President Donald Trump confirmed Tuesday that two American helicopter pilots are safe following a crash near the Strait of Hormuz, according to reports that the Apache gunship crew was successfully rescued after their aircraft went down close to the Iran-controlled waterway.
The cause behind the Apache’s crash remains unknown, with uncertainty over whether Iranian forces shot down the helicopter, if it suffered mechanical problems, or encountered different issues entirely.
Reuters reached out to the White House, U.S. Department of State, and U.S. Central Command for comment but received no immediate response.
When reporters asked Trump about what caused the helicopter to go down, he indicated officials would release a report later Tuesday.
“The pilots are fine,” Trump stated while speaking to media on the tarmac at John F. Kennedy International Airport before his return trip to Washington, D.C. “Nobody injured.”
This helicopter incident occurred one day after Iran and Israel announced they had stopped attacking each other following Trump’s appeal, although Tehran issued warnings that hostilities would restart if Israel kept striking Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The renewed fragile ceasefire develops as Washington attempts to negotiate an agreement with Tehran to conclude their conflict that has lasted over three months.
Trump also mentioned to reporters he might have “an idea” for an Iran deal in the coming days, though he provided no details. The Republican president, facing historically low approval numbers before November midterm elections, has frequently suggested an approaching deal with Tehran, but none has materialized.
The weekend brought the most direct confrontation between Iran and Israel since their April ceasefire.
Tehran launched missiles toward Israeli territory late Sunday, describing the attacks as payback for strikes against the Iranian-supported Hezbollah militia near Beirut.
Israel responded by targeting Iranian air defense systems and a petrochemical facility that officials claimed was being used for ballistic missile production. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reported it struck back at a comparable Israeli facility in Haifa.
Authorities from both sides reported no fatalities.
U.S. and Israeli officials confirmed Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a phone conversation Monday.
During an Axios interview, Trump revealed he cautioned Netanyahu that resuming war with Iran could leave the Israeli leader fighting without support. “I said, ‘Bibi, you better be careful, or you will be on your own very soon,’” Trump stated.
An Israeli military official indicated Israel was ready to maintain operations for “as long as it takes,” while Iranian officials expressed similarly defiant positions.
A military source cited by the semi-official Tasnim news agency stated Tehran was prepared for extended conflict and could restart attacks against U.S. interests throughout the region.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei described Tehran’s message exchanges with Washington as occurring in an atmosphere of “extreme suspicion.”
Tehran has maintained that any peace agreement with the U.S. partially depends on ending the fighting in Lebanon, which Israel entered in March while pursuing Hezbollah fighters who had launched cross-border attacks.
Israel has not stopped its Lebanon campaign, which has resulted in thousands of deaths, arguing the conflict should remain separate from any U.S.-Iranian ceasefire. Hezbollah has maintained its attacks as well.
Tehran continues blocking most shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which transported one-fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas before the war began. Washington has established its own blockade of Iranian ports.
Trump has stated any peace agreement must prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Iran’s conditions include removing international sanctions, releasing billions in frozen assets, and acknowledging its control over the strait.
The Philippines has launched formal diplomatic protests against China after discovering what officials call an unauthorized floating installation in contested South China Sea waters, according to the country’s maritime task force announcement on Tuesday.
Officials confirmed finding a 6-by-6 meter floating platform equipped with what looks like an antenna system at the disputed Scarborough Shoal, a key flashpoint between the two nations.
“The Philippine government will continue to take appropriate actions consistent with international law and in defense of the country’s national interests,” the task force declared in an official statement, emphasizing that safeguarding Manila’s sovereignty and jurisdiction “remains a paramount consideration.”
Military imagery revealed the installation was first detected at the shoal’s entrance before moving into the interior lagoon area, with evidence suggesting the platform was occupied by personnel, the task force reported.
While the task force didn’t specify when the photographs were captured, Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro mentioned during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on May 30 that he had obtained preliminary intelligence about the structure’s presence at the shoal.
Officials said they are continuously tracking the situation and evaluating the installation’s characteristics, objectives and possible consequences, maintaining that Scarborough “is part of the Philippines and within its maritime zones as recognised by international law.”
Reuters satellite imagery from June 5 verified the structure’s existence at the lagoon entrance, though subsequent images indicated it had been removed from that location.
The shoal serves as an important fishing area situated 200 km (124 miles) from the country’s western shoreline, while being 874 km distant from China’s closest territory, Hainan.
Chinese coastguard vessels and maritime militia have maintained a continuous presence in these waters since 2012.
While ownership of Scarborough, known to China as Huangyan Island, remains unresolved, a 2016 international arbitration panel ruled predominantly in the Philippines’ favor, determining that China’s blockade of the area breached international law and recognizing it as traditional fishing waters for multiple nations.
San Antonio’s head coach Mitch Johnson described his squad’s aggressive approach during Monday night’s crucial NBA Finals matchup at Madison Square Garden, where the Spurs defeated New York 115-111 to cut the series deficit to 2-1.
The matchup carried enormous significance for San Antonio, who had fallen in both opening contests on their home court and now faced a raucous New York crowd that had paid premium prices to witness the Knicks’ first NBA Finals home game in nearly three decades.
San Antonio answered the challenge decisively, led by towering star Victor Wembanyama, who stands 7-foot-4 and poured in 32 points to halt New York’s impressive 13-game postseason winning streak.
“We showed better poise at times. I thought we finished the game still with some things that need improvement, but stronger than we did the last (two) games,” Johnson told reporters. “We were in attack mode.”
Following a crucial mistake by Wembanyama that contributed to New York’s 105-104 victory in the previous contest, the French center drew some social media mockery after he stepped away from the intense media spotlight in Midtown to sketch statues at a nearby park with his drawing pad.
However, the creative outlet appeared to benefit the 22-year-old, who maintained his composure and helped rally his team despite New York’s explosive 42-point second quarter performance.
“(I) really tried to relax,” he told reporters. “It’s hard to put your head out of the water. Sometimes I don’t even got to watch the game back right away. I need some time off, let my brain cool down, recover. Recover as much for the body as for the mind.”
New York will host the fourth game of the series on Wednesday.
Indonesian lawmakers unanimously approved changes to the nation’s police law Tuesday, enabling active police officers to take positions within civilian government agencies without stepping down from their law enforcement roles.
The legislative changes follow similar revisions to military law passed one year earlier, which opened additional civilian positions to soldiers.
Since assuming the presidency in 2024, Prabowo Subianto has broadened the military’s involvement in civilian matters, utilizing armed forces to support his wide-reaching free meal programs and food independence initiatives, which have also included police participation.
The former special forces commander has placed high-ranking police and military personnel in key administrative roles throughout his government.
Parliamentary members approved the legislation during a full session without opposition.
The revised law permits active police officers to accept appointments to other government institutions or ministries beyond the National Police, including civilian roles, provided these positions align with police duties and responsibilities, according to the bill text reviewed by Reuters.
These roles encompass responsibilities tied to public safety and order, law enforcement, protection, community care and public services within ministries or government agencies.
Active officers may also accept positions outside their organization when requested by the president, ministries or government agencies, provided their specialized skills are required.
Sarifuddin Sudding, who serves on the parliamentary committee that reviewed the legislation, explained to Reuters that officers won’t need to resign because the administration requires their specialized knowledge.
“A more responsive and adaptable legal framework is urgent to ensure that National Police can perform their duties effectively,” law minister Supratman Andi Agtas stated during the parliamentary session.
The changes also increase the mandatory retirement age for police officers, including the national chief, by one year.
“The government seems to replicate what they have done with Military Law,” commented Haeril Halim from Amnesty International Indonesia, describing it as “a sign of authoritarianism where defence and security forces are used to back those in power.”
The new law conflicts with a Constitutional Court decision from last year requiring police officers to resign when accepting positions outside the force.
Muhammad Isnur from Indonesia’s Legal Aid Foundation argued that positioning active police officers in ministries and government agencies violates constitutional principles and will damage police professionalism while disrupting career advancement and merit-based systems for civil servants.
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Across Gaza and Lebanon, hundreds of thousands of residents have spent over two years anxiously watching for the next social media update from Avichay Adraee.
The colonel serves as Israel’s military spokesman for Arabic-speaking audiences and has become the energetic public face of the nation’s military campaigns, delivering advance notices before strikes and major operations. This role has transformed him into one of Israel’s most well-known figures throughout the Arab world, generating both intense anger and curious attention.
Through social media videos distributed to his 2.5 million followers on various platforms, the military officer appears in uniform, using animated gestures while delivering official announcements and taunting Israel’s adversaries, frequently incorporating humor or references to popular culture, all delivered in perfect Arabic.
During the conflicts that began after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, assault, his online platforms have broadcast alerts for residents to evacuate — sometimes with very little advance warning — regions marked in red on maps showing Gaza and Lebanon. Millions have followed these instructions, with hundreds of thousands taking shelter in overcrowded temporary camps.
The retiring colonel expresses satisfaction with his contributions. When asked about being linked with death and forced relocation by many people, he responded that he has assisted Arabs in gaining better insight into Israel’s military actions.
“Because of these evacuation orders, many millions were saved,” he told The Associated Press. “There’s no other army in the world that acts this way.”
Israel’s military campaign in Gaza resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths and forced most of the approximately 2 million residents to relocate, often repeatedly, before a tentative ceasefire began in October. The recent conflict with the Iran-supported Hezbollah in Lebanon has caused roughly 3,500 deaths and displaced more than 1.2 million people.
Both military operations have faced accusations of war crimes and crimes against humanity, charges that Israel has firmly rejected, frequently through representatives like Adraee.
These ominous alerts have also transformed him into somewhat of a public figure. In Lebanon, a delivery worker who resembles him creates comedic videos and surprises unsuspecting citizens, demonstrating the anxiety that Adraee creates.
“Avichay Adraee is the face of evil, to me and to the people of Gaza,” said Ayman Ahmad, a resident of Khan Younis in southern Gaza who has been displaced twice during the war. Few people in Gaza had heard of Adraee before the war, he said, but now everyone closely monitors his social media accounts.
“Once we see a new post from him, we know that a disaster is about to happen,” he said.
The 43-year-old Adraee was raised in Haifa, a northern Israeli city where Jewish and Arab populations coexist.
His paternal family belongs to the Jewish community that had resided in the region for generations prior to Israel’s founding in 1948. His maternal relatives relocated to Israel from Iraq, joining hundreds of thousands of Jews from ancient Middle Eastern communities who moved to Israel to escape violence and persecution.
The colonel recalls enjoying Egyptian television dramas on Israeli broadcasts during his childhood and describes his introduction to Arabic studies as “love at first sight.” He acquired some Arabic knowledge at home before formally studying the language in school and during his service in military intelligence.
“My ability to speak and absorb Arabic is connected to my roots,” he said. “My grandmother and father were very proud when they saw me on TV speaking in Arabic.”
In 2005, Adraee became the military’s inaugural Arabic-speaking spokesperson, conducting interviews with television networks, including frequent appearances on the increasingly powerful Al Jazeera.
He identifies 2011 as a pivotal moment with the emergence of social media, which played a significant role during that year’s Arab Spring movements.
“People know me, we’ve been through so many wars,” he said. “But the revolution of social networks in 2011 allowed us to lean on the persona of Avichay.”
The colonel aims for his videos to become widely shared, utilizing social media’s informal atmosphere to communicate his messages.
The military’s assertion about discovering Hamas infrastructure beneath a luxury hotel in Gaza received little attention, but Adraee noted that his humorous video featuring a Hamas leader writing a Trip Advisor review for the tunnels gained widespread circulation. He has sent birthday wishes to performers and holiday messages to Arab social media personalities, even engaging in public conversations with Lebanese reporters who work for Hezbollah-affiliated media.
“We want people to be exposed to the really important and serious messages, the information we’re trying to convince them of, but if you want them to remember you, you have to be more creative,” he said, adding that social media allowed him to “talk directly to the people, above the heads of the government.”
Fawaz Gerges, a professor of Middle East studies at the London School of Economics who was born in Lebanon, said Adraee’s posts are “dreaded and feared because they really carry life and death implications for hundreds of thousands of people.”
However, “you have some people basically who are fascinated by his personality because he’s now almost an official influencer for Israel,” he said, adding that Israel’s military has spokespeople in several languages, but only Adraee is famous enough to be known by his first name.
The professor explained this represents part of a broader pattern where official spokespersons attempt to make their communications go viral.
The Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida gained recognition for delivering passionate speeches, sometimes combined with footage of attacks or Israeli hostages, before his death in an Israeli airstrike. Hamas and Hezbollah have produced videos showcasing their attacks, enhanced with music and visual effects.
Iranian government supporters have created AI-generated music videos featuring Lego characters ridiculing U.S. President Donald Trump. The White House has produced its own videos celebrating strikes on Iran, incorporating video game images and movie scenes.
While adversarial yet professional relationships between military spokespersons and reporters are common, Adraee has faced accusations of defending the deaths of certain journalists.
The Committee to Protect Journalists reports a “repeated pattern” in which Adraee “publicly labels Palestinian and Lebanese journalists as militants or terrorists — often without presenting verifiable evidence — before or after they are killed in Israeli strikes.”
Following a March strike that killed three journalists in Lebanon, Adraee’s account shared a photograph of one victim, Ali Shoeib, wearing military clothing. The image was subsequently identified as computer-generated.
The colonel acknowledged it was an error not to mark the photo as “illustrative,” but maintained that Shoeib was a recognized Hezbollah operative who gathered intelligence on Israeli positions while serving as a reporter for a Hezbollah-connected outlet. Adraee provided no proof of combat involvement. Israel maintains it does not target journalists.
According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, at least 207 journalists have died in Gaza and 16 in Lebanon since 2023.
Following two decades in his position, Adraee is stepping down and will be succeeded by Lt. Col. Ella Waweya, the military’s highest-ranking Muslim woman.
Last month, the colonel received one of the most unusual communications of his extended career.
A teenager from a Beirut suburb contacted him through Instagram, claiming her school was concealing weapons. Since Israel routinely targets buildings allegedly used by militants, the message caused alarm, strong denials from school administrators, and a Lebanese military inspection that found nothing.
It was subsequently discovered that the girl was pranking a friend and probably wanted to skip classes.
Adraee viewed the entire incident as a success.
“The fact that the (Israeli military) spokesperson is someone you can write to on Instagram, that’s the whole story,” he said.
BENI, Congo (AP) — For Vianney Kambale Kombi, simply hearing the word Ebola brings back a flood of painful recollections.
The eastern Congo resident vividly recalls the terror and suffering that gripped his community in Beni during the devastating 2018-2020 Ebola epidemic, which became the second-largest outbreak in history with more than 3,400 confirmed cases and over 2,200 fatalities. That outbreak was eventually controlled through vaccination efforts.
Kombi also recalls widespread doubt about the disease’s existence, violent incidents targeting healthcare personnel, and patient resistance that he believes accelerated the virus’s transmission.
“We thought it was witchcraft,” said Kombi. “The community had not accepted that this disease existed and it had not accepted that we could recover from it.”
In Beni, a thriving trade center located near the Uganda and Rwanda borders, residents worry that repeating past errors from Congo’s previous epidemics and the absence of an authorized vaccine could complicate efforts to combat the current outbreak.
The ongoing epidemic, caused by the uncommon Bundibugyo virus strain of Ebola, has resulted in 515 confirmed infections, with 91 fatalities and 12 people who have recovered.
Kombi described becoming infected after contact with other carriers of the virus. He explained that information about the illness was scarce then, and while many attributed it to supernatural causes, others called it a “Western conspiracy for funding reasons.”
“The community had not accepted that we could recover from this disease, that’s why reintegrating into the community at first was a bit difficult,” he said.
“When a pandemic hits here in Congo, we initially think it’s a political issue,” said Bienfait Wanzire, who also survived after becoming infected during the 2018 outbreak.
“At first, we thought it was a spiritual illness,” he said. “Then because there were election campaigns, we believed it was political.”
Dr. Babah Mutuza Lusungu, a physician at “Dieu Est Grand” Medical Center in Beni, recalled losing his uncle and two colleagues while attempting to persuade people that the outbreak was genuine.
“There was very strong resistance,” said Lusungu. “And so there was a climate of mistrust that took place between the population, the authorities, the partners too, right, and the health workers.”
Young people were excluded from response activities at that time, he noted, encouraging local officials to collaborate more effectively with youth leadership to educate communities about the disease.
“If we wait until they have so many declared cases to start making an effective response, we will have totally missed the target,” he said.
Esperance Masinda, who was employed by the U.N. children’s agency in Beni during the 2018 outbreak, described the exceptional challenges of caring for children orphaned by Ebola.
She became ill while caring for her physician husband. Despite both recovering, the vaccine that helped save their lives created distance between them and their community.
“When we were in the community, we were told that you’re not going to make it even five years, you’re going to die with that medication that you took there,” Masinda said.
“And today, when they see us, these people no longer stigmatize us,” she said. “We are all humans, even though we have been victims of Ebola, all of us are humans.”
BARCELONA, Spain — Pope Leo XIV plans to connect a millennium of religious heritage this Wednesday through visits to two of Catalonia’s most significant spiritual sites: an ancient mountaintop monastery and Barcelona’s world-famous Sagrada Familia Basilica.
The sacred mountain of Montserrat, requiring a lengthy drive from Barcelona followed by a challenging climb, holds special meaning for Catalans in northeastern Spain. Each year, 2 million visitors journey to this complex featuring an 11th-century Benedictine abbey and a 16th-century basilica. The site’s renowned Black Madonna statue, originally white but darkened by centuries of candle smoke and incense before being deliberately painted black, draws widespread devotion.
However, for many Catholics worldwide — particularly non-Catholics — the centerpiece of the Chicago-born pontiff’s week-long Spanish visit will be his evening Mass at the Sagrada Familia, officially known as the Basilica of the Holy Family. This service honors the 100th anniversary of architect Antoni Gaudí’s death. The pope will deliver his remarks primarily in Spanish, with some portions in Catalan.
This dual visit demonstrates his careful approach to maintaining age-old religious customs in a nation experiencing declining faith while connecting with a worldwide audience from a basilica that attracts more sightseers than worshippers. Despite their differences, these two locations share a bond that even many residents don’t recognize.
The Sagrada Familia incorporates nature’s universal elements — trees, birds, reptiles, abundant fruit displays — alongside depictions of Christ’s earthly journey. Beyond its distinctive appearance, the structure fascinates visitors by allowing them to observe a magnificent church still under construction.
This building process started 144 years ago when the initial cornerstone was placed in 1882 during the papacy of Leo XIII, the current pope’s namesake.
Gaudí’s creation stands apart from Europe’s other great cathedrals precisely because of its claim to innovation, which explains its appeal to millions. Leo’s Mass provides a chance to connect him with this remarkable worship space.
“Its stones and stained glass speak of the possibility of conjuring up 2,000 years of Christian history from a modern and even postmodern view,” Ferran Sáez, professor of humanities at Barcelona’s University of Ramón Llull, told The Associated Press. “It is a building that expresses very complex ideas while coming across as comprehensible for anyone who is receptive, whether they are Christian or not.”
The Sagrada Familia has achieved international acclaim, appearing on nearly every serious traveler’s must-see list. International visitors comprise 90% of its guests, whose admission payments support ongoing construction, with more Americans touring the site than Spaniards, basilica records show.
Though visitor age demographics aren’t tracked, the basilica proves extremely popular with teenagers and young adults. This contrasts sharply with the aging congregations found in most Spanish churches as the Catholic Church works to connect with and stay meaningful to younger generations.
The basilica’s newest distinction — becoming the world’s tallest church with its recently completed Tower of Jesus Christ — has enhanced its status as a global landmark.
The Sagrada Familia serves as a worldwide platform, yet it sits in a nation where Christian faith is retreating. Spain experienced a religious transformation during its late 20th-century return to democratic governance. Slightly more than half of Spaniards surveyed by the state polling organization in 2024 identified as Catholics, but only about one in five described themselves as practicing believers.
Catalonia ranks among Spain’s most secular regions, Sáez noted.
Catalan Catholics practice their faith quietly, without the elaborate Easter Week ceremonies seen in Seville and other Spanish cities.
Their spiritual strength comes from sacred locations: the Sagrada Familia, the Poblet monastery, and the Romanesque churches scattered throughout the Pyrenees foothills. Most importantly, it comes from Montserrat, where pilgrims travel by bus, cable car, mountain railway, and demanding hiking paths.
“It is home to our most beloved representation of Mary, the Black Madonna,” Catalan theologian Francesc Torralba told AP. “Many Catalans pray to her and feel close to her in times of need. Montserrat is a key to our culture, as well as our efforts to maintain our language and our traditions.”
While Montserrat serves as the region’s spiritual center, local faith finds expression “culturally expressed in its artistic creations” like the Sagrada Familia, he explained.
This extraordinary and distinctive artistry draws countless visitors. Many Barcelona locals believe the Sagrada Familia’s popularity has contributed to overtourism’s most serious problems. Tour buses overwhelm the neighborhood with cruise ship day visitors, and nearby streets feature numerous fast food establishments and gift shops. Demonstrators who sprayed tourists with water guns last year intended to reach the Sagrada Familia before police intervention.
“Where there are two people (tourists and locals), there can be friction, and that happens in the best marriages,” the Sagrada Familia’s rector, the Rev. Josep Turull, told AP. “So we try, just like with a marriage, for these small crises to be growing pains, and that’s why we try to not just welcome pilgrims and tourists but also make sure that our parishioners feel that this is their basilica.”
Leo’s visit could generate additional tourism. Pope Benedict XVI’s 2010 consecration ceremony that established it as an active basilica increased annual visits from approximately 3 million to nearly 5 million in 2025, according to Xavier Martínez, the CEO of the Sagrada Familia’s construction project.
“I believe that on June 10 we will experience something similar to what we saw in 2010,” Martínez said. “At that time, the world discovered the interior of the Sagrada Familia. Now the world will discover the towers of the Sagrada Familia.”
Tour guide and historian Mònica Santín has witnessed the Sagrada Familia’s remarkable impact on believers and skeptics alike; some visitors even cry when entering the church. While she finds it personally rewarding to help tourists experience these transformative moments, she worries Leo’s Mass might push tourism beyond what the community can handle.
Santín has secured her place to see Leo personally, but not at the basilica. She will instead travel to the Montserrat monastery.
Santín’s grandmother completed the same pilgrimage, walking without shoes to a mountainside cave where legend claims shepherds found the Black Madonna statue and prayed for her husband’s safety during the Spanish Civil War. Today, Santín wears the ring her grandmother passed down to her.
“I don’t know how it doesn’t fall apart,” Santín said, carefully touching her ring, with its profile of the Virgin of Montserrat, the patron saint of Catalonia, barely visible after so many years.
She points out that Montserrat and the Sagrada Familia share a connection that few people know about.
The young Gaudí worked as an apprentice with an architect constructing the mountaintop chapel for the Virgin of Montserrat, according to Santín, who is writing her doctoral dissertation on the architect at Barcelona’s ISCREB theology school. This same architect initially received the commission to build the Sagrada Familia, but material expenses made his neo-Gothic design financially impossible, leading to Gaudí’s selection. In his revolutionary design, he incorporated mountain elements.
The basilica’s castle-like towers even mirror the pointed rock formations that every Catalan recognizes as rising from Montserrat.
“Montserrat is our holy mountain,” Santín said. “The Sagrada Familia is like a Montserrat in the middle of the city.”
MALMÖ, Sweden — Once recognized as a pioneer in educational technology adoption, Sweden will prohibit mobile phones in schools starting this fall as part of a growing worldwide movement away from classroom screens.
The Scandinavian nation’s center-right coalition government has implemented policies since 2023 that emphasize increased reading instruction and reduced screen exposure, especially for preschool children, by promoting books and conventional educational materials.
Joar Forsell, chairperson of the Swedish parliament’s education committee, explained that officials have observed declining literacy skills throughout Sweden, particularly among younger pupils.
“We’re rolling the screens back because we believe that books and more traditional ways of learning are better for kids,” Forsell said.
Sweden’s initiative reflects a wider international reassessment of smartphone use in educational settings, following years of schools investing heavily in laptops, tablets and educational applications. Educational environments have become overwhelmed with digital devices, prompting increasing numbers of parents, educators and school systems to advocate for reducing technology use.
Within the Nordic region, Denmark appears ready to enact similar restrictions to Sweden, while Finland implemented legislation limiting mobile device usage in schools last August. Additional nations spanning from Spain to South Korea have introduced various measures ranging from classroom phone prohibitions to restrictions on digital homework assignments.
The Los Angeles Unified School District, America’s second-largest school system, has announced plans to eliminate screens through second grade, establish daily screen time limits by grade level, prohibit YouTube access and mandate reviews of all educational technology agreements.
Technology-forward Sweden, headquarters to music streaming service Spotify and telecommunications corporation Ericsson, operates one of the world’s most digitally sophisticated educational systems. However, the mobile phone prohibition seeks to create learning spaces with reduced interruptions by expanding upon phone restrictions many schools throughout the nation of more than 10 million have already independently adopted.
Accompanying the prohibition, the government allocated 555 million Swedish krona ($59 million) this year through a new funding program for acquiring textbooks and teaching materials.
The return-to-print-materials strategy resulted from declining literacy performance. According to the 2022 Program for International Student Assessment, the most recent study conducted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, 24.3% of Swedish ninth graders failed to achieve basic reading comprehension levels. This percentage represents only a marginal improvement over the European Union average of 26.2%.
Magnus Haake, an associate professor of cognitive science at Lund University in southern Sweden, explained that education using physical materials activates the motor sensory areas of children’s brains and “boosts the whole system.”
Sweden is also implementing measures beyond educational settings: Its public health agency has offered guidance to parents about modeling better screen usage behaviors, such as establishing identical “screen-free zones” at home that their children experience.
At Malmö Borgarskola high school in southern Sweden, mobile devices are currently prohibited during instruction. Students deposit their phones in a container — called a “Mobile Hotel” — and retrieve them when class concludes.
“When you have a phone, there’s always something to look at,” student Melina Sallahi, 17, said. “It’s less of a distraction.”
Fellow student Vasilije Stjepanovic, also 17, noted that applications such as games or social media platforms are “more fun than learning,” explaining that students achieve better educational outcomes when phones are removed.
Simultaneously, each student receives a laptop computer. However, Deputy Headmaster Patrik Sander indicated that students are now discouraged from utilizing them during class periods, unless instructors specifically authorize their use.
“Nowadays, we see the push going in the other direction,” Sander said. “We have pushed back, learning that writing with your hands and a pencil helps you remember.”
Beginning last summer, Swedish children younger than 2 years old may only access non-digital materials such as books, while preschoolers generally face no mandate to utilize digital educational tools. A revised curriculum emphasizing book-centered learning is anticipated by 2028.
Not all citizens in the Nordic country endorse the transition away from digital education.
Trade association Swedish Edtech Industry stated in a report that 90% of future employment opportunities are projected to demand digital competencies. Insufficient knowledge in this area could result in skills gaps among young Swedes, reduced innovation within the public sector and potentially higher unemployment rates, according to the report’s warnings.
Peter Carlsson, CEO of Malmö-based startup Imvi Labs, which employs virtual reality headsets to develop brain-eye coordination in children and adults, argued that not all screens interfere with education and certain software is “critical” for assisting children with learning or reading challenges.
“By having good tools, the teaching can become more efficient,” he said.
However, at Malmö Borgarskola, concerns about acquiring digital competencies remain minimal. During one May morning, students held textbooks while discussing Russian history as they prepared for final examinations.
“Everyone uses digital devices during their free time, so I don’t think that’s something that should be taught in school,” student Melina Sallahi said. “It’s nothing I’m worried about.”
Classmate Aslan Özhan Kilicasan added, “We learn much more easily when we use books.”
GENERAL SANTOS, Philippines — Search and rescue teams combed through damaged structures across the southern Philippines Tuesday, working to confirm no survivors remained trapped following a powerful earthquake that claimed at least 37 lives and forced over 20,000 people from their homes.
Official records show only four individuals remain unaccounted for in the southern provinces where the 7.8 magnitude tremor hit Monday morning, though the Office of Civil Defense noted that numerous collapsed and severely damaged structures require complete examination for potential survivors or victims.
The seismic event, which originated near Mindanao, the nation’s second-largest island by population, left nearly 500 people wounded and drove more than 20,000 residents to seek refuge in emergency housing facilities.
Tsunami concerns prompted many residents to evacuate their homes. Ocean waves reaching up to 1.4 meters (4.6 feet) above normal tide levels were recorded in the Philippines, though tsunami-related damage was limited to six stilt houses in a shoreline community. Lesser waves reached the coasts of Indonesia and Palau, extending as far as southern Japan.
The seismic disaster created widespread devastation, particularly affecting General Santos, a bustling port city home to more than 700,000 residents and recognized as the nation’s tuna fishing hub, where falling structures and debris claimed at least 13 lives.
Sarangani province recorded at least 18 fatalities, primarily from a mountainside collapse that buried homes in the highland community of Glan, reported Rafaelito Alejandro from the Office of Civil Defense.
Additional casualties occurred in the southern provinces of South Cotabato and Davao Occidental, as well as on Balut Island, emergency response coordinators confirmed.
Preliminary government damage reports indicate approximately 2,000 residential structures and 117 public buildings and facilities sustained damage across multiple provinces. The main airport in General Santos suspended operations, leading to the cancellation of 63 domestic flights, with exceptions made only for relief missions.
Roughly 6,000 educational facilities in earthquake-affected areas require structural evaluation before students can return to classes. The tremor occurred on the opening day of the academic year following a two-month summer recess, and many injured victims were young pupils who had assembled enthusiastically for morning flag ceremonies.
Officials have cautioned that structures showing crack damage could fail due to continuing aftershocks, some registering at dangerous intensity levels.
“We cannot force the immediate reopening of schools because we have to ensure the integrity of the buildings,” Alejandro said.
Monday’s earthquake originated beneath the ocean at a depth of 33 kilometers (20 miles), positioned roughly 32 kilometers (20 miles) southwest of Maasim town in Sarangani province.
The tremor resulted from activity within the Cotabato Trench and marked the most powerful since the same underwater geological feature generated an 8.1-magnitude earthquake that created tsunami waves on Aug. 17, 1976, explained Teresito Bacolcol, director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.
That earlier disaster and resulting tsunami waves measuring 8 to 10 meters (26 to 33 feet) that overwhelmed numerous communities and provinces killed approximately 8,000 people, Bacolcol noted.
The Philippine seismological institute had planned to mark the anniversary of the 1976 earthquake and tsunami in August by placing commemorative markers to remind at-risk communities of the importance of maintaining constant preparedness, Bacolcol informed The Associated Press.
A 1990 earthquake of similar 7.8 magnitude resulted in over 1,000 deaths, injured thousands more, and caused widespread destruction across northern provinces and urban areas.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. dispatched senior defense and disaster management officials from Manila to coordinate search and rescue operations, oversee distribution of tens of thousands of food packages and building supplies to earthquake victims, and evaluate damage to transportation infrastructure.
The United States, maintaining a defense treaty with the Philippines, announced it was coordinating with Manila and stood prepared to assist Philippine response efforts. France, Japan and New Zealand also offered their support.
The Philippines experiences frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity due to its position along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a chain of seismic fault lines encircling the ocean.
The island nation also endures approximately 20 typhoons and tropical storms annually, ranking it among the world’s most disaster-vulnerable countries.
A federal court has overturned a Trump administration policy that imposed a $100,000 charge on new H-1B work visas, ruling against the measure on Monday.
The administration had implemented the substantial fee as part of its strategy to protect American workers from competition with foreign employees seeking work in the United States.
The ruling eliminates the costly barrier that would have made it significantly more expensive for employers to hire foreign workers through the H-1B visa program.
Victor Wembanyama responded to his crucial miss at the end of Game 2 by dominating Monday night’s Game 3 action, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a vital 115-111 win over the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals.
The towering center started strong at Madison Square Garden, connecting on his opening two attempts and finishing the night with 32 points. Wembanyama exploded out of the gate with nine points in the opening five minutes, beginning with an alley-oop slam followed by another dunk on the subsequent play. His impact extended across both sides of the floor, particularly during crucial late-game moments.
The young star helped San Antonio establish an early advantage, but proved even more valuable during a third-quarter comeback after the team squandered another significant lead.
Following his assist to Keldon Johnson for a basket that evened the score at 76 with 5:38 remaining in the third period, Wembanyama connected on a long-range three-pointer from 29 feet to give the Spurs the lead. He opened the fourth quarter with another score and later converted two free throws after drawing a foul to reach the team’s 99th and 100th points.
When the Knicks threatened another rally with four minutes left on the clock, Wembanyama came up with a crucial defensive play, rejecting what appeared to be an easy scoring opportunity for Landry Shamet.
The 7-foot-4 center completed his stat line with eight rebounds, six assists and three blocks in what amounted to a must-win scenario for his team. No squad has ever recovered from a 3-0 deficit in the finals to capture the championship.
His teammates expressed complete confidence in Wembanyama despite the 22-year-old missing a potential Game 2 winner that hit the rim. Johnson encouraged him to keep shooting and emphasized that the team wants the ball in Wembanyama’s possession during critical situations.
During the weekend, coach Mitch Johnson discussed the situation with Wembanyama, though it appeared to be similar to their regular exchanges throughout the season and postseason.
“I think he’s looking for what my job is, which is to help him, support him, give him clarity, give him solutions or possible solutions to continue to give him opportunities and give him advantages,” Johnson said before the game. “That’s our job, and my job specifically, to put these guys in position to be successful, and then they have got to go and help themselves and help their teammates when they get out there on the floor.”
Knicks counterpart Mike Brown recognized the difficulty of measuring success against Wembanyama due to the massive impact of the towering big man.
“It’s a pretty simple formula: You’re not blocking his shots, you’re not getting him off his spots — you’re not doing these things to him,” Brown said. “You hope you can make him work at the end of the day, and you hope he misses some shots.”
Wembanyama converted 11 of 18 field goal attempts while quieting a hostile crowd that directed inappropriate chants in his direction at one point. He’ll have another opportunity to help the Spurs tie the series when Game 4 tips off Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.
NEW YORK — A federal court will hear testimony Tuesday from a U.S. Customs and Border Protection official regarding the government’s plans to return billions of dollars in tariffs that businesses paid before the Supreme Court determined certain import taxes imposed by President Donald Trump were illegal.
Judge Richard Eaton of the Court of International Trade has requested specific information to help him determine whether to require the government to accelerate and broaden its tariff refund program. The Justice Department has challenged Eaton’s previous ruling that would make all companies that paid the invalidated import duties eligible for reimbursement with interest.
Justice Department attorneys contended in legal filings that only businesses involved in the more than 2,500 court cases that contested the tariffs should be legally allowed to request refunds.
The dispute has moved to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and Tuesday’s proceedings may offer additional insight into what comes next for the refund program.
In March, Eaton directed Customs and Border Protection to establish a process allowing “all importers of record” to seek their portion of the $166 billion the agency estimates it collected before the Supreme Court invalidated the global tariffs.
The online application system went live April 20, with the agency stating it would initially process requests from importers whose tax obligations remained unfinalized.
By June 1, refund requests worth $89.6 billion had been approved for review, according to CBP, and the agency announced last month that it had instructed the Treasury Department to distribute $20.6 billion in refunds.
The speed and reach of the program became controversial when Eaton ordered CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott to appear in court to explain the agency’s schedule for implementing the judge’s comprehensive directive. Justice Department representatives objected and requested that one of Scott’s subordinates attend instead.
After Eaton maintained his demand to hear directly from the agency’s leader, Justice Department attorneys challenged both that requirement and the judge’s broader decision on refund qualification. Last Thursday, the Federal Circuit temporarily halted the mandate for Scott’s testimony.
Eaton has agreed to receive testimony from Susan Thomas, the agency’s executive assistant commissioner for trade.
Tuesday’s hearing will likely examine CBP’s capacity and commitment to extending the refund program to companies with the oldest tariff payments.
Currently, the agency restricts applications to businesses that either had unfinalized tax bills when the Supreme Court eliminated Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs in late February, or whose bills were resolved within the previous 80 days.
In a court statement before the hearing, Thomas indicated CBP was creating procedures to address refunds for older shipments but would not handle cases beyond the 80-day period while Eaton’s order covering all duty payers remains under appeal.
“Should the court’s order become final and require reliquidation of entries of all importers, CBP intends to fully comply with the court’s final decision as expeditiously as possible,” she stated.
The matter involves the agency’s complex and time-sensitive procedure for examining and approving customs paperwork on new imports.
When international merchandise arrives in the U.S., importers or customs agents working for them calculate estimated tariff amounts and submit a deposit toward the final payment. CBP then has 314 days — extending to four years if needed — to examine the declared items, establish the actual amount due, and request additional payment or provide a refund based on the deposit.
The taxed goods are then declared “liquidated.” Importers have 180 days to challenge CBP’s decision. Items typically cannot be reevaluated after that deadline.
Eaton stated he is conducting Tuesday’s hearing “to ascertain if it is the government’s policy to return all of the unlawfully collected duties either by complying with the court’s order, or by some other means.”
Legal representatives for the five companies that initiated the lawsuit resulting in the judge’s order argued it would violate constitutional principles for them to pay different tariff amounts than other companies that also paid the invalidated duties, which the Supreme Court determined Trump improperly established by invoking emergency powers legislation to override Congress’s tax-setting authority.
The companies have requested Eaton to designate their case as a class action representing “potentially tens of thousands of identically situated importers.”
Meghann Supino, a partner at law firm Ice Miller, expressed her belief that CBP will continue developing the technology required to refund all tariffs, but “whether they open it up to non-litigants and importers that do not have orders for their own sake is going to continue to be an issue with the appeal.”
Chinese customs officials announced Tuesday that the nation’s overseas sales accelerated in May, climbing 19.4% compared to the same period last year, even as the Iran war continued to impact global trade.
The May performance exceeded forecasts and marked an acceleration from the 14.1% annual growth recorded in April.
International sales have maintained their strength throughout the conflict, bolstered by strong shipments of vehicles and technology products, including artificial intelligence-related items like semiconductors.
Meanwhile, purchases from abroad surged 27.4% in May, representing a faster pace than April’s 25.3% annual growth.
Commercial relations with the United States continued to weaken, extending a pattern that started after U.S. President Donald Trump returned to office and implemented extensive tariffs on China and other key trading nations last year.
Sales to the U.S. declined 2.7% during the January-May period compared to the same timeframe last year, while purchases from America fell 5.5%.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina Republicans are heading to primary elections Tuesday, looking to continue their decades-long dominance in statewide contests as they narrow down candidates for governor and U.S. Senate.
GOP candidates have emphasized their allegiance to President Donald Trump, who continues to enjoy strong support throughout the state even as his national standing has fluctuated during the ongoing Iran conflict. Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of the president’s closest congressional allies, secured Trump’s backing even before launching his reelection bid.
For the gubernatorial contest, Trump endorsed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette against multiple challengers, including U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace. Tuesday’s results will show whether the presidential endorsement gives Evette enough support to avoid a June 23 runoff election.
Democratic candidates face significant challenges in their quest to break a two-decade drought in statewide victories, with both their gubernatorial and Senate campaigns expected to be difficult battles.
The fight for Trump’s backing has dominated much of the Republican primary season more than any other campaign element.
Before receiving the president’s official support, Evette regularly showcased images and footage of her appearances with Trump in her promotional content. She earned backing from departing Gov. Henry McMaster, a longtime Trump supporter whose endorsement signaled the president’s likely choice.
Mace had also sought Trump’s endorsement, and he did support her 2024 congressional campaign despite her criticism of his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot by his supporters.
Rep. Ralph Norman, who ranks among the House’s most conservative lawmakers and belongs to the Freedom Caucus, was a strong Trump supporter during his presidency. However, in the 2024 race, Norman campaigned for former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley rather than Trump.
Rom Reddy, a coastal business owner who has rejected campaign contributions and financed his own campaign, has promoted his political outsider status as a strength, making parallels between himself and Trump.
The state’s other major Tuesday contest features the Senate race, where Graham is running for the Republican nomination in his bid for a fifth term. As a close political advisor and frequent golf companion to the president, Graham has successfully fended off primary opponents in previous cycles. Several of this year’s potential challengers — including Project 2025 chief architect Paul Dans and former Lt. Gov. André Bauer — withdrew from the race months earlier.
Despite ups and downs in their relationship over time, Graham has maintained his alliance with Trump, who granted the senator’s long-sought goal of direct military action against Iran. Graham praised Trump’s strikes on nuclear facilities last year and recently noted he frequently discusses the continuing conflict with the president.
Graham’s primary opponents include Greenville businessman Mark Lynch, who argues Graham lacks sufficient conservative credentials for the state. Lynch describes himself as an “America First” candidate and campaigns as a Trump supporter, though the president has labeled him a “lunatic” and a “disaster for the Republican Party” on social media.
Democrats have been shut out of both the governor’s mansion and Senate seats in South Carolina for multiple decades.
McMaster won his 2022 reelection by almost 18 percentage points. Graham secured victory by 10 points in 2020, defeating Jaime Harrison in what became the state’s most costly campaign ever.
Some Democratic candidates are hoping to benefit from any Trump-related voter dissatisfaction this election cycle. In the gubernatorial primary, State Rep. Jermaine Johnson, viewed as an emerging party leader, faces multiple rivals including political newcomer Billy Webster, who founded a payday lending business and provided $2 million to his own campaign. Also running is attorney Mullins McLeod, who resisted party officials’ requests to end his candidacy after dashcam footage from his 2025 disorderly conduct arrest became public.
For the Senate Democratic nomination, Charleston physician Annie Andrews — who lost to Mace in 2022 — is competing against Brandon Brown, who owns a funeral home and previously ran for the House.
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Nevada voters headed to the polls Tuesday to select party candidates for governor and two closely monitored congressional races, as the state faces challenges including housing affordability issues, surging power demands from data centers, and reductions in federal funding for essential programs.
Nevada operates under a closed primary system, restricting voting in party contests to registered Democrats and Republicans only, following the unsuccessful attempt to create open primaries in 2024.
Multiple primary contests feature battles between establishment-endorsed candidates and outsider challengers promising reform. The November gubernatorial election is viewed as among the nation’s most competitive, while Democrats consider maintaining control of the 3rd Congressional District essential for their efforts to regain control of the U.S. House.
Here are the key races to watch:
Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo faces significant vulnerability heading into the fall election season.
Democratic contenders seeking to oppose him include state Attorney General Aaron Ford, who has secured support from the Democratic congressional delegation and former Vice President Kamala Harris, alongside Alexis Hill, a northern Nevada county commissioner who positioned herself as a reform-minded alternative.
Both candidates centered their campaigns around cost-of-living concerns, addressing the state’s ongoing affordable housing crisis, among the nation’s highest fuel costs, and reductions to federal healthcare and nutrition assistance programs.
Ford primarily avoided engaging Hill directly, instead targeting his criticism toward Lombardo while contending that both the governor and Trump bear responsibility for Nevada residents’ financial struggles. Ford seeks to make history as Nevada’s first Black governor.
The Republican primary to succeed retiring longtime Rep. Mark Amodei has divided party leadership. President Donald Trump endorsed David Flippo, a presidential supporter without prior elected experience. Meanwhile, Amodei and Lombardo have thrown their support behind James Settelmeyer, a former state senator with extensive political experience.
The district encompasses northern Nevada, including Reno and Carson City, the state capital, plus vast rural territories.
Trump-endorsed candidates have achieved primary success nationwide, demonstrating his continued influence within the Republican Party as he approaches his presidency’s final years. He secured victory in this district during the 2024 presidential race.
The Republican nominee holds strong November prospects, with registered Republicans exceeding Democrats by 70,000 voters in the 2nd District. Republicans have maintained control of this seat since its establishment in the 1980s.
However, Democrats aim to appeal to the district’s substantial independent voter population this fall. Democratic candidates include Teresa Benitez-Thompson, former majority floor leader of the Nevada Assembly, and Greg Kidd, an investor who previously campaigned as an independent.
Nevada’s remaining three congressional members, all Democrats, face minimal primary opposition.
In the 3rd District, Republicans are competing to challenge Democratic Rep. Susie Lee in Nevada’s most competitive congressional race, characterized by slim Democratic registration margins, numerous independent voters, and historically close elections. Both Lee and Trump achieved narrow victories in 2024.
Republican candidates include Trump-endorsed Marty O’Donnell, a composer known for work on the “Halo” video game franchise who unsuccessfully sought this seat in 2024; Jeff Gunter, a dermatologist and former ambassador to Iceland; neurosurgeon Aury Nagy; and businessperson Tera Anderson.
These candidates focused their campaigns on border security, energy independence, and federal debt reduction.
Ford’s term limits and gubernatorial campaign have created competitive primaries for the state’s chief law enforcement position.
Democratic contenders include state Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro and Treasurer Zach Conine. Both pledged to challenge the Trump administration, following Ford’s approach of filing multiple federal lawsuits.
On the Republican side, Trump-endorsed attorney Adriana Guzmán Fralick faces Douglas County commissioner Danny Tarkanian. Tarkanian, son of legendary University of Nevada, Las Vegas basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian, has mounted unsuccessful congressional campaigns previously.
Both candidates emphasized “election integrity” themes, questioning voting system security. Nevada represents one of the swing states where Trump falsely alleged 2020 election fraud, despite officials finding no evidence of widespread irregularities.
Tarkanian pledged to investigate voter fraud claims, while Guzmán Fralick committed to pursuing the SAVE Nevada Act, modeled after Trump’s federal proposals.
Her proposed legislation would mandate Election Day vote counting completion, eliminate universal mail voting, and end automatic voter registration. Such measures would likely face insurmountable opposition in the Democratic-controlled Legislature.
Multiple Republicans are seeking the secretary of state position, which oversees elections, including several who falsely claimed Trump won the 2020 election. The primary winner will face Democratic Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar.
GOP candidates include Jim Marchant, a former state lawmaker and repeat candidate who claimed the 2020 election “was probably stolen”; Sharron Angle, a former state lawmaker who participated in efforts to block Nevada’s 2020 election certification; and Shirley Folkins-Roberts, an attorney endorsed by Lombardo who has rejected claims of widespread Nevada election fraud.
All candidates support voter ID implementation, which will appear on November ballots for the second time after passing decisively in 2024.
Angle promises voter ID enforcement if approved by voters and supports Trump’s executive order requiring documentary citizenship proof for voting. Courts have temporarily blocked that order, issued last year.
Marchant advocates eliminating electronic voting machines and ending universal mail balloting. He also supports mandatory paper ballots with hand counting, according to his campaign materials.
Folkins-Roberts pledged to maintain accurate voter registration records, implement voter ID requirements, and ensure timely election result delivery. She also seeks to eliminate automatic voter registration. In a News 4 Reno interview, Folkins-Roberts described Nevada’s elections as “good” but wants to enhance voter confidence through reforms.
MCKINNEY, Texas — Final arguments are scheduled to begin Tuesday in the murder trial of a Texas teen accused of killing a 17-year-old track runner during a high school athletic competition in what witnesses described as a rapidly intensifying dispute in the stadium seating area.
The defendant, Karmelo Anthony, who is now 19 years old, chose not to take the stand in his defense regarding the death of Austin Metcalf. The victim’s killing shocked residents of this growing Dallas-area community, where both young men were students at separate schools.
Anthony could receive a life sentence if found guilty.
During the week-long proceedings, defense lawyers worked to persuade the jury that Anthony acted in self-defense while under a canopy used by the track squad from Frisco Memorial High School, where Metcalf was a junior. Multiple schools were participating in the rain-soaked track competition, and testimony revealed that Metcalf and other students had repeatedly asked Anthony to leave the area, creating a situation that continued to intensify.
Those present in the tent during the trial described Anthony as the one who initiated the aggression. The police report states that Anthony warned Metcalf at one point: “Touch me and see what happens.”
Multiple students testified that Metcalf subsequently pushed Anthony, who then drew a blade and stabbed him in the chest.
The prosecution characterized the stabbing as an unwarranted assault rather than legitimate self-defense.
Trial testimony relied extensively on accounts from teenage witnesses who expressed their shock at the violence occurring at a community athletic event. Much of the questioning focused on team dynamics at track competitions and the altercation inside the tent.
One team member testified that Anthony appeared “distraught” following the stabbing. Judge John Roach Jr. ruled that the identities of minor witnesses should remain confidential.
“I was hearing him say, ‘I told him not to touch me,’” the teenager testified.
Vincent Hooper, a local track coach who confronted Anthony, inquired about what had occurred. Anthony responded that he had stabbed someone who had “put his hands on me,” Hooper testified the previous week.
The killing last year attracted significant public attention, partly due to social media activity that framed the incident in racial contexts. Anthony is Black; Metcalf was white.
Following the stabbing, Jeff Metcalf, Austin’s father, criticized those who focused on the teenagers’ races. Prosecutors similarly stated at the trial’s opening that race was irrelevant to the case.
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Marine veteran and oyster farmer Graham Platner has built a devoted base of supporters while weathering numerous scandals during his rise from political newcomer to frontrunner for the Democratic Senate nomination in Maine’s pivotal election.
The 41-year-old candidate competes in Tuesday’s primary for the opportunity to challenge veteran Republican Sen. Susan Collins in a race Democrats consider essential for gaining Senate control this November.
Platner’s nomination prospects improved significantly when Democratic Gov. Janet Mills withdrew from the race in late April due to fundraising challenges, although her name remains on the ballot since she ended her campaign after the deadline. His only remaining Democratic opponent is David Costello, a former Maryland government worker who has run a limited campaign.
Multiple scandals have shadowed Platner’s candidacy, including reports of inappropriate text messages sent to women during his marriage and accusations from former partners that he treated women poorly. These issues have left some Democrats worried about their chances of capturing this crucial seat.
Speaking at a campaign event before Tuesday’s primary, Platner declared his intention to “take this seat back for working Mainers” by defeating Collins.
“We can build a government by working people, for working people,” he stated during a Friday rally in Bar Harbor. “We need to build a world in which everyone in this country has the time to live up to their full potential.”
Maine voters will also select Republican and Democratic gubernatorial nominees Tuesday in competitive races to succeed Mills. In the 2nd Congressional District, Democrats will pick a candidate to face former Gov. Paul LePage, who runs unopposed in the Republican primary. With Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Golden retiring, Republicans see an opportunity to reclaim a district that President Donald Trump won decisively in 2024.
The elections will utilize ranked choice voting, allowing voters to rank candidates by preference. Without a 50% majority winner, the last-place candidate gets eliminated and second choices are counted. This process continues until someone achieves a majority, potentially delaying results for several days.
Platner, who previously served as planning board chair in Sullivan, has attracted hundreds to campaign events across Maine, packing venues with enthusiastic supporters. His campaign emphasizes combating high costs affecting middle-class families, with income inequality as a central focus.
Progressive leader Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent, provided early endorsement support that helped elevate Platner’s profile. Senate Democratic leader Sen. Chuck Schumer had backed the 78-year-old Mills.
Running as an anti-establishment outsider, Platner has promised to confront billionaires and Washington insiders, including Collins.
However, his background has drawn criticism from multiple political perspectives.
Past online statements by Platner surfaced last year appearing to support political violence, minimize military sexual assault, and criticize law enforcement and rural communities. Platner issued apologies for these remarks, explaining he was battling post-traumatic stress disorder and depression when he wrote them.
Questions also arose about a skull-and-crossbones tattoo linked to Nazi imagery. Platner explained he received the chest tattoo while drinking during military leave in Croatia. He maintains he only recently learned of its Nazi connections and has covered it with different artwork. While Platner claims ignorance of the symbol’s origins, a former girlfriend told the New York Times he was aware of its meaning.
Recently, he defended himself against reports of sexually explicit text exchanges with multiple women while married. Rather than directly addressing the messages’ existence, Platner criticized the aide who spoke to reporters and accused media outlets of spreading rumors.
Last week’s New York Times reporting detailed relationships with former girlfriends, some speaking positively while others described volatile and demeaning behavior. One woman alleged Platner physically restrained her arm during a dispute and confined her to a room. Platner’s campaign has rejected this claim.
A Platner-Collins matchup would contrast a progressive newcomer against one of the Senate’s most influential lawmakers and remaining moderate Republicans.
Collins, first elected in 1996, represents the sole remaining Republican senator from New England and is widely considered among her party’s most vulnerable incumbents this cycle, despite surviving previous electoral challenges.
Collins has emphasized her experience and leadership role as appropriations committee chair as reasons for reelection.
“It has been 92 years since a Maine senator was chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, the most powerful committee in the Senate,” Collins stated in May. “When I took over last year I realized I had a once in a century opportunity to help the state of Maine and pursue national priorities as well.”
For governor, Democrats choose among Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows; former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson; former Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives Hannah Pingree; energy executive Angus King III; and former director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention Nirav Shah.
Republicans face an even larger gubernatorial field, selecting from former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Bobby Charles; healthcare executive Jonathan Bush; former Maine Senate Majority Leader Garrett Mason; University of Maine System trustee Owen McCarthy; former Paris, Maine, selectman Robert Wessels; and business owners David Jones and Ben Midgley.
In the 2nd Congressional District Democratic primary, former Maine Secretary of State Matt Dunlap, state Sen. Joe Baldacci, former U.S. Senate candidate Jordan Wood and social worker Paige Loud compete for the nomination. The victor will face LePage, a Trump supporter.
Tuesday brings primary elections across four states – Maine, Nevada, South Carolina, and North Dakota – with Maine’s Democratic Senate race drawing national attention despite its predictable outcome.
Graham Platner, a veteran and oyster farmer, will easily secure the Democratic nomination to face Republican Senator Susan Collins in November. However, recent scandals have put his candidacy and Democratic Party standards under intense scrutiny.
Just last week, reports emerged that Platner had exchanged sexually explicit messages with several women during his marriage. Additional allegations about his conduct in past relationships followed, including claims he confined a woman to a room.
His main Democratic rival, Maine Governor Janet Mills, ended her campaign in April when Platner’s lead became insurmountable, though her name remains on the ballot as a potential protest vote option.
The controversy tests Democratic leadership’s commitment to candidate accountability. During the height of the #MeToo movement, party leaders forced Senator Al Franken to resign over inappropriate conduct allegations. The response to Platner has been notably different.
Key supporters continue backing him, with Senator Bernie Sanders reaffirming his endorsement Saturday and Representative Ro Khanna appearing at a recent campaign event.
“I think President Trump set a new standard,” Senator Mark Warner said on ABC’s “This Week” Sunday, explaining the shifted political landscape.
Platner’s Tuesday night speech will be closely watched as he attempts to redirect focus toward challenging Collins while addressing questions about his past.
Meanwhile, former President Trump’s influence faces testing in South Carolina and Nevada after his Iowa governor pick recently lost. In South Carolina’s Republican gubernatorial primary, Trump endorsed Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette against four other candidates including Representatives Nancy Mace and Ralph Norman, plus Attorney General Alan Wilson and businessman Rom Reddy.
Senator Lindsey Graham could face his first-ever runoff against appliance business owner Mark Lynch, whom Trump called a potential “DISASTER for the Republican Party.” Candidates need majority support to avoid a June 23 runoff.
In Nevada’s 2nd congressional district, Trump-backed retired Lieutenant Colonel David Flippo faces former state Senator James Settelmeyer, who has endorsements from retiring Representative Mark Amodei and Governor Joe Lombardo.
Nevada Democrats are selecting their gubernatorial nominee to challenge Lombardo, considered among the nation’s most vulnerable governors. State Attorney General Aaron Ford, backed by the Democratic congressional delegation and former Vice President Kamala Harris, would become Nevada’s first Black governor if elected. He faces county commissioner Alexis Hill, who positions herself as a change candidate.
Political family connections feature prominently in both Maine and South Carolina races. In Maine’s Democratic gubernatorial primary, Angus King III, son of Senator Angus King, competes against Hannah Pingree, daughter of Representative Chellie Pingree and former state House speaker.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Bush, a 57-year-old businessman and nephew of former President George H.W. Bush, emphasizes his outsider status and local business background despite his famous family ties.
South Carolina’s Wilson, running for governor, serves as state attorney general while being the son of Representative Joe Wilson, who has represented the state for 25 years.
Representative James Clyburn, South Carolina’s sole Democratic House member, appears safe in his primary after Republican lawmakers recently rejected redistricting efforts that would have threatened his majority-Black district. The influential Democrat is expected to play a major role in the 2028 presidential race.
NEW YORK (AP) — Scott Pelley thought he was heading into a routine discussion when CBS News President Tom Cibrowski requested a meeting last Tuesday. The veteran ’60 Minutes’ correspondent had scheduled roughly an hour, expecting to address tensions from his heated exchange the previous day with new supervisor Nick Bilton.
Pelley was surprised to find Bari Weiss, the news division’s editor in chief, present at the meeting. His first thought was positive, he revealed to The New York Times in an extensive podcast conversation. He anticipated being able to pose questions and receive explanations about her dramatic organizational changes from the week before, which included dismissing executive producer Tanya Simon and releasing two correspondents plus other essential staff members.
What never crossed his mind was that he would be terminated after what he describes as a roughly 10-minute meeting. “I just didn’t connect the dots,” he explained.
During an emotionally charged conversation with the Times’ Lulu Garcia-Navarro that aired Sunday, Pelley, who spent 37 years with CBS, presented his perspective on the events. He became visibly emotional multiple times throughout the discussion. He characterized the entire situation as feeling “like your spouse was murdered.”
Here are key points from the interview.
THE CONTEXT: The dramatic personnel changes were announced five days prior to his dismissal, on the preceding Thursday. Weiss replaced Simon with Bilton, a former technology writer at the Times and documentary filmmaker who lacked television broadcast background. While Weiss, who had rapidly become a controversial figure in the field, was anticipated to implement changes, Pelley states that what he terms “Black Thursday” was completely unexpected.
THE STATEMENT: “No one saw the Black Thursday massacre coming. This is our entire senior staff. Tanya Simon, our boss, she’s the first woman ever to be executive producer of ’60 Minutes.’ And she concluded this season with a growth in our audience of nine percent, which is unheard-of in broadcast television.”
THE CONTEXT: The correspondent became emotional repeatedly while discussing the tight bonds among show staff members.
THE STATEMENT: “That’s a family at ’60 Minutes’. My colleagues and I have worked together 10, 20, 30 years. We travel together. We dine together. We go into literal combat together. My former boss and former producer Bill Owens saved my life in a firefight in Iraq. So, Lulu, these bonds are pretty tight, and when somebody wipes out, murders, a large number of your family members, people are hurt, and shocked, in disbelief and just desperate for some explanation. And as you and I sit here today, there still has been none.”
THE CONTEXT: Bilton had sent an introductory message to staff members. Pelley found it offensive.
THE STATEMENT: “It was so insulting … He told us that it wasn’t 1968 anymore, and he helpfully noted that gasoline doesn’t cost 32 cents anymore, and suggested that we had all been frozen in amber in 1968 when the program first went on the air, and that nothing had improved.”
THE CONTEXT: Pelley described a room filled with individuals “who have devoted their lives to ’60 Minutes’” who had received no clarification about the situation. He says they expected Weiss to provide answers. She was absent. Instead, Bilton retrieved his phone and began reading from it.
THE STATEMENT: “Nick makes his way to the front of the room and does something absolutely jaw-dropping to me. He pulls out his phone and begins reading a statement off his phone in a room full of 50 heartbroken people. The callousness, the tone-deafness of that, you could hear the groan in the room. They put out a big spread of bagels like we were all going to feel better. … I felt that somebody had to stand up, not just for the broadcast, but for the people. There are people in that room who go to war zones when they are pregnant.”
THE CONTEXT: The confrontation at the meeting is now public knowledge, with Pelley questioning Bilton’s credentials and accusing Weiss of “murdering” the program, among other remarks. Nevertheless, he didn’t believe his position was in jeopardy.
THE STATEMENT: “Oh gosh, furthest thing from my mind. …Some reporter I turned out to be. I just didn’t connect the dots. I mean, was this meeting (on Monday) contentious? Yes, but ’60 Minutes’ is known for two things: a ticking stopwatch and hard questions.”
THE CONTEXT: Regarding the story about Renee Good and Alex Pretti’s deaths during encounters with federal immigration officials in Minneapolis this year, Pelley claims he and his team independently worked to include instances of protester aggression. However, Weiss requested additional content he says he couldn’t provide. Pelley ultimately refused the modifications and the segment aired as planned.
When asked about the allegation, CBS News stated: “In an email, Bari made four points in the course of editorial back-and-forth. They had no political motivation and were proposed solely to make the piece as strong, fair, and accurate as possible. As is frequently the case in any newsroom that operates with collaboration, not everything she raised made it into the final piece.”
THE STATEMENT: “We get the piece approved by everyone. And about four hours after our deadline, Bari Weiss sends an email to my boss, Tanya Simon. Two of the things in the email include, ‘Can we make the protesters look more violent?’ Now, I’m paraphrasing. I don’t have the quote, but that’s what was communicated to me. And the other thing, Renee Good’s car. You need to describe her as driving toward the officer … This is not what you see on the video.. But that’s how that happened. There was a thumb on the scale for the president’s version of events that I felt was a level of political influence that I had never seen in 37 years at CBS News.”
THE CONTEXT: Pelley reveals he hasn’t communicated with Lesley Stahl, Jon Wertheim and Bill Whitaker, who have announced their decision to remain based on promises of editorial independence. He expresses doubt about the reliability of such guarantees. He also implies that Anderson Cooper, who cited family obligations for not renewing his contract, actually departed due to the new management.
THE STATEMENT: “I haven’t talked to them. …. we have had conversations before this about staying to maintain the principles of the broadcast. If we leave, we can’t help. There have been other times — when Anderson left, when others were fired — that we could have stormed into a meeting and quit, but those very distinguished correspondents and myself did have conversations about this and decided that we were better working on the inside, and that we could influence things for the better. And we did. And it was my intention to stay and do exactly that. … (Now) I would venture to say that trust is broken.”
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The former reality television star penned an autobiography titled “The Guy You Loved to Hate.” He’s tried his hand at music, putting out a track named “I’m a Celebrity.” He launched a business marketing crystals with supposed therapeutic benefits.
However, Spencer Pratt couldn’t make his most recent project work — an unlikely campaign to become Los Angeles’ next mayor. The Associated Press confirmed Monday that the former television personality failed to secure a spot in November’s runoff election against current mayor Karen Bass.
Rather than facing Pratt, a Republican who earned backing from President Donald Trump, Bass will compete against progressive Nithya Raman, a city council member who mounted a challenge to the Democratic mayor from her political left.
Pratt’s run for office was powered by his celebrity status — he appeared on “The Hills,” a reality series about young adults in Los Angeles — and supporter-created videos using artificial intelligence technology. However, his campaign also captured voter anger that elected officials have failed to tackle persistent city problems. Pratt consistently highlighted issues of homelessness, criminal activity and urban deterioration that have tarnished a city famous for its dining culture, scenic beauty and worldwide entertainment business.
“Enough is enough,” Pratt frequently declared during his campaign appearances.
Election workers needed several days to count ballots from the June 2 primary election, which is standard practice in a state where lengthy vote tallying has become a source of voter irritation and unfounded conspiracy claims. Last Friday, Pratt shared images of himself at city hall accompanied by just one word — “Patience.”
No Republican candidate has captured a mayoral victory in Los Angeles since 1997, leaving Pratt with significant obstacles as a political newcomer. His desire to enter politics was sparked by personal tragedy that brought real-world consequences to his celebrity background. His residence was among thousands lost in last year’s Palisades Fire, which became the city’s most devastating blaze on record.
“This is where I live,” Pratt declared in a campaign advertisement while positioned before a trailer on his destroyed property’s remains. “They let my home burn down. I know what the consequences of failed leadership are.”
Despite this claim, Pratt wasn’t actually residing in the trailer — TMZ subsequently revealed he was staying with his spouse and two young sons at the upscale Hotel Bel-Air. His anger reflected widespread disappointment with Bass, a Democrat who was traveling with a presidential delegation to Ghana when the fire started and has received criticism for sluggish reconstruction efforts.
Dennis Kamrany, a longtime Pacific Palisades resident who works in real estate and continues waiting for his home’s gas service to be restored more than a year after fire damage, said Pratt’s lack of political background wasn’t important.
“I’d rather have someone that’s a fighter, that has energy, that’s young, that is talking about common sense policies,” he stated.
“What the hell do we have to lose?” he continued. “We’re already in the dumps. Give somebody else a shot.”
Steve Hilton, a conservative media personality who emerged as the top Republican gubernatorial candidate, viewed Pratt’s mayoral bid alongside his own campaign as evidence that California voters desperately want relief from the state’s dominant liberal leadership.
“We’ve got a failed and broken system and you’ve got a couple of outsiders who’ve never run for office before,” Hilton said regarding himself and Pratt. “This is our moment.”
Democratic voters outnumber registered Republicans in California by almost 2-to-1 across the state, while Republicans represent fewer than 15% of registered voters in Los Angeles.
Given those numbers working against Pratt, insufficient Los Angeles voters believed he deserved an opportunity to manage a $15 billion budget and 50,000 city employees, including approximately 8,600 police officers, in America’s second-largest city.
Billionaire entrepreneur Rick Caruso encountered similar obstacles in 2022 during his mayoral campaign against Bass. The former Republican turned Democrat invested more than $100 million, mostly personal funds, on a public safety-focused campaign and lost by almost 10 percentage points.
Deanna Crane, 33, said she preferred “anyone with a pulse other than Spencer Pratt” for mayor.
While she shared Pratt’s criticism of how Bass managed last year’s fires, she cast her ballot for Raman instead.
Pratt emerged from the early 2000s youth-oriented reality television explosion in Los Angeles, where he established himself for nearly two decades. His career breakthrough occurred when he joined “The Hills” second season as Heidi Montag’s romantic partner. The pair — particularly Pratt — fully adopted their television roles as attention-seeking villains, even co-authoring “How to Be Famous: Our Guide to Looking the Part, Playing the Press, and Becoming a Tabloid Fixture” in 2009, their wedding year.
Seemingly nothing was off-limits for Pratt when it came to generating headlines or pursuing publicity.
He took credit for circulating gossip about a private video involving “The Hills” cast member Lauren Conrad, though he later retracted this claim. Eighteen months after wedding Montag, they pursued divorce proceedings; months afterward, he revealed it was staged to promote Montag’s struggling music career. During their staged separation, he was also detained in Costa Rica for trying to board an aircraft while carrying a weapon.
In 2018, he discussed squandering a $10 million fortune on extravagant spending, including $4,000 wine bottles and $1 million in crystals. He also established Pratt Daddy, a crystal-selling enterprise. The company’s website claims the crystals helped address Montag’s post-operative discomfort “that even morphine could not relieve.”
Following their home’s destruction in the Palisades Fire, the family received criticism for accepting fan donations. Pratt maintained they weren’t wealthy even before losing everything. He also turned to TikTok content for income, attempted launching a reality series about their reconstruction journey, and began urging supporters to stream Montag’s music, including her 15-year-old release “Superficial.”
The album reached No. 1 on iTunes, supported by celebrities like Paris Hilton, Alix Earle and Flavor Flav. He marked the achievement with an Instagram video.
“Who needs a house, who needs clothes, who needs anything but this level of clout, pop, superstardom?” Pratt exclaimed.
The next mayor will probably gain international recognition when Los Angeles presents the Olympics in 2028.
However, declining regional population numbers reflect resident dissatisfaction with taxation, traffic congestion and widespread high costs.
While data indicates the city has achieved progress on homelessness, temporary camps and lines of deteriorating recreational vehicles remain widespread. Dirty, damaged streets and walkways are common.
Additionally, Hollywood production work has been relocating for years to less expensive filming destinations. The restaurant sector has been struggling.
Los Angeles’ challenges convinced some voters to consider Pratt as an option.
Susie Tho, 38, arrived to wait outside Pratt’s primary election night event hoping for a handshake opportunity.
Tho identified as a Democrat but supported Pratt. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she said she voted for change after watching the city “gone downhill.”
When Pratt initially declared his candidacy, she felt uncertain, but she said his debate showing, which she described as focused and well-prepared, convinced her.
“I just wanted a clean and safe street for my child to grow up in,” Tho explained. “I miss the LA that I grew up in.”
NEW YORK — Victor Wembanyama delivered a stellar performance with 32 points, eight rebounds, six assists and three blocks Monday evening, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a crucial 115-111 victory over the New York Knicks in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
The win reduces New York’s advantage in the best-of-seven championship series to 2-1. The teams will meet again Wednesday evening in New York for Game 4.
Monday’s loss ended the Knicks’ remarkable 13-game winning streak, which stands as the second-longest postseason run in league history. The 2017 Golden State Warriors hold the record with 15 consecutive playoff victories during their championship campaign.
New York’s last defeat came on April 23 in a 109-108 loss to the Atlanta Hawks during Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round matchup.
Stephon Castle provided valuable support for San Antonio with 23 points, including 18 in the opening half and five crucial points during the final quarter.
Dylan Harper added 13 points coming off the bench for the Spurs, while starting players Julian Champagnie (12 points), De’Aaron Fox (12 points) and Devin Vassell (11 points) each reached double digits. Fox also dished out eight assists.
For New York, Jalen Brunson led the scoring with 32 points on 11-of-25 shooting. OG Anunoby contributed 28 points while connecting on 9 of 13 field goal attempts, and Josh Hart added 16 points. Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 11 points, while bench player Jordan Clarkson chipped in 10 points.
Hart led New York with nine rebounds as the Knicks outrebounded San Antonio 46-37.
Both teams struggled offensively in the final quarter, combining to shoot just 27.1% (13-for-48). San Antonio maintained a multi-possession advantage for over 10 minutes, but consecutive three-pointers from Brunson and Anunoby in the final 34 seconds brought New York within 113-111 with 9.4 seconds remaining.
The Knicks had missed all 10 of their three-point attempts in the fourth quarter before those two successful shots.
After a timeout, Castle converted two free throws with 6.8 seconds on the clock. Mikal Bridges and Anunoby both missed three-point attempts as time expired.
San Antonio secured the victory despite making only 1 of 9 three-point shots in the fourth quarter. Castle’s three-pointer with 1:53 remaining was the Spurs’ lone successful shot from beyond the arc in the period, extending their lead to seven points.
Wembanyama opened the game with two dunks for the first four points as San Antonio jumped to a 7-0 start. The Spurs built their lead to as many as 12 points before closing the first quarter ahead 33-22.
Castle’s two free throws extended San Antonio’s lead to 38-27 early in the second quarter, but New York responded with a dominant 37-19 run to close the half. Brunson scored 10 points during that stretch, including a three-pointer as part of an 8-0 run in the final 1:15 that gave the Knicks a 64-57 halftime advantage.
Champagnie opened the third quarter with six straight points to ignite a strong period for San Antonio, as the Spurs outscored New York 35-27 to take a 92-91 lead entering the fourth quarter.
An Army Apache helicopter gunship crashed Monday in waters near the Strait of Hormuz, though both crew members aboard were successfully rescued, according to a New York Times report citing two sources familiar with the incident.
Officials remain uncertain about what caused the crash, with possibilities including Iranian gunfire, equipment malfunction, or other unknown factors, the report stated.
Reuters was unable to independently confirm the details of the incident.
An Australian advertising company has found itself at the center of an intense acquisition battle after announcing Tuesday that it received preliminary buyout proposals from Bain Capital and additional financial backers, creating a competitive three-way contest with I Squared Capital and Pacific Equity Partners.
The takeover interest sent oOh!media stock soaring 9.2% to A$1.37 on Tuesday, reaching its peak value since May 29 and recording the most significant single-day gain since the end of April.
According to the advertising firm, Bain Capital’s proposal mirrors the terms offered by I Squared Capital’s A$765.9 million ($540.57 million) acquisition bid valued at A$1.45 per share, though specific details of Bain’s offer were not revealed.
When contacted by Reuters regarding the transaction amount, Bain Capital did not provide an immediate response.
Pacific Equity Partners initiated the acquisition contest earlier this year with a A$1.40 per share proposal, representing a 64.7% premium when announced.
Since Pacific Equity’s initial April offer, oOh!media shares have surged almost 60%.
The Australian Financial Review initially broke the story about Bain Capital’s interest in acquiring oOh!media on Monday.
Vietnamese authorities have instructed their nation’s leading air carriers to expedite the execution of massive aircraft procurement contracts with American manufacturers, as the Southeast Asian country works to bolster its position amid escalating trade disputes with Washington.
The order, released by the Ministry of Construction on June 5 and examined by Reuters on Tuesday, came at the request of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, which is spearheading Vietnam’s campaign to show Washington that trade agreements between the two nations are being fulfilled.
This action comes as three distinct Trump administration investigations examine Vietnam for allegedly manipulating trade through overcapacity, intellectual property theft, and utilizing products manufactured with forced labor.
According to the government document, officials instructed the national carrier Vietnam Airlines, low-cost operator Vietjet Air, and recently established Sun Phu Quoc Airways to report on advancement in executing and fulfilling contracts with American business partners, while proposing methods to increase purchases of U.S. advanced technology materials and machinery.
Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Air collectively agreed to acquire 250 Boeing 737 MAX planes. Sun Phu Quoc Airways, the airline division of the Sun Group conglomerate, independently arranged to purchase 40 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner wide-body aircraft, the directive indicated.
Vietjet also maintains an agreement with Pratt & Whitney, a division of RTX Group, for powerplants for its Airbus fleet, the document stated.
Vietnam’s shipments to the United States have increased dramatically. The U.S. trade imbalance with Vietnam hit $54.8 billion during the year’s first quarter, ranking second behind only Taiwan and exceeding the gaps with leading exporters China and Mexico, according to U.S. statistics.
The Trump administration has consistently stated its goal of cutting trade imbalances.
Taiwan’s armed forces conducted a major coastal defense exercise on Tuesday, practicing tactics to repel a simulated Chinese amphibious invasion along the island’s western shoreline.
The military exercise took place at eight different locations spanning a 12-mile coastal area near Taichung in central Taiwan, with forces deploying rockets and artillery to create what officials termed a “kill zone” against potential amphibious attackers.
Beijing considers the democratically-ruled island part of its territory and has not ruled out military action to gain control of Taiwan. Chinese military aircraft and naval vessels conduct operations near the island on an almost daily basis.
Military strategists consider Taiwan’s western beaches and tidal flats, which directly face mainland China across the Taiwan Strait, as the most probable sites for any attempted Chinese military landing.
Taiwan’s defense forces are undergoing modernization efforts, incorporating new mobile weaponry while making their exercises less predictable and more closely aligned with actual combat conditions.
Artillery commander Ong Yih-ming explained to media that the training approach has evolved significantly.
“What is different about this training compared with the past is that we are no longer conducting heavy artillery firing in a fixed, routine formation as before,” he said.
“The timing for entering positions this time was based on realistic combat conditions. So I believe this training posed a considerable level of difficulty for our troops.”
The exercise utilized Taiwan-made Thunderbolt-2000 rocket systems mounted on trucks, American-manufactured Paladin howitzers, anti-tank missiles, artillery pieces, and mortars to establish defensive positions.
Military officials noted this marked the first operational live-fire exercise for the Thunderbolt-2000 system in seven years. The weapon was designed for long-distance suppression capabilities and rapid deployment.
Rocket commander Liao Neng-cheng highlighted another key change in training protocols.
“What was different this time compared with the past is that previously, we would usually enter the position one week in advance and complete firing preparations,” said Liao.
“This time, however, we arrived at the position only one day before and carried out the relevant position preparations. So our preparation time was relatively tight.”
Taiwan’s leadership disputes Beijing’s territorial claims over the island, maintaining that only Taiwan’s citizens have the authority to determine their political future.
Multiple media outlets reported Monday that the Edmonton Oilers are close to finalizing an agreement with Mike Babcock to serve as their new head coach.
The 63-year-old Babcock has been away from the NHL since 2023, when he stepped down just 11 weeks after Columbus Blue Jackets named him head coach. His departure came following an NHL Players’ Association investigation into allegations of inappropriate conduct, specifically claims that he requested players to display personal cellphone images to him. Babcock never coached a single game for Columbus.
According to reports, Edmonton is consulting with the NHLPA to determine whether bringing Babcock aboard would be appropriate.
Prior to his short-lived tenure in Columbus, Babcock compiled a 700-418-19-164 coaching record across three franchises: the then-Mighty Ducks of Anaheim from 2002-03 through 2003-04, the Detroit Red Wings from 2005-06 through 2014-15, and the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2015-16 through 2019-20.
His coaching achievements include guiding Detroit to the Stanley Cup title in 2008 and leading Team Canada to Olympic gold medals in both 2010 and 2014.
Edmonton dismissed coach Kris Knoblauch on May 14 following their first-round playoff elimination by the Anaheim Ducks. The Oilers had reached the Stanley Cup final in the previous two seasons, falling to the Florida Panthers both times.
Reports indicate the Oilers recently sought to interview former Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy about the position, but the Golden Knights prevented those discussions from taking place.
Authorities in a Japanese city continued their search Tuesday for a large black bear that has prompted officials to keep all 94 elementary and middle schools closed for the second day in a row.
The fully-grown bear, weighing approximately 100 kilograms (220 pounds), was most recently observed early Tuesday morning roughly 700 meters (765 yards) away from a university campus, city officials reported. Authorities believe this is the same animal first spotted Saturday evening, marking the initial bear sighting ever documented in the city located about 100 kilometers (60 miles) north of Tokyo.
Japan has experienced a rise in bear encounters, including incidents within urban environments, leading the government to establish a task force this year focused on reducing casualties. During the 2025 fiscal year, the nation documented a record-breaking 238 victims, with 13 fatalities, the environment ministry reported.
While Asiatic black bears hold vulnerable species status worldwide, their population in Japan has reportedly grown threefold since 2012, aided by decreased hunting activities.
A city official from Utsunomiya explained that search teams comprising municipal and prefectural personnel, fire department members, and hunters’ association representatives are actively tracking the animal. The official noted that once located, teams will determine whether to use tranquilizers, lethal force, or capture methods for relocation based on the bear’s location.
Researchers attribute the increase in bear encounters to climate change, which has diminished natural food sources such as acorns and beechnuts. Additionally, rural population decline and the growth of abandoned agricultural land have encouraged bears to venture closer to populated areas in search of sustenance.
China’s overseas sales accelerated significantly last month, driven by international companies rushing to secure shipments before potential supply chain disruptions and sustained demand for technology products.
May exports jumped 19.4% compared to the same period last year when measured in U.S. dollar terms, according to customs officials who released the data Tuesday. This growth exceeded both April’s 14.1% increase and economist predictions of 15%.
Incoming shipments also demonstrated robust performance, rising 27.4% compared to the previous month’s 25.3% gain. Analysts had anticipated 25% growth.
While the Middle East conflict hasn’t yet impacted China’s overseas sales – a key driver policymakers rely on for economic growth – experts warn this protection is short-lived as stockpiling reaches its limit, expenses increase, and purchasers start depleting their reserves while awaiting a ceasefire.
Manufacturing activity reports for May revealed a sharp decline in new overseas orders from April’s two-year high, when facility managers described “booming” conditions during a rush by international manufacturers to secure supplies, indicating the advance purchasing trend may be weakening.
Robust overseas sales helped China’s $20 trillion economy exceed predictions during the first quarter, though growth has since decelerated, highlighting worries that weak domestic spending leaves the nation vulnerable to declining global conditions and raises the probability of additional policy measures.
International pressure is mounting on the government to boost domestic consumer spending, as critics caution that heavy dependence on imported materials and re-exported goods is warping trade patterns and pushing other developing nations out of higher-value production.
Last week, a report from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development highlighted this concern, stating that almost 60% of Chinese companies’ “market share gains can be explained by subsidies received.”
Research from the U.S. Federal Reserve revealed that China’s trade surplus – when compared to global GDP – has exceeded 1%, surpassing the peaks reached by Japan and Germany in the late 20th century, with little indication of shrinking. This points to ongoing Chinese industrial excess capacity that will transform global manufacturing for years ahead.
A closely monitored meeting last month between the U.S. President and China’s leader helped reduce tensions but yielded no significant progress on tariff disagreements or collaboration to resolve the Iran conflict.
China’s trade surplus reached $105.43 billion in May, increasing from the previous month’s $84.8 billion and surpassing the predicted $92.1 billion.
LAS VEGAS — The Milwaukee Brewers have activated right-handed pitcher Joel Kuhnel following his acquisition from the Athletics for cash on Saturday, bringing him onto the roster prior to Monday’s matchup against the A’s as the team works to strengthen their injury-depleted bullpen.
To make room for Kuhnel, Milwaukee sent right-hander Craig Yoho down to Triple-A Nashville.
This season with the A’s, Kuhnel posted a 1-2 record along with a 4.21 ERA while recording four saves across 25 outings. During his final seven games, he surrendered seven runs on 12 hits over eight innings of work. His most recent appearance came Thursday when he gave up four runs in the ninth inning, taking the loss in a 7-6 setback to the Cubs.
Milwaukee has been hit hard by bullpen injuries recently, placing three left-handed relievers on the 15-day injured list within the past week: Rob Zastryzny (left trapezius strain), DL Hall (left pectoral strain) and Brian Fitzpatrick (left UCL strain).
Manager Pat Murphy indicated that Kuhnel will likely be deployed in various situations as needed.
“Obviously with pitching injuries, we need some depth,” Murphy stated prior to Monday’s contest. “So, how he’ll fit in, he’s probably not going to crack that leverage at the end, seven, eight, nine to start with. But depending on the game situation, depending on the health of those guys and how much they’ve pitched, we certainly wouldn’t shy away from using him in big situations.”
Yoho had been promoted on Friday and appeared in two of three games during Milwaukee’s weekend sweep at Colorado, surrendering one run on a home run across three innings of work.
Milwaukee also revealed Monday that veteran right-hander Jake Woodford, who was designated for assignment Friday, turned down an outright assignment to Triple-A Nashville and chose to become a free agent instead. Woodford, who came over from Tampa Bay one week before the regular season began, compiled a 1-0 record with a 6.94 ERA over 16 appearances for Milwaukee.
SEOUL, June 9 – South Korea’s government ministers gave final approval Tuesday to a presidential order that advances a massive $350 billion investment commitment in American industries, fulfilling terms of a bilateral trade agreement reached last year.
The approved order establishes specific guidelines for the investment package, particularly defining what constitutes “commercial reasonableness” – a key standard that will guide $200 billion worth of direct investments in strategic American sectors.
Additionally, South Korea committed to providing $150 billion toward shipbuilding partnerships in exchange for better tariff treatment from the United States.
Under Seoul’s framework, a commercially viable project must be capable of producing sufficient revenue to cover both the original investment amount and interest expenses throughout the project’s anticipated duration.
Project timelines will be determined through discussions with Washington, according to the government statement.
The South Korean government will establish a state-sponsored investment entity designed to operate for two decades.
This investment package represents South Korea’s commitment under the trade agreement with Washington, which provides reduced American tariffs on South Korean exports, including vehicles.
Earlier this year in January, U.S. President Donald Trump warned of potential tariff increases to 25% on South Korean products, citing Seoul’s delay in implementing the trade framework that had limited American duties to 15%.
South Korea’s National Assembly successfully passed enabling legislation for the investment plan with support from both major parties during a full session in March.
Former President Donald Trump has escalated his criticism of California’s voting procedures, making unsubstantiated claims that the state’s elections are manipulated following disappointing results for candidates he supported.
Trump’s latest accusations target California’s vote counting timeline and what he describes as the lengthy period required by the Democratic-led state to tally ballots, continuing his ongoing narrative that elections work against him and fellow Republicans.
During a television appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press” broadcast Sunday, Trump abruptly left an interview when host Kristen Welker questioned his unfounded claims that California election workers were engaging in fraud because they “aren’t even close” to completing their count days after voting ended.
The following day, Trump challenged vote totals indicating that Republican Spencer Pratt, the former reality television personality he supported for Los Angeles mayor, had dropped to third position behind two Democratic candidates — current Mayor Karen Bass and City Council member Nithya Raman — nearly a week after voting concluded.
“Not possible for Spencer Pratt to have lost the L.A. runoffs after the big lead he had,” Trump posted. “Rigged Elections!”
State election officials have responded that California’s voting procedures include comprehensive security measures such as equipment testing, strict ballot custody protocols, and signature authentication processes.
Trump also referenced the gubernatorial primary, where his Republican endorsee, television commentator Steve Hilton, was running behind two Democratic contenders — former cabinet secretary Xavier Becerra and billionaire environmental activist Tom Steyer.
“Now they’ll be working on great guy Steve Hilton,” Trump posted, appearing to imply that Democrats were altering primary tallies to prevent Hilton from reaching the final round.
California operates under an “open primary” structure where all candidates appear on one ballot regardless of party affiliation, with the two highest vote recipients advancing to a November general election runoff.
Bass has established herself as the leading candidate among 14 mayoral hopefuls, securing approximately 35% of votes tallied by Monday. Raman, who initially placed third, moved past Pratt for second position Sunday and maintained her lead Monday with 27.12% of counted votes.
Pratt, remaining in third with 26.69% of tallied ballots, maintained on social media Monday that he could still secure a November runoff position.
“Folks, we’re dealing with a fraction of a percentage point difference,” he posted on X. “There’s still hundreds of thousands of votes outstanding, and LA officials have given us the next three weeks to count!”
Sunday, Pratt suggested that a “net swing of more than 43,000 votes since Tuesday” originated from ballots submitted by homeless individuals. Referencing a recent annual survey of the city’s unhoused population that documented over 43,000 people experiencing homelessness nightly in Los Angeles, Pratt posted: “43,000, huh? Where have I seen that number before …? Probably nothing.”
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson added his own doubts about California’s election integrity.
“They are counting votes for weeks after the election,” he stated. When asked to provide proof of election manipulation, Johnson responded, “Some of these efforts are so diabolical and so far upstream it is impossible to prove.”
Republican attacks on California’s voting system extend Trump’s continued promotion of false assertions that his 2020 presidential campaign was fraudulently defeated.
Sources close to the White House and others knowledgeable about the situation indicate that emphasizing 2020 election fraud allegations reflects Trump’s approach to justify additional voting limitations and motivate his supporters before November elections that will decide congressional control.
Through portraying the 2020 election as fraudulent, Trump is also establishing foundation to contest Republican defeats and weaken Democrats should they regain authority, according to multiple election analysts.
California’s extended vote counting timeline results primarily from a mail-in ballot system created to boost voter turnout, which Trump has consistently claimed enables fraud.
Most California ballots in recent elections have been submitted by mail, with those postmarked by election day accepted for up to one week afterward, extending the time required for validation, processing and counting. States conducting voting primarily at polling locations can therefore complete their tallies more rapidly.
Chinese technology giant Tencent Holdings has attracted investor orders exceeding $6 billion for its upcoming dual-currency bond offering, according to orderbook data obtained by Reuters on Tuesday.
Investor demand for the company’s offshore yuan bonds, including 10-year and 30-year options, surpassed 20.5 billion yuan (equivalent to $3.02 billion), the data revealed.
Additionally, orders for Tencent’s dollar-denominated bonds, featuring 10-year and 20-year terms, topped $3 billion based on separate orderbook information.
Preliminary pricing details showed the proposed 10-year dollar bond was set at U.S. Treasuries plus 80 basis points, while the 20-year dollar bond carried guidance of U.S. Treasuries plus 90 basis points, according to term sheet documentation obtained by Reuters.
For the yuan-denominated offerings, the 10-year offshore bond carried guidance around 2.95%, with the 30-year bond priced at approximately 3.55%, the term sheet indicated.
According to the documentation, Tencent intends to allocate the bond proceeds toward general corporate uses, including debt refinancing activities.
Sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday that Tencent is targeting $4 billion in total fundraising through this bond issuance.
When contacted by Reuters via email on Tuesday, the company had not provided an immediate response for comment.
Tencent’s stock price gained 3.9% during early Tuesday trading sessions.
The company’s previous foray into international bond markets occurred in September, when it successfully raised 9 billion yuan through an offshore yuan bond. Prior to that, Tencent’s most recent dollar bond was a $4.15 billion offering completed in April 2021.
Exchange rate reference: $1 equals 6.7771 Chinese yuan renminbi
A portion of Route 896 southbound is currently shut down to accommodate road maintenance activities in the area where Welsh Tract Road and Old Baltimore Pike intersect.
Transportation officials report that crews are conducting mobile operations to install rumble strips and apply fresh line markings to the roadway surface. The work requires the temporary closure of the southbound lanes in this section.
Motorists traveling through the area should expect delays and plan alternate routes until the maintenance work is completed and normal traffic flow resumes.
The Philippines experiences frequent seismic activity due to its position along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone of geological fault lines surrounding the ocean where the majority of global earthquakes take place. Below is a chronological review of significant recent earthquakes that have impacted the island nation:
On June 8, 2026, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake occurred offshore near Mindanao, resulting in the deaths of no fewer than 35 individuals. The seismic event generated tsunami waves that reached coastal areas.
October 10, 2025 brought two major offshore earthquakes to Davao Oriental province within hours of each other. The initial 7.4 magnitude earthquake claimed the lives of at least seven people. A second 6.8 magnitude tremor followed, also triggering local tsunami alerts.
A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Bogo City in Cebu province on September 30, 2025. The event surprised the area completely since the nearby Bogo Bay fault line had remained inactive for more than four centuries, as reported by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. The uncommon tremor occurred at shallow depth during nighttime hours while people were sleeping, resulting in no fewer than 72 fatalities, hundreds of injuries, and extensive property damage.
On December 2, 2023, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake hit near Mindanao around midnight, causing numerous residents to evacuate their homes in fear. The event resulted in at least three deaths.
November 17, 2023 saw a magnitude 6.7 earthquake off Mindanao’s coast that killed nine individuals, as confirmed by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. Shopping center ceilings gave way, while landslides and building damage were documented throughout impacted regions.
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake affected Luzon island in the northern Philippines on July 27, 2022, causing 11 deaths.
December 15, 2019 brought a magnitude 6.8 earthquake to Davao del Sur in Mindanao, killing 13 people. This marked the fourth earthquake exceeding magnitude 6 to impact Mindanao since October of that year.
A federal appeals court has ordered further examination of Alabama’s nitrogen gas execution protocol, questioning whether the method violates constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment, according to a Monday ruling.
Alabama became the first state to implement nitrogen gas for capital punishment in 2024. The court’s decision could impact an execution planned for Thursday. The procedure involves placing a mask over the condemned person’s face and administering pure nitrogen instead of breathable air, leading to death by oxygen deprivation.
On Monday evening, a three-judge appeals panel overturned a lower court’s May decision that found the nitrogen protocol constitutional. The case was sent back for further review following a legal challenge brought by Jeffery Lee, a death row inmate set to be executed Thursday at a prison in southern Alabama.
While the panel did not halt Lee’s scheduled execution, they instructed the lower court to examine whether his suggested alternative method of execution by firing squad would be practical.
Federal law requires challengers of execution methods to meet two criteria: demonstrating the method creates substantial risk of additional pain beyond death, and proving a viable alternative exists. The appeals court determined Lee satisfied the first requirement but returned the case to evaluate the second.
The appeals panel expressed specific worries about the nitrogen procedure and the duration before unconsciousness occurs.
“In our view, the overall suffering described by the district court, which lasts for one to three minutes, presents a substantial risk of serious harm over and above death itself,” the panel wrote. “Counting to 60 or 180 seconds is not a quick exercise, and constitutionally speaking, that timeframe is intolerable given the suffering that would likely take place under Alabama’s nitrogen hypoxia protocol.”
The Alabama Attorney General’s Office has not yet responded to the ruling. State officials have consistently defended the method as constitutional.
Critics of the execution method welcomed the court’s decision.
“For the first time a court has acknowledged what I and so many others have seen with our own eyes. Nitrogen executions are a unique form of horror,” said the Rev. Jeff Hood, who served as spiritual adviser during two nitrogen executions.
Eight executions using nitrogen gas have occurred nationwide — seven in Alabama and one in Louisiana. Lee’s legal team contends the method inflicts unnecessary suffering. Alabama’s most recent nitrogen execution required over 30 minutes to complete.
Lee received conviction on two capital murder charges for the deaths of Jimmy Ellis and Elaine Thompson during a pawn shop robbery on Dec. 12, 1998. According to prosecutors, Lee entered Jimmy’s Pawnshop armed with a sawed-off shotgun and fatally shot Ellis, the shop’s owner, and Thompson, an employee.
A jury recommended life imprisonment for Lee by a 7-5 vote. A judge overruled this recommendation and imposed the death sentence. Alabama discontinued judicial override in 2017, preventing judges from overturning jury sentencing decisions in capital cases.
The court’s decision came hours after supporters held a vigil at the Alabama Capitol, asking the governor to commute Lee’s sentence to life imprisonment.
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall opposed the clemency petition.
“The people of Alabama have not forgotten Jimmy and Elaine. I have not forgotten them,” Marshall said. “Anything short of carrying out the sentence imposed by the court falls short of justice for the victims, and that is not what victims of this state deserve.”
A teenage golf sensation has earned his way into his first major championship at just 17 years of age.
Miles Russell secured his spot in the U.S. Open after surviving a playoff that determined the final two qualifying positions at one of the USGA’s 10 final qualifying locations Monday in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
Russell and fellow amateur Ryder Cowan defeated Tyler Collet in a 3-for-2 playoff following a three-way tie for third place at BallenIsles Country Club’s East Course. Amateur Giuseppe Puebla shared medalist honors with Canada’s Ben Silverman at 7-under-par 137 after 36 holes, while Russell, Cowan and Collet finished at 6-under 138.
Russell, who holds the No. 1 position in the American Junior Golf Association rankings and ranks No. 10 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, plans to attend Florida State this fall and had a future teammate serving as his caddie Monday — Charlie Woods, the son of Tiger Woods.
“We kept it so light,” Russell said of the partnership, per the PGA Tour. “It is the first time I had a buddy on the bag, and I liked it.”
Russell was performing well in his opening round before recording a triple-bogey 7 on his closing hole for a 71. He recovered in the second round with seven birdies, including four consecutive at holes 4-7, finishing with a 67. He made birdie on the par-3 16th to reach 6 under for the day.
“I don’t think it has quite set in yet,” Russell said of making the U.S. Open. “I am pretty speechless at the moment. It is something you dream of and practice for.”
The Florida location was among 10 sites active on Monday, known as “Golf’s Longest Day” as professionals and amateurs compete in 36-hole qualifiers attempting to earn spots in the U.S. Open field. Earlier qualifiers took place in England, Japan and Dallas. The number of available spots at each location depends on the quality and depth of the competing fields.
Max McGreevy, William Mouw and Englishman John Parry prevailed in an 8-for-3 playoff at Lambton Golf and Country Club in Toronto. England’s Matt Wallace and Canadian Adam Svensson became first and second alternates from that location, which attracts PGA Tour professionals due to its proximity to this week’s RBC Canadian Open.
Two players from Argentina, Emiliano Grillo (9-under 131) and Alejandro Tosti (8-under 132), claimed the top two positions there. Colombia’s Marcelo Rozo earned the third qualifying spot at 7-under 133.
Max Homa participated in Toronto’s 8-for-3 playoff but made bogey on the opening hole — reportedly missing a par putt by inches — ending his qualifying attempt in disappointment.
Kevin Roy, Max Greyserman, Ben James and James Nicholas advanced from Century Country Club & Golf Club in Purchase, New York.
Neal Shipley and Zac Blair shared medalist honors at Springfield (Ohio) Country Club, while Dylan Wu, Billy Horschel and Nick Hardy finished one stroke back to claim the remaining three positions. Hardy successfully qualified at Springfield for the sixth time in 12 years. Shipley earned low amateur honors at the 2024 U.S. Open.
Davis Thompson, J.B. Holmes and amateurs Vaughn Harber and Arni Sveinsson of Iceland captured the four available spots from Lakes Golf & Country Club in Westerville, Ohio. Holmes, Harber and Sveinsson advanced through a 4-for-3 playoff while amateur Sam Udovich became first alternate.
Jackson Suber, Ben Kohles, amateur Logan Reilly and Jake Sollon qualified from Woodmont Country Club’s North Course in Rockville, Maryland. Sollon prevailed in a 2-for-1 playoff against amateur Bryan Lee.
Amateur Jackson Ormond and China’s Carl Yuan led the field at Gaston Country Club in Gastonia, North Carolina. Jackson Van Paris, Brandon Wu and Cole Hammer also qualified from that location.
PGA Tour veteran Chris Kirk, who tied for 12th at last year’s U.S. Open, topped the leaderboard with a 15-under 129 at Hawks Ridge Golf Club in Ball Ground, Georgia. Jake Peacock, Keith Mitchell, Robbie Higgins and amateur Chase Kyes also earned spots from that site.
Qualifying continued at two additional locations in Sacramento, California, and Creswell, Oregon.
Several notable professionals failed to qualify alongside Homa, including Tony Finau, Brandt Snedeker, Matt Jones of Australia, Webb Simpson, Harry Higgs, Aaron Wise, Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa, Venezuela’s Jhonattan Vegas, Denny McCarthy, South Africa’s Erik van Rooyen and Lucas Glover.
The 126th U.S. Open is set for June 18-21 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York.
Powerful winds and dangerous seas hammered Wellington, New Zealand on Tuesday, shutting down air and water transportation while officials ordered hundreds of people living near the southern coastline to leave their homes.
Strong gusts at Wellington’s airport temporarily flipped a small aircraft onto its wing and wheel after the plane had completed its landing, according to an airport spokesperson who provided details via email.
“Nobody was injured and it was quickly righted,” the spokesperson stated.
The New Zealand Herald reported that passengers had already gotten off the aircraft when the wind caused it to tip over.
Wellington’s airport saw approximately eight flight cancellations. Air New Zealand notified travelers that predicted strong winds might affect departures from Wellington and provided alternative booking arrangements, according to Radio New Zealand’s coverage.
Officials declared an emergency situation for certain areas of Wellington after meteorologists issued warnings about waves reaching heights of 9 metres (29.5 ft) along the southern shoreline.
“We are now entering the forecast period for most significant swell impacts. If you are in the evacuation zone and have not left your property, please shelter in place,” Wellington City Council announced through a Facebook message.
Passenger boat operations connecting New Zealand’s North and South Islands were suspended Tuesday.
Weather officials predicted waves would increase quickly during Tuesday morning and early afternoon hours along eastern coastlines of both major islands and at the Chatham Islands.
Jonathan Delich, an Island Bay resident who runs Cook Strait Fishing Charters, informed the New Zealand Herald that he had canceled all Tuesday and Wednesday bookings.
“We wouldn’t take you fishing even if you wanted to … no one in their right mind would go out on the water today,” Delich commented.
The American dollar maintained its position close to a two-month peak on Tuesday, strengthening against most major currencies as ongoing Middle East tensions dampened investor risk appetite while traders increased their expectations for a Federal Reserve interest rate increase later this year.
Following an appeal from U.S. President Donald Trump, Iran and Israel ceased their attacks against one another on Monday, though tensions remained elevated as Tehran issued warnings to restart strikes should Israel continue targeting Iran-backed Hezbollah forces in Lebanon.
American diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a permanent resolution with Iranian officials to conclude their conflict, which has lasted more than three months, have shown minimal progress, keeping oil prices high and strengthening safe-haven demand for the dollar.
The euro traded at $1.1528 while the British pound reached $1.3335, with both currencies declining approximately 0.05% during Asian trading hours after reaching two-month lows in the prior session.
Risk-sensitive currencies also declined, with the Australian dollar dropping 0.1% to $0.7039 and the New Zealand dollar trading at $0.5804.
The Japanese yen continued its weakness, falling to as much as 160.295, remaining near the 160 level that market observers widely consider a threshold for potential official intervention.
The dollar index, which tracks the greenback’s performance against a collection of currencies including the yen and euro, showed little movement at 100.03, staying close to Monday’s two-month high of 100.21.
“When you think about this idea of a peace deal or some sort of truce… what have we achieved in the past couple of weeks? Not a great deal,” NAB’s senior FX strategist Rodrigo Catril said in a podcast.
“We’ve seen the dollar being stronger because of this uncertainty, but also because of strong data in the U.S.”
The offshore yuan remained steady at 6.7857 per dollar, with traders awaiting trade data scheduled for release later in the day that economists expect will demonstrate strengthened Chinese export growth during May.
Financial markets are closely monitoring Wednesday’s U.S. inflation data for insights into the Federal Reserve’s future policy direction, particularly after last week’s strong employment report increased speculation about a rate increase this year. According to CME FedWatch, Fed funds futures traders now assign a 70% probability to a rate hike by December.
Treasury yields stayed broadly elevated due to rate hike expectations, with two-year note yields remaining near a 15-month high while the benchmark 10-year Treasury yield held firmly above 4.5%.
“Coming hot on the heels of Friday’s robust non-farm payrolls report, a hotter-than-expected CPI print would undoubtedly add to mounting fears of a Fed rate hike before year-end,” said Tony Sycamore, market analyst at IG.
“This scenario would provide fresh support for the U.S. dollar while putting renewed downward pressure on U.S. equities.”
Meanwhile, the European Central Bank is widely anticipated to implement a rate increase this week, with another boost likely in September, as officials work to balance energy-driven inflation pressures against a weakening economic environment.
A soccer referee from Somalia who was poised to make history as the first official from his nation to work a World Cup match has been blocked from entering the United States, according to a FIFA spokesperson who spoke Monday.
Omar Abdulkadir Artan was turned away at Miami International Airport over the weekend and will now miss the opportunity to train and officiate at the World Cup, which begins Thursday.
“FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan’s status will not be changed at present,” the spokesperson said.
Despite missing this historic opportunity, Artan expressed optimism about his future in an official statement.
“I would like to thank FIFA and CAF for all their support and I promise to keep my refereeing levels up as I concentrate on the future,” he said.
“I want to thank the football family for their messages and wish my colleagues all the best success during the World Cup and I look forward to joining them again in future competitions.”
U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed that a Somali citizen flying from Istanbul landed at Miami International Airport on Saturday but was turned away due to what the agency described as vetting concerns, though officials did not specify the nature of those issues.
The individual went through standard additional screening procedures before being refused admission, according to the agency.
“Admissibility determinations are made on a case-by-case basis using law enforcement, national security, and immigration information available at the time of inspection,” the CBP said.
Immigration restrictions under the Trump administration have raised questions leading up to the World Cup. The previous year, Washington implemented an extensive travel prohibition affecting citizens from 12 nations, with Somalia among them.
According to news reports, Artan possessed a valid visa for entry. Artan had received recognition as the Confederation of African Football’s Best Male Referee for 2025. Somalia’s embassy in Washington had not provided a response to requests for comment.
Business conditions in Australia stopped their downward slide in May as companies reported slightly better sales figures, according to a new survey released Tuesday. However, business confidence continues to remain pessimistic as rising expenses put pressure on company profits.
National Australia Bank’s latest survey found their business conditions measurement stayed at +3 during May, breaking a four-month streak of declining numbers. The confidence reading showed modest improvement, moving to -14 from April’s deeply negative -23.
“With global uncertainty persisting, the domestic backdrop softening and cost pressures remaining elevated, confidence remains very weak and in negative territory across all industries,” said Michael Hayes, an economist at NAB.
“Of note, the profitability sub-component is furthest below its long-run average, suggesting margin pressures persist.”
While cost measurements dropped slightly in May, they continue to run high by historical standards. Business capacity utilization dropped below 82% for the first time since early 2025, reflecting the country’s slower economic expansion.
Australia’s central bank has implemented three interest rate increases, bringing rates to 4.35% in efforts to combat persistent inflation. Officials worry that companies may transfer their increasing energy expenses to customers, potentially fueling expectations for additional price increases.
A dangerous parasitic organism that was successfully eliminated from the United States during the 1960s has made an unwelcome return to South Texas, creating alarm among livestock producers and agricultural officials.
The screwworm, which consists of fly larvae that parasitize animals, has been discovered again in the region, marking the first confirmed cases since its eradication more than six decades ago. The parasite represents a significant danger to cattle and other livestock operations throughout the area.
Agricultural inspectors are monitoring the situation closely at livestock checkpoints, working to assess the scope of the outbreak and prevent further spread of the harmful organism. The reemergence of this pest raises serious questions about potential impacts on the region’s vital cattle industry.
The pontiff Pope Leo XIV concluded a seven-day journey through Spain, traveling to a nation where Catholicism once held deep roots but where participation in religious life has significantly diminished over time.
The papal trip included visits to both mainland Spain and the Canary Islands.
This collection of photographs was assembled by AP photo editors to document the visit.
Authorities in Iraq are working Monday to determine the identities of those killed in a devastating bus accident that claimed 21 lives, according to a provincial official.
The passenger vehicle crashed and caught fire on Sunday in Iraq’s southern region, marking another tragic incident on the nation’s deteriorating roadways.
Ahmad Saleem, spokesperson for the Thi Qar provincial council, reported that fourteen victims were so severely burned they cannot be recognized or identified. He noted that officials suspect two Iranian citizens may be among those who perished, though their remains have yet to be confirmed.
According to Saleem, the bus was making its way from Najaf — a sacred city for Shiite Muslims that draws many religious visitors — toward the southern coastal city of Basra when the accident happened around 3 p.m. on Sunday. The crash took place in Thi Qar province, positioned between Thi Qar and Diwaniyah.
Beyond the fatalities, 20 additional passengers sustained injuries in the wreck. Among the wounded were two Iranian citizens who were transported back to Iran on Monday morning with assistance from the Iranian Consulate in Basra, the official reported.
Saleem blamed the accident on deteriorating road conditions, explaining that local officials had previously identified the roadway as dangerous. He also mentioned that a critical shortage of emergency vehicles in the province made it difficult to respond effectively to the disaster.
Such traffic accidents occur frequently throughout Iraq, where years of war, government corruption and insufficient funding have left the nation’s basic infrastructure crumbling. The country’s roadways lack proper upkeep, many cars and buses are old and unsafe, and traffic laws are rarely enforced.
Last year, another bus filled with religious pilgrims heading to the Iraqi city of Karbala crashed in an area north of Baghdad, resulting in 18 deaths.
LA PAZ, Bolivia — Violence broke out between demonstrators and law enforcement in Bolivia on Monday after conservative President Rodrigo Paz enacted legislation that could facilitate a more aggressive government response to ongoing protests calling for his removal from office.
In the central city of Cochabamba, protesters threw explosives, rocks and wooden objects at officers, who retaliated with tear gas, resulting in numerous detentions as roadway blockades continue to bring the Andean country to a standstill.
The fresh violence occurred following Paz’s approval of a law that streamlines the process for implementing tough governmental measures against demonstrations that have disrupted Bolivia for five weeks, creating transportation chaos and shortages of essential goods including food, gasoline and medical items.
Labor unions, rural farming communities and mountain Indigenous populations — angered by Paz’s elimination of fuel subsidies and dissatisfied with his inability over seven months to address Bolivia’s ongoing economic challenges — have established 90 roadblocks on major highways across the country, cutting off major urban areas, particularly La Paz, the governmental center, and nearby El Alto. Struggling with increasing prices and minimal pay, many demonstrators claim Paz has abandoned them despite their electoral support.
An independent public ombudsman’s weekend report indicated that between May 1 and June 2, the civil unrest caused 10 fatalities, 37 wounded individuals and 365 detentions. Officials state that seven deaths resulted from inadequate medical care, though all cases remain under investigation.
While Paz has attempted negotiations with demonstrators and called for limited police force, protesters have mostly declined meetings with the president and maintain their demand for his complete removal just seven months into his term. His victory last year concluded almost two decades of continuous governance by Bolivia’s Movement Toward Socialism, or MAS, the organization established by former President Evo Morales.
Growing pressure exists for Paz to take stronger action against the disorder. Monday’s signed legislation simplifies the government’s capacity to declare an emergency status that would halt constitutional protections and authorize military intervention to restore stability and eliminate blockades. However, Paz must issue an additional decree for emergency status to take effect. Whether he will choose this path remains uncertain, given that violent military suppression of demonstrations has previously removed Bolivian leaders from power.
“This law is to protect the majority of the country from the narco-terrorism that is instigating the protests,” Paz said in a national address after signing the law. “I extend my hand to the social organizations that have legitimate demands and reiterate my willingness to engage in dialogue.”
Following his remarks, groups attacked a public transportation union facility in El Alto amid rising tensions over fuel scarcity, resulting in at least 28 detentions, according to police. Violence spread through Cochabamba, where protesting agricultural workers tried to block a bridge linking the area to the country’s western region. Officers arrested 23 individuals while using tear gas to scatter demonstrators hurling rocks and explosives.
Legal counsel for the leader of Wisconsin’s biggest mosque claims their client is being refused essential medical treatment for diabetes and has dropped 30 pounds during the two months he has been held by immigration authorities.
Salah Sarsour, who was born in Palestine and holds legal permanent residency in the United States, was apprehended by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in April. His legal team contends he is being held on unfounded allegations that he poses a foreign policy risk, but they suspect he was really singled out for criticizing Israel and due to a juvenile conviction from Israeli military tribunals.
He maintains a clean criminal history in the U.S., where he has resided for over three decades.
Sarsour suffers from Type 2 diabetes and his glucose levels are not being regularly monitored, creating dangers of organ damage or death without proper treatment, his legal representatives informed a federal judge on Monday. Sarsour remains confined in an Indiana county detention facility while his immigration proceedings continue.
“We had the opportunity to make a direct, urgent appeal to the court about the need for Salah’s release, including being able to report that he has lost a staggering 30 pounds while in detention,” Luna Droubi, an attorney for Sarsour, said in a press release. “The Judge raised questions about the medical care Salah is receiving, and we will continue to press this case.”
Representatives from ICE and the Department of Homeland Security did not provide immediate responses to requests for comment. Legal documents submitted by lawyers representing DHS and ICE appeared to be under seal in the online federal court records, making any official response to the claims made by Sarsour’s legal team unavailable for review.
A joint investigation by KFF Health News and The Associated Press discovered that hundreds of detainees across at least 33 states have initiated federal legal action with comparable claims of medical negligence. These legal cases involve other detainees who report being refused medications or experiencing treatment delays for ailments including cancer, high blood pressure, epilepsy, Parkinson’s, HIV, diabetes, infections, depression and additional conditions.
Sarsour’s legal representatives provided additional information about his confinement circumstances in correspondence sent recently to U.S. District Judge James Patrick Hanlon. They are requesting the judge grant Sarsour’s release while his case proceeds.
“Mr. Sarsour’s health continues to deteriorate,” they wrote. “Though he recently developed severe abdominal pain, he was told by officials in the jail that they could not help him and that he must purchase his own medication. His blood sugar levels are not being consistently checked.”
Sarsour is also facing harassment from detention guards who refused him access to a Quran and who continuously disrupt him during prayer times in accordance with his Muslim faith, his legal team stated. When Sarsour requested an appropriate diet to manage his glucose levels, he was advised to buy BBQ pork rinds from the commissary, despite this food conflicting with his religious convictions and dietary requirements, his lawyers reported.
“Just over two months ago, my dad would have been starting his day as usual by checking in on my grandmother and heading to work,” said Kareem Sarsour, Salah’s son. “We’re not only fighting now for my dad’s legal right to be here, but also for his health — and basic due process guaranteed by his constitutional rights to speak up about injustice.”
JUNEAU, Alaska — An Alaska Senate hopeful named Dan Sullivan admits that having the identical name and Republican party registration as the current senator provides him with “an instant megaphone” in the competitive primary contest. However, Sullivan insists his political bid isn’t fraudulent or orchestrated by Democratic operatives.
The candidate explained that acquaintances have jokingly called him senator for years and questioned whether he’d ever considered seeking office. He noted he’s been mulling over a run for over ten years.
“This is my choice,” Sullivan, a resident of the small fishing town of Petersburg, stated during a Monday phone conversation.
Previously, Sen. Dan Sullivan claimed the challenger Sullivan was “trying to trick” voters to benefit his primary opponent in the race, Democratic former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola. The sitting senator alleged the other Sullivan’s entry into the August primary was part of a coordinated Democratic scheme involving Peltola’s campaign to mislead voters, charges they reject. He warned of potential legal action to investigate the matter.
The situation has drawn national Republican attention as the party works to maintain their Senate majority during what’s anticipated to be a challenging midterm cycle for the governing party. Sullivan, the challenger, rejected assertions that his campaign serves merely as a ploy to damage the senator’s reelection prospects.
He stated he’s had zero communication with Peltola’s campaign — “zero, none, zilch” — and answered “no” when questioned whether state Democratic Party members or national Democratic operatives had approached him about running.
A Peltola spokesperson, Harry Child, stated the campaign “has no involvement with either Sullivan campaign.” The Alaska Democratic Party’s executive director, Jenny-Marie Stryker, said her organization “is in no way affiliated with either Dan Sullivan.” Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee spokesperson Monica Robinson answered “no” when asked if the group had encouraged the challenger Sullivan to enter the race.
Sullivan described having the same name as Alaska’s sitting U.S. senator as “a matter of fate” and maintained he’d committed no wrongdoing.
“I have every right to run for whatever office I’m qualified for, and I’m qualified for this office,” the challenger stated, continuing: “I think I’m doing what most Americans would think would be a patriotic thing to do when you’re unsatisfied with the status quo. You stand up and say, I’m going to fight for things I believe that are going to make my community better.”
Previous Alaska ballots haven’t identified incumbents, though the Alaska Division of Elections’ current online candidate roster does. It also separates the candidates using middle initials — Dan S. Sullivan for the senator and Dan J. Sullivan for the challenger.
Alaska conducts open primaries where the top four vote recipients, regardless of party, proceed to the ranked choice general election in November. Sen. Sullivan’s campaign fears having two Dan Sullivans on the ballot might mislead voters.
Sen. Sullivan’s campaign stated Monday, “Alaskans deserve a fair and honest election — not political games meant to manipulate the ballot and benefit Democrats.”
The challenger revealed he was affiliated with the limited government-oriented Alaskan Independence Party for decades, until the party’s termination late last year. Election authorities indicated voters registered with the party could switch their affiliation, but those who didn’t would be listed as “undeclared.” Sullivan said he was then categorized as undeclared until filing for office, when he registered as Republican.
He explained he was partially inspired by his deceased father, whom he characterized as a “true, compassionate, conservative Republican.” He said if forced to categorize himself, it would be “a pragmatic Republican centrist” — comparable to Alaska’s senior U.S. senator, Lisa Murkowski, but “with touches of a Rand Paul Republican in there.”
He mentioned growing up in the Chicago region but was attracted to Alaska and established roots nearly five decades ago in Petersburg. The fishing community of approximately 3,400 in southeast Alaska’s Tongass National Forest is nicknamed “Little Norway” for its numerous residents with Scandinavian heritage. He was employed by the U.S. Forest Service before switching careers to become an educator. He has since retired.
Like many Alaska communities, Petersburg lacks connection to the state’s primary road network and is reachable only by aircraft or boat. Juneau, the closest city, is roughly 45 minutes away by plane.
Petersburg is located on Mitkof Island, characterized by mountains, dense forest stands and swampy areas called muskeg. Sea lions resting on buoys and humpback whales and orcas are frequently spotted off its coastline.
Sullivan, who turns 69 this weekend, declined an interview request last Friday, he explained, because the king salmon were running and he wanted to fish.
Regarding his office bid, the challenger said he intends to conduct some fundraising and hopes to campaign in the state’s major cities, including Anchorage and Juneau, though he currently has no concrete plans and is working out the specifics.
He finds the current controversy surrounding his Senate campaign — and the incumbent’s response — somewhat unexpected.
“I guess my thought would be, ‘Dude, why don’t you just run your campaign?’ If you’ve got a strong record, run on your record. People will love you for it and you’ll be swept back into office,” he said Monday. “Why would he be concerned that a guy out of Petersburg is this huge threat?”
SpaceX’s chief executive Elon Musk announced Monday that constructing artificial intelligence data centers in orbit won’t pose major technical hurdles, as his company gears up for a massive initial public offering later this week.
The tech mogul explained that most of the necessary technology is already incorporated into the company’s existing Starlink satellite constellation.
“Part of what we want to convey here is that there is not some magic that is necessary, that doesn’t exist,” Elon Musk stated during a company-released video presentation.
“A lot of this is technology we’ve already made for the Starlink V3 satellites. We don’t think this is a super hard problem compared to the things we already do.”
These statements arrive as financial backers examine SpaceX’s orbital AI data center strategy, which represents a crucial component of the firm’s future expansion plans before going public with an anticipated worth of approximately $1.75 trillion.
During the presentation, Musk and company engineer Ian Dahl detailed their vision for AI satellites functioning as computational hubs in space, utilizing solar power and dissipating heat through radiation into the vacuum of space.
SpaceX contends that positioning computational infrastructure in orbit could address power limitations that increasingly challenge ground-based AI data facilities.
Based on their presentation materials, the initial proposed AI satellite would produce approximately 150 kilowatts of maximum power and maintain 120 kilowatts for continuous computing operations.
Musk noted this output is similar to one Nvidia GB300 AI server rack, which generally requires about 140 kilowatts during peak operation.
The company indicated these satellites would extensively utilize technologies currently being implemented in their advanced Starlink V3 satellites, such as solar panel arrays and heat management systems.
Dahl characterized these spacecraft as less complex than Starlink satellites since they wouldn’t need the massive phased-array antennas required for internet communications.
SpaceX stated that their Starship’s completely reusable framework would ultimately enable launching the substantial quantities of solar panels, heat radiators and computer processors required to expand orbital computing operations.
Musk revealed that SpaceX anticipates their AI satellite manufacturing facility in Bastrop, Texas, will achieve significant production levels by late next year.
This space-based computing project represents part of a wider plan to establish SpaceX as not just a rocket launch and satellite communication provider, but also as a leading AI infrastructure company as it transitions to public ownership.
Crude oil markets saw modest increases during early Tuesday trading as tensions between Iran and Israel kept investors cautious about the durability of a temporary ceasefire between the two nations.
Brent crude futures climbed 13 cents to reach $94.38 per barrel, marking a 0.14% increase at 0001 GMT. Meanwhile, U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude gained 11 cents to $91.41 per barrel, representing a 0.12% rise.
The energy markets had experienced significant volatility during the prior trading session, with prices jumping as much as 5% following fresh Israeli military action against Iran and operations in Lebanon that dampened expectations for a swift end to the broader conflict. However, those gains were reduced after Iran’s military forces declared an end to their operations targeting Israel.
“While there is some relief from the latest pause in direct strikes, investors are not convinced the truce will hold,” said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade.
According to Waterer, the market continues to factor in ongoing uncertainty instead of expecting a permanent solution.
Both Iran and Israel announced they had suspended their mutual attacks following an intervention by U.S. President Donald Trump, who urged them to immediately “stop ‘shooting’.” However, Tehran indicated it would restart military strikes if Israel persisted in targeting Hezbollah forces in Lebanon.
“While this helped stop the situation snowballing, the geopolitical backdrop remains tense, and a lasting peace deal remains elusive,” said Tony Sycamore, market analyst at IG.
In a video message broadcast on Israeli television, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel would respond forcefully should Iran launch another attack.
During an interview with Axios published Monday, Trump revealed he had cautioned Netanyahu that he could end up fighting without support if he returned to warfare with Iran.
“The key question is whether current de-escalation efforts can finally translate into a longer-lasting resolution, or if we’re simply in another temporary lull,” Waterer said.
Among the primary issues Washington is pursuing with Tehran during peace negotiations is the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that carried approximately one-fifth of global oil supplies before U.S. and Israeli airstrikes targeted Iran in late February.
U.S. military forces intercepted an empty oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman on Monday after the vessel tried to reach an Iranian port despite the current blockade restrictions against Iran, according to military officials.
A seasoned cornerback who captured two Super Bowl championships with the Kansas City Chiefs is returning to pursue a third title.
L’Jarius Sneed has agreed to a one-year agreement with Kansas City valued at up to $5 million, according to Monday reports from ESPN.
The defensive back began his professional football journey with the Chiefs, playing his initial four NFL seasons in Kansas City before getting dealt to the Tennessee Titans during spring 2024. However, his tenure in Tennessee proved disappointing, as he appeared in only 12 contests across two seasons without recording a single interception.
Tennessee cut ties with Sneed on March 13, creating approximately $11.4 million in salary cap relief.
During his original stint with Kansas City, Sneed compiled 10 interceptions, 6.5 sacks and 40 pass breakups across 57 appearances, including 54 as a starter. He participated in 13 postseason contests during that four-year period, recorded two sacks in three rookie-year games, and was a starter for the Chiefs squads that captured consecutive Super Bowl titles in the 2022 and 2023 campaigns.
The cornerbacks room Sneed returns to features mostly new faces. Following the free agent signings of Kade Kohou and Kaiir Elam this offseason, Kansas City selected Mansoor Delane as the sixth overall draft choice in April. Delane inked a four-year, $41.9 million deal on Monday.
Drivers traveling on E Main St will encounter lane restrictions due to ongoing construction work affecting traffic flow through the early morning hours.
The eastbound right lane remains blocked between Library Ave (DE 72) and Tyre Ave as crews continue their work. The lane closure is scheduled to remain in effect until 4:00 AM.
Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and use caution when navigating through the construction zone. Traffic may experience delays during the closure period.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — City council member Nithya Raman has secured her place in November’s mayoral runoff against incumbent Karen Bass, creating an unforeseen contest between two former political allies who are both Democrats vying to lead the nation’s second-largest city with nearly 4 million residents.
The results eliminate Spencer Pratt, a Republican and former reality TV star from “The Hills,” from contention. While his celebrity status and willingness to challenge liberal policies in the heavily Democratic city attracted national media coverage, that attention failed to generate sufficient votes to reach the runoff.
Raman entered the mayoral contest at the last moment, despite having previously endorsed Bass for another term. With backing from the Democratic Socialists of America during her council election, the race will determine if voters in this overwhelmingly Democratic metropolis are ready to embrace more progressive solutions to persistent challenges including homelessness, deteriorating infrastructure, and rising housing costs.
The contest carries significant historical implications. Bass holds the distinction of being the first Black woman to serve as mayor, while Raman could become the first South Asian woman to hold the office.
Bass campaign strategist Douglas Herman released a statement saying, “A campaign against Nithya Raman, who allows encampments near schools and cuts the police force, is one Mayor Bass looks forward to winning.”
Though officially nonpartisan, with no party labels appearing beside candidates’ names on ballots, the mayoral contest revealed Bass’s political vulnerability as incomplete results showed her receiving less than 35% of votes — a weak showing for a sitting mayor.
Raman trailed in third place until Sunday but steadily gained ground with each vote tally update released by Los Angeles election officials since the June 2 primary.
As the incumbent, Bass embodies the Democratic establishment with endorsements from Gov. Gavin Newsom, former Vice President Kamala Harris, and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, plus support from powerful labor organizations. Her political resume includes service in the state Legislature and Congress before winning the mayor’s office in 2022, and she was considered as a potential running mate for former President Joe Biden in 2020.
Making her first citywide campaign, Raman has pledged to accelerate housing development, restore entertainment industry employment, and enhance city services in a municipality notorious for unclean streets, traffic congestion, and widespread homeless encampments throughout numerous neighborhoods.
“What we are doing right now is just not working,” Raman says. “LA’s primary strategy for homelessness has been to move encampments from one block to another, from your block to your neighbor’s block and back again. … It’s political theater.”
Determining Bass’s November opponent required nearly a full week due to California’s famously lengthy vote-counting procedures. All eligible voters receive mailed ballots, which are tallied if postmarked by Election Day and delivered to election offices within seven days.
Los Angeles, similar to other California counties, processes and counts mailed ballots approximately in the sequence they arrive, meaning the final submissions are the last to be tallied.
Tuesday evening after voting concluded, Los Angeles published results from early-returned and pre-processed mail ballots plus same-day votes. Those tallies placed Bass ahead with Pratt second and Raman third. Subsequently, the county has been processing and announcing results from later-arriving mail ballots.
Voting data indicates substantial numbers of Democrats retained their mail ballots until the campaign’s closing days before returning them, explaining why Bass and Raman have performed better than Pratt in votes counted since primary day.
Born in India, Raman relocated to the United States during childhood and obtained degrees from Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she focused on urban planning studies.
She has resisted efforts to ban homeless individuals from establishing tents within 500 feet (152 meters) of schools and childcare facilities. Nevertheless, she seems to have moderated her opposition to no-camping zones designed to limit encampment expansion and clear streets. Despite voting against dozens of such measures on the council, she later indicated she would not obstruct them as mayor.
Raman’s stance on city policing has also evolved.
She previously advocated for a significantly reduced department and shared “defund the police” messages on social media in 2020. She opposed the mayor’s 2023 police contract, arguing it was too costly for the financially struggling city.
Recently, she stated the Los Angeles Police Department should maintain its current staffing of approximately 8,600 officers, down from roughly 10,000 in 2020. The police union has criticized her in advertisements, dubbing her “Flip Floppin’ Raman.”
In ethnically diverse Los Angeles, successful mayoral candidates must build coalitions across ethnic and geographic lines. To exceed 50% of votes and claim victory, Raman must attract additional supporters.
“I don’t think it’s impossible, but she is going to have to expand beyond her ideological base,” said Democratic consultant Bill Carrick, who views Bass as vulnerable.
“The people who didn’t vote for Nithya weren’t voting against her, they were voting for somebody else. Karen (Bass) had a good number of people who were voting against her,” Carrick added.
Despite their opposing political philosophies, both Raman and Pratt have appealed to voters dissatisfied with the city’s current direction.
Tanika Vickers, employed by a Los Angeles housing nonprofit, described feeling part of a group of working, taxpaying citizens who have been “forgotten.” She expressed frustration with tax dollar allocation, particularly “throwing” additional money toward homelessness without measurable results.
She supported Raman for mayor because she believed Raman was most capable of implementing her proposals and addressing the city’s needs.
“I think that we are all looking for change,” she said.
Regional authorities in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region confirmed Tuesday that three civilians lost their lives during Russian strikes on the northeastern area, with emergency responders working to control resulting fires.
Regional governor Oleh Syniehubov announced on the Telegram messaging platform that the fatalities occurred in the town of Chuhuiv and included two men aged 70 and 50, along with a 70-year-old woman.
Meanwhile, the regional capital near the Russian border, also named Kharkiv, saw six people wounded from the bombardment, according to Mayor Ihor Terekhov’s Telegram post. The mayor reported damage to a utility facility and multiple fires erupting throughout the city.
The military strikes occurred while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was traveling back to Kyiv following discussions in London with officials from Britain, France and Germany regarding potential paths forward for resolving the four-year conflict.
Peace negotiations led by the United States between Ukraine and Russia have reached an impasse as Washington concentrates on addressing the Iran war situation.
On Monday, Zelenskiy described his meeting with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner as “positive,” commending their willingness to pursue a Ukraine war resolution in the upcoming weeks.
The company behind ChatGPT announced Monday that it has quietly submitted paperwork for a stock market debut in the United States, following competitor Anthropic’s similar move as investors look for ways to capitalize on the artificial intelligence surge.
The artificial intelligence company has not revealed when it might go public or provided details about how much money it plans to raise through the stock offering.
Financial experts weighed in on the announcement:
Michael Ashley Schulman, a partner at Cerity Partners, said: “Undoubtedly, OpenAI is keeping options open as Anthropic edged ahead with its filing after a monster funding round, yet both giants operate on timelines dictated by their own regulatory whirlwinds and internal builds rather than copycat moves. For broader markets, an eventual OpenAI listing could accelerate the narrative that artificial intelligence is infrastructure, pulling more public capital into the sector; until then, expect the company to keep leveraging private advantages to maintain its lead.”
Gil Luria, managing director of D.A. Davidson, commented: “What OpenAI does not want is for the public market capital to exhaust itself. Not only are SpaceX and Anthropic ahead of it in line to IPO, large public competitors could also raise tens of billions of dollars each in public market secondary issuances, as Google just completed last week.”
Josef Schuster, IPOX CEO, noted: “SpaceX, OpenAI and Anthropic are now engulfing onto the public markets to finance their massive growth. While the markets currently welcome the firms with open arms, they will be relentless in rewarding and punishing as their fundamental profile builds over time. Given that their IPO offerings characteristics diverge so much from the average U.S. IPO, including offering size and initial float, it is a given that their life as a publicly traded entity will be highly dynamic.”
Jake Dollarhide, CEO of Longbow Asset Management, said: “With SpaceX, everyone knows Elon Musk, everyone knows what they’re getting or think they’re getting. Anthropic and Open AI will have much more to do with what people are choosing to use personal entertainment or for work, as far as AI. Some use Claude and live and die by it, and some use Chat GPT and live and die by it, and so I think you’re going to get very specific investors who use those services who want to buy that stock.”
Adam Sarhan, chief executive of 50 Park Investments, added: “There’s nothing surprising here. They are likely waiting to see how the market reacts to the other largely anticipated IPOs before announcing the timing.”
Motorists traveling westbound on Capitol Trail are encountering construction-related delays this morning as work crews continue their project in the area.
The right lane remains blocked to traffic from E. Green Valley Circle to Harmony Road, with the closure scheduled to lift at 5 AM.
Drivers are advised to allow extra time for their commute and use caution when navigating through the construction zone.
Motorists traveling on northbound Route 896 should expect to encounter mobile painting operations currently in progress along a stretch of the roadway.
The maintenance work is taking place between the intersection with Old Baltimore Pike on the south end and Welch Tract Road on the north end, according to traffic officials.
The painting operation is scheduled to continue until 5 AM, potentially affecting traffic flow during overnight and early morning hours in the area.
Major index provider MSCI announced Monday it will stick with current policies that allow large initial public offerings fast-track entry into its Global Standard Indexes, potentially opening the door for SpaceX when it goes public later this month.
The decision could drive significant demand for SpaceX shares from passive investment funds that follow MSCI’s benchmarks. These funds manage trillions in assets and must purchase stocks when they’re added to the indexes they track.
SpaceX plans to raise $75 billion through its public offering while seeking a massive $1.75 trillion company valuation. That figure would rank the space exploration company among the 10 most valuable publicly traded U.S. companies, despite only about 7% of shares being available for public trading when it debuts June 12.
The aerospace firm run by Elon Musk appears positioned to meet MSCI’s requirements for size and available shares needed for expedited index inclusion.
MSCI’s approach differs sharply from S&P Global’s stance. Last week, S&P Global blocked SpaceX from quick entry into the S&P 500 index, maintaining existing standards that require companies to show profits.
SpaceX reported a $4.94 billion net loss in 2025, though the company’s revenue jumped 33% to $18.67 billion.
The company plans to finalize its IPO pricing June 11, with Nasdaq trading beginning the following day. Under MSCI’s timeline, SpaceX could join the provider’s indexes within 10 trading days after going public.
Passive funds that follow MSCI indexes controlled approximately $5.79 trillion in assets as of February, according to an MSCI blog post.
Nasdaq has already adjusted its rules to smooth the path for SpaceX, Anthropic and other large newly public companies to enter its Nasdaq 100 index.
SpaceX also qualifies for quick inclusion in Russell U.S. Equity Indexes and the FTSE Global Equity Index Series under new fast-track policies from index provider FTSE Russell.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Kings have chosen Peter Laviolette as their new head coach, according to a source with knowledge of the negotiations who spoke to The Associated Press on Monday.
The source requested anonymity since the Kings have not yet officially announced the conclusion of their extensive search for a permanent replacement for interim coach D.J. Smith, who took over from Jim Hiller in March.
The 61-year-old Laviolette is anticipated to receive a three-year deal to lead his seventh NHL franchise. While the Kings have qualified for the playoffs in five straight seasons, they have also suffered five consecutive first-round eliminations under three different head coaches and two general managers.
Laviolette is making his return to the NHL following his dismissal by the New York Rangers in April 2025. Throughout his 23-year coaching career, he has guided the New York Islanders, Carolina, Philadelphia, Nashville and Washington, with his career highlight being a Stanley Cup title with the Hurricanes in 2006.
Teams under Laviolette’s leadership have qualified for the postseason in 11 of the last 14 seasons he completed behind the bench, and he also guided the Flyers (2010) and the Predators (2017) to Stanley Cup Final appearances. His 1,594 career games coached rank ninth most in NHL history.
In his first NHL position on the West Coast, Laviolette inherits a talented team that remains trapped in a significant slump, unable to emerge as a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.
General manager Ken Holland dismissed Hiller shortly following the Olympic break during the coach’s second complete season leading the team, and the Kings posted an 11-6-6 record after Smith was promoted from his assistant coaching position. Smith, who was considered for the permanent role, helped the Kings secure the final Western Conference playoff berth — but Los Angeles was eliminated in a four-game sweep by the Colorado Avalanche.
The Kings’ four prior first-round eliminations all came against the Edmonton Oilers, resulting in the exit of general manager Rob Blake one year ago.
Los Angeles has not advanced past the first round since capturing the Stanley Cup in 2014, though the roster maintains a strong core of talent despite the retirement of longtime captain Anze Kopitar.
Holland brought in high-scoring forward Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers last winter, and productive forwards Adrian Kempe, Quinton Byfield and Kevin Fiala are all set to return this fall.
The passionate Laviolette has built a reputation for developing aggressive offensive systems and achieving rapid franchise transformations at his previous destinations. He may represent an organizational philosophy change for the Kings, who have operated as a defense-focused organization for two decades — often at the expense of their offensive production.
Los Angeles ranked 29th in the NHL in scoring last season with only 220 goals, by far the lowest total among playoff-qualifying teams. The Kings have ranked in the bottom half of NHL scoring over the past five seasons despite reaching the playoffs annually.
Holland publicly questioned whether the Kings rely too heavily on defensive play after they managed just five goals during their four-game elimination by the Avs, though he stopped short of promising a philosophical overhaul.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The top prosecutor at the International Criminal Court has been removed from his duties in a historic first for the international tribunal, as oversight officials moved forward with disciplinary action against Karim Khan following sexual misconduct accusations.
The 56-year-old British attorney faces claims of inappropriate sexual behavior involving a female staff member, a controversy that has persisted for over two years. Khan has consistently maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings.
The Assembly of States Parties, which serves as the ICC’s governing authority, will now determine Khan’s future through a special meeting to assess whether he should continue leading the international court.
Officials from the Bureau of the Assembly of States parties explained their choice was informed by multiple sources of information, stating it was “based on the report of an investigation undertaken by the United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), the underlying evidence, the advice of an ad hoc Panel of judicial experts, and written submissions.”
The bureau emphasized that Khan’s temporary removal while awaiting the assembly’s decision “is not an indication of the final outcome.”
United Nations investigators discovered proof that Khan engaged in “nonconsensual sexual contact with (the aide) in his office, at his private residence, and whilst on mission,” based on their report obtained by The Associated Press. Despite these findings, a three-member judicial panel reviewing the evidence determined the investigation lacked sufficient conclusiveness.
Khan’s attorneys indicated they would release a public response on Tuesday when approached for their reaction.
Khan had previously stepped aside voluntarily in May 2025 while the investigation continued. This situation marks the first of its kind for the ICC, forcing the Assembly of States Parties to develop new procedures to handle the unprecedented circumstances.
The accusations against Khan were initially brought to the court’s independent oversight office more than two years ago. An Associated Press review uncovered claims that Khan spotted the woman in a different ICC division and transferred her to his office. Documents from whistleblowers indicate she subsequently became a frequent companion on official travel.
During one international trip, Khan reportedly invited her to lie down with him on a hotel bed before “sexually touched her,” according to the documentation. Additional alleged inappropriate actions described in the records included securing his office door and placing his hand in her pocket. He also reportedly made multiple requests for her to join him on personal vacation trips.
The Assembly of States Parties holds exclusive power to dismiss Khan from his position, which would require majority approval through confidential voting among its 125 member nations. Removing him would need support from sixty-three countries.
While no specific date has been announced for the assembly meeting, officials confirmed it will take place at the earliest opportunity.
The first day of women’s tennis at the Netherlands tournament in ‘s-Hertogenbosch delivered major surprises as both the top two seeded players were eliminated in straight-set defeats Monday.
Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova, holding the tournament’s No. 1 seed and winner of back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023, was defeated 6-4, 7-6 (5) by Hungary’s Panna Udvardy. The upset was particularly notable given the ranking gap, with Udvardy sitting nearly 50 positions below Alexandrova at 65th compared to 17th. Despite closely matched statistics throughout the contest, Udvardy’s slight edge in break point conversions (3 of 6 opportunities) proved decisive in the evenly contested match.
Denmark’s Clara Tauson, seeded second, also suffered an early exit with a 6-4, 6-4 loss to 17-year-old Mia Pohankova from Slovakia. The teenager secured victory by winning the match’s final five games, earning her first career victory against a top-30 ranked player. Belgium’s Elise Mertens, the third seed, managed to avoid a similar upset by dominating Canada’s Bianca Andreescu 6-1, 6-2.
Additional first-round results saw Poland’s Magda Linette mount a comeback victory over Australia’s Kimberly Birrell 2-6, 6-1, 6-2. Robin Montgomery also staged a rally to defeat Australia’s Daria Kasatkina 5-7, 6-0, 6-4, while Ukraine’s Daria Snigur handled Spain’s Paula Badosa 6-1, 7-6 (2).
At the HSBC Championships in London, Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova overcame a first-set loss to defeat McCartney Kessler 6-7 (1), 6-3, 6-3 in opening round play.
Despite serving struggles that included 11 double faults against just three aces, Pliskova compensated by winning 51% of return points and capitalizing on 8 of 11 break point chances.
Rain disrupted the London schedule, with only two other matches reaching completion Monday. Great Britain’s Harriet Dart prevailed over Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova 5-7, 6-4, 6-3, and Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian defeated Qinwen Zheng 6-4, 7-6 (4).
The day’s final scheduled match between Canada’s eighth-seeded Leylah Fernandez and Great Britain’s Katie Boulter was halted by darkness. Play was suspended with Fernandez leading one set to none and the second set tied 3-3.
Indonesian markets are experiencing a devastating collapse as President Prabowo Subianto’s ambitious spending programs and unconventional economic policies drive away international investors.
Since assuming office in 2024, the former special forces commander turned politician has implemented sweeping changes including free school meal programs for millions of children while abandoning the fiscal restraint policies that had been in place for decades in pursuit of economic growth.
However, the global energy crisis combined with several controversial policy decisions have severely damaged investor trust. These include placing commodity exports under the control of a massive sovereign wealth fund that answers directly to Prabowo, and imposing new employment and growth requirements on the central bank.
These actions have tarnished what was considered an emerging market success story just two years ago. Credit default swaps now suggest that Southeast Asia’s biggest economy may lose its investment-grade rating.
Indonesian stocks have become the world’s worst-performing market in 2026, plummeting over 42%. The rupiah currency has also taken a severe beating, becoming both a consequence and cause of the economic turmoil as its decline triggers additional selling pressure.
The currency has dropped 8% this year and fallen 7% since the Iran conflict began. It currently trades at 18,190 against the U.S. dollar, marking an all-time low, with its steepest decline in three weeks since 2020.
“Indonesia is suffering from a genuine confidence crisis, with serious governance red flags that overshadow any valuation argument,” said Tan Altundag, investment manager for emerging equities at Pictet Asset Management, which has aggressively cut its exposure to Indonesian stocks.
“The rupiah at 18,000/USD is not just eroding real returns for foreign investors … the currency slide risks becoming a self-reinforcing loop, pushing up inflation … tightening financial conditions, and ultimately weighing on growth.”
The currency continues falling despite a significant 50-basis-point interest rate increase in May and a $12 billion decline in Indonesia’s foreign exchange reserves this year, which the central bank typically uses for currency defense. The negative effects are now spreading throughout the economy.
Foreign stock sales totaling a net $3.2 billion through May represent the largest outflow since 2009. Data reveals that international ownership of government bonds, which reached nearly 40% before the COVID-19 pandemic, has crashed to a nearly 20-year low of just 12.6%.
“It’s true, there is a doom-loop forming,” said John Woods, Asia chief investment officer at Lombard Odier, a private bank.
“Persistent outflows, with foreign holdings in bonds and stocks at multi-year lows, would continue to pressure the rupiah, liquidity, and asset prices – prolonged outflows could slow infrastructure and growth plans.”
Indonesia’s credit and stock ratings face serious threats. Rating downgrades would force investors to sell their holdings and increase borrowing costs for credit.
Index provider MSCI is examining trading and transparency concerns in the equity markets and has warned of a potential downgrade to frontier status, though investors consider this unlikely.
Moody’s and Fitch have downgraded their debt rating outlooks to negative, pointing to diminished policy credibility, while S&P has indicated its rating will depend on efforts to strengthen fiscal reserves.
Markets are particularly concerned that the energy crisis resulting from the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran has intensified economic pressure and strained the budget through fuel subsidies, yet Prabowo has intensified his costly agenda.
Indonesia recently enacted comprehensive legislation, not fully disclosed to the public, granting parliament new authority over the central bank and adding “real sector growth” to its responsibilities, which analysts view as undermining its independence.
Earlier this year, Prabowo appointed his nephew as a deputy central bank governor.
Last month, he announced that the government would assume control of commodity exports through Danantara, a sovereign wealth fund he created.
“The underlying concern is that the direction of policy is not great and is becoming less transparent,” said Kieran Curtis, head of emerging markets local debt at Aberdeen in London.
“It is too early to say there has been damage from that policy, but it is not as efficient as exports finding their own market.”
External pressures from the Iran conflict’s impact on energy markets and credit default swaps, which may overstate downgrade risks, have added to the strain. However, investors believe only significant policy changes will reverse the trend.
“Yes, it is possible for countries to pull themselves out of a negative spiral where they have put themselves in that position to begin with,” said Mark Ledger-Evans, Asia-focused emerging markets fixed income portfolio manager at Ninety One, an investment management firm.
“In Indonesia’s case, we believe it stems largely from the idea of pursuing growth rates which are not feasible, which then filters down into execution, and hence it’s not so easy to pull out of the negative spiral without a re-think of the ideas.”
Chinese companies that helped develop Indonesia’s nickel industry into the world’s leading producer are already seeking alternatives due to policy pressures, while returning investors will demand better pricing.
“Indonesia is no longer being priced as a reliably orthodox emerging market,” said Hemant Mishr, chief investment officer at fund manager S CUBE Capital, “but as one carrying rising policy risk.”
According to reports from Sportsnet and ESPN on Monday, the Los Angeles Kings are finalizing a three-year contract with Peter Laviolette to become their new head coach.
The veteran coach had been in discussions with the Toronto Maple Leafs about their coaching position as recently as last week, multiple sources indicated, while the Edmonton Oilers had also considered him for their open head coaching role.
At 61 years old, Laviolette brings 23 seasons of NHL head coaching experience to the Kings organization.
His coaching resume includes a Stanley Cup championship with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006. Laviolette also guided teams to the Stanley Cup Final on two other occasions – with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2010 and the Nashville Predators in 2017.
His most recent position was with the New York Rangers, where he served from 2023-25. During his initial season with the Rangers, Laviolette’s team posted a 55-23-4 record for 114 points and made it to the Eastern Conference finals before falling to the Florida Panthers in six games. However, the following season saw New York struggle to a 39-36-7 record with 85 points, missing the playoffs by six points and resulting in Laviolette’s firing in April 2025.
Throughout his coaching career with the New York Islanders (2001-03), Hurricanes (2003-09), Flyers (2009-14), Predators (2014-20), Washington Capitals (2020-23) and Rangers, Laviolette has compiled an 846-562-161 record with 25 ties.
Among coaches born in the United States, his 846 regular-season victories represent the most in NHL history and rank seventh overall.
As a player, Laviolette appeared in 12 NHL contests as a defenseman, all coming during the 1988-89 campaign with the Rangers.
Making his return to the tournament for the first time in seven years, Croatia’s Marin Cilic began his grass-court campaign with a stunning three-set victory over seventh-seeded Denis Shapovalov of Canada during first-round play at the Libema Open on Monday in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands. The final score was 6-7 (5), 6-4, 7-5.
The Croatian player found himself down 4-2 in the second set but managed to win four consecutive games to even the match at one set apiece. In the deciding third set, Cilic once again fell behind by a break but successfully broke Shapovalov’s serve in each of his last three service games, capitalizing on 7 of 10 break-point opportunities.
Cilic’s next opponent will be Portugal’s Nuno Borges, who defeated France’s Terence Atmane in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4. While Borges managed only two aces compared to Atmane’s 13, he committed significantly fewer unforced errors (12 versus 23) and successfully defended all his service games without facing a single break point.
The fifth-seeded Frenchman Ugo Humbert cruised through his opening match in just over an hour, defeating Swedish qualifier Elias Ymer 6-4, 6-3 in the day’s final contest. Humbert will meet fellow Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi in the next round, after Bonzi dispatched 18-year-old Dutch player Mees Rottgering 6-4, 6-4.
At the BOSS Open in Stuttgart, Germany, Italy’s Mattia Bellucci scored an upset victory over seventh-seeded Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, winning 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-1 in their first-round encounter.
Following a narrow loss in the second-set tiebreak that prevented a straight-set victory, Bellucci took control of the final set with a commanding 5-0 advantage. Though he connected on only 48% of his first serves in the third set, Bellucci won an impressive 74% of his service points and successfully converted five break-point opportunities compared to just one for Davidovich Fokina.
Spanish player Martin Landaluce achieved his maiden tour-level victory on grass courts Monday, overcoming France’s Pierre-Hugues Herbert 5-7, 6-3, 6-4. Landaluce faces a challenging second-round matchup against second-seeded defending champion Taylor Fritz, who received a first-round bye as one of the tournament’s top four seeds.
Belgian qualifier Gauthier Onclin defeated Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan 7-6 (6), 6-3, and now waits to learn his next opponent from the suspended match between France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard and Russian lucky loser Roman Safiullin. Play was halted due to rain with Safiullin holding a 4-1 lead in the third set.
The Southeastern Conference has achieved an unprecedented milestone by securing five spots in the eight-team College World Series lineup that kicks off Friday in Omaha, Nebraska.
After top-seeded UCLA and second-ranked Georgia Tech were eliminated during Regional play, third-ranked Georgia emerged as the tournament’s highest-seeded survivor advancing to Super Regionals. The Bulldogs completed a sweep of Mississippi State to earn their first College World Series berth since 2008.
Georgia will face fellow SEC competitors in Omaha, including sixth-ranked Texas, seventh-ranked Alabama, along with unranked Ole Miss and Oklahoma. Each team secured their spots by completing Super Regional sweeps, with Ole Miss defeating fourth-seeded Auburn and Oklahoma pulling off a road upset against 15th-ranked Kansas.
This year’s tournament will crown a new champion following LSU’s elimination. Among the remaining teams, Ole Miss holds the most recent championship title from 2022, when the Rebels defeated Oklahoma in the finals. Prior to that victory, Texas claimed the crown in 2005, and the Longhorns now make their record-setting 39th College World Series appearance.
Four programs – Alabama, Troy, fifth-ranked North Carolina, and 16th-ranked West Virginia – are pursuing their inaugural CWS championships. West Virginia became the first team to secure their Omaha spot this season by sweeping Cal Poly at home.
Troy stands as the sole representative from outside the Power 4 conferences. The Trojans required an at-large selection to reach Regional competition, then traveled to Gainesville where they defeated Florida twice to advance. They subsequently dominated Little Rock in Super Regional play, outscoring their opponents 19-4 across two games.
Just five of the tournament’s top 16 national seeds successfully reached Omaha, matching last year’s total. Notably, none of the 2025 College World Series participants managed to advance beyond Regional competition this season.
COLLEGE WORLD SERIES SCHEDULE
All Times ET
June 12 Game 1: No. 16 West Virginia vs. Troy | 2 p.m. Game 2: No. 5 North Carolina vs. Ole Miss | 7 p.m.
June 13 Game 3: No. 7 Alabama vs. Oklahoma | 3 p.m. Game 4: No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 6 Texas | TBD
June 14 Game 5: Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2 | 2 p.m. Game 6: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 | 7 p.m.
June 15 Game 7: Loser of Game 3 vs. Loser of Game 4 | 2 p.m. Game 8: Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 4 | 7 p.m.
June 16 Game 9: TBD vs. TBD | 2 p.m. Game 10: TBD vs. TBD | 8 p.m.
June 17 Game 11: TBD vs. TBD | 2 p.m. Game 12: TBD vs. TBD | 7 p.m.
June 18 Bracket 1: TBD vs. TBD | TBD (if necessary) Bracket 2: TBD vs. TBD | TBD (if necessary)
Motorists traveling along Polly Drummond Hill Road should expect periodic lane restrictions due to ongoing construction work.
The construction activity is affecting the roadway between Kirkwood Highway (DE 2) and New Linden Hill Road, with lane closures occurring intermittently.
According to transportation officials, these construction-related lane restrictions will remain in effect until 5 AM.
Drivers are advised to plan for potential delays and consider alternate routes when traveling through the area during construction hours.
Drivers should expect delays on a busy stretch of Janice Road today as construction crews have shut down the left lane for southbound traffic.
The lane closure affects the section of Janice Road between Siham Boulevard and Coastal Highway (Route 1), with work expected to continue until 5 PM this evening.
Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and use caution when navigating through the construction zone.
Drivers traveling through a section of Frederica Street should plan for potential delays due to construction activity affecting traffic flow.
The roadway between Front Street and David Street is experiencing periodic lane closures as work crews complete their project. These intermittent restrictions are expected to continue through 4 PM today.
Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time when using this route and to exercise caution when approaching the work zone area.
THE HAGUE, June 8 – The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, has been suspended from his duties while member nations prepare to vote on his future, according to an announcement Monday from the court’s governing body. This action follows an investigation into sexual harassment allegations against him.
According to a diplomatic source familiar with the matter, the governing body’s executive bureau determined that Khan engaged in serious misconduct after completing an 18-month investigation. The probe examined claims that Khan had non-consensual sexual encounters with an attorney working in his office.
Khan has consistently rejected these allegations. The governing body will now forward their findings to all 125 countries that are members of the ICC, who are anticipated to hold a vote on potentially removing Khan from his position at a future date.
Drivers traveling northbound on Route 1 should expect delays due to construction activity that has shut down the right lane between Cedar Beach Road and the Kent County border.
The construction work has also forced the closure of the northbound entrance ramp from Cedar Beach Road onto Route 1.
According to transportation officials, these lane restrictions will remain in effect until 6 AM. Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and use caution when driving through the work zone.
Financial markets demonstrated more stability Monday as investors worked to regain ground lost during the previous week’s trading session.
Crude oil values climbed Monday in response to military conflict between Israel and Iran, though energy prices retreated from their peak increases during the day.
The S&P 500 gained 0.3% after experiencing a 2.6% decline on Friday, marking its steepest single-day loss since October. The Dow Jones Industrial Average decreased 0.2%, while the Nasdaq composite advanced 0.9%.
Technology firms specializing in semiconductors, memory components, and other artificial intelligence-related products posted strong gains. These same companies had suffered significant losses Friday as investors questioned whether stock prices had risen too rapidly due to AI excitement.
Monday’s closing numbers:
The S&P 500 gained 21.99 points, or 0.3%, finishing at 7,405.73.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 80.77 points, or 0.2%, closing at 50,786.01.
The Nasdaq composite increased 220.23 points, or 0.9%, ending at 25,929.66.
The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies advanced 21.92 points, or 0.8%, to 2,855.42.
Year-to-date performance:
The S&P 500 has increased 560.23 points, representing an 8.2% gain.
The Dow has risen 2,722.72 points, up 5.7%.
The Nasdaq has climbed 2,687.67 points, posting an 11.6% increase.
The Russell 2000 has advanced 373.52 points, showing a 15% gain.
The creator of ChatGPT has submitted secret documents to federal regulators that could lead to the company going public on the stock market, joining two other major artificial intelligence firms in a rush toward Wall Street launches.
OpenAI, headquartered in San Francisco, announced Monday that it has submitted confidential documents to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
“We expect it to leak so we’re just announcing it,” the company said in a written statement. “We have not decided on timing yet; it may be a while because there are things we want to do that are likely easier as a private company. But it’s a complicated set of tradeoffs and this gives us the option to go public sooner if that ends up being best.”
The submission comes after competitor Anthropic revealed on June 1 that it too is pursuing an initial public stock offering. Both companies are now joining Elon Musk’s space company SpaceX, which has begun promoting itself to investors as an AI-focused space enterprise.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman initially suggested the possibility of going public last fall, calling it the “most likely path” for the organization given its scale and need for enormous amounts of funding to develop its technology.
Starting in 2015 as a nonprofit focused on creating AI for public benefit, OpenAI has transformed into a company worth $852 billion.
The path toward public trading was cleared when OpenAI restructured its operations last year, converting to a public benefit corporation while still remaining under nonprofit oversight.
During an April interview, OpenAI’s chief financial officer Sarah Friar would not provide a specific timeline for a possible IPO but noted the company was already “acting with the good hygiene of a public company,” including tracking revenue in ways that publicly traded companies must report to the SEC.
“I want us to be ready,” she told The Associated Press. “I think it’s good to be able to tap the public markets. They’re much bigger than the private markets if you believe compute is a competitive advantage.”
She noted that OpenAI’s current worth would place it among the 15 largest companies in the S&P 500.
She also mentioned there is a “credentializing moment of being a public company.”
“At that point, people are checking your balance sheet, the SEC is governing you and so on,” she said.
WASHINGTON — The Defense Department has designated several high-profile Chinese corporations, including technology powerhouse Alibaba, automobile manufacturer BYD, and internet search company Baidu, as entities supporting China’s military operations, barring them from securing contracts with the U.S. military.
The updated roster, released Monday by the Pentagon, now includes 188 Chinese organizations, marking an increase from approximately 130 entities listed previously. This expansion targets well-recognized private Chinese enterprises outside traditional defense sectors, demonstrating heightened concern over Beijing’s approach of leveraging civilian businesses for military advancement.
Established in 2021 through congressional direction, the designation aims to spotlight Chinese enterprises the Pentagon believes maintain connections to China’s armed forces — encompassing not just those under direct military oversight but also organizations supporting the nation’s defense manufacturing capabilities.
During last year’s update, Pentagon officials noted that Chinese military forces were working to obtain cutting-edge technologies and knowledge from Chinese corporations, academic institutions, and research initiatives that “appear to be civilian entities.”
Chinese Embassy representatives on Monday criticized the United States for “overstretching the concept of national security and making discriminatory lists to go after Chinese companies.” Embassy officials stated that Chinese businesses comply with legal requirements in their operating countries. “The U.S. should stop its wrong practice and create a fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for Chinese companies,” the embassy said in a statement.
While companies appearing on this designation may continue U.S. operations, they encounter reputation challenges and potential additional regulatory constraints. The list previously included organizations like DJI, a leading consumer drone manufacturer.
Regarding Alibaba’s inclusion, Pentagon officials cited the company’s connection to China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology as evidence of its contribution to the country’s defense manufacturing sector. The technology company maintains listings on the New York Stock Exchange.
Defense officials indicated that BYD and Baidu share affiliations with the same ministry, which directs China’s technological and industrial strategies. BYD holds a leading position in worldwide electric vehicle sales, and President Donald Trump indicated in January his openness to Chinese automakers like BYD establishing U.S. manufacturing facilities and employing American personnel.
Nevertheless, multiple U.S. congressional members have expressed intentions to pursue legislation banning Chinese electric vehicles.
The updated list also features Chinese robotics firm Unitree, whose performing robots gained attention from Simon Cowell on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.” Pentagon officials stated the company “knowingly received assistance” from Chinese authorities through recognition as a small or medium-sized enterprise deemed highly innovative, globally competitive, and essential to national supply chains.
Alibaba, BYD, Baidu and Unitree did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment.
A Brooklyn jury has found a young man guilty of manslaughter as a hate crime in connection with the fatal stabbing of O’Shae Sibley, a professional dancer who was attacked while voguing with friends at a gas station.
Twenty-year-old Dmitriy Popov was convicted Monday following a three-week trial in New York State Supreme Court in Brooklyn. Popov, who was 17 when the incident occurred, claimed during testimony that he acted in self-defense when he fatally wounded 28-year-old Sibley in 2023.
According to prosecutors, Popov was motivated by hatred, harassing and mocking Sibley before fatally attacking him when Sibley responded to the harassment.
The jury deliberated for one week before reaching their decision on the first-degree manslaughter conviction. Popov was also found guilty of second-degree menacing, second-degree aggravated harassment and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. However, jurors cleared him of the more severe murder as a hate crime charge, which could have resulted in a life sentence.
In a statement, the district attorney expressed hope that the verdict would provide comfort to Sibley’s loved ones and the broader community as Pride Month begins, emphasizing that hatred has no place in Brooklyn.
The prosecutor noted that Sibley aspired to work as a dancer and choreographer, but his life was tragically ended by someone who “couldn’t stand the sight of O’Shae and his friends just being themselves and living their lives openly as black gay men.”
Defense attorney Mark Pollard announced plans to appeal the decision, calling it “probably bittersweet for both sides.”
“We’re happy he wasn’t guilty of murder but disappointed he wasn’t acquitted on the rest of the charges,” Pollard stated.
The defense lawyer indicated his client could receive between eight and 25 years behind bars for the manslaughter conviction.
Sentencing is set for June 30.
The deadly encounter unfolded on July 29, 2023, when Sibley and his companions stopped at the gas station following a day at the beach. While refueling their vehicle, one member of their group began dancing, which caught the attention of a nearby cluster of young men and teenagers. Members of that group proceeded to taunt and mock the dancers, some of whom were shirtless and wearing swimwear.
Trial evidence included security footage that captured the incident.
The confrontation lasted approximately two minutes before both groups began to separate. Sibley’s party returned to their vehicle while most of the other group went back into the gas station, with the exception of Popov.
Trial testimony revealed that Popov continued shouting insults while filming with his mobile device. Popov denied using any discriminatory language.
The situation escalated when Sibley approached Popov again, moving past someone who attempted to intervene between them. Popov claimed Sibley pursued and struck him in the head. While the security cameras did not capture the fatal moment, Popov testified he used a 5-and-a-half-inch blade against Sibley in what he described as self-defense.
“I was scared that I was going to get hurt,” Popov said during his testimony.
Sibley was a performer with the Philadelphia-based dance company Philadanco and studied with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s Ailey Extension program in New York. He incorporated dance into celebrating his LGBTQ+ identity through works including “Soft: A Love Letter to Black Queer Men,” choreographed by Kemar Jewel.
Approximately 200 people attended Sibley’s funeral service in his native Philadelphia. Various politicians and celebrities, including Beyoncé and Spike Lee, honored him through social media tributes.
Popov, who was born in the United States to parents of Russian heritage, was a high school senior when he was taken into custody.
Leaders from North Korea and China met in Pyongyang on Monday, with both nations pledging to strengthen their partnership across multiple areas, according to reports from North Korean state media KCNA released Tuesday.
Kim Jong Un and Xi Jinping held discussions during the summit, with both sides committing to take their bilateral relationship to the next level, KCNA reported.
A soccer referee from Somalia was refused admission to the United States when he landed at Miami International Airport over the weekend, despite holding valid documentation to work FIFA World Cup matches, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials.
The official arrived Saturday on a flight from Istanbul International Airport but was turned away due to unspecified vetting issues, CBP announced Monday. Authorities did not elaborate on the nature of their concerns that led to the denial of entry.
While CBP officials declined to identify the individual, news outlets reported the referee was Omar Artan, an accomplished official who was poised to become the first person from Somalia to work World Cup games.
The Somali embassy in Washington has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the incident.
The situation highlights ongoing concerns about the Trump administration’s restrictive immigration approach affecting World Cup participants. Last year, the administration implemented broad travel restrictions affecting citizens from 12 nations, with Somalia among the countries included in the ban.
A massive $4.7 billion international crossing between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario is preparing to welcome traffic in the coming weeks, according to bridge officials who spoke Monday.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge is scheduled to begin operations on June 15, as reported by Detroit-area news organizations on Monday. Bridge authority representatives confirmed the project remains on schedule despite concerns previously raised by U.S. President Donald Trump in February.
An official ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for later this week, according to a source who spoke with Reuters.
A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.1 rattled Cuba’s northwest coastline Monday, creating the most significant seismic event the region has experienced in almost 150 years, according to official sources.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recorded the tremor at a relatively shallow depth of 26 kilometers (16 miles), with its center located 104 kilometers west-northwest of Mantua, Cuba – roughly two to four hours by vehicle from Havana.
This seismic activity was particularly uncommon for this Caribbean region, explained Paul Earle, a seismologist with the USGS. He noted the earthquake happened within a tectonic plate, where such events typically occur less frequently and are more dispersed compared to those along plate boundaries.
The last earthquake of comparable strength within 322 kilometers (200 miles) of Monday’s event occurred in 1880, when a 6.0 magnitude tremor struck near San Cristobal, Cuba, Earle stated.
While officials have not documented significant damage or injuries, the earthquake raised alarm in Cuba, where years of economic hardship have left many structures in poor condition. Widespread power outages throughout the area have complicated communication efforts.
“It felt strong. I had never felt anything like that,” said Yusmila Hernandez, 44, at her home in Pinar del Rio, in western Cuba.
“People ran outside, everyone scared. I can’t even explain it. It felt like no earthquake has ever felt here before,” Hernandez said.
The USGS confirmed that tremors reached Florida as well. In Mexico, the earthquake was experienced in popular tourist destinations including Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum on the Yucatan peninsula. Residents and employees in Cancun’s downtown area, unaccustomed to significant seismic activity, fled from buildings.
Officials in Mexico’s Yucatan and Quintana Roo states implemented emergency procedures, though both governors reported via social media that no damage had been documented yet.
The U.S. National Weather Service did not issue any tsunami warnings or advisories following the earthquake.
The social media company Meta announced plans to launch a $115 million workforce training initiative focused on preparing technicians for data center construction positions, as the tech giant accelerates infrastructure development to support artificial intelligence projects.
The training initiative, called America’s Workforce Academy, will offer instruction at no cost to participants and guarantee employment opportunities for those who complete the program, according to company officials.
A company representative explained that the academy will offer comprehensive preparation for data center technician positions. Employment opportunities will include full-time positions with general contractors involved in Meta’s data center construction projects, the representative noted.
When asked for specifics about the number of available positions, which companies would be hiring, and whether union positions would be included, the company representative did not provide details.
The Associated Builders and Contractors, a construction trade group, indicated it anticipates providing instruction to thousands of individuals throughout the program’s duration.
“The AI revolution is bringing change but also historic opportunities,” said Dina Powell McCormick, Meta president and vice-chairman.
This training program represents a small portion of the $600 billion commitment Meta has made toward U.S. infrastructure and employment over the coming three years, supporting the construction of large-scale data centers needed for CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s ambitious artificial intelligence initiatives.
Zuckerberg has outlined plans to develop AI assistants capable of operating independently on users’ behalf to develop applications, schedule appointments and handle transactions.
Last year, he launched an extensive recruitment campaign to support his vision of “personal superintelligence,” providing $100 million signing incentives to AI researchers from competing companies like OpenAI.
Recently, he has implemented AI-focused organizational changes within Meta, eliminating 10% of staff positions, approximately 8,000 workers, while reassigning nearly the same number to new departments focused on enhancing the company’s AI systems and capabilities.
Typically, data center projects generate temporary construction activity and limited long-term employment opportunities.
For example, a data center project in Texas where Meta began construction last year — among the largest planned in the nation — is anticipated to employ more than 1,800 workers during peak construction phases but generate approximately 100 positions once fully operational.
A separate Meta data center project in Oklahoma is projected to provide more than 1,000 construction positions at peak activity and roughly 100 operational positions after completion.
A 23-year-old New Castle resident faces multiple convictions after being found guilty in connection with a deadly collision that claimed one life and left several others injured in Newark during April 2025.
Gordon Turner was found guilty on June 5 of first-degree murder, manslaughter, two charges of first-degree assault, six charges of third-degree assault, two charges of possessing a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony, disregarding a police signal, and reckless endangering.
The convictions stem from the April incident that resulted in the death of one bystander and injuries to multiple other individuals in the Newark area.
A suspended law enforcement officer from Delmar is facing serious criminal charges following a grand jury indictment handed down June 8 in Sussex County Superior Court.
Darrell Powell, age 27, has been charged with stalking, offensive touching, four separate counts of unlawful sexual contact, and three counts of official misconduct. The criminal charges are connected to an investigation examining several incidents of alleged improper behavior that took place from July 2025 through February 2026.
Attorney General Kathy Jennings condemned the officer’s alleged behavior in a statement. “The alleged actions of this officer are beyond unacceptable,” Jennings said. “Rest assured that any misdeeds will be held accountable to the full extent of the law.”
JERUSALEM (AP) — Recent military actions by Israel against Lebanon and Iran have revealed a growing rift between U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, two leaders who began this conflict as unified partners but now pursue different objectives.
Trump had openly cautioned Israel against attacking Beirut during its conflict with Iran-supported Hezbollah forces. Despite this warning, Israel launched strikes on Sunday, prompting Iran to retaliate with ballistic missiles targeting Israel for the first time since April’s ceasefire. Israel subsequently attacked Iran, even as Trump was conducting sensitive diplomatic talks with Iranian officials.
While the military exchanges have calmed, the strategic disagreements between the two leaders appear set to continue.
Trump, whose political party confronts upcoming elections, aims to conclude an increasingly unpopular military campaign and reopen the Strait of Hormuz to reduce fuel costs. Iranian officials have indicated that achieving a complete ceasefire in Lebanon remains essential for any comprehensive agreement.
Netanyahu, who similarly faces electoral pressure this year, must demonstrate success in stopping Hezbollah’s offensive operations while showing he can defeat Iran and its regional partners. He also must balance his relationship with Israel’s key ally without appearing subordinate.
The Feb. 28 joint American-Israeli assault on Iran initially displayed strong alliance unity.
Netanyahu declared the mission would weaken the Islamic Republic’s armed forces, eliminate its nuclear and missile capabilities, and overthrow its leadership. Trump confirmed the death of Iran’s supreme leader during the initial bombardment and encouraged Iranian citizens to reclaim their nation.
However, divergent goals quickly emerged: Trump sought rapid victory similar to his success in Venezuela, while Netanyahu pursued complete defeat of Iran and its allies regardless of timeline.
As Iran endured sustained attacks while keeping the Strait of Hormuz blocked, frustration mounted in both countries for different reasons.
American gas prices and consumer costs skyrocketed, leading former Trump supporters to accuse him of abandoning campaign pledges and entangling America in another Middle Eastern conflict. He has defended against these criticisms as growing public anger threatens Republican chances in November’s congressional races.
Israeli citizens expressed anger over Netanyahu’s inability to achieve decisive wins in conflicts triggered by Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, assault during his leadership. More than two years later, Hamas maintains control over Gaza sections, Hezbollah continues rocket attacks, and Iran’s government and nuclear infrastructure survive despite significant casualties.
The disagreement centers on Lebanon, where Israeli-Hezbollah combat continues despite ceasefire declarations.
Iran insists Lebanon must be part of any broader regional peace agreement, a condition Trump appears willing to accept for diplomatic progress. Iran has warned of renewed attacks on Israel if Lebanese strikes continue.
Israel remains committed to separating the conflicts and pursuing its Lebanese operations, having seized substantial southern territory, until the Hezbollah threat ends completely.
Public tensions emerged last week when Trump confirmed a heated phone conversation with Netanyahu regarding Lebanon. He acknowledged using profanity and calling the Israeli leader “crazy,” expressing frustration that Israel’s Hezbollah campaign jeopardized Iranian negotiations.
Through multiple interviews, Trump clearly expressed displeasure with Israel’s Sunday Beirut attack, which occurred without advance notice and struck civilian housing, killing two people and injuring 20 according to Lebanese officials.
He subsequently called for Israeli restraint following Iran’s missile barrage that same day. “I call all the shots,” not Netanyahu, Trump declared to the Financial Times.
Israel bombed Iran within hours.
Trump initially advocated restraint to stabilize markets and preserve ongoing negotiations, according to someone familiar with U.S.-Israeli discussions who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of these conversations.
Israeli representatives argued that America would not accept attacks without immediate retaliation. The source noted both sides understood that failing to respond to Iranian strikes would create political difficulties for Netanyahu domestically.
Netanyahu has minimized any apparent disagreements.
Following recent strikes, he addressed reporters in Hebrew, stating “Israel has a full right to self-defense, and we are exercising it to the extent necessary.”
“I say this to you, just as I say this, with appreciation and respect, in my good conversations with my friend, President Trump,” he continued.
This marks another instance of Trump publicly disagreeing with Netanyahu regarding military operations.
In March, barely three weeks into the conflict, Trump criticized Netanyahu’s choice to target a crucial Iranian energy facility, which led Iran to strike Gulf region energy infrastructure.
“I told him, ‘Don’t do that,’” Trump recalled. “We get along great. It’s coordinated, but on occasion he’ll do something.”
Despite Trump’s public criticism, two sources familiar with the situation who lacked authorization for public comment revealed the U.S. received advance notification of Israel’s attack plans.
The lasting impact of this recent disagreement remains uncertain.
“It’s not so uncommon for the U.S.-Israel relationship to have these kinds of tensions. What’s so different right now is how publicly it’s playing out,” observed Michael Singh, managing director at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
He pointed out that Trump has engaged in similar public disputes with other world leaders, including close allies.
Eytan Gilboa, a specialist in U.S.-Israel relations at Israel’s Bar-Ilan and Reichman universities, expressed doubt that the disagreement seriously endangers the alliance. He noted Netanyahu’s caution in avoiding excessive confrontation.
“If there was a big threat, like if Israel were to continue the war in Iran and drag the U.S. into it, that would have been a different situation,” he explained. “But that is not happening.”
He acknowledged, however, that “basic disagreements between Netanyahu and Trump on Iran, Lebanon and Gaza” remain unresolved.
A federal court has overturned the Trump administration’s controversial decision to impose a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas, delivering a victory to states and employers who challenged the dramatic cost increase.
U.S. District Court Judge Leo Sorokin in Boston ruled Monday in favor of 20 states, determining that the executive branch overstepped its legal boundaries and failed to follow proper federal rulemaking procedures when implementing the fee hike.
“The Court finds that the Policy imposes a tax on H-1B petitions without the requisite delegation by Congress,” Sorokin wrote.
The administration had defended the substantial fee increase as a measure to protect American workers from foreign competition for jobs. Previously, H-1B applications typically cost several thousand dollars, making the new fee structure a massive jump that created widespread confusion and concern among employers and workers.
H-1B visas target positions requiring specialized skills that are challenging to fill with domestic workers. Technology firms represent the largest user group, with approximately three-quarters of approvals granted to workers from India. The challenging states contended that recruiting essential professionals like doctors and teachers through the H-1B system was already problematic before the fee increase took effect.
The legal landscape remains complex, with multiple court cases producing conflicting outcomes. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce filed a separate challenge in Washington, D.C. federal court and has appealed an unfavorable ruling, leaving the higher fee temporarily in place until September 2026. Religious organizations and labor groups have also filed suit in San Francisco federal court, potentially creating conflicting decisions across different appellate circuits.
State officials argued the policy would severely impact their capacity to recruit educators for elementary and secondary schools, staff public universities, support academic research initiatives, and maintain adequate medical personnel levels.
“The Proclamation makes various overtures to domestic economic policy goals to justify the unprecedented $100,000 fee,” plaintiffs wrote in their complaint. “But the Proclamation gives no indication that the President gave any consideration to how the fee would affect Plaintiff States and their ability to provide their residents access to education, healthcare, and other basic human needs.”
The Department of Homeland Security expressed strong disagreement with the court’s decision, characterizing it as inappropriate judicial interference with immigration policy reforms.
“Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, our immigration system is being reformed to serve American citizens, American workers, and American families and to preserve our national identity — not to rapidly import foreigners who take American jobs, commit crimes, burden our welfare system, and erode our cultural and social fabric,” the agency stated.
WASHINGTON — Foreign nationals seeking to visit the United States for business or tourism will soon have the option to pay an additional $750 for faster visa processing through a new State Department initiative.
The department plans to announce a pilot “premium” service this week through a Federal Register publication, enabling applicants to secure interview appointments within 10 days of payment at selected U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide.
According to internal documents reviewed by The Associated Press and confirmed by a State Department official who requested anonymity prior to the official announcement, the expedited service will operate from July 1 through December 31.
This premium option comes as the current administration has implemented stricter entry requirements for foreign visitors, including bond payments reaching $15,000 for certain countries, particularly in Africa, and extensive background checks covering years of personal information and social media activity.
These enhanced screening measures have created significant processing backlogs globally, generating widespread criticism from applicants and advocacy groups.
Citizens from nations outside the Visa Waiver Program currently face interview wait times extending several months or longer. While the $750 premium service — added to the standard $185 application fee — guarantees a quicker interview, it does not ensure visa approval.
Officials have not yet revealed which embassies and consulates will participate in the expedited program, though this information will be released before the July launch date. The six-month pilot could be extended based on applicant demand and program success.
Wall Street experienced a tepid bounce-back Monday following Friday’s technology-driven market decline, with major indexes posting mixed results as investors remained cautious about interest rate concerns and artificial intelligence market fever.
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq managed to recover some ground from Friday’s steep losses, helped by news of potential easing tensions between Israel and Iran and bargain-hunting by investors seeking discounted stocks. However, the rebound lacked conviction, indicating persistent anxiety about monetary policy and AI investment enthusiasm.
Market analyst Jamie McGeever examined whether the traditional warning that “economic expansions don’t die of old age, they’re murdered by the Fed” might apply to the current AI-fueled stock rally. Friday’s market retreat following robust employment data suggests this concern may be warranted.
Monday’s trading showed the recovery’s uneven nature across different market segments. While the S&P 500 climbed 0.3% after Friday’s 2.6% drop, and the Nasdaq rose 0.9% following a 4% decline, the Dow Jones continued sliding with a 0.2% loss after Friday’s 1.3% retreat. Only three of eleven S&P 500 sectors managed gains.
The semiconductor sector led the comeback with the “SOX” chip index jumping 6%. Technology, energy, and consumer discretionary sectors were the only areas showing positive movement. Intel surged 11% while Micron Technology gained 10%, though Apple declined 2%.
Global markets showed significant variation, with South Korea dropping 9%, Japan falling 4%, and China declining 3%. European and UK markets remained relatively stable.
Currency markets saw the dollar dip slightly, with the USD/JPY pair holding above 160.00. The South Korean won soared 2% as the biggest emerging market gainer, while the Chilean peso fell more than 1% as the largest decliner.
Bond markets reflected continued uncertainty, with Japanese government bond yields rising 5 basis points and U.S. yields climbing 4 basis points at the long end, creating a bear steepening curve pattern. Oil prices advanced approximately 1%.
The subdued recovery proved surprising given hopes for an Israel-Iran ceasefire. However, investors have experienced numerous Middle East false hopes recently, and longer-dated Treasury bonds actually increased rather than retreating.
Looking ahead, a major IPO development looms as SpaceX prepares to list Friday, targeting $75 billion in what would become the largest initial public offering ever, valuing the company at $1.75 trillion. Despite strong investor demand, concerns exist about insider early exits, Elon Musk’s continued control, and the company’s ongoing losses.
European defense cooperation faced a setback as Germany and France reportedly abandoned their joint next-generation fighter jet development project due to industrial rivalries. This decision affects Europe’s most ambitious defense program at a time when Russian and U.S. threats are pressuring European nations to strengthen their military capabilities.
Tuesday’s market focus will center on potential Middle East developments, along with economic data from Australia, Taiwan, South Korea, Germany, Mexico, Canada, and the United States. The U.S. Treasury will also conduct a $58 billion auction of 3-year notes.
Applied Digital announced Monday it has secured a massive 15-year lease agreement with a major U.S. technology company that will generate approximately $5.2 billion in revenue, causing the company’s stock to surge 8.7% in after-hours trading.
The deal highlights the growing investment by large technology firms in data center infrastructure needed to power advanced artificial intelligence systems, creating increased demand for electricity, computing power and specialized facilities.
According to the company, roughly 70% of Applied Digital’s contracted revenue now comes from U.S.-based investment-grade hyperscalers.
The latest contract involves 210 megawatts of computing power at Delta Forge 2, Applied Digital’s newest AI Factory campus, structured as a take-or-pay lease arrangement.
While Applied Digital declined to identify the customer, the company revealed this marks its third long-term lease with the same investment-grade hyperscaler.
Should all renewal options be utilized, the agreement could potentially bring in around $12.7 billion in revenue across a 30-year timeframe.
Applied Digital’s current contracted portfolio encompasses five campuses, totaling 1.4 gigawatts of critical IT load and approximately 2.15 gigawatts of grid-connected utility power.
The company reported its contracted base-term lease revenue has grown to roughly $36 billion and could reach about $86 billion if all renewal options are executed.
Delta Forge 2 will feature Applied Digital’s waterless cooling technology and high-power density infrastructure specifically engineered for AI workloads. The campus is scheduled to begin initial operations during the first quarter of 2028.
Criminal gangs operating in Nigeria’s northwestern region have captured dozens of community members who attended what they believed would be peace discussions, according to law enforcement and local sources who spoke Monday. The incident underscores the deteriorating safety conditions plaguing the area.
Law enforcement officials report that 39 individuals were taken captive on Sunday during a forest gathering close to Magamin Diddi village within Maradun municipality in northwestern Zamfara State. Local community members and government representatives suggest the actual number of victims may reach 50.
The Zamfara State Police Command issued a statement explaining that those captured had been meeting with family members of a criminal leader, hoping to establish peace agreements and lift movement restrictions that had been placed on their community.
Zamfara sits at the heart of an ongoing security emergency where criminal organizations, known locally as bandits, conduct large-scale abductions, murders and attacks on villages. This violence has interrupted agricultural activities and forced thousands from their homes.
The police statement confirmed that law enforcement agencies have sent officers and intelligence resources to find the missing individuals.
Community members report that several people were freed to deliver the criminals’ financial demands to the village.
Bashar Aliyu, who lives in Magamin Diddi, stated that the criminal organization is seeking 125 million naira ($91,880) to free those who were taken.
Across numerous communities, locals have begun conducting direct negotiations with criminal groups to access their farmland or free kidnapping victims, despite official discouragement of such practices that authorities find difficult to stop.
A labor dispute at a key General Motors parts supplier has stretched into its second week as negotiations between management and workers remain stalled.
The work stoppage at Dauch Corp’s Michigan facility involves approximately 1,000 employees represented by United Auto Workers Local 2093. The plant, located in Three Rivers, Michigan, manufactures axles and other parts for GM’s full-size and midsize pickup trucks.
Josh Jager, who serves as bargaining chairman for Local 2093, expressed frustration with the company’s approach to negotiations during a Monday afternoon update.
“Unfortunately, we just walked away from the table. The company is trying to play games with words and not providing anything productive,” Jager stated, though he added that the union is preparing another proposal to present to management.
“We’re still making progress,” he said.
A company representative for Dauch, which was previously called American Axle, indicated that discussions are ongoing.
“We continue to have ongoing discussions with the union in hopes of promptly reaching a mutually beneficial and market-competitive contract,” the spokesman said, adding that the company remains “in close communication with our customers regarding the work stoppage.”
The wage dispute centers on compensation levels that have been a concern since 2008, when plant employees accepted reduced pay. According to Jager, the highest hourly wage has risen by $4 since then to reach $22 per hour. The union is seeking to increase top wages to $30 per hour by 2030.
While sources indicated last week that GM had approximately two weeks of axle inventory to maintain production, a GM representative said Monday that none of the automaker’s facilities have been impacted by the strike so far.
A school district located near Boston has found a creative way to incorporate the World Cup into their educational curriculum, using the international soccer tournament as a learning opportunity for young students.
Elementary school children in the district are discovering various aspects of different nations through the global competition, including exploring the languages spoken in competing countries, studying their traditional foods, and learning about the wildlife native to these regions.
A pet food company based in Cottonwood Heights, Utah has widened a recall that was initially announced in February to encompass another batch of its freeze-dried chicken dog food product.
Go Raw LLC announced on June 8, 2026 that it is extending its February 17, 2026 recall to cover one additional lot of Steve’s Real Food Freeze-Dried Chicken Recipe. The company cited concerns about insufficient thiamine levels in the affected product.
Thiamine, also known as Vitamin B1, is a crucial nutrient for pet health. The recall expansion indicates that testing has revealed the additional product lot may contain inadequate amounts of this essential vitamin.
A private credit fund operated by Blue Owl Capital has successfully secured $500 million through an investment-grade bond sale, Bloomberg News reported Monday, according to a source with knowledge of the transaction.
The fund had previously implemented restrictions on investor withdrawals earlier this year following unprecedented redemption requests.
Blue Owl has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the bond sale.
According to the Bloomberg report, Blue Owl Credit Income Corp (OCIC) set the pricing for five-year notes at 255 basis points above U.S. Treasuries, with a reoffer price of 98.771.
The pricing spread narrowed by approximately 25 basis points from the initial discussions, the report indicated.
The funds raised through the bond sale will go toward debt repayment, according to the report.
OCIC operates as a business development company, which combines equity funding with borrowed capital to provide financing primarily to medium-sized businesses.
In recent months, affluent investors have attempted to pull money from private credit investments due to worries about declining lending quality and artificial intelligence’s potential impact on the software industry, which represents significant exposure for many of these funds.
Earlier this year, the company had restricted withdrawals to 5% of shares across two of its funds following an unprecedented volume of redemption requests during the first quarter.
The Board of Trustees for the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation has announced their upcoming meeting scheduled for June 23, 2026, beginning at 9 am through teleconference.
The board session will address standard organizational matters and routine business items on the agenda.
Community members who wish to share feedback, raise questions, or express concerns about the foundation’s work are encouraged to contact Michelle Cable, who serves as Executive Director of the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation. She can be reached via email at [email protected] or by phone at (410).
A 15-year-old girl from Wilmington faces multiple charges after attacking two people with scissors at a hair salon on Sunday afternoon, according to Delaware State Police.
Officers were called to Fransiah African Braids on North Market Street around 4:30 p.m. on June 7, 2026, following reports of a stabbing incident. Investigators determined the teenage customer became dissatisfied while getting her hair braided at the establishment.
According to police, the situation escalated when the girl began throwing objects around the salon before grabbing scissors from her stylist and going into a bathroom. When she came out, she threatened the hairdresser with the scissors, leading to a confrontation that ended with the teen attacking and stabbing the salon worker repeatedly.
Another person at the salon tried to stop the attack and hold down the teenager but was also stabbed in the process. Emergency responders took both injured victims to a nearby hospital where they were treated for injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
Police officers found the suspect outside the hair salon and arrested her without any problems. She was processed at Troop 1 and appeared before Justice of the Peace Court 11, where she received a $10,100 secured bond and was placed in the custody of the Department of Services for Children Youth and Their Families.
American airlines faced a massive fuel bill of more than $6 billion in April, marking a 78% increase from the previous year even though they consumed roughly the same amount of fuel, according to government data released Monday. At the same time, the aviation industry’s leading global trade organization cautioned that rising energy costs could slash worldwide airline profits nearly in half by 2026.
The disruption began when Middle East tensions escalated earlier this year following strikes by the U.S. and Israel on Iran, effectively shutting down much of the shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz — a vital oil transportation corridor that runs along Iran’s border. This disruption has driven up both crude oil and jet fuel prices significantly.
To manage these rising expenses, airlines worldwide have implemented higher ticket prices and additional fees, eliminated various customer benefits, and reduced flight schedules or canceled routes entirely.
Data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics shows U.S. airlines paid approximately $6.5 billion for fuel in April, a dramatic increase from roughly $3.6 billion during the same month last year. Despite the higher costs, actual fuel usage dropped slightly to 1.573 billion gallons from 1.575 billion gallons in April of the previous year.
These numbers emerged alongside a Sunday report from the International Air Transport Association, which revised its profit projections for airlines globally. The organization now anticipates combined net earnings of $23 billion in 2026, significantly lower than its earlier prediction of $41 billion and down from $45 billion expected in 2025.
“Airlines are bearing the brunt of the fuel price shock,” said Willie Walsh, director general of IATA, which represents most of the world’s carriers. “While airfares are rising, airlines are still absorbing part of the hike in their bottom lines.”
The trade association projects jet fuel will cost an average of $152 per barrel in 2026, representing nearly a 70% increase from 2025 levels. This surge will push the worldwide airline fuel expense to approximately $350 billion, up from $252 billion the year before. The organization estimates fuel will represent more than 31% of airline operational costs in 2026, compared to roughly 25% last year.
Within the United States, jet fuel prices reached $4.11 per gallon in April, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. The same month last year, the price was $2.31 per gallon.
Demonstrating the continuing impact of the regional conflict on travel, American Airlines announced last week it would suspend certain summer routes. Similarly, in April, the group said it would eliminate 20,000 short-distance flights through October, while Air Canada revealed it was halting service to New York’s airport from June until late October.
Additional airlines across different regions — including U.S. carriers and international airlines in Europe and Asia — have responded by reducing flights, modifying their schedules, or putting expansion plans on hold for this year.
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Following Monday’s missile exchange between Israel and Iran that marked the most significant escalation since their fragile ceasefire in April, exhausted Israeli citizens returned to practiced wartime behaviors with feelings of resignation and detachment. Citizens sought shelter during morning alarm warnings, then some remained at home while others continued daily activities like shopping or bringing children to playgrounds in efforts to preserve everyday life.
Throughout Tel Aviv, the nation’s business and cultural center, typically busy roads showed less activity than usual, with shops and establishments seeing reduced foot traffic compared to typical weekdays. This quieter environment contrasted sharply with the vibrant, multicolored Pride celebration decorations displayed throughout the city in preparation for the June 12 annual parade.
Earlier that day, projectiles were fired from Yemen and Iran targeting Israel. These attacks followed Israel’s weekend strikes on southern Beirut neighborhoods, where Israeli officials claimed Hezbollah, Tehran’s regional partner, maintained military facilities.
“We’re not normalizing it,” said Liron Eldad, a mother of two children, referring to the ongoing conflict while accompanying other parents at a Tel Aviv playground located beside a community bomb shelter. However, she added, “we can’t just sit there and be bitter.”
This response has become a predictable cycle following the Hamas assault on Oct. 7, 2023, which sparked conflicts across Gaza, Lebanon and Iran. The continuous fighting, emergency warnings and daily life interruptions have created widespread exhaustion and despair among Israeli residents.
Eldad expressed her disappointment with national leadership and anticipation for political transformation through October elections. “It’s clearly not working, what we’re doing, and instead we’re getting deeper and deeper into wars,” she stated.
Throughout Israel on Monday, educational institutions remained shuttered and medical facilities suspended non-emergency services, relocating certain patients to lower levels while Israeli defense systems neutralized incoming missiles.
Following Iran’s announcement that it would cease offensive actions against Israel, these limitations were removed and classes were scheduled to restart Tuesday. By Monday night, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also indicated that Israel’s military operations had concluded, though he warned the nation would react “with force” to any subsequent Iranian aggression.
Nevertheless, the temporary return to conflict left Israelis anxious. “I feel like I’m stuck in a place where you have no control over your life,” expressed Rana Raslan, a physician and mother who was also present at the Tel Aviv playground.
Numerous residents also criticized Netanyahu and his government coalition for rekindling the hostilities. Following Israel’s weekend Beirut strikes, Iran threatened retaliation for the assault, which Israel conducted despite Washington’s appeals to avoid major operations near the Lebanese capital.
“The behavior of the government and the prime minister, and the way he’s brought us into unending wars and his constant lies to his infantile base, don’t help me sleep well at night,” commented Moshe Regev, 63, a retired economist visiting Tel Aviv’s beachfront.
The conflict started on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas-led forces attacked southern Israel, resulting in 1,200 deaths and 251 kidnappings. Since that time, over 72,700 people have died in Israel’s Gaza campaign, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which operates under Hamas administration and whose statistics are typically accepted as credible by international organizations.
A few streets inland from the coastline, 75-year-old Shlomi Yakobi, who sells fresh produce, commended Netanyahu’s leadership during the previous three years. He described this as a chaotic time that would have overwhelmed a weaker leader, noting his five decades operating a stand in Tel Aviv’s Carmel marketplace.
“People are hiding at home instead of going out,” he observed while serving apricots to several visitors. Yakobi explained that the conflict has hurt his business, though he believes the country had limited alternatives. He sometimes finds himself with excess inventory, which he gives to the neighboring synagogue.
“For two years now, you never know what’s going to happen in the next five minutes,” he said.
Almost five decades following the death of Elvis Presley, a group of energetic youngsters and teenagers brought excitement to his birthplace of Tupelo, Mississippi, determined to preserve the legendary performer’s memory for future audiences.
The young performers, spanning ages seven through 17 and many dressed in sparkling jumpsuits, performed during the youth tribute artist contest at the Tupelo Elvis Festival held last week.
Unlike many of their contemporaries who might be unfamiliar with Elvis’s music, these dedicated competitors have invested countless hours perfecting the icon’s vocal style, characteristic movements, and distinctive appearance.
The participants emphasize their role as Elvis tribute artists rather than mere impersonators. While impersonators may portray exaggerated versions of Elvis, tribute artists focus on genuine recreation. Many donned authentic outfits made by B&K Enterprises Costume Co., an officially licensed company that reproduces Elvis’s wardrobe for films, stage productions, and television programs.
Tucker Gladden, a 17-year-old from Madison, Mississippi, explained their mission: “We’re not trying to be him. We want to recreate the experience as much as we can for people that maybe didn’t get to see Elvis in their lifetime.”
When discussing their attraction to the deceased musician, many tribute artists pointed to the 2022 “Elvis” film as their initial inspiration. Some discovered distant family connections to Elvis that sparked their interest. Others found motivation in Elvis’s religious beliefs and philanthropic work. Several participants have been performing Elvis songs since age three.
Ayden Maloy, 16, from Logansport, Indiana, found solace in Elvis’s music during personal struggles, leading him to start tribute performances three years ago.
“I just broke down in tears because it healed me,” Maloy shared. “I think Elvis is the healer.”
The afternoon showcase featured spectacular costumes and bold choreography, with audiences joining in by clapping, singing, and moving to the Elvis classics. The competition concluded with RJ Hursey, a 14-year-old from Bloomington, Illinois, claiming victory.
Hursey, whose grandfather passed down his Elvis appreciation, maintains daily practice sessions and conducts research when illness prevents singing. He regularly performs at senior care facilities and dreams of starring in a future Elvis film remake.
“It’s humbling,” Hursey reflected. “It makes you feel good because we know that he died thinking he’d be forgotten, and we’re just so glad he’s still around.”
During their Tupelo visit, the tribute artists explored the Elvis Presley Birthplace, an extensive site featuring his birth home and the church where he first encountered Southern gospel music.
Charles Session, 15, from Morrilton, Arkansas, expressed his emotions about the experience: “It feels so surreal to pay tribute to Elvis in his hometown. I hope that he’s looking down and smiling at all these young performers.”
An immigration detention center in Louisiana has recorded another detainee death, marking the second fatality at the facility in under two months amid ongoing concerns about conditions and medical care.
Mamuka Artmeladze, 43, from Georgia, was discovered unresponsive on June 4 at the Winn Correctional Center located in Winnfield, Louisiana, according to a Sunday announcement from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Officials said facility personnel immediately started life-saving efforts before paramedics transported him to a nearby hospital, where medical staff declared him deceased within an hour of arrival.
ICE has not released further details about the circumstances leading to his death, stating that autopsy results will determine the cause. Artmeladze had spent almost four months at the detention center, which operates under management by the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office alongside ICE contractor LaSalle Corrections.
The detention center houses over 1,500 male detainees, with Artmeladze among the majority who lacked criminal backgrounds. Immigration officials said he crossed into the United States illegally at an undetermined time, and after Border Patrol agents encountered him in September 2022, he was permitted to stay temporarily under ICE monitoring. Authorities apprehended him in Alabama this past February when officials decided he no longer qualified to remain in the country legally.
This death brings the total number of detainees who have perished in ICE custody to 19 since the start of the year, with two occurring at Winn since April 11. Records obtained by The Associated Press reveal that 49-year-old Alejandro Cabrera Clemente was discovered unresponsive during a routine security inspection on that date, with staff attempting revival efforts before his transport to the same medical facility where Artmeladze later died.
Medical examiners determined that Cabrera, originally from Mexico but recently residing in Tennessee, succumbed to natural causes related to heart disease. Documentation shows he awakened approximately 2½ hours before being found unresponsive, experiencing coughing and breathing difficulties, though he indicated he felt fine and returned to sleep.
A separate ICE investigation into Cabrera’s death noted that fellow detainees alerted nursing personnel to his condition, finding him “with left-sided facial droop” and skin discoloration indicating oxygen deprivation. Medical records show Cabrera received ongoing treatment for elevated blood pressure and additional health issues throughout his detention period.
These fatalities occur as federal oversight agencies intensify examination of whether ICE detention centers are providing inadequate medical attention to detainees and maintaining substandard living environments, allegations that ICE disputes.
The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General released findings last week from a surprise inspection at Winn, documenting violations across multiple areas including environmental health and safety, food service operations, use-of-force protocols, and medical care standards.
Inspectors documented water seepage through kitchen ventilation systems, ceiling damage with exposed insulation materials in the intake facility, and food products stored at temperatures exceeding safety requirements in freezer units.
Healthcare personnel at Winn failed to maintain current treatment documentation and laboratory test records, creating conditions that could “negatively impact detainee health care and safety,” according to the inspection findings.
The review also identified improper use-of-force incidents, including one officer who applied a prohibited chokehold on a detainee and another officer who punctured a detainee’s thumb with a writing instrument after the individual refused to move his hand from a doorway.
According to the report, ICE accepted nine recommendations for facility improvements at Winn and has already put several corrective measures into practice.
