Jan. 31, 2027. Farmers may explore available programs and financing options by accessing farmers.gov and utilizing its Loan Assistance Tool.
For filing a Notice of Loss or additional inquiries, producers should reach out to their local USDA Service Center.
A Heat Advisory remains in effect for northern Delaware and surrounding areas through Friday evening as dangerous heat and humidity grip the region. The National Weather Service warns heat index values could reach 104 degrees, creating potentially hazardous conditions for residents.
New Castle County is included in the advisory, which runs from 11 AM today through 8 PM Friday. The combination of high temperatures and oppressive humidity may lead to heat-related illnesses, particularly for those spending extended time outdoors.
Health officials urge residents to take precautions: drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned spaces when possible, and avoid prolonged sun exposure. If you must be outside, wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing and limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening hours.
Check on elderly relatives and neighbors, as they’re especially vulnerable to heat-related health issues. Watch for symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, including dizziness, nausea, and excessive sweating.
Some relief may come from scattered showers and thunderstorms late this afternoon and again Friday afternoon. However, humidity will remain high until a cold front brings much less humid conditions this weekend.
Those without air conditioning can call 211 for assistance finding cooling centers.
A high-ranking Russian foreign ministry official criticized Western nations’ involvement in the Ukraine conflict during a Thursday meeting with diplomatic representatives from three European countries in Moscow.
Mikhail Galuzin, who serves as Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, hosted ambassadors from France, Germany and Britain at the foreign ministry, where he accused their governments of pursuing what he called a “destructive policy” regarding the ongoing war.
Following the diplomatic session, French ambassador Nicolas de Riviere spoke with media outside the ministry headquarters, describing the exchange as a “good discussion” and indicating the three nations would issue a joint statement at a later time.
Thursday’s Moscow gathering occurred days after leaders from the three European nations held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in London this past Sunday. The three countries form an informal security partnership known as the E3, which has become a significant source of international backing for Ukraine, and during the London meeting they endorsed Zelenskiy’s appeal for a ceasefire.
According to an official statement from Russia’s Foreign Ministry, Galuzin provided the visiting diplomats with what the ministry termed “an objective assessment of the destructive policy pursued by their countries’ leaderships regarding the Ukrainian crisis, which is aimed at maximally encouraging the Kyiv regime to continue the war against Russia on behalf of, at the expense of, and with the direct assistance of the Western ‘coalition of the willing’.”
The ministry’s statement added that “The Russian side’s fundamental approaches to seeking a political and diplomatic settlement of the conflict based on addressing its root causes were explained” during Galuzin’s presentation.
During Sunday’s discussions at Downing Street, the European officials and Zelenskiy reached agreement on several key points: establishing the present contact line between Russian and Ukrainian military forces as a foundation for future negotiations; providing Ukraine with legally enforceable security assurances that would include deploying an international peacekeeping force; and keeping seized Russian financial resources frozen until Russia provides compensation to Ukraine for war-related damages.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has maintained his firm position regarding the conflict, though he indicated last week that peace proposals from U.S. President Donald Trump might offer a path toward ending hostilities.
Speaking to international journalists in St Petersburg, Putin expressed openness to discussions with European political figures while questioning their suitability as peace negotiators.
“What kind of mediator can the European Union or individual EU countries be when they directly assist a country with which we are in armed conflict?” he said.
Britain’s defense minister John Healey stepped down from his position Thursday following disagreements about military funding, claiming Prime Minister Keir Starmer has not allocated sufficient government resources to protect the nation during a period of increased security concerns.
The surprise departure, paired with a harsh public resignation letter, adds to mounting challenges facing Starmer as he confronts a potential leadership contest and highlights the government’s central dilemma of boosting defense expenditures while operating with limited financial resources.
For several months, Britain’s defense and finance departments have engaged in ongoing discussions about addressing growing demands for increased military investment, causing delays to Britain’s Defence Investment Plan that was originally scheduled for release last year.
Senior military officials have emphasized the necessity of this plan to address escalating security risks, particularly with frequent Russian naval activities in British territorial waters, while the government simultaneously works to lower national debt amid record-high taxation levels.
This prominent resignation occurs as Starmer faces political instability, following Wes Streeting’s departure as health minister in May and Andy Burnham’s efforts to re-enter prominent political roles for a potential leadership campaign.
“You have been unable, and the Treasury has been unwilling, to commit the resources that the nation needs to defend the country at this time of rising threats,” Healey stated in his resignation letter to Starmer.
The defense sector has expressed frustration over the plan’s postponement, arguing that uncertainty prevents investment in extended military programs.
Britain faces challenges as the United States reduces its European protection role, while the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran revealed Britain’s military preparedness gaps when its navy couldn’t rapidly send an advanced vessel to the area.
The defense strategy aims to outline funding for military hardware and services to bring armed forces to “warfighting readiness” status, with Starmer announcing Wednesday that publication would occur before the NATO summit starting July 7.
“Your DIP financial settlement – which I was first given in full on Monday afternoon this week – falls well short of what is required for defence and the country at this dangerous time,” Healey wrote.
“I am being forced to make decisions that would reduce the readiness of our forces and increase the risk to personnel on operations, and could make the country less safe.”
Drivers traveling on Indian Town Road eastbound should prepare for potential delays due to ongoing traffic control operations.
According to DelDOT, a flagging operation is currently in effect along the eastbound lanes of Indian Town Road in the stretch between Rebel Road and Hickory Hill Road.
The traffic control activity is expected to remain in place until 5 PM today. Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and exercise caution when passing through the work zone.
The Canadian Pediatric Society has appointed Natasha Johnson as its new president, a decision that has generated debate due to her strong stance supporting gender transition surgeries for minors.
Johnson’s appointment has raised eyebrows among critics who question her advocacy for these procedures in young patients. When addressing concerns about whether adolescents possess the maturity to make informed choices regarding life-altering medical interventions, Dr. Johnson characterizes these worries as “overstated.”
Johnson previously established a gender diversity clinic at McMaster’s Children’s Hospital in Hamilton, Ontario, where she has worked to expand access to gender-related medical services for young patients.
A Wilmington resident is facing felony drug charges following a traffic stop conducted by Newark Police earlier this month.
Newark Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit pulled over a vehicle on South College Avenue on June 2, 2026, around 10:15 in the morning. The car had been linked to a shoplifting case being investigated by a different law enforcement agency.
During the traffic stop, officers made contact with the driver and subsequently arrested the individual on felony drug-related charges.
The incident remains under investigation by the Newark Police Department.
Fresh polling data from Gallup reveals a notable shift in American attitudes toward several social issues over the past year. The survey shows acceptance of having children outside of marriage dropped significantly from 67% to 58% in just twelve months. Similarly, public approval of gambling decreased from 63% to 57% during the same period. The poll also found reduced acceptance among Americans regarding intimate relationships outside marriage and contraceptive use. Researchers have not identified clear reasons for such dramatic changes occurring within such a brief timeframe. According to Gallup, these findings could signal that the nation’s progressive movement on social matters may be reaching a turning point.
New research from the Public Religion Research Institute reveals distinct regional patterns in America’s LGBT population distribution. The study shows that individuals identifying as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender are most heavily concentrated in Northeast and Far West regions.
In contrast, the research found significantly smaller LGBT populations throughout Southeast and Midwest areas. Nevada and Rhode Island topped the rankings as states with the largest percentages of homosexual residents, while Kansas and South Dakota recorded the nation’s smallest percentages according to the PRRI findings.
Elon Musk’s space exploration company SpaceX is set to begin trading on Wall Street this Friday, with investors eagerly awaiting the chance to purchase 555.6 million shares priced at $135 each. The move could potentially make Musk, who is already the wealthiest person globally, the world’s first trillionaire.
During a video call on Musk’s social media platform X with JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon, Musk explained that while people have been urging him to take SpaceX public for a decade, he’s choosing to do so now because the company intends to launch 100,000 next-generation Starlink satellites into orbit. He stated that putting AI data centers in space represents a “massive new growth base and you need capital for that.”
The public offering is expected to generate approximately $75 billion in proceeds, potentially making it the largest initial public offering in history. SpaceX aims to become the first company to transport humans to Mars, and part of Musk’s future earnings are tied to SpaceX successfully creating a colony of at least 1 million people on Mars.
While going public will provide SpaceX with the capital it requires, it also subjects the company to increased shareholder scrutiny and regulatory oversight. This includes mandatory quarterly financial reporting, which some critics argue promotes short-term decision-making over long-term planning and creates unnecessary expenses. Securities regulators are currently seeking public input on a proposal that would require public companies to file financial reports just twice annually instead.
SpaceX acknowledges Musk as the “driving force” behind its growth, innovation and achievements. However, the company warns that losing Musk could disrupt its ability to implement its strategy and damage its “reputation and relationships with customers, partners and other stakeholders.” SpaceX also cautions that finding someone with Musk’s equivalent skills and experience would be time-consuming, if not nearly impossible. As Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives noted Wednesday, “At the end of the day Musk is SpaceX and SpaceX is Musk.”
Musk will retain control of a majority of special shares, giving him authority over company strategy, financial decisions and staffing choices. Due to his ownership of most Class B shares, Musk is essentially the only person with the power to remove himself as CEO.
Industry experts say SpaceX has gained a significant advantage over competitors like Blue Origin, headed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, by developing reusable rocket technology. The Starlink satellite division faces competition from companies including AST SpaceMobile, which ironically plans to use a SpaceX rocket to launch its newest satellites next week.
According to the prospectus filed last week, SpaceX identifies its largest potential market as selling business-focused artificial intelligence products that could revolutionize workplace productivity. The company estimates this opportunity could be worth $22.7 trillion if it could outcompete rivals like Anthropic, OpenAI and Microsoft in this highly competitive sector. However, the prospectus reveals no clear path to profitability for the xAI business, which combined with SpaceX earlier this year.
The massive reusable rocket currently in testing phase is crucial to achieving Musk’s goals. Much of the commercial space industry depends on SpaceX successfully developing Starship’s capability to be completely reusable and durable enough for rapid turnaround between missions. If this fails to materialize, SpaceX warns that deploying data centers and satellites in space will require more time and money, potentially causing customers to abandon the company.
Should the SpaceX public offering succeed as anticipated, the stock could rapidly be added to the Nasdaq 100, a closely watched index that monitors the 100 largest non-financial companies on the Nasdaq. This inclusion matters because popular funds, such as the $460 billion QQQ exchange-traded fund, replicate the index and automatically purchase whatever stocks are listed.
Nasdaq recently modified its regulations to permit select companies to join the Nasdaq 100 after only 15 trading days.
Meanwhile, S&P Dow Jones Indices maintains its established and more conventional requirements that would enable SpaceX or other companies with enormous IPOs quicker access to its S&P 500 index. This means companies must still wait for their stocks to trade for a complete 12 months before index inclusion.
Companies seek S&P 500 inclusion particularly because it’s considered the most significant index on Wall Street, with trillions of dollars either directly copying it or using it as a benchmark. For instance, Vanguard’s VOO fund that follows the S&P 500 has approximately $950 billion invested in it.
LONDON (AP) — The time-traveling protagonist of ‘Doctor Who’ has weathered countless close calls and transformations throughout more than 60 years on television.
However, could this be the end for the BBC’s iconic science fiction program that has captivated multiple generations of viewers?
The British network has pulled a holiday special that was previously scheduled for this year, while showrunner Russell T. Davies has announced his departure from the series.
Davies was set to pen the holiday episode, which was revealed when the most recent season concluded in May 2025.
On Wednesday, the BBC announced that the network, Davies, and production partner Bad Wolf ‘have collectively decided not to go ahead’ with the holiday installment. The broadcaster stated it remains committed ‘to push forward to invest in the long-term future of the show.’
The network revealed plans to seek bids from production companies interested in working on the program. A partnership between the BBC and Disney+ for co-production and distribution concluded in 2025 following two seasons.
Debuting in 1963, ‘Doctor Who’ chronicles the journeys of a Time Lord from Gallifrey who explores time and space in the Tardis, a vessel that appears externally as a vintage British police call box from the mid-1900s.
The show’s endurance stems partly from its concept: the main character can transform into a new form when the previous one expires, allowing the series to continue beyond any single performer. Over a dozen actors have portrayed the character, with Ncuti Gatwa being the most recent.
Davies, who brought the series back in 2005 following a 16-year break and resumed leadership in 2022, revealed that the holiday episode remained unwritten and no performer had been contacted about taking on the Doctor’s role.
Davies, whose credits include ‘Queer as Folk,’ ‘It’s a Sin’ and the recent ‘Tip Toe,’ described the program’s prospects as ‘unpredictable’ in a social media message.
‘You’ll have to wait a bit longer for new Doctor Who … but you’ll be waiting for MORE Doctor Who than a one-off. So it’s worth it!’ Davies posted. ‘It’s all up for grabs, which is so Doctor Who — exciting and unpredictable and new! Here comes the future.’
Two people lost their lives and multiple others sustained injuries when flames engulfed an apartment building in a popular tourist section of Spain’s Mallorca island during the early morning hours Thursday, according to official reports.
The blaze ignited around 5 a.m. on the building’s third level in the Magaluf district, according to a Civil Guard statement.
Building occupants attempted without success to extinguish the flames, which then consumed other parts of the structure, particularly climbing to higher levels, officials reported. Emergency crews evacuated more than 12 individuals from the premises. Firefighters managed to control the flames approximately two hours after they started.
Medical teams transported nine individuals to hospitals for smoke inhalation treatment, according to a Civil Guard spokesperson. The official requested anonymity in accordance with departmental guidelines.
Among those who perished was a 58-year-old citizen of Argentina, while the second victim was a woman whose identity remains unknown, the Civil Guard reported. Both fatalities occurred in different units within the building.
Investigators with the Civil Guard are working to determine what sparked the deadly fire.
The Magaluf area serves as a favored coastal and entertainment hub for young visitors from Britain and Germany, situated along Calvià’s shoreline, approximately 22 kilometers (13.7 miles) west of Palma de Mallorca, the Mediterranean island chain’s capital city.
Following the tragic incident, local government officials announced a two-day period of mourning.
A woman from Thailand made her first court appearance Thursday in Myanmar, where she’s facing murder charges in connection with the death of an American diplomat, two lawyers with knowledge of the proceedings confirmed.
The woman, whose name authorities have not disclosed, faces both murder charges and violations of Myanmar’s immigration laws that target foreign nationals who commit crimes within the country’s borders, one attorney said.
Details about whether the defendant entered any plea or secured legal counsel during Thursday’s proceedings at Kamayut Township Court remain unclear. A murder conviction could result in a prison sentence anywhere from 10 years to execution.
Both legal sources requested anonymity due to concerns about potential retaliation from Myanmar’s military leadership.
The American diplomat was discovered deceased on May 11 inside the Sakura Residence & Hotel, a lodging establishment frequented by diplomatic personnel, business travelers and other international guests located approximately 1.5 kilometers from the U.S. Embassy, one attorney revealed. The victim had sustained multiple stab wounds to his head and neck area.
While the U.S. State Department has acknowledged the diplomat’s death, officials have declined to release additional details, including the victim’s identity.
Myanmar’s military leadership took control from the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021, sparking widespread demonstrations that have since evolved into ongoing armed conflict throughout the nation, also called Burma.
Media access remains severely limited, with law enforcement handling the investigation, detention facilities housing the accused, and court officials all declining to provide statements.
When asked Thursday whether American representatives attended the court hearing, State Department officials with the Asia Pacific Media Hub directed inquiries to the U.S. Embassy in Myanmar. Embassy personnel reiterated previous official statements regarding the death and referred additional questions to Myanmar’s local authorities.
Thailand’s Foreign Ministry confirmed it is offering consular support to the detained woman but said it lacked immediate details about any legal assistance provided during Thursday’s hearing.
The ministry directed further inquiries to its Myanmar embassy, which declined phone interviews and did not respond to email requests.
During sweltering summer days, DeAnna Brandon enjoys watching her three dogs run around while she cools off in a backyard kiddie pool alongside her grandchildren. The 48-year-old blood cancer survivor treasures these precious moments — while questioning whether she’ll experience them in future years.
Brandon, a Rockwell, North Carolina resident, fears that upcoming Medicaid work requirements beginning next year might threaten her healthcare coverage. While she anticipated qualifying for a medical frailty exemption, fresh guidance issued by President Donald Trump’s administration last week has created uncertainty about her eligibility.
The interim final rule published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services indicates that Brandon’s severe fatigue and memory problems from her treatments might not suffice to avoid the new work requirements. She must declare and subsequently demonstrate that these symptoms “significantly impair” her capacity to meet the new mandates.
Should the government reject her application, she risks losing her coverage — along with the bi-monthly maintenance chemotherapy that maintains her multiple myeloma in remission. Employment remains “outside of the realm of possibility for me,” she explained during an interview.
“I was always a push-through-it person — you know, ‘Oh, you’re tired. Push through,’” Brandon stated. “It’s hard to explain to people you can’t push through it.”
Healthcare analysts have raised concerns about the Republican Trump administration’s latest guidance, which diverges from state expectations. Specialists warn it will increase the number of Americans at risk of losing health insurance and force states to scramble in their already rushed implementation efforts.
“This will mean more paperwork for Medicaid patients — specifically for the sickest Medicaid patients,” stated Adrianna McIntyre, a professor at Harvard University’s school of public health. This development, she noted, “is going to push in the direction of more people needlessly losing coverage.”
The new Medicaid restrictions formed part of Trump’s comprehensive tax and policy law in 2025. The modification impacts those covered through an expansion that most states adopted, providing additional lower-income individuals access to the government’s safety net healthcare program.
Expansion participants between ages 19 and 64 must demonstrate they work or perform community service for at least 80 hours monthly or attend school at least half-time. Exceptions exist for those deemed medically frail or enrolled in addiction treatment programs, among other categories.
Last week’s CMS announcement surprised states with a revised definition of medical frailty. The law had specified that medically frail individuals include those with substance use disorders, disabilities or serious medical conditions. However, the CMS rule went beyond this, stating someone’s condition must “significantly impair” their capacity to work, volunteer or attend school at required rates to receive an exemption.
During 2027 and once in 2028, patients can declare they meet this definition. However, when seeking coverage renewal in 2028, they must provide proof.
Advocates express uncertainty about what documentation could establish that standard. They suggest physician notes might be necessary — something some providers feel uncomfortable providing. Medicaid participants battling illness may bear the administrative burden.
Brandon, who previously attempted to prove work incapacity for disability benefits during active cancer treatment and was unsuccessful, worries about the obstacles she and fellow patients might face.
“It’s not that easy — you may have to go through four doctors,” Brandon explained. “If you’re already battling an illness like this, you don’t have the physical or the mental or the emotional energy to do that all the time.”
States have planned to utilize Medicaid claims data and additional data sources to automatically exempt qualified participants whenever feasible.
CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz during a reporter call last week supported this strategy, expressing hope that most individuals would receive assistance “without ever having to talk to anybody.”
When asked to explain rule implementation, CMS informed The Associated Press via email that the agency “chose not to allow states to categorically exclude individuals from work requirements based solely on a diagnosis or condition type.” For 2028 renewal, it stated, “verification through claims data or other documentation will generally be required.”
State Medicaid officials and consultants report that Medicaid claims data cannot prove significant work impairment, and they’re unaware of existing data that does. This has created confusion about complying with the government’s rule.
“States are going to be asked to make a determination using information that doesn’t exist in their systems,” explained Kinda Serafi, a partner at consulting firm Manatt Health who assists states with these changes.
Nebraska began implementing new Medicaid work requirements early. However, it utilized diagnostic codes to identify medically frail individuals, likely requiring system modifications, according to Sarah Maresh, healthcare access program director at advocacy group Nebraska Appleseed.
Maresh expressed concern that rural state physicians already hesitant to accept Medicaid patients might cease participation entirely.
“They’re already drowning in paperwork, so to require them to do an additional step of certifying whether someone is able to work, I think is concerning,” she noted.
Preparing for the January 1 launch represents an enormous and costly undertaking. A $200 million federal allocation supports states, and CMS has collaborated with technology companies to offer free and discounted services, but expenses for additional technology requirements and staffing will likely surpass $1 billion, according to an AP analysis. This additional cost will be shared between federal and state tax dollars.
Republicans supporting the new rules describe them as commonsense measures to eliminate government freeloading and preserve benefits for those most in need. Oz last week, referencing a conservative American Enterprise Institute think tank report, claimed able-bodied Medicaid recipients spend an average of 6.1 hours daily “watching TV or just hanging out.”
“This is a concern, not a criticism,” he stated. “Work requirements are going to turn this around, we hope.”
Current participants who don’t meet work requirement thresholds say this mischaracterizes their experiences.
Mids Meinberg, a 42-year-old freelance writer from New Jersey living with chronic depression and diabetes, said that despite health challenges, he takes pride in establishing a meaningful career. However, his conditions prevent him from working 80 hours monthly. He believes many disabled individuals are “too disabled to work but not disabled enough for the state to think they can’t work.”
Brandon, in North Carolina, wants the government to recognize she’s “not just sitting around wasting time or being a drain on society.”
“I’m pouring into my grandchildren,” she said. “We’re valuable, and we can still contribute to our communities even if it’s not working.”
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will make history as the first edition to feature 48 teams, expanding from the traditional 32-team format. The tournament will span across three host nations – Mexico, the United States, and Canada – taking place in 16 cities from June 11 to July 19.
GROUP A HIGHLIGHTS
Mexico enters as a three-time World Cup host, earning automatic qualification and opening the tournament against South Africa at Azteca Stadium – recreating the matchup that began the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Under coach Javier Aguirre, Mexico blends veteran leadership with emerging talent, featuring Fulham striker Raul Jimenez and goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who will tie the record for World Cup appearances at six tournaments alongside Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina’s Lionel Messi. The squad also includes 17-year-old Tijuana midfielder Gilberto Mora, the tournament’s youngest participant.
South Africa returns to the World Cup stage for the first time since 2010, despite facing a three-point deduction during qualifying for fielding an ineligible player. The team secured their spot with a 3-0 victory over Rwanda in October 2025. South Korea continues their remarkable consistency, qualifying for their 11th straight World Cup since 1986 after defeating Iraq in June 2025.
Czech Republic earned their place through dramatic penalty shootouts against Ireland and Denmark in European qualifiers, marking their first World Cup appearance since 2006.
HOST NATIONS’ PROSPECTS
The United States, hosting for the second time after 1994, faces significant pressure as they open against Paraguay in Los Angeles. The team’s performance could significantly impact soccer’s growth in the country, with AC Milan striker Christian Pulisic leading the charge. Notably, Pope Leo counts among their supporters.
Canada qualified automatically as co-hosts, entering with what many consider their strongest-ever squad. Led by Bayern winger Alphonso Davies and Juventus striker Jonathan David, Canada seeks their first World Cup victory after appearing in 1986 and 2022 without recording a win or draw.
DEFENDING CHAMPIONS AND FAVORITES
Argentina arrives as defending champions and among the tournament favorites. Lionel Scaloni’s squad finished atop South American qualifying and features Lionel Messi alongside younger stars Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, and Alexis Mac Allister. A victory would place Argentina alongside Italy and Germany as four-time world champions.
Brazil, despite being the most decorated nation with five titles, hasn’t won in nearly 25 years. Carlo Ancelotti’s team, featuring Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr and Barcelona’s Raphinha, ranks below Argentina and top European competitors according to FIFA.
Spain enters as reigning European champions and tournament favorites under Luis de la Fuente, combining midfield control with explosive wide players including Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams.
NOTABLE DEBUTS AND RETURNS
Several nations will make historic debuts, including Curaçao, the smallest country ever to qualify with approximately 150,000 residents. Cape Verde also reaches their first World Cup, representing one of the expansion’s great success stories.
Other significant returns include Norway (first appearance since 1998), Turkey (first since 2002), and Algeria (first since 2014). Iraq returns after 40 years, while DR Congo makes their first appearance since 1974 when they competed as Zaire.
MILESTONE APPEARANCES
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo will compete in his sixth and final World Cup at age 41, sharing the appearance record with Messi and Mexico’s Ochoa. Germany’s Manuel Neuer returned from international retirement at 40 to participate in his fifth tournament.
TOURNAMENT FORMAT
The expanded format creates 12 groups of four teams each, with matches scheduled across North American time zones. The tournament promises to showcase both established powerhouses and emerging nations, reflecting FIFA’s vision of global football expansion.
Group stage play begins June 11 with Mexico facing South Africa, setting the stage for what organizers expect to be the most inclusive World Cup in history. The final will take place July 19, concluding nearly six weeks of competition across the three host nations.
Gas stations throughout the Russian-occupied Crimean peninsula were without fuel Thursday, according to Reuters witnesses on the ground, as Ukraine continues its campaign of attacking supply routes to the region.
A Reuters reporter in Sevastopol, the peninsula’s main city, observed that most local gas stations had no fuel available, with supplies failing to meet demand even under the rationing system put in place in recent weeks.
In the resort community of Yevpatoriya, another witness reported seeing a lengthy line at the only functioning gas station in the area.
Ukraine has been stepping up drone attacks on supply corridors to the peninsula, which Russia took control of from Ukraine in 2014. Regional officials have put fuel rationing measures in place, and some food items are also becoming scarce.
Reuters data shows fuel shortages have been documented in traditional and social media across 13 regions. Just three regions – Crimea and two Siberian areas – have officially acknowledged the shortages.
Most other regions have stated the situation remains manageable and attributed some disruptions to panic purchasing. Moscow has rejected claims of fuel supply issues.
State-owned bank Sberbank has indicated that increasing fuel costs pose an additional inflation threat to Russia’s economy.
DELIVERY TRUCKS BLOCKED FROM REACHING CITY
Wednesday saw Russian-backed Sevastopol governor Mikhail Razvozhaev announce that plans to distribute rationed gasoline had been postponed because delivery trucks could not reach the city following recent Ukrainian attacks on supply corridors.
Crimea receives most of its fuel through road and rail transport via Russian-controlled territories to the north, areas Moscow captured in 2022. These transportation routes have faced increasing disruption from drone strikes.
Previously, fuel reached Crimea through barge deliveries to an oil facility in Feodosia, but those shipments stopped after Ukraine attacked the terminal in April.
In Sevastopol, the Moscow-appointed governor reported that Ukrainian drones caused minor damage during overnight attacks, with 33 drones shot down. The Russian-backed governor of the Moscow-controlled section of Kherson region, which sits north of Crimea, said Ukraine had targeted regional bridges, resulting in some damage.
Ukrainian forces also conducted strikes in southern Russia overnight, officials reported, causing damage including a fire at the Afipsky oil refinery that was later put out.
The governor of nearby Adygea also confirmed damage to civilian infrastructure throughout the region.
LONDON, June 11 – The tennis comeback of Serena Williams faced an unexpected halt Thursday when her doubles teammate Victoria Mboko pulled out of the Queen’s Club WTA tournament due to a knee injury.
Following an absence of almost four years, the 44-year-old tennis legend from America teamed up with the Canadian teenager Mboko to defeat Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe before a packed audience on Tuesday.
The duo was set to face Canada’s Leylah Fernandez and Germany’s Laura Siegemund in their quarter-final match, but the 19-year-old Mboko was forced to pull out after suffering a painful fall during her individual match against Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova on Wednesday.
Mboko was unable to finish that singles contest and exited the court limping and visibly emotional.
The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion Williams plans to advance her return to professional tennis in Berlin next week and may pursue a wildcard entry for the Wimbledon championships.
An Indian space technology company has received a substantial government grant to advance artificial intelligence capabilities for monitoring Earth from orbit, according to reports from Thursday.
SatSure Analytics was awarded 246 million rupees, equivalent to $2.57 million, by the country’s space regulatory authority to create AI-powered systems for Earth observation. This funding is part of India’s broader initiative to establish independent artificial intelligence technologies.
Nations across the globe are putting more resources into developing their own AI and geographic intelligence systems to reduce reliance on international technology providers. Satellite information has become increasingly vital for climate monitoring, emergency response operations, and protecting national interests.
India has transformed its space industry by allowing private companies to participate in what was previously dominated by the government-operated Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The country has also established a 10-billion-rupee funding program to help space-focused startups expand their operations.
The company, headquartered in Bengaluru, explained that the grant will support creating comprehensive Earth observation systems using both satellite and drone information specifically designed for Indian conditions. These customized models aim to provide better precision than international systems that may not perform well under local circumstances.
Information gathered will cover monsoon weather patterns, farming regions, and city growth, among other areas. This data could be used across various industries including infrastructure development and financial services, according to the geospatial analytics company.
“Earth observation is moving from project-specific analytics to reusable intelligence infrastructure,” stated Rashmit Singh Sukhmani, the company’s co-founder and chief technology officer. He added that these systems could help create decision-making tools that better account for India’s unique geographic features, weather patterns, agricultural variety, and infrastructure needs.
The grant also enables SatSure’s involvement in India’s collaborative program to create a commercial satellite network.
Stock market futures posted gains Thursday morning as traders snapped up discounted technology shares and reacted optimistically to diplomatic developments in Middle East peace negotiations between the United States and Iran.
Semiconductor companies recovered from Wednesday’s sharp decline that pushed major stock indexes down over 1% and sent technology shares into correction territory with a 10% fall from recent peak levels.
In early trading before markets opened, shares of major chipmakers Nvidia, Intel and Micron Technology climbed between 1.2% and 4.7%.
Despite ongoing military exchanges between the United States and Iran on Thursday, three Iranian sources and a European official reported that both nations were discussing specifics of an agreement following a broader political accord, though several matters require further negotiation.
Market optimism about potential reopening of the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane contributed to declining oil prices. Early morning trading showed the Dow E-minis climbing 367 points or 0.73%, while S&P 500 E-minis gained 53.75 points or 0.74%. The Nasdaq 100 E-minis advanced 338.75 points or 1.19%.
The S&P 500 has declined roughly 4% from its record peak reached in early June as market participants wrestle with high technology sector valuations and concerns over stricter monetary policy, while Middle East tensions drive up energy costs and fuel inflation worries.
Friday’s highly anticipated public offering of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, expected to carry a $1.75 trillion valuation, may challenge this year’s rally that has repeatedly pushed stocks to new highs.
Market watchers will focus on the monthly producer price index and weekly unemployment claims data, both scheduled for release at 8:30 a.m. ET, seeking insights into Federal Reserve policy direction before next week’s central bank meeting.
Wednesday’s data revealed U.S. consumer price increases reached their fastest rate in three years during May, driven higher by surging energy costs related to Middle East conflicts.
In individual stock movements, Oracle shares dropped 7% following the company’s announcement of capital expenditure plans for fiscal 2027 exceeding analyst projections, highlighting substantial cash requirements for artificial intelligence infrastructure expansion.
Corporate travel platform Navan saw shares surge 17.6% after the company increased its annual revenue and operating income forecasts on Wednesday, pointing to robust business travel activity and expanding enterprise client numbers.
Motorists traveling on Peach Tree Run should expect delays and plan alternate routes as construction work continues to impact traffic flow in the area.
The roadway between Voshell Mill Star Road and Lochmeath Way is experiencing intermittent lane restrictions that will remain in effect until 6 PM today.
Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time when using this route and to exercise caution when navigating through the construction zone.
While the 2026 World Cup matches are taking place across the river in New Jersey, soccer enthusiasts in Queens, New York are celebrating the global tournament with tremendous enthusiasm.
In this diverse borough that serves as home to immigrants from countless nations around the globe, soccer transcends mere athletic competition. For residents of Queens, the sport represents an integral part of their daily existence and cultural identity.
The multicultural makeup of Queens, accessible via the 7 train line, creates a unique atmosphere where World Cup fever thrives among communities that have brought their love of the game from their home countries to New York.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is poised to make history with its expanded format, featuring an unprecedented 48 teams and 1,248 players competing in the tournament.
These numbers represent a significant increase from previous World Cup tournaments, creating countless statistical milestones and records that soccer enthusiasts can use to enhance their understanding of the upcoming competition.
The expanded roster of participants means fans will witness the largest gathering of international soccer talent ever assembled for the World Cup, providing numerous talking points and fascinating data for those looking to deepen their knowledge of the tournament.
Health investigators in the Democratic Republic of Congo are examining a tragic chain of events that may have sparked the country’s current Ebola epidemic – beginning with a damaged wooden casket that cracked during a bumpy truck ride across rural terrain.
The investigation centers on the February 4 funeral of Pastor Paluku Makundi Denis, a 44-year-old Congolese clergyman whose body was transported from a morgue in Bunia to the remote gold-mining community of Mongbwalu for burial.
During the three-hour journey across Ituri province, the aging Nissan SUV carrying the coffin bounced violently over broken dirt roads, potholes, and rocky terrain. Young family members riding in the vehicle sat directly on top of the wooden casket during the rough trip.
When the truck finally arrived in Mongbwalu that February afternoon, the coffin had collapsed and cracked under the weight, according to four experts working on the health ministry’s investigation into the outbreak’s origins.
What followed has become the focus of investigators searching for “patient zero” – the earliest infection in an epidemic that has now caused approximately 635 confirmed cases and at least 127 deaths across eastern Congo, with health officials warning the actual numbers could be significantly higher.
The rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola currently spreading has no available vaccine or treatment and proves fatal for 30% to 50% of those infected. A surveillance epidemiologist working on the inquiry believes this particular strain had been spreading undetected for four to six months before Congo officially confirmed the outbreak on May 15.
Hospital records show that Makundi had been diagnosed with peritonitis, a serious abdominal infection, at a Bunia medical facility on February 3. Three doctors and a nurse from the hospital confirmed that no Ebola testing was conducted because Congolese health authorities were unaware of any outbreak at the time.
An infectious-disease professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, David Heymann, explained that peritonitis can be a symptom of severe Ebola infection, though determining the actual cause of Makundi’s death would be impossible without proper testing.
When the damaged coffin reached Mongbwalu – a transient community of roughly 130,000 residents – dozens of mourners had already assembled at a family compound for the funeral service.
The pastor’s 70-year-old father, Pascal Kibali, known locally as Paka, examined the broken casket in the dimming afternoon light. Makundi, called Paluku by friends, had been a respected leader in Mongbwalu’s ethnic Nande community and helped establish the area’s charcoal cooperative before moving to Bunia to pursue religious work.
Kibali later recalled his thoughts upon seeing the damaged coffin: “My eldest son cannot be buried in such a coffin.”
Family members quickly purchased a replacement casket from a local craftsman. Community members then transferred the body from the broken coffin to the new one before sunset, with residents handling the remains directly – a potentially dangerous situation if Makundi had been infected with Ebola, since victims’ bodies remain highly contagious.
The wake took place at the family compound, followed by a cemetery burial. Traditional Congolese funeral customs often involve mourners touching and kissing the deceased, though it remains unknown whether these practices occurred during Makundi’s service.
More than 80 relatives, friends, and neighbors gathered at the local cemetery that evening, according to Edmond Kambale Katuwene, who leads Mongbwalu’s Nande community. A priest conducted prayers, encouraging attendees to contemplate life’s fragility and prepare for their own mortality, Katuwene reported.
Within days of the funeral, several community members began showing signs of illness, according to Mongbwalu’s Mayor Sesereki Mandro Israel. Nearly 50 deaths occurred within two weeks of the burial, with many victims displaying classic Ebola symptoms including fever, vomiting, and bleeding.
Pastor Makundi’s brother Idi became one of the first casualties. The 36-year-old miner died on February 16 from what was diagnosed as suspected appendicitis, according to a May 16 situation report from the provincial health authority. Within weeks, another brother and a relative also died from suspected hemorrhoids and tuberculosis respectively, with the bulletin noting these deaths required additional investigation.
These family deaths preceded at least 108 additional fatalities in Mongbwalu between April and May, according to the same Ituri authority report. Patients in family groups collapsed with fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and sometimes hemorrhaging symptoms.
The investigation report identifies these deaths as potentially connected to the Ebola spread, with Makundi’s case representing the earliest suspected infection. The document suggests the disease may have circulated undetected in Mongbwalu for months.
Congo’s health ministry announced on June 9 that at least 40 people in Mongbwalu had been confirmed dead from Ebola, though aid workers caution that limited testing capabilities may mean official figures are incomplete.
As deaths mounted throughout the community, frightened residents sought explanations for the tragedy. Many focused not on medical causes but on the unusual circumstances surrounding Pastor Makundi’s burial.
After the cemetery service concluded and families departed in the warm evening air, word spread that someone had set fire to the damaged original coffin.
None of six relatives and local residents interviewed claimed to have witnessed the burning, though all reported seeing the coffin’s charred remains. Pastor Makundi’s father and uncle attributed the fire to intoxicated young people but provided no additional details. The entire family remained shocked and confused by the incident.
Community leader Katuwene explained that residents viewed the burned coffin as an insult to ancestral spirits.
Tensions escalated during the burial of Tsongo Kenda Kenda, Makundi’s younger brother, when local police had to intervene in a family dispute over opening the coffin, according to the May 16 provincial authority situation report.
Katuwene said family members had argued about where to hold the pre-burial wake, leading one relative to remove and replace the coffin lid in protest. Many community members consider such actions disrespectful to the deceased.
For some residents, neighborhood chief administrator Joseph Payi Mute explained, the subsequent deaths were interpreted not as viral disease but as punishment from ancestors angered by the disrespectful treatment surrounding both brothers’ burials.
Jeremy Rayan Tamelegu, who worked as a mining-geology consultant in the same neighborhood as the pastor’s family, said the unexplained surge in illness and death reinforced the curse narrative. He witnessed people in the area suddenly becoming sick and dying within days.
The story quickly spread across social media throughout Mongbwalu and surrounding areas. Dark humor emerged among the anxious population, even inspiring a local music group to record a song about the rumors.
One verse stated: “We hear a coffin is wandering Mongbwalu, leaving devastation in its wake.”
The song sparked a TikTok trend across eastern Congo, with users posting videos showing coffins apparently moving independently along dirt roads or floating above terrified residents.
When provincial health investigators from the patient-zero inquiry reached Mongbwalu in early May, curse rumors had spread widely and some residents had become hostile toward health workers and officials, one investigator reported.
The mistrust has escalated to violence, similar to previous Ebola outbreaks where many locals blamed the disease on modern medicine.
On May 22, an unspecified number of young people in the nearby village of Mabilindey attacked a response team collecting information about a confirmed Ebola case, according to the epidemiologist on the patient zero inquiry. The following day, attackers set fire to an isolation tent that aid workers had erected at Mongbwalu General Hospital.
Medical personnel are not the only targets of blame.
Pastor Makundi’s father, Paka Kibali, said his family has been unfairly accused by some locals of causing the outbreak due to the events surrounding both burials.
“They vandalized my son’s coffin and blamed me for the deaths that followed,” he said through tears. “Yet I am the victim – it was my son’s coffin that was desecrated.”
The space exploration company is preparing for what could become the biggest initial public offering in history, seeking a staggering $1.75 trillion valuation that would place it among the globe’s most valuable corporations.
While the company markets itself as humanity’s gateway to Mars exploration, its financial records paint a picture of an organization whose heavy investments in artificial intelligence computing power and new rocket technology have exceeded the revenue generated by its profitable Starlink satellite internet operations.
The company’s revenue climbed 33% to reach $18.67 billion in the previous year, with Starlink contributing approximately 60% of total sales through its network of roughly 10.3 million subscribers served by 9,600 satellites orbiting Earth.
However, the acquisition and integration of the money-losing xAI division resulted in a net loss of $4.94 billion last year, a sharp reversal from the $791 million profit recorded in 2024, when rapid Starlink expansion and reusable rocket launch services drove strong earnings.
The company has dramatically expanded its launch operations from a single mission in 2006 to conducting more than two launches weekly, significantly outperforming competitors and establishing itself as the preferred launch provider for NASA and Pentagon missions.
The workhorse Falcon 9 reusable rocket has enabled this launch frequency increase, while the larger Starship vehicle under development aims to transport crew and cargo on a scale never before achieved.
The Falcon Heavy configuration combines three Falcon 9 boosters to create one of the world’s most powerful operational rockets, capable of delivering 64 metric tons to low-Earth orbit and currently used for launching heavy military satellites and deep space missions.
Company leadership identifies artificial intelligence as their largest potential market opportunity. The February acquisition of xAI merged two major components of the business empire, though xAI lags behind competitors Anthropic and OpenAI by several metrics.
Recent analysis by finance startup Ramp revealed that over 30% of business customers were purchasing AI services from Anthropic and OpenAI in April, with the Claude Code developer surpassing OpenAI for the first time, while xAI maintained approximately 5% market adoption.
This data, derived from Ramp’s examination of spending patterns among roughly 50,000 customers, represents only a fraction of enterprise AI expenditure, a sector where Anthropic is considered the market leader.
IPO investors face a premium valuation that exceeds multiples commanded by leading technology companies. At $135 per share, the company would trade at approximately 94 times trailing sales — higher than Nvidia, Amazon and Meta, and comparable to specialized space companies Planet Labs and Rocket Lab, which trade at 50.4 and 115.4 times sales respectively, despite being newer enterprises.
Given last year’s losses, traditional price-to-earnings comparisons cannot be applied.
The premium valuation depends partially on Starship’s potential, designed for full reusability while carrying over 100 metric tons to low-Earth orbit, exceeding any currently operational rocket’s capacity. This capability would be essential not only for launch services but also for plans to deploy AI data centers in space.
Existing rockets, the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy, can transport approximately 22.8 metric tons and 63.8 metric tons to low-Earth orbit respectively.
Starship’s May test flight achieved a significant milestone before the public offering, successfully deploying simulated satellites and completing a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean despite minor engine complications.
GENEVA — The head of the world’s ski federation was removed from power Thursday in an extremely close election that ended with accusations of interference from Olympic officials.
Johan Eliasch, the billionaire who owns Head sports equipment company, was defeated 65-64 by Alexander Ospelt, an attorney from Liechtenstein who will now lead the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) for the next four years.
The election campaign was supported by major skiing countries in Europe and North America, with backing from elite athletes including Mikaela Shiffrin.
Following his defeat, Eliasch will also forfeit his position on the International Olympic Committee, considered among the most prestigious organizations in global athletics.
During his speech accepting the loss, Eliasch made pointed accusations against Olympic leadership while encouraging FIS to maintain its autonomy before offering congratulations to Ospelt.
“The IOC tried to influence the outcome of today’s vote. Against this we must stay firm,” Eliasch said.
Eliasch had previously competed for IOC leadership in an election won by Kirsty Coventry 15 months earlier.
The FIS gathering in Belgrade, Serbia’s capital, began with demonstrations of authority from 75 member organizations, with early voting patterns suggesting difficulties for Eliasch’s re-election bid.
Members voted 88% to modify the schedule and move the presidential vote to the opening business item. FIS operates under a weighted voting structure that grants two or three votes to prominent skiing nations, unlike the equal voting system used by organizations such as soccer’s FIFA.
A subsequent 60% vote chose paper ballots over electronic voting, appearing to show skepticism toward the FIS leadership structure.
The 64-year-old Eliasch led FIS for five years characterized by ongoing disputes with skiing powerhouses including Austria and Switzerland regarding his leadership approach and use of the organization’s financial reserves.
Holding citizenship in both Sweden and Britain, Eliasch received support from neither nation’s federation for his re-election attempt. Following FIS regulations, he obtained a passport and endorsement from Georgia.
Under FIS procedures, Ospelt officially assumes the presidency one day following the election, allowing Eliasch to complete the remaining congress duties on his final day as leader.
“It’s been a great privilege to serve you,” the departing president stated, having previously described the election as beneficial regardless of outcome since he could “get my life back” with a loss. “Either way I am very happy.”
Ospelt, who served on the FIS council under Eliasch’s leadership, expressed his readiness to begin his new role with “great joy and humility.”
“I will be the president for all of you. Let’s be united,” he said.
While Ospelt doesn’t automatically receive IOC membership, he would likely be invited to join as leader of the organization that manages approximately half the medal competitions at Winter Olympics.
MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan — Recovery teams have retrieved the bodies of all 22 military personnel who perished when their helicopter went down in Pakistan-administered Kashmir on Wednesday, authorities confirmed Thursday. Officials stated no one survived the crash as senior government and military leaders gathered for a mass funeral service.
The aircraft went down Wednesday in Muzaffarabad, the area’s regional capital, with Pakistan’s military stating the incident appears to have resulted from a technical malfunction. Military officials have launched an investigation to pinpoint the precise cause of the crash.
A reporter with The Associated Press observed 22 flag-draped coffins bearing Pakistan’s colors during the funeral proceedings.
Local witnesses and regional authorities reported that soldiers’ remains were retrieved from severely damaged and burned debris. The casualties included one colonel and two army majors, two security officials confirmed while requesting anonymity since they lacked authorization for public statements.
Regional Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore was among the dignitaries who attended the funeral services.
Security officials revealed the military personnel were en route to perform security operations following calls for a demonstration in Muzaffarabad by the Joint Awami Action Committee, a coalition of organizations that has recently been prohibited.
Officials have made no suggestion of any link between the planned demonstration and the aircraft accident.
Pakistan has increased security personnel deployment throughout the area, where unrest has escalated since the weekend following attacks by members of a banned organization against law enforcement and security forces, resulting in four officer deaths.
Aircraft accidents involving military helicopters occur regularly in Pakistan.
This past September, a military helicopter conducting standard operations crashed in Pakistan’s northern region, resulting in the deaths of two pilots and three technical personnel.
The United Nations refugee agency announced that worldwide forced displacement decreased in 2025 for the first time in ten years, though officials emphasized that the 118 million people who had to abandon their homes or countries remains dangerously elevated.
The agency released its annual Global Trends Report on Thursday, revealing key statistics about refugees and displaced populations worldwide:
At the close of 2025, 117.8 million individuals were forcibly displaced due to conflict, violence, or persecution. This figure encompasses refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, and other groups requiring international protection. According to Tarek Abou Chabake, the UN agency’s chief statistician, the decrease resulted from both more people returning home and many refugees obtaining citizenship in their host nations, among other factors. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees emphasized that the global displacement numbers, primarily driven by conflict, remain unacceptably elevated.
Children comprised a significant portion of the 41.6 million refugees recorded last year. While Colombia, Germany, and Turkey each sheltered over 2 million refugees, most refugees reside in low- to middle-income nations. Despite a 3% decrease from the prior year, 5.4 million individuals crossed international boundaries seeking safety in 2025.
Seven in ten refugees have remained in exile for five years or longer, frequently confined to expansive camps in impoverished countries. “Humanitarian assistance has saved lives,” stated High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih, but added that “it was never intended to sustain generations of people indefinitely.” The organization seeks to reduce by half the number of refugees in prolonged displacement who rely on humanitarian aid by 2035.
The figure represents internally displaced individuals. Sudan’s continuing conflict generated the world’s largest displacement, with 9.1 million people forced from their homes. Colombia, Syria, Yemen, and Afghanistan also contain substantial displaced populations.
Forecasts for 2026 appeared equally concerning. Following the Iran war’s outbreak in February, 3.2 million people were displaced within Iran by March, and by mid-May, 1 million were displaced inside Lebanon. “This is truly unacceptable and we must make sure this doesn’t become a new normal,” Salih stated.
Three nations — Syria, Afghanistan, and Sudan — accounted for 90% of the 4.4 million refugees who returned home in 2025. This represented the second-highest total since the UNHCR started maintaining records sixty years ago. Additionally, 10.3 million internally displaced individuals returned to their original areas last year. However, Salih cautioned that many returnees faced pressure and lacked basic infrastructure and conditions for dignified living. “Voluntary returns to post-conflict Syria and returns under pressure to Afghanistan are not the same thing,” Salih explained.
This represents the count of stateless individuals, with Myanmar’s Rohingya population forming the largest group. Most stateless people reside in Bangladesh, Ivory Coast, Thailand, and Myanmar. Only 46,000 obtained citizenship in 2025.
The number of resettled refugees dropped dramatically from 188,000 in 2024. Salih noted this represents only a small fraction of those requiring assistance and urged governments to expand legal relocation pathways for refugees. “Every dangerous sea crossing and every death in the desert represents a failure of the international community,” Salih said. “The human cost of the failure is measured not with statistics but with lives.”
Severe thunderstorms ripped across the Midwest on Wednesday, leaving hundreds of thousands in the dark and creating travel chaos at Chicago’s major airports with over 1,000 flight disruptions.
Weather officials issued tornado warnings throughout Illinois, Kansas, northern Missouri and southern Iowa on Wednesday, with severe thunderstorm watches covering portions of the Great Lakes region.
The storm system reached the Chicago metropolitan area Wednesday afternoon, toppling trees and causing structural damage to buildings throughout the region.
Both Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Chicago Midway International Airport issued temporary flight holds Wednesday evening as thunderstorms moved through the area. John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York implemented similar ground stops due to severe weather conditions.
Flight tracking service FlightAware reported that by Wednesday night, more than 1,000 departing and arriving Chicago flights had been either delayed or cancelled.
Powerful winds tore portions of roofing from an apartment complex in the Chicago region, displacing residents, NBC 5 Chicago reported. Additional damage included collapsed barns in Wisconsin, destroyed structures in rural northern Missouri, and numerous fallen trees and power lines throughout the Midwest, as documented in online photos and videos.
Illinois experienced the most significant power disruptions with over 264,000 customers losing electricity, primarily concentrated in Cook County, while Michigan saw nearly 140,000 outages, according to poweroutage.com. Additional blackouts affected Kansas, Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana and Ohio.
Commonwealth Edison Company, the electric utility serving northern Illinois, reported that the storms had brought down electrical poles and transmission lines.
“We know this is challenging and will restore service as safely and quickly as conditions allow,” the company said in a post on X.
A recent national survey shows limited public support for President Donald Trump’s proposal to stage mixed martial arts competition at the White House, with most Americans expressing disapproval of the controversial plan.
According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll, merely 16% of respondents believe it would be suitable for Trump to organize the Ultimate Fighting Championship event, which is set to coincide with his 80th birthday celebration. Nearly half of those surveyed, 46%, deemed the idea unsuitable, while the remainder provided no response.
Republican support proved surprisingly weak, with only 31% backing the proposal despite Trump maintaining approximately 80% approval among party members for his presidential performance overall, the six-day survey that ended Monday revealed.
The mixed martial arts event represents part of Trump’s broader series of public festivities commemorating the 250th anniversary of America’s independence declaration from Britain on July 4, 1776. These planned celebrations have generated debate, with multiple musical acts withdrawing from the opening ceremony due to concerns about Trump’s involvement.
On Tuesday, Trump’s legal team requested a federal judge dismiss attempts to block the UFC competition after area residents challenged the event, claiming sporting activities violate South Lawn regulations and the massive metal structure being built for the matches lacks proper permits.
The competition will feature athletes wearing minimally padded gloves who will strike opponents using hands, feet, knees and elbows within a 92-foot-tall octagon-shaped enclosure.
Survey data showed 18% of respondents identified as mixed martial arts enthusiasts, trailing behind basketball fans at 31% and slightly ahead of U.S. soccer followers at 16%.
The nationwide online Reuters/Ipsos survey included 4,531 American adults and carried a 2 percentage point margin of error.
Trump’s relationship with UFC extends to the early 2000s, when he permitted events at his now-defunct Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. UFC Chief Executive Dana White maintains a close relationship with Trump.
A recent nationwide survey reveals that SpaceX has achieved remarkable name recognition across America, even surpassing established aerospace giants and well-known political personalities as the company prepares for its public stock debut.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll, conducted over six days and concluding Monday, found that 84% of Americans recognize the space exploration company, while only 13% reported never hearing of SpaceX.
This recognition level matches that of Boeing, the century-old aviation company that transports millions of passengers yearly, which 14% of survey participants said was unfamiliar to them. SpaceX’s visibility significantly exceeds that of Northrop Grumman, the defense contractor behind the B-2 stealth bomber, which half of those polled had never encountered.
The space company’s fame also outshines prominent political personalities considered strong candidates for the 2028 presidential race. Republican Secretary of State Marco Rubio was unknown to one in five respondents, while Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom was unfamiliar to one in four survey participants.
Over the past ten years, SpaceX rockets have consistently executed dramatic controlled descents, landing on ocean platforms or being caught by massive mechanical arms at launch sites in displays that appear straight from science fiction. The company has simultaneously transformed the satellite internet industry.
The United States space program now depends significantly on SpaceX capabilities, as it represents the sole American organization currently able to transport astronauts to the International Space Station. The company is constructing a crucial lunar lander for NASA, handles the majority of Pentagon satellite launches, and attracts U.S. military and intelligence agencies through its extensive Starlink and Starshield satellite networks.
SpaceX plans to leverage its widespread recognition in its upcoming stock market launch, allegedly setting aside up to 30% of initial share sales for individual retail investors — substantially higher than the typical 5% to 10% allocation. The new stock pricing is anticipated Thursday, with the offering potentially establishing a company valuation exceeding $1 trillion despite recent financial losses.
Survey results showed 29% of participants would likely purchase SpaceX stock if available to them. However, this doesn’t indicate one-third of Americans will immediately buy shares, as Federal Reserve data shows only about 20% of households directly own individual stocks, with many holdings tied to employer programs.
The company generates mixed reactions among Americans who connect SpaceX with its CEO, the billionaire who significantly influenced Republican President Donald Trump’s second term opening months. The Reuters/Ipsos survey found 74% of Republicans view SpaceX favorably, compared to 32% of Democrats and 49% of all Americans. The CEO’s personal approval rating reached 34%, slightly below Trump’s rating.
NASA, the national space agency, earned an 80% favorability rating, though respondents showed division regarding human space exploration missions. Some 38% believe the costs of NASA’s crewed space programs exceed their benefits, while 58% consider the efforts worthwhile.
Americans also express mixed feelings about commercial space ventures, with 33% of poll participants opposing private companies’ objectives to extract lunar resources. Another 24% support this concept, which appears among SpaceX’s future business strategies, while 41% remained neutral.
The Reuters/Ipsos survey collected responses from 4,531 American adults nationwide through online methods, producing results with a 2 percentage point margin of error.
Federal agencies are rushing to implement emergency measures against the New World screwworm, a dangerous parasite that poses a serious threat to America’s struggling cattle industry, even as staffing shortages and resource limitations raise questions about the government’s readiness.
An extensive outbreak of this pest could inflict billions of dollars in damage to the beef sector, which is already suffering from persistent drought conditions. With beef costs reaching near-record levels, the situation adds to Americans’ financial worries ahead of November’s midterm elections, where President Donald Trump’s Republican party battles to keep its narrow congressional majority.
Since early last year, the USDA has collaborated with animal health manufacturers, state livestock authorities, agricultural organizations and other federal departments to prepare for a possible screwworm invasion on U.S. soil, according to agency announcements and interviews conducted by Reuters.
However, the department now operates with 25% fewer animal health specialists compared to the beginning of Trump’s second term, following the departure of hundreds who accepted financial incentives as part of the administration’s previous federal workforce reduction initiative.
Preparatory efforts have encompassed expediting screwworm medications for livestock and companion animals, establishing a treatment reserve in Texas, and deploying additional personnel to confirmed case areas in Texas.
“We have been prepared and preparing since early last year for the re-emergence in America,” Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins stated Monday during a news conference in Kerrville, Texas, where she announced the USDA would release $100 million in funding ahead of schedule for innovative screwworm-fighting technologies.
Rollins informed the Senate Agriculture Committee on Wednesday that more than 100 agency employees are working full-time on screwworm issues. To date, the USDA has verified six screwworm incidents in Texas and New Mexico, impacting four cattle, one goat and one dog.
Several Texas cattle ranchers have expressed dissatisfaction with the USDA’s response efforts. Susan Storey, 62, who operates a ranch in La Salle County, criticized the agency’s public communication as inadequate for addressing her worries about the parasite’s potential spread.
“We just want more action,” she said.
Since September, the Food and Drug Administration has granted 12 emergency use permits or conditional approvals for screwworm medications as part of federal preparation efforts. Both approval types enable treatment use after companies submit safety and limited effectiveness data, bypassing the FDA’s complete review procedures.
This expedited process involved coordination between the FDA, USDA and Environmental Protection Agency, which oversees certain pesticides that might be deployed against screwworm, according to Jeff Simmons, CEO of animal health company Elanco.
Elanco has participated extensively in preparations, with two of the company’s fast-tracked medications being delivered to a USDA reserve facility in Texas, Simmons noted.
“It is something that we were preparing for, expecting — it was probably a matter of if, not when,” Simmons said.
The animal health division of biopharmaceutical company Merck has also collaborated closely with the USDA and Texas animal health authorities over the past year to prepare for potential screwworm incidents, receiving conditional FDA approval for its topical screwworm medication in December, said Justin Welsh, executive director of livestock technical services.
Welsh described the USDA response as proactive while anticipating additional cases will surface.
“It’s safe to say we’ll see it continue to spread, but hopefully very slowly,” Welsh said.
The USDA faces a critical shortage of sterile male flies, one of its primary weapons against screwworm flies. These sterile males mate with females, preventing reproduction. While the USDA is constructing a Texas facility to produce additional sterile flies, it won’t become operational until late 2027.
The department is currently utilizing 100 million sterile flies produced weekly at a Panama facility, though officials acknowledge millions more are required to effectively combat the pest.
“We don’t have enough (flies) to do the complete push, but we do have enough to manage … the growth of the development of it in Texas,” the USDA’s undersecretary for research, Scott Hutchins, explained at Monday’s news conference.
The agency has experienced a substantial decline in animal health response personnel since Trump’s second term began.
Data from the USDA’s Office of Inspector General shows that over 2,100 employees departed the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service between January and June 2025, representing approximately 25% turnover.
A coalition of Democratic senators addressed a Tuesday correspondence to Rollins and her deputy secretary, Stephen Vaden, warning that personnel reductions at APHIS and other USDA divisions could undermine the agency’s screwworm response capabilities.
“The reemergence of the New World screwworm in the U.S. highlights the urgent need to fully staff the USDA’s Services, which are on the frontlines of disease outbreak detection and rapid response to dangerous threats to agricultural security,” stated the letter from Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley and 10 colleagues.
Rollins assured the Senate Agriculture Committee that reduced staffing levels have not impacted the agency’s screwworm response operations.
Veterinarians employed by APHIS play crucial roles in screwworm response by collaborating with local, state and federal officials to monitor and advise on suspicious cases while directing response efforts, explained Michael Bailey, a veterinarian and president of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
“We don’t have enough veterinarians in those public health areas to begin with, and anything that leads to them leaving the government, any area of government, is going to have a negative impact,” Bailey said.
Companies across the nation are preparing to eliminate insurance coverage for popular weight loss medications next year, even as pharmaceutical manufacturers reduce prices for these treatments.
Research from the Business Group on Health reveals that approximately 10% of companies currently providing coverage for GLP-1 weight loss drugs intend to discontinue this benefit in 2027. A separate study conducted by benefits consultancy Mercer found that 5% of large companies – those with workforces exceeding 500 people – are making similar plans.
Current coverage rates vary between studies, with Mercer reporting that 44% of large companies provide obesity drug benefits, while the Business Group on Health indicates 67% of major employers offer GLP-1 coverage in 2026.
Health insurer Cigna recently stopped providing weight-loss medication coverage for its own workforce beginning in July, directing employees to purchase these medicines through alternative sources.
Pharmaceutical companies now offer both newer pill forms and traditional injections through their direct-to-consumer websites at reduced rates, facilitated by arrangements with the Trump administration’s TrumpRx.gov platform.
Novo introduced its Wegovy pill option in January, followed by Lilly’s launch of Foundayo pills in April. Both oral medications begin at approximately $149 monthly.
Lauren Remspecher, who serves as a director at Purchaser Business Group on Health, explained that many companies remain frustrated by their inability to secure the same cost reductions through pharmacy benefit managers that individual cash-paying customers receive.
“One advantage of having the direct-to-consumer and some of the government-negotiated pricing more transparent is that now employers can see how much more they’re paying and where there is an opportunity for improvement,” Remspecher stated.
The introduction of oral alternatives has significantly boosted medication demand this year, attracting individuals who previously avoided GLP-1 treatments, which continues to drive up employer expenses according to five industry specialists.
Multiple experts noted that companies are observing longer treatment durations and expanded patient populations compared to other medical interventions.
Clinical trials demonstrate that Foundayo and Wegovy pills achieve weight reductions of 11% and 14% respectively, showing less effectiveness than injectable versions but appealing to patients who prefer avoiding needles.
“Even though we have seen the unit cost come down, the patient population keeps growing,” explained Louis Zollo, a pharmacy practice leader at healthcare consultancy Segal.
Benefits consultancy Aon has documented both existing injectable users switching to oral formulations and new patients selecting pill options. Aon also anticipates reduced GLP-1 coverage in the coming year.
Dan Mendelson, CEO of Morgan Health, a healthcare division of JPMorgan, predicted that pill options will drive down individual treatment costs this year.
“But every year there’s going to be market growth,” he noted. “There’s going to be more people taking these drugs, so on aggregate this still represents a major cost driver for employers.”
The upcoming World Cup tournament represents the most demanding security operation the FBI has ever tackled, according to Director Kash Patel, who spoke during an exclusive interview while traveling on the agency’s aircraft.
With 48 participating teams, 36 training facilities, and 11 venues hosting matches beginning Thursday, the scale of the security challenge is unprecedented. Add to that 3 million expected attendees, including world leaders, plus potential dangers from unmanned aircraft, espionage activities, terrorist threats, unruly spectators, criminal organizations, and explosive devices.
“It’s a huge lift, probably the biggest lift in FBI history, in American history,” Patel stated during the mid-flight conversation aboard the bureau’s Gulfstream aircraft.
During the comprehensive discussion in late May, as Patel traveled from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to Dallas for a law enforcement gathering, he discussed the agency’s extensive preparations for the global sporting spectacle. This comes amid ongoing controversies and regular speculation that his tenure may be cut short.
The 46-year-old Patel assumed the FBI director role in February 2025 and has already overseen multiple significant investigations, including the homicide of Charlie Kirk. However, he emphasized that major sporting events present unique security challenges due to elevated terror and other risks.
“Literally the first week in office when I got to the FBI I said we have to prepare for the Olympics, the World Cup, two Formula One races and the Super Bowl,” Patel explained. The FBI, working alongside the Department of Homeland Security, bears ultimate responsibility for safeguarding the tournament “not just here but overseas,” he noted.
As the primary domestic intelligence agency for the World Cup, which the United States is jointly hosting with Canada and Mexico, the FBI coordinates with state and local law enforcement agencies. The bureau must conduct 300,000 background investigations of athletes, coaching staff, and other personnel, while regional and municipal authorities handle security beyond venue perimeters and assist with anti-drone operations.
DRONE SCHOOL
Unmanned aircraft pose among the most significant risks to the competitions and host communities, Patel explained. The FBI established an anti-drone training initiative in October 2025, successfully training 70 local officers in American host cities.
Drones represent “one of the biggest ways that people who want to conduct adversarial attacks can effectuate them cheaply and from a distance, and with not much planning,” Patel observed.
The FBI has also created a collaborative operations hub featuring international law enforcement from 46 of the 48 tournament nations — excluding Iran and Haiti — to share real-time security intelligence from their respective countries.
This approach mirrors a similar coordination center established in Milan for the 2026 Winter Olympics, where American officials worked with Italian authorities to safeguard U.S. visitors and competitors.
That Milan experience also became controversial when Patel was photographed celebrating with the victorious U.S. hockey team, joining in songs, spraying beverages in the locker room, and placing President Donald Trump on speakerphone. Critics characterized the trip as an inappropriate use of taxpayer funds.
This incident coincided with multiple news accounts alleging excessive alcohol consumption, which both Patel and the FBI have categorically rejected. Patel has filed a personal lawsuit against The Atlantic over what he characterizes as inaccurate reporting.
Patel maintains the Milan journey was essential preparation for World Cup security.
“We learned a ton from Milan,” he said.
THREAT ASSESSMENT
Reuters obtained the 78-page joint FBI and DHS security evaluation from May regarding the World Cup, revealing the intricate nature of tournament protection. The document outlines numerous threats both nationally and specific to individual host cities and training locations, providing guidance to local law enforcement across all 11 American host cities.
The assessment notes that Trump’s potential attendance at games will add complexity to security operations and highlights increased risks to law enforcement and venue personnel if they are confused with National Guard or ICE immigration officers.
“Recent conflicts in the Middle East, such as with Iran, have resonated with some U.S.-based violent extremists and some hate crime perpetrators and could further exacerbate anti-U.S., anti-Israel, anti-Semitic, or anti-Muslim grievances,” the evaluation states.
The document specifically addresses concerns surrounding Iran’s two preliminary matches at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles, including potential violent demonstrations from team supporters or Iranian government opponents.
Patel attributed a cyber attack on the Los Angeles Metro system in March to Iran, which disrupted portions of the transit network. The pro-Iran organization Ababil of Minab took credit for the incident.
AIR PATEL
Congressional Democrats have criticized Patel’s use of government aircraft, with lawmakers requesting a Government Accountability Office investigation.
Patel considers these allegations unjustified. Legal requirements prohibit him from using commercial flights, and he must compensate the bureau for personal travel.
FBI data provided to the GAO shows Patel has taken fewer personal flights than his two predecessors while providing required reimbursements.
The FBI informed the GAO that Patel made 11 trips to his personal residence in 2025, roughly half the annual trips of former director Christopher Wray and more than one-third fewer than former director James Comey.
The GAO investigation continues and is anticipated to conclude next year, according to a GAO representative.
Patel also claims to have saved the agency millions by departing from Joint Base Andrews rather than Ronald Reagan National Airport.
“We use military government airfields every chance we get,” he stated.
Reuters compensated the FBI for the reporter’s one-way flight.
ANKARA, June 11 – Leadership allies of Turkey’s removed opposition chief Ozgur Ozel have stepped down from the party’s governing body, according to his office on Thursday, stating this action should legally require an emergency party convention to choose a new chairman.
Last month, a Turkish court invalidated the Republican People’s Party’s (CHP) 2023 convention that put Ozel in the chairman position, pointing to procedural violations. The ruling also restored Kemal Kilicdaroglu to leadership, the CHP’s controversial former head who was defeated by President Tayyip Erdogan in the 2023 presidential race.
Critics have characterized the court’s ruling as having political motivations during an extraordinary legal assault on the CHP, which has shaken financial markets and raised alarm about democratic institutions and legal standards in Turkey.
Before the court’s intervention, the CHP was polling at similar levels to Erdogan’s Islamic-influenced and conservative governing AK Party.
This opposition turmoil may strengthen Erdogan’s chances of continuing his over twenty-year leadership of NATO member Turkey in elections set for 2028 or earlier, which political experts suggest could happen sooner if the administration attempts to capitalize on the CHP’s internal conflict.
TENSION BETWEEN REINSTATED AND REMOVED LEADERS
Kilicdaroglu has stated his intention to cleanse the CHP of corrupt practices, referencing investigations involving CHP-controlled local governments. The removed leadership rejects these corruption claims, calling them a politically driven and undemocratic “coup”.
These departures occurred one day after Kilicidaroglu requested the removal of nine CHP members who support Ozel, including four from the governing body. He will lead a party assembly session on Thursday.
According to a statement from Ozel’s office, 28 members from the 57-person assembly have quit, representing the collapse of the party’s governing structure and legally requiring a convention within 45 days.
Zeynel Emre, a spokesperson for Ozel, stated it would now be illegal to avoid calling the convention, since the party assembly and central leadership committee no longer meet minimum membership requirements.
Financial markets are making intensive preparations as SpaceX approaches its historic $75 billion public trading launch, with brokers, exchanges and trading firms conducting round-the-clock system checks to prevent the technical disasters that disrupted previous major stock debuts.
The shadow of Facebook’s troubled 2012 market launch looms large over preparations, as that debut suffered from system failures that created hours of confusion about trade completions and ultimately resulted in hundreds of millions in losses for trading companies. Investment firms have spent weeks preparing to ensure SpaceX’s Friday market entry succeeds, especially with other major debuts from Anthropic and OpenAI anticipated later this year.
“It’s an historic event,” Peter Tuz, president of Chase Investment Counsel in Charlottesville, Virginia, said. “I hope it trades successfully afterwards, for the market’s sake. If something like this comes out and trades down, not only will it cast a pall over the market in general, but over the other IPOs that are lining up for the rest of the summer.”
Although financial executives are hosting elaborate client celebrations and decorating their offices to promote the space company, those in critical positions at trading platforms, investment houses and brokerage firms remain focused on guaranteeing a seamless market launch. Demonstrating how deeply the Facebook experience affected the industry, one Wall Street executive involved in the IPO who spoke anonymously referenced continuing trauma from that earlier debut.
Leaders at trading platforms including major market makers like Citadel Securities and Jane Street have conducted extensive simulations and system stress tests, according to three sources with direct knowledge. Trading platform officials invited clients to participate in weekend practice IPO sessions throughout the past month, two sources revealed.
Lead underwriter Morgan Stanley holds the crucial position as the IPO’s stabilization agent, the firm responsible for opening the stock and maintaining orderly trading. Morgan Stanley did not respond to requests for comment.
Leaders at S&P Global, which provides technology to facilitate institutional investor allocations and collaborates with SpaceX’s underwriters on order processing, have continuously tested their systems given the transaction’s enormous scale.
Darren Thomas, head of enterprise solutions at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said the firm also used AI to make sure its code was operating efficiently.
“We really had to scale the infrastructure so that it could handle much larger volumes,” said Thomas. “We’ve never seen anything of this size before.”
Trading platforms have enhanced their infrastructure to manage increased volumes following the technology breakdown that disrupted Facebook’s $16 billion IPO. The exchange where it was listed paid almost $42 million in participant claims after they estimated collective losses of $500 million. Regulators also imposed a $10 million fine on the exchange.
During that same period, BATS Global Markets tried to launch its own stock on its trading platform, but severe technological problems forced BATS to completely abandon the offering.
The exchange has completely rebuilt its trading systems, enhanced its primary IPO technology Bookviewer in preparation for the SpaceX IPO, and established a backup trading platform in case its main technology encounters problems.
The exchange has previously conducted IPO practice sessions, including preparations before chip designer Arm Holdings’ 2023 debut. The exchange declined to comment.
Citadel, Jane Street, and other rapid-trading firms have performed multiple internal system tests to prepare for the exceptional volume of client orders, sources indicated.
S&P has spent the past six weeks stress-testing its infrastructure through multiple upgrades and live testing to boost capacity by 200% and improve response speeds. The company has not required system testing for other recent large IPOs, but SpaceX’s unprecedented magnitude made ensuring foolproof systems necessary, S&P executives stated.
Contributing to uncertainty, SpaceX has allocated an unusually high number of shares for individual investors — coinciding ironically with a significant decline in technology stocks amid concerns that the AI-driven market surge has become excessive.
“No one’s ever tried an IPO of this size, and no one has tried to place as much with retail,” said one individual close to the transaction, who asked not to be named. He added that the possibility of a “chaotic and volatile aftermarket” may cause some wariness among both institutions and individuals.
During standard IPOs, exchanges gather incoming purchase and sale orders before trading starts, involving investors repeatedly canceling orders and submitting new ones at varying prices as they assess market sentiment. Underwriters observe these orders and postpone the launch until they identify a balanced opening price where supply equals demand.
This procedure aims to prevent chaotic price fluctuations when stock trading begins, but even with underwriters’ careful management, opening-day trading remains unpredictable. Technology issues notably disrupted this process during the Facebook IPO, creating a massive backlog of unprocessed orders and hours of uncertainty regarding trade completion.
“Every investment management firm in the country is talking about and considering SpaceX,” said Jed Ellerbroek, portfolio manager at Argent Capital Management. “We all know Friday’s trading day is going to be crazy.”
A Heat Advisory remains in effect for New Castle County and surrounding areas through Friday at 8 PM, with heat index values expected to reach a dangerous 104 degrees.
The National Weather Service issued the advisory early this morning, warning residents in northern Delaware, southeastern Pennsylvania including Philadelphia, and parts of southern New Jersey to prepare for potentially dangerous heat and humidity conditions from 11 AM today through Friday evening.
The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity could lead to heat-related illnesses, particularly for vulnerable populations including the elderly, children, and those working outdoors.
Health officials urge residents to drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned spaces when possible, and avoid prolonged sun exposure. If you must be outside, wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing and limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening hours.
Some relief may come in the form of scattered showers and thunderstorms late this afternoon and again Friday afternoon, though humidity levels will remain high. Cooler, less humid conditions are expected this weekend following a cold front.
Residents without air conditioning can call 211 for assistance finding cooling centers. Check on elderly neighbors and relatives during this heat event.
Good morning, Delmarva! We’re starting this Thursday with some patchy fog across the peninsula, but don’t let that fool you – it’s going to be a hot one today! That early morning fog will clear out by 8 AM, along with just a slight chance of some early showers or thunderstorms. Once we get past the morning, expect partly sunny skies with temperatures climbing to a toasty 94 degrees. With the humidity factored in, it’s going to feel like 101 degrees out there, so please stay hydrated and take breaks in the air conditioning if you’re working outside. We’ll have a light west wind at 5 to 10 mph to provide just a little relief.
Tonight brings our low down to a more comfortable 74 degrees, though we’re tracking another chance for showers and thunderstorms. Looking ahead to Friday, we’re expecting mostly sunny skies early with temperatures reaching 95 degrees, but another slight chance for afternoon and evening storms.
Stay cool and safe out there, Delmarva! I’m your meteorologist reminding you to beat the heat and have a great Thursday!
Indian aviation authorities will miss the one-year deadline for releasing their final investigation report into a fatal Air India Boeing 787 accident, according to a source familiar with the probe. Officials say they need additional time to complete their analysis of the aircraft’s engines.
Audio recordings from the cockpit appear to show conversations between the flight crew that support the theory that the captain stopped fuel flow to the aircraft’s engines, based on an initial evaluation by U.S. authorities reported previously. However, Indian crash investigators cautioned that it was “too early to reach any definite conclusions.”
Investigation documents and news coverage have revealed details about both flight crew members aboard the doomed aircraft.
CAPTAIN SUMEET SABHARWAL
The 56-year-old captain held a valid airline transport pilot certificate through May 14, 2026. His qualifications included authorization to serve as pilot-in-command on multiple aircraft types, including the Boeing 787 and 777 as well as the Airbus A310.
Sabharwal’s flight experience totaled 15,638 hours, with 8,596 of those hours logged on Boeing 787 aircraft. According to the Times of India, he contacted his family from the terminal before departure, promising to call them again once the flight reached London. A fellow pilot who spoke with him described Sabharwal as a “gentleman” to Reuters.
Following the accident, Sabharwal’s father petitioned India’s Supreme Court requesting an independent probe that would examine potential causes beyond pilot error. He stated that two representatives from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau who met with him following the crash suggested his son had deliberately cut off fuel to the engines after takeoff.
FIRST OFFICER CLIVE KUNDER
The 32-year-old first officer possessed a commercial pilot certificate issued in 2020, remaining valid through September 26, 2025. His certifications covered pilot-in-command duties on Cessna 172 and Piper PA-34 Seneca aircraft, plus co-pilot responsibilities on Airbus A320 and Boeing 787 jets.
Kunder had accumulated 3,403 total flight hours, including 1,128 hours as a 787 co-pilot. Indian media reports, citing family members, indicated he had been interested in aviation since his student years and began his pilot career in 2012.
According to Wall Street Journal reporting, Kunder traveled to Florida for flight training. Air India hired him in 2017, initially assigning him to Airbus A320 operations before transferring him to the 787 fleet. Family and friends remembered him as someone who enjoyed superhero films, taught himself computer building skills, and nearly pursued competitive gaming professionally during college.
Indian aviation authorities will postpone releasing their final investigation report into a fatal Air India Boeing 787 crash past the one-year anniversary this Friday, as they continue analyzing the aircraft’s engines, according to a source familiar with the investigation.
The following timeline details the tragic sequence of events on June 12, 2025, as documented by Indian investigators in their report released July 12 last year:
05:47 GMT (11:17 a.m. local time) – Air India Dreamliner VT-ANB touched down in Ahmedabad after flying from New Delhi on flight AI423.
07:48:38 GMT – The plane was seen leaving Bay 34 at the airport.
07:55:15 GMT – The aircraft requested permission to taxi, receiving approval from air traffic control. One minute later, the plane moved from the bay to Runway 23 using Taxiway R4, then backtracked and positioned for departure.
08:02:03 GMT – Control was transferred from ground to tower personnel.
08:07:33 GMT – Tower cleared the aircraft for takeoff.
08:07:37 GMT – The plane began its takeoff roll.
08:08:39 GMT – The aircraft became airborne. “The aircraft air/ground sensors transitioned to air mode, consistent with liftoff,” investigators noted.
08:08:42 GMT – The plane hit its maximum speed of 180 knots. “Immediately thereafter, the Engine 1 and Engine 2 fuel cutoff switches transitioned from RUN to CUTOFF position one after another with a time gap of 01 sec.”
“The Engine N1 and N2 began to decrease from their take-off values as the fuel supply to the engines was cut off.
“In the cockpit voice recording, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why did he cutoff.
“The other pilot responded that he did not do so.
“The CCTV footage obtained from the airport showed Ram Air Turbine (RAT) getting deployed during the initial climb immediately after lift-off.
“The aircraft started to lose altitude before crossing the airport perimeter wall.”
08:08:47 GMT – Both engines dropped “below minimum idle speed,” and the RAT hydraulic pump started providing hydraulic power.
08:08:52 GMT – Engine 1’s fuel cutoff switch moved from CUTOFF back to RUN.
08:08:56 GMT – Engine 2’s fuel cutoff switch also returned from CUTOFF to RUN.
“When fuel control switches are moved from CUTOFF to RUN while the aircraft is inflight, each engines full authority dual engine control (FADEC) automatically manages a relight and thrust recovery sequence of ignition and fuel introduction.”
“Engine 1’s core deceleration stopped, reversed and started to progress to recovery. Engine 2 was able to relight but could not arrest core speed deceleration and re-introduced fuel repeatedly to increase core speed acceleration and recovery.”
08:09:05 GMT – A pilot broadcast “MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY.”
08:09:11 GMT – Data recording ceased.
08:14:44 GMT – Emergency fire and rescue vehicles departed the airport for the crash site.
A prominent French entertainer has been formally charged with multiple serious sexual crimes spanning over a decade, according to prosecutors in France.
Patrick Bruel, a 67-year-old singer and actor, received preliminary charges Thursday for rape, attempted rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment involving multiple women from 2008 through 2019. The performer maintains his innocence regarding all accusations.
Following two days in police detention, Bruel appeared Wednesday before four investigative judges at a court in Nanterre, located in the western suburbs of Paris.
According to the Nanterre prosecutor’s office, the formal investigation encompasses rape allegations from 2008 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, west of Paris, attempted rape charges from 2010 in Brussels, plus sexual assault and harassment accusations from Perpignan in southern France and Ajaccio, Corsica, both occurring in 2019.
The judicial probe also extends to additional allegations of rape, attempted rape, and sexual harassment spanning 2010 to 2019 across three French cities and in Nyon, Switzerland, prosecutors stated.
Authorities noted that certain allegations previously dismissed without action have been reopened and incorporated into the current case.
While released from custody, Bruel faces significant restrictions under judicial supervision. He cannot leave France and must surrender his passport, complete psychological treatment, and provide bail totaling 500,000 euros ($576,760). Additional conditions prohibit contact with his accusers or their family members and ban him from entering massage parlors, where some alleged incidents reportedly occurred.
Legal representatives for Bruel issued a statement indicating the singer will fully cooperate with the investigation and remains accessible to judicial authorities.
Recent media coverage, particularly by French investigative outlet Mediapart, has highlighted accusations from multiple women spanning several decades, leading to additional complaints being filed.
Prosecutors explained that accusations from other women potentially barred by statute of limitations have been included in the case file to provide investigating judges with comprehensive context. Additional complaints from other jurisdictions may later be incorporated into the Nanterre investigation.
Bruel achieved massive fame throughout the French-speaking world during the late 1980s and 1990s. His popularity reached such heights that French media created the term “Bruelmania,” comparing it to Beatlemania.
Popular tracks from his 1989 second album became embedded in French cultural consciousness, exploring themes of love, heartbreak, nostalgia, and childhood while appealing to multiple generations. He subsequently developed a successful acting career, participating in numerous film and television projects.
The performer cancelled all scheduled summer performances last month across France, Canada, Switzerland, and Belgium, as well as year-end shows in Canada.
