Russian military officials announced Saturday that their air defense systems destroyed 339 Ukrainian drones during a 13-hour span across multiple regions of the country, including the capital area.
According to a statement posted on Telegram by the defense ministry, the drone interceptions occurred across 13 different regions plus areas above the Black Sea, taking place from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time (0400-1700 GMT).
The affected areas spanned from central Russian territories to the Leningrad and Pskov regions in the country’s northwest, according to the ministry’s list of locations where interceptions occurred.
Throughout the day, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin posted multiple updates on Telegram describing air defense operations against drones in the capital region. Unofficial tallies indicated that 14 drones were brought down in the Moscow area during the day.
The country’s aviation authority issued multiple flight suspension orders at various airports throughout the day. News agencies reported that the Black Sea resort city of Sochi received four separate flight suspension orders at different times.
Airlines are putting off decisions about exercising aircraft purchase options as the ongoing conflict in Iran creates uncertainty and drives up jet fuel costs, according to the head of Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer.
CEO Francisco Gomes Neto spoke with Reuters during the International Air Transport Association’s annual conference in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday, explaining that while his company hasn’t experienced delivery postponements or slowdowns in active sales efforts, carriers are showing hesitation when it comes to additional commitments.
“Some companies that could be exercising previously signed options are leaving that a bit further ahead to better understand how the situation will evolve,” Gomes Neto explained during the aviation summit.
The aircraft maker maintains a commercial order book that extends nearly five years into the future and is actively pursuing various sales opportunities for its E2 aircraft series, with hopes of securing new contracts at next month’s Farnborough Airshow in the United Kingdom.
Following a successful 2025 that included contracts with Finnair for 18 planes and lessor Azorra for 15 aircraft, Embraer is working to capitalize on recent momentum. The company believes its E2 series’ fuel-efficient design will drive increased interest in the aircraft family.
“There are several campaigns under way,” the CEO stated, noting that the timing for potential agreements largely depends on customer decisions. “I don’t know if it will be as strong as last year, but it should still be a good year for commercial aviation.”
Embraer is working toward increasing production levels, with internal goals to manufacture between 95 and 100 commercial planes by 2027. This year’s delivery target ranges from 80 to 85 aircraft.
The CEO emphasized that achieving this production increase relies more heavily on supply chain improvements than on resolving geopolitical issues like the Iran conflict.
However, the supply chain challenges that have plagued the aviation industry since the pandemic are showing signs of gradual improvement, Gomes Neto noted.
“It’s about getting the cadence right,” he explained.
The company is also working to enhance profit margins within its commercial aviation division. Gomes Neto indicated that Embraer has renegotiated certain older agreements that had lower profitability and anticipates that increased demand for new contracts will enable better pricing strategies.
Weather officials have issued a severe thunderstorm watch that remains in effect until 10:00 PM this evening.
The National Weather Service office in Mount Holly, New Jersey issued the watch at 4:45 PM today, alerting residents to monitor conditions and prepare for potentially severe weather.
The watch indicates that atmospheric conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms in the area during the specified time period.
A 20-year-old American college student who vanished during a family vacation in Japan has been discovered deceased in the mountains outside Kyoto, according to his mother’s social media announcement on Saturday.
James Higginbotham’s body was located in a mountainous region by volunteer search-and-rescue teams, his mother Nancy Higginbotham revealed in her Facebook post.
Authorities have not yet released information about what caused his death or additional circumstances surrounding the discovery.
“Our family is heartbroken,” she wrote. “The grief we feel is impossible to put into words.”
Higginbotham, who lived in Alabama and studied engineering at Auburn University, was last spotted departing from a Kyoto train station on May 29. His cell phone stopped working and location tracking was disabled later that evening, his mother had previously shared with Reuters.
Nancy Higginbotham had been monitoring his whereabouts through the Life360 application until that point, she explained.
His family suspected he was traveling to a hiking trail in the area. Nancy Higginbotham had earlier told Reuters that she thought her son might have “needed space.”
The family had traveled to Japan to mark James Higginbotham’s younger brother’s high school graduation celebration.
Japanese law enforcement conducted an extensive three-day search operation involving approximately 100 officers, search dogs, and aircraft, but failed to locate any evidence of his whereabouts, according to CNN’s reporting.
Five crew members aboard the International Space Station were temporarily moved to safety Friday while cosmonauts addressed a new leak in the Russian section of the orbiting laboratory, NASA announced.
The astronauts relocated to a docked SpaceX capsule as a precautionary measure while repair work was conducted on the Russian side of the station.
“The decision was made out of an abundance of caution,” NASA spokesperson Bethany Stevens said via X.
After repair efforts were temporarily halted, the crew exited the capsule and resumed normal station activities.
This section of the space station has experienced ongoing issues with cracks and leaks in recent years. Following the discovery of new problems, NASA reported that Roscosmos opted to conduct more comprehensive repairs.
Both space agencies continue working together to identify what’s causing the cracks to develop.
Officials from both the White House and Israeli Embassy in Washington are firmly denying claims published in a New York Times article that suggests the Pentagon has raised counterintelligence warnings regarding Israel.
A representative from the Israeli Embassy called the accusations that Israel conducts surveillance on the United States “completely false.”
“Israel does not gather intelligence on American entities, let alone US government officials,” the spokesperson said. “Israel intelligence collection efforts are aimed at its enemies, not its allies. Any claims to the contrary are either misinformed or politically motivated.”
A White House representative also challenged the newspaper’s account, declaring: “This entire story is false and sourced to someone who doesn’t have any knowledge of what’s going on.”
These denials came after the New York Times published an article referencing an earlier NBC news story claiming the Pentagon’s Defense Intelligence Agency had recently upgraded its counterintelligence evaluation of Israel to the most serious level, designated as “critical.”
The news report indicated this evaluation was shared within government circles in recent weeks and showed worries that Israeli intelligence operations might be attempting to gain access to private US discussions concerning Middle Eastern conflicts.
The individuals who were reportedly under surveillance included Steve Witkoff, President Trump’s top negotiator, Elbridge A. Colby, the Pentagon’s top policy official, and one of his main deputies, Michael P. DiMino IV, and others.
The article stated that Pentagon leadership was worried that classified information not meant for distribution could be accessed by Israeli intelligence, even given the strong partnership between both nations.
One government source quoted by The New York Times indicated the internal evaluation classified Israel’s abilities in both traditional espionage and technical intelligence gathering at a “critical level.”
The article also mentioned that the document referenced multiple incidents that led to the increased threat assessment, although specific details about these events were not revealed.
The Pentagon chose not to provide comment regarding the report.
Escalating jet fuel expenses stemming from Middle East conflicts are expected to force additional airlines into financial collapse and accelerate industry mergers throughout this year and the next, according to the leader of the global airline trade organization who spoke on Saturday.
Airlines worldwide are confronting elevated fuel expenses caused by the U.S. and Israel’s conflict with Iran, which has restricted jet fuel availability and disrupted major air routes, requiring expensive route changes.
Low-cost carriers have faced particularly severe challenges, as they lack diversified revenue sources like premium seating, high-value passengers and credit card rewards programs.
The financial pressure is already evident: U.S. budget carrier Spirit Airlines went bankrupt last month, and additional failures are anticipated, according to Willie Walsh, director general of the International Air Transport Association, the industry’s primary trade organization.
“Unfortunately I think there will be some carriers that will find this high fuel price very difficult to cope with,” Walsh told Reuters at IATA’s annual summit in Rio de Janeiro, adding he expects some airlines to go out of business and others to be acquired by larger carriers.
Despite these pressures, the challenges don’t signal the demise of the budget airline business model, which remains successful beyond the United States, where the three major carriers, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines, are eliminating low-cost competitors, Walsh noted.
“I don’t see that the low-cost model is broken, in fact, quite the opposite,” he said, highlighting Ryanair’s strong performance in Europe as an example.
One major merger Walsh doesn’t anticipate: United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby’s bold suggestion to purchase rival American Airlines and form a massive U.S. aviation company. The concept, which emerged earlier this year, didn’t materialize despite Kirby discussing it with President Donald Trump.
“I don’t think that’s going to happen. I think the regulatory hurdles would be very significant. I don’t know whether that was a genuine effort to pursue consolidation or Scott just trying to stir up some media,” Walsh said.
The Iran conflict has disrupted passenger flows through Middle Eastern aviation centers including Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi, presenting serious obstacles for Gulf airlines such as Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad.
Walsh indicated he didn’t believe the conflict would cause lasting harm to the Gulf region as an aviation center, given its strategic location and the importance of the prominent Gulf carriers, which represent 14% of worldwide capacity.
“That capacity cannot be replaced by airlines from other regions around the world,” Walsh said.
“Once things settle down, I would expect the Gulf carriers to regain their important position in the market.”
Compounding the difficulties is the delayed delivery schedule from Boeing and Airbus, combined with engine production delays from GE Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney, a unit of RTX, restricting airlines’ capacity to expand their fleets and enhance operational efficiency.
Walsh noted the industry’s growing frustration with these delays, especially as engine manufacturers report substantial profits while airlines face financial difficulties. He calculates that supply chain disruptions cost airlines approximately $11 billion last year.
“We’re disappointed that they’re not moving faster. We’re disappointed that they’re not sharing the pain that the airline industry is sharing,” he said.
Aircraft and engine manufacturers have stated that many delays are beyond their control, resulting from post-pandemic supply chain problems and political trade conflicts.
As airlines experience financial pressure and environmental policies lose support in the U.S. under Donald Trump, industry executives have become more cautious about achieving a 2050 net zero emissions objective.
Walsh stated IATA isn’t prepared to abandon this target.
“I certainly believe it’s more challenging to achieve net zero in 2050 because we’ve not made the progress that we had expected to see on the development of sustainable fuels,” he said.
A vacation phone call turned into a life-changing moment for 20-year-old midfielder Assan Ouedraogo, who received an unexpected invitation to join Germany’s World Cup team while relaxing in Marbella.
The RB Leipzig player got the surprise call-up after Lennart Karl suffered a muscle injury during practice before Saturday’s exhibition match against the United States in Chicago. Manager Julian Nagelsmann selected Ouedraogo as Karl’s replacement.
“I got the call from the national coach on Friday evening while on holiday,” Ouedraogo shared during an interview posted on his club’s website.
“When Julian Nagelsmann told me I was now part of the squad, I needed a moment to take it in and realise what had happened before going and packing my things straight away.”
This marks Ouedraogo’s second opportunity with the national team, having previously been called up to replace injured player Nadiem Amiri. During that November appearance, he entered the game as a substitute and netted the final goal in Germany’s commanding 6-0 victory over Slovakia in their last qualifying match.
“It’s a huge honour and makes me very proud to represent Germany at the World Cup,” Ouedraogo expressed.
“A childhood dream of mine has come true, one I have worked hard for, especially over the past few months and years.
“At the same time, I would like to wish Lenny a speedy and full recovery. I feel very sorry for him that he got injured so close to the tournament and can’t be involved.”
The German squad, seeking their first World Cup championship since 2014, will open Group E play against Curacao on June 14 in Houston. They’ll then face matches against the Ivory Coast and Ecuador.
New York Liberty star guard Sabrina Ionescu will sit out Saturday night’s matchup with the Indiana Fever due to continuing back discomfort.
The guard, who was listed as questionable heading into Saturday’s contest, has only appeared in one of New York’s 10 games this season, with the team holding a 6-4 record. She was absent for the opening five contests due to an ankle injury sustained during preseason, then returned to action against the Dallas Wings on May 24. During that appearance, she contributed 11 points along with seven assists and five rebounds.
Following that contest, back problems began affecting her and she has remained out of the lineup since then.
“She wants to be out there, and she’s trying her best, and she’s getting better,” Liberty Coach Chris DeMarco told ESPN during Saturday morning’s shootaround. “Hopefully we’ll have her on a road trip.”
DeMarco mentioned that Ionescu participated in Friday’s practice but experienced soreness in her back following the session. The Friday practice marked the first time this season that all New York players took part together.
Ionescu described her back condition as “getting better, day-by-day,” and expressed her desire to participate in Saturday’s game.
“See how I feel, taking every day in stride and see how it responds to what I do,” Ionescu said. “It is what it is. I haven’t really tried to think too much into it. It’s still early. Want to be out there competing. It’s part of sports. Deal with it as it comes.”
In Ionescu’s absence, rookie guard Pauline Astier has stepped up, posting averages of 11.8 points, 3.7 assists and 3.3 rebounds per contest.
The Baltimore Orioles have called up catcher Sam Huff from their Triple-A Norfolk affiliate after Samuel Basallo sustained an abdominal injury during Friday’s matchup against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Basallo, who was serving as the designated hitter, dropped to one knee following a swing during the contest. Team officials diagnosed him with abdominal discomfort, though an MRI conducted Saturday morning showed no serious damage.
Despite the injury, Basallo remained available for pinch-hitting duties in Saturday’s contest. The catcher has posted a .273 batting average this season along with nine home runs and 26 RBIs across 52 games.
Huff, age 28, previously appeared in three games for Baltimore during April, recording two hits in nine at-bats with one RBI. Over his six-year major league career, he maintains a .246 batting average with 12 home runs and 25 RBIs in 101 games, having played for the Texas Rangers (2020, 2022-24), San Francisco Giants (2025) and Orioles.
The team designated utility player Weston Wilson for assignment to create roster space for Huff on both the active and 40-man rosters. Wilson, 31, carries a career .240 batting average with 10 home runs and 32 RBIs over 119 games split between the Philadelphia Phillies (2023-25) and Orioles.
Airlines are becoming more hesitant to commit to new aircraft purchases as ongoing conflict in Iran drives up fuel costs and creates uncertainty in the aviation industry, according to the head of Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer.
Francisco Gomes Neto, who serves as CEO of the company, shared these observations during an interview on Saturday. He explained that while the aircraft builder hasn’t experienced requests to postpone deliveries or seen its active sales efforts slow down, there’s growing hesitation when it comes to additional aircraft commitments.
“Some companies that could be exercising previously signed options are leaving that a bit further ahead to better understand how the situation will evolve,” Gomes Neto explained during the International Air Transport Association’s annual summit taking place in Rio de Janeiro.
The executive pointed to rising jet fuel costs as a key factor behind the cautious approach airlines are taking toward expanding their fleets. These increased fuel expenses stem from the ongoing war in Iran, which has created ripple effects throughout the global aviation sector.
American military forces destroyed Iranian missiles and unmanned aircraft aimed at Gulf region targets and the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced Saturday, while diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran persist despite escalating regional tensions.
CENTCOM reported that Iran launched seven ballistic missiles targeting Kuwait and Bahrain hours after American forces destroyed four Iranian one-way attack drones heading toward the Strait of Hormuz.
“Iran fired seven ballistic missiles toward Kuwait and Bahrain hours after US Central Command shot down four Iranian one–way attack drones that were launched toward the Strait of Hormuz,” CENTCOM said Saturday local time in a statement.
Preliminary assessments showed that six of the missiles were intercepted, and the seventh failed to reach its intended target. CENTCOM said no US personnel were injured in the incident.
The command also rejected Iranian claims regarding hitting American military facilities in the Gulf. “Iranian claims of damaging US 5th fleet headquarters in Bahrain are false,” CENTCOM added. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had previously announced that it struck what it described as “enemy bases in the region.”
CENTCOM said the drones intercepted over the Strait of Hormuz represented an immediate danger to maritime activity in the area.
The command further reported that US forces targeted Iranian surveillance radar installations in Goruk and on Qeshm Island. According to CENTCOM, the strikes were carried out “to defend against further maritime attacks.”
Separately, Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency reported Saturday that Iranian forces fired several warning shots near the Strait of Hormuz. The agency said the activity “may have been related” to the repositioning of US naval vessels operating in the region.
The developments came as discussions continued regarding a possible settlement between Washington and Tehran. CNN reported that a senior Iranian official said any prospective agreement would depend on the Trump administration releasing $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets and warned of the possibility of a broader conflict.
President Trump expressed optimism about the diplomatic track on Friday: “The situation with Iran seems to be going quite well,” President Trump told reporters during an event with farmers in Wisconsin.
“We’re going to come out of Iran very quickly, and it’s going to be very strong one way or the other, whether it’s a piece of paper or the very tough way,” he said. “The very tough way is maybe the easier way, but we’re going to come out.”
US and Iranian negotiators reached a tentative agreement one week ago to extend the ceasefire by 60 days and begin a new round of discussions regarding Iran’s nuclear program.
Legal representatives for jazz artist Chuck Redd announced that a Washington D.C. Superior Court judge has thrown out a contract violation lawsuit brought by the Kennedy Center after Redd pulled out of a Christmas Eve show to protest President Donald Trump’s control over the cultural institution.
The case was dismissed on Friday under the District’s Anti-SLAPP statutes, which protect against frivolous legal actions aimed at suppressing public criticism on issues of community concern.
Redd, who plays drums and vibraphone and has performed alongside notable musicians including Dizzy Gillespie and Ray Brown, had been hosting annual holiday “Jazz Jams” at the Kennedy Center beginning in 2006. He withdrew from last year’s show after Trump’s appointed board members at the Kennedy Center decided to incorporate the president’s name into the facility.
“The Center sued Mr. Redd because he publicly and rightly objected to adding Donald Trump’s name to the Kennedy Center, a living memorial to former President John F. Kennedy,” Lisa J. Banks, one of Redd’s lawyers, said in a statement. “The lawsuit against Mr. Redd was political retribution, pure and simple, by the Trump Kennedy Center, and the Court correctly saw it as such in dismissing the case with prejudice.”
In an email to The Associated Press on Saturday morning, Redd expressed that he is “very pleased with the judge’s ruling.”
The dismissal request, submitted in March, contended that Redd had no contractual duty to perform. The filing referenced an agreement from the Kennedy Center that the performer had never actually executed with his signature.
Kennedy Center officials have not yet provided a response to inquiries about the lawsuit’s dismissal.
A recent clinical study has demonstrated that a wearable blood sugar monitoring device can significantly help type 2 diabetes patients who don’t require insulin injections better manage their condition.
The medical device company presented findings at the American Diabetes Association on Saturday showing their continuous glucose monitor G7 provided superior blood sugar management compared to traditional monitoring methods.
The 26-week clinical trial involved 283 diabetic patients not using insulin treatment. Researchers divided participants into two groups – half received the G7 monitoring system while the other half continued with standard blood glucose self-testing. The majority of study participants were taking typical diabetes medications including metformin, GLP-1s and SGLT2s.
Results showed those wearing the G7 device achieved an average 1.6% decrease in blood sugar levels over the study period, representing a 0.9% greater improvement than participants using conventional monitoring methods.
“Our hope is that this will substantially influence (the standard of care) and it’ll improve access for all people with type 2, including those not on insulin to CGMs,” said Tamara Oser, professor at the University of Colorado Anschutz and the study’s principal investigator, in comments to Reuters.
Continuous glucose monitoring devices are worn on the body and track blood sugar levels without requiring finger stick blood tests. These devices are gaining popularity due to increased awareness, expanded insurance coverage and user-friendly design.
The research found that combining the G7 monitor with standard diabetes medications produced even better blood sugar control results.
Participants taking GLP-1 medications who also used the monitoring device experienced a 1.4% drop in blood sugar levels, while the comparison group saw only a 0.2% reduction.
“…it proves without a doubt that there’s significant benefit here for these users. I think both the clinical community as well as the health care system and payers, they will, with this type of result, recognize both the health benefits, as well as the economic benefit,” the company’s CEO Jake Leach told Reuters.
Leach stated in a company announcement that these findings “will help establish a new standard of care in the U.S. and around the world.”
Researchers are currently conducting an additional six-month extension of the study, which will provide effectiveness data covering up to one full year of device use.
A medical facility in Berlin announced Saturday that an American doctor who received treatment for Ebola has been released from the hospital.
The Charité hospital reported that no traces of the virus have been found in the patient since May 30. The doctor, who was previously identified by Serge Christian organization as medical missionary Peter Stafford, was brought to the facility on May 20 after becoming infected with Ebola while caring for patients in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Hospital officials said the patient’s Ebola symptoms “subsided significantly” following treatment that involved “combined antiviral therapy and additional supportive medical measures.”
“We are very pleased with the successful course of treatment and consider this a significant therapeutic success,” stated Leif Erik Sander, a Charité official.
The hospital also reported that five family members of the patient were placed in quarantine as high-risk contacts at Charité, but none developed any signs of infection.
According to the latest figures as of Friday, the ongoing outbreak in the DRC and Uganda has resulted in 82 confirmed Ebola fatalities.
France is collaborating with multiple nations to implement coordinated sanctions targeting individuals connected to violence in the West Bank, according to three European diplomats who spoke Saturday.
The proposed measures would encompass asset freezes and travel bans, though the diplomats noted that final details remain under discussion and participating countries may target different lists of individuals.
This initiative emerges as violence by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank intensifies, reflecting growing frustration among Western nations with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and its settlement expansion policies. Diplomats indicate these expansions aim to undermine the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state.
With European Union efforts to advance stronger measures against Israel facing obstacles, several countries have determined that coordinated national sanctions represent their best available approach.
“There is no unanimity at the EU level, so we have moved to discussions at the national level,” one diplomat explained.
Two diplomats indicated an announcement could come within days.
According to another diplomatic source, Britain and Norway are among the nations France is coordinating with, though the complete list of participating countries remains uncertain.
Most nations prefer not to discuss national sanctions publicly to prevent potential targets from moving assets beforehand.
Following EU sanctions implemented May 11, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar criticized the bloc for choosing “in an arbitrary and political manner, to impose sanctions on Israeli citizens and entities because of their political views and without any basis.”
On May 22, seven Western nations including France, Britain, Australia and Canada criticized the Israeli government for worsening tensions in the West Bank.
A particular concern involves Israel’s planned settlement construction east of Jerusalem, called the E1 project, which would divide the West Bank and separate it from East Jerusalem, breaking up territory Palestinians want for their independent state.
“In the face of settlement expansion and violence in the West Bank, we have already taken measures. More could follow,” a French diplomatic source stated, refusing to provide additional details.
Britain’s Foreign Office declined comment, while the Norwegian foreign ministry did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
This push for increased national-level pressure on Israel comes just before France hosts a June 12 meeting in Paris, bringing together Israeli and Palestinian civil society organizations along with approximately twelve foreign ministers.
The gathering will commemorate one year since adopting the New York Declaration, a non-binding United Nations resolution endorsed by the General Assembly that outlined a pathway toward Palestinian statehood and prompted about twelve countries, including France, to recognize a Palestinian state in September.
French officials stated they want to maintain international focus on the issue as conflicts in Iran and Lebanon shift attention from the Israeli-Palestinian dispute, while Gaza’s future remains stalled despite a fragile ceasefire.
Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly shared encouraging clinical trial data with healthcare professionals on Saturday, revealing that its experimental obesity medication retatrutide delivered multiple health benefits beyond weight reduction, including improvements in sleep breathing disorders and joint pain relief.
During a Phase 3 clinical study, researchers discovered that weekly doses of retatrutide decreased the severity of moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea by 60.6% among obese participants. The company’s existing medication Zepbound has already received regulatory approval for treating this sleep disorder.
The same clinical trial demonstrated that the experimental drug lessened knee osteoarthritis discomfort by as much as 73.1%, according to Lilly’s findings. These research outcomes were shared during an American Diabetes Association medical conference taking place in New Orleans.
The pharmaceutical company had earlier revealed results from the two research studies featured on Saturday, which showed obese participants achieved 28% body weight reduction while adults managing type 2 diabetes saw substantial decreases in their blood glucose measurements.
During one research study, 2% of diabetic participants receiving the medication’s smallest dosage experienced serious cardiovascular complications. However, according to comprehensive findings published in the Lancet on Saturday, these medical events weren’t definitively linked to the drug treatment.
Retatrutide represents Lilly’s investigational “triple G” medication, designed to activate GLP-1 pathways, a secondary obesity-controlling hormone known as GIP, and the body’s receptor sites for a third hormone called glucagon.
The Indiana-headquartered pharmaceutical firm is competing alongside competitors such as Denmark’s Novo Nordisk to capture the rapidly expanding marketplace for obesity and diabetes treatments.
The Chicago Cubs made roster adjustments Saturday, bringing back pitcher Javier Assad to their major league squad while sending Ethan Roberts down to Triple-A Iowa.
Assad, 28, has appeared in eight games for the Cubs this season, including three as a starter, posting a 3-1 record with a 5.88 ERA. The team sent him to Iowa on May 17 with plans to develop him as a full-time starter.
The pitcher began the season with two starts at Iowa before getting called up to Chicago. During his latest Triple-A assignment, Assad made three starts and posted a 6.00 ERA across nine innings. His most recent outing came Wednesday against Toledo, where he threw just one inning.
Throughout his five seasons in the majors, all spent with Chicago, Assad has compiled a 21-13 record with a 3.61 ERA across 86 games, including 57 starts. Last year, he made 29 starts and finished 7-6 with a 3.73 ERA.
Roberts, also 28, had been 0-1 with a 1.96 ERA in 14 relief outings for Chicago this season. His last appearance came Friday against San Francisco, where he allowed one run over 1 2/3 innings.
During his four partial seasons with the Cubs, Roberts has recorded a 2-3 record with a 4.09 ERA in 54 relief appearances.
America is ready to send $100 million in aid to Cuba, but Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that religious organizations and humanitarian groups will handle the distribution instead of Cuban government or military officials. Rubio explained that while the U.S. wants to help Cuban citizens, it doesn’t have confidence in the Cuban government to properly distribute the assistance. Analysts believe this approach could be effective since Protestant and evangelical congregations, particularly Baptist and Assemblies of God churches, have established strong networks throughout Cuba.
In Durham, North Carolina, faith communities are assisting refugees in their transition to American life. A church and synagogue have partnered to offer Afghan women a seven-week sewing program. The Trump administration has announced plans to increase refugee admission limits from 7,500 to 17,500 and is considering relocating more than 1,100 Afghan allies who supported U.S. military operations. Afghan women face particular challenges adapting to life in America, as many lack formal education and English language skills, which they’re now learning to help them pass written driving examinations.
President Trump is implementing new measures to give administration officials greater oversight of billions in federal agency grant funding to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse. The Human Rights Campaign, America’s largest gay pressure group, is objecting to the action because it will remove funding from programs supporting abortion, transgenderism or the LGBT lifestyle. Mr. Trump maintains that taxpayers shouldn’t be required to fund such initiatives. The new regulations would mandate that senior appointees review all funding to ensure compliance with federal law and White House priorities.
Ghana’s lawmakers have approved legislation imposing prison sentences of up to 10 years for individuals who promote LGBT activities, reviving a measure long championed by religious organizations in the West African nation. The bill, anticipated to be signed by President John Mahama, would also establish three-year prison terms for those who participate in LGBT acts. Ghana passed similar legislation two years ago, but the president never signed it into law. Since that time, activists and church groups have continued advocating for updated legislation, and Mahama has signaled his support for the new version.
Officials in St. Petersburg warned citizens to remain indoors Saturday morning following a massive Ukrainian drone assault on Russia’s second-largest city, demonstrating Kyiv’s expanding capability to strike targets far within Russian territory.
The drone operation occurred one day after Russian President Vladimir Putin declined a meeting proposal from his Ukrainian counterpart.
St. Petersburg Gov. Alexander Beglov reported that three individuals suffered minor injuries during the assault. He recommended residents stay inside and cautioned about potential mobile internet service interruptions, while regional Gov. Alexander Drozdenko reported that 141 drones were intercepted over the surrounding Leningrad region in what he described as an “unprecedented attack.”
Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that its air defense systems destroyed 376 Ukrainian drones.
“Last night, our drones covered a distance of about 1,000 kilometers to the St. Petersburg region — to the enemy navy’s arsenals and a base in Kronstadt,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on X, adding that drones also hit an oil depot in Russia’s southern Krasnodar region.
This latest assault on St. Petersburg represents another damaging setback to Putin’s attempts to portray the conflict as a remote situation that doesn’t impact ordinary Russian life.
A Ukrainian drone strike ignited an oil terminal in the city and struck a nearby naval facility Wednesday, just hours before the start of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin’s annual investment showcase.
During the forum, Putin announced Thursday that Russia would bolster its air defense capabilities to address recent Ukrainian drone strikes, which have penetrated deep into his country and overshadowed the event in his home city of St. Petersburg.
Putin on Friday rejected a proposal by Zelenskyy for a face-to-face meeting regarding the 4-year-old conflict, stating he sees “no point” in it. Thursday’s letter, the first public message Zelenskyy has written directly to Putin since Russia sent troops into Ukraine in 2022, was a sweeping critique of the Russian leader’s 26 years in power, as well as some taunts about his age.
In response to Putin’s dismissal of the proposed meeting, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Saturday that things would “only get worse for Russia.”
“Failures will get more humiliating,” he wrote on X, warning that there are “no safe places in Russia that can be exempt” from Ukrainian long-range attacks, and that the intensity of attacks “will continue to grow.”
With the front line barely moving as swarms of drones hinder advances, both sides have sought an edge by launching long-range strikes.
In Ukraine, one person was killed and three wounded overnight into Saturday in the Dnipropetrovsk region, as Russian forces struck three districts nearly 30 times with drones and artillery, regional head Oleksandr Hanzha said.
In Zaporizhzhia, seven people sought medical care after a Russian drone strike started a fire at a parking lot, according to regional head Ivan Fedorov.
Russia targeted Ukraine overnight with 272 strike drones, and air defenses shot down 249 of them, the Ukrainian air force said Saturday.
English golfer Tyrrell Hatton preserved his two-stroke advantage entering the final round of LIV Golf Andalucia following a 4-under-par 67 performance on Saturday at Spain’s Valderrama course.
Hatton began strong on the demanding Real Club Valderrama layout, completing the opening nine holes at 3-under-par. After stumbling with a bogey on the par-4 10th, he quickly recovered with birdies on holes 11 and 17.
The Englishman has excelled on holes 11 and 17 this week, playing them at 3-under-par combined, and now stands at 10-under-par through three rounds.
“Got off to a great start making birdie on (the first hole),” Hatton said. “I feel like the front nine generally played pretty solid, so I was happy with that. Then yeah, making bogey on 10 wasn’t ideal. But a good bounce-back making birdie on 11.”
Belgium’s Thomas Detry held onto second position after also carding a 4-under round during Saturday’s play.
Two Spanish golfers are positioned to challenge the leaders. Sergio Garcia fired a 3-under round and sits alone in third at 6-under for the tournament. Fellow countryman Jon Rahm trails by one more stroke in a tie for fourth after also posting 3-under on Saturday.
Garcia, who confirmed Saturday that Real Club Valderrama remains his preferred course worldwide, posted par on each front-nine hole before collecting birdies on the 10th, 11th, and 17th holes.
“Well, it’s going to take something good. Obviously Tyrrell is playing amazing, and he’s 10-under,” Garcia said when asked his chances of winning Sunday. “There’s a lot of great players there that they know what they’re doing. It’s just going to take a really good round.”
Garcia boasts four tournament wins at this weekend’s venue across various professional tours and has secured top-10 finishes in 17 of his 18 appearances at Real Club Valderrama.
“This course, obviously being my favorite and just being in front of the Spanish crowds and everything, makes it a little extra nice,” Garcia said of being in contention for the title.
Rahm navigated a challenging day featuring two bogeys and five birdies. He struggled on the course’s three par-5 holes, finishing them at 1-over for the round.
Dustin Johnson recorded the day’s best score with a 7-under performance, jumping into a fourth-place tie alongside Rahm, Mexico’s Abraham Ancer (67), and Australia’s Cam Smith (69). Spain’s third representative, David Puig (69), shared eighth place at 4-under with Bubba Watson (67).
Johnson, who began his round at the eighth hole, caught fire over his closing seven holes with a 5-under stretch that included an ace on the third hole.
“The previous two days I had hit really good shots (on No. 3), just did not turn out good,” Johnson said. “Today when this one was in the air, I was like, ‘This is as good a shot as I can hit; if it’s not good, I don’t know what to do.’ And it went in the hole. Obviously it was a bit lucky to go in, but I hit a really nice shot.”
Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla joined other prominent royal family members at a wedding ceremony on Saturday, wearing formal attire including elegant headwear and traditional dress clothes for the nuptials of the King’s nephew Peter Phillips.
The groom, who is the child of the King’s sister Princess Anne, exchanged vows with Harriet Sperling, who works as a nurse for the National Health Service. The ceremony took place at a church located in Kemble, a village in southwestern England.
The guest list exceeded 100 people and featured Prince William, Princess Catherine, Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, along with additional members of the royal family.
Sperling selected a high-neck lace wedding dress created by designer Emilia Wickstead for the occasion.
The 48-year-old groom is the child of Anne and her former spouse Mark Phillips. He holds the distinction of being the late Queen Elizabeth II’s oldest male grandchild and shares a cousin relationship with William and Prince Harry.
The groom had previously divorced his first spouse Autumn Kelly, who is the mother of his two children. The couple’s plans to marry were made public the previous year.
Local residents gathered to celebrate and cheer as the bride and royal guests made their arrival. Following the service, attendees used umbrellas to shield themselves from intense rainfall while tossing rose petals at the newlyweds as they departed the church.
Cuba’s former president Raúl Castro emerged from relative seclusion to mark his 95th birthday, making his first public showing since facing criminal charges from the United States related to a deadly 1996 aircraft incident, according to official footage released Saturday.
The birthday gathering with senior government figures and military commanders at Havana’s Ministry of Interior on Friday evening provided Cuba’s leadership with a chance to demonstrate solidarity and show resistance against mounting pressure from the Trump administration targeting the economically struggling nation.
Official television coverage showed Castro wearing his signature olive-green military attire as he walked into a crowded auditorium to enthusiastic applause, accompanied by his grandson and security detail member Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez, along with current Cuban President Miguel Diáz-Canel.
Diáz-Canel offered glowing remarks about the “heroism and dignity” shown by Castro and his deceased brother, the key leader of Cuba’s revolution, Fidel Castro. He commended Raúl Castro, who held Cuba’s defense minister position for almost five decades, for his “courage and loyalty (that) made him a target from a very early age for the intelligence services of our enemies.”
Addressing recent provocations from the Trump administration more directly, Diaz-Canel cautioned that “there will be a decisive and resolute battle” should the United States follow through on invasion threats against the island nation.
“Raúl is Raúl,” he declared, repeating the phrase that has been displayed on signs throughout Havana and spread widely on social media platforms following the May 20 US criminal charges against Raúl Castro for murder — seemingly designed to rally national solidarity against the government’s perceived isolation. “Raúl is Cuba, and Cuba is untouchable.”
The Friday evening festivities, held two days following Castro’s 95th birthday, represented an uncommon public showing for the reserved yet powerful Cuban military leader. Despite officially stepping away from political roles in April 2021, Castro reportedly maintains significant political influence.
Last month’s unsealed Justice Department charges allege Castro directed the 1996 destruction of civilian aircraft operated by Miami-based Cuban exiles. This represents the most serious escalation in a series of confrontations since the Trump administration effectively eliminated Cuba’s oil access in January, worsening the island’s ongoing difficulties including power outages and healthcare system strain.
The Trump administration is calling for Cuba’s socialist leadership to free political detainees, enact substantial economic changes and alter its governing approach to prevent becoming a national security concern. Cuban officials maintain they present no danger to the United States.
Tampa Bay Lightning netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy has captured his second Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s premier goaltender.
The league announced Saturday that Vasilevskiy earned the 2025-26 award, which recognizes “the goaltender adjudged to be the best at his position,” through voting by NHL general managers.
The 31-year-old dominated the voting process, collecting 17 first-place votes and accumulating 114 total points. This put him well ahead of New York Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin, who garnered eight first-place votes and 51 points, and Boston Bruins netminder Jeremy Swayman, who received two first-place votes and 46 points.
Vasilevskiy topped all NHL goaltenders with 39 victories this season, while his 2.31 goals-against average ranked second-best across the league. The six-time award finalist earned his first Vezina Trophy during the 2018-19 campaign, when he compiled a 39-10-4 record alongside a 2.40 GAA and .925 save percentage.
Sorokin, age 30, finished the season with a 29-24-2 record while leading the NHL with seven shutouts. He also posted a 2.68 GAA and .906 save percentage. His victory would have marked the first Islanders goalie to claim the honor since Hall of Famer Billy Smith accomplished the feat in 1981-82.
The 27-year-old Swayman recorded a 31-18-4 mark with a 2.71 GAA and .908 save percentage during his first season as a Vezina finalist. He paced the league with 38 starts while maintaining at least a .900 save percentage throughout the campaign.
Last season, Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck captured both the Vezina Trophy and Hart Trophy as the league’s most valuable player.
A senior artificial intelligence policy advisor at the White House is preparing to step down from his role by the end of this month, according to a published report.
Sriram Krishnan, who serves as an AI policy advisor, intends to depart his White House position by June’s conclusion, The Information reported Saturday. The publication cited sources with knowledge of the situation.
Following his departure from the administration, Krishnan has been in talks about launching a policy organization, according to the same report. This new institution would employ engineers and focus on advancing the Trump administration’s artificial intelligence initiatives.
Reuters was unable to immediately confirm the details of this report.
Middle Eastern airlines should avoid postponing aircraft purchases despite rising costs from the Iran war, as such delays would prove financially damaging over time, according to a senior airline industry executive.
Kamil Al-Awadhi, who serves as regional vice president for Africa and the Middle East at the airline trade organization IATA, stated Saturday that he anticipates the conflict and increased expenses will not impact aircraft purchasing decisions by carriers in the region. Airlines throughout the Middle East represent significant customers for aircraft manufacturers Boeing and Airbus.
Postponing orders would be “not wise because that deferral will cost you,” Al-Awadhi explained, pointing to extended aircraft delivery schedules. His comments came during the International Air Transport Association’s yearly conference taking place this weekend in Rio de Janeiro.
Considering the extended delivery periods for Airbus’s newest single-aisle aircraft models, airlines would face years-long waits to receive their planes, Al-Awadhi noted.
“The plan is to continue where we’re going … even though this is a hiccup,” he stated.
Airlines worldwide are reducing flight schedules and increasing ticket prices and additional charges to compensate for higher operating costs, while airports across the Middle East have faced air strike attacks connected to the Iran war.
Al-Awadhi expressed concern about an Iranian assault that claimed one life at a Kuwait airport this week, causing damage to a terminal utilized by international airlines operating in the country. He estimated repairs to the terminal would require a minimum of one year.
“My personal guess, looking at the damage from the videos and pictures that were sent to me, it’s going to take ages,” he explained. “So my concern is, will the other carriers be able to go into Kuwait?”
He indicated Kuwait would need to either accelerate construction of portions of a new airport terminal or permit international airlines to use terminals currently designated for domestic carriers like Kuwait Airways.
“It will take some tough decisions and logistics to get that sorted,” he concluded.
An Iraqi national team striker faced an extended detention at Chicago’s O’Hare airport over the weekend, according to a sporting official from Iraq.
Aymen Hussein, who plays a key role in Iraq’s World Cup squad, was detained and questioned for almost seven hours after the team landed early Saturday morning, said an official with the Iraqi Olympic Committee who maintains close ties with the team.
While Hussein was eventually permitted to enter the country, the team’s photographer was refused admission to the United States, the official reported.
Neither the Iraqi Football Association nor Hussein himself provided immediate statements regarding the incident. Hussein is considered a crucial player who netted the decisive goal that earned Iraq’s spot in the tournament finals.
Federal immigration and homeland security agencies did not respond right away to requests for comment about the reported questioning, which Iraqi media outlets also reported.
Social media footage captured enthusiastic supporters gathering in the early morning hours to welcome the Iraqi team at the airport, waving flags and requesting photos with players just days before tournament play begins.
Officials examined Hussein’s mobile device following his arrival, the Iraqi official noted.
“National team photographer Talal Salah was held for more than 10 hours, underwent similar phone checks, and was ultimately denied entry into the United States,” the official added.
This marks Iraq’s return to World Cup competition for the first time since their initial appearance four decades ago.
The 30-year-old Hussein anchors an attacking unit that includes Ipswich Town’s Ali Al-Hamadi along with promising young players Ali Jassim and Youssef Amyn.
Iraq will compete against France, Senegal and Norway in Group I.
The tournament, jointly hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico, begins Thursday.
Weather conditions forced officials to halt Saturday’s third round of the Memorial Tournament at 11:16 a.m. ET.
Tournament organizers stopped play at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, before the leading golfers had begun their Saturday rounds.
J.T. Poston holds the lead heading into the suspended round with a score of 9-under-par 135. Ryan Gerard trails by one stroke, while Sam Burns sits three shots behind the leader.
Election administrators nationwide are forging stronger partnerships with local police departments as concerns about election security continue to grow.
The collaboration between election officials and law enforcement agencies has expanded significantly following the 2020 presidential election, with police taking on a more prominent role in protecting the electoral process.
This trend reflects the heightened tensions surrounding American elections and the need for additional security measures to ensure safe and secure voting environments for both voters and election workers.
Motorists are facing significant delays along Elkton Road due to malfunctioning traffic signals at two busy intersections.
Signal equipment has failed at both the Elkton Road and Christina Parkway intersection as well as the Elkton Road and Otts Chapel Road intersection, prompting police response to manage traffic flow.
Law enforcement officers have been deployed to both locations to direct vehicles through the intersections while repair crews work on the technical issues.
Officials have not provided a timeline for when the signal systems will be fully operational again. Drivers are being advised to find alternate routes to avoid the affected areas until the equipment is restored.
Drivers navigating Delaware highways will need to find alternate routes as a major ramp closure affects traffic flow between two busy roadways.
The connecting ramp that allows southbound DE-896 traffic to merge onto southbound I-95 has been shut down for construction activities. The closure is expected to remain in effect until July 31, 2026.
Motorists who regularly use this route should plan for additional travel time and consider alternative pathways to reach their destinations. The extended timeline suggests this is part of a significant infrastructure improvement project.
New York holds a 2-0 advantage in the NBA Finals, yet the Knicks maintain they aren’t getting ahead of themselves.
San Antonio trails by two games, but the Spurs refuse to consider themselves finished.
This describes the current atmosphere surrounding the NBA Finals, with both squads taking Saturday as a rest day. Team workouts return Sunday before Game 3 takes place Monday evening at Madison Square Garden, where President Donald Trump will be among spectators paying close to $10,000 for seats positioned so far from the action that 7-foot-4 Spurs center Victor Wembanyama will appear small.
New York emphasizes they haven’t started celebrating. San Antonio stresses they haven’t given up hope.
“Every single day, we chip away and try to be the best that we can be. … Even with the series it is now, next game, mindset has to be 0-0 again,” said Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, who delivered clutch performances in both Game 1 and Game 2 victories that New York captured in San Antonio to gain commanding control of the championship series. “It’s just how it has to be. You can’t be comfortable. You can’t be satisfied with anything. Just got to continue to push forward.”
That approach has defined their recent play for six weeks.
New York has captured 13 straight contests, marking the second-longest single-season playoff streak in league history, trailing only Golden State’s 15-game run during the 2017 postseason. They could become the first franchise ever to sweep through the final three playoff rounds — conference semifinals, conference championship and NBA Finals — without a loss.
“One of the things that we preach is being present,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said. “In order to be present, you can’t think about the past, you can’t think about the future. For all of us as humans, that’s hard as heck to do. I constantly, boom, flick myself in the head, tell myself, ‘Be present, be present, be present.’ I obviously mention it to the group, too. With those guys being who they are, they’ve really embraced it, and they’re really trying to live it every single moment during this run.”
The team maintains composure even under championship pressure. Including the NBA Cup championship game, which doesn’t count toward official statistics, New York is 4-1 versus San Antonio this year. All four Knicks victories share one notable pattern: New York overcame double-digit deficits in every win.
— Cup championship in Las Vegas, San Antonio led by 11 points (and lost by 11).
— Regular-season matchup at Madison Square Garden, San Antonio led by 12 points (and lost by 25).
— Finals Game 1, San Antonio led by 14 points (and lost by 10).
— Finals Game 2, San Antonio led by 12 points (and lost by one).
“We just need to figure it out,” Wembanyama said. “We need to keep working on it.”
San Antonio’s lone victory against New York came during the regular season at home, where they won by two points after falling behind by 19 and never holding more than a six-point advantage.
Quite puzzling.
“It was going to take everything to win the series anyway,” Spurs guard Stephon Castle said. “Putting ourselves in this type of predicament is going to be tough, but I don’t think it’s anything we can’t handle.”
New York anticipates what awaits them Monday night.
Madison Square Garden will vibrate with intensity, as fans who invested significant money to witness basketball likely won’t remain silent in their seats. The city’s excitement will reach extraordinary levels, with a 53-year championship drought now just two victories from ending and betting odds — showing New York at -550 to capture the title — essentially declaring victory inevitable. San Antonio will emerge ready to deliver whatever fight remains in them.
“Knowing them, there’s going to be another level,” Brunson said. “We have to be prepared and be ready to match it and play for 48 minutes. No matter what goes on in the game, we have to have each other’s back, what’s going on, who is on a run, what’s not, who is up, who is down, making sure we are playing together for 48 minutes is really important.”
Should New York need a warning from history, they can examine Mikal Bridges’ experience. He played for Phoenix when the Suns grabbed a 2-0 advantage in the 2021 championship series against Milwaukee. The Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo claimed that series in six games. While circumstances differ now — those Phoenix victories came at home, not away — it demonstrates that two wins don’t guarantee success.
“It’s still 0-0 as far as we’re concerned,” Knicks forward Josh Hart said. “Being up 2-0 means really nothing. This (San Antonio) team is going to come out on Monday with an unbelievable amount of energy and desperation, and we’ve got to be better.”
Just six and a half weeks ago on April 23rd, the New York Knicks appeared to be in serious trouble. Following back-to-back single-point defeats to the Atlanta Hawks, they found themselves down 2-1 in their Eastern Conference opening round matchup.
Warning signs were evident throughout the organization.
Fan sentiment in New York had reached rock bottom.
Questions about Mike Brown’s job security as head coach dominated conversations.
“Stuff’s going to happen,” Brown, the Knicks coach in his first year, said that night in Atlanta. “Plenty of teams have been down 1-2. I even think Oklahoma City was down 1-2 last year and they ended up winning it. I’m not saying we’re going to win it or anything like that, but the reality of it is it’s seven games and you take one game at a time.”
Since that moment, the Knicks have competed in 13 contests. Their record: victory, victory, victory, victory, victory, victory, victory, victory, victory, victory, victory, victory and victory. Taking it one contest at a time, securing one triumph at a time, and potentially, capturing one title at a time. The Knicks have returned to New York holding a 2-0 advantage over San Antonio in the NBA Finals, continuing to benefit from their remarkable 13-game championship run.
Such a streak has occurred just once previously in NBA playoff history when considering only single-season winning runs. Golden State captured 15 consecutive games during their march to the 2017 championship.
The connection between those Warriors and the current Knicks? That connection is Brown. He served as an assistant coach on that Golden State team and compiled a perfect 12-0 record as interim head coach during the playoffs while Steve Kerr was absent due to back problems.
“You’ve got to have good players,” Brown said. “I’m not that smart. You’ve got to have good players that carry you.”
Brown’s official playoff record stands at an impressive 64-42 as a head coach.
Including those 12 contests with the Warriors in his record — which, according to NBA regulations and precedent, doesn’t occur because Kerr remained head coach despite not being present on the sideline for those games — would boost Brown’s playoff success rate to .644. That figure would rank third-best in NBA history among coaches with a minimum of 100 playoff contests, trailing only Phil Jackson and Kerr.
Regardless, Brown must now be regarded as the master of playoff winning streaks.
An examination of this remarkable run by New York:
— The Knicks have outscored Atlanta, Philadelphia, Cleveland and San Antonio during these 13 contests by 273 points, representing the largest 13-game margin in NBA playoff history. Prior to this run, the greatest 13-game playoff point-differential margin was 225, achieved by those Warriors — the squad that Brown guided on an interim basis — in 2017.
— Eleven of the Knicks’ victories in this streak came by double-digit margins. The two exceptions: Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against Philadelphia (a six-point victory) and Game 2 of the NBA Finals against San Antonio (a one-point victory). Six other wins featured final margins between 10 and 16 points, while the remaining five were complete routs — the Knicks capturing those by 29, 30, 37, 39 and 51 points.
— The Knicks have held leads of 40 or more points in four separate contests during the streak, including a 61-point advantage at Atlanta in the series-clinching game of that East first-round matchup.
— The Knicks have encountered double-digit deficits in only four of the contests, with two of those occurring in the first two games of these NBA Finals against the Spurs. They fell behind by 14 in Game 1 and by as much as 12 in Game 2.
— They also trailed Philadelphia by 12 in Game 3 of the East semifinals and Cleveland by 22 in Game 1 of the East final.
— New York stands at 8-0 away from home during this winning streak, with the final margin in those contests — even including a one-point game from Friday — averaging an impressive 21.5 points.
— The only squad in Knicks history with a longer road winning streak, whether in regular season or playoffs, was the 1969-70 team that once captured 12 consecutive games away from home. That squad proceeded to win New York’s first NBA championship.
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Authorities in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir detained dozens of activists on Saturday from a prohibited organization that has organized violent demonstrations in recent years demanding better services and expanded rights, according to officials and eyewitnesses.
The detentions occurred one day following the regional administration’s decision in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, to prohibit the Joint Awami Action Committee due to public safety and security worries.
The prohibition followed several weeks of disputes between authorities and the organization regarding a 38-point list of demands, which included requests for subsidized wheat and electricity. Officials stated that 36 of these demands were approved last year following discussions between JAAC representatives, regional authorities and Pakistan’s federal administration.
Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, the prime minister of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, has stated both prior to and following the prohibition that he continues to be open to meeting with JAAC representatives to address the two outstanding demands.
JAAC has declined to cancel a demonstration march scheduled for Tuesday, continuing to demand all of its requests be met, the regional administration reported.
According to Rathore, one of the two unresolved matters involves 12 seats designated for Kashmiri refugees in the legislative assembly.
Officials have enhanced security measures before the scheduled demonstration throughout the Himalayan territory, which is split between Pakistan and India with both nations claiming complete control. The nuclear-capable countries have engaged in two of their three conflicts over Kashmir since achieving independence from British control in 1947.
Last year, confrontations between the Kashmiri organization’s supporters and security personnel resulted in multiple deaths, including police officers.
On Saturday, the organization alleged that two of its members were injured when police fired upon them. Kashmir police rejected the claim, stating that armed individuals fired on officers overnight after being instructed to halt their vehicle.
A 19-year-old Russian tennis sensation claimed her maiden Grand Slam championship at the French Open on Saturday, defeating Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska in commanding fashion with a 6-3, 6-2 victory in Paris.
Mirra Andreeva, seeded eighth in the tournament, achieved the distinction of becoming the youngest French Open winner in more than 30 years. Following her triumph, she delivered heartfelt remarks during the trophy presentation, playfully addressing her defeated opponent.
“You’re a very tricky opponent. Wouldn’t want to play you one more time. No, it’s ok. I hope we play many more finals in the future,” Andreeva said during the presentation ceremony.
The young champion expressed amazement at achieving her longtime goal, stating: “It was a big dream of mine to win this tournament. I can’t believe that I’m holding this trophy.”
Andreeva acknowledged her support team, which includes coach and 2000 French Open runner-up Conchita Martinez, admitting her demanding nature while expressing appreciation for their dedication.
“I can be a tough cookie sometimes and it’s hard to put up with me. Thanks for always pushing me to my limits, thanks for making me work when I don’t want to,” she added.
“Thanks also to Conchita for sharing her experience giving me advice. Thanks to everyone on my team, special thanks to my parents for believing in me. My dad’s watching on TV.
“Last but not least, I want to thank myself for believing and always giving my 100%, even when it was tough, for trying to be better as a person and player, fighting so many demons.
“Only I know how tough it was, how nervous I was. Thanks to myself for working so hard and giving my best.”
The 24-year-old Chwalinska graciously congratulated her opponent while expressing disappointment about the one-sided nature of the championship match.
“Congratulations to Mirra, such an incredible player, so young and so talented, it’s so annoying. Congratulations to your team as well, for an amazing job, and all the best for the future,” Chwalinska said.
“I wish we could see a better match today, but Mirra is too good, so I guess it’s her fault. I tried my best and I’m sorry. I will never forget these three weeks.
Health officials in Gaza reported that seven Palestinians died in an Israeli airstrike Saturday, including two women, as diplomatic efforts to strengthen a fragile ceasefire resumed in Cairo.
Medical personnel said the strike hit a large tent camp in central Gaza City, killing seven and injuring 15 others, including children.
A military spokesperson for Israel confirmed to Reuters that forces conducted an operation against “terrorists” but declined to provide additional information.
The attack happened while negotiators launched fresh discussions in Cairo with Hamas and other Palestinian groups about reinforcing a troubled ceasefire deal brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump. The agreement has not prevented continued Israeli military operations and has left Israel controlling more than half of the territory following the conflict that started when Hamas launched attacks on southern Israel in October 2023.
Negotiations over the second stage of the agreement, which would include disarming Hamas and withdrawing Israeli forces, have reached an impasse.
Egypt started hosting renewed ceasefire discussions Saturday with Hamas leadership and other Palestinian faction representatives, with talks expected to continue for several days, according to Hamas and sources familiar with the negotiations.
Hazem Qassem, a Hamas spokesperson in Gaza, said the discussions would concentrate on how Israel implements the first stage and finding agreement on moving forward to the second stage.
Hamas communicated to mediators from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and representatives from Trump’s Board of Peace that stopping Israeli military actions in Gaza remains crucial for any advancement, according to group sources and officials involved in the talks.
Hamas is demanding Israel cease its attacks, permit increased humanitarian aid into Gaza and pull back to ceasefire boundaries.
Gaza health officials report approximately 950 Palestinians have died in Israeli strikes since the truce took effect. Hamas typically does not release detailed information about casualties among its fighters.
Israeli military officials state that four Israeli soldiers have died from militant attacks during the same timeframe.
Israel maintains its strikes target imminent threats and that it permits aid and supplies to enter Gaza.
Gaza health authorities report nearly 73,000 people in Gaza have died since fighting began, with most being civilians.
Israel reports that militants led by Hamas killed 1,200 people and captured 251 Israeli and foreign hostages during the October 7, 2023, attacks.
MONACO, June 6 – In a dramatic qualifying session Saturday, Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli claimed pole position for the Monaco Grand Prix, narrowly defeating Max Verstappen in the final moments.
The 19-year-old Italian driver, who currently leads the world championship following four consecutive race wins, posted a time just 0.043 seconds faster than Red Bull’s Verstappen, who will join him on the front row for Sunday’s race.
Ferrari drivers, who had been widely expected to perform well at the Monaco circuit, will occupy the second row of the starting grid. Lewis Hamilton qualified third, finishing 0.228 seconds behind Antonelli’s pole time, while local driver Charles Leclerc, who claimed victory in the 2024 Monaco race, will start fourth.
Isack Hadjar secured fifth place in the second Red Bull entry, while Antonelli’s Mercedes teammate George Russell managed only sixth place in what was considered a disappointing result.
The reigning world champion and defending Monaco race winner Lando Norris will begin Sunday’s race from the fourth row, starting alongside his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri.
General Rudolf Haykal, who leads Lebanon’s military forces, departed Saturday for Pakistan following an invitation from Pakistan’s top military official, according to a statement from Lebanon’s army.
The trip takes place during a period when Pakistani officials are working to facilitate diplomatic solutions to the U.S.-Israeli confrontation with Iran, a conflict that has expanded to affect Lebanon as well.
Military officials confirmed the visit was arranged at the request of Haykal’s Pakistani equivalent, though they did not release additional information regarding the specific objectives or timeline of the trip.
Air New Zealand’s leadership revealed Saturday that the carrier has managed to counteract just one-quarter to two-fifths of the financial impact from rising fuel expenses through protective hedging strategies and ticket price adjustments, according to Chief Executive Nikhil Ravishankar speaking with Reuters.
During the International Air Transport Association’s yearly conference in Rio de Janeiro, Ravishankar indicated the airline is preparing for jet fuel costs around $150 per barrel based on Singapore Jet Index pricing through the company’s 2027 fiscal year. While fuel availability isn’t an issue for the carrier, he emphasized that price volatility continues to be their primary obstacle.
The company has already implemented two separate rounds of ticket price increases and may consider additional targeted fare adjustments in markets where passenger demand stays strong, according to Ravishankar.
“You can’t just infinitely keep raising prices. The market will respond and demand will soften and then you fly less,” he said in an interview.
The chief executive stated that Air New Zealand doesn’t anticipate needing to seek additional funding from financial markets, noting that the company’s financial position and collection of debt-free aircraft provide sufficient resources to weather prolonged periods of high fuel costs.
Should fuel expenses remain at current levels, the airline would employ a mix of expense reductions, vendor contract renegotiations, fare adjustments and flight schedule cuts, he explained.
The carrier is also working to recover from mechanical issues with engines and delayed aircraft deliveries that previously left up to 20% of its planes unable to fly. Ravishankar reported this figure has dropped below 5%, with the majority of aircraft anticipated to return to service within the coming two to three months.
While financial settlements from Boeing, Rolls-Royce and Pratt & Whitney have provided some relief, he noted these payments have only partially covered the economic losses sustained.
American military forces intercepted Iranian ballistic missiles and attack drones targeting Gulf partners on Friday, while also conducting retaliatory strikes against Iranian coastal radar installations, marking another escalation in the fragile ceasefire with Tehran.
This military exchange occurred as the Trump administration continues increasing diplomatic pressure on Iran to negotiate an agreement ending the ongoing conflict.
According to U.S. Central Command’s Friday evening social media statement, Iran launched seven ballistic missiles targeting Kuwait and Bahrain. American forces successfully intercepted six missiles, while the seventh failed to reach its intended target. Military officials reported no injuries to U.S. personnel.
These ballistic missile attacks followed earlier U.S. interception of four Iranian drones heading toward the Strait of Hormuz.
“The attack drones posed an immediate threat to regional maritime traffic,” U.S. Central Command stated on social media.
Kuwait’s military confirmed their forces were intercepting incoming missiles and drones targeting their territory, while Bahrain activated emergency sirens and instructed citizens to seek shelter and follow official guidance.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed responsibility for targeting the Ali Al Salem airbase hosting U.S. forces in Kuwait and the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet stationed in Bahrain, according to state-run IRNA news agency reports.
American military forces are currently maintaining a blockade of Iranian ports as Tehran continues restricting the vital shipping corridor for global oil and natural gas transport, causing energy price increases and creating political challenges for President Donald Trump’s Republican Party before upcoming midterm congressional elections.
U.S. Central Command confirmed striking radar installations, including one located on an island within the strait, “to defend against further attacks.”
Trump promises a quick end to US-Iran conflict
These latest confrontations represent continued back-and-forth hostilities straining the unstable ceasefire and complicating diplomatic efforts to extend the truce. Earlier this week, Iranian drone attacks severely damaged Kuwait’s primary airport passenger terminal, resulting in one death, multiple injuries, and temporary airport closure.
Despite these attacks raising fresh concerns about potential ceasefire collapse, Trump informed reporters Friday that “the situation with Iran seems to be going quite well.”
“We’re going to come out of Iran very quickly and it’s going to be very strong one way or the other, whether it’s a piece of paper or the very tough way,” Trump stated during a Wisconsin farmers event. “The very tough way is maybe the easier way, but we’re going to come out, and your fertilizer prices are going to go way down, just like they were four months ago.”
When questioned Friday about the prolonged timeline, Trump told NBC’s “Meet the Press” it was because “it’s a very hard thing for them,” referencing their “great independence” and noting “they’re strong, they’re proud.”
“There are things they never thought they’d be doing that they’re going to have to do. They’ve got no choice, and it takes a little while,” he explained during the interview.
Trump indicated the Iranians maintain 21% to 22% of their missile arsenal.
Israeli strikes on Lebanon continue
His administration has also promoted the recent ceasefire agreement reached this week between Lebanon’s government and Israel following U.S.-mediated negotiations in Washington. However, the Iranian-supported Hezbollah militant organization has refused the agreement, and continued attacks threaten its viability.
Israeli military forces conducted Friday strikes across multiple southern Lebanon areas and issued evacuation orders for nine villages, including one sheltering thousands of displaced civilians. These strikes resulted in nine fatalities across six southern Lebanon locations, according to state news agency reports.
Israeli military officials reported two soldiers wounded, one critically, during Friday’s encounter with militants in southern Lebanon.
The Lebanese conflict, where Israeli forces have captured significant portions of the south, also jeopardizes efforts to conclude the Iran war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as Iran has insisted any permanent truce must include Lebanon.
Beyond the Strait of Hormuz drone interceptions, U.S. military forces earlier Friday boarded a sanctioned oil tanker connected to Iran in the Indian Ocean as America continues preventing Iran from profiting through oil and other commodity sales.
The U.S. also imposed additional energy sector sanctions targeting individuals, companies and tankers.
PARIS (AP) — During D-Day anniversary commemorations in France on Saturday, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth drew parallels between current European migration patterns and the historic Allied invasion, suggesting that the liberty secured by World War II forces might be fleeting without proper defense.
At the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer in northwestern France, Hegseth addressed the 82nd anniversary of the June 6, 1944, Allied landings, stating that in present times, “different European beaches are stormed by different dangerous ideologies.”
“Beaches in Spain and Italy and Greece and Bulgaria. Boats and men arrive,” he said.
“When will European capitals do something about that invasion? Or is it too late?” he added. “I pray not, and I believe not.”
While the Defense Secretary avoided directly mentioning immigration, his comments reflected the current administration’s broader critique of European handling of migration issues, border security, and what American officials characterize as suppression of nationalist and far-right perspectives.
The same day, the office of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticized U.S. Vice President JD Vance for connecting immigration to the death of Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old British student who was fatally stabbed in Southampton, despite both the victim and perpetrator being British citizens.
Last December, the current administration’s national security strategy document cautioned that Europe confronts the “prospect of civilizational erasure” and risks becoming “unrecognizable” over the next two decades.
PARIS – Nineteen-year-old Russian tennis sensation Mirra Andreeva secured her first Grand Slam championship on Saturday, defeating Poland’s Maja Chwalinska 6-3, 6-2 in the French Open women’s singles final.
The eighth-seeded player from Russia achieved a historic milestone, becoming the first Russian woman to capture a Grand Slam title since Maria Sharapova’s French Open victory in 2014.
Tournament Performance
Andreeva’s championship run included victories over France’s Fiona Ferro (6-3, 6-3) in the opening round, followed by a comeback win against Spain’s Marina Bassols Ribera (3-6, 6-1, 6-1). She then defeated Czech Republic’s 27th-seeded Marie Bouzkova (6-4, 6-2) and Switzerland’s Jil Teichmann (6-3, 6-2) to reach the quarterfinals.
In the quarterfinals, she dominated Romania’s 18th-seeded Sorana Cirstea 6-0, 6-3, before advancing to the final with a semifinal victory over Ukraine’s 15th-seeded Marta Kostyuk 6-1, 6-3.
Tennis Journey
Andreeva began playing tennis at age six and reached the Australian Open girls’ championship match in 2023, where she fell to Alina Korneeva in three sets.
Her professional journey started on the ITF circuit in 2022, where she claimed six championships. She gained international attention in 2023 by reaching the third round at the French Open in her Grand Slam debut, followed by a fourth-round appearance at Wimbledon.
In 2024, she advanced to the French Open semifinals, losing to Jasmine Paolini, and earned an Olympic silver medal in women’s doubles as an individual neutral athlete alongside Diana Shnaider. She also captured her first WTA title at the Iasi Open.
At just 17 years old in 2025, she made history as the youngest WTA 1000 champion by defeating Clara Tauson at the Dubai Tennis Championships. She followed that success with another WTA 1000 title at Indian Wells, defeating world number one Aryna Sabalenka.
In 2026, she added titles in Linz and Adelaide to her resume while also reaching the Madrid final before claiming her breakthrough Grand Slam victory in Paris.
PARIS, June 6 – Nineteen-year-old Mirra Andreeva of Russia claimed her first Grand Slam championship Saturday, defeating Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska in straight sets 6-3, 6-2 at the French Open.
The eighth-seeded Andreeva’s victory marks the first time a teenager has claimed the Roland Garros championship since Pole Iga Swiatek accomplished the feat in 2020.
A Palestinian infant who died in an Israeli military shooting was buried Saturday in the West Bank city of Hebron, one day after the deadly incident that also wounded his parents.
Seven-month-old Sam Fahd Abu Haikal was interred following funeral services at a local mosque, his small body wrapped in white burial cloth and draped with a Palestinian flag. The baby died Friday when Israeli forces opened fire on his family’s vehicle in the Tel Rumeida area south of Hebron, according to relatives who witnessed the incident and the Palestinian Health Ministry.
The child’s father, Fahd, rejected suggestions that the shooting was unintentional during Saturday’s burial proceedings.
“What happened to us is not a matter of an apology. What happened is not that shots were fired by mistake and led to this tragedy,” the grieving father stated.
“To say it happened by mistake, that ‘I didn’t know you were coming here,’ or that the bullet passed through by accident — no. There is no such thing as ‘by mistake’ in this case.”
Israeli military officials have stated that troops discharged a single round after they “perceived a vehicle accelerating toward them.” The military has admitted that “uninvolved civilians” sustained injuries and indicated the matter is being investigated.
The infant’s grandmother, Firyal, described how the family had brought their car to a halt upon spotting Israeli troops in the area. She said gunfire erupted afterward, with a bullet striking their vehicle and fatally wounding Abu Haikal while injuring both parents.
“Immediately after the presence of the occupation forces, a soldier holding his weapon opened fire on us. The bullets struck the car,” Fahd recounted.
“The soldier that shot at us was 10 metres away. The bullet penetrated the front windshield, went through my arm, and then struck my son in the head and my wife in the face.”
Military authorities have not revealed the identities of the troops involved in the shooting or indicated whether those personnel remain on active duty during the ongoing investigation.
The first American pope is planning to cheer on his home country’s soccer team during the upcoming World Cup competition.
Pope Leo, who left his Chicago roots behind for the Vatican’s papal residence, shared his tournament loyalties with a reporter during his Saturday flight from Rome to Madrid. The pontiff confirmed he’ll be backing the United States when the 48-nation competition kicks off Thursday.
“I would certainly support the U.S.,” the pope stated. “I don’t know how many games I’ll be able to see but I wish them all the best.”
The United States will face Paraguay, Australia and Turkey in Group D competition. The Americans are serving as co-hosts for the tournament alongside Canada and Mexico.
The pope’s allegiance wasn’t always guaranteed for the U.S. squad. Pope Leo, who hails from a south Chicago suburb, spent many years as a missionary and bishop in Peru before ascending to the papacy. During a previous interview last year, he indicated he would favor Peru over the United States in any soccer matchup.
However, with Peru’s failure to earn a spot in this year’s competition, the path cleared for papal support of the American team.
During his current week-long visit to Spain and the Canary Islands, Pope Leo also addressed his preferences regarding Spanish soccer. When questioned Saturday about his allegiance between rival clubs Real Madrid and Barcelona, the pontiff, whose birth name is Robert Prevost, took a moment before responding.
“The pope is for all teams,” he answered. “Prevost is for Real Madrid.”
New Castle County police investigators have taken a 35-year-old man into custody on several felony charges stemming from an alleged sexual assault of a young child.
Jose Martinez-Salinas faces multiple serious charges after law enforcement officials conducted an investigation into the reported assault of a child younger than 12 years old.
Police officers were called to respond to the sexual assault report on June 4, 2026, in New Castle County. The incident prompted detectives with the New Castle County Division of Police to launch their investigation that ultimately led to Martinez-Salinas’ arrest.
The suspect is now facing multiple felony counts in connection with the alleged crimes against the minor victim.
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Following hostile crowds and chants of “no means no” in Carolina, Vegas Golden Knights netminder Carter Hart returns to the comfort of his home arena for Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final on Saturday.
The T-Mobile Arena crowd has embraced Hart throughout the playoffs, with support growing stronger each game as he helped lead the Golden Knights to the championship series. The series stands even at one game apiece.
“Just really fortunate to be here in Vegas,” Hart said. “It’s a great culture of people.”
The hostile reception in Carolina related to Hart being among five players from Canada’s 2018 world junior team who were acquitted of sexual assault charges last July. The NHL determined these players could sign contracts starting Oct. 15 and return to play beginning Dec. 1. Hart subsequently inked a two-year, $4 million deal with Vegas.
Ironically, Hart might have been playing for the opposition. The Hurricanes explored signing both Hart and Michael McLeod — another of the five players involved in the case — but ultimately chose not to pursue that path.
Hart’s stellar postseason performance had positioned him as a candidate for the Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to the playoffs’ most valuable player.
He brought a 12-4 playoff record into the opening game, along with a 2.22 goals-against average and .924 save percentage. However, against the Hurricanes, his numbers have dipped to a 3.90 GAA and .855 save percentage.
The struggles haven’t been entirely on Hart’s shoulders. Vegas’ defense committed several uncharacteristic mistakes in the opening two contests, forcing Hart into challenging situations. Still, according to Natural Stat Trick, the expected goals against Hart and the Golden Knights reached 4.47 at five-on-five, while Carolina managed six even-strength goals.
Vegas coach John Tortorella stood by his goaltender when questioned about how Hart was managing the circumstances.
“Carter’s played very well,” Tortorella said.
Hart appeared poised to extend his postseason winning streak to eight games Thursday evening, carrying a shutout into the final 9:40 of Game 2. However, the Hurricanes found the net three times in regulation and once more in overtime for a 4-3 victory.
The Golden Knights must now regroup from this setback. They’ve faced similar situations before, dropping Game 2 in three of their four playoff series this year, including the first two at home before defeating Utah and Anaheim in six games each.
However, Vegas hasn’t experienced this type of collapse. While they’ve typically stolen victories from opponents, this time they watched one slip away.
Game 3 will reveal where Hart and his teammates truly stand.
“It’s in the past,” center William Karlsson said. “There nothing we can change, so now we just look ahead.”
Economic conditions, rising prices, and their potential effects on American families took center stage during the previous week. Visits to supermarkets and fuel stations have become more expensive compared to last year, with increasing costs affecting choices made by both families and companies.
Below is an overview of significant economic information and developments from the past week and their possible implications for consumers.
American companies hired an unexpected 172,000 workers in May while the employment sector demonstrated continued strength despite increasing expenses from the Iran war.
Friday’s report from the Labor Department showed employment growth decreased modestly last month compared to a revised figure of 179,000 in April. The jobless rate remained at a low 4.3%.
Employment has recovered this year following a difficult 2025, displaying surprising durability amid economic uncertainty and severely elevated energy costs resulting from the Iran war.
The jobless rate held at a low 4.3% during May.
Available positions in the U.S. increased during April, suggesting to some degree that Americans became more confident about quitting their current employment to seek better compensation elsewhere.
American companies advertised 7.6 million open positions in April, according to Tuesday’s Labor Department announcement, rising from 6.9 million in March and representing the highest figure since May 2024. Economic analysts had predicted only 6.8 million openings.
The department’s Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) revealed that workforce reductions decreased while the count of Americans leaving their positions voluntarily also declined. The report’s measurement of total hiring also fell in April, indicating that businesses are avoiding significant layoffs but also not pursuing aggressive recruitment.
Americans applying for unemployment assistance reached their peak level in four months during the previous week, although weekly employment statistics can experience significant fluctuations.
U.S. unemployment benefit applications for the week concluding May 30 rose by 13,000 to 225,000, the Labor Department announced Thursday. This represents the highest total since early February, prior to U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran, though it remains at a historically low point. Experts polled by FactSet anticipated 211,000 new claims.
Weekly unemployment benefit filings serve as an indicator for U.S. workforce reductions and provide nearly immediate insight into employment market conditions.
The standard long-term U.S. home loan rate decreased this week from its peak level in nine months, offering some relief for potential home purchasers.
The standard 30-year fixed rate mortgage dropped to 6.48% from 6.53% the previous week, according to Thursday’s announcement from mortgage purchaser Freddie Mac. The current rate stays below 6.85%, last year’s level, but represents double the pandemic-era rates.
Declining mortgage rates provide home purchasers with increased buying capacity.
Rates have generally moved upward since the conflict with Iran started, interfering with oil tanker movement from the Persian Gulf to global customers. This disruption has driven oil prices significantly higher, serving as a major inflation factor.
Stock markets concluded the week with declines on Friday as major technology corporations experienced sell-offs and pulled down the overall market.
Simultaneously, bond yields increased as positive employment data continued reducing expectations that the Federal Reserve would lower its primary interest rate this year.
Nvidia and Broadcom posted losses. These companies were among the largest negative influences on the broader market, offsetting wider gains. More securities increased than decreased within the S&P 500. Many larger technology stocks have experienced dramatic value increases and can significantly impact the overall market.
Authorities in Britain announced Saturday that six additional individuals have been arrested and charged with violent disorder stemming from protests over the December killing of a college student who was restrained by police while fatally wounded.
During Tuesday’s demonstration in Southampton, a coastal city in southern England, law enforcement officers faced a barrage of projectiles including chairs, beverage containers, stones and flares from some participants among the hundreds gathered to protest the death of 18-year-old Henry Nowak.
Widespread anger erupted across Britain and internationally after police body camera footage revealed officers placing handcuffs on Nowak just before he lost consciousness and died from his injuries.
The student’s death has ignited intense discussions regarding law enforcement practices, racial issues and knife violence throughout the United Kingdom. The perpetrator, 23-year-old Vickrum Digwa, who is Sikh, provided false information to responding officers, claiming he had been the target of a racially motivated attack by Nowak, who was white. Upon arrival, police initially considered the injured victim a suspect before discovering his wounds and attempting life-saving measures.
This week, Digwa received a murder conviction for fatally stabbing Nowak with a Sikh dagger and was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum 21-year term. However, anti-immigration advocates and political figures have used the incident to argue that the justice system shows prejudice against white individuals.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the street violence following the case as “disgraceful and completely unacceptable.” Officials have encouraged the public to respect the victim’s family’s request not to exploit his death to incite violence and civil unrest.
According to police reports, a total of 11 individuals now face disorder charges related to this week’s Southampton demonstration.
On Friday, Starmer’s office issued criticism regarding statements made by U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who attributed Nowak’s death to immigration policies. In a post on social platform X, Vance stated there should be “righteous anger” regarding the murder, which he partially blamed on “the mass invasion of migrants, many of whom despise the West and the people who love it.”
Responding to Vance’s remarks, Starmer’s office released a statement condemning those “trying to interfere in our democracy and seeking to stir up division on our streets.”
Officials at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility announced Saturday that electrical service has been reestablished to the plant following successful repairs to the Ferrosplavnaya-1 transmission line.
“All systems and equipment at the ZNPP are operating normally,” the management said via its Telegram channel.
The repair work was made possible through a brief local truce arranged on Friday by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog organization.
Hours after the repair incident occurred, the Russian state nuclear energy corporation Rosatom claimed Ukraine had intentionally broken the ceasefire by launching a drone strike that wounded at least three individuals.
Russian forces captured the Zaporizhzhia facility, which stands as Europe’s biggest nuclear plant with six reactors, during the initial phase of Moscow’s military campaign in Ukraine. Since then, both nations have blamed each other for conducting military operations that threaten nuclear security.
While the facility currently produces no electricity, it requires external electrical supply to prevent nuclear fuel stored there from overheating.
This recent ceasefire marked the sixth such agreement arranged since late last year to enable power line maintenance work.
Armenian law enforcement officials detained six candidates from a pro-Russian opposition political party on Saturday, just hours before the nation’s general election was set to begin, according to state media reports.
The candidates belonged to the Strong Armenia party, which is headed by Russian-Armenian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan. Karapetyan is currently under house arrest facing allegations of attempting to incite government overthrow, charges he maintains are driven by political motivations.
The country’s ties with longtime ally Russia have become a major campaign issue in this election cycle. In recent weeks, Moscow has imposed trade restrictions on Armenian goods as a response to the nation’s increasingly closer relationship with Western countries.
Approximately 2.4 million Armenian citizens are registered to vote in Sunday’s election, which will also serve as a referendum on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s peace-building initiatives with Azerbaijan, Armenia’s historic adversary.
Recent polling data indicates Strong Armenia commands between 6% and 11% of voter support, placing it as the second-largest party behind Pashinyan’s governing Civil Contract party, which leads significantly with 24% to 32% support.
Civil rights organizations in Armenia have expressed concerns about what they describe as Russian government-backed misinformation campaigns targeting the election. Moscow consistently denies involvement in foreign electoral processes.
The state news service Armenpress reported that the Central Election Commission granted permission for investigators to pursue criminal charges against the six candidates, though specific details were not provided.
Armenia’s state Investigative Committee, responsible for the arrests, had not responded to inquiries about the reasoning behind the detentions as of Saturday.
Strong Armenia, which advocates for preserving the nation’s economic and political connections with Russia and has criticized Pashinyan for potentially provoking conflict with Moscow, had not issued an immediate statement regarding the arrests.
Earlier this week, Armenia’s Interior Ministry announced it had documented at least 78 instances of pre-election violations and arrested 44 individuals, according to local media reports. The reports did not identify which political organizations the detained individuals were associated with.
Opposition to Strong Armenia has intensified as Sunday’s vote approaches. During a special session on Friday evening, the Central Election Commission turned down a legal challenge from another opposition faction seeking to prevent Strong Armenia from participating in the election due to allegations of voter bribery and illegal campaign financing.
Strong Armenia largely rejected the lawsuit’s claims, with the party’s spokeswoman telling Armenian media outlets that the organization was “ready for all scenarios” heading into Sunday’s election.
Pharmaceutical company Pfizer released trial results on Saturday revealing their experimental weight-loss medication designed for monthly injections produces side effects comparable to competitor Novo Nordisk’s weekly Wegovy treatment.
The pharmaceutical giant hopes their compound berobenatide will become the first monthly GLP-1 weight-loss medication available, helping distinguish it from popular treatments like Wegovy and Eli Lilly’s Zepbound.
Earlier this year in February, Pfizer announced the medication demonstrated weight reduction of up to 12.3% in non-diabetic patients during their mid-stage VESPER-3 clinical trial.
Industry experts are examining the drug’s adverse reaction patterns to determine its potential market success.
Company representatives reported that most trial participants experienced minimal or moderate side effects, with digestive issues primarily occurring during initial doses and shortly after injection administration. These findings were shared at the American Diabetes Association conference in New Orleans.
“Because of the very long half life here, you get a very smooth profile compared to weeklies,” Pfizer Chief Internal Medicine Officer Jim List said in an interview. “When you give it monthly … it’s very front-loaded. It does not persist through the month.”
List noted that researchers observed increased negative reactions when participants transitioned from weekly to monthly dosing during testing, prompting the company to plan more gradual dose increases in future late-stage studies.
Saturday’s data presentation revealed the average nausea occurrence across all VESPER-3 study groups was approximately 38%, while the average vomiting rate reached about 23.3%.
In May, JP Morgan analyst Chris Schott indicated that investors would be monitoring whether the medication’s vomiting rate stayed “20-25% or lower.”
Approximately 25% of participants taking Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy experienced vomiting in that company’s weight-loss study, while roughly 44% reported nausea symptoms.
This investigational medication represents the cornerstone of Pfizer’s obesity treatment approach following their $10 billion Metsera acquisition in the previous year. The purchase provided the pharmaceutical company with a fresh pipeline of metabolic treatments after being required to halt two of their own weight-loss drug candidates due to liver safety issues.
Pfizer believes monthly berobenatide dosing will set their drug apart from current weekly injection options, maintaining that less frequent administration could enhance patient compliance and appeal to different patient populations.
OSLO, Norway (AP) — The Norwegian Royal Court announced Friday that Crown Princess Mette-Marit has been added to a lung transplant waiting list due to her deteriorating medical condition.
The 52-year-old princess received a diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis in 2018, a condition that progressively damages lung tissue and creates scarring. The disease leads to severe respiratory difficulties and has no available cure.
According to the Royal Court’s Friday statement, she will halt her official royal responsibilities, and medical updates will only be shared once the transplant surgery occurs. Following her hospital release, the statement noted there would be “a longer period of rehabilitation and training” with “initially no updates” provided during that time.
Lung specialist Are Holm from Oslo’s University Hospital told Norway’s public broadcaster NRK that “The Crown Princess has had a significant worsening of her pulmonary fibrosis over the past six months. We see in the pictures that much more scar tissue has developed over the past year.”
Holm further explained, “The rule of thumb for who should be put on the list for lung transplantation is that the patient should be so sick with lung disease that we have reason to believe that the patient only has one year left to live.”
The medical specialist noted that hospital protocols determine waiting list priorities and stated it was impossible to forecast when the transplant might occur, as it depends on when a “suitable organ becomes available.” Holm mentioned current waiting periods are brief and emphasized they “follow protocol exactly in this case.”
In February, Mette-Marit issued an apology regarding the difficulties she created for the royal family amid criticism over her interactions with deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which was part of a broader statement of regret to all those she has “disappointed.”
The Crown Princess’s communications and relationships with Epstein have drawn public attention, contributing to royal family controversies as her son, Marius Borg Høiby, faced trial in Oslo in February on various charges, including rape allegations.
Høiby, 29, is Crown Princess Mette-Marit’s oldest child from an earlier relationship and holds no royal title or performs official royal functions.
Female Navy officers are expressing concern about their career prospects after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed all women from a recent promotion list to admiral rank.
The Navy had originally selected 31 sailors to advance from captain to one-star admiral, but Hegseth stepped in to remove nine individuals from that list, including three women and two Black men, according to a defense official who requested anonymity due to restrictions on publicly discussing the information.
This intervention means no women will receive promotion to one-star admiral this year, despite women representing approximately 25% of all Navy officers and nearly one-third of mid-level positions, based on 2024 military statistics.
The Associated Press interviewed eight female Navy officers across different ranks and experience levels following Hegseth’s decision, which The New York Times first reported. All requested anonymity due to concerns about potential retaliation from leadership.
Junior officers described viewing this development as evidence their careers could become politically influenced if they advance too high, with some expressing they now perceive limits on their promotion potential. Several said the action made them feel undervalued within the military structure and questioned whether this was intentional.
Defense officials have provided no explanation for removing the women or the other six individuals from the promotion roster.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated on social media this week that “military promotions are given to those who have earned them” and emphasized the Pentagon “will never consider the color of a service member’s skin or their gender as a factor in promotions.” The Pentagon did not respond immediately to requests for additional comment.
The Navy’s selection process for one-star promotions has maintained consistency and transparency historically. The service assembles a promotion board of officers who review eligible candidates’ records and select the most qualified individuals.
The board that chose the original 31 officers operated under direction from then-Navy Secretary John Phelan, a President Donald Trump appointee, to “recommend for promotion the best qualified officers within their respective competitive category.”
Phelan’s directive, issued before his sudden departure in April, instructed the board to evaluate officers based on performance, competence, character, and other qualifications.
The order also specified that given China’s significance in the Trump administration’s National Defense Strategy, “special consideration shall be given to officers who have excelled in their knowledge of the political military affairs and U.S. strategic interests in the Indo-Pacific region, and operational contingency planning for Indo-Pacific war plans.”
Hegseth has consistently argued, without providing supporting evidence, that women in military service receive preferential treatment and lack suitability for combat positions.
“For too long, we’ve promoted too many uniformed leaders for the wrong reasons based on their race, based on gender quotas, based on historic so-called firsts,” Hegseth addressed hundreds of military leaders in September.
He claimed this approach rendered the Pentagon “less capable and less lethal.”
Phelan’s guidance explicitly stated the Navy cannot discriminate based on factors like race and gender, specifically noting “this guidance shall not be interpreted as requiring or permitting preferential treatment of any officer or group of officers on the grounds of race, religion, color, sex.”
The complete roster of 31 promotion candidates received approval from Phelan, other Navy leadership, and Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Gen. Dan Caine before reaching Hegseth, who decided to modify the list, the defense official explained.
Although Hegseth possesses authority to alter such lists, “it’s just not the norm,” according to Katherine Kuzminski, a researcher focused on military recruiting and retention at the Center for New American Security think tank.
Kuzminski observed that “this is a decision that’s not being made by the U.S. Navy — it’s being made by the secretary of defense” and noted Hegseth’s increasing involvement in operational military matters like promotions creates “tension” regarding future expectations of “normal” procedures.
Senior Navy officers who spoke with the AP voiced worries about the message this sends to younger sailors entering the service.
Beyond blocking the recent promotions of three women to admiral, Hegseth dismissed Adm. Lisa Franchetti shortly after assuming office. Franchetti served as the service’s top officer and was the first woman in that role. He offered no explanation for her removal.
Subsequently, he has also terminated two other female three-star admirals without providing reasons.
Officers interviewed by the AP said that while they continue encouraging female sailors to remain with the Navy, they recognize this message comes during challenging circumstances.
Kuzminski explained that rhetoric and actions concerning women in military service “affects individual service member decision-making and it also affects family unit decision-making,” including whether people pursue military careers.
Following the extended hold on military promotions by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., during the Biden administration, surveys indicated that partisan politics entering troops’ daily lives influenced their decision-making, Kuzminski noted.
One officer indicated this impact extends beyond women alone.
In discussions with fellow sailors in her unit, she reported that male service members expressed reluctance to navigate what appears to be increasing politicization of simply executing orders from previous administrations.
WASHINGTON, June 6 – Donald Trump is encountering growing pushback from within his own political party as Republican members of Congress, who have historically been hesitant to oppose him, are demonstrating increased readiness to challenge the U.S. president.
In recent days, various groups of Republicans across both chambers of Congress have emerged to criticize his Iran policies, deny $1 billion in funding connected to his White House ballroom, compel a reversal on his $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund, and prevent his domestic surveillance legislation from advancing.
Congressional representatives also went against Trump’s wishes Thursday by approving legislation to deliver assistance to Ukraine while implementing additional sanctions on Russia, though the president appears likely to veto this measure.
While both Republicans and Democrats remain doubtful that Trump confronts a genuine uprising, an expanding group of Republicans is demonstrating readiness to oppose him, including individuals Trump has personally worked to remove from office, potentially threatening his most significant policy goals leading up to Election Day.
Republican Senator Thom Tillis, who declared his retirement from the Senate last year following his opposition to the president’s so-called One Big Beautiful Bill, explained the shift: “I think what you’re seeing as you get closer to the election is that people are going to vote the way they think their constituents want them to.”
Democrats mostly rejected this notion, arguing there has been no proof that the party broadly will stand against him on significant matters.
Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat who occasionally backs Trump-supported initiatives, stated: “The people that are breaking with him are ones that were put out by Trump. That actually demonstrates his absolute control over the party.”
A White House official, speaking anonymously, attributed Republican opposition to “election-year politics.” The official noted: “Not every single member will absorb the political cost on every single issue.”
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson responded: “While the media and Democrats attempt to sow nonexistent divisions, we look forward to continuing this close relationship to continue fulfilling President Trump’s agenda.”
For years, Republican legislators have demonstrated public loyalty to Trump through supporting controversial cabinet nominees, offering minimal resistance to his executive actions, and backing his key legislation despite concerns about increasing deficits and reductions to the Medicaid healthcare program for low-income Americans.
Legislative members and staff indicate that frustration and bitterness have intensified since Trump challenged the reelection campaigns of Republican Senators Bill Cassidy and John Cornyn and jeopardized the Republican legislative agenda through poorly timed public statements.
The turning point occurred around the U.S. Memorial Day holiday, when Trump’s opposition to Cornyn’s reelection and his announcement of the “anti-weaponization” fund compelled Senate Republicans to drop a $70 billion immigration enforcement funding measure and depart Washington feeling angry and frustrated.
“That was kind of like a perfect storm of events,” commented a Senate Republican aide.
The Senate eventually approved the immigration enforcement funding measure on Friday, with Republicans rejecting a Democratic proposal to eliminate the fund, despite concerns it might finance January 6 Capitol rioters and other Trump political supporters.
Trump appears committed to nominating loyalist Bill Pulte to succeed Tulsi Gabbard as temporary Director of National Intelligence, despite reservations from important Republicans.
Senator Mitch McConnell clearly stated he would not support Pulte for permanent DNI, explaining that the law demands nominees with substantial experience. In a statement, he declared: “No nominee who falls short of this requirement will earn my vote.”
Republican resistance in both chambers has remained largely symbolic thus far.
Three electorally at-risk Senate Republicans – Susan Collins, Jon Husted and Dan Sullivan – participated in a Democratic effort Thursday to eliminate Trump’s “anti-weaponization” fund through a measure that failed, alongside two additional Republican attempts to terminate the fund.
Republican Senator Jim Banks, a Trump supporter, said during the voting: “This whole exercise is to pass President Trump’s top agenda item to secure the border, fund ICE. What’s happening on the floor right now shows the solidarity that we have with the president.”
Trump’s upcoming major test will likely involve his anticipated nomination of former attorney Todd Blance as permanent U.S. attorney general, a decision that may encounter significant Senate opposition. The initial review would occur in the Senate Judiciary Committee, which includes Trump retribution target Cornyn, who indicated his support would depend on Blanche’s responses to specific questions.
Cornyn told reporters: “The attorney general is not the president’s private lawyer. I want to make sure he understands the difference and is committed to making sure that the law is enforced.”
Members of Britain’s royal family came together Saturday in a small English village to witness the marriage of Peter Phillips, Princess Anne’s son, to Harriet Sperling, who works as a nurse.
The wedding ceremony occurred at All Saints Church in Kemble, located near Cirencester in southwestern England. Princess Anne attended alongside her spouse Timothy Laurence, while her brother King Charles was present with Queen Camilla. Prince William and his wife Kate also participated in the private celebration, along with other prominent royal family members.
The guest list included Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, who are the daughters of Charles’ younger brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
Phillips holds the distinction of being the late Queen Elizabeth II’s oldest grandson and currently sits 19th in line for the British throne. He makes his living as a sports management executive and does not participate in official royal responsibilities. His bride, Sperling, works as a pediatric nurse.
This marks Phillips’ second marriage, as his previous union with Autumn Kelly concluded in divorce during 2021.
PARIS, June 6 – During commemorations marking the 82nd anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered controversial comments on Saturday, drawing parallels between modern immigration patterns and what he termed dangerous ideological threats facing Europe.
Speaking at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, Hegseth connected contemporary migration issues to the historic Allied landings that began the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi control.
“Sadly, today, different European beaches are stormed by different, dangerous ideologies. Beaches in Spain, Italy, Greece and Bulgaria, boats and men arrive,” Hegseth stated during his address.
“When will European capitals do something about that invasion or is it too late? I pray not, and I believe not,” he continued.
These statements reflect broader criticisms frequently voiced by President Donald Trump’s administration regarding European policies. The administration has consistently argued that Europe struggles with inadequate defense capabilities, ineffective immigration management, excessive bureaucracy, and what it characterizes as “censorship” targeting far-right and nationalist political movements.
Immigration control has become a recurring point of tension between U.S. and European officials, with Trump and Vice President JD Vance – as recently as Friday – repeatedly condemning European nations for their handling of migration issues.
Last year’s U.S. National Security Strategy document contained stark language about Europe’s future, suggesting the continent risked “civilizational erasure” and needed significant policy changes to maintain its status as a dependable American partner.
These official statements and commentary from high-ranking Trump administration figures have fundamentally challenged long-standing assumptions about transatlantic cooperation, prompting European leadership to urgently consider reducing their dependence on American defense systems and technology.
PARIS, June 6 – Alexander Zverev’s quest for his first Grand Slam championship brings him to another crucial moment at the French Open, where the German player will battle Italian surprise contender Flavio Cobolli this Sunday.
The 29-year-old has been consistently thwarted by tennis legends Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic, along with rising stars Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, but now faces his fourth opportunity to claim a major title and achieve his long-awaited breakthrough.
Following defending champion Alcaraz’s pullout and unexpected early exits by Sinner and Djokovic that altered the tournament bracket, the second-seeded Zverev has taken advantage with a steady progression through the competition to reach his second championship match in Paris within three years.
“The only thing I can control is that I play good tennis,” Zverev stated to media following his dominant victory over Czech 26th seed Jakub Mensik in the semifinals.
“I mean, I’ll try to show my level. I’ll try to do the right things. That’s the only thing that matters to me.”
The French Open has represented both opportunity and heartbreak for Zverev, from the devastating ankle injury that ended his 2022 semifinal match against Nadal to falling to Alcaraz in last year’s championship.
Zverev enters this French Open final carrying another recent disappointment after losing to Sinner in the 2025 Australian Open final, though he now possesses an excellent opportunity to finally achieve victory with a favorable matchup against his friend Cobolli.
“I look forward to playing him in the final. Of course, it’s his first final, so I’m happy for him that he reached it,” said Zverev, who leads their previous meetings 3-1.
“He’s a great player and a great guy. I like him. I like his dad a lot. Two very good people, just generally.
“We got closer at the Laver Cup in 2024 in Berlin … he’s just a nice person. He has a good heart. He’s extremely funny if you get to know him.”
The 24-year-old Cobolli secured his championship opportunity after Italian compatriot Matteo Arnaldi withdrew from their semifinal match due to viral illness, leaving the 10th seed as the more rested competitor entering Sunday’s showdown.
“Sometimes it helps. Sometimes it doesn’t,” Cobolli commented.
“Maybe having almost four days off is a lot, so you lose the rhythm, but I think also during the warm-up I played well.
“I think I’ll be ready for the final, for sure, but I also know that I’ll be fresh. Maybe it’ll help, maybe not. I’ll tell you after the final.”
Cobolli presents a legitimate challenge on clay courts, having defeated Zverev on German soil in Munich earlier this season, demonstrating his capability to upset the German’s game plan on tennis’s slowest playing surface.
Zverev quickly responded to that loss by winning their next encounter in Madrid, maintaining his edge in their rivalry and solidifying his position as the heavy favorite in Paris.
However, carrying painful memories including his stunning collapse after leading by two sets against Dominic Thiem in the 2020 U.S. Open final, Zverev understands the pressure of championship moments.
Sunday’s final between 2-Alexander Zverev (Germany) and 10-Flavio Cobolli (Italy) is scheduled for Court Philippe Chatrier beginning no earlier than 1300 GMT.
Drivers should expect delays on Pennsylvania Avenue/Kennett Pike as construction crews have closed the left lane in both the northbound and southbound directions.
The lane restriction is in effect between Greenhill Avenue and Centre Road on Route 141, with work expected to continue until 5 PM today.
Motorists are advised to use caution in the construction zone and allow extra travel time when using this route.
Drivers traveling on Route 113 northbound should expect delays today due to ongoing construction work near Bridgeville.
The right shoulder is currently closed on the northbound side of Route 113 between W North Street and Route 404 (Bridgeville Road) while crews complete road work in the area.
The shoulder closure is scheduled to remain in effect until 5 PM today. Motorists are advised to use caution when traveling through the construction zone and allow extra time for their commute.
When the band she loved most stepped onto the stage, Kristin Shires positioned herself right at the front barrier.
The moment Misterwives began their performance, thundering percussion and brass instruments echoed from the massive sound system. Shires absorbed every note — but during her trip home, an unwelcome noise filled her head.
“The half hour after the show my ears were like, ‘Are we okay?’” said Shires, a social media coordinator from Houston. “There was some ringing going on.”
Live music events provide that unique, powerful chance to experience beloved songs performed in person — at maximum volume — while singing along with devoted fans. Using earplugs to lower the sound might appear to defeat the entire purpose.
However, medical professionals explain that earplugs reduce volume levels rather than eliminate them entirely. Growing numbers of younger attendees — including Shires — are adopting this practice, implementing a straightforward measure to safeguard their hearing for countless future shows. To address worries about appearing overly cautious, stylish alternatives featuring attached jewelry and decorative elements help the protective devices blend better with concert outfits.
“People think that we are young and invincible, and that’s true to a certain extent,” said Asia Pon, an audiologist at Keck Medicine of the University of Southern California, who goes to concerts — and wears earplugs at them. “But repeated exposure over time can certainly accumulate and lead to permanent damage in the long run.”
Hearing damage occurs through a mix of excessive noise and duration, medical experts explain. Beginning around 85 decibels — comparable to urban traffic — extended listening over several hours can harm hearing. Sound levels at live performances — from massive amplifiers and cheering audiences — typically exceed this threshold significantly. Higher volume means shorter exposure time needed for ear damage.
Delicate, microscopic hair cells fill the inner ear, transforming sound vibrations into electrical messages transmitted to the brain.
Pon said to think of the those cells like a field of grass. If trampled once, the blades bend over but eventually stand back up. “But if you keep walking across that same area again and again, eventually that grass doesn’t bounce back,” she said.
Hair cells that suffer irreversible harm can cause lasting issues including tinnitus and reduced hearing ability.
Ear ringing occurs when these cells experience temporary strain from excessive noise. However, the absence of ringing doesn’t guarantee no harm has occurred.
Numerous concert halls and music festivals provide complimentary earplugs through their customer service areas, and various non-prescription choices are available at retail outlets and pharmacies.
When selecting earplugs, seek a noise reduction rating, usually marked as NRR on the package, ranging from 15 to 30 decibels. This range provides an effective compromise between musical enjoyment and ear protection.
Proper fit is essential for effectiveness — ensure you find a tight-fitting pair. For foam earplugs, Pon recommends straightening the ear canal by pulling the ear upward and backward. Compress the plug and squeeze it small before inserting it as far as possible. Then, hold the plug in place with your finger until you feel the plug expand.
Once inserted, check a mirror to ensure no large portions are protruding. Test the sound quality by playing music or television at home.
If finding properly fitting store-bought earplugs proves difficult, concert attendees can visit an audiologist for custom-fitted options. Though more costly, these usually feature adjustable filters suited to different venues and can be used repeatedly. Foam varieties should only be used once.
During Shires’ initial experience wearing earplugs at an alternative pop band Valley concert, she felt uncertain about what to anticipate. The adjustment period was brief, but soon everything felt natural and she could distinguish the music clearly while some audience noise was reduced.
“After the first few songs, it’s like they weren’t even there. I was just enjoying the show,” she said. Now, she keeps them in a case attached to her keys and has worn them to see many of her favorite artists including Hayley Williams and Taylor Swift. Many of her concert-going friends wear earplugs too, and she gets asked about them by the friends who don’t wear them.
Should your ears feel blocked or muted, or if ringing continues for days or weeks after a performance, consider consulting an audiologist for a hearing evaluation. Additionally, seek medical attention for more serious symptoms such as dizziness, discomfort, or fluid discharge from the ear.
A minor adjustment to how concerts sound today can maintain hearing capabilities for years ahead. Audiologist Meaghan Reed with Massachusetts Eye and Ear frequently treats patients who report that music no longer sounds as crisp or authentic as before.
“It might have a temporary impact of your enjoyment of the music right now, but it’s offset by saving your ability to hear music in the future,” Reed said.
President Donald Trump has granted a complete pardon to Stephen Buyer, a former Indiana Republican congressman who completed nearly two years in federal prison for conducting illegal stock transactions using confidential information after leaving Congress.
Buyer received a 22-month prison sentence in 2023 for trades he executed while working in consulting and lobbying roles. The court also required him to surrender more than $350,000 in unlawful profits and pay a $10,000 penalty. He was released from custody in 2025.
When issuing the “full, complete, and unconditional pardon,” Trump highlighted Buyer’s military service as a judge advocate general in the Army and his congressional career as “distinguished and highly productive.” The White House released the pardon, which bears Thursday’s date, on Friday evening.
Buyer stated the pardon “corrects a politically motivated prosecution” and described his experience as “horrific to be imprisoned for a crime that I did not commit.” He continues to assert his innocence.
On May 31, Trump used his Truth Social platform to post two letters advocating for Buyer’s presidential pardon. Buyer, an attorney and Gulf War veteran, concluded his congressional service in 2011. He participated as a House prosecutor during Democratic President Bill Clinton’s 1998 impeachment proceedings and joined Trump’s 2016 transition team working on veterans’ affairs.
More than 40 former Republican Congress members signed a letter claiming Buyer was “targeted by the deep state” due to his role in Clinton’s impeachment trial.
“Like you, Mr. President, Steve has been the victim of lawfare conducted by the Biden Administration,” they stated in their April 2025 correspondence.
Five sitting House Republicans authored a separate letter arguing that pardoning Buyer would deliver justice in his case. The June 2025 letter bore signatures from Tom Cole of Oklahoma, Ken Calvert of California, Marlin Stutzman of Indiana, Jack Bergman of Michigan and Pete Sessions of Texas.
The 67-year-old Buyer faced conviction for insider trading connected to the $26.5 billion T-Mobile and Sprint merger announced in April 2018, plus illegal transactions involving management consulting firm Navigant when his client Guidehouse planned to acquire it in a deal revealed publicly weeks afterward.
The Constitution provides presidents with extensive authority to issue pardons for federal offenses. While pardons don’t eliminate a person’s criminal history, they can represent acts of compassion or justice.
ANTALYA, Turkey — Iran’s national soccer squad departed from Turkey on Saturday, heading to their Mexican training facility before competing in three World Cup group stage matches on American soil later this month.
Iranian state television reported that several Iranian Football Federation members who were scheduled to travel with the team have not yet obtained entry visas for the United States.
The television broadcast indicated that federation secretary-general Hedayat Mombeini and vice president Mehdi Mohammad Nabi were part of a group of 14 support personnel and administrators still lacking US visas before matches in Los Angeles and Seattle.
Whether federation president Mehdi Taj received visa approval remained uncertain.
The squad’s World Cup involvement has faced challenges due to Iran’s conflict with Israel and the United States. Visa processing difficulties previously forced Iran to relocate their training facility from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana on Mexico’s California border.
The federation criticized the US for “vindictive behavior” in denying visas to “key managerial and administrative members” of the squad.
This action has “effectively denied the Iranian national team the opportunity for a level playing field and a competition free from discrimination,” according to a statement carried by Iran’s semiofficial Tasnim and Mehr news agencies. The federation announced plans to address the issue through FIFA, soccer’s global governing body.
A US official previously informed The Associated Press that Iranian team players received visa clearance, while another official confirmed visas were granted to players, coaching staff, trainers and certain support personnel. A third official indicated some team-affiliated applicants were denied for seeking visas “under false pretenses.”
These officials requested anonymity as they lacked authorization to publicly discuss visa matters.
The team has been training at a facility in Antalya, Turkey, for World Cup preparation. The squad confirmed receiving visas from Mexico’s Embassy in Ankara.
Iran faces New Zealand on June 15 in Inglewood, California, for their opening match, followed by Belgium six days afterward, before traveling to Seattle to meet Egypt on June 26. Iran and the US could potentially clash in the round of 32 on July 3 in Arlington, Texas, should both teams finish second in their respective groups.
President Donald Trump discouraged Iran’s tournament participation in March, stating he found it inappropriate and expressing concerns about players’ “life and safety.” Iran’s national team responded the following day, declaring “no one can exclude” them from competition.
Iran announced their final roster Monday, featuring 17 domestic-based players whose clubs haven’t competed since February due to the ongoing war. Star striker Sardar Azmoun was removed in March, reportedly over a social media post that upset Iranian authorities during the conflict.
Iran’s sports minister stated in March that team participation would “not be possible,” but the soccer federation announced in May they would proceed with a squad. The federation demanded visa approval for all players and staff, including those with military service in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
A major Brazilian airline is implementing additional flight reductions as soaring jet fuel costs continue to impact operations amid ongoing international conflict.
Azul’s chief executive John Rodgerson announced the carrier will expand its capacity reductions beyond initial cuts made earlier this year, citing fuel price increases connected to the Iran war. The airline is taking steps to preserve cash flow during the uncertain period.
Speaking with Reuters ahead of a gathering of international airline executives in Rio de Janeiro, Rodgerson explained that major carriers across the industry are scaling back operations to better match demand with elevated operating costs.
“When we made our initial cuts, we thought the war would be over by now,” Rodgerson stated during Friday’s interview. “But it’s continuing, so we’re going to continue to opportunistically cut some frequencies, make sure that we’re only flying things that make sense.”
The airline focused most of its second-quarter reductions on international service, according to Rodgerson. Future adjustments will target domestic flight frequencies rather than eliminating service to entire cities.
“Do you fly to Curitiba six times a day? Maybe with these fuel prices, it should be four,” he explained. The company is concentrating resources on its primary hub operations in Campinas, Belo Horizonte and Recife.
“We’re yet to pull cities, but that’s always on the table. But you first start with utilization and cutting frequencies,” Rodgerson said. “You don’t want to be utilizing an aircraft 13, 14 hours a day when fuel prices double.”
The CEO noted that Azul’s financial position following a significant debt restructuring gives the company advantages over some competitors in adapting to current conditions. The airline completed Chapter 11 proceedings in February with support from United Airlines and American Airlines.
While Azul anticipates continued pricing pressure during the traditionally slower second quarter, Rodgerson sees potential for higher ticket prices to hold as travel demand increases in the third and fourth quarters.
Lithuania’s governing Social Democrat party decided Saturday to expel the populist Nemunas Dawn from their coalition government following the antisemitism conviction of the party’s leader.
The Social Democrats, who have been leading a three-party coalition with a narrow parliamentary majority, plan to approach the centre-right For Lithuania party as a replacement partner to preserve their governing majority, according to leader Mindaugas Sinkevicius.
“We were patient… but we see that the (Nemunas Dawn) chairman is getting more radical, while the country needs stability,” Sinkevicius stated to reporters following a Social Democrat leadership gathering.
In December, a Vilnius court convicted Nemunas Dawn founder and chairman Remigijus Zemaitaitis of inciting hatred toward Jews and minimizing the Holocaust through social media content. Zemaitaitis has maintained his innocence, characterizing the ruling as politically driven and submitting an appeal.
While the Social Democrats initially agreed to retain his party in the coalition during the appeals process, Nemunas Dawn opposed a government proposal in May to create new military facilities along the Belarus border. Additionally, financial crimes investigators searched Zemaitaitis’ property as part of a fraud probe, though Zemaitaitis has again proclaimed his innocence and holds no ministerial position.
The cabinet, which includes the Farmers and Greens Union as well, may undergo significant restructuring during forthcoming negotiations, Sinkevicius indicated. He hinted at potentially assuming the prime minister role from deputy Social Democrat leader Inga Ruginiene.
Stray Ukrainian drones have heightened tensions with Russia, the NATO and European Union member’s larger neighboring country, during a period when U.S. dedication to NATO’s mutual defense principles faces uncertainty.
For Lithuania previously participated in the Social Democrat coalition from 2004 through last year, when it compelled the departure of former Social Democrat leader and Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas, who now faces illegal enrichment charges.
Inside a Gaza repair facility, workers are transforming small recreational boats into fishing vessels using salvaged materials including door frames and wood pulled from destroyed buildings.
These smaller boats, once used by families for leisure activities, have become essential for Gaza’s struggling fishing industry as crews work to maintain their diminished fleet.
Fishermen report that Israeli limitations on importing fiberglass and similar repair materials have made fixing their traditional, larger fishing boats both challenging and costly.
Fisherman Mohammad al-Hissi explained the dramatic price increase to Reuters: “A kilo of fibreglass in the era before the war was 50 or 60 shekels (approximately $17 or $21).” He noted that the current price has jumped to around 800 shekels.
The Israeli military agency that oversees Gaza access, known as COGAT, explained to Reuters that prohibited items include materials that could serve both civilian and military purposes. The agency did not specifically address fiberglass restrictions.
Prior to the conflict that started with attacks on southern Israel in October 2023, Gaza’s fishing crews already operated under severe Israeli limitations on their distance from shore.
Currently, fishermen report staying even closer to the coastline to avoid gunfire that they say has persisted following last year’s ceasefire agreement.
When asked about these incidents, Israel’s military stated that naval forces were implementing “maritime security restrictions” in Gaza’s coastal waters and that violations result in soldiers acting “in accordance with the rules of engagement.”
Gaza health officials report that over 900 Palestinians have died in Israeli attacks since the truce started, though these numbers don’t separate fighters from civilians. Israeli military sources confirm four of their soldiers were killed by militants during this same timeframe.
According to Gaza Fishermen Syndicate member Zakaria Baker, the local fishing industry now brings in less than 15 tons monthly – an amount that previously represented a single day’s catch before the war began.
Before the conflict, fishing provided a crucial food source for the territory.
While the hunger emergency in Gaza has improved since famine conditions were declared in portions of the densely populated area before last year’s ceasefire, aid organizations report that most children still lack proper nutrition. The United Nations documented 3,500 children receiving malnutrition treatment in April.
“We repair and maintain boats, and serve fishermen in any way we can,” said repair shop worker Musab Baker. “But we are unable to do anything apart from the small boats.”
Hidden within Phoenix’s sprawling urban environment of pavement and buildings lies a narrow stretch of the Salt River that showcases lush, moisture-rich wilderness.
Young people seeking seasonal employment this summer are encountering a difficult job market. However, experts say the advantages of landing work during the summer months can be substantial for teenagers.
While the competition for available positions remains intense, career counselors emphasize that the experience and skills gained from summer employment provide lasting value that extends well beyond the paycheck.
President Trump made a trip to Wisconsin with the goal of convincing agricultural producers that his policies are benefiting their industry, even as they face challenges from elevated fuel costs and additional obstacles resulting from conflict in Iran.
Independent gas station operators nationwide are confronting serious economic challenges as fuel price volatility continues amid the ongoing Iran conflict. NPR’s Eyder Peralta conducted an interview with Jivtesh Gill, an owner of multiple gas stations located in California, to discuss the financial pressures facing small station operators during this period of market uncertainty.
Spectacular peony blooms are currently at their most vibrant stage at the University of Michigan’s W.E. Upjohn Peony Garden. NPR’s Eyder Perala recently interviewed two garden specialists about the impressive display – David Michener, who serves as the garden’s curator, and Doug Conley, the facility’s horticulturist.
Demonstrators in Seoul continued their second day of protests on Saturday, calling for local elections to be held again following voting problems earlier in the week.
An estimated 10,000 people assembled at the SK Olympic Handball Stadium by 5:30 p.m. local time, according to Yonhap News Agency, which cited unofficial police figures. The stadium served as a vote-counting location for Wednesday’s municipal and local assembly elections.
Reuters was unable to immediately verify the crowd size estimates with representatives from Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency.
The demonstrations were sparked by insufficient ballot supplies that blocked some qualified voters from participating nationwide, leading to the National Election Commission chief’s resignation.
Election officials reported that 50 out of 14,300 voting locations exhausted their ballot supply, while 22 additional sites had to halt voting temporarily due to delayed deliveries.
In a televised address, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon called the ballot problems unacceptable and a breach of voting rights. He called for dissolving the election commission and launching a special prosecutor investigation.
Live broadcasts from YTN and Yonhap News showed demonstrators, including conservative YouTubers, shouting demands for an “election re-run,” performing the national anthem, and displaying South Korean flags.
Several protesters positioned themselves at the stadium entrance gates, preventing National Election Commission staff from departing.
The commission workers, who had remained inside the facility since Friday morning, finally managed to leave on Saturday, according to Yonhap.
The election commission has not yet responded to inquiries about their staff’s departure from the site.
The former first lady of France, Bernadette Chirac, has passed away at the age of 93, leaving behind a legacy of political influence and charitable work that spanned more than five decades.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced her death on Saturday, expressing that he and his wife Brigitte learned with “great sadness” of the loss of a woman who left her mark on French history alongside Jacques Chirac, who passed away in 2019, and transformed the lives of countless patients through her humanitarian efforts.
“A great lady of the heart has departed,” Macron said.
Throughout more than 50 years, Chirac served as the steady anchor during her late husband’s ambitious political journey — from his time in Parliament through two stints as prime minister, nearly two decades leading Paris as mayor, and ultimately winning the presidency in 1995.
Official photographs captured her distinctive presence with raised chin, perfectly styled blonde hair, and small purse in hand, projecting an image more institutional than spousal.
However, the public persona only told part of her story.
Her signature style — designer suits, dark sunglasses, distinctive voice, and sharp commentary — became woven into France’s cultural fabric.
Behind this image stood a tireless professional and shrewd political strategist who, unlike most French presidential spouses, established her own independent power base.
Born Bernadette Thérèse Marie Chodron de Courcel on May 18, 1933, in Paris, she came from a family of wealth, noble heritage, and strong Catholic values.
Her paternal lineage featured military officers, business leaders, and diplomatic figures; one uncle had worked alongside Charles de Gaulle during the war years in London.
However, her most significant life chapter began at the renowned Sciences Po university in Paris, where she encountered Jacques Chirac, an attractive and popular young man whose political ambitions would shape both their destinies.
Their wedding took place in March 1956. The marriage endured for 63 years and became, in her own words, an extended exercise in perseverance.
Jacques Chirac gained recognition for his charisma, energy, and natural ability to connect with the public. Bernadette possessed different strengths, according to political observers.
She demonstrated self-discipline, social commanding presence, religious devotion, high standards, and occasionally sharp wit.
Catholic philosopher Jean Guitton dubbed her the “last queen of France,” a characterization she seemed to embrace rather than reject.
Her husband’s well-known reputation for extramarital affairs became a public matter she eventually chose to address through sardonic humor, following considerable personal anguish.
When photographers surrounded her in Corrèze in 1998 — following speculation that Jacques Chirac had been unreachable the evening Princess Diana died because he was with an actress — she emerged from her vehicle and remarked dryly: “Calm down. I’m not Claudia Cardinale. Or Lollobrigida.”
“At first, it was hard. I was very heartbroken, and then I got used to it,” she said years later in a television documentary.
“I told myself that was how things were and that I had to accept it with as much dignity as possible.”
While assigned to maintain her husband’s rural political base in Corrèze as he pursued power in Paris, she accomplished far more than simple caretaking. She won election as municipal councilor in Sarran in 1971. Eight years later, she secured a general councilor position in Corrèze and retained that seat until 2015.
Her political clout expanded after Jacques Chirac assumed the presidency in 1995. Though France’s first lady role carries no constitutional authority, she transformed the Élysée into a venue where her endorsement carried weight.
She demonstrated loyalty, sharpness, and an unforgiving nature, recognizing that political campaigns depend not only on speeches and polling data but also on obligations, insults, and grudges.
Nevertheless, she also established a domain for female leadership within a male-dominated political environment that showed little willingness to share authority — making it subtly understood that she would not be diminished to merely “the wife of.”
Her most profound sorrow remained largely hidden from public view.
The Chiracs’ older daughter, Laurence, developed serious anorexia following adolescent meningitis and made multiple suicide attempts. She never completely recovered and died in 2016 at age 58.
This family crisis directed Chirac toward the charitable activities that transformed her public reputation.
In 1994, she assumed leadership of a medical charity that gathered donations for hospitalized children. For millions of French television viewers, the woman previously criticized for arrogance became the representative of sick children and families camping beside hospital beds.
She maintained control of the organization until 2019, when she transferred leadership to Brigitte Macron, the current president’s wife, while accepting the honorary president title.
By that point, she had established herself as a political power under her own identity.
“My husband no longer does politics, but I do,” she told reporters after Jacques Chirac concluded his presidency in 2007.
She memorably gave Dominique de Villepin, the Élysée official she mistrusted, the nickname “Nero,” while also allegedly orchestrating her husband’s reconciliation with Nicolas Sarkozy, the former ally who had politically betrayed him.
Her 2001 autobiography, “Conversation,” co-written with journalist Patrick de Carolis, achieved sales of hundreds of thousands of copies and revealed to the French public a more candid, humorous, and autonomous woman than many had previously recognized.
Following Jacques Chirac’s departure from the Élysée, his health deteriorated and his public presence diminished. Her voice stayed clearer for a longer period. When asked about his condition, according to French media reports, she responded in her characteristic flat, recognizable tone: “He keeps the dog.”
Advancing age and personal loss eventually pulled her away from public life.
When Jacques Chirac died in 2019, she had become too frail to participate in the public memorial ceremony where France and international leaders paid their respects.
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Authorities in Australia report that a spearfisher died Saturday in what marks the country’s third deadly shark encounter within a four-week period.
The victim, a 35-year-old man, was underwater fishing with relatives near Michaelmas Island close to the port city of Albany in Western Australia state when the attack occurred before midday, according to a police statement.
Family members transported the man by watercraft to Albany where emergency medical personnel were standing by, but efforts to save his life were unsuccessful, police reported. Officials believe a 4.5-meter (15-foot) white shark carried out the attack.
This cluster of three deaths represents an unusual pattern for a country that typically records approximately three shark-related fatalities annually over recent decades.
The most recent previous death happened on May 24 when 39-year-old spearfisher Michael Jensz sustained fatal head trauma during an attack along the Great Barrier Reef off Australia’s northeastern coastline. Bull sharks had been spotted in that area.
Seven days before that incident, on May 16, a four-meter (13-foot) white shark killed 38-year-old spearfisher Steve Mattabonni in waters northwest of Albany near Rottnest Island.
Earlier this year in January, Australia recorded its only other fatal shark incident when a 12-year-old boy passed away at a medical facility several days after being attacked by a bull shark in Sydney Harbor.
Emergency responders have successfully contained a warehouse fire that erupted in the early hours of Saturday morning in Anderlecht, a suburb of Brussels, according to Belgian public broadcaster VRT.
Brussels fire brigade spokesperson Walter Derieuw confirmed the blaze had been brought under control, though the origin of the fire remains unknown at this time.
Thick smoke blanketed the neighborhood as law enforcement officers equipped with protective gas masks established a perimeter around the warehouse and nearby roadways. A Reuters correspondent witnessed the evacuation of some area residents.
Derieuw advised local residents to maintain closed windows and doors due to ongoing smoke in the vicinity.
PARIS, June 6 – Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos captured their second consecutive French Open men’s doubles championship on Saturday, defeating Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2, to secure their third Grand Slam victory as a team.
The Spanish-Argentine partnership of Granollers and Zeballos, who first began competing together in 2019, earned French Open and U.S. Open championships last year and lived up to their number one seeding by completing their 2026 Roland Garros run without losing a single set.
Heliovaara from Finland had difficulties with his service game during the match, while the second-seeded team, who have also captured two Grand Slam tournaments together, found it challenging to match their rivals’ precisely executed shots from positions near the net.
“I’m 41 years old (and) this is one of the best moments of my career. So it’s never too late for anybody,” said Zeballos, whose partner, Granollers, is 40.
The defending champions secured their first service break in the third game when Heliovaara committed a double fault. While the second seeds managed to break back and level the score at 3-3, Granollers delivered two forehand winners to break serve in the following game, shifting momentum back toward the top-seeded pair.
Patten from Britain started the second set with two unforced errors and a double fault, allowing Granollers and Zeballos to break serve again. The Argentine player then struck winners throughout the court to build a 3-0 advantage that their challengers could not overcome.
“Sorry guys, wasn’t the best, but thank you,” Patten, 30, told his family and friends in the stands. “Harri, thanks for being my partner. We’re going to bounce back stronger, we know that,” he said of the 37-year-old Finn.
The West African archipelago of Cape Verde resonates with the melancholic sounds of morna, a traditional folk music filled with yearning and emotion. The genre’s most celebrated piece, “Sodade,” pays tribute to countless emigrants who departed these 10 islands scattered off West Africa’s coast seeking employment and better prospects elsewhere.
The song’s verses express: “If you write me, I’ll write you. If you forget me, I’ll forget you.”
In the coming weeks, residents of Cape Verde anticipate their feelings of longing will transform into jubilation. They’re focusing on their national football squad, which features numerous players whose families departed Cape Verde generations ago yet still regard the islands as their homeland.
Known as the Blue Sharks, the squad represents one of the unexpected teams to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup. Housing under 600,000 residents, Cape Verde ranks as the third-smallest nation by population to ever qualify for the globe’s premier sporting competition, following Iceland in 2018 and Curacao, also qualifying for 2026.
Cape Verde’s squad blends domestic players with numerous foreign-born athletes, such as defender Roberto Lopes, born in Ireland to an Irish mother and Cape Verdean father, and Logan Costa, born in France to Cape Verdean parents who currently plays for Villarreal in Spain.
This mix of homegrown and international players has delivered remarkable results. Cape Verde secured seven victories in their 10 World Cup qualifying matches, suffering only one defeat while achieving a stunning home victory against African powerhouse Cameroon.
The World Cup presents an entirely different challenge. Currently ranked 69th globally, the Blue Sharks will encounter tournament favorites Spain, two-time World Cup champions Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia, a smaller nation but still ranked higher at 61st, in group play.
However, residents maintain optimism.
“I’m very proud,” expressed Anton Delgado, 25, following a recent Sunday afternoon with companions at a Mindelo establishment on São Vicente island. “It’s a marvel. I’ve been waiting years for this. We have real hope that we can win a game or even two.”
This optimism spreads throughout Cape Verde. The small nation’s dining establishments and entertainment venues typically overflow with performers playing morna for visitors and residents. Now they’re preparing for World Cup festivities.
At the Café Royal, a hospitality venue in Mindelo, employees are organizing for large gatherings. The Royal displays an extensive artwork depicting morna legend Cesária Évora, who remains Cape Verde’s most internationally recognized figure 15 years after her passing. However, the nation’s football players currently dominate conversations.
Noaela Delgardo, 22, employed at the Royal’s bar, described the World Cup as an exceptional chance for fellow Cape Verdeans to excel and for their country to achieve “more visibility in the world.”
Despite expanding tourism, the archipelago’s remoteness from major centers remains evident. European flights are available, but the sole direct route to America arrives in Providence, Rhode Island, reflecting 19th-century whaling connections between the regions and the substantial Cape Verdean population residing in Providence currently.
The World Cup offers an opportunity to bridge that gap, explained retiree Jorge Goncales, 69, relaxing with companions one morning in a tree-lined Mindelo plaza. “The whole world comes to us. Now we go out to the world.”
Head coach Pedro Leitão Brito, who received Africa’s Coach of the Year honors last year and goes by his nickname Bubista, also recognizes an opportunity to showcase Cape Verde globally.
“We want to make an impact on the tournament for our people,” he shared with CNN recently. “We want to show everyone watching that, yes, we’re a small country, but we can play against the big teams. We know it’s hard but we want to show that nothing is impossible.”
Spanish rider Marc Marquez overcame an early qualifying crash to secure pole position at Saturday’s Hungarian Grand Prix, edging out countryman Pedro Acosta at Balaton Park.
The Ducati rider’s earlier tumble during qualifying initially appeared to give Acosta the advantage for pole position, but the KTM rider’s slow finish in the final sector allowed Marquez to recover and claim the top starting spot with authority.
Fermin Aldeguer from Gresini Racing rounded out the front row, while Marquez enhanced his pole-winning effort with a blistering lap time of one minute and 36.785 seconds, delivering a strong statement to his competition.
“It’s true that this morning I tried to be aggressive on the bike, I tried to use a lot of energy. Yesterday I was riding in ‘eco mode’ and just trying to flow, trying to save energy,” Marquez said.
“Today I give everything … Starting in pole position will help but our target, at the moment, fighting for the victory will be difficult for all the laps. But let’s see if we can fight for the podium, it depends a lot on the start.”
The pole position represents a stunning comeback for Marquez, who had dual surgeries on his shoulder and foot just one month ago. The Spanish racer had also dominated both practice sessions.
“We know that one lap is not a problem, the race is another story. His body needed time to recover,” said Ducati’s team manager Davide Tardozzi.
Fabio Di Giannantonio from VR46 Racing, who also went down at turn one in the same location where Marquez lost control, finished fourth in qualifying.
He will start alongside an entirely Italian second row featuring Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia and Aprilia’s championship leader Marco Bezzecchi.
Jorge Martin, Bezzecchi’s teammate who sits second in the championship standings, managed only eighth place in qualifying.
A historic cattle operation in West Texas that has been feeding livestock since the 1950s now faces potential shutdown as empty pens stretch across its property.
Lubbock Feeders, operating for seven decades in Lubbock, Texas, teeters on the edge of closure after federal authorities banned Mexican livestock imports last year to prevent the spread of New World screwworm, a dangerous flesh-eating parasite that Mexican officials have been unable to contain, according to one of the facility’s owners.
Federal officials shut down cross-border livestock movement twelve months ago to block the entry of New World screwworm, a destructive pest that has proven difficult for Mexican authorities to eliminate. This week marked the first confirmed screwworm case in Texas in six decades, creating additional obstacles for the U.S. beef sector already facing supply shortages, trade policy challenges under President Donald Trump, and ongoing drought conditions.
The situation presents a stark contrast in Mexico’s northern Coahuila state, where ranchers previously shipping live animals northward now export processed beef to American markets. Rancher Enrique García’s facilities recently housed numerous black cattle awaiting their evening meals. He has expanded his workforce by 100% for both cattle fattening and beef processing operations, with goals of reaching U.S. consumers.
The border shutdown has forced the $100 billion U.S. beef sector to shrink in Texas, America’s leading cattle-producing state. Meanwhile, Mexico—where screwworm has affected nearly 28,000 animals—has leveraged this challenge to develop domestic feedlots for extended cattle raising and slaughter preparation, plus expanded processing capabilities. This supply chain advancement proves profitable, with Mexican beef shipments to the U.S. jumping dramatically in early 2026.
“If they end up feeding and processing them in Mexico, how are we winning?” said Kyle Williams, manager and part owner of Lubbock Feeders. “We’re giving this to them on a silver platter, the feeding industry. That’s work, that’s labor, that’s people that are not getting to do it here in the U.S.”
American beef costs reached unprecedented levels this year as domestic cattle availability fell to a 75-year minimum due to the Mexican import prohibition and drought conditions that sparked wildfires throughout the Plains region, forcing U.S. producers to reduce their herds significantly.
America previously brought in over one million cattle annually from Mexico, representing approximately 4% to 5% of all cattle sold for domestic beef production, industry statistics show.
Mexican livestock was traditionally fattened at American feedlots before processing at U.S. plants, creating employment throughout the process, feeders explained. These positions included transport drivers moving livestock, crop farmers feeding the animals, and meatpacking employees processing cattle into steaks and ground beef.
Currently, those cattle remain primarily in Mexico for raising and slaughter.
“They’re building infrastructure in Mexico,” Williams said. “They’re forced to figure it out.”
The USDA could safely restart imports through cattle inspections and treatments at entry points, he noted. “Those protocols are in place. There’s been training on both sides of the border. Let the cattle move.”
Screwworm consists of parasitic flies that can infest any warm-blooded creature when females deposit eggs in wounds. Early detection allows for treatment. During a 20th-century outbreak, the U.S. released trillions of sterile flies over affected areas from a Texas production facility now being rebuilt. The massive elimination campaign ended the epidemic, but cattle industry recovery required 30 years, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins stated last year when justifying the Mexican border closure.
Halting cattle movement can reduce pest transmission, Rollins said this week.
Lubbock Feeders ceased bringing cattle to its facility months ago because elevated prices for animals from U.S. ranches meant potential losses exceeding $200 per animal, Williams explained. The feedlot can accommodate up to 40,000 cattle but current numbers have declined to approximately 4,000.
Bobby Swift, the facility’s 57-year-old assistant manager, now starts work later due to reduced responsibilities. Checking cattle, one of his main tasks, requires only 22 minutes because of the small numbers, he said.
“When you’re as slow as we are, mentally it takes an effect on you,” said Swift, a 30-year employee whose father and grandfather also worked at Lubbock Feeders.
Increasing beef costs have created affordability concerns for consumers before U.S. midterm elections while they also face higher fuel expenses. President Donald Trump has attempted to address this by encouraging cattle producers to reduce prices, directing the Department of Justice to investigate meatpackers, and permitting reduced-tariff imports from Argentina. However, a larger U.S. cattle herd would more effectively lower prices.
American meatpackers await domestic cattle producers expanding their herds to increase beef production, a process requiring two years.
Producers indicated Trump’s promotion of larger low-tariff Argentine beef imports complicated efforts to convince them to rebuild herds. The decision angered ranchers but failed to reduce consumer costs.
Producers have also hesitated to increase production due to dry weather risks and profit uncertainty.
In Tulia, Texas, 72 miles north of Lubbock, farmer Eddie Womack said he may reduce his herd from about 600 to 200 cows unless summer rainfall relieves severe drought that eliminated crops for feed. He purchased feed at higher costs instead.
“We go through another devastating year and we’ll have to say, ‘We’re gone. We’ve got to sell,’” said Womack, 63.
García represents many beef producers expanding in Mexico.
He started small-scale cattle fattening four years ago to diversify his business after previously exporting approximately 900 head annually to Kansas. The U.S. border closure accelerated his transition and increased his income by 8% to 10%, García said.
With screwworm now present in the U.S., the border will likely remain closed, which García said this week encouraged him to expand his beef production business.
“In the end, we are going to get to the United States just the same, but now with meat,” he said.
Mexican exports to the U.S. increased by 23% in early 2026, according to Mexico’s main meat producers council, which targets doubling shipments next year.
Coahuila, among Mexico’s primary beef-exporting states, promotes expanding federally and U.S.-certified slaughter and packing capacity to support exports with Mexican government assistance, said Isaias Montemayor, the state’s deputy minister of livestock and rural infrastructure.
“The passing of the months has taught us that if these producers add value,” Montemayor said, “they can obtain a profit equal to or even greater than what they would get if they exported live calves.”
Rollins stated that suspending Mexican cattle imports successfully delayed screwworm’s entry into the U.S. and that entry points would remain closed to Mexican cattle indefinitely.
The White House directed questions to the USDA, which stated: “Efforts at the federal, state, and local levels have been focused on containing the pest and implementing protocols.”
Rogelio Perez of Mexico’s National Confederation of Livestock Organizations said the border closure forced Mexico’s industry to adapt, ultimately strengthening it. “The profit from producing meat now stays in Mexico with a consequent impact on the American industry,” he said.
The border closure has pressured U.S. meatpackers, along with some cattle feeders, by worsening already limited domestic supplies. Processors like Tyson Foods have reported significant losses in U.S. beef operations as cattle costs exceeded beef price increases.
American meatpacking executives stated they require more cattle for efficient plant operations and that resuming Mexican imports would have the greatest supply impact over the next 12 to 18 months.
Tyson Foods reduced operations this year at a beef plant in Amarillo, Texas, about 120 miles north of Lubbock, and permanently closed a large beef facility in Nebraska. The company said it made these cuts, eliminating thousands of jobs, to improve competitiveness.
Competitors JBS and Cargill have experienced unusual labor disputes at U.S. beef plants, resisting workers’ demands for increased wages.
Darin Parker, president of global meat distributor PMI Foods, said USDA should reopen the border.
“It’s quintessential Americana to be in the beef industry,” Parker said. “We need to really protect this industry.”
The expansive playing surfaces at World Cup venues represent a massive undertaking, though the teams responsible for creating them hope spectators won’t give the grass a second thought.
Despite requiring tremendous engineering expertise to develop suitable turf for various stadiums and maintain flawless conditions throughout the competition, success means the playing surface remains invisible to viewers.
Nothing disrupts gameplay more than irregular areas, holes, and deteriorated sections that can compromise player stability when attention should remain focused on the matches.
“We want to give credit to the pitch managers who do an amazing job to get these canvases presentable, to be beautiful, but also play perfect, and people see it and admire it. But then they go on and say, ‘Oh, what a great goal that was, and what a great header that was,’” said John Sorochan, professor of turfgrass science within the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Tennessee.
For approximately eight years, Tennessee and Michigan State have collaborated to develop ideal hybrid turf systems for the 16 venues across Canada, Mexico and the United States scheduled to accommodate World Cup matches.
FIFA maintains stringent standards for playing surfaces, requiring predominantly natural grass that performs uniformly to ensure competitive fairness. This tournament presents particular challenges for maintenance teams due to the expanded format featuring 48 nations and 104 total games.
Eight World Cup venues — seven in the United States and one in Canada — typically feature artificial surfaces. All eight locations, except Vancouver’s BC Place, serve as home fields for NFL franchises. Five facilities have complete, partial, or retractable roof coverage.
Seattle’s Lumen Field, home of the NFL’s Seahawks, became among the initial stadiums to transition from synthetic to natural turf in preparation for the tournament beginning Thursday.
The conversion required installing a crate-style drainage and air circulation framework above the current field, adding over 10 inches of sand on top, laying locally cultivated sod, and reinforcing everything with synthetic fiber support.
Seattle will accommodate six games. Grass installation began in March, with the U.S. women’s national team testing the surface in April.
U.S. captain Lindsey Heaps provided exactly the evaluation turf specialists wanted to hear.
“I didn’t notice it at all, so that means it was a good thing,” Heaps said.
SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles received grass among the final venues, with sod from Washington state arriving May 13, just 30 days before the stadium’s World Cup debut featuring the United States against Paraguay.
Beyond converting artificial playing surfaces, turf professionals also had to address the tournament’s geographical scope and varying weather conditions. Monterrey, Mexico experiences greater heat and humidity during summer months, while BC Place sits in a cooler northern location.
Consequently, they developed two distinct mixtures. Bermuda grass will serve warmer regions, while perennial rye combined with Kentucky bluegrass was placed in cooler areas and enclosed facilities. Turf for both stadiums and practice locations was cultivated and collected at 10 specialized farms throughout the three participating nations.
AT&T Stadium, temporarily called Dallas Stadium for the competition, will accommodate nine contests, exceeding any other location.
The Dallas Cowboys’ venue received new sod installation in early May. The grass was cultivated in Colorado and transported in climate-controlled vehicles to the Arlington facility.
One significant obstacle emerged: the stadium features a retractable roof that blocks natural sunlight from reaching the field. Engineers responded by suspending pink growth lighting from the ceiling to maintain grass quality. The outcome resembles a fusion of Barbie aesthetics with World Cup soccer.
“They’ve never been hung from the ceiling before, so basically, what’s fantastic out of that is that typically these systems have a set of wheels that they’re wheeled on in and out of the facility, and so these are able to be lifted up, and it means that we’ve just got one less thing on the field,” said Ewen Hodge, the World Cup’s head of pitch infrastructure.
Sorochan developed his interest in turf maintenance during the United States’ previous World Cup hosting in 1994. As a Michigan State student, his responsibilities included helping install sod and cutting grass on match days.
Following the tournament’s conclusion, he examined the grass from atop the Pontiac Silverdome.
“We moved it in, it was inside for 30 days, and we didn’t have the grow lights, we didn’t have all the technologies that we have today with the hybrid reinforcement, so those 30 days with no sunlight, it just kind of deteriorated and went down,” Sorochan said. “It held up for those four games they had and practice sessions, but you could definitely see the wear and tear on the field, and I thought, How do we make that better?”
The turf technology and management expertise that Sorochan and his team developed for this World Cup’s playing surfaces enables venues to accommodate more diverse programming.
The grass system allows for rapid installation and removal, permitting stadiums to host packed schedules including tractor pulls, NFL games and premier soccer competitions. The innovation also has municipal applications.
“We can now develop hydroponic systems where we grow grass and recycle water below, and instead of watering from above, and we can use the same water back and forth, and we can have a pitch that’s going to be more sustainable, and really a benefit to the community,” Sorochan said. “So that’s kind of some of the cool stuff coming out of this research that’s just starting to explode over the next five, 10 years. It’s gonna be an unintended game changer.”
TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan’s capital city zoo has taken in two endangered red pandas from China on Saturday, marking the first animal transfer between the regions in more than ten years amid ongoing political tensions.
The new arrivals include a 3-year-old male and a 2-year-old female, both of which will spend a month in quarantine before adjusting to their environment at the Taipei City Zoo prior to public display.
Zoo officials have not yet chosen names for the pair. According to the Taipei Zoo, the male panda quickly began investigating his surroundings and started eating, while the female took a more reserved approach and chose to watch from a distance.
The last time Taipei received red pandas from a Chinese zoo in Fujian province was in 2014, the Taipei Times reported. These animals naturally inhabit China, Nepal, Laos, Myanmar, and other regional countries.
As part of this exchange agreement, Taipei will provide white-handed gibbons to Shanghai, according to the Taipei Times.
Despite ongoing political strain between China and Taiwan — the self-governed island that Beijing considers part of its territory — and the absence of formal government communication, exchanges at the municipal level have persisted.
Three Lebanese military personnel died Saturday when Israeli forces struck their vehicle along the Khardali-Nabatieh road in southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese army.
The Israeli military later stated it had attacked the vehicle after spotting what it characterized as a threat to its forces and obtaining intelligence suggesting Hezbollah was getting ready to launch attacks on Israeli troops from that location.
Israeli officials said a preliminary investigation revealed that two Lebanese army officers and a soldier were in the vehicle when it was hit, and that the matter is currently being examined.
Throughout the ongoing conflict, the Lebanese army has generally remained neutral in the hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel and has not participated in the combat operations.
An investigation by NPR has documented the cases of Filipino maritime workers who maintain they were wrongfully accused of possessing child sexual exploitation material, leading to their deportation from the United States.
According to the news organization’s tracking of these cases, the vast majority of the deported sailors were never formally charged or prosecuted in connection with the allegations that led to their removal from the country.
The Filipino workers claim the accusations against them lacked any supporting evidence, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding their deportations and the process by which these cases were handled.
Good morning, Delmarva! We’re looking at another hot summer day across the peninsula with mostly sunny skies and temperatures climbing to around 93 degrees. Those southwest winds at 5 to 10 mph will provide just a gentle breeze, so make sure to stay hydrated if you’re spending time outdoors today.
The weather story changes tonight as we’ll see our first chance for some relief from the heat. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible this evening with lows dropping to a more comfortable 71 degrees. While we’re not expecting severe weather, keep an ear out for any rumbles of thunder if you’re planning evening activities.
Sunday shapes up to be absolutely beautiful! We’ll see plenty of sunshine with highs around 91 degrees – still quite warm but a touch more bearable than today. Sunday night looks fantastic with mostly clear skies and pleasant lows near 67 degrees.
Perfect weather for any weekend plans you might have! Stay cool out there, Delmarva, and have a wonderful Saturday!
During his flight to Spain on Saturday, Pope Leo XIV candidly admitted he faces tough competition for attention from an unexpected rival: reggaeton superstar Bad Bunny.
The Puerto Rican music icon is scheduled to perform two concerts in Madrid as part of his 10-show tour across Spain, creating what the pontiff acknowledged as a clash for audiences.
During his conversation with journalists traveling on the papal aircraft, Leo XIV referenced informal accounts of growing spiritual interest among Spain’s younger generation when discussing the entertainment competition.
The American pontiff reflected on how young people today appear to be searching for greater purpose in their lives, suggesting his Spanish visit could help “awaken” something meaningful within them.
“If they are confronted with the question ‘Do you want to go see Bad Bunny or do you want to go to see the pope?’ I think many will see Bad Bunny,” Leo said. “But I think there will also be a few here to see the pope. And that says something, you know.”
The pontiff’s seven-day Spanish journey begins Saturday in Madrid before continuing to Barcelona and concluding in the Canary Islands. His mission focuses on promoting national healing in a nation divided by political turmoil and church-related controversies.
When reporters asked about recent developments regarding his cherished Chicago Bears potentially relocating to Hammond, Indiana, Leo XIV offered a lighthearted response. Team leadership approved advancing plans for a new stadium project in Hammond earlier this week.
Regarding whether he had encouraging words for Illinois residents, the Chicago-native pope joked: “That’s out of my pay (scale).”
On other sports topics, Leo XIV confirmed his support for the United States in the forthcoming World Cup competition. However, when pressed about choosing between Real Madrid and Barcelona during his time in Spain, he revealed his personal preference.
“That’s easy,” he said. “The pope is for all teams, but Prevost is Real Madrid,” he said, referring to his birth name.
Airline industry leaders from around the world convened in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday for their yearly conference, confronting intensified challenges to the sector’s recovery from the pandemic as conflict in Iran pushes fuel prices higher and disrupts flight paths while carriers attempt to offset costs through increased ticket prices and reduced capacity.
The International Air Transport Association’s annual gathering, running from June 6-8, takes place as rising fuel expenses intersect with another issue airlines struggle to resolve quickly: a lack of available new planes.
Delivery setbacks from Boeing and Airbus have compelled numerous airlines to operate older, less efficient aircraft for extended periods, increasing both maintenance expenses and fuel consumption as oil prices have risen.
IATA, representing over 370 airlines that handle approximately 85% of worldwide air travel, had projected record industry profits of $41 billion for this year prior to the war. Industry leaders and experts anticipate this forecast will be revised downward during the conference.
A Deloitte study of 21 international airline CEOs released this week revealed that fluctuating fuel prices and inflation top the industry’s list of concerns, prompting carriers to emphasize cost management and financial stability more heavily.
“Together, they’ve turned what was supposed to be a record year into a fight for margin,” the survey said.
Airlines face two main expenses: fuel and personnel costs. Unexpected fuel price spikes are difficult to manage since many tickets are purchased weeks or months ahead of departure. Extended routes also consume more fuel and reduce aircraft and crew productivity.
The key question is how much of the recent fuel cost increase can be transferred to passengers before elevated fares begin to reduce demand.
Until now, travel demand has remained strong in multiple major markets, particularly among premium and business travelers, providing airlines greater flexibility to increase prices.
In the United States, domestic published ticket prices as of May 25 demonstrated solid demand and effective transfer of higher fuel costs, with fares for departures one week out rising 35.8% compared to the previous year and four-week advance fares climbing 39.4%, according to Raymond James data.
“The willingness to pay over the past few years, crisis and no crisis, from the premium side has been really strong, and we see that strength continuing,” Alexandre Lefevre, Air Canada’s vice president of network planning and global sales, told Reuters.
However, limitations exist. While higher fares can help airlines recover portions of their fuel expenses, they also risk deterring travelers with limited budgets. This risk increases in areas where local currencies are weak, consumer spending faces pressure, or airlines lack the pricing advantages of major network carriers.
Some carriers continue planning expansion. Singapore Airlines is discussing potential orders for at least 50 large wide-body aircraft, while Qantas is considering purchasing approximately 20 Airbus or Boeing wide-body planes, Reuters reported this week.
The chief executive of Russia’s state oil company Rosneft accused American energy firms Saturday of profiting from the blockade of a critical Middle Eastern shipping route.
Igor Sechin made the comments during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, claiming that Washington is attempting to restructure worldwide energy markets for American benefit. The Strait of Hormuz has been closed since Iran blocked the waterway following U.S. and Israeli attacks that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in February. The United States has also imposed blockades on Iranian ports.
The strait normally handles approximately one-fifth of global oil shipments along with essential commodities like fertilizers. Its closure has disrupted international markets, driving oil costs to multi-year peaks while fueling worldwide inflation and hampering economic expansion.
“The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is an attempt to reshape global energy market regulations to benefit the United States. The measures taken to block the strait were aimed at Iran, but backfired on the entire world. The strategic risks were underestimated,” Sechin said.
“The main beneficiaries, of course, were American companies, who gained non-competitive advantages and the ability to secure high-cost supplies,” he added.
Sechin, a longtime associate of President Vladimir Putin, cautioned that other major international shipping lanes including the Malacca, Bad El Mandeb and Gibraltar straits might face similar disruption risks.
The Russian executive also criticized the OPEC+ oil producers’ alliance, arguing it has weakened following the United Arab Emirates’ departure and earlier exits by Qatar and other nations. Sechin has previously expressed doubt about Russia’s partnership with the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.
“As a result, the alliance’s production has fallen from 58 to 37 million barrels per day over the past ten years,” he said.
He noted that while most major OPEC+ members have boosted output since the 2016 agreement, Russian oil production dropped by 1.5 million barrels daily.
“This is a 15% decline that will need to be offset by necessary investments of at least ten trillion rubles. We expect that investment cooperation between the alliance’s member countries and our country will also expand,” Sechin said.
The leader of China’s securities regulatory agency delivered a message Saturday calling on the nation’s massive $13 trillion investment fund sector to back homegrown innovation while cautioning against risky speculation and market hype.
Wu Qing, who heads the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), addressed a conference where he emphasized that investment managers should avoid making reckless wagers on specific industries or creating new funds during market peaks to generate quick profits.
The remarks arrive during intense technology rivalry between China and the United States, alongside worldwide investor enthusiasm for artificial intelligence developments.
“China’s booming emerging and future industries urgently needs capital support,” Wu said in a speech posted on the watchdog’s website.
According to Wu, the nation’s fund sector should concentrate on national priorities while working to “improve global competitiveness and the ability to cope with external shocks.”
Wu delivered his address one day following the CSRC’s decision to strengthen monitoring of the nation’s $3.4 trillion private fund sector, coming weeks after Beijing restricted “illegal” international investment activities.
At the same time, market instability is growing worldwide. U.S.-listed semiconductor companies dropped sharply Friday, eliminating approximately $1.3 trillion in market capitalization.
“External uncertainties are rising, global financial markets are fluctuating at high levels and global assets are undergoing a major rebalancing,” Wu said.
“At the same time, a new wave of technological revolution led by artificial intelligence urgently needs a more compatible financial system.”
Wu called on the country’s private equity companies to assume a more “strategic and fundamental” position in backing innovation, while increasing long-term investments in early-stage, advanced technology startups.
Investment managers should also adopt emerging technologies like AI to enhance their operations, Wu noted. However, he cautioned against market hype, complex investment frameworks and excessive speculation.
Oversight agencies will also strengthen monitoring of automated program trading to establish fairer market conditions and prevent improper technology usage, Wu stated.
BEIRUT (AP) — Multiple Lebanese military personnel died Saturday in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon, with the Lebanese army confirming that a high-ranking officer was among those killed, just days following a newly established ceasefire agreement between the two nations.
The Saturday morning strike targeted the roadway connecting Nabatiyeh city to Marjayoun town. Military officials declined to provide additional information or identify the deceased soldiers by name or military rank.
Television news outlets in the region reported that the attack claimed the lives of two military members, with one being identified as a brigadier general.
The most recent ceasefire agreement emerged from negotiations facilitated by the United States between Israel and Lebanon’s government, which holds Hezbollah responsible for pulling the nation into conflict and had attempted to disarm the group prior to the current fighting. The Lebanese militant organization has rejected the ceasefire terms.
Hostilities commenced on March 2 following Hezbollah’s rocket attacks on northern Israel, occurring two days after Israel and the U.S. initiated their offensive against Iran. Israel subsequently launched a ground offensive into Lebanon and conducted extensive military operations that have forced over 1 million people from their homes. Israeli military actions have resulted in casualties among dozens of Lebanese military personnel.
Israeli forces have captured approximately one-fifth of Lebanese territory, advancing deeper into the country’s southern regions than at any point since Israel’s 1982-2000 occupation concluded.
The conflict has resulted in more than 3,500 deaths in Lebanon since fighting began. Israeli casualties include at least 29 soldiers and three civilians.
A seven-month-old Palestinian baby died after Israeli soldiers opened fire on his family’s car in the occupied West Bank, Palestinian health officials reported.
Sam Fahd Abu Haikal lost his life Friday night when troops shot at the family vehicle in the Tel Rumeida region near Hebron City, the Palestinian health ministry announced. Both parents sustained injuries in the incident.
According to the Palestinian news agency WAFA, the baby suffered critical wounds when a bullet struck his jaw – the same round that wounded his mother. He succumbed to his injuries at a medical facility. His father, Fahd Abdul Aziz Abu Haikal, who teaches at Bethlehem University, was shot in the hand. The family was traveling from Bethlehem to see relatives in Hebron when soldiers began shooting, the agency stated.
Israeli military operations in the West Bank have intensified following the October 7, 2023 Hamas assault that resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages, sparking the current Gaza conflict. Israel’s military response has led to over 72,900 Palestinian fatalities, Gaza’s Health Ministry reports. The ministry operates under Hamas leadership but is considered credible by United Nations organizations and independent analysts.
United Nations officials stated last month that more than 1,000 Palestinians have died in the West Bank and east Jerusalem since fighting began, with at least 240 being children. Forty-nine people have been killed since January, according to the organization.
The baby’s burial service is scheduled for Saturday.
Military officials said preliminary findings indicate the wounded were uninvolved civilians and the matter remains under investigation.
Israeli forces stated Friday that troops fired at a car they believed was speeding toward their position in the Hebron vicinity. They reported using targeted shots, injuring three Palestinians who received medical care.
Last March, Israeli troops shot at a family vehicle in the northern West Bank, resulting in four deaths including two minors, the Palestinian Authority’s Health Ministry reported.
Israeli personnel accused of harming Palestinians face prosecution in less than 1% of cases, with indictments occurring in under 1% of 2,427 misconduct allegations filed between 2016 and 2024, Israeli rights organization Yesh Din found.
Over 700,000 Israelis reside in the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem, areas Israel seized from Jordan in 1967 that Palestinians seek for their future nation.
Officials in St. Petersburg warned residents to remain indoors Saturday morning following what they described as an extensive Ukrainian drone assault on Russia’s second-most populous city, highlighting Ukraine’s expanding capability to strike targets far within Russian territory.
St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov urged citizens to avoid going outdoors and cautioned that mobile internet services might experience interruptions.
Regional Gov. Alexander Drozdenko reported that 141 drones were intercepted over the surrounding Leningrad region. Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed its air defense systems destroyed 376 Ukrainian drones.
While no immediate injuries were reported, this fresh assault on St. Petersburg delivers another humiliating setback to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s attempts to portray the war as a remote situation that doesn’t impact ordinary Russian citizens.
Saturday’s strike follows a Ukrainian drone operation that ignited an oil facility in the city and struck a nearby naval installation Wednesday, occurring just hours before the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum began – Putin’s yearly platform for attracting investment.
During his forum address, Putin announced Thursday that Russia would bolster its air defense capabilities to combat recent Ukrainian drone operations, which have penetrated far into his nation and overshadowed the event in his birthplace of St. Petersburg.
As the battle lines remain largely static while drone swarms impede military progress, both nations have pursued advantages through long-distance strikes.
In Ukraine, Russian forces killed one person and injured three others overnight in the Dnipropetrovsk region, striking three districts almost 30 times using drones and artillery, regional head Oleksandr Hanzha reported Saturday.
In Zaporizhzhia, five individuals required medical treatment following a Russian drone attack that ignited a fire in a parking area, according to regional head Ivan Fedorov.
Ukrainian air force officials said Saturday that Russia launched 272 attack drones against Ukraine overnight, with air defenses intercepting 249 of them.
These recent strikes occurred one day after Putin dismissed on Friday a suggestion by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for direct discussions about the four-year war, stating he found “no point” in such a meeting.
Thursday’s correspondence, marking the first public communication Zelenskyy has addressed directly to Putin since Russia deployed troops into Ukraine in 2022, contained an extensive criticism of the Russian leader’s 26-year rule, along with some remarks about his age.
Emergency warning sirens wailed across Bahrain on Saturday as Iranian forces launched a coordinated missile and drone assault on Gulf nations, according to officials from the island nation’s government.
Bahrain’s foreign ministry announced that Iran had launched ballistic missiles and unmanned aircraft targeting both Bahrain and Kuwait. Officials confirmed the projectiles were successfully intercepted and demanded Iran halt its aggressive actions against neighboring Gulf states immediately.
The Saturday announcement followed Friday’s military engagement where American forces destroyed Iranian ballistic missiles and drones aimed at the Strait of Hormuz and regional allies, while simultaneously attacking several of Iran’s coastal radar monitoring stations in retaliation. This military exchange has further weakened an already fragile ceasefire with Iran.
These latest strikes occur amid intensified efforts by the Trump administration to pressure Iran into negotiating an agreement to resolve the ongoing conflict.
According to U.S. Central Command’s Friday evening social media posts, Iranian forces launched seven ballistic missiles targeting Kuwait and Bahrain. American military units successfully intercepted six missiles, while the seventh failed to reach its intended destination. Officials reported no injuries to U.S. military personnel.
The missile barrage followed an earlier incident Friday when U.S. forces destroyed four Iranian drones heading toward the Strait of Hormuz.
“The attack drones posed an immediate threat to regional maritime traffic,” U.S. Central Command stated on social media.
Kuwaiti military officials confirmed their forces were actively intercepting incoming missiles and drones targeting their territory. Meanwhile, Bahrain activated emergency warning systems and instructed citizens to seek immediate shelter at the closest safe locations while monitoring official communications.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed responsibility for targeting the Ali Al Salem airbase hosting U.S. personnel in Kuwait and the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet stationed in Bahrain, according to reports from the state-operated IRNA news agency.
American military operations include enforcing a naval blockade of Iranian ports as a response to Iran’s control over the vital shipping lane for worldwide oil and natural gas transportation. This situation has caused energy costs to surge and created political challenges for President Donald Trump’s Republican Party before upcoming midterm congressional elections.
U.S. Central Command reported striking the radar installations, including a facility on an island within the strait, “to defend against further attacks.”
This represents the most recent escalation in a series of retaliatory strikes that have weakened the fragile ceasefire and complicated diplomatic efforts to extend the temporary peace agreement. Earlier in the week, Iranian drone attacks severely damaged a passenger terminal at Kuwait’s primary airport, resulting in one fatality, multiple injuries, and temporary airport closure.
Even as these attacks raise fresh concerns about potential ceasefire collapse, Trump informed reporters Friday that “the situation with Iran seems to be going quite well.”
“We’re going to come out of Iran very quickly and it’s going to be very strong one way or the other, whether it’s a piece of paper or the very tough way,” Trump stated during a Wisconsin event with farmers. “The very tough way is maybe the easier way, but we’re going to come out, and your fertilizer prices are going to go way down, just like they were four months ago.”
Trump appears increasingly constrained by a conflict that has reached a stalemate. American and Iranian negotiators achieved a preliminary agreement one week ago to extend the ceasefire for 60 days and begin fresh discussions regarding Iran’s nuclear program. However, Trump has requested undefined modifications while Iranian leadership has not publicly endorsed the proposed deal.
When questioned Friday about the delayed progress, Trump told NBC’s “Meet the Press” it was because “it’s a very hard thing for them.”
“There are things they never thought they’d be doing that they’re going to have to do. They’ve got no choice, and it takes a little while,” he explained during the interview.
Trump indicated that Iranian forces retain 21% to 22% of their missile arsenal.
His administration has also highlighted the recent ceasefire agreement between the Lebanese government and Israel following U.S.-mediated negotiations in Washington. Nevertheless, the Iranian-supported Hezbollah militant organization has refused to accept the agreement, and continued attacks have placed it in greater jeopardy.
Israeli military forces conducted strikes Friday across multiple areas of southern Lebanon while issuing evacuation orders for nine villages, including one housing thousands of displaced residents from the conflict. The attacks resulted in nine deaths across six southern Lebanon locations, according to the state news agency.
Israeli military officials confirmed two soldiers sustained wounds, one critically, during Friday’s confrontation with militants in southern Lebanon.
The Lebanese conflict, where Israeli forces have captured significant portions of the south, also jeopardizes efforts to resolve the Iran war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz since Iran has insisted any permanent ceasefire must include Lebanon.
Beyond intercepting drones in the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. military personnel earlier Friday boarded a sanctioned oil tanker connected to Iran in the Indian Ocean as part of American efforts to block Iran from generating revenue through oil and other commodity sales.
The United States also imposed new sanctions targeting Iran’s energy sector, affecting multiple individuals, companies, and tankers.
A handwritten notice posted at a California public library cautioned visitors about elevated noise levels. That advisory turned out to be quite modest as costumed wrestlers burst into the quiet reading area with loud music, leaping into a wrestling ring surrounded by towering bookshelves.
Children and their parents responded with enthusiastic cheers and shouts at the Benicia Public Library in Benicia, California.
This scene represents “Lucha Libro,” an energetic and dramatic story hour bringing professional wrestling entertainment to libraries nationwide as a way to encourage reading habits. Established in 2024, “Lucha Libro” draws inspiration from Lucha Libre, the well-known Mexican wrestling tradition. The Spanish word “libro” translates to book.
While libraries traditionally maintain quiet atmospheres, these performers delivered full-intensity action. The wrestlers executed body slams against opponents and delivered flying kicks to each other’s torsos.
One muscular performer called “Llama Jack,” wearing a black mask adorned with fuzzy ears, began reading “Llama Llama Time to Share” before competing wrestlers stormed the ring to interrupt him. He quickly defeated the intruders and completed the story.
More than 40 performances are scheduled this year at libraries spanning from California to New Jersey. A particularly beloved performer in the touring group is “Richard Shhnary,” who portrays a combat-ready librarian.
The concept originated in 2024 when Jerry Rocha, who serves as Lucha Libro’s CEO, and Victor Dwight, the co-founder, received an invitation to stage a performance at a neighborhood library, according to Rocha’s email statement. Dwight performs under the wrestling persona “Victor Von Richter.”
One year following that initial concept, Lucha Libro made its first appearance at the Benicia library.
According to Rocha, two completely different environments that seemed incompatible have now merged in an extraordinary fashion.
The San Francisco Giants unleashed an offensive explosion on Friday, crushing the Chicago Cubs 18-3 behind a seven-homer barrage at Wrigley Field.
Matt Chapman led the assault with both a grand slam and a three-run blast, while Willy Adames and Casey Schmitt contributed two home runs each. Chapman recorded a personal-best eight RBIs, Adames crossed home plate four times while driving in four runs, and Schmitt collected four hits with three runs scored and three RBIs. The offensive outburst marked San Francisco’s second-largest run production this season and their first seven-homer game since April 2023.
Robbie Ray (4-6) capitalized on the 19-hit attack to earn his first victory since May 8, cruising through five scoreless frames.
The Cubs, fresh off a dramatic ninth-inning comeback victory against the Athletics on Thursday, remained scoreless until Carson Kelly delivered an RBI single in the sixth inning. Chicago starter Edward Cabrera (3-3) was hammered for eight runs on eight hits in just 3 2/3 innings.
Dodgers 1, Angels 0
Roki Sasaki struck out a personal-best 10 batters while Freddie Freeman delivered a walk-off homer in the ninth as the Los Angeles Dodgers edged the visiting Los Angeles Angels.
Blake Treinen (3-1) earned the victory with one out in the ninth as the Dodgers maintained their perfect 4-0 record against the Angels this season. Freeman connected on a 3-2 fastball from former Dodger Kirby Yates (0-2) for his 10th homer, sending a 404-foot shot over the right-center field wall.
Sasaki scattered two hits and two walks across a career-high-tying seven innings. Angels starter Reid Detmers matched him with six strong innings, allowing just two hits while walking two and fanning six. Mike Trout struggled, going hitless in four at-bats with three strikeouts as the Angels dropped their fourth game in five contests.
Red Sox 5, Yankees 3
Sonny Gray dominated one of his former clubs over 6 1/3 innings while Willson Contreras homered to power Boston past New York on the road.
Gray (7-1) captured his first victory as a visitor at Yankee Stadium, surrendering three runs on eight hits to extend his record to 5-0 across six starts since returning from a hamstring injury. Contreras went deep for the second consecutive game, finishing with three RBIs for the Red Sox, who also received a homer from Andruw Monasterio.
Ben Rice connected off Gray just two batters into the opening frame, and Trent Grisham added a fifth-inning blast. Spencer Jones, called up to replace the injured Aaron Judge (right rib cage), highlighted his first three-hit major league performance with an RBI double in the fourth. Ryan Weathers (2-4) surrendered five runs on seven hits across six innings.
Nationals 14, Diamondbacks 1
Luis Garcia Jr. launched two homers and recorded a career-best six RBIs while James Wood also went deep and scored three times as Washington demolished Arizona in Phoenix.
CJ Abrams and Daylen Lile (3-for-6) each homered and scored twice for the Nationals, who lead the majors with 345 runs. Washington’s Foster Griffin (7-2) limited Arizona to one run on two hits over five innings.
Aramis Garcia hit his first major league homer since 2022 for the Diamondbacks’ only run. Merrill Kelly (5-4) was battered for seven runs and six hits in five innings.
Phillies 8, White Sox 6
Kyle Schwarber racked up four hits while Brandon Marsh belted a two-run homer to lead Philadelphia past Chicago at home.
Alec Bohm contributed two hits and two RBIs for the Phillies, who have captured eight of their last 10 contests. Bryce Harper also recorded two hits, while Adolis Garcia homered for the second straight game.
Randal Grichuk went deep twice for the Cubs, who have dropped three of their last four. Derek Hill also connected, while Luisangel Acuna added two hits, an RBI and a run.
Tigers 7, Mariners 3
Kerry Carpenter and Spencer Torkelson each launched two-run homers as host Detroit stretched its winning streak to four games with a victory over Seattle.
Gleyber Torres collected three hits and drove in two runs for the Tigers, while Riley Greene added two hits and a run. Framber Valdez (3-4) allowed one run and five hits across five innings.
Seattle shortstop J.P. Crawford exited in the third after taking a 96 mph Valdez pitch to the hand. Mariners manager Dan Wilson reported that X-rays came back negative and Crawford is listed as day-to-day. Bryan Woo (5-4) was tagged for five runs and nine hits in 6 1/3 innings, while Colt Emerson hit a solo homer.
Orioles 13, Blue Jays 3
Adley Rutschman went 4-for-4 with a homer, two doubles and five RBIs as visiting Baltimore demolished Toronto.
Coby Mayo contributed a two-run shot to highlight a five-run sixth inning as Baltimore won for the fifth time in six games. Jeremiah Jackson, who entered for the injured Samuel Basallo in the sixth, added two RBI singles. Brandon Young (4-1) pitched 6 1/3 innings of three-run ball.
Brandon Valenzuela hit a two-run homer for the Blue Jays, who have lost five of their last six. Trey Yesavage (2-3) gave up six runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings.
Astros 5, Athletics 1
Isaac Paredes homered for the third straight game, propelling Houston to victory over the visiting Athletics in the series opener.
Paredes gave the Astros a 3-0 first-inning lead with a three-run blast, finishing with a season-high four RBIs. Houston right-hander Peter Lambert (5-4) maintained a shutout into the sixth, allowing five hits and four walks over 5 1/3 innings.
Brent Rooker broke up the shutout with a solo shot. Athletics starter Jack Perkins (2-3) gave up five runs on five hits over four-plus innings.
Rangers 3, Guardians 2
Corey Seager smashed a go-ahead two-run homer in his return from the injured list, guiding Texas to victory over Cleveland in Arlington, Texas.
After the Rangers tied it on Kyle Higashioka’s leadoff homer in the sixth, Wyatt Langford doubled before Seager’s decisive blast. Josh Jung recorded two hits for Texas, which has won six of its last seven games. Peyton Gray (2-0) threw 1 2/3 scoreless relief innings.
Travis Bazzana went 3-for-4 with a triple and homer while Steven Kwan had two hits and a run for the Guardians, who have lost four of their last six. Parker Messick (6-2) surrendered three runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings.
Braves 6, Pirates 3
Mauricio Dubon homered for the third consecutive game to help Atlanta defeat visiting Pittsburgh.
Dubon went 2-for-4 with a home run, double, two runs and three RBIs. He is 5-for-11 with seven RBIs over his last three contests. Former Pirate Martin Perez (4-3) worked five innings and gave up three runs on three hits.
Mitch Keller (5-3) lasted 4 2/3 innings and allowed six runs on seven hits. Nick Gonzales and Marcell Ozuna each delivered an RBI single for Pittsburgh.
Cardinals 10, Reds 3
Alec Burleson homered and scored four times while Jordan Walker doubled twice among his three hits, leading St. Louis to a rout of visiting Cincinnati.
The Cardinals sent 12 batters to the plate and plated six runs in the sixth off three Reds relievers to break open a one-run contest. Hunter Dobbins (1-0) scattered four hits over five scoreless relief innings.
Cincinnati starter Brady Singer (2-6) fell victim to poor defense and a disputed replay review while losing his fifth consecutive decision. Singer was charged with four runs (one earned) and four hits over four innings.
Brewers 9, Rockies 7 (10 innings)
Jake Bauers collected three hits, including a tie-breaking two-run double in the 10th inning, as Milwaukee rallied to defeat Colorado in Denver.
Sam Frelick had two hits and two RBIs while Trevor Megill (1-2) earned the victory for the Brewers, who managed just one hit through eight innings but recovered to end a two-game losing streak.
Hunter Goodman homered while Sterlin Thompson had three hits and two RBIs and Jake McCarthy added two hits for the Rockies, who carried a 3-1 lead into the ninth. Starter Ryan Feltner set down the final 13 batters he faced and surrendered one run on one hit over six innings.
Rays 6, Marlins 0
Tampa Bay starter Drew Rasmussen was dominant over seven brilliant innings, yielding just one hit as the Rays began a three-game road series by shutting out Miami.
Rasmussen (5-2) allowed one run on one hit while striking out nine and retiring 21 of 22 batters to end Tampa Bay’s four-game road losing streak. Junior Caminero collected two doubles, two runs and two walks. Ryan Vilade and Richie Palacios each knocked in two runs.
Javier Sanoja and Esteury Ruiz managed the Marlins’ only two hits, both singles, as Miami suffered its first loss in four games. Opener Ryan Gusto (0-1) surrendered three runs over two innings.
Mets 5, Padres 0
Jared Young and Luis Torrens homered while Christian Scott sailed through 5 2/3 solid innings as visiting New York shut out San Diego.
Scott (2-0) scattered three hits to win his second straight start after going winless in his first 15 major league starts dating back to 2024. Three relievers completed the shutout, holding San Diego hitless for 3 1/3 innings.
Michael King (4-5) allowed six hits and four runs over six innings for his third straight loss and the Padres’ sixth consecutive defeat. San Diego has managed only 14 runs during that stretch and just 26 over its last 11 games, losing 10 of them.
Twins 5, Royals 3
Brooks Lee homered and drove in two runs as Minnesota held on for victory over Kansas City in Minneapolis.
Josh Bell doubled home a run for the Twins, who evened the four-game series at one victory each. Minnesota starter Zebby Matthews (2-3) surrendered two runs on five hits over seven innings. Travis Adams recorded his second save despite allowing a run in the ninth.
Vinnie Pasquantino and Jac Caglianone (two hits) each doubled in a run for the Royals. Michael Wacha (4-4) gave up five runs (four earned) on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings.
The NCAA has rejected Texas Tech’s request to reinstate quarterback Brendan Sorsby’s playing eligibility, multiple news outlets reported Friday.
Sorsby became one of the most sought-after signal-callers in this year’s transfer portal after departing Cincinnati. On April 27, he enrolled in a treatment program to address a gambling addiction.
The NCAA declared him ineligible after he acknowledged placing wagers on college football and other sports. The organization’s rules forbid student-athletes from betting on any sport for which it sponsors competitions, whether at the professional or college level.
This appeal rejection operates independently from Sorsby’s legal challenge against the NCAA, which had its initial hearing Monday before Lubbock County (Texas) District Court Judge Ken Curry, who listened to arguments from lawyers representing both Sorsby and the NCAA.
Judge Curry has yet to announce his verdict in the matter, which could grant Sorsby a temporary court order allowing him to compete while litigation proceeds, or could support the NCAA’s eligibility ruling through the judicial system.
Sorsby’s legal representative, Jeffrey Kessler, asked for a decision by June 15. The quarterback faces a June 22 deadline to enter the NFL’s supplemental draft if he remains barred from college competition.
Following the NCAA’s initial rejection of Sorsby’s eligibility petition last month after he completed his rehabilitation program, various news sources reported that legal documents filed by Sorsby’s attorneys revealed he made no fewer than 40 wagers on the Indiana football program during his time with the Hoosiers in 2022 and ’23.
Overall, the court filings show that Sorsby placed approximately $90,000 in bets using multiple sportsbook accounts registered under friends’ and a family member’s names across a four-year span.
Sorsby, ranked as ESPN’s top transfer prospect in this year’s class, compiled 5,613 passing yards, 45 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions during his last two seasons at Cincinnati. He additionally rushed for 1,027 yards and 18 touchdowns across 24 contests.
In 2025, the Bearcats began 7-1 but dropped their final five contests.
Texas Tech captured its inaugural Big 12 championship last season and earned a College Football Playoff berth as the No. 4 seed, falling to No. 5 Oregon 23-0 in their quarterfinal contest.
A 35-year-old man lost his life Saturday following a shark attack while spearfishing with relatives off Western Australia’s coastline, according to police reports. This tragedy represents the third deadly shark encounter across Australia within a three-week period.
The victim was spearfishing Saturday morning near Michaelmas Island, located close to Albany and approximately 388 kilometers (241 miles) south of Perth, the state’s capital city, authorities confirmed. Emergency responders transported him to shore where paramedics provided treatment, but he succumbed to his wounds.
State officials reported that a member of the public observed a 4.5-meter (14.8-foot) shark of undetermined species in the waters around Michaelmas Island on Saturday. The location serves as a nature reserve with minimal visitor traffic.
The recent fatalities began on May 24 when a 39-year-old man was killed by a shark while fishing at the Great Barrier Reef. Ten days prior to that incident, a 38-year-old person was fatally attacked near an island close to Perth.
Conservation organizations report that Australia experiences approximately 20 shark encounters annually, though the overwhelming majority do not result in death. Drowning incidents at the nation’s beaches claim significantly more lives than shark attacks.
Taiwan’s maritime authorities reported Saturday that Chinese vessels conducted what they described as the first joint operation designed to challenge Taiwan’s control of remote islands in the South China Sea.
According to Taiwan’s coast guard, a Chinese coast guard vessel and an oceanographic research ship worked together near the Pratas Islands, which Taiwan controls as a national park in the northern South China Sea. The lightly defended islands have become a new focal point in China’s expanding military and quasi-military activities around Taiwan as Beijing seeks to reinforce its territorial claims.
Security analysts view these islands as particularly exposed to potential Chinese action because they sit more than 400 kilometers (250 miles) from Taiwan’s main island, positioned between southern Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Taiwan’s coast guard reported that after a Chinese coast guard vessel approached the Pratas on Friday, a Chinese oceanographic survey ship moved toward the islands on Saturday.
“This is the first observed instance of Chinese coast guard and survey vessels acting in coordination to provoke Taiwan,” the coast guard stated.
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office had not responded to requests for comment at the time of the report. Beijing views both Taiwan and the uninhabited Pratas atoll as Chinese territory, while Taiwan’s government disputes these claims, maintaining that only the island’s residents should determine their political future.
“These acts are highly provocative. The PRC is a sick bully, causing trouble across the region,” Taiwan National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu posted on his X account, sharing a map that tracked both vessels’ movements.
The Chinese coast guard ship transmitted messages stating it was performing law enforcement duties and declaring that “Taiwan’s future lies in national reunification,” according to Taiwan’s coast guard, which sent its own ships to respond.
Taiwan’s vessel responded by broadcasting: “Stop undermining peace. You should return and pursue democracy — that is the proper way to serve your country.”
Taiwan’s coast guard accused China of attempting to establish a “false illusion” of authority over the waters, declaring that “Taiwan’s maritime sovereignty brooks no provocation.”
LOS ANGELES — Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki is beginning to show the talent that originally caught the Los Angeles Dodgers’ attention when they scouted him overseas.
The 24-year-old right-handed pitcher held the Los Angeles Angels hitless for more than four innings Friday night, striking out a personal-best 10 batters across six innings in the Dodgers’ 1-0 win.
For the first time in his 19-start career, Sasaki completed a shutout performance. He delivered 98 total pitches with 72 strikes, achieving a 73.5% strike rate that ranks as his second-best in any start. His fastball reached 100.4 mph during the outing.
“He went through some tough times and some doubts,” manager Dave Roberts said, “but he’s gotten to the other side.”
Roberts decided to test Sasaki’s composure by sending him out for the seventh inning in the tight contest. The young pitcher responded by retiring all three batters, including two more strikeouts.
“He was on the attack, he didn’t run,” Roberts said. “That shows a lot of growth.”
High expectations surrounded Sasaki’s arrival from Nippon Professional Baseball, but his rookie campaign got off to a rocky start when he couldn’t secure a spot in the starting rotation. Television cameras in Japan captured his emotional reaction during his initial U.S. appearance, leading to criticism on social media and within baseball circles.
“We all felt sorry for him,” Roberts recalled.
Opposing batters could sense Sasaki’s struggles through his dejected body language on the pitcher’s mound.
A shoulder injury then sidelined him for four and a half months before he returned as a relief pitcher during the team’s championship playoff run.
Spring training brought new challenges when Sasaki issued 15 walks, once again casting doubt on his ability to handle starting duties and further damaging his self-confidence.
Recent weeks have seen marked improvement, however, as Sasaki has developed consistency through a more powerful splitter that reaches 90 mph, working effectively alongside his fastball and slider while showing better control.
“There is an adjustment with the ball that he had to make with his grip,” Roberts said. “You can see his demeanor on the mound. There’s just no more doubt and uncertainty.”
Sasaki’s earned run average dropped to 4.03, and he has posted a 1.48 ERA across his most recent four starts.
“I’m just doing small things all the time, and I just keep building on it,” he said through a translator.
The Dodgers secured victory on Freeman’s sixth career walk-off home run in a game where both teams managed just three hits each.
“Roki has really turned the corner here and it’s fun to watch,” Freeman said, “especially after last year grinding, coming back as a bullpen guy. He just looks great out there.”
Freeman and catcher Will Smith join their teammates in supporting Sasaki’s success on a roster that includes fellow Japanese players — two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto — who have established high performance standards.
“You can see the care factor, the drive he’s got,” Smith said. “It’s good to see the benefits right now.”
Individual investors throughout Europe are rushing to secure positions in SpaceX’s highly anticipated stock market debut, though financial experts caution that everyday buyers may face significant challenges that large institutional investors can better navigate.
The space company is contemplating dedicating up to 30% of its offering to regular investors — an exceptionally high percentage for retail participation — with shares being made available across the UK, Germany, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Across Britain, eight digital investment platforms have started accepting applications from UK residents for shares in the $75 billion fundraising effort, which some view as the most important retail stock offering in the nation since Royal Mail’s privatization in 2013, potentially reviving sluggish investment participation.
“The retail interest here is unlike any other deal, investors want to be part of the dream,” said Ygal El Harrar, BNP Paribas’ global head of equity capital markets, technology.
New stock offerings in Europe have declined dramatically since 2021, and household financial securities ownership stands at merely 17% according to European Union data, significantly trailing the 43% rate in the United States.
Four experts including three academics and one consumer advocate recommended proceeding carefully given SpaceX’s elevated $1.75 trillion valuation despite ongoing losses, while the limited float size under 5% and absence of voting rights could create additional hazards.
SpaceX declined to provide comment when contacted. Company founder and chief executive Elon Musk stated Thursday that he felt “pretty good” about the company’s revenue projections and that revenue had become “much more predictable.”
Discussion across investment forums and platforms like Reddit shows divided opinions, with some showing excitement while others express concern about the steep valuation or Musk’s management style.
Hargreaves Lansdown reported that 35,000 clients have signed up for IPO notifications since SpaceX’s potential offering first emerged in April rumors.
Revolut’s specialized British webpage for the stock sale, designed to attract new customers, displays a full-screen SpaceX rocket launch video before detailing risks including the possibility that applicants might receive no shares whatsoever.
Meziane Lasfer, Professor of Finance at Bayes Business School in London, explained that while institutional investors possess databases and financial analysts to assess a company’s actual worth, retail investors would face a “very big risk.”
“It is a company that is making huge losses and at the price it’s coming to market, it’s at 100 times price to sales, which is extremely high…Normally about twice to three times is very good.”
The CEO of JPMorgan, part of the extensive banking syndicate handling the IPO, stated the goal was treating “individual investors the same way institutions are treated.”
UK-based Marex Financial operates a public offering platform where the eight retail platforms — including AJ Bell, CMC Markets, eToro, Freetrade, Interactive Brokers and interactive investor — can submit potential investors’ orders.
Mike Coombes, chief operating officer of British retail investment platform PrimaryBid, indicated this innovative approach might establish a model for other international companies seeking UK purchasers.
One executive from a participating retail platform noted the positive aspect of ordinary investors gaining early IPO access instead of only purchasing shares on the secondary market.
eToro announced in a press release that its platform requires a minimum $750 application, while Hargreaves Lansdown requests £1,000 ($1,334).
BNP Paribas’ El Harrar observed that retail involvement in IPOs has become a new focus for technology companies, which have moved from allocating perhaps 15% maximum of their order books to such investors, to doubling that amount.
Although UK regulations have been modified to simplify retail investor IPO participation, available deals remain scarce amid a worldwide decline in new listings.
Among the 15 largest UK IPOs in 2021, only one included retail participation according to Coombes. Deliveroo offered regular investors a 50 million pound portion of its £1.5 billion IPO through PrimaryBid. The shares dropped as much as 30% during the first trading day.
A major defense technology company is facing mounting safety questions following a series of drone accidents, including a May incident that seriously injured a Romanian Navy official during training exercises off the Texas coast.
The Romanian official suffered two severed fingers and a fractured third digit when her hand became caught in the propeller of a V-BAT drone manufactured by Shield AI during a May 12 training session. Romania’s Ministry of National Defence confirmed the accident to Reuters, marking the second such finger injury involving the company’s aircraft.
The injured official underwent surgery at University Medical Center New Orleans on May 12 and May 16 to reattach her fingers. When her condition worsened, she was transferred to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland, where she remained hospitalized as of May 25, according to the ministry.
This latest accident follows a previous incident where a U.S. Navy official’s fingers were partially severed during testing of the same drone model. Ryan Tseng, who previously led Shield AI, had claimed the company addressed safety issues with improved landing gear and warning labels.
“(The) aircraft is, tip to tail, just a radically better airplane,” Tseng told Forbes last year following the earlier incident.
However, Reuters investigation reveals the V-BAT has crashed more than 50 times over the past 18 months, according to interviews with 21 former employees, industry executives and investors. The news organization also reviewed a whistleblower complaint and lawsuit documents detailing workplace environment concerns.
Among the troubling incidents was a near-miss involving a Cessna aircraft carrying a Shield AI employee and his child, which had to take evasive action to avoid colliding with a V-BAT drone during testing.
Shield AI acquired the V-BAT technology when it purchased Martin UAV in 2021. The vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aircraft, designed for military applications, carries a price tag of approximately $1 million.
In response to the latest incident, Shield AI attributed the May 12 accident to “a violation of established safety procedures, not from a product defect,” though the company declined to specify what safety protocol was breached.
The company defended its overall safety record, stating that “operational mishaps are common” for drones like the V-BAT. Shield AI emphasized the aircraft “remains one of the most operationally proven VTOL aircraft in service today,” noting it has logged 18,000 flight hours since 2019.
Romania’s defense ministry said it continues investigating the incident and considers it premature to determine fault or whether the accident could have been prevented. Despite the injury, Romania’s Naval Forces confirmed their $30 million contract with Shield AI for V-BAT drones remains active.
Shield AI has positioned itself as a leading defense technology company, achieving a $12.7 billion valuation in a March funding round co-led by JPMorgan. The company markets itself as a crucial supplier of drones and autonomous software to modernize Pentagon capabilities amid ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, plus rising tensions with China over Taiwan.
The company’s profile received a boost in February when U.S. Vice President JD Vance toured Armenia and was shown the latest V-BAT model, recently sold under Washington’s first arms agreement with that nation.
“Holy shit. Look at this thing!” Vance exclaimed in a LinkedIn video, walking around the drone in an ornate hall. “It’s going to do great things for you guys.”
However, former product manager Jacob Miller has filed both a whistleblower complaint and lawsuit alleging he was terminated after raising air-safety concerns. Miller claims Shield AI adopted a “Silicon Valley mindset, that ‘fake it ’til you make it’” approach that proves dangerous when “being applied to equipment that can cause severe immediate harm to people and war fighters.”
Miller’s whistleblower complaint, submitted in May to the Department of Labor’s Office of Administrative Law Judges, alleges the company concealed technical problems with the V-BAT to secure military contracts. He claims Shield AI misled the Greek military about a drone’s autonomous capabilities and manipulated crash reports to present favorable performance data.
According to Miller’s allegations, the falsified information helped secure deals with Naval Air Systems Command and militaries in Greece, Japan, Norway, Taiwan and Ukraine.
The company has experienced numerous crashes during testing and training. In February, Shield AI suspended flights for several weeks following a particularly severe series of accidents, including one that sparked a grass fire in Texas consuming more than 40 acres before firefighters contained it.
During a NATO demonstration in Portugal last September, a V-BAT crash-landed on a runway, according to witness accounts and video footage reviewed by Reuters.
Shield AI acknowledged only 10 “operational mishaps” by customers since early 2025 when it upgraded the V-BAT, without providing details about these incidents.
The company has also faced internal workplace challenges. At least three employees who raised safety concerns over the past 18 months have been fired or left the company, according to sources familiar with the situation. Shield AI hired law firm Littler Mendelson to investigate claims of hostile work environment and air safety concerns, though the investigation’s findings remain unknown.
Founded in 2015 by Ryan Tseng, a tech entrepreneur who previously sold a phone-charging company to Qualcomm, and his brother Brandon, a former Navy SEAL, Shield AI emerged among the first venture-backed startups challenging traditional defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and RTX for Pentagon business.
Despite ongoing V-BAT issues, Shield AI is advancing development of its X-BAT, a larger drone expected to cost around $30 million and designed to operate as a “loyal wingman” alongside fighter jets. The Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit recently awarded the company a contract for X-BAT development.
According to an April pitch deck, Shield AI requested $500 million from the Pentagon to develop four X-BAT prototypes by 2029, with additional company investment bringing total costs to $1.3 billion. The X-BAT is expected to utilize the same flight control systems as the problematic V-BAT.
When asked about concerns regarding X-BAT’s reliance on V-BAT technology, a Pentagon spokesperson said the department “recognize[s] that risk is inherent to technology development and innovation, viewing it as a critical learning process essential to fulfilling our Department’s mandate to embrace risk, break things, and deliver capabilities at speed and scale.”
