Delaware small businesses celebrated major victories Tuesday evening as Governor Matt Meyer and the Delaware Division of Small Business revealed the recipients of the Spring 2026 EDGE 2.0 Grant Competition.
The competitive funding program, which represents the Division’s premier pitch competition designed to foster business development and expansion opportunities, distributed nine awards worth a combined $1.15 million to local entrepreneurs.
Delaware Technical Community College’s Owen Campus in Georgetown served as the venue for Tuesday night’s awards ceremony, where business owners learned their fate in the state’s flagship funding initiative known as EDGE – an acronym representing Encouraging Development, Growth and Expansion.
The announcement generated considerable enthusiasm among attendees as the state continues its commitment to supporting small business growth throughout Delaware.
Morning commuters traveling southbound on Interstate 95 should expect delays due to ongoing construction work that has shut down several left lanes.
The Delaware Department of Transportation reports that multiple left lanes are currently closed along the southbound corridor, stretching from the Delaware Welcome Center through the Newark Toll Plaza area.
According to DelDOT’s traffic incident reporting system, the lane restrictions are expected to remain active until 7 a.m. this morning.
Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time and use caution when navigating through the construction zone. Traffic may be moving slower than usual during the morning rush hour period.
Basketball pioneer Jason Collins, who broke barriers as the first openly gay athlete to compete in the NBA, has passed away at age 47 following an eight-month fight with an aggressive brain tumor, his family confirmed Tuesday.
Collins made history during his professional basketball career and later became a leading advocate for inclusion within the league and broader sports community. His groundbreaking presence in the NBA opened doors for LGBTQ+ athletes across professional sports.
The former center’s family announced his death after he battled the aggressive form of brain cancer for eight months. Collins’ courage both on and off the court made him a respected figure in basketball and an important voice for equality in athletics.
His legacy extends beyond his playing career, as Collins continued to serve as an advocate and representative for the NBA, promoting diversity and inclusion throughout the sports world.
President Donald Trump departed Washington Tuesday evening for a crucial state visit to Beijing, where he will sit down with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a turbulent period marked by global tensions over warfare, trade disputes, and artificial intelligence concerns.
Speaking to reporters before leaving the White House, Trump emphasized America’s military dominance, stating: “We’re the two superpowers. We’re the strongest nation on Earth in terms of military. China’s considered second.”
The Beijing summit comes as Trump faces mounting domestic pressure from declining approval ratings, largely driven by ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran, plus escalating inflation stemming from that military engagement. The president hopes to secure victories through agreements for China to purchase additional American agricultural products and aircraft, noting he plans to discuss trade matters with Xi “more than anything else.”
Trump’s team aims to launch discussions about creating a “Board of Trade” between the two nations to resolve bilateral disagreements. Such a mechanism could help avoid another trade conflict like the one sparked last year following Trump’s tariff increases, which China responded to by restricting rare earth mineral exports before both sides agreed to a one-year ceasefire last October.
However, Trump arrives in Beijing while Iranian issues continue consuming his domestic political focus. The ongoing warfare has effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz, trapping oil and gas vessels and driving energy costs to heights that threaten worldwide economic stability. Despite Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visiting Beijing recently, Trump dismissed the need for Chinese assistance with the Iranian situation.
“We have a lot of things to discuss. I wouldn’t say Iran is one of them, to be honest with you, because we have Iran very much under control,” Trump explained to reporters Tuesday.
Taiwan’s status will likely feature prominently in discussions, as Beijing objects to American plans for weapons sales to the independently governed island that China considers part of its territory.
Trump revealed Monday he would address an approved $11 billion arms package for Taiwan during his talks with Xi. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s position as the globe’s premier semiconductor manufacturer has made it crucial for artificial intelligence development, with American imports from Taiwan now exceeding those from China this year. Trump has worked to expand domestic chip production through both Biden administration initiatives and his own negotiations.
Even before departing, Trump expressed optimism about the trip’s outcome, discussing Xi’s planned return visit to America and expressing disappointment that White House renovations wouldn’t be finished in time.
“We’re going to have a great relationship for many, many decades to come,” Trump predicted regarding U.S.-China relations. “As you know, President Xi will be coming here toward the end of the year. So that would be exciting. I only wish we had the ballroom finished.”
After speaking with the Chinese leader, Trump described the upcoming meeting as “positive” as he departed with senior staff, business executives, and family members. His itinerary includes arriving in China Wednesday evening for a ceremonial welcome before checking into his hotel, attending a state dinner Thursday, and participating in a working lunch with Xi Friday before returning home.
Despite Trump’s public confidence, Scott Kennedy, a senior adviser on Chinese business and economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, believes China enters these talks “from a much stronger place.”
Chinese objectives include reducing technology restrictions on semiconductor access and finding pathways to lower tariffs, among other priorities.
“But even if they don’t get much on any of those things, as long as there’s not a blow-up in the meeting and President Trump doesn’t go away and look to re-escalate, China basically comes out stronger,” Kennedy explained.
BEIJING (AP) — For almost five decades, American presidents have navigated a delicate diplomatic balancing act regarding Taiwan and China, where even minor verbal mistakes can spark international tensions.
The United States maintains a “One China” policy that acknowledges Beijing’s stance that Taiwan belongs to China, while simultaneously maintaining unofficial relationships with the self-governing island.
This approach deliberately maintains vagueness through what experts call strategic ambiguity. The U.S. commits to providing Taiwan with defensive capabilities against potential Chinese aggression, but stops short of specifying exactly what military response it would provide against Beijing.
As former assistant defense secretary Joseph Nye told Chinese officials in 1995 when they questioned America’s response to a Taiwan crisis: “We don’t know, and you don’t know.”
“The idea was, stick to the very careful language that’s been crafted and don’t vary,” explained Mike McCurry, who served as White House press secretary during Bill Clinton’s presidency. “Because there are too many people listening and paying attention.”
This carefully constructed policy aims to safeguard Taiwan’s security and independence without making excessive commitments or antagonizing Beijing. The policy may face renewed scrutiny during President Donald Trump’s current visit to China. Historical examples show how U.S. officials have previously stumbled over this delicate language, necessitating rapid diplomatic damage control.
“It’s the precision of the words,” noted John Kirby, who worked as a spokesman across multiple Democratic administrations at the State Department, Pentagon, and President Joe Biden’s White House. “They just have to be so extraordinarily precise when you’re talking about Taiwan because, quite frankly, the stakes are enormously high.”
A review of presidential missteps regarding Taiwan policy reveals a pattern of verbal confusion:
Biden made four separate suggestions that America would provide military intervention if China invaded Taiwan, prompting White House staff to repeatedly clarify that he wasn’t abandoning decades of established precedent.
In an August 2021 ABC News interview, Biden discussed America’s military commitment to NATO allies under attack and included, “Same with Taiwan.” The White House subsequently stated that Taiwan policy remained unchanged.
During a CNN forum that October, Biden declared America was committed to Taiwan’s defense against Chinese attack, leading to similar White House corrections.
At a May 2022 Tokyo press conference, Biden answered “yes” when questioned about using military force to protect Taiwan. “That’s the commitment we made,” he stated, forcing Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to reconfirm America’s “One China” policy adherence.
Biden made similar implications during a September 2022 “60 Minutes” CBS interview, triggering additional White House clarifications.
Trump, as president-elect in 2016, accepted a phone call from Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen — potentially the first president to do so since America ended diplomatic relations with the island in 1979. He later dismissed the controversy, posting: “Interesting how the U.S. sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call.”
The following year, Trump’s White House released a statement about a Germany meeting between Xi and Trump that incorrectly identified Xi as president of the Republic of China — Taiwan’s official name — rather than the correct People’s Republic of China. Officials later corrected the transcript.
“There is a lot of difficulty to navigate a lot of these concepts. However, the reason why that is the case — a lot of misunderstanding and misspeaking — is because those concepts are conceptual traps set up by China,” said Miles Yu, who served as principal China policy adviser to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during Trump’s first term. “You cannot explain something that’s unexplainable.”
Yu, currently a senior fellow and China Center director at the Hudson Institute, supports more definitive statements regarding America’s Taiwan defense commitment. He described the “One China” policy concept, or Beijing’s “One China” principle claiming Taiwan as an inseparable Chinese territory, as “completely of Chinese making.”
“No one inside the Chinese high command has ever believed there is any ambiguity as to America’s resolve to defend Taiwan,” Yu stated.
He argued that America has consistently maintained Taiwan defense plans proportional to Chinese threats, demonstrated by Washington’s repeated force deployments to the Taiwan Strait during periods of heightened tension.
Currently, Trump’s White House maintains no policy changes have occurred but dismisses the need for careful verbal maneuvering, pointing to Trump’s approval of significant Taiwan arms sales.
Following the 1949 Chinese civil war conclusion, Washington recognized Chiang Kai-shek’s Nationalists as China’s legitimate government, even after that administration relocated from Beijing to Taiwan. However, through an agreement with Beijing starting in 1979 under Jimmy Carter, America began following the “One China” policy.
Carter’s administration conducted months of secret negotiations with China to establish this agreement. Yet Carter later stated it “does nothing to prevent” future presidents or Congress from “even going to war” to defend Taiwan.
During a 1998 Shanghai roundtable, Bill Clinton endorsed the “three no’s”: America not supporting Taiwan independence; rejecting the “two Chinas” concept of separate China and Taiwan; and opposing Taiwan’s membership in international organizations.
However, the following year, Clinton stated, “You know what I’ve done in the past,” appearing to reference previous U.S. military interventions and suggesting similar action regarding Taiwan.
In a 2001 Associated Press interview, George W. Bush was questioned whether America might use military force against a Chinese Taiwan attack and responded, “It’s certainly an option.” Bush later told CNN this didn’t indicate a tougher stance, saying, “I have said that I will do what it takes to help Taiwan defend itself.”
Five years later, during Chinese President Hu Jintao’s Washington state visit, Bush’s White House announcer mistakenly announced the Republic of China national anthem would play, instead of the People’s Republic of China. The correct anthem was eventually played.
In 1989, George H.W. Bush said during a China banquet that while America follows “the bedrock principle that there is but one China, we have found ways to address Taiwan constructively without rancor.”
During a 2014 Beijing joint press conference with Xi, Barack Obama stated, “We encourage further progress by both sides of the Taiwan Strait towards building ties, reducing tensions and promoting stability on the basis of dignity and respect.”
“Anybody who has been at the State Department, the Pentagon or even the White House podium can tell you: When the issue of Taiwan came up, you went to your notes,” Kirby explained. “You didn’t freelance it.”
Kirby remembered that he “got cocky once and didn’t,” misrepresenting the policy and creating “a little kerfuffle.”
Major errors typically first prompt complaints from U.S. policy officials, Kirby said, who express their dissatisfaction clearly: “You’ll be highly encouraged to make a statement correcting it right away.”
SALT LAKE CITY — Three young children whose mother was found guilty of murdering their father have expressed deep fears about their safety should she ever be released from custody, according to court documents filed before Wednesday’s sentencing hearing.
Kouri Richins, a 35-year-old writer, is facing the possibility of spending decades behind bars or life imprisonment following her conviction on five felony charges, including aggravated murder.
According to prosecutors, Richins poisoned her husband Eric’s drink with a fatal amount of fentanyl — five times what would be considered lethal — at their residence near Park City’s ski area in 2022. Following his death, she wrote and released a children’s book focusing on a young boy dealing with his father’s passing, publishing it shortly before authorities arrested her in 2023.
Defense lawyers for Richins chose not to provide statements Tuesday ahead of the sentencing, which is scheduled for what would have been Eric Richins’ 44th birthday.
The children’s emotional statements were included in a prosecutorial filing asking Judge Richard Mrazik to impose a life sentence without the possibility of parole. The boys were 9, 7, and 5 years old when they lost their father.
The eldest son, now 13, told the court he feels no longing for his mother’s return. “I’m afraid if she gets out, she will come after me and my brothers, my whole family,” he stated. “I think she would come and take us and not do good things to us, like hurt us.”
Court filings indicate the oldest child endured both emotional and physical mistreatment from Richins following his father’s death, with allegations backed by findings from Utah’s Division of Child and Family Services contained in sealed court records.
Investigators revealed that Richins worked in real estate and house flipping but had accumulated millions in debt while secretly planning a relationship with another man. She had taken out multiple life insurance policies on her spouse without his awareness and incorrectly assumed she would receive his estate valued at over $4 million upon his death.
The aggravated murder charge alone carries potential penalties ranging from 25 years to life imprisonment, or life without parole. The prosecution did not seek capital punishment.
The jury also convicted Richins on additional felony charges including insurance fraud, forgery, and attempted murder for an earlier incident on Valentine’s Day when she allegedly tried to poison her husband with a fentanyl-contaminated sandwich that caused him to lose consciousness.
The middle son, now 11, contradicted his mother’s account that she slept in his room the night his father died. He remembered strange details from that evening, including being sent to bed early without bathing, finding his parents’ bedroom door locked, and hearing loud television sounds from inside. The boy recalled his mother shouting at him to leave when he attempted to use a broom handle to reach a key to the bedroom, where Richins later told emergency responders she discovered her husband’s lifeless body.
The 11-year-old expressed sorrow that his father would miss future camping trips, fishing excursions, sports coaching, and important life events. Similar to his older sibling, he said his mother’s freedom would make him feel unsafe.
“With (her) in jail, I will be able to continue to feel safe and live a happy and successful life without fear of (her) hurting me or anyone I love,” his written statement declared.
The youngest child shared feelings of “hateful and ashamed” emotions when others mention his mother “because she took away my dad.” He expressed he would be “so scared” if she was released from prison.
“Once she is gone I will feel happy and I will feel safer and relaxed and trust people more,” the youngest boy wrote, though his current age was not specified in court documents.
Richins is also facing more than two dozen financial criminal charges in a separate legal proceeding that has not yet reached trial.
MEXICO CITY – A Mexican state investigator has disclosed new details about U.S. officials who died in a vehicle accident in northern Mexico last month, revealing that one of the victims had been observed with a firearm just days before the fatal crash.
Wendy Chavez, who leads a specialized investigative unit within the Chihuahua attorney general’s office examining the incident, stated that one of the deceased Americans had been spotted carrying a weapon at a local security facility prior to the accident. Intelligence sources have indicated the victims were CIA personnel.
Mexican law typically prohibits U.S. government officials from carrying weapons while operating within the country’s borders.
The Milwaukee Brewers welcomed back star outfielder Christian Yelich on Tuesday, removing him from the 10-day injured list in time for their upcoming series against the San Diego Padres at home.
The 34-year-old player had been sidelined for an entire month due to a strained left groin muscle. His most recent game appearance was during an April 12 defeat against the Washington Nationals. Prior to his injury, Yelich was performing well at the plate with a .314 batting average, along with 10 RBIs and one home run.
To make room on the roster, Milwaukee sent utility player Tyler Black down to their Triple-A affiliate in Nashville.
The 25-year-old Black has seen limited action with Milwaukee, playing in nine contests this season and 32 games total across three years with the organization. Throughout his major league career spanning 98 plate appearances, he maintains a .250 batting average.
Yelich, who captured the National League MVP award in 2018 and earned three All-Star selections, rejoins the Brewers roster without completing any rehabilitation games in the minor leagues.
A Houston-based geothermal energy company has successfully completed one of the week’s largest stock market debuts, securing $1.89 billion through its initial public offering on Tuesday.
Fervo Energy distributed 70 million shares priced at $27 each, achieving a company valuation of approximately $7.66 billion. The share price exceeded the company’s revised target range of $25 to $26, which had already been increased from an earlier projection of $21 to $24 per share.
Growing electricity demands from artificial intelligence data centers, combined with increasing electrification across transportation and residential sectors, are creating strain on America’s power grid. This pressure is driving up energy costs and creating greater need for consistent power sources.
The company specializes in creating advanced geothermal systems that provide continuous, emissions-free electricity generation. This technology offers a stable energy source compared to solar and wind power, which depend on weather conditions.
Fervo represents one of three companies launching billion-dollar public offerings this week, alongside artificial intelligence chip manufacturer Cerebras Systems and Blackstone Digital Infrastructure Trust.
Major financial institutions including J.P. Morgan, BofA Securities, RBC Capital Markets and Barclays served as primary underwriters for the stock offering. Trading is scheduled to begin Wednesday on the Nasdaq exchange under the ticker symbol “FRVO.”
The company utilizes enhanced geothermal systems technology to overcome limitations of conventional geothermal energy, which typically requires specific geological conditions like volcanic regions. Their approach incorporates underground monitoring equipment, including artificial intelligence-powered fiber optic sensors.
Construction is underway on Fervo’s major Cape Station facility in Utah, designed to become the world’s largest next-generation geothermal installation. Power generation from this project is anticipated to commence before the end of this year.
The stock market launch occurs as Middle Eastern conflicts have pushed oil prices beyond $100 per barrel, increasing investor interest in domestic energy alternatives.
Under President Donald Trump’s administration, geothermal energy has received more supportive regulatory treatment compared to other renewable sources, even as previous Biden administration policies promoting transition away from fossil fuels have been reversed.
South Korea’s Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back announced Wednesday that his country is exploring gradual ways to support international maritime security efforts in the Strait of Hormuz, following high-level discussions with American defense officials.
Speaking to South Korean reporters during a Washington press conference, Ahn indicated Seoul would consider non-military forms of assistance rather than direct military engagement in the strategic waterway.
“We said at about this level that, fundamentally, we will participate as a responsible member of the international community and that we will review ways to contribute in a phased manner,” Ahn stated, according to Yonhap News Agency.
The defense minister outlined several potential support options Seoul might consider, including diplomatic backing, personnel assignments, intelligence sharing, and providing military equipment. However, he emphasized that detailed conversations about expanding South Korean military involvement had not occurred.
“There was no deep discussion on something like specifically expanding our military’s participation,” Ahn explained, noting that any final decisions would require following South Korea’s domestic legal processes.
These discussions between American and South Korean defense leaders occurred just one day after Seoul condemned an assault on a South Korean-flagged ship near the Strait of Hormuz the previous week.
South Korea’s presidential administration issued strong criticism of the incident while stating that investigations into who was responsible for the attack were ongoing.
During their meeting, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told his South Korean counterpart that Washington anticipates allies will “stand shoulder-to-shoulder” as global security challenges increase. Hegseth referenced President Donald Trump’s authorization of what he termed Operation Epic Fury as demonstration of the current administration’s commitment.
The American defense chief commended Seoul’s plans to boost military spending and take on greater security responsibilities for the Korean Peninsula, describing these efforts as exemplifying how alliance partners should share defense burdens.
In separate discussions, Ahn reported that Hegseth showed understanding regarding South Korea’s stance on transferring wartime operational control from American to South Korean forces based on meeting specific conditions, with both nations aiming to complete this transition quickly.
The defense ministers also discussed other partnership matters, including South Korea’s plans for developing nuclear-powered submarines, according to Yonhap’s reporting.
Ahn noted that their conversations did not address potential reductions in American military personnel stationed in South Korea or changes to the strategic flexibility of those forces.
Jason Collins, the groundbreaking NBA veteran who became the first openly gay active player in major professional sports, has passed away at 47 following a battle with brain cancer, his family announced Tuesday.
In September, Collins shared that he was receiving treatment for a brain tumor, later revealing he had been diagnosed with stage four glioblastoma, a particularly aggressive type of brain cancer.
“We are heartbroken to share that Jason Collins, our beloved husband, son, brother and uncle, has died after a valiant fight with glioblastoma,” his family stated.
Collins broke barriers in 2013 when he became the first active male professional athlete in North America’s major sports leagues to publicly announce he was gay.
The center spent 13 years in the NBA after being drafted 18th overall by Houston in 2001, though he was immediately traded to what was then the New Jersey Nets. Throughout his career, he also played for Memphis, Minnesota, Atlanta, Boston and Washington.
Collins was part of the Nets teams that advanced to consecutive NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003, playing alongside stars Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson.
His announcement came through a personal essay published in Sports Illustrated, which generated overwhelming support throughout the sports community, including praise from then-President Barack Obama.
“Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar,” his family shared. “Our family will miss him dearly.”
Drivers using Route 2 near Brewster Drive should plan for delays as construction crews continue work that requires periodic lane restrictions.
According to DelDOT, eastbound traffic lanes will experience intermittent closures in the Brewster Drive vicinity as part of ongoing construction activities. These lane restrictions are expected to remain in effect until 5 a.m.
Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and exercise caution when driving through the work zone area.
A Delaware State University student has been honored with a prestigious recognition from the American Legion for her commitment to service.
Tori McLeary, a student at DSU, was selected to receive the American Legion Spirit of Service Award. The honor recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional dedication to serving their community and embodying the values of service that the American Legion promotes.
The American Legion Spirit of Service Award acknowledges young people who show outstanding commitment to helping others and making a positive impact in their communities. McLeary’s selection for this recognition highlights her contributions and service work during her time as a student.
Delaware State University continues to see its students recognized for excellence both in academics and community involvement, with McLeary’s award adding to the university’s record of student achievements.
Motorists traveling on Route 72 southbound are dealing with reduced lanes this morning as ongoing construction work forces the closure of the left lane.
The lane restriction affects the stretch of highway between Bellevue Road and Brookhill Drive, with the closure scheduled to remain in place until 6 a.m.
Drivers in the area should plan for potential delays and consider alternate routes if possible during the morning commute.
Two Delaware State University students have achieved national acclaim for their documentary film about wrestling.
Sanaiyah Baines-Butler and Tia Jarvis received prestigious national recognition for their wrestling-focused documentary project. The students’ work has garnered attention on a national level, highlighting their filmmaking talents and dedication to storytelling.
The recognition represents a significant achievement for both students and demonstrates the quality of work being produced at Delaware State University. Their documentary project showcases the intersection of athletics and media production in higher education.
The basketball world mourns the loss of Jason Collins, who broke barriers as the NBA’s first openly gay athlete and later became a leading voice for diversity in professional sports. Collins passed away Tuesday at age 47 after battling Stage 4 glioblastoma for eight months, his family confirmed.
The center played professional basketball for 13 seasons across six different teams. In 2013, near the conclusion of his playing days, Collins made the groundbreaking decision to publicly share his sexual orientation.
Doctors had diagnosed Collins with Stage 4 glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer with very poor survival odds.
“Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar,” Collins’ family said in a statement released through the NBA. “We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers over the past eight months and for the exceptional medical care Jason received from his doctors and nurses. Our family will miss him dearly.”
Recently, Collins was honored with the first-ever Bill Walton Global Champion Award during the Green Sports Alliance Summit. Due to his deteriorating health, his twin brother Jarron Collins, also a former NBA player, received the recognition on his behalf.
“I told my brother this before I came here: He’s the bravest, strongest man I’ve ever known,” Jarron Collins said while accepting that award.
Throughout his professional career, Jason Collins maintained averages of 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. He was instrumental in helping the New Jersey Nets advance to two NBA Finals appearances, with his most productive season coming in 2004-05 when he averaged 6.4 points and 6.1 rebounds.
“Jason Collins’ impact and influence extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA and larger sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. “He exemplified outstanding leadership and professionalism throughout his 13-year NBA career and in his dedicated work as an NBA Cares Ambassador. Jason will be remembered not only for breaking barriers, but also for the kindness and humanity that defined his life and touched so many others.
“On behalf of the NBA, I send my heartfelt condolences to Jason’s husband, Brunson, and his family, friends and colleagues across our leagues.”
Collins made his historic announcement through a personal essay published in Sports Illustrated during April 2013. Though he was between teams at the time, he expressed his desire to continue competing and subsequently appeared in 22 games for Brooklyn during the next season.
“If I had my way, someone else would have already done this,” he wrote at that time. “Nobody has, which is why I’m raising my hand.”
The announcement received widespread praise, with notable players like Kobe Bryant immediately voicing their support. Even the White House and former President Bill Clinton endorsed Collins’ courage – Clinton’s daughter Chelsea had attended Stanford University alongside Collins. During his college years, Collins shared living quarters with Joe Kennedy III, who later served Massachusetts in Congress for eight years.
In his Sports Illustrated essay, Collins explained that watching Kennedy participate in Boston’s 2012 gay pride parade motivated him to speak publicly about his own identity, since he felt unable to do the same while remaining closeted.
Before his announcement, Collins had quietly shown support for LGBTQ+ causes through his jersey selections. He chose number 98 during his final three team stints with Boston, Washington, and Brooklyn – honoring the year Matthew Shepard, a gay Wyoming college student, was murdered. He also wore number 46 in one Nets game, though that was simply the only available jersey when he joined the team.
During his Stanford career, Collins achieved a shooting percentage of nearly 61%, establishing a university record that still stands. The Associated Press named him an honorable mention All-America selection in 2001, shortly before the Houston Rockets selected him 18th overall in that year’s draft.
“It’s a sad day for all of us associated with Stanford basketball when we lose one of the program’s greats,” former Stanford coach Mike Montgomery said. “We all have great memories of Jason and the kind of person he was. It’s hard to separate Jarron and Jason because they thought so alike, but even though he was an identical twin, Jason was unique in his own way. The impact he had on Stanford was immense, as he could match up against anyone in the country because he was big, smart, strong and skilled, all while being a very bright and nice person.”
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Massive demonstrations swept through Argentina’s major cities Tuesday as citizens rallied against President Javier Milei’s severe budget reductions targeting the nation’s public university system, a beloved institution that serves as a source of national pride in the economically troubled South American country.
Large crowds gathered in central Buenos Aires and marched toward government buildings to condemn the financial shortfalls threatening the foundation of Argentina’s higher education network. The country’s public universities have operated without tuition since 1949 and serve as a pillar of its educated middle class, having graduated five Nobel Prize winners over the decades.
Lawmakers approved legislation last year designed to cover universities’ operating expenses and increase faculty pay to match soaring inflation rates. However, Milei’s administration has refused to enact the measure while mounting a legal challenge against it in court.
Similar to his supporter and ally former U.S. President Donald Trump, Milei frequently condemns university environments as centers of “woke” ideology. The libertarian leader has dramatically reduced public education spending as part of his broader strategy to drastically cut government expenditures, marking a stark departure from what he calls decades of irresponsible financial management that bred corruption under previous left-wing administrations.
Tuesday’s demonstrations drew participants from diverse age groups and political backgrounds as Milei confronts dropping public support amid economic decline, reduced wages, and rising joblessness. Recent corruption allegations have also damaged his standing, particularly an ongoing probe into excessive spending by close associate and Cabinet chief Manuel Adorni that seems incompatible with his government salary and reported wealth.
“How much does Adorni cost us?” read one of several student protest signs alluding to the alleged misuse of public funds.
Alejandro Álvarez, Milei’s undersecretary for university policies, dismissed Tuesday’s demonstration as “completely political” and claimed the administration had provided universities with compensation for increased operational expenses — minimal adjustments that labor groups have denounced as inadequate.
In their effort to overturn the university funding law, Milei’s team contends the legislation lacks details on how the government will provide the required financial increases during a period of strict budget constraints. The dispute is anticipated to reach the Supreme Court, with student demonstrators Tuesday urging the nation’s top judicial body to “listen to the outcry throughout the country’s public squares.”
Faculty salaries at universities have dropped approximately 33% in real terms since Milei assumed office in late 2023, accounting for persistent inflation, according to the primary teachers’ union.
Ricardo Gelpi, who leads the renowned University of Buenos Aires, reported that declining purchasing power has prompted at least 580 research faculty members in engineering and science fields to abandon the public system for private institutions or higher-paying positions elsewhere.
“It’s very clear this government is determined to defund public education,” said Sol Muñíz, 24, a law student at the University of Buenos Aires at the march. “University is a source of pride for us. It is the best thing we have.”
Austin, Texas officials have agreed to a $35 million settlement with four men who were falsely charged in connection with the brutal 1991 slayings of four teenage girls at a local yogurt shop, one of the city’s most infamous unsolved cases that eventually sent one defendant to death row and another to life imprisonment.
Robert Springsteen, Michael Scott, Forrest Welborn and Maurice Pierce had consistently maintained their innocence in the heinous crime. A judge formally cleared their names in February following an investigation that identified the actual perpetrator as someone who had been dead since 1999.
The proposed settlement requires approval from Austin’s city council before becoming final. Officials have not disclosed how the compensation will be distributed among the men and their relatives.
“This settlement closes the final chapter of a devastating story in Austin’s history,” Austin City Manager T.C. Broadnax said in a statement. “We are pleased to have reached an agreement with those who were wrongly accused and wrongly convicted in this case and hope that this settlement brings a sense of closure to everyone affected by this horrific event.”
Legal representatives for Springsteen and Scott have not yet responded to media inquiries about the agreement.
The victims – Amy Ayers, 13; Eliza Thomas, 17; and sisters Jennifer and Sarah Harbison, ages 17 and 15 – were restrained, gagged and executed at the “I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt” shop where two were employed. The perpetrator then burned down the building.
Law enforcement pursued thousands of tips and multiple false admissions before apprehending the four suspects, all teenagers at the time of the murders, in late 1999.
Both Springsteen and Scott received convictions primarily based on confessions they claimed were forced by investigators. Appeals courts reversed both verdicts during the mid-2000s.
While Welborn faced charges, he never went to trial after two separate grand juries declined to issue indictments. Pierce remained incarcerated for three years before prosecutors dropped the case. He was killed in 2010 during a police encounter following a traffic violation.
Although prosecutors sought new trials for Springsteen and Scott, a judge dismissed all charges in 2009 when advanced DNA testing unavailable during the original investigation identified a different male perpetrator.
In 2025, investigators concluded that cutting-edge DNA analysis and reexamination of ballistics evidence confirmed Robert Eugene Brashers as the lone gunman.
Beginning in 2018, law enforcement had connected Brashers through sophisticated DNA methods to multiple violent crimes: the 1990 strangulation murder of a South Carolina woman, the 1997 sexual assault of a 14-year-old Tennessee girl, and the 1998 shooting deaths of a mother and daughter in Missouri.
The breakthrough in the Austin case occurred when DNA recovered from beneath Ayers’ fingernail matched Brashers’ genetic profile from the 1990 homicide.
Brashers took his own life in 1999 during an extended police standoff at a Kennett, Missouri motel.
A Boston photographer and content creator is making the most of an unexpected 42-day quarantine after a deadly virus outbreak turned his dream Antarctic expedition into a public health emergency.
Jake Rosmarin, 30, is among 18 Americans now under medical observation at specialized facilities following a hantavirus outbreak that claimed three lives aboard the MV Hondius expedition vessel. What started as an enthusiastic social media post about his 35-day South Atlantic adventure has become an extended stay at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s National Quarantine Unit in Omaha.
Fifteen other American passengers from the voyage are also housed at the Nebraska facility, while one passenger who tested positive for the virus remains in the hospital’s Biocontainment Unit. Two additional passengers are being monitored at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.
Health authorities emphasize that the risk of the virus spreading to the general population remains extremely low, with quarantine measures taken purely as a safety precaution.
Rosmarin, who works as a content creator and photographer, told The Associated Press he’s determined to stay positive during his isolation period.
His quarantine accommodations resemble a compact hotel suite, complete with a closet, smart television, private bathroom, mini refrigerator, bed, chair and exercise bike. Though his room has windows, he keeps the blinds drawn to avoid media attention outside.
“It’s a very nice room,” Rosmarin explained. “I already ordered a mattress pad, new pillows. I think, for now, my plan is to take it one day at a time and that’s the best I can do.”
On Tuesday, facility nurses surprised him with a special treat he shared on social media – an iced Horchata made with oat milk and vanilla cold foam. “This is everything I needed, right now. Wow!” he said in a video post.
The hantavirus typically spreads through contact with rodent droppings and rarely transmits between humans. However, the specific Andes strain identified in this outbreak may occasionally spread person-to-person. Symptoms typically appear one to eight weeks after exposure.
“I never got sick,” Rosmarin stated Tuesday.
The outbreak affected eleven passengers aboard the MV Hondius, with at least nine confirmed cases. Three fatalities occurred during the voyage, including a Dutch couple that health officials believe contracted the virus first while visiting South America.
The final passengers left the vessel Monday, departing on flights to over 20 different countries where they’ll complete quarantine requirements.
The Omaha quarantine and biocontainment facilities are specially designed to monitor and treat individuals exposed to serious infectious diseases. The biocontainment unit specifically handles patients actively ill with highly contagious conditions.
Medical staff entering Rosmarin’s room wear complete protective equipment including gowns and masks, and he cannot receive any visitors. Nursing staff typically avoid entering his room, even during meal delivery.
“I open the door with a mask on and they kind of put the food toward me and I grab it on the tray,” he described.
Once passengers began falling ill during the voyage, everyone was instructed to remain in their cabins as much as possible.
“I left the cabin about 15 minutes each day to refill my water, get fresh air and grab food for breakfast and lunch,” he recalled, noting that passengers maintained social distancing and wore masks.
Rosmarin launched his world travel career in 2022 after leaving his job as a media buyer. He maintains an influencer partnership with the expedition vessel’s operator, which sponsored his trip to remote South Atlantic islands including South Georgia Island.
“We saw a King penguin colony — the largest in the world, 300,000 to 500,000,” Rosmarin shared. “We got to see Gentoo penguins, fur seals, elephant seals, Chinstrap penguins, albatross.”
He emphasized that the MV Hondius operates as an expedition vessel rather than a traditional cruise ship. Because passengers and crew would visit islands with delicate ecosystems, strict environmental protection protocols were enforced.
“An expedition vessel is much cleaner than any cruise ship you’re ever going to go on,” Rosmarin noted. “For South Georgia, there were the strictest biosecurity measures. We have to sit down in the lounge pulling fuzz out of our jackets. A little pebble in your shoe, it needs to come out.”
However, those safety measures were designed to protect the environment from passengers, not the reverse situation.
His originally planned five-week journey extended to six weeks because passengers couldn’t disembark once the outbreak was identified.
“We didn’t really know it was the hantavirus until the night we were supposed to disembark,” Rosmarin explained.
His fiancé awaits his return to Boston, where the couple plans to marry next year. “I think he tried to be calm for me, but I think he was also very scared,” Rosmarin said Tuesday.
A Colorado federal judge determined Tuesday that immigration enforcement officers have disregarded his directive restricting arrests conducted without warrants.
U.S. District Senior Judge R. Brooke Jackson stated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel have ignored his November directive, which prohibited arrests without warrants unless officers had reasonable grounds to believe someone was unlawfully present and posed a flight risk before a warrant could be obtained. Jackson noted that since his ruling, ICE personnel have continued making arrests without warrants while failing to conduct “individualized, pre-arrest probable cause determinations of flight risk.”
The judge additionally mandated that immigration officers authorized to conduct warrantless arrests must complete training on court directives, and required the government to provide documentation of such arrests. This decision stems from litigation filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado regarding so-called incidental arrests of individuals unintentionally swept up during immigration operations.
The ACLU alleges that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been randomly detaining Latino individuals to fulfill enforcement quotas during President Donald Trump’s mass deportation initiatives while disregarding legal limitations on detention practices.
In his recent decision, Jackson determined ICE had insufficiently trained its deportation officers regarding his November court directive and is now mandating such education within 45 days.
He also determined ICE had “consistently failed” to meet documentation standards for warrantless arrests required under his court directive.
ICE, which has challenged Jackson’s November ruling, did not immediately provide comment regarding Tuesday’s decision.
“This is a profoundly important decision for the rule of law and the people of Colorado,” Tim Macdonald, legal director for the ACLU of Colorado, said in a statement. “The court made clear that ICE is not above the law and cannot continue to violate the law.”
During the past year, federal judges in Oregon, California and Washington, D.C., have similarly directed immigration officers in their jurisdictions to avoid conducting arrests without warrants unless flight risk exists.
Immigration officers typically obtain administrative warrants, which are documents issued by immigration agencies that authorize arrests, before searching for targeted individuals for arrest and deportation. The court cases focus on the detention of other undocumented individuals that officers encounter, including during searches for specific targets.
Such incidental arrests were prohibited during former President Joe Biden’s administration.
Mixed martial arts superstar Conor McGregor appears to be closing in on a deal that would bring him back to the UFC octagon this summer, multiple industry sources are reporting.
The Irish fighter, who has been sidelined since suffering an ankle injury during his 2021 bout against Dustin Poirer, is reportedly very close to finalizing terms for a rematch against Max Holloway scheduled for July 11 during International Fight Week at UFC 29, according to combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani.
Speaking on his program, Helwani defended his reporting track record: “I was the first person to tell you Conor was coming back, I was the first person to tell you it was going to be Conor versus Max, I’m still the only one. I can’t dictate or decide when they are going to announce things because that’s arbitrary. What I can tell you are the facts. So, I will never get wrong fight bookings, matchups, things of that nature.”
While UFC President Dana White expressed being “very confident” that the 37-year-old McGregor will return to competition soon during an appearance on “The Jim Rome Show,” he confirmed that no contract has been finalized and no official opponent has been revealed. Helwani, however, suggested fans should anticipate a formal announcement before UFC Freedom 250, which is set for 8 p.m. Saturday, June 14 at the White House.
“If you don’t believe me, you’re going to be proven wrong. As of right now, they’re on the goal line,” Helwani stated. “I’ve never said it’s signed, sealed, and delivered. It will be. I just want to make that clear, I am not walking this back.”
The reporter added: “Something awful has to happen for this fight not to come to fruition July 11. (Announcing) it at the White House would be too late, that would be less than a month.”
In a follow-up comment, Helwani acknowledged White’s position, saying: “Dana is right. It is not signed, sealed, and delivered. Is one side signed, sealed?”
The potential matchup would mark a reunion between McGregor and Holloway, who is now 34 years old. The two fighters previously met in 2013 in the featherweight category, with McGregor securing victory by unanimous decision.
INGLEWOOD, California – Basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson made a passionate appeal Tuesday for global soccer fans to choose Los Angeles as their primary destination during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, describing the metropolis as the “sports capital of the world.”
Speaking at a special countdown event titled ’30 Days to FIFA World Cup 2026′ held at SoFi Stadium, the promotional gathering showcased the metropolitan area’s ambitions to offer visitors a comprehensive experience beyond just attending soccer matches.
“The world game is coming to the greatest city in the world,” Johnson declared enthusiastically during the promotional event, which aimed to attract international travelers not only for World Cup games but also to explore the city’s numerous attractions and establish LA’s reputation as an international sports destination.
The five-time NBA champion and three-time MVP emphasized that Los Angeles is entering an unprecedented era of major sporting events. “Great events are coming to our city,” Johnson stated, referencing the upcoming World Cup, NFL Super Bowl, and the 2028 Olympic Games.
The California city will serve as the venue for eight World Cup contests, welcoming national squads from the United States, Paraguay, Iran, New Zealand, Switzerland, Bosnia, Belgium and Turkey.
This enlarged World Cup tournament will span across North America, with games scheduled in 16 different host cities throughout Mexico, the United States and Canada. The competition will include 48 participating nations, representing an increase from the traditional 32-team format.
Kathryn Schloessman, who serves as President and CEO of the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission and host committee CEO, promised that both local residents and international visitors will experience a “giant soccer carnival” throughout the city.
Officials also emphasized the city’s dedication to accessible public transit, highlighting $1.75 stadium tickets that contrast sharply with the expensive transportation costs that have sparked criticism on the East Coast.
However, the World Cup’s regional effects have generated ongoing discussion for several months. Opponents have expressed worries about local homelessness issues, economic inequality, and taxpayer expenses, cautioning that society’s most disadvantaged populations might face higher costs, housing shortages connected to the tournament, and interruptions to city services.
Los Angeles will additionally present the tournament’s U.S. opening ceremony on June 12, headlined by pop artist Katy Perry. This celebration will follow an opening ceremony in Mexico City the previous day and another Toronto event earlier on June 12, highlighting the tournament’s tri-national scope.
Although Los Angeles is primarily recognized for major American sports franchises like the Lakers, Dodgers, Rams and Chargers, the city has also drawn prominent international soccer players during the latter stages of their careers, including David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Steven Gerrard, who all competed for LA Galaxy.
The city’s World Cup organizing committee has leveraged its closeness to Hollywood’s celebrity community by recruiting Snoop Dogg, Eva Longoria, Will Ferrell and other entertainment figures as “community ambassadors.”
Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy will sit out the opening six games of next season after the National Hockey League imposed a suspension without pay for a violent stick attack on Buffalo Sabres forward Zach Benson during Boston’s playoff elimination on May 1st.
The NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced the discipline on Tuesday, following an in-person hearing at league headquarters in New York the previous day. The face-to-face meeting allowed officials to consider penalties exceeding five games.
The controversial play unfolded with 1:31 remaining in the third period when Benson tripped McAvoy while both players pursued a loose puck before colliding with the end boards. After getting back on his feet, McAvoy skated aggressively toward the Buffalo player and delivered a baseball bat-style swing with his stick, striking Benson in the stomach area.
Officials assessed McAvoy a five-minute major penalty for slashing plus a game misconduct, while Benson received a two-minute minor for the initial tripping infraction.
Buffalo completed their 4-1 victory that night, securing the Eastern Conference first-round matchup with a 4-2 series triumph that ended Boston’s playoff run.
The 28-year-old McAvoy has the right to challenge the suspension through an appeal process. This marks his third disciplinary action from the league during his nine-year professional career, having faced two previous suspensions and one fine.
McAvoy posted career-best offensive numbers this past season with 61 points on 11 goals and 50 assists, while accumulating 62 penalty minutes across 69 regular-season appearances. He contributed two assists during the Buffalo series.
Throughout his NHL tenure exclusively with Boston, McAvoy has recorded 71 goals and 361 total points with 491 penalty minutes over 573 regular-season contests. His postseason statistics include six goals, 50 points, and 103 penalty minutes in 97 playoff games.
MEXICO CITY, May 12 – Mexican government officials strongly disputed a CNN report on Tuesday that alleged the Central Intelligence Agency orchestrated a deadly security operation targeting a cartel member near the nation’s capital.
Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch took to social media platform X to firmly deny the claims, stating that Mexico “categorically rejects any (allegations that attempt) to normalize, justify or suggest the existence of lethal, covert or unilateral operations by foreign agencies on Mexican soil.”
The CNN report had claimed earlier Tuesday that a CIA operation resulted in the death of a cartel member in an explosion that occurred outside Mexico City, but Mexican authorities moved quickly to refute these allegations.
Delaware Department of Transportation crews conducted construction work that required closing the southbound right lane at the intersection of Foulk Road and Silverside Road.
The lane restriction was implemented to allow workers to safely complete their project in the area. DelDOT indicated the closure would remain active until 8:30 PM.
Motorists traveling through the intersection were advised to expect delays and consider alternate routes during the construction period.
A vehicle collision has forced authorities to completely shut down southbound Route 13 at Willow Grove Road, according to the Delaware Department of Transportation.
The crash has blocked all southbound traffic in the area, with DelDOT directing motorists to seek alternate routes while emergency crews work at the scene.
No details about injuries or the cause of the accident have been released at this time. The duration of the road closure remains unknown as officials continue to manage the incident.
Drivers are advised to avoid the area and use alternative routes until the roadway can be safely reopened to traffic.
OpenAI Chief Executive Sam Altman appeared in federal court to defend his company against serious allegations from Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who claims Altman essentially hijacked what was supposed to be a charitable organization.
The courtroom showdown in Oakland, California features two of the technology industry’s most recognizable figures in a legal dispute that observers say could fundamentally reshape the artificial intelligence company responsible for creating ChatGPT.
During a break in Monday’s proceedings, Altman was photographed walking through the federal courthouse as the high-stakes trial continues to unfold.
Legal experts suggest the outcome of this case could trigger sweeping transformations at OpenAI, depending on how the court rules on Musk’s accusations regarding the company’s charitable status and operations.
NYU Langone Health has disclosed that federal prosecutors in Texas issued a grand jury subpoena demanding records related to transgender youth who received medical treatment at their facilities.
The hospital system became the first to openly acknowledge receiving such a subpoena as part of an ongoing federal criminal probe. In a statement released Tuesday, NYU Langone revealed it was among multiple healthcare institutions that received the legal demand on May 7 from the Northern District of Texas. Hospital officials said they are currently evaluating their response options.
NYU Langone Health operates seven inpatient hospitals and more than 300 medical locations throughout the New York City region and Florida. According to the hospital system, federal prosecutors are demanding records of patients younger than 18 who received gender-affirming medical treatment between 2020 and 2026, along with the identities of their healthcare providers.
This development represents the most recent action in the Trump administration’s campaign to halt medical care for transgender minors. NYU Langone had previously announced this year that it would discontinue providing such treatments to transgender youth following federal funding threats.
In July, the Justice Department distributed more than 20 civil subpoenas to physicians and medical facilities offering gender care to minors, stating it was investigating “healthcare fraud, false statements and more.” Former Attorney General Pam Bondi declared the DOJ was ensuring accountability for “medical professionals and organizations that mutilated children in the service of a warped ideology.”
A federal judge in the Northern District of Texas recently ruled in favor of the Justice Department, determining that Rhode Island Hospital in Providence must comply with one of these subpoenas requesting records of gender-affirming care provided to children.
The NYU Langone subpoena was discussed multiple times Tuesday during a federal court proceeding in Providence concerning those records. A Justice Department lawyer refused to reveal the exact timing of the grand jury’s formation, stating they could only address publicly available information.
U.S. District Judge Mary McElroy subsequently directed the DOJ to provide attorneys in the Rhode Island case with the grand jury affidavit since it had become public knowledge.
Following the Justice Department’s issuance of civil subpoenas last year, court records indicate that at least seven federal courts have agreed to dismiss or restrict the broad subpoenas, which required providers to surrender birth dates, Social Security numbers and home addresses of patients who received transgender care.
While medical professionals and hospitals navigate these subpoenas, 11 families filed a class-action lawsuit this week attempting to prevent the DOJ from accessing the documents. The lawsuit, submitted in Maryland’s federal court, represents families with transgender children who have received care from hospitals nationwide.
The Justice Department stated Tuesday that it does not provide comments regarding grand jury investigations.
NYU Langone and the U.S. attorney’s office for the Northern District of Texas did not respond immediately to requests for comment Tuesday.
LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations criticized the latest federal demands for gender care records.
“We will not allow anti-trans extremists to turn our hospitals into hunting grounds,” Tyler Hack, executive director of the transgender rights group the Christopher Street Project in New York, said in a statement. “Playing political games to weaponize Americans’ private healthcare information is not just an attack on trans people — it is an attack on every single American who benefits from basic patient-provider privacy.”
Motorists traveling on US Route 301 are facing a complete roadway closure this morning after a vehicle accident blocked all northbound traffic lanes at Exit 5.
The Delaware Department of Transportation has confirmed the crash through their traffic monitoring system, though specific details about the severity of the incident or potential injuries have not yet been released.
Drivers heading north on US 301 should expect significant delays and are advised to seek alternate routes until the roadway can be cleared and reopened to traffic.
This is a developing situation and DelDOT continues to monitor the incident as emergency responders work at the scene.
Medical professionals have officially changed the name of a widespread women’s health condition that impacts one out of every eight women globally, hoping the new terminology will lead to better patient care and understanding.
What was previously known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) will now be called polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), according to research published Tuesday in The Lancet medical journal.
Medical experts and patient advocates pushed for this change because they believed the former name was misleading. The previous terminology oversimplified what is actually a complicated hormonal disorder by emphasizing ovarian cysts and focusing too heavily on reproductive organs, which led to diagnostic errors and substandard treatment, according to the Endocrine Society, an international organization of medical professionals and researchers.
“The thought behind that is that one, there’s no cysts in the ovary, so it’s very confusing,” explained Dr. Melanie Cree, who co-authored the Lancet study and works as a pediatric endocrinology specialist at the University of Colorado Anschutz. “The hope was that with a more comprehensive and accurate name change, that it would start to enable and push better care.”
This terminology update comes after 14 years of collaborative work between medical professionals and patients.
The disorder involves hormone imbalances that can impact body weight, metabolism, mental wellness, reproductive health, and skin conditions.
Medical professionals link it to metabolic syndrome, which encompasses several health issues that raise the likelihood of developing Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and stroke, noted Dr. Sarah Hutto from the University of Minnesota Medical School in a university publication.
The exact cause remains unknown, though medical research suggests genetic factors and obesity may contribute, according to Cleveland Clinic information.
The wide range of symptoms makes diagnosis challenging for healthcare providers.
The condition typically involves unpredictable menstrual periods and overproduction of androgens, a hormone group that can trigger acne and changes in hair growth or loss. It may also lead to follicle development on ovaries, though these are not abnormal cysts. However, patients don’t need to exhibit all these signs for a diagnosis.
For teenage patients, Cree explained that diagnosis requires both menstrual irregularities and evidence of elevated androgen levels. This evidence can include elevated hormone levels in blood tests or physical symptoms like severe acne or unusual hair growth patterns.
Medical experts at Cleveland Clinic identify it as the leading cause of female fertility issues, since infrequent ovulation can prevent conception.
Women with this condition may face higher risks for pregnancy-related complications, including gestational diabetes or early delivery. However, most individuals with the disorder can successfully complete pregnancies.
Cree emphasizes that the primary treatment approach involves lifestyle modifications, including reducing processed food consumption, increasing physical activity, and maintaining healthy sleep patterns.
“We’re not trying to be judgmental. There is science to back this up,” she stated. “So in PMOS, there is too much of the hormone insulin in many women, and that insulin confuses the ovary to make too much testosterone. And it’s the high testosterone that is causing all the symptoms.”
Additional treatment options include medications that improve insulin sensitivity like Metformin, drugs that counteract androgens, and hormonal contraceptives.
Hutto emphasizes that treatment plans should be customized to target individual symptoms and patient goals. Women planning pregnancies might prioritize fertility treatments, while others may prefer options like hormonal birth control.
Medical professionals are informing their colleagues about the name change through conferences, professional organizations, and other communication channels. They anticipate this will increase understanding of the condition and improve patient care.
“I’m very excited about the name change,” Cree commented, “as are the majority of my colleagues.”
NEW YORK (AP) — With gasoline prices putting a squeeze on family budgets during the ongoing conflict with Iran, President Donald Trump is advocating for a temporary halt to the federal gasoline tax.
The president lacks the authority to implement this change independently, and he hasn’t detailed the proposed duration of such a suspension. However, members of Congress from both political parties have already been advocating for pausing the federal gasoline tax, with some proposed legislation calling for a moratorium lasting until October 1.
Supporters of halting the gasoline tax contend it would deliver essential financial relief to families and businesses currently facing economic hardships, particularly affecting lower-income households who bear the greatest burden. This situation stems from disruptions to global oil supplies and other essential commodities since the U.S. and Israel entered the conflict approximately three months ago, causing energy costs and gasoline prices to surge.
However, a tax suspension is unlikely to create a substantial or immediate reduction in pump prices. Critics also caution about possible long-term ramifications. While the federal gasoline tax represents only a small portion of what Americans spend on fuel, it generates billions in revenue that federal highway and mass transit programs depend upon.
Here’s the current situation.
The federal gasoline tax currently equals approximately 18.4 cents per gallon. However, motorists wouldn’t see that complete amount removed from their fuel costs immediately following a suspension.
“You can’t suspend the tax and then expect everyone to wake up the next morning and gas is suddenly 18 cents cheaper,” stated Carl Davis, research director at the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, a nonprofit organization. “It doesn’t work that way.”
This occurs because the federal gasoline tax isn’t imposed directly at gas stations, but instead at the wholesale distribution level. The expectation behind a suspension is that retailers will eventually transfer the tax reduction to customers through reduced prices, though Davis emphasizes this outcome isn’t certain — pointing out that state-level experiences show minimal relief that requires time to reach consumers, if drivers benefit at all during temporary tax holidays.
Fuel suppliers might also retain portions of the savings to increase their profit margins. Considering this factor, the University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Wharton Budget Model projects that approximately 72% of a federal gas tax reduction would actually benefit consumers — equivalent to roughly 13.2 cents of the complete 18.4-cent per gallon rate.
Even with these savings, the financial benefit for typical drivers remains modest. Should the federal gas tax be suspended from June 1 through October 1, the Penn Wharton Budget Model calculates that a household refueling a 15-gallon tank weekly would save approximately $35 during those four months.
Meanwhile, current U.S. gasoline prices remain significantly elevated compared to pre-war levels — with the national average reaching about $4.50 per gallon on Monday, according to AAA, versus $2.98 in late February. As families continue experiencing financial pressure from increased expenses, Davis observes that many drivers might find it difficult “to even notice” a tax reduction if they receive it.
Trump has personally recognized that the federal tax represents a small percentage of gasoline costs. However, “it’s still money,” he informed reporters on Monday.
The U.S. gasoline tax also serves as the primary revenue source for federal highway and mass transit programs. Suspending it could eliminate billions of dollars in funding — which experts caution may create long-term problems in the future.
Based on current fuel pricing and consumption patterns, the government could forfeit $8.35 billion in revenue during a four-month suspension, the Penn Wharton Budget Model confirmed to the AP on Monday. Should the federal diesel tax (currently 24.4 cents per gallon) also be paused, that amount could approach $11.5 billion.
Congressional legislation suggests compensating for any Highway Trust Fund revenue losses with general treasury funds, but critics worry this approach could increase the federal deficit and potentially threaten the long-term viability of infrastructure projects. The federal gasoline tax has remained static since 1993, which experts argue has already weakened the Highway Trust Fund’s buying power when adjusted for inflation.
With specific details of a potential tax suspension remaining uncertain, future outcomes are difficult to forecast. However, “you could very easily imagine some kind of combination of higher national debt and lower funding for roads and bridges and other transportation projects,” Davis explained. “Eventually there will be a consequence.”
In addition to federal taxes, each state imposes its own separate gasoline taxes. These rates vary from as little as 9 cents per gallon in Alaska to nearly 71 cents in California, based on government data from early this year.
To address elevated prices during the Iran conflict, several states — including Indiana and Georgia — have recently enacted temporary suspensions of their gasoline taxes. Kentucky and Utah have decreased their rates. Additional states are considering similar measures.
However, other states may find it challenging to implement comparable actions.
Unlike the federal government, states generally must maintain balanced budgets annually. Beyond essential transportation infrastructure, some states also depend on fuel tax revenues to support education, environmental programs and other public services.
Numerous factors influence what drivers pay at gas stations. State and federal taxes, seasonal demand patterns and more expensive fuel formulations required for warmer weather all contribute. However, crude oil costs — the primary component in gasoline — represent the largest portion.
Despite worldwide government efforts to increase supply during the war, including accessing emergency oil reserves, elevated oil prices persist. Both Brent, the international benchmark, and U.S. crude are currently trading above $100 per barrel — rising from approximately $70 just months earlier.
Global attention focuses on the Strait of Hormuz, where one-fifth of the world’s oil previously flowed. However, Tehran and Washington remain deadlocked over the strategic waterway, while broader ceasefire negotiations continue to stagnate.
Industry analysts have consistently cautioned that if the conflict continues and supply chains face prolonged disruption, prices for gasoline and numerous other products could keep rising.
“This is really a foreign policy problem,” Davis noted. “There’s not a fiscal policy band-aid that can be slapped on.”
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Dozens of people gathered at a major intersection in Haiti’s capital city Tuesday, holding tree branches and calling for police intervention after deadly gang warfare over the weekend drove hundreds of families from their homes in the Cite Soleil district.
Among the demonstrators was 67-year-old Roselaine Jean-Pierre, who joined about two dozen others demanding government action even as gunfire echoed through nearby streets.
“I did not do anything to deserve this,” said Jean-Pierre, who abandoned her residence Sunday and has been sleeping on Port-au-Prince’s streets since then.
Several demonstrators reported witnessing killings during the weekend violence in Cite Soleil, where charred vehicles and dead livestock littered the area. Government officials have not provided casualty figures.
“I know of seven people that have been killed and also people that have been shot,” said Michel-Ange Toussaint, who had briefly returned to her Cite Soleil residence to collect clothing.
According to Toussaint, the civilian attacks started Sunday evening around 6 p.m., causing many residents to escape the neighborhood seeking refuge. “It is our good feet that saved us,” Toussaint said.
Criminal organizations have seized control of more than 90% of Port-au-Prince following President Jovenal Moïse’s assassination at his residence in July 2021. Law enforcement reports these groups have extended their criminal operations — including theft, abductions, sexual violence and rape — beyond the city into rural areas. The country has remained without a president since the killing.
The medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders issued a Monday statement announcing they had evacuated their Cite Soleil medical facility due to Sunday’s violent confrontations.
International peacekeeping forces connected to a United Nations mission began arriving in Haiti in April to help combat the persistent violence.
The U.N. Security Council authorized a 5,550-member peacekeeping force in late September, though the full deployment to the Caribbean nation remains incomplete. An undisclosed number of soldiers from Chad have been stationed there so far.
Research published this year by the International Organization for Migration revealed that criminal gang activity has forced more than 1.4 million Haitians from their homes, with roughly 200,000 now residing in overcrowded and inadequately funded shelter locations throughout the capital city.
Brazilian officials announced Tuesday that the European Union will halt imports of the country’s animal products starting in September, a surprising development that follows closely behind the implementation of a historic trade agreement worth an estimated $22 trillion.
The massive EU-Mercosur trade deal became effective in May, creating a vast trans-Atlantic marketplace. However, the agreement currently faces legal challenges at the European Court of Justice, with European agricultural interests and environmental advocates expressing concerns about competitive disadvantages, economic impacts, pricing issues, and environmental protections.
Brazil’s agriculture ministry expressed shock at the European decision, stating they received the news “with surprise” and confirming their intention to challenge the ruling. Reports from Brazilian news outlets indicate the EU cited insufficient documentation proving that animal products from Brazil and neighboring countries are free from growth-promoting antimicrobial additives.
Brazilian diplomatic representatives plan to meet with EU animal product officials on Wednesday “to seek explanations about the decision,” according to the ministry’s statement.
Data from Brazil’s animal products trade association shows that European Union nations ranked as the third-largest market for Brazilian beef exports in 2025, trailing only the United States and China in volume.
The EU-Mercosur free trade pact officially launched on May 1, following its signing on January 17 during a summit of the South American trading bloc that encompasses Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen implemented the agreement on a provisional basis, effectively bypassing the EU Parliament where legislators are now mounting a legal challenge through the bloc’s court system. Should the European judicial body rule against the agreement, it will be terminated.
MADISON, Wis. — An unexpected alliance formed Tuesday as pop icon Debbie Gibson joined forces with Terry “Geezer” Butler from legendary metal band Black Sabbath to champion the rescue of approximately 1,500 beagles from a Wisconsin research facility.
The two celebrities gathered not to collaborate musically, but to support the massive rehoming operation for dogs acquired from Ridglan Farms, a breeding and research operation located near Madison.
Setting aside Black Sabbath’s famous protest songs, Butler focused entirely on four-legged friends during his visit to the rescue effort.
“It was so profound to be able to hold each of these dogs in our arms and be able to assure them that their new life was starting,” Gibson expressed. “Today was a very emotional day.”
Both celebrities cradled beagles that had just arrived at the Dane County Humane Society from Ridglan Farms on Tuesday.
“They’ve never let me down,” Butler shared about his personal pets while visiting the humane society, which is handling placement for 500 of the rescued beagles. “They’re always loving.”
During their appearance in the humane society’s barn area, volunteers held beagles awaiting veterinary examinations, vaccinations, and additional medical attention.
Two animal advocacy organizations — the Washington, D.C.-based Center for a Humane Economy and Big Dog Ranch Rescue from Florida — negotiated the purchase agreement last month, acquiring all the dogs from Ridglan Farms for an undisclosed sum. Both groups actively oppose animal experimentation.
The rescue announcement came shortly after confrontations erupted between animal rights activists and law enforcement at the Ridglan facility. Officers deployed tear gas and pepper spray against protesters who claimed they intended to liberate the animals. Earlier in March, demonstrators had broken into the property and removed 30 dogs.
Multiple organizations are coordinating the relocation of all 1,500 purchased dogs to facilities providing veterinary treatment before transport to shelters across the nation for eventual adoption.
Interest in adopting these specific beagles has been extraordinary, with over 1,300 individuals contacting the Dane County Humane Society alone, according to Amy Good, the organization’s marketing director.
“It’s not a tough sell to get beagles into homes,” explained Wayne Pacelle, who leads the Center for a Humane Economy. “The response across the nation has been overwhelming.”
The initial group of 1,000 dogs was relocated earlier this month to temporary facilities managed by Big Dog Ranch Rescue’s partner organizations. This week marked the beginning of the Dane County Humane Society receiving the final 500 animals.
Ridglan Farms reached an agreement in October to surrender its state breeding permit effective July 1, avoiding felony animal abuse prosecution. While the company has maintained its innocence regarding animal mistreatment allegations, a special prosecutor concluded that Ridglan violated state veterinary regulations by conducting unauthorized eye procedures.
Butler, who shares his home with five dogs and five cats, described the day as a milestone in ending animal experimentation.
“This is just the beginning,” he declared.
Gibson, who launched her recording career at 16 with her 1987 debut album, announced plans to foster and potentially adopt one of Tuesday’s beagles.
“This little guy was the last one put in my arms, and I couldn’t put him back in a cage,” she said while holding the dog during her remarks.
When asked about potential musical collaboration focused on canines, both Butler and Gibson laughed.
“Maybe,” Butler responded with a grin, still holding a beagle.
A breakthrough study reveals that individuals transitioning from injectable weight-loss medications to Eli Lilly’s new oral drug Foundayo successfully maintained most of their weight reduction over a 12-month period.
The pharmaceutical giant announced Tuesday that clinical trial participants who had used GLP-1 injection therapies for more than a year experienced minimal weight regain when switching to the pill form. Results shared at an obesity medical conference showed those moving from Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy injection to Lilly’s oral Foundayo gained back just 2 pounds on average after one year. Meanwhile, participants transitioning from Lilly’s stronger injectable Zepbound saw an average weight increase of 11 pounds.
The Indianapolis-based company launched Foundayo in the United States during early April as direct competition to Danish manufacturer Novo’s oral Wegovy option. This launch represents Lilly’s continued investment in the lucrative obesity and diabetes treatment market, specifically targeting the GLP-1 medication category.
Industry experts project that weight-loss drug sales could exceed $100 billion annually within the coming decade.
Research findings presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Istanbul demonstrated that patients can successfully transition between treatments while preserving their weight reduction achievements – addressing a major worry associated with discontinuing GLP-1 injections.
“If you’re a patient on Wegovy, you can switch from a GLP-1 injectable to a GLP-1 pill and basically keep all the weight off,” stated Kenneth Custer, Eli Lilly’s president of cardiometabolic health, during a recent interview. “Patients now have options.”
The research examined individuals transitioning to Foundayo (scientifically called orforglipron) following 72 weeks of weight reduction using either Lilly’s tirzepatide medications (marketed as Zepbound and Mounjaro) or injectable semaglutide products (Novo’s Wegovy and Ozempic).
Detailed trial results showed that after 52 weeks post-transition, former tirzepatide users retained 74.7% of their original weight loss while taking orforglipron, compared to just 49.2% among those receiving inactive placebo treatments.
Participants who previously used semaglutide maintained 79.3% of their weight reduction with orforglipron, significantly higher than the placebo group’s 37.6% retention rate.
Novo introduced injectable Wegovy in 2021, followed by the pill version earlier this year. Oral medications are anticipated to attract new patient populations, particularly those uncomfortable with needle-based treatments.
When questioned about weight regain among patients switching from Zepbound to Foundayo, Custer explained this outcome was predictable considering the substantial weight loss achieved with Lilly’s injectable option. Clinical trials have demonstrated that Zepbound can produce weight reductions of 20% or greater.
Additional late-stage trial data revealed that participants maintaining maximum Zepbound dosages continued losing weight after an additional year of treatment, while those reducing to 5-milligram doses experienced approximately 12 pounds of weight regain.
“The study showed us two things. If you want to maintain every ounce of weight you lost on a drug like Zepbound, you should probably stay on that dose of Zepbound,” Custer explained.
“But if you want to consider reducing your dose, you can do that. You’ll regain a little bit of weight, but you’ll still maintain most of your weight loss,” he added.
The National Football League revealed Tuesday that the Cincinnati Bengals and Atlanta Falcons will clash at Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on November 8, 2026, marking the second NFL regular season contest held in Spain.
Real Madrid’s legendary home venue, which has stood for seven decades, previously hosted an NFL game last November when the Miami Dolphins defeated the Washington Commanders 16-13 in overtime, featuring quarterback Tua Tagovailoa who now plays for Atlanta.
This Week 9 matchup, scheduled for 9:30 a.m. and broadcast on NFL Network, represents part of the 2026 NFL International Games series. The announcement came two days before the complete NFL schedule release set for Thursday.
For Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, whose team struggled to a 6-11 record last season, this will mark his debut in an international NFL game.
“The game has a lot of room to grow. Just like basketball did in the ’80s and ’90s,” Burrow commented Tuesday following the announcement. “The Bulls kind of spearheaded that. Made it global and, hopefully, the Bengals can do the same thing over the next couple of years for the NFL.”
Cincinnati has participated in two previous international contests, both held in London, with their most recent appearance being a 24-10 defeat to the Los Angeles Rams at Wembley Stadium in 2019 during head coach Zac Taylor’s inaugural season.
New Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski brings extensive knowledge of the Bengals to his first season in Atlanta, having spent six years coaching the AFC North division rival Cleveland Browns.
The Falcons have competed in five prior regular season games on foreign soil, including four European contests. Atlanta’s international experience includes games in Toronto (2013), London (2014, 2021, 2023), and Berlin last season, where they fell 31-25 to the Indianapolis Colts before finishing 8-9.
“We are truly honored and deeply grateful for the opportunity to host the Cincinnati Bengals at the Bernabeu, one of the world’s most iconic venues,” stated Falcons president and CEO Greg Beadles on Tuesday. “This matchup represents a unique opportunity to connect with fans in Spain, and we sincerely appreciate the NFL’s continued commitment to growing the game on a global stage. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, we are thankful for the opportunity to begin building meaningful connections with Spanish supporters who will also experience our great city of Atlanta on the world stage.”
World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler hasn’t captured a tournament victory since January, though his recent performances have been tantalizingly close to breaking through.
The 29-year-old finished as runner-up in three consecutive tournaments during April before taking time off to gear up for this week’s PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club near Philadelphia.
Though such consistent high finishes would be impressive for most players, Scheffler finds himself fielding questions about why he can’t seal the deal.
“I think it was last week my wife was like, ‘Hey, Scottie, you’re like the first guy in PGA Tour history to have three solo runner-ups in a row.’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, it’s probably because the guy that was playing that good figured out a way to win one of those, he didn’t come second in all three,’” Scheffler joked when speaking with reporters Tuesday.
“A little bit of it is bittersweet. Finishing second in a golf tournament is not bad, but, I mean — especially in the way I did it in a couple of them. I was spotting guys so many strokes going into the weekend, mainly the Masters.”
At Augusta National, Scheffler bounced back from a disappointing second-round 74 with weekend scores of 65-68, ultimately finishing one shot behind Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy. The following week at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, he posted 64-67 during another weekend charge but fell to England’s Matt Fitzpatrick in a playoff at the RBC Heritage.
His third near-miss came at the Cadillac Championship in Miami, where another sluggish start was partially salvaged by a stronger finish. Despite reaching 13 under par, he trailed winner Cameron Young by six strokes.
“You know you’re playing good golf, and you’d love to get some wins,” said Scheffler. “Finishing second hurts, but I think when you reflect and you’re looking at things to work on, there’s a lot less to clean up when you’re finishing second than there is when you’re finishing 30th.”
Among Scheffler’s four major championships, he has never successfully defended one immediately. His Masters victories were separated by two years before he claimed both the PGA Championship and Open Championship in 2025. This week presents his first opportunity to win consecutive major titles.
Successfully defending a major championship outside Augusta requires favorable course rotation timing. Scheffler triumphed at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte last year, a venue that regularly hosts PGA Tour events. However, he acknowledged Tuesday that he believes he’s never competed in the Philadelphia region before.
“I think a lot of it depends on the golf course. A lot of it depends on the conditions,” Scheffler explained regarding PGA Championship challenges. “If you look at this golf course specifically, between it being soft and firm, I think is two totally different tests. If you’re looking at this golf course when it’s soft, I think there’s a lot of stuff you can kind of get away with in terms of like you can hit it pretty far offline. There’s not many things to block you. …”
“But if you look at this golf course when it’s firm, the fairways are hard to hit. Then if you want to get the ball close to a lot of these pins, you have to control your spin and control your distance really well, which is not that easy to do out of the rough.”
Despite his recent frustrations, Scheffler recognizes his position is enviable compared to struggling with poor results.
“I’d much rather have to sit here and be (asked), ‘Hey, how come you didn’t win last week,’ versus, ‘He finished 15th, like that was a pretty good start for you, game’s starting to turn around.’ It’s a lot better playing good golf,” he said. “… I think those questions are easier to answer.”
South Carolina’s Republican-controlled Senate dealt a blow to former President Donald Trump on Tuesday, rejecting an effort to redraw the state’s congressional boundaries that would have wiped out its single Democratic House district.
Several GOP senators defied Trump’s pressure and joined Democrats in blocking the redistricting plan, falling short of the required two-thirds majority needed to extend the legislative session. The final tally was 29-17, missing the mark by two votes.
The failed initiative means U.S. Representative Jim Clyburn, an influential Black Democrat who has served the district since 1993, will likely keep his seat safe for November’s midterm contest. However, Republican Governor Henry McMaster retains the option to convene a special legislative session to revisit the redistricting question. GOP lawmakers already hold control over the state’s remaining six congressional seats.
This redistricting battle reflects a broader strategy among Republican-led states throughout the South to reconfigure congressional boundaries in ways that could weaken Democratic strongholds and alter the region’s political landscape.
The push gained momentum following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on April 29 that weakened provisions of the Voting Rights Act, providing states with greater freedom to dismantle districts with majority-Black and majority-Latino populations. Multiple GOP-controlled southern states have seized on this opportunity, with Tennessee successfully passing new maps that break up a majority-Black district, while Louisiana and Alabama are pursuing comparable measures.
The South Carolina House had previously approved legislation that would have delayed the June 9 primary elections for U.S. House races and implemented new district boundaries that would have divided Clyburn’s constituency.
Trump attempted to influence the Senate vote through a social media message posted Monday, stating he was “watching closely” and encouraging state senators to support the redistricting effort.
This pressure campaign echoed Trump’s previous intimidation tactics against Indiana Republican legislators who refused to redraw their state’s map last year. Trump had promised to endorse primary opponents against those lawmakers, and his threats proved effective when six of the seven targeted incumbents lost to Trump-backed challengers in recent primary elections, demonstrating the continued power of his political influence.
Drivers traveling on Route 20 eastbound in New Castle County should expect delays due to ongoing construction work that has forced the closure of one lane.
The Delaware Department of Transportation reports that the lane restriction is affecting the stretch of Hardscrabble Road between Tyndall Road and Bryans Store Road. Officials say the construction zone will remain active until 7 PM today.
Motorists are advised to use alternate routes when possible or allow extra travel time if they must use this section of roadway during the construction period.
The New York Yankees made roster moves Tuesday, promoting shortstop Anthony Volpe from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre while putting utility player Jose Caballero on the 10-day injured list due to a broken finger.
Caballero sustained the injury to his right middle finger during Sunday’s 4-3 defeat against the Milwaukee Brewers on the road. The injury occurred when he dove back toward first base to avoid being picked off. When Caballero reported pain afterward, the team sent him back to New York for testing, where an MRI scan confirmed a fracture.
This injury opens the door for Volpe to return to the majors for his first appearance in the 2026 season, after Caballero had secured the regular shortstop position at the start of the year.
The 29-year-old Caballero was hitting .259 with four homers, 13 RBIs and 13 stolen bases across 41 games this season, starting 39 of those contests at shortstop. New York obtained him from division rival Tampa Bay Rays during the 2025 trade deadline and utilized him at various positions in both the infield and outfield.
Meanwhile, the 25-year-old Volpe dealt with a partial labrum tear in his left shoulder during the previous season and had surgery in October. His performance both at the plate and in the field suffered in 2025 while playing through the injury. Following his rehabilitation assignment, Volpe was sent down to Triple-A on May 3.
Volpe first reached the major leagues in 2023 after just 22 Triple-A appearances the previous year. He earned the starting shortstop role during spring training and delivered an impressive rookie campaign with 21 home runs and a Gold Glove award. He appeared in 159 games that season, followed by 160 in 2024 and 153 in 2025.
Over his 472 major league games, Volpe has compiled a .222 batting average with 52 home runs, 192 RBIs, 82 doubles and 70 stolen bases. However, he also shared the American League lead with 19 errors during the previous season.
Max Schuemann is scheduled to start at shortstop for Tuesday’s matchup against the Baltimore Orioles. The Yankees enter the game having dropped four consecutive contests.
Good evening, Delmarva! We’re wrapping up a beautiful Tuesday across the peninsula with mostly clear skies and comfortable conditions. Tonight will be pleasant with temperatures settling around 52 degrees and those clear skies continuing. You’ll feel a gentle south breeze at 5 to 10 mph – perfect for leaving the windows open!
Wednesday is shaping up to be a gorgeous day with mostly sunny skies and a nice warm-up to around 75 degrees. It’s looking like an ideal day to get outside and enjoy some of that spring sunshine we’ve been waiting for.
However, I do need to give you a heads up about Wednesday night into Thursday. We’re tracking the possibility of showers and thunderstorms moving through the area Wednesday evening, with rain chances continuing into Thursday when highs reach 67 degrees. Nothing severe is expected, but you’ll want to keep that umbrella handy and maybe move those outdoor plans indoors.
Stay safe out there, Delmarva, and I’ll see you tomorrow with your updated forecast!
Drivers using East Edinburgh Drive are experiencing periodic lane restrictions that will remain in effect until 6 PM today.
The intermittent closures are creating temporary traffic delays for motorists traveling through the area. Authorities advise drivers to plan for additional travel time and exercise caution when navigating the affected roadway.
The lane restrictions are expected to be lifted by this evening, allowing normal traffic flow to resume on East Edinburgh Drive.
Both Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism Tuesday that the ongoing Ukraine conflict is nearing its conclusion, though Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy strongly disagreed with this assessment.
Putin told reporters over the weekend that “I think that the matter is coming to an end.”
When asked about Putin’s comments, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed Tuesday that significant three-way diplomatic efforts involving Ukraine and the United States have been underway to bring the conflict to a close, now entering its fifth year.
“This accumulated groundwork in terms of the peace process allows us to say that the completion is indeed approaching,” Peskov stated to reporters, while noting he could not provide specific details at this time.
Before beginning a state visit to China on Tuesday, Trump echoed similar sentiments about an approaching resolution between the two nations, though he also declined to provide specifics.
“The end of the war in Ukraine I really think it’s getting very close,” Trump commented as he departed the White House.
Zelenskyy, however, expressed a markedly different view. Speaking on Monday, he stated: “Russia has no intention of ending this war. And we are, unfortunately, preparing for new attacks.”
Trump has organized several rounds of negotiations with both sides in an attempt to resolve the conflict, though no peace agreement has materialized. Russia, which currently controls approximately one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, is demanding that Kyiv surrender additional land. Ukraine insists that Russian forces must completely withdraw.
Peskov indicated Russia would support continued U.S. mediation and that Putin is willing to meet with Zelenskyy face-to-face once peace negotiations are completed.
“And for that finalisation, in order to put a full stop to it, a great deal of preparatory work still needs to be done,” he explained, suggesting the conflict could conclude as soon as Kyiv and Zelenskyy “take the necessary decision.”
The opposing forces recently agreed to a brief U.S.-brokered ceasefire from May 9-11, timed to coincide with the anniversary commemorating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two.
While neither side reported major air strikes during the temporary truce, both continued to report ongoing combat along the front lines and made mutual accusations of drone and artillery strikes.
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers are making their intentions clear: they want LeBron James to continue his career in purple and gold.
Following the team’s disappointing 115-110 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night, which completed a second-round playoff sweep, Lakers General Manager Rob Pelinka and head coach JJ Redick expressed their strong commitment to retaining the veteran superstar. The loss marked the end of James’ eighth campaign with Los Angeles.
At 41 years old, James has just wrapped up his remarkable 23rd NBA campaign, though he remains uncertain about continuing his playing career.
“Any team, including ours, would love to have LeBron James on their roster,” Pelinka said. “That’s a blessing in itself, just with what he does.”
The NBA’s all-time leading scorer enters unrestricted free agency this summer, giving him complete control over his next destination should he decide to delay retirement. While not every franchise possesses the financial flexibility to offer competitive compensation, the Lakers maintain substantial cap space and numerous roster decisions ahead. The organization hopes James will remain part of their championship pursuit centered around Luka Doncic.
“He’s given so much to his teammates, to this organization, and the thing we want to do more than anything else is honor him back,” Pelinka said.
The general manager repeatedly emphasized his commitment to “honor” James’ deliberation process, indicating the franchise’s willingness to wait patiently for the superstar’s decision over the coming weeks.
“The first order of business there is allowing him to spend the time he needs to decide what his next steps are,” Pelinka said. “Does he want to play another year in the NBA? That’ll be (determined through) family time, I think, time with his inner circle, and we just want to honor that for him.”
This represents James’ longest tenure with a single franchise, spanning eight seasons. His family has established roots in Los Angeles, where he captured an NBA championship and achieved numerous league milestones. Additionally, his 21-year-old son Bronny has spent two seasons as a reserve guard with the Lakers, creating the unique opportunity for father and son to share the court during several meaningful playoff moments.
Injuries limited James to 60 games this season, and he posted career-low averages of 20.9 points per game while adapting to his role as the team’s third scoring option behind Doncic and Austin Reaves. Despite this adjustment representing unfamiliar territory, James appeared to embrace his enhanced playmaking responsibilities, particularly during the team’s strongest stretch in March.
Los Angeles compiled a 53-win record and claimed the Pacific Division championship despite losing Doncic for the remainder of the season and Reaves for nearly a month due to injuries sustained in the same April 2nd contest. Although their campaign concluded with a four-game elimination by the heavily favored Thunder, the Lakers approach the offseason with confidence about their potential improvement — especially if James returns.
However, Pelinka clarified that the franchise’s long-term vision revolves around 27-year-old Doncic, who captured the NBA scoring championship before a hamstring injury derailed his playoff preparation.
“The archetype of the roster that we want is going to be retrofitted around Luka and the things he needs,” Pelinka said. “Clearly he’s that leader and player for the future that we want to build the right way around.”
The Lakers’ most significant offseason priority involves securing a new contract for Reaves, the former undrafted player who has emerged as one of the league’s most productive scorers during his five Los Angeles seasons. Reaves is anticipated to decline his player option, with Pelinka confirming mutual interest in a substantial extension.
“He started his journey here as a Laker and has made it very clear to us that he wants his journey to continue as a Laker, and we feel the same way,” Pelinka said. “We want his odyssey to continue to unfold in the purple and gold. Both sides have made it abundantly clear that we want to work something out.”
Other unrestricted free agents include forward Rui Hachimura, whose impressive postseason performance following regular-season inconsistencies likely earned him a significant raise; guard Luke Kennard, acquired via late-season trade who provided valuable contributions during Reaves’ absence; and reserve center Jaxson Hayes.
Starting center Deandre Ayton holds an $8.1 million player option and indicated Monday he hasn’t considered his decision. Marcus Smart, another key playoff contributor, possesses a $5.4 million player option he’s expected to decline in pursuit of a larger contract.
“Being here in LA, the crowd and everybody has been amazing,” Ayton said. “I wouldn’t change it for nothing, to be honest.”
Criminal charges have been filed against the operator of the cargo vessel that crashed into Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, resulting in six deaths more than two years ago.
The Dali cargo vessel experienced electrical failures that caused it to lose power and steering control before crashing into the bridge’s support structure, resulting in the fatal collapse that shut down Baltimore’s port for several months.
Beyond the criminal charges revealed on Tuesday, the companies responsible for owning and operating the vessel have encountered numerous legal battles, most of which have been settled through financial agreements.
State officials in Maryland estimate the replacement of the heavily used bridge will cost between $4.3 billion and $5.2 billion, with traffic not expected to resume until the end of 2030.
The following timeline details the crash sequence and major developments afterward:
March 26, 2024
12:39 a.m.: The vessel departed Baltimore’s port bound for Sri Lanka. The Singapore-flagged cargo ship stretched approximately 985 feet in length and 157 feet in width.
Between 1:25 a.m. and 1:28 a.m.: The vessel experienced power failure and crew members broadcast a distress signal while approaching the Francis Scott Key Bridge at roughly 9 mph.
Law enforcement had approximately 90 seconds to halt vehicle traffic from entering the bridge from both sides.
Around 1:29 a.m.: The cargo vessel collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, hitting a support pillar and causing the structure to collapse into the water in seconds.
March 27, 2024
Federal authorities started gathering evidence from the vessel.
March 30, 2024
Engineering teams and multiple floating cranes extracted the initial piece of steel debris, beginning a lengthy and complex operation to secure the area for divers searching for missing construction workers and to establish alternative shipping routes for Baltimore’s port.
April 1, 2024
Grace Ocean Private Ltd. of Singapore, the ship’s owner, and Synergy Marine PTE Ltd., the vessel’s operator, submitted a legal filing attempting to restrict their financial responsibility.
May 8, 2024
Recovery teams found the remains of the final missing construction worker. All victims were Latino immigrants working the night shift repairing potholes on the bridge.
May 15, 2024
Federal investigators published initial findings about the ship’s electrical malfunctions while docked in Baltimore but did not confirm these were connected to the power failure that occurred just before the bridge collision.
June 19, 2024
National Transportation Safety Board records revealed investigators discovered a disconnected cable in a transformer and circuit breaker system that crew members had activated before leaving Baltimore’s port.
September 18, 2024
Federal authorities filed legal action against the ship’s owner and operator, alleging they disregarded known electrical issues and demanding $100 million in damages.
September 19, 2024
Maryland state government initiated similar legal proceedings, joined by Baltimore dock workers who filed a group lawsuit demanding compensation for lost earnings during the port closure.
October 24, 2024
The cargo ship’s owner and operator agreed to pay over $102 million in cleanup expenses to resolve the Justice Department’s lawsuit.
November 18, 2024
Maryland authorities revealed plans for a replacement Francis Scott Key Bridge that would be constructed higher than the previous structure, with an estimated cost of $1.9 billion.
December 19, 2024
Federal investigators reported that Maryland’s transportation department had not finished a recommended security evaluation of the Francis Scott Key Bridge prior to its collapse, which would have identified ship collision risks.
January 13, 2025
The vessel’s owner and operator initiated legal action in federal court against Hyundai Heavy Industries, the shipbuilder, claiming negligent design of an essential electrical panel.
January 23, 2025
Maryland officials increased their cost projection for the Francis Scott Key Bridge replacement to between $4.3 billion and $5.2 billion, more than doubling the original estimate.
February 26, 2025
The National Transportation Safety Board determined that a disconnected electrical wire caused the power failure that resulted in the ship losing propulsion and steering before the crash. Investigators concluded the crew could have identified the loose wire beforehand using thermal imaging technology.
November 14, 2025
The ship’s owner and operator announced settlement deals with Maryland and ACE American Insurance Co. The $350 million insurance settlement equaled the amount ACE had paid to Maryland, representing the maximum coverage under the state’s insurance policy.
December 2, 2025
Federal prosecutors filed criminal charges against the ship’s operator and a senior staff member, accusing them of making decisions that caused the crash and attempting to conceal the facts.
On the same day, Maryland’s attorney general revealed the $2.24 billion settlement amount between the state and the ship’s owner and operator, which had been previously announced without specific figures.
AUSTIN, Texas — Former President Barack Obama threw his weight behind Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful James Talarico during a Tuesday meeting in Austin, as party leaders work to energize what they acknowledge is an uphill battle in the traditionally red state of Texas.
The former commander-in-chief shared a meal with Talarico and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa at a local taco restaurant in Austin. The appearance was designed to provide momentum for both candidates through an endorsement from one of the Democratic Party’s most popular figures.
The visit continues Obama’s pattern of championing emerging Democratic leaders across the country, including a recent appearance alongside New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani in the Bronx to advocate for expanded childcare access.
Obama previously praised Talarico during a podcast appearance several months ago, describing him as a “terrific, really talented young man.” Hinojosa revealed in a March social media post that the former president had personally called to offer his congratulations on her campaign efforts.
Talarico’s Senate bid has drawn nationwide interest due to his combination of progressive politics with Christian messaging. His eventual Republican opponent will be determined by a May 26 primary runoff between current Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and sitting Senator John Cornyn.
WASHINGTON — Following a closed-door meeting with Secret Service Director Sean Callan on Tuesday, Republican senators expressed concerns about a billion-dollar White House security funding proposal, demanding more specific information about how the money would be allocated.
The comprehensive security plan includes $220 million dedicated to fortifying President Donald Trump’s newly constructed East Wing ballroom. According to documents reviewed by The Associated Press, this portion would fund bulletproof glass installation, drone detection systems, chemical threat filtration and detection equipment, along with various other national security measures.
The security funding request follows charges filed against an individual who allegedly attempted to assassinate Trump during last month’s White House Correspondents Association dinner. Additional funding allocations include $180 million for constructing a new visitor screening facility and $175 million designated for modernizing Secret Service agent training programs to address contemporary security threats.
Multiple Republican senators who attended the lunch meeting criticized the proposal’s lack of specificity. They emphasized wanting comprehensive details about expenditure plans and questioned the timing of the request. While Trump has consistently stated that private donations totaling $400 million would cover ballroom construction costs, the administration had not previously disclosed associated security expenses.
“I want more information,” stated Florida Sen. Rick Scott, who maintains close ties with the president. “I ran companies, okay? If somebody came to me and said they were going to spend a billion dollars on something, I’d get more detail.”
Senate Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Susan Collins of Maine questioned why these security enhancements weren’t included in Trump’s earlier budget submission this year. She indicated requesting “a lot more data” during the meeting.
Indiana Sen. Todd Young expressed willingness to support the initiative while noting, “they need to go back and get us more detail about how exactly they arrived at the figures.”
Republican leadership has incorporated the security funding into a partisan spending measure aimed at restoring immigration enforcement agency budgets. Internal party skepticism regarding the White House funding could potentially threaten the legislation, which GOP leaders hope to advance without Democratic support.
Additional Secret Service requests include $175 million for “enhancements for protectee security,” $150 million addressing “evolving threats and technology” such as drone countermeasures and airspace protection, and $100 million for securing high-profile “events of national significance.”
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer announced plans to challenge the security funding through the Senate parliamentarian and propose amendments forcing Republican votes on the proposal if it remains in the legislation.
“How many Americans want to see a billion dollars for a ballroom and not for the cost of child care and groceries?” Schumer questioned Tuesday.
Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana also participated in the Senate Republican lunch, with some House Republican members similarly expressing reservations about the billion-dollar proposal.
Facing pushback from Democrats and some Republicans, South Dakota Republican Sen. Mike Rounds suggested potentially reducing the security plan’s scope, deferring portions to future annual spending legislation.
However, Rounds indicated Republicans might ultimately approve the complete request after receiving additional details.
“I think as more of the information begins to come out, I think people are going to feel a lot more comfortable with what they are requesting,” Rounds explained.
Major corporations are beginning to see the first payments in what could become a massive $166 billion refund program following a Supreme Court decision that invalidated Trump-era import tariffs.
On Tuesday, heavy truck manufacturer Oshkosh Corp and toy company Basic Fun both announced they had received initial portions of the tariff refunds they requested after the nation’s highest court struck down the trade taxes earlier this year.
The payments represent a significant development in an ongoing legal and financial dispute. Following the Supreme Court’s ruling that deemed the tariffs illegal, the federal government faces the task of returning up to $166 billion to businesses that paid the import taxes.
Jay Foreman, who leads Basic Fun – the company behind popular brands like Tonka trucks, Care Bears and K’Nex building sets – described the situation in practical terms. “The issue is will the funds flow like a river or fire hose or like a stream or garden hose,” Foreman wrote in an email message. “So far, the funds are trickling out but they have started.”
Foreman’s company received $400,000 as part of their total $7.4 million claim. While Oshkosh confirmed receiving partial payments, the Wisconsin-based company has not revealed the total amount they are seeking in refunds.
According to a Tuesday court document filed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the agency expects to distribute refunds totaling $35.46 billion covering 8.3 million individual shipments that were processed by 7 a.m. Eastern time on May 11.
However, this represents only a fraction of the total money scheduled to be returned to businesses nationwide.
CBP data from early April shows that importers had completed required paperwork for refunds worth $127 billion – representing more than three-quarters of all eligible refund money. The agency processed tariff payments from over 330,000 importing companies across 53 million separate shipments.
The refund process is creating a secondary wave of financial negotiations, as customers who absorbed higher prices due to the tariffs are now requesting their own refunds from the importing companies.
Jim Estill, who runs appliance importing business Danby, has not yet received government refunds but has already heard from two customers seeking their share of any future payments.
“When we get a refund, we’ll look at giving a refund to some of those customers,” Estill explained. “But we haven’t committed to anything because we haven’t received any refund yet.”
Estill pointed out that his company absorbed some of the original tariff costs rather than passing all expenses to customers, and that pursuing refunds involved additional expenses.
“We used a consultant to help us file this and they get a percentage of the refund,” he noted.
WASHINGTON, May 12 – Officials at the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau are developing plans to bring employees back to their workplace following more than a year since the Trump administration closed the agency’s Washington headquarters and attempted to dismantle its staff, according to three sources familiar with the situation.
The workplace return strategy for the consumer protection agency has not been shared with employees yet, and the timeline for implementation remains undetermined, sources indicated.
Currently, the downtown headquarters building is partially being used by the Office of Management and Budget, led by Director Russell Vought who also oversees the CFPB, according to five sources knowledgeable about the building’s occupancy.
Sources were unable to confirm whether employees would return to the original CFPB headquarters location or if the directive would apply to agency personnel stationed in other locations beyond Washington.
Agency representatives did not provide immediate responses to requests for comment on Tuesday. In February, the Trump administration terminated the headquarters lease and transferred the building to the General Services Administration, as previously documented by Reuters.
Following initial calls for completely shutting down the CFPB last year, senior administration leaders now indicate they have reduced their plans to dramatically cut the agency’s staff. A judge’s temporary restraining order preventing this action continues to stand after a lower court determined the administration intended to destroy the CFPB before courts could rule on the legality of such actions.
Due to severely limited agency operations and an uncertain future, numerous CFPB workers have departed the organization, which was established after the 2008 financial crisis to safeguard Americans from exploitative consumer lending practices. Staff numbers have decreased by approximately 30% since the Trump administration began, based on legal documents.
Senior administration leaders, including President Donald Trump, have characterized the CFPB as a politically motivated obstacle to business freedom, while Democratic lawmakers and agency supporters have called elimination efforts a corporate favor that harms consumers.
The world’s top-ranked golfer Scottie Scheffler will begin defending his PGA Championship crown Thursday afternoon at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, paired with English players Justin Rose and Matt Fitzpatrick.
The defending champion, ranked first globally, will tee off at 2:05 p.m. ET alongside fourth-ranked Fitzpatrick and seventh-ranked Rose in one of the day’s final groupings from the opening par-four hole.
Scheffler, who claimed last year’s British Open title and dominated the PGA Championship by five strokes at Quail Hollow, enters the tournament after three consecutive second-place finishes on tour. His recent near-misses include the Masters, where the American nearly completed a historic rally from 12 shots behind after two rounds.
Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, ranked second worldwide and fresh off his successful Masters title defense at Augusta National where he edged Scheffler by one stroke, will begin play much earlier at 8:40 a.m. from the par-four 10th tee. McIlroy’s group includes American Jordan Spieth and Spain’s Jon Rahm, who represents one of 11 LIV Golf competitors in this year’s second major championship.
Teeing off one group before McIlroy will be a star-studded trio featuring 2024 PGA Championship winner Xander Schauffele, five-time major champion Brooks Koepka, and LIV Golf’s Tyrrell Hatton from England. This tournament marks Koepka’s second major appearance since departing LIV in December, following his tie for 12th place at the Masters.
Current U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun will start his round at 12:59 p.m. from the first tee, joined by American Max Homa, who earned his spot in the 156-player field after six-time major winner Phil Mickelson withdrew, and Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama.
Cameron Young, competing in his fifth PGA Championship while enjoying his strongest PGA Tour campaign with two victories already this season, will play in an American trio with former U.S. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley and two-time champion Justin Thomas, starting one group before Scheffler.
Tournament play will officially commence at 6:45 a.m. when Philadelphia native Braden Shattuck hits the opening shot, playing alongside England’s Alex Fitzpatrick and American Ben Griffin.
WASHINGTON, May 12 – Federal legislation designed to force social media platforms to better protect children from online dangers moved closer to reality Tuesday after a powerful Republican senator announced his backing for the measure.
Senator Ted Cruz declared his support for the Kids Online Safety Act during a Washington event, marking a crucial step forward for the proposed law. The legislation would mandate that social media companies “exercise reasonable care” when creating features that could harm young users, targeting issues such as eating disorders, depression, and the sexual harassment of minors.
Cruz’s endorsement carries significant weight since he leads the Senate Commerce Committee, which typically reviews and approves such legislation before it reaches a full Senate vote. While the senator has previously supported similar measures, he had not yet scheduled a formal committee vote on this particular bill during the current congressional session.
Speaking at a gathering outside the U.S. Capitol alongside parents who lost children to online-related harms, Cruz made a firm commitment about the bill’s future. “We are going to pass it out of the Commerce Committee, we’re going to pass it in the Senate,” he stated.
Representatives from Cruz’s office did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment on the announcement.
DOVER — Delaware Governor Matt Meyer revealed two significant legislative proposals Monday aimed at reducing healthcare expenses and bolstering patient safeguards throughout the state, marking a key component of his administration’s comprehensive strategy to create a more affordable, transparent, and responsible healthcare framework.
Speaking alongside legislative leadership and state officials in Dover, Governor Meyer detailed his administration’s blueprint for transforming Delaware’s healthcare landscape to better serve residents facing rising medical costs.
The legislative package represents a cornerstone initiative in the governor’s broader mission to address healthcare affordability challenges that have impacted families and individuals across Delaware.
Agricultural producers in Virginia have an extended opportunity to earn money while implementing environmentally beneficial practices on their land. The Virginia Farm Bureau is urging farmers to submit applications for the Alliance to Advance Climate-Smart Agriculture initiative before the June 15 deadline.
The statewide initiative provides monetary rewards and expert guidance to agricultural operators who implement conservation methods that enhance soil quality, boost pasture output, and promote long-term farming sustainability. Eligible participants can earn $100 per acre when they adopt approved practices including nutrient management plans, improved grazing systems, or establishing new pasture and hay crops. Those seeking more comprehensive improvements may qualify for enhanced compensation through specialized pasture restoration projects.
The initiative extends beyond simple financial compensation by linking farmers with technical guidance from regional conservation specialists and agricultural professionals. This assistance ensures proper practice implementation and may create pathways to new market opportunities that generate supplementary income.
Virginia agricultural producers who satisfy program criteria can enroll as many as 120 acres in the initiative, which aims to compensate conservation efforts that enhance farm productivity while creating resilience against evolving environmental challenges.
Program participation is limited, prompting organizers to urge swift action from interested farmers. The opportunity allows agricultural operators to enhance their operations, upgrade their property, and participate in a progressive initiative that balances farm economics with environmental responsibility.
Producers are strongly advised to submit applications before the June 15 cutoff to maximize their land’s potential earnings.
A Delaware State University educator has earned recognition on the national stage, receiving a pair of distinguished awards for excellence in education.
Dr. Pietro Sasso, a faculty member at the Dover-based institution, was presented with two national education honors, marking a significant achievement for both the professor and the university.
The dual recognition underscores the quality of educational leadership present at Delaware State University and highlights the institution’s commitment to academic excellence.
Details about the specific nature of the awards and Dr. Sasso’s contributions to education that earned him this national recognition were not immediately available.
The Southern Poverty Law Center confronts a major challenge from federal authorities, arriving during a period when both former and current employees describe the civil rights organization as especially vulnerable to outside pressure.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, speaking alongside FBI Director Kash Patel during a recent press conference, revealed charges against the Montgomery-based organization. Federal prosecutors claim the group illegally transferred more than $3 million to white supremacist and extremist organizations.
The timing of these federal charges creates additional strain for an organization that has historically weathered violent attacks and intimidation campaigns. The SPLC, known for tracking hate groups and pursuing civil rights litigation, now finds itself defending against serious allegations from the Justice Department.
Internal sources suggest the organization faces institutional challenges that may complicate its ability to respond effectively to the current federal investigation. The charges represent a dramatic shift in the relationship between the civil rights group and federal law enforcement agencies.
CANNES, France — Tuesday marked the beginning of the 79th Cannes Film Festival, launching nearly two weeks of continuous movie premieres that will conclude May 23 when the coveted Palme d’Or is awarded.
The prestigious French Riviera event opened with an homage to Peter Jackson, presenting the “Lord of the Rings” director with an honorary Palme d’Or. Elijah Wood, who portrayed Frodo Baggins in Jackson’s trilogy, made the introduction.
“I’ve never figured out why I’m getting a Palme d’Or. I’m not a Palme d’Or sorta guy,” the disheveled New Zealand director remarked.
Jackson received a musical tribute featuring the Beatles’ “Get Back,” referencing his acclaimed 2021 documentary. The filmmaker was spotted lip-syncing from his seat on stage.
The honor of officially launching the festival went to 88-year-old Jane Fonda and Chinese-Singaporean performer Gong Li.
“Cinema has always been an act of resistance,” Fonda declared.
During the presentation of the jury responsible for selecting the Palme d’Or winner, panel members delivered frank commentary about conducting a film festival amid global political turmoil.
Scottish screenwriter Paul Laverty, recognized for his collaborations with director Ken Loach, referenced this year’s festival poster featuring “Thelma and Louise” while addressing attendance at Cannes during what he termed “genocide in Gaza.”
Drawing from “King Lear,” Laverty stated: “Madmen lead the blind.”
“Cannes has a wonderful poster,” Laverty continued. “Isn’t it fascinating to see some of them like Susan Sarandon, Javier Bardem and Mark Ruffalo blacklisted because of their views in opposing the murder of women and children in Gaza? Shame on Hollywood people who do that.”
South Korean director Park Chan-wook, known for “Oldboy” and “No Other Choice,” leads the nine-person jury. He emphasized the connection between politics and filmmaking.
“Art and politics are not concepts that are in conflict with each other,” Park explained. “One cannot disqualify a film on the pretext that it has a political message. Just as one cannot reject a film because it would not be political enough.”
Additional jury members include Chloé Zhao, Stellan Skarsgård, Ruth Negga and Demi Moore, who gained Cannes recognition two years prior for her return performance in “The Substance.”
The festival has occasionally welcomed figures who receive cooler receptions in Hollywood. Three years prior, Cannes notably opened with Johnny Depp’s “Jeanne du Barry.”
James Franco made a surprise appearance at Tuesday’s opening ceremony. The 48-year-old actor previously attended Cannes in 2024.
In 2021, Franco and fellow defendants paid $2.2 million to resolve litigation claiming he coerced acting school students he taught into inappropriate and exploitative sexual scenarios.
Two decades after Guillermo del Toro debuted his celebrated fairy tale “Pan’s Labyrinth,” the filmmaker returned to Cannes Tuesday for a 4K restoration screening. Del Toro noted the film’s continued relevance, which follows a young girl and fascist officer in 1940s Spain.
“We are, unfortunately, in times that make this movie more pertinent than ever because they tell us everything is useless to resist, that art can be done with a —-ing app,” del Toro commented.
TEL AVIV, Israel — A comprehensive investigation has concluded that sexual violence served as a calculated and pervasive component of the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 assault and its consequences, according to findings released by an Israeli research organization.
The Civil Commission, an independent entity focused on documenting gender-based violence following Hamas’ 2023 assault on Israel that triggered the Gaza conflict, published their findings Tuesday in a document called “Silenced No More.”
Researchers conducted a two-year examination that incorporated over 400 witness accounts and nearly 2,000 hours of video evidence, identifying 13 distinct patterns of abuse including gang rape, sexual torture and forced nudity.
“Our findings demonstrate that it was a deliberate tactic within the broader architecture of the terror inflicted on victims and hostages,” stated Cochav Elkayam-Levy, who founded and chairs the commission while serving as the report’s primary author.
Since the Gaza war commenced, sexual violence allegations have become highly politicized, with both sides attempting to undermine each other’s claims.
Israeli officials have referenced incidents from the October 7 assault and hostage treatment to underscore what they characterize as Hamas brutality and support their military objective of eliminating future Gaza-based threats. Israel’s government has criticized the global community for allegedly dismissing or minimizing sexual violence evidence, claiming anti-Israel prejudice.
The Associated Press could not independently confirm the report’s conclusions, and some observers have questioned Elkayam-Levy’s earlier research. However, notable figures including Hillary Rodham Clinton, Rahm Emanuel and Facebook pioneer Sheryl Sandberg have supported her efforts.
United Nations officials state they have discovered “reasonable grounds” to believe Hamas fighters perpetrated rape and additional sexual violence during their offensive. International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim Khan has indicated he believes three senior Hamas officials bear responsibility for “rape and other acts of sexual violence as crimes against humanity.”
Human rights organizations and Palestinians detained by Israel following the attacks have also provided extensive accounts of sexual violence and torture within Israeli detention facilities.
In March, Israel dismissed charges against five soldiers previously accused of beating and sodomizing a Palestinian prisoner in an incident allegedly partially recorded on video. Hard-line political figures, who had vigorously opposed the charges, celebrated the decision to drop them, while human rights advocates said it demonstrated Israel’s reluctance to probe misconduct.
Neither Israel’s government nor Hamas immediately responded to AP requests for comment.
The commission — consisting of researchers, legal experts and trauma specialists — gathered digital evidence, conducted interviews and recorded testimonies. Officials said they also verified information using independent data sources.
According to the report, Hamas and its allies primarily focused on women and hostages, though children also experienced violence and abuse.
One instance described two young hostages who returned being compelled to perform “sexual acts on one another,” including removing clothing while captors touched their private areas.
The document stated sexual torture aimed to intensify pain and suffering, with survivors experiencing burning, mutilation and forced object insertion. Some victims were discovered handcuffed or restrained. Armed groups also filmed acts of abuse and killings, distributing footage via social media, the report indicated.
The investigation recorded attacks at various locations, including the Nova Music festival, where hundreds died and others were kidnapped. The AP previously discovered evidence that sexual assault occurred during Hamas’ October 7 rampage, including testimony from a festival attendee who said he heard a woman screaming for help and shouting, “They’re raping me, they’re raping me!”
Hostages also faced sexual harassment and assault, some lasting months, the report stated.
Several freed hostages have publicly discussed sexual assault during captivity. In Israeli media interviews, Romi Gonen described repeated sexual assault and harassment by three men.
Another former hostage, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, told the New York Times he experienced sexual abuse from a captor and received death threats for speaking about it.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva unveiled a massive public security initiative on Tuesday, allocating 11 billion reais ($2 billion) to combat organized crime in what political observers view as an effort to strengthen his law enforcement reputation before October’s electoral contest.
The comprehensive program targets areas where Lula has faced persistent criticism from political opponents regarding his approach to public safety matters.
Key components of the initiative include intensifying efforts to stop illegal weapons trafficking, disrupting criminal organizations’ financial networks, improving murder case investigations, and upgrading the nation’s correctional facilities. Brazilian officials announced that approximately 1 billion reais ($190 million) will be allocated through December.
The funding will enable authorities to acquire sophisticated equipment including unmanned aircraft, body scanning technology, metal detection devices, cellular signal jamming equipment, X-ray systems, surveillance technology, radar systems, genetic identification tools, and transportation vehicles. The program specifically targets two major criminal enterprises: the First Command of the Capital (PCC) and the Red Command (CV).
Speaking at the presidential palace in Brasilia during the program’s announcement, Lula, who is seeking his fourth presidential term, revealed he had discussed security matters with U.S. President Donald Trump during his recent Washington visit.
“I told him we had proposals on financial asphyxiation (of crime gangs), fighting money laundering. Some of the weapons (used in Brazil) come from the United States,” Lula stated. “I told him that, if he wants to be a part of this, there’s space. But he will have to work in agreement with what are decisions of Brazil’s government and Brazil’s police.”
Congressional supporters of the president indicated that opposition state governors, who oversee regional law enforcement agencies, are hesitant to utilize resources from Tuesday’s announced program.
Senator Flávio Bolsonaro and former Goias state Governor Ronaldo Caiado have consistently promoted hardline crime policies while criticizing Lula’s Workers’ Party for what they characterize as insufficient attention to public safety.
While Lula avoided responding to such criticism during the program launch, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin criticized former President Jair Bolsonaro, who has nominated his son as a presidential candidate.
“The only security policy in the previous presidency was to distribute weapons, allow weapons,” Alckmin stated. “And those end up with criminals, with organized crime. It is police who should be able to bear arms.”
Salisbury, MD – Music fans can enjoy an evening of complimentary entertainment as Salisbury presents a live concert at the Pohanka Riverwalk Amphitheatre on May 22, running from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.
The featured performers will be Great Train Robbery, a veteran musical group boasting nearly five decades of live entertainment experience. Known for their classic Southern rock style, the band delivers high-energy performances that blend traditional influences with their distinctive musical approach.
The concert carries no admission charge and welcomes community members of every age, creating an ideal setting for families and music enthusiasts to experience downtown Salisbury’s entertainment scene.
Organizers suggest bringing portable seating and taking advantage of local dining and shopping establishments before or following the performance to help boost the downtown business district.
“I am very excited to announce a great partnership event between Savour Restaurant, located in the Hilton’s DoubleTree, and the City of Salisbury as they bring Great Train Robbery to the Riverwalk Amphitheater. Great Train Robbery is a phenomenal band spanning over four decades, performing all over the Mid-Atlantic, as well as being an institution in Ocean City, MD. They have shared the stage with The Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker Band, and Blue Öyster Cult. Come out and enjoy this tremendous event while enjoying food and drinks!” stated Mayor Randy Taylor.
Those seeking current information and event specifics can check Downtown Salisbury’s social media platforms or browse their event schedule at https://www.downtownsby.com/events/event-calendar
NEW YORK — A federal appeals court has granted President Donald Trump temporary relief from paying an $83 million defamation judgment to columnist E. Jean Carroll, according to Tuesday’s court filing.
The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals approved a request from Trump’s legal team to postpone the payment to Carroll until the Supreme Court can either review the case or decline to hear an appeal. However, the court mandated that Trump secure a $7.4 million bond to account for potential additional interest charges, as Carroll’s legal team had requested.
Last month, the appeals court denied Trump’s petition for the full 2nd Circuit to conduct a rare en banc hearing regarding an appeal of a three-judge panel’s confirmation of the January 2024 jury verdict.
Following that denial, Trump’s attorney Justin D. Smith petitioned the 2nd Circuit to halt enforcement of its ruling that upheld the monetary award, preventing Trump from being compelled to pay before the Supreme Court could weigh in on a potential appeal.
Smith argued last week that there exists a “fair prospect” the Supreme Court would rule favorably for Trump, who has characterized Carroll’s allegations—first revealed publicly in 2019 regarding a claimed sexual assault in a Manhattan department store dressing room during spring 1996—as a “made up scam.”
The $83 million judgment awarded to the 82-year-old Carroll resulted from a jury trial where Trump provided brief testimony and displayed notable courtroom conduct over multiple days.
When affirming the verdict, a 2nd Circuit panel noted in September that Trump persisted in his public statements against Carroll for no less than five years, with attacks becoming “more extreme and frequent as the trial approached.”
“He also continued these same attacks during the trial itself,” the appeals court stated. “In one such statement, issued two days into the trial, Trump proclaimed that he would continue to defame Carroll ‘a thousand times.’”
The jury had been directed to accept the conclusions of a previous jury that awarded Carroll $5 million in May 2023, after determining Trump sexually abused her at the department store and subsequently defamed her following her account’s publication in a 2019 book.
Trump contests the $83 million judgment on multiple legal grounds, claiming “absolute immunity” for statements made during his presidency when he denied knowing Carroll and questioned her motives, suggesting they were politically motivated or intended to publicize her memoir.
Workers at Meta’s United States facilities circulated protest materials on Tuesday opposing the company’s decision to install computer mouse monitoring software, according to photographs obtained by Reuters.
The distributed materials urged employees to join an online petition opposing the surveillance technology. The flyers stated that “workers are legally protected when they choose to organize for the improvement of working conditions.”
The workplace demonstration occurred across several Meta office locations as staff members voiced concerns about the newly implemented tracking technology on their work computers.
The company behind Jack Daniel’s whiskey has turned down a massive buyout proposal valued at around $15 billion, according to a Tuesday report from the Wall Street Journal.
Brown-Forman Corporation declined the acquisition bid from competing spirits company Sazerac, sources with knowledge of the discussions told the publication.
The proposed deal would have represented one of the largest transactions in the distilled spirits industry, combining two major players in the American whiskey market.
TORONTO, May 12 – Toronto health officials are rolling out a unique public health campaign as the city prepares to host World Cup matches, providing specially designed condoms with soccer-themed messaging to promote safe sex practices.
The initiative comes as Toronto anticipates welcoming more than 300,000 visitors during the June 11-July 19 tournament. Toronto Public Health has created limited edition condoms with six different designs that aim to “celebrate the energy of the games while promoting sexual health.”
Among the creative designs are slogans including “Block those shots!” and “What a finish!” Another design called “Peaches & Cream” displays images of a peach and eggplant positioned in front of a soccer goal.
These specially branded condoms, along with additional safe sex materials, will be available at four sexual health clinics operated by Toronto Public Health. The distribution is part of the agency’s CondomTO program, which works to encourage safer sexual practices, reduce associated stigma, and help residents access sexual health resources.
According to the health unit’s website, “Studies show that using a condom every time you have oral, anal or vaginal sex decreases the risk of sexually transmitted and bloodborne infections (STBBIs), HIV and/or unplanned pregnancy.”
The upcoming World Cup will be jointly hosted by Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
Delaware healthcare facilities will face fewer regulatory obstacles when purchasing major medical equipment under new legislation passed by state lawmakers.
House Bill 17 eliminates the mandatory requirement for healthcare providers to secure a certificate of public review before acquiring significant medical equipment. Previously, facilities had to navigate this approval process for all major equipment purchases.
While this specific requirement has been removed, medical facilities may still need approval if their equipment purchases exceed certain capital expenditure limits outlined in existing state law.
The legislation also includes minor technical updates to bring the law into compliance with Delaware’s legislative drafting standards and corrects a missing word in the relevant section of state code.
The changes are designed to streamline the equipment acquisition process for Delaware’s healthcare system while maintaining appropriate oversight for larger capital investments.
Delaware has officially updated its medical terminology and expanded practice opportunities for healthcare professionals formerly known as physician assistants.
Under newly passed House Bill 325, the state will replace all references to ‘physician assistant’ with ‘physician associate’ throughout Delaware’s legal code. The terminology change does not affect any existing rights or privileges held by current practitioners.
The legislation introduces significant practice changes for experienced healthcare providers. Physician associates who have completed more than 6,000 hours of post-graduate clinical work can now seek independent practice authorization from the state’s Regulatory Council for Physician Assistants.
Previously, Delaware law required all physician associates to work under direct physician supervision at their practice locations. The new independent practice option removes this oversight requirement for qualified professionals.
The regulatory council must establish new guidelines covering several areas, including verification procedures for clinical practice hours, application processes for independent practice requests, notification requirements when practitioners change medical specialties, and criteria for approving or denying independent practice applications.
The law also addresses healthcare payment and billing practices. Physician associates will be recognized as primary care providers when working in appropriate medical specialties. Insurance payments must be processed for services within their practice scope, regardless of whether a physician or physician associate delivers the care.
Additionally, physician associates granted independent practice authority will be authorized to certify disability applications for special license plates and parking placards.
The changes take effect within one year of passage or when the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline approves the necessary implementing regulations, whichever comes first.
Alabama officials announced plans to conduct a special primary election covering four of the state’s seven congressional districts following a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision.
The special election became necessary after the nation’s highest court gave Alabama permission to move forward with a congressional redistricting map that had previously been halted by lower courts.
The upcoming primary will affect more than half of Alabama’s congressional representation, as voters in four districts will select candidates for the general election.
The Memphis Grizzlies organization announced Tuesday that forward Brandon Clarke has passed away at 29 years old.
Details surrounding the circumstances, timing, and location of Clarke’s death have not been disclosed by either the Grizzlies organization or Priority Sports, the agency that represented him.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brandon Clarke. Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organization and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten,” the Grizzlies said in a statement. “We express our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
Representatives from Priority Sports shared their grief on social media, stating they were “beyond devastated” by Clarke’s passing.
“He was so loved by all of us here and everyone whose life he touched,” Priority Sports said. “He was the gentlest soul who was the first to be there for all of his friends and family.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver also offered condolences to Clarke’s loved ones and the Memphis organization.
“We are devastated to learn of the passing of Brandon Clarke,” Silver said. “As one of the longest-tenured members of the Grizzlies, Brandon was a beloved teammate and leader who played the game with enormous passion and grit.”
The National Basketball Players Association commented on the loss, saying: “This is an incredible loss for the brotherhood. We will remember Brandon not only for the immense joy he brought to so many throughout his career, but for the genuine friendships he built far beyond basketball.”
Clarke faced legal issues earlier this year when he was taken into custody on April 1 in Arkansas on charges of speeding and possessing a controlled substance, identified as kratom, a legal herbal supplement used for pain management in Tennessee. He posted bond and was released the following day.
The basketball player entered the NBA when Oklahoma selected him 21st overall from Gonzaga University in the 2019 draft, though his rights were immediately traded to Memphis, which had already chosen guard Ja Morant as the second overall selection. Both Clarke and Morant earned spots on the NBA’s All-Rookie team in 2020, and Memphis rewarded Clarke with a multi-year contract extension in October 2022.
A significant setback occurred on March 3, 2023, when Clarke suffered a torn left Achilles tendon during a game against the Denver Nuggets, a matchup between the Western Conference’s top two teams at the time. Various injuries restricted his playing time to just 72 games out of a possible 246 over his final three seasons, with only two appearances this season.
Throughout his seven-year tenure with Memphis, Clarke maintained averages of 10.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.
Delaware Department of Transportation officials are alerting drivers to expect delays on a section of North Star Road today due to ongoing lane restrictions.
The affected area spans from Beech Hill Road to Neptune Road, where crews are implementing periodic lane closures that will continue until 5:00 PM this evening.
Motorists are advised to plan for extra travel time and consider alternate routes if possible while the work is being completed in the area.
NEW YORK (AP) — Representatives for Major League Baseball players and team owners launched what’s expected to be challenging contract negotiations on Tuesday, working to hammer out a new labor agreement before their current deal runs out on December 1st. League management is anticipated to push for implementing a salary cap structure that the players’ union has consistently refused to consider.
The opening meeting lasted approximately two hours at the Major League Baseball Players Association headquarters in Manhattan, just a short walk from MLB’s main offices in Rockefeller Center. This initial gathering focused on each side presenting their perspectives on the sport’s current state and financial situation, with no formal proposals exchanged.
Among the players present was Mets infielder Marcus Semien, who serves on the union’s eight-member executive subcommittee, alongside teammates Clay Holmes and Austin Slater, according to a source familiar with the proceedings who requested anonymity since attendee names weren’t officially released. Other players participated through video calls.
Baseball’s current five-year labor agreement reaches its expiration on December 1st. Commissioner Rob Manfred has repeatedly stated that team owners would rather implement offseason lockouts than face in-season strikes, hoping to avoid losing regular-season games. The sport hasn’t lost regular-season contests due to labor disputes since the devastating 7½-month strike of 1994-95, which led to the first World Series cancellation in nine decades.
Previous negotiations for the current contract started in April 2021 and concluded with an agreement on March 10, 2022, saving the full 162-game season only after both sides negotiated beyond multiple deadlines. Manfred had announced the cancellation of 184 games before they were ultimately restored.
Bruce Meyer will guide the union’s negotiating efforts, reprising his role from 2021-22 but now serving as interim union leader. He was promoted from deputy director in February following Tony Clark’s forced departure. Clark, a former All-Star first baseman, had led the union since Michael Weiner’s death in 2013.
Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem will again head MLB’s negotiating team, continuing his role from the previous two contract discussions.
Several major league team owners have advocated for a salary cap structure that includes both a ceiling and floor, arguing it would benefit the sport overall. Unlike the NFL, NBA, and NHL, MLB has operated without a cap system, instead relying on a luxury tax implemented in 2003 to discourage excessive spending.
“When I talk to the players, I don’t try to convince them that a salary cap system would be a good thing,” Manfred explained to the Baseball Writers’ Association of America last summer. “I identify a problem in the media business and explain to them that owners need to change to address that problem. I then identify a second problem that we need to work together and that is that there are fans in a lot of our markets who feel like we have a competitive balance problem.”
Current spending restrictions haven’t significantly impacted teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets in recent seasons. The Dodgers broke MLB’s spending records with a total of $515 million in payroll and luxury tax payments last year while capturing their second consecutive World Series championship, based on final calculations from the commissioner’s office. Los Angeles is projected to lead spending again in 2026. The gap between the five biggest spenders and five lowest spenders grew from 3.6 in 2021 to a record 4.7 last year.
The players’ union contends that cap systems reduce overall player compensation, while team management claims that both caps and floors would help the majority of players.
Players have built up their potential strike fund of cash and investments to $415 million entering 2026. MLB has similarly been stockpiling resources for negotiations, accumulating roughly $75 million per team through withheld central fund payments.
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — Law enforcement officials in Honduras detained three individuals Tuesday, including a former high-ranking politician, in connection with planning the 2024 murder of an environmental activist that highlighted government corruption and the dangers faced by those defending natural resources in Central America.
Former Tocoa mayor Adán Fúnez was taken into custody at his residence Tuesday as the suspected mastermind behind the killing, after years of allegations from religious and environmental groups.
The victim, Juan López, fought against corruption and spearheaded community opposition to an iron oxide mining operation in Colon, a remote area in northwestern Honduras. Activists argued the project threatened the region’s pristine forests and clear waterways, including protected conservation zones. López frequently criticized Fúnez, who backed the mining venture and maintained close ties to former Honduran President Xiomara Castro.
López demanded Fúnez’s resignation in September 2024 over corruption allegations.
Shortly afterward, a masked shooter killed the environmental and human rights advocate with six gunshots to the chest and one to the head, prompting calls for accountability from the Biden administration, Pope Francis and the United Nations. The killing also brought accusations against Fúnez, an influential figure in the region’s long-running violent land disputes. The murder recalled international outrage over the 2016 assassination of Honduran environmentalist Berta Cáceres.
More than a year after the killing, authorities arrested Fúnez alongside businessman Héctor Eduardo Méndez and Juan Ángel Ramos Gallegos. Prosecutors charged them with criminal conspiracy that violated fundamental rights.
“These three individuals are believed to be the intellectual authors of the environmentalist Juan López’s death,” Public Prosecutor’s Office spokesperson Yuri Mora told The Associated Press.
The arrests follow several other detentions made months earlier, though environmental and religious leaders had long identified Fúnez as the assassination’s orchestrator. The public trial for all three defendants is scheduled to start in June.
Environmental advocacy carries significant risks in Honduras. Activists like López frequently serve as unwelcome watchdogs in resource-abundant regions of Latin America, which ranks as the world’s most dangerous area for environmentalists, according to advocacy group Global Witness.
Global Witness recorded 117 defender deaths in 2024, with 82% occurring in Latin America. Five activists died in the small Central American country, compared to 18 the previous year, based on their latest findings. In López’s hometown of Tocoa, environmental advocates opposing the mining project have faced systematic targeting for years, with eight activists jailed for over two years in what attorneys described as retribution for their activism.
Dalila Santiago, López’s close associate and fellow movement leader, expressed surprise at Fúnez’s arrest given Honduras’ widespread culture of impunity. Santiago described the detentions as validation that their struggle for justice and land protection justified the violent consequences they endured. She emphasized that Honduran officials must pursue other responsible parties and business executives connected to the mining operation.
The Honduran mining companies — Inversiones Los Pinares, Inversiones Ecotek and their parent organization — face environmental destruction charges filed by Honduras’ Public Prosecutor’s Office following López’s murder. The companies have highlighted the hundreds of employment opportunities the mine generated and their regional economic contributions.
“We’ve been calling for justice for so long,” Santiago said. “And we need the masterminds behind this to be caught and punished.”
WASHINGTON — A confrontational moment erupted during a Senate budget hearing Tuesday when FBI Director Kash Patel forcefully rejected claims about his drinking habits and availability to staff members, declaring the accusations “unequivocally, categorically false.”
The heated confrontation occurred when Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen questioned Patel about a recent Atlantic magazine report that portrayed his management of the federal law enforcement agency in negative terms. Patel responded with visible anger, stating “I will not be tarnished by baseless allegations.” The FBI director has filed a lawsuit challenging the magazine’s story, while The Atlantic maintains confidence in its journalism and plans to “vigorously defend against the meritless lawsuit.”
During the exchange, Patel interrupted Van Hollen and attempted to shift focus by referencing the senator’s own conduct, specifically mentioning “slinging margaritas” during a trip to El Salvador. This appeared to reference Van Hollen’s 2023 visit to see Kilmar Abrego Garcia during his detention there after being arrested in Maryland.
The contentious interaction took place during the Senate committee’s yearly budget review session, which included Patel and other top law enforcement officials.
Discriminatory phrases like “No dogs, no Negros, no Mexicans,” “Colored served in rear,” and “For whites only” once appeared prominently on businesses throughout the American South.
These signs served as daily, unavoidable reminders to Black Americans of their legally mandated second-class status in a society where they lived alongside, yet completely apart from, white citizens of any social standing.
Following the end of the Civil War and the eventual failure of Reconstruction efforts, the Jim Crow era established a comprehensive system of social rules and legislation that controlled how both Black and white Americans could move through public spaces for multiple generations, lasting until civil rights activists began dismantling institutionalized racial discrimination.
This segregation framework was built upon the premise that formerly enslaved individuals and their children were naturally inferior to white people in areas such as intellect, ethics, and conduct. Those who supported the system feared that treating Black and white people as equals would lead to interracial relationships and create what they viewed as a mixed race that would contaminate what they considered the superior white population.
Geographic separation initially gained cultural acceptance before being maintained through violence or threats of imprisonment that essentially recreated slavery conditions. Following the Supreme Court’s 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson ruling that established “separate but equal” as constitutional, Jim Crow segregation markers became legal mandates rather than simple warnings.
What began as systematic humiliation transformed into government-sanctioned oppression. Train cars, public transportation, drinking fountains, bathrooms, lodging, dining establishments, and recreational facilities represented just some of the many public amenities divided by discriminatory signage. African Americans were compelled to utilize inferior accommodations. Educational institutions, religious buildings, and burial grounds had already been racially separated for years. This deliberate structure prevented most Black men from interacting with white women while robbing Black people of their self-respect, civic identity, and sense of social and political inclusion.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 abolished legal racial separation, though many throughout the American South continued opposing integration even after discriminatory signs were removed and placed in historical collections. Steven Reich, a history professor who authored an encyclopedia covering the Jim Crow period, notes that one enduring consequence of legalized segregation continues affecting today’s American workplace.
According to Reich, segregation created divisions within the working class that pushed white employees to align themselves more closely with management rather than their Black colleagues. This dynamic continues limiting opportunities for Black and white workers to unite and collaborate on shared concerns, including diversity and inclusion initiatives.
ATLANTA — A Georgia man admitted his guilt Tuesday in a vehicle burglary case that authorities say involved stealing unreleased tracks from music superstar Beyoncé.
Kelvin Evans, age 41, accepted responsibility in Fulton County Superior Court for automobile burglary and unlawful entry charges. Court officials sentenced him to serve two years behind bars, avoiding a trial that was set to begin this week.
The defendant targeted a rented Jeep Wagoneer in July that belonged to members of Beyoncé’s touring production team.
Christoper Grant, who works as a choreographer, and Diandre Blue, a professional dancer, reported to Atlanta authorities that they discovered their vehicle compromised on July 8, with a broken rear window and two missing travel bags.
The missing property contained computer hard drives with unpublished musical recordings, video content blueprints, and performance setlists, police documentation revealed. The crime happened just 48 hours before Beyoncé launched her four-show run at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium during her “Cowboy Carter” concert series.
Security footage documented the criminal activity. Authorities took Evans into custody the following month in August.
Law enforcement officials have not located the stolen hard drives or remaining property.
The Memphis Grizzlies announced Tuesday that forward Brandon Clarke has passed away at the age of 29.
Team officials did not immediately release details regarding the cause of death.
“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brandon Clarke,” the Grizzlies said in a statement. “Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organization and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten.”
The Vancouver native was picked 21st in the 2019 NBA Draft by Oklahoma City but was immediately traded to Memphis that same evening. Clarke remained with the Grizzlies throughout his professional career and received NBA All-Rookie First Team recognition in 2020 following a strong first season where he posted averages of 12.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.
Recent knee and calf problems restricted Clarke to only two games during the 2025-26 campaign.
Prior to joining the professional ranks, Clarke competed collegiately at San Jose State before transferring to Gonzaga, where he became one of the nation’s premier forwards in the 2018-19 season.
Clarke faced legal troubles last month when he was taken into custody in Arkansas on multiple charges, including controlled substance possession and trafficking, along with improper passing and fleeing in a vehicle while speeding, law enforcement officials reported.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed that the league was “devastated” by Clarke’s passing, calling him “a beloved teammate and leader who played the game with enormous passion and grit.”
“Our thoughts and sympathies are with Brandon’s family, friends and the Grizzlies organization,” Silver added in a statement.
Investment management company Blue Owl has experienced a dramatic decline in new money flowing into its largest retail credit fund, with contributions plummeting by 95% compared to the same period last year, according to recent regulatory documents.
The Blue Owl Credit Income fund, known as OCIC, received only $26.4 million in new subscription payments on May 1, a stark contrast to the $480 million it collected during the same timeframe in the previous year. The fund’s total portfolio is currently valued at approximately $34 billion.
This significant downturn reflects growing unease among affluent investors, who have been withdrawing funds from private credit investments in recent months. Their concerns center on deteriorating lending standards and fears that artificial intelligence technology could severely impact the software industry, where many of these funds have substantial investments.
The OCIC operates as a business development company, which functions by raising equity capital and combining it with borrowed funds to provide financing primarily to medium-sized businesses.
Federal communications regulators have given their approval for EchoStar to move forward with selling portions of its wireless spectrum to two major companies, according to an announcement made Tuesday.
The Federal Communications Commission’s wireless and space divisions have cleared the satellite company to transfer roughly 65 megahertz of spectrum to SpaceX, while also approving the sale of 50 megahertz to telecommunications giant AT&T.
The regulatory approval represents a significant step forward for both transactions, which will redistribute valuable wireless spectrum resources among the companies involved.
NBA superstar LeBron James remains uncertain about his basketball future following the Los Angeles Lakers’ playoff elimination Monday night, though betting experts believe the 41-year-old will continue playing next season.
Following the Lakers’ loss to Oklahoma City, James told reporters that “what my future (holds), I don’t know, obviously.”
Despite his uncertainty, SportsBetting.ag opened retirement odds with “No” at -450 compared to +275 that he will hang up his jersey, suggesting an 81.8% probability James will take the court for another season.
“I got a lot of time to sit back like I think I said last year after we lost, I think to Minnesota, to go back and recalibrate with my family and talk with them and spend some time with them and then when the time comes … obviously you guys will know what I decide to do,” James explained.
Following the Lakers’ season-ending defeat, the sportsbook released multiple betting lines related to James’s future decisions:
Regarding his potential return to Los Angeles next season: Yes (+110) No (-150)
These numbers indicate only a 40% likelihood of James remaining with the Lakers.
The odds for LeBron and his son Bronny playing together next season: Yes (+130) No (-170)
This suggests a 37% chance of the father-son duo sharing the same roster.
Should James decide to continue his career elsewhere, Cleveland leads the speculation as his most likely destination with 1/1 odds. The Golden State Warriors follow at 3/1, potentially setting up a partnership with Stephen Curry. Other contenders include Denver (5/1), New York Knicks (7/1), and Milwaukee (9/1).
The complete list of potential destinations ranges from Detroit at 10/1 odds down to several teams at 80/1, including Boston, Memphis, New Orleans, and Utah.
During the regular season, James earned his 22nd consecutive All-Star selection while adapting to a different role on the team. With Luka Doncic leading the league at 33.5 points per game and Austin Reaves averaging 23.3 points, James contributed 20.9 points per contest along with 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds.
In the playoffs without the injured Doncic, James elevated his performance to 23.2 points, 7.3 assists, and 6.7 rebounds per game.
“Obviously we fell a little short, but I’m not looking at my year as a disappointment, that’s for damn sure,” James reflected. “I was put in some positions I never played in my career before, actually in my life. I’ve never been a third option in my life.”
“So, to be able to thrive in that role for that period of time and then have to step back into the role that I’ve been accustomed with over my career or my life playing this sport and be able to thrive under that and then just my teammates allowing me to lead them under extreme circumstances, I thought that was pretty cool for me at this stage of my career.”
The latest federal agriculture statistics show a downturn in turkey production numbers compared to the same period last year.
According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, the number of turkey eggs currently in incubators as of May 1 decreased by 4 percent when measured against the previous year’s figures.
The report also indicates that turkey poults successfully hatched throughout April were down 1 percent from April of the prior year.
Additionally, the net number of poults placed during the month of April showed a 1 percent decline compared to the same month in the previous year.
These statistics are part of the USDA’s regular monitoring of poultry production across the United States, providing industry stakeholders with current data on turkey breeding and hatching trends.
Motorists traveling on southbound Route 1 should expect delays today as construction crews have shut down the two right lanes between South Croppers Circle and South James Street.
According to DelDOT traffic officials, the lane closures are necessary for ongoing construction work in the area. The restrictions are expected to be lifted by 4 PM this afternoon.
Drivers are advised to use caution when traveling through the work zone and allow extra time for their commute. Traffic may be backed up during peak travel hours as vehicles merge into the remaining open lanes.
Senator Lindsey Graham is demanding a thorough examination of Pakistan’s diplomatic role following allegations that the country secretly provided safe harbor for Iranian military aircraft during recent tensions.
The South Carolina Republican’s concerns stem from a CBS News investigation published Monday revealing that Pakistan allegedly permitted Iran to relocate several aircraft to Pakistani military installations to shield them from potential American strikes.
“If this reporting is accurate, it would require a complete reevaluation of the role Pakistan is playing as mediator between Iran, the United States and other parties,” Graham wrote on X. “Given some of the prior statements by Pakistani defense officials towards Israel, I would not be shocked if this were true.”
The senator’s reference appears linked to inflammatory comments made in April by Pakistan’s Defense Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, who characterized Israel as “a curse for humanity” and a “cancerous state.”
Graham expressed further skepticism in a follow-up social media post, stating: “I don’t trust Pakistan as far as I can throw them. If they actually do have Iranian aircraft parked in Pakistan bases to protect Iranian military assets, that tells me we should be looking maybe for somebody else to mediate. No wonder this damn thing is going nowhere.”
The CBS investigation detailed how Iran moved several aircraft to Pakistan Air Force Base Nur Khan, located near Rawalpindi, in the days following President Trump’s announcement of a ceasefire with Iran in early April.
Intelligence sources told CBS that among the relocated aircraft was an RC-130 reconnaissance plane, a specialized intelligence-gathering variant of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules used by Iran’s air force.
The report also indicated that Iran relocated civilian aircraft to Afghanistan, though it remains uncertain whether military planes were also moved there.
Pakistani officials have firmly disputed these accusations. A high-ranking Pakistani official challenged the claims to CBS News, explaining: “Nur Khan base is right in the heart of [the] city, a large fleet of aircrafts parked there can’t be hidden from [the] public eye.”
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry issued a formal denial Tuesday, rejecting assertions that it provided sanctuary for Iranian military aircraft.
The ministry clarified that “a number of aircraft from Iran and the United States arrived in Pakistan to facilitate the movement of diplomatic personnel, security teams, and administrative staff associated with the talks process.”
“Some aircraft and support personnel remained temporarily in Pakistan in anticipation of subsequent rounds of engagement,” the ministry’s statement continued.
SAN ANTONIO — Victor Wembanyama will suit up for the San Antonio Spurs in tonight’s pivotal Game 5 matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves, following his early dismissal from Game 4 due to an elbow thrown at an opponent.
The Spurs organization is breathing a sigh of relief over the news. According to guard Devin Vassell, if Wembanyama carries some frustration from missing most of the previous contest, that could work in San Antonio’s favor.
“I know he was upset not being able to play that game,” Vassell commented during Tuesday’s practice session, which featured notable attendees including Spurs President Gregg Popovich, franchise icon Manu Ginobili, and former assistant coach Brett Brown. “So, I know that he’s going to be ready to go. That’s what we need. We need that upset Vic who’s ready to attack the game for sure.”
Tuesday night’s contest represents what many consider the most significant game of Wembanyama’s professional basketball career — a Game 5 showdown in a deadlocked 2-2 playoff series, where the victor advances within one win of reaching the Western Conference finals.
While Vassell welcomes a motivated Wembanyama, he emphasized the need for controlled aggression.
“We’ve seen it before. We’ve seen when Vic gets upset,” Vassell explained. “I mean, we just need him to calm his emotions, make sure that he doesn’t let his emotions take over because at the end of the day like I said, he can’t get any flagrants, he can’t get anything like that. So, Vic knows what he’s got to do and he’ll be ready.”
The young star’s removal from Sunday’s game occurred during the second quarter following a rebounding situation that involved Minnesota players Naz Reid and Jaden McDaniels. While fighting for the ball, Wembanyama swung his arms and made contact with Reid’s face using his elbow.
Game officials reviewed the incident and elevated the initial foul to a Flagrant 2 violation, resulting in automatic ejection. The league office conducted its standard post-game analysis and announced Monday that no additional punishment would be imposed. The NBA retained the option to issue fines or extend the suspension into Game 5 and beyond if deemed necessary.
“I don’t think we even thought about it much at all,” Minnesota’s Mike Conley Jr. shared with media during the Timberwolves’ Tuesday practice. “I think once the ruling came down, it was just like, we expected that and just moved forward. It’s one of those things. We don’t want guys to miss games. We want to play against the best. We don’t want to have guys missing games like that.”
Beyond Wembanyama’s elbow situation, San Antonio faces additional concerns regarding player availability. The team recently added Dylan Harper to their injury report just hours before Thursday’s Game 5 tip-off, citing left knee discomfort. Harper joins point guard De’Aaron Fox on the questionable list, as Fox continues dealing with right ankle soreness according to team medical staff.
SAN FRANCISCO — Delaware residents, like Americans nationwide, find themselves caught in a complex relationship with their iPhones that mirrors many complicated emotional attachments.
These devices often feel like mystical tools so essential that imagining life without their countless benefits and conveniences seems impossible. iPhones and similar smartphones allow instant photo sharing across social platforms, gaming, video streaming, music playback, text messaging, email management, web browsing, news consumption, navigation assistance, and contactless payments.
Occasionally, people even use them for actual telephone conversations.
Yet at times, these same devices resemble predatory dealers exploiting our vulnerabilities and negative tendencies while feeding our dependency on constant notifications and alerts that draw our eyes to screens, steadily eroding our ability to focus.
This contradiction faces America as the iPhone remains relatively young, existing within the same age group it has potentially influenced most dramatically. Apple’s revolutionary device didn’t debut until 2007, when company co-founder Steve Jobs walked onto a stage and promised a captivated crowd they would witness something transformative.
His prediction largely came true. Jobs, as frequently occurred before his passing in 2011, demonstrated remarkable foresight — so accurate that research indicates many people would choose sharing their bed with their iPhone over their romantic partner if forced to decide.
The current dilemma involves determining whether society can better navigate this complex relationship with iPhones and Android-powered smartphones in a world that practically demands universal ownership. Can we maintain all the advantages while eliminating harmful behaviors? Should smartphone usage be grouped with cigarettes, alcohol, and unhealthy food?
Currently, America appears to drift deeper into a digital stream reminiscent of a famous closing line from classic American literature: We continue scrolling, like vessels fighting the tide, constantly pulled back toward the illuminated display.
A small daily tablet fundamentally transformed modern American society.
The oral contraceptive, receiving FDA approval six and a half decades ago, accomplished far more than pregnancy prevention. This groundbreaking medication provided women with unprecedented autonomy, fundamentally altering family structures and societal norms across the nation.
“Its introduction in the 1960s afforded U.S. women this unprecedented control over their childbearing and subsequent life trajectories,” says Suzanne Bell of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
The contraceptive separated sexual intimacy from reproduction. For the first time, women could manage their fertility independently, without requiring male participation in family planning decisions.
A pioneering woman led the charge for this medical breakthrough. Margaret Sanger, who established what would become Planned Parenthood Federation of America, championed the medication’s creation alongside financial backing from philanthropist friend Katharine Dexter McCormick. Sanger declared, “No woman can call herself free until she can choose consciously whether she will or will not be a mother.”
Scientists Gregory Pincus and Min Chueh Chang, working with gynecologist Dr. John Rock, developed the medication. The contraceptive employs artificial progesterone and estrogen to block pregnancy primarily through preventing egg release, while also creating barriers that impede fertilization. Perfect usage achieves 99% effectiveness in pregnancy prevention.
American adoption was rapid – over one million women were using the medication within just two years of availability. Dramatic societal shifts emerged. Studies connect the contraceptive to delayed marriage timing, increased educational achievement, and expanded female workforce engagement. The medication also contributed significantly to the sexual liberation movement of the 1960s and 1970s.
Opposition arose alongside acceptance. During the 1960s, Pope Paul VI denounced the medication while numerous states prohibited contraceptive access. Married women gained exemption from these restrictions in 1965, though single women faced continued bans for years afterward.
Contemporary concerns have emerged following the Supreme Court’s abortion ruling, with some fearing contraceptive rights may face similar challenges.
“With any device or procedure that gives women more reproductive or sexual autonomy, there are always groups that resist and push back,” says Bell, pointing to the recent push for women to have more children.
Despite opposition, women continue making independent choices. American birth rates have dropped to unprecedented lows, while the contraceptive maintains widespread popularity. Currently serving as America’s leading reversible birth control method, it serves more than 8 million users and continues influencing both individual lives and national trends.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Sport Fisheries Advisory Commission has selected Lenny Rudow to receive the 2026 Maryland Sport Fisheries Achievement Award for his outstanding contributions to recreational fishing.
Rudow, who lives in Anne Arundel County, founded FishTalk magazine and has spent three decades as an author advocating for responsible fishing practices. He actively promotes fisheries conservation through podcast appearances, speaking engagements, and participation in fishing competitions across Maryland.
“In all of his activities, Lenny’s commitment has consistently centered on enhancing Maryland’s recreational fishing experience, promoting conservation-minded angling, fostering education, and supporting sustainable fishery enjoyment for all,” said Jesse Howe, Commission member and Assistant Director of Coastal Conservation Association Maryland.
This prestigious recognition was created by the commission to celebrate people who have made lasting contributions through habitat management, conservation efforts, educational outreach, research, or other significant work that benefits recreational fishing in Maryland. Rudow becomes the tenth individual to earn this distinction since the program began.
A graduate of St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Rudow has maintained a lifelong passion for the Chesapeake Bay and its surrounding waters. His conservation philosophy and commitment to education are evident throughout his extensive body of published work spanning 30 years.
“Fishing is my life, and Maryland is my home, so to be recognized with this award means more to me than I can even say,” Rudow said. “Thank you, Maryland, thank you anglers, thank you fishing community for always being there when I needed you. I promise I’ll work as hard as I can for as long as I can to help bring new anglers into the fold, promote fishing in Maryland, and rejuvenate our many diverse fisheries. I hope everyone who happens to read these words will open up their calendar right now, look for the next open day, and mark it ‘Going Fishing!’”
Ted Carski, who submitted Rudow’s nomination, praised his approach to fisheries management. “Lenny is a very strong voice for the use of sound science to inform fish management. Lenny emphasizes the importance of good water quality and better habitat to good fishing, including what each fisher can do to help enhance water quality. Lenny often invites experts, or chairs a panel of experts, on these topics to help inform and educate Maryland fishers.”
Officials are planning a ceremony to honor Rudow prior to the commission’s fall meeting scheduled for October 20, 2026.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is launching one of its most ambitious technological projects to date, moving its entire collection of environmental data to cloud-based storage for improved public accessibility.
NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information will transfer all of its data archives, products and services to Amazon Web Services cloud infrastructure during a 10-month period spanning 2026 and 2027.
The massive digital migration represents a significant shift in how Americans will access critical weather, climate and environmental information. Once complete, the cloud-based system will provide faster, on-demand access to NOAA’s vast repository of environmental data.
The initiative marks a major modernization effort for the federal agency, which maintains one of the world’s largest collections of atmospheric, oceanic and geophysical data. The move to cloud storage is expected to streamline data delivery and improve response times for users seeking environmental information.
NOAA officials say the transition will enhance the agency’s ability to serve researchers, businesses, emergency managers and the general public who rely on environmental data for decision-making.
The project timeline extends through 2027, with the agency working to ensure uninterrupted service during the migration process. The cloud-based platform will replace traditional data storage methods that have been in use for decades.
WASHINGTON — A space-based missile defense initiative championed by President Donald Trump carries a price tag of $1.2 trillion, according to a fresh Congressional Budget Office analysis, dwarfing the $175 billion figure the president cited last year.
The nonpartisan budget office released its report Tuesday, characterizing the assessment as reflecting “one illustrative approach rather than an estimate of a specific Administration proposal.”
Trump authorized the advanced defense system through executive action during his opening week back in the White House. At that time, he projected the program would be “fully operational before the end of my term,” which concludes in January 2029.
In his executive directive, Trump stated: “Over the past 40 years, rather than lessening, the threat from next-generation strategic weapons has become more intense and complex with the development by peer and near-peer adversaries of next-generation delivery systems.”
The missile defense concept draws inspiration from Israel’s layered protective systems, commonly known as the “Iron Dome,” which has proven crucial in shielding the nation from rocket and missile attacks launched by Iran and associated militant organizations during the ongoing conflict where the U.S. serves as an ally.
The American version of this protective shield would incorporate both terrestrial and orbital technologies designed to identify, target and neutralize incoming missiles throughout all critical phases of a potential assault.
Lawmakers have already authorized approximately $24 billion for this defense project as part of a comprehensive Republican tax and spending package that became law last summer.
When Trump announced the Golden Dome initiative in May, he pegged its cost at $175 billion. However, the CBO previously calculated that solely the space-stationed elements could reach $542 billion over two decades.
WASHINGTON — Dr. Marty Makary has stepped down from his position as Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration following a tumultuous year-plus tenure that sparked criticism from multiple industry groups and political allies of President Donald Trump.
According to a White House official speaking on condition of anonymity ahead of Tuesday’s expected announcement, Makary’s departure comes after slightly more than 12 months overseeing the nation’s primary health regulatory body.
Kyle Diamantas, currently serving as the FDA’s food division leader, will assume the role of acting commissioner. Diamantas, who works as an attorney, maintains personal connections to Donald Trump Jr.
Makary, a surgeon and medical researcher, gained Republican attention during the pandemic through his vocal opposition to COVID-19 public health policies, frequently sharing his views on Fox News programming.
However, his leadership of the FDA proved challenging as he encountered difficulties navigating the agency’s complex bureaucratic structure and lost staff confidence following widespread job cuts, administrative shake-ups, and multiple incidents where scientific standards seemed subordinated to political considerations, particularly those championed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Leading the FDA requires balancing scientific integrity with political realities while overseeing regulations affecting billions of dollars in consumer products and pharmaceutical treatments.
Makary confronted the distinctive challenge of satisfying Trump administration demands to reduce regulatory barriers while simultaneously addressing Kennedy’s push for heightened scrutiny of vaccine safety, pharmaceutical products, and food additives.
Nearly all senior career staff members at the FDA either resigned, retired, or faced removal during Trump’s second administration’s first year, resulting in continuous media leaks and reports highlighting staff demoralization, organizational chaos, and widespread workplace frustration.
Dr. Vinay Prasad, Makary’s chosen deputy, was removed from his position twice within 12 months after conflicts with specialty pharmaceutical companies and rare disease patient advocacy organizations. Despite ongoing pressure campaigns demanding his dismissal, Makary initially seemed likely to survive the controversies.
Recent months brought additional criticism from interest groups the White House considers essential for Republican electoral success in November.
Conservative anti-abortion organizations accused Makary of deliberately delaying an internal assessment of mifepristone, the abortion medication that has remained available for 25 years while continuing to face opposition from conservative activists.
E-cigarette industry leaders informed Trump that Makary was preventing approval of their products, particularly new flavored vaping devices considered vital for industry sustainability.
The agency dramatically reversed its vaping stance last week, approving the first fruit-flavored e-cigarette products and releasing guidelines that relaxed marketing restrictions for major manufacturers. However, these changes proved insufficient to preserve Makary’s position.
Trump must nominate a permanent FDA commissioner, who will then require Senate confirmation through a majority vote.
Drawing on his Fox News background, Makary actively promoted his achievements through cable television appearances, podcast interviews, and online editorial content.
Makary launched more than six initiatives designed to accelerate or simplify FDA pharmaceutical reviews, including eliminating specific study requirements, integrating artificial intelligence into drug evaluations, and providing fast-track reviews for medications supporting “national interests.”
However, pharmaceutical companies value FDA decision consistency and predictability even more than rapid approvals. Internal conflicts and organizational turmoil overshadowed Makary’s drug review improvements, creating complications for drug manufacturers, investors, and patients.
Several specialty pharmaceutical companies developing treatments for rare or difficult-to-treat conditions reported receiving rejection notices or requests for additional studies for medications previously approved by FDA staff. Prasad, who resigned for the second time from his vaccine and biotechnology leadership role in April, primarily supervised these drugs.
Prasad frequently overturned vaccine staff decisions to limit eligibility for new COVID vaccinations. In February, Prasad initially declined to review Moderna’s mRNA influenza vaccine. The FDA reversed course after Moderna threatened formal appeals and requested White House intervention.
Many of Makary and Prasad’s most contentious vaccine proposals never materialized, despite creating confusion and concern within the FDA and broader health community.
In a November internal document, Prasad claimed without providing supporting evidence that the FDA had connected COVID vaccines to 10 pediatric deaths. Prasad used this assertion to justify a comprehensive restructuring of the agency’s vaccine approval and update procedures.
Twelve former FDA commissioners issued a harsh criticism of the proposal, cautioning it would “undermine the public interest” and devastate vaccine development. The FDA has not released its death analysis or vaccine overhaul plan.
Within the FDA’s drug center, the agency’s largest department, Makary oversaw constant leadership turnover with six different directors serving during a single year.
Dr. George Tidmarsh, Makary’s original choice for the position, was compelled to resign following accusations that he exploited his FDA role to pursue personal grievances against a former business associate.
Dr. Rick Pazdur, a veteran FDA cancer specialist who replaced Tidmarsh, announced his retirement after only three weeks following disagreements with Makary regarding various drug review matters.
Makary’s departure leaves many developing initiatives in limbo.
Most programs Makary established have not completed the federal rulemaking process necessary to incorporate them into U.S. regulations and could be easily reversed by future leadership.
Congressional Democrats have challenged the legality of several initiatives, including a program providing expedited reviews for innovative pharmaceutical products.
Iraq and Pakistan have negotiated separate agreements with Iran to allow energy shipments through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, according to five sources familiar with the arrangements, showcasing Tehran’s growing influence over critical energy transportation routes.
Regional conflict involving the U.S. and Israel has dramatically reduced energy shipments from an area that typically provides 20% of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas supplies. Recent U.S. blockades of Iranian ports have further complicated the situation. While Iran initially attempted to completely shut down strait traffic, experts say the strategy has evolved.
“Iran has shifted from blocking Hormuz to controlling access to it … Hormuz is no longer a neutral transit route, it is a controlled corridor,” said Claudio Steuer from the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies.
Iraq, which typically ships most of its crude through the strait, has been severely impacted by the closure. Pakistan, attempting to mediate the conflict, relies heavily on Gulf energy imports and has experienced dramatically higher fuel costs.
Through a previously unreported arrangement between Baghdad and Tehran, Iraq obtained safe passage for two massive crude carriers, each transporting approximately 2 million barrels of oil, which successfully navigated the strait this past Sunday.
Baghdad continues working to obtain Iranian permission for additional transits, according to an Iraqi oil ministry official knowledgeable about the original agreement and ongoing negotiations. The government aims to protect oil revenues that comprise 95% of its national budget.
“Iraq is a close ally of Iran, and any deterioration in Iraq’s economy would also damage Iran’s economic interests in the country,” the official explained.
Two additional Iraqi oil ministry officials and a shipping industry source confirmed the Tehran negotiations. All sources requested anonymity since they lacked authorization to discuss the matter publicly.
Iraqi government representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Meanwhile, two tankers carrying Qatari LNG are traveling to Pakistan following a separate bilateral arrangement between Islamabad and Tehran, two industry sources told reporters, also requesting anonymity due to media restrictions.
Pakistan previously received approximately 10 LNG shipments monthly before the conflict began and now faces high summer electricity demand for air conditioning.
Sources indicated that neither Iraq nor Pakistan made direct payments to Iran or its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for the transit arrangements.
Qatar was not directly participating in the bilateral agreements, industry sources noted, though it notified the United States before the Pakistan shipments.
Pakistani petroleum and information ministries, along with Qatar’s foreign ministry, did not immediately respond to comment requests.
Additional countries are exploring similar arrangements, according to sources familiar with the discussions, as escalating energy costs and supply disruptions heavily impact economies, particularly in Asia.
“As more governments become willing to cut deals with Iran for passage, it risks normalising the idea that Iran will control the Strait of Hormuz on a more permanent basis,” explained Saul Kavonic, research director at consultancy MST Marquee.
Before the conflict, approximately 3,000 vessels traveled through Hormuz monthly. Current traffic represents roughly 5% of previous levels, shipping data indicates.
The disruption has driven Brent crude prices up more than 50% since the conflict began in late February. European and Asian LNG prices have increased between 35% and 50%.
Iran has expressed intentions to maintain strait control after the war ends. Tehran has demanded reparations, sanctions relief, and access to frozen assets as settlement conditions, which President Donald Trump called “garbage,” eliminating hopes for a conflict resolution deal.
Industry sources report Iran is formalizing its strait control. Iraq has been asked to submit documentation for each tanker to enable transit through designated maritime routes under Iranian naval supervision, one Iraqi oil ministry official revealed.
Specialized Iraqi oil ministry teams are providing Iranian authorities with comprehensive vessel information, including destinations, shipping details, ownership, and cargo specifications to prevent incidents.
A Pakistani source involved in Iranian vessel passage negotiations mentioned some procedural difficulties.
“The IRGC sometimes changes the goalposts, so it is hard to keep things on track, but we are working through it,” he said.
Authorities have released the identity of the elderly man killed in Sunday’s deadly collision in Felton as 80-year-old Dennis Giles of Goldsboro, Maryland, according to Delaware State Police.
The crash remains under active investigation by Delaware State Police Troop 3’s Collision Reconstruction Unit. Authorities are seeking witnesses or anyone with details about the incident to reach out to Master Corporal W. Booth at (302) 698-8451. Tips can also be submitted through a private message to the Delaware State Police Facebook page or by contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) 847-3333.
Those affected by crime, witnesses, or families who have experienced sudden loss can access support through the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit and Delaware Victim Center. The service provides around-the-clock assistance via their toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461) or through email at [email protected].
NEW YORK (AP) — Renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson harbors an unusual dream: he genuinely hopes to experience alien abduction during his lifetime.
“I even picture the scenario in my head: I’m sitting out there alone, and a beam of light comes down,” he explains. “It’s not a spacecraft that’s hovering over me. It’s just a beam of light from space. And I just get lifted up into that beam of light, and I appear in a new place.”
The beloved space scientist has channeled this enduring obsession into his latest work, “Take Me to Your Leader: Perspectives on Your First Alien Encounter,” which explores our current understanding of potential extraterrestrial beings and what humanity might expect should they visit Earth.
“Even if it doesn’t actually happen, there’s value to going through the thought experiment of what could happen,” he explains. “Maybe there’s some takeaways that offer insights into how you think about the world, how we think about each other and the future of our civilization.”
Released Tuesday, this publication provides an extraordinary glimpse into Tyson’s remarkable intellect, showcasing his talent for combining popular culture with complex scientific concepts. Tyson serves as director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
The work draws from evolutionary biologist Stephen Jay Gould alongside Cartoon Network’s “Rick and Morty,” weaving together concepts from French philosopher Voltaire and Katy Perry song lyrics. It combines invisibility physics with “Star Trek” references and includes tangents about multispectral vision, how Superman — being an alien himself — could eliminate humanity simply by passing gas, and the reason supersonic aircraft “look badass.”
Tyson determines that any aliens reaching Earth would possess far superior intelligence compared to humans. He compares the situation to attempting to teach complex mathematics to a chimpanzee.
“They’ll not only be brilliant, but they’ll be way more powerful than us in practically any way that matters, which is why it’s so laughable when you see in Hollywood movies some mothership arrives and people pull out their pistols and start shooting guns at it. Like, ‘Really? Have you thought this through?’”
For initial contact scenarios, he recommends avoiding handshakes or wave gestures. “Leave all your habits at home, until you learn a thing or two about theirs,” he advises in the book.
This publication emerges amid heightened public fascination with extraterrestrial life. Pentagon officials have started releasing additional UFO documentation, “Project Hail Mary” became a bestseller, Steven Spielberg is developing his alien film “Disclosure Day,” and former President Barack Obama stated on a podcast that aliens exist. (Obama later clarified he had witnessed no proof but believed “the odds are good there’s life out there.”)
Tyson was inspired to create this book after observing recent congressional UFO hearings, where he noticed bipartisan cooperation in seeking answers.
“They had a common subject that they’re both interested in,” he notes. “When I saw it hit that level, I realized I have something to contribute.”
This marks the inaugural release from Simon & Schuster’s new Simon Six imprint, overseen by Jonathan Karp, who edited Tyson’s work and dubbed the scientist “the Bruce Springsteen of astrophysicists.”
“You name a respected scientist who has ever written a book of etiquette on how to meet aliens. It hasn’t been done. This is truly terra incognita,” Karp states.
While visiting aliens wouldn’t understand Earth languages, Tyson believes communication remains possible through scientific principles — unchanging concepts like light speed, Newton’s motion laws, gravitational forces, and Einstein’s relativity theory. These beings might even recognize our periodic table structure — not our terminology or symbols — but the fundamental arrangement they likely developed themselves.
He also predicts they won’t be extremely small or large, referencing brain-to-body weight proportions. Excessive size would cause structural collapse, while insufficient size would prevent constructing space-capable vessels. “The laws of physics greatly restrict the likelihood of Earth being visited by, much less invaded by tiny aliens,” he writes.
Should they be observing us currently, there’s reasonable probability they’d request meeting our apparent leader — Taylor Swift. However, Karp suggests Tyson should represent humanity, with this book serving as his credentials.
“I think this is the funniest factual book that anyone will ever read on aliens and that’s quite a statement,” Karp declares. “There’s so much chaos and conflict in the world, and it’s a book on aliens that has the potential to bring us all together. He’s clearly been thinking about aliens his entire life, and he’s managed to write about them with the acuity of a scientist and the appeal of an entertainer. That’s a powerful combination.”
ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigerian military officials are pushing back against allegations from a human rights organization that a weekend airstrike resulted in the deaths of 100 civilians at a local marketplace, highlighting ongoing concerns about military operations targeting armed groups in the nation’s unstable northern regions.
According to a Monday statement from Amnesty International, Nigerian forces conducted an aerial attack Sunday on a marketplace located in Tumfa within Zamfara state. Ibrahim Bello Garba, a Red Cross representative in the region, verified the military operation occurred and confirmed that “multiple civilians” lost their lives in the incident.
“In one village alone, 80 people were buried and there is no evidence that any of those people killed is a bandit. They are all civilians. The majority of them are young girls and small boys,” Amnesty International Nigeria director Isa Sanusi told the AP.
While military officials acknowledged conducting aerial operations in the area, they contested the casualty reports. “No verifiable evidence of civilian casualties as being suggested in the media has been established,” according to military sources.
Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, serving as a military spokesperson, emphasized that “Civilians are not the target, and everything is being done to avoid civilian casualties.” He noted that military operations remain active in the region.
This latest accusation adds to a growing list of incidents involving unintended military strikes affecting civilian populations in the West African country, which continues battling various militant organizations including Boko Haram.
Just last month, Nigerian air force operations resulted in an accidental strike that claimed 100 lives.
Military experts point to insufficient coordination between aerial units and ground forces as a contributing factor to these incidents, which have resulted in hundreds of civilian deaths. Government representatives maintain their operations specifically target members of armed militant groups.
The challenge of distinguishing targets becomes more complex as armed groups frequently operate among civilian populations in their areas of control.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Tuesday that his country successfully conducted a test launch of its newest intercontinental ballistic missile, describing the weapon as part of ongoing efforts to upgrade Russia’s nuclear capabilities. The announcement came just days after Putin’s recent statements suggesting the conflict in Ukraine may be approaching its conclusion.
The nuclear-capable Sarmat missile is scheduled to begin active military service before the end of this year, according to Putin. The weapon is designed to take the place of the older Soviet-era Voyevoda missile system.
“This is the most powerful missile in the world,” Putin declared, explaining that the combined destructive capability of the Sarmat’s multiple independently targeted warheads exceeds that of comparable Western weapons by more than four times.
Putin has consistently used nuclear threats as a diplomatic tool since ordering Russian forces into Ukraine in February 2022, attempting to discourage Western nations from increasing their military assistance to Ukraine.
Following his participation in Saturday’s Red Square military parade marking the anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat in World War II—notably the first such parade in nearly twenty years without heavy military equipment on display—Putin stated that the Ukrainian conflict is nearing its conclusion.
Throughout his tenure since 2000, Putin has directed comprehensive modernization of Russia’s nuclear capabilities inherited from the Soviet Union, including deployment of hundreds of new land-based intercontinental missiles, construction of advanced nuclear submarines, and upgrades to nuclear-capable aircraft.
Russia’s nuclear modernization program prompted the United States to begin its own expensive arsenal upgrade initiative.
The final nuclear arms control agreement between Russia and the United States lapsed in February, marking the first time in over fifty years that the world’s two largest nuclear powers operate without restrictions on their atomic weapons stockpiles, raising concerns about an unlimited arms competition.
The Sarmat missile—known by the Western designation “Satan II”—is intended to replace approximately 40 Soviet-built Voyevoda missiles. Development of the weapon began in 2011, and prior to Tuesday’s test, the missile had achieved only one confirmed successful launch and reportedly experienced a catastrophic failure during a 2024 test attempt.
Putin explained Tuesday that the Sarmat—among several advanced weapons systems he unveiled in 2018 while asserting they would neutralize potential U.S. missile defense systems—matches the Voyevoda’s power while offering superior accuracy. The missile can achieve suborbital flight patterns, Putin noted, providing it with a striking distance exceeding 35,000 kilometers (21,700 miles) and enhanced ability to overcome potential missile defense barriers.
Among Moscow’s new weapon systems is the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle, which can travel at speeds 27 times faster than sound. Initial units of this weapon have already been deployed.
Russia has also deployed the nuclear-capable Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile, using conventional versions of this weapon twice in strikes against Ukraine. The Oreshnik’s maximum range of 5,000 kilometers (3,100 miles) allows it to strike any location across Europe.
Putin additionally revealed that Russia is approaching completion of two other advanced weapons: the nuclear-armed Poseidon underwater drone and the Burevestnik cruise missile, which operates using miniaturized nuclear reactors.
The Poseidon system is engineered to detonate near enemy coastlines, creating radioactive tsunamis. The Burevestnik possesses essentially unlimited operational range due to its nuclear propulsion system, enabling it to remain airborne for extended periods while circumventing air defense systems before attacking from unexpected angles.
Putin characterized these advanced weapons as Russia’s response to American missile defense systems developed following Washington’s 2001 decision to abandon a Cold War-era agreement that restricted missile defense capabilities.
Russian defense strategists have expressed concern that missile defense systems might encourage Washington to attempt a preemptive nuclear strike designed to eliminate most of Moscow’s nuclear forces, with the expectation of intercepting any remaining retaliatory missiles.
“We were forced to consider ensuring our strategic security in the face of the new reality and the need to maintain a strategic balance of power and parity,” Putin said.
A Holocaust survivor who dedicated his final decades to educating others about the Nazi era has passed away at 101 years old in northwestern Germany, local officials announced Tuesday.
Albrecht Weinberg died in the town of Leer just weeks after celebrating his birthday and attending the debut of a documentary about his experiences titled “Es ist immer in meinem Kopf” (“It is always in my head”), which drew hundreds of attendees, according to a city statement.
“Since returning from New York to his East Frisian home 14 years ago, Albrecht recounted tirelessly and with incredible energy his terrible experiences during the Nazi era and warned again and again against forgetting,” said Mayor Claus-Peter Horst.
Born on March 7, 1925, in Rhauderfehn near Leer, Weinberg endured imprisonment at Auschwitz, Mittelbau-Dora and Bergen-Belsen concentration camps, as well as surviving three forced death marches as World War II concluded. He dedicated many years to sharing his story with high school students and community groups about the horrors he witnessed.
In a recent interview, Weinberg described how his wartime trauma continued to affect him daily. “I sleep with it, I wake up with it, I sweat, I have nightmares; that is my present,” he explained.
He expressed deep concern about preserving Holocaust memory for future generations. “When my generation is not in this world anymore, when we disappear from the world, then the next generation can only read it out of the book,” he said.
In 2017, Germany honored Weinberg with its Order of Merit, though he returned the award last year following a parliamentary vote. He protested the decision where a motion by Friedrich Merz, now Germany’s chancellor, to increase border restrictions for migrants passed with support from a far-right political party.
Israel’s German ambassador Ron Prosor honored Weinberg on social media, describing him as “a bridge — between past and present, between pain and hope, between the dead he could never forget and the young people whom he encouraged to seek the truth.”
BOGOTA, Colombia – Civilians in Colombia endured their most devastating year of armed violence in a decade during 2025, according to a new report released Tuesday by the International Committee of the Red Cross highlighting the country’s worsening security crisis.
The humanitarian organization documented that forced displacement doubled last year, affecting 235,000 individuals as criminal organizations and insurgent groups battled both government forces and each other for territorial dominance. Community lockdowns enforced by rebel factions in rural towns and villages also surged by 99% compared to the previous year.
Colombia has experienced decades of warfare as insurgent movements and narcotics traffickers compete with government forces for control over remote regions, particularly strategic routes connected to cocaine smuggling operations.
While a 2016 peace agreement between Colombian authorities and the country’s most powerful rebel organization, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), initially decreased rural bloodshed, security conditions have since declined across numerous regions. Smaller armed factions have moved to seize territories previously controlled by FARC fighters, imposing taxes on local enterprises and threatening civilians who resist their authority.
“The humanitarian situation in 2025, is the result of a progressive deterioration that the ICRC has warned about since 2018,” stated Olivier Dubois, the ICRC’s chief of mission in Colombia.
President Gustavo Petro’s government has spent the last four years attempting to curb rural violence through negotiations with surviving rebel organizations and establishing temporary ceasefires with several groups.
However, opponents argue these truces have allowed insurgent forces to reorganize, acquire weapons, and tighten their control over local populations, leading to increased recruitment of minors into criminal organizations.
Political violence has also escalated throughout Colombia, exemplified by the fatal shooting of a presidential candidate during a campaign event in Bogota last year. Government officials have attributed the assassination to one of the country’s rebel factions.
The United Nations Human Rights office in Colombia reported in February that the nation’s security conditions were experiencing significant “backsliding,” with killings of human rights advocates rising 9% during the previous year.
Tuesday’s Red Cross report also revealed that 965 individuals were killed or wounded by explosive weapons, including landmines and drone attacks, representing a 33% increase from the prior year.
The humanitarian organization called on all parties involved in Colombia’s ongoing conflict to honor civilian protections and safeguard those seeking to withdraw from hostilities.
“Respect for international humanitarian law is not optional,” the group emphasized.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia voters encountered stricter identification requirements during Tuesday’s primary election as a new law mandating photo ID at polling stations took effect for the first time.
The updated legislation strengthened previous voter identification rules by eliminating non-photo forms of ID, though certain exemptions remain in place. Election officials reported minimal complications with the new requirements.
“The whole point of the law is just making sure you are who you say you are,” Secretary of State Kris Warner said Monday.
Tuesday’s primary featured nominations for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and state legislative positions, along with elections for two state Supreme Court justice seats.
Warner noted that during the early voting period ending Saturday, his office received no reports of voters attempting to cast ballots without proper photo identification. He explained that the state had encouraged photo ID use in recent elections, making “it was not a big shock that it was now law.”
While traveling across the state recently, Warner learned of isolated incidents where voters returned to their cars to retrieve forgotten photo identification. One voter utilized a law exemption by completing paperwork verified by a poll worker who had known them for six months or longer. Additional exceptions exist for first-time voters.
The majority of states currently mandate or request identification for in-person voting.
Supporters argue the West Virginia measure will reduce voter fraud, noting that photo identification is already standard for activities like air travel and alcohol purchases.
The legislation passed easily through the Republican-controlled legislature last year, with all opposition votes coming from Democrats who contended it would limit voting access. State Democratic Party Chair Mike Pushkin argued that legislative discussions produced no convincing evidence of widespread ineligible voting problems in West Virginia. Pushkin characterized the measure as “designed more for political messaging than solving actual problems.”
Warner emphasized that the law accommodates senior citizens by accepting expired driver’s licenses that were valid on their 65th birthday.
“I wanted to make sure it didn’t prevent anyone from voting,” Warner said.
Polling places no longer accept utility bills, bank statements, hunting and fishing licenses, bank or debit cards, and concealed carry permits as identification. Valid photo IDs now include driver’s licenses, U.S. passports, military identification, government employee IDs, and student identification from high schools or colleges.
Monongalia County Clerk Carye Blaney explained that her county has utilized electronic systems to scan driver’s license bar codes for voter check-in for several years.
“I think that it makes voters feel more secure, or it confirms for the voters the security of our elections when we are verifying a photo to a person,” Blaney said.
NEW YORK – Defense attorneys for Harvey Weinstein called on jurors Tuesday to dismiss rape allegations against the disgraced movie mogul, marking the conclusion of his third trial on the same charges stemming from the #MeToo movement.
Attorney Marc Agnifilo told the jury during closing arguments that the accusations are fabricated, stating “It’s just not true” regarding claims that Weinstein sexually assaulted actress and hairstylist Jessica Mann at a Manhattan hotel in 2013. “She has taken on a false narrative about all of this,” Agnifilo argued.
Prosecutors are scheduled to present their final arguments Tuesday afternoon before the jury begins deliberations in the complex case involving a multi-year relationship between Weinstein and Mann.
According to testimony, the two first crossed paths in early 2013 when Mann was pursuing her Hollywood dreams. She told the court she expected a business relationship but was surprised when Weinstein made romantic overtures, though she ultimately chose to continue seeing the then-married, Academy Award-winning producer.
Mann testified that weeks into their relationship, Weinstein unexpectedly appeared at a hotel where she and a companion were staying. She said when she went to his room to decline his sexual advances, he physically restrained her, forced her to remove her clothing, briefly left for the bathroom, and then sexually assaulted her.
“He just treated me like he owned me,” Mann stated during her testimony last month.
While Weinstein chose not to take the witness stand, his legal team maintains the encounter was mutual and occurred within a loving relationship that Mann actively maintained until Weinstein’s public disgrace in 2017. That year, media reports about accusations against him sparked the worldwide #MeToo movement addressing sexual misconduct. Weinstein has acknowledged inappropriate behavior but denies any criminal conduct.
The producer was initially found guilty of raping Mann in 2020, but that verdict was later reversed on appeal. A subsequent retrial in the previous year ended without a verdict when jurors could not reach agreement.
During Tuesday’s closing statements, Agnifilo questioned the credibility and logic of Mann’s testimony, highlighting friendly email communications and social meetings between the pair both before and after the alleged assault.
“Throughout the four years, she is going to Harvey Weinstein for things that she needs, and Harvey Weinstein is doing the best that he can,” Agnifilo told jurors, describing how Weinstein helped advance Mann’s career aspirations and provided personal support. “They are emotionally close. She relies on him. He is a very important person in her life, and she lets him know that.”
Regardless of this trial’s result, the former entertainment executive will remain behind bars due to separate sexual offense convictions in New York and California, though he continues to challenge those verdicts through appeals.
The Associated Press typically does not name individuals who report sexual assault unless they choose to be publicly identified, as Mann has elected to do.
A San Francisco artificial intelligence company announced Tuesday the launch of enhanced features for legal professionals using its Claude AI assistant platform.
Anthropic revealed that its expanded Claude system now offers specialized capabilities for attorneys, including direct integration with major legal research databases and third-party professional services platforms.
The technology firm said the new release enables law firms and existing Claude users to establish secure connections with platforms like Thomson Reuters for legal research, document organization, and additional professional services.
This development arrives as technology companies intensify their competition to create and promote professional AI solutions, while information-intensive fields like the legal profession rapidly embrace artificial intelligence technologies.
The latest Anthropic announcement expands upon Claude Cowork plug-ins that the company unveiled in late January, which triggered significant investor sell-offs in U.S. and European data analytics, professional services, and software firms.
According to Anthropic, Claude users will now gain access to Thomson Reuters’ Westlaw Primary Law database containing court records and legal documents, plus its Practical Law practice guidance resources.
Thomson Reuters simultaneously announced its integration of the Westlaw-powered AI platform CoCounsel with Claude on Tuesday, stating this connection will provide Claude users direct access to CoCounsel’s professional-grade legal research capabilities.
“We are actively building integrations that connect general-purpose AI to professional environments, ensuring that wherever lawyers are working, the full power of CoCounsel Legal is available to them,” stated Thomson Reuters Chief Technology Officer Joel Hron.
The companies did not reveal financial details of their partnership. Thomson Reuters serves as Reuters’ parent company.
Anthropic also announced a partnership with AI startup Harvey that will incorporate Harvey’s legal assistant technology into Claude, providing support for general legal questions.
Legal professionals using Claude will additionally be able to connect directly with Box content management platform, Everlaw cloud-based electronic discovery services, and DocuSign software solutions, according to Anthropic.
“We’re seeing an incredible uptick in adoption of AI in the legal industry,” Anthropic Associate General Counsel Mark Pike told Reuters. He noted that a recent webinar demonstrating how legal teams utilize Claude attracted over 20,000 registrations.
Tuesday’s release features 12 new legal practice plug-ins including “commercial counsel,” “employment counsel,” “litigation associate,” and “law student” tools. The company said these new capabilities can be implemented directly within Anthropic’s Cowork platform or integrated into individual firm systems.
A Jerusalem-based watchdog organization revealed Tuesday that it will experience its first leadership change since its founding, with current Vice President Olga Deutsch set to become CEO and president effective January 1, 2027.
NGO Monitor’s founder Gerald Steinberg, who has guided the organization for a quarter-century, will transition to the role of president emeritus while maintaining his involvement in research and writing activities.
Deutsch brings more than ten years of experience with the organization to her new role, having managed European engagement initiatives, fundraising efforts, and international partnership development during her tenure.
Speaking about her upcoming responsibilities, Deutsch expressed both reverence and determination for the task ahead. “I step into this role with humility and a profound sense of historic responsibility,” Deutsch said. “Gerald foresaw that human rights groups would weaponize their influence against the Jewish state and Jewish communities worldwide; since October 7, that warning has become reality, with the threat growing every day.”
Deutsch emphasized the organization’s continued mission to examine groups that target Israel while supplying critical information to government officials and policymakers.
“At this critical moment, NGO Monitor stands singularly positioned to expose the actors behind these campaigns, and to arm decision-makers with facts needed to inform sound policy decisions,” Deutsch said. “Together with our exceptional team, and our professional and lay leadership, I am honored to lead this mission forward.”
The organization traces its origins to 2002, when Steinberg launched NGO Monitor following the Durban Conference. The initiative emerged as what the group characterized as a counter-response to the growing political power of human rights nongovernmental organizations, especially concerning advocacy related to Israel.
NGO Monitor describes its core mission as conducting research, promoting transparency, and examining organizations and funding sources involved in human rights and humanitarian advocacy work.
Steinberg expressed confidence in the organization’s direction under new leadership. “As I transition into the role of President Emeritus, and continue with research and writing, I do so with full confidence in NGO Monitor’s future,” Steinberg said.
“Olga is distinctly qualified to lead NGO Monitor forward, and under her leadership, NGO Monitor will continue to expand the impact of its research and uphold the vision that has guided me for the past quarter century,” he added.
Culinary professionals from across Israel gathered at Tel Aviv’s waterfront to showcase their heritage through food, proving that even amid regional tensions, the spirit of celebration endures. The annual EAT Festival, running from May 11-14 at Charles Clore Park, drew massive crowds despite looming security concerns.
Roey Mantzour, who operates the Arayes catering business specializing in meat-filled pita bread, believes Israeli cuisine mirrors the nation’s character. “The food in Israel reflects who we are: smart, diverse, a gathering of exiles from all over the world who came here to live. And here, we have the best food in the world,” Mantzour explained.
Monday evening’s festival opening saw thousands of visitors flooding the seaside park, creating a lively atmosphere filled with aromatic spices, grilled meats, baked goods, and desserts. Vendors offered an extensive range of options, from traditional meat dishes and street food to plant-based alternatives, sweets, and beverages.
The event demonstrated Israelis’ determination to maintain normalcy and joy during challenging times. Families, couples, tourists, and friend groups filled the park, embracing the creative energy of Tel Aviv against the Mediterranean backdrop. Daily festivities begin at 6 p.m., featuring live music and dining as the sun sets over the coastline.
Yaniv Wahby traveled from Daliyat al-Karmel in northern Israel to serve traditional Druze specialties including stuffed grape leaves, rice-filled cabbage rolls, za’atar pastries with olive oil, and signature Druze flatbread topped with various ingredients from labneh and chocolate to fresh fruit, halva, and hummus.
Wahby’s northern community has endured significant hardship from Hezbollah rocket attacks in recent months, nearly forcing him to close his business due to decreased tourism. However, he maintained an optimistic outlook at the festival. “We really suffered in Daliyat al-Karmel. During the war, things were very difficult,” Wahby shared with The Media Line. “Now, thank God, we finally have a little breathing room. We came here, as we do every year, to create a good atmosphere and give people a chance to be happy. We’re giving it everything we’ve got.”
Chef Moti Yevdayev, an Azerbaijani immigrant who arrived in Israel in 1998, presented his mother’s traditional recipes while wearing colorful traditional clothing in turquoise, red, and yellow hues. “From the age of one, I was always near the tandoor oven, my aunt, my mother, and my whole family while they cooked,” Yevdayev told The Media Line. “Over the years, I grew up and decided I wanted to enter the culinary world because food is what I love most.”
Yevdayev emphasized the authenticity of Azerbaijani cooking, highlighting fresh vegetables and minimal seasoning. According to the chef, the cuisine relies primarily on salt, pepper, saffron, and “lots of love and patience.”
His featured dish, shah plov, consists of rice steamed with dried fruits, raisins, chestnuts, meat, caramelized onions, and pomegranate, all encased in dough and baked for hours. “It creates this incredible crust while everything inside steams together into one perfect bite, sweet, sour, salty, and rich,” the chef described.
Additional offerings included qutab, a grilled pastry with spinach and herbs or meat, brushed with vegan butter substitute to maintain kosher standards, and gürzə dumplings with both meat and vegetarian potato-onion versions. He also brought authentic stuffed grape leaves directly from Azerbaijan.
Currently serving as chef for the Azerbaijani Embassy in Israel, Yevdayev manages all embassy events and leads kosher culinary tours internationally. Security concerns have prevented his long-held restaurant dreams, though he hopes this year will finally allow that goal to materialize.
“Today we’re here at the festival in Tel Aviv. This is a huge dream of mine,” Yevdayev said. “We make all the food here by hand. It’s very hard work. Around 20 older women came to help cook because only they know the traditional folding, stuffing, and preparation techniques. It’s honestly beautiful to watch, almost like a movie.”
Asian cuisine was well-represented through authentic Thai and Korean food stalls. Suni Kim originally visited Israel eight years ago for the Jerusalem Marathon and fell in love with the country. After returning permanently a year later, she met her husband and now has a one-year-old child. Three years ago, she established Tel Aviv’s first Korean restaurant, Kimchi’s Korean Restaurant.
Kim’s festival offerings included authentic Korean dishes such as bibimbap, Korean barbecue, and Korean corn dogs – “anything that you see on TikTok that people love to try,” she explained to The Media Line.
Observing the packed park around her, Kim praised Israeli resilience. The people of Israel are “very, very brave. One day, there’s a tragedy, and the next day, they recover so fast. And it’s very, very impressive.”
She noted that despite living under war’s shadow, “everyone’s excited to come out for the food, so it shows the energy.”
Jerusalem’s renowned Machneyuda restaurant, established by celebrity chef Assaf Granit, sent representative Gal Hadar to the festival. According to Hadar, they participate because “the sea is here. You can get a tan. It’s not cold here,” and crucially, “The people of Tel Aviv want polenta. They don’t want to travel to Jerusalem for polenta, so the polenta comes to them.”
Machneyuda’s signature polenta with mushroom ragout and truffle oil was featured alongside buns filled with chorizo and siska, a spiced meat preparation. Hadar explained that superior siska originates from Jerusalem because “that is where the Kurdish people live and they brought their traditions and food culture there.”
When asked if Tel Aviv residents appreciate Jerusalem cuisine, Hadar responded confidently: “Yes, very much. We try our best to make them love it.”
Mantzour showcased his specialty dish of pita stuffed with kebab meat, typically fatty lamb. “We grill it over a very low flame so the pita becomes crispy while the kebab stays soft,” he described to The Media Line. “We serve it with dips like tahini, red harissa, and pickles.”
While acknowledging arayes as traditionally Lebanese, he jokingly remarked that “we took it from the Arabs like everything else.” Despite this humor, he expressed genuine pride in participating annually since the festival’s inception a decade ago.
“Tel Aviv is undoubtedly the culinary center of Israel,” Mantzour stated, emphasizing this year’s special significance. “This event is extremely important this year because there haven’t been many events since Purim. This is a very major event in Israel, and it’s important that it happens. We’re very happy it’s taking place despite the tension in the background.”
Tamir Cohen, Mantzour’s colleague, echoed these sentiments. “Food in Israel is the best therapy for us Israelis,” Cohen concluded. “Through food and culinary culture, we continue living. For us, food is the cure for all the madness we experience as a nation. We are a people constantly living through wars, but we also love to enjoy life, celebrate, and eat.”
Hadar from Machneyuda added: “Am Yisrael Chai – long live the people of Israel.”
A Palestinian-Syrian journalist’s investigation into a luxury development project in Damascus sparked controversy not for its corruption allegations, but because of the reporter’s Palestinian heritage, highlighting growing tensions for Palestinian refugees in post-Assad Syria.
When Qusai Amameh published his report about Mount Qasioun’s redevelopment plans for a five-star hotel and commercial complex, he anticipated discussions about transparency and reconstruction priorities. However, the criticism he received centered on his Palestinian identity rather than his journalism.
On May 3rd, Syria Shift, a platform allegedly connected to Syria’s Ministry of Information, released a video called “The Palestinian Filter” targeting Amameh, who serves as editor-in-chief of the Syrian platform Street. The segment focused on his Palestinian background instead of addressing his reporting content, raising fundamental questions about belonging and acceptance in modern Syria.
Fayez Abu Eid, who leads the Action Group for Palestinians of Syria, explained to The Media Line how social media has amplified hostility toward Palestinian refugees. “As political debate has moved onto social media and digital platforms, it’s become easier for criticism to cross the line into hostility, especially toward Palestinian refugees in Syria. There’s a difference between criticizing a person or a political position and blaming an entire community. When people start speaking in broad generalizations, it can fuel prejudice and deepen stereotypes,” he stated.
The controversial video sparked widespread condemnation from journalists, activists, and Palestinian rights advocates who accused the platform of encouraging discrimination and collective suspicion. Following intense public backlash, Syria Shift eventually deleted the video from its platforms.
Palestinian community members view this incident as part of a broader pattern affecting minorities in post-Assad Syria. Similar to how Alawites face scrutiny due to their association with the former regime and Druze communities encounter separatism accusations, Palestinians increasingly find themselves viewed with suspicion rather than as integral members of Syrian society.
These concerns intensified in April when Syrian security forces detained Palestinians throughout Damascus and surrounding areas following demonstrations against an Israeli law imposing death penalties for certain Palestinians convicted of terrorism-related offenses. Authorities arrested at least 30 individuals from Khan al-Shih camp alone, with additional detentions in Jaramana, al-Huseiniyeh, Rukneddine, and al-Hamah. Many were transported to undisclosed locations without official explanation.
The controversial Israeli legislation, promoted by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, passed the Knesset on March 30th with a 62-48 vote. Palestinian leaders and rights organizations condemned the law as creating discriminatory punishment systems, and its passage triggered regional protests.
Thousands of Syrians demonstrated from Damascus to Daraa, showing solidarity with Palestinians and opposing Arab normalization with Israel. In Damascus, protesters who had gathered at Umayyad Square broke away from the main rally and attacked the United Arab Emirates embassy. The UAE subsequently condemned what it termed “riots, acts of vandalism, and assaults” at its diplomatic facilities.
US Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack called on Damascus to protect all diplomatic missions while continuing “the courageous work of reconciliation,” describing Syria’s regional reengagement as a defining chapter. The Syrian Foreign Ministry distanced itself from the violence, stating it did not represent the Syrian people.
Ryan Maarouf, a Syrian journalist from As Suwayda, told The Media Line that the new authorities are applying the same control strategies to Palestinians that they’ve used with other minority groups. “Just as the authorities tried to impose central control over the Druze, Alawites, and Kurds, it is natural that they would seek the same with Palestinians: ensuring full loyalty, preventing any independent political space, and eliminating any force that could be seen as a future source of concern,” he explained.
Maarouf noted that Damascus interprets Palestinian political expression through an Israeli security lens. “The Palestinian file in Syria is not only a social or legal issue. It is also tied to Israel’s security file, because any political or organizational Palestinian presence can be read by Israel as a threat, which makes the authorities even more sensitive toward it,” he said.
Following the UAE Embassy incident, some commentators broadly implicated Palestinians, with pro-government voices using the event to incite against the community and revive accusations that they represent political and security burdens. Rather than being viewed as refugees with historical Syrian connections, they were portrayed as destabilizing external forces.
Human rights organizations have warned that Palestinians are increasingly characterized either as security threats or remnants of the old regime, leading to enhanced scrutiny and social exclusion. Activists argue that the rapid resurgence of collective blame demonstrates that the Amameh case represents a wider atmosphere treating Palestinians as permanent outsiders.
Abu Eid emphasized the humanitarian toll Palestinians endured during Syria’s conflict years. “During the years of war, Palestinians in Syria paid a severe humanitarian price, even though many tried as much as possible to stay out of the conflict,” he said. “More than 7,500 Palestinians were arrested by the former regime’s security forces, around 1,500 died under torture, and the fate of more than 5,000 remains unknown to this day.”
Yarmouk camp, established in 1957 for Palestinians displaced during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, exemplifies this suffering. Located on Damascus’s southern edge, the camp housed approximately 160,000 residents by 2011, making it Syria’s largest Palestinian refugee community. The Free Syrian Army entered in December 2012, followed by an Assad regime siege in July 2013 that cut off food and medicine supplies. Over 160 people died from starvation, and a 2018 regime offensive destroyed most of the camp, including UN Relief and Works Agency facilities.
A Yarmouk camp social worker, speaking anonymously for safety reasons, told The Media Line that while Palestinians haven’t experienced direct ground-level measures, media discourse close to authorities has become increasingly harsh. “There is a growing feeling that some voices are trying to demonize Palestinians and portray them as an obstacle to Syria’s stability, and this is causing real concern among Palestinians in Syria,” the worker said.
According to UNRWA’s 2026 humanitarian appeal, 92% of Palestine refugees in Syria—more than 384,000 people—face food insecurity, up from approximately 63% in March 2024. Additionally, roughly 30%, or more than 125,000 people, remain in protracted internal displacement.
Abu Eid confirmed that suspicion has persisted under the new government. “Even today, many Palestinians feel they are viewed with suspicion or treated through broad narratives that ignore the diversity of their positions and experiences during the war,” he said. “This feeling grows stronger when decisions affecting them are issued and then later amended or apologized for.”
These fears escalated last year following reports that official documents had replaced “Syrian Palestinian” with “Palestinian resident.” The social worker described more extensive changes: “The description ‘Syrian Palestinian’ was replaced with ‘resident Palestinian,’ and the original place of registration was removed in favor of classifying them as ‘foreigners.’ This created serious fears for us as Palestinians, because we consider ourselves Syrians as well, not only Palestinians.”
While Syrian authorities characterized these changes as technical errors, Palestinian groups viewed them as attacks on their legal identity. Abu Eid explained the community’s interpretation: “When terms like ‘Palestinian resident’ appeared instead of ‘Syrian Palestinian,’ many people did not see it as a simple technical issue. They understood it as a possible sign of a deeper change in the legal approach to Palestinians and a warning that their long-established rights could be weakened.”
Maarouf offered a more skeptical perspective: “When the label ‘Palestinian resident’ appeared instead of ‘Syrian Palestinian,’ I do not see it as merely a technical mistake, but rather as a way of testing public reaction to any future change related to the legal and social status of Palestinians.”
Palestinians in Syria have historically maintained a unique legal status. Law 260 of 1956 granted many Palestinian refugees rights similar to Syrian citizens in employment, education, public services, and residence, while preserving their Palestinian nationality and excluding them from political rights like voting or holding office.
Maarouf emphasized the deep integration Palestinians achieved over decades: “Palestinians in Syria lived for decades almost as Syrians. They served in the army, owned homes, and built full lives. Presenting them today as an external party or a temporary guest is not just an administrative issue, but a clear political message.”
This contrasts sharply with Palestinian experiences in Lebanon, where they cannot own property, practice dozens of professions, or obtain citizenship, with UNRWA reporting that over 80% live below the poverty line.
A joint April analysis by Syrians for Truth and Justice, the Syria Justice and Accountability Centre, and Justice for Life documented presidential decrees and ministerial decisions throughout 2025 that amended laws and restructured state institutions without parliamentary approval. The reclassification of Palestinians as “foreigners” has raised concerns that Damascus is adopting Lebanon’s model of permanent legal marginalization.
While the Ministry of Information launched a media code of conduct in February to regulate hate speech and promote post-Assad professionalism, critics argue that pro-government media and online networks continue treating minorities—including Druze, Alawites, Kurds, and Palestinians—through loyalty and suspicion frameworks.
This pattern has resulted in documented violence. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom stated in its 2026 Annual Report that transitional authorities “exhibited systematic and ongoing tolerance for egregious violations of religious freedom” throughout 2025, recommending Syria for Country of Particular Concern designation. On March 7, 2025, fighters loyal to transitional authorities or operating under the Ministry of Defense killed at least 1,500 Alawite civilians in two days of summary executions along the Syrian coast. A July 2025 escalation in Suwayda displaced approximately 187,000 Druze, according to Syrians for Truth and Justice.
In March, Kurdish civilians returning from Nowruz celebrations in Afrin faced attacks by groups that forced them to step on Kurdish flags while General Security personnel watched without intervention. These attacks occurred two months after a presidential decree recognizing Kurdish cultural rights and criminalizing ethnic incitement.
The Action Group for Palestinians of Syria reported that monitoring of the April detention campaign suggests several possible justifications, including alleged Islamic State affiliations, alleged connections to Assad regime remnants, and the UAE embassy attack. The Ministry of Interior had already arrested two individuals connected to the embassy incident, with spokesman Nour al-Din al-Baba accusing them of former Syrian regime ties. While some Khan al-Shih detainees were later released, others remain in custody.
Abu Eid concluded with a call for balanced recognition: “Any fair approach to Palestinians in Syria must recognize both realities at once: They are part of the Syrian social fabric, but they are also a refugee community with a unique legal and historical status. Ignoring either side makes the issue far more dangerous and unstable.”
