BUCHAREST, Romania — In an effort to resolve a mounting political crisis, Romania’s President Nicusor Dan selected one of his advisors Thursday to lead the country’s next government after the ruling coalition fell apart last month.
Dan tapped 44-year-old Eugen Tomac, who serves as a member of the European Parliament, to attempt forming a new administration following weeks of political uncertainty and governmental paralysis in the EU nation. Parliamentary lawmakers must give their approval to the selection.
The president explained his decision by saying Tomac possesses “independence, experience and values” that qualify him for the position.
During remarks at the presidential Cotroceni Palace in Bucharest, Dan stated: “I chose a person independent of the parties in Parliament, who has the political experience to discuss with each of the parties, because consensus from many parties is needed on many issues. It is an act of responsibility on my part, and I expect the same responsibility from the political parties.”
In his own statement at the palace, Tomac acknowledged Romania’s current difficulties on both political and economic fronts, pledging to bring before Parliament “a team of specialists, a technical government, not a political one.”
“I understand the political stakes,” he remarked. “They are legitimate and natural in a democratic state, but I know that Romania now needs national projects carried through to the end and clear objectives.”
The nomination follows by one month the no-confidence vote that brought down Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, triggered by a motion filed by the Social Democratic Party, or PSD, which had been part of the governing coalition, alongside the nationalist opposition Alliance for the Unity of Romanians party.
As an MEP, Tomac belongs to Renew Europe, a pro-EU liberal faction. He previously held a seat in Romania’s parliament from 2012 to 2019 and received his appointment as presidential adviser from Dan in the past year.
Tomac described his goals for Romania as matching Dan’s perspective “of belonging to the European family, of strengthening the strategic partnership with the United States, of our transatlantic relationship as a whole, our relevance in NATO being a priority.”
He continued: “Economic competitiveness is very important, because only a strong economy can support the well-being that the citizens of Romania deserve.”
The country currently faces one of the EU’s largest budget shortfalls, alongside widespread inflation and a technical recession. The previous coalition took office in June 2025 with budget deficit reduction as a key goal. Bolojan had been installed to address what was considered one of Romania’s most severe political upheavals since the end of communist rule.
Within the European Parliament, Tomac serves on the culture and education committee and has participated in delegations backing Moldova’s EU membership bid. He leads the People’s Movement Party, a minor pro-European, center-right Romanian political organization that identifies as Christian democratic and classically liberal.
Political consultant Cristian Andrei, based in Bucharest, believes Dan’s choice suggests the incoming cabinet will probably feature “neutral ministers, experts from the state apparatus and from big business, but with a negotiated support from the political parties.”
“The extent to which the large political parties will be involved at lower levels of the cabinet will determine how long this experiment will last,” Andrei noted. “The president will enter the stage as a direct facilitator of a cabinet and will negotiate every political deal through a low-profile prime minister.”
The former coalition included the PSD, the National Liberal Party, the reformist Save Romania Union party, and the small ethnic Hungarian UDMR party, along with support from national minorities.
A minister who drives trucks for a living became an unexpected rescuer when he helped save a kidnapping victim in South Carolina last week, with his dashboard camera recording the entire dramatic encounter.
Anthony J. Moore, 53, was traveling through Aiken County near the Georgia state line on Friday when a woman with her hands restrained behind her back ran directly into his truck’s path.
The silent video footage captures the unfolding scene: The victim crosses in front of Moore’s vehicle while a man in a Cadillac that had been parked roadside quickly moves in front of the truck before speeding away. The woman continues running down the roadway as the man drives off in the opposite direction.
“I just see it as a divine assignment from God, because had not I been there with the dashcam … they probably wouldn’t have caught the footage that needed to be catched,” Moore explained to The Associated Press during a phone conversation. “It was another assignment from God, a special assignment from God. That a life needed to be saved.”
Law enforcement officials have taken Jonathan Willard, 39, of New Ellenton, into custody on charges including kidnapping and impersonating a law enforcement officer. He remained in custody Thursday at the Aiken County Detention Center.
The sheriff’s department incident report states that the victim was out for a walk when a man driving a green Cadillac “came from behind her and told her he was with the police.” The woman reported that he confiscated her phone and Social Security card, placed handcuffs on her, and forced her into the vehicle’s back seat.
According to the victim’s account to police, the suspect stopped near a gated property and exited the car. She attempted to open the rear doors but discovered they were secured.
While the man searched through the trunk, she managed to climb over the seat and flee through the unlocked driver’s door.
Moore was traveling south of Aiken when he encountered the fleeing woman.
“I let my window down and she said, ‘Please help me. He’s trying to kidnap me,’” Moore recalled.
When the woman moved to avoid the pursuing man, Moore said the suspect drove up alongside him and displayed “what looks to be a badge.”
“And he said, ‘I’m with law enforcement, and she jumped out of my car,’” Moore remembered. The man then departed in the Cadillac.
People nearby contacted emergency services, assisted in removing the victim’s restraints, and provided her with water. Moore said the woman informed him that she had completed her graduation ceremony the previous day, and that the suspect had also stolen her diploma.
The victim requested that Moore accompany her back to the location where she escaped, hoping to recover any belongings the man might have discarded. He said their search turned up nothing.
The Aiken County Solicitor’s Office reported that Willard has not yet received legal representation and no court appearances have been set. The AP’s request to interview Willard at the jail was refused.
Moore serves as pastor at Amazing Grace Ministries in Denmark, South Carolina. His wife, Betty, who works as an associate pastor at their church, noted that Moore is also a 27-year Army veteran.
“When I learned that he was caught the next day I was relieved of a lot of things that he didn’t get away,” he said, “to go try that again someplace else.”
WASHINGTON — House lawmakers are preparing to approve legislation providing assistance to Ukraine and imposing sanctions on Russia’s economy, even as GOP leadership opposes the measure, arguing it could damage ongoing negotiations aimed at achieving stronger results.
The bill, introduced by Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., aims to solidify American support for Ukraine by delivering more than $1 billion in security and reconstruction assistance. An additional $8 billion would be made available for Ukraine’s defense through loan programs.
This vote represents the second significant foreign policy disagreement this week between the House and President Donald Trump. The action follows the House’s first-ever approval of a war powers resolution targeting U.S. military operations against Iran.
Advocates managed to bring the Ukraine measure to a vote by collecting 218 signatures through a discharge petition, a parliamentary procedure that enables a House majority to circumvent leadership control.
While historically unsuccessful, House members have employed this petition strategy during this Congress to advance legislation releasing government documents on Jeffrey Epstein and extending healthcare subsidies for Affordable Care Act participants, although the healthcare measure stalled in the Senate.
Wednesday evening’s initial procedural vote on the Ukraine legislation succeeded 218-204, with six Republicans and one independent joining all Democrats in support.
Meeks emphasized the vote’s significance, stating the Ukrainian people need to understand “that the United States of America is not going turn its back on them, that the people of Ukraine know that we will stand with them against Russia.”
“We can’t let them down,” Meeks declared.
Supporters hope House passage will pressure the Senate to act similarly, though they recognize Senate approval is unlikely without Trump’s backing.
“It’s probably not going to get 60 votes in the Senate, but it’s going to hopefully force the Senate to address the issue,” stated Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., who signed the discharge petition and supported advancing the bill. “It’s going to send a great message to the soldiers of Ukraine.”
Fitzpatrick added the vote would signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin that “we do have a pulse here, that we do care about Ukraine and that we are going to utilize our authority to help them.”
As the conflict continues, Congressional Ukraine supporters face increasing challenges in securing additional financial support for the country’s defense efforts.
According to the most recent quarterly inspector general report for Operation Atlantic Resolve, the United States has authorized approximately $195 billion for the Ukraine response, with roughly 25% allocated to replenishing American military weapon stockpiles. The most recent major Ukraine support legislation passed in April 2024, though smaller amounts have been incorporated into yearly spending bills since then.
GOP leadership has encouraged members to vote against the legislation. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., indicated ongoing good-faith discussions between Congress and the White House regarding Ukraine support, characterizing these negotiations as complex.
“I think they are going to yield positive results, but you set that back if you pass legislation that doesn’t go as far as the negotiations are going,” Scalise explained.
The conflict stemming from Russia’s comprehensive invasion of its neighboring country has lasted more than four years with no resolution apparent. Recently, both nations have attempted to gain advantages through long-range missile attacks.
American-led peace initiatives have collapsed due to lack of progress on fundamental disagreements and as the Iran conflict diverted Washington’s focus. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed to an unconditional ceasefire requested by Trump, but Putin declined.
Senate Ukraine-related activity has centered on legislation imposing comprehensive tariffs and secondary sanctions on nations purchasing Russian oil, gas, uranium and other exports that fund Russia’s military operations. However, this bill has stalled.
LONDON (AP) — The death of Alex Younger, former director of Britain’s MI6 intelligence service, at age 62 has prompted tributes from Prince William and Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Younger directed the United Kingdom’s foreign intelligence operations, formally called the Secret Intelligence Service, between 2014 and 2020. He was among the earliest people in this position – designated by the code name C – to have their identity made public. Officials confirmed he had received a cancer diagnosis and passed away on Tuesday.
Nick Robinson, a BBC journalist who knew the former intelligence director personally, revealed that following his medical diagnosis, Younger had given his tumor the nickname “Putin,” referencing the Russian leader.
In 2019, Prince William completed work placements at Britain’s intelligence and security organizations to gain insight into their operations as preparation for his future role as monarch. On Thursday, the prince stated that Younger “embodied the very best of what the Secret Intelligence Service stands for – integrity, courage, and an unwavering commitment to protecting this country and its people.”
The Prime Minister described how Younger “will be remembered by the many ministers, colleagues, friends, and family for his utmost dedication to British public life and protecting our nation.”
The present MI6 director, Blaise Metreweli, praised Younger for embodying “my service’s values of integrity, courage, creativity and respect.”
“He made a lasting and distinctive contribution to our country and indeed to global security,” she stated.
A graduate of St. Andrews University in Scotland, Younger completed military service with the British army prior to beginning his MI6 career in 1991. His three-decade tenure with the intelligence service included assignments in the Western Balkans during the 1990s, which he described as work that “involved many nights drinking obscure homemade alcohol, piecing together the intentions of the parties to that conflict.”
During a 2018 address at his former university, he reflected: “I had the satisfaction of knowing that my work, along with that of many others, helped to pave the way for the eventual arrest and prosecution of war criminals implicated in the murder or displacement of hundreds of thousands of people.”
His service also took him to Afghanistan following the September 11 attacks, and he later directed counterterrorism efforts, including security preparations for the 2012 London Olympics.
In a BBC interview last year, he described the dual nature of intelligence work. He admitted there was “a kick” to being “in this play that no one knows is even going on.”
“But at the same time, it is incredibly isolating,” he explained.
He recognized that the fictional character James Bond had created both opportunities and challenges for MI6’s public image.
“He has created a powerful brand for MI6,” Younger remarked in a 2016 address. “As C, the real-life version of M, there are few people who will not come to lunch if I invite them. Many of our counterparts envy the sheer global recognition of our acronym.”
However, he added: “were Bond to apply to join MI6 now, he would have to change his ways.”
LJUBLJANA, Slovenia — Slovenia’s legislative body endorsed a new conservative administration Thursday, installing Prime Minister Janez Jansa in what represents a political shift toward the right for the small European Union nation.
Members of parliament supported the new administration by a margin of 49-30 in the 90-seat legislative chamber.
Thursday’s decision followed March parliamentary elections that failed to produce a decisive outcome. Though former liberal Prime Minister Robert Golob’s Freedom Movement secured the most ballots, he could not secure enough legislative support to form a majority.
The 67-year-old Jansa, who received his appointment as prime minister last month, joined forces with his populist Slovenian Democratic Party and other conservative parliamentary factions to create a coalition administration. The new government also receives support from the nonestablishment Truth party, which originally formed as an anti-vaccination movement during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This represents Jansa’s fourth stint in the top office. The seasoned politician has expressed admiration for U.S. President Donald Trump and maintained close ties with former populist Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who suffered a decisive electoral defeat in April.
Similar to Orban, Jansa took a firm anti-immigration stance during Europe’s major migration crisis in 2015, and has faced criticism for restricting democratic institutions and media freedoms during his previous 2020-2022 tenure. These actions sparked public demonstrations and drew European Union oversight.
Jansa committed that his new administration would serve “for all of Slovenia and for all generations.” During Thursday’s proceedings, he described his 15-member Cabinet as having “rich experience.”
Jansa promised to reduce taxation levels and criticized Slovenia for having “an incredibly overblown bureaucracy” when compared to other European nations. He expressed intentions to invite opposition parties to collaborate on important future matters.
The new Cabinet features Tone Kajzer, Slovenia’s former ambassador to the U.S., who received appointment as foreign minister, while Franci Matoz — Jansa’s previous attorney — was named interior minister, generating some public backlash.
Jansa, who supports Israel, has strongly criticized the Golob administration’s 2024 decision to recognize a Palestinian state. The incoming government is anticipated to repair Slovenia’s currently strained relationship with Israel.
The March 22 electoral contest faced claims of outside interference and corruption. The approximately 2 million residents of the Alpine country remain sharply split between liberal and conservative viewpoints.
FRANKFURT, Germany — A German airline confirmed Thursday that multiple workers sustained injuries when a Boeing aircraft’s front landing gear suddenly collapsed while the plane was stationed at an airport gate.
The malfunction occurred as the 787-9 Dreamliner sat parked with only crew and ground personnel aboard, prior to passenger boarding for a scheduled departure from Frankfurt to Los Angeles. Officials described the gear retraction as happening without warning, sending the aircraft’s nose plummeting several meters to the tarmac and damaging the gear compartment doors. The Los Angeles flight was subsequently scrapped.
“Several employees were injured and are currently receiving medical attention,” Lufthansa said, adding that it and relevant authorities were investigating the circumstances of the incident.
According to aviation tracking data from Flightradar24, the affected 787-9 aircraft is approximately one year old.
In a Thursday email response, Boeing acknowledged being “aware of the incident” and stated the company is “supporting our customer.”
Footage captured at the location showed the wide-body aircraft’s front wheels sliding forward as the nose section dropped multiple meters, with a nearby ground worker quickly moving to safety.
The gear bay doors separated from the aircraft when the nose made contact with the ground.
A similar occurrence happened in 2021 at London’s Heathrow Airport involving a Boeing 787’s nose landing system. The UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch determined that during maintenance operations on a 787-8, the nose gear retracted while testing was underway, causing the aircraft’s front section to contact the ground. Investigators concluded that a safety pin meant to prevent retraction had been placed incorrectly, enabling the gear to fold despite protective mechanisms intended to maintain extension.
Delaware State Police report that 44-year-old Darvin Connor has been taken into custody in connection with a November narcotics distribution investigation.
Authorities executed search warrants at two Wilmington residences on November 8, 2025, following an investigation into illegal drug distribution activities. The probe identified Connor, along with Tayvon Brown, Alexander Wade, and Rhasheed Gilliam, as individuals suspected of distributing narcotics from these locations. When officers carried out the search warrants, Brown, Gilliam, and Wade were arrested on scene. However, Connor was not found and remained a fugitive.
Seven months later, on June 1, 2026, the United States Marshals Service Western Pennsylvania Fugitive Task Force tracked down and arrested Connor in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Once he is returned to Delaware, Connor will face multiple charges including:
Possession of Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quantity (Felony)
Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quantity (Felony)
Unlawful to Knowingly Operate or Attempt to Operate a Clandestine Laboratory (Felony)
Possession of Ammunition by a Person Prohibited (Felony)
Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substance (Felony) – 3 counts
Newark police have identified a suspect in an attempted break-in at a Thornwood community residence, thanks to assistance from local residents.
Law enforcement officers were called to Oak View Drive’s unit block on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, around 2:45 in the afternoon following reports of someone trying to burglarize a home.
According to investigators, the individual had been spotted moving through multiple residential backyards in the area sometime between 12:45 and 1:00 p.m. that same day.
The incident occurred in Newark’s Thornwood neighborhood, where community members provided crucial information that helped authorities in their investigation.
TORONTO (AP) — Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney issued a stark warning Thursday about the potential dangers foreign artificial intelligence systems pose to his nation’s security and sovereignty.
During the rollout of his administration’s new AI strategy, Carney emphasized that this transformative technology has arrived and that Canada relies too heavily on overseas providers. He expressed concern that the nation’s dependence could leave it vulnerable to exploitation.
The prime minister had previously cautioned at this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos that powerful nations like the United States have leveraged economic ties to intimidate smaller countries. On Thursday, he highlighted how the majority of AI-related data flows beyond Canadian borders.
Similar to other forms of economic interdependence such as supply networks, Carney explained that artificial intelligence systems could become tools of coercion against Canada.
“That creates real risks that foreign entities could access Canadian data, deploy AI products that shape Canadian lives without reflecting our values,” Carney said. “And tilt the playing field against Canadian firms — while Canada lacks the leverage to push back or the ability to control.”
The administration’s strategy document observes that “AI is a game of scale that is dominated by hegemons and hyperscalers” and states this “poses a significant security and economic challenge as countries around the globe risk becoming subordinate or reliant on them.”
The plan outlines Canada’s role in guiding other mid-sized nations or allied countries through this technological transition.
“A coalition of aligned democracies, who pool research, talent, compute and procurement power, would offer a credible alternative to the dominant market actors that increasingly define the global AI landscape,” the document says.
Carney announced his administration plans to introduce new laws for enhanced data and privacy protection. He also revealed plans to construct a world-class public AI supercomputer.
“Canadian researchers train models on foreign cloud platforms. Canadian companies store sensitive data in foreign jurisdictions. Government operations rely on infrastructure Canada does not own,” the strategy says.
The document states the federal government will tackle these vulnerabilities by “building its key sovereign capabilities domestically whenever possible, while partnering with trusted allies or buying existing market solutions when appropriate.”
The strategy identified that Canada faces “a major adoption gap.” The prime minister said his administration will provide artificial intelligence education to citizens in educational institutions and community facilities through a literacy program. He explained that complimentary AI educational materials, including coursework, “will help Canadians to identify bias and misinformation — and give them the AI tools to learn and help with their careers.”
Carney noted that internationally, his nation ranks among the lowest countries in AI education, understanding and confidence. He revealed that only 12% of Canadian companies currently utilize AI technology, with even lower usage rates among smaller enterprises.
PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona’s highest court has rejected prosecutors’ attempt to appeal a ruling requiring the state’s fake elector case to return to a grand jury, dealing another blow to efforts to prosecute Mark Meadows, President Donald Trump’s former chief of staff, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, and other defendants connected to the 2020 presidential election.
The court’s decision represents yet another obstacle for Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes, who continues facing challenges advancing this complex case through the judicial system. Officials from Mayes’ office announced they will present the entire case to a grand jury once more instead of abandoning the prosecution altogether.
This latest development follows the dismissal of comparable cases in Michigan and Georgia by courts there, along with a special prosecutor’s decision to drop federal charges in late 2024 that accused Trump of plotting to reverse the 2020 election outcome. Related prosecutions involving fake elector schemes continue moving forward in Arizona, Nevada and Wisconsin.
A Phoenix-area lower court judge determined in May that the initial grand jury reviewing this case had not been presented with the text of the Electoral Count Act, legislation from the 19th century that establishes procedures for certifying presidential elections and which defendants cited in their legal defense.
Attorneys representing the defendants contended that this law permitted multiple groups of electors to submit their votes to Congress when election results faced disputes, although lawmakers modified the statute in 2022 to clarify that states may only send one group of electors and that governors must provide approval.
No progress has occurred in Arizona’s case at the trial court level since mid-May.
Former President Joe Biden secured victory in Arizona during 2020 with a margin of 10,457 votes.
The Trump administration announced that renovations to Washington D.C.’s Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool have been completed, with plans to refill the iconic basin with water by this weekend.
According to the administration, the painting work was finished on Wednesday, transforming the shallow pool to what President Donald Trump describes as “American flag blue.” In a court document, officials stated the water filling process should be completed no later than Sunday.
However, as of Thursday morning, construction equipment remained visible in the empty basin with no water present.
While Trump has estimated the renovation costs between $1.5 million and $2 million, government records reveal contracts totaling at least $14.8 million have been issued for the project. The president first announced the initiative in April during an Oval Office event, explaining that a visiting friend from Germany had criticized the pool’s appearance as dark and unappealing.
This renovation represents another effort by Trump to make lasting changes to the nation’s capital, joining other projects including the demolition of the White House East Wing for a ballroom and proposed construction of an arch connecting the Lincoln Memorial to Arlington National Cemetery.
The historic reflecting pool stretches more than 2,000 feet and serves as a centerpiece between the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument. Originally constructed in the 1920s, the site gained historical significance as the location where Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963.
Before its current renovation, the basin contained approximately 6.5 million gallons of water, equivalent to about 10 Olympic-sized swimming pools, according to the National Park Service. A previous 2012 upgrade installed circulation and filtration systems that use water from the nearby Tidal Basin rather than the city’s drinking water supply. The region is currently experiencing drought conditions.
Political opponents have criticized the Republican president for focusing on personal projects instead of addressing voter concerns like living costs as the November elections approach. Some critics have also suggested the renovation makes the memorial pool resemble a recreational swimming facility.
The Cultural Landscape Foundation, a Washington-based nonprofit organization, filed a lawsuit last month seeking to halt work on what they called the “dark grey” reflecting pool. The organization argued the new paint color created a “theme park” atmosphere.
No judicial ruling has been issued in the case, but the Trump administration informed the court Wednesday that construction was complete and water filling would begin by Sunday.
The Interior Department, which supervises the Park Service, did not respond to requests for additional information.
NEW YORK (AP) — The rats weren’t the problem. Neither were the odors or the germs.
According to former urban explorer Steve Duncan, the worst aspect of venturing into New York City’s extensive underground sewer network was actually the cockroaches.
“They’re everywhere, climbing the walls, falling on top of you,” Duncan remembered this week. “They were the worst.”
The 48-year-old, who currently resides in Maryland, shared memories of his time documenting the filthy tunnels beneath New York following recent surveillance footage showing small groups mysteriously entering and leaving sewer systems in Brooklyn and Queens.
Authorities report they continue investigating the three occurrences but don’t consider them a public safety threat. City officials emphasize that accessing the municipality’s 7,400 miles (12,000 kilometers) of sewer infrastructure is both unlawful and hazardous.
Duncan suspects the groups were probably explorers similar to himself, navigating the massive 19th-century sewer channels running beneath city sections.
These comparatively spacious areas can surpass 6 feet (1.8 meters) across — providing enough height for most individuals to walk normally — and may display handcrafted brickwork and graceful archways, he noted.
Several, including one close to where a group was observed, follow routes of natural waterways that previously supported New York, before industrial pollution contaminated them and compelled city planners to transform them into sewers, Duncan explained.
“These ancient streams get buried as cities develop around them,” he described. “It’s incredible how much this old natural landscape remains part of the city now.”
The footage indicates some groups remained underground for up to three hours, a duration that might seem unthinkable, but Duncan said time moves fast as sewer expeditions involve navigating slick, humid conditions and flowing water that could reach a foot (30 centimeters) or more in depth.
Duncan praised the groups for selecting an ideal time for their adventures.
Recent heavy rains would have largely flushed the system, and entering the tunnels during early morning would mean waste flow would be significantly lighter than during busy daytime periods.
“They conducted their homework,” Duncan stated.
However, unseen hazards exist in these germ-filled environments, he warned, describing how he ended up hospitalized with severely infected limbs on two different occasions, which ultimately led him to stop exploring.
Experienced explorers typically carry gas detectors to monitor dangerous fume levels, including potentially explosive hydrogen sulfide, which forms from decay, Duncan mentioned.
Regarding the odor of all that sewage, it’s not as overwhelming as one might expect, Duncan said.
“When it’s a properly working sewer, it resembles more of a farm or compost smell,” he noted. “But when conditions are poor, it can smell like death.”
Some community members have expressed concern that the mysterious explorers in the videos had criminal intentions. Many wore waterproof waders and carried headlamps and what looked like shovels and other equipment.
“Sewers can function as access or escape routes to buildings, and we’ve all watched films where criminals flee prison through sewers,” suggested Magued Iskander, an engineering professor at New York University. “There must be motivation beyond simple excitement to enter such a filthy location.”
Others have pointed out that police have occasionally caught underground treasure hunters.
Just last year, three men faced burglary and additional charges after searching for gold, jewelry and other valuables in a Brooklyn sewer. Ten years before, police apprehended three others as they surfaced from a maintenance opening, including an employee with the city Department of Environmental Protection, which oversees the sewer network.
If nothing else, the popular videos highlight how exposed some of the city’s essential infrastructure remains, said David Sarni, a former New York Police Department detective and professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan.
“Is this something that could be used by individuals who want to cause damage?” he questioned. “You must truly take nothing for granted and always consider, sadly, that worst-case scenario.”
Duncan, who currently works in real estate, said neither wealth nor harmful intent drove him and many others from his era of urban exploration.
During his journeys into underground systems in New York, London, Paris and other cities throughout the early 2000s, he seldom discovered anything valuable, except for the occasional credit card or damaged wallet.
“These are frightening locations that require extensive planning and commitment to explore safely,” Duncan said. “You don’t undertake all these preparations for the slim possibility of discovering a diamond earring.”
“The true motivation is witnessing something new, or experiencing the city differently,” he added. “That’s the genuine attraction.”
Karen Read has initiated legal action against Massachusetts State Police and Canton officials, claiming investigative misconduct and negligence in the case that resulted in her criminal prosecution for her boyfriend’s death.
Filed Thursday in Bristol County Superior Court, the civil lawsuit contends that Read’s June acquittal exposed “an embedded culture of bigotry, misogyny, systemic failures, and institutional rot at the very core of both organizations.” The legal action claims both agencies failed in proper hiring, training and oversight of personnel, while seeking compensation for attorney costs, lost wages, emotional trauma and damage to her reputation.
The legal filing extensively details the conduct of former state trooper Michael Proctor and former Canton police Sgt. Sean Goode, referencing text messages, audio recordings and other communications that allegedly contain racist, sexist and offensive language. Read’s legal team maintains these materials prove both officers were unsuitable for the investigation and reflect systemic oversight problems within both departments.
State Police Superintendent Col. Geoffrey Noble responded Thursday, describing Proctor’s communications as “racist, sexist and abhorrent” and confirming they justified the former trooper’s termination. Noble emphasized the messages contradicted departmental values and highlighted reforms implemented during his leadership, noting the investigation occurred before he assumed command.
“These disturbing messages are entirely inconsistent with any basic standard of decency and certainly with the expectations of a Massachusetts State Trooper,” Noble stated, adding that officials are “keenly aware of the ways in which this misconduct harmed the public trust on which our mission depends.”
Canton officials and the Canton Police Department have not yet provided responses to requests for comment.
Read concluded her legal ordeal approximately one year ago as a free person following more than three years and two separate trials concerning the death of Boston police officer John O’Keefe, her boyfriend. O’Keefe was discovered on a suburban lawn belonging to a fellow officer following an evening of heavy alcohol consumption during a winter storm.
The prosecution maintained Read struck O’Keefe with her vehicle during the January 2022 party night, abandoning him to perish in the blizzard conditions. She faced accusations of second-degree murder, manslaughter and fleeing the scene. While jurors cleared her of these serious charges, they found her guilty of a reduced drunk driving offense.
Read’s defense team successfully portrayed a troubling narrative of law enforcement misconduct, proposing that O’Keefe was actually murdered by police colleagues who subsequently orchestrated a cover-up.
The proceedings focused significantly on lead investigator Michael Proctor, whom defense counsel characterized as prejudiced against Read from the investigation’s start. The Massachusetts State Police trial board determined Proctor guilty of transmitting vulgar and defamatory text messages about Read during his leadership of her case. His termination made him a focal point for Read’s supporters who maintain the investigation was compromised.
Goode was suspended in November 2025 after the town received misconduct allegations. According to media reports, he submitted his resignation this week.
Despite stalled peace negotiations regarding Ukraine, Russia and the United States are maintaining dialogue on economic and energy matters, according to President Vladimir Putin’s special representative Kirill Dmitriev, who spoke with Reuters on Thursday.
Speaking at Russia’s largest economic forum in St. Petersburg on June 4, Dmitriev confirmed he had recent contact with American officials, stating the communication channels remain active even as Ukraine-related peace efforts have hit a roadblock.
The Kremlin announced on May 18 that Russia-Ukraine peace discussions were temporarily suspended, though Moscow anticipated they would eventually restart, with various levels of contact between Moscow and Washington continuing.
“We talked to Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner yesterday. So the dialogue continues, and there is constant communication,” Dmitriev explained during the conference, naming the American negotiators involved.
The last conversation between U.S. President Donald Trump and Putin occurred on April 29, when they discussed implementing a brief Ukraine ceasefire to commemorate the World War Two anniversary. Dmitriev’s most recent face-to-face meeting with Kushner and Witkoff took place in April.
Following that temporary ceasefire, fighting has intensified significantly. Russian forces have launched drone and missile attacks against Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, while Ukrainian forces have targeted refineries, ports, and industrial facilities located deep within Russian territory.
The American-brokered peace initiative, which began with Russia-U.S. discussions in Riyadh in February of last year, has reached an impasse over disputed territory in the Donbas region that remains under Ukrainian control but which Moscow demands be transferred before any settlement agreement.
According to Dmitriev, not every Russia-U.S. discussion centers on Ukraine, and both nations plan to maintain conversations about energy matters, economic issues, and worldwide stability. He indicated that three-way discussions including Ukraine could happen in the future.
“And then when the time is right, I think there will be an opportunity also for trilateral discussions, but this is more on a diplomatic track,” Dmitriev stated.
On May 18, the United States approved a third extension of a 30-day sanctions exemption that permits Russian seaborne oil purchases to assist “energy-vulnerable” nations impacted by the Iran war.
Dmitriev, who participated in discussions with the Trump administration regarding previous extensions, explained that American officials recognize how these waivers help stabilize markets during the Middle East crisis.
“Extending waivers before was good for the markets. I think the U.S. administration understands that without Russian oil, without Russian gas, it’s impossible to have stability in the energy markets,” Dmitriev commented, though he declined to predict whether another extension would occur this month.
The world’s top soccer organization announced Thursday it will debut a new video game called FIFA World Cup: Launch Edition through Netflix Games on June 11, strategically timed with the opening of the 2026 World Cup tournament.
Netflix subscribers will gain access to the game at no extra charge, representing the soccer governing body’s effort to enhance fan interaction through its updated digital approach.
Created through a collaboration with Netflix Games and Delphi Interactive, the title serves as a user-friendly soccer simulation that lets participants experience tournament action firsthand.
Gamers can select any of the 48 competing national teams and compete in matches throughout all 16 tournament venues, featuring more than 1,200 individual players within the game.
The system utilizes mobile phones as game controllers, allowing players to link with televisions through QR code scanning, the soccer organization explained.
The multiplayer capability supports up to four participants simultaneously.
The organization stated this release represents part of a comprehensive transformation in its gaming strategy after concluding its extended collaboration with EA Sports, now pursuing a multi-partner approach designed to expand its presence across various platforms and demographics.
Officials characterized the game as an initial phase of an extended initiative, with plans for enhanced features and expanded platform availability following the debut launch.
The 2026 World Cup tournament across the United States, Canada and Mexico begins June 11.
MONACO, June 4 – Formula 1 championship frontrunner Kimi Antonelli and his Mercedes teammate George Russell pledged to maintain their aggressive racing approach for this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix, even after team boss Toto Wolff hinted he may need to step in and control their battles.
During last month’s Canadian Grand Prix, the 19-year-old Antonelli became frustrated following contact with Russell in their sprint race, which Russell ultimately won.
The teammates clashed once more the next day during the main event while battling for first place, before Russell’s race ended due to a power unit problem, giving Antonelli his fourth straight victory.
Though Wolff acknowledged their battle made for “good cinema,” he noted their fight cost both drivers valuable time and warned he would step in if their rivalry threatened the team’s point totals.
According to Antonelli, team meetings occurred several days prior to their Monaco arrival to analyze the Canadian incidents.
“Basically, the end of the discussion was that you can race each other fairly as long as there is respect and you don’t put yourselves in a situation where you could damage one of you or both of you,” the Italian driver explained to media on Thursday.
“The team doesn’t want to put rules, but understandably they want both cars to finish and to get as many points as possible. That is in our minds as well because we race for ourselves to be the best but also we race for the team to reward the 2,000 people who work for the team.”
“We’ll keep racing each other like in Canada but a bit more smartly. But definitely the team wants us to race freely because you can’t really put a leash on a driver.”
Russell, the British driver who captured the season opener in Melbourne but now trails Antonelli by 43 points, dismissed any worries about their competitive relationship.
“We have to be trusted and this is what we do, we are drivers and we push ourselves to the limit every single lap,” he said to reporters. “When we race we push each other to the limit.
“I know when you are sat on the sidelines in the pit wall like Toto of course it’s stressful and tense because you can’t control it but ultimately we have to be trusted and we are trusted. We’ll keep fighting but we know the boundaries.”
Antonelli has become the first Italian driver since Alberto Ascari in 1952 to claim four consecutive race victories, and represents the first F1 driver ever to win his initial four races in succession.
As Monaco begins an demanding stretch of the racing calendar and presents a track that could challenge Mercedes’ current dominance, Antonelli finds himself as the driver to beat.
Following the Canadian race, Russell declared the championship is now Antonelli’s to lose, though the Italian downplayed any mounting pressure.
“It’s so early in the season, there are 17 or maybe more races to go and it’s too early to talk about the championship,” he stated. “You can’t lose something you haven’t achieved.
“I feel pretty relaxed about the situation. I just want to keep on doing what I’m doing, raise the bar and try to win as much as possible.
“George is a super strong team mate and he will make my life very hard, but I just try to deal with every situation and then try to excel at what I do.”
Cattle markets experienced dramatic swings Thursday following confirmation of a dangerous parasite discovery that has livestock producers across the nation on high alert.
Federal agriculture officials announced Wednesday evening that New World screwworm had been identified in a Texas calf, representing the first detection in that state since 1966. The flesh-eating pest has been moving northward through Mexico throughout the past year.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins expressed confidence Thursday that the agency can successfully contain this isolated incident. However, any broader outbreak could further reduce America’s cattle population, which has already reached its lowest point in three-quarters of a century.
“The New World screwworm sounds like something from a horror movie, but it’s real,” stated Nate Sheets, a Republican nominee for Texas agriculture commissioner. “It is an agricultural emergency.”
Market reactions proved volatile throughout Thursday’s trading session. Feeder cattle contracts on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange initially declined as investors feared consumer demand for beef might weaken. However, prices quickly reversed course, climbing more than 3% as supply concerns took precedence.
Texas livestock operations face potentially devastating financial consequences, with industry experts estimating economic damages could reach $1.8 billion if the parasite establishes itself more widely.
“We’re going to need to see how fast it spreads and how the consumer reacts,” explained Matt Wiegand, commodity broker for FuturesOne. “Until we see a big demand impact from the consumer side, (cattle) numbers are still tight.”
The nation’s cattle supply has been steadily declining due to prolonged drought conditions that increased feed expenses and forced ranchers to reduce their herds. This shortage has created challenges for major meat processing companies, including JBS, Cargill and Tyson Foods, as they struggle to secure adequate animals for their facilities.
Industry representatives are pushing for flexibility in movement restrictions. The Meat Institute, representing processing companies, has asked federal officials to permit “low-risk” livestock shipments for slaughter despite the agency’s decision to halt animal transportation in the affected region. These shipments would involve animals traveling directly from uninfected farms to processing facilities.
Despite significant federal investment in prevention efforts, the parasite’s appearance indicates that screwworm flies successfully entered the country and will likely establish populations among wild animals, according to Lee Haines, an associate research professor of biological sciences at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana.
“The burden falls hardest on farmers who must monitor animals scattered across vast open rangeland, often going unobserved for days at a time,” Haines noted.
A food processing company based in Brooklyn has issued a voluntary recall of dried herring products due to potential botulism contamination risks.
Prime Food Processing LLC announced the recall of 69 cases of “Dried Herring Fish” after discovering the products had not been properly eviscerated. According to New York State Agriculture and Markets regulations, selling fish that has not been adequately eviscerated is prohibited due to increased risks of Clostridium botulinum spore contamination.
The recall affects products that were distributed with inadequate processing that could pose serious health risks to consumers. Botulism is a rare but potentially fatal illness caused by toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria.
Consumers who have purchased the affected dried herring products are advised not to consume them and to dispose of them immediately. The company is working with regulatory authorities to address the safety concerns.
A controversial architectural proposal from President Trump calls for constructing an arch in the nation’s capital that would be positioned between the Lincoln Memorial and the former residence of Confederate General Robert E. Lee.
Opposition voices are raising concerns that this placement would obstruct the important visual connection that currently exists between these two landmarks. They argue that this uninterrupted sight line carries deep symbolic meaning about national reconciliation and unity.
The proposed structure’s location has become a point of contention, with detractors warning that its construction would diminish the powerful message currently conveyed by the clear view linking these historically significant sites.
The National Basketball Association issued lifetime arena bans to two individuals Thursday following a court invasion incident during the opening game of the NBA Finals in San Antonio.
One person was taken into custody after rushing onto the playing surface Wednesday evening and seemingly trying to snap a photo with San Antonio’s star player Victor Wembanyama. The disruption happened during the middle portion of the final quarter as the Spurs faced off against the New York Knicks.
League officials also barred a second person permanently for their participation in the Wednesday night disruption, though the NBA declined to reveal details about that individual’s specific actions.
“The individual who entered the court area during Game 1 of The Finals was arrested and will be banned for life from all NBA arenas,” an NBA spokesman said in a news release. “A second individual will also receive a lifetime ban for his role in the incident.”
The arrested individual appeared to access the playing surface from the sideline across from where the teams sit, beginning from behind the action and sprinting toward San Antonio’s scoring area. Security personnel swiftly removed the person from the court, and no physical contact seemed to occur between the intruder and Wembanyama or any New York team members.
The San Antonio star seemed unaffected by the disruption both during and following the incident.
“I’ve never been in that situation,” Wembanyama said. “I didn’t know how to act.”
Officials halted play for 1 minute and 29 seconds before continuing with a jump ball situation. Security escorted the court invader from the playing area through a tunnel near the baseline.
“I don’t think it was an event at all,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “I thought security got him out of there. I think everybody moved on to the next play.”
Prospective homebuyers received encouraging news this week as the typical 30-year home loan rate dropped slightly after hitting its peak level in nine months.
Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the standard 30-year fixed mortgage rate decreased to 6.48% from the previous week’s 6.53%. Despite this decline, current rates still sit below the 6.85% level recorded one year ago.
Lower mortgage rates provide homebuyers with increased purchasing power when shopping for properties.
Rate increases have been the dominant trend since the conflict with Iran started, which has disrupted oil tanker routes through the Persian Gulf to global markets. This disruption has driven oil prices significantly higher, becoming a major factor in rising inflation.
Multiple elements affect mortgage rates, including Federal Reserve policy choices and bond market investor sentiment regarding economic growth and inflation prospects. These rates typically mirror movements in the 10-year Treasury yield, which serves as a benchmark for lenders when setting home loan prices.
Continued expectations of rising oil costs due to the prolonged conflict have maintained elevated long-term bond yields, pushing mortgage rates generally upward.
Thursday’s midday bond market trading showed the U.S. 10-year Treasury note yield at 4.47%, climbing from 4.45% the previous week. This represents a significant increase from the 3.97% level recorded in late February before the conflict started.
In late February, the typical 30-year mortgage rate had dropped just below 6% for the first time since late 2022, but hasn’t returned to that level since. The previous week saw rates jump to their highest point since August 28, when they reached 6.56%.
Although current long-term mortgage rates remain below last year’s levels, their recent climb has negatively affected home sales throughout this year.
April sales of existing U.S. homes remained virtually unchanged after decreasing compared to the previous year during the first quarter, continuing a national housing downturn that began in 2022 when rates started rising from pandemic-era lows. Next week will bring the May existing home sales report.
While June remains widely celebrated as Pride Month, several Republican governors across the nation have established competing designations for the same timeframe that advocacy groups on both sides interpret as deliberate counter-messaging.
The governors leading Indiana and Tennessee have established June as Nuclear Family Month, celebrating household structures consisting of “one husband, one wife and any biological, adopted or fostered children,” though they haven’t explicitly stated this was meant to override Pride recognition.
Alabama has designated the month as Strong Families Month, timed to align with Father’s Day. Gov. Kay Ivey’s official declaration states that fathers serve as “the head of the household” and that “homes led by a father and mother provide children with the structure and discipline necessary to succeed throughout life.”
Utah and Arkansas governors have labeled June as Fidelity Month, highlighting devotion to faith, nation and family — without specifying what family structures should look like.
A recent post from Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ X account shared a link about her declaration with text reading, “Another Red State is Counter-Programming Pride Month.”
Neither Sanders nor the other governors have responded to Associated Press inquiries about their reasoning for selecting June for these proclamations.
Legislative efforts in at least four additional Republican-led states have proposed bills this year to establish June as Fidelity Month.
The concept originates from an organization created by Robert P. George, a Princeton University jurisprudence professor known for conservative scholarship. His organization declined interview requests.
Speaking to the National Catholic Register in 2023, he stated that “nobody gets a monopoly on a particular day or a particular month.”
June Pride festivities, featuring parades, festivals and performances, started in 1970 to commemorate the anniversary of the violent police confrontation at the Stonewall Inn, a New York City gay establishment, and have since spread globally.
“You can call it whatever you want, but one thing you’re not going to do is take away our pride or take away our joy,” stated Jordan Braxton, co-president of USA Prides.
Since Bill Clinton in 1999, every Democratic president has issued annual Pride proclamations — while no Republican president has done so.
Among GOP governors, Utah’s Spencer Cox stands out for issuing Pride proclamations in 2021, 2022 and 2023. In 2024, he called June a “Month of Bridge Building” before switching to Fidelity Month this year.
Recent polling indicates that two decades of growing acceptance for same-sex marriages and relationships has stalled — primarily due to increased Republican opposition.
Last year, U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, an Illinois Republican, proposed legislation to establish June as Family Month while eliminating Pride Month recognition, arguing “Americans are inundated with perverse Pride Month displays and events throughout the month of June that denigrate the nuclear family.” The resolution never received a vote.
Supporters see these state initiatives as chances for cultural change.
Kevin Roberts, president of the conservative Heritage Foundation, said in an interview that conservative recognitions are beneficial because Pride celebrations “were going so far as to make it difficult to celebrate traditional marriage.”
Tennessee’s legislative resolution and gubernatorial approval doesn’t specifically reference Pride Month, while declaring the “nuclear family is under attack in our beloved State and nation.”
However, Lakie Derrick, a conservative activist who co-authored the Tennessee measure, acknowledged she specifically targeted June to oppose Pride Month, which she believes “goes against” American principles.
“We’re just reclaiming the culture, and there’s no better month to do that than in a month where the culture says we’re gonna celebrate something so opposite to what we know to be right,” Derrick explained.
Marina Lowe, who oversees legal and legislative matters for LGBTQ+ advocacy organization Equality Utah, argued that Pride Month doesn’t oppose other value-based recognitions. Many LGBTQ individuals also cherish faith and family, she noted, adding “I don’t think that these positions need to be in conflict with one another.”
In Wenatchee, Washington, a school’s Turning Point USA chapter successfully arranged for Family Month banners on light poles that previously displayed rainbow flags during June. Local gay rights organization Out NCW responded by purchasing two billboards and distributing yard signs supporting Pride, according to president AJ Soto.
Josh Coleman, president of Central Alabama Pride, which has scheduled 42 events across two weeks, said the celebrations ending with a parade on June 13 and festival June 14 won’t be impacted by the proclamation.
“It’s not lost upon LGBTQ people when elected leaders don’t recognize or value the visibility of the community,” he explained. “That’s why Pride started in the first place — to make sure the community had a community.”
Alex Richardson, board chair at Indy Pride in Indianapolis, views the governor’s proclamation as a “swipe.” Yet he believes the local events celebrate some values the governor supports.
“Sure, the governor’s right, the nuclear family is worth celebrating,” Richardson said. “But I think so is the grandmother who raises her grandchildren, or the chosen family that shows up when a blended family can’t, or won’t, … or the weird blended households that are held together by love and effort.”
WASHINGTON — President Trump plans to unveil a nearly $700 million federal investment package Thursday aimed at revitalizing America’s declining coal sector through support for power plants and export facilities.
According to a White House official, the administration will invoke Cold War-era defense legislation to back 13 coal facilities nationwide and facilitate construction of new coal plants in Alaska and West Virginia — marking the first such projects built in the U.S. since 2013. The funding will also revive a shuttered coal plant in Maryland and advance a stalled coal export facility in Oakland, California.
The combined initiatives are projected to generate or preserve over 14,000 positions across coal, construction, railroad and shipping sectors, the White House official noted. The official requested anonymity as they lacked authorization to reveal specifics before Trump’s scheduled Thursday afternoon announcement.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin are anticipated to join Trump for the White House event.
This represents Trump’s latest effort to halt the coal industry’s prolonged downturn. Last fall, the administration announced plans to make 13 million acres of federal territory available for coal extraction and allocate $625 million for upgrading or restarting coal power facilities. Shortly after returning to office, Trump signed executive directives to revive coal — a dependable yet polluting energy source that has steadily contracted due to environmental rules and competition from less expensive natural gas.
Bloomberg News initially disclosed the new coal funding.
Following Trump’s directives, the Energy Department has mandated fossil fuel plants in Michigan, Indiana, Colorado and Washington state continue operations beyond planned closure dates to address growing electricity needs driven by data center expansion, artificial intelligence development and electric vehicle adoption. The department has issued temporary extensions for these measures and ordered oil and gas facilities in Maryland and Pennsylvania to delay scheduled shutdowns.
Wright stated that the administration’s emergency directives keeping older coal plants running helped avert significant power outages during the severe cold snap that affected much of the nation in late January and early February.
Environmental organizations criticized the latest coal support measures, which coincide with the Trump administration’s restrictions on renewable energy — including halting offshore wind permits, eliminating clean energy tax incentives and preventing wind and solar developments on federal property.
“Propping up coal billionaires with taxpayer money is one more way for the Trump administration to put polluters first and put the rest of us at risk,” said Kit Kennedy, managing director for power at the Natural Resources Defense Council. “What’s next, a taxpayer bailout to build new phone booths?”
Kennedy and other opponents argued Trump’s directive will lead to increased electricity costs and worse air quality. “The best thing for the air, the climate and our utility bills is to let these plants retire peacefully,” she stated.
While coal previously supplied over half of America’s electricity generation, its portion fell to roughly 15% in 2024, declining from approximately 45% in 2010. Natural gas currently accounts for about 43% of U.S. electricity, with nuclear power and renewable sources like wind, solar and hydroelectric providing the balance.
American coal shipments overseas decreased during Trump’s second term’s first year, primarily because fewer exports went to China following its retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods in response to Trump’s broad tariff policies, the Energy Information Administration reported. While worldwide coal consumption reached historic highs recently, the International Energy Agency expects demand to level off or drop in upcoming years.
U.S. companies face challenges expanding into new markets due to abundant coal reserves worldwide.
Trump plans to utilize the Defense Production Act, a 1950 statute providing presidents extensive powers over industries related to national security.
The major carrier American Airlines has announced it will halt certain flight routes during the summer months as escalating jet fuel prices continue to put financial pressure on airlines during the ongoing conflict with Iran.
The Texas-based carrier released a statement explaining that service adjustments would affect certain routes during August and September. Passengers whose travel plans are disrupted will receive options for alternate flights or full refunds. The airline pointed to rising fuel expenses as the reason for these modifications, noting that similar adjustments are happening throughout the aviation industry.
The company emphasized that none of these route cancellations would be permanent and highlighted its commitment to maintaining what it called an “industry-leading network with more flights than any other U.S. airline.”
These summer route suspensions may add to the challenges already facing air travelers, who are dealing with reduced flight availability and increased costs across the board. Airlines worldwide have been forced to cancel flights or reduce their schedules in the coming months, with many also raising fees or eliminating customer benefits as cost-cutting measures.
The root cause is the dramatic increase in jet fuel prices, which typically represent approximately 30% of an airline’s total operating costs. According to the International Air Transport Association, fuel reached nearly $142 per barrel last week. While this represents a decline from April’s peak, it remains significantly higher than the $99 per barrel price before the U.S. and Israel began their military campaign against Iran in late February.
The majority of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial channel for global oil transportation, has been effectively stopped for the past three months. Although prices have moderated somewhat as markets anticipate the eventual reopening of this passage, the U.S. and Iran have not yet negotiated a definitive agreement. Extended disruption of this shipping route could worsen the energy shortage.
The impact extends beyond air travel, with consumers experiencing higher costs for gasoline, food, and other daily necessities due to these supply disruptions.
American Airlines has not yet provided details to The Associated Press about which specific flights will be canceled in August and September. However, other news sources have indicated that six routes will be impacted, with most departing from Los Angeles and serving various North American destinations.
Six Democratic senators have formally challenged two major tobacco corporations about their political contributions and lobbying activities following a recent shift in federal tobacco policy.
The senators sent official letters on Thursday to Reynolds American and Altria, questioning their donations and lobbying efforts directed at the Trump administration. The lawmakers accused the companies of receiving a “lucrative payday” after investing millions of dollars to gain favor with the president.
The inquiry stems from the Food and Drug Administration’s recent announcement of a new “enforcement discretion” policy. Under this approach, the agency will permit certain manufacturers to market vapes and nicotine pouches without obtaining the required legal authorization. This policy shift could potentially allow hundreds of additional vaping products to enter the marketplace and came after the White House pushed for regulatory changes.
The policy modification occurred following political contributions from both Reynolds, which operates as the American division of British American Tobacco, and Altria, with donations made as recently as April. A meeting between President Donald Trump and tobacco industry executives also took place in May.
“Money well spent,” the June 4 letters stated, claiming that the donations and lobbying activities allowed tobacco manufacturers to bypass federal regulations for selling addictive vaping products, thereby undermining the FDA’s independence.
“But for you and your shareholders, this was a lucrative payday after years of unsuccessful legislative and regulatory efforts to weaken federal tobacco oversight,” the correspondence continued, requesting specific information about donations, meetings and products that would benefit from the regulatory change.
Neither Reynolds, Altria nor the White House provided immediate responses to requests for comment.
Both companies have long argued that FDA policies have contributed to a thriving market for unauthorized devices, primarily manufactured in China. Reynolds estimates this illegal marketplace generates approximately $9.41 billion in revenue.
The tobacco companies have pursued various strategies including lobbying efforts and legal challenges, suspended sales objectives and warned they might introduce their own unauthorized products to remain competitive.
Following the “enforcement discretion” policy announcement, tobacco companies have already revealed plans to introduce new products to the market.
The letters bore the signatures of six Democratic senators: Dick Durbin of Illinois, Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey of Massachusetts, Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Jack Reed of Rhode Island.
Romania’s centrist president has selected his adviser Eugen Tomac to serve as the country’s new prime minister on Thursday, attempting to resolve a political crisis that has halted government operations, threatened European Union funding access, and caused the national currency to hit historic lows.
The previous broad pro-European coalition administration fell apart last month after the leftist Social Democrats, its largest member party, pulled their backing from Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan and aligned with far-right opposition forces in a vote of no confidence.
The government’s downfall, occurring less than twelve months after taking office, jeopardized ongoing efforts to reduce the European Union’s highest budget deficit and placed the nation’s investment-grade sovereign credit rating in danger.
The 44-year-old Tomac, who serves as a European Parliament member and heads a party without representation in Romania’s legislature, has been given a 10-day window to assemble a government and secure a parliamentary confidence vote.
His administration will be composed of technocrats, given that political parties have been unable to create a new coalition capable of achieving a parliamentary majority.
“Because parties did not get along, the only possible solution is a prime minister who is independent of the parliamentary parties,” the president told reporters.
The president outlined that a new government’s main objectives should include maintaining a pro-Western position, ensuring financial stability, implementing reforms to secure EU funding, and establishing clear budget plans for 2027.
If approved, the incoming government must rapidly execute reforms to access approximately 8.6 billion euros in EU recovery and resilience funding before Brussels’ August deadline and guarantee continued deficit reduction past 2026.
However, Tomac’s administration will likely face difficulties obtaining backing from a divided parliament for controversial reforms, including legislation establishing standards for public sector compensation.
“(The nomination) is a first attempt, we have no guarantees it will pass through parliament or that a majority has been negotiated,” stated Sergiu Miscoiu, a political science professor at Babes-Bolyai University.
“Even if it is confirmed, it will probably not be a long-lived government.”
Romania’s upcoming parliamentary election isn’t scheduled until 2028. The country has never conducted an early election, and analysts suggest the probability of one occurring now is minimal since the opposition hard-right Alliance for Uniting Romanians (AUR) currently leads in public opinion surveys.
Switzerland announced Thursday it will position approximately 4,000 military personnel within its borders to strengthen security measures while France hosts the G7 summit of world leaders next month.
The gathering, scheduled for June 15 through 17 in the French community of Evian-les-Bains situated across Lake Geneva, will draw leaders from major global economies, including U.S. President Donald Trump, along with additional high-ranking delegations.
Officials from the unit responsible for planning and managing the Swiss Armed Forces stated that the magnitude of the event and its closeness to Switzerland’s border necessitates careful coordination between civilian and military officials. Demonstrations are expected during the summit.
“The proximity to the border presents a major challenge for security authorities in the cantons of Vaud, Geneva and Valais. As a result, the Federal Council and Parliament have decided on a subsidiary security deployment of the army,” the Swiss army’s Defence Group said in a statement.
According to the announcement, military forces will be responsible for safeguarding vital infrastructure, such as Geneva Airport, strengthening border monitoring, and overseeing important transportation corridors and Lake Geneva.
The Swiss air force will also increase aerial patrol activities, implementing airspace limitations from June 10 through June 19, while deploying anti-drone technology and defenses against nuclear, biological and chemical dangers, officials added.
Two major investment management companies are restricting investor withdrawals from their funds as financial pressures mount across private market investments.
Partners Group, a Swiss alternative asset manager, announced Thursday that withdrawal requests from its funds have increased, while Blackstone implemented limits on withdrawals from its main private credit fund. These moves highlight growing strain in private funding markets.
Sources familiar with the situation indicate Partners is likely to restrict a second major investment pool, coming one day after the company’s stock price dropped significantly following news of fund limitations.
The company reported that withdrawal requests at a $16 billion fund based in Delaware hit 6% of total assets, surpassing the 5% quarterly threshold it permits. When this limit is exceeded, withdrawals must be capped, according to two sources who spoke with Reuters.
Partners Group, which manages approximately $185 billion in assets, attributed the situation to industry-wide instability affecting open-ended evergreen funds. The volatility began in private credit and has expanded into private equity markets. Market participants are examining issues with loans made by private credit funds operated by major asset management firms, questioning valuations, lending practices, and how technology companies will navigate artificial intelligence challenges.
Demonstrating ongoing pressure in private credit markets, Blackstone, the world’s largest alternative asset manager, restricted withdrawals from its primary private credit fund after redemption requests spiked during the second quarter.
The Wednesday announcement from Partners Group about capping redemptions represents one of the first indicators of how stress in private credit markets, which typically provide loans for private equity deals, is expanding to other areas.
Numerous newer unlisted private credit funds, called business development companies, use an evergreen structure that provides investors with periodic opportunities to withdraw their money at scheduled intervals.
“Evergreen is a difficult proposition to fulfill,” stated Virinchi Narayan, managing director of Dubai-based Three Pins Capital Limited.
“The best approach for these funds has always been and continues to be closed-ended structures. Easy money and the promise of expanding the investor base has provoked a diversification into evergreen and redemption-driven structures — because investors asked for these.”
Withdrawal periods for major U.S. non-traded private credit funds closed last Friday for the second quarter, with industry observers monitoring redemption request rates closely.
Cliffwater became the first to announce that withdrawal requests at its primary $31.3 billion private credit fund increased to 17% in the second quarter, up from 14% in the first quarter.
Investors in the $79 billion Blackstone Private Credit Fund sought to withdraw 10% of shares during the second-quarter offering, compared to 7.9% in the prior quarter.
Different from the previous quarter when Blackstone and staff members invested to fulfill all redemption requests, the fund restricted withdrawals to 5%, which is the standard limit for these investment vehicles.
“BCRED’s structure is a fundamental feature, with investors exchanging some liquidity at times for long-term outperformance,” the company said in a statement.
Partners Group announced Wednesday it had restricted withdrawals from its $8.6 billion private equity fund after redemption requests at the Luxembourg-based Partners Group Global Value SICAV reached 9.8% of assets.
Three additional established evergreen funds, totaling $9.7 billion and primarily from institutional investors, are projected to experience redemptions ranging from 3.5% to 5%, Partners Group reported Thursday.
The company stated that anticipated new client demand could reach $26 billion to $32 billion by 2026, backed by “a large and visible pipeline of fundraising opportunities across mandates, evergreens and traditional closed-ended programmes.”
This announcement helped Partners Group shares recover partially after dropping 16% to a six-year low on Wednesday.
The decline in Partners Group stock affected European competitors on Wednesday, including Sweden’s EQT, CVC Capital Partners and Bridgepoint Group. In the United States, shares of asset managers Blackstone, KKR, TPG and Ares Management also declined.
Stock prices rebounded Thursday, with Blackstone rising 7%.
A Wall Street investment bank is projecting explosive growth for SpaceX’s artificial intelligence operations, forecasting revenues could climb to $322 billion by 2030 from an anticipated $3.2 billion in 2025, according to a Thursday report from the Financial Times.
The same financial institution estimates SpaceX’s overall revenue will jump to $474 billion in 2030, compared to $18.7 billion recorded last year, the report stated.
The bank’s analysis suggests the AI segment could see revenue climb 388% year-over-year to $15.6 billion in 2026, then reach $34.5 billion by 2027, citing an individual with knowledge of the projections.
Goldman Sachs did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Reuters could not independently confirm the report.
The investment bank is serving as lead underwriter of the offering. Other underwriters for SpaceX’s massive share sale include Morgan Stanley, BofA Securities, Citigroup and J.P. Morgan.
Elon Musk’s company aims to raise $75 billion, the most ever for an IPO, with a valuation of $1.75 trillion, immediately placing it among the top 10 most valuable U.S.-listed firms.
The company publicly set a $135 price for shares in its IPO on Wednesday and kicked off its roadshow today, with pricing expected on June 11. Trading in shares will begin on the Nasdaq the next day.
Despite the lofty valuations, investors are expected to scramble to secure a position in the deal, drawn by Elon Musk’s track record.
However, Morningstar analysts pegged SpaceX’s valuation at $780 billion, less than half the company’s IPO target.
Prospects for the company’s AI business, which includes xAI and social media platform X, were uncertain given unclear economics and competition from OpenAI and Anthropic, according to Morningstar.
The head of Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche delivered sharp criticism of American tariff strategies during a television interview Thursday, describing the approach as ‘blackmail’ and highlighting growing tensions between major economies.
During questioning about a pricing agreement his company reached with the Trump administration last year, Severin Schwan expressed frustration with the negotiation tactics used by U.S. officials. The deal required the pharmaceutical giant to reduce medication costs in America after officials warned of potential steep tariffs on drug manufacturers.
‘If someone points a gun at you and says if you don’t sign, there’ll be 200% tariffs tomorrow, I wouldn’t necessarily describe that as a deal,’ Schwan stated during the interview from an event in the Swiss city of Interlaken, which aired on Swiss television.
‘So in a legal sense that’s perhaps an agreement, but it’s basically cold-blooded blackmail,’ he continued.
The Trump administration has maintained that international companies have exploited the United States by charging American consumers excessive prices for medications, and has worked to promote increased domestic production.
In additional comments, Schwan pointed to protectionist policies from both the United States and China as representing his company’s primary geopolitical challenge moving forward.
Ukraine has announced a significant military aircraft acquisition that will add 36 Swedish-manufactured Gripen fighter jets to its air force fleet as the nation continues defending against Russian forces.
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s announcement in May, the arrangement involves purchasing 20 of the advanced Gripen E models from manufacturer Saab, while Sweden will donate an additional 16 jets from an earlier generation to support Ukraine’s defense efforts.
The two nations established the framework for this transaction through a letter of intent signed last year, which opens the door for Sweden to potentially sell as many as 150 aircraft to Ukraine. Funding for the initial 20 jets comes from a €2.5 billion allocation taken from a larger €90 billion European Union loan package.
The Gripen represents a fourth-generation lightweight supersonic fighter with a single engine design. Military experts classify it as a multi-role combat aircraft capable of handling air-to-air engagements, bombing operations, and surveillance missions. Defense analysts view it as an economical alternative to more costly fifth-generation fighters like the F-35.
The aircraft takes its name from the Griffin, a creature from Swedish mythology, and has served in active duty since 1996 with multiple upgrades over the years. Sweden’s Air Force received its first Gripen E model this past October, and production has exceeded 280 units total.
Ukraine’s selection of the Gripen stems from its specific design advantages for confronting Russian forces and operating in challenging battlefield conditions. Unlike aircraft such as the F-35 that require established airbases or aircraft carriers, Gripens possess the flexibility to use any straight roadway for takeoffs and landings. This dispersal capability makes the aircraft more difficult to target while grounded.
Ukrainian officials emphasize that Gripen maintenance simplicity translates to increased mission frequency. A six-person team consisting of one trained technician and five conscripts can complete refueling, rearming, and pre-flight preparations in less than 10 minutes.
The fighter’s compatibility with weapons systems from various NATO member countries, including American JDAM and AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, British Storm Shadow munitions, and French SCALP weapons, eliminates dependence on a single supplier nation.
Combat deployment of Gripens occurred for the first time this year when Thailand utilized the fighters during confrontations with Cambodia, according to Swedish media reports. Previously, the aircraft primarily served air policing functions, including deployment to Poland in 2025 for a NATO airspace patrol mission and enforcement of the NATO-imposed no-fly zone over Libya in 2014.
Sweden maintained neutrality until joining the European Union in 1995 and remained militarily unaligned until NATO membership in 2024, relying on Saab for air force equipment since World War Two. The decision to develop the Gripen dates back to the 1980s.
In the international fighter aircraft market, the Gripen competes against Lockheed Martin’s F-35 and F-16 models, Dassault Aviation’s Rafale, and the Eurofighter. Current operators include South Africa, Thailand, Brazil, the Czech Republic, and Hungary, with Colombia also committing to purchase the aircraft.
Technical specifications for the Gripen E include a length slightly exceeding 15 meters, a weight of 16.5 tonnes, and the capability to complete turnaround operations within 10 minutes of landing. The aircraft maintains lower operational costs per flight hour compared to competitors such as Lockheed’s F-35.
Law enforcement officers from Rehoboth Beach will join colleagues statewide this week for the 40th Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run supporting Special Olympics Delaware, with the coastal portion wrapping up Wednesday evening in the resort town.
The torch ceremony will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10 at the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand, bringing the coastal segment of the run to a close. Officers from Rehoboth Beach and law enforcement agencies throughout Delaware will take part in multiple events over the next few days:
• Wednesday, June 10 – Torch Run Ceremony at the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand, 7:00 p.m.
• Thursday, June 11 – Ceremony at Legislative Hall, 1:45 p.m.
• Friday, June 12 – Opening Ceremony for the Summer Games at the University of Delaware, approximately 4:00 p.m.
• Friday June 12- Saturday, June 13 — Special Olympics Delaware Summer Games. All are invited to support the athletes as fans.
This torch run serves as Delaware Law Enforcement’s premier Special Olympics event, featuring hundreds of officers who transport the Flame of Hope throughout the state as a symbol promoting acceptance and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities.
Contact: Dover Police Department Public Information Officer Lieutenant Mark Hoffman Email: [email protected]
Details: Dover Police have taken a 16-year-old male into custody after an investigation involving weapons and reports of a disagreement among area teenagers.
On June 3, 2026, Dover Police received reports about a weapons-related incident involving teenagers from the local area. Investigators from the Drug, Vice, and Organized Crime Unit (DVOC) and Street Crimes Unit officers began looking into the situation.
That evening, police found a car linked to their investigation and pulled it over. Officers discovered several guns during the traffic stop, including a pistol hidden on the 16-year-old male suspect and other weapons found in the car.
Police arrested the teenager without any problems and filed several weapons charges against him. Because the suspect is a minor, authorities will not release any other details about his identity.
During the summer of 2020, a teenager named Antonio Mays Jr., just sixteen years old, made a journey spanning one thousand miles to participate in the racial justice protests that defined his generation. The young man reached Seattle while the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest, abbreviated as CHOP, was taking place. Within less than seven days of his arrival, he became the victim of a fatal shooting in that area. Authorities have yet to solve the homicide.
RALEIGH, N.C. — Just three players remain from the Vegas Golden Knights’ original roster spanning all nine seasons. For William Karlsson, Shea Theodore and Brayden McNabb, this marks their third Stanley Cup Final appearance, yet the excitement remains unchanged.
“It’s the same feeling as Year 1,” Karlsson said.
While their inaugural season concluded in disappointment, it established championship-level expectations for the franchise. Vegas captured their first Cup in 2023 during their sixth season. Hoping for another celebration on the Las Vegas Strip, these veteran Golden Knights immediately made their presence felt in the series opener against Carolina.
Both Karlsson and Theodore found the back of the net, while McNabb recorded his first career three-assist NHL performance during Tuesday night’s 5-4 triumph. The Golden Knights relied heavily on their most experienced players to overcome yet another multi-goal disadvantage and plan to continue depending on their leadership.
“They’re calm,” said coach John Tortorella, who has only been in charge since late March. “The foundation of our team, the guts of our team, has been through this before. … Those guys kind of lead the way by not panicking. They don’t say much, they just play, and I think other people follow behind them. I think that’s so important this time of year.”
The Golden Knights’ regular season struggles partly stemmed from Karlsson’s extended absence due to an undisclosed injury. He remained sidelined from early November through the beginning of the second round.
“I learned not to take anything for granted,” Karlsson said. “It wasn’t always just a straight line. Some minor setbacks. But I always have the mind to come back for playoffs, and I’m very happy to be able to be a part of it.”
Karlsson’s return enabled Mitch Marner to move back to his preferred right wing position from center. Since then, Karlsson has tallied six points while Marner has collected 15 across 11 games.
“It’s super fun to play hockey, and I’m happy to be getting a lot of minutes and help the team,” Karlsson said.
The Golden Knights entered this season facing a significant gap on their defensive line, with top defenseman Alex Pietrangelo unlikely to return due to a chronic hip condition. Former coach Bruce Cassidy noted during the ’23 championship campaign that while he recognized Pietrangelo’s talent, he gained new appreciation for his comprehensive skill set.
Theodore has filled that leadership void during Pietrangelo’s absence.
“Shea’s game this season has just added a completely different layer than what we were used to because he’s always been a great puck-mover, always been a very good offensive defenseman,” general manager Kelly McCrimmon said. “Shea has become a penalty killer. He never killed penalties prior at all. He’s on the ice when it’s 6 on 5 against, where in the past he would not have been. And I’m really proud of him, to be honest with you. I think he’s really grown into it.”
Tortorella commended Theodore for recovering in Game 1 after being “spanked” on Carolina’s opening goal just 25 seconds into the contest.
“It doesn’t bother him, and he probably plays one of the better games,” Tortorella said. “He just played. I think it’s a really good lesson for all of us to see.”
Theodore not only netted Vegas’ first goal after trailing 2-0 but also delivered a perfect shot-pass to Brett Howden for a third-period score.
“His vision is unbelievable,” said Howden, whose 11 goals leads the postseason. “He wasn’t even looking at me, but I feel like he knew that I was going there and he made an unbelievable pass there. I just had to chip it in.”
McNabb has served as a reliable defenseman throughout his decade-plus career. Preventing goals while defending and hitting opponents remains his main responsibility. He doubled his postseason assist count Tuesday evening, adding to his previous total of just three assists across 15 games in the first three rounds. Theodore joked, “He’s an offensive guy.”
“My partner did most of the work on all of them, really,” McNabb said, crediting Theodore. “But, yeah, the guys made great plays, and it’s nice to chip in offensively when I can.”
While Vegas has acquired considerable talent since their remarkable first season, including captain Mark Stone, top center Jack Eichel and Marner, deep respect remains for the original Golden Knights roster, including Reilly Smith, who was traded away and later reacquired and had been playing until Karlsson’s return.
“They mean everything,” Howden said. “They’re the ones that built this team from the ground up. They built a culture here, starting from the top down. But those guys were here from the start, and they lead the way. They’re unbelievable leaders in the room.”
NEW YORK — An early injury concern nearly derailed Jalen Brunson’s night, as the star guard hobbled to the locker room in the opening quarter with apparent knee and ankle problems during Wednesday’s NBA Finals opener.
His absence was brief, and by the game’s final moments, that early scare was a distant memory.
The 2025 NBA clutch player award winner reminded everyone exactly why he earned that honor, delivering a spectacular closing performance over the last 7½ minutes that powered the New York Knicks to a 105-95 triumph over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday evening.
Brunson finished with 30 points overall, including 13 during that decisive final stretch — personally outscoring San Antonio in those crucial minutes.
“He’s a tremendous player that’s skilled, picks his spots, knows his angles, shoots contested shots without being sped up,” Spurs coach Mitch Johnson said. “He’s a phenomenal player. We just got to keep making him work. Again, he had a phenomenal game. He got going.”
The statistics from that game-changing final surge, beginning with 7:37 remaining and the score knotted at 86, tell the story:
— Brunson connected on 5 of 9 attempts, compared to San Antonio’s 2 of 11 shooting.
— While Brunson alone outscored the Spurs 13-9, New York as a team dominated 19-9.
— The guard sparked a personal 8-0 scoring spree that gave the Knicks a 94-86 advantage, and after San Antonio responded with their own 9-0 run to take a 95-94 lead, Brunson nailed a corner three-pointer that restored New York’s lead permanently.
— San Antonio failed to score another point.
“I think we know what we have to do,” Brunson said. “I think we are a pretty together group. Be able to trust each other and still have each other’s back and know that we just have to keep chipping away, chipping away. It’s just a credit to the mentality that we have as a team.”
The victory marks New York’s 12th consecutive win, making them just the third franchise to accomplish such a feat during a single postseason. The previous two teams to achieve this — San Antonio in 1999 (ironically against New York in the finals) and Golden State in 2017 — both captured NBA championships.
For the Knicks to reach that pinnacle, they’ll likely need Brunson performing at peak level. When he returned from the locker room after his early exit — while not quite matching the legendary Willis Reed moment in Knicks history — it immediately eased concerns for teammates like center Karl-Anthony Towns.
“When we all saw him limp off, we were worried not only because he’s Jalen Brunson but more because he’s our brother and we are a family in our locker room,” Towns said. “But when we were on the court and I saw him walking back out to the bench, it was a relief feeling just to know he’s safe.”
Though many contests during New York’s current winning streak have been dominant victories, several have featured gutsy rallies from significant deficits. Wednesday marked the third playoff game where the Knicks overcame a double-digit disadvantage to claim victory. They previously erased a 22-point deficit in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against Cleveland, overcame a 12-point hole in Game 3 of the East semifinals versus Philadelphia, and now battled back from 14 points down against the Spurs.
“It’s a position we obviously don’t want to be in but it’s always a next-play mentality,” Brunson said. “We have to control the things that we can control and our team is going to go on runs. Things are going to happen and somehow we bounce back. We continue to find a way and just kind of keep chipping away. We knew one play was not going to bring us all the way back but we just kept chipping away.”
WASHINGTON — John Bolton, who previously served as national security adviser in the Trump administration, has reached a plea agreement with federal prosecutors that will allow him to admit guilt to one charge of keeping classified information while potentially avoiding incarceration, according to a source with knowledge of the arrangement announced Thursday.
The plea bargain would settle criminal charges brought in October that accused Bolton of 18 separate violations involving either keeping or sharing classified materials, including personal notes resembling diary entries from his government service that authorities say he gave to family members while working on a book about his White House experience.
According to the source, who requested anonymity because the agreement hasn’t been publicly announced, Bolton would pay a $2.25 million penalty under the deal. While any jail term would be limited to five years maximum, the arrangement provides a path for him to serve no time in prison, though final sentencing decisions rest with the judge.
Bolton joins several other Trump critics who have faced prosecution during the past year under the Republican administration. Federal agents brought the investigation into public attention in August when they executed search warrants at Bolton’s Maryland residence and workplace.
A veteran figure in Republican national security policy known for his aggressive stance on projecting American strength, Bolton worked in Trump’s first term for over a year before his dismissal in 2019, after which he released a book critical of the former president.
The administration attempted without success to prevent publication of “The Room Where it Happened,” arguing the book could expose classified materials. The plea agreement Bolton will accept relates to notes he provided to family members rather than content from his published work.
Court records show a rearraignment hearing, which commonly indicates a plea deal, is set for June 26 at the federal courthouse in Greenbelt, Maryland.
The Justice Department has not provided any statement regarding the matter.
WASHINGTON — The nation’s highest court delivered an 8-1 ruling Thursday supporting federal regulators’ authority to enforce data privacy regulations against major telecommunications firms.
The decision preserved a crucial enforcement mechanism for the Federal Communications Commission, while telecom companies secured a regulatory concession from the Republican administration that may alter the oversight environment.
Verizon and AT&T had contested a total of $100 million in fines levied after regulators found the corporations inadequately protected customer location information.
The telecommunications giants contended the FCC’s procedures violated constitutional standards by providing insufficient opportunities for them to present their defense before a jury.
While the administration supported the penalties as a vital regulatory mechanism, officials also indicated companies wouldn’t need to immediately remit the fines, representing a regulatory adjustment favoring the corporations.
The high court concurred with this approach.
“The orders at issue did not settle the carriers’ legal obligations because, stated simply, they did not create an obligation to pay,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the majority.
Justice Clarence Thomas dissented, saying he would have gone further on limiting the agency’s power.
Similar enforcement procedures are employed by other agencies, meaning a comprehensive win for AT&T and Verizon might have created broader implications, according to advocates.
The Supreme Court’s conservative majority has previously moved to restrict federal agency authority, including reversing a long-standing precedent that favored regulators in legal proceedings and removing another agency’s significant tool for combating securities violations.
The nation’s highest court delivered a unanimous decision Thursday strengthening the Securities and Exchange Commission’s power to force fraudsters to return profits from illegal stock schemes.
The justices ruled against Ongkaruck Sripetch, a Los Angeles resident who served 21 months behind bars after admitting guilt for peddling unregistered securities in a penny stock operation. Sripetch had fought a judicial order requiring him to surrender more than $3 million in profits plus interest.
The central question before the court was whether securities regulators must demonstrate that specific investors suffered financial losses from purchasing the fraudulent stocks. The high court determined they do not need such proof.
The court found it sufficient to demonstrate that Sriptech profited from unlawful deals and that “an investor may qualify as a victim of an offender’s wrongdoing entitled to compensation,” Justice Neil Gorsuch explained in the court’s opinion.
Court documents show Sripetch participated in fraudulent activities across at least 20 penny stock enterprises, according to Gorsuch’s writing. Several involved “pump and dump” tactics, where Sripetch and accomplices purchased shares, artificially inflated their value through promotion, then quickly sold them for profit, Gorsuch detailed.
Current federal statutes and previous high court decisions allow the SEC to demand disgorgement up to the total amount of unlawfully earned profits in securities fraud matters. When practical, these recovered funds typically go back to affected investors.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is experiencing a sharp decline in political support from voters in northern Israel, where Hezbollah attacks have been most intense, according to a recent survey that could influence his approach to the Lebanon conflict ahead of upcoming elections.
A ceasefire deal reached Wednesday between Israel and Lebanon may not satisfy what northern residents are seeking from their leadership.
The survey conducted in May by Agam Labs at Israel’s Hebrew University, exclusively provided to Reuters, revealed that northern residents are turning away from Netanyahu’s Likud party at a faster rate than voters in other regions and are more critical of his war strategy in Lebanon.
As Iran calls for Israel to halt its military operations as part of any peace agreement it would support with the United States, the polling data demonstrates Netanyahu’s difficult position between domestic political pressures and diplomatic initiatives from Washington allies.
NORTHERN RESIDENTS SEEK HEZBOLLAH’S ELIMINATION
The upcoming general election scheduled by October could potentially remove Netanyahu’s ruling coalition from power, threatening his reputation as Israel’s most enduring political figure.
Although his administration is widely considered Israel’s most right-wing government ever, many northern voters are calling for more aggressive military action, free from U.S. pressure to conclude Middle Eastern conflicts.
In the northern city of Kiryat Shmona, where approximately half the electorate supported Likud in the previous election, eliminating Hezbollah’s threat and its almost daily rocket and drone strikes represents the primary concern.
When warning sirens sound, residents have mere moments to find safety, and local voters interviewed by Reuters expressed their desire for the Hezbollah conflict to continue until the organization is completely destroyed.
“All night there are loud explosions,” said Kiryat Shmona resident Moshe Yifrah, 45, explaining his lack of faith that a ceasefire with Hezbollah would keep his family safe. “Who would we make it with? Murderers who want to kill us?” he said.
Hezbollah initiated attacks on Israel following the Hamas assault of October 7, 2023, leading Israel to conduct an intensive military operation in Lebanon that eliminated most of the organization’s leadership and compelled it to agree to a ceasefire.
Nevertheless, Hezbollah resumed firing after Israel and the United States began a military campaign against Iran on February 28, causing Israel to restart its offensive and capture large portions of southern Lebanon.
Since October 2023, Hezbollah attacks have resulted in more than 50 civilian deaths in northern Israel, based on data from Tel Aviv University’s Institute for National Security Studies.
In Lebanon, Israeli military operations have killed over 7,500 people since October 2023, according to Lebanese official statements that do not separate civilian and combatant casualties.
Many northern voters, including Yifrah, want Israel to escalate its military efforts, which persisted despite an April ceasefire, but believe Netanyahu is yielding to pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to reach a truce agreement.
“I’m not ashamed to say that I voted for this government, but it turns out that the one managing it is President Trump,” said Yifrah.
Trump, seeking an agreement with Iran, announced Monday that Israel and Hezbollah had agreed to reduce tensions just hours after Netanyahu authorized new attacks on Beirut’s southern areas.
Netanyahu’s political opponents immediately criticized him for compromising national security, increasing his political challenges months before the scheduled election.
“Everywhere Hezbollah is deployed it must be struck and the hands of the IDF should not be tied,” said former military chief of staff Gadi Eizenkot, a potential prime ministerial candidate, during a Monday speech.
On Wednesday evening, a new ceasefire agreement was established requiring Hezbollah to withdraw from southern Lebanon.
Netanyahu announced shortly afterward that military operations would persist despite the ceasefire.
POLITICAL OPPONENTS TARGET NORTHERN REGION
The Agam Labs survey found only 23% of northern voters indicating they would support Likud in the next election, declining from the 35% the party received in the 2022 election. Support for the broader right-wing coalition that forms Netanyahu’s government has decreased even more significantly in the north, the poll indicated.
The decline in Likud support is approximately three times greater in the north, which represents about one-fifth of the voting population, compared to other Israeli regions, and roughly 70% of northern survey participants expressed disapproval of Lebanon war management – higher than in other parts of Israel.
“We see a dramatic shift,” said Nimrod Nir of Agam Labs.
“It’s almost a mirror image of what we saw regarding the past elections, with two thirds intending to vote for the anti-Netanyahu bloc,” he added.
The leader of Kiryat Shmona’s Likud branch declined to comment on the party’s decreased polling numbers or participate in an interview.
Surrounded by verdant mountains, Kiryat Shmona had been a thriving hub for tourism and agriculture, but residents now characterize it as abandoned, with many people having departed.
Businesses were closed and a playground stood empty during a Reuters visit this week.
Netanyahu’s primary challengers are promoting aggressive messaging in the north, with Eizenkot making over 15 visits in recent weeks. Netanyahu has avoided the area.
“He should come visit,” said Yisrael Cohen, 40, who previously supported Likud but will not in the upcoming election. “The government needs to see us.”
John Bolton, who previously served as national security adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump before becoming a sharp critic, plans to enter a guilty plea regarding his handling of classified materials, CNN reported Thursday based on information from three sources with knowledge of the situation.
According to CNN’s report, Bolton will plead guilty to a single charge of unlawfully keeping sensitive national security documents and has agreed to pay fines exceeding $2 million.
Federal court documents filed Thursday show Bolton is set to appear before a judge on June 26 to enter a revised plea in his case. The court filings did not specify what plea Bolton would enter.
When initially charged on October 17, 2025, Bolton entered a not guilty plea to accusations of improperly handling classified materials.
Bolton held the position of White House national security adviser under Trump’s first administration before becoming one of the president’s harshest public critics. The former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations wrote in a 2020 memoir that Trump was unsuitable for the presidency.
Federal prosecutors allege in their indictment that Bolton provided classified information to two family members for potential inclusion in a book project, including his notes from intelligence briefings and meetings with high-ranking government officials and foreign leaders.
The charges, filed in federal court in Maryland, include eight counts of transmitting national defense information and 10 counts of retaining national defense information, all violations of the Espionage Act.
Nineteen-year-old Russian tennis sensation Mirra Andreeva secured her spot in her first Grand Slam final Thursday with a commanding 6-1, 6-3 defeat of Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk in the French Open semifinals.
The eighth-seeded Andreeva dominated the match from start to finish on Court Philippe Chatrier, using powerful groundstrokes and aggressive play to overwhelm her Ukrainian opponent. She will now face either compatriot Diana Shnaider or Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska for the championship.
The semifinal carried political undertones due to ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Following a pattern established by Ukrainian players since Russia’s 2022 invasion of their homeland, Kostyuk declined to participate in the customary pre-match photo opportunity with Andreeva and avoided handshakes both before and after their contest.
Andreeva quickly established control by jumping to a 4-0 advantage in the first set and maintained her momentum throughout the match. This marked the third encounter between these players, with Kostyuk having won their previous two meetings.
While Kostyuk showed signs of mounting a challenge during the second set, Andreeva quickly extinguished any hopes of a comeback before closing out the victory on her serve.
Following her triumph, Andreeva expressed her emotions about reaching this milestone. “I’m still very nervous, very nervous coming to this match as she’s had an amazing season, she hadn’t lost on clay, so that put pressure,” Andreeva explained.
“She’s an amazing player, a tough opponent, so I’m super happy with the way I played. I’m happy I got revenge for the Madrid final, and to reach my first Grand Slam final,” she continued.
“All of these feelings combined, I’ve never felt anything like this, I’m very excited about the last match here in Paris,” Andreeva concluded.
Senate Republicans face a critical decision Thursday regarding President Donald Trump’s controversial $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund during an extended voting session on a $70 billion immigration enforcement bill.
Amendment voting on the legislation is scheduled to start just before noon. Democratic lawmakers plan to force a vote aimed at eliminating what they describe as a “slush fund” benefiting Trump’s political allies, attempting to put Republicans in a difficult position given the president’s recent track record of ending political careers of lawmakers who oppose him.
“The first Democratic amendment of vote-a-rama will force every senator to answer a basic question: should taxpayer dollars fund Trump’s slush fund, or should it be eliminated once and for all?” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer’s office said in a statement.
The controversial fund, which opponents argue would enable Trump to use public money to benefit his political associates, has already been suspended by the White House and Justice Department following strong resistance from Senate Republicans.
Democratic leadership hopes their legislative strategy will damage Republicans in November’s midterm elections, where Democrats are expected to gain House control and potentially win the Senate as well.
However, it remains uncertain whether Republicans will support the Democratic amendment, which needs only 51 votes to pass but would also torpedo the three-year funding package for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol.
Republican Senators Thom Tillis and Bill Cassidy, who recently lost his reelection campaign to a Trump-endorsed opponent, are also planning to introduce their own amendments targeting the fund.
“I don’t want to join with some Democratic initiative, I want this to be led by Republicans for Republicans,” Tillis told reporters. “We’ve got a sufficient number of Republicans who have been very clear that they’ve got concerns here.”
Cassidy has additionally proposed an amendment that would cancel an agreement blocking the Internal Revenue Service from examining Trump’s tax returns.
Several recent Trump actions, including his request for $1 billion in taxpayer money for White House ballroom and security improvements and his appointment of political ally Bill Pulte as U.S. intelligence chief, have drawn public criticism from some Republican lawmakers.
Democrats are preparing additional amendments that would compel Republicans to vote on various issues including IRS tax protections, the Iran war, Trump’s trade tariffs, and immigration enforcement actions, including the deadly shootings of two U.S. citizens earlier this year.
Tennis superstar Serena Williams is making her highly anticipated comeback to professional tennis, teaming up with Canadian player Victoria Mboko for doubles competition at the upcoming Queen’s Club Championships, Mboko announced Thursday.
The 44-year-old tennis icon, who has captured 23 Grand Slam singles titles, hasn’t stepped onto a professional court since competing at the 2022 U.S. Open. Williams and the 19-year-old Mboko have been granted a wildcard entry into the doubles competition at Queen’s Club.
“The Queen is back. An honor to share the court with one of the greatest athletes of all time this week,” Mboko wrote on Instagram, having previously dropped hints about Williams’ comeback following her second-round victory at the French Open. “Even more excited to play doubles together! Tennis is pretty special.”
Williams confirmed her comeback through social media posts after months of growing speculation, particularly following her return to the anti-doping testing program last year. This came despite her previous statements about “evolving away from tennis.”
The tennis legend will compete in London at the WTA 500 event, which runs from June 8 through 14.
Williams has captured 14 Grand Slam doubles championships playing alongside her sister Venus, with the siblings maintaining a perfect record in major tournament finals.
The ninth-ranked singles player Mboko previously described Williams as her “idol” during last week’s competition at Roland Garros.
Dover police have taken a 19-year-old man into custody on weapons charges following a surveillance video investigation that began in the State Street Alley area.
Elijah Johnson was apprehended Monday morning at 11:22 A.M. in the 100 block of South Governors Avenue after officers discovered him carrying a 9mm handgun without a serial number, according to police reports.
The investigation began when patrol officers spotted Johnson on security footage in the State Street Alley area while he was carrying a firearm, though they could not initially determine his identity from the video alone. Additional investigative work allowed officers to identify Johnson and revealed he was also sought on separate charges.
Using intelligence gathered by patrol officers, the Dover Police Street Crimes and Drugs, Vice, and Organized Crime (DVOC) units launched a weapons investigation targeting Johnson.
Johnson has been sent to SCI with a $50,000 cash bond and faces multiple charges including Carry Concealed Deadly Weapon, Possession of Firearm/Ammo by Person Prohibited, and Noncompliance with PFA.
Federal weather officials will release their 2026 prediction for toxic algae blooms in Lake Erie during a media briefing scheduled for Thursday, June 25. The announcement will take place at a press conference organized by Ohio Sea Grant and The Ohio State University’s Stone Laboratory.
The briefing will include expert analysis of the seasonal prediction, examination of how these dangerous algae blooms affect Lake Erie’s economic activity and surrounding communities, plus discussion of response efforts at federal, state and local levels. The presentation will be streamed online and include a moderated question-and-answer session for registered media representatives.
Attending in person: Those participating on-site will have the opportunity to meet with NOAA’s primary harmful algal bloom prediction specialist, join a research boat excursion to observe monitoring techniques firsthand, and witness laboratory demonstrations. Interested parties must confirm attendance using this form by June 19 due to limited capacity for in-person participation.
Joining virtually: Media representatives must register beforehand to access visual materials and participate in questions during the briefing. Alternatively, reporters may dial in by phone to listen, though they will not be able to participate in the question-and-answer portion.
Audio-only phone access:
US: 468-769-923
Webinar ID: 954 0651 1710
Password: 552444
TIMING
Thursday, June 25, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT
LOCATION
Stone Laboratory The Ohio State University’s Island Campus Put-in-Bay, Ohio 43456
Transportation details: In-person participants should board the Miller Ferry to South Bass Island leaving from Catawba Point at 9:30 am to arrive on time for the press conference. Stone Laboratory personnel will greet the ferry and provide transportation to the laboratory for the briefing. A meal will be provided.
PARTICIPANTS
• Rick Stumpf, NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science • Nate Manning, National Center for Water Quality Research, Heidelberg University • Grace Young, University of Michigan • Cal Buelo, US Environmental Protection Agency • Chris Winslow, Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory at The Ohio State University (Moderator)
Motorists traveling southbound on Route 15 should expect delays this afternoon as construction crews have closed the right lane between Route 10 and Bison Road.
The lane restriction is part of ongoing construction work in the area and will remain in effect until 4 PM today, according to traffic officials.
Drivers are advised to use caution when traveling through the work zone and to allow extra time for their commute while crews complete their work.
Three British Royal Navy personnel were killed when their helicopter crashed during a training mission in southwestern England early Wednesday morning, according to military officials.
The aircraft went down in a field located in Devon County around 4 a.m. local time.
In a statement, the navy’s head General Gwyn Jenkins expressed his sorrow, saying he was “deeply saddened to share the news that three crewmembers onboard a Royal Navy Merlin Mk4 helicopter have died after it crashed in the early hours of this morning near Sourton, Devon.”
Jenkins confirmed that an investigation has been launched into the incident, with additional details expected to be released at a later time. The cause of the crash remains unknown at this point.
The Merlin Mk4 aircraft typically operates with a four-person crew and has the capacity to transport up to 24 troops. According to the Royal Navy’s official website, these helicopters serve multiple functions including anti-submarine operations, search and rescue missions, cargo transport, and maritime surveillance.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that the families of the deceased service members have been notified of the tragedy.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the fatalities as “utterly tragic.”
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate kicked off a lengthy voting process Thursday on legislation that would provide funding for President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement operations, pushing toward approval of three-year financing as Democrats have prevented the money for months in opposition.
The approximately $70 billion measure to finance U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol would break through the Democratic roadblock that has persisted since lawmakers sought policy reforms following the deadly shootings of two demonstrators by federal officers in January. The legislation would provide agency funding for three years, lasting until Trump’s term concludes.
However, Republicans must first overcome a series of potential amendments that Democrats intend to propose, including efforts to permanently eliminate Trump’s $1.776 billion settlement fund designed for supporters he considers victims of political persecution. Democrats announced their initial amendment Thursday morning would remove the fund and return the immigration spending measure to committee.
Senate Republicans are employing a complex procedural strategy to bypass the filibuster and approve the budget measure without any Democratic support. Yet it has required weeks to bring the bill to the Senate floor as Republicans worked through multiple hurdles to passage established by Trump and the White House — including a $1 billion White House security proposal they ultimately abandoned and strong opposition from both parties regarding the settlement fund.
“The thing we’re trying to do here is to keep the focus on funding for ICE and CBP,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune stated Wednesday evening, following the Senate’s vote to begin debating the measure. “This was narrow and targeted from the very beginning and clean, and we’re trying to maintain it that way.”
However, it remains uncertain whether Republicans will possess sufficient votes to defeat the Democratic amendments. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced this week that the fund would not proceed, and numerous GOP senators said Wednesday they were pleased with his statements.
Nevertheless, Trump, who has disagreed with Senate Republicans recently, created fresh uncertainty about the settlement’s fate Wednesday afternoon when he informed reporters that the settlement is “very important” and stated “I don’t know” whether it is terminated or postponed.
“I’d have to ask the lawyers,” he stated.
To advance legislation through the budget procedure known as reconciliation, the Senate must first conduct an extended series of votes. Democrats are utilizing that mechanism to attempt banning the settlement through law — and also defeating the immigration spending bill.
Following Trump’s remarks about the fund, Schumer wrote on X that “this is EXACTLY why” Democrats would be compelling votes to prohibit it.
Several Republicans also intended to formalize Blanche’s commitment in writing. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., has indicated he will propose an amendment to prevent any effort at reviving the fund.
“We’ve got a sufficient number of Republicans who have been very clear they’ve got concerns there,” Tillis said.
Democrats argue any funding legislation for the Homeland Security Department should impose limitations on federal immigration authorities, including improved identification for federal officers and increased use of judicial warrants, among other demands.
Following the shooting of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis by federal agents, Trump accepted a Democratic proposal that the Homeland Security bill be separated from a broader spending package that became law. But bipartisan discussions failed, and the DHS funding expired in mid-February without agreement on modifications to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement methods.
Congress ultimately funded the remainder of the Homeland Security Department at April’s end with Democratic backing. But ICE and Border Patrol continued without regular funding, and Republicans initiated a fresh attempt to approve three years of financing for those agencies without Democratic votes.
Progress on the legislation was also slowed by Republican resistance to $1 billion in security funding for the White House, including for Trump’s new ballroom, that was incorporated into the original bill.
Democrats and some Republicans challenged using taxpayer funds for the extensive project, and Republicans excluded it from the final bill when released Wednesday.
Thune said he was coordinating with his GOP conference to attempt defeating any amendments and ensuring he possesses adequate votes for a simple majority to approve the bill in the 53-47 Senate.
“Keep in mind, we’ve got to keep them all together, make sure we’ve got 50 votes for it,” he said.
Republican House leaders said Wednesday they would prefer to complete the legislation before week’s end, if the Senate can finish it. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., said that House leaders were conducting internal discussions about the schedule.
“We just need to make sure everybody’s there,” Scalise said.
Federal prosecutors announced charges against a Sacramento resident who attempted to bring an explosive device through airport security screening at Sacramento International Airport during the weekend.
According to U.S. Attorney Eric Grant, the 49-year-old suspect was apprehended while carrying what officials determined was a bomb capable of inflicting serious damage to an aircraft. The individual also possessed a torch lighter, knife, zip ties and additional suspicious items when detained.
Grant revealed in a statement that the suspect had concealed his face with a scarf and was wearing latex gloves during the incident. Authorities discovered the man was carrying five cellular phones, including one programmed with a 15-minute countdown timer and another displaying a text message from an unknown number stating, “we will be awaiting your call.”
Photographic evidence released by federal prosecutors depicts a cardboard cylinder roughly equivalent to the dimensions of a toilet paper tube, equipped with a green fuse. Following examination by explosive specialists, the device’s powder and fuse components “were determined to be viable and energetic,” according to Grant’s statement.
Grant explained that detonation of the device near an aircraft window during pressurized flight conditions above 10,000 feet “had the potential to damage the aircraft and cause a possible loss of cabin pressure.”
The suspect was taken into custody on Saturday and made his initial appearance before a federal judge in Sacramento on Wednesday. He faces charges of unlawful possession of explosive material in an airport.
Defense attorney Meghan McLoughlin, representing the accused, told The Associated Press in a Thursday email that “there is often more to these cases than the government’s allegations, and that the criminal process will reveal” her client’s perspective on the matter.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship and Paramount Skydance revealed Thursday they have reached a six-year streaming agreement that will make Paramount+ the exclusive home for UFC’s numbered event main cards in Canada beginning next year.
This partnership represents another significant move in Paramount’s strategy to establish itself as a major destination for live sports streaming, as entertainment companies increasingly rely on live programming to attract viewers and grow their subscriber base in an increasingly competitive streaming landscape.
The new Canadian deal expands upon the massive $7.7 billion agreement reached in August of last year, which gave Paramount exclusive broadcasting rights in the United States to carry all 13 numbered UFC events and 30 “Fight Nights” annually.
The UFC represented one of the first major investments made by David Ellison after assuming the role of Paramount CEO when the company merged with his production studio Skydance.
Through this expanded agreement, all 13 UFC numbered events featuring championship fights and the sport’s top athletes will be available for live streaming on Paramount+ annually. This arrangement marks the end of UFC’s longtime pay-per-view system in Canada.
According to company data, since UFC programming launched on Paramount’s platforms across the United States and Latin America, more than 10 million households have consumed over 100 million hours of UFC content on Paramount+.
The UFC, which operates under TKO Group Holdings, is a mixed martial arts promotion that stages more than 40 live events each year. The company plans to announce which specific events will kick off the Canadian service later in 2026.
This Canadian expansion occurs as the media company moves forward with completing its $110 billion purchase of Warner Bros Discovery, which brings additional live sports programming including TNT Sports’ Major League Baseball and NASCAR broadcasting agreements.
The social media platform Pinterest announced Thursday it will spend $4 billion on cloud computing services from Amazon Web Services through 2031, marking the company’s most significant partnership agreement to date.
Wall Street responded positively to the news, with Pinterest stock climbing nearly 5% while Amazon shares gained 1.7%.
Under the expanded agreement, Amazon.com’s cloud division will supply Pinterest with specialized processors, including Graviton and Trainium chips, designed to support the platform’s artificial intelligence development efforts.
“This expanded commitment with AWS gives us the compute flexibility, hardware optionality, and infrastructure efficiency to accelerate our AI vision,” Pinterest’s Chief Technology Officer Matt Madrigal said in a statement.
The social media company has been pouring resources into artificial intelligence technology, enhancing its Performance+ advertising platform as it faces growing competition from rivals like TikTok and Meta’s Instagram and Facebook platforms.
Pinterest revealed it has maintained a working relationship with AWS dating back to 2010, using the services to enhance reliability and performance across its main operations.
The company, which recently projected second-quarter earnings that exceeded analyst expectations, indicated it will use Amazon’s specialized processors to enhance cost efficiency for its AI operations.
The partnership will enable Pinterest to utilize AWS Trainium technology for advanced language and visual recognition models that drive features such as customized visual search and AI-powered content discovery across the platform.
NICOSIA, June 4 – Cyprus lawmakers chose Annita Demetriou for another term as parliamentary speaker during Thursday’s voting, with the results offering early signals about political alliances taking shape before the 2028 presidential race.
While Cyprus operates under a presidential government structure, parliamentary coalition patterns often reflect broader voting tendencies across the nation.
Demetriou, who leads the right-wing Democratic Rally party, secured her position through support from her own party along with backing from the Democratic Party, a centrist organization that supports current President Nikos Christodoulides, and Direct Democracy, a grassroots movement established by a social media personality.
Following the May 24 parliamentary elections, two political parties that had been backing Christodoulides’s government – the socialist EDEK and centrist Dipa – lost their legislative representation. This leaves the Democratic Party as the sole group in parliament currently aligned with Christodoulides.
A federal regulatory official informed Congress on Thursday that the cash-strapped U.S. Postal Service should avoid bankruptcy in the upcoming year, though serious financial challenges remain.
Robert Taub, vice chair of the Postal Regulatory Commission, delivered written testimony to a U.S. House committee stating that recent financial relief measures have pushed back the agency’s “reported insolvency” by several additional years, provided USPS makes crucial spending decisions. “Given the Postal Service’s severe and worsening financial situation, we as a nation must respond. I do not believe that we can leave it up to the Postal Service to save itself,” Taub’s testimony states.
The testimony highlights ongoing concerns about the long-term viability of the postal agency despite the temporary reprieve from immediate financial collapse.
DOSWELL—With meat prices hitting record levels and protein demand soaring, rural communities are set to benefit from a federal initiative designed to expand the nation’s smaller meat processing operations.
Virginia has the infrastructure to handle the 14,000 head of beef cattle produced annually within state borders, but farmers face significant challenges including long transportation requirements, workforce shortages, and extensive processing delays that impact both producers and consumers seeking locally-sourced products.
After hosting a June 3 discussion with 20 agricultural leaders at The Meadow Event Park in Caroline County, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy unveiled the new U.S. Department of Agriculture Small Processors Action Plan.
Rollins characterized the initiative as a crucial move toward increasing market competition, enhancing local accessibility, and maintaining livestock operations within regional boundaries.
“Why are we shipping these beautiful beef cattle from Virginia all the way to the middle of the country to get processed?” she asked.
Virginia Farm Bureau Federation state board member Barry Bates of Essex County explained that the shortage of local meat processing operations has generated significant scheduling challenges for agricultural producers, with processing appointments reserved months ahead of time.
Enhanced processing capabilities, he noted, “It would be a lot better logistically for the operators.”
The comprehensive package combines regulatory adjustments, service improvements, and financial support designed to help smaller meat and poultry facilities increase their operational capacity and better assist farmers. USDA officials said the plan will work alongside a fourth phase of the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program, which provides an additional $60 million in funding for qualifying processors.
“We are building a food system that works not just for the biggest players, but also for the family farms and the small businesses across America,” Rollins said.
Trey Davis, president and CEO of the Virginia Agribusiness Council, expressed optimism about USDA’s commitment to supporting processors, noting the agency is demonstrating “there’s room for processors of every size.”
Rollins emphasized the program aims to bolster local food networks while maintaining existing safety protocols.
“This is about helping our small plants operate safely, compete fairly, and remain part of a strong local and regional food supply,” she said.
Kennedy connected the initiative to the administration’s wider food policy that prioritizes whole, nutrient-rich foods.
Agricultural leaders and supporters at the discussion, including VFBF President Scott Sink, said the announcement tackles a persistent industry challenge, though implementation will require patience.
The Virginia Foundation for Agriculture, Innovation and Rural Sustainability stands ready to assist farmers in understanding the action plan, which represents another valuable “tool in the toolbox,” according to Whitney Perkins, director of the nonprofit organization that provides technical support for value-added farming operations.
“We will be sure those tools are really working the way that they want them to, and that they’re adequately funded on top of that, because the demand is there,” she said. “We can help producers get connected and navigate the process.”
Visit vafairs.com to learn more.
Media: Contact Samuel Thomas Holcomb, USDA public affairs, at 771-233-3452; or Perkins at 804-290-1158.
Motorists traveling on Route 20 should expect delays this evening as construction crews continue work that requires periodic lane restrictions.
The affected stretch runs between Pepper Road and Fleetwood Pond Road, where workers are causing intermittent lane closures that will remain in effect until 7 PM today.
Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time and exercise caution when passing through the construction zone.
Stock prices for ADC Therapeutics dropped dramatically by nearly 53% during premarket hours Thursday following concerning results from a major clinical trial of their blood cancer treatment that showed increased patient mortality rates, even though the study achieved its primary effectiveness target of extending progression-free survival.
The large-scale confirmatory trial evaluated ADC’s drug Zynlonta combined with Roche’s antibody treatment Rituxan for patients suffering from relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, an aggressive form of blood cancer that rapidly spreads through the lymphatic system.
According to the company’s Wednesday evening announcement, the treatment group experienced 27 deaths representing 13.2% of patients, while the control group receiving Rituxan plus chemotherapy saw only 9 deaths or 4.6% of participants. The company noted that most fatalities in the treatment group occurred among patients who were 75 years old or older.
Guggenheim analyst Michael Schmidt observed that while other measures of effectiveness appeared promising, the elevated death rate in the Zynlonta treatment group overshadowed these positive results.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted Zynlonta accelerated approval in 2021, making this confirmatory study essential for demonstrating clinical benefits necessary for complete U.S. approval.
Company officials stated they plan to conduct meetings with the FDA in August and intend to file a supplemental application during the fourth quarter of this year.
Schmidt commented on the treatment’s market position, saying “The overall value proposition of the combination — which is targeted as a community-friendly & easy-to-administer therapy for patients that are not bispecific antibody candidates — will likely be debated by some investors.”
Zynlonta functions as an antibody-drug conjugate engineered to specifically attack cancer cells while minimizing harm to healthy tissue.
The company explained the elevated mortality rate by pointing to factors including the advanced age of many patients and extended monitoring for adverse events in the treatment group, where participants remained on therapy for longer periods as control group patients frequently switched to alternative treatments early.
Regarding the death rates, Schmidt noted, “While Grade 5 TEAEs (deaths) are generally unfortunately not uncommon in the treatment of DLBCL, most other regimens have single-digit percentage Gr 5 TEAE rates, with higher rates reported due to COVID-19 during the pandemic.”
Military officials in Paris announced Thursday that NATO fighter jets were deployed 11 times during the past week to intercept Russian aircraft over the Baltic region, representing an unusually elevated level of aerial confrontations.
The interceptions occurred as part of NATO’s ongoing Baltic Air Policing Mission, which safeguards the airspace above Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania using rotating deployments of alliance fighter aircraft to supplement these nations’ defense capabilities. Jets are launched to respond to unidentified aircraft or those not following proper protocols.
A spokesperson for France’s armed forces, Guillaume Vernet, suggested during a weekly press conference that the spike in aerial encounters might indicate Moscow’s attempt to demonstrate military strength during the same period it held its yearly St Petersburg International Economic Forum.
“The French detachment deployed on the Baltic Air Policing mission carried out multiple interceptions of Russian military aircraft flying without flight plans or radio contact,” Vernet said, adding that the intercepted aircraft included armed fighter jets, intelligence and transport planes.
These latest incidents add to a growing pattern of military drone intrusions into the airspace of Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, raising concerns about potential spillover effects from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine into NATO’s northern territories that border Russia.
A nonprofit organization dedicated to gun control advocacy has filed a federal lawsuit against two government agencies for withholding information about the country’s top sellers of firearms used in crimes.
Brady has taken legal action against both the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Department of Justice after the agencies declined to provide requested documents and data identifying which gun dealers are responsible for selling the most weapons that end up being used in criminal activities across the United States.
The lawsuit centers on the organizations’ efforts to obtain transparency regarding firearms trafficking patterns and the sources of weapons that law enforcement agencies recover from crime scenes nationwide.
A collaborative effort between New Castle County Police detectives and federal agents has resulted in the arrest of a suspect allegedly involved in drug trafficking operations.
The investigation targeting 27-year-old Dale Womack began in April 2026 when members of the New Castle County Police Department’s Violent Crime Interdiction Team and the FBI Violent Crimes Safe Streets Task Force received tips suggesting he was distributing illegal drugs from a local residence.
Authorities have not released additional details about the specific charges or the quantities of narcotics and weapons recovered during the operation.
WASHINGTON — Weekly unemployment benefit applications across the United States climbed to their highest point in four months, though job cuts continue to stay at historically low levels amid economic turbulence linked to the ongoing conflict in Iran.
Applications for unemployment assistance rose by 13,000 to reach 225,000 for the week that concluded May 30, according to Thursday’s Labor Department data. This marks the peak level since early February, prior to when the U.S. and Israel began military operations against Iran, yet remains at a historically modest figure. Financial experts polled by FactSet had anticipated 211,000 new claims.
These weekly unemployment benefit requests serve as a gauge for layoffs across the nation and provide nearly immediate insight into job market conditions.
Even with job cuts staying historically minimal, the employment landscape appears stuck in what economic experts describe as a “low-hire, low-fire” situation. This dynamic has maintained unemployment at 4.3%, though it has created challenges for jobless individuals seeking new positions.
While American companies added an unexpected 115,000 positions in April, the Iran conflict has created significant uncertainty regarding the overall U.S. economic outlook and employment conditions.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for one-fifth of global oil transport, continues to be blocked. Oil costs have surged approximately 50% since the conflict started in late February, pushing average U.S. gasoline prices to $4.24 per gallon from under $3 in late February. Beyond impacting household budgets, these elevated costs can discourage business hiring decisions.
Government statistics revealed that consumer-level inflation climbed 3.8% from April 2025, representing the largest increase in three years. Food costs have also risen, though analysts suggest they may not yet completely reflect increased energy expenses from the Iran conflict.
A separate analysis indicated wholesale prices jumped 6% year-over-year, hitting the highest level in over three years.
These developments occur while U.S. inflation already exceeds the Federal Reserve’s 2% goal. The Fed chose to maintain its benchmark rate unchanged during its most recent session, pointing to economic uncertainty from Middle Eastern instability and persistent inflation. Most financial analysts don’t anticipate Fed rate reductions in the near future.
Reduced interest rates could stimulate economic growth and job creation, but they typically fuel inflation, prompting several Fed officials to indicate they would consider raising rates this year.
Additionally, the current artificial intelligence surge and necessary investment for its advancement could transform or eliminate certain positions.
Companies that have recently implemented workforce reductions include Verizon, UPS, Amazon, Disney, Starbucks and Walmart.
Weekly unemployment benefit requests have remained stable within a 200,000 to 250,000 range since the U.S. economy recovered from the pandemic downturn. Nevertheless, hiring activity started declining approximately two years ago and decreased further in 2025 due to President Donald Trump’s unpredictable tariff implementations, federal workforce reductions and continuing effects of elevated interest rates designed to manage inflation.
Companies created fewer than 200,000 positions last year, compared to roughly 1.5 million in 2024, based on FactSet data.
The government will release its May employment report on Friday.
Thursday’s Labor Department findings showed the four-week rolling average of unemployment claims, which smooths weekly fluctuations, increased by 6,500 to 214,750.
The overall count of Americans seeking unemployment benefits for the prior week ending May 23 decreased by 8,000 to 1.78 million, matching analyst predictions.
A fragile truce between Israel and Lebanon has been extended through a new U.S.-mediated agreement announced Wednesday, though the arrangement faces significant opposition from the militant group at its center.
The accord between Israel and Lebanon comes following Israel’s most extensive military push into Lebanese territory in over 25 years, and establishes a framework for broader peace discussions scheduled for later this month.
However, the agreement contains several disputed elements, notably the establishment of experimental security areas within Lebanon where the Iranian-supported Hezbollah organization would be prohibited from operating, along with provisions calling for the group’s ultimate dissolution.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun described the arrangement Thursday as the “last chance to enter a final and comprehensive ceasefire.” A previous U.S.-mediated accord from November 2024 aimed at stopping hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, which began due to the conflict in Gaza, ultimately collapsed.
The announcement follows recent events where a major escalation was barely avoided through a separate Monday agreement that prevented Israel’s planned attacks on Beirut’s southern neighborhoods while Hezbollah agreed to stop striking northern Israel. However, questions persist about the current deal’s viability.
The present arrangement expands upon an initial truce established April 17 between Israel and Lebanon’s government.
Notably, while much of the agreement depends on Hezbollah’s actions, the militant organization did not participate directly in negotiations. Hezbollah’s leader, Sheikh Naim Kassem, has instead depended on Iran’s influence in discussions with Washington. Tehran has maintained that any resolution to the Iran conflict must encompass Lebanon.
Kassem harshly criticized the agreement Thursday, describing it as “Satan’s dream in heaven.” He demanded a total ceasefire and Israeli military withdrawal, arguing the deal would destabilize Lebanon and create internal divisions.
“The agreement allows Israel to take in politics what it couldn’t in war,” Kassem stated. “As long as the occupation is still present, then the resistance will continue.”
Israel maintains it is fighting Hezbollah, which it has long viewed as a significant threat, rather than Lebanon directly. Nevertheless, Israeli forces have targeted areas well beyond Hezbollah’s sphere of influence, including central areas of Lebanon’s capital city.
The Shiite Muslim armed organization formed in 1982 as a response to Israel’s occupation of southern Lebanon at that time, and has developed into one of Lebanon’s most powerful entities.
Emphasizing its perception of the group as an existential danger, Israel stated in Wednesday’s joint announcement that its security and territorial integrity “can only be achieved through the disarmament of Hezbollah and the dismantlement of its infrastructure throughout Lebanon.”
Lebanon’s endorsement of a statement characterizing Hezbollah as a threat highlights the widening rift within the country regarding the organization, and Beirut’s attempts to separate itself from Iran while strengthening relationships with Gulf nations and Washington. This approach also risks alienating Hezbollah and its supporters, primarily from the Shiite population.
The joint announcement states the ceasefire “is contingent on a complete cessation of Hezbollah fire and the evacuation of all Hezbollah operatives” from areas south of the Litani River. This river, situated approximately 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of Israel’s border, marks the boundary of a U.N.-established buffer zone from 2006 where Hezbollah is prohibited. Israeli forces have currently advanced well beyond the Litani River into southern Lebanon, displacing hundreds of thousands of Lebanese civilians.
The statement indicates Lebanon and Israel committed to “swiftly advance the creation of pilot zones in which the Lebanese Armed Forces will take exclusive control of the territory to the exclusion of all non-state actors.”
This places additional burden on Lebanon’s financially struggling military to establish authority in regions where Hezbollah maintains significant presence. Lebanon worries that an aggressive approach to disarming Hezbollah could trigger nationwide conflict, while Israel criticizes Beirut for insufficient action.
Israeli forces currently occupy substantial portions of southern Lebanon and have destroyed residential buildings and historical landmarks.
The statement also mentioned that negotiators explored a security structure that would encompass “the dismantlement of non-state armed groups, and the prevention of their reemergence.”
The specific methods for establishing these pilot zones and dismantling Hezbollah remain highly uncertain. Aoun suggested that a series of villages just north of the Litani could serve as the pilot zone.
Lebanon has emerged as a significant obstacle in efforts to expand the separate ceasefire in the Iran conflict. The joint statement declared that “all parties condemned Iran’s attacks on countries in the region, and ongoing activities that undermine stability throughout the Middle East, whether through support for proxies and all other acts of aggression.”
The document also contained explicit language aimed at separating the two conflicts.
“All countries reaffirmed that the future of the relationship between Israel and Lebanon must be decided by the two sovereign governments. They rejected any attempt, by any state or non-state actor, to hold Lebanon’s future hostage,” the statement read.
It continued that “any agreement to cease hostilities must be reached directly between the two governments, brokered by the United States, and not through any separate track.”
This language appears designed to stop Tehran from using Hezbollah and the Lebanese conflict as leverage in its own ceasefire talks.
Despite the initial truce agreement in mid-April, combat has persisted, with Hezbollah resuming attacks following Israeli strikes in Lebanon that Israel described as defensive measures.
The fighting shows little indication of decreasing. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced Thursday that Israeli forces would maintain their presence in what he termed a security zone in Lebanon, while continuing operations against Hezbollah facilities.
The military “will, at this stage, continue its fire and activity on the ground,” he stated. Katz said the arrangements reflect “the reality we have created in Lebanon so far” and could eventually result in a peace agreement with Lebanon and “real and lasting security” for northern Israel’s residents.
Thursday saw the Israeli military warn southern Lebanon residents that it was continuing to strike Hezbollah “infrastructure located in and near the area south of the Zahrani River.” The warning stated that “anyone who moves south of the river is putting their life at risk.” The Zahrani is positioned approximately 30 kilometers (18 miles) north of the Litani River.
ZAGREB, Croatia — At least four individuals lost their lives Thursday when a small aircraft went down in Croatia, according to police officials.
The aircraft crashed in the vicinity of Medulin, located on the Istria peninsula, authorities confirmed in an official statement. Reports from the HINA news agency indicated the aircraft was registered in Germany and had departed from Austria.
Images from the crash site revealed the destroyed aircraft lying in a field, with emergency responders and fire crews working at the location.
A local aviator, Nijaz Delic, described the incident to the Index news portal, stating the aircraft “spiralled (in the air) and crashed into the ground.”
Authorities have not confirmed the total number of individuals aboard the aircraft. Additional information about the incident remains unavailable at this time.
TAPPAHANNOCK—Virginia’s wheat farmers are dealing with substantial crop losses this season after a combination of extended spring dry conditions and unseasonable late frost damaged fields across the state, according to findings from an agricultural assessment conducted on May 28.
During the annual inspection that covered 10 farming operations, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation grain manager Robert Harper reported that wheat farms in the Northern Neck region showed an average yield of 69 bushels per acre, while Middle Peninsula operations averaged 47 bushels per acre.
The assessment marks the 11th consecutive year that Virginia has participated in the regional Mid-Atlantic wheat evaluation, which encompasses farming operations across Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
The Virginia Farm Bureau Federation and Virginia Cooperative Extension coordinated this year’s inspection alongside the Eastern Virginia Agricultural Research and Extension Center. During visits to 10 farming operations spanning the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula areas, grain purchasers, processing facilities, researchers and agricultural industry professionals evaluated crop yield expectations, examined grain quality and monitored disease conditions.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service projects Virginia farmers will bring in 3.1 million bushels of winter wheat during this harvest season. Last year’s Virginia harvest yielded 4.6 million bushels thanks to expanded acreage and better crop performance.
Extended periods of temperatures below freezing inflicted major damage on wheat crops during a critical development phase, according to Robbie Longest, a Virginia Cooperative Extension agriculture and natural resources agent in Essex County.
“At about 28 to 29 degrees for several consecutive hours, you can have very severe yield losses due to floret sterility,” Longest explained. “We had that a lot in this area.”
Longest indicated that damage in some fields is so extensive that harvesting may not occur. Consequently, some producers are considering alternative options for their damaged crops. They are investigating markets for bundled wheat straw sold for autumn decorative purposes or construction industry applications, which could help compensate for decreased grain production.
“You’re going to see harvested acreage depressed even further,” Longest said, pointing to fields where entire sections may instead be replanted into other crops. Similar conditions were last seen in 2020, though Longest said such events historically occur only once every few decades.
The sequence of unusually warm February conditions followed by delayed freezing temperatures created particularly harmful circumstances, speeding up crop growth before subjecting plants to damaging cold weather.
“Timing is everything with wheat, and this year proved how little margin for error farmers have,” said Harper. “You can do everything right—plant on time, manage for a strong stand—but in the end, weather is one factor you can’t control. A late frost like this can undo a lot of hard work in just a few hours.”
Wheat producers are planning to harvest 60,000 acres for grain production throughout Virginia’s 95 counties during June and July.
CHESTER, Va.—A Virginia farming family has achieved a groundbreaking accomplishment in sustainable agriculture, earning recognition as pioneers in the regenerative farming movement.
Alan Thibault hosted agricultural leaders, policymakers, and food and wine industry representatives at his family’s Ashton Creek Vineyard in Chester on May 20 to celebrate estate wines, pasture-raised lamb, and a historic achievement in Virginia farming.
Ashton Creek Vineyard and its sister operation Riverside Vines in Dinwiddie County have become Virginia’s first vineyard facilities to earn Certified Regenified status—combining soil health, biodiversity, and animal care into a comprehensive farming approach.
“This distinction reflects a strong commitment to soil health, stewardship and a long-term agricultural sustainability that closely aligns with the mission and conservation priorities of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service,” remarked Edwin Martinez, NRCS state conservationist for Virginia.
The NRCS Regenerative Pilot Program, which began in December 2025, is allocating $700 million to support voluntary regenerative agriculture conservation strategies. According to Martinez, the initiative “targets a whole-farm approach while promoting soil health, water management, natural vitality and productivity, and the prosperity of American agriculture and communities.”
Thibault, a first-generation farmer, shared his family’s transformation from “linear to circular farming” while facing growing agricultural obstacles. Starting with their initial grape plantings in 2006 and expanding with additional farmland purchases in Sutherland in 2018, the family battled rising input costs and deteriorating soil conditions.
“We really wanted to fix the root cause of the sickness instead of always addressing the symptoms,” he explained.
Faced with overwhelming mechanical weeding demands, the Thibaults brought Dormer sheep into their vineyards three years ago to manage vegetation and improve soil quality. With Ashton Creek’s regenerative certified lamb now featured prominently on their tasting room menu, the family has refined their expanding flock of approximately 100 sheep, introduced beneficial insects to combat vineyard pests, and expanded their cover crop varieties.
Beyond witnessing improved biodiversity in their fields, stronger young vines, and better nutrient content in their sheep, the Thibaults have successfully eliminated synthetic fertilizers and herbicides, reduced fungicide applications by 40%, minimized mowing and labor requirements, cut outside inputs by 65%, and boosted their soil’s organic matter by 400% and carbon sequestration by 350%.
“We’re really excited to build something that we feel can be sustainable for the next generation,” Thibault reflected. “And we’re not going to stop at this certification. We want to continue to improve that organic matter and capture more carbon, be that difference in the climate and community, and produce products that everyone can be proud of.”
AJ Greely, president of the Virginia Vineyards Association, referenced the devastating impacts of the April 21 freeze on vineyards throughout the state.
“Regenerative farming ultimately leads to stronger vineyards—ones that will move forward and flourish despite the challenges we face,” she added. “Now it’s time for the next generation to step up, and Alan is part of that next generation that’s going to lead us more sustainably.”
Serving as co-chair of the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Chesterfield County Young Farmers Committee, Thibault helps guide emerging agricultural leaders from the community level. He recently hosted young farmers from throughout the state at Ashton Creek Vineyard for a VFBF Young Farmers Winter Expo networking dinner.
“A first-generation farmer who started one way but then figured out what was going to work for his operation, and being a pioneer in regenerative agriculture—something that’s still being looked at—is significant,” remarked VFBF President Scott Sink. “Our Farm Bureau leaders are always pioneering, and it’s just great to be able to support him in that journey.”
The small Balkan country of Montenegro has set an ambitious goal to join the European Union by 2028, displaying the slogan “28 by 28 – The Next EU Member” on its national airline’s aircraft.
This nation of 630,000 residents aims to become the 28th EU member state and the first new addition since Croatia joined in 2013. While Montenegro’s small size would make integration into the 450-million-person bloc relatively straightforward, achieving membership by 2028 remains a challenging target.
The country must complete demanding reforms, particularly in fighting corruption, and receive approval from all 27 current EU member states. Despite these obstacles, Montenegro gained momentum last month when the EU established a working group to prepare its membership agreement.
EU officials will meet with Western Balkan leaders this Friday in the coastal city of Tivat to discuss the integration process.
“Montenegro is the most advanced candidate country in the accession negotiations,” EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos told Reuters. “Strong leadership in the country has seen significant steps forward in terms of reforms, but there is still a lot of work to do. Some of the most pressing reforms are… on rule of law and the judiciary.”
The country has undergone major changes since separating from Serbia in 2006. Montenegro’s relationship with Russia, once a close ally providing investment and tourism, has deteriorated significantly.
In 2016, officials accused Moscow of attempting a coup with Serbian extremists, which Russia denies. Tensions escalated when Montenegro joined NATO in 2017 and later imposed sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine conflict, prompting Moscow to label it an enemy state.
Milo Djukanovic, who governed Montenegro for thirty years until 2023 in various leadership roles, described the break from Russia as pivotal.
“Our primary motive is to take control of our own future, which will be European and Euro-Atlantic,” he told Reuters.
Citizens strongly support EU membership, with over 80% viewing it positively according to an April European Commission survey – a sharp contrast to growing skepticism elsewhere in Europe.
“We have a future in Europe, we should not remain a part of the Balkan quagmire,” said Novak, a 45-year-old physiotherapist from the capital who preferred not to share his full name.
Montenegro has made substantial progress, opening all 33 required negotiation areas and completing 14 of them. The country recently finished discussions on agriculture and capital movement in late 2025.
However, critical chapters on legal systems and fundamental rights remain unresolved. EU regulations prevent finalizing other areas until Montenegro meets all requirements in these key sectors.
While the country has launched anti-corruption efforts resulting in arrests and convictions of former senior judges, prosecutors and police officials, conviction rates remain low and problems continue, according to analysts.
Critics and international monitoring groups have accused Djukanovic and his Democratic Party of Socialists of corruption and organized crime connections, which they reject. These groups also cite concerns about press freedom restrictions.
“Montenegro is yet to close the chapters relating to the judiciary, which tend to be among the biggest hurdles for aspiring EU members,” said Mario Bikarski, senior Europe analyst at risk intelligence company Verisk Maplecroft. “Even closer attention is likely to be given to these by the European Commission given the backsliding of several member states on the rule of law in recent years.”
Predrag Zenovic, Montenegro’s chief EU negotiator, expressed confidence the country would satisfy these requirements on schedule.
“When the courts deliver a consolidated track record of results in… verdicts, that will be the final test,” he said.
MANCHESTER, Iowa — The state of Iowa serves as a striking illustration of water contamination challenges facing the Midwest region.
As a major farming state with numerous waterways, agricultural drainage containing nitrates and phosphorus flows from fertilized fields and livestock operations into local rivers and streams. This contamination makes Iowa a significant source of pollution feeding an oxygen-depleted zone in the Gulf of Mexico.
For generations, locals have dealt with polluted waterways. The contamination impacts both community health and recreational water activities during summer months.
Toxic algae growth creates hazardous beach conditions, while sediment runoff leaves water feeling unpleasant. Bacterial contamination, sometimes from human waste, prevents young people from using streams. State monitoring in 2024 found over half of surveyed river, stream and lake sections failed to meet safety standards for recreation, consumption or marine ecosystems.
Despite being inland, Iowa’s character is defined by major waterways like the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers that border the state. The region features scenic lakefront areas and quality trout fishing locations. These water bodies represent some of the state’s limited natural recreation areas.
During a recent outing, Hannah Ray J Childs navigated her kayak through Maquoketa River rapids, using her paddle to lift her boat’s bow skyward. She enjoys performing whitewater kayaking stunts that submerge her completely — these waters provided her with a sense of belonging.
However, waterborne illness has affected her, prompting her to use protective nose and ear gear to reduce exposure. Many people question her decision to enter the water at all.
“People’s first response when I tell them that I like to kayak and be upside down in the river,” Childs said, “is, ‘Ew, that’s disgusting. Why would you do that?’”
While she believes the risk is acceptable, water quality issues have become too concerning for others to feel safe.
Mary Swander, a 75-year-old theater director and former state poet laureate, recalls fondly learning water sports and swimming outdoors during her youth near waterways. Summer meant water play, while winter brought ice skating opportunities.
“I had a little group of friends and we played hooky once, and we all got our swimsuits and drove over to Lake MacBride and spent the whole day in the lake, in the water, swimming, and we had a whole picnic,” she said.
Swander now stays away from water following negative encounters. During one state park visit, the water felt unusual — sticky to the touch. On another occasion, a park official warned her canoeing party against any water contact.
“I was like, ‘Well, what the hell are we doing out here, then?’” she said.
Bacterial pollution represents the primary factor making waterways unusable. Sources include livestock, wildlife and other animals, though human sewage creates the most significant issues in certain areas. Specialists indicate heavy rainfall poses major risks by washing away animal waste — a threat that climate change will worsen — making sewage system improvements and septic repair essential.
Nutrients from livestock waste and farm fertilizers also drive the contamination crisis. Extensive farmland uses underground plastic drainage systems — known as tile drainage — to rapidly channel water toward streams. These nutrients fuel algae growth, resulting in lake warnings and endangering water supplies.
Environmental advocates view the state as unable to regulate agricultural interests effectively.
Minnesota has required protective vegetation along waterways to limit runoff, while Iowa has chosen an alternative strategy. The state depends on agriculture and natural resource agencies, working with Iowa State University, to create voluntary programs including reduced fertilizer application, better crop practices and wetland restoration to decrease runoff.
Farmers also face significant pressures. Input costs have increased dramatically recently, with fertilizer expenses rising following conflict in Iran, according to Aaron Lehman, president of the Iowa Farmers Union, which advocates for family operations and environmental practices.
“There’s a lot less control that farmers have,” Lehman said.
Additionally, producers may wait years to see financial benefits — if any — from adopting improved methods. Requests for federal and state assistance exceed available resources, according to Rachel Curry, an agriculture educator at the University of Illinois Extension.
Someone once described the situation to her this way: Modifying agricultural practices resembles steering a cruise ship — progress takes time, but with proper support, change is achievable.
MANCHESTER, Iowa — On a recent afternoon, Hannah Ray J Childs navigated her kayak through rapids on Iowa’s Maquoketa River, using her paddle to lift her boat’s bow skyward.
The whitewater kayaking stunts that submerge her completely give her a “feeling of flying,” she explained. These waters brought her community and romance — she first noticed her future husband while he was performing kayak rolls in turbulent currents, and he later became her instructor.
However, waterborne illness has affected her, prompting her to use nose and ear protection to reduce exposure. Many question her continued participation in the sport.
“People’s first response when I tell them that I like to kayak and be upside down in the river,” Childs said, “is, ‘Ew, that’s disgusting. Why would you do that?’”
The state serves as a striking illustration of the Midwest’s widespread contamination crisis. As a major producer of corn, soybeans and pork, Iowa features extensive waterway networks. Agricultural fertilizers and livestock waste containing nitrates and phosphorus flow into these systems, making the state a significant source of pollution feeding an oceanic dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico. During the previous summer, the state’s largest city implemented water usage limits while working to eliminate dangerous nitrates from municipal supplies.
Contamination has persisted as an intractable challenge for generations, impacting both community wellness and recreational opportunities during warmer months.
Toxic algae growth creates hazardous beach conditions, while sediment runoff makes water unpleasant for contact. Bacterial contamination, sometimes originating from human waste systems, prevents young people from using streams. Over half of the river, stream and lake segments monitored by the state in 2024 failed to achieve safety standards for swimming, consumption or supporting aquatic ecosystems.
Officials have depended on voluntary measures and financial incentives rather than regulatory requirements to decrease nitrate and phosphorus discharge, yet progress remains well below established targets. Environmental organizations recently filed legal action against the Trump administration, claiming it inappropriately overturned a Biden-era mandate requiring Iowa to tackle nitrate contamination in portions of multiple rivers.
Investment and modest progress have occurred. In May, Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds announced a $320 million funding package for water infrastructure and related initiatives, supplementing the approximately $100 million the state dedicates annually to addressing this issue. Phosphorus levels have decreased somewhat. Improved techniques including cover crops, reduced or eliminated tillage for soil protection, and farm-based installations to limit runoff have grown significantly in recent years.
Despite its inland location, Iowa’s character is influenced by waterways including the Missouri and Mississippi rivers that define portions of its boundaries. The state features scenic lakeside beaches and exceptional trout fishing opportunities. These waters represent some of its limited natural recreational areas.
Childs developed her appreciation for the Maquoketa River while growing up on a neighboring corn and hog operation. She recalls paddling with her brothers to locate fishing spots and exploring waterways with companions.
She currently volunteers to monitor the river for chemical contamination and advocated for a whitewater park in Manchester, her northeast Iowa community, to encourage others to experience the water.
“If we don’t get people invested in their local river, their local community, how are we ever going to ask them to take care of it?” she said.
Mary Swander, a 75-year-old theater director and former state poet laureate, recalls fondly learning to canoe and swim outdoors during her youth near water. Summer meant splashing activities, while winter brought ice skating.
“I had a little group of friends and we played hooky once, and we all got our swimsuits and drove over to Lake MacBride and spent the whole day in the lake, in the water, swimming, and we had a whole picnic,” she said.
Swander now stays away from water following negative experiences. Once the water at a state park felt unusual — sticky. Another time a ranger advised her canoeing party against putting their hands — or anything else — in the water.
“I was like, ‘Well, what the hell are we doing out here, then?’” she said.
While Swander found alternative activities to replace swimming and maintained some relationships, others diminished. The disappearance of gathering places beyond homes and workplaces where people can interact may complicate maintaining social connections, particularly for seniors, according to Philippa Clarke, a University of Michigan professor who studies social environments.
Bacterial contamination plays the primary role in making waterways unusable. It originates from cattle, deer and other wildlife, though human sewage represents the main problem in certain areas. Specialists indicate heavy rainfall poses major risks by washing away manure — something climate change will worsen — and upgrading sewage treatment and failing septic systems remains crucial.
Nitrates and phosphorus from livestock waste and agricultural fertilizers also drive the crisis. Millions of farmland acres utilize plastic underground pipes — called tile drainage systems — to rapidly channel water into streams. These nutrients fuel algae growth, prompting lake warnings and threatening drinking water supplies.
The difficulty of maintaining clean water bodies is demonstrated by Lake Darling, an approximately 300-acre artificial lake providing camping, trails and swimming beaches in Iowa’s southeast region. However, last year the lake experienced the poorest overall condition of any state beach with 10 weeks of E. Coli warnings and six algal advisories, according to the Iowa Environmental Council, which monitors such alerts.
Years earlier the lake was closed, emptied and renovated — transforming its previous brown water into appealing, clearer conditions. Adjacent property owners modified their land to capture runoff, and important acreage was acquired for conservation, according to Bob Shepherd who participates in a dedicated park volunteer organization.
Recently, though, it has faced difficulties, said Claire Hruby, an environmental science professor at Drake University who researched contamination at the lake. Hruby noted several new hog facilities have been established in the lake’s watershed, and nutrient discharge from manure creates algae problems.
During particularly severe conditions, “It’s like swimming in green paint,” she said.
Water quality worries deter people even during days that aren’t severely affected, according to Lawrence Eyre, a tennis camp director and instructor at a local school. As recently as a few years ago, children would complete tennis matches on courts heated by summer sun and, moments later, enjoy swimming rewards in another nearby lake.
However, parents observed that some children developed itchy skin, and algae emerged along the shoreline. Information circulated, and many preferred their children avoid the risk. Now they typically don’t attempt it, Eyre said.
“It does put a dent in the enjoyment of the summer,” he said.
Environmental advocates view a state unable to refuse agricultural interests.
In 2015, Des Moines’ water utility filed suit against three counties regarding expenses for filtering out nitrates. A judge ultimately dismissed the case, ruling that any effort to permit and reduce agricultural runoff fell under Iowa legislature authority.
While Minnesota has required vegetation near waterways to limit runoff, Iowa has chosen a different strategy. It depends on its agriculture and natural resources departments, alongside Iowa State University, to create voluntary approaches including reduced fertilizer application, enhanced crop management and wetland additions to decrease runoff.
The EPA assists states in implementing their nitrogen and phosphorus reduction strategies. The agency emphasized the importance of viewing agriculture as part of solutions and recognizing that progress requires time.
Many farmers also face pressures. Supply expenses have increased dramatically recently, as have fertilizer costs following the war in Iran, according to Aaron Lehman, president of the Iowa Farmers Union, which represents family operations and promotes sustainable methods.
“There’s a lot less control that farmers have,” Lehman said.
Additionally, farmers may wait years to see returns on their investments — if returns ever materialize — when they modify their practices. Demand for federal and state assistance exceeds availability, according to Rachel Curry, an agriculture educator at the University of Illinois Extension. Transforming farming methods resembles turning a cruise ship — it requires time, but with proper support, success is achievable.
Collaboration between the state and farmers remains essential, and mandates would undermine that trust, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said in an interview with the Iowa Farm Bureau.
Others find encouragement in local achievements.
David Thoreson has sailed beyond the arctic circle and around continents — an adventurous life enabled because his mother taught him sailing on the Iowa Great Lakes in the state’s northwest region. He said local efforts to restore wetlands, acquire conservation land and upgrade sewage treatment have maintained lake health for visitors and residents.
“They understand the importance of it, and that’s what drives our economy and property values and multi-generational interest in this place that just keeps bringing people back,” Thoreson said.
BEIRUT (AP) — The militant organization Hezbollah turned down a new ceasefire proposal on Thursday that had been negotiated between Israel and Lebanon’s government, insisting instead on a total Israeli pullout from the region. The rejection occurred as Israeli military operations resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals, local officials reported, while a U.N. peacekeeper also died during the fighting.
In a written declaration broadcast on television, Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem stated that the proposal’s requirement for Hezbollah militants to evacuate southern Lebanon while under attack would constitute “surrender, defeat and achieving the enemy’s goals.”
“What we are concerned about is an end to the aggression, ceasefire and Israel’s withdrawal,” he said. “We did not make any commitment to any party to stop resisting as long as there is occupation,” he added.
The continued combat in Lebanon, where Israeli military units have captured significant portions of the southern region, poses challenges to efforts aimed at concluding the Iran conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passage for oil and gas transport whose blockade has disrupted the global economy.
Iran has insisted that any permanent ceasefire must include Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing upcoming elections this year, aims to continue Israel’s military campaign until Hezbollah is no longer considered a threat. Israeli forces have captured approximately one-fifth of Lebanon since Hezbollah started launching rocket and drone strikes in support of Iran shortly after the broader conflict began.
U.S. President Donald Trump, who received unusual criticism from Congress on Wednesday, has attempted to minimize the diplomatic impasse and the inability of announced ceasefires to halt the violence, stating to reporters that in the Middle East, “a ceasefire is when you’re shooting in a more moderate manner.”
A Serbian peacekeeper lost his life, while two additional peacekeepers sustained injuries when mortar fire hit their position near Marjayoun, a town with a Christian majority that has experienced heavy fighting, according to the U.N. mission, called UNIFIL, and Serbia’s Defense Ministry.
Neither organization specified whether the mortar attack originated from Israeli or Hezbollah forces.
Lebanon’s government-operated National News Agency reported that a drone attack killed a motorcyclist and injured four individuals in the village of Maaroub. The agency stated that air attacks on the village of Sohmor in the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon resulted in three deaths and additional injuries. Air strikes were also reported in other southern regions.
The Israeli military provided no immediate response, though it has cautioned people against entering areas of southern Lebanon where it claims to be targeting Hezbollah installations.
Hezbollah restarted its rocket attacks following Israel and the United States’ unexpected assault on Iran on Feb. 28. Prior to that date, Israel had consistently conducted strikes in Lebanon against what it described as militant locations, frequently resulting in civilian casualties, despite an earlier truce established in 2024.
In the southern city of Sidon, numerous residents responded to the ceasefire announcement with doubt, stating that previous agreements had been unsuccessful in ending the violence.
“Every few days a ceasefire is announced, but people keep getting killed,” said Mayada Hijazi.
“It’s all talk and no action,” said Salah Nassab. “We keep going back to our homes and then we get displaced again, back and forth. We’re very tired.”
During the current fighting, Israeli forces have advanced deeper into southern Lebanon than at any point since Israel’s 1982-2000 occupation concluded. The country now controls approximately one-fifth of Lebanese territory.
The conflict has claimed more than 3,500 lives in Lebanon and displaced over 1.2 million people. The violence has resulted in 27 Israeli military deaths and three civilian fatalities.
The most recent ceasefire declaration emerged from U.S.-mediated negotiations between Israel and Lebanon’s government, which blames Hezbollah for involving the nation in warfare and had attempted to disarm the group before the current hostilities.
The ceasefire proposal does not formally involve Hezbollah and requires Lebanon’s military forces to assume control of security areas in Lebanon where the militants would be prohibited. Hezbollah has previously stated it will only accept a ceasefire if Israel stops its attacks and starts withdrawing from Lebanese territory.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun described the new proposal on Thursday as “the last chance to enter a final and comprehensive ceasefire.” He indicated Lebanon was prepared to implement Wednesday’s agreement upon receiving responses from relevant Lebanese factions, including Hezbollah. The United States — and Trump personally — would decide how and when the agreement takes effect, he informed reporters on Thursday.
The proposal declares that Hezbollah “is not just an enemy of Israel and an enemy of America, but that it is an enemy of Lebanon” and demands its dismantlement. The government has pledged to accomplish this previously but lacks the capacity to forcibly disarm Hezbollah.
The current agreement did not specify when Israel would withdraw from southern Lebanon but stated the U.S. would assist the Lebanese army as it works to establish control in regions where Hezbollah has maintained influence for years.
A senior Iranian general on Thursday restated Tehran’s requirement for a complete ceasefire in Lebanon and demanded Israel withdraw forces to their positions when the broader war started. At that time, Israel controlled five strategic border locations.
“Supporting the resistance in Lebanon is the duty of all of us, and eliminating Israel from the region is an achievable goal for Muslims,” Esmail Qaani, the head of the Revolutionary Guard’s elite Quds Force, was quoted as saying by the semiofficial Fars and Tasnim news agencies.
As diplomatic initiatives have consistently failed, Iran and the U.S. have engaged in combat in and around the Strait of Hormuz, which remains essentially blocked. Before the conflict, approximately one-fifth of global oil and gas, along with substantial shipments of fertilizer and other commodities, traveled through the narrow passage.
The U.S. has struck what it characterizes as Iranian threats to commercial vessels and its own military, while Iran has conducted missile and drone strikes against Gulf nations hosting U.S. forces.
An attack Wednesday on a commercial airport in Kuwait that American forces also utilize for logistics and refueling resulted in one Indian national’s death and injured more than 60 people, including passengers and workers. Iran has denied responsibility for the strike.
Drivers traveling through a busy section of Baynard Boulevard will need to navigate around construction work affecting traffic flow today.
One northbound lane remains closed on Baynard Boulevard in the area spanning from W 19th Street to W 21st Street while crews complete construction activities.
The lane restriction is scheduled to remain in place until 5 PM this afternoon, according to traffic officials.
Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and use caution when driving through the work zone area.
Construction crews will begin installing median barriers along Route 301 in Odessa starting Monday, June 15th, according to the Delaware Department of Transportation.
The barrier installation project will span the stretch of Route 301 from Boyd’s Corner Road to Route 1. Work crews are scheduled to operate during weekday hours from 7:00 AM until 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
DelDOT officials say the construction is expected to wrap up prior to Labor Day weekend. Drivers traveling through the area should plan for possible minor delays and exercise extra caution around the work zone.
SRN News has launched a new daily audio program focusing on faith-related developments across the globe. The two-minute segment, called “Global Landscape,” offers audiences a brief overview of the most important religion news happening worldwide each day.
The program aims to keep listeners informed about major religious developments, changes in various faith communities, and important events where religion intersects with international affairs. The feature is designed to provide quick but meaningful updates on how faith continues to influence world events.
Motorists traveling on Christiana Road should expect delays as painting crews continue work on the bridge that crosses over Interstate 95 northbound.
The maintenance project is impacting one travel lane as well as the shoulder area of the bridge. Work is scheduled to wrap up by 12 PM today.
Drivers are advised to use caution when passing through the work zone and allow extra time for their commute while crews complete the painting operations.
An Iraqi citizen facing federal terrorism charges entered a not guilty plea this week in a New York federal courthouse. Mohammad Al-Saadi faces accusations of planning at least 18 attacks throughout Europe, with most targeting Jewish individuals and institutions.
Federal prosecutors allege Al-Saadi coordinated a firebombing incident at an Amsterdam bank and a stabbing attack against Jewish men in London. Authorities also claim he attempted to target a New York City synagogue last month and shared photographs and maps of Jewish community centers in Los Angeles and Scottsdale, Arizona, with an undercover federal agent as potential attack sites. Al-Saadi reportedly backs Iran in its conflict with the U.S. and considers himself a prisoner of war.
In Israel, massive demonstrations by tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews erupted this week, with protesters blocking transportation routes and igniting vehicles to oppose required military service. While military duty is mandatory for most Jewish men and women in Israel, ultra-Orthodox political groups have secured exemptions allowing their members to avoid service in favor of religious study. However, these exemptions face potential elimination. Israeli government statistics show that while approximately 13,000 ultra-Orthodox men reach military age annually, fewer than 10 percent choose to serve voluntarily.
A recent Gallup survey reveals that American support for same-sex marriage and relationships has plateaued following two decades of growth. Currently, about two-thirds of U.S. adults support legal same-sex marriage, declining from 71 percent in 2022 and 2023. The shift primarily stems from changing Republican viewpoints, while Democratic and independent opinions have remained relatively consistent. The same polling data indicates that roughly four in ten Americans view gender transition as morally acceptable, down from nearly half in 2021. These changing attitudes present challenges for the Democratic Party, which has embraced LGBT acceptance as a key platform issue.
Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston will establish a detransition clinic for individuals seeking to reverse gender transition procedures as part of a state settlement agreement. The settlement addresses the hospital’s previous practices of providing hormone treatments and puberty blockers to help children transition genders. The new facility will offer multiple services including endocrinology and psychiatric care. Under the agreement terms, the hospital must also create a website for the detransition clinic and establish an online donation portal for those wishing to financially support the program.
A major Christian translation ministry has announced reaching a significant achievement with the completion of its 800th biblical scripture translation. According to a representative from Wycliffe Bible Translators, this milestone represents substantial progress in global missionary work.
Organization spokesperson James Poole shared with Christian Today that the current era presents unprecedented opportunities for worldwide ministry efforts. “This is an extraordinary time for world mission. Over recent decades we have seen remarkable progress, with translation work accelerating in many parts of the world. Communities are receiving the Bible far sooner than would have seemed possible only a generation ago,” Poole stated.
The achievement marks a notable advancement in the organization’s mission to make biblical texts accessible to communities worldwide through translation efforts.
New research reveals a notable decline in corporate Pride Month visibility during 2024. According to findings from LifeSiteNews.com, a markedly smaller number of major companies are prominently featuring Pride Month celebrations this year compared to previous years.
The study shows that before President Trump’s 2024 election victory, large corporations typically incorporated rainbow imagery and other Pride-related symbols into their online presence and marketing campaigns, particularly across social media platforms. However, current research indicates only a handful of major firms are maintaining this practice.
The reduced visibility extends beyond the corporate sector. Military services have opted not to participate in Pride Month observances this year, while participation among professional sports organizations has also declined significantly.
A new study from the Pew Research Center reveals that most Americans who regularly attend religious services remain in the dark about their pastor’s political preferences. According to the research, 44% of frequent churchgoers report being unaware of which political party their pastor or other congregation leaders support. The findings show that 19% believe their religious leaders lean Republican, while just 8% identify them as Democrats. Meanwhile, 27% of respondents indicate their pastor, associate pastor, and other spiritual leaders represent a mixture of both major political parties.
The Delaware Division of the Arts and the Biggs Museum of American Art are set to unveil Award Winners XXVI this Thursday, June 4th, marking over two decades of recognizing the state’s talented Individual Artists.
This year’s exhibition stands out as it showcases the program’s largest group ever – 27 individual artist fellows being celebrated for their contributions to Delaware’s arts community.
After its initial showing in Dover, the exhibition will travel to additional venues including the Historic Odessa Foundation and the CAMP Rehoboth Community Center, bringing the honored artwork to communities across the state.
The annual celebration represents 26 years of the state’s commitment to supporting and highlighting Delaware’s creative talent through this prestigious recognition program.
Drivers should expect delays on Baynard Boulevard today as construction work has forced the closure of one northbound lane.
The lane shutdown affects the stretch of Baynard Boulevard running from W 19th Street to W 21st Street. Officials say the closure will remain in effect until 5 PM.
Motorists traveling through the area are advised to allow extra time for their commute and consider alternate routes if possible.
BARCELONA, Spain — The race for Real Madrid’s presidency has intensified as both contenders ramp up their campaigns before Sunday’s crucial vote by club members.
Current president Florentino Pérez, 79, has made Jose Mourinho a centerpiece of his reelection bid, suggesting the Portuguese manager’s return to the club depends on electoral success. Mourinho previously managed Madrid between 2010 and 2013.
On Wednesday evening, Pérez posted on X with the message “MOUcha historia por hacer” (“So MOUch history to make”), accompanied by footage of Mourinho saying “Si” (“Yes”).
Reports indicate Mourinho was already being considered for a comeback before Pérez announced the elections last month. The potential appointment would see him replace Alvaro Arbeloa following the team’s second consecutive season without capturing a major championship.
Challenger Enrique Riquelme, a 37-year-old renewable energy businessman, made waves during a late-night television appearance Wednesday by declaring his plans to acquire Haaland from Manchester City. The show’s host displayed a mock Madrid jersey bearing Haaland’s name as the audience cheered.
“Haaland has a clause (in his contract) and wants to come to Madrid,” Riquelme stated during the broadcast. He also expressed interest in negotiating for Spain midfielder Rodri.
Manchester City responded forcefully on Thursday, issuing a statement that called the Spanish reports “untrue.”
“There is no chance of this happening and there is no contractual clause to enable it,” City declared, adding they were “considering legal action for the use of our player image in this context.”
Haaland recently extended his City contract through 2034 in January 2025, securing one of soccer’s most valuable and longest agreements for a Premier League athlete. The club has kept any buyout clause details confidential.
City’s statement did not address Riquelme’s comments regarding Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner whose current deal runs until 2027.
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — European Union leadership plans to explore new methods for accelerating membership procedures for six Western Balkan nations seeking to join the organization, European Council President Antonio Costa announced Thursday.
The countries of Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro have pursued membership in the European bloc for many years without completing the merit-based approval requirements. Recent EU efforts have focused on promoting reforms within these applicant nations due to concerns about expanding Russian and Chinese influence.
Speaking at a press conference in Belgrade, Serbia’s capital city, Costa stated that “if you want to boost the trust between each other, we cannot create this feel of frustration” regarding the seemingly slow advancement toward membership. Costa clarified this doesn’t mean requirements will be reduced, “but it means how we can deliver together more rapidly.”
Friday’s summit in Tivat, a coastal community in Montenegro, will bring together senior European officials and representatives from the applicant countries. Each nation stands at varying levels of progress, with Montenegro and Albania currently ahead of the others.
Prospective member countries must align their legislation across 35 policy sectors or “chapters,” covering everything from judicial standards to agricultural and fisheries regulations. Opening and closing each chapter requires unanimous approval from all 27 existing EU member states.
The EU has additionally stipulated that Serbia and Kosovo must establish normalized diplomatic relations for their membership bids to advance.
Kosovo operated as a Serbian province until a 78-day NATO air campaign in 1999 concluded warfare between Serbian military forces and ethnic Albanian independence fighters. Serbia refuses to acknowledge Kosovo’s independence declaration from 2008.
Costa explained that “tomorrow the European leaders will discuss with the leaders of the Western Balkans how we can improve our methodology to move forward faster and better.”
“The enlargement is not a utopia but it is something that could be real in the coming years,” Costa emphasized. “For this we need to work harder and faster.”
Costa completed his pre-summit visits to Western Balkan candidate nations Thursday before departing for Montenegro. He informed Serbian populist President Aleksandar Vucic that his administration must strengthen democratic reforms and coordinate foreign policy positions with EU standards to progress.
Serbia faces potential loss of approximately 1.5 billion euros ($1.8 billion) in EU funding if it continues democratic deterioration, particularly within its court system. Officials have also demanded improvements in press freedoms and electoral conditions.
Ukraine and Moldova are also pursuing EU membership alongside the Western Balkan countries.
Serbia stands as the sole European country refusing to implement sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine conflict and continues maintaining positive relationships with Moscow, plus China, which Vucic recently visited.
“We want and we are ready to do more,” Costa stated. “But let me be clear, the pace of progress depends on Serbia’s own resolve.”
The increasingly authoritarian Vucic continues facing ongoing youth-driven street demonstrations that began in November 2024 following a train station incident in northern Serbia that resulted in 16 deaths. He committed Thursday to pursue reforms with “new enthusiasm” and maintain Serbia’s EU trajectory.
Vucic’s trip to Tivat follows Montenegro’s decision to prohibit 87 Serbian citizens from entering the country due to security concerns. Authorities reported the men possessed communication devices and signs displaying “Serbia wins,” a phrase Vucic regularly uses in public speeches.
The purpose of the men’s intended Montenegro visit remains unclear.
MELBOURNE, Australia — An Australian woman appeared in court Thursday seeking bail on slavery charges after a Yazidi witness testified she was purchased, sexually assaulted and beaten while held captive by the defendant’s family in Syria.
Zeinab Ahmad, 31, faces two slavery-related charges in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, with proceedings set to continue Friday.
Ahmad and her 53-year-old mother Kawsar Ahmad, also called Kawsar Abbas, have remained in custody since arriving back in Australia last month from a Syrian refugee camp alongside other Australian women and children connected to the Islamic State organization.
According to Detective Senior Constable Mark Clendenning’s court testimony, the unnamed Iraqi-born Yazidi victim stated that Mohammed Ahmad — Zeinab’s father and Kawsar’s spouse — purchased her for $10,000 in 2017 within Raqqa, Syria, which was then controlled by IS forces.
Clendenning testified that Kawsar participated in acquiring the teenager as a slave, describing this as an uncommon position for women within the IS-controlled territory.
“Mohammed and Kawsar had status and privileges within Islamic State usually not afforded to others that allowed exceptions to their usual practices,” Clendenning stated.
The victim was taken to the family residence where the couple lived with their five daughters, including Zeinab, who became the witness’s roommate, according to Clendenning’s testimony.
Mohammed reportedly told the victim, “I bought you for the purpose of raping and at the same time serving the home,” Clendenning relayed. He further testified that Mohammed presented her to the household saying, “I bought her for sex and to do housework.”
Court records indicate Zeinab’s first spouse died in a drone strike in 2016, after which she wed an Egyptian IS combatant who had sustained combat injuries resulting in the loss of an arm.
Police testimony alleged Zeinab witnessed her father striking the victim and pulling her by the hair down two sets of stairs within their residence. Authorities said Mohammed, currently imprisoned in Iraq, physically abused the witness two to three times monthly in front of family members.
The victim reported Mohammed sexually attacked her “many times” despite her resistance, police testified. According to Clendenning’s account, the witness said Zeinab “did not physically hurt her, although she did threaten her very badly and ordered her to do things around the house.”
Police said Mohammed sold the victim for $10,000 in 2018, sixteen months following her purchase, telling her she was “bad” and failed to follow instructions.
The Islamic State organization has systematically persecuted Yazidis, a Kurdish-speaking ethnic and religious minority population primarily located in Syria, Iraq and Turkey.
The witness testified she was 15 when she became one of 6,800 Yazidi women and children enslaved and passed between IS members 17 times across five years until Kurdish forces liberated her in 2019.
Three generations of the Ahmad family relocated from Melbourne to Syria through Turkey during 2013 and 2014. Police allege Zeinab traveled there with her spouse in 2014.
Clendenning argued that releasing Zeinab from detention would create an unacceptable danger to public safety and welfare.
He noted she had been married to multiple IS-affiliated men and remains wed to an Egyptian IS member whose current location is unknown.
“The accused has never explicitly renounced or stated that she no longer supports Islamic State since her surrender to Kurdish forces,” Clendenning testified.
She faces two crimes against humanity charges: enslavement and utilizing a slave. Both offenses carry maximum sentences of 25 years imprisonment.
For the first time, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed a war powers resolution designed to stop American military operations against Iran, challenging President Donald Trump as several Republicans crossed party lines to join Democrats in ending the three-month conflict that has reshaped domestic and international politics.
At the same time, the Republican-controlled Senate is advancing legislation to provide funding for immigration enforcement agencies. This comes after they compelled the Trump administration to announce it would abandon its settlement fund for political allies and removed a separate White House security proposal from the bill.
Additionally, Trump announced Wednesday his intention to nominate Todd Blanche as attorney general, selecting his former personal attorney who has vigorously advanced the Republican president’s priorities while serving in an acting capacity at the Justice Department.
An unusual attraction has emerged at Bangladesh’s national zoo: an albino buffalo named Donald Trump, whose golden hair and 700-kilogram (1,500-pound) frame has been drawing visitors from across the country since his arrival last week.
The unusual pale buffalo gained fame after a farmer observed that his blonde hair tuft bore a striking resemblance to the American president’s signature hairstyle. Following a viral social media video of the light-colored horned animal, crowds began flocking to the farm outside Dhaka to witness him firsthand.
Originally destined for slaughter during the Muslim festival of sacrifice, the animal was relocated to the capital’s zoo due to security considerations, where large crowds now endure intense heat to see him.
“There is a resemblance to Donald Trump in its eyes, hairstyle, and skin color,” said Mohammed Nasim, a student in Dhaka. “And just as Donald Trump has a distinctive personality and lifestyle, this buffalo, after going viral, is now living a similar kind of life, enjoying a lot of attention and special treatment.”
The president dismissed the symbolic House vote on the war powers resolution as “meaningless.”
However, Trump expressed anger that four House Republicans sided with Democrats in supporting the measure.
“The Democrats are fueled by Trump Derangement Syndrome,” Trump said in a post on his social media site. “They would rather have our Country fail than give me another, of many, victories. The four Republicans, that’s a whole other story – They’re GRANDSTANDERS! They should be ashamed of themselves.”
Bessent declined to specify Wednesday whether Trump and his family would continue receiving immunity from IRS audits following the administration’s decision to scrap plans for a $1.776 billion compensation fund that would have benefited the president’s allies.
“There’s continuing litigation, and I’m unable to comment on ongoing litigation,” Bessent told lawmakers at the Senate Finance Committee hearing.
This response frustrated Democratic lawmakers seeking clarity from Bessent during a hearing supposedly centered on the Treasury Department’s budget. The hearing occurred one day after acting Attorney General Todd Blanche appeared to suggest that the settlement’s IRS audit immunity provision would remain active for the Republican president.
Following multiple unsuccessful attempts to obtain an answer from Bessent, Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., said, “It’s been very clear you’re dodging this and you’re trying to use it as an excuse. It’s just outrageous on behalf of the American public.”
Trump announced Wednesday his plan to nominate Todd Blanche as attorney general, choosing his former personal attorney who has zealously promoted the Republican president’s agenda while heading the Justice Department in an acting capacity.
During a White House dinner, Trump revealed his intention to formally nominate Blanche on Thursday, based on a video of the gathering shared on social media by a White House aide.
“We are going to make him permanent attorney general,” Trump said at the Rose Garden event.
Blanche joined the Justice Department as deputy attorney general and was promoted following Bondi’s removal after her unsuccessful attempts to prosecute Trump’s perceived political adversaries. While Blanche maintained he wasn’t campaigning for the permanent position, his high-profile actions since assuming leadership clearly demonstrated his commitment to proving his allegiance to Trump.
The Republican-controlled Senate is proceeding with legislation to fund immigration enforcement agencies after compelling the Trump administration to announce it would eliminate its settlement fund for political allies and removing a separate White House security provision from the bill.
Wednesday’s Senate vote of 53-46 initiated debate on the approximately $70 billion bill to fund U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol. The legislation faced weeks of delays as Republican senators worked through various passage obstacles created by President Donald Trump and the White House, but they are now moving rapidly toward approval after reducing it to its original scope.
“Right now, the goal is to get the base bill across the finish line,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D.
Nevertheless, Republicans must secure sufficient votes to defeat multiple amendments that Democrats — and some Republicans — pledge to propose for permanently prohibiting Trump’s $1.776 billion settlement fund.
Trump is receiving warnings from both opponents and supporters that he’s becoming trapped regarding the Iran conflict, a military engagement he promoted as a short-term operation but which has evolved into a stalemate.
Nearly a week has passed since U.S. and Iranian negotiators reached a preliminary agreement to extend the conflict’s ceasefire by 60 days and begin new discussions on Iran’s nuclear program, requiring Trump’s approval.
Yet Trump has demanded unspecified modifications to the agreement, and Iranian officials — possibly calculating that he is hesitant to resume bombing after depleting key weapons systems — show no indication of yielding to new demands.
Recent strikes by both the U.S. and Iran this week have heightened concerns that the ceasefire might fail. Trump minimized the importance on Wednesday.
Growing worry exists within the administration and among key advisers and allies that Trump now faces a difficult situation, according to a U.S. official and another person familiar with the administration’s internal discussions.
Wednesday marked the first time the House passed a war powers resolution aimed at stopping U.S. military action against Iran, challenging Trump as several Republicans joined Democrats to end the three-month conflict that has transformed politics domestically and internationally.
House Speaker Mike Johnson had attempted to avoid an outcome demonstrating increasing opposition to the conflict, abruptly halting floor proceedings two weeks earlier when the resolution neared approval. However, dissatisfaction has only intensified as the conflict continues and Trump struggles to negotiate a peace plan.
“Enough is enough,” said Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, who led the effort.
“It is time for the president to do the right thing,” he said. “The people are tired of suffering because of his war of choice — suffering at the gas pump, suffering at the supermarkets.”
A gas engine manufacturing company completed a massive $2.43 billion stock market launch and is preparing to start trading on the Nasdaq exchange following overwhelming investor demand.
Wall Street investors are increasingly backing companies that support artificial intelligence infrastructure, expanding their focus beyond computer chip manufacturers to include the supporting businesses that provide essential equipment for the technology sector’s growth.
The manufacturer sits at the center of the artificial intelligence expansion, tackling the technology’s enormous power needs by supplying energy generation systems to data centers.
“The market backdrop is very supportive for companies building the physical backbone of AI, with investors rewarding firms that can show revenue and a link to data-center demand – including power, cooling, grid equipment, renewables and so forth,” IPOX Research Associate Lukas Muehlbauer said.
“This strong interest also comes from the fact that it is not a speculative early-stage ‘AI story’ but has an established history with GE heritage.”
U.S. buyout firm Advent International carved out General Electric’s distributed power business in a $3.25 billion deal to form Innio in 2018.
The Munich, Germany-based company’s main shareholder, AI Alpine, co-owned by funds managed by Advent and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, sold 90 million shares at the highest price in the marketed range of $24 to $27 each.
The manufacturer produces gas engines under the Jenbacher and Waukesha brands for data centers, microgrids, grid stabilization, industrial energy, and gas compression.
One of the company’s key customers is the German city of Kiel, where it provides power and heat to thousands of people.
Orders for the company’s gas engines have skyrocketed as data center operators increasingly look for backup power systems to minimize dependence on grid limitations.
Artificial intelligence’s power demands are enormous, with generative AI consuming significantly more electricity than conventional computing operations.
The company’s data center equipment orders jumped to $1 billion as of March 31 from $309 million a year earlier. It has secured major contracts, including an agreement for a multi-gigawatt power plant.
“The key for the company will be to show that the growth in equipment orders can continue and turn into long-term service revenue. For data centers, reliability is important and gas engines need maintenance over many years,” Muehlbauer said.
A fresh ceasefire arrangement between Israel and Lebanon, facilitated by American negotiators, has generated optimism Thursday regarding potential diplomatic advancement in the broader conflict involving the United States and Iran, despite lingering questions about implementation timing and methods.
Iran has established a Lebanese ceasefire as a prerequisite for any peace agreement with the United States, and has indicated in recent statements that direct military intervention could occur to support its ally Hezbollah if Israeli attacks in the region persist or intensify.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun announced the newest truce would take effect within a day of approval from all relevant parties, seemingly referencing Hezbollah, which remains outside the formal agreement and has not issued public statements regarding the arrangement.
However, questions about the durability of the ceasefire emerged when Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz stated Thursday that military operations in Lebanon would persist temporarily and that forces would not retreat from southern areas.
The commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force, Esmail Qaani, declared that the basic requirement would involve Israeli withdrawal to pre-war positions, according to Iranian state media reports.
Fighting between Hezbollah and Israel resumed on March 2, when the organization launched attacks in solidarity with Tehran during U.S.-Israeli military operations. The conflict has persisted through multiple ceasefire declarations from Washington since April.
GULF REGION ESCALATION
The ceasefire announcement follows increased regional violence. Iranian military units engaged in Gulf combat Wednesday during one of the most severe fighting periods since a previous truce ended major U.S.-Israeli bombardment of Iran in early April.
Iranian military forces attacked Kuwait, causing airport damage and injuring numerous individuals, officials reported, while American forces conducted operations near the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway, which typically handles one-fifth of worldwide oil and liquefied natural gas transportation, has remained mostly blocked for over three months following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.
Thursday oil markets retreated from previous gains amid hopes that the Lebanese ceasefire might provide Washington and Iran with diplomatic alternatives to continued warfare.
U.S. President Donald Trump, facing pressure to reduce fuel costs, hinted at possible negotiation progress with Iran potentially occurring this weekend.
“If it happens, it could happen over the weekend,” Trump told reporters in the White House’s Oval Office on Wednesday, without elaborating on what he expected to happen within that timeframe.
Trump mentioned that negotiating parties were attempting to separate strait reopening issues from the Lebanese conflict.
IRAN DISPUTES KUWAIT AIRPORT TARGETING
Wednesday’s Kuwait attacks damaged airport infrastructure and diplomatic facilities, resulting in one death and over 60 injuries, according to Kuwaiti officials and state media.
Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards denied targeting Kuwait’s airport and attributed the damage to failed U.S. interceptor missiles that missed their intended targets, Iranian state media reported. American military officials stated Iranian drones deliberately targeted the airport.
Iranian media reported Revolutionary Guards also struck U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain and an American airbase. U.S. Central Command rejected claims its installations were hit and said Iranian ballistic missiles failed to reach regional targets.
CENTCOM announced conducting new “defensive strikes” in southern Iran, targeting missile launch facilities and Iranian vessels attempting mine deployment, and executing strikes on Qeshm Island near the strait following attempted Iranian attacks.
IRAN ESTABLISHES PEACE CONDITIONS
Last week, Iran and the United States indicated movement toward a preliminary agreement to end hostilities and reopen the strait, though both nations have yet to finalize the arrangement, which would defer more complicated negotiations.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei stated Thursday that Iran’s adversaries had suffered battlefield defeats and were now attempting to create internal discord.
“In order to confront these plans, everyone must be patient, clear-minded, maintain unity, harmony, mutual trust, and not be in agreement with the enemy,” he said in a message read on his behalf during ceremonies marking the anniversary of the death of the Islamic Republic’s founder, Ruhollah Khomeini.
Khamenei has not appeared publicly since succeeding his father, who died in an airstrike at the war’s beginning.
Beyond Tehran’s requirement for Lebanese fighting to cease, Iran also seeks access to billions in oil revenue, sanctions waivers on crude exports, elimination of U.S. port blockades, and strait control.
Trump has identified preventing Iranian nuclear weapons acquisition as his primary objective. Iran maintains its atomic program serves peaceful purposes.
A deadly aircraft accident occurred Thursday in Croatia’s northwestern Istria region, claiming multiple lives when a small plane went down close to the Adriatic coastal town of Medulin, according to reports from the state news agency Hina citing local police sources.
Preliminary reports indicate that four individuals were discovered deceased at the crash site, while rescue teams continue their search efforts for two additional people who remain unaccounted for.
Authorities from the Istrian police department were not immediately accessible for official statements regarding the incident.
Emergency response teams, law enforcement officers, and fire department personnel have been deployed to the crash location, as reported by Hina.
The aircraft had departed from Germany prior to the fatal accident, according to information published by the Index.hr news portal.
Violence erupted in Brussels on Thursday when demonstrators protesting proposed changes to the education system clashed with law enforcement officers.
Local authorities used social media to warn residents to stay away from the area surrounding the capital’s main train station. News crews on the scene documented damage including vandalized bicycles and destroyed street signs scattered across the area.
The protests targeted reforms proposed by Belgium’s French Community government, which manages education conducted in French. Under the plan, yearly costs for university students would rise to approximately €1,100 ($1,280.18) from the current €835. Additionally, high school teachers would be required to work two extra hours in the classroom each week.
Lawmakers in the French Community parliament are scheduled to consider these budget-reduction proposals in a vote scheduled for later Thursday.
Coca-Cola’s chief financial officer addressed investor concerns about shifting consumer spending patterns during a Thursday industry conference, explaining how the company is modifying its approach to maintain product accessibility and attractiveness amid varying demand across different economic segments.
CFO John Murphy spoke at the Deutsche Bank consumer conference in Paris, where he discussed the beverage company’s response to ongoing geopolitical tensions. The company, which increased its yearly earnings forecast in April, described its handling of disruptions from the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran as proceeding “not perfectly well, but without fear, without trepidation.”
Murphy expressed uncertainty about future developments in the region, telling attendees that “The outlook… of the Middle East situation is still not clear.” He emphasized that the situation “is going to be a topic on all of our agenda as we go into 2027.”
The beverage manufacturer is implementing a diverse strategy involving various package sizes, product formats and pricing tiers to serve different consumer segments. This approach includes both smaller, budget-friendly single-serving products and larger premium options designed to maintain affordability for cost-conscious customers.
Financial reports from leading U.S. retail companies indicate that while consumers continue showing strength, their purchasing decisions have become more selective due to increased fuel expenses related to the Iran conflict and ongoing inflation pressures.
Murphy reinforced this assessment, warning that “the narrative on the consumer being resilient is a nuanced narrative… because they’re not all the same.”
The CFO specifically highlighted challenges facing certain portions of Coca-Cola’s customer base, particularly individuals with annual incomes ranging from $50,000 to $60,000. He noted that “we have segments… that are under pressure, and we have a choice to stay relevant with them or not.”
“The math is pretty obvious. It doesn’t work… they just don’t have the purchasing power,” Murphy explained.
Company stock showed positive movement in early trading, rising approximately 1.5% before market opening.
Motorists traveling on Foulk Road are experiencing traffic delays today as construction crews have shut down the right lane in the southbound direction.
The lane closure affects the stretch of roadway between Chatham Drive and Silverside Road, with work expected to continue until 3:30 PM this afternoon.
Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time and exercise caution when passing through the construction zone.
Drivers traveling north on Route 1 should expect delays due to an active construction zone that has eliminated one lane of traffic.
The right lane remains blocked between West James Street and Delaware Avenue as crews continue their work. Officials indicate the lane restriction will stay in place through 4 PM today.
Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and exercise caution when passing through the construction area.
Drivers traveling north on Route 1 should expect delays due to a lane restriction currently in effect between West James Street and Delaware Avenue.
The right lane closure is the result of ongoing construction work in the area. Traffic officials indicate the lane will remain closed until 4 PM today.
Motorists are advised to plan for additional travel time and use caution when driving through the construction zone.
Motorists traveling on Elderon Drive should plan for potential delays as construction crews continue work in the area.
The Delaware Department of Transportation reports that intermittent lane restrictions are currently in effect on Elderon Drive at the loop location. The construction-related closures are expected to remain in place until 6PM today.
Drivers are advised to use caution when traveling through the work zone and allow extra time for their commute. Traffic may experience periodic delays as lanes are temporarily closed to accommodate the construction activities.
The celebrated Iranian-French artist Marjane Satrapi, known globally for her groundbreaking work advocating women’s rights, has passed away at the age of 56, according to an announcement from France’s presidential office on Thursday.
“Her passing marks the loss of a leading figure of French culture and an artist devoted to freedom, whose work carried a universal message and earned her immense international acclaim,” officials from the French presidency stated.
President Emmanuel Macron and his wife “pay tribute to a remarkable artist who transformed an Iranian childhood into a universal fable,” the official statement continued.
French news outlet BFM TV and additional media sources indicated that Satrapi “died of sadness” approximately one year following the passing of her spouse, Swedish film producer and actor Mattias Ripa, based on reports from individuals close to the artist.
The French Academy of Fine Arts, where she held membership, shared their profound grief through a social media post, honoring “a passionate advocate for cinema and film education” who recently established a foundation to assist international students pursuing film studies in Paris.
Satrapi gained worldwide recognition for her black-and-white autobiographical graphic novel and subsequent film “Persepolis,” which chronicles a young woman’s experiences during Iran’s Islamic Revolution.
“Persepolis” earned the Film Critics Grand Prix at Cannes in 2007 and received the César Award for Best Adapted Screenplay in 2008, while also securing a nomination for Best Animated Feature at the 2008 Academy Awards.
The story, which chronicles her experiences growing up in Tehran as the strong-willed child of intellectual Marxists, serves to show that Iranians share common humanity with people everywhere, Satrapi explained to The Associated Press during a 2007 Cannes interview.
“What we wanted to say is, if these people scare you, look closer: They have parents, they have lovers, they have hope, they have stories,” she explained.
Iranian officials objected to the film’s Cannes screening at the time, submitting a formal complaint to the French Embassy in Tehran.
Born November 22, 1969, in Rasht, Iran, Satrapi was sent by her family to Vienna, Austria, in 1983 to complete her education due to rising extremism following the 1979 Revolution that brought Ayatollah Khomeini into power.
However, Satrapi found Austria unwelcoming and longed for her family, prompting her return to Iran in 1989 to study at Tehran University, where she completed a degree in visual communications.
Upon graduation, Satrapi determined she was prepared to depart Iran and embrace the opportunities her parents had urgently wanted to provide her ten years earlier. She relocated to France in 1994, studying in Strasbourg before settling in Paris.
Her additional graphic works include “Broderies” (“Embroideries”) and “Poulet aux prunes” (“Chicken with plums”), with the latter also becoming a film. Her directorial portfolio encompasses multiple projects including “La Bande des Jotas” (“The Gang of Jotas”) and “Radioactive” (“Madame Curie”), a biographical work about Polish scientist Marie Curie.
In 2023, Satrapi collaborated with fellow artists and scholars on the publication “Femme, vie, liberté” (“Woman, Life, Freedom”) to document the uprisings in Iran following Mahsa Amini’s death in 2022 by the “morality police.” The publication condemns the oppression and human rights violations endured by Iranian society, particularly women, under the current Iranian government, according to the foundation.
Satrapi joined the French Academy of Fine Arts as a member in 2024. She was also presented with France’s highest honor, the Legion of Honor, that year but refused the recognition, stating France wasn’t adequately supporting Iranians fighting for democratic freedoms.
“Supporting the women’s revolution in Iran cannot be reduced to photos or speeches,” she stated in a January 2025 correspondence to French officials. “When people are fighting for democracy, we should support them.”
In 2024, Satrapi received the Princess of Asturias Foundation award in Spain for communication and humanities. The institution recognized her as “an essential voice in the defense of human rights and freedom,” with judges calling her “a symbol of civic engagement led by women.”
Satrapi’s husband passed away in April 2025 at age 53. Her Instagram account contained only one final post among her previous content: “Because I have lost the love of my life.”
WASHINGTON — Federal officials have shifted their approach toward higher education, moving away from targeting individual campuses to proposing sweeping regulatory changes that would impact universities across the nation.
Over the past year, the administration launched numerous investigations into college campuses and threatened to withdraw federal funding from institutions that didn’t align with the Republican president’s political objectives. Now, officials are pursuing broader regulatory reforms that would affect thousands of schools simultaneously.
“We’re coming over the higher education system and course correcting,” Nicholas Kent, undersecretary for the Education Department, told the Associated Press. He explained that unlike probes focusing on specific campuses, this new strategy has the capability “to affect 6,000 institutions.”
This tactical change follows court decisions that prevented the administration from implementing severe financial penalties against Harvard and the University of California, Los Angeles. The shift also comes after numerous civil rights attorneys who typically oversee university investigations left their positions. Despite these setbacks, the president continues his effort to eliminate what he describes as “wokeness” run amok in academia.
The regulatory approach targets similar issues previously addressed through investigations, including diversity, equity and inclusion programs, transgender athletes, antisemitism, and various practices viewed as anti-white discrimination.
A new Education Department proposal would restructure the accreditation system that determines which colleges qualify for federal funding. The plan would mandate that accreditors ensure colleges maintain “intellectual diversity,” which represents a coded request for increased conservative representation.
Higher education officials express concern about a proposal from the Office of Management and Budget requiring agencies to confirm federal grants “advance the President’s policy priorities.” Officials would verify grants aren’t supporting DEI initiatives, “anti-American values,” or anything rejecting “the sex binary in humans,” according to last week’s proposal. An OMB spokesperson stated the rule promotes transparency.
The General Services Administration has proposed another rule requiring federal grant recipients, including universities and their contractors, to verify they don’t maintain DEI policies the administration considers illegal.
The Education Department has introduced at least 11 new proposed regulations, including one designed to “streamline the process” for reducing funding to schools violating the administration’s civil rights law interpretations.
Creating federal regulations involves months of bureaucratic debate and procedures. However, unlike previous strategies that pushed presidential authority limits, the rulemaking process represents an established method for implementing federal policy without congressional approval.
Some higher education leaders view this change positively. Ted Mitchell, president of the American Council on Education representing college and university presidents, said the new approach allows for dialogue, unlike last year’s confrontational tactics.
“We’re playing a game that has rules and referees, and that’s good,” said Mitchell, a former Education Department official under President Barack Obama, a Democrat. “It gives us an opportunity to talk about where we might agree with the administration. That was impossible to do when these were just straight-on attacks.”
Meanwhile, the Education and Justice departments have announced fewer higher education investigations, releasing statements about roughly a dozen at U.S. universities this year. During the same period last year, they announced more than 70, according to AP analysis. The precise number of new investigations remains unclear since a public database hasn’t been updated since January 2025.
Kent stated the Education Department will continue opening investigations when necessary, describing it as using a “scalpel to cut out the bad.” He noted that colleges have begun complying with the administration’s priorities.
“Folks realize that it’s a new day and that we’re paying attention,” Kent said.
Most investigations launched last year remain active. The White House reached agreements with Columbia, Brown, and several other institutions, but most cases remain unresolved without public updates for months.
Catherine Lhamon, who directed the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights under President Joe Biden, a Democrat, characterized the investigation surge as “performance art” that attracted attention but achieved little impact. She believes the administration is retreating after facing school resistance.
“It stopped putting itself in a position to lose,” said Lhamon, who currently leads the Edley Center on Law and Democracy at the University of California, Berkeley.
However, some conflicts have escalated. The White House has intensified battles with Harvard and UCLA after federal judges prevented the administration from eliminating research funding from these campuses.
The Justice Department has filed four lawsuits against Harvard and UCLA since February, claiming both institutions permitted antisemitism and that Harvard withheld admissions data requested by the administration. Leadership at both universities maintains they have actively combated antisemitism.
A White House official attributed the investigation reduction partly to increased focus on college admissions. The administration has been developing cases against colleges allegedly considering race in admissions decisions despite the Supreme Court’s affirmative action ruling. These investigations require more time due to extensive data collection needs, according to the official who spoke anonymously about internal strategy.
Some of these cases are now producing results.
The Justice Department recently determined that medical schools at Yale and UCLA discriminated against white and Asian American students by supposedly preferring Black and Latino applicants. The universities have defended their admissions procedures, maintaining they were thorough and merit-based.
Officials are taking an uncompromising stance against any racial consideration in admissions, conflicting with colleges that allow students to discuss their race in application essays. In its 2023 ruling, the Supreme Court indicated schools could consider how applicants’ race relates to broader qualities.
“We are making sure,” Kent said, “that we are elevating our best and our brightest and that we’re not putting the thumb on the scale because of somebody’s skin color.”
Facing last year’s aggressive campaign, many campuses quietly implemented changes to avoid scrutiny. Some eliminated DEI offices. The NCAA moved to restrict transgender athletes. Universities from UCLA to Columbia strengthened campus protest policies after pro-Palestinian demonstrations became subjects of federal investigations.
Research has been reduced as leading schools face ongoing funding cuts.
In classrooms, there’s been a chilling effect as professors worry that their words or teachings could draw federal attention, said Todd Wolfson, president of the American Association of University Professors.
Still, he remains optimistic that the power balance is shifting toward universities. Students and faculty at several campuses built pressure to reject a White House invitation last fall to endorse aspects of the president’s agenda in exchange for favorable research funding access, he said. The AAUP has filed several lawsuits against the administration, including one that halted funding cuts at UCLA.
“The sector is getting its feet under it, and it’s only getting stronger,” Wolfson said. “I can promise you that we will fight them tooth and nail.”
MOSCOW – Russian officials on Thursday criticized NATO’s involvement in military exercises taking place in Serbia, claiming the alliance is attempting to pressure the Balkan nation into submission.
The controversy centers around Serbia’s annual “Platinum Wolf” military exercise, which launched on June 1 with backing from the U.S. European command. Serbian officials describe the drill as an opportunity for participating nations to share military expertise and strengthen cooperation among the eight NATO member countries involved.
Maria Zakharova, a spokeswoman for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, alleged that NATO seeks to dominate the Balkans region and separate Serbia from its Russian ties.
“They are wrapping Serbia in the coils of their love like a boa constrictor,” Zakharova stated during a press briefing.
The tensions reflect the historically close relationship between Russia and Serbia, which dates back years and was complicated by NATO’s 1999 bombing campaign during the Kosovo conflict.
The leader of Brunei revealed significant changes to his government structure Thursday, establishing new key positions and naming two of his sons to ministerial roles, suggesting possible succession preparations in the wealthy oil nation.
This marks the first major government reorganization since 2022 and occurs while Brunei, located on Borneo island, confronts challenges from worldwide energy difficulties triggered by the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.
The announcement also comes one year ahead of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah’s diamond jubilee celebration. The monarch, who took power in 1967, holds the distinction of being the world’s longest-serving ruler.
The 79-year-old leader, who manages several government positions, has appeared publicly less frequently this year following knee replacement surgery in January.
During a television address, Sultan Hassanal stated he would maintain his positions as prime minister, defence minister and finance minister.
Prince Abdul Malik, his second eldest son, received appointment as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, marking his initial cabinet position.
Prince Abdul Mateen, his second youngest son who enjoys polo and has social media popularity, was named foreign minister, a position the sultan previously managed personally.
Crown Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah, his eldest son, kept his existing position as Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office.
The sultan also revealed the establishment of three new ministerial positions designed to improve policy coordination throughout the government. He announced that the Primary Resources and Tourism Ministry would be restructured into the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
“This is intended to accelerate the development of priority sectors, strengthen economic diversification efforts, support sustainable economic growth and create meaningful employment opportunities,” he said.
The reorganization resulted in the greatest number of women appointed to cabinet positions to date, including the education minister and three deputy ministers.
Brunei has gained advantages from the Iranian conflict, increasing exports of crude oil, refined products and gas recently. However, the nation struggles with rising subsidy expenses to maintain some of the region’s lowest fuel prices.
Last month, Brunei implemented restrictions preventing foreign-registered vehicles with fuel tanks less than three-quarters full from entering the country, aiming to prevent cross-border smuggling and preserve domestic fuel supplies.
On Wednesday, the energy department announced that officials had formed a special committee to oversee and coordinate responses to address impacts from the Middle East conflict.
A consumer protection agency in Thailand announced Thursday it intends to file legal action against Meta’s Facebook platform, accusing the social media giant of inadequate protection against fraudulent activity.
The Consumer Council issued a statement declaring its intention to pursue litigation over Facebook’s alleged failure to prevent scammers from exploiting the platform through deceptive advertisements that target and defraud users.
The watchdog organization claims the social media company has not done enough to safeguard its user base from these fraudulent schemes operating through the platform’s advertising system.
Singapore Airlines is currently negotiating with major aircraft manufacturers Airbus and Boeing for a potential purchase of no fewer than 50 large passenger aircraft as the carrier prepares for its next expansion phase starting in the coming decade, according to industry sources.
The Southeast Asian carrier is requesting proposals for additional 400-seat Boeing 777X aircraft, which represents the largest model currently available in the industry, or alternatively for the somewhat smaller Airbus A350-1000, sources indicated. The negotiations remain in preliminary stages but may encompass additional options for many more aircraft.
Both Airbus and Boeing refused to provide comments on the matter. Singapore Airlines has not yet responded to requests for comment.
