Delaware Department of Transportation crews are conducting construction work that has forced the closure of the right lane and shoulder on southbound Silicato Parkway.
The lane restrictions are in effect along the stretch of roadway between Northeast 10th Street and South Silicato Parkway. DelDOT officials say the closures will remain in place until 5 a.m.
Drivers traveling through the area should plan for potential delays and consider alternate routes if possible. Traffic is being directed into the remaining open lanes during the construction period.
Delaware motorists should expect traffic delays on a busy stretch of US Route 13 due to ongoing construction activities.
The Delaware Department of Transportation reports that intermittent lane restrictions are affecting both northbound and southbound traffic between Bayview Road and Hyetts Corner Road. The construction-related closures are scheduled to conclude by 5:30 AM.
Drivers traveling through this corridor should plan for potential delays and consider alternate routes if possible during the construction period.
Drivers traveling on Route 13 should expect delays near Federal School Lane due to ongoing construction work affecting traffic flow in both directions.
According to DelDOT, the northbound right lane is currently blocked to traffic, along with the southbound left turn lane at the Federal School Lane intersection.
The lane restrictions will remain in place until 6 AM, when normal traffic patterns are expected to resume.
Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and use caution when navigating through the construction zone.
Motorists traveling on Route 13 should expect delays due to ongoing construction work that has closed left lanes in both directions of the major highway.
The Delaware Department of Transportation reports that left lane closures are currently in effect on both the northbound and southbound sides of South DuPont Highway (US Route 13). The affected stretch runs from Voshells Mill Star Hill Road to Shamrock Avenue.
Officials indicate the lane restrictions will remain in place until 6:00 AM as crews continue their construction activities. Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time and exercise caution when passing through the work zone.
Motorists traveling through the intersection of South DuPont Highway (Route 13) and East Camden Wyoming Avenue (Route 10) will need to find alternate routes for left turns due to ongoing construction activities.
The Delaware Department of Transportation reports that left turn lanes at this busy intersection are temporarily closed while crews complete necessary roadwork. The lane closures are expected to remain in place until 6:00 AM.
Drivers should plan for possible delays and consider alternative routes if their travel plans require left turns at this location. DelDOT advises motorists to exercise caution when navigating through the construction zone.
The federal government is making a substantial financial commitment to a mining operation in Montana as part of a broader strategy to reduce America’s reliance on China for essential minerals needed for national security and economic interests.
The significant investment comes at a time when President Trump’s diplomatic visit to China has brought renewed attention to Beijing’s dominant position in the global market for critical and strategic mineral resources.
Officials view the Montana mining initiative as a key component in efforts to shift the balance of power in the strategic minerals sector, which has become increasingly important for national security considerations and technological advancement.
MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards continues to amaze teammates and coaches with his extraordinary ability to perform at an elite level while battling significant knee problems during this year’s NBA playoffs.
Edwards delivered a spectacular 36-point effort in Sunday’s Game 4 victory against the San Antonio Spurs, pouring in 16 of those points during the decisive fourth quarter to help Minnesota even their second-round playoff series at 2-2 with a 114-109 win.
“Honestly, I think he would just now be coming back if he was like a normal human being, but he’s not,” teammate Mike Conley said following the victory. “We’re thankful for what he’s sacrificing for us and putting us on his back. We expect it from him. He expects it. So we just try to keep him healthy, keep him going forward.”
The standout guard made his return just nine days after suffering a hyperextended left knee that resulted in a deep bone bruise. Edwards contributed 18 points off the bench in 25 minutes during the series opener on May 4, then returned to the starting five for Game 3 at home Friday, logging 41 minutes of action.
Sunday’s contest saw Edwards play 40 minutes, including the entire fourth quarter — a strategy coach Chris Finch employed only three times during the regular season. Edwards also played the final 12 minutes in the first-round series opener at Denver on April 18, just one week before his most recent injury.
“Man, I’ve been doing a lot of stuff to get in shape. I’ve got the best physical therapist in the world when it comes to my body, David Hines, so big shoutout to him,” Edwards said, crediting the team’s vice president of medical operations and performance. “He’s on a whole other level when it comes to that stuff.”
The young star was restricted to just 61 games during the regular season — a career low — primarily due to ongoing right knee discomfort. Prior to this season, Edwards had never missed more than three games in any campaign.
“We’re lucky to have him. He’s special, no doubt, especially given what he’s been fighting through over the last month and a half,” Finch commented.
Edwards shot an impressive 13-of-22 from the field Sunday, connecting on 3-of-5 three-point attempts. He capitalized on Victor Wembanyama’s surprising ejection by attacking the basket, including a critical finger-roll layup through traffic with 2:24 remaining that gave Minnesota a four-point advantage.
Despite his heroics, Edwards remained self-critical afterward, questioning his and the starting unit’s effort during a sluggish third quarter while admitting to physical fatigue.
“I was gassed a little bit,” Edwards said, “so I came out like super low on energy, just walking up and down the floor.”
However, Edwards’ performance transcended mere determination and physical toughness. Playing on Mother’s Day, the guard drew deep motivation from honoring his late mother, Yvette Edwards, who passed away from cancer in 2015 when he was only 13 years old. His grandmother also died later that same year.
“I couldn’t lose this game for her,” Edwards said before acknowledging the unwavering support he’s received from family and close friends in Atlanta throughout the decade since losing his mother and grandmother. “It’s not a bunch of people that’s just willing to do anything you say. These people really want to see me succeed, and they don’t let me take a day off. They stay on me.”
True to his private nature, Edwards quickly redirected attention away from personal matters during the postgame media session at Target Center.
“So I appreciate everybody that’s in my circle, but that’s enough about me,” he said. “Just ask about my team.”
WASHINGTON — Site preparation work commenced Monday for President Donald Trump’s proposed Triumphal Arch in the nation’s capital, marking another step forward for the disputed monument project.
Crews were observed conducting inspections at the planned location situated between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery, using specialized tools and equipment. Sections of the area were cordoned off with fencing, while pink survey markers were placed throughout the grassy terrain.
According to a Thursday court document filed in connection with a federal lawsuit opposing the monument, the current activities involve “surveys and geotechnical testing which are being used to generate information that will assist Defendant National Park Service (NPS) in completing procedural prerequisites” required for the approval process.
Standing at 250 feet tall, the controversial arch represents one of multiple initiatives the Republican president has launched to establish a permanent legacy in Washington. The massive structure could significantly alter the city’s historic skyline, prompting fierce resistance including legal action from military veterans and a historian.
Trump’s arch design has already received preliminary endorsement from the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, an agency staffed with Trump appointees.
The elaborate monument features four guardian lions at its foundation, topped by a Lady Liberty-inspired figure holding a torch and flanked by two eagles — all finished in gold. The inscriptions “One Nation Under God” and “Liberty and Justice for All” would appear in golden letters on opposite sides of the structure.
Neither the White House nor the Public Citizen Litigation Group, which represents the four lawsuit plaintiffs, provided immediate responses to requests for comment.
The legal challenge brought by the veterans and historian seeks to halt construction, arguing the arch would interfere with the visual corridor connecting the Lincoln Memorial to Arlington House at Arlington National Cemetery, along with other concerns.
Trump administration representatives stated in their court submission that the National Park Service has not issued final authorization for arch construction, and if such approval occurs, they would provide a minimum 14-day advance notice before beginning work.
The filing noted that plaintiffs received prior notification about the survey activities and clarified that this preliminary work does not represent “construction, or a demolition in preparation for construction, of an arch.”
The Interior Department has eliminated a regulation that elevated environmental protection to the same status as industrial development, as the Trump administration works to reduce barriers for companies seeking to drill, mine, log, and graze on federally-owned property.
The regulation, implemented in 2024 during the Biden presidency, aimed to reshape how the Interior Department’s Bureau of Land Management operates across roughly 10% of America’s territory. The policy enabled public lands to be designated for environmental restoration through the same leasing process used by petroleum companies for extraction rights.
However, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum contended the regulation could have restricted access to hundreds of thousands of acres, hampering energy and timber operations while damaging ranchers dependent on public grazing areas.
Advocates maintained that environmental protection had historically taken a backseat at the land management agency, undermining its responsibilities outlined in the 1976 Federal Lands Policy Management Act. Although the bureau had previously granted conservation leases in select instances, no formal program existed before the Biden era.
Corporate interests and their Congressional Republican supporters vigorously fought against the regulation and campaigned for its elimination. They claimed Biden’s modification violated the “multiple use” requirements for Interior Department properties by elevating the “non-use” of federal territory — referring to restoration leases — to a dominant role.
The government’s extensive land portfolio is primarily located in western regions including Alaska, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. Following his inauguration, Trump has launched numerous initiatives designed to increase fossil fuel extraction from these publicly-owned areas. The Republican leadership has also moved to diminish certain clean energy projects, alleging they received unfair government support during Biden’s tenure.
The formal elimination of the regulation was set for publication Tuesday in the Federal Register, with supporting documents released beforehand.
This development follows Congressional Republicans’ recent cancellation of land use strategies implemented during Biden’s final weeks that limited development across extensive portions of Alaska, Montana and North Dakota.
Beyond its surface territory, the Bureau of Land Management controls publicly-owned subsurface mineral deposits — including coal for electrical generation and lithium for clean energy applications — spanning over 1 million square miles. The agency has traditionally maintained industry-supportive policies and has distributed grazing rights and oil and gas permits for more than 100 years.
A Polish airline has become the first carrier to bring Boeing before a jury, alleging the aircraft manufacturer deliberately concealed dangerous flaws in its 737 MAX aircraft to secure lucrative contracts.
LOT Polish Airlines filed the lawsuit in Seattle federal court, claiming Boeing withheld crucial safety information when the airline selected the MAX jets in 2016 as part of a financial recovery strategy. The carrier’s expansion plans collapsed when aviation authorities worldwide banned the aircraft in 2019 following two fatal accidents.
“This case is about Boeing’s lies and deception and the devastating financial harm it caused,” stated Anthony Battista, representing the Polish national airline, during Monday’s opening arguments.
The legal battle centers on Boeing’s Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, known as MCAS. While marketing the 737 MAX to LOT, Boeing engineers were secretly addressing the aircraft’s tendency to nose upward in certain flight conditions. They developed MCAS software to automatically correct this issue by pushing the plane’s nose downward.
Court documents reveal Boeing provided misleading information to the Federal Aviation Administration regarding MCAS capabilities and testing challenges. This deception allowed Boeing to avoid requiring extensive pilot retraining, which would have significantly increased costs for airlines and hurt competitiveness against Airbus’s A320 aircraft family.
Former LOT executive Maciej Wilk testified that switching to Airbus would have demanded costly and time-consuming simulator training. “And the key promise in all this was about pilot training” for the 737 MAX, Wilk explained to jurors.
Unaware of the hidden safety issues, LOT agreed to lease 15 aircraft over several years. The MCAS system later contributed to two catastrophic accidents: Lion Air Flight 610 in October 2018 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 in March 2019, resulting in 346 deaths combined.
Following the initial crash, Boeing officials publicly maintained the MAX’s safety record. Company sales representatives gave similar assurances to LOT, denying any safety concerns with the aircraft.
LOT continued operating the jets until global regulators grounded the entire MAX fleet after the second tragedy revealed MCAS’s role in both disasters. Aviation authorities permitted flights to resume 20 months later following comprehensive design modifications and enhanced pilot training requirements.
Airlines worldwide, including LOT, have since returned the updated aircraft to service. Boeing’s legal team questioned LOT’s credibility Monday, arguing the airline continues daily MAX operations while claiming fraud damages.
“Is that how the victim of a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme behaves?” Boeing’s attorney asked, noting LOT is “crying foul and fraud out of one side of their mouth in the courtroom” while operating the aircraft.
Boeing has previously paid billions in compensation to crash victims’ families and reached undisclosed settlements with numerous airlines affected by the grounding. LOT’s case marks the first time an airline has pursued Boeing through trial rather than private settlement negotiations.
The spotlight has shifted between two English golfing siblings, and the older brother couldn’t be happier about the change.
Matt Fitzpatrick, speaking Monday before this week’s PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club, acknowledged that the dynamics have changed significantly this year.
“I’m probably known as Alex’s brother now, as opposed to him being Matt’s brother,” the older Fitzpatrick explained.
This week near Philadelphia, Alex will compete in only his second major championship, while Matt pursues his second major victory in a setting that perfectly captures the spirit of the City of Brotherly Love.
The brothers’ journey together includes a memorable chapter from 2013, when Matt captured the U.S. Amateur at Brookline with Alex serving as his caddie. Nearly a decade later, Matt claimed his first major title at that same Massachusetts course, winning the 2022 U.S. Open.
During that earlier period, Alex’s professional career was still developing. He managed to make the cut in five of seven DP World Tour events, but it would take four years of persistent effort before he secured his breakthrough victory at the Hero Indian Open this past March.
The turning point came at the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Competing as a team for the fourth consecutive year, both brothers performed at peak level and captured the championship, earning Alex his PGA Tour membership and qualification for this week’s major.
The rapid succession of victories has left little time for celebration, according to Matt, who also won the Valspar Championship and RBC Heritage this spring before the Zurich triumph.
“We’ve honestly not had much chance to kind of sit down and take it all in,” Matt said. “I think we are both off next week. So maybe we’ll do something next week. But neither of us are drinkers, so we won’t be doing anything crazy, I wouldn’t have thought.”
Alex has proven his PGA Tour credentials since the Zurich victory, finishing tied for ninth at the Cadillac Championship and placing fourth at Sunday’s Truist Championship after leading through three rounds.
Matt expressed genuine enthusiasm about discussing his brother’s success.
“Listen, I love talking about my brother,” Matt said. “It’s an amazing position to be in to have that privilege to talk about how well he’s doing. I’d so much rather have these questions, conversations, than the opposite of, you know, why is he not playing well and whatnot.”
“So it’s a fantastic position to be in, and I’ve said already, it’s his career. It’s his choice. I’ll be there to help him as much as I can, if he wants that. But at the same time, you know, I want him to be able to make his own decisions.”
The brothers’ parents had to adjust their travel arrangements following the Zurich victory. Originally planning to return to Europe, they decided to extend their U.S. stay through the PGA Championship to support both sons.
Matt indicated that his preparation routine will remain unchanged despite his brother’s presence.
“This is the second time we’ve shared a house at a major, when (Alex) qualified for The Open in ’23,” he explained. “It will be the same preparation for me. I’m going about it the same way. He’ll ask me when I’m playing and he’ll either join me or he’ll kind of fit in elsewhere.”
“I’m very strict on my routine. I want to do this and I need to see whoever at this time. If he wants to fit that in, that’s great, and obviously I always say, we want to play together. But yeah, I kind of, again, want him to be able to do his own thing.”
A medical equipment manufacturer announced Monday its fiscal 2027 earnings projections will surpass Wall Street analyst predictions, driven by robust demand for sterilization services, even though the company fell slightly short of fourth-quarter profit expectations.
The infection-prevention product maker, Steris, projects adjusted earnings per share between $11.10 and $11.30 for fiscal 2027, meeting or exceeding the average analyst estimate of $11.10 compiled by LSEG data. The company also anticipates yearly revenue growth ranging from 7% to 8%.
The Ohio-based company, which provides sterilization equipment and services to hospitals and laboratories, reported fourth-quarter revenue climbed 7% to reach $1.6 billion, surpassing analyst projections of $1.59 billion for the period ending March 31. The revenue increase stemmed from higher medical procedure volumes and an expanded customer portfolio.
Company leadership also announced approval for a new $1 billion stock buyback program.
However, Steris’ fourth-quarter adjusted earnings of $2.83 per share fell just short of Wall Street’s $2.85 per share prediction.
Breaking down quarterly performance by division, the Healthcare segment, which represents the company’s largest revenue source, generated $1.14 billion in sales, marking a 7% increase. The Applied Sterilization Technologies division saw revenue grow 6% to $289.2 million, while Life Sciences revenue jumped 9% to $162.9 million.
Motorists traveling southbound on Bay Road in New Castle should expect lane restrictions due to construction activity affecting the right shoulder of the roadway.
The Delaware Department of Transportation reports that the right shoulder closure is currently in place along southbound Route 1 (Bay Road) in the area stretching from NE 10th Street to NE Front Street.
Construction crews are working in the area, prompting officials to block access to the right shoulder for safety purposes. The restriction is expected to remain active until 5 AM.
Drivers are advised to use caution when traveling through the work zone and to expect possible delays during the construction period.
Morning commuters traveling through New Castle County should expect delays on southbound Route 72 due to ongoing construction work.
The Delaware Department of Transportation reports that the left lane is currently blocked between Bellevue Road and Brookhill Drive as crews continue their work. The lane closure is scheduled to remain in place until 6 AM.
Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time and use caution when passing through the construction zone. Traffic may be backed up during peak morning hours as vehicles merge into the remaining open lanes.
Drivers traveling northbound on Route 72 should expect delays this evening as construction crews have shut down the right lane between Brookhill Drive and Bellevue Road.
The Delaware Department of Transportation reports the lane closure will remain active until 6 a.m., affecting the morning commute for area residents.
Motorists are advised to use caution when approaching the work zone and allow extra travel time. Traffic is being directed into the remaining open lanes during the construction period.
Railway crossings have returned to normal operations after a temporary disruption caused by a halted locomotive.
The stationary train has resumed movement, allowing vehicle traffic to flow normally through all previously affected intersections. Officials indicate no additional information will be provided regarding this incident.
Cargo aircraft of the same model involved in a fatal Kentucky accident last autumn have been cleared to fly again after federal regulators approved safety modifications over the weekend.
Federal Aviation Administration officials announced they had given the green light to Boeing’s proposed repairs for the MD-11 aircraft “after extensive review.” FedEx immediately began operating the planes for package delivery services on Sunday.
The November 2025 UPS accident occurred when the aircraft’s left engine separated from the wing during takeoff at Louisville’s Muhammad Ali International Airport. The incident claimed the lives of three crew members aboard the Hawaii-bound cargo flight, along with 12 individuals on the ground.
Boeing’s solution involved replacing a critical spherical bearing component and increasing inspection frequency for engine mounting hardware. The National Transportation Safety Board revealed that Boeing had recorded four similar bearing failures on three different MD-11 aircraft in 2011, though the manufacturer concluded at that time it would not create “a safety of flight condition.” McDonnell Douglas originally manufactured these planes before Boeing acquired the company.
Following the crash, aviation authorities grounded the entire MD-11 fleet due to safety concerns. UPS responded by retiring all of its MD-11 aircraft earlier this year, representing roughly 9% of the company’s total fleet. FedEx, however, maintained its commitment to returning the planes to operation despite them comprising only about 4% of its aircraft. Western Global Airlines, the third carrier operating MD-11s, has remained silent since the incident and did not respond to requests for comment regarding the FAA’s decision.
In a company statement, FedEx detailed its collaboration with Boeing, federal regulators, and internal specialists to examine and modify its aircraft, with government certification confirming compliance with Boeing’s guidelines. The company operates 46 of these planes, though more than two dozen were already in storage before the accident occurred.
“Safety is our highest priority at FedEx,” the company said.
Despite the return to service, FedEx intends to phase out its MD-11 fleet in favor of more fuel-efficient aircraft, a strategy announced prior to the Louisville crash.
Legal representatives for families pursuing lawsuits related to the Louisville accident expressed cautious optimism about the safety measures.
“We hope the FAA does a thorough job of investigating the fixes before the MD-11 fleet is allowed to return to flight,” lawyer Bradley Cosgrove said.
Aviation safety specialist Jeff Guzzetti expressed surprise at the lengthy grounding period, considering the NTSB’s rapid identification of probable causes for the engine separation. The NTSB has scheduled two days of investigative hearings next week to examine the crash in greater detail.
“I’m confident that the solution will work, and I would like to see the MD-11s back up in the air. It will be a safe airplane with regards to its engines after these corrective actions are made,” said Guzzetti, who used to investigate crashes for both the NTSB and FAA.
Industry analysts had questioned whether MD-11s would ever return to service if repair costs exceeded the economic value of the aging aircraft. However, Boeing successfully addressed safety issues through bearing replacement and enhanced inspection protocols.
Passengers from a cruise ship who may have been exposed to hantavirus have been taken to a specialized medical facility in Nebraska for monitoring and potential treatment.
The University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha was selected because it houses the United States’ sole federally-supported quarantine facility. The medical center also operates a distinct biocontainment unit specifically designed to care for individuals who have encountered infectious diseases.
This unique combination of quarantine and biocontainment capabilities makes the Nebraska facility the go-to destination for federal health officials when dealing with potential exposure to dangerous pathogens. The specialized units are equipped to safely isolate and treat patients while preventing the spread of infectious diseases to the broader community.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Over 30 years ago, team owner Lamar Hunt and his son Clark walked onto the turf at Arrowhead Stadium with a bold vision: convincing FIFA that their football venue could serve as a host site for the 1994 World Cup in America.
That 1990 proposal was unsuccessful, but the Hunt family’s ambition never faded.
Today, following a multi-million dollar transformation of the 53-year-old facility to meet international soccer field requirements, the Hunt family’s vision is finally becoming reality. Arrowhead will welcome six group stage matches next month, plus a round of 32 contest and a World Cup quarterfinal game.
“Clark has been keen on really living that legacy, finding a way for Kansas City and Arrowhead Stadium specifically to host World Cup matches,” said Matt Kenny, the Chiefs’ executive vice president of operations and events, during a Monday stadium walkthrough.
The opening match will showcase defending world champion Argentina taking on Algeria on June 16. Additional group stage games include Ecuador versus Curacao, Tunisia facing the Netherlands, and Algeria meeting Austria.
The elimination rounds are set for July 3 and July 11, after which the facility will return to its football configuration.
Kansas City’s first preseason game is expected approximately one month following the tournament’s conclusion.
While all American World Cup venues are NFL facilities — ranging from MetLife Stadium in New York to Levi’s Stadium near San Francisco and SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles — Arrowhead presents unique challenges. Constructed in 1972 during a different era of professional sports design, accommodating soccer was never part of the original blueprint.
To create space for the expanded playing field, multiple rows of fixed seating along the north sideline were eliminated and replaced with temporary seating units used during football season. These modular seats were subsequently removed as the venue prepared for its soccer transformation.
During World Cup competition, the facility will operate under the name Kansas City Stadium.
The most significant enhancement involved the playing surface itself. Team officials installed an underground air circulation system to improve the quality of the Bermuda grass field, which received new sod with modified crown shaping specifically for World Cup play.
“FIFA has some basic requirements in respect to playability. They want consistency with the way the ball bounces. Obviously, the width and the size of the pitch across venues,” Kenny explained. “It’s been the better part of 10 years from the bid to actually executing the matches here, and it’s been a massive collaboration.”
Construction activities continue despite teams arriving within weeks — Argentina, England, the Netherlands and Algeria will establish training bases locally. Crews worked Monday removing advertising displays to prevent sponsor conflicts while installing fan festival areas, pavilions and supporting infrastructure across the stadium’s extensive parking areas.
Traditional tailgating experiences will be limited during the tournament. Most spectators will arrive via shuttle buses from remote parking locations, with only several thousand on-site parking spaces available.
“The challenges were really tied to us understanding exactly what FIFA needed, what we could do to balance our unique situation,” Kenny noted. “We’re hosting a quarterfinal match, so that’s a testament to our planning and the work that’s been done.”
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s parliament unanimously passed legislation Monday establishing a specialized court system with power to impose death sentences on Palestinians found guilty of participating in the October 7, 2023 Hamas assault that sparked the ongoing Gaza conflict.
The Knesset voted 93-0 in favor of the measure, with 27 members either absent or choosing not to vote. The overwhelming support demonstrates broad consensus for holding accountable those responsible for what became Israel’s most devastating attack in its history.
Civil rights organizations have condemned the legislation, arguing it creates an easier pathway to capital punishment while eliminating important protections for fair legal proceedings. Under the new system, defendants may appeal their verdicts, but these appeals must go through a separate specialized appeals court instead of standard appellate channels.
The law allows a panel of judges to impose death sentences through majority decision and mandates that proceedings be broadcast live from a Jerusalem courthouse, drawing parallels to Adolf Eichmann’s 1962 war crimes trial, which was also televised.
Eichmann’s execution by hanging marked Israel’s last use of capital punishment, though the death penalty technically remains legal for genocide, wartime espionage, and specific terrorism charges.
Critics worry that broadcasting trials before establishing guilt could transform serious legal proceedings into public spectacles. They also question whether evidence presented might have been obtained through coercive interrogation techniques.
The conflict erupted when Hamas-led fighters invaded Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 people taken hostage. Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza has resulted in more than 72,628 Palestinian fatalities, including at least 846 deaths since the ceasefire began last October.
These casualty figures come from Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians but reports roughly half the victims were women and children. United Nations agencies and independent analysts generally consider the ministry’s data reliable, despite its connection to Hamas-controlled governance.
Israeli military operations also eliminated hundreds of militants during fighting in the coastal territory and captured numerous suspects now held in Israeli facilities awaiting trial.
Coalition member Simcha Rothman, who co-sponsored the bill, described the unanimous support as evidence that Israeli legislators can unite “around a common mission.”
Multiple Israeli human rights organizations, including Hamoked, Adalah, and the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel, acknowledged Monday that “justice for the victims of October 7 is a legitimate and urgent imperative,” but emphasized that accountability “must be pursued through a process which includes rather than abandons the principles of justice.”
This legislation differs from a March law that authorized death penalties for Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis, which drew international condemnation as discriminatory and inhumane.
The earlier law only applies to future cases and cannot be used retroactively against October 2023 suspects.
The Public Committee Against Torture in Israel reports that approximately 1,300 Palestinians from Gaza remain in Israeli detention without formal charges. Since October 2023, at least 7,000 Gaza Palestinians have been held in Israeli custody, with 5,000 subsequently released.
The 1,300 figure excludes those detained on suspicion of participating in the October 7 attack or involvement with hostage-taking.
WASHINGTON — In a Monday decision, the nation’s highest court opened the door for Alabama to eliminate one of its two congressional districts where Black voters make up the majority, potentially handing Republicans another House seat as both parties fight for control of the narrowly divided chamber ahead of November’s midterm elections.
The ruling comes after the Supreme Court decided in April to strike down Louisiana’s majority-Black House district, calling it an unconstitutional racial gerrymander and significantly undermining a key section of the federal Voting Rights Act.
Alabama state leaders referenced the Louisiana ruling when asking the Supreme Court to end a judicial mandate requiring the use of a court-ordered House map through the 2030 census. The justices granted that request and instructed a lower court to review the Alabama case considering the Louisiana precedent. This action may allow Alabama to implement a 2023 map created by its Republican-controlled legislature that contains just one district with a Black majority population.
Expecting this court reversal, Alabama lawmakers recently passed legislation permitting the state to cancel results from a May 19 primary in certain congressional districts and conduct a new primary using different district lines. Republican Governor Kay Ivey will determine when to schedule the special primary election, which must take place by August.
In her dissenting opinion to Monday’s brief decision, Justice Sonia Sotomayor noted that the Louisiana case only reversed one basis for the Alabama ruling. While the Voting Rights Act violation may be eliminated, Sotomayor argued that a lower court might still determine Alabama deliberately discriminated against Black voters, violating the 14th Amendment.
Alabama joins multiple states attempting to modify their congressional district maps before November’s elections in a nationwide redistricting fight that Republicans are currently winning.
Congressional districts are normally redrawn every ten years following the census to reflect population shifts. However, former President Donald Trump encouraged Texas Republicans last year to redraw districts in their favor to maintain a slim House majority in the midterms.
California Democrats responded with their own redistricting efforts, and many Republican-controlled states have followed suit. The Supreme Court’s Louisiana decision gave Republicans additional momentum for their redistricting campaigns.
Republicans believe they could secure up to 14 additional seats in November’s elections through new districts created in Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Florida, and Tennessee. Democrats estimate they could gain up to six extra seats from new districts in California and Utah. However, Democrats faced a significant blow when Virginia’s Supreme Court struck down a voter-approved redistricting amendment that might have delivered four more seats for their party.
Medical researchers have achieved promising results using a patient’s own modified immune cells to combat HIV infection in a groundbreaking early-stage clinical trial, though scientists emphasize more research is needed to validate these findings and identify the best candidates for treatment.
The initial human trial utilized CAR-T technology, a single-dose treatment where doctors remove a patient’s T-cells, modify and multiply them in laboratory conditions, then reintroduce them into the patient’s system. For this study, scientists programmed the CAR-T cells to target specific HIV binding locations called CD4 and CCR5.
Without medical intervention, HIV multiplies and eliminates the body’s disease-fighting cells, ultimately developing into AIDS. Approximately 41 million individuals worldwide currently live with HIV, and although modern antiretroviral medications have made the condition manageable, patients must take these drugs throughout their lives.
This approach differs significantly from earlier HIV treatment breakthroughs that involved cancer patients receiving bone marrow transplants from donors carrying a uncommon genetic variation that naturally resists HIV. Scientists believe CAR-T therapy could benefit many more patients.
“Our goal is to make these therapies affordable and accessible,” stated Dr. Boro Dropulić, executive director of the nonprofit organization Caring Cross, which partnered with researchers from University of California, San Francisco, University of California, Davis and Case Western Reserve University Hospital on this study.
Among three trial participants who received the standard CAR-T treatment dose, researchers reported that two have sustained undetectable or extremely low HIV levels since discontinuing antiretroviral medications – one patient for more than two years and another for almost one year. The third participant experienced an initial virus resurgence but subsequently managed to keep HIV at low yet detectable amounts.
The safety-focused trial included three additional patients who did not receive the preparatory chemotherapy typically used to ready bone marrow for cell reinfusion, while three others received reduced CAR-T doses.
“The two that have been off (HIV drugs) the longest and doing well were importantly diagnosed pretty quickly and put on therapy pretty quickly,” explained Dr. Steven Deeks, a medicine professor at the University of California, San Francisco and the study’s primary researcher.
He described how antiretroviral treatment “freezes the virus in place” to prevent mutations while also stopping the body’s immune system from getting “ravished by HIV.”
Deeks noted that ongoing research aims to understand why certain patients have shown better responses.
“The CAR-T cells disappeared after several weeks… so we’re really trying to come up with a mechanism to explain that,” he said.
CAR-T treatments are currently approved for various blood cancers and are being tested for autoimmune conditions including lupus and scleroderma.
“In the cancer settings, the overall burden of disease is much higher. Typically the CAR-T cells persist much longer,” Deeks noted.
He added that HIV trial participants did not experience the severe side effects commonly seen in cancer patients receiving CAR-T therapy, including a dangerous inflammatory reaction called cytokine release syndrome.
The research results were scheduled for presentation Tuesday at the American Society of Cell and Gene Therapy’s annual conference in Boston.
Washington has secured the top selection in the 2026 NBA Draft lottery, with BYU forward AJ Dybantsa emerging as the overwhelming favorite to be chosen first overall by the Wizards.
Following the lottery results, Field Level Media’s Ethan Ward immediately placed Dybantsa at the top of his draft rankings. Betting markets have responded accordingly, with BetMGM listing the forward at -450 odds to be selected first after initially opening at +360. Dybantsa has captured 38.8% of all wagers on the top pick and commands 74.1% of the total money wagered.
Despite his status as the betting favorite, Dybantsa ranks as only the third-largest potential loss for the sportsbook as of Monday. Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr. holds the top liability position, with North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson in second place.
Acuff’s position stems from attracting 28.1% of all bets and 7.0% of the money despite long-shot +1000 odds. Wilson carries much shorter +5000 odds to go first overall and has drawn 13.5% of bets but only 4.0% of the total money.
Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, who initially opened as the -325 favorite for the top selection, now sits at +350 following the draft order announcement. Ward projects Peterson to be selected second overall by the Utah Jazz.
The 2026 draft class features multiple players with star potential, creating anticipation for the June 23-24 event in New York. Duke forward Cameron Boozer has attracted the second-highest amount of money wagered on the first pick with 13.8%.
Dybantsa’s emergence as the top choice for Washington stems from his perceived fit alongside the Wizards’ mix of young players and veterans Trae Young and Anthony Davis. The 19-year-old would not face immediate pressure to carry the team following his single collegiate season.
Utah would likely have strong interest in selecting the former BYU standout to keep him in the state. However, Peterson could provide an ideal complement to the Jazz’s large frontcourt with his versatility at both guard positions and ability to play without the ball.
Boozer represents one of the few top prospects whose odds have decreased since the market opened at BetMGM, moving from +875 to +1100 while receiving 11.8% of total wagers. He is commonly viewed as a potential selection for Memphis at third overall. The Grizzlies face decisions regarding Ja Morant, but Boozer is considered a safe prospect likely to become a reliable NBA scorer.
Beyond the top five selections, no other player has better than +25000 odds to be chosen first overall next month.
This marks Washington’s first time holding the top pick since 2010, when the franchise selected guard John Wall, who went on to become a five-time All-Star. The Wizards now own the first overall selection for the fifth time in team history.
The 6-foot-9 Dybantsa paced the nation in scoring at 25.5 points per game and appears positioned to become one of the NBA’s top offensive players. The 6-foot-6 Peterson dealt with injury issues at Kansas but still averaged 20.2 points and may have been college basketball’s most talented player.
A federal judge in Washington D.C. has thrown out criminal charges against British American Tobacco following the company’s completion of a three-year compliance agreement related to alleged North Korea sanctions violations.
The Justice Department confirmed in court documents filed Monday that BAT had “fully complied” with terms established in their April 2023 deferred prosecution deal. As part of the resolution, the tobacco manufacturer paid roughly $630 million in penalties and forfeiture fees while strengthening its internal compliance systems.
This settlement marked the Justice Department’s most significant financial penalty ever imposed for breaking U.S. sanctions targeting North Korea’s government. BAT’s subsidiary operation, BAT Marketing Singapore, entered a guilty plea to conspiracy charges as part of the arrangement.
The company, whose cigarette portfolio features well-known brands like Dunhill, Lucky Strike and Pall Mall, has not yet issued a public response to the case dismissal.
Federal prosecutors alleged that BAT continued selling tobacco products to North Korea from 2007 through 2017, even after publicly claiming it had ended all business operations there. According to the Justice Department, BAT had transferred its North Korean operations to a Singapore-based third-party company but maintained tobacco sales through this intermediary.
U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell approved the government’s motion to dismiss the charges.
The United States maintains extensive economic sanctions against North Korea as part of efforts to limit funding sources for the country’s nuclear weapons and missile development programs.
The University of Notre Dame and the University of Southern California are working to restore their historic football rivalry, though fans may have to wait until 2030 to see the teams clash again, according to a Monday report from the Los Angeles Times.
The Fighting Irish and Trojans announced in December that their 2026 matchup was canceled, putting a temporary halt to a storied rivalry that first began in 1925.
Sources close to the negotiations told the Times they remain hopeful that both universities will reach a new agreement.
According to the report, Notre Dame has shown willingness to schedule the USC game earlier in the football season, which had been a major sticking point in previous discussions. USC had pushed for moving the game date to align with their other non-conference games, while Notre Dame preferred maintaining the traditional late-season timing that has defined the rivalry.
Near the conclusion of the 2025 season, both schools appeared close to striking a deal, with USC ready to accept keeping the game in its customary late-season position for the following two years. However, USC officials were unaware that Notre Dame had secured a special arrangement with the College Football Playoff guaranteeing them a playoff spot if they finished in the top 12 of the final rankings, the Times reported.
This revelation prompted USC to withdraw their proposal, though athletic director Jennifer Cohen made one final attempt with a December counteroffer. Notre Dame rejected this last proposal and subsequently announced a new home-and-home agreement with BYU to fill USC’s former spot.
“The fact is very, very clear, and this can all be settled very quickly — had Notre Dame lived up to their word and played us anytime, anywhere, we would be playing them the next two years and looking ahead after that and hopefully continuing the series,” USC coach Lincoln Riley said following a bowl game defeat in December. “They did not follow through on it. Thus, we are not playing them the next couple years.”
WASHINGTON – The nation’s highest court gave Alabama Republicans the green light Monday to move forward with congressional district boundaries that favor their party for this November’s elections, marking another significant development following the court’s major decision on voting rights.
The Supreme Court justices overturned a federal court ruling that had prevented state GOP officials from implementing their preferred redistricting plan, which lower courts had determined discriminated against voters based on race and weakened the electoral influence of Black residents in Alabama.
Officials in the conservative Southern state are anticipated to return to their earlier proposed map, which would reduce districts where Black voters make up a majority or close to a majority from two down to just one among Alabama’s seven congressional seats.
Delaware Department of Transportation officials report that the left lane of southbound Interstate 95 is currently blocked due to a vehicle accident near the Salem Church Road area.
The crash has created traffic restrictions for drivers heading south on the major highway corridor. Motorists are advised to exercise caution and allow extra travel time when passing through this section of I-95.
DelDOT has not yet provided details about the severity of the accident or an estimated time for when the lane will reopen to normal traffic flow.
Texas officials are ramping up enforcement efforts to address a significant increase in organized criminal operations targeting the state’s oil industry. Law enforcement agencies report that thieves have stolen crude oil worth an estimated one billion dollars across Texas.
The theft operations have become increasingly sophisticated and pose growing safety concerns for workers and communities near drilling sites. State authorities are implementing new strategies to combat these criminal networks that are targeting valuable petroleum resources.
An increasing number of homeless individuals in New York City are facing court proceedings following arrests for transit violations in recent months. Police have been targeting those who occupy multiple seats on public transportation or sleep on station floors as part of an intensified enforcement effort.
The legal actions represent a significant uptick in prosecutions related to subway sleeping policies, with more homeless New Yorkers being processed through the court system for these transit-related infractions.
A stationary train is currently obstructing vehicle passage at two major Newark street intersections, causing significant traffic disruptions in the area.
The blocked crossings are located at North College Avenue and at the West Main Street/New London Road intersection. Railroad officials have been contacted about the situation.
Motorists should anticipate increased traffic congestion and are encouraged to use alternative routes while the train remains in position. Drivers are also warned against attempting to cross between rail cars.
Wall Street and international stock markets climbed to fresh record highs Monday, with investor enthusiasm for artificial intelligence technology continuing to overshadow the ongoing standoff between the United States and Iran.
Despite a fragile ceasefire and diminishing prospects for a long-term agreement in the Middle East, technology-driven earnings optimism maintained its grip on financial markets.
The market rally comes as stock concentration reaches near-record levels both in the U.S. and emerging markets worldwide. While this concentration may not immediately concern investors, analysts warn it could create volatility when markets eventually decline.
Multiple major indices posted record performances, including the S&P 500, Nasdaq, Japan’s Nikkei, South Korea’s KOSPI, and several global market measures. Chinese markets reached their highest levels in eleven years.
Within the S&P 500, six sectors advanced while five declined. Technology stocks gained 1% and energy climbed 2.6%, while communications services fell 2.3%. The Philadelphia semiconductor index jumped 2.6% to a new peak. Individual stock movements included Caterpillar rising 3%, Nvidia advancing 2%, and Nike dropping 4%.
Currency markets saw the dollar edge higher while the Japanese yen posted the largest decline among major developed-nation currencies. India’s rupee and South Korea’s won also fell sharply.
Bond markets experienced rising yields, with U.S. Treasury rates climbing 6 basis points at shorter maturities. A three-year Treasury auction attracted weak investor demand.
Commodity prices surged, with oil advancing 3% and silver jumping 7%.
Market analysts note that stocks continue reaching new heights even as oil prices and bond yields climb. While supply chain disruptions and rising energy costs typically dampen equity enthusiasm, the AI boom appears to be offsetting these concerns.
BlackRock analysts remain optimistic about market conditions. “We see no disconnect between record U.S. equities prices and elevated oil, commodities and yields. Markets are pricing both AI-driven growth and the impact of the Middle East supply shock. We stay pro-risk as a result,” they stated.
Attention now shifts to this week’s U.S.-China summit between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. Trump’s delegation includes executives from Tesla, Apple, BlackRock and other major American corporations.
Recent Chinese economic data revealed surging export growth, an expanding trade surplus and increasing price pressures in April, suggesting the economy is emerging from a period of declining prices. However, unemployment rose and retail sales disappointed expectations.
Major technology companies are expanding their borrowing efforts to fund AI development projects. Alphabet announced plans for its first bond sale in Japanese yen, while Amazon prepares its inaugural Swiss franc bond offering. These currencies traditionally offer lower borrowing costs, though the increased debt levels put growing pressure on AI investments to generate returns.
Looking ahead, markets will monitor Middle East developments, energy price movements, and various economic data releases including U.S. inflation figures and Federal Reserve officials’ comments.
Two Miami-Dade police sergeants have taken legal action against the production company owned by Hollywood stars Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, alleging their Netflix action film incorporated excessive real-world elements that damaged the officers’ standing both personally and professionally.
Sergeants Jason Smith and Jonathan Santana filed their defamation case in Miami’s federal courthouse this month, targeting Artists Equity, the film production business operated by the Academy Award-winning actors. While the court documents don’t specify a monetary amount being sought, the civil action requests compensatory and punitive damages, legal costs, and demands a public correction and retraction.
The Netflix thriller depicts Affleck and Damon portraying South Florida law enforcement officers who discover millions in cash during a house search. The movie draws inspiration from an actual 2016 incident where authorities uncovered more than $21 million connected to suspected marijuana trafficking operations at a Miami Lakes residence.
When contacted by The Associated Press on Monday, legal representation for Artists Equity refused to provide comment. However, in a March 19 letter responding to the officers’ initial demands, company attorney Leita Walker stated the movie doesn’t claim to represent the true events of that case or depict actual individuals, pointing to a disclaimer included in the film’s credits.
While the movie doesn’t specifically identify Smith and Santana by name, their lawsuit contends that Santana served as the primary detective handling the actual investigation, while Smith supervised the detective team. According to their legal filing, the movie’s use of authentic case details creates the false impression that the fictional characters represent the two plaintiffs.
The lawsuit argues this portrayal has led acquaintances, relatives, and professional colleagues to believe the officers engaged in the serious criminal behavior depicted on screen, including conspiring to steal confiscated drug proceeds, killing a supervising officer, coordinating with cartel operatives, setting fires in residential areas, putting civilians at risk, repeatedly breaking fundamental law enforcement procedures, and killing a federal agent instead of making an arrest.
In her March correspondence, Walker argued the plaintiffs failed to specify which movie character supposedly represents either Smith or Santana, meaning that even if the film actually portrayed a real narcotics unit, no connection could be established between any characters and the officers bringing the lawsuit.
Joe Carnahan directed the Netflix film, which launched in January and currently holds a 78% Fresh rating on the Rotten Tomatoes review aggregation website.
FLINT, Mich. — A Michigan man received a minimum 30-year prison sentence Monday for fatally striking his best friend with his car just hours after getting married following a dispute involving alcohol.
“The only thing I can do for the rest of my life is express my apology and remorse. … I will forever be sorry,” James Shirah told the Genesee County court.
The 24-year-old was behind the wheel when his car hit Terry Taylor Jr. in Flint, located roughly one hour northwest of Detroit, on August 30, 2024. Shirah had wed Savanah Collier earlier that same day, and the wedding party had gathered at a residence for the celebration.
Defense lawyers claimed the fatal collision was accidental. However, prosecutors maintained that Shirah had departed the scene initially and had opportunity to consider his actions before coming back and hitting Taylor, according to MLive.com.
“Mr. Shirah, I believe that you are not a criminal. You are, however, a killer,” stated Judge Khary Hanible during sentencing.
Back in April, Shirah entered a no contest plea to second-degree murder charges along with additional offenses. He becomes eligible for parole consideration after serving three decades.
“I hope that they throw the book at you,” Eren Taylor, the victim’s cousin, told Shirah prior to the judge announcing the sentence.
Shirah’s bride faces her own sentencing hearing scheduled for later in May on charges of serving as an accessory.
President Trump announced Monday his selection of David Cummins to lead the Transportation Security Administration following challenging months when the agency struggled with unpaid workers and extended wait times at airports nationwide.
The nominee previously served as a senior vice president with Serco, a contracting firm that partners with government agencies at various levels. If confirmed, Cummins would inherit leadership of an agency still recovering from the historic government shutdown that concluded in recent weeks.
Throughout the shutdown, TSA workers under current acting administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill faced periods without compensation, resulting in massive absenteeism and hundreds of resignations. The staffing crisis created significant delays for air travelers and sparked political debates over responsibility for the Department of Homeland Security closure.
According to what appeared to be his LinkedIn page before it was removed, Cummins brings transportation expertise from his time at Serco and claims co-ownership of “a dozen patents in transportation systems.” The profile also highlighted his role as operations director for the 2002 Winter Olympics held in Salt Lake City.
Serco representatives have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding Cummins.
President Donald Trump announced Monday his selection of Cameron Hamilton to head the Federal Emergency Management Agency, marking an unexpected return for the ex-Navy SEAL who lost his temporary leadership position last year for supporting the agency’s continued existence.
The nomination signals a shift in the Trump administration’s approach toward FEMA, moving away from earlier discussions about eliminating the disaster response agency that has faced sharp criticism from the president. Hamilton’s selection, particularly given his previous stance against dismantling FEMA, suggests this policy reversal is gaining momentum.
Should the Senate confirm Hamilton, he would serve as Trump’s primary emergency management advisor alongside Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, becoming FEMA’s first permanent director during Trump’s second presidency. The agency has cycled through three interim leaders, including Hamilton’s short stint from January through May 2025.
Hamilton would inherit an agency struggling under the aftermath of Kristi Noem’s controversial tenure leading the Department of Homeland Security, FEMA’s parent organization. The emergency management agency has been weakened by widespread employee departures, restrictive operational policies, and a 75-day government shutdown that concluded April 30.
With disaster season approaching rapidly, Hamilton faces the immediate challenge of preparing the agency while implementing the extensive reforms Trump expects, following recommendations from a presidential council released last Friday.
“Now is the opportunity to stabilize FEMA,” said Michael Coen, the agency’s chief of staff in the Obama and Biden administrations.
When Trump initially appointed Hamilton as interim director in January 2025, the choice sparked controversy given his lack of state or local emergency management experience and his previous public criticism of FEMA. The appointment came just days before Trump publicly considered “getting rid” of the agency entirely.
Hamilton’s conflict with DHS leadership emerged when he advocated for maintaining federal disaster assistance to states, tribes, and territories.
“Once the conversation shifted to, ‘Now we’re going to abolish,’ I immediately expressed concern,” he said last September on the “Disaster Tough” podcast with John Scardena, a former FEMA incident management team leader.
DHS officials even administered a polygraph examination to Hamilton, alleging he and other staff leaked confidential meeting information. Though he passed the test, Hamilton recognized his termination was approaching.
During a May 7 House Appropriations subcommittee hearing, Connecticut Democrat Rep. Rosa DeLauro questioned Hamilton about FEMA’s future.
“I do not believe it is in the best interest of the American people to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency,” he responded. His dismissal came the following day.
Hamilton’s willingness to defend FEMA despite knowing the personal cost earned him credibility among emergency management professionals, according to Scardena, who now leads the consulting firm Doberman Emergency Management Group.
“He won myself over and I think a lot of people by what he did,” Scardena said.
However, several current FEMA staff members, speaking anonymously due to fears of workplace retaliation, expressed concerns to The Associated Press about certain decisions made during Hamilton’s leadership.
In 2024, Hamilton amplified false information on social media platform X regarding FEMA’s Hurricane Helene spending.
Under his temporary leadership, FEMA eliminated door-to-door outreach efforts to connect with disaster survivors and terminated a multi-billion-dollar resilience grant program, later reinstated by court order. The Department of Government Efficiency received access to FEMA’s internal systems containing survivors’ personal data. Staff members faced termination for processing approved reimbursements to New York City for housing undocumented immigrants through FEMA’s Shelter and Services program.
Hamilton has advocated for significant FEMA restructuring, arguing the agency should operate more efficiently, shed responsibilities he considers beyond its scope, and reduce some states’ reliance on federal assistance. A Trump-appointed advisory council recently proposed comprehensive FEMA changes requiring congressional approval.
“I think he’s going to need to rebuild trust across the agency,” said Deanne Criswell, FEMA administrator under former President Joe Biden, adding that she believes Hamilton cares about FEMA and she appreciated his outreach to emergency management directors and former officials during and after his tenure.
Hamilton may encounter Senate confirmation challenges due to his lack of emergency management agency leadership experience, typically considered essential preparation for overseeing an organization with more than 21,000 employees.
Federal statute mandates the FEMA administrator possess “a demonstrated ability in and knowledge of emergency management and homeland security” plus at least five years of “executive leadership and management experience.”
Hamilton’s background includes training as a Navy hospital corpsman followed by a decade serving as a Navy SEAL with SEAL Team Eight. He subsequently worked as a State Department emergency management specialist handling international crisis response before directing emergency medical services at DHS.
Victoria’s Secret has publicly outlined the reasons behind its decision to reject Australian billionaire Brett Blundy’s bid for a board position, while announcing that one current director will step down amid the ongoing corporate dispute.
In a regulatory filing released Monday, the lingerie company revealed it had informed Blundy in November that his board candidacy posed “potential for significant reputational and legal risk” along with “conflict of interest and competition concerns.”
Blundy, through his investment company BBRC International, has been mounting a campaign to oust two current board members – Donna James and Mariam Naficy – by encouraging shareholders to withhold their votes at the upcoming annual meeting in June.
The pressure campaign has already claimed one casualty. Naficy announced she will not seek re-election next month, citing her professional obligations and the demands of responding to BBRC’s proxy fight.
Victoria’s Secret’s November letter to Blundy detailed several concerning issues that influenced their rejection. The company cited Blundy’s “pattern of hiring executives with a history of serious allegations of sexual harassment” and reported incidents of “harassment and highly inappropriate employee policies” at businesses under his control.
The retailer also raised competitive concerns, noting that Leays, a Blundy-controlled enterprise, markets itself as an international lingerie, sleepwear and beauty company, creating direct competition with Victoria’s Secret.
Additionally, the filing alleged that a BBRC representative visited Victoria’s Secret retail locations and “according to store personnel with whom he interacted, falsely presented himself as being affiliated with Victoria’s Secret to gain access to and misappropriate confidential sales information from the stores.”
BBRC currently holds a 13% ownership stake in Victoria’s Secret and has been working to implement changes since 2024. Blundy has argued that his retail industry experience makes him qualified for a board position.
A defensive mechanism known as a shareholder-rights plan, implemented after BBRC accumulated its significant stake, is set to expire this month.
Blundy was not available for immediate comment regarding the company’s allegations.
Investment powerhouse KKR announced Monday it will pump $300 million into its struggling private credit fund FS KKR Capital as the fund grapples with mounting losses and a steep decline in asset values.
The fund, known as FSK, has been hit hard along with similar investment vehicles as concerns grow about lending practices and the potential impact of artificial intelligence disruption on software companies that borrowed heavily. Investors have been pulling money from these funds while their stock market performance has deteriorated.
Over the past 12 months, FSK has seen its value plummet by 46%, and last month Fitch ratings agency downgraded the fund to junk status.
According to a company statement, KKR plans to purchase $150 million worth of convertible perpetual preferred stock and will launch a tender offer to buy up to $150 million in common stock at $11 per share. The company noted it “believes the intrinsic value of FSK’s common stock is in excess” of that offering price.
Additionally, the fund has approved a $300 million stock buyback program.
The fund’s financial troubles are evident in its rising non-accrual rate, which measures loans that have stopped generating interest or are unlikely to be repaid. This rate climbed to 4.2% of the portfolio’s fair value from 3.4% at the end of December. Raymond James analysts described this worsening trend as “exacerbating FSK’s concerning credit trends versus peers.”
FSK attributed the drop in asset values to investments that had already hurt performance in previous quarters, newly non-performing assets, and spread widening, where investors demand higher returns for taking on riskier debt investments.
The fund’s net asset value per share dropped to $18.83 from $20.89 at year-end, while losses per share expanded significantly to $1.57 from 41 cents.
Among the fund’s troubled investments are holdings in companies like software company Medallia, which sources say is expected to be handed back to creditors in a move that could eliminate $5.1 billion in equity value for owner Thoma Bravo and other investors.
Looking ahead, Raymond James analysts warned: “We believe the remaining portfolio quality … is likely to deteriorate through the remainder of 2026.”
A weekend agreement between the Trump administration and National Links Trust has resolved a contentious dispute that threatened to close Washington D.C.’s three public golf courses.
The controversy began when the administration ended a five-decade lease arrangement between the National Park Service and National Links Trust at the close of 2025. The nonprofit organization had been responsible for managing and operating the District’s municipal golf facilities.
The lease termination halted ongoing improvements at Rock Creek Park Golf Course and created uncertainty about the operations of Rock Creek, Langston Golf Course, and East Potomac Golf Links.
Under the new arrangement, National Links Trust will continue managing all three facilities through fresh long-term lease agreements for Langston and Rock Creek courses. Meanwhile, President Trump and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum will directly supervise a redesign project at East Potomac.
Construction work at Rock Creek will restart, and the National Links Trust confirmed in their announcement that all three facilities “will remain open, accessible and affordable for the residents and communities that depend on them.”
The resolution follows a federal court decision that blocked the Trump administration from unilaterally closing East Potomac or beginning renovations without adequate public notification.
“We thank President Trump for reaching an agreement that keeps Washington, D.C.’s three public golf courses open, welcoming and affordable community gathering places for DC residents and all golfers. We look forward to continuing to provide our expertise in operating and managing these beloved and historic courses and to making D.C. proud,” the organization stated.
Trump’s involvement in golf operations extends well beyond his presidency, with ownership of multiple high-profile facilities including Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey, which hosted a U.S. Women’s Open, and Trump National Doral near Miami, which recently returned to PGA Tour competition with the Cadillac Championship. LIV Golf events have been held at these venues as well as Trump National Golf Club Washington, D.C., a private facility in Northern Virginia separate from the municipal courses.
Renowned golf course designer Tom Fazio, who has previously collaborated on four Trump golf properties, will lead the East Potomac redesign project. According to Golf Digest reporting, Trump envisions the renovated course as a potential host for major championships or Ryder Cup competition.
The Toronto Blue Jays have sidelined outfielder Addison Barger once again, placing him on the 10-day injured list Monday due to right elbow inflammation after he appeared in only one game following his recent return to action.
Toronto made several corresponding roster adjustments, bringing outfielder Yohendrick Pinango back up from Triple-A Buffalo while designating left-handed pitcher Eric Lauer for assignment and promoting right-hander Yariel Rodriguez from Triple-A.
Barger had just come back from bilateral ankle sprains and saw action Saturday versus the Los Angeles Angels, where he made a precise throw from deep right field during the second inning that helped nail Jorge Soler at home plate.
The outfielder has struggled offensively this season, managing just one hit in 22 at-bats across nine games, a stark contrast to his previous campaign when he launched 21 home runs and drove in 74 runs over 135 contests. During the 2025 playoffs, he posted impressive numbers with a .367 batting average, three homers, and nine RBIs in 17 games.
Since breaking into the majors in 2024, Barger has compiled a .223 batting average with 28 home runs and 104 RBIs across 213 games in a Blue Jays uniform.
The 24-year-old Pinango, who made his big league debut on April 26, had been performing well with a .423 batting average, one double, and four RBIs in 10 games for Toronto before his demotion.
Lauer, 30, posted a 1-5 record with a 6.69 ERA in eight outings this season, including six starts. The veteran pitcher carries a career 46-44 record with a 4.26 ERA over eight major league seasons with three different clubs, spending four years with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Rodriguez, 29, is preparing for his 2026 major league debut after compiling a 4-10 record with a 3.83 ERA in 87 appearances over the past two seasons with Toronto, including 22 starts.
According to a Wall Street Journal report published Monday, the United Arab Emirates has been conducting covert military operations against Iran, sources with knowledge of the situation told the publication.
The operations, which UAE officials have not publicly confirmed, reportedly included an assault on an oil refinery facility located on Iran’s Lavan Island in the Persian Gulf, the Journal reported. The publication indicated this particular operation occurred during the first week of April.
Reuters has not been able to independently confirm these claims at this time.
Drivers using southbound Interstate 95 should expect delays this morning as construction crews have closed the left lane between the Delaware Welcome Center and the Newark Toll Plaza.
The Delaware Department of Transportation reports the lane restriction will continue until 7:00 AM today. Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and exercise caution when passing through the construction zone.
Traffic is being funneled into the remaining open lanes as work crews complete their overnight construction activities along this busy stretch of the interstate.
Delaware State University recently welcomed new students into two prestigious academic honor societies, celebrating outstanding scholastic achievement on campus.
The induction ceremonies highlighted the academic excellence demonstrated by DSU students who have met the rigorous standards required for membership in these distinguished organizations.
Honor society membership represents a significant academic milestone for students, recognizing their dedication to scholarly pursuits and maintaining high grade point averages throughout their university studies.
The new inductees join a network of accomplished students who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to their educational goals at Delaware State University.
Drivers using Route 52 are encountering traffic delays today due to ongoing lane restrictions affecting both northbound and southbound travel.
The right lanes are currently closed in both directions along the Kennett Pike/Pennsylvania Avenue corridor between Brecks Lane and Delaware Avenue. DelDOT officials indicate these lane closures will remain in effect until 7 PM this evening.
Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and consider alternate routes if possible to avoid potential congestion in the affected area.
Motorists traveling through the Greenville area should plan for potential delays today as the Delaware Department of Transportation has implemented lane restrictions on a busy stretch of Kennett Pike.
DelDOT reports that the right lane on Route 52 (Kennett Pike) is currently closed in both the northbound and southbound directions. The closure affects the section of roadway between Brecks Lane and Delaware Avenue.
The lane restrictions are scheduled to remain in place until 7 PM this evening. Drivers are advised to allow extra travel time and exercise caution when passing through the work zone.
No additional details about the reason for the closure were immediately available from DelDOT.
Alabama’s top prosecutor has launched a civil investigation into the Southern Poverty Law Center’s fundraising operations following federal criminal charges against the organization.
Attorney General Steve Marshall revealed Monday that his office has issued a subpoena to the civil rights organization, requesting details about its donation practices and payments made to informants. The investigation aims to determine whether the group violated Alabama laws governing charitable organizations or engaged in deceptive business practices.
“We look forward to learning more about the inner workings of an organization that we have long believed was rotten, but until recently, has been impervious,” Marshall stated in a news release.
The Southern Poverty Law Center provided a short response to the state action. “We have received notice of a subpoena and are currently reviewing,” a spokesperson wrote in an emailed statement.
This state-level probe follows the Justice Department’s announcement of criminal charges against the organization, alleging fraud through the use of donated funds to pay informants operating within extremist organizations. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has accused the group of “manufacturing racism to justify its existence.”
The SPLC has rejected these allegations as “provably wrong” and defended its informant operations as intelligence-gathering efforts designed to prevent attacks and disrupt hate group activities. The organization maintains that federal authorities have been aware of these programs and that gathered information has been shared with law enforcement agencies.
The Southern Poverty Law Center, widely recognized for its work monitoring hate groups, has frequently found itself in legal disputes with conservative organizations, the Trump administration, and Marshall’s office. The center has been an outspoken opponent of various Trump administration policies.
WASHINGTON — Democratic Party officials submitted an urgent petition to the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday, seeking to overturn a Virginia court decision that eliminated a ballot initiative potentially worth four additional congressional seats for their party.
The petition follows Friday’s Virginia Supreme Court ruling that invalidated a constitutional amendment voters approved by a narrow margin last month. The state’s highest court ruled 4-3 that the Democratic-led legislature violated proper procedures by initiating the amendment process while early voting was already in progress during Virginia’s fall general election.
Democratic attorneys contended without success that federal Supreme Court precedent establishes that elections don’t officially occur until Election Day, regardless of early voting activity.
This legal challenge represents another development in the ongoing nationwide redistricting battle that began last year when President Donald Trump encouraged GOP-controlled states to redraw their electoral maps. The situation intensified following a recent Supreme Court decision that significantly diminished Voting Rights Act protections.
The Democratic petition faces steep odds, as the Supreme Court typically avoids overruling state courts’ interpretations of their own state constitutions. In 2023, the justices rejected a similar request from North Carolina Republicans seeking to overturn a state court decision that blocked their congressional map.
From a political standpoint, this appeal could benefit a party that has struggled to keep pace with Republican redistricting efforts nationwide, potentially providing ammunition for campaign messaging about Supreme Court partisanship. The court recently permitted Louisiana Republicans to move forward with redistricting after striking down a majority-Black district as unconstitutional racial gerrymandering.
Democrats found themselves at a disadvantage when, shortly after the Virginia ballot measure succeeded, the Supreme Court’s conservative majority overturned decades of precedent and essentially weakened the Voting Rights Act. This decision enabled Southern states to eliminate certain majority-Black districts and strengthen Republican congressional advantages.
The Virginia constitutional amendment originated well before that Supreme Court ruling. It was designed to counter Republican redistricting victories in Texas, Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio, while offsetting a new Florida map that recently took effect. When the Virginia amendment initially passed, it temporarily balanced the national redistricting competition between both parties.
The Virginia Supreme Court’s decision disrupted that balance. Legislative appointments determine the court’s composition, with control alternating between parties over recent decades, and the court generally lacks a clear ideological reputation.
A 17-year-old suspect wanted in connection with a shooting that wounded five people near the University of Iowa campus has been taken into custody by federal authorities in Georgia, Iowa City officials announced Monday.
Damarian M. Jones of Cedar Rapids was apprehended by U.S. marshals in the Atlanta area and is now facing serious criminal charges including five counts of attempted murder and five counts of assault. The teenager is currently being held at Clayton County Jail in Georgia while awaiting an extradition hearing to return him to Iowa.
Authorities have not disclosed the specific details of how Jones was located and arrested, including the exact location of his capture or whether he offered any resistance during the arrest. It remains unclear at this time if Jones has secured legal representation.
Johnson County Attorney Rachel Zimmerman Smith, who would handle the prosecution if Jones is returned to Iowa, stated she had no additional information about the arrest circumstances and was unaware of whether Jones had obtained counsel. Attempts to reach the U.S. Marshals Office in Des Moines and Iowa City Police Department for comment were unsuccessful.
According to law enforcement, Jones was involved in a large altercation that erupted on a pedestrian walkway surrounded by shops, dining establishments, and bars close to the Iowa campus around 2 a.m. on April 19. Investigators allege that during a pause in the fighting, Jones discharged six rounds into the crowd before escaping the scene.
The shooting resulted in severe injuries to multiple victims. One individual sustained a gunshot wound to the head, while another was struck in both the arm and chest. Two additional victims were wounded in their legs, and a fifth person suffered a gunshot to the abdomen. Monday’s announcement indicated that one victim continues to receive hospital treatment, though officials did not identify which victim or provide details about their current medical status.
WASHINGTON — The nation’s highest court has issued a temporary order maintaining current access to mifepristone, a commonly prescribed abortion medication, while justices deliberate on potential new limitations set to begin this week.
Justice Samuel Alito issued Monday’s directive, which ensures women can continue receiving the medication through pharmacies or mail delivery without requiring face-to-face medical appointments. The order blocks federal appeals court restrictions from going into effect temporarily.
This latest reproductive rights battle comes four years following the conservative-majority court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, enabling more than a dozen states to implement near-total abortion bans.
The legal challenge originates from Louisiana’s lawsuit targeting Food and Drug Administration regulations governing mifepristone prescriptions. State officials argue these policies weaken their abortion ban and raise safety concerns about the medication, despite FDA approval in 2000 and repeated scientific validation of its safety and effectiveness.
Federal trial courts determined Louisiana would likely succeed in their challenge, leading a three-judge 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel to rule that mail delivery and remote medical consultations should be halted during ongoing litigation.
Mifepristone is typically combined with misoprostol for medication-based abortions. These procedures represented nearly two-thirds of all U.S. abortions during 2023, according to the most recent available data.
The current legal battle mirrors a similar case from three years prior.
Previous lower court decisions also attempted to limit mifepristone availability through litigation filed by anti-abortion physicians shortly after Roe’s reversal.
The Supreme Court previously prevented the 5th Circuit’s restrictions from taking effect, despite opposition from Alito and Justice Clarence Thomas. The high court later unanimously rejected the physicians’ lawsuit in 2024, determining they lacked proper legal standing to file suit.
Major medical organizations, pharmaceutical companies, and Congressional Democrats have urged the court against restricting drug access in the current case. Industry representatives warned that siding with abortion opponents could destabilize the entire drug approval system.
The FDA has gradually removed various initial restrictions on the medication, including prescriber qualifications, distribution methods, and mandatory safety reporting requirements.
Despite these regulatory determinations, abortion opponents have contested mifepristone’s safety for over 25 years through multiple petitions and lawsuits, consistently claiming the agency violated federal law by ignoring safety concerns.
President Donald Trump’s administration has maintained notable silence at the Supreme Court level, choosing not to submit written recommendations despite federal regulations being central to the case.
The situation creates challenges for Trump’s Republican administration, which depends on anti-abortion group support while facing ballot measures and polling data showing broad American support for abortion rights.
Both legal sides interpreted the administration’s silence as implicit support for the appeals court decision. Alito oversees emergency appeals from Louisiana and authored the 2022 ruling declaring abortion lacks constitutional protection, returning decisions to individual states.
Democratic officials in Virginia have filed an appeal with the nation’s highest court, seeking to restore a congressional redistricting plan that could shift political control in the upcoming midterm elections.
The appeal, submitted Monday, comes after Virginia’s Supreme Court rejected the new electoral boundaries in a narrow 4-3 ruling on May 8. The proposed map had been designed to convert four currently Republican-held congressional seats to Democratic ones, potentially impacting the balance of power in Washington where Republicans maintain slim majorities in both chambers of Congress.
This redistricting battle represents an uncommon mid-decade effort to redraw district lines, departing from the traditional practice of adjusting boundaries only after each ten-year census. The dispute highlights how closely divided Congress has become, with even small shifts in seat allocation carrying significant political weight.
Virginia’s state Supreme Court sided with Republican opponents who challenged the Democratic-supported ballot initiative that voters had approved in April. The court’s majority determined that Democratic legislators had failed to follow required procedures when they expedited the referendum process last year to meet election deadlines.
Don Scott, who serves as the Democratic speaker of Virginia’s House of Delegates, is leading the federal appeal effort. In their Supreme Court filing, the Democratic lawmakers argue that the state court’s decision has “deprived voters, candidates, and the Commonwealth of their right to the lawfully enacted congressional districts.”
The Virginia Democrats are invoking a 2023 Supreme Court precedent that cautioned state courts against overstepping “the ordinary bounds of judicial review” in ways that would undermine state legislatures’ constitutional authority over federal election regulations.
This mid-decade redistricting conflict gives Republicans a strategic edge in the broader national picture. The current fight traces back to efforts initiated by former President Donald Trump, who encouraged Texas Republicans to abandon their existing electoral map and create new district boundaries aimed at capturing up to five seats currently held by Democrats.
Democratic redistricting efforts nationwide have faced additional obstacles following a Supreme Court decision that weakened key protections in the 1965 Voting Rights Act. That ruling, decided by the court’s 6-3 conservative majority, has enabled Republican-controlled Southern states to eliminate districts where Black and Latino voters—who typically support Democratic candidates—held majorities.
The redistricting process typically occurs once per decade, with state legislatures redrawing district boundaries to account for population shifts revealed by the national census. However, this Virginia case represents part of an unusual wave of mid-decade redistricting efforts that could reshape congressional representation before the traditional timeline.
The nation’s highest court has prolonged a temporary freeze on a lower court decision that would have restricted how the abortion medication mifepristone can be obtained by patients across the country.
Justice Samuel Alito announced Monday that the hold will remain in place until May 14, allowing the medication to continue being delivered by mail while the court weighs its next steps.
The Supreme Court is reviewing appeals from two drug manufacturers seeking to overturn a May 1 decision by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans. That ruling would have brought back an older rule requiring patients to meet with a healthcare provider face-to-face before receiving mifepristone.
The appeals court had blocked a 2023 Food and Drug Administration regulation implemented during former President Joe Biden’s administration that allowed the medication to be prescribed via telemedicine and sent through the mail.
Pharmaceutical companies Danco Laboratories and GenBioPro challenged the 5th Circuit’s restrictions on mifepristone access. The Supreme Court initially stepped in on May 4 with a temporary hold to allow more time for deliberation.
Medical abortion procedures, which typically involve a combination of mifepristone and misoprostol, represent approximately two-thirds of all abortions performed in the United States. Any limitations on how these medications are distributed could substantially impact access across the nation.
This legal battle brings the divisive abortion issue before the Supreme Court again as November’s congressional elections approach and President Donald Trump’s Republican allies work to maintain their congressional majority.
In 2024, the Supreme Court unanimously turned down an earlier effort by anti-abortion organizations and physicians to reverse FDA policies that had made the drug more accessible.
These ongoing legal disputes stem from the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision that struck down the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling, which had established nationwide abortion rights. Following that reversal, 13 states have implemented nearly complete abortion prohibitions, while several others have imposed significant restrictions.
Louisiana filed suit against the Food and Drug Administration in 2025, arguing that the 2023 rule removing in-person dispensing requirements violated federal law and had led to a surge in medication abortions despite the state’s comprehensive abortion ban.
A former top scientist at artificial intelligence company OpenAI revealed Monday that his ownership share in the tech startup is valued at approximately $7 billion, during court testimony in an ongoing legal battle involving Elon Musk.
Ilya Sutskever, who previously served as OpenAI’s Chief Scientist, made the disclosure while testifying in a California courtroom as part of Musk’s lawsuit against the company behind the popular ChatGPT chatbot.
The legal proceedings could significantly impact OpenAI’s future, as the company has been securing massive funding from investors while preparing for what could become a trillion-dollar public stock offering. OpenAI revolutionized public access to artificial intelligence through its ChatGPT technology.
Musk’s lawsuit demands major changes to how OpenAI operates and seeks $150 billion in damages from both the AI company and Microsoft, which has invested heavily in the firm.
During his court appearance, Sutskever testified that he had been contemplating efforts to oust co-founder Sam Altman from his CEO position for at least twelve months before casting his board vote in November 2023.
According to Sutskever’s testimony, Altman’s leadership style involved “undermining and pitting executives against one another,” which he described as “not conducive to any grand goal,” including developing safe artificial general intelligence.
Sutskever was instrumental in the shocking removal and subsequent reinstatement of Altman in November 2023. As a board member at the time, he helped coordinate Altman’s initial dismissal.
After departing OpenAI in 2024, Sutskever established his own artificial intelligence company named Safe Superintelligence.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella also appeared in court Monday, describing his company’s financial backing of OpenAI as a “calculated risk.” Nadella testified that Microsoft viewed its early investments as valuable primarily for promotional advantages.
The trial has featured testimony from multiple current and former OpenAI leadership figures, including President Greg Brockman, Mira Murati, and Shivon Zilis.
Musk has stated under oath that while he was aware of early conversations about converting OpenAI into a profit-driven enterprise, Altman assured him the organization would maintain its nonprofit status.
WASHINGTON – Federal officials on Monday imposed financial penalties on a dozen individuals and businesses accused of facilitating Iran’s petroleum exports to China, the Treasury Department announced.
The sanctions target three individuals and nine companies operating across multiple countries, with four entities located in Hong Kong, four in the United Arab Emirates, and one in Oman.
Monday’s action follows similar penalties imposed Friday against people and organizations that helped Iran acquire weapons and components for manufacturing drones and ballistic missiles.
The timing comes just ahead of a scheduled meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, where Trump plans to urge China’s cooperation in resolving tensions with Iran and reopening the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
According to Treasury officials, the Office of Foreign Assets Control’s latest designations focus on individuals and organizations that assisted Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in selling and transporting Iranian petroleum to China through shell companies established in countries with lenient economic oversight.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated the Trump administration plans to intensify economic pressure on Tehran to cut off funding streams that support Iran’s weapons programs, nuclear activities, and regional proxy groups.
“Treasury will continue to cut the Iranian regime off from the financial networks it uses to carry out terrorist acts and to destabilize the global economy,” Bessent said.
WASHINGTON – Federal officials have quietly scrubbed their website of information regarding a newly announced security testing partnership with major technology companies and their artificial intelligence systems.
The U.S. Commerce Department has taken down details about an agreement requiring Google, Microsoft, and xAI to submit their AI models for government security evaluation, according to a website review. A link that formerly displayed the department’s announcement now shows an error message stating “Sorry, we cannot find that page.”
The webpage was later redirected to the Center for AI Standards and Innovation’s site, which is the federal organization overseeing these evaluations.
Just six days ago on May 5, the Commerce Department had publicly revealed that these technology firms would provide their newest AI systems to government researchers before releasing them to consumers. This arrangement was designed to allow federal scientists to examine the models for potential security weaknesses.
Federal authorities have expressed mounting concerns about national security threats from advanced artificial intelligence technology, including systems like Anthropic’s Mythos. Through early access to these cutting-edge models, government officials hoped to detect risks spanning from cyber threats to potential military exploitation.
The reason behind the website’s removal remains unclear. Representatives from both the Commerce Department and the Trump White House have not yet provided responses to requests for comment.
Motorists traveling on Route 1 southbound should expect delays near the Christiana Road intersection where a vehicle accident has blocked the left lane of traffic.
The Delaware Department of Transportation is reporting the crash at the Route 273 interchange, which has resulted in the closure of one lane while crews work to clear the scene.
Drivers are advised to use caution in the area and allow extra time for their commute while the incident is being addressed.
ROME — While world No. 1 players Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner have made headlines discussing potential boycotts, it’s Jessica Pegula working behind the scenes to unite tennis’s elite players in their fight for better compensation from Grand Slam tournaments.
The 2024 U.S. Open finalist brings unique perspective to the leadership role, having grown up in a family that owns both the Buffalo Bills NFL franchise and the Buffalo Sabres NHL team.
“I think it maybe does (come naturally) just because I feel like I’ve taken on a bit of a leadership role with it,” Pegula explained.
The world No. 5 player already heads a newly formed 13-member committee tasked with recommending changes to women’s tennis scheduling, ranking systems, and tournament participation requirements. Now she’s tackling the compensation disparity issue as well.
“I’m not afraid to go up to any type of player and go like, ‘Hey, are you interested in this or not?’” Pegula stated. “Some players, they don’t care, sometimes they’re not worried about it. Sometimes they’re like, ‘Yeah, for sure, I’m 100% in.’ I’ve been reaching out to players on the men’s and women’s side.”
Last week, Sabalenka suggested players might need to boycott tournaments to secure a larger portion of tournament revenues, while Sinner expressed frustration about the lack of respect shown to athletes.
“At the end of the day the players are the ones that have the big voices,” Pegula noted. “It’s been nice to see Aryna and Jannik kind of step out. I know a lot of other players feel the same way. But to have the two No. 1s very outspoken about it, that’s kind of what it takes to get them to listen.”
The compensation gap is striking when compared to other major sports. NFL and NHL athletes receive approximately 50% of total revenues, while tennis players at most tournaments earn less than half that percentage. According to a recent player protest statement, the upcoming French Open will allocate under 14.9% to competitors — a decrease from 15.5% in 2024.
French Open officials announced last month they were boosting total prize money by roughly 10% to 61.7 million euros ($72.1 million), representing a 5.3 million euro increase from the previous year. However, players argue the underlying financial data reveals a different reality.
“It’s crazy. It’s an insane difference. Obviously they’re different sports. They’re run differently,” Pegula said when comparing tennis compensation to the NFL. “But tennis has been a very old-school sport. I think it’s one of the things that needs to change. Sometimes change is good. Sometimes that means fighting for things.”
This same player coalition sent correspondence to all four Grand Slam tournament directors last year requesting increased prize money and greater input in tournament decisions. Wimbledon responded by raising its 2025 prize pool 7%, the U.S. Open increased theirs by 20%, and the Australian Open boosted compensation by 16% this past January.
Despite these improvements, players maintain that Grand Slam tournaments still fall short of the 22% revenue share offered at regular ATP and WTA Tour competitions.
“The slams have kind of just gotten away with paying not that much because we’re a very individual sport,” Pegula observed. “It’s hard to get players to come together. We’re not on a salary where football players or basketball players can afford not to play.”
French Open organizers, whose tournament begins in less than two weeks, have not responded to media inquiries about the compensation dispute.
Wimbledon is expected to reveal its prize money structure next month, and Pegula said players have yet to receive any communication from the All England Club.
“We’re just going to kind of continue to talk amongst ourselves,” she said.
Tennis governance complexity stems from having seven different organizing entities: the four Grand Slam tournaments, the ATP, the WTA, and the International Tennis Federation.
“That’s what makes it so hard is that our sport is super fragmented. Hard to get everybody on the same page,” Pegula explained. “That’s why it’s been huge to actually have the top 10 men and women really come together. I’m hoping that will get the Slams’ attention.”
While managing her activist efforts, Pegula continues competing at the Italian Open, where she advanced to the quarterfinals Monday with a 7-6 (6), 6-2 victory over Anastasia Potapova. She had previously dominated Rebeka Masarova 6-0, 6-0 in an earlier round.
Her next opponent will be either three-time Rome champion Iga Swiatek or four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka.
Between matches and organizing player protests, Pegula has been frustrated by her inability to watch the Sabres’ historic playoff run — their first postseason appearance in 15 years — due to the time difference between Europe and the United States.
The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Sabres 6-2 in Game 3 Sunday night, taking a 2-1 series lead in their second-round playoff matchup.
“My gosh, I am so upset that I have not been able to see any of the games,” Pegula said. “I would give anything to just be at a playoff game. … I love it so much. It’s my favorite thing.”
JERUSALEM (AP) — Military officials have sentenced two Israeli service members to prison time following an incident where they vandalized a statue of the Virgin Mary in southern Lebanon, with one soldier inserting a cigarette into the statue’s mouth while another captured the act on camera.
The image, showing the service member with a cigarette hanging from his own lips, spread rapidly across social media platforms and generated significant international criticism. This incident represents another example of actions by Israeli military personnel that have been characterized as anti-Christian behavior in southern Lebanon, where Israel conducted ground operations this year targeting the Iranian-supported Hezbollah organization.
Military authorities announced that the soldier who posed for the photograph will serve 21 days behind bars, while his counterpart who took the picture faces a 14-day sentence.
According to military spokesperson Lt. Col. Ariella Mazor, who posted on X, the armed forces “views the incident with great severity and respects freedom of religion and worship, as well as holy sites and religious symbols of all religions and communities.”
This controversy emerged just days following another incident where photographs showed an Israeli soldier attacking a fallen crucifix statue with an ax in the southern Lebanese community of Debel, drawing sharp criticism from international officials, religious authorities, and Israeli political figures. Military leadership also imposed prison sentences on personnel involved in that separate incident.
Israeli military units gained control over southern Lebanon during the recent Israel-Hezbollah conflict, which commenced on March 2 after the Iranian-backed Lebanese organization launched rockets across the border two days following the beginning of hostilities between the U.S., Israel, and Iran. Israeli forces have maintained their presence despite an ongoing ceasefire agreement.
Military officials also reported Monday that a soldier serving as a driver was killed during operations near the border region, bringing the total number of Israeli military deaths in the area to 18 since the Iran conflict began.
According to Israeli military statements, their operations focus exclusively on structures that served as Hezbollah strongholds. However, the extensive damage has raised concerns among Lebanese government officials and civilians that many people forced from their homes during the recent fighting may have no place to return to if the current fragile ceasefire continues.
DOVER — Drivers in Kent County should prepare for a major traffic change beginning Monday, May 18th, as state transportation officials close a busy intersection for construction.
DelDOT will shut down the intersection where Kenton Road meets Chestnut Grove Road, located between Burning Tree Road and Mapledale Road, to begin roundabout installation work.
Construction crews plan to tear out the current intersection completely before building the new circular traffic pattern in its place. The project timeline extends through the end of July, according to transportation officials.
Alternative routes will be marked with detour signs to help motorists navigate around the construction zone during the multi-month closure.
The National Agricultural Statistics Service has issued its most recent evaluation of crop development and agricultural conditions nationwide.
The federal agency’s latest assessment provides farmers, agricultural professionals, and industry stakeholders with current data on planting advancement and field conditions for key crops throughout the country.
These regular reports from NASS serve as important benchmarks for tracking seasonal agricultural progress and help inform decision-making across the farming sector.
NETHERLANDS — Venezuela’s acting leader Delcy Rodríguez firmly dismissed President Donald Trump’s suggestion that he might make Venezuela America’s 51st state, declaring her nation will remain independent.
Rodríguez made these statements Monday while speaking to reporters at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, where final arguments were being heard in Venezuela’s territorial dispute with Guyana over the resource-rich Essequibo region.
“We will continue to defend our integrity, our sovereignty, our independence, our history,” Rodríguez stated. She emphasized that Venezuela is “not a colony, but a free country.”
The Venezuelan leader’s response came after Trump told Fox News he was “seriously considering making Venezuela the 51st US state,” according to a social media post by Fox News co-anchor John Roberts. The White House has not yet commented on Trump’s statement.
Trump has previously made similar remarks regarding Canada.
Despite rejecting the statehood comments, Rodríguez noted that Venezuelan and American officials have maintained contact and are pursuing “cooperation and understanding.”
During the court proceedings, Rodríguez argued that political negotiations, rather than judicial decisions, should settle the longstanding territorial conflict with Guyana over Essequibo.
The disputed territory spans 62,000 square miles and represents two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass. The region contains valuable deposits of gold, diamonds, and timber, plus sits adjacent to offshore oil fields producing approximately 900,000 barrels daily.
This oil production rivals Venezuela’s own output of roughly 1 million barrels per day and has elevated tiny Guyana into a major energy player in South America.
Venezuela’s territorial claims date back to Spanish colonial times when the jungle region fell within its borders. However, an 1899 arbitration decision by British, Russian, and American officials established the current boundary along the Essequibo River, largely favoring Guyana.
Venezuela maintains that a 1966 Geneva agreement to resolve the dispute invalidated the 19th-century arbitration. But in 2018, three years after ExxonMobil discovered significant oil reserves off Essequibo’s coast, Guyana asked the International Court of Justice to confirm the 1899 boundary decision.
Tensions escalated in 2023 when Rodríguez’s predecessor, Nicolás Maduro, threatened military annexation of the region following a referendum on incorporating Essequibo as a Venezuelan state. Maduro was captured January 3 during a U.S. military operation in Caracas and transported to New York to face drug trafficking charges, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
While avoiding mention of the referendum, Rodríguez told the court that the 1966 Geneva agreement was designed to facilitate bilateral negotiations between Venezuela and Guyana. She criticized Guyana’s government for making an “opportunistic” decision to seek judicial resolution.
“At a time when the mechanisms established in the Geneva agreement were still fully in force, Guyana unilaterally chose to shift the dispute from the negotiating arena to a judicial resolution,” she explained. “This change was not accidental; it coincided with the discovery in 2015 of the oil field that would become world-renowned.”
Last week’s opening statements featured Guyana’s foreign minister, Hugh Hilton Todd, telling international judges that the dispute “has been a blight on our existence as a sovereign state from the very beginning.” He noted that 70% of Guyana’s territory hangs in the balance.
The court will likely require several months to issue its final, legally binding decision.
Venezuela has cautioned that its participation in the proceedings does not constitute acceptance or acknowledgment of the court’s authority over the matter.
Hundreds of displaced Haitians found themselves sleeping on streets near the capital’s main airport Monday after weekend gang battles forced them from their homes in Port-au-Prince.
Among those seeking refuge along the highway was 56-year-old Monique Verdieux, who escaped after witnessing armed groups setting fire to homes in her community. Her family members fled in separate directions, leaving her uncertain of their whereabouts.
“I am now sleeping in the street,” Verdieux explained, emphasizing that returning home remained too dangerous.
The violent confrontations between rival gangs broke out during the weekend throughout multiple northern districts of Haiti’s capital, forcing displaced residents onto the roadway that connects to Toussaint Louverture International Airport.
Criminal organizations have seized control of over 90% of Port-au-Prince following President Jovenal Moïse’s murder at his residence in July 2021. Law enforcement officials report these groups have broadened their criminal operations beyond the capital, engaging in theft, abductions, and sexual violence throughout rural areas. The country has remained without a president since the killing occurred.
During the past two weeks, Haiti’s Barbancourt rum company along with two major beverage bottling firms have raised alarms about worsening security near the Port-au-Prince airport, where flight operations face significant limitations.
The businesses issued a joint declaration Sunday criticizing the government’s crisis response as “largely insufficient,” while highlighting how deteriorated road conditions around the airport hinder Haitian security personnel from effectively patrolling the vicinity.
“You cannot secure an airport if you allow the roads around it to degrade,” their statement declared.
Initial international military personnel connected to a United Nations anti-gang mission reached Haiti in April to assist in combating persistent violence.
The U.N. Security Council granted approval in late September for deploying a 5,550-member peacekeeping force, though the complete contingent has yet to arrive on the Caribbean island.
Research published this year by the International Organization for Migration revealed that gang-related violence has uprooted more than 1.4 million Haitians, with roughly 200,000 currently residing in overcrowded and underfunded displacement camps throughout the nation’s capital.
WASHINGTON — A preservation organization based in the nation’s capital is seeking court intervention to stop the Trump administration from continuing work on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and to reverse historic modifications at one of America’s most recognizable landmarks on the National Mall.
The Cultural Landscape Foundation filed legal action on Monday, contending that the administration’s decision to paint the pool’s bottom blue without conducting required evaluations violates federal laws protecting historic locations. The organization maintains that these alterations to the Reflecting Pool represent part of President Donald Trump’s wider campaign to implement sweeping Washington renovations while bypassing proper review processes and altering the area’s character.
“The design intent, to create a reflective surface that is subordinate, is fundamental to the solemn and hallowed visual and spatial connection between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial,” stated Charles A. Birnbaum, the organization’s president and CEO. “A blue-tinted basin is more appropriate to a resort or theme park.”
The president has shown direct involvement in this initiative, previously describing the location as “filthy” before crews applied what he terms “American flag blue” paint to the pool. Trump’s presidential convoy traveled across the drained and freshly painted Reflecting Pool during the previous week, allowing him to personally inspect the work’s progress.
The legal challenge targets the Interior Department and National Park Service, agencies responsible for overseeing numerous renovation projects currently underway throughout Washington. Interior Department spokesperson Katie Martin responded that Trump “has done more to make our nation’s capital a shining beacon than any other president in the history of this country.”
“The Department is proud of the work being carried out by our Park Service to ensure this magical spot can be enjoyed for not only our 250th, but for many generations to come,” Martin stated.
During the previous year, Trump has demolished the East Wing to create space for a ballroom. His name has been placed on the exteriors of the U.S. Institute of Peace and Kennedy Center, which he intends to shut down for a two-year renovation period. His image appears on a banner at the Department of Justice headquarters, among other locations. He is advocating for a triumphal arch near Arlington Cemetery and has shut down parks, including Lafayette Square opposite the White House, for rehabilitation work.
Numerous other projects face similar legal challenges.
The Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families has selected Sarah Azevedo to lead its Division of Family Services as the new director.
Azevedo steps into the position following the retirement of Trenee Parker, who concluded her career after serving the department for 30 years. Parker’s departure marks the end of three decades of commitment to Delaware’s children and families.
The newly appointed director brings extensive experience to her new role, having worked within DFS for more than 27 years in various capacities throughout her career with the division.
Ocean City, Maryland will host a special ceremony this Memorial Day to pay tribute to military service members who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
The commemorative service is scheduled for Sunday, May 24, 2026, beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the Firefighters Memorial on North Division Street.
The town’s annual tribute provides an opportunity for residents and visitors to gather and remember the brave individuals who gave their lives while serving in the armed forces.
GEORGETOWN – Delaware transportation officials have extended a road closure in Sussex County that will keep drivers off a section of Coverdale Road until mid-June.
The Delaware Department of Transportation has informed drivers that Coverdale Road will remain closed at the bridge location through June 15th. The affected area spans from Hastings Farm Road to Seashore Highway.
DelDOT has established alternate routes for motorists, with detour signs currently posted throughout the area to guide traffic around the closure.
Medical facilities in Port-au-Prince’s Cite Soleil district cleared out patients on Monday while the international aid organization Doctors Without Borders suspended operations as armed gang violence that started two weeks ago worsened during the weekend.
The humanitarian group, known internationally as MSF, reported that hundreds of local residents fled to their medical facility for safety, where a security guard was wounded by gunfire that entered the hospital grounds. A separate medical facility reported moving newborn babies from their intensive care ward to safety.
President Donald Trump plans to issue executive orders on Monday designed to tackle rising beef costs by increasing imports and helping rebuild America’s cattle population, according to a White House official.
The administration official did not reveal specific details about the two planned orders, which are being introduced as the nation’s cattle herd has declined to its smallest size in seven and a half decades while beef costs keep rising.
According to earlier reporting by The Wall Street Journal, Trump plans to temporarily lift tariff-rate quotas on imported beef, which would permit greater quantities of meat to enter the country with reduced tariff costs. The publication also indicated that the president would instruct the Small Business Administration to expand lending opportunities for cattle ranchers and decrease protections for gray wolves and Mexican wolves that attack livestock under current Endangered Species Act provisions.
A preservation organization filed a federal lawsuit Monday aimed at stopping President Donald Trump’s renovation project at the Lincoln Memorial’s reflecting pool in Washington D.C.
The Cultural Landscape Foundation claims the ongoing construction project breaks federal law under the National Historic Preservation Act, which Congress enacted in 1996 to establish guidelines for modifications to historically significant sites.
The organization is requesting an immediate court order to stop the Trump administration’s work, which involves changing the pool’s traditional “gray stone” look to an industrial coating that resembles a blue swimming pool.
According to the legal filing, “The dark grey, achromatic basin was not incidental to the design. It was the design.”
The Department of the Interior, which oversees the renovation work, faces the lawsuit. The agency defended the project in a statement, claiming Trump “has done more to make our nation’s capital a shining beacon than any other president in the history of this country.”
The former president revealed the renovation plans last month, describing the project as something that’s “going to be fantastic” and “really beautiful.” Trump made an unexpected visit to observe the construction progress via his motorcade.
According to Trump, a visiting German friend’s criticism of the reflecting pool’s condition inspired the renovation project.
“He said, ‘It’s filthy, dirty. The water is disgusting-looking. It’s not representative of the country,’” Trump explained to reporters during a White House gathering last month.
This legal challenge joins several others targeting Trump’s Washington D.C. improvement projects, including golf course renovations and a proposed White House ballroom addition.
A federal judge temporarily blocked the ballroom construction on March 31, stating that “unless and until Congress blesses this project through statutory authorization, construction has to stop!”
However, an appeals court subsequently removed that restriction, permitting ballroom construction to continue during ongoing legal proceedings.
A new national survey reveals that most Americans believe President Donald Trump has failed to provide clear justification for the ongoing military conflict with Iran, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling data released this week.
The nationwide poll, which wrapped up on Monday, found that 66% of respondents feel Trump has not adequately outlined the objectives behind U.S. military engagement in Iran. This sentiment crosses party lines, with roughly one-third of Republican voters and nearly all Democratic voters expressing this view.
The military action commenced on February 28 with coordinated U.S.-Israeli airstrikes and has now stretched beyond two months. While recent weeks have seen decreased hostilities as both nations have proposed potential peace agreements, the conflict has significantly impacted American consumers at the gas pump.
Fuel costs have surged approximately 50% nationwide as Iran successfully blocked the Strait of Hormuz, cutting off one-fifth of global oil supplies. Despite U.S. naval efforts to reopen this crucial shipping lane for oil tankers, Tehran maintains control over the waterway.
The economic impact on American families has been substantial. Survey results show 63% of households report that rising gasoline prices have negatively affected their personal finances, representing an increase from 55% when the same question was asked in mid-March.
Trump’s overall job performance rating has seen a modest uptick to 36%, climbing two points from his term-low of 34% recorded in late April polling. However, this figure remains below his 40% approval rating from before the Iranian conflict began. When Trump took office in January 2025 following his 2024 election victory on a platform promising to reduce costs for Americans, he enjoyed 47% approval.
Public opinion regarding responsibility for escalating fuel prices shows significant concern for the current administration. Three-quarters of those surveyed, including half of Republican respondents, believe Trump’s team bears considerable responsibility for the gas price surge. When asked to assign partisan blame, 65% pointed to Republicans while 27% blamed Democrats.
Looking ahead, four out of five Americans anticipate further increases at the pump. This expectation is already affecting summer plans, with roughly 30% of respondents indicating they may need to modify vacation arrangements if current prices persist. Many are considering trip cancellations or shorter travel distances.
The economic pressures could have significant political implications for Republicans, who currently hold slim majorities in both the House of Representatives and Senate heading into November’s midterm elections. Political analysts suggest the party’s chances of retaining control depend heavily on whether gasoline prices decline before voters head to the polls.
With no resolution visible between Washington and Tehran, the economic and political ramifications continue to unfold. The Reuters/Ipsos survey collected responses from 1,254 American adults through online polling methods, with results carrying a margin of error of three percentage points in either direction.
Drivers traveling through the intersection of Doncaster Road and East Edinburgh Road should prepare for potential delays as construction crews continue their work in the area.
According to DelDOT officials, motorists can expect intermittent lane restrictions at this location throughout the day. The construction-related traffic pattern changes are set to conclude by 6 PM this evening.
Commuters are advised to allow extra travel time when passing through this area and to exercise caution around construction workers and equipment.
A groundbreaking figure in baseball broadcasting has passed away. René Cárdenas, who made history as Major League Baseball’s first full-time Spanish-language announcer, died Sunday at his Houston residence at age 96, the Astros announced Monday.
Cárdenas began his historic career when the Dodgers relocated from Brooklyn to Los Angeles in 1958. His pioneering work included being part of the inaugural Spanish-language broadcast of the World Series in 1959 and calling the All-Star Game in Spanish two years after that.
“We mourn the passing of René Cárdenas, who in 1958 with the Dodgers became the first full-time Spanish-language broadcaster in MLB history and would ultimately spend 21 years behind the mic for Los Angeles,” the Dodgers said Sunday in a social media post.
The newly formed Houston Colt .45s brought Cárdenas aboard in 1961 for their debut 1962 season. He remained with the organization for 14 seasons, continuing his role when the team became the Astros in 1965 upon moving to the Astrodome.
“With yesterday’s passing of Rene Cardenas, we lost a true legend and pioneer in broadcasting,” the Astros wrote Monday in a statement on social media. “As the franchise first Spanish broadcaster, Rene had a tremendous impact on the success of the Colt .45s/Astros in Houston’s large Hispanic community and beyond. We send our heartfelt condolences to Rene’s family and loved ones.”
After returning to his homeland of Nicaragua in 1975, Cárdenas made his way back to Major League Baseball in 1981, becoming the Texas Rangers’ inaugural Spanish-language broadcaster, according to former Rangers public relations executive John Blake.
His second tenure with the Dodgers began in 1982 and spanned nearly 20 years. He also made another return to Houston, becoming the first broadcaster to call Astros games in Spanish on television in 2008.
Following his retirement from the booth, Cárdenas continued contributing to baseball through writing for the Astros’ Spanish-language website and La Prensa, a newspaper in Nicaragua.
Beyond baseball, Cárdenas covered major sporting events, including the 1971 heavyweight boxing bout between Muhammad Ali and Jimmy Ellis at the Astrodome.
His contributions to the sport earned him multiple honors: induction into the Nicaragua Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000, the Broadcasters Wing of the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame in 2002, and the Astros Baseball Media Wall of Honor in 2013.
NEW YORK — American companies are grappling with mounting expenses as the ongoing conflict involving the U.S. and Israel against Iran continues, with economic experts warning of potential challenges ahead including reduced hiring and business investment.
A survey conducted by the National Association for Business Economics reveals that approximately half of business economists report the conflict has harmed their company operations, according to findings released Monday. Additionally, 54% cite energy price increases as a major concern, while over two-thirds have experienced higher material costs during the past three months — marking the steepest increase NABE has recorded since July 2022.
The conflict, which started with U.S. and Israeli military actions on February 28, has triggered a global energy emergency. Oil prices continue climbing as Washington and Tehran remain locked in a standoff over the Strait of Hormuz, creating price pressures for companies and families worldwide. As fuel expenses mount, transportation costs are cutting deeper into business operations. Supply chain interruptions affecting essential items like fertilizer are adding additional pressure.
Companies are transferring these increased expenses to consumers through higher prices, extending beyond the immediate impact seen at gas stations.
According to NABE’s survey of economists from corporations, trade groups and universities, 48% indicated their companies are shifting at least some cost increases to customers — a decrease from 60% recorded in January. However, NABE discovered that more respondents (16%) anticipate raising prices within six months, while no companies plan price reductions.
Most survey participants report strong current sales and stable profit projections. This aligns with broader Wall Street sentiment, where impressive earnings across sectors from technology to oil have pushed markets near record levels recently.
However, only 13% of NABE survey participants anticipate profit growth in the near term — the smallest percentage since 2023, according to the organization.
Employment and spending may face additional impacts soon, with nearly 25% of survey respondents planning to reduce investment and hiring over the next six months.
“Sales over the past three months were steady, but materials costs increased and profit margins declined,” stated Martha Moore, chair of NABE’s survey, in a prepared statement. She noted that expectations had “softened” across multiple indicators while price outlook continues rising.
Moore, who serves as chief economist and managing director at the American Chemistry Council, highlighted growing recession worries. Half of survey participants see greater than a 25% probability that the U.S. enters recession within the coming year, up from 44% who projected such likelihood in January, NABE reported.
WASHINGTON — Federal officials are instructing American banks and financial institutions to keep watch for Iranian money laundering operations that utilize shell corporations and digital currency networks to illegally transport sanctioned petroleum products.
This directive essentially enlists the worldwide banking system to help dismantle Iran’s sanctions-dodging infrastructure, occurring as US-Iran relations have reached another deadlock regarding ending their conflict while their current truce becomes more fragile.
On Monday, President Donald Trump declared the Iranian ceasefire is on “life support” following his dismissal of Tehran’s most recent peace proposal.
The Trump administration is urging financial institutions to identify specific clients who might be washing money for Iran’s Revolutionary Guard — this includes recently established businesses transferring exceptionally large sums, organizations that channel payments through numerous middlemen, or deals linked to Iranian cryptocurrency companies, along with other warning signs.
Within the US effort to track Iranian petroleum sales, banks receive instructions to look for oil marked as “Malaysian blend” to hide its Iranian source, absent or fake transport paperwork, or vessel-to-vessel oil transfers that mask cargo origins.
A Monday report from Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network indicates that petroleum companies tied to Iran handled approximately $4 billion in deals during 2024.
Additionally, multiple shipping firms headquartered in Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and Hong Kong — all linked to moving sanctioned Iranian petroleum — moved roughly $707 million through American bank accounts in 2024.
Beyond conducting bombing operations in Iran, the Trump administration has shifted toward an economically-centered strategy designed to pressure Tehran into surrender through sanctions and threats of secondary penalties against Iran’s partners.
Last April, Treasury delivered correspondence to financial organizations in China, Hong Kong, the UAE, and Oman warning of potential secondary sanctions for conducting Iranian business and claiming these nations permit Iranian illegal operations to pass through their banking systems.
WASHINGTON — On Monday, President Donald Trump announced his intention to pursue a suspension of the federal gasoline tax as Americans face climbing fuel costs linked to the Iran conflict.
However, the president lacks the authority to eliminate the federal tax independently. Such action would require Congressional authorization.
Bipartisan legislators have advocated for eliminating the gas tax temporarily, arguing it would deliver essential financial relief to families and businesses depending on vehicles for commuting to work and school, as well as daily activities.
According to AAA data from Monday, national gas prices averaged $4.52 per gallon, representing a 50% increase from the roughly $3 per gallon average before the Iran war began under Trump’s administration.
Currently, the federal levy stands at 18.4 cents per gallon for gasoline and 24.4 cents per gallon for diesel, figures that exclude state taxes, which are typically higher.
When White House reporters questioned Trump about the duration of such a suspension, he responded, “Until it’s appropriate.” Although the tax adds approximately 18 cents per gallon to gas costs, “it’s still money,” Trump stated.
In response to escalating gas prices, the Trump administration has authorized the release of millions of barrels from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve and temporarily eased sanctions on certain Russian and Iranian oil shipments currently in transit. The U.S. is in discussions with nations dependent on Middle Eastern crude to form a coalition for monitoring the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of global oil trade typically passes.
The gasoline tax generates over $23 billion annually in funding for federal highway and public transportation initiatives.
Missouri Republican Senator Josh Hawley announced on social media Monday his plans to propose legislation suspending the gas tax. Democratic lawmakers have previously backed comparable measures.
Florida Republican Representative Anna Paulina Luna also posted on X that she would introduce legislation “to suspend the federal gas tax in light of Trump’s recent remarks.”
The continuing surge in fuel prices has raised concerns among some Republicans about potential negative impacts on the party’s midterm election prospects. Trump has previously stated that higher fuel costs are acceptable to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
This firm stance appeared to moderate Sunday when Energy Secretary Chris Wright indicated the Trump administration was “open to all ideas,” including gas tax suspension, during his appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
Democratic Senators Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Mark Kelly of Arizona have sponsored legislation that would halt the federal tax until October 1. A comparable House measure was introduced by Democratic Representative Chris Pappas of New Hampshire.
“Trump’s war of choice with Iran is driving up gas prices across the country — and Americans shouldn’t have to bear the additional economic burden of Trump’s reckless decision making,” Blumenthal stated when introducing the legislation.
Several states, including Indiana and Georgia, have recently paused their taxes to reduce high prices during the conflict. Additional states are considering similar suspensions.
According to ESPN reports released Monday, the Milwaukee Bucks are willing to entertain trade discussions involving superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo as the NBA draft approaches this summer.
The franchise had previously considered moving the two-time Most Valuable Player before the regular season’s trade deadline but ultimately decided to keep their cornerstone player through at least the current offseason period.
Team co-owner Jimmy Haslam revealed to media members last week his desire to have Antetokounmpo’s future determined prior to the draft scheduled for June 23-24.
“Sometime over the next six or seven weeks we’ll decide whether Giannis is going to sign a max contract and stay with us or he’s going to play somewhere else,” Haslam stated to reporters last Wednesday. “(General manager) Jon (Horst) and (new coach) Taylor (Jenkins), along with (co-owner) Wes (Edens) and myself, will make that call and we understand the gravity of that call.”
Sources indicate Milwaukee would seek proven young players and potentially multiple draft selections in any potential deal involving Antetokounmpo.
The veteran forward has compiled impressive career statistics across 13 seasons and 895 total games (830 as a starter) with Milwaukee, posting averages of 24.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.1 steals per contest. His leadership helped deliver the organization’s first championship in five decades during the 2021 season. The 31-year-old has earned 10 All-Star selections and nine All-NBA team honors.
This past season proved challenging for Antetokounmpo, who appeared in just 36 games due to various injuries affecting his groin, calf and knee. His final appearance came on March 15, though he expressed frustration in early April about being healthy but unavailable to compete.
“I’m available to play, but I’m not in the game,” Antetokounmpo shared with reporters on April 3. “I’m available to play today. Right now. I’m available.”
He continued: “For somebody to come and tell me to not play or not to compete, it’s like a slap in my face. So I don’t know where the relationship goes from there.”
Antetokounmpo’s contract includes $58.46 million for the 2026-27 campaign and features a player option for the following season.
Sunday’s NBA draft lottery resulted in Washington securing the top selection, while Milwaukee received the 10th overall pick. The draft combine begins Monday in Chicago.
Officers with the Newark Police Department’s Patrol Division confiscated three weapons during separate vehicle stops over the weekend, spanning a period of less than 33 hours.
The series of traffic stops began early Saturday morning, May 9, 2026, around 4:21 AM and concluded Sunday afternoon, May 10, 2026, at approximately 1:01 PM, according to department officials.
During each of the three separate incidents, patrol officers discovered firearms while conducting routine traffic enforcement operations throughout the city.
The Newark Police Department has not yet released additional details regarding the circumstances of each stop or whether any arrests were made in connection with the weapon recoveries.
Northampton County, Virginia officials are encouraging residents to consider running for local municipal offices in the upcoming 2026 elections.
The county is actively seeking individuals interested in serving as mayor or town council members in various municipalities throughout the region. Those considering a run for local office must complete and submit their candidacy filing documents by the established deadline.
The filing period for prospective candidates closes on June 16, 2026, giving interested residents several months to prepare their campaigns and meet all necessary requirements for candidacy.
Municipal elections provide opportunities for community members to directly participate in local governance and help shape policy decisions that affect their neighborhoods and towns.
The NBA has decided not to impose additional penalties on San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama following his ejection from Sunday’s playoff matchup against Minnesota, according to a league source who requested anonymity.
The decision means Wembanyama will be available when the Spurs host the Timberwolves for Game 5 on Tuesday night, with their Western Conference semifinal series deadlocked at 2-2.
The incident occurred during Sunday evening’s contest when Wembanyama was thrown out of the game after striking Minnesota’s Naz Reid with his elbow. The contact happened early in the second quarter as players battled for a rebound, with Wembanyama becoming entangled with both Reid and Jaden McDaniels before swinging his arms and catching Reid in the face.
Game officials reviewed the incident and determined it warranted a Flagrant 2 foul, which automatically results in ejection. Television cameras captured Wembanyama on the sideline appearing confused about the ruling, seemingly asking his teammates to explain what a Flagrant 2 penalty meant.
Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson defended his star player following the game, stating that Wembanyama “gets hit on every play.”
“At some level, you have to protect yourself,” Johnson explained. “Every single play on every single part of the floor, people are trying to impose their physicality on him. I get it. We get it. That’s part of the game. At some stage, he should be protected and if not, he’s going to have to protect himself. And unfortunately, stuff like that happens.”
The ejection marked the first time in Wembanyama’s professional career that he had been thrown out of a game. Data from Sportradar indicates this was only the third flagrant foul assessed against the French big man, who earned unanimous recognition as this season’s Defensive Player of the Year and finished as a finalist for Most Valuable Player.
League protocol requires the NBA to examine all such incidents, with officials having the authority to modify, reduce, or eliminate flagrant and technical foul calls upon further review. However, the source indicated that Sunday’s ruling will remain unchanged.
LAREDO, Texas — Railroad workers made a grim discovery Sunday when they found six deceased individuals inside a freight train car at a Union Pacific facility near the Mexican border in Laredo, Texas, according to local law enforcement.
The bodies were discovered during a routine inspection of the rail cars, according to Jose Baeza, spokesperson for the Laredo Police Department. The individuals showed no signs of life when they were found, Baeza stated.
Emergency responders and police officers quickly arrived at the rail yard location. Officials verified that six people had died – five males and one female, Baeza informed the media. The identities of the deceased have not been released.
Medical examiners will conduct autopsies to determine how the individuals died, Baeza announced. He did not respond to follow-up inquiries on Monday.
Officials have not disclosed where the freight car had traveled before arriving at the facility.
“Union Pacific is saddened by this incident and is working closely with law enforcement to investigate,” the railroad company stated.
The border city of Laredo serves as a major commercial crossing point between the United States and Mexico and has become a frequent location for human trafficking activities, though investigators have not confirmed whether these fatalities are connected to smuggling operations.
In 2023, two human traffickers received life sentences for orchestrating the deadliest border smuggling tragedy in U.S. history. The convictions stemmed from the deaths of 53 migrants discovered in an overheated truck trailer in Texas during 2022.
During a comprehensive CBS 60 Minutes interview, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cautioned that Israel and the United States maintain their commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, suggesting military operations could restart if diplomatic approaches prove unsuccessful. He emphasized that the ongoing conflict has fundamentally altered Middle Eastern power dynamics.
When questioned about whether the conflict with Iran had concluded, Netanyahu responded: “I think it accomplished a great deal, but it’s not over because there’s still nuclear material, enriched uranium that has to be taken out of Iran.” He highlighted that uranium enrichment facilities require dismantling, Iran’s proxy network continues operating, and Tehran persists in ballistic missile development. “There are still enrichment sites that have to be dismantled. There are still proxies that Iran supports.”
The Israeli Prime Minister indicated that President Trump shares his position that Iran cannot be permitted to maintain nuclear weapons capabilities. Referencing discussions with President Trump during both 2016 and the 2024 campaign period, Netanyahu recalled the president consistently stating: “We cannot let Iran have nuclear weapons.”
According to Netanyahu, while sanctions and economic measures during Trump’s initial presidency temporarily slowed Iran’s nuclear advancement, they ultimately proved insufficient. “They went back to enrichment. They went back to full, their full efforts on nuclear, to develop a nuclear weapon,” he explained. Netanyahu claimed Iran was “very close” to acquiring nuclear weapons before Israeli and American operations struck their infrastructure.
When pressed about methods for removing enriched uranium from Iran, Netanyahu avoided detailing military strategies but mentioned President Trump’s belief that the material could be physically extracted through an agreement. “If you have an agreement and you go in and you take it out, why not?” he stated. He consistently declined to elaborate on potential military contingencies, noting only that both nations could “reengage them militarily” when necessary.
Netanyahu characterized Iran as experiencing its greatest weakness since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, citing economic damage, internal divisions, and public unrest that have destabilized the regime. “There are fissures in the regime,” he observed, noting that some officials worry about economic collapse and potential popular uprisings. He credited combined US-Israeli attacks on petrochemical facilities, steel plants, and missile infrastructure with substantially weakening Tehran.
However, Netanyahu avoided predicting regime change definitively. “Is it possible? Yes. Is it guaranteed? No,” he stated. Drawing parallels to the Soviet Union’s collapse and communist Romania’s fall, he noted that authoritarian governments often seem stable until experiencing sudden collapse.
The Prime Minister revealed that Israeli intelligence has extensively infiltrated Iran and conducted what he termed “surgical attacks” on scientists, commanders, and senior officials. Nevertheless, he dismissed suggestions that Israeli operations alone could spark a revolution. “One out of 100 Iranians is in the secret police,” he said, describing the regime as relying on terror and oppression.
Netanyahu also challenged New York Times reporting suggesting he privately assured President Trump that joint operations could guarantee regime change. He emphasized both leaders understood the risks and uncertainties involved. “There was danger in action,” he said, “but there’s greater danger in not taking action.”
Regarding the Strait of Hormuz situation, Netanyahu commended the United States’ blockade approach against Iran, describing it as “a brilliant move.” While acknowledging that Iran’s shipping threats created worldwide economic disruption, he said Tehran miscalculated the repercussions. “They should have understood that that would eventually cause … a reaction that was very powerful,” he commented.
Concerning Lebanon, Netanyahu claimed Israel had eliminated over 90% of Hezbollah’s missile and rocket arsenal, which he said previously totaled 150,000 projectiles targeted at Israeli cities. “Hezbollah is basically a proxy of Iran,” he stated, accusing the organization of controlling Lebanon. He reported Israel had created a security zone in southern Lebanon to prevent another large-scale infiltration similar to the October 7 Hamas attack.
Netanyahu dismissed the concept that any ceasefire with Iran should automatically include Hezbollah. “They want Hezbollah to stay there and continue to torture Lebanon,” he said regarding Tehran’s stance. When asked if he would accept such conditions even under President Trump’s pressure, Netanyahu answered: “No.”
The Israeli leader argued that weakening Iran would similarly weaken Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis. “The whole scaffolding of the terrorist proxy network that Iran built collapses if the regime in Iran collapses,” he said, while acknowledging the process would take time.
Addressing Gaza, Netanyahu admitted Hamas had failed to fulfill previous commitments to disarm and demilitarize under earlier agreements. “Hamas promised to do it, and they violated the deal,” he said. While weapons production and smuggling operations had been significantly curtailed, Netanyahu stated: “The disarmament and the demilitarization of Hamas has not been done.”
He pledged Israel would ultimately ensure Hamas could no longer endanger Israeli civilians. “We are not going to let Hamas ever threaten Israel again,” he declared, adding that Israel preferred achieving this objective “the easy way” if possible.
Netanyahu firmly rejected allegations that Israel was conducting indiscriminate attacks in Gaza and Lebanon. “We’re as discriminating and surgical as any army has ever been in history,” he asserted, claiming Israel had taken exceptional steps to warn civilians through phone calls, leaflets, and text messages. He blamed Hamas and Hezbollah for intentionally positioning themselves among civilian populations.
The Prime Minister also contended that Israel was losing the “social media war,” particularly among younger Americans. He alleged foreign governments and coordinated “bot farms” were manipulating online conversations to undermine Israel support and damage US-Israel relations. “While we were fighting the physical military battle on seven battlefields … we were completely exposed on the eighth front, the media war,” he said.
Netanyahu expressed his desire for Israel to eventually eliminate American military aid completely and replace it with joint defense and technology partnerships. “I want to draw down the American support for Israel to zero,” he said, proposing collaborative projects involving missile defense, intelligence, and advanced technologies. “We’ve come of age,” he added, citing Israel’s technology economy and expanding regional relationships.
The Prime Minister also suggested several Arab nations were pursuing closer strategic cooperation with Israel following the Iran conflict. “Let’s strengthen our alliance with Israel,” he said some regional leaders were privately communicating. Netanyahu connected these developments to the Abraham Accords and expressed belief that new partnerships involving energy, artificial intelligence, and defense cooperation were achievable.
Regarding Chinese and Russian support for Iran, Netanyahu said China had provided “a certain amount of support on particular components of missile manufacturing,” while characterizing Russian assistance during the conflict as limited and inconsistent.
Near the interview’s conclusion, Netanyahu rejected claims that he pursued war for political gain. Before October 7, he noted, he was often criticized for being too militarily restrained. However, after Hamas’ attack, he determined Israel faced a coordinated effort by Iran and its proxies to eliminate the Jewish state. “It’s not going to happen. Not on my watch,” he concluded.
Delaware transportation officials have announced upcoming lane restrictions for the Summit Bridge that will affect traffic patterns throughout the summer months.
The Delaware Department of Transportation will implement periodic lane closures on Route 896’s Summit Bridge, which crosses the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, to conduct essential maintenance work. The project encompasses steel repair work and painting operations on the bridge structure.
Transportation officials estimate the lane restrictions will commence in mid-May and continue intermittently through the summer season as crews complete the necessary bridge improvements. DelDOT plans to suspend the lane closures during holiday weekends and other periods when construction work is not actively taking place.
Motorists traveling through the area should expect potential delays and are advised to plan alternate routes when possible during active construction periods.
Former President Donald Trump is advocating for the temporary elimination of federal gasoline taxes as Americans face escalating fuel costs during the current conflict with Iran.
The proposal to halt federal gas tax collection would require legislative action from Congress to become reality.
Gas stations across the country, including locations in Los Angeles, California, are displaying prices exceeding $6 per gallon, highlighting the financial burden on consumers nationwide.
The federal gas tax suspension represents one potential approach to providing relief to drivers dealing with surging costs at the pump during this period of international tension.
A well-known Arab Israeli activist is taking steps toward launching a political party for Israel’s next national elections, according to reports from The Jerusalem Post. Yoseph Haddad is reportedly discussing a potential collaboration with Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, who previously served as Jerusalem’s deputy mayor.
This development represents a potential transition from advocacy work to electoral politics for Haddad as Israel gears up for elections that must occur by October at the latest. Sources familiar with Haddad’s plans provided details to Israeli media outlets about the emerging political venture.
Haddad has become one of Israel’s most recognizable Arab voices in public diplomacy efforts. The Christian Arab hails from Nazareth and served with the Israel Defense Forces’ Golani Brigade, where he sustained severe injuries during the 2006 Second Lebanon War. Following his military service, he established Together Vouch for Each Other, a group dedicated to advancing Arab participation in Israeli society.
Recent months have brought growing speculation about whether Haddad might leverage his public recognition and substantial social media presence to secure parliamentary representation. Israel Hayom reported that Haddad has begun concrete preparations for political entry, including consultations with an attorney who specializes in establishing political parties. Associates of Haddad informed the publication that “Big things are coming.”
Polling data from the Midgam Institute, commissioned by Haddad supporters and published by Israel Hayom in February, suggested a Haddad-led party might secure four parliamentary seats – sufficient to meet Israel’s minimum threshold for representation. The survey indicated such a party could attract supporters from Likud, Otzma Yehudit, and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s Bennett 2026 party, which is running alongside Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid on the Together list. Haddad’s entrance into the political arena could potentially shift the dynamics between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition and opposition forces.
When the February polling results emerged, Haddad stated, “All options are on the table.”
Hassan-Nahoum, a British-born politician, held the position of Jerusalem deputy mayor from 2018 through 2023 and previously served on the Jerusalem City Council. She currently works as a special envoy for trade innovation within the Foreign Affairs Ministry and holds the role of secretary-general for Kol Israel, a World Zionist Congress faction.
A political alliance between Haddad and Hassan-Nahoum would presumably target voters interested in a Zionist, civic-minded agenda emphasizing Arab involvement in Israeli public service, national duty, and fostering a more encompassing Israeli national identity. The success of such a parliamentary campaign will ultimately hinge on organizational capacity, financial resources, strategic partnerships, and navigating Israel’s challenging electoral requirements.
Israeli parliament members are pushing forward with legislation to establish specialized courts for prosecuting those accused in the October 7 attacks, arguing that current anti-terrorism laws weren’t designed to handle such a massive and historically significant assault.
The proposed legislation, developed through rare cooperation between governing coalition and opposition members, would create dedicated court procedures for October 7 defendants. This includes specialized judicial panels, modified evidence rules, faster proceedings, public documentation, enhanced victim rights, and potential death penalties for the most serious offenses. The bill’s creators emphasize this is distinct from National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s separate efforts to broaden death penalty applications for terrorists.
According to materials from the bill’s sponsors, the legislation centers on three primary objectives: swift, focused, and uncompromising legal proceedings; giving victims a voice; and ensuring permanent historical record. The sponsors position this proposal not just as legal machinery but as a moral and historical statement designed to transform the prosecution of alleged October 7 attackers into justice for future generations.
During a press conference, opposition parliament member Yulia Malinovsky from Yisrael Beitenu declared alongside Constitution, Law and Justice Committee Chairman Simcha Rothman and Justice Minister Yariv Levin: “This is the modern Eichmann trial. Just as there was Nuremberg and later Eichmann, this is what this law creates.”
Israel has executed only two individuals in its history: IDF officer Meir Tobianski in 1948, who was convicted by military tribunal during the Independence War and later cleared posthumously in 1949, and Adolf Eichmann in 1962, a key Holocaust architect. By referencing Eichmann and Nuremberg, the bill’s supporters are positioning the October 7 trials as more than criminal cases—they’re framing them as national documentation and historical judgment.
Rothman characterized the legislation as an extraordinary moment of political cooperation around an incident he said couldn’t be handled as routine criminal proceedings.
“This is not a partisan event, and not a personal event,” Rothman stated. “It is a national event.”
He noted that legislators who “normally cannot agree on which side the sun rises and which side it sets” collaborated in “complete harmony” on this bill.
“The October 7 massacre was not an attack on a specific community or a specific individual,” Rothman explained. “It was an attack on the entire Jewish people standing against enemies who seek to destroy it.”
Parliament members presented the bill as addressing an assault they believe standard criminal procedures cannot properly manage. The proposed system aims to handle large defendant numbers, sensitive evidence, victim participation, public access, and long-term preservation of trial records.
The legislation would cover crimes committed by enemy attackers from October 7 through October 10, 2023, defining relevant offenses as war crimes, crimes against humanity, and crimes against the Jewish people.
Levin identified the primary challenge as preventing proceedings that would extend for years under standard criminal procedures. “If these proceedings were conducted at the normal pace of legal proceedings in Israel, it would take an extraordinarily long time before they reached a conclusion,” Levin said.
The justice minister explained that drafters worked to build a system that would operate faster while maintaining process credibility. “We invested enormous effort and thought into creating the optimal combination between the desire to work efficiently and the need to preserve the essential principles required for a fair trial,” he stated.
The proposed system would feature main trial panels with three judges, including at least one district-level judge. Appeals would go before three-judge panels led by retired Supreme Court justices alongside senior district-level judges.
The case scale represents one reason lawmakers cite for needing separate procedures. Levin said Israel faces “hundreds of defendants” and legal questions that standard trials aren’t equipped to handle.
“There are solutions here for very complex questions, including how to conduct a trial when there may be 20, 30, or 40 defendants in the same case,” Levin noted.
Rothman confirmed the exact suspect number remains classified but acknowledged the scope has expanded as investigations progressed.
“When we began this process, the numbers were in the dozens,” he said. “As time passed, more intelligence was uncovered, more investigations matured, and the numbers developed.”
The bill would permit courts to modify standard procedural and evidence rules when needed to uncover truth in exceptionally large cases while maintaining proceeding fairness. Sponsors cite examples including written testimony in limited situations, preliminary proceedings before single judges, and rules to help manage indictments with multiple defendants.
The proposed system also emphasizes public memory unusually strongly. Proceedings would be recorded, archived, and accessible through a dedicated digital platform, creating records for courts, Israeli society, and future generations.
“We wrote into the law that the trial will be filmed and broadcast,” Malinovsky said. “There will be a dedicated website and archives in order to preserve the memory.” Malinovsky suggested part of the purpose involves forcing renewed international focus on October 7.
“The world forgot October 7,” she stated. “The media forgot. People moved on to other issues. These trials will remind the world what happened.”
Levin opened the event by characterizing the legislation as a moral obligation to those killed, injured, kidnapped, and left behind.
“For the memory of the murdered, for their families, for the wounded, for the hostages, and for the entire people,” Levin said, “we must fulfill our highest moral obligation and bring the perpetrators of the massacre to justice.”
The legislation would expand protections and rights for victims and grieving families, including rights to receive proceeding information, privacy protection, separation from defendants when needed, and access to public broadcasts and trial documentation.
Malinovsky described the legislation as parliament’s response to a day when many Israelis felt helpless.
“We are not soldiers,” she said. “We are legislators. This is our battlefield.”
The proposal includes capital punishment provisions. Rothman said the law would allow courts to impose the harshest penalties available under Israeli law.
“The law says clearly that the harshest punishments in Israel’s legal system will apply, including the death penalty,” Rothman stated.
The system would require political-level determination before executing death sentences: The defense minister, after consulting the justice minister, would decide implementation timing and method. Implementation regulations would need approval from the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee and the Knesset.
Nevertheless, Malinovsky emphasized that decisions would remain with judges.
“In the end, these are decisions of Israeli judges,” she said. “The entire system is built so the process will be efficient and fast, but while preserving the principles of justice, including public proceedings and victims’ rights.”
That balance—speed, documentation, punishment, and due process—will likely be central to legal debates over the measure. Special evidence rules, accelerated proceedings, filmed trials, and capital punishment could draw examination from legal experts, civil liberties advocates, and international observers, even with broad political Knesset support.
The proposal includes an unusual legal representation provision. The state wouldn’t provide representation through Israel’s public defender system as standard practice. If defendants lack lawyers, courts could appoint private defense attorneys to ensure fair trials, with attorney fees paid from tax funds Israel transfers to the Palestinian Authority rather than directly from Israeli taxpayers.
Another sensitive issue involves a proposed amendment preventing October 7 massacre participants from release in future prisoner or hostage deals.
“We believed it would not be appropriate for participants in the October 7 massacre ever to be released in any future agreement,” Malinovsky said. “This is also a very clear moral statement.”
Such provisions would carry political and diplomatic weight. Israel has repeatedly released convicted prisoners in past exchange deals, and legal restrictions on future releases could affect government flexibility in hostage negotiations or future agreements.
Rothman acknowledged the clause raised legal and political difficulties, including within coalition and opposition, but said he would support it.
“I know there are complexities surrounding this proposal for many reasons,” Rothman said. “But I will support it, and I will call on my colleagues in the coalition to support it as well.”
The legislation would also adjust detention periods to investigation and prosecution needs, modifying certain deadlines and mechanisms to reflect October 7 case scale and complexity.
The lawmakers defended the bill against expected legal challenges and international criticism. Levin said the framework was drafted considering how trials would be viewed internationally, especially in the United States and other Western nations.
“There are countries in the world that support terrorism and support Hamas regardless of what happens,” Levin said. “We certainly do not act according to their dictates.” Still, he argued most countries would understand the need to prosecute attackers. “I think that in other countries there is understanding and agreement that these terrorists must stand trial. Both for justice and for the future.”
“When people see how these proceedings are conducted, they will recognize them as fair trials,” he added.
Malinovsky said she doesn’t expect Israel’s High Court of Justice to strike down the law, arguing it was drafted with legal advisers and relevant state bodies.
“When you know how to legislate wisely, and you understand the limits of power, you reach the desired result,” she said. “This law is balanced.”
The proposal also outlines logistical and security frameworks around trials, including dedicated Israel Prison Service security units for military courts, detention facilities and budgets, information-sharing mechanisms among justice and security agencies, and centralized defendant and witness registries, subject to legal restrictions.
Rothman said the bill expects support from approximately 110 Knesset members, an unusually high number in Israel’s divided 120-member parliament.
“This is the Knesset at its best,” he said. “If I was elected for this law and for this moment, then I feel I fulfilled my mission.”
For the bill’s sponsors, the legislation represents a historic justice framework following the deadliest attack in Israeli history. For Israel’s legal system, it may become a test of whether exceptional procedures, public memory, victim rights, capital punishment, adapted evidence rules, security logistics, and fair-trial guarantees can coexist within one courtroom.
Israeli military authorities announced Monday the death of Staff Sgt. (Res.) Alexander Globenyov, age 47, from Petah Tikva, who died following a drone strike near the Lebanese border. The explosive devices, launched from Lebanese territory, detonated within Israeli boundaries in what military officials characterized as another ceasefire violation by Hezbollah.
The 47-year-old reservist worked as a primary vehicle operator within the 6924 Transporters Battalion. Military sources report that Globenyov lost his life when one of multiple unmanned aircraft exploded in the border region during the assault.
In a heartbreaking interview with Ynet studio, his mother Flora Globnyov remembered her son as “a very good person.”
“He was my only son, I have no one now. He had golden hands. He was an athlete. We came to Israel in 1996,” she told reporters. “They told us it happened at the border; he was at the base. We spoke two days ago for the last time. I was afraid. I was in touch with him, and he said everything was fine.”
The grieving mother revealed that Globenyov is survived by two children – an infant daughter just 8 months old and a teenage son of 15.
“What will I do now? My life is over,” she expressed in her grief.
President Trump firmly dismissed Iran’s counter-proposal to an American peace initiative on Monday, declaring their terms unacceptable.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated: “I just read the response from Iran’s ‘representatives.’ I don’t like it – completely unacceptable!”
According to diplomatic sources speaking to Lebanese outlet Al-Mayadeen, Iran’s counter-proposal contained several key demands: termination of economic blockades, authority over the Strait of Hormuz shipping corridor, removal of U.S. economic sanctions, and access to frozen Iranian assets. The sources indicated Iran’s proposal also featured provisions regarding a Lebanese ceasefire, which they characterized as among Tehran’s non-negotiable conditions.
Meanwhile, America’s position has emphasized unrestricted navigation through maritime corridors and suspension of Iran’s uranium enrichment activities.
The same diplomatic sources revealed that Iran suggested continuing future discussions through written correspondence via Pakistan. Iran’s reported framework also outlined a 30-day negotiation period following any halt in hostilities to resolve outstanding issues. Sources emphasized that Iran demanded any Washington agreement must trigger immediate warfare cessation upon announcement.
According to the source, Iran’s draft demanded “an immediate end to the war and a guarantee that it will not be attacked again.” The source additionally noted Iran sought prompt termination of maritime blockades once preliminary agreements are signed.
A high-ranking Iranian official speaking to Al Jazeera characterized Tehran’s response as “realistic and positive,” explaining it prioritized ending regional warfare, “especially in Lebanon,” while addressing disputes with Washington.
On Sunday evening, Trump posted on Truth Social that Iran “has been playing games with the United States and the rest of the world for 47 years (delay, delay, delay!).”
He continued: “For 47 years, the Iranians have been ‘squeezing’ us,” killing US citizens in roadside bombs, executing tens of thousands of their own citizens and “laughing at our country, which is now great again. They won’t be laughing anymore!”
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam indicated Sunday his nation would be willing to explore a peace deal with Israel, provided specific conditions are satisfied, though he emphasized the government’s top priority remains halting current combat and establishing a withdrawal schedule for Israeli military forces from Lebanese soil.
During a television interview with Al-Arabiya, Salam explained that ongoing discussions with Israel focus on Lebanon’s requirement for “a clear agenda for Israeli withdrawal.” He noted that Beirut’s stance continues to prioritize “stopping hostilities and ending the war.”
“The majority of Lebanese support negotiations to stop the war,” he stated.
The Prime Minister characterized Lebanon as having been unwillingly drawn into conflict, saying the country “did not choose the war, but was dragged into the confrontation between Iran and the United States.” His remarks came amid continued exchanges of fire between Israel and Hezbollah, despite a US-brokered ceasefire announced in April, while Washington works to prevent the Lebanese conflict from expanding into a broader regional war involving Iran.
Salam described the devastation in southern Lebanon’s city of Bint Jbeil as having “become a copy of Gaza” due to extensive damage, and reported that 86 Lebanese villages remain under Israeli control. Israeli officials maintain their southern Lebanon operations target Hezbollah positions near the border to protect northern Israeli communities from future threats. Lebanese authorities insist complete Israeli military withdrawal must occur before any permanent agreement can be established.
The Lebanese administration has worked to position diplomatic efforts as a means to end warfare without characterizing it as normalization with Israel. Earlier this week, Salam stated Lebanon wants “peace, not normalization with Israel,” reiterating that a withdrawal timeline represents Beirut’s basic requirement. He also indicated Lebanon plans to consolidate weapons under government control, a stance that would directly confront Hezbollah’s autonomous military capabilities.
The two nations technically remain in a state of war with no formal diplomatic ties. Recent US-facilitated discussions in Washington have examined security frameworks, military pullbacks, and potential ceasefire structures, though Salam has indicated circumstances aren’t ready for senior-level political negotiations.
Costa Rica’s newly sworn-in President Laura Fernández Delgado has informed Israeli President Isaac Herzog of her intention to relocate Costa Rica’s Israeli embassy from Tel Aviv back to Jerusalem, sources from Herzog’s office confirmed Friday.
This diplomatic shift would undo a 2006 policy change implemented by former President Óscar Arias, who had moved the embassy from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv to align Costa Rican foreign policy with international standards and strengthen relationships with Arab nations.
The discussion took place during a meeting in San José following Fernández’s presidential inauguration ceremony, which Herzog attended as Israel’s official representative. According to Herzog’s office, this marked Fernández’s inaugural official presidential meeting.
For many years prior to 2006, Costa Rica had operated its Israeli embassy in Jerusalem. The relocation to Tel Aviv was part of broader international diplomatic practice, as most nations maintain their Israeli embassies there due to ongoing disputes over Jerusalem’s final status in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel claims Jerusalem as its capital, while Palestinians view East Jerusalem as the future capital of their proposed state.
Fernández officially began her 2026-2030 presidential term on Friday, taking over from outgoing President Rodrigo Chaves. Her administration is anticipated to maintain many of Chaves’ policy priorities, particularly emphasizing security matters and strengthening relationships with the United States. During the inauguration events, Herzog conducted meetings with multiple regional and international dignitaries.
Herzog’s diplomatic schedule included discussions with Spain’s King Felipe VI, Chilean President José Antonio Kast, Honduran President Nasry Asfura, Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo, and Dominican President Rodolfo Abinader Corona.
Reflecting on his Latin American visit, Herzog expressed his impressions before departing for Israel. “I was moved to see the depth of appreciation for Israel, the great interest in its capabilities, and the recognition of its unique contribution to humanity,” Herzog stated.
He further commented on regional diplomatic trends, saying, “In contrast to many voices on the international stage, a positive trend of change, tightening of ties, and deepening of cooperation with Israel is evident in Latin America.”
During his stay, Herzog also participated in Shabbat morning services at San José’s Centro Israelita Sionista de Costa Rica, where he performed the Haftarah reading and spoke to the assembled congregation.
Abraham H. Foxman, a Holocaust survivor who rose to become one of America’s most prominent advocates for Jewish rights, passed away Sunday at the age of 86, according to an announcement from the Anti-Defamation League. The organization has not yet released details about the circumstances or location of his death.
During his leadership of the ADL from 1987 through 2015, Foxman transformed the century-old civil rights group into a major force for Jewish advocacy, monitoring hate crimes, educating about the Holocaust, and leading public efforts to combat prejudice. His career with the organization spanned almost five decades, beginning in 1965 when he started as a legal assistant and eventually becoming one of the most recognizable Jewish leaders in America.
Current ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt honored Foxman’s legacy in a public statement, saying: “Abe’s voice was heard—and listened to—by popes, presidents, and prime ministers, a voice he used wherever Jews were at risk. Abe Foxman spoke on the global stage with moral authority and clarity and was relentlessly dedicated to his pursuit of a world without hate.”
Foxman’s life story began in 1940 when he was born to Polish Jewish parents in what is today Belarus. During the Holocaust, his parents made the difficult decision to leave him with a Polish Catholic caregiver, who had him baptized and raised him as a Christian to hide his identity from Nazi forces. Though he reunited with his parents following World War II, 14 family members perished in the genocide. The family came to America in 1950.
This traumatic early experience shaped his entire career in advocacy. Rather than viewing antisemitism as a theoretical concept, Foxman understood it as a deadly reality he had personally survived. This background lent extraordinary credibility to his work addressing Holocaust remembrance, Jewish safety, support for Israel, and combating hatred in free societies.
Following his graduation from Yeshiva of Flatbush, Foxman completed undergraduate studies in political science at City College of New York and obtained his law degree from New York University School of Law. He also pursued additional studies in Jewish scholarship and international economics, as noted in his ADL biographical information.
Throughout his ADL tenure, Foxman became known as an unwavering and occasionally polarizing public advocate. He consistently challenged antisemitic language across politics, media, universities, entertainment, and international relations, often stepping in when public personalities made statements he considered harmful to Jews or Israel. While some critics argued he was overly quick to condemn perceived insults and too ready to accept apologies from influential figures, Foxman defended his methods by emphasizing the importance of allowing redemption. “If you don’t let them change, then you become the bigot,” he explained.
During Foxman’s leadership, the ADL expanded its focus beyond antisemitism to encompass monitoring white supremacist groups and other extremist movements, advocating for immigrant and LGBTQ rights, providing diversity training to police departments, and creating educational programs about the Holocaust, civil rights, and bullying prevention. While this broader approach sometimes drew criticism from those who preferred a narrower focus on specifically Jewish issues, Foxman viewed the battle against antisemitism as interconnected with the larger fight against all forms of hatred.
He also served as a strong advocate for Israel and maintained dialogue with leaders across the globe. According to his ADL biography, his diplomatic efforts included meetings with officials from Europe, Russia, Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, China, Japan, South Africa, and Argentina, as well as Palestinian leadership, and he held several private audiences with Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog paid tribute to Foxman as someone who connected Israel with Jewish communities worldwide. Herzog stated: “Coming into a world at war, the Holocaust shaped Abe’s character and defined his mission: Combating antisemitism and hypocrisy, calling out racism and bias, speaking up for the Jewish people and the Jewish democratic Israel. His story, of rising from the ashes, is our story, the story of our people.”
Throughout his career, Foxman earned significant recognition, including France’s Legion of Honor and Italy’s Order of Merit. Three U.S. presidents—Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton—appointed him to serve on the President’s United States Holocaust Memorial Council.
Even after stepping down, Foxman continued his advocacy work as national director emeritus of the ADL and remained a vocal commentator on antisemitism, Israel, and extremism. He was particularly prescient about the internet’s potential to amplify hatred, warning The Associated Press during his retirement that online platforms enabled bigotry to spread “not only anonymously but at the speed of light.”
Funeral services for Foxman are planned for Tuesday at Park Avenue Synagogue in New York City.
Foxman’s impact represents a complex but significant legacy: a Holocaust survivor who became a powerful advocate for American Jewish communities, a staunch defender of Israel, a fierce opponent of antisemites and extremists, and someone who believed that fighting hatred required both unwavering moral principles and, when genuinely earned, the capacity for forgiveness.
Delaware State University’s softball squad experienced a disappointing 3-1 loss to South Carolina State in what proved to be an intensely competitive game.
The Hornets battled hard throughout the contest but were unable to generate enough offensive production to match their opponents. Despite their efforts, DSU could only manage one run against South Carolina State’s pitching staff.
The defeat adds another loss to Delaware State’s season record as they continue working to build momentum in their softball program. The team will look to bounce back from this setback in upcoming games.
South Carolina State’s three-run performance was sufficient to secure the victory over the visiting Hornets in what both teams treated as a significant conference matchup.
Haiti’s Prime Minister announced Monday that deteriorating security conditions will prevent the Caribbean nation from conducting its scheduled August presidential election, as violent gangs continue to terrorize the country.
Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime made the announcement during a radio interview, stating that safety concerns make it impossible to proceed with voting as planned. The Caribbean’s most populated country has been waiting nearly ten years for a presidential election.
“It is clear that the security conditions are not met at the level for us to have elections in August,” Fils-Aime told Le Nouvelliste newspaper’s editor-in-chief during the Magik9 radio broadcast.
The Prime Minister expressed hope for conducting elections before year’s end, adding: “I would like for elections to happen by the end of the year. On February 7, we would have an elected president.”
Fils-Aime assumed leadership from a transitional presidential council this past February 7, a date traditionally significant for Haiti’s power transitions, though leaders often ignore this timeline to extend their rule.
The electoral process has faced numerous postponements as armed criminal organizations have strengthened their grip on the capital city and expanded into Haiti’s rural and central regions. This violence has resulted in thousands of deaths and forced more than one million residents from their homes in recent years.
Haiti’s previous president, Jovenel Moise, was murdered in 2021 after postponing elections. His assassination created a leadership void that allowed already powerful gangs to gain control over nearly all of Port-au-Prince.
The deteriorating security situation has hampered election preparations, as criminal groups solidify partnerships and extend their reach throughout the country, making it nearly impossible for officials to ensure legitimate and fair voting procedures.
Meanwhile, both the United Nations and United States have linked their promises to assist Haiti’s security forces with the government’s commitment to conducting elections.
Voter registration was supposed to begin April 1, and the electoral council had set August 30 for the first round of voting, with a runoff scheduled for December. More than 280 political organizations received approval to participate.
“We are not going to hand an encyclopedia to the population to choose from,” Fils-Aime explained. “Choice is a good thing but too much choice is not necessarily what is needed. I would love for us to have elections with 10 to 15 presidential candidates.”
The Prime Minister indicated his administration is negotiating with political organizations regarding electoral regulations, though he remains unsatisfied with the council’s proposed election budget.
Business leaders have recently reported increased gang attacks nationwide. Delphine Gardere, who leads the 154-year-old Rhum Barbancourt distillery, confirmed that one of her workers was fatally shot overnight in the capital city.
SALISBURY, Md. — City officials in Salisbury have announced plans to shut down a portion of Queen Avenue on Thursday as crews work to upgrade the municipal water distribution network.
The closure is set for May 14, 2026, running from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., weather and conditions permitting.
Construction crews will block the stretch of Queen Avenue between Sassafras Drive and West Road. Both directions of travel will be impacted during the project, with workers implementing alternating single-lane traffic during peak afternoon school bus hours.
City officials say alternative routes will be established with appropriate signage to guide drivers around the construction zone. Flagging crews will be stationed at the work site to manage traffic flow.
Officials are asking drivers to allow extra travel time, anticipate potential delays, and exercise caution when navigating through the construction area.
City representatives expressed gratitude for residents’ understanding and patience as teams work to enhance essential infrastructure systems across Salisbury.
Federal health authorities announced Monday they have transported 18 cruise ship passengers back to American soil for quarantine following a hantavirus outbreak aboard their vessel, with one confirmed case now isolated in a specialized medical facility in Nebraska.
Health and Human Services Department officials revealed during a Monday press conference that the passengers are under medical observation at two locations: 16 individuals at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and two in Atlanta. One of the Atlanta patients is currently showing symptoms of the illness.
The affected travelers had been sailing on the MV Hondius, an upscale expedition vessel where an outbreak of the Andes virus occurred. This particular strain represents the sole type of hantavirus known to transmit between humans, though typically the disease spreads through contact with infected wild rodents.
Federal health authorities emphasized that public health risks remain minimal. Admiral Brian Christine, who serves as assistant secretary for health, explained that the Andes virus “does not spread easily” and typically requires extended close interaction with someone displaying symptoms.
The quarantined group spans a wide age range, from individuals in their late twenties to those in their late seventies or early eighties, according to officials. Medical monitoring could continue for as long as 42 days.
Among those returned to the United States were 17 American citizens and one British dual national who elected to receive care in America.
ANNAPOLIS, MD – State agriculture officials in Maryland announced plans to conduct black fly population control measures along a section of the Potomac River close to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.
The Maryland Department of Agriculture will work alongside the Department of Natural Resources to carry out the targeted treatment operation on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, starting at 9:00 a.m.
Officials say the treatment will focus on a specific portion of the Potomac River waterway to address black fly infestations in the region.
CAPE TOWN, South Africa — South African lawmakers announced Monday they will form an impeachment committee to examine four-year-old accusations that President Cyril Ramaphosa engaged in serious misconduct by concealing the robbery of more than $580,000 in cash that was hidden in furniture at his wildlife ranch.
The announcement comes after the nation’s highest court ruled Friday that Parliament’s 2022 decision to halt impeachment proceedings against Ramaphosa violated constitutional procedures.
During that earlier vote, Ramaphosa’s African National Congress held a parliamentary majority. Lawmakers voted to stop the proceedings despite an independent investigation that found evidence suggesting the president failed to properly notify police about the theft and attempted to secretly conduct his own recovery efforts.
Last week’s Constitutional Court decision stated that proper procedure required the 2022 independent investigation to be sent to an impeachment committee for additional review.
Removing the leader of Africa’s largest economy would need backing from at least two-thirds of the 400 Parliament members, as outlined in the Constitution.
The multi-party impeachment panel must complete its investigation before any impeachment vote can occur. Monday’s parliamentary announcement did not specify a timeline for this process.
Following a historic 2024 election, Ramaphosa’s ANC lost its parliamentary majority and now leads a coalition government comprising 10 parties. He could still survive impeachment if his party members support him.
The controversy severely tarnished the image of a president who assumed office in 2018 promising to fight corruption after ten years of government scandals under previous leader Jacob Zuma.
The accusations first surfaced when a former state security agency director visited a police station in 2022, alleging the president committed money laundering and other crimes related to the stolen funds. It later became known that the 2020 theft had been kept hidden.
Ramaphosa has maintained his innocence, explaining the U.S. currency came from legitimate buffalo sales at his ranch. Questions persisted about the money’s origin and why it was concealed in a sofa.
The 2022 independent investigation concluded there was “legitimate doubt” about the money’s source, with some evidence suggesting the amount exceeded Ramaphosa’s claimed $580,000. The report also found that Ramaphosa used his presidential security chief and others to “surreptitiously” pursue the theft suspects.
“President Ramaphosa maintains that no person is above the law and that any allegations should be subjected to due process without fear, favor or prejudice,” his office stated Friday after the court ruling that revived the scandal.
A German humanitarian rescue vessel came under gunfire from Libyan coast guard ships on Monday after pulling approximately 90 migrants from a dangerously overcrowded wooden boat in the Mediterranean Sea, according to the aid organization operating the ship.
The German nonprofit Sea-Watch reported that its vessel, the Sea-Watch 5, was attacked following a rescue mission conducted around 8 a.m. GMT on Monday, roughly 27 miles off Libya’s coastline. According to the organization, the approaching ships “fired live ammunition, first a single shot and then a burst of 10 to 15 rounds, and ordered the ship to stop.”
Officials from Libya’s government in Tripoli have not responded to requests for comment regarding the incident.
Libya’s coastline serves as a primary launching point for migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean from North Africa in small vessels, with thousands perishing during these dangerous voyages.
According to Sea-Watch, approximately 30 crew members and the rescued individuals were on board during the attack and experienced genuine fear for their safety. The crew broadcast a mayday distress signal and notified both Italian and German officials, subsequently issuing a second emergency call when two additional Libyan coast guard vessels appeared in the vicinity.
An Italian coast guard representative confirmed they received notification of the incident. “This appears to be a security incident, for which the relevant bodies and authorities have been informed, including the vessel’s flag state (Germany),” stated spokesperson Roberto D’Arrigo, noting the ship was operating within the search-and-rescue zone under Libyan authority when the confrontation occurred.
The search-and-rescue zone represents the area where local authorities manage responses to maritime emergencies.
Italian coast guard officials later escorted the Sea-Watch 5 away from the area, with the vessel proceeding north toward the Italian port of Brindisi, which authorities designated as a safe harbor.
Sea-Watch spokesperson Julia Winkler expressed concern for passenger and crew safety, urging European governments to take action against what she characterized as an assault by forces “paid and legitimized by them.”
The European Union maintains an arrangement with Libya’s government aimed at decreasing migrant flows through the country. Since 2015, the EU has provided Libya with 700 million euros ($824 million), with much of this funding directed toward strengthening border control measures.
Sea-Watch confirmed that all individuals aboard the migrant vessel were successfully rescued.
The aid organization emphasized that hostile encounters have continued during rescue missions in this region, referencing comparable incidents from recent years.
In August of last year, humanitarian organization SOS Mediterranee reported that Libya’s coast guard opened fire on their vessel, the Ocean Viking, while it searched for a migrant boat in distress in the Mediterranean.
Italy’s migration strategy in the central Mediterranean has historically depended on collaboration with Libya to prevent departures, including providing support, training and equipment to Libyan coast guard forces for intercepting migrant vessels.
Critics, particularly humanitarian organizations, argue this arrangement has intensified conflicts with rescue groups and subjected migrants to mistreatment when intercepted and returned to Libya, while also creating confrontations between Libyan patrol units and NGO ships.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Dutch authorities have formally charged a 37-year-old man with terrorism in connection with a bombing at the headquarters of the nation’s ruling political party, officials announced Monday during a court hearing that extended his detention for another two weeks.
The explosive device detonated on May 8 after being inserted through a mail slot at the D66 party offices, a centrist political organization. While no injuries occurred, the blast happened while approximately 30 young party members were conducting a meeting inside the building. Prime Minister Rob Jetten described the attendees as shaken but physically unharmed during his weekly press briefing.
Authorities have not disclosed the suspect’s identity, following standard Dutch privacy laws, and he was taken into custody immediately following the incident. Officials report that the man has remained silent regarding his reasons for the attack.
“The man is suspected of causing an explosion with terrorist intent. An explosion targeting the headquarters of a political party instills fear in a part of the population. For this reason, the terrorist motive has been charged,” The Hague Public Prosecutor’s Office stated in their official announcement.
Speaking to media representatives on Friday, Jetten, who assumed office in February, dismissed the intimidation attempt. “It was pretty futile if you think you can intimidate politicians with these kinds of actions,” he said.
This marks the second assault on the same downtown Hague facility within twelve months. Last September, the building suffered damage during a violent right-wing protest that turned destructive, occurring just weeks before the country’s national elections.
The Salisbury University Sea Gulls baseball program has secured its place as a host site for the upcoming NCAA Division III Baseball Tournament, marking an impressive fifth straight year of hosting privileges.
Officials announced Monday that the Sea Gulls, currently ranked seventh nationally, have been chosen as one of 16 regional host institutions for the 2026 tournament. The team will welcome visiting squads to compete at Donnie Williams Stadium on their home campus.
The tournament bracket selection was made public Monday afternoon from Indianapolis, confirming Salisbury’s continued status as a premier destination for Division III baseball competition. The consistent hosting designation reflects the program’s sustained excellence and quality facilities over the past half-decade.
According to Bloomberg News, the Trump administration has extended invitations to several prominent business executives to join President Donald Trump during his upcoming state visit to China, a White House official confirmed Monday.
Among the high-profile attendees will be Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Apple’s chief executive Tim Cook, Bloomberg reported. The business delegation also includes Goldman Sachs Group CEO David Solomon, Blackstone’s Stephen Schwarzman, BlackRock leader Larry Fink, Citigroup’s Jane Fraser, and Meta Platforms’ Dina Powell McCormick.
According to the report, Trump plans to bring more than twelve leading corporate executives as part of his strategy to negotiate new commercial agreements and purchasing deals with Beijing during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
None of the mentioned corporations provided immediate responses when contacted for comment by Reuters.
China’s official Xinhua news agency announced that Trump’s state visit is scheduled to take place from May 13 through May 15.
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump announced Monday his intention to temporarily suspend the federal gas tax of 18 cents per gallon as American drivers continue facing elevated fuel costs during the ongoing Iran conflict, according to CBS News.
“We’re going to take off the gas tax for a period of time, and when gas goes down, we’ll let it phase back in,” Trump stated during his interview with CBS.
When asked about potential assistance for airlines struggling with increased jet fuel expenses, Trump indicated no such relief package had been formally proposed. “The airlines are doing not badly,” he remarked to CBS, suggesting the industry doesn’t require a bailout at this time.
The announcement follows comments made Sunday by Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who confirmed during NBC’s “Meet the Press” that the administration was considering a federal gas tax suspension.
Meanwhile, individual states have begun implementing their own relief measures. Indiana, Kentucky, and Georgia have all moved forward with reductions to their state gasoline taxes to help ease the burden on consumers filling up at gas stations.
Fuel costs have climbed steadily since the Iran war commenced on February 28th. According to AAA data released Monday, the national average price for a gallon of gasoline has reached $4.52.
